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Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar B Que
Categories: Event Planning & Services Caterers Restaurants Barbeque Caterers, Barbeque [Edit]
5818 Conroy Windermere RdOrlando, FL 32835
(407) 295-1212
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sat 10 am - 9:30 pm
Fri 10 am - 10:30 pm
Sun 10 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
58 reviews for Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar B Que
Review Highlights
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"These are some of the best baby back ribs i've ever had." In 6 reviews -
"Beans were great, as was the mac and cheese." In 11 reviews -
"...you sit on wooden picnic tables (inside or outside) and the..." In 4 reviews
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Erica S.
1/24/2012
I had takeout from Bubbalou's tonight and it was awesome! I walked into the place having no idea what I wanted, didn't even have to look at the menu, and went straight for the special. The brisket is perfect--comes apart but doesn't melt, and has a little bit of spicy tang to it. Even though all three of their sauces (the spicy mustard, sweet and signature) were good, the meat didn't even need the sauce. Nice! The collard greens are done just right too with a bit of heat and cooked perfectly. I have yet to find really fantastic mac and cheese in Orlando, and sadly it's not here. The pecan pie is pretty delicious though. The one complaint I have is that you can't get the appetizers as sides unless you pay more, and then they are half the size. Not sure what that is about, but it's not going to stop me from coming back to this place!
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Review from David H.
Orlando, FL
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
My brother and I went here for dinner tonight, and were REALLY DISAPPOINTED as we had good memories from years ago.
Whatever you do, don't get the sandwich baskets- they're a RIP OFF. Let me explain:
A pork sandwich by itself is $5.30, and the basket is $7.99 but you get fries and beans. However, It's the same price if you order a sandwich and separate side order of fries/rings, but you get a lot more from a side order (as the idiot behind the counter didn't tell us) With the basket, my brother paid a dollar more for onion rings (meal is now $9), and literally got 4 of them. The "basket" consists of your sandwich, a small container of beans and measly portion of fries. Why it costs almost $3-$4 more is beyond me.
We asked why we only received 4 (small, not large) onion rings after paying a dollar more, and they told us VERBATIM: "That's for a half order" What's in a full order? 8?! WHAT A JOKE/RIP OFF.
The wings/various bbq sauces were the only things that were good, as the pork sandwiches were EXTREMELY average and quite dry. The bread they serve the sandwiches on isn't respectable, either. It's extra for Texas Toast and was extra for a small container of blue cheese (of which they only gave us 1 small container for 2 people)
The meal was $30, and for that we will definitely try Bar-B-Que Boyz next.
Also, possibly the most annoying part of our meal, was that we had to ask for refills (which are free at least) on our drinks about 4 times each, which is QUITE ANNOYING when you're eating nothing but hot sauce and hot bbq sauce. Am I not allowed to eat spicy things?
I felt like everything was extremely overpriced/average, and is one of those places that nickel-and-dime you for everything.
We won't be back. -
Review from Marcie G.
Orlando, FL
7/6/2011
I didn't like Bar B Que before this place. The food is outstanding, the drinks are yummy, the waitstaff is personable and fun and the entertainment never gets old. I actually crave this place! The chicken basket is fabulous. Mac & cheese is to die for and the mashed potatoes are yummmyy. The additional sauces are yummy to try; my favorite is the mustard one. All in all, this place rocks.
I'm a huge fan :) -
Review from eric c.
Zephyrhills, FL
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
A good local spot for sure! The food was good, a bit pricey for BBQ. The brisket was off the chain. THe beer was a bit warm, not completely iced down...but that wouldn't stop me from going back!
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Review from Dang N.
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Luis took me here, telling me this was one of the better places in his immediate area.
I'm starting to think my standards for BBQ are really high. But you know what? In the scheme of the Gourmet World, my standard should be high! I mean we're talking about Kansas City, or Memphis style BBQ! So why shouldn't I have high standards?
OK, so back to Bubbalou's. I got the 10 wings order, and the ribs order. I asked for baby back ribs, got the normal ribs. I asked whether they came wet or dry, was told wet and they came out dry. I asked for no fries and baked beans, and I got baked beans and no fries. OK, so despite all the mess-ups on my order, which in all honestly don't really bother me too much because I can eat anything, I don't say anything to my waiter. And I'm really here to test the ribs anyways.
Wings first. Nothing absolutely special about them. Seriously. Like a 2. A 2 means I ain't ever ordering these again.
