Found this place and decided to take a chance. Should have turned away by the way it looked on the inside. The ribs were very light skinned and I had to put them in the oven to cook them until they were done. Everything was extremely salty. The ribs and chicken didn't taste grilled at all. The turkey wings were sitting in old juice and wasn't worth getting. The Macaroni and cheese was nasty. It tastes like something sweet was in it. The greens were extremely salty as the green beans had no taste. The potato salad was very bland. This is not a place to try. The ambiance was dirty and dark lighting in the building . read more

See all

The Dream BBQ is just delicious BBQ. Unassuming building on Braddock. The ribs are delicious. Mac-n-cheese might be the best side. But it's the ribs you will come for and the ribs that you will rave about. read more

Basic BBQ. The meat was old and was obviously sitting all day. Mostly tough and fatty.The spicy sauce was average at best and tasted like a basic bottled sauce. Potato salad was home made and was drab. My other side of Mac was the best part of the meal. The young lady that helped me used gloves and face mask and was pleasant and kind. I was hopeful for a great experience and meal. What I received was just plain bad. read more

don't bother calling. just show up! amazing food! some of the best bbq i've had yet!! it's 2 of us, we ordered a whole rack, large sides of yams, greens and mac n cheese. we had to stop ourselves from eating it all in one sitting. the mac n cheese is absolutely delicious. read more

The Dream BBQ - bbq ribs mac n cheese cornbread greens yams - Barbeque Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

Great bbq pork ribs! Sides were really good, had the Mac n cheese. Which only could have been better had they cooked in tray and baked in the oven. Greens were solid, with lots of turkey meat in there. Was a little crowded when I got there but the line moved relatively quickly but worth the wait... with the smokers lined up outside I knew I was for some good food. Weirdly the was a huge smoke ring on the rib, but you can taste it when you bite into it. Solid food all around, was perfect for my July 4 th weekend while in Pittsburgh. read more

All round excellent BBQ. Drive by around breakfast time to grab the scent of smoke as they load the meats streetside.

This my 2nd time getting food from this spot. It's official! That man put both his feet in them greens!!! Swear! Please open a food truck. Too many hacks out there serving overpriced garbage. Do it for the city bruh! read more

I stopped by with CM at around 8:15pm last night to get take-out. I was originally planning to check out Showcase, since CM was headed into town and was planning to return by 7. However, CM was late getting into town due to construction, so I suggested that we check out the Dream instead, given that they are open later, and I had my mouth set for BBQ. At the time that we arrived, the woman working told us that the only items they had left were pork ribs, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and green beans. This sounded like enough to make a dinner out of for us, so we ordered a half rack with the two former items as sides, and the honey mustard BBQ sauce on the side ($16.08). We headed back to CM's place with the food and promptly tucked in. The ribs were large and meaty, but were a touch on the dry side, which was likely due to them having been sitting around awhile. Nevertheless, this problem was rectified by the honey mustard sauce, which was very flavorful and had a nice kick. Since they gave us a couple of extra pieces, we each had four bones. The baked beans were quite sweet, and complemented the ribs well in terms of flavor. However, the standout was the mac and cheese, which was super creamy and cheesy with tender noodles, with a great flavor that was likely lent to it by what appeared to be pork (vegetarians beware!). This is definitely one of the best mac and cheeses I've tried in PGH (score: 9/10), so if you're a mac and cheese lover, be sure to check it out! Overall, despite the time of our visit, CM and I were quite pleased with the quality and amount of food we received from the Dream, and the price was right. We were both quite full after our meal, to the point that CM nearly went into a food coma. As others have said, the place isn't much to look at (including the interior), and the neighborhood isn't the best, but if you're a serious BBQ or mac and cheese aficionado, don't be put off by that. (As a humorous aside, when we parked across the street to run in and get our food, a woman returning to one of the houses over there asked us if we were lost--a clear sign that we don't look like the locals.) I'll have to return sometime to try the candied yams that everyone talks about, which unfortunately were sold out at the time of our visit. 4.5 stars. read more

