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    The Smoke Pit

    4.4 (96 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order The Smoke Pit Takeout or Delivery

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    THE SMOKE PIT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Smoke Pit

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    Brisket Super Spud*
    Natalie R.

    Our server KP was such a bright light and has such great energy. She consistently checked in on us and went out of her way to make sure that we were taken care of. We never went without a refilled drink and she made sure we had plenty of boxes to take leftovers home. The food portions are insane and well worth the money. The variety of bbq sauces makes sure that everyone has something. For me, the BBQ Brisket Spud with two sides gives you everything you need but the hush puppies with honey butter is a must!

    Jason S.

    Best BBQ I've ever had. Granted, I am from Minnesota, but I do travel a lot. We were super impressed with The Smoke Pit -- so much so that we came twice on a week-long trip. On the initial trip we got the two meat platter and on the second trip I had the burnt ends sandwich. Everything was so amazingly delicious. We cannot wait to come back. Brisket and the turkey were tremendous and the sides were amazing. Our waitress recommended the jalapeño cream corn and red slaw. On te second visit we had the okra and collard greens. All tremendous. I just feel like you can't go wrong here. Free cobbler for dessert with ice cream was a great added touch that you just don't see anymore. I saw some other reviewers complaining about price and so I wanted to specifically address this. My guess is these people don't get out much. Everywhere you go now restaurants are gouging on price but NOT HERE. Look at my bill in the pic below. Massive two meat and three side tray for $30!!! That's a STEAL. So many leftovers it was crazy. Add the Texas Twinkie, watermelon tea and free desserts and we paid $50 with tax. Insane value. Would pay it any time. Finally service was outstanding on both visits. Super attentive and lightning fast food on both occasions. Can't wait to come back when we visit again!

    The menu to show the $10 margarita loco that I ordered but paid $21

    The food is AMAZING!!! The service at the bar not so great I ordered the $10 Margarita Loco and when I got my bill there was an $18 and $3 charge for my patron silver margarita.When I questioned it she said well that's just how it rang up.What the heck like I was crazy.I will attach a photo of my bill.Definitely was not worth

    Mac n cheese.
    Gab T.

    I got the ribs. They had good flavor but I'm personally not a fan of - what I consider - a thick tough exterior outer layer. It was too tough and an impediment to getting to the melt in your mouth ribs. I got them wet. I got two sides just so I could try them - southern sweet. Sweet but good flavor. And pit original. For sides - potato salad and mac n cheese. Really like the Mac n cheese. For me the potato salad was a little too creamy but to be fair im a German potato salad type of girl. Do all potato salads in the south have hard boiled eggs. I liked that part the next day when I needed extra protein in my left overs that didn't include the ribs. Oh and got banana pudding. Holy sweet. One of the sweeter I've had. But i did like it.

    Pecan and apple cobblers
    Joy R.

    Alie is AMAZING! We wanted something good, filling and reasonably priced and we both said "Smoke Pit". Perfect choice. We were seated quickly and Alie took the best care of us. I decided on the brisket, sausage and rib combo with kickin greens, Mac and cheese and hush puppies. Everything was AMAZING!!!! I had enough to take home for lunch the next day. And you must get the pecan cobbler.

    Fruit Cobbler*
    David D.

    Went here for lunch. First time at this location. It seems pretty new and the staff was amazing. Our waiter was very kind and helpful. The food was great as always, the ribs were well seasoned and tender. My favorite protein is always the brisket. It was juicy and melt in your mouth. They also gave everybody an order of cobbler on the house. The peach was the best! If you crave BBQ don't miss out on Smoke Pit. They never let us down!

    Brisket, ribs, sausage
    Andell R.

    There are rare moments in life when hunger meets perfection, and the world narrows to the plate in front of you. At the Smoke Pit, a mere seven weeks into its existence, I experienced one of those transcendent moments where every detail aligned in symphonic harmony. I was starving when I walked in, and everything clicked from the start. The warm, anticipatory greeting by the maître D to the server's attentive, friendly, and quick service without the hovering feeling. No rush, no oversight - just seamless efficiency and my food came out fast, hot, and exactly right. I ordered the sausage, brisket, and ribs platter, accompanied by cornbread, red slaw, and mac & cheese. The brisket was tender as a whisper - no knife needed, succulent, and smoked to smokey perfection. The dry ribs needed no sauce; they fell off the bone with juicy abandon. Each bite a revelation of moisture and depth of flavor. The sausages burst with moist, savory delight, while the cornbread defied earthly bounds - crisp-edged, buttery, and utterly otherworldly. Even the sides sang in harmony: the red slaw's tangy crunch, and the mac & cheese's creamy indulgence elevating the ensemble to sublime height. This was an experience that presently stunned me as rarely do you get a meal this good with service this smooth. Every cell in my body hummed with contentment, I was happy, full, and profoundly satisfied. The Smoke Pit has it figured out - speed, precision, flavor in perfect equilibrium. If you want great BBQ and a no-stress experience go! You won't be disappointed!

