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    Shemwell's Barbecue

    3.2 (26 reviews)
    InexpensiveBarbeque
    Open 10:30 am - 7:00 pm

    Shemwell's Barbecue Photos

    SHEMWELL'S BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    A real true All-American barbecue
    Michael W.

    So I travel the country consistently and I will actually drive 100 or 200 miles out of my way just to come by and get a shimwell's. Growing up in the 60s and seventies we spent our summers here in Cairo and my grandfather always brought me to shimwell's, there's just something about a barbecued sandwich on two pieces of white bread that bring back an incredible amount of memories. And when I get barbecue sandwiches other places and they come on rolls that look like loads of bread and I wondered did I buy a loaf of bread or did I buy a barbecue sandwich it always reminds me of just how pure and true shimwell's is to the barbecue culture!! So although they've closed off almost all the roads into town I still find a way to get here!!

    Beef brisket sandwich and coleslaw.
    Mr. B. K.

    Lots of stacked, pretty wood for their bbq but oddly, ribs are only sold on Wednesdays, wth? We both ordered the beef brisket sandwich and it was grilled in a panini press. The coleslaw was very sweet and had chunks of pickle and the cajun fries, weren't. They were crispy and hot but no spice. Apparently they've been there for years and are the only place to eat in town. The prices are decent, the place is rundown and the vibe is sad and depressing. The reason for two stars were the two women who served us. Unfriendly, unsmiling, and sour, they were terribly unwelcoming. At least they take cc, btw, the brisket was juicy and moist, but I won't be back. Just keep driving through.

    Aj B.

    Asked for the barbecue plate to go as I was working in the area and had more than an hour drive back. Place looks run-down but the service and the food and the cleanliness was great. I didn't really like the barbecue sauce as it was more of a hot sauce so I had them put some of their vinegar coleslaw on the BBQ which was freshly cut off the brisket and served has a sandwich that was toasted on both sides. I got sweet corn nuggets and the crispiest perfect fries I've ever got. Under 9 bucks steal

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    6 months ago

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    4 years ago

    Excellent food for good prices! Catfish nuggets were outstanding and sliced pork bbq was amazing!

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    7 years ago

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    Sweet & Sassy Treats

    Sweet & Sassy Treats

    5.0(1 review)
    15.3 mi

    Dang! Ive had all types of burgers from everywhere, this is the best I have had. The food was all…read morehot and fresh, and the fries are cut from potatoes everyday. They hand pat the burgers out and they are massive. I will for sure be back occasionally to eat. The seasoning on the burgers is excellent, you can actually taste all the ingredients instead of eating bland meat like most places do. This place is exceptional, make sure and stop by!

    From the owner: We are a walk-up ice cream shop with a variety of flavors and toppings. Our Fabulous shakes are…read moreamazing, and our soft serve is the best around. We also have wings, barbecue sandwiches and nachos, and traditional barbecue sides daily, along with lunch specials not on the daily menu. We pride ourselves on fun, creativity, and amazing flavor at a reasonable price. We want to offer something to our community because there is little here, but we also want to share a little of ourselves with you as well. Our Ice Cream is New York style, but not city style. When visiting our relatives in upstate New York, near the Adirondack-Mountain area, we hit the ice cream shops before the AirBNB, and we want to share this experience with you. The Barbecue, on the other hand, is mostly Southern in nature, and is reflective of Chuck's life journey. Having grown up in Cairo, Illinois, a small town at the Southern tip of the state that borders both Missouri and Kentucky, the seasonings and methodology are deeply reflective of the culture of his hometown. He swears his secret ingredient is Cairo love. However, having spent some time as a teacher in the Bootheel of Missouri, an area of the state that borders Arkansas and is a stone's throw Memphis, he picked up on some seasonings and techniques that took flavor and quality to the next level. After years of highly satisfied friends and family urging him to open a restaurant, he finally gave in, and here we are. Hope to see you soon!

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    Sweet & Sassy Treats
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    Shemwell's Barbecue - bbq - Updated May 2026

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