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Allman's Bar B Q
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
2000 Augustine AveFredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 373-9881
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for Allman's Bar B Q
23 reviews in English
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Review from Brian K.
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm a NC BBQ boy but this was pretty good. I enjoyed the staff and I ate at the bar. The vanilla shake was a great was to wash it all down.
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Review from Corbo E.
7/29/2011 28 photos
Allman's, which has been serving barbeque in Fredericksburg since 1954, has enjoyed a solid reputation for over fifty years. Their ribs and pulled pork are stuff of local lore and the object of desire for almost every prospective customer.
So, naturally, when my party and I entered their venerable brick building along Rte. 1 and soaked up the nostalgic atmosphere, I was convinced that we were in for quite a meal. Of course, when it came time to order, we went with the time-honored choices.
My rack of ribs looked like something out of central casting, really. It had a dark, grainy bark that suggested that it had been smoked slowly and gracefully for hours. Upon grasping the first rib, the flesh fell lovingly and immediately off the bone.
However, the meat, which boasted a sandpapery spice rub, tasted coarse and dry. It seemed as if it had been smoked and taken off the grill some time before. In fact, the "fall-off-the-bone" characteristic that barbeque lovers speak so fondly of was, here, an unquestioned negative that pointed to the overcooked quality of the final product.
Their famous pulled pork sandwich fared no better and, in fact, was probably worse than the ribs. The pork was dry, hard, and tasteless. Although the accompanying Cole slaw, which was supposed to rest atop the pork, was superbly fresh and tangy, it could not, along with Allman's signature barbeque sauce, salvage the meat. In fact, the Cole slaw was best eaten as a side item; and, that is what ended up happening. The slaw was just too good to waste on the pulled pork.
Their pork stew, our next item, which sounded so interesting on the menu, ended up being a thick, virtually sauceless pile of pork, baked beans, and other seemingly discarded knickknacks. It may not have been a kind of catch all concoction of leftovers (undoubtedly from at least one or more days ago), but it sure had the appearance of that.
The sides that we tried, such as the potato salad, French fries, onion rings, and Cole slaw (as mentioned above) all fell within that "good to average" range. In the end, they could only provide a paltry feeling of redemption. In fact, the Cole slaw was the best part of our meal in my opinion. Sadly, it's like saying the punter was the best player on a day when the team otherwise lost in a 21 to 0 shutout.
Ultimately, I can't explain why the dominant quality of the ribs and pulled pork was that they were so dry and why some sort of quality control could not and did not prevent such meat from being sold.
Indeed, serving barbeque can be a perplexing endeavor because of the enormous time commitment involved in its preparation and the unenviable prospect of accumulating unsold meats that have already been smoked, braised, grilled, or pulled.
What is a restaurant to do? I don't know. I just wish Allman's all the best and hope that they can improve on their product in the future. In the end, their standing as a local institution suggests that they should have the wherewithal to figure it all out. -
Review from Joel B.
Reston, VA
2/19/2012
Good BBQ, simple and classic. Fredericksburg institution with a nice hole in the wall feel.
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Review from Kelly A.
Stafford, VA
1/21/2012
Good sandwiches. It's all about the atmosphere. There aren't a lot of places like this anymore. The orders sliding across the cable on the ceiling is funny for the kids. Try the milkshake and put your slaw on the sandwich.
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Review from Brandon B.
Arlington, VA
7/24/2011
I was really disappointed in Allman's. On a trip back to D.C., we wanted to find an authentic BBQ joint. If Allman's is authentic, I'll take the commercial joints in D.C, thanks.
I disclose that we went on a Sunday night after an apparently busy day. There was no coleslaw, no chicken, no ribs, and no baked beans, so we were stuck with the pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad.
The potato salad wasn't awful. The potato was cut very small, it had a lot of mayonnaise, but it wasn't awful. The sandwich on the other hand was really disappointing. The meat was dry and stringy, the bun was straight out of a package and very sugary, to boot. The sauce was nearly tasteless and had a weird consistency. It wasn't thin like a vinegar sauce nor was it thick like western style sauce... it was a weird hybrid that had none of the redeeming qualities of either.
Overall, there are a few choices of BBQ in Fredericksburg. We won't come back to Allman's, even to try the myriad of options that they didn't have in stock. -
Review from Aaron F.
