Mouth-watering Texas BBQ and a spotless kitchen at Smoke Ring King BBQ

SAN ANTONIO - Smoke Ring King BBQ blew my mind with their amazing BBQ, and blew the health inspector's mind with a perfect score on their most recent inspection!

Located in the Lombrano Food Hall, a futuristic grab-and-go style establishment, Smoke Ring King BBQ operates one of the cleanest kitchens I've ever had the pleasure of stepping foot in.

Anthony Cubit, Head Chef/Pitmaster and part owner of Smoke Ring King BBQ is a local student at St. Philips Culinary School, with an eye for details and an extraordinary pallet for savory flavors. His wife, Tanya Clay-Cubit is part-owner and welcomed me to their establishment with a gushing smile the moment I walked up to the door. The martial duo has been operating Smoke Ring King BBQ for the past five years.

Anthony has been cooking his entire life. Ever since he was little his grandmother would cook and bring his family together, which is what inspired him to become passionate in the kitchen.

"I did a BBQ party for my grandmother one year, and after that it was just like the final straw. Like, my family just really pushed me to follow my dreams in being in the culinary arts," said Anthony.

He and Tanya have been together since high school, sharing multiple kids and working hard towards their culinary goals.

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The family is no stranger to giving back to our community as well. During the pandemic, they would cook brisket and other dishes to feed the homeless. Many customers attempted to purchase plates from them during that time, however they were focused on feeding those who couldn't feed themselves.

Their kitchen was immaculate, with labels on everything, and clean utensils and gloves being used between each task. Separate fryers are used for each food product, and they use one cow daily for their meat, grinding every brisket and burger by hand.

Menu highlights include, well, just about everything. Anthony was kind enough to send me home with a delicious spread, and when I say there is not one thing I would change about anything on their menu, I mean it. Their ingredients are all fresh, and Anthony even chops his own wood.

Tanya had raved to me about their Smash Burger. She said it was the best burgers she's ever had in her life, and she wasn't wrong. I knew I was in for a treat when I witnessed Anthony smother the uncooked meat in seasonings, and how perfectly greasy it looked sliding off the grill. It was one of the most amazing, savory flavors I've ever had.

Their brisket has the perfect lean-to-fat ratio, and their sweet BBQ sauce on their brisket sandwich easily puts them on the top of my list for San Antonio BBQ. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and paired well with beans.

Side highlights include their beans, which were incredibly flavorful and perfect for dipping leftover brisket and bread. Potato salad, which some people may skip but I find an essential side to good Texas BBQ, and Anthony's was amazing. Finally mac-and-cheese, which customers can add brisket to if they please (I did not).

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It's been a long time since I've been seriously impressed by Texas BBQ, and Smoke Ring King really blew my mind. The Cupit family puts their heart and soul into their products, and it's evident with every bite.

They hope to keep expanding their business by booking catering events and potentially looking for other locations to grow, but for now, they are working hard at making sure their BBQ becomes the best in San Antonio.

"It's been a long journey, it's been a blessed journey, and we are very thankful where we are today," said the duo.

Anthony wanted to highlight that he would not have gotten this far without the motivation and inspiration from Chef Marcel Brady and Eat Wit Yo Eyez, another local business located in the Lombrano Food Hall.

Customers can order in person at Lombrano Food Hall, or order through their phone at lombranofoodhall.com or through third-party apps like Uber Eats and Door Dash.

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Smoke Ring King BBQ is open Tuesday-Saturday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., for more information visit their website at SRKBBQ.com.

Congratulations Smoke Ring King BBQ for your Blue Plate Award!