The Smokehouse

Absolutely loved this BBQ spot! The food was packed with flavor—perfectly cooked, tender, and seriously delicious. The friendly staff made the experience even better; they were welcoming, attentive, and made us feel right at home. Great atmosphere, great service, and amazing BBQ. Can’t wait to come back! 🔥🍖

The best BBQ I've had from a restaurant ever!!! Hole in the wall spot that serves up great food, sweet tea that should be illegal, lol, and friendly staff that welcome you in like family. Happy hour prices on point!!

My first time and although I didn’t post pics of our food, take my word it was delicious. Brisket sandwiches were a good size and fair amount of meat. Brisket junior was a pretty good size too. On my next visit, I will definitely be trying other items on the menu. Great location, pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff.

Really good meats as usual! The chicken had a perfect smoky flavor & the brisket was perfect. I come mainly for the brisket. The beans were a little salty today, but the rice was very good. The only disappointing thing was the sauce was given in little containers that you normally get salad dressing. There was enough sauce, but it was so watered down that it was just awful. And it's a tasty sauce, which is too bad. Luckily, the meats were perfect as always. So, I will definitely go back and get the usual perfect sandwich instead of a plate. Remember that this is a dive. That is part of the attraction. 10/10 going back for the sandwich.

This is BBQ done wrong! This can't even be considered BBQ by Texas standards. Brisket without a smoke ring? Watch videos and they'll teach you to make better food. The Brisket had no flavor. Not salt, not seasonings, not even a smoke flavor. The chicken was finished cooking 4 hours ago but they continued cooking it and then served it to us. The sausage was horribly disgusting. I spit it out immediately. The skin was crispy but the inside was like mushy turkey burger. The beans and green beans were ok. Brisket fries had no flavor either. Not an enjoyable meal at all. Heed my warning y'all, drive further for better food.

Is it the best BBQ ever? No. Does it have an amazing setting? No. Does it have bbq when you need it as fast as you can get it without ridiculous wait times and without running out? HELL YES!!! It is an older place, probably from the 80s, there may be people there with only one eye, and the toilet may not flush when you need it, but dang it, that brisket sandwich and the family platter comes out when you are starving and you can't bear to eat any drive thru sodium death wish. When the other smokehouses are wheezing, they're still chugging that smokestack here all day long. And the staff is as sweet as grandma intended. Brisket ✅ Sausage ✅ Ribs ✅ Sweet Tea ✅ Healthy Options 🤣

So I debated on making this review because I'm not trying to be mean, so I ordered your dash and my order came to me pretty quickly so I was pretty pleased about that, it probably only took maybe 20 minutes for me to get my order from the time I placed it to the time and arrived at my door so it's like I could have driven there in the same amount of time. Very important factor here. NOW , LET'S JUST JUMP INTO IT. When I received this barbecue plate, the ribs were okay, a little dry but they were okay, the brisket was absolutely horrible. It looked like it had been sitting out for at least 3 days, it was extremely dry, drier than Jack Link's beef jerky. And the oxidation was insane. It literally look like it was old brisket from at least 3 weeks prior, can't stop it all off my food had hair in it. Some people just have no standards when it comes to serving their customers delicious barbecue. Terrible terrible terrible.

Let me just say I found my new BBQ spot great food great prices 😋Turkey legs 🍗 and chopped burger so yummy

This is BBQ done wrong! This can't even be considered BBQ by Texas standards. Brisket without a smoke ring? Watch videos and they'll teach you to make better food. The Brisket had no flavor. Not salt, not seasonings, not even a smoke flavor. The chicken was finished cooking 4 hours ago but they continued cooking it and then served it to us. The sausage was horribly disgusting. I spit it out immediately. The skin was crispy but the inside was like mushy turkey burger. The beans and green beans were ok. Brisket fries had no flavor either. Not an enjoyable meal at all. Heed my warning y'all, drive further for better food.

I have been going here for 50 years since it was Bobs. Since they have Larry still cooking it has remained good until lately. The only thing I can think of is they are now using below standard meat for brisket. I purchased brisket by the pound which is off the charts expensive but my meat was fatty and stringy. Last visit was dry. I just cannot waste my money on this. Very sad because this was my go to for so long.

