Midwood Smokehouse — Restaurant in Charlotte

Stopped in for lunch today as part of my ongoing tour of North and South Carolina barbeque restaurants. Let me start by saying a lot of a restaurant’s rating is influenced by the hype that precedes the meal. So it was with Midwood Smokehouse. Pieces I had watched online made Midwiod sound like the Holy Grail of BBQ eateries in the Charlotte area. I ate at the Ballantyne location which is one of four in the area. (Another factor is that multiple location restaurants have a high bar to meet for authentic barbeque.) The restaurant itself was located in a mall. (Another factor that does not inspire confidence in having an authentic barbeque experience.) Barbeque is not a cosmopolitan experience. It should be a little gritty. You want to pull into a dirt parking lot and see and smell hardwood smoke exiting smokers that look like converted fuel storage tanks. Midwood has a comfortable atmosphere not unlike what you would expect in a sports bar. I was greeted right away and taken to a high top table of my choosing. My waitress, Dina, was sweet, attentive and informative. She gave me a short tour of the menu pointing out meats that Midwood was best known for. It was Taco Tuesday she informed me, but I do not go to barbeque restaurants for tacos. Instead, I ordered a combo meal consisting of pulled pork, brisket (both fatty and lean), jalapeño cheddar sausage and ribs (St.Louis style) with mac n cheese and coleslaw sides. The best of the meats was the pulled pork. It was moist, tender and smoky. It was shredded not minced beyond recognition as some present. The brisket was solid. Moist, tender and smoky. That is all you can ask for. The sausage was a bit too salty and spicy for my tastes but very good in texture and flavor. The mac n cheese was made with large shell pasta versus macaroni but it did not take anything away from the dish. I prefer Mac with a toasted crust on top and a paler cheese but this was creamy good. The coleslaw was finely minced in a mayo-based dressing but not at all ‘soupy.’ I prefer shredded slaw and a vinegar based dressing but again, that is just my preference. This was slaw you could eat with a spoon versus a fork. The ribs were a disappointment. I only ate one. It was dry and overly crusted. Ribs should have a nice char but below that should be succulent pork not something more like jerky. I mentioned this to Dina who silently tcb’ed it. I was visited promptly by a manager who could not have been nicer. He listened to my overall review of the meal then took the offending ribs and replaced them with a larger and better portion already boxed to go, with sauce on the side per my request. He apologized and asked if there was anything he could get me including a beverage to go. The combo price was $33.00. For the amount and overall quality of the food it was very fair. Food decent. Atmosphere unremarkable. Service outstanding. Btw, as with most mall locations there is plenty of free parking adjacent to...

Our team recently had the pleasure of dining at Midwood Smokehouse, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were treated like royalty, and every aspect of our visit was meticulously taken care of.

The ambiance of the restaurant is both elegant and welcoming, creating the perfect setting for a team gathering. The decor is tastefully done, with a blend of modern and classic elements that make the space feel both luxurious and comfortable.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the impeccable service. The staff, especially our waitress Kayla, went above and beyond to ensure that our evening was memorable. From the warm greeting at the door to the attentive service throughout the meal, every member of the team displayed a level of professionalism and hospitality that is truly commendable. Special thanks to Kayla and her manager for their exceptional service and for making us feel so special.

The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes, each one more tempting than the last. We started with a variety of appetizers, all of which were beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The main courses were equally impressive, with each dish cooked to perfection and served with a smile. The culinary expertise of the chefs is evident in every bite, and the quality of the ingredients shines through.

We were also impressed by the extensive local beers list. To top off the evening, we indulged in some of the most delicious desserts we have ever tasted. Each dessert was a work of art, both visually and in terms of flavor. It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal.

Our experience was outstanding in every way. The royal treatment we received made our team outing truly special, and we are grateful to the entire staff for their exceptional service and hospitality. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience. Thanks Kayla for a wonderful evening. We look forward to...

Updated 2025: B+: Since my original post we have gone back on 2 separate occasions because of convenience. Both times the food was super delish..Service has also increased so I've Updated my rating based on the post-covid era. If you're looking for some awesome BBQ and a few stiff drinks come try Midwood Smokehouse.

D- : The service was wonderful. The manager the staff and our server checked on us multiple times. The food I was really wishing for more. At a price tag if $85 with a $15 tip I did expect better tasting food. The wings hubby ordered appeared to be quail wings they were so tiny. The fries were good. The nachos were good we had that with the brisket and no bbq sauce on it. With four of us eating there were plenty of leftovers on that. Lil #1 ordered chicken tenders and macaroni it was burnt bit we weren't told until after they were eaten ( we had a very busy day only cereal had been eaten prior to this meal) Lil#2 ordered the slider and fries from the kids menu it was dry and very little cheese. The ribs were delightful after I scraped the overwhelming amount of sauce off. The cucumber salad was good but a tad bit too sweet for my preference. During the pandemic I am grateful that this chain restaurant is open but at the price point and quality I'd rather them be closed. The macaroni was aweful unseasoned and pasta was overcooked leaving mush on my pallette. The banana pudding is one of the lighter ones that I've experienced even lighter than my own. The server gave me a hint of the recipe and I will be trying that the next time I make my own. The wafers were placed on top so they were crispy still though this is not my preference. The actual negligible banana bits were small. When you're there ladies make sure to excuse yourself to the restroom for the colorful pictures. This place should be rated as a bar not a restaurant. The food was...