Restaurant Review: Smokin T’s BBQ & Bar (Las Vegas)

 

 

RESTAURANT REVIEW: SMOKIN T’S BBQ & BAR (LAS VEGAS)

I’m not sure what happened. This spot near the corner of Flamingo and Fort Apache used to be a Dickey’s barbecue joint. But it was renamed recently and many changes were made. However, the decor inside is much the same as before (there’s Oakland Raiders photos all over walls). So, I’m not sure what’s going on other than the old saying “just win, baby” remains a laughably bad joke on the fans. [Note: See updated info below]

I wasn’t a big fan of the old Dickey’s at this location, but the barbecue was always serviceable. Nothing fancy, but a good lunch spot. Decent value for the money. That was then. This is now.

Yesterday, I was curious to try this place because I presumed it was “new” in the sense there’s a new name and new signage. So, I went in and ordered a brisket sandwich combination plate. That’s a staple of BBQ. Can’t go wrong with that, right?

I ordered the brisket platter. The sandwich, which is about the size of a standard hamburger, cost $15. Adding two sides cost another $7. Added sauce was .75 per. Plus a drink. I’m used to pricing around the $20 mark for a lunch-style BBQ sandwich, so I was stunned when the lady rang up my order and announced it was $27 plus change. What? $27 for a sandwich at lunchtime?

The brisket was fatty. White smelly fat. The portion wasn’t very generous compared to what I’ve experienced here in the past (Dickey’s used to pile it on, one of the best things about them). I found myself removing the extra fat from my mouth, and leaving it on the tray–yuck. This isn’t what I expect from a good BBQ joint. I give the sandwich a grade of D, for disappointing.

The banked beans were horrid. Usually, barbecue beans are spicy and have a dark color to them. These were much lighter and lacked flavor, despite strains of beef in the beans. I ate perhaps 2-3 bites and tossed the rest into the trash can. I give the beans an F, for failure. If there’s such a thing as a grade of “H,” fire that shell here —– for horrible. Maybe the worst beans I’ve ever tasted.

My other side dish was potato salad, which was very good. Salvation! The mustard infusion and harder-then-usual texture was just right. But then, this is like the Raiders scoring a trash touchdown late in a game that’s already lost and the losing wide receiver spiking the ball. I mean, who goes to a BBQ place for the — potato salad? I give it a B+, for b-atisfactory.

One more comment: When the lady at the counter announced “$27.25,” even though I was surprised by the higher-than-usual pricing, I still tossed $30 on the counter and told her to keep the change. Note that I have mixed views on tipping counter people (that’s a controversial topic). Still, I will tip on occasion. So, it was more than a little annoying not to hear a “thank you,” or even an acknowledgement of this unnecessary gratuity. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but then a few minutes later when my order was ready, she called out the number and didn’t bring it to my table. I guess leaving 10 percent to a counter person isn’t worth the trip of making perhaps 15-20 extra steps to bring the order to me. Oh, and there were just two customers in the restaurant, so it wasn’t busy. It’s little things like this that really make a negative impression, in this case leaving another bad taste in my mouth about my experience.

I left unsatisfied. I paid $30 for a lunch sandwich that wasn’t very good. I don’t expect to return.

I do not and will not recommend Smokin T’s BBQ and Bar. Oh, and there’s not much of a “bar” to it, other than some barstools and counter seating.

Overall Grade: D

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Note: Updated info about the old Dickey’s BBQ: Dickey’s a Texas-based barbecue chain closed its stores in 2023 and 2024.