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Leroy's Familiar Vittles
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Restaurants Food Stands Barbeque, Food Stands [Edit]
SE 48th and DivisionPortland, OR 97202
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Clinton, Richmond
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 12 pm - 7 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- 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:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for Leroy's Familiar Vittles
Review Highlights
"Oh yeah, and the collard greens are fantastic."
(in 13 reviews)
"Super friendly service, best BBQ I've had in Portland."
(in 5 reviews)
"Probably my favorite sweet tea in Portland."
(in 5 reviews)
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Mike H.
Portland, OR
Updated - 11/17/2011
CLOSED
Indefinitely, at least until summer, maybe longer. Poss a new location. Let us hope.
I was taking my good friend Tom here to try out the Texas style BBQ, being that he's from Texas, I knew he'd appreciate a place that actually compares with Texas BBQ in the PNW (Pacific Northwest).
Alas! That cold November day turned much colder when I saw Leroy there and he was putting items into his truck. I asked if he was closing early for the day and he said that the city closed him, and others, down. I can only speculate it is due to pressure from nearby businesses who feel the food carts have it easier than them.
Oh, and their food (e.g., pulled pork, chicken, mac n cheese) was very good.
More personable service and a larger supply of pulled pork, my only critique.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/25/2011
For the PNW (pacific northwest) this is fantastic barbecue! The pulled pork, beef brisket, and… Read more »
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Review from Bob M.
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Annoying business brought us to this part of the world and I needed cooking that was going to wrap my soul in a warm blanket and LeRoy did this just so.
Burnt Mac 'n' Cheese on a cloudy day and with a cloudy outlook is the ticket, and I'd recommend it. I had them make it with the hot sausage. Now, it isn't burnt, it is just finished on a flat top like a grill cheese sandwich. Ya know when the edges of the cheese get cooked kinda crunchy?
Yeah. That way.
I got some collard greens, too. I'm always on the lookout for good collard greens and no one quite has it the way I am looking for it, and I'm afraid LeRoy's doesn't hit it either, but they do it very nice and I would never turn a plate of theirs away.
It's cooked with a little heat, hiding under the greens, the kind that comes out as you swirl a biteful around in your mouth, which is very nice. And there's some salt to the collards liquor, but not too much, and that is the place where most cooks fall down making this, most just get too much salt in their stock. LeRoys has some saltiness--how could you not? But not too much, and that is a lovely thing.
Where they don't quite make it, is that they put a tad too much vinegar to this. Most collard greens that I have had, have not had a little acidic bite, and it should have, I think. Now, maybe I just caught a day where they splashed a little too much into it, because it was just a little more than one would like, I think. After I got about half way through the dish it started to wear me down a little.
That having been said, I'd bet your hat that there isn't a recipe in this trailer. This sort of cooking is done by eye, by taste and by whim. I respect that a bunch and recommend that you try this place, if you haven't. And if you are a little cloudy or a little blue, all the more reason to go by and have some warm blanket food at LeRoys. -
Review from Kristina B.
Austin, TX
10/5/2011
The first time I came here, I had burnt mac and cheese with brisket, and it was AMAZING! Very good. The brisket melted in your mouth, and the mac and cheese was great. Love the chives and sour cream toppings. The guy who served me was super nice and helpful.
The second time I came, I was with someone else who expressed some hesitation about a past experience with the brisket. I thought it made no sense after my own experience. Still, he got the pork, and I got the brisket again... and lo and behold, the brisket was terrible! It was chewy, and dry and all around not good.
So... hit or miss?? I'm giving it 4 stars because of the 1st experience, but if I'd only had the 2nd experience it would be more like 2. -
Review from Leah H.
Mix -
one part friendly service
one part burnt mac
one part smokey, tender ribs
Take sweet tea and pour over ice
What do you get? Damn delicious vittles, that's what!
I've had the chance to try just about every meat Leroy's has to offer and it is all wonderful. The pork ribs and the pulled pork are my favorites.
Collard greens are delicious.
On a sunny day, the sweet tea tastes more like sun tea and it is fantastic! Probably my favorite sweet tea in Portland. I could drink it for days.
But the burnt mac is on the next level. Leroy's mac & cheese plus whichever meat you would like, green onions, and sour cream. The meat adds the smokiness. The green onions add some crunch and cut the creaminess a bit. And the sour cream adds richness. Throw some Crystal on it and you are all set. ALL THIS for only $5.
