Writer / Pat Carlini
The R Smokehouse is a “smoking” hot, new addition to Main Street in Fortville, after opening its doors over the summer! But, this is no ordinary BBQ house— it’s smoked pulled pork and beef brisket and a step back in time with an eclectic collection of nostalgia.
There’s a 1910 cash register by the check out counter, an authentic Kiss concert poster, antique jewelry, and a 1973 Star Trek chess set priced at $795 displayed in an antique cabinet.
A modern day flat screen is on the wall, but the shows are from days gone by with episodes of my three stooges, Red Skelton and Laurel and Hardy.
The smoke house is the dream child of Angela Risley and Russ Richey—who enjoy buying and selling antiques on eBay and smoking meat. The two eventually decided to combine their love of both and open their own place.
“I thought we have the equipment and the talent so lets go for it,” says Russ, who honed his smoking skills while living in Texas.
They chose the R Smokehouse name, a clever Texas inspired logo (Russ has a background in graphic design), and fired up the smoker they purchased three years ago.
“Some people show pictures of their babies, we show our smoker,” Angela laughs.
Each week, they purchase more than 200 pounds of meat from a supplier in Anderson and smoke it in 13-hour shifts –right up until opening time, Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
“It’s nice and lean, too, “ Russ says. “It is hand pulled so, we get most of the fat off.”
They also serve cowboy baked beans and a sweet vinegar slaw that’s been quite a hit with customers.
“It was my grandmother’s recipe, “Russ says. “They didn’t use much mayo back then so it’s made with vinegar.”
For now the R smokehouse is open Wednesday though Saturday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. with a limited menu for eat-in, carry out and catering. They plan to expand the menu, and tie the knot in the near future!
In the meantime, I enjoyed my visit to the R Smokehouse, walking out with a couple to-go orders and a pair of vintage cuff links that just happened to be engraved with my husband’s initials!
Dinner and a birthday gift, all in one!
You can visit R smokehouse at 222 S. Main St. and check them out on at LovetheRub.com.
