Somerset train sees new life as Choo-Chew craft kitchen. What to know.
SOMERSET — When one carriage door closes, another swings open.
Those saddened by the recent departure of a barbecue restaurant from one of the town's most quirky and familiar dining sites are in for a treat.
One month after operations at the iconic Route 6 railroad car got derailed with the closure of Missing Link BBQ, the train restaurant is once again back on track.
All aboard the Choo-Chew Train, beckons Somerset's latest eatery on its recently updated website.
Tom Lyon, chef of the former Missing Link BBQ, is heading up the new 938 Lees River Ave. venture, where starting Wednesday they're serving up the same delicious casual fare in the same setting with a slightly different concept.
A soft opening was planned for Sept. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m., the restaurant announced Monday via Facebook.
"Discover the unique dining experience at Choo-Chew, where our craft kitchen is housed in a beautifully restored historic train," the website reads. "Savor delicious, locally-sourced dishes in an atmosphere that transports you back in time. Whether you're a foodie or a train enthusiast, Choo-Chew offers an unforgettable culinary journey."
End of the line: Somerset's Missing Link BBQ train closed its doors
Evolution of the train
Somerset residents Lyon and former business partner Doug Moniz launched Missing Link as a barbecue food trailer on Route 6 in Dartmouth in July 2022, before rolling into Somerset and setting up shop along Route 6 in the fall of 2022.
They served southern fare with a New England flair from their roadside trailer while the train car, once the longtime home of Railway Cafe, underwent renovations. A year later, in November 2023, Missing Link opened its indoor dining space on the train.
Missing Link BBQ closed its doors Aug. 4, only eight months after the debut of their fully revamped train car restaurant.
"Unfortunately, we have been met with lots of obstacles that have led us to where we are today but we wouldn’t have gotten this far without all of you and your support," reads a late-July post on their Facebook page.
But, luckily the train hasn’t sat empty for long — much to the delight of SouthCoast BBQ fans.
What's on the menu
A post on Missing Link's Facebook page in mid-August promoting Choo-Chew states: "Tom’s new restaurant (Choo-Chew) will have some familiar favorites, along with some newer options."
Choo-Chew craft kitchen will feature various twists on BBQ creations folks had come to love at Missing Link, and then some — from specialty brisket burgers to creative sandwich and barbecue meal options to their unique "Not Dogs."
Chew-Choo's opening menu currently teased on their website includes fun, locally inspired burger offerings — such as the Portuguese Steak Burger, Chow Mein Burger, Truffle Burger, and Choo-Chew BBQ Burger — as well as a slew of mouth-watering sandwiches — such as a Cuban Grinder, PBLT Grinder (pork belly, lettuce, tomato, and smoked garlic aioli on a grilled grinder roll), Jerk Chicken Wrap, and Old School (coleslaw and pickles in a grilled roll with your choice of meat — chopped brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken — and one sauce — horseradish sauce, mustard sauce, original BBQ sauce).
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If slow-cooked southern fare is what you crave, Choo-Chew dishes won't disappoint.
Highlights include The Tennessee (spicy BBQ glazed pulled chicken, housemade ranch, pickles, hot sauce, hot honey, and scallions), The Union Station (chopped brisket, coleslaw, horseradish sauce, and scallions) The Yuma (pulled pork, mustard sauce, horseradish sauce, hot sauce, bacon, and scallions) and The Santa Fe (grilled corn and onions, roasted garlic sour cream, hot sauce, and scallions).
Those in search of light, healthy options are covered there too, with a salad station (various BBQ meat toppings optional).
Choo-Chew is also mixing things up with five different kinds of not-your-average hot dogs — "not dogs" — pulled pork mixed with a seasoned aioli that is made to taste like a hot dog.
Dining aboard the train and in their outdoor patio area will be available on a first come, first served basis.
The outdoor patio will start off as a seating area for take-out orders only, with no table or counter service at the start. Indoor dining will be full service, reads Choo-Chew's Facebook post.
Space is limited inside, and each booth seats an average four adults (or three children and two adults). There is also one bigger table that can be used as a community table or for parties of five to six people, the website states.
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Choo-Chew to go
Choo Chew will also offer pick-up catering, according to their website.
To order, email their catering coordinator at [email protected] or call 774-888-9517. Get a peak at their catering menu here: https://choochewtrain.com/pick-up-catering.
When can I visit?
Hours this week are Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 5-7, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For updates or to get a peek at Choo-Chew's menu, visit www.choochewtrain.com or check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/choochewtrain.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Choo-Chew welcoming diners back aboard the Somerset train
