In the late 1800s, thousands of Texans struck it rich when they tapped into veins of thick, dark, tangy barbecue sauce (as chronicled in the Oscar-winning film There Will Be Sauce). Today's Groupon gives you the chance to taste this natural bounty while it's still hot from the earth: for $15, you get $30 worth of saucy barbecue and slow-roasted drinks from the classy meat-easy The Smokin' Joint on West 3rd Street. No longer willing to let barbecue linger in the disciplinary corner of the gourmet food world, The Smokin' Joint calls it back to its rightful place at the center of the culinary spotlight.
Every ounce of rubbed and smoked fare is sourced from local, farmed-raised critters that were fed a diet of fresh grass, molasses, brown sugar, and paprika. Succulent meats are served alongside equally free-range and naturally nurtured vegetables. Perfectly pair baked beans, sweet corn on the cob, house-cut fries, and applewood-bacon-smoked onions (small sides, $4) with heavies such as the 12-hour smoked beef brisket ($17), a rack of baby back ribs ($25), a succulent half chicken ($17), or marinated and fried catfish ($17). Between barbecued bites, wipe saucy fingers on edible napkins in the form of fried pickles ($7), catfish bites ($8), or the decadent onion-ring loaf ($7).
The Smokin' Joint radiates Southern charm, not only because of the warm cornbread served with every entree, but also the rock 'n' roll décor featuring action portraits of the genre's greats in mid scream and wail. Contrasting the genre's grit are the interior's clean lines, high-backed wood chairs, and elegance that only a pile of used wetnaps can truly communicate.
This Groupon is valid for dine-in only and cannot be used with other offers.
Reviews
The Smokin' Joint received a positive review from Jay Weston of the Huffington Post. Nearly 50 Yelpers give it an average of four stars, and 85% of more than 80 Urbanspooners recommend it:
- A note: the House BBQ Sauce is terrific, semi-sweet with a slight kick, and although I usually like my barbeque dry, I found myself drizzling sauce on much of it. All entrees come with two sides and plenty of freshly-made cornbread with honey butter; be careful, those little puffs are addictive. – Jay Weston, Huffington Post
- This place was awesome. Loved the decor and the service was great, but the food wash [sic] delish!! – Stacy M., Yelp
- There are no shortcuts to good smoked BBQ. It takes a good rub, the right smoke at the right temperature, and time. Steve's got it figured out! – Tony Staples, Urbanspoon
Groupon Says
Mostly Accurate Monikers
The Smokin' Joint may give some people pause when they hear its name—namely, members of the Pipefitters Union who will become concerned that the building's water and electrical systems are on fire. Here are other businesses whose names are not totally accurate:
- Philadelphia Phil's Philly Cheesesteaks: "Philadelphia" Phil is actually from Detroit, and the "cheesesteaks" are actually a much-healthier wheat-based meat substitute called "Gran."
- Burger King: The former Soviet Republic of Burger was destroyed by a man-made volcano in 1987, so it no longer has a monarchy.
- The Great New York State Fair Fun House: 350 irregular mirrors do not constitute fun, or a house.
- Lexington, Kentucky's Fire Department: They'll show up and try to put your fires out, but they're really more of a band.
- Groupon: This portmanteau of "grouper" and "agglomeration" will not actually send you a giant mass of hermaphroditic fish.
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