By Casey Mallory and Taylor Neimer
Smoke’N Ash BBQ is the only Tex-Ethiopian Smokehouse in the world, where awaze flavors meet brisket and ribs, injera bread serves as the perfect companion to beefy collard greens, and classic sides like mac and cheese get an upgrade with berbere spices.
Founded by Fasicka and Patrick Hicks, there’s more to this local staple than meets the eye; Smoke’n Ash BBQ tells a story of personal heritage and culinary innovation. What began as weekend pop-ups has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, blending Patrick's Texan roots with Fasicka's Ethiopian heritage.
Fasicka & Patrick Hicks, Owners of Smoke'N Ash BBQ
Recently recognized by both Michelin and the James Beard Foundation, get to know this hotspot and the people behind the culinary magic. Make room in your itinerary because when visiting Arlington, Smoke’N Ash BBQ is a must-eat.
Fusion of Flavors
For the adventurous foodies AND those who might be a little hesitant when trying new foods, Smoke’N Ash offers a dining experience that merges familiarity and comfort with innovative, vibrant flavors. Growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Fasicka learned the intricate art of Ethiopian cooking from her mother. Known for complex spices and time-honored techniques, every family has their own special spice blends and recipes traditionally. In fact, the Ethiopian spices used in Smoke’N Ash’s dishes are prepared in Ethiopia by Fasicka’s sister and sent directly to Arlington.
Meanwhile, Patrick's upbringing in Waco, Texas had him surrounded by Texas barbecue. His family taught him the Texas tradition of low and slow meat smoking, fueling his passion for cooking and turning him into the pit master he is today.
BBQ Sandwich with Fried Okra
Smoke’N Ash BBQ has technically been around since 2012, serving food out of a smoker trailer on the weekends, before opening their brick and mortar in 2018. Initially, the restaurant only served traditional Texas barbecue, until a separate Ethiopian menu was added. When the Hicks noticed customer ordering from both menus for the same plate, they decided to create a Tex-Ethiopian menu.
Taking a risk, they reimagined traditional Ethiopian flavors through the lens of Texas barbecue. And can we just say - the risk definitely paid off!!
Tex-Ethiopian Platter
Local Appetite
The city of Arlington has a deep meaning to the Hicks family. Moving to the United States from Ethiopia for school in 1996, Fasicka made Arlington, Texas her home. When the time came to open up the first brick and mortar in 2018, there was no question about where.
As we know, a lot of small businesses closed their doors due to the pandemic; but not Smoke’N Ash. Their business actually grew and thrived even more so. The Arlington community and locals rallied around and nurtured the business into what it is today. It meant so much to Fasicka and Patrick to listen to locals empathize with the challenge of being a small business during that time but relentlessly asking them to keep their doors open.
Loaded Mac
Whether they have five customers or 50 customers, Smoke’N Ash gratefully opens their doors to welcome customers; they know their customers have a choice where they eat, and their customers intentionally choose to dine at Smoke’N Ash.
Wall of Fame
With countless local and national recognitions, it’s hard to believe that there are still people who have never heard of Smoke’N Ash BBQ. Over the last few years, you may have seen Smoke’N Ash BBQ featured by Dallas Morning News, Texas Monthly, Dallas Observer, The Dish on CBS News, Texas Today on NBC, GoodDay on Fox 4, and Good Morning Texas on WFAA sharing their story about how their fusion concept came to be. But that’s just the beginning.
Wall of Fame at Smoke'N Ash BBQ
In 2022, Smoke’N Ash was named one the of New York Times Top 50 Restaurants, the first national recognition the restaurant received. New York Times recognized them again in 2023 as one of the 20 Best Texas BBQ Restaurants from the New Generation. After opening up in a new (and bigger) location in Arlington in the fall of 2023, Texas Monthly recognized Smoke’N Ash as one of 25 New and Improved BBQ Joints in Texas. The recognition has only grown from there, racking up another national recognition listed as one of Yelp’s Top 100 BBQ Spots in 2024.
At the end of 2024, Smoke’N Ash BBQ entered the inaugural MICHELIN Guide to Texas as a Michelin-Recommended restaurant – the first and only restaurant in Arlington, Texas recognized by Michelin.
Most recently, Fasicka and Patrick Hicks were named as semi-finalists for the James Beard Best Chef: Texas Award.
Lunch Plans?
So, what are you waiting for?! Make those lunch plans and try the world’s only Tex-Ethiopian menu.
If you’re not sure where to start or just wanna dip your toe in to a new cuisine, let us give you a few pointers. Order a Tex-Ethiopian platter to get a taste of a little bit of everything including traditional Ethiopian Smoked Doro Wat, Rib Tip Tibs, Awaze Brisket, Awaze Pork Ribs and Texas Toast, combined with your choice of sides (they are ALL delicious, but to help you narrow it down, grab the Berbere Mac & Cheese and Beefy Collard Greens and thank us later), and please do yourself a favor and order the platter with injera, their spongey flatbread.
If you’re visiting Arlington, visit Fasicka and Patrick (tell them we sent you!). Explore their entire menu and experience firsthand the culmination of culture and community right here in Arlington.
