Featured Chef: Santiago Bryan-Zwick

From Porch Smoke to Island Fire: The Story of Avalon Smokehouse

Avalon Smokehouse didn’t start in a restaurant kitchen or with a business plan. It started on a porch.

Just a guy, a smoker, and a few neighbors willing to take a chance on some ribs and homemade barbecue sauce.

What began as a backyard hobby turned into something harder to ignore. People kept coming back. The conversations got longer. The expectations got higher. And somewhere in the middle of all that smoke, a bigger idea started to take shape.

Catalina Island didn’t have this kind of barbecue. Not the real kind. Not the kind that takes time, patience, and a respect for tradition. Not the kind rooted in family recipes and built on the belief that great food brings people together.

So the idea became a mission: bring genuine, pit-smoked barbecue to Avalon.

Not just food, but a craft. A culture. A new experience for a small town that hadn’t seen it before.

And when the smoke settled, it was clear. This was it.

But barbecue has a way of becoming more than what’s on the plate.

Somewhere along the way, the process itself became the point. Long hours by the smoker turned into something quieter, more personal. A place to think. To pray. To find peace. To figure out what these hands were meant to do.

Day in and day out, the goal stays the same: get better. Refine the craft. Respect the process.

And like any craft, the tools matter.

When you spend eight-plus hours a day with a knife in your hand, you start to understand the difference. You start to appreciate the details. The balance. The feel. The craftsmanship behind it.

That’s what led to Spaceman Knives.

Not just tools, but an extension of the work. Built with the same intention, the same care, the same pursuit of excellence that defines great barbecue.

Because barbecue isn’t just about cooking meat. It’s about building something bigger. A table. A community. A shared experience.

And when you find people who see it the same way, who value the craft, the culture, and the connection, you know you’ve found your place.

You know you’ve found your people.

What We Do

Avalon Smokehouse specializes in thoughtfully crafted, slow-smoked barbecue made from scratch using time-honored family recipes.

Every item is prepared with care, from tender smoked meats to handcrafted sides, rooted in tradition and served with a touch of island charm.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, hosting a private event, organizing a corporate gathering, or just bringing people together for a great meal, Avalon Smokehouse brings the experience to you.

We also offer convenient call-ahead BBQ trays, perfect for easy island entertaining.

Inquiries

Ash.caterscatalina@gmail.com