BBQ restaurant now open in the former TGI Friday’s in Huber Heights

Pulled pork sandwich at Al’s Smokehouse. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Pulled pork sandwich at Al’s Smokehouse. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Al's Smokehouse Bar & Grill, the locally owned and independent barbecue restaurant that moved into the former TGI Fridays in Huber Heights, is leaving its "soft opening" phase behind now that it has its full liquor license, founder Al Shamburger said on Jan. 17.

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The new restaurant is located at 7777 Old Troy Pike in an outlot in front of the Waynetowne Plaza. The TGI Fridays restaurant that previously occupied the space shut down on Labor Day in 2017.

Chicken wing dinner at Al’s Smokehouse. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

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Shamburger said he has hired 25 employees and is looking to hire more. The restaurant seats about 105 and is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

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Al’s Smokehouse opened quietly before Christmas, and obtained its full liquor license about 10 days ago, Shamburger said. It will offer live music, the band Flashback, tomorrow night, Jan. 18, starting at 9 p.m., the restaurant’s owner said.

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Al’s offers a pork chop dinner special on Friday nights, and will unveil lunch specials perhaps as soon as next week, Shamburger said.

Al's Smokehouse Bar & Grill offers traditional barbecue items. MARK FISHER/STAFF

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Shamburger is also the founder and owner of Al’s Smokehouse Carryout & Catering in Springfield, which remains open. The founder said he’s looking to expand further.

“This is a big move for us,” Shamburger said last year of the addition of a second location. “I saw the location was available, and I had always wanted to open a restaurant in Huber Heights.”

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The Al’s Smokehouse menu features BBQ favorites such as pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket and bourbon chicken, smoked on-site.

For more information, call (937) 237-7574.

Al's Smokehouse Bar & Grill is now open and serving alcohol in the former TGI Friday's space in the Waynetowne Center in Huber Heights. MARK FISHER/STAFF

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