I blow hot and cold on Bluegrass, but mostly cold. First, the pros: the service is friendly and helpful. (They couldn't seat the group I was with together, but that's our bust: none of us thought to call ahead and make a reservation -- on a Saturday night. Like Susan Calvin in I, Robot, we're the dumbest smart people you've ever met.) The decor is trying really hard to be fun (like buckets instead of sinks in the loo). And most of the group I was with was really enthusiastic about the food. There's an accessible loo on the ground floor for those who can't handle the stairs. Now, the cons. I'm diabetic. Now, the problem with being diabetic is that, when you say 'I can't eat that. It's bad for me.' about something laced with sugar or otherwise high in carbohydrates, most people who aren't diabetic (and some who are) will reply with 'a little bit won't hurt.' There are a couple of problems with that attitude: first, when you're hungry, you don't *want* 'a little bit', you want *food*. Second, if you have 'a little bit' every time you go anywhere, then you're going to 'little bit' yourself into an early grave. Bluegrass seems to be based on the premise that American food is all about three things: slow cooking over a smoky fire, lots of spice, and lots of sugar. Now, my dietician keeps reminding me that the combination of fats, carbs, and salt is addictive. And, for me, it's toxic. This is the kind of place that I would have liked to eat when I was a little kid and hated vegetables, because there are basically no vegetables on the menu. (No, buddy, potatoes don't count as a vegetable. Nor, sadly, does corn. When I was a kid, it was the only 'vegetable' that I liked. It turns out that, nutritionally, it's just carbs. Onions and pickles count as vegetables, but not after you batter them and deep fry them. Bean are vegetables, too, if you don't lace them with sugar.) So the first time I was brought here, a few years ago, after looking vainly through the menu for something safe for me to eat, I walked out and went somewhere else. It's not like I didn't like the group I was with then, but the company isn't worth my health. This time, I thought I had found something at least semi-healthy, because the Tennessee fried chicken wrap has lettuce and tomato in it. I should have known that the lettuce and tomato were more garnishes than ingredients. What I didn't expect was for the coleslaw to be laced with pepper. That made it inedible for my sweetie, but she wasn't missing much, because I don't recall eating nastier coleslaw in my life. The wrap wasn't great either. I suspect that the problem was the maple mayo, because the other ingredients were all things that I eat fairly often. My sweetie was having other problems, too. She thought that the chicken and waffle would be safe, but the breading was practically black with peppercorns. (Fortunately, she was able to peel the breading off, and the capsicum apparently hadn't made its way into the chicken.) The waffle was partially black because it was burned. I have had worse meals, but not for a long time. Never again. read more

Having asked for recommendations for a non-chain lunch option in High Wycombe, the Bluegrass was a popular suggestion. We came here for a pre-football match meal, which meant we were right on the margins for the breakfast or lunch menu. As I had arrived first, I checked how firm the 1145 cut off was - it was pretty firm! My friends were due to arrive bang on 1145, so I took pictures of the menu and sent them to their phones so they could choose before they arrived. Job done. I placed the order for a Smokehouse plate, sausage bun, Baconana pancake and cheese and bacon pancakes, with coffee or tea to go with them. It was a little odd to be asked to pay in advance, as if it was a fast food restaurant, but I settled up and waited for my friends and the food to arrive. After my friends had settled in, we didn't have too long to wait before the dishes were brought to us. The Smokehouse plate was a gigantic fried breakfast dish, with baked eggs as a side. The two pancake dishes were 3 stacks and very filling, while the sausage bun was a smaller serving. All were well received and polished off in no time at all. The service was very good, well timed, understated and unfussy. We left a good tip. It's a well priced place, not cheap but not too pricey either. A nice chilled and confident ambience. A good choice all round. read more

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I think I expected a lot from Bluegrass BBQ. I'd heard excited whispers about a new American grill in town that was going down a storm and was really interested to give it a shot. In Wycombe, a lot of new restaurants have popped up and then disappeared before they could find their feet. I hope Bluegrass can stick it out. The design of the place and its interiors are really great, a mix of bare wood, flashes of neon and twangs of Americana detail. It felt authentic and friendly: the staff were smiley, you get a wooden spoon table marker, decide what you want and order at the counter. There are all the grill house favourites: ribs, burgers, meat left right and centre. We got beef brisket with burnt bits and pulled pork, both with seasoned fries and coleslaw and it came out super quickly, too quickly somehow, maybe four minutes after ordering. The pulled pork was tender and really tasty however the beef was drier and overly salted with the onion rings really crisp but a little oily. I was excited about the special American sauces on the table but all were weirdly thin and watery, even the standard ketchup. By the end I was a little bored of the food, not a good sign for an American diner. The meat was nice and the chips were satisfying but the meat was crying out for a burger or bun, otherwise it's just two invariable mounds on a tray. Burgers and rolls were on the menu and I'll definitely get one if I'm back. That being said, we only got two dishes from the extensive menu and I'm intrigued to try more. The selection of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is legendary, with a trunk-load of imported American sodas and beers. The Key Lime pie was delicious and I'm hoping in future there'll be shakes, half the experience for an American diner in my opinion. I'm excited to go back soon and can't wait to be given the chance to stick a few more stars on to this review! read more

Bluegrass - Beef brisket with burnt ends, chips and 'slaw. - American Near Me - High Wycombe, BKM

