Before the wood smoke, the brisket boards, and the buzz of a packed dining room, Station One Smokehouse in Plainfield had a very different role. Long before it became one of the area’s go-to destinations for Texas-style BBQ and community gatherings, this building served the community in another essential way: as a working firehouse.
Today, it stands as a testament to transformation, preserving the heart of its past while serving something entirely new. At Station One Smokehouse, the food tells a story, and so does the space. For guests who value connection, legacy, and a good meal with meaning, this former firehouse turned restaurant is more than just a place to eat. It’s part of Plainfield’s living history.
A Building with Purpose—and Legacy
Located in the heart of downtown Plainfield, Station One Smokehouse is housed in a building that once operated as a municipal fire station. With its red brick exterior, large bay doors, and memorable architecture, it was more than just functional—it was a symbol of service, readiness, and pride.
Fire trucks once rolled out of those garage bays, responding to emergencies in the very neighborhoods our guests now come from. It was the kind of building people remembered—not just for its purpose, but for the people behind it.
When the city retired the firehouse from active use, the building could’ve faded into history. Instead, it was reimagined—its bones and story preserved—to create something new: a space where people gather around food, just as they once gathered for duty.
Preserving the Spirit, Reimagining the Space
The vision for Station One was rooted in respect for the community, for tradition, and for the building’s original role. Rather than starting from scratch, we embraced the firehouse’s history and built a restaurant that celebrates it.
When guests walk into our Plainfield location, they’re met with:
- Exposed brick walls and structural details from the original firehouse
- Authentic firehouse memorabilia that honors the space’s roots
- Large bay doors that still open on warm days, welcoming in fresh air and conversation
- Historical nods throughout the space that give a sense of time and place
It’s these details that make Station One feel personal, not just like a restaurant, but like a continuation of the service and purpose the building once represented.
A Restaurant Built on Local Pride
Our Plainfield roots run deep, and that sense of place is part of everything we do. Whether you’re visiting our firehouse location in Plainfield or dining at our Yorkville restaurant, the same values apply: hospitality, quality, and community connection.
In Plainfield, the legacy of the firehouse is visible in every brick. In Yorkville, we bring that same attention to detail and love for local history, even though the building itself didn’t serve as a fire station. While the two locations differ in structure, they share a mission—to bring people together around great food and shared tradition.
At both locations, our team carries forward the idea that feeding people is about more than a menu. It’s about care, pride, and showing up for our community, just as the firefighters in Plainfield once did from the very same building.
A Dining Experience That Honors the Past
We didn’t just open a restaurant—we created a space where people could gather with a sense of purpose. And that shows in every part of the Station One experience:
- Menus that highlight time-tested smoking techniques
- Family-friendly service built on neighborhood values
- Community support through catering, donations, and event participation
- Local stories and shared memories that keep the spirit of the space alive
Many guests who dine in Plainfield remember when the building was still active. Some have family members who served there. Those stories fuel our commitment to making Station One a place of pride and connection.
Come Be Part of the Story
At Station One Smokehouse, the food is crafted with patience and pride, but the experience is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about being part of something rooted in community, history, and shared moments.
If you’re in Plainfield, take a moment to look around—you’re dining in a building that served the town in a different way not long ago. And if you’re in Yorkville, know that the same passion, values, and community focus guide every bite you enjoy.
Whichever location you visit, you’re part of what keeps the spirit of Station One alive—one plate, one story, one memory at a time.