Great smoked meat - think chicken, ribs, brisket and more - from a friendly, local purveyor. I can smell their outdoor smoker from a long ways away
Robert V.
If you like barbecue, you would love smoky pit barbecue located at 160 Harrison Ave., Auburn, CA 95603. They have to go orders at 530 889-9080. This is by far not the fanciest place, but it beats those food trucks, hands-down. I don't know the name of the owner, but I can tell you this: he loves his food, he loves to make customers happy, he always has a smile on his face when you order from him. The ribs are perfect. The meat comes off the bone, yelling with flavor. The prices are great. Can you beat a luncheon rib dinner for $12.95. You will be very happy if you come to Smoky pit barbecue.
Brittany C.
Craving BBQ so we stopped by Smokey's for a quick bite. Small and friendly place. The staff were kind and efficient. We Order several items to take home. Brisket- seemed like it was cooked in the crockpot with no flavor and swimming in sauce.. and shredded. . NO smoke flavor was so ever. 1/2 chicken- pretty dry and also swimming in the same BBQ sauce. Hot Links- weren't bad but had the exact same flavor as everything else.. the bath of BBQ sauce. Ribs- were tender but not fall off the bone tender. Also SAME BBQ sauce, we enjoyed them though. Had a good amount of meat on them They gave use butter bread which was actually buttered and charred hotdog buns (weren't terrible. Soft and enjoyable to dip). Beans and Coleslaw weren't bad. Bummed that the BBQ outside seemed to us to be a beard for the faux BBQ. Overall it was a meh.. might try something else another time but not the best we've had.
Daniel Ford
The pulled pork was cold and he gave me potatoes and french fries I wanted macaroni who orders two
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Marlon O.
Stopped in twice for lunch. BBQ itself is not bad. Meat is smoked well and not dry, but it does come dowsed in sauce which the flavor of it is not the best. The Sides are okay but nothing to write home about. Not too familiar with the area so I wouldn't know what to compare it to for the area. Overall it wasn't bad but I didn't find it spectacular. Stop in and give it a try, it could just be me.
Jaye Mackenroth
Best BBQ in Auburn!!!! Yum!
Linda Lessner
Our family’s low-key favorite for BBQ. We are originally from Texas so this reminds us of home. Portions are generous too!
We drive past Smokey Pit BBQ and tried if the for the First time, outstanding BBQ Ribs! And we are BBQ Rib snobs! The beans were awesome and the Garlic Mashed potstickers were warm and yummy! We will definitely be back very soon!
Karolynn Parker
Very friendly owner! We got the ribs lunch plate with Mac salad, potato salad with chicken! Great portions! We wish the ribs were cooked longer, they were on the tough side! The chicken was really good and the sauce was tasty! The roll we were given didn’t taste fresh, more stale than anything!
If you want real BBQ, this is some of the best BBQ I’ve had in California- it rivals Texas BBQ!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rick W
Stopped here for lunch with several friends after a Saturday morning hike in the Auburn area. I must say the barbecue was some of the best I’ve eaten in Nor Cal. I ordered the 2-Way Lunch Combo, which consisted of ribs, chicken and two sides: BBQ beans and coleslaw. The ribs and chicken were tender with a savory sauce and smoky flavor. The sides complemented the entree nicely.
Jerolyn D.
Seriously horrible BBQ! This was our first time at this establishment. We read the reviews and were excited, so we ordered extra ribs to our take out order - BAD decision. First of all, this was NOT Texas BBQ (as advertised). Texas BBQ is dry rubbed and moist and delicious even without the sauce. The BBQ from Smokey Pit had ZERO rub/spices on it and it chewed and tasted like we were eating an old wash rag...for each bite, we had to chew and chew and chew (did I mention - CHEW!), on a piece of dry meat with absolutely no flavor. The BBQ sauce was decent. The cornbread was thick and had bits of corn (which I liked), but either it was "smoked" for some reason or old oil was used because it had a nasty taste. The beans were good, but not worth coming in for, since they were not the main attraction. We REALLY wanted to like the place, but obviously, we won't be back
C C.
