People do not usually cross county lines for a small counter-service spot along a busy highway, yet folks from Mercer, Livingston, and beyond happily log an hour behind the wheel to get here. The reason comes down to smoked meats that hold their own against the best joints down south, plus a story rooted in military service that gives the place real heart.
There is a lot to unpack about this Texas-leaning smokehouse tucked into central New Jersey, including its generous portions, its veteran-owned mission, and the sauces lined up for you to try. Stick around and you will learn where it sits, what keeps the counter busy, and how to plan a smart first visit without missing the good stuff.
A Highway Smokehouse With Southern Roots
Right along Route 22 in Green Brook Township, New Jersey, sits Red White & Que Smokehouse, and the full address is 150 US-22, Green Brook Township, NJ 08812. The setup is compact and down to earth, built for counter ordering and quick take-out runs.
Southern barbecue anchors the menu, with a clear nod to Texas-style smoking. The team turns out brisket, pulled pork, ribs, pastrami, and house sausage without fuss or pretense.
Before landing here, the operation ran out of Kearny, New Jersey, and longtime fans say the flavor made the trip intact. Same recipes, new highway address, and a following that keeps growing.
The spot earns a strong 4.7-star average across more than 2,300 write-ups, which is no small feat for a small joint. That kind of steady praise is why people keep sharing it on social media and dragging friends along.
What you get is honest, no-frills barbecue in a place that wears its identity proudly. It is the sort of address you save in your phone and pull up whenever a smoke craving hits.
Brisket That Steals the Spotlight
Ask around about the single best thing on the counter and brisket comes up again and again, with hundreds of mentions to back it up. Regulars describe cuts that pull apart easily and practically melt once they hit your plate.
The balance of tender meat and rendered fat is where this kitchen shines. That sweet spot between juicy richness and smoke is exactly what serious barbecue fans chase, and folks say it lands here.
One story that keeps circulating involves someone asking for a small sample and receiving a piece nearly big enough for a sandwich. Generosity like that tends to turn first-timers into repeat customers.
Even in the more measured write-ups, the brisket usually gets singled out as the standout. When a critic hedges on other items, they still tip their hat to the beef.
If you only have room for one order on a first visit, this is the safe bet. Get the brisket, and you will understand what all the highway driving is about.
Ribs Built for Sharing
Ribs share top billing in the article headline for good reason, and plenty of folks come specifically for a rack. When they hit the mark, they land tender and packed with the kind of smoke that keeps you reaching for more.
Fans pair ribs with brisket as the two dishes they cannot skip. Add a spicy house sausage into the mix and you have a plate that covers a lot of barbecue ground.
Honesty matters, so it is worth saying the ribs are not universally perfect. A few people have noted drier racks or small bones to work around, which happens with hand-smoked meat.
The upside is that consistency has trended upward over time, according to longtime regulars who keep returning. A place that improves rather than coasts earns loyalty.
Order a half or full rack when you visit with friends and let everyone dig in. Sharing ribs is half the fun, and this counter makes it easy.
Homemade Mac and Cheese and the Sides Lineup
Mac and cheese carries a spot in the headline and shows up in well over a hundred conversations about this place. Creamy and comforting, it is the classic partner for a tray piled with smoked meat.
Opinions on the mac split a little, which is refreshingly honest for a small joint. Some call it a highlight while a self-described connoisseur rated it merely okay, so your mileage may vary.
Beyond the cheesy noodles, the side board runs deep. Collard greens, vinegar slaw, creamy mayo-based slaw, baked beans, pickles, and fresh rolls round out the tray.
Portions on the sides run large, and people frequently mention taking leftovers home. That kind of value stretches a single order across two meals.
Pick a couple of sides to round out your plate and grab the rolls for building little sandwiches. That combination of meat, roll, and sauce is a trick regulars swear by.
Pastrami and House-Made Sausage Surprises
Not every star on this menu is the usual suspect, and pastrami is proof. Mentioned in around a hundred conversations, it repeatedly gets called the sleeper hit that steals the whole meal.
