Popped in for Thurs lunch favoring Pat's with fewer but better ratings and less expensive option in…read moreMurphysboro. First time...so went withh the sampler at $18 and most of their meats are included except the pork steak (makes sense to me since that's usually a separate feature in these parts along with Kentucky). It was three of us and we were given the heads up that the sampler can feed two. Figured we could start with that and order more. The order was a very generous helping of two large rib tips, two pork rib bones, two wing pieces, and pulled chicken, pork, and chopped brisket. Our choice of two sides were slaw and mac & cheese. Three buns were thrown in given the three of us in the party (thanks for the flex). Local bottled Big Muddy root beer is the same $1.50 as the can sodas in the case and it is made with honey and cane sugar. Of the things I tried, I thought the rib tips were excellent - smoked pink and moist - got a meaty piece with only a small piece of cartilage. The chopped brisket isn't my thing - I prefer sliced. My daughter said the ribs were great (figured would be as good as the tips). The wings I believe were smoked too rather than grilled and the taste from the rub/marinade wasn't something I was familiar with. Tender and not dry. Pulled pork and chicken were solid. We still had leftovers - so I'll get my chance to try the ribs and focus on the flavor of the wing. Will have to get the pork steak next time and order plates next time focusing on our faves. Roomy dining area with some tables near the windows. It was getting warm out there so having plenty of indoor seating on a quieter Thursday lunch was welcome over overflow seating outside at the covered picnic tables.

I live in the Midwest, in a small city. Our BBQ places are easy to find: look for a big, shouty…read moresign; the owner's $120,000 extended F250 taking up a space right in front of the door; and an ambiance that includes corrugated steel walls, self-consciously Texas-y lamps over closely huddled booths, and servers all wearing the same hat and shirt. Oh - and the food is usually fine, except no fried okra. Pat's is not in a city. It's outside a small southern Illinois town. Pretty far outside, in fact, which is where true BBQ is supposed to be located. The parking lot is gravel. The only pickups there belong to customers, and their worth is more in the range of $12,000, except to their owners, who use them as trucks. And the sign is a sign. It tells you where you are. Oh, wait - there are BBQ competition trophies in the entryway. Stand and marvel. There are more inside. Marvel more. Because other than these and some pics of family and locals and celebrities I didn't recognize on the walls, that's about it for decoration. Stare at the menu, menu board and signs. Pay attention to the happy person behind the counter when she tells you what they're out of, because the best BBQ places are out of something you want. Note the teasing banter between local customers and the kitchen staff, because everyone knows someone back there. And order. We got the pulled pork plate. My sister got potato salad and green beans. I got the fries. I got the local(?) root beer. They don't do fried okra, but this IS the Midwest. It all came to our table in a reasonable amount of time. The BBQ sauce came in a cup on the side. Ketchup was brought to us. So why only four stars? Everything was perfect, right? And prizewinning? Yeah, but BBQ is personal. Everyone has an opinion. I lived in northern Alabama, which styles itself as BBQ Country. As does Texas and Kansas City and Memphis and everywhere. Pat's, much beloved by regulars for its mild smokiness, juicy juicy soft texture and other features, seemed a bit too mild and even soggy to me. I know - I have no taste. And it was good. Just not five stars great. And not enough sauce in the container, though I could have gotten up to ask for more. And the potato salad was fine and the fries a little too starchy, but only a little. That said, the beans were the wonderful dark green juicy soft salty ones that are too ... wonderful. Get those. The root beer, brewed with honey, y'all, was the best ever. Get that, too. The dessert was what they were out of, dang it! Overall the experience was just great. Someplace to go back to. And you should go there.

This BBQ is awesome. Tried it at a local event. The line to try this BBQ was long but as good as…read morethe food was, it was not a surprise.

From the owner: Test check test onlyread more

Amazing food , great friendly staff, great atmosphere, it's a 10! We loved everything we tried!!…read moreDon't skip this one !!

The pork is as easy as it can be. The truth is that's what makes it right. Just like the brisket,…read moreall it is... smoke, spice and time. Great people inside and out.

What a treat! Went by myself on a Sunday afternoon. Friendly service and an absolutely delicious…read moreburger. I got the Double Dipper and... my goodness! An amazing burger sitting in queso! My fries and the bun helped me sop up every drop. With tip, $21 well spent!

