Ok I tend to be a bbq critic but I love driving around the country and in my random lunch stops review a place. Unbiased but tough. Atmosphere- very busy in design, but actually not overdone for a quick stop in or small group of 5-10 people. I stopped in on a random Saturday about 6pm by myself. There were many occupying the outdoor space so it was easy to get in and go. Prolly seats 60-80 at FULL capacity but 20 occupied was nice. There's so much to take you in to look at design wise. They did a good job setting it up. Food- what you came for. I'd say for a random stop, this place was 5 star. I ordered the big sexy burger and didn't do a combo so I could check out the plain sides of meats. It's awesome that they offer a simple ala carte for all their meats but was a little pricey. (Worth it- good portion). The burger had a good smoky flavor and the brisket added to it. It's a great option. In regards to the meats I ordered the burnt ends and the pork. Usually I find places like this don't even offer Burnt ends at the end of the day because they do limited amounts. They said no problem and always have some ready which was good. However I was surprised to find them already sauced (why?). I thought it seemed a bit tough and very broken down with bits of hard in it. Not hard bits of bark, but like "we always have it available and stir it up to keep it fresh" hard with stringy meat mixed in. It was a bit chewy in places and there was huge unrendered fat pieces as well. But I will say there was good flavor there and it wasnt dry (2-3 stars) Now the pork......this was the best thing there. It was seasoned right, has good texture and was moist with great flavor. Unsauced and you can see the smoke ring and has bits of bark too. Seasoning is flavorful (more savory and not pepper or spicy). The pork gets 5 stars. Also of note was the corn bread which was pretty good too . I hate super dry cornbread and this was not. Overall the food was above average to great. Can't say it will consistently be that way and the burnt ends need work but everything else was borderline exceptional enough to win me over. Service- probably the most lacking issue. The high school kid that brought up my order didn't care to even look at me and called my number and looked at his phone. Not that simple "order up" is hard but that's just the overall vibe from everyone. The spunky order taker was clearly the bubbly personality and was nice but she glanced me over when asking questions. It was clear that I told them I was just passing thru, loved to experience new Q and asked for a recommendation. She was helpful and said her favorite was the turkey but didn't really want to engage more. And the restroom had not been cleaning for a bit. See the pic for the reference . I'd honestly say it's a great place despite all my negativity. Owners clearly put in the right efforts to set it up and the food is mostly great. I'd recommend maybe they need a little help with the brisket and maybe a jolt of motivation to find good workers to keep the service up but if they could do that, this place has potential to be top 5 of all the places I've been with BBQ. Happy travels! read more

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One of those experiences not bad but not great either. Had a 3 meat dinner with ribs (dry and simply way overdone), burnt ends (small pieces and drowning in a BBQ sauce), and brisket (which was tender and nicely done). The sides were ok. Would we go back - maybe. read more

We used Starbucks to cater an event and everyone left fat and happy. I will say the brisket was on the drier side and I've heard it's not usually like that. All the other dishes: pulled pork, pulled chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, Mac n cheese, and corn bread were a hit. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is also neat and definitely pays tribute to a classic southern BBQ joint with all the lights and signs you could imagine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's not quite at the top of BBQ places that I've tried but falls somewhere right in the middle. Juicer brisket, fattier burnt ends Will brine it to the next level! read more

Always great service, fresh food, and cold drinks when we stop in. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Typically open seating unless there's an event dinner being held.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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You are getting a C+ this time. Out of staters been driving for 6+ hours and my son loves barbecue so much that he actually has a smoker and does some local events. fortunately all was edible just not worth coming back. Cornbread was highlight. All our ribs had not been cooked long enough, I was channeling Fred Flintstone. Brisket was the lean side and dry. Burnt ends were same as brisket just used fat end so slightly better. Pulled pork had what we think was butter in it to help keep moist. Smoke was very light. Coleslaw not great, Mac and cheese nothing special however baked beans were okay not your molasses type closer to charo but good. Server Alyssa L. was great and very helpful. read more