Was in the area and after reading the rave reviews I had to stop by.....this spot is literally a hole in the wall and seems to be operated by 1 person. The man behind the counter was the owner but he was also the server and cashier. He was very friendly and welcoming. . The place looks sketch from the outside but heck, give it a try... Now let's get to the nitty gritty..... Review #1: Hot Link lunch special with the sides of garlic mashed potatoes and BBQ beans.... The hot link was smothered in bbq sauce and kinda reminded me of the Bar-S links! Overall they were good...the mashed potatoes were meh. Didn't really taste the garlic and it definitely needed some salt. The bbq beans were a disappointment. Where was the bbq because all I tasted were the beans...mine were a bit undercooked because the inside was still hard. I would give this dish a 3 out of 5! Review #2: 3 BBQ rib lunch special with sides of fries and Cole slaw.... 2 out of the 3 ribs were very tender and the meat literally fell off of the bone...the other rib was very tough and dry (kinda tasted like it was microwaved a few times). The Cole slaw actually tasted really good but it had a lot of pepper. The fries were your typical frozen fries. Salted just right and nothing that amazing :). I would rate this dish a 2.5 out of 5. My only issue was that after I ordered my food, I literally heard several microwaves being turned on....i think the meats were reheated in the microwave and probably not that fresh :/ You are also given buttered bread with your order which is your store bought french rolls. Overall this place is....Ok. Would I come back here....probably not... If you are craving some bbq than check this spot out.
Eric R.
Are you interested in enjoying some of the best, authentic Texas-style barbecue in Placer County, and many the entire Gold Country? If Texas barbecue is your game, you owe it to yourself to head over to Smokey Pit BBQ, located in downtown Auburn, CA. As you enter the restaurant, you'll notice the small, compact dining room is very plain, and the decor is very modest. The restaurant operates on what I refer to as the "taqueria format" in that you make your selection from the menu, posted above the order counter, pay for it, if the restaurant is busy, you'll receive a receipt with a number, and when your order is ready, it will be brought to your table with a smile. Oh yes... the pit, which is fired by locally grown oak wood, is located in the parking lot, outside the restaurant. From the "Lunch" menu, I went with the "Three Way Combo," with chicken, ribs and tri tip as my protein. For sides, I hit "Barbecue Beans" and "Garlic Mashed Potatoes." The lunch normally includes a hot link rather than tri tip, but my gracious host Gurmail allowed me to substitute. All lunches include a hot, buttered roll. How do I even begin to describe such amazing barbecue. You read that right... AMAZING! Each piece of meat was moist, tender, mouth-watering delicious, kissed with smoke from the oak wood, but the smoke taste did not overpower the delicious meat. And the barbecue sauce... AMAZING! It was tangy, sweet, but too sweet, mild on the "heat" side of the fence, and simply delicious. Like the smoke, it enhanced the meat, added to the amazing taste, but didn't overpower any of the goodness I enjoyed on this late Monday morning at Smokey Pit BBQ. Alright... I'll start with the chicken. The slice of chicken breast was tender, juicy, flavorful and barbecued to absolute perfection. Like the tri tip and the ribs, it was basted, and coated with Gurmail's delicious, tangy barbecue sauce, which enhanced the tender chicken. The oak smoke added to the taste but didn't overpower the chicken. This piece of barbecue chicken is the best barbecue chicken that I can remember. The chef "enhanced" my plate for giving me an extra pork rib, which was a very welcome gift. These barbecue ribs were simply delicious, beyond belief, that I simply can't describe! Each rib was large, tender and expertly cooked in the pit. No dry ribs at Smokey Pit BBQ, as each rib was juicy, and simply was mouth-watering flavorful! The ribs had a lot of meat on all four sides, with very little bone, and simply rib goodness. Like the chicken, the ribs were liberally basted with delicious barbecue sauce, which made for some of the best ribs in the greater Sacramento area. The tri tip arrived on a separate plate, as the main plate was full with chicken, ribs and sides. The generous portion of tri tip was thinly sliced, and coated with barbecue sauce to-die-for. The tri tip had a beautiful smoke cap on the outside, but was tender, moist, flavorful and pink on the inside. It was cooked medium, which is my favorite, but I didn't ask, as the meat arrived cooked medium. Like with the chicken and the ribs, the tri tip was kissed by oak smoke and coated with barbecue sauce, which enhanced the taste of this amazing tri tip. Lunch included two sides, and I went for "Barbecue Beans," - a Texas favorite - along with "Garlic Mash Potatoes." Beans were standard pinto beans, cooked in a rich, chili-infused sauce, in the style of Texas. The generous helping of mashed potatoes were creamy, with just a hint of garlic and simply delicious. The beans and mashed potatoes made for great sides to this amazing lunch. The "Hot Buttered Bread" listed on the lunch menu was half of a hot dog bun, toasted and buttered, with just a hint of garlic. It made for great dipping and scooping up all of the meat juice and barbecue sauce. So... which meat was my favorite? Honestly... I can't it was simply all amazing, and each piece of meat added a distinct and different flavor to
As solid as Texas style bbq gets in California!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Great smoked meat - think chicken, ribs, brisket and more - from a friendly, local purveyor. I can smell their outdoor smoker from a long ways away
If you like barbecue, you would love smoky pit barbecue located at 160 Harrison Ave., Auburn, CA 95603. They have to go orders at 530 889-9080. This is by far not the fanciest place, but it beats those food trucks, hands-down. I don't know the name of the owner, but I can tell you this: he loves his food, he loves to make customers happy, he always has a smile on his face when you order from him. The ribs are perfect. The meat comes off the bone, yelling with flavor. The prices are great. Can you beat a luncheon rib dinner for $12.95. You will be very happy if you come to Smoky pit barbecue.
