Some of the best BBQ in the Valley. Price is not to bad. Food tastes great. Differently worth the trip to Meridian from Caldwell Staff was very friendly from the get go. Explained the menu quickly. Looks like BBQ joint, not a first date romance place. No TVs so u gotta talk which I liked. read more

Smokin Iron - Two meat plate, brisket and ribs, BBQ beans and coleslaw. - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

Man was I excited to come here! I saw reviews stating "like Texas BBQ" and I was so disappointed! I ordered the pork butt and brisket. Both of which lacked in flavor but were good in tenderness. The house sauce was a runnyish tomato base that was just okay. I had a side of beans and they were undercooked AND lacked flavor. I went with another person who also got the beans and he said the same thing. He said the brisket was cooked okay but bland in flavor. The service was great, the place itself was fine. The tea was good but that is the only thing I would consider going back for. read more

Really great bbq. Wife picked this place and im addicted. Brisket is sooo moist Bbq beans yummy. Little pricey but worth it. Staff is very friendly. Stop in you won't be disappointed read more

Always up to try a new (to us) BBQ place- this is Texas style BBQ, and will say that the sauce was delicious- we all tried a different one (original, spicy and hot honey BBQ), and they were all tasty. The Mac and cheese was also good. The food came out fast, and the place itself isn't big but was busy the whole time and they have a decent amount of seating. We went for lunch on a Saturday and they were out of the ribs until 5pm- the pork sandwich was chunks of pork (not shredded) and it was on the fattier side, the smoked turkey was decent, as was the brisket, but I personally wouldn't order the pork again because of the big fat chunks (just not my favorite). The brisket chili is Texas style (just meat in a sauce) and the teens did like that, and the BBQ beans were also okay. Overall, the service was fast, but not very personable (could have been flustered by all the people). We also tried the banana pudding, which was okay as well. It's not bad by any means, but wasn't our personal favorite. I know everyone likes different types of BBQ, so if you like Texas style, I would say go check it out for yourself. Price point is decent, fast service and I do wish they sold the sauces to go, because I would 100% buy that. read more

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This is legit Texas style barbecue in the Boise area! I've traveled for work there a couple times and made it a point to stop after a recommendation from a local. I've ordered the brisket (lean or moist available) and the jalapeno cheddar sausage on a plate with two sides. Outside of Austin or Lockhart, this is my favorite. Friendly staff and lots of catering options and platters. If this place were located in the SF Bay Area, there would be a line out the door! I bought some sausage home to grill-amazing. Boise-Meridian, what are you waiting for?? read more

Great BBQ. Fast service and friendly staff. More of a "cafe" ambiance. Lots of catering and take out orders. We would definitely consider having them cater a party for us. Food on the expensive side, but commensurate with other BBQ places in the Treasure Valley. read more

I spotted a BBQ place I hadn't tried before, and I'm glad I stopped in. It's located in a generic strip mall, the vibe inside is casual, low-key, and utilitarian, like old school Texas BBQ places. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and seems to be enjoying their work, and you like to see that because its good when a little bit of love goes into the food. The quality of the meat is outstanding. The brisket is good, cooked low and slow, tender, rich, and perfectly smoked with a great bark and smoke ring. The jalapeño cheese sausage has a perfect crisp casing. Everything is reasonably priced, and they smoke the day before and sell out throughout the day, so come early if you want to get the good stuff before they sell out. read more

Authentic Texas BBQ with friendly service. Stopped in for takeout on our only night in town and were so glad we did. The staff was friendly and the food... Oh Lordy, it was good!!! We have had BBQ in Texas and this is definitely on par, I would go as far as to say the brisket here was better. We ordered the jalapeño sausage, brisket, baby back ribs, and coleslaw. The brisket was the favorite with the sausage coming in at a close second. Tons of flavor , super tender, and a perfect smoke ring. The coleslaw is great, tender crisp, slightly creamy, and a little sweet , everything you would expect with traditional BBQ. They use very high quality meat and it shines through in the flavor. They also sell BIg Red soda, if you know, you know Of you're in town and looking for the real deal BBQ this place is a must stop! read more

