Smoke Shack serves up delicious barbecue with a wide selection of bourbons. The bourbon pecan pie is the standout, making it a must-visit for a satisfying and flavorful experience. read more

I don't know about you, but I LOVE doing a late lunch like 2pm+ times where there's less people and I can eat more. I don't end up eating breakfast and end up scarfing down a boat load of food Smoke Shack is the go to spot if you love barbecue and are in Milwaukee. Of course, don't go if you're from the south because you'll be disappointed I've been to North Carolina, Dallas, Austin, South Carolina and nothing is the same BUTTT here you get a nice combo plate for $28.5 (3.5 extra on top of $25 if you sub ribs). We got quarter rack ribs, sausage, & brisket. It comes with two sides so we picked Mac and cheese and smoked mushrooms two of the waiters favorite Biggest highlight was the brisket and sides. Briskets literally melts in your mouth with the right taste, smokey, and fat levels I think the racks were a bit bone dry . Maybe it wasn't as fatty or was left in the smoker for too long. Regardless still tasted good They have a fantastic selection of barbecue sauce as well, my favorites were the house one that's a bit sweeter Don't forget they have drinks and stuff as well. more on Instagram @midwestmunching read more

Smoke Shack - Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Fried green tomatoes were delicious so was the BBQ pulled pork!!!! Their variety of BBQ sauces are outstanding. And the sample plate was great for sharing. read more

The two stars are for the cornbread and mac & cheese... deductions are the result of my husband nor I liking the food. Literally served ~85% 'brisket' FAT, dry chicken and a few other sides that need work. Nice staff, ambience/setup fits its name, not in a bad way. At $78 before tip, not returning. I shared my feedback with our waiter as he did his job and asked and so of course I advised. He didn't offer a resolution and usually if I think I can just get a good replacement I may ask for better selections but I had no interest and left what remained, 75% of what was served. We sat outside in the sun because the inside, although quaintly cute, didn't smell appetizing... my husband said one star but they deserve the one additional for the few items that were good enough... read more

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Ready for some meat sweats? Just kidding! Smoke shack delivers an exceptional experience when on the prowl for some belly filling deliciousness. The design and aesthetic of this place is rustic cozy and in summer time you can enjoy an outside picnic vibe on their patio. Honestly, this would be a great spot for happy hour as well. I ordered the smoke shack salad with chicken. Delicious! Dined with my co-workers and they ordered the pulled pork and oh my taste buds. Special shout out to Kyle who was our server. He welcomed us immediately upon arrival and helped me with sneaking a cake bake to their kitchen to sing happy birthday to our boss. It's people like you Kyle who make the world a better place read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Mack n cheese was bland but not bad after salt and pepper. A little too creamy. They put sugar in the greens- gross Cornbread was crispy on the outside. - nope Pork was very moist and tender but lacked flavor. Brisket was - pretty good. Ribs were dry- but had good flavor. The PINT of beer was $9.53 WTH?! read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Came here on a whim. Was starving and wanted to give this place a try... I am from the south so the bbq is much different. The meat was tender but lacked flavor/seasoning. The cole slaw taste like onion and overpowering. Unfortunately, the corn bread and sweet potato fries were the only items I enjoyed. read more

Smoke Shack - Two Meat Combo (2/3 lb of meat): Brisket, Pulled Chicken, Coleslaw and Sweet Potato Fries - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great things to say about this place, one critique. The food was reasonably priced, came out at reasonable timing, and was absolutely delicious. I grew up in a family that smokes meat and it felt like home. The service was spot on and enjoyable to interact with. The ambiance gives almost like a speak-easy vibe. Excluding their outdoor dining, it's like a hole in the wall type of place. Rustic ambiance and a nice bar with a quality whiskey and bourbon menu. Great for a bachelor party, and I'd actually love to take my little brother here when he turns 21. My one critique is the barbecue sauce selection. The sauces just paled in comparison to the meat. The world of bbq has many opinions so it's not easy to please everyone. I'd just like to have a sweeter, brown sugar/bourbon sauce. Something more towards a glaze. Other than that, I really appreciate having an establishment like this and I hope they thrive. I'd recommend it to anyone. They even have vegan options (they have seitan which has a lot of protein so gym bros, should really try it out) read more

