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Becky's BBQ
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 8 pm
Sun 12 pm - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
34 reviews for Becky's BBQ
Review Highlights
"And we are big fans of Barbecue, especially pulled pork."
(in 17 reviews)
"The Chicken and Ribs are awesome too."
(in 10 reviews)
"The corn bread is also very yummy, soft and moist."
(in 7 reviews)
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Robert M.
Okay, so being the committed Yelper that I am and wanting to make sure that when it comes to BBQ, I can speak of what I know, I have just returned from Becky's. Yes, I did this for you and no other reason...aside from the fact I am from the Great Republic of Texas. Anyway, I think this is a very safe bet. The food is great and the prices are really good.
So, here is the deal: Ribs, fantastic. They are served dry, which is how it should be served, and your sauce is on the side. They have Tomato, Mustard and Vinegar based sauces. Tomato is best on ribs. Pulled Pork, looks strange, but is fantastic and is enhanced with the vinegar based sauce. Fortunately for me, it was not dry and was very moist. So given some of the other reviews, I might ask before ordering because dry pulled pork is horrible. The chicken is probably some of the best smoked chicken I have ever had.
To the sides, the beans are different then what you would expect, but they are amazing. It is like a three bean thing going on with Kidney/Red beans, navy beans and of all things, Lima beams. I almost cried fowl at that, but was told to try them and shut up. Glad I did, but I wont shut up about them. They were amazing. The coleslaw is a pass. Not very good and not enough condiments to remedy. The corn bread is true southern style cornbread, moist and just a hint of sweet. Nothing like this 'cakey' stuff I am used to finding here in RI.
They do offer 'pulled' beef. This may be a RI thing. I claim for the Republic of Texas this to be unnatural...but I did ask. It is just smoked brisket, as I suspected, and instead of slicing, they pull it. I suspect it is more chopped, which is allowed. Chopped beef sandwich is in the rule book.
Anyway, this would be the place to go if you are in the mood for good stuff at a great price.
Oh, PS. I had some of their pecan pie. They make is on site. So this was my first New England pecan pie. It is not like anything I have ever had. It seemed more like a big overstuffed pecan soft cookie. It was good/okay, but not what I would call pie. It was also a bit pricey for the size of the serving at $2.50. So take that for what it is. -
Review from Dave L.
10/1/2011
Yeah, it's good. I feel it's really 3 and a half star worthy for these reasons -
Pulled beef and pork were both very good, but I found the texture to be too consistent. It was almost like they used a slow-cooker to get these meats so soft. I know that's not likely, but whenever I've had real 'que in the past, the pulled pork/beef has some big chunks, some bark, and some strands. Becky's is all strands, no bark, no chunks.
The flavor is good, actually really good, especially for around here. They have 3 sauces on the tables, a mustard base, a vinegar base, and a sweet bbq. They were good.
I thought the cornbread was a little disappointing. It should have been served warm, and it was merely ok as far as cornbread goes. The sides options are a bit lacking - where's the collard greens? I think you have to have collards with real 'que. Coleslaw is ok, but it's that finely diced kind, not the slaw-y slaw, you know, with big 'ol shreds of cabbage and carrot.
I will go back, and have other things for sure, but I think that Becky's is just missing the mark on a few things. If they could make a few small improvements, this would be 5 star easily. -
Review from Jessica B.
Newport, RI
8/26/2011
Wow! I'm from Texas and this meat just might have to be a top contender for my last meal on earth! Plus, I don't even usually eat meat, last time I did was the day after I got married.
Only reason I gave it 4 stars was because although the beans were good, it seemed like it was just kidney, baked and lima beans thrown into a crock-pot, the smashed potatoes were just ok. Hubby had the corn and that's just what it is (but it says it on the menu, I think)
Oh wait! And they have SWEET TEA!! I thought that was going to be one of the things I missed about home, so I drank as much as I could before I got here and what do you know...
We will definitely be back! -
Review from Joe C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very good ribs. I wasn't even hungry so only ordered a half a rack with some beans. Both were as good as you'll find. Sauce is served on the side. Must go back and try a few other items.
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Review from Christopher P.
