Husband and wife co-owners Matt and Thao Roth have brought together the meaty flavor of Texas barbecue with the lighter ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine to create a diverse menu of sandwiches, meat plates and side dishes such as coleslaw and creamed spinach.
Matt and Thao said a featured item is the banh mi meat sandwiches served on a French baguette. Thao said French bread is a traditional ingredient that traces back to Vietnam’s days as a French colony.
The sandwiches come with a choice of brisket or pork belly. Diners will find the meat layered among fresh cucumber, cilantro, housemade creamy cilantro sauce, pickled carrot and maggi sauce balance out the heavier meat flavors, Thao said.
“Vietnamese cooking has fresh herbs and ingredients that kind of make it light,” she said.
Matt and Thao opened Smokin Beauty in August 2020.
The reason for the name is posted behind the central bar. A Smokin Beauty perfectly describes a very attractive and deliciously smoked meat, the sign says.
“We just wanted something that expresses something a little playful and ambiguous,” Matt said.
Located in the Walnut Creek neighborhood on North Lamar Boulevard, Smokin Beauty lies in an area ready for growth, Matt said.
“I feel like we are going to be part of this boom over here,” he said. “There is a lot of space for people to develop here. It seems ready for that.”
Thao said she grew up cooking with her parents, who immigrated to the United States from Vietnam.
“I grew up born and raised in Austin, pretty much on Rundberg and Lamar here, but eating Vietnamese cooking,” she said. “I identify as a Vietnamese Texan, and now Matt has come into it.”
And while Matt and Thao serve their food and cocktails to those nearby, growing their business is also on their minds, they said.
Now in service is a 1,000-gallon offset smoker, capable of smoking 26 briskets. The volume smoker has made it possible for the Roths to be one of the food-service providers at the 2021 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix held Oct. 22-24 at the Circuit of The Americas.
“This is our first time to serve at such a large event, so we are super excited,” Thao said. Smokin Beauty
11806 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin
512-436-9379
www.smokinbeautyatx.com
Hours: Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight,
Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mon.-Wed.