So cheap you can afford to get some pork ribs on the side. =)Listed in: You don't win friends with…
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Review from Sandra W.
6/26/2011 ROTD 10/24/2011
Go to Texas and just try to find barbeque this good. I dare you.
Leroy's has it all. Sweet tea. Excellent meat, lightly smoked and falling off the bone tender. A tangy sauce that has a hint of fire and sweetness. There must be something illegal in that sauce. After gnawing all the meat off Leroy's tender juicy ribs, I found myself licking the paper and not caring one twit how much of a mess I became.
The burnt mac and cheese is a fabulous combination and the coleslaw is....now get this, I don't usually like coleslaw at all....so delicious that I will willingly order it again, but only Leroy's.
I cannot go to another BBQ place after this. I'm positive there is nobody that can beat Leroy's meat. Uhhhh..well, you know what I mean.Listed in: Carts I Heart
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Review from Jenna V.
5/9/2011
You know how sometimes you totally hype up a place in your mind and when you finally go again you're worried it won't be as good as you remember it? Well...the good news is that Leroy's is that damned good and then some.
Now...I love me some bbq...and have reviewed another Portland BBQ Icon very well - but I am giving Leroy's the extra star I did not give their competitor. The other guys, I love their pulled pork sandwich so much I could have its babies. But Leroy's...holy shit...Leroy is producing bbq at his little cart 50+ blocks away from me, and yet I still can't stay away. Leroy's sandwiches and I are pleased to announce our recent engagement! Take that!
Seriously though...the big chunky slaw helps cut the smoky heat, the crispy roll holds up to the sauce and meat beautifully, the chicken is in the perfect GIANT BITE SIZE hunks, the sauce is so good I licked the wrapping paper. No joking, people, I don't lie about shit as important as great food.
The bf and I have gone out a few times for chicken and pork sandwiches, and some iced tea/lemonade. And I finally, after talking it up all winter, dragged the boss for lunch. He couldn't resist having the pork ribs...I don't even like ribs, it's a lot of effort and mess for little reward in my book (I won't peel my own oranges for the same reason, so take that into consideration). He shoved a rib at me...and I handed him half my sandwich...and we sort of stared off into space enjoying ourselves. I was sad to wash the bbq off my fingers. :( Those ribs hands down are my new favorite in town, period. They blow the competition out of the water, no doubt. And don't forget the kick ass bbq sandwiches.
The best part? The couple of ribs that came home in the to-go container in my backseat and made my Honda smell like BBQ. Go out to Leroy's, you'll thank me, after you clean the sauce off your fingers and can type again. -
Review from Sarah C.
The "burnt" mac with pulled pork (or beef brisket) for only $5 will satisfy anyone's hunger!! Actually anything at Leroy's will satisfy your hunger.
The mac & the cheese & the pork with a glob of sour cream & sprinkled chives make it a delicious mix of soft, smooth & overall mouthwatering goodness. There's a hint of garlic for those garlic or non-garlic lovers.
The portion is decent but not a lot of meat so for an extra $3 Leroy will make it a double. Double meat that is.
As always the guys are wonderful & the quality of their bbq is superb!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/9/2010
This place is fantastic!!
Spare rib, chicken thigh & hot sausage for just $2 each! Their bbq sauce… Read more »
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Review from tristan p.
Portland, OR
3/9/2011
I grew up in Texas too. You know what they eat in Texas? Bill Miller barbeque and Taco Cabana...both shit.
Leroy hooks it up
He would hold his own in Texas. -
Review from Justin V.
Holy fing BBQ! Found this place from a yelper's review of another bbq place. Thanks again for directing me in the right direction of real BBQ. The smoker was rocking when we got there and smelled amazing. I wanted to try a variety of things to get a good idea of this joint. They were out of brisket and it was slightly disappointing. At the same time It was nice to know that they don't just crank out meat all morning and just keep it warm for the day *cough cough russell st*. This truly shows how fresh their BBQ is.
