Service was bad. Food was bad. Great scenery. Owner should join the American Pickers show and stop doing bbq. 1 star. Brisket was dry and not flavorful. Mac and cheese was blah in flavor and cold. Wasn't even busy and our waitress took forever to get us drinks. She also conveniently forgot out appetizer. I understand there can be off days but I've heard same story from others about this place. Just not the same as it was in CF. read more

I've eaten lots of bbq in my travels. This is some of the worst bbq I've had. Ribs were definitely not fall off the bone, and it doesn't have to be but you shouldn't have to knaw it off. The burnt ends were just that, burnt, mostly fat and sauce. The turkey and the sides were good, cornmeal muffins were great but in previous visits the food was much better. From me experience last nite I would not recommend! read more

A group of 11 met here at newly opened location in Waterloo. We intended to go to counter & order but they came & took order at table & delivered lunch to us soon thereafter, Great service. Special was pulled pork which most ordered & really enjoyed. I had brisket which is always fantastic. Those cornbread muffins are a treat too. They have a great menu, enchanting decor and interesting ambiance in an 100 year old (or not quite) building abandoned by Deere tractor factory. it is a lovely reuse renovation. read more

The food was AMAZING! It was juicy, flavorful, and well complimented with the sides offered. The corn bread is to die for. It's moist and sugary. The service was good. The decor was adorable and fitting for a BBQ restaurant. We ate our meals outside. The outdoor seating was as cute as the inside and clean. Highly recommend!! read more

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Seriously soo good! Reminds me of when I lived in Texas. Totally worth the wait. Great specials too! I've probably tried almost everything on the menu and it's all delicious. read more

Amazing food and service! We brought our team (group of 20) here for lunch. The staff had everything set up for us ahead of time and the food was delicious. read more

Food was cold,all self service, prices were high for self service!Booths were hard and not comfortable.

The meat and sides were very good. However, the sandwiches were served on some weird white bread that I was not fond of. I expected something more like a hoagie roll. read more

Pretty good, quick bbq, reasonable price. The vibe inside is super cool. The patio option is nice, too. Wish they had table service #foodcritic read more

I've been eyeing this place for awhile waiting for it to open. I was quite pleased. I arrived at 8pm on a Saturday night. The inside is rustic and cute. There are orange metal bar stools, barn wood planks on the wall, an old Kent Feed sign, and other simple natural touches. It is a small dining space and it's more like bar/lunch seating. They do not wait tables. You order at the counter and if you want to stay and eat you grab a seat. The person who took my order was one of the owners I'm guessing. She immediately apologized and said they only had turkey and pork available, they sold out of everything else. It was 8pm so I was more than understanding. I ordered 4 sandwich meals. 2 turkey and 2 pork. They came with cornbread and 2 sides. We chose mac n cheese and the beans for all our sides. The other owner/possibly husband of the person who took our order helped her dish up all of our food. In a few minutes we were out the door. With a very genuine thank you from both of them. The smoked meats were fabulous. The turkey was juicy and flavorful. The smoked pulled pork was amazing and even had charred/burnt edges. Loved the meats. The sandwiches are served on slices of sourdough. The meat was so good we all ended up eating it with forks. They included a tangy BBQ sauce too. The beans were obviously homemade and were more like chili than baked beans. Still very good. They had a bit of a kick. The mac n cheese was good too. Very creamy and thick. The cornbread was dense and ok. It was moist and not dry. I like my cornbread to be a bit sweeter. The meals were $11 each. Not terrible but adds up when feeding a family. We will be back. I like to support local places. I will come earlier so I can get the brisket. That sounds amazing from one of the other reviews. read more

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Awesome place to eat Bbq. Not a bad thing on the menu, your order is put together in good time. I have eaten here multiple times and they are always friendly and happy you chose to eat at their restaurant. If you haven't been to eat here do so, the turkey is some of the best I have had in a restaurant. read more

Had our sons wedding reception in one of their party rooms! Believe we were the first ones to use this room at the Waterloo location. I can't say enough good things about this place!!! Room was very clean and they even put up the decorations for us!!! Food is out of this world delicious!! Everyone loved it and went home with a full stomach!! It's hard to find a room where you can have a family event ours was 45 people and worked perfect!!! The brisket, pulled pork and burnet ends were the best we have ever had!! High recommend you give this place a try!! Thanks Jeff and your hard working staff!! read more

