Drive here now! I agree with other reviewers - if I hadn't known to look for blue Quonset hut building we would have drive by. There is a tree covering their cute sign! You walk in to a cute dining area- mismatched tables and chairs that work together! Order at the counter, get your drinks and either sit in or outside at picnic tables. Then wait for some of the best bbq in Portland. The brisket is fork tender, the chicken tacos are smothered in great slaw and pickled onions, the bbq beans have large chunks of meat and the smoked slaw has just the right amount of dressing on it - not swimming in mayo like other places. Inhale your food while trying to keep your table mates away from yours! Like the tables and chairs all the food served in comes in very cute mismatched dishes. I'll be back to try the Mac & cheese (sold out), smoked pickles and the key lime pie. read more

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this was a great secret little place that a friend discovered. Had the spicy pork belly sandwich. had the spicy pork belly slider. They had a vinegar coleslaw with it. That was wonderful balance the heat just perfect, great size portion for lunch. While we were there friends ordered the Keylime pie. And the chef came out who makes it and let us know that she was interested in our opinion of it. It was spectacular it very, very much was a homemade pie you could tell it was not heavy . It is a very nice personable hidden gem. You can see into their kitchen from the dining room and for anybody who's ever worked in food service if you get a peak, their kitchen is amazing hundred percent well done. read more

Service was friendly. Interior small with a few table. Clean. I guess the best word for everything we had was "Lacking." Lacking in quantity for price. Lacking in tenderness, flavor and smokiness. Cheap HAMBURGER BUN, lacking. Salads and sides were just OK... I guess I expected more considering the ratings.... A solid middle of road 3 star. read more

Stopped here for a small lunch, we had the brisket sandwich, it was delicious, needed sauce, it was supposed to be spicy sauce but it seemed dry. But otherwise, the place smells like a smokehouse in all the best ways, the potato salad was rocking, and the smoked pickles were so sour and yummy. read more

The Smoking Jay - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukie, Oregon

First time! What a cute quaint bbq restaurant. Staff were very friendly and helpful in ordering. They actually offer a Sunday Brunch menu. We did not order Sunday Brunch, we ordered from their regular menu, which was very simple. We ordered 1/4 lb of pulled pork, potato salad, chili with brisket, corn bread, Pickled Pickles, and a slice of Key Lime Pie. The food was delicious and unique. My Chili with Brisket was thick and delicious. There were 3 sizes to order. I ordered the small bowl for $6, and it was plenty. Their cornbread was not like your typical yellow cornbread. It looked different , but my was it good. After our lunch we decided to share a slice of their homemade Key Lime Pie. You have to try it. High five to the Chef for sure. read more

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No pretension, no gimmicks, just warm service and damn good BBQ!! It's a crime I've worked so close to this place and it's the first time I've tried it. Some of the best brisket I've ever had, the pulled pork was killer, and the Mac was so creamy and cheesy! It's a very laid back vibe, but don't let that fool you. They clearly take their food very seriously. Already can't wait to come back! read more

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Super cute bbq spot. The brisket was juicy and flavorful, and the pork and beans were delicious.

We had just landed in Portland, on our travels to visit family. Both my wife and I were hungry after the over five hour flight. As usual, my wife turned to Yelp to find a place to grab some food on our way South to Eugene. She came upon The Smoking Jay which was not far off 205. She suggested it, and as soon as I realized it was a BBQ place, of course, I was all in! We arrived at The Smoking Jay about 1pm and pulled into the parking lot. The business is located in what appears to be a Quonset hut which is a very distinctive type of building. There was adequate parking and we also noticed at least one outdoor table. The entrance is on the side of the building and their hours are posted, they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Open Wednesday through Sunday and they offer a Sunday brunch. About half of the 6 tables were occupied when we arrived and there was a small line at the counter placing orders. We looked over the menu and everything sounded delicious. The menu is simple with varieties of smoked meats such as brisket, pork, chicken, and array of sides including cornbread, potato salad, shells and cheese, and smoked slaw. All protein options are available in tacos or sandwiches as well. They also have a Caesar salad in both small and large size, gwarmillion nachos, fried brussel sprouts, smoked chicken tortilla soup, and key lime pie. When we approached the front of the line we were greeted by the woman taking orders. We asked a couple of questions and she was helpful and friendly. My wife decided on the large Caesar salad with a quarter pound of smoked chicken and a corn muffin. I decided on the pulled pork sandwich (1/4 pound) with shells and cheese and the coleslaw on the side. We took a seat and she brought our waters to the table. This is when we learned she and her husband opened Smoking Jay two years ago. We talked about previously living in the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed chatting. We also talked about our shared love of Baumans Farms since we saw they offered their authentic cider. The restaurant is clean and simple and the restroom was well taken care of. Our food was brought out and looked delicious! We really enjoyed our meals and wish them continued success. This was a great experience and we absolutely recommend to others. Check it out! read more

