Modern barbeque concept coming to N. May Avenue (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=616-Modern-barbeque-concept-coming-to-N-May-Avenue)

A new hospitality company is approaching completion of The Smoking Boar near May and Britton Roads in North Oklahoma City.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar6.jpg


The team of operating partner Jason Johnson, culinary director Jim Camp and executive chef Boo Hee Newman are making a significant investment in the large 5,000 square foot space to feature a full-service restaurant and large bar area.

Newman was most recently head chef at Cheever's Cafe and Johnson and Camp each have more than 20 years of culinary experience.

While living in Indiana, Johnson visited Oklahoma City and saw great potential in the surging local food and beverage scene.

He describes Smoking Boar as a modern take on barbeque to feature traditional items such as brisket, turkey, and ribs but with a strong emphasis on smoked fish, including salmon which will be a permanent feature of the menu.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar3a.jpg


Sausage will be from scratch and offered for sale at their front counter.

Sides will be a mix of traditional items and some different, more upscale dishes.

Johnson is planning a robust beverage program with signature cocktails and 40-50 beers offered.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar8.jpg


Smoking Boar will be open for dinner and lunch as well as weekend brunches with acoustic music.

The restaurant hopes to open at the end of June or beginning of July at their location directly north of The Ranch Steakhouse.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar4a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar051619a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar051619b.jpg

This is not too far from me, hopefully they can live up too their plans.

The Village!

Wow, we were just in there for that Mexican place not too long ago. Hopefully this is a concept that will take hold in this location.

It's a very big building and they are spending a bunch of money in there.

The N. May corridor is such an enigma... Such great population density and high incomes all around yet so many places struggle.

I know Ned's Starlight Lounge is doing very well and that Garage at Britton is just a monster. I suspect it has more to do with the right concept and execution than anything else.

It's a very big building and they are spending a bunch of money in there.

The N. May corridor is such an enigma... Such great population density and high incomes all around yet so many places struggle.

I know Ned's Starlight Lounge is doing very well and that Garage at Britton is just a monster. I suspect it has more to do with the right concept and execution than anything else.

And The Ranch has thrived there for quite a few years in a not so high profile location.

Too bad they can't reorient this building to face Britton. The approach from the parking lot is awkward. I know, they can put a huge sign up and everything but there's just something about a blank wall facing the main thoroughfare that seems off-putting and unwelcoming.

And The Ranch has thrived there for quite a few years in a not so high profile location.

We live SW of the airport and the Ranch is our go to steak place as well as our special dinner place. With the lack of any decent higher end places in the SW I44 corridor and SW OKC, the location of the Ranch right off the highway makes it easily accessible and fairly quick to get to.

We live SW of the airport and the Ranch is our go to steak place as well as our special dinner place. With the lack of any decent higher end places in the SW I44 corridor and SW OKC, the location of the Ranch right off the highway makes it easily accessible and fairly quick to get to.

Can't disagree it's easy to get to but most people don't know it's there and even just driving by it's hard to know what it is or the price point..... If I was to take a guess from the name I would guess rustic furniture store or if I went with the restaurant guess I would assume it's along the lines of a Salt Grass or Texas Road House.... While it's way better than both of those.

Edit: Just pulled it up on Google Street View and noticed the sign does say steakhouse..... Don't remember it saying that when I was there 12-13 years ago.

Can't disagree it's easy to get to but most people don't know it's there and even just driving by it's hard to know what it is or the price point..... If I was to take a guess from the name I would guess rustic furniture store or if I went with the restaurant guess I would assume it's along the lines of a Salt Grass or Texas Road House.... While it's way better than both of those.

what?????

it is the most successful non chain restaurant in OKC

what?????

it is the most successful non chain restaurant in OKC

You are missing my point completely.... I'm pretty sure I said it has done very well despite being in what I consider a low profile location.