Food was amazing and came out quickly. The boy who served us looked to be 10 years old but still everyone was friendly. The patio was nice and clean and made sitting outside comfortable and enjoyable. read more

Very good have a cool fish tank had ribs they were good good people good place to eat

The food is excellent and ready in a timely matter. I have eaten here a handful of times. Every time the tables are not clean or wiped off. Today they had a huge gaping window the size of a garage door wide open. There is not a screen to keep insects or cottonwood out of the restaurant. It was in the 90's today and very hot. We had flies crawling all over our food and pieces of cottonwood floating in. Asked employees about the situation and they said the owner wants the window open. Employees also mentioned how hot it is in the kitchen by the frier. I hate to think how many flies were crawling around on the food in the kitchen. I am seriously considering not eating here again until the window remains closed or at least has a screen installed. I hate to leave a bad review. Knowing that others have also complained, and nothing is being done about it I felt it necessary. read more

Starbecks is by far our favorite barbecue place and probably our favorite restaurant. Their burnt ends are phenomenal and their ribs fall-off-the-bone fantastic. My girlfriend loves the brisket and we both like the cornbread, which doesn't even need butter. Expect to wait a few minutes during busy times. That's a good thing - it means you food is hot and fresh. Their prices even seem reasonable for what you get. What else I'd there to say other than that I'm making myself hungry. read more

It is sad when the side dishes shine and the meat disappoints - not ever a good combination for a barbecue restaurant. Pros: World class cornbread and very good baked beans. Pleasant staff. Quick service. Cons: Mediocre ribs and a bland barbecue sandwich with dry bread instead of a fresh bun? Come on - that's just plain wrong. We so wanted to like this place - but alas, our first (and last) visit wasn't good. Too expensive for the servings you get ($17 for a combo plate - that's very pricey by Iowa standards). The layout of the seating area is very weird and the too high chairs are quite uncomfortable. What were they thinking? The worst sin? The ribs and pulled pork lacked the most important ingredient - flavor. Just downright bland. Finally, their homemade sauces were really average at best. Too bad. Good concept - poor execution. read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

Best ever yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum well it's good let's just say yum yum yum yum yum yum

This is some quality food, especially for the price! Their $7 combo on Mondays and Tuesdays is an amazing value for the price-so much food! It comes with a drink, 2 sides, and of course the large sandwich. The 3 free wings with college ID puts the meal over the top! They have been out of food a few times, which is a little disappointing, but the quality of food hasn't gone down. Quality BBQ place! read more

First off - the food was good, but they did forget our sauce. And the employees were vaping in the kitchen. We pulled up to the drive through window, which isn't in order apparently...we wish they had a sign...that's when we saw them with their masks off and vaping. read more

Amazing food!! The best barbecue for great prices!! You have to try the corn muffins!!!

The best tenderloin ever! Consistently great and always golden brown. With a touch of smokiness.

GREAT food! Lots of choices. Good sized portions! Manager is friendly to chat with. Special care taken for food allergies

If I could max out my credit card for Uber eats to New York I'd do it . But I would never financially recover from this! Best bbq I've had hands down. I wish New York had this kind of bbq all we have is pizza and baconeggandcheessseeeewithsaltpepperandketch. read more

The environment is cool & love the upgraded space. However, there is no designated wait area so when it's busy, everyone is in each other's way. Food is usually good, but not consistently. Staff friendly & keeps the place clean read more

No social distancing. Most staff are not wearing masks. Terrible service. I won't be going back.

I love the Mac and cheese along with the cheese curds and pulled pork sandwich. Anything they make is extremely good except the fries those suck. The owner is a super cool dude. Prices seemed to skyrocket at their new location not sure if it's just growing pains or what. Also they said they don't do specials anymore sad day they used to have the best deal on the best food in town! read more

**Note the business relocated across University Ave next to Slumberland furniture. The original location at this address is closed. Food was good however I'd consider expensive for what it is. I got the feeling it's more targeted for take out than dine in, however there's more seating at the new location. When paying by credit card it asks for a tip to be added on...for what though, considering there's no table service??? A "meal" should include a fountain drink for the $12-$15 sandwich price in my opinion. Another suggestion would be smaller & cheaper lunch portions for during the lunch hours that include a drink with a "meal" as for two people to eat with drinks it was more than $35 without tip. I could eat at a chain restaurant and get just as full for less money. Also, while the new location is much better, I'd skip the garage door opening and leave it closed most of the time. There were many flies and gnats flying around inside (about as many as outside which is where I ended up sitting)...since the kitchen is open to the rest of the restaurant, I'm not sure who thought that was a good idea. But yes as far as a review of the food, it's good...should be great for the premium price. read more

