City BBQ needs to spend some time in the country, learn to cook, and get back to work. For some unknown reason, my coworkers like ordering from this place. Every time I've eaten from here, the pulled pork is dry, ribs are burnt, the sides are just, uhhh. It's just terrible. Why? Why do people like this place? read more

Loved this place; not only was the food delicious, but the atmosphere was very accommodating and the staff especially was super nice. Some of the sides seemed to be a bit pricey for what you get (I.e the cornbread was kind of small for $3.00) but they were all delicious. We had a sample of their collard greens, the Mac & cheese, baked beans, and were all absolutely delicious. The staff gifted me a banana pudding which was incredibly delicious. I would recommend it. I had the spicy chicken sandwich, was good, but would probably not reorder it. Now my wife had the pulled pork sandwich and I wish I had ordered that.. definitely next time. We will be coming back. read more

I ordered carry out, I don't know if it was because I did DoorDash, but I thought the portions were very small. We ordered 2 1/2 pounds of beef brisket and pulled pork. I really thought the portions were much smaller than being at the restaurant. My son ordered a kids meal did not even get a piece of Texas toast. How expensive is it to give a kid a piece of Texas toast? I gave him ours. I really feel like city barbecue is trying to cut cost and portion size and it's really going hurt their business! Not impressed at all! I will not be door dashing city barbecue again... read more

I was worried when I starting reading the other reviews about the dried pork and poor quality but I tried it anyway. I'm from Kansas where delicious barbecue is not hard to come by, so I already wasn't expecting something outstanding in Cincinnati, but this was the most disgraceful bbq I've ever had. :( I'll admit I didn't try every meat or sauce on the menu, but what I had was almost inedible. At 12:30 pm I ordered a regular pulled pork sandwich with the house sauce and the Carolina sauce on the side with a side of cornbread. My first red flag was that before I even got around the corner to start filling up my drink, they had already called my name and had my order sitting on the counter. Some might enjoy that lighting fast service, but that just raises suspicions to me that you did not even attempt to craft my meal, but that you already had it sitting there waiting for someone to order it during their lunch rush (I find this very likely as the edges of my sandwich was rather cold). I will say the cornbread was delicious and the Carolina sauce was good too, but the house sauce was practically tasteless and the pork... the pork was the driest piece of meat I've ever tasted. I was constantly fighting to get a good bite but half of the meat would come out from in between the buns in one big dried chunk. I had to stop after eating about half my sandwich and I just couldn't go on. They had me wondering if this was left over food from the night before. Maybe the other meats and sauces on the menu are good, but listen, if a barbecue place can't nail a simple pulled pork sandwich, it's not worth it to try anything else on their menu. Gotta get the basics down before you move on to anything else. Atmosphere: 2:5 average Service: 3/5 average customer care, and suspiciously fast Cleanliness: 4/5 had no issues, even during lunch hour Food: -1/5 inedible Overall: 1.5/5 take a trip to Kansas City or Nashville and learn how to make real bbq before opening up a restaurant read more

I did pickup the other night and pleased my husband with two pull pork sandwiches and baked beans. The total was about $20 for us. Which is great considering the price of meals these days. I went to get pickles to add and found out they would be added by the window. We got extra original sauce and now I want to order this meal again as I give this review. I love the Eastgate location and have never had an issue. Thanks again. read more

Service was fast, but the girl taking the order was next very helpful. This was very ordinary BBQ, good, but not great. The brisket was moist with nice burnt ends, and good flavor. The pulled pork was mediocre. read more

Friendly staff. BBQ and Nashville hot decent. Sides suck. Food comes out quick and lukewarm.

