Simone and I came to Riverfront BBQ in Augusta on a Friday night before a concert at about 5:30 and just barely beat the dinner crowd. The first thing you may notice is that this BBQ joint is actually pretty clean and upscale looking ( it even has linen napkins). This is a little strange and not the kind of place you may except to serve BBQ... but the smell of smokey goodness coming from the kitchen is legit. Wanting to get to our concert we were in a hurry to get started and thankfully the staff was quick and attentive. In no time we had our cold beers and were working on The Smoked Sausage and Bourbon mustard appetizer. The portion of house smoked spicy sausage was just enough to feed two hungry people and when mixed with the sweet mustard and house made BBQ sauce this was an excellent starting choice. I made sure to save some of the mustard for my 2 meat BBQ platter entree. For my meal I choose the two classics...Beef Brisket and Pulled Pork served over grilled cornbread. For my sides I went with BBQ Beans and Rice. Simone also choose a smaller portion of pulled pork with a side of slaw. Both dishes came with buttery crunchy pickle chips. The cornbread was simply amazing. Moist and sweet and the size of Texas toast with a crunchy grilled exterior, it was the perfect bed to catch all the BBQ drippings. The slaw was the classic creamy style, the beans were thick tomato BBQ based with chunks of the Burnt BBQ ends that added lots of flavor. They were both good, however the rice was forgettable. It was to starchy and had a heavy tomato paste flavor. The meats of course is what we came here for and they did not disappoint. Both the brisket and pork were mildly seasoned so most of the flavor came from the natural local hardwood smoke. The pork was a bit better then the brisket in the flavor dept but both were moist and tender and very good. We did not have dessert this trip as we had to be on our way, however there was a pecan pie on the menu that will be calling my name on my next visit. Overall this is a great choice for very good BBQ in central Maine. 4 stars. read more

Riverfront Barbeque & Grille - Smoked Sausage appetizer - Barbeque Near Me - Augusta, Maine

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My family and I ate at Riverfront Barbeque & Grille 4 years ago and we still talk about the place to this day. The food and service was so great my mother bought everyone a shirt. I remember ordering the lemon chicken salad and you could truly tell the chicken was marinated with lemon. I can't wait for my next visit to Augusta this summer so I can come back to this place. Good atmosphere, street front, located a few steps away from the famous river. What more could you ask for in Augusta? A french speaking waitress? Odds are you'll probably get one. À votre santé! read more

Im from TEXAS I moved to Maine in 2005 thinking that good BBQ was not a staple here in Maine as it is in TEXAS. Those thoughts have thankfully have been sent packing! For starters we ordered a off the menu app of fried shrooms with a habanero mayo sauce..Yum! My girlfriend had the Veggie risotto I know what your thinking to all my Texas friends but it was good eats! I went for the Ribs that brought me straight to Texas full bore flavor nice smoke ring on the ribs they did good with dem ribs! Sides of beans with a saucey flavor Nice! The cornbread should Really appeal to the East coaster but to be honest I loved it like a mofo. Augusta, Maine we have a BBQ jernt come prepared to use alot of napkins or those wet nap thingies. Ken. read more

This is a gem of a bbq restaurant in all of Maine which features Memphis Style BBQ. My favorite is the baby rack ribs which are not the wet messy kind rather they are smoked only with a dry rub. The jalapeno cornbread is a must and unlike it's name is not very spicy at all. The pulled pork and beef brisket is great too so if you are hungry get the sampler platter which features all of them plus sausage and smoked chicken. The staff are very friendly and they always have local microbrews on tap. Great place for lunch before heading south on 95 or 295. read more

I visited while meeting a friend for lunch -- I saw some good reviews and figured we'd give it a shot. We got there right as they opened so it was totally empty. The atmosphere was nice enough but I don't remember it so not very unique. Being at a restaurant with the word "barbecue" in the name I felt the need to try some out, so I opted for the pulled chicken special with jalapeno cornbread and a side of macaroni & cheese. The cornbread was, in a word, AMAZING. I couldn't get enough. The mac & cheese was also perfect... creamy and just the right consistency. Delicious. The pulled chicken left a lot to be desired... extremely dry and tasteless, and the BBQ sauce provided on the tables had a bit too much of a vinegary, sour taste for me. We also both ordered their Russian lemonade (homemade lemonade + Stoli vodka) with blueberry. The blueberry lemonade part was pretty good (if not a bit overly sugary), but we're both pretty positive the drinks did NOT have vodka in them (or if they did, it was SO little that we couldn't taste/smell it at all). Overall a pretty good experience. read more

