The atmosphere is great, the food is yummy, and the people are super nice. The drinks are also very yummy. They are also always playing great music with great variety. It is a little pricey, but if you like barbecue then you will love it. Cash only though, just a heads up.
Great food. We had the house queso, brisket and rib tacos -- all delicious. Also enjoyed the drinks.
Absolutely incredible. I loved everything I tasted here and the restaurant in itself was well decorated, staff was friendly. Portions are small though so order a lot!
I was worried Smoke would be overrated, but it certainly lived up to the hype. House queso and pork tacos each surpassed expectations - balanced flavors in each, homemade tortilla chips, perfectly smoked pork, solid beer selection.
The veggie burger and was very good. The regular burgers were tasty as well. We were there shortly after they opened and they had no bacon. So one of the three burgers on the menu wasnt even an option. All in all it was very good.
Long wait. Service was terrible. Server was very kind, but forgot to put in part of our order and didn't check in until right before the food arrived. Also forgot multiple orders from three tables surrounding us. Tacos were great but maybe a tad pricey.
My friend and I came on a Monday. First off, we walked by the restaurant twice. If you haven't been there, the name of the restaurant doesn't really stand out on the door, so just look close. We got a good laugh.
We started with the original chips and queso. So good! I'm actually still craving those homemade flour tortilla chips right now! It comes with a bunch, so we had some to take home too. We also got their Monday drink special, which was $5 sex on the beach. Good deal!
We each got 2 tacos and it was more than enough. I only ate half of each and took the rest home. I was honestly a little disappointed in the tacos. Smoke has been on my list of places to go for a while. I got a pork taco and it was better than average, but kinda dried out. I also got their special taco of the day which was fried chicken and grilled chicken together with a bunch of other stuff. That one was better than the pork, but nothing amazing.
If I go back again, I'll for sure get the chips and queso again and maybe I'll try one of the beef tacos.
Food here is wonderful. The BBQ is smoked in-house. We always leave having our bellies stuffed. Their non-alcoholic drinks are good too!
If you never tried it.. well that's your loss, your missing out. Rib taco. Yea!!! Rib tacos...
The briscuit was absolutely amazing. Worth every penny. Great service to boot. Highly recommended!
Smoke is always delicious! It's a trendy atmosphere in fun part of town and if you're from Pittsburgh you probably already know this. I've enjoyed Smoke for years. I still wish they had more veggie friendly options (the new mushroom options are tasty - but I dream of the day they offer smoked pulled jackfruit) - but it's hard to complain when the food's this good. And I have to say even though I miss their old BYOB method, they do nice drinks in house!
Very over priced, I went for a burger as online shows pics of burgers and when I arrived it was only tacos!!! I'm not from the area and figured owell, I'll try the tacos can't go wrong with that, and I admit they were delicious but for 8$ per taco and that includes no sides, that's Ludacris!!! My wife and I each got two tacos and a soft drink and and the check was 42.00$ without tax the drinks were 5 each and they were homemade and let me tell you, not a fan it was by far the worst cola I ever tried!!! I recommend sticking with the tap water or they upgrade to a soda machine!!! But all in all if ur a average Joe and budgeting as almost everyone in 2018 then this ain't the place!!!
Disappointed with our last visit about three weeks ago. Always ordered the queso, because it was fantastic. This time the queso was thin and did not have much flavor. Ordered the gringo taco, again disappointed. It reminded me of a sloppy joe for elementary school cafeteria. The spicy margarita was great. Saddened to say, won't be back.
Place is cozy an comfie,food is great,staff is friendly! Definitely recommend this spot.
Great food! I would advise calling ahead and getting take out. This place gets a giant line cause of its popularity
BBQ tastes good, but taco is expensive and terrible. Service is not good, either
Most excellent food! We went there for a birthday dinner for my wife. The food was great and so was the dessert. They take vanilla ice cream and toss in home made cake donuts and captain crunch....amazing!
The food is amazing, but the service is the slowest service of any restaurant I have been to. The food is worth it, but it prepare to be there for a while.
Hard to find! The name of the restaurant is in about 2 inch letters on the door. No other signs. No coke or Pepsi products. No credit/debit cards, cash only.
