Sat upstairs one day, and instead of checking if there was anything I needed (as they did for everyone else upstairs), they ignored me like I was invisible. Then it was approaching closing time, and they chained off the stairs for the only exit downstairs, so I had to remove the chain to get through the stair exit. Then, workers behind the food station were very rude and inconsiderate to me when I asked for a soft drink refill once I got downstairs. One star only. Not encouraged to go back again as a result. This place has really gone downhill over time. read more

This used to be my favorite BBQ restaurant and I've gone here since the 1980's, but in the last 2-3 years their bbq has gone downhill. It's flavorless, there is no smoke ring on the brisket and it tastes like it has been boiled to tenderize it and maybe thrown on the pit for a short amount of time. They used to have great homemade cobbler but have changed the recipe and it's gummy and awful. Such a shame that whoever took it over, after the original owner retired, has destroyed such a Texas icon. read more

Well this place used to be wonderful. The place seems dirty, and we saw roaches. We were standing in line and saw roaches and the floors look dirty. We left. read more

Best BBQ spot in town. The BBQ Beef Baked Potato is amazing! They have a good buffet and several delicious desserts to choose from. They always treat you like family read more

This is my second time visiting this BBQ place. Food is really good!!! The beef ribs, chicken, brisket and burgers are really good! The side though OMG! The corn pudding and sweet potato casserole are to die for. The homemade fried Okra though is so so good. They actually bread their own fresh okra and fry it. If you like okra order it. It's so good! My husband and I feel this BBQ place is so much better than the Houston spots that we have been to. We have also had other family members try it and they say it's the best BBQ they have had. The one side dish that I can not stand behind is their Mac and cheese. It's not even ok it's actually pretty disgusting. Someone needs to come up with a better recipe because BBQ isn't BBQ without a side of Mac and cheese. Delicious keep it up! read more

Historic BBQ restaurant that everyone should try, the have seafood and chicken and of course BBQ. Their walls are full of history pictures and artifacts! Very interesting and entertaining while you have your meal! read more

Great Food. Dad and I stepped in for some BBQ and both had the seafood buffet. It's apparent that the quality of the food is their priority. Everything was fried golden goodness. Not one item was over cooked. They have a cobbler and real ice cream bar, but we were too stuffed to try it this round. read more

Review on to-go order. The bad: I ordered a sausage sandwich and boy was I so disappointed it was on a bun instead of their homemade bread. I had to remove the buns and use my store bought white bread. The ok: potato salad tastes like store bought and the brisket is between ok and good. The bbq sauce is tangy and I prefer it over the sweet sauce but prefer mustard base. The good: really liked their chicken which was a substitute because they had run out of ribs...bummer. Also, their sausage was good. Had better but will definitely buy again since my 2 year old really liked it. The great: blackberry cobbler with ice scream. I will go again to try other items in the menu. read more

I use to enjoy the place but the food is ever lacking now. In most of my experiences the food has been dry and lackluster. The buffet is always limited and only appeals to certain people about twice a week so the turn over of the buffet food is slow. To be fair, they have a poke stop and a gym for those who play Pokémon Go. read more

The wife and I have been dining at Joe's BBQ for quite a number of years. Sometimes we dine in with guests and enjoy the BBQ, the all you can eat seafood buffet, or a great chicken fried steak. This evening, we decided to order out and take it home to eat. We ordered a large chicken fried steak and it was much less than great. The steak was tough and did not have much flavor. At least we ordered a baked potato as a side and it was good. You would certainly think that if you are paying $15.95 for a chicken fried steak, it should still fall into the great or even the real good category. The quality was always really good in the past, but as of late, it seems as thought they must have had a big change to the cooks and kitchen staff. We were sure disappointed in how the quality has regressed. We may return to Joe's for their BBQ or the seafood buffet, but I think we'll go elsewhere the next time we are hungry for a real good chicken fried steak. read more

First time, knowing the delays and all. Order Togo. Too sweet on the sweet potatoes. Pulled pork did not have much flavor. Brisket had flavor but dry. Average for today, ill be back. read more

We took hwy 6 from Galveston to Katy and stopped here for lunch. I am giving this 4 stars because this is hands down the best smoked chicken i have ever had. Ribs were good too but i really didn't care for the sides. Staff wasn't overly friendly. I would stop again just for the chicken. read more

Joe's Barbeque - Barbeque Near Me - Alvin, Texas

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Used to really enjoy food here but BBQ has taken big jump in price and the fried shrimp and fish very disappointing. The fish and shrimp used to taste so fresh and crispy but this past week, they had no flavor and tasted like cooked and then covered making soggy texture. I ate some but ended up throwing out the rest. I love seafood and never had to do that before. With spending $20 a meal, will think twice before returning. read more

