Milwaukee's East Side has a fresh plume of barbecue drifting over Murray Avenue. Smokin' Jack's BBQ has quietly opened at 2311 N. Murray Ave, taking over the former Izzy Hops space with pitmaster Jack Holt's slow-smoked meats and Southern sides. The takeout-focused spot is already serving USDA Prime smoked brisket, pork shoulder, rib tips and smoked chicken while crews finish the buildout and keep dine-in service limited. The menu pulls from Alabama, Kansas and Texas barbecue traditions, according to Urban Milwaukee.
As reported by Urban Milwaukee, the Murray Ave location is Smokin' Jack's third brick-and-mortar, following a 3rd Street Market Hall stall and a Brown Deer pickup spot. Urban Milwaukee also notes that Holt has his sights set on a second, Latin-inspired smoked-meat concept next door.
Menu Highlights And Prices
The soft-open menu sticks to crowd-pleasing staples, with sandwiches, combos and shareable plates. Signature items such as the Hog 1860 and a Korean BBQ chicken sandwich are priced around $15, two-meat combos (two meats, two sides and bread) are listed at about $24, and three-meat combos run near $28. Sides include smoked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, elote, macaroni and cheese and cornbread, and the kitchen sells meats in half-pound portions, according to OnMilwaukee.
Hours, Ordering And Cocktails
Smokin' Jack's is currently leaning into carry-out, with limited dine-in service while the buildout wraps. Urban Milwaukee lists the hours as Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 3–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.–midnight, and Sunday 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Guests can place orders online for pick-up or delivery, and the East Side Business Improvement District says the restaurant will feature a full cocktail and bar program inspired by the former Izzy Hops atmosphere, per the East Side BID.
Neighborhood Fit And What's Next
Smokin' Jack's expansion reflects owner Jack Holt's steady climb from ghost-kitchen and food-truck operations into brick-and-mortar service; the brand also operates at 3rd Street Market Hall and a Brown Deer pick-up location, per the restaurant's website at Smokin' Jack's. Holt has said he has been painting the adjacent space at 2315 N. Murray Ave as he shapes the new concept, according to OnMilwaukee. The East Side addition gives diners another reliable smokehouse option in a neighborhood that has seen several new openings recently, according to Smokin' Jack's.
