Smokey G's Smokehouse

If you like salmon, and you like soup, get the salmon chowder! It’s warm, fresh, and comes packed with salmon and veggies. They’ve also got a buzzer system, so you can walk around and enjoy the music and fun ‘til your food is ready. It comes with oyster crackers in a large takeout soup bowl for easy transport. Mine was filled to the top, and it filled me up, too. Definitely worth the $12! I’ll be back for more salmon chowder - even if there’s not an event going at Valade Park!

The food was ordered from Smokey G’s Smokehouse during the Dia de Los Muertos event at Valade Park in Detroit,MI on 11/01/2025. The wait time to order and receive the meal was extremely slow. It took one customer 30 minutes just to receive 2 cups of black coffee. An elderly man had made a phone order and still hadn’t received it 2 hours later in person. I ordered rib tips which were more fat than meat and full of grizzle. I ordered a bake sweet potato but received sweet potato fries instead. I was told to look for the potato in a cup that was supposed to be in the box of rib tips but had to explain it should have been baked and wrapped in foil. The macaroni and cheese in my order was dry and looked as if it had been scraped from the bottom of the pan. I didn’t dare approach the cashier a third time to ensure my order was correct. The best part of the meal was the hot apple cider; even though the meat was tender and flavorful when you didn’t get a mouth full of fat. I would not order at this location again. I could have purchased healthy fruits and vegetables with the $30+ spent!

food was decent. When I ordered 2 hot dogs, 2 fries and an entree. I only got 1 hot dog and the entree. I altered the staff I was missing a hot dog and 2 fries. I waited over 20 minutes and still did not receive the missing items. I asked for a refund (which I received). And I left. Would I come back? Probably not

Disappointed. I ordered from Smokey G’s with high expectations. I ordered ribs and Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese tasted like noodles and cheese; not seasoned. The ribs were seasoned but I received three ribs that were decent and two ribs that were a little larger than rib tips. For $24 with no drink I expected more. I can’t say that I’ll be returning. The sign was deceiving as well. It said combo includes drink and side for $5 but the lady ringing me out stated “that’s wrong, you don’t get a drink.” I’m sorry it wasn’t a good experience for me. Please change the sign if you can’t give what’s on it, and please start seasoning the macaroni.

I ordered a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving and it was DELICIOUS! The smokey flavor was excellent and the turkey was perfectly packaged and easy to heat up on Thanksgiving. Everything was ready as promised when we arrived and the staff was helpful, friendly and prompt! I will order one again next year!

My daughter and I stopped by Smokey G’s Smokehouse while we were out riding bikes, and they definitely did not disappoint! We shared a platter, and everything was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. We also had the chance of running into the owner, Greg, who was so welcoming and made the experience even better. Great food, great atmosphere, and great people. We’ll definitely be back, gotta try the salmon next time!!!

Smokey G's pulled pork was excellent. It was moist and my perfect level of smoke. The ribs were awesome too. The finish left me curious how it was going to taste because they didn't have a bark on them, they looked like something coming out of a sous vide but they tasted fantastic. The Mac and cheese was so-so, not bad but missing something. The coleslaw was really good and had a bit of spice to them. The BBQ sauce was on point, sweet and spicy. I was super disappointed that they didn't have any brisket, but I'm confident they will satisfy.

Adding 2 my first review. Rib tips are too good & so tender! I’ve had the majority of the menu through my MULTIPLE visits and I haven’t been disappointed yet! Turkey and Brussel sprouts yummy AF too! Perfectly seasoned and prepared! And the catering is a blessing for my family with strenuous work schedules! Rib tips, salmon, hot sausage, half chicken, ribs 😋🤤 Brisket ALL melts n your mouth!

I thought the food and service were good. I ate everything they gave me with some for left overs! Get there early if going before a concert. It was a long line and didn't move super fast. And if it is summer time, keep a cooler in the car so that you can enjoy a safe late night left overs.

Cool place to eat by the water. Turkey legs are a little high ($16). They are good depending on who cooks them . The first time I got it , it was super good, meat fell off the bone. Second time,meat was tougher and not as seasoned, not bad though .

Smokey G's nestled within the shed at Robert Valdes Park is a good place to enjoyed barbecue favorites. The owner is a friend of my brother, who raves about the food. I ordered rib tips, macaroni and cheese, and a spicy beef sausage. I liked everything, but I need to try it fresh. The tips were very flavorful with a really good barbecue sauce, but they were a bit tough. I like mine juicier. The mac & cheese tasted smoked and was very different from any other that I've had. I didn't find the sausage spicy at all, but it was good. I could tell it was made with quality meat. The tips came with a slice of bread soaked in the sauce. There was a tiny cup of cole slaw served with it as well. I really enjoyed the cole slaw. OH! I should've mentioned the strawberry lemonade first. It is amazing! On my next visit, I plan to order a shot of whiskey at the spot sharing the shed, and sit at the water with a cigar and some barbecue. My order came to a little over $30.