The Dream BBQ - Half slab of ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

Thank goodness for Yelp so I knew what to order here. I smartly went with the ribs dinner with sides of mac n cheese and yams. Everything was about as good as it could get. Please don't judge this place by its appearance or location. You'll know you're there when you see the big drums where they are cooking up the ribs and chicken. However, you may smell that distinctive smoke flavor in the air well before you make visual contact. When you go inside it's a simple lunch counter with a few tables. Inside it is very hot and smells like the inside of one of those drums. Everyone was friendly and patient with me as a first-timer. I admit, I had a Google Offer that was about to expire or I might never have heard of this place. My certificate was good for $12 and my meal was around $10. I wasn't worried about the difference but the young man behind the counter told me to grab a drink so I'd get my money's worth. I went with a can of Hawaiian Punch. Great customer service along side some legit BBQ. Can't beat it. read more

The Dream BBQ - Ribs, mac n cheese and yams - Barbeque Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Decent bbq--you can tell they're legit from the two huge grills right outside. They have a lot of sides--the cabbage was pretty delicious, and we got the yams instead of greens because they were out of it. In terms of the ribs, we got a half slab, which was quite a lot of meat, and very good. A few portions were a bit dry, but they went well with the sauce that came with it. The people who work at the place were friendly, although the facilities could have used some updating. There were dead bugs near the windows and the tables didn't seem very clean. I suppose very few people eat their orders in the restaurant itself. read more

The Dream BBQ - Half slab of ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

you can smell it as soon as you open the car door. It hits you right in the face. I was in need of some good soul food/BBQ and this place didn't let me down. Although in a rougher area of town, their food really left me feeling satisfied like being at my auntie's house. i can't say I was thrilled with the condition of this place. Kinda run down, no seating for guest but for family only. They were kind, helped me pick out something interesting and allowed me to swap out pork ribs for the turkey. We ordered two chicken and rib dinner, they came with two sides as well. We choose 4 pork ribs, 2 turkey ribs and 4 pieces of chicken and for our sides we chose mac n cheese, baked beans, greens and yams. My favs were the turkey ribs especially with their honey mustard dressing, and all the sides were awesome! The pork ribs didn't have much mea ton the bone but they turkey ribs were amazingly most with plenty of meat and flavor. The wings were just ok but they tasted better with BBQ sauce. Sweet baby rays never lets you down! Hubby preferred the pork ribs and beans with mac n cheese. I think we will definitely be back here! read more

The Dream BBQ - Chicken dinner with yams an beans. Rib dinne with greens and Mac n cheese yummmm!! - Barbeque Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Oh my goodness I absolutely LOVE this place!!! The ribs/sauces are fire, the potatoe salad, cabbage, greens are on point! That potatoe salad doh.....no he wont give up the recipe either, I tried lol Their mac n cheese is not bad, its way better than Carmi's. However it will NEVER be as good as my aunty's I always order large sizes of the sides. A full rack of ribs from here should last a few days...maybe....2 The prices arent too bad, they always pack the containers, nothing is missing! An atm is in the place if case you need it. Anytime Ive gone their card machine is down :/ atm it is, parking on the street is available. Go before 6pm, the food runs out real quick This is my only alternative since Smokey Bones is not open in Pittsburgh Mills area now and Wilson's on the North Side burned down a few months ago read more

Great BBQ Ribs and great sides, especially the Mac and Cheese and Greens..been going there for years, never once had a bad meal. Very consistently great! read more

Waited a bit but it was because they're following appropriate COVID-19 guidelines, and it was worth it! Owner passed out free bottles of water to everyone in line which was much appreciated, and the food was excellent. Everyone else's reviews are right: the mustard sauce is incredible. read more

Such amazing food right in my own neighborhood. I can't say enough good things. If they got turkey ribs, make sure you try them!

