Cute BBQ spot in the heart of OTR. I've walked by this spot a few times and decided to finally check it out! There was plenty of seating inside and a smaller patio that has a fair amount of seats outside. My partner ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs and I opted for the turkey sandwich (non pork eater). They have a selection of different style BBQ sauces which we appreciated. My partner felt the ribs were okay and loved the BBQ sauce he chose! He did end up adding more seasoning to them when we made it home. We both enjoyed the collard greens, they tasted fresh and were served hot - we also noticed they added what appeared to be sugar / brown sugar to the collards which was different! The drinks were a little pricy for OTR area but they were pretty strong. The server was kind, quick and offered helpful suggestions. Have we been to better BBQ spots in the city? Yes. But this place puts a unique spin on the BBQ sauces and is worth a try ! read more

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First trip was good, second less so. This time we ordered their version of Cincinnati Chili and some noodles. Service was still friendly, and the ambiance is nice, but it was more average this time around. read more

I'll preface this by saying that BBQ is not my go-to, but Lucius Q was highly recommended as a place to stop when in Cincinnati, so I tried it. I'd usually give 2 stars for this place, but they were understaffed, so I feel bad giving that. Parking: plenty of options for street parking or parking lots nearby. Service: took a really long time. I didn't mind it because I was with family, but I was here for multiple hours. Seating: it was packed! So, other people must love it. They have an outdoor seating area for when it's warm, and then they have an upstairs and downstairs inside. Food: I'm probably in the minority here, but I wasn't impressed. The food is good, but not great. I didn't love anything I tried. They don't really have any healthy options, and it was odd that they didn't offer fries. They also have mashed potatoes in their Hot Mess dish, but you can't order a side of mashed potatoes, or any potatoes. Overall, it was fine and staff was super friendly. I would personally try somewhere else the next time I'm in Cincinnati. read more

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Bona-fide Qin goes on here! Wing week indulgence on the dusted brown sugar wings and the Korean BBQ wings. The Korean BBQ is a little too hot for my love but they definitely had an authentic Korean taste to them. I loved my brown sugar wings, dusted with a little smokiness and other flavors that complimented them. The sides we had were red beans and rice (on the spicy side for us) and the greens which were pretty good but a little on the salty side. The bourbon cherry cocktail was delicious. Would have liked a little simple syrup or even the cherry juice that is in the jar of cherries they use to garnish the drink! It was strong and I like strong! We always enjoy Lucius Q! read more

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When you're hungry and looking for barbecue, this was recommended to us by an Uber driver pretty good food. The prices were pretty decent ribs could've been a little more tender was a little dry ambience was awesome drinks we're good I would come back to try something different. read more

Lucius Q - Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Good good bbq and selection of sides. Guys said mac and cheese was best anywhere. I had slaw and it was good too. Fast friendly service and cool setting indoors. Will try again in spring as outdoor patio looked great too. Wide selection of local beers, and of course the meats and sauces!! Tons of variety and everything was very good. Highly recommended! And plan to check out the live music too as they have a stage right there built in!! read more

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Not the main location, but a kiosk at TQL stadium. Limited selection of food but it was very good - food was served hot and fresh. Burnt ends with Mac-n-cheese = a satisfied tummy. Staff at the kiosk were polite and friendly. read more

My Mr was craving BBQ for his Birthday dinner. So we decided to try Lucius Q, after some cocktails and gaming at pins. Love the vibe of this place. Very laid back and cozy. We sat upstairs and our server was very attentive, friendly and helpful with their menu. Btw, they do have an outdoor patio if you want to sit outside. We ordered: Appetizer: Pork Rinds with Pimento Cheese Brisket 1/2 pound Cheesy grits Cheddar corn muffin Drink: Jalisco - el Jimador blanco tequila, naranja liqueur, orange and lime juice Rebel mettle mettle mayhem IPL Burnt ends (My Mr got this) Collard greens Wow the pork rinds with the pimento cheese definitely taste homemade and was seasoned well. The brisket was super tender and didn't even need the bbq sauce because it had great flavor. The grits and corn muffin just melted in my mouth. My Mr mentioned that the collard greens was the best he ever had. Plus he enjoyed the burnt ends. Very fresh! My drink was refreshing and went well with my meal. Overall, I'd have to say one of my fave top 5 bbq joints in Cincy. What a great experience and good/quality food! read more

