Some of the best pulled pork in the Des Moines area. Great service and better food. Must try place for anyone who loves BBQ.

Loved Shad and Angie's food when I lived in Ankeny when they were a part of Smokey D's. So happy they are a part of Waukee with Kue'd. This is barbecue at its best, so damn well seasoned and smoked it doesn't need sauce. But sauce so good it compliments the barbecue. If you like barbecue, better yet, if you like meat, even better, if you like food come get the good stuff here! Don't deprive yourself a transformational experience...get up close and personal with your amazing food and get the ribs! read more

Great job on cooking the meat! It was tender and perfect temp. Sauces were pretty sweet, but still better than most in the area. I personally prefer more southern vinegar based sauces. read more

Kue'd Smokehouse - Brisket was great! - Smokehouse Near Me - Waukee, Iowa

See all

Kue'd is the best BBQ on the west side. They smoke all the meats onsite and they're sausage coins are made from Pella sausage, if I remember correctly. No preservatives in them which in other sausages give me migraines. Great food done right. read more

My husband (who isn't a huge BBQ fan) ate here one day and raved about the place. I LOVE BBQ so I had to check it out. I was not disappointed. He ordered double burnt ends and wasn't planning on sharing. I had burnt ends and pulled pork. The meat was AMAZING. So tender, absolutely perfect. The "pork sauce" they have on the table is also terrific. The house BBQ sauce is ok. It's the "tangy" type and I prefer a sweet and smoky so it may just be a personal preference. Everything appears homemade from the pickles to the meat to the sides. They have healthier side choices as well as turkey and chicken which isn't always the case with BBQ joints. I appreciate that! I had mac and cheese and pickled veggies (I think that was what they were called) they were ok. I wasn't super impressed but, it was far from bad. I maybe just haven't found the right side for me...yet :). I was VERY impressed the the woman who appeared to be the manager. She had the place trucking! We were immediately welcomed by staff when my family came in and food was served extremely quickly. It appears several members of the award winning (seriously the place is littered in trophies) team works here. There is a young boy that can't be more than 14 working up front. He was so polite! I was blown away. Watching him interact with customers was fascinating. That kid is going places!!! This place hasn't been here that long and it's already one of my favorites in the Des Moines area! Usually it takes a while to get a good routine down but, these folks really seem to have it! Welcome Kue'd! Can't wait to see what you do in the future! read more

I don't give five stars easily. The ribs were perfect, tender, juicy and still crisp on the outside, the mac & cheese was tender but not mushy and seasoned perfectly. I definitely will be back and I have to travel from Seattle!. read more

Kue'd Smokehouse - Ribs, burnt end, mac & cheese and corn salad. - Smokehouse Near Me - Waukee, Iowa

The. Best. Barbecue. For. Your. Dollar. So good and surprisingly cheap. Tons of sauces. Sides are great.

Consistently great service and insanely good BBQ! This has become a weekly event at our house! The brisket is trimmed well and the bark on the meat is amazing. sides are creative and full of flavor. Redneck nachos with house made chips, are beyond delicious! read more

LOVE the food and the owners are extremely nice, helpful, and easy to work with. Kue'd catered my wedding this weekend and everyone loved it! 100% would recommend for any dinner or event! read more

I don't really think about Iowa as a BBQ mecca but they have the best hogs in the world. I started looking for BBQ joints and almost went to the one just down the street. Yelp led me in a different direction. They were out of the burnt ends, Mac & cheese, and corn salad. However, I was not disappointed. The ribs, brisket, and corn muffins were amazing. The two meat platter was enough for two people but I found a way to make it disappear. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and my takeout was available quickly. read more

See all

We have been getting Kue'd a few times monthly for the past year. It's great food and I love that they switch up their sides from the typical restaurant. Today, I picked up our food but due to COVID-19, they were not able to go over the order with me, as it was being bagged. Usually, they review everything with us to confirm its correct (which I love). When I got home, my wife noticed her chips were missing (it happens). We called the store and they immediately offered to deliver them to us... I was surprised.. We live almost 20 minutes away. The owner wasn't even phased when asking me our address so they could deliver the $1 chips (which are amazing by the way). I do not usually write reviews, but the customer service I received here was amazing and this was well deserved. So-- to sum it up-- great food, awesome customer service. Try it out. read more

Tasty food and great service! You can't go wrong with the burnt ends-tender and juicy with the next big thing sauce....mmmm The pulled pork is also excellent and I chose their Mac n cheese and loaded smashed for my sides. Lots of flavor and generous portions with the sides of bread. Quick to go service or quick for an easy dine in option. read more

We love going here for supper. The brisket is great every time. This is the only place my wife likes to get bbq and always gets the turkey. This is by far our favorite bbq and if you haven't tried it you should. read more

