Shoal's Smokehouse has established itself in my lunch rotation. There are many hits (and a few misses), but it's a great new edition to Irving's Toyota Music Factory (TMF). Here's my review update. My Overall Rating - 4 Stars (Atmosphere, Service, Food, Return) Atmosphere - First the good - if the weather is nice Shoal's will open their sliding doors and bring TMF's newly remodeled greenspace to you. There's also a full bar in the middle, tons of communal seating, and plenty of TVs on to keep you entertained. The bad - it's super-hot in Texas and parking at TMF will always be a pain. Sorry I complain about this in every TMF restaurant review. 1/2 Star. Service - First the good - the servers are super friendly there's plenty of seating. The bad - ordering by scanning the QR code never works, and your cell phone signal is weak for AT&T customers. However, you can always order from the back and the staff are so nice and helpful, which trumps technology challenges. In other words, skip the QR code and order in the back. 1 Star. Food - First the great - I ordered their fried chicken (dark), and it was pretty darn good. The chicken so very well-seasoned, had a nice crunch outside, and was super juicy on the inside. Not only was I surprised, but I also think this is going to be my go-to dish in the future. Why? Well, their burnt ends, which were tasty thanks to being tossed in some nice, tangy BBQ sauce, were a bit tough to bite into. That seems to be the theme for me at Shoals, I'm more impressed with their non-BBQ items. 1 1/2 Stars. Will I Return? - Yes. I'm a big fan of Irving's Toyota Music Factory (despite the 2% tax on my bill). There are plenty of options withs tons of variety. Add Shoal's to the mix because I'll be back (for the non-BBQ items). 1 Star. read more

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Honestly, after checking out a handful of BBQ options in DFW, my verdict is this.. If you're looking for anything conveniently located to the airport or a business district, or even downtown Dallas and so so good, that it will get your socks knocked off, especially if you're an out of state visitor.. just.. DON'T. Or at least keep your expectations low. You may as well get luckier than me and hit the jackpot. Ok. BBQ brisket tasted bland. No seasoning. At all. And I come from the part of the country where being light on salt is the default. Now smokiness was well on point. There was some marbling but not enough to deliver a mouthwatering juicy bite. Pulled pork. Same. Severly underseasoned. Smokiness was good and it was juicy. But it didnt matter.. Spicy sausage. My favorite. Seasoned and smoked well. The bread was amazing. read more

Shoals Smokehouse - Not a fan of brisket or pulled pork due to lack of seasoning. Spicy sausage and bread was very good. Jun 2025 - Smokehouse Near Me - Irving, Texas

I was craving barbeque the other day and discovered that Shoals was right in the heart of las colinas. I decided to stop by and order a combo plate. I got a 3 meats 2 sides plate, with brisket, sausage and ribs along with tots and bbq beans. The brisket was delicious and all the meats were well smoked. The ribs were absolutely divine, one of the best racks of ribs I've had in a while. Safe to say that shoals will be my go to barbeque place. read more

It sounds crazy, but with all the barbecue joints in DFW, I can't say I have one located around the corner from where I live that has blown me away - until now. Can't rave enough about Shoals Smokehouse in Las Colinas, which conveniently smokes savory meats right near Toyota Music Center! My wife and I stopped in on a Saturday night and it wasn't very busy - but when it is, I can't imagine not being served quickly, as Shoals has three different ways to order: Scan a QR code at your table, or go up to the bar or food line to be served by Shoals' attentive, proactive staff. Shoals is spacious, and its roomy seating areas are perfect for getting together with larger groups of friends and family. I ordered Johnny's Plate, which consists of two meats and a side (you can also get a 3-meat plate). I chose the phenomenally smoked pork ribs and brisket along with Shells & Cheese. Sometimes brisket can be served up a little dry, but Shoals chopped brisket was absolutely perfect. There was plenty of meat left to take home and it didn't take me long the next day to put away leftovers! My only quasi-complaint is there's hardly anything green to be found on the menu. The "pickled vegetables" are actually pickled onions and they offer braised greens - but otherwise it's pretty much carb central for sides (not necessarily a bad thing). Green beans or a side salad, which would be nice side options for convincing myself I had "at least something healthy (wink wink)." With that said, Shoals has some intriguing sides and apps to try out, including the Bacon Ranch Potato Salad, which I passed on this time because potato salad can be hit and miss for me, and I was really craving some mac. Also, its Smokehouse Queso and Loaded Baker are definitely motivation to return, which will happen very soon! read more

Inside the Toyota Music Center complex so a little corporate but still good with very friendly service. The combo dinner with two meats was is perfect for one person. The ribs had a very nice rub and were better than the brisket. read more

Shoals Smokehouse - Combo dinner with two meats and two sides (potato salad and cole slaw). Very yummy - Smokehouse Near Me - Irving, Texas