My wife and I were heading back from a weekend vacation and really wanted BBQ. Of course we prefer to give our money to a mom and pop shop or a franchise not available near us, but in this case, it left us a bit disappointed. I ordered the brisket and sausage plate.. The brisket we mostly fat and once trimmed that of, was like 4 bites and I really wasn't a fan of the flavor of the sausage. The okra wasn't bad (hard to screw up fried okra unless it's in the fryer too long) and def liked the cream corn. That corn had a very good flavor and was pretty tasty I also tried the peach cobbler and it was def a miss (1) it tasted like was fresh out of the refrigerator so very cold when I was hoping for warm or room temp and 2) it was nearly all breading and not much peach, and the breading was flavorless as well). Overall being a BBQ lover born and raised in the South, I might be a bit too picky, but this didn't hit the spot at all, so next time in this part of the state, I'll look elsewhere if wanting BBQ

We passed this smokehouse and came back to try it as it was happy hour. We got the turkey legs and Ribs Okra and green beans, the turkey legs were so good and very big and tender. The green beans was not what I was expecting they tasted like can beans with good flavor broth. The Okra was hot and very good. The worst were the ribs they were hard and some areas were very tender but mostly tough. I was really hope that they were a wow but maybe next time or not. The lady at the register was so sweet and so was the other lady. The restroom was clean, but no running warm water. The restaurant was really busy so maybe we just got a very bad batch of Ribs. Well till next time hopefully

I USED TO love this place. I would only place to go orders and the food WAS amazing. I just ordered through a delivery app and will probably never order again. I paid almost 30 bucks for one plate and an extra side. The brisket was super dry, they only gave 1 rib and it was super thin, the sausage was mushy on the inside, the rice has zero flavor, the potato salad tasted like HEB potato salad and the green beans had a funky taste.

Great food friendly staff. I really enjoyed the food and service more than anything. The atmosphere was pleasant and up to my standards.

What could improve, everything. Meat Portions are small, two tablespoons of bar b q sauce given with meal. Condiments are very limited. The service was ok. However the ambiance, well, low rate. Music from a boom box, unattended kid with loud music from an iPad. Never will I return. I know much better bar b Que can be found else where, where one can enjoy a well served meal with nice ambiance. This is a low budget, low expectation experience place.

My husband and I got variety plates of sausage, brisket, and chicken (with different sides). Everything was so so good but I think the brisket was my favorite!

If I could give this place zero stars I would , got 2 turkey legs and they were terrible .undersized, the meat was super dry and tasted like they had just been re-heated There's a reason why this place always looks empty , since the original owner Bob passed away it's nothing like it used to be

Called to place a large order. Refused to honor their posted prices on their website. Didn't even make it on the door before I got a horrible impression.

Wow! We were in town visiting our son at Lackland & The Smokehouse was down the street. OMG, their food was fabulous. Their service was friendly, very efficient and polite. Talk about southern hospitality! I don't know where the 2 bad reviews came from, but the food here was very good. Their smoked brisket was smooth with good flavor. If you want lean meat, you probably should have a steak at a foofy place. My wife said the Mac n Cheese was the best she's ever had. It was under $40 to feed 4 people with the large portions given. I guess I'm use to California prices. Lamb plate: tender, fall off the bone tasty Pork Rib plate: great fall off the bone ribs Brisket & Sausage "Manwich": the meats were so tender & tasty I wish we has this restaurant in Ca?

My fam. All ate recently about 25 of us all in town for my mom's passing,it was the best, food was delicious & service we got was so hospitable! We ate & reminisced, a great memory in our sad times! We didn't want to leave The Smokehouse.

Food was good as always highly recommend the potato salad and creamed corn, left completely full

I ordered the Manwich today and it was not good. Dry chicken and dry sausage. Then about 20 minutes after eating I got sick. Awful.

The older lady serving the food was VERY rude and disrespectful , she using profanity when was told about missing item from my plate . " you f-ing kidding me !?" She was very rude to coworkers as well. Brisket was very , a whole of cream in the cream of corn( where's the corn ) , sausage was old , the ribs didn't have flavor , potato salad had no salt. BUT the sweet tea was good but they never refilled the can :/

The ribs were amazing and practically brought me to tears as I feasted upon them. The fried okra and Mac and cheese were both heavenly and warmed my soul. However the brisket was a little dry but none the less was the best dry brisket I've ever eaten.

