The Smoque Shack in Ottawa

250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada

★★★★☆
(1151 reviews)
Categories: Barbecue restaurant Bar Restaurant

About

Laid-back BBQ joint serving smoked meats from brisket to ribs, plus sandwiches & craft brews.

Website
smoqueshack.com
Address
250 City Centre Ave Bay 106, Ottawa, ON K1R 6K7, Canada
Plus Code
C75J+4H Nepean, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
11 AM–10 PM
Tuesday
11 AM–10 PM
Wednesday
11 AM–10 PM
Thursday
11 AM–11 PM
Friday
11 AM–11 PM
Saturday
11 AM–11 PM
Sunday
11 AM–10 PM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Late-night food Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Parking
Free parking lot Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.1
★★★★☆
1151 reviews

Most Mentioned

mac and cheese (56) jerk (48) corn bread (38) poutine (25) wedding (13) sweet potato fries (10) food truck (9) chicken and waffles (7) fried pickles (7) jack fruit (5)
5 stars
586
4 stars
328
3 stars
114
2 stars
57
1 stars
66
★★★★★
December 19, 2024

The Smoque Shack catered our wedding in October 2024, in Pembroke ON. The Smoque Shack had previously catered my brothers wedding in Ottawa, and since we love BBQ so much, we decided to see if they would be willing to travel out our way. Tyler gave us an immediate (almost literally) yes and thank goodness we lucked out with them being available! The food was absolutely incredible, as were the servers and whole team that joined us that day. I'm still thinking about the jerk chicken egg rolls and pulled pork! Working with Tyler leading up to the wedding was incredibly easy as well - he was very responsive and answered all my questions, and they also addressed the variety of dietary restrictions we had without issue. Thank you so much for coming our way and providing such an incredible service! Photos by Jonny Flietstra

★★★★★
November 11, 2024

I booked a group event with up to 20 people about a month before the event date. The Smoque Shack and Beyond the Pale (joint partnership) were excellent in helping me select a date that worked for my party. They were happy to answer any questions that I had over the phone and were flexible in the number of attendees on the event date (4 people dropped out last minute). Food was superb. Greatly enjoyed the take on SmoQue Dusted Tofu. Had a side of poutine and let me tell you that poutine was 100% what I expected. They do not skimp on the gravy nor the cheese curds and they even coated the fries with a light dusting of deliciousness (I don't know what it is). Would definitely come here again for the food! Not a beer person but my party certainly enjoyed the selection!

★★★★
October 30, 2024

What a treat their food truck was at an event I attended. I had the pulled chicken and pork sliders. Very delicious BBQ sauce. My partner had the pouting which was also very good. Their fries are seasoned and very tasty. I also tried the Mac and cheese which was creamy and cheesy. I would recommend trying this tasty menu. The servers were really friendly and quite funny 😁. Good lads!

★★★★★
September 26, 2024

This is A food truck review… The setting was a wedding venue… In the country, a converted burn into a reception hall… I would like to see a rustic setting, but it looks so absolutely beautiful… And somehow, The food truck just fit… Staff are 100% amazing… The food was on point and delicious.. The appetizers they were serving OMG I’m craving it now.. Fried pickles are my weakness… The cauliflower bites had some cake… There was deep fried dumplings I believe everybody loved them… The food was pulled pork, chicken, ribs, mac & cheese, variety of salads, some cornbread. And let me tell you I am the fussiest person out there. I am not a huge lover of sweet food, but everything was absolutely delicious. Shout out to the staff, though I really wish I would’ve gotten their names, but I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off… If you ask for something like pickles, cause I’m always asking for pickles and they didn’t have them on their tray to serve. They would make sure to track you down as soon as They had more to hand out…

★★★
August 22, 2024

The location and atmosphere is good, but the food was….undecided. Beer excellent. My real opinion is that the prepayment option via phone really needs to go. On the surface it seems convenient, but it’s heavy prompt for tip before service is ever done forces an offer from fear of pettiness of an employee. But then you tip, and you don’t know who it goes to and you never get the service which a normal restaurant would do to EARN it. Receiving a receipt by email and not as an attachment to one makes it a pain to attach to a business expense claim. But hey…. Parking lot makes downtown Ottawa access easy!

★★★★
July 23, 2024

Food was amazing. The way you need to order is a little off putting. Using a URL code and paying on your phone is a new concept. The staff done well explaining it however I can see where some people had issues with this style. For us it was a birthday dinner and so getting a group started the BBQ 101 I believe it was called. Was great but when it came time for each person/group to order there mains this new style of ordering because apparently flawed due to some having issues understanding how to use the URL the mains came out at very different times making the dinning experience a little off. Other than that great food good experience a good time had by all.

★★★★★
January 29, 2024

Went over wirh my 2 kids. Contrary to some comments they do take order the old fashioned way, when its not too crowded. You can always use your phone too. They have a kids menu. My ribs were amazing. Poutine was too. I was happy to discover they arre not using plain steak gravy as other joint does. Great sauce.

★★★★
June 14, 2023

Was craving for some brisket so I did a bit of search and found this BBQ place in town. I tried their brisket sandwich. It was very good. The brisket melts in my mouth. Lots of flavour too. The fries are a bit salty for me but still decent. Staff are very nice and friednly. However, I think some of the items in the menu are slightly overpriced. My overall rating: 4/5.

