In August of 2020, we told you it was coming. But today’s news makes it official: Heavens Table Barbecue is almost ready for you in its brand new brick-and-mortar location in Uptown Crossing on Milwaukee’s West Side.
The new restaurant will open at 5507 W. North Ave. , quietly to the public on Thursday, December 23 (hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) with an official opening on Wednesday, December 29. Until December 31 from 11 am to 7 pm (closed January 1).
In conjunction with this big move, the popular barbecue destination will also wrap up its time at Crossroads Collective, 2238 N. Farwell Ave. With her final service on December 23.
“It took me nearly ten years to get to the point where I am,” Alston notes, recalling his first attempts to smoke meat. “The first grill didn’t have any legs. It was a little cherbroil that I put on the bricks. I seared a lot of meat at first…Then I went to culinary school and really started learning as much as I could.”
In many ways, the new restaurant is a tribute to Alston’s barbecue journey, as well as an embodiment of the vision he had when he began mastering the art of smoking years ago.
The interior of the new prefab restaurant was designed in collaboration with 360, a local design and build firm that Alston credits with bringing his vision to life.
He says, “360 did a great job. They literally took my idea, put it on paper and made it happen. They made really realistic timelines, so things got done when they were meant to be done. I feel like they can make something out of any space they touch.”
Canisters at the front of the store will display fresh, marinated (prepared for smoking) cuts of meat, while coolers to the side of the space will display produce (including fruit and salads), milk, juice, and (ultimately) eat and bake items, including family meals, all It will be available for purchase.
“I wanted to design a space that was just usable,” says Alston. “But I’ve always wanted to design it so that people can see us at work from start to finish cutting the meat and preparing it for smoking. The idea is to welcome everyone who walks through the door into my kitchen.”
Alston says he also wanted to honor his roots and those who sparked his interest in cooking.
To do this, he commissioned artist Stacey Williams-Ng to create two canvas murals that recreate portraits of Alston’s grandparents and uncle. Once completed, those murals will be hung on both the east and west walls of the shop.
“They taught me how to cook…how to grill,” he says. “My grandparents taught me how to make sides, and my uncle taught me how to smoke pork and chicken and marinade beans. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
On the menu, guests will find a variety of smoked meats including brisket, Creole-style allston sausage (on request from Bunzel Meat Market), pulled pork, smoked chicken quarters, rib ends, turkey sides, and whole or half ribs plates. Sides include macaroni and cheese, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and dirty rice. Greens will also be available on the weekends.
Both meats and sides can be purchased in a cart, with all meat available by the pound ($14 – $30 per pound), ribs available half rack or full rack ($19 / $30) and sides depending on a pint ($6) or quart (12) dollars – $16).
Signature BBQ dishes made to feed a family (up to eight people) include “Mosley” (named after Municipal Court Judge Derek Mosley) which includes a choice of two types of meat (pork, sausage, chicken, and rib ends) totaling 1.5 pounds, plus to two pints of sides and bread (feeds three to four for $38). Guests can exchange the breast or ribs for one for +$5 or choose all the breast or ribs for +$10. Joe’s (named for Joe’s Parajiki from Pretzlaff Meat) features 3.5 pounds of meat (choose three) plus three pints of sides and bread (feeds six to eight for $60). Guests can exchange the breast or ribs for one for $5+ or choose all the breast or ribs for $20. Meanwhile, Alex (named for Alex Obradovich of Firewise BBQ) features two full racks of ribs, three pints of sides and a bake for $68 (feeds six to eight).
Dinners for one feature guests’ choice of two meats (breast, pork, sausage, chicken or rib) plus two sides ($18 for one meat; $21 for two, $25 for three). Meanwhile, sandwiches (served with chips) will have a choice of brisket ($14), pulled pork ($12), chicken ($12), or sausage ($12).
New items will include your own bowls of dirty rice topped with guests’ choice of meat (breast, ham, sausage or chicken $14) or grill baskets containing French fries with guests’ choice of meat (breast, ham, sausage or chicken) for $14.
Meanwhile, on weekends, guests will find regular specials. On Fridays, Heaven’s Table will serve dinner featuring smoked salmon and a side dish for $14; Combined with Sheriff Lucas’ set (ribs, salmon, and ribs plus baked beans and coleslaw) for $25 (single feed). On Saturdays, guests can order smoked or jerk turkey legs topped with their choice of sides (greens, pasta, cheese, alfredo, dirty rice) or sauces (chili sauce or BBQ) for $21.
There will also be an ever-changing array of vegetarian and vegan options such as broccoli burnt ends, cauliflower wings, smoked sweet potatoes and more. Guests can find daily specials on the shop’s paper butcher board.
Going forward, Heaven’s Table will also offer a number of new specialties, including Jamaican dishes, debuting Friday starting in mid-January. Alston says he also plans to collaborate with neighbors including Venture Brew Co. and the neighborhood cafe and brewery down the street at 5519 W. North Ave.
Starting January 3, Heaven’s Table will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or while supplies last). The restaurant will be closed on New Years Day. Food is also available.