Eli's is the KING of BBQ in the Cincinnati area. I know, I know... I must be forgetting about the place with the overcooked ribs doused in sweet sugar sauce. I think not....This location of Eli's is the Original, but if you are in the Downtown/OTR area there is one adjacent to Findlay Market as well! Here are a couple of Truths that I think are important to share: 1. I have never had a bad plate of food at Eli's (so don't be afraid to try something new) - they have ribs, hot dogs (more on these later), Pulled pork and smoked turkey - all good. For sides, I recommend the jalapeno corn bread, the coleslaw and the mac &cheese. You get to pick 2 with your plate). 2. The hot dogs have turned out to be my favorite thing on the menu - they have an awesome smoked flavor and have an amazing snap to them when you bit into them. (probably from when they finish them in the deep fryer...mmmmm. they come with coleslaw and BBQ sauce on it, my recomendation is to also get them "dirty" (which is also my recommendation for anything else) 3. Order anything that you can "dirty" - they take all the crispy bits left over after they cook and top them on your mac and cheese, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and especially that Hot dog I mentioned above. You will not regret it! 4. BYOB - if you are coming on a beautiful day (or BBQ weather, as I like to call it) bring your own beverages and sit outside where there may be some music playing, or just a hoard of people enjoying this delicious place. 5. CASH ONLY - it is a little inconvenient. But worth it! Bring your dog, bring your family, bring your kids,bring your friends, BRING YOUR BEER and enjoy the best BBQ that Cincy has to offer in a completely unique setting. A+ read more

It was so-so and the ribs I got did not seem well cooked; there was connective tissue and cartilege.

I have been enjoying Eli's BBQ at Findlay market for some time now. We finally made it down to the restaurant! So glad we went!! Be prepared to wait quite awhile for your food to be ready. So worth it. I had the pulled pork BBQ with cheese and Mac and the the jalapeño cornbread. The meat was so tender and moist. They really pile it high and top it off with some yummy BBQ sauce. The cheese and Mac is no joke. They put cheese first in the title for a reason. I've never had anything so cheesy and rich. Soooo good. The jalapeño cornbread was good. Not too spicy. I could have used a bit more. But safe for all spice level eaters. My husband and the all beef hotdogs with coleslaw and BBQ crisp ins on top, drizzled with BBQ sauce. He said they were delicious. The atmosphere is laid back. There is a few tables inside the restaurant to eat but the best is the numerous picnic tables they have littered all over the venue outside. They have a canopy set up over a large portion. They also have live music a lot on the weekends. Overall we had a wonderful time and decided next time to bring the kiddos with us. read more

