Wild Honey Smokehouse and Tavern, a playful outpost offering regional BBQ traditions from across the country alongside inventive cocktails, is one of eight dining concepts opening at the Tropicana Atlantic City® this year. Wild Honey opens for service on May 10, 2022, in The Quarter at Tropicana, an Old Havana-themed enclosed shopping mall located at the Tropicana Atlantic City® featuring 30+ outposts spanning shops, restaurants, and nightclubs at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.
With so many BBQ styles to choose from, Wild Honey couldn’t feature just one style of BBQ. Instead, the culinary team traveled across the country and curated a menu that showcases the best of every type of BBQ, from Texas to North Carolina and everywhere in-between. After expertly pairing the right cut of meat with the perfect rub, wood, smoke, sauce, and cooking technique, top-quality meats are slow-cooked and smoked in-house.
BBQ classics on the menu include: St. Louis Ribs, Charlotte (NC) Pulled Pork, Memphis-Rub Half Chicken, and Big West Texas Beef Rib, just to name a few. Beyond BBQ, Wild Honey’s menu features a selection of scratch kitchen-inspired classic American comfort foods, including Crispy Hushpuppies, Double Sauced Mac and Cheese, burgers, sandwiches, and a 2lb Texas Fair Turkey Leg, just to name a few.
The smokehouse theme extends beyond the kitchen into Wild Honey’s bar program with a selection of double-barrel smoked cocktails and an extensive whiskey list. Tried, true with a twist of fun, Texas-sized cocktails — 100 oz. Party Pitchers of Peach Moonshine, Pineapple Whiskey Smash, and Rum Cherry Cooler — plus, a robust list of freshly blended frozen libations including a Coconut Cream Pie, Key Lime Daiquiri, and an Orange Crush Creamsicle round out the playful drink menu.
Wild Honey is helmed by Operating Partner Tom Recine, whose background spans 20+ years of running high-volume bars, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and casinos. “After realizing a great opportunity on the Atlantic City boardwalk for BBQ, we set out to create Wild Honey, a respite where friends can gather to enjoy the finer things in life – BBQ, bourbon, beer, and music,” explains Tom Recine, Operating Partner of Wild Honey. “Built on a few simple guiding pillars — good food, strong drinks, and great tunes — we’ve created a destination and experience fluid enough to gather for happy hour at the bar, grab a table for lunch or dinner, or drop by for a night out with friends,” Recine notes.
Live music is a pillar of Wild Honey’s experience. Performances — kicking into gear after Memorial Day — will span local artists to touring musicians and bands from across the country, across genres and styles.
Wild Honey Smokehouse and Tavern will be open Monday to Thursday, 4PM – 11PM; Friday, 4PM – 1AM; Saturday, 11AM – 1AM; and Sunday, 11AM – 11PM. Wild Honey will be opening with indoor seating only, with patio seating launching in the weeks to come. Reservations can be made via OpenTable and to-go orders can be placed via Toast. Wild Honey is located at The Quarter at Tropicana, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.
If you head down and check it out, let me know what you think about it on the South Jersey Food Scene group!
Marilyn is a freelance writer covering the food and drink scene of South Jersey. You can find more of her writing on Philly Grub and NewsBreak.