The Smokehouse Grill at Deadwood

For one of the most genuinely distinctive dining stops in Martin County, North Carolina, The Smokehouse Grill at Deadwood is a real treasure. Set inside the beloved Deadwood Wild West Theme Park in the Bear Grass community just outside Williamston, this family-built and family-run restaurant is renowned across eastern North Carolina for its marinated rib-eye steaks — cooked to order in three sizes (petite, regular, and grande) — and for its warm, immersive Western saloon atmosphere. With Southern comfort sides, a built-in Saloon No. 10 bar, occasional dinner theater events, and the whimsical Wild West town as a backdrop, this is one of the most rewarding rural dining experiences anywhere in the state. Click on the pictures below to get a feel for The Smokehouse Grill at Deadwood before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Inside the Deadwood Wild West Theme Park

The Smokehouse Grill anchors the broader Deadwood Wild West Theme Park — a beloved family destination founded by Ira Price and his son Derek Price in 1989, opened to the public in 1992, and built largely by the Price family themselves over more than three decades. The restaurant sits at the heart of the property’s thoughtfully constructed Western town, surrounded by wagons, teepees, campfire rings, and the rustic buildings that give Deadwood its unmistakable cowboy-country character.

The result is a dining experience that feels rooted in a genuine place. Walk in, and you’re immediately part of the Deadwood story — settling in for a meal in a saloon-style dining hall surrounded by visitors who’ve come for the train rides, the playground, the mini-golf, the carousel, and the broader Western adventure that defines a day at Deadwood.

Marinated Rib-Eye Steaks — The Signature

The undisputed star of The Smokehouse Grill is the marinated rib-eye steak — cooked to order and consistently praised by visitors as some of the best steaks in eastern North Carolina. The rib-eye comes in three thoughtfully calibrated sizes:

Petite — for smaller appetites
Regular — the classic option
Grande — for bigger appetites or hungry travelers

Each steak is prepared with a house marinade that gives the meat its signature flavor — the kind of treatment that makes it worth the trip from anywhere in the broader region.

A Family-Built Menu with Southern Sides

Beyond the famous rib-eyes, The Smokehouse Grill offers a hearty menu of American classics with Southern influences. Headline items include:

Baby back ribs — slow-cooked and richly flavored
Grilled chicken breasts — a lighter option done thoughtfully
Burgers — handcrafted and substantial
Shrimp — a coastal touch befitting eastern NC
A full salad bar — a generous spread for guests building their own combinations

The classic Southern sides are where the menu truly shines. Choose from:

Collards — a true Southern signature
String beans — slow-cooked and well-seasoned
Macaroni and cheese — creamy and substantial
Stewed apples — a wonderful sweet-savory side
Baked potatoes and French fries — the standard accompaniments

The menu has evolved significantly over Deadwood’s history — from the original pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers of the early days to the richer lineup that defines today’s experience. It’s a true Smokehouse Grill in spirit, with the kind of generous Southern hospitality that comes from a multi-generation family operation.

Saloon No. 10 — The Western Saloon Experience

The No. 10 Saloon sits inside the spacious Smokehouse Grill dining hall, anchoring the Western theme with a true saloon vibe. The saloon serves an array of beers and beverages — including craft selections — and pairs perfectly with a rib-eye dinner or a casual stop after exploring Deadwood. The combination of the saloon’s atmosphere and the Western-themed dining room makes The Smokehouse Grill feel less like a restaurant and more like a destination — somewhere you settle in, take your time, and let the experience unfold.

Dinner Theater and Special Events

The Smokehouse Grill is also home to a steady calendar of special events that turn the restaurant into a true entertainment destination. Highlights include:

Dinner theater events — held approximately once a month, combining a full meal with live entertainment performed by local talent
Weekend live music and seasonal performances at the central Deadwood music stage
Halloween-season specials that complement the popular haunted train ride and haunted house at Deadwood
Private group bookings — the spacious dining hall accommodates parties up to 120 people for birthdays, class reunions, corporate meetings, holiday celebrations, and even weddings

Many visitors plan their Deadwood visits specifically around the dinner-and-show events for a truly memorable evening out.

Good to Know

Location: Inside the Deadwood Wild West Theme Park
Address: 2302 Eds Grocery Road, in the Bear Grass community of Martin County, NC
Family-owned and operated: By the Price family — founders Ira and Derek Price (Derek serves as Deadwood’s president)
Signature dish: Marinated rib-eye steaks cooked to order in petite, regular, and grande sizes
Menu highlights: Marinated rib-eye steaks, baby back ribs, grilled chicken breasts, burgers, shrimp, full salad bar
Southern sides: Collards, string beans, macaroni and cheese, stewed apples, baked potatoes, and French fries
Saloon: No. 10 Saloon inside the dining hall, serving beers, craft selections, and Western-themed beverages
Dining capacity: Up to 120 people for private events
Special events: Monthly dinner theater performances, weekend live music, Halloween specials, private group bookings
Best for: Steak lovers, families enjoying a day at Deadwood, group celebrations, dinner-and-show seekers, and anyone wanting a uniquely themed dining experience
Pair with: A full day at Deadwood (Iron Horse Express train ride, Dinosaur Canyon Coaster, mini-golf, carousel, and the broader Western town), a visit to downtown Bear Grass to see the Henry C. Cowen statues, or the annual Chicken Mull Festival in October
Located at 2302 Eds Grocery Road in Bear Grass, NC

A Bear Grass Highlight

The Smokehouse Grill at Deadwood is the kind of stop that genuinely captures what makes rural North Carolina dining so rewarding. The deep multi-generation Price family ownership, the famous marinated rib-eye steaks in three thoughtfully sized portions, the deep Southern sides menu from collards to stewed apples, the warm No. 10 Saloon atmosphere with its array of beers, the monthly dinner theater events, the immersive Wild West town setting just outside the dining hall, and the warm hospitality of a place built by hand over more than three decades all add up to one of the most genuinely distinctive dining experiences in Martin County. Whether you’re settling in for a grande rib-eye with collards and mac and cheese, enjoying a dinner-and-show evening with friends, sharing a family meal after a day on the Iron Horse Express, or just stopping in for a beer at Saloon No. 10, this is one of the most rewarding stops you can make in eastern North Carolina.