Smokey Barque

I’ve wanted to really like this place. It’s clean, nice beer list, but the food is below average. I’ve been here a handful of times and each time the food lacks in overall flavor. The last thing I had there (burger of some kind) literally tasted like nothing.
And the North Carolina BBQ sauce: pure vinegar.

My favorite BBQ place in the area! They have great homemade bbq sauces to compliment every dish. I’m pretty sure they make their chips homemade as well! If you are looking for some great BBQ and a good time, definitely check it out!

I like their bar area, and their bartender (forget her name, the blonde) is the sweetest, but their food? Meh… definitely don’t know BBQ at all… as a Texas girl… just sayin.

We called a few days in advance to make a reservation on a Saturday evening. Arriving 15 minutes before our reservation time, we waited a total of 1hr 20mins before being seated. The food was average at best, everyone was extremely hungry eating so late. My mother and I both had stomach aches after eating the «Burnt Ends». I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone, and my family and friends will NOT be returning.

I compare all bbq joints to Chucks in Burbank, the 5-​star standard, and Smokey holds up pretty well. Been there a few times and have never been disappointed. And I love this area of old Frankfort. Smokey serves large portions, delicious meats, decent beer selection. And service is outstanding, friendly, knowledgable and fast.

We came from out of town to see some friends and wanted to go somewhere in the quaint little historic downtown. We were NOT disappointed. The food was really good, but what was so amazing to us was the service. Taylor was very attentive, professional and did a great job. It was busy and the food took a little longer than he expected so he made sure to come back and refresh our drinks and communicate with us. We were busy visiting but appreciated his concern. When the food did come out, it was perfect. Everything was exactly as we ordered (we had substituted a few things), hot, and well presented. We would definitely come back again.

Smokey Barque has hit or miss food. However we really enjoy the service every time we go. We’ve never had a problem with pulled pork however, my sister-​in-​law had a grilled chicken breast that was crazy dry. I teased her that you don’t go to a BBQ place for grilled chicken breast, but then again, if you can’t do it an excellent way don’t put it on the menu. My husband is from North Carolina and we’ve been to plenty of barbecue places down south. We have to question the recipes for SB’s sauces. The coleslaw at SB always need salt but other than, good food, great service.

Cute restaurant. Service was great. Food was ok.
Tried brisket, Mac n cheese, hush puppies, pulled pork, corn bread

My friend has been raving about Smokey Barque for quite some time. I finally made it down to Frankfort to try. Seems like a pretty big place. We sat outside because it was such a nice night. Our server was attentive and patient (pretty rare these days). Big beer menu. Large food menu as well. I had the lobster roll and a side of sweet potato tots. The lobster roll was pretty darn good. They didn’t skimp on lobster meat at all. Could have used a little more tang in my opinion but a very solid roll. I tried my friend’s BBQ nachos (her absolute favorite). Huge serving and also very good. My husband had ribs. I can’t remember which cut but they were excellent. Not at all dry and full of smoke flavor.
Very impressed. We will be sure to make the trip again!

Maybe it was an off night?
The fried pickles tasted like they picked them off of half-​eaten burgers then deep fried them. Burger was mediocre. Shrimp tacos lacked flavor. Puked the burger up about 6 hours later.
Maybe I should’ve gotten BBQ.

Big fish in a small pond. I think that sums this place up. In a locale with limited options, SB probably passes muster. In the larger context, it does not. Key points in no particular order:
–Fairly good beer selection. Good variety, good choices. Once of the better attributes.
–Spotty service. The server was enthusiastic and friendly, but there were a couple times we did not see him for awhile, and our food was delivered with no flatware or napkins.
–Smoked turkey sandwich was good. Tender, relatively flavorful.
–Mac and cheese was poor. Decent flavor, but the noodles were waaaayyyy overcooked, leaving the whole thing coming off as a mushy mess.
–Fries were equally bad. They were closer to baked than fried. And the dust or whatever it was called was barely discernible.
–The brisket. Oh dear, the brisket. This is the item by which all BBQ joints should be measured. If you can’t manage a good brisket, you shouldn’t be allowed to operate. The meat was about halfway to the minimum tenderness that should be been achieved, and I removed from the sandwich three good-​sized chunks of fat that were fairly solid and had in no way rendered as they should have.
–Nice patio space. Eating outside on a sunny day is always better.
–The deep-​fried pickle chips were a waste of chewing effort. Nice little sauce, but the pickle slices themselves were so thin and over-​battered and the chips so overcooked that you really couldn’t even taste the pickle. Probably the worst deep-​fried pickle chips I have ever had, and I love me some deep-​fried pickle chips.
–The four sauces at the table were generally good. Not a fan of the mustard-​based sauce, really liked the North Carolina style and the tomato-​based sauce that had a little heat.
If the people I am with want to come back here, I’ll use a little more discretion when ordering and stay away from BBQ items were I have a certain level of expectation. And I’ll drink a lot of beer.