★★★★★
October 23, 2024

The pulled pork tacos were excellent. Highly recommend!

Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Insanely overpriced for small portions. $21.50+hst for THREE ribs and a small side of fries or salad is crazy to me. The Mac and cheese is $16?! I m glad I didn t order that once I saw the portion of the ribs, I can only imagine how small it was. This was ordered from uber eats by the way

August 23, 2024

I waited 1h30 for my food because someone else took our order and they only gave me a 10$ gift card for next time ridiculous

August 23, 2024

Quality is abysmal compared to the original restaurant. Avoid.

★★
July 23, 2024

First time dining in which was an an OK experience. Got seated, scanned the QR code and ordered the brisket sandwich with a creamsicle. Servers were good as they gave me my food and drink. I was a little shocked to see a creamsicle was $7.50 on the menu but a can on their website is $2.61. The drink was good and I would come back for it.

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Absolutely delicious! will definitely go back!

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Best jerk chicken I have ever had. Ordering from phone sucks

★★
April 23, 2024

Limited barbecue to go.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Im giving it a definite 5 stars because its also combined with Beyond the Pale brewery. Always busy, great atmosphere to grab a beer and some good BBQ with a friend, a date or just alone. Service is always on par. This place never disappoints.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Very good BBQ. Good service. Decent price. Would recommend the ribs. Poutine was also very tasty. Food : 4/5

★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Ordered the Brisket sandwich which was good, as well as the Dont pull my leg which is the pulled pork mac and cheese which was very underwhelming. For the price of the mac and cheese it is not worth it. The mac and cheese was extremely bland and had 0 flavour. My mac and cheese also only had like 3 small pieces of pulled pork which makes me feel like I got ripped off. Definitely wont be coming back.

January 23, 2024

Theres no service, you order from your phone. Uou need to pre-pay and they have the nerve to ask for a tip upfront. The mystery ribs were burnt to a crisp, the baked beans were undercooked and the cornbread was both greasy & dry! There was no information on what sauce we were eating. The mac & cheese was gritty... but ok & the coleslaw was lovely. This was highly disappointing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Amazing Christmas Dinner Thank You Was Amazing

Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Please stick with making the beer. Food was basic except that they put on much seasoning on EVERYTHING. no true service. You order through an app or go to the bar. .order a Hailey alcoholic drink, watered down and no flavour. Supposed tp have raspberry flavour It was comouring Biggest 11 dollar waste. The 2 x dusted wings were not at all dusted and dry overcooked with too much sauce. Sadly this os wjere I went for my birthday supper Why are we paying tip? Suggested 18% for the waitress to show up to tell us to order from an app. Ketchup packets, a whole 3 of them and no salt or condiments. Then waitress takes plates. Wow. Lousy and sad service. Never trust a place just because someone things they know how to bbq. Come on, Montanas does it better Oh and to serve on old scratched up plastic trays is awful. They are so ruined and gross.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

We came here for lunch this past weekend- overall, it s a fun, relaxed vibe with lots of good beers (also has to go) and food. You have options to order at the bar or using their QR code but a bit confusing as the two menus did not match entirely. Food wise, we ordered brisket, ribs along with a side of mac and cheese. Everything was tasty except found rib portion was a bit small in comparison to price. I ve previously eaten at Smoque Shack several times back when they were still in the market and alway enjoyed!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Fantastic atmosphere. Great service always friendly. The foods another surprise your gonna .

★★
December 23, 2023

We had high hopes and we re super excited to try this place! The food was only so-so, brussel sprouts and jerk chicken eggrolls were ok and the Nashville fried chicken was good. Everything else we tried was sub-par and cold. We tried brisket, jerk chicken, bbq chicken and pulled pork. The service was really terrible. We ordered through and app from the table (which we liked) but had to pre-pay and didn t receive all of our drinks. We had to make a couple of requests for things like napkins, enough side plates for our table (we got two plates, but had four people). The server spilled my drink on my phone and the table and passed it off like they didn t notice (that s when we needed to request napkins). We re a pretty easy going group, but it was a pretty brutal experience. Hopefully we just caught them on an off day (it was Saturday).

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Those jerk wings deserve a michelin star

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Loved this place! Delicious BBQ and domestic beer. Cool vibe in the restaurant too.

Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Avoid this place for take out at all cost, second time buying here and food is barely eatable, worst mac and chesse/cornbread ever

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

If you like a very loud, sports type of place.. only because there were a projection TVs viewable from anywhere.. not that you could hear anything.. and beer this might be your home.. but dont go here expecting good food.. or even service, PS everyone I did speak with were great people.. they had a hostess, no issues, found us a table.. great.. then advised there isnt service.. scan the QR on the table to get to app, PS: App is a Web page, sorry, is bad enough programs, now called apps, now web sites are being called Apps.. ok.. sad uneducated culture.. yes Im older.. and as such am well aware of good food.. I tired the brisket, honestly it was decent.. but very easily could of been a precooked slice of meat.. which I suspect from the way it was plated vs every smoke house I have been too.. never been served brisket with sauce all over it.. always on the side.. and sides well fries were the basic choice so figured since its their prime sell must be good.. I was wrong.. they very much were frozen fries, with seasoning sprinkled on them.. but very definitely frozen taste to them.. coleslaw was ok.. and best part of the brisket was the pickled onion/pepper mix I found .. My dinner partner tried the Nashville Chicken, again with fries.. The chicken chunks seemed near burnt on the coating.. honestly I suspect this wasnt fresh either.. she ate about 1/2 of the chicken and wanted to throw up, only ate a few the fries, to share I had ordered the Cauliflower wings, which I had no idea what they would be, that was another ahh no thanks... just not impressive.. doesnt appear other than beer anything is made here.. Ill stick to places I know that actually make good fresh food. PS: I almost gave up on that horrible web site the navigation was the worst I had even seen yet.. always amazes me how todays programmers are so bad at making useful web sites.. but I managed to complete an order just forgot to order a free glass of water which I was told would be brought to me and never arrived.. would helped wash the swill down.. Kudos to the one staff member who when asking us what we thought was told about the bad chicken.. which we didnt want to wait for a redo.. walked over an gave us a 4pk of beer.. thanks.. I have a friend who will drink that.. since neither one of us are really drinkers..

