Clay's Smokehouse Grill

Four out of six piggies on July, 2008 to Jan, 2009.

Overall Impression...
Finger licking good!

Meats...
The Combo Platter has two spare ribs, two hot links, and 1/4 chicken. All are deliciously smoked/grilled and covered with bbq sauce. The tender, juicy meat falls off the bone.

The brisket, smothered in sauce, is delicious and somewhat tender. On the sandwich, it's in small pieces, appropriate for a sandwich. In the platter, it's in slabs. The brisket sandwich comes with cheese and onions on it, but you can ask for it with just the sauce. The chicken is yummy, and it just falls off the bone. If you like spice, the hot links have quite a kick. Turkey, pork loin, burgers, catfish, and salmon are also available. Clay's offers quite a few vegetarian dishes and appetizers. Keep an eye on the ever-changing specials.

Vegetarian friendly.

Sides...
Clay's has everything but the usual sides. Their cole slaw is a simple, finely shredded cabbage in a vinegary base. For some reason, it contains poppy seeds, which gives it a strange, unappealing texture. Instead of potato salad, Clay's offers chunks of tasty, seasoned potato with the skins on, which they call home fries. They're covered in an unappealing garlic sauce, so you might want to ask for the sauce on the side. Texas toast comes with the platter, and it balances the rich, spicy meats, especially the hot links. The greens are quite tasty, and perfectly cooked. They're a mixture of kale and collard greens with spicy, toasted pecans.

Sauces...
Clay's does not have a lineup of sauces. Their one sauce is, wisely, a middle of the road, tasty balance of sweet, sour, and spice. To add some spice and vinegar, bottled tobasco and habanero sauces are on the table.

Portions...
Generous portions.

Service...
Courteous and friendly. Please tip appropriately.

Cost...
Reasonable for good BBQ, especially considering the portion sizes. Sandwiches are under $9, and platters range from about $11 to $15.

Atmosphere...
Casual, kitchy, and funky, with lots of junk on the walls. The seats are comfortable. The front is glass from wall to wall, nice if you like to people watch or you just like the light. Outdoor seating is available.

Pros...
Tender, juicy, delicious BBQ with ample portions. Plenty of items on the menu to keep you coming back for more. Vegetarian options available so you don't have to leave your herbivore friends at home.

Cons...
No sauces to choose from. Lack of usual sides, and some need considerable improvement.

Clay's Smokehouse Grill
2932 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 235-4755
Closed on M-T