BBQ eatery to open in Huber Heights

Al’s Smokehouse Carryout & Catering of Springfield is set to establish a second location where TGI Fridays once stood.

A locally owned barbecue restaurant is in the works at the former TGI Fridays in Huber Heights.

Al Shamburger, founder and owner of Al’s Smokehouse Carryout & Catering in Springfield, told this news outlet he has signed a lease to open a second location at 7777 Old Troy Pike in Huber Heights. The space previously housed TGI Fridays restaurant that shut down on Labor Day in 2017.

“This is a big move for us,” Shamburger said. “I saw the location was available, and I had always wanted to open a restaurant in Huber Heights.”

Shamburger’s current location seats about 25 and has seven employees. The former TGI Fridays seats about 105, Shamburger said. He expects to hire about 40 employees and to be open seven days a week. The new restaurant has a license to sell alcohol, the restaurant owner said.

Shamburger previously operated a barbecue eatery near West Third and Broadway streets in Dayton. The Al’s Smokehouse at 1202 Sunset Ave. in Springfield opened in 2015. Shamburger said he should know more about his projected timeline for opening the Huber Heights location next week.

The Al’s Smokehouse menu features BBQ favorites such as pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket and bourbon chicken, smoked on-site.

Shamburger said he is exploring adding a third location in the Columbus area after the launch of the Huber Heights location.