Original Smolik's BBQ

4.6 ( 337 reviews )
$10–20
501 E San Patricio Ave, Mathis, TX 78368, United States
+1 361-547-5494

Original Smolik's BBQ, located at 501 E San Patricio Ave in Mathis, TX, has become a beloved stop for barbecue enthusiasts. Customers rave about the incredible flavors and quality of their offerings. Reviewer Jason Rees captures the essence of this establishment, calling it 'some of the best BBQ I've ever had.'

For those traveling through the area, Chingo Bling highlights the uniqueness of their chopped beef on a gourmet bun, a must-try that adds a touch of indulgence to the meal. The stuffed BBQ potatoes and creamed corn also receive high praise, showcasing the variety and depth of the menu. The brisket, often described as melt-in-your-mouth tender, stands out as the star of the show, leaving a lasting impression on patrons like Scott Filipek.

Stephanie Razavi's spontaneous visit proves fruitful, declaring it superior to BBQ offerings even from nearby San Antonio. Each dish appears crafted with love, pulling diners into a whole realm of flavor, where every bite is a testament to true Texan barbecue artistry. However, some have expressed sorrow over recent changes in ownership, with lingering nostalgia for the original experience. Nonetheless, Original Smolik's BBQ continues to captivate and satisfy, making it an essential stop for BBQ lovers.

Amenities and More

  • Service options
    • Drive-through
    • Takeaway
    • Dine-in
    • Delivery
  • Highlights
    • Great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Offerings
    • Coffee
    • Comfort food
    • Quick bite
    • Small plates
  • Dining options
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Catering
    • Dessert
    • Seating
  • Amenities
    • Toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Historic
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Groups
    • Tourists
  • Planning
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs
    • Kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Parking

Reviews For Original Smolik's BBQ

Jason Rees
Jun 30,2025
Awesome food, some of the best BBQ I've ever had
Chingo Bling
Jun 9,2025
There are two locations in Mathis. The one by the highway is a little more modern with a drive through and such. If road tripping to the valley or corpus it’s one of the last good places to get some Texas Monthly TOP50 BBQ. I can’t quite stomach 20 plus bucks for a lunch plate so I usually get a Large Chopped Beef on the gourmet bun if they have them baked up (additional 50 cents or something but a really great bun), and the wife really likes the big stuffed bbq potatoes! The creamed corn is an amazing side. I come from central Texas where the legends like tootsie at snows cook and this is about as close as it gets to that good stuff while down by the beach!
Roxanne Roxanne
Jun 8,2025
Sad update: This place is closed down The new owners came in and said that it would not be shut down and I was hopeful but of course, it happened and it's honestly such a horrible waste. I know people will say "Oh but they have the other Smoliks near the freeway, better location, blah blah. The original Smoliks was amazing, so much more amazing than the other one. They are not the same.... repeat, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. Update 2/2023... Best darn chicken fried steak ever! The food is always great here! 2022; I ordered the BLT today, and although it was good, I didn't like that it came on a bun. I guess I should have asked. The braised cabbage, the fries, the sausage, the brisket.... Oh my!!!
Stephanie Razavi
May 28,2025
We stopped off the highway for a bathroom break and gas and saw this place across the street and decided to check them out for lunch. They were busy, but the line moved quickly and it was worth the wait. We had a great surprise meal so I'm really glad I spotted this place. We got the chopped beef, brisket and pulled pork with mac and cheese and potato salad. The brisket was the star of the plate but the sides were just as tasty and honestly everything was delicious. Far surpassed any BBQ we've had in San Antonio. This will be a stop for sure on future trips down to Corpus!
Scott Filipek (doctor mole)
May 20,2025
About the best brisket I have ever eaten. Melt in your mouth flavor and so tender it was almost falling apart. Absolutely delicious!
Nadia V
May 11,2025
Stopped here for lunch on our way to the coast. Their brisket was really good. Juicy, moist, great flavor. The bbq sauce had a little kick to it. The jalapeno cheese sausage was also nice. Service was great and very attentive. Will stop here again next time.
Armando Dy
May 4,2025
Stopped by for a hamburger today and also got a large potato salad. It was great. Very tasty. When I get hungry I'm coming back.
Le Citron European Cafe & Bistro
Mar 16,2025
Excellent Brisket & Ribs and super friendly customer service even that we came 5 min. Till close. Staff member Roland and the others been there since this early morning at 8 am till closing time 7:30 pm . Thank you for being open! We appreciate the entire staff

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