Ribs. Dry, no problem. I actually prefer them served this way so I can try them first without the BBQ sauce. Most BBQ sauce has a tendency to overpower the taste of ribs. And with the right dry rub and ribs, you may not even need BBQ sauce. Those are the best ribs you'll ever have. Yeah, not here. They were ok. Definitely had to bite the meat off the bones, translation the best ribs have the most tender meat which simply falls off the bones as you lift the rib up to your mouth. So I definitely grabbed the BBQ sauce and the BBQ sauce ain't all that either.
Is there anymore to say? Nothing except that I felt sorry for Luis if this really was one of the better places in his neighborhood. -
Review from George N.
10/9/2011
Other than boasting one of the best names for a BBQ joint in the country, this place has some equally delicious ribs to match. I've been here a few times, and I've always had a good experience. Bubbalou's rivals any of the top BBQ places I've been to in Los Angeles, such as Hogly Wogly's, Mr. Cecils, or Baby Blues. We knew this place was a hit when we walked in and saw Shaq's picture on the wall. Shaq and Eggo-approved BBQ!
Listed in: An LA Yelper's guide of places…
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Review from chris b.
Salt Lake City, UT
9/10/2011
Good BBQ not amazing.
Super stoked that KOOL-aid was on tap at this place.
For sure has some good features. I'll go back. -
Review from Susanne C.
Valencia, CA
1/17/2012
Love, love, love the ribs basket. I ordered the spareribs, which were so good I can't rave about them enough. The rib baskets come with fries and smoky, sweet-tasting baked beans. (And this is coming from someone who doesn't care for beans). You also get an order of toasted French bread, which wasn't memorable, but I don't go to barbecue places for the bread. The sweet tea rounded out my meal perfectly. If you're in the Orlando area, this local place is a must.
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Review from Michael R.
Orlando, FL
12/1/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Solid southern style BBQ. Brisket and the Ribs are great. Try the Big Pig deal for lunch.
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Review from Virginia R.
Orlando, FL
2/27/2011
Bubbalou's was Ok. The service was meh. Despite the fact that they weren't closing for hours and there was no line, the cashier had no patience for the fact that I had never been there.
The turkey was not as yummie as I had expected. There was something artificial about it.
The bbq sauce on the other hand was a hit! Especially the extra hot! -
Review from Armando D.
Santa Ana, CA
5/30/2011 1 photo
As a Californian, I was expecting much more from this place.
I wasn't anticipating having to add my own BBQ sauce to a dry BBQ pulled pork sandwich.
Overall, the meal was mediocre on all fronts.Listed in: My Orlando Experience
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Review from Annie H.
Orlando, FL
9/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Best BBQ in Orlando. Great pulled pork and pulled chicken. The catfish sandwich is really yummy. I love everything about this place. The sides are all great as well. Get the green beans. Gets super crowded around lunch.
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Review from Betty C.
11/8/2010
Ordered the 4-meat plate with 4 sides and the catfish plate.
The 4-meat plate includes sliced brisket, sliced pulled pork, roasted chicken leg and 3 ribs. The chicken and the ribs were perfect. Moist and delicious it was definitely the best. The brisket and pork were disappointing, though. Dry and tasteless, I wish I had gravy to drown them in. The sides were beans, coleslaw, fries and garlic bread. The beans were sweet and good. Coleslaw was standard, as was the corn. The garlic bread was ordinary.
The catfish plate I changed the sides to the Brunswick stew, macaroni and cheese, corn and it came with a corn muffin. The catfish was excellent, tender and breaded well. The corn muffin was moist, not too dry. Macaroni and cheese was good as well and the stew was delicious.
Also there was a nice selection of bottled beers and individual bottles of red and white wine.
I saw red velvet cake, pecan pie and pumpkin pie. But I didn't sample.
Would definitely eat there again. Try the bbq mustard, as it's not like normal mustard. -
Review from Todd S.
San Diego, CA
1/19/2011
In town on business -- saw this place yesterday and decided to try take-out from here for lunch today. The smell alone should lasso you and drag you in through the front door.
I ordered the pulled pork sandwich combo to-go. It usually comes with fries and beans, but I substituted the mac and cheese for fries. Glad I did! Quickly got my order -- my co-worker waited longer, but he ordered shrimp which was prepared to order.
Got back to my hotel and promptly had my lunch. The to-go packaging kept my food warm. A smallish container of beans and another with the mac and cheese were in the styrofoam, along with another small cup of the bbq sauce (I ordered 'mild') -- and the sandwich.
A delicious sandwich, heavy on the lean pulled pork, which was absolutely delicious. The bread was also excellent -- a good portion of what seemed to be a soft baguette cut lengthwise and loaded with the pulled pork. And the sauce! It was not spicy, just a bit tangy and even a little sweet. Delicious -- I could have eaten the pulled pork with no sauce at all, but this made it even more tasty!
