The Smoke Shack

This is an ok lunch place. In the area of its location, it's one of the better bbq places, however I wouldn't go or if my way to go here.

I ordered the brisket but had to use quite a lot of sauce to make it juicy. The green beans are passable, the option of crunchy bacon on top helped them out a bit. The coleslaw I REALLY enjoyed!

Service was good, food was quick. It's not that I would never go back, its just that I wouldn't choose this place above all others. Holy Hog has my bbq heart.

The outdoor BBQ joint is quick and easy for the south Tampa resident. They have slow cook BBQ brisket that I like. It has the local unique flavor and technique.

It is hot to eat here during lunch time because the Florida sun is hot and humid in summer. I am sweated just to make my order. However, the food here is great. The meat must be over the flame for many hours. The brisket is chop with the outside marinated coating make the taste better.

We got the Brunswick soup. They are cook with brisket, corn, bean and tomatoes in sweet base soup. I like this soup because they are simple and good.

The brisket is about $8 a pound. It is the regular price in the market without cooking. I think they are very good deal. They also have some outdoor sitting at the back of building if you want to eat there.

Look at the picture. A lot of fat.. Are those bones in the middle that look like straws? Never seen anything like it before. Oh and the rest of that that looks like meat is not. Unbelievable. I'm from Memphis, have had good BBQ. The ribs here need vast improvement.
And this place is too expensive. We spent $41 on two sandwiches, 2 pints of macaroni, 1 drink and the 1/4 slab of ribs you see in the picture. These sandwiches are like $12, the need to be $4.99. Trust me.
So a word of advice.. lower your prices, reinvent your ribs, and refocus on quality vs taking money from consumers, and the brick and mortar establishment may last a couple more years. Good luck!

Not bad, not bad at all. I got the 3 meat combo: sausage, brisket, 3 ribs, cole slaw, and mac and cheese. I caught this place on the corner of my eye while heading to another BBQ place. Lol. Let's start with the atmosphere. The area was clean, quiet, and comfortable. Plenty of parking space for BBQ lovers but parking wasn't full or even partially full. One other costumer in here while I was getting my food. I hope this place being empty isnt a bad sign, especially having good reviews.
Food: Ribs wasn't the best I've ever had. Just a tad dry but with a little sauce on it, it was fine.
Brisket was delicious. Sausage was also good. Just wish I had just a little bit more. An extra $5 for a link doesn't cut it for me and way too much for just one. Mac and cheese and cole slaw were both ok a little on bland side. The only thing is, it can get a little expensive. I can get great all you can eat smoked to perfection BBQ in Kansas for half the price I paid today. Maybe it's just Florida. When ever in Wichita, Kansas stop by B&C Barbecue!
Overall this place is good but I will definitely have to try another smokehouse.

Very good, but not spectacular BBQ, though the potential is there. Two really nice guys putting out a fine product that just may be some of the better Q in the area but it's not quite on par with some of the better BBQ I've had.

Brisket-a touch over smoked and a little dry. It reconstituted nicely with their vinegar based sauce, though overall, I'd have liked a little more seasoning in the bark. In addition, I prefer the flat sliced and the point pulled, but they opted just to chop it up entirely, which in my opinion added a bit to the lack of moisture. A decent rendition, but truly great brisket doesn't need sauce--even if the sauce is good.

Ribs- while I prefer St. Louis to baby backs, these ribs were on the money, with a nice smoke ring, just the right pull off the bone and a spot on bark. Again, I'd have preferred a bit more emphasis on seasoning in the rub, but they seem content on letting the sauce add the flavor to their Q. That being said, these ribs are a winner and definitely the highlight of our order.

Sausage- nice smoke taste and a good snap, these were a fine rendition. Nice speckles of pepper in the casing, they had a nice flavor.

Sides:
Baked beans- definitely the best side. Delicious smoke flavor with just the right consistency and texture in the beans. Nice sweet--but not too sweet--sauce, these made a delicious accompaniment to the meats.

Slaw-a nice vinegar based slaw that really helped to cut through the fat. I prefer this style to a mayo base, so I was pleased with this version. Once again a fine texture, as it was not wilted or drowned in liquid.

Collared greens-a true disappointment. Lacking in flavor with zero charisma or pizzazz, they simply added nothing to the meal. They needed some vinegar or mixed in meat or something. They just didn't cut it at all. I wouldn't give them a second ordering.

Brunswick stew-I simply wanted to try it. It's just ok. Like a BBQ soup. A simple broth, some corn and veggies and a bit of mish mosh BBQ meat simmered in. Neither good nor bad. Might be a nice winter dish...

The prices are certainly reasonable. They are also working on turning their joint into an actual restaurant. They certainly have potential, especially if they tweak a few things. I look forward to trying it again on my next visit to Tampa/St Pete.

First time diners here and it didn't disappoint. Definitely a great spot to get your BBQ craving under control.
The setup is something that I actually liked. Think Chipotle: you walk in and as you make your way down the meat counter, you build your plate (well the employee does, not you personally)! My favorite was the sausage link which according the owner (great guy btw!) are shipped from Texas, all beef with a nice kick of spice.
Definitely try the Mac and cheese.
The beans are good but I personally like them softer and with more bacon!
Overall, definitely coming back!

