After a long day of driving, we checked into our Airbnb & met our hosts who recommended the Real Deal Smokehouse. We were tired & hungry but that didn't last long. It was easy to find & we were quickly greeted, seated & had menus to look over. Our drink choices were the Dog Slobber for Hubby & Strawberry/Lemonade Cider for me. Both definitely hit the spot. Our dinner choice was Beef Brisket & Cheddar Quesadilla Special for the Hubs & the Brisket dinner w/2 sides-coleslaw & baked beans for me. Everything was over-the-top good! Service was speedy and efficient. After we finished our meal, we took our drinks out front & enjoyed the live music of The Carter Junction. This place is so friendly & engaging, we felt like we belonged even tho we're just "passing through". We're from WA & since our kids live in MT, we will be back! read more

See all

Food and service were terrific. Tri-tip was tender and smoky. Briquet was hot and delicious. Live music was playing outside.

This is hands down the best BBQ you will get in Idaho and for the best price. I am still so blown away. The service is fantastic and the location is just off the side of the road in a little shack that used to be a brewery pub a decade ago. They have made this a cute Instagram spot but actually really great food and not just for pictures. If you find yourself in the little town of Challis, you MUST stop here. I promise you will not be disappointed. I promise. read more

Real Deal Smoke House - The special was tri tip on a bed of potatoes and green beans - Smokehouse Near Me - Challis, Idaho

See all

Great place with fantastic food. Had the tri tip sandwich. Smoked perfectly, sandwich was heaping with meat. I would have liked a side of broth for dipping but that's just me. read more

Food is great, don't get lost on the menu--take your time. Wonderful family and service. Kids enjoyed playing outside with the play equipment. read more

Great food and great people and service. There is a good beer selection too. I recommend the Tri-Tip or what ever is on special. Great atmosphere to just relax read more

We're full time traveler's who have been on the road for 20 years. We've visited the BBQ capital of Lockhart, TX, and dined at Smitty's, Black's and Kreuz's Market - and none had better Brisket or Tri-Tip that the Real Deal Smoke House. Huge portions and the best BBQ you'll ever have. The service is attentive, the beer is cold, and the prices reasonable. Don't miss this place! read more

Great smoked tri tip with two sides at a very reasonable price. Lots of locals here. I'll be back.

OMG! I just had the BEST tri-tip of my life. So good! The service and wait time exceeded expectations!! You're missing out if you don't eat here!! read more

Yo! You want some of the best damn BBQ around! Go here! I've had everything on their menu at least once! I've never once had a complaint! Also they are super friendly to first responders! So all you out there who need a trust worthy place to eat! This place has you! Brothers and sisters in blue and red! Come here! Very country theme and friendly place to be!! Here you are welcomed if you're polite! read more

We had a short visit in Challis while we were looking at property and saw the Real Deal Smokehouse as we drove through town. We weren't super hungry but wanted to give it a try. We were the only ones there right after lunch hour, but a steady stream of people came in as we were finishing. Very cool little place and friendly folks running it. We sat outside and ordered a couple of beers along with jalapeño popper appetizers. We followed that up with a half rack of ribs, Mac and cheese, and brisket nachos. The ribs were just plain perfect! The brisket nachos had a very generous portion of brisket across it, and were also very good. In fact I ordered up a kids portion of brisket to take with us to cook up with eggs abs a couple of leftover poppers for breakfast tomorrow. The food was really good. The only thing we didn't really enjoy was the Mac and cheese which we thought could use more cheesy goodness. The ribs and brisket more than made up for that though. We will definitely hit the Real Deal again. read more

See all

Visiting Challis for a week. Place had good reviews so we tried it. Awful. The rack of ribs was not fully cooked, the brisket was more than 50% blobs of fat. Only saving grace was the tri tips. read more

Best ribs I've ever had, and we've tried a lot! Tender, juicy, meaty, with a mega-smoke ring and delicious sauce. Home made sides- we tried the potato salad and beans. Both were great. Fast service, food came out in minutes. Awesome way to end a long hot day! Give this family owned business a try! read more

Real Deal Smoke House - Best, meatiest, juicy and tender ribs ever!!! - Smokehouse Near Me - Challis, Idaho

We were driving through town and Real Deal was recommended and we were not disappointed. I had the stuffed baked potato with tri tip. Absolutely delicious, tender meat and perfect consistency of potato with all the toppings. My husband had the dinner meal with brisket, smoked Mac and Cheese(so good) and baked beans. He was stuffed and neither of us finished the generous portions. The staff were friendly and helpful. A must stop on the 93 through Challis. read more

Delicious!! Great personal service! Handled our special order with ease and a smile!!

Great food and the friendly efficient staff. My favorite was the tri-tip and my husband loves the brisket. Steak night is fabulous too! read more

Real Deal Smoke House - Brisket Reuben and a beer - Smokehouse Near Me - Challis, Idaho

See all

Amazing!!! The best barbecue I have ever had in my life and I am a barbecue fanatic! We are so coming back every time we're in Idaho! read more

See all

We visited the Real Deal Smokehouse in July 2022 for dinner. They aren't open every day of the week but we were lucky enought to be there on a Wednesday they were open. Great food and really amazing wait staff! Very attentive. The owner even came by and chatted with us. Definitely a good place to eat while in Challis. We had the ribs and they were so yummy! read more

Awesome food, generous portions, friendly staff, and reasonable prices! Offering dine-in and to-go. Also offering indoor and outdoor seating. ALSO offering a great beer and wine selection. I had the brisket plate with a baked potato and coleslaw. The brisket was flavorful and juicy, the potato was piping hot, and the coleslaw was fresh and light. And a delicious homemade(?) bbq sauce - I could chug the sauce! I wish I visited Challis more often so I could indulge! read more

Wonderful service! Marty, Viv, and their team are very hospitable. The food is always top notch!

Great food. I had a sampler platter. Everything was excellent. The service was fantastic. Family business but professionally run.

Fabulous. We had the loaded baked potato, one was talked with pulled pork and one with meatloaf along with melted cheese and sour cream. One is a full meal and it was delicious. read more

The Roadhouse is a small place with huge taste. The brisket I had was juicy and tender and full of flavor in the barbecue sauce that's homemade oh my is it yummy. My friend had a loaded baked potato with cheese and sour cream and butter top with a slice of meatloaf. The meatloaf was to die for she says. It was all very good and much more than we could eat in one sitting. I even had a child's plate and it was more than I could handle. By all means whenever you're in Challis Idaho go to the Roadhouse. read more