Smoqued California BBQ

After grabbing some drinks at a nearby bar my group was feeling hungry and my friend mentioned how good they thought Smoqued was so off we were. First impression it’s a relatively small location but love the vibe and very welcoming staff! This was a Friday night and I was shocked how quickly my group was sat! The host walked us to our seats where we met Cody. This guy is awesome! He was super chill, helpful with the menu and very attentive overall! He recommended some food and off we were. I got the pulled pork sammich and my friend got the 420 Mac. No exaggeration I polished off my plate in minutes! Then helped my friend eat their plate of 420 Mac and VERY tasty! Long story short, great vibes, AWESOME service from Cody and great food!!

Not a bad place for BBQ! We got the pulled pork sandwich with macaroni and cheese, an additional coleslaw side, and the burnt ends. The pulled pork was juicy and tender, great flavor. The coleslaw was not too greasy, and it was full of tanginess. Definitely use the spicy jalapeno BBQ sauce - it's not too spicy and adds a great kick to the meats (and macaroni if you're into that sort of thing) Unfortunately, the burnt ends did not live up to the good reviews. It was basically cubed brisket double smoked, which made it a very dry, less good version of brisket. I have had much better burnt ends at other places, where it was truly a burnt end - full of fat, burnt flavor and crusted. I also wish there was a side of collard greens... That feels like a BBQ standard whose absence made me miss vegetables. Will be back to try the brisket!

Lovely experience and AMAZING food! I have a severe nut allergy, and they don't use any nuts in-house, leading me to feel very comfortable with whatever I ordered! The staff was ALL so kind and went out of their way to greet us upon entry. Can't wait to go back!

This was my first time coming here and our group had a great experience. BBQ is one of the few things I'm very picky about and I was definitely impressed. We started off with burnt ends and they were very flavorful and tender. For the main meal, everyone got a combination of the 2 or 3 meat plate. All the items that came out, including the sides, were cooked to perfection. I'll definitely be coming back for more and highly recommend this place.

Yo! Can't describe the amount of lip smacking, savory and juicy BBQ I just had, but damn!! Oh man! This BBQ smoke briquet was so damn tender, juicy and so damn flavorful! I got the grilled cheese briquet and the corn bread. First bite had me locked, second one, got me Hella good, and the third bite I was committed to take it slow. Servers were attentive, food was pipping hot! God damn! So good! Check the photos they speak for themselves, I can't describe it

Good food and vibes. Highly recommend the bbq tots. Substitute the tots for fries 👌🏽

Stopped in to try some new places and areas and found this BBQ place. It's a small shop, so it was filling up fast. It has a nice simple feel and the services was great. They have a lot of items to pick from: sandwiches, combo plates, salads, al la cart, etc. We tried the pick 2 and the pick 3 meat combo plates. We ordered the pulled pork, brisket, ribs, flat iron steak and some sides. The Flat Iron steak is $5 more option, but it was really tender and worth it. The ribs, I would probably pass on next time. Not bad, but I think the other meats are better. Sides, lots of sides to pick from. We got for our two sides each; Seasoned Fries, Cornbread, candied bacon and mashed potatoes. The mashed is a pass for me, not bad but just better options. The Candied Bacon is however a must get for you and you get 3 strips. Mac n cheese looked amazing and so did the green beans, so next time I'll pick those. As for drinks, only beer and wine, no hard liquor. Soda and water are your other options. Overall it was pretty good. You have lots of options to pick from and it's pretty good price for where it is located. I only wish they had mixed drinks, that would have made it amazing.

Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. Had the steak salad with horseradish dressing, Mac n cheese and a side of brisket. Highly recommend

So just when I think I've found the best spots for certain kinds of food--whether it's Mexican, Italian, American, or in this case, barbecue--I find myself being completely blown away yet again. Smoqued BBQ left me speechless today. I walked in expecting a decent lunch, nothing too crazy, but was I wrong. From the moment I stepped inside, the place smelled incredible. It's exactly what you'd want a barbecue restaurant to look like: oakwood everywhere, exposed brick walls, and rustic chairs that set the perfect vibe. They even have a great bartender who was super friendly and got my order in no time. Just 10 minutes later, my meal arrived. I ordered the sandwich expecting a standard portion with maybe a small side of mac & cheese, but nope--they don't do small here. The mac & cheese came bubbling hot in this generously sized cast-iron skillet, and honestly, it was a meal in itself! The sandwich? Ridiculous. I've never had caramelized onions and brisket come together so perfectly. The brisket was tender and smoky, the onions were sweet and silky, and the bun was soft and flavorful--basically, barbecue perfection in every bite. I have a running joke whenever I go to BBQ spots that I order the barbecue sauce with a side of meat because I'm such a sauce fanatic. And here, they didn't disappoint. They had two sauces to choose from, and both were out-of-this-world good. And the mac & cheese? Forget about it. It's probably the best--or at least top three--I've ever had. Served sizzling in the skillet, the cheese melted perfectly and formed these crispy, golden edges that were just amazing! (that's why they call it that on the menu!). It was creamy, cheesy, crusty in all the right places, and perfectly seasoned. Every bite had me laughing to myself because of how insanely good it was. To top it all off, everything was only $19! For the quality, portions, and flavors, that's honestly a steal. I left there pretty full and totally satisfied. This is definitely a spot I'll be visiting at least once a month. If you're a barbecue lover and you're anywhere in the Orange County or LA area, this place is definitely worth the drive. Trust me, Smoqued BBQ will leave you smiling with every single bite.

Smoqued California BBQ was the perfect spot for our company Christmas party! The food was absolutely phenomenal. Every meat was seasoned to perfection and smoked with incredible skill, resulting in flavors that were rich, bold, and unforgettable. The sides were just as impressive--generously portioned and packed with delicious taste, complementing the mains perfectly. The service was outstanding--prompt, friendly, and seamless, making the entire event run smoothly. The welcoming atmosphere and attention to detail made our celebration even more special. We're already looking forward to coming back! Smoqued California BBQ is a true gem for anyone who loves great BBQ and excellent service.

This place is bomb af! Definitely will return the staff were amazing when we came in. on this day it was so hot! and we got served drinks very quickly! The menu is straightforward and you can't go wrong with anything. They also have special type beers on the left side board. Again we will return when we come back to Orange.

We came to explore downtown Orange, CA while on a min vacation and found Smoqued. We were greeted and seated quickly. The restaurant was decorated for Christmas. I ordered the chili which came with a sweet corn muffin. My spouse ordered a two meat platter with brisket and pulled pork and it came with a pickle and two sides of his choice which were the candied bacon and tater tots. The chili was good and spicy just the way I like it. The brisket and pulled pork were tender and delicious. The candied bacon was really rich and yummy. The tater tots were hot and crispy. This was a great lunch. We couldn't eat everything so we had yummy leftovers for the next day.

If you're craving some delicious bbq, you need to stop by here! I brought my kids and they loved it. Especially the Burnt Ends. We also ordered the Candied Bacon, Deviled Eggs and tried the Fried Avocado-pretty darn good, all of it!

Food is good. Ambience is nice. Good music choices. Service is what stood out here. Laura A is spectacular. (I think the A must stand for "angel" because that's what she is.) She was so quick to help with a table spill, adjusting order and refills. She was busy but still on top of all of their tables. No real vegan options besides maybe a couple sides. A few vegetarian options.

