Old Canal Smoke House
94 E Water St, Chillicothe, OH, 45601
Old Canal Smoke House Menu
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Address :
94 E Water St
Chillicothe, OH, 45601 - Phone (740) 779-3278
- Website https://www.oldcanalsmokehouse.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Allan K.
If you like smoked food this is a great place to eat. If you don't like smokey food there are a few selections to choose from the menu. My wife and I tried it and confirmed that we don't like smokey food. I ordered the beef brisket-rib combo and she ordered the prime rib, both smoked. Out of the three meat choices the smoked ribs were the best but not that great. The prime rib should not be in the smoked items section. It tastes delicious without the smokey flavor. The restaurant is located in an old house so the place is a bit cramped and echos a lot. The service was good but not great. Update: My wife and I have been back to the Old Canal Smoke House because we wanted to support local businesses and to try the non-smoked items. On several different visits we tried the oven-baked turkey sandwich, pulled pork sandwich and the buffalo burger. All of them were very tasty. The waitress was friendly and the outside seating was nice. I recommend the Smoke House.
(4)Nate S.
This place knows how to cook meat. And sauce meat. And make sides. Their pulled pork is high up on the list of best I've had, their burger is a pinnacle of the backyard-grilled school of burgermaking. Their Smokehouse Spuds (roasted garlic with tobacco-fried onions) are transcendental. They make great smoked buffalo wings, which are unlike any I've had. Service is prompt and attentive. They also have far and away the best beer selection in Chillicothe, with Hoegaarden, Goose Island 312, and two kinds of Shiner being on tap all the time. This is the best place to get dinner in Chillicothe. The one downside, I think, is that it's a bit pricey, but that shouldn't stop you from going.
(4)Regina M.
There is a reason you need reservations for this place. Absolutely AWESOME! Run!, do not walk! (but make reservations first!)
(5)Hilary P.
Best pulled pork and mashed potatoes ever, seriously mouth watering! The Smoke House is delicious if you like smoked food, however if you do not they also offer a few non smoked items and salads. I am also a fan of their home made desserts, especially the cheesecake. The Smoke house offers a good atmosphere and amazing food at a great price. The only draw backs are there is limited parking and long wait times.
(4)MJ X.
been there twice, food was good but looks like they need help with service. took forever to get our food.
(3)Crystal R.
Best pulled pork I ever had! I gave 4 instead of 5 because the side dishes could use some work. But it's definetly worth a trip. Oh and parking is impossible!!!
(4)Rick R.
A delightful find on a long trip from NC to Michigan. Excellent pulled pork and fries. Very nice covered patio. Well worth the 2 mille hop off the highway.
(5)Kris R.
What an amazing find this place was while traveling home from Indianapolis. The BBQ here is fantastic! This is one of the coolest restaurants I have discovered, not knowing what to expect before going. Great, friendly service. Beautiful deck!
(5)Suzy E.
Awesome place. The food is as good as it gets. The restaurant itself is casual and comfy. The outdoor patio actually has a roof so it is shaded. It is also very dog friendly. Has a great beer list.
(5)Walt K.
We are there on a mini vacation. Great food and great service. Would definitely return.
(5)Daniel S.
Great food, price ok, atmosphere unique!!
(4)Mathew C.
Ate on a Sunday. Maybe not one of their busy days but there was not much of a crowd at dinner. The cook staff must have stayed home as well due to the obviously microwaved/reheated ribs. Not impressed.
(2)Eatalot F.
I've been in Chillicothe a lot, too bad I didn't Yelp back then. This place has the greatest service ever and food to match. Brisket & St Louis Ribs(smoked perfectly) cole slaw, mac&cheese and peanut butter cookies were awesome! Ask for Chris, sometimes goes by Kevin, Billy Bob, grew personality great service and a nice patio.
(5)Kellie W.
Heck yessss! This place is freakin' delicious. The spicy sweet BBQ sauce is one of the best I've had- period. The service was cheerful, friendly and attentive, the atmosphere was simple but nice. I like that this place is in a row house, it really brings home the family feel. The prices were good and the food was awesome. I got the pulled pork and brisket and they were tender and smoked to perfection, and the sides didn't disappoint. Mac and cheese is homemade and cooked in a tiny casserole dish so it gets kind of crispy. Potatoes are served with fried onions--- hard to go wrong there. I had some of the corn casserole, which I think they make with some kind of whipped cream. It's their most popular side, but It was my least favorite thing- a little too thick. Had a bite of the espresso rib eye special and it was juicy and chocolatey and meaty- pretty amazing! Top it off with a shock top and life is good!
(5)Michael Q.
Stopped in here after visiting the local mound sites. After a decade of living in Texas I'm always interested to try out a new, local BBQ place and see how it stacks up against the best I've had in Texas. It's best brisket I've had outside the Lone Star state. If you put sauce on it you're a fool. It was cooked to perfection with a very nice smokey rind at the outer edge. Just the way it's supposed to be. I also had a half rack of the St. Louis Ribs which was kind of a surprise since I never see them on a menu outside of my home town of St. Louis. They were more than adequate but the real treat here is the brisket. The service was good on a busy Friday night but if I'm going to nitpick I'll pick on the look and feel of the place. It's a personal preference but I want my BBQ place to be one step above a butcher shop. Old Canal has more of a upper middle of the road chain restaurant feel. But that said if you're looking for some really good smoked brisket (and can't get to Texas) this is the place to go.
(3)James T.
Went a week or two later on saturday when it wasn't so busy and was much MUCH better. Sat outside, had a good male waiter. thes time was given some cornbread that was the best cornbread that I have ever had...seriously! Waiter told me that my waiter (bartender) had screwed me before for not giving it to me (lol). Food came out fast, tasted good, tea was fine, great service. Much happier.
(4)Jan A.
The BBQ Brisket was awesome. I had the Flatbread & Brisket special and the meat was smoky and delicious, the flatbread the perfect texture and crispness. My dinner buddy had the brisket/pulled pork platter and it was very good with generous portions. The BBQ sauces provided on the table were rich and added to the flavor of both meats. The sides of green beans almondine, coleslaw, and cornbread were just okay. Nice selection of beers. Pleasant and efficient wait staff. We'll definitely come back again next time we are in the area.
(4)Kira F.
Photos of the old canal on water street are all thats left to remind you what was once here. They decorate the exposed brick walls of the Old Canal Smokehouse in downtown Chillicothe, OH. The food here is amazing. Tonight I dined on beef brisket bathed in their sweet and spicy BBQ sauce with baked beans and corn casserole washing it down with a pint of Shiner Bock. What a meal! Covered, heated patio seating, casual area in front by the bar and the back to dine with a guest or two. Great staff!
(5)Diane W.
We dropped in around 7:30pm on a Wednesday night. The weather was extremely warm and the smell of smoke inside was unbearable so we opted for the patio along with the bugs. Maybe everything sat in the smoker too long but I found my pulled pork almost tasteless. My sis had the smoked chicken and she only ate a few bites. Sides were not memorable either!!
