Whatcha Smokin BBQ+Brew sits along Highway 17 in Luther, Iowa, surrounded by cornfields, in a renovated gas station. Our pitmaster prepares Central Texas style craft bbq daily and proudly serves you pit to plate. Partnering with Iowa breweries we offer a wide selection of Iowa Craft Beers.
Gene Hinders
About an hour and a half drive but well worth the trip!
Saturday early afternoon and it was packed…about a half hour wait for seating was the only downside.
Service was outstanding and the staff seemed to be handling multiple aspects of the jobs and helping each other out…no one just did one thing and I think that really sped up the service. Katie was our primary server and was outstanding!
We ordered up a two and a three meat deal and had Campground Beans, Creamy Coleslaw, Cheesy Potatoes,, and Mac & Cheese as sides as well as a slice of Texas Toast and Cornbread as sides….oh, and Golden Corn Nuggets as an appetizer.
The Corn Nuggets were good and sweet and served up with honey and a ranch sauce for dipping.
The meat choices were 3) Ribs, Pork Loin, and Turkey Breast….and 2) Pork Loin and Turkey Breast.
The smoke on everything was amazing and just the right amount for excellent flavors..the ribs were very meaty. Some places ribs leave you wanting but not at Watcha Smoking! The Pork Loin and the Turkey Breast were both very good as well…still tender and not dried out.
I liked the Neck of the Woods sauce the best (mild tomato based) as well as the Carolina Gold sauce…it had nice kick to it.
The sides were all good but the only issue was the Cheesy Potatoes were a bit dry…..I’m thinking that it must’ve been towards the end of the batch and had been sitting around for a bit.
Cornbread was excellent, Texas Toast tops, Coleslaw was a good shredded, wet slaw, the Mac and Cheese very good, and the Campground Beans were the preferred side as they had some good chunks of smoked meats mixed in.
Fantastic place, great food and great service…Definitely worth the trip!
… moreRobert Fredregill
First time eating here! Heard good things about their meats ! Went with 9 family members. Got there around 6 pm on a Tuesday. Very busy! Had to wait about 20 minutes or so to be seated. Wait staff was excellent and fast! Drinks served promptly, and orders taken promptly! I ordered the 1 meat platter, pulled pork, with 2 sides, mac and cheese, and baked beans, and Texas toast! Food was served covered, hot and very fast! Washed it down with an Exile Brewing Ruthie! Everything was delicious! Very happy with everything! I dont think you could be disappointed eating here! Barbecue sauces were excellent!!
… moreTodd Keller
While it was a little off the beaten path, it was well worth the trip! This is a great setup with outdoor picnic type area, typical dine in eating and a separate building housing the “lounge”. It was right off the highway, so easy to find with enough room for parking.
We tried the Philly which was tender and didn’t disappoint. We also stopped by on a Sunday so we got to try the “Twinkie” which is a perfect example of creative BBQ. With the cream cheese being a great base for the BBQ, it was genius and very tasty. The beans were good as were the mac & cheese and the cheesy potatoes. We also tried the 3 meat sampler and the turkey is one of the best! Smokey & just the right touch of sweet. The sausage was a very mild sausage with the cheese in it being a perfect counterpoint for the smoked flavor. The cornbread was an unexpected side, but just as delicious as everything else. Portions are huge here, so if you want to sample a little of everything (family style), it’s easy to do. The fries are seasoned with BBQ rub, so they have slightly sweet bbq taste (similar to their Sweet & Sticky sauce). We tried the mild sauce, Sticky & Sweet, and Wildfire sauce. All were good with the same flavor profile, just a little bit spicier with each step up from mild. Each had a good balance between smoky and sweet with the sweet being slightly fruity.
… moreMausel86
We are visiting from out of town. We were told this restaurant is a “must.” We were not disappointed! This is some of the best BBQ we have had. Our server’s name was Talitha and she was phenomenal! She was kind, attentive, and made great recommendations. 10 out of 10!
… moreBrittany Carlson
We love Whatcha Smoking and the environment of dining in. They always have great food and I enjoy the unique taco Tuesday specials they have! Be sure to check their Facebook for what is new or for a limited time if you are up to trying new foods. Excited for the summer to go back to enjoying the open garage doors – but this place is great year round.
… moreTruman Perry
This is our favorite BBQ place in Iowa, and we wish we had visited sooner. My favorite is the smoked turkey, and my wife likes their pulled pork. Good sides, which I think is key for a good BBQ place. I tried their banana pudding, and definitely recommend you do the same. The atmosphere is fun, with a big outdoor area to hang out in with lawn games.
… moreHoward Freeman
Heard tell this place is a winner. Easy to find, lots of parking (next to the bldgs). Party of 5, sat pretty quickly even if it was across a courtyard in a different bldg. Not an easy trek for two elderly people and a wheelchair. Half the BBQ was sold out by 6pm. No burnt ends, no chicken, no pork, no sausage. That being said the ribs and brisket were delicious. Smokey without being ashy. The lean brisket was very moist and flavorful. Ribs didn’t fall off the bone (and they don’t have to) and we’re very good. The sauces were a bit sweet for me but the hotter one was good. Cowboy beans were yummy! Lots of beef made them good and hearty! I chose the pimento macaroni salad…nice change from fries. Lots of flavor. Shout out to the pickles! I say make the drive and get you sum! Even if you can only get brisket and ribs, it is tasty!!
… moreBenjamin Duke
Stopped by for a quick lunch and decided to try something different here, so I got “The Double Wide”. The Double Wide is a hand breaded tenderloin. It was good size, nice thickness and good breading. I ordered the fries for my side. I received a nice amount of fries and they were good. Definitely stopping by again to try some other stuff on the menu. Plenty of parking and there is an additional building in back for more seating.
… moreEmmit Sledge
I’ve traveled all over the US and tried BBQ everywhere I go. From New York to Texas and everyone in between and this is Bar-B-Que. It’s out here in Luther, Iowa just south of Boone. If you have to travel any amount of time it will be worth it. I didn’t try everything but I’ll tell you about what I did have. The cheesy taters are shredded taters with cheese and what flavor. I don’t usually like cold slaw but this one is very good. I only had two meats brisket and sausage. The cheese sausage was pretty good. I will order regular next time. But the brisket was amazing! Juicy and tender. It would fall apart if I didn’t pick it up carefully. The seasonings were out of this world. Nor sure what they are using but they better stay with it. The bark was the best part. The seasonings soaked in like the smoke ring but deeper. This is the best, even in the west, Bar-B-Que I have ever tasted. My order didn’t come with fresh onions, but it did come with pickle slices and those were really good too. Don’t mind the wait or you may miss this amazing experience of flavorful meats and sides. Plenty of sitting room inside and out. Just find a spot and get ready for this one. I included a picture of the brisket to show how thick each slice was. One of those slices would make a sandwich by itself. Don’t let me forget the sauce. Three kinds of flavor to suite. The brisket didn’t need anything $$$Enjoy!
… moreJesse Rhodenbaugh
Those Fairground Ham Balls were to DIE for. The dessert one knocked my socks off. The bald guy running the cash register at the fair was super nice! YOU GOTTA GO TRY IT. the oatmeal creampie was simply the best i have ever had.
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