Station One Smokehouse, a central Texas-style barbecue restaurant, opened in the old firehouse in downtown Plainfield on Dec. 18.
Co-owner and head chef Brad Hudetz is a lifelong Plainfield resident, a graduate of Joliet Catholic Academy and has 20 years’ experience in the Chicago restaurant industry.
He has worked at top-rated restaurants such as Alinea and Spiaggia and, until recently, served three years as manager and executive chef of Green Street Smoked Meats in Chicago’s West Loop.
“Hosting Theo Epstein’s championship party for the 2016 Cubs was a big highlight for me,” Hudetz said in a news release. “Now I’m excited to bring my talents home to Plainfield.”
Central to the Station One Smokehouse kitchen (and visible to clients) will be a massive 4,200-pound wood-burning smoker, custom-built in Mesquite, Texas. Service will be fast-casual. Customers will approach a carver station to have their choice of smoked meats sliced and served directly before their eyes.
Sandwiches, a variety of fresh homemade sides and sauces, and desserts will be on the menu.The restaurant will also feature a full bar, a dedicated carry-out area, and ample parking.
“The renovation of our town’s long-time firehouse has been quite an undertaking,” co-owner Justin Hudetz said in a news release.“We’re happy to say that although the space looks very different, we have taken many measures throughout our décor to pay homage to the building’s history. But I do think people are going to be excited to see some of the improvements we’ve made too.”
Hudetz said that when weather warms, the entire glass front façade of the restaurant will fold open to a large outdoor patio seating area.
Station One Smokehouse is located at 15025 S. Des Plaines St. in Plainfield just north of Lockport Street.
Carryout and catering orders can be made at stationonesmokehouse.com or by calling 815-271-MEAT (6328).
Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to
11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday,
11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The smokehouse is closed on Mondays.
