When on a road trip, highway-side restaurants are simultaneously mystery and risk; will it be a dive, fit only for unwitting tourists? Or a gem in the rough, a glimpse of pure regionalism? I believe Sweetwater Bar-B-Que is the latter. It's a small establishment, the only restaurant on that side of Highway "Z", but once you walk in and smell the wood-burning oven, the realization hits: "you're in for some real barbecue". The portions were absolutely massive; the half rack was served on a turkey-sized platter, and the chicken sandwiches came surrounded with overflowing corn and coleslaw. The meat was falling off the bone, and every bite was infused with a smoky-rich tang that this New England girl has never experienced before or since. It was an experience as the only "southern" restaurant we stopped at, and I'm ever so glad we did. read more

Sweetwater Bar-B-Que - Sweetwater Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - St. Robert, Missouri

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Not a fan of sweet barbecue sauce and the no option for another kind. I was not impressed at all with this place. I should say, I'm also spoiled by Kansas City BBQ. I noticed a sign on the door that they were looking for a pitmaster hopefully they find one soon because their food is very underwhelming. and I was upset that barbecued meat with the barbecue sauce already on it (not a big deal but..) was served on normal bread. Making the bread a soggy mess. I would have rather the bread be served on the side that way by the time I get to it it's not inedible. Brisket was dry. Turkey and ham were pretty good but the brisket was terrible. On a positive side I do love the family-owned feel of the restaurant. The lady working the counter was very helpful and nice. read more

Was down the road at a cheesey roadside attraction and could smell the food over half a mile away. It smelled so good I had to track it down. I'm so glad I did. I've had great bbq all over the country over the past 49 years & I can't remember ever having better. I would go 100+ miles out of the way for it. The service is very good and so are the prices & portions. read more

This is a great bbq place. I am glad I found it. I recently moved to this side of town after living here for over two years already. I had no idea that this place even existed. I'm surprised people have not been talking about it as it is delicious! It's hard to find good food in this area, so this one is definitely a gem! read more

Nope. I did not have a good experience here. Ordered the 3 meat, pork, ribs and brisket. The pork was okay. The ribs were SUPER over cooked and the Brisket was terrible probably the worst I've ever had. It didn't look like brisket, and didn't taste smoked at all. It was weird. I would have rather had Dickey's at Leonard Wood. read more

Thank you Yelpers or I would not have found this yummy BBQ spot! After just coming from Austin & being disappointed with Stubbs I was vwry satisfied at Sweetwater BBQ! We had pulled pork & turkey sandwiches @ $6 each is a deal! Then a $10 BBQ 3 meat combo we had sausage, brisket & ribs plus it came with 2 sides we had sweet potatoes & corn bread all were delish! Not too hot on fried potatoes AKA fries eh could have done without those & got the peach cobbler instead because it looked so good! Definately recommend this place when you come for your ARMY grad's and visits! The only problem I had was finding it. I plugged in the address listed here on Yelp but it's actually about a mile up the road from the spot on my map... So don't give up it's there! I just called them. Yum-O if you like a sweet BBQ sauce, they also have jalapenos on the side for those of us who like it hot! read more

Stopped Uranus fudge factory right next-door to this place we had to come over and eat barbecue hands-down they have the best barbecue catfish ,pull r pork everything is top notch. You got a try this place right off of the interstate 44 going through Missouri read more

Replace your Sunday evening staff. Zero customer service, actually the exact opposite. Maybe hire a chef who isn't trying to run out the door an hour before the business hours close, or has a little hissy fit when he has to come inside and do his job for five minutes in front of your customers. And the cashier isn't much better, basically acts like you're bothering her until you're literally about to hand her money. Won't be going back, there are other barbecue joints in the area. read more

The first time I came here it was 2010 and have been a fan ever since. Whenever I'm in Fort Leonard Wood its a must to stop by and have some of the delicious bbq. The sweet pulled pork is to die for! Whats not to love about the place, best part is you can get pitchers of beer at a time! A must to stop by if you are in town. Friendly service with kind people. read more

Quite frankly I don't see how this place doesn't have more 5-star ratings! I was on the hunt for BBQ and I drove right by this place towards the Elbow Inn, which turned out to be closed. Wow did I get lucky!!! Service had a smile and no extra frills. I had the 3-meat w/2 sides plate and paid less than $15. I was quickly served a huge plate of beef, pork, spicy sausage, coleslaw and baked beans. All of the meat was tender and juicy and had some of the most delicious BBQ sauce all over! I will be back when the craving hits me again, and I don't care if I have to drive past 10 BBQ places to get here! YUMMMMMM! read more