The mike house is a or retry solid selection if you are in the mood for some Bar BQ. There was no wait and the food came out quick. Overall food prices were pretty good and my kids enjoyed all of the meat and side selections

Gross! Very disappointed in my meal for my family this Friday evening. The Mac n cheese was disgusting, the potato salad was hot and more like a sweet mashed potato. I asked for lean brisket and didn't get that either! Just all around horrible and sad too because I've always eaten here and it use to be good.

Where to begin on the disappointment... This place used to be one my favorite BBQ places. Took the family to lunch today and this was a bummer. My dad wanted to go there because he remembered how great it once was when I took him about 10 years ago. I will say I haven't been here personally in about a year. The interior needs a lot of love. There is more focus on the children's play area, and mind you, the average parent wouldn't want little ones touching those nasty looking toys. And don't even ask about the restrooms. Just bring your own antibacterial hand cleaner. The sausage at smoke house used to be worth the drive. Today, I wouldn't even give it to my dogs. The brisket was ok, but no where near as great as it once was. The creamed corn...... well it was white, but not sure I'd call it cream. Think 'Ponds' hand lotion. The beans were still good as remembered. The ribs looked could have used more meat in the bone, but done well. I'm not sure the owners care as much as they once did or if time has expanded my pallet, but it was not the experience I was hoping to share with my family. We all left kind of let down, Rudy's would have been a better option.

This is the nastiest bbq i have had in my life. Nothing had flavor. Brisket was nothing but fat and tough, how is fat tough. Anyways the top of the ribs were burnt. The cream corn was disgusting i wouldn't evan call it cream. The French fries were far from cooked. Its like they just cut the potatoes up and put them on the tray with no salt or pepper and watery cheese the bbq sauce seemed to be very much watered down as well. The sausage is so gross i wouldnt feed it to my dog. I cant believe the place is still in business. 15years ago it was ok not great but eatable. Today i wouldn't recommend this bbq for ANYONE'S stomach not evan Animals it would be so sad. This place is gross!!!!

Stopped here for a bite to eat on our way through town. Not necessarily quick food but that's okay! The food was delicious. I had brisket nachos and my husband had the two meat plate of brisket and ribs. Everything was hot and filling. They had the UTSA football game on TV and we could talk easily and hear each other.

Go in for the same thing everytime. Rib plate with mac and cream corned. Half a pound of brisket with a side of mac. The lady at the register could not get the rib plate right even the servers asked what it was. Then everything put into one box. I asked if they put the plates together and the asnwer was yes. Mines was shit. Did not get did you want them separate even though the ticket has 2 diff plates. So sad how 4 women cannot read or hear.

This place was disappointing...first off the guy cutting the meat up did not have on any gloves and was touching the meat with his bare hands....the actual food wasn't good. The ribs and brisket was super dry and bland and the sides were unseasoned and bland as well. The Bbq sauce had the consistency of water....and the lemonade tasted like the machine needed to be cleaned.

The brisket is amazing but the sides are not very satisfying. I would not go back. Staff was nice but I need great sides with my bbq.

I give this place 5 stars. I try to come here once a week because the pork ribs are the best I've ever had. I haven't really figured out what sides are my favorite, but by the time I finish the pork ribs I'm so full that the sides really don't matter to me. I do like their rice and beans but haven't figured out whether I like those or the cream corn more. If you're ever looking for a good Bbq sauce... The Smokehouse is the place to go. It's more water based but it's so delicious and perfect. Of course, I'm a Texan, so you know sweet tea is important to me. The sweet tea here is what dreams are made of lol. Like I've said before, we're one of those people that go into the restaurant 30 min before we close. The people are so sweet though and serve us with smiles. I like going in and making small talk with them. They're very social. This place will forever be my favorite Bbq place.