I'm sitting at work one morning when a coworker comes up to my desk. Driving in on Riverside he had spotted something. "This place had a sign that was just a pig!" To certain people, involved in the never-ending pursuit of the perfect roast beast, that's a secret code: This nameless place had barbecue. That's how I was introduced to Eli's BBQ. A random house without a name, on a seemingly random street, with only enough seating for 20 people, but that served the most amazing barbecue I have ever had. This is how legends are made. Writing a review of Eli's on Yelp now is, in some ways, an exercise in futility and vanity. Eli's BBQ has transcended from a mere barbecue joint to that legendary status. It is now a Cincinnati institution, known throughout the tri-state area. Just recently Business Insider named the restaurant the third best barbecue place in the country. Not third best in Cincinnati, but in the entire United States of America. Taking all of that into account, the idea that someone's deciding factor on whether or not to eat here is the random typings of some random person on Yelp is a little...presumptuous. Still though, I cannot help but compose this ode to what is my favorite place to eat. Eli's is the one place I will always go to when suggested. If my coworkers are ever trying to entice me to go out with them for lunch, they all know they just have to whisper one word and my participation is guaranteed: "Eli's." My latest trend has been to get turkey. It's always tender with an excellent flavor. It makes a perfect sandwich, or is good simply piled on a fork by itself. The ribs and rib tips are also well smoked. They are served with a nice rub, which matches perfectly with the pork. The tips are also probably the best value on the menu, as a serving size is pretty generous for what you pay. Then there is the pulled pork. Typically, when I write reviews I try to come up with some witty banter or clever play on words to describe a place. I want an interesting theme to my review, to make it actually worth reading. But now, I need to drop all the pretension and superfluous wordplay. In this case I need to be straightforward and to the point, without any literary baubles getting in the way. Eli's BBQ's pulled pork is the best pulled pork I have ever had. Period. The seasoning used on it, when matched with the slow smoking of the meat, is absolutely perfect. It doesn't need any sauce. You will more than likely still drown it with a generous helping of the sauce, and that's OK. That is a Proper and Correct thing to do. But, when you go, try a few bites naked (the pork, not you, lest you end up in an unpleasant conversation with the local constabulary). You'll understand what I mean. Speaking of the sauce: Eli's has only one. Which is fine, as the one they provide is all you need. It's of an excellent quality, with a nice sweetness, that matches well with whatever meat you choose. Even the ribs, with their distinctive rub, pair well with it. Besides the meats, I've been told Eli's has side items. I think I saw something about that on the menu, and in the past I might have even tried one or two of them once. I'm not actually sure. I have vague, fuzzy memories of acceptable cornbread. Let me be clear however: No one goes to Eli's for side items. If you choose to sully your barbecue basket with one, that's between you and your god. I shall remain steadfast, noble, and pure, heathen. With all that I love about Eli's, things are not perfect. Understand that it pains me to type this. However, as a Principled Barbecue Traditionalist I must demerit Eli's for one glaring oversight: No sweet tea. The beverage cooler has several options, mostly varying types of pop, but no sweet tea. Plan ahead and bring your own. You should also plan your visit ahead of time for another reason: popularity. Eli's gets busy. Since adding the outside tents with picnic tables this problem has been alleviated to an extent, but Eli's is still a popular place that gets packed. If you're thinking about it for lunch make your decision by 10:30 so you can be there shortly after they open at 11. Even if you have to wait, however, it's worth it. Eli's BBQ is the best barbecue restaurant in the greater Cincinnati area. If you have any appreciation or desire for smoked meat, and you haven't been here, I must question your dedication and loyalty to the noble pursuit of barbecue. Eat at Eli's, and you will reach a higher plane of barbecue existence. read more

The BBQ is ok...... but all the sides I have tried are trash. It's not anywhere I would be like.....hey, let's go to this great BBq joint. It is more of a.......I'm in the neighborhood and hungry kind of place. read more

6+yrs living in Cinci and still one of my top places in Cincinnati. The best pulled pork sandwich on earth. Love the outdoor seating and just the casualness of this place. This riverside location is my preferred. Spent so many fun times with friends and out of town visitors here. Then the Findlay mkt just outta proximity to home. top: pulled pork sandwich (no coleslaw for me) great: mac n chs with or without crispins, mashed potato (love that slight crispness in every serving), turkey sandwich good: ribs Bring a full cooler, games and friends and you're set for an awesome evening! read more

I absolutely love Eli's! Delicious food, awesome atmosphere, plus you can BOB ! Turkey Sandwich, cole slaw, baked beans. YUM. read more

Well, we expected to have to wait to order on a Friday night, and we did wait 30 minutes. What we didn't expect was that AFTER ordering it would take an HOUR to get our food! It's BYOB and we had only brought 2 beers each, and they were gone by the time we got our food :( so we had nothing to drink with our food (NOT waiting in line again). The food was good, but not worth the wait. Won't be back. read more