The food was excellent, but people need to be able to find it, pay less than $5.00 for a fake coke and pay with plastic. Hopefully you guys are a brand new business and you'll remedy all these things as you gather some revenue. I don't mind paying more for food that is worth it.
Loved every taco we had as well as the queso dip appetizer. If you see anything with burnt ends on the menu, get it.
Some of the best flavours in Lawrenceville and potentially all of Pittsburgh. Cash only.
Soo worth the wait. Honestly the best tacos I have ever had. They manage to make tacos with flavor combinations you question until having them and you go damn they got it right. I love the Chicken Apple and the chips are just amazing. The wait can be pretty wild on the weekends but weekday nights you can usually get right in.
Atmosphere is awesome, I absolutely love the look of this place inside. They have cool drink options and the best queso I have ever had! The tacos, though, were disappointing. I tried the apple chicken taco and it literally tasted like warm chicken salad in a soggy flour tortilla. I took two bites and put it down. The brisket one was definitely good, but I wouldn't call it a taco. I would go there again for the queso (massive portion and it comes with homemade tortilla chips) but would skip out on the tacos.
Wow. Even with five star reviews, I usually have atleast one con or thought, but I really just can't see anything that needs to improve. They hand pick their ingredients and sources, all the way down to the cider they carry being Original Sin. I had their fried chicken Sunday taco special and a side of brocolli I and corn. The taco was delicious and big. I couldn't even eat the second one (burnt ends) that I ordered. I was also appreciative that the tacos came out wrapped up in foil. Keeping each individual taco warm for when you get to it, and making it easy to take home when you can't. Located right next to the rowhouse/bierport, so grab a few and then stop in there. I will be back.
This place is ultra cool. The tacos are good. Ingredients are the key. The bar is great. The bartender was incredibly knowledgeable and her made me the best negroni I've ever had. Seeing as I went for the tacos, I was a bit disappointed. Everything is under seasoned. It's a shame because the quality of ingredients is excellent. Definitely a cool place to check out in Lawrenceville.
I got the brisket plate with Mac and cheese and cornbread. It was awesome! Highly recommend this place! The only downside is that it is cash only.
Try the rib dip, but try not to have a heart attack.
Charlotte was a very nice waitress. Great service. The mushrooms are bites of gold. I had a pork and brisket taco. So great. When you sit down it is an eating experience not just lunch. Great beer selection and the smell of the place lures you in from the parking lot. Such a great place...
The absolute best bbq place in Pittsburgh. However, the waitress didnt seem very knowledgeable as we asked for suggestions on beer, food, and bbq sauce but she wouldn't/couldn't suggest anything for either of those. Didnt matter in the end as the food was spectacular and the atmosphere was wonderful. I would give 5 stars had the waitress been more helpful. Definitely recommend to anyone.
Decided to go here with my friends and it's amazing how smaller joints compared to others can be worlds better. Their queso is so good I could make a meal out of that alone. I absolutely love the rustic atmosphere along with the service and the short amount of time for you to get your food even if it is a packed house. Also if there are no seats available you can give them your number and they will either call or text you when a table is open for you. If you are in the area I would absolutely recommend coming to this place.
Smoke is a unique place. The food is incredible, something you would expect from a hole in the wall in NYC not in Pittsburgh. The tacos are pricy but they are large. The chef will sometimes just decide to try out different things depending on the day so the menu is always changing. It is incredible.
Really good chips and dip, veggie options are excellent too!
Amazing little taco place with delicious options. Typically, I get the queso which is simply quite amazing and two tacos. They have great sides but I typically get full on the tacos! Be sure to listen for specialty tacos that aren't on the menu, they have some really creative and inventive ones.
P.S.
They also have a pretty bomb burger night!
Wow absolutely delicious. It was a great I will come back again and again when I come home again. The pulled pork was amazing. It's great that my home town had something like this!
Without any hesitation......my favorite food in Pittsburgh.
Not sure what left a worse taste in my mouth, the service or the smoked pork that tasted like a dirty ashtray. Both were equally undesirable and would not recommend checking this place out to anyone
Their tacos are incredible and they also have an amazing brunch selection.
