The Brunswick stew was good. The barbecue pork was good. The service was very good. BUT the ribs were some of the worst I have ever eaten! The meat was full of gristle and was cooked either at too high a temperature or for too long. The ambiance was casual and welcoming. read more

I'm going to say this as plainly and clearly as I possibly can: These are some of the best ribs I've ever tasted in my entire life. The rub is well seasoned, sweet and absolutely requires NO BBQ SAUCE. As a matter of fact, I think putting sauce on these ribs is a crime! The bones were HUGE... spanning the entirety of my to go box and the meat itself was tender yet not quite fall of the bone... which I really like. I opted for Mac n' Cheese and baked beans for my sides. Both were very good + they also threw in a slice of Texas toast. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] I don't think it is an over exaggeration to say these may be some of the most flavorful ribs in the south. If you are a fan of sweet rubs, you are gonna love it here! read more

Barbecue Bears - Barbeque Near Me - Winder, Georgia

See all

The food was good,,not the bbq I've been craving for.The bbq I've been craving for from Famous Dave.This Bbq is smoked.I've been in Georgia four years,can't find any great bbq.Have to go back to New Jersey....,,lol if you like smoked meat you will like this bbq. read more

So.. I honestly feel like the business would care less if we were returning customers. It was just bad vibes as soon as we entered the establishment. Walked in and was not greeted. There was no one in the front/register but there was a man right behind the front counter. All the while we stood there, and he emptied two huge cans of pork beans into a bin, he never once acknowledged us. I seriously wanted to leave right then but my husband really wanted to try the place since he is an avid smoker. Not sure how long we actually stood there but a lady on the phone finally came around the corner and said hello to us. She was nice. Took our order and we sat. Spent between $50-60 and requested a receipt but was not given an itemized receipt. We ordered two combo plates (ribs, 1/4 chicken, smoked sausage, 2 sides) as well as the 6 piece smoked wings and a pint of the brunswick stew. We waited probably 10 minutes for our order to arrive. The man that was ignoring us earlier actually brought it to our table and we thanked him. Realizing we didn't have the brunswick stew my husband went to the front to let them know. The lady told us that they were still getting it and the man actually asked, "What?" in a pretty aggressive manner as if we were a bother. We wouldn't have asked if we were told that it was still coming.. The stew was actually pretty good. Better than a lot I've had before. Could use some more acid but that's not something a little hot sauce can't fix. Wish I would've received a spoon and some crackers I heard offered to another lady who ordered the same thing. The combo plate was a little underwhelming. Ribs were the end pieces of the rack being smaller than what would be typically served. The 1/4 chicken was two pieces of wings which I would not consider to be 1/4 of a chicken. Then we order a 6 piece wings as well not realizing we were already going to get wings.. In the pictures posted other customers actually received 1/4 chicken and actual full size ribs. The smoked sausage was generic smoked sausage off the grocery shelf as well as the texas toast. Sausage was chopped up so together it made up about a quarter link.. For $16.99 I feel we were jipped because we don't look like typical BBQ eaters we were pretty much given whatever could pass. Feeling a little offended. LOL Mac and cheese was actually decent. Potato salad was probably the only side completely homemade and was good. Eggs, mustard, pickles. My husband got the onion rings and fried corn in the cob. Looked really cool but that's pretty much it. Bbq sauce is baby rays.. I wanted to try a dessert but feeling very unwelcomed decided against it. After finishing up we got our things and left. My husband even said thank you to the lady up front as we walked out but of course she didn't hear us. With poboys just down the street with very good BBQ and even better service I'd suggest, do better. read more

See all

Best wings in town, best stew in town, best hush puppies in town. Great people as well!

We live not far from this place and never visited. Our daughter and son in law went to a party that had good bbq and they asked where it came from. They were surprised to hear it came from Barbecue Bears! So we went tonight and were pleasantly surprised! The place was very nice and clean. The young man the counter where you placed your order was very polite and friendly. My son in law had the rib combo, mine with collard greens and baked beans. He had deep fried corn on the cob and potato salad. My wife had the pulled pork plate with coleslaw. Everything was delicious and the prices are reasonable too! I noticed the guys in the kitchen were all singing as well as the young man up front. I thought that was kinda cool having been in the music industry. They weren't bad either!! Anyway, if you're looking for a great bbq place, with decent prices and great service with a little country music, I would definitely recommend Barbecue Bears! Oh and feel free to sing along! read more

Great food all around. My wife and I have tried everything on the menu. We both have our favorites but all of it is good. My favorite is the brisket by far! This is really good brisket. I am very picky on any BBQ since I smoke my own. This is really close to mine! The chicken is very good and it is my wife's favorite meat plate. Her favorite out of all is the Brunswick stew. This is the best BBQ in Winder. read more

The food was delicious, we wanted to try the ribs but unfortunately we arrived when they opened at 11 and were told they wouldn't be ready until noon. Staff was friendly, so we will go back to try the ribs next time. read more

Very poor BBQ. The staff acts like they don't care about you. The prices have changed since they opened.