The lamb ribs were amazingly delicious! They were tender and fell off the bone! Definitely 5 stars

So...I ordered the brisket and rib plate they had on special, came with 2 sides...I chose beans and mac and cheese, since they reheat well. Pro: " Slap your cardiologist" pork ribs. I am not usually a fan, because they have bits of hard gristle that ruins the perfect bite and drowning in sauce...all worth it here. Dry rub and so tender and flavorful...no sauce is welcome to interfere. The brisket, also competing for your favorite cute. The marbeling melts in your mouth. Con: Pinto beans have been hit or miss. They have been tasty or tastless. The Mac and cheese was suspiciously straight from a box. Conclusion: Their protein game is on point. Their sides are inconsistent or shrugged off. I'd love see some scratch artisan efforts on that Mac and Cheese.

This is it, you've found it. The place to get decent BBQ in San Antonio on a consistent basis. Now it's a trek to the Southeast side so while you're down here you might as well pick up some tamales from Ruben's across the street and the pilgrimage will be complete. (that is if Ruben's has any tamales left and if you want to stand in line for an hour.) This is not, however, a review on Ruben's but on the true blue south Texas pit boss in The Smokehouse who deals out some mighty fine cue along with a commandant hue. I believe we could refer to him as the cue Nazi! Most eccentric masters of their craft demand perfection from their customers. My son and I approached the counter, next in line, and having experienced the modus operandi in the past, I prepared to bark out my meat order. "Watch you need boss?!?" he hollered from the pits. "I'll take...." I began "Not you! I was talking to him." he pointed to my befuddled son. "Go ahead." I nudged. Watching his initiation into the world of cue etiquette made me a bit misty eyed I must admit. Hearing him call out the meat by the pound while intermittently glancing towards me in affirmation was a Texas rite of passage. Let no pitmaster hereafter strike fear into the heart of my son! Next up sommeliers. The brisket here has charred seasoned edges with tender juicy middles just below the pinkish smoke ring. Well seasoned and well cooked if you remember to ask for it from the "wet" end like a good Texan. Tangy vinegar sauce adds a nice compliment to the meat if you should choose to use it. Sop up the crispy bits with white bread and sauce for the finale. Roland and Rigsby and know what you want before you step up to the counter.

Back during the summer of 2009, I decided I would make it my goal to visit all Texas Monthly 2008 Top 50 BBQ places in one years' time. I figure it is only fair to write reviews for them. This was actually my third time to come here... but only the first to get to eat. Once I was too early in the day (and couldn't make it back) and the other they were closed for a christmas/winter break. So when I finally made it back through and knew they would be open, I was excited. Went with the ever popular brisket and sausage, and for good measure added their weekend special of beef short ribs. The trophy by the window advertising a first place finish for beef ribs in a San Antonio competition convinced me to try it over the pork. This came with the standard sides of beans and potato salad, and for once... sauce on the side without even needing to ask. Right away I noticed two things about the sausage that brought my hopes down. It was dry, and it was beef. Not that I don't like beef sausage, but I don't really need an over load of beef, and now wished I had tried pork ribs instead. That thought became even more apparent when I tried the beef short rib and tasted how dry and fatty they were. I actually had to precision cut fat away because it was too much and was like trying to tear apart greasy bubble gum. Brisket also had a bit of an issue with too much fat. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fatty only brisket guy, but in doing so I expect the fat to be rendered and tender. This was a shame as the brisket itself was perfectly smokey and had a beautiful salty bark that just burst in flavor with the meat. I'm going to cut them slack and say it was a bad day, as all my meat had poorly rendered fat and seemed over cooked, so I will be back. However what knocked off a star anyway was the service and sides. Both were bad. Sides alone, beans were so unflavoreful, even worst than canned beans. Potato salad had no spices, it was like eating mushy potatoes with cheap mustard.

One of the best BBQ places I've been to here in San Antonio. Most of the time the spots are too salty, dry, or the sauce is blah. The meat here was tender and didn't need BBQ sauce at all. They also have smoked lamb which I've never seen that option any place else. I woulda given it 5 stars if the sides were good... but they were horrible.

This place is out of the way but worth the drive. Stick with the brisket and sausage. The rest of the menu is just so-so. The atmosphere is not very appealing, but hey you are here for the BBQ! It is nice to be able to see your food being prepared right in front of you and be able to get it how you like it.

This place needs some work on keeping there bbq fresh and still juicy. I ordered 1/4 of lean brisket and 1/4 of chicken Breast and it was mostly dry, almost like a jerky. compared to other local bbq restaurants this is on the bottom of the chart.