One word! Effing HORRIBLE! Idk who tf told them they can cook but they absolutely deserve -0 stars. Brisket was drier than the desert!! Waste of $15.. don't spend your money here.avoid at all cost

Salmon croquettes and grits better than my grandma used to make! I've been trying to try out and support all of the black-owned business in the city and this place was next on my list. The location is primo on Atwater close to the riverfront. It's inside an enclosed building with seating available for dining in. Since it was Sunday I tried one of the brunch offerings, the salmon croquettes and grits. The grits were prepared just right with a hint of cheese and the salmon croquettes were delicious. It was packaged well and the portions were good. I will be back to try the barbecue!

Always used to come here for your delicious food just know the security people who told me to tie my dog outside sent me to the competition around here. My dog weighs 10 pounds and goes in a purse. Not asking you all to bend the rules but you are located along a trail noted as dog friendly. And your security staff is inconsistent. Sorry I missed out and today I asked for a salt packet. Young Lady said we don't have packets! Uhm at what do you say ma'am I'd love to give you salt . She acted as if I wrong for asking for salt. You all in a prime spot help understand your definition of customer service

Wow! What a beautiful spot and great food. The biscuit and gravy side is my favorite. Spicy gravy hits the spot. I loved everything I ordered. Being able to stroll the park and the water and sit anywhere is amazing bonus.

Great location just a hop, skip and jump next to the amphitheater. A little pricy but okay for the location and to support a small business. The ribs were beefy and moist but we could not smell or taste the smoke flavor; little seasoning. We used the bbq sauce for sure. Same for the 1/4 chicken but it confused us because it looked smoked. Based on the other reviews, maybe this was an off day to meet demand or something. Not making an excuse because there still lacked flavor. It was nice to see a young man with a good positive attitude and customer service centric. Wish the best for them.

After seeing this place on Fox 2 Detroit, I was super stoked to try it. While working in the office one day, a few co-workers and I decided to try it. We were all very disappointed. We walked in and there were no guests in-house nor were there any orders being picked up. So, we had to start questioning why it took 20 mins for 3 Brisket sandwiches to come out. Once our food was brought out, we all noticed right away how awful the food looked. None of the fat was rendered, if you know BBQ, you can't get a smoke ring when the fat is not rendered, so where did that pink ring come from? The texture is horrible, imagine eating a cold rubber stamp and there was no flavor! It was cold and was clearly a few days old. Overall, hands down, worst BBQ I have ever had especially when you are paying $15+ for a sandwich.

I can say a lot about Smokey G's but first I'd like to say - I had the opportunity to patronize the restaurant's catering service and all was a hit! Everyone knows food is a key element to any good party so let me tell you how it went...The smoked chicken was finger licking! But the secret surprise were the smoked sweet potatoes! Those were prepared for the vegans in the crowd BUT EVERYONE wanted a potato...sorry for those who weren't fast enough, maybe next time. Greg delivered with efficiency (per usual), but professional and his execution was perfect! His customer service is top tier! Thank you Greg! You don't get 100% effort these days BUT there are still some that believe in performing in their gifts with EXCELLENCE! I could go on as a customer that visits the restaurant often for the food, the relax feel by the water & my favorite brussels sprouts & brisket or smoked salmon - if you're a foodie like me, you won't be disappointed. "The Man", his team and the Food - Go to Smokey G's! Greg, Thank you for making my grandson's first birthday party an epic experience!

In Detroit, this is the only barbecue spot I do not mind giving all my money to! They never disappoint on serving size, flavor, freshness and wait (5-10 minutes not bad). The smoked salmon is amazing. Great if you wanna make a pate, or served with their delicious Cole slaw, Mac and Baked beans. They even catered my birthday back in Aug and everyone was so pleased. P.S. the apple or peach cobbler *faints* dam guud!

This was some of the best BBQ I have had in a while. The food was great. The staff was friendly. Would highly recommend it if you are in the Downtown Detroit area.

Food was amazing! My family and I went to try out Smokey's last wknd! Perfect, crisp Fall Saturday for some bbq! We ordered rib tips, macaroni and baked beans. Everything was delicious! The bbq sauce was full of flavor and smooth. The tips itself were seasoned and tender. Mac was cheesy delicious but not to much cheese. The beans were great, full of flavor and had their own personal twist to them. The place was clean and spaced out. Right by the water so we took a stroll after lunch. We will definitely be back!!

Looking for EXCELLENT bbq then Smokey G's Smokehouse located inside the Robert C Valade park center was absolutely amazing. We got the whole rack of ribs with two sides Mac and cheese and Brussels sprouts. I'm from Texas so bbq is no joke so when my guy said he wanted ribs I was like let's search for a good black business. Bomb this place was it. The "vibe" was amazing, the music and the people were two stepping to the live DJ beats while the bar served a small but mighty selection of wine, beer and winter mix cocktails. I'll be back as soon as the weather gets warmer. I'm not a cold weather person so I didn't take advantage of the outdoor fireside pits and marshmallows but if you can weather it the views to Canada were breathtaking. Again I'll be back.

