I went with a friend who was craving half smokes. It was both of our first and last times attempting to eat at HalfSmoke. We sat at a near empty bar and waited 40 minutes before someone was able to take our order, 50 minutes more before the food would be delivered, and just 30 seconds for us to reject and return it: 2 simple halfsmokes and fries. Who'd have thought these could be screwed up? Well, the restaurant with the same name, did exactly that, and royally so.
The simple smoke arrived, possibly boiled whole, no cuts or grill burns, but smothered with large sized purple onions, and bacon which was the only thing hot on the plate (because they ran out of bacon and had to get more, cooked it, and tossed it atop a otherwise cold smoke and bun awaiting it's arrival some 40 minutes later.
The unsweetened sweet tea was served in a tulip wine glass and except that it was briwn, it was merely water.
The fries, also cooked earlier with the smoke, were dirty grease burnt, cold, and ready for their burial alongside the sad sad smoke.
The waiter who could only apologize, but not change how off rhythm everyone and everything was this day.
Who anyone could get the cook on an uncut ungrilled whole halfsmoke wrong, is a mystery (or talent) that only Halfsmoke establishment could know (or have).
UPDATE - 6/15/2025 HalfSmoke has been closed down.
Sarah
I made a reservation at this business, including inputting my credit card, and had no idea until we got there that they were closed because they are not renewing their lease.
N Denise Hammond
We came out the day before Mother’s Day 2025. Thankfully, the graduation crowd was gone and we were seated within five minutes. Our server was lovely and helped us decide what to get as an appetizer and entree!
I got the flight and let me say it was DELICIOUS!! My favorite was Girls Trip but each of them were on point!
I loved the homemade hummus and the ‘strips’ that come with it. All of the food was good and the creative halfsmokes on the menu should leave you finding one to devour!!
If you plan to come at the height of the brunch rush, try getting a resy or pack your patience. Paid parking is convenient next door.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heewon Lee
Great vibes, prime location, and solid bottomless drinks make HalfSmoke a good pick for a fun brunch outing. The food is just okay—not bad, but not the star. Come for the atmosphere and drinks, not a culinary masterpiece.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Brionna
I Went For Mothers Day Brunch And I Was Not Pleased At All. My Bill Came Up To $72 Which Also Included An Almost $11 Gratuity Tip And Our Server Wasn't Good At All Which I Didn't Appreciate That I Had To Tip $11. It Was 3 Of Us We All Had To Tip Our Server $11 We Could Barely Find Her. And The Restaurant Was Not Packed At All. We Had To Keep Asking The Hostess To Help Us And Also Another Server. We Didn't Even Know Our Server Name We Had To Physically Describe What She Looked Like For Someone Else To Find Her For Us. We Paid For Bottomless Mimosas On Each One Of Our Checks And Only Got One Refill. We Honestly Didn't Have A Good Time And This Was My First Time Coming. And Probably My Last Time. The Food Was Actually Not Bad At All But My Friend Had To Have Her Food Remade Twice Because Simply The Server Wasn't Listening To Us.
George
Reserved this last minute after another restaurant cancelled the reservation less than 24 hours from the reservation. So from there considering it was mother's day weekend brunch HalfSmoke gets 4stars. I didn't read reviews but my mother (-in-law) did and unfortunately HalfSmoke performed as many reviews (per moms) said they would. Personally everyone had a good time even if we had to wait because it appeared the wait staff were too involved in their own convos. This is our second visit (me and the Mrs. A mother herself celebrating with her mother). Sat at the bar the first time and it was the same experience. Great food. Great ambiance. Attention to customers requires some adjustments I will go back, fully understanding what service I will receive.
Tyrek Gray
I wanted to give this a 5 star prior to arriving, came on a Saturday afternoon, place was a graveyard, menu was hard to read, food was average, the service was good tho..
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
donabed Cyprien
Annyce was the greatest host we could ever ask for catering to need and answering every question we had truly made the experience 10x better
Isaiah
The food at the establishment was flavorful; however, the steak was significantly overcooked. Although I requested a medium preparation, it arrived well done. Additionally, I ordered my eggs to be cooked over easy, but there was no runny yolk present. On a positive note, the waitress was friendly and kind, although her attentiveness was lacking. It was unclear if the restaurant was understaffed, as there were instances when I had to seek her out for assistance. Based on this experience, I am hesitant to return.
Buuk
The atmosphere was fun and the music was good, the food was cool, but it took forever to be brought to the table, they were out of nearly everything we’ve tried to order. Our waitress was on the phone talking about fighting while incorrectly handling our checks, and there’s a service fee, automatic gratuity, and other random fees. The surrounding area is also gross we got mooned twice near the window.
the servers are so rude and my food comes after a hour i just waited alot
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Lex
We didn't end up getting our food after we had ordered. Server said that it was because they were making it "fresh" but I'm curious how making a smoked rack of ribs "fresh" makes sense to the restaurant. We did not end up getting charged and our server was kind but we sat for over an hour with no food.
GBW Blog
Food was good, service was not. Music was loud and not comforting or welcoming. Bill automatically included a tip higher than I would have preferred due to service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Clifton Thomas
Food is good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick Farley
Wanted to have what was rated as a best half smoke in DC. Not at all disappointed. Came out loaded and delicious. The Cajun crab fries are so good with great chunks of crab. Great custom cocktails and our waitress was amazing! Would come back for certain when back in DC.
