Wow what an experience!!! Visiting from Miami and Arizona! I came with my family (group of 9) We waited for about 40 minutes, and it was very much worth it. Starting with the friendly and attentive service from the staff. Even the security guard outside welcomed us to Rochester and made his recommendations! Amanda took care of our table and she made our experience much more memorable. The raspberry lemon drop **ELITE** I had three! And the food, we all devoured every bite. The amount of food was perfect, the sides were all so tasty, I couldn't pick my favorite! The ribs I was so happy from beginning to end. It was the best way to end the night, even the kids couldn't stop raving about the delicious food! Thank you so much team! I would 10000% come back if I'm in Rochester! read more

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So, tonight was my last night in town, and one of my coworkers recommended this place. So I drove over. The atmosphere was not what I expected. It was def a BBQ joint, but I wasoasing the dinosaur but. Anywhos, service was fantastic. I was seated quickly (party of 1 usually do) and my waitress was amazing. Once I figured out my choices, I went with the 3 course meal. Jerk wings to start, 1/4 chicken (I went with thigh and deum instead of breast and wing), beef brisket, side of Cajun corn, roasted whipped sweet potatoes, organe cream soda, and key lime pie for the dessert. First off, wings were delish and a great way to start. Then the entrees was a good portion. I was hesitant to try Cajun corn again since the last place I tried it was very unfulfilling. But here it was delish. Sweet potato were solid. Chicken was not dry at all, and brisket was tender and smokey. Soda was not too heavy, and the key lime pie was so so good (but honestly I should have gotten it to go as it was too much food). Overall, this place was wonderful. If I ever come back to Rochester I will be coming here again. read more

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A Rochester staple known for its barbecue. As a NC native, I take bbq seriously so I didn't know what to expect with NY barbecue. I will say I was pleased. i definitely liked the aesthetic of the place. There was live music so everyone was hype and partying. It seemed that they were nearing closing based on the interaction from our waitress. We felt a bit rushed to place our food and drink orders but it was fresh and hot. The food was well seasoned but I felt like the barbecue was over sauced. The sides however were spot on. We may have enjoyed the service more if we went earlier in the day but overall it was good. Everything we saw suggested reservations and they were booked for weeks but we stopped in and were immediately seated so give it a chance if you're interested in visiting. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

This place does BBQ right. Smoked low and slow, I tried the brisket and ribs combo plate. My food was delicious. The brisket had great flavor, was tender and moist. The same for the ribs, both were great. For my sides I had the coleslaw and baked beans. Of the two I preferred the beans, with great flavor and pork. The coleslaw was a bit too peppery for my liking but still fine. Overall a filling but great lunch! My server was friendly, quick and helpful in making suggestions. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - 2 Meat Combo Brisket and Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

Nice barbecue joint. Return customer, however first time at this location. Two types of sauces. Both good. I had ribs, pulled pork and brisket. All were equally good. My coworker had chicken and that meat looked golden and delicious. Good vibe inside too. Waitress was great. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Three 3 Meat Combo - ribs, pulled pork and brisket. - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is a cool place. I had the two meat combo and added a third side. The meat is good, I had the half chicken good portion and pulled pork ok portion. The chicken was moist and tender good flavor, the pulled pork moist good flavor. The BBQ Baked beans were good with good flavor, the collard greens were ok a little too much vinegar, and the Mac and cheese was ok, the cheese was a little tart, corn bread was good. I had an Irish Amber Ale which went well with the meal. The place has a quaint rustic look great family atmosphere. The staff was friendly. The place can get busy so bring your patience, but worth the wait. read more

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Still a top choice for us for local BBQ. Picked up a large to-go order for my son's birthday. His choice. Everything was well packed, including serving tongs, utensils etc. A family meal comes with a bottle of bbq sauce (you have a choice of flavor). 2 things I'll say - My order was supposed to be ready by 4:30. And I placed the order as I was packing up to leave work nearby. By the time, I got to my car: I got a text that it was ready for pick up 20 min ahead of schedule. Not a huge deal but it did make me feel a bit rushed as the food was going to be sitting for extra time. Also, parking by dino is hard. It would be great to have 1-2 spots for pick-up orders near the entrance. Or an option to have someone bring the order out. read more

