Though Crozet has the look and feel of every small town, for years it’s lacked the key element to fulfilling its true Southern identity: barbeque. Finally, after years of a barbeque-less Crozet, the brand new Piedmont Place has introduced the restaurant Smoked Kitchen and Tap. The restaurant represents the expansion of the Smoked BBQ Co, a successful food truck found on the Down Town Mall.

The staff is stacked almost entirely of Western students and alumni of all ages. I guarantee a trip to Smoked will result in at least one awkward wave to someone you’ve seen in the hallway at least once. Junior Marley Herring agreed,“Smoked is so good! Also I love the hostess Corinne, she’s great.” If you’re looking for a high school reunion with lots of good food, this is the place.

On top of the staff, the food cannot be better. The barbeque is as good as it gets. Freshman Maggie Grinell said “the barbeque sandwich was amazing, I get it every time.” Not only is the pulled pork amazing, but the sides are the cherry on top. From mac and cheese to dirty rice, this place just can’t do anything wrong. Freshman Louise West agrees, “The mac and cheese is the best thing on the menu.”

Along with its amazing plates, Smoked also offers salads that are probably more unhealthy than the barbeque. There’s no better way to cheat health than ordering the Southern Cobb Salad. Decked with about 3 pounds of bacon, this salad is anything but healthy, but at least you can tell yourself it is.