Riverfront Barbeque & Grille - Pulled chicken on jalapeno cornbread with a side of mac & cheese! - Barbeque Near Me - Augusta, Maine

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Visiting Augusta ME for the first time, we read Yelp's reviews and decided to try this place for lunch. Good pick! My wife tried the half rack of ribs, a large portion (can't imagine a full rack), and pronounced them excellent. I had the jambalaya and loved it. Excellent cornbread, too, plus the best coleslaw I've had in a long time. First class service as well. We will return. read more

Omg, we love this place!!! Amazing food, great beer, great service, convenient parking. We enjoy it here very much!

The food is sub par for someone that really enjoys a good BBQ spot. When I went I waited 30 minutes to be seated and an hour and a half to be served! Our waitress never came over to update us on what was taking so long. Not to mention four tables who sat down after us received their meals before us! When we asked what the issue was her excuse was that they were really busy and backed up in the kitchen.... That's No excuse and I had very poor service. In my opinion it's overpriced sub par food. read more

We picked up some ribs and pulled pork last night and sadly there wasn't much to like with the exception of the wonderful lady who took my order over the phone. The pulled pork was piled on top of the cornbread leaving the cornbread a squashed down soggy glob of inedible. Ask for the cornbread on the side. The pulled pork tasted fine and had ample BBQ sauce. The ribs. Oh boy. They were as dry as a bone (pun intended) with very little meat and a lot of white solid matter that I've never seen before. The BBQ sauce was so over-powering with vinegar that I couldn't taste anything else and left a bitter, unpleasant after-taste. The BBQ beans were good but not much more than a table spoon's worth. The coleslaw was good and creamy. This is my 3rd time eating Riverfront fare. The other two were pre-covid sit-down affairs and the food was decent. Not oh wow, but decent. But this take out was pretty bad. read more

Amazing staff, service and food. Can't wait to return next time we're in the area. Oh, and make sure you have a Mojito...yum! Thanks for the great experience Wellis! read more

I eat here often, maybe twice a week and frequent the Gin Mill on the weekends....Love the place and most of the servers.....They are always quick to greet and seat us and they always have a smile on their faces!!! I usually eat the garlic cream penne which is some of the best pasta I have had around! But the BBQ is just as good, the ribs fall off the bone and the pulled chicken is great! A must visit or if you live in the area a great place to eat regularly....Awesome selection of beer in The Gin MIll as well, something for everyone!!!! read more

Delicious pulled pork, fries and beans!! Our waitress Sydney was so sweet, welcoming and great!!

Driving home from white water rafting and knowing you have quite a drive ahead of you, one takes salvation in stopping for lunch. Luck would have it we figured out we would be around Augusta for lunchtime and low and behold Yelp says there's BBQ! Six of us ordered a myriad of things including brisket, pulled pork, sausage, etc. I had the brisket with cornbread, beans and cole slaw. Everything was delicious except for the beans which tasted a bit vinegary to me. Everyone enjoyed what they got and with happy tummies we departed with only another 4 hours left in the car. If I find myself back in Augusta I'll make sure I have room for BBQ! read more

Never had a bad meal here and the service is always prompt and personable. This evening I was presented great beer and meal recommendations. The very knowledgeable young ladies (both conversed with me about the beer and specials even though I was seated at the bar) steered me towards today's special, a smoked bone in pork chop with balsamic glaze. It was fantastic! read more

I love this place. It's got a small menu where every item is mastered. I almost always have the beef brisket served with jalapeño corn bread. It's fantastic. I love the jazzy atmosphere. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with the owner once. I could tell he takes a lot of pride in the restaurant. Any, it shows in the food. read more

