Holy Smoke Texas Style Barbecue

I’ve been there. It is one of my favorites. A little pricy, but if you are not paying for a lot of people’s meals, it is great.
Lonnie L

I love this place and have eaten here a couple of times. Today I had the brisket, and as someone who cooks BBQ at home I have to say I ‘m jealous, it is perfection. For sides the beans are wonderful, lots of flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. The mac and cheese is nice and cheesy like you would make at home not mediocre skimping on the good stuff. I do not give five stars lightly but I can’t find anything I would change except the music (I hate country western) but that’s part of the atmosphere. Wait, there is one thing I would change, they aren’t open 7 days a week, a couple of times I’ve driven through Bishop and they were closed. By the way, down the road (in Big Pine I think) is the Copper Top BBQ, which is also very good, but my preference is Holy Smokes.

We went on a Sunday afternoon around 11:30 AM — line was about 5 – 6 people, not too much of a wait. It’s a restaurant where you order at the counter, find your own seating, and they bring your food to the table.
Service was great — cashier was very friendly and welcoming.
We ordered the sampler — food came out within 10 minutes or so.
Ribs — Definitely the best — very juicy and a ton of flavor
Brisket– It was okay — I would’ve like it more tender, but still good
Pulled Pork — Least favorite — a little disappointing. Even though it had a ton of juice, it was still try.
Mac and Cheese was great, potato salad was pretty standard.
By the time we left around 12:30, the line had at least 20 people! Very popular place.

Tri-​tip is the leanest and tastiest I have possibly ever had. All around good for and nice friendly service. Great stop post Mammoth for BBQ-​ilicious protein before hitting road back to Los Angeles.

Wow!!! What an awesome place!!! My girlfriend and I visited here after a long day of travel. We were super hungry so we both got the Big Bubba… one with cornbread and Mac and cheese. The other we substituted with pulled pork and the the beans and potato salad. It all was magnificent!
The service was really awesome as well. The cashier was super friendly. And the staff was very helpful in giving us great advice for our travels. It all felt like home. We visited from Las Vegas and I will ALWAYS return here when I am in the area! Keep up the great work!

We stopped thru on the way home to San Diego … We had the sampler platter. It was amazing! So happy we stopped !! We are far from home but if we are ever in the area again we will be stopping in!
I completely forgot and I have to edit !! They have a changing table in the woman’s restroom !! Parents out there know its really hard to find changing tables in smaller restaurants!

Not sure how the food was because the service was so terrible to begin with. The lady handling the orders came up to our 7 year old girl and told her to turn off her music because it wasnt her own. She also yelled to the entire line waiting to order that if we didnt know what we wanted by the time we got to her she would send us to the back of the line. For the first timers here like us we would like to ask whats popular before we make a decision.
Anyways. We ended up walking down about a block further to aaron schats bbq and that was amazing. Amazing service, great live band, and the food there was superb. Had the chicken and it was nice and juicy.