(2)Mark M.
Great place. The Barbeque is solid as are the people. My family and I really enjoyed it.
(4)Steve C.
Best restaurant around the area. The food and atmosphere is incredible. Pulled pork on the patio is where it's at.
(5)Melody M.
Yum. The homemade chips are awesome. The barbeque sauce was too sweet for me. My husband and I shared a combo platter of brisket and smoked chicken with a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was really good, and the chicken was good as well...though I'd ask for about 1/3 of the sauce. Basically, it's a solid spot. Good food, good service, good deal. Honestly, I'd have given it 3 stars if it weren't for the chips. That's how good they were.
(4)Glen R.
My favorite restaurant in Chillicothe area. Very good barbecue with two potential sauces - pork, beef, chicken. The Mac and cheese is special, as is the house salad dressing. Some of the desserts taste like they may be from a box rather than home-made but still good. Good bar.
(4)Daniel T.
A nice spot for some BBQ, They have a fairly decent beer selection as well. I had a pulled pork sandwich that was tasty, medium sized, and filling. Cool location right in downtown Chillicothe.
(3)TB O.
One of the best BBQ places in Ohio, probably 3rd best after the Ribber in Portsmouth and Smokin in Dayton. However their BBQ is more sugar based, so it feels a little heavier than other places. The meats are excellent, everything tastes good. We try to go here whenever we're in the area. They are not open on Sundays; so while that's good for them to take that day off, it does make it hard to go there sometimes.
(4)Cristina M.
We stopped here while driving from Virginia to Illinois. If you are on the road travelling it's definitely worth driving into downtown Chillicothe!!The staff was extremely friendly. It was the day before Easter and they gave the kids Peeps (while not my favorite treat, still very sweet). Service was fantastic and food was delicious. I got the pulled pork and it was great! Kids menu is not listed but ask your server because they do have some kids items like chicken strips and pork sliders. They also have Mac n cheese as a side for the kids.
(5)Laura J.
Giving five stars based on my first visit here this week and the fact that I came away from my experience there with absolutely nothing negative to say. I really enjoyed the food, the great service, and a really nice atmosphere. I love the look of the place - it's just very attractive. It was a rainy evening, but we sat on the patio, which was was mostly enclosed. It was very nice. I had a grilled chicken sandwich and a the mac & cheese for my side. The chicken was the most moist and tender chicken I have ever had on a sandwich, and the mac & cheese was the best I've ever had in any restaurant. It was cooked perfectly (not mushy), had some very nice, flavorful cheeses, was baked, and had panko crumbs on top. My dinner companion had the pulled pork dinner and enjoyed it, but would only have given the restaurant four stars. The restaurant has a bit of an upscale feel to it, and many of the meals are in the mid-teens, but they do still have meals under $10. Our waiter was very polite, friendly, and attentive, and the food was brought to us in a timely manner. Actually, all of the staff that I interacted with were that way. Maybe they have stepped up their game since some of the previous reviews here were posted? At any rate, I would definitely try this place again.
(5)Karen G.
Excellent food and service. They do not have a children's menu though. Locally owned, unique, great atmosphere. Highly recommend.
(5)Rich G.
After a long sunny (icy) hike in Hocking Hills, our group ventured here for some post-hike grub and libation. Dock on the Water has usually been our watering hole, but I'm thrilled someone suggested the Old Canal Smokehouse. From the moment we walked in the door, we felt welcome. Late on a Saturday afternoon, they were quite crowded and our hopes of finding seating for 15+ folks weren't high; however, the manager and several servers fell over themselves with efforts to make sure we could be accommodated. They made us all feel wanted there. They successfully found room for our group and lavished us with attention and service. No wonder this restaurant is held in such high local esteem. The food was nothing but stupendous. While I thoroughly relished 1/2 rack of baby back ribs and pulled pork, others in the group tried the brisket and sandwiches. All raved. I think the chicken was probably one of the biggest hits this Saturday night, and of course, the mac & cheese was everyone's favorite. The selection of beers on tap was unparalleled in this region of the State. This restaurant obviously knows how to smoke and I dare say it certainly meets if not exceeds some of the great smokehouse restaurants of Memphis and Texas. It's certainly my new hocking hills hiking region MUST for a post-hike.
(5)Joe B.
One of Chillicothe's great spots to eat! I had a business lunch here and I was blown away by the food. It's as good as any formidable BBQ I've had. The Pig Chips, their thick cut homemade potato chips, are covered in cheese and bacon and baked to a super crisp. These were a great starter with their Sweet and Spicy BBQ sauce to dip alongside. For the main I tried their brisket and pulled pork platter with coleslaw and mac n' cheese. Their meat is done right. The pulled pork was unctuous and smoky and most importantly not dry. The brisket had a killer smoke ring on it and also nicely smoked with a little fatty layer that I really didn't mind making this a little decadent if you're on a diet. The coleslaw was fairly standard but the mac was the jam. Maybe a little grainy but really cheesy and oven baked with a little crisp on top. It's kind of addictive so be warned. The cornbread that comes with the platter was good but it didn't stand out too much. Service on the other hand was all hospitality, very friendly and some of the best I've had while travelling around the area. When you pull up to this place you can smell the smoke in the air....a sign of good things to come. The space itself is a little small in the bar area and the front dining area reminds me of someone's home that was converted...it's homey and comfortable and the food speaks for itself. Definitely worth checking out!!
(5)Jennie S.
a.w.e.s.o.m.e!
(5)Kari R.
Baby Back Ribs are amazing, corn casserole is a tradition and look forward to it every year.
(5)Nicholas L.
Oh my goodness... The house: amazing The waiter: phenomenal (fun, energetic, polite...all of the above) The food: I ordered a Smokehouse border and I can honestly say it was the best burger I've ever eaten. The Mac & cheese tasted like my grandma made it. So homemade with excellent flavors. I will never again order a burger without onion rings.
(5)John P.
nice to see BBQ out here
(3)N H.
Family is new to the area and this was our first local spot to check out. Ordered brisket platter with corn casserole and potato salad. Was happy with all of it. Brisket was tender and the sweet and spicy sauce was good. The sides had good flavor as well. Liked the cornbread. Will definitely go back. Felt it was a little pricey, but staff was friendly and although we dined early the atmosphere seemed like it would have a good vibe.
(4)Enri G.
Always a great place for lunch, wow great taste friendly staff.... the brisket is holy crap awesome... I will continue to have lunch here everytime I visit the mill.
(5)Clara E.
Had brisket and it was delicious! Great service and family friendly. Had separate bar area. Wonderful historic area.
(5)Chris G.
