Reviews

Went to Up In Smoke on a Saturday afternoon, not busy inside. I ordered brisket nachos ($10) and my girlfriend ordered a roasted chicken hindquarter ($7) and mac and cheese ($3). The nachos I've received were enormous and beautiful, with generous brisket, house made pickled jalapeños, house made sour cream, and house made chips. My meal was delicious, and would recommend to anyone. My girlfriend's chicken was smoked to perfection, with a semi-sweet skin, and the inside perfectly moist. The serving was generous for her also, and the mac and cheese paired well with it. We ordered cornbread ($3) on our way out, which proved to be as delicious the next day as it was fresh. All in all, I would recommend this place to anyone, the prices are superb, the food excellent, and the service wonderful.

Parking: There is ample parking in the Czech Village most of the time, roadside parking is usually available, and there is a large parking lot at the Museum about a block away if no nearer options are open.

Ordered the brisket, cheesy potatoes and cornbread. Meat was smokey and tender. Potatoes were the star of the sides for me. Cornbread is a mini loaf and very generous portion. Couldn't finish it all, but so good! Tip: Park in back and enter from back lot.

Kid-friendliness: My kid liked the video game, casual dining room.

Parking: Plenty of parking in back even on this busy day. Enter in rear door.

Up in Smoke occupies a building with a wealth of history...most recently, Polehnas Meat Market and Anvil Meat Market & Deli...so it is only Fitting that a BBQ place comes in!

Tim & family have a nice selection of options to choose from...pull pork, brisket, corn bread, cheesy potatoes just to name a few along with Carolina, regular and a spicy sauce. Family friendly dining and ultimately...just really good food.

First time trying Up in Smoke- I ordered the pork nachos... BEST NACHOS IN TOWN, HANDS DOWN! These were nicely layered, not just toppings on top of chips. Hubby ordered the chicken leg quarter with a side of mac & cheese....he said both were amazing! The chicken was smoked at the perfect temp and the mac & cheese had bits of brisket throughout. The service was fantastic. We can't wait to go back as this is our new favorite place!

Stopped in for lunch on Saturday. The place is extremely clean, spotless. That gives a good first impression. My wife and I shared the Sampler platter, with brisket and pulled pork for the meats and cheesy potatoes and baked beans for the sides. Everything was very good. The brisket was spot on! We will definitely be back.

I am on the road every week and have tried ribs in over 30 states and I have found my new number 1. I don't even know what their barbecue sauce tastes like, the ribs are that good. I had 2 left that I am going to try and sneak on my plane to take back to Texas. Thank you for a great lunch!!!!

Just had ribs, baked beans & cornbread for dinner. All was really good! Ribs seasoned just right, very tender & meaty. Cornbread & honey butter melts in your mouth. Beans have a little pepper kick but just right. Will definitely be on our go to list!

We had the wings special and the giant hot dog(whatever they call it there). Everything was delicious. It was kind of empty in the restaurant so hopefully more people find out they're located there. Cheesy potatoes were great as well. Highly recommend the blueberry habanero sauce!

As I stepped into the hazy and aromatic environs of Up In Smoke, I was immediately struck by the sensory overload of smoke, sizzle, and savor wafting through the air. With each passing second, my olfactory receptors were tantalized by the mesmerizing aroma of charred meat and piquant spices.

And then, it happened. The plate of wings arrived. My taste buds trembled with anticipation as I took a bite of the first one, and then another, and another. The dry rub on these wings was nothing short of a revelation. It was a harmonious blend of savory, smoky, and spicy flavors, expertly balanced to perfection. The wings were crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with a depth of flavor that lingered on the palate long after I had finished devouring them.

It was a moment of pure gustatory ecstasy, one that I will cherish forever. If you are a true connoisseur of all things BBQ, then Up In Smoke is an experience not to be missed. Their wings are truly the stuff of legends, and I can say without a doubt that they are the best wings I have ever had the pleasure of sinking my teeth into.

Went on Saturday afternoon, always hesitant to go to BBQ with hubby as he smokes meats all the time and is very judgmental about BBQ and especially especially ribs.
He really enjoyed the ribs here!
Our son had nachos with pickled jalapeños & brisket-so good!!!
The corn bread is very different but very delicious- and the blueberry habanero sauce...yum!
Staff was polite and good atmosphere...check it out!

amazing food!!!! The barbecue sauce here is insanely good! I had the beef brisket it was perfect not dried out Tasted phenomenal!! The sides are awesome. Is totally worth the money! The price is perfect not expensive at all!

