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About
Bear’s Smokehouse - New Haven
Welcome to Bear’s Smokehouse - New Haven, where barbecue dreams come to life! Located at 470 James St, New Haven, CT, this veteran-owned establishment is known for its mouth-watering assortment of smoked meats and delightful sides. With a funky yet casual atmosphere, it’s the ideal spot for families, groups, or anyone craving authentic barbecue.
The moment you step inside, the aroma of perfectly smoked ribs and brisket greets you. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. Whether you're grabbing lunch or settling in for dinner, Bear’s guarantees a consistently delicious experience, as noted by many satisfied patrons.
- Signature Dishes: The ribs here are a standout, described by many as “fall-off-the-bone tender.” The pulled pork sandwich is another crowd-pleaser, bursting with flavor and accompanied by creamy coleslaw. And don’t forget the cornbread, served warm with rich honey butter!
- Craft Beverages: Pair your meal with Bear’s house-brewed beers or an array of craft cocktails—options that cater to every taste bud and enhance the barbecue experience.
- Sides Worth Mentioning: The baked beans have just the right amount of tang, while the pastrami and sweet potato mash (a beloved favorite among regulars) has received rave reviews.
Accessibility is also a strong point here. Bear's Smokehouse is wheelchair accessible, has gender-neutral restrooms, and even allows dogs in the outdoor seating areas. Plus, with amenities like free Wi-Fi and private parking, it accommodates everyone’s needs.
Service is equally commendable, with attentive staff ensuring a clean and welcoming environment, as customers have noted in their reviews. Whether you opt for takeout or dine in, you can always expect friendly and efficient service.
The combination of great food, a vibrant atmosphere, and a diverse menu makes Bear’s Smokehouse - New Haven a must-visit spot, especially for BBQ enthusiasts. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by and experience barbecue at its finest—you'll leave with your taste buds dancing and a smile on your face!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Consistency is the name of the game and for really good barbecue Bear's smokehouse in New Haven is the place to go. The ribs melted off the bone, the cornbread was hot and fresh and the baked beans had just the right amount of tang. The restaurant was clean, the service was great and there was plenty of parking. The best part is when you are in the mood for barbecue, you know it will be consistently delicious here! ”
“ I came here with a moderately sized group around lunchtime for some food and drinks, and it was an excellent experience. There's plenty of seating both inside and outside, which was perfect for our group. The menu offers an incredible variety of options, from perfectly tender brisket to fall-off-the-bone ribs, all complemented by a rich, tangy barbecue sauce that ties everything together beautifully. The pulled pork sandwich was the standout for me--juicy, bursting with flavor, and paired with the most delicious, creamy coleslaw. Their house-brewed beers and craft cocktails were equally impressive, with options to suit every palate. Whether you're here for the barbecue, the drinks, or just the great atmosphere, this spot is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back! ”
“ The guys working behind the counter are really nice. I got a 1/4 rack with two sides. Told them to put one of the warm bbq sauces on top. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender. Their corn bread comes with honey butter. One of my favorite meals... It's so good. I had an earlier review that went with the 2 other photos. I don't know what Yelp did with it. ”
“ I absolutely love the pastrami. It has the best flavor. Bring back the mashed sweet potatoes. It was my favorite side ”
“ Ohhhhhhh yeahhhhhhhh! This is it. We visited one further north near fast pitch nation and found this place closer to home. OMG - we all enjoyed our meal after a long day of softball. The burnt ends, sausage, monkey balls, cornbread, kids had nachos and pull pork - we left there very satisfied and wanting more. Lots of parking is avalaible and the restaurant is beautiful inside. The staff behind the counter was very nice, friendly and attentive to the cleanliness of the location. Go go go there. ”
“ Went today with hubby and our friend at her request. Good barbecue and sides. I was thrilled to find a baked potato on the menu. I enjoyed the brisket, the others had ribs. I'm a terrible eater but managed to make a big dent in the potato. I skipped the Mac and cheese but I'm sure it was good. It's not table service, you stand in line cafeteria style to get your food. They have a good assortment of desserts and soft drinks. In a separate area you can get craft beer and well drinks. It was early in the day so we stayed with soft drinks. You can help yourself to sauces, utensils, napkins and take out containers. Sorry, I didn't take any photos other than the bear drinking beer on the outside. If it was a full service restaurant, I may have given 5 stars but my knees were hurting, my blood sugar was low and I was very hangry. ”
“ Great space for groups. Cavernous dining rooms (bar in the second), a garden area, and even a stage for music performances right there. $10 sandwiches which come as meat piled high on two slider-sized pillowy buns. Brisket ($2 surcharge) a little dry, a letdown for a barbecue place. Coleslaw nicely tangy, but also watery. The meat was served well by their four hot sauces, a Kansas City sweet, a peppery mild, a garlicky sriracha which very much still tastes brown sugar and ketchup fundamentally, and an intriguing fruity ghost pepper option. 3-6 pm weekday happy hour features $5 drafts, many from the IPA-heavy New England Brewing Company, which I like. ”
“ I used to give this spot a 5 stars but i went in last week and found out they took out the best fried pickles in the world off the menu! I live in NY and coming all the way up here for those pickles was very disappointing when i found out they didn't have them anymore. The service is always quick and friendly. They always assist me when i need some answers for some questions i might have. I 100% recommend the Bear attack which is cornbread (not dry) mashed under their delicious Mac and cheese with your choice of meat. We have also done the family deal which begins at $54 but you get like 2 lbs of meat plus 3 sides! I have tried the pulled chicken and the brisket and i cannot say i have yet to be disappointed (other than the pickles)!!! They have a cute seating area. It's big and they seem to do a lot of events throughout the week. Wish they had one closer! Definitely a go to spot when in the area. Ps. Don't forget to try all those bbq sauces they have! ”
