Don't Pass By This Unassuming BBQ Restaurant Housed In An Ohio Gas Station Without Stopping
By Sarah McCosham|Published February 12, 2024
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Generally, when going on road trips, a gas station is a place to fuel up the car and maybe grab a few snacks — some chips or popcorn, perhaps a pack of Red Vines or a Slushy. While there are certainly some gas stations with restaurants, these types of establishments are not often award winning nor all that appetizing. There are some exceptions, however, as with today’s feature destination. In Harrison, Ohio, Velvet Smoke BBQ is the very definition of a hidden gem; this unassuming BBQ restaurant is housed in an equally unassuming gas station, but don’t be fooled — what awaits inside is pure, unadulterated, barbecue bliss.
There are no wrong choices when it comes to barbecue. Whether you're #TeamBurntEnds...
What's perhaps most marvelous about BBQ, though, is how simple it is. You really just need a smoker and spice rub, with a house-made sauce and perhaps some crisp pickles to cut the heat. You don't need a fancy restaurant or glitzy Instagram presence, as evidenced by one tiny-but-mighty BBQ joint in Harrison, Ohio.
Step inside and you'll find a bare-bones restaurant with basic counter seating and simple hand-written signage, but the BBQ here is anything but ordinary.
Velvet Smoke BBQ cooks up unbelievably delicious, competition-winning 'cue inside its humble digs, with the house-made sauces so impossibly tasty that the pitmasters bottle them up to sell!
Everyone knows that with BBQ, the sides are just as important as the meats. And at Velvet Smoke BBQ, you'll find some of the most scrumptious sides around -- folks can't get enough of the mac 'n cheese, so definitely add this creamy dish to your order!
This, friends, is what darn delicious BBQ looks like... so the next time you need to "fuel up," head to this Ohio gas station for the best barbecue of your life!
Did you know about this delicious BBQ restaurant in Ohio? While Velvet Smoke BBQ shares its digs with a gas station, the ‘cue that comes out of its smokers is nothing short of extraordinary.
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