What happens when you combine an all-American love of barbecue with a global tradition of cooking over an open fire (3 billion people strong, according to National Geographic)? You get International Smoke, a restaurant devoted to all things fire-related in dishes that span the globe, from smoked Korean short ribs to St. Louis cut pork ribs.
Now available exclusively on DoorDash, International Smoke is the brainchild of award-winning Chef Michael Mina and bestselling cookbook author and lifestyle expert Ayesha Curry (and ICYMI, she’s also married to Golden State Warriors MVP, Stephen Curry).
We chatted with Chef Mina about the vision for International Smoke and got his inside tips on the best things to order when you’re watching the game.
How did you and Ayesha get your start working together?
Ayesha and I met and became friends and realized we shared a lot of similarities. We both draw inspiration from our travels, and share a similar love of sharing food with our family and friends. We talked about collaborating on a project, and the rest is history!
What is the vision for International Smoke and the dishes you’re offering?
Every single culture utilizes fire, grilling and smoke to cook. We wanted to create a menu that highlighted grilling in countries all around the world. Ayesha and I both believe that food brings people together, and we wanted to create a menu and experience that does just that.
You’re hosting a tailgate party at home — what do you order?
We have so many items that are great for a crowd to share. Some of my favorites are the Rib Tip Mac & Cheese, the salads (great for people to experience the lighter side of barbecue!) and the Duck Wings. The ribs are of course one of our signature items, but the Sinaloa Chicken is also one of my favorites.
What are International Smoke’s plans for the coming year, and beyond?
In addition to our San Francisco and Houston locations, we are excited to be opening in Aventura (just north of Miami) in February 2019, and in Del Mar, California in Spring 2019.
BBQ lovers, rejoice! Say hello to International Smoke was originally published in DoorDash on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.