I ordered the pulled pork, pork ribs, mac and cheese and the slaw. I asked for a small taste of the pulled pork on the side without sauce. So I could taste the flavor of the meat without the sauce. The pulled pork was moist, smoke flavored and perfect. The pork ribs were the same and the smoke flavor carried through even when lathered in sauce. The mac and cheese was exactly what I want when I go to an authentic BBQ joint. Creamy, flavorful and spot on cooked noodles. The slaw was great, I really enjoyed the scallions and the sauce highlighted all the ingredients instead of being overbearing and masking the fresh flavors of the veggies. I'm not sure what sauce was included, it was amazing though. Tangy, sweet, smoky and just a slight kick.
To top it off they included what I think is a staple in any BBQ, two pieces of white bread. Not some fancy schmancy bread, wonder bread style white bread! Every authentic BBQ place I've eaten at has always included them. To this day and growing up it was one of my favorite parts of the meal, mopping up the stragglers and sauce with my BBQ sauce soaked bread. This place is so good I was excited when I had to burp the rest of the day so I could taste it all again =) A+ to Leroy's and thank you for bringing back real BBQ to Portland. -
Review from Rob T.
Portland, OR
10/1/2011
I love the chicken and the pork is fantastic!
The guys are very nice and the food is quick.
Been there a few times and nothing was every wrong, just delicious smokey meat and pretty good bread.
I would go for five stars if the bread were more artisan style, right now it's more like "a pocket to put meat in," which is fine and all but it's not like amazing bread would make the meat taste worse... -
Review from Holy-foo' X.
Portland, OR
7/27/2011
[Actually 2.5 stars, if such a rating was allowed...]
What "Leroy" got right:
1.) The name. It's catchy, has the ring of authenticity. In the very least, it's fun.
2.) The locale. Shares a spot within the outreaches of the oh-so trendy Hipster village of SE PDX. Fine outdoor scenery, but more importantly on a personal note, it's directly on the way to work.
3.) Collard greens. Among the best I've ever had, and I've had 'em all over the country. Loved the spicy little after-burn. VERY nicely done!
4.) Value. Got a mountain of food to feed four,all for under $30. Could have easily fed 2-4 more with the leftovers...
5.) Hot linx--- actually, your hot linx were quite tasty, definitely better than nearby competitor's (Clay's, Hog Wild, NoHos). Linx are not, in my opinion, a good measure of bbq expertise, b/c they are so incredibly easy to make. It's just that so very few places pay any attention to them, so big "ups" to you for makin' 'em big, and makin' em zesty!
Areas of Improvement:
1.) Service--- what service? Can't say I was treated outright rudely, just with complete indifference. Also, I was the Only. Customer. In. The. Entire. Courtyard. Yep. Middle of the afternoon (ie, not like I was rushing to them seconds before closing). I'm usually a pretty generous tipper, just so you know, but what can I say? Maybe I'm too sentimental, and am perhaps overly affected by HOW I GET TREATED. As business owner(s), you'd think you'd appreciate that w/o us, there is no you.....however, I can certainly appreciate that anyone can have a bad day...
2.) Completely O-U-T of their flagship best-seller, the pulled pork, and that, only an hour after opening? How on earth am I expected to assess your bbq skills if you're not dishing out the goods? Also, NO bread pudding! On the same day? Man, I guess it just wasn't my lucky day at all...
3.) CSI Portland: Black (beard? I hope?) hairs in the mac-n-cheese. Considering the untamed, ungroomed, freedom-loving spawners o' DNA both gentlemen behind the counter were rocking on their respective countenances, it'd have been MORE surprising if they HADN'T left any of their facial trimmin's in the food....
4.) The BBQ itself: was hoping Leroy's Brisket would make me forget all about the pulled pork debacle. Alas it wasn't so. Anyone can do brisket, but so very few do it well--it's an extremely tough cut of meat, and has to be cooked just right. Leroy, w/o even breaking a sweat, I can name 5 eateries--all in/near your neighborhood--- who do Brisket right: Clay's, Big Kahuna, Delta Cafe, Hog Wild (though theirs is a bit saucy), and Screen Door. As for your chicken? Oh man. Get thee to NoHo's---they keep changing owners and names, but thank heavens they don't change their garlic Korean combo plate (Chicken and short ribs)--- now THAT is how you grill chicken, Gawt-dammit!
