Generous portions, kind service, delicious sides, and fun ambiance. We split a bbq sandwich platter and it was enough for 2 people!

This place is a loosing crap shoot every time I go. I bought 2 platters Tuesday evening from Poncho. 1 brisket, 1 St. Louis ribs. Brisket was fatty and chewy... but eatable. Ribs were like old and dry and no meat... and just horrible. Uneatable. I should have taken pictures... Sides on both were mash and green beans. Mash was fine... difficult to mess those up. But beans were weirdly dried up... several as hard as a stick. Center cut corn bread was good. I've found its disappointing 90% of the time. Sad, because its close and I love BBQ. read more

First, I want to say I already had low expectations for the bbq as a southerner. This is my first time having bbq in the northeast, and I was excited to try this place after seeing the positive reviews online. I got a barbecue duo platter with brisket, ribs, mac and cheese and baked beans. If I was reviewing this place just based on the meat, I'd probably give it 3/5 stars. Was it the best thing I've ever ate? No. However, it was edible although it would probably not scratch your itch if you're looking for some good barbecue. Now, onto the sides. I actually quite enjoyed the Mac and cheese, although it was a bit on the runnier side and did not have the crispy cheese bits. If you do not like your mac and cheese with a runnier consistency, you probably will not enjoy it. The baked beans WERE THE WORST SIDES I HAVE EVER HAD AT A RESTAURANT. It was bitter, sour, and had a strange consistency- I could only take two bites. I truly believe that they served me spoiled beans and, for my stomach's sake, I could not eat it. I have had baked beans in a variety of other establishments and this has truly been the worst and (possibly) a health risk. read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Barbecue Duo Platter (Choose 2 Meats ) - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

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LMAO come here to leave a review after eating at this place almost 20 years and of coarse a string of 1-2 star reviews the last 3 months. WHAT THE F happened to this place??? Ordered the pulled chicken platter which i've ordered hundreds of times in my life. But not for a year. Well, corn bread is in 1/2 the meat portion so of coarse they only have to fill 1/2 the slot. Paid $21 something for 6 oz of pulled chicken and some mashed potatoes. OH, a teaspoon of sauce on top and zero extra sauces in the bag. Yeah for $20 you guys just lost a 20 year customer. For $16 i get an 8oz BBQ chicken breast at Texas Roadhouse with 2 sides and a bag of rolls. What are we even doing here now? read more

Let me start by saying we have been going to BR for over 20 years. This by far is the worst barbecue we have had, ever. BR is typically either good or just ok. We had stuck with them through much inconsistency. Today was the end for us. My wife ordered a duo and trio both of which came with brisket. A Father's Day treat for me. The brisket was grey, rubbery and inedible. Called the store to notify them of our experience and was told that they would simply give us new brisket. I told them that I did not want the same food and would prefer a credit. They told me that to provide a credit back to the credit card would be difficult and would simply give me a food credit for order. Would have expected one or both platters to be fully refunded. Especially after paying $60 for 2 platters plus 10% tip for pickup. Disappointing!!! We will not be ordering from there again! read more

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Food wasn't bad. Taste better than a few other places I've ate at in the last few months

I dont know were to start with this place... I went in last Friday and ordered some food with my nephew the food wasn't great but also not terrible. But then I think something was up with the food cause my nephew threw up 3 different times and was very sick for the majority of the week. Overall it was very mediocre and not something I would do again. read more

Everything was sooo over-cooked. The MEAT so very dry, tasteless even. How did this place ever receive such wide notice? Oh, the so-called key lime pie. Have no fears, no limes were lost in creating this. (Our order was prepared in the time they stated.. The packaging multitudinous.) read more

Got full rack of ribs and it was lean so it was on the dry side. Make sure you get some extra dipping sauce to make it moist. Flavor and smoke was nice butter options other bbq places. read more

So much delicious flavorful food!!! Huge portions and genuinely the best bbq around. Super friendly staff and great with allergies. We did takeout so can't speak to ambiance but highly recommend read more

