Destination Smokehouse
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The staff was extremely friendly and the place was clean. I ordered the pulled pork sandwhich, it was definitely a little skimpy in meat, I felt like I had more coleslaw than meat. To boot, it was lukewarm warm fatty pieces so overall was not pleasant or happy for $18. We also got the brisket Mac and cheese which was good. This is our second time coming here, they were out of beans and potatoes this time which was a bummer. Overall not the top BBQ pick in Murrieta/Temecula
Delicious meats! We were glad that we came when it wasn't busy and got to order pretty quickly. There was plentiful parking and still enough meat on a Wednesday evening at 5PM. It wasn't busy and it was spacious inside. There was a ton of seating. This time we got to try the dino rib and it was great! It wasn't fall off the bone tender but it was soft. We'll be back to try more of the menu
Let's get the negative over with first. This place is going to be expensive. This entire plate (I ate everything by myself) was just shy of $100. The restaurant its self is always clean and the staff is somewhat friendly. It does feel weird because they tell toy where to sit, you can't just sit where ever you'd like. Now the food, I have gotten the brisket twice, the first time was amazing and second it was good, the Texas toast if a good breakup because it's light and not heavy. The loaded potatoes is something I think you can skip. But the loaded mac and cheese with burnt ends is a must try and is the only reason I would drive from the bag area to this spot. There is no other word for it than godly. It is just amazing please trust me.
Good bbq and good price for the portion, I see that it's a spot now ppl can visit w/o the long lines and crowd. The smoked chicken was surprisingly good Dino rib is whatever, BUT the ribs are always made to perfection, especially the candy ribs. Over all pretty good spot to eat at once in the whiled with friends and family in groups
Social media had this restaurant buzzing for quite some time and it was bringing in people from all over the country to try the meat so tender that it fell off the bone. I got curious... decided to see what it was all about. I didn't know it was about 45 minutes from my house. I went a few days ago. The parking lot is a decent size and I found a parking space in no time. There was a small line forming when I walked in. It moved quickly. I heard good r&b music coming from the speakers. The digital menu is against the wall for you to view while you wait in line. The prices are average. We spent about $69 for two people: oxtails, brisket, mac n cheese, toast and garlic mashed potatoes. Everything was very clean. The cashiers were knowledgeable and the food came to our table quick and hot. The whole spread was delicious. I deducted one star because they were out of a lot of things on the menu and the bbq sauce dispensers were out of sauce. I went to use the dispenser and only a squirt came out, but that squirt splattered all over my white tank top. Great... There was one bottle of sauce sitting on the counter and as patrons we had to wait in an orderly line just to get some sauce for our meats... not a horrible situation, just not ideal. Good food. Good service.
Went here yesterday as it was recommended by my son and it did not disappoint. I ordered the oxtail, cornbread, and beans and every bites was delicious, we also ordered half rack ribs and brisket sandwich, Mac and cheeses and mashed potatoes. Very filling and so good, definitely will be a returning customer. Gotta go early cause it packs in and the occupancy maybe 100 people. Look it up and go and you be the judge! Leave your review too!
We found Tendernism! As someone who enjoys BBQ in Texas, Destination Smokehouse does a good job replicating the flavors. Diving in, the pork belly was the highlight of the meal. It was well seasoned and had a delicious glaze. Literally melts in your mouth! As far as the sides go, don't sleep on the Mac and cheese! They use radiatori pasta gives hearty chews and the cheese sauce is well seasoned. And the yams give holiday spice and everything nice! Smell them and get your mouth watering! The beef rib is visually the star of the show. It tasted like a standard beef rib, but is not anything to rave about. And they don't have the same sides like you would find at most Texas joints. No okra, no peach cobbler, no corn, no desserts. Definitely some room for improvement with the sides. Overall, it's a decent spot that I would probably not wait in line for again for. Get there early and set appropriate expectations. When we arrived, the oxtail was and pork ribs were sold out. Since it's gone viral, expect a decent wait and elevated pricing. For instance, the loaded fries are flavorful, but the price to value ratio is off. They are $23 and are slightly larger than animal fries from In-N-Out.
LOVE,LOVE, LOVE Destination Smokehouse, Been wanting to go for a while,finally made it,It was a 2 hour drive.... Waited in line for 1 hour,Food came out quickly and everything was temperature Hot. Oxtails:The Star of the Restaurant, Delicious & Tender Meat cooked perfectly. Brisket: Tender and Delicious, I didnt even need BBQ Sauce,It was good on its own. Yams: Good,not to sweet. Beans: Good flavor Mac & Cheese: Very good flavor,They use a different kind of Noodles. Coleslaw: Meh Texas Toast: Delicious I like the Ambiance of the Restaurant, Staff was very friendly and helpful about the Platters, It was 5 of us we Ordered a little bit of everything. I will be returning to try more Menu Items.
