The Tavern Smokehouse — Restaurant in Camdenton

The vibe here is nice. It's outdoorsy and cowboy-ish. You order at the front counter, you get your drinks, they call your number and you clear your own plates. It's 'fast food' in that regard, but the prices are higher.

The food wasn't horrible. I got a salad and the ranch dressing was weak, and the pork was really fatty - but the greens and vegetables were fresh and delicious. My husband got brisket and it was also really fatty but had excellent flavor. The green beans tasted like fish and the baked beans tasted like beer. I suppose some people might like that so I'm mentioning it, but my husband was not a fan.

We are accustomed to Bandanas and Palasota's Place where all the meat is well trimmed, the salad dressing is flavorful and rich, and the sidings are piping hot and freshly made, so this experience left us disappointed.

It was actually our 'second chance' for this place. The first experience was actually 2/5 stars for us so this time was an improvement, but not enough for us to return to test out if "third time is a charm". There were a lot of customers who seemed to enjoy the place and from the other reviews, it sounds like lots of other people have had really good...

The restaurant has managed to bring the spirit of a rustic smokehouse to a vibrant, modern tavern setting.

Ambiance:

On walking in, one can't help but be captured by the rustic yet modern decor. The charisma of the place lies in its balance between comfort and sophistication. The restaurant has an irresistible smokehouse aroma wafting around, provoking even the most nitpicky appetite.

Service:

You're greeted with the warmest of welcomes and served by people who are not just staff but fans of their craft. The well-trained, knowledgeable team assists you through their menu, and their love for barbecue is both tangible and infectious.

Food:

Their slow-smoked meats are the stars of the show- the brisket, tender and flavorful, melts in your mouth, while the ribs, coated in their house-made sauce, are an explosion of flavors. The pulled pork, smoky and succulent. You must try the hillbilly.

Meanwhile, the sides don't just play second fiddle. The coleslaw is refreshing, the smoked beans are hearty, and their famous mac 'n' cheese is a rich, creamy delight. Will come...

This is a fantastic casual bbq place we just found it and it is amazing! The atmosphere is typical casual bbq restaurant, but the food is far above typical bbq. Everything is made in house and delicious, including the sides and dessert cookies! The staff is great, too! The manager visited our table with a sample of sides we hadn’t tried and filled us in on where everything comes from. Aside from having their buns and sausage made by a local baker and a local butcher, using their recipes, EVERYTHING is done in house! The meat is so moist and tender. The sweet pickles were delicious and I don't like sweet pickles. They had just the right amount of sweetness and flavor with a subtle vinegar kick at the end. The garlic potatoes were so good and the cole slaw is off the charts. We finished with amazing white chocolate salted caramel cookies, which are also made in house. It was a sugar cookie with white chocolate chips and ribs of salted caramel which tasted like a delicious cross between a cookie and candy. We enjoyed everything we had. It...