1 neighborhood, 2 barbecue joints

Smoke BBQ opens in Boca Raton, Troy’s Barbeque coming nearby soon

A barbecue resurgence in Boca Raton is underway: Smoke BBQ opened its newest location this week, and Troy’s Barbeque of Boynton Beach is planning to soon open an offshoot a few blocks away.

Smoke’s return to Palm Beach County was delayed a few months because of permitting issues, but the new location, at 555 N. Federal Highway, opened on Thursday. Co-owner Scott Kennedy says staff from Smoke’s Fort Lauderdale flagship will work at the new location to ease the transition.

“It’s the right fit and a great location,” Kennedy says. “It’s good to be back in Palm Beach County. There’s been an absence of proper smoked barbecue in this area.”

Smoke BBQ is a Texasstyle smokehouse that also serves the boldest pastrami

this side of Katz’s Delicatessen. The Boca Raton location will serve pastrami, brisket, chicken and ribs smoked in house along with jalapeno-cheddar sausage from Texas. Weekly specials include burnt brisket ends on Fridays and a giant beef rib after 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The restaurant has two smokers, including a rotisserie-style smoker that Kennedy says delivers good flavor, bark and juiciness.

Smoke began in 2014 on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach in a former nightclub with full liquor, a stylistic mismatch that ended with its closing in 2017. The Fort Lauderdale location opened in December 2015 near Galt Ocean Mile and has thrived with a relaxed and rustic vibe, including community picnic tables.

“We saw with the Fort Lauderdale store that the fast-casual model makes more sense,” Kennedy says.

The new Smoke is in a strip mall near Mizner Park. It will be open daily during high season and be closed Mondays during the summer. Patrons order at the counter and food is delivered to tables. Beer and wine is available. The 1,600-square-foot eatery has 24 seats inside and 12 seats on a patio.

The new Smoke plans to introduce non-traditional flavored ribs to go along with baby backs and spare ribs. An Asian-influenced rib, with a sweet-chili rub featuring Chinese fivespice, will be offered in coming weeks, followed by a Greek-style lemon-herb rib and a chipotle-rubbed rib. “We want to play around with some new flavors,” co-owner Steve Chin says.

Troy’s Barbeque has been in Boynton Beach for more than two decades (first as a backyard operation, then a food truck and brick-andmortar). Owner Troy Davis has decided the time is right to expand south. The new Boca Raton location, at 1198 N. Dixie Highway, is expected to have an April opening. Its state restaurant license is pending.

Troy’s and Smoke will be a half-mile apart.

“To be honest, this side of Boca has been underserved when it comes to proper barbecue,” Smoke’s Kennedy says. “We’re going to do what we’ve done to make us successful, and Troy’s is going to keep doing what they’ve done. I think Troy’s has a good product.”

Is there enough demand for both in east Boca?

“We’re going to find out,” Kennedy says.

ALYSE SIEGEL CHIN/COURTESY The new Smoke BBQ in Boca Raton, at 555 N. Federal Highway, will feature patio seating and a menu similar to its Fort Lauderdale flagship.