Smoke’N Ash BBQ brings Texas barbecue and Ethiopian comfort food together in Arlington, creating a welcoming meal that feels familiar, exciting, and deeply satisfying.
The rich smoke, purposeful spice, and generous plates invite hungry diners to explore a little of everything without leaving comfort behind.
From awaze-brushed brisket and soft injera to slow-cooked savory stews, every plate carries a bold personality built for serious food lovers.
The result is an easygoing Arlington restaurant where big smoky flavors and warm hospitality leave a delicious, lasting impression.
How Smoke’N Ash BBQ won locals’ hearts
Smoke’N Ash BBQ built its following by giving Arlington, Texas, barbecue with Ethiopian flavor, a rare combination that feels both exciting and comforting.
Owners Patrick and Fasicka Hicks combined their personal backgrounds to create a menu that honors Texas smokehouse tradition and Ethiopian home-style cooking.
The restaurant started with a smoker trailer and weekend pop-ups, gradually building support before opening its South Cooper Street location for more hungry locals.
Those early pop-ups introduced diners to the menu one generous plate at a time, creating curiosity around its smoky and spice-filled food.
Guests initially came for slow-smoked brisket, tender ribs, catfish, and other beloved barbecue favorites prepared with serious attention to flavor.
They kept coming back because the menu also featured awaze, berbere, injera, collard greens, and rich Ethiopian stews made for sharing.
Awaze-brushed barbecue became the restaurant’s signature draw, adding warm Ethiopian spice to smoked meats while preserving their deep, familiar Texas barbecue character.
The menu feels approachable for longtime barbecue fans while offering first-time Ethiopian food diners a delicious, low-pressure way to explore new flavors.
Friends and families can share a Tex-Ethiopian platter, pass sides around the table, and compare favorite bites without anyone feeling excluded.
The restaurant also gives familiar comfort-food classics extra depth, especially through berbere mac and cheese and slow-cooked, beefy collard greens.
Its casual dining room, complete with booths and tables, keeps the experience relaxed and welcoming instead of formal or overly complicated.
Smoke’N Ash gained wider recognition as Arlington’s first and only restaurant included in the inaugural Michelin Guide Texas selection.
Locals love the restaurant because it delivers generous, smoky, spicy food alongside a story that feels authentically connected to Arlington.
Food Highlights
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Awaze Brisket: This smoked brisket is finished with awaze, an Ethiopian-style spicy sauce that brings a deep, warm kick to a Texas barbecue favorite. It is a must-try for diners who want the restaurant’s signature fusion in one memorable bite.
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Smoked Doro Wat: A slow-cooked chicken and onion stew made with garlic, ginger, berbere, clarified butter, and other spices. The rich sauce and tender chicken make it a comforting choice, especially with injera or rice. 🍗
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Rib Tip Tibs: Smoked rib tips are prepared in the restaurant’s Tex-Ethiopian style for a hearty, barbecue-forward plate. This is a smart order for guests who want tender smoked meat with more spice and personality.🍖
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Awaze Pork Ribs: These pork ribs get the same awaze treatment that makes Smoke’N Ash memorable. The result is smoky, savory, and pleasantly spicy, making them an easy pick for rib lovers who want something beyond standard barbecue sauce.
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Sheckla Tibs: Served sizzling in a clay dish, this specialty combines a choice of smoked brisket, sirloin beef, lamb, or chicken with onions, jalapeños, bell peppers, and garlic. It brings heat, texture, and plenty of aroma to the table.🌶️
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Berbere Mac and Cheese: This creamy side takes a familiar comfort-food favorite and adds berbere spice for a more flavorful finish. It works especially well beside brisket, ribs, or a large platter meant for sharing.🧀
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Beefy Collard Greens: Slow-cooked collard greens bring a savory, hearty side to the table. They pair beautifully with injera and smoked meats, making them a satisfying choice for anyone who wants more than the usual barbecue side dish.
Atmosphere
Smoke’N Ash BBQ has a casual, welcoming dining room with booths and tables that suit family meals, quick lunches, and relaxed group dinners.
The comfortable, food-focused energy begins with the aroma of slow-smoked meats, setting an inviting mood long before the first generous plate reaches the table.
Come hungry, order generously, and plan to share, because the menu offers smoky barbecue, Ethiopian specialties, and comforting sides worth passing around.
Bottom Line
Smoke’N Ash BBQ is worth visiting for smoky Texas meats, Ethiopian spice, generous shareable platters, and comforting sides with real personality.
It is an Arlington favorite for anyone who wants brisket, ribs, injera, and rich stews in one satisfying meal. Bring friends, order a little extra, and save room for the sides.
Address: 5904 S. Cooper St., Suite #110, Arlington, TX 76017
📞 (817) 987-7715
🕔 Open Wed–Sat, 12 AM–9 PM | Sun 12 AM–6 PM | Mon-Tue Closed