So searching Yelp while in town on business and Old Canal was at the top of the heap. Expense account in hand? Oh hell yeah I'm in. Went with a co-worker and were quickly seated. The smells from the kitchen were intoxicating; there is nothing better than the smoky smell of barbeque. (The following day when the weather warmed you could smell the place driving from two blocks away.) Ordered up a cup of brisket chili, a platter of brisket and pork, mac and cheese, and green beans. All I can say is wow. The brisket was absolutely fall apart perfect with great flavor. I've had better pork but it was still very good. The green beans were very tasty but the star here was the mac and cheese...wow. Individually baked in a bowl with bread crumbs. Texture, flavor, and everything a good mac and cheese should be. What a great meal...will definitely be stopping back another time in the future.
(5)Garlic B.
Beer good. Baby back ribs, not so much. Killed beyond recognition and all you could taste is rosemary. If there was a dry rub, you couldn't taste it. Should call them Rosemary ribs. Chicken was okay. Certainly not worth the price paid. Again, beer good.
(3)Kathy Shannon S.
Just love this place. Onions rings may be the best I have ever tried, came with a delicious horseradish sauce. Got the appetizer combo enough for 3 or 4 people. Pulled pork with sweet potato tots, love'm. Had a not your father's rootbeer, went great with BBQ.
(5)Jan E.
Sat out on the shaded patio traveling from NC to Chicago. Pro tips: the smoked brisket, corn casserole, & green beans with sweet tea were perfect. Worth the brief side trip off the highway. Really good beer menu (although we didn't partake since we were driving.)
(5)Aaron D.
This place is a must visit. We just moved into town a month ago and have already eaten here 4 times. Everything I have had has been amazing. Highly recommend the Smoked Half Chicken. The Buffalo Burger was great as well.
(5)Deanna S.
Lovely lunch out with my mother. Patio, bar and nice dining. Food made fresh and no frozen stuff. I recommend the corn casserole. Meat smoked right there and very good.
(5)Richard R.
This is a gem of a little smokehouse. I flew in to the small airport just north of Chillicothe and this place is easy access from that airport. I had the brisket sandwich and macaroni and cheese. Both hit the spot. Be sure to use the bbq sauce at the table on the brisket as it doesn't come with any on it already. I prefer the sweet and spicy sauce. For seating options, there is an outdoor patio, bar area, as well as a nicer sit down area.
(5)Joe C.
Pull Pork is to die for... On the Other hand - I worked for Nationwide Insurance and they: Illegally scanning my cell phone and home computer, they illegally placed a GPS on my auto, they illegal sent their SIU / claims Department to view video of places I had been the prior 2 days (say Target as an example) Why would you ask - well I went to California from Ohio - to work for Nationwide's Subsidiary in Sacramento called AlLied Insurance - ( little did I know they were in a Extortion war between themselves ) and they Illegally Used Me in a Tiger Kidnapping (see a tiger kidnapping does not have to be confined to walls when they illegally (false premise) monitor you 24/7. Allied employee also paid Church member to "tell them what I talked about at church - to be used as extortion in the Tuesday weekly Noon conference call with headquarters in Columbus. See: Sacramento Torture Gang and the Evil Blue Box (on lulu . com). Then the also were involved in over 100 incidence of Medical Fraud, and have been and are currently engaged in Illegal Payola via Illegal Use of Self (see: Bette Midler vs Ford Motor Inc). the recipients of the Illegal Payola are CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, FOX, I Heart media, Camulus Media, Columbus Dispatch.. et al.. If you are with NATIONWIDE you may be a VICTIM of ILLEGAL PAYOLA - they scan Customers cell phones and e-mails without Permission also... THE MOST EVIL PEOLE ON THE PLANET FROM NATIONWIDE - Steve Ra$$mu$$en, Jerry JorOFFSon, Carlyon Maul, Joe Case (Joe is the lead person that takes the Stolen Data from Nationwide IT staff and sells it to Media for Payola - he should know how to do this since that is how he got a little under the table as a Radio Disc Jockey in Newark...and at the State Capitol ... and Anna Boruk...
(5)John W.
Little too smokey inside for my liking. Sure, it smells good, but it was almost so thick it took my breath away, literally. Hard chairs are very uncomfortable and flies/gnats are abundant inside. Food was ok as far as a speciality goes, but pricey. Need to either drop the price about $5 on the platters or offer more sides or bigger portions, or a combination of both more sides and bigger portions. Didn't want to eat out on the patio because of the assumed bug life that goes along with eating outside, didn't realize the inside would be about the same.
(3)Erich W.
We stopped in for lunch en route to Hocking Hills. We split the pulled pork and brisket platter as we weren't super hungry. I was glad we did that as the portions were very generous. They had two BBQ sauces on the table: sweet and sweet & spicy. The sweet & spicy had a very nice flavor and complimented the meat well. Pulled pork was tender and the brisket had a great smoky flavor. For the sides we chose the mac&cheese and corn casserole. The Mac & Cheese was amazing but the corn casserole was hard to look at and even harder to eat. The corn was held together by a thick white substance that was unidentifiable. The cornbread was nice and soft and bursted with a sweet corn flavor. Service was excellent and prices were reasonable. Overall I enjoyed the experience and would stop here again if I would be in Chillicothe around meal time.
(4)Michael K.
Great food and great service from Travis. Perfect dinner stop to break up a long road trip... Great smoke aroma and loved the BBQ sauce... Bought 2 bottles to bring home.
(5)Ken L.
This was a lucky find for some hungry travelers. The BBQ is wonderful and smoky. I got the beef brisket which was not fatty like some. Others I was traveling with got the ribs which were awesome. Everything had the right level of char on it. The service was good and the portions were filling. Well worth the trip.
(4)Mark K.
Finally got to actually eat here yesterday. Went with my cousins, and had the St. Louis ribs. They were very good- just the right flavor, inside and on the surface, along with a good texture (not tough, not too tender.) Also tried some baby backs, which were pretty good too. Sides were baked beans (very good) and "exotic mushroom soup," which was a special but they subbed a cup for one of my sides. It was creamy, and filled with a variety of mushrooms. Very tasty. Maybe a bit expensive, but the food was worth it and the atmosphere and service were nice. We still get the meat for the family Thanksgiving here every year, now that my grandparents are gone and family is scattered, and it's always good.
(4)Kevin F.
Not that great... Seemed a bit over-priced for the quality of meat and the small selection.
(2)Sarah S.
Excellent service, delicious food, nice atmosphere. Tried the pulled pork platter and the portion is enormous. Order the Mac n Cheese, You won't be sorry!!! Will definitely return to try something new. Great selection of beers as well. Room for large groups and they accept reservations.
(5)Matt D.
Overpriced and overrated. Really need to be cost capacitive to be in that market really overrated.
(1)Brian H.
Drove up from Cincinnati the past two years to see Tecumseh show. Have eaten at the Smoke house both times. The Burger was very good and the staff was friendly. Great local establishment in the town.
(4)Megan F.
