at The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row in Somerville
at The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row in Somerville
at The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row in Somerville

  • The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row
    (4)
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  • White Veg-options
Lacto
Ovo
American
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Honey
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Chain of American barbecue restaurants offering clearly labeled vegan choices such as vegan chicken sandwich, BBQ bowl, cucumber salad, French fries and more. Open Mon-Thu 11:30am-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-10:00pm, Sun 11:30am-9:00pm.

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4 Reviews

First Review by sam654321

Avatar AshleyKolodziej

AshleyKolodziej

Points +111

Vegan
02 Mar 2026

Shiitake bbq burnt ends are insanely good

It is so incredibly hard to find actual vegan-friendly BBQ, and the shiitake burnt ends are it. They are not just shiitakes, they are a shiitake seitan blend, which will likely throw you for a loop. The texture is genuinely unnerving, and the first time ever I haven’t been fully sure something wasn’t meat and needed to confirm multiple times and ways. It really is vegan, and in comparing photos on the website, because I still wasn’t trusting it fully after the server reassured me, it is not possible to mix these up with meat based burnt ends in the kitchen, as the sauce ratio and overall look and shape of the ends is much different. It is ABSOLUTE SORCERY. This is not a compromise dish, it’s not a “we’ll offer it so you can have an option” bowl or salad, this is the one vegan entree variant and they clearly put their heart and soul into it. There is nothing else like it that I’ve ever had short of really good, meat-based bbq before I was vegan.

The hot chicken sandwich was great, but ultimately, a compromise - not truly bbq. There was a brief period of time where the vegan option was basically a generic, old-style vegetarian burger patty, and that was AWFUL. That abomination is now gone, thankfully. This is as close to proper bbq I’ve ever seen as a vegan. I don’t need more options, this is it. A number of sides are vegan as well, check the allergen menu on their website to be sure. The mushrooms won’t say vegan on the menu, but I repeat, with emphasis, they are vegan, even though you will be very skeptical because the texture is THAT close.

BBQ places are truly rooted in meat culture, and this is the first time I’ve felt I am not compromising in this space with the vegan choice. I will be coming back frequently to address any and all BBQ cravings as long as these shiitake burnt ends stay on the menu.

Pros: Shiitake burnt ends are absolute sorcery, Servers vegan-friendly and patient with questions, Excellent alcohol menu if you’re into it

Cons: Really only one vegan choice, but it’s a GREAT one

Avatar JoelTenenbaum

JoelTenenbaum

Points +140

Vegetarian
12 Jan 2026

Vegan burger is gone, but their Burnt ends platter was very good

I will echo the comments of the prior commenters here and say that the wait staff was very knowledgeable about the options. the burnt ends mushroom plate soaked in bbq sauce was delicious. Beyond that, not very many vegan options. It is a meat house. 

Updated from previous review on 2026-01-12

Avatar Wjlepetomanegov

Wjlepetomanegov

Points +41

Vegan
08 Jan 2026

Hard to find vegan bbq

Only a few options but the shittake burnt ends platter with Brussels and fries is excellent. They will sub pickles for the cornbread too. There is a huge salad on the menu that can be made vegan. Also a sandwich that I did not try. It's hard to find authentic bbq that is vegan and they knock it out of the park here. Ask for the allergen menu to verify what is vegan but the servers seem knowledgeable. Generous portions too.

Updated from previous review on 2026-01-08

Pros: Clearly marked vegan items

Cons: Not a vegan restaurant

at The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row in Somerville

Avatar sam654321

sam654321

Points +3640

Mostly Veg
16 Jul 2025

Twas ok

So the menu says shitake burnt ends so i got them.
The sure didnt seem veg , so much so that I went back to question the worker peeps.
They assured me they werent meat.
Upon further inspection, I believe they were seitan, not shitake.
They were ok.
No need for a special trip.

at The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row in Somerville

at The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row in Somerville

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