Smokin’ With Chris

Hands down one of my all time favorite places to eat! We take the kids and go here for all our special occasions. Ive also spent numerous nights out here. Live music on saturday nights. I recommend calling for a reservation for friday and saturday nights. Gets busy! The smoked bbq is always delicious and the mac and cheese is definitely an absolute favorite!

Bbq night led my group to Smokin’ with Chris this month.
When we pulled up the restaurant you immediately smell the smoker going, the aroma almost pulls you in alone. there was a decent size parking lot attached to the the side of the building.
When We walked inside there was a hostess waiting to greet us. We had a party of 10 so it took a minute for them to get together a couple tables to push together but they were happy to do so for us.
There was a duo bass and guitar playing some pretty cool jazz music right in the dinning room. It added a very nice tone for the evening.
Our server was great, she kept our waters filled and was always there right when we needed her. Our food was served promptly and all at the same time.
The only reason Smokin’ with Chris is getting 3 stars is because of the food. Everything was fresh and it was good, but that’s it, just good.
We got nachos for the table which had a nice smoky cheese sauce on them but it was a little too sweet.
I ordered the steak and taters and crab cakes. The steak was cooked beautifully with great seasoning but the blue cheese bacon filled potato croquet was left undesired. It was a little under seasoned and bland.
The crab cakes were served with a remoulade sauce. They were good but I felt like something was missing. Again, everything was very fresh it just wasn’t amazing.
We all had a great time at Smokin’ with Chris and I think we all would return at some point, we just aren’t running back.

The proliferation of excellent barbecue food in Connecticut continues to spread from corner to corner of the state. And Smokin’ With Chris is yet another winner on that list.
Yes, they have all the regular staples here and they are very well done. But a couple of things stood out as unique and extremely good on my first visit here.
Steak & Tators from the appetizer list is a must try. It is three skewers of a teriyaki marinated steak tip and a fried mashed potato ball stuffed with bacon and blue cheese served on top of a river of house made blue cheese. This was definitely one of the best appetizers I’ve ever had and highly appropriate for a barbecue spot.
I tried the smoked prime rib dinner for my entrée and after having this I think I’ll never look at prime rib au jus the same way again. Smoking prime rib to rare and then grilling it to order, in this case medium rare, makes the meat taste so much better. You get the benefit of a juicy cut of meat with some charring and searing on the outside that gives it a really nice crust. In essence it becomes a rib eye steak which, in my opinion, is the most flavorful cut of meat.
To make this dish even better it is topped with more of that excellent house made blue cheese and salsa for some color and extra flavor.
My wife ordered the beef brisket sandwich without the bread and they will serve this as a platter so they are very accommodating. The service overall was top notch. They explained what each of the sauces were when asked and seemed very knowledgeable about the menu.
The brisket itself was well smoked, tender and lightly sauced but I don’t really prefer brisket to be pulled as they serve it here. I like it sliced, but no worries. It was really good.
Dinners and sandwiches are served with choice of two sides and I chose the house made baked mac & cheese and breaded & fried Spanish onion rings. The mac was some of the best I’ve had at a barbecue spot and the rings were perfectly made. It is easy to see this as the breading starts to fall off when you grip it and dip it. To me, that is how breaded onion rings should look and taste.
For your dipping sauce you can choose from Chris’ three barbecue sauces: a vinegar based Carolina Kicker, JR’s (a KC-​style brown sauce) and Chris’, a tomato like (Texas) red sauce. All were very good but JRs was my favorite because I like KC style sauces the best.
I will definitely be back to try their ribs, baked beans and wings and I can’t wait.

It’s everything I need. Great food, awesome live music, and a true relaxed atmosphere. If you have the chance to catch the DeChamplain Trio, or just Atla me Matt DeChamplain, it’s world class jazz, right in down town Southington.

Amazing! Great spot if your craving bbq done right.
Draft list isn’t great, but the foods more then worth the trip.

On my most recent visit I showed up on a Sunday with a party of 8 and got lucky enough to score seats at the bar. Dylan was an excellent bar tender, as usual!
The food, apps, and beer selection were on point and everyone left satisfied and full (some with leftovers as well :))
I highly recommend that anyone passing through the area make this a part of their travels!!!
Keep up the good work Chris & Team!!!

