Smoked meat is having a serious moment – and you can get in on the action right here in Riyadh. Chances are you’ve heard of Smokey Beards Q, or at the very least seen it splashed across your Instagram feed. And if you’re serious about American barbecue, there’s an even bigger chance you’ve already sunk your teeth into its signature servings. Specifically, the brisket sandwich at Smokey Beards Q.
This is the city’s go-to spot for brisket – but it didn’t happen overnight. “We wanted everyone, even Americans, to experience that genuine Texan execution in our smoked meat,” says Saud AbdulAziz Al Ayedh, Smokey’s co-owner and co-founder, alongside his father and uncle.
Back in 2014 trio decided they wanted to bring something beyond burgers to Riyadh’s casual dining scene, but it wasn’t until October 2018 that Smokey Beards Q was born, so-named for the aromas that clung to the chefs after a day at the smoker-face.
With more than 21 years’ experience between them, the team gradually built up the eatery from a two-days-a-week, singles-only outlet to a full-scale, seven-days-a-week restaurant operation in 2020, and today serve anywhere up to 600 guests a day, with brisket available daily “until it sells out”.
Smokey Beards Q’s brisket sandwich is one of just three main dishes on the menu – joined by the smoked meat platter and the short ribs platter.
It’s also Smokey’s top-selling dish. While the smoked meat platter and the short rib platter are served and priced by weight, this hand-held version is a flat SAR57.5, starring 151g (or 0.3lb) of beautiful brisket.
A generous layer of smoked, pulled Black Angus brisket is the backbone of this belly-busting sandwich, smoked for up to 24 hours.
There are an impressive 11 options to load in, from crispy fried onions to crinkle-cut dill pickles, sharp cheese to shredded cabbage salad.
And finally, the sauce. Go classic barbecue, cheese or mushroom – or combine all three if you’ve a thirst for culinary chaos. Smokey’s also serves up a range of sides – go all in with the brisket fries.
Fancy a taste of the Lone Star State? Better get your skates on.
SAR57.5. Prince Muhammad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdulaziz Road, Hittin, Riyadh 13512, instagram.com/smokeybeardsq (053 470 0086).
For more top eats all over Riyadh, click here.
