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| - I saw on Facebook that SMOQ PITT was offering a Groupon and since I like BBQ but hadn't yet tried this particular establishment, I bought a Groupon for lunch and headed over on a Wednesday around noon to order takeout. I was able to park my car right in front of SMOQ PITT on Brookline Boulevard. And as soon as I opened my door, wow, did it smell delicious. I was hoping this was a sign of good things to come.
A few other people were already inside when I arrived. Here's where I have to deduct a star. There was only one person taking food orders while I saw 3 other employees wandering around. Good customer service would be having a second person jump in on register. But it wasn't until the one employee at the register answered the phone to take a to-go order that someone else finally came up. I don't know why the ordering took so long, but it did. It was a little frustrating, especially when all I can smell is smoked meats. Once I was able to place my order I did so rather quickly and then didn't have to wait long after that. I didn't find anyone rude or unfriendly, it was just that the wait at first seemed unnecessary.
On to the good stuff. I ordered two meat plates with sides in order to try a bit of everything. (After I ordered and started looking at the to-go menus I noticed that they do offer combo plates where you can get two or three meats and two sides which was not written on the menu boards hanging on the wall.) I went with a pulled pork plate with baked beans and cole slaw and a brisket plate with mac n cheese and cole slaw. Since I had never been before I asked for a container of each sauce (sweet, spicy, tangy) so I could see what I liked.
As I was waiting for my order to be filled, I read about SMOQ PITT. They rub local meats with their own special spice blend before smoking for hours over several different types of wood. The smell was amazing and I enjoyed watching the one employee carving all the meat as it was ordered. You can tell a lot of care is taken with the preparation here. I couldn't wait to get home.
My order was all packaged separately (meats in their own container, sides all in their own containers as well) as well as napkins, utensils and more wet wipes than I think I'll never need. I must say I was first impressed with the portions. The servings of both meats were more than enough for one person with the sides. I also liked that the brisket could be ordered sliced or chopped (I elected chopped) and that they don't do away with the seasoned (or burnt) ends. Then, there's the taste. The pulled pork was good, but man, that brisket was magnificent. It was so moist and had such an amazing flavor of meatiness, smokiness and seasoning that I don't know I've ever had it's equal. I didn't even want to disguise the taste with the sauces but I did try them all. My favorite was the tangy (more of a mustard-based sauce) though I used it sparingly. As far as the sides, my favorite was the vinegar cole slaw (I like a nice slaw to cool things off). The baked beans were nothing to really write about. The mac n cheese had a mild smokey taste and was very cheesy but I felt it could have had more flavor.
SMOQ PITT made a good first impression. Once I got over the initial wait to order (which may have had something to do with being so hungry while standing in a place that smelled so great), it was all good news. Even without the Groupon, I think SMOQ PITT is reasonably priced for the quality and taste of their food. I may even be back for some of those ribs.
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