Ribs, chicken & other barbecue recipes come with classic sides at this landmark for Southern chow.
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Smokey Canyon BBQ – Riverside’s Best Barbecue Restaurant
Discover delicious barbecue at Smokey Canyon BBQ in Riverside, CA. Enjoy mouthwatering meats and a cozy atmosphere. Visit us today!
Smokey Canyon BBQ – MapQuest
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Smokey Canyon BBQ – Riverside, CA – Nextdoor
362 Faves for Smokey Canyon BBQ from neighbors in Riverside, CA. Ribs, chicken & other barbecue recipes come with classic sides at this landmark for …
Reviews
D.A. Horton
We ventured in on a Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm. There about 6 families finishing up their meals inside and outside. There was no line and we were able to walk up and order immediately.
The staff was pleasant and welcoming. They were very knowledgeable of their menu and answered our questions with confidence and accuracy.
I ordered the Beef Rib (3 bones) platter w/ Coleslaw & Mac N Cheese. The ribs came with the Kansas City style sauce, that was a sweet molasses based. My wife ordered the Loaded Baked Potato platter w/ Missouri beans, and Corn on the Cobb (which wasn’t sweet corn). The brisket had a lot of fat/gristle, but the meat was tender and smoked well! We also ordered a side of fries with their homemade seasoning that went well with their Ranch sauce. They gave us a side of collard greens.
We enjoyed our visit and will be back to try more items! We recommend Smokey Canyon if you’re in/near Riverside!
… moreThe staff was pleasant and welcoming. They were very knowledgeable of their menu and answered our questions with confidence and accuracy.
I ordered the Beef Rib (3 bones) platter w/ Coleslaw & Mac N Cheese. The ribs came with the Kansas City style sauce, that was a sweet molasses based. My wife ordered the Loaded Baked Potato platter w/ Missouri beans, and Corn on the Cobb (which wasn’t sweet corn). The brisket had a lot of fat/gristle, but the meat was tender and smoked well! We also ordered a side of fries with their homemade seasoning that went well with their Ranch sauce. They gave us a side of collard greens.
We enjoyed our visit and will be back to try more items! We recommend Smokey Canyon if you’re in/near Riverside!
SOBI’s Hobbies
We visited Smokey Canyon BBQ with my co-workers for lunch. Atmosphere was amazing. Interior setup is very nice. Staff was quite friendly. However, there are couple things I’d like to point out: 1. Their prices are on higher side. Lunch menu was almost $18 per person. For their serving sizes I thought it was too expensive. In my opinion $12-$14 would’ve been more appropriate for that portion. 2. Their BBQ brisket had no taste. It was bland and didn’t seem like it had any seasoning added. I travel a lot and always attempt to try different foods, this one was one of the weird experiences. I really wanted to like it and give them a “5” star review. Nonetheless, their prices and food taste just were not up for it.
… moreChris Lopez
Great food at reasonable prices. Super friendly staff that is always appreciative of customers.
They’ve done so much to help the community. Back when the covid situation first began, when things like eggs, flour and other staples were nearly impossible to find at grocery stores, they offered the community a lifeline. They took phone orders for these staples and placed bulk orders with their food suppliers, then fulfilled them with the general public, at cost. No profit. Just doing good deeds for the community.
My wife and I have been eating with them for several years now, and always feel welcome, which isn’t how we always feel at some places. We’re an interracial couple, and often get cold stares from staff at some BBQ places, but not here.
As for the food? It’s amazing. Consistently good or better quality. Consistently made properly, even special orders. The menu is accurate in describing what is on it. The staff knows the menu and knows what to recommend. I’ve had several of their meats, the tri tip, smoked Turkey, pulled pork and chicken. Love them all, but I usually fall back to the Turkey, cause I’m trying to maintain a lower calorie intake!
We once took my father in law for his birthday, the whole family loved it and wants to come back all the time, but of course options are limited now.
They also, like a good bbq place does, offers very hearty and customizable to go options. You can even buy meat by the pound!
They have 3 BBQ sauces, a hot and Spivey “Firehouse” sauce (this is the only one o haven’t tried).
a mustard/vinegar base “Carolina” sauce, which is the default sauce on their meats, and I have to be honest. I don’t like mustard. But I like this sauce, in small doses.
And a tomato based “Kansas city” sauce, this is my favorite, and I usually pour this on my meat liberally with a dash of the Carolina mixed in.
All 3 sauces are available for purchase also!
I can’t really get enough of this place, best BBQ in the area.
… moreThey’ve done so much to help the community. Back when the covid situation first began, when things like eggs, flour and other staples were nearly impossible to find at grocery stores, they offered the community a lifeline. They took phone orders for these staples and placed bulk orders with their food suppliers, then fulfilled them with the general public, at cost. No profit. Just doing good deeds for the community.
My wife and I have been eating with them for several years now, and always feel welcome, which isn’t how we always feel at some places. We’re an interracial couple, and often get cold stares from staff at some BBQ places, but not here.
