Avid Perth barbeque fans passionately tracking the movements of brisket god Donovan Macdonald will be pleased to know he’s settling down at a permanent residency in the near future.
Big Don’s Smoked Meats is teaming up with New State, a brewery starring former Innate head brewer Joel Nash, to open a barbeque and taproom joint in Bayswater.
Those in the BBQ realm will be well acquainted with Big Don’s underground Texas-style meat eats featuring dry-rub flavouring and slow, ever-so-patient cooking times for unmatched quality. Macdonald has been setting up shop all over Perth since 2017 to bring his loyal followers a taste of his drool-worthy handiwork, posting his menu on Instagram every Monday and dishing up barbeque for people by the hundreds.
Five years on, he’s ready to give his business a more permanent spot.
If all goes to plan, the new venue will take over a rundown 1000sqm warehouse in the industrial area of Ashfield early next year. It will be super casual, as those who have attended Big Don’s pop-up would expect, with the shop itself set to seat around 20 people and the taproom providing accommodation for up to 100.
New State Brewing will take over the taproom, and the menu won’t involve any core range since they’ll be releasing a new brew weekly. Macdonald has also invested in four 4000-litre offset barbeques all the way from Texas, which will provide the stage for guests to watch as meat is sliced fresh in front of them.
The whole dining experience here will be vastly different from anything else around town – expect picnic tables instead of dining tables, lots of outdoor seating in the backyard, and takeaway tailgate-style off the back of your car.
The neighbourhood taproom and restaurant will only be open two days a week, plus for any special events.
The events will be a mix of both ticketed and walk-up, and Macdonald plans to release each week’s schedule on Monday. Outside of trading hours the space will be made available for emerging pop-ups and food vendors to use.
Rest assured though long-time loyalists of Big Don’s – their pop-ups will continue, although on a monthly rather than weekly capacity.
For now, watch this space for any updates.
Feature Image: @bigdonsmeat
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