Smokey Joe's — Restaurant in Amarillo

We like eating at local joints as much as we can, we searched out reviews and found this place where the menu looked promising with a variety to choose from. Food and drinks were great service is where this place sadly lacks and it appears to be from new staff with lack of experience and customer service skills. When we arrived we did a walk through of the place and went to sit outside as the weather was great and we sat around the corner from the band as there were no other tables and this way we got to hear the tunes but not be super loud. After sitting for a few min hubby walked inside to the bar and ordered our drinks and told the bartender we were sitting outside and were wanting menus; he brought drinks back to the table and we continued to wait.......bartender happened to come through probably 10-15 min later and asked us if we had ordered yet (checking in on us obviously) that's when we told her we still hadn't gotten menus. She looked over her shoulder to see where the waitress was and told us she would get them for us ASAP and apologized for the delay. She came back and took our order and checked in on us as she could, but it was obvious to us that she was THE bartender for the whole place and she wasn't able to attend to us as we expected but after figuring out what was happening, we understood and that's the reason for the 4 star as the food, drinks and atmosphere were great! There was only one waitress we observed working outside, there was a large table with about 8 people, so I understand a delay but she was wondering around looking clueless and never attempted to see if we needed anything or make eye contact. We had fried pickles which were very thin slices which is my preference because you get the perfect amount of everything and they can stay crispy- bit of grease in bottom of basket could have been remedied by a better liner; but they were delish! I had a kicken chicken wrap I know I am difficult when I order and the bartender took my 'adjustments' of no pico and not to toss the chicken in sauce AND I wanted the chipotle ranch instead of the regular in stride joking along with me which I appreciate a lot! It was obviously freshly made and just like I asked for it, everything tasted good together and I would stop here again if we are passing through here again; maybe next time...

O stars!..This place is awful. I am a former employee with 10 years experience in the restaurant business and I can tell everyone that this is the worst restaurant in The state of Texas. The food is awful. None of the cooks knows how to cook properly. Nobody in the Kitchen wears gloves when cooking. Constant cross contamination on a regular basis. I found roaches and dead and alve mice on a daily basis. The Kitchen Vent hoods above the Grill are caked with grease. They reheat the same green beans, mash potatoes, gravy, corn, and marinara sauce every day until it is gone. Those same food items that are reheated daily have grease that has dripped into them from the vent hoods above that are caked with about 2 inches of grease. The Owner, Dean Miller, has his 22 year old son Logan and 20 year old son Tyler, as the kitchen managers. These two constantly smoke weed while cooking on the line. I saw multiple cooks there drop food on the floor then serve it. The Meat coolers are never cleaned and wiped out..None of the refrigerators are ever cleaned or wiped out. This place is awful and if you want to eat horrible food then go right ahead, but your are risking your health for some...

I was so disappointed with the food here. I haven't been here in months and I remember the food being really good quality.. the burgers especially 😋 I recently went back for lunch on the patio and I was so disappointed. The burger was mostly bun -minmal veggies and a super small patty. Horrible! I also ordered a fajita salad and of course food Never looks like the pic but dang!! there was hardly any meat with this $13.99 salad!! On top of this Smokey joes want me (& you) the customer to pay their credit card fees! Do we not pay enough already without having their fees shoved down out throat?? These places have already raised their prices on food raised their prices on drinks raised their prices on how much to tip now they want us to pay their credit card fees too. I get it we are all being stretched but how about keeping the quality of the food and drinks without diminishing our dollars more. Im giving this place a solid thumbs down PS .. don't go in without cash. Its not the amount you have to pay for credit card fees irs the principal. Honestly, if they are getting $1- 3 per person its criminal to pass that on to the customers when its they already raised prices while value...