184068 Mon Jul 25 16:11:12 -0700 2005 6 15 Pennsylvania 0 987255 Went for dinner on Friday night and was fairly disappointed. I've read some good reviews so maybe I caught them on a bad night. Service was friendly but not overbearing. Certainly A+ there. Orded the "Barbeque Experience" which is a few ribs, some brisket, pulled pork, and a full chicken leg. The chicken leg and the pork were both smokey and tender, very moist. Just enough sauce. The brisket and the ribs tasted like they had sat in a warmer for days. The ribs almost had a beef jerky like texture. Extremely disappointing there. Sides were a mixed bad. Great cornbread (though at $5 not sure it was worth it) and slaw. Sweet potato fries were undercooked and limp though they come with a nice dipping sauce. Baked beans were okay but too sweet for me. Total bill with 3 beers came to just about $60 without tip. Just didn't seem worth it. Mon Jul 25 16:11:12 -0700 2005 0 girlgone 1 987258 I've been 3 times now and ordered take out once. I've had similar experiences with the sweet potato fries, but always thought the ribs were good. The brisket was good in the restaurant, but the take out brisket was a little like you described. Did you try the mac and cheese? It's one of the best I've ever had. And, the wings, while not "traditionally" prepared (they use a dry rub), are really tasty. I've also enjoyed the smoked salmon. I have to say that I haven't tried the baked beans because the description sounds too sweet for me. I think if you go in expecting it to be just like your favorite BBQ at (insert your restaurant of BBQ bliss somewhere off the beaten path here), you probably won't be happy. In case you do like the food, the In Center City e-newsletter (put out by the Center City District) has a 20% off coupon for food that expires at the end of the month. Mon Jul 25 17:17:46 -0700 2005 987255 0 Martha 2 987270 I did use that coupon, which I forgot to mention. I'd probably go back and try the wings because I have heard similar reviews. Tue Jul 26 09:11:06 -0700 2005 987258 0 girlgone 1 987271 I'd have to agree. After reading all the great reviews, I was a bit disappointed when I tried Smoked Joint myself. The barbecue was fine (I tried the brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and the smoked wings) -- while the texture of the brisket and wings in particular was awesome, the flavor left something to be desired. Every meat we tasted had an identical, almost metallic, undertone that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It wasn't the woody and mellow flavor of great barbecue, but something else, a jarring flavor that seemed almost chemical in nature. We had collard greens and pickles as sides -- the greens were good, but you can't really go wrong with those as far as I'm concerned. And the pickle platter was merely OK, not something I'd pay money for. This just confirms my belief that you simply can't get great barbecue in a city this far north. Tue Jul 26 09:19:13 -0700 2005 987255 0 nsawicki 1 987286 It seems they have really good days, and really bad days. The first time I went, it was incredible--moist, meaty, smokey ribs with a tasty rub, slow-burn spicy greens, and some of the best mac & cheese I've ever had. On another visit, the ribs were way too salty and a little dry, and they were out of greens. One time for takeout, I had great luck with the smoked reuben (though too rich to finish in one sitting), and fresh, hearty cornbread. Another time, the cornbread was stale. The only thing consistent throughout has been the mac & cheese. Tue Jul 26 20:08:59 -0700 2005 987255 0 gina 1 987288 For a respite from the mediocrity, or at least inconsistency, of the Joint you might want to try Pheobe's Bar-B-Q on South St., between 22nd and 23rd. I just went there for the first time and found it to be very satisfying 'cue. Ribs, golden brown chickens, awesome looking brisket, and pulled pork. The sides aren't likely as good as the Joint's can/could be, but they do have soul. I had the pulled pork sandwich, and by God, it was pretty damned good -- I'd say better than the Joint's was (at least Pheobe's uses a frickin bun!). Tender but not drippingly moist, the cooked pork is rubbed apart by the crew at Phoebe's. They pick the good pieces of pork and then dip them all in a tangy and spicy sauce before laying the pulled/torn/stripped pork on a round kaiser roll. mmm. Link: http://www.minorgourmandry.com Wed Jul 27 01:06:45 -0700 2005 987255 0 ACM 2 987296 Try the pulled pork at the Old Home Diner in RTM. Oddly, it's better than both. I like the beef brisket at Phoebe's but find the ribs a bit inconsistent. Wed Jul 27 12:18:44 -0700 2005 987288 0 joypirate