As a certified BBQ judge, I take my barbecue seriously--and I always focus on how well the meat is cooked. While seasoning preferences vary across regions, properly cooked meat is a universal standard. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner and (I believe) his mother--both incredibly kind and welcoming. Their hospitality alone makes this place worth visiting. I ordered the two-meat plate: ribs and brisket. The ribs, which the owner proudly recommended, were excellent. They had a perfect tender pull without falling off the bone--just how properly cooked ribs should be. The flavor was solid, though I would have preferred to try them without the sauce, which was poured over the top. The brisket, unfortunately, was a bit tough. The flavor was decent, but the texture missed the mark, especially since brisket is a personal favorite of mine. Overall, the ribs were a standout, and the warm, family-run vibe made the experience memorable. I'll definitely be back--if not just for the ribs, then for the people. read more

Okay so let me be clear that this isn't the kind of place You're going to rush into and really quickly get your food and get out. That's not how this works. They take time they're chatting with you they're having a conversation. There's a little elderly lady who is going to tell you all about her day. When you finally do get your food this is going to be the best barbecue you've ever had in your life. They literally have the smoker right out front you can smell it coming down the block. This is a slow burn building up to the crescendo that is excellent barbecue food so I want to hear nobody complaining about how long it took to get their food perfection takes time That being said the brisket was amazing I'm going to try the chicken next time I go in. The potato salad was great. The cornbread was great. The sweet potato pie was great. The mac and cheese was great. The only thing that wasn't a 10 and instead was like a 9.2 was the collard greens. They just need a little bit more seasoning. But everything else, best barbecue ever! read more

I really wanted to like this Hilltop icon. It wasn't very good. Nothing bad, just wasn't compelling, like the beans were from Bush. The meat was fine, but I've had lots better around the area. Just seemed low effort and I'm not planning on going back. The staff and people in were very friendly and interesting but the food is lacking. read more

Our first time here. Food is on point! Legit Soul Fool! *Keep in mind this may not be considered Texas/Kansas style BBQ, this is honest to God Soul Food!* The mac & cheese and greens do not disappoint. Service is great, lovely little family-owned/run shop. Ambiance is typical of an eatery, small dining area with about 6 dual-seat tables. It would be difficult to feed a family of more than 4 people, however, they specialize in take out anyway. read more

Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit - 3-meat dinner with 2 sides (M&C, Greens) - Barbeque Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

We loved everything about Bob's. The food, the atmosphere and especially the people. It's a family operation spanning three generations. We met the daughter of the original owner--Miss K, she was welcoming and charming. A true Queen. The service was excellent. We were disappointed that the ribs were sold out at 2:30, but that was a good sign. We had the brisket plate and pulled pork sandwich with Mac & Cheese and collard greens. It was all good. If you want an authentic BBQ experience, go to Bob's. It reminds me of some of the pit stops in the South. It was Real Good. We'll be back. read more

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Oldest Bar-B-Q restaurant in WA! Not only are the owners amazing community members with sweet souls, the food is full of flavor while remaining economical. read more

Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit - Barbeque Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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Food was amazing been too long since I have been there.. Need to make the trip over to Tacoma..SOON..

Very good food. Very bad service. Not the owners fault the waitstaff couldn't give a rip!

This place is the real deal. Not fancy. Not new. Just making great food in a place with an authenticity that runs so deep it can't be faked.

