Smok’n Jo’s BBQ

Awsume!!!
Service was great and the food was better. Portions are hugh!!! I got the Pork and Brisket then added half Rib. I swear there was a pound and a half of meat. No sauce because I on Adkins. Decided to add 5 boasted wings. They serve the whole wing and they are hugh! I ask and they get them local. I’m taking home over a pound of meat!

Gave this place a chance due to the convenient location off of I-​75, will come back for the quality of the food and service! The staff was very attentive and welcoming. Everything was fresh and delicious, and the dining and restrooms were clean and well-​stocked. I would highly recommend to anyone in the area looking for good bbq. Also, my husband said they had excellent sweet tea for a northern restaurant.

The food here is dissapointing at best. I’ve eaten here a few times in an effort to give the place a second and third shot but cannot see myself coming back here as the food is dry and tasteless and it seems like the tables are always dirty here. I understand the BBQ aspect of the establishment but cleanliness is still an important aspect of any restaurant. Also the mac and cheese is tasteless, I would honestly rank it below cafeteria food. You don’t have to drive much further south down I-​75 to get decent BBQ so it’s just a waste for me to try to eat here again.

Ok food. Got the brisket sandwich. Smoked flavor was weak but not terrible. For the price it’s a bit high for the quality. Portions were good. Compared to City Barbecue this place doesn’t compare in quality. The highlight was the service. Our waitress was attentive and checked in often. She kept our drinks filled. Overall a good experience but not not exceptional. I will come back since it’s a local restaurant when I crave BBQ but would probably make the trip to Smokey Bones or City BBQ if I want better quality.

OK, I don’t normally like to write bad reviews of places but in this particular case, this establishment needs one. I came to this town on business with my dad in tow and it is in fact a very nice small little restaurant, however, the food was most definitely not barbecue. To start out we got the deep-​fried mushrooms which were quite heavily breaded, not bad but not exactly delicious either. I got a combo plate of pulled pork and beef brisket, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, a cornbread muffin, and a half of a slab of ribs. The pulled pork was not only dry but it tasted like it had only been really flavored with liquid smoke than anything else, the beef brisket was not bad in terms of flavor but was definitely a bit fatty for my liking and was a little on the tough side. As for the coleslaw, the sweet potato fries and the cornbread muffin they were most certainly not fresh and all tasted frozen/​reheated/​brought in on a truckish. I very specifically remember my dad banging his cornbread muffin on the table and it not breaking apart. The half a slab of ribs was their one saving grace, the meat was soft and juicy and the bone pulled right away from the meat. Lastly, I would definitely go without the barbecue sauces that were left on the table, they were most certainly either store-​bought or mostly a mildly flavored ketchup based sauce. If you are going to call yourself a barbecue establishment, please put in the effort as so many other people are.

Tried their weekend buffet for Father’s Day. We arrived with around 12:30, buffet stops at 2, around 12:45 they put out fresh-​ish food. After our group of 7 ate at the buffet they didn’t replace anything and let the food that was left over get hard and stale with over an hour left for the buffet. So we paid for essentially 1 plate of food from the already small buffet
The pulled pork got dry and tough, the biscuits stale, and the French toast cold.
I’ve never had a good experience in either trip I’ve made to this establishment.
The only saving grace was that our server was respectful, kind, friendly and extremely helpful.

Me and 2 business associates went into Smok’n Jo’s barbecue for lunch. Everything was absolutely superb. We all had sandwiches which were fresh and hot.
The service was excellent as well. Ashley was friendly, courteous and let us enjoy our meal and short meeting afterwards at our own pace.
Lastly the ambience was simply exactly what you would expect. Nothing over-​the-​top but unique enough to make it memorable. And the quote board in the bathroom is one of those nice little touches that really makes you remember this place.
If I can offer only one piece of advice and that is changing the french fries. The steak fries that they serve don’t really match the quality of food that they accompany.

We were 4 for dinner. The ribs were very good; the brisket was good, as was the chicken. Sides were all very good. The place is immaculate. We’ll be back.

Bob S. was correct in saying that the staff was nice… but that was about all that was nice in the restaurant. The BBQ is less than adequate; very bland. I’ve been to this establishment 3 times over the course of the past couple years in hopes it would improve and it’s always the same. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because I went there during their buffet and for the price it was alright (I know that’s sacrificing quality for quantity, but it filled me up.)

