Fun BBQ place in Kittery. Chatty friendly waitress. Good beer on tap. My family was all over the place on the food. The corn bread was OK- tasted desserty with the honey drizzle. I'm a KC barbecue fan. I thought that the ribs and brisket were good, but not great. That could be due to my unfamiliarity with Texas BBQ. The ribs were well seasoned but the meat was really soft. In some restaurants, I would suspect this was DUE to par boiling prior to BBQ. I'm assuming this was due to slow cooking. The brisket sandwich was shredded with a lot of sauce. My kids liked it a lot. The waffle fries were good but were served at room temperature. The Mac and cheese was OK. The collard greens were the best side dish. Overall, nice place with a nice vibe. 3 to 3.5 stars. Add half a star if you're a local. read more

Come up from NY to visit our son in NH and Ore Nell's is one of our "go to" places to eat.. Excellent food, drinks and service.. had the Alagash wings last night and they had to be some of the best wings I've had!!! Tender and seasoned perfectly..the rest of the bbq meal was terrific as well sat outside and watched a beautiful sunset as well read more

Ore Nell's Barbecue - American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

The food was absolutely delicious! And the service was great! And the ambiance was very pleasant. The waitresses got us our food quick and the ribs were great, fell right off the bone!! read more

Some of the Best BBQ outside of Texas. Great atmosphere and good service. Bar seating a plus.

How do I judge a BBQ joint? Brisket. The brisket here is good and competent, good char on the outside and not tough. It's the best you're going to get in this area. Ribs are good too. The rest of the food can be hit-or-miss (specials can be amazing or just ok; they try a lot of things) and I'd pass on the cocktails and go for the beer which is better with BBQ anyways. That said, it's always good and you won't find better between Boston and Portland. Hidden gem: Outside tables at sunset overlooking the bay can be absolutely spectacular read more

Great BBQ spot in Maine...what??? They have a great space for outdoor dining (including heat lamps) right on the water and a screened-in patio to provide some indoor/outdoor dining space as well for COVID. We tried the bbq for two plate and it was the perfect amount of food - a little bit of everything and some sides. My favorite was the ribs - fell off the bone, but held it together enough for dipping into the homemade bbq sauce which was perfectly tangy and delicious. They also have a spicy version of bbq sauce, but we both preferred the classic. The mac and cheese and jalapeno cornbread were the stars of the sides we got - collard greens are not up my alley so much but it was fun to try them. And of course the house sweet tea hit the spot. The only thing keeping me from 5 stars was the food temperature. Everything came out room temp which was fine, but I was hoping for something a little more 'right from the kitchen' feeling...maybe because we got so many different things they cooled on the plate. Either way I will definitely be back here! read more

Well this place is very good. The brisket was great. Bark great not salty. The bbq sauces are really spot on. Pulled pork juicy and not dry. It's not franklins , but the best BBQ around here for sure. Pasta and collard greens nice job! read more

This was my second time going to Ore Nell's. We got the "barbecue for 2" Decent amount of food for a couple. 3 large pieces of brisket, 4 ribs, and pulled pork for meat. We got 2 sides coleslaw and Mac and cheese, the coleslaw had an interesting flavor more of a southwest style than your natural sweet and creamy. *THE MAC AND CHEESE WAS UNACCEPTABLE* if you guys would like I will show you how to make Mac and cheese... one of the poorest attempts I've ever eaten. Bland noodles and I'm not sure there was even cheese in it??... tasted like they boiled noodles for 6 hours and then added 1% milk... Salt Pepper? NOTHING? Red flag and weak.... Ribs were cooked so long and dry the bones started to crumble. Not bad flavor just too high heat? For to long? Pulled pork decent.... read more

Brisket was very good but quite expensive at $42 for a pound with 2 side orders - corn bread and mac & cheese. Chicharrones were a joke - pork rinds from a market bag toppled with balsamic vinegar and red/green peppers, for $15!!!! Place is good. Service was good. Drinks were good, draft at $9 for 12oz. Brisket was good but very expensive. Chicharrones were a complete miss and an insult to a bbq place. read more

Alabama white barbecue sauce not available. Wings were dry, fried baked potato over cooked. The brisket was very good and thick sliced. The service was good and the outdoor view was nice. read more

Great barbecue spot on badgers island with quality meat and a fun country atmosphere. I love the classic BBQ menu which comes equipped with brisket (which I would highly recommend), pork, beef, and all of the assortments you would find at your backyard texas barbecue. The meat is flavorful and the sauces are to not be forgotten. They pack a punch of sweet heat and flavor that explodes the dish into a messy creation of wonder. Although nothing in particular stands out about Ore Nell's, it is without a doubt a wonderful place to spend any dinner trying to fill yourself with carbs and delicious grub. Great barbecue spot and the best brisket you can find in the Portsmouth area. read more

Second time here! We always enjoy it. My partner grew up in Texas and he said it's similar BBQ. For veggie lovers, the kale salad is awesome. I also love the loaded potato with chicken and the brisket! It's always busy, and we always seem to go on a rainy day. Definitely check it out. read more