Old Town Orange is our go to for our weekend treats! We're trying to visit each restaurant and check each of them out! Today, we visited Smoqued California Barbecue. Got a couple of beers. Ordered a Brisket Plate which is Brisket, dry rubbed with a house blend of spices. Also got a Pork Plate! which is pork shoulder rubbed with the same house blend of spices! Both are said to be slow smoked with Red Oak. For sides, we had Deviled Eggs, Corn Bread, tater tots and Amazing Mac and Cheese. How was it? Well, it was ok at best. Mac and Cheese was great, that much I can say. The place looked really nice, service was ok but the BBQ fell short. Let me put it this way, I liked the sides better than the supposed star of the show. #smoqued #oldtownorange #orangeca #socallocal #soso #meh #yelp #yelpelite #bbq #barbecue #brisket #pork #porkshoulder #cornbread #tatertots #beer #cheers #macandcheese #deviledeggs #socalweekendwalkarounds #pinoyfoodie

Had dinner here with family to celebrate my father in law's birthday just like we did exactly a year ago except this time we left disappointed and never wanting to go back. From the food, to the ambiance, to the service.. Everything was BAD. Food was so-so. I honestly enjoyed the sides more than the main dish lol The resto in itself was ok, cute in a cozy type of way as it was dimly lit, but it was too damn hot in there. It was uncomfortable. Here's the main concern, the service. 1. Waitress (dark haired lady w/ tattoos) asked who ordered the fries before putting it down and we all said its for someone who was seated at the other end of the table (we had a long table, party of 9), she still proceeded to put the plate in front of me who was seated at the end and even spilled the sauce in the process. All she said was "OOPS". Never came back to replace the sauce, never came back to clean up the mess she made and didn't even bother serving the fries to the right person. 2. Servers just kept walking by us, not once did they offer water refills, no one bothered to clean up the sauce spill. It took me a while to find a server and ask for water and some boxes for our leftovers. 3. The bald manager/host was HELLA RUDE. My brother in law asked for a bag for all the leftover boxes and this guy literally gives my brother a look, turns around and starts walking away to grab a bag. The entire time we were there he was pretty much in what seems like a bad mood lol every interaction with him was unpleasant and it seemed like he was in a rush to get us out of there. I hope they work on their staffing and the service for other patrons tho I lowkey wouldn't recommend this place to anybody and I have 0 plans coming back.

First time visiting this place and wow!! 10/10!! One of the best bbq places I've been too. We got the burnt ends which were perfect, just melted in your mouth. We then got a half rack ribs with Mac n cheese and mashed potatoes. The meat fell right off the bone...mac n cheese was AMAZING, nice crisp on top and cheesy.....mashed potatoes were more of a purée, they were ok....was my least favorite thing we had. While my boyfriend and I were mid way through our meal the manager Chuck came by to checked up on us to see what we ended up getting (mind you when you first came in he had greeted us and asked if we ever been here before....we have not) he then said he be right back and wanted us to try something. Chuck came back shortly with some bacon, but not just any bacon...this was brown sugar and black pepper bacon! This was soooo freakin good! Definitely my favorite part of the meal. Aside from the meal I couldn't have asked for better hospitality from everyone working there, especially Chuck. Thank you again Chuck! Only downside is I didn't get any pics of our food :(

After many years living in OC, and even across the street for a short time, we finally made it to Smoqued! I'm often skeptical of bbq beyond the south, but Smoqued delivered. We got the 4 meat combo and it was plenty of food for 2 adults to feel stuffed and have leftovers. The kids meal is also solid, with great portions for $12. Our server was delightful and very attentive, though it did seem like she had a few too many tables to attend to compared to her colleagues. The ambiance feels like very local vibes, with regulars sitting at the bar, and lots of groups there for weeknight dinners. HAPPY HOUR is from 3-6 Mon-Fri, but only has $8 apps, and a selection of around 4-5 options. I'd love to see some discounts on drinks as well in the future. Overall we felt like Smoqued was great quality food at a great value and we'd love to come back!