Place was da bomb ! Homie was alright. El Paso burger was tastE! lwk bring some gloves so you don't gotta wipe your hands every second
Figured it'd be fitting for my first post as Yelp Elite 2026 be this joint, especially since I got the email letting me know while I was in line here: Got there at 11. Save you some time here with important info at the top Line starts early, and there's another line inside. I got there at opening and (11) and was eating by 11:45ish. There's a gentleman that lets certain amount of people inside and then you're in another line. You can buy by 1/2 pound. I had anxiety wondering if I was really going to order a pound of everything for 1 person, till I got to front. There is a QR code when you're waiting in line, didn't get a chance to scan as I was being ushered in. Pro tip: ask for to go boxes when you're paying to save you some time. There's a sign that's says onions and pickles are for dine in only, you need the acid to help with all the fatty meats you're chowing down. There's some tables with reserved signs for parties of 6 or more. I believe they would benefit from having communal seating but I had no issues finding a seat right away. Only thing that would make my day better if there was Diet Coke. They're a Pepsi establishment but they did have diet Dr.Pepper. This is my 3rd time. Went when the hype first started and it was. 5. Then my in laws went and I tried their leftovers and it was not good. This time the meat was delicious. I didn't even use sauce. Everything was falloff the bone but not too tender where it's mushy. I've had Franklins and Terry Blacks and this is on that level IMO but you don't have to catch a plane to Austin. Our town needs places like this. I know the internet can ruin things but having a legit viral food spot here does help others prosper. The sides were good. The Mac which I've had 3 times now and I do like was cold. Everything else was piping hot and fresh. Nothing Chef Mic(rowave) can't fix. Get there early to ensure not missing out on anything. The couple next to me; are locals and they've been a few times: said it's been good and they're working their way through the menu. They recommended the tacos and burger. Mentioned that the last time their oxtail was too salty. Fair but give me all the salt with the smoke! Ambiance: place is dark inside. Playing old school hip hop. A few tvs with sports on. There's a un utilized bar, it looks nice and I would have loved to sit there and eat.
Order: 1 Dino Rib 1/2 lb Pastrami 1/2 lb Oxtails 1/2 lb Brisket 2 Texas Toast 16 oz Mac and Cheese 1 Soda Total: $160.58 I definitely had high expectations for this place based on all the amazing reviews and videos online. We arrived at 11:12 AM, and there was already a long line. We met some awesome people while waiting, which made the hour-long wait go by much faster. Once we ordered, we received our food about 20-30 minutes later, which wasn't bad at all. My husband and I were really excited to try this spot. Unfortunately, the BBQ didn't live up to the hype. When the food arrived, most of it was cold. I'm unsure if this is standard, but it was definitely disappointing--especially given the price. Dino Rib: Solid meat but came cold as well. Extremely tender--the tenderness is definitely there. Pastrami: Very tender, but extremely salty for my taste. Oxtails: Tender and fell off the bone, but unfortunately dry. Brisket: Extremely dry. Texas Toast: Just okay--tasted like frozen bread. Mac and Cheese: By far our favorite item. The pasta used was delicious, and we truly enjoyed it. Sadly, it also arrived cold. Pickled onions and cucumbers: Loved the pickled onions and cucumbers. Yumm! The BBQ sauce was not my favorite at all. It tasted overly sweet and liquidy, almost like pancake syrup--I could literally taste Aunt Jemima. On a positive note, the staff was extremely friendly and kind. We also met the man of the hour, Tenderism. I truly hope this business thrives and is able to improve food quality moving forward. Quality over quantity should really be considered. There's plenty of parking available (both lot and street). There are many tables inside, and the space features nice photos taken by a photographer. The ambiance is very simple and plain.
It was okay--nothing special. My bros were really hyped going in, but we all pretty much left feeling the same: mediocre overall. The staff was dope and definitely the highlight of the visit. The food, though, was mid. The seasoning was fine, but the cuts of meat were pretty disappointing--very fatty and just not great quality. I hope they step it up because the place has potential, but I most likely won't be back to find out.
