I could eat at Zeke’s Smokehouse seven days a week and not get bored. This is a “must try” restaurant and one you will want to visit again and again. Why? Everything is hickory smoked and the meats are top quality: local beef, no hormones, and corn fed. The number one seller here is the pulled pork. You can get it several ways. My fave is as a sandwich with pickles and onions that comes with two sides. Number two is the brisket, then there’s the  quarter all white meat chicken with two sides plus Texas Toast all for only $9.95. It is absolutely delicious! The Zeke’s burger is not to be missed, there’s salmon with the best grilled veggies, and I haven’t even gotten to the ribs or their newest venture, Santa Maria Tri Tip. Do you see what I mean? So many choices and all of them smoked to perfection.

Zeke’s ( 2309 Honolulu Ave.), a Montrose original, is owned by the Gelsinger family that has a long history in the MSP. Did you know their famous deli meats are now available for lunch at Zeke’s? You can build your own sandwich for only $5.95, beverage included. On the weekends you can try their Smokehouse Country Breakfast. They also do full service catering and have cooked up a great Thanksgiving menu for those who don’t want to cook that includes a 16-18 lb. hickory smoked, barbecue turkey.

While visiting Zeke’s you may see Russell Crowe. Well it sure looks like Russell Crowe. Actually it’s manager Joe Meinhart who won the Russell Crowe lookalike contest on TMZ. When you see him you’ll know why. Please be sure to tell him “Hi” and that you read about him in CVW. We all appreciate those words of encouragement. If you’re lucky he might show you their smoker filled with racks of succulent meat. They keep it going 24/7. So do give Zeke’s a try. In addition to everything else their prices are so reasonable. Personally, I give them an A+, and I don’t say this very often. Thanks for reading and shopping The Montrose Shopping Park!

  Mary Dawson, Zeke’s Smokehouse