We got used to great BBQ when we had some reason to repeatedly travel to Memphis a few years ago. We don't go there much anymore so were happy when we discovered Smoqued. This is our favorite bbq place in So Cal. This guy does meat right. This place measures up well against all its competition; e.g., sauced. Interior is a low-light bar/bbq joint (kid friendly) and the atmosphere is much more comfortable because it's more relaxed than sauced which is trying to be a loud too brightly lit sports bar with bbq. Smoqued has a bar and tvs too but not the focus. Smoqued focuses on the food rather than being distracted by cocktails and weird truck catering style sides and axe throwing. This focus shows in every entree we have tried. The brisket sandwich is killer. Definitely get it for lunch. The ribs are great. Always get the mac & cheese, it's stupid good. Do it. Now. sauce served on the table, rather than smothering the food. Food is attractively presented and that's not typical for bbq. We really like the servers in there too. Friendly and prompt. Loving us some smoqued. It's a cool location in old town orange near the old record store. Parking is a thing; you can often snag a place in the back or down the street. hey it's old town so it's busy.

Wow Wow Wow, definitely worth checking out. Finding a lunch spot in Downtown Orange, I mean there's a lot to choose from, so we all decided BBQ it is! Seated right away, service was fantastic, our waiter was a pro, waters refilled ASAP, food came out in decent time, checked in on us every once in awhile but also gave us time to enjoy the meal and chit chat. Food was delicious, BBQ tater tots & brisket was my favorite. The brisket was so tender, you don't even have to chew it, just melts in your mouth. Everyone agreed this place was excellent, our waiter was super cool and chill. Even after we paid the bill, we stayed and talked for a long time and he never bothered us. If you love BBQ, this is the place for you.

Location: by the Orange Circle. Street Parking in front or nearby. There are also parkings in the back. Combination Plates - 4 Meats ($38) plus $5 Steak additional + 2 sides + 2 cold white breads. Meats were all delicious - very tender, fall-off the bones Ribs, Brisket Steak, Brisket and Sausage. Sides - I chose Candied Bacon and mashed potatoes. Meats were very flavorful, and I did not need to add any sauces. Carnivore all the way tonight! lol. No veggies (well except potatoes). First time tasting Candied Bacons - definitely getting it again. Mashed potatoes were very good also. I wish they have those freshly bake dinner rolls like Texas Road House - that'd be heavenly perfect pairing with the meats. Two pieces of bread they served seemed like regular white breads straight out of the bag - no toast or warm up at all. The inside was surprisingly spacious and clean. Very nice decors lights hanging. Front staff was very friendly. No wait. Waitress forgot to bring us knife to cut our meats. Then I realized waitress also forgot white breads that come with the order. I had to ask for these items. Other than these two minor mishaps, the overall experience was good since the deliciously meats made up for it.

Stopped in for a bite to eat and it looked promising. I ordered the avocado fries $13, it was not very good it was burnt and too crispy. I could barely taste the avocado. I also got the brisket which was my favorite it was tender and not chewy so delicious. My only complaint was that it was cold. The sauces were just okay too nothing spectacular. I wished they would have toasted the bread it was just blah. The service was slow and it seemed like forever to get my order, maybe that's why it was all cold by time I got to it. Restaurant is big with lots of tables. Street parking only which can easily get packed around there. They also serve a huge selection of beers here. Great for big parties with kids and for date nights. Overall, I would come back because of the brisket!

Let me start by saying I really like their food. Really good food. But.. my husband called in and order today and ordered. We asked for mashed potatoes and gravy. They didn't say on the phone there is no gravy so when we got there and I asked for it the manager " got a major attitude and was extremely condescending. He got dumb and I had o ask for my money back which he threw back at us! I unfortunately don't plan on going back

I went for lunch for the first time on a Friday around noon. We were able to be seated right away and our waitress was very helpful. My friend and I split the brisket grilled cheese with a side of tater tots (which the waitress said were better than the fries, and we would have to agree!) My boyfriend ordered a plate with ribs and brisket and ordered the Mac and cheese and fries on the side. Everything was great! Only downside was that they couldn't serve iced tea because their machine was down... we happened to notice that the machine in the kitchen was as a Lipton one... no BBQ restaurant should be serving Lipton iced tea.

