Photographer / Heather Haas
With its large, colorful pirate mural, Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse BBQ, located at 800 East Main Street in Westfield, is hard to miss. It’s also known as one of Central Indiana’s best places to get mouthwatering barbecue along with some seriously delicious ice cream concoctions from Big Hoffa’s Freezer. Now there’s a third reason to visit: Big Hoffa’s Speakeasy Bar has recently opened on site.
While the family-friendly barbecue and ice cream side of the business has expansive seating both indoors and out, Big Hoffa’s Speakeasy Bar has a different vibe. Chicago brick and wood plank siding invoke an old-school prohibition atmosphere. Open late nights, the interior features ample leather seating, accommodating 55 patrons.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time, and the city finally granted us a permit,” says Owner Adam Hoffman. “We worked on it for three months before opening in mid-August. It has a ‘hard to get into,’ quiet atmosphere like an old speakeasy.”
The Speakeasy Bar offers everything on the usual Big Hoffa’s BBQ menu during normal business hours but also has late-night items such as several varieties of crispy wings plus chips and dips. A popular option is Hoffman’s innovative spin on flautas, rolled tortillas stuffed with different kinds of shredded meats and fried for a crunchy exterior. Typically served with sauces for dipping, they pair perfectly with specialty cocktails.
“The inspiration for our drink list in the bar comes from different places across the world,” Hoffman says. “Our featured cocktails range from about $11 to $15. There are some cool martinis such as caramel espresso, orange creamsicle, and lychee. We have a house margarita and rum punch. Our wine list includes varieties from Australia, Calistoga in Napa Valley, Italy, and New Zealand.”
Hoffman says he has additional plans for the Speakeasy. He would like to have an outdoor patio connected to the bar and hopes to offer cigars for sale. Also in the works is the possibility of hosting live music nights.
“When I moved to Indiana from California, people were friendly and welcoming,” he says. “They gave me a chance. I met my wife here 17 years ago, and now I have two sons. There has been a lot of competition, but Big Hoffa’s is still going strong after 23 years. I always want to come up with something new and creative to challenge my customers’ expectations. We feel safe enough here to take risks.
“Three years ago, I introduced a smash burger as a special,” he adds. “It became the best-selling item. I brought it to another level with onions fried in beef tallow and our in-house sauce. It’s so good that I have one once a week.”
Several menu items veer from what customers might expect at a typical BBQ joint. The Saigon Special features pulled pork and pickled veggies on a French roll, essentially a Bahn Mi sandwich. The Barbecue Sundae is brown sugar baked beans topped with the choice of any smoked meat and barbecue sauce. Another innovative choice is the El Segundo: a bed of jasmine rice topped with fries, mac and cheese, pulled pork, cilantro, onions, spicy mayo, and a lime wedge.
“Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than bringing families together to create memories,” Hoffman says. “I have a list of more than 100 customers who were pregnant when I met them, and the wife was craving BBQ. Over the years, I ended up catering their baby showers, babies’ first birthdays, graduation open houses, and grown-up kids’ weddings.
“Now customers can come to Big Hoffa’s and have date night with or without kids. The Speakeasy Bar offers a different level of service. It’s a cozy atmosphere where customers can have a nice drink and feel like they are on vacation.”
Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse BBQ, Freezer Ice Cream, and Speakeasy Bar are located at 800 East Main Street in Westfield. The phone number is 317-867-0077.
To view the catering menu and place orders, visit bbqindianapolis.com.
