Federal Hill Smokehouse — Restaurant in Erie

Federal Hill Smokehouse: Where Meat Dreams Come True

Each weekend my wife and I go on a quest to find the perfect lunch let me tell you, friends, I have seen the smoky mountaintop, and its name is Federal Hill Smokehouse. This is not just a great eatery; it’s a temple of smoked meats, where brisket is like a gift from the gods, pulled pork preaches perfection, and mac ‘n’ cheese, well I’ll get to that in a minute...

Having been there before, we knew what we were getting into. The brisket sandwich? Seasoned so well and cooked to the perfect tenderness it doesn’t need BBQ sauce. That's right – this brisket was so confident in its smokey swagger, it said, “Keep your sauce, I’m already perfect.” And honestly? It was.

As always, my wife ordered the pulled pork, which was so tender and flavorful it practically melted in her mouth. She took one bite, looked at me, and said, “It might be cold outside, but it’s warm in my heart.” She’s a woman who knows what she likes, and Federal Hill always hits the spot.

The sides, though? Oh, the sides. That macaroni and cheese? Creamy and dreamy. The pinto beans with chunks of brisket? Smoky, savory, and probably better than your grandma’s. The wife reported the potato salad was creamy and delicious as well. You could easily order them all, but there’s only so much happiness one person can handle in a single meal.

As we were approaching the front of the line, we saw the sign on the wall advertising the deep-fried brisket mac ‘n’ cheese balls. I’ve seen them posted on their social media pages in the past, but up to this point, I had only dreamed about trying them. I don’t know who thought, “Let’s deep fry a breaded ball of brisket and mac ‘n’ cheese,” but they deserve a statue in their honor. These baseball sized nuggets of joy were crispy on the outside, cheesy and meaty on the inside and fried to perfection.

The place was busy (lets face it, they are always busy), but the service is fast and friendly and the food has been consistently great from day one.

If you haven’t been to Federal Hill Smokehouse yet, what are you waiting for? An engraved invitation? Stop reading this review and go add it into your iCal for Monday. Get there early so you have full access to the entire menu (I didn’t even get a chance to talk about the smoked turkey…) Just be warned: once you taste the meats from Federal Hill, you’ll never look at barbecue the same way again.

Five smoked-out, meat-sweat-inducing...

I go there on the average of twice a week I would go more if they wouldn't sell out so quick!!!! I have a daughter that lives in Texas so I know GOOD BBQ and "The HILL" ranks right up there!! Today Thursday the 24th I got there late and they were out of my "staples" sausage and brisket so all they had left was my LEAST favorite.........pulled pork and turkey. So I honestly was going to go and eat at "The Last Resort" (The BBQ place at 38th & Liberty) but I had the wife with me and her plate was, as Ron White would say.........LOOOOOOOOOADED!!!!! So I had my least favorite BBQ, Pulled Pork. Now Federal Hill Smokehouse's Pulled Pork is TREMENDOUS!!!!!!!!!!! Ranks up there with the best bbq I have had and THE BEST pulled pork. I'm talking "TASTE OF CHICAGO" good!!!!!! I alway get their cole slaw because as a previous poster said it tasted different in my mouth WAAAAAAA If you want something the same go to a chain Their coleslaw is true HANDMADE SLAW nothing the same and uniformed except THE TASTE!!!!!!! outstanding slaw!!!! I also get my least favorite picnic food.........POTATO SALAD .....ECH!!!!!!!! Except......drumroll please Federal HILL!!!!!! Autumn makes THE BEST potato salad I have EVER eaten!!!!!!!! I should know............. I HATE Potato salad!!!!!!! When we were done we were shooting the crapola and Shaun was telling me about their great turkey and yada yada ya So just to shut him up I had Autumn cut me a slice...... I bought the last half pound....... he was right GOD IT WAS GOOD!!!! NO IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I still didn't get my favorite Brisket and Sausage!!!!!! Autumn also makes the peach cobbler which I THOUGHT I didn't like until I had hers!!!! Best Brisket in Erie......................CHECK!!!! Best Pulled Pork in Erie...............CHECK!!!! Best smoked turkey in Erie..........CHECK!!!! Best smoked sausage in Erie......CHECK!!!! Best Peach Cobbler in Erie..........CHECK!!!!!!

NICEST OWNERS IN ERIE..........TRIPLE CHECK!!!!!!!!!

Federal Hill Blows Smokey Bones out of the water Federal Hill Blows Dickeys out of the state on attitude alone Federal Hill Blows Infamous Dave's off the map { they can't cook Brisket) Federal Hill Smacks 3B saloon in the mouth

WAY TO GO GUYS!!!!! AND AUTUMN......WAY TO KEEP THE BOYS IN...

Ate at Federal Hill today for first time. I always get pulled pork for barbeque but today I had brisket and got the pulled pork for my wife and we shared. Got the plate not the sandwich so we got two sides. Potatoes Salad and beans. You could get the brisket lean or fatty, I got lean. Is it possible something is better than pulled pork? My first ever experience with brisket was superb. It was smokey and tender and the edges were burnt. The fellow cutting the meat said he was sorry the brisket was crumbly, I thought it was just tender. I ate whatever fat there was on my lean cut of brisket and it did something amazing - it melted in my mouth. Having once had bypass heart surgery fat melting in my mouth made me feel a little weird but I figure all things in moderation. The pulled pork was as good as I ever had, but I rate it behind the brisket but that is just a preference and nothing against the pulled pork. I am a potato salad connoisseur, seriously. I'm not going to try to say what I think is good or bad about potato salad and just say it was very good and next time both of my sides will be potato salad. My first reaction to the baked beans was, "What the Heck is this?" I finally asked my wife what she thought and she said they were Pinto beans. So they were, said so right on the menu. I never had Pinto beans so I don't know what they should taste like. I'll just say if your expecting Baked Beans with your first bite you will be surprised. Enjoyed my meal and will...