I love BBQ Brisket - and the lack of any places in Lakewood (or much in the Cleveland area for that matter) means I will let a lot slide. Even though SSC is lacking, I'd still consider having their brisket again. With the Mac and Cheese being horrible, it makes return trips a lot more doubtful.
Down in Columbus, we have local favorite Ray Ray's Hog Pit. It's amazing and as legitimate as it comes. They smoke the meat over wood in big metal pits on site, giving it a big smoke ring and big flavor.
SSC doesn't slow cook over wood off site like I figured before I went in. They are doing it all on site in a metal box with some sort of pellets. The resulting brisket is lacking the pink smoke ring and the deep smokey flavor. No burnt ends or other tell tale signs of smoked BBQ.
What's really disappointing is the mac and cheese. They smoke it with the brisket -- it really lacks being cheesy - and with the smoked flavor, it's just bad and dry. Not what I want to eat with my brisket.
Given they decided to rent a gigantic space, I don't expect this place to be around very long which, like the mac and cheese, is also a bit disappointing. I don't understand how a place that doesn't serve booze thinks they need a giant restaurant when a small place like the old hot dog shop /Falafel Cafe next to Chipotle would have been the right size.