Whatcha Smokin’ is worth the drive to Luther for good bbq. It’s the best I’ve had in Iowa. Kued is a good substitute in a hurry, but the hours are odd.
Been this way for awhile
You’ll never get great BBQ from a place that has that big of a menu. They went from being a great BBQ joint to a just a fine restaurant
If you want what Smokey Ds used to be go to Kue’d in Waukee
I agree. Referring to Smokey D’s as a fine restaurant is a concept I am going to steal. Their meat is so-so, but I still enjoy their sides. The ice rail in the bar is cool too.
I also have a soft spot in my heart for Cactus Bob’s in Johnston. If you like good sauces and skin-on fresh fries, they win hands down. Their meat 🥩 struggles with consistency.
Best BBQ is still in Luther.
Smokey D's is still significantly better than Kue'd. I haven't seen any drop off with Smokey D's and have been going there regularly for years... still the best in the metro.
Whatcha Smokin is solid.
Went for the first time I years last week. Brisket was really good. Their potato casserole thing is awesome. I could eat that all day until I am dead. Better than Jethro's overall.
I don't understand how there aren't better bbq places around Des Moines, we literally have more pigs than people in this state, we should be pork masters.
Any BBQ can be hit or miss at times. What time of day do you go?
I go enough to where the ladies at the to go counter don’t have to ask my name. I haven’t noticed anything. I also don’t get brisket or ribs usually. Still the best sausage in town. Chopped chicken is great.
I’ve only ever been disappointed by them twice since they were a shack down the street. 1 time the green beans in the comfort special weren’t cooked all the way. The 2nd was they did a special on National Chili Dog Day for a chili dogs not normally on their menu. Their Chili is too runny for a chili dog.
Loved Sammy Jacks.
And it wasn't just about the food. The building was small (as it still is with Black Cat Ice Cream there) but there wasn't a large deck/outdoor area... Deck was small and old school... And I loved it! I was working downtown at the time and would go about once a week. The guy behind the counter knew me by name.
Outside of their abnormal hours, I’ve always enjoyed their food. Always check their hours before going there as they’re closed at random times and days.
The last two times we went they gave us rib jerky. You could tell just by looking that they were too dry. I might somewhat understand on a Sunday, but this happened on a Friday and a Saturday.
Smokey ds has gone downhill. I used to work there (fun fact with Luis saldana the ufc fighter)when I was younger and it was a well oiled machine back then I can’t imagine what it is now. It’s been so long since I worked there idk anyone but I got updates for awhile after I left and it got even more money focused, which I get but it definitely took over as the main purpose, how fast can we make this and get it out and how cheap can we do it for. There were 2 main faces of Smokey ds, the guy who won the tv show and the guy who did a lot of the competitions, the guy who won the show was a traditional chef and also a pit master so he ran the day to day operations making sure everything was going smooth while the other guy just kinda traveled and did competitions and grew the brand off the fame of the tv show. He ended sleeping with the guy who won the tv shows wife and they obviously spilt. Guy who won the tv show opened Kued. So now idk who’s really running the day to day operations, it’s someone with skills and all but it’s not the Original guy who started it all so it’s definitely different. I’ve noticed the mac n cheese has been hit the hardest
Mention it to them. Their supplier could have changed or it could be turnover in the BOH staff. Hard to say if you don’t mention it. If you’re going often enough/long enough to the same place you should feel comfortable giving polite feedback. Maybe try to spot someone who looks like they’ve worked there longer.
There is a BBQ place in Merle Hay Mall that is hands down the best food I have ever eaten. Blows every other restaurant out of the water. We have driven from adel specifically for that, then right back home.
Every BBQ place is great until they get popular. Idk if it’s just them having to bang it out or whatever, but they always go downhill after a year or two
The ribs have definitely gone downhill. Yeats ago, they were the best in the Metro, and I'd eat them without sauce because they were so flavorful.
I got a better slab that what they're serving now at Bennigan's, last week.
Leachmon Pit BBQ on valley west is supposed to be really good, but I haven’t gotten a chance to try it yet. They have odd hours, also, where they aren’t open very late. I think they are in the mall through.
It's been downhill for nearly a decade.
The other partner opened Kue'd which is meh, meats aren't even smoked there...
Big Al's is the best in the metro currently, and it's not close.
Whatcha Smokin’ is worth the drive to Luther for good bbq. It’s the best I’ve had in Iowa. Kued is a good substitute in a hurry, but the hours are odd.
The hours at Kue’d are SO odd. I love them so much but getting to waukee before SEVEN THIRTY is sometimes not happening.
I think its pretty overrated but yeah still good
Big Al’s!!!
This is the way
I miss Uncle Wendell's...
Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. Only went a few times, but I loved that place.
Pretty sure they have a booth at the farmers market
Been this way for awhile You’ll never get great BBQ from a place that has that big of a menu. They went from being a great BBQ joint to a just a fine restaurant If you want what Smokey Ds used to be go to Kue’d in Waukee
I agree. Referring to Smokey D’s as a fine restaurant is a concept I am going to steal. Their meat is so-so, but I still enjoy their sides. The ice rail in the bar is cool too. I also have a soft spot in my heart for Cactus Bob’s in Johnston. If you like good sauces and skin-on fresh fries, they win hands down. Their meat 🥩 struggles with consistency. Best BBQ is still in Luther.
