Not many restaurants can triple in size during a global pandemic, but Smokey Bones is doing just that by expanding its virtual restaurants, The Wing Experience and The Burger Experience, to all of its brick and mortar restaurants from Chicago to New York to Miami.
The virtual restaurants are delivery only and operate out of existing Smokey Bones’ brick and mortar kitchens, and out of the Smokey Bones’ ghost kitchen in Chicago. The menus feature Smokey Bones’ top selling burgers and wings, including unique recipes created specifically for each virtual restaurant brand.
“By opening these new virtual restaurants, we can shine a brighter light on the taste and quality of our burger and wing offerings”, said CEO James O’Reilly. “We are bullish about these products and confident in our expansion strategy, having already seen good results in our other virtual restaurant locations.”
The Wing Experience menu features two styles of wings: Signature Smoked Jumbo Wings and Jumbo Breaded Wings. Both offer a variety of 14 different flavors, including options that are not offered on the current Smokey Bones’ menu, like Maple Bacon BBQ wings, Peach Bourbon Wings, and “The Experience” wings, made for the expert wing eater.
BBQ sauce, cheddar, BBQ’d onions, peppered bacon, onion tanglers.
BBQ sauce, cheddar, BBQ’d onions, peppered bacon, onion tanglers.
The Burger Experience features a variety of premium half pound burger options, including a build-your-own burger as well as special signature burgers such as The Big Kahuna, The Experienced Burger and The Keto all of which can only be found on The Burger Experience. The Experience Burger includes Smokey Bones’ secret weapon … The Burger Experience Sauce. And, there is a reason they named The Big Kahuna as such … it’s big and delicious. This cooked-to-order premium burger is topped with Hawaiian BBQ pork, pepper jack cheese, grilled pineapple and our special Big Island BBQ Sauce.
American cheese, bacon, chipotle ketchup, fried egg.
Both concepts offer a variety of sides, including options like seasoned fries, a baked potato, coleslaw or mac & cheese, as well as desserts.
Smokey Bones launched its first virtual restaurants, The Wing Experience and The Burger Experience, in 2019 in partnership with Uber Eats. Guests can order through the Uber Eats app, and from the Chicago ghost kitchen on kitchenunited.com for The Wing Experience.
For those who are still interested in dining in, Smokey Bones is following CDC and state guidelines and take all necessary precautions to serve guests while keeping them and employees safe. Some of the safety measures include spacing tables farther apart to maintain social distancing; masks and glove usage for employees; and rigorous and frequent cleaning of restrooms, dining rooms and waiting areas.
To prevent guests from lingering in the waiting areas, the restaurants will also ask diners to wait outside or in their cars and be called in so they can go directly to their tables. All condiments will be removed from the tables and served individually upon request to eliminate touch points.
“We are committed to re-opening our restaurants in the safest way possible for our employees and guests,” said CEO James O’Reilly. “While the restaurant experience might be slightly different for a while, we want everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the great Smokey Bones menu and hospitality they know and love. In addition, we are delighted to bring our team members back who elect to work.”
For those who prefer to continue dining at home while still supporting the restaurant, Smokey Bones will continue to offer takeout, delivery, and curbside pick-up for its Monday BOGO Wings, Wednesday BOGO Pulled Pork Platters, Family Feast, Rib Feast and Kids Eat Free with entrée purchase. The restaurant will also offer its new take-home meal kits called Bone Basics, which include uncooked meats and sides with all the ingredients to make Smokey Bones at home on the customer’s own schedule. Smokey Bones also sells essential boxes which contain regular grocery items such as milk, bread, eggs, and toilet paper.
For more info, visit: https://smokeybones.com/
