4847 Merrick Road, Massapequa, New York
Anytime that I go out to eat, I tend to try new food places not only for a new taste, but for a different atmosphere and experience. For the most part, I can usually guess what the vibe will consist of based on initial interaction. However, there are times that customer service at restaurants goes beyond your expectations. One place in particular is called Smokin’ Al’s.
Located in Massapequa, New York, Smokin’ Al’s starts off with laid back Southern hospitality as you walk through the doors. The staff is friendly, the space is clean, and the lighting sets a mood. Once you’re in, you begin to observe a country theme, between the cowboy hats, a bull’s head over a mantle, and an overload of Johnny Cash and George Strait playing subtly in the background.
The menu has a very consistent theme of Southern BBQ, including pork belly, fried pickles, BBQ shrimp, and even a burger that sits on a charcoal grill. The wait time for the food is probably the only thing I would say could be worked on, as it took some time to come out. Simply ordering a burger and fries, along with baby back ribs, I ended up waiting almost one hour for the meal to come out.
However, I think the final taste overshadowed the long wait time. That initial bite into the burger made me well aware as to what perfection tastes like. The baby back ribs also solidified the Southern way of slow cooking and seasoning to provide a beautiful experience. The staff made sure to come around and make sure all was good and were very responsive to any needs I had.
The food, however, is a bit costly. While not too bad, it is definitely advised that you go only if you have at least $100 or so to spend on a minimum of 2 meals. Other than that, eating at Smokin’ Al’s was a pleasant experience.
If you are interested in a new eating experience, be sure to stop by Smokin’ Al’s at 4847 Merrick Road in Massapequa, New York. Their phone number is 516-799-4900 and they do provide delivery if you want to cater at home.