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We were out visiting the Rochester play museum and decided to get some takeout from this restaurant. Ordering was pretty simple and they got things ready on time. They gave us plenty of utensils (though we did get a lot of food to share amongst a group of adults and kids) The food is outstanding! The ribs we had were fall off the bone with a great peppery yet sweet sauce with a good hint of smoke. Absolutely delicious. The whole chicken is seasoned and cooked well. Not dry at all. Brisket was super tender and moist, good flavoring from the seasoning and smoking as well. The corn had a really nice spicy kick which contrasts the naturally sweet corn. Mac and cheese is always a hit with a soft macaroni in that gooey melted salty cheese. We did get a green salad to round out all the meats and carbs which was fresh and the salad dressing was good Cornbread was super moist, sweet, buttery! The family meal also comes with a bottle of their bbq sauce but the food was so good without it. Price is on the higher side but you're getting amazing bbq for the price. Definitely recommend if you're in Rochester and want come good bbq! read more

My partner took me to Dinosaur during my visit to Roc last week. It took us a couple of tries to find the nearby parking garage, but we found it Service was excellent. Not only was our server kind and attentive (even as the restaurant got progressively busier), but she took the time to write down the sauces so we could try them in the future. It was a very kind gesture and we really appreciated it. The food was delicious! We ordered the Dino poutine, the four sliders, and the Bar-B-Que chopped salad. For our salad, we chose pulled chicken with a blue cheese dressing. It was SO good. I found the ambiance charming, with a fine view towards the river. Our only regret was forgetting our takeout box on the way out. We won't forget next time! read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - 4 Sliders, Chopped Salad, Cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Apparently this is an institution in upstate ny particularly in Syracuse so I had to stop by! Definitely wanted to sample the experience as well as the bbq since I've been to some popular places in the south. The ribs were really juicy and rich in sauce although very much fall of the bone which is what I'd prefer. The pork portion was more limited and a little dry while I was expecting more of a thick cut bacon so it fell short. Brisket is always my favorite so was a little disappointed with the lean portions. Best brisket is more marbled but this was a little dry and somewhat salty. Service was good. And the atmosphere was big with lots of space with a good country feel. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - 3 Meat Combo - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

I'm not one to leave less than great reviews because being a business owner myself, I know it takes a lot to become successful. BUT.... Customer service needs improvement here. We stopped in for an early dinner before heading to the airport since we had heard many wonderful things. We walked right in, there was no wait and the hostess didn't greet us in any friendly fashion other than , "2?,Right this way." We were seated off to the side in a small room, it was nice, not too loud and we looked over the menu. Our waitress, not the most friendliest person we've come across, we aren't there to make friends, but a smile never hurt anyone. We ordered a few entrees and a few drinks and waited.... And waited.... And waited.... Our food arrived, we asked about our drinks and "oh yeah!" Is what we got. Our drinks arrived a few minutes later. Now, I believe this restaurant is known for its delicious food, but sadly we didn't get that experience. My chicken cheesesteak only had peppers on one side, and slightly overcooked chicken throughout. Our other entree had a side of simmered greens that were extremely salty and inedible. Our condiments on the table were all dirty with bbq sauce on them and clearly hadn't been wiped down previously. Soon we were done and no waitress in sight, so we waited again with dirty dishes and empty glasses. And this was our take away from a very well known restaurant. Parking is very limited on the street, but two short blocks down is a parking structure that was not busy and many available parking spaces. Sadly, this experience isn't something that would bring us back, and hope you have better luck than we did! Cheers! read more

