Smokey John's
A second-generation, family-owned Dallas barbecue and Southern home cooking restaurant since 1976, also offering catering, State Fair of Texas concessions and retail products via H-E-B.
Smokey John's Bar-B-Que & Home Cooking is a family-owned restaurant in Dallas, Texas, founded in 1976 by "Smokey" John Reaves. Now in its second generation of family ownership, the business has operated continuously for nearly five decades from its Mockingbird Lane location near Love Field. It serves hickory-smoked meats - brisket, spare ribs, smoked hams and smoked turkeys - alongside classic Southern sides and home-cooked favourites, available for dine-in and takeout.
Beyond the restaurant, the company runs three further lines of business: catering services, concession operations at the State Fair of Texas, and branded retail food products distributed through partners including H-E-B grocery stores. Catering was expanded under the leadership of brothers Brent and Juan Reaves, with Brent Reaves, president of Smokey John's, Inc., bringing more than 20 years of foodservice experience, including managing large catering operations.
The business traces its origins to a backyard smoker and has since become a long-standing presence in the Dallas community. Leadership emphasises traditional hickory-smoked, home-cooked food and Texas hospitality. Internal advancement is a visible feature of the organisation: the current president began in entry-level roles before rising to lead the company alongside his brother.