Not a bad BBQ joint but they need to do some work on the sides. The brisket was well cooked with a nice bark and the pork ribs tasty and flavorful. We also had mac and cheese, potato salad an neither was very good. The mac and cheese lacked flavor and was very over cooked and the PS tasted like it was out of a bucket. They offer a few desserts but they also lacked flavor (pies). The bottom line here is that they know how to cook BBQ so if you are in the area, it is a good place to go. The brisket and bacon sandwich sounds good but the bacon is out of place. Just go for the brisket or ribs and you'll leave happy.

Coming back from Cali I was craving some good TX barbecue. I took a frienfs word and tried out the Smokehouse. I will never eat there again. The plates were reasonably priced and the portions were a good size. I had the brisket, sausage and rib playe. The ribs were a little over cooked yet still fell off the bone. The sausage wasn't to bad. Nothing special about it either. I got the marble cut brisket and I will say it was the hardest marble cut I have ever eaten. It was a bit chewey and had a jerkey type of texture. I think next time I will stick to Rudys. Oh on a good note, the sweet tea was delicious.

This is THE BBQ place in San Antonio. Don't sleep or lie to yourself. Don't deprive your family or friends either, order the #8 aka THE RODEO PLATE. Order 2 actually. The sauce is on the tables, so don't ask at the window for sauce. All sides are excellent, I like rice & potato salad though. There's Windows now so you can share your best BBQ face w/ the intersection of ROLAND & RIGSBY. Don't be shy.

The typical New Yorker is a connoisseur of the fine art of pizza and hot dog eating. So much so it becomes encoded in their genetic makeup. In San Antonio we know barbeque and thus, the relationship is just the same. Whether we enjoy it in a backyard setting or the fanciest restaurant the subtle art of barbecuing is fierce here. After a conference a coworker and I had attended we had some spare time for a lunch break. The Smokehouse was suggested as a place to eat and when it comes to barbeque I am all mouth and ears. So I said, " Why not." The place itself is small. There is somewhat ample parking here. Inside tries to give the impression of a bbq smoke house, with the smell of brisket and sausage slowly cooking. Instead it had the feel of a level down Grady's. There are lines separated by chain link strips where you place your order. Inside a window staff person takes your order and you are given a number. This is where my first critique comes in, the menu is confusing. I wasn't sure of the combos, or more importantly what constituted as one. Could I add or substitute items to my order? In terms of the service, at least in my experience the staff seemed indifferent and not too friendly. For example when I had the glazed look of confusion on my face, rather than make a suggestion the server gestured for me to hurry up. So I opted for a simple brisket sandwich, potato salad and a drink. I must add that the prices for things seemed a smidge high, especially for this area. Over the P.A. a server with a voice less discernible than the teacher from Charlie Brown calls out your number. After picking up my plate I glanced at it and was struck by how small the portion was. Famished I ate into the sandwich and my initial impression, the meat was criminally dry. In addition it seemed a bit bland. I became suspicious when i saw a bottle of barbecue sauce displayed prominently on the table. I sprinkled a few drops in my sandwich. Sadly It could not liven up nor disguise the shortcomings of the meat. The potato salad portion, more befitting a Hobbit was a bit lackluster; a bit heavy on the egg, without the umph of a superior one. I did however like the choice of decorations in the room. It had the theme of pigs on the tables and everyplace else, which I thought was clever. Unfortunately that would not carry unto their food or more poignantly, my experience here. The Smokehouse is a bbq joint located in an area bursting with great eateries. In any case this place does not carry in that tradition. The service is neither here nor there. And the food was lacking. Luckily for me as a Texan I am cautiously optimistic. Good bbq experiences can still be had here and are as perennial as the Bluebonnets that grow along I-10.

We stopped in on the way to San Antonio from Houston looking for good BBQ as we are quite the barbecue enthusiasts. We got here at 7:00 on a Friday night and the lobby of tables was closed (luckily they let us sit down because they weren't very busy). We ordered our food, got it pretty quickly and ate. I ordered a pound of ribs; they had good taste, but were quite burnt.(I have very high standards for ribs, the likes of Rudy's). If that's what you want, don't come here. The brisket was okay, the potato salad and coleslaw was bad! Wasn't bad, but wouldn't return.