    Pick 3 Combo* 2 Chicken Quarters with Alabama bbq sauce, 4 ribs, and burnt ends. We eat about half before I took the photo.
    Cammy B.

    My favorite American BBQ spot in Charlotte! Everything we tried was absolutely delicious. The meat is seasoned perfectly--a great balance of saltiness, sweetness, and smoky flavor. All of it was fall-off-the-bone tender. We ordered the 3-meat combo and went with the chicken quarters, ribs, and burnt ends. It was impossible to choose a favorite because each one was incredibly flavorful. We've had the brisket before as well, and it's always tender, juicy, and wonderfully seasoned. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The sides were excellent too. We tried the jalapeño creamed corn, baked beans, cornbread, collard greens, and an extra side of mac and cheese. Every side paired perfectly with the BBQ, but the jalapeño creamed corn was the standout--highly recommend!

    Bbq chicken sandwich with jalapeño creamed corn
    Rose S.

    Love it is in this location vs needing to go to Monroe. It's clean and feels fresh. The bar was configured in such a way that there wasn't a bad seat for watching sports events. Service was quick and friendly. Had the pulled chicken sandwich w/creamed corn and jalapeños. Loved the creamed corn w/jalapenos. The pulled chicken was okay but it tasted off likely the sauce that was on it since I'm fairly picky about bbq sauce and love Memphis style bbq. Glad that this location is open and will rerun again.

    4 Meat plate: ribs, smoked turkey, brisket & burnt ends. Sides - Mac & cheese, beans
    Brittany D.

    This is a must check out place newly added to the Arboretum Shopping Center. We had a sample of everything and all in-house desserts are complimentary! Our server, Jordan, was attentive and seemed to be invested in the concept and enjoyed the food. The restaurant itself has done a great job creating a new vibe from the old Chili's location. Has that homegrown BBQ feel. If there was anything to note for feedback, it would be the burnt ends were way over sauced and being such a new restaurant, a manager should be walking around touching tables asking how things were (they have only been open a few weeks). But it will be a place to go back!

    Tres Amigos PLATE*
    Michael C.

    Incredible food, probably the best cornbread I've ever had, definitely some of the best brisket as well, but the service is whats gonna have me coming back. There was a bit of a mixup as I stepped away momentarily after finishing the meal, so they cleaned my table (as expected), and completely fine because I was done eating. But, they felt so bad that they cleaned up a few of the scraps of food I had left that they made me a whole other meal to go. Again, completely unnecessary, but it was so kind that I think it speaks to the type of people who work here. I came all the way from Columbia, SC to eat here after a recommendation from a friend, and I'll definitely be back.

    Tres Amigos sampler. Better than the 3 meat platter
    Brent F.

    Waaaayyyy more food than I could finish on the Tres Amigos combo! Ribs, brisket and pulled pork. The brisket was the star of the show. All they needed was a real Eastern NC sauce, but everything is outstanding. Gotta mention the Collards - had a great spicy kick (Jalapeños?).

    LB Brisket plate
    Dudine J.

    I went to a different restaurant and decided to try this BBQ place. The young man at the takeout counter was very polite and helpful. I asked many questions, and he expertly explained things to me. I decided on the brisket plate and chicken. As I write this review, I can taste the chicken. The presentation of the chicken was excellent. The chicken was my favorite dish. The sauce on top of the chicken was lovely and creamy. The chicken was cooked well, yet maintained its moisture. The chicken was flavored nicely. The brisket I felt tasted better the next day. The vinegar slaw was good. The corn bread and was light and fluffy with pieces of corn with every bite. I will definitely go back.

    Tres Amigos PLATE*

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    20 days ago

    You get a pretty generous amount of food for the cost, pretty good overall and good service

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    1 month ago

    Just had takeout but Delicious bbq and the sides are amazing! Big portions and good service.

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    Very surprising! Food is delicious even though u feel like you're at a chilis. One of the best BBQ I've had.

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    5 months ago

    I have zero complaints about this location. Gorgeous and clean on the inside, excellent service, and excellent food.