On 12/18/25 we arrived at Destination Smokehouse (DS) approximately 10:20am. We were first in line. Within next 30 mins there was a line of at least 70 people. The hours of operation stated that DS opens at 11:00am. Well today the door opened at 11:30am. Remember myself and 2 family members were the first in line and once we got to the cash register area we had to wait another 10 minutes. After waiting 10 minutes we were summoned to the cashier to place our order. We all knew what we wanted so placing our order was quick. There's plenty of inside seating so we found a table and waited for our food to come. Our food came out within 15 mins. Everything we ordered was delicious even the pineapple cream soda.... Be warned that the food is pricey. Would I come back? Yes I would :)
Third time visiting the restaurant. The staff is always friendly and helpful The place looks nice but it is not a fancy place. While the meat is cooked well. What is disappointing is each time we order brisket turkey and a third meat to try. The turkey each time had a different amount of pepper. The first time was perfectly seasoned. The next time it was like in a pepper bath. It was too much pepper and I like pepper. This last time there was no pepper The seasoned brisket each time is different The sweet potatoes have a different amount of cloves each time. I'm not sure if it the cook or there is not a recipe they just do what looks correct. But it is always good just different. read more
28 days ago
I honestly hate leaving reviews like this because I used to defend this place online, but after this experience, I can't. I ordered 1 lb of oxtails and a small mac & cheese. The guy at the counter told me that a pound would be about 4 oxtails. I remember thinking, damn, that's it? -- especially because the total came out to $60. On my way home, I noticed the box in the bag was tiny and extremely light. I opened it and there were only TWO oxtails inside. I called and asked if my order had been messed up. The woman explained that no, the oxtails were supposedly a pound because they were larger than usual. I asked, "So half a pound is basically one oxtail?" She said yes. I got home and actually weighed the oxtails myself. Long behold, they were not a pound. At that point, it's not even about the number of oxtails anymore. It's about being told something weighs a certain amount, paying $60, and then finding out it doesn't. I used to defend this business online, but after this experience? Fuck 'em. I won't be back. read more
This is one of those spots where you gotta come at the RIGHT time to really experience it... if you snooze you lose.. I definitely recommend coming earlier when everything is available and fresh. If they're sold out of what you wanted, don't settle just come back another day. Trust me, the end-of-the-day leftovers ain't the business lol. Now when you catch them at the right time?! The oxtail is a MUST. Those Dino ribs too!! The brisket is good I've personally had better but I'd still order it. And that mac & cheese?? SOLID 10/10. No discussion needed. Come early, come hungry, get the oxtail, Dino rib, and mac. That's the move! The oxtail tacos great too. The brisket nachos not the business cuhz it's too pricey and a lil dry for my liking. Plenty of room to sit and big and spacious place. Service can use a little more upbeat but can't blame them for being exhausted. I think that's what Walter brought before he left, but it's all good cuhz this spot still one of my go to for bbq here in socal read more
The staff was extremely friendly and the place was clean. I ordered the pulled pork sandwhich, it was definitely a little skimpy in meat, I felt like I had more coleslaw than meat. To boot, it was lukewarm warm fatty pieces so overall was not pleasant or happy for $18. We also got the brisket Mac and cheese which was good. This is our second time coming here, they were out of beans and potatoes this time which was a bummer. Overall not the top BBQ pick in Murrieta/Temecula read more
Delicious meats! We were glad that we came when it wasn't busy and got to order pretty quickly. There was plentiful parking and still enough meat on a Wednesday evening at 5PM. It wasn't busy and it was spacious inside. There was a ton of seating. This time we got to try the dino rib and it was great! It wasn't fall off the bone tender but it was soft. We'll be back to try more of the menu read more
4 days ago
Let's get the negative over with first. This place is going to be expensive. This entire plate (I ate everything by myself) was just shy of $100. The restaurant its self is always clean and the staff is somewhat friendly. It does feel weird because they tell toy where to sit, you can't just sit where ever you'd like. Now the food, I have gotten the brisket twice, the first time was amazing and second it was good, the Texas toast if a good breakup because it's light and not heavy. The loaded potatoes is something I think you can skip. But the loaded mac and cheese with burnt ends is a must try and is the only reason I would drive from the bag area to this spot. There is no other word for it than godly. It is just amazing please trust me. read more
2 days ago
3 months ago
2 months ago
Good bbq and good price for the portion, I see that it's a spot now ppl can visit w/o the long lines and crowd. The smoked chicken was surprisingly good Dino rib is whatever, BUT the ribs are always made to perfection, especially the candy ribs. Over all pretty good spot to eat at once in the whiled with friends and family in groups read more
17 days ago
1 month ago
