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Experience a different kind of barbeque in Wayne

By Sarah Shurge
When the word ‘barbecue’ is men-
tioned, many people’s minds go di-
rectly to Texas-style or
Southern-style barbecue. You can al-
ready picture it in your head.
The City of Wayne is excited to
welcome its first barbecue restau-
rant, Taste the Smoke, but this is a
different style of barbecue.
“There isn’t just one way barbe-
cue should be served. This is Michi-
gan barbecue. This is different. We
smoke low and slow,” said Curtis
Huffman, owner/chef of Taste the
Smoke. “We rely on our smoking
process as well as blends of season-
ing. Sauce is an option, it’s not a go-
to.”
Taste the Smoke soft-opened for
the weekends on Friday, January
13th, and Saturday, January 14th.
There was a ribbon cutting cere-
mony on Tuesday, April 18th, and
grand opening on Friday, April 21st,
and Saturday, April 22nd. The City of Wayne joined Chef Curtis, the owner of Taste the Smoke, his team and family for an official grand opening and
Taste the Smoke officially opened
for regular hours on Wednesday, ribbon cutting ceremony last month. (Pictured) Councilman Eric Cleereman, Councilman Alfred Brock, Mayor John Rhaesa, Chef
April 26th. Curtis, Michael Sloan, Councilman Kevin Dowd, Councilwoman Deb Wass, Community Development and DDA Director, Lori
“It's been good. There's a lot of Gouin, Building and Engineering Director, Mike Buiten, and Planning Commissioner Don Quarles. Photo by Lisa Nocerini
firsts here - this is my first barbecue
place and this is the city’s first bar- club. but there is a condiments station, so man.
becue place. It’s like we were chosen “I would always stay in the I picked up some sweet barbecue Huffman is focused on making
for each other. It's great to be the kitchen, not knowing I would grow and pit barbecue sauce. himself available for constructive
first,” said Huffman. up to be a chef,” said Huffman. “A lot of people expect it to be fire criticism and being available to listen
However, Taste the Smoke almost Huffman was a chef at Comerica and fast. We’re not a pit where it’s to customers.
didn’t open in Wayne. Park in Detroit for the Tigers for 10 fire and fast,” said Huffman. “I’ve cre- “The community has welcomed
“It happened by pure opportunity years. ated literature that explains what me with open arms and I appreciate
and chance,” said Huffman. “Origi- “I played baseball, my kids played smoking means as opposed to pit- it. It makes me feel like I chose the
nally my idea for a restaurant was baseball. I come from a baseball style barbecue, which is what you're right place,” said Huffman. “Keep
for another state and another loca- world. But I stepped away to do my doing in your backyard.” supporting us so we can make it and
tion. I decided to start here and give own thing,” said Huffman. That literature is posted on a we can survive. I didn't start here to
it a try so I don't have to relocate Huffman opened Thunderbowl large sign to the left of the door when leave. I started here for this to be the
everything right away.” Grill inside Thunderbowl Lanes in you walk inside the restaurant. first Taste the Smoke for many more
Huffman’s original idea was for a Allen Park. After that, he started his “Once you find out what it means to come. Wayne is our home, where
casual dining restaurant in south catering business, A Special Taste, in to smoke, I hope that changes your we started, and hopefully we never
Florida. He drew up the idea for the 2011 at a banquet hall in Livonia. thoughts,” said Huffman. “Don't be have to leave.”
process but then an opportunity ap- Now he opened his first restaurant, judgemental. Accept our process and Taste the Smoke is located at the
peared. Taste the Smoke, in Wayne. try it without expectation.” corner of W. Michigan Ave and Eliza-
The building Pizza Hut was lo- “The City of Wayne is such a com- You should come read about the beth St. where the old Pizza Hut
cated in was up for lease. Huffman munity. It's been a heck of an experi- smoke process yourself and then used to be.
attended a meeting there and one ence,” said Huffman. “It's cool to see order something to eat. Huffman Taste the Smoke is open Wednes-
thing led to another. the community supporting the com- stated that the best sellers at Taste day through Sunday, 3 p.m. – 10
“I was looking for a new location munity. This is the next thing for me the Smoke are the ribs, pulled pork, p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 3
for my catering business, but then I to do and to see the community be- and the brisket. p.m. – 12 a.m. on Friday and Satur-
came up with the idea for barbecue,” hind me without even knowing me - “Watching people sit at the tables day (will soon have entertainment or
said Huffman. I’m new and I'm being embraced - that I put together myself, is reward- game nights), and 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Huffman has been working with that’s the best.” ing to see. The atmosphere that is on Sunday.
food since he was a kid. He comes I personally visited Taste the being created, to watch it go from a You can contact them at
from a family of cooking but his Smoke on Saturday, April 30th. I or- thought through the process, is re- (734)725-5990. You can find them
mom was the first official chef in the dered the ribs, which come with two ally rewarding. Especially when peo- on Instagram by searching “Taste the
family. She owned a Coney Island sides, so I chose the fries and maca- ple say they like something that I Smoke” or “A Special Taste.” A web-
and Huffman’s dad owned a jazz roni and cheese. Sauce is not a go-to, wasn't sure would work,” said Huff- site and Facebook are coming soon.
The Wayne Dispatch · May 2023 · 7