Unprofessional service and inconsistent quality - Not worth the "Premium" price. My wife and I visited Jones Bar-B-Que looking for a reliable spot for high-protein meals in Victoria. Unfortunately, after a few visits, the service has proven to be incredibly unprofessional and, quite frankly, discriminatory. The first major red flag was a takeout order of the Mama Jones Platter. The server was careless, stuffing the food into containers as an afterthought when I reminded him it was a to-go order. It arrived home cold and looked like a mess. No apology or effort was made to fix it. The final straw occurred during our last dine-in visit. After ordering, we were told they were "out of sausages" and offered extra of another meat. Because of the previous bad experience, I left a 10% tip (noting this is a counter-service model where you pay upfront). The server became visibly rude and dismissive, telling us to fetch our own plates and drinks in a condescending tone. However, moments later, the table next to us--who appeared to be locals--received the exact same platter, complete with sausages. The server was suddenly very attentive and helpful to them, bringing them everything they needed. As a non-white couple with accents, we felt completely singled out. Whether it was "tip-shaming" or something more biased, being treated like a second-class citizen while paying premium prices is unacceptable. The BBQ is decent, but the quality is nowhere near good enough to overlook being treated with such disrespect. We won't be back and definitely don't recommend this place. read more

Everything was perfect and they spoiled us on my guys birthday. Always so very good Thank you so very much! read more

Friendly staff made the experience welcoming from the start. The BBQ was tasty with great flavor that satisfied my cravings. The only downside was the cool air blowing on the food, which made the dining area feel a bit cold. Overall, a solid spot with good eats and great service -- I'll be back! read more

Jones Bar B Que - Mama Jones Platter - Barbeque Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

For our last meal, we decided to try out Jones Bar-B-Que which specializes in southern Texas style BBQ. They're next door to Patisserie Daniel with a second location out in Langford. We dropped in on a Tuesday (noon). There's a couple tables inside. Order at the counter, pay, then wait for your name to be called. Sauces (ketchup, BBQ, malt vinegar) and cutlery are by the drink station. One daily happy hour (8:00pm-9:00pm) where sandwiches are 50% off with the purchase of a boozy beverage. - 3 Meats plate ($28.00) - brisket, pork ribs, pork butt, fries, slaw, mini brioche and pickles. Pork ribs were good. Pork butt and brisket were on the dry side. Meats lacked a strong, smoky note. Fries were fine but the slaw was bland, practically flavourless. Would try the Jones big crunch sandwich (fried chicken) if we were to return. 3.5 stars. read more

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The brisket was pretty good and so the potato salad and the coleslaw, but the pit beans were very salty I would definitely change the recipe for the beans. Other wise the service was ok and the ambience was meh. read more

COVID #45 Disclaimer: I smoke my own meat at home, so I came here to see how it stacks up. I don't know what wood they use but mine has a heavier wood smoke flavour. That said, the food here is good. I just prefer a more robust smokiness. Smoked pork butt and brisket were both very tender and flavourful. I didn't use any sauces. The brisket was not too dry and I got a portion of the flat, which is the leaner part of the brisket. Fried chicken was a bit underseasoned. The chicken sandwich was slightly spicy and a solid choice. Worth a visit. read more

Jones Bar B Que - Barbeque Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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COLOR ME SURPRISED! Jones BBQ was a real gem of a find in Victoria. Their brisket sandwich is not only delicious, but something that brought me back over the course of my stay in BC. I also ordered (during one of my subsequent visits) their pulled pork, their sliced brisket, and their home-made links. There wasn't anything I didn't like at JBBQ. The only thing that I didn't really care much for were their beans; for me the only thing I could taste were the molasses, but my better half loved their flavor and consistency. Excellent service with a big friendly smile and very attentive to our needs. Rustic ambiance but clean and fresh - no schmutz anywhere. Prices were decent - not over-priced but "right priced". I'm going to come back here next time I'm in Victoria. read more

We came by Jones BBQ based on the reviews from Yelp and left a little disappointed. We ended up getting half a pound each of brisket and pork butt and although it was good, I felt it was a bit dry. The most disappointing thing definitely would have had to be the corn bread as it was dry and hard. read more

Jones Bar B Que - Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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The best beef brisket I've ever had! Melt in your mouth and not overly salted. The chocolate pudding and banana pudding are so tasty, too. The totchos is a heavenly creation. My brain is drooling as I type this. It's like nachos but with tater tots. Greasy and delicious. Bad for you but so delicious. The prices are extremely fair for the quality and quantity. Took one star off because the chicken wings and chicken thighs are just average tasting. read more

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Nothing but the respect for the staff and the food 5/5 There was real chemistry between the coworkers and that's really important for quality of food and work moral Still chuckling about a real awesome remark someone said defending another coworker that was over nothing Super awesome staff read more

Incompetent staff, nothing is ever ready on time but they sure will take your money and then beg you to wait for ten minutes because they screwed up. Also they don't care about female customers that's clear. The male order taker just lets male customers cut in front of female ones. Saw it happen around 755pm Friday June 28, 2024 - owner watch your security footage. read more

Have driven past this place for years and finally tried it. Great service and vibe. We ordered the mamas Platter which was supposed to be for 2-3 people but it was so big we have tonnes of leftovers. The pork ribs were our favorite read more

Jones Bar B Que - Mamas Platter - Barbeque Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Lots of choices, including brisket, fried chicken, ribs, sausage. For me, though, they make the best breakfast burrito in town. Hearty portions, good sides, a few tasty desert options, and the watermelon agua fresca is worth a try for those like us who don't drink. No indoor seating, but the fenced area they created in front with picnic tables is a nice place to relax. Great music! read more

Just couldn't leave Victoria without giving a shout-out to the awesomeness of this place. The food is really great but moreso the staff are super. They have a great combined vibe, really helpful and nice. One of them suggested places I should see along my roadtrip route, which I never would have known to do. Another made sure I was aware that yes, even though I'm gluten-free, I CAN eat their fried chicken!! And...if you smile nice at the really handsome chef, he just MIGHT scramble you an egg for your side. Seriously you made my time here delightful. Peace. read more

The food was really good here. We had the Mama's platter, shared it between three of us and still had some leftover. The brisket was really tender, the sausage spicy, and the pulled pork flavorful. I also liked the BBQ sauces. The Alabama white sauce was my favorite. The fresh lemonade was also great. I'd eat here again. read more

Ordered a large fry and a full brisket for pickup yesterday. Order came to around $50. Left a $5 tip. Asked for ketchup and they gave me two packets. I asked for two more packets as it was large fry. They gave them to me but said "in future....just so you know......we are charging for ketchup packets now." Not impressed. read more

Brisket sandwich was really good great quality food. Nice staff and music. Bathroom had no paper towel. liked it very much. Would recommend going here! read more

I went to the new Langford location for take out and it was very busy. The prices for the quantity of product you get are expensive. The brisket and ribs are the best. The woman that was circulating around as the hostess was very nice and friendly. Outdoor seating and crowded indoor seating. You can park in the lot behind the library and walk over. My only complaint is the price. Best to probably just have one of their sandwiches to try their fare. read more

Admittedly, this review is going to speak to a style of BBQ that some people might truly love. Personally, I found the thickness of rub used on the ribs and brisket overwhelming, competing with, the lovely flavors of the meat. While I love a good rub, unfortunately Jones goes hog-wild with a layer of rub that feels an eighth of an inch thick, is heavy on salt, and becomes all you can taste. Family of four at the table, and no one made it through a rack. The slaw is a delightful contrast, laced with apple, light and tangy and so together there is some harmony. If you love BBQ that is heavy....and I mean HEAVY-coated with a characteristic rub, Jones is your place. Just not my thing, I like a more moderated approach. The meat did fall off the bone though, so they've got the prep dialed in and the service was great. I suspect the rest is just over to personal choice. read more

All about this barbecue joint! The pulled pork is top notch (probably best in the city), and the ribs are good too. The beans are awesome but have actual pork bits in them so of you don't eat red meat, steer clear of those. My only real complaint is that the food has never actually been ready at the time they tell you will be okay for pickup, and you end up standing outside in the parking lot waiting while awkwardly avoiding parking cars. read more

Just ordered a 2 meat, 3 slivers of brisket and 3 ribs. Super dry brisket. Smoke was good but unfortunately too dry, not worth the money. The coleslaw and potato salad was super mediocre. Need to up their sides read more

When ever I get to go to Victoria jones is my go to place to eat. Every time I go it's so delicious and flavourful but when I went back in may it was different. I ordered the brisket and fries, the fries were amazing but the brisket was dry and there was to much seasoning it was like eating a mouth full of salt. Maybe I just got the bad peace but I was with three other people and one get the brisket to and it was dry and to salty. I also thought it was a little pricey for the two little peace's of brisket and a little handful of fries. That was just my experience but all the times I have been there it was fantastic. I highly recommend jones barbecue for a quick and delicious food. read more

When we pulled up and got the sweet aroma of barbecue, I knew we had made the right choice. We over-ordered, of course, and had SO much food. I tried a meat sampler type of plate and it did not disappoint. I live finding barbecue places that do it right and take their food seriously, and Jones does it right. I was super happy to find this place and we had a great meal. Excited to come back and try more next time! read more

Ordered the dinner for 4 at $95, Placed the order at 4 pm and scheduled a pick-up for 7 pm. Arrived at 7 and they had food ready at 7:30 ... perhaps I should have ordered the day before. For my convenience they added 15% with no choice ... maybe not so convenient? I guess I got charged for bad service? Since it was over $100 had to put my card in, told to put a glove on, push the buttons, take glove off, discard glove outside of building ... guess them wiping the machine down with sanitizer between uses like the other restaurants was too much of an effort. Food - over cooked, dry ... a solid mediocre Overall experience - lame Prefer Hanks read more

Went in to pick up my food order and was greeted by some of the rudest staff I have ever encountered, I still tipped well and as I left was basically dismissed for visiting, won't be back for sure read more

This place is the real deal, and a total hidden gem in Victoria. It's located in an unassuming strip mall in the north park area. The place is undergoing somewhat of a quiet gentrification and with the other super local craft coffee, bagel, and ice cream joints popping up in the area; it's shaping up to be not a bad place for foodies. In terms of food quality and taste - it's outstanding. Up there with the best the city has to offer - regardless of price. The beef brisket is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfectly flavoured, cooked, and textured. I had it in the brisket sandwich and everything else about it was excellent as well. The portofino bun was perfectly warmed and toasted, the pickles crispy, and BBQ sauce was something you could write home about. Also tried the portobello sandwich which was equally delicious and jammed packed with all sorts of different veggies. And this is coming from someone who hates vegetarian dishes. The slaw was good, the fries would good, and the refreshing watermelon aguas Fresca combined with the heat on the smokey summers day had me feeling like I was in the Deep South. The girl working at the front was friendly and interactive, and the cook looked like he loves what he does. Oh, and the decor is straight out of Texas, too. This place nails it. A must try in Victoria. read more

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I was looking forward to enjoying some authentic bbq on a perfect summer evening. The service was quick and cordial and the atmosphere was light and cheerful. The place smelled great and so did the food. Unfortunately, the food was underwhelming. Portion size was good and fair value for the money. However, the meat lacked flavour - it had few notes of smoke or spice. The Pit Beans we're good and filling. The brioche bun was tasty but tiny. The food was presented well and appetizing to look at. Having enjoyed bbq in St. Louis I guess my expectations were for a similar food experience and regrettably I was underwhelmed. read more

Jones Bar B Que - 2-meat plate. Brisket, ribs, pit beans and slaw. - Barbeque Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

I know that food has gone up in price since COVID, but almost $200 for take out for 2 adults and 4 kids, especially when coupled with an almost 2 hour wait. Their insistence on providing their own delivery is fine, but they should staff appropriately for it. I used to love eating here and two years ago, it would have been a solid 4, now it is a weak 2. read more

Second visit today. Enjoyed the brisket taco with cilantro. Not too salty or spicy. Very tender. Not impressed with presentation or hygiene. There's no attention to detail. It's very rustic food. Overall assessment- just stick to the meat because the salads were not edible. The potato salad was full of peels, very chunky & bland. Why?? The coleslaw was bland with poppy seeds. No excuses for bad slaw in a bbq joint. Moderate pricing. Like most restaurants they are paranoid about Covid. I don't generally reward medical tyranny so patronize this business accordingly. read more

Nice family style restaurant. I love their bbq pork rib, great flavor, and moist. The beef brisket is too fatty, it will taste better if less fat. The pull pork poutine tasted amazing too, good balance of gravy, cheese, and French fries. read more

Jones Bar B Que - Pull pork poutine, beef brisket, pork rib - Barbeque Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

I've started recommending this place to my friends - Victoria is severely lacking in BBQ! The meat is excellent. I've tried the pulled pork poutine, a meat plate, as well as a 'meal of the day' sort of deal. The poutine is great, I got it for takeout and it was definitely 2 huge meals worth of food. My only complaint was that the menu doesn't elude to it being spicy and it definitely has a bit of kick. The brisket I had on the meat plate was absolutely falling apart tender. So good! read more

Well after 5 min of waiting and not even a glance from the bearded dude wiping cookie pans, we didn't know if it was a help yourself or sit down! It seemed more like a go F yourself type of place! A little hello how are you? First time here? A glance from any employee would work wonders for anyone trying this place out for the first time! My recommendation would be to get the word out to everyone that they should not visit or support this type of business! For my second trip to this place a month later, it seems like there is more attention on the bbq trucks than the food and restaurant, plus the cook had dirty gloves and was spreading pork fat all over the buns in the hallway and not having any concern about cross contamination! read more

Came here and ordered the Big Crunch sandwich. One of THE BEST chicken sandwiches I've ever had. Definitely coming back next time I'm in town! read more

