Smohk RVA BBQ — Restaurant in Richmond

We had barbecue at three different places while visiting Virginia this spring. SMOHK gets my vote for tastiest sides! The meat was good. The sauces were good. The option of eating outside while listening to blues pouring out of the neighboring pub was lovely. The guy at the counter didn't exactly have an effervescent personality, but I can forgive him for that, since the food was reasonably priced and very tasty. We ordered three platters, which gave us a chance to try three meats and six sides. Here's the breakdown: Get the ribeye! I'm a pork guy, but the ribeye absolutely put the pork (and my son's chicken) to shame. I'm super curious about the brisket, which we would have ordered, if it hadn't been for the ribeye. The sides (in order of awesomeness): #1: Greens! 2: Brunswick Stew (practically a delicious meal unto itself!); 2: Baked Beans (not a mistake--tied for #2); 2: Sweet Potatoes (I know; I know, but these are your amazing, buttery dessert); 3: Smoked Mac & Cheese (my son loved it).

We also got coleslaw, which I tend to love but cannot recommend, unless you get a side of white sauce and stir it in. It needed some dressing, and the white barbecue did the trick.

Sauces are a deeply personal matter. We tried them all. The Ghost Pepper Sauce is delicious and not as scary as it sounds (it does have a slow building, long lasting burn, but you will NOT be considering a trip to the emergency room after trying it). My preference was a 50/50 blend of the Traditional (sweet apple?) and the Ghost. The Korean gojujang was also very tasty in a completely different way.

The white stuff was no good for meat but necessary for the coleslaw. The vinegar stuff was intriguing. The mustard sauce was really not my thing, but your mileage may vary.

I'm giving this back-alley joint a five for atmosphere, but the indoor space was nothing to get excited about. Having bicycled 50 mi that afternoon, we picnicked on the patio. I was able to sip a beer from my pannier, eat amazing carry-out, and listen to blues from the adjacent club. Beer+blues+barbecue = heaven. It's that simple.

Cost-wise, I think we averaged about 20 bucks a head, but each platter could have served two (and did in the form of leftovers). That's an outstanding bargain for...

The food was delicious. Its the 4th of July, and yet this was among the few restaurants, especially bbq joints, open. I ordered 4 hours early to make sure that not only would I get my order in before their earlier closing hours, but I would have a greater chance to not have an item run out before my arrival.

I came a couple of minutes early. The restaurant is tucked behind a brewry called Strangeways, so even walking with GPS someone can almost miss the entrance. Hole in the wall describes this place perfectly. Of course, most hole in the wall joints serve tasty food, and this place didn't disappoint in terms of flavor.

I was starting to get mad, however, because I had to wait for over 30 minutes for an order I placed online (for which I received an email requesting I show up on time). Not related to what they did, but this was for me after my intermittent fasting time-I'm hungry, I'm angry, and I have a limited patience. The people were nice enough- nothing special about how the make you feel, but then not offensive either.

That all said, my wait was rewarded with well cooked and seasoned ribs, brisket, and rib eye steak. All the meats were wonderful unsauced, but the flavoring of the rib eye steak was special. Their sauces were a delight also, though. The 2 main sauces (the Gochujang and the Smokey Apple) were not too sweet, had a pleasant heat kick without being ovebearing, and were delicious. The mustard sauce was mostly just spicy mustard. I didn't try the XXX sauce but it's reportedly very hot.

The mac & cheese was delightful also. Simple, slightly smokey, well cooked. Most of the food dished only had a mild smokeyness to them. I like that factor. Lacking here in general, but the cook and the flavor was done well enough to make it almost unnoticiable.

It was a joy to experience this food. This is one of the few bbq competitors of note with Buz and Neds in this area. These are different enough to appreciate both separately and equally-great for the people who love bbq but who like choice...

I'm originally from Iowa. The rural parts of Iowa. So I'm now living in Richmond in the Scott's Addition area. You know. Where the soulless millennials live in overpriced apartments and only eat at trendy breweries. I was pretty skeptical when they said the ZZQ joint was good. But I headed to check it out.

On my way I drove past a brewery that smelled like BBQ with a sign pointing to Smohk at the back. Now for those of us who haven't forgotten the face of our father. You already know. The real way to find good food is to follow your nose. Your nose will lead you right. Not the idiots on a Google review.

I can smell BBQ from the street? Bruh you gotta stop. Completely forgetting about the trendy place suggested to me by my co workers. (I question them if they never knew about this spot that's just filling the block with great smells.)

I walk in. Joint literally looks like a storage room that was converted by the brewery into a BBQ joint. I can easily smell nothing but BBQ. This is the right way. Roll up. Guy is sitting at the register, bins on racks next to the register. You can see half the kitchen is half the store room. Hell yeah. I'm country enough to know what's going on. Ordered a brisket sandwich and the smoked Mac n cheese. Took it outside with a Mexican coke as the rain started. Sat under an awning and dug in. Absolutely fire. Brisket is tender. Good bark. The smokey apple BBQ sauce is done right. Smoked Mac n cheese is a fat boy's wet dream. The brewery had live music playing. Rain was falling and all I could smell was BBQ and campfire and the smokers are still lit. SO much nostalgia of backyards as a kid around the bonfire or at the neighborhood bar.

Yeah. Screw that trendy spot that was suggested to me. I'm sure they're decent. I...