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I've been a customer for years at the West Newton location and I understand that there'll be hit or miss days but today I paid $26 dollars for a pint of dry, cut up pieces of brisket that I had to stop eating after i struggled to chew and swallow a second piece. Maybe folks have money to burn but I don't. And after this experience - which felt like the last bits of an old brisket were stuffed into a container - I will be going someplace else from now on. I hear WONDER has good brisket. The only upside today: I think my dog might eat it if I add water. read more

My family and I got catering from here for a summer party of 15. The food was OK - some options better than others. They did a good job at preparing it at a timely manner and keeping the food hot, but the taste itself was nothing to write home about. The meat was decent - my favorite were the ribs which were just alright. We got sides of salad, beans & rice, cornbread, and macaroni & cheese. The sides were actually pretty good and I'd eat them again. Overall, not a bad option if you're in the Newton area, but there are definitely much better BBQ options in the city. read more

I recommend their ice tea and lemonade. However the corn bread can get soggy if you order takeaway. Yummy food though

Delicious! Ribs are tender and juicy! Corn bread is fresh and tasty! You can't go wrong with Blue Ribbon BBQ.

As a southerner, I'm particular about BBQ, and I am pleased to say that I'll be back to Blue Ribbon. When we walked in, I saw the tea and lemonade dispensers (good sign and free refills!), and the sauce dispensers (another good sign). I ordered the sliced brisket platter with mashed potatoes and dirty rice & gravy. It also came with cornbread. The brisket was VERY tender and while it had a decent amount of fat on it, it was only on the edges and was really good overall. The dirty rice with gravy was solid, and I wouldn't knock the mashed potatoes either. Is the sweet tea really sweet tea? No, but remember we're in Massachusetts. The portion sizes were more generous than other BBQ places in the area, and all things considered, I would be happy to come back here again. read more

If you are a minority or person of color avoid this place at all costs! Waited in line while the overweight gentleman chatted up two men with pure camaraderie but when my husband approaches the counter and greeted said gentleman his response was soooo dry. My husband expressed it was our first time and then asked what did he recommend and he says the best seller is the pulled pork sandwich, no eye contact, his tone suggested he didnt care to talk, just order and go. Now I interject and start asking about other dishes hoping to elicit more convo, nada! Not only did we not feel welcomed, the owner, manager whomever he is didn't make us want to buy anything either, we wound up just walking out without ordering anything. From the looks of the reviews we didn't miss anything either! read more

The food itself was good. The delivery... that's a different story. Somewhere between the driver picking up the order and the person who handed there were a few things missing: a bag to hold the containors of food, the utensils to eat the food, napkins, and the sweet sauce that was asked for. When the food arrived at my house, it was very greasy- on the outside of the containor, which the driver complained to us about. Very disappointed. read more

Absolutely delicious, no flaws at all, I got the Triple Play sliders, with mac and dirty rice. No food has any business being this good. Recommended putting the spicy bbq sauce over all of it. 10/10 would get again. read more

We ordered from here because , they had a special buy something get something free . We actually got it delivered it was terrible. The only thing good was the corn bread . The price was the reason we ordered . The portion size was good . read more

Second time eating here, same experience as 10+ yr ago. BBQ is just ok. Not compelling. The sauce is also ok. Serving sizes are good. If I went again I would bring more flavorful bbq sauce read more

I think this is the best BBQ in New England. The burnt ends are amazing, the pulled pork is moist and flavorful, the sides are great (especially the squash, when they have it). And capping off the meal is their delicious key lime pie. Awesome !! read more

Website said not taking orders so figured system was down. So called instead to order and was on hold with music and announcements for 20 minutes. So decided to hop in car because 7 minutes away. When I get there at 6.45 pm (they close at 8) was told not taking any more orders. When I suggested that they ought to have changed their answering message or just turn it off, they just said "sorry". Not a great way to treat regular customers. read more