I went here for the first time ever and the BBQ was pretty tasty! It's probably the BEST BBQ I've had in Cincinnati. I had the smoked turkey sandwich (but only ate the turkey, no bun) and I thought it was super flavorful, especially smothered in the smokey rich sauce. A little bit too salty for my taste though. The baked beans were PHENOMENAL!! Probably the best baked beans I've ever had.. they were packed with flavor and they had a huge KICK! Definitely not for people who shy away from spicy foods. The place was busy for a Monday night in Cincinnati.. it seems like business is doing super well! Not much seating inside but they have a sizeable area outside. Don't forget: BYOB! They do have small cups, but bring your own cups if you need some. read more

My favorite BBQ in Cincinnati. Really like the pulled pork sandwiches. The location in Findlay market is where I usually go, but the seating is limited so it's best to take it to go. read more

BBQ is amazing! Also a huge fan of jalapeño corn bread, which is not something I'd usually eat!

What separates good bbq from excellent bbq? The little things. I tried both the pulled pork and turkey sandwich. The turkey was sliced thin, piled high, and was moist, slightly smokey and covered in sauce. The bun was buttered, warm, and perfectly soft. The pulled pork was probably one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've ever had. It was shredded into small pieces, there was zero grizzle, and had a slightly smokey flavor. I also had the beans and mac n cheese sides. The beans were delicious. The mac was also decent. I loved the outside seating and it was a perfect evening weather wise. There were folks playing cornhole and enjoying themselves. I loved this place. Doesnt surprise me considering it is #3 on the best bbq places in the US. read more

This place earns a coveted five-star review for the layers of flavors. Everything is complexly delicious. The pulled pork is juicy with perfect smokey notes and just enough crispy texture! Then you pile on the toasted bun with the spicy BBQ sauce. The mac n cheesy has a uber-cheesy taste that's just-before-the-point-of-over-powering and served in a thick, creamy consistency. The baked beans come with a little black pepper (I think) which adds some kick! I also love that they serve old school Coke. You know, the stuff that uses real sugar and comes in glass bottles. Great touch. I need to visit some other time to try the turkey and the rib tips. Be sure to bring cash as they do not accept credit cards. It also may be better to visit in daylight as it's easy to miss the white house-turned-restaurant exterior while driving down riverside. There are a few street side spaces out front plus an unpaved lot behind the restaurant. I've been to Eli's twice and found the service to be friendly and knowledgeable. On my second visit the owner stopped by my table to check on me. He then retreated to an old record player to spin his favorite Neil Young album. It's that kind of personal flavor that I love about locally-owned restaurants. I only wished I lived closer, so I could eat there weekly. read more

We went early on a Saturday evening for the pulled pork sandwiches. The service left something to be desired...the cashiers seemed like you are somehow inconveniencing them by ordering (while placing my order, the cashier didn't even look at me). It's a tiny, busy place with almost no indoor seating. On the bright side, our food was good. I've had a lot of barbecue in my life, and I am not easily impressed, so you won't hear me ranting, but the meat was hot, tender, and moist, and the buns were very nicely toasted. The sauce is decent, and being able to bring your own beer is definitely a plus. Also, the sandwich is a good size: 1 filled me up, and satisfied my husband. Paid $2 for a coke, and $5 for a sandwich. read more

The ribs melt off of the bone. I came here with friends after a brief hike and it exactly hit the spot. We sat outside at the picnic tables when it was gorgeous outside. The three of us split 30 ribs and a pound of mac and cheese. It was worth it. I'm still full hours later while writing this review. I went during a weekday afternoon when the wait was nonexistent, but I think the wait during peak hours would be worth it. read more

Eli's BBQ - Riverside - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Don't go by looks this place has awesome BBQ! Great sides good pricing. Give it a try you won't regret it.

