When you’re visiting Las Vegas from Scotland, there are certain American foods you’ve just got to try.
And proper American barbecue was definitely on my list!
During one of our Vegas trips, we decided to visit Rollin Smoke BBQ, a restaurant known for its smoked meats, enormous portions and traditional Southern-style barbecue.
Rather than sticking to the famous restaurants along the Las Vegas Strip, we wanted to experience somewhere a little different.
And judging by the amount of food that arrived at our table, we certainly weren’t going to leave hungry!
Here’s a look at our visit to Rollin Smoke BBQ in Las Vegas.
What Is Rollin Smoke BBQ in Las Vegas?
Rollin Smoke BBQ is a family-owned barbecue restaurant in Las Vegas, known for serving traditional Southern-style smoked meats.
The restaurant was established in 2012 and has developed a reputation for its barbecue, particularly among visitors looking for somewhere to eat away from the main tourist restaurants on the Strip.
Unlike many of the celebrity chef restaurants found inside the enormous Las Vegas casino resorts, Rollin Smoke offers a much more casual dining experience.
Think wooden tables, barbecue sauce, baskets overflowing with meat and proper American comfort food.
It’s exactly the sort of place I wanted to experience during our American food adventures.
Where Is Rollin Smoke BBQ Located?
One of the best-known Rollin Smoke BBQ locations is situated just west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Address: 3185 South Highland Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109.
The restaurant is located in an industrial area not far from the northern end of the Strip.
It’s not somewhere you’re necessarily going to stumble across while wandering between the casinos.
However, it’s relatively convenient to reach by taxi or rideshare.
Rollin Smoke has also operated additional locations around Las Vegas, so it’s worth checking which restaurant you’re planning to visit.
Our Visit to Rollin Smoke BBQ
One thing I’ve always enjoyed about visiting America is getting the opportunity to try foods that aren’t quite as common back home.
And although barbecue restaurants have become increasingly popular in Scotland, there’s something different about experiencing traditional American smoked meats.
During our visit to Rollin Smoke BBQ, we decided to order a selection of barbecue dishes.
Looking back at the photographs, there was certainly no shortage of food!
We had two large baskets filled with different meats, accompanied by coleslaw, pickles and a selection of barbecue sauces.
It was a proper American barbecue spread.
And exactly the sort of meal you’d hope to find at a restaurant specialising in smoked meats.
One Tip for this – We walked here in the middle of July and almost passed out from the heat so most certainly do not do that!
The Smoked Barbecue Meat Platter
One of our baskets contained a selection of smoked meats.
Large portion of pork ribs alongside shredded barbecue meat, potentially pulled pork or brisket.
The ribs were covered in a dark barbecue glaze, with the meat showing the distinctive appearance associated with slow smoking.
There was also a generous portion of coleslaw served alongside the barbecue.
Coleslaw is a classic accompaniment to American barbecue, offering something fresh and crunchy alongside the rich, smoky meat.
The basket also included pickles, another traditional barbecue side.
It’s a combination you’ll find in barbecue restaurants throughout the United States.
The Barbecue Burnt Ends
Our second basket contained generous portion of heavily smoked barbecue meat, possibly burnt ends.
Burnt ends are particularly associated with Kansas City-style barbecue.
Traditionally made using the fatty point of a beef brisket, they’re cut into smaller pieces and cooked until the outside develops a dark, caramelised crust.
They’re known for their rich, smoky flavour and combination of tender meat and crispy edges.
Some barbecue restaurants also serve pork belly burnt ends, which offer a similar experience using pork instead of beef.
The meat certainly had that dark, heavily caramelised appearance.
It was served in a red basket, topped with chopped spring onions and accompanied by pickles.
For anyone who enjoys rich, smoky barbecue, burnt ends are definitely something worth looking out for when visiting America.
What Is Rollin Smoke BBQ Famous For?
Rollin Smoke BBQ specialises in traditional American barbecue, with a menu featuring a variety of smoked meats and Southern-style sides.
Some of the dishes associated with the restaurant include:
Beef Brisket
One of the most famous meats in American barbecue.
Brisket is traditionally smoked slowly over several hours until the meat becomes tender and develops a rich smoky flavour.
Pork Ribs
Another American barbecue classic.
Ribs are generally seasoned with a dry rub before being smoked and served with barbecue sauce.