5.) An extension of #4--- your bbq sauce. It was, how to say it, non-descript. In KC they make it sweet, in Carolina, smokey, in Memphis, the bbq is dry-rub heaven, in Texas, it's spicy and oh so nice. Yours was closest in palate to KC style-- sweet (but not overpoweringly so, at least). Don't be afraid to be bold with it Leroy! I realize most of your customers do not have refined palates when it comes to the' q (as evidenced so powerfully by all the 5 star ratings on Yelp!). Maybe you offer a spicier version that I was simply unaware was on your menu....
Despite all the hoopla and build up surrounding my visit to Leroy's, It is still w/a heavy heart that I have give it a reluctant "Meh." Pretty friggin' disappointing, overall. The other Yelpers would have you believe this was the Holy Grail of BBQ, and on the whole, the offerings were ok--- and JUST that. Nothing less, but certainly, nothing more. However, b/c of some of the difficulties noted above, I will definitely be back to give Leroy's another try someday soon. Better judgment and pure instinct tell me these guys might just deserve a Mulligan... -
Review from Alan M.
Lake Oswego, OR
9/15/2011
Wow! I never thought is find barbecue here in Portland. This is great! Now I know several have said the slaw is great also, but my preference is juliane style and sweeter. Otherwise the slaw is good. Ribs won over pulled pork.
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Review from H O.
Portland, OR
1/17/2011
+: Best bbq sandwich I've had in Portland so far, yum!
-: N/A.
!: Flavor!
?: Open a restaurant please? -
Review from Tim P.
Bakersfield, CA
9/6/2010
This food is amazing! I went here with several colleagues and we were all alarmed to find out that Leroy's was housed in a trailer. We decided to give it a try and boy were we glad that we did!
I had a pulled pork poor boy and it has an amazing spicy zing to it on an amazingly fresh and crispy french roll. If I lived in Portland, I would visit Leroy's once a week...it is that goo. However, they only take cash, so make sure you leave your credit cards at home. -
Review from Jens J.
6/10/2010
I am amazed at the proliferation of food carts the past few months on the 48th/50th Street blocks of Division, one of which is LeRoy's.
Just two weeks ago I declared that Cheese Bar was my new go-to place in the neighborhood for sandwiches. That's still true, but now add LeRoy's as one of my favorite sandwich places.
I was the first customer when Leroy's opened at noon today (open daily 12-7). I placed an order for a Beef Brisket BBQ sandwich, a chicken Po Boy and a side of mac & cheese to take home.
As I waited in the cold pouring rain (a typical June day in Portland, it seems) for my order I took a look around the premises. I was curious what kind off business was operating inside the permanent structure on the property. It was hard to tell if it was a junkyard or a plumbing shop. On a ledge next to two burned out fluorescent tubes rested a toilet seat. Near the "Honey Bucket" was a gutted toilet and a crumbling box of plumbing joints.
I'm not really sure what the difference is between LeRoy's BBQ sandwiches and their Po boys. Both come in pork, beef or chicken. Both come topped with a perfect mix of chopped cabbage and sliced scallion. Both come on toasted bread. Both have the most excellent barbecue sauce: sweet, but not too sweet, smoky, a little tangy and even a little spicy hot.
But most importantly, both sandwiches are stunningly delicious!!
The mac and cheese (shell pasta) was pretty good. Served in a little Chinese take-out box emblazoned with a red pagoda, the cheddary mac & cheese was, I felt however, a bit too garlicky and a bit salty.
Other sides to try include: black-eyed peas, collard greens, green beans and coleslaw. Also, you can get barbecued chicken thighs, and of course, barbecued ribs.Listed in: Food Cart Heaven
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Review from Alena C.
10/25/2010
Amazing! I didn't eve know this little pod existed just two blocks away from Los Gordito's, and I am more than happy that I decided to mix it up!
The staff was really nice and explained to me what was in everything so I could order a somewhat low fat meal.
I ended up getting the BBQ chicken. The sauce was just right and it was pretty big portion. While I didn't eve the skin, the meat inside still had a lot of smoky flavor.
I also ordered the turnip/carrot mash. The staff described it as almost like pie filling. It was really, really good! Also the mustard greens were just the right amount of viniger-y for me.
I will definitely come back and also try the beef brisket. -
Review from Melissa V.
Portland, OR
Leroy's is still holding it down on the smoky meat front in SE.
The bonus is that they now have finished out the shack in the back with tables and a TV, so you can wait for your order and/or eat your tasty 'que out of the weather. The shack's not exactly toasty warm, but it's doable.
