Food was bland and service was spotty. Bright spot was that the food came out quickly.
(3)
Michael M.
Awesome food. Have come here for years when I was in the Fire Department. The beef brisket sandwiches and fries are amazing. Also real cherry coke with syrup.
(5)
Ryan L.
Summary: Pretty good bbq, but there are better places out there. Good friendly service and a clean restaurant. The food was pretty good. The brisket was good but a bit dry for my taste. The pork really is more of a soupy mix made for slopping onto a roll and eating as a sandwich. The chicken was good too. Onion petals are pretty good. Overall, it was just fine, but didn't make me want to tell all my friends about it. Portion sizes are right about average - nothing to brag about, but enough to fill you up. I hate to tout a chain over a small restaurant, but I wish Morley's had homemade rolls like Texas Roadhouse. The pre-packaged ones just don't work as well. Bottom line: you definitely won't be disappointed, but you also won't be going out of your way to eat there too often.
(3)
Zach S.
We have been coming here for years and it is always delicious. The smoked brisket and ribs are awesome and their baked beans are the best I've had. The mud pie is also delicious.
(5)
Kristin M.
Really good BBQ! I usually get the Combination BBQ platter it comes with two meats and two sides, i always get the smoked beef brisket and the chopped smoked pork, for the sides they have very good baked beans and the potato salad. the meal comes w/a roll but they're small so i like to order an extra one to have w/ my chopped pork. i love the BBQ sauce and the steamed onions that come out with your meal. My boyfriend usually gets the 3 meat: beef brisket, chopped pork and the spare ribs, he's tried the Sugarback ribs as a recommendation from the waitress one time, but said they were a little tougher and the meat didn't fall off the bone. He sticks with the spare ribs. sides are usually the coleslaw and baked beans also a extra roll. they serve red rock root beer and cream soda.. i usually opt for this or an iced tea. also they're closed Sundays
(5)
Arthur M.
I recently moved here from Oregon and couldn't wait to try some honest BBQ. The reviews looked solid, but unfortunately the meal fell far from grace. I had the brisket meal with potato salad and fries. The brisket can only be described as tasting as if it was boiled. It even came with water oozing out of it. Pretty sure the potato salad was just store bought and the fries were okay. Also, the BBQ sauce was undoubtably made by Heinz. I'm still looking for some solid BBQ in SLC.
(1)
Al S.
Great BBQ? Maybe, but not tonight. OK BBQ, yes. Would I return? Yes, mostly to give them another chance to "wow" me. Be prepared to eat "smoked" meats, not heavy coated meats with carmelized BBQ sauce. I prefer the taste of the carmelized sugars in a constantly slathered platter of "everything." If you could carmelize the cole-slaw, I'd be in! This BBQ seems to be all about the smoke. And that's a totally valid approach. I did a "to-go" order that included the brisket, links, short ribs and chicken. I wanted a sampler of everything, within reason, so I could get a feel for what they can do. My order of brisket was tasty, but didn't show the smoke ring I normally would need to support the "smoke" flavor. The ribs were a bit dry, and the chicken was more broiled than BBQ'd. But again, I prefer brushing again, and again, letting the grill carmelize the chicken skin and meat. I'll often cut my chicken breasts thinner to allow for more surface area, just for that reason. My order came with a nice size container of their sauce, which I used for dipping of everything I ate. It worked for me. Would I return to Joe M's? Heck yes. It's obvious that they take BBQ serious. I just need to give them another chance. Getting an "out of the block" 3 stars is very safe, and allows me to "kick it up a notch or two" on a return trip. I'd say if you like BBQ, and you're in SLC, you might want to start your BBQ taste testing here! BTW, their dining rooms, three seperate areas, are very clean and inviting. They've got lots'a booths, and if you have a large group, the third dining room is great for parties.
(3)
Bud H.
The first few times I frequented this place it was super tasty. Unfortunately, it appears times have changed. The beef brisket has not been very tender lately, nor does it taste as though it's even smoked. It's become a bit too inconsistent for my liking. What's the point if you don't know what you're gonna get?!
(2)
Benjamin M.
Brisket is excellent. Servers are friendly. You can't go wrong going here.
(5)
Lori B.
I have been on a search for the Best BBQ in Utah & based on reviews I decided to try this place. We stopped in & I wanted to try the brisket & the chopped pork. My husband got the ribs. for sides we got the baked beans & onion petals. We also got the smoked Turkey to use for lunches. When we got home and opened the container & I was instantly upset. I got the smallest slice of dried brisket (maybe 2oz -Maybe - it looked and was BONE DRY & was! My pork never made it to the dinner container. The 1/2 rack of baby back ribs looked to be a good size portion but they were also dry & over cooked. I called the place & spoke to the manager Eric who said he put the pork in there. NOT! He sounded young and didn't seem to care. I advised him I would be leaving this review & he said "okay". Let me say that nothing tasted smoky, so I tried the Turkey as that would surely retain the smoke. NOT the case. Nothing had a real smoky taste & was all dry. Hubby said his company has contracted them (400+ people) and they were good then. They are not good & to be honest this is the WORST BBQ experience I've had. you get 4 onion petals & a tiny side. Beans were alright. sauce is decent but I don't spend that kind of money for food that would gag my dog. Eric had us drive back but told me if I wanted moist to have the chicken. so I got a not fresh looking piece of chicken in a box. That tasted like kielbasa! UNREAL! That was so nasty it went right in the trash. Positives - The sauce is decent & the beans were ok. (Not hyped up as in other reviews.) Cons - NOT smoky, DRY - BONE DRY, TINY, Tiny portions, they couldn't get the order straight so we had to waste time and gas to go back for something only to throw away at home., the Manager had a VERY POOR ATTITUDE and didn't seem to care at all even when I advised I would be leaving this review. $50 with tip for a take out order. So far Pat's BBQ is in the lead - this place doesn't even come close! I will be telling co-workers and friends & hubby will let his employer know of our experience as well. Eric does not have the customer service skills or attitude to be in a management position or even a cashier for that matter. Overview - BAD 5 thumbs down - Managers poor poor attitude made it worse, wayyyyyyyyy overpriced for what you get. Even the bbq chains in the area are better. STAY AWAY (Go to Pat's)
(1)
Sam C.
Great service, good value, solid BBQ. The ribs and polish were standouts, chopped pork and chicken were good. I like my BBQ sauce zippier, Morley's is more sweet, but so be it. The polish was awesome all by itself (and in the biggest misstep it's served with a common yellow mustard rather than a good stoneground - but this sausage doesnt need any if it anyway). Especially liked that the kids menu features BBQ rather than just being chicken fingers and PBJ. Lemonade and limeade also good, though a bit sweeter than I'd prefer. Again, so be it. I'd absolutely recommend this place.
(4)
Rich L.
