COVINGTON, Ky. — Restaurant veteran Greg McKinstry ceremonially cut the ribbon on the grand re-opening of his McK’s BBQ with a simple summary: “Same great barbeque. Just a nicer place to eat it at.” And so it is …
What’s new is the name (it used to be “McK’s Chicks”); the façade and branding; new internal décor that features salvaged barn wood, black walnut bar tops, and corrugated metal accents; the addition of alcohol (beer, bourbon slushies); and indoor dining in addition to outside seating.
What’s the same is McKinstry’s authentic barbecue (with a few unique twists) plus the classic sides – collard greens, “drunken” beans etc. The meat is smoked in two drum smokers every morning in the alley next door to the restaurant at 11 W. Seventh St. in Covington.
The restaurant – which first opened in 2017 – decided to shut down during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic for a facelift, and while the renovation took a little longer than anticipated, McKinstry said the reviews since the reopening have been worth it. “People have had fantastic, positive things to say,” he said.
Located between Hotel Covington and Braxton Brewing, the restaurant was seeing a big demand for dining areas, McKinstry said. Previously, it was open primarily for take-out and catering.
