"Food is delicious! The new location is quite nice and the staff were pleasant as always. I had the breakfast burrito and the one thing I would want is the potatoes a bit more crispy."

"I love the new space but on a weekend it was chaotic and crazy. They need to work on their system to bring the food out. Maybe give people numbers on their table or something. The food came out and wasn’t labeled and the drink came out way after the food that being said, it was a very good coffee and unique flavors and the breakfast burritos were incredible. They have a nice outdoor space and it is dog and kid friendly. They do have a bar and some good drinks on tap as well."

"The new Smokey Mug location in Brookland Park has a very distinct vibe. The décor leans “neo-western,” with clean lines and trendy touches that stand out against the character of the surrounding neighborhood. It feels like the space is designed more to attract people from outside the area—especially white millennials looking for a stylish, “up-and-coming” hangout—than to cater to long-time residents of this historically African-American community. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does create a noticeable contrast. Now, onto the food. We ordered the brisket nachos, and flavor-wise they were excellent. The meat was well-seasoned, the toppings balanced, and everything came together into a delicious bite. If I were rating flavor alone, they’d be a solid 8/10. Unfortunately, they were served cold—some ingredients were fridge-cold, others lukewarm at best—which was off-putting. Because of that, I’d rate them closer to a 6.5/10 overall. That said, I believe if you catch the kitchen at a slower, less chaotic time, these nachos could easily be a 9/10. The biggest issue, however, was the service. The space is confusing when you first enter. There’s no signage, no host, and the setup is nontraditional. We ended up at the bar simply because it felt familiar. The bartenders were visibly overwhelmed and out of sync, rushing around with little organization. The bar itself was messy, and both staff members openly complained to each other (and within earshot of guests) about being unprepared and stuck working shifts they hadn’t expected. Their interactions with us felt strained, more like they were surviving the night than providing hospitality. The food-ordering system was even more confusing. When I asked for a menu, I was told I couldn’t order food at the bar and had to walk around to the “food side,” order in line like at a fast-casual spot, and then the food would still be delivered to me at the bar and added to the same tab. This felt unnecessarily complicated and made the dining experience frustrating. If the system is unified, bartenders should be able to place food orders for seated guests. Basic service touchpoints were also missing—no water refills, no napkins offered, no check-ins. Overall, the team looked more panicked than prepared. As for drinks, we tried most of the signature cocktails. The Old Fashioned was excellent and easily the highlight. On the flip side, the Ranch Water was almost undrinkable, though that may come down to preference. Overall, I would give this new Smokey Mug location a 6/10. The food has potential, the drinks list has some gems, and the space itself is inviting. But the service was disorganized, the food-ordering system didn’t make sense, and execution needs work. I don’t think the owners are seasoned restaurateurs yet, but they’re clearly learning and building as they go. I plan to return in a few months to see how things develop—because with some improvements, this spot could become a great addition to Brookland Park."

"Sunday morning had a 30 minute wait in line to place our order. Then we waited another 50+ minutes after we placed our order. Coffee and Latte was good however the breakfast bowl had no seasoning except for the Chili’s (cheddar cheese was left off it by the kitchen) and avocado bun came out on Texas toast using about 1/2 of the avocado. In our opinion not worth the 1.5 hours we waited. Disappointing!!"

"I wish there were more stars to give!!! Let’s start with the space. The vibe is like a high end coffee shop without the stuffiness that travelled from the southwest. I travel all over the country and frequent coffee shops for breakfast and bbq places when available. NEVER seen a hybrid coffee bbq joint in my life that excelled at both. Portions are huge. Coffee is delicious. Some of the best brisket and sides I’ve had anywhere in the country. The collards and hatch chilli Mac and cheese are a must with any meal. 15/10 recommend!!"