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Not a fan of this location. Preferred the Clarence St one. Food was okay. Nacho plate was huge and the Louisiana Chicken sandwich was tasty.

★★
December 23, 2023

$47 (before tip) for a brisket with cold beans, corn bread, and a ramekin of slaw with pickles and a cider (*April 23). Staff did their best. It was late (within an hour of kitchen closing) but wow Meat was decent. Sauce forgettable. Beans were disgustingly cold. Corn bread was lukewarm. Staff was apologetic and tried, so no hate their way. Sad because I want to like this place with their dog-friendly patio and whatnot. Maybe this is how it is now in 2023?

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Was part of a *large* group of wheelchair users. Staff did their best, but it was too small to accomodate us well. Food was fantastic but the music was *far* too loud for conversation. I didnt test the washroom for accessibility. Wheelchair accessibility: The ramp into the restaurant was in good shape. Too small to accomodate large groups of people in wheelchairs. I didnt test out the washroom.

★★★
December 23, 2023

Disappointed in the quality of the food. I had a hard time cutting through my ribs. The potato salad was odd it seemed vinegar based but creamy also? Best part was the coleslaw. The online ordering was fine but there should be an option to add to the order or get help for water, condiments etc

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Tonight was our first time at the new location. Weve always been a fan of the food. Im happy to report the quality hasnt changed. We had the ShaQue burger with fries, the Nashville Fried Chicken with fried pickles, mac & cheese, onion rings, and sweet potato fries. Everything was delicious, but the onion rings and fried pickles are the best Ive ever had. The only thing I will say about the new location is its very loud. We could barely have a conversation, so dont go for the ambiance. Also, we decided to order from the QR code on the table. The downfall of this is you cant ask questions about the menu. I was going to have wings but didnt feel confident choosing a sauce and didnt have anyone to ask. So next time we might order at the bar instead. If they continue with this type of ordering, I would recommend adding descriptions to the items to make it easier.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

I wish they had more brisket options as I cant do bread , they only do it in the sandwiches. BUT omg so good, fresh and the service is amazing

★★★
December 23, 2023

The food was tasty and the ambience on the patio is pleasant. We had ribs, corn salad (nice chipotle mayo base + feta) and mac & cheese. The rib portions are disappointingly small. The order-by-phone method and no waiter leaves something to be desired at these prices. Beer was delicious.

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

As first-timers, it was a bit tough to understand the ordering process for food from the table. It felt a bit expensive, but the food was indeed good!

December 23, 2023

Gross. No flavor. Don t waste your money.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

BEST FOOD IN OTTAWA! We hired Smoque Shack for our wedding caterer and could not be happier! Their food is to die for. We had so many compliments on the food. Tyler and his team were great to work with. We have eaten Smoque Shack at Beyond the Pale multiple times as well and always leave thinking that they are THE best food in Ottawa.

★★
December 23, 2023

The place is so mid. The cider was watery and the amount of pulled pork I got for my $18.25 was sparse and just ok. You have to order on your phone or at the bar to get table service.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Smoque Shack catered our wedding and the food was phenomenal! It was nice to have something outside of the traditional wedding meal and our guests have told us they thoroughly enjoyed it as well. We served it family-style and there was more than enough food as well. I would recommend Smoque Shack to anyone looking to cater a wedding (or any other event). Vegetarian options: Jack fruit was very, very good!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Food was exactly what we wanted. We got the fried chicken sandwich, brisket sandwich, and corn bread and were left very full and happy. Everything tasted great and the portion sizes were more than fair. (We visited the city centre location with Beyond the Pale)

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

We used Smoque Shack for wedding catering for our September 2023 wedding. We loved that the food was made in the food truck on site so everything was warm and fresh. Tyler was very quick with communication and accommodated all of our requests to add/change things throughout the planning process. Everything ran smoothly the day of and we received many compliments from our guests on the food.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

10/10 experience with Smoque Shack catering our wedding. They brought their food truck to our venue and then served our dinner family-style. They also stuck around and did our late night snack from the truck. We got a lot of great feedback from our guests that they thought the food was great and that they had more than enough food portions-wise. The timing of our service went really well, and we also liked how the food was presented on the tables. Tyler was hands down the fastest vendor to respond to our emails and questions, too, and accommodated our requested changes with no issues and a great deal of flexibility. We were aiming for comfort food where our guests would feel relaxed, comfortable, and satisfied, and Smoque Shack definitely delivered.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Quick service good food, it was quiet Sunday at lunch... Beer was also good!

