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

[Andrrr]

I have never had one but I hear there’s a good rib sandwich at McDonalds 👍🏻

[FireMan]

I agree with Spinaker. I used to clean a strip mall across the street from a Famous Dave’s & their smoke in the morning drove us nuts. I thought their food was ok, Not great, but ok. It is better than most restaurant food.

[CHNeal]

As with most dining away from home I prefer local and independent but I am a Famous Daves fan. Its consistent from location to location so you always know what to expect and its better bbq and sides then you will get at a lot of mom and pops.

[Sid P]

I forgot about Famous Dave’s because our location closed about 10 years ago, but we really loved it. I loved their horseradishy cole slaw and their Country Roasted Chicken in particular. We had lots of great meals there!

[Sid P]

The LW went vegan on 1/3, and has been about 98% compliant since then, but every once in awhile she needs a chicken breast or turkey. She wanted Mission last weekend, and I try to keep her happy 😳😉. She loves their turkey, and I also think it’s great.


I got brisket and sausage. The brisket was mediocre, and was the first time they’ve let me down in about 20 visits. I tried the "Classic 41" sausage, and it was absolutely great - the best I’ve ever had! Sometimes I get the jalapeño and cheddar sausage, which is very good but a little too hot for me. The sides are always great, including the baked cheesy potatoes on my plate.

[TripleB]

The Texas Roashouse is a fan favorite. Just ask CHNeal .

[Jfrosty27]

I’m sentimental about Texas Roadhouse. Although not a bbq restaurant, their ribs aren’t bad. But my son was a server there for a short while right after high school. Wifey insisted we eat there often so we could have him serve us and then leave him huge tips. Like $50 on a $30 check huge. 🙄🤦♂️

[Elton's BBQ]

If you are in the Oslo area Texas Barbecue Cafe is the place to go..

https://texasbarbecuecafe.com/

[surfdog]

Well, if I’m going to a chain…that generally means that I’m working…so I generally pick by proximity to my hotel. (Read: Can I walk to it?) With that in mind, I have been to a handful of Rudy’s while in Texas and a few Sonny’s when in Florida.

Rudy’s is consistent though not spectacular. Pretty much what I expect from a chain. Sonny’s has been a bit more hit & miss depending on location…but overall fairly decent.

I usually prefer “one-off” restaurants but those aren’t always located near the bigger hotels.

[BBQandLove]

I dunno… depends on your definition of good. If good is defined as “enjoyable as long as you lower your expectations” then yes, I have had some good barbecue at chains.

Great barbecue? Pretty much does not exist in a chain unless you call a place with 2 locations a chain. Lewis BBQ in South Carolina has truly great BBQ and 2 locations.

Sonnys? Eh. Very mediocre. I’m done. I’ve tried them often enough and I give up.
Famous Daves? Same.
City Barbecue? Same.
Etc. etc.

Most of these places don’t care enough. You will never have great BBQ unless the team truly cares about what they are doing. Anyone can crank out some mediocre BBQ.

Mission BBQ has come closer to great BBQ than any other chain I have experienced.

Rudy’s? Good food. Most of the time. Great BBQ? On very rare occasion. The green chile stew is to die for though! That’s why I stop at Rudy’s. The turkey I got with my stew a few days ago was just nasty. Did not finish it. They are kinda fun too.

Hard 8 in Texas? I have eaten at them all. Never had great BBQ there. But what a fun experience! I never go by myself, because it’s not good enough for that. But with other people? So much fun! The food is good, and the ambiance is awesome! What a great experience! I love taking visitors (and even locals) to Texas there. Yes, I left Texas over 4 years ago, but I am back there often and on occasion host people there.

Dickies? It’s my favorite fast food place. Consistently very mediocre. But better than any other fast food out there. The fried okra is great (the 50% of the time they cook it correctly).

Have not gotten to try the HEB chain. I drove past one (a store with BBQ inside0 last week but was in a huge hurry. HEB understands BBQ, so i expect a pretty decent experience.

Bottom line, it’s 100% about your expectations. if you have had tons of great BBQ all over the country, you simply lower your expectations when going into a chain, and you can enjoy the food and have a good time. Ignore their marketing. they all claim to be great. Almost none are.

[surfdog]

Good point about expectations. Mine are generally exceedingly low when going to anything but a 5-star place. I agree that it helps to keep things in perspective.

And yeah, that green chili stew is some good stuff. But I’ve found it to be inconsistent, despite their claims to the contrary. The El Paso version is almost always hotter than the Waco version for instance. I like spicy, but the El Paso stuff can sometimes remove eyebrows. LOL

All in all, I fully agree…most do nail mediocrity.

[smokin fool]

I thought of one today.
May make the Texans cringe but Sonny Bryan’s BBQ in Terminal E at DFW.
On my return flight I always stop there and grab a brisket meal of some kind.
Yes not smoked on site unless they gotta smoker hidden in a baggie cart on the ramp but for catered in meat and I know there’s better out there it ain’t bad.