Smokin' Pete's BBQ

BBQ in Ballard ... it's about the only place in Ballard to get real BBQ, and I mean smoked BBQ and not that baked/boiled slab of meat you get at restaurants or dinners like Applebee. No two days will you find the taste to be exactly the same, which is why I keep coming back. However, this can mean that there will be days when, let's say the ribs are not up to par or in one instance they were dry & tough (this is why I only gave three stars). The Mac & Cheese, desserts and especially the greens are always very good. They even sell smoked bones for your buddy back home (I mean your dog). Please note, the dinning area is self serve, with minimal decoration, and the temperature can be quite cold at times. This doesn't bother me and besides, it probably keeps out all the people that I don't really care for anyway (i.e the rich immigrants from California). Pros: Only place in Ballard to get real BBQ Cons: Price a little high - occasionally inconsistent quality more

Met up with a party of 6 for some Saturday BBQ at Pete's On Jan. 31, 2009 and it couldn't have been more disappointing. The food was overpriced, bland, cold and the sullen, sour-faced employees (except for the kind female server) couldn't have cared less. But making the entire experience by far worse, was the fact that Smokin' Pete's didn't have the heat on. It was less than 50 degrees outside, and less than 50 degrees inside. There is far better BBQ in Seattle, try the Viking if you don't have kids with you, it'll be worth your time and effort even if you have to leave Ballard. I hope this place goes out of business so that something better can takes its place Cons: Bad Food, High Prices & No Heat! more

After reading the reviews here, I was excited to try Smokin Pete's. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The briskets were very tough and sliced a bit too thick. The ribs were bland and overall, everything was way too greasy. I haven't tried any other spots in the area so I can't compare to local places, but I can say that this is nothing like bbq that you get in Memphis or Kansas. more

These guys get bbq...their brisket is the best i have ever had. The mac & cheese is unbelievable too. The place has a cool casual and relaxed atmosphere...super friendly staff. They have music on thursday nights and the place comes alive. I especially love their home made desserts (on my latest trip my mind was blown by this amazing rich gingerbread cake with lemon curd glaze). Their sauces rock and the beer selection is wide and varied...i try to make it there at least a couple of times a week. Pros: building adjacent parking more

After receiving word from friends not to try Pete's I had to see why. I found out. I tried the pork sandwich. more

I will start out with a hearty and sincere recommendation for Smokin Pete's. Now, I am not one of those BBQ snobs who looks for particular things. But I am still cracking up at the reviewer that slammed Pete's for ""pre-cooking"". What I am is a guy who loves great brisket and ribs. And man can these guys make the brisket. This is the best in town, hands down. And I am including Jones BBQ in that comparison. I also love a great sauce, and these guys make several. I usally stick with the ""hot"" but they are all very good. The pulled pork is consistently always good. The service is fast and always friendly. Pete's is based in an old storefront that years ago was Kastner's Market, then Rudy's (back in the 60-70s) and finally ""The Buther Shoppe) for many many years. Ballard folks should know that they are earting in a place with some history! The only criticism I would level is that the chickien is inconsistent- sometimes dry. That is the only problem I have ever had and I have been here many many times! Try the lunch specials! Enjoy. more

I'm a huge BBQ fan, and I've tried a lot of places around town. But I must say smokin Pete's is one of my favorites. I recommend the pork ribs, with collard greens. I truly respect that Pete's serve their meats dry, meaning you can add sauce if you want too. But being a fan of dry and wet BBQ. I'll usually mix it up a bit. The BBQ has a perfect amount of smoke, and it's not overly seasoned. I took three friends their, the other day and all my buddies were blown away. Pros: Lots of choices, Flavor, local seattle BBQ more

This place reminds me of a grocery store deli. You have to get your own utensils and bus you own table (I wouldn't have left a tip had I known this was the case). Also, all the food is pre-cooked and sitting in a heated display case. The food is not cooked in BBQ sauce, instead, you have squeeze bottles of different flavors available to put on the food when you get it. This is not true BBQ. The food was mediocre at best and definately not worth the cost. The ambience was that of a takeout joint or a deli. That being said, the establishment was clean, the employees were friendly and the food came quickly (obviously since it was all pre-cooked.) I would not come back again and I don't recommend. Pros: Speed, Clean, Friendly Cons: Not good, Not cheap, Ambiance more

This place is awesome and still somewhat undiscovered - except to Ballardites. Their slow joe pork sandwich is to die for, and their brisket is as good or better than I've had in Texas. Smoked chicken is really good too, but you can only get it after 4:30pm, for some reason. They dry rub all their meats and serve up sauce on the side, so if you are of the saucy persuasion, this will be a different experience. C. Gaffney Pros: Good smoke, parking more