I was there today and definitely will be returning. The food was all that and a bag of chips. The cooks were exceptionally pleasant and professional. About a month or so I had a large emergency order I needed for a funeral repast of about 60 family members and friends. My son told me about THE DREAM restaurant and they hit a home run for me. I can't thank them enough for the excellent food and service's they rendered to me and my family. If anyone hasn't tried there food then they are missing out big time. read more

This place has some of the most fantastic bbq I've ever had! (and I've hopped across America and have had bbq in at least half the states. I LOVE BBQ) We drove down the street to the smoky clouds of meat grilling outside in huge drums. It smelled fantastic and looked the way beautifully cooked racks upon racks of ribs look. When you grab a rib off the plate you rarely get the whole thing because the meat will peel half off the bone back onto the plate. Out of this world! The collard greens and mac and cheese deserve a poem unto themselves and the yams. OH the yams. Yams just shouldn't be cooked in any other way than that! Every piece sopping in mapley droop! This is as good as it gets. read more

When you're eating at a place, and a man outside stops by the window and does a sort of pantomime of licking sauce off of his fingers, with a giant smile on his face, you know you've found the neighborhood treasure. The Secret Spot. The place you might not tell people about because then it will get too crowded. Tucked away on Braddock Avenue, just off of Penn into Homewood, you might live here your whole life and never find it. Sadly, often there is a Black Pittsburgh, and a White Pittsburgh, and never the twain shall meet. Mayoral candidate Bill Peduto recently pointed out that as a city, we're united at 1PM on Sunday's when the Steeler's play, and split immediately after. Lots of you won't want to go. Lots of you might even be afraid to drive by. Lots of you would get in and take one look at the slightly shabby decor, and turn tail and leave. Might as well stop reading if this sounds like you. The rest of us are going to get one look at the series of 55 gallon oil drum barbecue rigs set up outside, and curse ourselves for wearing white. Wishing that we'd brought some Handi-wipes as we do a U-turn. More for us, right? There's a lot of room for improvement here, don't get me wrong. For one, they assume you want take out. You can stay and eat if you want, but it will be out of styrofoam boxes, with plastic forks. There could be better lighting. Lots of things could be better. The food is not on that list. What impressed me were the sides. Lots of barbecue places are so dialed in on the meat that they miss out on the accents that round things out. The Mac and cheese is made with real cheese, not a mix, and is wisely limited to a very mild, creamy cheddar. There's enough of a brown atop to add some nice caramelization of flavor and a bit of crunch. It's a perfect, soothing companion to the not-even-kidding-one-tiny-bit hot sauce. The baked beans suggest to me that the owner, or one of the cooks has a little Carribean ancestry, as I believe I tasted some allspice and a dash of cinnamon in the spicy mix. These small accents are what make a place unique, and give it the character that bring customers back again and again. That's the soul in soul food. The Verve. The Kick. Art without something to say is merely just decoration. Food made with no love is not sustenance. Don't get me wrong, The Dream isn't serving health food. Not even close. But they are most definitely serving mental health food. It'll put a smile on your face on the rainiest of days. read more

This place is The Dream. I feel like I was in a dream when I went there. I got me a half rack of ribs and the mustard sauce, holy hell the mustard sauce is good. And they don't skimp on portions with the mustard sauce either. You get like a soup bowl full. I could drink that stuff and let it coat my insides until I became walking mustard sauce. I got wings too, they were alright, but it's the mustard sauce I keep fantasizing about. I'll be back. It's cash-only (at least the ATM was down when I went there), and buffet style. You show up, you ask for what you want, and then you go home and live the dream. I think I'm going to get some of this tonight just because it's that damn good. Go with the ribs and the mustard sauce. read more

Ok, this place is legit and should only be approached while the sun is up. The first thing you see upon pulling up is smoke, smoke everywhere!! It is awesome, all the drums are going and cooking some tasty BBQ. The sides are better than the ribs and I give them a 5. The ribs I give a 4 and hence a 4 overall to the restaurant. My only complaint was the sauce seemed generic but they were cooked to melt off the bone perfection!! Though I wish they were a little crispier come to think about it. Back to the positives: the best candied yams and tied for first collared greens I have ever had! That is saying something since I have been to Texas and the South for some of the finest BBQ anywhere. The mac was pretty good too! read more

