Food cooked by angels, that's the only explanation I can think of, I've really never had BBQ like that (was visiting TX from California). I'd suggest the beef brisket, even if that's not normally your thing; get the "moist" option. We tried almost everything on the menu (and I normally prefer ribs), but the brisket was quite memorable. They'll give you samples if it's your first time. Very casual, friendly place. Open seating. Interesting side dishes, I especially liked the creamed corn - NOT like the stuff you get in a can. read more

Great place for lunch. The combo specials include a drink which is awesome. Their menu offers a lot of options and they have daily specials which is nice. Staff was super friendly and welcoming. The restaurant was clean which was reassuring. They put a lot of effort into the atmosphere and it pays off. T.V.'s everywhere read more

Pok-e-Jo's - Parmer - Chopped beef sandwich. - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

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After reading all the great reviews of this place, I obviously had great expectations of this place. We ordered the brisket, sausage, chicken and a side of green bean casserole. The brisket was moist, as expected. The sausage however, was just not something I was used to. The meat in the sausage was crumbly, and tasted a little gamey and raw, like it had deer meat in it (woohoo!), but just didn't seem as flavorful as the sausage at other joints I've been to. I always order sausage whenever I get barbecue, and the sausage here was definitely a little different. We also ordered the chicken, which was pretty decent. So was the green bean casserole, but tasted like it was made of canned green beans. To add to the experience, we had our order completely mixed up. While the service was great, we ordered 1/3 lb of brisket, 1/3lb of sausage and a 1/4 chicken. We ended up with 3/4lb of brisket and 3/4lb of sausage. More food than we could eat and paid way more than we expected to. Overall, its decent, but won't be my first choice when I am in the area. read more

I've been eating at this Pok-E-Jo's a lot for the past few years and finally decided to write a review on it. All you really need to know is: the BBQ is good, the sides are good, and the peach cobbler is dang tasty. Oh, and try and get there around 11:30am (or a little earlier) during lunch time or expect to stand in line. I've rarely been disappointed here, and when I have its always been on the weekends... and always the sides, the meat has always been good, the mac and cheese.. not all the time. read more

This place is right down the road from me and I gotta say this is the best smoked turkey EVER. Tender, juicy and delicious. Cafeteria-style serving and nice people behind the counter. The place has traditional "country looking" stuff everywhere and a big screen TV in the corner. Typically I just buy the meat and take it home. Since i'm gluten-intolerant/paleo'ish, I'm limited to fruit, potato salad and coleslaw. All I have to say about the later two are simply "hunks." HUGE unappetizing hunks of eggs in the potato salad and big hunks of cabbage in a goopey cream based coleslaw. Even the salad has hunks of tomato/veggies in it. The fruit is fresh at least. Excellent Turkey and tender brisket. Yummy BBQ sauce. read more

Good tasting brisket and great tasting buns. Carry out did not include pickles and onions in the bag.

This place is terrific! Good food and great service. I've been eating from here for a while and they have never disappointed. There's a lot of different meats and side to choose from. The place is clean and all the employees are friendly, especially James. His went above and beyond! I recommend this place if you're in the mood for AWESOME barbeque read more

Absolutely awful, for any standard let alone Texas. Mac and cheese is watery, the pork ribs for the full plate was a complete joke. They give you 4 tiny ribs and 2 of then didn't even have a bone in them. I don't know how it stays in business with the world class bbq all around it. Never again. read more

OMG this place is amazing. 2nd best banana pudding I've ever had (1st being my grandma's- which has been in the family for generations!) Their side-dishes are homemade, which is wonderful! read more

First time here and I have to say this is one of the best BBQ places in Austin, Texas. I ordered the chop beef sandwich with regular barbecue sauce. Great flavor, brisket was moist and tender. If you're ever in the mood for some homemade barbecue not too far from home, this is the place to go to! Great for big parties of people and they also offer catering. read more

Pok-e-Jo's - Parmer - Getting messy with the delicious chopped beef sandwich. Yum! - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

The food was alright. Brisket was to soft and sausage just didn't have that "snappy" skin casing. I didn't get any bark with my brisket. My meat experience was "mushy" if I had to describe it with one word. Mac and cheese was alright. Wife hated it. She hated the green bean casserole (this is her favorite dish to get and makes) as well. It wasn't bad food. Just wasn't super exciting. The staff were super awesome and nice. The Texas toast was good. read more

