Was outside working and the smell walking by twice let me know what is on my mind for lunch. The service is friendly and fast , every table is filled from toddlers to grandparents I ordered the two meat (chicken & brisket) and sides were dirty rice and bbq beans. If you live nearby and haven't been here then check in your uber and have it delivered . If you do go out and in this area , it's a MUST stop and eat . My meal was very affordable and worth every penny (like $20 n change ) read more

Smokin' J's A Barbeque Joint - Two meat (chicken n brisket ) w/ dirty rice and bbq beans - Barbeque Near Me - Minden, Louisiana

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The smoked turkey was very tender. It was a little under seasoned for me. They rely on the meat and smoke flavor for sure. It's not a bad thing, I'm just a big seasoning guy and it could have used some black pepper or something else to make it great. The potato salad was pretty good too. It reminded me of my childhood, very traditional, mustard forward flavor. The bbq sauce was very thin and too sweet for my taste but still good. I love that they offer a pickle and pepper bar though. read more

The barbecue is great, the beans are great but there is entirely too much mustard in the potato salad. Potato salad that tastes like mustard is awful read more

Great BBQ and sides! We stopped in for a quick bite as we were traveling to Shreveport. We had the Chicken Sandwich, Brisket Sandwich, & 3 rib plate. Our sides were, green beans, potato salad, baked beans, dirty rice, coleslaw, & peach cobbler. Everyone made a happy plate! read more

Rating: (4/5) Very pleasant experience! The food was good overall. The chicken was a little tough, but the brisket and ribs had great flavor. The sauce was okay--I prefer a thicker style, but that's just personal taste. The potato salad and beans were both solid sides. Peach cobbler didn't quite do it for me--not bad, just not something I'd order again. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and the establishment was very clean. The women's restroom was also clean and well-stocked (management might want to fix the lock on the first stall). All in all, it was definitely worth the 30-mile drive from Arcadia to Minden. I'll be back. Good food! read more

What a phenomenal idea! A BBQ sammie place ATTACHED to a gas station! Stopped by for lunch and so glad I did. I did the pulled pork sammie, beans and slaw. I HAD to have the peach cobbler too! HA. Service was spectacular and prices are very very reasonable. They converted the old garage spaces into the restaurant. Very clever kids!! Highly recommend. read more

This is some good stuff right here!!!!!!!!! I recommend this restaurant for really good BBQ!!! It's a gas station and a VERY good BBQ Joint as well read more

Doesn't close at 9pm, closes at 8pm. Yelp & Google hours are wrong. Called and ordered for pickup, arrived at 8:11pm to locked doors. Great BBQ but wasted an hour round trip because they can't be bothered to update their hours online anywhere. Disappointed. Incorrect hours or even just closing early is a common theme in this absolute $h!th0le of a state. read more

Coming from a texan, this place is really good. Everything is tender and smoky, turkey isn't dry at all, baked beans are really good. Drive thru and dine in. Lots of stuff on the menu, service was really good. Portions are very good as well, they do not skimp out. read more

Smokin' J's A Barbeque Joint - Barbeque Near Me - Minden, Louisiana

My coworker and I had lunch there. I had beef brisket, he had sausage & ribs. We got two small sides & water. He paid $15+ I paid $12+ The sides were serviceable; beans, coleslaw, potato salad. And he liked the sausage. Sadly, that's the end of the likes... He got 3 small ribs which he said looked like one long skinny one cut three ways. Very tough & dry. The smoke was good but you were gnawing on them to get to it. Obviously overcooked. My brisket also, good smoke decent bark but clearly an inferior grade of beef, again quite dry & chewy. The place is glitzy, clean, seems popular, and the price is about par for barbecue although this is a counter service type place. The value proposition, to us, is a fail. read more

Awesome place grate food people are so nice there!! Would definitely eat here again . read more

Smokin' J's A Barbeque Joint - eople in the background - Barbeque Near Me - Minden, Louisiana

The cashier was informative. Clean establishment. The food was awesome! Smoky flavor, tender and the sides were well-seasoned but not greasy! I will definitely make the drive out of the way solely for this again! read more