Visited my cousin in her new place, went to get some food. I was completely blown away. These are my second-favorite ribs (my first-fave are just too amazing). I got the hot bbq sauce, greens and potato salad. I don't even always like potato salad, but this was really, really good (all four of us agreed, including my cousin who doesn't always eat potato salad either). The greens were amazing. Those who tried the cababage really liked it, I heard the mac & cheese was good too. I will be sure to return the next time I'm on that side of PA. read more

See all

This is exactly what you expect when you think "neighborhood BBQ". From the big oil drum grills cooking out on the sidewalk to the plain white sandwich bread served with the meals. The menu is basic, but you're not coming here if you're looking for a million selections. They do a few things, and they do them well. Choose ribs or chicken, one of the sides (mac and cheese, green beans, baked beans, yam), and one of three BBQ sauces (honey mustard, mild, hot) and you're all good, The ribs were fall off the bone tender, the mac and cheese was awesome, and the sauces were perfect. All in all, the perfect spot if all you want is some damn good BBQ. Oh, and warning: a half rack is enough to share between 2. read more

I do not often leave comments but this place is so delicious. I recommend it to anyone looking for good bbq in Pittsburgh.

Picked up a whole slab 5 hours ago ...gone !? My wife & daughter said they didn't want to go in that neighborhood for ribs . Are you kidding me , Blacks love white people that support their community businesses ! Now they want to go back and try the BBQ Turkey Ribs and some of the sides. I would say this is the best BBQ I ever ate in Pittsburgh , and I have had the BBQ at Wilson's , that all the food reviewers say is best . No , my friend , this is the real deal : dry-rubbed , slow roasted with a bit of char on top . Fair warning : I tried the mild sauce and it was plenty tangy for this hot food lover . read more

An article about the best BBQ in Pittsburgh led me to track down The Dream BBQ. My boyfriend loves ribs so I wanted to bring home a rack for him. I prefer pulled pork and brisket but neither is an option at The Dream BBQ. I purchased two full racks of ribs and a large side of the macaroni & cheese. I selected their mild BBQ sauce and their hot BBQ sauce. The ribs have lots of meat, a smokey flavor, and a light char. They are quite good! Unfortunately neither of us cared for the Mac & cheese. I know this sounds strange but the cheese sauce flavor reminded me of the flavor of creamed corn (which I do like!). While I definitely won't order the Mac & cheese again, I will buy their ribs as the occasional treat. I also wish they offered either corn bread or hush puppies. read more

BBQ is ok but nothing to write home about....that is when they're open. Want good BBQ? Keep going a few blocks down the road on Frankstown.

I see all these reviews talking about the mac and cheese...have you tried the potato salad?? BEST IN TOWN !! Ribs with mustard sauce and potato salad cannot be beat!! Yummy!! read more

I've been here a few times and the wings and "turkey ribs" are very good. Great smoky flavor, just what you'd expect from the amount of smoke the sidewalk grills are producing. Even when I don't stop for food, I enjoy the smell as I drive by. I've only tried a couple of the sides which were average. Folks seem friendly enough. However! Today when I stopped by the young woman who got my food tipped herself out of my money! This girl, as she handed me my change, plucked a dollar out and dropped it in the tip bowl. I'd never seen such a thing. I always drop cash in the tip bowl and was insulted and offended by her action. That story told though, the other times I've stopped were pleasant enough and I will continue to stop for the wonderful wings and turkey ribs. read more

Visited twice and not disappointed at all. The mac and cheese is killer. Have had pork ribs and turkey ribs and both were definitely delicious. Staff is super friendly. For those that complain that the sides they want are out - go earlier or deal with it. This is a great place and the food sells out quickly. read more

Bomb & cheap! One of my fave places in the city! The line can be annoyingly long but it's worth it!