★★★
December 23, 2023

The order process is not the normal procedure. They dont have wait staff. You scan a bar code and order from your phone then someone brings you your food. Each person pays for there own items or everyone has to share a phone to make there requests. The app asks you for a tip. Tips in my mind happen from good service. Not just 3 different people dropping off your orders. Having stated the above the place is very expensive. 1 beer 2 tacos and a starter salad cost 60.00 plus tip. Last note is gluten free option are limited. The ones they do have cost extra. Be aware. Dietary restrictions: Limited dietary options. Be aware the app isnt that helpful and wont show gluten free options as a example. When you order just head to the bar and place it from there.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Frendly staff. Great pull pork burger !!

Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I was going to order from this place, as I saw how dirty and gross the condition of the store it actually set my stomach off and i didnt feel so hungry. When I saw the person who had ordered infront of me, I was able to see a better look at the food, that didnt help either. Great signage tho!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Huge thanks to Vishy and the staff !!! As an American it s nice to have a little taste of home. The brisket takes me back to fun times at our family cookouts down south. When I woke up from my cancer screening the first thing I wanted was a brisket sandwich. I was so loopy ordering and the girl was so sweet and professionnel. Im sure she laughed when she got off the phone.. I was a mess. I m super grateful, I don t care how far I have to get a drive ..This place is totally worth it!!! Keep up the good work y all!!

Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Not impressed with the food. Really could have been better. Meat was tough to eat, wasnt tender. Mac n cheese wasnt good either....sorry guys. Really was hoping for good BBQ!

December 23, 2022

Portion is too little, also order side fries which never came.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I really enjoy the food. A year later and the quality has dropped a bit. Nachos didnt even have real cheese.

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Great dinner, had the AAA brisket and the beans/chips/pickles trio. Food and service were excellent. Their own on tap beer was also very good. Update - disappointed, the business has moved and been absorbed by another pub. There are very few Smoque shack items left and the Smoque draft in no longer available. I had the pulled pork, the food was ok but not the anticipated smoke taste from before.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Best BBQ in town. No, best BBQ in the region of the national capital. No best BBQ in Quebec and Ontario. NO best BBQ in Canada! And they got awesome beer from BTP to! Friendly staff, awesome people. Go there! Try it! Love it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Best brisket sandwich ever!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Was very good food. Portions way above expectation. I dont get the whole go to the bar to give your order but the tip suggestion starts at 18%. I gonna tip myself the next time Im at McDonalds and have to pour my own drink and clear my table. Its a nice spot, huge patio. Service was prompt.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I just picked up from the BTP location a few minutes ago and their Mac & Cheese with pulled pork was absolutely amazing!!! One order for me is 2 servings for sure. I also ordered the Corn Bread - Heavenly!!! They have many outdoor picnic tables and tables (all ages side) with table-side service. I think I am going to organise a craft-in here with friends.

★★
December 23, 2022

Delicious food but not friendly to people with dietary restrictions or who want simple waiter service. We chose this place for their gluten free options as it was needed for more than half our group. Online menu that shows gluten free option was NOT available at the restaurant. Servers don t come to the table so we weren t able to ask. You order through your phone through their cumbersome app and food comes to you. Some people might like this but not our group. Food was delicious and they have a nice patio.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Outstanding beer and Q, coming from a Texan

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Amazing quality and BBQ! The pulled pork sliders and jack fruit tacos are incredible. Also highly recommend the fried pickles. The Smoque Shack team did a fantastic job providing delicious food for a private event at BTP s mezzanine.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Sooooo good!!! We went with some friends for a bite to eat as well as a beer. The barbecue and smoked meats are amazing. Pair quite nicely with the beer. We love the QR code only (no table service) be to order and pay immediately. So easy and efficient... Possibly dangerous for those of us who have a bottomless pit in our stomachs and want to order more at the touch of a button. Loved it so much, we took other friends there shortly after our first visit!! And well definitely be going back soon. Thanks!

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Really good food Parking: They have good parking

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Ordered some food for a work function and it was incredible. You must try the brisket and jerk chicken.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Ill be honest when I say this review started as a 1 star. Its been a roller coaster. Ill start at the beginning. I went to the Smoque Shack for the very first time in November/December of 2018 with a friend when it was still located in the market downtown. I had a wonderful experience; it was a hole on the wall place with good service and great food. Fast forward to my fiances birthday this year, I wanted to plan something nice after all the COVID BS. Hes a meatatarian so Im thinking the meat coma that Smoque Shack has, would be perfect for this occasion. For the life of me, I cant remember the name of the place, only where it is. And I spend 20 minutes walking down the roads of the market, and I remember the spot but its not there anymore.. I then spend time doing a Google search of meat restaurants downtown and FINALLY find it. Its moved to City Center. So I make a reservation for my fiance, his family and I. We arrive early, and a thin, tall blond girl with pigtails and small matching tattoos below each collar bone, brings us inside. The inside is not what I expected but thats okay. Its EXTREMELY loud, but again not a huge deal. The blond brings us upstairs and we cant hear anything shes saying until she leans in to explain this is our table. One of the chairs is missing but I explain that our party is smaller than expected so its not a big deal. She says she can seat us downstairs where its quieter. She cleans off a dirty table and has us sit. Explains that the menu is scanned off the table and thats how we order. Not super convenient but thats ok. So we scan, browse the menu and decide well get an order of drinks while we wait for the rest of our group. When she walks by again, I ask if this scan thing just starts a tab and she very bluntly says they dont do that. Its pay as you go. I ask if there is any way to start a tab and she says no, they dont do that and stares at me. I explain that this is very different than the last time I was here - the restaurant, service, the paying and she shrugs and says she didnt build the place and walks away. Im honestly horrified. We spend the next 10 minutes trying to determine where else we could go on short notice during a dinner rush, based on the service were getting Im just dont feel good spending my money here but Ive hyped up the food and my fiance wants to see it through. Then a different person walks over and asks if we need a hand with the menu or had any questions. I explain to him the situation, the last time I was here, Im a bit concerned the food isnt the same etc. We have a group coming and one of them is under age. He reassures me they are family friendly and asks if I want a hard copy of the menu. Introduces himself as Tom. When our party arrives, he brings over water for everyone and menus. He offers to make a tab for us and says he can just take our orders. Tom really turned the whole experience around. His service was great, he was kind, empathetic and the food was fantastic. Thank you Tom for turning our experience around from what it started at when we walked in the door. I wish I could have given it 5 stars but that blond girl was super rude. Kid-friendliness: Family friendly but a bit loud.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Great food, kind of on the pricey side but its worth it.

