As early as October 1, Lakewood will welcome its newest restaurant — a barbecue joint.
Something’s Smokin (14725 Detroit Ave., 440-799-8890) has signed on as a tenant in the Bailey Building, located at the busy corner of Detroit and Warren. Situated next to Jimmy John’s, the 2,600-square-foot space is the creation of the Weeast family — and the operation is truly a family affair. The crew is headed up by Mark Weeast, a chef for Heinen’s and a Culinary Institute of America graduate. His wife Lisa, a former teacher, joins daughter and manager Kaitlin. The couple’s other daughter, Lindsay, will help when she is on break from college.
This story started two years ago, when Lisa bought Mark a smoker for his birthday. “He asked me for a smoker so we bought one,” Lisa explains. “After having some of the barbecue, we felt like we could really make something out of this.”
Something’s Smokin will feature house-smoked classics like baby back ribs, beef brisket and pulled pork, all made the low-and-slow way using fruit and hickory woods. Already the Weeast’s are talking up their whole smoked chicken wings. “People want a healthier option and these wings are not fried, they are smoked,” notes Lisa.
Along those same lines, the restaurant will offer homemade soups, salads, roasted vegetable sandwiches, smoked turkey burgers and gluten-free BBQ sauce. But none of that will compare to the signature smoked mac & cheese, promises Lisa. “This is going to blow people away. It is made right in our smoker and is awesome tasting.”
The design is described as “laid back, warm and friendly.”
The Weeasts say that Lakewood was the natural choice for the location of their first restaurant.
“We really like the area and that Lakewood is a city, but still a close knit community,” says Lisa.
This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2013.
sign me up for a taste!