Absolutely some of the best smoked meat I've eaten. A pleasant surprise within walking distance of hotel at reasonable price in the downtown region of Milwaukee. The desert was worth the waddle back. Great service! My gosh, I don't experience this type southern charm and hospitality in the mid-west often! read more

Smoke Shack - The Brisket and Pulled pork plater. I chose the smoked mushrooms and collard greens. Amazing flavor, soft and juicy! - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Great corn bread! Nachos are almost full meal, lots of pulled pork, brisket is excellent. One thing I noticed is stuff isn't too salty, which allows use of the sauces read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Whenever I think of barbecue from now on, Smoke Shack will be the primary option. The location is great and nearby other attractions. I believe that you can opt for either indoor or outdoor dining. On a warm summer day, the outdoor dining I'm sure is a pretty cool experience. I sat inside, however. The atmosphere inside wasn't anything special and it was a little on the louder side. But the noise level is because the place was full. Deservedly so, and not necessarily a bad problem to have. Before I could get a table, I sat at the bar where I had a few drinks. I can't say the bar was a memorable experience, but it is nice that it's offered. We were sat at a high top table. My least favorite kind of table, but also the only option at the time. Upon being seated, I noticed that the menu was very friendly and diverse. There are a lot of combinations that you can get to make an order customized for your taste. I believe they also do a combo that includes an insane amount of food. This would be great for a party of 2-4 to share. One thing that I remember is that the service was pretty slow and interactions were more on the rare side, but I had a party of 5 so we kept ourselves entertained. Once we got our food, the presentation immediately left me with zero patience to dig in. My order of ribs were great, don't get me wrong. They were delicious. But the sides were carrying the meal somehow! The explosions of flavor that I got from the mushrooms and mac and cheese are some that make me hungry just writing about. If you're looking for a great barbecue place in Milwaukee, this third ward establishment is a great option--a must try in my opinion. Certainly try to make reservations, and be prepared to maybe wish for some improvements on service and the atmosphere. But also be prepared to have a great meal! read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Not my favorite barbeque place, but it's okay. Short staffed (who isn't) so even though it looks like there are empty tables, you may still have to wait. The sides are too vinegar for my taste, the brisket was dry and a little hard to swallow. The ribs are okay, but not always available. Watch for "accidental" overcharges on your alcohol drinks. read more

This asks what went well.... The food, the service, the ambience. All. Of. The. Above!!! We came in for brunch, and took some home so we could share! Lucas (sorry if it's spelled different) was outstanding!! Very attentive! I was pointing out a decoration and he came over thinking I needed something! Love this place!!! read more

Embarrassingly sized portions! Avoid this place if you're looking for actual Texas-Styled barbecue. Ordered the $25 2 meat platter with brisket and pulled pork. Received one 5 inch slice of Brisket and maybe a cup of pulled pork, both tasted underwhelming as well. My side of Mac and cheese came out cold as well. This establishment is an embarrassment to Barbecue. 0/10 read more