This place was okay but I still don't get how the place works. I ordered 5 burgers for my family and I got 6 instead. Pretty crazy but the weird thing is it was 21 dollars and I checked the receipt and it said I ordered a kid's plate and some kinda of sea food but overall it was good. read more

I found a cockroach crawling at the buffet and quietly told the manager Joe. he said it doesn't matter sorry I can't do anything about that ! he didn't even care! I'm glad that after years and years of eating at Joe's sanitation doesn't matter either! read more

I've been going to joes bar b cue for a long long long time , when Nolan Ryan was a reg customer..never a bad meal. Always good , friendly staff. And you can bet if something is wrong they will make it right..thanks read more

In years past, Joe's was solid BBQ and a go-to spot, but times change and as the price to quantity served, became off balanced so we dropped it from our rotation. We were recently in Alvin and feeling a bit nostalgic after a couple of years away, we popped in for Dinner at Joes. Something has changed, maybe in the preparation I'm not sure what, but it's not the same ...It's just "ok" coupled with the price to quantity served it is way off the mark. My opinion, It's not worth the trip for us. Geez...sometimes it's best to leave memories alone. read more

Food is always delicious. Try the RIBS! Never disappoints. A must try!!! Friendly staff.

No thank you I just finished going to this restaurant with my mom and aunt they served us the old hard food and when we asked to speak to the manager he told us he never had any problems before so he walked away from us he told my disabled veteran mom that we ate the food . This trip to this restaurant was unexceptional service we used to visit this restaurant a lot and we came today to celebrate a birthday but everything was ruined we are not planning to visit here to eat here ever and we will tell our friends not to eat here. read more

This place was fantastic! We stayed nearby for Galveston but at a hotel a little further away to save money. The brisket was so good, and I usually don't like brisket. Also had the pulled pork and ribs which were excellent. Potato salad, Mac n chz and beans were all good too. My daughter had the salad bar which she liked as well. Nice watermelon too. The seafood buffet looked good, wish we lived closer because I would go here all the time! read more

Called in a large order for my family during lunch time on a Friday. The service was great, order was ready within 30 minutes and the food was absolutely wonderful! Their hush puppies, burgers, brisket were our favorites! Will definitely be returning for another visit! read more

Great BBQ. But also has seafood. Vegetables taste homemade and salads are fresh.I recommend

Best thing was the fried okra. Service was awful and I spent most of dinner getting refills. Lots of workers but no one willing to help. They ran out of cobbler at 8:30 and they are open till 10? Should have gone to Big Horn. read more

If you advertise you cook barbecue and your brisket is tough as boot leather and pork sausage not much better, you should probably get in a different line of work. The brisket tasted like the cooked it in the oven at 350 for a few hours. Green beans were great though, good job read more

Get the loaded baked potato! Been getting that since I was a kid and it's amazing every time! Great bbq all around!

I've ordered here a few times Togo. Last time I ordered I got the loaded potato with meat. It was okay. In my opinion, it was a little too greasy for me. The meat itself kinda tasted like it was frozen and then just put in a microwave. However... my food came out fast, service was great, and my husband thought his steak was good. Maybe it's just the potato. read more

Discovered this place back in the 90's when I lived in the area. I live in Austin now but whenever I come to the Bay Area to visit my friends, I always make the excuse to come here to enjoy their never changed quality of food. Can't beat their chicken fried steak. Hamburger is worth trying. BBQ? Never tried the BBQ here because you can't beat Austin BBQ. read more

Food was decent. Nothing to complain about but the bbq was cool and beans were not hot. Nothing else. I would go again but cold food is a bummer read more

Joe's was the first three meat plate I fell in love with and a standard by which all others are judged. In fact, It's still the only BBQ joint on my cell phone. When it comes to Q, Joe's is my Capistrano. So what would happen when I returned to my humble roots with my big city yelp glasses on? I was was nervous to find out. To provide some context, realize that Joe's is THE place to eat in the greater Alvin area. Featured prominently on Highway 6 just before Highway 35, it enjoys a steady stream of customers in it's large barn of barbecue (2000 daily). Hell, it even has a gift shop next door that I've never visited in the 20+ years I've been coming here. But near as I can tell, it features various accoutrement of the scented candle and checkered pattern type. Inside of Joe's is a cavernous two storied dining room that features a smorgasbord of taxidermy. You're herded like cattle to where you order and then you move along the line picking up your order and beverage as you go. From there you continue to the condiment table and the bread warmer. Yes, a bread drawer! It's cold by the time you sit down, but at least they're trying. It's always fast, courteous, and smooth. You have the option to get the buffet or standards like CFS and the massive BBQ potato, but I go for two things: 3 meat plate or a sliced beef po boy. I'm not going to blow smoke, Joe's isn't the best on the planet. It's good and consistent. Every town in Texas would be lucky to have one, but for me it's more of a sentimental favorite than a "world's greatest" contender. The thinly sliced brisket is generally lean and weii-trimmed. Always tender, it is occasionally a tad dry. The pork ribs are faintly smokey with a maroon lacquer. Tender, but not fall off the bone. The sausage is a pork/beef kielbasa type with good flavor and a crispy casing. I tried the new jalapeno sausage recently and couldn't tell if it was way overcooked or what was happening. Generally all of the above can be downright average, usually good, but never bad. The sides here are great. And they treat you like a respectable human being by offering all three standard sides on their plates. Asking me what two sides I want is like asking which hand I'd like to keep. The pinto beans are always warm and perfectly cooked. The cole slaw is a cool dash of mayo cabbage n' carrot crunch. The mayo segues into the mustard kick of the not-too-smooth potato salad. And the cobbler.....oh the cobbler. If the cobbler is wrong, I don't want to be right. This place is serving better than average bbq and great service at a good price. Mix that with a good country vibe and just enough kitsch and it feels like everybody's hometown place for Q. read more