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Unique atmosphere and menu!!! Very friendly staff. Excellent food. We will be back. The one thing I could say.....when passing the restaurant you can't even tell if it's open. So maybe a more inviting exterior would be in order. read more

Damn! I've lived nearby forever and have slept on this place. Great service, very good food (with some nice twists on traditional sides), and good pricing. The chicken tortilla soup is incredible! read more

The service here was wonderful! The people were so kind, attentive without being overbearing, answered questions, and made sure we had everything we needed. The best thing was the brisket burnt ends eggs Benedict. It was so tender and delicious and well seasoned. The nachos were awesome too, and unique, but could've used a bit more meat. The Mac and cheese was a little disappointing - it needed some salt & it felt like the sauce was maybe a touch broken and not smooth, but still not terrible. The food portions are not giant for what you pay was my biggest issue and why this isn't five star, but the atmosphere was cool with outdoor and indoor seating, gorgeous plants, and a unique building that was maybe a hanger of some sort at one point? Give it a shot when you're in town. read more

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After a recent trip to Texas, we came home craving authentic BBQ brisket and honestly didn't expect anything local to compare. This place completely exceeded our expectations. The brisket was incredibly tender, smoky, and juicy -- exactly what we were hoping for. The chicken was moist and flavorful, and both the slaw and mac & cheese were excellent sides. We also loved the brisket chili, which was rich, hearty, and packed with flavor. The only thing we'd probably skip next time is the pickle chips, but everything else was fantastic. We'll definitely be back -- it's about as close as you can get to true Texas BBQ without leaving home. read more

Consistently delicious barbecue right here in milwaukie. So delicious they often sell out on weeknights! Fantastic friendly family owned restaurant. read more

The Smoking Jay - Brisket tacos. - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukie, Oregon

This place is a hidden GEM! We got the brisket, chicken, and sides of Brussels and loaded potato salad. I gotta say, the chicken stole the show! It was so moist and tender, lightly seasoned. Perfect with the bbq sauce they served. Now I don't normally like brussel sprouts, but theirs tastes like candy. I ended up eating more than I've ever eaten in my entire life. The potato salad was really good, fresh. I prefer mine with dill pickles, but this was still really tasty and we didn't leave a single bite behind. The service was quick, we came right after the lunch rush. Fair warning; there's a lot of roadwork happening around it. So be patient. The inside is cozy, hipster farm vibes. Wood tables and chairs, tons of beautiful plants. I especially liked the burlap style curtains. Feels like you're at a farmland picnic. And it's indoors! We will be back. Thanks for the good eats! read more

Great place to eat!!!! I highly recommend it. Everything that we ordered was so good. I especially liked the potato salad, jojos, caesar salad, baked beans, brisket and pork belly. I didn't eat any ribs but the people I was with said they were good. The service was excellent, they are very attentive. The prices were fair. Definitely worth trying. read more

They served people before my party came and we sat for way to long to even get served

Unfortunately the pork was old. It was clearly not fresh and the sauces were mid. Where we have places like Matt's you have to be better if you want a following this place is not it. read more

Wow! What a gem! The service is welcoming, friendly and professional. The ambiance is inviting and cozy. The brisket perfectly smoked and tender. The sides expertly made and complement the dishes well. I can't wait to go back for more! read more

Visiting the area for the weekend, we found this place in a Google search and decided to try it on a whim. The owner, mentioning that her hubby was unexpectedly out of commission and she was at the helm, didn't just take our order and disappear, she chatted us up while we waited. We sampled the brisket (nice and moist), the burnt ends pork belly (not really burnt but super flavorful), the shells and cheese (standard), the smoked slaw (crisp and fresh, not heavily sauced, lemony and bright), and the brisket chili (O M G). The chili was not tomato based and had so much flavor! I was disappointed that we were leaving the area before they opened the next day and I was unable to get some to take home to Southern Oregon. It's a must try! We got a little spicy bbq sauce on the side which was nicely balanced - not too sweet and not too vinegary with a nice kick! They should bottle and sell it because I would pay to have some shipped! Though we took our order to go, the dining area was super cozy and really cute. I'm loving that they created such an inviting space! So glad we tried this place and we'll definitely return! read more

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I really really love this place. Every meat they offer is seasoned and cooked perfectly. I especially love their blue corn cornbread and key lime pie with smoked graham cracker crust. The service is great, and the hangar is interesting and cozy. Go for their delicious BBQ staples, of course, but definitely try some of their other dishes for unique flavors and an outstanding experience. read more

