These brothers SMOAK’d gameday concepts at Kauffman, Arrowhead; now their craft BBQ, burritos are delivering downtown

March 7, 2024  |  Startland News Staff

Cade and Seth Colson, SMOAK Craft Barbecue+; photo by Zach Bauman

A popup business that launched stadium-based concepts alongside two of Kansas City’s biggest sports teams will now be serving its popular handcrafted barbecue and burritos from an East Crossroads-based hub for ghost kitchens.

Cade and Seth Colson, SMOAK Craft Barbecue+, at Kauffman Stadium; photo by Alyssa Broadus

SMOAK Burritos and SMOAK To-Go — the latest ventures from brothers Cade and Seth Colson’s SMOAK Craft Barbecue+ — open today at 1600 Campbell St. at the Crossroads Food Stop.

The duo is looking forward to giving Kansas Citians another vehicle to enjoy their barbecue any day of the week, not just at pop-ups or on game day. 

“I smoked my first brisket in 2017 and was hooked at the level of quality that I could produce with not a lot of experience,” said Cade Colson. “Of course the first brisket was totally beginner’s luck, because the next half dozen were not good at all. What keeps me in barbecue and what I love most about Kansas City is the absolutely incredible passion for barbecue the city exudes. The city is truly peerless when it comes to the love of barbecue and support for those who excel at making it.” 

The menu at SMOAK Burritos will feature handcrafted SMOAK’D meats with fresh fillings served on Caramelo Tortillas or in bowls. The menu at SMOAK To-Go will include BBQ plates, sandwiches, burritos, and bowls with signature BBQ meats and homemade sides.

Click here to explore offerings at SMOAK Burritos and here to see what’s smoking at SMOAK To-Go.

Both menus will be available for pickup or delivery on the major delivery platforms (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub) with a delivery radius of 5-plus miles from the ghost kitchen location.

Seth and Cade Colson, SMOAK Craft Barbecue+; photo by Zach Bauman

The Colson brothers debuted SMOAK Craft Barbecue+ in 2020 as a pop-up outside of Carmen’s Cocina II in Olath. Since then, they’ve built a loyal following at pop-ups hosted by multiple local craft breweries and wineries, as well as a regular pop-up schedule at Maps Coffee and Chocolate in Lenexa.

SMOAK To-Go by SMOAK Craft Barbecue+; photo by Zach Bauman

In the spring 2023, SMOAK was offered an opportunity to partner with Aramark Sports + Entertainment to serve their barbecue out of the KCQ concept at Kauffman Stadium, followed by an opportunity for a SMOAK branded stand at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in the 2023-2024 season. The Colson brothers also had the opportunity to serve at the NFL Draft Fan Experience in April 2023.

Click here to follow SMOAK on Instagram.

Many of SMOAK’s menu items highlight ingredients that pay homage to the Colson Brothers’ home state of New Mexico and Cade’s decade long residence in Dallas, including their signature hatch green chile sauce.

“I am fortunate enough to have tried a lot of different cuisines from all around the world, and I really enjoy bringing flavor combinations together in ways that not many people have tried,” said Cade Colson. “I also believe that being from New Mexico helps me bring in spice to our food that really compliments the flavors of the barbecue, rather than having heat for the sake of heat.”

SMOAK Burritos is open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday. SMOAK To-Go will be open for lunch Wednesday through Sunday.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged , , , , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2024 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Ruby Jean’s founder juices up STL small biz accelerator as entrepreneur in residence

        By Tommy Felts | August 15, 2024

        Chris Goode is sharing the fruits of his business success as the Ruby Jean’s Juicery founder takes on the apron of “entrepreneur in residence” for a Missouri program aimed at supporting Black and Latinx small businesses in St. Louis. In his role with the WEPower All-Industry Accelerator, Goode will guide 10 small businesses through a…

        Your neighbors have stories you’ve never heard; this podcast duo is giving them the mic

        By Tommy Felts | August 15, 2024

        Kansas City natives Jose “JL” Leon Jr. and Daniel “D.Rod” Rodriguez are on a mission to create community — not controversy — with a podcast showcasing untold stories of underrepresented leaders and entrepreneurs — people who contribute to the fabric of Kansas City, but don’t always make headlines. “The more you get to know someone, the…

        M25 rankings: Startup hubs are slowing; why KC could be losing ground to Midwest neighbors

        By Tommy Felts | August 13, 2024

        Kansas City’s startup scene is walking a fine line between flat and stagnant, said Victor Gutwein, teasing caution and other insights into KC’s No. 11 ranking — a position it’s held since 2022 — on M25’s latest Midwest startup cities list. “We’re seeing fewer startups (registered in our datasource Pitchbook) than we used to in Kansas…

        Wichita Startup Week rallying nonprofits (and Bill Nye ‘The Science Guy’) to celebrate entrepreneurs

        By Tommy Felts | August 13, 2024

        Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  WICHITA — Entrepreneurship and innovation advocates on Tuesday announced plans for an unprecedented, power-packed week of high-profile events and programs — all fueled by a new coalition of nonprofits that support…