BBQ chains that are actually good?

[Hawki97]

Name yours. Local / Regional chains count.

Went to Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog recently. Walked in ready to be kind underwhelmed after earlier visit. Left very, very happy.

Meal: family style ribs and brisket, catfish fingers, mac and cheese, beans, collards, potato salad.

https://rodneyscottsbbq.com/

 

[McLovin32]

All I know is there's a Famous Dave's here in CF and I don't think I've seen more than 3-4 cars in the parking lot at a time. I have no clue how it's even open.

 

[SoProudNole]

No such thing. BBQ is the bottom feeder of dining options.

 

[Tom Paris]

No such thing. BBQ is the bottom feeder of dining options.

Not in KC.

 

[Hawki97]

All I know is there's a Famous Dave's here in CF and I don't think I've seen more than 3-4 cars in the parking lot at a time. I have no clue how it's even open.

There’s a reason for that.

 

[Hawki97]

Not in KC.

Gates and Joe’s (especially the gas station location) say hi.

 

[Tom Paris]

Gates and Joe’s (especially the gas station location) say hi.

I just had Slap’s on Sunday and it was REALLY good. Apparently most think so considering the line.

 

[Hawki97]

I just had Slap’s on Sunday and it was REALLY good. Apparently most think so considering the line.

Slap’s is good. So is Q39. Not a chain yet but they might be someday.

 

[Tom Paris]

Slap’s is good. So is Q39. Not a chain yet but they might be someday.

My kid wanted Q39. I vetoed it. I liked Joe’s the one time we were there…Overland Park location.

 

[billanole]

I had some pretty good feeds at https://www.4rsmokehouse.com/ while on work trips several years back.
Sonny’s is an older chain that is gator influenced, therefore avoid at your peril.
Edited.

 

[Cougar63]

Went to Oklahoma Joes yesterday in Aksarben (Omaha). Wasn't anything to write home about but the fried okra and sweet potato fries were delicious.

 

[GOHOX69]

These days you should be able to make amazing bbq at home in a modern smoker. Even brisket is very very easy.

 

[TJ8869]

I haven’t tried it yet for whatever reason, but I hear good things about Mission BBQ.

 

[Hawki97]

These days you should be able to make amazing bbq at home in a modern smoker. Even brisket is very very easy.

I make tons at home. I sometimes like others to serve me in exchange for my dollars. (See the money buys happiness thread for further comments on this point)

 

[Hawki97]

Went to Oklahoma Joes yesterday in Aksarben (Omaha). Wasn't anything to write home about but the fried okra and sweet potato fries were delicious.

I hope you didn’t get the zman. Massively overrated sandwich. Burnt end dinner or rib dinner for me if I’m there.

 

[Cougar63]

I hope you didn’t get the zman. Massively overrated sandwich. Burnt end dinner or rib dinner for me if I’m there.

Brisket and smoked turkey dinner.

 

[Hawki97]

Brisket and smoked turkey dinner.

Huh. I pretty much always think smoked turkey is mid no matter where it comes from but most of the time their brisket is good. Bummer.

 

[Cougar63]

Huh. I pretty much always think smoked turkey is mid no matter where it comes from but most of the time their brisket is good. Bummer.

Yeah, I wasn't impressed with either but I'll give it another go just because of the okra, lmao.

 

[gusto79]

I just had Slap’s on Sunday and it was REALLY good. Apparently most think so considering the line.

I love the potato casserole at slaps.

 

[kkhawk]

Went to Oklahoma Joes yesterday in Aksarben (Omaha). Wasn't anything to write home about but the fried okra and sweet potato fries were delicious.

Been that way a lot recently. Was told it’s not very good

Love the food court across the street though

 

[Bro D]

Have been to Joe's in KC, George's in OKC, Tyler's in Amarillo, Hard Eight in Coppell and Hutchin's in McKinney this year. All amazing. God I love bbq /csb

 

[93hawkeye]

No such thing. BBQ is the bottom feeder of dining options.

It's mostly cheap food, made to taste good. I enjoy it for what it is.

 

[OILCHECKER]

I haven’t tried it yet for whatever reason, but I hear good things about Mission BBQ.

I went to one and was pleasantly surprised.

But my favorite bbq joint is joes original in KC.

 

[TC Nole OX]

There is a chain that started in Orlando (Winter Park) that is pretty good. It is nowhere near as good as it was when it was just a catering operation but it is still above average for a chain.

4 Rivers Smokehouse Locations - Best BBQ in Florida

4 Rivers locations are located across Florida. For the best BBQ, order online for To Go, Catering or visit a 4 Rivers Smokehouse location near you.

www.4rsmokehouse.com

 

[billanole]

There is a chain that started in Orlando (Winter Park) that is pretty good. It is nowhere near as good as it was when it was just a catering operation but it is still above average for a chain.

