Q, with more than barbecue, opens on King Drive

Barbecue is served, but it doesn’t dominate the menu at Q, the new restaurant at 2730 N. King Drive by the owner of Ashley’s Bar-B-Que.

Chef-owner Darnell Ashley said he’s hoping to replicate the style of a previous restaurant of his, Ashley’s in Walker’s Point, to attract a diverse and mature crowd.

One indication of how far from barbecue the restaurant ventures: It has vegan boneless wings on the menu, and Ashley said this week he’s experimenting with jackfruit for another vegan dish that could appear soon.

Besides barbecued pork shoulder and beef brisket, Q’s menu has entrées such as pasta Alfredo, salmon croquettes, shrimp and grits, catfish with shrimp and white sauce, and chicken breast or pork chops grilled, smothered or Southern fried. Entrées range from $13 to $21.

Q has daily specials — Fridays for fish fry and Sundays for soul food, for example — plus off-the-menu specials each day the restaurant is open, Tuesdays through Sundays, said general manager

Tina Wesley.

The kitchen stays open until midnight, with the restaurant closing at 1 a.m. The exception is Sundays, when it closes at 8 p.m.

Restaurant seats, spaced for pandemic distancing, have a view of the open kitchen. All staff members have been vaccinated, Wesley said.

Part of the building’s large parking lot and sidewalk will become patio seating in summer.

For now, the restaurant, which debuted Thursday, is open for dinner served in person only, starting at 4 p.m. It’s adding takeout and curbside pickup next week.

Lunch service also will come later; that menu will include sandwiches such as the Prince, a beef-and-lamb combo that originated at Ashley’s Bar-B-Q, 1501 W. Center St.

To see the

full

menu,

go

to

Pizza fundraiser

Chef Adam Pawlak of Egg & Flour pasta bar and chef Dana Spandet of Flour Girl & Flame pizza truck are collaborating as Egg & Flour Girl to raise money for the Tandem’s free community meal program.

The event is noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at Zócalo Food Park, 636 S. Sixth St.

Pawlak will make mac and cheese pizzas; Spandet’s menu is pepperoni with fresh mozzarella, house pickled peppers and hot honey, plus pizzas with asparagus and foraged toppings.

The 10-inch whole pizzas are $15 apiece; additional donations accepted. People also can donate at

The north side restaurant since March 2020 has helped restaurants stay afloat and fed city residents in need.

COURTESY OF Q The bar area and dining room has distanced seating at the new Q, a restaurant by Darnell Ashley. The restaurant is 2730 N. King Drive.