We were in the Milwaukee area and looked on Yelp for a place for dinner. We saw the listing for The Smoking Jay and thought that barbecue might be a good choice. This was a real winner. The brisket ($16 for 1/2 lb) was very tender and juicy, not dry. The pulled pork ($14 for 1/2 lb) was also really good. They had a dish they called Gwarmillion Nachos for $15. It was incredible. They start with blue corn tortilla chips and season them with a red spice that makes them taste like barbecue potato chips. Then they add smoked cheese, red onions and brisket. It's a must try if you visit and they have them. In addition to the great barbecue, we also liked the Caesar Salad ($13) which was a solid value because it was so big. We met the owners, who were really nice. They've been open for about a year. We learned that they have special Sunday brunch with barbecue and eggs and plan to go back for that. Five stars for the Smoking Jay! read more

The Smoking Jay - Got there late so we missed burnt ends. Need to get there earlier next time! - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukie, Oregon

Holy smokes! The food here is to tasty. The aroma of the Smoking Jay is smoked and smells so good. We had brisket tacos and my son had the smoked chicken sammy. The meats were cooked to perfection. The smoked chicken was so moist! The dining area is all wooden tables and chairs and is a cool motif. The service is amazing. We will be back for sure! (Need to take pics of the food!) read more

I'd been wanting to come here for a while now and finally had a great opportunity to go out to lunch. This place is really small with limited seating. I do think they could do better but it is what it is. When we came in there were no open tables and we were deciding if we wanted to wait, get carry out, or just leave when the server came by and told us we could sit in their "waiting" area and a table would be open soon. She then went and picked up the garbage at a table which cued the people that it was time to leave and open up the table. So they did and we sat. So you order up front rather which is odd for such a small place. Not impressed with the terribly written menu on paper rather. At least get chalk so it looks better. Website and actual menu are not the same either. So they aren't sliders (small and 2-3) but rather just a regular sandwich that's misnamed. Brisket is not presented well and is super fatty. Nothing really had much flavor and did not seem very high in quality. Their house made pickles simply aren't good and the loaded potato salad managed to have over cooked meat bits (looks like what you scrape off a grill) while also having no flavor. I don't use much salt usually and pretty much never add to food after it's prepared but I needed it to get anything out of this salad. Server was nice but everything here is really slow.Maybe if the food was good it would be worth thee price but I can't say as it stands that it is. It just wasn't good food and I'll go back to my usual spots. read more

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This place deserves your business. The brisket was delicious and generous portions. Will definitely be returning. The nachos sound awesome

Hard to put the experience into words, it was SO good! Service was fast and outstanding. Food made in house as it should be. Flavorful items. Brisket was good, Mac was good. We had a French toast with pears and chocolate and whipped cream, it was an explosion in my mouth. Seating inside and out. Enjoy. read more

Amazing food and service. I live in the Gorge, and it's worth the drive to enjoy lunch at The Smoking Jay

It was decent. The brisket was a good texture & not over smoked. You can tell everything is made from scratch & that is a breath of fresh air these days! I'm a harsh critic of bbq though having grown up in Texas so while I'd say a 3- It's better than every brisket I've ordered in Oregon, but I'll have to stick to brisket at home. Mac & cheese is made in house with a slight hint of nutmeg, the potato salad is good- different than most & definitely made from scratch, I added some salt, the pickles are a basic quick pickle in the fridge style- it's not the been canned & sitting on the shelf for a few months normal pickle you think of. They grew on me after a while & might've been my favorite part of the meal. BBQ sauce could stand to cook longer & be less tomato forward- but again made from scratch- they're not cutting any corners here. The blue corn cornbread however was horrible. I'm sorry- y'all need to do something different. Texture was okay but it tasted like a blue corn tortilla chip with little pieces of sweet corn the flavors in one bite clashed for me. read more

Friendly service and delicious food. I got the brisket Sammy. . the sauce was well complimented by the cole slaw and the pickle!

In the area and looking for a place to pick up lunch. Happen to drive pass The Smoking Jay. Read the Yelp reviews and decided to give them a try. We ordered Brisket, Pork Belly Burnt Ends, BQ Beans, Potato Salad, and Caesar Salad. The brisket was moist and flavorful and had a nice ring of smoke. I wasn't particularly crazy about the Pork Belly Burnt Ends. They were a little too fatty for my taste. I know pork belly is on the fatty side, but I've had better. However, I will say they were flavorful. The bq beans tasted like something out of a can. We were disappointed. The potato salad was a good...I like they did not go overboard with the mayo. Caesar salad was okay. Romaine was somewhat crisp. Maybe should have asked for dressing on the side. Everything is Ala carte which has its pros and cons. I prefer ordering a combo because you get to sample a variety of items. When you order ala carte you have a tendency to order more than you can eat. Our food was ready within 10 minutes after we placed our order. Service is quick and friendly. read more

The Smoking Jay - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukie, Oregon