Texas has sooooo much great BBQ and the competition in the DFW area alone is crazy! So it's pretty difficult to be anywhere near the top of the list. Shoals had acceptable BBQ at reasonable prices. My 2-meat, 2-side plate was $25 and I had food to take home. What Shoals also has that others may or may not, is a very nice and comfortable atmosphere, especially in decent weather out on the patio. They also offer four different sauces: Texas BBQ, Carolina Mustard, Alabama White, and a Whiskey. Was glad I was finally able to sample the white along with the Texas BBQ--probably would not get the white again. But I did do a mixture with it and the Texas BBQ and it was an interesting fifth "Texas Meets Bama" sauce! Maybe they can add it to the menu and name it after me? lol The service was also welcoming and friendly. Park in garage using credit card and then scan the QR code in the restaurant to have your parking session comp'd. Is it gonna be "the best BBQ, ribs, brisket, etc. that you've ever had"? Probably not. Will it be a good experience? Definitely. read more

Shoals Smokehouse - Black Pepper Candied Bacon - Smokehouse Near Me - Irving, Texas

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This place had a good vibe. Great and friendly service. The burger I had was solid, and the tots were... tots. Tots are good. The Texas Smokehouse Burger has a generous portion of thick delicious bacon and sausage (I really don't understand Wagyu sausage... you don't really need to worry about "marbling" in sausage). All in all, a really solid sandwich. To be fair, I didn't have any classic BBQ, so I can't comment on that. But, the food I had was good not great, and the service and atmosphere were very nice. Would not hesitate to go back. read more

Shoals Smokehouse - Texas Smokehouse Burger with tots - Smokehouse Near Me - Irving, Texas

Excellent first time visit for lunch to this new to the workplace neighborhood. Everything was really good and that queso - wowza!! Beef tallow and all sorts of creamy goodness makes it flip flop worthy. Friendly service, great setting - the only knock was beverages in plastic cups. Which just made drinks get too warm too fast. But it's not gonna stop me from coming back, for sure! read more

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I like going to a restaurant for service and flavorful food. QR code for ordering ?????? I don't get it. BBQ is a hard thing to get right in restaurants and being consistent is even harder. This was not a good dining experience for me. read more

Service was excellent and food was delicious! Beautiful views of the new outdoor concert area at Toyota music factory. read more

Shoals Smokehouse - Pork ribs, brisket, mustard based coleslaw, elote - Smokehouse Near Me - Irving, Texas

Great place for a do it yourselfer like myself! I used to work in restaurants, so I'm really loving this new trend where I get to scan a neat little QR code and play hostess, server, and buss boy! So interactive! Best of all, you still get to flaunt your wealth by forking over a 25% tip to the magician who offers his service one time and evaporates into the Texas humidity. This is also a great pick for the adventurer; the dice-roller, if you will. The handy little phone menu, reminiscent of ordering off DoorDash, offers minimalist, one-word entree listings. Free from superfluous descriptions and pesky servers always goading you with their knowledge of the menu, you're essentially playing dinner roulette. Maybe you'll get some healthy smoked chicken, maybe it's fried! Shoot, maybe it's chicken noodle soup! It's part of the fun. Sit back and enjoy your fried jalapeños. Yes, you ordered fried pickles. Don't worry about it! (In all seriousness, the wait staff were really nice and helpful. Vibe was cool. I just hate the QR code BS and the food was pretty sub par.) read more

The place is nice. We went this Sat night. Parking for this area is horrible. We had drinks and 2 apps. Drinks were good. The chicharrones had chili pool on it and they were made fresh. Very tasty. We also ordered the smoked nuts. They were really great! You can taste the smoke through the nuts. Definitely will give it a try. read more

Went for brisket. No brisket. Service was scant. Pretty much help yourself. Bartender was hardly at the bar. Sausage and ribs were dry and tasteless. I wish I could say something good but I can't. read more

leaving this review just so they can improve. We LOVE this place and the location is convenient and staff goes above and beyond!! That being said, the cornbread and biscuits to waaayyy over cooked and not worth $10. The jelly and butter are great though!! We tried the BBQ before they had their full smoker, not sure if they have it now but I know meat quality will improve then. Corporate also needs to update the menu to this location because several of options are not actually available. p.s. ....add smoked turkey read more

Greeted us at the door told to order on our phone using QR code. Was drink orders was in they told us they closed the kitchen on a Thursday night at 7pm? The place was half full and they said they were too busy. Think they have some work to do on the staff. read more

First time trying Shoals and it was a waste of $70. Got brisket sandwich with baked potato salad the queso and we also got leaded baked potatoe. The queso came out slightly cold. They reheated but it was still bland. Sandwich and stuffed potatoes also bland. BBQ sauce was also cold and very sweet. Overall, no flavor but cool looking decor. Not going to even try it again. read more

