Smoke And Shine - Kirkland

I'm pleased to hear that Nate, the former general manager, has left under unfavorable circumstances. The current staff and some patrons viewed him quite negatively. He spoke ill of the owner and it might be best for him to steer clear of the Eastside. I hope he treats his new customers at Lariat Bar in White Center better than he did before. Eventually, his co-owners will discover his true character. I can only wish him challenges and difficulties ahead. What goes around comes around, Nate.

My friends and I arrived eager to enjoy some of the barbecue and other dishes advertised on the restaurant's website. However, upon reaching the saloon, we were quite disappointed to find that none of the items we were looking forward to, such as shrimp and grits, brisket, cornbread, and BBQ ribs, were available. It was especially frustrating since we had been planning this visit for months, specifically for their food. I hope the menu gets updated soon, as the website still indicates that kids are welcome, which seems to not be the case. It would be great if the menu reflected the current offerings.

This restaurant used to be fantastic. I haven't visited since they reopened, but I wish them all the best. I will certainly miss their previous menu, which featured delicious BBQ and an excellent selection of whiskey.

I’m not sure if it happens every weekend, but we visited on a Saturday night and were pleasantly surprised by a live "roadhouse-style" band that started playing at 8 PM. It added to the fun atmosphere! The restaurant features a charming country western bar theme, with at least a dozen TVs around, making it a great spot to catch Seahawks or Mariners games. There are also three dart game machines and even a skee ball machine for added entertainment. My only complaint would be that this delicious experience isn’t particularly cheap, but I didn’t mind paying a bit more for the live music and the amazing food.

Last night, my group of eight went there to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday and my brother’s 51st. The waitstaff was friendly, and the food was excellent. In the picture I’ve included, you’ll see the Smoke Shine burger paired with jalapeño hush puppies. Three of us ordered that burger, two of us opted for fries. Others at our table had the sautéed brisket burger with hush puppies, a half-rack of ribs with coleslaw and hush puppies, and a triple meat combo that included a half-rack and two briskets to share. Everyone tried a bit of everything, and even my 9-month-old grandson enjoyed it! This BBQ is phenomenal—really, really good! I know my BBQ; for years, I relished the BBQ my childhood friend from North Carolina made. Whenever I missed his cooking, I would go to Dixie’s, but now Smoke Shine has become my new favorite. The meat is tender and flavorful, and it’s not drenched in sauce because it doesn’t need to be. Just the right amount keeps you coming back for more. Overall, it was a perfect evening, although it left me craving something lemony or a little slice of sweet potato pie. This place is a true must-visit, and I’m already planning my next trip!