Ep. 181 - Kris Manning and Smokey Joe’s BBQ

When Kris Manning took over Smokey Joe’s BBQ from his father Kenneth Manning and Joe Melton, the original owners, he had a delicate balance to strike: balancing the traditions of a restaurant serving the community since 1985 with the desire to improve the overall menu by modernizing the cooking process.

Kris along with longtime Smokey Joe’s pitmaster Earl Harris eventually swapped out their trusted but troublesome brick pit for well built custom offset smokers. Armed with newfound cooking knowledge provided by the tutelage of the Guess Family BBQ crew, Kris began making changes to some of the menu.

The sides on the menu are a great homage to Kris’ upbringing and the simply seasoned hickory smoked ribs are a Smokey Joe’s staple that will never change, but the brisket they serve today is definitely the more consistent modern style familiar to today's barbecue audience. It’s safe to say Kris has done a great job straddling the line between tradition and evolving with the times.

Smokey Joes BBQ

6403 South RL Thornton Freeway

Dallas, TX 75232.  

Business Hours:  

Sunday        -- 11am-5pm

Monday        -- Closed

Tuesday       -- Closed

Wednesday  -- 11am-8pm or til Sold Out

Thursday      -- 11am-8pm or til Sold Out

Friday           -- 11am-9pm or til Sold Out

Saturday       -- 11am-9pm or til Sold Out