A buzzy barbecue restaurant with celebrity ties is coming to Fort Worth: Called Smokey Beards Q, it’s a Texas BBQ restaurant coming to 3124 E. Belknap St., in a former Mamma Mia Italian Grill off Race Street in north Fort Worth, where it will open in late summer.
Smokey Beards has a wild backstory. Fort Worth is actually a second location of this concept that made its debut with a first location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2018.
The concept is owned by Mutah Beale, a former rapper in Tupac’s Outlawz music group, partnered with brothers Art “Tony” Ramadani and Sonny Ramadani. Tony previously operated the Mamma Mia Italian Grill in that same space for 19 years before it closed in February.
Smokey Beards is a full-circle moment for the founders.
“It actually started in Texas backyards among a small circle of close friends,” Beale says. “Around 10 years ago, we were planning to launch a pop-up food truck. At that time, I visited Art in Texas and was blown away by the brisket he was smoking. I told him, ‘We’ve got to bring this to Saudi,’ where I was living.”
Since opening, they’ve drawn long lines and received raves such as “Your BBQ is the best and most authentic in the entire Middle East! But the best part is that you are such a genuinely nice person and interested in your customers. This HAS to be a stop for everyone visiting the Kingdom!”
They’ve also become a drop-in for athletes and celebrities such as Mike Tyson, Kanye West, and Martin Lawrence.
Their menu features brisket, beef dino ribs, brisket sandwiches, and “outlaw fries” topped with brisket, cheese, jalapenos, and fried onions. The Texas location will have an expanded menu and rotating specials.
They’ll also have classic BBQ sides such as mac & cheese, smoked beans, and slaw, plus creative twists like brisket fried rice and loaded smoked potato specials.
According to Beale, the space will lean more rustic and smokehouse-style while still keeping the high-energy, street-food vibe they’re known for in Riyadh.
“It began as a passion project — bringing authentic, wood-smoked American BBQ to the Gulf,” he says. “The overwhelming response gave us the push to expand back home in the U.S. Beyond the personal connection, Fort Worth has a strong BBQ culture, a love for bold flavors, and a welcoming community.”