Station Family & BBQ3 min read

In December, powerhouse sisters Caitlyn Steininger and Kelly Trush joined with friend Karen Klaus to open Station Family + BBQ in the former Sturkey’s Restaurant in Wyoming. The women, who have 10 children between the three of them, somehow found the time to open the restaurant while still producing a podcast, Cooking With Caitlyn, running another restaurant, CWC, just a mile up the road on Springfield Pike, and having Steininger appear on Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

The new spot makes you smile from the moment you arrive, with an exterior mural and fantastic rustic décor on the revamped buildings. If you’re lucky enough to cross paths with one of the trio, it’s all hugs and smiles.

This is the saying on the top of the menu and I think It explains the goal: “Station is an extension of your kitchen counter, your backyard patio, your street’s cul-de-sac. We exist as a gathering space for folks seeking the connection that comes when family, friends, and friends who are family meet for hot food, cold beer, and uncommon delight.”… ‘nuf said!

The atmosphere is a complete win, and the food is the bonus. The Station serves “Cincinnati BBQ,” so it’s barbecue with a local twist. Steininger uses a locally made sausage with a nod to Cincinnati chili, with spices and hints of cinnamon and chocolate. They do a great job making their own style of barbecue. My dinner companion ordered the brisket, salmon, salad, slaw and caramelized onion gratin. All of it was delicious. Texas sheet cake and spoon bread awaited at the end. They have four sauces …classic barbecue, Alabama white, South Carolina and North Carolina … you can play with combinations and try them on everything.

There is also a great cocktail menu, named after people who helped make the Station happen. Special drinks include the 1908 beer, which is the year the building was built as a firehouse (hence the name): It’s a tasty wheat beer and goes perfect with barbecue. The Bearded Man is named after the contractor; Abby’s Got Moves is named after the interior designer and Only On Tuesday is a little joke amongst the team asking when they will get free drinks. I love how these women make everyone part of the family from the people who build it to the people who eat there.

Station is family friendly. There is a large room where you order, and food is brought to the table. There are many communal tables, so you may end up sharing. There’s a fun room with a ping pong table, shuffle board and more. The other side has a bar with seating and the tables are full service. This is the quieter side. They also have a large, open adorable space upstairs that can be rented. They even have yoga there on Saturdays. Also, there are two great outdoor spaces for when the warm weather comes back.

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Brunch … Yes, they do that, too, along with a Bloody Mary Bar.

Address: 400 Wyoming Ave., parking lot behind the building

Hours: Tuesday- Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.), Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; brunch 10 a.m.-1 p.m., dinner 2 p.m.-10 p.m., bar open all day

Bonus: The restaurant has picnic baskets that can be borrowed when you make your order to take outside.