Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Smokey's Kitchen

    3.6 (609 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Smokey's Kitchen Photos

    SMOKEY'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Smokey's Kitchen

    Recommended Reviews - Smokey's Kitchen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sausage omelette
    Kristy C.

    Been here a lot. If you want BBQ this is the place. Always good food. Breakfast is delish. Chill environment. Sometimes this place can get really busy at lunch time. Be patient. There are only a couple of servers and they are always working their tails off. The chef and kitchen staff are also working their tails off. I've always been welcomed here as well. It's a bbq place- don't expect perfection like other reviews have described. Sitting outside is relaxing as well.

    Historic photos and artifacts
    Stephanie M.

    Weekday breakfast with fast friendly service. Enjoyed my Mexican Breakfast which had generous portions and nice ripe avocado. Cute Tahoe feel, very clean.

    "Large" fries, 15.75 - we ate a few by now but more or less this is it. =o]
    Sheldon L.

    Burgers were great, first and foremost. Big patty, grilled bun, etc., a la carte. Basic cheeseburger $16, small fry 6.75. The rest, not so great. Progressively priced 29 dollar sandwiches, large fries 15.75 (see photo), $40-50 meat plates. The smoked meat sampler tasted warmed-up. I don't blame them, if so, since no one was in there (on a Saturday), hard to justify smoking fresh meat every day. The sampler consisted of one "Beef rib" which was a big knuckle with almost no meat, two small slices of brisket, two pork rib bones. $18. In 2020, a sign was posted saying they raised prices 10% due to covid. Now that covid is in the past, prices are about 50% higher. Higher? My burger was $11 in 2022, yesterday $16. Meat sampler was $16 in 2023, now $18. I realize everything costs more now in CA, but it didn't have to be this way. If you voted progressive, thank yourselves for this austerity. I had a shake and cheeseburger in Austin recently - it was $8. Bill at Smokey's was about $190 with cash tip (as requested).

    Emily T.

    The chicken tortilla soup is to die for! Love this spot for bbq (any meat, but big love to the brisket), breakfast, and more. Great service and people who care about what they do. Love the old school truckee ambiance too!

    2 meat plate with brisket and pork ribs, Mac n cheese and cowboy beans, with cornbread
    Jon Z.

    My family has come here multiple times on the way down the mountain, and this was my first time coming in a while. I got the 2 meat plate with pork ribs and brisket, then my sides were Mac n cheese and cowboy beans, with cornbread as well. I thought it was really good overall. The ribs were super tender and tasty. The brisket in my opinion could have been better, both in terms of texture and taste. It definitely needed a good amount of sauce added and wasn't as tender as I was hoping for. The Mac n cheese was great, and about as good as non-baked Mac n cheese gets in my mind. The beans were super loaded with meat and flavor and were also very good. Lastly I also loved the cornbread which was super light and delicious and paired well with the butter which was very rich and smooth. Overall the sides stole the show in my opinion. The staff was also friendly and kind. You get the feel of a log cabin inside as well which is very cozy. Probably won't be my last time coming here when I'm in the area.

    Breakfast sandwich on sourdough- highly recommend!
    Heather S.

    Patio seating on a beautiful day. We enjoyed breakfast sandwiches, mimosas & bloody Mary's. All very good. Friendly staff too.

    Full rack of pork ribs, 2 sides and cornbread $42.00
    Sue S.

    Stopped in for an early dinner, in the mood for BBQ! Smokey's is easy to find, on Donner Pass Rd. It has a good amount of outdoor seating, and lots inside as well. It was an early Saturday evening, and the staff seemed quite busy with takeout orders. My friend and I ordered the full rack of pork ribs to share, for $42: included a full rack of smoked pork ribs, 2 sides and cornbread or biscuit. I chose the mixed vegetables, which were cooked perfectly and seasoned lightly. My friend had the corn on the cob (reportedly good), and cornbread. The cornbread was a bit sweet, cake-like and tender - super yummy! Now for the ribs: we ended up with a massive amount of ribs - at least 12 of them. They were meaty, fall of the bone - which you would think means 'tender'. Nope. The ribs were not tender, a bit tough, chewy, with marbling of fat - I suspect they were cooked too fast and not "low and slow" enough for the fat to melt into the meat. Ribs were smoked: I found the flavor odd and not really appealing. My first time with smoked ribs, and I guess not a fan. My friend who had eaten smoked ribs before, and prefers them, agreed that they were not tender and had an odd flavor. Ambience: open areas, soft music playing, TVs on over the counter, bathrooms clean (out of paper towels). Staff super busy but as attentive as they could be. Overall, sides were good, smoked ribs not great.

