Peoria Barbecue With Brisket Bánh Mì and Bacon Potato Salad

A brisket bánh mì is not the usual opening move at a barbecue restaurant, which is precisely why it makes a useful introduction to this downtown Peoria spot. The sandwich takes carefully smoked brisket in a Vietnamese-influenced direction, while the rest of the menu keeps one foot planted firmly in barbecue country: ribs, pulled pork, chicken, classic sandwiches, dinner plates, sauces and sides built to hold their own beside the meat.

This is a place where a straightforward barbecue lunch can remain straightforward, but the more adventurous route is sitting right there on the menu. Brisket turns up in tacos as well as sandwiches. Wings are smoked, fried and coated in Asian buffalo sauce. A bowl of brisket soup offers another detour from the expected.

Brisket and ribs are the marquee choices, with tender, juicy meat and a pronounced smoked character. The brisket works in the classic barbecue format, piled into a sandwich or served as part of a plate, but it is flexible enough to travel well across the menu.

Pulled pork and smoked chicken give a group more traditional ground to cover. The smoked chicken plate comes as a half chicken with two chosen sides, a satisfying option for someone who wants the full meat-and-sides treatment rather than a sandwich.

Smoked turkey breast has also appeared among the meat choices, and it has been noted for being flavorful and carefully cooked. It is worth treating turkey, along with any special offerings, as an availability question rather than a permanent promise.

The Asian tacos are a strong reason not to order on autopilot. Smoked brisket is the anchor, but the sauces bring layers of seasoning and contrast that push the dish away from a standard barbecue taco. Diners can add vinegar-based barbecue sauce, a bright, tangy move that keeps the richness of the meat from becoming too heavy.

The brisket bánh mì gives the same meat another personality. Choosing between it and a classic brisket sandwich is less a matter of which is better than which direction sounds right that day: familiar barbecue comfort or a more globally inspired handheld meal.

The wings get a particularly deliberate two-step treatment. They are smoked first, then fried, giving them the appeal of barbecue flavor with a crisp exterior before the Asian buffalo sauce goes on. They make sense as a shared starter, but they are substantial enough to become the focus for someone who has already had plenty of brisket in their life.

A brisket soup may be the menu's quiet wild card. Soup is not often associated with a barbecue stop, and that is enough reason to give it a look on a cooler day or alongside a smaller sandwich.

Bacon potato salad is the side that has developed its own following. It is rich, substantial and far from an afterthought; extra containers have made their way home with diners who decided one serving was not enough.

The creamy poblano pepper mac and cheese brings a little more character than plain macaroni and cheese, while Mexican rice offers another good companion for tacos or smoked chicken. Baked beans stay closer to barbecue tradition, and cucumber salad provides a lighter counterpoint when the table is otherwise loaded with smoky meat and creamy sides.

Elotes fit naturally with the menu's Mexican and Asian-influenced turns. Thin, crispy fried pickles are another easy addition, especially for a table that wants something salty and crunchy before the main dishes arrive.

The sauce selection deserves a few minutes of attention. In addition to a vinegar-based option, there are distinctive house-style sauces to try with brisket, pork, ribs or even the tacos. With so many formats for the meat, a little sauce sampling can make a familiar order feel less routine.

A good first order might be a meat plate, bacon potato salad and one more side, with sauces on the table for comparison. That gives the barbecue itself room to speak. Ribs can be a particularly good choice when they are available, though popular items may sell out during the day.

A more wide-ranging meal might pair Asian tacos with fried pickles, then add a brisket bánh mì or wings for the table. The menu gives mixed groups an easy way to avoid the usual barbecue compromise, where one person wants ribs and another wants something less familiar.

Specials have included a BLT with smoked turkey, another sign that the kitchen is willing to have some fun with the smoker. The most interesting orders may come from balancing a dependable classic with one item that sounds a little unexpected.

Barbecue does not have to end with a soft drink and a stack of napkins. The drink list includes beer along with cocktails such as a watermelon mule and the Vermont Maple. The maple drink, in particular, sounds well suited to the savory-sweet territory of smoked meats and baked beans.

Key lime pie is a recurring favorite for dessert. Its tart, bright finish is a useful reset after brisket, ribs, rich potato salad and mac and cheese, and it gives the meal a more complete ending than barbecue joints always bother to provide.

The restaurant sits in downtown Peoria, convenient for a meal during a drive through town as well as for a more relaxed lunch or dinner. Free parking has been available in a lot, with free street parking also noted nearby.

Inside, the setting is comfortable and easy to talk in, with standard dining seating, booths and a bar area. Outdoor seating near the front entrance and patio-style seating have also been available, giving diners a few ways to shape the stop when the weather cooperates.

Food is ordered at the table, and the kitchen often turns dishes around quickly enough to suit a time-conscious lunch or early dinner. The service style is friendly and helpful without making the visit feel drawn out.

There is no dedicated children's menu, though simple choices such as grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese may be available for younger diners. That can be handy when the adults are more interested in brisket tacos and cocktails than in negotiating a plate of ribs.

The menu includes numerous gluten-free choices, though diners with specific dietary needs should confirm individual dishes and preparation. Between the smoked meats, broad side selection and creative sandwiches, there is plenty here to explore beyond the standard barbecue order.