Craving BBQ so we stopped by Smokey's for a quick bite. Small and friendly place. The staff were kind and efficient. We Order several items to take home. Brisket- seemed like it was cooked in the crockpot with no flavor and swimming in sauce.. and shredded. . NO smoke flavor was so ever. 1/2 chicken- pretty dry and also swimming in the same BBQ sauce. Hot Links- weren't bad but had the exact same flavor as everything else.. the bath of BBQ sauce. Ribs- were tender but not fall off the bone tender. Also SAME BBQ sauce, we enjoyed them though. Had a good amount of meat on them They gave use butter bread which was actually buttered and charred hotdog buns (weren't terrible. Soft and enjoyable to dip). Beans and Coleslaw weren't bad. Bummed that the BBQ outside seemed to us to be a beard for the faux BBQ. Overall it was a meh.. might try something else another time but not the best we've had.
The pulled pork was cold and he gave me potatoes and french fries I wanted macaroni who orders two
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Stopped in twice for lunch. BBQ itself is not bad. Meat is smoked well and not dry, but it does come dowsed in sauce which the flavor of it is not the best. The Sides are okay but nothing to write home about. Not too familiar with the area so I wouldn't know what to compare it to for the area. Overall it wasn't bad but I didn't find it spectacular. Stop in and give it a try, it could just be me.
Best BBQ in Auburn!!!! Yum!
Our family’s low-key favorite for BBQ. We are originally from Texas so this reminds us of home. Portions are generous too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Ribs, Beef Brisket Sandwich
We drive past Smokey Pit BBQ and tried if the for the First time, outstanding BBQ Ribs! And we are BBQ Rib snobs! The beans were awesome and the Garlic Mashed potstickers were warm and yummy! We will definitely be back very soon!
Very friendly owner! We got the ribs lunch plate with Mac salad, potato salad with chicken! Great portions! We wish the ribs were cooked longer, they were on the tough side! The chicken was really good and the sauce was tasty! The roll we were given didn’t taste fresh, more stale than anything!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
If you want real BBQ, this is some of the best BBQ I’ve had in California- it rivals Texas BBQ!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped here for lunch with several friends after a Saturday morning hike in the Auburn area. I must say the barbecue was some of the best I’ve eaten in Nor Cal. I ordered the 2-Way Lunch Combo, which consisted of ribs, chicken and two sides: BBQ beans and coleslaw. The ribs and chicken were tender with a savory sauce and smoky flavor. The sides complemented the entree nicely.
Seriously horrible BBQ! This was our first time at this establishment. We read the reviews and were excited, so we ordered extra ribs to our take out order - BAD decision. First of all, this was NOT Texas BBQ (as advertised). Texas BBQ is dry rubbed and moist and delicious even without the sauce. The BBQ from Smokey Pit had ZERO rub/spices on it and it chewed and tasted like we were eating an old wash rag...for each bite, we had to chew and chew and chew (did I mention - CHEW!), on a piece of dry meat with absolutely no flavor. The BBQ sauce was decent. The cornbread was thick and had bits of corn (which I liked), but either it was "smoked" for some reason or old oil was used because it had a nasty taste. The beans were good, but not worth coming in for, since they were not the main attraction. We REALLY wanted to like the place, but obviously, we won't be back
Was in the area and after reading the rave reviews I had to stop by.....this spot is literally a hole in the wall and seems to be operated by 1 person. The man behind the counter was the owner but he was also the server and cashier. He was very friendly and welcoming. . The place looks sketch from the outside but heck, give it a try... Now let's get to the nitty gritty..... Review #1: Hot Link lunch special with the sides of garlic mashed potatoes and BBQ beans.... The hot link was smothered in bbq sauce and kinda reminded me of the Bar-S links! Overall they were good...the mashed potatoes were meh. Didn't really taste the garlic and it definitely needed some salt. The bbq beans were a disappointment. Where was the bbq because all I tasted were the beans...mine were a bit undercooked because the inside was still hard. I would give this dish a 3 out of 5! Review #2: 3 BBQ rib lunch special with sides of fries and Cole slaw.... 2 out of the 3 ribs were very tender and the meat literally fell off of the bone...the other rib was very tough and dry (kinda tasted like it was microwaved a few times). The Cole slaw actually tasted really good but it had a lot of pepper. The fries were your typical frozen fries. Salted just right and nothing that amazing :). I would rate this dish a 2.5 out of 5. My only issue was that after I ordered my food, I literally heard several microwaves being turned on....i think the meats were reheated in the microwave and probably not that fresh :/ You are also given buttered bread with your order which is your store bought french rolls. Overall this place is....Ok. Would I come back here....probably not... If you are craving some bbq than check this spot out.