BBQ Having just rolled into town and not knowing the landscape, we were happy to see that our hotel shared the building with Starbecks. The hotel lobby had a pleasant smoky smell so we decided to meet there after we got settled in the rooms. Starbecks, as mentioned, is located on the ground floor of the Courtyard Marriott in Waterloo. Tehe building is massive and apparently was a John Deere plant once upon a time and has been repurposed as a hotel and a restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The BBQ smokiness smell grows stronger as you walk closer to the restaurant and you are greeted with an eclectic collection of outdoor statuary such as Joseph and Mary.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a Monday night so the place was pretty quiet.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We grabbed a spot at bar and the bartender got us going with drinks and menus. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The bar is a decent sized "L" shaped affair with tv's and plenty of seats.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu is what you would expect for a BBQ place - very meat-centric with the usual suspects, plus a few salads and other mains in case someone is not a bbq eater. We placed our food orders and watched as the bar shift changed in front of us. The replacement bartender was pretty much a zero - no personality. You sort of want that little bit of banter when the place is dead and well, we just talked about work stuff instead. Food showed up in a fairly quick amount of time. I went with a rack of ribs and green beans and coleslaw as side. Coworker also went w ribs and fries as a side. The rib portion was large and cooked well- turned out to be a lot more meat than expected. The sides were just not good. The coleslaw smell sort of reminded me of floor polish and the green beans were just ok - nothing at all special about them There was also a small side of "honey cornbread" and again - just meh. The bartender continued to be there but not there. We decided to just call it a night as there was nothing really riveting about the place to sit there any longer. I would most likely not hit this place again if in the area. Large parking lot in front. read more

Went on a trip to Georgia and we absolutely loved the food and the whole experience. The service was terrific. They make the sides there like the potato salad and so so yummy. read more

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We fell in love with this place last year on our way through Waterloo. We thought we'd try the two meat plus 1/3 rd rack of ribs combo this time. NOT DISAPPOINTED!!!! The sweet and tangy sauce is great over the pulled pork. The burnt ends and ribs were so tender that they brought a tear to our eyes. Very good and we couldn't finish it all. Well, more for lunch the next day. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is pretty cool also.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - The two meat and 1/3 rd rack of ribs combo - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

The food was amazing, we tried a couple different meats and the flavor was fantastic. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is fun and the layout and decor is beautiful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Impressive representation of Waterloo[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

What a lot of food... This place is great. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The decor is very cool. I really like the indoor/outdoor table and the outdoor seating area. I had the 3 meat meal with 2 sides which is a whole lot of food. I had the ribs, pulled pork, and the burnt ends (they were out of brisket) - I was not impressed with the burnt ends but the pulled pork was really good and so we're the ribs. I picked the Mac and cheese and the mashed potatoes for the sides which were both delicious. Their corn bread rocks. I would eat there again. read more

First time dining "in house" and the new place is great. Plenty of seating both in doors and out, service is friendly and helpful with ordering. The ordering is the tricky part and I did not see any signs for procedure so that is why staff is so kind and helpful. Order at the counter and then they call your number when the meal is ready. The restaurant looks like it has table service but it does not. Food is melt in your mouth delicious. I have never been a big brisket eater. I was probably scared some a piece that was dried up and chewy at some point in my younger years, but the brisket here melts in your mouth!! And the ribs...I can't say enough about them!! Pulled pork is standard and oh so good. I'm a little bit in love with the Cole slaw- it has green apple in it- yum!! And if there is still room arm the corn muffin has just the right amount of sweetness! I love this bbq! read more

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The Big Sexy Burger was outstanding! Awesome sides as well!! New Location...Same great food. Stopped by for another Big Sexy Burger and others ordered up a Tenderloin and an Iowa Philly. All were very good and generous portion sizes...sides varied from Green Beans to Potato Salad, Fries, and Mac&Cheese. Great new ambiance in the larger building with alot of nostalgic decorations. read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - Huge Tenderloin - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

