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    Smoking D's Downtown

    4.2 (49 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Smoking D's Downtown Photos

    SMOKING D'S DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    They've got the hood smoke!!!
    Talyah J.

    I have been a faithful customer of Smokin' D's BBQ for over a decade! We have traveled far and wide for some ribs on many occasion. My family lived in St Augustine for many years and SD's was our go to spot for all things BBQ!!! Their ribs and brisket are to die for!!! Pretty sure I heard they smoke their meats for 7+ hours....ohhhhh yeah!!!! Never forget the homemade sauces!! This review is based on my new SD's experience. We came up for a weekend at the beach and decided to give the Downtown St Aug/ Ponce de Leon location a try because the SR 206 location is ALWAYS packed. We figured it was only right to spread the love!! WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED!!! The smells engulfed my nostrils before I ever turned into the driveway! The cute smoke house was just the right size and I enjoyed watching the meat come right out of the smoker then sliced and diced right in front of me. Cameron P the pit master was definitely doing his thing! My budget was $100...we got 2 full slabs, a pound of beef brisket, and a half chicken! Our total was $100.11.....and of course we thru the crew a tip because we appreciated the love and work they put into their magnificent products. We will maintain our loyalty to Smokin' D's, but we found our new favorite location.

    Drink area!
    Carey A.

    OMG! My husband and I are locals since August 2023 and we've been hunting for some good old BBQ ! He and I have been visiting historic St. Augustine long before we moved here. In fact every time we came into town we said we would stop in and try some and we'd always forget or say next time! Man were we missing out! We always said Mojo was the best barbecue in town, but not anymore! I'm going to be telling everyone about SMOKIN D's! In fact they were out of brisket when we went in so tomorrow we're gonna go back and get some! No one else compares! Staff was friendly and quick getting the food out to us. I loved the country feel of the building. Even bought a t-shirt!

    Their story...
    Patricia L.

    Delicious, quality BBQ is almost as controversial as politics. Everyone has their idea or opinion of what is good and/or how it should be. Personally, I like all kinds...just not the bad kind...Ha! Yes, I have met bad BBQ and as the old saying goes...if you don't see a pit, it ain't legit! I think Smokin' D's will make any taste buds happy and definitely the BBQ that everyone can agree on. At Smokin' D's you have a pit...oh yeah! It's almost evil during cooking time when you drive by and smell it. That said...it's legit! As they say on their brochure...each day begins with consulting the ghosts of BBQ Kings of the past and then they rub their butts. This ritual obviously works! Everything is made fresh daily and the only bad part is...everybody knows this and some days they sell out. Great for them, could be bad for you! My suggestion...go early and don't dilly dally if you are planning to grab food from them for dinner! As for the BBQ...it gets my personal highest rating of "Apply to the Thigh" good. I would also recommend that you buy one of the family meals and prepare for a few more than you would normally buy for. Why you may ask? Because the next day you're probably going to be looking for leftovers or wish you had more of "that"...I'm just helping you out in advance. There are a few things you should know about the BBQ though...it comes without sauce. That is ok, it doesn't need it! However, if sauce trips your trigger then they have a variety of sauces that are included with the meal. There is not any place to sit inside, however, there is outdoor seating with a nice view of the river in back if you choose to stay there to eat. To me they are mainly a grab and go type of place. Definitely not a family outing type of place. While I'm at it, there is plenty of parking. In addition, it is located next to the Welcome Center on US 1. It is easy to get in and out of the parking lot for the most part, but if it's during the busy time of day it could be tricky (go right to turn left type of thing). Enjoy!

    Pork Sandwhich

    Texan BBQ standards might be different from Florida standards, but this was undoubtedly the worst BBQ I've had. I assumed pork sandwich meant pulled pork. But this was totally unseasoned, cold in the middle, taste like it was just raw and cooked in a microwave. Almost feel pranked. If not for the tiny thing of sauce, this would have had zero flavor whatsoever.

    Ribs

    When you walk through the door you know it's going to be good as the aroma of smoked meat envelopes you. We had the ribs and pork. The pork was some of the best bbq I've ever had. The baked beans were ridiculously good. Gentlemen working there was so nice too. Definitely give it a try

    Drinks

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    2 years ago

    Good things can't last forever. Had dry brisket, chicken, and tasteless slaw. This used to be our go to place.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Best BBQ place in St. Aug! if you are in the mood to fill your belly, this is the place to come! I come here at least once a week!

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    It's been so hard to find good BBQ place, but now I know!!! Super Delicious BBQ. Service was very quick. Must have pork bucket

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    3 years ago

    Expect a bucket and receive a cup of rice, beans, and a half inch of meat on top of your cup of noodles size cup.

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    3 years ago

    Excellent Ribs and Brisket! The prices were great. Definitely recommend and will get this again next time we are in town.