    Outside view
    Sarah H.

    Wow! We grabbed burritos from here while we were charging our Rivian. It was around 10:45/11 so we decided to get more of a breakfast option. We called and got an order for pickup, took about 15-20 minutes. These burritos were delicious!! Of course they were large which is what I expected but the flavors were so good. I got the machaca burrito for more of a Mexican flavor. Insider there is a bar and tables, and the outside has a shaded patio. Great spot!

    Buffalo Chicken Wrap

    See all

    Photo of Pam M.
    26
    34
    18

    20 days ago

    Tortilla soup- yes! Chili that's a big NO. Wraps are good and service from Lucy is the absolute the best!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff S.
    163
    16
    2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim G.
    0
    48
    0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Geo T.
    0
    41
    32

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kat K.
    219
    21
    13

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Barb B.
    0
    63
    24

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of R B.
    0
    2
    0

    8 months ago

    Super friendly staff, delicious food. Came in for breakfast was blown away, will be returning for more!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary M.
    63
    19
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 5
    Photo of s w.
    6
    12
    10

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Janell K.
    64
    45
    89

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 16

    Ask the Community - Smokey's Kitchen

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Barbeque 268 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Donner Lake Kitchen - Tuna Melt with jalapeños, onions and Sweet Potato Fries

    Donner Lake Kitchen

    4.3(534 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    A Must-Stop Gem in Truckee! If you are driving into North…read moreLake Tahoe, Donner Lake Kitchen is the perfect pit stop. It's located right next to the lake, making it a super convenient and scenic spot to stretch your legs and grab a bite. The Experience We arrived on a Friday afternoon and, despite it being a busy time, we only had a 10-minute wait before being seated. It's a family-owned spot, and you can really feel that warmth in the service--the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We absolutely loved the relaxed, local vibe of the place. The Food The portions here are generous and the flavors are spot on. Here is what we tried: * The Turkey Melt: My wife ordered this and it was massive! It came on perfectly grilled sourdough with cheddar, grilled onions, turkey, bacon, and avocado. She paired it with a fresh side salad and said the sandwich was amazing. * The Tuna Melt (with a twist): I went for the tuna melt on grilled sourdough with jack cheese, tomatoes, and--the best part--jalapeños and grilled onions. It was a fantastic twist on a classic. I got the sweet potato fries on the side; they gave me a huge portion and they were delicious. * "San Julian Style" Chicken Tacos: My son got these and was really happy with his dish. You get three corn tortillas filled with chicken cooked in their homemade salsa, topped with lettuce, tomato, and avocado. They serve them with salsa and sour cream on the side--definitely a hit! Verdict We definitely recommend this place! Between the tasty food, the friendly atmosphere, and the prime location right by the water, it's easily one of our favorite finds in the area. We will definitely be back. Tip: If you're heading toward the slopes or the lake, don't just drive by--pull over and eat here!

    We've been coming out here for a couple of years ! This place is quaint & cozy , Mom & Pop…read morerestaurant. It is one of our favorite places to go to when we're heading back to the East Bay . They're always on a wait but seriously we don't mind the wait b/c the food & service is worth the wait . We usually order the country fried steak , single pancake & our friends usually order the mushroom & spinach omelette & eggs Benedict & of course Bloody Mary's. The huevos rancheros is another favorite ! The food is comforting & just simply homemade & fresh yumminess . The place runs like a very well oiled machine . You write your name on the dry erase board & boom you will eventually get sat but they do burn & churn . It's not a real big place but I love the coziness & warmth of servers & owners are just the BEST !!! We will continue to visit this restaurant . Y'all need to check out this Awesome breakfast place . One day we will try it for lunch .

