The St. Louis area is teeming with barbecue restaurants – not that we’re complaining. The newest kid on the barbecue block has fed thousands and thousands of St. Louis area residents. He’s opened a number of restaurants, but this is his first that doesn’t serve pizza. His name: Frank Imo.
Imo poured his heart into Smokee Mo’s BBQ. He designed and decorated the space with antiques and pieces from local farmhouses, barns and rundown buildings over the last six months. He paid special attention to the creation of each item on the menu and came up with recipes for a handful of terrific barbecue sauces. The signature sandwich, called the Mangia Bene (above), came to him recently after a few drinks. “I’m just having fun,” says Imo. The restaurant is a reflection of the man.
Traditional barbecue options like pulled pork, chicken, and ribs are all on the menu, but it’s the likes of the Mangia Bene and thoughtful sides that will keep customers coming back. The Mangia Bene, Italian for ‘eat well,’ is a decadent brisket sandwich on garlic cheese bread with a creamy white sauce. I know, we had you at garlic cheese bread.
Nothing on the menu is overly spicy and none of the sauces will burn you up. The meats are smoked over a combination of hickory and oak logs while sides include more than the expected offerings of baked beans, potato salad and slaw. Broccoli casserole, twice baked potatoes and homemade applesauce are all house favorites.
A few more of Imo’s personal touches include the playing of Green Acres, The Three Stooges or 1960’s-era Batman instead of sports or the news on the TVs. Just under the Smokee Mo’s BBQ sign out front is a smaller sign that reads “& So On & So Forth…” which is an oft-used Imo family expression.
Smokee Mo’s has close to 100 seats in the space adjoining Imo’s Pizza at 606 Jeffco Boulevard in Arnold. The doors opened quietly about a week ago.
Smokee Mo's BBQ
606 Jeffco
Arnold
636-296-2111
Open daily from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
