The Joint Awards

The Joint Restaurant Review:

The increasingly restaurant-heavy Bywater neighborhood has become a draw for diners, thanks in part to The Joint, operating since 2004. In a town not known for barbecue, The Joint is the Bywater crowd’s own ’cue spot. Its motto is "Always Smokin'," and one bite of the well-seasoned smoked meat will confirm its authority in the matter. The funky, mostly wood-rich interior is conducive to a vibrant atmosphere. The walls are full of a little of everything, and old-time bar stools revolve nicely to catch a 360-degree view of the room. The platter with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, macaroni and salad is so huge that you might think the cooks are daring you to eat it all. But you will. A local note is the Chaurice sandwich, made with a Cajun specialty sausage that's smoked in-house. After all that spice, consider the Key lime pie or peanut butter pie for dessert. Although the tea is freshly brewed, beer is the quaff of choice, and there’s a full bar. Bang your knife and fork on the table (everybody does) and dig into some of the best ribs in town. On a cool night, try to snag a table outside under the lights.