More Beer, More Barbecue: Smokehouse Tailgate Grill Launches Second Location

After eight years of successfully running their New Rochelle location, mostly frequented by hungry Iona College students, Smokehouse Tailgate Grill owners Justin Zeytoonian and Michael Hofer, have opened a new place with just a bit more sophistication. They chose a more contemporary space, with enough seating for 60, a 16-seat bar, and a wide craft beer selection on Mamaroneck Avenue in the Town of Mamaroneck.

“I don’t know if you have ever been to our other location, but it is really small, it stands alone and it is a lot of college kids who go there,” said Zeytoonian.

With no interest and no need in changing what works at their New Rochelle joint—wings, buffalo dip, and other appetizers that go great with a game and a pint—their second location’s larger square footage gave them the space needed to expand the menu.

During a recent Wednesday night visit, the place was almost full. Single Edison bulbs hanging above tables light the simple wooden booths and seating areas.

We tried most of the appetizers and unanimously voted the wings, which are brined in tea, hickory smoked with an agave glaze (for $10.95), as our favorite app. But the buffalo chicken dip (the restaurant’s most popular dish, $8.95) was a close runner-up. Brisket raviolis in a bed of smoked tomato sauce ($9.95) and belly fries—hickory-smoked pork belly over hand-cut fries, covered in fontina and a runny egg ($8.95)—were also indulgent appetizers that would satisfy anyone ready for some creative fried food.

Next, came the brisket platter, which is only available on Wednesday nights. Three slices of brisket served with homemade cheddar corn bread and a side—we chose the market vegetable, butternut squash roasted and slightly sweetened. The other brisket specials offered on Wednesdays are a brisket melt on Texas toast with grilled onions, barbecue sauce, and melted mozzarella, and the “burnt ends” over fries with barbecue sauce and melted cheese.

Both the pizzas and the Bronx burger (onions caramelized in Bronx Pale Ale, peppered bacon, American, cheddar, blue cheese crumbles, mustard, and tomato, $10.95), which the server told us was a customer favorite, looked appealing, so it was a toss-up. But, after learning the pizza was stone-fired and a new addition to the menu, we went for pulled pork pizza made with mozzarella, barbecue sauce, and pickled red onions. Zeytoonian pointed out that they are not trying to compete with the famous Sal’s Pizza next door, but thought that offering some barbecue-inspired pies would be a nice complement to the rest of the menu. The other two pizza options are bacon jam with arugula and goat cheese, and buffalo chicken, with smoked chicken, béchamel, carrots, celery, buffalo, and crumbled blue. The pizzas range from $10.95 to $12.95.

While there was little room left for dessert, Chef Anum Bandele told us we had to try his homemade mascarpone cheesecake. Not usually a fan of that particular dessert, we couldn’t ignore the chef’s recommendation—it was a home run. The creamy texture of the mascarpone was so smooth and complemented perfectly by a raspberry purée sauce and graham cracker crust. This is definitely a place you where you will probably fill up on beer and fried finger foods, but try to leave room for dessert. 

Also worth noting is their substantial drink list, which includes a wide range of craft beers, ranging from $5-7, flights for $12, glasses of wine for $7, specialty cocktails for $8-$11, and bourbon, which range from $9-20.

Smokehouse Tailgate Grill
320 Mamaroneck Ave
Mamaroneck
(914) 341-1655
facebook.com/lifesatailgate/