Smitty's

6219 Airport Rd., El Paso, TX - (915) 772-5876

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Posted By Michael Stern on September 12, 2009 5:26 PM

With beer-sign décor and no-nonsense service by a staff of professionals, Smitty's is the place to go in El Paso for an exemplary West Texas barbecue experience. That means beef, brisket in particular, and hot links, also made of beef. The brisket is moist and smoky, served in long slices bisected by a thin line of translucent fat. There is a bottle of vinegar-and-tomato sauce on the table to squeeze on the meat if you crave an extra jolt. The hot links are taut, well-packed sausages with a pepper punch – luscious and spicy enough to make thought of sauce redundant.

Other than beef and links, Smitty's menu lists ham, pork, pork ribs, and corned beef -- all barbecued -- available by the pound to take home, by the plate, basket (with bread and sauce only), in a sandwich, or on a platter.

If you choose a platter, your meat of choice will come with beans, slaw, slices of raw onion, pickle chips, and a pair of stupendous "German fried potatoes," which are huge hunks of spud that have been skinned and deep-fried. Also, there’s a crock of hot pickled jalapeno peppers for munching if you enjoy setting your tastebuds aglow.

Located just a short distance from the El Paso airport, Smitty's is a good place to know about if you are just arriving in the West and need a quick fix of the kind of barbecue unique to the region, or if you are leaving and want to take a souvenir. Smitty’s beef and hot links are both available in easily portable sandwiches that smell so good and smoky when unwrapped that you will make your fellow plane passengers salivate with jealousy.

Overall Rating

beef

hot links

High Protein Plate Combo

Ice Tea

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Posted By Kyle on May 11, 2011 7:44 AM

I've been here three times at lunch hour over the last couple of years. Sadly, it seems I'm not the only one with a low opinion of the food value and quality. Definitely a "has been" BBQ joint.

The beans are good. The meats are sub-par. The beef is not tender and moist, the turkey seems to be from the grocery store, and the ribs seem over-cooked.

This was once a highlight of BBQ in El Paso, recommended by many long-time residents. But there seems to be a lack of pride and management these days.

Overall Rating

beans

beef

Pork Ribs

Turkey

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