This place had good reviews so we checked it out. I had the burnt end sandwich at the suggestion of the cashier. It was really good. Nice flavor and the fat was perfectly rendered. I usually don't like pieces of fat but this made even the fatty bits terrific. Fries were perfectly salted and crunchy and the Mac and cheese was creamy. Came with cornbread that had a nice sweetness and also enough fat to have a bit of a crust on it. Very solid little hole in the wall BBQ joint. Small indoor seating area and they put a table with an umbrella outside if you want to eat outside. read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - Burnt ends sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

Went there for lunch and had the hot link, Mac and cheese and coleslaw. Definitely a good choice. Easy self serve ordering. Went back for dinner and had the Iowa Philly. Definitely not my cup of tea. The gooey cheese was not gooeying lol. However, Cheryl was fantastic. Her customer service definitely brought the stars up! Thank Cheryl I hope you get a raise!! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere and the service were great. Comfortable, casual dining with a wait staff that did an excellent job. They were welcoming, speedy, and what you would hope all of your front of house staff to become.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Unfortunately, the food was just meh. I did a combo platter with 1/3 rack of St. Louis ribs, burnt ends, and a spicy sausage link. The ribs were barely warm and had nothing that was special or that would make them stand out. The burnt ends had some flavor, but were kind of mushy. I couldn't finish them. The spicy sausage was good. The sides (potato salad, mac & cheese, and cornbread) were fine and served appropriately. Maybe at this point in life I'm a BBQ/smokehouse snob, but I found Starbecks to be average at best. Not the worst I've ever had, but nothing memorable. read more

I haven't tried many fried pork tenderloin sandwiches but I heard Iowa is known for them. This was the first restaurant I ate after I landed and the sandwich did not dissappoint. It is full of flavor and the portion was pretty big. If the sides were good I would've gave it a 5 star but sides were kind of bland. Overall I would recommend this place to anyone in the Waterloo area! read more

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Restaurant has full service on bar side, counter service on the more family seating side; fun atmosphere. Bar side has great service. They have a fried fish sandwich listed, that when you order it they apologize and say it's not really a sandwich and they don't know why it's in that section. Never fear! Ask for it on a bun and voila! A really good fish sandwich. Tarter sauce is spot on. Fries and mac n cheese are great. End with a really good sweet and crunchy on the edges cornbread. Lot's of beer choices on tap (bottles and full bar too). read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - Fried fish (request bun) w/ fries, mac n cheese, cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

This owner is beyond disrespectful, talking to his employees, the way that he does. They'll never see my money again.

Enjoyed my bbq dinner at this restaurant yesterday. Ordering is at counter. I had 2 meat plate that came with 2 sides. Ribs and brisket were good. Baked beans and coleslaw were tasty also. The baked beans had a variety of ingredients and meat and was filling. The dish came with cornbread that was great. Plenty of seating and parking. Prices were good and portions just right. read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - Two meat plate with ribs and brisket under ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

This is a great restaurant! The food is authentic, created by the crew on site, and the menu is creative! The service is top class. Everyone we encountered were helpful, friendly and really knowledgeable. Finally, the atmosphere is terrific, well thought out and welcoming! We enjoyed the Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken. The cornbread and Mac n Cheese are terrific! Do yourself a favor and check it out! read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - Hanging with Jeff the co-owner! - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

I'm new to the area and been trying out the local BBQ hangouts. They were okay but nothing special to write about. We had driven by this place a few times and the unique decorations outside always caught my eye. Decided to stop in tonight and boy howdy am I glad we did. My husband and I both had the Meat combos. I had ribs and burnt ends and he had the same plus brisket. OMG! Everything was amazing. Fall off the bone ribs without a bit of dryness. The burnt ends came in BBQ sauce and were fall apart delicious. This place knows how to cook. Even the French fries were tasty and I don't like fries. If you are in the area and looking for a good place to eat with a casual atmosphere then this is my #1 choice for you. Driving through Iowa? This is worth the slight diversion. Only note, it's not cheap. Dinner for 2 was $60 but we have enough leftovers for another meal. read more

Decent food for the area. Large servings, so definitely shouldn't leave hungry. Good service that was additionally quick.

