Me and my dad had come here for lunch to celebrate Father's Day a little early. First of all this place always smells good when you pass by on the highway it is serious like road side barbecue! There are many options and their menu can be found on their facebook. I will say it is a little weather dependent unless you want to eat barbecue under the pavilion in the rain but personally I think barbecue is best enjoyed in sunny weather. I got the pulled pork dinner with extra bbq sauce and fruit salad and potato salad. My dad got the chicken dinner with salt potatoes and Mac salad. Both dinners came with 2 sides. First off the portions are very generous you definitely won't leave hungry. The pulled pork was delicious and was gone in like 5 minutes! In my opinion the potato salad was a little I guess thick but that's really just a preference thing it was still really good! The fruit salad was pretty basic melons and some strawberries nothing special but again still good. My dad is a big fan of the chicken and this is like his go to bbq spot. The service was good and quick there's really not much of a wait after you order and the grill is full and visible as you go to order. If somehow you still want more after you can go to Big Dipper ice cream literally less than 50 ft away. I paid just a little under $40 and I do think there's a cash discount and I also left a couple bucks for a tip and we got drinks. Overall if you're looking for good legit bbq this is the place to come. read more

Big Dipper BBQ - Pulled pork sandwich and potato salad - Barbeque Near Me - Apalachin, New York

See all

Meat and most sides are gluten free! I did not realize this until specifically asking. Fast service and delicious bbq.

I make a point to stop at this roadside bbq spot whenever I drive from Elmira to Binghamton. Its always been the best place for bbq chicken and ribs. Today I ordered both chicken and ribs to bring home. Wow. Bad. Ribs are usually soft and fall off the bone. Today the rib meat was as dry and hard as the bones. Inedible. Chicken too. I'm embarrassed for them that they thought it would be ok to sell these dry leftovers. They lost a regular customer today. read more

Big D is where its at!!!! I love this place! The food was great, not a long wait for my bbq plate! Staff was quick & to the point! I would def visit again! read more

Back in 2004-2005 my job took me across the Southern Tier from Binghamton to Elmira across what's now known as Route 86. Many an afternoon I'd see the smoke rising up from the roadside. Eventually I'd find time to pull off the highway. When I did finally make the time, I quickly kicked myself for not stopping sooner. It's not an exaggeration to say this is the best BBQ chicken I've ever had. The spice and the sauce is Cornell style. Don't go looking for Sweet Baby Rays here. The vinegar and spice cooked long and slow over charcoal make for some of the most tender birds around. I can easily polish off a whole chicken. Then there are the sides. Irresistible salt potatoes. Even better is the four-bean salad with its tangy Italian-style dressing. Both are can't miss. I've driven four hours from Philadelphia just to eat this chicken and come home in the same day. It's that good. read more

Big Dipper BBQ - Four bean salad - Barbeque Near Me - Apalachin, New York

Gets reallyyyyyyy busy but it's cause they are one of the best bbq places out here!!! Totally recommend , food is always delicious. (Ignore the Mac & cheese) got that from a different place. read more

Big Dipper BBQ - I got the chicken dinner with 2 sides. (Not the Mac & cheese) - Barbeque Near Me - Apalachin, New York

See all

Amazing food!!!!!!!! Fast service. Large sizes that are easily 2 meals. Pulled pork is incredible. read more

I live close to the bbq. It's good but not write home good. Most of the chicken I've got there has been on the over cooked dry side. The service is fine and there is no ambiance.. sides are decent too. Sam's chicken w bbq sauce is 20 times better and a quarter the price.. Just saying... read more

We were on a road trip from NJ to Finger Lakes and needed to take a quick road stop for gas and "health break". We stumbled across this place at 11am and were immediately drawn in by the big BBQ sign , smoke, huge grill outside and the smell!!! Damn! We split a chicken meal and decided on macaroni salad and salted roasted potatoes (salted and buttery) for our sides. Super friendly staff recommended them as "fan favorites". I know why! Did we plan a lunch at 11? No! But you can't not stop here and can't not eat! It was about an hour from our next stop at Watkins Glen State Park, so we were full and happy! Bravo for a local and road-trip perfect place! read more