We came in late, and my group came in unknowingly almost 30 deep at 1 time! The team immediately sat us; Julia and Laura provided friendly and prompt service. The Brisket was good, Brisket QUESO DIP WAS AMAZING! read more

I ordered the 2 meats plate (to go) with brisket, white chicken, and a side of beans! I was blown away by the portions and flavor for the price! I enjoyed it so much that I went the next day to eat at the restaurant. The service was great. I'm surprised this place isn't more busy or popular because I do think it's a solid spot. Def recommend. read more

Update of my April 28 review. Went back on October 17. First thing I asked was, "do you have brisket?" since they had none on our first visit. They said the EXACT SAME THING, word for word: "We're out of brisket, we had a rush earlier." And we went on 10/17 because Shoals was providing the BBQ for "Blues and BBQ" the next day - so we figured this would be one time that we wouldn't have to worry that they were out of brisket, right? No! How is that even possible? So, we gave them two chances and we are done with Shoals Smokehouse. I don't know what is going on with them but they don't know how to run a restaurant and I'm not going to waste my time trying them again. Unfortunate. read more

Just sad that a place with great food is so poorly run. We went there today during a lunch break of a conference. This is something that all employees should know, the place will be busy because 5000 people are about to be looking for lunch. Interestingly enough we got a seat and placed our orders quickly. Our appetizer came out and it was great. Then after many other tables got their food, we question where ours was and that's when they told us they ran out of brisket and were trying to figure out what to do. Then I just picked a chicken sandwich with tots, something easy and quick. After 22 min (we were watching the clock because we had to get back to conference) I noticed a box sitting in the kitchen window. I walked up and asked and the food that was sitting there for 10 min was our food. This place literally had 3 manners walking around asking how things were and then doing nothing about it. Tons of servers and bussers doing very little and a kitchen that looks confused... so much staff and so much payroll being wasted. Of this places is making money, they should be making 3x as much. If they are hurting, it is clear why. read more

The service is great!!! The food is so delicious! Drinks are great! We got the baked potato and the burnt ends. We will be back!

If you're staying within walking distance, Shoals will keep you alive. But don't make a trip to go. The food is ... fine -- but that's like saying a date was "fine." Doesn't exactly make you eager for another, does it? The sides aren't bad. The potato salad is too pickle-ish, but it's not bad. The baked potato is good, but ... $10 for a baked potato? Queso blanco also is pretty good. I went with a group from work, so we were able to try several items by sharing. I'll start with the positive: the chicken wings are big and plump -- the skin was badly undercooked -- almost rubbery -- but pull that off and the meat inside is excellent. Best metal we had. On the other hand: the brisket is loaded with fat and kind of slimy, almost as if it was boiled instead of, well, barbecued. Same story with the not-so-burnt burnt ends. The turkey was dry, and the jalapeño sausage had no flavor other than the jalapeños themselves, and even they didn't have a lot of flavor. They will offer something called "white Alabama sauce" with ... everything. Don't fall for it -- it's like vinegar and white paint strained through a dirty sweat sock. Overall, it's not the worst meal you'll ever have, but it's expensive for average-at-best food, and you won't walk out saying "I can't wait to come back." Best part about the place: Gloria's is right next door ... and it's excellent. read more

I needed a burger and we walked over! Great concept for a beautiful day outside, the staff was incredible, and the food was great! The burgers were creative and a meat lovers dream! We can't wait to come back to get a plate of sausage and brisket! read more

Shoals Smokehouse - Smokehouse Near Me - Irving, Texas

Had a great experience!! Awesome Bbq and atmosphere!! The host was awesome with my autistic son!! My son liked him a lot!! Thank you guys for making him happy!! read more

The brisket sandwich was excellent. Loved the way the restaurant is set up to take advantage of the outdoors.

No physical menu. You have to scroll through the app to order. Which was a pain. And the menu items weren't what I was looking for. Food was good not great. read more

We came here for New Year's Eve & the service was impeccable! The staff went above & beyond and were extremely friendly. The food was delicious & their drinks are strong & tasty. The ambience was great and everything was clean. Definitely will be coming back again to try the different items on the menu! read more

Food fantastic, large group accommodating , beverage service was spot on! Staff was fun. Will come again!

Gave this place a try while visiting for work. Very nice atmosphere & very friendly staff. The food was decent but not the best BBQ, I had the Tri-Tip which was tender & juicy along with the Burnt End appetizer which was good. The biscuits with the jam were off the hook good & was the best part of my visit. read more

Food was absolutely delicious! You have to get the queso! Staff was very friendly and attentive.

our large group had fantastic service in the patio non 2/26- waiter was phenomenal and food delicious, loved the shredded pork!