You are missing my point completely.... I'm pretty sure I said it has done very well.

if it is the most successful place then your comment is totally off base ... most people DO KNOW IT IS THERE and what it is all about

if it is the most successful place then your comment is totally off base ... most people DO KNOW IT IS THERE and what it is all about

Ok... If you say so..... Most people don't have a clue what I'm talking about when I mention it along with Mahogany or Red Prime but they know of those two.

Ok... If you say so..... Most people don't have a clue what I'm talking about when I mention it along with Mahogany or Red Prime but they know of those two.
This mirrors my experience, but of course, boulder is always right.

And for what it's worth.... My point was that high end concepts have, and can, succeed in that area.

The Ranch is a destination restaurant which is very different than this type of place and 99.5% of every other restaurant in town.

I would have to disagree.... After reading what you posted about Smoking Boar they have the potential to be a destination restaurant too.

This mirrors my experience, but of course, boulder is always right.

This, both about the Ranch and Boulder

This mirrors my experience, but of course, boulder is always right.

Maybe it's the industry that I work in, but I don't know a single person that doesn't know what the Ranch is or wouldn't include it in the top steakhouses in the state.

Wow.... Regret even mentioning that a high end concept can work in this area now.

Looking forward to trying the Smoking Boar when it gets open.

The Ranch is a local steakhouse, not a place tourists really come for. But most in Oklahoma know about it, and it is VERY good! People in Dallas, or maybe even Tulsa, may not fully know about it, but no one is saying that diminishes its quality.

The Smoking Boar sounds interesting, and I will have to try it!

Ok... If you say so..... Most people don't have a clue what I'm talking about when I mention it along with Mahogany or Red Prime but they know of those two.

This is funny because it is consistently full, even on what are normally low volume restaurant nights. Given that it is very expensive yet always busy it goes against the idea no one knows about it. Their demographic definitely knows about it.

When I read these kind of assertions it reminds me of Yogi Berra’s Statement (loosely quoted): No one goes there anymore because it is too crowded.

By the way, in the immediate area is Red Rock and Hefner Grille. Both also seem to do well. And just south is Michael’s Grille..upscale and has done very well for a long time.

That building is about 45 years old, IIRC and has had some good, long term restaurant tenants. They have had a run of bad luck the last couple years with groups that looked under-capitalized and slow to open. This concept looks good anyway.

Sad that this building and the retail strip running north were painted stark white over the original dark brown brick less than 12 months ago. Now they painted medium brown over the white.

Wasn't this space formerly home to Pioneer PIes?

Pretty sure Joker's Comedy Club was there for a while as well.

Pioneer Pies was at Hefner and Pennsylvania. Building has been torn down. About 300 feet west of the empty Texaco station that is still standing on the NW corner of the intersection.

Wasn't this space formerly home to Pioneer PIes?

Pretty sure Joker's Comedy Club was there for a while as well.

Shotgun Sams? Haha.

I think Lido was there for a bit, too, right?

Yes, I think it was Lido, or some other Asian buffet was there for many years. In the 1970s it was some kinda pizza, or something else family-friendly place. Maybe it was Shotgun Sam's.

The Pioneer Pies location on Hefner I was referring to earlier was a Shakey's Pizza in the late 70s, when we would hang out in the parking lot weekend nights.

The Pioneer Pies location on Hefner I was referring to earlier was a Shakey's Pizza in the late 70s, when we would hang out in the parking lot weekend nights.

I think maybe Papa Dio's did some time in that location in the 80s, too.

Totally forgot about Shakey's...

The Ranch is a destination restaurant which is very different than this type of place and 99.5% of every other restaurant in town.

Desmond Mason says it's his favorite steakhouse in OKC.

Yes, I think it was Lido, or some other Asian buffet was there for many years. In the 1970s it was some kinda pizza, or something else family-friendly place. Maybe it was Shotgun Sam's.

The Pioneer Pies location on Hefner I was referring to earlier was a Shakey's Pizza in the late 70s, when we would hang out in the parking lot weekend nights.

I remember it as Kim Wah in the mid-2000's. Was sad when they shut down, but by that point I wasn't going there often anymore due to no longer working in the area.


