TD’s Smokehouse Barbecue

Quick too order and the food was quick. Food was incredible. Staff was very friendly. Easy to miss since it is attached to the oil change place. You don’t want to miss though.

Everything is amazing! Hands down my favorite barbecue spot in RVA. The sauces are incredible, the green beans a must have and the smoked wings are legendary. It was my first time going but it definitely won’t be my last. If you’re cruising through the the west end and need some good home cookin’, this is the place.

The pulled pork has a very good smoked flavor and is moist. It has the best smoked flavor of any I have found in the Richmond area. Instead of purchasing dinners, I buy it by the pound.
As for the side dishes, what I have ordered has been hit or miss. My husband likes the collard greens, but to me they seem to have a somewhat sweet flavor. The cole slaw is okay, but I much prefer Martin’s. The texture of the hush puppies is good, BUT again they have added sugar. I do not like sweet cornbread nor sweet hush puppies.
So, I will continue to order the pulled pork, but I will make my own side dishes or order them elsewhere.

the Brisket is moist and delicious, the chicken is just ok, the mac and cheese was pretty good, and the baked beans left a lot to be desired (no chunks of meat). Get it to go as there is nowhere to really dine in comfortably.

Love their food. Their pulled pork sandwiches are fantastic. Consider taking food to go as there are few seats available.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas you can order a smoked or fried turkey ahead of time and pick up the night before the holiday. We prefer the smoked turkey, it is super yummy! They prep it in a pan with simple directions to heat in the oven. This smoked turkey is not only a labor of love on their part, it is incredibly delicious and a huge crowd pleaser. When I arrive home, the family already has their forks and knives out to eat a serving. No kidding. Personally, I want to devour it in the car because the aroma is amazing.
I recommend anything in the menu, I am especially fond of the St Louis ribs, pulled pork Bbq and the brisket! These guys love what they do and are extremely likable. Don’t expect to eat there and watch your sped on the way home because you will be racing home to eat! Guaranteed!!!

This is a take out joint. I’m not sure why people would want to eat in at a place which is obviously a take out place. I’ve had the bbq sandwichs on several occasions and enjoy them. They’re lean and tender. I’ve had bbq sanwiches at other places which just had too much fat. I’ve had the ribs and jumbolaya (sp) and really enjoyed them. It’s a mom and pop place that delivers so I’ll be back.

First of all, I would like to say I feel sorry for the young men who work at this company. As soon as I walked into the place I was overwhelmed with LSU Tigers and Baltimore Ravens decorations. Then the man behind the counter introduced himself as the owner and yelled at the top of his lungs «Geux Tigers.» He reeked of alcohol and wouldn’t stop rambling about LSU sports. I asked him what he would recommend seeing as it was my first time there. He then unhelpfully told me everything was good and uncomfortably touched me on the shoulder.
Eventually I settled on ordering a pork dinner with green beans and cole slaw from the kid in a vcu hat up front. The kid helpfully explained the difference in their sauces while the owner went back to help the cook.
I overheard the owners high pitched voice saying to the cook that he should keep the beans in the microwave longer. Which automatically confirmed my fear that I was paying this man to reheat food for me.
When I got my food after hearing the beeps of a microwave many times over, I took it to eat on the bar stools they call an eating area. My pork was cold and the sauce tasted like little more than ketchup with black pepper and sugar added to it. On top of that my slaw was like a yellowy soup with lettuce shavings floating in it. And the green beans were wrinkly and brown.
All and all I would not recommend going to eat here unless you like to be badgered with highly unprofessional service and poor food.

Macaroni had no taste. Potato salad was like soupy paste store bought. I ordered jambalaya but I got all the way to work and realized that it was not given to me. Was also a little wary when I heard the microwave being used after I ordered my food. Everything seems reheated, not fresh.

The food here is exceptional and the service was very friendly and helpful. I had the pulled pork and beef brisket and both meats were very good. A note about the brisket; it was very moist, tender, and properly SLICED. The sauce has just the right amount of spice, vinegar, and sweetness, without real heavy tomato influence. I love good homemade beans and these were great. The hushpuppies might be the best I have ever had anywhere — they are that good. This place has limited seating, only 3 stools inside and 3 covered tables outside, so that is my only knock on it.
I can’t wait to go back and try some of the other menu items.

I went in and had a Brisket sandwich with a side of potato salad the other day. When I came in the guys looked at me like I was disrupting them and taking too long to order. I’m a bit of a BBQ Snob and I wanted to come in there and hear about their methods but they looked at me like I was stupid for asking them if their brisket was sliced so I just ordered and left.
Anyways I go to eat and the potato salad was not homemade, Ive worked at places that served this crap, it was completely bland. I had 2 bites before setting it aside.
The brisket sandwich I got was too fatty. I understand theres supposed to be some fat, but this was seriously ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ meat/​fat. Disgusting. At least the portion size was good though.
The sauce wasnt great, it tasted like it was mostly ketchup.
Sorry TD’s I really wanted to like you guys, but you really need too improve on your customer service. The setup you have is great but the decorating inside is a little odd. I dont care if you went to some football game with your son, and I certainly dont want to see your political stance, keep that stuff at home.

