The Joint

Overall Rating and is it worth a visit: 8.75/10 and Yes. Located over in the Bywater neighborhood, you are off the typical beaten Bourbon Street/French Quarter path, but are also surrounded by several great restaurants and bars in the area. Walking up to the building, you come across the smell of oak in the air from a couple of blocks away, with an unassuming and laidback but welcoming entrance. You walk in and are greeted by a friendly staff, local cypress wood paneled walls, a full bar, and a fresh wave of smoked meats wafting through the air. You order at the register with the super friendly staff members and then wait for them to plate it in back, before you pick it back up and bring it to your table. With indoor and outdoor seating options, I’d recommend the back patio, as the smell of smoke and BBQ ambiance hit even stronger with chair and picnic table options for seating. Really good BBQ overall, especially as a break from the more traditional Cajun food options. A great BBQ experience and environment that is 100% worth a visit

Date Visited: 5/10/2025

Address: 701 Mazant St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Day of the Week: Saturday

Time of Day: 11:35 AM. Open at 11:30

Owner: Pete and Jenny Breen

Website: https://alwayssmokin.com/

Number of Years in Business: Originally opened in 2004, then moved to current location in 2012

Number of People in Line: 6 people were already sitting down, with 6 more coming in after us

Regional Style of BBQ: Texas Style?

Total Cost: $45.19 with tip. Ordered the 3-Meat Combo Platter with 2 sides, and then ordered a side of ribs. Came with brisket, sausage, smoked chicken, and then baked beans and cornbread for sides. Grabbed beers at the bar on a separate order

Type of Wood: Oak

Type of Smoker: Rotating rotisserie fire fed smoker

Type of Seasoning: Salt, pepper, others

Best Dish: Brisket or Chicken

Best Sauce: Didn’t review any

Best Side: Cornbread (only had this and the baked beans though)

Interior Description: Local cypress wood paneling lines the walls, with vintage photos of New Orleans hanging throughout the restaurant in addition to some Christmas lights hung from the ceiling. The smell of oak permeates the air, giving it that authentic BBQ joint feeling you want. Full bar with seating for about 25-30, with additional seating out back

Pro Tip: Sit in the back courtyard for the full smell of the smokers and BBQ experience

Brisket

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and others

Description: The brisket had a light smoke ring, with a little bit of bark to it as well. Served in lean and fatty cut pieces. It was seasoned with more salt than pepper, but it was still really tasty, with a nice oak smoke flavor coming through. Very juicy for the fatty pieces, but the lean ones were slightly drier and tougher. Would order again though, as it was a really good brisket overall and was way better than I expected coming from a city not typically known for BBQ

Pork Spare Ribs

0/10 Ranking: 8.75/10

Seasoning: Salt, pepper, others

Description: Tender but slightly overcooked. Really good flavor with a light smoke and seasoning coming through each bite. Looks like they sauce the ribs lightly for the last portion of the cook too. Nicely trimmed with a good meat-to-fat ratio, leaning heavier on the meat side. Would get these again

Sausage

0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.25/10

Description: Slightly dried out, with minimal snap to the casing. Has a light smokiness to it and has an enjoyable flavor overall. There is a light kick of heat to it from the jalapeno, but nothing crazy or over the top. The interior mixture had a nice meat-to-fat ratio, leaning on the fattier side. Would get it again as it was a good, but not great, sausage

Chicken

0/10 Ranking: 8.5 to 8.75/10

Seasoning: Multiple spices

Description: Really juicy, but slightly overcooked, similar to the ribs. That said, they had a really pleasant seasoning, with a crunchy chicken skin giving it great texture, and a nice level of smokiness. Absolutely worth ordering again

Sauce – Didn’t try any

Sides – Baked Beans

0/10 Ranking: 8 to 8.25/10

Description: Slightly runny/saucy for the beans’ consistency, with a nice peppery seasoning and jalapeno to it. They use pinto beans for this one, which give it a nice creamy texture, but without it turning to mush. While I’m not really a baked bean fan, these are worth ordering again if you’re an enthusiast