Buster's
US Hwy 1 (I think) I-95 exit 9
Stamford, CT

Meat  3
Sides  3
Sauce  3
Service  3
Atmosphere  2.5

Overall  3

Reviewer's Comments:  As a Georgia Boy starving for Q in New York, I visited this place with a friend who had been recommending it.  He had Beef Ribs, and I had Brisket and something called "Honey-Lemon Chicken". The pit was out back and had plenty of real wood stacked beside it, I think it was Hickory.  Ordering was Texas-Style: you go through a line and pick out your meal.  There are one, two, three, and four meat platters.   Unfortunately, this establishment does not consider Beef Ribs to be a "meat", because it isn't allowed to be used as a choice.  It costs extra.  So do French fries, (not considered a side) but there were lots of other sides available, including sliced cooked apples.

The sauce was a ketchup based mild sauce which tasted fine. My brisket tasted fine, Jay's Beef Ribs were nothing to write home about- he said they were very fatty. As I have found very few BBQ places in this part of the Country, I would have to keep this one on my list to visit again! It is located in Northern Stamford CT.  Take exit 9 off I-95. Head West 1 block, then North for about two blocks. It is on your left, by the river bridge.

Reviewed By:  Ralph Fowler ( RWF@bsrg.ORG ) on 2/20/98.

Name: Smokey Joe's / Buster's
Address: US Rte. 1
City: Stamford
State: CT
Phone:
Meat: 3.5
Sauce: 3.5
Sides: 3.5
Service: 3.5
Atmosphere: 3
Overall: 3.5
Date: 1999
User: Dave W.
Email:
Date: 7/20/00
Time: 7:34:00 PM

Comments

Buster's is now Smokey Joe's. Darn good barbecue for New England.

Name: Smokey Joe's
Address: 1308 East Main Street (US Route 1)
City: Stamford
State: CT
Phone: (203) 406 0605
Meat: 3.5
Sauce: 3
Sides: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
Date: 2/15/01
User: Kevin
Email: kboughan@msn.com
Date: 2/16/2001
Time: 3:06:29 PM

Comments

Just about the only place for decent BBQ in Fairfield Co. CT, Smokey Joe's (which was previously Buster's, and Texas & Arizona before that) offers up a better than average brisket, great lemon chicken, pretty good ribzzz, and a mild sausage (not too soft, not too crisp). Order cafeteria style and sit at the picnic tables (or take out or delivery!), regular size or Texas size (way more than your average person can eat). The brisket is probably the best meat, not lean, but not ridiculously fatty. Choice of three sauces (regular, gold, and spicy) which are all pretty good. In addition to ordering by meat combos (1 + a side, 2 + 2 sides or whatever) the menu has expanded, offering quesadillas, burgers, cheesesteaks and the like (but I'd stick with the bbq). Wide selection of sides (red potato pie is the best one). Good beer selection. There's also a bar upstairs with a cheap happy hour (which can offset the rather expensive food). It's located right off the highway (Exit 9, I-95) by the water on Route 1 down the street from the WWF building. The smoke sometimes wafts right onto Route 1, just guiding you in. Delivery service is key.

Name: Smokey Joe's
Address: 1308 East Main Street (US Route 1)
City: Stamford
State: CT
Phone:
Meat: 2
Sauce: 2
Sides: 2.5
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 1.5
Overall: 2
Date: 3/17/03
User: Lisa H
Email: lisaeric@optonline.net
Date: 3/17/2003
Time: 1:19:54 PM

Comments

I'm from Texas, and I'm sorry to say that this BBQ was pretty poor. My ribs were obviously boiled and then bathed in your basic industrial size vat of sauce. My husband had the brisket which was bland. I can't really remember the sides. Can't really comment on the service, because you go through a cafeteria-style line. The place was almost completely empty, so we wanted to eat fast and get out of there. I can only speculate that on typically slow nights, they don't take the time to cook the meet over the coals? Who knows. I was sorely disappointed and would not go back.

Name: Smokey Joe's
Address: Main Street
City: Stamford
State: CT
Phone: 2036373580
Meat: 3.5
Sauce: 3.5
Sides: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Overall: 3.5
Date: October 6, 2003
User: Cnarles Berghane
Email: berghane@optonline.net
Date: 10/6/2003
Time: 2:37:43 AM

Comments

I have enjoyed TX bbq in Houston (Goode Co.) and Dallas (Sonny Bryant's) and find the brisket at Smokey Joe's just fine. The fat is left on while cooking as it should be and then removed before the meat is sliced or chopped for the sandwich. The meat is juicy and tender. The sauces are fine, the gold sauce is for the chicken not the beef. I have frequented the spot often while it has been under different managements but what is constant is the smoke cooker out back that does the job. The servers are pleasant and the spot has a good following. As for the ribs, I have not tried them since I do my own, either spare or baby back, smoked on my Weber.