The Joint

The Joint Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: The increasingly restaurant-heavy Bywater neighborhood has become a draw for diners, thanks in part to The Joint, operating since 2004. In a town not known for barbecue, The Joint is the Bywater crowd’s own ’cue spot. Its motto is "Always Smokin'," and one bite of the well-seasoned smoked meat will confirm its authority in the matter. The funky, mostly wood-rich interior is conducive to a vibrant atmosphere. The walls are full of a little of everything, and old-time bar stools revolve nicely to catch a 360-degree view of the room.

Food & Drinks: The platter with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, macaroni and salad is so huge that you might think the cooks are daring you to eat it all. But you will. A local note is the Chaurice sandwich, made with a Cajun specialty sausage that's smoked in-house. After all that spice, consider the Key lime pie or peanut butter pie for dessert. Although the tea is freshly brewed, beer is the quaff of choice, and there’s a full bar. Bang your knife and fork on the table (everybody does) and dig into some of the best ribs in town. On a cool night, try to snag a table outside under the lights.