2 words, DARN GOOD, had the 1/2 rack, mac and cheese and yams, Everything was good to the last bite, I must say the location is not the nicest but it is true to its roots as a local hometown bbq, SO guys keep up the good work and you now have a customer for life even if I have to drive 20 miles and around the closed tunnels to get there, Well worth it! read more

Maybe I came on an off day? The ribs I had were dry. The pulled pork special ($3), was flavorless and fatty. Their were some delicious aspects though: -wings (awesome flavor) -bbq/hot sauce - probably the best sauce I've ever had- mix it together for perfection -greens (amazingly seasoned) I loved that when I walked up, dudes were outside grillin' up some magic. I'd try this place again but I was not overly impressed. read more

Great food...friendly staff. Will definitely be going back. Prices were great. Well worth the walk from my neighborhood to get some quality bbq. read more

Solid BBQ place. I came here around 8 PM, but they were already out of turkey ribs, which is apparently one of two things that they're known for along with their delicious(?) yams and a good number of their sides. Something to note for next time (and for all those eyeing this place) that if you plan on coming here, get here when they open (3 PM Mondays, 1 PM rest of days) so that you can get a crack at just about anything you want. As this place tends to be a big hit with the locals, they apparently sell out of stuff real fast. Still, on the flip side, as I was the last customer for the night, I did end up getting at least 3 more bones than I probably would have of the normal ribs, which I think is a nice bonus. The normal ribs here are delicious. I would say that this place's ribs are on par with Showcase BBQ, which, interestingly enough, is also in the same Pittsburgh neighborhood (Homewood). Ended up picking green beans and potato salad for my sides. Both sides are solid. What I found cool about the green beans is that they cook it with turkey meat and because that's the case, the turkey juices come off during cooking and mesh with the green beans, making for quite the unexpectedly yummy flavor in these green beans. Something I should try on my own next time ... heh. Overall solid place. If you really like barbeque, you should definitely consider this place as one to visit for sure. read more

The Dream BBQ - Part of half rack normal ribs ... yum - Barbeque Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In general, the more of a hole in the wall, the better the BBQ and the dream is no exception! Get ready to slip into dreams of diving into rivers of rich mustard BBQ sauce, and massive pre cut ribs for just $20 for a hulking rack, with the perfect balance of tender meatiness. Creamy mac n cheese, indulgent sweet potatoes, and savory greens. The only weaker points were the wings were dry (it was the end of the day, so this might not normally be an issue) and the potato salad was bland. Overall rock solid, I'd come back for their ribs and mustard sauce in a heartbeat, easily the best of their kind in the city! read more

Want some good ass bbq? Go here. It's good the mac n cheese is bomb, the greens are bomb. The people are cool people.

Awesome. This is what BBQ is all about. Extremely friendly people. Fair prices. Excellent food. The neighborhood is dicey and the place is is a dive, but the food makes it all okay. read more

I found out about this place because of Groupon, and I'm glad I did! We ordered a full rack of ribs, yams, and mac n cheese. All of it was delicious. The guy even gave us a deal on the remaining ribs that were left for the day (we got there right before he decided to close). On that note - the Dream BBQ does not really have "official" hours of operation. We got there right around 6:15PM, which happened to be just in the nic of time (we ended up being his last customers). He closes the restaurant when he runs out of food, so if you want to be 100% positive that you will be able to order, make sure that you get there early - probably no later than 5:30PM. Or call ahead to be doubly sure. Also, while the address "7600 N Braddock" is listed everywhere as the address, this address does not come up in the GPS or on Google maps. You will most likely just have to enter "N Braddock Ave," and look for it on your right. It isn't that hard to find. Just look for the big BBQs sitting on the sidewalk. Chicken is also served here, but he was out of it when we were there. Other than the above slight inconveniences, I rate it very highly. read more

I've eaten at The Dream a number of times and it's awesome!!! The turkey ribs are to die for..soooooooo delicious. Make sure to show up earlier in the day before the turkey ribs run out. You will not be disappointed. read more

You might miss it if you're driving too quickly, but definitely a place to try if you like ribs. We ordered a full rack of ribs and for sides we got the yams and mac & cheese. Everything was very good - lots of smoke which we like. read more