by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Stopping for a meal at Up In Smoke is a little like visiting a quirky favorite aunt who serves you her signature hickory smoked pulled pork sandwich and charms you into lingering with a basket of magazines, coloring books and puzzles. “I want it to feel like home, a place to relax and forget your trouble,” said Audrey Morgan, who with her husband Roger and son Colton, own and operate Up In Smoke BBQ Café & Gifts. And homey it is, but there’s a wink to the exotic in the menu and charming French country décor.

The signature Smokin’ Pig sandwich features a quarter pound of hickory smoked pulled pork barbecue, ham, bacon, American cheese, and chipotle mustard grilled on a hoagie bun. On the popular Cuban sandwich, the Creole marinated pulled pork hints at orange bitters, garlic, lime, and oregano, the nod to the Caribbean joined by ham, Swiss cheese and pickles.

For those not tempted by hickory smoked pulled pork made fresh daily, Up In Smoke offers beef brisket, loaded potatoes, nachos, burgers, an array of specialty sandwiches like chicken salad on a croissant, and a large selection of homemade desserts and pies.

For the vegetarian minded, the café has several hearty salads. The nutritious Health Nut includes spring mixed greens, cranberries, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, red onion, and feta cheese with a raspberry vinaigrette.

The plate lunch special changes daily. A recent plate lunch featured New York style chicken scampi. “Business has really amped up since we added plate lunches,” Audrey said. “Often it’s standing room only, and that wasn’t my intention, although I’m happy for the business.”

Up In Smoke welcomes to-go orders. Family packs are especially popular according to Audrey. In fair weather people often go to nearby Harton Park to eat. The café seats 12, with outside seating coming soon, as well as rent-a-picnic-basket meals with both hot and cold picnic options.

Audrey does the country cooking and desserts, son Colton is the grill cook and specialty sandwich chef, and Roger works the front and does the smoking.

Up In Smoke opened last fall. For three years Roger operated a food truck with the same name as the café along with working as a 911 dispatcher. Audrey worked in food services as a cook for 10 years. Opening a café seemed like a natural next step. “I wanted to work for myself,” she said.

At the gift shop, customers will find jewelry, marble collectibles and country décor items. “It’s all stuff I love,” said Audrey, who takes inspiration from shopping in historic Savannah, Ga., during their annual family visits.

Up In Smoke, located at 73 College St., in Monteagle, is open Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Sunday after church an especially busy time.

Roger was raised in Tracy City and Audrey hails from nearby Warren County. “I was born and raised country,” she said. “I want people to get their money’s worth. No one ever leaves here hungry. I want Up In Smoke to be a happy place, a place to come and stretch, play cards if you like, and be comfortable. A place where folks want to pop in just to say, ‘hi.’”