The Smoke Shop BBQ - Seaport — Restaurant in Boston

Here's the short version: best bbq I could ever hope for and better service than I could have ever expected. This place isn't just somewhere to eat, but a reason to come to Boston.

I'm a southern man, born and raised in Georgia, family from Texas. I've had every type of barbecue with every regional flair and every sauce imaginable. If it fits in a smoker, I've had it from an award winning bbq pit.

This is the best bbq I have had in years. I could go on and on about it, but I feel like you wouldn't believe me if I said all I wanted to. The brisket was tender, uncuttable with a knife because it just fell apart when you touched it, and had more flavor smoked into the fat than I've ever seen managed. The turkey was somehow even better. It retained its moisture, as so many fail to manage, and its flavor. But more than that, whatever chip blend they use to season their smoke was a wholly unique flavor for it, something savory and rich in a way that tasted uniquely fitting to the meat. Turkey usually tastes "just" like turkey. This was the best turkey I have ever had. That's not even to mention the absolutely incredible drink selection that was longer than the entirety of the main menu.

I would be remiss not to mention the service too. Jack, who waited on me, was not only attentive and constantly checking in to ask if I needed anything and update me on the timing of my food, but was actively energetic in his work. I swear I don't think the man stopped powerwalking the entire time I was there. He was knowledgeable of the options and add-ons and suggested the best way for me to get both the brisket and turkey, since I couldn't decide, for the best price. Again, I feel like the grander statements I make, the less believable I am, but I would not in good conscience be able to leave out the fact that Jack was one of if not the best waiter's I have had in my life. I am not one to go out of my way to leave a review, but Jack alone would have warranted this, independent of how good the food was.

When places boast, "We were voted best X in Y," I laugh. It's such a ridiculous claim. The Smoke Shop is not just the best bbq in Boston. It's the best I've had in years. I'd put money down it was the best in the state, and I'd throw my name behind them being the best in the North East. If I were to ever plan a vacation to come back to Boston, this would be one of the things on my list as a reason to come, not just some place to eat while here. I told my sister and my best friend about how good it was before I got a block away. The biggest tragedy is that they deserve a full block to have a bigger place. My only negative was that I am pissed off that I now have to try and defend why some Yank BBQ joint is my favorite place to everyone I ever bring it up to.

10/10. Get the turkey, get...

Even though Boston is known for its seafood, I found this place to be less expensive, more flavorful, and more filling than all the other popular tourist destinations.

We came in on a Saturday night around 8:30. The place was semi-filled, not crowded, and we got seated immediately. The atmosphere is what you would typically expect from a bbq/bar restaurant very causal, relaxed, and conversational, but not loud or chaotic.

We started with their famous wings that have a sweet agave sauce & special spice mix on and they were amazing, some of the best wings I’ve had.

We ordered the large beef rib, a combo of their ribs and burnt ends, and brisket. The beef rib was delicious and their 3 sauces flavorful as well. The brisket, ribs, and burnt ends were tasty as well, but required the sauces to do some lifting as they were less consistent in the cook of the meat, being partially dry.

For the sides we had fries, potato salad, zucchini salad, cornbread, Mac & cheese, snd the half pickles. I would say stick to the cornbread which came with some honey butter, fries, and potato salad. The Mac and cheese was lowk from a box and the pickles that day at least weren’t sour and didn’t have a crunch.

Our service was great. Our waiter was friendly and suggested us go half spicy half mild on the wings when we were undecided which turned out well.

Honestly in terms of bbq, if you are from Texas or the south I would t expect to be blown away, but I think this place is overlooked due to the large emphasis on seafood in the area. Don’t get me wrong, the seafood in Boston is amazing as well, but this place offers a nice change of cuisine, being on the heavier side which contrasts the relatively lighter seafood well and the overall flavor profile is a nice switch. I think if you are visiting as a tourist and have tried some seafood places already or are just feeling extra hungry it’s definitely...

After a delightful afternoon at The Children's Museum, our party of eight - four adults and four kids under 6 - ambled over to The Smoke Shoppe in the Seaport.

Nestled in the heart of Boston, this barbecue haven struck us immediately with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. From the moment we entered, the staff went above and beyond to accommodate us.

They even provided an area for us to leave our strollers, a small gesture that made our dining experience much more comfortable.

The drink menu was a testament to The Smoke Shoppe's commitment to quality and variety. I savored a delicious orange wheat beer from Night Shift, a refreshing choice after a day of exploration. The other adults in our party opted for whiskey drinks, each different from the next, but all equally praised for their robust flavors.

What impressed us most, however, was how quickly and attentively the staff took care of our children's orders. The food arrived promptly, allowing the kids to dive into their meals without the usual restless wait.

As for the appetizers, we chose the Nashville hot chicken sliders. They were nothing short of spectacular, offering the perfect kick of spice that danced delightfully on our palates.

When it came to our main courses, we decided on the Texas-style brisket sandwiches, served with perfectly seasoned fries. The brisket was tender and flavorful, a testament to the restaurant's mastery of barbecue. My wife ordered the fried chicken sandwich, which was paired with the most perfect cornbread we've ever tasted. The cornbread was moist, sweet, and a perfect accompaniment to the crispy, juicy chicken.

Overall our visit to The Smoke Shoppe was nothing short of amazing. From the exceptional service to the delicious food and drink, every aspect of our dining experience was top-notch. We look forward to returning and sampling more from their...