This Burlington County town gets a new BBQ joint
WILLINGBORO – A new barbeque joint at Willingboro Town Center marks the South Jersey debut of a sit-down restaurant chain.
1911 Smoke House Barbeque had a soft opening for its newest location in late November at a site where several other restaurants once operated.
Co-owner Maurice Hallett said the brand has a great following and is known for being a “cool, safe space” where you can entertain.
He feels once his staff is up to speed, “1911 Smoke House will be the new hotspot for South Jersey.”
The restaurant's signature dish is the fried rib tips - "my wife's grandmother's recipe," said Hallett.
The menu also offers pulled pork nachos and sandwiches, chicken and rib combos, brisket chili, smoked salmon and more.
Sides include candied yams, mac and cheese, potato salad, and baked beans. You'll also find collard greens and seasonal veggies.
“An interesting fact - we are a BBQ restaurant that has a good-size vegan menu, plus all sides are cooked without meat,” Hallett said. “Our signature spice blend is salt free…Good food, not fast food.”
The restaurant offers catering and takeout as well. There will also be a bar.
1911 Smoke House has locations on West Front Street in Trenton and in Newark Liberty Airport.
The Willingboro Town Center, on Route 130, also holds a library, multiple fast-food restaurants, several banks, two health systems, a branch of Rowan College at Burlington County, and various other businesses.
Five questions for 1911 Smoke House Barbeque owner Maurice Hallett:
Question: What made Willingboro an attractive location and why the Willingboro Town Center?
A: We have lots of Willingboro residents that work in downtown Trenton that have been asking me to open something closer to them.
I live in Willingboro and felt for a time that (the Town Center site) was tough for a restaurant. I’m not sure why previous food businesses have not worked there.
That location previously had a Starbucks and Hardee’s and I believe part of the building was a paper store, similar to a Staples.
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Q: Are you one of several owners of 1911 Smoke House or the main owner?
A: I am the main owner - just me and my wife Tonya.
Q: Are you planning more sites in South Jersey?
A: This is the first South Jersey location - very open to other opportunities once Willingboro is successful.
Q: When is the grand opening?
A: We will hold off on our grand opening until we get our liquor license. We are a few weeks out from getting the liquor license."
By the way, the number 1911 in the name is a reference to the Divine Nine.
Black students came together near the start of the 20th century, mostly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to form their own sororities and fraternities, according to yesprep.org. The organizations are collectively known as the Divine Nine.
Hallett is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which was founded in 1911.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: A new BBQ restaurant has opened in this Burlington County town
