Fans of Sweet Smoke BBQ are in luck: its owner is opening a new restaurant in Jefferson City.
Dukes on the Boulevard, set to open in the middle of October on Missouri Boulevard next to Love Sushi, will feature fast-casual American food: smash burgers, french fries, craft beers, hot chicken sandwiches, to name a few options on the menu. It will also offer a selection of salads, shareables like cheese curds, fried pickles and parmesan truffle fries, as well as various composed dishes that are less customizable, such as "Shrimp and Not Grits" served with polenta and other dishes served over sticky rice, all made fresh in the kitchen.
Owner John Biggs said he hoped to bring new options to customers while retaining the charm of Sweet Smoke's business model.
"The idea was to do something like Sweet Smoke, but with burgers and fresh foods," Biggs said. "We're including smash burgers because I love them, and nice composed dishes that people might consider more dinner dishes as well."
The new restaurant is expected to open in mid-October, he said.
The basement of the building formerly housed TG's Lounge, Biggs said. While the future of that space has yet to be decided, he said it would make up a second phase of the project in the next six to nine months.
With two Sweet Smoke locations in Jefferson City, one downtown and one near the Capital Mall, and another in Osage Beach, Biggs said he was excited to expand his footprint with a new set of flavors and atmosphere.
"It's basically going to be a counter-style restaurant with a little bit of everything," Biggs said. "There's going to be all kinds of options, and I think it'll be great."
Dukes on the Boulevard will be located at 2125 Missouri Blvd.
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