Big Dipper BBQ - Look at all that chicken! - Barbeque Near Me - Apalachin, New York

See all

Visiting my brother and he suggested getting BBQ for lunch. He really likes Big Dipper BBQ!! We ordered a Full Rack of Ribs, the dinner plate that comes with two sides, to split. For the sides we chose salt potatoes and beans. The ribs were some of the best ribs I've had!! The meat falls right off the bone!! The bbq sauce that comes with it was tasty. The salt potatoes were cooked to perfection. The beans were good too. Good choices for sides! We chose to do takeout for our food and it was really fast!! I'd definitely eat here again!! Get the ribs!! read more

How does this place not have 4000 reviews? GO HERE....get the chicken. You will return!! The Potato's are great to. they run out of stuff so get there early! read more

Absolutely always amazing. I make it a point to swing by while passing through on deliveries. The chicken is so moist and flavorful. That marinade they pour on it always extra extra extra !!!! Love salt potatoes and their potato salad is killer as well ! This is a must stop no questions asked! read more

Big Dipper BBQ - Half chicken - Barbeque Near Me - Apalachin, New York

Delicious!! Awesome family owned BBQ!! The salads are really good too!! read more

Always a hit during the summer months it's open, if they were open year round I would have to get a part time job with them just to cover all the food I would eat. No complaints read more

Just had come of the worst ribs ever. Silver skin still attached. DRY! The sauce may have been good, but I could really taste it over the overall saltiness and over smoked, over cooked little bit of meat that I could sample out of the entire half rack. This was completely dissatisfying. Sides were salt potatoes. Very salty, which is how they should be, so they nailed that one (but that is not a real challenging item to pull off). The Mac salad could have definitely used some of that salt because it had nothing going for it. The sauce on the pulled pork was possibly good. But I can't say for sure because I was overwhelmed once again by the salty dry pulled pork. I would seriously consider appealing for charges of animal cruelty against this establishment for their mistreatment to these pieces of meat, if this is the trend, and not some terrible one time mistake . I had to throw this garbage out and microwave a couple of burritos in the end. I couldn't even feed this catastrophe to my dog in fear of their blood pressure spiking and facing charges of animal cruelty myself. First time I ventured there after years of hearing praise from many people. But this was my particular experience . read more

Been going here for years, never disappoints! I especially enjoy their pulled pork and ribs

Best Brisket ever!!! Great service and delicious food! Dan is the MAN when it comes to BBQ!

Drop by for outstanding chicken and appealing roadside Americana. I'll briefly note minor caveats that don't necessarily detract from the rating - the parking lot's tight (I opted for the lot at the adjacent ice cream affiliate) and a port-a-potty stands in for the traditional facilities. Aspiring food bloggers won't just want to take pictures of the barbecued chicken itself; even the billowing smoke is Instagram-worthy. There's an incredible marinade that seems to be the "Cornell style", somewhat like Brooks in Oneonta. It features vinegar, probably black pepper and presumably a bunch of secret ingredients. Ribs were good, not great, although the size was spectacular. Beating expectations were the sides: killer salt potatoes and surprisingly assertive macaroni salad. read more

2 out 3 people in owego recommended us to try here. I will admit I should have asked if their pulled pork was wet or dry/- however I ordered the pulled pork platter w Mac salad band beans. Mac salad was good and different. My wife and I could taste the pepper in it, very good. Beans were fine Pulled pork was drowned in the sauce. Sauce was ok, but couldn't really taste any flavor of of the actual meat. Again, I should have asked, but didn't enjoy the saucy pulled pork I'd come back, but would not get the pork--- ribs would be worth a shot read more

This is only a summertime place but it is oh so good. They start quite early in the morning...starting the bbq pit for cooking all day. Party of 6 had 1/2 chicken and pulled pork. The meat was perfection. if you order sides salted potatoes are a must, fresh fruit, beans. All very good. And if you are good and eat everything you can walk across the parking lot and get some ice cream for dessert. Great place for everyone - young and old. Food was delicious. We will be back once in the area. read more

