I was visiting Richmond and came across this spot and let me say this place does not disappoint! The smoked brisket was my favorite although there were no bad choices. Customer service was amazing! I'm from California so the prices are very affordable! I would highly recommend eating here if you like smoked bbq to a perfection. My only regret was not taking more food to go since I was visiting. read more

Bar-Q - Smoked spare rib, brisket and Christmas beans - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I just don't have any bad things to say about Bar-Q. Even if they did something bad, it would still be tricky because those are some good people. Jamey, spelling could be wrong, the guy in charge, is a hell of a guy. I I try to go at least once a week because it has excellent food, good ambiance, and I'm hoping as a regular, they will know my name when I walk in. I may have to step it up to two times a week to get the, "Hey Michael." When I walk in. Although the barbecue is good, the Main-street burger is delicious. My fat friend Sam told me about the burger at Bar-Q, and as from previous reviews, he tends to be on point with food, movies as well. Two weeks ago after eating a burger and some Mac and cheese on the side. Jamey said, "you should try the 123 attack." I assume he thought of some other fat people when he was making it, but I felt honored and this thing was delicious. You really can't go wrong at Bar-q, and this place has some versatility to it that you don't find in every barbecue spot. I'm not ranking it as the number one barbecue spot in town or the number one burger, but I can't imagine a scenario where you would be disappointed. There is something to be said for consistency because that's hard to find. I Appreciate yall, and my fat friend Sam. read more

Very nice spot with friendly staff and good food. Both sauces are very good with highlights on the ribs and port belly. Plan yo come back in the future and try more stuff there. Don't forget the smack and cheese, very addictive read more

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Got the two meat platter with brisket and pulled pork with a side of coleslaw and their smack and cheese, added cornbread and hush puppies. definitely enough for two people! Everything was super good - the cornbread was so sweet we had it for dessert. It's a walk up and order place as opposed to table service. Food came out fast. For a lunch, this was a nice stop. read more

Pork tastes fine but I found a huge bone fragment in my scoop of meat. I can only imagine what might've happened if this made it into someone's sandwich or onto a child's plate... The burger and the ribs are absolutely worth returning for. Brisket flat not the most tender in town, but decent. Chicken was a little dry.Pork tastes fine but I found a huge bone fragment in my scoop of meat. I can only imagine what might've happened if they scooped this onto someone's sandwich or a child's plate... I won't be back for any pork. The burger and the ribs are absolutely worth returning for. Brisket flat not the most tender in town, but still good. Chicken was a little dry. Food is 4 stars. -1 star for the safety issue. read more

Bar-Q - Bone fragment found in pulled pork - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I had been wanting to try Bar-Q Food Truck for a while since I had seen them pop up locally and they were also in our sweet treats passport book. I finally caught them when they were parked at CoVa and decided to give them a try. One thing that stood out immediately was the ordering setup. Instead of ordering directly from the truck, everything is done through a kiosk/iPad ordering system set up in front. There wasn't a menu posted on the truck itself, so you have to walk up to the screen just to see what's available. It felt a little awkward because if someone is ordering you can't really browse the menu without standing there behind them. There also wasn't really any interaction with staff. The truck windows were closed and the ordering process is completely through the kiosk, so there wasn't an opportunity to ask questions about the food or the menu. For a small food truck, I personally enjoy a little more interaction with the people behind the food. I ended up ordering the beef brisket, which came sliced with sauce on the side along with a couple small containers of what appeared to be barbecue sauce and a pickle/onion relish. I had originally expected more of a traditional shredded barbecue style brisket, so that may have just been my assumption going in. Since I ordered it to go, I was also a little surprised that the bag didn't include napkins or utensils, which can be helpful when you're eating on the go. Overall, I'm glad I finally had the chance to try them, but I do wish there had been a bit more interaction and explanation of the menu items. With food trucks, the personal interaction and experience are often part of what makes them fun. read more