Fairfax, VA
1/19/2012
I had the pulled pork an it was great. My expectations were exceeded. That means a lot coming from a southerner. The cornbread was nice and moist. The baked beans acted as a great side dish. If you are in the area you have to eat here.
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Review from Amanda M.
Tiverton, RI
7/26/2011 3 Check-ins Here
For a girl who doesn't love BBQ, Becky's is pretty great and my boyfriend likes to make sweet, dirty tongue love to her ribs and BBQ sauce.
I'm not a fan of any of their BBQ sauces, but the quality of their meat is fantastic. I'm not usually a chicken fan, but even I can appreciate theirs. It's moist, it's crispy, it's well seasoned. Just all around good.
Their pulled pork is really dry and reminds me of refried beans. Even though there a squirt bottles of BBQ sauce on the table, I still expect something that looks fresh, like it just came from a crockpot or something, not like it's been sitting out on the counter or under a heat lamp drying out. But who knows, maybe that's authentic BBQ?
In any case, I don't want to hate too much because overall, most of the food is really great here, and despite my opinions, my boyfriend love, love, loves this place. The ribs are fantastic, as is the chicken. The coleslaw is vinegar-based and is a little strong for me, but my boyfriend loves it. -
Review from Brendon K.
Coto De Caza, CA
3/3/2011
Nice place and we will be back.
So my wife and I are from NC, and are foodies. And we are big fans of Barbecue, especially pulled pork. So we went in there with an expectation of some mediocre imitation of real barbecue.
But we were pleasantly surprised; Becky's did a pretty darned good job of replicating a Lexington style pulled pork. Now, I am more of a fan of Eastern NC style, without the tomato based vinegar sauce found on the Lexington style, but to find some well done pork, no matter they style, makes me a happy man. As a plus, they had a Eastern style vinegar and cayenne sauce on the table, in addition to their traditional molasses sauce and honey mustard sauce.
The sides were also excellent, with some extremely good baked beans, complete with huge chunks of bacon, smashed potatoes that were creamy and flavorful, and some very good and moist cornbread. They had some pleasant enough potato salad, though it wasn't anything to write home about. And they had Sweet Tea!!!!
It was a nice dinner, with some entertaining conversation with the cashier/server and other patrons, and some respectable barbecue. We will be back, and I will sample some other meats. So expect a new review following that. -
Review from Chris V.
Middletown, RI
12/14/2011
You feel like your Mom might come out of the kitchen; this place is a second home. The beans, ribs, and pulled pork are amazing. Don't expect a huge menu, just good BBQ. Best part is the food but the cheap prices make your meal taste just a little better.
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Review from Delia D.
Johnston, RI
4/28/2011
DUH-LICIOUS!
I have been coming here for the past 6 years since we discovered it, and when I took my boyfriend to have his Becky's cherry popped, he said he hadn't had this good of BBQ since his time in South Carolina.
The place is small, but its such an awesome little spot. I really don't even mind that the windows look out to the parking lot or whatever. I am too busy enjoying my delicious meal.
And the prices can't be beat. If someone told me to chose between Texas Roadhouse and Becky's, I'll be running towards Becky's any day. -
Review from Sis Y.
Washington, RI
8/9/2011
My sisters SO and I came here after a busy day visiting Boston Museums. My sister works close by and had the menu at work. I've always wanted to go to this establishment because I LOVE barbecue. I've heard good things about it too.
It closes early so we were lucky to be able to get over here 20 minutes before they closed. We ordered to go of course since my sister had to work still. Sitting in their tiny dining room was a bit of torture since I hadn't eaten since noontime and it'd been a long day. The dining room is tiny but it is very down home. Red checked tablecloths covered the 4 seater dining tables so I suggest that if you're claustrophobic you take the food home or find a picnic area. It was clean inside and you enter through the back door. The parking area behind the house is very small also. There were people here when we arrived eating their meals.