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Fantastic food! The wings were great and there is a good selection of beers. Loved that there was live music going on when we went as well. Definitely a place to visit when in Cincinnati! read more

If you are looking for meat that will melt in your mouth, Mac and cheese that's is so cheesy you can see the strings as you pull it apart, or the creamiest coleslaw in all cincinnati, stop here! I was lucky enough to book this delicious meal for a 30th birthday party. Working with Lucius q did not disappoint. They were helpful, easy to communicate with, showed up on time for the catered event and even brought plates and napkins. Everyone raved about the food! I will return asap for many more meals! Also I didn't get pictures because all the food was eaten so fast. Thanks again Aaron and team! read more

This place had space for us to sit immediately on a Saturday night with no reservation which was great! I ordered the pig Mac (pulled pork, Mac n cheese, and Carolina gold bbq sauce). The mac and cheese was creamy but not as flavorful as I would've liked. I liked the pulled pork! I would've preferred to make my own choice on the bbq sauce but still good. The queso corn was good. I'm weak with spicyness so I'm glad it wasn't too spicy! I paid about $24, including tax and tip. My friend got the Pendleton porker (pulled pork and pork belly) sandwich. The meat was really good and she loves the bbq sauce. The smoked cheddar and cole slaw was also great, one of the best she's had! She paid about $20, including tax and tip. The band was setting up as we were eating so we stayed and listened for a bit which was fun! read more

Lucius Q - Pig mac (pulled pork and Mac n cheese), Queso Corn - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I've now tried the Q a few times - enough to know what I truly enjoy as well as what items aren't really worth it. I really enjoy the atmosphere of their restaurant, it just has a nice cozy feel to it and is a comfortable spot, particularly during these cold winter months. Food-wise, I'd say my favorite items have to be the smoked turkey, the mac and cheese, and the mustard-based Queen City Gold barbecue sauce. On the flip-side I personally would steer clear of the 'Bama White Sauce (it's a seasoned mayonnaise) and I find the corn rolls not to be impressive enough to warrant the extra calories. Room for improvement - Though not bad, the hot sauce doesn't seem to have that much kick, and I wish that the Veggie Q could be prepared with any of their sauces. Lucius Q does table service, though I am told this is a new development - the servers seem a little green, but are quite friendly none-the-less. read more

The food was amazingly delicious. The service was a little slower, but they were really nice. read more

Lucius Q - BBQ 3 Way, Red Beans and rice, and Rib tips - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Visiting from CA. Glad we stopped here for dinner. Cute place, good music, yummy bbq & great service! read more

Lucius Q - Visiting from CA. Cute place, great service & music! - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Hands down probably one of the best barbecues I've had. Not sure why it's a bit difficult to find good food around Cincinnati, but boy does this restaurant serve. Been here about two times now with a group of friends. Our first time, we were impressed by how tender the ribs and savory their sauces were -- we just had to come back for a second time. Although their brisket is a bit dry, their meat off the bone ribs definitely make up for it. The burnt ends are great but can be a bit too much with the fatty pieces hidden in its sauce. I really enjoy their grits and Mac and cheese. Their pudding dessert is a bit too sweet for my liking but other people in my group enjoyed it. Service was great. Our server was attentive, made sure to fill our waters and check on us timely. I'm glad to have finally found a restaurant I actually like around the area. Parking may be a bit busy during the day because of it being in a very narrow street, but there some parking lots nearby. read more