As for the food? It’s amazing. Consistently good or better quality. Consistently made properly, even special orders. The menu is accurate in describing what is on it. The staff knows the menu and knows what to recommend. I’ve had several of their meats, the tri tip, smoked Turkey, pulled pork and chicken. Love them all, but I usually fall back to the Turkey, cause I’m trying to maintain a lower calorie intake!
We once took my father in law for his birthday, the whole family loved it and wants to come back all the time, but of course options are limited now.
They also, like a good bbq place does, offers very hearty and customizable to go options. You can even buy meat by the pound!
They have 3 BBQ sauces, a hot and Spivey “Firehouse” sauce (this is the only one o haven’t tried).
a mustard/vinegar base “Carolina” sauce, which is the default sauce on their meats, and I have to be honest. I don’t like mustard. But I like this sauce, in small doses.
And a tomato based “Kansas city” sauce, this is my favorite, and I usually pour this on my meat liberally with a dash of the Carolina mixed in.
All 3 sauces are available for purchase also!
I can’t really get enough of this place, best BBQ in the area.
J Mc
This place was very nice, the staff was very friendly and very helpful. We were a party of eight and all of us had a great time and really enjoyed our meal, The barbecue was delicious The sauces were delicious we had no complaints whatsoever and probably one of the best things you could actually eat inside, so if you want to go sit down and eat you should definitely go visit these folks. On an added note the prices weren’t terrible
… moreTracie Bratcher
First time here and this will not be the last. Beer on tap we had the 3 meat platters very good tender and fall of the bone ribs. The onion rings were very good as well as the mac n cheese also the salad was so crisp with the best ranch dressing Really liked the patio quiet and very inviting pet friendly.
… moreRebecca Velez
1st time here. I experienced good customer service and the food was great. I had brisket, fried green tomatoes, and salad oh and a brownie.
My fried got the brisket Panini with green chilies that was good as well. I will go back. It is a bit pricey but
I appreciate good customer service. That is a big factor on where go.
Good food/good customer service worth it $$$
Make sure to leave a tip. They deserve it.
… moreMy fried got the brisket Panini with green chilies that was good as well. I will go back. It is a bit pricey but
I appreciate good customer service. That is a big factor on where go.
Good food/good customer service worth it $$$
Make sure to leave a tip. They deserve it.
Taylor Thompson
This place is a little hard to find for the first time because it is nestled within a shopping center that has businesses laid out in clusters. Just look for the Chase Bank and you will find BBQ nearby.
The restaurant has an open floorplan with an order line along one wall and metal-top tables in a grid pattern.
They feature a large menu — much bigger than your average BBQ joint with about ten items — so everyone (except maybe vegetarians) should find what they want.
Their meats include brisket, tri-tip, beef ribs, St. Louis ribs, turkey, several cuts of pork, chicken, and hot links. There is an extensive list of sides, a number of salads, and a few dessert items.
I ordered a Caesar Salad ($10) and the Two Meat Plate with Brisket & Tri-Tip and chose Cheesy Potatoes & Cole Slaw for my sides ($24).
The salad was great: Lots of crispy Romaine lettuce, shredded parmesan, croutons, and a nice helping of thick dressing. A light eater could make a meal out of this salad, it was that generous.
The main course was served on a round, flat, metal platter covered in brown butcher paper. I know it is trendy to offer BBQ this way but I prefer my food on a proper ceramic plate. The sides came in cardboard boats — again, not my favorite presentation.
The brisket was quite good. It was very tender and flavorful. The meat was served, however, in a pile of different-sized slices, as if the chef were trying to use up all the left-over bits. Still good tasting but not as appetizing as a set of thick slices, carefully lined up in a row.
The tri-tip, on the other hand, was not as good. While the pieces showed off the correct red stripe, the meat was over-cooked and not particularly tender. Again, the serving was composed of a mish-mash of different shapes and sizes.
The meat was served with mild BBQ sauce already squirted onto about a third of each pile. I prefer to be given meat without topping, so that I can choose to apply — or not — the sauce of my personal heat range, in my own choice of quantity. The waitress said she would return with a selection of sauces but she never appeared again.
The Cole Slaw had a good flavor but the dressing was watery. Also, the portion was pretty skimpy. The Cheesy Potatoes were quite a disappointment, as well. They consisted of large, diced blocks of red-skin potatoes tossed with a pretty flavorless cheese sauce. My idea of cheesy potatoes is a baked russet, hogged out and blended with shredded cheddar, sour cream, & chopped green onions, then ladeled back into the potato skin, and baked for a few more minutes. Their cheesy potatoes were more like something you might get at a fast-food drive-thru. Like the Slaw, the portion size was lacking.
The drink selection was disappointing, with a self-serve dispenser of Pepsi products (I hate the taste of Pepsi, BTW) plus a couple of versions of iced tea. They really should expand their offerings of drinks to include some regional favorites.
The final tally shows a pleasant atmosphere, with a large selection of mostly mediocre food, plated haphazardly, by disinterested staff, that is over-priced by double.
Overall, this was a $19 meal that cost $41. I am afraid I cannot recommend this restaurant.
… moreThe restaurant has an open floorplan with an order line along one wall and metal-top tables in a grid pattern.
