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The Doctor of BBQ
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
5 reviews for The Doctor of BBQ
5 reviews in English
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Review from Ted C.
Updated - 8/21/2009
The good doctor read my review and said that giardiniera was available it's just that Apu and Cletus the slack jawed yokel and other Springfieldians don't know what it is. I did return and while the giardiniera was present and the bread was swimming in juice it was still a little disappointing. Sorry, Doc, I still love your fat jack lunch and your potato salad but the Italian beef is still just okay.
You were really friendly with us though and I hope you're not personally offended by it. When I return to Springfield I will still come visit and get something barbecue-y but save my Italian beef consumption for Chicago.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/21/2008
An Italian beef in Springfield? Yeah, it's true and I thought I would try it at Doctor of BBQ, the… Read more »
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Review from Jenny z.
Logan Square, Chicago, IL
7/15/2009
Ok, I'll admit upfront that this place was massively hyped to me and that I had very high expectations going in. Also, I've only been there once and you really should hit a barbecue place 3 times before judging, but I think I can fairly call this a three star based on some things that aren't likely to change no matter how many times I visit.
As Ted noted, this place is in a little trailer tucked in front of the overpass at 5th and Stanford. It can be a bit tricky to get into, but not impossible. You can see from the road actual wood piled up by the trailer, which is a GREAT sign. Wood smoked meat? Yes, yes, and yes. Barbecue in Springfield is ridiculously dismal, so the fact that the good Doctor uses actual wood automatically puts this place far ahead of every other joint in town.
Menu is pretty limited, but my father and I were determined to try as much of the meat as possible. We asked the young fellow manning the trailer (the Doctor was, sadly, not in) if they could provide us with a sampler platter of the meats. Nope. Really? REALLY? You aren't proud enough of your meats to showcase them in a sampler platter? Strike #1, Doc.
Fine, we'll get some ribs and accept our brisket and pork in sandwich form, sez us. We ordered a half slab, a pulled pork sandwich and then I inquired about the brisket that is advertised on their sign. Keep in mind, I love brisket. Really, really love brisket. "Oh, the barbecue beef sandwich is the brisket" the young fellow tells us. Huh. So, asks I, "is it sliced or chopped?" "Oh, no," young fellow replies, "it is pulled." Say what? You go to the trouble to make brisket and then you shred it into an unrecognizable paste drenched in sauce? You don't even offer it chopped into tasty little bits? Does this mean no burnt ends? Yes, yes, and yes. Strike #2, Doc. If you make a brisket, you should offer it in an identifiable form. I ordered it anyway based on the high praise that had been heaped upon it, asking for the sauce on the side, natch. For our sides, we tried the basics, cole slaw and baked beans.
Pork? A bit on the dry side, no bark (sob), no discernible smoke flavor, overly drenched in sauce, but still pretty good nonetheless. I'd order this again, especially if the Doc would be kind enough to offer it on a plate and give me some barky pieces.
Ribs? The Doctor leaves the membrane on, not necessarily a bad thing, just pitmasters preference. Meat was good and a very pretty pink color, but it was hard to see as the ribs were DRENCHED, absolutely soaked in an overly sweet sauce. Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh. I'd get these ribs again, but sauce on the side, por favor. There was a good chew to the ribs, not the dreaded meat jello variety, but again, no noticeable smoke ring or flavor. I may have caught these on an off day and will definitely order them again as they showed some real promise.
Beef? Sob. Really. Even if they offered this to me for free, I would NOT take it. This was the sorriest excuse for a brisket sandwich I've encountered since my grade school cafeteria. I don't think anything could save this, unless they stop calling it brisket and just call it a barbecue beef sandwich, thus removing your briskety expectations. Brisket does not have the consistency of a roast that has been put through a blender. Ever. Because it had been so thoroughly and finely shredded, the meat was pretty much tasteless. Even the sauce that I sparingly applied couldn't help it. Repeat after me - brisket should be sliced or chopped, brisket should be sliced or chopped. Bah!!! Brisket should be juicy, tender, redolent with fat and flavor. This was the opposite. EPIC fail on the brisket, freaking heartbreaking. Strike #3, Doctor.
Sides? Slaw, the sweet creamy kind, nothing special. Baked beans were pretty good and studded with pork, but a little too sweet for my tastes, much like the sauce in which everything was drenched. Be sure to order the sauce on the side, a little goes a long way.
Overall, the best barbecue I've ever had in Springfield but not quite up even to my "adjusted for not being in Texas standards." Next time, I'd stick with the pork (ribs and pulled) and order the sauce on the side. I'll be back, hoping to bump this place up to a 4 star as I really want to love it.Listed in: Life in Hell, or When I have…
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Review from Amazing B.
Washington, DC
6/30/2010
I discovered this place on a busy intersection, drove past, turned around and went back to check it out. There was a smoker right in the parking lot so I pulled up to it and got out to have a look. The guy in the trailer learned out and shouted that I had to pull through the drive through. I shrugged and did so. I pulled up to the trailer window and started to get out to have a look at what they had on offer. The guy cried "I said you have to stay in your car! Do you want me to lose my license?!! Do you get out of your car at McDonalds?!!"
First off, I know that McDonalds drive-through window is pretty much level with the car window so there's no desire to get out. Second, I'm pretty sure McDonalds employees never yell at their customers, especially when it's obvious that they've never been there before.
Closing the door to my car, I pulled away without a word. I was rather looking forward to some ribs, but with that guy's attitude, I quickly lost my appetite. Good customer service? The "Doctor" has terrible bedside manner. -
Review from Trista J.
Springfield, IL
7/10/2010
Is the Best BBQ place in town. Its location is perfect for a DRIVE THRU dining experience. The rib and pulled pork are to die for. The side taste just like grandma would make, and that's all you need to eat there forget about the other items on the menu. Like sign says "Doctor of BBQ" and that he is and he does it perfectly.
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Review from Jimmie H.
Fort Worth, TX
7/21/2009 1 Check-in Here
One of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've ever had but I agree with Ted that the Italian beef sandwich was as flavorless as a roast beef sandwich with none of the Chicago flavor. Great little place though and I look forward to making my journey through the rest of his small menu.