The brisket is the best in the city in my opinion. The down side is that they sell out really quickly! I honestly don't believe anyone else can compete with them. I'm not a huge fan for the sides but All i need is some brisket with potato bread. Yum!

I went to this 3yrs ago and did not have a problem then..but I decided. .well my hubby decided th is was the place to go for good BBQ. .wrong...I decided to get a sausage plate and potatoe salad..the sausage was VERY dry and the potatoe salad was bland .oh don't even get me started with that sad excuse for a BBQ sauce..watery and watery ..lol...no flavor what so ever I thought it was bad just to find out it was a new batch...oh man...my hubby for the BBQ sandwich and the grease on those things..gross ..as you know pic speak for themselves. .unfortunately I don't have a picture of the BBQ sandwiches because someone ate them to quick:( ..you know why I'm yelping this and not him..at least someone got something out of it. ..he did say afterwards that he had bad heartburn and taste burnt..looked like it had been recooked to me..guess it should have stayed Bob's

I love this place. The brisket is always so good. COME HERE FOR THE BRISKET! It's not in the best part of town but sometimes the best food is found in the worst parts of town :D (NOTE: They are now called "The Smokehouse" and the building has been painted over. When it was "Bob's" there were written "advertisements" all over the outside but I think the new owners wanted to clean it up. And it definitely is cleaner than what I remember inside. Last I heard, there were some tax "issues" which prompted the new ownership and probably the renovations.) Anyway, I have lots of fond memories of this place. Every summer, I'd fly out to visit my grandparents with my family, and we'd always come here and order the brisket. My grandfather owned the property that's now some sort of health clinic (I think) across the street from Bob's so he knew Bob and all Bob's kids/grandkids, many of whom still work there to this day. They always hook us up when we tell them we're "Bob Lee's grandsons".... but I wouldn't recommend that *you* try the same thing, especially if you're not Chinese :P There were these 'apple pear' trees in the backyard where my grandfather's store/home was, so we would use the contraptions he created (a Folgers can with a "V" cut out on one edge, attached to a long wooden stick) and collect fresh apple pears to eat later. I digress.... Anyway, a trip here wouldn't be complete without stopping off at Ruben's across the street and picking up a batch of their delicious, mouth-watering, lard-boiled tamales. They're to die for! Our favorite has always been to get brisket here, get some Ruben's tamales, and get some flour tortillas from Alamo Cafe. Slice up the brisket, place in tortilla, pour some bbq sauce over, roll it up, and eat it up w/ the tamales! I'm drooling just thinking about it.

UPDATED: Went to the the Smokehouse on Sunday. Brisket is amazing, sausage is decent, the chicken was good. The baked beans were bland, the rice was pretty good. The inside is really nice and air conditioned and the people are pleasant. The one and original Bob's smokehouse. My grandfather owned the store across the street in the 50's and knows the original owners and their family. I practically grew up on this bbq, especially the brisket and the sauce. Nothing in the west coast compares to this meat. You have to try it to believe it. It looks like a shack from the outside, but the smell is amazing. I feel at home when walking in there, no thrills local type of place with no AC and fans blowing. If you want real Texas BBQ, come here.

Great brisket. Awesome homemade bacon. Mac n Cheese was creamy but the flavor could use a lift. Potato salad had great flavor, I wasn't used to the chunky mashed potato texture. Small portions but I only paid less than 12 bucks for sliced brisket and two sides. All in all, a decent spot for BBQ at dinner time in San Anton.

It's no longer called "Bob's Smokehouse," but rather "The Smokehouse" now - so don't get worried if you drive by this place and the sign is different. This place was a real surprise on the SE side of San Antonio. I went here on a lunch break and after reading a few review on here, decided to stick solely with only the brisket plate, with a side of cole slaw and potato salad. The BBQ sauce was just okay, a little too sweet for my taste, but the good thing is that the brisket is so good that you really don't need too much sauce! The plate also came with pickles, onions, and 2 slices of white bread. I'd like to give this place more stars, but really, the only thing that was amazing about it was the brisket. The sides were just okay with an average potato salad of mayo/potatoes/a little pickle but nothing really to make it stand out and the cole slaw wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything great either - much like a homemade/crisper/fresher version of KFC coleslaw. Really, I say the best thing about this place is the brisket. It has that great smokey flavor as the restaurants name would suggest and when you get the slices of the meat on your plate, you can really see that nice red smoke ring around it. For me, I'd definitely come back, but it would only be because of the brisket - in fact, that same day I was debating just stopping by and getting a pound of brisket to bring home!