Delicious! The quality of the brisket, pork, and chicken is the very first item to be addressed. Amazing flavor, tender, cooked perfectly- The Smoke Shack literally oozes flavor.
Darin offered up samples of everything! I tried the coleslaw, beans, brunswick stew- all things I ordinarily won't/don't eat. Guess what? All were very good and I would absolutely eat any and all again. The flavors were brilliant in each, all unique and made with careful consideration. The Smoke Shack exhibits true foodie qualities and takes visible and tangible pride in their cuisine.

Quick Summary: If you thought that a food truck couldn't get you some of the best BBQ ever, you'd be flat wrong. The food here is prepared with a great care and punches you with flavor. Yeah it hurts that good.

My whole story of coming out here started with a bit of disappointment... it was a typical FL Sunday and I was just aching for some good ribs... so I made my way over to the Shack and everything was closed up... sadness! I double checked the web and the hours showed they should have been open... but nobody was round =(

My hankering was still poking me on Monday... but then I remembered... Mon is their normal day off!!! NOOOO!!! (I've noticed a few restaurants in Tampa like that... what's up with that?) Anyways... 24 more hours of bbq hunger pangs I was finally greeted with the delicious smokey aromas of some solid bbq. (They had a good reason for being closed that particular Sun, I won't delve into the details).

I was eagerly greeted by one of the owners, Darren, who was very excited to introduce a new customer to his craft. He offered me a sample of his Brunswick stew... and I was hooked! An amazing dish with all these great southwestern flavors but a nice tangyness... the meat tender and juicy... a bowl of that on a rainy day (or any day for that matter) will set everything just right.

After a few more samples... I decided... I couldn't decide... so I grabbed the sampler, a little bit of everything... or so I thought. I was quite a bit of everything to be honest... it is quite the feast! All of the meats are just excellently prepared... nothing is doused in sauce... all dry rubs... a nice hint of smokiness but not the dominant flavor so you can enjoy the actual flavor of the meat.

The ribs... loved them, they're not fall of the bone type ribs... you gotta your bites, but that's not to say it's dry... it's still very tender and juicy. I like it this way... keeps the consistency together, and when you chew deliciousness soaks your mouth. I prefer not to slurp my meat. The pulled pork... oh so tender... comes apart very easily but hardly a tug. And the brisket... probably my favorite... love the flavor of the rub and smoke on this meat. Oh and the sausage! it's got a crisp casing that just snaps with each bite (no gnawing and ripping)... and the meat is greatly spiced... gives a different flavor from the other meats.

For my sides I HAD to try the truffled mac and cheese... WIN! Love the use of shell macaroni... more room for the cheese and flavors to seep into... and the truffle flavor just envelops your mouth with each bite. I also had the baked beans another win. It's not a heavy sweet baked beans, it's on the lighter side, with a bit of sweetness followed by the tangyness that cuts through heavier flavors.

Darren also let me try some of the coleslaw... it's different from most places that do a mayo based, they use vinegar which makes for a lighter dish. He recommended it as a finisher after the meal to cleanse palate. I agree... it's like the ginger after sushi... a nice simple crisp dish that just refreshes the mouth... ready for more flavors.

Oh I almost for got the BBQ sauces, he's got a Kansas City syle, which I prefer. It's a more liquid sauce that's got a bit more kick and tang to it. But that doesn't mean the Carolina style wasn't good; that one is more on the sweet side but not like a sugary sweet, and it's a thicker sauce that just coats everything. All depends on how you like it.

This place is a major win. Super friendly service (and military friendly!), amazing quality food, and excellent value! I'm happy to report they're doing so well, that they'll be moving to a physical restaurant in the near future. I can't wait to bring the whole gang down for a meal, they're gonna be blown away!

Get the sampler cause EVERYTHING is good and it's a great value! Finish with some slaw, it is a delicious palate cleanse!

Where do I start ? From the friendly service to the deliciously succulent crafted BBQ this place is a must stop in South Tampa and a place I would go out of my way to try if I didn't live so close .

I have lived in S. Tampa for most of my 29 years and while other BBQ might do some things well Smoke Shack hits a home run in everything . The Ribs are my favorite , not overly done and very meaty . Pulled pork topped w the slaw is the bomb and their sausage is amazing and bursting with flavor . I'm such a porker I get that as a side cause I can't go there without getting it . Even tho they have some of the best Mac n cheese around!

Please do yourself a favor and try this place out . It's worth it!!

Stopped in during a foodie tour with my wife to try out the BBQ. We decided on the 2 meat plate with 2 sides.

The employees were very friendly and helpful. They answered any questions we had and don't seem bothered. Service wise 5star.

As for the food, no much. For starters they didn't have sausage ready and said it would be almost an hour wait. So we ordered just the 2 plate dish with brisket and ribs as the meats and baked beans and mac and cheese for the sides. The ribs were amazing, Very tender and shockingly juicy. They should promote themselves as the rib spot. The brisket was super dry and I had to cover it in BBQ sauce to even get it down. The baked beans were good, so no complaint there. The mac and cheese was ehh. Very little to no truffle flavor and the noodles were over cooked.

Over all it's not a bad place but they didn't shine like I wanted them to. If/when I go back it will be solely for the ribs.