I've eaten at Blue Ribbon for years and think their food is fantastic. So I placed a catering order through their catering website on a Thursday for a 10 person Sunday evening dinner. They cancelled the order on Sunday evening one hour before delivery. It was a mad scramble to figure out how to get food delivered for our little event. It felt very unprofessional and I wouldn't recommend catering with them for this reason. read more

The charred corn pinto bean succotash is so hearty! Which is also a sentence I'll write only once in my lifetime. Fan of Blue Ribbon Arlington and the West Newton outpost does the brand justice: a heavy handful of burnt ends on a pillowy (yet stable) deli roll, with my choice of their scintillating sauces to splash on pretty much everything. If you trust me, and you should, there isn't a meat or side that wouldn't level up from a splash of their Carolina sauce (ACV, pepper flakes and a bit of sweetener). Lunches here will cure what ails you for under $15. Strong recommend. read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Burnt ends sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

This place is a classic and I have been coming here for more than 20 Years and it never disappoints. What most people may not know, is that the word Barbecue, came from the original "barbacoa" and the origins of this type of cooking came from the Caribbean by local indigenous people or "Taino " who cooked meat over wood fire. When I walk into this place, it just brings me back home to my native Venezuela, but also to the South that is now famous for it's BBQ, aroma and flavors. You get all of it, as soon as you walk into the door! The windows are usually misty with all the heat from the kitchen, especially during Winter, when I visited it last time. The place just never stops and while this is mostly a takeout place, they do have diner style seating for about 10+ people, where most people, like me, just cannot wait to eat and take it home (which is why I forgot to take pictures of the food). I usually order the burnt ends and choose between 7-8 different selections of BBQ Sauce that they have and sell as well, including all the cool merchandise celebrating this place. In the past, I have ordered the baby back ribs and they are always falling off the bone and melting in your mouth. Around the sauces, you can have tangy, sweet, spicy and many other combinations. If you order the plates, like I do, you can order two sides like slaw, baked beans (my favorite), mashed potatoes, rice and beans and it always come with the traditional corn bread. I am usually coming from the Boston Area to Metrowest, where I live. You can get off the MassPike and be at this place in less than a minute and get one the pike or other highways, just as quickly. This is the main reason why every time I have a craving for BBQ and driving home, this is the spot that I go to. You will not be disappointed, try this place out! Cheers! read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Entrance - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

We had a fantastic experience here! Blue Ribbon has some great BBQ and even better hot sauce! We split the Duo Combo which consisted of: 1.) 1/4 Jerk Chicken (5 stars) 2.) Pulled Chicken (4 stars) 3.) Collard Greens (4 stars) 4.) Mashed Potatoes (5 stars) 5.) Corn Bread (4 stars) The total bill was $17.11 and it was so worth it! The Duo Combo was definitely enough for two people. We left feeling very full with happy bellies. I would say my favorite chicken was the jerk chicken. It was seasoned beautifully and came sauced with the Blue Ribbon Gold Medal hot sauce. My favorite side was hands down the creamy mashed potatoes. You can't beat those mashed potatoes. You just can't. I wish I had some right now! We will definitely be back for more! read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

The brisket was appallingly not to standards. Somebody got lazy I guess.. We ordered a double platter of brisket and we received 3 little lean pieces and a whole chunk of fatty matter. It literally ruined our mood for the night! So unexpected as these guys are usually the best around. The collards were also not as good as last time. Will give them another chance but they better serve something good next time, or that's it from me. read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Fat they served as "brisket" - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

This place was an impulse however it wasn't a bad decision I got the brisket and greens and dirty rice and corn bread it was very filling and I have left for home my co worker got the trio and she gives it a 3.5 out of 5 due to the sauce leaked all over however the mashed potatoes were delicious and the dirty rice could use a spice kick and there were no wet napkins. And it should have been due to its BBQ! And extra napkins would have been appreciated however, we are going to try this place again however mac & cheese would be a great addition to the menu. read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Brisket - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

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Was at an event catered by Blue Ribbon. The food was tasty but not five star. I have patronized the Newton location over a period of years although not for a while so I was looking forward to this. Everything was good but not great. Would I eat this again definitely but something was missing. Perhaps in the catering situation it was not as hot as it should have been. read more

