Chain Bbq restaurants.

[chesterinflorida]

Sonny’s is OK, but really depends on the location. Floyd “Sonny” Tillman is the founder and he lives not too far from me (have met him). He sold the chain in the early nineties. I believe he kept a few of the local location under his control around Gainesville FL. and ran them into the early 2000’s, but he hasn’t been involved for sometime. They were better back in the day.

 

[mneeley490]

We went to a brewery that partnered with a smoked food joint where my son lives in Keene, NH and it was the best yet. Food produced from a guy from NC and a partner from Nashville. They claim that local retractions prevent them from using an offset/open flame so are doing it pellet. Was really good.

Smoked Brisket, ribs, turkey, PP, jalapeno sausage platter with beans, collard greens, coleslaw and jalapeno corn bread.

We have a Brew Pub/BBQ joint near us as well. They do both pretty well.
Meatheads Smokehouse

 

[clb239]

Not sure how many locations make a restaurant a chain.

Before they had multiple locations I went to both Sam Jones BBQ and Rodney Scott's BBQ and I really enjoyed the food there.

There used to be a couple of Famous Dave's near me and I thought they were good (that was before I learned what bbq was). I really liked their BBQ Salad with pulled chicken, the dressing that it came with was the best salad dressing I have ever had (I am not a salad eater and I would order it today).

Mission BBQ, been to a few, the food was pretty good for chain BBQ.

Went to Martin's BBQ Joint in Nashville and had one of the best single bites of BBQ I have ever had when one of the kitchen staff came out to get some fresh meat off of the hog and he placed a handful of belly meat right on my tray...Truly Amazing.

Was in Florida a couple years ago and tried Sonny's, what i got was pretty good. I would go back.

Tried a Dickey's once, wouldn't go back.

If two locations make it a chain I have had excellent food at both 17th St BBQ locations in Illinois. I would recommend the original in Murfreesboro though.

There is a local chain in central Virginia called Q BBQ. They had 4 locations at one time but are down to 2 now. The food is OK, it was better when Tuffy Stone still owned them.

I think that wraps up my chain experience that i can think of. I may try some Buc-ee's chopped brisket this spring though.

 

[paulgeorge]

This is a very interesting topic to me personally because I’ve had this conversation with a lot of people over the past few decades. Being in Michigan (not a traditional bbq hotspot) we have a handful of bbq spots across the southern part of the mitten (lower peninsula)


Side note: I’ve never had pulled pork from anywhere that’s as good as homemade smoked pork from any one’s backyard pit.


We have small mom and pop spots like Johnny V’s (one location about 20 minutes from us and another that sadly burnt down a few years ago.) that has some decent Q but nothing is overwhelming great in my opinion. The most memorable thing about the place is the wicked heartburn the burnt ends give everyone I know that’s eaten there. But overall not terrible, but not great either.

We have a great little mom and pop spot up in Fenton (about 45 minutes due north of us) called Beale St bbq that I’ve been going to for about 10-12 years now. All the protein is good, but the smoked 1/2 chicken is the best I’ve had in this state. 5-6 sauces to try, and live bands playing on the weekend nights. I dig the place but I’ve never been a fan of the cold sides. Tastes like a lot of them are scooped from a large vat they bought off a food service. Overall it’s a great spot in my opinion.

A real cool spot named Lockharts Bbq (not to be confused with lockharts in Dallas Texas by any means. If you want the greatest brisket I’ve ever had stop bu lockharts in Dallas for sure!) that has one of my favorite ribs I’ve ever had. Not sure how they do it but whatever they season the ribs with creates an almost candy like glaze. Never had another slab like them and I love them. Problem is they are in a little town called royal oak. I want nothing to do with that area so I haven’t been in years. If you can deal with the crowd it’s a great place. Guess I’m just getting to old and “get off my lawn” for that younger crowd.another cool thing about lockharts in you get a free meal on your birthday. Overall this place is great and I’ve never had anything bad from them.

Another popular spot in the clarkston union. It’s been big for a while. Not sure about the last 8 years or so but it use to be hours of waiting time to get in. Went once with our cousins, waited an hour and a half down a few buildings at a church they turned into a bar and was severely underwhelmed. Tried the ribs my wife ordered that were meh, and some pork and brisket my cousins had…. Meh! I went against the grain and what I normally do when trying a new bbw spot and ordered a special that wasn’t on the normal menu. Venison tenderloin medallions that I believe were cherry glazed. Been a while so I can’t remember the glaze for sure. Just remember they were great and everyone at the tables favorite dish by far. The long wait and 3 outta 4 guests underwhelming experience meant we never went back. I’d be curious if this place still has the long wait. I’d give them another shot.

