Breaking news: Super Smokers to open location in St. Peters
Terry Black at the original Super Smokers in Eureka
Black also says that, since lots of local residents are used to getting a seafood fix at that address, he’ll have catfish and a few other fish dishes on the menu in addition to the legendary Super Smokers ‘cue. He adds that he’s also looking forward to being able to serve drive-through in a building that was actually designed with a drive-through window.
I’ve been following Terry’s commercial and competitive barbecue career almost since the original Super Smokers opened in Eureka and changed the profile of local barbecue, drawing the attention of no less than Steven Raichlen when he wrote his books on barbecue in America. And I’m a big fan of Super Smokers’ ribs, which I think are equal to many top national ‘cue joints.
At the same time, I’m also a journalist, so I had to mention to Terry that his first attempt to expand turned into, well, a disaster. He still stings badly from the collapse of his seven-location mini-empire at the beginning of 2006, but he says he hopes that he learned a lot from that experience and is being much more fiscally conservative with this expansion. He’ll have a partner at the St. Peters restaurant and hopes that it will serve as a model for a possible future franchise program.
The original Super Smokers at 601 Stockell Road in Eureka reopened in the spring of 2006 with Black at the helm and the backing of investors.
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Joe Bonwich has been the restaurant critic for the Post-Dispatch since 2002 and has covered the local food scene for various publications for more than 25 years. He does his best to maintain his anonymity so that he isn't recognized in restaurants (which is why his picture looks like it does). 
I’m looking forward to the new location which will be closer to my home. Super Smokers’ ribs are some of the best I’ve ever had.
Well I wish Mr. Black the best. I will try his ribs. But I love catfish too.
Terry’s BBQ is absolutely wonderful, but what is heaven, is his Bread Pudding desert!
YESSSS!!!!!
How can this guy open another restaurant so soon when he has never paid off his creditors or his old personnel?
I agree with Robocop -
This guy bit off WAAAY more then he could chew last time by expanding too fast, taking out too many loans, and basically ignoring St. Louis’ demand for BBQ. And when SS ran out of money, they gave their employees no notice and didn’t pay alot of them their already earned thier wages.
Not to trash the guy, but people should know the reasons why they closed in the first place.
Super Smokers will be a great addition to our community! We can hardly wait!
Terry will be successful if he sticks to what he does best….make excellent BBQ. Trouble is, his ego is bigger than his business skills. If his investors keep watch over the cash flow, we will enjoy great BBQ. If not, look for another business flop.
Thank you Terry and Welcome to our neck of the woods.
This is the best news of 2009. and it is about time.
Joe Bonwich, you don’t know BBQ, period when you say Super Smokers is equal to “national” locations. First, there’s no such thing as a NATIONAL BBQ. Barbeque is regional in style and process.
I’m a native St. Louisan who has lived in KC and Tennessee. When out of town, I learned about BBQ. I learned the science of smoking meat. I also learned how to construct brick smokers.
If a Bryant’s or Gates chain from KC were to ever open here, everyone else would be OOB. If there’s anything that should be consider a NATIONAL barbecue, it’s KC Masterpiece, which is NOT even close to being a KC barbeque. It’s not even remotely close to the KC tradition now practiced in chain by Bryant’s or Gates, use of vinegar in its sauce. KC Masterpiece uses enough sugar in its sauce to cause immediate diabetes.
KC BBQ differs from BBQ of Tennessee (dry meat or rub) or that of North Carolina, Georgia, or Texas.
I have to write at length because for years, I’ve stated it many times, St. Louis is a joke for BBQ. Bandana’s is awful. Super Smokers is no better. The closest thing we have to decent barbeque now in multi location locations is Dickey’s - be warned, you’ll pay outrageously high prices which are ridiculous.
Joe Bonwich, do your homework on BBQ. It’s fascinating. It’s also NOT national.