A smoked ribs and wing platter served with coleslaw, dips, fries and corn at Smoke Works in Cambridge, England. The barbecue restaurant offers an assortment of platters as well as great service. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
Surprise restaurant discoveries tend to be rare for me, and during my two years in England, I thought I had pretty much seen it all.
That was before my family and I ate lunch recently at Smoke Works, a barbecue place in Cambridge. Simply put, it was the best restaurant experience we’ve had since moving here.
As former residents of the Carolinas, we used to be surrounded with barbecue variety. The mustard-based barbecue of South Carolina and the vinegar-based version of North Carolina were well-represented in our old stomping grounds.
A couple of unsatisfying experiences at British barbecue joints had us figuring those halcyon days were over. How wrong we were.
Smoke Works, a barbecue restaurant, has two locations in Cambridge, England. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
The Smoke Works spicy food challenge contestant wall. The Cambridge, England, restaurant is currently developing its next spicy food challenge. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
We visited Smoke Works on a Monday, and both the manager at the time, Mario, and our server, Nicholas, were friendly, full of energy and quite funny.
We were seated downstairs in a nicely refurbished former cellar. We then summoned a server using a knob in the booth that activates a buzzer.
However, we received some sour news: The shipment of ribs for that day hadn’t arrived yet.
We couldn’t hide our disappointment. Nicholas then proceeded to assume the mantle of lunchtime hero.
It just so happens that he competes in Ironman triathlons — not a requirement to work there, we were told. He hopped on his bicycle, rode across town to Smoke Works’ sister restaurant, grabbed some ribs and rode back.
The chicken wings at Smoke Works in Cambridge, England, live up to the restaurant's name, as they are smoked for two hours. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
Milkshakes are the only item on the dessert menu at Smoke Works in Cambridge, England. But the overall experience at the restaurant more than makes up for the lack of sweet choices. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
While waiting, my wife and I ordered some smoked wings and chose the Carolina mustard sauce from a list of 12 dips. For our two little ones, we ordered halloumi cheese kids meals with veggie sticks and fries.
After our first bite of the wings, both my wife and I did our best impression of “Friends” character Janice, with her trademark “Oh. My. God.”
The smoky flavors, fall-off-the-bone meat and delicious sauce were a nostalgia-inducing combination. The bar for barbecue in the U.K. was raised immediately and we eagerly asked for more wings.
But the good vibes were just beginning. Despite being out of breath when he returned, Nicholas managed to exclaim in triumph, “We have ribs.”
Two orders of a Smoke Works kids meal consisting of halloumi, fries and vegetable sticks. Kids meals at the barbecue restaurant allow for selection of a main dish with sides and come with a complimentary dessert. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
The level of service left us in awe. Besides more wings, we ordered a rack of ribs to split. Our kids received their food before we did, but even so, it wasn’t long at all before my wife and I were digging in again.
Our lunch also featured Oreo milkshakes, while the kids’ meals came with a small ice cream sundae.
The restaurant also has a wall of glory and shame for those brave enough to try the spice challenge. If guests finish their wings, coated with the restaurant’s special spice rub within a certain time, they win a shirt and a picture on the wall.
Smoke Works has an interesting origin story to boot. The owner, Max Freeman, in 2005, won 250,000 pounds, equal to about $450,000 at the time, on the game show “Deal or No Deal.”
He pooled that money with contributions from other restaurateurs in Cambridge and together they opened several eateries. Freeman eventually bought out his share and opened Smoke Works on his own.
That decision is reason for gratitude. The barbecue void my wife and I felt the past two years is filled now, and we are thrilled knowing that we’ve found a place that smoked all the competition in every facet.
The exterior of Smoke Works in Cambridge, England. It also has a sister location across town. (Kyle Alvarez/Stars and Stripes)
Smoke Works
Address: 2 Free School Lane, Cambridge, England
Prices: Ribs, chicken and platters 16.50-56 pounds; Buns, dogs and wings 9-14 pounds; Sides 2.75-13 pounds
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 12-9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 12-10 p.m., Sunday, 12-5 p.m.
Information: 01223 365385, https://www.smokeworks.co.uk/