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If you're anywhere near Rochester and even remotely enjoy BBQ, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is an absolute must. I stopped in during a road trip (with a serious craving for ribs), and let me tell you -- this place did not disappoint. The ribs? Fall-off-the-bone perfection. Smoky, tender, and full of that deep BBQ flavor that you can tell took its time. The pulled pork was equally amazing -- juicy, flavorful, and piled high like they want you to have leftovers (not that I left anything on the plate!). And the mac and cheese? Creamy, cheesy, comfort-food heaven. The kind of side dish that could easily steal the show, if the BBQ wasn't already so incredible. On top of the killer food, the vibe in the restaurant is awesome -- laid back, full of character, and you can smell that wood smoke the moment you walk in. Staff was friendly and fast, and you can tell they take pride in what they do. All in all, this place lived up to the hype and then some. I'd come back to Rochester just to eat here again. Don't sleep on this spot -- it's BBQ bliss. read more

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First off I would like to mention that I am biased, I first came here 25 years ago, as a young child, and for the first time today, I have returned. Parking was easy, getting there before the rush using the available on street parking, (FREE on the weekend!) walking up the smells of a crackling fire mixed with the flavorful smells of bbq began, walking in the front door you enter a cozy, wooden and rustic establishment. Appropriate memorabilia lines the walls as well as vintage merch. The kitchen greats you, a flurry of chefs putting together delicious platters of bbq. I would recommend sitting in the back overlooking the river, it's a great view to enjoy the meal. Now, onto the good stuff, the menu is filled with everything you may need, from simple bbq platters to the brisket sandwich that sounds incredible. I ordered the classic, basic pork ribs, brisket, Cajun corn, and mac and cheese. We can't forget the bev, a refreshing fresh brewed iced tea, perfection there. The pork ribs fell off the bone while I picked them up, lightly lathered in the house bbq sauce, delicious! The brisket was pretty good, though I am not the biggest brisket fan this was solid, great smoke ring! The Cajun corn was great, as expected, nothing less, nothing more. I prefer the fries really, get those! The Mac was very tasty! If you loooove cheese it had a great melted cheese blanket on top as well as seasoning. Now for the service, it was great! Wonderful service here! Felt right at home. Now for the grand finale, the peanut butter pie is for the sweet tooth, very rich, peanut buttery and chocolatey!!! Wooo! Get it if you like SWEET! Over all, a great experience! I will be awarding dinosaur BBQ a 8.8! A must stop in Rochester! read more

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Decided to give this place a try. I saw a lot of reviews and the pictures look good. When I came in on a snowy evening, it was busier than I expected. I would say almost full house. I ordered the 3 meat combo and 2 sides. For the meats I ordered brisket, St. Louis ribs and sausage. The 2 sides were mac and cheese and mash potatoes. Everything was good. I would do sausage and ribs again. The brisket was a little fattier, but not bad. The sides were good. I'd order more gravy for the mash potatoes, I like it drenched. The restaurant was super busy, I did wish the server would have gotten to me sooner to check out, since I didn't want to drive in heavy snow, but ehh. It's okay. I'm also not a fan of the metal trays, have you tried using a knife on that thing? read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - 3 meat combo - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

You know your getting close when the awesome smell of smoking meat passes under you nose like the old cartoons and leads you to the place, no gps needed!! It smells as awesome as it tastes! I got the two meat combo - ribs, brisket,mashed sweet potatoes and Mac and cheese?. It was all amazingly delicious and cooked perfectly! The ribs and brisket had a nice char . The sweet potatoes and Mac and cheese were creamy and yummy! The wife got the big ass pork dinner. All of it was also awesome! Plenty of Tender shredded pork! She loved the sweet potato's and the tomato and cucumber were great! It is a cool old dive ! The service was great, friendly and on top of it! It's a long drive but worth it until they reopen in Hamburg in November, read more

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Nothing good nothing bad. I'm not the biggest bbq fan but I ate every bite. The collard greens were a tad bit salty, but I really enjoyed the cornbread and brisket. The waitress was sweet but busy so she didn't leave much of an impact. She did come over and check on us and that's all I ask for when I see that you are the only waiter on the floor. read more

