Welcome to Smoke and Barrel
At Smoke and Barrel, nestled in the heart of Sanford, NC, a unique culinary journey awaits. This American bar captivates patrons with its warm ambiance and rich history, reflected in its beautifully restored surroundings. Renowned for its expertly smoked meats and creative dishes, the restaurant offers a delightful menu that pairs perfectly with an impressive selection of craft beers. Guests rave about the friendly service, with staff who treat them like family. Whether savoring the tender brisket or indulging in their acclaimed margaritas, every visit promises a satisfying experience. Here, great food, spirited drinks, and heartfelt hospitality converge.
- 120 S Steele St, Sanford, NC 27330 Hotline: (919) 776-0184
Welcome to Smoke and Barrel, a gem nestled in the heart of Sanford, North Carolina. Located at 120 S Steele St, this vibrant bar and American eatery blends mouthwatering dishes with a lively atmosphere, making it a hotspot for both locals and visitors alike. With a reputation for exceptional food and friendly service, Smoke and Barrel offers a culinary experience that is not to be missed.
The moment you step inside, you are greeted by a welcoming ambiance that showcases the building's historic charm. Diners are treated to a spacious layout filled with cozy booths, communal tables, and a lively bar area perfect for friends and family gatherings. For those warm evenings, there is also the option of outside seating—ideal for enjoying the outdoors.
At Smoke and Barrel, the menu shines with a creative collection of dishes that highlight the restaurant's commitment to quality and flavor. Customers rave about the tender brisket and flavorful cheesesteaks, perfectly complemented by an impressive selection of local brews from North Carolina breweries. With options like Heist's Citraquench'l and Wicked Weed's Pernicious, craft beer lovers will find their happiness here. Additionally, the affordable draft flights at $10 provide an excellent opportunity to sample and savor a variety of styles.
But it's not just about the food and drinks; it's about the experience. The dedicated staff members at Smoke and Barrel are known for their exceptional service, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Many patrons express their admiration for the wonderful servers—like Rebekah and Emily—who remember regulars by name and ensure each visit feels like coming home. This profound personal touch transforms every meal into a cherished memory, much like a small-town "Cheers" experience.
- Popular Dishes:
- Brisket Plate - Tender, smoked brisket that keeps diners coming back.
- Beef Cheesesteak - A well-executed sandwich that packs a flavorful punch.
- Cuban Sandwich - A delightful mix of pulled pork, ham, and cheese, served hot.
- Drink Selection:
- Draft Beers - A fantastic rotating selection ensures there’s something for everyone.
- Margaritas - Renowned as the best in town, worth every sip.
- Non-Alcoholic Options - Soft drinks, coffee, and refreshing teas available at just $2 each.
In a nutshell, Smoke and Barrel stands out not only for its commendable cuisine and eclectic drink offerings but for its palpable sense of community and family-like atmosphere. Whether you're drooling over their mouthwatering BBQ or unwinding with a cold draft, one thing is certain: you'll leave with a full belly and a smile on your face. Make your way to this Sanford treasure and prepare to be delighted by an unrivaled dining experience.

The food was really good, creative dishes that are well prepared. Service was very professional and friendly. Ambiance was very nice. The establishment is in an older historic neighborhood and the building has been nicely restored. From the cheery service to the excellent food, it was an excellent experience. I would definitely recommend this place and would return if I'm in the area again.

Amazing ambiance. Really good food. Service was spotty only because the poor waitress was on her own it appeared and then the bartender so it was ALOT. Busy nights should have 2-3 waitresses. Particularly when it's standing room for a table.

My friend and I grabbed lunch here and had a good experience. It was the beef cheesesteak with a beer for me and the brisket plate with a beer for him. The draft list had a good mix of different styles of beer. We both really enjoyed our meals. I also thought that the portions for the price were good too.

My wife and I frequent the S&B two to three times a week, great food and drinks, great people!' And love the live music on Friday nights!

I honestly can't believe I haven't written a review about this place. The hubs and I have been frequent visitors to S&B for years. The food is always good and fresh. I can't lie, I'm super stoked that soup season is back. I have a fav when it comes to drinks, and I rarely veer. When I tell you that this is the place that has the best margarita in town, I mean it. The hubs enjoys trying out beers as they are rotated. They are always nice to provide a sample prior to him making his final decision. But do you know what keeps us coming back, practically weekly? The people. The service is amazing and there are three ladies in particular that have captured our hearts...Rebekah, Emily, and Kaylen. Each of them knows us by name and greet us like family. They know about our lives, and we know about theirs. Rebekah is kind and funny...like a really good friend you always enjoy seeing. Emily makes the best damn margarita. There has been many a day where her smile and her margarita have turned my frown upside down. Kaylen probably knows us best. My margarita is entered practically before I hit the door. She reminds the hubs of the beers he has liked or hasn't liked in the past. She is always smiling and cheerful. This is no shade to the other servers and bar staff there. We've never been treated poorly. But if not for these three, I don't know that our experience would be the same. S&B is kinda like our own small-town Cheers. It feels like family. It's something that can't be faked. As a veteran of the customer service industry, I place a high standard on service. Good, quality customer service is lacking in a lot of places these days, but not at S&B, and especially not with Rebekah, Emily, and Kaylen. They are the best. We are grateful. And they are what keep us coming back.

Located in downtown area. Big open spaced room with booths and tables. Large bar area with seats. Some outside seating if you can get through the smokers and cigarettes. Service was quick and offered suggestions off the menu. Our orders were the Cuban and the Brisket Plate. The Cuban, pulled pork, ham, cheese pickles (relish) was served hot. Bagged kettle chips was a disappointment but didn't offer fries. The Brisket Plate was a large portion of tender brisket. Quite a bit of fat but had a good taste and flavor. The cheesy smashed potatoes were just out of the oven, hot, hot. Good taste, very cheesy.

Second visit, this time we just wanted to have a drink at the bar and chill a little. I had a pino wine first, but then decided to give the Porter (Edward Teach Beer) since I've recently learned I like stout. Perhaps I would enjoy a Porter? Ohh my, yes!! It was delicious! My husband enjoyed his Westbrook while I had both a pino & then the Porter. We would absolutely recommend this spot. The server was friendly and helpful, laughed at my jokes on que , just what we needed.

This place never disappoints. All meats smoked and cut onsite. Tonight I had the quesadilla with pork. So good! Just a great vibe, great service and a great beer selection.

I was really in the mood for BBQ and my usual spot was closed. I found another spot and it had gone out of business. I have driven past here, but never been inside. This place is more of a pub and I think people mostly are here for the drinks and watching the game. That being said the food was actually good and reasonably priced for a sit down lunch. I have to shout out the wonderful staff. There was one person on duty when we arrived. I watched this woman wait tables, make drinks and prep plates for over a dozen tables. No one sat for any long period without her coming over to check on them.