A new barbecue restaurant, whose owners seek to continue the vibe of the longtime local watering hole The Beer Keg, will soon open in Fayetteville.
The new restaurant, called FlavorSmith’s Craft Barbecue, is in the works in the former bar at 50 E. Township St.
The restaurant is a project by local resident Billy Ray Smith, who described his style of barbecue as a mix between that of Texas and Kansas City.
Smith said he plans to serve all of the staples folks would expect from a barbecue restaurant, including pulled pork, chopped and sliced brisket, baby back ribs, jalapeno sausage and barbecue sandwiches. He said he plans to serve a host of sides, including barbecue beans, mac & cheese, cole slaw, potato salad, and pinto beans. The restaurant will also serve regular and barbecue baked potatoes, salads, and more.
Smith has worked in the barbecue business before. He was the general manager for Red’s Barbecue in Laurie, Missouri near Lake of the Ozarks for a number of years, he told us.
The restaurant will operate out of the small space that served as the Beer Keg for more than 50 years in Fayetteville. The bar closed back in September.
“I am trying to bring back the Beer Keg vibe, but I am going to do it with barbecue,” he said.
FlavorSmith’s will open initially without a beer permit, but Smith said he hopes to get his application in to be able to serve bottled beers in the next few weeks.
The building has limited seating inside, but has some outdoor seats on picnic tables out back. Smith said he will also offer to-go orders and catering service.
If all goes well, Smith said he hopes to be up and running at the restaurant by Wednesday, Feb. 28. After that, Flavorsmith’s will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. or until the meats are sold out each day, he said.