Smoke Shack is located @ 332 N Milwaukee Street in Milwaukee. My brother, wife & I were kind of pressed for time so we found a place that was close to the Milwaukee Art Museum. The outside of Smoke Shack is kind of cool it has that old rustic charm of an eatery on a dock w/the exterior made of stone, weathered wood & and old tin roof. There is also an outdoor seating area that could be cool to experience in warmer weather. Inside the old rustic theme continues w/tables and benches made of 2 X 4 & 2 X 6 lumber pieces together & stained. I liked the vibe of the restaurant and had high hopes that the food would match the ambiance, unfortunately that wasn't the case Our server was awesome. He was very friendly & informative & had a great grasp of the items on the menu items as he proceeded to rattle off one item after the other. After perusing the menu we decided to try the "Smoke Shack Sampler" for $50. This platter came w/ 1/3 Rack of Baby Back Ribs - not very good totally over cooked & dry 1/3 Rack of Spare Ribs - they were ok, but the not that tender 1/4 lb Brisket - dry 1/4 lb Sausage Links - probably the best item on the dish, good seasoning 1/4 lb Pulled Pork & Chicken - The pulled pork & chicken was ok, but nothing special Fried Corn - The fried corn was delicious, but w/3 pieces about 1 1/2" not much to appreciate Slaw - mehhhh nothing special Corn Bread - blahhhh Mac & Cheese - ok Sweet Potato Fries - pretty tasty The Sampler was a pretty decent size, overall the flavors were disappointing w/the sausage links & fried corn as the 2 best items. The rest was very mediocre. The sauces definitely helped. The service was very good. It's funny my brothers wife doesn't eat meat so he ordered 4 - 1 lb containers of pulled pork to go (he gave me one). They had 4 different barbecue sauces. The first 3 sauces were all pretty tasty, but the Carolina Gold was a little too mustardy 1) Kansas City - 2) Texas - 3) House Dressing - 4) Carolina Gold - ok, but too mustardy for my taste read more

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This place is the bomb! Definitely has a quaint southern welcoming feel about it. We have only been here a handful of times but always sit at the bar (BTW the bartenders are awesome) and always order our 2 favorite menu items. . .burnt ends and chili. The burnt ends are smokey and sticky nuggets of joy loaded with flavor. The second item we always order is the chili. The Smoke Shack's recipe is different daily and we have yet to be disappointed. This time we had a chicken chili and it was outstanding. On our latest trip we used the $20 gift certificate we received for free when purchasing a $100 gift card for Christmas. And our bartender gave us a complimentary cinnamon roll - double bonus! The cinnamon roll was massive and delicious! For those of you who enjoy a smooth bourbon, they carry Eagle Rare, which is in very short supply right now, so give yourself a treat and order a shot. We were there on a Sunday and they had a guitar playing singer - sweet as the icing on the cinnamon roll - very talented and added to the ambiance for sure. Do not hesitate to give this place a try and be sure to order a pint of Kansas City BBQ sauce to go. It's the bomb! read more

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This was our first food stop In Milwaukee. Saw good reviews so decided to see What it was all about. They raved about their biscuits but I was surely disappointed. They were dry and just not great to eat. I love carbs but wasn't something worth eating. The biscuit was made French toasts style... but it didn't taste any different from normal one. I pretty much just ate the meat in the middle which I think was ham. There was live music which was a quite a nice vibe. It was actually a sad lunch. Probably won't be back. read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We stopped at Smoke Stack when staying in Milwaukee overnight before an early morning flight. The building is really unique in the downtown landscape and seems like there may be some history to it. I wish they had some explanation. We were immediately disappointed upon our arrival. With 2 toddlers in tow, they told us that the restaurant only has 1 high chair. It seems crazy to me that a restaurant would only have 1 high chair. Apparently they must not want families with kids to eat at their restaurant. To start our meal, we ordered the fried green tomatoes. They were absolutely delicious. Great. Things were looking up. If the fried green tomatoes were this good, I'm sure the rest would be too. Wrong. My husband and I both ordered the 2 meat combo. Being from Houston, our barbecue standards are high and we should have known when when they didn't ask us if we wanted our brisket lean or marbled, there would be a problem. The meat portions were tiny and they definitely had a distinct lighter fluid taste. The cornbread that came with the meat was dry. For sides, we ordered Mac and cheese, coleslaw, sweet potato fries and Brussels sprouts. The pimento Mac and cheese was excellent. The coleslaw had zero flavor or seasoning. It was like a bowl of shredded cabbage. The sweet potato fries were average. The Brussels sprouts were yummy and had a nice smoky flavor. For dessert, we ordered carrot cake which tasted good but was cold. They clearly had it frozen and then stuck it in a fridge. The middle of the cake was still partially frozen! Long story short, don't bring kids who are young enough to need high chairs. And only order the fried green tomatoes and pimento mac and cheese. read more