We happened to stop by during the World Series this fall and watched Game 3 on the TV, surrounded by fellow Giants fans. :)
Still the best 'que in Portland, hands down.Listed in: Sunny Day Real Estate
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/6/2010
After hearing good things about Leroy's here on Yelp, we headed over to check it out. We got there… Read more »
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Review from Forrest S.
Happy Valley, OR
12/21/2010
Good barbecue is something surprisingly hard to find around these parts, but Leroy's really stands out as being the best that I've had so far.
I came here with my cousin and ordered rib's, BBQ chicken, a pulled pork po boy, a side of mac n' cheese and some sweet tea. It was amazing. The chicken was perfect, easily the best BBQ chicken I have had. Fall off the bone tender, juicy and made even better by the smoky sweet deliciousness of the sauce. My cousin said the po boy was amazing, as were the ribs which we both shared. The ribs were second only to my aunt, the BBQ master, who for some sad reason has yet to open up her own place.
One of the better carts in Portland, and definitely the best BBQ at a very reasonable price. The cost of our lunch? $17. Oh yes, we will be back. -
Review from J H.
Canby, OR
8/26/2011
We bought this for a friday meeting for our office and it was great.
I wish they opened around 11 am . Service was good they had everything ready for us just like they said they would.
Thank you!!! -
Review from Orian I.
Updated - 7/28/2010
it's still fantastic..
This time we got some mac'ncheese. mmkay so do not be deceived cause it looks like bright yellow faker cheese mac'n'cheese, which i don't actually have a problem with. well it kind of is, but with huge chunks bunches of crushed fresh garlic, there's just something fantastically addictive about it. of course we tasted it plain first, then added generous amounts of crystal.
We got rib, chicken and pulled pork. We just made it in time to get the last po'boy. dear lord sooooo good. just that juicy delicious smokey spicy pair with that tangy sharp vinegar hits the tounge...so good when it hits the lips. generous doses of carolina pepper sauce is recommended. burn your mouth baby! burn!
and of course we had to get those greens again, cause damn..i mean..damn.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/21/2010
And that about says it all..this is about as good as it gets!
We got a chicken thigh, pork ribs, and… Read more »
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Review from J T.
Indianapolis, IN
10/16/2010 1 photo
The pulled pork is the best I have ever eaten.
The sauce is smoky on the front, slightly sweet in the middle and has a spicy hot tail.
I ate here twice in one day...enough said.
Keywords: bbq, bar-b-que, familiar vittles -
Review from Ashlee H.
Fabulous barbecue at this truck on 48th and Division. I got the pulled pork, which was smoky and delicious, slathered in just the right amount of slightly-sweet sauce. As a side, I got the mac and cheese that everyone has been raving about. The consistency was amazing, but it was way too garlicky (and I love garlic!). I did find that I loved dipping bites of the mac into the bbq sauce -- mmmm, what a surprisingly yummy combo. They also have some very good sweet tea, southerner approved.
The real star of the meal was the red hot sausage that my husband ordered. Good god, that thing was good. I only had one bite of it, and I couldn't stop talking about it. Very spicy, juicy, and full of flavor. And only two bucks!Listed in: Cart Me Up, Home Away From Home
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Review from Greg W.
Portland, OR
5/8/2010 ROTD 10/29/2010
Portland is a foodie town. A foodie town seemingly devoid of the amazing, melt-in-your-mouth barbecue that one finds in Texas or Mississippi. At least this was my personal wisdom - until fellow Yelpers showed me the light and I made the pilgrimage out to Leroy's Familiar Vittles.
Bitchin' name apart, this mobile barbecue rig is no food cart. This elaborate trailer looks as if it escaped from the pit of the Daytona 500 to inflict uncompromising barbecue upon the unsuspecting citizenry of Portland.
Chrome trim and a crown decorate this black beast; don't think for a second that the smoke billowing out of it's hellish barbecue and inundating the vegetarian restaurant across the street is any coincidence. The tantalizing vapors purposefully taunts those who have abandoned their omnivorous roots.
Meat is murder, the over-powering scent says. Tasty, tasty murder.
To get to the point, Leroy's pork spare ribs are quite simply the best in town. Their beef brisket and chicken thighs are pretty damn good as well.