Although the sides seemed small at first, paired with the large sandwich they were sized perfectly. Beans were great, as was the mac and cheese. Who really needs the sides, though, when that sandwich was SO good.
I'm in town for another day and a half -- I might be making another stop at Bubbalou's! -
Review from Eric C.
Bronx, NY
1/2/2011
I haven't been to many BBQ joints in Orlando, and Bubbalou's is a big reason why. Sliced pork on garlic bread, slathered in a mixture of their mustard sauce and sweet sauce, with a little of their killer (hot) sauce to spice it up, is pretty amazing. Reasonable prices as well.
I've been a few times during lunch, and I've never had a long wait to deal with. -
Review from Bernardo A.
Hollywood, FL
9/7/2010
You order at the counter. They bring it to the table.
Dinner orders come with four sides.
The baby back ribs, pulled pork and chicken are just awesome. Perfectly rubbed, perfectly smoked, perfectly cooked.
The base sauce is great.
Fried pickles, black eyed peas, mac and cheese, fried okra, greens, beans, corn bread...they are all great.
Service is friendly and efficient. If you are in the Universal neighborhood, make sure to stop by. -
Review from M R.
Orlando, FL
5/10/2011
Bubalou's used to be the go to BBQ restaurant for me. The food at the Kirkman location is slightly inferior to the Winter Park location, but this location has more seating and plenty of parking. My favorite was the Big Big with a generous portion of pulled pork.
Then, Four Rivers opened it's BBQ epiphany on Fairbanks in Winter Park. Yes, the drive is much further. Yes, the drive is worth it. -
Review from Mr M.
Maitland, FL
5/1/2011
It was a little before the real lunch crowd came around 1130. I got the big pig sandwich with fries and mac&cheese.
The good...I must say the food was super hot, I had to wait a few minutes before I could eat any of it. Served hot is a big deal to me. Staff was friendly and the restroom was clean.
The bad....Mac&cheese was swimming in oil. The pork was kinda bland, no real taste to it.
Im hard on BBQ places for some reason. Still searching for a kick ass BBQ place in central FL.
All in all not to bad, when compared to the others, its a lot like Sonneys on a smaller scale. The 4 Rivers joint is not worth all the praise and is more of a corp calculated marketing shceme with smoke and mirrors with okay bbq mixed in. I would say Bubbalous off Kirkman is a middle of the road bbq joint like Sonneys.
I would return here hoping the meats will have a little more taste and try something else insead of the mac&cheese. Maybe it was an off day for the MAC and Meat. -
Review from Paulene K.
Orlando, FL
Just be ready to do some finger and bone sucking! I'm glad I went with 4 people because I got to try a lot of things out on my first visit. The ribs of course were great but I could have been happy just licking the sauces.
Ohhhh the beans that come with your meal... Mmmm, mmm, mmm! It was like a gooey warm candy in your mouth! I want these bean with some pancakes!
Despite being in a strip mall that doesn't offer me much more, the atmosphere in the restaurant is really friendly and cozy. -
Review from Hojin C.
Orlando, FL
10/25/2011
The hot barbeque sauce is the best in town for those who love spicy sauces and they go real well with the Brisket Basket.
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Review from Ian W.
1/12/2008 2 photos
This is one of the better BBQ places that I've been to in Central Florida. Bubbalou's is an order at the counter place with menu boards is not fancy, just finished picnic tables inside the dining room and outside along the front sidewalk and covered outside seating. The food is brought out to your table by number. Each table has a roll of paper towels and sauces including ketchup, hot sauce, and 4 BBQ sauces (sweet & sweet, mild, Hot, & KILLER). The finished wood walls are decorated with game heads, beer signs, and framed articles about Bubbalou's over the years.
The menu offers BBQ specialties and comfort foods including sandwiches, baskets, wings, dinners, combos, daily specials, sides (they have fried mac & cheese!), kids menu, desserts (sweet potato pie, pecan pie, brownies), and beverages (Pepsi products, bottled beer, milk). The prices here are very reasonable. Check out the menu offerings at http://www.bubbalous.com
One of my favorites is the Pulled Pork Sandwich Basket ($6.99), which is tender pulled pork (not fatty) on a toasted hoagie roll served with golden crinkle cut frie, and baked beans (with pork). The pork has a slight salty taste and goes good with any of the BBQ sauces. THe baked beans have that sweet and smoky taste.
ACCESS: Located in a strip plaza (next to Starbucks) off Conroy Rd, one traffic signal west of the busy Conroy Rd & Kirkman Rd (SR 435) intersection. -
Review from J. F.