bad service and hospitalities they had offer! MUST READ!!!
THEY LIKE TO YELL AT PEOPLE AND MAKE 7 YEAR OLD GIRL CRY!
Well, it seems this place has great rating at Unilocal.So I figure to suggest my group of friends and family to come here yesterday for dinner since we were staying in town for a few days to ski/​snowboard in Mammoth.
It was very busy and with long lines, and no tables — which was okay with us. This place was so busy, they were UNDERSTAFFED, things from the menu was out (So, we really had limited options). Even that, we didn’t mind at the wait and options of the menu.
BUT while we are waiting in line, I would say good 20 people ahead of our party. The blonde lady behind the counter start yelling. «If you are just sitting there not eating, there are people waiting.» RUDE! Then she start yelling «If you don’t know what you want to eat by the time you reach the register, you will be put behind the line.» RUDE !- Esp they only have a menu board back of the counter which we couldn’t see through people heads, and they only have one menu to past around for people to decide. Then she start YELLING, I mean YELLING across the restaurants «It would be helpful if you LISTEN to your number for your food, to help my team» Is not our fault that you are understaffed and not organized. Even if people were listening to their numbers could hear it .
So all that going on, my group was able to deal with it tell this ranging OWNER/​MANAGER/​EMPLOYEE whatever she is «the blonde lady» … While she is taking order she said, «Who is playing that song???»
It was my little 7 year old daughter was just sitting at the waiting seating and watching a youtube video of Katy Perry on my iphone. Whatever, it was a long wait and she was sitting there watching patiently and minding her own business. She was not running around, disrupting, or interfering her business.
After the crazy lady rudely said «Who is playing that song? Not in my house» She came up to my daughter and rudely said, «Turned that Off!!!» WTF!!! There is better way to talk to people and esp a 7 year old just waiting there. And made her cry! My Group left, and the groups behind us also left! We wanted to shout back and give a piece of her mind but we are better than that and have some hospitality, respect, and considerations for people that are dinning there.
So food maybe good OR NOT, but if is not WORTH for bad service and hospitalities they had offer! So if you want to feel DISRESPECTED, NOT WELCOMED this is the right place!
ANYWAYS — We end up going to Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse! FOOD WAS GREAT! SERVICE WAS GREAT! OMG, their ribs just falls off the bone, the steaks were also great too, Their Chicken, their sandwiches was just amazing! I would totally go back to Aaron Schat’s Roadhouse.

For the most part, the food here was pretty good. I ordered a half rack of ribs and to be honest I have almost completely lost my appetite for meat since then. The ribs were bright pink and bloody, definitely way undercooked, seemed like a freshly killed cow that was cut up and thrown in a microwave as the method of «cooking». Every bite was a soggy mess of fat and what looked like hundreds of wads of double bubble gum jammed together.
Everything else we had was good. The chicken, Mac and cheese, baked potato, potato salad were all on point.

People seem to like this place but they ran out of ribs right be fore we had a chance to order… On a Friday night??? Really???
So we left and went to schats roadhouse. Meh
Will update once I get a chance to actually try Texas Bbq…

O MY GOSH! If you live in the area or your on the way to Mammoth for some snowboarding, get some carbs and protein at Holy Smoke Texas Style Barbecue!
Came here with a 8 hungry guys so the folks here at Holy Smoke’s knew they had to bring the big meals! As for me, I ordered the Texas Ranger with a side of home style beans.
FOOD: I could argue that their beans side dish is the best Beans you will have in all of the west coast. They actually have cubes of meat cooked in the bean dish. So much flavor, I wanted to order a party size just so I could take home for later. The sandwich had big fat slices of tri-​tip that melts in your mouth. The bread was able to soak some of the fat but still hold the meat and provide a crunch. They also had a set of 6 BBQ sauces that varied in heat intensity.
Overall, I must come back & get more food here. It’s a darn shame it’s more then 5 hours away from me. Legit want to cry when I think of that. Regardless, this is amazing BBQ & the employees were so awesome. 5 out of 5 and well deserved! Thank you for the awesome meal Holy Smoke!

Forget that sandwich place across the street. Holy smokes, this sh*t is good!
I got there and they only had 2 meats left and shortly after I ordered, sausage became the lone survivor.
The pulled pork surprised the heck out of me. I was not expecting it to be this good because it didn’t sell out as quickly as the rest.
Omg, the sauce! It’s sweet just like I like it. Is that molasses I detect? They packed the regular and the spicy sauces for my to-​go order. I appreciated the heat of the spicy and it wasn’t too much for me.
The Lil Tex was just the right portion for my appetite. Since I had it to-​go, they packed the meat separately from the bun, kept warm in some foil, just as the cornbread. I chose the mac n cheese for the side and that was yummy too. When I was done with everything, I even drank the meat juices from the little container.
Don’t try to come in here the last few hours of the night and expect the full menu. They tend to run out of the meats leaving just the sides available and maybe the sausage.
I attempted to call in my order twice but nobody pickup. I drove by to see they were indeed open. That was not the case on my trip back home. I was really looking forward to having them again but just my luck they were closed since it was a Tuesday.
I don’t consider myself a bbq enthusiast but of the 3 ‘que places I’ve had along the 395, these rank in my book as such:
1) Holy Smoke
2) Lone Pine SM
3) CT in Big Pine (rhymes with Whooper from BK)

This Texas barbecue was one of the best barbecues we’ve had and we’ve eaten a lot of barbecue in Texas but Bishop California has a great BBQ. and reasonably priced also.
Felicity our server was very efficient attentive and helpful.
Service great restaurant unique
We enjoyed the sampler platter with sausage,
brisket and great awesome pork ribs. My husband says that the beans were the very best with bacon and bark from the BBQ meat
When we return to Bishop California we hope to enjoy this awesome restaurant again.