I suppose when you review a barbeque place this is were you're supposed to start out mentioning the fact that you're from Kansas city or Texas and how you are going to school me on barbeque, or maybe even be a little flashy and just call it que. Using that same logic, If someone lives close to a high concentration of Mc Donald's does it make them more knowledgeable about hamburgers? My wife was in the mood for barbecue for dinner (way out of character for her) and she wanted to try famous Dave's. Not while I'm alive I told her! I noticed alot of positive feed back about Joe Morley's except for maybe an old disgruntled employee who dogged the place with one star and recommended some other place. So we get west of state street and start seeing all these boarded up buildings and the adrenaline high starts kicking in. I felt like I was in a crack neighborhood looking to score. We get in Joe's and the place is busy but not packed, no waiting so we get seated as soon as we walk in the door which is good for 7:00 on a Saturday night. The place is Clean and looks like they saved a few bucks decorating it themselves or perhaps somebody thought they knew better than the decorator, in any event doesn't scream barbeque place when you walk in. Moving on to the food, I tried the beef brisket and loved it! The sides were good but not great but really who cares? I came to stuff my gob on meat and just fill in the holes with the sides. My Skinny little 16 year old daughter killed off her baby back pork ribs so theirs no doubt she liked her food. And my wife loved hers so It sounds like we'll be back. On my way out I noticed they smoke turkeys so I asked the lady and she told me $39 will get you a smoked 10 to 12 lb turkey,so it looks like Joe is cooking for me on thanksgiving.
(4)
Steve S.
Great BBQ. Hard to find location, but worth the drive.
(4)
Eliza T.
Quite tasty for what you're paying! Also! Friday nights they have bluegrass! AMAZING! Great combination! Wonderful experience.
(3)
Betsy H.
Joe Morley's is the place to go for barbeque. My family would frequent Joe's when I was a kid, and now that I'm an adult, my friends and I still go back. Maybe it is a little bit of a sentimental reason I keep going back, but mostly, it's just because of the killer, smoked meat! Everything here is great, though my standard order is the smoked chicken. Extremely tender and moist, with a sinfully rich, smoky flavor. They do a lot of platter type meals- ie, choose your meat and two sides. The home-made barbeque beans are to die for, and the deep fried onion chips are also amazing. This place has a family-friendly, laid back atmosphere. It very much has a 'down home' feel. Often, they have a lively, local bluegrass band playing for the customers. The band seems to be there mostly on the weekends. Good times and good, home-style food. Check this place out!
(5)
Jason B.
Ill start with the good...the sides of cole slaw and potatoe salad were very good as was the pulled pork. The bbq sauce that came with the brisket was good as well. Now the bad...the 'smoked' beef brisket was anything but. It was clealy cooked in an oven as there was no smoke ring and no smokey, or any, taste to it.
(2)
Tim T.
My wife loves the brisket, not sure why though because the smoke ring is barely visible. But I LOVE their chicken. Best smoked chicken I've ever had and haven't found anything better. I've tried all of their other meats and like the spare ribs next best. I don't waste my time with any of the others. Update 1/24/2015: I changed this from 4 stars to 5 I moved to East Kentucky for medical school and am in the middle of smoking meat heaven. I even have learned how to smoke at the feet of award winning professionals. I have come to discover that my palatte likes smoked chicken better than smoked beef. Joe Morely's smoked chicken is better than the award winning chicken i've had in Tennessee. When you go here get the smoked chicken and baked beans.
(5)
Will D.
This is the best BBQ I've ever had and I live in Texas. My family loves this place. Great sauce, great beef, great fries, and great drinks (especially the Red Rock draft Rootbeer and Cream Soda).
(5)
Matt R.
Not good, plain and simple. Pat's BBQ is better check them out instead.
(1)
Adam E.
I've been going to "Smokey Joe's" since I was a kid. Great beef, ribs, and chicken. Definitely worth a stop if you like BBQ.
(4)
Cameron W.
I've been here twice and have been very impressed overall! This is a well-kept, sit down restaurant with nice booths, quiet music, waiting staff etc. It doesnt smell super smoky when you open the door. This all can be good or bad depending on what you like. But it is different! The food: I ordered the brisket and spare ribs with slaw and baked beans. +They have draft rootbeer...bonus! +They asked if I wanted lean or "marbled" brisket. I got the marbled end and it was definitely moist. Thicked sliced with some light bark. -the smoke flavor is too mild. It made it taste more like a really awesome beef roast. -I am being really picky...but most of the fat did not render, which made it slimy and not as good. This only happened the second visit. +Ribs had a great smoke flavor with a light rub. I like rubs with a little more bite, but they have great flavor! -Ribs were not as tender as I would have liked. -Slaw is forgettable -Beans were bland and didn't taste homemade. I was expecting a lot more from what other yelpers have said. *The gent I was with ordered the sugarback baby back ribs and he was raving about how good they taste. I will need to try them next time!! Overall this is a good bbq joint. Quality meats lightly seasoned and smoked. Maybe too "nice"...I like my bbq a little more "mean".
(4)
Aaron W.
Smaller portion sizes than I expected. Especially the sides. But good food and tasty.
(4)
Aaron L.
Smoked chicken and brisket was delicious. One of the better tasting BBQ places around Salt Lake.
(5)
Brian P.
Bummer! Ran out of baby back ribs at 7pm on a Wednesday. Food was good overall. Very tender brisket and good chopped pork. I recommend that you try the zippy BBQ sauce!
(3)
Charli G.
Love the smoked chicken and the Mud pie. This is the first place my kids want to go when we ask what they want for dinner! Amazing ribs as well!
(4)
Brittney N.
The third star is solely the Asphalt Pie... The mocha one... With fudge... Ermahgerd. The second star is for the baked beans. They are my boyfriend's favorite. There are places in the valley with better bbq for sure, but nobody beats their beans. The meat is decent. The dry rub ribs were tender and the burnt ends are probably the best meat choice. Our waitress was helpful though I wouldn't describe her as friendly per say. Overall this is a decent little bbq joint. Are there better places? Sure. But this is not a bad choice by any means, and like I said, if nothing else just come in and order baked beans and asphalt pie and you will not be disappointed.
(3)
Rod S.
It was a day I needed more than fast food at lunch. Joe's was a bookmark I've had for a while. If a BBQ place is doing brisket, I try it. That's the litmus test. It is tender and flavorful. That's hard to do. I don't know what their wood mix is when they BBQ. I didn't get much hickory, or other stronger wood flavors. I didn't get any real rub on the bark. There wasn't much of a smoke ring. So, in the end, tasty and well cooked, but not amazing. The coleslaw was mediocre. The "onion chips" were really good. The rolls were pretty good. Tasty stuff, but the local BBQ scene has passed them by.
(3)
Tyler C.
We tried basically everything at a family get together. The food was good not great. It was also reheated so it may be great fresh from the kitchen. I would go back but I do feel there are better BBQ joints in SLC.
(3)
Virgil G.
Before there was R&R ( IMO the most over rated Barbecue I've ever eaten ), Sugarhouse BBQ, Pat's or any of them, There was Joe's. Joe Morley's is still doing it right. It had been years since I had been there and after last night, I'm kicking my ass for waiting so long to go back. There are always hits and misses. The coleslaw for example wasn't very good, but I don't go to a barbecue pit for the coleslaw. The ribs, the chopped pork, the beans, the sauce however, were worth going to jail for. If you're looking for trendy, or a trough or a theme? You're in the wrong place. Meat and sauce are the stars of this show
(5)
Andrew P.
