My daughter and I were passing through Grayson when we saw this place knew we liked it before and…read moredecided it was time for lunch. My daughter had the brisket sandwich with baked beans and I had the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw. The atmosphere was interesting, the service was great and the food was fantastic. Highly recommend recommended when in the area.

One of the only sit down places in town. The smoked wings are good but the deep fried ones had a…read moretough,chewy skin to them. The deep fried banana peppers were delicious and the deep fried stuffed mushrooms were something genre and very tasty. The place is large and can handle large parties. Staff was so so but it looked like we hit there at the end of a long shift so I understand that.

Hubby and I visited this place since we had a gift certificate. It was a Tuesday night so we were…read moreseated right away. Cameron was our server and he did an excellent job. I ordered the brisket tacos and hubby got the 3 meat platter with ribs, brisket and chopped pork. The brisket was very good, but I suspect we received brisket from 2 different batches because one of my tacos was salty and the other two were fine. Hubby said ribs were a bit overcooked and a tad dry. My tacos came with one side so I chose broccoli salad. However it arrived with coleslaw instead. Upon mentioning it to Cameron he apologized and brought the correct side. Was planning to order bread pudding for dessert but was completely stuffed after our meals. Considering it was a Tuesday, the place was hopping. Servers were moving around at a brisk pace. We will return again!

From the moment you step inside, the aroma hits first: a deep, hickory-laced perfume that signals…read morehours of slow devotion rather than shortcuts. This is barbecue that announces itself honestly. No gimmicks, no pretension--just meat treated with respect. We started off with the Texas Sausage Sampler which includes 3 Sausages. Jalapeno Cheddar, Hickory Smoke and Original Old Fashioned. Served with Carolina Gold Sauce, Mustard and Horseradish. The sauce is outstanding. Smoking J's Rib House in Ashland, Kentucky, is the kind of place that reminds you why barbecue isn't just food--it's culture, patience, and pride rendered in smoke and fire. The ribs are the undisputed star. Thick-cut, generously portioned, and lacquered with a bark that balances sweetness, smoke, and spice, they arrive with that elusive perfection every pitmaster chases. The meat pulls cleanly from the bone without collapsing into mush, proof of disciplined temperature control and timing. Each bite delivers layers: smoke up front, pork richness at the core, and a restrained tang from the sauce that enhances rather than smothers. Brisket lovers will find plenty to admire. The slices boast a pronounced smoke ring and a pepper-forward crust, with fat rendered to a buttery softness that melts on the tongue. It's assertive, confident barbecue--unapologetically Southern, yet precise enough to impress even seasoned purists. The sides refuse to play second fiddle. Mac and cheese was amazing, creamy with a baked top that adds texture, while the baked beans carry a subtle smokiness that echoes the pit rather than competing with it. Coleslaw provides a crisp, cooling contrast, cutting through the richness exactly as it should. What truly elevates Smoking J's, though, is its sense of place. This isn't barbecue chasing trends or Instagram aesthetics. It's barbecue rooted in community--food that feels earned, familiar, and deeply satisfying. The atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming, the kind where regulars are greeted like family and newcomers are quickly converted. Smoking J's Rib House doesn't just serve great barbecue--it reinforces why Ashland deserves a seat at the table in Kentucky's smokehouse conversation. It's a destination for locals, a worthy stop for travelers, and a reminder that when barbecue is done right, it doesn't need to shout. The smoke speaks for itself.

Coleslaw did not meet expectation Brisket sandwich was…read moregood before I put the coleslaw on it. Could have used a touch more sauce. Bbq chicken sandwich was dry, not nearly enough sauce. Found bone sizable bone in chicken sandwich. Had to use baked beans to improve overall taste Baked beans were good Green beans were good Service in the take out area was quick and pleasant. The takeout area was ok. Just looked like a bar with a lot of war memorabilia which looks like it's their thing. Fun stuff. Overall passing grade for the price. Would've gotten higher grade if not for chicken sandwich.

Great place for Bbq products, better than most in the area, service has always been good as wellread more

Great food and great service! Best BBQ in the Kanawha…read moreValley! I go there for lunch on a weekly basis!

Everything on the menu is fantastic. Always hot, fresh, and just good food. The people there are…read morealways top tier.

We stopped in for an early Saturday Dinner to celebrate Fathers Day…read more We were seated immediately and our waitress was there as we sat down. It was obvious that she was very busy and still made us a priority with drinks and offer of an appetizer. We decided on our meals and she took our order right away. The restaurant is clean and spacious. The food was prepared to perfection and our waitress Elle was professional and offered multiple suggestions for extras and her favorite desert. Yes it is what we ordered. The pie was a large piece and we took half of it home with us. YES we will be back for the brisket special when it comes up.

Pros: Family owned…read moreLots of seating and ample parking Lots of adult beverage options Cons: Our server had trouble knowing the difference between an amber and IPA beer The combo platter had potential, but everything was overly scattered with sauce. That's all you could taste. Pro tip: Ask for sauce on the side

Awesome food--we loved the pulled pork, loved the ribs, the Cole slaw was super delicious, and the…read moregreen beans were great too! The large smokers caught our attention as we were passing by, with smoke billowing out--and the aroma of delicious smoked meat made us turn around and stop in. They were so nice and helpful with the food choices, and a special touch was the cook presenting the food to us before bagging the boxes for us to go. He was also very helpful in suggesting a cool (and apparently little known) picnic spot by the river! Perfect! I can't wait to go back! If you love BBQ, this place is the real deal.

Food was ok the first time I went but the service was good. The woman that served us made up the…read morefoods lack of pizazz! The second time the food was fantastic. Fall off the bone ribs. I mean so tender moist sauce in my beard and all over my face! Some local sports highlights needs improvement!

