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New flavor: Curious Pig in Crystal Falls puts smoky spin on menu

Scion and Pam Petrick own and operate the Curious Pig restaurant in Crystal Falls, which specializes in smoked meats and other items. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS — At Curious Pig restaurant, smoking is encouraged, at least when it comes to the cuisine.

Smoke weaves its way through almost everything served at the new Crystal Falls restaurant, the menu built around that signature flavor.

“Smoking food with a twist,” is how Pam Petrick describes the business, which she and husband Scion of Quinnesec started as a catering operation in February 2017.

After nearly 25 years of working for others in the Iron Mountain area, the couple decided to pursue Scion Petrick’s dream of having his own establishment.

“It was that time in our lives,” Pam Petrick said, “when we needed to take a new direction.”

Jake McVay, left, and co-owner Scion Petrick prepare ribs at the Curious Pig restaurant in Crystal Falls. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

He favored smoked meats as a base to build the new business. So the pair traveled to Kentucky to buy a smoker and learn about the different techniques involved in preparation.

They stayed with the dry rub style of barbecue but “kind of put our own little spin on things.” They stayed away from a heavy smoking, so “you taste the smoke, but you taste the flavor, too,” Pam Petrick said.

And they stayed true to that flavor choice throughout the menu, not even having a deep fryer among their equipment, she said.

When patrons question the lack of french fries or fried cheese curds, she points to tasty alternatives such as the smoked nachos, smothered in pulled pork and smoked cheeses.

“It’s almost like it’s a little bit of an education as well,” she said.

While getting the business rolling in catering, the Petricks kept watching for a good prospective location for the restaurant. That materialized when the former Mac Donald House site became available at 117 S. Fifth St. in Crystal Falls.

“We fell in love with the property and we really think it’s a great area,” Pam Petrick said.

They remade the interior with reclaimed barn wood, antiques and salvaged barn lights, she said. The two-floor restaurant now can seat about 60 inside, with more space outdoors during summer.

Opened in March, Curious Pig’s menu includes beef brisket, pulled pork and chicken, sausage, ribs, corned beef and turkey, all put through the smoker. Sides have a touch of smoke as well, such as mac and cheese with a smoked cheese blend and baked beans with vegetables that all were slow roasted and smoked.

“A lot of things you’ve perhaps tried before,” Pam Petrick said, “but not this way.”

The restaurant also offers specialty sandwiches made with the various meats, plus pizzas baked in brick oven. A soup of the day and special desserts are available as well.

The restaurant aims to not just be a place to eat, but a destination spot that brings a new flavor beyond food to the region, such as the blues music that plays in the background.

“Something different,” Pam Petrick said. “A different atmosphere.”

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