BBQ News
Esteemed BBQ chain Sugarfire from St. Louis shuts down smokers in Dallas
Ribs at Sugarfire Smoke House.
A barbecue restaurant from St. Louis has departed Dallas: Sugarfire Smoke House, an award-winning BBQ chain from St. Louis, Missouri, closed its location at 6750 Abrams Rd. #110 in Lake Highland's Creekside development.
According to a spokesperson, it closed in December 2022.
"We closed about three weeks ago," they said. "We just couldn't make it."
Sugarfire Smoke House was founded by Charlie Downs and chef Mike Johnson in St. Louis in 2012. 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.
In addition to Missouri, they currently have locations in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, and Iowa. Each location is independently owned.
Dallas was their first and only location in Texas. They partnered with locals Kevin and Haydee Klika, but opened during a tough time: in the thick of the pandemic in November 2020.
They went into an old Sigel's, next-door to Fireside Pies, where they added a festive patio and indoor-outdoor bar.
Their menu included brisket, pulled pork, ribs, sausage made in-house, grass-fed burgers, salads, sandwiches, and sides.
They also had a number of items you don't typically see at BBQ places such as smoked fried artichokes, and hushpuppies stuffed with pork belly.
Beverages included local beer, sodas, and specialty beverages.
The Dallas menu followed 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.
That center has had some turnover, with the recent departure of Yogi's Home Plate, replaced by a new location of Shell Shack, which is slated to open on January 9.
