We love visiting Western North Carolina any chance we get, whether it's to escape the hot, humid South Carolina weather or to see the fall colors in the mountains. I've been coming to this area since I was little, and now we typically visit once or twice a year.
A few weeks ago, Jess, our three kids, my mom, and I headed back to the mountains for a quick getaway. What started as a day trip to eat at one of our favorite breakfast spots in Maggie Valley turned into an overnight stay in Waynesville.
Back in 2017, I wrote about some of the best restaurants in Waynesville, NC, and Several readers told me I needed to try Haywood Smokehouse in Waynesville, NC, so on this trip, we finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. I remembered those recommendations on this trip and figured it was finally time to see what all the fuss was about.
So, we headed to Haywood Smokehouse to try it for ourselves.
Our Visit to Haywood Smokehouse in Waynesville, NC
As soon as we pulled up to Haywood Smokehouse, something about the place looked familiar.
Then it hit me.
Jess and I had eaten at a restaurant in this same location sometime around 2007 or 2008. I couldn't remember what it was called back then or much about the meal, but I definitely recognized the building.
Since I didn't remember much else about it, I figured this would basically be a new experience anyway. Let's give Haywood Smokehouse a try!
Location and Parking
Haywood Smokehouse is located in the Hazelwood district of Waynesville. The restaurant is inside an old house in what feels like a residential neighborhood, which gives it a completely different feel from your typical barbecue restaurant.
Haywood Smokehouse
79 Elysinia Ave
Waynesville, NC 28786
See Map for more details:
There's ample parking behind the restaurant, but when we pulled in, the parking lot was already filling up — and we had arrived fairly early.
That's usually a pretty good sign!
There was also another house next door that appeared to be used by Haywood Smokehouse. As soon as we got out of the car, I could smell hickory smoke drifting through the air.
If I wasn't hungry before, I sure was then!
Wait Time and Seating
We added our names to the waitlist and grabbed some chairs outside.
We sat around talking until our name was called, which took about 20 minutes. Considering how busy they were, I didn't think that was bad at all.
Haywood Smokehouse has both indoor and outdoor seating. Once our table was ready, we headed inside and were seated in a booth.
Atmosphere and Service
One of the things I really liked about the Waynesville location was the atmosphere.
Since the restaurant is inside an old house, it has a comfortable, homey feel. It's casual and laid-back, which is exactly the kind of atmosphere I like in a barbecue joint.
There are booths and tables throughout the restaurant, and it felt very family-friendly. We had three kids with us and felt right at home.
Our waitress greeted us quickly, brought out the menus, and took our drink orders.
The service was great throughout our visit. Everyone was friendly, and despite the restaurant being busy, we never felt like we were waiting a long time for anything.
What Kind of BBQ Does Haywood Smokehouse Serve?
Haywood Smokehouse is known for its Texas-style brisket, but brisket isn't the only thing you'll find on the menu.
They also serve barbecue favorites such as chopped pork, dry-rubbed ribs, smoked turkey, andouille sausage, and other smoked meats, along with a variety of traditional barbecue sides.
I probably should have ordered the brisket since that's one of the things they're known for.
But I had ribs on my mind.
And when I get ribs on my mind, it's pretty hard to talk me out of them!
What We Ordered at Haywood Smokehouse
I ordered a half slab of dry-rubbed ribs with collard greens and mac and cheese.
Jess and all three of our kids ordered the chopped pork.
The food came out fairly quickly, and everything smelled awesome when it hit the table.
Dry-Rubbed Ribs
The ribs were easily the highlight of the meal for me.
The dry rub was peppery and slightly spicy with just a little sweetness to balance everything out. It had enough flavor that I ate most of the ribs without adding any barbecue sauce.
That's usually a good sign!
The texture was also just the way I like my ribs.
The meat came away from the bone easily with just a slight bite and pull, but it wasn't so tender that everything fell off the bone when you picked up a rib.
To me, that's about perfect.
The ribs also had a nice smoke ring and weren't dry at all.
I eventually added some of Haywood Smokehouse's ketchup-based barbecue sauce to a few pieces, and it paired really well with the dry rub.
I'd definitely order these ribs again.
Collard Greens
The collard greens were another standout.
They had plenty of flavor and went really well with the smoked ribs. Of the sides I tried during our visit, the collard greens were my favorite.
Mac and Cheese
The mac and cheese was probably the only thing I ordered that didn't quite hit the mark for me.
It was noodles in a cheese sauce, and something about it just wasn't my favorite.
