Brian Rainey | Dayton937

You’ve got until Sept 7th to enjoy the craft BBQ being served up at the Yellow Springs Smokehouse at 1535 Xenia Avenue. Opened in Nov of 2024 the eatery serves up brisket, pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, boiled peanuts and more. Owner Brian Rainey says,”I’ve spread myself way too thin for way too long. Im tired of the stress defining my persona. I just want to love and nurture Sunrise. I just want to like my job again.”

Prior to it’s run as the smokehouse, the location was home to Calypso Grill from March of 2018 to 2024. After a six year run, he put the business for sale, and when it didn’t sell he decided to transform it into the smokehouse with Chef Gavin St. Denis.

Rainey still owns and runs Sunrise Cafe in Yellow Springs, which he took over in 2004 and is open seven days a week from 7:30am – 9pm. He is looking forward to concentrating on just the one eatery, while having more time to spend with his wife and four children.

Restaurateur Brian Rainey closed down the Calypso Grill 2 weeks ago, which he originally opened in 2018. ”I feel the Calypso concept has run its course and it’s time to bring something new to the people,” Rainey said. So now his new concept, Yellow Springs Smokehouse, will focus on smoked meats like brisket, puller pork, trout, tofu and keeping the jerk chicken from Calypso on the menu.

The Smokehouse be open for drive-thru carryout this Friday at Saturday 4pm to 8pm! The restaurant is expected to open full-time this spring. In the meantime, Rainey is planning to do a “soft opening winter” with weekend pop-ups starting this weekend for pre-orders and carryout only.