I wasn't really that hungry but my toddler insisted on the beef rib, so we got it! Boy was I surprised when they say one beef rib, they mean one gigantic Dino rib! My toddler obviously didn't finish it and even though I wasn't hungry, the meat was so tender and packed with a lot of flavor that I couldn't help but nibble it until we were finished. Great customer service and cute little patio to enjoy with the kiddos. We were able to grab the jenga and play together while waiting for our meals which came out really fast especially with how busy they were. Will definitely come back to try other things on their menu! read more

Our friend loved this place and took us here. This one is located in downtown Celina, and the restaurant was packed so we had to take to-go. We ordered a lot but the food came out relatively quick. We got some Brisket, Turkey Breast, Original and Jalapeño Sausages, with the sides being Fries, Fried Okra, and Mac N Cheese. The brisket was the star of the show, it was so tender, juicy, and falling apart. The Jalapeño sausage was also good, it was better than just the regular sausage. However, all the sides were okay, they weren't that good compared to other smokehouses. The mac n cheese was alright, you need to put on so much BBQ sauce to make it taste better. All of this costed $200+, so pretty average price since we had a big group. Personally, I had better BBQ elsewhere so I would not come back. read more

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We were in town and decided to go back to Tender since I had years ago given it 5 stars. Today was much different. I got the Frito pie b/c there are so many rave reviews on Yelp for it, but it really didn't knock my socks off. The brisket was my meat of choice and the smoke flavor just lingers thickly on my tongue. Like not only did they smoke it, but added some kind of smoked paprika or smoked ancho chili powder. The macaroni was mushy, cooked way too long. The beans were just filler and tasted like ranch style beans. I still enjoyed the complimentary toast. The frozen margarita was gross. Well tequila with well mix. My hub didn't enjoy his meal at all (chicken with the green beans side). It was so different from our first experience. Sad. read more

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I've never had Texas bbq and this was a great place to start. The staff up front was super helpful and the (I think) manager was also really great and chatted with us a bit to see how everyone was doing. He gave us a banana pudding just because it was our first time. It was a really cute, cozy and delicious spot that I would definitely visit again whenever I'm back in Texas. read more

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Great bbq, they don't skimp out on meat on the sandwiches. Great flavor and tender definitely will go back!

Have to go with the ribs when I go to a BBQ place! Just moved from OK with my wife and kids, and we wanted to try a great BBQ place here in Celina. Great spot, loved the vibes and the mac n cheese was really good. My kids enjoyed it a lot, even if they were a bit messy! Definitely have this place mentally noted when choosing a place to eat from now on! read more

Absolutely a solid alternative to Hutchins! If you don't want to travel too much and have BBQ in the Celina area, this place has me leaving impressed for sure. I ordered pulled pork, it's my favorite BBQ item, and it was really good. It definitely beat any of my family's cooking! Hope they don't hate me for saying that! The wife told me after we left, we have to go back here next time we eat out. I agree! The server did great, so that did it for me. read more

The girls working the register were friendly and accommodating. They answered all our questions promptly and thoroughly and were able to quickly find us a table. Food is generally ordered at the front and the sodas you get yourself at the fountain. Someone will deliver you a delicious tray of what you ordered when you get yourself situated at a table. Loved the meal itself and the sweet seasoning sprinkled over the pulled pork. Potato salad was perfect also. The seating area definitely isn't as big as other Tenders locations but there's still enough room for larger parties of up to 6. Additionally, I felt like the dining area could be spruced up a little more with brighter decor or lighting to brighten up the place, it did seem fairly dim like I was in a basement bar. But, I do understand that they're trying to go for a more rugged southern look. Overall, still loved the experience. Staff are active and on the floor making sure you have everything you need. Will definitely come back! read more

Tender Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

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Amazing. Always love the turkey sandwich and Mac n cheese is unbeatable! Lived in Celina since 2007 and seriously best addition to the town ever. Love the feel, doesn't do too much or pretend to be something it's not. I love and respect tenders. read more

This is the second time in a week we couldn't stay away and had to come back for more! The food is truly amazing and the staff are the most friendly and helpful I have found in Texas. Better go in hungry because you're going to want to try everything! read more

Visited Whitesboro shortly after it opened. Service was non-existent. When finally ordered, prices were very high and portions were small. Paid a lot to get a tablespoon of beans in small cup. BBQ was below average. One and done for this place. read more

