Northern Smokes

It's a ride from downtown to get to this spot in Scarborough tucked inside a simple strip mall, but the smoky aroma will beckon you inside. Imran Ali opened Northern Smokes in 2019 with the simple promise of traditional barbecued meats and sides. A custom reverse-flow wood stick-burning smoker and seasoned split hard wood infuse the fully halal meat with delicious flavor. Order as a multi-meat plate, as a sandwich, or by the pound, and with everything from tender, Montreal-style brisket and Korean-style short ribs in a sweet marinade to chicken, there's plenty to be had. Sides are a terrific complement to the meaty delights, and just in case you forgot that you weren't in the American South, maple-smoked beans will remind you exactly where you are.