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    Cajun Yard Dog

    Cajun Yard Dog

    4.0
    (505 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Cajun-style food is so delicious, it's a shame I don't eat it as much as I do. I've heard plenty of…read morethis place as a "hidden gem" so I figured I would give it a whirl. I stopped in here on a Friday afternoon to grab a quick bite. Upon entrance, I really liked the paintings and other decorations spread throughout the dining room. The kitchen is visible as well which makes for a more immersive dining experience. The menu seemed to have plenty of seafood but I figured I'd opt for their special, a Blackened Red Snapper with Bacon Jalapeño Cream Sauce. It came with two sides so I decided to try out their okra and collard greens, after a recommendation from my waiter. I typically don't order collard greens but he said they have pork and are delicious. The place wasn't too busy so food came out quickly, about 10 minutes after I ordered. The food looked decent upon first glance, but I wasn't sold just yet. After my first bite of fish, I was taken aback by the delicious flavor of their cream sauce paired with the blackened fish. It was a solid portion of fish and tasted of good quality, so it didn't stand much a chance. The sides were also just as delicious. It's hard to mess up fried okra so my expectations were met to a tee. The collard greens were actually so incredible as well. I don't really know what they're made of but I definitely will be trying it more in the future, if other places prepare it as good. They also had a house hot sauce with was more flavor than heat, but paired wonderfully with everything. The whole meal was so good so I understand why they seem to a have solid amount of regulars at this place. The staff were very kind and attentive throughout the entire meal. If you want a taste of Louisiana, this place is a solid option in Charlotte.

    WOW, Wow, wow! This restaurant SCREAMS for a five-star rating, but as this was our first time…read morehere, I am reluctant to immediately give one of my precious five-stars based on only a one time shot. That said, Yard Dog is not a dog at all, but a superb little restaurant with a great menu and mouth-watering foods. Oh boy! Wife and I entered and were surprised at just how small their dining area was. Couple that with a not-so-pleasant noise level, you will have difficulty seating more than four and conversation will be tough, but not impossible. You came to eat. It is a very cozy, busy and fun place. In addition to the super menu there is a chalk board with specials. Check those out first. I spotted catch of the day, which was Red Snapper, a favorite of mine, which came with two sides ($26). When served, it was three fillets, so the whole eatable parts of the fish, topped with a Cajun spice mixture and a horseradish sauce. This is a to-die-for or last meal item. The fish was perfectly cooked and my side of collards were as mammy has done for eons: flavorful with pork and a perfect complement to my catch of the day. And the fried okra was great and I paid the $.50 for ranch dressing, as fried okra SHOULD be so complemented. Wife does not eat sea food, so she was, initially, confronted with the challenge of finding a dish without seafood in it. She did. There were a number of options, like pasta with Andouille sausage ($21) which is listed as with shrimp, but they omitted the shrimp for her. She also spied blackened meatloaf and some other items for the next visit. The place is busy and the wait staff is hustling as fast as the kitchen can get orders out. The kitchen looks so small, but they are a blur of motion cooking and plating. Kudos to the kitchen and servers. Our server was Sophie and she was excellent. There are beverages on a separate menu, mostly wine, beer and hard cider, with some non-alcohol items also available. We both had hard cider at $6 a can. Draft beer was available at $7 a glass. We will definitely return, even give lunch a try. I will most likely answer the siren call for five stars, which is certainly in the cards. See for yourselves.

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    Cajun Yard Dog
    Mahi
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    Crawfish Etouffee Lunch

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    Crawfish Etouffee Lunch
    131 MAIN Restaurant

    131 MAIN Restaurant

    4.1
    (672 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$$

    First off, this is my go to for lunch…read more There is plenty of parking here. I've never had an issue getting a table Even at lunchtime. I normally make reservations just to be on the safe side. I prefer a booth and I normally am able to get one. The staff meeting you at the door are always nice and friendly. They will seat you immediately. the waitstaff here are pretty awesome. The scene here is a little dark and moody and this is what I love about this restaurant... Very Dramatic! Now Food ‼ So, if this is your first time and you want to keep it light, I highly recommend the cob salad! This is the best salad because of the homemade croutons! The serving is pretty large and the dressings our house made and every single one of them are great. My favorite would be the Thai dressing, if I had to pick. I've also tried the burger and it is extremely HUGE and flavorful. You may not be able to eat it all in one setting. I've also had the blackened salmon with the pasta and it was perfectly cooked. I get mine at medium rare. TIMING~ The servants come out pretty fast. By the time you've had your first drink the food is already coming out. This is my honest review as I have been coming here for the past decade and I've never had an issue. You will be pleased. This is also the perfect spot for a first date, business meeting, anniversary and also a birthday.. P.S. Another reason why I am drawn to this particular location, is that 131 Main has maintained a clean place to eat. My number one pet peeve is a messy bathroom. I have yet to find any issues with this restaurant. The bathrooms are always clean Everything is fully stocked and servers are Super attentive, so I will continue to come back.