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Joe's has one of the poorest buffets. Very pricy and you feel like you are eating yesterday's food. Offer cereal but they charge for milk. Potato chips with breakfast. Too bad Joe doesn't know these things. Pricy,pricy,pricy....2 people with to have a good breakfast at a reasonable price won't happen here...no sign of management... read more

Holy Moly what a find... after a day in a courthouse sitting with a friend and seeing the "People of Walmart" crowded in a Bazoria County courthouse this definitely put a nice cap on the end of the day. My friend enjoyed the overly stuffed brisket baked potato and I had ham and ribs. I did get to sample the potato and it was great. Mine was way tooooo much for me but I wanted to keep eating and eating. I think the only thing I would give them 4 stars on would be the cole slaw. Everything else was great! Definitely don't want to go sit in that courthouse again people watching but I would drive to Alvin for another feast at Joe's! read more

BBQ is okay, use to be so much better. Got the 3 meat plate. Turkey sausage and pork ribs. Turkey was a little try and sausage tasted bland and plain. Ribs were also dry. Potato salad isn't bad but not the best. Wait staff is very good about checking on tables and making sure you're taken care of. read more

Know what my favorite thing is about this place? I mean, aside from the bad ass bbq that they serve up and the wild boar, deer & javalina heads on the wall? The floors. The old, creaky and squeaky wooden floors. Every time I walk inside of Joe's BBQ I am taken back to my childhood. My wonderful bbq eating childhood. My parents and siblings used to go to Joe's quite a bit when my dad worked out in the Alvin/Manvel area in Texas in petroleum sales. (Would there be anything else to do there, really?) My whole life I've been going here and it's not changed for the worse, in fact, it's not changed at all. This last time we were in Houston visiting family, I all but forced my parents in the car and demanded Joe's. (Not really, I asked politely...kind of). My stomach was growling when we pulled in the parking lot and I knew I was ready for old trusty. I always, always get the "special baked potato". It's a massive meteor sized tater stuffed with butter, sour cream, green onions, bacon and oh yes, a MOUND of hot chopped beef, all topped off with cheddar cheese. It was just as I had remembered. The potato was tender and the meat was amazing. The sauce is amazing and the meat is amazing and everything about this potato was STILL amazing....20 years later...this place is STILL my favorite. It's your no frills kind of southern, down home bbq in a old wooden house with old wooden floors. You walk up, pick your poison, grab it and go sit. *I can recommend the pulled pork, pork ribs (which my dad might share, just depends) and the chopped beef. Those are the only things I've had. The potato remains KING of all. Whenever you're ready to throw in the towel at Joe's...DON'T. Go up to the same spot where you grabbed your food and look to the right at the *ALL YOU CAN EAT COBBLER and ICE CREAM* That's right...all you can eat. Believe me, after eating a meal, it'll be tough, but I can always muster enough strength to go get a bowl. They always have peach and it is by far the best, the the apple and cherry are great too. Every good southern girl knows that the crust is everyone's favorite and the people at Joe's obviously know that too because it's great. I know, this is a long review, but I had to do it. This place is worth the road trip. I promise you. Nothing at Joe's has changed. The prices are the same since I can remember, the service is great and the food is spot on! The cute little store attached to Joe's is really neat, but I do believe they may have gone a little Vera Bradley crazy in there. It used to be more candles, cutsie little things, but it's gone a bit more up scale and higher price for my liking. GO TO JOE'S. Eat at Joe's, eat a lot. Then, eat some cobbler and just sit for a while. You'll need to. I normally hate that "SO FULL" feeling, but not when I go here. I bask in it! read more

Joe's Barbeque - Best chopped beef potato and iced tea in the south! - Barbeque Near Me - Alvin, Texas

