I’ve written here in the past about my fond memories of the Sportsman’s Grill in Hillsboro Village, and how my grief has been somewhat assuaged by the announcement that Central BBQ had plans to move into the building and spiff it up a bit. But dang it’s been a long wait! Stupid COVID.
Well, Christmas is coming early (or late, depending on your perspective) as Central BBQ has announced that they’ll be firing up the smokers at 1601 21st Ave. South on May 11, which also happens to be my birthday. HBD2Me! They've also planned a grand opening ribbon-cutting for June 15, but don't feel the need to wait for then to drop in.
I’ve only been able to peek through the windows (apologies for the nose prints) but it looks like they’ve really freshened up the joint. Plans are to use the second floor for private events, so I imagine that they’ve finally steam-cleaned all the smoke out of the walls and ceiling so that it can be replaced with the aroma of hickory.
They’ll be serving their full menu of smoked meats, including some of the best chicken wings in town. That’s a nice homage to the old Sportsman’s because I was personally responsible for the demise of a truckful of chickens thanks to all the baskets of wings I devoured there. This now means that Hillsboro Village residents like myself will be within a five-minute drive of three excellent barbecue emporiums: Edley’s, Martin’s and now Central. I’m just putting that out there in the public record so I can try to explain myself at my annual physical in a week. Sorry, doc.
