The smell of slow-smoked brisket is the newest addition to the growing lineup of major restaurant brands flocking to the Schertz development, as Austin-based Smokey Mo’s BBQ opens its latest location along the I-35 corridor.
The restaurant marks the newest tenant at Schertz Station, a rapidly expanding retail and dining hub that has attracted a steady stream of national and Texas-based chains in recent years.
Interior of Smokey Mo’s in Harker Heights. (Courtesy of Smokey Mo’s)
The opening is also a milestone for franchisees Kim and Roger Harris, who have been part of Smokey Mo’s family since 2007, according to a news release. The Schertz restaurant is their third location with the brand, joining existing restaurants in New Braunfels and San Antonio. The location is co-owned with Nathan and Ashlea Page, who have partnered with the Harrises on their Smokey Mo’s operations since 2015.
“When we first joined Smokey Mo’s, it was because the brand believed in the same things we did: great food, treating guests the right way, and building real relationships in the community,” Kim Harris said in a statement. “Nearly 20 years later, those values are still at the core of the business. Opening in Schertz feels like the right next step for us because it’s a community we know well and are proud to serve.”
Spread of food at Smokey Mo’s BBQ in San Antonio. (Peter L. Scamardo II/MySA)
The expansion brings Smokey Mo’s signature menu of brisket, turkey, pulled pork, sausage and chicken to one of the fastest-growing areas in the San Antonio region. Guests can also find barbecue sandwiches, tacos, homestyle sides, desserts and a full breakfast menu.
Founded in Austin in 2000, Smokey Mo’s has grown to more than 20 locations across the Austin, San Antonio and Houston areas. The company says it continues to focus on growth in Texas markets through a mix of franchise development and corporate expansion.
“Kim and Roger have been an important part of Smokey Mo’s for nearly two decades, and seeing them continue to grow with the brand is incredibly meaningful,” CEO Craig Haley said in a statement. “They’ve built their restaurants the right way, earned trust in their communities, and represent exactly the kind of operators we’re proud to grow with.”
Smokey Mo’s BBQ sausage, turkey, and brisket platter with coleslaw and bean sides. (Courtesy of Smokey Mo’s)
Smokey Mo’s arrival comes during a busy stretch for Schertz Station. Portillo’s recently opened its first San Antonio-area restaurant in the development ahead of an official grand opening celebration on June 9, while Smokey Mo’s is planning its own grand opening event on June 13.
With multiple high-profile restaurant openings arriving within weeks of each other, Schertz Station’s emergence as a dining destination along the I-35 corridor shows little sign of slowing down.
Find it: 18430 IH-35 North, Suite 600, Schertz, TX 78108
This article originally published at Austin BBQ brand bets big on booming San Antonio suburb.