Smokey and the Brisket

Good news, bad news:The bad news, which everyone seems to want first, is that Smokey and the Brisket cooks their ribs, chicken and pulled pork in an inconsistent manner, such that sometimes, the meats' textures are unappealing. The good news is that sometimes, the meats are cooked just right.The best news is that nothing I've eaten at SatB has tasted anything but superb.Some examples:- I've been served pork ribs with meat so loosely connected to its bones that it might have been pressure cooked, braised or boiled before heading to the smoker. That meat made better leftovers than dinner. I fried it up with some potatoes and eggs, and crisped it in a pan and piled it onto a Kaiser roll, and in both cases, it was delicious. - A recent order of smoked chicken was unsettlingly soft in texture. Before smoking the chicken, did the kitchen cook the chicken sous vide at a low enough temperature to kill bacteria, but not high enough to firm up the meat? That's not dangerous, but chicken shouldn't be as soft, tender and smooth as a piece of fish. On the other hand: I took the chicken home, and after 20 minutes in an oven at 200°F, it was as firm as if I'd smoked it myself. And its flavor was superb.- Pulled pork at SatB is so frequently soft and mushy that I've wonder if it's cooked, refrigerated and then microwaved per order. I've stopped ordering it.The other good news is that Smokey and the Brisket makes fantastic side dishes and desserts, and the place is a comfortable neighborhood spot for hanging with your friends.What's more, the service at SatB is outstanding. In particular, we have enjoyed the help provided by Nicki, who has the rare ability to be busy without ever making her customers aware of how busy she is. That's like server voodoo, and she's a master practitioner.

Smoked salmon had skin still on, mashed potatoes were bland, brisket was mediocre, butter for the cornbread wasn't melted enough to spread... cornbread was okay though. Nachos were okay with the brisket on them. Service was good but it was loud in and hard to hear. I wasn't impressed but I wasn't completely disappointed. There might be other menu items worth trying.

The ribs and brisket are amazing. The ribs are tender and flavorful. The brisket is a homerun hitter! Keep up the great work ! The service was outstanding!!

Bbq Ribs, sausage, brisket Bar/alcoholGame room Large indoor and outdoor seating Private parking RestroomsHost will seat you Corner restaurant in La Mesa

It's nice to find a true and traditional bbq restaurant in California and this was a treat to visit while in San Diego. Recommend you visit for its good food.Food:I ordered the brisket and pulled pork combo. Both meats were smoked well and tender, but the beef brisket stood out a little more in terms of almost competition worthy (and I'm a Certified KCBS BBQ Judge). The brisket was tender and savory, with it too much fat remaining. It also passed the accordion test. The pulled pork could have used a little more au jus or sauce to complement it. My colleagues ordered the ribs and I thought those were tasty. My meal came with 2 sides and the potato salad and corn bread were great options. The potato salad is fresh and cold, and the corn bread had a small piece of jalapeño inside for a little heat. The sweet tea was okay, could have been sweeter.Ambiance:The venue is very large and clean. There was plenty of seating and the decor is very unique with a fun theme of cars. I liked how there was an indoor game room and that the bar had an opening to the outside.Service:The lunch waitress was friendly but a little slow due to having to serve pretty much the entire restaurant (which was about half full). It made for our lunch break to take close to 1.5 or 2 hours. But our party was for 5-6 people, so I can understand.Overall, I recommend this place for takeout and stick with the brisket.

Sorry Phil, Smokey is now my dude for SD BBQ. Yep, I've loved Phil's for a long time and I would often hit their Santee location at least once a month but Smokey has come in hot and stolen my loyalty. I now try to make it in for a few drinks and to work my way through their very eclectic menu that also sticks to the staples that all BBQ spots should offer. Some food highlights:- The short rib. This thing is powerful and worth every penny. I believe it clocks in at $30 dollars and it's tender, juicy, and truly delicious. I also believe that you can order the short rib for two with a price tag of $55. Bring a date, sucka! - The pizza. I know, I know, who orders pizza at a BBQ joint? I do, and I do so shamelessly. Is it on par with a pie that you'd find at a pizza specific place? No, but this certainly scratches an itch. - The pulled pork sandwich. Okay, let me hear it... "Brad, you basic b!tc#." Call me what you like, pulled pork is my jam especially when topped with some slaw. The staff here is so dope too. I've caught Nikki's name but don't believe I've ever introduced myself to the manager, just small talked her. She's awesome and if you play your cards correctly you may even land yourself a toasted marshmallow, torched right before your eyes. Smokey, you've done well and have earned my biz. See you soon!

The service and food was great here. You get a lot for your money and it is terrific! Thanks

If I'm ever back, it would be for the burgers. I tried the belly bacon burger, and it was very flavorful. However, unfortunately, I did not enjoy the barbecue. We couldn't decide on what to order, so we went with the pick 2 combo and asked for the prime brisket and the spate ribs with the Mac and cheese and the creamy corn. The mac and cheese was the only thing I enjoyed on this plate. The rest was lacking flavor, and the creamy corn was not creamy at all.Thankfully, the service made the experience better. Our waitress was very nice and answered all the questions we had. Also, I loved the unique decor.

Smokey is a great happy hour spot. Service, beer and cocktails are good and food amazing

I have sampled BBQ from all around the United States. The quality and hospitality of this establishment is in keeping with the very finest in the country. The BBQ is outstanding, particularly the brisket. The drinks are right on point, as are the sides. The staff is warm and friendly, an indication of the love and attention given to the food they serve. A special shout out to Ariana, for accommodating the Lady and I on a night out to celebrate the 4th.