Smoke Sessions Barbecue — Restaurant in Royse City

I had the privilege to experience SMOKE SESSIONS BBQ in Royse City, TX today. I would do them and all the staff an injustice if I didn't mention that they did not disappoint on quality, cleanliness, and customer service. Long story short, IT WAS SENSATIONAL!!! Short story, long, There are so many factors to consider when writing this review but my experience was truly SENSATIONAL!!!

The location of this establishment is located conveniently off 66 and is in a youthful size lot. You instantly notice the outside eating area overload with Texas-size family-style benches and the social area is a great arena to enjoy a few games of cornhole and kick back in the warm Texas weather and enjoy an ice-cold drink while enjoying the live music from the local bands. The parking is a bit of a challenge especially if you visit on a rainy day like I did but you don't have to worry if your drive a 4x4 because you have access to additional parking in a huge open lot. On the greater note. SMOKE SESSIONS will be adding to their parking lot in the future but for now, wear your boots on a rainy day.

Upon entering the facility, you immediately feel very welcome with a full open seating bar followed by several large tables for family dining inside. There is a bit of a short wait to order due to the popularity of locals coming to try out this mouth-watering BBQ blessing. I wanted to try it all, and I did so here is my review for each item I ordered:

The Mac and Cheese sides are super creamy, flavorful with a soft texture.

The Brisket Beans are a bit spicy but not powerful. They have subtle heat and are blended with great seasoning and rich smokey flavor from the bits of brisket added within for a hearty side item.

I was excited to learn that they make their own sausage links here, which is a growing trend with Texas BBQ restaurants. I got the opportunity to speak to Zakid, the "link master" who was in charge of making these magnificent wonders of meat goodness and I will say...that guy knows how to do it right.

The regular link is seasoned just right to perfection and the spicy link was very tender with pepper jack cheese mixed within allowing considerable heat that brings a sensational burst of flavor to the tastebuds.

The turkey was very tender and great seasoning that brings out the special juices and is very enjoyable with every bite.

The Shredded brisket has a smokey taste which is rich in texture and also very flavorful but not spicy.

The Pork Slab and Ribs are super tender and smokey in flavor. They have a crisp outside layer with a moist inside. Loaded down with fantastic seasoning throughout the meat and sensational tasteful flavor when married with the BBQ sauce.

The food here as SMOKE SESSIONS was absolutely delicious. The only thing I can truly say ask for more from the team was to add a dessert menu. In which the manager, Michelle did mention they would be doing it soon within 2 weeks or so.

Going back to the open bar. I am not a drinker so I didn't try any of their signature mixed drinks but I did notice they are crafted and designed to be very flavorful and enjoyable to those who do. I also notice several customers enjoying them so this tells me they are definitely worth trying out if your want to enjoy a signature adult beverage such as the Smoked Margarita or the Therapy Session.

The staff was overwhelmingly friendly and professional all the way through my visit. They even offered a  Military/Veteran discount on my meal which is a HUGE PLUS for me and other Veterans. The environment and atmosphere were undoubtedly relaxing and comfortable. This place is a great place to unwind, enjoy great food, sip on some amazing drinks, and make new friends over some cornhole while relaxing over some live local music (on Saturdays).

In closing, I will like to declare that SMOKE SESSIONS in Royse City is a blessing to this little town and I would like to say thank you to them, all the staff, and the city for being here and opening your doors to the world for all to enjoy. May God bless your business and...

03/26/21: Around 12:45 pm I arrived at Smoke Sessions Barbecue. This was before the grand opening of the restaurant (04/10). The parking lot was full from people working in the building and people getting bbq.

I ordered food from the blue trailer that was near the new restaurant. I only had to wait behind a couple before it was my turn. The man that took my order was also the meat cutter. He was a little gruff when I was ordering. At that time they were out of regular pork ribs. They did have specialty ribs: garlic Parmesan pork ribs. I ended up getting a pound of brisket, turkey, and garlic Parmesan ribs. I also ordered 1/2 lb of each sausage: jalapeño cheddar and beef. For sides, I got a pint of brisket beans, Cole slaw, potato salad, and smoked Mac and cheese. My order also came with pickles and onions. No bread was offered or given. My total was +$90 with no tip.

I heard good reviews for Smoke Sessions and I was fairly impressed.

Likes: Brisket, turkey, smoked Mac and cheese, barbecue sauce / These were my favorite items. The smoked Mac and cheese was really good and definitely better than the plain Jane version. The brisket and Turkey were both cooked well and so tasty. The barbecue sauce is really good. I liked it a lot.

Meh/Ok: Brisket beans, Cole slaw / I was indifferent towards the beans, but significant other (SO) liked them. They were definitely not canned beans. The Cole slaw needed something added for flavor like celery seed/salt. Both sides were ok.

Dislikes: Potato salad, salty meat (garlic parm ribs, sausages), customer service / The potato salad is not something I would get again. The SO liked it a lot, but this is my review and his opinion only kinda counts. It’s the parsley that I didn’t not like at all. Also, some of the meat (beef sausage, jalapeño cheddar sausage, garlic parm ribs) we got was salty on the verge of too salty. For the ribs, we had to scrape the garlic parm coating to make it less salty, but it was still a little much. Both sausages were similar in saltiness. The people working the trailer could of been a little bit more friendly/personable. I’m not looking for my best friend, just decent service

I’m being generous with my review and rounding up to 5 stars. I believe that I would give Smoke Sessions another shot. My first time wasn’t the best ever, but it wasn’t that bad. My review might change when I visit again...

I just had the most disrespectful encounter at Smoke Sessions in Royse City! I had to sit in my car and gather myself because I've never felt so blatantly disrespected in an establishment. I'm not the one to scream racism but I definitely felt it was due to the fact that I am a black woman and was the only black person in the establishment at the time. Firstly when I entered I wasn't greeted by either of the men at the counter mind you one being the OWNER CHAD SESSIONS who was rude and disrespectful to me! . What Chad doesn't know is I used to drive all the way into the woods when you only had a food truck to patronize your business and spoke highly of your food We also ordered a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. Well I asked the first guy about a plate he explained the pricing I had 1 slice of Brisket and 2 ribs and a small cup of mac n cheese Each portion was supposed to be 1/4 Brisket at $9 ribs $7. I got to the register and my total was $27.80 I looked at the menu and mumbled to myself and said "dang i must've misunderstood" Never said anything to MR CHAD!! he says "If you wanted that cheap shit you should've went to Soulmans!!" I didn't realize he was talking to me until it registered what he said. I said wait a minute what did you say? he repeated " If you wanted that cheap shit you should've went to Soulmans" I said Is this how you talk to your customers? I was never rude or disrespectful I was just taken aback by the price. I told him i'll just take my money back you keep your food. He said no refunds and sat it on the counter and continued to work. I asked him to get the manager not knowing at the time until I googled it was really THE OWNER TALKING TO A CUSTOMER THIS WAYYYYY!! I asked his co worker would they get the manager and the other guy says its just us 2 here and he is the owner. They both continue working as if I was a spot on the wall. Nobody budged no apology no nothing. I walked out! I will not allow my pennies to benefit this establishment any longer. I would be bold enough to say I was treated this way because I am a black woman. No way he would've said that mess to anybody else's face. I strongly urge you to be careful where you spend your dollars!! There was absolutely no reason to be mistreated the way I was today. It was God that kept me calm and led me out to my car...