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Went here on Saturday and it was packed to the brim. They clearly didn't anticipate the hustle of people who didn't want to cook on the weekend but the owner handled starving Brooklynites with patience. I had the pulled pork sandwich with greens. The pork was great, not too sweet and they serve a healthy portion. Popular items they ran out of early: catfish and mac & cheese. Which only makes me want to go back next Saturday and try them both. (When the mac ran out for my order, I was given fries and grilled corn on the cob as a substitute). One note: perhaps b/c of the limited menu, you've gotta buy your sides separately. But they're definitely big enough to make it worth the $4. The decor is real basic and rustic (unfinished wood tables, a coupla faux lanterns, iced tap water in pitchers for self-serve). Dinner ran me about $16. I saw a couple having a wine bottle uncorked so I think it may be BYOB. Anyone else with a review? It was kinda neat to watch the cooks toss fresh chickens in the oven and slice meat off a brisket. Hopefully they'll expand to delivery at some point (maybe wishful thinking).
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I went on sunday (i'll write up a full detail review with pics on clinton hill blog soon) and it was really really good. good portions for the price. (9/10 for half slab of pork ribs 18/20 for a full rack, sammiches were $7). every thing is a la carte. mac and cheese is $4 but most of the other sides were around $2. They serve beer and have a nice selection of micro brews. I heard they plan on delivery service in the future (I asked one of the people working there).
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I actually overheard another patron remarking on how good the beer is, but couldn't see the label and was too lazy to ask which one it was.
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Picture it: A cold and rainy Brooklyn night. The sweet smell of smoked meat. Some very hungry people.
I went on Friday (and escaped the crowds, I guess). The Smoke Joint is the kind of BBQ place where you place your order yourself, and having some experience with BBQ joints around this great country of ours, we alloted more than an hour for our dining experience.
I order the Baby (Got) Back Ribs, G ordered the Hacked and Stacked Pork Sandwich. We also got a side of fries (spicy!) and a side of delicious mac and cheese. While we waited, we sipped on the lovely Porkslap beer (had to get it with a name like that!). They have a variety of beers in the can and bottle, as well as Boylan sodas.
We had settled down to wait for our food, but I was ready quite quickly (by BBQ standards). Ben (co-owner) was slinging the pork and beef that night and personally brought our order to our table. The daughters of the other owner, Craig, were manning the register with a smile. Although it wasn't crowded on Friday, I think Ben was a little overwhelmed with the demand. What can I say? New Yorkers like their BBQ!
Smoke Joint's BBQ is a dry rub - meaning they rub the meat with special spices before smoking, and only apply BBQ sauce afterwards - as opposed to 'wet' BBQ, where they put the sauce on before the meat goes in the smoker. And I have to say, their ribs have converted me to "dry" bbq lover. They were tender and sweet and perfect. A half order was definitely enough for me. The fries were good and spicy and didn't even need ketchup. Mac and cheese was creamy and delicious. G like his pork sandwich very much - although, the only description I could get out of him was, "Good," which is high praise indeed in his book.
I can definitely see myself going back there often.
More pictures:
http://flickr.com/photos/nicola/archives/date-taken/2006/10/27/ -
Where is this located? (For those of us outside the neighborhood)
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South Elliot and Lafayette.
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homeowner » Where is this located? (For those of us outside the neighborhood)
It's located in LaFu!!!!!
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NIce pic, nicolamj! I definitely want to try this place now!
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I went on Friday as well, and it was busy but not too crowded. We had the hacked and stacked pork platter, the half rack of baby (got) back ribs, brooklyn wings, french fries and greens. The wings were great - a good blend of sweet and spicy. Not too hot for those who desire it, but very moist and tasty. And as mentioned above, the pork was great. Plenty left over from all that food.
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I've been thinking about Smoke Joint for the past 4 days, and finally I got takeout from there last night. I got a pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese. Delicious!! Although the mac and cheese was a bit mild, I thought it was a nice combination with the spicy, flavorful meat. I was starving so I did sort of scarf it down, but I'll definitely be back for another dish soon. I hope 67 Burger is good. I love burger joints, but my favorites are all a good subway ride + walk away.
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Subject: Last Night
Went to The Smoke Joint and it was awesome. I've been waiting for a place like this for a long time. I hope they find success and, with their ribs, I'm sure they will. Hmmm, does Ft. Greene have the best rib places in NY? Check out my post on Chowhound! http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/336311 -
Subject: Great Place!
We have been twice (once eat in once take out) and both experiences have been fantastic. The food is great and the service is excellent. The pulled pork and the beef ribs are my favorites so far and the pickles are great too! The pulled chicken sandwich was great with just the right amount of sauce. The prices are right and the portions are very generous. Here's wishing the guys all the success they deserve for opening such a great place in the hood! -
The Smoke Joint is so, so delicious...we've had their takeout 4-5 times since they opened and every time, it's been excellent. I especially like the spicier, more vinegar-y sauce that we had last week with the pulled pork. Great addition to the neighborhood. BTW: Burger 67 is truly yummy...good-sized burgers, nicely charred on the salty/peppery outside and done perfectly. Excellent spicy fries, too. Unsure if they're open for dinner yet, though...
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We tried to go here last night but couldn't get in and ended up at Burger 67 (see other post). But not only was it way too crowded to get a seat, when we got a drink and then went back at 9:50, it was already closed!! Why on earth would they be closing so early (there were people still inside but no new customers were being allowed), when they're doing such good business?? If they're only going to stay open for the most prime crowded hours, this might have to just turn into the occasional weeknight takeout place, as I'm not into standing and jostling for a table for a half-hour.
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I think they have been busier than usual this past week because of thier Time Out New York write-up. When I went to grab some takeout on Friday night, it was far more crowded than usual and there were many Manhattanites.
