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Max & Bellas

4.5 (147 reviews)
ModerateBarbeque, Smokehouse

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Doug R.

Excellent pork BBQ. Sometimes the pork can be dry - not here. Aaron and Kim know their smoker did not disappoint. I Will definitely return to try the beef and chicken. The coleslaw is of the shredded/vinegar variety. It is a wonderful accompaniment for the pork! The menu includes creamed corn casserole - a comfort food that Grandma served. It was good, but Grandma "seasoned" hers with bacon - lots of very crispy, thick-cut bacon. I almost order the Mac & Cheese, but the recipe is creamy and I am more of a baked/firm kind'a guy. The baked beans smelled wonderful ... next time! Will I return? YES! I will probably grab a carry-out container and enjoy my BBQ in the park. Closed: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Go early. Whenever they run out, Aaron and Kim close.

Bill S.

Some of the best barbecue I've had in Michigan. The collared greens might be THE BEST I've had. A little vinegar, chopped very fine. Nicely cooked. Their house-made vinegar slaw is pretty good as well. If you order the brisket meal, be prepared for a lot of meat.

Brisket sandwich

The reviews are accurate. This place is awesome! I had some of the, if not the best, brisket I ever tasted! Absolutely delicious and highly recommended! Very friendly staff and the area is great!

Al P.

Holy WOW marvelous Smoked Meats, a true Southern Smokehouse for 5 years now. The owner a true master of the craft, man's the Smoker daily using Apple n Cherry Woods. He's been around the game for decades having settled in Downtown Plymouth Mi. While he was in Memphis, he worked for a friend whose parents had a barbecue competition team, he traveled with them across the South on weekends and helped them out. He learned a lot about cooking. Small craft Smoked Meats will have you instantly addicted, just Ma n Pa run the place, 75 percent takeout with hundreds of regular customers. Open just 4 days per week at noon until they sell out, Thursday thru Sunday. Had the magnificent Beef Brisket no sauce needed, melting in yo mouth each bite a explosive flavor. Huge thick slices of Brisket with fantastic Vegan Collard Greens and Slaw , one meal is plenty for two. She had the New Pulled Pork Burrito mixed with goodies outstanding Delicious. We had a sample of the Ribs perfection nice mild smoke flavor and beautiful Smoke Ring. They don't advertise, don't need to word of mouth and the Smoke blowing down the main street in Plymouth draws the folks in. It's a long drive for me, plan on going back soon. Dining room upstairs or stools at the window overlooking a large outside dining patio. See the hundreds of 5 star reviews around the web Google Yelp Instagram and Facebook. Follow the Max & Bella Facebook page for specials. @maxandbellasbbq #maxandbellassmokehouse #smokedbrisket #beefbrisket #smokehouse #pulledporkburrito #smokedribs #pitmaster #downriverfriendseat

Creamed corn side complements the smoked meats on the menu.
Ann W.

Max & Bella's Smokehouse sits on one edge of Kellogg's Park, near Wilcox House. My friends and I have strolled past the restaurant, usually later on in the evening when this cute spot is closed. Having seen the photos on Yelp and the positive reviews, I purposefully planned a visit for earlier in the day, when there would be an abundance of choice. The patio was set up for outdoor dining. Indoors, there were a few to-go orders lined up on the counter but no tables for eating in (I think due to covid). The wonderful aroma of barbecue meats, smoked with organic cherry and apple woods, greeted me as soon as I entered. The owners made me feel incredibly welcomed as I scanned the menu. I had wanted the beef ribs but those are only available on Saturdays. One Saturday soon, I silently vowed. However, I was extremely happy with the baby back ribs and brisket that I eventually ordered. The generous portion of brisket was incredibly tender and flavorful. It was served with crunchy, vinegary slaw and a few rounds of house-brined pickles. I selected the cheesy potatoes and corn casserole to accompany the meals. I love corn-based sides and this did not disappoint. The ribs were not fall-off-the bone tender but were delicious nonetheless. Service was friendly and welcoming.

Half-Rack of Ribs Collard Greens Coleslaw Spicy Pickles
Jayden D.

Love me some BBQ/Southern food but unfortunately this just wasn't it. Ordered a Half-Rack of Ribs and Greens for just under $20 and the greens were barely edible. They tasted like they were soaked in vinegar and nothing else, so I only took two bites and didn't finish them. The trip wasn't all bad, the ribs were quite good and the sauce made them especially delicious. The one woman present who I assume runs the restaurant was super kind and knowledgeable about the area! I only had to-go but the restaurant itself was pretty cozy and had nice decorations as well! Overall, if I was to go back it'd only be for the meat.

Pulled pork, Mac and cheese, and coleslaw
Jennifer W.

Wow! I consider myself a barbecue connoisseur with a specialty in pulled pork. Max & Bellas pulled pork meal is amazingly delicious. It ranks near the top of the best I've had in Michigan. I received a huge portion of pulled pork, mac & cheese, and coleslaw. Everything was great with the pulled pork being the reason I will return. I didn't know that I work in the office building less than a block away. What?!? Maybe it's a good thing I didn't know this sooner.

Stephanie A.

Max and Bella's is amazing 10 stars. The food is delicious, flavorful, juicy and a blessing. The brisket comes with no sauce. If you want it they have a sauce stand you can apply some. Everything I have had there had been top notch. And the owners are BLESSINGS !!!!!!

Brisket with cheesy potatoes
Morgan A.