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Loved the Market location back in the day, but cant say the same for the city centre spot. I ordered the fried brussel sprouts which were too well done and over seasoned with some mix that was not listed on the menu. I also ordered the pulled chicken sandwich which was not saucy enough, and the fries were also over seasoned with the same mix as noted above. I let the waitress know and she said next time I could order it without. Which I would have done if it was anywhere on the menu...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Smoque shack is the most delicious, high quality BBQ place! Amazing taste, friendly amazing staff! You crave BBQ RUN THERE! You won t be disappointed! Hats off and THANK YOU Our Meat Coma it was to die for! Lots of food and choice for the whole family or friends to enjoy!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

They catered our wedding and it was excellent. Great food, service, and transparent pricing. Another caterer, meatings, tried to rip us off for 1.5k so we switched to these guys.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Tyler and his team were amazing to work with to cater our wedding. He was extremely quick to respond to emails and answered all of my many questions. The tasting was incredible and so plentiful that we ended up having to leave with leftovers! Very accommodating and friendly staff! Our menu included pulled pork, smoked chicken, brisket, mac n cheese and seasonal vegetables. Portions are large but the food was so great that some guests went back for seconds. The food was a huge hit and guests are still talking about how amazing it was. Prices were also by far the best ones in the area; even the invoicing and payment is all electronic and very user-friendly. Highly recommend for any kind of event!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

They were very busy, so I feel like the dinners were a little rushed and maybe prepped earlier and then warmed up. But I have been before and really enjoyed it, so will definitely go back!

Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I got a 32$ chicken and rib combo. Im sad. Not worth.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

I contacted SmoQue Shack to cater a party I was hosting for 25 people in my backyard and my guests we RAVING about the food. I have never tasted such delicious pulled pork, ribs, mac and cheese and sausages in my life!! Food was easy to reheat with instructions included. All our guests went up for seconds :) Super happy with the quality of food and the service. 1000% recommend this company for your next party or event!!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

The main comment we have been receiving about our wedding day is how good the food was. We had our first date at the Smoque Shack almost four years ago so it was just fitting that they catered our wedding. When we went for our menu tasting Tyler was amazing to work with and allowed us to try so many different menu items and provided his professional opinion on certain items which we greatly appreciated. They were able to accommodate a variety of different allergies and restrictions. Our dinner was served family style which everyone loved because they did not have to leave their seats and they were able to try a little bit of everything instead of being limited to one menu option.

Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Ordered off ubereats, took an hour and twenty minutes. Got the chicken, rib and pulled pork, all three meats were very dry and overcooked. First time I ever had pulled pork with hard pieces of pork. Every meat item had a very strange chemical smell coming from it that was a complete turn off. The potato salad was a mess and so bland. Coleslaw was super basic. Fried Brussels sprouts were basically black. Corn bread was very tough and the bottom was soggy and white in colour. 10/10 wouldn t order here ever again and not worth the 100$

December 23, 2022

I try to order online but that is down so i drive all the way there for this to happenSo i never got to try the food cuz they offer family size Mac and cheeses on the city center menu but if you go to the store they dont offer this hear maybe a laziness on manager part but it should be fixed because of this muss information we did not eat hear

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Best bbq in town!

★★★★
December 23, 2022

Delicious

★★
December 23, 2022

Ordered off Uber Eats. Sad. $40 for 1 order of beef brisket & 1 piece of cornbread no sides or extras. Brisket was served with disgusting soggy pickles that seeped their pickle-y flavour into the meat and cornbread was hard and largely inedible. Would not order again.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Good eats, nice vibe, I think it might get better in warmer weather on the patio, though you cant complain with well prepared meat on your plate from where I stand. Great spot for a quick lunch, excellently prepared with a fine assortment of beers sure to satisfy anyone. Definitely a place to visit if you work or live in the area, or if youre just craving well prepared meats.

December 23, 2022

Over priced, mediocre garbage, ice cold, nothing but bone, go to food court at grocery store. Never again!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

The best poutine of our vacation in Canada

★★★★
December 23, 2021

The meat was delicious but what we got was deceiving! When we looked at the Skip the Dishes website we wondered if we were getting meat or meat plus sides. I went to the smoque shack website and looked up the just the basics meal for 2 and it showed the meat and sides together so I did not click the additional sides on the Skip the Dishes app. So we ate meat at a cost of $74.00 with our fingers and nothing else. Again the meat was good but I could ve had the same amount of meat with sides for less and it would ve been just as good!

