You need to check out Fire and Smoke Hamilton
Proper Texas-style BBQ…
In Hamilton?
That’s obviously something I was going to have to investigate.
I’ve become increasingly interested in American BBQ after trying it during my trips to the States, and one thing that’s surprised me is just how seriously some places here in Scotland are now taking it.
Fire & Smoke in Hamilton might be one of the best examples.
This isn’t somebody sticking BBQ sauce on a burger and calling it American.
We’re talking brisket smoked for around 16 hours, huge beef ribs, smoked turkey, sausages and proper BBQ sides, all cooked low and slow over real fire and oak.
So naturally…
I had to try it.
Fire & Smoke Hamilton
Fire & Smoke started from a passion for Texas-style BBQ and has grown into a dedicated BBQ operation in Hamilton.
You’ll now find them at The Yard on Bothwell Road, where the focus is very much on proper low-and-slow cooking.
And when you look at what they’re producing, you can see why this place caught my attention.
We’re talking huge pieces of meat being loaded into smokers and cooked for hours before they’re eventually ready to serve.
That’s a very different definition of BBQ from the one most of us grew up with in Scotland.
Texas BBQ… in Scotland
When someone says they’re doing Texas-style BBQ, brisket is always going to be one of the first things I look for.
Fire & Smoke smoke their brisket for around 16 hours using post oak.
But that’s only part of it.
Their BBQ offerings have also included enormous Dino beef ribs, smoked turkey that’s been brined for 48 hours, and their own Cajun and jalapeño & cheese sausages.
Then you’ve got the sides.
Brisket pit beans.
Slaw.
Street corn.
Bread and pickles.
Various house sauces.
Basically…
This isn’t a burger and hot dog BBQ in your mate’s back garden.
What I Ordered
-200g of 8-hour smoked and confit beef cheek
-2 Cajun-spiced smoked Texas hot links
-200g of buttery 4-hour smoked turkey breast
-3 x 1.5-hour smoked salt and pepper chicken wings
-2 tubs of extra mac and cheese
-1 tub of fresh coleslaw
-1 beef Dino Rib
What I Thought
Right let’s just get into it and start with the absolute star of the show …
The beef dino rib
Absolutely outstanding piece of meat. Fell of my the bone and was just so packed with flavour.
It was so rich, soft and tasty I could have ate it all day long.
The runner up for me was the other beef item – the confit beef 🥩 cheeks
Much like the rib this was just absolutely beauty I as well and another item that I could eat all day long.
I would say for me personally those 2 items were absolutely top tier.
Was plenty of food for the 2 of us and I did have some for breakfast the next day.
This is 100% worth trying for those beef ribs alone.
Don’t know if I mentioned but the beef ribs are amazing 🤩 🤣
No but seriously !!
How Does It Compare With BBQ I’ve Tried in America?
This is where things get interesting for me.
I’ve now eaten BBQ at several places in Las Vegas, including SoulBelly and Rollin Smoke, so I’ve at least started experiencing American BBQ on American soil.
However, I’m putting a massive disclaimer on this comparison.
I’ve still never been to Texas.
Or Memphis.
Or Kansas City.
Or the Carolinas.
Las Vegas isn’t one of America’s legendary BBQ destinations, so I’m certainly not claiming I’ve experienced the very best American BBQ has to offer.
I’m hoping to change that next year with a trip to Texas.
For now, I can only compare Fire & Smoke with the BBQ I’ve personally eaten.
And I can honestly say that those beef items would compare with any I’ve tried in Las Vegas so far.
But one thing I can already say is that places like this are showing that American-style BBQ is being taken seriously in Scotland.
The Yard – Hamilton
Fire & Smoke now operates from The Yard at 89A Bothwell Road, Hamilton, ML3 0DW.
It’s worth checking their latest opening dates and availability before heading along, particularly because some of their larger BBQ trays and special events operate through pre-orders and limited availability.
This isn’t necessarily the kind of food where you want to casually turn up after they’ve sold the last brisket.
That would be a heartbreaking afternoon.
Location: The Yard, 89A Bothwell Road, Hamilton, ML3 0DW
Style: Texas-style BBQ
Known for: Brisket, beef ribs, smoked meats and BBQ trays
Leave a Reply