Serves meat, vegan options available. Barbeque restaurant that provides vegan 'meat' options including: brisket made of seitan & jackfruit served as is or as tacos or with stuffed avocado, burnt ends, or cheddar sandwich; pulled pork made of jackfruit as sliders or tacos or with stuffed avocado; memphis style dry rub ribs made of tempeh. Has vegan sides like watermelon & vegan-feta salad, baked beans, cole slaw, rice & beans. NOTE: Reported to have served meat in error. Open Tue-Fri 12:00pm-11:00pm, Sat 1:00pm-11:00pm.
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255 Calle Orbeta (at La Placita de Santurce), San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 16 Mar 2024 by NatalieMcClune
Update business info -
Added by stephenellis on 02 Mar 2021
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31 Reviews
First Review by GeraldineTorrellas
JonWsju
Points +167
Great vegan options…for a smokehouse! - Edit
If you are looking for something different this is the place to come. A wide variety of vegan options which is surprising for a smokehouse. I had the burnt ends and they were full of flavor! Highly recommend! Also worth noting, it is a great place to have a cold one and people watch. If visiting San Juan, put this on your list of places to eat and have some beers!!
Read moreGuest
vedgygrrl69
Points +60
Amazing BBQ - Edit
This was by far the best vegetarian stuffed avocado I had in PR. The pulled jackfruit was delicious and the avocado was fresh (and huge!). Most other places stuff frozen veggies inside, so the Smokehouse was a real gem to find. Highly recommend!
Read moreGuest
aitanamunoz_
Points +50
Vegan Pulled Pork & Brisket in Santurce - Edit
A lot of vegan options for a smokehouse lol. It was tasty, the servers were very friendly and understand vegan requirements.
Read moreOpciones veganas fáciles de encontrar incluso si es muy noche, está justo en la Placita de Santurce y después de comer puedes ir a bailar! Los meseros fueron muy amables y la comida rica!
Updated from previous review on 2024-04-20
Pros: Practical, Tasty, Friendly service
Cons: Serves meat, Carnist propaganda on the walls
Guest
PipBrignall
Points +20
Welcome options! - Edit
Haven’t had the easiest time finding good vegan options in PR, so this was very welcome in a group of vegans and meat eaters.
Read moreGuest
JessiGillespie
Points +133
So many vegan options! - Edit
I love the idea of a vegan bbq, not something you see every day! Unfortunately they were out of vegan cheese the day we went, and I think that resulted in our nachos and sliders being a little drier than they should have been - also, the sliders and nachos are identical except one is on chips and one is on buns, so I should have chosen something else! But we asked for an extra cup of bbq sauce on the side, and everything was delicious. Apps were reasonably priced, service was quick.
Read morePros: So many vegan options!, Quick service, Reasonable prices
Cons: Were out of vegan cheese when we went
Guest
shaunf17
Points +42
Vegan at the bbq - Edit
Was very surprised by how many vegan options there was, they had a few appetizers, main dishes, tacos, and sides. We tried the vegan pulled pork sliders, vegan brisket and cheese sandwich, and vegan brisket tacos with rice and beans, everything we got was delicious. Service was fast as well and a nice indoor/outdoor environment
Read moreGuest
IndyPlantGuy
Points +42
Very good! - Edit
I was pretty disappointed that they were out of vegan cheese (I was really looking forward to the pulled nachos with the cheese), but I can't really knock them for that since we were late on a Saturday night and it was still the best vegan BBQ I've had.. The only potential issue with the place (other than not full vegan) is lack of parking in the area, so I would advise to Uber or walk..
Read morePros: The BBQ
Cons: Parking
Guest
Tigra220
Points +10644
Vegan BBQ - Edit
So a vegan walks into a smokehouse…
Read moreWhen San Juan Smokehouse showed up as a suggestion for vegan-friendly restaurants I gave a major side eye. But I digress! They really are vegan-friendly!
They have two main vegan proteins: jackfruit and a smoked seitan/jackfruit mix which they use for their vegan brisket dishes. However, they also have vegan sides: mac n cheese, coleslaw, watermelon salad, baked beans, and fries. Just be sure to specify that you want the vegan side because they also sell non-vegan versions of all sides (except the fries which are always made vegan).
Use the aforementioned vegan proteins for tacos, nachos, burnt ends, pulled “pork” sliders, sandwiches, & platters, brisket sandwiches or platter, and stuffed avocados.