My fiancé and I stop here once a year for dinner on our four hour trip home from Detroit auto show. It’s great food, amazing ribs, and the best coleslaw ever! The prices are very reasonable, portions are generous and we’ve always had great service! It’s immediately off exit 92 on 75 right next to a perkins. I definitely recommend it!

Not great BBQ by any stretch of the imagination. Had the brisket platter, brisket was tough and chewy, steak fries weren’t cooked enough for my liking. Staff was very nice.

I read some reviews prior to stopping in on my way down I75. I didn’t have high hopes but felt like BBQ. My experience was disappointing in all areas.
First there were cars in the parking lot, but once I was inside I realized the cars were for the Perkins next door. Only one other customer besides me. I ordered the Half rack of baby back ribs and was really disappointed. Tasted slightly smoked and like day old ribs that had been re-​heated. BBQ sauce was about like the ribs — bad.
Vegetables were ok. Service was interesting. Place was full of high school aged employees carrying on distracting high school conversations.
Another comment, if your going to employ unattractive waitresses then it’s important that they have personality and/​or are good at their job. Customers are a little more forgiving of an attractive waitress who’s bad

My husband and I have been here before last time was my first time and he had been here a lot. We got an appetizer bacon cheddar fries which my husband picked out were ok and filling he loved them though, but he will eat anything lol I ordered a Philly sandwich with a side of Mac and cheese, the sandwich was really good meat was so tender and nice flavor, but the the Mac and cheese had no flavor what so ever it was a yellow goop on some noodles, I asked the server if I could get a different side and got coleslaw, she was really nice about switching my side, the coleslaw was very good had that sweet sour taste that I love about coleslaw, my husband had baby back ribs and the meat fell off and I tried some it was very tasty, the BBQ sauce is very good too I could probably drink it lol, but I won’t it wouldn’t be healthy our server was so nice and very attentive to our needs, I would go back yes but no Mac and cheese for me next time.

Brisket was great and the hot bbq sauce caused my hubby to break out in a sweat… sign of a great bbq. Clean place. Great service. Prices are good too ! Just off of I-​75 made it even better !

Friendly staff, good BBQ. We tried the buffet and found it good, but would like to try some of the other smoked meats not available on the buffet.

I’ve only tried this place once but I really didn’t enjoy the brisket plate I ordered. The meat was mostly fatty and nothing special as far as taste. My two sides were steak fries (just ok — not cooked enough to crisp), and Mac n Cheese. The Mac N Cheese was way runny and velveta ish. …The best thing on the plate was a corn muffin.

Went there today for lunch while on a day trip… virtually empty (first flag, right?) The décor was nice, but more county themed than BBQ, even tho the two are close.
Closer inspection showed some dirt. The BBQ sauce and salt and pepper containers were dirty and had crud on them The cheap red plaid table clothes had spots of crud too. Glasses were el cheapo plastic, and the dishware didnt match (could have been on purpose I suppose).
We ordered chicken wings for our appetizer, and they were advertized as «Broasted». When I asked what that meant, she said they were deep fried in a pressure cooker. They werent very good. While very tender, the skin was rubber like and chewy. They also were not divided. You got the drummy, the flapper, and the (inedible) tip all together. And talk about small… some of the smallest wings Ive ever seen.
She ordered brisket and the salad bar. Other than the bar being very small, she said it was alright. Her brisket on the other hand, was some of the most fatty and greasy I have ever seen… she picked about ¹⁄₃ of the entire portion out due to fat. Pressing down on a hunk, would cause good amounts of grease to come out., yuck. It was also luke warm, and lacked any real flavor.
I got the Saturday Special, Prime Rib with a baked potato. No wait, I didnt. Let me explain…
(Flag #2, dont order a «high end» dish if they only offer it weekly… they simply cant have the experience and practice to cook it correctly.)
Ordered the first one medium. Came out VERY well done, was tough, and close to luke warm. She came by after my first cut into it, and asked how it was cooked. As I showed it her, she said before I could speak «Oh my… thats well done, let me get you another right away!» I told her I wanted this on rare, in case it was an over zealous cook (it was).
Second one came out, and it was medium, but strangely enough cold in the center. I dont mean luke warm, I mean cold… refrigerator 40 degrees cold! The waitress came back at the right time again, asked me again how it was cooked, and I asked her to touch it. At first she seemed reluctant, but I told her I was NOT going to eat it, but I really wanted to show here why. She touched it with the back of her finger and said «Oh my gosh, that freezing cold!»
Can someone tell me how a medium cooked piece of meat can be refrigerator cold?
Anyway, I knew it wasnt her fault, and could tell she was ticked at the cook. She asked if I wanted another one, and I said no, and that I would just finish the wings and share some of my wife’s brisket. She was very apologetic, took it off our bill, and even offer to comp dessert, but we dont do dessert/​sweets, so we passed.
I give the server kudos… I know it can be frustrating and uncomfortable (heck, it was uncomfortable for me!) so she still got a fair tip, but its about the food and experience here on Unilocal,thus, one star and never returning. Sorry Jo.

