A Smokin’ Success
By Angie Helvey
There’s plenty to love about Sandy, from the scenic parks and gorgeous views of Mt. Hood to the fabulous restaurants and shops. Smoky Hearth Restaurant Bar & Grill is a favorite spot for locals and the best place in town for house-smoked brisket, wood-fired pizza, refreshing drinks and a friendly crew dedicated to giving every guest a phenomenal dining experience!
Smoky Hearth has been a fixture in the community for many years, but the restaurant changed hands in July 2022 when longtime owners Mark and Bonnie Gritsch decided it was time to retire. They sold the business to Mark’s golf buddy, Kevin Nilson, and he brought his daughter Kayla and her boyfriend Brandon Johnson in as partners.
Brandon and Kayla bring over 35 years of collective experience in the industry and make the perfect team. “Brandon is the head chef and the expert of the back of the house; he’s also the hardest-working guy I’ve ever seen,” Kevin says. “My daughter has been a server for over fifteen years so she runs the front of the house. She’s excellent; so good at what she does, and I’m thrilled she’s been able to take her talents to the next level.”
All the food at Smoky Hearth is made from scratch, from the house-smoked brisket cooked daily on the Traeger and the homemade pasta dishes to the soups and sauces. All the old favorites from the original menu are still available and Brandon has created some fantastic additions. “We didn’t change the menu as much as enhanced it,” Kevin explains. “The Italian food is new, and we just added these incredible wagyu ribeyes. They’re popular, tasty and people love them!”
The wood-fired pizzas are another best-seller, served hot and fresh with a homemade braided crust. Other options include a massive selection of tasty sharables, loaded burgers, salads, lettuce wraps and hearty entrees like a salmon dinner or pub-style fish and chips. Breakfast on the weekends is new for them, and it’s been a hit so far, with a menu of cheesy breakfast skillets, omelets, homemade buttermilk pancakes, wagyu steak with eggs and more! A kid’s menu is always available for the little ones.
Smoky Hearth features a full bar with an excellent selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Specialty cocktails are crafted in-house, and happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with discounted drinks and snacks. Though the space has a bartop and a small 21-and-over video poker room, it’s a one hundred percent family-friendly establishment from open to close.
When Kevin and his family bought the restaurant, they remodeled the inside and built a spacious covered outdoor patio with heaters and automatic drop-down blinds. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy live music every Saturday night through the end of the summer. “People come just to hang out and listen to the music,” Kevin says. “We love doing this for the community.” Smoky Hearth is also throwing a second-anniversary bash on July 6th. The event is free to attend, and they’ll have music, face-painting, bouncy houses, firetrucks and more!
Kevin and his family revel in getting to know their customers. “That first year, I hosted every night so I could introduce myself to people, tell them our story and make sure their service was good,” says Kevin. “Now, we know so many of them by name, and we could tell you who’s coming in on Tuesday for tacos or Friday for clam chowder.”
Kevin brings a lengthy career in management and leadership to the team, and he’s teaching Kayla and Brandon how important community involvement can be. “When you make the right contributions, the community will embrace you, and that’s what we’ve proven the last couple of years.” He also attributes their success to a fantastic crew. “Our staff is incredible and we value each and every one of them. It’s a joy to watch them interact with their customers every day; that’s what makes Smoky Hearth such a great place.”
Smoky Hearth Restaurant Bar & Grill is located at 16607 Champion Way Ste 100 in Sandy. Please give them a call at
503-668-4466 or visit their website at www.smokyhearthsandy.com