Not impressed at all! Small portions big prices! Horrible macaroni and cheese - how many days has it been reheated. The storage, clutter and trash cans are unacceptable in the dining area!! I will be hard pressed to return ... read more

Kue'd Smokehouse - Smokehouse Near Me - Waukee, Iowa

Had this for the first time at lunch today. My to-go order was ready within minutes. I had the brisket, creamy slaw and tater chips/dip. I don't consider myself an expert, but this was the best brisket I've ever had. Super tender, moist and flavorful. Makes me wonder why the "other guy" in Waukee even bothers with brisket. The two sauces were delicious, but I ate most of my brisket without, since the flavor was so good. The slaw was perfect, and the delicious chips/dip appear to be homemade? Everything was fantastic and I'll be back again soon! read more

Perfect place for a quick lunch. The prices are very affordable and the portions are perfect. Ordered burnt ends and brisket for meats, both were flavorful and well smoked. There's a selection of 3 sauces to use on the table, I can't remember which one it was but one of them was reallllllllly good. Corn muffins, mac & cheese and bbq baked beans for the sides. The sides are the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars. I wasn't a huge fan of the corn muffins and the Mac and cheese was just alright. If you're a BBQ person, I would definitely recommend checking this place out! read more

Ironically I ate at Kue'd Smokehouse the same day I was invited to judge the Sam's Club National Pro Bbq Tour National Championship next month. I rarely eat in bbq restaurants as I'm usually disappointed, Kue'd however was a huge surprise. Without a doubt the restaurant brisket I've had in Iowa and the ribs are right up there as well. Their next big thing bbq sauce is absolutely lights out. The sides were good as well. The Apple snicker salad was superb. Sorry Smokey and Jethro there's a new sheriff in town. read more

Kue'd Smokehouse - Smokehouse Near Me - Waukee, Iowa

We found out about Kue'd Smokehouse from an apartment manager. I am really not a barbeque person but my goodness !! This place is pretty awesome. We shared the plate for 2. You have a chose of 2 meats and 2 sides. I ordered a piece of sausage on the side. We had the flavorful pulled pork and burnt ends. One of my sides was an Asian coleslaw. Actually it was pretty good. My companion had baked beans which were sweet and savory. The real surprise was " the church lady cake" and " cherry chocolate cake". The chocolate cherry cake is a chocolate lovers dream. There is gauche on top of an already scrumptious cake with a generous amount of cherries in the middle. The church lady cake is a moist lemon cake with a not too tart lemon sauce, blueberries and a sprinkle of confectioners sugar on top. We will definitely be back. read more

I always make it a point on business travels to stop at Kue'd. Shad and Angie have a great bbq joint. The consistency of the food is the same each trip there. The burnt ends are salty, tender with a touch of sweetness. The pulled pork with the Hog sauce is out of this world. I can see why they were the Grand Champions of Pitmasters TV show. I always make it a point to in bbq joints in the 5 state area on business travels (about 30 different places) and they are my favorite stop. Being a Certified KCBS BBQ Judge, this Q ranks up there with the top competition at the contests that I judge. There are many bbq places that have good Q, but it does not compete with competition Q. This place does. Thank You Shad and Angie!!!!!!!! read more

Love this place. The Redneck Nachos are phenomenal. I believe it is the best BBQ in Des Moines hands down. Love the brisket. They have some unique BBQ sauces which I now love. I have not had anything quite like them anywhere else. The sides are excellent as well. The Mac and Cheese is a staple but I also like the beans. We often get it to go as the seating area can fill up fast. My only problem with the place is that I come here to often. Great place for "cheat day". read more

One of my favorite bbq places, anywhere. Great burnt ends and potato casserole p. Great cornbread. They give you plenty of food too!!

Was there for the first time last night. You walk in and order at the counter. They bring the food to your table. As many people were carrying out as were dining in. Service was quick and friendly. The pulled pork and ribs we ordered were delicious. read more

Terrible service and unfriendly staff!! Meat was dry and the Mac and cheese had a gritty texture that I didn't care for at all. I will definitely will NOT be back! read more

I had an amazing party and Kue'd did it All! It was fantastic! Pork, Beef brisket,smoked salmon, apple salad,vegetable salad,coleslaw,dip and pickles! Oh and the chips are great, I didn't get enough of them! It was delicious and the staff was very easy to work with and they gave tasting of each of the foods I requested. My guests were very pleased and wanted to know where I got the food! You wil not be disappointed! Go soon! read more

My favorite BBQ place!!! My extended family lives in KC so I grew up eating BBQ regularly and I've never liked any BBQ food better than Kue'd! read more

I have had the pleasure of eating here many times, by far and away, the best BBQ place in the world, all meats are good, but the burnt ends and sliced pork are the best. Now I have the pleasure of working here, so if your looking for a job this is a good place, staff is friendly and kind read more

