Our Story
In 1986, I graduated from Oklahoma State University during one of the many downturns in the state's oil business. I moved out to Arizona, where we have family and ended up in the Mesa/Tempe area to work. There was a bar near the Arizona State University campus that I frequented called Minder Binders. It was a high top, red barn, typical college burger joint, but with volleyball courts and a bar in the back. This was the beginning of my quest. All I could think about since then was how perfect this would be for Stillwater. But life had other roads for me and I would spend the next 30+ years trying to get back to Stillwater.
In 2007, some friends of mine opened Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma, and it turned into a raging success. It rekindled my search for the perfect place in Stilly for my quest, as I thought this, and the volleyball/bar pairing, would be a sure home-run.
Years, kids, different businesses, and an interesting turn of events have led us to what you see now. This piece of property has some history of its own which we will try to showcase along with some of our own interests. We will do our best to provide you with consistent, quality food in an atmosphere not available anywhere else in Stillwater.
We will be available for private parties and events at the restaurant and the courts/bar, and we will be catering in the future.
Go POKES! Come see us!
Discover Our Story
This legendary BBQ started with an idea from Joe Wells. This family-run business in Davis, Oklahoma was his baby, and that baby quickly got big. He decided to try his hand at BBQ as a part-time hobby, and when the restaurant started out it was in a gas station. Joe needed help so he asked his son Coby, Coby’s wife Bobby Jo, and Courtney to come and help a couple of days a week. They eventually moved the operation to a full-fledged restaurant!
What started out as helping family quickly turned into a full time, full out BBQ restaurant and rib joint. The BBQ Mafia was born! The primo BBQ and ribs are an offer you definitely can’t refuse.
The Wells Family of Smokin' Joe's
The Wells family smokes their legendary meats all day, every day over hickory to keep up with the significant demand. The first of three batches of ribs start out at 7 a.m., so they are turned out fresh all day. One diner described their BBQ as “slap yo mama good!”
While there is a pick-up window, it is not a traditional drive-thru window. Call in your order, and you can pick it up. Give us a little lead time because the lines can be a bit long… but that is what you get for producing legendary local barbecue. Folks come from all over to eat at this unique eatery.