Pulled pork is delicious. Homemade fresh side salads. Got the ribs one time, they were good, but very salty. Cheap prices (meal deals), friendly staff, fast service, good parking lot. No indoor dining or public bathroom. read more

I have eaten here twice and both times the food was very good. I had the pulled pork once and the half chicken next time. I preferred the chicken to the pork, I found it to be more of what I would expect from a good bbq place. The pork was a bit pedestrian, good but nothing special. The sides I had were very good as well. read more

Mike the guy on the grill greeted my with hospitality I asked for the juiciest chicken on the Lott and boy did they deliver. I planned to take the chicken on the road but I sat in my car and ate the whole thing before I could leave. Well done to the ladies behind the counter and owners of this establishment. It was clear everything was being managed snd the customers were happy! read more

Glad to see Big Dipper back open for the season. It's always a treat stopping here on our wsy back home from Rochester. The best BBQ chicken you can ask for. Love the pulled pork, too! We always look forward to stopping here and can't wait to return. Than you Big Dipper! Nice staff and great food. read more

See all

Definitely 10 Star- of deliciousness! My very first time here, I ordered the chicken dinner. It was what the clerk recommended. It happened to be the very best I ever had.This won't be my last time here. I highly recommend! read more

Big Dipper BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Apalachin, New York

I heard about this BBQ so when I came in to visit my mom, we went there and got the chicken and rib dinner with 2 sides for $18.95. the person who said this place is overpriced is crazy - that price is very reasonable for the amount of food that you get and is definitely enough for 2-3 people! I looked at the prices for a full rack of ribs and that is standard $ I pay anywhere I go. Seeing someone grill chicken right in front of you on an open pit guarantees fresher flavors and a better eating experience. the vinegar based sauce on the chicken is great and I ate an entire half chicken (my stomach hurts but I just couldn't stop). I'll be honest I haven't tried the ribs yet because I'm so full from the dang chicken! But now I have an entire second meal with a half a rack of ribs and the leftover potatoes and beans I didn't finish, which makes each dinner I got around $9. Yahoo! I'd like to take a quarter star off for the baked beans because they kind of taste like they're out of a can. my apologies to the owner if that's not true but they didn't taste homemade. Throw in some of that fresh pulled pork you have or a few slabs of bacon! read more

See all

Awesome BBQ, period! Walked up and saw they were cooking a huge batch on the open pit, that with a side of slaw and salt potatoes was all slamming! Oh and most importantly their secret sause will leave you quite intrigued on its ingredients. I'll be marking this spot read more

Big Dipper BBQ - Slamming BBQ! Secret sauce is tangy leaving you quite intrigued as to the ingredients! What a find! I'll be marking this spot.... - Barbeque Near Me - Apalachin, New York

I look forward to Big Dipper chicken every year!!! I love this place! I love that there's ice cream right next door and a nice place for my kids to play. read more

Love this place! Great prices, ice cream and food. Only issues I have had is the last experience the staff were very rude and condescending. But I have never had that experience there before so I will be back still because I do enjoy it. read more

So maybe showing up 2 hours before closing is why. I wanted Cole slaw and they were out. I ordered "baked beans ". Tasted like pork and beans out of the can. The chicken had no bbq flavor. It was not dry thank goodness. The salted potatoes are a lazy way to serve them. Need deep fried fries or jo-jos or something. I really have no reason to go back. No beef or sausage. Only pork or chicken. read more

I've been going here for a few years now and their BBQ never disappoints! The service is usually quick even when there's a long line.

This place is amazing for those not afraid to get their hands dirty (they have wet wipes!). If you go toward the end of the day, they may be out of stuff or the chicken can be slightly dried out, but it's still tasty nonetheless. Always say yes to extra sauce and save room for ice cream next door. My only real "complaint" is that their FB feed isn't as active as I'd like when it comes to understanding when they'll open for the season. read more

The BBQ is good. I have struggled to get the sides and stuff I wanted and I always walk away feeling like it was pricier than I would have wanted. For those reasons, it's a 3 for me. read more

Bar-b-q is great, but the ice cream is a little expensive! And I am writing more because I have to write more for this to post. Stupid.