Solid solid solid choice for some midwestern bbq. Easily competes with anything from the south or at least my neck of the woods (sorry. Don't kill me Atlanta. I know y'all have good things too!) Very simple menu, incredibly and I mean incredibly fast turnaround and good "hillbilly beans" aka baked style with some onions. The potato salad had no celery in it!!!!!! Which make me, the celery hating person super ecstatic. Okay maybe I gave you another star for that. Lol. Plenty of meat to fill your plate. I have the two meat combo with brisket and pulled pork and a very sweet styled bbq sauce which surprisingly goes with it better than expected. In general for the rest, the place is a tad difficult to get to from the exit. Be careful when you come off the ramp. On a side note, if you have not done so already please, please, please research the history of the town of Uranus, Missouri. The town is a town of 1 plus family who won the local battle of independence vs midwestern wholesomeness. Also it's the only town in the US called Uranus so you can now add to your collector list to visit all cities that are named after the solar system. Ps: Uranus has a fudge factory. read more

Very impressed with Sweetwater BBQ! Popped in here at 4:00 on a Tuesday afternoon and had the place to ourselves. Man behind the counter was super friendly, and the man behind the grill was awesome too in delivering fresh, hot, delicious food. The sauce threw me off at first, as sweet sauce is normally not my first choice. However, it quickly grew on me! It was absolutely phenomenal and I picked up a bottle before I left. All in all, we'll definitely be stopping here again when we come through on 44!! read more

I LOVE this place. Dont expect any service. You come, you order, pay, get the food, eat and get the heck out. Clean up after yourself please. read more

I live their ribs. Service is always fast and food is better than all other bbq in the area

My family went try this place for the first time. We ordered a full rack of ribs and Cajun shrimp. Ribs were juicy and very tender. Cajun shrimp was awesome too. I'd come back here again. Restaurant was clean and spacious. read more

We stopped here to eat during family day at fort Leonard Wood. Well worth it. The ribs were amazing. The employees were very nice and helpful. read more

Delicious food, friendly staff. Interior needs updating. Lots of parking area. Easy to order.

The regular sausage had NO taste-- the brisket was solid chunks & were tough -- hard to eat & no taste either. WOULD avoid this place if looking for bar b q......... read more

lacking in service, chicken was ok, brisket was subpar no flavor, they only offered pulled brisket so that was a bad sign from the start... meh... won't be back. read more

My favorite bbq for sure! I buy the sauce by the gallon. My family and I drive a few hours just to get it. The staff treats us like family. read more

The meats are the stars of the show there. Make sure you go for an early dinner to get them fresher. I was most impressed with the ribs, and I don't usually get ribs. The meat falls off the bone, perfectly seasoned, moist, and huge. Go with an appetite. The sides? Not so impressive. Tasted like they came from a can or out of a tub. Skip the sides and enjoy the meats. read more

To be honest I really was not that impressed. Since I came to town a month ago I have been wanting to eat here. The sides were pretty good but I feel like all the meat was overcooked. The worst part about it was it was on a Wednesday and it was my birthday. I wasn't a big fan of the Overabundance of BBQ sauce that was put on it either. It was almost like they were trying to cover up/moisten it up. Really hope that I just caught them on a bad day. As you can see in the picture I ordered the three meat plate. read more

Sweetwater Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - St. Robert, Missouri

I had a hankering for some meat slathered in sauce for dinner tonight, and this place hit the spot. This restaurant doesn't have a waiter service; instead you order at the register and seat yourself and wait for your food. Thank goodness there was paper towel rolls at every table! My smoked ribs were slathered in a delicious BBQ sauce and it didn't take too long until I was making a mess devouring them. The sides didn't really blow me away as much, but the meat was worth it. Most of the entrees on the menu are under $10 too. A large amount of food with an affordable price tag always gets two thumbs up from me! Atmosphere wise, it was a really laid back place with a few beers on draft, friendly guys at the counter, and NFL network playing on the flat screen tv they had in the seating area. Put it this way, I left the restaurant fat and sassy! Give it a try if you find yourself on the old Route 66. read more

