Smokey Beards Q, the Riyadh smokehouse that turned brisket into a celebrity magnet, is firing up its first Texas pit with soft openings starting Thursday, Jan. 29. The new Fort Worth outpost moves into the former Mamma Mia space at 3124 E. Belknap Street and will zero in on Hill Country-style smoked brisket and hefty beef ribs, with no pork on the menu. Co-owners Tony and Sonny Ramadani teamed up with Mutah Beale, better known as Napoleon from Tupac's Outlawz, for the Stateside debut, and the Fort Worth pit is starting out with oak, pecan, or hickory on the fire.
Soft-opening service kicked off Thursday with limited weekend shifts as the crew gets up to speed, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The paper lists opening-night hours of 6 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 29, plus additional soft-opening nights on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31, followed by another run set for Feb. 5-7. Diners were told to watch the restaurant's Instagram for exact times. The operation plans to stick to a reduced schedule, roughly three days a week, until a full grand opening, the Star-Telegram reports.
From Riyadh To Fort Worth
Smokey Beards Q launched in Riyadh and has grown into one of the kingdom's best-known smokehouses, landing a top spot on Time Out Riyadh's barbecue list. Time Out notes that the original location frequently sells out its brisket sandwich. The concept's overseas rise and its celebrity following have been covered by regional outlets, including FACT Saudi Arabia, which profiles co-owner Mutah Beale and the brand's awards.
Menu And Smoking Style
The Fort Worth menu sticks to beef-only barbecue: smoked brisket, big beef ribs and brisket sandwiches, with sides like fries, mac-and-cheese, pinto beans and slaw, according to local coverage. CultureMap Fort Worth reports that the Texas location will lean into Hill Country technique, swapping the acacia wood used in Riyadh for oak, pecan or hickory chips in the pit. The owners describe the rub as straightforward, built on salt and pepper with garlic, paprika and a touch of cayenne, and they plan to run rotating specials alongside the core staples.
The Spot On Belknap
The new shop takes over 3124 E. Belknap St., an address long tied to Mamma Mia Italian Grill. Map listings for Mamma Mia show the location and a closed status at that address, according to MapQuest. The building sits in a north-Fort Worth corridor lined with restaurants, which the owners are betting makes it a natural fit for a smokehouse with Texas roots.
When To Go
For now, expect limited hours during the soft-opening stretch. The team says it will run a handful of early-night services each week while staff training wraps up, with a grand opening to follow, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
