I have to tell you about JD’s Smokehouse in Rutherford College, NC. We found this one by total fluke. Tammy and I took a short vacation down the Blue Ridge Parkway. We planned our first two nights and had reservations. After that, well we would just see where we end up. Somewhere between Blowing Rock and Asheville we started looking for a place to stay that night. Everything near the parkway was booked. We finally found a room we liked at the Hampton Inn in Morganton, NC.
So we get settled in and go back down to the lobby to ask Alex, the young man working the counter, where was the best bbq around. Alex told us the names of a few places close to the motel but seemed a little reserved. So we asked again, where is the best bbq? He then told us about JD’s Smokehouse but said it was a little further away. How far? About 12 miles. We knew where we were going.
Custom Made Light Fixtures at JD’s Smokehouse.
The Restaurant:
JD’s Smokehouse is just off I-40 from exit 113 on to Rutherford College Rd. They’ll be just down the road on the right from that direction. I do want to tell everyone before I go too far that they are only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Plan accordingly.
We talked to Debbie after we ate to learn more about the restaurant. Debbie and her husband, Jim, were both from the area but had moved to Georgia many years ago. They were looking for a place to open a restaurant but couldn’t find what they wanted in GA or SC so, long story short, they ended up back in Rutherford College with a little help from a nephew. They bought a run-down manufacturing building and spent two years renovating and modeling it into the restaurant that they dreamed about. I will say that my description cannot do justice to the amount of time and work they put into this place.
NASCAR Driver’s Suit.
JD’s Smokehouse.
They refurbished a lot of the old tongue-in-groove boards and used them wherever possible. Overhead lights are special made from buckets, the inside of a minnow bucket and a metal funnel that I remember. They were really cool. There were also signs with funny sayings on the walls. But their pride and joy is their NASCAR collection, including some authentic driving suits. One belonged to Dale Jarrett. Pay them a visit and they will tell you about their NASCAR connection. Needless to say the restaurant was awesome even for someone who is not a big time fan of racing. Though I do appreciate the sport and enjoy some of it.
The Staff:
When we entered we went up to a counter where you begin your ordering process. Though I did not get the names of the ladies helping us there, they were all great. They knew their food and menu as well as treating you like you’re part of the family. Once we ordered they gave us a ticket and told us to give it to Miss Mary at the dining room door and she would get us seated. She was sweet as she could be and we loved her. Miss Mary also gave us our tour after we finished eating.
Heather was our awesome waitress. She was super friendly and kept constant check on us to be sure everything was good. We couldn’t have asked for a better waitress.
The last one we met was Debbie, a co-owner with her husband. Though I do believe she said their son is running the place now. She was wonderful. We talked to her for a while about how they ended up back in Rutherford College and how JD’s Smokehouse had started. She was thrilled to tell us about the NASCAR collection and how she had painted a lot of the signs herself. We’d loved to have talked to her longer but by then they were closing up and she had a lot of work to do.
Tammy’s Choices at JD’s Smokehouse:
2 Meat Combo with Pulled Pork and Sliced Brisket. Slaw and Sweet Potato Crunch Sides.
Tammy ordered a 2 Meat Combo with Pulled Pork and Sliced Brisket. For sides she chose Slaw and Sweet Potato Crunch. You also get a homemade roll with your meal. I should say it tasted like homemade but Heather would not confirm or deny it. Let’s just say that the roll was to die for. The slaw was chopped but not too fine and in a mayo base. It was very good. Her sweet potato crunch was wonderful. It’s like a sweet potato casserole, sweet and moist, with a crunchy topping.
Now the meats. The pulled pork was great. It had a wonderful smoke flavor and a nice smoke ring with plenty of bark mixed in. It’s hard to beat all that together. Then there’s the sliced brisket which was also fantastic. Again, good smoke ring and burnt edges to go with it. That’s good burnt as in burnt end material. Both the pork and the brisket were delicious. I was impressed.
