How does this place get so many stars and good reviews. Whoever been liking this had no ideas what real BBQ is or they got lucky. This is such a tourist trap. 1. It is overpriced. $25 for 2 meat plate you get little piece of chicken and chop meat. Sides are good but the meat are tiny. 2. It is gross. you know something is wrong when your bbq is drown in sauce. Look at the picture. I never seen a bbq restaurant drown their meat in sauce. It is like they just grilled it or microwave the meat and just dump sauce on them and call it bbq. Also it was cold. Might as well eat at Applebee's if they are serving this. I was going to give 0 star but server was patient and nice. Food was just terrible. Everybody that give good reviews have nachos or macaroni. That's easy to make, but the items that involve technical skills and times, they have no idea how to make barbeque period read more

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Stopped at Sparks while visiting Traverse City because my husband and I were craving BBQ -- particularly BBQ nachos. Unfortunately, Sparks was busier than expected so it took way long to get our food - even though we just ordered the nachos and a side of mac. Our waiter apologized many times due to being short staffed for the holiday weekend, but we were getting soo hangry we devoured our food in 10 minutes by the time we got it. The nachos were pretty good - I expected there to be a lot more meat and toppings for the price - and I wish they had put all of the BBQ sauce on it! We asked for all of their BBQ sauce on the side so we could try all of it. The mac & cheese was also pretty good! I probably would opt for a sandwich if I came back though since I do think the nachos were a bit lackluster. read more

Sparks BBQ - The nachos - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Awesome BBQ restaurant with tasty food. The service was friendly and the physical restaurant was very clean. The brisket sandwich was great :) read more

I love this pulled pork! I have been going here for years and get the pulled pork sandwich every time. Usually I get double meat and I wish I did again this time. I think the Mac and Cheese is extremely overpriced for the size but very tasty! Great service and neat ambiance. Great location and friendly staff! read more

Sparks BBQ - Pitmaster Mac 'N' Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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The Tank-named after a great guy --it seemed like it had a lot of components but it left the amazing smoked meats as the star We look forward to dining here when we make it to town! Always enjoy our service and the food. read more

Sparks BBQ - The Tank -seemed to be a lot of items on the bun but it left the meat as the delicious star! - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Wow! Came here for the first time visiting my friend in traverse city! We went downtown because she wanted to go into the cherry republic store upon doing so we were hungry around lunchtime on a Friday and saw this place and decided to sit in, they had super cool art all of the place and the place was super clean. They only had two people on staff serving 8 tables but they got us seated right away got our orders and food quick as well, they worked their butts off. The food was absolutely amazing I got the Mac daddy smashed potatoes and woooowwww that was amazing. Next time we are in town we will definitely be back. read more

Sparks BBQ - Chips and homemade queso - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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I'm so glad we happened upon Sparks BBQ. On a busy Saturday afternoon, we were able to get in and out quickly, had impeccable service and awesome food. The restaurant is super cute and perfectly located in the quaint part of downtown. The menu isn't huge, but I'm not sure I needed many more options, especially after I saw the great photos of the BBQ. Don't skip on the mac and cheese; it was 100% the best part of the meal. I'm not sure I could handle the big plate with the BBQ, but it sure does look good and worthwhile. The pulled pork sandwich was excellent; the meat was perfectly cooked and very tasty. If I was the chef, I would have added extra sauce, but thats more personal preference. I was very tempted to have the strawberry cornbread - it's on the list for next time, for sure. read more

Excelente comida que sirven y bien servicio, aun que una queja es que no tenían el aire acondicionado prendido y creo que disfrutaría de comer lo que pedí si no tuviera tanto calor ( quizás esa es su estrategia para que los clientes no duren mucho comiendo . La comida estuvo muy rica, es difícil encontrar un buen lugar para comer bbq pero este lugar está en uno de mis favoritos. Pedimos el plato que viene con dos carnes, escogimos costillas ( tienen un excelente sabor y te las puedes comer aun sin salsa bbq) y carne desertada de puerco ( también tiene buen sabor aunque ya trae salsa bbq, para los acompañamientos pedimos baked beans y coleslaw los dos tenían un buen sabor, pedí una Oberon de beber y mi esposa una Bowers Harbor Cider. Volveremos cuando regresemos a TC read more

Sparks BBQ - Costillas, pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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We were really looking forward to having Sparks BBQ again, 10 years after our first visit. When we arrived, it was no where in sight. Asked around and discovered that they were gone for the season. An actual food truck, not a restaurant. Closed before Labor Day weekend! Really?! read more

