The Prime Smokehouse

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The Prime Smokehouse

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Address:
2800 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, NC 27610

Neighborhood:
Raleigh

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Cuisine:
Barbecue

Price: $30 and under

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The Prime Smokehouse Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.primesmokehouse.com
Email: primesmokehouse@yahoo.com
Phone: (919) 521-8453
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00an - 4:00pm, Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 12:00am, Sunday: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Barbecue, Southern
Executive Chef: Ed Wiley III
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Beer, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Catering: On-site and Off-site Catering is available with special menus for: receptions, weddings, graduations, family reunions, tail-gate parties and office or holiday parties, etc. visit: www.primesmokehouse.com/Catering.html for more information.
Private Party Facilities: Personal Buffets and special Menus are available. Large-screen TV monitors, Wireless Internet for business meetings. Private dining room accommodates up to 80 people. Event-planning expertise.
Private Party Contact: Yalem Kiros (919) 521-8453
Entertainment: There is live jazz on Friday & Saturday nights. Grammy-nominated trumpeter Tom Browne books the all-star lineup, which, in addition to the most renowned local and regional acts, includes internationally famous jazz and R&B artists. The Jazz Icons Series features the likes of superstar musicians Ronnie Laws, Roy Ayers, Norman Connors and Jean Carne There is live gospel on Sunday for special occasions. Check: www.primesmokehouse.com for music specials during the week.
Special Events & Promotions: The restaurant is Southeast Raleigh's only hub carrying the NFL Sunday Ticket. In addition to being able to see all games, there are several drink and food specials, including half-price wings, barbecue sliders, fish and shrimp baskets, beer buckets, shots and cocktails. Dinner theater and a monthly women's artistic group are the newest addition to The Prime Smokehouse calendar. A complete Special Events Calendar is available at : http://primesmokehouse.wordpress.com/

Getting there

Public Transit: Some Public bus stops. For current information including stops and scheduling check: www.raleighnc.gov/transit
Parking: Private Lot
Parking Details: Plenty of parking is available on site.

A word from The Prime Smokehouse

There is live jazz on Friday & Saturday nights. The all-star lineup, which, in addition to the most renowned local and regional acts, includes internationally famous jazz and R&B artists. The Jazz Icons Series features the likes of superstar musicians Ronnie Laws, Roy Ayers, Norman Connors and Jean… Carne There is live gospel on Sunday for special occasions. Check: www.primesmokehouse.com for music specials during the week. Continued

The Prime Smokehouse

4.0

58 $30 and under restaurant

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerGood for Groups
Diners' Choice WinnerHot Spot
Diners' Choice WinnerMost Booked 1000-Point Tables

Featured Reviews

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Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

62 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

62 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.1 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

good for groups(34)
late-night find(26)
neighborhood gem(26)

special occasion(26)
hot spot(23)
romantic(18)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (62)

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Moved and improved

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/12/2012

2008

Dined on 04/12/2012

2008

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"First time to The Prime Smokehouse since they moved and can say that the little drive is worth it. Food improved. Probably the BEST mac and cheese I have ever had. The slaw was fantastic as well. The BBQ has improved as well. More flavor and more sauce. Still a bit of a heavy smoke taste but the sauce makes it fit together. The waitstaff was very good. The waitess never let a glass empty and checked back with us just at the right time. We arrived early so we missed the live music but the background jazz was nice. I have a picky vegitarian in the family but believe that the Prime's great sides will be great enough to even please her! This is not your standard cookie cutter place so expect something pleasingly different."

Dined on 04/12/2012

2008

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

They had something going on

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/29/2012

2011

Dined on 03/29/2012

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"They had something going on the night we went and we had to sit outside. Which wasn't so bad but I felt awkward sitting outside while people were entering for a show. Food was very good, but probably won't go back."

Dined on 03/29/2012

2011

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

A Great Birthday Celebration. I

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"A Great Birthday Celebration.

I hope this continues. I drove from Fayetteville NC to attend. This atmosphere is a welcome change. My husband and I enjoyed the experience. It was his birthday!

The Chances"

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Other than for me the music

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/31/2012

2011

Dined on 03/31/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Other than for me the music was a bit too loud even sitting the furthest table away from stage area, I would recommend this place. I did like the food it was beyond good. The balance on the music was a bit off, every time the singer hit some of her higher notes or stronger notes it was loud enough to physically hurt the eardrums but most of the time it was good music and she was a good singer. It may just be I have sensitive hearing and honestly don't go to a lot of places with live music anymore because I always leave the places with a headache and buzzing in ears for a couple hours until next day depending on how high the column is turned up."

Dined on 03/31/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Serving up great jazz/great food

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2012

2011

Dined on 03/30/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Once again Prime Smokehouse does not fail to deliver. It is truly a hidden gem in the city - one that I'm doing my best to let people know about. My experiences there have just gotten better and better. The food is excellent, the servers are friendly and helpful, and the music is great. If you like jazz and enjoy good food, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot."

Dined on 03/30/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great place for Mike Wade's show!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2012

2012

Dined on 03/24/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"My family and I attended Mike Wade's shows Friday and Saturday night. It was so much fun. The staff was very accomodating and friendly. The setup was great for a live band. It was better than we expected and we will be going back! Dining and enjoying drinks with live jazz....awesome!"

Dined on 03/24/2012

2012

Special Features: good for groups

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Smokin at the Prime Smokehouse!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2012

2006

Dined on 03/24/2012

2006

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"My husband and I recently dined at the Prime Smokehouse in Raleigh. It was a wonderful evening. Not only was the food exceptional, but the owners Ed and Yalem Wiley make each and every guest feel right at home. To top it all off, in addition to great food and hospitality, there was excellent live entertainment. Cincinnati OH trumpeter extraordinaire Mike Wade turned up the heat. A great place, with great food, great service and a great show! What more could you ask for?"

Dined on 03/24/2012

2006

Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

The dining experience was

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2012

2012

Dined on 03/23/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The dining experience was superb, but they did not have my reservation recorded. It was not a problem so the hostess wrote our names down."

Dined on 03/23/2012

2012

Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Not just Meat and Cornbread

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/17/2012

2012

Dined on 03/17/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We got the restaurant and there was a very loud comedy show going on. They had forgotten to remove the open table listings. Instead of turning is away or making us pay for a comedy show we did not go there to see, they put us in the VIP area and one of the owners or managers took personal care of us!

The place was very clean. I marked the noise a little high but that might have only been because of the show going on in the larger area over. The food though, was beyond what we expected. The menu is simple but everything we ordered was amazing. I have not had brisket that tender in years, there was no need to even bring a knife to the table. They also bring out as much cornbread as you want and the cornbread is some of the best!"

Dined on 03/17/2012

2012

Special Features: good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Women Who Jam with Kim Dew!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2012

2012

Dined on 03/15/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"My group had an enjoyable time. The band and entertainment was excellent. I like old school music played by band. Food was good and served in a timely matter. You get good sized portions that leaves you full!"