My Choices:
3 Meat Combo with Pulled Pork, Sliced Brisket and Ribs. Baked Beans and Brunswick Stew Sides.
I ordered the 3 Meat Combo with Pulled Pork, Sliced Brisket and Ribs. My sides were Baked Beans and Brunswick Stew. The beans were wonderful. Tasted like they had a little molasses for sweetness and some pepper for a little kick. I loved them. Speaking of love, then comes my Brunswick Stew. It was just so good, having plenty of meat and veggies with a delicious broth. It wasn’t your everyday stew.
After talking to Heather some about spicy sauces and foods she insisted I try their Jalapeno Grits and Cheese. This sounded strange to me, especially for a bbq side dish but I’m always game to try something interesting. These grits had a great flavor with just a mild heat range. Though I think they are a different side dish for bbq, they were really good. She said this is a signature dish at JD’s Smokehouse. I say give them a try.
In addition to the pork and brisket I had the ribs. Let’s just say that the ribs were to die for. Yes, you may even slap someone you love very much for these ribs. They just fell off the bone and were so tender. The rub on them was great and then they were smoked to perfection.
Sauces:
I did try the two sauces that were on the table. One was an Eastern NC Style, vinegar and pepper. The other was a Sweet Tomato, KC Style Sauce. Both were good but as usual, all I did was sample. I didn’t want sauce on anything we had. While trying out these sauces, Heather told me about their hot sauce which they don’t keep on the table. Of course I wanted to sample it too. Have mercy on me she did not lie about “HOT”. I mean I have tried hotter sauces before but this was still very hot. But hey, some like it hot.
Final Thoughts:
Little Ryder closing down JD’s Smokehouse.
You have probably figured out that we loved JD’s Smokehouse. Awesome food and awesome people in a really cool restaurant. There is no way you can beat this. Tammy and I have several restaurants we visit frequently at home where we feel like family. Well we got that same feeling here tonight. In fact, we loved it so much that by the time we finished touring the place our little Jeep was the only one left in the parking lot. Yes it was a great night on Patrick’s BBQ Trail. I really can’t think of much more to say about them. I hope that their followers will get involved with this and join in. Anyone who claims to like bbq that travels I-40 needs to plan a visit here. Just remember I told you, Thursday, Friday and Saturday only. With that in mind, their slogan is: “This ain’t your everyday bbq it’s a weekend celebration!”
Now For Your Thoughts:
What are the other visitors’ thoughts about JD’s Smokehouse? Anyone traveling by decide to give them a try? How’d you like it? Leave some comments about your visit and I’ll get them posted with this review.
What do you regulars think?
How about the regulars at JD’s Smokehouse? This place was jamming when we arrived. I know they already have a lot of fans. Tell us about your bbq restaurant. What keeps you going back? What other menu items should other people try? Desserts maybe? We didn’t even consider them this round. Get some comments on here and show your support for your local restaurant. Who knows, business picks up enough they may consider opening on Wednesday. Just thinking. Seriously, get those comments in here so I can post them.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I encourage you to share this review on Facebook and other social media sites. Follow us on Facebook to see where else we go.
You can check out their website at: http://www.jds-smokehouse.com/
You can also find them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JDSmokehouse/
43 Comments
I’m a local and my husband and I go every Saturday! We love it! Can’t beat the food or the service!
Kristen, It’s always good to hear from the locals. You know much more about JD’s than we can learn in one visit. Though I think we did get a crash course learning about this one. They were fantastic all the way around. It is great to have such a wonderful restaurant local. My wife still thinks I’m searching for the place I want to retire to by the restaurants we find. If so, Rutherford College would be high on my list of possibilities. Thanks again.
We LOVE this place. We drive about 45 mins just to eat here. Their Brunswick stew is the best I’ve ever had. You have to try their corn on the cob. They rub it with their BBQ spices and butter! My husband loves their banana pudding! I get a vegetable plate with one of the vegetables being the stew, that has big pieces of meat in it. This is a winner!!