Decent bbq in Meridian. Food: 4/5. We got the J.R. plate with ribs, pulled pork, and mixed brisket with a side of beans and Mac and cheese. I burned my mouth on the beans they were so hot and they tasted a little bland in my opinion (the burnt mouth may have made an impact). The mac and cheese was pretty good and probably my favorite part of the meal. The meats were all ok but nothing special. The bbq sauce is just ok as well. Service: 3/5. We stood in line for a while before anyone came to the counter to take our order. I felt we got our food pretty fast! Atmosphere: 3/5. Fairly generic strip mall bbq restaurant. Parking can be hard to find and the parking lot was packed although not many people in the restaurant itself. Kid friendly: 4/5. They have a couple highchairs which is nice and good food for kids. My kids loved the mac and cheese and bread. read more

Smokin Iron - JR plate - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

amazing service and food can't wait to go back It was are first time there and staff was very helpful read more

Smokin Iron - 1lb brisket and potatoe salad - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

This place is legit. Closest thing to Texas BBQ I have found in the entire area. Love the brisket and sausage. I always grab some sausage for the freezer at home. read more

A little preface. I grew up in the South and travel to Texas for work a dozen times a year. I am a Texas BBQ fanatic and have tried many of the Top 50 spots across the state. TJ and her husband are from Houston and they bring their BBQ roots with them to Meridian. I can confidently say this is the closest thing to real Texas BBQ I have had in Idaho. The brisket is amazing, with the right smoke and tenderness. The turkey might be the biggest surprise. I am usually not a turkey person, but this is one of the best I have ever had. The sausage is good, but probably my least favorite of the meats. The pulled pork is insanely moist with great smoke flavor and is an easy standout. Then you get to the desserts. Just start with the staple Bananas Foster cheesecake and thank me later. Keep an eye out for her rotating specials too, because those are just as impressive. If you want true southern style BBQ in the Treasure Valley, stop in and enjoy Smokin Iron. You will not be disappointed. read more

My wife and I ordered baked potatoes, one with brisket and one pork butt. The potatoes were cooked perfectly which can be hard to find but the meat was just ok. If you are into just smoked meat you will love this place. There was also a ton of meat compared to potatoes. The BBQ sauce came in very small dipping containers and just wasn't adequate if you like your meat lathered in sauce. The cost was around $42 for two potatoes and two drinks. Service was top notch. The cashier was super friendly and helpful when ordering. The tables are large inside so it feels like you are a long ways away from the person across from you. All in all a good place to eat but probably not somewhere I would choose again. Definitely worth trying once and see if it is your jam! read more

My family used to enjoy getting this place every once in a while but now being met with nasty attitudes, declining quality and high prices, we will not be back. God forbid you ask to see the kids menu that they hide behind the register, the young girl with brown hair that typically runs the register will give you the nastiest looks and huff and puff while you review it. She has had the nerve to ask why I'm ordering 2 kids meals to go if I only have one child with me as if I can't have more kids waiting at home. The chips for the nachos are no longer made in house in tallow anymore like they advertise. They are thin, soggy and multi colored clearly from a store. Meat was dry and mostly burnt ends. Mac and cheese was cold and had essentially no sauce to it. read more

Smokin Iron - Mac and cheese cold and very dry. - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

Mmmmm visiting from LA and found this gem.... Damn!! Im still eating now and it's delicious. Big portions n delicious. Im coming back...

This is the absolutely the most mouthwatering, delicious bbq. They're always so kind, helpful and willing to offer suggestions. I can also gush, non stop, about their chili. I. Am. In love. Can I marry chili? If a "side dish" makes me feel this way... it should speak volumes about the rest of the menu. read more

Smokin Iron BBQ is a true hidden gem, and hands down some of the best BBQ you'll find anywhere. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with genuine Southern hospitality and charm that instantly makes you feel like family. The owners, Tonya and Larry, pour their heart and soul into this place, and it shows in every detail--from the warmth of the service to the unbelievable quality of the food. They don't just run a restaurant; they create an experience. And the Wagyu brisket... simply unreal. It is without question the best brisket I've ever had--perfectly smoked, insanely tender, rich, and flavorful without needing a thing added. This is next-level BBQ that stands out even among the best. If you're looking for authentic BBQ, incredible owners, and that rare combination of top-tier food and heartfelt hospitality, Smokin Iron BBQ is it. One visit and you'll understand why this place is special. We'll be back again and again. read more

