Pok E Jo'S Smokehouse

If there’s one thing that sets us apart from other barbecue joints, it’s our food. We can tell you all about it, but until you grab a knife and fork, set yourself down and dig in, it’s just words. So, we’ll try to make the words count. OUR STORY: There was once a man called Porky. And one night back in 1970-something, after an evening out over beers and so-so barbecue at a well-established, not-to-be-named local barbecue joint, they declared that they could do better. And they decided Porky-Jo’s didn’t roll off the tongue quite like Pok-e-Jo’s! So after much experimenting with rubs and smoke and recipes and taste testings, these two friends collaborated with then-recent UT graduate, and now co-owner Doug, and in June of 1979, they boldly opened up the very first Pok-e-Jo’s out on North Burnet road. To their utter delight, it quickly became a neighborhood favorite providing the top BBQ in Austin. Like all good things, word got around, and since that first restaurant, Pok-e-Jo’s has grown right along with Austin. Now Porky’s son Danny runs the business along with Doug, both sticking with the same idea that started the whole dang business: Do it better.