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    6 years ago

    Great service!!! Great food!!!! I'm from California but next time I'm in the area, I'll definitely be coming back

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    4 years ago

    They are amazing! Awesome food (especiallythe Carolina style), friendly, quick service and pricing is fair.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Smoking D's Downtown

    Review Highlights - Smoking D's Downtown

    I think Smokin' D's will make any taste buds happy and definitely the BBQ that everyone can agree on

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Brisky's Family Style BBQ

    Brisky's Family Style BBQ

    4.7
    (316 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Excellent barbecue just outside of downtown Saint Augustine…read more We have been there a few times and it is always good. Chicken was very flavorful, Smokey and juicy. Their fried okra is probably the best I've ever had. Fast friendly service, good came out quickly! They close at 7, so arrive early.

    UPDATE: all you need to do is look at their nasty reply that is a fabricated LIE to understand what…read moreI mean by poor management and you can add rude. Firstly, I would like to point out that when a review is posted is not the same as when the visit was. Secondly, a woman FROM YOUR BUSINESS came to MY car and personally told me that the restaurant was closed for renovations. And she did the same to at least 2 more cars of people. AND I asked here why the hours were NOT updated on google and she replied "Well we posted the hours somewhere." And no, this what not on a Sunday. We checked the hours before planning our trip and you were supposedly going to be open but your hours were not updated to reflect any renovations. You are a rude bold face liar making up things that plainly didn't happen. Here's how I can prove you're a liar: how would I know that you were closed for renovations supposedly before they started as you claim if I'm from out of town and came on a day that you're always closed as you claim before they ever started? I couldn't. I would have had to be there during the renovations as I was. And I was told by a woman on your staff! Talk to your staff maybe before you get so nasty. ORIGINAL: Tried to go to this place on vacation. It was closed for renovations and only found out after pulling into the parking lot. What vacation destination closes for renovations during vacation season anyway? They did NOT update their google hours nor did they put it on their sign at the restaurant. While I tried to find an alternative place for lunch after having my plans ruined, several other cars showed up like myself to the restaurant to be told by someone that they were closed as no one knew. My family planned a trip to this location just to try this restaurant. (Over a 3 hour drive). They should have updated their hours or at least put it on their sign. Poor management. Never even apologized for the major inconvenience. I already posted this review once and the owner or manager had it taken down because they didn't like my truthful post about their poorly ran restaurant. I consider that very disrespectful and misleading to everyone out here seeking honest reviews. If you want better reviews then be better. Don't doctor the stats!

    Photos
    Huge Lobby! Lots of seating
    Huge Lobby! Lots of seating
    Brisket
    Brisket
    Brisky's Family Style BBQ

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    Smokin' D's BBQ

    Smokin' D's BBQ

    4.0
    (347 reviews)
    10.3 mi
    $$

    Good stuff. I liked it. The ribs were not over smoked where the first bite is great and then done…read moreafter one, not greasy just good eating ribs where you can probe eat that half rack and not bite you back. Beans are fantastic. Slaw can use something... I like slaw but it's missing something. Beef, pork and chicken are well done as well. Mike

    So I am adjusting my review of this fast food joint, due to the "owners" snooty, uncalled for and…read moreviolently unhinged response to my review on Google. Wow, I must have really struck a nerve! It's ALWAYS the lackluster places, that don't take constructive criticism very well. You have no idea how much I can smoke, and I will smoke circles around you. How many competitions have you been in again? No need to act all snooty, because your food sucks and you don't know how to carve a tri-tip, nor do you know how to smoke a brisket. And your "professional pitmaster" Can't even smoke a pork butt for pulled pork, but in such a hurry to crank out an inferior product, can only make sliced. What is that, 6 hours on a smoker? Hahaha!!! In my no holds barred review, I actually complimented you on MULTIPLE facets. And since you want to act the way that you're acting and throw a fit because you're serving an inferior product and bragging about speed over quality, I'm going to knock you down to one star! How do you like that? REAL pitmasters smoke brisket (AND PULLED pork) And the last I checked, it's not on YOUR menu. ::shrug:: Your food actually sucks, and I was trying to be positive and give you guys a higher rating, by someone who actually KNOWS BBQ, but since you went and did what you did, I'll just come out & say it! "One" rack of ribs XD. My ribs are Johnny Trigg style, and take 6 hours from beginning to end with another 12 going into prep, and I can smoke WAY more than one rack at a time, dummy. Do you even know what kind of smoker I have? Did you bother to look? Ditch the attitude. Because the only thing you're really got going on for you right now, is that you don't use a pellet oven. How about this, I'll come back through, and take over your operation for a week, free of charge, and show you how it's REALLY done, and get your ratings up a little bit higher, and make sure that not just the locals are leaving your reviews? We'll see who the amateur is then. You have no idea what I've smoked in my life, or the smokers that I've used. You also have zero idea about my culinary past. Rage emotion much? Yeah, that's a telltale sign of insecurity. How about this, I'll bring an offset reverse flow trailer smoker, park it in Circle k, and take all of your business while you're in a scurry "wrapping" your "87 pounds of beef" or whatever it is to a demographic that doesn't know true barbecue, But are just happy to have something other than Mexican and Cuban food. You probably serve "Award winning 'fall of the bone' ribs", which in a competition, you would be disqualified for. Because all you got to do is steam those puppies and then throw them in your traeger (sp?) and slap on your pungent, lame, whack sauce that you emphatically offer, to cover up the inferiority of your barbecue. You should have kept your mouth shut. I compliment you, and you take a dump on me? Y'all better hope a REAL smokehouse doesn't open up in your demographic, because you'll go belly up. As a matter of fact, I've actually been looking for a new location for a new restaurant. Hmmmm.... Yeah... Smokin "D's" is RIGHT HAHAHAHA! Smokin D's, and takin L's! ***DISCLAIMER*** This pure, uncut, honest review is federally protected under Federal Law by way of Bill #EO14149. Removal or alteration of this review by Yelp and/or their affiliates without Expressed consent by it's author is strictly prohibited by FEDERAL law. VIolators will be prosecuted, and litigation imminent.

