Any *GOOD* BBQ Chain Restaurants you'd suggest?

[WillTravelForFood]

As a counterpoint to the Dickies-reviews in this channel, what are some CHAIN BBQ joints you wouldn't mind stopping by?

Or, if not a BBQ-specific place, what's a non-BBQ Chain Restaurant that does BBQ right?

[WillTravelForFood]

We'll start: McDonald's does it right with the McRib.





But seriously, folks.... if you can't cook it yourself, what chain location is satisfactory?

[bigmck06]

Mission BBQ…

[Jfrosty27]

We have a couple locations in this area. Never been. Maybe I should try it.

[klflowers]

The pulled chicken sandwich is great

[Reds Fan 5]

I second Mission. Smells like smoke, cool dining room space, good sides, can choose fatty brisket, everything we have had there is solid.

[DennyWoo]

Mission BBQ…

Mission is the best of the chain BBQ joints I have tried

[Dan Deter]

Rudy's is a chain now...although I've only been to the original location in Leon Springs.

[DaveD]

Rudy's is legit, IMO. Not world beating but consistently very good. Wouldn't hesitate to go there.

[barelfly]

Rudy’s is in Albuquerque, and a place I visit one or twice a year. Good stuff all around and nice to just go get brisket when i can’t make it.

[Texas Larry]

+1 on Rudy’s. I remember when the Leon Springs location was the only one. And, for a trivia note, the original Macaroni Grill was right next door in Leon Springs.

[Mosca]

Mission is the best of the chain BBQ joints I have tried

Franchise specific. Our local Mission is not as good as the Smokey Bones right next door.

[Donw]

If I’m eating out ,especially for BBQ, is is not going to be at a chain restaurant.

[Attjack]

I skip chains altogether and head right to the locally owned businesses.

[Huskee]

Calhoun's. I believe they are Tennessee only but not totally sure.

My MIL recently raved about Misison too.

[tstalafuse]

Red Hot and Blue was good many moons ago (not local and haven't been to one in almost 20yrs). I really liked their tater salad..

[tstalafuse]

58limited, we went to the one in Flower Mound. It was good and we really liked their tater salad as a side. As an aside, one our best friends designed their logo and theme.

[58limited]

tstalafuse That is cool. As I remember from 20 years ago, RH&B was started by some retired U.S. Representatives after they left congress.

[Jim White]

When deployed with Operation BBQ Relief in Wilmington, NC, I met and worked alongside a guy who was involved early in that. He had some great stories about the political folks involved and the music.

[RonB]

Q Barbeque is a small chain with 2 locations in the Richmond VA area. It's not bad and it's owned by Tuffy Stone. I've met him several times and he seems nice from those brief encounters. As a bonus, one of his locations is about 10 min from us.

[BKYDBBQ]

Tuffy sold his interest in Q a few years ago, I think it was when there were still 4 locations open.

[RonB]

BKYDBBQ - I had not heard that.

[Hulagn1971]

I thought it was Mission but just re-checked and it is City Barbecue. Really, really good. The Raleigh location is where I've eaten.

[mrteddyprincess]

City BBQ in Indy, not so much.

[Alan Brice]

City BBQ in Cincy, specifically Blue Ash. One block off I-71 north at Pfeiffer. Westward less than a mile. Very good. Rather make my own. Equal to or better than Mission. Couple exits north.

[Dan Deter]

Last time I made chili I used brisket from that location. There's two close enough to go to lunch from the office when I'm in there. Definitely acceptable.

[radiodome21]

We have City BBQ up here. There’s a location near my office that we’ve catered from and then one by our house. Love the pulled pork and enjoy the ribs but I’ve always found the brisket kind of bland and dry. Other than that I’ve got nothing.

[hoovarmin]

Nope.

[MBMorgan]

+1

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Smithfields Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q | Home (scnbnc.com)​ is pretty decent drive through fare, though honestly I just usually get their Chicken. Wife gets their pork a lot and it's B- fare. So not bad.

My wifes family is also huge fans of Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurant | Best Barbecue Restaurant (famousdaves.com)​ maybe because they're all from SD and it was their first exposure to non-Applebees BBQ? Personally I think it's C+ food, except the ribs, the ribs are actually pretty dang good, B+ or maybe even A- but I've only been twice.

Didn't really have traditional BBQ in SoCal or Vegas growing up, closest thing I had was El Pollo Loco (still my favorite chicken, period), or TGI Fridays (Applebees didn't really exist back then). Though there seems to be tons of options nowdays.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

WayneT Wilburs ain't Wilburs anymore, haven't been to Grady's I don't think... but as a chain Smithfield is pretty decent.

[WayneT]

That’s so sad about Wilbur’s. He had a helluva run from ‘63 to whenever he quit paying taxes. Sorry mostly for the employees.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

WayneT I think the employees will be ok, a few of them went back when it reopened but I think that's part of why it still sucks, the taxes are an excuse why it closed, it honestly was the service and food quality why it actually closed and will likely close again. Aarons, Stay Sweet, and Lamars Cafe are our favorite family style joints, young and old staff alike that actually care about customer service. Lamars is AMAZING and the menu always changes, gotta check their FB to see what's what