Very very good! We ordered take out which was smooth. Both had brisket sandwiches which were moist & tender. Mac & cheese on the side was very tasty! We liked both of their types of BBQ sauce as well read more

I went there today for lunch with a friend. It was our first time there and after hearing rave reviews, I had high expectations! I was not disappointed! I had the one meat plate with pulled pork and my sides were the Mac and cheese and creamy coleslaw. My friend had the two meat plate with pulled pork and sliced brisket with Mac and cheese and the potato casserole. Everything was great!!! I can't wait to go back!!! The serving size was just right. The food was delivered to the table as we were sitting down and was hot and fresh! The two sauces available are tasty too. Two thumbs up! read more

I've eaten BBQ in over 30 states and am an avid backyard BBQ'er myself and I think this might be the best I've ever had. The smoke penetration was unreal and the crust on the burnt ends was amazing. Meat quality was also very good - just the right amount of marbling and fat cap. I can't wait to eat the whole menu - count me in as a regular. read more

This was by far my favorite BBQ in the Des Moines area. I always get ribs & brisket when eating BBQ & the amount I received was awesome for the price. The brisket was so tender I could cut it with a knife & each rib was about a foot long, also incredibly tender. I did not care for the sides, but the meat was so very good that I had to give this place 5 's. Definitely an underrated place out in the boonies, but I will be back! read more

Great food and always friendly staff. I get a 2 meat plate and they always remember my extra pickles.

I have traveled across the country and eaten barbecue in every major BBQ hub from Texas to Memphis, KC, St Louis and the Carolinas. This place is legit. Order the ribs and burnt ends. It will not disappoint. Very good BBQ. read more

I would say the best BBQ in Des Moines area! Bunt Ends, pulled pork both amazing. Both of their sauces are fantastic!

Excellent food and sides! Recommend the roasted corn salad! The brisket was tender and ribs were pretty good (not fall off the bones) but still good. And three types of sauces to chose from. I assume the desserts were good too seeing they were out of most of them. The owners are very nice! Recommend! read more

I've been wanting to try Kue'd for a while. Our first experience was good, but a little hit or miss. I had wings, half with BBQ sauce and half with spicy sauce. Wings were very tender but the skin wasn't my favorite texture. I preferred their regular BBQ sauce but both were good. My husband had brisket and ribs, he said the ribs were phenomenal and ribs were ok. For sides we had mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese. Mashed potatoes get two thumbs up. Mac and cheese had awesome flavor but they were really soupy. I'd still have them again. We would definitely try Kue'd again and sample some other menu items. We heard other people talk about the burnt ends (sold out right before we got there) and the pork. read more

This is one of our favorite hidden gems in the west metro. Unfortunately the restaurant is really too small and awkward to dine in comfortably. The good news is their takeout is amazing. We now regularly stop in to pick up 4 pounds of any meat option. It is very convenient for us and is consistently delicious. I'd give the dining experience 1-2 stars, but the food is a solid 5. read more

Good BBQ great brisket!! Not a fan of their sauces!! Good location, easy getting in and out!

Is it possible to be in love with BBQ? Yeah, pretty much. I love K'ued. I'm wondering if the people who wrote the bad reviews were really some other place. The meat is tender and juicy even without sauce, which is great for keto woman here. I did get a taste of the mac n' cheese (which my grandson wouldn't eat because it didn't come from a box), and it was heavenly. If only... Oh well, the meat is great even without mac n' cheese and muffins. The creamy slaw is also delicious, and unlike some places, it's not sweet. The people who work here are really nice and helpful. I wonder if I should move to Waukee so I can be closer to Kue'd? read more

Good BBQ. Great takeout for those who don't want to cook dinner every night. The burnt ends run out so stop in early for the best selection of meats. Also there is a number of tables inside if you wish to eat at the restaurant. I like the idea of buying in bulk so you can get as little or as much of whatever meat you want. Sides are good also, but not the showcase of Kue'd. Great addition to Waukee. read more

I don't know what is going on with this place. I always get bad customer service. The food was good, but expensive. Dont mind paying it, when the food is good. The high school kid at the cash register was good, the guy who handed us the food was good. But the service. The time. the wait, was terrible. I went in the afternoon, I was the only one there. Got a to go order. Easy order. It was all stuff they had pre made. Should have took 1 minute. All the guys in the kitchen, were standing around, laughing, joking, and not processing my order. Took over 20 minutes, and I was the only person there. I could see them, just standing. Terrible service. I also did not get any napkins, or silverware, and this was a to go order. We had to go to Kum and Go and get utensils, as we were eating at the park. Such bad service. 3 times in a row now. Not sure I'm going back. And I will tell everyone. read more