We ordered 3 dinner plates: 2 Rib Plates Slab and a BBQ Pulled Beef. With the plates comes a moist light piece of cornbread and a choice of two sides. Altogether we ordered the Smashed Potatoes, the Coleslaw, the Niblet Corn and Becky's Three Bean Bake. The Smashed Potatoes were an ice cream scoopful of mashed potatoes that weren't special but seemed to be made of real potatoes not reconstituted potato flakes. I enjoyed them, E's SO mixed them with the Kansas City Sweet Sauce which was thick and sweet and tangy but not as tangy as the North Carolina Sauce.
The coleslaw was a surprise. Shredded cabbage flecked with red bell pepper but mixed with a mayonnaise-less vinaigrette, it was light and a little soggy but I liked it. My sister couldn't eat it because of her diet restriction: no peppers. The vinaigrette tasted like a ginger-less version of an asian salad dressing like the one Crazy Burger uses in it's Bangkok Slaw. Becky's Three Bean Bake was a colorful mix of different beans in a barbecue style baked bean dressing. It was tasty and I'll order it when I return.
Considering the prices, ($9.29 for the BBQ Pulled Beef and $8.99 Rib Plate Slab dinner plates) and the amount of food you get this place is a bargain! The best part is the meat. It is not dressed with the sauce, you get the sauce on the side (we got 3 of the Kansas City Sweet Sauce and 2 of the North Carolina Sauce with our 3 dinner plate orders to go.) If you eat in the dining room they have the sauces in squirt bottles on the tables. Being able to dip the meat, or dress the pulled meats is a wonderful way to enjoy the smoked flavor with or without the sauces. I enjoyed both. Neither sauces were very spicy but the North Carolina sauce was too tangy for my sister's stomach. her SO enjoyed both but really enjoyed the Kansas City Sweet Sauce on his potatoes.
Before we left I grabbed some plastic utensils and many napkins from beside the register. Be sure to do the same, it's a messy delicious meal that I plan on coming back for again.
The only thing this place lacked is those small sani-naps that KFC had but doesn't provide anymore. Otherwise this place rocks!
BTW: The online website is very basic. With the exception of the Welcome page, the "Click for a Map" page and the "What's Nearby?" page (which hasn't been updated for a few years since Brook's Pharmacy doesn't exist anymore,) all the other pages are links to the pages of their paper menu. Which tells you that their prices haven't changed in quite some time. I hope that stays that way. They also accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards. -
Review from Valerie I.
Norfolk, MA
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a BBQ place should be. Looks like an unassuming random house along a main street. Dry-rubbed pork ribs were amazing. Pulled beef was also very good. About 10 minutes away from start of the Newport Cliff Walk.
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Review from J.P. E.
Middletown, RI
11/3/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I can say this is pretty good BBQ for being in RI. The pulled pork is pretty good. I usually get the rib tips when I go for lunch, the serving size is pretty generous. I do enjoy the baked beans and fresh corn bread too.
They also make southern sweet tea with corn syrup not sugar - which I hear is the true way to make sweet tea.
If you live or work in the area ask for thier meal deal card - i think its "buy 10 lunches get one free" or something like that.
I'm on my second card now... -
Review from Sherry T.
Philadelphia, PA
12/9/2010 2 photos
Only 4 stars because I've only been here once and so I can't know if the place is consistent or not. BUT when I did go, it was so delicious. I wish I had tried more things but I got the pulled pork platter and it was so good. Tender, juicy and the sauce was delish. Cornbread left a little to be desired.
The atmosphere is definitely no-frills. Disposable everything- tablecloths, utensils, plates but I imagine that it keeps the prices down. I really felt like I walked into someone's kitchen to have a meal---this is a plus. When we went, we were the only customers in there but the weather wasn't that great. I imagine that it gets pretty crowded in nicer weather and because there's very limited seating. -
Review from lindsay w.
Newport, RI
10/17/2010
Becky's doesn't compare to the bbq of the South, but with no other options for such fare in this area, it's a nice go-to place when you've got a hankering for pulled pork, potato salad and some corn bread.
Nice little spot that's got a cozy atmosphere. Sweet tea option is a plus. -
Review from Josh F.
5/3/2010
Becky's is a local hole-in-the-wall type dive BBQ restaurant. Really, this is the way BBQ food should be presented, Texas style; on plastic tablecloth, with paper plates and cheap silverware. Highbrow BBQ is like a classy adult entertainer; unnecessary and unappreciated.