Walk in, go left, order, collect food, sit, eat food, pay on exit. Things I like about this place: The manager - he came over to introduce himself to our group of 9, he was very friendly and willing to help if we needed it, he was funny and friendly and our group enjoyed him approaching us to see how we were doing. The potato salad. I don't tend to like potato salad, but I demolished mine and almost went back for more. The onion rings (hubby gave up 2 of his sides to take some rings) and they are delicious!! The bread drawer - I only found this cause some guy in front of me used it, warm bread available throughout your meal is great. And the bread is big enough to make sausage sandwiches with (which really isn't important to anyone but my UK friends and I!) The brisket was tasty. Things I don't like: The drinks machine is behind the counter and since you're drinking out of a mason jar, you need refills more frequently. They don't ask what sides you'd like and instead assume you want potato salad, beans and coleslaw - I'd have quite liked something else, but don't feel like I was given an option. I like having an open counter for sides that you can pick what you want. The meat they have on offer isn't listed on the menu, so they ask what 2 meats you want (if you pick a 2 meat plate) and I had to guess. They cover the meat in sauce - they don't tell you this ahead of time, and, thankfully the sauce was nice, but for first-timers, they will pour sauce over your meat. The skin of the sausage is tough and unyielding and I wasn't thrilled with the chicken. It's definitely 'real' bbq and a good experience, we'd go back if we were passing. read more

For my first time here, I overall had a great experience. I deducted a star, because a couple of the staff was a bit rude, but not everyone. My toddler had the pulled pork Kids' Plate. Her beans were a bit spicy, but it's the first time I have seen her eat meat other than chicken! I also had pulled pork, but as a sandwich. I also had their potato chip cup. My toddler kept stealing my chips as they were tasty. They were busy and we wound up sharing a table with a kind gentleman, who also felt a bit bad for taking up a table for 6 for 1. We had a fun time chatting and I learned from him how to get extra refills and how to pay my bill afterwards. At checkout, we also bought a couple pieces of rock candy. They were sweet and actually fairly easy to bite off the stick. It was also the first time my toddler has ever tried rock candy, so she was ecstatic. We'd definitely come again. read more

This is the second time I have been to Joe's and it definitely won't be my last. Let me first say, if you leave hungry - you might have a potential career in competitive eating. I note this because I have a big appetite. My meal today consisted of brisket and turkey. I really feel like you can judge a BBQ place in Texas by having an establishments brisket. In this case, it was well above average. For those of you who like fattier varieties - this is probably not for you. Joe's brisket shades more on the lean side, but it is very moist and flavorful. It is not smoke heavy, seems just right. I think I would like a little more pop via spice, but I am being picky. The smoked turkey was really something to behold. Wow, I wish I could have this on Thanksgiving! It was very moist and had the perfect smoke flavor. Sauce comes on the side - how it should be served. It is more vinegar than sweet and almost has a smoke flavor to it. My sides were great. The beans had a slight bacon note. They are not spicy. The coleslaw was just to my liking. It was crisp and fresh tasting and very light on the Mayo. You actually get 3 sides with a meal - again, quantity, but I opted for just two. They also have a daily special just about every day. Typically of the all you can eat variety. Today's looked appealing - all you can eat CFS. It also included cobbler and ice cream for $10. I wanted to review the BBQ, but looking at others tables - very appealing. Last thing, I had 3 different employees greet me and ask me about my meal. Call me old school, but I really appreciate that. Joe's I will be back! read more

Hands Down one of the best places I have ever been to get great authentic Texas BBQ. The lodge design is really fun, but what keeps me coming back again and again and again is the amazing food. Best thing I have tried so far: Baked potatoe topped with shredded prok. My husband loves the chicken fried steak. I am glad I dont live close or I might not cook again! read more

Have frequented Joe's for about 15 years. Have also tried several places within about 80 miles -- NOPE, Joe's is the place to go for good BBQ. Their sauce is excellent, the meats are succulent, moist and full of flavor. Going there today with several of the family and have planned it for a few days. The anticipation grows along with appetite. Other menu items are very good as well. read more

Just visited Joe's when we were in Alvin this past week again and man did the quality go down :( The cheese on the bbq nachos is no longer a tasty melty nacho cheese. It tasted just like a Velveeta type cheese. I posted a pic of the bbq nachos on here about a month ago when I didnt know they had changed. Unfortunately, they don't look as good or taste as good as they didn't when that pic was taken 2yrs ago. The brisket that was ordered was also incredibly fatty! The guy gave her extra because he said it was a little fatty, but he ended up giving her a piece that was virtually all fat! That was a huge disappointment seeing as we traveled all the way from MN, and had anticipated a wonderful experience. That's too bad, but we at least picked up a couple things of their classic steak seasoning with thankfully didn't change. read more

not great, but good local barbecue. friendly place. meat done right with good sides and sauces. usually packed at dinner, and for good reason. Also recommend the cobblers. read more