Small place with a limited but tasty menu. Friendly and attentive waitstaff. The meal was well prepared and when they indicate something is hot, believe it! read more

This place was a great surprise. We were a party of three for dinner on a Saturday night. It's very nice inside -- recently remodeled and it's small, so cozy and friendly feeling. I'm a vegetarian and they had several options. I had the hush puppies, house salad, and a side of their bayou pilaf. It was all good. The hush puppies have what tastes like a little bit of cumin in them and they're very lightly fried, which is a nice twist. I also tried some of their corn bread, which was really good. I will definitely go back, especially with out of town guests. read more

Went In and staff was friendly, but out of the 3 orders none were correct. We asked about certain items and when they came to the table they were not as described in the menu or as described by the waiter. You want to be served what you ordered. What we were served, I would rate as average at best. Emailed them about our visit and have received no response. We will not return. read more

As a family, we've been here several times and we've always had a delicious and pleasant experience. The wait staff has always been exceptional and friendly and the beer selection includes local craft beers as well as the usual domestic beers. As to the food, I've never bbq'ed at the US hotbeds of like NC, KC or Tennessee but I haven't found any dry rub BBQ as delicious as this anywhere in Maine. We've tried most all of the options on the menu and highly recommend you give Riverside BBQ a go! read more

Delicious BBQ at a fair price. They always have great specials and good options on their menu. Great place for a hearty meal in Downtown Augusta. read more

Went with 4 adults and 3 kids, was able to order something for everyone. Waitstaff was friendly and helpful- specifically with my daughter's food allergy. Food arrived quickly and was very tasty. Upstairs lady's room was even super cute (and clean). Would definitely come again. read more

Great parking, service, and food. I had the bleu cheese burger, maybe I should have tried something more BBQ like, but I was in the mood for a burger. Great beer and bathrooms as well. I went upstairs Friday night to to enjoy a drink at The Gin Mill after. read more

Actually spicy and uses dry rubs. One of the best BBQ places I've found in New England.

Tired of Maine Lobster? I know I was tired of seeing it so I picked this BBQ joint. I had the Ribs and chicken Combo and it was a great change from everyone else's chicken with BBQ sauce. This was a dry rub actual BBQ chicken and ribs the way you really want it. Service was excellent and in a great space. I would go back. read more

Riverfront helped my wedding day be extra tasty! We hosted about 75 people at home and everyone asked where the BBQ came from... it was great food, but not only that the customer service I received from the staff was top notch! Patrick helped me figure out exactly how much food I would need and he nailed it! We had some leftovers (which we wanted) and our guest left satisfied. I'd recommend working with riverfront for any event where you want your guests to rave about the food! We placed our order about a month and a half in advance to be sure they'd be able to do the event during the busy summer season. read more

Had dinner here recently, based on the reviews I was expecting better. I should have know good BBQ this far north was asking too much. The ribs were dry and lacked flavor, the sauce on the table helped but only elevating them to edible. The beans were okay and the rice had flavor but nothing special. The corn bread was good and the cider sangria was tasty. They tout themselves as real Memphis BBQ...I spent a week in Memphis earlier this year eating BBQ every day ... I'm a bit of a BBQ snob and this didn't come close. I would have rated the experience only one star except our server was great (long dark braids and a great smile), just the right combination of attention and giving us space to socialize. read more

My husband & I live in North Carolina but come up every year to visit his family cause he is originally from Maine. Anyway his sister mentions that she loves to come here whenever she comes up so that's where we all go for dinner last night. Every body ordered something different from their very eclectic menu and I thought I'd give the brisket sandwich a try. I have only four words to describe it by........ BEST BBQ BRISKET EVER! Seriously! Brisket in the south doesn't taste this good, it might have to do with the southerns love for smoking with pecan chips idk but BBQ (especially brisket) always has a bitter after taste. Even my husband said this is what he expects whe he orders brisket down south. Anyway the moral of the story........ If you want good BBQ in Augusta Maine (or anywhere in New England or even the Eastern Sea board) come to the Riverfront; BBQ & Grill. What they lack in ambience they more than make up for in their food. Also the BBQ sauce was delicious again this is what I think of when I want BBQ but never get in the south. read more

