Rapper-turned-restaurateur Mutah Beale takes his smokehouse from Riyadh to Texas.

It’s not every day that a barbecue joint tucked away in the heart of Riyadh becomes a magnet for A-list celebrities. But then again, the FACT award-winning Smokey Beards Q isn’t your average smokehouse. What started as a cult favourite among Riyadh residents has rapidly caught the attention of global heavyweights, with the likes of Kanye West, Martin Lawrence, and Mike Tyson all having pulled up a chair, lured in by the scent of slow-smoked brisket. Unassuming on the outside, the restaurant is now something of a Saudi secret weapon, where sticky ribs, swagger, and star power collide.

At the centre of it all is Mutah Beale, the rapper-turned-restaurateur who co-founded the concept. A former member of Tupac Shakur’s Outlawz, Beale’s journey from rapper to Riyadh’s culinary scene is unexpected. Swapping beats for brisket, he’s brought the same intensity and authenticity to the smoker that he once did to the studio. His story, marked by loss, reinvention, and a spiritual reawakening, runs deep in the DNA of Smokey Beards Q.

The menu is a love letter to American barbecue, with a few carefully considered twists. Think Smoked Brisket, Beef Ribs, Fries, and Mac & Cheese that gives the South a run for its money. It’s no wonder Smokey Beards Q took home the award for ‘Best American Restaurant’ at the FACT Dining Awards Riyadh in 2023 and 2024.

But perhaps the greatest twist of all is that the Riyadh-born concept is now making the ultimate full-circle moment, opening in Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas, USA, the undisputed capital of barbecue.

The announcement was shared on social media: “From Riyadh to Texas — the fire’s still smokin’! Our signature smoked barbecue is making its U.S. debut deep in the heart of Texas. We are happy to announce we chose the Dallas/Fort Worth area for our second branch of @smokeybeardsq — Come experience the flavour that started it all!”

With its larger-than-life founder, celebrity following, award-winning menu, and now a stateside debut, we’re excited to see the Saudi-founded smokehouse taking its talents to the home of low and slow.

GO: Follow @smokeybeardsq on Instagram for more information.