Smokey Sue’s cranks up the heat on the North Shore with its American diner.

For a long time, the North Shore was known as a great place to live but not necessarily to eat. For good food, drinks and atmosphere, many crossed the bridge in search of more diverse culinary experiences. Well, no more. Incredible places continue to pop-up in this neck of the woods, allowing many to ditch the tolls and be more local. Situated on Rangers Road in Neutral Bay, Smokey Sue’s offers a quality selection of slow cooked meats, utilising a combination of classic techniques and French sous vide style cooking.
Walk into this American diner and you’ll find a big open space with the radio blaring, neon signs shining and dimly lit booths. It certainly makes for a cosy date spot. Half the staff even have American accents adding to the feeling of being in an authentic American diner.

A big blackboard at the counter displays the menu of different sized meat platters ($35-$75), burgers ($20), tacos ($15), sides ($5) and sauces. As for the meat platter, you have the choice of beef ribs, half chicken, pork ribs, sausage links, pulled lamb, pulled pork or beef brisket. It’s the last three options that so perfectly form the centre for their toasted milk bun burgers.
At Smokey Sue’s the beef brisket is moist and pork ribs are generously lathered with a thick sumptuously sticky BBQ sauce. On our recent visit, the beef short rib quivered as it arrived to the table and fell apart at the slightest prod of a fork. As a side, order the crunchy, creamy, chubby little nuggets of gold that are the mac and cheese balls.
To wash those down, Smokey Sue’s offer a selection of Young Henrys craft beers on tap ($8), various whisky’s ($9) and a particularly tangy cocktail ($15) called the Lynchburg Lemonade.
If you are a BBQ aficionado living on the North Shore with a craving for seriously juicy smoked meats, then a visit to Smokey Sue’s will not go astray.
Smokey Sue’s
3/4 Rangers Rd, Neutral Bay NSW 2089
(02) 9908 3909
Open: Thu-Sun 12pm-9pm (Wed 5:30pm-9pm)