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Another great place in Milwaukee Great food - great service- and good vibes Thumbs up for sure !!!!! read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A block away we caught the delicious smoky aroma and the mouths started watering with anticipation! The best brisket and sausages, tastiest sauces (particularly habanero), generous sides, and well-made cocktails are all at Smoke Shack--a must-do every time our family visits Milwaukee. The service is quick and friendly and the music selection creates just the right pairing with the incredible food. read more

Smoke Shack - The whole gang at Smoke Shack! - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Smoke Shack is a good place to satisfy a BBQ craving. I had the pulled pork plate with the roasted brusel sprouts as a side. Pretty good. You can try any of their sauces. Everyone of them is good. Service was very attentive and right on. (There weren't very many customers at the time.) I chose to sit outside, only made tolerable by the propane heaters. Thank you. I could have sat inside. Plenty of accomendation for social distancing. read more

A friend invited me to brunch on Saturday at brew city biscuits. It's a pop-up restaurant at smoke shack. I have never been before so I was excited to experience the atmosphere. They have a fantastic outdoor space which we were able to sit on for brunch. They were quite busy and I'm happy we got there early on Saturday because there was a 30 minute wait. The menu features biscuit sandwiches. There is a salad option to choose from along with a few sides and a very small portion of smoke shack's menu that you were able to get as well. My friend was all about the biscuits so she got the classic honey biscuit sandwich. I decided to get the Shack salad that featured the smoked chicken. We started off our brunch with cocktails. I got a classic bloody Mary and my friend got a Mimosa. Our waitress was very accommodating and pleasant. Overall, it was a great time! I would definitely recommend trying out the pop-up brunch on the weekends. read more

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You cannot imagine my excitement when my boyfriend and I discovered a barbecue place serving VEGAN options. As vegetarians, finding plant-based BBQ has been the ultimate goal and Smoke Shack totally delivered! We loved every second of our experience here. Their COVID precautions were top-notch, but in a comfortable and accommodating way. I thought it was really cool and thoughtful that they had their own contact tracing system and I appreciated the hand sanitizers on each table! The service was excellent and the food was even better. The fried green tomatoes are to die for, and that dipping sauce is fantastic! The BBQ Seitan dishes were great, but it would have been nice if the sandwich had just a little something extra on it! (I get that the menu item does say Naked Sandwiches, but a slight difference between the sandwich and the plate would have been cool!) Both the sides we got (Mac and Cheese and Coleslaw) were delicious. This is a place I'd love to come back to over and over again if I lived in Milwaukee! Thank you Smoke Shack for a truly amazing experience! If the vegan options were this good I can only imagine how great the barbecued meat is - I'd 1000% recommend this restaurant to anybody! read more

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I visit this place every time I'm on a business trip to Milwaukee. The service is always friendly and attentive at the bar. The vibe is right for a BBQ place. The food is really solid. I love the pulled pork, Chipotle corn, and the beans. Great drink menu too. I'll come here every time I'm in the Third Ward, no question. read more

Had brunch at Smoke Shack and was super impressed with their biscuit sandwiches! Tried the Snoozie McGee and the Count with the french toast biscuit option and would definitely recommend both to get a taste of a wide range of flavors. Also the Cowboy Coffee was so good!! My boyfriend who doesn't even like coffee usually couldn't stop stealing sips of my drink. The ambiance at their outdoor patio was really nice as well. Can't wait to come back and try their BBQ! read more