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Food is perfect and staff vers Nice.

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

I was pretty disappointed by this experience. We got the beef brisket, fried chicken, and kale caeser salad. Highlight was the beef - pretty small serving for the price, but definitely delicious. Fried chicken was terrible - really dry, with flavourless breading and sauce (the container for which burst in the box), and also a small serving. Salad was ok, but the dressing was a little bland and vinegary, and greens were a little limp

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Not only is the food fantastic, they went out of their way to satisfy a customer (me!) who had website misunderstandings. Amazing food, outstanding service, especially in this COVID time. Really recommend this place. The food we loved most was the Mac n Cheese and Jerk Chicken, but honestly everything was really good.

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

The food was mediocre at best. We had a pulled-pork taco, a cauliflower crisp taco and a burger. Disappointing.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Ive been to bbq shops all across Canada and the US and this is one of the best bbq joints in North America!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Hey guys! Also left An amazing review on uber eats. By far the best brisket Ive ever had, ordered for the first time yesterday. ( it was so good my fiance kept taking it when she had her own supper, and shes extremely picky with brisket) Ill add Ive been in the industry for 10 years, Ive got high expectations this by far exceeded mine. Thanks!! Ill be ordering atleast once a week from here on in!! KEEP ON SMOKIN

December 23, 2021

Overpriced, unhealthy food

December 23, 2021

Ribs, both beef and pork, tasted like lighter fluid. We wont be back.

December 23, 2021

Ordered Ubereats from this company. $75 not including delivery, 90 with. We ordered the smoked brisket X2, for two people. No sides are included in this. Its just 2 pieces of brisket in a box... I could have ordered from the Keg for that price, which would have included a full meal... Ill have to go to Tim Hortons after this to get a side maybe..

Local Guide
December 23, 2021

I went here back in April and had their baked beans and I was amazed, the smokiness and the spices really came through. Loved them with the corn bread. Yump to today, June 26th, 2021. The beans were severely undercooked, no spice at all, I had to add some of my own and still didnt help. It was still overly sweet, the meat was so grizzled that it was basically eating pure fat. Now the corn bread, same taste different consistency, it was spongy, rubbery and not a pleasant mouth feel. All in all, not a great experience as from the one in April. I truly hope this was a bad batch. Will try again at a later date.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Great food and location. Large service patio and friendly staff. Tonnes of great beer to choose from and close ro public transit so no need to drive

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

We just had an amazing dinner at SmoQue Shack. Great bbq paired with Beyond the Pale beer on a fun patio! A super biking destination too!

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

The Smoque Shack catering service was amazing! We used them for our wedding and they nailed it. The food was incredible and service was wonderful! We still have guests talking about how delicious everything was. They had the food truck on-site but served the tables like a formal wedding. The guys made the process super easy and were very accommodating with dietary restrictions and some order changes. Everything was truly awesome. Highly recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

The food is AMAZING!!!! We were a group of 6 and got the meat coma with extra cornbread and sweet potato fries and wow did it live up to its name. It comfortably fed all six of us with leftovers to bring home. The beer is fantastic and the atmosphere was so fun. I would absolutely return here for dinner again!

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

If I could give more stars I would! Tyler from the SmoQue Shack helped with the catering of our wedding. Tyler and crew went aBove and beyond helping us and accommodating changes that needed to be made due to COVID. He was so kind and patient. PLUS the food was SO delicious!!! I m still thinking about that Mac and Cheese, Jerk Chicken spring rolls my husband loved the brisket in particular thanks SmoQue Shack can t wait to come by the restaurant when we are back.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Great service and great smoked meat sandwiches

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

We used the Smoque Shack for our wedding, and man did they hit a home run. The food was top notch, the staff we so perfect for the event, and their professionalism and communication was above and beyond. Tyler knows what he is doing, and is an absolute gem to deal with. We had the Smoque Shack provide served appetizers during our cocktail hour (Sausage is so friggin good), had family style platters of salad, smoked meats, cornbread and seasonal vegetables for dinner and to top it off, had the famous Shack mac and cheese for our late night snack. On top of our wedding, we frequent both the BTP location and Stittsville Location and you cannot go wrong with this food! Get it now!!

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Amazing food, amazing beers, amazing staff! You guys rock and were definitely coming back!

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

We ordered for takeout and very disappointing. The half rack of baby back ribs is a little pricy for what you get (5 ribs - see photo). It certainly wasnt a fall off the bone kind of meat and the end piece was dry and tough. The BBQ sauce is good. We ordered a side each (at least I thought we did) and only one container was provided. Were not sure if both portions of sides were in the one container, but since there was only one cornbread we assumed that it was only one portion. Unfortunately, my husband paid by credit card and wasnt offered a receipt nor did my husband asked for one. When we got to the car, we checked the bag and found that a beer was missing. So my husband went back to speak to the guy who took our order but he was out on his break. Not having a receipt of any kind to show to the other cashier, she had to hunt him down to confirm we had ordered a beer. The lesson learned here is make sure you get or demand the receipt because it should be standard practice that when someone pays by credit card, they should be asked if they want a copy of the receipt. Husband should have had more balls. Would I order from this place again? Absolutely not! Not worth the price for what you get.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

When

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Delicious food and great beer options. Location is just ok. The patio in the parking lot has done great job on making lemonade from lemons but it still feels like a parking lot.

