Stopped here on a whim and what a wonderful surprise! Great location right off Zorn avenue when headed to Waterfront Park or the Big Four Bridge! Don't worry about directions, just follow your nose; the aroma from the two large smokers sitting out front will lead you to the restaurant! I had the pulled pork and hubby had the brisket. I liked both, but the pulled pork was my favorite! The pulled pork was just moist enough and full of smoky good flavor! I could have done without the bun, and in fact, ended up taking the BBQ out of the bun, it was too soft and crumbly for my taste. I actually liked the BBQ better without the sauce and was glad that I asked from my sauce on the side. The baked beans were wonderful too, some of the best I have had. The restaurant is small, clean, and the staff were super friendly. This is a great find and a very affordable meal when visiting the park and Big Four Bridge! read more

River Road BBQ - The aroma from the smokers is a treat! We ate outside so we could continue to enjoy it! - Barbeque Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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The only place I like to get BBQ from. Always get a pound of ribs or brisket and baked beans. Call early because they always sell out! The ribs are Texas still so dry rub and they have homemade bbq sauce. read more

We've eaten here twice now, both times we got the pulled pork family pack. When you open the door of the car, the smell from the big, glorious smoker hits you and Oh Lawd! It gets better when you get inside. It's a small, clean restaurant with friendly staff. The family pack is designed to feed 4 and has easily enough meat to do that. The buns are great, but they come apart a bit more easily than I'd like. I guess it doesn't matter because you'll be filthy with sauce running down your hands soon enough anyways, as God intended. The pork is perfect, juicy and easily pulled apart, not overcooked. We want to try the brisket next. Frankly, we were expecting good barbecue. If not from the reviews we'd seen, a huge offset smoker sitting outside the front door makes claims of its own.... What we weren't expecting was the beans and coleslaw. I mean, who really pays attention to side dishes, right? These were, without question, the best beans I've ever had. I could eat them as a meal. The taste and consistency is PERFECT with a bit of spice that hangs out in your mouth for a while. Not painful, not even considered 'hot,' just a bit of spice. Not sure which meat they put in with the beans, but it becomes a compliment. Crazy freakin beans, these. Buy extra. The coleslaw was very light, simple and fresh. I have a sensitivity to vinegar and usually pass on the slaw, but not this time. My wife quickly claimed them and I can't have any more or whatever. The only thing I would like different is the sauce. It is really good but very thin. If you're like me and you like a ton of sauce on your sandwich, you will want to roll up your sleeves. Don't wear white. Bring a bib. Eat over your plate as your mama taught you. And get your elbows off the table. read more

This place exemplifies how to do BBQ in Kentucky. Straightforward, quick service, great flavor and incredibly tender and delicious smoked meats. I ate here with my kids and within the 30 minutes or so it was amazing how many people came in to pick up food that was prepared on point for each guest. Consistent quality with all the meats. I had the 50/50 plate and a sausage link on the side. All were very good, and I must say it's right there with the best I've had in town. The value for quality is the best too. I'm stuffed... Food coma. read more

This is a good, quick BBQ place. Is it my favorite in the city? No. But I think they have good food that's reasonably priced. Their BBQ has a very smoky flavor compared to a lot of places I the city - some people like that while others do not. I personally do not. Regardless a place I would recommend people to try! read more

Where do I start!? The place got an A in health review!! The place is spotless clean. Big bbq pit outside that makes the smell so appealing. Fast and friendly people. I can't say enough good about it. So great! And glad we chose to go to a local spot. It paid off! Affordable food we got the family pack. And it was plenty for us five. Two adults and two kids and a baby. The beans were perfect a little kick but nothing too spicy for a baby. The slaw had the perfect amount of vinegar on them. It says a lot when I don't have to salt my food. It was literally perfect !! Thank you so much we will stop again on our way to or from South Dakota read more

Excellent bbq. I could smell the bbq outside the restaurant. Bbq meat was tender and juicy. Friendly service. Wide selection of beer. I would definitely go back. read more