First time here and the food was great. I ordered the chiken and pulled pork with hush puppies and mac-n- cheese. The chicken had an amazing flavor and was very juicy and the pork had a nice flavor as well. The turn around time from placing to getting my meal was which and accurate. The service was on par. We will be back again, this time for the 1/2 chicken meal.. read more

To clarify in response to comment from Jordan at City Barbecue: Half way through adding meat to the scale the person measuring it used a silver cup to dump water/fat(juice) into the pan then added some more meat to the pan to come up with the 3 lbs of "meat" I paid $38 for. I.E. when I ordered 3 lbs of meat I actually got a mixture of 3 lbs of meat/juice. read more

We always have a good experience at this location! The team here is friendly and attentive and the food is always hot and out quickly. Today the staff went above and beyond giving us some hot water for a baby bottle. Really glad we picked this today! read more

I love how there set up is. The food smeels good and the location is very accessible I just notice that the parking lot is not that big. I ordered chicken wings with corn bread and baked beans so far I love their chicken wings. It's not dry it's very moist and juicy that I can really taste the sauce and the chicken in every bite. They also have lots of sauce choices and we got apple, borboun and spicy one. I can recommend the apple since its the one that taste great for me. Their baked beans is somewhat like overcooked I dunno coz it doesn't taste like beans but something else. Their corn bread is dry and bit of hard one than usually it should be. The serving period doesn't take too long since we got ours like after 5-10 minutes. As for the price they're really affordable and you can get what you pay. Oh and also the place is quite loud. read more

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This particular location is amazing. Always super busy but they get your order done and get it to you on time no matter what. Delicious !

The food was great as usual We were promptly waited on and the food was ready in minutes. Best part after that was a $5 discount received through their ap. read more

Great BBQ! Stopped in on a whim after looking for somewhere new to try. Since it was our first time they gave us several samples to try and a free banana pudding! Excellent service and good food. Only complaint was the bun was a little flimsy for a big pulled pork sandwich. Will be returning. read more

Arguably the best BBQ Brisket in Cincinnati! My favorite is the Blue Ash location, but they're all fairly consistent. I'm talking melt-in-your-mouth brisket with a nice crispy, smoky char; tender, juicy, delectable chicken with crispy skin and without even a hint of dryness; pulled pork that rivals Nashville's best; homemade spicy sausage links that slap the inside of your mouth with a punch of flavor and beg to be placed on Texas toast as a makeshift hotdog bun. Whether you like your meat naked, or with sauce, you'll find that City BBQ exceeds expectations. The inside is like a family outing in a park, but with a roof overhead. You order from a counter, pick up your food on metal trays, stop at a sauce bar for toppings of choice, and then take a seat at a picnic table with a roll of paper towels awaiting your sauce-covered fingers and face. No judgments here; lick your fingers, then use the complimentary wet nap. It's all good! Don't forget to top off your meal with their sweet corn pudding. I had no idea something like this existed. Picture this: tamale masa and bread pudding had a baby and let it play with sweet corn; addictive. Come 'n get it! read more

Pretty solid. Consistent. Not the best bbq in Cincy by any means, but I know what I'm getting when I go. I usually order the pick 2 meats platter. Pulled pork and 3 ribs with 2 sides and Texas toast. Puked pork is always decent, usually needs sauce though. 4/5. Ribs are a tad on the tough side compared to the better bbq places, but still flavorful and don't need sauce. 3.75/5. The corn pudding is amazing. Super flavorful and the texture is wonderful. 5/5. Greens with pork are amazing as well. 5/5. Those are my fav side dishes there and what I always order. The other sides are ok, nothing special. They have a ton of bbq sauces to choose from. One thing I miss is the pickles, onions, and jalapeños they used to set out by the sauces. You have to ask for them now post Covid. All in all, solid place and I'll return when I get a quick bbq craving and don't wanna sit outside at Eli's BBQ (the best). read more

This place was busy yesterday so I patiently sat in the restaurant after putting in an online pick-up order. I ended up waiting 25 minutes for no reason as my meal was ready and on the counter but they never called my name. I sat there for nearly half an hour thinking there was no way my order could be just sitting there. I know staff knew I was waiting and I can't comprehend why they wouldn't have called my name out loud. This resulted in me paying nearly $30 for a cold meal and being extremely irritated. Would absolutely love to complain further but no customer support I can Karen to. Will never return if they don't offer me some kind of compensation. read more