I am not a bar-b-q fan. My daughter suggested we go there. She ordered the bar-b-q plate and I ordered the wings. Best wings I ever had. I do love brunswick stew. I usually prefer to make my own. Everytime I order brunswick stew I am disappointed. My daughter and I chose the brunswick stew as our side. I was pleasantly surprised. read more

Highly Recommend! Best bbq in winder! Locally owned - mom n pop! Hushpuppies are amazing! read more

I was at the hospital down the road and looking for a place to eat. It was a dark and foggy night (no this isn't a murder mystery - it really was!) and although I was following Yelp's directions, I passed the place twice. I wasn't expecting it to be attached to a gas station. When I realized it was, I almost didn't stop. Boy and I glad I did. OK, I didn't have BBQ - when I saw Catfish on the menu I decided I hadn't had a good Catfish in too long. The Fish was excellent. Well breaded, well cooked with a home made tartar sauce that was excellent. And I got 4 large pieces! The sides were good too, I had Fried Okra (Excellent) and Collards which had the most of the large stems trimmed out (NOBODY does this!) and were not loaded with salt like most other recipes. They were excellent. I hope I don't have family in the Hospital again, but eating at Barbecue Bears would almost make it worth it - I want to go back and try their actual BBQ, the brisket I saw on the cutting table looked excellent. Oh, service was fast and friendly as well! read more

So, as others have noted, the prices are high, and the food is just mediocre. The location is great for a BBQ joint (usually good next to a gas station; that's a rule!), and the place was very clean. Staff was nice, but the food, well... just wasn't that good. I had the three meat combo; the sausage was ok. The ribs were actually pretty good, and the chickens was bland on the inside (but the rub on the skin was decent). Green beans were good, but the potato salad was a strange sort of sweet and mustard. I didn't hate it; just didn't love it. My wife had the pork plate, and the meat was very flavorless. Her turnip greens were spicy, but wayyyy over salted. We did like the barbecue beans, but they weren't typical. Much better BBQ places for less nearby. read more

Always delicious!! I love their smoked chicken, it's a favorite of mine! Great food and great service! read more

Barbecue Bears - Ribs, sausage and smoked chicken. Turnip greens and fried corn on the cob. - Barbeque Near Me - Winder, Georgia

The Food - 3 The Staff - 4 The Value - 2 The food is BBQ, traditional, nothing fancy. You can add your one flavor after your served to spice it up, but overall basic BBQ. The sides as the same. Exactly what you expect from a BBQ place. It almost comes across as "food truck food", not from an established brink and mortar. The Staff were great, so inviting and friendly. Welcome you in from the door opening to the moment you finish your food. The value is not there. The price point is too high for the location and what you get. I suggest they move to a new location, not a gas station, and try to justify the price atmosphere or add-ons ... or, bring the price point to a level which reflects what you get and the location. read more

Tucked away next to the Shell station - you'd be surprised at what a good BBQ place this is. I love the pulled pork & turnips. They also have good Brunswick stew & I'm picky about stew. The drinks are large and I love tea so I'm able to load up! I took away a star because when I went in this past time, I waited at the counter for over 10 minutes and no one ever came out. I had my heart set on this place too. read more

Made a last minute decision to try this place for dinner last night. There were no other customers there when we arrived, Ali though they had about 5 more people come in while we were there. Staff was friendly and place was clean. We tried a variety of items from their menu. Ribs and smoked chicken had a great flavor. Pulled pork, Mac n cheese, green beans and baked beans were all good. We really wanted the Brunswick stew and corn but they were out. I was pleasantly surprised and we will definitely try them again. read more

See all

Fantastic!!! Had the combo platter. Loved it! Wife had the brisket and it was delicious. Everything we tried was great. Will definitely come back. read more

