In The Nations, there’s a curious triangular strip of land formed by Louisiana Avenue, 49th Avenue North, and Centennial Boulevard—once home to an auto collision repair shop. When Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porker fame learned it was for sale, his search for a new business location came to an end. In an ambitious undertaking inspired by Texas Hill Country icehouses, the award-winning pitmaster envisioned and transformed that curious triangle into Bringle’s Smoking Oasis.
What are icehouses? Originally, in rural central Texas before the advent of refrigerators, icehouses were places that sold ice. Over time, they evolved, adding hot and cold beverages, groceries, and then prepared food to their offerings. Icehouses have large outdoor areas with seating, often with picnic tables, live music, big grills, yard games, whatever the community…
