The Bluegrass Hospitality Group has jumped into the local barbecue scene with its newest concept, MEATS BBQ MKT, which opened this week in the Lansdowne Shoppes on Tates Creek Road.
The restaurant group, which also owns Malone’s steakhouse, Sal’s Chophouse, Drake’s and OBC Kitchen, renovated a former patio space into a market-like atmosphere, with its own stand-alone smokehouse and seating for 56, to accommodate its first foray into this dining segment.
“[It] gave us an opportunity to get into the quick-service world and take advantage of our background as steaks and meat purveyors,” said John McNamara, market partner. “We felt it was a natural fit to get involved in barbecue, which focuses heavily on meats, a product we know and love.”
The new restaurant provides classic barbecue entrees inspired by regional specialties, including Texas-style brisket, Alabama white BBQ sauce and western Kentucky sliced mutton. The meats are available as sliced or chopped products, which the restaurant group expects will give MEATS a leg up in the competitive market. The restaurant has also added some entrees that are less common but still popular barbecue options, including smoked salmon and sliced mutton, and specialty dishes such as “The BMac,” chopped smoked pork smothered in mozzarella, coleslaw and jalapeno kettle chips.
The meat selections are accompanied by a variety of side-dish options, including coleslaw, potato salad and smoked cheddar macaroni and cheese, along with additional rotating daily offerings.
The restaurant sports a somewhat rustic industrial decor, featuring custom-built community tables, exposed brick walls, and slightly charred antique wood. Customers can dine in or carry-out their meals, which the restaurant is marketing as a good option for family dinners, tailgates and casual catered affairs.
Matt Combs serves as executive chef for MEATS, and the restaurant’s pit master is Roberto Alvarez. In addition to the three smokers featured in MEATS’ new smokehouse, a separate traveling smoker, large enough to smoke an entire hog, will also be used for offsite catering events. Catering represents another new opportunity for BHG in the Lexington market, and one that the restaurant group is looking forward to using to leverage its brand.
“Guests have been asking for a product that BHG could fully cater for years off-site,” McNamara said. “We firmly believe that MEATS allows us to tap into our current market and gives guests a new taste of BHG.”
MEATS has been under development by BHG owners Bruce Drake and Brian McCarty for years, according to McNamara, and the new barbecue concept will continue to develop as they gauge the market’s response.
“The Lansdowne Shoppes has been the launchpad for all our best brands,” McNamara said. “This product has been and will be an ever-evolving brainchild of Bruce [Drake] and Brian [McCarty]. It’s taken a while, but it was worth the wait.”
MEATS BBQ MKT is open seven days per week, from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., or until the product runs out. For more information and a complete menu, check online at www.meatsbbqmkt.com.