Smoked locally, served cheaply, and full of taste; Becky's is a great take out spot to satisfy your BBQ needs. The pulled chicken and pork is the best offering here; couple it with some corn bread, smashed potatoes/potato salad, and corn for around 10$. For that price, it's truly a steal of a meal.
The lack of a star is due to the ribs; not the best ive ever had, but still very good.
Try both of the sauces; the north carolina sauce is sweet and has a touch of vinegar. (keeping true to the roots, i'm informed) The classic bbq has a rich smoked flavor that is good on everything they offer. (I would grab a bottle to bring home if they offered it)
Find this place! it's disguised as a house thanks to RI's crazy zoning laws, and has parking across the street if it's full in the rear. -
Review from Kiana P.
Middletown, RI
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
First time trying it was last night, very good food. I thought you'ed get more pork on the pulled pork sandwich like you do at other places so its covers the whole bun and we didn't. Other than that it was very good and we will definitely eat there again
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Review from J. R. H.
Newport, RI
Updated - 3/5/2010
Greetings to you the lucky Yelper who found this review update....again you've won that gastronomic golden ticket to the best local BBQ that is still Becky's.
I write this 18 month update in defense of Becky's to bring their ratings back in line...Becky's has earned all 5 Stars every visit.
I really cannot imagine what Twilight Zone or other planet some of these reviewers happen to come from. Surely our fellow Yelpers know their BBQ and what they like when they taste it?
Still, I'm in here about once a month and cannot disagree more with some of those other negative reviews and descriptions. I must say, earlier I didn't question other's ratings. Now I do.
I wonder if some of these low-rating folks know what pulled pork really is? (It isn't a chop, steak, or hamburger) Do you they know what a variety of sauces are for? (try playing around with your food more often, maybe two things on the fork before it goes into your mouth).
For my closing remarks....yes, parking can be tricky at times, but it's worth the challenge. However, Becky's surely shouldn't be compared with Scrapple and no meal item served there has ever come from a food-service can or freezer box in the many years I've been a patron.
I prefer to eat great food or else I'll go hungry...Seems I always eat too much at Becky's.Listed in: Top Restaurants Nationwide
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/16/2008
Becky's deserves 5 stars. While I may not question others' ratings, I wonder where you've had… Read more »
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Review from Chris P.
5/12/2009
Tasty, and unique! I am a sucker for a good mom-and-pop joint, and how much more mom-and-pop can you get than having a restaurant in a house?
If you plan to eat in, make sure you have a plan to eat out - especially if it's during hours of heavy business. They only have eight tables, and only four of those seat four people. The other four are two-toppers. But I love that, it's a very cozy feel.
The pulled pork is amazing and the barbecue sauce amazing, cornbread, three-bean concoction and everything else homemade and delicious. I pay about $6 to have lunch here which is absolutely reasonable considering the freshness and the fact that it's all homemade (extra points for knowing where all your ingredients come from). -
Review from Sean M.
8/13/2007
A solid BBQ joint. I'm tough on ratings when it comes to the slow cooked meat but I eat here, take out mostly, every summer. The ribs pass the test but the BBQ chicken is the standout. The sides are good as well and when you compare the value for your $ in Newport/Middletown, especially after a day on the beach Becky's is a godsend.
* Ample parking in back but, the turn into the driveway can be tricky during peak traffic times.
* If you are doing a take-out run there is a "liver store" just across the street.Listed in: BBQ
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Review from Chuck A.
Newport, RI
4/11/2008
Four Paws.....I'd give more, if I had them. Truly - tasty - drool worthy, yummy......I can sit pretty for hours knowing that some of Becky's mouth watering BBQ carne is headed my way. Fantastic cheap eats - not always easy to find on Aquidneck Island.
Woof woof woof! -
Review from Luyi H.
Cambridge, MA
7/23/2007
Absolutely delicious, period. Becky's is tucked away across from one of the many plazas of Middletown (the one with the Christmas Tree Shop). It has absolutely fantastic BBQ.
