A new barbecue chain is moving in on Bill Miller’s turf. Smokey Mo’s BBQ is opening its first Schertz restaurant on Memorial Day, May 25, near the corner of Exchange Ave. and Cibolo Valley Dr. at 18430 I-35 N.

The Schertz restaurant is the third location for local franchisees Kim and Roger Harris, who also own locations in New Braunfels and San Antonio with Nathan and Ashlea Page. The couple lives in nearby Cibolo and is active in the Schertz-Cibolo Chamber of Commerce.

"When we first joined Smokey Mo's, it was because the brand believed in the same things we did: great food, treating guests the right way, and building real relationships in the community," Kim Harris says in a release. "Opening in Schertz feels like the right next step for us because it's a community we know well and are proud to serve."S

mokey Mo’s, not to be confused with Dallas’ Smokey Joe’s nor San Antonio’s now-defunct Smokin’ Joes, was first founded in Cedar Park in 2000 by Morris Melchor, who cut his teeth at Houston’s legendary Luther's Bar-B-Q chain. It has since been acquired by an Austin private equity firm, but the Mo’s menu has mostly remained the same.

Schertz can look forward to post oak-smoked meats like brisket, pork belly burnt ends, ribs, sausage, and turkey, served in sandwiches, plates, and tacos. Melchor borrowed one signature item from his Luther’s days — giant baked potatoes stuffed with barbecue and all the fixings.

Sides and desserts are the usual Texas classics like pinto beans, slaw, creamed corn, and banana pudding. Unlike most of the state’s joints, Smokey Mo’s is an all-day operation offering breakfast bowls and tacos in the morning and meat sweats after the sun sets.

Although the Schertz location debuts on Memorial Day, local barbecue fiends might want to mark June 13 on their calendar. The new restaurant will be celebrating its grand opening with promotions and giveaways.