Smokin' Howards Sports Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Winchester

Smokin' Howards is one of those fantastic neighborhood spots that quickly feels like your second home. It perfectly balances the high-energy excitement of a sports bar with the warmth and sincerity of a great Southern grill.

The atmosphere here is exactly what you want when you're looking to relax. It's lively without being overwhelmingly loud, with plenty of TVs tuned to various games so you never miss a play. But what truly sets Smokin' Howard's apart is the palpable sense of family vibe. It's clearly a local favorite, where regulars are greeted by name and newcomers are welcomed with genuine smiles. The staff exudes Southern hospitality—they’re attentive, friendly, and make sure your glass is never empty. You feel truly cared for, not just served.

While the wings, catfish and burgers are very solid choices, you absolutely cannot visit without trying their Waffle Fries Topped with Brisket.

Forget your standard loaded fries; this is an elevated comfort food masterpiece. You get a generous mound of perfectly crispy, crinkle-cut waffle fries (the ideal vehicle for toppings!) piled high with their tender, smoky, and flavorful slow-cooked brisket. It’s usually drizzled with a delicious barbecue sauce and often topped with cheese and jalapeños. The combination of the crunchy fries, the melt-in-your-mouth brisket, and the smoky, tangy sauce is pure culinary bliss. It's hearty, shareable (though you won't want to), and instantly memorable.

Smokin' Howard's is the perfect place to catch a game, bring the whole family, and enjoy some seriously good Southern food in a genuinely...

We tried this restaurant on a whim when another Beer Cheese Food Week restaurant let us down. We had walked by it originally but didn’t think much of it. The inside was dead and we didn’t see any patrons so we figured the restaurant was not the best. We went to the other restaurant and ended up leaving (see La Trattoria Review). This restaurant was just down the street so we decided to give it a shot. We came in to a host that was smiling and friendly. Surprisingly, we started to walk towards the back and we started to hear voices. Typically, when I see an empty restaurant that is a negative indicator. However, this flipped floor plan opened up to tables and a bar that could not be seen from the front. The server came to the table immediately to take our drink order. She was friendly and attentive during our entire visit. You could tell from the employee and patrons conversation that there were a lot of regulars at the restaurant. The food was great overall with the fried pickles perfectly battered and the waffle fries well-seasoned. My husband and I both ordered the Beer Cheese special which was a burger topped with BBQ, BBQ sauce, and beer cheese. My one comment is that for it to be the Beer Cheese special, it hardly had any beer cheese...at all. Luckily, the BBQ sauce that was on the burger was so good it did make up for it. I even asked the waitress what BBQ sauce it was and she said it was a base sauce that the chef added ingredients too. If they sold bottles, we would have...

While in Winchester after reading several menus and reviews, my husband and I chose your restaurant for the brisket. In our travels, I am always looking for good brisket. A huge smoker was parked in front of the restaurant. We took this as a good sign. As we walked toward the entrance, we were greeted by several friendly customers sitting at the outside tables. This was also a good sign. Upon entering your building, we were kindly greeted by one of your servers although there is a sign stating to go to the back for service. Your food did not disappoint. The brisket was smoky and tender. The barbecue sauce was a tasty addition. My husband said his burger was made from fresh ground beef and was quite delicious. Our food was served piping hot. Tanna was very attentive and accommodating. I appreciate her heating my barbecue sauce. As we were waiting for our food, we were greeted by another worker (my husband is convinced he was Howard). Whoever he is, he was extremely nice. If your goal is to make your customers feel like family, then you are successful. Thank you for the hospitality...