This is exclusively takeout and they are only open 3 days a week on a nondescript part of Gratiot. Ambiance is nonexistent since it's only a counter and half barrel smokers in the back wafting that delicious smell of bbq. Parking minimal. Only 2 groups of people standing around inside (no seats except 4 at the counter)- those ordering and those waiting but they both move pretty fast. So why go there? The food is really good. You can tell by the lines that form and usually snakes around and outside. It stays consistent all afternoon when they are open. Ribs are tender and the chicken is juicy. It's all bathed in sauce Detroit style and delivered to you in a foam box. Normally prefer bbq delivered without sauce to taste the rub and the meat and i will ask for it next time but I really enjoyed with the sauce. Everything good bbq should be. Also got wings special on Wednesday $1 each. They can be addictive. Looking forward to my next visit to try more of the menu and sides. read more

We live in Clinton twp & I haven't heard of big Ken's before. About a week ago, I found them on another app I use, so I ordered 2 "surprise bags" which say they come with a protein & the rest is a surprise. My husband picked it up, so I didn't get to check the place out, but he said it was an easier pickup despite how busy they were! Both bags had half a smoked chicken with coleslaw & corn along with an order of (I believe) rib tips. 1 bag had a burger & the other had a sausage. I'm super picky about chicken because it is so dry at most places. Not this chicken! It was flavorful & so juicy! The rib tips were a little dry but I don't typically order them so I'm not sure if that's normal or not for that part of the meat. We also absolutely LOVED the bbq sauce that was on the chicken & rib tips!! I'm not totally sure but we both felt that it tastes homemade! I did try the coleslaw but I wasn't a big fan & I did have to add salt & pepper to the corn. The sausage was delicious!! The burger was good, but it was very thick & personally I prefer thinner patties like a smashburger, but that's just my own preference. I would absolutely come back to try more of their food! read more

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I thought the ribs would be better. sides are small . My sauce spilled out all in the bag of food, It was mother's day when i went it made a mess of the meal. But . Roses were kindly and thoughtfully given out! How nice. Im going back again to try the wings see if they are good. i want mine with some char well done or not at all ! The place is open three days a week not sure which i went in a Sunday. It is the coolest spot in a cool location they can do so much with the cool vintage donut shop building it feels more like a carry out place but it has a counter at which you could eat ? Not sure if there were small tables or not ? I wish them success ! BBQ is hard hot work i appreciate someone else cooking. The food hard heart and soul in it - Guess Ken should add soul food to the logo lol keep up the good work. Just want mine well done char next visit read more

The WORST customer service ever! I walk in and the "young lady" just sits there on her phone-like this isn't a place of business. She then catches an attitude with me because I'm standing there ready to order. Just Horrible....really horrible! This was on a Sunday and the place wasn't busy. No need to have such an awful attitude! read more

I'm favorite bbq restaurant on the east side . Quick and easy going to order. They don't call in out only carry out or in Diane . Atmosphere it quite nice. Do not come at the last minute before they close, they might not have what you wants to order! read more

Big Kens Bar-B-Q - Corn coleslaw a half a barbecue chicken - Barbeque Near Me - Eastpointe, Michigan

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First getting food here. My family loved it. The ribs and sauce was good. Customer service was great. Small mishap with my order. But they corrected. read more

Oh lawd!! Everything we've had from here has been fire!!! Chicken wings the rib tips the sides are fantastic! I want to try the pulled chicken nachos and strawberry lemonade next! The place has always packed when we arrive, really nice people. Can't wait to go back again! Update: Strawberry lemonade is delicious!! read more

Big Kens Bar-B-Q - Rib tips, backed beans, Butter Corn - Barbeque Near Me - Eastpointe, Michigan

Everytime we come from Ohio. We stop here. Large portions. Great flavor.....never had a bad meal or experience. read more

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First time trying bbq in Michigan and it was super good. The fries lack seasoning but the potato salad was delicious as well as the smoke sausage. The bbq sauce is really good as well. I also got wings. They were just ok but I definitely want to come back and try the ribs. I don't know about service or ambiance as I ordered delivery while visiting. read more

Today was my first time going to Big Ken's Bar-B-Q. It will definitely not be the last. The ribs are meaty and tender. The service is top notch and the lemonade is some of the best I've ever had. Potato salad is very good also. The BBQ at Big Ken's reminds me of a BBQ restaurant that was on Houston Whittier on Detroits east side. The name of the restaurant was Milts BBQ. Keep up the good work BigKen. read more

Took 35 minutes to get a few things and the staff was unprofessional. I was really looking forward to going here but won't return. I can't lie the wings were really good though. read more

tried them out for their $1 wing Wednesday special. I got the potato salad and baked beans on the side. Wings I'll give a solid 8. Wish they were bigger but very good. Baked beans also an 8. Very good. The potato was a 4. Will never get that again. Raspberry lemonade 10. Customer service 9. The lady i talked to on the phone was the sweetest. She informed me about their rewards system so I signed up and got my $5 coupon that I will be using on my next visit. read more

