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Al & Irene's Barbeque House
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
2020 N Towne Ln NECedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 393-6242
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 8 pm
Tue-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
11 reviews for Al & Irene's Barbeque House
11 reviews in English
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Review from Khiem L.
12/1/2010
I am a spoiled Texas barbecue brat. With that being said, this is one of the better places to eat some barbecue in Cedar Rapids. The sauce does sell the meat. I think they have started to fade some when I left Iowa. The meat started to get dry in my mind. The corn bread muffins are absolutely great though, complement any meal.
The prices aren't bad at all. Once again this is coming from someone with access to a Rudy's and Salt Lick. -
Review from Ed F.
Cedar Rapids, IA
10/18/2011 1 photo
I noticed all the poor ratings lately and since I haven't been here for a few years I thought I would see for myself. Al & Irene's used to be my favorite BBQ house in CR. That's when Al Quarterman still owned and operated it, unfortunately the new owner hasn't kept up the traditions. I stopped in for lunch and had the pulled pork sandwich which comes with a drink and a side for $5.61. The reason for the odd price is so when you add 7% sales tax, it comes to a nice round number, $6.00.
The fries are great - old fashioned, fresh cut style and nice and crispy. The pork sandwich arrived at my table extremely hot, I suspect right from the microwave. It came on a wimpy hamburger bun like the kind you get at Aldi, which fell apart when I picked it up (probably from softening in the microwave). I ordered the spicy sauce which was more sweet than spicy, not anything like how Al made it. For a barbeque place it was a very small sandwich and under-topped. BBQ This is a much better choice and value. This place used to rock but I have a feeling their days are numbered now. What a shame, not to mention dishonor to Al. -
Review from Sean W.
Cedar Rapids, IA
I go here about once every 2-3 years. And my last visit reminded me why. Dont get me wrong, because I Love to support ma&pa's and local places by all means! But it is just an old gruby building, and BBQ is okay. Some good, some just okay. Ribs were tender and fell off the bone though.
You can get plates and dinners, and combos, etc. All around $10-15. There is a lunch menu, small kids menu and they have bottled beer too. The BBQ sauces I am not impressed with. The Hot was more sweet to me then hot. A lot of the sides I felt are straight outta the can.
I know awhile back Al&Irene sold it off to two asian guys that took over the biz and maintained the recipes and all. I remember the article saying they were going to expand and maybe open other locations like in IC etc. But that was a couple years back. I believe they still cater too..?
Like I said I Love ma&pa places... but I am disappointed in the "bang for the buck".
Reminds of a lil dive in KC or CHI, but without the plates to back it up. As what I like about the ma&pa's is that looks are deceiving, you go into a dive and get blown away by the food and people. Sometimes a hit or miss. Sorry to say to me, this is a miss. But I truly want to love it. Frustrated.
For BBQ in CR... I'll head to BBQ This! or Jimmy Jacks or The Pit in IC. -
Review from Jessica W.
Marion, IA
8/15/2011
The service was great; very friendly. Although when I asked what the difference was between back ribs and spare ribs, his response was that the spare ribs were "more chewy" than the back ribs. The first thing I thought was "chewy...all fat....ICK". Just wasn't the best mental image/description.
Boyfriend and I both ordered the pork back ribs, his was a combo with brisket as well as our two sides apiece. The ribs were good, the brisket was not. The BBQ sauce was fine but definitely needs some more complexity in my opinion. It was very thin and the hot was not hot, it was sweet. There really wasn't a kick to it at all. Still good...just not really what I was expecting.
The sides left much to be desired. They were all obviously out of a prepackaged container. Which I understand, many places do this, but these were bland, bland, bland. I had the coleslaw and the fries (the fries were actually pretty good!) and Boyfriend had the mac and cheese and onion rings. I tasted the mac and cheese and decided that was enough. Sort of a watery, overcooked noodle mutt of real mac and cheese.
I honestly think if they improved their sides and made the BBQ a little more saucy, spicy, complex etc, they could really get a good clientele going. We might be back. -
Review from Chris M.
Cedar Rapids, IA
11/6/2007
Ah Al & Irene's. Long a solid place for decent BBQ in Cedar Rapids. Sister restaurant of the Rib Shack in QC (or family related) and serves up some pretty decent 'cue.
The pork back ribs are always very good, especially with their "hot" BBQ sauce (which is close to KC style, yet different enough for me to like it.) The potato salad is excellent, as well as the onion rings. The brisket is the only thing I'm not a fan of as I am used to Texas style.
Service is almost always excellent and friendly. Decor is minimal, which is fine by me. They always have some good looking pie, yet I am always too full and satisfied to attempt a slice.
Can't get much better than this in CR, especially considering the competition. Nikki's is getting there.... -
Review from Mike B.
Cedar Rapids, IA
5/18/2011
Cannot believe this place is able to stay open. What a poor excuse for BBQ. Had the pork sandwich which had little smoke flavor & strong piggy taste (boar meat?). The sauce was glop of a light pink color and some specks in it, little flavor or heat.
Will never, ever return! -
Review from Eric B.
Claremore, OK
7/29/2009 1 photo
I gave it 3 stars. Not bad, but coming from the south I'm used to really great BBQ. Ribs were tender but not a lot of meat. Not much smoky flavor ... Flavor was all in the sauce. I've often had better but it was ok.
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Review from Jake O.
Omaha, NE
11/6/2010
I grew in Kansas City and am a BBQ addict! I've spent months looking for a good BBQ place in Cedar Rapids, and sadly, the search goes on.
I ordered pork spare ribs, and I was very disappointed. Sides were okay, not bad, but the ribs were first of all very very fatty; not a great slice of meat, way too unbalanced. My biggest complaint though is that I'm not entirely sure that this was really BBQ in the traditional, "Low and slow," smoked meat sense of the word...my ribs were drowned in BBQ sauce, and not in a good way; if this was indeed smoked ribs, then I couldn't tell because the sauce drowned it out! I understand that not every style of BBQ serves theirs up dry, but when the sauce is that overpowering it defeats the purpose.
All in all, I just can't recommend Al & Irene's. I'm not 100% convinced this is even real BBQ, and if it is, it's poorly cut meat that's sadly being smothered by a mediocre sauce. -
Review from Heather J.
Cincinnati, OH
8/28/2008
It's kinda grubby - and it's kinda old - but it's also kinda awesome! The food is so good and so home cooked - I really really love it!
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Review from Michael W.
Dubuque, IA
6/4/2006
My new favorite BBQ joint (at least in Eastern Iowa). They offer both pork and beef ribs - with the pork, you can order either the spare ribs (longer and leaner), or the back (shorter and meatier). You get a choice of mild or hot sauce. I thought the mild was perfect. It's peppery and reminded me of Devil's Spit at Famous Dave's. The baked beans and potato salad were equally tasty (collard greens and black-eyed peas are optional after 5 pm). The atmosphere is spare and short on decoration, other than a few plaques and tropies, and a large photo of Al. Similar vibe to Arthur Bryant's location in downtown Kansas City. Ribs are a bargain at eight dollars for a half rack. If you're looking for excellent 'que in Eastern Iowa, you owe it to yourself to stop here.
Listed in: Cedar Rapids Eats, BBQ!
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Review from Ken W.
Anamosa, IA
4/6/2010
It is shameful what Iowans consider BBQ. Service is slow and the place could really use some remodeling.