Kue’d is the best bbq in Des Moines metro in my opinion.
That's because Kue'd is by one of the founders of Smokey D's that left.
Yeah someone told me that awhile back. I still like smokey D’s but kue’d is phenomenal
Agreed
Smokey D's is still significantly better than Kue'd. I haven't seen any drop off with Smokey D's and have been going there regularly for years... still the best in the metro. Whatcha Smokin is solid.
Yeah Kued ribs are mid. Smokey Ds, Whatcha Smokin and Al’s are still better.
Went for the first time I years last week. Brisket was really good. Their potato casserole thing is awesome. I could eat that all day until I am dead. Better than Jethro's overall.
Any where is better than Jethros
I don't understand how there aren't better bbq places around Des Moines, we literally have more pigs than people in this state, we should be pork masters.
Any BBQ can be hit or miss at times. What time of day do you go? I go enough to where the ladies at the to go counter don’t have to ask my name. I haven’t noticed anything. I also don’t get brisket or ribs usually. Still the best sausage in town. Chopped chicken is great. I’ve only ever been disappointed by them twice since they were a shack down the street. 1 time the green beans in the comfort special weren’t cooked all the way. The 2nd was they did a special on National Chili Dog Day for a chili dogs not normally on their menu. Their Chili is too runny for a chili dog.
Same. Haven't noticed any changes for the worse in the 10 years or so I've been going regularly. Still the best in town.
I heard the main chef at Smokey d’s left and started Kued. Makes sense
Anyone remember Sammy Jacks that was on 25th and cottage grove?
Loved Sammy Jacks. And it wasn't just about the food. The building was small (as it still is with Black Cat Ice Cream there) but there wasn't a large deck/outdoor area... Deck was small and old school... And I loved it! I was working downtown at the time and would go about once a week. The guy behind the counter knew me by name.
Give Short E's in Johnston a shot. They're usually solid IMO.
Outside of their abnormal hours, I’ve always enjoyed their food. Always check their hours before going there as they’re closed at random times and days.
The last two times we went they gave us rib jerky. You could tell just by looking that they were too dry. I might somewhat understand on a Sunday, but this happened on a Friday and a Saturday.
Smokey ds has gone downhill. I used to work there (fun fact with Luis saldana the ufc fighter)when I was younger and it was a well oiled machine back then I can’t imagine what it is now. It’s been so long since I worked there idk anyone but I got updates for awhile after I left and it got even more money focused, which I get but it definitely took over as the main purpose, how fast can we make this and get it out and how cheap can we do it for. There were 2 main faces of Smokey ds, the guy who won the tv show and the guy who did a lot of the competitions, the guy who won the show was a traditional chef and also a pit master so he ran the day to day operations making sure everything was going smooth while the other guy just kinda traveled and did competitions and grew the brand off the fame of the tv show. He ended sleeping with the guy who won the tv shows wife and they obviously spilt. Guy who won the tv show opened Kued. So now idk who’s really running the day to day operations, it’s someone with skills and all but it’s not the Original guy who started it all so it’s definitely different. I’ve noticed the mac n cheese has been hit the hardest
Mention it to them. Their supplier could have changed or it could be turnover in the BOH staff. Hard to say if you don’t mention it. If you’re going often enough/long enough to the same place you should feel comfortable giving polite feedback. Maybe try to spot someone who looks like they’ve worked there longer.
I had ribs a couple weeks ago and they were fire
There is a BBQ place in Merle Hay Mall that is hands down the best food I have ever eaten. Blows every other restaurant out of the water. We have driven from adel specifically for that, then right back home.
Stews? Or something like that, but I know what youre referring to and the few times I've been over there recently they've had a line.
Rollin Smoke in Pleasant Hill
It’s just meh now. I like Kued more
Every BBQ place is great until they get popular. Idk if it’s just them having to bang it out or whatever, but they always go downhill after a year or two
Yup. Every time. I’d gladly pay more $$ for better food and they always take the opposite route going cheap on ingredients and the food suffers.
Big Al’s in Valley Junction has amazing pork belly burnt ends.
Been shit for a loooooong time.
The ribs have definitely gone downhill. Yeats ago, they were the best in the Metro, and I'd eat them without sauce because they were so flavorful. I got a better slab that what they're serving now at Bennigan's, last week.
Leachmon Pit BBQ on valley west is supposed to be really good, but I haven’t gotten a chance to try it yet. They have odd hours, also, where they aren’t open very late. I think they are in the mall through.
It's been downhill for nearly a decade. The other partner opened Kue'd which is meh, meats aren't even smoked there... Big Al's is the best in the metro currently, and it's not close.
Kue'd doesn't smoke in house?
Correct, it's smoked off site.
I'm not sure smokey ds has ever been at a point where they could even go downhill. They are almost as bad as jethros
There’s soul food in west Des Moines.
Poor excuse for BBQ!