Plymouth’s new Blue Kuna Smokehouse aims to please your palate

When the wind is blowing just right, the unrivaled aroma of smoked brisket and pulled pork (among other high-quality meats) will be wafting through the air of downtown Plymouth beginning Saturday, Nov. 8.

That is the official grand opening of the Blue Kuna Smokehouse, a new downtown-Plymouth restaurant owned and operated by acclaimed chef Randall Kuna, whose cooking journey started when he earned a culinary degree from Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Ore.

The eatery’s name is a combination of the owner’s favorite color and last name.

The owner of 10-year-old Blue Kuna, a popular brand of BBQ spices and rubs available in over 40 stores, and the operator of a Blue Kuna food truck for seven years, Randall Kuna is a world-traveling native of Plymouth (he attended Our Lady of Good Counsel and West Middle School), who is over-the-moon excited to launch his first brick-and-mortar eatery at 600 W. Ann Arbor Trail.

“I’m ecstatic about Saturday’s opening,” Kuna said as he sat in the comfortable, re-decorated second-story eating space of his new venture. “I pulled out my first brisket from the smoker this morning and it turned out perfect.

‘A lot of flavor, a lot of dimension …’

“My mixture of herbs and spices will provide my customers with a lot of flavor, a lot of dimension. I want it to hit your palate just right, with a little tingle.

“When people come in here, I want to add happiness to their lives. Cooking is the centerpiece of everything. It brings people together.”

Kuna emphasized that he is all-in on his new restaurant, which was the site of Max & Bella’s Smokehouse from 2019 until this past summer, and he’s confident it will be the best chapter of his already fascinating life.

“I want to be cooking here for people until the end of time,” he said, smiling. “I’ve invested in new equipment, new furnishings and I’ll be using the best cherry, apple and oak wood in my smoker. The aroma that smoking meats creates is a Michigan fixture, like the smell of burning leaves in the fall. It’s comforting.

“The health inspector was just here for a final inspection and I received a 100% score, so we’re off to a good start.”

Marvelous menu

Blue Kuna’s menu is mouth-watering delicious, topped by brisket sandwiches, pulled pork, homemade cornbread, baked beans and mac n’ cheese — with all sandwiches served on house-made brioche buns.

Like Max & Bella’s, Kuna said he’ll open at 11 a.m. seven days a week to start (although he may close on Mondays and Tuesdays depending on demand) and stay open until his food supply is gone — with one alteration.

“I’ll gauge the traffic we’re getting and if we’re consistently selling out at 2 or 3 p.m., I’ll make twice as much the next day,” Kuna said. “If we’re still smoking at 6, 7 or 8 o’clock, that’s perfect. I want to make people happy. I even have a second smoker at home I’ll bring in if that’s what it takes.”

Kuna said he has lofty goals for Blue Kuna.

“I recently read that Bad Brad’s in Livonia  is the No. 1 BBQ place in metro Detroit,” he said. “I’m going to work my tail off to be No. 1. I have developed a great reputation with my sauces and rubs, and that’s going to carry over to this place. I want to be known for great barbecue. I want people to keep coming back.”

Special events on the agenda

Kuna revealed he plans on hosting special events that offer new menu items, including salmon, octopus and other appetizing dishes.

“I’m also planning on offering sausages on a regular basis,” he said.

“My ultimate goal is to be a fixture in the Plymouth community and beyond for a long time.”

Takeout orders can be placed by calling 734-228-6914.

Blue Kuna opens to the public Saturday at 11 a.m.

You’ll be pleasantly reminded if you’re in DTP this weekend when you smell that sweet aroma of smoking meat wafting through the air near Kellogg Park.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.