Smokin? Joe?s Ribhouse Gets Four Stars

Catch a whiff of air on Rogers’ West Poplar Avenue and try not to get whiplash looking for the Mississippi River. No, this ain’t Memphis. It’s the home of Smokin’ Joes Ribhouse, a Benton County legend and a virtual rodeo for the senses.

We can’t imagine how distracting it would be to work within nose-shot of the restaurant’s smoke house, which upon our recent arrival was belching out the satiable perfume of barbecue pork and spicy barbecue rub.

We ordered one Sprite (beverages are $1.25 each) and two iced teas, and opted for an appetizer of fried mushrooms ($5). Bar none, these are the best fried mushrooms in Northwest Arkansas — each deliciously salted and larger than a golf ball.

Our trio watched coverage of the war in Iraq on one of Smokin Joe’s televisions, and enjoyed the restaurant’s Faulknerian photos of old men sitting on grocery store porches and various farm scenes.

One of our female diners had the combo barbecue plate ($8) with sliced brisket and pork loin. She chose a salad and mashed potatoes for her two side items and called the feast “wonderful.”

She also said the service was excellent and “kid-friendly.”

“The meat was tender,” she said. “Mashed potatoes were the real thing, not instant.”

A young lady in our party got the chopped pork sandwich with green beans and potato chips on the side. She gobbled them up with abandon.

Our final diner enjoyed the rib dinner ($9), a smoked quarter rack of pork ribs that can be served wet or dry. He opted for the dry rub and was equally pleased that Smokin Joe’s lets customers “sauce-to-suit” by offering a squeeze bottle of the hot stuff on the side. His meal was rounded out with a roll, cole slaw and beans.

“I was full and impressed when I left,” he said. “The food delivered everything the restaurant’s smells promised.”

When our arteries begin flowing again, we’ve decided to get back sometime to sample the house specialties. Both $8 and topped with gravy, the specials are a giant chicken fried steak and a chicken-fried pork tenderloin. Those also come with two side items and a roll.

The diverse menu also features everything from New Orleans-style muffulettas ($6) to a full rack of ribs ($21) called the “dinner for two.” That comes with four side orders and rolls.

We also noticed another diner inhaling a couple of “beef, swiss & shroom” sandwiches ($6 full size, $4.25 half size) that are served with chips. His messy smile said it all.

The coconut cream pie ($2.25) was tempting, but we abstained after licking our plate of mushrooms clean.

We decided that we can only allow ourselves so much enjoyment for one day.