Fresh off defeating a lawsuit and one year removed from celebrating its 25th anniversary, a homegrown Texas barbecue empire is once again setting its sights on the Alamo City with its latest expansion plans. Next week, hungry barbecue lovers on the Interstate 35 corridor will have a new place for a hot plate of food and delicious sides.

Smokey Mo’s BBQ, which last year MySA named the No. 1 barbecue chain in San Antonio, is opening its first restaurant in Schertz on Monday, May 25. A grand opening is also slated for June 13, with promotions and giveaways for guests, according to a news release. Once open, it will be the chain’s sixth restaurant in the San Antonio area, with additional smokehouses located in Boerne, Bulverde and New Braunfels, creating a literal barbecue ring around the Alamo City.

The restaurant will be operated by franchisees Kim and Roger Harris, who have been franchisees with Smokey Mo’s since 2007 and operate restaurants in New Braunfels and San Antonio.

“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,” Smokey Mo’s BBQ CEO Craig Haley said in the release. “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 is entering Schertz at a major time for the tiny town. A multimillion-dollar shopping district called Schertz Station is inching closer to opening every day, Portillo’s is opening its first San Antonio-area eatery on June 9, and Teso Life is constructing a new store at The Forum.

First opened in Cedar Park in 2000, Smokey Mo’s has expanded with more than 20 restaurants across Texas. As for the barbecue, guests can expect to find brisket, turkey, pulled pork, sausage, chicken, sandwiches, tacos, green beans, mac n cheese, Frito pies, banana puddings and plenty of other barbecue fixings to treat guests from morning through dinner.

Find it: 18430 IH-35 North, Suite 600, Schertz, TX 78108