Orlando, FL
1/29/2011
This place is serviceable at best if you HAVE to have a BBQ fix. Never been there when staff isn't rude (and not in a fun marketing way - just plain old "Hate my job - But guess I have to take your order" type of rude.)
Our most recent visit included a slab of baby back ribs ($14) (that seem to have been steamed, then sauced & grilled rather than truly smoked) which tasted old - Not Good!
Plates include a heap of crinkle-cut fries (from the freezer), decent bowl of sweetened beans, a plastic pill-cup portion of decent cole slaw and Texas toast. The cole slaw & toast are the only real winners here.
The looks you get from the staff when asking to get an iced tea ($2) refill make you not want to visit this place ever again.
We tend to visit about once year - Only to realize why we haven't been back for a year or so! -
Review from Wendy J.
Washington, DC
Outstanding BBQ BE SURE to order the fried. Mac and cheese bites and the corn nuggetts! Unlike any other!
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Review from John L.
New York, NY
2/20/2009
Decent barbecue.
It's very hard to judge Barbecue joints fairly. There are so many different types and styles, it is one cuisine that is very dependent ones individual taste. This also goes for the decor. Some places pride themselves on its "shack" like appeal. In fact, although I have not been there, many of my friends have told me that down south, some of the best BBQ joints are road side dumps. So with that disclaimer being said, Bubbaou's for me was decent. Nothing to cause unending salivation at the thought of it but still leaving pleasant memories. The sauce was tasty. A little on the sweet side for me but again, barbecue is personal. Nice smoke taste to everything. The sides were just okay but I rarely fret over the sides.
Picnic tables...cheap tacky or perfect ambiance. You be the judge.
Overall, if you're hankering for barbecue in Orlando, you can't go wrong going to Bubbalou's. -
Review from J. E.
Lake Buena Vista, FL
1/16/2010
Pretty good.
Just tried Bubba Lou's for the first time with my wife. This small spot in a little strip mall was more then I would have expected. The atmosphere was what one would expect for a BBQ establishment. Picnic-style tables and rustic scenery inside. There are a few friends on the walls of the Taxidermy variety. Not a problem for me, but just in case someone in your party doesn't like to dine among such furry friends.
There is a lot to pick from on the menu. My wife and I both had sandwiches and a side of fried okra. The sliced beef was good, not great, but still good. My wife's pulled pork sandwich was a home run! I still can't wait to get back to get one of my own. The okra batter wasn't laiden with too many spices and we really enjoyed it.
I've had better beef in the past, so four stars out of 5. -
Review from Rhea P.
3/31/2009
It's country cooking. Reminds me of AL food actually. I indulged in the veggie plate, mac n cheese, corn on cob, green beans, and cabbage. Tastes like something your mama would make at home.
So, when I get the urge for a home style meal again, I'll head on back over to Bubbalou's. -
Review from Adam M.
9/22/2009
I know Im a "yankee" who hasnt traveled the south extensively and really dont know from authentic southern Q....but I do know good food when I eat it :)
This is a little strip mall joint off the main drag but its totally worth checking out....esp to avoid the chains and disney meal plans.
The place has a nice setup with some outdoor and indoor seating. The smell is fantastic. You order at the counter and they bring it to you. Simple and efficient.
There is a very large menu with an extensive list of all types of bbq sanddwhiches even some nasty bits like gizzards n livers. They have smoked wings, inexpensive combos, chicken, pork, ham, ribs.
Lunch specials around 7$. The place is inexpensive overall.
Free snow cones. Cheap beer (2.50-3.50)
There is alligator tails on the catoring menu, but not in the restaurant. Meat is also available by the pound.
This place has multiple awards and references from the NY Times, Zagat, cnn, delta sky magazine, fortune, gastronomus. Despite this it remains local!
There are multiple sauces ranging from sweet to "killer" as well as bottled hot peppers on the tables.
We ordered a rack of ribs, 10 smoked wings (sweet), mac n cheese "bites" and 2 sodas, and it came to just about 25$ for two.
They did make a mistake and brought our food to another table, but we were cool to wait....good bbq always involves a wait...and is worth one. The guy was very appologetic and nice and he offered us more then just an appology...but free beers and desert! Hows that for service??? Gotta love it.
The rack of ribs (about the size of a Chilly's full rack, a lil more meaty, but costs less!) were fall off the bone tender and soooooooooo tasty! TOTALLY WORTH IT!
The wings were great....very sweet and tangy sauce....very juicy and tender and I'd love more time down here to eat more of them!
The mac n cheese bites were different....classic blue box craft mac n cheese....beer battered....they were very crispy, crunchy and tasty altho not the creamiest.....they sounded interesting on the menu and didnt disapoint in "different" factor.
