Smokey and the Bhuna

The New Year saw new owners taking over from Rouse Street neighbours Shagy's Pizza and India on Bay. The latter is a straight switch for Khansama Tandoori, whose familiar looking menu is reflective of a bolts and all business sale, with even the religious trinkets remaining.

Shagy however has undergone much more of a makeover to become Smokey's BBQ, with the booths gaining a barn roof and the remnants of the wall mural giving way to license plates that leave no doubt that this, bizarrely, is Rouse Street's second American eating joint (with Third Wave café having been plying a successful evening American BBQ trade for a while now).

Though probably appealing to different markets it's hard not to draw comparison between the two new starters, with Smokey definitely putting more effort into winning over new custom to their somewhat red-necked meat-fest. Unfortunately their neighbours appear to have fallen into the complacency trap of not trying to be better than their predecessor; which is a mistake, because inevitably in some ways you'll be worse ... and in this case I'd say it's in the service.

Smokey's (All) American BBQ
Main prices: $15 - $23
Beer range: Millers, Coors, Budweiser, Sierra Nevada
Wine range: $8 - 9.50
Quantity vs quality: As you would expect in an American diner
Nearest Tram: Beacon Cove (109)
Bookings: 9646 4719