The brisket was amazing!!! The ribs were not very good. They were dry and did come close to falling off the bone. The sides were delicious. Make sure you ask for barbecue sauce with your order. The service was fast and the restaurant looked clean from the takeout counter.

Dirty rice!
Cory N.

I don't give 5 stars often, but this place deserves it. The husband and wife that owns the spot are very friendly! Chopped pork and pork ribs smoked to perfection. No need for sauce, but I did try their one sauce and it was good. Sides were a sweet corn casserole and cabbage kale salad topped with pickles. After talking shop they brought me a bit of their dirty rice. It was rice with all the meats. Topped with a little sour cream. Fantastic. And they gave me a bite of the salmon, also fantastic! I need to try my hand with salmon on the grill! It was like butter! #spicemeister died and went to heaven!

Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey
Jason B.

My mom had me pick her turkey up from Max & Bellas in Plymouth. I cant put into words how awesome this bird was. Im definitely getting another one next year. Im very excited to try something else from here when I get time.

Bongwater J.

Yo. Zero hyperbole here, this is hands down the best BBQ I've had in Michigan, no contest. I shook the pit master's hand before I left it was so good. I've been all over southeastern Michigan, I've had bbq everywhere here, this is hands down THE WINNER. I got the brisket dinner, my wife got the pork shoulder. Flavor: 10/10. This is the ONLY bbq spot I've had where I didn't use a single drop of sauce. NOT ONE DROP. It's seriously not needed. I'm a sucker for the bark too, and there was a beautiful nugget of bark and buttery fat hidden under my brisket. This man is a meat wizard. Tenderness: 10/10. I ate the whole thing with a plastic fork, didn't use a knife not once. You could eat here with a blunt rubber spoon and be fine. Portions: 10/10. The box can barely close man, seriously. Most bbq spots in Michigan give you skimpy portions. This place is the literal opposite, absolutely massive! Worth every penny. The staff also offered us a few small samples of sides, I would HEAVILY recommend the dirty rice! Staff: 10/10. A beautiful younger married couple, the woman took our order and was very friendly, the man said he was the pit master, cracked funny jokes the whole time. Said the owners were a married couple as well. All around cute as hell. The establishment itself was clean, the bathroom was clean, we sat right at the window, everything was tidy. They have a really cool hot sauce selection, a put a little Dave's ghost insanity on my Mac and it was perfect. The menu signs were cool hand painted hot rod font. Again, overall, this place decimates the bbq game here in Michigan, from Bay City, to Monroe, to Battle Creek, I haven't had a spot that can hold a candle to this wonderful palace of meaty mastery. I hope this place stays open and killing the game till the end of time. Y'all have a lifetime customer here, and I will bring every single one of my friends and family! IF YOU READ THIS FAR, JUST GO EAT THERE ALEADY!

Their chili is off the charts!

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11 months ago

BBQ is amazing. They don't try to be everything for everyone, just a few select dishes that are way above the norm.

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

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Aaron P.

Thank you for your review. I wrote a paragraph. But not worth my time.

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2 years ago

Food was delicious. Hours are limited but it's worth planning around if you want the best BBQ in the area!

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3 years ago

This is the best ribs I've ever had. We typically get take out and it's always so good. Great place to try and you'll never be sorry!

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Ask the Community - Max & Bellas

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Prime BBQ Smokehouse

Prime BBQ Smokehouse

3.7(38 reviews)
19.5 mi

If I enjoy your place, I'll give it five stars. I have no problem giving someone five stars. If I…read morehave an enjoyable experience I understand this is not a Michelin restaurant so if you want good barbecue stop into prime barbecue the brisket was juicy and delicious.

I was out on this side of town and had to eat immediately. My stomach was growling and it was…read moregetting ugly over here. I quickly located places to eat near me, and this place came up. I've never heard of it before and saw that it just opened? Plus, it was less then a mile from where I was at, which made it much easier to decide. (Plus, I wasn't in the mood for fast food.) Pulling in, the place is in a strip mall and reasonably easy to find. There's a decent amount of seating here for up to parties of 4. You order at the counter and the menu's overhead. (it's also online.) They have fabulous lunch specials here which I got for $9.99. It's a meat of your choice (to many to list), Texas toast and one side. Plenty of side options to choose from, so I went with mac and cheese. Meal deal also comes with a drink, and fortunately they have fountain pop, which is important to me. They also have some canned options but who cares about that. LOL. I saw that they also have larger meals for up to 10 people? I think it's like $55 or something. Sounds good if you're having a gathering and need to feed people. Prices here seem fair for what you get, and they have a decent amount of options. Anyway, my food came out and it was FABULOUS. I loved my brisket. Mac and cheese was awesome as well, and the Texas toast was good as well. Portions were ample and filling. They have 2 BBQ sauces here. One's the house sauce and two others that I didn't like. I don't like the yellow looking BBQ sauce that's out on the market. I think it's a version of South Carolina's form of BBQ sauce? It's to vingerish for me. Anyway, the house specialty BBQ sauce was fantastic and really made the brisket taste even better. Overall I'm happy that this place opened. I guess there's only one other location in the country and it's in Monroe Ohio. So, if you can, drive here and check it out. You'll thank me later!

Photos
Prime BBQ Smokehouse - Dining area

Dining area

Prime BBQ Smokehouse - 14 dollars worth of pulled pork

14 dollars worth of pulled pork

Prime BBQ Smokehouse - The three BBQ sauces available

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The three BBQ sauces available

Max & Bellas - bbq - Updated May 2026

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