Smokey Pit Barbeque Texas Style

We were returning to Reno from the Sacramento area and wanted to get some lunch. Unilocal is our friend. This place was easy off and easy on I-​80 and the reviews sounded very promising. We like good BBQ and not the sweet kind. The other reviewers can debate all they want what kind of BBQ this is. I am not a stickler for what kind or where it came from. But I know it is GOOD BBQ.
Keep in mind this place is a true hole in the wall. My wife and I commented to each other as we arrived about the comments we read in the other reviews. The BBQ is in the parking lot and was smoking when we arrived. We opened the screen door to enter. The TV was on in the corner and the ceiling fan was running.
Like I said, keep in mind this place is a true hole in the wall. It is not a fancy place. It is very small. There is no real décor other than the look of a small kitchen and eating area. I think there were only 4 tables inside, so be prepared if it is busy. We took the last table when we got there. Another couple came after us and got their lunch to go. When we left others were ordering. While we were there the person working took the orders, cooked the food, delivered the food, cleaned empty tables and also proceeded to walk across the parking lot to add wood to the BBQ.
Our food arrived on styrofoam plates (another reminder this place is a «hole in the wall») but let me tell you the food was amazing! I had the pulled pork sandwich with fries and garlic mashed potatoes. My wife had the 3 ribs with macaroni salad, garlic mashed potatoes and a perfectly toasted buttered roll. The pulled pork with the BBQ sauce on the sandwich was fabulous! The meat was slightly smokey and a little tangy with the sauce, not hot. But they have hotter sauce if you want. It was not sweet, which is good for me because I DO NOT prefer sweet BBQ sauce. I wish I had more but I don’t need it. My wife loved the ribs. She said something about everything having so much flavor. I’m not much of a mashed potato person but my wife loves them and she assured me they were VERY GOOD! She also thought the macaroni salad was very good, it did have a different flavor than she was used to but she enjoyed it. Oh, by the way did I mention that we got both plates of food (we simply ordered water with our meal) for less than $ 20.00!!!
We would totally recommend trying this place out! The food far exceeded any anticipation of what an atmosphere should be. But then again, maybe the atmosphere is the reason the food is so good. Do you come to eat or look around? We will definitely be stopping on our next trip!

On our way to Penn Valley, CA for a memorial service and needed some lunch, a quick search on the iPad for BBQ revealed this place. All the BBQ favs with great flavor. The «pit» is in the parking lot and you can smell it from the freeway. Had Chicken, Brisket, beans and potato salad. All OUTSTANDING. Amazing sauce as well. Hard to find good BBQ Chicken anywhere. You cant beat the prices, two hungry adults full and happy for $ 25.
There are 2 – 3 other BBQ places along HWY 49 in Auburn, this places has easy access from the Highway and is true BBQ.
This is a «hole in the wall» BBQ joint, clean, a few tables and a counter where you order.
Highly recommend a stop here to/​from Lake Tahoe/​Reno. Slightly off the beaten path, very close to Hwy ⁸⁰⁄₄₉ in a heavy industrial area. Plenty of parking. Owner was fast and friendly. As were the locals eating here. Look forward to a return visit. Highly recommend a stop.

Best BBQ I’ve ever had. I’m not a big beef eater nor am I much of a BBQ fan but LOVED the meal here. We stopped by for a late lunch on our way back to Sacramento from Tahoe. The owner is Indian but he’s from Texas and has been doing BBQ for 27 years. His stuff is authentic and damn good! If you like spicy, ask for spicy BBQ sauce. It’s definitely got a kick and oh so good. I wish the sauce was sold in stores because I would pay good money for it. He makes it from scratch. Will definitely make this a regular tradition whenever we pass through on our way back from Tahoe. Hope he opens up a second store in Sacramento some day.

Overall the barbecue was good but it’s not Texas style. In Texas the sauce is treated as a condiment to add at your own discretion, whereas all the meat came covered in sauce. It was good, but too much for my liking. The mac salad and the sauerkraut was good for the sides, but the beans were overcooked. Go for the tri tip. It’s fantastic.