The bbq is subpar. Being from Texas and knowing how to prep, cook, and serve bbq from start to finish this restaurant honestly lacks knowledge in cutting brisket properly and dry rubs on ribs and other basic bbq techniques. We've been coming to TC for over 30 years now and when this place open we were skeptical of trying it. After a few year we dropped in and tried. Day after there's not a single person in the our party that isn't sick with indigestion and stomach issues. The staff however was great. The server we had was kind and patient. Ambiance was lacking. The sound music was playing and a subwoofer was obviously on its last legs. Will we be going back. No. read more

This is nice little stop for lunch in the town area. The food was pretty good. I would go again. read more

Sparks BBQ - The two meat choice. Ribs and brisket. - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Service is 5/5 star hands down! The food is great! Having lived in Nashville, it's tough to compare BBQ but this is pretty good! The Mac Daddy to start is always a good choice but make sure you have a fried or 2 to share with cause this will fill you up. I love this place. They also have trivia every Thursday which is always fun too! read more

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Stopped in for dinner and started with the apps and decided we needed to skip dinner. Never seen wings the size of a quarter before tonight. The wing we small and had no flavor and next to no meat. Not sure if they were even bbq. The other app we ordered was the Mac Daddy Smash and I was so disappointed. The pulled pork had no flavor or any sauce it was very dry and lack luster. The Mac and Cheese had not season and was about as flavorful as a box of Kraft. Lastly the smashed potatoes were just boiled potatoes with no salt or seasoning. Overall it was a highly dissatisfying meal. read more

Sparks BBQ - Worst wings ever! Should have sent them back - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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This place was great! stopped in when walking by due to live music. The band was great - playing blues music. wow have I missed live music. menu had many delicious options. we chose a sampler plate for the two of us and it was more than we could finish! food was so good. we sat at the bar, bartender was attentive without being too attentive. the original location is in TC, but, there is apparently one in Grand Rapids as well. read more

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It's now called Enclave with the same owners. It's so bad all around. The ambiance is so strange. They're trying to be a fancy restaurant, and have the prices of one, but are not. The food was not good either. Changing things back to Sparks would be in their best interest. read more

Food was decent just not overly impressed. Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. Food was filling just not the Warmest . There was only 2 other tables in there at the time we was in there and it took some time to get out food . We thought we would try candy bacon for dessert. Save the $12.95 it was horrible Staff was very friendly and kept the beverages full read more

Solid food with sometimes inconsistent (or just plain slow) service. The pig candy is amazing and the brisket is generally solid. We also really enjoy their homemade pickles. read more

This place changed to the Enclave. The service was slow, the drinks were bad and the food was not good. We do not recommend eating here.

It's not my absolute favorite bbq place but it's decent. Nice food selection and friendly staff. read more

Sparks BBQ - Pulled Pork Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

So disappointed. When a BBQ joint puts the sauce on for you they're hiding something. I can sauce my own food. It was drown in sauce. Way over priced and horrible portions. For $15 you get: 1- Maybe 5oz of pork soaked in sauce on a massive & dense sweet bun. I can sauce my own, thanks 2- is that an appropriate amount of coleslaw on a sandwich? Yes, when there is that little meat. Otherwise, no 3- Is that really a side of coleslaw? Maybe for a 3yr old. It's in a side cup for condiments! 4- I got 10 small chips. Seriously, it looked funny on the serving basket. So much empty space 5- THE CORNBREAD HAD THE TEXTURE OF CAKE!! IT ISN'T CORNBREAD ITS YELLOW CAKE!! 6- Nacho chips are from Costco/Sam's Club. Round and out of a bag. Awful To top it all off the owner pulled up as we're leaving in his White w Blue racing stripes 775hp Shelby f150 hot rod truck. Gunning it as he pulled away down the crowded street. I've had BBQ all over the country. Texas, NC, KC, Atl. I seek it out when I get to a city. Come on, man. New low. read more

Sparks BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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Stopped in here for lunch when we were shopping downtown. The consensus was either "BBQ" or "food", so Sparks fit the bill either way. It's a neat place inside with good music. Service was very enthusiastic. The kids really enjoyed their mac and cheese, and the cole slaw was good. The beans were nothing special, unfortunately, even though they're purportedly from a family recipe. My chicken sandwich was good, a lot of meat. My wife enjoyed her pulled pork, as well. They were very generous with huge buns from a local bakery, I couldn't finish it. The sauces were decent, she got the house and I got spicy. They apparently are testing a habanero based one, but our server didn't offer it (he mentioned it to another table but I was already eating). They should skip the tortilla chips, getting six generic ones on each plate is kind of lame. Okay, it's pretty good. read more

Ate here while on vacation brisket was very dry and overcooked. My wife got pulled pork and it was good.