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Blown away. I've been to Terry Blacks, Stubbs, and others from KC to California. Smokin Iron is my hands down favorite for smoke, flavor, price, friendliness, and satisfaction. I tell everyone who loves great BBQ to come here and thank me later. The brisket and the jalapeño cheese sausage are my two favorites. See you here! read more

Smokin Iron - Brisket, jalapeño sausage...after I ate some I remembered to take a picture lol - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

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This place was OK. The meats were very tender. We had the brisket, the baby back ribs, and a turkey when it came to moistness the place hit the spot seasoning on the other hand was a little light could've been a little bit more flavor to it I definitely tasted the smoke. Had a good bark on it. I Judge good barbecue by needing sauce. If you don't need sauce, it's good barbecue it didn't need sauce! read more

Flavor explosion! My husband and I randomly stumbled across this place while driving by, and WOW, what a find! We decided to stop in and ordered a bunch of different items, and every single thing was packed with flavor. The food was incredible and the service was just as great. My husband kept saying, "Finally!" you know that feeling when you find a spot that just gets it right. When you know, you know. This place is an absolute gem, and we're already looking forward to coming back to work our way through the rest of the menu. If you're driving by, do yourself a favor and stop in. You won't regret! read more

The taste was great, and the meat was cooked very well. Our order came out fast and we were in and out, and they provided great customer service! We were disappointed by the portion sizes though - we just felt like we got so little for how much we spent. Also wasn't impressed by the white bread that came with the food; with how much we paid, maybe there could have been some better bread. read more

Had the brisket chili today and it was really good. Wouldn't mind beans with but the taste was right on. They give you a couple cornbread waffles which I thought was a good touch. Love to mix it in with chili. They always ask me if I like what I had which I appreciate too. Usually have the jalapeño sausage sandwich which is one of a kind. read more

Updating review to include major kudos for Smoking Iron catered my Kentucky Derby Party of over 70 people and killed it. Everyone asked where did we get such good brisket, smoked turkey and sides? Highly recommend this business for great BBQ Texas style. They truly know how to cook brisket. read more

Had heard about this place at meridian speedway. Meat was good but potato salad had raw potatoes and bbq baked beans tasted like chili. Zero "bbq". Both were nasty!! And smallest portion of potato salad. Board says $5 extra for brisket. But they charged $5 more for burnt ends. Charged be $3 for a water cup and $.90 for two tiny bbq sauce cups. Nowhere worth even half the price read more

Smokin Iron - I thought it was high priced but damn - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

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Very good food and the smoke smells as you walk in let you know you are in the right place. The sandwich and a side might be slightly high in price at $20 but the taste was amazing! We will be back for sure. read more

Food was ok. Half rack ribs was charred. Mac salad had hard noodles. But prices were ridiculous. Won't come back, sorry.

Great BBQ, friendly service and nice ambiance. Reasonable prices and amazing desserts.

The service was OUTSTANDING! Those behind the counter were courteous, thoughtful and attentive. The food is amazing! They serve authentic Texas-style BBQ. A 10/10 experience read more

We went about 1PM so it wasn't real crowded, I can see how it could get crowded tho, as it isn't a real big place. Not sure where they do the smoking, as I didn't smell it outside. The aroma hit me when I walked in though. The main squeeze and I split the Angus Brisket sandwich with the mix of lean and moist meat. We added tater salad and beans, plus a drink. It all came to about $32 with a tip. That seems high, but is probably comparable to other BBQ joints. The sandwich was good with plenty of meat. Don't mind the bun in the pic, I held it down to cut it in half. I didn't think about asking them to cut it in the kitchen, it would have been better. We opted for the BBQ sauce on the side since I don't use very much. There were 3 pickles in the tray, could have used a few more. The onion slices could have been thinner, we really couldn't put them on the sandwich. The BBQ baked beans are excellent, not real sweet with a nice touch of heat from what I guess is jalapeno. Tater salad was good as well, firm pieces and little salt. I had to tell them that the soda was flat. They quickly changed the CO2 bottle to fix that right up, very good service. Very good, but a few more pickle slices and thinner onion slices would have been 5 stars. read more

