The words "wine country dining destination" usually drum up images of ceder-shelved bottle cellars, high-dollar tasting menus, and classic dishes from truffle-laden risotto to duck confit. Well, here's the needle scratch: Storrs Smokehouse, Newberg's newest eatery, is a must-stop for soaking up your next wine country buzz—and there aint a single white tablecloth in the joint.

The Smokehouse is the latest venture from Allen Routt and Jessica Bagley, owners of Newberg's tony Painted Lady restaurant. Eyeing a local desire for more affordable, family-friendly nosh in the Valley, the husband-and-wife team rolled up their sleeves, brought pitmaster Loal Stahlnecker on board to make the most of freshly-chopped grape stumps, and crafted a menu of fresh-from-the-pit barbecue fare as flavor-packed and well-sourced as what's whipped up in the kitchen of their fine dining flagship.

Routt and Begley transformed the space most recently home to Guns & Glitter—formerly a one-stop shop for all costume jewelry and firearm needs—into a bright and casual dining room with simple barstools, an antique 1930s fridge loaded with grab-and-go beverages, and pendant lighting made from salvaged wine bottles.

As for the menu, barbecue lovers can tuck into 18-hour brisket, 12-hour pulled pork, well-seasoned wings, St. Louis-style ribs, or the Gran’ Daddy—a little bit of everything on a cafeteria tray with a side of white bread (what else?). Don't forget to order up a round up sides—think sweet green tomato pickles, tangy coleslaw with grated ginger and celery seed, creamy and light mashed potatoes, or tender, butter-studded biscuits. All meats come naked out of the smoker, with three bottles of housemade sauces ready to mix-and-match on your plate: a sweet and rich Texas-style glaze spiked with pinot noir, a spicy vinegar-based sauce, or an Asian-inspired blend with soy sauce, fish sauce, and chile.

For dessert? The best ice cream west of the Vista Ridge Tunnels—think cheesecake-like fromage blanc with pinot noir jelly, honey cornbread ice cream with brown butter, and salted caramel with gluten free whiskey brownies. Stay for a scoop (complete with a gooey chocolate chip cookie right outta the oven), grab a pint to go, or opt for a peanut butter and chocolate ice cream sandwich. There's no wrong choice, save for skipping dessert altogether. Check out the slide show above for more menu highlights!

Storrs Smokehouse is the latest iteration of wine country's casual dining boom, opening on the heels of the announcement of a new Dayton tavern from the folks behind the Joel Palmer House and the fizzling out of modernist experiment Paulee in favor of family-friendly Babica Hen in Dundee. We're stoked to see more and more reasons to head westward for a wine tasting day trip, and while we'd never want to see those award-winning Oregon establishments fade away, there's something so appealing about the promise of a saucy plate of brisket after a day of getting sauced. 

Storrs Smokehouse
310 E First Street, Newberg
503-538-8080