I wandered in here out of the blue after looking for nearby BBQ on my phone. Had no idea I'd be eating the best pulled pork sandwich of my life. The meat spoke for itself. Juicy, tender, smokey yet lean, the sandwich would of been pretty tasty even without sauce. But the sauce was great, too; spicy and tangy. One person in our group found it too spicy, but for me, it was spot on. All of the sides were decent to great as well. The Mac & Cheese was a solid four out of five, flavorful, but a bit generic in its taste. Jalapeno cornbread was moist and excellent. BBQ beans were savory, but again, a bit too spicy for everyone. There's not much to say for service, since it's fairly barebones. We ate in an outdoors tent which was heated, which maybe wasn't ideal, but it means Eli's - unlike most small, trendy establishments - doesn't have a constant 30 minute wait. Food came out quick, and a sandwich + side was $8, so I wasn't included to care about the decor. 5/5 would eat again, and again, and again read more

Yum. Fulfills any pulled pork craving-- juicy, DELICIOUS BBQ sauce, just the right amount of cole slaw. It can be difficult to find-- look for the sign of a pig. It can get busy and seating can be a premium sometimes. In any case, definitely a place to go again and again. read more

Great BBQ. Everything is outside seating at picnic tables so it's best on a warm day or night. It is great for kids because there is plenty of grass for them to play in. We had a group of 7 and it wasn't difficult to find seating, the tables are large. It is also BYOB which was great to have an awesome time with friends on very little expense. We also used it a pre dinner to a night out on the town so BYOB was fantastic. Be prepared to wait about an hour for your food because it gets very busy. read more

Okay Okay... I get to update this review... It really matters what you order here. This time around I got the pulled pork sandwich which was tender and delicious - definitely the right choice. They do it well. Don't mess around with ordering anything else. For sides we got the jalapeno cornbread and jalapeno cheesy grits both of which were fantastic. The ambiance is still wonderful. It's really what makes this place worth it. I don't see myself going here in the winter when you can't sit outside. read more

Yum, yum, and more yum! My in-laws decided to cater Eli's for an event that they were holding, which was such an awesome decision because I haven't had Eli's before. First of all, for newbies, the way the system works if you eat on location is: first, you go inside to order/pay. You go outside with a buzzer that they hand you and can pick wherever you want to sit (and BYOB). They'll call you up to a stand that they have outside and bring out your food when it's ready. Super chill, casual vibe. I love the tents that they put up to provide some shade. Staff is extremely, extremely, patient and nice. We waited about 15 minutes to pick up our catering order. They generally deliver but we requested our order Memorial Day weekend, which created an overlap with Taste of Cincinnati. One girl kept checking up on it, which was very sweet, and one guy walked us through the order and then helped us load the food into our car. However, they did forget our sandwich buns, but that's also partially our fault since we should've checked. Food is amazing. Like everyone else says, the Jalapeno Corn Bread and Baked beans are super duper amazing. Mac & Cheese is okay. Pulled pork tastes smoky with a hint of caramelized sweetness. My favorite is their sliced turkey! We also had an order of City BBQ and I personally liked Eli's more (even though City BBQ was really good too). tl;dr amazing food. Jalapeno Corn Bread, Turkey, and Baked Beans are my faveeeeee. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Chill vibe; be ready to eat outside in the summer. read more

Eli's has hands down the BEST BBQ in the Midwest. We're from Texas and consider ourselves to be barbeque connoisseurs. We know good BBQ and have tried several types all over the country. We are obviously fans of Texas style BBQ when done right followed closely by Memphis dry rub. Eli's homemade, house smoked barbeque is among the best we've ever tried. The place is unassuming and quaint with live music occasionally and covered outdoor seating. BYOB for a fun family or friend gathering. Kid friendly. Personal favorites: jalepeno cornbread and their amazing ribs. My parents like the baked beans, cornbread and pulled pork. All they need now is smoked brisket and banana pudding for dessert! *Their jalepeno cheese grits need works however to live up to our southern roots standards. read more

