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    Smokey Joe's BBQ

    3.6 (57 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Smokey Joe's BBQ Photos

    Business Info

    SMOKEY JOE'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Smokey Joe's BBQ

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    a plate of food
    Chelsea R.

    If you're looking for good ole bbq, you're in the right spot. Did you know Lexington is known for their bbq? There are so many different spots to try it but you're gonna wanna stop in to Smokey Joes and grab a bbq sandwich or a bbq plate. They are known for their vinegar based bbq. If bbq isn't your thing they have many other options and something for everyone

    Baby backs
    Jessie J.

    Smokey Joe's was a good Lunch spot for us! I didn't give 5 stars because we were shocked to learn there was no turkey or brisket. The service was top notch and the ribs fell off the bone. The chopped pork sandwich with slaw, and vinegar based bbq sauce was a dream! The homemade chips tasted fantastic dipped in their homemade ranch. It has a very "old times" feel inside, and we loved that.

    a woman at the counter
    Renee H.

    Great little county restaurant with delicious food. Lots of menu items to select from and daily specials as well.

    Interior
    Fred B.

    With all the excellent Lexington style BBQ available in the Lexington/Salisbury area, this fine old school BBQ joint somehow gets lost in the shuffle, but it definitely should not. Alice was in the mood for Lexington style BBQ Chicken, and we'd grown a little tired of the less than gracious attitude at Smiley's (who does barbecue a mean chicken), and decided to head for Smokey Joe's. There were plenty of cars in the rather large lot when we pulled in a little before 11 AM, and there was a small line at the drive thru. We grabbed one of the few open tables, very recently bused, and our drink orders were quickly taken. Our very efficient, very pleasant waitress said we could go with either breakfast or lunch, and since we came for the chicken, lunch was our option. Alice went with the 1/2 BBQ Chicken ($7.49 with 2 sides & bread), while I chose a Coarse Chopped Tray and a Hot Dog with M, C, & O. The BBQ Chicken was massive (just check the picture), and it was excellent - very tender and flavorful. The Lexington style of BBQ Chicken served here (and at Smiley's, Cooks, Back Country in Lexington, and Clark's in Kernersville) is cooked much as the pork is, and is basted with a vinegar based sauce - no thick, sweet, red sauce here. There is more BBQ sauce brought for dipping - and it should definitely be used. The coarse chopped BBQ was excellent, also very tender. The red BBQ slaw here is good, as well, a bit milder than most in the area. The chili dog here is pretty good, but is consistently lite on the chili. The Hush Puppies here are a real favorite - crusty exterior, tender inside, nice cornmeal taste with no sweetness, a hint of onion.

    Amy U.

    Proud to give Smokey Joes BBQ 5 bright shiny stars! After dining here twice, I'm happy to finally have a favorite bbq restaurant in Lexington now. Right down the street from downtown, Smokey Joe's has plenty of parking, daily specials, can accommodate larger groups, kids menu, counter service and take out options. On both occasions my dining party consisted of 6 or more and they accommodated us beautifully. Fabulous, friendly service, very helpful with the menu, consistently on top of drink refills, and trust me, they know their barbecue if you have any questions. Baby Back Ribs are offered as a special twice a week (always on Saturday), get them before they run out! Their plates (your choice of bbq, chicken etc) are served with two sides and a choice of hush puppies or rolls (ask for honey butter it's delicious!)! There's plenty of food though they also offer 2 and 3 meat combination plates for a larger appetite or if you want to sample more than one meat. My groups favorites consist of; baby back ribs, bbq chicken, chopped bbq, mac n cheese, baked beans, mashed potatoes & gravy, potato salad, hush puppies with honey butter and my kids love their grilled cheese with fries. Waitresses are the sweetest and very nice to chat with; we feel like family here so it's definitely our favorite now. I will happily continue to dine at Smokey Joes whenever we're in downtown Lexington, very much looking forward to it. Thank you!

    BBQ Plate, BBQ Slaw

    Hands down best BBQ spot, especially out of all of them in Lexington. Food has never disappointed.

    Jeanine A.

    Goes without saying but since it's a review, I will say it: bbq was tasty! But it's Lexington so you expect it to be good. The place is kind of...worn in, like a favorite recliner. The best part about this place is the service. My guess is that most of those ladies had been there for a really long time; it was like being waited on by a favorite aunt. Certainly my pleasure to have stopped in this place today.

    Coarse chopped sandwich!
    David C.

    In a town full of BBQ spots, this may just be one of my favorites! It is an older building with a drive thru window, the food is very good, and the employees are friendly. I have had the BBQ as well as the hotdogs, and even a bite of breakfast from Smokey Joe's. I think they have one of the better hotdogs in the area, and the BBQ flavor is also tough to beat

    BBQ and chicken combo plate.
    James S.

    This place came recommended by some, and not by others. Q is a touchy subject around here and the competition is stiff. That said here is my experience. Nice private lot parking. The restaurant was clean. Service was absolutely great from start to finish. Fast friendly table service. My drink never went dry and I got things I needed. I got the combo plate of dark chicken and BBQ pork. Sides were fried okra and green beans. Complimentary hush puppies were part of the meal and came with a free refill! The food was very good. Q was a nice mix of chop and a little crust. Nice smoky flavor. Not dry at all. Sauce was not overly vinegar but again a nice mix with a peppery taste. The chicken was so tender it fell off the bone. Nice balanced smoky flavor left me wanting more. Okra was fried up right and not greasy. Green beans were fine also. The whole experience reminded me of down home country cooking. I left full and happy. What more can you ask. The prices were great and I doubt you will find better food for a better price anywhere.

    A part of the local flavor. Service was great and the staff friendly.
    Margaret N.

    As visitors to North Carolina we were interested in finding some authentic Carolina BBQ. Yum, this is it. Tried the chopped plate featuring chopped BBQ pork, two sides, and hush puppies. All were authentic and very good. The green beans were fresh, coleslaw came in two types--regular and bbq--and various sides to your taste. Service was fast and friendly and you can tell right away this is a local favorite. Next time I'd visit on a Wednesday or a Saturday when they have baby back ribs, but otherwise I'd recommend this place as a change from all the chain restaurants out there and if I'm this way again, I'm going back!

    typical western bbq plate - pork shoulder (coarse-chopped), fries, red slaw

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Not a place for younger crowd, was full of elderly folks and ambiance was blah. Grilled chicken sucked. Need more veggie options too.

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    2 years ago

    Food and service was fantastic! We loved looking at all the pictures and history ! ........

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    What a fun bar. Had no idea about this little place. Will for sure come back. Bartender mike was super nice!!!

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Love this place awesome barbecue. If you want authentic this is it. I love their pulled pork

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    8 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Smokey Joe's BBQ

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    Barbecue Center

    Barbecue Center

    4.2
    (217 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    Was looking for some great bbq in Lexington and someone told me they have the best "dip" in town…read more They may not be as well known as the other places in town but that just made it easier to get a table at lunchtime. The chopped bbq was great and the dip (sauce) leans a little heavier on the ketchup and a little lighter on the vinegar but still has great flavor. The sign outside and the ambience inside shows the restaurant's age but that's part of the experience. Not fancy but a great bbq and very good sides. If you're in Lexington check out the local scene at Barbecue Center.

    Husband, kid, and I dropped in for a quick lunch. We almost went on because the parking lot was…read morefull. We went inside and the restaurant was only a fourth full. I guess everyone eating drove two cars a piece, I don't know but it was misleading. We were served quickly and the food was good. The fries could've been a bit crispier and the hush puppies weren't hot when they came out. They only gave a few with my husband's meal, but offered refills of them if we wanted any to just let them know. We didn't ask for anymore. I had a chicken tender sandwich which was easy to rip apart and dunk in dip, which also wasn't very warm temperature wise. I also opted for chili cheese fries and they were pretty good. I wouldn't rush back here over other places in town, but if someone suggested here, I could eat it again.

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    Barbecue Center
    Hush puppies
    Hush puppies
    Barbecue Center

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    Smokey Joe's BBQ - bbq - Updated June 2026

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