I've enjoyed City BBQ at various festivals around Cincinnati several times, but I wanted to visit the restaurant in person before writing a review. With so many amazing bbq options in Cincinnati it took me a while to get here, but I'm so glad I finally made it! Walking in the restaurant is reminiscent of my favorite family-owned bbq place in the middle of the smoky mountains. The smell is intoxicating in the best way. There's a barrel of beers and sodas in glass bottles to choose from. Love it! We were greeted by a very friendly face who was excited to hear it was our first time visiting. We were already familiar with the food but she was helpful in explaining the menu. My husband and I decided to get the sampler to share. Turkey was not available so we got double brisket (fine with us!) and pulled pork, the green beans and mac and cheese on the side, and an extra side of fries. Our food was ready in 5 minutes or so. The meats were incredible! I loved the sweet bbq sauce with the brisket. The new way of serving the brisket with the bark included is to die for. I don't know why anyone would want it any other way! Of the sides I'd say the green beans are a must, but the mac and cheese was just okay. The garlic bread was a nice touch and I really enjoyed the lemonade. All in all, the service was great and the food was exactly what we were hoping it would be. I can see why this franchise has been so successful in a short time. It's honestly hard to believe you're eating at a chain when you're here. I'll be back again and again! read more

City Barbeque - The sampler (double brisket) plus French fries. So full... So delicious! - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

The food has improved greatly since my last review. I go at least once a month. I love the chocolate cake. The manager Jim is very nice. Lást year he picked up 2 drink cups for me during their January charity promotion. His store was out. They have added salmon and other fish for lent. The brisket has improved. The pulled pork is reliable. I like the new sauces. Boubon one is awesome. read more

This is my first review after three visits over the past 6 months. When city BBQ opened their food was perfectly cooked and very tender. Over the past few months, I've noticed the quality of their BBQ meat is less than desirable. Every order I've received the meat has been dry as a bone. Over cooked or just sitting there to long under the heat lamps. Today I ordered the brisket for the first time, and yep it's like chewing on leather. My corn pudding and slaw was very good, but didn't come here for that. It's a sham that the meat quality has gone down since I live very close to here. This will be my last time dining here as I've given them the benefit of the doubt three times and each time they have failed. Pulled pork over cooked, pulled chicken over cooked and now the brisket is over cooked. read more

I got the chance to come here while in Cincinnati for the week. I look for two things in a barbecue: good food, and good sauce. There original, sweet, and bush-fire sauce are AMAZING. I hate HATE spicy food, and I put bush-fire on everything, it was that good. The bourbon and Montreal, not so much. As for the food, everything was fantastic. Ribs were fall off the bone, chicken was cooked to perfect, and the brisket was on point. (For anyone who has ever smoked brisket before, it is VERY difficult to cook it right. It's either under cooked, or overcooked if you keep it in 10 minutes too long;) and, I had no complaints about it. They have something there called swine-wine, and all I have to say is try it. Whether you like vinegar or don't, just try it; because, it's a whole new taste all in it's own. read more

Do you love to lick sticky fingers? If you don't, I will lick the barbecue sauce off of them for you! I love City Barbeque, it is seriously the best Barbeque you can get in cincinnati hands down. The brisket just falls apart at the touch... the pulled chicken and pork are soft and moist... just thinking about it makes me want to go back... and I was just there 10 minutes ago!! The service is super friendly, lightning fast. I love the side choices that rotate: Baked Beans with Brisket are my hands down favorite, I mean seriously... how can you have beans with giant hunks of brisket mixed in!! The green beans, the corn bread, the peach cobbler... they just do barbecue right here. (Now just to put it in scope... compared to actual texas or KC BBQ I would rate this a 3.5-4.0 but for BBQ in CIncinnati, definitely a 5.) This particular one has an awesome outside space and on nice days they can just open their garage doors and the whole place is outside. Totally love their facility. If you like finger licking good barbecue smoked/grilled right with flavorful sides, you should stop by any of the City's locations. read more

