JDs Smokehouse

There are two locations for this BBQ place, one between Morganton and Lenoir, and the other in Rutherford College, just a minute or so off I-40. I actually hit both locations this weekend, the first dining in en route to Morganton and the other ordering for a party of 4 at the drive-through.Both times we ordered the pulled pork plates, very generous servings of the real deal barbecue, which comes with two sides and a yeast roll. The servings we so huge that I was unable to finish and everything I've ever had there was superior. Tasty potato salad, unbeatable baked beans, hot and satisfying Bruswick stew are top-notch.The employees are consistently fantastic, very friendly, super efficient and attentive and helpful getting your order and delivering it to your table. The only entree I ever had here was the chicken fingers and the chopped chicken (a little dry), but their signature barbecue can't be beat. They're only open Thursday-Saturday, so if you go there for lunch in Rutherford College, be ready for a line (it moves quickly, but it's a testimonial to how popular it is. They do a lot of take-out.

Got ribs were pretty good, food comes out pretty quickly from the kitchen Will try again

JD's had a pretty strong rating among my Yelp peers, so it seemed like a good choice for dinner for a barbecue fan like myself. My GPS struggled a bit with finding the address, though it got me close; I only had to drive a bit further south to find the smokehouse. There's parking all around the restaurant, which looks as though it could hold quite a few customers. Here's how JD's works. First the patron heads over to join the line leading to the order counter. At that counter, you'll order drinks first then select the rest of your meal. Once you've paid and received your drinks, you take your ticket to a staff member located nearby who guides you to a table or booth. Waitstaff then delivers your food and addresses any needs you have during the meal.All these steps moved very quickly and efficiently during my visit, including the arrival of my food. I ordered a combo plate consisting of pulled pork, brisket, Brunswick stew, red slaw, and a roll. Sauces were provided at the table including a tomato-based option, a vinegar-based sauce, and -- something I didn't expect to see in Lenoir -- a mustard-based concoction. Good brisket needs no sauce in my opinion, so my only sampling of these flavors was a heavy-handed splattering of vinegar-based juice on the pork. And it suited the pork very well. As for the brisket, I noticed a nice ring of pink just beneath the crust, and the meat was cooked well without being too dry. I felt the brisket could have used more seasoning, but otherwise I was reasonably impressed. It ain't Texas quality but it wasn't bad. The Brunswick stew was full of goodies but was still not quite as hearty as I prefer. My first bite of the red slaw seemed a bit disappointing, for I didn't detect much of the pungent flavor I expected...but closer observation gave me some insight. This red slaw was more coarsely chopped than what I normally see in the Piedmont. When I dug to the bottom of the cup, all the "juice" was down there, as it had drained through the cabbage. Periodic stirring gave each subsequent bite of slaw a taste closer to what I'd expected. Service remained consistent, timely, and friendly throughout my stay. These folks know how to treat customers, it seems. So while it wasn't the perfect barbecue destination, I came away impressed by my stop at JD's, and I'd certainly be willing to visit again when I'm in the area.

We went to JDs back in April. I thought I had done a review but apparently did not!!! We were driving to Boone from Asheville and I was looking some a place to have lunch. JDs has great reviews and we love bbq so we had lunch there. From the moment we walked in we were in love!! I love the scent of smoke in the air!! The staff are all so extremely nice and welcoming!!! They guided us through the menu and the process. Our waitress was attentive and just really nice!!! From my pics it looks like we had ribs, a side of beans and the sweet potatoes!! All I know is that we are planning to visit the area again in December and this was the first place I want to go and eat!!!! That should tell you a lot!!! I'm a food lover and I LOVED this place!! Cannot wait for December!!!

I honestly cannot say enough about JD's. It's absolutely amazing. The food, the character, the service, the prices - all on point. The counter-service staff are happy to answer questions and give recommendations. Servers keep drinks filled. Everything on the menu is delicious. JDs is a favorite! You will love the ambiance - feels how what an old barbecue restaurant should - full of cozy, country character. There is plenty of seating as well.

We purchased a place in Gamewell last year and have been anxiously waiting for JDs to open! Having been to their other location and seen how great it was I was ready to grab my tool box and show up to help them get it open asap. Anyways a year later the wait has been worth it! If you have been to their other location the food is just as good. It's probably the best BBQ I've had in the area by far. I have had their ribs, brisket and pork and they have all been great. All of their sides are also fantastic. I especially like their green bean and their potato casserole. The only down side is they switch up their sides, so unfortunately you can't always get your favorite, although I think they have a couple which are always there.Anyways food is awesome, the service is great and everyone is super nice. The new location is also much bigger and nicer than the old location. We will definitely keep coming back!

The food is great I love the brisket it is my absolute favorite! Service is good even when it's busy, it's always busy though because of how great they are!

Best BBQ restaurant I've ever been to! The red Cole slaw was spectacular and the ribs were fall off the bone GREAT!

This weekend, JD's Smokehouse of Rutherford College catered the rehearsal dinner for my son and his bride-to-be. We do not live in that area, so everything was planned by email correspondence with their catering director, Tiffany White. I cannot praise Tiffany enough. She was prompt and extremely helpful with all of her responses. The whole process was seamless. On the day of the event, she and her co-worker Carla were wonderful as they worked together to provide full-service catering for us. They were pleasant and ever so helpful. The food was delicious; the guests all went away full and commenting about how special the meal was. I highly recommend JD's catering services and food! You won't be disappointed.

On our way home to Atlanta, we wanted some BBQ, and JD's popped up on our search. On the approach, we found a log cabin vibe. We came early, so that we could beat the dinner crowd.Boy, did we luck up! It's some of the best BBQ I've ever had. I had the chopped pork plate with jalapeño cheese grits and red spicy vinegar slaw. The pork was moist with just the right amount of smoke. The dreamy, creamy grits were the best I've ever had. The slaw had a nice zip(as a heads up, they also offer a mild, mayo based for those less adventurous types). As a treat, Hubs and I split the sweet potato crunch as dessert. Yum! Hubs had the brisket and ribs, red slaw and grits. He was mightily impressed. On top of all this, they had a swift operation with a very helpful and friendly staff. This establishment easily earns all five stars in every way! If you are passing through, or happen to live in the vicinity of the Lenoir area, stop by for a real treat!