Smokee Mo’s is a local barbecue restaurant currently operating in Arnold. Luckily, a Manchester location is scheduled to open in the next few months, bringing this local stop closer to home. The restaurant features barbecue staples, daily-made sides, and a rotating set of specials and sides based on the day of the week.

The menu contains all the classics – ribs, pulled pork and chicken, brisket, and sides, as well as a few special creations. They serve sandwiches, platters, and a wide variety of homemade sides.

Some of their personal inventions include the Mangia Bene, a brisket sandwich served on homemade garlic bread with their signature sauce. There’s also the Mo’s Nachos, a platter of nachos covered in cheese, onions, beans, and your choice of their meat.

Their sausage sandwich is good, with two sliced sausages placed on a bun. It comes with one side and is one of the cheapest items on the menu at $8. The sausage itself is made in store from an old family recipe, not store ordered. They grill it and put it on buns, creating a simple but delicious little sandwich.

The ribs were pretty decent, but not the best in town. The meat was a bit dry and dense but still fell off the bone with ease. It was well seasoned but overall better with the sauces offered. A half-rack came with two sides and garlic bread, making it a pretty good deal at $17.

No self-respecting St. Louis barbecue would do without serving pork steak, and their platter was delicious. It came with a huge, fatty cut of meat cooked perfectly. It fell apart underneath a fork with no effort and basically melts in your mouth. The platter is $15 for the meat, garlic bread, and your choice of two sides. It’s a great deal for what you get and a fantastic meal.

Their sides are also delicious, with everything made in-store and most sides made daily. Their mac ‘n’ cheese was surprisingly creamy and good for being stored in a hot bar. Their baked beans were great and served in a sweet, syrupy sauce. The fries were crunchy and well seasoned, and the homemade applesauce was fantastic. The cole slaw was the only lackluster side, being lumpy and very watery, but it was still decent.

Smokee Mo’s serves dessert from a Blue Owl Desserts, a local bakery based in Imperial

. There’s apple crisp, four different kinds of cake, cookies, and homemade frozen custard. The apple crisp was yummy, but a little overpriced at $6 for a medium-sized slice. You can request the desserts heated up, as they are all served cold.

The restaurants interior is reminiscent of Sugarfire’s stores, with old-timey dishes and paraphernalia. The dining area is pretty big, with your choice of booths, table, and one long bar in the center. If you sit at the bar, every stool is from a different time and place, which makes for an interesting seating experience. The food is served from a buffet line, where you order your food along the way and pay at the end. The kitchen area is open and allows you to watch any cooking that may be going on.

The new location in Manchester is a bit different and is being built as a big barn house-style building. It will feature vegan and vegetarian items, as well as the original menu. The full menu is being released in May on their website, which also features construction progress pictures. The store is scheduled to open sometime in the next couple of months.

Smokee Mo’s is a great spot for St. Louis barbecue and desserts, and will be much easier to get to once they open up in our area. It’s a bit pricey, as most barbecue is, but it’s a great stop for anyone craving some homemade food and a nice atmosphere.

Rating: 7.5/10