What I got:
VEGAN PULLED PORK NACHOS -
Vegan pork made from smoked jackfruit. This is some of the BEST jackfruit that I’ve ever eaten. I mean, they seasoned, marinated, and smoked that bad boy like nobody’s business! THIS is how you’re supposed to cook jackfruit! Whew! Mine came with coleslaw, baked beans, and BBQ sauce. I don’t like cheese so I just asked for extra BBQ sauce. Loved those baked beans! Loved this appetizer! The tortilla chips could’ve been a tad bit fresher, but that’s my only tiny complaint.
VEGAN BURNT ENDS -
Caramelized and made with their smoked seitan/jackfruit mix. Very good! The texture wasn’t too chewy; it was more succulent and melt-in-your-mouth. Served with BBQ sauce for dunking. I try to avoid gluten (for the usual reasons) so this was definitely a bit heavy for me, but I’m glad I tried it.
If you’re avoiding gluten, based on preference, stick with the vegan pulled pork/jackfruit options. If you have a medical condition that causes you to avoid gluten, please speak with the chef and/or management to verify what/if there are any safe options for you.
The prices are very reasonable and the portions are very good. I sat outside and it was totally a vibe. (Great people watching.) Service was friendly and efficient. It’s perfect
for vegans, omnivores, and/or vegans dining with omnivores.
The next time I’m in SJU, I’ll definitely be heading back to San Juan Smokehouse. #Veganuary
Guest
Bekindbekind
Points +553
BBQ sorpresa - Edit
I was never a big barbecue person, but this was superb. Excellent! The brisket was great, subtle, and not overwhelming or too rich. They were out of a few things, and what they made us was great! Nice square, nice people, and not touristy. Yum.
Read moreGuest
CourtneyBublitz
Points +142
Loved - Edit
I really enjoyed my food & mojitos and our server was excellent!! I’m so happy we stopped here while in PR
Read morePros: fun atmosphere, several vegan options, excellent service
Guest
rvarnes
Points +58
Delicious - Edit
Delicious food, but we were disappointed that they were out of the vegan Mac and cheese. We tried the vegan ribs, vegan burnt ends, vegan brisket w/beans and rice, and the vegan sliders. Overall the sliders were voted the best from our family of four! The service was great and the location fun to walk around; however, parking the this section of town was a headache. Definitely recommend coming for lunch before it gets too crowded in the evening.
Read moreGuest
AmandaCramer
Points +294
Delicious and fun - Edit
I'm not sure what happened to the person who reviewed below, maybe they had just run out that day. They had the full menu on our visit and everything was tasty. Great cocktails too
Read morePros: Lots of options , Fun atmosphere
Cons: Expensive , Menu can run out
Guest
nyc-vegan-family
Points +32
"No vegan menu anymore" - Edit
We ate here a year ago and recall enjoying it so tried again this year. To order for delivery you have to use DoorDash and after making a huge order for a hungry family of 4 only at the checkout when you 'place your order' does it reject all the vegan items without explanation. Trying it several times without avail we finally called them and they said they "don't have a vegan menu any more". Would have been nice if they mentioned that on their website! (and on doordash). Annoying/disappointing that they seem to have gone back to serving just dead animals.
Read morePros: Was ok in the past
Cons: No vegan food whatsover, just dead animals
Guest
alysmsmith
Points +229
Good Vegan Brisket Sandwiches! - Edit
Stopped here for lunch as they have a healthy list of vegan options. They were sadly out of jackfruit so I wasn’t able to have what I originally wanted (Pulled “Pork” Sandwich), so I opted for the Vegan Brisket Sandwich. It was decent! The brisket texture/flavor was good and the BBQ sauce was yummy. The cheese tasted more like mustard, but I wasn’t mad about it. I also got a watermelon salad as the side, but it was flavorless.