Lest it seem that I was alone in this line of thinking - my dining companion's take on the food was "awesome."
My recommendation is to skip the poor boys and just go for the meat along with one of their sides. I especially like their collard greens that are stewed up with pork shoulder and still have bits of meat in them.
I'm afraid that I'll never be able to drive past this temptation on Division without stopping ever again. My vegetarian friends will just have to learn to deal with it. -
Review from Andy V.
Portland, OR
7/6/2010
Holey Smokey!
This is yummy stuff! We got one of everything to try out the selection.
Outstanding Ribs, Pork & Beef!!! The coleslaw is excellent as well. Chicken was a tad bit dry in the breast, but the wing was superb. I'd see next time to get a thigh/drumstick which should be excellent.
Mac & Cheese... awesome garlicky goodness. Collards are good, with a nice vinegar bite... goes great with the pulled pork.
Good pitmaster/chef, good grub, and at a good price to boot. -
Review from lil s.
Los Angeles, CA
1/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I dragged my family out here, having read all the (ultra) positive reviews on yelp. Conclusion? Leroy's mostly gets it right, but I don't think they have the best BBQ I've ever had in my life. It IS delicious, and they have a sort of no-nonsense simpleness - the sauce is not terribly overpowering, and there's just a slice of bread that comes underneath the basket of meat. We ordered the mac n cheese (must order!), ribs, bbq chicken, pulled pork.
They've got an additional shack in the back now, with more tables and a TV, which helps to eat your meal shielded from the rain that Portland gets to enjoy all the time.
Word of warning for the OCD (but if you were majorly OCD, I'm not sure you'd enjoy food trucks) - if you just ask for water, their cups look old and reused. I ended up getting several cans of soda once I saw how their cups look like they were covered in dirt. -
Review from Jodi K.
Portland, OR
4/24/2011
This is how BBQ should taste. I ordered food to go for a family. What a treat. Leroy's faire is an amazing perfection of tangy, sweet and smoky flavors. Children and adults both raved over the meal. Great food makes an event. Leroy sets a high standard for BBQ.
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Review from Michael S.
Vancouver, WA
4/6/2010 2 photos
A night of loud music, beer guzzling, and good friends led me to the 48th and Division area for a night of dive bar fun. I don't normally have a good reason to travel to this neighborhood, however a friends band was playing across the street, they rock, so I headed on down.
Now before any good night of adult beverages one needs to fill up on some sustainable solids and not being a little boy, I was searching for something to fill me up. In the spirit of trying to avoid the greasy dive bar food, I searched out some local Vittles with the help of Yelp. Now there are some other highly rated carts in the area, but my stomach quickly latched on to the idea of BBQ. Leroy's seemed like the perfect fit, thanks to the Yelper's
This place is amazing! Shout it out, the food was nothing short of great.
I got the Pulled Pork with Mac & Cheese side. See the picture I uploaded. Great portions, the price was awesome, spent $7 on my entire meal and left so full. The Pulled Pork easily is comparable to the best I have ever had, and the Mac & Cheese is scratch made, no boxed or crap deli stuff, this food is for real. There is some seating areas in front among a couple other carts going in. The service was great, polite, and it was wonderful to know the two gentlemen that served us were excited to have us as customers. Why do so many businesses not get that and how important it is?
Food easily 5 star
Service easily 10 star,
Location 4 star, just a little fixing up around and will be 5 star.
It will be hard to get me to try other carts in the area with this one being so good. Leroy's will be like a magnet to me! (insert poorly sung version of 70's classic song, Magnet and Steel here) -
Review from Bryan I.
Updated - 8/7/2010 23 Check-ins Here
Part 2 of my review includes the beef brisket & collard greens.
$6 for a big set of brisket strips, perfectly smoked, tender, moist, lathered with smoky, spicy (nice slow burn), & sweet bbq sauce...it completely overshadows the piece of white bread upon which it is served.
Throw on some onions & pepperinchinis and it's perfect!
Oh yeah, and the collard greens are fantastic. They're surprisingly spicy, but have the perfect amount of salt & other flavorings.
You can try virtually EVERY dish offered for ~$20-30 which again, makes this place a great deal!
I'll be stopping here at least once a week on my bike ride back from work :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/27/2010
Do you like foodcarts? OF COURSE you do because you live in PDX...and although there are dozens of… Read more »
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Review from Tim E.