Love the history and vibe of a true hole in the wall food joint in Hilltop. Food was good. I got the rib tips, chicken, Mac n cheese, greens, potato salad and beans. The Mac n cheese was very good. The greens were good but better with hot sauce. The chicken was definitely dry and over cooked, however the smoky bbq charbroil taste was the best part so I enjoyed it. Hot bbq sauce was yum. Loved the cornbread. I could do without the rib tips. I will come back. read more

This is a fantastic, family-owned, local business that has graced our Hilltop neighborhood for decades. Anybody who has driven along S. 11th on Weekends has certainly gotten a whiff of the smoky goodness that comes out of this tiny, unassuming place. My dining partner and I have been recently getting weekly take-out to explore local places (and he's not yet ready to eat indoors) and find new favorites. I'm so happy we tried Bob's. We were greeted in such a friendly way by the matriarch and steady rock of the place. Our pick up order was ready in a few minutes and the spicy BBQ sauce is our favorite sauce we've ever had. My DP is a big meat eater and really enjoyed the meat sampler he ordered. I think the ribs were his favorite. There were lots of 'nummy' sounds coming from his side of the table. I loved the sides. We ordered the creamy mac-n-cheese, zesty baked beans with just enough spice and little vinegary zing, creamy coleslaw and collard greens that my DP said were the best he's ever had! We also had corn muffins and they were moist and fantastic. We will definitely be back!S read more

Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit - Sides plate! Corn muffin, collards, Cole slaw, baked beens and creamy Mac-n-cheese! - Barbeque Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Excellent service and food. Very welcoming atmosphere. Good size portions. Entire family loved the food.

If you're looking for the most delicious BBQ and sides check out Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit! We ordered a bbq pork sandwich (delicious!!) and "The Real Deal" which was ribs (but they ran out so we got rib tips instead) two sides and cornbread. The meat was so tender, nicely smoked flavor that was not overpowering, drizzled with a tangy bbq sauce. The sides we chose were Mac and cheese and greens. Both tasted amazing! Cornbread was also very good! We had a nice chat with the owner Jonathan who was so friendly and hospitable! What a great family business that we will definitely support again and again. They're incredible chefs and you will not be disappointed with the fantastic food they serve! read more

native Texan looking for connections to my Texas roots which includes smoked BBQ Texas style. i sat with Kay and talked about growing up in Texas and learning hardcore BBQ'ing from my dad! She and her family were a delight to chat with and I'm highly impressed with the food I'll be bringing family and friends here to chow Tim from Texas read more

They've been around forever and staff was very friendly. The food was iffy. My link was undercooked and the Mac and cheese was watery so I didn't finish it. read more

my experience with Texas BBQ is very central texas/ hill country, so to me, this is a different take on Texas BBQ. Very Saucy. Some days you can find these folks out at the smoker turning meat and mopping it with sauce. This is a family run little dive. Folks were happy to help me navigate the menu and make a choice. There's not a whole lot of space to eat inside, and there are a couple seats outside on nice days. I wouldn't depend on eating there. Food automatically comes in a to-go container. read more

If you're looking for quality bbq, look no further. This is a family owned joint. It's small but delicious- I loved the rib tips!

On the strength of my Mom telling me about a BBQ joint in Tacoma, she saw on the news and had been in business for 70 years, I decided to check them out. I ordered a slab of ribs and a two meat plate for my Mom. The slab of ribs were chewy to tough, partially burnt and not truly BBQ'd. The medium flavored sauce was good. The dinner platter came with chicken, two cut up wieners disguised as hot links. The hot links tasted like hot dogs and the chicken was old tasting and dry again and partially burnt. The potato salad looked runny and could pass for banana pudding in appearance. My Mom said the greens & baked beans were good. I agreed the baked beans were good. I wish them the best and hope they one day get back to low slow cooking because hot n fast bar-b-que is just grilling and thats what I got served some sub par grilled meats. Overall I can not recommend this place as a BBQ establishment and they will not receiving anymore of my money. $90 including the tip I should've kept! read more

Roger was a great host during our first visit to Bob's BBQ Pit. The pulled pork was AMAZING! The brisket was AMAZING! The potato salad and coleslaw were AMAZING! My only issue... it took me so long to find this place . When you crave BBQ in Tacoma, you are craving Bob's BBQ Pit. read more

