Up in Smoke BBQ — Restaurant in St. Cloud

My family of 4 visited on Sunday (3/26). We ordered the pit pack that feeds 4-6 people. We picked brisket and pulled pork, cheesy mashed potatoes, beans, and fries (as a substitute for them being out of Mac n cheese). The menu said $60 but after we all grabbed a canned drink ($2 a can) and paid, it was about $90 after taxes and whatever up charge that happened for whatever reason. We decided to dine in. We sat at a table and waited for our order. During our wait, Tamara could be heard yelling “are we out of Mac n cheese?” Numerous times. She then proceeded to go to the two individuals who ordered before us and told them they were out, and they picked something else. Tamara went to where two teens were packing orders and could be heard complaining about them mistakenly taking something from one order and putting it in another. She then loudly say “I’ll just pack it myself!” While making the teenage girl move out of the way. Tamara proceeded to seem upset and frustrated the entire time. She eventually came over to notify us we had to pick something else because we originally ordered Mac n cheese. I am editing to add that after finishing the two orders for individuals who ordered before us, Tamara began explaining how the two teenagers “messed up” their ordered. This seemed completely unnecessary. Our food was eventually brought out by the teenage girl on two metal trays. After paying $100 I expected to be greeted with a “anything I can get you” or some sort of confirmation from the employee to make sure we were good. They didn’t provide us with any plates and we had to go ask for some. The meat was not seasoned well. The cheesy mashed potatoes had virtually no flavor. The fries were seasoned and crispy and tasted good. The beans were okay. The cornbread was okay. The entire time we were there waiting for our order and while eating, we saw Tamara talking very rudely to the two teens working. For the price we paid and the quality service and quality of how employees were treated, we will not be back. Teenagers are learning HOW to work and adults should be teaching them how to be successful. These teenagers were not treated with any respect. Unfortunate as we were excited for a new BBQ...

UPDATE: 5/24/2025

I had the same 3 meets that I had the last time that I visited. The brisket still held up with being very fall apart and juicy. The jalapeno cheddar sausages were still just as delicious. This time the chicken was on point with being very tender and moist. The sauces now come in large tubs that you will have to use small dipping cups to get versus bottles on tables, but that spicy sauce is still on par from the last time I was here. Lots a flavor and just a tickle of heat on the back end.

Definitely earned that last star today.

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

I have to give it 4 stars for now. A majority of the food was delicious, and the score could be dictated by the time of day that I went. In the case it was between 630 and 7pm. I had the 3 meat plate, chose pulled chicken, jalapeño sausage, and brisket. My 2 sides consisted of mac n cheese, and fries, and came with a giant cornbread muffin.

Favorites: Brisket appeared to have a simple rub on it, and was absolutely fall apart. The jalapeño sausage was amazing and some heat and that cheesy goodness. The fries as a side are always a good last second choice in my book as well as the cornbread muffin pulling up the rear. Very dense, but a nice way to REALLY cap off the meal for me. The handmade BBQ sauces are also on this list. Particularly the spicy BBQ in general. I love me some heat.

Need to Revist: Pulled chicken was a little dry for my liking. The spicy BBQ helped wet it while I still happily consumed it. I need to revisit at a different time of day (earlier) to see if the chicken consistency changes. I will then update my review on it. The mac n cheese was also a little lackluster for me. Again, it could be due to the time of day that I went, and perhaps it is along the more traditional mac n cheese sides, but this too will warrant a revisit at a different time of day to see if it changes.

Overall: Pretty solid showing of food for what I paid for.thwre was easily enough for 2 or 3 people, but I do like my food, so I did pack it all away. Would give...

St. Cloud isn’t known for great barbecue, so I was hopeful when I visited this independent spot. With the decline of a once-prominent barbecue chain in the area, I was eager to see what this local establishment could offer.

Food: Unfortunately, the food fell far below expectations. I ordered the family feast for five and a dozen wings, but every item disappointed. The barbecue baked beans had the texture of refried beans and were cloyingly sweet. The brisket was mushy, overcooked, and utterly bland. The ribs were dry and lacked seasoning, while the sausage appeared pink and undercooked, raising safety concerns. The cheesy potatoes were lifeless and flavorless, and the potato salad had an unpleasant aftertaste—my wife called it the worst she’d ever had. The wings were unremarkable, and overall, nothing tasted fresh. The entire meal gave the impression of reheated, poorly handled food. For over $150, this was a shocking letdown.

Service: The service was pleasant but underwhelming, likely due to understaffing. One overworked employee managed the front counter, while two staff members in the kitchen handled orders. While friendly, the service couldn’t compensate for the food’s quality.

Ambiance: The location is great, with a clean and modern dining area. The space, though small, felt comfortable and inviting. It’s a shame the food didn’t live up to the atmosphere.

In conclusion, this restaurant lacks the expertise and attention to detail needed for a quality barbecue experience. It feels like an amateur operation, without a skilled chef or thoughtful recipes. For the price, the meal was a waste, and I cannot recommend this place. It’s disappointing to write a negative review about a local, independent business, but the glaring issues with quality and execution make it unavoidable. First-year culinary students...