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Idaho I would say 4 stars and give it a Texas 3 stars. Texas folk are picky with their barbecue so bear with me. Ribs not fall off the bone and a bit dry. Jalapeño sausage I wasn't really a big fan. Didn't really seem homemade, how we make it in Texas little different. Devil eggs need some seasoning don't be shy. Bread I would upgrade to Texas toast, maybe put it in the oven for a minute. Or go with homemade rolls. Brisket was overall pretty good. Pick up orders wouldn't recommend it unless you're a big party. They don't cut your meat until you get there, which is OK but 10 minutes should make my meat taste any different. Price: Ok, meat usually fluctuates with the market. read more

It's a small place at a strip mall and you order at the counter. The food was great, service was great and so was dessert. Did not disappoint! My husband and I shared the pork belly spud and slice of Texas rum cake and left full and happy. read more

I heard about this spot through a family friend and had to check it out! It's a simple establshment without much decour but a MEAT word on the wall. It is clean and can fit a group comfortably but if you're lookin for that bbq restaurant feel, it's def lacking. Their service from when I walked in till I left was immaculate. At first glance, the food prices shocked me a bit, $17.99 for a brisket sandwich without any sides or drink? $2.99 to add a side? $2.99 to add a drink? I was literally in downtown Nashville three weeks ago and had an epic brisket sandwich with a side at Martin's BBQ for $15.29. So with that, I'm like well, maybe their brisket is really that amazing?! I also got their Banana Pudding Cheesecake for $6.99. So my total cost was around $34 after tax for 1 person. Now if you're gonna claim Smokin in your name, it had better have smoke flavor. And your bbq brisket had better have bark and a good smoke ring. This brisket had neither and zero smoke ring. I was actually shocked lol. I tasted a hint of smoke and I'm not sure if it's liquid smoke or actual smoke at this point. I also only got maybe 4-5oz of meat on the sandwich. With that said, it was cooked well and had a good bounce. The mac and cheese I had was ok but something I could easily make at home. Now, what did save them from a 2 star was they did make an awesome dessert! The Banana Pudding Cheesecake is worth coming back here for every single time. I may try other things in the future, but for now, unless their pricing comes down or their food becomes better, the value is not there. read more

Smokin Iron - Banana Pudding Cheesecake - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

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From the moment we walked in and caught that incredible smoky aroma -- and spotted an autographed Earl Campbell Houston Oilers helmet -- we knew we were in for real Texas BBQ. Larry and Tonya couldn't have been nicer or more attentive. We ordered the three-meat plate with brisket, ribs, and smoked turkey, plus sides of coleslaw and beans. Larry even tossed in a sample of his potato salad, just because he could. This summer we waited over 90 minutes in line at Michelin-rated Corkscrew BBQ in Spring, Texas -- and honestly, Smokin' Iron blew it away. The brisket was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone perfection, and the sauce? Easily the best I've ever tasted anywhere. The sides were just as impressive: fresh, perfectly balanced coleslaw (not too sweet, not too tangy), and beans that hit every note -- smoky, peppery, and meaty. Larry's homemade pecan cheesecake was the perfect finish. To top it off, he even sent us home with a bag of brisket trimmings for our dachshund. So happy to have found authentic, high-quality Texas BBQ right here in Idaho. The food, the warmth, and the hospitality made us feel right at home. Keep up the amazing work, Larry and Tonya -- you've earned customers for life! read more

Fantastic! Tonya has a passion, and it shows! Best BBQ I have had in Idaho. Brisket and pork butt had the perfect amount of moisture and fat. It's great to have BBQ that you can eat straight, and use of sauce is optional, and not required to enjoy you BBQ. Perfect cook on both meats. Brisket hangs on a fork, and will pull per spec. Couldn't ask for anything more. Friendly service that has pride in their product. I will be back to try that brisket chili! read more

