Local food truck bringing “fast food barbecue” to Columbus area with new brick and mortar space

A barbecue food truck that’s become a staple in the Pickerington area has announced it will open its first-ever brick and mortar restaurant later this year.

Based in Baltimore, Ohio, SmokeOut BBQ is a food truck and catering service typically located east of Downtown Columbus, and that’s where it will be setting up its new permanent home.

SmokeOut BBQ will open at 1850 Winderly Ln. in Pickerington. According to owner Derek Johnson, the eatery is eyeing a late March or early April opening date.

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“I’m beyond excited to expand our brand and get my food into more mouths than I have over the last few years,” he said.

While SmokeOut creates true pit barbecue, Johnson refers to the spot’s offerings as “fast food barbecue” due to its speedy service and the fact that most barbecue is pre-prepared due to the lengthy cooking process.

The addition of a drive-thru window, which the new eatery will feature, should make service even quicker, according.

SmokeOut BBQ first opened in 2018 as a food truck and catering service, and the addition of its first-ever brick and mortar space will allow Johnson to expand both arms of the business.

While the new 2,200 square foot storefront will afford him more space to bring on fryers (and the addition of loaded and barbecue fries, he said), it will also allow SmokeOut’s catering services to grow.

“We handled over 40 weddings in 2021, but I had to set a limit to the amount we could do, mostly because of limited prep space in the food trailer,” Johnson said. “The new restaurant is going to allow us to do a lot more.”

If you like this, read: This spot for burgers, ribs is opening a permanent kitchen inside Eastside Brewing

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