Smoke ‘N Barrel BBQ Shack Opens in Goleta with a Customer Challenge

The new Smoke ‘n Barrel BBQ Shack in Goleta has opened with a full meat menu, but also a unique challenge to big eaters.

The restaurant is located in the Camino Real Marketplace and is co-owned by Holdren’s Grill.

Owner Clay Holdren has a beef smoker in the busy kitchen to handle some of the signature items such as ribs.

The menu also has Tri-tip, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and an all-you-can-eat salad bar.

The items have local names that residents can relate to such as, the Gaucho, the Hollister Ranch, the Goodland and the Campus Point.

But one item will be free if a customer finishes in under a half an hour.

“You gotta try the Goleta Beast. It’s a 26-inch sandwich that you have to eat in under 30 minutes. If you do, you get it for free,” said Holdren. “So far we have had one person do it. We put the timer on you and you have 30 minutes to eat it. So good luck!”

The restaurant also serves breakfast on weekends.