Bites Nearby: Dunedin Smokehouse Saddles Up for First Super Bowl Party

The Dunedin Smokehouse wasn't even around at the start of the NFL football season. Now the restaurant is preparing for a heck of a Super Bowl party.  

A simple twist of fate led owner Sarah Johnson and manager Melissa DePaul into the restaurant business. The Smokehouse opened in November 2010.

“I was the manager of a cosmetics company and Sarah was a third-year teacher,” said DePaul, 34.

Johnson’s family, owners of the , took notice when the previous business moved from the Smokehouse's location at 680 Main St.

“I said if you buy it, I’ll run it,” Johnson said.

At first, her family ran the Living Room out of the smokehouse location, but soon moved the tapas room closer to Dunedin’s downtown core of shops, venues and restaurants. Shortly after, Johnson found herself in the middle of the action.

Johnson, familiar with professionals already in the restaurant business, tapped Tony Bruno and Rick Knapik to run the smoker. Bruno is also the head chef at the Living Room.

DePaul and Johnson both note how great it is to have a successful restaurant in the current economic climate.

“We employ over 50 people between the here and the Living Room,” Johnson said.

The busy barbecue place even has a mascot in Smokehouse Sally, created by Steve Spathelf, who’s well-known around Dunedin as the orange bandit.

A key to the barbecue joint’s success is credited to social networking. The restaurant now slings slow-smoked St. Louis-style ribs for almost 400 "friends" a day on its Facebook page, while its sister restaurant, the Living Room, has close to 900.

“It’s really interactive,” Johnson said.

“I update the page with our specials on a daily basis,” DePaul said.

Sunday’s Super Bowl bash will feature customer favorites like the slow-cooked Montreal corned beef, and smoked Gouda macaroni and cheese.

Johnson said a wristband for Sunday’s event is cost $18 dollars, and reservations are encouraged.