Find a Smokin' Rock N' Roll truck to get your fill or visit the headquarters in Bay for a taste of the smokey good stuff
By Patricia Nugent
Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so it’s a natural we should also have a heavy metal-inspired food truck experience.
Founded by ‘80s rock legends Todd “Chase” Chaisson, a bassist from the Billboard-topping band Tuff, and Billy Morris, who toured the world as lead guitarist with Warrant and Quiet Riot, the Smokin’ Rock N’ Roll food trucks and eatery mix the high-voltage impact of live rock and roll with award-winning smoked meats.
The crowd-pleasing menu is dominated by smoked beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken and house-made sausage, with throwback names such as Fleetwood Mac (& cheese) and Judas Beef.
“We smoke it low and slow overnight, at temps hovering around 200 degrees,” says Billy. “The result is meat that melts in your mouth.”
In true smokehouse fashion, the duo keeps things authentic, opting for real wood barbecue (no corner-cutting pellets or liquid smoke). All meats are hand-trimmed to allow for the most flavorful fat-to-meat ratio.
The dynamic duo likes to mix up their set, so they also added a sweets trailer to follow the trucks.
“Our adults-only alcohol-infused ice creams, including Maple Bacon Bourbon and Champagne Sorbet, have been a huge hit,” says Todd. “We have fun kids’ flavors, too, such as Play-doh and Buckeye Blitz.”
The trucks can be found at events throughout the Cleveland area, and have also become favorites to cater private parties and corporate functions. Emblazoned with a mural of a tattooed pig shredding a face-melting guitar solo in a blaze of fire, they’re hard to miss.
The fab fare, with a side of rock, has won Todd and Billy numerous awards, including best overall from fans and judges at the Crocker Park Food Truck Challenge.
The West Side’s Best-Kept Secret
Even when the trucks aren’t rolling, they’re rocking—at the headquarters and outdoor dining lot, tucked in a plaza next to Reese Park in Bay Village.
“We have picnic tables shaped like guitars. People enjoy grabbing their lawn chairs to hang out, as we often have live music and rocking video boards,” says Billy.
They offer weekly specials, Wednesday-Saturday, from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays are wing nights, Thursdays are for ribs, and on Fridays and Saturdays they serve featured chef specials.
Like a Live Recording Studio
Surrounded by rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia, memorabilia, instruments, a stage and bar, Todd and Billy have outfitted their headquarters with a cool recording studio vibe, painting in graffiti on one wall, “Audio Bay Studio.”
“We decided to rent the space out and it’s been booking up for bachelor parties, birthday parties and gatherings of up to 30 people,” says Todd. “We’ve even hosted standup comedians and bands on the stage. We cater the food portion, and party goers are BYOB. If you can stock it, we can rock it!”
The Smokin’ Rock N’ Roll Food Truck and Catering is headquartered next to Reese Park, at 605 Clague Parkway in Bay Village. Call 216-539-2239 or visit SmokinRockNRoll.com for a full menu listing and schedule of upcoming events.