Backwoodz BBQ Restaurant -- 400 W Williamsburg Rd, Sandston, VA 23150, right across from Richmond International Airport I had the pleasure of visiting Backwoodz BBQ Restaurant last weekend with my wife, her two brothers, my father-in-law, and my nephew, and I can honestly say this was one of the most enjoyable restaurant experiences we've had in a long time. Let me start with the most important part: THE FOOD! I ordered The Whiting Fish Plate with two sides and cornbread, and the fish, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread were amazing. My father-in-law also had the fish and couldn't believe how much food was on his plate. My wife's brothers got the brisket and absolutely loved the flavor of the barbecue. The portions are generous, the food is fresh, and you definitely won't leave wondering where your money went. And then there's the atmosphere. From the moment we walked through the door, the hostess was incredibly welcoming. It felt genuine, and that kind of hospitality is something you don't encounter nearly as often as you should. There was also a gentleman there who was basically a one-man show. He was extremely talented, both musically and vocally. He sang all of the classic songs, and we almost couldn't eat because we were too busy singing along with him! It really added something special to the experience. The restaurant was also extremely clean, comfortable, and had a welcoming, almost home-like feeling. Another thing that really stood out to me was the owner coming out to check on us and ask how everything was. After tasting that food, I didn't even need to say much. I think the look on my face said everything. That was the look of pure satisfaction! He actually sat down with our family, and we got the opportunity to ask him questions about his history with food, where he got his influences, and what gave him the desire to cook. He also let us know that since we were from North Carolina, if he was catering an event, he could make whatever style of barbecue his clients desired. That's some real culinary skill. Being able to adapt your barbecue to what your customers want says a lot about your experience and knowledge of the craft. But what impressed me even more was watching him take the time to talk with my nephew and mentor him on some business questions he had. That really stood out to me. It wasn't just about serving us food. He took an interest in our family and was willing to share some of his knowledge and experience. I was truly impressed with the entire interaction. Overall, Backwoodz BBQ Restaurant is a restaurant I would absolutely recommend. Great food, generous portions, welcoming service, a unique atmosphere, live music, and an owner who genuinely seems to care about his customers. We came in to try something new, and we left already talking about what we're going to try next time. If you're in Sandston or the Richmond, VA area, especially if you're coming through Richmond International Airport, I highly recommend giving Backwoodz BBQ Restaurant a try. You won't just be getting a meal. You'll get an experience. read more

Great spot. Hospitable staff. Welcoming, informative. Basic ambiance. Not there for that anyway. Food definition gives you, "Backwoods." Tastes like somebody smoked and cooked the meat, in the "backwoods" behind someone's house. Had the Brisket dinner, with cold slaw, baked beans, and half a slab of ribs (see pics). The "sides" needed more attention. Very basic. VERY. Brisket was ok. A lot of "smoked" flavor, which is to be expected. Ribs, tasty, great portion. I'd recommend. read more

Backwoodz - Half slab of Ribs by the Slab - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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I am extremely dissatisfied with my order today. I ordered the grilled chicken wings... pink is one thing but when there's blood veins.. it's a complete turn off. The fish... was ok. The Mac and cheese.. the cheese was so hard I threw the whole thing away. The baked beans was canned no seasoning and my cabbage had more of the root then leaves. I paid $90+ and literally didn't even eat the pulled chicken. Not to mention, I received 4 slices of the brisket. 4 slices ... a compete joke. I used to hype this place up but today they robbed me. I'm so pissed! read more

I feel like this is a 3 1/2 star BBQ restaurant. Was looking forward to such a highly rated establishment so I rushed across town at lunchtime. Business was steady, but not full or overcrowded in the least. It's very close to the airport, easy access with plenty of free parking in the large lot out in front of the strip mall. Barbecue tasted good and they actually have fried okra . You don't find that everywhere. No issues with the additional side menu items. The portion of the barbecue and the side was quite small. Because it smelled so good when I walked in I went ahead and ordered a dinner portion and it turns out that's the same exact size as a lunch portion despite being more expensive. Service was slow. I don't mind waiting a few minutes for good barbecue, but it took longer than it should have. And, I was about halfway done with the meal before the soft drinks came out. Seems like they also do catering, which probably wouldn't have the slow service problem. I might try them again if I'm in that area as I don't think there's any BBQ close by the airport. Maybe I just hit it on a day when staff called out sick or something. read more