4/22/2011
Really overrated. I love the family aspect of this place, the service is filled with home-town lovin that can only be found in Fredericksburg, but the barbecue is really dry. Really dry. It took me a while to realize this as I am accustomed to smothering my barbecue with their sauce, but the as soon as I ran out of sauce I couldn't finish my sandwich and was left with a nasty case of cottonmouth. This is true for either pulled or minced. Without copious amounts of this bland gravy, or piling the slaw on top sky-high the bbq can not be consumed!
I hope they switch up their recipe so they can stay in business, very nice people. -
Review from Tommy K.
Vienna, VA
10/20/2011
BBQ is pretty good but I think the main attraction of this establishment is the layout & decor of the place. I mean this is the thing that attracted me to it initially. Looks just like it probably did 50-60 years ago which I think is pretty cool. If nothing else, you've got to go for the nostalgic feel.
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Review from Jack F.
9/7/2009 4 photos
Its funny that we found the Best Carolina-styled BBQ during our Labor Day foodie road trip at Fredericksburg, VA, of all places. Of course, our exposure to Carolina BBQ was limited to Roanoke Rapids and Rocky Mount ... and even then, we stopped at only two BBQ restaurants (the rest were closed Sunday and Monday).
What I liked about Allman's was its history and and the quaintness of being a Route 1 restaurant. The BBQ, on the other hand, can be a hit or a miss. But before coming to Allman's, it's important to know that this not your typical BBQ pit. Carolina-style BBQ is a huge departure from the BBQ that you grew up with. That "watered-down excuse for BBQ sauce," for instance, is exactly the type of BBQ sauce that we found in Rocky Mount - is pretty much a watered-down vinegar syrup.
I agree that the pulled pork (minced if you prefer) lacked any inherent flavor. While plentiful and very tender, the meat was devoid of any seasoning. This is contrary to Carolina-styled BBQ, where BBQ sauce is taboo and the meat needs no sauce because its so moist and juicy by itself. The only thing saving Allman's at that point, was its sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, which I suggest is better utilized as a marinade. Oh, one other thing you should know before eating the pulled pork sandwich - add a layer of cole slaw (referred to as slaw) because its creamy flavor and crunchy texture balances against the tangy and soft pork meat. This is how the Carolinians do it, so when in Rome...
If you find that Carolina-styled BBQ isn't your thing, go for the ribs. None of the previous reviewers mentioned the ribs and that's simply a travesty (although there was a reference to the rib sauce). The ribs were tender, succulent, and fell right off the bone. Allman offered its own apple-cider based rib sauce that's sweet, smokey, and tangy. I've not tasted another BBQ sauce remotely close to Allman's recipe and it's simply beautiful. I spent most of my time just trying to break down the ingredients that I finally gave up and bought a bottle. It's that good.
With regards to the side dishes, the slaw was a very simple mix of shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, and seasoning. The hush puppies had thick, hard shell but a soft, dense center with savory bits of green onion. No real complaints here.
For your best experience at Allman's, forget the pulled or minced BBQ sandwich and ask for the ribs. You won't regret it. But if you must try the BBQ sandwich, it's only $3.99. [Original Visit: September 7, 2009] -
Review from Lauren B.
Dallas, TX
8/27/2007 1 photo
I would have to say this is some of the best BBQ I have ever had in my life and that says a lot considering I am from Texas.
Now this is not beef bbq this is pork and well up until about 8 years ago I never ate pork. But I do now every once and a while and when I do this is at the top of my list.
They have been around for about 50 + years and Mary "Mom" Brown has been preparing the goodies at Allman's for 47 of those years using recipes that date back over 100 years.
They serve a North Carolina style pork bbq it is lean pork shoulder that is slow cooked then sliced or chopped real fine depending on how you place your order. The sauce comes in a squirt bottle that is waiting for you on one of the 5 or 6 tables that seat 4 or one of the 8 barstools they have at the counter.
The menu is small and easy to navigate - Basics are a gut buster platter with pork, fries, coleslaw and a roll or you can get what I guess most people get the Deluxe sandwich sliced or minced it comes with slaw on the side.