Been about 5 years since I visited the ORIGINAL TENDER in Celina, TX. That year was a great start for the Tender BBQ Smokehouse brand! I find the original location only made small changes, but still the same charm and authenticity. A new Tender location is now over in Whitesboro, TX, so I will be on the road to check it out. Today, I got Moist Brisket slices and on the side, a cup of Tender BBQ Sauce. The young lass attending the order counter was very warm & welcoming, and helpful with placing my order. Owner / manager is here, and checked that I had what I wanted. Great customer relations! Delicious as always, Tender forever! read more

Tender Smokehouse - Slices of tenderly smoked beef Brisket, toast, pickles, and Tender BBQ Sauce. YUM! - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

Had an absolutely outstanding with customer service with Brody today! We rated his service 10/10! Super kind, entertaining, and overall great experience! We've been coming to Tenders for years and this the best customer service we've had! read more

Absolutely best bbq restaurant ever! I think in Texas. Service is amazing super fun place

The FOOD is a 5 star of 1-5. But the customer service has dwindled. Rather badly. 2 Star of 5 stars. When Keith isn't on shift - NO ONE checks our table. None. Last trip (last week) was the very same. Today, I am the only person here to dine - no one else is here but no one has checked my table. Every employee is standing around the window talking. No one else exists. Sad. Very sad customer service. But the food is excellent! read more

Kind service and amazing food. What's not to love?? Try the sliced brisket, as that's what really matters in TX BBQ, and there doing it right!! read more

Tender Smokehouse - Beautiful spot! - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

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I found the bbq here to be extremely mediocre. Sides were okay. Very overpriced for the quality in my opinion, Hutchins is still my favorite and their dessert is complimentary, read more

Great outside patio in the square. Small inside. TV's in the back. Brisket was good just sloppy on the presentation. Looked like chopped. Sausage was ok not much smoke. Ribs not Smokey. Good prices. read more

Everything Barbecue! Every selection is a winner . If you're looking for pitmaster perfection, the journey ends here. The square in Celina is a throwback to the early 1900's . Love the town and love this restaurant. You will too . read more

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This place was amazing! Food was outstanding. Brisket was tender & moist. The portions were huge. Service was friendly and fast. I believe the manager even checked on us a couple times. The inside was comfortable and had a down home feel. We will definitely go back! read more

Tender Smokehouse - Grand Slam sandwich, my hubs couldn't even eat all of it - and that's really saying something! - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

Ever since moving to North Dallas we have been fans of Hutchins and to be honest, at times afraid to try another BBQ joint since our last visit to Hard 8. Well we decided to bite the bullet and give Tenders a try. And we are glad we did. The brisket was good and not as salty as others, perfectly cooked. The jalapeño sausage and ribs were tasty, turkey was moist and just the way my son likes it. And the winner was the pulled pork, that was just divine, especially with their homemade bbq sauce. Sides were okay, Mac n cheese could have done with a little more seasoning. And the only positive of Hutchins compared to Tenders is you can mix sides onto an individual serving. Service was as good as expected. Not sure if I like the fact that they serve you your food instead of seeing it sliced in front of you. The other downside was that even though we were sitting indoors there were a lot of flies around, not sure if that is only the case on Celina where we ate. All in all very good, will definitely be back as Hutchins has become rather expensive and very salty at times but still one of my favorites. Oh and Hutchins desserts are better I have to say. read more

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Update since my first review last year. We still love this place, my husband even goes out of his way in the morning to get one of their breakfast tacos with brisket on some mornings. The meats are flavorful, moist, and absolutely delicious. We always share a platter of brisket, ribs, jalapeño sausage, and smoked turkey. The smoked turkey and ribs are still my favorite, they're definitely consistent with their quality of meats. Turkey is so easily overcooked and dry at some places but at Tender, their turkey is always moist and perfectly smoked. The ribs are dry rubbed, which I like, so I can dip into my favorite sauce. Their sides are really good too. I love their pineapple slaw and their beans. There is normally a line on the weekends that can get pretty long during peak hours. But the line moves pretty fast. Seating is first come first served so make sure you have someone keeping an eye out for an open table while another gets in line to order. There's an outdoor patio area and an inside area as well. The vibe is really casual and there's some outdoor games you can play as well. We love coming here and thankfully it's close to us too! read more

We LOVE Tender Smokehouse!! Oh my gosh!!! It's the best BBQ we've ever had! Love the little town read more

Consistently great tasting food and efficient operation. What I really appreciate is that sides are the portion you'd give yourself at home. I don't know what it is about nearly all other BBQ places that charge a lot of money for sides in a tiny plastic cup the size of a ranch dressing on the side. Tender is an honest place serving honest food. read more

We have been here a few times and always decent food. Owners are great as well. Small hometown feel. A bit noisy at times. But the food is good. Have yet to have a bad meal here. The Frisco one isn't anywhere close to the quality. Just a fancy building. read more