Riverfront Barbeque & Grille - The pulled BBQ brisket sandwich on a slice of yummy corn bread (studded with jalapeños). - Barbeque Near Me - Augusta, Maine

Not a lot of choices outside of chains on a Sunday night in Augusta but this place had good reviews. Our server was busy but good and friendly. Outside, the scent of bbq was inviting. The hush puppies and dipping sauce appetizer was the best of the night. The cornbread that people rave about is nontraditional (a slice of a loaf) but quite good. However, the ribs were dry and the beans were pretty mushy, watery, and without a lot of flavor. To be fair, we were a late dinner but they did serve the food. I'd give them another try. read more

Ended up here by accident on our way to Bar Harbor. Tried going somewhere else and they had a wait so we ended up here and thank GOD we did!! Some of the beat bbq I've had in a long time! Reasonably priced, GREAT service, and house made bbq sauce (which I went home with a jar....). I would definitely choose this place again!! read more

Delicious food. Good service. Green salad with oranges and red onions reminds me of Mediterranean peasant food I grew up on. "Ixnay" Gluten Free beer a tasty surprise ! Fish tacos really good. Too bad they don't take American Express. I probably won't be back. .... read more

One of our favorite local spots. Best Cesar Salad in Augusta. Excellent draft beer selection. The service is always great.

Had lunch here on a Monday and the staff was friendly and welcoming. Ordered the beef brisket on cornbread with the coleslaw side and it was great. The coleslaw was fine cut and homemade, the cornbread had a touch of sweetness as did the tangy and flavorful homemade BBQ sauce. If I find myself in Augusta Maine I'll comeback! read more

Meat is smoked nicely, giving many dishes a tasty foundation. I preferred the pulled pork and wings to the ribs, but they were all good. Wait staff dealt with Special order graciously. Service was good but unhurried. read more

Their jerk chicken is the best sandwich in the state! It is very hot/spicy and very delicious if you like hot food. I go out of my way to stop there for the jerk chicken if I am in the area. If you like it hot you have to ry it read more

Service was excellent at the bar Had the risotto with blackened fish. The portion was generous Risotto was way too salty and soupy in the cheese sauce ( I was warned that it was very cheesy, which I'd normally appreciate. The saltiness negated my enthusiasm.) Blackened fish was set on top which was a bit off putting The server tried to make it better with a complimentary dessert, which was declined Ok food, superb service Stick with the bbq read more

Stopped here for lunch on the way through Augusta on a cold January day. The BBQ pulled pork was excellent. The beans and cornbread good. Service was a bit slow, especially considering there were only a few folks in the place. Nice place read more

Absolutely the very best Barbecue north of Memphis, Tennessee! I have been to the Riverfront many times and have thoroughly enjoyed every meal. Great fast and friendly service, convenient parking and a great atmosphere for work or pleasure. Very highly recommended! read more

Burger was good nothing spectacular, but fries were seasoned and cooked to perfection. Rice was dry, but Caribbean shrimp wrap was really good. Habanero sauce was not too spicy. Margarita was really good even with well tequila. Overall a good dining experience for lunch. read more

Riverfront Barbeque & Grille - Caribbean jerk shrimp wrap - Barbeque Near Me - Augusta, Maine

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This is in the top three best places to eat in Augusta. I have never had a bad meal at Riverfront and I have eaten here a lot. Staff is always very good. It has the best Blackened Chicken Cesar salad I have ever had. Great drinks and you can always find some great local brews on tap. The downsides would be. If your not in a booth the seating in my opinion is uncomfortable and the prices are a little high. read more

I wasn't crazy about this place. We went for lunch on a Sunday when they seemed clearly under staffed. We waited quite a while for s table. Several employees walked right past us without even acknowledging us, or the two other groups waiting. It was almost awkward just standing there when there was several open tables. I wasn't sure if we were supposed to seat ourselves. That said, our waitress was super nice and friendly and clearly doing her best with the number of tables she had. My order of half chicken was put in incorrectly, but she quickly and kindly fixed the problem. Their BBQ is very smokey in flavor. I like BBQ but found the flavors to be very overpowering. The jalapeño cornbread was amazing though. read more