Lucius Q - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I checked this restaurant out with a friend today, and was impressed with the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. Solid benches, big tables for groups, with a tin in the middle of the table with wrapped forks in it, and a big roll of paper towels, single unisex bathrooms with a shared bank of sinks, and lots of windows to watch the passers-by. It definitely had a good easy-going neighborhood feel to it. And I was happy find out that they take reservations for groups larger than 12 -- they give you a name and number to call). Everything here is a la carte, so I ordered: 1) the crispy pork belly appetizer --- chewy delicious bites of pork & fat, and they give you dipping sauce by request, definitely my favorite dish; 2) a fourth a pound of pulled pork. It seemed a little dry but the sauce with it was pretty good; 3) The collard greens -- delicious, with a complex taste;4) The corn muffin -- honestly, kind of small and nothing special; 5) A brownie -- Yes, this was very special! A big square of chocolate goodness, with chocolate/caramel icing. I thought I was over-ordering, but the portions were smaller than expected, and all fit on one plate. And more expensive than I thought -- all those single items added up!! (My friend just ordered the 3-way, which was reasonably priced). All in all, I'd recommend it as a decent barbecue restaurant, with a few precautions: choose your items carefully, and beware of ordering a la carte. read more

It was great to stop by Lucius Q's holiday set up out of the cold this holiday season! We got a sample of pretty much everything, and everyone (including our good food accustomed New York guests) left happy and full! Smoked wings were yummy (you can really taste a bit of crunchy sugar in the dry rub), and pulled pork wasn't dry (usually my least favorite). Kudos to the team for yummy drinks (frozen apple cider bourbon slush was great!) and for accommodating high chairs for two infants. read more

Lucius Q - Burnt Ends 1 lb. Brisket 1 lb. Chicken Wings (6) Pulled Pork 1/2 lb. - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Great food, great service, super casual and they have a band play on Fridays! Highly recommend! read more

Lucius Q - Burnt ends sandwich and Mac n cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Should have taken pictures. Food was mostly good, but WAY too overpriced for the amount of food you get, especially the sides. The Mac and cheese is $5 and doesn't even fill this bowl, and it wasn't that great. It was barely halfway, even if that. The pork sandwich was good and tender, but again not much to write home about. The rest of our table was not impressed. My brother ordered the rib tips and he didn't think they were as good as the last time he had them, too much bone. He also had to ask for BBQ after having been given none and each cup of bbq is not enough to satisfy those. The amount of fries anyone at our table got wasn't great either Also, the AC fan hits everyone full blast, and it is far too cold to enjoy any of the environment as a result. read more

Lucius Q - Empty Mac and cheese bowl - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Came here during wing week and the wings did not disappoint! The tables are far enough apart so we felt safe dining in. We got an order of the dry rub with a side of Bama White BBQ sauce and their hot sauce and it tasted so good together! The dry rub wings were delicious on their own as well, I just love sauce on everything. The Korean BBQ wings were also very delicious. Hopefully they keep it around longer than wing week. Sides, we got Queso Corn and Mac and cheese. The corn was amazing! The classic Mac and Cheese was also delicious, I liked adding the hot sauce in it for a little more flavor. Overall, good food, good drinks and good service! Definitely coming back. read more

Lucius Q - Smoked Chicken Wings, Korean BBQ wings, Mac N Cheese, Queso Corn - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Brisket sandwich was moist and very tasty. Mac n Cheese was creamy and very good. Service was perfect. The place was very clean and organized in the kitchens. read more

We were visiting Cincinnati and this place was recommended to us so we checked it out. They had plenty of seating available. Our server was soft spoken and seemed to be busy. They offered the brunch menu and regular menu, so people in our party got a whole mix. I got the French toast and it was burnt. The sauce had a good citrus flavor, so I would've liked to have more so the bread wasn't so dry, or just some butter and syrup. I tried a friend's Mac and cheese and it looked good, but was plain noodles with cheese on top that seemed to be the texture of mashed potatoes. Overall, seemed to be pricey for what you got. All utensils are paper and plastic and pop is served by the can. If I were to go again, I think I would try the BBQ. read more