Stooped in for lunch one afternoon while in town visiting. We were greeted walking in by the host,…read moreand seated within the same interaction. A large restaurant with high ceilings and colorful art throughout the interior. Our server arrived moments after we were seated. She took our beverage requests and returned shortly with them. We had perused the menu briefly and started with a couple appetizers. Their Pretzels & Beer Cheese and the Smoke Pork Rangoon. Both were good choices. The pretzels were hot and just the right amount of course salt, a buttery dark golden brown crunchy exterior and warm soft bread interior. The smoked pork rangoon, a nice mixture of tender smoked pork with cream cheese filing. These are a nice twist on the traditional crab rangoon. Fried golden brown, with a flavorful filing. A good choice for an appetizer. For my lunch, I went with their Fish and Chips. Along with a side of the Gouda Mac. Two beer battered filets with slaw and fries. The fries and slaw were good, the filets were okay. They seemed like they were prepackaged though? The shape and texture did not match up with the house made fries and slaw. It was okay but nothing special. The Mac n Cheese was good, creamy rich gouda on warm shell macaroni. A nice serving with good flavor. 3.5 Stars All in all a decent lunch, not great, not bad it served its purpose. Rounded up for the staff. 01304

the food was flavored but the portions are small for $16 a plate…read more no variety of desserts, no cornbread. friendly staff

The food was fantastic! This may be the best BBQ pork steak I have had. You can cut it with a…read morefork. The catfish sandwich is excellent too. I had homemade German chocolate cake for dessert, which was moist and not too sweet. The staff was very welcoming and environment was cozy. I highly recommend this cute restaurant!

If you ever find yourself on Highway 51 Wickliffe, Kentucky This is the most to stop for some great…read morebarbecue.! Service is great and the food is just absolutely wonderful. Large selection. Outdoor seating only is truly an awesome experience. Get there early though because you're either be waiting for a while or they might run out.!!!

Efficient, friendly order and preparation. The brisket was tender but I think old age cow. The bbq…read moresauce too vinegary. The hashbrown more milk & cheese than potatoes. The baked beans (half beans, half goopy sauce: sweet, vinegary with jalapeño and onion. Ended up w stomach ache cuz of vinegar. I wish I had just bought smoked chickenn or turkey to go and no sides.

Great food and service! Always try to get something different each time we go and their "magic dust…read more" is amazing on everything that they have! And fresh pork rinds are incredible!

I am a visitor from a few hours away and I tried this place at the recommendation of others. The…read moreservice felt not great. I barely saw the guy at all besides him taking my order, bringing the food, and bringing the check. It was unfortunate because the tables around me had a waitress that was constantly checking on her tables and taking care of her people with drove the point home my experience is not the same. The food: I saw a lot of awards and stuff for the food so I was actually hyped to try it to make up for the service. It was NOT award winning. Pulled pork is dry as a bone, the award winning ribs are dry and overcooked and tough. The baked beans were the only food on my plate that was hot when they brought it out. The Mac and cheese had discolored from sitting on the pass I'd imagine. Needless to say I won't visit again. Murphysboro is supposed to be known for BBQ and this was not the experience I thought it was gonna have. On positive notes, sweet tea was good, the sauces on the table are good, the seasoning they offer on the table was good. Old timey bar atmosphere which was cool.

Make it a trip and wander past Red Bud and Ruma and get you some Wally's…read more I live within 15 minutes of a handful of bbq places in the STL Metro East, and none of them compared to Wally's. The brisket was tender, but not covered in grease. The mac-n-cheese was actually flavorful - most mnc's are just bland noodles with cheese - not the case at all at Wally's. "What on earth is honey mustard potato salad?" Oh, only the best potato salad you'll ever eat in your life, if you like honey mustard. The baked beans had a chili flavor to them without compromising the bbq sweet you want from baked beans. The poppy seed slaw wasn't just covered in mayo, it was actually refreshing and a nice complimentary side to the uber flavorful bbq mains. And the homemade ice cream was insane alongside the bread pudding. It's a bummer someplace like this is in the middle of nowhere and not closer to more people. But that seems to be part of what Wally wants: home cooking done the right way. Not just "grandmas style" that only appeals to a niche group of people. Wally has crafted his food to be enjoyed by all who happen upon this tiny "diner" along Route 3. Make it a trip and wander past Red Bud and Ruma and get you some Wally's. The menu isn't stacked full of options, but what is on the menu will instantly transport you back to a place where your pallet didn't understand what "food for convenience" was. Where ambiance didn't matter as much as the quality of food on your plate. Show up, order quickly, eat well, and tip better.

Wally's is REAL BBQ! You can taste the real wood smoke in the meat, and they are always pushing…read morethe sides to the next level. Worth the drive. Don't hesitate. Just do it.

Great food! I've had several different meals and everyone has been great…read more Service is wonderful. Highly recommend.

We stopped in for dinner while camping at the lake. Service was great, unfortunately that is all I…read morecan positively say. My husband ordered the pork steak dinner and said it tasted boiled, and was very fatty. The portion sizes are almost laughable, a side of fries looked like it should go with a kids meal, I ordered the pulled pork dinner and my sides of baked beans and Cole slaw were tiny also.