Smiley's Bar-B-Q

Best  BBQ in Virginia ? I wouldn't say that.  The food is not bad but not great.  I found myself pouring a lot of their BBQ sauce to eat my sandwich.  The pizza was terrible.  Its located at a hole in the wall gas station.  Not something you would expect.  The staff was very friendly.

Right off the highway 81, in a truck stop gas station. The sign says its the best dang BBQ in Virginia-- big promise.

I had the Carolina style sandwich. They offer a texans style too--and as I've yelped before, the very best BBQ places don't offer you a choice. They do what they do and if it's not your thing then tough &#%@ and go eat somewhere else. At Smileys this held true--they should stick to doing one thing well.

The sandwich was good--and given what was around--Wendy's etc. this is the pace to eat.  I was also not looking to wander too far off the freeway. Even so, I was hoping it would be much better. The reality is that a BBQ joint that sells fried chicken and pizza is degrading itself.

The bun was the standard 99 cent - 8 pack grocery store variety. Too thin to really hold up. The pork was really soaked in the Carolina style vinegar sauce and for me was too much for the meat. It was kind of hard to tell what I was eating.

The meat was a little mushy, almost like it had not been "pulled" but chopped up in a  blender. And their fountain soda machine needed to be adjusted--too much carbonation.

I've had much better, and I don't think it is a stretch to say that in this part of the country a lot is expected in barbecue.

As I was leaving, a lady went up to the counterman and said this was the best anywhere, and she had come from such and such a place X miles a way to try it. So, maybe it's what you are looking for...

Hubby and I stopped at Smiley's BBQ on our way back from Floydfest and gave the food and service 4 stars. The brisket and bbq (Texas style) sandwiches were delicious - moist, meaty and yummy. The baked beans and sweet potato fries were equally as tasty. Never had baked beans with green peppers before but am a fan now. Also had the fried chicken and have to say, delicious. RECOMMEND!