What's Your Go-To Item(s) When Checking Out a New BBQ Spot for the First Time?

[Ground Chuck]

Good Morning!

I was just curious if anybody has a standard go-to item when checking out a new bbq joint? Are you a sampler guy or gal? Do you always go with the brisket? What about sides? I used to use pulled pork as my measuring stick of a restaurant's abilities, but here lately I've been leaning pork ribs. Living in Kentucky/Cincinnati, we don't have many options that satisfy. The last "bbq" place I went to had (gulp) boiled the ribs! I had to leave my first-ever Yelp review smh.

[jfmorris]

Interestly, over the last few years of honing my BBQ "chops", I find myself less inclined to actually eat out at a BBQ restaurant, unless I know in advance that its a good one. If out and we end up at a BBQ joint, I more often than not will get pulled pork, chicken wings, or something other than ribs, as even at BBQ joints, unless its in Memphis, I end up disappointed in the ribs.

Last time I was at a joint that I could get "sampler" amounts at I was at Hard Eight BBQ in an industrial park type area near the airport in Dallas, and while I asked for just a few ounces of each meat, I ended up with a tray that had like $35 bucks worth of meat on it! All of it was good, but if I went back I would just get the brisket and sausage. It is the first time I've not been able to clean my plate, and I gave ribs to my co-worker that was on the trip with me. I've not been too many places where you can order by the ounce and build a true sampler platter unfortunately.

Pork ribs are harder to do right than pulled pork, so they are certainly a way to find out how good a BBQ joint really is... and a more certain way to end up with something you don't like if they boil the ribs (and let the terrorists win!).

[Ground Chuck]

Couldn't believe the terrorist ribs I was served. No bark, no smoke! Deep down I know I will be disappointed eating out most times, but I always trick myself into thinking it could be a gem!

[glitchy]

The sides, appetizers, and any crazy concoctions. I cook BBQ enough at home and keep honing into what we like for flavors, that we are usually disappointed with restaurant BBQ, especially the normal choices.

[Ground Chuck]

I've been craving bbq, but don't have much time during the work week. Sadly, I'm disappointed quite often!

[klflowers]

I usually get ribs, and I am usually disappointed.

[fracmeister]

Dang, you should ALSO consider moving to Texas,

[klflowers]

fracmeister, retirement is coming up, so I may just do that.

[Sierraslick]

I always order brisket if only one, brisket and ribs if I get two proteins. A lot of small BBQ joints hang their hat on their brisket and I have found very few them do it right. It makes me want to go home and do a brisket!!

[HawkerXP]

Pulled pork, coleslaw and baked beans. If they can't do this its not worth trying anything else.

[snowswamp]

Bingo. I’m thinking the same thing.

[fzxdoc]

That's my approach as well.

K.

[Donw]

Amen. If they screw up the pulled pork then nothing is going to be done right.

[DurhamBuckeye]

For me it's different from place to place, and region to region. But I always ask what's the best thing on their menu. If the person has a quick response, I order that. If they hesitate, I get whatever is regionally appropriate (Ribs in memphis, beef in Texas, pork here in NC, etc).

[Bkhuna]

I will order what they seem to be noted for. Being in Central Florida, a region without much of a BBQ tradition, I'm almost always disappointed.

[fracmeister]

Dang, you should ALSO consider moving to Texas,

[mountainsmoker]

Good advice at jfmorris Another step I add is to check if they are listed by Tripadvisor, which while it isn't perfect can help.

[Steve R.]

Tripadvisor is ok, as long as you take it for what it's worth. When somebody talks mainly about the sides, I keep scrolling. If they can tell me what they like or don't like about the meat, then it's worth a read.

[jecucolo]

When I look at reviews I look to see what made people disappointed. It helps me see the full picture.

[Bkhuna]

Not that this applies to the good folks here at AR, but the last thing I trust is the opinion of a gaggle of people from non-barbecue states and countries telling me how good the barbecue is. That's how we've ended up with franchises with 75 locations selling mediocrity.

Some of the worst 'que I've ever eaten is in a place that routinely gets the highest awards. Let's be frank, among the general population, the overwhelming majority haven't a clue about 'que.

[ScottyC13]

For a new place, Pulled Pork, Mac & Cheese, coleslaw and cornbread. My wife would do the brisket and we would share. There aren't many great BBQ close by where I live. When I travel, I would do the same.

I love ribs, but most places are a let down.

[fracmeister]

Dang, you should consider moving to Texas.

[RonB]

If I know what they are known for, I order that. If I don't I look around for what looks good, but that's not even close to accurate...

[Steve R.]

Ground Chuck , I don't know how often you get down to Cynthiana or Lexington, but Red State BBQ has good reviews and is on my to-try list. And I recently stumbled upon a place in Richmond KY called Straight from Texas that actually has fantastic Texas-style brisket. It was by far the best restaurant brisket I have had this side of Texas, and nearly identical flavor to what I cook at home. The texture was a little more pot roast-like than I prefer, but the owner explained that he makes it that way only because most customers expect fall apart bbq. I could tell he understands the difference, and I respect that. The smoky, black peppery bark was to die for, so he gets a pass from me.

For me, my go-to item depends on the restaurant. If it's a Texas-style place that talks about how good their brisket is, I'll go with brisket. A rib place, I'll go with ribs (and regret it 90% of the time). I usually end up craving home cooked ribs after getting them at a restaurant.

[Ground Chuck]

Thanks, Steve! I would definitely venture back down to Lexington or Richmond to try these places. I respect your opinion and insights!

[synodog]

If it says Texas then the brisket. Or beef rib. I normally don’t get pork ribs any more at restaurants unless they’re my go to places for a fix that i didn’t have time to make.

[fracmeister]

Easy. Brisket from the point (if they don't know what that means we are in trouble already), St. Louis style ribs and maybe one more meat. often sausage but pork belly if they have it or maybe smoked turkey. But the first two is what I use to compare it to. I don't order any sides during the evaluation visit.

If they are not "Better than Rudy's" I never go back. Rudy's is a chain of fully adequate BBQ (https://rudysbbq.com) joints. Not going to win top prize in the "best of" competitions but they do a consistent decent job. No reason to ever eat anywhere that isn't as good asRudy's.

[cashelton]

Big fan of their BBQ Breakfast Tacos...

...I'm stealing your method of measurement

[N227GB]

When I'm in texas I have to visit Rudy's at least once.

[JoeSousa]

I will usually go with pulled pork. It is pretty easy to make good pulled pork and if they can't do that well there is a good chance they can't do other stuff well. Many times I will try the brisket but nearly all the time I will be disappointed with that.

And I like to try a couple sides. Good mac and cheese is surprisingly hard to find.

[Steve R.]

I tend to shy away from pulled pork if there are other promising options. The difference between decent and excellent just isn't that great, imho. To me, pulled pork is either good or not good.