Read morePros: Plenty of vegan options
Cons: Out of pulled jackfruit
Guest
blessherheart
Points +75
Want to come back - Edit
We arrived at 6 and they only had pulled pork and shredded brisket. Didn’t have the ribs or any larger pieces of meat. They said you have to come earlier in the day. The coke slaw and the BBQ sauce was good as was the French fries. The Mac and cheese was meh. The pork sliders were good. The brisket and cheese sandwich was mushy. Don’t think I would get it again.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-28
Guest
sglcklch
Points +3027
Meh - Edit
Hmm where do I start? True, the menu was very vegan-friendly on paper, but what good is that if they ran out of most things? They only had the jackfruit, coleslaw, and beans and rice available when we went. I got them all and thought they were just okay. The worst part was I ate a piece of what I thought was jackfruit on the platter only to realize it was meat. YUCK. Honestly it'd probably fallen over from my partner's platter, but still it was beyond gross. Disposable plastic utensils were served with the food, which seemed to be a universal phenomenon in San Juan. This area is a popular nightlife destination, which I didn't know and would've avoided. The streets were teeming with people drinking and smoking even at 7 PM on a weekday. It was so noisy and just not my scene.
Read morePros: apparent vegan options
Cons: ran out of most things, disposable utensils, noisy
Guest
JeromeDelbridge
Points +36
Impressive vegan mirrored menu - Edit
Fun place with a robust veg menu. You can have a meal alongside your omnivore friends!
Read moreGuest
happyvegpt2
Points +59
would definitely eat here again - Edit
they have a whole separate vegan menu! apps, mains, sides, desserts! the mac and cheese was lackluster but definitely not bad, and everything else was so good! i got a pulled pork sandwich and a few drinks. the service was also great, and they had live music while i was there :)))
Read moreGuest
Aliy
Points +210
Cute little Spot - Edit
Super fun spot in the heart of San Juan nightlife, they have several vegan options. I got the jackfruit “brisket”, it did the trick at the time!
Read moreGuest
DWilli_24
Points +71
Perfect day or night in La Placita - Edit
Usually we non-carnivores have to go out of the way to get our food. This place was right in the main strip and well populated even during the daytime (La Placita is better # night for millennials especially). There was music playing out front and p dancing which elevated the experience.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Tasty food, Good drinks
Guest
Plants4health
Points +70
Wonderful options and stiff drinks! - Edit
The staff here is amazing-be prepared to wait. The vegan options are good and I would plan to come early so nothing is sold out.
Read moreGuest
LisaVerWeire
Points +60
Good, not incredible - Edit
We ordered the avocado jackfruit, the "brisket" appetizer, mac n cheeze, & smashed potatoes. The best part was the coleslaw. It came under the avocado. I suggest ordering a side of that. I really liked the mac n cheeze and smashed potatoes, and so did my son. I'd add a little salt and pepper to the potatoes for myself next time. The avocado was super fresh and large. YUM. My son and I weren't huge fans of the "brisket" (good fkavor but it was too chewy for me), but my husband loved it. Overall, the food was good, jut not incredible. It isn't calling me to go again while here vacationing. Still worth a try if you like BBQ a lot.
Read morePros: Vegan sections on menu, Got food through DoorDash, Fresh ingredients
Cons: Chewy "brisket", Good food but not incredible
Guest
Dveganpost
Points +645
Just Go! You won’t be disappointed 😋😋😋 - Edit
Loving this place! I wish I would have come here early in my trip. The food is very good. Lots of vegan comfort foods. I tried the jackfruit sliders 😋😋😋. Fun to sit outside at night and watch the crowd (good vibe). Not 100% vegan but large vegan menu. (In the corner .. near the public restrooms )
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-02-19
Pros: Large vegan menu , Friendly staff , Nice area (lots of bars / clubs) nearby
Guest
marisanoodle
Points +40
Amazing *vegan* BBQ! - Edit
I come from Texas, and this vegan BBQ really hit the spot. Love the pulled pork especially. They were out of the ribs unfortunately, but it’s an impressive menu nonetheless. And in a fun area too! Highly recommended.
Read morePros: Unexpected vegan selections, Friendly staff, Good location
Cons: A bit pricey, A pigeon pooped on us
Guest
Josh4447
Points +67
A must stop - Edit
Fantastic vegan options!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Guest
gmartineau
Points +176
Who woulda thought?! - Edit
It seems crazy that a smokehouse would have such great vegan options, but wow! The food was good - not great - but I was so impressed that they even had it! I got the brisket sandwich and Mac and cheese and both were good. I’d stop back if I were in the area. It’s also a really cool part of town.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Helpful staff
Cons: Good but not amazing
Guest
AbelTable
Points +46
Really good Seitan - Edit
This place was amazing when I visited, a lot of vegan options, and they were all so tasty too.
Read morePros: Nice ambience, good food.
Cons: Portions were maybe lacking a little bit.
Guest
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