Excellent bbq wings, rib, rib tips, fresh squeezed lemonade, frankly all of their food is delicious

Amazing food and drinks, Great customer service. I'll be back and sending more people to try this place out. A hidden gem

I recently saw Big Ken's on Facebook. I came across the food challenge videos they post and I was intrigued by the options they offer. So on my recent trip to Detroit, we made Big Ken's our last stop, and boy did we save the best for last. When we arrived we took a minute to look at the menu before we ordered. There was a young lady at the counter who didn't seem too happy to be at work. She was very short and not too friendly. After placing our order, my wife said she actually wanted to try the Mexican street corn but she was hesitant due to the cashier's attitude. I talked her into placing another order and she was glad she did. Our food was ready within minutes. And the other young lady who brought it to us was much more pleasant. So, I will go with the main cashier was just having a bad day. We went to the car to dig in and one of the male employees came out to greet us as he overheard us stating that it was our first time. He asked how the food was and we told him we really enjoyed it. He then thanked us for stopping by. This gentleman and the pleasant young lady saved Big Ken's from getting a 4/5 rating. Now to the food, my wife and I ordered the 8 Mile Pulled Pork sandwich a side, and a lemonade. I got cole slaw because they were only offering potato salad, slaw, or baked beans. But when my wife decided to place her second order, I had her get me an ear of buttered corn. As far as the drinks went, I got blueberry lemonade and my wife got strawberry. They serve the lemonade in these huge plastic cups with real fruit inside of them. The sandwich was the best pulled pork sammy I have ever had. The barbecue sauce is light but full of flavor. The bun was nice and saw and the slaw complimented the sandwich perfectly. The buttered corn was really good and it was served with husks. The lemonade was phenomenal, by far the best lemonade I have ever had. As far as the Mexican street corn, my wife was caught in 4k licking the sauce from the foil it came wrapped in. #Satisfied Pro Tip: We spent $125 dining at Sugar Factory Detroit, and we spent about $40 at Big Ken's. And I will tell you, Big Ken's runs circles around Sugar Factory for a fraction of the price. 8 Mile Sandwich 1-5=5! BBQ sauce 1-5=5! Corn 1-5=4. Customer Service 1-5=4. Blueberry Lemonade 1-5=5! read more

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Their wings fall off the bone! I also love their half chicken, peach cobbler, and sandwiches. I still need to try their ribs! I will return! I wanted to visit after seeing their FB Live videos. People go in to eat everything on their menu! If you're successful, the offer incentives. It's a bit much, but there are people who were up to the challenge! I would rather sit back and enjoy it. The sauce is unique and tasty! I also plan to try their elotes corn on the cobb. read more

Some days it's good and some days it's not so good. The ribs taste like they're par=boiled.

Its so good! Straight BBQ off the back smoker. Service is great. I wait in line for a bit, but i don't wait long for my order to be ready. I don't know about call ins because they're so busy so I hear the phone ring. Rib tips $12 and plenty for at least 3 people. Sauce tastes more like Open Pit with a twang. That's my preference. Wings are good too. Friday is my day, I don't even get the special, just those tips and wings! I really enjoy this place. I'll venture to try other menu items soon! read more

This is an ignorant Black owned Business. 1.. employees sitting on the counters when u walk in 2. Order wasn't what was ordered 3. So called Manager just as ignorant First time and last time we will go back. All my Friends family will be notified I finally talked to the owner who was very apologetic asked me to come back. That was my only positive experience. I can say i didn't enjoy the half order so no comment read more

Great bbq sauce. I still order from here, even though i an not a fan of wings (personal preference, but i will eat theirs). Burger was good, though a little dry, but sauce takes care of that. Nachos look good, so that will likely be next to try out. Really good bbq, worth trying out. read more

Best BBQ ever. The ribs and chicken fall off the bone. I live in California and fly all the way here. Just to have some! I've been a loyal customer since they started. I come there so much that the last time they did an interview with me so catch me on their social media. read more

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Listen, I love Big Ken's- they've always treated us good and their food is great! They have competitive pricing, but their portions are typically bigger than most. It's a small spot, mainly carry out, but the food is worth it! The hours are hit-or-miss, which is the only downside to this place. Great quick stop for some BBQ! read more

