What a wonderful surprise! My mom, my nephew, and I were craving barbecue and had originally thought about going to ZZQ, but they were closed. As we drove through Scott's Addition, the incredible smell coming from SMOHK caught our attention. We followed the aroma, stopped to try it, and ended up having a fantastic lunch. From the moment we walked in, the service was excellent. The gentleman at the front was extremely friendly and patiently explained all the meats, sauces, and side dishes to us. My mom and I shared a rib platter that came with two sides--we chose the coleslaw and sweet potatoes--and added four extra ribs. My nephew ordered the pulled pork sandwich. The food was excellent. The ribs were tender, flavorful, and delicious, and the sides were great too. My nephew and I spent most of the meal debating whether SMOHK was at the same level as ZZQ or even better. I personally thought it was better, and after I let him try one of my ribs, he was impressed and delighted too! Another big plus was being able to enjoy high-quality barbecue without standing in a huge line. At the end of our meal, the owner came over and talked with us. He was very warm and welcoming and showed us photos of the catering they offer. We were so impressed that we plan to order from SMOHK for our family Thanksgiving gathering. The entire check was about $80 for three people, including three drinks, tax, and tip. Considering the amount of food, the quality, and the excellent service, we felt it was well worth it. Great barbecue, genuinely kind people, and an overall memorable experience. We discovered SMOHK by accident, but we will definitely return! read more

SMOHK RVA BBQ is tucked into one of those Scott's Addition spots where, if you blink, you just might miss it. But follow the smell of smoke into that little cut and you'll discover some seriously good BBQ. First and foremost, the food had me excited, but our interaction with the owner made the experience even better. Welcoming, funny, genuinely personable, and incredibly patient while walking us through the menu. That kind of hospitality matters, especially at a neighborhood BBQ joint, and it immediately made the place feel like somewhere you want to come back to. Now to the food. The Pork Belly Burnt Ends were the standout for me. Melt-in-your-mouth tender with that beautiful combination of smoke, sweetness, spice, and rich pork flavor. These alone are worth knowing this place exists. Definitely one of those hidden-gem dishes in RVA that deserves more attention. The brisket and pork ribs are absolutely worth a visit too -- smoky, flavorful, and exactly the kind of meats you want when you walk into a place with BBQ in the name. The sides held their own as well. The collard greens were properly seasoned and cooked just right, and the mac and cheese was rich, creamy, and delicious. Nothing felt like an afterthought. Then there are the sauces. SMOHK isn't just giving you the same three bottles you see at every BBQ spot. From the Smoked Apple BBQ sauce to the Gochujang BBQ sauce, there's a real range of flavors here that lets you take the meats in completely different directions. Traditional BBQ roots, but with enough creativity to make the place feel like its own thing. SMOHK is a different kind of BBQ joint -- tucked away, full of personality, creative without forgetting the fundamentals, and serving food that makes you glad you followed your nose. Don't blink when you're driving by. This one is worth finding. read more

Ribs flavorful and tender..........Brisket has to be the best in RVA! Manager was personable........Great Food! read more

Heard someone saying it's good bbq, so I headed out to Scott's Addition to try it. Hard to locate, but I think that's part of the experience. If you go into bar next to it to ask where the entrance is, you'll get a rude response. Looks to be predominantly a take out place. The few tables inside were mostly empty, though I went well after lunchtime. Guy at counter was friendly. BBQ pork was almost too dry, but my sauce moistened it enough. Decent flavor. Portion was smaller than I expected. Sides were well-portioned. Was hoping they had fried okra, but they don't. I would go back, but I'd try other bbq places (that I haven't been to yet) first. read more

SMoHK is a little hole in the wall. If you're not looking you may miss it but once you find it you'll like it! We arrived as soon as they opened and the smell of the food being cooked was amazing. We were promptly greeted by staff and the restaurant was nice and clean. The food was good we had a large brisket sandwich and a platter with chicken, collards and Mac n cheese. It was also very good. The collard greens were perfectly seasoned and the smoked chicken and Mac n cheese were delicious. It was a great visit I would definitely recommend and return. read more