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Was blown away by this BBQ place on this island between Maine and new Hampshire. The chef really brought Texas BBQ into new England. It is better than southern BBQ that I've found in Boston. Ordered family cookout for 4-6 people and it is pretty good portion sized. I was stuffed to the max but I kept eating just because it was so delicious and the food was right in front of me. Have no self control when it comes to BBQ food done right. The jalapeno cornbread was bomb, we ordered another side of it. Ribs were falling off the bone. Brisket was perfectly cooked. Pulled pork was delicious. I liked all the sides too, mac and cheese, collared greens, cole slaw and potato salad. Next time we will do the BBQ for 2 instead, since we can do without the sausages or the 1/2 chicken. read more

Ore Nell's Barbecue - FAMILY COOKOUT (4-6) - American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

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My girlfriend and I found this bbq spot for a quick bite to eat. I had the brisket sandwich and she had the pulled pork tacos. The sandwich was Smokey and full of bbq flavor. The tacos were also the same with a great slaw taste along with it. Her margarita was delicious as well. The service was super quick for lunch. We were in and out with in 30 minutes. Atmosphere was great and the out door seating had a wonderful view! The staff was super polite and helpful! Definitely will return! read more

Ore Nell's Barbecue - CHOPPED BEEF (BRISKET) and Pulled pork tacos - American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

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It was a smaller place, but decent enough. I got the BBQ tofu and it was quite good. Better than I thought it would be. The Mac and cheese was totally delicious. The potato salad was very mustardy, but not bad. My husband really enjoyed the brisket and the sausage he got. My in-laws got the dinner for two. The French fries I thought were nicely spiced. There is a nice view of the water and the waiter was pleasant. read more

There aren't a lot of restaurants with this type of cuisine, so that makes it pretty high in demand depending on the night. I would recommend the platter as you get a great variety of meat and sides options. The staff are attentive, and give you your space to enjoy your meal and company. Very casual interior dining space with bar, as well as an outdoor patio section. read more

Best bbq in area by far. The ribs are awesome. Been here many times but often for takeout

Our favorite BBQ in the area! We always get take out so we can't comment on the ambiance but the food is very good. We have had all of the meats and none disappoint! read more

Love Ore Nell's, the service is great and the food is amazing. Great authentic southern food when you're in the north.

All amazing food and service! Hard to say what any issues were, but had a great experience overall!!

Great food! We love the dinner for 2. The service is always great. And we live the drinks!

Great Texas style bbq at reasonable price. Good drink selection and a solid list of specials. We got the grilled oysters which were amazing and the BBQ for 2. The meat was perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned. The sides were good and exactly what you would expect from a good BBQ place. read more

Ore Nell's Barbecue - Grilled oysters - American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

My friends brought me here tonight for barbecue, and I was impressed. I've had barbecue all over the country, including Hawaii and as a recent New England transplant had resigned myself to making my own. There can't be good 'barbeque' in New England, it's just not possible!! They ordered the burnt ends, and I expected them to be chewy but it was more like Prime Rib burnt ends! Tender, and rich with flavor as they lovingly melt in your mouth. I ordered a pound to go. The ribs fall right off the bone! Their sauces are perfect, albeit only two choices though, Hot and mild. The sides are hit or miss. I love collard greens but theirs have a strong vinegar bite. The jalapeño cheddar corn bread is crunchy, the caramelized brown edges are addicting! The Mac and cheese is a little runny, not over cooked or too thick but the Vermont cheddar makes the dish! The Frito Pie isn't my favorite, and expectedly has beans (Yankee style!) They top it with a wet style pulled pork, pickled onions, cilantro, sour cream, umm.. they lost me on that presentation. I'm partial to the Midwest or Southwest style with 'bean free' chili, grated melts cheese and onions with plenty of Fritos. To each their own! They have an interesting brunch I'd like to try, with brisket hash and Benedict's. They offer bloody Mary's with burnt ends! The mixed drinks are imaginative and all of the staff is friendly and accommodating. I'm looking forward to the seasonal patio this Spring, which is dog friendly. I was defiant and couldn't believe it, but I was wrong. It's the best barbeque I've found in NE to date. read more

Mediocre food. Sides are all bland, except for the French fries which were decent if on the salty side. The beans and greens were both disappointing. Ribs fell apart nicely but were dry, and were much better with the sauce. Chopped beef brisket was the best thing we had. Pulled pork was just ok. Wouldn't go back, but the outside view is nice. read more

Amazing BBQ in Maine! The ribs, pulled pork, sides, drinks and dessert are all amazing. We live about 30 miles north and it was worth the drive. Our host, Justin, made us feel so welcome and we can't wait to go back. read more

Ore Nell's Barbecue - Not the best photo but we dug in the minute we got our food! - American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

Visited on a whim on a roadtrip. Absolutely fantastic. Got there late afternoon, so did't need a reservation. We got a little bit of everything. I think we got 3 dishes in all. Portions were generous. Prices were reasonable. Best bbq I've ever had. Would recommend to anyone. Staff was very friendly and upbeat. Service was great! I may take another road trip just to go back. read more

