Rude bartenders. Did not even offer a drink menu, which they do have. Would have ordered more if I…read morehad known the price and it didn't feel like they were being put out by serving me. 3 people at bar with two Bartenders. Had reservations for tomorrow night to eat but will be canceling those. The AC clearly needs attention. Set to 68 but it was 76 inside, at 9:30 PM. Has great potential but the food and staff just did not look the part ***UPDATE: Did actually go for dinner. If I could give 0 stars I would. At least we got a menu this time. The shrimp were not deveined. I DID NOT ORDER SHRIMP POOP. The "loaded" potato had no butter or sour cream. Green beans steamed in bag from grocery if I could guess. Our food died at the pass.

I don't get to see my fiancé often because he travels for work, so I came from Michigan to Ashland,…read moreKentucky to spend some time with him. We were really looking forward to a nice dinner out together, but unfortunately, our experience here was very disappointing. We were at the restaurant for two hours and still hadn't been able to order dinner. We started in the dining area, but our server, Amanda, wasn't very friendly or attentive, so we decided to move to the bar. The bartender was incredibly kind and doing her best, but she seemed overwhelmed by how busy it was. With some extra support--like a barback--she could have provided an even better experience. At that point, though, after waiting so long, we were just ready to grab something quick and head out. Sadly, we won't be returning, and I wouldn't recommend this spot to others based on our visit.

ambiance of this restaurant was reminiscent of a cozy bookstore with a delightful restaurant tucked…read moreinside. The shelves were adorned with an extensive collection of books, while other charming items lined the walls. Their menu offered a diverse range of dishes, catering to various tastes. As an avid Eggs Benedict enthusiast, my choice was an easy one. My companion opted for the breakfast bowl with bacon, and both dishes were exceptionally tasty, with well-balanced seasoning. I couldn't help but notice a steak sizzling on a lava rock, promising a delectable culinary experience. However, the service was slightly slow due to the restaurant's popularity. Despite the crowd, our waitress was incredibly kind and even offered an apology for any inconvenience caused. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant for breakfast or brunch when visiting the area.

Had to stop in at The Mill for lunch with the girls. I love this place. They have a season summer…read moreberry salad that is out of this world. All four of us ate it as an appetizer cause we were starving. It was full of mixed greens, goat cheese, fresh blueberries, mandarin oranges, strawberries and sliced grilled chicken cooked to perfection. So delish! I also had the chicken salad croissant and it was so flavorful and the croissant was buttery and crusty. This is a must see in Ashland!!!! Our server was amazing. We were so hungry and you were so Accommodating. Thank you!

Food was amazing. Best cheese curds i've had. waitress, who was amazing, suggested getting some…read morehoney sriracha sauce (from the wings) to dip the curds in. BEST IDEA EVER. Burger was amazing. Wings and onion rings. great. Will be returning soon.

Came to try their stuffed mushrooms since stuffed mushrooms are a requirement when I'm in the…read moretri-state area, and they did not disappoint. We also tried their boneless wings with bourbon sriracha sauce. The wings were fine. I'm now spoiled by others, so these are just fine. Lots of crispy breading but the sauce was good.

Hubby and I visited this place since we had a gift certificate. It was a Tuesday night so we were…read moreseated right away. Cameron was our server and he did an excellent job. I ordered the brisket tacos and hubby got the 3 meat platter with ribs, brisket and chopped pork. The brisket was very good, but I suspect we received brisket from 2 different batches because one of my tacos was salty and the other two were fine. Hubby said ribs were a bit overcooked and a tad dry. My tacos came with one side so I chose broccoli salad. However it arrived with coleslaw instead. Upon mentioning it to Cameron he apologized and brought the correct side. Was planning to order bread pudding for dessert but was completely stuffed after our meals. Considering it was a Tuesday, the place was hopping. Servers were moving around at a brisk pace. We will return again!