I Ordered a take-out meal from this place today. I live right by it in Midvale and I've always wanted to check it out. Sadly it was pretty disappointing. I ordered the three meat combo (spare ribs, smoked chicken, and chopped pork) it came with two sides and a dinner roll. The total was $21.52 so I expected it to be a lot of food. I'm not a big eater and usually don't finish a meal so I was amazed at how little food this came with. Only two ribs, a leg of chicken, and a tea cup size container for the chopped pork. The chicken was undercooked and slimy. The chopped pork was very average and the dinner roll was definitely grocery store bought. I rarely ever complain and I never write bad reviews but the disappointment on this meal was worth a review. Still hungry and disappointed. For $21.52 I won't go back. Andrew
(2)
Steve G.
I found Joe's restaurant on Yelp, I was looking for a great BBQ joint that was near my work. A lot of the places it suggested I had been to so when I saw Joe's I decided to try it out. The favorable reviews and high rating made my decision a bit easier. I went around 3:00pm on Thursday after the lunch crowd and before the dinner rush. The parking lot wasn't huge so it might be hard getting in and out during a rush. The inside was like every other old restaurant you've been to. It does have some nice big screens on the wall for watching sports. The waitress/cashier was very friendly and helpful, she let me combine two meats in their small eaters platter. So I got the Sugarback Babyback Ribs, the Smoked Polish Sausage with a side of baked beans. The Sugarback Ribs are incredibly tasty! I technically didn't need to add any of the BBQ sauce to them but did because it's great! The size of the ribs looked decent for the small platter but I only got about 2 good bites of meat on each rib before there was just bone which was a bit disappointing. I've had ribs from other places that had a lot more meat before reaching bone. Maybe that was just for the small platter? The polish sausage was very very good! Each bite was full of flavor, not too greasy and not too spicy/hot. I could easily eat a sandwich made of that! I'm not sure what they put in their beans but they were tremendous! Very flavorful! I would go just for those! I wasn't a big fan of the stringy texture (maybe that's just me) but I easily pushed that a side because of the great flavor! The side roll was good as well. I'll definitely be going back for more meat and sides! I wasn't able to try their mudslide pie but I've heard it's incredible. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes BBQ food!
(4)
Heimlich M.
Favorite BBQ in SLC area. A lot of people like Pats, I tried it and didn't fall in love (its very good though) maybe my expectations were too high from all the people recommending it. I'll stick with Joe Morley's. LOVE their beans.
(5)
Blue T.
Great BBQ every time. I've eaten here at least 20 times and have never been disappointed. It's all good. I've had every meat on the menu and have always liked everything I ordered. The sugar backs and smoked chicken are my faves. Never had the mud pie because I'm always too full for dessert!
(5)
Virginia C.
I'm not sure where to start here, I think this place is a little overpriced for what you get. I ordered some ribs and I thought they where tender but not exceptionally great, the corn bread was so dry and crumby that I felt like I needed to wash it down after every bite. I ordered a lemonade that read on the menu as "fresh squeezed" but when I got it I could taste the sprite in it and was extremely sweet, however it did look pretty. The baked beans where probably one of the best items on the menu, as I felt the Brisket lacked tenderness and flavor. I don't think I would return to Joe Morley's.
(3)
Diana B.
Expensive for small portions ($18 for three meats and two small sides...and one of the meats literally was two ribs...). Food was mediocre at best. Will not be returning.
(2)
Andrew G.
We came here a few months ago and we where not really impressed with the quality of the ribs they where almost to dry and the taste was an experience that was dul to say the lease. No real flavor other than rib sause that was bitter and over salted. We recommend for them to have a signature sause that steps out of the normal realm of BBQ to really set them apart and see if they can look into meat that was not just packaged at Walmart.
(2)
Brandon J.
Great little hole in the wall BBQ place! If you can get Ame to be your server she is fantastic! Now for the tastiness, I recommend the beef brisket. It's tender and the sauce has a great sweet start with an awesome tangy finish. Plus the atmosphere total fits a western BBQ joint, music and all. Cool little spot!
(4)
Robin A.
I've never actually eaten here, I have just gotten take out, but what I have gotten I've been happy with especially the beans, they must put crack in them their that addictive!!!
(4)
Joshua S.
BEANS. Baked Beans. So delicious, I may go out on a limb and say, "They are the best baked beans I've ever had", after one visit. I ordered the two meat and two sides combo. Had pork ribs and chicken thigh and leg. The winners for the evening were, of course, the baked beans (with plenty of onions on the side to make them even more amazing), and the chicken - WOW. So good, juicy and smokey, but not too smokey, if you know what I mean. The ribs were decent, if not a bit dry. The sauce that accompanied them was quite good - had a nice mild twang to it. Also, as an added bonus go on Friday nights between 7-9 pm for the folk band. It's just an awesome vibe, even considering I came late and only caught their last song. Good service, old Midvale vibe, and good times.
(4)
Justin R.
Food was good. Server was nice and helpful. Baked beans are awesome. Will be returning in he future. Thanks guys!!!
(3)
Jason C.
This place is the real deal! It is a gem. Great BBQ and do not pass up on the Mud Pie!
(5)
Ryan B.
Food was okay. Seemed like they were short on servers due to the lack of attention we got. Food came out fast. We were out in the back room which due to being closed off from the rest of the restaurant makes me feel like a step child who is being shunned by an evil step mother.
(3)
Krystal-Ann L.
The BBQ was pretty good; not the best I've ever had but certainly not the worst. I had the brisket and wish it had been a bit fattier with more of the bark mixed in. The baked beans had brisket mixed in with a very sweet taste. We got our meal for takeout and had our food ready fairly quickly.
(3)
Stephanie J.
Seriously the mud pie here should be scheduled as a drug with Food and Drug Administration!! So here's a story for ya. Once upon a time we were at Midvale Harvest Days. Looking around the park we thought that the snow cones, kettle corn, and fry bread just was not going to cut it. We needed a hearty meal that included juicy, delicious beef, delectable beans, and amazing onions. The logical choice is Joe Morleys because of the proximity to the park and great good for price ratio. Joes replied with a big "challenge accepted" and fed is well. We walk out of the restaurant today well fed, happy, Nd ready to tackle the rest of Harvest Days!
(5)
Christopher F.
Awesome food at a good price. Loved their Sugarback Ribs and Potato Salad. If you're close by it's a must try.
(4)
Jeffrey S.
I've lots of respect for this place. They've been around for a long time and don't show any signs of stopping. Come by and weekend evening and the parking lot is packed. The area isn't exactly rife with opportunity - there's not a lot of business lunch folks around, so they're pulling a faithful Midvale crowd in. So yay for that. It's also not the most attractive place. Not unattractive, but the building looks more suited to a dental practice than a restaurant. I don't judge, though--it's what's on the inside that counts, right? So here's the scoop. For my tastes, Joe does pretty decent everything. I can't lodge too big of a complaint about any of the main dishes, so I won't. Brisket? Ya, okay. Pork is alright as well. If you set your expectations to get a nice plate of BBQ you're not going to be disappointed. You can chase down specific dishes elsewhere in the valley. Where JM's shines is in the sides and dessert. Mud pie. You heard me. A heaping slice will solve your problems, no matter where they came from. I'm partial to the beans as well. I've had them on several occasions even when I wasn't having a main course and they've got personality. That's a good thing. Sadly, I haven't tried the onion chips, but they sound delightful. They're fried, after all. Not world-changing BBQ, but I don't think that's what they're after. Neighborhood BBQ in Midvale. Ya, that sounds right.
(4)
Jeramy C.