People who came for brisket often leave raving about the pastrami instead. Seasoned, juicy, and tender, it has a way of upstaging the more famous cuts.
Then there is the house sausage, most notably a jalapeno cheddar link with a real kick. Spice lovers tend to grab it, and even careful eaters flag it as a can-not-miss item.
Both items are smoked on the premises, part of what gives them their character. Making them in house is a point of pride for this kitchen.
A smart move is swapping one of your combo meats for extra pastrami. Several regulars build their entire order around that single substitution and never look back.
Combos That Feed a Crowd
Deciding is tough when everything looks good, which is where the combos earn their keep. The BBQ Lover’s Combo and the combo for two let you sample a wide spread in one order.
A typical big combo stacks brisket, pulled pork, pastrami, turkey breast, a sausage link, and a quarter rack of ribs. Two sides, coleslaw, pickles, baked beans, mac and cheese, and rolls fill out the tray.
All of that arrives on one loaded platter meant to be split. Two people can share comfortably, and leftovers for the next day are common.
Pricing sits in the $20 to $30 range per person, and a loaded shared combo can climb higher once you add extras. It is fair to call it a treat rather than an everyday cheap bite.
For a first visit, the combo is the clearest path to figuring out your favorites. Order one, taste widely, and plan your next trip around the winners.
A Sauce Bar Worth Exploring
Great smoked meat can stand alone, but the lineup of sauces here invites a little playtime. An array of different blends waits for you to mix, match, and find a favorite.
One that gets talked about carries the cheeky name Devil’s Dog Spit. Do not let the label scare you off, since it delivers a balanced mix of sweetness and a touch of heat.
Having several options means every meat can get its own treatment. A vinegar-forward pour might suit the pork while something sweeter flatters the ribs.
People who found certain cuts needed a nudge often reached for these sauces to round things out. The variety turns a plate into a build-your-own tasting experience.
Take a minute to sample across the bottles before committing. Half the enjoyment is discovering which blend makes your tray sing.
A Veteran-Owned Mission You Can Feel
The name is a tip-off, and the story behind it runs deep. Founded by United States veterans, the place wears its patriotic roots openly and proudly.
Inside, the walls carry plenty of memorabilia from past military service. It gives the room an American barbecue character that feels genuine rather than decorative.
That mission shows up at the register too. Veterans receive a meaningful discount, often cited around twenty percent, and some have even eaten free as a thank-you for their service.
Customers who are not veterans still appreciate seeing that respect on display. Supporting a business with values like these adds something to the meal beyond the food.
It is a rare combination of serious smoked meat and a clear sense of purpose. You leave full and feeling good about where your money went.
The Welcoming, Laid-Back Vibe
Warmth greets you the moment you reach the counter, and that reputation is remarkably consistent. Staff tend to treat first-timers like regulars from the first hello.
The room itself is small, bright, and cheery, built more for grabbing a tray than for lingering over a long dinner. That compact, down-to-earth feel is part of the charm.
Even when the house is packed, people describe patient crowds and attentive help. A team that keeps its cool under a rush earns a lot of goodwill.
There is also an outdoor seating area, and it can be dog-friendly when other guests are comfortable with it. That flexibility makes it easy to swing by on a nice day.
Families, solo eaters, and friend groups all fit here without trouble. It is casual, friendly, and refreshingly free of pretense.
Planning Your Visit and the Verdict
Getting here is simple, since the smokehouse sits right on Route 22 in Green Brook Township with plenty of parking. That easy access matters for the many who drive an hour or more to reach it.
Hours are generous and steady, running 11 AM to 8 PM every day of the week. Whether you want a late lunch or an early dinner, the counter is open.
Budget somewhere in the $20 to $30 range per person, more if you load up a shared combo with extras. Take-out is a popular route, and orders travel well for the ride home.
Not every bite lands perfectly for everyone, and a rare off day can happen with hand-smoked meat. Even so, the overwhelming consensus points to tender, flavorful barbecue backed by friendly service.
People from across the state keep making the trip and planning their next one before they finish the first. If you want honest, Texas-leaning smoke in central New Jersey, this counter earns the miles.
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