4 Rivers Smokehouse Locations - Best BBQ in Florida

4 Rivers locations are located across Florida. For the best BBQ, order online for To Go, Catering or visit a 4 Rivers Smokehouse location near you.

www.4rsmokehouse.com

Agreed, as mentioned in post # 10.

 

[TC Nole OX]

Agreed, as mentioned in post # 10.

The founder is friends with one of my fraternity bros. 4Rivers catered our tailgate for our bowl game in Orlando vs Wisconsin. I think that was 2009 or 2010. That was some of the best bbq I have ever had. When it was just one location, in Winter Park it was close to as good as the tailgate catering. When they opened in Tampa, years later, it really wasn't close. It's still a lot better than most places but nothing like it was originally.

 

[NoleinATL]

Sonny’s is an older chain that is OK, depending on the specific location.

Sonny and Lucille Tillman
This endowment was provided by the friends and associates of lifelong Gator fans Floyd “Sonny” Tillman and his wife, Lucille.


The only good thing about Sonny's is they provide jobs for UF grads so they do not matriculate to the street..
stupid f*****g gators.

 

[millah_22]

All I know is there's a Famous Dave's here in CF and I don't think I've seen more than 3-4 cars in the parking lot at a time. I have no clue how it's even open.

Famous Dave's was packed in omaha until they day they tore the building down.

 

[coorsoriginal02]

Joe’s BBQ. KC gas station location doesn’t **** around.

 

[StormHawk42]

No such thing. BBQ is the bottom feeder of dining options.

 

[billanole]

Sonny and Lucille Tillman
This endowment was provided by the friends and associates of lifelong Gator fans Floyd “Sonny” Tillman and his wife, Lucille.


The only good thing about Sonny's is they provide jobs for UF grads so they do not matriculate to the street..
stupid f*****g gators.

Well, obviously I withdraw any version of positivity about the gate influenced, vomit inducing, caca peddling den of inequity known as sonny boyz…

 

[Hawgk]

BBQ snobs in Texas look down their noses at Rudy’s, but I think it’s solid. Their smoked turkey breast never disappoints and is as good as I’ve found. Brisket varies from very good to okay. Spare ribs are okay.

 

[Tom Paris]

I love the potato casserole at slaps.

It was very good. Cheesy corn wasn’t terrible either.

 

[LBoogie28]

BBQ snobs in Texas look down their noses at Rudy’s, but I think it’s solid. Their smoked turkey breast never disappoints and is as good as I’ve found. Brisket varies from very good to okay. Spare ribs are okay.

As far as Texas chains go, it’s better than Dickies…which isn’t really saying much. On the other hand, there are several non-chain bbq spots that are light years better where I live. If people look down on Rudy’s, it’s probably because they can go a few blocks north, south, east, or west to find better ‘cue.

 

[jdw10224405]

Hard to find a good chain BBQ in Iowa. The one chain I haven't tried yet is Mission BBQ, but the best in the QC are or were single location restaurants. Haven't ate at Jim's Rib Haven in probably a decade, used to be decent. Smokin' Butt BBQ in NW Davenport is good but has very limited days and hours. Really limited restaurant wise for BBQ. Probably in part because the best BBQ I've had has been done in various backyards, mostly with good 'ol barrel smokers or smoker grills.

 

[Kinnick 4 Prez]

Famous Dave’s.
Fantastic.

 

[TennNole17]

Memphis edition
Corkys is actually ok for a Memphis “chain”
Rendezvous is an experience - but meh. Their bbq sauce in stores is actually good? The spicey version is best
Central BBQ kinda sucks now

 

[Hawgk]

As far as Texas chains go, it’s better than Dickies…which isn’t really saying much. On the other hand, there are several non-chain bbq spots that are light years better where I live. If people look down on Rudy’s, it’s probably because they can go a few blocks north, south, east, or west to find better ‘cue.

It’s far better than Dickies. And there’s a small handful of neighborhoods in the state of Texas where you can go “a few blocks in any direction” and find better BBQ than Rudy’s. Rudy’s isn’t outstanding, but the food is often on par with some the popular establishments and I’ll use Salt Lick as one, for an example.

 

[OrlandNole]

I had some pretty good feeds at https://www.4rsmokehouse.com/ while on work trips several years back.
Sonny’s is an older chain that is gator influenced, therefore avoid at your peril.
Edited.

Sonny Tilman is from Alachua County. I went to school with his niece. His daughter took an old Sonny's location and opened her own restaurant - Diane's Old Time BBQ. I don't eat meat, but I hear it's pretty decent.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

Sugarfire is solid here in the Lou for chains.

Sugarfire Smokehouse - The Best St. Louis Style Barbecue

We’re doing something completely different at Sugarfire. Our award-winning barbeque takes the best traditions of the best barbecue cities in the U.S.A. to create a St. Louis style barbecue that’s all its own.

sugarfiresmokehouse.com

Probably not a true chain, but Pappy’s and its spin off Bogart’s are both top notch.