Now I don't think I have ever had my slaw on the side I have always had it piled right on top of my minced pork with a touch of that sweet vinegary sauce they have. I will say that the slaw can hold its own if you want to eat it on the side and some people do.
The also make amazing shakes that are served in the metal tumbler they are made in with a straw and a spoon. I will say that it is enough to share but well I never have if that tells you anything!
The also make a burger that I hear is darn good. Don't know because all I ever get is the bbq here.
So if you ever find yourself driving down route 1 though Fredericksburg VA, I recommend you stop by for some good ole southern BBQ and don't forget to say Hi to Mary!Listed in: Road Tripping
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Review from Bill L.
Miami, FL
7/21/2010
I wanted to like Allman's. They had a lot going for them. Classic looking brick building, small inside, an old counter with stools and old vinyl flooring. Sadly, there is no Q in this BBQ place. And I know my Q.
Pork was flavorless. Buns ripped from a plastic bag (I would prefer just plain white bread). Honestly, the ribs weren't bad. The sauce sucked but the ribs had some decent flavor.
Cole slaw and potato salad from a vendor. Not made in house. Beans were tough to figure. They may have been made in house but either way, they were underdone and crunchy.
If you MUST see for yourself, they close at 830P most nights, 9P on Friday and Saturday.
Sauces unremarkable. -
Review from Mitch R.
Vienna, VA
11/17/2008
Lauren B is from Texas and some of the best BBQ she has ever had was from Allman's? She must not have gotten out much because there is nothing great from this establishment other than the sauce.
This place is mediocre, but a true institution. I order the sliced sandwich plate and douse the near-flavorless meat in their own sauce which is ridiculously good. There isn't much variety so if you come be sure that you want BBQ, chopped or sliced. The prices are great though, be sure to order two sandwiches if you are a guy because one is not going to do the job... -
Review from Michelle S.
Hubbardston, MA
8/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
On every (and I mean EVERY) visit back to Fredericksburg, I stop in to Allman's for a BBQ. I've been getting the minced deluxe since I was a little kid. This platter is a BBQ sandwich with the meat minced up into a fine dice served with a side of cole slaw and fries. The meat is very different than what you'd get at other places. It doesn't come dressed in any way and that seems to be on purpose because the signature sauce at Allman's is the thing to put on your BBQ. I top my sandwich with it and then add a few sprinkles of hot sauce (Tabasco). It's the best damned BBQ you'll ever eat. Don't let the other reviews fool you. I never even knew that they served sandwiches any other way than minced until my partner discovered the sliced sandwich. It's really more pulled than sliced but she prefers it much more over the minced. And the cole slaw is so saucy with mayo and vinegar that it's the perfect accompaniment to the BBQ sandwich.
On this trip, I wondered about the ribs but couldn't pass up the sandwich. Maybe next time. And in the winter, I usually get a cup of the pork stew. It's like sweet chili. I couldn't get enough of it.
Tip - their sauce freezes well. I've been buying bottles of it the past few years and just keep them in the freezer. A few minutes in the microwave and it's perfect. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Fredericksburg, VA
9/11/2008
This place is a Fredericksburg institution and a must-try if you are in the area. It is not the best BBQ I have ever had, but certainly great. Make sure to get the mayo-filled coleslaw and put it right on your sandwich, yummy.
They also make great, thick milkshakes to go with your low calories meal :-) -
Review from Jim Y.
Oakland, CA
1/4/2009
We'd seen this place a few times driving through Fredericksburg and we decided to try it out on the way back from Southern Virginia.
My girlfriend and I each ordered the BBQ plate, she ordered the sliced pork and I ordered the minced pork. The BBQ plate comes with a bun and two sides, I opted for the green beans and the potato salad. The meat servings were huge, we each ate about half and took the rest home - I thought the sliced pork (which was more like pulled pork) was better than the minced pork. The meat wasn't terribly flavorful on its own, but it wasn't bad. We each doused our meat in the BBQ sauce and enjoyed it. As for the sides: 1) I liked the potato salad, but my girlfriend thought it had too much mayo 2)The green beans were nothing to write home about.
This wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, but it was a good meal. $23 for 2 people, plus enough leftovers for another dinner. I'd come back and try the ribs next time. -
Review from David L.