Best tacos in town! Super tasty! Bar tenders are a 10 out of 10! Highly recommended! In my experience, it's a $100 meal if 2 go for tacos, drinks, & dessert.
We went for my daughter's birthday because she had heard good things so maybe our experience was not typical as far as the service goes. They were not busy the service was slow. The people who came in after us were served first. The food was mediocre the 1/2 chicken was under done and the brisket was leaning toward over done. The BBQ beans and Mac and Cheese were very good but then again that isn't why we went there.
Tacos were decent. Queso was delicious. Wish it wasn't cash only. Everything could have been a little cheaper.
Good craft beers. Beware: Tuesday is Burgers ONLY. NO TACOS!
Well I was really excited to go here. Excited enough that my Girlfriend and I waited an hour and a half to be seated. We got there around 8pm. First, they sat people that came before us which wasnt cool, you could tell they made a mistake but fed us a line on why it would only be another 10 mins. When we sat down we were given a jug of tap water that had no ice in it, and I don't think there was any ice in any other jugs, so we drank lukewarm water. The atmosphere was just not my scene, everything and everyone screamed hippster. I think those are the people who gave this place such high ratings. Our waitress took our order but some other guy brought us out all our food. I say this because the place is very small and not alot of seating, so I don't think there was any reason for her to be too busy to do it. Your tacos come wrapped in foil, like you got something off a food truck. I read that the tacos come loaded with protein, so I was excited, since I'm 6', 250lbs and workout regularly...aka I'm a big guy. The tacos were small..so for $6-$10 I don't think they were worth it. It reminded me of those places I avoid, where I pay a ton of money for a little bit of fancy food. I mean the tacos were ok considering how creative they are. So needless to say it wasnt a great experience and we could probably find better places to eat. But if you are into the hippster thing, this is right up your alley
Great in house smoked meat. Very unique taco flavorings. Fresh made queso and chips. Fast service. Reason for not giving 5 star rate is if you use a debit or credit cards you must pay a 3.5% up charge.
I absolutely love the tacos here and the mac and cheese is to die for, but it s gotten so expensive. The big redeeming factor is the $5 rotating cocktails which make it a solid 4 stars on Fridays and Saturdays. Their burger Tuesday is really not great though.
Playing very annoying music, hard to have a conversation, didn't stay.
Food fantastic, but hostess annoyed when we asked to move tables in an almost empty restaurant,and servers were surly. Drinks expensive and watered down. Cash only inconvenient.
Love it - always fresh, excellent flavors. The homemade tortillas and chorizo are killer. Only complaint would be the homemade chips are overly greasy and rich (especially w/ the queso).
Smoke will be moving in a few months to a different location (Lawrenceville).
Delicious food, but the wait is unfounded. They serve tacos. Yes, really good tacos, but tacos! What takes so long? I waited almost 2 hours for a to go order. Would give 5 stars if they would speed things up or accept reservations.
Probably will never go back because of this issue.
This place owns up to the reviews. Stopped in on a one night visit, looked it up and was blown away by the great tasting food. We had a veggie taco, chicken apple taco and the mac n cheese. It all was so good! Waited a little long for the food but it was worth the hand-crafted goodness. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good place to go in Pittsburgh.
Amazing food. Long wait to get a table, but rightfully so...
Everything about this place was fantastic - food, ambiance, everything. But I'm taking one, actually two stars off for the fact that it's CASH ONLY. earlier that same day I went to an old timey run down hole in the wall diner joint near ligonier that hadn't changed in 30 years, that was cash only too. That I can understand. Adds to the character. This is just an annoyance. It's 2017 for somebody's sake. It's not cool or hip to be cash only. It's not even that frugal considering you still have to take all of your cash to the bank each night instead of the wonderful world of effortless electronic banking. I can understand if the food was dirt cheap and the money they save from transaction fees was reflected in the price, but we paid $14 for a cup of queso. Don't get me wrong, it was really really tasty. But even I can get a square for my iPhone and save my customers the inconvenience of running next door to the atm (weather was fine, thankfully), and likely paying a service fee to withdraw money. Won't be back. cash only in 2017 annoyed me.
