The BBQ scene in Beaufort is now smokin’ even hotter with the addition of the new Bordertown BBQ restaurant to Beaufort Town Center on Saturday.
The new spot made major changes to the former Home Slice Pizzeria at 2001 Boundary Street, located behind Starbucks next to the old Quality Inn hotel, and the new atmosphere is both rustic and quite cozy, and the menu is full of mouthwatering BBQ options.
“We’re offering a mix of Texas-style barbecue, Mexican street flair and Southern hospitality,” restaurant co-owner, Kristen Miklinevich told us.
“We’ve done the work,” she said. “We’ve spent a great deal of time in Texas figuring out the real deal with BBQ, and co-owner Sam Kochan has owned and operated a Mexican Restaurant in Massachusetts for the past 14 years.”
“The close overlapping of Texas BBQ and Mexican cuisine is what makes our name Bordertown, and the inclusion of Mexican flavors to traditional Texas BBQ is what makes our menu different because they compliment one another,” she added.
The couple spent 14 years running successful spots in Massachusetts, including Mission Cantina and North Village Smokehouse, until they decided to move south in 2024.
According to Kristen, the key to their taste is “Central Texas-inspired slow smoked meats on a 1000 gallon stick burner.” The smoker is kept outside of the restaurant, and will be smoking nearly all the time, adding a robust scent to the air around Town Center.
The menu includes brisket, pulled pork, beef ribs, chicken, turkey, pork ribs, all sold by the half-pound, smoked brisket tacos & sandwiches, smoked pork carnitas, grilled local shrimp & fish tacos, tallow fries, and all the traditional sides you would expect from a BBQ restaurant. Meats will be sold by the pound give that consummate Texas feel.
And, Bordertown also offers a fully stocked bar, with lots of things you won’t find at other nearby watering holes.
You’ll find traditional BBQ with a Mexican flair to honor the cultures and flavors just over the Texas border that heavily influence Texas BBQ. The kitchen is 100% seed oil free, and everything is cooked daily. All of the drinks are made with fresh juices , purees, syrups, which are also made fresh daily in-house.
Texas BBQ is in a class by itself. Along with big plates and portions, the focus of Texas BBQ is on the natural flavor of the beef, pork, or ribs, enhanced only by a perfectly balanced smoky bark; instead of drowning it in sauces.
“Fate brought us to Beaufort,” she said. “Sam has been a chef for years and is incredibly talented and his passion for cooking the best tasting foods is complimented by his using quality ingredients.”
“A brisket takes 12 hours,” Sam said. “Which means I’m starting most days at 1am, because that’s what real barbecue is.”
“We are excited to have a little something for everyone at Bordertown,” Kristen added.
In the bar, we were told that their margaritas are made with fresh-squeezed juices, because they wouldn’t serve anything that they wouldn’t eat or drink themselves.
Additional plans include a honky-tonk style bar in the back of the restaurant with live music, event space and a late-night vibe on the outdoor covered patio.
Hours of operation areThursday – Sunday from 11am to 9pm, or when the food runs out. Because it is smoked daily, running out is a very distinct possibility.
The Beaufort area BBQ scene has taken a few hits over the past few years with the closure of both the popular Dukes BBQ, K.C. Mike’s, and Sgt. White’s. Bordertown is joining 4 or 5 other BBQ spots currently in the area, but is the only one to focus on Texas-style offerings.