I went with a friend who was craving half smokes. It was both of our first and last times attempting to eat at HalfSmoke. We sat at a near empty bar and waited 40 minutes before someone was able to take our order, 50 minutes more before the food would be delivered, and just 30 seconds for us to reject and return it: 2 simple halfsmokes and fries. Who'd have thought these could be screwed up? Well, the restaurant with the same name, did exactly that, and royally so.
The simple smoke arrived, possibly boiled whole, no cuts or grill burns, but smothered with large sized purple onions, and bacon which was the only thing hot on the plate (because they ran out of bacon and had to get more, cooked it, and tossed it atop a otherwise cold smoke and bun awaiting it's arrival some 40 minutes later.
The unsweetened sweet tea was served in a tulip wine glass and except that it was briwn, it was merely water.
The fries, also cooked earlier with the smoke, were dirty grease burnt, cold, and ready for their burial alongside the sad sad smoke.
The waiter who could only apologize, but not change how off rhythm everyone and everything was this day.
Who anyone could get the cook on an uncut ungrilled whole halfsmoke wrong, is a mystery (or talent) that only Halfsmoke establishment could know (or have).
UPDATE - 6/15/2025
HalfSmoke has been closed down.
I made a reservation at this business, including inputting my credit card, and had no idea until we got there that they were closed because they are not renewing their lease.
We came out the day before Mother’s Day 2025. Thankfully, the graduation crowd was gone and we were seated within five minutes. Our server was lovely and helped us decide what to get as an appetizer and entree!
I got the flight and let me say it was DELICIOUS!! My favorite was Girls Trip but each of them were on point!
I loved the homemade hummus and the ‘strips’ that come with it. All of the food was good and the creative halfsmokes on the menu should leave you finding one to devour!!
If you plan to come at the height of the brunch rush, try getting a resy or pack your patience. Paid parking is convenient next door.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great vibes, prime location, and solid bottomless drinks make HalfSmoke a good pick for a fun brunch outing. The food is just okay—not bad, but not the star. Come for the atmosphere and drinks, not a culinary masterpiece.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
I Went For Mothers Day Brunch And I Was Not Pleased At All. My Bill Came Up To $72 Which Also Included An Almost $11 Gratuity Tip And Our Server Wasn't Good At All Which I Didn't Appreciate That I Had To Tip $11. It Was 3 Of Us We All Had To Tip Our Server $11 We Could Barely Find Her. And The Restaurant Was Not Packed At All. We Had To Keep Asking The Hostess To Help Us And Also Another Server. We Didn't Even Know Our Server Name We Had To Physically Describe What She Looked Like For Someone Else To Find Her For Us. We Paid For Bottomless Mimosas On Each One Of Our Checks And Only Got One Refill. We Honestly Didn't Have A Good Time And This Was My First Time Coming. And Probably My Last Time. The Food Was Actually Not Bad At All But My Friend Had To Have Her Food Remade Twice Because Simply The Server Wasn't Listening To Us.
Reserved this last minute after another restaurant cancelled the reservation less than 24 hours from the reservation. So from there considering it was mother's day weekend brunch HalfSmoke gets 4stars. I didn't read reviews but my mother (-in-law) did and unfortunately HalfSmoke performed as many reviews (per moms) said they would. Personally everyone had a good time even if we had to wait because it appeared the wait staff were too involved in their own convos. This is our second visit (me and the Mrs. A mother herself celebrating with her mother). Sat at the bar the first time and it was the same experience. Great food. Great ambiance. Attention to customers requires some adjustments I will go back, fully understanding what service I will receive.
I wanted to give this a 5 star prior to arriving, came on a Saturday afternoon, place was a graveyard, menu was hard to read, food was average, the service was good tho..
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 5
Annyce was the greatest host we could ever ask for catering to need and answering every question we had truly made the experience 10x better
The food at the establishment was flavorful; however, the steak was significantly overcooked. Although I requested a medium preparation, it arrived well done. Additionally, I ordered my eggs to be cooked over easy, but there was no runny yolk present. On a positive note, the waitress was friendly and kind, although her attentiveness was lacking. It was unclear if the restaurant was understaffed, as there were instances when I had to seek her out for assistance. Based on this experience, I am hesitant to return.
The atmosphere was fun and the music was good, the food was cool, but it took forever to be brought to the table, they were out of nearly everything we’ve tried to order. Our waitress was on the phone talking about fighting while incorrectly handling our checks, and there’s a service fee, automatic gratuity, and other random fees. The surrounding area is also gross we got mooned twice near the window.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
the servers are so rude and my food comes after a hour i just waited alot
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
We didn't end up getting our food after we had ordered. Server said that it was because they were making it "fresh" but I'm curious how making a smoked rack of ribs "fresh" makes sense to the restaurant. We did not end up getting charged and our server was kind but we sat for over an hour with no food.
Food was good, service was not. Music was loud and not comforting or welcoming. Bill automatically included a tip higher than I would have preferred due to service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Food is good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wanted to have what was rated as a best half smoke in DC. Not at all disappointed. Came out loaded and delicious. The Cajun crab fries are so good with great chunks of crab. Great custom cocktails and our waitress was amazing! Would come back for certain when back in DC.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sausage
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