Just because it's next to gas station don't let it discourage you. Party of 7. No one had any complaints, including 3 kids. Our food included pulled pork plates. Sandwiches shrimp and wings. If you like collards get a double order. They are spicy and delicious. Highly recommend. read more

Enjoyed my dinner here last Wednesday. I ordered the four rib platter. There are three main sauces to choose from. I went with house sauce, but also the mustard sauce added another flavor. The other choice is a hotter sauce just not for my palate. Coleslaw as a side was was delicious. Nice and freshly made. Went well with the ribs and some of the best hush puppies and I've ever eaten. Followed by the banana pudding, dessert. Everything is made and cooked in house It was all good. Barbecue bears is clean employees are friendly and just a good wholesome place to eat. read more

Prices are too and the quality of their food has gone down. Plus they charge you to use your credit card.

Snagged a couple bites from my Husband's take home plate, and I'm already LOVING this. I WILL be going in tomorrow (my first time) for my plate,,, That I will NOT be sharing. read more

Great little spot BBQ. I'm picky about BBQ and I never order ribs out because I can do better on my green egg at home. This place forces my hand. The ribs are the best anywhere around. Period. The smoked sausage and sides are amazing, and the dry rubbed smoked wings are the best I've ever had at a restaurant. Ever. Service might be a little slow, but the food is worth it. Give this place a try read more

Stopped by and im soo GLAD I DID. HANDS DOWN BEST BBQ IN GA, the sauces are all unique, the ribs are FALL OFF THE BONE AND SMOKED TO PERFECTION. You can tell this pitmaster cares about BBQ. Thank you Jesus for this place! read more

I wanted this place to rival Smokin' Po Boys so bad.. it was very basic bbq and expensive for what it was. The food seemed like it had been sitting out a few hours, but it may have been the time of day I went. read more

The meats are all good. But the sides are all obviously store-bought. Which is a major corner to cut when trying to establish yourself as a BBQ business. Garlic bread was right out of the grocery freezer. The hush puppies were burnt and flavorless. And as usual, everything is overpriced. But the meats were good. Especially the ribs & wings. read more

BBQ was awesome, as was the mac and cheese, stew. The cobbler...well you won't believe me until you try it, it's the best I've ever had.

Doesn't look like much being next to a gas station but it's soooo good! I got the pulled pork sandwich and fried okra and they were delish! The pulled pork was cooked perfectly and you get a huge portion. Love this place read more

This place is just a small restaurant beside a gas station, but it's cute and clean and the food is SO good!!! The ribs, smoked chicken, and smoked sausage are truly excellent! Their sides and desserts are very good too! They occasionally have brisket, which we can't wait to try! These people know how to smoke meats, and the portions are very large. Best barbecue in the area! read more

This is a new BBQ place that opened up in Winder, and I gotta say that I sure hope it stays here forever. The Smokehouse Burger was amazing and they got the food out quick. They are closed on Mondays, but open all other days of the week. I will definitely be leaving another review and posting pictures next time I go there, which will be soon! read more

I loved the BBQ Bears. It's a great laid back place to eat. The ribs are competition quality and the brisket (fridays only) are absolutely Off The Charts delicious. Lots of sides and some great po boys if you don't have a hankering for bbq. read more

Good BBQ and friendly people! We had pulled pork sandwich and side of stew. Pulled pork sandwich was very good! Brunswick Stew is thick & hearty - a meal in itself. We will be back! read more

Not many people were inside the restaurant so we stopped to try it out. The food and service was very good and filling. They were pet friendly since we had our small dog in a stroller! We will definitely go back since they were kind enough to to let us bring her in! My wife loved the fried corn! read more

Have eaten here 4 times and half of the times they were out of Brunswick stew which is the main reason I went back. This last time not only were they out of Brunswick stew, they were out of 3 different sides. I was there 2 hours before closing so they should of had everything. Don't think the manager was there and it didn't seem to concern the 2 kids that were there that they had 2 unsatisfied customers. The food was still good but don't go looking forward to getting something that might be on the menu. read more

Some good things and some bad. Ribs and chicken were quite good, as were the baked beans. Potato salad was obviously something bought premade (think gallon bucket from grocery store)....yuck. I thought the pork was chopped way too finely, texture was not appetizing. read more

We had bbq ribs, and pulled pork and sausage. Everything was awesome and all the side we had were good also. I have been back several times, can't say enough good things about this place! read more