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We dined here and left our credit card by mistake in the guest book. We called and were told that they had the card and we could come and pick up at our convienience. I stopped by the next day at lunch time and told the bartender I was there to pick up a credit card I had left the night before. The bartender told me that the credit card was locked in the register and at that time they had no way to get the register open. They asked that I come back when a manager was available. This sounded odd to me but I left and decided that before I came again I would call to insure the manager would be available with my card. I called a few days later and requested the manager. The manager told me that Smoke Shack has a company that comes twice a month to "dispose/shred credit cards that are left behind by patrons". This is the weirdest thing Ive ever heard and asked her for the name of the company that suposedly disposed of my credit card" Im put on hold after requesting this information and a minute later my other line is ringing a call from Marcus Corporation. I answer the other line and the guy introduces himself as a HR representative for Smoke Shack and proceeds to tell me the manager lied to me and this disposal company does not exist and that they had issues with an employee stealing credit cards so the manager made up this story to cover what was really going on. I request to talk to one of the owners and no one ever contacted me again. A bunch of theives work at this location and I would never trust this place with one of my Credit Cards again. The HR representative offered us free gift cards etc but refused to put us in charge with anyone in ownership. This place seemes like it hired alot of dishonest people. Beware! read more

Oh my! Good barbecue can be hard to come by, but apparently it can be found in Downtown Milwaukee. Absolutely loved my pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese. And the nachos we ordered were even better. Nice ambiance, and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Plus the assortment of sauces are all great. We come up to Milwaukee often, so we'll definitely be back. read more

It's getting quite hard to find some real good BBQ here that doesn't make compromises on way or another. Sadly, this place isnt one of them, despite the glowing reviews. Atleast not for us.... We ordered (To Go), a 3 Meat Combo Plate and a portion of Chicken Wings. 3 Meat Combo Plate : Sausage, Ribs and Brisket along with Coleslaw and Creamed Corn as sides. The Sausage (1 star) was disappointing to say the least. It was almost at the same level of flavor, texture and personality as you would get from a store bought oscar meyers garden variety. The Ribs (1 star) were bone dry and no they were not even close to falling of the bone. The Brisket (1.5 star) faired better simply because it had lots of fat (Not good on its own though!) to balance the otherwise lifeless meat. The "decently edible" bits were actually the Sides! esp. the Creamed Corn with its hint of spice to give it a nice kick! Brussel Sprouts were fine as well but the Mac n Cheese with the pimento pepper punch, didn't really do much to make them any better. Chicken Wings (0 stars) : Ill sound like a broken record here but again, store bought frozen wings can go toe to toe with these. No personality or dimension of flavor to them. They looked and tasted "forgettable" At almost $50 (T&T combined), this was not a meal Ill be going back to. Onwards to the next potential BBQ joint then! read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Absolutely wonderful service and even better barbecue. Kyle served us and was so informative, warm, and friendly. The place is great on a chilly night and there's lots of options to choose from. The meat was flavorful and the sauces tasted amazing, either on their own or mixed. Prices were reasonable for the amount of food given (the mac and cheese was top notch by the way). And to top it off - a delicious pecan pie with whiskey ice cream served warm. We left full and content - and already want to go back! read more

Smoke jack is a great BBQ option in Milwaukee. I've tried their sampler plate as well as a few combo plates and any option is very filling! They have a nice covered patio for the winter which is opened up in the summertime. I've gone for happy hour where they have some drink and appetizer deals as well. Great service with quality BBQ! read more

Indoor dining seems a little crowded but the outside patio is super cute with some more space. Getting started you have to try the a fried green tomatoes! They were firm, crispy and a little spicy but so worth it! 1/2 pound plate I got pulled pork with smoked mushrooms and sweet potato fries. I usually like mushrooms but I did not like these but the sweet potato fries were a great side. There was only 4 bbq on the table to try so there wasn't too many to pick from but overall I did enjoy lunch here just wasn't a huge fan of my side options. read more

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The food is outstanding! Great atmosphere and great people. The patio vibes are 10/10, phenomenal breeze and tons of shade, perfect for a hot day. We had Ellen as a server and she is a saint. Entire place exceeded our expectations and we cannot wait to go back! read more