    Photos
    Donner Lake Kitchen - A small part of the dining room

    A small part of the dining room

    Donner Lake Kitchen - Side House Salad

    Side House Salad

    Donner Lake Kitchen - Turkey Melt Sandwich with house sala

    See all

    Turkey Melt Sandwich with house sala

    Village Pizzeria - Medium meatball and chicken

    Village Pizzeria

    3.9(654 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    10/10!!!! Potentially the best pizza I've ever had!…read more Absolutely recommend this spot if you're craving a really good pizza! They loaded the toppings to the max and it was amazing. We each got a Pizzete (perfect size for one person + leftovers and you get to customize it however you like) and the Caesar salad. Hands down the BEST Caesar I have ever had! The dressing was so flavorful, love when you can taste the garlic and anchovy in there. They also pleasantly surprised us with 2 big garlic sticks on top of the salad. Was a great meal and very easy to bring home and eat after a busy day. Will definitely be coming back next time I'm in the area!

    The pasta bread was really yummy!! The garlic butter was amaaaaazing! My boyfriend and I agreed…read morethough it should be on the side, but minor detail. We ordered the chicken parmigiana and the bbq chicken pizza. They were okay. The chicken parmigiana came with pesto pasta, which was a bit bland, but the chicken parmigiana itself had so much extra cheese and sauce, you can make the pesto pasta a regular spaghetti. The bbq chicken pizza was okay. I liked the bbq sauce, but my boyfriend wish there was more of it. Get the pasta bread! Or order an entree that comes with it, like we did with the chicken parmigiana! My boyfriend also got some beers, but he wanted a glass of wine, which apparently they ran out.

    Photos
    Village Pizzeria - Inside

    Inside

    Village Pizzeria - Pizza Skins

    Pizza Skins

    Village Pizzeria - Outside of Village Pizzeria

    See all

    Outside of Village Pizzeria

    Jax At The Tracks - Half strawberry Belgium waffle

    Jax At The Tracks

    3.5(2.1k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    We stayed right across the street from Jax and decided to stop in for lunch…read more We ordered the clam chowder and a beef dip sandwich to share. The clam chowder was excellent--just the way my wife likes it. It was on the soupier side with bacon, celery, plenty of clam meat, and just the right amount of potatoes. Definitely something we'd order again. The beef dip, unfortunately, was pretty lackluster. The sandwich was simply sliced roast beef without much flavor, and the au jus was also very mild. I ended up adding some flavor crystals (salt) just to bring it up to "meh." On the positive side, the fries were good. Overall though, it's not something I'd recommend or order again. The staff was great. When our server heard we were sharing, they kindly split the sandwich and fries onto two plates for us, which we appreciated. We'd probably return at some point. I saw a few burgers go by that definitely gave me some lunch envy.

    I have been here before and thought the food was good so I didn't hesitate to recommend this to my…read morehusband for dinner one night- granted I had been here about 25 years ago prior. Love the idea of this place, it was quiet and had the place to ourselves it seemed. The service was fantastic! But the food fell a little short of our expectations! The banana milkshake was great. The burgers were good according to my husband and son but the BLT was such a disappointment and the onion rings had burned bits all in the bottom of the tray. I don't like their "plates"- not sure how they clean and maintain the cutting board they serve the food on but seems like a breeding ground for bacteria? Just not a fan. I was hoping after being on Diners Drive-ins and Dives that the quality should be there, even something as simple and basic as a BLT should be stellar or just take it off of the menu. Sadly I won't be coming back- prices were high for the quality.

    Photos
    Jax At The Tracks
    Jax At The Tracks - Fried Zucchini

    Fried Zucchini

    Jax At The Tracks - Vanila caramel shake

    See all

    Vanila caramel shake

    Smokey's Kitchen - bbq - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...