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✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
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Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 121 N College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812) 287-8190
Website: http://www.thesmokeworks.com/
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SmokeWorks | Bloomington IN – Facebook
SmokeWorks, Bloomington. 4.138 mei-‘k-wol-oers · 14 prate hjiroer · 4.252 wiene hjir. SmokeWorks :: a Memphis-Style dry rub barbecue joint with a silly…
SmokeWorks – Visit Bloomington, IN
Serving Memphis-style barbeque, bourbon, whiskey, and moonshine in beautiful Bloomington.
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Reviews
Chip Sedory
Smoke Works used to be better and I feel like the food quality has changed. The staff is always attentive but for a place with smoke in the name the meat doesn’t seem to have seen much if any smoke. The ribs were tough and even with a knife they weren’t falling off the bone. The pork had no sign of smoke but a heavy amount of BBQ sauce to flavor it. The Brisket was the best of the bunch but not a lot of smoke. The food doesn’t taste bad but in terms of being great BBQ it isnt. Seems to be oven or electric smoker cooked based on color (lack there of), flavor (powered by bbq sauce rather than the cooking process) and texture.
Big positive here is an amazing bourbon offering. For those who like Buffalo Trace Distillery they have Pappy Van Winkle, Wellers Reserve, Blantons, Col Taylor and a few other hard to find batches.
… moreBig positive here is an amazing bourbon offering. For those who like Buffalo Trace Distillery they have Pappy Van Winkle, Wellers Reserve, Blantons, Col Taylor and a few other hard to find batches.
food_from_the_usa
In town to visit my son. He wanted to give this bbq place a try. On a Wednesday at 6pm it was empty. Perhaps it was a Wednesday? The server, Emily, was the best! The Memphis style BBQ was average. Brisket was old and dry. Pork, not hard to mess up, however no flavor. Sausage was over cooked. Perhaps it was the time of day and day of week. I’ll give it another try on a weekend. Just average.
… moreTraveling Kafka
the brisket was absolutely delicious—tender and full of flavor. The BBQ overall was really good, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the green beans, they were seasoned just right and stood out as one of the best sides I’ve had anywhere. Great spot for BBQ in Bloomington!
… moreDylan Cole
This little place is a gem for Bloomington. We visited after lunch time and before dinner time on a Monday so the place was fairly empty which was actually really nice. Our server was attentive and super upbeat and since it was our first time here he gave us his recommendations. My meat was smoked perfectly, hot, juicy and tender and I appreciated the variety of sauces I had to choose from for the meat. The Mac and cheese was great, loved the warm cornbread and buttery spread and the spicy sweet pickle appetizer was a hit! You’ve gotta check this place out if you haven’t already.
… moreCendy Trejo
We’ve had takeout several times prior to eating in for the first time. Food was wonderful. Everything was delicious. Our server was kind and checked up on us consistently. I would eat at least once a week if I could.
… moreAntung Liu
Tons of problems with both service and food.
I ordered a plate with brisket and pork belly. The restaurant was empty, even on Friday night. Despite this, I had to hail an unfriendly waiter for every minimal service, like utensils, napkins, and a cup of water. This was startling for a place that had like 4 service people standing around.
The brisket was dry and had minimal smoke flavor, even though I asked a waiter for an extra fat piece. The pork belly was good, but the fries were cold and obviously old. I had to ask for them to re-make them.
… moreI ordered a plate with brisket and pork belly. The restaurant was empty, even on Friday night. Despite this, I had to hail an unfriendly waiter for every minimal service, like utensils, napkins, and a cup of water. This was startling for a place that had like 4 service people standing around.
The brisket was dry and had minimal smoke flavor, even though I asked a waiter for an extra fat piece. The pork belly was good, but the fries were cold and obviously old. I had to ask for them to re-make them.
Mr. Wiley
Review of Smokeworks, Bloomington
We decided to try Smokeworks Bloomington today, which is connected to Social Cantina Bloomington. Walking in at 12:35 PM, the restaurant was relatively empty, which was surprising for lunchtime.
We were seated promptly, but the experience quickly took a downturn. The waitress brought out a plastic pitcher of water with four small plastic glasses. For what they advertise as an “upscale” BBQ spot, we expected glassware, especially after repeatedly requesting water in proper glasses. Unfortunately, those requests were ignored.
We ordered drinks and banana pudding, intending to sample more appetizers, but the waitress disappeared for quite some time. When the pudding finally arrived via a different server, we asked if we could order the deviled eggs with pork belly cracklings, green onions, and paprika. We requested the green onions on the side, but that’s where the positives ended.
The presentation of the deviled eggs was comparable to a middle school home economics class project. The eggs were unevenly cut, the filling was carelessly applied, and the pork belly cracklings were overcooked and excessively fatty.
Expecting upscale BBQ, we tried to get a sample of the mac & cheese before ordering, a common courtesy at many BBQ joints, but the request was flat-out denied. This was a red flag, especially after the server admitted that the mac & cheese “tastes like beer cheese but isn’t as good as Panera’s.” Against better judgment, we ordered the mac & cheese as our side with the beef brisket meat tray.
The $12 “1/2 lb” brisket platter was another disappointment. The brisket was excessively fatty, despite requesting more middle cuts. It came with a small piece of cornbread and the infamous mac & cheese, which turned out to be overcooked, flat, and lacking any real flavor. It was clear why they didn’t want to give a sample—no one would’ve ordered it.