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I get a constant busy signal When I call you on the phone I get a strong, craving feeling You're not eating there alone I'm having tasty, tasty visions And birdy, I blame Robert Cray And I'm so afraid I'm gonna find you with A so-called Smoking Jay Maybe you wanna eat it Had your fill of Masa de Maiz Azul But Corn Muffin blues are telling me Brisket, Chilis & Beans is kinda bull I put two and two together Tacos and Sliders on your plate And I know just where to catch you with That well-known Smoking Jay I'm starving here, bewildered Could B Jo Jo's spicy rub I keep sweeping under rug Crumbs of Toasted Potato Bun I know there's no clean getaway Airport hanger now awaits Caesar in Tijuana has taken you To that still-hot Smoking Jay read more

The Smoking Jay - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukie, Oregon

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By happenstance I ran into this gem of a homey bbq spot. The brisket was filled with flavor and both of their sauces are soo good. The corn muffin is smoky and perfectly buttered. The smoke slaw was refreshing and not too smokey. All together it was a perfect meal. And then to top it off the key lime pie was a showcase dessert. From the lime flavors to the crust that has a brulé flavor. Topped with home made whipped cream. They did outdid themselves. Highly recommend giving them a try! read more

The Smoking Jay - Key lime pie is a must have! - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukie, Oregon

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Burnt ends eggs Benedict was incredible. Key Lime pie is best in Oregon!!! Nicest staff and cool setting too. Thank you!

My wife and I eat a lot of barbecue and we LOVED this place. We ordered the smallest portion of each meat (pulled pork, pork belly burnt ends, brisket, smoked chicken) and we had a hard time deciding which one we liked the best because they were all so good (I ended up deciding it was the pork belly ends, they were to die for). The smoked coleslaw? Slapped. Baked beans? Killer. Corn muffin? Delicious. And the key lime pie just about killed us it was so good. I've seen some people complaining about prices/portions but we felt like it was all perfectly comparable to other good food in pdx- all our food cost about $55 and we had leftovers (we've got hearty appetites, too). Anyway, staff was friendly, food was quick, we will definitely be back again and again. read more

Found this place while searching for a healthy lunch. To me, BBQ is like soul food, so I pulled up to eat. I couldn't decide between the pulled pork or the brisket so I got both and topped it off with serving of Mac and cheese. Hearty portions and a friendly staff make this place worth while. I don't know how many BBQ spots are even in the area, but this one is worth stopping by. JT is cooking up a storm and his lovely lady, didn't catch her name, is a peach of a human! read more

The Smoking Jay - Look at the meats! 1/4lb on each slider is crazy. - Barbeque Near Me - Milwaukie, Oregon

Nice little neighborhood spot. Clean and welcoming atmosphere. Service was great! Food was excellent! We ordered a little bit of everything. Everything was well seasoned. My daughter ordered a small chili. It was so good she asked to order another one! We will definitely be back! read more

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Some of the best bbq I've had in my life. Family run restaurant, the owners are incredibly welcoming, present, and down to earth. You feel a sense of community being there, and I love the inviting atmosphere and decor. All the food I've had here is killer, I especially enjoy the brisket and ribs. Can't thank yall enough for all your hard work and the many delicious meals. read more

From the service, to the food everything was amazing. We ordered the tacos with smoked chicken, and burnt ends. Sides were Mac n cheese, baked beans, and corn bread. Everything we had tasted so good, plating was fun and creative, and the service was spot on! The decor and ambiance was also so welcoming and cute. read more

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Picked up an excellent sandwich to go. Friendly and fast service. The space has good light and is comfortable for waiting.

A friend suggested we meet for lunch at The Smoking Jay. What a great place! The food is fantastic, reasonably priced and portions are just right. Between the 3 of us we ordered the brisket, Caesar salad, pulled pork sammy, mac & cheese, smoked chicken tacos, BBQ baked beans and smoked pickles. ALL very good tasting, with the meats being moist and smoky. The sides were great compliments to the rich savory BBQ. Also, service from the owners was top notch and attentive. The three of us left with full bellies, and at today's prices $45 for three of us was a great deal for a homemade meal. We liked it so much, we went back a week later with our 92 year old Dad. Again, we all had delicious smoked meat tacos & sammys. Our sides included those savory BBQ baked beans, Caesar salad and the yummy loaded potato salad. Again, $42 for the 3 of us was do-able. Just as our first visit, we enjoyed the live plants on each table and the many varieties around the rest of the restaurant. Both owners visited with us, commenting on the bright sunlight streaming in the full wall of south-facing windows. One can tell right away they have a passion for their culinary BBQ offerings and enjoy chatting up customers. Please give this place a try for your next smoked food cravings, you can't go wrong! read more

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Best boutique BBQ I've had in a while. Brisket and carnitas tacos is what we had, 10 out of 10. Awesome homemade cornbread. All paired with a beautiful hazy IPA. Call ahead because it's so good they sometimes sell out. A must try!!!! read more