Portland, OR
3/13/2010
Live review of LeRoy's.
Ordered the two-meat combo with brisket and pork spareribs with two sides (pintos and mac and cheese) twelve bucks. Great price. Also got a side of slaw for two bucks more.
The brisket is the highlight, tender, saucy, smokey, perfect spice. Spareribs have great smoke flavor, just a touch chewy. The beans have a delicious light tang. Slaw has an excellent sweet lightness as well. Everything is definitely homemade and quality. Mac and cheese is slightly bland, but comforting.
Man, this brisket is making me super happy. Some of the best I've had in town. I'm glad LeRoy's is in my neighborhood, because I can see where I'll spend many a lunch this summer.Listed in: Southeast Portland Keeps it…
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Review from Jonathan B.
Portland, OR
4/10/2011
Duuuuuuuuude. Best (BEST) BBQ I've had in Portland. Might be the best I've ever had. I can hardly type this without drooling. Go and eat there now.
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Review from Chris G.
8/28/2010
Insanely good cart cue. Period.
I've been twice, once for pulled pork with a side of collard greens and once for brisket with a side of collard greens. Ask me if I order collard greens anywhere else. No, I do not. Leroy's greens are just freaking fantastic. They're spiced and cooked to perfection. A perfect complement to the meat.
Oh, and the meat... oh, the meat. What I love about Leroy's is that they don't give you a bottle of sauce, nor do they put sauce on top of the meat. That would be an insult. The meat is cooked (on a wood-fired grill?) such that the sauce and the meat are unified at the deepest level... like soulmates or something. The end product is moist and a little spicy and all kinds of awesome.
I am partial to the pulled pork because the moistness soaks through the bread that it's served on and they meld together on your fork. The first time I visited, they served sliced banana peppers on the meat, but it looked like they were doing pickles the second time. I thought the peppers were genius, so I hope they come back soon. They also have a variety of hot sauces to add to the already medium spice, if that's your kinda thing.
The 48th and Division carts are not the highest profile, but I hope that word gets out about Leroy's because this place is a gem. -
Review from Rich F.
Portland, OR
10/6/2008
LeRoy's is a BBQ cart that just opened up next to Genie's cafe at 11th and Division. It's easy to overlook, since it's more or less a big, shiny black trailer, with limited signage.
But... I've eaten a lot of BBQ over the years, and this is absolutely fantastic! I stopped by on Friday, had an amazing pulled pork 'po boy' and a side of black beans. The pulled pork was savory, with just a little heat. I wasn't expecting to be knocked on my a-- by beans, but, wow. Really fantastic, with sauteed onions, green peppers, and other goodies.
Needless to say, I thought about it all weekend, and ended up there again for lunch, this time trying the pulled pork plate with black eyed beans. Totally stunning (and I'm salivating again thinking about it). If you're into BBQ, this is the best I've found in southeast Portland.
The menu also claims deserts made from scratch, but I'm saving that for a later visit! The cart's open from 12-8pm, every day except Sunday. -
Review from Annie G.
Portland, OR
10/20/2010
I hate to be the debbie downer here, but I thought it was just ok. 2.5 stars.
I'll admit that I'm biased though, since I used to live in a southern-ish state. And maybe I came in with too-high expectations, but I wasn't uber impressed.
I DID really like the setup where the gigantic barbecue cooker sticks out the back of the tiny cart. The barbecue could feed an army and has what looks like an exhaust pipe pointing towards the sky. That's how it's done, kids.
The two guys who took my order/cooked were extremely nice and they look like they love doing what they do.
The ribs were okay. Sauce was good and had the right kind of tang to it. The meat didn't fall off the bone but was tender.
The pulled pork sandwich...well, I've had much better in Portland and in my hometown. The roll and slaw were good but the pork had the texture of beef jerky. Good pulled pork will melt in your mouth and render the bun into a sloppy mess. Not so in this case.
Macaroni and cheese was pretty good, but the collard greens were a little too were too vinegar-y and sour. I know that's how collard greens are done, but I couldn't take more than 1 mouthful before having to switch over to something else.
Big pro about this place is the price, as well as the service. And because of this, if I happened to be in the area, I'd consider going back. -
Review from Steve S.