I heard about this place so I traveled 45 mins to come try. Never got a chance to try because After waiting an hour and 10 mins I was told that my 5 wings and Half Slab (which was all I ordered) wasn't ready and the server looked like he didn't even recognize the ticket as if he never saw it... And it really ticked me off, because people who came in after me who ordered wayy more than I did of the same items got. They got in and got out within 20-25 mins. There were others who waited just as long as myself too.. It's a shame because the woman at the register said it would be 20-25 mins..But NO WAYYY IT WASN'T.. And so disappointed, because I love supporting black business, but when this happens it's discouraging. AND ALL THIS ON BBQ DAY..4TH OF JULY...u know i was upset...I probably wont be coming back to this place unless they reached out and tried to accommodate in some way. And please get the organized. Later Orders shouldn't come out before more recent ones.. especially if they have more items to fill.. It's not a good look and It causes confusion and makes people upset. read more

Big Kens Bar-B-Q - Big Ken's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Eastpointe, Michigan

Chicken wings were good the bake beans too sweet but good! It took awhile to get my dollar wings but was worth the wait because they were hot and fresh. One thing I must say, try to hire better cashier and staff because the attitude is off putting. No hello, no thank , just next and calling your name. read more

Very good BbQ will visit again and the lemonade is the best and the desserts are very delicious

Nope! I love supporting local businesses so I thought we would give them a try. I made an order online on a Sunday for a half slab of ribs, wings, the 8 mile sandwich, 3 corn on the cob, and side of beans. I picked up 2bags and drove home (9 miles one way) because there was nowhere to eat in the restaurant. When I got home all of my sides were missing. I called and told them the situation. I was told that they were sold out of corn but I could come pick up the beans. I asked if I could come back when they were open next. She assured me that I could but they weren't open again until Wednesday! I wasn't able to drive 9 miles out of my way on Wednesday so I asked if I could come on Friday, she took my name and told me I'd be good to pick up when I arrived. I went in on Friday and they had NO IDEA that they were supposed to give me my food. The young lady at the front said the owner left and she didn't know when or if she would be back. I gave her my name and phone number so the owner could call me. I went back home and just before I pulled into my driveway, they texted me that I could come pick up my food. I wasn't about to drive another 18 miles round-trip to go pick up three ears of corn and a side of beans. I told her I would come in on Sunday, which was the next day that they would be open and it would be a whole week since my original order. I went back on Sunday to pick up my missing items and they were 3 bowls of canned corn with butter for $3.49 each! The beans were just as expensive and they must have just put some canned beans in a bowl and called it a day. Not to mention I wasn't offered anything extra for my numerous trips for missed items. Save your money. The ribs were fatty and rubbery, the sandwich was soggy but tasted alright, and the wings were dry. The best thing I can say is, I did like their sauce. read more

Got 3 wing dinners. The wings & sauce were great. Sides were beans, slaw & corn. All were very tasty. Food was well seasoned. First time trying...we will be back. Friendly service, But the food is GREAT! read more

When I say this is authentic Detroit Bbq... reminiscent of a backyard, barbecue that my dad rest his soul used to make everything here is amazing. The wings are to die for and the rib tips little bitty pieces of pork gold. It's fair to say big hands is one of the best barbecue restaurants in the metro area check them out. read more

Good bbq not bad for a fast carry out meal reasonable price good hours service was fast

Ribs were tough to eat taste like day old barbecue and didn't get my full order and order peach cobbler didn't get it on a good point the wings were good read more

Ordered the pulled pork and street corn and I enjoyed it. Definitely have to try more on the menu! Would recommend. Staff was very friendly.

This place is NOT Authentic BBQ!!! First of all there were NO menus available to view but instead there was a scrolling menu on a TV screen that made it hard to read and make a selection, everything is a la cart and a bit pricey. The server was nice and knowledgeable of menu items and prices which was very helpful seeing that there were no menus to look at. The place has a diner feel with a counter and bar stools to sit at while you wait for your food, I didn't see anyone dining in. Ordered the pulled pork sandwich, rib tips and sides bake beans, Cole slaw, and Mexican street corn, also the peach lemonade. Total bill came up to $41 for the 2 orders. Ribs tips were ok definitely used liquid smoke and were overcooked and tough to chew, the bake beans were from the can (not even doctored up) like literally poured from the can, the coleslaw was also store-bought there was nothing authentic about it at all, and finally the Mexican Street corn did not come on the cob. It was frozen corn that you buy at the grocery store, there was no flavor no lime juice or tajin seasoning just the cotija cheese which made it unpleasant to eat. The pulled pork sandwich had little to no barbecue sauce on it and a generous helping of coleslaw, which turned the bread very soggy so it made it hard to pick up the sandwich and actually eat it. I had ordered extra barbecue sauce, but did not get it. Overall, this restaurant was not what I expected I had high expectations for this place, because it came recommended to me the food very bland with store-bought out of the can taste. I will say that the staff was very nice and pleasant very patient and professional. The restaurant was very clean and neat. read more

the best peach cobbler i've ever eaten!!!! the best!!!! better than all the rest!! "v" read more