When I was in Kansas City searching for BBQ, I had a picture in my head: a run-down hole in the wall that hadn't seen a fresh coat of paint in 20 years. A sign with broken letters. Staff who would just as soon curse you out as take your order, and really don't give a hoot if you like what you bought or not. Food that makes you wanna slap ya mama. We went to the wrong spot in KC. But we found the right spot in St. Robert, MO. Sweetwater is exactly what I had in mind. Everything we got was good. Our son the soldier got beef and pulled pork; both were scooped high atop slices of Wonder bread, and served next to generous sides of potato salad and green beans. The wife had pork ribs and sliced smoked turkey, with green beans and "hillbilly beans." I had pork ribs and chicken, with hillbilly beans and cole slaw. All was absolutely delicious; great smoked meats that didn't need a drop of sauce. Add a very good, thick sauce, and I was in hog heaven. Sodas, lemonade, sweet tea . . . all there for you, with 2nds and 3rds if that's what you wanted. Portions were huge; the only one who could finish was the soldier, who was soooo gratified for quality food after boot camp that a PB&J sandwich probably would have sufficed as well. Great BBQ, and lots of it, for cheap. The most expensive combo plate was under $11. I had an itch for good BBQ . . . Sweetwater scratched it, and then some. read more

Delicious bbq and side items and friendly staff! Dining room and bathroom are very clean. Definitely worth a stop!

Not impressed. The goods, the portions were a good size, the meat seemed really fresh which is always good. It was tender, also a plus. The bad: the sauce needs something. It tastes like ketchup with a hint of molasses. It's just too bland. The flavor should be more robust. I probably won't revisit. read more

I wished i lived here... The only reason i'm even IN St. Roberts, MO, via Atlanta, GA, is for my daughter's basic training Graduation at nearby Fort Leonard Wood! But i KNEW the whole time, that i HAD to try some BBQ while i was visiting! I really thought i was going to have to stop by St. Louis to experience Missouri's famous bbq on the way back home, but FATE had another thing for me! Just so happens, my hotel was located behind SWEETWATER'S! You know i had to do a search on YELP, and to my surprise, their were plenty of positive reviews! I figured it HAD to be fate! As soon as i could, i paid them a visit. I knew i would be ordering some ribs! I ended up with a rib/chicken combo dinner. The place looked nice and clean, and had a friendly staff! My food came pretty quick. I opened the container and liked what i saw. Nice, big, meaty bones with a nice smoke ring and visible layer of seasoning covering them! My mouth started watering...aw man... I took my first bite and good God...meat pealed off clean. Sooo much FLAVOR! The chicken looked and tasted delicious also!! My side (fixins!) were the coleslaw (very good!) and the Hillbilly beans (also very good!) Needless to say, i was very impressed, and give Missouri bbq my respect. So sad i will probably NEVER get to eat here once i leave...but thats tomorrow so i can make another trip before that!! Oh, if i had to gripe, it would be that they close at 8, but i guess that's how its done in small towns! read more

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One of the better places to eat around fort Leonard wood aka fort lost in the woods. If you're craving some home grown BBQ, this is the place to eat. The wood is growing but still not much selection for eating. However, this is the place where I'd eat the most. Their portions are huge. Very generous with their food. I ordered take out and had enough food for two days off of one meal. Gotta love it! read more

Sweetwater Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - St. Robert, Missouri

We were so impressed with this random find! We are not from the area and just driving through when we decided to pull over to get some food. The barbecue was great. My ribs were tender and very flavorful. I liked their sauce but it's a little sweet if you have too much. I would suggest asking for it in the side to control how much you use. Their coleslaw was perhaps the best vinegar based slaw I've ever had. Their beans were smoky and oniony - and again were out of this world! read more

Sweetwater Bar-B-Que - Barbeque Near Me - St. Robert, Missouri

What a great little oasis close to FLW. Getting right to it... Beer on tap at a good price. Check. Plenty of protein. Check. A descent sauce. Check. Smoke in the bites. Check. Homemade spuds. Check. The only complaint is that the beef comes shredded. I am a sliced guy. That is really a preference as opposed to a complaint. Stop in of you are passing through. I will go back. read more