This is funny because it is consistently full, even on what are normally low volume restaurant nights. Given that it is very expensive yet always busy it goes against the idea no one knows about it. Their demographic definitely knows about it.

When I read these kind of assertions it reminds me of Yogi Berra’s Statement (loosely quoted): No one goes there anymore because it is too crowded.

By the way, in the immediate area is Red Rock and Hefner Grille. Both also seem to do well. And just south is Michael’s Grille..upscale and has done very well for a long time.

For what it's worth, I'd heard about The Ranch but had absolutely no clue where it was. I kinda assumed it was out west on Reno somewhere. That said, I'm most likely not in their target demographic, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Didn't this place used to be Kim Wah?

Never heard of it. Will have to try it sometime.

Didn't this place used to be Kim Wah?

Yes, and then it was going to be Red Beret (or maroon beret?) French/Morrocan, and then it was Mamaveca's Mexican

so this place opened today. and i was there right at opening. i got their special today which was 1/4 lbs chopped brisket, 1/4lbs turkey, two ribs and two sides for $14. my buddy got the same thing with different sides, so we could try as much as possible. The meat was across the board okay... none of it was bad in any way. just kind of meh. got a starter of the jalapeno corn bread, and it was pretty good. as for the sides, i tried fried okra, potato salad, mac and cheese, and creamed corn. the potato salad was (again) about middle of the road, it was tasty and i ate all of it, but it wasn't something that jumped out as a must get if i go back. the Okra was fresh and had a good flavor two it. the Mac and Cheese was the biggest disappointment of the whole meal. it seemed like it was just a runny cheese sauce with little to no flavor on macaroni shells. all you really tasted was the macaroni. the absolute standout of the meal was the creamed corn. it was seasoned very well, and tasted excellent. it was the one thing i had today, that i said i would need to get when i go back.

as for the atmosphere, it was loud, but bearable, but was also only half full, so i'm kind of concerned about how loud it could get when full. the Bar looks amazing, it's in the middle of the room with a gorgeous wooden bar wrapped around it. there looked to be 6 draft beers, with 4 being local, a bunch of Oklahoma beers in bottles and cans, as well as a handful of other craft beers, and a few domestics. their custom cocktails looked interesting to me, and i will be back to try a few of them.

So my review is that i will be back to check out the very pretty bar and have a few cocktails, and some more creamed corn, and will try a few other things on the menu (as i didn't get to try the pulled pork). and hope that experience gets me to think of this place as a regular location to stop at.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219f.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219g.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219h.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219i.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/smokingboar070219j.jpg

so this place opened today. and i was there right at opening. i got their special today which was 1/4 lbs chopped brisket, 1/4lbs turkey, two ribs and two sides for $14. my buddy got the same thing with different sides, so we could try as much as possible. The meat was across the board okay... none of it was bad in any way. just kind of meh. got a starter of the jalapeno corn bread, and it was pretty good. as for the sides, i tried fried okra, potato salad, mac and cheese, and creamed corn. the potato salad was (again) about middle of the road, it was tasty and i ate all of it, but it wasn't something that jumped out as a must get if i go back. the Okra was fresh and had a good flavor two it. the Mac and Cheese was the biggest disappointment of the whole meal. it seemed like it was just a runny cheese sauce with little to no flavor on macaroni shells. all you really tasted was the macaroni. the absolute standout of the meal was the creamed corn. it was seasoned very well, and tasted excellent. it was the one thing i had today, that i said i would need to get when i go back.

as for the atmosphere, it was loud, but bearable, but was also only half full, so i'm kind of concerned about how loud it could get when full. the Bar looks amazing, it's in the middle of the room with a gorgeous wooden bar wrapped around it. there looked to be 6 draft beers, with 4 being local, a bunch of Oklahoma beers in bottles and cans, as well as a handful of other craft beers, and a few domestics. their custom cocktails looked interesting to me, and i will be back to try a few of them.

So my review is that i will be back to check out the very pretty bar and have a few cocktails, and some more creamed corn, and will try a few other things on the menu (as i didn't get to try the pulled pork). and hope that experience gets me to think of this place as a regular location to stop at.