From the moment you step inside, the aroma hits first: a deep, hickory-laced perfume that signals…read morehours of slow devotion rather than shortcuts. This is barbecue that announces itself honestly. No gimmicks, no pretension--just meat treated with respect. We started off with the Texas Sausage Sampler which includes 3 Sausages. Jalapeno Cheddar, Hickory Smoke and Original Old Fashioned. Served with Carolina Gold Sauce, Mustard and Horseradish. The sauce is outstanding. Smoking J's Rib House in Ashland, Kentucky, is the kind of place that reminds you why barbecue isn't just food--it's culture, patience, and pride rendered in smoke and fire. The ribs are the undisputed star. Thick-cut, generously portioned, and lacquered with a bark that balances sweetness, smoke, and spice, they arrive with that elusive perfection every pitmaster chases. The meat pulls cleanly from the bone without collapsing into mush, proof of disciplined temperature control and timing. Each bite delivers layers: smoke up front, pork richness at the core, and a restrained tang from the sauce that enhances rather than smothers. Brisket lovers will find plenty to admire. The slices boast a pronounced smoke ring and a pepper-forward crust, with fat rendered to a buttery softness that melts on the tongue. It's assertive, confident barbecue--unapologetically Southern, yet precise enough to impress even seasoned purists. The sides refuse to play second fiddle. Mac and cheese was amazing, creamy with a baked top that adds texture, while the baked beans carry a subtle smokiness that echoes the pit rather than competing with it. Coleslaw provides a crisp, cooling contrast, cutting through the richness exactly as it should. What truly elevates Smoking J's, though, is its sense of place. This isn't barbecue chasing trends or Instagram aesthetics. It's barbecue rooted in community--food that feels earned, familiar, and deeply satisfying. The atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming, the kind where regulars are greeted like family and newcomers are quickly converted. Smoking J's Rib House doesn't just serve great barbecue--it reinforces why Ashland deserves a seat at the table in Kentucky's smokehouse conversation. It's a destination for locals, a worthy stop for travelers, and a reminder that when barbecue is done right, it doesn't need to shout. The smoke speaks for itself.

Good: They are open late. Good: Big menu to choose from…read more Bad: their food is way too salty.

Honestly, just go to any fast food joint. It better than here and that's just awful to even say…read more Ready the reviews and was expecting so much more. Left hungry and disappointed. The burger was over cooked and way over seasoned. Sent the tater tots back twice because they were over fried, wound up not eating them. They did take that off my bill, only ate half the burger. Food was abysmal at best. Service was subpar. Not busy at all, there was my first red flaig and should have avoided. My waitress was busy doing anything else but waiting on my table, and I was her only table!! Do not recommend, do not pass go...go to sonic instead!!

Food was really great. Enjoyed the clam vongole. Portion sizes were huge. Quite pricey but deliciousread more

Great food, good service, a little loud but overall a very nice evening out experience with…read morefriends. We will definitely go back to this restaurant.

This place is a hidden gem. Who would think one of the best fish tacos I've ever had would be in…read more1/2 of a gas station. Don't let this fool you, this place is legit. I don't live close, but I find myself here every time I'm in Ashland

Excellent tacos and other items offered. Loved the burrito with all the sauce. These guys are…read moreinside a little hole in the wall place next to gas station but they work hard and serve great tacos and burritos. Highly recommend if you need to drive in and get some food quickly.

Great service. They are still in soft opening so a very limited menu was available. We had the…read morespinach dip and meatball sliders. Both were excellent and came with a generous serving of tortilla chips. Our only complaint was that the heat wasn't working and it was unbearably cold, but they will get that worked out I'm sure. We will be back when they are fully open for sure.

While visiting my family I met up with friends at Jerk Riley's Irish Pub twice in one week. This…read morelocation used to be a teen club called the Neutral Zone in the late 80's. One of my friends I met up for dinner worked with me at the Neutral Zone and the other I met there more than 37 years ago. The spot brought back great memories even though it had been totally renovated. The outside still looked the same;) When you walk in you see the bar and several high top tables. There's a dart board at the end of the bar. On the other side are more high top tables a few lower tables and three pool tables. There were lots of tv's as well as a jukebox. On my first visit I ordered the fish and chips. The fish was fresh with light crispy breading. I wasn't a fan of the fries but loved the finely chopped coleslaw. On my second visit I had the reuben sandwhich which was tasty! I didn't want fries and even though a house salad was not on the menu I was served a lovely salad with a boiled egg as a fry substitute. Now that's service deserving of recognition! On both visits my servers were friendly and attentive. On my second visit I was offered a beer sample which I liked and ordered. When I'm in town visiting my family I will definitely be back to try more menu items.

Great food and Great service! Relaxing atmosphere to have an awesome dinner at! You can have…read moreItalian or Mexican a lot of different options.

Sangria is cold and really good with the Bread & Sauce appetizer/Sauce mopper…read more Ordered the Mozza Cheese Sticks and the jury is still deliberating on those. They were hot, fresh cooked but had an interesting after taste. Maybe freezer burn or ??? Took the waitress word on the cheese ravioli with meat sauce then added meat balls. Kind of confusing with the Ravioli served atop spaghetti then a layer if cheese and meatballs. Spaghetti was overkill IMHO. Just give me Ravioli & Meatballs with meat sauce. The Sauce made the meal! Cheese Sticks dropped the Star. Way too much to eat so there'll be left-overs. Not!

Food was amazing, service was attentive and top tier, and the ambience was very intimate. Our first…read moretime there and will be returning! Prices were good, and not pictured was the spinach and artichoke dip which was superb!

Very good restaurant! Me and 4 others got a large variety of food items and loved the expansive…read moremenu. Everything we ordered was good, Sushi, Hibachi Noodles, pizza, chicken teriyaki, and fettuccine Alfredo. Staff were friendly and pretty quick, relatively busy on the Saturday night we went. Definitely plan to check this place out again!