This was our first time eating at the restaurant and It will not be the last! Our party of five started with appetizers of steak & taters and the southwestern onion rings, both were excellent. My martini that ordered was perfectly mixed .Four of us ordered the full rack of baby back ribs and one ordered the prime rib, the food was absolutely delicious ! The sides we ordered, Mac n cheese, baked beans, cornbread and Cole slaw were excellent also. Our server Carol was also vey good, food was prompt and we enjoyed a bluegrass band that started playing as we finished our meals. The food was reasonably priced and was worth every penny!

Good bbq especially in an area that has almost no real bbq. The service and the owner are always friendly. The pulled pork is good as are the burnt ends. Food cones out pretty quickly and the sides are always very good.
One issue they have sometimes is certain things like burnt ends are not available. It would be helpful if the waiter said what is not available before you received your menus and started deciding.
With that being said this is a really good place and prices are very reasonable.

Great food and experience! My husband and I always walk our dog past this place when the smokers are going, so we finally decided to give it a try. Thankfully, we were not disappointed! I had the smoked meatloaf and my husband had the platter. All of the food was amazing! If I could change anything, it would be wishing that the orders didn’t come out so quickly; the food came out almost immediately after ordering. All in all, we couldn’t have asked for a better meal tonight. Additionally, our server Chelsea was very attentive and friendly. Give this place a try on a Friday or Saturday night and enjoy the live music!

Stopped in for lunch and had the brisket sandwich with baked beans and pasta salad. It was so good that I can’t wait to try more stuff on their menu! This place is a must try for local bbq!

Basically 5s all across the board, customer service, food quality, presentation, timeliness, atmosphere was all very satisfying. The BBQ was some of the best I’ve had. I got the baby back ribs again some of the best I’ve had, and also the jalapeño corn bread is a must. My girl friend got the half bbq chicken, and it looked like a whole chicken (huge serving) also the meat was very moist. Will return!

It’s fun to eat here. The choices of sides was my favorite part. Lots to choose from and mine were very tastey. After reading former Unilocal reviews, I had to laugh when our waitress told us they were out of burnt ends, which was what most of the group wanted to order. The DID have they abba dabba do however, which might come as a surprise to some posters here. I am told it was very good.
For an entre, I ordered a smoked turkey club. I enjoyed it (both the turkey and bacon were delicious) and ate it so quickly that I didn’t realize until I got to the second half of my sandwich that there were 4 pieces of bread in it. I am not a fan of even 3 slices of bread, so think using 4 is overkill, but the ingredients were good (I usually just take out the inside pieces). While I think I would have enjoyed the sandwich more with plain mayo, the ginger mayo was ok. For me, it diverted my attention from the rest of the sandwich, which I enjoyed.
I ordered the collard greens and the cucumber salad for sides and absolutely loved them both… perhaps even more than my club. The collard greens were perfectly cooked (I have yet to do that) and had a touch of heat to them. Perfection! Others dining with us got the Mac and cheese, and neither raved about them (or finished them). My husband got the corn bread and onion rings… and he loved them. He ordered the mixed ribs and thought they were very good. He’s a chef, so he knows his ribs. He was pleased.
The décor was old and tired, but suitable enough for a large party. All in all, a nice experience and we would go back again. It didn’t knock my socks off, but I am hard to please and I know it. The staff was very friendly and efficient, which I always appreciate.

.AMAZING.
I have been here a total of 3 times so far– and waited to write this review to make sure that each time was just as good as the time before. My husband and I were looking for local bbq– and several friends of mine from Southington told me about SWC, but I never went– and I do not know what possessed me to wait so long.
Over these 3 trips, we ordered the taters/​steak app which was AMAZING, seasoned just right– and mouth watering. The taters could use a little salt (But that is just my preference) but it was sooooo gooood. The onion ring appetizer is GREAT– lightly battered, not too much– and the rings were huge, perfectly seasoned. Every app we got– A+
On to dinner– I always get pulled pork, and their PP sandwich was great. Coleslaw was perfect not too heavy on the mayo, the fresh sides (there are so many to pick from) were great — I got fries and the cucumber salad. My husband ordered the burnt ends (which sell out very quickly) so you might want to call ahead to make sure they have them if that is what you want– he loved them. On one visit my parents came and my dad ordered the Ribs– he said they were the best he ever had. The sauce was tangy and sweet, and they give you several to choose from on the table.
The only downside is that there is one waitress we have had 2x– and she is very nice– but very fake. You can tell all she does is smile and repeatedly say «NO PROBLEM!!» and it is really annoying. She does a good job, but she is just very transparent — there is no reason for it… especially being a pt waitress myself. Just do what you need and don’t fake smile at people.
I love this place and it is totally my new GO-​TO bbq. What is also impressive is that the owner (?) /​manager comes to your table during each visit and checks up on your meals. This was done each and everytime that we went to SMC. I love this place– and I am sure you will love it as well

This place is awesome, got the chill cheese dogs and my wife got steak skewers. Fabulous food!