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Drove down from Boston to visit family and, honestly, lunch at Smohk was nothing short of the highlight! Best BBQ in Richmond, hands down - the service was as warm as a southern summer (but far more generous!) and the food is incomparable. read more

Although i came in late so they were sold out of most stuff i just got a pork sandwich and mac n cheese but it was very good and really good service very friendly read more

We moved to Richmond May 20th and ordered pickup here that night on a whim. Did not disappoint! Do you ever get bummed about not being able to try everything on the menu without breaking the bank? Well, here you can. Look no further than the "Bowl-style" meals - every side is basically available as a topping so you get to try a little bit of everything. Chipotle meets Southern BBQ - but obviously much better quality :) The char of the brisket was delightful and the Smokey Apple BBQ sauce had such a nice kick. The mac base was a MUST - reminded me of your classic picnic mac and cheese - and served as the perfect foundation for a bowl chock full of some other amazing textures and flavors. That crunch of the coleslaw was perfect! Looking for quick service? You got it. Looking for authentic BBQ? You got it. Surprised this place isn't the most popular BBQ in Richmond - seemed like a bit of a hidden gem when we found it. Will be coming back here for sure! read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - Brisket Platter w/ Smokey Apple BBQ Sauce. Sides: Green Beans & Collards! - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I consider myself a bit of a barbecue aficionado. Anywhere I go I'm always looking to try barbecue places in the area. This is absolutely one of the best barbecue places I've ever been to!! I got the ribeye bowl and my wife got the brisket bowl, and they were both absolutely delectable. We also got the beef burnt ends - which were exquisite. Even the sides, such as Mac & cheese, sweet potatoes, and baked beans - everything was SO delicious. It felt like the type of restaurant Ron Swanson would run, and that makes my heart happy. read more

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This is barbecue Ron Swanson would be proud of. It's a little hole in the wall, but cute and cozy inside. Great menu options; we tried the brisket, ribeye, and burnt ends. All meats were cooked and slathered to perfection. Their apple bbq sauce was so delicious and unique! The sides were delicious as well. The man who helped us was so kind and patient, and the food came out very fast! Not a Richmond local, but I'll be coming back any chance I get. Richmond locals, don't miss out on this gem!! read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - A cute sign inside! - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

When my GPS led me down an alley to this restaurant I was incredibly confused. Online it says "no frills" and that is for sure the truth. We had a table of 6 and all tried something different-- not a single person was disappointed with their meal. Absolutely delicious, fresh smoked barbecue! My sister got the brisket with mac and cheese and that was a real winner! The owner is also super friendly and provided great service! We will definitely be back soon! read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - Turkey - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This place is what you call no frills BBQ joint. But first, you will need to find it as it is tucked away in a building not directly on the street. It is a small place with a few tables. A very nice owner taking your order. And a limited menu, but really good. My family and I made our own sampler platter by ordering a brisket platter and adding a meat (Pulled Pork) with baked beans and coleslaw. We also added a 4 bone rib to our order. It was all really good. And it really hit the spot! read more

Very nice little spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Great brisket and great service. Try all the sauces to find your favorite. We came here ahead of the Flying Squirrels Opening Game. Easy walk. read more

Not the easiest place to find... in fact their T-Shirts advertise "Richmond's most obscure restaurant location"... but once you're there get ready for some AMAZING BBQ! I had "All my XXXs" and not only was the meat great (all smoked on the premises) but the sauce was h-h-h-hot! Just the way I like it. Also made by hand on premises. Reasonable prices, clean if a little small, with friendly service. Highly recommended! read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - Front door sign - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Pitmaster cooking the ribs. The meat just fell off the bones. All the sides were amazing.

Small restaurant with a good selection of meats and sauces. Had the ribs and some brisket. Both were delicious.