    Photos
    Smokin' D's BBQ
    Smoked beef and smoked pulled pork
    Smoked beef and smoked pulled pork
    Right when you come in  Real nice

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    Right when you come in Real nice
    Smoked Southern BBQ

    Smoked Southern BBQ

    4.1
    (33 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Very limited menu and the only restaurant on the Fountain of Youth park…read more My wife had the cuban and baked beans as a side. She enjoyed the Sandwich and thought the beans were very good. Very limited selection of drinks. I had the Nathan's hot dog on a bun, They have no chili to put on the dawg to add some test to it. Very filling that is for sure. I had the Mac & Cheese as a side. My grandmother would roll over in her grave if she saw this. Not using elbow macaroni and the cheese is like a thick soup very unappetizing. People get crazy over the use of cheese on Mac & cheese. Nothing else stood out about this place Like I said the only place to eat so think carefully. Service was good then again on the screen they ask for you to consider a tip for what taking my order. That is what your job is not sure why I should tip you. I pick it up from the counter, get my condiments, napkins, straws and so forth. Where is my tip ?????

    We are BBQ fans, but lately we hadn't found many places that had 5 star BBQ offered. But, today, we…read morefound that place! Smoked Southern BBQ is awesome! Yummy! It is a super cute wooden station at the Fountain of Youth that we visited today. You place your order. They give you a buzzer and you pick your table of choice and wait a short time and voila! It is outside seating only. I had the Pulled Pork sandwich with Mac n Cheese, which was amazingly delicious!! Tender, juicy and not overly spicy. The Mac n Cheese was one of the best that I have tasted. My daughter had the Crab Cake sandwich with Mac n Chrese. She loved it! We are here on vacation but we will try to come back again before leaving. You've got to try it!

    Photos
    Smoked Southern BBQ
    Crab cake and Mac n Cheese
    Crab cake and Mac n Cheese
    Menu

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    Menu
    The Floridian

    The Floridian

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    Fantastic! We had…read moreour best dining experience of our entire Florida trip here, highly recommended. The space is great, the staff was excellent, and the food was far superior to everything else we had in the St. Augustine area! This is all made more impressive by the fact we went on Father's Day, without a reservation, and still had an overwhelmingly positive and above expected experience. Food really was excellent, not pictured is the fish of the day N' grits, and man can they do grits here! Recommend! It was all excellent, highly recommended!

    I was hoping to love this place, and while I did love the food and the beautiful outdoor patio…read morelooks great, they have some work to do. We stopped by for dinner on a Friday night, reservations were hard to get at standard dinner time, so we made a 4:30 p.m. reservation. When we arrived, the restaurant was less crowded - when we did leave about an hour later, it was much busier. The setting itself is plain inside - with such a beautiful outdoor setting, the inside looks more like a hospital cafeteria, with very bad acoustics. I don't know who designed the inside, but it's a very un-Floridian setting. The parking lot will also be interesting over time...when we arrived at 4:30 p.m., the lot was close to full, infringing upon the business next door, and by the time we left people were searching for spaces. This is definitely a place to make a reservation and arrive early. Our check-in process was a bit confusing, there's a check-in stand outside where nobody was hosting, and we assumed that was for the patio. We went inside where there's another check-in stand where we were told to go back outside to wait for the hostess so that she could check us in and bring us back inside. If you have to read that a few times, it's as confusing a process as it sounds. We were then seated at a table where we sat for 15 minutes (I started a timer after about 5 minutes) with no server, no drinks, just the two of us wondering at what point one of the many employees was going to pay attention to our table. After 15 minutes, we were approached by Rebecca who brought us drinks, and took our order. By that time, I was just hoping to get a decent meal and get out, since I really didn't expect much. Once dinner did arrive, the food was wonderful! I ordered a creative meal they have which is pulled pork barbecue and waffles, a creative play on Chicken and waffles (which they also offer). I have to give the chef a lot of credit - the meal was tasty and flavorful. Based upon the food, this restaurant would be a five star experience - regrettably with the service snafu and a very sterile environment, it's a four-star overall. Perhaps we'll return when the weather cools down a bit and we can enjoy the patio, as I don't look forward to returning to the dining room anytime soon.

    Photos
    The Floridian
    Chips & Dip
    Chips & Dip
    Non alcoholic options

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    Non alcoholic options

    Smoking D's Downtown - bbq - Updated July 2026

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