    Nice ambiance. Service was good, it did take a minute for them to come to the table a few times but…read moreotherwise the waitresses were friendly. We ordered the cheeseburgers. They come with shoestring fries. The burger is big and all the toppings really come together to make a flavorful burger. It has mayo mustard lettuce onions pickles and tomato. We also had the cornbread skillet and it was sweet and moist. The honey was a great touch.

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    131 MAIN Restaurant
    Deviled Eggs appetizer
    Deviled Eggs appetizer
    131 MAIN Restaurant

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    The Southern Pecan

    The Southern Pecan

    4.3
    (424 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    As a girl born in Texas, a really good chicken fried steak is practically part of my DNA. It's one…read moreof those comfort foods I don't eat often because it's so rich--but when I see it on a menu, it absolutely catches my attention. That's exactly what drew me to The Southern Pecan in SouthPark. Here in the South, they call it country fried steak, and I'm happy to report this one did not disappoint. I met a colleague there for lunch, and everything about the experience felt easy from the start. The restaurant is located in Phillips Place, a lovely little shopping area that feels a bit polished and upscale--with shops like Orvis, Tory Burch, and even a Restoration Hardware restaurant nearby. They do offer valet parking, which is a nice touch, though honestly parking is easy enough on your own. We had reservations through OpenTable and were seated on the patio, which was absolutely delightful for this time of year in Charlotte. The weather was perfect, the setting was relaxed, and the service started off warm and welcoming right away. Now, the food. The country fried steak was beautifully cooked--crispy on the outside, tender inside, and served with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy that hit all the nostalgic notes from my Texas upbringing. I paired it with a vegetable side (I believe it was broccoli or corn), and it was a classic Southern plate done right. We also enjoyed a couple of cocktails, and to finish, we split a praline bread pudding, which felt like the perfect Southern ending to the meal--sweet, comforting, and indulgent without being overwhelming. The staff was friendly and attentive, and one of the things I continue to appreciate about Charlotte is how easy it is to connect with people. We even chatted with diners at nearby tables, which added to that welcoming, community feel that makes dining out here so enjoyable--especially for someone coming from the Bay Area. Prices felt fair for the quality, the setting, and the portion sizes, and overall the experience left a great impression. Bottom line: If you're craving a solid Southern classic like country fried steak--or just want a relaxed patio lunch in a charming part of SouthPark--The Southern Pecan is definitely worth a visit. And as someone happily eating my way through Charlotte and the Southeast, this stop was another reminder that the journey has been a delicious one.

    I've heard rave reviews about this place so Michelle & I went for Sunday Brunch…read more They recommended a reservation so we had one @ 12n. It was already quite busy when we arrived and it's not clear where your parking options are. People are pulling up to the entrance and dropping people off so it gets jammed up and chaotic, of course people are running late so those BIG Yukons and Suburbans are making it a challenge to navigate a small entrance area. You would THINK they would at least have a Valet option of Sat/Sun during Brunch. To park, go BEHIND the restaurant on the street to the left and you'll see some free parking options that are close and walkable. We asked for a table on the patio and were immediately seated. The bar was already buzzing with solo diners enjoying their Mimosas. The patio is NOT that big, a little over crowded and table are very close with not much space in between. There was a LARGE group of 'FUN' ladies right beside us enjoying their MIMOSAS, dropping the 'F' bomb from time to time and making a LOT of noise. What can you do? Nothing but try to make the best of it and just start talking LOUDER like everyone else. The OVERHEAD heaters were way too intense so the Staff was very responsive at our request to turn down the heat. We shared the BBQ Shrimp Starter which was SO good, I highly recommend. I had the Gumbo and Michelle had the beet and goat cheese salad. We both had the Red Fish which comes with smashed potatoes and broccoli. The potatoes were so BLAND, the broccoli had NO seasoning. The Red Fish wasn't that great of a flavor and not very tender, not easy to cut, had to use my knife at times to get a bite. Kinda disappointed, I lived in N Orleans for a couple of years and it was always so good there. The biggest disappointment was the Gumbo. It had all the right ingredients but the ROUX was to strong, dark and heavy. It actually gave me indigestion afterwards. The service was OUTSTANDING. Our Server was Daylean, she was so nice and helpful with the menu and kept our refills coming.

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    The Southern Pecan
    Catfish
    Catfish
    Cornmeal coated fried shrimp

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    Cornmeal coated fried shrimp

    The Smoke Pit - southern - Updated July 2026

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