The food here is delicious and portions are generous so there's always leftovers. Ordered ribs and brisket with fries, tater tots, and mac and cheese. The meat was juicy and tender and they have a variety of sauces to go with it. Fries and tots were crisp and nicely seasoned and mac was cheesy with a crispy panko crust. Servers are really nice and will give recommendations when asked.

Amazing date night or family feast spot in Orange! Came on a Saturday night and was surprised to be seated right away! Great service, food is made fresh on the spot! The Mac n cheese is really amazing and super delicious!! My hubby & I shared the 4 meat platter for $38 with 2 sides and added an extra salad too! So much meat !! Steak and brisket are juicy & tasty & delicious! Will come back with the family for some good American bbq!

Mediocre customer service. No refills on water or soda even with more than 6+ people in our party. The person who brought this out brought us this plate with fries and ranch. We asked her to bring us a new ranch because all she had to do was place this on the table and never brought our ranch out nor cleaned the mess she made. Uhhhmazzzzinngg. No extra plates was brought out so we used our appetizer plate. It was hot inside too. Seemed like the AC was broken or something. While my family was eating we're all sweating. Disgusting. So angry because we came here for my father's birthday. The BBQ was mid. None of the fries was even hot. I do not recommend this place to anybody. Terrible experience.

Stumbled across this place by accident. We were craving bbq and decided to go for a drive. After stopping by 2 places that were closed (it's the Friday after Thanksgiving) we just happened to find this place. Best part..... it was happy hour! We ordered 2 house beers, avocado fries and bbq fries. Everything was very tasty and SUPER hot! The avocado fries were excellent, especially with the chipotle ranch they serve it with. The bbq fries were to die for! And everything that we ordered was on the happy hour menu. $6 per item! We will definitely go back here. Orange circle has so many places to shop and eat at but this place is a gem! Service was excellent and the sports games were playing above the bar.

First of all the food was fairly good. However the service could use some improvement. Ordered a soft drink with my food and it was never delivered. Had to have the bill updated to remove the drink. No apologies for the mistake. I think there might be a reason why there was only a hand full of patrons there. Hopefully this place does well during the evening shift.

Came here for dinner. Nice ambiance and good service. Ordered a smoked brisket bites and a salad. Both were very good. Got the 2 meat meal with 1/2 chicken, St. Louis ribs. Sides were tater tots and corn muffins. Check Ken was well seasoned. Ribs very good tater tots excellent and the muffins were good. Prices moderate.

Our server was excellent. I needed a shot of pickle juice and she obliged right away and knew what I needed it for. (Leg cramp) We started with a plate of Burnt Ends and they were fantastic. I had the brisket plate with mac and cheese and corn bread for sides. The brisket literally fell apart and melted in my mouth. I wish it was a little more pink but I still recommend it. My son had the chicken plate with green beans and deviled eggs. He absolutely loved the deviled eggs. And I decided I'm getting the green beans next time. They were crisp and very flavorful. Plus there were fried onions with them. We both thoroughly enjoyed our dinners. The vibe is cool and very laid back.

If you walk in here with a party that is diverse, prepare to be IGNORED. They took a family before us and did NOT acknowledge us being there at all. My dad walked up and asked if we could get a table and was told it would be a wait.. but then a family walks up and is taken to sit right away. We LEFT after this, is 2024 y'all, get with it.

Delicious and savory BBQ, including the sides and sauces. Service was fast and quick. Ambiance is casual as if I was in Texas bar eating BBQ. Highly recommended.

Great barbecue restaurant in Orange! Smoqued offers a variety of barbecued meats (pulled pork, burnt ends, brisket, etc.), along with a number of delicious sides and appetizers. All the meats I tried were great and my favorite sides were the Mac & cheese and deviled eggs. The restaurant has a nice ambiance, with the feel of a traditional barbecue restaurant and is located in Old Towne Orange; the location is convenient if you're in the area but parking can be a challenge during prime times. The service was both friendly and prompt, from the host to the wait staff.

