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Popular Lexington barbecue restaurant announces return, open at new location

Janet Patton
·3 min read

Lexington, your long wait is over. At least, the wait for barbecue.

Blue Door Smokehouse, consistently voted one of the best BBQ restaurants in the region, if not the country, is reopening after moving around the block from the original tiny spot on Walton Avenue.

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Owner Jeff Newman announced the news they are back and open on social media saying, “Hey it’s Jeff at Blue Door Smokehouse ... We will be open ... Friday the 12th for our very first day at our brand-new location, 819 National Ave. Suite 140. Come on over and see us for lunch! ...

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“Very excited to see everybody. I know everybody probably thought this was me announcing retirement from barbecue and taking the head coaching job at UK basketball. Unfortunately, and surprisingly, I did not get that phone call. So I think I’m still in the barbecue business for now.”

Newman noted that there’s a big gravel lot between the new Blue Door and Mirror Twin for parking, as well as along National Avenue.

Online ordering for carryout orders also is available at bluedoorsmokehouse.com.

Diners routinely say Blue Door Smokehouse has some of the best pulled pork in Lexington. The restaurant has been closed since late 2023 but is reopening today in its new location on National Avenue.
Diners routinely say Blue Door Smokehouse has some of the best pulled pork in Lexington. The restaurant has been closed since late 2023 but is reopening today in its new location on National Avenue.

Fans reacted to the news online with enthusiasm: “I hope you’re smoking TONS of meat! We have a lot of catch up eating to do!”

The popular restaurant has been closed since the end of November, when the move to a new bigger location began. Blue Door had been on Walton Avenue for nearly a decade.

Blue Door Smokehouse former location on Walton Ave.
Blue Door Smokehouse former location on Walton Ave.

Newman said at the time he hoped to reopen in February before March Madness but construction delays pushed the opening back, and it turned out that Kentucky’s basketball season ended abruptly too.

Now, with a new men’s basketball coach on the horizon, Newman is returning to his first love and the good news is there will be way more of it.

The new spot has room for two smokers, which means more brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, smoked sausage and ribs, all the things Blue Door fans know and love.

And new fans from the nearby Mirror Twin Brewery are likely to wander over to the former Maximus CrossFit spot.

Besides Blue Door, the building also has the new Wild Lab Bakery storefront and a Void Sake taproom, with more foodie changes coming to the area.

Wild Lab Bakery is in the front of the building at 819 National Ave. that also houses Blue Door Smokehouse in the back. The bakery, which is open Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until sold out, opened in February with a variety of breads, bagels and cookies.
Wild Lab Bakery is in the front of the building at 819 National Ave. that also houses Blue Door Smokehouse in the back. The bakery, which is open Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until sold out, opened in February with a variety of breads, bagels and cookies.

Myriad Meadery across the street at 732 National Ave. announced this week that it is closing and will become The Annex, a private event space for Mirror Twin.

“We’re excited to have new neighbors and be a new addition to National Avenue, which is already a pretty cool spot with breweries, restaurants and shops,” Newman said. Walker Properties, which owns the buildings, “is making an effort to make that area a destination.”

The new Blue Door Smokehouse is on National Avenue, at the back of a building that also includes Wild Lab Bakery and Void Sake’s new taproom. The restaurant’s parking is in a gravel lot by Mirror Twin Bakery.
The new Blue Door Smokehouse is on National Avenue, at the back of a building that also includes Wild Lab Bakery and Void Sake’s new taproom. The restaurant’s parking is in a gravel lot by Mirror Twin Bakery.

Blue Door Smokehouse

Where: 819 National Ave. Suite 140

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 am.m to 8 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Online: bluedoorsmokehouse.com

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