Smoked Portland — Restaurant in Portland

Binga’s was not a family favorite for us, but we have dined at Smoked a handful of times in both Portland and Windham even though we know the menu is basically the same. Each time we dined at Smoked there were some hiccups with our food not being prepared as ordered. However, our orders were swiftly rectified and the level of customer service has always been top notch until tonight. This evening, we ordered well done wings with buffalo sauce on the side as an appetizer. I bit into a wing and it was cold and pink dead center. My daughter then bit into a wing and hers was the same. My husband argued with us and insisted that our wings were pink because we bit into the vein near the bone. That is, until he bit into his own wing and realized his was raw in the center too. We showed our server the wings and she totally agreed with us. The owner then visited our table and agreed to take the wings off our bill. But, he also insisted our wings were fully cooked, not raw in the center, and that the pink color we saw was due to Smoked’s 3 hour smoking process. Except, we didn’t order smoked wings. We ordered traditional, breaded, fried wings - and we ordered our wings well done. If this weren’t a matter of food safety, I wouldn’t be writing this review as small businesses need support. The owner clearly wanted to reassure us by claiming our wings were fine (they weren’t). And, if anyone can spot raw chicken it’s my husband who is a culinary school grad, a CEC (certified executive chef), and is a Servesafe teacher and test proctor. Also, he would NEVER pass up an opportunity to prove me wrong or insinuate my being dramatic! Our wings were served raw in the center - full stop. We will be avoiding the wings at Smoked in the future. Please be careful when ordering chicken in any restaurant, internal temp. should be at...

This evening, I called and placed an order for a side of 12 wings, flats only. In the past, I was told by Ben, one of the managers that it will be a $1 up-charge, information that none of their staff tells you upon ordering until you see it on your bill! On another occasion, one of the waitresses told that there is no up-charge for flats. Tonight, once arrived at the property to pick up my order, I stood by the door and waited for 6-8 mins in hopes that someone will acknowledge my presence. Ben and another bartender were at the bar and never came over to help me. I finally got tired of waiting and went over to the bar. When I asked Ben if there was someone available to help with my order, he was dismissive, never apologized about my wait time, was short with me, made me feel unwelcome and like i was bothering him! He went to get my order and when he got back I asked if the wings were all flats because of past experiences. His answer was yes. I opened the box and not all were flats. I brought it to his attention and he didn't do anything about it, yet still rang my order for $28.05. I asked why $28.05 when the price of the wings cost $19.99 + tax. With an attitude, he reminded me of the up-charge he mentioned a couple of months ago, which was $1 at the time. But tonight he rang my order up as $2 up-charge for flat wings + an additional $2 up-charge because there were 12 wings total!! I was SHOCKED of the careless attitude that he presented!!!! It was either take it or leave it when I questioned the charge! He was rude, unprofessional and a disgrace as a manager!!! The wings were good but the attitude of the manager and some of the staff is UNACCEPTABLE! I would...

A HUGE disappointment.......Nothing special. All service poor, especially the lack of any greeting upon arrival by the short bearded bartender perched at the front. We weren't acknowledged until the hostess appeared. RUDE! One young man server was pleasant. Choppy service. You did not get one server. I think we had 4 different people. Get em in, get em out service approach.

Pulled pork was okay but way over sauced! Lighten up or serve more on side. Ruins the pork as it makes it mushy. Fries were cold. Nachos blah. Smoked chicken salad sandwich was pathetic. Chicken salad was smoked but it was like pureed mush & little of it but lots & lots of bread & cheap fillers, lettuce tomatoes & undercooked bacon strips.

Atmosphere was ok. A bar not a restaurant. Run down, some parts dirty. Needs a facelift. As does the staff (re-train) or replace, rethink some menu options & remember, you're in a front line service business. Some folks are better suited for BOH positions vs FOH. Here is the case.

Other reviews are similar, so it appears repetitive issues & lack of oversight.

Never again....