First time here was awesome. A couple things unique to bbq spots are they had a full bar with seating, and an amazing salad! Fresh spring mix and nicely blacked chicken. I also got the kielbasa, it was just grilled not smoked, which was fine but nothing exceptional, I'd skip that next time and try a smoked meat. Pork belly burnt end were fall apart delicious. Looking forward to trying more options. read more

Smokin' With Chris - Pork Belly Burnt Ends - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

We had been curious about this place for a while but after ordering to go last night, we weren't very impressed. The Mac and cheese was like stick to your mouth goey, like velveeta type. The beef burnt tips had no flavor and even though the menu mentioned California bbq sauce, they put none on the plate. I did like the size of the country fried chicken and that the gravy was meaty but it still lacked a bit of flavor. The only item I was happy with were the collards. They were spicy and vinegary, different than what I'm used to but in a good way. We spent about $45 for two entrees and a side of onion rings, but again, just didn't hit. read more

We had a wonderful experience at Smokin' with Chris BBQ in Southington! Our server, Rachel P., was fantastic--friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. The food was absolutely delicious, and everything was cooked perfectly. Great food and great service! We'll definitely be back. Highly recommend! read more

Smokin' With Chris - Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Cornbread, Spicy Mac & Cheese, and Kickin' Collards - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

The family had errands in the area so we planned to have lunch at Smokin' With Chris. Not knowing, we entered through their bar door. The man behind the bar and a very polite server told us there was another entrance but brought us through and seated us at a table. Our son insisted on starting with the wings. I tried one and was impressed. It was cooked crispy and the chicken was juicy. We ended up finding a few pieces with issues and they were quickly replaced with a new batch. We tried the pulled pork & brisket. My son and I preferred the brisket while my husband liked the pulled pork. Many great sauces were shared. The super nice waitress told us which was which, but honestly they were both good. read more

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Friday afternoon for lunch at 12:15pm. The restaurant was not busy, with no other guests in the dining room, and two parties outside. One other party arrived during our time spent in the dining room. We were greeted warmly and seated. Our friendly waitress came by and took our order for drinks, and when she brought the drinks back, we were ready to order. I ordered a beef brisket sandwich along with a cucumber onion salad for $11.99. I also ordered a Sprite for $2.99 My friend ordered the pulled pork barbecue sandwich with macaroni and cheese as a side for $11.99. He also ordered a Coca-cola for $2.99 After about a 7 to 10 minute wait, our lunch arrived. My beef brisket was well smoked and juicy. Closer inspection revealed the smoke rings. Chris's famous barbecue sauce, accompanied the sandwich, plus also a little bit in a little cup on the side. This was served on a brioche? Type bun, which was soft and tasty, lightly toasted . This sandwich was on point, it hit all the buttons. The cucumber onion salad was a well chosen side, vinegar, yet sweet, and fresh cucumbers. Spot on, I would order this again and again. My friend loved his pulled pork sandwich with the famous Chris's barbecue sauce, also served on a brioche? type bun. As a pulled pork fan, he told me this was as good as it gets for the sandwich. He also loved the mac & cheese side. The total bill was $29 and change, and a 20% tip was left. So the total out the door it was $36. At 11:99 per sandwich and a side, this was a great deal! I don't think I'm disappointed in was the fact that there weren't too many guests patronizing this wonderful restaurant. Come on Southington step it up! This place is a hidden gem. read more

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Smoked Bbq smells good. Want warm sides like baked potato less picnic salad Chris watches the place like a hawk felt like I was under sur valence. Bar area was nice with good music. Dining room felt like a western chow room. Service was good wish they served real cornbread not a cake. Real marinated meat not just floating in sauce Not going back because I had the meatloaf then simultaneous diarrhea and vomiting that night. Place around for more that 20y so I guess not everybody gets sick. read more