It was a nice bbq type atmosphere. Our server was great. Very personable. My raspberry ice tea was good. Unfortunately that was it. We had the Mac n cheese with chicken and the ultimate nachos with chicken thighs. Very disappointing. The chicken was extremely dry. The food was very heavy and rich. Not worth the money spent. read more

Sparks BBQ - Ultimate Nachos - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Nice staff. Food is just okay. Cornbread was great. No greens of any kind? Boring, hot-dog like sausage and dry, uninspired ribs. It filled me up when I was hungry. read more

Host/Server - friendly well informed and attentive - 4.5 star. Food 2 star - burnt ends very inconsistent, some inedible from possibly being reheated and dried out, some pieces very tasty. But for $22 buck the inconsistency is unforgivable. Would have sent back but we were the only table and the server was spot on. Mac and Cheese - predictable, coleslaw bland. Ribs - average, chain quality. Won't be back. read more

I am so disappointed with the wings we ordered. These were the smallest wings I have ever seen. We had to turn them back in and then left. If they could actually serve these to us, we were afraid what else might come out. And not even an ounce of concern coming from our server when we turned them back in. No questions, apologies or anything. read more

If you enjoy smoked pulled pork, drop in at Sparks BBQ. We ate light meals, yet they were bursting with flavors! The Pitmaster Mac 'n Cheese with pulled pork was a delicious, compact meal in a cup. As for the BBQ Tacos with pulled pork, they're the best BBQ tacos south of The Foundry Craft Grillery in Elk Rapids. Friends told us we should come in some afternoon when we can tackle the Baby Back Ribs or Brisket plates, then walk them off on Front Street. read more

So my wife and son ordered from sparks for the first time tonight. They ordered the nachos, and the take out bill was over $50. When my son brought the nachos home my wife was not pleased with the portion size for that price, nor was she pleased with how they packaged both orders together. As you can see from the picture that is absolutely not $50+ in take out food. She called the manager and tried to work something out. She told them her concern and absolutely did not feel heard. She was not looking for a total refund because she was going to eat the food and she told them that what arrived tasted very good. The manager was short with her and obviously wasn't listening because he kept assuming she wanted all her money back. He told her if her if she didn't like it to leave a yelp review. My wife has never left a review on any restaurant, but felt compelled with the way she was treated. She explained what happened like I just did and the owner of Sparks was quick to respond. I didn't see the review or his response; and my wife has since deleted it because she hates this kind of confrontation. I however do not. The owner lied in his response and said my wife used "abusive language" to his staff and that karma would take care of her or something like that. I KNOW this was an absolute lie because 1. In the 25 years I've been with my wife I have NEVER heard her use a curse word or abusive language. And 2. To know her is to love her. She has an impeccable reputation in our community and anyone who knows her would testify to this fact. The reality of this is simple. The owner and manager didn't want to listen to a legitimate concern from a good local customer of TC. Instead the owner went on the attack and bullied a wonderful person. And to that owner; feel free to comment and attack me. I know the truth and so does the Karma you used to bully my wife. Have the summer season you deserve. read more

Sparks BBQ - This is supposed to be two full orders of Nachos that cost over $50 - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

Great service and delicious food. Stopped in while shopping in downtown Traverse. Loved the rules on their menu. Ordered the tacos add brisket. It was tasty. The side of corn was a wonderful addition. read more

RAW PULLED PORK. both of our dishes were red/pink. Server knew. But didn't do anything. Asked to take our plates away after ~2 min of being in front of us. Because we were taking pics/not eating/picking food apart instead of eating. No acknowledgement and no offer to fix.... LOL literally says ON menu that they won't reheat. Interesting. Health hazard read more

Sparks BBQ - RAW - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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went to the food truck. disappointed for what we paid. ordered the pulled pork sandwich, barely any sauce or coleslaw. no salt and pepper for the mac and cheese which was watery. Likely won't be back. I liked the food when it was a restaurant. read more

