We visited Assembly Row in Somerville today and were in the mood for barbecue. The place was clean and well kept, and we were immediately greeted and seated by friendly staff. Our waiter was very nice and attentive. He made sure we had everything we needed without over crowding us. I ordered the burnt end sandwich. It was very good and came with plenty of food - I definitely didn't finish everything. My wife got a hot dog & my daughter got the chicken Caesar sandwich - both were also excellent. The standout here was the cost. Give the style of food and the area we were in, I was expecting to pay quite a bit more for 3 people to have lunch. Their prices are extremely reasonable. We will definitely make this a regular stop when we visit the area in the future. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Pit Master Burnt Ends Sandwich w/ Pit beans, Crinkle cut fried, corn bread & watermelon - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

When you want some bbq but you're not sure what, the Smoke Shop is a good option. I've been here a couple of times and the experience has largely been the same. The plate options come with a main and two sides + a slice of watermelon which for me feels like a good amount of food. I typically get the pulled chicken dish which is lightly flavored. It seems like this is intentional so you can use the bbq sauces at the table to create the flavor you want. For my sides, I ordered coleslaw which was much better than I expected - cruncy slaw not drowning in mayo. The cornbread was also delicious as was the watermelon slice. I was disappointed in my side salad with lemon vinaigrette as there was too much dressing making the entire thing oily and soggy - next time I will need to ask for it on the side. The mac and cheese is also a good side option as its creamy and balanced on the cheese flavor. There's always a ton of tables available here so it's a good option when youre in Assembly and looking for a place to eat. There are also a ton of TVs showing any game thats playing, making it good for groups. While the servers are friendly, it is hard to get their attention to place orders or even grab the check. Several times I had to try to flag down my waiter or eventually ask another for something as small as a straw. It is very likely that the place is understaffed, but as a customer this also makes for a more time consuming experience. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Pulled chicken plate with side salad and coleslaw - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

We went before a Sox game and sat at the bar. We shared a platter: Turkey, brisket, burnt ends, mac and cheese, pickles and Cole slaw. The turkey was amazing and the brisket was quite dry, which was extremely disappointing. The "famous" wings were a little too crispy and very greasy. The pickles were really good too. The service was pretty slow. Overall the food was just average for the price and not sure we'd try them again with all the other options at Assembly. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Platter - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

See all

Atmosphere was fun and relaxed Server was laid back, super nice, not rushed (in a good way) Food was delicious!!!! Will absolutely be back! read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Fried Chicken Basket - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

This is the first time I came through the smoke shop for a group dinner and I gotta admit I was very pleasantly surprised. I'm usually not a big fan of going to barbecue places cause most of the time the ribs end up being a little dry or the brisket is just a little too lean. But the smoke shop really went all out and every piece of meat from the chicken to the pork end to the brisket was absolutely delicious juicy and well flavored. Let's not forget the sides oh my gosh, some of the best sites I've ever had. Not one side was a dislike for me. The service was great, our waiter was very attentive, came by often, and the manager also came by to check in on us as well just to make sure food was good and we're having a good time. We pretty much ordered a bunch of stuff, but so I'll only give highlights of the top items. The ribs were fantastic fall off the bone and very flavorful. The brisket was an absolute star had the right ratio of fat, and the meat was juicy and also very flavorful. The cornbread was moist and loved the pat melted butter on top. The mac & cheese was gooey and delicious. I don't understand how they could be able to do this, but the fries were actually really freaking good. Crispy Cajun style just a light spiciness that just really gets the appetite going. Let's not forget the pickles, the sweet sour sliced pickles, really balanced out some of the fattiness and greasiness from the meats. The semi charred Brussel sprouts I was also a very popular side dish full of flavor. Overall, not one dish was at disappointment. I will definitely be coming back soon. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

The collard greens are back! You can not go wrong with anything on the menu. Just be prepared to want to sleep after. This place is amazing no matter what location you go to. read more

From the beginning to the end - an outstanding experience dining at the Smoke Shop. Seated right away in a booth. Near the screens, gotta love that. Server came right over took our drink orders. Came back in a flash. The mojito mocktail was delicious and I had the Athletic IPA. Ordered BBQ fries -- portions huge! Incredibly spiced with tons of chesses and jalapenos. I ordered the BBQ peanuts, ate half the bag and the rest came home. Next came the fried haddock dinner and she had the Pit Boss. Both portions were huge and delicious. She's from Louisiana and said could have been spiced a bit more but very tasty. The corn bread was moist and a good crumb. Mac and cheese side -- creamy and a good cheddar tang. No room for dessert. Service was as good as the food. The ambiance was excellent -- a very good vibe. They even have an allergen menu for folks with food allergies. Outstanding. Sorry for no pictures, too busy eating. read more

