County Smoak

Consistently ranked as Lynchburg’s best barbecue, County Smoak is run by husband-and-wife duo Ken and Jessica Hess. Ken trained at the Culinary Institute of America and brings that knowledge to the restaurant.

The restaurant’s approach to smoked meats goes beyond a single regional style. Think Texas brisket, Carolina pulled pork, and St. Louis ribs. Ken draws inspiration from major American barbecue traditions while incorporating Virginia-sourced products.

County Smoak also offers sauces from across America. The Boss is a Kansas City-style sweet red sauce made with Virginia sorghum molasses, and the Angry Boss is a spicy version. The Qu-Tang is a Western North Carolina-style vinegar sauce using three types of pepper. The Don White is an Alabama white sauce and is named for famed pitmaster Don McLemore. Liquid Gold is a sweet-and-tangy mustard sauce based on South Carolina sauces. The Mahogany is a Virginian sweet tomato sauce.

The restaurant smokes meats low and slow over wood and charcoal. They offer pulled chicken, brisket, sausage, pulled pork, sliced turkey breast, and ribs. You can order your protein as a platter, sandwich, loaded baked potato, mac and cheese, or salad.

Many sides are smoked too, like the baked beans and mac and cheese. Other selections include vinegary collard greens, Red Bliss potato salad, mustard coleslaw, and blue-cheese-and-bacon coleslaw.

The restaurant also makes smoked banana pudding with smoked banana puree, Biscoff crumble, whipped cream, and caramel.