Panoptic, Raquel Ervin — Chef Raquel Ervin is a culinary star in Birmingham. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Not long after the announcement that the downtown Birmingham Candy Co. will be closing, another local favorite inside the Pizitz is saying goodbye as well. In a recent Instagram post, Chef Raquel Ervin announced her decision to close SMOKE Bistro at The Pizitz Food Hall.

Known for smoked meats, barbecue sandwiches and an award-winning mac ‘n cheese recipe, Chef Raquel has closed SMOKE Bistro to focus on operations at SLIDE Café in Five Points.

SMOKE Bistro is now closed at The Pizitz Food Hall

On Sunday January 21, SMOKE Bistro posted the closing announcement to Instagram. According to the caption, Chef Raquel’s decision was based on the rising overall cost of the food industry.

She says SMOKE Bistro will make a comeback eventually, but for now she will focus on her latest restaurant venture, SLIDE Café in Five Points.

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“It is with deep sadness that I write this announcement. I am choosing to consolidate restaurants as our food industry continues to rise in overall cost.

As of today, SMOKE Bistro, located inside of the Pizitz Food Hall is closed. SMOKE Bistro will eventually make a comeback, but in the meantime jump over to our growing location SLIDE Café.

It has been a journey in 2023, but I am continuing to push forward. I appreciate those who faithfully support my business endeavors but also just me in general.”
Chef Raquel Ervin, owner of SLIDE Café and SMOKE Bistro

Although SMOKE Bistro was open for less than a year, it garnered a loyal customer base that often sold out the restaurant’s inventory for the day.

Check out The Pizitz Food Hall’s upcoming new restaurant, Nashville-based Thai Esane.

Award-winning Birmingham restauranteur

slide cafe five points — SLIDE Café serves gourmet sliders featuring unique and tasty flavor combinations. (Grace Howard / Bham Now)

Chef Raquel Ervin, who appeared on Food Network’s Chopped, is one of the Birmingham area’s premier restauranteurs. Ervin made her foray into the restaurant industry with Panoptic Catering food truck in 2020, which evolved into SMOKE Bistro and SLIDE Café.

As much as we’ll miss SMOKE Bistro’s to-die-for mac ‘n cheese, you can still get a taste of Chef Raquel’s cooking at SLIDE Café in Five Points.