Was craving bbq, but it was a Sunday and all of the longstanding bbq places in Marion were closed…read moreand it was a blessing in disguise. This places is the best bbq in town! Never had oxtails before, but so glad we tried them based on other reviews because they are delicious. The sides are generous. The brisket was great and the fried catfish was probably the cleanest tasting I've ever had and spiced to perfection.

Food very good. Slightly higher than some for BBQ, but portions were enough for two buns. I got the…read morepulled pork combo. Husband got brisket over mac he said it was really good. I wanted the jambalaya but wasn't willing to pay $18 for it but after eating there it's probably worth it. Service was super friendly you order at the window. They asked us if we wanted a paper menu so we could sit and decide. I thought that was considerate since I was using a walker and they brought the food out to us even though there's a pick up window. I like the decor so much better than chain restaurants. Place was steady busy. We will return

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.

Road snack! Pit stop for BBQ right off the highway. Wish I could be more enthused…read more We pulled in around lunch time, there were a couple of people seated. To the left of the door was a window opening to the back with a woman standing there with a baby on her hip, we were looking around to see where to go and she let us know to head to the second window to the back. Upon arriving at the second window, there was a young man standing there. He didn't greet us, didn't smile, just stood there. I indicated it was our first time in and asked a question about the menu, he responded with the answer and then just continued to stand there. I was very uncomfortable so just ordered a sampler with nothing else. For the three options, i chose pulled pork, brisket, and 2 ribs. The food came out right away but no comments or anything. We saw the BBQ sauce area and I took a couple of options in condiment cups with no lids available. grabbed some napkins as we would continue our road trip and eat in the car. I am never a big fan of pulled pork; I have my favorite and compare all to it. This had more flavor than most I have had but it was really dry for being ordered early in the day. The brisket was tender and the fat attached gave flavor. The ribs were fine, also dry. This was a pit stop on our road trip because we love BBQ, this just wasn't for us.

Championship barbecue for sure! Loved it!!!!!!!…read more Off of Ina whether you're heading to St. Louis or you're heading to Florida try it

We have been to a lot of BBQ restaurants. This one is very good. Waited in line for 1/2 hour on a…read moreFriday evening memorial weekend. Took about 15 minutes after we ordered. Some tables inside and a big pavilion outside. The menu has a lot of options and they have great specials. I feel the price was good. All of the meats were great! So flavorful and tender. The jalapeño sausage was also very good. The sides were not the plain old salads and I assume made in-house. The potato salad sweet and creamy. The slaw has apple slivers in it to give it a sweet crunch. The beans had a little spice to them. The bread pudding is good with no shortage on sweetness.

Picked up a little carry-out BBQ from Blazing Trails Texas BBQ in West Frankfort. We ordered the…read morePit Master - 1lb ribs, 1lb brisket, 1lb pulled pork, potato salad, BBQ baked beans and buns. We added 1/2lb of burnt ends. It was absolutely delicious. The ribs and brisket were as tender, juicy and tasty as one could possibly hope for. The potato salad and beans made nice contrasting sides. Best of all, we have plenty of leftovers to eat all weekend.

Great food. Great price…read more Just passing through on a road trip and took a chance. Well worth the few minutes off the interstate. Chicken was cooked perfectly, seasoned just right and perfectly moist. Burger was thick and had a great smoked favor. Would stop here again when we're passing through.

Fresh food with large portions! The ribs were cooked perfectly can get them with bbq sauce on them…read moreor on the side. The chicken was juicy with just the right amount of crisp.

The BBQ was amazing (we tried baby backs, brisket, burnt ends), prices reasonable, and staff very…read morefriendly and helpful!

We enjoyed the fall off the bone ribs and smoked chicken! We got delivery and had excellent serviceread more

Place had a foul odor to start with. I had a pork steak, probably would have been better the day…read moreit was cooked. Would give 1 star but wife said her pulled pork sandwich was ok.

We went to Pop's on a Friday afternoon & it was not busy at all so take that into consideration…read more One waitress, Kirsten. She was a sweetheart & kind to all patrons. She definitely knows the locals, which is always nice. The restaurant was very clean and had ample seating. We received our drinks and food quickly. I had a half rack of ribs, fried okra, potato salad, and coconut cream pie for dessert. My ribs were very tender and did fall off the bone easily. I thought they had great flavor, not being too smoky. I used a light amount of sauce. The okra was great. Potato salad so so but I'm not a huge fan of mustard based potato salad. The homemade bread was very fresh and a nice little touch. Coconut cream pie...oh my goodness! Yum! My husband had a pork steak and some wings, which were both tender and delicious. We were told Friday is the best day to come so we will definitely be back.

We come here every so often and have always liked the food. Today we get here early about 4 pm to…read morebeat the rush. The dinning room wasn't very full but when they seated us they took us to what used to be a patio. Now it's enclosed and there is a bar a stage and plenty of seating. My problem was the fans that were blowing made it difficult to have a conversation with my wife across the table. I told the server it was almost too noisy and was having a hard time hearing him talk. He said he'd talk louder. That didn't really fix the problem. Not real sure why we were seated in this area because the dinning room had plenty of space. We had a little trouble communicating our order because of the noise. As I stated a couple times to our server. I communicated I have trouble hearing in areas like this and he just kept talking louder. Anyway we finally got our food ordered and went for a salad in the next room. My wife even commented on the empty tables and asked my why I thought they put us in that big room. Idk? So we get our salad and it was good. Kretzers had a decent salad bar. One of the reasons we like the place. I ordered a 12oz ribeye rare with a baked potato. Wife got chicken strips with gravy and mashed potatoes and gravy. When the food arrived everything looked good and the server said some things that I have no idea what. Even the wife didn't know. I go to open the butter for my pita and it's not butter. It's an oil whip. I do not eat fake butter. It's harmful. To find out they have no butter in the place. So I tell my server of the situation and looks at me like he has no idea what to do. Turns and walks away. So I eat my steak and stare at the baked potato. I am a recent cancer survivor and have no ability to make saliva. So I needed the butter to make the potato edible. Or even gravy or something. I told the server but I don't think he heard me correctly or didn't know what to do. It was so loud with the stupid fans. So while I do recommend Kretzers and like their steaks and crab legs and salad bar. I don't recommend their new addition to dine in. And if you want real butter bring your own. I was a little disappointed with our experience this time around.

Kretzers is always very good ! No complaints. We were born and raised in the area and when we come…read moreback we eat here at least once sometimes twice.

"16 stars if I could"-My Husband Matt…read more Pappy's was the best food you can get in St Louis! They are voted to have the best ribs in America, and they did. We got in just after opening and the place was already lined out the door. We got in, ordered, and almost immediately got our food. It was the best!

First time trying this place…read more Hidden gem Worth the price for the taste and quality of food

Stood in line for 20 minutes at the Sunset Concert tonight to get brisket, because the sign out…read morefront advertised brisket. They even had a flier advertising brisket with seasoned fries and beans. Got to the front of the line, and they said they had no brisket. I missed half the first set. This is the second time that's happened to me, and the last time I bother with them. It's a shame I have to even give them one star.

Excellent BBQ! Place was busy at lunchtime when I visited. Took a few minutes to obtain my to-go…read moreorder, but worth the wait.