I was in town for a company meeting and met up with an old friend for dinner. The appetizer/larger salad was really good. The croutons practically dissolve in your mouth. It's nothing fancy just lettuce, croutons, and whatever dressing you pick, but it went really well with what I had for dinner, as it was a little bit bitter and not sweet. I decided on the pulled pork sandwich with the mashed sweet potatoes. The pork sandwich was confusing to be honest, as the driving flavor was sweet, sweet, sweet and not tangy, smokey, or the least bit spicy. I'm used to Kansas City barbecue and also have a really good local barbecue place near my house in CA, and that is actually much better than this, because I'm not big on super sweet barbecue. The pork was very tender, don't get me wrong, but it was saturated with their sweet barbecue sauce and just way too sweet for me. The mashed sweet potatoes were delicious and the cornbread was almost like a dessert. It was so good. in retrospect, I wish I'd gotten lobster someplace else lol read more

I make the sojourn jere a few times a year to enjoy the best of BBQ in Assembly. I have had a great many things here from the sandwiches to hauling out leftovers when the group ordered a Pit Master. Service is excellent and the bar makes a wonderful Old Fashioned. We always call ahead and get a reservation in just in case. The big open space is really nice, and the seating is comfortable. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Front entrance - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

We got right in sitting at the bar. It wasn't too busy for a Saturday night, and the bartender was fast and on point. The food came out pretty fast and was honestly came with huge portions for sides with great flavor. I wish there were options for sauces. The restaurant was super clean and not too loud so you could actually carry a conversation even with a semi full restaurant worth of noise. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - 1st Place Rib Plate (Full Slab) Crinkle Cut Fries Half Sour Pickles Cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

This had to be the worst BBQ I've ever had. Everything was dry. The Mac and Cheese has no cheese and was totally dry, t he cornbread was dry and almost inedible and the brisket was as dry as a brick The only saving grace was the cole slaw. Over all it was horrible. I'll never go there again read more

The service during our visit was truly awful. Long waits, errors requiring multiple dishes to be remade, no apology or acknowledgement of mistakes, and a general apathy towards the guest experience. Everyone has bad days, but this server was so poor. The food was average. Burnt ends were dry and tough, the fried chicken in the sandwich was burnt (black marks on the breading) and terribly dry. An aperol spritz took 20 minutes to arrive, then came out with no ice. Asked the server for ice and she never brought it. The drink was warm within a few minutes and not drinkable. The bathroom was a mess, towels overflowing out of the trash and all over the floor. Sink auto soap dispensers didn't work, and the water out of the tap was nearly scalding, making it hard to rinse your hands. 3 of the seven tvs were broken, so one side of the bar could not watch the World Cup games. I enjoy Andy's restaurants and loved the vibe at Tremont 647 and its sister restaurant back in the day. This place has the feel of a restaurant whose founder has checked out. So many issues with attention to detail and it's a bummer because we wanted to love it. read more

Let me be clear: this is not about the law. This is about how customers are treated. I frequent The Smoke Shop in Assembly Row often. The food is great, which is why I keep coming back. I usually sit at the bar, eat, have a drink, and go about my day. Today, I forgot my ID, completely on me. The bartender told me he couldn't serve me a cocktail without a physical ID. Totally fine. I respect that. What wasn't fine was his attitude. When I calmly asked if he could check with a manager, he became rude, dismissive, and unnecessarily combative. Instead of doing something simple, he chose to go back and forth with me. It was unprofessional and completely avoidable. The manager came over, explained the same law, and I had no issue with that. After speaking with the manager, his entire demeanor suddenly changed. He became kind and even offered an apology, which I really do appreciate. But here's the problem: it shouldn't take a manager stepping in for basic respect and professionalism to show up. If you work in hospitality, you don't get to pick and choose when to treat people well. Enforcement of rules and good customer service are not mutually exclusive. The food here is great--but experiences like this leave a bad taste. To be clear, I will go back, I enjoy the food today's experience just wasn't their best. Do better. read more