Come for the brisket, stay for the pie. First dinner at Joe Morleys, and have to say it was really great! As with most BBQ, it is all about the sauce. The sauce here is great, and yes I would say you could pour it in a glass and drink it. Had the brisket and rib combo; with a side of slaw and onion chips. The meat is very tender; clearly slow cooked in a smoker. Family atmosphere and very casual and yes, I will be back. The staff is great; our server (Taylor) tool very good care of us and checked on us throughout our meal. Fast, friendly, and reasonably priced too!
(5)
Isaiah X.
Good down home BBQ joint. Can't say anything was the best I've ever had, but we have to remember to lower expectations when we're not in Texas. So...good enough to come back. Ordered 2 meat platter for $12.99 w/ 2 sides. Portions could be better: 2 slices of brisket & 2 spare ribs. Spare ribs are tender juicy and full of flavor...definitely what they do best. Brisket is good but not great (not dry but not exactly moist). Onion chips are clever & tasty. Baked beans have a little shredded beef in every bite. Wasn't a fan of the BBQ sauces as it's a bit on the jammy side. One was supposed to be the spicier of the 2 but I couldn't taste the difference, so I just dumped a ton of the jalapeño pepper sauce to give it better flavor. Either way, if the meat's good enough then you shouldn't need the sauce. In this case, ribs stood on their own but brisket needed the added moisture & flavor.
(3)
Teddy G.
We finally came to try Joe's and we're not disappointed. The sugar back ribs had really good flavor but we're on the dry side. The chopped pork was delicious and the beans were absolutely the best part of the meal! I would definitely come back.
(3)
Elisabeth kealia B.
This place is classic. I grew up in Midvale and moved away after high school. Coming to Joe Morely's is like coming home. The barbecue is great but if you leave without having a piece of the mud pie you've done yourself a disservice. This place is great for parties or hosting large groups.
(5)
AJ J.
I have been here twice. Once in 2011 & again just barely. Before I went the second time, I was asked how it was. I said, "I really can't remember anything I had I liked." But I was willing to give it a second time. Based on the fact that I knew a lot of people honestly love the place. I don't get it. The brisket looked as though it was boiled. No ring of smoke, no tenderness, no flavor (besides the sauce). Not good. My boyfriend's food was served cold. The server was not very helpful OR knowledgeable in the menu. The chicken, was okay in flavor. . . but nothing I would ever rant over. The rolls tasted like they had been in the freezer too long, and were served cold. No Beer?? At a BBQ joint??? I realize liquor laws are difficult in Utah, but they've been in business long enough to acquire one along that road. I will not be returning here ever. Not worth it by a long shot.
(1)
D. W.
I didn't wind up going in, so this rating will be based solely on the food. None of the sides looked particularly good, so I skipped all of them, but did notice the buns were like rocks. I don't usually eat bread and didn't have any here, but it bears mentioning. The chicken I also skipped, as usual with most BBQ places, given how often I have that particular meat already. For what I did have, the brisket was probably the best of the lot. It was moist and tasty and meshed very nicely with the BBQ sauce, which was also quite good. The ribs were ok; not the best I've ever had, but not slouches, either. Those were also better with BBQ sauce, which is unusual for me to say. The chopped and smoked pork, on the other hand, was a total and complete miss. The best of everything, by far, was the ice cream pie thing, though I could have done with slightly less fudge. This is probably one of the better desserts also, just in the ice cream and cookie crush alone. The marshmallow and fudge toppings are ok, but the dessert really shines once those elements are gone. If I happened to be in the area and really had a hankerin' for BBQ, I might drop in, but what I had was nothing to go out of the way for. Not bad, but not great, either.
(3)
Lena M.
Their Kielbasa Killers were good, but everything else was flavorless. Jalapeño poppers were subpar. Sandwiches were on McDonalds level. Service was good, but you couldn't pay me to eat there again. The atmosphere will also make you feel like your in Texas... The part of Texas you drive through to get to the good parts of Texas. Not a fan at all. If you're looking for real BBQ, go to Pats or Sugarhouse.
(1)
Chris K.
Fries, rolls, and ribs were good! Ribs weren't fall off the bone, but good nonetheless.
(4)
Madison G.
This place is seriously the best! My family and I can't get enough. The hospitality is great. Everyone is kind and happy to help. The food is spectacular too! The fries and smoked beef sandwiches are to die for. Add some of their signature BBQ sauce and you're good to go. Then end you're meal with a slice of mouth-watering mud pie. All in all a satisfying and delicious meal.
(5)
Myk A.
Chopped brisket sand which is my favorite. Onion chips and beans are a good pair. Friendly and welcoming.
(4)
George C.
Ordered over the phone and was told 10 minutes and it would be ready. Arrived 15 mins later and mentioned we had ordered over the phone and was told our order could not be found and did we want to order. Person at front finally went to the back and said they found the order and could I pay now. 20 mins later and still no food - for my first experience at this place I would probably never go back based on such poor service.
(1)
Hang W.
I can say I was pretty excited to see a business that been around since 1984 that has a decent website and trying things like Facebook. They even have a check-in special. I was even more pleasantly surprised walking in and seeing a well kept restaurant. The place has a welcome home feel of regulars eat here. I followed a Yelp Quick Tip and ordered the onion petals while I looked over the menu. Eight artful petals of fried goodness showed up with a side of ketchup in a to-go cup. The batter wasn't really a tempura batter despite the description. Then came my order of sandwiches. I figured this was a good way to sample a few meats without overdoing it. The chopped pork was drowned in their bbq sauce which made it more like a meat stew. It was just ok because any flavors were just lost. The second one was the *sliced* brisket with a side of bbq sauce. I was thinking kudos for putting the sauce on the side and letting me taste the meat, but that's a lot of sauce. The side of bbq sauce should of been a hint. The brisket was pretty dry, I probably should have used all of the sauce and not just half. Maybe I should have followed the Quick Tip and got the *chopped* brisket. On the plus side, I liked the homemade buns and the good portions of meat for the bun. The pickles were tasty and crispy because who wants a limpy pickle. After all that I was still kinda hungry so I opted for a slice of peppermint mud pie. So after I finally got the Facebook app to check me in to see the special, a free slice of mud pie with purchase of any sandwich or platter, I thought bonus free pie! Well to my dismay, the waitress said they weren't doing the deal even though she looked at it. She even asked the manager and came back with a "no." It's not like they haven't had people ask because there are Facebook stickers at the entrance telling people to check-in to get a special. Being a weekday, i expected it to be slow. Two tables and a couple of take out orders. I was surprised to see three servers and a hostess in addition to a couple of kitchen staff who wandered out. One would think service would be speedy but my drink sat empty each time and the table next to me had to get the attention of their server twice for things. I'd return to try out the other items. I probably wouldn't order the pork or brisket again. If Mekong (which is down the street) is super busy and I needed something in a hurry, I'd consider coming here. But it's not a "destination" bbq place. This probably would have been three stars if it weren't for the slow service and failure to honor a deal.
(2)
Shelley S.
This place makes great BBQ. Better than most Utah BBQ joints. Never crowded. Live blue grass band Friday makes for a special treat. Don't forget to try the mud pie! Support local!
(5)
David G.
Joe's is a longtime favorite of ours. Twenty - five years and we are still coming back. The sandwichs are all good and the sides (onion chips, coleslaw and baked beans) are a must with every meal. Low-key atmosphere and great food make this place a go-to favorite.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
David S.