We had a good time and the food was delicious. We had a reservation and were sat immediately. The service started great but slowed a bit as the meal went on, probably because the restaurant filled up and they were having a challenge keeping it up. They also started running out of some meats. That is always a possibility when going to a good BBQ joint and we were fortunate to get everything we ordered. The brisket was awesome. The Mac n cheese and fried pickles were also table favorites. The price has gone up, but it is on par with most BBQ places. Definitely worth checking out.

1. Flavor Enhancement: The BBQ joint in Orange, California, needs to intensify the flavors of their meats by refining seasoning techniques, smoking methods, and quality control over ingredients, ensuring a rich, consistent taste that matches the standards of authentic BBQ. 2. Customer Service: Their service would greatly benefit from a friendlier, more attentive staff who are well-trained in creating a warm, welcoming experience and addressing any customer issues promptly and professionally, fostering a genuine connection with guests. 3. Management Improvements: With a stronger focus on organization and efficiency, the management team could better oversee kitchen timing, front-of-house coordination, and overall cleanliness to elevate both the dining atmosphere and operational reliability.

The service was attentive and quick. The restaurant was clean and had a few large TVs at the bar. I ordered the 3 meat combo and got 3 sides (1 extra). The meat servings were really small. I also got a Diet Pepsi, which was very flat tasting. All for about $44 and some change. The beef sausage was good and the ribs were good as well. As was the brisket, which was sliced into really little pieces. Side: baked beans- tasted average Side : Cole slaw- tasted really basic Side: Mac and cheese- tasted really good I bought the three meat because I wanted to share with wifey, but almost didn't get enough with the 3 meat combo, due to the small serving size of the meats. Would I return? Possibly, but now I know what to get.

A buddy of mine wanted to meet me for lunch on this particular day. He's a very indecisive person so I usually let him pick the place and meet him where he decides. In this particular plan to meet fit lunch he suggested a place that I already knew that the service was slow. I jumped in and recommended Smoqued. I was nervous ( more annoyed) at the fact that he might complain like he usually does. Much to my amazement, he absolutely enjoyed lunch at Smoqued! We started with the fried pickles which were excellent! The brisket plates were off the charts delicious.. Great food, great Sunday afternoon vibes, great service. Truly a hidden gem in the heart of the city of Orange.

Rating: (4/5 stars) Smoqued BBQ delivered a flavorful feast that left me craving more. I indulged in the Burnt Ends with coleslaw and Mac and Cheese, and each dish was a taste sensation. The Burnt Ends were truly mouthwatering, packed with savory flavor that left me wanting more. The Mac and Cheese had that homemade touch, creamy and rich with cheesy goodness. And let's talk about the coleslaw - easily ranking in the top 5 worldwide, it was fresh, crunchy, and bursting with flavor. Thanks to a mistake by the waiter, I had the opportunity to try the brisket sliced, and it was the bomb! Piping hot and fresh, it melted in my mouth with every bite. Although there was a small hiccup with my order initially, the waitress ordered what she wanted me to eat instead of what I ordered, she quickly rectified the mistake with a smile, showcasing excellent customer service. The restaurant itself was clean and inviting, with a few spots for seating outside. The atmosphere was great, and the area had a vibrant energy. While parking was a bit of a challenge, it was acceptable given the overall experience. Despite the minor mishap, I'll definitely be returning to Smoqued BBQ for more of their delicious offerings.

Excellent, Food really good variety. I had their chicken. .. it was delicious Great service the ambience really nice and clean would definitely recommend

Watch out on what they charged you, double check your bank statement!! ! I ordered a pick up and they charged me extra, the receipt shows correct amount but my bank statement was charged $7 extra. Its very unethical on what they did, very disappointed the staffs seem nice but were thiefs to steal your money like that. Remember to put tips on $0 or cross it out if you're not tipping or else they will add extra $$ for themselves!! I know I'm not the first one and won't be the last, very unethical and you guys should be ashamed for doing business like this, never come here again.