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Bar-Q has been on my list for a while, so we finally stopped in for lunch around 12:30 the on a Sunday. First impression was the space. It's clean, open, and spacious. We ordered a little bit of everything. The brisket was the highlight for me. It was tender, flavorful, and honestly just as good as ZZQ in my opinion. That says a lot because ZZQ has been a local favorite for years. The brisket had great smoke and didn't need any sauce. I prefer tasting the meat on its own, and this definitely stood up without being drenched. The spare ribs were very good. The sausage was solid, not my favorite on the table because I don't enjoy sausage that's ground too fine on the inside but it had good snap and still enjoyable. The buffalo ranch fried chicken sandwich was surprisingly a strong contender for a BBQ spot. We also tried the burrito, which ended up being very good and massive. For sides, the collard greens were awesome and full of flavor. The cornbread was also excellent and paired perfectly with the meats. The potato salad was okay. It wasn't bad, it just didn't stand out compared to everything else. We were a little disappointed that the pork belly was not ready yet, especially since we were there at 12:30. I was looking forward to trying it. There also were no desserts on the menu that day, which felt like a bit of a missed opportunity after a heavy BBQ meal. The sauces were pretty good, but I didn't use much since I like to enjoy the natural flavor of the barbecue itself. Overall, it was a really solid experience. Great brisket, strong sides, and a comfortable space. I will definitely be back, especially to try the pork belly next time. read more

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I love the corner location with opened windows, the weather was perfect for it. They had tables for small groups and large groups. There is an order pad to place your order but there is also an order hostess to take orders. We got to meet the owner and he is super nice!!! We got 3 of the special burritos (2 of the Renzoeats 1 2 3 Attack and another that had chicken that I can't remember). These burritos are huge and made for sharing!!! They had smack & cheese in the burritos...mmmm. I could have used something spicy to kick mine up..jalapenos or so type of hot sauce. Or maybe some pickled onions. We did get a whiff of collard greens before we left and I wish we would have ordered them!! I'll be back to try something else for sure. ! read more

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Amazing!! If you love good southern food you will for sure enjoy Bar-Q! The customer service was great, and the restaurant is set up like an out door cookout feel, with long tables for a family dinner or smaller tables for smaller groups. They also have a bar! I had the pork belly platter with Mac n cheese and collard greens, a coworker of mine had the pulled pork platter with candy yams and cornbread! I loved my platter everything was seasoned to perfection especially the collard greens, im really picky about two things: collard greens and Mac n cheese! And both didn't disappoint. read more

Bar-Q - Pork belly and pulled pork platters - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Saw that Bar-Q's food truck would be at COVA Brewery & Coffeehouse over the weekend, and had to make an appearance! Haven't had them since they had their Norfolk location, but now they are just in Richmond and the food truck. First of all, major shoutout to Mamie and Alex working the truck. Both were incredibly friendly, quick, and excited about being their. Seriously, they made the whole ordering process a breeze, and helped me decide on what I wanted to eat. That kind of service honestly makes such a big difference! On to the food: I ordered the jalapeño cheddar sausage, smack & cheese, and green beans. I don't know what kind of magic is happening with those green beans, but they are hands down the best I've ever had. SO flavorful, and NOT the soggy, bland kind you find at most spots. The smack & cheese? Addictive. I could eat a bucket of it every single day. Wowwwwe. So creamy, cheesy, and full of that homestyle comfort food nostalgia but with a serious upgrade. Incredible. To top it off, Mamie and Alex threw in some wings, and they were crispy, juicy, and perfectly sauced. It honestly felt like I hit the jackpot with the food here. Left so full, and so satisfied. Now I'm absolutely planning a trip to check out their Richmond location because if the food and hospitality are this good from a truck, I can only imagine what it's like in their full restaurant! If you're in Norfolk and see that Bar-Q truck at COVA, do yourself a favor and order everything! Seriously. read more

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Hands down best BBQ in Virginia. Top pick is the brisket & smack & cheese. Followed by their burritios, heck theres nothing I wouldn't recommend. 5 star service and 5 stars given to the best bbq in town! Walk in, order to dine in and enjoy the vibes. read more

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First time trying Bar-Q and it did not disappoint! We ordered the spare ribs, pork belly, and brisket sandwich with potato salad and corn. Everything was perfectly seasoned -- no sauce needed at all. The brisket was moist, the pork belly was tender, and every bite was delicious. Honestly, the best BBQ I've had in Richmond since moving from Texas. As u can see we were so ready to jump in eating we forgot to take pictures lol. We'll definitely be back! read more

Bar-Q - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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No expert in BBQ, but I know what I like, and this spot is definitely legit. First the food...we had Alabama wings ( white tangy sauce), the smoked chicken sandwich, the pulled pork sandwich and the collard greens. All delicious and good sized portions. The service was good, and food was delivered by chef Mamie who made sure we were enjoying our food. Ambiance is chill with a variety of seating and music was at a perfect level (not loud!) We were there for lunch and will surely be back soon. read more