Cash only, BYOB, and my favorite BBQ around. When it is cold, they have a heated tent for everyone. When it is warm, you can sit on the park benches outside to make up for the 8 or 10 tables inside. They have a record player inside to play old music. Choose your favorites to entertain everyone. The food is some of the best. I've never like grits until I had their jalapeno grits. The spice just makes it all come together. The pulled pork is delicious on the slightly toasted bun. Try it with the cole slaw on top of it. If you don't like cole slaw on your sandwich, say yes anyways and you have a free side of slaw. The ribs aren't fall of the bone tendor, but thats just because of how they make them... I think. They have a dry rub with sugar (maybe brown sugar) that tastes so good. The sauce is great and not overly sweet like some other local BBQ restaurants. Price wise, a BBQ sandwich, two ribs, and two sides will run you about $12. No cups of water, everything is bottled. Unique ambiance with some of the best food makes this place a must go. read more

At Eli's you will find a big taste of America! Although the BBQ is phenomenal, I usually make it through the sides first! The Mac and cheese will blow your mind...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The portions are great, as is the price. Although it is small inside when the weather is nice the outside is open and equipped with tables, a dessert food truck, joy johns and lights to set the mood. You will also find a good crowd with same love of BBQ and chowing down as you. Remember it is BYOB (bring your own booze) and they will recycle the containers for you when you are done. Enjoy!! Cheers read more

Eli's is a local gem. It offers great portions at a better price ($8 for a sandwich and two sides) The atmosphere is perfect as you can sit inside or out. The patio area is great to relax for hours and consume your own beverages. (yes, you can bring your own beer!) The only negative is the wait for food, but it really is not any qorse than the big names downtown, and the experience is far better. I highly recommend Eli's! read more

This place is awesome, amazing food at a reasonable price. Great hang out with good Cincinnatians. Cash only, BYOB read more

Had an early dinner at this place, around 6:30. There were a few open tables available. Yes, they have a record player, turned way up. Made conversation kind of difficult. The pulled pork was okay. Really smoky. Gave me heartburn the rest of the night. Like that liquid smoke flavoring does. Only one barbeque sauce. Very bland. Cole slaw was tasty, the baked beans were very generic. The mac and cheese was good. The cornbread was moist, just not much flavor. I have mixed feelings about this place. The folks are very nice, service is fast. But the food just didn't wow me. Don't think I will make a return trip, too many other places to try. read more

Sometimes I don't write reviews for places because I don't know what else I could say that hasn't already been said. After 230 Eli's reviews and counting, there isn't much more to add. But since this would be in my top 10 recommendations of where to eat in the city, I felt like it was time to add my own love. So go for the food, go for the atmosphere, and go to support a great local independent restaurant! read more

After seriously yearning for good BBQ for the longest time, I finally made it to Eli's. This joint has come very highly recommended, and for good reason. It's got charm... AND delicious BBQ! I came to visit Eli's with a large group, perhaps 15 or so, and we all sat outside in one of the tented areas. I ordered just about everything, as I am a share-er. Although I was disappointed not to see any chicken on the menu, I more than made due with both the roasted turkey sandwich and the pulled pork sandwich. Though slaw on the meat is a traditionally southern method of eating BBQ (from NC), I chose to remain a northerner at heart and eat slaw separately. The slaw, was some of the best I've had north of the Ohio river. The pulled pork was tender and rich. I prefer mine with a big of rubbed in spice like you might find in Memphis or Little Rock, but this pulled pork hit the spot easily. The roast turkey was ok. It wasn't very "interesting." I think that's the only way to put it. It really was just roast turkey, on a bun with a little sauce that didn't mismatch or stand out. I ordered plenty of sides. First was the jalapeño cornbread. This stuff was awesome. I think I'd order up a bunch of the stuff to take to the next Reds game and chow down. SO tasty! The jalapeño grits were also delicious. These cheesy, spicy grits aren't the normal flavorless depressing grits you find just about everywhere. These grits were a wonderful side to an awesome pulled pork sammie. Then, there's THE BEANS! I happen to love beans. They're tasty, versatile and filling. What's not to love? These though, probably some of the best BBQ beans I've ever had. Spicy, with a peppery kick and a flare for making me want a whole pot of the stuff. A definite pleaser for me. And finally, I'm no lame-o. Who could order BBQ and NOT get the mac & cheese? Certainly that's not me. I LOVE mac & cheese. And these were the mac & cheesiest! I love a good cafeteria style mac as much as the next guy, but this was like buttah it was so good. I'll be back. With friends in tow. *A quick word of caution though, Eli's is CASH ONLY!!! read more

