A plate of brisket has plenty of company at Jay’s Smokin BBQ in Fargo: ribs, pulled pork, turkey, beans, corn bread, mac and cheese, and four bottles of barbecue sauce waiting on the table. It is a generous, settle-in kind of menu, built for people who want to focus on smoked meat but would also like a few good reasons to linger over the sides.
The room has a comfortable, homey look, with American and patriotic-modern décor rather than a fussed-over restaurant mood. High-top booths, shorter booths with privacy backs and standard tables give diners a few ways to arrange a casual lunch, family supper or meal with a larger group.
Brisket at the center of the table
Brisket is a natural place to begin. It is available as a platter for diners who want to make it the centerpiece, and it also turns up on combination plates for anyone reluctant to choose only one meat. The brisket is notably moist and tender, with the sort of smoky richness that does not need much embellishment before the sauces come out.
The three-meat plate is useful for a proper barbecue survey. One well-rounded combination brings together brisket, ribs and turkey, giving the table a chance to compare the deeper beefy smoke of brisket with pork ribs and the lighter, still substantial turkey.
Pulled pork can arrive with slaw, a familiar barbecue pairing that gives the meat a cool, crisp counterpoint. For a more sandwich-like direction, the smoked turkey bacon sandwich is a large, juicy option with tender turkey and a pronounced smoke character.
Ribs, wings and barbecue tacos
The ribs bring strong flavor and have been finished on the grill after smoking, adding another layer of charred barbecue character. They are a good reason to order a combo rather than commit the whole meal to a single meat.
Jay’s also carries barbecue beyond the standard platter. Combination tacos can be filled with brisket, pulled pork or turkey, an easy format for someone who wants smoked meat in a less formal, more handheld supper.
Smoked-and-fried wings offer another detour from the plate-and-sides routine. Mango-habanero is among the sauce pairings, bringing a sweet heat that can wake up the start of a meal.
Four sauces, one table
The four barbecue sauces are not hidden behind the counter or treated as an afterthought. They sit at the table, clean bottles ready for an informal tasting session with whatever meat has landed in front of you.
The selection includes smoky, spicy, gold and mild styles. A brisket bite can be left alone, then tried with the smoky sauce, followed by a little heat from the spicy bottle. The gold sauce gives the spread another direction entirely. For diners who enjoy adjusting each bite, this is a pleasantly hands-on meal.
Sides that deserve their own order
The jalapeño macaroni and cheese is creamy and popular for good reason. It brings some gentle pepper character to the comfort-food side of the menu without turning the plate into a heat challenge.
Regular macaroni and cheese, potato salad, chips, onion rings and corn bread keep the options broad enough for a mixed table. The beans are scratch-made, a particularly satisfying accompaniment with the slow-smoked meats.
Loaded nachos are a notable opener or shareable, especially when a group wants something to pick at before the barbecue plates arrive. The cheesy trio is another appetizer option for diners who would rather begin with warm, cheese-forward comfort food.
A barbecue restaurant that does brunch
Jay’s does not reserve its smokers for lunch and dinner. Breakfast and brunch are part of the picture, with both buffet and made-to-order formats appearing during brunch service.
The menu has room for bacon-and-pulled-pork breakfast tacos with hash browns, an early-day combination that makes good use of the restaurant’s barbecue identity. Brisket with eggs and home fries takes the same idea in a heartier direction.
There is a sweeter lane, too: cinnamon-sugar-coated French toast with bacon and breakfast potatoes has appeared among brunch dishes, as have beignets. The mix makes this a useful choice when one person wants eggs and smoked meat while another has their sights set on French toast.
A relaxed place for groups and celebrations
The dining setup works comfortably for a straightforward family meal, and the restaurant has accommodated larger groups as well. Booths offer a little separation for conversation, while regular tables can keep a group meal feeling open and easygoing.
Beyond the dining room, Jay’s caters large events, including weddings. Its barbecue can be shaped into an event meal with menu planning and presentation suited to a celebration; one wedding spread even included red velvet cake after the main barbecue meal.
There is free parking in the lot, which removes one small nuisance from a group lunch or dinner. Meat selections, desserts and brunch formats can vary by service period, so the current menu is worth checking when a particular plate is the reason for the trip.