Real smoke bbq. Brisket and pork ribs were better than expected, according to other reviews I've seen. The server was polite and the service was prompt. Guinness on tap is always a plus. read more

I am writing to share some feedback regarding my recent visit to Smoke shop bbq. Unfortunately, my experience did not meet my expectations. The ribs were quite dry, and the flavor profile felt one-dimensional, as it seemed the same sauce was used throughout. Additionally, the side dishes lacked the seasoning and depth of flavor I was hoping for. Given the price point, I felt the quality did not offer good value, and based on this visit, I likely won't be returning. I wanted to share this in hopes that it helps you improve your offerings. read more

Wasn't sure what to expect walking in on a Monday holiday but I caught Kiana's eye as soon as I walked in the front door and she started my visit with a big welcoming smile. I ordered a Dr. Frankenstein, having never had a sandwich here before, but knowing that I love the hot link... it was fantastic came out quick and was well prepared. I sat at the bar and received exclude service from Brendan. All around a great visit. read more

They food was excellent,the pit boss was on point 3 meat.the mocktails was great strong as hell love everything.

Ordered delivery from here. Brisket came and was the most dry, rubbery, inedible brisket I've ever had in my life. We threw it out immediately. Reached out to the restaurant with pictures and the owner Andy Husbands said he could see it was poor quality and promised to make it right. After a few more emails nothing was ever done. Do not spend $80 to $90 on take out with the chance that your food is inedible. Spend your money elsewhere. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Dry brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

See all

The Smoke Shop BBQ has several locations but this is my favorite one. The Assembly Row area has a ton of shopping spots, cafes, and restaurants along with free parking up to 3 hours. So you can knock out some fun things while grabbing a bite to eat. Since I am an out of towner, the parking is a huge plus! I usually sit at the bar area and service is pretty quick. My favorite thing to get is the half rack of ribs - so flavorful. It comes with 2 sides and a slice of watermelon. They also have 3 different homemade bbq sauces: Gold Medal, Sweet Victory, and Hot Streak- something they are known for. The crinkle fries are to die for, it has a tad bit of paprika and crispy. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - 1st Place Rib Plate (Half Slab) - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I recently came here for a Penelope bourbon dinner hosted by the Smoke Shop BBQ. The food was delicious. I'm not typically a huge meat eater and was pleasantly surprised. The smell walking into the restaurant was intoxicating in a fantastic way! The service was very attentive. read more

See all

Amazing food i loved it u have to try it out everything I get there I love If you're looking for a good barbecue food you should try it out read more

Got a $200.+ take out order on Saturday 3/14 for a Birthday celebration. Sides were terrific but what's upsetting is we ordered a quart of burnt ends which we all love but they weren't burnt ends they were flat brisket cut to look like BE's They were tough and cooked to death nothing like the point of a brisket with its fatty tender pieces. This obviously was intentional for whatever reason but totally unacceptable. Not a mistake anyone who knows anything about BBQ could make. Very upsetting for someone who normally enjoys this restaurant. Definitely will affect my choice for BBQ restaurants in the future read more

If you're looking for a vibrant atmosphere with a solid drink menu and a variety of BBQ options, The Smoke Shop at Assembly Square is worth a visit, read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Delicious BBQ! Wings are pure tasty perfection! Food always arrives hot and perfectly prepared! Must try!

Excellent service and knowledge on gluten free options. Delicious food and great atmosphere

Just got delivered by door dash. Order was correct. They threw inn an extra BBQ sauce. Corn bread is amazing. Brisket ends sandwich is delicious. Everything it's hot and fresh. Great job​ read more

Very tasty barbecue I really loved it my favorites are the pulled pork the brisket and the burnt ends

Some of the best BBQ I've ever eaten. I had the St. Louis ribs and brisket. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned. read more

I love this place! It's located in the busy assembly row shopping plaza, so there's free three hour parking in the garage. The dining area is very large, so there's a good chance that you get seated right away. The staff is very kind and is willing to go through the menu with you to make sure you have the right selections. We opted for the barbecue chicken, Texas style, brisket, mac & cheese, honey, cornbread. All of this was for around $45 after tip and tax. The portions were large. And the meat itself was on par with the better barbecue restaurants in Boston. The sauces were also very delicious as they offer three different styles of BBQ sauce. My favorite was the honey butter cornbread. Make sure to check them out! read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