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We were able to sit at the bar right away instead of waiting 15-20 mins for table on a summer Friday night. The deviled egg appetizer was punchy and intense with some heat but also pretty salty. I had the 'Power Couple' sliders with 1 brisket and 1 Memphis style pork slider plus a side. I don't eat brisket very often and this was a treat. So tender and smoky. The Memphis slider was great too with sweet and sour slaw on top. My partner had the BBQ chicken plate and he loved it and didn't even care to try the BBQ sauce, he was thrilled just the way it came. The Mac and cheese was a bit spicy which is good but could catch some fire off guard. I had Cajun corn with my sliders and it exceeded my expectations with sweet corn and just the right amount of Cajun kick. I actually ate every kernel of the generous serving. The corn bread wasn't anything special. Drinks were good too. I had a sangria and partner had a martini and both were very good. I'd even say the value factor was pretty good. Out dinner for 2 with 1 cocktail each and a shared small appetizer was 67 dollars with tax but before tip. A lot of times these much talked about places disappoint but at least for us on this, our first visit, it really lived up to the hype. read more

Best Barbecue I've had. Helpful and endearing staff, fresh quality food. Everything made fresh, their meat and sides are always delicious. Even has vegetarian/ vegan options! Great vibes too, one of my favorites in Rochester. Live music on the summer weekends too. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Cookbook - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

Well f*%k that was amazing and probably the best bbq I've had outside of Texas, st Lewis or Carolina! Excellent meal! Thank you

I ordered takeout from here and the food was good, I ordered the 3 meat special with mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and potato salad. Delivery was quick and all requests were honored. The meats tasted delicious along with the mac and cheese. I was cautiously optimistic about the potato salad because by appearance it looked good, but it was bland, the mashed potatoes were flavorful once paired with the gravy. All in all, definitely worth the price for the three meats and mac and cheese. read more

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Who knew you could get such good bbq in upstate NY! Definitely recommend the brisket, corn and pork belly. Service was friendly and efficient. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

Recently had dinosaur bbq at a catered event and was blown away by the quality of the food! The business had a smoking truck on site and you could smell the aroma of the food being prepared. Everything was so fresh as it was cooked on site. The employees who served the food were very generous with the portions provided and helped me get everything organized when my plate was getting too full. The best experience I have ever had with dinosaur bbq. Every item tried was perfect. read more

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Excellant food, great service. Nice ambiance... you can watch out the window at the Genesee River. In summer they have outdoor seating. ( many grocery stores are now carrying delish Dinosaur Bar B Q sauce). read more

Recently put a prior review,my ratings stays the same but I forgot to mention on the previous post that I have been a happy customer of this Franchise for over a quarter of a century,first and foremost the first location is in Syracuse,I never forget the order I had chili with a little spicyness with shredded cheese on top and a nice piece of cornbread, I must say it was delicious ,the service was amazing ,waitress friendly and helpful and the decor inside makes you feel comfy,after that visit I discovered we had a Dinosaur in Rochester as well and it was no different than the Syracuse location and also I had visited the Buffalo a few times and I was ALWAYS satisfied customer as well!! In my opinion I think it's the BEST franchise in Upstate New York!! P.S. So happy to see it was on one of those food shows,gladly they are getting some recognition they deserve !! read more