Every time I come to this restaurant, I am more and more impressed! It was a beautiful day outside, so I was lucky enough to sit in there outdoor patio area. It was clean, nicely decorated, and to sit right next to the smoker definitely makes you hungry for their amazing meats. Our waitress was wonderful. She was so warm and welcoming and knowledgeable of the menu we started off with cocktails, and it was definitely a nice start to a beautiful dinner. We got a white chocolate espresso martini and a dragon fruit daiquiri to share. The drinks were not only strong, but they manage to hide the alcohol taste well which is a plus for us. For eats, I got their 4:20 appetizer. And let me say, this is the most filling appetizer I ever had. It can definitely be a meal or shared among 4-5 people easy. Their version of a loaded fry, with your choice of crispy chicken strips, pulled pork or shredded brisket. Sauced with nacho cheese and your choice of wing/bbq sauce. I got bourbon bbq on the shredded brisket. Most definitely a win. Stop by soon! read more

Been looking for some good BBQ in CT and this place was great! Serving sizes pretty large, service was friendly / quick. Parking does tend to fill up on a busy Saturday night , though there is a alot of it ! Tried both the house Mac which has a nice mild spicy kick to it , BBQ sauce was good and corn bread tasted nice and fresh. Restaurant was nice and cool. read more

Smokin' With Chris - Southern Pulled Pork Sandwich, Corn Bread, Mac and Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

My wife and I have come to fall more and more in love with Smokin' With Chris as time goes by. You don't need to travel to Kentucky for this Bourbon style pit BBQ cuisine but if you close your eyes, you'll think you have. The pork belly burnt ends with collard greens and cornbread has become my favorite. The flavors of each item is stellar but together in one bite? Explosive in the best ways. Strong family vibes and friendly staff give you a real sense of south/western hospitality. I've personally been there a half dozen times and the consistency of their amazing choices never disappoints. The prices are VERY reasonable as many great options (like my favorite) can be scored for under $20 a plate. We also didn't wait long for a seat and our food came out quick and obviously fresh and made to order. Load up the family and bring a big appetite! This is a great place to make yourself at home and "sit a spell." read more

Smokin' With Chris - Outside patio dining area available - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

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i was really stoked to come here since it's been on my list for a minute! we ordered the brisket queso dip and i liked the chunks of brisket, flavor, and the chips were very nice and crispy! for my main, i ordered the meat lovers specials and opted for the sloppy spare ribs, pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, and cornbread. the best part of this entire meal was the sloppy spare ribs, even though they could've been more tender, the flavor and taste was amazing! unfortunately, the bbq sauce on the pulled pork was overly tangy and overpowering. i also wasn't a big fan of the brisket, it was watery and lacked vibrancy. the mac and cheese and cornbread were delicious though! this dish also comes with slider rolls and they were sadly midly tough/hard. would come back here for those sloppy spare ribs! read more

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Very helpful waitstaff that offer suggestions to get the full effect of the menu. Did the meet lovers with brisket/pork and ribs with beans and collards. Also tossed in some chili. Great little place that has plenty of locals. Great beer selection as well with local brews. read more

Smokin' With Chris - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

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Maybe I don't get it. I guess its not for me. The flavors of the burnt ends are kind of subtle, or maybe not to my liking. Also, not burnt, which to me is a deal killer. They give you a dip on the side but its not enough for me (small plastic half filled) so make sure you ask for more. The briskit burnt ends were pretty fat the day I got them in a combo. I ended up not eating them. Jalapeno corn muffin is fantastic, I'll give them that. The bartender was great as I waited and knows how to pour a Guinness! read more

A friend of mine wanted to have some BBQ and suggested we come here for dinner. There was plenty of parking around the restaurant. We walked into the restaurant and opted to sit outside. It was a nice day for it too. Outside there was a bunch of seating and there was a large smoker where you can smell the delicious meat. I ordered the Yabba Dabba Doo, which was a smoked beef rib. I had it with a jalapeño corn bread and collard greens. The waitress was personable and stated I won't be disappointed by this entree. She was not wrong. The smoke rib was delicious and very tender. I love the Smokey taste of the bbq sauce. My friend was jealous he didn't ordered it. It looks like we have to come back again so he can get a chance to order this dish! Can't wait to try their other dishes. read more