11/27/2010
My friends and I all really enjoyed our experience here, quite a bit -- we all kept talking about it for a few hours afterward... Although I usually don't rate or review a restaurant until I've been there multiple times, since their menu is so small and everything we ordered was fantastic, I think it's safe to say I'm definitely a fan... We got the pulled pork and cole slaw and potato salad and Smithfield baby back ribs and onions rings and french fries -- pure deliciousness... I can't wait to return!
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Review from Bil G.
Woodbridge, VA
10/17/2011
The first time I went to Allman's I was not impressed but strangely enough I soon found myself wanting to go back. For me that is the true test of a restaurant. The pork is tender but is on the dry side and two pork BBQ sandwiches is all I get. I don't like cole slaw at all and it ruins the sandwich for me if someone put it on the BBQ. I like Allman's sauce even though it is on the thin side. Their fries are frozen and taste frozen. I think they used to make them fresh so maybe they are going down hill. Also for hot sauce they use the Texas Pete which is made in Winston-Salem NC, not Texas as the label would imply. I had left them a bottle of tobascco sauce to hide behind the counter but after it vanished twice in a row I stopped that and now have to bring my own as they have none. Their shakes taste good but they are always hitting the blades on the metal container which makes me worry that I' drinking down metal shavings. Parking is limited but so is the inside space. Dress is casual. The staff seems to come and go. I'll keep coming back as I have yet to find better pork BBQ in the DC area.
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Review from Michelle B.
Stafford, VA
7/31/2009
If I had the option, I would not even give Allman's one star! This is not good b-b-q people. It's just not. Plainly, it's junk.
On a recent visit I had the pulled pork sandwich. It was bland and there was no sauce to be found! When I requested some sort of sauce to flavor the pork on my plate, the waitress brought me some watered-down excuse for bbq sauce.
Horrible!
Allmans might be a Fredericksburg institution but that does not mean that it automatically has good food.
I've yet to find good bbq in Fredericksburg. If you want good bbq - unfortunately it requires a trip down to Richmond to a place called Grandpa Eddies. Now THAT's bbq! -
Review from Jim U.
6/27/2009 2 photos
Around since 1954, this is one of the classic restaurants at which one can choose to dine in Fredericksburg. The interior has a diner setup and there are additional booths outside. With it being such a beautiful day, I opted to sit outside. For lunch I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of hushpuppies and a glass of sweet tea. The pork was of fairly good quality, but it was served without any sauce. The only option was Texas Pete on the table. For a restaurant that has been around for 55 years, I was expecting more. But I was impressed that the bun was toasted and held up to the generous serving of pork. Additionally the hushpuppies were incredibly good, among the best I have had. And the sweet tea was enjoyable. I sampled the rib sauce as well, and this was very good too. So ribs may be the better bet here. Typical BBQ for the area; one has to head Richmond for anything substantially better.
3 starsListed in: BBQ Places in the mid-Atlantic
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Review from Rebecca G.
Baltimore City, MD
9/8/2009
Flavorless, dry, and blah food. Allman's should not call itself barbecue - the meat seemed steamed, and had absolutely no seasoning. It is bland and the sauce provided is a watered down, corn-syrupy version of barbecue. We do not recommend this as a barbecue place, though we were unable to try their ribs.
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Review from Jared S.
Glen Allen, VA
1/23/2011
Delicious milkshakes. The server was nice, but messed up several orders at our table and the tables around us. Must be having an off day.
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Review from Matt E.
Fredericksburg, VA
4/1/2011
Still looking for a decent BBQ place around Fredericksburg. I was hoping this was it. It's not. The ribs weren't bad. The pulled pork was dry. Not just a little dry, but like leather. Almost no flavor and definitely did not taste smoked. The baked beans might as well have come out of a can. My wife and I ordered a lot, hoping to take home some leftovers. We had a lot leftover but didn't take any of it home. I expected a lot more out of a local place that's been around for so long.
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Review from paul d.
Fredericksburg, VA
2/2/2011
Like another reviewer said, I want to like this place! It just isn't any good.
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Review from Reid N.
Henderson, NV
10/26/2010
The BBQ was okay, not the best and not the worst. It was plenty for the price. I got the Pulled Pork plate, came with a heaping plate of Pulled pork (you add your own sauce) with cole slaw and bun. The place is famous because its been here in Fredericksburg for over 50 years.
