You might not judge a book by its cover, but you do judge a brisket by its bark. At Smokey Joe’s, the brisket’s exterior is as black as a star-less night sky—and, even better, its tender, juicy interior makes it among the most flavorful barbecue in Dallas. Get it by the pound or in sandwich form, like The Maxi, which consists of two sausage links in addition to the chopped brisket. The casual South Dallas joint has room for dining in, so you can spread out with your stack of meats and get down to business. Save stomach real estate for the loaded potatoes and crispy nuggets of fried okra.