Smokin' With Chris - Yabba Dabba Doo - Jalapeno Cheddar Corn Bread and Collard Greens - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

Jonathan ordered take out for St,Patricks Day,FANTASTIC! Always Great Food and the Best service around!! TY Jonathan and Linda read more

We have been going to this quaint, rustic, smoke house restaurant for years. The service is always efficient and friendly. The food has never disappointed. On our last visit I got my favorite food item that was on special for that week. Once again it was so yummy. I recommend trying them soon! read more

Smokin' With Chris - Shrimp with goat cheese and bacon barbecued the sides were grits, and broccoli slaw. Amazing! - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

Delicious!!!!! Went for the first time today and was very impressed by the food, service ans atmosphere is had their beef brisket in a wrap with that bbq and onions. Corn bread and mac and cheese. I amd a mac-an-chesse-aholic and give theirs a 10 out of 10!!! read more

Spent over a $100.00 on a Sunday so the wife doesn't have to cook...we were expecting to have a nice Sunday dinner with the family .....boy was we wrong.....horrible horrible horrible....nothing we ordered tasted good....I'll put it like this my kids didn't even like the mac & cheese !!!!! I couldn't bare to eat any of the food!!!! read more

Takeout was ready to go and on time. Very, very good ribs, and I believe it was Chris' sauce (with a nice orange zest bite) was delicious. I ordered a Wedge salad with the ribs and the ingredients were fresh and delicious. When someone takes the time to make fresh croutons for your salad, you know they take pride in their food. Mac N Cheese was (for me) so-so, a little dry but wife liked the cheesiness of it. The spiced MnC was not spicy at all for me. The corn bread (muffins) were very good, very moist and tasty. Overall, really good food at a decent price. I will be back to try some other entrees. Thank you! read more

Catered for a birthday party and this was good. Ordered the chicken, ribs, cornbread and mac & cheese. Ribs were amazing, meat falling right off the bone and just enough sauce though you still need napkins. Cornbreads was great as well, gave us muffins they were small but hit really well. Mac & chesse out of this world! One of the best Mac and cheeses i have ever had! However, the chicken was very chewy and overcooked. other than that, great spot! read more

You'll be sorry! Not worth the time or the bother. Service is very aggro at times and food quality is very inconsistent...

Went to lunch with an old friend last Thursday, he suggested this place. The service was great and the Beer and Grits spot on. Unfortunately, both sandwiches were inedible the brisket and the pulled pork, looked and tasted like last weeks leftovers, dry, tough, strings soaked in a sauce to allow them to be swallowed as chewing didn't help. A very rarely find a place that serves inedible food, but this place did. Maybe dinner is a different story, I did notice we were the only ones eating food at lunch, and not at the bar. read more

Ambience: it's was as expected. A cute bbq joint with paper tablecloths. Felt like I was in BBQ country. The food was very good! I had the chili to start- it was very smoky and rich. I would recommended if you wanted something small for personal/individual. Next up was the pulled pork sandwich- tender, lacked a little flavorful. I expected a little more spice but paired with the BBQ sauce, it was yummy! The sauce was smoky and tangy which gave the sandwich the flavor it needed. The sides stole the show- the broccoli salad was a fresh accompaniment. Needed it with all the heavy foods. The Mac and cheese was ooey gooey- and perfectly what I want from a homemade dish. Worth every calorie read more

Smokin' With Chris - Southern Pulled Pork Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