★★★★
December 23, 2021

Food was amazing!! We will be back! A bit over priced.

Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Portions could improve. My 1/3 brisket felt like a thick cut bacon. Tasted ok but definitely not at that price tag. Definitely not coming back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

We originally found this BBQ heaven on York Street in Ottawa. Then were fortunate to find them at BTP in Westboro. However, truly blessed to have been staying in Calabogie where the food truck was parked for the weekend. Generous portions. Crispy and Spicy fries. Proteins, ribs and jerk chicken moist, flavourful and fresh. Coleslaw with just enough mayo to wish for a double serving.

Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Burger patty was small, dry, and more than overcooked, it was burnt. Veggie burger toppings rather sad. Fries are consistently way over salty and heavily seasoned. Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich has no hot. Just chicken and slaw on a bun. Bbq brisket etc was okay several years ago not worth giving it a try after the last three experiences.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

I liked it

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Food was delicious. Portions are small. You have to go up to the bar to order and pick up your own food, yet they expect a tip. Also, I asked for brussel sprouts as a side and was okay with an up charge but they charged me $7 more for a full extra side and never gave me the original side that came with the meal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

We used SmoQue Shack catering for our wedding back in October and OMG I think I am still full. Our guests definitely did not leave hungry! From the first meeting with Tyler for our tasting, we knew we were in good hands. Our tasting took place in Nov 2020 and was the first time we had gone out on a date since the beginning of Covid and we were beyond impressed with Tylers service and the quality of the food. For the day of the wedding, we had the family-style option and it went very well. The food was out quickly and Tyler was around checking to make sure everything was to our liking. We got brisket, pulled pork and chicken as our main meat options and my grandfather (who forgot his dentures at home) was able to bite in and he was in HEAVAN - said it melted in his mouth and had never tasted a brisket that was that good. P.S - Get the mac & cheese - Our guests are still going on about how much they loved it. My brother said he swears not a single noodle was not covered in cheesy goodness. P.P.S - Our guests loved the food so much that Ive had several people ask where SmoQue Shack is located so that they can get their hands on some good BBQ!

December 23, 2021

Overpriced. No waiter came to us after we got our food, we had no water, and the food was so dry. Chef Ramsay would be screaming. You are forced to pay and tip before service. And the waiter was mildly irritated when we asked for a decent table in the empty restaurant. Honestly terrible we are angry we spent so much.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

The food is amazing, the beer is amazing, and the service is good. A bit expensive, but worth it

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Oh dear! What s happened to Smoque Shack? When originally on York, quality never wavered, however went there on a Friday night in January and it was pretty dead. Not only that, the wings weren t as good as usual. Very small and the dry rub ones (piri piri and garpar) were pretty bad. No flavour. Wild Wing is much better with dry rubs. The brisket was good but heavy for me. The other guys loved it. The jerk pork is amazing! Drink variety is really good! Service was good. Coffee wings are literally to die for! That is THE best sauce ever but unfortunately, not this time. Don t know what s different. Come on Smoque Shack, you used to be amazing, bring it back, please!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Smoque shack is by far the best BBQ/smoke house in Ottawa. Incredibly tender brisket, out of this work Jamaican Jerk Pork, and the Jack Fruit Tacos will forever be the best tacos Ive ever had. To top it all off, my friend and I asked for hot sauce, and the owner brought out his own Piri Piri sauce that was INCREDIBLE! The spice stayed in our mouths for a long time, and the flavor was divine!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

If you dont know what to get, get the burnt endwish its amaziiiing!!! Service is good and prices are alright. Totally worth the try.

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

I had ordered the 1/4 ribs but they accidentally gave me 1/2 and they were nice enough to not charge me the difference. The sauce for the ribs was very tasty but the ribs themselves were unfortunately very dry and made it difficult to finish them. The homemade pickles were delicious. My boyfriend got the pulled pork and really enjoyed it. The restaurant has potential but it would be nice if they could work on their technique for cooking the ribs.

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Love it

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

One of the best BBQ joints in Ottawa. Always a pleasure to eat here.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Good food

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Overall good food...meat was smoked to perfection and so delicious..only thing that kind of ruined it was the fries were so over seasoned that it was all you could taste. But would definitely go back again and maybe ask to go light on the seasoning salt.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Had the platter for 2 with a side of baked beans and corn bread. FANTASTIC!!

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Absolutely fantastic. Our server was great and I got the burnt endwhich and it was to die for! Will definitely be going back for that.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Burbon BBQ wings are delicious!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Good food, sports, healthy options (by bar standards).

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

The food is good but the service is very poor!!

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

I went to this restaurant and was a little disappointed, the food is very bland and not very good in general. Although, there customer service was amazing.

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

So so good ! Jerk chicken, brisket, burger and macncheez and the 4 cheez dip so good !!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Good smoked ribs and chicken!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

The stout beer is really good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Great place to have a beer

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Loved this place when I visited Ottawa I ate well it had a good atmosphere.

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Agh...they really lost touch since theyve moved...slow service and food not cooked to the same standars as before hope they can change before they get caught in the byward pattern of complacency to bankruptcy.

