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| - Midwood Smokeshack is a fast casual version of Midwood Smokehouse. They seemed to have the same menu items at the same price. You just order at the counter, and they prepare your dish right in front of you from the assembly line of items. To us (and other customers in line), it seemed like all of the 6-7 employees behind the counter were new. Nobody, or very few of them, seemed to know what they were doing. It took longer than it should have to get through the line, and then there was confusion behind the counter about what containers to use, sauces to add, etc. The woman ahead of us had a to-go order and she was getting frustrated that they were taking so long to bag and ring up her order. I know they haven't been open that long, but I think it's been at least a few weeks, and it felt like opening day.
The portions of food were generous, and everything tasted almost as good as when the server delivers the fresh food to you at Midwood Smokehouse. My only disappointment with the food itself was that the bacon wrapped jalapenos were a little too crispy, like they had been sitting out under the heat lamp for too long. But the mac & cheese was fresh and creamy out of the oven, and the smoked meat (despite sitting on a plate for awhile while everyone tried to figure out what they were doing) stayed warm and tasted delicious.
I was surprised that they didn't have BBQ sauces out at the condiment bar. Even the Midwood Smokehouse on Central Ave has started offering squeeze bottles of their sauces at the tables. We each got a tiny half-filled ramekin of a sauce of their choosing with our dinners. Like I said before, they give you a large portion of meat and, unfortunately, just a tiny bit of sauce. I had to go up to the counter to ask for more. Again, it seemed like there was confusion behind the counter.
Anyway, the food was delicious, and it could be a five-star experience in the future if they offer sauces to their customers and get their act together a little better.
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