Rocco's Smokehouse Grill — Restaurant in Williamsburg

Stepping into Rocco’s Smokehouse Grill feels like walking into a Sunday family gathering — the kind where the air is thick with the rich scent of smoked meat and the laughter of people who feel at home. Nestled in a spot that couldn’t be better for foot traffic, it’s no wonder Rocco’s draws in a steady crowd. But what truly sets this place apart isn’t just its ideal location — it’s the warmth and quality that radiate from every corner of the experience.

From the get-go, the atmosphere exudes family-style charm. There’s something unmistakably authentic about the space — maybe it’s the hum of happy diners or the decor that feels curated by memory rather than marketing. It’s evident that Rocco’s is family-owned and operated, and it shows in all the best ways: care, pride, and a real sense of welcome.

Ben, our waiter, deserves a standing ovation. Friendly without being overbearing, professional without being stiff, he struck that rare balance of attentive service and sincere conversation. His recommendations were spot-on — clearly someone who knows and loves the food he serves.

Speaking of food — let’s talk brisket. I ordered the brisket platter, and it was everything a smokehouse lover could hope for. Tender, deeply flavorful, and infused with that unmistakable aroma of low-and-slow cooking, each bite practically melted on the fork. The portion size hit that sweet spot: generous but not overwhelming, and absolutely worth the price.

And then there’s the house made BBQ sauce — oh, that sauce. Perfectly sweet with just the right amount of smoke, it’s the kind of condiment that elevates everything it touches. I would have bottled it and taken it home if I could. It’s a sauce that doesn’t just complement the meat — it completes it.

For a party of two, the pricing felt more than fair, especially considering the quality and portions. You leave full, satisfied, and already planning your next visit.

Final Verdict: If you’re anywhere near Rocco’s Smokehouse Grill and you don’t stop in, you’re doing yourself a disservice. With heartfelt service, masterfully cooked meats, and an unbeatable house sauce, Rocco’s isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a place where food and family meet. Highly, highly...

I Dreamed of Brisket… and Woke Up to Jerky

I had high hopes for Rocco’s Smokehouse. I spent two full days thinking of nothing but brisket—glorious, smoky, tender brisket. Sadly, what I got was more akin to a beef-flavored shoe sole than the melt-in-your-mouth magic I had imagined.

Let’s start with the high note: the smoked chicken wings. Perfectly cooked, juicy, tender, and the skin was beautifully rendered. My only regret? Not specifying the sauce. I would’ve preferred the dry rub without the generous dousing of BBQ sauce. Thankfully, the sauce was decent—just not my thing. Maybe if the bartender had taken a moment to ask what sauce we preferred, he’d have earned himself a few more points.

But the brisket… oh, the brisket. Dry as a cautionary tale. It seemed like it had been smoked a week ago, forgotten in the fridge, and reheated just long enough to develop a second layer of regret. It was tough—like well-done pork chop tough. Or maybe jerky with trust issues. And considering it was one of the priciest entrées, it felt borderline criminal to treat brisket that way.

Now, in the interest of fairness: the sides were good. The potato salad was bright and creamy, the baked beans had depth, my husband liked his fries, and he raved about the cornbread. So there’s that.

The service? Meh. We sat at the bar and waited for the bartender to clear to-go containers and menus before we could sit, even though there were five people there and a slew of dirty spots at 3pm. When we asked about lunch specials (the reason we came), only then did he offer the menu. And when he asked how everything was, he walked away before I could answer—which, to be honest, saved him from my brisket lament.

I’m not one to raise a fuss or send food back. But I do write reviews to spare others from a $50 disappointment. If you go, stick with wings and sides. And maybe whisper a prayer for...

One of the best bbq places I've been to in recent memory. The food ranged from good to phenomenal. My wife and I got a basket of chicken wings and a combo bbq platter. Wings: some of the best chicken wings I've ever had. Wonderful smoky flavor with a light bbq glaze. A lot of places will smother their meats with sauce, but Roccos lets all the meat speak for itself, enhancing the flavor with a light glaze without drowning it in sauce. Ribs: Fall off the bone delicious. Had a lovely pink color and the same nice glaze as the wings. Smoked bratwurst: I didn't even know you could smoke a bratwurst, but I'll never go back to dumb old burnt brats. Best I've ever had. Brisket: normally brisket is my favorite bbq meat, but it fell a little flat for me. It was still good meat, but the piece I had had all its fat collected on the ends instead of marbled evenly through. Also the glaze seemed to detract from the natural flavor of the beef instead of enhance it. Brisket at its best needs no sauce at all. The other meats more than made up for it, though. Still a 5 star review.

Cornbread muffins: best I've ever had, fresh from the oven. Warm, buttery, light, fluffy, and sweet. Also free and all-you-can-eat. The server asked us if we wanted some more as he gave us the check. Corn on the cob: not bad, but not the best. Probably the best quality corn you can get in June, but I'm from Illinois so I'm picky about my cobs. French fries: they were ok. Ours were a little floppy and didn't have a ton of flavor, but they weren't bad. Regular fries, good with ketchup.

All in all, this was a fantastic restaurant to eat out at, and not super expensive for a bbq place like this. Excellent service from our server D'Artangan (seriously actually his name)....