Smokin' Good At Smoke Tree BBQ

You can smell the aroma of good barbecue when you pull into the Smoke Tree Village shopping center in Palm Springs. With an outdoor grill it lures hungry barbecue fans in to enjoy some finger lickin' good fare.

Most of the dining is outside on the large covered patio near a huge smoker grill. The restaurant is owned by Funkey Industries, which operates several Palm Springs eateries. With distressed woods throughout, the atmosphere is very casual, yet the menu offers some unique items that include onion battered green beans and cornmeal crusted fried okra. Wings are smoked, fried and tossed in a special 8 spice rub.

There are 11 starters that include a grilled Cajun Andouille sausage serve with creole mustard and battered Jalapeño cheese poppers stuffed with cream cheese.

Executive Chef Steve Helland makes Kansas City style ribs that are slow-cooked at a low temperature over a blend of oak and fruit wood for 12 hours, the chicken is cooked 3 to 4 hours, and the slow cooked brisket is the best in town. It's different than grilling meat on a hot fire. The meat is hand trimmed and rubbed with his special Smoke Tree seasoning rub.

Diners receive a caddy with four different styles of barbecue sauces that reflect various barbecue regions in the United States. The Texas sauce is a triple X diablo, the Carolina is enhanced with golden mustard and great with pork, the Cajun Louisiana is spicy hot and the Kansas City style is sweet with molasses.

The Smoke Tree offers plates with Carolina Smoked pulled pork, Angus Choice brisket, Baby back ribs, smoked chicken and combination plates. Guests can enhance each meat with four different sauces

There are a variety of side dishes that include "horsey" creamy cole slaw, cheese mac and cheese, charred vegetables, sweet potato fries, garlic parmesan fries, smoked bbq beans, buttered sweet corn and potato salad.

Local craft brews and popular domestic beers are on tap at Smoke Tree BBQ, as well as select wines, and a hand-crafted mescal, tequila and whiskey-based cocktails. I've been told they make a great old-fashioned.

Save room for their silky banana pudding, housemade Key Lime pie, Bourbon pecan pie or chocolate mousse cake

Smoke Tree BBQ Bar and Grill is open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, till 9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday. The restaurant is closed Monday & Tuesday. 1775 East Palm Canyon, Palm Springs.