Holy Smokes is a chain of slow-smoked Texas-style BBQ restaurants, with currently three locations in or near Jakarta (Alam Sutra, Pantai Indah Kapuk and Wolter Monginsidi). It is part of Ersons Food, a group founded by three brothers who also own the famous Holy Crab franchise (previously reviewed here).
I visited Holy Smokes in Wolter Monginsidi on a Thursday evening, shortly before closing time. It is easy to spot from the outside, with its massive, bright sign that makes you feel as if you had reached the Holy Land.
By the time I entered, it was still relatively busy, which was not a surprise considering it is one of the most popular restaurants in the area.
Its interior design is based on an industrial theme and it reappropriates some of the graphic codes and materials used on construction sites or factories. Add to that the large communal table at the center of the main dining room and you really get the impression of eating in a chic American canteen.
It has a casual atmosphere, versatile enough to make it suitable for various kinds of occasions. Group gatherings (birthday, farewell parties, etc), of course, but also dates and even business lunches.
An important thing to note is that the Holy Smokes in Wolter Monginsidi is a halal restaurant. If you wish to eat pork, you should go instead to their branch in Pantai Indah Kapuk that has a menu for non-Muslims.
To order your food, you need to proceed to the counter, order from the board and pay directly (yes, just like in a fast food). You will be then given a pager that will ring when your meal is ready to be picked up on a tray.
The menu is centered around a few BBQ specialties, namely the Smokey Wagyu Brisket and the Southern-style Beef Ribs. Both are slow-cooked at low temperatures for up to 14 hours, using an imported smoker machine and wood from fruit trees.
This process, originally from Texas, gives the beef a unique, tender and juicy texture that you would never get from a traditional BBQ. Furthermore, the smoke enhances the flavors and adds a thin caramelized layer to the meat. This is why you will notice they have a very dark color on the outside when served. Beneath this coating, the meat should be slightly pinkish. That's an indication that the cooking was perfect!
If you have never eaten slow-smoked BBQ before, I would recommend trying their Brisket + Ribs combo meal (IDR235,000++ with 2 choices of side dishes) or, even better, the family package for up to 5 persons (with Briskets, Ribs and Chicken - IDR850,000++).
They also serve premium grill steaks, including a 1-kilo porterhouse steak. All the meat is imported from either the US or Australia.
During this whole month of October, Holy Smokes has a great Oktoberfest all-you-can-drink deal: IDR85,000 for 2 hours of free-flow beer. They also offer discounts on a selection of imported beers such as Stella Artois, Bohemian Pilsner or Poleeko Pale Ale.
The other current daily promotions are:
Monday: Buy 1 get 1 free on all imported beers
Tuesday: Buy 1 get 1 free on wine, for girls only
Wednesday: Bintang beer for IDR15,000 Net
Thursday: 50% off BBQ chicken wings
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 50% off on imported beer with any main course
Finally, they have live music every Friday and Saturday night.
Overall: Holy Smokes is an excellent American restaurant in every aspect: Authentic food, quality ingredients, well-trained and friendly staff, irreproachable cleanliness and a cozy atmosphere.
Holy Smokes – Slow-Smoked BBQ
Jl. Wolter Monginsidi No. 27 (Senopati)
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12180
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 722 1795
Alam Sutera
The Flavor Bliss
Unit 12 Kav.6
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 3042 9975
Pantai Indah Kapuk
PIK Avenue
1st Floor
Phone number: +62 (0) 21 2257 0861
Website: Holy Smokes Indonesia
Instagram: Holy Smokes
Facebook: Holy Smokes
Opening Hours:
Open every day from 11.30am to 3pm and from 5pm to 11pm (open non-stop on weekends).