Small's Smokehouse + Oyster Bar

This place was awesome. I had the brisket and sweet tea. The staff was very pleasant the restaurant was clean and the prices were soo cheap for the area. Honestly I can't say anything bad about this and will definitely go again.

Of all my years being on ODU's campus or in the area, I am upset with myself for missing out on this place. I ordered the Texas brisket sandwich on a kaiser roll and seasoned fries. Those were some of the best seasoned fries I have enjoyed at a restaurant. These were the kind of fries you can enjoy without any type of sauce or ketchup. My brisket sandwich was really well put together. The Kaiser roll had a nice crunch to it and just added to the texture of the sandwich. The chopped brisket with the Texas bbq sauce had a rich flavor, but not sweet, with the slaw added on top. Overall, my meal was well worth the price and the quality of the food and service was great. I appreciate the restaurant in moving forward in the right direction of getting rid of plastic, by providing eco friendly straws. I definitely recommend locals to visit for some good barbecue.

I visited Small's once when a friend invited me out. I didn't have a chance to try any of their entrees - just dessert to accompany the drinks I had. Small's is quaint and their bar area is fairly big, while the service is friendly and lively. I remember their beer selection being diverse - I tried about 5-6 different beers during my visit. Parking isn't huge, but it was a Sunday when I visited, so it wasn't packed. I'd like to come back again and try their food - my friend who invited me (as well as others) told me their BBQ is excellent. With Redwood nearby, Small's would have to rock my world. Small's, though, has been around for a few years, so they must know what they're doing. Regardless, based on their beer selection, the good service and the awesome dessert I had, I'd recommend Small's. Plus, I had a good time with good people, so the experience was that much better. JV

It is really hard to rate a new-to-me restaurant 5 stars during pandemic limitations. This one got my attention, so I had to do it. A little off the beaten path for us (80 miles each way) my daughter surprised me in June and brought me here for Father's Day lunch. The fact that I am still thinking about it enough in October should tell you how impressed we were. I'd never heard of Small's, but I have made sure all my Tidewater area friends are aware of it.We went in to order at about the time they opened, and were told that everything in the smoker needed a little more time. I don't mind waiting for barbecue, and I am sure not driving 160 miles and not get any, so we put in our order knowing we had to wait. It was very very very worth it. But first, our appetizer arrived -- Pork Rinds with old bay seasoning, fresh out of the pan and still popping when they were set down. I am a sucker for these things, and they were as good as anywhere -- better for being hot and well seasoned. As for the actual meal, I had their KC Pork Ribs. Delicious, meaty, with a great sauce that did not disguise the taste of the smoke. So many places either smoke their meats well and then drown it in a strong sauce, or don't do their meat well and let a strong sauce hide that fact. Small's knows what they are doing with the smoker and how to balance it with saucing. With that, I had really well cooked, southern seasoned collars and some house made pickles. My wife's go-to is to ask about crabcakes -- she is a purist and spurns any place that puts a lot of filler or corn or (gasp) red/green peppers in their crab. She asked the server who went off to ask the kitchen and gave a complete report -- no peppers in the crab, but black pepper ON the crabcake, which is acceptable. I go into this detail to give credit to the restaurant for making sure the customer has good info on ingredients when asked. Wife then ordered the crabcake sandwich with a side of baked beans. The baked beans were probably the best executed thing on the table. Smoky and silky and cooked with restraint (they didn't turn to mush in your mouth but weren't fighting back either.) Darling daughter had the Alabama Pulled Chicken sandwich with more of the baked beans and some very good boardwalk fries. The chicken, like the rest of the meats, demonstrated just how thoughtfully the kitchen approached each protein. It was daughter's first go at Alabama style, and she really loved it. It was moist and delicious and wonderfully smoked. Well balanced.I wish we were closer, I'd be heading to Small's very often. At least it is locked into my GPS so I can find it whenever we are in the Norfolk area. Well done.

