If you are a recalcitrant carnivore, you would have likely visited Meatsmith at least once in the past decade. This restaurant at Telok Ayer is celebrated for its unique blend of modern American barbecue and classic Southern flavors.
Opened by the team behind the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends, Meatsmith offers a casual dining experience featuring smoked meats such as brisket, ribs, and burnt ends, creative side dishes, and a curated selection of beverages. The establishment prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and traditional smoking techniques, making it one of the best places to enjoy American-style BBQ.
We visited the restaurant on its 10th anniversary to see what’s new. To our surprise, the menu remains largely unchanged, proving the adage that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Meatsmith Signatures
Meatsmith is also known for its burgers which are made from a combination of wagyu brisket and smoked brisket. Sandwiched between pillowy potato buns, their burger has been a stalwart on their menu since its inception. Fans of their burger would also be aware of their “$10 Burgers on Tuesdays,” promotion. This popular special is only for pickup and features beef patties made with Angus beef instead of wagyu. But for $10, it is one of the best burgers that you can get at that price. 4.25/5
Pork belly burnt ends are one of their signature starters. Crafted from pork belly smoked low and slow until the fats are on the verge of melting, then charred to perfection on the outside, they offer a tantalizing contrast of crispy, charred edges, and tender, juicy meat that practically melts in your mouth. Served with a sweet and creamy BBQ aioli, this sauce perfectly complements the unctuous pork, creating a delightful blend of flavors and textures that should be slowly savored. 4.25/5
Their beef brisket spring rolls were the result of an accidental over-smoking of beef brisket, which caused the meat to fall apart. Initially, the chef planned to discard the entire batch but then had the brilliant idea of using it as a filling for spring rolls. The rest, as they say, is history. While the spring rolls are delightful, they might be a bit too small to be fully satisfying—like scratching an itch only halfway, if you know what I mean. 4/5
Their brisket is, without a doubt, their most standout item, slow-cooked to perfection, the sight of the well-marbled beef with pink smoke ring and smokey bark hints at the ultimate BBQ experience. If you have room for only one item, this would be it. 4.5/5
We were a little disappointed with the ribs. They were too lean and a little dry. The BBQ sauce wasn’t sweet enough. We were told that they would change the recipe of the sauce now and again. Perhaps the next change would be better. 3.5/5
They serve classic American desserts like their peach cobbler, a straightforward yet delicious combination of stewed peaches, ice cream, and crumble. This timeless dessert is a classic for a reason—you simply can’t go wrong with it. 4/5
Conclusion
Meatsmith is the ultimate destination for meat lovers, particularly those craving American-style BBQ. Their smoky, tender meats, like the beef brisket and pork belly burnt ends, are fall-off-the-bone tender and are well worth the calories.
Disclosure: this was a media tasting.
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