Couldn't resist pulling in as I saw the smoker puffing out front. I was not disappointed. 1/4 beef brisket (super tender), pulled pork taco (generous amount of pork showcased by great slaw and sauce) and a Ale8 (I'm in Ky, it was a no brainer). Very friendly service behind the counter. I will definitely be back next time I drive through Louisville! read more

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I called in curbside this evening because we had a craving and although my SO has had it, I had not. We got the family pack with both pulled pork as well as brisket. Their meat is so tender and not fatty. The sauce has a little umami thing going on that I can't put my finger on. And I got potato salad because the fam likes it. I usually hate it. Well RRBBQ changed my mind. Best potato salad ever. That paired with the sweetie that ran it right out to my car deserve all the kudos. I've found a new spot! read more

We went today. Nice and clean but no indoor seating. There's 2 picnic tables outside. I felt like I was on a picnic because u could smell the smoke. Nice smell not strong . Hubby had the pulled pork which was great until he got to the bottom where it became quite salty. The potato salad was good. My son had no complaints with his pulled chicken and Mac/cheese. I had the brisket which was tender, flavorful and juicy. It was amazing! I didn't like the coleslaw. It was very dry and tasteless. If we were in that neighborhood and hungry we would definitely go back Nice women operate the restaurant. Prices were reasonable. Definitely try them read more

The BBQ here is delicious. My daughter called in an order that my husband and I picked up. We really enjoyed the brisket and pork as well as the sides of coleslaw and potato salad. The brisket was very tasty and so was the pork, I loved the rich smokey flavor. The sauce, in my opinion, is just right, it is tasty enough without overbearing the meat flavors. The potato salad was out of this world, I thought. It had a kind of whipped taste to it, hmmm looking back wondering why. Well, whatever the reason, um that there potato salad was the greatest. The coleslaw is a little different than what I am use to, it was not mayo based, more of a sweet vinegar, it is good. I am anxious to return to try out some of the other things on the menu. I noticed some scrumptious sounding tacos on the menu. I will return for some of that goodness and course all the rest of the menu items as well. (over time of course ;)) The establishment is in a great spot, right off the highway and of course it is pretty cool to see those huge smokers in front of the joint and the cook grabbing the deliciousness straight from the racks to bring in for service. I will definitely be a regular here when in the area. read more

Being a native Texan where brisket is king I'm always curious how other locales handle cooking the cowboy staple. The staff was friendly and helpful and the location, off the beaten path...perfect. I know everyone has their own idea about how barbecue should be served. My seasoned Texas standard includes leaving the bark and fat (like butta) on each serving for the patron to eat or trim. And burnt ends on brisket are a must, but they eliminate all three. So sad. The cherrywood smoked brisket and pulled pork were properly seasoned and cooked and were good without sauce, another true bbq test. Beans also spot on and sauce was interesting and tasty in a Louisiana coonass bbq sauce way. I'll be back and hope they leave the bark, fat and burnt ends available for their customer to choose, lean or cutters choice. Nice job, fellas. read more

Just want to say to John and the Family that our Kentucky Oaks Tailgate was great thanks, in large part, to the fantastic ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and sides. Our Philly friends said they'd never had better. And, after 3 years of BBQ at Oaks, RRBBQ is now firmly tradition with us. Thanks!! Melissa & Gregg from Wilmington, DE read more

River Road BBQ - Ah... A man and his backyard grill! - Barbeque Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

River Road BBQ is a modest little spot by the river, which you may spot if you are heading to the Locust Grove Mansion. It is definitely worth the stop. The modest little spot only has half a dozen tables and is working from a smoker and some single burners, but they put together an impressive spread. I was not a huge fan of the means - the brisket and pulled pork were a-ok but they definitely needed sauce. They were pretty tender, but they leaned dry and didn't have much flavor. The beans were fantastic - they had chunks meat that added so much flavor. The coleslaw was AMAZING!!! It was simple - a tangy slaw with shredded cabbage and red onions - but it was so perfectly prepared. For the bread, we received five burger buns. It was a ton of food for 5 people, and it easily fed 8 of us for $50. It was 3-4 lbs of meat with 3 big sides. I recommend checking River Road BBQ out if you are sampling the BBQ of the region. The coleslaw is part of my perfect BBQ meal. read more