I had the misfortune of living in Chillicothe for a few months (sorry, locals, but it was just not for me) and this is really the only nice, local sit down restaurant that we ever found in town! We went a few times and honestly never had anything we didn't like. Loved the chicken, pulled pork, and mac and cheese especially. The employees are super friendly and always made us feel welcome.
(5)Tim R.
Great food. Great outdoor seating area. Great service. Both my wife and I had the smoked brisket, which was fantastic. I also had the garlic smashed potatoes, which are some of the best I have had. The kids each had a cheeseburger, but we should have just split one between them. They have a great selection of craft beers. It was a lot better than we expected to find in the middle of nowhere in Ohio.
(5)Robert S.
Food is good but is a little on the expensive side. I enjoyed my meal hear and my server was very attentive.
(4)Wes M.
The Old Canal Smokehouse is the JAM. If you have out-of-town guests who want a great meal, you bring them here. My go-to is the pulled pork platter with Smokehouse spuds and mac & cheese. So good!
(5)Joe C.
Ate at the Smokehouse two out of 4 nights I was in Chillicothe for business. Service was good as was the food. I had the pulled pork and smoked chicken the first night, opted for just the pork the second. The chicken was tough and over smoked, but the pork was well cooked and the barbecue sauce served separately had a good flavor.
(3)Lindsay W.
Good BBQ will come again.
(4)Connie G.
Could not think of a single small reason to not give this restaurant a solid 5 Stars. Great smoke flavor in the food. I had a ribeye - awesome, brisket and ribs - St Louis ribs were better than the brisket, which was excellent, Ruben sandwich - moist, very good. Side dishes were way above average too. Atmosphere was quiet and comfortable. Server made no mistakes and was there only when needed. Will be coming back soon.
(5)Miss C.
This is my favorite Chillicothe area. The food and service are excellent. I've never had a bad experience. We've eaten there several times. The sides are delicious.
(5)Christopher G.
Saturday day trip... I broke my own rule on this one. I went to a smoke house, and didnt get BBQ, so please take my 3 star "A-Okay" with that in mind. The building is cool. Its over 200 years old, and was many things over the years, including a butcher house, single dwelling home, apartments, and other restaurants. It has been a the Smoke House for 7 years now. Decor is good. Historic pictures, and lots of wood. Everything seemed clean, and they have a large covered outdoor area, which we partook in. We got the "Ultimate Appetizer", which was 6 onion rings, 2 stuffed mushrooms, 2 potatoes skins, and 2 chicken wings, along with 3 dipping sauces. Rings were okay, skins were not...dry and tasteless. The wings were BBQ (which we didnt expect) which were good and cooked right (moist), but too much sticky sauce. The mushrooms were the best thing on the plate. I got the prime rib sandwich with your choice of bun (Kaiser, Onion, or Sesame) which tasted okay, but was skimpy on the meat portion. The default side for all their sandwiches are their homemade chips, which were outstanding. It was by far the best thing they had to offer on this visit, but $8.50 for a sandwich and chips, I still expect more meat. She got the chicken sandwich with a salad. The salad was good, but her chicken was over cooked, tough, and dry. Service was good, but a little slow. It took quite a while for our orders to come out, but the wait staff was friendly and personable. I dont know how often Ill be getting back down to Chillicothe, but I certainly would give them another try. Oh, and on the way home, went by a SumBurger...also on my must do list.
(3)Brad M.
I was with my son on our way to see a concert at the Majestic Theater and wanted to catch a bite to eat before the show so we stopped at the Old Canal Smokehouse.. Our waitress Deeann suggested one of the combo platters (I tried the pulled pork and brisket) and for sides the baked macaroni and corn casserole. Before that however, we tried the Armadillo Eggs which are jalapeño peppers stuffed with chicken and wrapped with bacon. Amazing. Also before the entree we were served warm corn bread which melted as you put it in your mouth. This is a restaurant you'd take your friends and family to. The wait staff is outstanding and the food is phenomenal!
(5)Lisa U.
Looking through the seven reviews of the Old Canal Smoke that precede mine, I have to agree with points on each one. Let me summarize; the meats are good, the sides are school cafeteria quality (very mediocre), the service needs A LOT of work. Most of the waitresses are pretty surly, and the service is way slower than need be. Smokehouse seems expensive to me. Lunch prices are particularly ridiculous. The prices for dinner are a bit more in line, but still on the high side for the food, but especially the beer and bar. They have a great beer selection for a small town privately owned restaurant, but I only eat there once a year (if that) because I hate feeling like I'm being nicked. Despite the pricing, I would be more inclined to visit if their atmosphere was more welcoming. I have been there a half-dozen times since they opened and each time we enter we are greeted with a 'what the hell are you doing here attitude'. I cannot tell you how much I hate walking into a place and not be warmly welcomed. Especially when I speak kindly first and am totally ignored. It's not that difficult people! On top of the unwelcoming atmosphere, the service is so mediocre that it just isn't worth the trouble to me to go.
(2)Matt M.
Great brisket and pulled pork. We sat on the patio and had a nice enjoyable meal. I would drive a long way to eat here! BTW delicious corn bread too
(5)Robert A.
Based on my experience and the comments of an associate at lunch, I have to give OCSH 5-stars. Service was excellent even at the height of the lunch crunch. The meal was very fairly priced and of excellent quality. Definitely a great place to eat...
(5)Greg W.
Absolutely delicious for a reasonable price and a great atmosphere. The main dining room is somewhat smallish, but the place is open while they're under renovation to expand. I went here for dinner and had the hand pulled pork with their homemade mashed potatoes, and corn casserole; this meal also came with a cornbread roll that was pretty decent. Each table has their own bottles of BBQ sauces, both a sweet and a sweet & spicy version. I tried the sweet & spicy variety in top of my pulled pork and loved it. Just the right amount of tang without too much kick to overpower the natural flavors of the meat. The pulled pork was very flavorful and juicy before the sauce, but the sauce justnput it over the edge of fantastic. 5/5 for the pulled pork. The corn casserole was not what I'm used to. Far more creamy, and no cornbread mixed into it. Still, it was very tasty. 4.5/5 for the cornbread. The mashed potatoes were the true rock star of the meal. The little lumps left in them left no doubt that they were homemade, and gave just the right touch to the texture. The flavor was second to none, topped off by the fried onion sticks on top of the potatoes, these made the meal worth having by themselves. My only downer for the night was that we were there from 9:10-10:10 and by the end of the night you could tell they were hoping we would leave soon. I don't have a huge problem with this since we were the only two in there, and we were just sitting and conversating, not ordering anymore. Still I did feel a little rushed out the door. Oh, and the Christmas carols for music; call me a Scrooge but I don't care for Christmas music and since it's already jammed into your ears almost everywhere else during this time of year, I would like a little reprieve while I'm eating. Overall I definitely recommend Old Canal for a good time that's relatively affordable.
(4)Pat A.
