My daughter and I were in the area visiting and read several positive reviews so we decided to give…read moreit a try. When we first pulled up the place looked like it might have been closed, but it wasn't. We were just there at an unpopular time of day. It was around 2:45pm so after lunch and too early for dinner, but we were hungry. When we walked in, we were promptly greeted by a very kind and informative gentleman. We told him we had never been there before and he informed us that because it's a bbq place, they sell out very early. It was also St Patrick's Day and he told us even those specials were all sold out. He proceeded to tell us what they had left and made recommendations for us based on what was available. We ended up ordering the smoked turkey, burnt ends, potato salad and the bbq beans. The sauces we tried were a mustard based bbq sauce and their traditional house bbq sauce. We took a seat at a table while we waited for our food. It's a seat yourself dining room. Our only complaint about the dining room was the lighting and temperature. It was too dark inside and the temperature was too cold, but it was also very cold outside. Our food was brought out pretty quickly and everything was worth the wait! The turkey was so moist and tender and the burnt ends were charred just right. The potato salad and beans were both large enough to share. The potato salad had an unusual flavor because it was made with pickles which we love so it was different but incredibly delicious at the same time. I was so glad we ordered it. The beans were just okay for me, but my daughter really liked them. Personally, I don't get too excited about beans when there's better options to try. I'd rather put those carbs and calories to better use. LOL The sauces were both good but the mustard one had a very strong mustard flavor so if mustard isn't your thing you're not going to like it. The house sauce is just the right mix or sweet and smoky. As I'm writing this review, I'm craving the potato salad so much and the turkey too. If I'm ever back in the area, I'm definitely stopping there again. Nice staff, great food, and good portions what more to ask for.

My expectations were very high since the BBQ was amazing a few year ago…read more The brisket and smoked turkey were very good while the Texas hot links and andouille sausage links were far below average. The texture didn't seem right as I chewed it. Seemed like it had a filler and very little fat. I asked for 3 BBQ sauces in my to go order. When I got home, there weren't any. I had their BBq with an old bottle of store bought sauce that's been sitting in my refrigerator for months. Overall, great brisket and turkey offset by bad pseudo sausage. And a BBQ joint that doesn't give you the sauce is pretty unforgivable.

We went after the lunch rush. Service was super fast. Staff…read morewas very friendly. I got the pulled pork sandwich and my coworker got the loaded potato. Both were pretty good. I like that they give you 5 sauces on every table so you can pick your own journey. That being said, the actual meat without any sauce was a little dry. I am bias because I live in Texas, so this was a good stop for my hunger, but not my favorite. I'm partial nowadays to Texas bbq, but figured it worth trying a new spot in a different state. It doesn't compare much, unfortunately.

I was on a road trip with my sister from downtown STL, and she had to charge her car. I walked in…read moreand was greeted by this nice woman, asked her if I could just use the restroom and buy a lemonade. Immediately pointed me to the restroom and when I came out, they gave me a lemonade and said it was on them. Hospitality is on point and even though I didn't buy any food, they still gave me and my sister a free drink because of the long road trip. Highly recommend this location!

What a great hidden gem. The appearance is deceiving as you drive in, but the interior is…read moredelightful. The service was wonderful and fast. The helpings were plentiful and filling.

All my yelp research led me to this hidden gem. It is in the middle of nowhere a few miles out of…read moretown off of highway patrol ( such a fun name for a roadway) After a long volleyball tournament we had to have a good meal to end our evening in Rolla. We had a such a great time we raved to the check in clerk at the Marriott hotel in town. Sis got ribs and I got pulled pork with a side of sewer potato fries and a side of fries green beans. They were spectacular. The motto at the restaurant is that "it's not fast food, It's food that wasn't fast enough." it looks like lots of the people there were regulars, and they chatted with the owners and waitresses, catching up on news and events. They also had a side room where large parties can meet and kids could have fun. We watched one huge family get together last night and all the kids had a blast eating their barbecue. You gotta raise them right !! we devoured our food and enjoyed the three different types of barbecue sauce ending the meal with a peach fried pie, which was hot fresh and glorious

Service perfect ordered full slab ribs ribs were not fall off…read moreThe bone but the perfect meat not burned or crisp just the right seasoning and texture really good love sweet sauce they had not a fan of the beans fries were good seasoning on ribs not over powering good job I read comments by owner below yes they are competition type ribs

Well, how to describe the disappointment…read more This place seems like someone from Iowa watched YouTube videos on how to smoke meat, then bought a barn off eBay and set it up in the middle of Missouri. In a state known for barbecue - this was a huge let down. The secret is low and slow - but I don't think these folks got the message. I have had better meat made in an oven. The ribs were under-cooked, and chewy. They didn't come close to "falling off the bone". Their "rub" was thick and sweet - maybe too much brown sugar? The brisket almost tasted microwaved. It was dry on the lean side, and chewy on the fatty side. None of the tell-tale signs of smoking meat really. The sides were OK, although the "fried potato salad" is just home-fries with some sauce on them. They would have been good for breakfast though! The slaw was decent although generic - almost could have been bought from Nobel-Sysco. The green beans were a stand out, they were very good. The fried okra was nothing better than what came out of a box. The barn was really cool, and the server was very friendly. Just disappointing food.

