A tip on Chowhound mentions the opening of SMOKE BERKELEY, which has opened in the “little Mexican restaurant adjoining the car wash on the west side of San Pablo.” Further details mention chef Tina Ferguson-Riffe is from Texas, and she reportedly won the blue ribbon at the Blanco County Fair for her chocolate pecan pie. Also on the menu: Texas slow-smoked beef brisket and South Carolina pulled pork plates, sandwiches, and sliders, along with salads, a feta-leek tart, sides like coleslaw and potato salad, and for those of you who don’t want barbecue, there’s tea-smoked salmon with brown rice or coleslaw. Initial hours are Wed-Fri 11am-2pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm. 2434 San Pablo Ave. at Channing, 510-548-8801.
Yelp photo of Smoke Berkeley’s menu by Ron B.