Social media had this restaurant buzzing for quite some time and it was bringing in people from all over the country to try the meat so tender that it fell off the bone. I got curious... decided to see what it was all about. I didn't know it was about 45 minutes from my house. I went a few days ago. The parking lot is a decent size and I found a parking space in no time. There was a small line forming when I walked in. It moved quickly. I heard good r&b music coming from the speakers. The digital menu is against the wall for you to view while you wait in line. The prices are average. We spent about $69 for two people: oxtails, brisket, mac n cheese, toast and garlic mashed potatoes. Everything was very clean. The cashiers were knowledgeable and the food came to our table quick and hot. The whole spread was delicious. I deducted one star because they were out of a lot of things on the menu and the bbq sauce dispensers were out of sauce. I went to use the dispenser and only a squirt came out, but that squirt splattered all over my white tank top. Great... There was one bottle of sauce sitting on the counter and as patrons we had to wait in an orderly line just to get some sauce for our meats... not a horrible situation, just not ideal. Good food. Good service. read more
2 months ago
Went here yesterday as it was recommended by my son and it did not disappoint. I ordered the oxtail, cornbread, and beans and every bites was delicious, we also ordered half rack ribs and brisket sandwich, Mac and cheeses and mashed potatoes. Very filling and so good, definitely will be a returning customer. Gotta go early cause it packs in and the occupancy maybe 100 people. Look it up and go and you be the judge! Leave your review too! read more
9 months ago
We found Tendernism! As someone who enjoys BBQ in Texas, Destination Smokehouse does a good job replicating the flavors. Diving in, the pork belly was the highlight of the meal. It was well seasoned and had a delicious glaze. Literally melts in your mouth! As far as the sides go, don't sleep on the Mac and cheese! They use radiatori pasta gives hearty chews and the cheese sauce is well seasoned. And the yams give holiday spice and everything nice! Smell them and get your mouth watering! The beef rib is visually the star of the show. It tasted like a standard beef rib, but is not anything to rave about. And they don't have the same sides like you would find at most Texas joints. No okra, no peach cobbler, no corn, no desserts. Definitely some room for improvement with the sides. Overall, it's a decent spot that I would probably not wait in line for again for. Get there early and set appropriate expectations. When we arrived, the oxtail was and pork ribs were sold out. Since it's gone viral, expect a decent wait and elevated pricing. For instance, the loaded fries are flavorful, but the price to value ratio is off. They are $23 and are slightly larger than animal fries from In-N-Out. read more
1 month ago
LOVE,LOVE, LOVE Destination Smokehouse, Been wanting to go for a while,finally made it,It was a 2 hour drive.... Waited in line for 1 hour,Food came out quickly and everything was temperature Hot. Oxtails:The Star of the Restaurant, Delicious & Tender Meat cooked perfectly. Brisket: Tender and Delicious, I didnt even need BBQ Sauce,It was good on its own. Yams: Good,not to sweet. Beans: Good flavor Mac & Cheese: Very good flavor,They use a different kind of Noodles. Coleslaw: Meh Texas Toast: Delicious I like the Ambiance of the Restaurant, Staff was very friendly and helpful about the Platters, It was 5 of us we Ordered a little bit of everything. I will be returning to try more Menu Items. read more
24 days ago
Place was da bomb ! Homie was alright. El Paso burger was tastE! lwk bring some gloves so you don't gotta wipe your hands every second read more
Figured it'd be fitting for my first post as Yelp Elite 2026 be this joint, especially since I got the email letting me know while I was in line here: Got there at 11. Save you some time here with important info at the top Line starts early, and there's another line inside. I got there at opening and (11) and was eating by 11:45ish. There's a gentleman that lets certain amount of people inside and then you're in another line. You can buy by 1/2 pound. I had anxiety wondering if I was really going to order a pound of everything for 1 person, till I got to front. There is a QR code when you're waiting in line, didn't get a chance to scan as I was being ushered in. Pro tip: ask for to go boxes when you're paying to save you some time. There's a sign that's says onions and pickles are for dine in only, you need the acid to help with all the fatty meats you're chowing down. There's some tables with reserved signs for parties of 6 or more. I believe they would benefit from having communal seating but I had no issues finding a seat right away. Only thing that would make my day better if there was Diet Coke. They're a Pepsi establishment but they did have diet Dr.Pepper. This is my 3rd time. Went when the hype first started and it was. 5. Then my in laws went and I tried their leftovers and it was not good. This time the meat was delicious. I didn't even use sauce. Everything was falloff the bone but not too tender where it's mushy. I've had Franklins and Terry Blacks and this is on that level IMO but you don't have to catch a plane to Austin. Our town needs places like this. I know the internet can ruin things but having a legit viral food spot here does help others prosper. The sides were good. The Mac which I've had 3 times now and I do like was cold. Everything else was piping hot and fresh. Nothing Chef Mic(rowave) can't fix. Get there early to ensure not missing out on anything. The couple next to me; are locals and they've been a few times: said it's been good and they're working their way through the menu. They recommended the tacos and burger. Mentioned that the last time their oxtail was too salty. Fair but give me all the salt with the smoke! Ambiance: place is dark inside. Playing old school hip hop. A few tvs with sports on. There's a un utilized bar, it looks nice and I would have loved to sit there and eat. read more