Pulled Pork
Slow-cooked pork that is shredded into tender pieces.
It’s commonly served in sandwiches or as part of a barbecue platter.
Burnt Ends
Small pieces of smoked meat with a caramelised exterior.
These are particularly popular among barbecue enthusiasts.
Barbecue Chicken
Chicken prepared using traditional barbecue seasoning and smoking methods.
Southern-Style Sides
Typical accompaniments include coleslaw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and cornbread.
Menu items and availability can change, so it’s worth checking the latest menu before visiting.
What Makes American Barbecue Different?
One of the things that makes traditional American barbecue so interesting is the cooking process.
Unlike a typical barbecue back home, where burgers and sausages might be cooked quickly over hot coals, American barbecue often involves cooking meat slowly at relatively low temperatures.
This method is commonly known as low and slow cooking.
Large cuts of meat can spend many hours in a smoker, allowing the connective tissue to break down while absorbing flavour from the smoke.
Different regions of America have developed their own barbecue traditions.
Texas is particularly famous for smoked beef brisket.
Kansas City is known for its barbecue sauces and burnt ends.
The Carolinas are famous for pulled pork and vinegar-based sauces.
Memphis has a strong tradition of pork ribs.
And while Las Vegas isn’t necessarily considered one of America’s traditional barbecue capitals, restaurants such as Rollin Smoke offer visitors the opportunity to experience these different styles.
How Much Does Rollin Smoke BBQ Cost?
Rollin Smoke BBQ is generally positioned as a casual barbecue restaurant rather than an expensive fine-dining experience.
However, barbecue prices can vary considerably depending on the meat and portion size.
Brisket, ribs and other smoked meats can be relatively expensive because of the preparation time and cooking process involved.
Combination platters can be a useful option if you’re visiting for the first time and want to sample several different meats.
They also make sense if you’re sharing food with someone else.
As with most restaurants in Las Vegas, remember to account for sales tax and any applicable tip when calculating your budget.
For the latest menu and prices, check the restaurant’s official website.
Is Rollin Smoke BBQ Las Vegas Worth Visiting?
If you’re visiting Las Vegas and want to experience traditional American barbecue, Rollin Smoke BBQ is certainly somewhere worth considering.
It’s a different experience from eating in the enormous casino resorts along the Strip.
The restaurant concentrates on smoked meats, barbecue sauces and traditional Southern-style comfort food.
And for visitors from Scotland or elsewhere in the UK, it’s an opportunity to experience a style of cooking that’s particularly associated with America.
Our visit gave us the chance to sample a selection of barbecue meats, with two enormous baskets arriving at the table.
It’s another restaurant we’ve managed to tick off during our Las Vegas food adventures.
Rollin Smoke BBQ Las Vegas – Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rollin Smoke BBQ in Las Vegas?
One of its best-known locations is at 3185 South Highland Drive, just west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Is Rollin Smoke BBQ on the Las Vegas Strip?
No. The Highland Drive restaurant is located off the Strip, although it’s relatively close to several major Las Vegas hotels.
What is Rollin Smoke BBQ Las Vegas famous for?
The restaurant is known for traditional American barbecue, including smoked brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork and other slow-cooked meats.
Does Rollin Smoke BBQ Las Vegas serve brisket?
Yes. Smoked beef brisket is one of the traditional barbecue dishes associated with the restaurant.
Does Rollin Smoke BBQ Las Vegas serve ribs?
Yes. Pork ribs are among the restaurant’s barbecue offerings.
Is Rollin Smoke BBQ Las Vegas expensive?
It’s a casual barbecue restaurant, although prices vary depending on the meats and portion sizes ordered.
Is Rollin Smoke BBQ Las Vegas suitable for tourists?
Yes. It’s an option for visitors looking to try traditional American barbecue away from the main casino restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip.
More Las Vegas Restaurant Reviews
I’m a Scottish food reviewer exploring Las Vegas one restaurant at a time.
From enormous American breakfasts and traditional barbecue to celebrity chef restaurants and famous fast-food chains, I’m working my way through as much of the city’s food scene as possible.
We’ve also visited Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas, where we tried the famous Beef Wellington, and Ellis Island, where we tackled an enormous 1kg prime rib.
If you’re planning your own trip, you can find more of our Las Vegas restaurant reviews, hotel experiences and travel guides here on Ribz Reviews.
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