A few weeks ago, I visited Starbecks Smokehouse to have a drink with some former colleagues. Upon entering, I observed two intoxicated female employees dancing and behaving in an unprofessional and inappropriate manner. Given their conduct while in uniform, we decided to take our business elsewhere. I decided to not write a review and gave them another chance so I went again yesterday. Huge mistake I was treated very poorly by the girl who took our order. I think it was one of the girls from last time I couldn't tell because her hair was different but she had glasses. I was very excited to eat there, but I decided to get my food togo. I will never be returning. read more

large portions. ribs were great, favorite baked beans ever! & [[HIGHLIGHT]]atmosphere/decor made it extra fun.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] business dinner read more

The food here is always great! I had the burnt end sandwich with green beans and Mac and cheese. It was so good. Green beans were cooked perfect and the Mac and cheese was delicious. I normally don't get Mac and cheese because I'm pretty picky. Cornbread is a must here. Restaurant is great for kids and the ambiance and style is cool. Service was top notch also! read more

Outstanding. Brisket is melt in my mouth goodness. No fat just lean meat. Cornbread is so tasty. Cheese curds great. Service-fantastic.

First of all what they had , out of coleslaw, chicken sandwiches, pulled frickin pork , yes you read that right. The big sexy burger was disgusting. The pork loin is a bright spot. Very good. Not impressed. Probably won't be going back. Has to be better bbq in Cedar Falls. read more

In our continuing quest for good BBQ as we travel, this one goes into the "pretty good" column. They appear to have moved from a larger location just up the road to this small, drive-up and counter service place (my guess - responding to the pandemic). The staff member who served us was friendly and our drive-through order was ready in about five minutes. Partner got the brisket sandwich, fries and fruit cup. Although he would have liked different bread, he reports that the brisket was quite good - moist and flavorful without getting the bread soggy. The fries were abundant and good and the fruit cup was a pleasant surprise - a generous mix of watermelon, grapes, blueberries, strawberries and orange slices. I had the turkey sandwich and baked beans. The large slices were tasty, although I couldn't detect much smoke flavor. The beans were...interesting. Definitely BBQ beans, not baked beans - I prefer them a little sweeter - but it was a nice mix of different kinds of beans and, again, a generous portion. All in all, a good meal. read more

I was excited to try Starbecks as I have heard great things and my travel final took me overnight. Did I mentioned I love BBQ. However, I was disappointed with the flavor, cook and presentation. I ordered the 1/3 rib two meat combo (burnt ends & brisket) Rib had an off flavor and covered in a sticky concoction. They were perfectly cooked. As for burnt ends, I had no idea what came out on my plate. It resembled meat in a sauce. However, the flavor was solid, just missing a solid form. Finally, the brisket had an odd flavor missing the signature beef flavor. No smoke ring was seen and very dry. Not sure if it was over smoked or setting in an unwrapped oven. The green bean were outstanding and yes I would come back for the buttery flavor. Unfortunately, it would be the only reason to return. I will try again because everyone has an off night! read more

Pretty disappointed in Starbeck's today. Asked what special was and told 1/3 rack of ribs with pulled pork and 2 sides for $11.00. Ordered this and ordered beans and mac &cheese for the sides. I got 2 ribs and thought this was odd because i usually get 4. A full rack is 10-13 ribs so should have been 3-4 ribs. Mac & cheese was macaroni and a severely watered down sauce that barely resembled cheese. This used to be really good and flavorful. Could only taste the pasta and not any cheese. They forgot to add the beans in the meal. I had to ask them to add them. In addition I was overcharged - was charged $19, but told the special was $11. They did correct the price. Despite all the issues i experienced, the ribs, pork, and beans were flavorful. Not sure what is happening because they have always been pretty reliable place to get decent BBQ in the area. I know it's hard to find good workers lately but this many issues is enough to tarnish a reputation. Please get these things fixed. I am normally pretty understanding with any one of the issues I listed but this many issues in the same visit is inexcusable. I will always give people a second chance and will go back, but would hope they correct some of these things. Best of luck!! read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - a meal in a plastic container - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

The food and service were outstanding! I got 3 different meats and they were all delicious!