That's completely personal preference, though, and it certainly wouldn't stop me from coming back.
I'd just try a different side next time.
Chopped Pork
Jess and all three of our kids ordered the chopped pork, and everyone seemed to really enjoy their meals.
I didn't eat enough of their food to give you a detailed review of the chopped pork, so I'll leave that judgment to them.
What I can tell you is nobody at our table left hungry!
BBQ Sauces at Haywood Smokehouse
If you're somebody who likes trying different barbecue sauces, Haywood Smokehouse gives you plenty of choices.
They have the familiar styles you'd expect, including ketchup-based, mustard-based, and vinegar-based sauces.
They also have some more unique flavors, including Strawberry Chipotle, a hot SOB sauce made with habanero and jalapeño peppers, and Chipotle Ranch.
I didn't try all of them on this visit, but I plan on changing that next time.
I mainly used the ketchup-based sauce because that's the style I prefer with ribs. It had a unique flavor of its own and paired nicely with the peppery dry rub.
What Should You Order at Haywood Smokehouse?
If this is your first visit, you may want to consider the Texas-style brisket since that's one of the meats Haywood Smokehouse is known for.
I can't personally tell you how good the brisket is yet because I didn't order it.
That's one mistake I plan on correcting on my next visit!
If you want to sample several different meats, I'd consider trying a combination of brisket, pork, and either ribs or sausage.
Based strictly on what I personally ate, though, I can definitely recommend the dry-rubbed ribs.
The ribs were the star of my meal, the collard greens were my favorite side, and I enjoyed the ketchup-based barbecue sauce with the ribs.
How Expensive Is Haywood Smokehouse?
I thought the prices at Haywood Smokehouse were right in line with what I'd expect from a good barbecue restaurant — maybe even slightly less than some places we've visited.
At the time of our visit, my half slab of ribs was $20.99 and came with two sides.
For the amount of food I received, I thought that was a good deal.
The portion sizes were what I'd expect from a barbecue restaurant. I left completely full and still had food left over.
Of course, restaurant prices can change, so I'd recommend checking the current Haywood Smokehouse menu before your visit.
Things to Know Before Visiting Haywood Smokehouse
If you're planning to eat at Haywood Smokehouse in Waynesville, here are a few things I learned from our visit.
Get There Early
I'd recommend getting there early, especially if you're visiting on a weekend.
We arrived fairly early and the parking lot was already filling up. Our wait was only around 20 minutes, but I could see the wait getting longer during peak dinner hours.
Parking
There's parking behind the restaurant. Even though it was busy when we arrived, we were able to find a spot without a problem.
Indoor and Outdoor Seating
Haywood Smokehouse offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
We ate inside during our visit and were seated in a booth.
Is Haywood Smokehouse Family-Friendly?
Based on our experience, absolutely.
We visited with our three kids, my mom, Jess, and me, and the casual atmosphere worked great for our family.
This isn't a place where you need to get dressed up. Come hungry and ready to eat some barbecue.
Check the Current Hours
I always recommend checking the restaurant's website for current hours before making a special trip.
Hours can change depending on the season, holidays, or other circumstances, so it's better to check before heading out.
Is Haywood Smokehouse Worth Visiting?
In my opinion, yes.
I'd definitely go back to Haywood Smokehouse, and I'm already looking forward to trying more of the menu.
The service was friendly, the restaurant had a relaxed and homey atmosphere, and smelling that hickory smoke in the air before we even walked through the door was a pretty good way to start the experience.
But the ribs and collard greens were what really stood out to me.
The ribs had a unique peppery dry rub that I really enjoyed, and the tenderness was right where I like it — tender enough to pull cleanly from the bone without simply falling apart.
Now I understand why so many people recommended Haywood Smokehouse in the comments of my original Waynesville restaurant article.
It just took me a few years to finally listen to them!
If you're visiting Waynesville, Maggie Valley, or traveling through Western North Carolina and love good barbecue, Haywood Smokehouse in Waynesville, NC is definitely a restaurant I'd add to your list of places to try.
And next time?
I'm getting that brisket!
More Places to Eat in Waynesville, NC
Haywood Smokehouse is just one of several restaurants we've visited around Waynesville over the years.
If you're planning a trip to the area and looking for more places to eat, check out our guide to the Best Restaurants in Waynesville, NC for more of our favorite local restaurants.
Waynesville has become one of our favorite Western North Carolina towns to visit, and finding another restaurant we enjoy just gives us one more excuse to come back.
Let's get food junked!
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