9 months ago
Order: 1 Dino Rib 1/2 lb Pastrami 1/2 lb Oxtails 1/2 lb Brisket 2 Texas Toast 16 oz Mac and Cheese 1 Soda Total: $160.58 I definitely had high expectations for this place based on all the amazing reviews and videos online. We arrived at 11:12 AM, and there was already a long line. We met some awesome people while waiting, which made the hour-long wait go by much faster. Once we ordered, we received our food about 20-30 minutes later, which wasn't bad at all. My husband and I were really excited to try this spot. Unfortunately, the BBQ didn't live up to the hype. When the food arrived, most of it was cold. I'm unsure if this is standard, but it was definitely disappointing--especially given the price. Dino Rib: Solid meat but came cold as well. Extremely tender--the tenderness is definitely there. Pastrami: Very tender, but extremely salty for my taste. Oxtails: Tender and fell off the bone, but unfortunately dry. Brisket: Extremely dry. Texas Toast: Just okay--tasted like frozen bread. Mac and Cheese: By far our favorite item. The pasta used was delicious, and we truly enjoyed it. Sadly, it also arrived cold. Pickled onions and cucumbers: Loved the pickled onions and cucumbers. Yumm! The BBQ sauce was not my favorite at all. It tasted overly sweet and liquidy, almost like pancake syrup--I could literally taste Aunt Jemima. On a positive note, the staff was extremely friendly and kind. We also met the man of the hour, Tenderism. I truly hope this business thrives and is able to improve food quality moving forward. Quality over quantity should really be considered. There's plenty of parking available (both lot and street). There are many tables inside, and the space features nice photos taken by a photographer. The ambiance is very simple and plain. read more
10 months ago
It was okay--nothing special. My bros were really hyped going in, but we all pretty much left feeling the same: mediocre overall. The staff was dope and definitely the highlight of the visit. The food, though, was mid. The seasoning was fine, but the cuts of meat were pretty disappointing--very fatty and just not great quality. I hope they step it up because the place has potential, but I most likely won't be back to find out. read more
On 12/18/25 we arrived at Destination Smokehouse (DS) approximately 10:20am. We were first in line. Within next 30 mins there was a line of at least 70 people. The hours of operation stated that DS opens at 11:00am. Well today the door opened at 11:30am. Remember myself and 2 family members were the first in line and once we got to the cash register area we had to wait another 10 minutes. After waiting 10 minutes we were summoned to the cashier to place our order. We all knew what we wanted so placing our order was quick. There's plenty of inside seating so we found a table and waited for our food to come. Our food came out within 15 mins. Everything we ordered was delicious even the pineapple cream soda.... Be warned that the food is pricey. Would I come back? Yes I would :) read more
2 months ago
What a shame. I came here last October and the highlight of my meal was the pork ribs. I live three hours away and have been trying to get back since. They were some of the best pork ribs I've ever had. Tonight I ordered a full rack of pork ribs and they were extremely disappointing. The ribs were cooked pretty good and the meat more or less fell off the bone. However, there was zero smoke flavor. I mean absolutely none. On top of that the ribs were very bland. I've never in my life had to salt bbq ribs before. I also ended up adding a lot of barbecue sauce to make them edible. I don't understand how you can go from having the best pork rib I've ever had to the worst in just ten months. I positive note the service was very good and the hostess was friendly. Sidenote, it was 6 PM on a Saturday night and they were sold out of brisket, pulled pork and chicken. read more
Drove from San Diego for this viral bbq joint and it was a 10/10! I got here an hour early, got vip parking and played scramble in line. While in line, they ask for you to make up your mind and have your order ready. No ummm, ummm, "um IDK what I want". For two big backs, I suggest ordering 1/2 pound of oxtail, 1 pound of brisket, 1 large mac and cheese, 1 small baked beans and two toast. I loved their mac and cheese, it was flavorful and not too thick. Their oxtails were a 10/10. The blackening on the oxtails and brisket were very peppery. Everything TENDERISM!!! I would pass up on the candied yams.. The cloves or whatever christmas flavor that was in it was too powerful and the yam medallions were not soft enough for me. It was an Eeeyuck for me. All in all, I'd come back again for their beans, mac and cheese and oxtails. read more
Came all the way from Houston, Texas just to see Walter and he didn't disappoint!! Please believe the TENDERNISM hype. Destination is an almost two hour drive one-way from Los Angeles, but worth the windshield time. We ordered a half slab of pork ribs, 1/2 pound of black diamonds (oxtails), baked beans, and yams. I came for the ribs and they were my favorite item by far. They had the perfect peppery bark on them with an amazing sauce brushed over. I appreciated the fact they didn't take away from the BBQ experience by drowning them in sauce. I'm not a fan of oxtails but my girl really enjoyed them and they were tender indeed. Baked beans were good but the yams were my favorite side. Great amount of spices and flavor to the syrup. Next time I will try the brisket but I had a two hour drive back to Santa Monica and didn't want to overeat and catch the itis in LA traffic. The ambiance can vary depending on when you plan to go. I visited on a Friday morning after landing at LAX and arrived around 11:30. I wanted to go right at opening during the weekday to avoid the weekend rush and the possibility of selling out, and I highly recommend this strategy to cut down on the wait time. We waited in line about 45 minutes to get to the register but the food didn't take long to come after we ordered. Obviously the highlight of the whole experience was meeting Walter. He is welcoming and a crowd favorite. It was so nice to see how generous he was with his time walking the floor to speak to customers and allowing pictures and videos. Thank you for making my first visit to Destination memorable. This place truly is #1 in the Nation. read more
