We like to check out restaurants in the area so that we can make recommendations to our guests. There are a couple of new ones that have opened in the Crozet VA area within the last year. We made it to one and were glad we did.
Smoked Kitchen & Tap is a barbecue restaurant that delivers on its premise of expanding its business beyond their award-winning food truck. Smoked is a full-service restaurant specializing in barbecue (naturally) but also offers salads, burgers and other sandwiches (even a vegetarian option).
The décor is the industrial chic that is popular in our area right now and the atmosphere is casual. There are a few booths, plenty of tables plus bar seating. They even have tables outside on the patio if you want to sit there. On each table you get a choice of 5 sauces all developed and made by them. Our favorites were the Honey Red, Sweet Virginia Blackberry and Low Country Mustard. The others were a bit too spicy for us but if you like heat with your barbecue the Carolina Firewater and Spicy Red will fit the bill just fine.
The day we went to Smoked it was late in the afternoon and we were hungry as we hadn’t eaten lunch yet. So, we were quite pleased that the food they served us was very good. The hickory smoked ribs were incredibly tender and wonderfully flavored with the smoke. The cornbread was moist and the coleslaw had the nice creamy crispness 
expected in good slaw. The Veggie Burger (black bean quinoa) was the best I have had in the Charlottesville area. It held together and could be eaten like a burger which many cannot be. And their French fries – well words cannot describe the crisp exterior and creamy interior. They tasted really good with the barbecue sauces as well.
Next time we’ll try some of their smoked turkey or pork or brisket or chicken or nachos. We’re even betting that their blt deviled eggs will be devoured in no time. Why have a salad when you can have great barbecue? Don’t know but I must admit that their broccoli-quinoa salad sounds pretty darn good.
We hope you enjoy Smoked Kitchen & Tap as much as we did.
Dan & Kathryn
