🔥Holy Smokes BBQ, Catering & Restaurant - Wood, Smoke, and Meat. Taste the Difference!
- Shelly Peterson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Listen to the Podcast Here: Holy Smokes BBQ, Catering & Restaurant
In the heart of downtown Cloquet, something special is always cooking—and it’s more than just a meal. It’s passion, craftsmanship, and community coming together at Holy Smokes BBQ, Catering & Restaurant.
Owned and operated by Lee and Julie Harris, Holy Smokes has become a true destination for locals and visitors alike. After years of operating between multiple locations, the Harris family made a bold move in 2025, bringing everything under one roof into a commercial building at 1103 Avenue B, which the Harris family has also made their home, residing on the second floor.
Built on Passion, Fueled by Fire
At Holy Smokes, their philosophy is simple and uncompromising:
Wood. Smoke. Meat.
This isn’t your average BBQ. Every cut of pork and beef is 100% wood-fired, smoked the traditional way—no shortcuts, no artificial flavors, no compromises. They craft their own seasonings, develop their own sauces, and let the quality of the meat speak for itself.
“Good meat doesn’t need sauce", says Lee Harris.
And once you taste it, you’ll understand why.
A Menu That Keeps You Coming Back
The menu at Holy Smokes is always evolving, giving you something new to look forward to every visit. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or sitting down for a full meal, you’ll find options like:
Breakfast sandwiches to start your day
Slow-smoked BBQ piled high on sandwiches
Loaded specialties like BBQ nachos
Signature sides like Julie’s Beans and Gouda Mac
Fresh salads and house-made sauces
Flavored teas and expanding drink options
Desserts and even branded merchandise
Short on time? Their grab-and-go cooler is stocked with ready-to-enjoy meals, breakfast bacon, smoked salmon, and more. Perfect for busy days without sacrificing quality.
More Than a Restaurant
Holy Smokes is more than just dine-in, it’s a full experience:
Catering that continues to grow with local businesses and events (weddings, graduation parties and more!)
Food trucks bringing their signature BBQ on the road (weddings, graduation parties and more!)
A commercial kitchen space available for local cottage bakers
Pop-up collaborations with guest food trucks, supporting fellow entrepreneurs
Their approach to catering is refreshingly transparent—meat is priced by the pound, and they help you determine exactly how many people it will feed. No guesswork. Just great food done right.
A True Community Gem
Their move downtown wasn’t just about efficiency; it was about connection. Holy Smokes has become a gathering place, a collaboration hub, and a shining example of what local business can look like when it’s built with heart.
From a line out the door on opening day to continued growth in catering and partnerships, the Harris family is proving that when you stay true to your craft, people show up.
If you’re looking for authentic BBQ, handcrafted with intention and served with pride, Holy Smokes isn’t just a stop… It’s a destination.
Holy Smokes BBQ
📍 1103 Avenue B, Cloquet, MN
🕒 Open Tuesday–Friday | 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
📞 218-940-1543
🌐 Website: www.holysmokesmn.com
📱 Facebook: Holy Smokes Cloquet
📱Instagram: HolySmokesbbqmn
Catering: Catering@holysmokesmn.com
Food Truck: 218-340-5008