Casual American eatery & full bar for meaty BBQ platters, jumbo sandwiches & comfort-food sides.
Andrew Lopez
Flavor was there, the ribs and brisket were really good had that smokey taste to it but with all honesty the meat was tough. It didn’t fall off the bone. The cornbread broke apart easily it was really brittle but that Mac and cheese was delicious. The interior was beautiful and had a charm to it as well as the owners. If it wasn’t for the price, I’d recommend this spot. But it is a bit pricey.
… moreMarc Spector (Milo)
Ambiance + food = 5 stars. Great atmosphere. Borsch, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, & Bananas Foster tasted incredible. Small business, so staff was attentive. Atmosphere was unbeatable (decor, lighting, background music). Instant favorite and added to the list to repeat each time we return to Monterey.
… moreStan Williams
I came for dinner to this lovely-looking quirky bbq restaurant. The waitress, Valentina welcomed me in and I was promptly seated (there was one person in the restaurant). I personally love the feel of the establishment. This restaurant definitely has a French-Cajun vibe. Valentina also told me that they have an open mic on Thursdays. This is an adult establishment with a full bar. I didn’t see any high chairs for the kiddos and did not check the restroom.
As for the food itself, I got the brisket, bbq chicken, and beans & rice. It came with cornbread. I also saw a pecan pie and had that for dessert. I washed everything down with an iced tea. Yikes… the brisket & the chicken was coated in the same bbq sauce. The brisket was pretty tough, not tasting like it was smoked. For the chicken, got a drum and a thigh. Both pieces tasted like they were brined then cooked in an oven, not a smoker. They weren’t cooked all the way through unfortunately. The beans & rice has sausage for non-pork eaters, and it was fairly bland. The iced tea was fantastic. The pecan pie wasn’t the best slice I’ve had, with the taste of nutmeg overpowering the dish and a lack of creaminess to the filling.
Price: $47 ($60 w/tip). I personally wouldn’t come back for the food, but to get drinks and for the open mic.
… moreAli Hanks
Saturday night is a great time for dinner and music! Frida, an up and coming local singer, filled the restaurant with her songs: originals, covers, Spanish ballads, and yodeling! From 6-8, she performs and it was so beautiful!! The menu is also delicious. From Russian to BBQ, lots of options. The beet borscht was tasty. We also enjoyed the brisket! The hot tea is brewed from organic garden herbs. Variety of bar drinks, too!
… moreKerri Williams
We visited this restaurant hoping for authentic New Orleans–style dishes after reading previous reviews. At first, we were excited—the eclectic décor gave it a unique vibe. However, our experience quickly went downhill.
We started with a couple of beers, but one of the beers on tap tasted off—stale and possibly outdated. When the food arrived, it looked promising but fell short on flavor. We ordered the combo plate with ribs and brisket. The ribs were overcooked with barely any meat on them, while the brisket was decent it was not restaurant quality.
Service was also concerning. We were the only customers in the restaurant, yet when we asked for more water, the waitress brought us a pitcher to serve ourselves. When I opened it, I noticed mold inside the lid—completely unacceptable.
The po’ boy sandwich ended up being the best dish we had, though it was heavy on the breading.
Finally, we were curious about the restaurant’s history and menu inspiration, so we asked the waitress. Instead of engaging, she was dismissive and even rude, saying she didn’t have time to answer questions—even though there were no other customers.
Overall, this was a disappointing visit. The concept and atmosphere had potential, but the food, service, and cleanliness left much to be desired.
… moreC Dorsey
Great takeout! We got a family meal with a variety of tender meats, smoked sausage, and sides. They were all great. I wish the cornbread muffins were a little more moist or had come with butter/honey. We’d absolutely eat here again!
… moreLisa Henry
We visited Monterey this past weekend, and happened upon the Smokehouse. Everything we ordered was fabulous (gumbo, brisket, steak bolognese), and Valentina was lovely. We went back for breakfast the next day with some friends, and were wowed again. The red beans and rice were so yummy, and one of my favorite parts was the homemade jam for toast. Oh, and the Cadillac margarita! Great way to start the day!
… moreDee Tee
Don’t believe the negative reviews!! We stopped in to give it a shot and boy oh boy huge portions very delicious! The woman isn’t rude she is a Russian woman who has a strong accent sometimes there are such things as language barriers ppl .. drop in and enjoy definitely try the red beans & rice the stroganoff the jambalaya! We ordered the 3 meat plate it was enormous!! Best smoked bbq I’ve had !!
… moreRonald Ocon
We really loved this place and will definitely be returning in the future. The (I’m assuming owner) was very kind and welcoming, the food was hot and fresh and all made from scratch. We ordered the 3 meat plate with brisket, tri-tip, ribs, Mac & cheese and potato salad. A gem in Monterey – especially so close to Cannery Row. On some nights they have live music from local artists and more. Don’t hesitate to check out this great spot. =)
… moreCali Knows
Great atmosphere and music
Great table service from Valentina !
Awesome food – I had the BBQ combination platter with pulled pork, tri tip, and brisket , Mac n cheese and beans – Was legit
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