Emily. Thanks for adding your comments. It is truly great to hear from everyone out there about JD’s. I love their Brunswick Stew. Wished I could have got some to bring home but we were traveling away from home at the time and I wouldn’t keep it in a cooler for that long. The corn sounds amazing. I think I’ll have to try it next time around. Thank you so much for the comments. You do have a winner out there.
My family regularly visits JDs. We absolutely love it. We have several choices for our BBQ and JDs is the only one we go to now despite only being open 3 days a week! My favorite dish is the brisket, that perfectly smoked flavor paired with the tenderness of the meat is melt in your mouth perfection! What keeps me going back is the friendly staff and amazing flavor. I highly recommend them!!
Ashley, You are so lucky, at least in the bbq world anyways. I believe if I lived out there I’d be at the door waiting for them to open on Thursdays. The young man at our motel told us about several other places too. When we asked him again where’s the best he sent us to JD’s. So glad he did. It is great to hear others talk about them this way too. I know that I didn’t hit them on a good night and just go overboard. They are that good according to what I’m reading in everyone’s comments. Thanks for that.
I am a JD’s Regular and I love this place like no other!! Everything there is awesome!! This is the only place I will eat brisket. Perfection!! I’ve had Texas brisket and JD’s brisket beats theirs hands down. Debbie, Jim and everyone there treat everyone like family. Last night, Ashley even made sure we were seated at my favorite booth!! I am completely addicted to this place, their fantastic food and the great company!!
Beth, I definitely understand why you’d be a regular. Everything we had was great as well as the service and atmosphere. That’s the sad part for us when we travel around and know it will be a long time before we can return. You folks out there have a treasure. I’m glad to hear that they have such loyal support from the locals. And yes, the brisket was awesome! Thanks again for the comments.
This place has so many special memories and there has never been a bad meal or bad waitress!! I don’t know where they hire their people, if they are all family…but, they go out of their way to make you feel special and like you are their only customer even though the place is packed.
And how do the always have tender, juicy BBQ? They have magic. Has to be! I am a brisket and chopped BBQ girl. And, sure it’s so good it could go without the sauces, but I am a freak. I first douse a fair amount of the vinegar based one, then a little hot just here and there. Then I take some of the thicker one and do a quick swizzle across the top. And last, but not least…the mustard based one, to the side for an occasional dip! All are amazing!
Sides, oh my I love so many! I am a corn on the cob snob, if it ain’t cooked just right – after one bite I’m done. The corn…wait for it (you need to go back just for the corn) is deep fried and rubbed with their dry rub! My mouth just watered for corn on the cob and it’s 8 am.
It is so hard to not be a big ole heifer and order 4 or 5 sides. Their slaw is so good and you can’t have BBQ without slaw! I mean, isn’t that a law somewhere written down?? Then there are the baked beans, they just go with the slaw – right? They have that smokey flavor like the bbq has.
And then there is the Mac and cheese, puhhhlease!!! It is so creamy delicious that I won’t let my niece get it, she says I make the best Mac and cheese…I can’t let them ruin my rep!! There’s the fried okra, my nephew gets it and when he looks at a pretty waitress I steal a few and they are crunchy and tasty!!
That sweet potato crunch is all sweet and creamy underneath, then there’s the crunchy nut topping. I like it as a dessert! Their banana pudding is the last side I have tried. I mentioned it last, because I have had my husband get us both one to go to eat later, you know – since we are so full on everything else. But, I get home and hide in my room and ate both the creamy goodness, chocked full of bananas and nilla wafers. But, shhhh don’t tell him, he thinks he ate his while still in his food coma and just can’t remember. I only got that story over on him once…now he really does eat it as soon as he gets home…in his food coma. But, he remembers.
Alas, we have moved to Myrtle Beach. Husband has taken a job at the local University here. I had to follow…after 28 years, I guess he’s stuck with me. But, JD…we will be back!!!
I am glad you found them, they really do deserve the recognition. Maybe they will be in such high demand they’ll have to add an extra day!