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If you love BBQ this is the place for you ! Very chill , casual relaxed environment with amazing staff! All the BBQ sauces are house made and GF! Meat is made in the smoker. It's excellent!! Tender and flavorful! Wow! Prices are great and they have a good lunch menu as well. There's a variety on the menu. We went on a Saturday at 430-5pm and it wasn't busy then but all of a sudden there was a rush and it became super busy ! It was about to rain so we didn't take the chance to sit outdoors. They have a bar area side and then dining plus a nice spacious patio to eat with umbrellas. We were very happy to have tried Smokin with Chris after walking the trail for the past 3 years and always walking by it . We will definitely return! read more

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Yummy you won't be disappointed by the flavor or quality just disappointed on the size or quantity of the sides and the pulled pork sandwichI. I also ordered onion rings, coleslaw, mac & cheese, and beans. I couldn't believehow little it was. It came in like 2 maybe 3 ounce little plastic container and definitely not enough onion rings. Went to the bar and did takeout. The people who work there are great.With that said the prices are average. It is good tasting barbecue. read more

Went here on a Saturday evening after researching online for a quality BBQ place in central CT. Parking was towards the side of the building, pretty filled up so it gave me the impression that it was pretty busy. We walked in and were seated immediately, with the inside having a nice homey feel to it. We ordered the spare ribs, baby back ribs, brisket, pulled pork, coleslaw, collard greens, and the Mac and cheese. The spare ribs packed so much meat in it, and pretty much all of it was falling off the bone! Flavor-wise it was good, definitely could've benefited from having more of that special sauce on top because it was really good!! The baby backs weren't so different, think overall it had slightly more flavor to it and was still very tender!! Pulled pork and brisket were both pretty solid, nice and moist too!! It also came with a pair of their sauces, both really went well with all the meat options (even a little in the mac and collards proved to be a wise addition!). Coleslaw was top notch! I ordered the spicier mac they had, and it was good!! Had a little kick to it which was nice!! Very creamy too!! The collard greens also had a nice spice to it, I was impressed!! We also grabbed a cornbread to go, while it wasn't among the best we've had it still was decent!! For the amount of food we ended up receiving, it definitely could have fed 3 hungry people! And for being able to do that for the price it came out to be, definitely worth the money!! Every time I research good BBQ places in CT, it's headline by places like Hindsight and Noble BBQ, both of which I've eaten at. Smokin with Chris is MUCH better than these two places who get so much more recognition it seems, think we've found a hidden gem here in Southington! I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone, and if I'm back down there again I will surely explore other parts of the menu! read more

Food and atmosphere is fantastic. Can't go wrong here. We went on a Sunday and it was nice and quiet and the food arrived fairly quickly.

We stopped by here after a day at Mount Southington. This place is homey and quaint. Our server was friendly and attentive. We ordered the queso to start as an app which was quicky followed by our main entrees of burnt ends and pulled pork sandwich. The burnt ends were smokey and tender, I didn't think they even needed any sauce on them. The ciabatta bread for the pulled pork sandwich was fresh, though I was getting pretty full and took the read off. I wasn't a fan of the BBQ sauces, I found them too vinegary for my liking. We got sides of mac and cheese, jalapeno cheddar corn muffin, and a side salad. The salad was simple and tasty, the mac and cheese I enjoyed too. I had higher hopes for the corn muffin, thought it would have more of a jalapeno taste to it. We were in and out pretty quickly and hand plenty leftovers for a later day. read more

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Once again Calvin and the crew here serve up some of the best brisket chili I've ever had. He is the nicest bartender/server and I always look forward to grabbing lunch here when I am in the area. read more

The service is very friendly. The food I'd say 7 out of 10. The Mashed Potatoe puck had no flavor and was burnt.