Dry tasteless brisket sliced like deli meat. Even if you double up on plate portions, it's barely enough. Bland sides. The decor is like a real bbq joint, but if you want real bbq, go to Salt Lick. read more

I have lived in Georgetown for over 4 years looking for bbq. After living in Austin for years me and family enjoyed Poke Jo's every Sunday for football. I was excited when they announed they were coming to the area. I have been truly disappointed. Potato salad recipe has not made it here yet and service is lacking. Half the time when I order take out there is an issue. May have to travel to Round Rock location. read more

I placed an online order which allows you to send out to a group. Which is awesome if they put the correct names on each plate so unfortunately hands were on all orders that were delivered and Zac the manager put the blame on me for the names being wrong on each order. I love the app but if you can't get the names right on each plate why ask for a name! They need to addresses this to their employees because they are the ones at fault because it definitely was not my error! read more

Not very satisfied at all with this place. It was way over priced. The brisket was super dry, the sausage was over cooked. The potato salad was very bland. Even the coleslaw was very bland and no flavor. Also our tea had no ice. For the price of the food I expected way higher quality. read more

I've been going to this place for years. The staff is super friendly and has an excellent customer service attitude. The past few times we have been there the food is not as good as it used to be. I had a large chopped beef sandwich and the meat barely covered the bun. The potato salad is usually one of my favorites around town and it was salty and was not as "chunky" as it used to be. It was more like mashed potato salad. Perhaps it was just an off day but I was disappointed because it wasn't what I am used to from this business. read more

No thanks! l've had much better BBQ since I've been in Austin. This small establishment looks like it would meet all the requirements for great BBQ but sadly it doesn't even come close. The staff was very friendly and served decent portion sizes...nice! I ordered the 2 meat convo with 2 sides and a order of banana pudding. The brisket was just dry, unflavored and not as moist compared to some of the other BBQ places. I look for that salty crust on the edges of my brisket and it was completely missing. I also tried the sausage links which were just ok. I was happy that at least they weren't saturated in grease. For sides I ordered the cheese mashed potatoes and broccoli salad. I actually enjoyed the broccoli salad however my potatoes were cold and stiff. Now, in my world banana pudding is banana pudding so it's hard to mess up. All in all, I'll continue to venture to my other tried and true BBQ spot. Sorry. read more

Pok-e-Jo's - Parmer - View from parking lot - Barbeque Near Me - Austin, Texas

Oh Pok-e-Jo's, you're an Austin original and staple but whoa. First off, you have to realize that this is not to be compared to places like Franklin, La or Mueller. This is more comparable to Bill Miller's and Rudy's. This is a place that's more cafeteria style with a slew of side dishes to choose from. That said, be smart about your ordering. The meat prices are kind of high for what it is and the quality isn't what you'd expect for the $$$. Highlights would be sandwiches, potatoes, smoked chicken and sides. Personally? I get the veggie plate (4 sides). It's around $8 and it's HUGE portions of delicious side dishes for the days you want to (try to be) healthy. read more

My company did a thanksgiving meal from this place. It was very very good! Sides were probably the best but the turkey is also up there. Everything was on time and still piping hot! Everything you could want, from sausage, turkey, to mac and cheese and pickles. Tons of sweet tea and lemons as well. Would definitely recommend the catering form here. read more

First time visiting pok-e- Jo's bbq, and I loved it a lot! I decided to go this place because I wanted to eat something moisture and tender, and something has to be meat! As I fallow my mind, I order pek-e platter which comes with 1/4lb of meat and 2 sides. Good enough for me as lunch. Moisture brisket was really moisture and soft as it is, and it didn't have any big thick block of fat part that don't like. I ate with regular bbq sauce that even add ex flavors. So delicious!!! the meat, actually, I didn't have to have a knife to eat it. My 2 sides were butter corn, which was cooked perfect( not too soft, over cooked, or messy!!), and potato salad that still have a piece of potato so I can enjoy the texture of the potato. There wasn't any weird sauce in the salad, no over mustard of mayonnaise. So if you wanna enjoy the real potato taste, this is what you should eat!! Oh, yeah, I forget to mention that plate came with Texas toast(correct?) too. Also, the people who cut me the meat, put the sides and cashed me out were so nice and kind, smile was on their face, so sweet! I will come back, promise to myself. The bad thing is, I'm living south!!! Lol read more