I never liked BBQ and, I'm not sure what it is, but in the past few months I've been really coming around to the taste. I must be growing up. Alas, when we were discussing places to meet my dad for Father's Day, I threw out the idea of Eli's thinking that it would be debunked due to its lack of proximity to everyone. But given its informal setting (order at the counter and take seats at picnic tables under large white tents) and its allegedly amazing food, I felt it would serve as a really great venue for my nearly-2-year-old nephew especially. Dad, Brother, Sister-in-law, and Date also really like pulled pork and BBQ, so I was pleasantly surprised that everyone was all in on the idea. Between the five of us adults, we got some kind of combination of pulled pork or smoked turkey sandwiches; macaroni and cheese; baked beans; cole slaw; jalapeno cornbread; and mashed potatoes. I'm happy to report that I got to try them all and YUM across the board. I was very impressed with everything I got to try and, although I got the smoked turkey, I think I will opt for the pulled pork next time. My favorites were the macaroni and cheese and jalapeno cornbread, but I even liked the baked beans, which I don't typically love. Truly everything was very good. Everyone else loved Eli's, too, and I'm really happy that it was such a hit. The food was delicious, it was reasonably inexpensive, and there was plenty of seating and a short wait for food when we got there at 11am (there was a line when we left around 11:45). All around a fantastic experience. I will absolutely be back. read more

Jesus, I'm sooo full! What a great lunch! We ordered for ten and the food came very quickly via Uber eats. I had the brisket sandwich with Mac n cheese! Deeeeelliiiiciious! I'm definitely ordering again!!!! read more

My second favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. This is the best BBQ I've ever had and the prices are as good as the food! $5 for an amazingly tasty smoked turkey sandwich! With food this good for this price, I have a hard time convincing myself to try any other restaurants. There are two large tents setup year round outside. In the winter they attach canvas walls to the tent and put two large kerosene heaters inside each tent. So it's comfortable eating in the tent even in winter. Anytime family or friends visit from out of town, Eli's is always at the top of the list of things to do. Tip: Get the sandwich or hot dog Eli's way, that's with coleslaw on top of the meat. My wife is not a fan of coleslaw, but when combined with Eli's delicious meat, she loves it. read more

The consensus is that nowhere in town beats Eli's for some pulled pork lovin' (don't even mention Montgomery Inn). I have to say the pulled pork sandwich is fantastic. The pulled pork itself is so juicy, and the coleslaw complements the bbq sauce perfectly. Bun could be a little sturdier (with all the goodness inside it's somewhat mushy). All in all it's the perfect messy summer sandwich. Have also heard people rave about the hot dogs (best gourmet dogs in town?!) and the rib tips, which I'll have to try sometime. Don't be fooled into thinking you're making a healthy choice with the smoked turkey sandwich. Apparently the reason it's the best smoked turkey you ever had is because they smoke it right under the pork so that all the good fatty juices from the pork drizzle onto the turkey. YUM. Half the allure of the simple menu is the sides: best sweet/spicy baked beans ever, and I love the jalapeno cheesy grits! Sides are so good that you'd be a weirdo to only get a sandwich instead of the $8 plate. Some people even order more to bring home. As a result, the wait to order can be excruciating, plus another 40 min to get your food after ordering. Worst is probably Friday dinner when there's a live band. Best time for speedy service is weekday lunch hours (practically no wait). You can also call ahead to order and come pick up. But the experience of enjoying your BBQ with byob and music in the picnic area in the back on a summer night is worth the wait. read more