Wow was this a fantastic BBQ meal. Pulled pork sandwich, Mac & Cheese loved them. Hushpuppies were very fresh and tasty. Several different sauces to choice from and honey butter for the hushpuppies! Wife loved the fried okra and dipping sauce. Staff is friendly and helpful. The restaurant itself is warm and cozy. read more

This barbecue spot gives you all the feels of your Southern auntie's backyard. Miss Sophia is going to tell it like it is with a little love on the side. I ordered the brisket smashed burger. My initial burger wasn't prepared correctly, but customer service gets a 10/10 for immediately correcting it. The brisket burger itself was tender and packed with flavor, and the aïoli sauce really brought the meat to life. I paired it with seasoned fries. I couldn't help but notice the mac & cheese and collard greens at nearby tables. They looked like they came straight out of Grandma's kitchen. That alone guarantees a return visit. Overall, our experience was pleasant, welcoming, and satisfying. Next time, I'll definitely try the spare ribs. read more

Bar-Q - brisket burger - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This is my second time visiting and as always customer service is on point the food comes out hot and fresh made to order the establishment is clean and ready to meet all your basic needs. The inside is very relaxed and comfortable. They also have a new brunch service that they serve until 12 PM. read more

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Bar-Q is a solid fast-casual BBQ restaurant. They have a wide array of options for both mains and sides. They do run out of popular items on busy days so be aware to have backup choices! The staff is very kind and hardworking. I got the brisket with green beans and candied yams, pictured below. I'd recommend this spot! read more

Bar-Q - Brisket, Green Beans, Candied Yams - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Get their limeade it slaps ! The food is delicious and the burritos are huge !!!!!!!! Best food I've had in a long time. Their brunch and portion sizes are huge ! read more

I think I am fairly easy to impress when it comes to BBQ food - that said, this place was pretty solid! Feel like they've always got a good deal going on - we got a free pork sandwich with our purchase, hence the motivation for going in the first place. It's got a ton of indoor seating and gives off a fast casual-vibe. The mac and cheese was the perfect texture with some generous chunks of cheesey goodness in there. My partner got the Loaded Smack Bowl, which was basically the same ingredients I had in my sandwich and sides in one bowl - the side of pickles and onions to plop on top of the already packed to-go container was fairly awkward to deal with, but still really good :) read more

Bar-Q - Pulled Pork Sandwich, Loaded Smack Bowl - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Bar-Q is a good spot if you like BBQ. The restaurant itself is a nice set up. The vibe was airy and festive. I especially loved the open window area. Service was a little slow but understandable considering the flood of people coming in. As we ordered the line began to build up down the street. It was nice to be greeted by the owner who was so friendly and welcoming. The food was delicious. The wings were well cooked and the brisket was tasty. The smack & beef sandwich was divine with the best Mac & cheese. The collards were perfectly seasoned for me and the yams had a good sweet taste. The tequila sunrise was okay. I would have liked just a bit more alcohol. The warm pork rinds were awesome. Served to everyone by the owner it was a great touch to end our meal. I'll be back to try other menu items. read more

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Took my wife to Bar-q to try them out. We both ordered the two meat plate, 2 sides for 22. Was up charges 3 on one for ribs, uncharged 4 for the other for brisket. Even with the up charge, only got 2 rib. Underwhelmed. Brisket was good. We both got smack n cheese and hush puppies. They were really good. Here is where they were lacking. We both got pulled pork and the pork was cold. The chunks outside edge was warm but inside the chunks was cold. Cold to the point that the fat was nasty. You can't charge a premium and then serve cold pulled pork. We will not be returning as there are way too many good places to get bbq. read more