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This is good barbecue. There aren't tons of options on the menu, but what they do serve is excellent. I'm a fan of the ribs, but everything is good, especially the brisket. It's a small, plain place, so lots of people get carry out. However, there is indoor and outdoor seating. (The basic decor might be because on the day I visited, they had just re-opened after a flood. It sits in a flood-prone area.) It's a good place to just sit, have a beer, and enjoy top-quality barbecue. The meat is flavorful and rich by itself, but their one and only sauce really makes it pop. It's got spice but not too much heat. Their sides are excellent, and the staff is nice and friendly. read more

Was really looking forward to this after seeing the reviews, and couldn't be more disappointed. The food was, at best, average. The brisket was honestly the worst I ever had, and it's my favorite barbecue food. The pulled pork was OK, but salty. I like the "can I do better?" test for BBQ, and this place failed. Plus, don't expect to eat there. Not good for out of towners. Which is too bad since it's walking distance to a hotel. read more

I have been searching for quality bbq here in Louisville and finally stumbled upon this place. My kinda place. No B.S. great food! Tried ribs and bbq beans and was really surprised...in a good way!!! read more

River Road BBQ - My kinda ribs!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

BBQ ribs are good,we also tried tried the beef brisket, beans and potato salad. Staff was helpful and kind. Convenient location really close to the freeway,parking wasn't that bad which I expected in this part of the country. Simple many which I like. Self serve restaurant. Overall really a good experience. I would recommend this place if you are really hungry. read more

River Road BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Great food. We had the pulled pork and the brisket. Let me just say that this is the ONLY place in Kentuckiania that I have been given a ton of brisket meat and not much fat!!! I know all you people out there that say that the fat is the best part, well that disgusts me and I only like a little to give it a flavor kick not half the dang sandwich. This place does it right and I will be back for more. Now, for the sauce. It is really good. It is spicy! So be careful. The sauce is thinner that most BBQ sauces but it is really good. Remember that this is a carry out place. There are no tables inside to sit and eat. read more

Driving back to Chicago from Nashville, I wanted to get some BBQ that was quick, close to the highway and delicious. River Road met all those expectations. I shared the sampler with my boyfriend and added a rib. Fed us very well. He liked the ribs the most. I enjoyed it all but really liked the pork. He and I both agreed that the sauce was the highlight of the meal though...I was only disappointed I couldn't buy it by the bottle. Not sure what the reviews are all about knocking the brisket? It was great! read more

Best meat and sides (food?) in town. Always stoking the fire, smells amazing when you drive by. The only good bbq in louisville-- if I'm honest. read more

This was always my employers go to for catering lunch. Pretty decent and juicy meats with great sides. Typical BBQ pricing. Ranging from $8-12 bucks for a meal. read more

Was in louisville on vacation and searching for a great bbq. This is the place! Very generous portions and some of the best potato salad I have ever had. My 14 year old loved the pulled pork. Ate his and some of mine. Highly recommend this restaurant! If we pass through this area again, we will definitely stop. read more

Fantastic. We had the ribs along with a side of greens and mac and cheese. What can I say other than that we were too busy eating to say a word. It was that good. The owner even came by to say hello and when we mentioned we'd try the pulled pork and brisket next time, he went back to the kitchen and gave us huge samples of both. Wow! Well, both were amazing--the pulled pork was savory, moist, and delicious and the brisket had the perfect smoke flavor, smoke ring, and bark. We were really impressed with River Road and will definitely come back next time we're in Louisville. read more