Such a great find - we love local family-owned businesses, and this was an amazing addition to our list that we experienced for the first time today! The ribs were fantastic - the perfect blend of tender, fall-off-the-bone quality with smokiness paired with a mild BBQ sauce (I recommend the medium or hot but was cautious due to our kiddos as this was our first visit). Our other favorites included the rib tips, coleslaw, and baked beans. OMG. I could have eaten a vat of those baked beans. My older son loved the pulled pork "samich," corn bread, and the Mac 'n cheese. We are looking forward to having all of the above plus want to try the chicken and the brisket next time around. Yum!!! read more

Just go there! Fantastic food and a great atmosphere. Loved the burnt ends and mac and cheese. We spent most of our time talking with Bob's daughter, Mrs. Clark, who sits at the front of the restaurant greeting the customers, most of whom she knows by name. The history of how Bob's BBQ Pit came to be and the continued family tradition was fascinating. Tacoma is lucky to have them. We will back often. read more

The BBQ was awesome, I tried it for lunch and purchased the spicy BBQ and it was off the hook good! I'll be back for some more good cooking BBQ! Yes I will! read more

This place was good. Met the owner, great personality. This has been open Since 1948. Food was good good Smokey taste. Had a blast. Love to see a Small family Business stay in the community. read more

Tried this place for the first time yesterday and it was hands down the best bbq place I've ever been. I will be going here from now on every time I'm craving bbq :) read more

Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit - Chicken dinner plate - Barbeque Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I had my first real Louisiana Bar-B-Que somewhere near a Greyhound Station back in the 70's...on a Bus Trip through the South on Army Leave...and this is that good. They say it's Texas BBQ, and I guess they know...but what I know is it's the best I've ever had. Just the right 'hot' in the hot (if you like stuff macho-hot, you gotta ask)...just the right spices. I had the Lunch special, beef sandwich...piled high, had to eat it with a fork. Wife had the Lunch Chicken...best she ever had, too. Place is about 75 years old and shows it....I knew to stop 'cause I spent part of my wasted youth in the South...and down there they just get to the cookin' and leave the foo-foo and the paint for another time. If you are white collar, hipster, or just plain stupid, please don't bother these folks...go for the food or don't go at all. I would drive 100 miles to eat here, and probably will. read more

The sonic samich was so good. Full of sauce and flavor! The Mac n cheese was the best seasoned we've had in the PNW. The greens were also superb. The seating is homey and comfortable. The staff are so nice and the owner was telling us stories of the neighborhood. 10/10 read more

Great food, great service. I had the ribs, my partner had a combo plate. Everything was delicious, the greens were particularly good. Can't wait to go back, next time I'll save room for the sweet potato pie! read more

One of the best BBQ ribs I've had in Washington. Service is great as well. Small family owned business for sure.

Absolutely stellar, coming from a Mississippian! We had pulled pork, ribs, chicken, baked beans, Mac n cheese, peach cobbler, corn bread, and sweet tea. Everything was OUTSTANDING! All the meats were tender and super flavorful. The sauce was vinegar based but not too runny (and they have varying heat options in case you like it mild or spicy). Sides were fabulous! Sweet tea is the best I've had in nearly a decade. Peach cobbler was perfect hot or cold. I mean just stop reading this and go eat there. And speak to Miss Kay if she's at her table by the front. She is amazing and has a lot of the history of the restaurant to share if you're curious! read more

Sooo, I heard of this BBQ place from my daughter, I'm from the Chi and the bar is set high for BBQ, so with that being said. "You're not home Dorothy" Anyway it's ok. Not the best but not the worst ‍ the portions for the price could be a lot better read more

This place is a trip. A time and location warp. This place would look the same in a southern TX town in the 1960s. They prioritize great BBQ and service, nothing else. I spoke with the owner and his mom for awhile, they preside over the oldest BBQ joint in the state. We ordered half the menu, all of it was awesome. I will be back. read more