This was a mixed bag--some great items, some OK items, and some real misery. When I try a BBQ spot for the first time, I try as many meats as I can. My tray had pulled pork, spare ribs, a sausage link, and brisket. I also ordered the so-called "Smack and Cheese." Ordering and pickup are at a counter, and the food came fast from the very nice lady manning the register. With the food, you receive two small covered plastic ramekins of sauce. Before the food, let me talk about the soda fountain. Half of the fountain is dedicated to flavors from "Stubborn Soda," which is apparently Pepsi's high-end soda product. I have not heard of this brand, but I can tell you the root beer and the "craft cola" were excellent. There were no diet options in the Stubborn flavors, sadly, but they may not be available. Disappointingly, Bar-Q uses plastic tumblers like it was the 1970s. It makes no sense to go high-class on the soda fountain and low rent on the drinkware. Just get some cheap, heavy-duty glasses. These textured plastic cups are difficult to get super clean. I would rather have paper with lids. The meats are all over the place. The best of the bunch is the pulled pork. It has a nice smoke, is properly pulled with nice long strands, and has great texture. This is among the best pulled pork I have had in Richmond. I will be back for more. Ribs have a flavorful crust to them, but the meat per bone is pretty minimal, as if they had been overtrimmed. They do not present a smoke ring or much smoke flavor. Instead, they seemed a little overcooked without the right bite. I asked if the sausage link was mild or spicy when I ordered, and was told it was mild. That turned out to be true--so much so that there was not much flavor of anything. The sausage itself is a nice size, but overly dense, making it rubbery and tough. The brisket was a mess. I like that it was cut from the fatty end, but the brisket tastes and feels almost boiled. The meat has no consistency and has lost its texture. Either it was "crutched" too long in foil, or it was not vented when it came out of the smoker, and overcooked. Either way, it was not nice. The mac and cheese, on the other hand, is a big winner. Great portion size, excellent consistency, and a great flavor. I would eat this as an entree any day of the week. Finally, the sauces. You are given two sauces. One is, if I understood correctly, a vinegar and mustard blend. This sauce is amazing. It works well on all the meats, but especially on the pulled pork. Ask for extra. I could drink this straight. The other sauce is a dark, molasses color, which I thought I was told was called sweet candy. It was gross. Like I cannot understand how this came out of the same kitchen as a sauce as good as the other one. It's not sweet in any way. It is just horrible in a way I can't describe. I have never tasted anything remotely like it. I hope I never do again. It is my hope that I just got a bad batch, and that this is not the norm. What I got was the stuff of nightmares. So go, get some pulled pork in the vinegar and mustard sauce, and pair it with some mac and cheese. Then skip the rest. read more

I prefer smashed burger and fries and cherry pop wings! I had crinkled seasoning fries they were thin but crunchy, My smashed cheese burger was juices and very tasteful . It had sauces and pickle on it. Everything tasted good. I live 20 minutes so my food was not hot. I had to waited more than 15 minutes for my food. They forgot my wings to after double check my food. . read more

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Delicious smack n cheese and collards! Green beans were too spicy and corn was just okay. Nice portions on everything including the pork sandwich but honestly they cost TOO much! Glad we had coupon. The guy was very nice when we walked in. The cashier seemed like she was struggling but hopefully it was just a bad day for her. read more

The smack and beef sandwich was awesome. The brisket was super tender. My lemonade was made to order, starting with fresh lemons! I forget to get a picture of my sandwich, but my lemonade rocks. read more

Bar-Q - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I ordered 1/4 lb of pulled pork, brisket, 1 sausage link and a side of mac and cheese - total came to $29. My favorites were the mac n cheese and sausage. The turtle brownie special ($5) was delicious. Service is counter style so you order and wait for it to be ready. There is plenty of seating and it's nice with the windows open on a beautiful day. read more

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We were excited to try this barbecue spot and even asked the owner several questions on what we should have. We ordered ribs, pulled pork, smack and cheese, collard greens, corn, and cornbread The ribs didn't have much meat and were cold. As for the sides, the mac & cheese was the best. The collard greens were good too. The corn mix wasn't so great. The cornbread was not completely cooked and all of it was cold. The plastic cups were a surprise for the fountain sodas and tea. Glass is a better option. It appeared as though they were understaffed, and we didn't want to bother with having the food reheated. Needless to say, we were disappointed. read more

I had such a great experience here! The environment was welcoming and had a really good vibe, and the service made it even better. Miss Sophia was amazing so kind, warm, and genuinely made us feel taken care of. The food was delicious across the board. The brisket was my favorite super flavorful and cooked perfectly. The mac and cheese is a must, and the fried okra was so good. Definitely don't skip the pork belly either! And honestly... the carrot cake stole the show. It was hands down the best part of the meal. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

I've eaten here once in person and had take out once. The vibe is chill. You seat yourself and throw out your own trash. Had the ribs, Mac and cheese and the fries and each item was good! The sauce they provided was not something I was a fan of. The rib portions are kind of small for the price but they are tasty. The soda machine was messed up when we visited and it took a while for them to try to fix it. I'll eat here again but I've learned I'll need at least a pound of ribs. read more

