Business & Tech
Former Chopping Block Chef Opens Asian, BBQ Fusion Restaurant
Smalls Smoke Shack (and more) promises barbecue with an Asian twist. And some might see a familiar face in the kitchen.
A former instructor at The Chopping Block opened the doors to his own restaurant Tuesday, serving up a mix of American barbecue and Asian comfort food.
Smalls Smoke Shack is located at 4009 N. Albany Ave. just across the Chicago River in Irving Park.
Chef Joaquin Soler worked at Lincoln Square's home cook school, The Chopping Block, before moving on to restaurants like Rambutan and Ohba Lounge. It was at Rambutan where Soler met his future business partner at Smalls, Dan Scesnewicz.
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Before Smalls, Soler ran his own food truck. Brown Bag Lunch Truck was where Soler first started serving his barbecue and asian mix.
Smalls has the same flavors as the truck, combining buttermilk-brined chicken with a green papaya slaw. The Cherry-wood pulled pork is served with a mustard sauce available in platter ($11) or sandwich ($8) portion.
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The menu is small, just like the 500 square-foot space, but so are the prices. Breakfast items top out at $3.50 for a biscuit sandwich or waffles.
Smalls serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Carry out and catering is also available.
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