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This place was recently featured on DDD and we just had to check it out. Went on a Sunday and had an outstanding Brunch! Drinks & service were fantastic and the food was amazing. Highly recommend!! read more

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Food was great. 100% delicious. Service was terrible. There were three servers who seemly avoided our table of 6. We weren't asked about refills or how the food was. Guests who arrived after us got their food before our table. Couldn't even feel out the ambiance because we were being ignored so hard. read more

It's an excellent BBQ place in the Pendleton area of OTR. Nice atmosphere. The problem with being featured on "DDD" is that the sandwiches are stacked on the show but in reality might be a bit deflated. Despite being a bit deflated it was still a very good sandwich. A bit salty for my taste as were the greens. Overall a bit pricey particularly if it's at the food court location. read more

Despite a busy evening, we were seated almost immediately at a table. There was a fairly large list of drinks from local breweries. I got the Fuego sandwich which was a great mixture of sweet, spicy, and savory. There is a ton of meat in the sandwich and it shines with the queso and spicy BBQ sauce. My fiance got the Pig Mac and she said it was fantastic as well. We split Red Beans and Rice and Corn Queso as our sides. The red beans and rice had good kick to it and the corn queso may have been the most surprising thing at the table. It just seemed to be their house queso mixed with corn but it was delightful. read more

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Lucius Q catered our company event at Pins Mechanical. We fed approx 125 people for $6k and this allowed us to offer a variety of menu options, including a veggie selection. Delicious brisket and pork, and also enjoyed the coke slaw. Our group was complimentary of the food and it'll be an option for us to reconsider next meeting. read more

Looking around for what might be scrumptious we ended up with some Q as why not because you know some good Q always hits the hunger spot! Coming here I wasn't sure what to expect but as soon as we walked up to the counter we were greeted by Darcy and she totally knew the answers to all the questions we asked as neither my friend or I had been here before but needless to say we felt right at home as the staff was super friendly and quick to get us our delicious food! Of the different combinations I went with the Hot Mess as that's totally my life on some given days lol no but really it was all about this as it was just a pile of meat potatoes cheese sauce and all kinds goodness that really hit the spot! So you know that app Yelp I'm sure none of you have ever heard of it before well if you Check-In on it you get a free side of your choice for me it was all about the Mac & Cheese as it just sounded good on this given day and yes it was I might say super creamy and delicious with what tasted like cheese its crumbled on top to set it all right! They also had a few different sauces for you to choose from of these I found them all to be pretty yummy so with that I tried each of them on top of my Hot Mess to make it just that much more messy as who doesn't love some good sauce! Overall super mellow little place with some delicious Q a stage in the corner and a really nice staff you really can't go wrong coming here as this was awesome hopefully I'll be back here again at some point! read more

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Great atmosphere. Service was good. Food was delicious. The sides were a real treat. I'd go again read more

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The aroma of BBQ smoked meats hit you as you enter the spacious open seating area strewn with twinkling lights above. Four flat screens hang high up playing sports. As much as I wanted to order everything on the menu which was detailed specifically with tasty sounding ingredients I opted to try The Carlson Sammy,The Fuego, broccoli, red beans and rice, a corn muffin and Pork Rinds with pimento cheese for an appetizer. Every dish was served quickly with lots of love. From The Carlsons apples and sauce to the tangy sweet Broccoli. I could see this place becoming a favorite hang out spot. read more

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We came here to try the BBQ because our friend recommended it. I thought the restaurant had a nice vibe and atmosphere. It's a 1.5 level restaurant, with a bar on each floor. The top floor is a balcony type dining area, that overlooks the second floor. There are plenty of tables and a decent amount of street parking. I got the Fuego sandwich and a side of Queso Corn, which was a good amount of food. The sandwich was delicious; i especially like the onion straws. The meats included were tender and you get three types of meat; pulled pork, brisket,and sausage. The Queso Corn was very good, if you like cheese and corn. They offer a few different sauces and I really liked their 'Bama (mayo) and City Gold (mustard) sauces and they paired well with the sandwich. The service was good and we got a free side per $10 purchase because we checked into their yelp page. Overall, the prices are a bit more expensive than other places, but their meats are very good. I recommend this place for a quick lunch, small group hangout, or casual date. I noticed that they have live band nights, some nights as well! They also have a brunch menu, with various offerings. read more