My boyfriend and I came here to eat after getting it CHL certification. The food was alright. It wasn't flavorful as much as I thought. The pulled pork was my favorite and the sausage was pretty good. The Mac and cheese tasted like regular Mac and cheese. The rice and broccoli casserole was meh along with the bean casserole. read more

The ribs are my favorite. Great potato salad. Great super-spud, chopped and loaded. Awesome coleslaw. Nice open atmosphere, but I really love this to-go for the family with a big sweet tea for my effort! read more

YUMMY!!! I left very happy and FAT! I had the pork ribs, mac n cheese, jalepeno cornbread, side salad, AND banana pudding...loved it all. Im new to austin and havent experienced much BBQ, but my belly was very happy. read more

Here's some good BBQ! Nice atmosphere but the tables are sticky. I understand that they're busy but I wish they'd clean up a bit. Otherwise v good. I'll go back! read more

I'm done trying to give you business. In the last week I've tried 3 different times of day, 3 different days to order a super spud. Always sold out. I wait in line 5 minutes to be told the thing I waited in line is sold out. Apparently keeping a hot baked potato in stock is too hard. I used to eat here 2-3 times a week. I now have plenty of other places to eat thanks to poor management at Pok-E-Jos. read more

I began my relationship with Pok-E-Jo's in the late 70's at their original location (which is not too far from here). I followed them across MoPac, and then here on Parmer. I try to come here at 2-4 times a month, and during Longhorn Football it's a game day MUST. I love all of their meats (especially their sausage, turkey, and pork loin) but I can't live without their crispy fried okra (the entire order is usally gone before I get home). The baked potato casserole and pinto beans round out a great plate, and who cares if there's room, I always make room for the cherry cobbler. read more

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't expect much from Pok-e-Jo's Smokehouse. I absolutely wanted to try it and have heard good things about the restaurant. So you wait in a line & then order up at the register. They have this cool tracking device so you grab a table and they know exactly where to bring your food out to. While you're ordering, they have some people working behind glass windows which you can spy on and check out what they're cooking up. I have to mention all the staff from the cashier to the bartender to the people checking in on tables was just wonderful. Everyone was so friendly, I got some compliments on my dress, they cleared things quickly but weren't hovering over us - just excellent service from start to finish. Paper towels for napkins are on the tables but you'll need to grab your sauces (seven to pick from!) & silverware before sitting down. They have a good number of outdoor seats if the weather is nice, indoor low tables & booths, as well as high tops and a few belly up bar seats outside & inside, as well. The bar seats have purse hooks & outlets for devices which is a nice & helpful touch. They have local beer from their own Cask & Larder Brewery which was an awesome surprise. You can get a flight for $10 and try 4 of their beers. I'm not going to say any blew me away but it was fun being able to try a few of their different offerings. My favorite of the 4 I tried was their C&L Working Man Porter which you can also get a pitcher of for. With a pop being and a beer flight, it was easy for me to make a decision to go with some libations with lunch. If hard drinks are more your thing, they have a huge bourbon offering. They are all about modern BBQ and modern they are. The best thing we ate was the deep fried AND smoked chicken. I can't explain how huge and juicy this chunk of bird was. I honestly am going to be craving this perfectly cooked chicken until the time I can get it back in my mouth. It was just so incredibly good - do NOT skip it if you go to Pok-e-Jo's Smokehouse. We also had the Brisket Sandwich which was a bit dry even with some added sauce on it, probably would skip this on the next visit. We had a side of the BBQ Cauliflower and that was absolutely delicious in every possible way! I absolutely recommend the Pok-e-Jo's Smokehouse read more

Went today and ordered their 3 meat plate. Service was great. Food was good too. Corn was slightly dry (overheated maybe). Overall, it was good. read more

