A recent trip to Austin left me with a serious hankering for Texas-style barbecue. Thanks to the new Redwood Smoke Shack in Norfolk, tender smoked meats are no longer a flight away. The former food truck recently introduced a brick-and-mortar shop to Ghent and is dishing out unrivaled platters of house-cured proteins and Southern-style sides.
If Redwood’s fiery logo isn’t enough to lure you in, the smoky aromas that fill its parking lot certainly will. The local smoke shack operates on a ‘while supplies last’ basis. The pitmasters rub, cure and smoke a limited selection of handcrafted meats every day to ensure customers devour only the freshest, most tender product.
When barbecue buffs enter Redwood, they are greeted by a hulking floor-to-ceiling chalkboard menu. At its core are five savory meats—beef brisket, sliced or chopped, pulled pork, pulled chicken, St. Louis cut ribs and sausage served in quarter-pound links. The meats are then listed in a series of arrangements such as the classic naked platter, loaded mac and cheese, fancy sammich with housemade pimento cheese and pickled onions and the highly recommended Meat Sweats Sampler served with two sides and warm cornbread.
Equally as delectable as Redwood’s smoked options are its eight flavorful sides. Green chile mac and cheese adds a pop of sweetness to your dish while a hearty scoop of red bliss potato salad introduces creamy textures and filling bites. If you prefer the basics, Redwood also dishes out colorful pit smoked beans, crinkle cut fries and down-South corn puddin’.
Lastly, Redwood understands that barbecue is an extremely personalized dining experience. At every table, whether at the bar, on the patio or in the covered deck, sit a half-dozen sauces for your dipping or drizzling pleasure. Be sure to wash it all down with a glass of sweet tea or a boozy pour of local brews.
Redwood Smoke Shack is located at 2001 Manteo St., Norfolk and is open 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon–3 p.m. on Sunday.