What happened City BBQ? We used to love your food. The ribs were dry as a bone, no meat, only an over salted crust. It was like chewing on jerky. Where are the pickles? I figured they were taken away because of covid but at least offer them from the kitchen or just add them on the tray with your meal. It was a sad lunch. read more

FREE Birthday since I'm a City BBQ Awards member As usual ribs are very good & tasty Come off the bone with jut the right amount of pull Not over cooked to where the meat falls off the bone when you pick it up Also Tuesdays are $1.25/bone nights Save 40% on the cost of a full slab (12 bones) Wife & I had ribs 2 sides each & beers for less than $30 City BBQ is my go to for BBQ in franchise/chain restaurants read more

City Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I just wanted to write about how great of an experience we had last night. We've only been to City BBQ once and the manager who was also our cashier was so patient with us answering questions about the food and ingredients. We were so pleased and can't wait to go back. The food was amazing and just as he described. The manager even came out and checked on all the tables to see if we needed anything. Well done James at City BBQ, you've just gained 2 new customers! read more

Horrible service. We came in with an elderly family member on oxygen and the beast behind the counter starts berating him and refused to allow him to order stating that he should go out and eat in the car in subfreezing temperatures. We stayed anyway and tried to make the best of it. To top it off, the food was mediocre at best. The brisket was very fatty, the pulled pork was dry and had no barbecue sauce on it and there was not any to put on it, and the green beans were cold. The vinegar slaw was the only part of the meal that was good. Skip the place and try Eli's, Just Q'in, or Sweets and Meats. read more

All of these are awesome. Great good, great service. I always say you can tell if it's real BBQ if there is wood out back. CB's smokers and wood are right by the front door when you walk in. We haven't had a bad thing on the menu yet. Portion size is generous. Wish I could eat more. read more

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Pretty good food. Love the turkey and green beans. Very fast service! Comfortable and clean.

Awesome service! Awesome workers! We ordered a salad and arrived late after closing because we got held up. We went and the general manager unlocked the door, let my wife come in to make the transaction and and held the door both times. I was impressed. We both talked about just how nice they were on the way home. Very often when we have company, we bring them to City BBQ. Something for everyone - if want want healthy, they have amazing salads, if you want more of a normal barbecue experience, also amazing!!! read more

Too expensive!!!! 3 pieces (not slices) of smoked turkey for $6.99. SMH! I thought $6.99 included a side but it was meat only. read more

City Barbeque - Turkey Breast - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

It took 50 minutes to get a carry out order. I had never been there before so I asked questions. The young cashier wasn't listening and rang dinner up individually costing over 60 for a sandwich and ribs. I received only 2 of 3 of the sides I ordered and they were pints. After returning home everything was stuffed into a small fast food size bag. Smashed sandwich, bread (unordered)was smushed all the sauce was covered because one of them leaked. Absolutely disappointing. read more

The only city barbecue that refuses to ring the cowbell when I order more cowbell. Your lack of participating earns you one star.

Don't order online delivery via Grub Hub with this Establishment!One hour late than they tell me they will be there in 20 minutes than the order was cancelled within the next 10 minutes.I was offered a 5 dollar coupon online.No phone calls with alternatives.What a waste of time. read more

If you like dry pulled pork and burnt ribs this is the place for you. The beer wasn't even cold. I'll never go back!!!

