South Jersey · Camden County

Blowin' Smoque

Camden, NJ

Blowin' Smoque started the way a lot of the best BBQ spots do — as a food truck — before settling into a permanent home at 1222 Haddon Ave in Camden's historic Parkside neighborhood. The move to brick-and-mortar didn't dilute the food or the local ties; if anything, it deepened them. The restaurant's biggest break came from an unlikely place: catering for Subaru of America's nearby Camden headquarters. That relationship caught the automaker's attention, and in 2023 Blowin' Smoque received a $2,500 grant through Subaru's IGNITE small business program — support that helped it grow into a genuine neighborhood staple rather than just another food truck that made good. Camden's mayor has also been a visible, regular presence at the restaurant. The menu leans into both Southern BBQ tradition and Camden's own food culture — smoked brisket, smoked ribs, and smoked chicken alongside pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, a short rib sandwich, and a run of sides that includes collard greens, candied yams, and a house Parkside rice. Sweet potato pie and lemon pound cake close things out. Catering is available directly through the restaurant and through ezCater, and Blowin' Smoque has notably catered Subaru of America's own Camden headquarters. The numbers back up the reputation: a 4.7-star rating from more than 700 Grubhub ratings, and a Facebook community of over 1,100 followers.