What a great little place to find by mistake. Got off of 95 to use the restroom and stopped by for lunch. Everything we had was great. The service was great also. We shall return. read more

After reading all the great reviews we decided we had to go. We each bit a brisket sandwich, fries and mac & cheese. The brisket is chopped up so it got a bit dried out. Did not have that Smokey flavor that BBQ should have. It was very lean but without some fat the meat didn't have much flavor. The fries and Mac were ok but nothing special. For the best BBQ in the area Goody Coles (Brentwood) still cannot be beat. read more

Great place, went here with a girl I've been seeing, shared a tray for 2, full spread with a side of kale salad. Good booze selection, nice bartenders, nice bar area, comfortable seats and good lighting. Great meats, nothing too fatty and dripping in grease. Would return again when I'm in the area. read more

Ore Nell's Barbecue - American Near Me - Kittery, Maine

I have been here several times because the food is that good. This place would be a hard rival for southern BBQ anywhere. The food never disappoints, and even during the height of the pandemic, the staff and service was impeccable. I would recommend Ore Nell's to my best friends (I have taken them all at least once) or anyone visiting the area. read more

I only recently learned of this place, and what a find! The ribs were amazing. They were great in every way -- meaty, smoky, tender, great rub, great bbq sauce, great bark. Get them! We also tried the Alabama white sauce wings. They were excellent but nothing could compare to the ribs. Next time, we'd just get more ribs, but I do recommend the wings. For a side, I had the loaded deep fried baked potato which I loved. My husband had the potato salad and would have liked more dressing on it, but that is probably just him. If they put enough dressing on for him, it would probably be too much for other people. Highly recommend this place! read more

Texas BBQ? Idk. I'll revisit my review after trying more items. The fried baked potato sounds amazing. It's not. Everything that makes a baked potato good, they destroy by deep frying it. The potato was like two overcooked French fries. Hard to cut with a knife overcooked. The bbq was already sauced. Why? The sauce was very sweet, too sweet & didn't have the usually flavors of a bbq sauce. So disappointed. Next was dessert. Banana pudding. It was awful. I am not being picky, it was bad. Ended up throwing most everything in the trash. What a waste of $. I definitely don't recommend either of these menu items. I will go back & try the ribs, chicken, etc. & update this review. Keeping an open mind! read more

Yummy BBQ deal for two people with 1/4 lb of ribs, pulled pork and brisket then (3) sides of your choice. We had Mac and cheese, coleslaw and potato salad! Good service but not over bearing. BBQ: Not too saucey (they have sauce at table you can add on top). Pulled pork and brisket were my favorite. Pulled pork had nice flavor and brisket was melt in your mouth. Potato Salad and Mac-n-Cheese: Potato salad was mustard base and no celery I enjoyed it! Mac-n-cheese but a little light in flavor. We left and felt we had just the right amount of food. BBQ is each to their own with sauce and spice but this place got the meat right! read more

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Great food ! Nice people. Just a relaxing place to have a meal. Service was good and prices are reasonable.

Great place for bbq on the east coast Amazing atmosphere. Great food and great service read more

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Fantastic BBQ!! We got the BBQ for two and it was all delicious. Our favorite was the ribs, but you can't go wrong with any of the proteins. Drinks were also creative and delicious! For desert we had the funnel cake and that also did not disappoint. I highly recommend this for good Texas up BBQ! read more

I was looking for something quick and easy to access (park), and this place had good reviews. But I was really disappointed with the food. I ordered two pulled pork sandwiches, extra bbq. They had no bbq on them, but were somehow drenched so the buns became mush. The pickles and onions were good, and the pulled pork that I ate with a fork was okay, not great. I also got Mac and cheese (very bland, not creamy) and collard greens (somehow sweet? But sprinkled with a Cajun type spice. And they were at best lukewarm. I only ate two bites). It was really disappointing for a pretty expensive meal, most of it went straight in the garbage. The staff seemed very nice and interior was cute, perhaps some aspects would be improved eating in, but I would not recommend. read more

We ordered a BBQ for two and were very pleased. It comes with three sides, we chose the macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and collard greens. The BBQ for two consisted of pork ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket. The brisket was one of the favorite ones I've ever had. I loved the seasoning on the ribs, even though pork ribs aren't my favorite, they were good here. The bbq sauces at the table we great and complimented the meat very well. Macaroni cheese is made with white Vermont cheddar and so yummy and creamy. The atmosphere is friendly and causal. It's a smaller restaurant and they recommend for larger groups to call ahead and reserve. The staff is friendly and attentive. We will be back! read more

Foods alright bbq is ok fancy plating good cocktails and you can sit at picnic tables overlooking badgers island beautiful spot foods 7 out of 10 usually read more

This is some of the best barbecue that you can get in New England. Granted, New England isn't known for exceptional barbecue, But this place would hold its own with any place down south. We sat on the patio which had great views of the river! This place brings the ruckus! It brings the ruckus! read more