I guess it's what you would expect for a BBQ restaurant located on the side of the freeway in the middle of no-where Missouri. The food was decent - I had the chicken, my brother the ribs. I wouldn't say either of us were especially blown away but the BBQ sauce was better than expected. The service at Sweetwater seriously lacked. The lady working the cash register left us standing there waiting to order for probably 10 minutes before acknowledging our presence. Not good when you have a VERY hungry boy on your hands who is about to lose his mind from low blood sugar. To finish this review on the positive... they serve their BBQ on real Wonder Bread. I saw the bag behind the counter :) read more

Not the most inviting looking place when you pull into the parking lot. They need some flowers or a pink pig or something. Don't be discouraged. Inside might be due some loving tender care also because it seems a little drab. Don't be discouraged. Order a Sweetwater special for $9.95 but only if you are hungry. They served two huge meaty ribs, enough ham for two and plenty of sausage. Everything was cooked to perfection. Tender ribs, tasty ham and tangy sausage. Beans and slaw were terrific. Other choices are available but I chose these three. I also ordered potato wedges and they were marvelous and a bargain at $3. One of the few times I have had to have a to go box. If you are headed up I-44 and hungry, I suggest you look for Exit 183. Sweetwater BBQ is right there. You won't be sorry. read more

Everyone I come here with is a fan of this place. I think it is okay but its not BBQ to die for. I have had the pulled pork ribs, brisket, and ribs here. The best would be the ribs by far. That is the main reason we come back here to eat. I am more of a brisket/pulled pork kinda girl so its nothing special to me. The food is quick and the service seems friendly enough. The location is really easy to get to. The BBQ sauce is good. Overall- the place isn't bad and I would come back. read more

Sometimes I have dreams about Sweetwater's BBQ. Seriously. Everything was so delicious. We ordered pulled pork sandwiches (yum), baked beans (double yum), coleslaw (yum), and SWEET TEA??! What! Soooo goooooooooooood. Awesome. The floor was a little sticky... which means there was probably food on it... and quite honestly, the food on my PLATE was so good that I'd probably lick the floor, too. read more

I smelled this place as I was getting on the highway, 6 miles to the next exit and I was still thinking about it. I had to see if it was as good as I thought it was going to be. - Got off the highway and made a u-turn, 6 miles back! Sweetwater did not disappoint - got the the Sweetwater Special with Ribs, Pulled Pork and the Spicy Sausage. It was all over-the-top good, but I'd pass on the ribs next time, they were great but had a little too much fat on them. The pulled pork was the best I've ever had. All this for $10! I'll probably never be back in this part of Missouri, but if I ever am, I'm comin' back to Sweetwater Bar-B-Que! read more

I joked to friends that if you are eating with plastic forks and knives on paper plates with a roll of paper towels on the table you know you are eating really good BBQ. AND YOU ARE HERE! Great food. I ordered the three Meat plate for lunch. Delish! Had leftovers and the heated up nicely the following day. There is no waitstaff, it's just like a pizza joint. Order at the counter and go grab a table. read more

Another place ran by kids. Made a request, they were out, made another request, they were out, told them to tell me what was in stock. Blessed thier hearts they did try. Wifi password did not work. Again, bless thier little hearts, they tried but they really need an adult manager who understands customer service. I wonder why I was the only one in the place when i arrived, now I know. The food wasnt that bad, really. Maybe would have better if i havent hit that first negative wall. read more

Great BBQ! This place rocks! The brisket, ribs and pulled pork are all excellent. There is fried catfish on certain nights too (I think Mon-Wed). They have some great sides, potato salad and beans were the best. Beer on tap, good prices, no-frills dining room. Staff was very friendly too. There aren't a lot of good places to eat in St. Robert/Ft Leonard Wood area, this is probably one of if not the best. Be sure to stop by if you're looking for some good food. BBQ sauce is on the sweeter side but it's still delicious. read more

Looking for a healthy road side stop. Didn't find any health food but did find the most amazing ribs I have had in a long time. Pulled pork and fries were also great. Skip the green beans. They were soggy and tasted like school cafeteria green beans. Everything else is as good as it gets. read more

This restaurant was pretty meh. The BBQ wasn't terrible, but it tasted pretty similar to BBQ you buy at the grocery store in the plastic tub. I'm baffled to why it was served on white Wonder bread. I was expecting maybe cornbread or a dinner roll. It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't worth the price. ($13.50ish for a two-meat platter) read more