I first came across this place on a blog, saying how it is a must stop at place if you are going through Bishop. After looking it up on Unilocal,it was put on my to do for the road trip. So Friday night, we ended up here for dinner. We were camping nearby and didn’t want to make dinner at camp because it was too cold outside.
Parking: the lot looks like you enter one way and exit one way cuz the parking spots are slanted, but that’s not the case, one way in and same way out. So be mindful of drivers!
Ordering: you order and pay at the counter and they bring you your food
We ordered:
— trip tip
— ½ rack ribs
— sides we got: BBQ beans, mac&cheese, cornbread, loaded baked potato, potato salad
— sweet tea
Seating is limited, especially when it’s cold out since no one wants to sit on the patio. But the lady who worked there was helping people get seated. We were worried we wouldn’t get a spot, but the lady helped clear a spot for us. Great service! The food was delicious as well! I loved the ribs. I loved all the sides too. I love the BBQ sauce here. So yes, yes I am a fan of this place!

Muy buen comida, el pollo es fresco y delicioso, la carne también me encanto las opciones de las salsas una muy deliciosa salsa bbq no picante!!! Y las otras picantes deben ser igual de ricas.

Winner winner pork rib dinner. That was the one that took home the prize. And the Mac and cheese. And the hot links.
Second place would be the tri tip. Beans. Cornbread.
The okay: sauce. Cole slaw. Brisket.
To be honest, the meats other than the ribs and the nicely spicy hot link were on the dry side.
Best decision of the meal was ordering a combo plate to share and adding a full order of the ribs fall off the bone, perfectly cooked pork ribs. I can almost taste em.

My kinda of bbq… my daughter thought it was too much sweetness to the overall flavor.
I ended up eating her rib platter and my own Big Bubba Tri-​tip platter.
The meat was tender and juicy and full of flavor. My most favorite part was the baked beans loaded with brisket and Tri-​tip. The Mac and cheese was also very yummy.
We didn’t get any dessert, because the corn bread with some drizzled honey was fulfilling enough.

It’s been over a year, and I still can’t stop thinking about this place. No BBQ has ever lived up to the place. In fact, maybe it’s a curse that I ever stumbled across this place to begin with. I think I’m allowed to swear on Unilocal,so here goes my first. The best fucking brisket and mac’n’cheese I’ve ever had at any BBQ place. Get here early, because they definitely sell out.

5 Rating begins as we wait for our food.
1. Short wait
2. Open — weekend after Thanksgiving (Sun) and Copper Top is closed
3. Bathrooms Clean
4. Service at counter, friendly efficient
5. Parking, no problem
We are next for food delivery!!! Whoohoo!!!
We ordered Sampler Platter:
Pulled pork, tried tip, sausage with mac n cheese and baked potato
1.pulled pork — tender and juicy
2. Tru tip — nice smoke ring, tender — no knife needed
3. Mild sausage — tender and juicy but we should have gone spicy
4. Baked potato was great
5. Mac n cheese was tasty — definitely home made with real cheese
Our rating is a sold 4.5 — 4.75.75.
Sweet tea good but not great
Overall trip was fantastic. Definitely a must try. Schatz across the street was busy so our pick was the best choice especially since we were craving BBQ.