They've got some massive breakfast burritos loaded with crispy sausage and bacon definitely the move if you come hungry. Also tried one of the breakfast sandwiches and it was solid, thick cut, juicy, and had a nice crunch to it. The crispy taco was a surprise favorite though, really unique with a soft inside and a crispy golden outside. Big enough to share honestly. Menu's got a good variety too, from eggs and bagels to biscuits and more. Overall, great brunch spot with big portions and plenty of options. read more

The line will be out the door. Loved the open space seating you can enjoy the weather and your meal at the same time. The meat melts in your mouth but the sauce makes it extra special. I loved that they also have catering as a option. read more

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I finally made it there this past weekend and it did not disappoint! I got the pulled pork sandwich and the smack and cheese! Everything was so great and had such good flavor to it! I went for dinner so they were already sold out of a bunch of stuff, so if you want more option I'd say to go for lunch. They had multiple bbq sauce options, all were good but my favorite was the sweet one! Check it out for good bbq in Richmond! read more

Bar-Q - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I really wanted to support this barbecue joint. I was so excited to go but for $37 for one rib and a thin slice of brisket. I felt like I got duped. read more

Bar-Q - One thin, slice of brisket, one rib, mac & cheese, and collards. This was a $37 meal. - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This is my first time visiting this establishment. We ordered the Brisket sandwich, potato salad, pork BBQ sandwich, fries, and hush puppies. Our food was on point, except for the fries that my wife ordered. The fries were extremely salty, so the salt overpowered the taste when you chew them. The brisket melted in my mouth, literally. It was very tender and flavorful. The pork sandwich was great as well. We had a coupon to get a free pork sandwich, but imagine being told after it was scanned that we had already used it, but this is our first time here!?!? So, the cashier's attitude and demeanor dampened our spirits for the remainder of our time there. The rest of our food was excellent. Service was interesting as most of the customers had to clean their tables before they could sit down to eat. The atmosphere was inviting, but space was limited in dealing with the overwhelming number of patrons entering this establishment. I also ordered a pound of brisket and a pound of pork belly. This establishment has the opportunity to be the BBQ king of VA. I recommend this place to folks looking for a great BBQ, but you must get here early! read more

Bar-Q - Pound of brisket and a pound of pork belly - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Excellent! Highly recommend Bar-Q! Super friendly staff, clean restaurant! Food was amazing!! read more

Bar-Q - Mac and cheese, cheesy corn, sweet potatoes, collard greens, brisket, sausage, pulled pork and ribs! YUMMY!!! - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Cashier (old black woman) had the WORST attitude because she was hard of hearing. We almost didn't dine in.

The flavors here re good. The good: the pulled pork is very juicy. The green beans are peppery (which I like) and cooked perfectly. The okay: the brisket had good flavor but was a bit dry. I did come later in the day and I'm not sure how long it was being kept but it needed to be dresser. Also, the collard greens were okay, but I like mine to have a stronger brine flavor. It was about 30$ after all was said and done for the two meat platter with sides and a drink. Seems a little expensive for a meal but some BBQ places are getting steeper. read more

Bar-Q - Two Meat Platter, with collard greens and green beans. - Southern Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

BEST fresh lemonade and brisket I've ever had. Sophia was so welcoming and knowledgeable. We will be coming back again SOON!

The food is amazing!! I recommend the brisket, pulled pork, sausages, smack and cheese, okra, fries, ribs, and the limeades and lemonades. The buns for the sandwiches are soft as well. I can't seem to find when they have the burnt ends but I'll keep trying, lol. Seriously the food is That Good!!! On top of that I have to shout out Mamie The level of service and attentiveness she gives cannot be topped, worth 5 stars on its own. IMO 3 month update: kinda scared to post this because of the limited supply...The Burnt Endssss. Yes, yes, yesss!! Order at least 2 lbs. they will NOT last long read more

Went for lunch last Sunday. The vibe was great. It was a beautiful day and they had all of the windows open. Had a shared meal of the 2 meat, two sides - brisket, pulled pork, collards, Mac and cheese and added the fried okra. The only enjoyable item was the Mac. Everything was incredibly bland. Honestly surprised considering all of the good reviews. Only reason I didn't go lower on the rating was the great service. read more