2 months ago
I've been wanting to try Destination Smokehouse for a long time because I'd heard nothing but great things about the BBQ. After finally making it in, I can honestly say the food absolutely lives up to the hype. I ordered a half-pound of brisket, a half-pound of pulled pork, and a side of coleslaw. The brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender with an incredible bark and smoky flavor. The pulled pork was juicy, flavorful, and every bit as delicious. The coleslaw was fresh and balanced everything out perfectly. If I were reviewing the food alone, this would be an easy 5-star review. Then the bill showed up. The brisket is around $44 a pound. At that price I had to ask...is this beef, or was it harvested from a free-range unicorn that spent its days getting massages and listening to smooth jazz? My meal came out to around $45. Feeding a family of four here might require a home equity loan and a quick call to your financial advisor. The biggest disappointment isn't even the price--it's the menu. Everything is à la carte. Most great BBQ joints offer two- or three-meat combo platters that come with sides and cornbread. Here it feels like you're building a custom gaming PC. "Want another side?" That's another $15. "Cornbread?" Another $15. "Extra meat?" Might as well refinance the truck. By the time you're done, your meal has more upgrades than my computer. The BBQ sauce was fantastic...both of them. Yep, there are only two choices: regular and spicy. I was hoping for a few more house-made options to match the quality of the meat. I had also heard the restaurant has gone through some changes recently. Maybe that's true, because I was genuinely surprised there wasn't a line. It was pretty quiet inside. I can't help but wonder if the high prices, lack of combo meals, limited sauce selection, and even signs like "Pool table room available only to groups of 5 or more" might be keeping some customers away. Don't get me wrong--I will absolutely be back because the BBQ is legitimately some of the best I've had in Southern California. The pitmaster clearly knows what they're doing. I just hope management considers adding combo platters, a few more sauce choices, and making the overall experience feel like a better value. The meat deserves five stars. My wallet gave it three. read more
The food is amazing but the wait times are inconsistent. Came one Saturday morning after opening where the line moved smoothly and we got to the counter in about half an hour. Came another Saturday before they even opened but were in line for 2 hours. But there's no real indication of how long you're going to need to wait. As for the food itself, there's lots of meat options and they're all pretty good. Standouts were probably the ribs, brisket, and pastrami. Burgers are also great. The sides are a bit more limited when compared to others and quite average. The Texas toast they hyped up as house made, but also pretty average and a bit expensive. I'm hoping they sort out their wait times. As good as the food was, 2 hours is insanity. read more
The meet just falls of the bone, literally. It is reallly hard to think of a place that can beat this level of execution. They take smoking seriously here. The mean melts in your mouth. I tried both the brisket - it's basic and you cannot not try brisket. It was really good. They have their bbq raise that's good too. I went late night on Tuesday so unfortunately they ran out of ox tail, but I would try it next time. The burnt ends- absolute fire. Just amazing. Sooooo good. In terms of the orders, they pricing is per pound, but you can ask for a half pound when available. They of course can't split a dino bone, it comes as is in weight, but the brisket is easy to get 0.5 lb. Try multiple items. I can't wait to go back again. read more
WHAT A TIME! Thank you for an amazing experience and lunch Nick & Walt! I came with my brother, and we were super early. We got a tour of all their smokers in the back and a nice moment to chat with Nick and Walt about their story. Their personalities shine even more in person than on social media, and what a surprise to discover Walt is a fellow Louisianan! Now let's get to the food! Each item was BANGING! My absolute favorite was the OXTAIL! Social media isn't a facade! Everything literally fell off of the bone! TENDERNISM was in FULL EFFECT! The pork ribs were a close second! The turkey was extremely flavorful (best turkey I've had) and the brisket was also super tender and flavorful! I particularly loved the Mac and yams! The Mac and cheese is unique, from taste to the type of pasta used! Each bite was a party in my mouth! And those YAMS were SLAP YA MAMA worthy! What a lunch, what a restaurant! Wishing continued success for this smokehouse! They deserve all the blessings and virality they're receiving! Social ambiance, amazing music, wonderful service, and delicious food! I'll 100% be coming back! read more
2 months ago
