Up In Smoke BBQ Petoskey review, hours, pics, and menu info. Up In Smoke is located on US 31 near Downtown Petoskey next door to the easily identifiable Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf Course. The Up In Smoke building is an old Pizza Hut building that has hosted a series of unsuccessful restaurants before being purchased by Up in Smoke. But this is not where the Up in Smoke story began…
Up In Smoke BBQ is a popular food truck based out of Harbor Springs that began as a sit-down restaurant in 2018 when they bought the old Bob-In Frozen Custard location (right next to Kilwin’s Chocolates) on US 31 heading into Downtown Petoskey. OCM reviewed that location and was unimpressed with what was being offered. Essentially that location served BBQ from an extremely limited menu that was made in their food truck and served cafeteria “order up” style in the old ice cream shoppe location (complete with 1950s ice cream parlour motif). It was as poorly planned as it was confusing. Thankfully the new location has brought about sweeping changes!
Up In Smoke BBQ Petoskey Pics
For starters, the “new” Up In Smoke has an expanded, creative menu and a very attractive full-service bar. You’ll never notice the location was once a Pizza Hut as the location has an “Up North” lodge feel complete with wood floors and a log home interior. Cafeteria ordering is also gone, now they have sit-down waitress service (or service at the bar).
The menu features traditional BBQ meats (brisket, chicken, pork, and ribs) and BBQ sides (mac ‘n cheese, potato salad, baked beans, fries etc) that can be ordered in typical 1, 2, or 3 meat combinations. In addition the “usual BBQ”, there are some unique specials that Up in Smoke offers including – Fettuccine Alfredo, quesadillas, chicken caesar wraps, and a giant “B-Train” taco loaded with brisket. They also offer daily specials not on the menu. On one particular trip, they offered a delicious steak sandwich.
Up in Smoke is competitively priced compared to “down state” BBQ restaurants we’ve reviewed. Portions are great, the food is delicious, and I enjoy the drink specials at the bar. It’s a fun location to dine when in Petoskey. The only other BBQ option we know of is up the road in Brutus at the Rusty Saw Smokehouse (REVIEW / PICS). Rusty Saw is a bit more elegant and more expensive, but also serves great BBQ.
Finally, vacationers heading “Up North” can enjoy BBQ! But is the food as good as the great BBQ places in Metro Detroit?
Up in Smoke BBQ
1208 N US Highway 31,
Petoskey MI, 49770
231-622-8318
upinsmokebarbecue.com
See REVIEWS / TRAVEL for more Indian River, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Pellston Michigan travel reviews and pics.
Up in Smoke Hours
11a-10p – Monday through Thursday
11a-10p – Friday & Saturday
CLOSED – Sundays
For more info on Up in Smoke BBQ Petoskey, visit upinsmokebarbecue.com