Best brisket BBQ and the house sauce off the chain. Service perfect. Ambiance - serious BBQ does not require ambiance. You came for the food. Having said that, it was perfectly clean and cute in a retro basement kind of way. The Macncheese was very old school and good. My only suggestion - skip the collards - the restaurant needs to up their collard game to the level of everything else. Amateur, rookie collards. The limeade isn't quite Bill's (IYKYK) - maybe it could be a little less sweet and with carbonation. Good luck guys, highly recommend. read more

The best BBQ that we had on our road trip!! The meat on the ribs had a dry rub seasoned to perfection and the was falling off the bone. There was so many ribs in one order, I was stuffed but could not waste any! Their brisket was also soooo delicious and tender. For sides, we tried their collard greens, beans, and Mac and cheese, all were filled with flavor and really good. The owner was very nice and made sure that we were well taken care of. The inside has about 6 tables but there is also a great outdoors space with benches as well. read more

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According to my out of town visitors, the best BBQ they've had ! We had a group of 15, pretty much took the entire indoor dining space. The orders came out fast and all of them delicious. The drink offering is limited and we can't order from next door. This was too bad. Also the place closes at 7pm, seems early. Besides that we had a great meal and will return! read more

my god the service is impeccable. Mr. Roby you are that man. First off you are greeted with a nice smile from a man with a great beard with a bluetooth mic headset. He will answer your questions all day with integrity. we ordered the brisket sandwich with mac and cheese. it was superb. he even gave us some free turkey with it too! if you're reading roby, you're amazing. 5/5 read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - they also have the best ice cubes - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This place has great food!! I had the pull pork sandwich and the meat was perfect! I had the apple sauce bbq with it. Great sweet flavor sauce. My partner had the brisket and she said it was 9 out 10 good. She also had sweet potato side and it was like candy. The beans also highly recommended!!! read more

My family and I was visiting for a day. Food was ok & I enjoyed the pull pork sandwich. When you come here be sure to place your order at the register and then seat yourself b/c the waiter will not know that you have ordered. Small inside & the sides needed more seasoning as it tasted bland. ( Collards & Mac) read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - My son enjoyed himself - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

My employer had lunch catered by Smohk just a few short weeks ago. We had two choices of meat - chicken and pork and three sides -baked beans, Macaroni and cheese, and potato salad. Fair and honest feedback: this was not a win for me. The chicken was dry. I did like the BBQ sauce (can't recall the sauce but had apple in the name). Potato salad contained way too much mayo. The baked beans lacked flavor with an extremely loose consistency. And...the macaroni and cheese...Just noodles and a cheese sauce; similar to a Kraft Mac - no flavor. This is not a place that I'd recommend based on the description above. read more

Drove to Richmond for the day and we were looking for popular bbq spots in the area open for dine-in. We ended up coming here per Yelp's recommendation. It was a bit tricky to find this place as it was located further back from the street. We parked on the street since the private lot was transformed into outdoor seating. The interior was small but cozy. There was a large table off to side that comfortably seated my party of 6. You order at the register first then the order is brought out to you. The service was quick and friendly! I ordered the Ribeye Sandwich with the Smoky Apple BBQ sauce and a bag of chips that was included. All in all, it was a solid ribeye sandwich! The sauce was great and complimented the meat well. It wasn't too sweet or smoky. I recommend dropping by here if you're in the area! read more

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If you're looking for good bbq give smohk a try. Both the brisket and the turkey were Smokey, tender and flavorful. Will be back! read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - Brisket Large Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Overall, decent bbq. Stopped in here as we were only in RVA for the night and too late to catch zzq (and Smohk accepts online pre-orders). While we liked most of the stuff we tried, nothing in particular stood out, so will likely skip on future trips to RVA. The restaurant is sort of hidden at the back of an alley next to a bar. There's an indoor dining area and place to order from. Our order was ready on time and complete. The favorite protein were the ribs which fell off the bone. Brisket was decent but a touch overcooked/dry. Wasn't a big fan of the ribeye which comes sliced very thin and seems more suited for sandwiches, not a ton of flavor. For sides, none stood out, but would rank what we tried as collards - mac - sweet potatoes - slaw. As for the sauces, their house bbq sauce was the favorite, followed by mustard (heavy on yellow mustard), and Carolina (basically vinegar, very runny). read more