I was very excited to try this place I work down the street and smell the smoker they have out by the roadside. When I finally get a chance to eat at td’s I was disappointed! The bbq was smoked to a burned char and was hard to eat, I got green beans for a side and they were right out of a can and cooked to mush. Not to mention I had waited 20 mins to get my food. I really wanted this place to be good but it definatly let me down.

TD’s Smokehouse has been operating now for several years, and driving down Patterson, many times when I would pass, I could smell the wonderful smoke from their BBQ Smoker. So, finally I decided to stop in and try their BBQ.
When I came upon the place, I noticed some outdoor seating and when I entered, also they have several stools by the window for those who want to eat inside. However, it is mostly a Take Out place. I asked the person behind the counter what style of BBQ and he said Kansas City Style. I was debating on the BBQ or Smoked Ribs, when I noticed Chili Cheese Hot dogs, and he said they were the BEST in Richmond. So, I decided to go for the Chili Cheese Dog with French Fries topped off with Cheese.
I decided to eat at the small counter inside, however I noticed there are NO condiments with any type of BBQ Sauce, including Salt and Pepper. I had to ask for some Salt. I was wondering if the «Food Police» had invaded this place. :-(
Upon opening my wrapped Fries, I was disappointed to see how very little cheese they had put on the Fries. What little it had, was sticking to the paper. So, I could not wait to dig into the Chile Cheese Dog as I am a sucker for a good Hot Dog. Again, I saw lots of Chili but «Where was the Cheese»? Now I am thinking, maybe I should have ordered the BBQ since this is what they specialize in cooking. My Star rating is due to the Hotdogs & Fries and not towards their BBQ/​Ribs and Brisket. Photos are posted…
I was disappointed as the Chili to me did not have much taste, and the dog had NO smoke flavor at all. I have a feeling they cooked the dogs on some type of Grill in their small kitchen. They claim this is the BEST Hotdog in Richmond, however whoever made this claim probably never had a Hotdog before. No Hot Sauce on the Counter to add to the Chili to help bring out what little flavor it had. When I started into the fries, what little cheese they did put on it, cause all the fries to clump together. I had to pry them apart.
I would like to stop again, and this time I will dig into their BBQ. I hope they have some BBQ sauce, as each BBQ Joint takes pride in making their OWN BBQ Sauce to serve. I do not think I will order the Chile Cheese Dog again or the Fries. So, again my low rating goes towards the Dog and Fries ONLY. Finally, the two Gentlemen working in TD’s Smokehouse are extremely nice. ;-))

TD’s is take out only. There’s a couple of places to sit, but they’re mostly for waiting. Mostly we wanted to stop because it’s on the way home and I smell delicious barbecue smells on my way home. While nothing’s stunning, they’re have it at a reasonable location in the West End. If it ends up being the best barbecue in Richmond, or even second best, it’ll earn itself another star. But the cost is reasonable, it’s relatively quick, and delicious. We tried the pork and brisket, and the brisket was by far the winner there. Nothing wrong with the pork, but brisket, man.

Give this place a go. I am probably biased because they are so close and convenient. Overall the bbq is very good. We usually get 1 or 2 lbs and use our own bread. The sauce is ok. You must try the hush puppies! They are awesome!!! I would just stop by for those alone. Now they are open on Sundays which is an improvement.

A hidden Gem on Patterson Ave. Thank Goodness they’e close by because their
ribs are incredible and the slaw – umh umh!
Emory Williams
Richmond Restaurant Group