My boyfriend and I shared a full rack of ribs. Despite our noble attempts to finish it off, it could not be done. Well-cooked and tasty. It almost slides off the bone. Then we got a pint of the three bean bake. Yummy. Flavorful and saucy. The corn bread is also very yummy, soft and moist. It pretty much filled us up ALL day. Didn't touch food since that late 2 pm lunch.
Of course, the NEXT day, also around 2 pm, we decide to visit Becky's as well. We both got pulled pork sandwiches. Tasty, and very very very well-cooked. I enjoyed sampling the three types of sauces available at the table: a mustardy one, a vinegary one, and a bbq sauce.
FANTASTIC. I will surely be coming back here many many many times. Such a great find. -
Review from RJ Z.
Everett, WA
5/17/2009
I have had better barbeque only in Memphis and Jackson, Georgia. They have a vinegar and tomato based barbeque sauce on the table.
Good:
*Cheap.
*Lots of Food.
*Corn
*Corn Bread
*Pulled Pork
*Ribs
Bad:
*Little Parking
*Small Seating
*Coleslaw
*Canned Soda no fountain drinks
Probably the best barbeque on the island. I will definetly continue to go here for my year stay in Newport. -
Review from Jesse L.
Tampa, FL
7/2/2009
I'm a local here in Newport. I live about 10 minutes away from Becky's BBQ. I don't know what's so great about Becky's. I don't get it! The BBQ smoked chicken? It doesn't even beat Kentucky Fried Chicken in taste! It's really not that good! It smells great, the meat is also very tender and juicy, but the chicken itself lacks flavor BIG TIME! It only has a very mild smoke flavor. That's it! The meat needs more flavoring! At least some salt??? I sometimes wonder if the owner is on a sodium-restricted diet and thinks we all are!
Have a side-order of corn with your bland-tasting chicken and you'll get similar results. The corn is not sweet at all, there's no garlic flavor, no salt added - it's just corn in water! But the tourists come-in hungry and high from being on vacation and gobble it up! Feed them dog-crap with a smile and I think they'd also love it! They'd leave a great review! They'd say it was the best whatever it was they've ever had! I'm not kidding! The tourists come-in hungry and high!
I hadn't eaten at Becky's BBQ in a couple of years and thought I'd give them one last try today (07/02/09). I'm sad to say they bombed-out once again. The chicken was the same bland chicken with a very mild smoke flavor, same bland corn, O.K. mashed potatoes and the pecan pie was... I can't even describe it! I've lived in New England all my life. I love pecan pie! But Becky's?? It hadn't even looked like pecan pie! It had a top crust and was thin plus it was dry and tasted only like coconuts. My God - It was totally disgusting!
I will probably drive past Becky's BBQ a hundred or so more times since I still live in the neighborhood nearby, but I will never again eat at Becky's BBQ! It's the only place I know of where the chicken smells great to the point of delicious, but tastes like crap! -
Review from Kyle B.
Cambridge, MA
4/1/2007
Camouflaged in as a dark brown house on East Main Road in Middletown, Becky's BBQ is one hard place to find. If it wasn't for the guys I work with who all grew up on Aquidneck island, I would have never found this place.
I've tried almost everything on the menu here and its all damn tasty. I personally guarantee you won't be disappointed with a pulled pork sandwich and a couple of their homemade sides (try to stuff down some cornbread if you have room too).
The majority of Becky's business seems to come from catering and takeout, the small sit in dining room (maybe 15 seats) usually has room to sit down for a quick lunch. Even if you have to wait a few minutes for a seat to open up, its worth the wait for the amount of food you get for the unbelievable price.
If you work anywhere in the Aquidneck island area this is definitely the local spot to grab one of the best lunches in town. -
Review from John L.
New York, NY
3/4/2008
Strange place to find excellent barbecue.
Middletown seems to be the real food haven for the Newport area. Excellent food at a reasonable price. I'm so glad I found this place. I would've given it 5 stars but I had 2 small problems with it.