We ordered two racks of ribs because we had company. We previously have been very pleased with the ribs but not today. They were dry and burnt. If they are going to sell an inferior product they should discount the food. I am terribly disappointed. read more

City Barbeque I hate you. You violate my #1 rule of a truly great bbq joint---you can't be a chain/franchise. But you are, and everything you have is great. I've had the pulled pork and the ribs. Pulled pork for lunches, ribs for dinners. When I order the pulled pork, I order extra bark. The meat is plenty, has good flavor, and the extra bark adds that extra zing. The ribs are baby back, but still have plenty of meat on them, again with a good smoke flavor. They have plenty of sauces, but I stick with the original and the spicy. Both have good, complex flavor and thickness. The sides are equally great. Fries apparently are cooked to order, because every time I order them, I pause a moment because the register person immediately yells to the kitchen of a new order of fries. The slaw is a vinegar slaw, which is wonderfully sweet and vinegary. The baked beans are in a nice thick sauce with bits of meat in them. City Barbeque continues to be my fave ribs place in Cincinnati, in my opinion much better than Eli's, and rivaling some ribs joints I've been to in Kansas City and Memphis. read more

Be sure and bring your own flypaper - this place was swarming with flies... felt like a real outdoor barbecue. I realize I represent a minority opinion here having to eat gluten free - but their menu was extremely limited. We had called ahead and they claimed to have a menu but it was so limited that I sat around and watched others eat - they weren't sure which of the meats and sauces were gluten free either. I had the french fries, which were dark, greasy and overcooked. Add to all of this that you have to eat out of plastic and paper containers (really, how much waste are we trying to generate in a single meal?) - I am not a fan. Will not be returning. read more

Fresh, Smokey Pulled pork, brisket, and ribs. Everything was super moist. Speedy service

Determined to incorporate local barbecue into our meals as we drove from Florida to Lake Erie and cycled back, dinner time came as we neared this City Barbeque location. With solid reviews on Yelp, we exited the interstate and made our way to over; great move...here's why. Part of successful chain, CB has its act together. The restaurant has a nice homey feel and is family oriented. The restaurant staff was young, polite, enthusiastic and service oriented; all a nice touch. They were eager to serve and ready to offer a sample of anything you might want to try. We sat down with the City Sampler and a smoked sausage for what turned out to be, overall, a great meal. The ribs were near fall-off-the-bone tender, moist, flavorful with nice smoke. They were not the best ribs we've had, but were pretty close and very satisfying. Likewise, the beef brisket was smokey, moist, not too fatty and was close to the best brisket we've had (but not the best.) We're not pulled pork fans but we tried it anyway; it was okay. The chicken was excellent; cooked to a light char, the meat was juicy, smokey and as good as any barbequed chicken I've had. The table favorite was the smoked sausage; meaty, juicy and smokey, it was perfection served on Texas toast with their BBQ mustard sauce. All of the meats emphasized just that: the meat, not the sauce, which is how BBQ should be. As for the side dishes, the Texas toast was the best I've had: thick, fresh, perfectly toasted and great for sandwich making. The baked beans were sweeter than I prefer. The cole slaw, vinegar-based, was not to my liking. The corn bread was dry. On the other hand, the corn pudding was another winner. A cross between corn bread and creamed corn, it was the best side dish I've ever had at any barbeque joint...ever. We enjoyed our dinner so much, we came back the next day for lunch before moving on. read more

I'll admit it. City Barbecue being 5 minutes away from my house and having few competitors in the area put them in our regular dinner rotation. We then discovered online ordering and thought, "Great! This will be nice and easy. We'll pay $30 with our credit card, show up 30 minutes later, and be out the door with food!" Not so much. Not only does City Barbecue fall into the trap of places that advertise online ordering but can't follow through, but they melt down once the order is not ready. They either put the order in when you get there and you stand for 30 minutes, or they scramble to get it ready and miss things. I'm a businessperson, so I don't expect all kinds of things for free, but it would be nice to get some sort of "here are a few rolls for the hours of yours we've wasted so far", but no. The arrangement for online ordering seems to be "you order and pay full price, you wait at home 30 minutes, you come to the restaurant, you watch us interview our coworkers about seeing your order come in, you wait 15-30 minutes more, you get your order (hopefully accurately)". At that, I'll not only pass on the online option, but I'm pretty much done with this place altogether. read more