I heard from someone else who went this week that was not impressed. Generally in the same vein as your experience, if a bit more harsh. Unfortunately, it sounds as if the north side still needs a good BBQ restaurant.

dupe

Yeah the Mathis Brothers restaurant is really really good! Referring to the Ranch

Looking at the floors, they are ugly and looked old...thank you for the reviews, it looks like I will not be going there, it is a shame, Oklahoma City needs more good bbq places! The only good bbq places are Van's Pig Stand and Maples....

I'm willing to let them operate for a couple of weeks and then give them a try.

Looking at the floors, they are ugly and looked old...thank you for the reviews, it looks like I will not be going there, it is a shame, Oklahoma City needs more good bbq places! The only good bbq places are Van's Pig Stand and Maples....

Yes, I , too, choose restaurants based on the aesthetics of the floors...

Yes, the standard for a quality bbq joint is great floors. 😊

I believe they stripped the old tile and then stained and sealed the concrete.

My son went Saturday for lunch and said he enjoyed it - didn't get much details but his view was more positive than negative. I plan to give it a shot.

Getting very good reviews on Yelp.

I really want to try the smoked salmon, which is one of their specialties.

my experience wasn't negative (except for the mac and cheese)... it just also wasn't great either.. i'm going back this evening to sit at the bar and try a few cocktails, and if i'm there i will eat. but nothing on the menu so far would make me drive out of my way to go there. i work in this area so will frequent, but probably never make a trip on a weekend or something

I went today for lunch and overall enjoyed it. I got the brisket sandwich and shared 2 sides (fries and baked beans). The biggest negative for me was the sandwich and fries with a water was ~$17 before tip, which is over my normal workday lunch budget. The place was packed, however and the remodel was very nice. I'll go back and try the meats by the pound to get a better feel for it, but I have a hunch this place will stick around for awhile.

^ Just about the exact experience for me yesterday. I got the big sandwich and it was $15 plus a $5 side. Others with me got the lunch special which was $13 including sides (portions were not large ). I'd definitely go back, but it is higher end on pricing than a lot of places. Agree that the remodel is nice. I did think i was in Europe when they kept giving me iced tea with almost no ice.:)

Went in for dinner a few days ago and there was about 10-12 waiting for a table. Bar area was about 1/2 full so I just grabbed a seat there.

Service was very helpful and friendly. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was darn good. I wasn't hungry enough for sides but I'd definitely order that sandwich again.

I got there around 7 and it was quite busy but when we left around 8:15 it had really emptied out. The bartender said there hasn't been much business after 8, even on weekends.

But otherwise they seem to be doing well. They've done a nice job on their space.

Went in for dinner a few days ago and there was about 10-12 waiting for a table. Bar area was about 1/2 full so I just grabbed a seat there.

Service was very helpful and friendly. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was darn good. I wasn't hungry enough for sides but I'd definitely order that sandwich again.

I got there around 7 and it was quite busy but when we left around 8:15 it had really emptied out. The bartender said there hasn't been much business after 8, even on weekends.

But otherwise they seem to be doing well. They've done a nice job on their space.

well good to hear dinner might be going well... i have been in three times now at lunch, and at most there was 20 people (including the 4 at my table) at lunch

Went in for dinner a few days ago and there was about 10-12 waiting for a table. Bar area was about 1/2 full so I just grabbed a seat there.

Service was very helpful and friendly. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was darn good. I wasn't hungry enough for sides but I'd definitely order that sandwich again.

I got there around 7 and it was quite busy but when we left around 8:15 it had really emptied out. The bartender said there hasn't been much business after 8, even on weekends.

But otherwise they seem to be doing well. They've done a nice job on their space.

Maybe they should start closing at 8 pm since it does not get much business

went last night, enjoyed the meet and the atmosphere. Good crowd at 6-6:30.
will go again

Despite the multiple 'meh' reviews on this thread, the wife and I decided to try this place last night.

