I couldn’t agree more about the backyard BBQ. The smaller venues have the biggest taste.
When I lived in So Cal years ago, there was an old black man who had a 55gal drum smoker. IIRC he set up in a liquor store parking lot off of Foothill blvd in Rialto Calif. THE BEST fall off the bone ribs I’ve ever eaten.
I do have a bone to pick with you though. Chicken, turkey, or any fowl is well worth the effort to smoke. It’s all in the prep. (and the overnight marinade)
We brined a turkey overnight for the first time last November; we then stuffed it as usual and simply roasted it in the oven. Best turkey dinner I can remember.