Joey’s Smokin’ B-B-Q at Tustin Market Place
August 8th, 2007, 3:48 pm · 3 Comments · posted by jchin
The latest outpost of a small BBQ chain called Joey’s Smokin’ B-B-Q opened Monday at the Tustin Market Place. It’s where Crescent City used to be, next to where Tower Records used to be. (Um, is that too many “used tos”? OK, Joey’s is next to Jamba Juice in a strip of restaurants named “Palm Cafes.”
The SqueezeOC office got takeout today and tried the baby back ribs - half rack with a Kansas City-style sweet sauce, half rack with more vinegary, Carolina-style “wet” sauce - as well as the grilled tri tip sandwich, BBQ pulled chicken sandwich, and various sides.
Early thoughts - Of all the items, I liked the ribs best. The meat was well cooked - tender and spicy. Not huge on the sauces. Though one sauce was supposed to be sweet and the other vinegary, they were more similar than different to me. Both were very sweet, with not much smokiness or punch. I enjoyed both, it’s just that I prefer the multitude of sauces at Smokin’ Mos.
The chicken in the sandwich was moist and flavorful, and I liked the soft bread. The tri tip was slightly tough though. Not bad, but I’ve had better. Overall, I would say Joey’s is pretty good, but not among my top 5 faves in Orange County, though that could change if I try more items on the menu.
Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ
2933 El Camino Real, Tustin (The Market Place)
(714) 544-4106
www.joeyssmokinbbq.com
Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ started in 2005 and is owned and operated by Joey Maggiore, LA Laker Luke Walton (there’s a Cajun burger named after him) and Director of Business Development Chris Walton.
There are other restaurants at Manhattan Beach, Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, and Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. According to the Web site, more are coming in Hunting Beach (sic - I think they mean Huntington Beach?), Mission Valley, Poway, Point Loma, Eastlake, Hollywood and Hermosa Beach.
Have you tried Joey’s Smokin’ BBQ yet? If so, please comment to let us know what you think.
i second the thumbs up for the ribs! tender meat falling off the bone … yum.
i also liked the BBQ beans, particularly the variety of legumes in the mix and the nice little chunks of meat. Good flavor, too, though a bit on the sweet side …
in fact, Joey’s must have a sweet tooth, because the sauces and corn muffin were very sugary, too. the corn muffin was more like my mom’s lemon cake than cornbread.
oh, and one more thumbs up for the hush puppies — NOT sweet, but with some onion in the mix, providing a nice flavor that sets it apart from the typical dense nuggets of fried cornmeal.
the hush puppies and accompanying sauce were delicious! the beans were wonderfully sweet and the cole slaw was cool and refreshing.
You mentioned this was not one of your top 5 bbq places in Orange County. I’m new to the OC bbq scene, and would appreciate a list of your top 5. Thanks.