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But on Saturday, March 8, the beloved barbecue joint–located at 1613 Route 9–served its last plate, as owners Rob and Amy Carmel made the difficult decision to close their doors.
In an emotional Facebook post, the couple reflected on their journey, from dreaming of a food truck to owning a thriving 3,000-square-foot restaurant. They shared that they were presented with an offer from another restaurant group to buy them out—and after many sleepless nights weighing the future, they decided it was time to move on.
“It has truly been an amazing journey, we are sad to see it end but at the same time, we are excited to see what the future holds!!” the Carmel wrote.
Amy Carmel.
True to their glass-half-full attitude, Rob and Amy expressed deep gratitude for their customers, staff, and the friendships they built over the years.
“We have been so incredibly blessed to have met so many amazing people, some of whom have become extremely close friends,” they wrote. “We cannot thank ALL of you enough for the love and support you have shown us.”
In their final days, the couple showed their appreciation by offering deep discounts to customers, encouraging loyal patrons to enjoy one last meal.
Rob also took a moment to thank his “rock” and “biggest supporter”—his wife, Amy. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Rollin’ Smoke originally opened at 222 Guideboard Road before moving to its final location in January 2023—taking over the former Halfmoon Sandwich and Salad Shoppe space. The restaurant quickly became a favorite in the Capital Region for its slow-smoked barbecue meats, homemade sides, and welcoming atmosphere.
Customer favorites, according to its Yelp page, included the pulled pork sandwich, smoked mac and cheese, and brisket sandwich.
Though the smokers have been turned off and the last meal has been served, Rollin’ Smoke’s legacy remains in the memories of its customers, the friendships it built, and the warmth it brought to the Halfmoon community.
In their closing message, Rob and Amy left one final heartfelt note: “From our family to yours… thank you.”
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