Whiskey’s Smokehouse

Written by Paul Blumer Thursday, 31 December 2009 20:11

Grab your Stetson and boots, baby, and saunter on over to Boylston Street

Yeehaw! Next stop Hynes Convention Center.  It’s a rare treat these days, but sometimes a business chooses to be straightforward and honest with its name, instantly informing potential patrons of what goes on inside.  It’s hard not to feel some relief when there is no doubt, and no second-guessing upon approach, especially in the turmoil of every day life.

Whiskey’s Smokehouse in the Back Bay is just such a place.  You walk into a room that leaves little to be desired—if you’re looking for drinks and barbeque.  Southern barbeque in Boston?  Is it possible?  Apparently so.  Hungry for ribs?  Grab your Stetson and boots, baby, and saunter on over to Boylston.
Coming in from the frigid streets, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, a no-nonsense spot whose staff are cheery and charming.  As the door closes out the icy wind, even the bartender smiles and waves from her spot near the taps, while pouring a Jack Daniel’s on the rocks.

For bar sitters, Whiskey’s offers plenty of specials, including 15-cent wings and half-off appetizers, both of which can be dangerous for appetites.  The spinach and artichoke dip comes with enough chips to scrape the bowl before turning to the signature barbeque sauces as a finish.  There’s also a great trivia night on Tuesdays, and unlike many Boston establishments, they stay open until two in the morning even on Sundays (but get your food order in before 11, or you’ll have to come back the next day).

In the dining room, the furniture is all smoky wood and there are no-frills set-ups including paper towel rolls at each table.  No post-meal mounds of mangled dainty cocktail napkins here. Sauce bottles say simply, “Sweet” or “Hot.”  Beer advertisements and upcoming event posters decorate the walls, and the tap selection is fairly expansive for a Back Bay smokehouse, ranging from Bud Light, Sam Adams, and other classics, to Rapscallion and Long Trail Ale.

For anyone who likes a hearty ale with a light/medium body, Rapscallion pairs perfectly with the three-meat barbeque combo––an enormous plate of food in true southern style, piled high with lightly seasoned french fries, smoky baked beans, and coleslaw. The rib meat falls off the bone, and the brisket (though different from mom’s) is tender and juicy, and packs a punch with a bit of the “Hot” barbeque sauce.  Be sure to have a beer on hand to quench the heat.

Whiskey’s portions are so generous, there will be plenty left over for lunch tomorrow—but with food like this, the temptation to gluttony can be difficult to control.  Especially when the music is good and different from the usual overplayed club hits, and the beer flows at a very reasonable price.  Come for dinner—then go take a nap, and come back for the party at night. ■

More Information:
Whiskey’s Smokehouse
885 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116-2601
Phone: (617) 262-5551
Website: whiskeysboston.com
Hours: every day 11am-2am
Payment: major credit cards accepted.