Smokin' J's Rib and Brewhouse opened a new location in Morgantown recently at the Holiday Inn on Pineview Road.
It is a large and modern space with a central bar and plenty of seating. But, I think because it is in the hotel, the restaurant fades to the background sometimes. When I visited recently with a friend, it wasn't very busy inside.
The menu features ribs and other barbecue dinners, as well as beer-battered dinners.
"Smokin' J's uses a unique slow-smoking and cooking process. Our process tends to leave our Meats - Ribs, Chicken, Pork and Beef pinkish or reddish in color even though they are completely and thoroughly cooked. When you see this coloring it is the flavor of our Meats and why they taste so good," reads the website.
I ordered a half rack of ribs plus macaroni and cheese and broccoli salad.
"Our ribs, imported from Denmark, are the highest grade available. Our Ribs are selected by weight, age and meat content. Ribs, like all animals, vary in size and shape. We try very hard to make each portion correct in weight even though they may visually vary in size and shape. Mother Nature created these differences and we work with them the best we can."
The mac & cheese was drowning in a sauce that tasted overly processed. The broccoli salad could've marinated a bit more. But the ribs were tasty. I liked the tangy sauce, and the ribs pulled away from the bone fairly easily.
Grade: B