What a serendipitous great lunch if bbq! I've driven by here 100x and today the smell of bbq got the best of me. The welcome in from the owner was warm, the counter service happy, polite, genuine and the food being prepared behind the counter smelled delicious and was delicious. I ordered a 'rib samich' and bery lemonade. I received a healthy portion (and super delicious) of bone-in ribs with their in-house sauce. I asked and they make everything in-house. They have informal seating for 15-20 and are prepared for table service or take out. I must say the love and overwhelming 'family quality' restores faith in the family business. I will be back and will tell all who can hear about this wonderful experience. read more

My fiancé is born and raised Tacoma; the Hilltop specifically. He brought me here tonight and oh my goodness this food is good!! I'm from the south and I haven't had southern style REAL BBQ since I moved here until now!!!! This food was delicious and the service was terrific!! We got The Real Deal. Slab of ribs, Mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, berry lemonade and sweet tea. I judge bbq my overall look, taste, tenderness and would I enjoy it with or without bbq sauce. Oh it passed my test with flying colors. I cannot wait until Mr Jordan brings me back here!! Bravo Bobs BBQ....Absolutely BRAVO!! read more

When you walk into Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit, you might feel like you are walking into someone's living room on the way to the backyard for a cookout. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. The food is just what we had hoped for. We ordered the rib tips, a pound of ribs, 1/4 chicken, and sides of collard greens and coleslaw. We got the sauce mild and it still had a kick. I can only imagine what spicy tastes like! Next time we're in the neighborhood, we'll be back for burnt ends (new to the menu!) and we will definitely save room for dessert! read more

Food really good, wait was pretty long, but overall worth it staff was amazing and super helpful! 100% would come back next time I am in Tacoma read more

The ORIGINAL BBQ, Bob's was the very first BBQ spot in Washington state. Bob's is a family ran establishment that has been in the family for generations. As authentic as it gets. Get in there and get yourself the real deal BBQ. Accept no imitations, Bobs is the genuine article. Lip smacking finger licking good! Good Bless The Bob's BBQ family!!! read more

As much as I wanted a great rib shack this place was just so so. The greens were sort of bland. The ribs are ok, the seasoning was good. The sauce took the flavor up a notch. I am not a sauce fan but on these ribs I'll go with it. For me, the rib meat fell off of the bone too easy. I know, I know some ppl really like that but not me. The reason I get ribs is to eat with my hand and naw on the bones. You grab one of these ribs and the meat don't stay on the bone long enough to get it into your mouth, but the tip meat was a bit tough and chewy. If the temperature of ur smoker was right that shouldn't happen? Then the slab was cut into small peices, like you would for small children, or some Japanese restaurant were you could use chop sticks. I don't want rib tips, baby back or St. Louis style. I want a good ole slab of bbq ribs, cut at the ribs. That's it. I will be back cause, the service was friendly, it is local not a chain joint, and I haven't tried the sweet potatoe pie or corn bread. My fingers are crossed for good pie. read more

Really sad. I heard this place was amazing so we ordered for a yummy dinner. Spent $18.99 on a meal with 2 main meats and 2 side with a corn bread and bread. Our meats were cold and a side was missing plus our bread was gone. After microwaving the food it was not as exciting as we hoped for. I don't know if we will order here again. read more

Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit - $18.99 two main meats and two sides smh - Barbeque Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I will say who ever didn't give this place a 3-4 star is an idiot when it comes to BBQ this place was the best I have had in town. Beats dicks and famous daves. Will be back again and again. I will have to see who's better mine or his. Close call though. Only bad thing is sauce needs to be hotter for a mild and more napkins upfront but all in all great friendly restaurant. read more

Bob's Bar-B-Q Pit - Sampler plater - Barbeque Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

It's a pretty decent BBQ spot. I really liked the baked beans and macaroni and cheese. It's a hole in the wall type joint so if that bothers you then it's clearly not the place for you. The customer service was nice. It's a pretty standard BBQ spot. . read more