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While visiting a friend in Louisville we ventured off after dinner see the sights of this great city. On the way back to his house I noticed the two smokers outside of this unassuming carry-out. On the way to the airport 2 days later he insisted we stop and buy some BBQ for me to take back home. I ordered a side of rib tips for a snack while I was waiting for my plane and some pulled pork and brisket to eat when I got back home that evening. What a great idea. My wife and I are both crazy for great smoked BBQ and this was the best we have ever had. I knew at the airport this was something special. I devoured the rib tips and spicy sauce in mere minutes. They were smokey and flavorful. I could not wait for that plane to land and get home to warm my other purchases. The brisket was the leanest, most flavorfull brisket we ever had. The pulled pork was its equal and was moist and full of bark. Smokey, Spicy, Tangy. Yum, Yum If I lived in Louisville this would my go to place every week. We are now discussing a trip just for another meal. read more

I would consider the bbq here as average. Not bad. Not great. The price seemed a little too high for a brisket sandwich with no sides or drink. Almost $10. read more

Great find!! Had 30 mins for lunch. This little gem popped up on Yelp. In and out in 10 mins. (It was a Friday before a long holiday weekend so it's possible there may have been less people there than usual, I don't know if this was my first visit) Tried the pulled pork taco. Tasty!! Lots of meat served on this taco. Comes with a 'house made bbq taco sauce' and house slaw toppings. Sauce was tangy, not spicy. Not too sweet. My friend had the chicken taco and baked beans and potato salad. Her review of her food: taco-great! Potato salad-great!! Beans-good, spicy, wanted them to be sweeter. We will definitely return! The menu had options for larger carry out portions as well. I believe they also cater. read more

Small portion size .high prices .poor quality sides .very disinterested staff .would not go back.

Having just eaten at Feast BBQ earlier in my trip, my expectations for KY BBQ were already high, so was initially disappointed by the offerings at River Road. The menu was small (only pork, brisket and ribs) but more affordable than Feast. Drink selection was limited to a cold case. I ordered a pork sandwich with coleslaw and potato salad. My sandwich wasn't great. For one thing, the bread is too big for what's on it. It would be better on a slimmer bun and chopped instead of in great big chunks. The meat also wasn't super smoked or flavorful. I took it off the bun and doused it in a lot of sauce and that helped. However, I though the sides were really tasty. The coleslaw was simple and vinegary just like I like it. Potato salad was delicious and homemade. They need more variety on the menu, in their sauces. And to get away from using styrofoam. Nice folks, though! read more

My husband and I stop on the road for barbecue all the time and this has to have been the best we've ever had. We both had a single pork rib and they were smoked to perfection. Just simply juicy and tasty. My husband had the pulled pork sandwich. It was so good he didn't have to add any sauce to it at all. I had a brisket sandwich. The cut of meat was thick and it was smoked perfectly. I did add sauce to my sandwich and it was really good. We hope to stop by again on our way back up north. read more

River Road BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This place is awesome, the real deal no gimmicks just real good barbecue .I love it and the sides The potato salad is out of this world , and the baked beans are right there next to it that's all you need!!! And the sad thing is most restaurants cannot get it right anymore I've almost given up on eating until I came to this place!!! if I had my choice of eating at the captains quarters or at River Road BBQ I'd have to say I have to eat at River Road BBQ. Great job to whoever owns this establishment and all the people that work there, they did it right they said let's make barbecue and let's just do a great job at it and we will make money and people will be happy. read more

I have passed this place many times and they always had a crowd so I thought it must be good. Today it was not. I asked if brisket was chopped or sliced. When she said sliced I had hope. Nope. Brisket "slices" were chunks. Overcooked, Dry, burned on the edges. A small sandwich 2 sides and water cost me over $14. Beans were edible but nothing special. Lots of better BBQ in Louisville. Staff was friendly. read more

Food was great. Place was small but very clean. Outdoor cooker was a plus cause it was 92* out but was cool inside.