The Idaho potato with sliced turkey was also overcooked and dry, making it difficult to enjoy.
Throughout the meal, we struggled with the lack of attentive service. The waitress frequently disappeared and didn’t check in on us, leaving a lingering sense of neglect.
For the pricing and what was promised as an elevated BBQ experience, Smokeworks fell flat in both food and service. Perhaps the Social Cantina side would have been a better choice. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend spending your hard-earned money here, as the experience was far from satisfying.
… moreWe decided to try Smokeworks Bloomington today, which is connected to Social Cantina Bloomington. Walking in at 12:35 PM, the restaurant was relatively empty, which was surprising for lunchtime.
We were seated promptly, but the experience quickly took a downturn. The waitress brought out a plastic pitcher of water with four small plastic glasses. For what they advertise as an “upscale” BBQ spot, we expected glassware, especially after repeatedly requesting water in proper glasses. Unfortunately, those requests were ignored.
We ordered drinks and banana pudding, intending to sample more appetizers, but the waitress disappeared for quite some time. When the pudding finally arrived via a different server, we asked if we could order the deviled eggs with pork belly cracklings, green onions, and paprika. We requested the green onions on the side, but that’s where the positives ended.
The presentation of the deviled eggs was comparable to a middle school home economics class project. The eggs were unevenly cut, the filling was carelessly applied, and the pork belly cracklings were overcooked and excessively fatty.
Expecting upscale BBQ, we tried to get a sample of the mac & cheese before ordering, a common courtesy at many BBQ joints, but the request was flat-out denied. This was a red flag, especially after the server admitted that the mac & cheese “tastes like beer cheese but isn’t as good as Panera’s.” Against better judgment, we ordered the mac & cheese as our side with the beef brisket meat tray.
The $12 “1/2 lb” brisket platter was another disappointment. The brisket was excessively fatty, despite requesting more middle cuts. It came with a small piece of cornbread and the infamous mac & cheese, which turned out to be overcooked, flat, and lacking any real flavor. It was clear why they didn’t want to give a sample—no one would’ve ordered it.
The Idaho potato with sliced turkey was also overcooked and dry, making it difficult to enjoy.
Throughout the meal, we struggled with the lack of attentive service. The waitress frequently disappeared and didn’t check in on us, leaving a lingering sense of neglect.
For the pricing and what was promised as an elevated BBQ experience, Smokeworks fell flat in both food and service. Perhaps the Social Cantina side would have been a better choice. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend spending your hard-earned money here, as the experience was far from satisfying.
Misty Maddux
Emily was our bartender, she is so fun and the happiest person on Earth! The portions are enough for 2 with the sampler. With drinks spent 60.00 before a well deserved tip!
… moreJacob Schliesser
The food was mostly very bland. I had to add a bunch of salt and bbq sauce to the brisket and sides. My wife’s turkey was decent, and the kids liked their ribs. My brisket was tender. The portion size is good for the price.
… moreBrad Secrest
My wife and i went for lunch on a Saturday. It wasn’t very busy, maybe eight tables occupied. Our server, Alexis, was attentive but not intrusive. Our food came out quickly. I had a Two Step meat tray with pork and chicken wings, green beans, and fries. It included spicy pickles and a piece of corrnbread, ranch dressing and carrot sticks and celery for the wings. My wife had a pork sandwich with macaroni and cheese. It included the spicy pickles.
The pork was fall-apart tender and deliscious. My wife said it was, “maybe the best pork sandwich I’ve ever had.” Chicken wings were tender and smoky, the rub they use is delicious. They have House, Sweet, Spicy, and Alabama White sauces. The cornbread was as tender as I’ve ever had. Fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The pickles weren’t to my wife’s liking so I ate hers as well as mine. The green beens were just as I like them, cooked with bacon until they’re falling apart. My wife liked the macaroni and cheese although it did have some ingredient that she couldn’t identify. Overall an oustanding visit! We’ll be going back.
Total bill for two, no alcohol or dessert, was $32.40 after tax.
Note: some of you who read my reviews might notice that I eat gluten-free. I was diagnosed with a gluten allergy many years ago. Avoiding gluten is my preferred way to eat, but I occasionally consume gluten. I know my limits. The cornbread was not gluten-free. As always, if you are sensitive, be sure and ask your server!
… moreThe pork was fall-apart tender and deliscious. My wife said it was, “maybe the best pork sandwich I’ve ever had.” Chicken wings were tender and smoky, the rub they use is delicious. They have House, Sweet, Spicy, and Alabama White sauces. The cornbread was as tender as I’ve ever had. Fries were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The pickles weren’t to my wife’s liking so I ate hers as well as mine. The green beens were just as I like them, cooked with bacon until they’re falling apart. My wife liked the macaroni and cheese although it did have some ingredient that she couldn’t identify. Overall an oustanding visit! We’ll be going back.
Total bill for two, no alcohol or dessert, was $32.40 after tax.
Note: some of you who read my reviews might notice that I eat gluten-free. I was diagnosed with a gluten allergy many years ago. Avoiding gluten is my preferred way to eat, but I occasionally consume gluten. I know my limits. The cornbread was not gluten-free. As always, if you are sensitive, be sure and ask your server!