Oh. My. God. I love this place. I was craving BBQ one day and this is one of the only places I know in Milwaukee that serves BBQ so I decided to go over and try it. I've had their pulled pork and brisket and all I can say is that they did not disappoint. They smoke their meats in how which provides the perfect flavor and they have a variety of sauces that I quite enjoy. My absolute FAVORITE thing are their sweet potato fries!!! They are very crispy which I do not always get with sweet potato fries. Their service was also awesome and friendly! read more

I love this place! It is small so I would definitely make a reservation on busy days/times, the food is amazing.. I got the jackfruit bbq sandwhich and it tasted amazing! A lot of places can't pull off jackfruit, but this place killed it. The drinks were super good too. read more

Smoke Shack - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The ambiance was fantastic, the fire tables created a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Jess was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. She made the experience what is was! I had the white wine sangria and a Caesar salad with brisket, it was delicious! The perfect Friday evening! read more

I would give more than 5 stars if I could. I really loved it! My daughter recommended it! Since she goes to university nearby. I really love the brisket, like it melts in your mouth. We ordered the 3 meat combo it had one cornbread and pickles. We chose brisket, pulled pork and sausage and all three are very tasty. Cornbread could use more flavor, the pickles are sweet and taste good too. Our sides are sweet potato fries and beans, both yum. I've tried different sauce and they are so good, not too overpowering in taste. House bbq sauce is my fave. The place is very cute and uniquely designed. Picture perfect! You need reservation since it's a small place. My hubby loved it too so definitely we will come back. read more

Smoke Shack - 3-mewt combo, nrosket open face sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We walked by on our way to another place for lunch, but the smells pulled is in. Super excited to sit outside with all of the pooches, have a Spotted Cow and sample the bbq. I had the nachos, smothered in all things I like them smothered in but my husband commented that the meat was dry and likely a day old. He was super disappointed in his sampler, chicken was cold, meat dry and bland and cole slaw just okay. We really wanted the best for this place-I'd say go for the dog socializing, drinks and decor but consider your order carefully. Also, genuinely loved our servers so it really is just about food quality for us. read more

I went for lunch and had the two meat combo and it was good. I opted for the brisket along with the pulled pork with brussel sprouts and coleslaw as my sides. I love that they give you different sauce options depending on your preference. Personally I think that good BBQ should have little if any sauce on it because the meat should stand on its own. The brussel sprouts were on the right track but ended up like a salt lick so please tone down the salt. Coleslaw was creamy but nothing incredible. The pulled pork was the star of the show with ample fat content with a good smoke ring and flavor. For me the brisket fell short on flavor and smoke ring but I am comparing this to Texas joints so maybe this isn't fair. Smoke Shack started out doing BBQ in Milwaukee when few places braved it so kudos to them. Now there are quite a few restaurants that give Smoke Shack a run for their money. It's a good place with charming decor and I can see myself coming back but trying something else. read more

This place was definitely not what I had anticipated based if the reviews, I was skeptical but I went in open minded. It's a pretty small restaurant and it's probably best to call and see the wait. There's also the bar area. The hostess and bartender were very friendly and attentive despite the busyness sounding us. We ordered appetizers and drinks and they came out in a timely manner. The cornbread was more like a cake nonetheless it was delicious as it had a delicate topping of honey butter.Our food took a bit longer but it was anticipated as the restaurant was busy and it's bbq, cmon! I ordered the Jack Bbq (vegetarian) coleslaw and beans and it was delicious. Highly highly recommend it. My boyfriend ordered brisket and other meats and he was very satisfied. He said it was the best bbq in Milwaukee. read more

Awesome place, location, w friendly service and staff. Bartender was really cool! First night the meat was luke warm, but still great! Second time the meat was warmer and better tasting too. Sides were wonderful! Wish they had more draft beer options. Can't wait for third time to visit it when I'm back in Milwaukee! read more

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