They feature a large menu — much bigger than your average BBQ joint with about ten items — so everyone (except maybe vegetarians) should find what they want.
Their meats include brisket, tri-tip, beef ribs, St. Louis ribs, turkey, several cuts of pork, chicken, and hot links. There is an extensive list of sides, a number of salads, and a few dessert items.
I ordered a Caesar Salad ($10) and the Two Meat Plate with Brisket & Tri-Tip and chose Cheesy Potatoes & Cole Slaw for my sides ($24).
The salad was great: Lots of crispy Romaine lettuce, shredded parmesan, croutons, and a nice helping of thick dressing. A light eater could make a meal out of this salad, it was that generous.
The main course was served on a round, flat, metal platter covered in brown butcher paper. I know it is trendy to offer BBQ this way but I prefer my food on a proper ceramic plate. The sides came in cardboard boats — again, not my favorite presentation.
The brisket was quite good. It was very tender and flavorful. The meat was served, however, in a pile of different-sized slices, as if the chef were trying to use up all the left-over bits. Still good tasting but not as appetizing as a set of thick slices, carefully lined up in a row.
The tri-tip, on the other hand, was not as good. While the pieces showed off the correct red stripe, the meat was over-cooked and not particularly tender. Again, the serving was composed of a mish-mash of different shapes and sizes.
The meat was served with mild BBQ sauce already squirted onto about a third of each pile. I prefer to be given meat without topping, so that I can choose to apply — or not — the sauce of my personal heat range, in my own choice of quantity. The waitress said she would return with a selection of sauces but she never appeared again.
The Cole Slaw had a good flavor but the dressing was watery. Also, the portion was pretty skimpy. The Cheesy Potatoes were quite a disappointment, as well. They consisted of large, diced blocks of red-skin potatoes tossed with a pretty flavorless cheese sauce. My idea of cheesy potatoes is a baked russet, hogged out and blended with shredded cheddar, sour cream, & chopped green onions, then ladeled back into the potato skin, and baked for a few more minutes. Their cheesy potatoes were more like something you might get at a fast-food drive-thru. Like the Slaw, the portion size was lacking.
The drink selection was disappointing, with a self-serve dispenser of Pepsi products (I hate the taste of Pepsi, BTW) plus a couple of versions of iced tea. They really should expand their offerings of drinks to include some regional favorites.
The final tally shows a pleasant atmosphere, with a large selection of mostly mediocre food, plated haphazardly, by disinterested staff, that is over-priced by double.
Overall, this was a $19 meal that cost $41. I am afraid I cannot recommend this restaurant.
TrocitY
Just had the worst experience ever. Placed an online order for 2 burgers and a appetizer platter. Get home to see only 1 burger and the platter. Called back to see what happened and lady on phone basically said she remembers taking my order and I only asked for 1. So immediately I asked to speak to manager and the owner comes on the phone and basically yells at me telling me she made a mistake and it is what it is. She conducted business very poor and it reflected on the way her employees conducted themselves. An a time like this where small businesses like this are struggling to make and Karen owners like this one who simply don’t care about their customers. They lost my business for good.
… moreKen Kinsey
Good service, not too busy for a Friday night, which was good for us…no wait. Enjoyed the BBQ burger with onion rings. My wife had the pulled pork sandwich, which was a bit on the dry side. The macaroni side dish was excellent as were the onion rings.
… moreJulio Garcia
Underwhelmed and left disappointed
First I want to disclose that I have not tried their ribs but I did order one of their most expensive menu items. I ordered their Tri-Tip sandwich, runs about $20, but definitely not worth the money, not even worth half of what I paid. I feel conflicted writing this review, as I am local here to this family owned business but the experience here just left me really unsatisfied. The Tri-Tip was bland, dry, and overall not good, the bread roll tasted stale and bland and said to say their BBQ sauce isn’t really that good, it’s too bland. The onion rings were really good though. I haven’t tried their ribs but after tasting their sauce I don’t have a desire to come back to try them. This is a shame since I was expecting an experience similar to HOGGs in MoVal, but atlas Smokey Canyon can’t compare to HOGGs. At HOGGs everything, and I mean everything tastes great, you can’t go wrong with any of their food. The customer service and friendliness is top notch here, but unfortunately their tri-tip sandwich wasn’t up to par.
… moreFirst I want to disclose that I have not tried their ribs but I did order one of their most expensive menu items. I ordered their Tri-Tip sandwich, runs about $20, but definitely not worth the money, not even worth half of what I paid. I feel conflicted writing this review, as I am local here to this family owned business but the experience here just left me really unsatisfied. The Tri-Tip was bland, dry, and overall not good, the bread roll tasted stale and bland and said to say their BBQ sauce isn’t really that good, it’s too bland. The onion rings were really good though. I haven’t tried their ribs but after tasting their sauce I don’t have a desire to come back to try them. This is a shame since I was expecting an experience similar to HOGGs in MoVal, but atlas Smokey Canyon can’t compare to HOGGs. At HOGGs everything, and I mean everything tastes great, you can’t go wrong with any of their food. The customer service and friendliness is top notch here, but unfortunately their tri-tip sandwich wasn’t up to par.