Are you interested in enjoying some of the best, authentic Texas-style barbecue in Placer County, and many the entire Gold Country? If Texas barbecue is your game, you owe it to yourself to head over to Smokey Pit BBQ, located in downtown Auburn, CA. As you enter the restaurant, you'll notice the small, compact dining room is very plain, and the decor is very modest. The restaurant operates on what I refer to as the "taqueria format" in that you make your selection from the menu, posted above the order counter, pay for it, if the restaurant is busy, you'll receive a receipt with a number, and when your order is ready, it will be brought to your table with a smile. Oh yes... the pit, which is fired by locally grown oak wood, is located in the parking lot, outside the restaurant. From the "Lunch" menu, I went with the "Three Way Combo," with chicken, ribs and tri tip as my protein. For sides, I hit "Barbecue Beans" and "Garlic Mashed Potatoes." The lunch normally includes a hot link rather than tri tip, but my gracious host Gurmail allowed me to substitute. All lunches include a hot, buttered roll. How do I even begin to describe such amazing barbecue. You read that right... AMAZING! Each piece of meat was moist, tender, mouth-watering delicious, kissed with smoke from the oak wood, but the smoke taste did not overpower the delicious meat. And the barbecue sauce... AMAZING! It was tangy, sweet, but too sweet, mild on the "heat" side of the fence, and simply delicious. Like the smoke, it enhanced the meat, added to the amazing taste, but didn't overpower any of the goodness I enjoyed on this late Monday morning at Smokey Pit BBQ. Alright... I'll start with the chicken. The slice of chicken breast was tender, juicy, flavorful and barbecued to absolute perfection. Like the tri tip and the ribs, it was basted, and coated with Gurmail's delicious, tangy barbecue sauce, which enhanced the tender chicken. The oak smoke added to the taste but didn't overpower the chicken. This piece of barbecue chicken is the best barbecue chicken that I can remember. The chef "enhanced" my plate for giving me an extra pork rib, which was a very welcome gift. These barbecue ribs were simply delicious, beyond belief, that I simply can't describe! Each rib was large, tender and expertly cooked in the pit. No dry ribs at Smokey Pit BBQ, as each rib was juicy, and simply was mouth-watering flavorful! The ribs had a lot of meat on all four sides, with very little bone, and simply rib goodness. Like the chicken, the ribs were liberally basted with delicious barbecue sauce, which made for some of the best ribs in the greater Sacramento area. The tri tip arrived on a separate plate, as the main plate was full with chicken, ribs and sides. The generous portion of tri tip was thinly sliced, and coated with barbecue sauce to-die-for. The tri tip had a beautiful smoke cap on the outside, but was tender, moist, flavorful and pink on the inside. It was cooked medium, which is my favorite, but I didn't ask, as the meat arrived cooked medium. Like with the chicken and the ribs, the tri tip was kissed by oak smoke and coated with barbecue sauce, which enhanced the taste of this amazing tri tip. Lunch included two sides, and I went for "Barbecue Beans," - a Texas favorite - along with "Garlic Mash Potatoes." Beans were standard pinto beans, cooked in a rich, chili-infused sauce, in the style of Texas. The generous helping of mashed potatoes were creamy, with just a hint of garlic and simply delicious. The beans and mashed potatoes made for great sides to this amazing lunch. The "Hot Buttered Bread" listed on the lunch menu was half of a hot dog bun, toasted and buttered, with just a hint of garlic. It made for great dipping and scooping up all of the meat juice and barbecue sauce. So... which meat was my favorite? Honestly... I can't it was simply all amazing, and each piece of meat added a distinct and different flavor to