I came here not knowing the pitmaster that made this place famous had left. I didnt have anything to compare it too. But I've had better bbq in LA. I ordered the brisket(not bad,decent) the oxtail and beef rib. The last 2 were dry and seemed over cooked? It was towards the end of the day for them around 4-5 so maybe I got the end of the day stuff. It wasn't worth the trip. I guess I missed the glory days of this place. I should have known when the wait was only 15minutes it was a bad sign. The sides were not great either the coleslaw , Mac and cheese and Texas toast all mediocre. It's a shame they couldn't figure out a way to keep it going together. I won't be back. read more
1 month ago
Picked up some furniture in the murrieta area and wanted to check this place out and treat my buddy who was helping me out . Walked in and was surprised how large a space it was , but with only one family of four in the entire restaurant I was wondering why it was so empty. Ordered pound of brisket , half rack of pork ribs, coleslaw and Texas toast . Cashier said it came out to $130 and I was a bit shocked but figured that's the cost . Sat down and after couple minutes got our food and immediately noticed burnt ends oxtail which I did not order. I was so hungry I just decided to accept the mis charge and eat. First look at the brisket and I knew I was gonna be disappointed. It looked gray and dry and first bite confirmed it .. the pork ribs tasted like they were just slathered in some generic bbq sauce with no smoky flavor whatsoever. And the ox tail was on the completely opposite end of the spectrum, waaaay too salty and too much peppercorn. And the bbq sauce was the absolute worst. It tasted like it was 99% molasses, corn syrup, pancake syrup , and every fake sweetener combined. Not one bit of acidity to balance the flavor . I couldn't not stomach any of it . The texas toast was the only thing that tasted half way decent. I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone and will absolutely never come back read more
2 months ago
Food was ok but disappointed they were out of chicken ,turkey and pork belly .It was pretty early when we arrived !They asked if we wanted a refund for not having the pork belly we ordered but we drove an hour to eat not get a refund. read more
17 days ago
11 months ago
Wow. I've had amazing BBq in Texas and homemade at family members homes. Little did I know it could also be found in Murrieta! We came with a group of 15 on a Saturday afternoon. The line outside did all the 'talkin'. This was gonna be good and was worth the wait. The food definitely met that expectation. Patrons will wait in line to order and then take a seat. Demand is HIGH on the weekend. Be sure you know what you want before arriving at the counter. Meat is sold a la carte by the pound on platters. Our faves were the ox tails, pork ribs, and brisket. Sides are available for purchase as well. We really enjoyed the beans and Mac and cheese. Pricing is on the expensive side, however, falls in line with good bbq. I never mind paying for quality. That's what you'll get here. read more
1 year ago
I was out here for vacation nearby and wanted to try a new bbq place. This plaza can get packed since the parking lot is small. You order first then get your table. I got their smoked oxtail, smoked brisket, and pork belly to try. Pork belly and oxtail were tender, brisket was a bit dry for my family who prefers moist brisket. Their rub for all the meat is very black pepper forward, it seemed unbalanced since my family and I thought they were super peppery than other bbq places. I did like the sides, their macaroni and cheese was good. The coleslaw helped cut the heavy oxtail and pork belly from the dish. The staff is nice and the place is clean with lots of seating inside. read more
Well let's start by saying my brother saw the hype through ig on Jordan's post. This automatically made my brother want to come here for his birthday dinner for the Tenderism, which wish come true. The family and I all went and loved the menu. My mom and I are carnivores so the brisket was keyyyy!! My dad was interested in the loaded fries which he devoured entirely. My mom ordered the bonfire bowl which she loved amd offered some to the rest of the table but only because she felt obligated too. I ordered from the Fire your Way and had the brisket. It was sooo tender, I would've eaten an entire platter if I could have. The Mac and cheese was soo flavorful, honestly one of the best I ever had. Also, I have to shout out the cornbread because OMG so freaking delicious. Even the drink options had variety! When it comes to the place itself, there was an amazing vibe. My dad was jamming to the music the whole time, and so was I. We definitely will be coming here again. The service was quick and the day we went the cashier was patie t because she mentioned the new menu had just dropped so we were learning together. Looking forward to trying more stuff on the menu in the future. Only thing that would've made the experience top tier was an alcoholic beverage tbh, I saw a bar but it was closed. Regardless still bomb! read more
I had to come and check out the viral trending Destination Smokehouse grill with "meat so tender you can eat it with your gums"!!!! The smokehouse is located right in the corner of the shopping center, you can't miss it!!! It is right off the freeway. The overall cleanliness in and out was good and smelled just like a BBQ smokehouse should smell like!! The experience: 1. Stand in line 2. Review the menu on the wall and ahead of time since you are reading this review!! 3. When you get to the counter, order and pay. 4. you will receive a table number, and cups. 5. Open seating- choose a table, place number down. 6. Get your fountain drinks or flavored lemonade's. 7. When food arrives, get ready to dive on in. **Im giving the entire overall experience, customer service and taste of food a 4** It's definitely a place you have to try for yourself. The meat is definitely tender and will fall off the bone. Mac&Cheese and Yams are definitely dishes that are subjective to each persons taste depending on where you grew up. Just like seasoned grits and potato salad. It can taste 100% delicious to me and to you not so much. I can love nutmeg and you can love cinnamon. You can love a roux Mac &cheese and I can love a baked Mac. Baked beans are cooked without meat which are a great idea for all us picky eaters!!! Cole slaw- was not good at all- the taste has a heavy lime with purple cabbage. This reminds me of a potato salad with raisins **Call in ahead and order +Pay as this guarantee you the food you want. Otherwise what you want may be sold out when you arrive. All the beef ribs and brisket SOLD out on my visit!!!! read more