Hit or miss. Up and down. You may have to be specific about how you like your brisket. It's not bad, and has a good smoke flavor. But if you like bark, let them know. Fat, let them know. The slicers always seem to slice the brisket in a way I don't like. Even when I'm specific. I recently ordered a half pound to eat at the restaurant, and had to leave a few inedible slices on the plate. I never leave barbecue on the plate. It was sad. The servers seem friendly most of the time. The sauce is a little too thick for my tastes. I have tried other locations, and they are fine. But this one always lets me down somehow. So my advice when you go to this one: Be specific. Get your sauce on the side. Get crackers for your sausage. Ask for a few slices of bread. Get lots of pickles and onions. And some pico de gallo. Drink lots of that tea. It's good. read more

Not ad but if you're in Austin I would reccomend Rudy's Salt Lick or Ruby's before Pok-e-Joe's. They do have a baked potato with brisket that is yummy. read more

What a wonderful place! Great food, yes, but the service is outstanding. The people are incredibly nice, very attentive. Old fashioned true customer service. Whoever is training the folks there, keep doing what you are doing. I'll be back for the delicious BBQ ribs and perfectly smoked brisket. read more

So I'm gonna get to the point here. Brisket=decent, not too dry, not too fatty, flavor is nothing to write home about though, Rudy's is better. Chicken=Very moist and tasty Sides=better selection than most places, nothing to write home about though. Fried okra was pretty good, besides we tried mac and cheese, potato salad (which my wife tells me isn't as good as Rudy's either) and green bean casserole (you could make better at home). The price was good though, portions were substantial, and the staff was friendly. I'm still searching for the perfect barbeque place though. read more

Been going to the Parmer location for some time now, because it is convenient close to home. Its always been a safe bet, decent food at a reasonable price. The last time was disappointing though. The quality of the food seems to be declining. Had the 2-meat plate. The brisket was OK, but the sausage was pretty dismal (loose, like it had sat for a long time. The potato salad had a funny taste, like it had sat uncovered in a refrigerator for a long time. The macaroni & cheese was good. The quality does seem to be slipping, based on my last two experiences. read more

I used pok-e-jo's to cater my wedding this june (2009) and I LOVED them! It was good BBQ, affordable, and they were SO accommodating and helpful! I couldn't have asked for a better cater ESPECIALLY in that price range!!! I would use over and over! read more

I came to this location and I was not satisfied. The sausage was under cooked. The brisket had no seasoning, the corn didn't have any butter, the potato salad was nasty. All in all the food was horrible. read more

In Austin this weekend to taste test for possible wedding caterers and I'm really not one to write reviews, but I was so beyond impressed with this staff!! The food was great, but the staff was so incredibly friendly and went above and beyond in order to help us, and it's not very often you find people like this that go out of their way when they really didn't have to. The best part is, they did it without even knowing I was hunting for a caterer so I know it was genuine! I just really appreciated this amazing customer service :) highly recommend!! read more

Not bad. The brisket felt a little overdone (was here for lunch) but the sausage had a nice snap to it. Had the coleslaw side and it was pretty fresh. My coworker had a side salad which was pretty sad (basically bagged lettuce with like 4 little tomatoes on it). Still, solid for a lunch place (and fast). Spicy bbq sauce is on point...sodas are HUGE. read more

I'm finally reviewing the Parmer location. After a most disappointing experience at Louie Mueller's in Taylor, no place other Pokey Joe's will do. Great food, both the brisket and especially the excellent sausage. Have been there several times recently after doing The Pit, Rudy's, County Line, trips to Lockhart (Black's), etc over the years. These are all good, but have found this place to be the best overall. Every time we do our frequent trips to north Austin, the wife and I stop and pick up brisket, sausage and sides. Great great BBQ. read more

Mac and cheese was really good. The meat was a bit dry and over cooked. Sauce is pretty good. Decent price for the portions.

While visiting Austin, a waiter at a local restaurant recommend we go to Pok-e-Jo's for BBQ food. Well coming from a state that makes some of the best BBQ I would looking forward to what Texas had to offer. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. That was probably the worst bbq I have ever had. the beans literally tasted like they just poured pinto beans out of the can and put on my plate. The only decent thing on the menu was the mac and cheese and potato salad. I'm sorry to say but this was the least favorite of all the restaurants we ate at while visiting Austin. This place definitely needs to have a taste of 4RIVERS Smokehouse to know what real BBQ is supposed to taste like. read more