Sweet Cheeks Q

Sweet Cheeks Q at 1381 Boylston Street in Boston's Fenway neighborhood is Tiffani Faison's Texas-influenced barbecue restaurant and one of the most celebrated American smoke-and-pit destinations in New England. Faison, known from her Top Chef appearances and broader Boston restaurant presence, opened Sweet Cheeks in 2011 with a commitment to low-and-slow smoking traditions from Central Texas translated to a New England context — locally sourced meats, house-made rubs, and long smoke times over hardwood that produce the characteristic bark and smoke ring of genuine barbecue. The smoked brisket, held warm and sliced to order, is the menu centerpiece: the fat cap renders to a gelatinous tenderness, the bark carries a pepper-forward crust from an overnight dry rub, and the interior is pink with smoke penetration. The pulled pork, slow-cooked until it shreds without mechanical assistance, is a secondary anchor. House-made biscuits — tall, lard-enriched, buttery, and slightly crumbly — have become one of the restaurant's most independent points of pride, served as a bread accompaniment and occasionally as sandwich vehicles. The craft beer selection is well-curated and leans toward New England breweries whose hop-forward or roasty profiles complement the smoke. Portions are generous and the format is convivial, with communal tables and a cafeteria-style service that encourages sharing. Weekend lunches and dinner service see significant lines.