What is it?: A classic American barbecue joint in Lang Suan that would comfortably pass muster in any stateside city.
Why we love it: One of the surest indicators of quality at a restaurant that purports to represent a nationality or ethnicity is to see how many of the customers are actually of that nationality or ethnicity and this place has no shortage of big dudes in Chiefs hoodies tearing apart racks of ribs and homesick Texan blondes ecstatic over the smoked brisket and the mac and cheese. Despite the wars over barbecue variations that rage across the Mid-South, The Smokin’ Pug is ecumenical, offering sauces from South Carolina yellow mustard to the sweet and smoky Kansas City style. The setting matches the food and clientele – exposed brick walls, a little Black Keys on the soundsystem and plenty of top-tier American craft beers and serious bourbon cocktails. It might be Bangkok, but you could be forgiven for thinking that you’d teleported to Cincinnati or Saint Louis.
Time Out tip: Swing by on a Monday night for their weekly specials. A ridiculous portion of wings is a hell of a cure for the Monday blues.