All aboard: Missing Link BBQ restaurant opens in iconic Somerset train car

SOMERSET — Looking for a unique dining experience?

Somerset is where it's at, as a familiar eatery finally moved into its one-of-a-kind new home last week.

Plans are chugging along for Missing Link BBQ, which opened up shop inside the iconic Cape Cod Railroad train car on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

After nearly a year of serving classic Texas-style barbecue with a New England flair from its roadside trailer just off Route 6 at 938 Lees River Ave., Missing Link welcomed locals aboard its distinctive indoor dining space during its soft opening.

"I'm more excited than I can even find a word for," said manager Doug Moniz, who co-owns Missing Link along with chef Tom Lyon.

The pair of Somerset residents launched Missing Link on Route 6 in Dartmouth in July 2022, before the trailer made its way to Somerset last fall.

'Breakfast is big in Somerset': Missing Link BBQ has unique plans for its new location

The restaurant was initially expected to open in the train by February, but that debut got derailed and renovations stretched longer than planned. Add to that a rough summer weather-wise, and it was a recipe for frustration.

But Moniz and Lyon are appreciative of all their Link fans who've been along for the ride and have remained super supportive.

"They've been awesome to us. We had people even sitting in the rain eating food," Moniz said.

Now there will be no need to eat in the rain, as the indoor train operation is ready to roll (well, not literally).

According to Moniz, the train renovations ended up being a major undertaking and needed to essentially be rebuilt from the floor up.

"Every square inch of that train has been touched," he said.

What to expect

The train is 9 feet wide so Moniz noted it's "small but cozy," making the most of their tight space. It can accommodate 32 people, with eight tables that each seat four and a small bathroom.

Tabletops inside have been made to look like mini picnic tables, like those in their parking lot patio, and they made a point to keep some accents of the old train.

Overall, Moniz said they were looking to evoke a chill, rustic backyard barbecue feel — down to the mismatched plates — but inside of a train car.

In an effort to expand the kitchen, the dining space is eight seats smaller, but what they lost in seating they made up for in the ability to further build on their menu.

"We tried to make everything as cozy as we could. It's still a train, but people love that about it," Moniz said.

Due to the fact that the train has a narrow opening and walkway inside it is not wheelchair accessible, their website notes. There is a ramp to get a wheelchair to the door but from there a walker or cane would be needed to get inside the building.

Because of the space crunch, they'll have options for curbside pickup, or grabbing order to-go at the nearby trailer so as to limit the amount of foot traffic coming in and out of the train.

BBQ for breakfast and an expanded menu

Missing Link's new indoor dining car will be serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday.

The train formerly housed longtime Somerset breakfast spot Railway Cafe. And in keeping with the train's tradition, Moniz predicts Missing Link will once again be a go-to for local early risers.

"It was already a busy spot for breakfast before, and us bringing new flavors and a new look to the inside of this train I think it's going to make it really popular," Moniz said.

Extra emphasis on the new flavors. While you'll still find your traditional breakfast fare on the menu, what Moniz thinks will capture diners' attention is their outside-the-box BBQ twists on these classics.

"Our breakfast people are going to be surprised by more than anything just because they don't normally think about the flavors we have being combined with breakfast dishes," he said.

Once they get settled inside the train, the Moniz and Lyon will be expanding their full-time menu to include salads, more sausages, burgers everyday rather than just their weekly Wednesday Smashburger Session, and finally incorporating specialty hot dogs into their offerings.

Since launching Missing Link in the summer of 2022, Moniz said their plan has been to make scratch-made franks a menu staple, but haven't been able to do so due to limitations on space and equipment. Hopefully, the eventual addition of another smoker will open the door for this as well as many more tasty options.

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Their menu has gone through some changes over the past year, Moniz said. Currently, the Cuban is their most popular sandwich, and cheesesteak sandwiches have really taken off, Moniz said. They also get tons of compliments on their brisket, and ribs are consistently a sell-out.

What's happening with the trailer and outdoor setup?

Tables in their outdoor patio area will remain available year round, provided the weather allows.

"Rosie," the name they've dubbed their food trailer, will be staying put for now, serving as an extension of their kitchen. It still houses their smoker, so will be utilized for that until they can build their own smokehouse on the property. The trailer will also be the homebase for their takeout operation.

Moniz said eventually they would like to take Rosie on the road. The goal is to be able to cater events off-site, as well as pop up at various local fairs and food festivals.

What's next?

Looking ahead, the pair have their sights set on growing Missing Link to more than one location but for now, Moniz said, they "just want to get this one running as best as possible first."

While it's been a challenging road realizing their dream, Moniz said they are thrilled to finally see all the pieces fall into place. From now on it's full steam ahead at Lees River Avenue.

"I've seen why people give up on taking a chance because it gets tough at times … We've learned a lot in this first year and a half and we hope that this is the break that we've been looking for. We want this to be the start of something really good," he said.

For more information on Missing Link BBQ, or for a peek at their menu and weekly specials, visit https://missinglinkbbq.com or check out their Facebook page for updates.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Missing Link BBQ makes its debut inside Somerset train