I was in here twice in the same day, last Wednesday I believe? My parent's took me for lunch, then my Aunt wanted to go for Dinner. For lunch I had the half smoked chicken, which was dry and overcooked. I didn't really care for their BBQ sauces as they were all too sweet for my taste, but the side salad was delicious. For Dinner, I got the half rack of ribs paired with their amazing home made chips. The ribs were absolutely amazing, cooked to perfection. The service was great and very personable. If I were to rate this place on my lunch experience with the chicken, I'd give it 3 stars, but dinner was definitely 5 stars. Company on both gets 10 stars.
(4)Mike M.
One of our favorite spots in small town USA. Never had a bad meal or poor service. Love the briscut as it is very moist with a nice smoke flavor.
(5)Denise L.
Stopped here on our way to serpent mound. Really enjoyed pulled pork sandwich and the steak fries which had a ranch batter. Oh and loved the corn casserole! Husband liked the ham and cheese sandwich and Mac and cheese. Their sweet BBQ is awesome. Great place!
(4)Chris G.
So searching Yelp while in town on business and Old Canal was at the top of the heap. Expense account in hand? Oh hell yeah I'm in. Went with a co-worker and were quickly seated. The smells from the kitchen were intoxicating; there is nothing better than the smoky smell of barbeque. (The following day when the weather warmed you could smell the place driving from two blocks away.) Ordered up a cup of brisket chili, a platter of brisket and pork, mac and cheese, and green beans. All I can say is wow. The brisket was absolutely fall apart perfect with great flavor. I've had better pork but it was still very good. The green beans were very tasty but the star here was the mac and cheese...wow. Individually baked in a bowl with bread crumbs. Texture, flavor, and everything a good mac and cheese should be. What a great meal...will definitely be stopping back another time in the future.
(5)Garlic B.
Beer good. Baby back ribs, not so much. Killed beyond recognition and all you could taste is rosemary. If there was a dry rub, you couldn't taste it. Should call them Rosemary ribs. Chicken was okay. Certainly not worth the price paid. Again, beer good.
(3)Kathy Shannon S.
Just love this place. Onions rings may be the best I have ever tried, came with a delicious horseradish sauce. Got the appetizer combo enough for 3 or 4 people. Pulled pork with sweet potato tots, love'm. Had a not your father's rootbeer, went great with BBQ.
(5)Jan E.
Sat out on the shaded patio traveling from NC to Chicago. Pro tips: the smoked brisket, corn casserole, & green beans with sweet tea were perfect. Worth the brief side trip off the highway. Really good beer menu (although we didn't partake since we were driving.)
(5)Aaron D.
This place is a must visit. We just moved into town a month ago and have already eaten here 4 times. Everything I have had has been amazing. Highly recommend the Smoked Half Chicken. The Buffalo Burger was great as well.
(5)Greg W.
Absolutely delicious for a reasonable price and a great atmosphere. The main dining room is somewhat smallish, but the place is open while they're under renovation to expand. I went here for dinner and had the hand pulled pork with their homemade mashed potatoes, and corn casserole; this meal also came with a cornbread roll that was pretty decent. Each table has their own bottles of BBQ sauces, both a sweet and a sweet & spicy version. I tried the sweet & spicy variety in top of my pulled pork and loved it. Just the right amount of tang without too much kick to overpower the natural flavors of the meat. The pulled pork was very flavorful and juicy before the sauce, but the sauce justnput it over the edge of fantastic. 5/5 for the pulled pork. The corn casserole was not what I'm used to. Far more creamy, and no cornbread mixed into it. Still, it was very tasty. 4.5/5 for the cornbread. The mashed potatoes were the true rock star of the meal. The little lumps left in them left no doubt that they were homemade, and gave just the right touch to the texture. The flavor was second to none, topped off by the fried onion sticks on top of the potatoes, these made the meal worth having by themselves. My only downer for the night was that we were there from 9:10-10:10 and by the end of the night you could tell they were hoping we would leave soon. I don't have a huge problem with this since we were the only two in there, and we were just sitting and conversating, not ordering anymore. Still I did feel a little rushed out the door. Oh, and the Christmas carols for music; call me a Scrooge but I don't care for Christmas music and since it's already jammed into your ears almost everywhere else during this time of year, I would like a little reprieve while I'm eating. Overall I definitely recommend Old Canal for a good time that's relatively affordable.
(4)Pat A.
I was in here twice in the same day, last Wednesday I believe? My parent's took me for lunch, then my Aunt wanted to go for Dinner. For lunch I had the half smoked chicken, which was dry and overcooked. I didn't really care for their BBQ sauces as they were all too sweet for my taste, but the side salad was delicious. For Dinner, I got the half rack of ribs paired with their amazing home made chips. The ribs were absolutely amazing, cooked to perfection. The service was great and very personable. If I were to rate this place on my lunch experience with the chicken, I'd give it 3 stars, but dinner was definitely 5 stars. Company on both gets 10 stars.
(4)Mike M.
One of our favorite spots in small town USA. Never had a bad meal or poor service. Love the briscut as it is very moist with a nice smoke flavor.
(5)Denise L.
Stopped here on our way to serpent mound. Really enjoyed pulled pork sandwich and the steak fries which had a ranch batter. Oh and loved the corn casserole! Husband liked the ham and cheese sandwich and Mac and cheese. Their sweet BBQ is awesome. Great place!
(4)Deanna S.
Lovely lunch out with my mother. Patio, bar and nice dining. Food made fresh and no frozen stuff. I recommend the corn casserole. Meat smoked right there and very good.
(5)Richard R.
This is a gem of a little smokehouse. I flew in to the small airport just north of Chillicothe and this place is easy access from that airport. I had the brisket sandwich and macaroni and cheese. Both hit the spot. Be sure to use the bbq sauce at the table on the brisket as it doesn't come with any on it already. I prefer the sweet and spicy sauce. For seating options, there is an outdoor patio, bar area, as well as a nicer sit down area.
(5)John W.
Little too smokey inside for my liking. Sure, it smells good, but it was almost so thick it took my breath away, literally. Hard chairs are very uncomfortable and flies/gnats are abundant inside. Food was ok as far as a speciality goes, but pricey. Need to either drop the price about $5 on the platters or offer more sides or bigger portions, or a combination of both more sides and bigger portions. Didn't want to eat out on the patio because of the assumed bug life that goes along with eating outside, didn't realize the inside would be about the same.
(3)Erich W.
We stopped in for lunch en route to Hocking Hills. We split the pulled pork and brisket platter as we weren't super hungry. I was glad we did that as the portions were very generous. They had two BBQ sauces on the table: sweet and sweet & spicy. The sweet & spicy had a very nice flavor and complimented the meat well. Pulled pork was tender and the brisket had a great smoky flavor. For the sides we chose the mac&cheese and corn casserole. The Mac & Cheese was amazing but the corn casserole was hard to look at and even harder to eat. The corn was held together by a thick white substance that was unidentifiable. The cornbread was nice and soft and bursted with a sweet corn flavor. Service was excellent and prices were reasonable. Overall I enjoyed the experience and would stop here again if I would be in Chillicothe around meal time.
