Greg “Smoke-N-Joe” Long has reopened his barbecue business, Smoke-N-Joe’s BBQ, operating out of a truck parked at Yogi’s Big Blue Carryout, 551 W. Thornton St., Akron.
Long previously had been on South Hawkins Avenue, but injuries from an accident forced him to close. He’s trying to get going again.
He has pork and beef ribs, brisket, pulled pork, burgers, sausages and fish, as well as plenty of Southern-style sides.
He’s open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Sunday. Phone 330-687-9591 and he’ll deliver.
Vasili’s offers Greek food
New in the Merriman Valley is Vasili’s Restaurant at 1702 Merriman Road.
Owner Vasili Hajdari previously operated a Greek restaurant in Summit Mall for more than six years, but opened on his own in the valley several weeks ago.
The menu is all Greek food, including his specialty lamb shanks.
Vasili’s is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Phone 330-864-0722.
New chef at Frank’s Place
Chef Brendan Gilpatric, who had been in the kitchen at the Office Bistro on North Hill, has found a new home at Frank’s Place, 549 W. Market St., Akron.
Gilpatric’s revamping the menu to include his crab cakes, tilapia, steaks and a wide variety of new appetizers made in-house, including stuffed peppers, bruschetta, vegetarian wontons and queso dip with chorizo sausage. The menu debuts July 7.
Kitchen hours are 5 to 11 p.m. daily, with appetizers served until 1 a.m.
Can corn be far behind?
Graf Growers is opening its farm market Thursday at 1015 White Pond Drive, Akron.
Lisa Graf said her family’s market will be open seven days a week throughout the growing season.
This year, the market will be offering an even wider selection of produce that the Graf family is growing, including heirloom varieties of tomatoes, peppers, beets and a large variety of squashes.
For information, call 330-836-2727 or visit www. grafgrowers.com.
Wooster food on the square
A dozen local restaurants in Wooster will be showcasing their fare at the fourth annual Artfully Delicious event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Eateries taking part are C.W. Burgerstein’s, City Square Steakhouse, Melvin’s Brick Oven, Muddy Waters Café & Grille, Omahoma Bob’s BBQ, South Market Bistro, Spoon Market & Deli, TJ’s Restaurant, Tulipan Hungarian Pastry & Coffee Shop, Buehler’s Towne Market, Faithful Little Cupcake and Broken Rocks Café.
Beverages will be by SoMar Wine Cellars, Bowman Beverage and Market Grill.
There will be live music, art demonstrations and art displays, which are all free.
The event, a fundraiser for Main Street Wooster and the Wayne Center for the Arts, will be held on Public Square downtown.
For information, contact Main Street Wooster at 330-262-6222 or visit www. mainstreetwooster.org.
Bet you’d make a swell pie
There’s still time to enter the pie-baking contest Saturday at the Countryside Conservancy’s Farmers Market, 4040 Riverview Road, Cuyahoga Falls.
All pies must be made completely from scratch — fillings and crusts —so no cheating with the premade pie crusts.
Apron Ties and Homemade Pies begins at 9:30 a.m. Entries must be accompanied by a complete recipe, including a list of the sources of local ingredients, if applicable.
Individuals may submit up to three pies with a $5 entry fee per pie when registering by noon Friday. Waiting until Saturday to register will cost you $7 per pie. To register, visit http://cvcountryside.org/PieContestRulesandReg.php
Prizes include a class at the Western Reserve School of Cooking, Countryside Farmers Market tokens and more.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.