I love it! The corn does sound amazing and I’ll have to try it next time. It is great for me to read a comment like this so I’m sure the crew back at JD’s will love it too. So sorry for your move but I would hope you’ll find bbq there near Myrtle Beach. And after all, SC is the home to mustard sauce. Good luck. If all else fails there’s always a road trip. Just remember the cooler. We know all about that. And yes, unfortunately we are about 5 – 6 hours away too. Sigh…Thanks for all the great information.
Love love love JDs Smokehouse. Pulled pork and bbq slaw. And that yeast roll is AWESOME!!!
Hazel, I had to smile when I read your comment. Right to the point, Love it! JD’s was an awesome stop for us on Patrick’s BBQ Trail. We loved it from the time we walked in all the way thru to leaving. All the food was amazing as well as the staff and atmosphere. Thanks for letting others know how you feel too. Great to hear it from you.
Anita. I usually go for the brisket and pork combos where ever we go too. I also like to add a side of ribs when possible. These were all fantastic at JD’s. And yes, those jalapeno cheese grits surprised me. I thought them to be a strange side for bbq but they were wonderful as well. I appreciate the feedback as I’m sure JD’s will be also. Can’t wait till next time for us. Thanks again.
We live just a few miles down Hwy 70 from JD’s and it is definitely a favorite for our whole family, as well as any guests that visit. If there are ever new people visiting, we don’t hesitate to take them to JDs. The atmosphere is great, the service is outstanding, and the food is always delicious. They never disappoint! Glad you were able to try them out!
Christi, Oh how lucky you are. I’ll bet if the wind blows in the right direction you can even smell them cooking. It is great to hear from the folks out there about JD’s. Glad to know that everything we experienced was a normal visit for others out there. Just so others know, when we visit a restaurant the staff does not know we will be writing about them, we’re just two people coming in for something to eat. So if anyone pays JD’s a visit, they should receive the same treatment that we experienced. Thanks for your comments. Great to hear from you.
This is a favorite place of everyone in my family! We are fans of the chopped chicken plate as well…all white meat and so juicy! So glad you tried the jalapeno cheese grits as it’s my fav! The corn on the cob is worth going back for as it is fried and so darn good with a spice rub on it…well, you just can’t stand yourself !!! LOL!!! Glad someone else mentioned the sweet tea ( better than Granny’s but I’d never tell her that) and the banana pudding is always a staple we are too full to eat there and take home for later. Y’all get down to JDs! We drive 30 minutes just to eat here regularly and get there early to beat the lines! 💗
Liz, Great to hear your thoughts on JD’s. I’m so glad we were able to visit there as well. You truly have a gem of a restaurant out there. And I don’t just mean the food. The people were wonderful as well. Even though it was our first time there we still felt like family. I will have to go back for the corn. My wife says she’s getting hungry just listening to all these comments. I guess if we left now we could get there just in time for the supper rush. Thank you for commenting on the post. I know that JD’s will be glad to read them too.
Jds is family! We came the day they opened. Best bbq ive ever tasted and smoked chicken is wonderful also! I could go on and on. Amazing!
Kat, Wow! A loyal customer from day one, that’s so cool. I’m learning that JD’s has a lot of loyal local support and that’s fantastic. I love hearing from everyone out there. I know that JD’s will appreciate seeing all the comments as well. They are all such wonderful, and humble, people. Thanks for the comments.
Patrick, I have lived all over the North and South Carolina, and I have been to some great BBQ places all over our great country, but we moved to Granite Falls 3 years ago – and we have fallen in love with this place. If we don’t eat here at least once a week, we must be on vacation! Even our grown children, one in the Navy, will always want to stop here as soon as they get back in town! The food is just incredible, but it is also the atmosphere which feels like family! Debbie and Jim have best friends down near Clemson (where I went to school and first had this type of experience) that run a “sister” store called the “Smoking Pig” which has been featured on ESPN Gameday and more….and these two places run with the same great food and same great service! The son, Matt, is the hardest working guy I know – I never see him outside the kitchen – except to maybe say hello when he gets a short, but needed break! Many times on Friday and Saturday nights, the wait can be an hour – but we will always be loyal and faithful supporters of this great place – with great people! Thanks for featuring them in your article – it is well deserved, and your followers will be blessed if they take the time to visit JD’s sometime on their life adventures!