Really really good BBQ. My fiancé and I were coming back home from Lake Tahoe and we needed to refuel because I was falling asleep behind the wheel.
He found this place on Unilocal and we decided to stop by. It’s a simple spot. No frills, just good food. It has a very country feel to it on the outside and on the inside.
When you walk in, you go to the left to the counter and order your food. My fiancé and I shared a sampler platter. It’s a sample of three types of meat and two sides. You have a choice of three of the following: brisket, tri-​tip, pulled pork, ribs, sausage, or chicken. You also get cornbread. All for around $ 16. We chose brisket, tri-​tip and the pulled pork with baked mac & cheese and an extra side of cornbread.
They took our order and we sat down. I went to the bathroom and as soon as I came out, the food was already on the table. Btw, the bathroom was immaculate.
My fiancé asked me what I liked about the food. I told him the smoke rings on brisket were perfect. The BBQ was very flavorful, moist, and just enough for that refuel to get back on the road. If ever I was stopping through this town, I would definitely come here again!

This place is the real deal! Who do I know this? Many people will talk about bark on pulled pork or the pink smoke ring on the meat. Those things are fine and all, but real BBQ takes time. So when you run out of a certain type of meat that means the end of the day. If you don’t believe me search any YouTube video or Google search for Franklin BBQ in Austin. Get there early!
The meats had great flavor and we’re all very moist. Sauces are applied, as they should be, by the eater. There were three or four sauces available at the table increasing in heat. The skull and crossbones was the ghost pepper sauce. I was reluctant but gave it a go. Turns out that it was not hot at all.
If you are looking for a hearty quality meal look no further. For $ 16.99 you can get a sampler plate with 3 meats, cornbread, and two sides. It is more than one person should eat.
What did I learn today? This joint should have been Unilocal’s #1 of the top 100.

Wir sind auf der Durchreise aus dem Death Valley in den Yosemite Nationalpark und haben eine Nacht in Bishop eingeschoben.
Dank Unilocal haben wir diesen Laden gefunden. Klingt jetzt ein wenig abwertend, soll es aber auf keinen fall sein!
Es gibt eine bestimmte Auswahl an Gerichten. Eben im Texas style. Von Chillie über Rippchen, Pulled Pork und noch anderen interessanten dingen. Man bestellt an einer Theke und die Bedienungen bringen einem wirklich recht flott das essen. Alle sind wirklich sehr zuvorkommend und freundlich. Wenn etwas nicht mehr erhältlich ist, wird es an der Wand durchgestrichen. Wer also die volle Auswahl haben möchte, sollte früh im Holy Smoke sein.
Ich hatte die Rippchen mit dem Coleslaw und einer Baked Potato. Ich hätte allerdings die halbe Portion (Half Rack) nehmen sollen, das wäre mehr als ausreichend gewesen. Zu trinken gab es ein texanisches Bier. Mir hat es gut geschmeckt.
Wer also in Bishop is (s)t sollte sich im Holy Smoke ruhig mal umschauen. Die Preise sind sehr fair und es sind viele Einheimische dort.

Spitzenmäßiges Diner! Wir haben in Bishop nur besucht um auf der Reise von las Vegas zum Yosemite Nationalpark Einen Stopp zu haben. Wir wollten am Abend eigentlich Jürgen gemütlich ein Bier trinken und sind per Zufall ins Holy Smoke gegangen. Nachdem der Laden aber immer voller wurde und die Gäste so vom Essen schwärmten haben wir uns auch dazu entschlossen eine Kleinigkeit zu essen.
Haben uns für die Sample Platter entschieden mit pulled pork, spare ribs und tri tip beef. Das Essen war unglaublich gut und die Bedienungen super freundlich. Für jeden auf der Durchreise absolut empfehlenswert.

Dernière ville avant le parc Yosemite, il faut faire le plein de la voiture et de l’estomac. Holy Smoke Texas Style BBQ est l’étape idéale pour un road trip: portion copieuse et cuisine délicieuse et variée dans le pur style du sud des USA. Malgré l’organisation type fast food (on mange sur des plateaux), le personnel est hyper chaleureux et serviable. Pour les amateurs de viandes et grillades il y a tout ce qu’il faut, pour les autres mieux vaudra tenter sa chance ailleurs même si on né sera pas certain de si bien manger ailleurs.

Kann den Laden nur Empfehlen. Sehr nette deutschsprachige Besitzerin, und ganz ganz leckeres Essen aus dem Smoker!!!
Rainer