Tucked away in the heart of Pembroke, Virginia, Bluegrass BBQ delivers everything you'd hope for…read morefrom a true small-town gem. From the perfectly seasoned fried fish to the smoky, flavorful jerk pulled chicken, every bite tasted like it was made with pride. And then came the surprise star of the meal--the hush puppies. Crispy and golden on the outside, warm, soft, and pure comfort on the inside. What truly made this experience unforgettable was Albert, better known as "Vinny de Vincent." His passion for cooking is contagious. As he shared the story behind his recipes, his cooking process, and his vision of serving both his community and the world, it became clear that this is more than a restaurant--it's a story of second chances, reinvention, and purpose served on a plate. His hospitality made us feel like family the moment we walked through the door. If you're looking for authentic Southern flavor, genuine hometown hospitality, and a meal prepared with heart, Bluegrass BBQ earns a well-deserved 5 out of 5 from me. This is the kind of place that reminds you why small-town America still has some of the best food--and the biggest hearts. #BluegrassBBQ #PembrokeVirginia #SouthernCooking #SmallTownHospitality #CulinaryGoodness

Bluegrass in Pembroke is by far the best bbq in over a 100 mile radius. I consider myself a Smoked…read moremeats & BBQ snob. Pretty much everywhere we have tried in the SWV area is mediocre at best. Finding good properly slow smoked brisket, ribs and pulled pork is getting harder and harder to find, or at a decent price. Well, you can stop looking if you're near the area and stop into Bluegrass! First, the brisket is fantastic. Not overly fatty, well smoked, grainy and very tasty. I had it with a dollop of the Bourbon Sauce and Traditional BBQ sauce. Absolutely near perfect. Next up are the Ribs. These dry rubbed smoked baby back cut style are meat falling off the bone delicious. Again, I drizzled just a small bit of Bourbon & Traditional Sauce on them which enhanced a nice sweetness. Next up we tried the Pulled Pork with a bit of vinegar and molasses which was succulent with a great taste through and through. For sides we had the beans, Mac n cheese, sweet potato casserole & hush puppies with butter. As I said, by far the best we have had in over a 100 mile radius. This is authentic slow smoked meats, dry rubbed, not drenched in sugary sauce. You control any flavor of sauce you want at the table with several great selections. The Bourbon and Traditional were my favorites. Because of the rarity finding honest and authentic smoked bbq like this, I wish I could give more than 5 stars, as it's the closest to Texas Slow Cooked you will find in the Southern Virginia / West Virginia area. Lucky for us it's not far, as we will be coming back to enjoy this wonderful family geared place, with amazing service tucked away in sleepy ol' Pembroke VA. And if you doubt any of what I've said, my tray picture below says it all, from a 3 meat combo w/sides, clean as a whistle. It was that good!

Ok... alright... South Charleston, W. Va. I see what you're doing…read more Was passing through on my way home to SC and I yelped "soul food - Charleston, WV" and this popped up. Since I really only eat one big meal a day I was hoping this'd do. I gave it a shot. Had to park behind the restaurant because I didn't see any parking up front. Nice place. Looks like at night it could be a jumping little spot for drinks. I ordered something simple, fried chicken with yams, greens, and Mac. Great choice! Food was hot and tasty. Good portions too at a decent price. I only had water. If I come back up here I'd hit it again. It's not in the cut but across the river. Good food and good people.

When I search for a soul food restaurant, I search for food with soul, not food that warms my soul…read more (There's a difference to some people.) The chicken was good, but I expected more seasoning. The greens&yams were phenomenal. The rolls seemed small and store bought, so I wasn't thrilled about that. So all in all, it was pretty good, but I wouldn't say excellent. The waitress was super sweet, and they had a station playing on TV where MJ was still black, so that ups the score for me! The only other complaint I had was that they didn't have grits, and that's what I was really wanting that day. Had to go get them from my usual place after I left. Oh, and the inside of the restaurant was really clean too, which I appreciate. As everyone on here has pointed out, it is a black owned business, so go eat some good food.. and if you have a problem, tell someone, I'm sure they'd accommodate, they seem like good folks.

All of the 5 star reviews should tell you everything you need to know!…read more My husband and I stopped in and we needed to pick up some take out to feed 5 adults. The guy in the back offered to sell us meat by the pound rather than getting the combo platters so that's what we did. We got a pound of each: brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. We got 2 sides of Mac n cheese and 2 sides of the loaded potato salad. Everything was excellent and top notch!! I'm really picky about Mac n cheese and Mo Betta's was some of the best I've ever had. We also brought both of their bbq sauces home and they were both delicious. The place was clean and the service was super friendly! I'd definitely go back!!

Best barbecue I have had in a long time. I couldn't stop eating it. I recommend at least trying it…read moreif you love barbecue cooking

I always appreciate that "Big Blue" lives up to its name. And trust me - it has diverse "sauces"…read moreas it claims to. They don't lie.

Reviews are about right…read more Stopped at Big Blue Smokehouse in Hazard on Memorial Day. The place has the feel of a longtime local institution with good bones, though the restaurant and bar show some wear. Overall the restaurant seems past their peak years. Staff mentioned they were short-handed, and service was understandably slow. The menu is very broad and might benefit from focusing more tightly on the items they execute best. The ribs were the strongest part of the BBQ plate with solid bark and decent smoke. Pulled pork was slightly dry and mild on smoke flavor. Brisket was inconsistent -- some slices dry, others much better and more moist. Mac and cheese was typical, and the broccoli casserole was an interesting side, think cream of broccoli soup meats pot pie. Not destination BBQ, but an authentic local spot with and hometown feel.