The food here is amazing, the only problem is the flies, dirty tables, and the white bread that's just slapped onto the food. It just seems out of place?? The food is amazing tho. read more

Ordering was a little weird, our group order didn't come out together, a little disjointed, but delicious and the wait staff was on point! Will be back! read more

For a place this well-decorated I expected better. The ribs were mush. Tasteless, coated in a good-looking but tasteless rub (good ribs don't need sauce, or not much, and they DON'T fall off the bone...). I tried to help them with two BBQ sauces, spicy and sweet, but both were essentially ketchup and I could barely tell them apart. The burnt ends seemed okay? But I'm not a specialist. They sure weren't burnt, just mostly sauce. I got cole slaw (fine) and beans. The beans were a bland chili, with little tang and little spice. The corn bread was serviceable. The best thing here was the speed of service. read more

Yelp led us to this little beauty of a BBQ place. We had the $9 Thursday smoked turkey sandwich special (with 1 side - fries & a fountain drink) and a pulled pork meal with baked beans, Mac & cheese & a drink. Both meals came with a delightfully moist little cube of sweet cornbread. The counter staff were very friendly and the owners came by to ask about our meals. Lots to like here: the white sandwich bread looked and tasted homemade, the pork and turkey were moist and smoky, the sauce mild but flavorful, the fries thick and chewy, and the Mac was outstanding. The baked beans were average but that's not unusual. All in all, an excellent lunch! read more

Cool little place love the old tin on the outside but what you find inside is the Bomb-digity!!!! We ordered a Tyler's Pig Out to celebrate a birthday, 6 people, we had so much food it was unreal. We did carry-out everything was packaged in front of us and it was all hot even the fries didn't get cold. Oh the taste!!! The burnt ends, pulled pork, ribs and turkey were the best I've ever had., they were out of brisket. The sides potato salad, cole slaw, Mac-n-Cheese (definitely NOT the crap KFC serves), fries and the cornbread were just as good as my homemade and I'm a pretty good cook. Next time we will go and sit down. read more

I'm not a food critic but the food they have a Starbeck's is one of if not THE MOST BEST food I've had. And most smokehouse foods are usually good but this one just hits the spot it filled me up pretty quick so it's always nice to have some food to take home. I had the "Big sexy burger" and holy it was good. Comes with 2 sides I chose the Mac n cheese and mashed potatoes. Every meal comes with cornbread and it is all just so good. The service too, my sister ordered chicken strips and fries and because the breading was to dark they insisted on bringing us out more chicken and brought out fries with it too completely for free. Staff is nice considerate and bold so you can always here what they are saying. And outside dining is good they keep the toilets clean and the tables clean. I would recommend this place to the anyone around the world. read more

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Not impressed. Walked in and had no idea what to do, didnt realize you order first and no direction from staff. Brisket was good, ribs fatty, mac n cheese and pulled pork and muffins were good. We went early to beat the rush but our food was cold when it got to us. Outside seating area looks really nice, not alot of seating inside. We won't be back. read more

Amazing food, great atmosphere! My families favorite restaurant, and our go-to place to Meetup with friends.

Love the decor, but honestly, the food is no good. I've tried it on three separate occasions and was disappointed each time, especially considering the cost. Each time I've tried the meat, it has been fatty, and I've ended up throwing it out. The cornbread is sad and dry. The potato salad has been hit or miss. Of the three times I tried it, the first it was dry and flavorless, the second was decent, and the third time it was so salty I couldn't eat it. I will not be going back. read more