Smokey D's/Absolute Flavors' carryout location at 20 NW 54th Avenue in Des Moines.
What do you get when you combine an award-winning chef with award-winning barbecue? You get Absolute Flavors Custom Catering and Smokey D’s BBQ. Co-owners and barbecue rivals Shad Kirton and Darren Warth have combined for countless barbecue awards, including 27 Grand Championships, and almost as many Reserve Grand Championships. Shad Kirton has graced the kitchens of the Hotel Pattee, the University Park Holiday Inn, and the Lake Panorama Country Club as Executive Chef. He has been honored by the National Pork Board as one of their Celebrated Chefs, and finished 3rd in their nationwide Taste of Elegance competition. Together they bring a wealth of experience, and tastes, to your dinner table. Smokey D’s offers the partners’ award-winning barbecue at two locations: in the Des Moines Skywalk at 601 Locust, Suite 200A and on the north end of Des Moines at 20 Northwest 54th Avenue. A third location is planned for September in the new Nationwide building downtown. Absolute Flavors offers not only barbecue, but customized restaurant quality cuisine for all your catering needs. One business, (soon) three locations, award-winning food…
Smokey D’s menu offers a variety of barbecue options, priced from $4.49 to $16.95. I highly recommend their $10.95 BBQ Platter (2 meats, 2 sides, and garlic bread.) Their ribs, beef brisket, smoked turkey, and pulled pork are all amazing. A Half Rack of Ribs and 2 sides is only $9.95. Looking for something lighter? Try a Grilled Portabella & Boursin Wrap (4.95) or a Chicken Salad Croissant ($4.49). Smokey D’s has more than just the standard BBQ Beans and Potato Salad for sides, as well. Although you can’t go wrong with the traditional, you will love their Potato Casserole and creamy Macaroni and Cheese. Choose from 11 sides in all. If you need food for a picnic, you can pick up meat by the pound or sides by the half-pint, pint, or quart. Throw in some cookies, brownies, or Dode Bars for dessert ($.99 to $1.75.)
Need more than barbecue for an event? Let Absolute Flavors customize a buffet for you. From wraps to fajitas, Cajun to Italian, Prime Rib to seafood, Tiramisu to Dulce Leche Cheesecake, Shad can do it all. Check out their menus online at www.smokeydsbbq.com and mix and match to suit all your needs. They will even make your old family recipes for you, if you ask.
In the 2 years that Smokey D’s has been open on the north end of town, I have never had a bad meal. My only complaint with Smokey D’s is their hours. The carryout store on the north side is open Monday through Friday 11-7, and the skywalk location is only open 10:30-2:30 for lunch, also Monday through Friday. They are closed weekends while Shad and Darren compete in barbecue competitions, vend at special events, and cater special occasions. (I guess I will just have to get my barbecue fix during the week.) I would absolutely recommend Smokey D’s/Absolute Flavors to anyone.
Read Shad Kirton's Profile Interview: http://www.examiner.com/x-7297-Des-Moines-Restaurant-Examiner~y2009m7d28-Persons-of-Interest--Chef-Shad-Kirton-of-Smokey-Ds-BBQAbsolute-Flavors-Catering
Check out Shad Kirton's recipe for Garlic Pepper Beef Skewers with Jalapeno & Peach Glaze: http://www.examiner.com/x-7297-Des-Moines-Restaurant-Examiner~y2009m7d29-Chef-Shad-Kirtons-recipe-for-Garlic-Pepper-Beef-Skewers-with-Jalapeno--Peach-Glaze
Shad's recipe for Grilled Steak & Boursin Sandwich: http://www.examiner.com/x-7297-Des-Moines-Restaurant-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Chef-Shad-Kirtons-Grilled-Steak--Boursin-Sandwich-Recipe
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