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BklynTransplant » ... it was far more crowded than usual and there were many Manhattanites.
how could you tell? were they wearing some sort of name badge, or did they all come on a tour bus?
just kiddin'! yeah, i read that article and i am thrilled for Smoke but i can't wait till the buzz dies down a little so the rest of us can enjoy it in peace 
Get your paws off my canned chicken -
They might have come on a tour bus, now that you mention it...at least 2 of them were clutching their copies of ToNY and discussing Manhattan Bridge traffic.....when you go.....Baby (got) back ribs....mmmmmm......
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escap, they probably close the doors because they were out of food, most likely.
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Yup. It takes hours to make real 'cue. It's not really like there's very much they can do if they start to run out of food. The good thing is at least we'll always know it's fresh.
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I went back on Friday night and it was even better than I remembered. It seems that customers wanted "more umph", according to Ben, so they added additional rub and kicked up the Smoke Joint BBQ sauce with more Chipotle in it. I have to say that it really did make a difference as it just made everything "better". I also think they're getting use to the equipment and the space they have to work in. I tried the Chili too which was really good - no beans, all beef! the Baby (got) Backs were amazing with the additional rub and the spicier bbq sauce on the side. Little know fact - free refills on the (not so) sweet tea! I can drink a gallon of that stuff - it's good. I think they'll be doing delivery soon but wanted people who knew the area better before starting it up - Ben mentioned that they currently accept call in orders for pick up. I do wish they have wet naps, BBQ is a messy food, and an easier way to refill/get drinks. Waiting in the line again takes too long when you're trying to kill the heat that's burning your mouth up.
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I went on Friday night too, and I also thought the pulled pork was better this time around! How interesting that they really did make a change. I have to say, I love this place and their whole attitude. And they do have wet naps! One of the owners (I think? Or maybe just an employee) saw me putting a lot of effort into wiping my hands with my regular napkin, and he quickly retrieved one for me, in addition to clearing our table. So nice.
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Damn, you guys are killing me! I'm definitely gonna have to check it out this week.
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Subject: the smoke joint
I've been to the Smoke Joint twice - once prior to all the reviews and once after - and i must say that they took the reviews to heart! It seemed like they left what was working alone and revamped some of the problem dishes (like the mac n cheese - so amazing now - and the hacked meats). It's a work in progress, they say. What a great addition to the neighborhood! -
Mmmmmmmm. Just finished an order of ribs, hacked chicken, smoked greens and slaw. Food good. Stomach happy.....
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so you opted to go to an early dinner in order to beat the rush and ensure you got what you wanted, huh?>
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Yup, I called ahead and ordered it for pickup. The ribs were truly amazing, and the brown sugar-chile sauce was perfect. I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the menu as well. I also like that the owner obviously takes a lot of pleasure in his work--you can tell he's having a ball.
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Anyone know if these guys are delivering yet? Sounds tasty...
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spinningpinwheel » Anyone know if these guys are delivering yet? Sounds tasty...
They deliver on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Delivery was very professional and not too long of a wait (I ordered on a Sunday night). And I did see when passing by the other day that they are opening for lunch, although I don't know which days. I imagine it will be the weekends. -
They're open for lunch during the week too since Jan 2. I went and it was tasty.
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I know I'm just preaching to the choir here for the most part, but a group of us went to Smoke Joint for dinner on Saturday nite and it was fantastic! We had baby back, spare, and beef short ribs, all of which were really tasty & amazing, as well as hacked chicken which was flavorful & succulent. The rubs these guys use are wonderful, and the sauces were also great (though my husband disagrees on this one point. He likes the vinegary one at BBQ on 6th Ave in So Slope much better. Not me, tho. I LOVED the one served with the beef ribs).For sides we ordered BBQ beans, mac & cheese, greens, and spicy fries. Whoo-whee, they were all great. I know some have complained about the mac & cheese, so I'll tell ya this: we met Ben Grossman that night and he was a doll. He actually told us HE wasn't making the mac & cheese anymore, but leaving it to someone else at the place. He also admitted this new version was better than his, so they're sticking with it (yay!). I held off going at first, until I read that these guys listened to their critics and retooled and rejiggered some of the recipes. Boy did they ever. There was not one dud on the table, and three of the five in our party are rather picky cooks themselves. All I can say is: if you have been thinking of going to Smoke Joint and haven't made the trip yet, don't wait -- just go!! Oh, and to finish off the meal, we walked 4 blocks to Cakeman Raven for some red velvet cake. I know that's a whole other story for a different thread, but I really, REALLY liked it
Get your paws off my canned chicken -
Subject: Hold up
People - this place is getting way too many props. I'm not saying the food is bad (it's OK), but just because it's the only BBQ place within a few mile radius doesn't give it a carte blanche. -
Subject: Re: Hold up
Sam88 » People - this place is getting way too many props. I'm not saying the food is bad (it's OK), but just because it's the only BBQ place within a few mile radius doesn't give it a carte blanche.
Okay. Offer up something else then. How does it compare to Pioneer BBQ in Red Hook? How about Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem? -
agree w/ sam88..got pickup for saturday at 7:15pm and they were already out of hacked pork and hacked chicken sandwiches!! wtf:??? the hacked beef sandwich was just okay. some parts were dry and not all too tender.
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I don't know what happened when you went, but I was there a little after 8:30 and I ordered pork, chicken, and beef sandwiches to take out and I didn't have a problem. I have read that they have run out of food before but I haven't found that to be the case whenever I have ordered. Besides that, why can't those of us who enjoy something have the freedom to enjoy it? Too many props?? Carte blanche?? What difference does it make to you if people like me like The Smoke Joint? Let me and people with tastes such as mine enjoy ourselves.
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not only is the food delicious but those owner boys are babes!
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