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    Smoking Jay's BBQ

    4.0 (241 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Barbeque
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Smoking Jay's BBQ Photos

    Business Info

    SMOKING JAY'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Smoking Jay's BBQ

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    Ryan L.

    The service was fantastic and the BBQ was amazing! The sausage was incredible, ribs were great, rib tips were exceptional, Mac n cheese delicious, smoked beans were fantastic and the brisket was perfect. The gizzards were a bit chew but the batter was so yummy. The cornbread was on the dry side. I definitely recommend this place, good ol' hole in the wall BBQ.

    Trying to see how they Smoke BBQ in Omaha.....
    Chris M.

    When I saw this place I was very excited to check it out. Since I was new to the Omaha and just getting here from Texas. This was the first BBQ restaurant I visited and I must say that I was very disappointed. I like the restaurant decorations and the staff was very friendly. I even had the pleasure of talking to the owner and we had excellent conversation. From the discussion he convinced me to get a sample of most the meats and he had me excited to dive in. I so glad that I did not add the beef rib, because I can't imagine that would have been any better. Once I arrived home and opened my food the visual was absolutely disappionting and things went down hill from there. The meat had pretty decent flavor but it was rather dry (not moist). Everything looked like it was a few days old it really killed my adrenaline. Everything was mixed together and it just looks horrible. I think the owner should have talked to the cooks in the back, so they could have prepared me a plate that matched his hype; because the two were definitely disconnected. I always love to support small business but I can honestly say the I will not try this place again. Everything looked like 3 day old leftovers. I did not even try to finish my food.

    A rack of ribs.
    Marshall T.

    Friday night and the end of a busy week. I asked my wife what we wanted to do for dinner. She was considering the options and mentioned having a taste for barbecue pork. My mind thought of more well known chains, and questioned if a local grocery might have something to offer. And I landed on Smoking Jays, which is located just a few minutes from our downtown Omaha residence. I asked her if she wanted to be adventurous and she said yes. We were feeding three adults. She wanted a barbecue pork sandwich. My son wanted ribs, coleslaw and fries. I decided to get chicken, which like the ribs, comes as a meal with two sides. The sandwich gets one side, and she wanted waffle fries. For the purposes of sampling, I decided to get onion rings and potato salad, and let everyone taste whatever they wanted. Our two dinners and sandwich meal costs $76. I was concerned about how much food would be given. We all ended up with leftovers for later and were full. My half chicken was packed with a piece of garlic toast and a square of cornbread, which I thought was a little odd, but I appreciated the cornbread because the garlic toast was very obviously seasoned with garlic salt. The onion rings were also a bit salty. They seem to be homemade and battered, so tasty but with a bit of salt with each bite. I tasted a waffle fry and didn't taste any salt. They were part of my wife's sandwich and she enjoyed her meat and the fries and said they were not salty. The rack of ribs were very tasty and very much "falling off the bone". My son enjoyed the half of the ribs he was able to eat at the first sitting. He had some coleslaw and I had potato salad for sides, both of which were fine. Almost sure they are pre-made items, but they were acceptable. The final comment is about accessibility to the store. You can only get in by making a right turn, from the right hand lane, on 13th, and to exit during the rush hour traffic, I made a right hand turn onto Vinton (you can enter this way, too, but you need to have a blinker on and be very clear about your intentions) and when you get on Vinton, you need to be prepared to turn right again to navigate back to the Old Market area. So if you are downtown and in the mood for barbecue, it is a good option to check out, especially to bring home a lot of tasty food.

    Half Rack Beef Ribs  Okra fried  Honey cornbread
    Jarhead G.

    On a trip and decided to stop here in my Mother's Hometown and have some bbq . At first the parking lot was bone dry not a soul in sight , but don't let that fool you ! The bbq is great and the owner jay has great service! Thanks again brother!

    Mac-n-cheese

    $50 for a relatively small amount of food. Literally 2 small slices of brisket in our brisket order burn ends were all fatty. Mac-n-cheese looked like it had been made in dirty water and was sour. Brisket was tough. Pulled pork was the only decent item we received.

    Smoked Chicken Wings
    Big D.

    Where do I start?!! Called All Over Omaha for Beef Ribs. NOBODY HAS THEM. Found And Called Smokey Jays. He had them in stock!!!! So we Headed to South "O" Plenty Parking Space, Best in Hospitality soon as you enter the building. Followed by the rich smell of smoked Meats!! Clean Facilities with a Home Vibe. All items available on the menu. We didnt know where to start. So upon questioning the owner to the 3rd degree about his entire menu, which he proudly answered all questions with transparency, we opted with the: Beef Ribs, Smoked Chicken Wings (whole), smoked macaroni n' cheese, fried okra, and some fried cornbread. Currently the #1 BBQ Spot In Omaha and surrounding Areas. IMHO.

    Owner/Cook?
    Kenn A.

    I have driven by this place many times and decided to stop in tonight. Had every intention of ordering BBQ but ended up getting half a chicken. Great choice. The chicken was outstanding as was the slaw. My Daughter had the chicken strips, they were okay, and fries, which she said were the best. Service was very friendly and helpful. Had fun looking at all the memorabilia. Will definitely be back to try the BBQ.

    David D.

    This is your typical small family BBQ joint. The food was good and the service was good. Pricing was fair. It's a bit out of the way if your staying in downtown Omaha but it's worth an Uber ride. If I ever find myself in Omaha again I would eat here.

    Smoked Brisket Sandwich and Jay's large Fried Potatoes. Portions a little small for my big self. But it slapped better than it may look.

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    4 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Food wasn't that great was expensive for what you got portions were small probably would never go back

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Great service. The brisket is super tender. I could keeping eating the honey cornbread until I hate myself.

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    11 months ago

    VERY slow service. You'd think they would have the sides ready to go whilst they kill the cow

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    Jackie G.

    Thanks so much for your feedback it’s greatly appreciated.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food and service!! Jay was working there alone but we still got our food quickly. IT was sooooo good!! Will def be back.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Prepare to spend lots of dough. It is great, but not cheap. The owners really are motivated.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    This place is delicious! Got a lot of food with my meal. Satisfied that craving I had for some BBQ

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Smoking Jay's BBQ

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    Wayne's New Skoo BBQ

    4.5(63 reviews)
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    We wound up here for takeout while driving Center Street complaining that we didn't know where to…read morepick up lunch We looked up, saw Wayne's on approach and knew the BBQ Gods were calling to us. We ordered the Carolina Pork (topped this coleslaw) sandwich and the brisket sandwich. I think it's important to note that we are in KC style territory, so a North Carolina native might not give the pork five stars but I think a Midwesterner would appreciate it. The brisket was tender and flavorful. The sides were mighty! The potato salad was ranked a "must order" and described as "church picnic" quality, due to the high ratio of eggs and mustard. We tried the fried cabbage with bacon; if you enjoy greens I felt like this was a cabbage variant and quite tasty. We have vowed to return to try the sandwich that comes topped with hot links!! I also want to try the ribs, the smokers outside looked rib-ready. Combos consist of a sandwich, side and can of pop and if you order to go things are wrapped up in a fashion that's guaranteed to not tip over. I think you should go visit, and help us sample our way around the menu.

    The pulled pork was mediocre, nothing too special. The real winner here were the ribs! The ribs…read morewere fall of the bone soft and super juicy! If I'm back in town I'd definitely go back for those ribs!

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    Smoking Jay's BBQ - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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