Ok - I can't stress enough how much I love this place. Head to the middle of nowhere north of downtown Cincy and look for the sign with just the outline of a pig on it somewhere along the river. The eating area is simple and unassuming, and after you order your BBQ in the back and they bring it out, prepare for the most delicious ribs you've ever tasted. I consider myself a connoisseur of smoked meats, and this is by far my all-time . Also, there's a special place in my heart for eateries that sell Dr. Pepper in glass bottles. Well played, Eli's BBQ. read more

Old school. Charming. Delicious. Great service. They don't sell alcohol, but you are allowed to bring your own.

As my dog Steve and I travel the country and sample BBQ joints, you wouldn't expect such a gem in Cincinnati. I want to tell people to stay away!!! But that would be selfish because when I want it I don't want to wait in line. Steve says I need therapy. Eli's is great in taste quality price. Try the hotdogs or rib tips or EVERYTHING. I guess I'll wait in line. read more

Best BBQ in town. Everything on the menu is great. I really enjoy the hotdogs. You get two smoked, deep fried hotdogs with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and slaw on them. The sauce is sweet and delicious. I could drink it. For sides I get the jalapeño cheese grits, dirty (the burnt ends of the pork on top), and the Mac and cheese, dirty. Bring cash and come early if you want ribs. BYOB, with seating inside and out. read more

Walking into Eli's, I knew this was my kind of place. The smell of bbq wafts at you as you open the door. You immediately become aware that this is a BYOB place as you see all six and twelve packs of beer on the tables - a definite plus. You have to place your order at the counter where you have a choice of a sandwich or a plate. The plate comes with a sandwich and two sides. Be aware that the place is cash only...no credit cards. All of us went with the smoked turkey sandwich, which was absolutely devine. The meat was tender and juicy with just the right amount of smoke flavor. It was served on a buttered toasted bun with just a smattering of their sweet BBQ sauce. I had the cole slaw as a side, which was a bit too creamy for my taste, but I am more of a vinegar based cole slaw man myself. My wife got the mac and cheese, which was amazing. The cheese sauce was incredibly creamy and just sharp enough to get your attention. The atmosphere was extremely welcoming with now pretension. We sat there for 2 hours with out any attitude from the staff. With the BYOB policy, you could spend the whole night there. We were extremely with this find as will be back in greater numbers. A definite hidden gem on the East side! read more

Eli sure knows what he is doing when it comes to BBQ. Admittedly, I've eaten Eli's BBQ two times in a week, and it never grows tiresome. The atmosphere at Eli's is reminiscent of a huge backyard cookout. There's almost always a line out the door and around the corner of the restaurant, but the "BYOB" standard makes waiting in line (with a beer) much more tolerable. There's usually some variant of banjo-pickin' music echoing from the outside speakers, and the banquet-style picnic tables make you feel like you're sitting down with old friends for some good ol' BBQ. The pulled pork sandwich is absolutely heavenly. The buns are lightly grilled, buttery, soft and forgiving. The pork itself is rich, smokey, and meaty, slathered in Eli's signature BBQ sauce. The occasional crunch of cracklin' lets you know it's authentic. The baked beans are always served steaming hot and a little on the spicy side (cumin maybe?). The macaroni and cheese is smooth and rich. Each plate comes with a small side of coleslaw (or plopped directly on the sandwich, per your request). The slaw itself is the perfect compliment to everything else on the plate - crunchy, zesty, and fresh. Eli's takes cash or check only, so come prepared. Bring your favorite 6-pack, a cooler, a tablecloth if you wish, and an appetite. read more

I ordered pulled pork and 2 bones. They ended up giving me three bones. The ribs were excellent both dry and with sauce. I devoured the pulled pork. These guys are meat magicians! read more

Eli's BBQ - Riverside - Bonus rib - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio