In Alexandria for business and came to Koal's based off of a recommendation. To be completely honest, I am a little biased regarding BBQ as I feel Texas has the best BBQ, but Koal's might offer the best brisket I've ever eaten. The brisket was smoked perfectly: it was juicy, flavorful, and had great smoke flavor and nice smoke ring. I also went with the Mac & cheese and potato salad. The Mac & cheese was pretty good, although the potato salad was a little bland. The service was impeccable! The staff we encountered were all helpful and very friendly and the restaurant is very clean and well-kept. Make it a point to visit Koal's BBQ, I guarantee you won't be disappointed! Two toes-two thumbs and a Mile High Salute for Koal's BBQ! Happy eating, my foodies! read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Perfection on a plate! - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

I've been hearing so much about this place so I had to make a trip and see what Louisiana barbecue is about. First, the menu is amazing. From steaks to Smokehouse salads (not seeing this as often as we used to at bbq restaurants) to brisket potatoes, there is something here for everyone. I'm happy to see some classics (the Wedge salad and the bbq plate with 2 sides) as well as some unique dishes (the PB & J sandwich - pulled pork, sliced brisket, and jalapeno pepper Jack sausage and the prime brisket potato casserole, two things I want to try next). When I review barbecue I have my go-to items. On this visit I got the 1/2 chicken with potato salad and green beans, traditional but a great way to understand Koal's pov. I love the rub and smoke on this chicken and it was so tender, my dining partners took note for their next visit. I loved the potato salad, too. It was well mixed with mustard and pickles (the right way!) and the texture was perfect. No big hunks of celery or onion to dominate the flavor. The green beans were perfect enough to eat as a solo dish but the bonus for me was the yeast roll. I'm so used to white bread in Texas, I really enjoyed having a buttery yeast roll to tuck my chicken and sauce in. Finally, I would come back for the homemade pickles alone! I've never eaten so many pickles in a sitting and the manager was happy to accommodate. My guests had the beef ribs, brisket, and potato casserole and worked hard to clear their plate but the portions here are generous and we all ended up with a snack for later. This place is a true find with a nice sized dining room, great food, and excellent service. If you're smart, you'll save room for the bread pudding or at least order it to go. Delicious! read more

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I always go to Koal's with a large group - about 30 people. Employees are all friendly and very helpful. Fast service and awesome BBQ - served hot. The place is usually full with others who come and go with take out. Everyone has their favorites but mine is the Brisket Baked Potato. You should give this place a try. read more

From the time I walked through the door, I was excited. Wes took my order and made it even better. The food came out pretty quick and every single bite was worth it. Wes came over to check on us throughout the meal. The atmosphere was amazing, the customer service was amazing. When I return to Louisiana, I will certainly return to this place. I highly recommend the 3 rib plate. Ribs fell off the bone. .... Did I mention how good the food was? read more

Good was super duper yummy, I got full so quick. Full of flavor too!! The service was quick, attentive, and amazing. read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

Excellent food! Very flavorful brisket (MY opinion is: way better than Outlaws). Nice staff & to go orders are ready very quickly! read more

Ok really solid 4 minus the green beans w jalapeños in them.. not my thing. But the brisket chopped sandwhich was perfect with just the right amount of meat to fat ratio and there was a great bark on it in ever bite. The bbq is sweet and added just enough to bring out the smoke flavor and give it a sweet taste. The ribs are fall off the bone and the bite was just right. A little on the soggy side for me but I was happy I got them as an add on. Bar tender was busy but nice and don't let the check out girl make you feel in welcomed. Not sure if I did t order fast enough but not from around here yall. Seriously good spot and bring some friends.. read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

I'm not a huge BBQ place fan but I would definitely eat here again and again. A buddy of mine met me there for lunch and we split a pit room meal off of the menu and we had leftovers! Personal favorites were the jalapeño sausage, the half chicken, and the ribs. The cowboy beans were fantastic as well. The fact that I said that I would go back without hesitation is what warrants the 5 star rating for me. read more

Koal's is a good place for BBQ in Alexandria. I don't know what most people do when they go to a BBQ restaurant but I always order the same things. My favorite BBQ items include sliced brisket, smoked wings, and jalapeno cheese sausage. When I am at Koal's it is always sliced brisket and jalapeno cheese sausage. Koal's is one of the first restaurants I visited when I started coming to town regularly. Now it is the spot I almost always visit when I am in town. The BBQ is solid and the service is great. It is a walk to the counter, order, and grab a number kind of place. You will make your own drink and there is a bar with pickles and onions. This should be a requirement for all BBQ restaurants. The brisket is moist and flavorful. I have had occasions where it was less smoky than normal but that is to be expected. The sausage is very good. If you like sausage with cheese, I would definitely try this. If you find yourself in Alexandria, Koal's should be on your list. read more

Louisiana's Worst BBQ Restaurant didn't make enough Ribs and asked me to choose another meat, but when I said Brisket, they told me they hadn't made enough either and offered Turkey. Restaurant also failed to provide Rolls and BBQ sauce, but still trying to remain positive, I tried it and found none of the meats, Potato Salad, or Mac & Cheese were seasoned properly. The restaurant seemed so interested in closing at 8pm on a Saturday Night instead of making enough food or checking to make sure the order was correct. Pathetic. read more

Food was great except for my Ribeye. Was asked for medium & it was blue rare still breathing rare!!! I love this place but steak was so rough & undercooked I will not ever order again. Brisket fries was top notch. Wife steak was very good but ribeye was terrible tough & should be removed from menu. read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Ribeye undercooked - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

This barbecue joint is awesome. It is a very trendy place. It has a decent sized dining area, bar seating and limited patio seating. There is a huge parking lot and a full bar. You will also find some televisions around the restaurant, but their volume is all the way down. The restaurant is very clean and they have the friendliest staff that I have experienced in a while. They were patient and very helpful. They took the time to walk me through the menu. You place your order at the counter, find a seat (if you are dining in), and they will bring your food to you. Do not sit down first. I waited only about 5 minutes for my food. I ordered the brisket sandwich, with a side of fries and cowboy beans. My meal was delicious. The brisket was packed with flavor. The beans were unique. A spin on baked beans with some meat. The fries were even better than your average fries. It was some of the best Q that I have had in a long time. I highly recommend checking this place out. I know that you will not be disappoint. I cannot wait to come back and try some other food. read more

Food is perfect every time. Brisket is thick cut and every slice is moist and taste great. Pulled pork is flavourful and moist. Ribs are extremely tender and tasty. All sides from cowboy beans, dirty rice, potato salad and slaw are fixed perfectly. Other items are on the menu but I haven't tried them yet. All items are brought to your table by the wait staff and they check on you during your visit to make sure you have everything you need. I highly recommend this establishment for great bbq. read more

Went there tonite because I was were having A hankering for BBQ so we went here. Unfortunately we're disappointed the giving the order was exhausting and there was a tedious interaction which I attribute to the instruction that were given when the person was hired. The food arrive h just as we sat down. I ordered 4 ribs which was way to much for considering it was just for me. I should of been informed when I check in. There was not enough space on the hi boy table. We should of sat at a table. The ribs were not hot. It was disappointing and we would not be back. Irwin Z read more

Man, has this place gone down!! Today a friend picked up lunch for 2 from there, the Hobo meal! The bread was so dry and tough (old) that it could not be eaten! We requested lean beef brisket and well that didn't happen! The baked beans were very tasty, but not worth the price of 2 meals!! Funny thing is we had a gift card from the manager for a previously very bad experience that partially paid our total but this time 2 meals were inedible!! Well, I'm done! They need a real cook and manager! Sad to see what once what a really good resturant go down hill!! read more

Traveling thru the area from Texas and I will have to say the barbecue was amazing. The smoke flavor was great and the bbq sauce was a great compliment. read more

Service is always excellent! Burgers are delicious staff is very attentive. Great choice for lunch during the week!

Consistently great! I live in TX and this is just as good! Pressed chopped brisket sandwich on Gambino French bread was amazing!! Love the PB&J sandwich as well bc all three meats (brisket, pulled pork, and jalapeno sausage) are on it!! Highly recommend! read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Pressed brisket sandwich on Gambino's French bread - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

This place has really good bbq. I got the brisket plate with fries and green beans. The brisket was well cooked and had good flavor. I had the lean part of the brisket and it was moist and not dry. The fries and green beans were really good too. The service was great too. You order at a counter and then they bring you your food. As soon as I was finished they had someone there to take my plate. I will be back. read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Brisket plate with French fries and green beans - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

My son and I went here today as usual the food is Outstanding!! He got a Loaded Baked Potato it had butter, bacon bits, cheese and sour cream it was stuffed full. I didn't want chives. It was baked perfectly!! I got the King Sliced Prime Brisket Sandwich with Side of Rice Dressing!! The brisket was just the right amount of marbling or fat but it was perfectly flavored and moist the side of rice dressing was cooked perfectly not dry and mushy!! If you want to eat the Very Best BBQ win Alexandria or Cenla for that matter you have to go to Koal's BBQ. The service is excellent ready to get you anything you need more BBQ sauce, napkins whatever you don't have to search for a server. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and it's quiet. It's charming!! Once you go here will never go anywhere else again!! I could say so much more but go yourself and check them out!!! read more

Wow. This place is great! I had the 4 taco deal. I'm not sure if it's a deal, but it is good. They were like street tacos. Two pulled pork and two brisket. Service was fast, and the staff was friendly. Steer clear of the dessert in my opinion. I paid $7 for a really small piece of dried out New York cheesecake. I do recommend it, and I'll probably return. read more

Stopped here because of the great reviews while on a road trip. We shared a massive barbecue plate that included chicken, turkey, ribs, brisket, 2 different types of sausage, pulled pork and rolls. The smoked turkey was a little dry, but everything else was delicious. Service was great, food was hot and the restaurant was very clean. I would definitely recommend it to friends. read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Despite ordering massive amounts of food, we ate everything!! - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

Great food...brisket was the bomb! Try "the Pit" meal to get a sample of everything! Sausage was delicious!

3 out of 5. Fast service. Homemade sides. Mac- 5/10 Loaded potato salad- 8/10 Ribs- 7/10 Burnt ends- 8/10 Brisket- 6/10 Clean place. Looks cool. Friendly staff. Pretty sure they aren't using off set smokers. Probably electric. But for Cenla. It's not bad. Prices are fair I think. WAY better than Outlaws. And they have steaks. I will go back. Good lunch spot. read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Burnt ends - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

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The food here is great! The brisket is top notch. The burger and fries are great especially the fries. I dropped in for lunch today and along with the wonderful service the owner/manager handed each woman in the restaurant a fresh rose. Never have I seen such great treatment. This place is highly recommended. read more

The ribs were tender but not much flavor and the brisket was extremely dry. I ordered the dirty rice and it didn't have any flavor and needed salt. I will not return to eat here. read more

We got take out last night. We had a steak filet, asked for medium rare. It was very over cooked, almost couldn't chew it. Also the hamburger steak dinner was very overcooked and tough. Never had a hamburger steak that was hard to chew. Won't be going back. read more

Visiting from Baton Rouge and this place was recommended. Great food at a very reasonable price. Will eat there again when I visit Alex.

Visiting for work and looking for a good place to eat before work. Three of us arrived and ordered ribs, brisket, bread pudding, and some sides. Good tasted great and service was fast. So why is this a poor review? 2 of the 3 of us had potato salad and they both got horrible food poisoning less than 45 minutes later. I'll spare you the details but it was bad and we all missed work. We only ate one meal that day at it was at Koals. read more

Hands done best steak I have ever eaten. It's a quiet hole in the wall joint but great for date night! The manager comes by to check on you to see if everything is good. Great customer service and food which is rare in Alexandria. Highly recommend read more

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Heard their ad in the radio so since I an traveling and always try new joints, gave it a try. Man this place rocks. Got the ribs and pork sausage with green beans and salad. Lord it was delicious. Great food and good value. Stop in if around the area looking for bbq. Tomorrow night think I'll try their ribeye steak! read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Ribs, pork sausage, green beans and house salad. Excellent - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

Koal's is a pretty good place to eat. The 6oz filet has always been a good choice. The sampler platter is enough for 2-3 people and leftovers. read more

From out of town, ate here when we saw it driving by and decided to try it. The sausage and ribs were very good, only downside being the sausage was not as hot as I hoped for. The hostesses that took our order were young but very helpful and the waitress was very accommodating. read more

While visiting from Georgia with family, we decided to go out and eat while they went to a previous engagement. My brother-in-law told us about this place and said we would enjoyment. The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. The music is soft and pleasant. The staff is pleasant and friendly. But the food....oh my the food. I had the pulled pork with potato salad and cowboy beans. It was great! I HIGHLY recommend coming here. I look forward to eating here again on our next visit. read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Tv dining area - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

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We came in to dine for the first time. Having had their takeout during quarantine... we know how good it is! The brisket plate was so good. But the cowboy beans are why we will come again...and again.... my hubby is incredibly picky and he loves this place! Oh....and heated BBQ sauce!!!!!!!! read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Brisket plate with cowboy beans - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

Their BBQ sauce is really good. I wouldn't get the Mac and cheese without the brisket, bread was a bit yeasty but really good. Everything taste slow cooked and it didn't cost that much. I'd come back read more

Koal’s Bar-B-Que - Beef St Louis Pork Rib, dirty rice, brisket Mac and cheese. I also got tacos (they didn't make it lol).. - Barbeque Near Me - Alexandria, Louisiana

This is my second time coming in the last week!!!! This place is beyond amazing not like your typical run of the mill BBQ spot. The ribs and brisket was delicious and fried okra and brisket Mac was spot on. What really won me over was the friendly environment and top tier service! I talk to an older gentleman who i am assuming is the owner he was so caring and friendly!!! Refreshing! Oh and they offer a military discount read more

Best bbq in town! Always great service and the owner always makes sure everything is excellent! I wish they were open sunday nights for date nights! read more

We have eaten here 4 or 5 times, and the 16 oz Ribeye was phenomenal the first 2 times -- it had this absolutely amazing herb butter dripping off of every bite (see pic from 1st visit. Wish I would have taken a pic tonight)! Then we got curbside during the shutdown, and no butter. I overlooked that because things were crazy -- maybe not the usual cook -- whatever. So we dine in tonight, and specifically ask for the herb butter on the steak. It comes out with NO BUTTER. The server goes to the kitchen to ask, and says they did put it on -- NO! YOU DID NOT! Their steaks are a great cut, but THAT BUTTER ON THE STEAK is what had me coming back. I MIGHT give them 1 more chance, but that's it! I have traveled, and eaten at wonderful restaurants all over the US and Europe! I know my food! I came back for a steak like I had the first 2 times! You need to be consistent! read more

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Hands down the best BBQ place in Central Louisiana (Cenla). Much better than that other "bbq" place. Will definitely be back. Great atmosphere, great prices and the food is delicious. The BBQ sauce itself is divine, perfect amount of sweetness and isn't too vinegary. read more