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"Owner Keith Gertler confirms that the Smoked Joint, the barbecue spot in the Academy House on Locust Street that opened in November 2004, will close after business tomorrow. He says he is tired of run-ins with the Academy House over smoke and plans to reopen elsewhere."
I wonder where. Probably in center city, but it really did need a change. I ate there last year and the ribs were fantastic, but the ambiance was dreary. I doubt they did any renovations since it was Mirabella's.
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bluehensfan
Jul 18, 2006 05:43 PM
Apparently it was in the Daily News... No new location has been announced yet.
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bluehensfan
Jul 18, 2006 04:27 PM
I couldn't find anything online at the Inky website...anyone have a link (if that's permitted...).
They could use a better location. It truly was like eating in a pit!
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bluehensfan
Jul 18, 2006 11:38 AM
That stinks...it might explain the new "summer hours." Anyone verify this other than the bartender rumor?
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JugglerDave
Jul 17, 2006 08:16 PM
According to a post on another Philadelphia-related blog, Friday is The Smoked Joint's last day.
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Darn! Since they introduced the $5 bowls of mac and cheese, it's been the lunch-out place of choice for my office. Guess we should have known it wouldn't last for long knowing that we could always bring a large group for a Friday lunch and have no problem getting a table.
As far as the menu comments, they have made several changes since opening and even in the last 6 months. More varieties and sizes of mac and cheese, fewer sides for the "meals", no more smoked salmon, brisket pitas are now brisket sandwiches... and a few more things that I'm sure I'm not recalling...
Most recently, format-wise, they introduced "real" menus, no more placemats/menus. Now it's the plastic covered, large-folded ones, with incredibly ugly paper inserts... I hope they didn't pay a graphic designer for those.
I think it's reasonably priced and easily accessible. If prices and parking are your concern with the Smoked Joint, what are you comparing it to?
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bluehensfan
Jul 10, 2006 10:53 AM
Watch out Smoked Joint fans...they just instituted new summer hours. No more BBQ at lunchtime and they are closed on Mondays.
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Rondo
Jul 10, 2006 12:07 AM
Glad to hear I'm not the only one underwhelmed by the taste of the ribs and such. Had a few at the Rittenhouse Street Fair a couple of months ago and wasn't real crazy about the taste. Ribs were meaty enough but the taste was "off". I'd just as soon go the extra mile or 10 and head up to Sweet Lucy's
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bluehensfan
Jul 6, 2006 11:34 AM
There's a parking lot (you gotta pay though) next to Estia right across the street. The Chicken Mac is very good too!
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JugglerDave
Jul 6, 2006 10:26 AM
I really like the M&C, nice and garlicky. I thought the portion was very large for the price, unless they have changed it in the last 6 months. Good for vegetarians in the group.
And there is plenty of parking near The Smoked Joint, at least 4 or 5 lots within 2 blocks. Or are you talking about "free" on-street parking.
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harriet1954
Jul 1, 2006 06:14 PM
You know, I pretty much agree with rabidog. I was there on an icy (my birthday) night in 2005, and although the food wasn't bad, I thought my brisket was...yeah, oversmoked or something. My daughter still talks about the wing appetizer. The macaroni and cheese was good, but I thought $10 was a lot of money for that. It was really OK, but we haven't been back.
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rabidog
Jun 27, 2006 02:13 AM
Maybe it's just me (a vegetarian in the smoked joint?) but everything I got was, well... too smoky. No other flavor. Maybe I was asking for it, I don't know.
Non-food related, we went on an "open mic" night, which I'd recommend wholeheartedly you avoid! :) Your ears will thank you.
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bluehensfan
Jun 26, 2006 10:51 AM
It's still good. The best bets are the ribs, pulled pork, and chicken. The mac and cheese and chicken mac are good. Now the cornbread is sans peppers altogether (they tried two varieties neither of which added much in my opinion) but could be a touch sweeter. The briscuit usuallly is very good but can be infrequently overcooked.
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Still great. We like the chicken wing app -- big and spicy and juicy. Also the cornbread (if you have at least 4 people -- otherwise it's too filling). Ribs are very good. Pastrami is amazing (make sure you tell them to give you a center cut -- sometimes it's gristly). I like the slaw. My husband likes the beans but I don't. The greens are just ok. never had room for dessert.