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I'd been nearby this spot many times during my previous job and it always looked and smelled SO good... So, finally, on my birthday, my lady and I decided to go. Did it meet with my expectations beforehand. Yes, and THEN some! The barbecue here is super tasty and you tell it was done right. The place is pretty big with lots of seating on both floors. Their menu has lots of barbecue goodness and all the delicious meats you're looking for. They also have lots of appetizers, sides, brunch options, sandwiches, and desserts. Their drink menu is very nice too. My lady and I started with the pork rinds w/ smoked pimento cheese. The pork rinds definitely tasted homemade as did the cheese. We couldn't stop eating it! As for our main courses, we both went with a 1/2 lb of barbecue with a side. She had the brisket with cheesey grits, I had the burnt ends with collard greens, and we both had to try a cheddar corn muffin. Everything was really good! And it paired well with a can of Rebel Mettle Mettle Mayhem IPL that I was sipping on (Drink local ). Though, when we were done, we didn't have any room for dessert, but maybe next time. I'm thinking maybe the banana pudding. This is an excellent barbecue spot with so much to try and so many reasons to go back. Will we? Very likely. Good barbecue always makes me come back for more. read more

Lucius Q - So many tasty options! - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This is usually my go-to holiday spot, because so far when every other BBQ place has been closed they were open. The ambiance is nice and I like the modern décor. They definitely make you feel comfortable and the staff always make you feel welcomed. Also, in the outdoor area they allow dogs, so that's always a plus for me. The reason for the 3 stars is unfortunately the food. I love BBQ and grew up in the south. Good BBQ is something I know and absolute love. Unfortunately, even though I've tried, I can't I love this place and disagree with the 5 star reviews. I am not sure if it's due to going on off days, but after trying it thre times I can now say I am confident to finally write a review. The first time I went I had a breakfast burrito with brisket. This thing was HUGE and jam-packed with eggs, meat, veggies and topped with queso. Definitely 4.5 stars and is the dish that originally made me want to go back. Since then I've tried the slaw, baked beans, mac N cheese, beans and rice, pulled pork sandwich, burnt ends, brisket, pendleton porker and the Hot Mess. The coleslaw has light sauce and isn't too heavy, I actually really like their slaw and would give it 5 stars. As for the baked beans, pulled pork sandwich, burnt and ends and brisket I'd give them 2 stars. The baked beans were way too sweet and all three of these meats were so dry! Even with sauce I almost didn't want to eat them. It's such a shame, because the place smelled good, but I guess preparation was just off. It seemed like the meat had been sitting out under a heat lamp for hours just drying out. The mac N cheese was nothing special and met expectations of what you'd expect, earning 3 stars in my book. Recently, I just went back and decided to try the pork again along with different sides. I ordered the pendleton porker and again was disappointed. Some bites were juicy, but overall the sandwich lacked moisture and was mostly dry with each bite being dominated by the fluffy bun. Some bites were extremely dry and even pieces of the pork belly were over cooked. It was disappointing earning only 2.5 stars and I would not try this again. The only other items I truly enjoyed aside from the breakfast burrito and slaw are the Hot Mess and rice and beans. The rice and beans had good flavor and texture. The Hot Mess was delicious. It's a mashed potato dish served with Avril-Bleh sausage, pulled pork topped with queso corn and Luscious Lucius sauce. It contained all the ingredients to make a perfect dish and it definitely was enjoyable earning 5 stars. I'd definitely go back to eat this dish. Overall, I wouldn't run back to go to this place and am reserving this place as my go-to during the holidays when all the other BBQ joints around me are closed. I hate to say this because of how nice the staff has been to me each time, but due to the food, I just can't raise my rating. read more

By far the smokiest and largest chicken wings I've found in the area! And I'm hard to please!