Food, atmosphere, service and prices are good. Go check them out, and buy a cool t-​shirt while your there.

Stopped here for lunch to break up a long road trip. It’s right off exit 92 on I-​75 next to a Perkins. Despite it’s proximity to the interstate, there seemed to a number of local/​regular types having lunch after church.
Food: the menu has a fairly standard selection of BBQ items including brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken as well as a good selection of soups, salads and sandwiches. Smok’n Jo’s focuses on its ribs as demonstrated by the shirts that the waitresses wear saying «We’re famous for our racks!»
That was enough for my girlfriend who is a ribs fiend and she got a half-​rack of baby backs. I normally would have gone with the brisket but a previous Unilocal review mentioned it was dry. Instead, I chose the pulled pork dinner since I could compare it with the North Carolina BBQ I’ve gotten accustomed to. Both plates come with a choice of two sides from a list of about 10 items and cornbread. For the sides, we both picked a side salad, an order of sweet potato fries went with the ribs and cole slaw for my pulled pork. BBQ sauce is available on the table in 3 flavors: sweet, hot and sweet mustard.
The ribs were suprisingly good! They had a great smoky flavor and the meat fell right off the bone. The flavor stood up all on its own and the lady forgo any use of the of sauces. My pulled pork was not nearly as flavorful but was moist and I really enjoyed combining the hot and sweet mustard sauces on it (note: the «sweet» mustard actually has some of its own kick). Of the sides, the cornbread was the winner — fresh, sweet and crumbly. The sweet potato fries were good too but the cole slaw was not my style. I prefer the drier, more finely chopped, vinegar-​based stuff and this is wet, drippy mayo version; I should have asked in advance… The portion sizes were on the large side, especially the pork and neither of us finished our entire lunches.
They also offer about 10 domestic and half dozen craft/​import beers and few wine choices, as well. 3 stars for food.
Service: our service was a little spotty and there was some confusion among the staff of which server had which customers. This caused a slight delay in ordering and it was really only a pain point because we had a travel schedule. Our server, Chelsae, was very nice and polite though and helpful with the menu. All the staff members seemed busy and productive while we were there. 3 stars for the service.
Value: overall, I felt the prices were a bit on the high side (especially compared to my NC stomping grounds where BBQ can be had on the cheap) but not exuberant. The half rack was $ 12 and the pulled pork plate was $ 9. Most menu items where in the same range other than the sandwiches which were $ 6-​$ 8ish. I believe the top end item was $ 20 and I saw a couple of daily specials, as well. Given the portions, the somewhat «captive audience» clientele and you’re other nearby choices I was cool with the price points. 3 stars for value.
Atmosphere: cute, clean little place very conveniently located to I-​75. The bathrooms are modern and well-​kept as well. I’m guessing they have about 18 – 20 tables available for guests. 4 stars for the atmosphere.
Overall: I pretty much can eat bar-​b-​que anytime but if was in the area I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.
Food: ⁶⁄₁₀; Service: ⁶⁄₁₀; Value: ⁶⁄₁₀; Atmosphere: ⁸⁄₁₀

Visited this place while staying in Sidney for business. Their menu represents a pretty typical BBQ joint with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, etc.
I had the brisket and most of it was really tasty, but there were a few bites that were awfully dry.
They have three bottles of BBQ sauce on each table: Regular, Honey Mustard and Hot. I enjoyed all of them and used A LOT of sauce.
The sides were okay. The baked beans were more dry and baked, as opposed to saucy. But, they were okay. The sweet potato fries were a bit of a let down. I love sweet potato anything and these were just a bit on the bland side. But, dipping them in the delicious sauce helped out.
They did a really nice job on building the restaurant out. The entire interior is made to make you feel like you’re inside of a barn or something. Feels a little country, but I liked it.
I’d go back, because unfortunately this town doesn’t have many local sit-​down restaurants.