Ambitious Crown Heights BBQ Closes After Just 6 Months

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Urban Smoke, a Crown Heights bar-b-que spot that opened on May 31 with an ambitious menu, has shut down its storefront and transitioned to a catering-only business.

"We still love making our delicious food," a note on the door read on Monday, "so drop us a line at info@urbansmoke.com for any catering requests and/or inquiries. We had a great time serving everyone and greatly appreciated your loyalty. Thanks again to everyone from the neighborhood, it's been real."

Urban Smoke, located at 417 Prospect Pl., was the work of David Schneider, the owner of Oaxaca Taqueria, and executive chef David Schaaf.

David Shaaf inside the restaurant earlier this year

"Why doesn't anyone smoke steak?" he told Patch in May, explaining his uncommon vision. "Why doesn't anyone smoke cauliflower?"

The menu included smoked meatloaf, pilled turkey neck, and elote corn pudding, as well as vegetarian entrees.

At the time, Schaaf said his goal was to open three locations, with a second at 478 Halsey St. in Bed-Stuy, and a third at 406 Rogers Ave. in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens.

Patch has reached out to Urban Smoke, and we'll update this post with any information we receive about why the Prospect Place business didn't work as planned.

Pictured at top: Urban Smoke on Dc. 13.