I really wanted to like this place, everything I saw on line looked so good.(this is why I don't believe everything I see or read) I'm not big on brisket, however I felt the menu had enough for me to select from. The foodies bloggers @we_hungryaf invited me out to try a new place, I jumped all over the opportunity (don't judge me lol I get hungry). We arrived at the place, waited a few for someone to appear from the kitchen. We placed our order at the counter and sat ourselves. The @we_hungryaf crew ordered beef brisket sandwich and a bowl, and a pulled pork sandwich. Their sides consisted of macaroni and cheese, greens, coleslaw, sweet potatoes and baked beans. They also gave us bags of chips as a side. I ordered the grilled chicken bowl, with rice, green's, red onions and Cole slaw. I tried everyone's food, and found it kind of bland and dry. The bloggers seemed to have enjoyed their food, but refused to try mine, lol. The beef and pork dishes were better than the chicken, but not by much. My chicken was so dry that the only way I could make it tolerable was by letting the chicken marinate in the dipping sauce, and mixing with the greens. I tried to feed the leftover grilled chicken to my dog's and they didn't even want it. The people seemed nice enough, but I don't go out to eat for the people, I go for the food. I personally won't be returning, but to each his own. My palate is fickle and demands excellence. I refuse to compromise. read more

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We had the chicken, beef burnt ends, brisket, macaroni, green beans, and collard greens. The burnt ends and brisket were the best. It was the most amazing "fall off the bone" meat I may have ever had. Water comes in a cup, not in a bottle. The only down side was that there wasn't much sauce provided. read more

***A strong 4.25 If you blink you could miss this place. It's a cool, rustic little smoke joint tucked away in an alley of sorts. I turned over a stone and found this place. I hit the door and already I could smell smokey meat perfume through my kn95. Roby greeted me and got me set up with my plate. He was friendly and a cool guy to speak with. It turns out this was his establishment, right on. Since it was my first time I went the classic route: a large pulled pork sandwich w/ smokey Apple bbq sauce, potato chips and a cup of the famed brunswick stew. Everything was fantastic. The brunswick stew was very unique, as I'd not had a brunswick stew with what seemed to be a vinegar addition and it worked very well. I look forward to trying more from this place soon! read more

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I'm picky about bbq but this place was fantastic! The food was fresh and probably in my top 5 bbq places. Price was good, too! Only $10 for a sandwich isn't bad at all. I got the Mac and cheese as well which had a nice Smokey taste. The restaurant was a little hard to find, tucked in an alley behind Strangeways brewery, but worth it. Service was good, food came out in about 10 minutes. I got it to go and utensils and napkins were in my bag for me as well! Would definitely go back. read more

Coming from Massachusetts finding good BBQ is difficult. And I don't claim to be a barbecue connoisseur. However, the barbecue that we had during our trip to Virginia at Smohk was exceptional. The look in my son's eyes after he took his first bite from the ribs was something I wish I could express in this review. We had eaten at another barbecue restaurant the night before, and it was good, but this was just better. It was at "another level" On top of that the customer service was fantastic. True southern hospitality. I look forward to my next visit! Next year I plan on working my way through the menu. read more

Pulled pork was top notch, very smokey, good flavor & texture. I got the apple bbq sauce which was good but the meat was so good it doesn't really need sauce read more

My friends, fiancé, and I got into a nice conversation with the owner of this business. He's a very nice man that's dedicated his time to get this place to where it's at today. The restaurant itself is small and doesn't have a lot of tables - so I do suggest taking your food out. I've also been told that this place sells out quickly, and we just happened to go within the first hour when they still had plenty to serve. The only things they didn't have were rice and ribs and I was really looking forward to those. However, the BBQ is excellent. We got the pork and the brisket bowls - we really can't find a lot of good BBQ places back in Florida (where my fiancé and I live). The next time we go to Virginia, we'll definitely come back. read more