Good food, hot and quickly served. Would stop there again. Prices have really gone up .read more

Stopped here on our way home from Springfield. Bandana's bbq is always solid and for the two of…read moreus, the tab was less than $40. Hard to have a sit down meal anywhere that is good for less than $50! We were really impressed by our server Heather. Our drinks were always full, our meals came out timely and she was prompt without making us feel rushed when it came time to pay. All this with a smile while she was the only server in the main dining area, handled the hostess stand/seating of customers, and helped another waitress with a huge party in the separate dining area. Kudos to her!

Small restaurant but packs a punch. Pretty amazing BBQ…read moreReally enjoyed it. Will be back for sure

This spot is a GEM in Missouri. I was working in Bolivar for a month and this was highly…read morerecommended to me. The smoked chicken was tender and juicy, fries were awesome and the banana pudding was to die for! Service was very good and quick, I went every week and never disappointed. Parking is limited as well. You must go here!!!!!!!!

Everything we tried was delicious -- ribs, mac n cheese, pulled pork, etc. and portions are huge --…read morewe loved our leftovers! Service was also excellent. Our group felt so welcomed by the friendly folks here that we want to make this part of our regular rotation when we're in town. Do yourself a favor and head to The Tavern.

Stick with the BBQ. The meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green…read morebeans......not so much. It was their daily special. Meatloaf was cold and the green beans had zero flavor.

Great experience for first time having St. Louis style BBQ ribs. Very fast service. Had the 1/3…read morerack, baked beans, and German potato salad. The ribs were big and very meaty. Dry rub and smoked to perfection without being overly smoky. I didn't even bother with any of the four varieties of BBQ sauce on the table. The German potato salad was served warm and had a hint of vinegar that complimented the ribs perfectly. The baked beans were thick and slightly smoky with bits of brisket mixed in.

A 4-hour roundtrip to have lunch with an Army buddy I haven't seen in six years would have been…read moreworth it for Arby's (sorry Arby's just needed a common denominator). When you get in there, order and the food is good- bonus. I suspect that most of the dishes here are good. The place filled up quick and folks kept coming during the 90-minutes or so that we were there. Peter and I both got the Brisket sandwich, I was happy with everything, the brisket was exceptional, they have multiple sauces on the table, tried them all- solid. The fries weren't special but were hot and salty. The coleslaw is pretty basic, but I suspect that is intentional to give you a flavor reset. The service was quick, and effective. Our server came by just enough to make sure we had everything we wanted. She also realized at a certain point that we were going to sit there and catch-up and she left us alone. The one oddity (and maybe she did tell me and I missed it), was that we had to bring the check up ourselves to the register. Bonus: Met 3 guys from Sweden who had flown in to Chicago to follow Route 66 across the country. Somehow beer at 1100 works with a European accent.

We ordered off the bulk menu for takeout for our large party. Ribs, pulled chicken, pulled pork,…read morebeans, salad, spoonbread, and potato salad - it was all amazing. Everyone raved and it made for an easy dinner! Andrea made sure we had everything we needed.

Very impressed with this bbq joint! I had the baby back ribs…read moreand they were delicious, so good! Their house sweet barbecue sauce was great as well! My wife and grown daughter had meals off the junior options and had plenty as well! Very good sized portions I had fries and beans left over just because there was so much food. The service was great, the lady that waited on us was very nice and had a good sense of humor. Very attentive as well! And the price? Really affordable for what we got! Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

Their brisket sandwich is to die for!! That is the Saturday special. Tender and juicy- I have never…read morehad brisket melt in my mouth before. Wow! We also got the pulled pork sandwich which was very good, and we came back again a few days later for pork steaks which were tender and delicious as well! Very affordable ($3.75-6.00 for a meal!!), and the owners are very friendly and attentive. The selection is limited, but what they have is cooked to perfection! I wish we could have been there for the Friday night rib special, I bet they would be the best ribs I've ever had!

There's no reason to eat anywhere else in Salem. The family that owns/operates it is super friendly…read moreand the food is top notch! Don't expect anything fancy, just like casual eating at a friend's house.