Smokey Joe's restaurant review

Après-ski, live music, craft beers and good food

Location: Les Deux Alpes
Imprint: By Ian Huyton, Updated 8 March 2017

Established in 1990, Smokey Joes has long been established in the resort as an après-ski bar and Tex-Mex restaurant, but these days their offerings are a little more varied.

For one thing, the bar’s owner, Chris Goodwin, has set up his own microbrewery just down the road in Bourg d’Oisans. This means that Smokey’s now offers a good selection of locally brewed craft ales both on tap and in bottles. The menu has also broadened with the traditional Tex-Mex dishes now complemented by a decent range of pub food and daily specials.

The bar is located at the edge of the main square in the centre of the resort, but although having a prime, central location it is a little tucked away between the ticket office and Dode Sports.

The small entrance leads to a large space with a good-sized bar, plenty of tables, a pool table and a stage area. The bar hosts live music from 5-7pm, Sunday to Friday, with the acts rotating every fortnight. This is a good venue for a family meal with plenty to entertain the children.

Personally, I like to visit over lunchtime, on the rare occasions I have the time, for a relaxed lunch washed down with a decent pint. There is a choice between an IPA, a dark ale, a pale ale (which is mild enough make good session beer), a wheat beer and a pilsner. The lunchtime menu has a selection of the evening favourites plus some lighter options. Daily specials include the sandwich, soup, pie and burger of the day.

In the evening, the shared platters make a great start to a group meal. The shared nachos come in vegetarian and pulled pork or brisket varieties; ‘Tear and Share’ cheesy garlic bread or baked camembert will suit the veggies while the sticky meat platter will appeal to the carnivores. There are also plenty of one-person starters for those who don’t want to share.

For a big appetite, the barbecue ribs offer a great value for money main course. The plate is huge but there it still hardly enough room for the home-made chips and coleslaw to fit around the side. This year they come in spicy and regular versions. Fajitas are another popular favourite – the chicken and brisket version is an interesting twist on the classic recipe and the hoi-sin duck offers a Chinese/Mexican fusion option.

A choice of burgers, steaks, salads, veggie dishes, pizzas and a classic British fish and chips means that there is something for everybody on the menu. I have eaten there often and there are still plenty of dishes I have yet to try.

A dessert menu does exist but I have never sampled it as the mains are filling enough by themselves. I usually just have a coffee and perhaps a Genepi as a digestif.

Smokey’s is a middle of town venue with something for everybody. It's family friendly, with good food, good beer and live music. If you are in the middle of Les Deux Alpes, why not give it a try?