(4)Michael K.
Great food and great service from Travis. Perfect dinner stop to break up a long road trip... Great smoke aroma and loved the BBQ sauce... Bought 2 bottles to bring home.
(5)Enri G.
Always a great place for lunch, wow great taste friendly staff.... the brisket is holy crap awesome... I will continue to have lunch here everytime I visit the mill.
(5)Clara E.
Had brisket and it was delicious! Great service and family friendly. Had separate bar area. Wonderful historic area.
(5)Ken L.
This was a lucky find for some hungry travelers. The BBQ is wonderful and smoky. I got the beef brisket which was not fatty like some. Others I was traveling with got the ribs which were awesome. Everything had the right level of char on it. The service was good and the portions were filling. Well worth the trip.
(4)Rich G.
After a long sunny (icy) hike in Hocking Hills, our group ventured here for some post-hike grub and libation. Dock on the Water has usually been our watering hole, but I'm thrilled someone suggested the Old Canal Smokehouse. From the moment we walked in the door, we felt welcome. Late on a Saturday afternoon, they were quite crowded and our hopes of finding seating for 15+ folks weren't high; however, the manager and several servers fell over themselves with efforts to make sure we could be accommodated. They made us all feel wanted there. They successfully found room for our group and lavished us with attention and service. No wonder this restaurant is held in such high local esteem. The food was nothing but stupendous. While I thoroughly relished 1/2 rack of baby back ribs and pulled pork, others in the group tried the brisket and sandwiches. All raved. I think the chicken was probably one of the biggest hits this Saturday night, and of course, the mac & cheese was everyone's favorite. The selection of beers on tap was unparalleled in this region of the State. This restaurant obviously knows how to smoke and I dare say it certainly meets if not exceeds some of the great smokehouse restaurants of Memphis and Texas. It's certainly my new hocking hills hiking region MUST for a post-hike.
(5)Joe B.
One of Chillicothe's great spots to eat! I had a business lunch here and I was blown away by the food. It's as good as any formidable BBQ I've had. The Pig Chips, their thick cut homemade potato chips, are covered in cheese and bacon and baked to a super crisp. These were a great starter with their Sweet and Spicy BBQ sauce to dip alongside. For the main I tried their brisket and pulled pork platter with coleslaw and mac n' cheese. Their meat is done right. The pulled pork was unctuous and smoky and most importantly not dry. The brisket had a killer smoke ring on it and also nicely smoked with a little fatty layer that I really didn't mind making this a little decadent if you're on a diet. The coleslaw was fairly standard but the mac was the jam. Maybe a little grainy but really cheesy and oven baked with a little crisp on top. It's kind of addictive so be warned. The cornbread that comes with the platter was good but it didn't stand out too much. Service on the other hand was all hospitality, very friendly and some of the best I've had while travelling around the area. When you pull up to this place you can smell the smoke in the air....a sign of good things to come. The space itself is a little small in the bar area and the front dining area reminds me of someone's home that was converted...it's homey and comfortable and the food speaks for itself. Definitely worth checking out!!
(5)Jennie S.
a.w.e.s.o.m.e!
(5)Kari R.
Baby Back Ribs are amazing, corn casserole is a tradition and look forward to it every year.
(5)Mark K.
Finally got to actually eat here yesterday. Went with my cousins, and had the St. Louis ribs. They were very good- just the right flavor, inside and on the surface, along with a good texture (not tough, not too tender.) Also tried some baby backs, which were pretty good too. Sides were baked beans (very good) and "exotic mushroom soup," which was a special but they subbed a cup for one of my sides. It was creamy, and filled with a variety of mushrooms. Very tasty. Maybe a bit expensive, but the food was worth it and the atmosphere and service were nice. We still get the meat for the family Thanksgiving here every year, now that my grandparents are gone and family is scattered, and it's always good.
(4)Nicholas L.
Oh my goodness... The house: amazing The waiter: phenomenal (fun, energetic, polite...all of the above) The food: I ordered a Smokehouse border and I can honestly say it was the best burger I've ever eaten. The Mac & cheese tasted like my grandma made it. So homemade with excellent flavors. I will never again order a burger without onion rings.
(5)Kevin F.
Not that great... Seemed a bit over-priced for the quality of meat and the small selection.
(2)Sarah S.
Excellent service, delicious food, nice atmosphere. Tried the pulled pork platter and the portion is enormous. Order the Mac n Cheese, You won't be sorry!!! Will definitely return to try something new. Great selection of beers as well. Room for large groups and they accept reservations.
(5)Matt D.
Overpriced and overrated. Really need to be cost capacitive to be in that market really overrated.
(1)Brian H.
Drove up from Cincinnati the past two years to see Tecumseh show. Have eaten at the Smoke house both times. The Burger was very good and the staff was friendly. Great local establishment in the town.
(4)Megan F.
I had the misfortune of living in Chillicothe for a few months (sorry, locals, but it was just not for me) and this is really the only nice, local sit down restaurant that we ever found in town! We went a few times and honestly never had anything we didn't like. Loved the chicken, pulled pork, and mac and cheese especially. The employees are super friendly and always made us feel welcome.
(5)Tim R.
Great food. Great outdoor seating area. Great service. Both my wife and I had the smoked brisket, which was fantastic. I also had the garlic smashed potatoes, which are some of the best I have had. The kids each had a cheeseburger, but we should have just split one between them. They have a great selection of craft beers. It was a lot better than we expected to find in the middle of nowhere in Ohio.
(5)Robert S.
Food is good but is a little on the expensive side. I enjoyed my meal hear and my server was very attentive.
(4)Wes M.
The Old Canal Smokehouse is the JAM. If you have out-of-town guests who want a great meal, you bring them here. My go-to is the pulled pork platter with Smokehouse spuds and mac & cheese. So good!
(5)Joe C.
Ate at the Smokehouse two out of 4 nights I was in Chillicothe for business. Service was good as was the food. I had the pulled pork and smoked chicken the first night, opted for just the pork the second. The chicken was tough and over smoked, but the pork was well cooked and the barbecue sauce served separately had a good flavor.
(3)Lindsay W.
Good BBQ will come again.
(4)Connie G.
Could not think of a single small reason to not give this restaurant a solid 5 Stars. Great smoke flavor in the food. I had a ribeye - awesome, brisket and ribs - St Louis ribs were better than the brisket, which was excellent, Ruben sandwich - moist, very good. Side dishes were way above average too. Atmosphere was quiet and comfortable. Server made no mistakes and was there only when needed. Will be coming back soon.
(5)Miss C.
This is my favorite Chillicothe area. The food and service are excellent. I've never had a bad experience. We've eaten there several times. The sides are delicious.
