Smoked barbecue figures prominently on the menu of a new restaurant and lounge in northwest Red Deer.
Brad’s Pit Smokehouse and Sports Bar opened recently at 6852 66th St. The family restaurant and bar have separate entrances on the main floor of the two-storey building, with the restaurant seating 60 and the sports bar 180.
Food options range from ribs, pulled pork and burgers to salads and sandwiches. There are also children’s meals, and a daily express lunch featuring slow-smoked beef brisket, maple baked beans, brioche rolls and salads.
“We ran out of food and booze twice the first week, it was that busy,” said owner Brad Gabrielson.
The second floor has an executive boardroom, and two banquet rooms with a combined capacity of 200.
“We’ve probably had about 35 bookings already,” said Gabrielson.
The restaurant, bar and banquet rooms are served by a prep kitchen in the building’s basement, with food conveyed on a dumbwaiter. The restaurant opens daily at 11 a.m.
A grand opening for Brad’s Pit Smokehouse and Sports Bar is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15.
Gabrielson also wants to build an adjacent building that will contain 17 to 27 long-stay hotel rooms. He’s planning a convenience store on the main floor of that second building, and likely a liquor store.
He said he hopes to begin that project in the new year.
Gabrielson previously developed the nearby Comfort Inn and Suites in north Red Deer.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com