Second time here and just as thrilled as last time. I tried different sides and meats and cannot find anything that is not outstanding! Give this gem a try, you won’t regret it.

Amazing bbq! The place is quite small but don’t be deceived by its appearance. The brisket, hot links, ribs, bbq beans, and garlic mash are all fantastic. Highly recommended!

In the most unlikely place you’ll find some really great BBQ. I lived in Texas for 8 years and this brought me right back. If you’re a real fan of BBQ then you know there are definite regional differences. Brisket and tri-​tip are excellent but the pork ribs are over the top. 6 hours of slow smoke. Formica top tables, smokey vinegar smell, a fountain Coke, plenty of napkins and no a/​c. Just as it should be.

I work around the corner and this place is a regular go-​to for just about everyone in the office. If you’re in the mood for bbq and you’re in or passing through Auburn, this is the right thing to do for yourself and your family:)

Definitively a hole in the wall restaurant. Friendly service with delicious BBQ. Will stop by next time I’m in the neighborhood.

At first glance the pit does not look appealing. The area is a little industrial but what it lacks in flash it makes up for with food quality. The cashier is the cook ans let me tell you he is quick and efficient. I had the bbq chicken w mashed potatoes and fries. overall amazing

Come check this guy out! Very close to Texas style. Does NOT hold back on food! Big plates! I had ribs and brisket. Girlfriend had chicken and tri tip. All dang good! Chicken was NOT dry! Ribs were fall off the bone! Come on up!!!

Best BBQ I have had outside of Texas– especially on the west coast. Phenomenal meat and great sides. Definitely a small spot but worth the stop if you are on your way back from Tahoe.

Have to say one of the best smoked food I’ve ever had ever. If you’re traveling through here its a definite must stop! Amazing

Got a 3 meat (rib, chicken, and link) combo with fries and beans.
Good: Meat was tender, so they at least know how to work a barbecue.
Not so good: Chicken and ribs were lacking flavor. A good barbecue should stand on its own without sauce. Further, sauce should be optional.
Beans were well undercooked. Not edible. If it were edible, it would still be problematic with bay leaves still present that would have to be removed before eating.
Fries were the frozen, string-​shoe kind, and tasted like the fryer oil needed to be changed.

When I received my Aug/​Sep 2015 issue of Sactown magazine with a «BEST BBQ JOINTS» cover photo (featuring a plate of ‘cue goodness) well, this former Texan’s heart rate quickened… just a bit. Living in South Placer County, I was happy to see that there were even a couple joints featured that were in my neck of the woods. Even better, I had never heard of one of them: Smoky Pit Barbeque Texas Style. Then I saw that the Pit-Master’s name was Gurmail Singh. The surname «Singh» originated in India (it’s the Sanskrit word for lion) and India is the hands-​down king of combining spices to create complex and magical flavors that elevate the most basic proteins. I was immediately intrigued and I knew that a trip to Auburn was in order.
Let’s talk about those two words «Texas Style» in the restaurant’s name. What exactly does that mean? Texas is a HUGE state, and like most expansive geographies, you are going to find a LOT of regional differences in the foods. While most regions prefer to smoke their meats with mesquite wood, Central Texas historically uses more native Oak as well as some Pecan wood (Mr. Singh uses Oak exclusively in his pit). Central Texas ‘cue is also meat centric. That means that it’s all about the flavors that originate from the smoking process and the spice rub. Sauce is secondary and is typically available on the side for dipping and not slathered all over the meat. I was happy to find that Mr. Singh does serve-​up his ‘cue with the sauce on the side if you ask. That’s how I wanted it. I wanted to taste the smokiness of the wood combined with the flavors of the rub (seasoning) first as sauces tends to mask those flavors. He did explain that his experience has been that folks that come to his place typically want their meat covered in sauce and so he does what makes the customer happy.
The restaurant itself is basic… very basic. There is no «lipstick on this pig» and it’s not trying to be anything other than what it is… a place to sit and enjoy the real star of the show which is the slow smoked meats. There is a loud fan near the screen door as you enter and, aside from the TV mounted on the wall, the interior looks original and unchanged from some by-​gone era.
My plate arrived in short order with two large pork ribs, a chicken thigh (Mr. Singh said I could have whatever part of the chicken I wanted for my plate), sides of coleslaw and French fries, a split white bread roll (grilled and buttered) and BBQ sauce on the side per my request. Both the ribs and chicken were moist and tender with a wonderful Oak base flavor from the smoking. The seasoning was very good also and complimented the smokiness well. The sauce (that I used only for dipping) was spot-​on for Central Texas style. It was thinner and much less sweet than the thick sugary sauces that you find in other parts of the state and that’s how I prefer it. The Coleslaw was also very good and not overly acidic. It was a perfect balance of sweet and acidic and just a bit peppery. While coleslaw is not something that is typically associated with Texas ‘cue, I do understand why it is on the menu as this is what people outside of Texas expect to find at a BBQ joint. Nothing wrong with that… I enjoyed it.
At $ 8.75 for my plate (lunchtime pricing), I’m telling you right now that you will not find better Central Texas style ‘cue anywhere else in these parts. My only disappointment was that beef ribs (you can’t talk about central Texas style ‘cue without them) are not on the menu. Again, I’m not going to knock them for not offering them as Mr. Singh explained that people expect meaty ribs and he simply can’t provide that with beef ribs. He doesn’t want to disappoint his guests and so he has chosen to leave them off the menu.
Smoky Pit Barbeque Texas Style is A-​OK in my book. I’ll be back whenever I have that need for some (Central) Texas style ‘cue, dang-​ol’ tell you what!