Food was bland and service was spotty. Bright spot was that the food came out quickly.
(3)Michael M.
Awesome food. Have come here for years when I was in the Fire Department. The beef brisket sandwiches and fries are amazing. Also real cherry coke with syrup.
(5)Ryan L.
Summary: Pretty good bbq, but there are better places out there. Good friendly service and a clean restaurant. The food was pretty good. The brisket was good but a bit dry for my taste. The pork really is more of a soupy mix made for slopping onto a roll and eating as a sandwich. The chicken was good too. Onion petals are pretty good. Overall, it was just fine, but didn't make me want to tell all my friends about it. Portion sizes are right about average - nothing to brag about, but enough to fill you up. I hate to tout a chain over a small restaurant, but I wish Morley's had homemade rolls like Texas Roadhouse. The pre-packaged ones just don't work as well. Bottom line: you definitely won't be disappointed, but you also won't be going out of your way to eat there too often.
(3)Zach S.
We have been coming here for years and it is always delicious. The smoked brisket and ribs are awesome and their baked beans are the best I've had. The mud pie is also delicious.
(5)Kristin M.
Really good BBQ! I usually get the Combination BBQ platter it comes with two meats and two sides, i always get the smoked beef brisket and the chopped smoked pork, for the sides they have very good baked beans and the potato salad. the meal comes w/a roll but they're small so i like to order an extra one to have w/ my chopped pork. i love the BBQ sauce and the steamed onions that come out with your meal. My boyfriend usually gets the 3 meat: beef brisket, chopped pork and the spare ribs, he's tried the Sugarback ribs as a recommendation from the waitress one time, but said they were a little tougher and the meat didn't fall off the bone. He sticks with the spare ribs. sides are usually the coleslaw and baked beans also a extra roll. they serve red rock root beer and cream soda.. i usually opt for this or an iced tea. also they're closed Sundays
(5)Arthur M.
I recently moved here from Oregon and couldn't wait to try some honest BBQ. The reviews looked solid, but unfortunately the meal fell far from grace. I had the brisket meal with potato salad and fries. The brisket can only be described as tasting as if it was boiled. It even came with water oozing out of it. Pretty sure the potato salad was just store bought and the fries were okay. Also, the BBQ sauce was undoubtably made by Heinz. I'm still looking for some solid BBQ in SLC.
(1)Al S.
Great BBQ? Maybe, but not tonight. OK BBQ, yes. Would I return? Yes, mostly to give them another chance to "wow" me. Be prepared to eat "smoked" meats, not heavy coated meats with carmelized BBQ sauce. I prefer the taste of the carmelized sugars in a constantly slathered platter of "everything." If you could carmelize the cole-slaw, I'd be in! This BBQ seems to be all about the smoke. And that's a totally valid approach. I did a "to-go" order that included the brisket, links, short ribs and chicken. I wanted a sampler of everything, within reason, so I could get a feel for what they can do. My order of brisket was tasty, but didn't show the smoke ring I normally would need to support the "smoke" flavor. The ribs were a bit dry, and the chicken was more broiled than BBQ'd. But again, I prefer brushing again, and again, letting the grill carmelize the chicken skin and meat. I'll often cut my chicken breasts thinner to allow for more surface area, just for that reason. My order came with a nice size container of their sauce, which I used for dipping of everything I ate. It worked for me. Would I return to Joe M's? Heck yes. It's obvious that they take BBQ serious. I just need to give them another chance. Getting an "out of the block" 3 stars is very safe, and allows me to "kick it up a notch or two" on a return trip. I'd say if you like BBQ, and you're in SLC, you might want to start your BBQ taste testing here! BTW, their dining rooms, three seperate areas, are very clean and inviting. They've got lots'a booths, and if you have a large group, the third dining room is great for parties.
(3)Bud H.
The first few times I frequented this place it was super tasty. Unfortunately, it appears times have changed. The beef brisket has not been very tender lately, nor does it taste as though it's even smoked. It's become a bit too inconsistent for my liking. What's the point if you don't know what you're gonna get?!
(2)Benjamin M.
Brisket is excellent. Servers are friendly. You can't go wrong going here.
(5)Lori B.
I have been on a search for the Best BBQ in Utah & based on reviews I decided to try this place. We stopped in & I wanted to try the brisket & the chopped pork. My husband got the ribs. for sides we got the baked beans & onion petals. We also got the smoked Turkey to use for lunches. When we got home and opened the container & I was instantly upset. I got the smallest slice of dried brisket (maybe 2oz -Maybe - it looked and was BONE DRY & was! My pork never made it to the dinner container. The 1/2 rack of baby back ribs looked to be a good size portion but they were also dry & over cooked. I called the place & spoke to the manager Eric who said he put the pork in there. NOT! He sounded young and didn't seem to care. I advised him I would be leaving this review & he said "okay". Let me say that nothing tasted smoky, so I tried the Turkey as that would surely retain the smoke. NOT the case. Nothing had a real smoky taste & was all dry. Hubby said his company has contracted them (400+ people) and they were good then. They are not good & to be honest this is the WORST BBQ experience I've had. you get 4 onion petals & a tiny side. Beans were alright. sauce is decent but I don't spend that kind of money for food that would gag my dog. Eric had us drive back but told me if I wanted moist to have the chicken. so I got a not fresh looking piece of chicken in a box. That tasted like kielbasa! UNREAL! That was so nasty it went right in the trash. Positives - The sauce is decent & the beans were ok. (Not hyped up as in other reviews.) Cons - NOT smoky, DRY - BONE DRY, TINY, Tiny portions, they couldn't get the order straight so we had to waste time and gas to go back for something only to throw away at home., the Manager had a VERY POOR ATTITUDE and didn't seem to care at all even when I advised I would be leaving this review. $50 with tip for a take out order. So far Pat's BBQ is in the lead - this place doesn't even come close! I will be telling co-workers and friends & hubby will let his employer know of our experience as well. Eric does not have the customer service skills or attitude to be in a management position or even a cashier for that matter. Overview - BAD 5 thumbs down - Managers poor poor attitude made it worse, wayyyyyyyyy overpriced for what you get. Even the bbq chains in the area are better. STAY AWAY (Go to Pat's)
(1)Sam C.
Great service, good value, solid BBQ. The ribs and polish were standouts, chopped pork and chicken were good. I like my BBQ sauce zippier, Morley's is more sweet, but so be it. The polish was awesome all by itself (and in the biggest misstep it's served with a common yellow mustard rather than a good stoneground - but this sausage doesnt need any if it anyway). Especially liked that the kids menu features BBQ rather than just being chicken fingers and PBJ. Lemonade and limeade also good, though a bit sweeter than I'd prefer. Again, so be it. I'd absolutely recommend this place.
(4)Rich L.