5 Sept 2014 The Smokehouse, San Antonio Eastside, 3*** It's been more than a decade since I stopped in here. Actually, it was still Bob's at the time. Back then the parking lot was constantly packed, today t'was half packed. Character: 4****,An old joint, the remodeled inside looks like Snoga's. The outside's white now, I remember it be some dark color. Decently clean from what I saw but I didn't go looking around. Service: 3***, They've got an order window and a pickup window next to each other. The staff was friendly but were a little inattentive to the details. For example, I ordered the usual, half pound of brisket. The menu says $1 extra for lean, which I wouldn't want, but got anyway. Also, they asked to confirm dine-in, but they packed it to go. Food/Quality: 3***, Half pound of brisket, side of beans, and water, "free" white bread. The brisket came out lean, hmm, I didn't order that. The fresh slices were from two different parts. A couple were typical lean flat, supertrimmed. A couple more slices were cut from a thicker section but barely marbled and no fat anywhere. So, aside from the wrong cut being served, let's take a look. Nice dark bark, and deep smoke ring appearance I liked (aside from the missing fat). A pull from the end showed good tenderness and was decent smoke flavor, but nothing else. 3*** for the brisket. The sauce or wet red watery stuff, no flavor, but some of the drier slices needed it. 1*. The pinto beans were homemade and very tasty, 4****. Fresh "free" white bread. Value: 3***, $13/#, too much for dry stuff, ~$2 for tasty beans, ok, "free" white bread for $0.10. It was ~$10 for my order. Overall recommendation: Decent place, but I'm rarely in the area. Be clear with your order and you might get what you like. follow My Year of Que at http://goo.gl/GMFQ4n

A friend of mine in good faith ordered at least 10 lbs of pulled pork for a function at work. I had heard stories that this was not the same Smokehouse as I remembered back in the 80s. Our order today confirms that. The meat tasted as if it had been cooked over bags of wet charcoal. It was burnt ashy in flavor with no seasoning. I suspect that it may have been recooked. Basically it was coal roasted pork kinda dry and with some generic bbq sauce poured over not even mixed in. It is definitely not the kind of bbq I come to expect out of anywhere. Especially since there's so much competition out there. It tasted like bbq you get at someone's backyard where they say yeah I can bbq then use green wood and lots of lighter fluid.

I must say that I was utterly disappointed - I had no clue that Bob's had closed around 2003 but when it reopened, it was no longer run by the Wells family but by Luis Limon and his family - the food was good but it was not Bob's BBQ - the ribs fell off of the bone but lacked flavor and the links were definitely not Pete's or any other well known links - the pinto beans and potato salad were a bit bland - I probably would have been better off at Bill Miller's BBQ, a BBQ chain - well, on second thought, I would not have reduced myself to that low level

Very good BBQ!! On very few occasions I have gotten a few bad slices of brisket but that has and never will prevent me from coming back. I have tasted every meat on the menu and have never been disappointed!

While visiting San Antonio from Kentucky... This place was recommended for their good B-BQ. It was excellent! The "Grill Master & Grill Master, Jr. " we're friendly, funny & welcoming. This place does NOT disappoint & I highly recommend it! Excellent pork ribs & Spectacular lamb ribs! WOW! We'll see you the next time we're in San Antonio!

The Smokehouse is one of the better BBQ joints in San Antonio, although as I've said before, that's not really saying much. Located on the SE side at the corner of Roland and Rigsby, its a little out of the way but worth the drive. I was in for lunch today and had the brisket and rib plate with a link of sausage for good measure. Here's the breakdown... Pork Ribs - 4.5 stars - very tender, good flavor, not quite falling off the bone but close Sausage - 4 stars - beef, yet still juicy and flavorful Brisket - 3 stars - a little tough on this visit, but it still had good bark, smoke ring and rub - usually its 4 star The potato salad was fine, but the beans were awful and seemed to lack any flavor whatsoever. Service was fine - decor is ok