Smoke'n Honey House a barbecue restaurant and fun-house bar under one huge roof

Smoke'n Honey House serves brisket sliders, beans, corn, ribs and sliced brisket, among other fare. Smoke'n Honey House serves brisket sliders, beans, corn, ribs and sliced brisket, among other fare. Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Staff Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Smoke'n Honey House a barbecue restaurant and fun-house bar under one huge roof 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

THE CONCEPT

Barbecue joint, sports bar and honky-tonk under one fun-house roof in east Houston.

THE SPACE

The 500-seat, 14,000-square-foot restaurant is tricked out with walls of reclaimed wood, distressed pressed tin, stage lighting, two bars, roll-up ice-house-style windows, patios, nautical-inspired light fixtures, booths and hightops, communal tables, a stage for live music and 166 TV screens.

THE FOOD

Chef Gilbert Arismendez, whose credentials include a longtime association with the Holy Cow Cookers competition-barbecue team, oversees a menu described as "casual American." Scantily clad waitresses help serve up familiar offerings such as chicken-fried steak, tacos, burgers, fajitas, salads and sandwiches, smoked and deep-fried chicken wings, macaroni and cheese and ice-cream-topped chocolate chip cookies. As for the barbecue: Arismendez can smoke up to 72 briskets at once. Other offerings include St. Louis-style pork ribs, beer-brined chicken, pulled pork and beef ribs on weekends.

THE DRINKS

Nearly 40 beers on tap and about 60 bottled brews. Cocktails lean heavily on Jack Daniel's and Tito's vodka, with plenty of tequila and other whiskeys, too.

THE WORD

"We're selling an experience," says general manager Wes Corley, adding that Smoke'n Honey House plans to host events such as crawfish boils and tailgating contests.

ONE MORE THING

Instead of a mechanical bull, customers here can ride a mechanical grizzly bear.

THE DETAILS

8801 N. Loop E., 713-674-0057; smokenhoneyhouse.com. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays & Sundays, 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays & Saturdays.