Best takeout burger and fries I've had during the COVID craziness. Thanks SMOKE for keeping it real(good).
Great drinks and great taco. Just a little pricey for what you get. Would definitely still go back.
Charlotte was a very nice waitress. Great service. The mushrooms are bites of gold. I had a pork and brisket taco. So great. When you sit down it is an eating experience not just lunch. Great beer selection and the smell of the place lures you in from the parking lot. Such a great place...
It isn't cheap, definitely tasty. If they have the brunt ends, give it a try if you like smoked meats. I got 3 tacos and they were great. 2 tacos is probably good for a meal.
Fantastic tacos. Great service. Good bar. Sometimes there is a long wait, but it's well worth it.
It s been a few years since I have been here but I will say this, Smoke is amazing. Don t let the name fool you, this is not some run of the mill bbq joint. It s so much better. It s hard to nail down a word to describe this place but I have not had anything on the menu that is not delicious! My favorite is the taco that has chicken and apples in it. It s so good. Try one of everything!
We visited on a Saturday afternoon and enjoyed amazing queso, melt in your mouth tacos, and very pleasant wait staff. We will definitely visit again.
We miss the tacos but we love everything you offer. Delicious food, creative drinks, and a great atmosphere. Shoutout to their mac and cheese recipe, their queso and ohhhh the burnt ends tacos. Woo.
Way overly spicy food, waitress was rude, and the Mac and cheese was 10.25 and it s 7.50 for 1 taco. Highly recommend not going here big waste of time and money.
Absolutely delicious food great ambience, somewhat expensive but quality worth it
These are some of the best tacos you can get. Definitely gonna be coming back!
Tasty tacos, albeit a bit pricey. Cash only or pay 3% more on a card.
Amazing tacos and drinks. Margaritas were outstanding. Smoked meats superb. Amazing space also. These guys Do it Right.
It's been a while since I've been here. Happy to see it's still delicious.
The food keeps getting better each time I go back. They have adapted to the all of the covid changes really well.
Undeniably delicious hipster tacos...they are worth the wait and the money!
Great food, and large servings. I take all my friends here when they visit Pittsburgh.
Took over 30 minutes to get food. Order mac n cheese that cost $10.50 expected it to be amazing. Super disappointed with it. Taco was good and the decor is cool.
Super cool spot.. Antiques.. Rustic feel.. Hipster... Modern stuff... lots going on but its flows and Oh yeah the food was pretty delicious !
We try to make it here every few months as they have our favorite ever queso and chips. The tacos are always delicious (never seem to have an "off night" here). I've heard others complain of the quality of service, but our servers have always been kind and helpful. Wish they took reservations, but now that the craze for the place has died down, it's easier to get a seat and a good meal whenever we have the craving.
Good food. Completely rude, condescending and inflexible staff. The hostesses have NEGATIVE customer service skills and both times I've been at Smoke it took over an hour to get food.
Amazing food! Chicken apple tacos were to die for. Queso with chips disappeared quickly. Cornbread unique and tasty. Be prepared for an extended wait time (we waited 3+ hours for a party of four) and that you may be seated at a table with bar stools instead of a booth or supportive chairs (which my back was not happy with). Would return but only with a reservation and assurance of regular seating.
Slow service, 3 menu items not available. Server did give us 2 free drinks. Expensive tacos. They were not real hot, did taste good.
Incredible food and drinks, a little pricier than some options, but absolutely worth it for a date night or post-work bite.
Lots of cool taco places are popping up in Pittsburgh, and while they re all good, Smoke is GREAT. Amazing smoked meat tacos. You can t beat that. The only thing I would change is that they only accept cash.
Delicious. Get the queso & the ribs taco. *Sorry, they do not serve this any more* They're a sandwhich shop now,.. but still delicious!
Quite expensive for the amount of food you get. It's good though
Amazing chips and queso. The tacos were a little bit or miss with their special that was pretty good, but the chorizo one was decent but not great.
Came here Yesterday after seeing this place on Food Network. Awesome food. Some of the best tasting. Kinda pricey for what you get but I would definitely come back here if in Pittsburgh.
Don't get the horchata. The tacos are great but the BBQ is just OK
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