Todd, Thanks for the input. Great to hear all the wonderful comments coming in. Seemed like everyone there was hard at work when we visited but they would not hesitate to speak to you and make you feel welcome no matter how busy they were. Since eating here, I’d wait that hour on Friday or Saturday night. Not many places rate me waiting that long. Thanks again. Tell everyone hi for us when you go back.
JD’s Smokehouse is the best. My husband and I have several places we can get BBQ but we only go to JD’s. The food and the staff are amazing. We have been going since the day they opened. We have never had a bad experience or bad food. They have the best brisket we have ever eaten anywhere. We absolutely love their corn on the cob. We have tried everything on their menu and liked it all. We always recommend them to everyone we meet. Thanks for writing such a great article on them. They sure do deserve it!! Next time you visit try their dawgs they sure are good!!
Tracy, Thanks for the great comments. You’re not the only one to mention the dawgs. They must really be good to pass up the bbq for one. And again I hear about the corn on the cob. Now I’m so sad I didn’t try it. All these comments from everyone out there just have us wanting to make a road trip. It was our pleasure to visit JD’s and I’m happy to be able to write about them. Thanks for your input. They sure have some great fans out there.
You can’t beat JD’s. Living in Morganton, it is the go to BBQ spot. Always a line to get in, but it is worth the wait! ! Speaking of Nascar, many of the sports figures come in to eat! So keep your eyes out next time you visit. Next time you are in town, you have to try the banana pudding! It is amazing!
Scotty, We did hear that about the sports figures going there. I didn’t want to advertise that and have people thinking they could go there and meet someone. Some may get the wrong impression. We were very lucky when we arrived. It was a Saturday night and we had no wait time. The parking lot was packed and I thought we may have to wait but it worked out for us. I will definitely have to get some banana pudding next time we get out that way. Thanks again for posting.
DELICIOUS is all you can say! Love the food, the counter ladies, Ms Mary and all the waitresses! Always smiling and it is just a happy place to be. Sometimes we have our birthday’s there or just mention it to another friend or family member that we’ve going to jD’s and a visit for 3 turns in to a table for 23! Mary has asked us before “where is the rest of your clan” lol! And yes, you must try the dogs! You get 2 all beef hot dogs that are topped with what seems like a whole portion of chopped pork on both dogs and then topped with the coleslaw. When my hubby and I are there for lunch it early evening we will get an extra side and split the dogs. They are really good! And their chopped chix…mercy! We’ve had all the meats and truly a hard decision every time I go. Next time we are trying the fried green beans! Literally talking about this makes me want to get in my car and go! It is 11 am on Saturday after all….Y U M
*thank you for recognizing the best place to eat within 20 miles! We live in Bethlehem (outside of Hickory in Alexander County) and I we can’t go a month without eating there!
Jennifer, It just amazes me the support JD’s is getting. Though it shouldn’t surprise me. Everything you have said is so true and I now want to drive 6 hours to get a hot dog. Wow. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I know that JD’s will also appreciate it. My wife and I both love it when we find a place like this. The people here, including the customers, make this blog a fun hobby for us. Thanks for all the comments.
We go almost every weekend!! You must try the corn on the cob and the macaroni and cheese!! Best BBQ around! The brisket is my personal favorite! Not to mention the awesome people that work there!
Thanks Linda. We were there a couple of weeks ago and I’m ready to go back. I agree that as fantastic as the food is the people working there are just awesome. We loved them. And yes, the corn on the cob is tops on my list to try next visit. Thank you so much for the comments.
My wife and I both Really love jds and are fortunate to only live about 20/30 minutes away. I don’t get to eat there as often As I would like but I have found nothing there that I didn’t like I think it is unusual to find a place where everything on the menu is awesome and I really love those cheese grits Jds has set the bar really high for the total bbq experience
Michael, it’s great to hear that you love everything there. The grits were wonderful. Our visit was an awesome bbq experience and we look forward to another visit out there. Plus we love that area of NC. There’s some beautiful country out there. I would encourage you to take that thirty minute drive though. I’m almost ready for our 6 hour drive to go back. Take care and thanks for the comments.