I suppose when you review a barbeque place this is were you're supposed to start out mentioning the fact that you're from Kansas city or Texas and how you are going to school me on barbeque, or maybe even be a little flashy and just call it que. Using that same logic, If someone lives close to a high concentration of Mc Donald's does it make them more knowledgeable about hamburgers? My wife was in the mood for barbecue for dinner (way out of character for her) and she wanted to try famous Dave's. Not while I'm alive I told her! I noticed alot of positive feed back about Joe Morley's except for maybe an old disgruntled employee who dogged the place with one star and recommended some other place. So we get west of state street and start seeing all these boarded up buildings and the adrenaline high starts kicking in. I felt like I was in a crack neighborhood looking to score. We get in Joe's and the place is busy but not packed, no waiting so we get seated as soon as we walk in the door which is good for 7:00 on a Saturday night. The place is Clean and looks like they saved a few bucks decorating it themselves or perhaps somebody thought they knew better than the decorator, in any event doesn't scream barbeque place when you walk in. Moving on to the food, I tried the beef brisket and loved it! The sides were good but not great but really who cares? I came to stuff my gob on meat and just fill in the holes with the sides. My Skinny little 16 year old daughter killed off her baby back pork ribs so theirs no doubt she liked her food. And my wife loved hers so It sounds like we'll be back. On my way out I noticed they smoke turkeys so I asked the lady and she told me $39 will get you a smoked 10 to 12 lb turkey,so it looks like Joe is cooking for me on thanksgiving.
(4)Steve S.
Great BBQ. Hard to find location, but worth the drive.
(4)Eliza T.
Quite tasty for what you're paying! Also! Friday nights they have bluegrass! AMAZING! Great combination! Wonderful experience.
(3)Betsy H.
Joe Morley's is the place to go for barbeque. My family would frequent Joe's when I was a kid, and now that I'm an adult, my friends and I still go back. Maybe it is a little bit of a sentimental reason I keep going back, but mostly, it's just because of the killer, smoked meat! Everything here is great, though my standard order is the smoked chicken. Extremely tender and moist, with a sinfully rich, smoky flavor. They do a lot of platter type meals- ie, choose your meat and two sides. The home-made barbeque beans are to die for, and the deep fried onion chips are also amazing. This place has a family-friendly, laid back atmosphere. It very much has a 'down home' feel. Often, they have a lively, local bluegrass band playing for the customers. The band seems to be there mostly on the weekends. Good times and good, home-style food. Check this place out!
(5)Jason B.
Ill start with the good...the sides of cole slaw and potatoe salad were very good as was the pulled pork. The bbq sauce that came with the brisket was good as well. Now the bad...the 'smoked' beef brisket was anything but. It was clealy cooked in an oven as there was no smoke ring and no smokey, or any, taste to it.
(2)Tim T.
My wife loves the brisket, not sure why though because the smoke ring is barely visible. But I LOVE their chicken. Best smoked chicken I've ever had and haven't found anything better. I've tried all of their other meats and like the spare ribs next best. I don't waste my time with any of the others. Update 1/24/2015: I changed this from 4 stars to 5 I moved to East Kentucky for medical school and am in the middle of smoking meat heaven. I even have learned how to smoke at the feet of award winning professionals. I have come to discover that my palatte likes smoked chicken better than smoked beef. Joe Morely's smoked chicken is better than the award winning chicken i've had in Tennessee. When you go here get the smoked chicken and baked beans.
(5)Will D.
This is the best BBQ I've ever had and I live in Texas. My family loves this place. Great sauce, great beef, great fries, and great drinks (especially the Red Rock draft Rootbeer and Cream Soda).
(5)Matt R.
Not good, plain and simple. Pat's BBQ is better check them out instead.
(1)Adam E.
I've been going to "Smokey Joe's" since I was a kid. Great beef, ribs, and chicken. Definitely worth a stop if you like BBQ.
(4)Cameron W.
I've been here twice and have been very impressed overall! This is a well-kept, sit down restaurant with nice booths, quiet music, waiting staff etc. It doesnt smell super smoky when you open the door. This all can be good or bad depending on what you like. But it is different! The food: I ordered the brisket and spare ribs with slaw and baked beans. +They have draft rootbeer...bonus! +They asked if I wanted lean or "marbled" brisket. I got the marbled end and it was definitely moist. Thicked sliced with some light bark. -the smoke flavor is too mild. It made it taste more like a really awesome beef roast. -I am being really picky...but most of the fat did not render, which made it slimy and not as good. This only happened the second visit. +Ribs had a great smoke flavor with a light rub. I like rubs with a little more bite, but they have great flavor! -Ribs were not as tender as I would have liked. -Slaw is forgettable -Beans were bland and didn't taste homemade. I was expecting a lot more from what other yelpers have said. *The gent I was with ordered the sugarback baby back ribs and he was raving about how good they taste. I will need to try them next time!! Overall this is a good bbq joint. Quality meats lightly seasoned and smoked. Maybe too "nice"...I like my bbq a little more "mean".
(4)Aaron W.
Smaller portion sizes than I expected. Especially the sides. But good food and tasty.
(4)Aaron L.
Smoked chicken and brisket was delicious. One of the better tasting BBQ places around Salt Lake.
(5)Brian P.
Bummer! Ran out of baby back ribs at 7pm on a Wednesday. Food was good overall. Very tender brisket and good chopped pork. I recommend that you try the zippy BBQ sauce!
(3)Charli G.
Love the smoked chicken and the Mud pie. This is the first place my kids want to go when we ask what they want for dinner! Amazing ribs as well!
(4)Brittney N.
The third star is solely the Asphalt Pie... The mocha one... With fudge... Ermahgerd. The second star is for the baked beans. They are my boyfriend's favorite. There are places in the valley with better bbq for sure, but nobody beats their beans. The meat is decent. The dry rub ribs were tender and the burnt ends are probably the best meat choice. Our waitress was helpful though I wouldn't describe her as friendly per say. Overall this is a decent little bbq joint. Are there better places? Sure. But this is not a bad choice by any means, and like I said, if nothing else just come in and order baked beans and asphalt pie and you will not be disappointed.
(3)Rod S.
It was a day I needed more than fast food at lunch. Joe's was a bookmark I've had for a while. If a BBQ place is doing brisket, I try it. That's the litmus test. It is tender and flavorful. That's hard to do. I don't know what their wood mix is when they BBQ. I didn't get much hickory, or other stronger wood flavors. I didn't get any real rub on the bark. There wasn't much of a smoke ring. So, in the end, tasty and well cooked, but not amazing. The coleslaw was mediocre. The "onion chips" were really good. The rolls were pretty good. Tasty stuff, but the local BBQ scene has passed them by.
(3)Tyler C.
We tried basically everything at a family get together. The food was good not great. It was also reheated so it may be great fresh from the kitchen. I would go back but I do feel there are better BBQ joints in SLC.
(3)Virgil G.
Before there was R&R ( IMO the most over rated Barbecue I've ever eaten ), Sugarhouse BBQ, Pat's or any of them, There was Joe's. Joe Morley's is still doing it right. It had been years since I had been there and after last night, I'm kicking my ass for waiting so long to go back. There are always hits and misses. The coleslaw for example wasn't very good, but I don't go to a barbecue pit for the coleslaw. The ribs, the chopped pork, the beans, the sauce however, were worth going to jail for. If you're looking for trendy, or a trough or a theme? You're in the wrong place. Meat and sauce are the stars of this show
(5)Andrew P.
