Pok-E-Jo's Smokehouse - Austin, TX Review

9828 Great Hills Trail • Austin, TX 78750
512-338-1990 • www.pokejos.com

Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

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Writer

jmdobies
Austin, TX

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Austin BBQ Place with Smoky, Flavorful Meats, Multiple Locations

carnivore, a music lover, interested in cultural experiences, Spicy food lover, prefer more casual restaurants

Pros

All-Beef Smoked Sausage, The Jalapeno Cornbread Casserole, Reasonably Priced, Roadhouse-type Decor, Five Convenient Locations

Cons

Chopped Beef Sandwich Underwhelming

MAY

2008

Pok-E-Jo's Smokehouse has been serving up Texas barbecue to hungry Austinites since 1979. With five locations spread across the area, chances are there's a Pok-E-Jo's not too far from your crib.

Bear in mind that I'm a tough grader, especially when it comes to Texas BBQ. So a four-star review of a BBQ place in Texas is easily a five-star review anywhere else.

I visited Pok-E-Jo's Great Hills location on a Saturday at lunchtime, and the place was hoppin'. Food is served cafeteria-style, so just get in line, pick a platter (I chose the 3-meat sampler, with brisket, sausage, and chopped beef), hot and/or cold sides, either regular or spicy sauce (served warm), and a beverage.

I chose the spicy sauce, which gets its kick from chipotle peppers, and it is durn good. I was also quite pleased with the pickle bar, where you can top off your BBQ with dill slices, spicy spears, onions, and/or jalapenos. For sides, I sampled the baked potato casserole, the slaw, potato salad, and the incredible jalapeno corn bread casserole. Outstanding, and reason enough to come back for more, sooner than later.

Which reminds me, first time customers get a 10% discount, and if they return within 30days, they get 15% off on their second visit, 20% off on the third, and 25% off on the fourth. Great concept, as a customer who comes back three times in a month is probably hooked, and will be a regular for years to come.

As for the meat, it is very well-smoked, and cooked to a T. The sausage is all-beef, so is not as greasy as pork sausage tends to be, while the brisket was moist and delicious. I was underwhelmed by the chopped beef, which was relatively bland, but that's about the only complaint I've got. Otherwise, this is solid Texan barbecue at a fair price, with roadhouse-type atmosphere, but very clean, and suitable for family dining.

Other Po-Ke-Jo's locations:

2121 E. Parmer Lane, 512.491.0434

1202-C North I-35, 512.388.7578

1000 E. 41st Street, 512.302.1200

4109 Capital of Texas Highway, 512.440.0447

The original 5th location has been bulldozed to make way for more downtown development, but it will live on in the hearts of Austin BBQ fans (literally).

Last edited on May 14, 2008