Seriously amazing. the owner runs the register and kitchen by himself and it STILL is one of the best BBQs I have ever had. Mashed potatoes, on point, potato salad, on point, french fries, on point, coleslaw, on point. We had the tri tip sandwich and brisket sandwich. The meat was tender and sauced and seasoned perfectly.
10 out of 10 would reccomend!
:)

This is one of those times you wish there were more than 5 stars!!!
Just stopped into Smokey Pit on our way to the Virginia City Grand Prix enduro race. Found it off Unilocal and man what a find!!! Even had space to park the massive RV! Small little hole in the wall with delicious BBQ. Not only was the food tasty but the fellas working there were just as friendly as can be. We stayed and ate while watching Grey’s Anatomy with them! :-)
We will definitely be stopping in any chance we get on our way to Reno/​Carson City! Two trips planned in the next few months.
Hmmmm they cater too… and we have a wedding coming up!!!

Delicious BBQ at an obscure hole in the wall that has an old rickety screen door at the entrance. To go i ordered half chicken, 2 hot links, and ribs. They had some nice hot BBQ sauce to offer as well if you like heat. I got mine on the side.
The owner was really nice, the food came out quickly, and it was about $ 35.00.

Found this because of Unilocal and when I went I thought, this place, good bbq, hmmmm?
But then I just went with it and ordered for 3 of us to go. As I was waiting for my order, a worker from a car dealership came to pick up his to-​go and it was $ 145 so there was confirmation. If a bunch of mechanics are chowing down on this and virtually every person ordered, it must be good.
And…it was. Not only is the owner so kind and sincere, but the food was delicious. Large portions, extra sauce, beans, coleslaw, potato salad.
Really exceeded my expectations. Thank you and good luck to this sweet man! Please support his business. Once you try it, you’ll be back.

We happened on this place while searching for a quick lunch in Auburn. I knew walking in that it would be delicious and authentic when I saw the huge smoker in the parking lot.
The place is very small and very simple. The menu is limited, but all 3 of the meats we tried on the 3 way sampler were great.
The sampler had one link, one rib, and a chicken breast. All were very tender and flavorful. The rib fell off the bone! The chicken in particular picked up the nice smoky flavor. The sauce was good but in the future I’d get the spicy sauce. It was very mild.
We got barbecue baked beans and cole slaw as the sides. The beans were also very smoky and not at all sweet. They did taste a little starchy still. I think they should’ve been cooked a little longer. The slaw was awesome. Not too much dressing. It tasted very light, which is hard to get in cole slaw.
Overall I’d return for the meat, particularly if I lived close enough to pick it up for dinner and add my own sides.