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Where to begin, upon arrival we were told to take a seat upstairs as downstairs was busy, so we did, only to be told moments later we were told we'd have to go back downstairs to order as they were very busy!! Well being a Londoner and having eaten in some very busy restaurants over the years I never seen one not really full but tell me they are really busy‍ Anyway as we were hungry we went back downstairs ordered and were told it could be a 15-20 min wait for our food... Well the restaurant is decked out in a bright and breezy manner. Lots of framed picture telling you about Jack Daniels bbq sauces, but none on the actual menu? When the food did arrive it was ok the portion size was ok and did hit the spot. Having been to similar themes based restaurants there are better out there but not in the area I guess. read more

Good food, quick service, great sauce selection and very reasonable prices. Came with a friend, had a the burger which was absolutely delicious, my friend ordered a jacket potato which did not disappoint. Only thing to say is that there is not much selection for vegetarians. read more

Booked the secret room for birthday.... took my number...... day of birthday, shocker! When we turned up they said they had double booked the room, they offered to push two tables together right in the busiest party of the restaurant. Didn't even tell us when we arrived there was a problem until we mentioned the room with the booking. No call or text to say they had made a mistake beforehand , no real apology or empathy shown..... read more

This place used to be so much better. First started coming here three years or so ago and it was truly fantastic. A real dedication to quality, and great theming. Sinks in toilets were metal buckets and the soap dispensers were oil cans. Really great. These days, it seems like they just don't care anymore. The brisket was reheated and just brown all over with none of the 'pink ring of truth' a good smoked meat should have and should I mention the toilets? They were disgusting. They are above the kitchen and really dirty and overflowing. Picture uploaded. I hope they take the time and effort to call a Plumber. It really wouldn't hurt. read more

Bluegrass - They can't be bothered to call a plumber. Low standards at Bluegrass. - American Near Me - High Wycombe, BKM

Wow, this is the place I have been searching for! The people running this place really know their stuff! I made a special trip to visit this place as the name contains my two favourite words - Bluegrass and BBQ! I love a little Bluegrass, being a Southern Redneck and all, this place called out to me and I wasn't dissapointed. I have visited a few 'American diner' themed places and so far none have really impressed, this place although not a diner but a smoke house is simply brilliant. I'd go as far to say that this is the closest you are going to get without the journey into the Southern States of the USA. The decour is traditional smoke house style, lots of wood beams and boothed tables, there is Americana throughout and made me feel very nostalgic about back home. Food wise, everything that passed us looked pretty nice, I appreciate the other reviewers comment as this being piles of meat, well thats how we southern folk roll! I had the 'Ultimate Pit Boss Burger' which was a Beef patty topped with pulled pork, Brisket, cheese, bacon an onion ring a slice of tomato and some lettuce, all housed in a Brioche bun and served with a side of slaw. Priced at 12.95 this seemed good value for all that you get. Coupled with a side of 'Bluegrass fries' (essentially regular seasoned skins on fries) priced at £1.95. This is a close to perfection as I have found for burger here in the UK, cooked to my liking (Medium) it was succulent and full of flavour. The fries were, well they were fries, not a lot you can say about fries other than they were hot and crisp and as fries should be. I don't care much for slaw however but my pal said it was good. For dessert I had Key Lime Pie priced at 4.95 - truly divine! The place was busy but not crammed and its great for families, kids menu available on request. Drinks wise this place has quite a choice. Budwiser on Draught at £3.75 a pint but impressively also available is a selection of craft beers, I tried a pint of Dixi £3.95 and wasn't dissapointed. Also availble in the craft selection was Goose Island, Brooklyn, Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. They also stock Rekorderlig Cider and a selection of wines. Of course they have a good selection of Whiskey and Bourbons too afterall, what southern smoke house wouldnt? They carry the usual arsenal of soft drinks but coompliment it with some imported stuff too such as Root Beer, Jelly Belly Cherry Cola and Arizona Iced Tea. I was really happy to find this place and its by far the best US Dining experience I've had outside the USA. Its true they could benefit from offering milkshakes too but overall they are doing a great job. And I will defintely be going back! read more

The food isn't terrible but I don't think it's brilliant either. The service is friendly but quite slow.. The chips don't taste very nice and are also incredibly salty. There also no (none) veggie options which can make it difficult if you want to bring a group. read more

My ribs and chicken were cooked to perfection and the service was fairly speedy. The staff were friendly and were open to giving their opinion on certain foods. The restaurant was clean tidy and had a jolly barbecue atmosphere to it which I liked. read more

Probably the only decent American grill in High Wycombe. A restaurant like this could easily be located in the trendy parts of London, but we are lucky to have it in our humble town! The menu isn't massive, but there is a good choice between the grills which are the draw of the restaurant. Operating a 'order at the bar' policy, where drinks are poured on the spot and food delivered very quickly, it's an ideal place for a quick dinner. For the vegetarian Wife there was only one choice, Mac n' Cheese, which looked great, but not much choice if you don't eat meat! The deserts, again limited, were extremely tasty and pretty large. We got ours to go and ate them at home. An exhaustive drinks menu includes everything you would expect and those you wouldn't (Jelly Bean Drinks!). Will definitely go again, big fan of the ribs!! read more

Had a small wobbly table, staff didn't have answers to simple questions. Was waiting to order food behind a group of guys to find they were just chilling in that area. A LOT of potential just needs a few improvements. My wife had the burger which was great. My ribs however where terrible, small, dry, flavourless. Would think twice before I returned. Hope by the time I return its improved. read more