We went at a weird time (4:30pm on a Sunday), and there were probably 2 other couples. By the time we left at 6, they were getting steady business, including some take out orders.

We ordered sliced brisket, a half slab of ribs, smoked salmon, smoked turkey, jalapeno cornbread, coleslaw, and elote cream corn. They have 3 sauces (sweet barbecue, spicy barbecue, and carolina barbecue). The Carolina was excellent, sweet was really good too.The Spicy didn't hit right. It was a little too bitter for my taste. We were originally served Brisket Mac n Cheese instead of the coleslaw. I had to flag down another server because ours appeared I think 3 times the whole service. When they brought out the coleslaw, she also took the mac away (not a big deal, but I feel like most places would've let us keep the extra side). Unfortunately, the slaw the worst slaw I've ever tasted. It was just coarsely sliced cabbage in a tasteless sauce. Couldn't make it past 2 bites. The turkey and salmon were cooked well, but had almost no smoke flavor. The brisket, ribs, and cream corn were pretty good though.

Overall experience was also pretty 'meh'. All of the food was lukewarm at best, and mostly bland across the board. Service wasn't great, and personally I don't like the space. There's no barbecue or smoke flavor that hits you when you walk in, and the bare floors and high ceilings just make it look super empty when there aren't many people inside. I know it's early, but we don't live in the area so we probably won't give it another try.

We've been 3 times since it opened. Each time the food as been good. Each time the service has been shaky to poor. I do like the space but we have only been at sort of prime times when it seems at least a bit busy (twice for lunch and once about 630 at night).

It's a convenient place for us to go so will keep it on our list, but understand the 'meh' reviews as well.

Comprehensive review by the Gazette:

https://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/modern-cue/Content?oid=6463871

biggest thing i will say... from opening till now, they have made some changes, and a few of those were ones i suggested on opening day... it's still not a place that i'll include in my regular restaurant rotation... but i do wish them well since they are trying and listening, and will make a trip back at some point

Our food was very good and the service was good. One hitch was the slaw, in this case the sandwich description wasn't clear to me and when it was served, the slaw was gooped in the sandwich, not on the side. I know putting slaw in a sandwich is a thing but they need to make it clear that's how its served. I like slaw but not in the bbq. I asked for a remake and they were fine doing it.

Took a long lunch and gave it a try today. Had sliced brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and the sausage of the day with pork belly collard greens.

All the meats were great. Texture was perfect and all had good flavor. Those of you that followed my BBQ blog know how harsh I was about sliced brisket but I really enjoyed their version. The ribs were also cooked to KCBS competition texture which I prefer.

Only complaint, and it's just because I'm keto, the collards were loaded with potatoes.... At first I thought it was chunks of pork belly and then realized it wasn't before I popped it in my mouth... Otherwise the greens were some of the best I've had anywhere.... The pickled veggies were all good too.

They weren't very busy for lunch. So I hope they make it because the food was good enough I'd make the drive from downtown to eat lunch there again.... Might be a tough road with Clark Crew opening down the road though.

15623 15624 15622 15625

Took a long lunch and gave it a try today. Had sliced brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and the sausage of the day with pork belly collard greens.

All the meats were great. Texture was perfect and all had good flavor. Those of you that followed my BBQ blog know how harsh I was about sliced brisket but I really enjoyed their version. The ribs were also cooked to KCBS competition texture which I prefer.

Only complaint, and it's just because I'm keto, the collards were loaded with potatoes.... At first I thought it was chunks of pork belly and then realized it wasn't before I popped it in my mouth... Otherwise the greens were some of the best I've had anywhere.... The pickled veggies were all good too.

They weren't very busy for lunch. So I hope they make it because the food was good enough I'd make the drive from downtown to eat lunch there again.... Might be a tough road with Clark Crew opening down the road though.

15623 15624 15622 15625
Damn! Those pictures look good.

I checked this place late afternoon on Saturday. Service was good and I thought the food was pretty good too. However, I thought it was a bit overpriced. $11 and $14 for sandwiches and the sides cost extra.