Downtown, easy to find on the corner of Cass. Plenty of parking nearby and behind the building. We had 8 people for their small dining room. We sat at separate tables across from each other, which was expected, since I called ahead. I had a couple bites of brisket, baked beans, Mac n cheese and cornbread. The brisket was lean with a drizzle of spicy bbq sauce. The beans were great. The dining room is very small, and unfortunately, they do not have outdoor seating. My husband ordered the candy bacon for dessert. I think it was good. It's definitely a sweet treat, drizzled with chocolate. The staff was annoyed at our party. Hostess was rushed when I tried to ask a question (I was wearing a mark) and she didn't want to stop to listen, even though I waited at the stand, patiently for her to be free to speak to me. I had a question. Maybe she thought I had a complaint. The waitress that was taking our order was in a rush to get away from the table. Trying to order drinks and food, we kept having to ask her to wait, we aren't done ordering, to get everything in. The food was excellent, the people are not. read more

Smoked brisket was tender and smoked to perfection. Sides were good. Mac and cheese a little too much garlic. Server made sure our glasses were always full. Hubby and I shared the 1/2 lb. of brisket with two sides and garlic toast. More than enough for two people. read more

We stopped in here for lunch while visiting Traverse City, I had the pulled chicken sandwich with baked beans and cornbread. Some of the best BBQ I've had in a long time. The beans were sweet and tangy, just like my mom used to make. I've neverr tasted baked beans this good in a restaurant. There cornbread is so fluffy and served warm with honey and oh so good. Make sure you ask for extra napkins if you order a sandwich because they are saucy. Will def eat here next time we are in the area. read more

Came here for the first time today and was not disappointed! Excellent barbecue. The pulled pork sandwich was great. Make sure to come early enough because they do run out of the meats toward the end of the night. Great place overall and will definitely come again when I'm back in TC! read more

Below average in my opinion all of the sides seem straight from a can. Cornbread is nothing special, half cake batter. The ribs were under smoked and seemed to be day old "we arrived right at noon". If you are looking for a good authentic barbecue I would not recommend. Definitely overrated and overpriced. Brisket is the only reason they are receiving two stars. Servers were kind. Ps I'm a food professional read more

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We happened upon this place during our family vacation to Traverse in July. I grew up in TX and was spoiled by the incredible BBQ. Let me just say that this was the first and only place since leaving TX that I can say had real BBQ. It's been months and we can't wait to go back! The food was pricey. Our bill ended up being just over $80. It was worth every penny!!! We ordered the avocado bruschetta, full slab of ribs, hero plate, brisket sandwich and pulled pork. Everything we ate was spot on. Great smoke ring on the meats. Sorry...just saw this was saved as a draft and I never completed. We went in July 2016 I believe. read more

The service was fast. We got seated right away. It wasn't too busy so it wasn't hard to get a table. Maybe we got lucky. The place is small. I don't have much to say about the inside. But the ambiance was chill, relaxing, and feels like an authentic bbq place. (Side note the tables are a bit worn out, not sure if that's the design or if it's just the fact it's been messed with a lot. And this goes with most if not all the tables.) Everyone here is very quiet and respectful. I didn't need to wear my AirPods in noise cancellation for once! +1. The wait was a not too long. The brisket was dry, not very tender, and there was too much sauce on it for me. It was very pungent, and I wasn't a big fan. Id wish they put the sauce on the side. The coleslaw side wasn't very creamy, and wasn't anything special. I've had better coleslaw than this. The Mac and cheese was very disappointing. No flavor, just noddles with milk basically. The potato chips were probably the best out of the whole plate. The chips were warm, and I think they make them in house, but I could be mistaken. Overall, I'd still recommend since it's my first time. Id like to visit multiple times to taste their other menu items. But for now, this wasn't my best experience here. read more

Sparks BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

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My boyfriend and I have traveled all over MI trying out Bbq places so naturally we wanted to check out Sparks. Overall I was satisfied but thought we over paid for what we got. The pros - really great brisket and dry ribs (I usually don't like dry ribs but the rub here is amazing). The brisket was nice and tenderized and had a good amount of bbq sauce. The cons - the pulled pork left a lot to be desired, it was pretty bland - cooked without sauce and then they squirted some sauce on it. I prefer my pulled pork to marinate. Note there are only two sauces here - normal and spicy. Like I said pretty good but not worth the money we spent on two meat dishes and an app. read more

Sparks BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan

I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich. The chicken tasted pretty good but I would not waste my money on this meal again considering I only got the amount of tortillas that were pictured. The service was horrible. We waited for over an hour for our food while watching tables come in after us, order, receive their food, pay their bill, and leave before we even received our food. read more

Sparks BBQ - Pulled Chicken Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Traverse City, Michigan