Let me get the bad stuff out of the way first. For one, the place is tiny. There are a few small tables but none big enough to fit more than 3 people comfortably; especially if you have a big appetite. The tables are too small to fit all that yummy food and its fixins. The locals seem to know this and usually do the take out. It you're visiting, like I was, do yourself a favor and do the take out. Secondly, (and I'll whisper this part) they microwave their orders after wrapping them up in plastic wrap to heat up the meats. I know, BBQ taboo. BUT...
The food was delicious. Beggars can't be choosers and on that little island, this place is a culinary blessing. Authentic barbecue taste. The ribs were fall off the bone delicious with a good smoky ring and taste. The pulled pork was fine but chicken was surprisingly good. They give you 2 sauces-a vinegar based and a molasses one. I loved the vinegar based one. The beans were delicious (nice smokey taste) and the corn bread was descent.
Overall, a nice barbecue joint. Tasty enough that all you'll be left with is meatless bones strewn all over the place and barbecue sauce dripping off your fingers and chin. -
Review from Lucy F.
Chicago, IL
12/21/2010
Omg amazing bbq. If they have the beef tips get them!
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Review from Dave M.
Wakefield, RI
3/13/2011
My wife and I enjoyed the BBQ. I love the simpleness of the restaurant. Good cornbread and I enjoyed the mustard BBQ sauce. I could have gone for a heavier smoke on the meat. Good prices.
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Review from Ronald C.
Newport, RI
11/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Cheap food with good quality
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Review from Dena S.
San Diego, CA
12/5/2008
Pulled pork is BOMB!!! I never noticed any fat, which I am sensitive to. Corn is "ehhhh". Sweet tea is pretty gross, just tastes like they make it with tap water - which they probably do - but it's pretty apparent. Potato salad is pretty tasty, and I'm picky about that. Never tried any of the desserts, but a slice of pie is only like $2. The prices all around are very reasonable - excellent specials (especially for lunch). Looks like a house, quaint interior, service is ok. It's worth a shot!
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Review from Jonathan R.
Middletown, RI
10/10/2009
Pulled Chicken sandwiches rock, good stuff, good value. Best BBQ on the island, not quite the major's like Bub's in Sunderland, but you can't go wrong here. Didn't get any sides, I'm a dirty rice guy, not offered at Beck's, the other sides didn't excite me. I will be back.
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Review from Fred W.
Newport, RI
5/15/2011
By far the best BBQ on Auidneck Island and in the state of Rhode Island...Maybe the best in New England. Most people go for the pulled Pork, which is great mind you, however they have the best Beef brisket north of Nashville. It's smoked and cooked so perfectly that there's never a trace of fat...Just tender, flavorful Beef. The Chicken and Ribs are awesome too. Sides wise, I'll usually go with the BBQ beans which are the only thing heavy on the mosquite BBQ flavor side and made with 3 different beans and full of Bacon. The slaw is the fine-chopped country style and more acidic than overly sweet. They also offer mashed Potato, Corn, Cornbread...The basics. The menu isn't huge, but that allows the quality to stay where it needs to be. The seating is limited, but if you get a table, you'll feel like you're eating at your Southern Aunts house for a homecooked meal. Be careful pulling in and out of the driveway...Can be a little tricky.
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Review from Russell G.
Cranston, RI
8/10/2010
Growing up down south I've got plenty of true BBQ to compare this place to. After trying at least a dozen places in Rhode Island this place stands out as true southern BBQ. I see the owner brought her BBQ from down south up to Rhode Island. You can even get sweet tea here. Parking is limited, but the food is great!
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Review from Stacee D.
PA
9/1/2009
Just went here last week after reading about it in a AAA magazine. So glad I went! The portions were generous, delicous bbq & side dishes. Small place, only about 5 or 6 tables.Great prices! I a def. coming back to Newport & back to Becky's! Also stop by the home decor consignment shop next door, I found two items that made my trip!
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Review from John D.
Quincy, MA
8/18/2009
I don't know where all of these good reviews are coming from but I've been to Becky's on four separate occasions and I haven't enjoyed a meal yet. If by "pulled" they mean "puréed" then we have the truth about the pork, it's a mess on a platter. Everything on the menu seems like leftovers from who knows when. I would not suggest this place to anyone.
