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Fulton Street's Smokey Island Grille Reopens After February Fire

 Smokey Island Grille on Fulton Street near Nostrand Avenue re-opened on Feb. 26 after a fire damaged the business earlier in the month.
Smokey Island Grille on Fulton Street near Nostrand Avenue re-opened on Feb. 26 after a fire damaged the business earlier in the month.
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BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — More than three weeks after a fire forced Smokey Island Grille to shutter its doors, the Caribbean eatery on Fulton Street reopened over the weekend with some new menu additions and renovations.

The Jamaican-style restaurant at 1274 Fulton St. near Nostrand Avenue, closed on Feb. 2 following a kitchen fire that damaged the business’ interior, according to managing partner Tai Walker.

The entire kitchen needed to be re-done, Walker said, and the front area of the 1,200-square-foot space suffered water damage.

“We were totally shut down, but the break helped us to take a look at the market, get new equipment installed and give the restaurant a neighborly feel and go back to our slogan: ‘The neighbor’s place for jerk taste,’” Walker added.

Smokey Island Grille, which Walker operates with his siblings, debuted new lighting when it reopened, along with a new macaroni and cheese seafood burger.

Customers can also have their pick of deep-fried dishes to-go, including fried fish, shrimp and chicken.

“What this means to me is that we’re here to stay,” Walker said. “We’re excited that we have the ability to get back up and serve our community.”

“The success part for us is we brought back to life the community with having good food, and it's amazing to see everybody happy.”

Popular menu items at the eatery include jerk chicken, honey BBQ wings, and Rasta Pasta selections, according to the managing partner.

The owners are hoping to host a formal grand re-opening event at the end of March with a “customer appreciation day,” Walker added.