Some barbecue joints talk a big game about smoke. Hannah Q Smokehouse puts the hours right on the menu: brisket smoked for 18, pulled pork for 16, all of it cooked low and slow over a hickory blend.

With three locations, in Prairieville, Mid City and on Bluebonnet, it's an easy lunch stop from either side of the parish line.

Start with the smoke

The smoked platters come with two sides and garlic toast. Brisket is offered lean or moist, and the lineup also includes fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, boneless smoked chicken, smoked sausage finished on the grill, and wings and turkey breast that are smoked, then flash fried. Can't decide? Two- and three-meat combos let you mix and match.

Then there's the sauce question. Hannah Q makes four of its own: the Sweet signature, a Spicy version, a South Carolina-style mustard sauce and a North Carolina-style vinegar sauce. Try them side by side.

Not just barbecue

The burgers are ground in house. Go simple with a quarter-pound single, or go big with the Carnivore, a 6-ounce patty piled with brisket, pulled pork and cheddar. The Rocket Burger adds BBQ rocket shrimp and pepper jack.

Starters lean fun: brisket fries on curly fries, pulled pork and pepper jack egg rolls, and a loaded smoked potato. Southern classics include pork roast with rice and gravy, red beans with house-smoked sausage and buttermilk chicken tenders. Sides come by the cup, pint or quart.

Feeding a crowd this season

With Thanksgiving week and holiday office parties coming, the catering team will build a custom menu for groups. Orders should be placed 24 hours ahead. Call 225-313-6528 or email [email protected].

Where and when

Find Hannah Q at 17097 Airline Highway, Suite 201, in Prairieville, 4808 Government Street and 9880 Bluebonnet Boulevard. All three are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant also advertises a drive-thru, so call ahead to check which location has one.