This is pretty average BBQ. My husband and I came here for dinner on a Friday evening and it was very dead. Service was fast and friendly, so that was a plus! The ambiance was very dark. We ordered the brisket dinner and the pulled pork dinner. Both meats were very dry and you barely got any BBQ sauce to go along with it. The fries were probably the best side. The baked beans had an interesting flavor, not one that we preferred. The Mac n cheese was fine, but nothing much there. The coleslaw was decent. I think those giving this place 5 stars don't really have much to compare it to. I guess all of my days in Austin, TX ruined me! Probably wouldn't recommend but, if you're looking for standard BBQ, then it may be your thing. read more

Delicious food and seriously the best sides I've ever had at a barbecue joint. And customer service was amazing. I don't live in this area but if I'm ever back in town, I will go out of my way to eat here. read more

Backwoodz - Brisket, cabbage, green beans, tater tots, fried okra, cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

Sorry about this post bro' but that 1/2 lb of brisket was THE WORST brisket I've ever had. During my travels, I've had some really bad brisket and some really good brisket -with some of the best right in Richmond VA, but this takes the cake right here. It had a smoke flavor but was, tough to chew, no seasoning and no defined smoke ring. Thank heavens for the smoked wings which barely provided the 2 stars. Service was great but that brisket was awful. read more

Backwoodz - Brisket side $15 1/2 lb - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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The brisket was tender and the mac and cheese was flavorful. The apple cobbler cheesecake was also smooth and not too sweet. read more

Backwoodz - Apple Cobbler Cheesecake - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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This place is a hidden gem . This was my first time in here, so I had to try their fried smoked wings & Mac & cheese . They were top-tier. Probably some of the best wings I've ever had. Loaded with flavor and you could taste all that smoky goodness coming through. I didn't even dip it any sauce cause I wanted to appreciate the man back there on the smoker and he did his thing. I also ordered up a half pound of brisket because I wasn't leaving without trying the brisket. When I opened up the container, it had beautiful perfect color smelled incredible and as I'm picking it up, you could just feel its tenderness it actually started to fall apart a little bit. Perfection. As I was sitting there waiting for my food, I was just sitting there talking to a couple of different people and everybody was really cool . The whole vibe in Backwoodz was good food and great people . I'll be back . 10/10 read more

Backwoodz - Fried smoky goodness - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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Craving BBQ? Backwoodz is your place! The brisket with the fat cap on is AMAZING! So flavorful! Came in super hungry after a long travel day, and that first bite was heavenly. No sauce needed! Another standout was the cucumber & tomato salad which had just the right amount of vinegar. The green beans and the cabbage were tasty, but just a tad too salty for me. I can't fault them, as I rarely use salt, it's likely my palette that is off. The pulled pork was excellent, but needed sauce. Alas I cannot have sweet sauces. I then got the idea to combine the pork with the cabbage and found it similar to the experience of eating luau pork with poi. Better together! I added the leftover vinegar dressing from the C&T salad to the green beans and found that also was a hit. The desserts were very tempting, but I opted instead to order enough brisket and pulled pork for the weekend. It's proven to be very filling!! I also can't say enough about the staff. So genuinely welcoming, helpful, friendly, and clearly proud of their product (as they should be!). Put a smile on my face and will look forward to returning on future trips to Richmond! read more

Backwoodz - Cabbage, Tomato & Cucumber salad, Green Beans - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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I was looking for a place for me and my friends to eat and I found this place! The service was great, super welcoming and attentive. The food was amazing as well, though I'd say the mac n cheese needed a bit more flavor (this is just an opinion from a person who loves spicy food though haha!) Only big complaint would be the price for the portions but other than that it was great! Nice and quiet too, loved the rustic ambiance. Thank you for the great food! (*´v`*) read more

Yelp provided this recommendation on a simple bbq search when we were 10 miles away. We almost drove right by it. It's right across from the airport and is probably missing business due to the exterior. The owner could increase business 20% by adding two tables with umbrellas outside and a couple of big "feather" signs that said BBQ by the road. The pulled pork sandwiches were great. read more

Had the brisket sandwich with a side of tomato-cucumber salad. Service was up eat and efficient. We got there just before the lunch rush which was a good thing as about twenty customers walked in after we ordered! It's a cool place with a DJ/stage at one end for later hours I assume. Would recommend if you're in the mood for some tasty BBQ! read more

Brisket was good. Fries were good. Banana Pudding cake was delicious. Green beans were amazing!