3 months ago
Came here the other weekend! We've heard great things about them and they've been trending on social media. When we got here, the line was already around the parking lot and it was at opening. We waited for about 30-45 min just to get inside. Once inside you order at the counter and wait for the food to get delivered to your table. If you want to eat in, I recommend getting there early. Their meat were alright but their prices are high! Their meat is seasoned with pepper so you get that peppery taste with it. Their sauce is delicious and their customer service is exceptional. read more
1 year ago
Found out about this restaurant through some short-form content, I forget if it was on YouTube or Instagram. Anyway, we came for the beef rib and the mac and cheese, which did not disappoint. Upon entering the restaurant, the first thing you're greeted with is a long winding line to order. We waited approximately 45 minutes to order and maybe another 10-15 minutes to receive our food. It can be on the noisier side but there's a separate area to sit near the bar which is much quieter. Generally, the meat is REALLY GOOD. You don't need a knife to eat this BBQ. I feel like the rub on the beef rib was perfect with the smoke and meat. Zero complaints there. The burnt ends were tender and saucy. I found the brisket to be a bit meh despite being their most popular item. The leaner portion was dry and tough by extension. As far as accompaniments, very good except for the bread. The pickles were fresh and crunchy, and the pickled onions were crunchy and not too sweet or spicy. The pasta used in their mac and cheese is this cute shape called "radiatore," and it picks up the sauce so well. Definitely tasted the garlic and butter in the cheese sauce. The BBQ sauce was pretty standard since I feel that anything more special could have detracted from the meat. The spicy sauce seemed to have been made with Tabasco and the sweet sauce made with vinegar. I preferred the spicy sauce. Sadly, the bread was dry and hard. Perhaps it was toasted way before serving and kept warm under suboptimal conditions. My partner likened the bread to big croutons. Overall, I feel like the price was reasonable for a 3-meat platter with four slices of bread and a large side. This fed two adults with some left over to enjoy at home. Coming from OC, this place was pretty out of the way for us so we would stop by if we were in the area and had the time to do so. read more
25 days ago
This place made my brain go: "do you remember when we fell in love". the atmosphere is relaxing with good seating, spacious, excitement for adults with good music and a pool table and the ability to relax after you stuffed your face. The food is a 10 out 10, do not be fooled by others. For meats we ordered brisket, ox tail and turkey, which were all tender that we could cut it with the plastic fork. For sides we ordered cornbread, Mac n cheese and garlic mash, trust that everything was flavorful and triggered your dopamine. For the sauces there were three types, sweet bbq, spicy bbq and hot sauce, but trust, the meat did not need any sauce to help it. For the service, the staff were great, hospitable, clean and down right chill. Overall this place was perfect for delicious food and a great price. I thought SQ in OC had all others beat but Destination Smokehouse has taken the lead. Other places in MV need to take notes and improve. read more
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More info about Destination Smokehouse
Ask the Community - Destination Smokehouse
How do you order for pickup--no one answers the phone--always goes straight to voicemail? Is there an online option for ordering pickup? Not the holiday feast. I want to pick up this weekend.
Online through square or DoorDash
Do they tend to sell out by 1PM? Don't want to make the drive if they'll likely be sold out.
Can meats be ordered by the 1/2 pound or must be 1 pound?
Yes they can. The Dino bone can not.
What's the best day and time to get there to avoid the lines?
Went on a Wednesday at 4PM, small line of approx 10 folks ahead of me. I received my food around 4:45.
Coming from up North, do we need to arrive before they open?
They'll be a line, so getting there early will be helpful.
Can the burgers be ordered medium rare? One of your friendly competitors has it on their…
Is there outside seating and are pets allowed?
Yes, there is outdoor seating. Not sure about pet inside the restaurant.
Is a reservation needed?
It is best to get a reservation although I order online, and it was still very crowed. I did have to wait longer than I expected even after ordering online. I hope this was helpful.
On average, how many oxtail pieces in 1lb?
There were 3 or 4 pieces. They were tender but lacked flavor though.
How much does a half of Brisket serve?
5 lb cooked would feed 10 adults - depends on the weight of the cooked brisket.
Do they have alcoholic beverages?
I can't remember but I don't think so. Their lemonade is great though.
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252 reviews that are not currently recommended
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