I admit it. I’m a heretic. I find Buz and Ned’s barbecue to be merely. .. good. Good, but nothing special. Nothing that makes me want to take a bite out of that rib, savor that first, full taste of pork and smoke and sauce, suck the juices off my fingers and jump up and yell, «I have found it! I have found the taste I’ve been looking for! This — THIS — is the Holy Grail of Richmond barbecue!»
It is hard for me to settle for anything but the best.
Buz and Ned’s, despite the wait lines, despite Bobby Flay, and despite the billboards and their superior marketing machine, is good, as far as I’m concerned. .. but it’s far from great. And, I have to admit, I’ve been summarily disappointed in almost all the bbq available around Richmond. Buz and Ned’s sauce is way too sweet and completely unoriginal; Q Barbecue is a little bland and too trendy for me. Hawk’s pulled pork is indistinguishable from anybody else’s q, and is more like a soul food joint with questionable claims to cleanliness. Bill’s Barbecue is good only for the old timers who remember when it used to be good. Virginia Barbecue. .. edible, but nothing special. Ronnie’s Ribs, sold out of a truck and cooker near Poe’s Pub, is better to me than Buz and Ned’s, but still nothing to scream about; and Grandpa Eddie’s, while good, just doesn’t do it for me: the ribs are prepped with a dry rub, which some bbq fans absolutely love, but I find unnecessary, detracting from the taste of the meat.
But tonight I tried a place I found online. I think I Googled best ribs in richmond last month some time, but I don’t know what link led me to where. I simply found their webpage and took one look at the picture of their ribs and said, «Yes. Yes. I think that’s it.»
Buz and Ned’s is third best. Ronnie’s Ribs takes second place.
The best barbecue in Richmond can be found on Patterson Avenue at TD’s Smokehouse.
The ribs are cooked Kansas City style, and the sauce is tangy and just a little sweet — not overpowered by molasses, honey or brown sugar. It’s just right. The pulled pork tastes great without any of TD’s NC-​style sauce at all. I’ll have to go back for their chicken and brisket, but the jambalaya is wonderful and meaty, and the mac and cheese is rich, extra cheesy and helped along with the addition of sweet onions.
I’m definitely going back to make a party of it, and get some of everything — it’s that good. By the way, their website has a couple of coupons on it. Save some money and eat up. And make sure the beer is cold at home, because it’s take-​out only at TD’s.
And it’s magnificent.

I really like TDs. Great smokey BBQ and super convenient. Like all the meats and sauce, some sides. FYI — it’s a takeout dive only (they do have some picnic tables). The location is classic BBQ joint but could scare you if you’re looking for niceties!

I really wanted to love TD’s. It’s been around since 1988, there are Louisiana-​influenced dishes on the menu like jambalaya (I’m obsessed with Cajun/​Creole cuisine) and when you pull into the parking lot you breathe in the most amazing, fresh BBQ smells.
TD’s is a takeout-​only joint. Inside there’s a counter, a few stools for waiting for your food, sports-​focused magazines for perusing and a wall with tons of pennants, LSU photos and other sportsy stuff. A sign informs you that you aren’t getting fast food, that good things take time, and that you should relax and wait. It’s all very homey feeling, and again, made me want to fall in love.
The food just wasn’t great. Because we like leftovers when it comes to BBQ, I went ahead and got a «family meal» even though it was just for two (about $ 34). It came with a rack of ribs, 1 pound of BBQ, four buns and two sides. For the sides I chose mac and cheese and jambalaya. We asked to have the pork Carolina-​style with both sauces on the side.
The pork on its own was good. Nicely pulled, chunky and tasty. Neither of the sauces were that great. The Carolina one was vinegary and tangy, but it had a heavy amount of what I think was coriander, which was kind of weird and not my favorite. The Virginia sauce was rich, heavy and kind of generic tasting. We pulled out some sauce we’d recently bought from Eley’s and dumped that on the second serving or pork, and this made it taste waaay better.
The ribs were okay. They were well-​cooked with lots of natural smoke flavor, but a little fatty and light on sauce. I would have liked more sauce and cooked-​on flavor.
The mac and cheese was very good and it had onions in it. I thought this was a nice touch, but onion-​haters should probably skip it. The jambalaya tasted like it had been sitting too long. The rice was mushy and none of the add-​ins were all that good.
With all the good BBQ places in town, I probably won’t return to TD’s. It was okay, just not fantastic.
Also, this was our second attempt to go. On the first try, the restaurant was open until 8:30. We showed up at 8 and were told they had already put everything away and that we had to call ahead if we wanted to come that close to closing. This kind of annoyed me. But if you want to go late in the night, make sure to call!

TD’s is so far my favorite bbq joint in Richmond. Honestly it’s not the best bbq I’ve had, but I really feel that Richmond has a terrible grasp on what good bbq is and that this place rounds itself out with friendly customer service, amazing prices, and a menu that doesn’t miss no matter what you order.
One of the best things about this place is when you order the pulled pork (whether you get a sandwich, platter, or container) you can get the option of which style you want. I prefer the tangy, slightly spicy, vinegar based style as opposed to a sweet, tomato bbq sauce. I’ve had both though and have to say even the one I don’t prefer was still good. The portions are a good size, my only request would be better bread… but then again this is why I said the prices are amazing and it becomes understandable.
For sides I usually get the Jambalaya. If you order it when they first make it it’s some of the most flavorful Cajun love you’ll ever eat. I also always get Hush Puppies. In fact we used to order them so much that anytime we called for a dozen Hush Puppies, some pulled pork, and a Root beer they would always laugh and know our names. The puppies have that wonderfully sweet cornbread and onion flavor that I crave and are the right size to assure they aren’t overcooked on the outside just to thoroughly cook the dough inside.
I’d recommend TD’s over any of the other Richmond places, but again I’ll point out that my 5-​star rating would be lower if I was comparing to the bbq in NC, Kansas, or Memphis. (I hate Texas bbq.)