I Ordered a take-out meal from this place today. I live right by it in Midvale and I've always wanted to check it out. Sadly it was pretty disappointing. I ordered the three meat combo (spare ribs, smoked chicken, and chopped pork) it came with two sides and a dinner roll. The total was $21.52 so I expected it to be a lot of food. I'm not a big eater and usually don't finish a meal so I was amazed at how little food this came with. Only two ribs, a leg of chicken, and a tea cup size container for the chopped pork. The chicken was undercooked and slimy. The chopped pork was very average and the dinner roll was definitely grocery store bought. I rarely ever complain and I never write bad reviews but the disappointment on this meal was worth a review. Still hungry and disappointed. For $21.52 I won't go back. Andrew
(2)Steve G.
I found Joe's restaurant on Yelp, I was looking for a great BBQ joint that was near my work. A lot of the places it suggested I had been to so when I saw Joe's I decided to try it out. The favorable reviews and high rating made my decision a bit easier. I went around 3:00pm on Thursday after the lunch crowd and before the dinner rush. The parking lot wasn't huge so it might be hard getting in and out during a rush. The inside was like every other old restaurant you've been to. It does have some nice big screens on the wall for watching sports. The waitress/cashier was very friendly and helpful, she let me combine two meats in their small eaters platter. So I got the Sugarback Babyback Ribs, the Smoked Polish Sausage with a side of baked beans. The Sugarback Ribs are incredibly tasty! I technically didn't need to add any of the BBQ sauce to them but did because it's great! The size of the ribs looked decent for the small platter but I only got about 2 good bites of meat on each rib before there was just bone which was a bit disappointing. I've had ribs from other places that had a lot more meat before reaching bone. Maybe that was just for the small platter? The polish sausage was very very good! Each bite was full of flavor, not too greasy and not too spicy/hot. I could easily eat a sandwich made of that! I'm not sure what they put in their beans but they were tremendous! Very flavorful! I would go just for those! I wasn't a big fan of the stringy texture (maybe that's just me) but I easily pushed that a side because of the great flavor! The side roll was good as well. I'll definitely be going back for more meat and sides! I wasn't able to try their mudslide pie but I've heard it's incredible. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes BBQ food!
(4)Heimlich M.
Favorite BBQ in SLC area. A lot of people like Pats, I tried it and didn't fall in love (its very good though) maybe my expectations were too high from all the people recommending it. I'll stick with Joe Morley's. LOVE their beans.
(5)Blue T.
Great BBQ every time. I've eaten here at least 20 times and have never been disappointed. It's all good. I've had every meat on the menu and have always liked everything I ordered. The sugar backs and smoked chicken are my faves. Never had the mud pie because I'm always too full for dessert!
(5)Virginia C.
I'm not sure where to start here, I think this place is a little overpriced for what you get. I ordered some ribs and I thought they where tender but not exceptionally great, the corn bread was so dry and crumby that I felt like I needed to wash it down after every bite. I ordered a lemonade that read on the menu as "fresh squeezed" but when I got it I could taste the sprite in it and was extremely sweet, however it did look pretty. The baked beans where probably one of the best items on the menu, as I felt the Brisket lacked tenderness and flavor. I don't think I would return to Joe Morley's.
(3)Diana B.
Expensive for small portions ($18 for three meats and two small sides...and one of the meats literally was two ribs...). Food was mediocre at best. Will not be returning.
(2)Andrew G.
We came here a few months ago and we where not really impressed with the quality of the ribs they where almost to dry and the taste was an experience that was dul to say the lease. No real flavor other than rib sause that was bitter and over salted. We recommend for them to have a signature sause that steps out of the normal realm of BBQ to really set them apart and see if they can look into meat that was not just packaged at Walmart.
(2)Brandon J.
Great little hole in the wall BBQ place! If you can get Ame to be your server she is fantastic! Now for the tastiness, I recommend the beef brisket. It's tender and the sauce has a great sweet start with an awesome tangy finish. Plus the atmosphere total fits a western BBQ joint, music and all. Cool little spot!
(4)Robin A.
I've never actually eaten here, I have just gotten take out, but what I have gotten I've been happy with especially the beans, they must put crack in them their that addictive!!!
(4)Joshua S.
BEANS. Baked Beans. So delicious, I may go out on a limb and say, "They are the best baked beans I've ever had", after one visit. I ordered the two meat and two sides combo. Had pork ribs and chicken thigh and leg. The winners for the evening were, of course, the baked beans (with plenty of onions on the side to make them even more amazing), and the chicken - WOW. So good, juicy and smokey, but not too smokey, if you know what I mean. The ribs were decent, if not a bit dry. The sauce that accompanied them was quite good - had a nice mild twang to it. Also, as an added bonus go on Friday nights between 7-9 pm for the folk band. It's just an awesome vibe, even considering I came late and only caught their last song. Good service, old Midvale vibe, and good times.
(4)Justin R.
Food was good. Server was nice and helpful. Baked beans are awesome. Will be returning in he future. Thanks guys!!!
(3)Jason C.
This place is the real deal! It is a gem. Great BBQ and do not pass up on the Mud Pie!
(5)Ryan B.
Food was okay. Seemed like they were short on servers due to the lack of attention we got. Food came out fast. We were out in the back room which due to being closed off from the rest of the restaurant makes me feel like a step child who is being shunned by an evil step mother.
(3)Krystal-Ann L.
The BBQ was pretty good; not the best I've ever had but certainly not the worst. I had the brisket and wish it had been a bit fattier with more of the bark mixed in. The baked beans had brisket mixed in with a very sweet taste. We got our meal for takeout and had our food ready fairly quickly.
(3)Stephanie J.
Seriously the mud pie here should be scheduled as a drug with Food and Drug Administration!! So here's a story for ya. Once upon a time we were at Midvale Harvest Days. Looking around the park we thought that the snow cones, kettle corn, and fry bread just was not going to cut it. We needed a hearty meal that included juicy, delicious beef, delectable beans, and amazing onions. The logical choice is Joe Morleys because of the proximity to the park and great good for price ratio. Joes replied with a big "challenge accepted" and fed is well. We walk out of the restaurant today well fed, happy, Nd ready to tackle the rest of Harvest Days!
(5)Christopher F.
Awesome food at a good price. Loved their Sugarback Ribs and Potato Salad. If you're close by it's a must try.
(4)Jeffrey S.
I've lots of respect for this place. They've been around for a long time and don't show any signs of stopping. Come by and weekend evening and the parking lot is packed. The area isn't exactly rife with opportunity - there's not a lot of business lunch folks around, so they're pulling a faithful Midvale crowd in. So yay for that. It's also not the most attractive place. Not unattractive, but the building looks more suited to a dental practice than a restaurant. I don't judge, though--it's what's on the inside that counts, right? So here's the scoop. For my tastes, Joe does pretty decent everything. I can't lodge too big of a complaint about any of the main dishes, so I won't. Brisket? Ya, okay. Pork is alright as well. If you set your expectations to get a nice plate of BBQ you're not going to be disappointed. You can chase down specific dishes elsewhere in the valley. Where JM's shines is in the sides and dessert. Mud pie. You heard me. A heaping slice will solve your problems, no matter where they came from. I'm partial to the beans as well. I've had them on several occasions even when I wasn't having a main course and they've got personality. That's a good thing. Sadly, I haven't tried the onion chips, but they sound delightful. They're fried, after all. Not world-changing BBQ, but I don't think that's what they're after. Neighborhood BBQ in Midvale. Ya, that sounds right.
(4)Jeramy C.
