Reviews - Smoke Berkeley Llc
Reviews summary
Smoke Berkeley occupies a soulful, former-pub space in Berkeley and serves hearty, well-spiced BBQ with standout ribs, brisket and generous sides like mac and cheese and potato salad. Catering and accommodating service are praised, but quality is uneven; some meats (brisket, salmon, lamb) arrive dry or overly fatty, and prices feel high for picky diners. The team can arrange vegetarian substitutions for events, yet there is no full plant-based menu. Expect a warm, casual room with character and strong portions—ideal for groups and BBQ lovers who tolerate occasional inconsistency.
Was Ash Shute at Smoke Berkeley Llc a mag?
This restaurant is stunning. The staff is incredible, and the vintage location really adds character. The signs in the bathroom are laugh-out-loud funny. My favorite side dish is the mac and cheese, which definitely surpasses that of other places at similar price points. View all feedback.
What Mo Lam dislikes about Smoke Berkeley Llc:
I regret having previously reviewed a different smokehouse, thinking it was this one! SMOKED BERKELEY is a huge disappointment. Not only was the person taking my order rude and condescending, but the smoked beef dish I ordered was incredibly dry. The side dishes and the beef were also quite pricey. Save your time and choose another place! This is not a fake review; I understand they're closed now, but when I visited,... View all feedback.
Reviews from various users
Last update : 04.09.2024
What a treat! We just left pleasantly full and already looking forward to our leftovers! New to the neighborhood, and can’t wait to return. A crowd came after us, and the man working still managed to be attentive and personal.
Best BBQ I have had on the west coast so far. Love the smokey-tangy BBQ sauce. Not too expensive either.
Finally, a BBQ place that holds up to my favorite spots in the Midwest. It's Texas mesquite style and its fantastic! One of the few solid BBQ places in CA that I've come across since moving here in 2001. The meat almost falls apart on the fork. The collard greens are some of the best I've ever had in my life. Everything that my wife and I ordered was outstanding. And to top it all off, they sent us home with pork bones for our dogs. I can't say enough great things about Smoke, we'll definitely be back a lot!
Delicious pork ribs with tasteful sause
I placed a large catering order with Smoke Berkeley for my business group and hosted the gathering at a Berkeley park. My coworkers raved about the food, the portions were generous, and it was a pleasure working with the Smoke team. Chef Tina accommodated the vegetarians in my group with Smoke Tofu sandwiches and they couldn’t have been happier with the dish. Thanks Chef Tina and team, we will definitely order from you again!
Last update : 15.06.2023
Stopped by for lunch.... good stuff, and nice alternative to E&Js which has become a bit commercial over the years. Certainly Worth a try. I had a mixed pork rib and beef brisket platter $18) with jalapeño macNcheese and collard greens. The beef was tender and juicy, though not as rich and flavorful as I might have wished. The ribs were perfect. In value terms it was more food than I was able to eat. Would have been perfect for 2. Next time I’ll go with a single plate, which at $11 seems also like a good value. I had medium BBQ sauce, which is served on the side. Delicious, tangy, with a bit of afterburn the completed the meat well. You don’t usually go to BBQ for the atmosphere, but this place, with scads of outside seating, and tons of original grit, could almost be called cute. Only two people work here, one is in charge of meat and food, and the other taking orders, so if you’re looking for fast food... look elsewhere.
Brisket was not what I expected. I Ordered with door dash for pick up, so my husband picked it up. To be honest I am comparing you to another restaurant experience and I'm use to it being juicy not dry and there was a lot of fat on it. We also ordered the chicken and the links on a Saturday evening those options were also to dry. The mild sauce bbq had more of a vinegar flavor. I paid over $100 and it was not worth it for us.
This is a small joint in Berkeley to taste good bbq. San Pablo is a busy street so sometimes it is difficult to find parking. Ribs are good and brisket as well. A bit spicy for my taste but mi wife wants to come back. Service was fast and owner is friendly.
I feel so bad I recently reviewed a smokehouse thinking it was this place!! THIS PLACE, (SMOKED BERKELEY), absolutely sucks not only was the person taking the order,rude and condescending, I had a smoked beef dish that was just dry as a bone and the side dishes and the beef were very expensive. Don't waste your time go elsewhere!!!!! This Is not a false review, I realize they are closed now but when I went there they had a salmon dish on the menu very dry over smoked, meaning not too much smoke but just dried out. They also had a beef item I believe it was brisket but I am not sure which cut of meat it was it was beef and it was you know it was okay but again for the price it just wasn't all that!
This place is beautiful. The staff is amazing and the old location there is so much soul. The signs in the bathroom are scary. My favorite side is the Mac and cheese and it is so much better than other restaurants for similar prices.
