Oglethorpe County residents can anticipate the opening of a smokehouse in the coming months.
The Lexington Smokehouse will hold its grand opening at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, according to its website (lexsmokehouse.com).
“I've always enjoyed cooking and whatnot,” owner Paul Mazzone said. “I mean, I love smoking meat. I'd rather eat pig meat than anything else in the world. And I just want to share that with everybody.”
Mazzone, 56, was born and raised in New York and moved to Marietta, Georgia, in 1991 after serving in the Army for three years. He then moved to Oglethorpe County with his wife Lora, who was born and raised in the county.
“I’m really proud to be a vet,” Mazzone said. “I went through a lot, and it meant a lot to me. I support vets.”
Mazzone said he believes in “shopping where you live” and supporting small businesses, but putting together the pieces of the restaurant the past eight months has been a difficult process.
However, the 56-year-old was familiar with the fundamentals of starting up a business after previously establishing his own home inspection business.
“There's a lot involved and a lot of hoops you’ve got to jump through with the Department of Health and getting all the business aspects set up and getting all your equipment purchased and finding a space for it,” Mazzone said. “It’s been difficult, but I'm used to it.”
The restaurant will operate under a “takeout and delivery only” model, meaning there will be no indoor dining and meat will be sold by the pound, not plate. The restaurant is in the Oak Tree Plaza in Lexington.
A variety of ribs, brisket, pork loin, beef, sausage and chicken will be available. Additionally, there are several different side dishes, such as baked beans, chicken mull, cole slaw, mac and cheese and stew.
Mazzone said the restaurant will use beef from two sources: Sysco, a distributor of specialty meat cuts, seafood and imported foods, and Falling Creek Farms, a beef farm in Stephens.
Additionally, catering will be available. Customers can submit a catering inquiry form on the website.
Long-term objectives include expanding its catering and participating in local events to broaden its reach.
“We’re going to try to put together a food truck, so we can travel to different venues and reach out that way,” Mazzone said.
With the grand opening expected in just a little over two months, Mazzone is eager to bring a new taste to Oglethorpe County.
“Oh, man,” he said. “I'm itching. I'm really confident to be here. I’m terribly excited, and I can't wait to open.”