Good good! Try them out. Black owned. Great flavors Meat tender, worth the wait. I will return

Smoky Gs is inside the structure at valade park. And especially in the summer they have plenty of tables outside to eat at and enjoy the riverfront. In winter there's usually something going on along with DJ and a bar available inside. Now the food left me conflicted. We only got a takeaway of a rib sandwich and it was a bit dry though my hb said it was good. I know people who have used them for catering for years and they're very satisfied. So I say try and make up your mind. I'll try them again and will post

The Brussel sprouts had that funky smell. The Mac & cheese was dry and although the short rib tasted ok it was not worth $36 dollars! I should have gone to Slows or Joe Muer for that price. I will not be returning.

Delicious food--generous helping of brisket that practically melts n your mouth and excellent pulled pork. The smokers in the back were making good use of the stacks of wood. Great, scenic outdoor seating near the River. Highly recommend! The folks provide excellent service!!! Thanks.

smokeygsmokehouse We just finished our dinner and OMG! I had half a chicken and coleslaw and my guy had a turkey leg and baked beans. I don't know who seasons that meat, but they know how to season some DANG ON meat! We were there 2 weeks ago for the first time and we've been talking about it since then everything was delicious! Next week I'm getting the salmon . I can officially stop looking for a good BBQ spot because I have found it!

These guys know bbq. Everything was incredible, the ribs don't even need the sauce but it's hard to not eat the homemade sauce. The fries are very well seasoned and you can tell the time and love that went into making the brisket. These guys should really open up their own store when they get a chance because the line would always be out the door.

I don't know who's rating this less than five stars but clearly they haven't had a true experience with Smokey G's.This crew fed every meeting I had for the better part of a year and my clients loved the food so much my meeting attendance went up and they were asking for to go boxes. They truly put love and care into everything they make in the customer service is fantastic.

Customer service and Mac-and-cheese was lacking. Both could have been a lot better. The place was empty with very slow service. The side dish was kinda dry and tasted like pepper (that's it).

This place has the best beef ribs in the city!!! They are literally mouthwateringly delicious. They are a bit pricey, but worth every penny. I have made several trips just to grab them. That is where the problem starts. I have called only to receive no answer during posted business hours and come down anyway only to find they were out of them. While there I tried substitutions. The red hot was ginormous and had a good amount of heat. The ribs were good, as well as the coleslaw that came with them. The mac and cheese wasn't bad either. On one trip, I tried the brisket that received great reviews. Honestly, I wasn't impressed. It was REALLY dry. I decided to give it another try. I mean anyone can have a off day. Once again dry and disappointing. Mind you, the second sandwich was not as bad as the first, but I'm done with it. The flavor was good, but I just can't take the risk. I'll definitely be back for that beef rib though!

Stopped by around 2pm today, Sunday, and out of ribs‼‼. What?? That's right, no ribs. So got a pound of rib tips. Everything is ala carte. Sides are $5 ea. Ordered baked beans, which were good. Brussel sprouts--meh; lots of cracked pepper and Parmesan cheese but were dry. Could stand a balsamic drizzle. Rib tip portion was small for $16, only about 7 pieces, and could have been more tender. Peach cobbler was ok; I've had better but the small size was $7!! I was disappointed that they had no ribs. For a dinner, you should offer at least one side. A small side of Cole slaw was in the rib tip box. It's the size of a carry out ketchup cup! Prices are expensive for the amount of food you get, which is on the small side. Plus, a bottle of Coke was $4!!! Yikes!--this ain't Disneyland!!

Great location on the river would be great to sit outside and watch the river, BBQ not great ribs were extremely dry and portion was small I ordered a half slab and there were 5 bones in the box with a condiment size cup of coleslaw it was literally 1 bite, Mac and Cheese was pretty good, but for 25 dollars I was very disappointed, won't be returning.

Pictures speak for themselves. We tried the ribs, chicken, pulled pork, Mac & cheese and potato salad. Everything was dry like it was days old. Sadly, it was such a disappointment. We ordered a slab of ribs and this is what we got.

The food is too salty. Not very good. I had the rib tips and I was very disappointed.

Best bbq in the area. Clean and courteous staff Macaroni was excellent . Outstanding bbq

I spoke with the owner a few times and he was a cool, hard-working guy. He actually drives up north himself to pick up the firewood! If you want to support your local businesses, give them a shot!

I ended up trying them on Uber Eats because I had biked past a few days prior to one of the most delicious smells I've encountered in the city (as a commuter cyclist, the smells are generally not delicious). That ended up being the beef rib, which was phenomenal. Tender, perfectly smoked, and a very nice size portion. The half chicken was equally delicious. Perfect smoke flavor, perfectly cooked, and the bbq sauce was great. Nice balance of sweet and vinegar. I already can't wait to try everything else on the menu!

I normally don't leave good reviews but had to let people know how good the bbq was the brisket was so tender sides pretty good I was full and satisfied