Portland, OR
5/7/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Mighty Fine BBQ!! And the Burnt Mac w/ Pulled Pork for Just $5.... So Good!!
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Review from Henry H.
Portland, OR
8/28/2010
Mmmmm all the way. We all know the quality of Portland BBQ is like a roller coaster - this food cart on Division and 48th-ish is a great example of upward momentum. No problem earning my 5m rating.
This run: Pig Ribs, Chickie, Greens, Beans, Pot Sal & Mac-N-Chee. All meat was perfectly smoked and scrumptious. The sauce was slightly spicy, not too sweet. The pig was simply lovable. The sides were all very delish and pretty much spot-on, though the Mac-N-Chee could've served me better with less sodium. Bottom line: the core of the meal overpowers any little qwerkz.
Sans bevies, this pile o'Q w/ sides came to less than $20. There were leftovers - but not for long.
I thank you LFV! A great PDX BBQ experience. I shall return for a brisket po-boy and more pig. All hail Swine! -
Review from Scott E.
Portland, OR
5/3/2011
Really good food, but like a lot of carts in PDX expensive.
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Review from John K.
Updated - 11/5/2010
Just a quick update - Annie's comment about what makes a good pulled pork sandwich was a perfect, articulate description of what she's looking for: melt in your mouth texture that makes the bun a sloppy mess. But in my opinion, what makes Leroy's sandwich a real standout is the relative lack of these qualities. I found the meat to be perfectly chewy (for my tastes), and the relative lack of moisture prevented the bread from losing its texture. I've had some wonderful bbq moistened by a lot of light, vinegary sauce that was a delight. But in my opinion, the substance and consistency of the pulled pork at Leroy's is what I loved. I cannot claim to know what's truly authentic, only what I like, and this is it. The pulled pork at Rockabillies on Belmont seemed to me to be more of what Annie prefers - it was very good in its own way. I'm happy to have both options available in SE.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/4/2010
So far, I've only tried the pulled pork, but there were multiple things about it that make it one of… Read more »
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Review from Alexis G.
Renton, WA
6/24/2010
I'm not sure who planted the seed which then grew into these little food cart courts that seem to have grown all over Portland. But, I thank you for planting this seed and allowing Leroy's to sprout up on an unassuming corner, wedged between a Korean BBQ and a Mexi-taco-truck.
This place has the most delicious barbeque I've had since visiting the place run by the Neely family in Memphis. The spices are great, the sauce is scrumptious, and the atmosphere is appropriate! You feel like you're in Leroy's backyard, so pop a squat and get those fingers messy!! -
Review from Neven M.
Portland, OR
1/8/2010
Fantastic BBQ at awesome prices. I can't believe it's taken me so long to visit this place.
The menu apparently changes a lot; on the day I went, Leroy was serving ribs, pulled pork, and chicken thighs. I grabbed some thighs (at $2 a piece) and a side of mac'n'cheese and cole slaw.
The thighs were grabbed off a rotating smoker, the smell of which is sure to put you in the mood for BBQ if you're walking down Division. The thighs were then finished in a pan, and they were just perfect: juicy, tender, smoky, with some great spice in the sauce. They picked the right cut of chicken to barbecue and they cooked it right. You know it's good when the meat is nearly black, petrified on the outside, but falls off the bone easily.
The cole slaw was fresh and crisp - a bit creamier than I normally like it - but I had no complaints. It cooled the BBQ beautifully. The mac'n'cheese was housemade (not a boxed thing) and it was also prepared in a pan when I ordered.
The whole thing was served on a slice of white bread and topped with pickles. $12, and it made an awesome lunch for two; we had to stop our stuffed selves from going back for more, it was so dam tasty.
I have yet to try the rest of the menu, but my friends assure me it's as good (if not better). Super friendly service, best BBQ I've had in Portland. Go! -
Review from Chad S.
Portland, OR
3/5/2009
i'm embarrassed to say it, but I've never had a po boy until today. And I'm, uh, old enough to have made that happen. So I'm hungry, happen to be passing and next thing you know: pulled pork po boy.
I have 3 words*: Oh my God; That was the best pulled pork sammich I've had. I think I can say that. Enough sauce to keep things interesting and the coleslaw was sharp, fresh and a great balance to the flavors in the pork. For only 6 bucks. Nice.
* give me more; po boys rule; leroys is awesome; de lic ious; where you been;
