Judging by recent media reports, there’s only one item of note taking place this week in the world of Cleveland food and drink: the long-awaited opening of Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ.

Don’t tell that to Shane Vidovic and Ted Dupaski, who also happen to be opening a barbecue spot this week. Building upon the success of their two-year-old Texas-style barbecue food truck of the same name, Proper Pig Smokehouse (17100 Detroit Ave., 440-665-3768) will open its doors this week in the former Cleveland Pickle location in Lakewood.

“Everything is looking good for the 15th,” says Vidovic.

Starting at 4 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy the full menu of meaty smokehouse fare, most notably the brisket, pork, Texas hot link sausages, pork ribs and turkey. Diners will be able to order the meat in sandwiches or as part of combo platters featuring one, two, three or more varieties in a single go. Of course, sides like potato salad, baked beans and coleslaw will be on hand as well.

“We’re setting it up to be like the way we like to eat,” Vidovic explains. “When I go to barbecue places I like to try everything on the menu. That’s what I hope people will do here.”

Management has succeeded in creating a colorful, casual neighborhood restaurant with walk-up counter-style service. There is seating for about 35 guests at small tables, large communal tables, and at one bourbon barrel-mounted Donkey Kong game set permanently on free play.

Asked to comment about that other guy who happens to be opening a barbecue restaurant in Cleveland this week, Vidovic says, “It’s never a bad thing. Like in Austin, there are 50 places within 10 miles of each other. I think we’ll be the place where you go once a week and Mabel’s will be the place you go once a month. Hopefully we can piggy-back off that a little bit.”

The menus are different, the prices are different and the settings are different, he adds. Vidovic did have an opportunity to stick his head into Mabel’s to steal a peek.

“He did a really nice job – it looks awesome,” he says. “If I had a couple extra million laying around, that’s the look I would have gone for too.”

This article appears in Apr 6-12, 2016.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

One reply on “Mabel’s isn’t the Only BBQ Joint Opening this Week. Say ‘Hey’ to Lakewood’s Proper Pig”

  1. As a BBQ lover who feels like he’s lived on a BBQ-island forever….. so excited to see great BBQ coming our way to Northeast Ohio (and Lakewood!)

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