Another restaurant I have been missing out on, beyond happy that I finally stepped up and in. Their meats are good quality, prepared right, and a fair ratio of portion to price. I had the chicken and ribs combo plate. Chicken was great, went well with the two sauces on the table (my date had the regular chicken plate). The ribs were the true business, right off the bone! Had me wanting to order another plate on the spot. Got macaroni and cheese on the side as that's a classic to try at any restaurant, another smart move. Welcoming staff, welcoming environment. Our waitress was absolutely awesome. I forgot her name, but she had flower tattoos on her arms. If she is your waitress, anticipate the same friendly support during your meal. The location is by the circle in Orange. Fun shops all around, ample street parking. No regrets, go enjoy yourselves.

Tried this joint and dined with a group after rehearsal dinner. The chicken was amazing, the sausage has a great kick, but the smoked pork and brisket need more flavor and the ribs are dry and underwhelming. We asked for to go boxes more than once and had to wait another 30 minutes to get bags. I'm sure there are better BBQ places to try...

Place was quiet because everyone was licking their fingers and stuffing that good food all up in there. Really tender and well seasoned meat. Friendly and kind service. I will return and try the drinks. I love the retro style and brick exposure.

The food here is amazing! The pulled pork, the Mac and cheese and the fried avocado? Yes, please! I have never ate there and had a bad waiter/waitress. Everyone there is on the ball and super quick to get drinks and food out to everybody.

My girlfriend used to tell me about going to Smoqued all the time when she was at Chapman, so naturally I had to check it out for myself! We decided to stop by Thursday afternoon after work on our way back to LA. There was no wait and were seated immediately, around 5ish or so. We started off with the Mac-n-cheese Shepards Pie. It was amazing and I had to make sure we got that for our 2nd visit! We also tried the ribs, burnt ends, and brisket. All of the meats were tender and so flavorful. We enjoyed everything we had. Be warned that sometimes they do run out of ribs and chicken (this happened on our most recent trip). Also, we were quoted a 2 hour wait on Saturday night but it turned out to be a 45 minute wait only.

This is the best brisket I have had in California, and better then several places in Texas. I was able to order moist outside cut, trim the fat, and they knew what I was asking for, so that is a good start. The St. Louis ribs came easily off the bone the way I like it. I did not care for the rub on the ribs, it reminded me of cinnamon, I'm not sure that's what it was, but a bit more black petter and maybe some spicy paprika would have livened up the flavors some. The St Louis ribs still had the cartilage in so not perfect, imm no prefer trimmed ribs where this is removed. As for the sides, the deviled eggs were an interesting touch, had a piece of bacon on top. Relatively mild, but a rounded good flavor. The coleslaw was the part that I could not totally get my head around. It was "creamy" evident from the white liquid at the bottom of the odd shaped metal(!) serving dish, but it tasted strong of vinegar. The chef might want to take a chemistry class, do NOT put an acid in stainless steel, it will release parts of the metal and flavor it. I think this is what I was having a problem with. The sweet balance was ok, just the metallic flavor was off putting. They had two sauces on the table, one labeled Smoqued BBQ the other Habanero RAZ. Both were mild, good sweetness balanced, meaning not too sweet. I would have added some black pepper to the regular and picked up the heat of the habanero and maybe offer a sissy sauce like the original. I highly recommend the brisket, made me homesick for Texas.

Tried this place for the first time and it was incredible! Juicy meat, fresh delicious sides, and excellent service! Their ranch and habanero bbq (the orange colored one) is so good. If you enjoy proper bbq, this place is a must try. They also have beer and wine and a bar section. It's kid friendly!