The best place I’ve ever had Bbq at in Michigan is a small chain (3 or 4 places if I remember correctly. Who knows after Covid.) called Bad Brads bbq. Again haven’t been in 7-8 years because they are all 1 1/2 away. Best overall bbq rib I’ve had in Michigan. Very comparable to martins bbq ribs in Tennessee. The brisket chili was another favorite. All proteins and sides I’ve had were good on every occasion I was ever there. Wish it was closer.

And here in lower Michigan we have the larger chains as well. Dickies and Famous Dave’s. Both meh all the time. Not bad to grab a quick samich but nothing else really to speak of. I just smoked 8 briskets overnight for a wedding a few weeks ago that Famous Dave’s catered. Friends told me the kids wanted Dave’s but my brisket was far better. I agreed to do it after telling them it was going to be awkward. While we were setting up—right next to the Famous Dave’s person—they were asking me who I worked for and if I had a catering company. Lol. Told them nope, just a favor. Honestly, the way people reacted reminded me of Umekes customer service, where genuine quality and personal touch really make an impression. At least they were getting paid for the gig.

I think places that get as big as Dave’s leave a lot to be desired. And dickies is like fast food bbq. Figure out how to serve it fast and as cheap as possible is how they make money. It ain’t a bad business motto but it doesn’t produce quality plates of bbq that are comparable with smaller mom and pop spots.

This is a fun topic. I look forward to reading replies from other states and my own state to see everyone’s opinion.

Scott

City BBQ is in my area too. Overall, it's a solid spot; brisket and sausage are usually pretty good, and the ribs are decent. I agree the pulled pork lacks flavor and bark. Staff is friendly, place is clean, and prices are fair. I'd also give it a 7.5 out of 10.

 

[fxsales1959]

my sales territory is all of the SE states. Other than the usual spots in Memphis nothing really stands out. I avoid Sonny's like the plague. BBQ in S Florida is barely smoked meat and thick red or yellow sauce in a squeeze bottle. No vinegar Carolina sauce to be found. One of my dealers did take me to place in Pensacola where I was introduced to Alabama white. There is a good place in Jacksonville called Mojo BBQ. they have real Carolina fare and the best greens I ever ate. There's also a place near Birmingham called Jack& something. BBQ is ok but they have these cheese biscuits that are to die for. You can even buy their biscuit mix at Publix. My sales territory doesn't suck, food-wise.

 

[nchapelheel]

Here in central NC, have tried many BBQ joints. For consistency, Lexington BBQ is very good. City BBQ is also good. Stameys in Greensboro is good. Central in Nashville tN is good. Rendezvous in
Memphis was good, but not enough to make me return. Surprisingly, Smithfield BBQ is a large
chain and it is "hit or miss".

 

[jaxgatorz]

my sales territory is all of the SE states. Other than the usual spots in Memphis nothing really stands out. I avoid Sonny's like the plague. BBQ in S Florida is barely smoked meat and thick red or yellow sauce in a squeeze bottle. No vinegar Carolina sauce to be found. One of my dealers did take me to place in Pensacola where I was introduced to Alabama white. There is a good place in Jacksonville called Mojo BBQ. they have real Carolina fare and the best greens I ever ate. There's also a place near Birmingham called Jack& something. BBQ is ok but they have these cheese biscuits that are to die for. You can even buy their biscuit mix at Publix. My sales territory doesn't suck, food-wise.

Yup. MoJo's BBQ is really good .

 

[Apparition]

Yup. MoJo's BBQ is really good .

Last time I was in Jacksonville I ate at Gators BBQ https://gatorsbbq.net/ and had good food. Never been to MoJo to compare.

 

[ghostguy6]

We have a very limited selection here. We recently had a Dickies open up here but I just cant bring myself to go there based on the smell. I smell smoke, not meat so I have always stayed away. After finding this thread it makes me glad I haven't gone in yet as I am sure I will be disappointed.

There was a Montana's close by but that shut down during Covid. I had a real hankering for bbq on valentines day but it was -35 and blowing snow so I ordered from them. Even though they were less and 700 yards from my place the ribs were cold and so dry I could not eat them even after adding my own bbq sauce. The coleslaw was warm and mushy. The beans might as well have been Heinz straight out of a can. I ended up throwing the whole meal away. They officially closed 2 weeks later. The chain still survives in other locations thought although I just cant bring myself to order bbq from them again.

There is a chain called Memphis Blues Bbq here but looking at their prices just makes me cringe. I have never tried their food but the reviews from many non bbq folks is "its just ok". One day I might try them.

