Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and plenty of it these days in the back of a 1960 GMC pickup truck in the parking lot of Mercado del Carmen, where you’ll find two of our favorite chefs, J.j. Castaneda and Adrian Gorton, preparing to launch their new BBQ restaurant, The Smokehouse SMA Texas BBQ – Casa de Humo.
As remarkable as the meats will be - Brisket, Pork Ribs and sausage with a rotating smoked meat special every month - suckling pig, salmon, chicken or beef ribs - it’s the sides that allow the chefs to show off their creative side and they’ll be plenty of of that with Castaneda and Gorton style Mac and Cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, Southern baked beans, honey cornbread, house made pickles, chiles torreados and two types of BBQ sauce: their signature sauce and a classic Carolina sauce with secret spices.
BBQ is nothing new to Chef JJ Castaneda; he grew up with it. Born in El Paso, Texas, he says Texas is the capital of the BBQ world, where BBQ is beef based and brisket reigns supreme. He made regular rounds to Meuller’s, Salt Lick and Franklin’s. As a chef, he was influenced by another great Texas Q chef, Aaron Franklin, the owner of Franklin’s BBQ, who elevated the art of BBQ when he published a best-selling cookbook, Franklin Barbecue, A Meat-Smoking Manifesto, and won a James Beard award for the best chef in the region; the first for a Pitmaster.
Chef Adrian Gorton lives BBQ; traveling to its capitals - Memphis, South Carolina and Texas – just to eat it. His specialty is BBQ ribs; a rite of passage food when we were growing up.
The Smokehouse SMA Texas BBQ – Casa de Humo will open soon; holding my breath, tagging all you BBQ fans and lining up for what will be the first authentic Texas BBQ in Centro SMA.
We’re busy plotting on how we’re going to beat our good friend, Adrian Garcia-Evans, to the head of the line when it opens in a matter of weeks. Stay tuned.
The Smokehouse SMA Texas BBQ – Casa de Humo
Mercado del Carmen
Calle Pila Seca #19
Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto