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    Smokin Jays

    4.3 (291 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Smokin Jays Photos

    Business Info

    SMOKIN JAYS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Smokin Jays

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    Nashville Hot Chicken
    Joe K.

    Dropped by Jay's after a failed BBQ experiment the other day at It's in the Sauce, and I was pleasantly surprised. After getting the BBQ at It's in the Sauce (which was average at best, and that might even be a stretch), my coworkers wanted to try Jay's. I acquiesced and will concede Jay's was good... The service was quick and friendly and the chicken was excellent. My only complaint is the anti-ICE sign on the door, which is both ignorant and annoying anymore... But it is libtard California, so I digress. All-in-all, Jay's was pretty damn good.

    Brisket, Grilled chicken, Burnt Ends
    Jorja Z.

    After lots of recommendations from friends, we finally visited this establishment. Without a DOUBT, this is now my husband and I's new favorite BBQ spot. The brisket melts in your mouth, the chicken is juicy, the bread is perfectly golden, and the coleslaw is just right. We were initially greeted by a friendly lady (unsure of their name), and she definitely was a great smile to walk in and see!! The environment was clean and had lots of funny small details that definitely impressed my husband and I. 5/5 stars - Will return

    Kristin M.

    this place lowkey exceeded my expectations!!! we were just stopping through the city on our way back from a day trip and got hungry. we pulled up into this place and i started smelling the deliciousness. the bacon gouda smash burger was BOMB like i'm not normally one to justify 17 dollars for a smash burger but this one was 100% worth it. came with perfectly crisp crinkle cut fries too. my friend got one of the bbq plates and just the aroma of that made me jealous. the beef had that tendernism, the beans were well seasoned, and the garlic bread was aromatic afff. so good!

    Andrea B.

    Absolutely loved this place. I feel like they lived up to the hype 100%. We had brisket, burnt ends, cauliflower, cheddar bacon wedges, pulled pork. Its going to sound crazy but the cauliflower was my favorite thing- Absolutely fire! Brisket was smokey, tender, moist. Inside had a cool vibe. We will be back here... repeatedly!

    Health inspection

    They have cockroaches !! They had their permit suspended March 24th 2026 due to cockroach infestation and were allowed to open up just a day later. If you like overpriced roach infested food, this is the spot for you. Look for yourself. https://eco.vcrma.org/#/pa1/detail/FA0041653/PR0070522?FacilityName=Smok

    Arev L.

    It is a small location. Only have a few tables available. They have additional seat outdoor at the parking lot. Service is quick and friendly. Food are delicious. We got the tri tip, brisket plate, the brisket seriously melt in the mouth. Have to use spoon to scoop it up! The sauce is amazing. The bread, beans and macaroni salad. Perfect. Nashville chicken and fries super delicious. I'll be back soon.

    Elizabeth H.

    Overdue review. Came here a couple weeks ago for my husband's birthday and it's genuinely some of the best bbq I've had in a long time. Fun atmosphere. It's counter service, so keep that in mind, but it's very fast and everything we tried was great. The brisket was a standout but the tri-tip was also fantastic. Beans were excellent and I definitely recommend.

    JohnAndrew R.

    BBQ Worth Fighting Over at Smokin Jay's BBQ & Coffee from Potheads Coffee My wife and I recently stopped by Smokin Jay's BBQ and paired it with a visit to Potheads Coffee, and it turned into one of those meals you end up talking about long after you leave. From the first bite, it was clear this spot takes their BBQ seriously. Entrées: We started by ordering a brisket plate, which came with about 1/4 lb of brisket, roughly six solid pieces, along with macaroni salad and baked beans. Our original plan was to share, but that quickly changed after the first few bites. The brisket was tender, flavorful, and cooked just right with that perfect balance of smoke and juiciness. It didn't take long before we realized sharing wasn't going to cut it. So my wife went back up and ordered a brisket sando with fries, and it absolutely delivered. The sandwich came loaded with brisket, pickles, slaw, and sauce, all working together perfectly. The fries were a great side, crispy and a solid pairing with the sandwich. Sides: The macaroni salad and baked beans that came with the plate were both on point. The mac salad was creamy and complemented the richness of the brisket, while the baked beans added that sweet and savory depth you want with BBQ. Sandwich Details: The sando really stood out, especially with the addition of the slaw. My wife usually isn't a fan of coleslaw, but this one changed things a bit. It wasn't overpowering and added a nice crunch and balance to the sandwich, tying everything together without taking away from the brisket. Drinks and Service: Grabbing coffee from Potheads Coffee alongside the meal was the perfect move. What really stood out, though, was the service. Jay, the owner, was walking around checking in on customers and genuinely engaging with everyone. He even helped my wife decide on a coffee based on what she usually orders at Starbucks, which was a great personal touch. He later stopped by our table, chatted with us for a bit, and made the whole experience feel welcoming and personal. Ambience: The atmosphere strikes a great balance between laid back and lively. It has that casual, welcoming BBQ spot feel where you can relax, enjoy your food, and not feel rushed. Pairing it with Potheads Coffee adds to the experience, making it feel like more than just a meal but a spot you can hang out and enjoy. Overall: Smokin Jay's BBQ is hands down the best BBQ spot I've had in Ventura County so far. Between the quality brisket, well put together sides, standout sandwiches, and the personal touch from the owner, it's an easy recommendation. Pair it with Potheads Coffee, and you've got yourself a top tier Ventura food stop that's definitely worth coming back to.

    Best food we've had in our week in socal, and I say that coming from the BBQ capital of the world. Portions are generous and the prices are good, considering. Flavors are top tier and the meats are quality and cooked to perfection. Highly recommended.

    Vanilla cold foam cold brew
    Madonna C.

    Always the spot for BBQ!!! Burgers are bomb too!!! Pot head coffee is an added plus for those caffeine addicts !!! Selection is big!

    Customer Service was super awesome; the lady at the front was very nice and friendly and a gave great recommendations If I could give more than five stars On Customer Service, I would! The food was really good. They had light music, but you could still carry on a conversation and it was very welcoming inside.

    Fries & Coffee
    Ryan P.

    I got the brisket sandwich and my wife got the candied bacon breakfast sandwich. Both were incredible. Same for both the fries and hash browns. Service was also great. My wife likes her coffee sweeter and they let her try it before adding the cold foam to make sure it was right. Iot an Americano black which was also great. The decorations inside matched the vibes perfectly.

    Inside

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    2 years ago

    Good choice of meats, wings and burgers also nuggets and chicken strips - get there early if you want their famous burnt ends

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    3 years ago

    Great service, great food and an amazing owner. Overall a great experience and definitely returning.

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    3 years ago

    Dam good! Nice to have a real BBQ place here on the beach. Great fries and chicken nuggets. Every thing is good.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I went for my first time and got the brisket meal but it had more fat than meat. The barbecue sauce was good my kids enjoyed their burgers.

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    2 years ago

    Food was so bomb!! The customer service was great. Pretty sure the owner was there he was mad chill and nice.

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    4 years ago

    Just the tips fries & chicken quesadilla is amazing. Definitely coming back to get again and would definitely recommend

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    2 years ago

    Great food and service with quite a few choices. I've only tried chicken but it was very good. Kind of pricey but worth it.

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    Page 6 of 8

    Ask the Community - Smokin Jays

    Do they deliver or are any food deliveries?

    Delivery by @delivery_805 on Instagram, DM for order!

    What are the Business Hours?

    Usually 10:30am-8pm, last online orders 7:30pm. Sometimes they close earlier or sell out!

    Do they take credit cards?

    Yes they do

    Is beer and/or wine sold?

    No alcohol is sold

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    The Cave - The biscuits and gravy and potatoes were perfect just enough gravy and just enough seasoning on the potatoes

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    I came here for the first time to try some wine and snacks after dinner. We sampled some of their…read morewines from their very cool-looking dispensers. And we ordered the chefs charcuterie board. The charcuterie board was delicious! The bread was warm and obviously homemade. All the different cheeses tasted fresh and there were also candied walnuts which were fantastic. I was really impressed by their wine dispensers and how many varieties they had of different selections. I think overall we tried 4-6 different wines for less than $40. The ambiance of the inside reminds me a little bit of Squidwards house (but in a good way) with a high arched ceiling and classical decor. I would love to come back and try their other food and sample more wine.

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    Smokin Jays - bbq - Updated September 2026

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