Been before several times and it was "ok" for victoria bbq...Last time, the brisket was so dry I was choking. Been to Matt's BBQ in Portland since, and realized this place has no business being in business. If you want to throw $50+ away...sometimes it was good, not great. I don't want white bread etc as choices myself but if you want cheap ingredients being forced as a side then go ahead. It might be the best you've had if you're not well traveled read more

Touted as "Victoria's best BBQ" - you'll find it online on their website and even through word of mouth on the street. And the best part is... they ain't lying. Jones BBQ is the stuff of legend. Wars have been waged between kingdoms throughout the ages for a claim to the pork butt that can be found only here! The Valkyries will descend from the skies swiftly and take those have sought out the BBQ of Jones and tasted it's meats to Valhalla! Word will be passed down from children to grandchildren for the next 1000 years so that families may feast together at this great place! Songs will be sung in the great halls of men for eternity about the fatty brisket and perfectly fried chicken! In all seriousness, this is probably Victoria's best BBQ. On the three occasions that I've visited Jones', the meats have been succulent and the perfect balance of fattiness and toughness. I've ordered the pork butt sandwich on all three occasions and I can tell you that the pork butt sandwich has never disappointed me and I don't believe it will fail to do so for the rest of my life. $8.50 never tasted so good. Never. On two of my three visits, I've ordered 1/2 lb of the brisket which came with a generous amount of pickle slices (which I appreciated very much). The brisket always came out hot and full of flavour which wasn't overpowering - they got it just right. The pickles also were not too sour to the point of making your eyes squint. Same with the coleslaw that comes inside the pork butt sandwich. They do veggies right here at Jones - just the right amount of ingredients in each element to add unique flavours to the mix. Another thing that I really appreciated, especially about the pork butt sandwich, was the toasted bun that added a beautiful, light crunch to every bite which was absolutely heavenly. Everything eaten together, I'd say that Jones BBQ, especially the pork butt sandwich, is definitely more than the sum of it's parts. Don't miss out on the hidden gem that is the pork butt sandwich. And eat it while it's hot! The only reason why I'm not giving Jones BBQ a five-star review is because on the third occasion I ordered a brisket taco which, for the price, didn't seem like a bad idea. Unfortunately, the brisket was fairly dry, so I'm not sure what went wrong in the preparation of the meat for the taco when the brisket by the lb comes out juicy and full of flavours. I thought the taco brisket would be held to the same standard. I mean, it was an okay taco, but it could have been great. The pickled radish and other garnishes gave it a bit of a nice kick, but I expected the meat to be the star of the dish, like in every other dish. Although I live in Vancouver, I eagerly await the next occasion that I can travel to Victoria, so that I may reunite with Jones' once again. read more

Hustling and bustling and lineups before 5pm. Friendly efficient staff. The food was piping hot and we loved the Tilt lager. I'd been dying to try the brisket so we ordered a brisket poutine to share. We liked everything about it except the brisket was so fatty I couldn't eat it and I know that is just my personal preference. All in all everyone should definitely check this place out. read more

You've got to try this place, especially the brisket, although all their food is outrageously delicious. in fact after one meal I ordered more to go, and said I'd see them in two weeks. Next time I go I'll have to see if they do pulled pork. I'm looking forward to eating their again. read more

Best BBQ in the city, hands down. Finally, a great place to go for fabulous BBQ I'm an addict and converted all my friends and family. read more

Jones Bar B Que - Barbeque Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Thought I would try the fried chicken 2 piece dinner as it is gluten-free Very small pieces and the coating was super-bland (like no spice at all) but crispy. I had ordered barbecue sauce do go with it but they didn't give me any. I got some brown stuff which I think must have been gravy but it didn't really go with the chicken. At first I thought it was the bbq sauce but just a weird colour. Nope. Wasn't wanting gravy, and honestly the flavour didn't appeal to me. Thank goodness I didn't get extra cornbread as one of the sides as suggested. Took one bite of the included cornbread and didn't eat any more of that either. Potato salad was edible but not memorable. Beans were not good tasting. The serving staff were very pleasant but they forgot the bbq sauce. I so wanted to love this meal. But no. I have been there for lunch before and had the pork butt sandwich. It was very good. Should have got that again. read more

Went here tonight I had the pulled pork sandwich with fries , the sandwich was absolutely delicious with slaw , pickle and soft bun all mashed together really good. The fries are nothing special in my opinion they should do a hand cut fresh and season them better. I grew up in Kansas City the barbecue capital of the US so I know Bbq sauces their sauce is sweet like Texas and very good. My husband had full rack of ribs side of slaw and beans. He loved the ribs fall off the rack but he said too much which is surprising so next time he said he would only order a half rack. He said the slaw is good but the beans he didn't care for, he says they tasted harsh not sure what that means. Based on the meat a 5 for sure but only a 4 for the sides. We will return for sure and try the brisket. read more