Sitting just next to the slowly twisting Genesee River in downtown Rochester is one of the flower cities, true bright spots! I am a Rochester native, but I live in Washington state now. So when I visit locally, I make sure to look at places that would really interest me and be worth stopping by. My research this time led me to dinosaur. Given right as you approach the building, the smell of the smokers going makes your appetite go to the next level! I found the building that dinosaurs in to be very charming, definitely feels like it belongs in the city. And I mean that in the most positive of ways. The staff here is phenomenal, everybody doing a job, everybody 100% confidently moving around the space with intention and purpose! The very definition of quality restaurants as we view it locally. Our wait staff was very helpful even offering my sister, a sampling of their unique and equally impressive potato salad! Think of the flavor is something like a deviled egg, rich with a nice paprika flavor, not too much mustard nor too much mayo! One of the best potato salads I've had outside my own home! This should truly means something cause I consider my wifes among the best I've ever had lifetime. I got the beef brisket salad with the side of macaroni and cheese, and of course a Genesee 12 horse to wash it all down with. It always means something to me when I can recommend going to a place, in the majority of my family who still lives in Rochester promises to return here before my next visit! Everyone's food looked phenomenal, and there wasn't a single complaint at our table! Next time, I think I would like to try one of their meat trays to share. Main dishes, sides, and drinks all met or exceeded my expectations. Thinking about it after coming back home to Washington, I kind of hope that I confined a T-shirt for dinosaur online somewhere, maybe a restaurant store on their website? If there isn't, I sure hope they do come up with one! I absolutely look forward to my next visit, and I guarantee there will be a next visit! Also, there is convenient parking right across the river in a lot that's not more than 50 yards away. Prices there were affordable and the lot is staffed as well. If for some unknown reason, you haven't been to dinosaur yet, please get yourself downtown, you don't know what you're missing! Fully recommended local barbecue experience!! bringing quality and flavor to the ROC. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Brisket Salad with Mac and Cheese side - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

Food was AMAZING! If ever in the area, please come here. Service was good and ambiance is family friendly. read more

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Came in on a busy Friday night. We were originally told it was going to be an hour and a half wait but it ended up only being a 15 minute wait. Our waitress was quick and nice as well. Loved all the different options of BBQ and the combo plates. There is something you're sure to find you love. The cucumber tomato salad was so refreshing, I highly recommend it. Though not the best I had, the brisket was very tender and still delicious. I would probably skip the mac and cheese. Also be careful with the sauces, they can pack quite a kick! Overall pretty great spot in a Rochester for BBQ. My biggest complaint would be the lack of parking, but that comes with being in downtown Rochester. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Deluxe Brisket Plate Tomato Cucumber Salad Mac & Cheese Cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

Gotta love a bbq joint.... Food was great, love the classic bbq dive ambiance, service was great. read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Chimichurri chicken with Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

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If I can describe this place in one word, it's be flavor! Dinosaur BBQ is an amazing BBQ spot in a great location downtown that embraces flavor through both its food and aesthetics. The brisket and pulled pork were done to perfection but the thing that impressed me the most were the sides, particularly the corn and mac and cheese. I was not expecting so much flavor in these! It was seasoned beyond belief and every bite had me amazed. Absolutely will be getting these again when I come back! The service was amazing, and I want to shoutout one of the employees who warned us about a parking situation right after we parked and helped us avoid a fine. Definitely went above and beyond for customers! read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

This place is always awesome. Walking by the smoker on the way in just makes you more hungry. The staff is always amazing. Attentive, helpful, and fun. The restaurant is always kept clean and it's nicely decorated. The food is delicious. I've never had anything bad here. The portions are a good size and very filling. Yum all the way. read more

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This is probably going to be an unfair review. They say you should never meet your heroes. That concept springs out of the impossibly that comes with living up to any hype you've earned. I was really looking forward to eating here, but I'm sad to say the experience was a total meh. The decor has a distinct Texas Roadhouse "we got meat" chain vibe. The coolest thing though was the view of the river that comes with the location. The place was packed and would turn that up to 11 before I left. They needed more servers, I think, because I barely speak my server during the visit. The food arrived and looked great, but took a turn from there. I love me some BBQ, so I was highly bummed once the fork hit my mouth: the pork was bland and tasted reheated, the brisket was phenomenal in flavor but very fatty cuts, and the ribs were burnt and inedible (I literally pitched half of what I got). On top of this, the cornbread was dried out and falling apart and the dressing on the salad overdosed on vinegar. I know, I know! I'm totally bummed about this. All that said though, it might just be the price of fame and the desperation to keep up with expectations while feeding a ton of people because of that fame and those expectations. While I understand that, you're still asking folks to pay inflated prices because of the old f and e, so you still need to deliver. So, my rating is a disappointing meh. Should have been worse, but I really wanted to enjoy this meal. Bummer. ...and give folks a wet nap when they're eating ribs! Ugh! read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Looks pretty good, doesn't it? - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