★★★★
December 23, 2020

Its good

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Tried the burnt ends and was a bit disappointed. The meat was a bit on the dry side. The coffee bbq sauce was interesting

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

The food here was so good, but the service was slow. Otherwise nice environment too!

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

I had the brisket sandwich and it was dissapointing. The brisket was tough, dry and cut with the grain instead of against it. Our server was nice and the beer was great. But a small 16 plate of brisket with no sides

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

The food here is awesome! I love the Burnt Endwich!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Fantastic smoked foods made from scratch

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

The restaurant has nice aesthetics. I came for the jerk chicken but it was just ok and expensive for the portions. On the other hand the seasonal veggies and fried chicken with waffles was really delicious! The food took awhile to be served.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Good food and a great atmosphere

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

If youre a fan of BBQ, youre going to be a fan of this place! Visited about 10 times and not once was I dissapointed. Great food, great service and cold beer! Keep the ribs coming!

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Place was amazing, food was delicious and Vishal service made it a great experience going there.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

I had the jerk pork and onion rings. I really enjoy it. It was very tasty and super spicy. Waitress/bartender was very friendly.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Love this place!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Good comfort food but super pricy!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2020

Smoque Shack is paired with Beyond the Pale, making it a super popular spot. We ordered a couple of beers each, the pulled pork sandwich, and poutine with brisket. While the kitchen was a bit busy, everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and we ll definitely be back.

December 23, 2020

Food is expensive and portions were small, ordered the brisket for 25$ and all you get is 2 small pieces of meat (most of mine was inedible as their was way too much fat to meat), will never go back

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

Jerk chicken is phenomenal, gotta try it

★★★★★
December 23, 2020

We ordered the dinner for 2 and it was absolutely delicious. The ribs, chicken and pulled pork were each so tasty and the side complimented everything. The max and cheese was some of the best Ive ever had. Tons of leftovers for tomorrow. Super friendly staff when picking up. Well definitely be ordering again!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Brisket and sweet potato fries. You wont regret it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Had a great night with friends. Our waiter was a gem. Thanks again for sneaking us an order of off-menued burnt ends!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Great bbq, reasonable prices, clean, nice staff, and good music. We will be back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

I mean listen... The thing with going out: Why does anyone go out for dinner? Is it not having to do the dishes? Is it the excuse to get away from your significant-other for the night? A quick beer after work? Or maybe you go out for the ultimate experience of good food, good company, and amazing service. You want to come here. Come to smoque and I dare you to leave without a smile or a food baby. Youve worked so hard on your life to get where you are? Come reward yourself. Seriously . This food makes ambrosia jealous.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

This place was great! Staff was accommodating of our request to put the hockey game on. Server gave advice on the menu and I ended up loving his recommendation. The turkey club was so good (but unexpectedly spicy!) And my husband loved the burnt ends sandwich. The fries were rather meh... Could tell they were just frozen fries that were covered in seasoning. The seasoning was good but they got cold and hard pretty fast. Good local beer selection and the place is well spaced out and not very crowded!

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Great food, great staff

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Brisket and beans are fantastic. Service was great.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Amazing food and staff. Let me request a few tunes. I took home leftovers. I ll be back.

★★★★
December 23, 2019

Great food and staff! Sandwiches are really good and the sides are large (enough for two). The downside are the sodas. Theyre so watered down and iced that you end up paying $3 for a glass of water.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Awesome food. Great atmosphere

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

The restaurant itself is quite small so not suitable for a large group. The baby back ribs and cornbread was nice however the service was very poor.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

This September, we had our wedding catered by Smoque Shack and couldn t have made a better choice. Both Tyler and Adam were very helpful and patient throughout the planning process and the big day went off without a hitch! Our guests were in love with the hors d oeuvres passed during the cocktail hour and the meal itself was impressive in both quality and scale. We heard several times that it was the best wedding food ever; and we wholly agree! Thanks to the Smoque Shack team for delivering amazing food and service on our most important day!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Nice place to hang out with friends!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

I recently had dinner at the Smoque Shack with my girlfriend. We ordered the full rack of baby back ribs and the mac and cheese with pulled pork. The ribs werent as good as I remembered. They didnt have enough BBQ sauce and tasted slightly burnt.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Good food and beer but portions could be bigger

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Great vibe and great food!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Nice place, good food, great service. Lorraine was very friendly and professional. She gave us great advice and answered all our questions patiently. Wings were good, brisket cheese dip was very good, and the turkey club was good. I just wish that their dishes came with a side order. You have to pay extra for the sides. Try them out if youre in the market!

★★★
December 23, 2019

Mixed feelings! Not a fan of the smoked beer. We love dishes that are cooked with beer but we feel like beer itself shouldn t be cooked lol. My husband had the BurntEnd brisket Sandwich which was amazing!!! We highly recommend it. I had the pulled pork sandwich but it was boring. It was just pork and bread, there was no sauce or cheese or even a pickle or anything. Pretty disappointed in that dish. I should of ordered something else. At least the fries and coleslaw were good.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

Fantastic food

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2019

I wanted to love it, I wanted it to taste as good as it use to, and although the food was good it just is not the same as the old location on York.....it lacked the charm, the same intimate service and even the food has gone from great to good. Its still worth the visit, and the fried chicken is a great new addition....however I wouldnt say its on my youve got to eat here list any longer.

★★★★★
December 23, 2019

Excellent fried chicken and amazing mac and cheese