One thing I don’t believe you mentioned is the portion of BBQ you get. We easily have enough left over for another meal the next day. The BBQ sandwich is piled high, and could easily make two sandwiches. My husband has always loved BBQ and he could never get me to eat it, because I had never found a BBQ I truly loved. One day a few years ago, I was shopping and the cashier was a lady I worked with years ago. She was talking to the customer in front of me about JD’s. Come to find out the customer was the owner. We went there to try it that weekend, and have been going ever since. We have taken many friends there, and each and every one have become regulars.
Patti, you are absolutely right. I did not mention the portion sizes which were all good sized. A lot of times I don’t go into portions and price so I don’t get into a who costs what debate. I just like to inform people about the quality and service or the whole experience we have at a restaurant. I do however appreciate others filling in the blanks that I leave out. I always encourage and ask people for their input. You know more about them than I do plus you can talk about what I leave out. Thank you so much. I’m also glad you overheard the conversation and tried them out. I know we were happy to learn about JD’s.
We go to JDs at least twice a week. The BBQ and the ribs are both superb. my wife loves the brisket, but the sides are so good she might just order three sides without the entree. JDs is the only place where I will overcome my reticence to eat corn on the cob in public. Deep fried, buttered, and with a little rub on top – it’s reason enough to go there by itself. Although everybody swears by their banana pudding, for my money there’s nothing better on the entire menu than the strawberry cobbler. Tart, hot and wonderful! But it is seasonal.
Whenever our adult children come for a weekend visit, they usually say, “We’ll meet you at JDs!”
J.R. Thanks for the comments. I loved all three when we visited (bbq, ribs & brisket). Everyone keeps talking about the corn on the cob. Sorry I missed out on it. I’ll remember it next time. The strawberry cobbler sounds like it’s right up my wife’s alley. She loves the tartness of strawberries. I’d probably try hers but go for the banana pudding. I will be sure she sees this though. Thanks.
You should go to Hog Wild on down the road. Much better!
We’ll keep that in mind next time we’re in the area. Thanks for letting us know.
I work down the road from JD’s and it is truely amazing. They smoke the meat for 3 days without being open then start serving on Thursdays. We have customers who plan their visits according to JD’s schedule!
Laura, I’d probably plan my visit by their schedule too if given the choice. I love it. Thanks for the comments.
We are regulars at JD’s. Every Thursday we chow down on their Brisket, green bean Casserole and their sweet potatoe casserole. When you mix their eastern style bq sauce with a brisk sandwich you have the best Bq experience every. On top of all this is the great atmosphere. . You think your at a family reunion.
Jeff, that sounds great. I’m so thankful that so many of JD’s fans have added to this post. I do believe they do a wonderful job with the food and the people and atmosphere are amazing too. It still means a lot to hear it from all of you. Thanks for the comments.
Patrick,
You nailed this review on the head! We have been eating at JD’s ever since they opened. My husband would eat there lunch and dinner Thursday, Friday, and Saturday if he could. He’s a creature of habit and always gets the pork sandwich with either beans or sweet potato crunch. I love it all! Brisket, half smoked chicken, pulled pork (they give more bark on request – did u know?), ribs,, chopped chicken with the mustard sauce yum. Debbie’s dad is a vegetarian so that’s why they have a boatload of sides which you don’t usually see in restaurants.
And I can’t say enough about their wonderful employees! They are all over the top incredible. But Jim, Debbie, Matt, and Jennifer are more than that to us. They are good friends and the best people. The love and care they show people in their everyday life is even greater than their BBQ. They have hearts bigger than giants and that’s what makes their restaurant work! Because they really care about their customers. We hope you come back to our neck of the woods often. We love visitors to our area. And don’t forget to bring a carload of friends!
What an awesome tribute to their hard work. Thank you so much for sharing. And I will have to remember about the bark next time. Thanks again.