I appreciated the friendly service and well-prepared meals. The atmosphere adds to the experience, making it more than just a quick bite. It's a place I'd return to without hesitation. read more

Fantastic ambience, delicious food and great service. I highly recommend this local gem. read more

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Our large group was accommodated at this casual restaurant in Rochester. They not only have a nice selection for meat lovers, they also have vegetarian choices as well. I had the Impossible Barbecue Burger with mashed potatoes and a side salad $18.50. It was very flavorful and delicious. Our server was very friendly and efficient. read more

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All right, so I ordered Dino the other night because I was craving a good macaroni and cheese. And this was after a long contemplation because it's like 20 minutes away from me, whereas sticky lips is five minutes away from me so I had told myself I was going to finally try sticky lips again (after a bad experience a few years ago) and I just can't stray from Dino. I can't do it. I just know you're not gonna find any mac & cheese better than this. World's Best Mac & Cheese according to me, Congratulations!! Insert Will Ferrell in Elf costume with a cup of coffee here. The chicken wings and the fried green tomatoes, as always were very delicious. Yeah this place is just too good and I will never give it less than five stars because they just constantly deliver. read more

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Absolutely amazing! Best BBQ we have ever had and we are from the South! Talk about fall of the bone meat and so tender! If you want great legit BBQ, stop here! Service was great and the amount of options are endless!! We definitely will be back next time in town!! read more

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Love it here! The owner recently changed and a lot is different now... I've been coming to this location for 20 years. Now, the inside is cleaner, more open, but the menu is the same. I love ordering the sweet tea, fried green tomatoes, the wings, collard greens, pulled pork, Mac and cheese, whiskey cheese cake, etc. I recommend all of the food here! But, my favorite items off of the menu are the fried green tomatoes and the pulled pork. Enjoy! read more

First time trying this place when I was visiting my boyfriend in Rochester. Had heard many good reviews from many University of Rochester students and the food did not disappoint. We ordered the 1/2 family style and it literally came with so much food. So much so that my boyfriend and I ate it for dinner as well! We got the brisket with the 2 sides of Mac and cheese and pulled pork with beans. At first, I was hesitant in the pulled pork with beans, but it turned out so good!! It was slightly sweet with a creamier texture. The Mac and cheese had so much flavor to it. But I think the best part was the cornbread. Oh my gosh, the cornbread was AMAZING. You could tell that they really put effort into making the cornbread fresh and buttery. The corn flavor itself wasn't too overpowering and the texture wasn't too crumbly. OVERALL, it was just really good. I also ordered the Shirley Temple drink which was really good. However, it came in a glass bottle which I was not expecting. The price was pretty reasonable for the portion size, 10/10 would come back again :) read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Shirley Temple - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Work took me to Rochester, New York. Of course, where to eat? The search took us to The Dinosaur Bar. Melt in your mouth brisket, delicious ribs, and Barbecue chicken. Washed down with beers. Wonderful way to end the day. Far away as it is from SoCal, I'd still say it. Socal Weekend Walkarounds definitely recommends The Dinosaur Bar! Try the Brisket!!!! The best barbecue in Rochester Located in the heart of downtown Rochester, Dinosaur BBQ Rochester is situated in the former Lehigh Valley Railroad Station, a picturesque location overlooking the Genesee River and situated near the Blue Cross Arena. https://dinosaurbarbque.com/locations/rochester Check out my Video on the Dinosaur Bar-B-Cue on IG and FB! https://fb.watch/oiGJ2W-ZLV/?mibextid=Nif5oz read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York

I took my wife to Dinosaur for Mother's Day lunch. We love this place. They have the best BBQ of any restaurant that I have ever eaten at . Our server was great. She was friendly and mentioned that some items were back on the menu if we're interested. We both decided to get the pulled pork sandwich on DiPaolo buns with a side of potato salad. The hickory smoked pork, the bbq sauce on a DiPaolo bun makes an amazing sandwich! read more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que - Pulled pork sandwich and potato salad - Barbeque Near Me - Rochester, New York