Smokehouse 93 — Restaurant in Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake)

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Smokehouse 93, and I must say that my experience exceeded all expectations. As a lover of barbecued meats, I was thrilled to try their offerings, and I can confidently say that the previous negative reviews I came across were entirely false. Allow me to share the highlights of my visit.

First and foremost, the portion sizes at Smokehouse 93 were anything but small. I opted for the Simpler platter, which included all the meats available that day along with a side dish. To my delight, the platter came with a generous full pound of succulent brisket, perfectly cooked to achieve a smoky tenderness. The flavor was outstanding, with a rich blend of spices complementing the meat's natural juiciness. Each bite was a true barbecue enthusiast's dream.

Additionally, I couldn't resist trying the BBQ sandwiches on offer. The combination of flavors in these sandwiches was simply divine. From the first bite, I could tell that the meats had been expertly smoked and infused with the restaurant's signature BBQ sauce. The sandwiches were packed with robust flavors that left me craving more.

Apart from the delightful food, the staff at Smokehouse 93 were truly exceptional. Their warm and friendly demeanor made my dining experience all the more enjoyable. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a smile and promptly assisted in finding a comfortable spot. The staff members were attentive, ensuring that I had everything I needed throughout my meal.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Smokehouse 93 to anyone in search of an outstanding barbecue experience. Contrary to the negative reviews I had read, the portion sizes were satisfying, and the flavors were on point. The Simpler platter, featuring a full pound of brisket, and the BBQ sandwiches were both exceptional choices. Additionally, the staff's welcoming nature added to the overall positive experience. Make sure to stop by Smokehouse 93 and indulge in their delectable offerings—you won't be...

Updated Review - July 2023 I ended up grabbing a half rack of their St. Louis style ribs which were absolutely delicious and had 7 or 8 bones total. They had a nice smoke ring. I really enjoyed them with with their Sweet Swansea sauce as well as their Sweet Tiger sauce which is a sweet & spicy Dijon type sauce. I actually ordered their jalapeno cheddar cornbread with hot maple butter this time as well, which was divine. Based on this experience, I've increased my review from a 4-star to a 5-star review.

Original Review - July 2021 I've been waiting to try Smokehouse 93 since our trip to the valley last year (we were there a couple of weeks before they opened). We ordered the brisket bun & sliced turkey bun along with the smoked mac n' cheese and smoked potato dill salad as sides. The brisket was delicious, moist and extremely tender. The turkey was tasty and not dry at all, which is sometimes the case with smoked turkey. The BBQ sauce was delicious and added the right amount of spice & sweetness to both sandwiches. Unfortunately, we found the sides a little underwhelming though, as we were expecting more of a traditional type potato salad, whereas they seemed to use mashed potatoes for their recipe. Although the smoked mac n' cheese was tasty, it seemed to lack a bit of seasoning. And why didn't I see the jalapeno cheddar cornbread when I was ordering 🤦‍♂️. I really wish we had gotten there earlier to try their burnt ends (essentially meat candy if you will), but apparently they often sell out prior to 1PM. We'll definitely return on our next trip though the valley, and I'll be sure to be there early...

Disappointed and Confused by the Hype

We were really looking forward to trying this place on our vacation. The front desk staff was fantastic — super friendly and helpful, which made for a great first impression.

Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to that same standard.

I ordered the brisket with smoked beans and coleslaw. My wife got the brisket sandwich, mac and cheese, and a side of pork ribs. • Brisket: Warm, tender, and juicy — but surprisingly, it had zero flavor. No smoke, no seasoning, just… grey meat. • Smoked Beans: ice Cold. Portion was tiny — probably the smallest we’ve seen at any BBQ joint we’ve visited. • Coleslaw: Had a fruity, vinaigrette-like flavor. Not for me, but maybe others might enjoy that twist.

Now my wife’s meal: • Brisket Sandwich: Served cold. BBQ sauce was just okay. • Mac & Cheese: Also cold, with a strange pink hue. It honestly didn’t taste like mac and cheese at all — hard to even describe. • Pork Ribs: Incredibly dry. Not fall-off-the-bone. Had a visible smoke ring but absolutely no flavor. We had to add salt just to get anything out of it. Even their BBQ sauce didn’t save it — we didn’t even finish them.

We both left in silence, genuinely puzzled by what we’d just experienced and what we paid for. I’m not one to leave harsh reviews, but I felt like this needed to be shared so others can make an informed choice.

Maybe we caught them on an off day… but it was a seriously...