So with all the excellent reviews that you guys put on here, I was expecting this place to be extraordinary when it is nothing more than average actually, I wouldn't even say average I would say greatly below average. There's no smoker. It's done in the oven and Smoke is added and for you people that think it's excellent barbecue you've obviously never been to Texas and had barbecue cause this is not Texas barbecue. This is California barbecue democrat barbecue liberal barbecue. There's no smoke ring. there's no work on the brisket whatsoever and I had a Frito pie. That was a pretty simple to make. The lady told me that they are spicy. I asked if they were hot and she said no they're not hot. They're spicy so with that being said, she obviously knows the difference between spicy and hot when it was so hot that it burned my mouth. I took it back into her where she screamed in front of other customers at the top of her lungs called me rude because I didn't like her food and then said that I was the problem when there is multiple women in her kitchen, brushing their hair out with their fingers above the shopping boards and then chopping multiple different kinds of meats and or sausage on top of the shopping board that can cross contamination at its best. This place is not anywhere you want to visit. I would keep your money go to Albertsons by your own meeting and go home because you can do better at your own barbecue grill than this place does with their fake meat and they're fake smoking abilities and the lady that's in there that owns this place is so rude and unprofessional. I will be calling the right entities to make sure that they don't continue business in this town because Idaho wins don't stand for garbage like this and not to mention the deviled eggs. Oh my good God the deviled eggs are so disgusting and dry that you better have a 46 ounce drink or larger because to choke that crap down you have to have a steel stomach cause mine was left in the parking lot cause I do not have a steel stomach and I got sick. One bite and they went in the garbage. read more

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Food was horrible, dry, kid portions. Look at the picture. Even the Mac, was a joke . No flavor, undercooked. read more

Smokin Iron - Barbeque Near Me - Meridian, Idaho

Smokin' Iron BBQ is next-level! Smokin' Iron BBQ instantly became one of my favorite spots the moment I tried their Wagyu brisket. It's unreal -- perfectly smoked, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and packed with flavor in every bite. You can taste the quality and the time they put into it. Their homemade sauces take everything over the top. Each one has its own personality, from sweet and tangy to bold and smoky, and they pair perfectly with the brisket. You can tell these sauces weren't thrown together; they're crafted. The staff is friendly, the portions are generous, and the food is consistently outstanding. If you're a true BBQ fan, this place needs to be at the top of your list. Highly recommend the Wagyu brisket -- it's worth the trip by itself! read more

Finally had an opportunity to try this place. My expectations, after reading through Yelp reviews, were lofty. Have to say that Smokin' Iron more than met those expectations. Located within a small business block among several other restaurants, stores, and services, the facility was neat, clean, and efficient. Counter ordering can be accomplished via a touch-screen or via the helpful counter staff. -- I was fortunate to be here on a Saturday - it is the day when burnt ends are available. I settled on the burnt ends sandwich, a side of potato salad, and a fountain drink (Coke products). Wanting to keep things at a base level, I opted to have the house bbq sauce on the side (did not really need it per se, but wanted to sample it). There also is a large cooler that holds other various in house products for purchase. All very tempting. -- My plate was built and delivered promptly. I appreciate decent portions and do not mind paying what might seem a little elevated cost to see good food in a generous serving. That was indeed the case today. The burnt ends sandwich was loaded with large chunks of burnt goodness (the size of gigantic dice). The potato salad was not served in one of those miniscule plastic bowls - no, it came in one of those larger fry-boat containers. There were freshly-sliced onions and tart dill pickle chips to use as wished on the sandwich. I used my requested house bbq sauce on a few bites of the burnt ends as well as the sandwich bun "castoffs". The sauce was a nice meld of sweet & savory and would play well with the other meats here (another visit!). -- Side note to my visit: While I had started to enjoy my lunch, the owner of Smokin' Iron came over to see if my meal was good. We talked a bit about smoking different meats, etc., then she went back to their kitchen and brought out a little sampler of a few products. She brought me a slice of smoked turkey, some actual brisket - the core source of today's burnt ends, and a large piece of one of their house made sausages (it was delightful). -- There are other places offering bbq/smoked meats on their menues, and I really do enjoy a couple of them quite a bit. In all honesty, I feel like Smokin' Iron is a great representation of true Texas bbq. Will be returning here soon to try more items on their extensive menu. read more

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Like a cafeteria; prices too high for a place with no service. Needs some music and maybe some cleanup out in front of the restaurant. Food was acceptable but served in picnic fashion. read more

This place is the real deal. I've had BBQ in Texas and this place is as good as what I've had there. The Brisket was amazing and the Brisket chili was the best chili I've ever had. Can't wait to come back next time I'm in Idaho to try more. read more