Great food and a great experience. Everyone loved what they had and the service was amazing. We had Marty as a server, and we would completely come back to the restaurant just to have her serve us again. I had the pulled pork and the Mac Mac and cheese and was amazed at the quality and taste of the food. Someone else in our party got the pulled bacon sandwich and that’s an amazing concept. We will definitely be back here for great foot during Frankfort car show nights.

I give it only 3 stars but recommend it anyway. We went there on father’s day early evening, and sat on the front patio. Nice location and generally a nice looking place. There was a little concert in the park across the street so we even had some entertainment.
It was busy but not full and we sat right down without a wait. We had read some reviews and we wanted to try the brisket and burnt ends. We asked for one order of each, and then were told they were out of both. It is disappointing to have your first two choices be unavailable without explanation, but we eventually regrouped and ordered plan c and d, ribs and smoked wings. Both were actually really good, the sides were decent, and the assortment of bbq sauces was a big plus.
Service was friendly but every time we needed something it took a really lonnnng time. No manager or owner ever stopped by to check on us.
So overall we had a good meal for a good price and left full and happy. Hopefully we will have a chance to go back and everything will be perfect.

We have been here a few times and I am happy to say this place is consistently good. They may specialize in smoked meats, but they also offer excellent vegetarian options. I had the kale salad and my husband (not a vegetarian) really enjoyed the Portobello Mushroom sandwich. The food is fresh & homemade. Our server Jacob, was top notch, very personable, but non-​intrusive. We will be back soon and hope to have Jacob serve us again.

Great 1^st time experience for my extended family. Loved the fried pickles and sweet potato tots. It was a lot of fun to test the sauces on homemade chips. All 9 of us loved the entrees (shrimp burritos, burnt ends, brisquette, bison burger, regular burger, pulled pork, and cod.
The service was friendly and attentive. The price was affordable, and we will definitely go back!

Love Smokey Barque, amazing smoked turkey, brisket and pulled pork. Fried pickles and coke slaw are outstanding as well. Fantastic selection of home made sauces based on regional bbq flavors — Memphis, Texas, Carolina and a mustard sauce.
Great section for the kids too — pizza, mac and cheese and plenty of others.
If you’re in the area, great place for a nice dinner or lunch or even just a beer.

— Fair prices
— Good variety of sauce
— Great for families
— Nice location and always parking nearby

This place is decent. The wings are good. The smoked deviled eggs are unique and good. The food here is decent but not the best bar-​b-​q I have ever had. Famous Dave’s is better than this at a better price. A bit pricey for what it is. And that is especially true for the bar.

Very mediocre, at best. I had the Baby back ribs. They were actually pretty good… meaty, not too fatty, cooked properly.
My less then stellar review is due to the sides. The cornbread is awful… dried, crumbly, just bad.
The sweet potato tater tots were soggy, and they put cinnamon sugar on them. If your gonna do that, put it on the menu… I HATE sweet tater tots. When I told the waitress that they were bad, she seemed totally unconcerned.
Finally, I tried my sons fries… they tastes raw.
I’d say go to Portillos instead.

I needed to update because they are really wining me over. The service here is always amazing! They really do try. My mom is notorious for ordering drinks that are crazy and not on the menu and they always accommodate with a smile.
I have finally found my favorite thing on the menu. The buffalo chicken sandwich. It has never disappointed me. The sides can still be hit or miss for me. The mashed potatoes are always good though. I compare all BBQ to Q in Lagrange, and nothing tops that in my eyes. Just keep that in mind. Most people love the BBQ here.
The beer list is pretty awesome! The prices are even better. I prefer sitting in the bar area over the dining room. The bar is a lot more lively. The dining room can be too quiet most times (for me).
Now that I’m back in Frankfort I will stop in here frequently (without complaining). I also need to note that every single friend I have brought here has loved it! My friend ordered a deep-​fried burger here. Yep, deep-​fried burger. I was disgusted but he keeps asking when we can go back.