Ok, so we were going to try out this other, but they couldn't seat us for more than an hour. Instead of waiting we looked around. Let me tell you, this place may be the most obscure place to put a restaurant, but WOW!!!! We tried a bunch for things on the menu, only one that made it long enough to get a photo was the ribs, which were an absolute masterpiece. You want go BBQ? Give these guys a try. read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - The Full Rack Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Delicious. Went here on a planned outing to zzq, when we didnt realize theyd sold out. But luckily Smohk was right around the corner, through the lil beer garden strangeways has set up. I got the regular brisket sandwich, my husband got the large pulled pork sandwich, and i ordered one slider trio for my young boys to share; however, that is why I knocked one star off, because they charged us and gave us two slider trios instead of just one. (More food and it was great as leftovers, but i asked for "a slider trio for the boys to share" and when the gentleman taking our order asked to clarify he said "do you want one for each or just one" i said "just one, they wont probably even finish one together", so i feel like i left things pretty clear there. My husband paid without thinking about the total...but when we got our food i noticed an extra box, so i asked my husband the total and sure enough he had paid for the extra meal. Partially our fault for not catching the wrong total, but i also feel like the man putting the order in was either not listening or two accidentally put it through and therefore needs to be double checking through the order process.) Anyways, the food was delicious, so much nice woodsmoke flavor! My brisket melted in my mouth and the boys ate a bunch of their pulled chicken and pork right up. The side of collards we got was good, also melted in the mouth as well cooked collards should. We also tried a small side of their baked beans: tasty, something different than your classic going on there but it worked. We enjoyed the leftovers at lunch the next day and the large portions ensured all four of us ate bbq again! I'd definitely revisit Smohk for tasty barbecue. read more

Absolutely delicious! This place is nestled behind strangeways brewery but the entrance is a little hard to find. Once you think you're there, keep walking and the door will be on your right. Watch your step, because there's a big drop right when you walk in. I went here with my bf and his family for his birthday and we all ordered different things. He got the brisket platter with mac and cheese and baked beans. I ordered the pulled pork platter with green beans (best I've ever had) and Mac n cheese. His parents both got sandwiches. Everything was absolutely delicious and I was obsessed with my green beans. They had so much flavor! The pulled pork was moist and the added apple bbq sauce was great with it as well. Overall, we really enjoyed our meals! I'm very happy that we stumbled across this place and I finally got to try it out! I'll be ordering pounds of those green beans in the future, you can count on that! read more

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Delicious BBQ. The brisket was so tender and delicious. Wonderful smoky flavor that I will dream about for months. The BBQ sauce was a perfect smoky and sweet combination of heaven. If you driving on the 95 past Richmond and craving BBQ, this is your place. Don't miss out. You will be glad you stopped in. read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - Hanging outside near the slow smoker! - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This is one of Richmond's hidden gems... if you know, you know!! It's a no frills place and I always leave feeling so satisfied with the food and the good conversation. I highly recommend the brisket sandwich, all of the sauces, and the mac&cheese. read more

Smohk RVA BBQ - Brisket sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Smoked bbq is my new jam! Seriously this place is so good and you can taste the smoky flavor in each bite. My boyfriend surprised me with lunch and it did not disappoint. We got the smoked wing and large order of the mac and cheese. Seriously this place did not disappoint. When you get smoked bbq it's a totally different flavor vs. just regular bbq. I am not sure how to describe it besides that it's delicious. The only thing was that the wings weren't really saucy, the meat was still very moist and tender but the wing itself was on the dryer side. The mac and cheese is for sure 5 stars and we completely demolished the dish . We also got the pulled pork bbq which was sooooo good. The bread + slaw +bbq = a total win. All the sauces are house made . I mixed the mustard and the house bbq is sooo good, I put both sauces on my sandwich. Smohk is on the pricier side of BBQ but everything is organic with the motto from farm-fire-you! I personally dont care if my meat is organic;it all about the taste. It is a nice bonus but the prices reflect that motto. I know when I get a BBQ craving this will be the spot, especially since i dont own a smoker. According to my boyfriend the location was a little tricky since its kinda in the back of the building. Thankfully he saw the sign on the road. Its literally across the street form the Circuit, you just have to walk to the end of the ally. You should see a tent and a small door maybe follow your nose as well. Its mainly take out with a couple of tables inside . For sure off the beaten path but the bbq is well worth it ! read more

Enjoyed a delicious meal here last week. I had the pork BBQ platter which was moist and flavorful also had the green beans and baked beans. Everyone enjoyed their meal the chicken sandwich was good too. I like their apple smoked bbq sauce they also have a NC vinegar based too, You go here for the food atmosphere is ok very clean! We will be back! read more