Smokin' J's A Barbeque Joint - Ribs, brisket, turkey, baked beans (the best), dirty rice, green beans, bbq sauce & buttered bread. - Barbeque Near Me - Minden, Louisiana

I got the potato with turkey. It had a really good smoked taste and the bbq sauce was pretty good too. I had gotten my order to go so I was hoping they would have put all my fixings in the potato but it wasn't. The store was clean and the staff was very friendly. I recommend giving this place a try. read more

Smokin' J's A Barbeque Joint - hot dog and a sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Minden, Louisiana

Best brisket I've ever had in my life !!!! It was tender and good fresh made to order the fries were okay those were regular but that brisket !!!! 10/10! read more

Solid place. Has the brisket, green beans, dirty rice, jalapeño popper salad, and Texas toast. The brisket was tender and well seasoned. I loved the sauce on the side. The dirty rice was very yummy and seasoned well. The green beans were just okay, I don't need to have them again. I really liked the popper salad, it was flavorful and unique. My brother said the chicken bbq fries were read more

Smokin' J's A Barbeque Joint - Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Minden, Louisiana

Well this is the last of my 5 days here in this small town and I thought I'd treat myself to some good barbecue. After 2 let downs in this sleepy town, I give this place 5 stars. I ordered the 3 meat plate and have to say that I'm extremely happy with my choice of ribs, brisket & Jalapeño cheedar sausage. The ribs had the meat falling right off the bone, The brisket was really tender and falling apart without a need for a fork or a knife. The jalapeno cheddar sausage was tasty without real fire or heat that even young kids I think would enjoy. I had a double shot of potato salad which had a definite mustard aftertaste and was very tasty. All in all, I highly recommend and will let my pics do the rest of the talking. read more

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Great food and GREAT service. We were looking for a snack, and it smelled delicious!!! Grabbed beans, brisket, and Texas toast. Great flavors, YUM!! We will definitely come back to try. Prices were great as well! Check out the daily specials, even greater deals. Service was STELLAR, the young man who helped us(owner?)was AWESOME! This Texas chick will be back!!! Pulled pork next time read more

Great restaurant in a gas station, I always come here when I visit my parents. It's a must have if you're in Minden! I got the 3 rib plate with beans and coleslaw. Clean environment with a great staff! read more

Smokin' J's A Barbeque Joint - The 3 rib plate with sides of bbq beans, coleslaw and sausage. - Barbeque Near Me - Minden, Louisiana

Good brisket and sides. Clean and fast. Worth the drive out of the way. Will be back to try other items.

Ok I NEVER leave reviews but this place was so impressive. The brisket was outstanding, I had chop beef sandwich, my husband had the turkey sandwich and we both loved it ! Clean restaurant! Very sweet staff, and I asked for help on what to order and he was so kind to tell me about his favorites as well as my husband . I should take a picture when I go back , I just went Saturday from Shreveport and I am driving back to Minden from South Shreveport again today. I am in LOVE with this BBQ ! read more

Great food good service great dinner daily specials friendly service always. Will be back many more times

Brisket is very good. Very clean. Corner lot easy in and sides were good too, clean lots to eat

Love Love Love their BBQ Brisket sandwiches. That's what I chose for our Fathers Day meal/41st wedding anniversary meal 6/20/2021. There is no brisket no better in my book! I can't say enough about it. I always get chopped beef brisket, potato salad, baked beans. They were out of baked beans today so I opened a can, seasoned and microwaved. I forgot to take a pic, but it was so delicious. Staff always so nice! read more

This is my favorite place in town to eat!! Oh my goodness the BBQ is some of Louisianas finest!! Best salads in town. Not to mention it's a FULL service gas station/truck stop! read more

Best bbq around Minden! Everyone knows Smokin Jays! Get 2 mr. Nasty's one for now and one for later

Every item is good. Ribs outstanding! Brisket excellent! Ham sandwich on Hawaiian bread awesome! Staff is friendly and helpful.

smoking jays in my opinion has the best ribs in town and in the convenient store it was very clean Chloe's very very friendly and helpful most definitely highly recommend read more