Came for dinner on Saturday. Margot was our server and she did a good job of making us enjoy our experience. The interior is not as big as I expect looking from the outside, but it was well arranged and I loved the feel. It went very well with the food. The burnt ends, were great! 10/10 in flavor, juiciness, and tenderness. Made from their brisket. The corn bread, was delicious. Probably one of the best corn bread I have ever enjoyed. 10/10 The brisket...strangely, I did not enjoy as much as the burnt ends. They were tender and juicy. I just felt too salty and it had a strange after taste to me. 7/10. I'll probably try another entree next time.

I wanted to find a different BBQ place to eat, I found Smoqued BBQ in Orange, right on Glassel. It was a Saturday around 5:30 pm, and it wasn't difficult to find street parking. After leaving the car, I could smell the hickory or applewood smoke! The restaurant is housed in an old brick bldg, and the brick wall give it a cool vibe. We had to wait ten minutes for our table and it gave us the oppurtunity to look at a few of the neighboring shops. I liked the vintage record store. I asked my son if he had every used a record player, he said No...I ordered a St. Louis Rib plate with Mac & cheese and coleslaw. My so got a 3 Meat Combo - brisket, pulled pork, and hot link with a side of chili mac and candied bacon. The food came out quickly and now it was time to enjoy. We love BBQ and have been to many Que joints. The service was quick and the staff friendly. My half rack of ribs were tender and moist, meaty, I especially liked the habanero Razz sauce, it has a peppery flavor, without the heat. I really enjoyed the macaroni and cheese which is served in a small cast iron skillet. My son is more finicky, he said he liked the hot link and candied bacon the most. The total was $72.19 for us. It was enjoyable, and a good time!

Cool vibes- service was great and food was pretty good! But my goodness---- THE RANCH?! OUT OF THIS WORLD - The veggies were perfectly cooled as well as the meat but I drenched everything in the ranch! It was fantastic. Would come just for the ranch lol

WOW, it really pains me to have to write this bad review AGAIN...as this place has certainly had it's ups and downs with me through the years.. I came here for my birthday and man what a regret and I DON'T say that lightly, this simply might be the last straw for me. Starting with the candied bacon, it was terrible, the bacon was suffering from rigamortis, very hard to chew like really bad not to mention someone forgot the most important thing.. to actually candie them, they were not syrupy and sweet like they usually are. The ribs and brisket were simply not good, the brisket was WAY over salted, and the fat not properly rendered. The ribs were not seasoned the way they are done usually, they typically have a very distinct taste, this time was a NO. The ONLY bright spot was the Mac and cheese, that's it... Anyhow, it seems like they keep going through pitmasters and chefs, with BBQ heating up, locally I hope they get their S%*t together...A birthday dinner wasted..

I'm sorry to say I was disappointed in the pulled pork sandwich. It was terribly fatty. However the beans and the service were terrific. I just would not ordered the barbecue pulled pork.

Really excellent BBQ. I think the brisket is a must try. My wife and I have been here a couple of times. The Mac and cheese is very good. The avocado fries are good although I'd recommend a bit more salt. The stand out is the bacon. You must try the bacon!! It's amazing. Definitely worth the cholesterol. but seriously... Bacon!!!

I'm taking points off for the bald manager or host. His shit ass attitude and stare really set me off. One of the girl server was whatever too, but the other girl was great. Food: Mac & Cheese - 5/5 it was sooo good. Star of the show Brisket - 5/5 very soft Chicken - 4.5/5 very soft and flavorful Ribs - 3.5/5 quite hard and seems old

I really like this spot, lately been coming with my GF after a baseball game. We had the Two Meat Brisket, the Mac N Cheese was out of this world. Definitely hit it out of the ball park with the service! the manager was an awsome guy and very attentive. Look forward in coming back.

For socal bbq, this place will satisfy you. For authentic southern bbq, you may have a culture shock. The staff are very friendly, though they recommended the green beans (undercooked) and I did not enjoy them.