Killer food had the hot dog super good and best bun ever. Brisket was juicy and had all the sides. Nothing disappointing. The cornbread is amazing and a huge portion. Must try

I cannot say enough positive things about Up In Smoke. The food is absolutely out of this world, the portions huge for the price you pay, it has a cozy feel to it inside, and the guy who owns the place is the friendliest. That berry jam for the corn read is also to die for. I eat here whenever I have a little bit of extra spending money. If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out!

This is the best BBQ I've had in Cedar Rapids! I can't begin to describe how satisfying my meal was. If you're on the fence about trying this place TRY IT! TRY IT! TRY IT! Thank you, Up in Smoke for bringing some great BBQ to CR

I've been here several times for lunch, the specials are always fantastic and creative! In my opinion, some of the best BBQ in CR! But don't take my word for it, go get some!

We have only been here once unfortunately. We seem to catch them on the wrong days. Once on a Monday, not open and Wednesday which must be half days. We loved thr food though. Had pulled pork and Mac and cheese which was awesome.

Cedar Rapids-great smoked pulled pork, huge sandwiches. Bbq nachos are mammoth (bring a friend there's plenty there). The sides are all tasty too. This place is very reasonably priced with huge portions. Ribs were tender, I am convinced there isn't a loser pick in the whole place. If you haven't tried it yet it's your loss.

My wife had the brisket very good with baked beans definitely different, but good. I had the ribs they were great on flavor, with cornbread (mini loaf) and cheesy potatoes both of which were delicious, and the homemade jelly for the cornbread was amazing. I've had several Carolina mustard barbecue sauces and never liked them but this place has the best one I've ever tried. If you want great homemade barbecue with homemade sides that are amazing you got to try this place.

I loved it here! It was clean and the food was delicious. The mac & cheese is out of those world. Jerry Garcia and his Grateful Dead played and it gave me such fond memories of my brother, who has passed. We will be back!

First visit, I tried the Ribs (I ordered these), Brisket (my youngest daughter was kind enough to share) , Cheesy Potatoes, Baked Beans, Corn Bread and the Mac and Cheese. My wife had the Salmon Salad Sandwich and my daughter had the Chicken. Everyone loved what they ordered and I had to taste a bit of everything. Happy to report, no bad bites! Best BBQ I've found locally. The meat stands alone. The sides were spectacular. Will be back! #supportlocal

Don't miss this place. Awesome dinner from Up in Smoke tonight. Brisket and pork were both delicious. Baked beans were amazing, and the cornbread was so good!

Great ribs, not sure if I prefer the chipotle or Carolina sauces. The cornbread and jam, omg I love it. I liked both the potato salad and coleslaw but think I'll do the beans and cheesey potatoes next time.

I recommend eating at Up In Smoke BBQ. Fantastic food my wife and l will go back. Customer service excellent food. Please go eat at this restaurant

Amazing food. Awesome BBQ sauces and the absolute best cornbread I've ever had.

Finally, a brick and mortar spot for the best BBQ in Cedar Rapids! The updates they've made to the building make it look fresh and inviting and like a proper BBQ spot. These guys put great care into everything they do and it shows. The pulled pork is a favorite and I can't wait to try the nachos!

Loved everything - from the pork sandwich, Mac and cheese, home made pickles, and the to die for corn bread. Their homemade sauce is also an added bonus! My husband and I are already planning our next trip back and can't wait to try the nachos!

BIG portions, pulled pork sammy and mac and cheese was amazing. I want a bottle of that sauce. Front end staff was very friendly, great service.

Anvil was one of my favorite spots and I hated to see it go, but this place is absolutely filling a void.

BIG portions, pulled pork sammy and mac and cheese was amazing. I want a bottle of that sauce. Front end staff was very friendly, great service.

Anvil was one of my favorite spots and I hated to see it go, but this place is absolutely filling a void.

Went there today for the first time and it was hands down some of the best BBQ I've ever had!

The BBQ was really good! We got the pulled pork sandwich and were surprised at how cheap the food was and how fast it was ready. I loved the chipotle bbq sauce. We also loved the Mac and cheese. The owner came out and talked with us. What a great place. We will be back soon!