You know, when the locals rave about a spot, it is a winner. A++++++ I stopped by at lunch, on a rainy day. About half full, the service was excellent. The wings are 10. Not pink inside. While I realize that pink inside is a sign of the slow smoking process, my preference is a dark white shade. Just me. Meat separation from bone is excellent. Snappy crisp skin. Brisket is a solid 7. Only because I am picky. I order "fatty cut". They had a hard time processing my order. I did not get fully fatty cut, but on the other side, I did not get dry brisket. The brisket had a good smoke flavor, excellent bark. I was digging the rub..... Again, I just prefer a fattier cut..... I spoke with the owner, good dude. We talked for about 30 minutes about smoking in the Carolinas and his process. Overall, I will be back. Good job!!!! read more

Backwoodz - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

Close to Richmond airport. Brisket plate was very tasty, tender; BBQ beans and coleslaw excellent. Yummy desserts too. Competent and pleasant service. Super casual spot dine in or take out and my go to anytime near the airport. read more

BBQ is very good! The service here is very friendly and helpful. Definitely will return again to try another menu item. After my meal i started eating my wife's brisket nachos. read more

Backwoodz - Pulled Pork Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

From the minute you walk in, you can smell it. And you just know, it's gonna be GOOD! Get greeted by name, get a hug from the owner when he's got a second, chat with the counter staff while you plan out what fabulousness you're taking home. I've never had a bad meal here at Backwoodz. The selection is amazing, the portions are great, and it's priced just right. Add in the atmosphere, live music from time to time, and just look at those desserts on the counter! It's a wonderful place for some of the best BBQ I've eaten! Do yourself a big favor & try this restaurant. Show them some love. I can tell you that everything they serve is made with love, and that's a fact! They have something on the menu for everyone, and catering, too! read more

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This restaurant had the best melt in your mouth brisket, pork and chicken I've ever had. Very tender, juicy and flavorful! Would highly recommend. The service was topnotch, friendly and very helpful. Loved this place!! read more

Backwoodz - Loaded nachos with pork - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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Food is outstanding, and staff is very friendly. Yelp always wants too many words in a review, but if you're looking for great BBQ ribs, this is the place to go. But if you want fancy surroundings, Backwoodz might not be the place for you. read more

Just got here for lunch and decided to order dinners. Comes with two sides and corn bread or roll. Hope the cornbread is good. That was my choice. Came in, chose a table and was given paper menus. Once you decide what to order you go up to the counter to place your order. Very easy to get in with the wheelchair. We got soda to start. And they had root beer. I love that but it is rarely on a menu. Ordered brisket dinner with tomato and cucumber salad and baked beans. Spouse ordered pulled pork dinner with Mac and cheese and fries with hot cheese. A lot of people started coming in after we sat. Spouse immediately liked the French fries with hot cheese. Overall not our favorite place for barbecue. Ambiance is okay. Brisket was fatty. read more

Backwoodz - Brisket Dinner - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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Bbq was just okay. Nothing to wow about. This is mainly a takeout place. The name makes the place seem like it would be cozy with booths and low lighting but it's not. read more

The bbq is good, definitely better than some of the more well known establishments. Give this place a try. I prefer more eastern style bbq and this fit the bill, Smokey, good, friendly staff. read more

Some of the best barbecue I've had in the Richmond area. Both pulled pork and brisket. Just the right amount of smoke and moderately sauced. Their own sauce blend served on the que. No wide range of generic sauces to choose from. Unique flavor I found delicious. Sides were good enough to take home too. Highly recommended. read more

Tried Backwoodz for the first time on Friday. The pound of brisket that I purchased was some of the worst that I have ever had. Definitely no comparison to Ronnies. It was very tough and lacked flavor. The kicker is that I waited 20 minutes for them to finish cooking it. I do not mind paying for good food, but this was definitely not "good food". I probably will not be returning. read more

Great BBQ and large servings of briskets. The staff were very friendly and helpful in recommending the sides. Good location in the eastern Henrico County near Byrd Airport. I recommend you try it soon to enjoy the great taste of Southern BBQ! read more