The service was great...up until we overheard another waiter say "what do you expect from someone who orders a Beyond burger?" Who knows what our server said about us behind our backs? Regardless of someone's desire not to eat flesh, not cool to dis your customers in front of other customers. We chose the combo. We couldn't tell the difference between the brisket and pulled pork. Only one was more dry than the other. The ribs were ok to good. The sauces were much better than the meat. Some bites of meat, I thought were bone, but nope, just dry as a bone. Maybe the person who ordered the Beyond burger had their brisket or pulled pork before. read more

BBQ spot with a large menu and both indoor and outdoor seating, although their outdoor seating is at picnic table I came here for lunch and ordered off of their 9$ lunch menu, which is comprised of a variety of sandwich options each with 1 side. I got their BBQ steak sandwich, which was fine but nothing to write home about. I also got it with a side of coleslaw which was very tasty however Staff were very friendly read more

Smokin' With Chris - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut

Service was great, ribs were very good. The sides are really just OK. Went there at around 3 and it was nice and relaxed and we were not rushed at all. you can't seem to get into the place via the handicap ramp if you go up the ramp you are met with a sign telling you that you can't enter which is not great if you are disabled. I'm not sure how a person in a wheelchair could enter the place. read more

Smokin' With Chris huh? I could start this review with a 4:20 joke. Or say, "I bet Chris was happy this year when CT decided to 'Legal-ize it!'." (Sung in my best Peter Tosh voice) But I'm going in a different direction, because I flipped a coin, and I'm being mature today. Instead, I'm going to talk about - Trust. Several years ago, my friend Toby excitedly told me that Smokin With Chris had some of the best Buffalo wings, AND, chili in CT. That is quite a twofer, I thought. Here is the thing though - until somebody loses credibility with me, I trust anything that a visibly excited person tells me about food. I tried Smokin With Chris soon after Toby proclaimed this wing/chili prowess. Let's just say Toby's bona fides remain intact. I've eaten at Smokin With Chris several times since then, including for things like my birthday meal. I've planned Rails for Trails walks near there so I can order takeout. And that's what my wife and I did last night. We walked an hour in oppressive heat and humidity for the privilege of Smokin With Chris. SWC has indoor and outdoor seating. The bar area is usually home to some happy eaters. Not fancy, but great environment for BBQ. I've ordered many different things at SWC, but I often go back to Toby's wing and chili recommendation. I ordered the Buffalo wing/burnt end App combo, chili and a side of tasty potato salad. Smoking a lot of different meats throughout the day obviously gives a BBQ place a natural advantage in making great chili. SWC uses this to full potential. The chili is jammed full of smoked prime rib, brisket and ground beef. It also has sweet, bitter, warm and spicy ingredients such as chili peppers, cinnamon, Mexican chocolate, etc. SWC melts cheese on top, which is probably gilding the lily, but if you're looking for a spokesperson for the "Don't Melt Cheese On Top Of Movement", you're looking at the wrong Dude. The end result is indeed my favorite restaurant chili in these Parts. The Buffalo wings are great too. They're not quite my favorite within driving distance, but they're a close second. The Blue Cheese dipping sauce is one-of-a-kind great. It seems like there is "minced something or other" in there that takes the flavor next level. The brisket Burnt Ends were very good. Well seasoned. Well smoked. My wife was over the moon about her spicy fried chicken sandwich. Not something I would have thought to order, but she gave me a bite of the terrifically seasoned cutlet. Bottom line, you may need to try it before you declare an area Best Fried Chicken Sandwich. I love Smokin With Chris. Five Stars read more

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Food was amazing! Will definitely go back. Staff really friendly and atmosphere was casual. One of the best bbq around!