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Decent but a bit on the dry side. My favorites were the ribs and cornbread. I think it might've been because I ordered the last hour before closing. read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Ribs, beef brisket, and pulled pork (collard greens and beans) - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

Was driving by and decided to grab a couple ribs. Order 2 ribs.... 3.00 each. Both dry and not much meat. Never asked if eating there or to go. She put 2 ribs in cardboard tray, tin foil, then wrapped in paper wrap and put in bag with barbecue sauce. I said eating there. A lot of green environmental waste. read more

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I just stopped in here quickly to grab something on my way home thinking this is gonna be absolutely delicious. Well I was wrong. I got a brisket sandwich that had absolutely zero flavor. It tasted like the brisket was boiled not barbecued. I'm so disappointed that I spent $20 on a brisket sandwich That tasted like absolutely nothing and tons of fat. Also, when I walked into the store, there were four employees and not one of them picked their head up to even say hello. I had to say hi I'd like to place an order please every employee was sitting on their phone. Very disappointed hopefully the owner reaches back. I would love to have a different experience. read more

Food was awesome, looking forward to them having the tables setup outside. I had my family with me, we bought two platters and it was more food than 4 of us could eat. Will definitely go back. read more

Disgusting! I ordered beef brisket and burnt ends. I got this slop! Made me sick just to look at it. Worst bbq ever. read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

Staple BBQ place the Boston area. Really want this place to be good. Unfortunately it feels like it on auto pilot, no one caring for the food. Corn bread dry/ ordinary - sun pat- non one looking at the food Chicken on bone- dry, not exciting Brisket- ok, I'm mean it's brisket. Again not cared for, Sausage - house made but very amateur. Grind was corse, sausage casting irregularly filled. Signs of no one in charge. Collards- very good Coleslaw- served warmish. Not crisp and cold- uninspired. Cashier sat down most of the time, and his engagement and his presentation matched the food. read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Cashier and his craft. - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

Tender brisket, pork ribs are tender and meaty often need their sauce to be as juicy as I like. Great for local BBQ.

Smells better than it tastes - had some of the basic ribs. They weren't exactly fall-off-the-bone ribs that you expect from a rib place. The gold sauce was okay - could pack a bit more heat and more complexity. Same can be said for the dirty rice - more complexity in flavor profile would definitely have helped the taste. read more

Continuing on my search for good BBQ in Boston, Blue Ribbon has been the best so far! We ordered (group of 4) 1 pint of brisket, 1 pint of hot links, 1 pint of pulled pork, and 1/3 slab of ribs. For sides, we ordered cole slaw, baked beans, collard greens, and dirty rice. It was the perfect amount for 4 hungry people and was great. The meats were delicious, as were the sides. The brisket was soft and flavorful, pulled pork deliciously vinegary. Ribs and hot links were very good as well, but less of a standout to me personally (may also be more of personal preference than a comment on the restaurant). The meats also come with a choice of bbq sauce on the side, and they came with small bottles - I was expecting just a small condiment container! Super cute and great value. I will definitely return as the food was delicious! read more

Blue Ribbon BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - West Newton, Massachusetts

Ribs were very dry and had no flavor. The Jerk chicken was also dry and overdone...and certainly does NOT meet the standard to be called jerk chicken. In addition, the Texas hot sausage is NOT hot/spicy at all. The best thing in my order was the collard greens. This is NOT good BBQ by any means and certainly nowhere close to blue-ribbon anything! NOT recommended. read more

We used Blue Ribbon catering for a 60-person event this weekend. I really have no words except to say OMG!!! The service from the first call to the timely delivery of hot, fresh food, right through the eating of EVERY LAST BITE we were not disappointed. More than generous amounts of food, and expert guidance in what to order and what not to order. The burnt ends were moist and tender. Blue Ribbon provided generous amounts of extra sauce to your liking which put everything over the top. We're from CT but will definitely visit Blue Ribbon when we're in the area. read more