Seriously folks? Only one review for the Big Dipper? I realize Apalachin isn't exactly a booming metropolis, but all you kids that grew up down here know what's up. When this place opens for the first time in the Spring, it is symbolic of the end of a shitty Winter that has most likely sapped all of your soul/energy/joy since the previous October. Forget the groundhog--if Big D is open, it's Summer. Even if it is still freezing, people are lined up to suck down Perry's ice cream you can buy in the store---it just doesn't taste the same unless it is from the Big Dipper. When they first opened, they were just selling ice cream, hot dogs, burgers, etc. The people that run it spend their winters in Florida and come back to rake in the dough from the locals every summer. They expanded to the BBQ chicken business. This stuff is really popular in this part of New York and if there is a firefighter/school/church fundraiser, you can pretty much bet they are making the lions share of their profits from the BBQ chicken. Picking up on this, the Big D got themselves a pit crew and spew that smokey aroma all over town. It is like catnip for obese townspeople. It is unlike bbq chicken you have had elsewhere in the world. This is not traditional bbq sweet, molasses, tomato based sauce. It is very much vinegary and high on seasonings. The pit bosses literally stand in a shroud of smoke the entire day as they mop buckets of that sauce all over the chicken. They will probably get black lung in a few years so get this stuff now while they are still around. I've moved to New Orleans and miss my Big Dipper. read more

Having travelled all over this nation for BBQ, this is tops! Convenient road side stand. No frills but excellent service and food. Pulled pork was very tender, and portions were huge. I think less sauce in the final product would reveal much more meat and smoke flavor however. The ribs were fall off the bone. Very very tender but still had the skin and some fat that did not render off, perfect smoked taste. Chicken was the all-star. Delicious and moist. Meat also fell off the bone, and melted in your mouth. The final sauce is a one of a kind and really complemented the char and smoke profile. For sides, the 4-bean salad was the favorite. It's light compared to the meats, and compliments well. Whatever it was marinated in (very light vinegar just to break down some sugars) was just perfect. There's some confusion between pasta and macaroni salad, but both were delicious. Potato salad was creamy and delicious. Baked beans felt generic, they could benefit by losing the heavy sauce, which felt overly sugary. For those in the know, and on the road - this is a place worth setting your GPS to. read more

We brought our family of 4 here and spent $46 even with splitting 2 meals. The pulled chicken sub tasted more like a meatball sub with soggy bread than a bbq sandwich. The ribs were ok. Service was quick- but we ended up tossing 3/4 of the food we purchased based on the taste. read more

Great BBQ at a roadside pit. Have driven by this for years and was always eager to try but never hungry. Finally made the stop and it was worth it. Got the ribs and chicken combo. Both extremely tasty. Chicken cooks in front on an open pit with 200 halves basking in the smoke. Ribs were tender and sauces were delicious on both. So impressed we got take away after we ate. It was a long ride to Rochester and we were sure to need a snack! read more

See all

Local goodie! Authentic good barbecue! Definitely a must try. The ice cream shop next door is awesome too! The whole environment is wonderful. read more

These guys rock. It's not fancy, it's a side of the road bbq joint with picnic tables but the food is great. My wife and I ordered spiedie salad (grilled marinated chicken pieces on a salad), roasted chicken and ribs (had to try it all with plans for leftovers for dinner). The chicken spiedies and chicken were fantastic. Perfectly cooked and juicy. Some places tend to over cook spiedies but these guys did it perfect. I also want to add the people there were super nice and friendly. I opened the car door and a bag fell out dumping and smashing a bottle of bloody mary mix all over the parking lot. They heard and saw and came over to help me clean it up all while trying to make me feel like less of bone head for the incident. I've been driving by this place and seen it from the highway so many times and I'm glad I finally stopped. I will stop by again when i'm in the neighborhood. read more