(5)Christopher G.
Saturday day trip... I broke my own rule on this one. I went to a smoke house, and didnt get BBQ, so please take my 3 star "A-Okay" with that in mind. The building is cool. Its over 200 years old, and was many things over the years, including a butcher house, single dwelling home, apartments, and other restaurants. It has been a the Smoke House for 7 years now. Decor is good. Historic pictures, and lots of wood. Everything seemed clean, and they have a large covered outdoor area, which we partook in. We got the "Ultimate Appetizer", which was 6 onion rings, 2 stuffed mushrooms, 2 potatoes skins, and 2 chicken wings, along with 3 dipping sauces. Rings were okay, skins were not...dry and tasteless. The wings were BBQ (which we didnt expect) which were good and cooked right (moist), but too much sticky sauce. The mushrooms were the best thing on the plate. I got the prime rib sandwich with your choice of bun (Kaiser, Onion, or Sesame) which tasted okay, but was skimpy on the meat portion. The default side for all their sandwiches are their homemade chips, which were outstanding. It was by far the best thing they had to offer on this visit, but $8.50 for a sandwich and chips, I still expect more meat. She got the chicken sandwich with a salad. The salad was good, but her chicken was over cooked, tough, and dry. Service was good, but a little slow. It took quite a while for our orders to come out, but the wait staff was friendly and personable. I dont know how often Ill be getting back down to Chillicothe, but I certainly would give them another try. Oh, and on the way home, went by a SumBurger...also on my must do list.
(3)Brad M.
I was with my son on our way to see a concert at the Majestic Theater and wanted to catch a bite to eat before the show so we stopped at the Old Canal Smokehouse.. Our waitress Deeann suggested one of the combo platters (I tried the pulled pork and brisket) and for sides the baked macaroni and corn casserole. Before that however, we tried the Armadillo Eggs which are jalapeño peppers stuffed with chicken and wrapped with bacon. Amazing. Also before the entree we were served warm corn bread which melted as you put it in your mouth. This is a restaurant you'd take your friends and family to. The wait staff is outstanding and the food is phenomenal!
(5)Walt K.
We are there on a mini vacation. Great food and great service. Would definitely return.
(5)Daniel S.
Great food, price ok, atmosphere unique!!
(4)Mathew C.
Ate on a Sunday. Maybe not one of their busy days but there was not much of a crowd at dinner. The cook staff must have stayed home as well due to the obviously microwaved/reheated ribs. Not impressed.
(2)Eatalot F.
I've been in Chillicothe a lot, too bad I didn't Yelp back then. This place has the greatest service ever and food to match. Brisket & St Louis Ribs(smoked perfectly) cole slaw, mac&cheese and peanut butter cookies were awesome! Ask for Chris, sometimes goes by Kevin, Billy Bob, grew personality great service and a nice patio.
(5)Kris R.
What an amazing find this place was while traveling home from Indianapolis. The BBQ here is fantastic! This is one of the coolest restaurants I have discovered, not knowing what to expect before going. Great, friendly service. Beautiful deck!
(5)Suzy E.
Awesome place. The food is as good as it gets. The restaurant itself is casual and comfy. The outdoor patio actually has a roof so it is shaded. It is also very dog friendly. Has a great beer list.
(5)Kellie W.
Heck yessss! This place is freakin' delicious. The spicy sweet BBQ sauce is one of the best I've had- period. The service was cheerful, friendly and attentive, the atmosphere was simple but nice. I like that this place is in a row house, it really brings home the family feel. The prices were good and the food was awesome. I got the pulled pork and brisket and they were tender and smoked to perfection, and the sides didn't disappoint. Mac and cheese is homemade and cooked in a tiny casserole dish so it gets kind of crispy. Potatoes are served with fried onions--- hard to go wrong there. I had some of the corn casserole, which I think they make with some kind of whipped cream. It's their most popular side, but It was my least favorite thing- a little too thick. Had a bite of the espresso rib eye special and it was juicy and chocolatey and meaty- pretty amazing! Top it off with a shock top and life is good!
(5)Michael Q.
Stopped in here after visiting the local mound sites. After a decade of living in Texas I'm always interested to try out a new, local BBQ place and see how it stacks up against the best I've had in Texas. It's best brisket I've had outside the Lone Star state. If you put sauce on it you're a fool. It was cooked to perfection with a very nice smokey rind at the outer edge. Just the way it's supposed to be. I also had a half rack of the St. Louis Ribs which was kind of a surprise since I never see them on a menu outside of my home town of St. Louis. They were more than adequate but the real treat here is the brisket. The service was good on a busy Friday night but if I'm going to nitpick I'll pick on the look and feel of the place. It's a personal preference but I want my BBQ place to be one step above a butcher shop. Old Canal has more of a upper middle of the road chain restaurant feel. But that said if you're looking for some really good smoked brisket (and can't get to Texas) this is the place to go.
(3)James T.
Went a week or two later on saturday when it wasn't so busy and was much MUCH better. Sat outside, had a good male waiter. thes time was given some cornbread that was the best cornbread that I have ever had...seriously! Waiter told me that my waiter (bartender) had screwed me before for not giving it to me (lol). Food came out fast, tasted good, tea was fine, great service. Much happier.
(4)Jan A.
The BBQ Brisket was awesome. I had the Flatbread & Brisket special and the meat was smoky and delicious, the flatbread the perfect texture and crispness. My dinner buddy had the brisket/pulled pork platter and it was very good with generous portions. The BBQ sauces provided on the table were rich and added to the flavor of both meats. The sides of green beans almondine, coleslaw, and cornbread were just okay. Nice selection of beers. Pleasant and efficient wait staff. We'll definitely come back again next time we are in the area.
(4)Kira F.
Photos of the old canal on water street are all thats left to remind you what was once here. They decorate the exposed brick walls of the Old Canal Smokehouse in downtown Chillicothe, OH. The food here is amazing. Tonight I dined on beef brisket bathed in their sweet and spicy BBQ sauce with baked beans and corn casserole washing it down with a pint of Shiner Bock. What a meal! Covered, heated patio seating, casual area in front by the bar and the back to dine with a guest or two. Great staff!
(5)Diane W.
We dropped in around 7:30pm on a Wednesday night. The weather was extremely warm and the smell of smoke inside was unbearable so we opted for the patio along with the bugs. Maybe everything sat in the smoker too long but I found my pulled pork almost tasteless. My sis had the smoked chicken and she only ate a few bites. Sides were not memorable either!!
(2)Mark M.
Great place. The Barbeque is solid as are the people. My family and I really enjoyed it.
(4)Steve C.
Best restaurant around the area. The food and atmosphere is incredible. Pulled pork on the patio is where it's at.
(5)Melody M.