We've utilized Backwoodz BBQ for several catering events and they do not disappoint. The smoked meats are cooked to perfection. The brisket is tender and moist. They do an amazing job with seasoning the meat as well! The pulled pork and chicken are also tender and flavorful. The cabbage and macaroni and cheese are also delicious. The service is outstanding and the deliveries are punctual. read more

Always great food!!! Service is fast and staff are super pleasant. Brisket is fantastic, green beans are the absolute best . read more

Been rocking with this place way back when they were just a food truck. Came in yesterday to try the smoked fried wings for first time. They were cooked to perfection. Crispy on outside and flavorful. Fries were just standard but still tasty. I did try a slice of sweet potato poundcake...I was not a fan of that AT ALL. Service was fast and friendly. Restaurant was nice and clean. Great parking. read more

Backwoodz - Sweet Potato Poundcake - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

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The best BBQ and experience ever! Right by RIC airport. I cannot wait to have it again on my return trip.

Simply amazing. Not sure what else to say. Stopped by this past Saturday for a lunch meet up with parents and siblings (5 of us total). Took a while because of how busy they were but when our meals were delivered, everyone (!) enjoyed theirs. And with aging parents, that is saying something!!! Orders included pulled chicken and chopped briskets sandwiches - which had almost too much meat on them. I had the sliced brisket sandwich which was amazing. And my mother also ordered a banana pudding cake which was very well received. Not much to look at outside, but well worth the visit. Definitely on the list to hit up again if I pass thru the RIC area. read more

Very good! We had the pork bbq & brisket dinners. Brisket was tender, both portions ample & the bbq sauce delicious. Standout sides include tater tots, baked beans & slaw (crispy, fresh & not overdressed). Nice interior for dining in with order at counter service; food brought to table. Young man manning the front of the house was very nice. Also, full bar & good value. read more

Backwoods is in a small strip mall with shared parking. The strip mall is not incredibly busy, and parking was easy with dedicated handicap spots if needed. I backed into a spot near the front door. From my rear view mirror, I read a large paper sign taped to the front window, "Help Wanted." The reduced staff was my only complaint. This is a 5-star review with the need for more wait staff. A chalkboard sign listed the day's specials. I chose 6 smoked wings and one side for $10. These were possibly the best wings I've ever had. Crispy on the outside, still tender and moist on the inside. They were served dry, with the sauce provided in separate cups. The side was mac-n-cheese. The young waiter told me his aunt makes it and the taste, texture proved that true. They have tables and a decent bar if you're thirsty. Two of the finer drinks were Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Patron Silver Tequila. Service could be better and faster. Backwoodz is 1 waiter away from a 5-star review. read more

Backwoodz - Today's Special: Six Smoked wings with Mac-N-Cheese, $10. - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

Doing battle grounds outside of Richmond VA. They out in the country side. Mostly small towns so finding places to eat can be challenging. Saw this on Yelp and drove over. Cool little place that was bank, still has the safe in the back wall. Now to the food. I got. Pulled pork sandwich with fries and wife got pulled chicken sandwich with Mac and cheese. The pork had a great taste and very tender. Liked their BBQ sauce too. The seasoned fries were fresh and hot. Wife enjoyed hers and finished everything. Highly recommended to stop by and have some great BBQ. read more

Food here is always amazing and the service is great! Definitely stop by for some amazing food!!

If you think this place is good then you've never had real BBQ before. 0/10 recommendations. The service is trash.

This IS the best place for homemade BBQ & everything! Bbq, brisket, sides, desserts are amazing! 5 stars!! read more

Backwoodz - Brisket is the best I've ever had. It's all good- go support this amazing restaurant. - Barbeque Near Me - Sandston, Virginia

Decent bbq, nothing spectacular. I'd give the food a 7/10. Wings were just ok and the same for the mac and cheese. My wife enjoyed the loaded fries. Main negative was the service. Food took forever and we waited about 10 mins just to get our waters. Also, this is a place where you get hit up for a tip before you even get the food. I would not go out of my way to come here. read more

This place is amazing. Food was awesome and the staff were the kindest. Will certainly make this place a regular stop when passing through. read more

Great service brisket tender delicious. Fried fish not good poorly seasoned skin left on was not crisp! I would go back for the barbecue but no fish read more