by Brad Balfour
The Strand Smokehouse
25-27 Broadway
Astoria, NY 11106
info@thestrandsmokehouse.com
718-440-3231
Hours
Tuesday -Thursday: 4pm – 12am
Friday: 4pm – 1am
Saturday: 12pm – 2am
Sunday: 12pm – 12am
Okay so maybe it took my lovely friend Eleanna —who lives in Astoria, Queens — to get me out on the N train to visit the The Strand Smokehouse which she had touted. Prompted also by the notion of viewing the Superbowl, and a week later, the Academy Awards, I landed out there where I consumed two substantial meals.
Situated right there on Broadway, only three blocks from the train, this large sprawling meat-heavy haven provides a cross between a warehouse and music club. With big communal tables and benches dominating the back half of the space, there are huge screens for sports viewing and in the one case, for me and my friend and anyone else there to see the Oscars.
That we did watch, to a diet of maple mustard sauce slathered wings and a huge basket of fries. The 10 wings could also be served with either hot or BBQ sauce — which I also dunked the wings into; and it was seriously reasonably priced fare. When the BBQ sauce was mixed with good ol’ Heinz ketchup, it added to my effort to fill my gut with fries. This is the kind of no-frills place I’ve always loved — the kind that I always looked forward to in my hometown of Cincinnati. Besides the big screens, there’s a lots of space for a stage so I hope to come back to see a band — the place is a supporters of local talent. And, the area upfront with individual tables, is perfect for smaller groups and couples.
On Super Bowl night, I went totally red blooded American and ordered the huge house Strand Cheese burger (with extra cheddar) a $14 sandwich that was well worth it — with daily ground beef patty, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion plus a substantial basket of fries. It was so filling, that when I was sent a decent sampling of the really tender smoked brisket, house pastrami and a sliced kielbasa (which usually comes with sauerkraut/maple mustard/pickles), I wasn’t sure I had room to stuff it in — but to much satisfaction — I did; no diet concerns this night.
Accompanying the main meat dishes, are some basics: a house salad (with Mesclun greens/avocado/onion/tomato/cucumber/house onion vinaigrette) for for $7 and The Wedge (romaine/thick cut bacon/house blue) for $9.
Since this was a time of cooler weather, I didn’t get to take advantage of the outdoor back patio, but it looked like a great hang out area when Spring comes around. Again, stressing the down-home qualities of the place, you order from the register looking at the display of chicken, brisket, pastrami and ribs, which you buy by the weight and can eat ala carte or as sandwiches.
Prices for everything on the menu whether it be a fish and chips plate, chicken basket or souvlaki were ideally reasonable. Where they will get you is when you bear down on the booze.
There really isn’t wait service unless you want it; same with ordering from the bar. And it’s at the bar where the place if for that any serious aficionado of craft beer, cocktails and fine spirits. They can really dig in and have good time with a substantial drink list. So many good craft beers beyond the obvious, lots of of great whiskies, bourbons, rye and moonshine. But what really stands out are their curated house cocktails.
The Moontails look great and decidedly for another evening — there’s Exotic Ginger (Midnight Moon Apple Pie Moonshine, Pickled Ginger Syrup, Ginger Ale), Cherry Smash (Kansas Spirit, Barrow’s Intense Ginger, Fresh Sour Cherry Puree, Lemon) and Just Peachy (Midnight Moon Peach Moonshine, Peach Puree, House-Brewed Black Tea). Each of these go for $12.
All the cocktails are $12 as well, whether they be Orange Mule
(New Amsterdam Citrus & Orange Vodkas OR Jim Beam Bourbon, Orange, Lime, Reed’s Ginger Beer), Bourbon Punch (Jim Beam Bourbon, Orange, Pineapple, Lime, Black Tea, Sprite), or Gin Cooler (Aloo Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Cucumber Juice, Lemon, Soda).
And because I love the idea of “neighborhood,” this place had just that sort of homey-ness —for example, all drinks are served in Mason jars and as anyone who knows me knows, I do the same. As their own website proclaims, “Located in the southern back country of Astoria, Queens, The Strand Smokehouse is a Meat Lovin’, Beer Drinkin’, Whiskey Shootin’ paradise.”