Overall we really liked this place, and will be back b4 we leave for miami! Check this place out! Its SO worth it! and a great deal too!
Eat like a local, you always get off better that way. -
Review from Rosie D.
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, CA
2/27/2008 1 photo
I loves me some BBQ. After some crazy intense driving around in and out and around Tamp and Orlando, substantial food is a good thing. At first glance I have to say that I was worried. We found this one by accident, I didn't have time consult Yelp.
So, before we walked in, I felt this ridiculous urge to have my picture taken with their Pig chalkboard sign. Damn it-- do I sound like a Japanese tourist or what! (see picture)
The decor is probably what you would expect from a name like Bubbalou's. Picnic tables, run down and sort grimy. I ordered at the counter. Got my tri tip sandwich, collard greens and cole slaw. Tri tip was good, still had chew but tender. But, add some of their Killer bbq and it was an explosion of fun in my mouth. Sause was hot but had flavor. That was one of the best tri tip sandwiches I've ever had!!
The collard greens was okay and slaw might well have been from KFC.
The next time I'm in Orlando, I'll try the ribs. Yum! -
Review from Bryan L.
Pasadena, CA
4/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
cheap, delicious BBQ! the BBQ ribs were amazing! they just fell off the bone! and the amount of food you get! wow...
the rib dinner came with a full rack of ribs, fries, coleslaw, baked beans, and bread. additional sauces were on the table based on your sauce preference, but i stuck with the original.
sooo satisfying. just thinking about the ribs make me drool.
note: not a full service restaurant; you order and pay in the front and they bring the food to your table. but it doesnt matter, the food is awesome and at a great price! -
Review from Nicole B.
Orlando, FL
11/4/2011 3 Check-ins Here
one word AMAZING!!!
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Review from Nick J.
Disclaimer...before 4 Rivers opened in WP, Bubbalou's was my favorite BBQ joint in town. My go-to order is always sliced or pulled pork sandwich smothered with hot & killer sauce, side of fries and baked beans. It's that simple, and delicious.
Employees are always friendly, service is quick, and the place has a great vibe for eating BBQ. And by vibe I mean you sit on wooden picnic tables (inside or outside) and the smell of smoked meats is always present in the background, so you know it's legit.
Unfortunately I work on the other side of town, so if I'm in the mood for bbq I can't just cruise over to 4R's, which means Bubbalou's still has a place in the rotation. -
Review from S F.
Carmel, IN
8/14/2011
Solid good BBQ. Yummy baked beans & sweet potato pie.
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Review from Nick D.
Peebles, OH
8/1/2011
Best barbecue ive had in a while, loved the pulled pork.
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Review from Brian M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/12/2011
These are some of the best baby back ribs i've ever had.
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Review from Mark W.
2/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had high hopes for this bbq after reading the reviews. But the brisket special was disappointing. No flavor in the beef and it was overcooked. The homemade sauces were pretty good. But the brisket needs work.
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Review from Penelope P.
New York, NY
11/6/2010
Nom. Nom. Nom. Pulled pork. Mac & Cheese. Yes, please!
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Review from Rob W.
12/15/2010
I can give this place 3 stars because not much was mediocre besides the barbq sauce. The pulled pork was ok, the baked beans and toast very good. I really liked the pulled pork sandwich on toast.
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Review from L.Marie D.
Ormond Beach, FL
4/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is great. The menu is simple and the portions are good. I adore their Baby Back Ribs. They have a wide array of sauces that are all good. I like their mac and cheese and their baked beans are amazing. I know people have complained about their service... but there are no servers and if they are commenting about the people at the registers, I've never had a problem and I've been there many times.
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Review from Gretchen S.
Pompano Beach, FL
2/28/2011
Great BBQ. Service was really good and the food was awesome. Beans were sweet just the right amount of pork fat, The pulled pork was succulent. The coleslaw was sweet and tangy. Weather you live in the Orlando area or you r out of town visiting this a must go place. Tired of park food, fast-food or the tourist traps you will not be disappointed. We had the brisket, ribs and pulled pork all highly recommend.
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Review from Peter A.
New City, NY
1/19/2011
I'd eaten much better BBQ in the past but this one had some unique aspects. outdoor and indoor picnic style seating even though it was in a strip mall. four varieties of BBQ sauce were all pretty good even though the killer wasn't all that hot. also I was able to get my pulled pork on garlic bread which was a first and fantastic. last awesome fact: for $10 I got a pulled pork on garlic bread, 2 sides (did Texas caviar and the baked beans-beans were great) and a sweet tea...never seen anything so cheap!