Yum. The homemade chips are awesome. The barbeque sauce was too sweet for me. My husband and I shared a combo platter of brisket and smoked chicken with a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was really good, and the chicken was good as well...though I'd ask for about 1/3 of the sauce. Basically, it's a solid spot. Good food, good service, good deal. Honestly, I'd have given it 3 stars if it weren't for the chips. That's how good they were.
(4)Glen R.
My favorite restaurant in Chillicothe area. Very good barbecue with two potential sauces - pork, beef, chicken. The Mac and cheese is special, as is the house salad dressing. Some of the desserts taste like they may be from a box rather than home-made but still good. Good bar.
(4)Daniel T.
A nice spot for some BBQ, They have a fairly decent beer selection as well. I had a pulled pork sandwich that was tasty, medium sized, and filling. Cool location right in downtown Chillicothe.
(3)TB O.
One of the best BBQ places in Ohio, probably 3rd best after the Ribber in Portsmouth and Smokin in Dayton. However their BBQ is more sugar based, so it feels a little heavier than other places. The meats are excellent, everything tastes good. We try to go here whenever we're in the area. They are not open on Sundays; so while that's good for them to take that day off, it does make it hard to go there sometimes.
(4)Cristina M.
We stopped here while driving from Virginia to Illinois. If you are on the road travelling it's definitely worth driving into downtown Chillicothe!!The staff was extremely friendly. It was the day before Easter and they gave the kids Peeps (while not my favorite treat, still very sweet). Service was fantastic and food was delicious. I got the pulled pork and it was great! Kids menu is not listed but ask your server because they do have some kids items like chicken strips and pork sliders. They also have Mac n cheese as a side for the kids.
(5)Laura J.
Giving five stars based on my first visit here this week and the fact that I came away from my experience there with absolutely nothing negative to say. I really enjoyed the food, the great service, and a really nice atmosphere. I love the look of the place - it's just very attractive. It was a rainy evening, but we sat on the patio, which was was mostly enclosed. It was very nice. I had a grilled chicken sandwich and a the mac & cheese for my side. The chicken was the most moist and tender chicken I have ever had on a sandwich, and the mac & cheese was the best I've ever had in any restaurant. It was cooked perfectly (not mushy), had some very nice, flavorful cheeses, was baked, and had panko crumbs on top. My dinner companion had the pulled pork dinner and enjoyed it, but would only have given the restaurant four stars. The restaurant has a bit of an upscale feel to it, and many of the meals are in the mid-teens, but they do still have meals under $10. Our waiter was very polite, friendly, and attentive, and the food was brought to us in a timely manner. Actually, all of the staff that I interacted with were that way. Maybe they have stepped up their game since some of the previous reviews here were posted? At any rate, I would definitely try this place again.
(5)Karen G.
Excellent food and service. They do not have a children's menu though. Locally owned, unique, great atmosphere. Highly recommend.
(5)Lisa U.
Looking through the seven reviews of the Old Canal Smoke that precede mine, I have to agree with points on each one. Let me summarize; the meats are good, the sides are school cafeteria quality (very mediocre), the service needs A LOT of work. Most of the waitresses are pretty surly, and the service is way slower than need be. Smokehouse seems expensive to me. Lunch prices are particularly ridiculous. The prices for dinner are a bit more in line, but still on the high side for the food, but especially the beer and bar. They have a great beer selection for a small town privately owned restaurant, but I only eat there once a year (if that) because I hate feeling like I'm being nicked. Despite the pricing, I would be more inclined to visit if their atmosphere was more welcoming. I have been there a half-dozen times since they opened and each time we enter we are greeted with a 'what the hell are you doing here attitude'. I cannot tell you how much I hate walking into a place and not be warmly welcomed. Especially when I speak kindly first and am totally ignored. It's not that difficult people! On top of the unwelcoming atmosphere, the service is so mediocre that it just isn't worth the trouble to me to go.
(2)Matt M.
Great brisket and pulled pork. We sat on the patio and had a nice enjoyable meal. I would drive a long way to eat here! BTW delicious corn bread too
(5)Robert A.
Based on my experience and the comments of an associate at lunch, I have to give OCSH 5-stars. Service was excellent even at the height of the lunch crunch. The meal was very fairly priced and of excellent quality. Definitely a great place to eat...
(5)N H.
Family is new to the area and this was our first local spot to check out. Ordered brisket platter with corn casserole and potato salad. Was happy with all of it. Brisket was tender and the sweet and spicy sauce was good. The sides had good flavor as well. Liked the cornbread. Will definitely go back. Felt it was a little pricey, but staff was friendly and although we dined early the atmosphere seemed like it would have a good vibe.
(4)John P.
nice to see BBQ out here
(3)Allan K.
If you like smoked food this is a great place to eat. If you don't like smokey food there are a few selections to choose from the menu. My wife and I tried it and confirmed that we don't like smokey food. I ordered the beef brisket-rib combo and she ordered the prime rib, both smoked. Out of the three meat choices the smoked ribs were the best but not that great. The prime rib should not be in the smoked items section. It tastes delicious without the smokey flavor. The restaurant is located in an old house so the place is a bit cramped and echos a lot. The service was good but not great. Update: My wife and I have been back to the Old Canal Smoke House because we wanted to support local businesses and to try the non-smoked items. On several different visits we tried the oven-baked turkey sandwich, pulled pork sandwich and the buffalo burger. All of them were very tasty. The waitress was friendly and the outside seating was nice. I recommend the Smoke House.
(4)Nate S.
This place knows how to cook meat. And sauce meat. And make sides. Their pulled pork is high up on the list of best I've had, their burger is a pinnacle of the backyard-grilled school of burgermaking. Their Smokehouse Spuds (roasted garlic with tobacco-fried onions) are transcendental. They make great smoked buffalo wings, which are unlike any I've had. Service is prompt and attentive. They also have far and away the best beer selection in Chillicothe, with Hoegaarden, Goose Island 312, and two kinds of Shiner being on tap all the time. This is the best place to get dinner in Chillicothe. The one downside, I think, is that it's a bit pricey, but that shouldn't stop you from going.
(4)Regina M.
There is a reason you need reservations for this place. Absolutely AWESOME! Run!, do not walk! (but make reservations first!)
(5)Hilary P.
Best pulled pork and mashed potatoes ever, seriously mouth watering! The Smoke House is delicious if you like smoked food, however if you do not they also offer a few non smoked items and salads. I am also a fan of their home made desserts, especially the cheesecake. The Smoke house offers a good atmosphere and amazing food at a great price. The only draw backs are there is limited parking and long wait times.
(4)MJ X.
been there twice, food was good but looks like they need help with service. took forever to get our food.
(3)Crystal R.
Best pulled pork I ever had! I gave 4 instead of 5 because the side dishes could use some work. But it's definetly worth a trip. Oh and parking is impossible!!!
(4)Rick R.
A delightful find on a long trip from NC to Michigan. Excellent pulled pork and fries. Very nice covered patio. Well worth the 2 mille hop off the highway.
(5)