There is a local place called "That Bar-b-q Place". They started out really good but I wouldn't go out of my way to get there. I was attending a course down the road so I stopped by for lunch about a year after the epidemic. I ordered the 3 meat plate. After I ordered I heard a microwave running. When the plate arrived each meat came wrapped in saran wrap. The beans came in a small plastic container that might have been 3 ounces. The cornbread on the side was so dry it fell apart just picking it up. It was quite clear the food was prepared, wrapped then placed on the plate and microwaved before serving. Even the little container of bbq sauce was cooked around the edges. That was the last time I ever set foot in that place.

We had a placed called Fired Up Bbq. Not a chain but it was the best Bbq around. The whole shop would order once a week. We had to send someone out early to beat the lunch rush or you wouldnt make it back in time to eat. The place had line ups around the block within 10 minutes of the lunch rush. Even driving to work I would open the window just to smell the smoke. Everything there was amazing. Ribs were perfectly cooked, firm but melt in your mouth tender at the same time. Visible smoke rings and just the right amount of bark. The brisket had the perfect fat to meat ratio. The chicken was never dry. The pulled pork was never dry. The sides were all home made. They nailed every sauce they offfered. Even the buns for the sandwiches were made in house. Best of all the prices were very reasonable for what you got. You always felt full and satisfied. Then one day they changed, prices went up 25% over night but still worth it if you knew what good bbq was. It wasnt due to the cost of meat either. The atmoshpere changed as well, it was no longer a great place to hang out and eat. Rather it felt like it had become almost like a cafetieria. The staff no longer had that spark in their personallity. Eventually the buns got replaced with store bought. The beans seemed to change and they lost their flavour. They changed the rub, I'm not sure how but it lost its punch and became "generic". Maybe they just bought something in bulk. Again the prices jumped but this time the menu changed and protions got smaller. Many of the favorites were gone. The combo's were no longer listed and you had to buy everthing seperately. Racks of Ribs were not even on the menu. Last time I went in there they had a special of $9.95 per rib! I didnt even stick around long enough to see if it was beef or pork ribs. The trays of meat looked dry and not even fresh. The sides just looked sad and desperate like they were only and afterthought. They closed about 10-12 years ago. It was a huge shame that they changed. I am sure if they kept the original buissines model they would still be a hotspot today. It's almost like they intentionally ran it into the ground.

 

[912smoker]

We got a Jim Nick's about a yr ago and it has surprised me. Good variety of sauces and nice smoke flavor. Haven't been in a while but was better than most chains .
Provided the group benefits for several Sonny's in the region and they were never consistent. Only a couple have survived.
Never tried Dickey's but read an article recently about franchisees being mislead about earnings and that's what caused alot of them to fail.

Keith

 

[Parshooter]

I grew up in Gainesville and we went to the original Sonny's many times. Have gone to a few different ones recently. Decent. I loved Dickie's fried okra. Here we have City BBQ which is good. A local chain called Ray Ray's Hog Pit is very good. Mostly food trucks and I think one permanent location.

 

[LazyK68]

We used to have a Famous Dave's and a Whitt's. They both sucked and closed. The big one around here is Calhoun's. Pulled pork is nothing to brag about but not bad, ribs are ok, great sides. They have the best BBQ sauce I have ever eaten. Tried to replicate it but no luck so far. Another is a fast food type joint Buddy's BBQ. Ok for a quick $6 lunch.

My problem is I compare all of the BBQ to stuff I and my friends make. Not bragging but I think I smoke better meats most of the time than these joints. Several of you have said it but backyard pulled pork is probably the best you can get.

Jim n Nick's opened up by West Town Mall. Brisket is nice actually.

 

[LazyK68]

I like the Buddys BBQ for a fix when I don't have time, Saturdays is AYCE ribs for $10-$12 maybe, I like their chili with a small pulled pork sandwich for a lunch. FD and sonnys no thanks, Calhoun's to much $$ for me lol I did take the wife there for mothers day this year, decent food $$ but she is well worth a lot more.

Jim n Nick's opened by West Town Mall. It's decent, pricey too.

 

[LazyK68]

The only time I went to Famous Dave's was when if your name was Dave/David, you got a free meal on your B'day. I'm not sure they still do that. Never tried their BBQ, but they had pretty good catfish with a sauce that was really good.

Please try Germantown Commissary in Germantown, TN. I think you will leave Rendezvous behind.

 

[LazyK68]

My sales territory is the whole Southeast. I cherish my trips to Memphis. My first trip to central was at night, was a little concerned on the neighborhood but it was worth it.

Please find Germantown Commissary in Germantown, TN. Worth a 20 minute drive.