The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because of the cole slaw being pretty bland. A place can have great BBQ but the sides are what puts it over the top. That being said the other side I ordered (baked beans) were phenomenal. I've also heard the potato salad is great. Pretty typical BBQ prices. What makes it really worth it though is the portion size. Absolutely huge brisket sandwich. I wouldn't have been mad about paying $10 just for the sandwich. When you go up to order they have the meat sitting in its own juices, which makes it everything extremely juicy. They also have a pretty sturdy bun so it's not just mush as soon as you try and eat it. Definitely a must try. read more

This is some of the best meat I've ever had. It is so tender and succulent. This is a hole in the wall place that you can't pass up. Service is great. The people that work there are so kind. There is also a little place for seating as well or you can easily order the food to go. I would recommend this place very highly. read more

River Road BBQ - One pound of the pulled pork - Barbeque Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

River Road BBQ has some of the best barbecue I have ever tasted, and it has become one of my go-to spots in Louisville. From their moist, smokey meats to their truly unique and flavorful sauce and equally tasty sides, you really can't go wrong. I've been a steady patron for six years, even hitting them up for a Thanksgiving turkey (the best I've ever had). I can't give a higher recommendation than I do for River Road. read more

River Road BBQ to me is the BESTEST BBQ in Kentuckiana, perhaps ANYWHERE. Today I had pork spare ribs with the tastiest sauce, red skin potato salad and cole slaw. It couldn't have been better. I have tried the chicken, pulled pork and brisket here also with the same rave review. I once had award winning BBQ in Hendersonville, North Carolina which was perhaps equal or better than River Road BBQ. Since I live and work in Kentuckiana I give River Road my highest rating for taste and quality of the meats and sides in at least the Kentuckiana area. I have tried most every BBQ around so trust me on this. The sides are so good I just as soon buy their sides than make my own homemade. It is sweeeet to just pick up the BEST BBQ and sides than to spend hours trying to compete with what they already proved. If you haven't tried River Road BBQ you just don't know what the BEST is, at least in Kentuckiana. read more

River Road BBQ is a guilty pleasure for me. The pulled pork is my go to. When it's good it is great. But like most restaurants there is the occasional off day. My latest visit was one of those times. The BBQ just was not as good as usual. The baked beans and the potato salad were fine. The staff was pleasant. I will definately go back. read more

I was in the mood for BBQ and wanted to check out River Rd (I'm from out of town). So what better place to try out? I got the meat sampler and 2 sides, the sides being potato salad and cole slaw. The meats were ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Service was very fast and friendly. I liked the simplicity of the place, but looking at the architecture, maybe minimalist is a better term, since it is simple yet tasteful and a touch contemporary. I got my order to go, but I think all orders are assembled in a to go package. My first bite was the ribs WITHOUT any sauce. I always do that to be sure the sauce doesn't mask the pure flavor of the meat, whether good or bad. On my first bite, I'm pretty sure I let it a little moan of pleasure. The best ribs I've had in quite a while, and they became my second favorite ribs on Earth. First place is the Castle Cafe in Castle Rock, Co. Castle Cafe also has the best brisket, incidentally. Next came the potato salad, followed by another moan. Easily the best I've ever had (don't tell my mom). The bbq sauce (on the side) is also very good. While the meat stands on its own, the sauce acts as a great "condiment," enhancing the meat, not overpowering it. The brisket is also very, very good, and I'd call the pulled pork just good, but the sauce helps. The cole slaw is different than I'm used to but also tasty. This restaurant is very close to a 5 star rating, and I think the pulled pork is the only thing that makes it a 4. I will definitely go back when I'm in the area again. read more

Just kinda stumbled onto this place the other day. I'm visiting for the holidays from Seattle, but grew up in Indy. This place is awesome. I didn't expect to be buying BBQ so I didn't have much cash on me. I bought a pound of their brisket, and man-oh-man, is that good stuff. The BBQ is right out front and those folks know how to use it. The brisket was so tender if just fell apart. ( I couldn't resist so just grabbed it with my fingers.) It's cooked to perfection and tastes fantastic just as it is. Their sauce is good to, but not what I would call "traditional" bbq sauce. It's thinner, and not as, I don't know, it's hard to describe. It isn't bad, it just isn't what I think of when I think of BBQ sauce. I found myself just dipping my finger into it to taste it, over and over, so it's good. Got a bit of a kick, but it comes in a bit late, which I like. This is a small place with no seating but tons of open park space nearby. I hope they can stay in business because they know what they are doing and it's very good. Check 'em out! read more