BBQ News

Dallas gets taste of St. Louis BBQ with debut of Sugarfire Smoke House

Courtesy photo

UPDATE 11-11-2020: Sugarfire opened its doors on November 11.

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There's a new barbecue concept coming to town: Sugarfire Smoke House, an award-winning BBQ chain from St. Louis, Missouri, will open its 16th location and its first location in Dallas at 6750 Abrams Rd., #110 in Lake Highland's Creekside development.

According to a release, it'll open in June 2020.

Sugarfire Smoke House was founded by Charlie Downs and chef Mike Johnson in St. Louis in 2012. They've since expanded across Missouri with nine locations, including one within the National Blues Museum. There are also locations in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Johnson has served as a celebrity guest pitmaster and competitor in events globally, and has appeared on the Food Network, Destination America's BBQ Pitmasters, and Travel Channel’s Food Paradise.

For the Dallas location, they'll partner with locals Kevin and Haydee Klika.

Sugarfire is known for its brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. They make their sausage in-house, and also do grass-fed burgers, salads, sandwiches, and sides.

They have a number of items you don't typically see at BBQ places including smoked fried artichokes, and hushpuppies that are stuffed with pork belly and served with a jalapeño jelly for dipping.

There's a Cracker Jack salad with spinach, red onions, pit ham, bleu cheese, actual Cracker Jacks, and an apple cider vinaigrette. Sides include French fries, baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Beverages will include local beer, sodas, and specialty beverages.

The Dallas menu will follow other Sugarfire locations, with meats made-to-order on Ole Hickory smokers, plus cookies, pies, boozy milkshakes, milkshakes with pie blended in, and over-the-top daily specials announced via social media.

The fast-casual layout will allow patrons to line up at a carving table, and grab a complimentary sample.

Klika says in a release that they've been eyeing Dallas as a market for some time.

Sugarfire will go into a portion of the space that used to be Spec's, alongside neighbors Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Fireside Pies.

Their restaurant will occupy a 3,200-square-foot space with seating for up to 68, plus an outdoor patio and multiple bars.

barbecue

Putting into Plano

New Plano restaurant Sip'Stroke tees up golf with chef-driven fare

Saffron salmon skewers, one of the featured seafood offerings on Chef Madan Oli’s menu at Sip’Stroke.

Photo courtesy of Sip'Stroke.

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It's tee time for a new restaurant featuring a private Full Swing golf simulator and an indoor putt-putt course in Plano: Called Sip’Stroke, the new "eatertainment" spot is opening Saturday, August 1 at 5969 Dallas Pkwy.

The concept comes from Kushal Raj Bastakoti, a cityscape artist and interior designer from Nepal who moved to Dallas in 2013 to attend the University of North Texas. Bastakoti also owns Skyline Lounge in downtown Dallas, which opened earlier this year, and is a franchisee of the Asian beverage and dessert chain Feng Cha Café.

He says he chose the location due to the rapid growth of businesses and residences in the nearby Legacy area.

“At Sip’Stroke we created a space that is entirely unique — it feels like you're on a 9-hole golf course, but paired with exceptional dining,” he says.

Although built around golf, the restaurant is also chef-driven. Bastakoti recruited chef Madan Oli, who launched his culinary career in Copenhagen, where he developed a focus on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and presentation.

“My goal is to bring people together through modern American cuisine with bold flavors and global inspiration,” says Oli. “Every dish is crafted with care, balance, and a true passion for hospitality.”

$Sip\u2019Stroke$ At Sip’Stroke, you can catch the game, play a round of putt-putt, and enjoy a high-end meal.Photo courtesy of Sip'Stroke.

Oli designed a menu featuring shared boards, fresh seafood, premium steaks, elevated bar staples, and desserts. Highlights include prime ribeye frites, saffron salmon, maple leaf duck breast, Cabernet-braised short ribs, Wagyu sliders, and a selection of tacos and wings, with prices ranging from $20 to $35.

The full bar serves classic and signature cocktails, along with shots, wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks.

The venue includes a private golf simulator that accommodates up to eight guests, a custom nine-hole mini-golf course integrated into the dining room, seating for 60 indoors, and an additional 15 seats on the patio.

While Sip’Stroke has been operating with limited hours during a soft opening over the past several days, regular business hours begin Saturday, August 1, from 12 noon to 12 midnight daily. A grand opening celebration is planned for late August.

A second Sip’Stroke location is also in the works next to Skyline Lounge at 2012 Commerce St. in downtown Dallas and is expected to open before the end of the year. The owners say restoring the historic 100-year-old building has taken longer than anticipated.

eatertainment golf plano