Come for the brisket, stay for the pie. First dinner at Joe Morleys, and have to say it was really great! As with most BBQ, it is all about the sauce. The sauce here is great, and yes I would say you could pour it in a glass and drink it. Had the brisket and rib combo; with a side of slaw and onion chips. The meat is very tender; clearly slow cooked in a smoker. Family atmosphere and very casual and yes, I will be back. The staff is great; our server (Taylor) tool very good care of us and checked on us throughout our meal. Fast, friendly, and reasonably priced too!
(5)Isaiah X.
Good down home BBQ joint. Can't say anything was the best I've ever had, but we have to remember to lower expectations when we're not in Texas. So...good enough to come back. Ordered 2 meat platter for $12.99 w/ 2 sides. Portions could be better: 2 slices of brisket & 2 spare ribs. Spare ribs are tender juicy and full of flavor...definitely what they do best. Brisket is good but not great (not dry but not exactly moist). Onion chips are clever & tasty. Baked beans have a little shredded beef in every bite. Wasn't a fan of the BBQ sauces as it's a bit on the jammy side. One was supposed to be the spicier of the 2 but I couldn't taste the difference, so I just dumped a ton of the jalapeño pepper sauce to give it better flavor. Either way, if the meat's good enough then you shouldn't need the sauce. In this case, ribs stood on their own but brisket needed the added moisture & flavor.
(3)Teddy G.
We finally came to try Joe's and we're not disappointed. The sugar back ribs had really good flavor but we're on the dry side. The chopped pork was delicious and the beans were absolutely the best part of the meal! I would definitely come back.
(3)Elisabeth kealia B.
This place is classic. I grew up in Midvale and moved away after high school. Coming to Joe Morely's is like coming home. The barbecue is great but if you leave without having a piece of the mud pie you've done yourself a disservice. This place is great for parties or hosting large groups.
(5)AJ J.
I have been here twice. Once in 2011 & again just barely. Before I went the second time, I was asked how it was. I said, "I really can't remember anything I had I liked." But I was willing to give it a second time. Based on the fact that I knew a lot of people honestly love the place. I don't get it. The brisket looked as though it was boiled. No ring of smoke, no tenderness, no flavor (besides the sauce). Not good. My boyfriend's food was served cold. The server was not very helpful OR knowledgeable in the menu. The chicken, was okay in flavor. . . but nothing I would ever rant over. The rolls tasted like they had been in the freezer too long, and were served cold. No Beer?? At a BBQ joint??? I realize liquor laws are difficult in Utah, but they've been in business long enough to acquire one along that road. I will not be returning here ever. Not worth it by a long shot.
(1)D. W.
I didn't wind up going in, so this rating will be based solely on the food. None of the sides looked particularly good, so I skipped all of them, but did notice the buns were like rocks. I don't usually eat bread and didn't have any here, but it bears mentioning. The chicken I also skipped, as usual with most BBQ places, given how often I have that particular meat already. For what I did have, the brisket was probably the best of the lot. It was moist and tasty and meshed very nicely with the BBQ sauce, which was also quite good. The ribs were ok; not the best I've ever had, but not slouches, either. Those were also better with BBQ sauce, which is unusual for me to say. The chopped and smoked pork, on the other hand, was a total and complete miss. The best of everything, by far, was the ice cream pie thing, though I could have done with slightly less fudge. This is probably one of the better desserts also, just in the ice cream and cookie crush alone. The marshmallow and fudge toppings are ok, but the dessert really shines once those elements are gone. If I happened to be in the area and really had a hankerin' for BBQ, I might drop in, but what I had was nothing to go out of the way for. Not bad, but not great, either.
(3)Lena M.
Their Kielbasa Killers were good, but everything else was flavorless. Jalapeño poppers were subpar. Sandwiches were on McDonalds level. Service was good, but you couldn't pay me to eat there again. The atmosphere will also make you feel like your in Texas... The part of Texas you drive through to get to the good parts of Texas. Not a fan at all. If you're looking for real BBQ, go to Pats or Sugarhouse.
(1)Chris K.
Fries, rolls, and ribs were good! Ribs weren't fall off the bone, but good nonetheless.
(4)Madison G.
This place is seriously the best! My family and I can't get enough. The hospitality is great. Everyone is kind and happy to help. The food is spectacular too! The fries and smoked beef sandwiches are to die for. Add some of their signature BBQ sauce and you're good to go. Then end you're meal with a slice of mouth-watering mud pie. All in all a satisfying and delicious meal.
(5)Myk A.
Chopped brisket sand which is my favorite. Onion chips and beans are a good pair. Friendly and welcoming.
(4)George C.
Ordered over the phone and was told 10 minutes and it would be ready. Arrived 15 mins later and mentioned we had ordered over the phone and was told our order could not be found and did we want to order. Person at front finally went to the back and said they found the order and could I pay now. 20 mins later and still no food - for my first experience at this place I would probably never go back based on such poor service.
(1)Hang W.
I can say I was pretty excited to see a business that been around since 1984 that has a decent website and trying things like Facebook. They even have a check-in special. I was even more pleasantly surprised walking in and seeing a well kept restaurant. The place has a welcome home feel of regulars eat here. I followed a Yelp Quick Tip and ordered the onion petals while I looked over the menu. Eight artful petals of fried goodness showed up with a side of ketchup in a to-go cup. The batter wasn't really a tempura batter despite the description. Then came my order of sandwiches. I figured this was a good way to sample a few meats without overdoing it. The chopped pork was drowned in their bbq sauce which made it more like a meat stew. It was just ok because any flavors were just lost. The second one was the *sliced* brisket with a side of bbq sauce. I was thinking kudos for putting the sauce on the side and letting me taste the meat, but that's a lot of sauce. The side of bbq sauce should of been a hint. The brisket was pretty dry, I probably should have used all of the sauce and not just half. Maybe I should have followed the Quick Tip and got the *chopped* brisket. On the plus side, I liked the homemade buns and the good portions of meat for the bun. The pickles were tasty and crispy because who wants a limpy pickle. After all that I was still kinda hungry so I opted for a slice of peppermint mud pie. So after I finally got the Facebook app to check me in to see the special, a free slice of mud pie with purchase of any sandwich or platter, I thought bonus free pie! Well to my dismay, the waitress said they weren't doing the deal even though she looked at it. She even asked the manager and came back with a "no." It's not like they haven't had people ask because there are Facebook stickers at the entrance telling people to check-in to get a special. Being a weekday, i expected it to be slow. Two tables and a couple of take out orders. I was surprised to see three servers and a hostess in addition to a couple of kitchen staff who wandered out. One would think service would be speedy but my drink sat empty each time and the table next to me had to get the attention of their server twice for things. I'd return to try out the other items. I probably wouldn't order the pork or brisket again. If Mekong (which is down the street) is super busy and I needed something in a hurry, I'd consider coming here. But it's not a "destination" bbq place. This probably would have been three stars if it weren't for the slow service and failure to honor a deal.
(2)Shelley S.
This place makes great BBQ. Better than most Utah BBQ joints. Never crowded. Live blue grass band Friday makes for a special treat. Don't forget to try the mud pie! Support local!
(5)David G.
Joe's is a longtime favorite of ours. Twenty - five years and we are still coming back. The sandwichs are all good and the sides (onion chips, coleslaw and baked beans) are a must with every meal. Low-key atmosphere and great food make this place a go-to favorite.
(5)