Local Yocal’s Smoked Meats Have a New Home in McKinney

Local Yocal BBQ & Grill, a brand new eatery from beloved McKinney butcher Matt Hamilton, is officially open for business.

The new restaurant at 350 E Louisiana Street in McKinney started slinging steaks and barbecue last week within a revamped 1920s building. Hamilton threw everything together (including the kitchen sink) under one roof. The 15,000 square foot space is part restaurant, part music venue, butcher shop, market, and wine bar. “We’re doing a lot,” Hamilton tells Eater. “We wanted people to be able to go down the hall and listen to live music and have a glass of wine while they wait for a table. Or after their meal, have glass wine or coffee in the back, listen to live music, and enjoy dessert because they’ll serve dessert back there.”

A 10,000 square-foot back area will eventually house Local Yocal’s private dining room, butcher shop, market, sunken wine room, and music venue, but as of now is still under construction. However, the 5,000 square-foot eatery is up and running. Hamilton wanted to stay true to the history of the building, so he kept the rustic wood aesthetics with brick and brass accents. The dining area seats 145 between banquet and table seating and the patio will seat another 40 when finished.

As far as food is concerned, Hamilton’s focus is obviously on premium cuts of meat having gotten his start as a butcher. “We gave barbecue a proper home and wagyu steaks a casual place to hang out,” Hamilton says. That includes a menu full of Angus and wagyu brisket, wood grilled pork chops, smoked chicken, and sides including a delectable sounding LoYo mac ‘n’ cheese spiked with bacon, green chiles, and more wagyu beef. Hamilton’s favorite dish is the chicken fried steak which starts as a sirloin cut that’s been smoked for an hour, then cut into slices, tenderized, battered, and fried. “It’s out of this world,” Hamilton says. “I’ve been told it’s the best in Texas.”

Drinks include 16 beers on tap, a full bar of cocktails including a whiskey made specifically for the restaurant by Ironroot Republic Distillery in Denison, and draft wines imported from Washington, California, and Argentina. “I’m really proud of our draft wine list. It offers a better pour of wine at a lower price point,” Hamilton says. “We’re the first in McKinney to do wines by the keg.”

The butcher shop Hamilton started eight years ago is a mere three blocks away from the new Local Yocal and will continue operations there until the new space is completely finished in March or April of next year. Stay tuned for updates on that.

Local Yocal BBQ & Grill is now slinging meats Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Beloved Meat Purveyor Local Yocal Will Open a McKinney Restaurant [EDFW]