Barbecue-chips - Smithsburg

Everything was fantastic. Brisket and pork were perfect. Says a lot when no sauce was needed. Sides of smoked beans and slaw, exactly as you want them (did not try potato salad or Mac and cheese).

After reading all the positive reviews, we decided it was finally time to try this restaurant, especially since it's in our hometown. I ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf special, while my friend opted for the Ribs and Chicken special. Unfortunately, the meatloaf was really heavy and incredibly dry. The bacon wrap consisted of just one slice, which was so limp that it was practically inedible. The smoked green beans seemed to come straight from a can and were only enhanced with some flabby bacon. The mac and cheese was also dry, lacking cheese, and sprinkled with an excessive amount of black pepper. My friend thought the ribs were decent (but not outstanding), while the chicken was dry and just alright in terms of flavor. He also tried the green beans and corn, which the menu claimed was fresh off the cob but was clearly from a can. I really hope this local business thrives, as it appears to have many loyal fans, but unfortunately, we won't be among them and won't be returning.

A few months ago, I had a disappointing experience with a dry and dense meatloaf. It’s hard to mess up a meatloaf, so I was left wondering what went wrong. I’m curious about the culinary skills in Smithsburg—do the chefs here have any formal training or experience? It’s baffling how a simple dish like meatloaf can be ruined like that. Coming from a small town, I expect a genuine passion for food, not the continuous mediocrity I encountered. At this point, I’m starting to think that those cooking don’t really understand what good food is. It's alarming that they could serve something like this. I would recommend heading to Hagerstown or Waynesboro instead—eating in Smithsburg has been quite disappointing. It might be worth inviting professional food critics to see what they’d think, as they would have plenty to discuss about the dining scene here.

Barbeque Chips catered an event I attended, and they served the best brisket I've ever had this side of the Mississippi—no joke!