Tender Smokehouse - Brisket and Mac n Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

Tasty bbq--very tender and cordial staff. Everything was spot-on. Highly recommend due to the wonderful atmosphere, great service and delicious food. read more

It was our first visit and the manager(?) opened the door so we could come and and chatted for a few minutes. Ordered at the counter was easy. We found the drink machines and seated ourselves. The food arrived fairly quickly. Everyone enjoyed their meals and almost everyone needed a take-home box. We did not feel rushed and when the place began to fill up we left. The manager came and chatted a few minutes as we left. The building looks nice from the outside, has cornhole and picnic tables, and the inside is well done. read more

Monthly Family lunch found us at Tender Smokehouse in August this year. My family has been making it's way through some really great restaurants in the North Texas area and this one was a winner for us. With 8 of us we got a selection of much of the menu and shared little tastes of everything. I had a huge baked potato with brisket which was super yummy. I ended up taking most of it home. My granddaughters had fun with the door fixtures. The food and service was great and we all had a great time. read more

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Sometimes it's hit or miss for the brisket. It can be dry if you order the lean. But most of the meats we have had here are pretty good and tender. The sides are not bad, although I wish they had a better coleslaw or maybe a broccoli salad. We have found that the ribs are pretty amazing. read more

We love tenders!!!!!!!!! We've tried so many bbq places in Texas and this is one of our tops. The beef rib, the pork ribs, the baked beans, the banana, pudding, the brisket, I could go on !!! The owner Dante is awesome too! We've taken a couple of his brisket and pork classes, you get to eat and watch him cook. It's a really good time. The staff is always very nice and respectful, just all-around really solid place read more

Tender Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

I don't like BBQ. It's just not my thing. I think I over did it in college having it at every event in West TX. I ordered dinner here for a family I was bringing dinner to and went ahead and just got dinner for my family too. I figured I could suck it up and eat BBQ for one night. I ordered the jalapeño sausage, lean brisket (there's two options), pulled pork and Turkey. For sides we got the Mac and cheese and potato salad. The jalapeño sausage was fantastic! It had a good kick to it! I don't like brisket but theirs was actually pretty good. So I can imagine someone who likes brisket would love it! The Turkey was lean but a little dry. Still very flavorful. The pulled pork was very good. Not much fat to it (thank god bc that ruins it for me). The BBQ sauce was the best part. It had a nice spicy kick to it. I'd put that stuff on everything it was so good! I definitely recommend grabbing food from here. I was incredibly impressed with them! I'll for sure be going back! read more

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Very good food but also pretty pricy for a smokehouse though. I enjoyed the experience.

Amazing barbecue sauce, killer breakfast tacos, and brisket that hits every time. Whatever you order, you can't go wrong. Love this spot for barbecue and always keep their sauce stocked year-round. read more

Always great food. Staff is friendly but the food is always consistent and speaks for itself.

The perfect place for a nice evening. Sit outside and listen to country tunes while you enjoy amazing food. Service is always respectful. We love it here! I could eat just pickles and be happy. read more

Tender Smokehouse - Brisket sandwich, 1/4 of brisket, potato salad, mac and cheese, dallas blonde tap beer. ALL DELICIOUS - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

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Excellant food the staff is awesome. One of my favorite restaurants. Ambience is great.

Had dinner here with family. We ordered one pound of brisket and meat sweet potato brisket all the way. Sides we got Mac n cheese, cole slaw. The brisket is so sooooo tender and delicious. Their potato salad and other sides taste great! Serving staff are helpful. The place was busy on an early dinner time, we waited for 20 minutes to get an outdoor table. They opened a branch in Frisco, too. Will be glad to try their Frisco smoke house next time. read more

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Looking for some amazing BBQ? This place in Celina is a hidden gem! It's family-owned and operated. I got the El Hefe, a stacked sandwich with a rib, brisket, pulled chicken, baked beans, and sausage - the kitchen sink in a sandwich. I ate about half and took the rest home. The rib fell off the bone. I highly recommend giving it a try. We also had some banana pudding, which reminded my son of his grandma's pudding. It was really good too. Go give it a try. It's pretty affordable for BBQ - my giant sandwich was just $15. #texasbbq #tendersmokehouse read more

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For some reason our food was very cold. Also ordered the brisket sandwich not pictured. Had great reviews that's why we came. But just disappointed that they served us cold food. I am sure it would of been more appetizing if it was warm. Staff was friendly. read more

Tender Smokehouse - 1/4 lb - Barbeque Near Me - Celina, Texas

Great service and great burnt ends! The lean brisket is one of the best in North Texas!! The breakfast tacos are very tasty. read more