Ok, let's gooooo Baby!! Pulled up on the spot to do what I do and film some heat for this new series and to be honest, I did not honestly believe that CT had any good BBQ.....We simply are not known for BBQ and I have done plenty of traveling to know that AMAZING BBQ does not exist here but I will say this much....... I started out with their Cornbread lathered up with white gravy and FAMILY?!?!?! I sank my teeth into this savory boo thang all for my tastebuds to be greeted with buttery passion and a hearty bite of bliss. The gravy simply was packed with flavor and yes, the cornbread was crisp on the edges, which only enhanced the overall experience for me. Lightly salty but truly made with love right out of the gate. Let us traverse on over to the collard greens. I like my greens to be WET and dripping with C-Juice. They did not disappoint. There was a great fatback pork flavor and just the right addition of both vinegar and spice to kick in some heat with a touch of sweetness to these greens!! Somebody in the back knows exactly what they are doing and I am here for it. How about that Mac & cheese though? Cheesy? YES!! Panko crust for a powered up bite and the elbows were nice and soft. I was impressed with this Mac n cheese. I even mixed them with the greens to make sure the flavor combination was one for the record books. Now for my BBQ Baby Back ribs. they were ok. A decent bite, tougher chew than I had hoped for and a little dried out but the flavor was working. A zesty and tangy bite for I think there was a honey mustard type sauce spread about these ribs, or so it did taste that way. The customer service here was phenomenal!! I will be back to try more items definitely. read more

delicious food and good atmosphere hope they stick around for a while. always busy and that's a good sign

Smokin' with Chris is gourmet barbecue restaurant that opened in Southington, Connecticut in 2007. It was founded by Chris Conlon. Conlon decided to open the restaurant out of a desire to combine good food with good music. In addition to classic barbecue staples, the restaurant also offers a lot of smoked dishes. Popular items on the menu included smoked brisket, smoked burnt ends, smoked baby back ribs, New York strip steaks, smoked chili, burgers & sandwiches, salads, seafood, mac & cheese, wings and nachos. Smokin' with Chris also has a large outdoor patio where they frequently host live music acts. I visited Smokin' with Chris for the first time recently while I was cycling in Southington. The restaurant is right next to the popular Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and I decided to stop in for lunch after a long bike ride. After scanning the menu, I decided to order the Smoked Brisket Mac n' Cheese Wrap. It's a sandwich wrap stuffed with chopped beef brisket, their house-made mac n' cheese, and plenty of barbecue sauce. For my choice of two sides, I ordered Creamy Cole Slaw and Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Bread. Everything was so delicious! That brisket was so nice and tender that it practically melted in my mouth. The sauce was really good too. It all went down well with a local craft brew from East Rock Brewing Company. I would definitely come back to Smokin' with Chris; I'll have to go back for dinner when they have a more extensive menu. read more

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Was in the area so I decided to stop for lunch. I've been meaning to try this place out for a while and I must say, I will be back. I'm a big fan of brisket and the brisket sandwich I had was amazing. The meat was tender with a good smoke on it. The bun was a good choice and was able to hold everything together. The hand cut fries were a nice touch as well. I also ordered the brisket queso dip which was delicious as well. The cheese wasn't salty at all and the chips carried the right amount of salt. Pair that with the smokiness of the brisket and it was a delicious bite. Service was quick and easy especially for lunch on a Friday afternoon. I ordered at the bar but I will definitely be back to eat in the restaurant to try the other things I saw on the menu. Loved the fact that there was ample off street parking. Also, clearly seeing and smelling where they are smoking and barbecuing the meat speaks to the authenticity of what they do. read more

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Stopped in and tried a pick three meat platter and the food was AMAZING. Sides were awesome as well. Our server was polite and service was smooth. We will definitely be back and have recommended it to friends! read more

I really had high expectations for Smokin' With Chris but this experience was just terrible. I'm giving 2 stars for pleasant service. I really wanted to give one star honestly. The interior is nice with a vast menu including mixed drinks. Now let's talk about the brisket sandwich. It looked like it came out of a mass assembly line. Just thrown on the bread. The brisket was the driest thing I've ever tasted in my life. I just couldn't eat it. It was like chewing straws. I had to throw it away and waste the money I spent on lunch. So disappointing. read more

Smokin' With Chris - Brisket Sandwich Lunch - Barbeque Near Me - Southington, Connecticut