Holy Sm(oaks) Craft BBQ — Restaurant in Rapid City

Food: I ordered the Texas Trinity and the Mac & Cheese. I was told there is 1/4 pound of each meat on the sandwich. To me, it looked about 1/4 lbs short. Sausage and Turkey were bland and on the dry side. Brisket was not as dry but still lacked the smoke flavor I would have expected. Putting it all together with sauce and bun as a whole, it was good. I would say they rely on their sauces and that amazingly tasty bun. Yes the bun was the best part.

Mac and cheese reminded me of velveta Mac and cheese with crumbles on top.

Service: Staff was friendly, but I was surprised with all of the patriotic decorations that they do not have a military discount.

Atmosphere was good, music was good and not to loud.

All together, this place will check the box if hungry and downtown. But there is better then this.

Edit: Per the owners reply, I have learned that the $15 Texas Trinity is only a 1/2 lb total of meat. As well as that, they do not have a military discount to keep prices low for everyone.

I decided to compare this establishment with another establishment roughly 8 miles away. They have a similar sandwich which has a full pound of meat made from 4 types of meat. This sandwich also includes one side. All for 18 dollars and guess what, they still have a military discount. I don't know about you but that seams like a way better deal.

Hope this helps you make your...

Prioritised my research ahead of my instincts (to walk away from a completely empty restaurant). But we fancied brisket and reviews made me think it’d be an easy win. So we both ordered it. It was drier than Gandhi’s flip flop sadly. My wife (maybe a little fussy at times) had just 3 bites of it and a few of the fries. I took the leftover meat but it’ll probably go in the bin sadly. Wish I had a dog. I ordered the pork belly I also was super tasty and juicy and the fries decent. Mac & (plastic) cheese was pretty rank sadly.

Biggest shock and what left the worst (metaphorical) taste in my mouth was as we’re leaving… I took our plates to the counter like a good boy rather than leave them at the table. Only to be told where the bin was! Not even joking. Well, it saved me the $5 tip I was about to leave I guess. The chap who served me was friendly enough I hate to see staff chillin’ on their phone, especially when I offer up good manors and clean up my table. Blown away I was told to go put it in the bin back where I came from. If I lived here I would go back for a 2nd go as the reviews which made me choose this spot can’t all be wrong. Should have trusted my golden rule of not being the only diners in...

I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of fried okra. The pulled pork itself didn't have much flavor at all.. and the picture on your website shows the sandwich as coming with coleslaw and pickles on it. Sadly it was just meat.. (Good thing there was bbq sauce!) The bun was Shockingly Thick and Heavy!! (So if you like a thick heavy bread you are gonna Love this place!!) I prefer a lighter bun.. I wouldn't order a pulled pork sandwich again.. 😕 nothing with a bun.. nothing with the pulled pork. The fried okra was Good! 👍 The only thing is I wish they wouldn't have put my hot fried okra in a lidded plastic container.. it turns soggy. BUT it surprisingly was still Good!! I imagine it's Great when it's fresh n crispy!!

My recommendations: Whoever does the photos for your website needs to put Realistic photos of Your food and how it comes on there!! That's what the public Expects.. Find a Better recipe for pulled pork and buns.. Don't put food that's served "crispy" (aka: fried) into lidded plastic containers.

Good Luck!! I truly mean that because bbq restaurants struggle to survive around here.. so you've got to step it up n keep people...