If you're wanting some good southern bbq, this is not the place. Service: Excellent, top-notch, incredibly friendly and welcoming Food: I got the burnt ends sandwich. It was okay. I couldn't really taste any smoke or special flavor to it. The beans tasted like they were soaked in onions. Onions. Onions. Onions. It was all I could taste. I took one bite and left the rest. They messed up my husband's order and left out his beans. We even asked if they were in there, and they told us yes. And then we got home, and they weren't, which didn't matter since they were gross anyway. The cornbread was okay. But I did dig the fries. We got our meal to go, and they gave us a huge bag of fries! And they are the fries with the potato skins on. Mmmmm Atmosphere: Busy! This place was on the go at the supper hour! There isn't much dining seating, and we got ours to go. There was a huge line out the door and a drive-through, but the staff kept up like champs. We barely had to wait. BBQ Sauce: It gets its own category since it's important! However, it was a sad disappointment. It was soupy and tasted like watery ketchup--super disappointing. Overall, I wanted this place to be good! I loved the staff, but that bbq and meats are a far cry from what you're hoping. It wouldn't hold a candle to a place down south. read more

Food is good and that's all thee we foood is good the food is good the food is good good

LOOOOOKKKK, yall have no damn reason being this damn good. I had the ribs, burnt ends, baked beans. I had it togo. The building was great was a bit confusing on how to order but the staff was very attentive and talked to me asap and the rest is history. My ribs were absolutely phenomenal. At the end i was eating them even while full as they tasted so great. Whoever made them needs a raise, by alot. Great smokey flavor with bbq flavor, fatty content was great and juicy and tender, melts in your mouth. The corn bread is moist and delicious, the burnt ends was fantastic, the baked beans tho....man i was really putt off about this, they tasted like chili, in fact id swear it was chili if i didnt know better, in fact saved it to eat it as chili at work. they gave out tons sauces, had me try some other side sauces. all in all this place is everything ive been looking for in a bbq joint. read more

Delicious food and friendly service!my whole family is able to find something they love. Corn bread is a must!

Was not impressed with their "smoked turkey". It reminded me of a hunk of smoked lunch meat not an actual bird.

Final review: B-. Burnt ends don't mean what they used to. What was served from the Burnt ends sandwich was just brisket tips cooked and drenched in their bbq sauce. Couldn't taste the smoke, caramel, or burntness. Couldn't see it either. Baked beans had a gravy base instead of tomato base. And had sort of a strange mix of celery, beans, rice, and loose meat burger. Corn bread was good. Had chunks of corn in it which was nice. Tasted home made. read more

I can honestly say it was the worst smoked sandwich I've ever had. I ordered the smoked Turkey. It was 2 thin slices of turkey on wonder bread. I'm not kidding. The counter person was unpleasant and put orders ahead of mine. It took me over 20 minutes to get a sandwich to go. Don't waste your time with this one. read more

This was a great road trip find. It was just what we were looking for! We ordered the turkey sandwich, brisket sandwich and Mac and cheese. It all comes with a side of cornbread which was the best! The Mac and cheese was our favorite. The bbq sauce was sweet and tangy and not too spicy (which we liked). Liked that there was a healthy option of fruit on the side which came with nice ripe watermelon, grapes and pineapple unlike your typical soggy mix. Highly recommend! read more

Starbecks Smokehouse - Mac and cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

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Just visited for lunch and they never disappoint with their choices of specials! I got ribs and barbecue pork picked up the same meal for my neighbors! It is the best meat in the area! I just keep forgetting to go there for lunch but it is a perfect time to do it as it is take out so take out and take home or take out and make a picnic! read more

For a meal for one or two, ordering online is pointless. I showed up on the agreed time however, I ended up waiting over 30 min while other walked in to order got their food and left. When I brought this to their attention I was advised that they food won't be ready when you get there and they only start to pack the order once they know you are there. The poor service takes the amazing food down multiple levels. I want to give a higher review but it's not possible. read more

Placed a order on Grubhub and was canceled by the restaurant after driving all day and wanted descent meal guess try someone else

It's pretty simple really. It's the best bbq in the state of Iowa and one of the best in the Midwest. Meats are flavorful and juicy. Sides are amazing. And the sauce is incredible!! Do yourself a favor and go eat at Starbecks now! read more