A friend of mine, who is blind and has a very fine sense of taste, has been dying to come here since hearing a rave review about their Burnt Ends. Her wish was granted last week when I took her here for her birthdaySmall's Smokehouse & Oyster Bar is a family owned restaurant and their current business after four generations of serving our local area. It all started when John Small, Sr. opened Small's Hardware Store on Hampton Boulevard and 43rd Street a century ago in 1919. The business was kept going by John Small, Jr., and later by John Small III, before they finally closed in 1986. In February of 2013, John Small III, and his son, Logan, opened Small's Smokehouse & Oyster Bar at the intersection of Hampton Boulevard and 27th Street.I wasn't planning to write a review. For most local restaurants, I like to visit three times before writing one. This was my first visit, and I wasn't planning to return.After leaving, I decided to write a review after all and wished I had taken more than one photo.An ample sized parking lot awaited us while pulling in. The interior had a rustic feel with walls dotted with vintage photographs and newspaper clippings. After we were seated, my friend immediately told our server that she came for the Burnt Ends. Unfortunately, they were not available. Our server recommended the Brisket Platter, which she decided to try. BRISKET PLATTER: "A half-pound of of smoked brisket, topped with caramelized onions. Served with a slice of French bread and pickles."The platter was visually unattractive. The brisket resembled a pile of thin sliced rags and exhibited an anemic grayish tone. The French bread was only toasted on its bottom side and was left bare on its upper side. The pickles consisted of two thick round slices and displayed a pale and yellowish appearance. Some of the juices from the brisket seeped over to the bottom of her bread and made it mushy and soggy. She asked our server for some regular butter, only to be told that they only serve honey butter. She doesn't like honey butter and declined. She found her bread unappetizing and was unable to eat it.She commented on her brisket: "It was not hot and not even warm. It was not nearly as tender as it should have been. The smoky flavor I expected was lacking." She was only able to eat about half of it and later said it was the most inferior brisket she has ever tasted. Her Rating: 2 Stars. She was being generous.She also ordered the following sides:SMOKED GOUDA MAC-N-CHEESE: It came in a small bowl with the form and texture of a hardened gluey clump. She took a couple of bites and later commented; "I could not taste the Gouda, and I've had better Mac-N-Cheese out of a box." I tried a bite and found it flavorless. When it came time to box up our leftovers, I could have used a crowbar to pry it loose from its bowl. Our Rating: 1 Star. GREEN BEANS: We differed on this one. She found her beans under cooked and lacking in seasoning. She also commented: "Even the beans had more smokiness than the brisket."They were cooked just right for me, a bit firm and crunchy, which is how I like them. Her Rating: 2 Stars. My Rating: 4 Stars.FRENCH FRIES: My friend commented: "They had a decent taste and crunch with a hint of sweetness. Otherwise, they were ordinary." I tried a couple of pieces and found them to be okay. Our Rating: 3 Stars.I ordered the following:BRISKET CHILI: "Award Winning Chili topped with Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, and Scallions."The "award" cited above was a 1st place showing in a Virginian-Pilot Taste Test in January of 2015. My Chili was served piping hot and exhibited a nice texture and flavor, some of which trailed off at the end. I would have liked a more peppery taste. The brisket pieces were chunky and some were a bit fatty. Otherwise, it was a cut above the usual Chili served in most restaurants. My friend tried a couple of bites and described it as "the best dish on our table." My Rating: 4 Stars.A small selection of hot sauces was housed in a rack on a nearby wall. I would suggest some Endorphin Rush, which delivers a nice smoky BBQ flavor and plenty of heat with 53,000 Scoville Units. It would go well with their Chili.Our server was friendly and displayed a nice personality. She appeared to be the only server during our visit. Her service felt a bit rushed toward the end, and she neglected to ask us if we wanted dessert.Their web site boasts: "Norfolk's Best BBQ, Serving Ghent and ODU." If this is the best that Norfolk has to offer, then we need to step up our BBQ game. A legit and quality BBQ spot is sorely needed.My friend's closing words: "I had such high expectations for my birthday meal. I won't be back. Not even for their burnt ends." I took her to Doumar's for an ice cream cone after our meal to cheer her up.This 3-Star rating comes with reservations, and it was only my Chili that barely pulled it away from a lower rating.

I was looking for a new place to eat, and my husband decided to take me out to lunch and he chose bbq. So I decided to try it out.Smalls actually had a decent size parking lot compared to other places I've been to in Norfolk. I walked in and we were welcomed right away. They saw a baby and got a high chair right away. The restaurant looked nice and very clean.I waiter was very helpful, and catered to our every need. I had ordered their bbq sandwich with the coleslaw and their Gouda Mac and cheese. The food came out fast and was very presentable. The pork was nice and tender... All their sauces tasted great. The Gouda Mac and cheese is amazing. I tried the fries from my husband's plate and those were seasoned great. The Kaiser roll was nicely toasted, and the coleslaw had a great crunch. I'll be back

Went for lunch. Every thing we tried was wonderful and the portions were a reasonable size.

When we went it was pretty empty, which was weird for a weekend, but not bad for me! Lol. It was a quiet atmosphere. I really loved the Gouda Mac n cheese! It was so creamy and rich. I would for sure order that again. I'll be honest and say the smoked wings weren't my favorite, and the slice of bread...while I get the idea kinda throws me off lol but they were okay! I liked the hush puppies a lot. Make sure to add a lot of the butter/spread. It's yummy! The drink I ordered also was pretty good. It for sure went well with my food. I tried the burnt ends from my friend, they were alright! I wouldn't say it's a favorite for me, but it does the job if you want a sit down for a bit and you're looking for some comfort food. It also for sure gets props and a star from me for having a dog friendly area!

A truly disappointing experience even a month later as the owner of this restaurant continues to try and bully our party of 14. Pictures tell a story, unfortunately, what you cannot see is how terrible the chef spoke to us when we were unhappy with the cold, uncooked prime rib that was placed in front of 7 out of 14 of us! What you do not see is the two pieces of outlandish communications that have been sent from the owner of this restaurant to 14 people who were simply out for a late friends Valentine's dinner. Please use caution if you give this restaurant a try, maybe you will have a 5 star experience, but we had a 0 star experience! Don't just take my word for it... read the months of not so great reviews, wish I had.

Attended a private event here with 30 people on a rainy Saturday night slated to be on their back patio but kindly moved indoors by the establishment.The parking lot in front was full of cars but we settled in the neighboring lot without incident. I visited the restroom after being greeted at entry; single occupancy but clean and stocked with toiletries. Joining the group, I noticed the dining room was clean but small and relatively empty; I did admire the quaint indoor stage and accompanying musical decorations not to mention the foosball table and a few HDTVs. Their full service bar featured 6 craft brew taps plus a wide selection of libations and signature drinks, including an impressive variety made from locally sourced alcohols. For a group our size, the lone bartender did a fabulous job delivering attentive drink service.Catered food options: pulled pork bbq, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans and warm dinner rolls. I didn't try the beans but everything else was spot on good so much so that I may have had seconds (#PigOnPig). I'm not a coleslaw guy but theirs was fresh with large slices of red and green cabbage without being runny. In fact, all of the food was fresh made in-house including an assortment of very good bbq sauces. Whenever anyone in the group needed anything, the Smalls staff provided solid customer service.After the rain subsided, I took a peak at the back patio decorated in lights, seating and barrel style tables. It even had a few corn hole boards and an outdoor stage; the space is so cool, you forget you're right on Hampton Blvd.