Brisket was outstanding, burnt ends were amazing and wings were very good. Sides were weak!!!!!! We had Mac n cheese and greens. Not sure how the meats can be on point but the sides are lacking. Coleslaw was good. The pulled pork hash was average (on the brunch menu) Definitely worth going. read more

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Had another great lunch at Lucius Q with several folks who were there for the first time. Our sandwiches, sides and service were all great. Across our group of 6 we tried pulled pork, brisket and the pendleton porker along with some sides that included the broccoli slaw, mac and cheese and cheesy grits. Everyone was raving about the aromas the food and the great service. So glad to make it back out to Lucius Q and enjoyed the switch to table service. Thanks, keep it up, we'll be back soon! :) read more

Definitely the best bbq I've had in Cincinnati. The only thing that bothers me is that they fine you the option to have it chopped/sliced/lean/fatty and they never care and just got it to you however it comes out! read more

I really enjoyed the food here. I visited last weekend and thought service was great. It's always fun to visit the Pendleton area with all their eateries. Overall the food was great nothing negative to add except the service could have been a little better. The waitress told us our order would be delayed because the staff didn't receive our order in time. I did like the atmosphere and enjoyed the large selection of items on the menu. read more

Lucius Q - 1 Lb Brisket Mac N Cheese and Collard Greens - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

So, this is a double review- my first visit was dinner on a weekday and the second, a Saturday brunch. Hot Mess Monday allows you to design your own version of their regular menu item. I chose Veggie Q, a BBQ mushroom creation, over grits with queso corn with fried onions gracing the top. I tried several of their sauces. My favorite was the Alabama White, although I enjoyed all their offerings. There's a check-in freebie if you order an entree over $10. The Hot Mess was just that, a lovely pile of hot, down-home goodness. It would definitely be a hearty base for any of the drinks available at the bar. I was there early to eat before a concert, so they were playing tunes over the PA. However, they often have live music (one of the owners was a local radio manager). There's also an outdoor patio for warm weather cavorting. This past weekend I stopped in for Saturday brunch. I'd seen some glamour shots on their social media, so I had an idea of what I might get. I would've loved a frozen grapefruit bourbon slushie or Bloody Mary (discounted with entree), but I was driving back to Louisville. I was torn between the breakfast sandwich on a bagel or a breakfast burrito. I went with the latter - stuffed full of scrambled eggs, Veggie Q, roasted potatoes and peppers then covered in queso. The portion was huge, but not hot (and tepid eggs really aren't my preference). The flavor was good, but the dish left much much to be desired. It was also difficult to cut & eat with plastic utensils. To make things worse, the guys next to me had the sandwich and it looked amazing! I enjoy the atmosphere of Lucius Q and the service is always great. The food has been hit or miss so far, but I'll be back. Next time I'm having one of those brunch menu drinks! read more

Lucius Q - Hot Mess Monday dinner - grits, veggie q, queso corn with fried onion topping. Delicious! - Barbeque Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Bookmarked this spot for a visit after seeing photos on IG and was not disappointed. Shared the Fuego (brisket, pork, hot links, queso, onion straws, sauce), the brisket chili, and the mac and it was more than enough for two. The sandwich was huge, great combination of flavors and textures with the tender brisket, crunchy onion straws, and sauces. The brisket chili was topped with onions, cheese, and Fritos, for a combination reminiscent of Frito pie. The mac and cheese had a (Dorito?) crust to it that I liked, but was a bit too soupy, making the noodles seem overcooked. Overall, good flavors, especially with the brisket, and creative sides. NOTE: Live music on weekends. More of a bar/venue with barbecue than a barbecue restaurant. I'd come back! read more

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