Wings were great, Bbq was great but it took time to come out. Everything homemade… Champagne salad was a bit disappointing.
Yummy Mac and cheese and good burger. Prices good be a bit better…

I may have hyped this place up in my head for a few months which impacted my review.
Thankfully the weather was gorgeous out so my party sat on the back patio. While the patio is right off the parking lot its not that bad. To sit outside you do need to go into the front of the building to get your table.
Our waiter was awesome, a guy who was really hospital and informative about the menu. I wish I remembered his name for this review… Chris maybe?
The menu… a bbq place with no pulled pork or brisket plates? Not OK. After that disappointment our group ordered. I got the pulled pork sandwich, side of corn and cucumber salad. The sides were delicious, the pulled pork wasn’t my favorite. The meat wasn’t the greatest, the flavor was bland, and while I didn’t want anymore the portion of meat to the bun wasn’t right for a pulled pork sandwich– should have been more.
I’d return to try something new like the ribs however I was a bit disappointed that it was just OK.

Ahhh Smokin’ with Chris.
Delicious Burnt Ends, most enjoyed item on the menu, you only have a 60% chance of them having them. I don’t know why.
Every time we visit the waiter brings your drinks and starts out with what they don’t have.
This time it was:
Burnt ends,
Turkey,
Corn and
Yabba Dabba do.
But actually Yabba Dabba Do has been permanently removed from the menu, but no one wants to put a sticker or piece of tape over it.
By the way, it was a Weds so not even a Weekend rush.
So I had to have the smoked meatloaf because my two other favorites were not available.
Next time I go, I will start out with asking what they don’t have so I can walk out before I order my drinks.

I came here for Barbecue… while in CT I was seeking out the barbecue and reviews said come here so I did.
When I arrived I smelled smoke which was a good sign… as I stepped into the restaurant it was apparent this was not your typical barbecue joint… which I thought would be a bad sign. There mean is very varied in foods and while the other items might be good to awesome, I came here for smoked pork offerings…
I saw a review about someone being from the south and North Carolina and knowing BBQ. I’m from NC, I eat BBQ several times a week and I travel the country for job. So I am also hitting different places…
I had Ribs, Chicken and Pork along with baked beans and white slaw…
The ribs were very disappointing. Very dry and didn’t seem to have been hit with the smoke like they should have been. Sometimes my problem with ordering so much food so I can sample different items is that when it’s good I cannot stop eating. I may have finished two bones and that was it…
They had a sauce they called a Carolina Sauce yet it was nothing like what I’ve come across in the two Carolinas… it was a Vinegar sauce but had mustard in it. Lexington, SC is home to mustard sauces but they are not vinegar based… Eastern, NC and to a small degree central NC are where your Vinegar sauces are king… there is no mustard used in NC.
It was suggested that this sauce be used on the Chicken I think. but vinegar pulls the flavor out of pork and I tried it there. I think if they had a good Lexington, NC style sauce it would have complemented the BBQ Pork better. I did eat all the Pork. it was good but I cannot call it outstanding.
About the same comment on the chicken, it was smoked well and tried all the different sauces they had on it.
It was the chicken and the pork that pulled the review up to 3-​stars maybe a little over 3-​stars.
I was disappointed they did not have banana pudding.
This is probably a good place if you have a group or several people and you need a variety of food but someone wants BBQ.
I was told the burnt ends were good here. So maybe if I make it back to the area I’ll try them.

WOW!!! If there were 10 stars this place would get it for being as close to southern style up North!
I have lived in the South for almost 30 years (North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Alabama) so I feel like I can be an expert on Barbecue.
We ordered (take out) Pulled Pork Sandwich, Burnt Ends & Sloppy Chris, along with the sides the flavor and style were right on point!!!
I am happy to live close to this restaurant because we will be regulars. Next time we will eat there!

It’s amazing how unknown this place is, but that’s probably a good thing as the quality is beyond comparison. Chris himself wanders the tables to check on people, and if you go for dinner expect a decent wait for a table, but of course it’s worth it.
Doesn’t get more authentic than that.