Smokin' Al's — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

As a long-time resident of Long Island, I've had the pleasure of dining at numerous establishments, but few have left as lasting an impression as Smokin' Al's Famous BBQ Joint in Massapequa Park. Located at 4847 Merrick Road, this local gem has been serving up authentic, slow-cooked barbecue since 2003, earning a dedicated following of barbecue enthusiasts.

Upon entering Smokin' Al's, you're greeted by a rustic yet inviting atmosphere. The interior boasts exposed brick walls adorned with vintage signage and artwork, creating a cozy, down-home feel. The open kitchen allows diners to catch a glimpse of the culinary team in action, adding to the authentic barbecue experience. Whether you're visiting for a casual lunch or a celebratory dinner, the ambiance sets the stage for a memorable meal.

Smokin' Al's menu is a testament to the art of barbecue. The restaurant offers a variety of smoked meats, each prepared with meticulous care and attention to detail. Signature dishes include:

Al's Specialty Baby Backs: Tender ribs rubbed with Smokin' Al's famous seasoning, slow-smoked for up to six hours, and glazed with a choice of three signature barbecue sauces. Best of Long Island

St. Louie Grand Backs: Hearty pork ribs smoked for seven hours until the meat effortlessly falls off the bone.

Monster Beef Bones: Generous beef ribs smoked to perfection, offering a rich and flavorful experience.

For those seeking variety, the restaurant also offers combo platters, such as the "Ribs N' Chicken" and "Ribs N' Meat," allowing diners to sample multiple smoked meats in one meal.

No barbecue meal is complete without a selection of delectable sides. Smokin' Al's offers a range of classic accompaniments, including:

Mac & Cheese: Creamy and cheesy, a comforting side that pairs perfectly with the smoky flavors of the meats.

Corn on the Cob: Sweet and tender, adding a touch of freshness to the meal.

Coleslaw: A tangy and crunchy contrast to the rich meats.

To enhance the flavors, Smokin' Al's provides a selection of house-made barbecue sauces, each offering a unique blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.

The staff at Smokin' Al's are known for their friendly and attentive service. From the moment you walk in, you're treated like family. The team is knowledgeable about the menu and eager to ensure that every guest has a satisfying dining experience.

Smokin' Al's Famous BBQ Joint in Massapequa Park stands out as a premier destination for authentic, slow-smoked barbecue. With its inviting atmosphere, expertly prepared meats, and attentive service, it's no wonder that this establishment has garnered a loyal following over the years. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, Smokin' Al's promises a dining experience that delights the senses and...

Well it comes once a year and if I didn't do it I would be in the dog house for a very long time. Mover Rover. It was my wife's birthday and we had the kids for the weekend. A divorce thing. So I had to find a place that my wife likes and the kids would eat as well as not being the typical family place like Chili's that we all love to go to.

I asked my wife where do you want to go on your birthday. She said Smokin Al's. I never been there and it was her birthday. Well to tell you I'm not really a big barbeque guy to go out to a restaurant to eat but I know she likes it and so do her kids. Also I like to try new places at times.

Of course Saturday night was packed and we had a 45 min wait. But they had a bar so off I went to get my honey her drink as well as mine. Now here is where I was inpressed. They gave a nice portion of liquor and her Long Island Ice Tea was a real one. What I mean is all the correct shots. Mixed perfectly with coke and sour mix.

Before we knew it they called us for our table. The kids had their soda which they are only allowed on special occasions. Our waitress was very nice but seemed overwhelmed. We ordered mozzerella sticks which were delicious. Then before we knew it our food was out. My stepson ordered pulled pork which and sweet potatoe fries. My wife ordered the same and my stepdaughter ordered mac n cheese but got full on the mozzarella sticks.

Me I had to try a rack of ribs. Well the pork was very tasty and so was the mac n cheese. She let me have a half a spoon full. lol. Now to my ribs. Like I said I'm not a big barbeque person but the meat came right off the bone and it was true barbeque food. Again my eyes were more hungry than my stomach had room for. I was only able to finish half the rack. Food won again. Dam. that's 2 places now.

Now here comes what people are expecting from me because this is whether I go back or not. I told the manager that it was my wife's birthday and maybe they could embarrass her and I can get whacked later. So they said ok. But it seemed to be a bit confusing because I didn't know when they were going to sing to her. But it was ok. They brought a chocolate lava cake. Her eyes popped out. She loves chocolate. So did her daughter. It was worth the confusion.

So after all that the bill came. Well I'm glad that I'm not a sheik with many wives. It was a pricey night but she was happy and so were the kids and best of all I have left overs. So did the kids and my wife. They do give a lot of food and the drinks were EXCELLENT. So you ask will I return yes when my wife and I are in the mood for barbeque. Unfortunately for her it doesn't make the top 5 places or types of food I like. But it will happen one day again....

I love barbecue. I LOVE barbecue. And I REALLY wanted to love this place, given all the great reviews. But I just don't know what happened. I probably should have had an idea of what I was in for when I walked in and a server was holding hands with one of the line cooks. Unfortunately it seems that relationship between front and back of house does not involve making sure the food going out is up to snuff.

Visited 1/18/22. I got the baby back ribs and sliced brisket, with sides of beans and mac and cheese. As someone that's worked in restaurants (FOH and BOH) for years, I think the food expo (The person who checks your order is correct and up to quality standards before it goes out to your table) was out to lunch or just straight up not there, because I took one look at the brisket and thought "Oh boy, this looks cold and dry." And whaddya know, it was cold, tough, and bone dry.

At least I had the ribs right? You can't mess up ribs, I mean, Chili's can make fall off the bone ribs. Surely this fine BBQ establishment with HUNDREDS of positive reviews can make good ribs. But alas, I was disappointed again. The ribs were cold, and vigorously-tear-off-the-bone rather than fall-off-the-bone. Sauce was good though.

The mac and cheese was super disappointing, and was just macaroni tossed in some Sysco cheese sauce. Thankfully, by the grace of god himself, the beans were fine.

I'm going to wager a guess that, given it was a Monday and the place wasn't too busy, I was given some brisket and ribs that have been sitting under a heat lamp for a couple hours. And, given that it's a Monday and there are less staff than usual, there is no food expo, and the kitchen is sending out food directly to servers who probably don't care enough to actually QA food going out.

Paying $36 + Tax for cold, dry meats and mediocre sides honestly feels like robbery, and just isn't acceptable. And I think the fact that none of the negative reviews have any responses from management is telling. Nobody seems to care. Shame.

If you want recommendations, the best barbecue I've had on Long Island is at Old Fields in Huntington, and I've had good experiences at Bobbique in Patchogue as well as Tennessee Jed's in Lindenhurst.

I'll give em a star because my server was nice and my beer was cold. Otherwise, you couldn't pay me to...