Food was good, smoked turkey made me pleasantly surprised. Brisket was amazing but I took off a star as One of our order never came through, Asked the wait staff about it multiple times and they went to check it but never confirmed anything until we left. read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

It tasted great, the brisket was the best part. This is good because everything Tasted so good like those Mac and cheese bites bd those crinkle fries. The sauce made them special. read more

The ribs are the highlight here. I loved the BBQ on the ribs, but their hot sauce is not a bad addition. I also enjoyed the mac and cheese and potato salad. I tried the cole slaw and cornbread but think those were less standout. I went on July 4, for which I was glad they were open, but did notice a slowness in the food service, so I wonder if they should have paused online ordering for the day. Our waitress was great, but the kitchen seemed backed up. The portion sizes are big, got 6 ribs for the half rack, and could only finish half of them. Price was about $28 for the one meat and 2 sides combo plate. I wish they had more than three sauce options. For southern BBQ in Boston, I would come back here. There's a huge bar and tons of TV screens. FYI there's a 3% kitchen fee. read more

Stopped in here for lunch in the assembly row area and the restaurant smelled amazing like bbq. Service was very good and fast. We shared the pit boss with ribs, briskets and chicken with the ribs being the star of the show. For sides we had the Mac & cheese, Cole slaw, and cornbread (highly recommended by our service) all were very good but the best was the cornbread. Overall bbq is good, definitely not the best I have had but service is great read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - Outside - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

See all

I was impressed with the outside of this restaurant, and decide to give it a try. It is perfect location if you are in assembly row, and craving for some bbq. However, the seasoning is too salty and the meat is too dry imo (I used to live in Houston TX) I think this place is good for when you want to experience that Southern vibe and watching sports on the TV at the same time. Servers are friendly and attentive. read more

I am Gluten Free and happy there was plenty to choose from. Server was great and plenty of food that was delicious!

Second time pulling up here and this time was the best . I went back and had the Smoked Wings AMAZING, i wish i could ship these back home . Nice vibes in the building, numerous beer and liquor choices . The Bbq ribs were very tender , they got somebody aunty in the back making that cornbread. Customer Service always on point, can't wait to come back . read more

The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row - 1st Place Rib Plate (Half Slab) - Barbeque Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

See all

Exceptional service, great and delicious food. Our waiter Connor D was personable, pleasant, efficient and patient. He went above and beyond. read more

First things first, the burnt ends are legitimately awesome. I've waited a loooong time to try some burnt ends so when I saw them on the menu here, I had to get them. And they did not disappoint. So flavorful, tender. They almost feel like they will melt in your mouth but have just enough solidity to them that chewing them is perfectly satisfying. My mouth is watering just thinking about them for the review. I need burnt ends NOW. It was worth the wait and will be searching out more burnt ends going forward. I ordered the platter of three meats and three sides. I got two orders of brisket and one of burnt ends as the meats. For the sides, crinkle cut fries, cornbread, and the coleslaw. All the sides were good. Cornbread maintained it's integrity quite well (I recently had cornbread that just fell apart the moment you cut into it) so that was nice to see. Fries loaded with old bay seasoning for a little kick, and satisfying slaw. An unexpected treat was the toast included, used it to make mini Brisket sandwiches. The brisket was great. Not the best I ever had but just some nice good Texas style brisket. Would reccomend. But the burnt ends, I cannot rave enough about them. My buddy said he was not hungry when I brought the food, but after one bite I almost had to fight him off to protect my burnt ends. Suffice to say, we will be going back. Also shout-out to the crew manning the restaurant and keeping it open during the snowstorm. Felt like a nice friendly place for a relaxing beer. read more

See all

I have gone to Smoke Shop BBQ several times over the years, and most recently for their Family Friendly NYE party event. This annual event is really fun for families with little kids, and reasonably priced. For adults who miss the days before kids and partying late at night, at least here you can enjoy some good food and a festive atmosphere at the same time. For food, we especially like their ribs and wings, which is even better during a public dining experience vs. a mass group catered event. Every time I've been here, it has been very friendly service and I've always enjoyed the unpretentious, nice ambiance. read more

Absolutely amazing experience! Ordered a wide variety of food! Wings were out of this world, very flavorful and juicy. All of their smoked meats were delicious. Sides were great as well! Quick and pleasant service! Will absolutely be coming back! read more