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    The Firehouse

    4.3 (191 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    The Firehouse Photos

    Business Info

    THE FIREHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Firehouse

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mike B.

    We were looking for a place to grab dinner and checked our Yelp bookmarks for ideas. We originally chose another restaurant but it was closed. We noticed that The Firehouse was also bookmarked and just down the street. After reviewing the menu online, we decided to check it out. The business was created in 1980 as the Bucwood Bar-B-Que. It was originally located in the back storeroom of the "Buc Plaza" convenience market on the corner of ETSU's campus. They became famous for their hickory smoked BBQ. As business grew, in 1981, they purchased the Walnut Street Firestation at auction from The City of Johnson City. We arrived about 5pm on a Friday and parked in the parking lot which had quite a few spaces still open. We walked to the entrance as other parties were also arriving . We were disappointed to see their antique fire engine was not in the lobby. The building still appears to have the bones of the original fire station but also had the throwback atmosphere of the 80's with a lot of brick and wood paneling. We both thought it could use some refreshing. The hostess was quick to seat us in a booth. The place was probably about half full. We were provided menus and offered drinks. We perused the menu and my wife decided to order the Beef Brisket Barbecue Platter with Broccoli Salad and a side salad. I chose the Bacon and Cheddar Burger with Smoked Mac N Cheese. Our meals were delivered in a timely fashion and looked delicious. We both enjoyed them. My wife really enjoyed the broccoli salad. She prefers her brisket without sauce but was not given the option. I thought the mac and cheese was delicious, just a bit runny, it could have been thicker. The burger hit the spot. After our meals were delivered, no one came back to our booth. We waited for a while after we were finished but my wife needed to use the restroom and said she would go check in with someone about our bill and ask for a to-go container for leftovers. When my wife returned, she shared that she was told our server was sent home because of health issues and they were reassigning a replacement server and apologized we had to check in at the hostess station because no one had stopped in. My wife was able to pay our bill and get the to-go container at the hostess station. Overall this was a good experience but it did feel a little off.

    Menu
    Jennie A.

    Cool place to have lunch with southern hospitality. Food was delicious and service spot on. I had the Carolina Pulled Pork bbq platter with potato salad and smoked Mac & Cheese. Sooo good. Hubby had the Chief burger and he said that was delicious and juicy. Go check it out if you are in town!

    Pulled Chicken w/Steak Fries & The Volunteer w/baked beans
    Tanya W.

    This was a cute little restaurant I drove by and it had a lot of cars in the parking lot, where all the other places had maybe one or two cars. So, I popped in to try it out. I figured the locals know what's good here so I followed the herd. The place offers a downstairs, order at the counter option and then go find yourself a seat. Or, a sit down waiter style restaurant upstairs. I chose the upstairs option. All the staff were super polite and very friendly. We asked what their best seller was and the waitress told me it was the pulled pork and then the pulled chicken. We both ordered a chicken dish. Me "the volunteer " a BBQ grilled chicken breast, on an onion roll bun, with pineapple, lettuce, Swiss cheese and Dave's mayo. It was delicious. My buddy ordered the pulled chicken with slaw and steak fries. The pulled chicken looked more like chicken strips on a bun. It didn't come with anything in it, but nose pulled sandwiches don't. He said it was very good and had no complaints. I did feel his sandwich didn't look as tasty as mine, but that doesn't affect the flavor at all. Would I go here again? YES! Would I tell others about it? YES! Did I like the staff and service? Absolutely! What a great experience.

    a plate of ribs and broccoli
    Joel C.

    First of all, be informed that they do not serve alcohol. Parking was easy. The staff was friendly and helpful; 5 star service. A full rack of ribs was thoroughly enjoyed along with some sweet tea. Carolina Pulled Pork sandwich was very good too. The iconic firetruck in the lobby was really cool and it's my understanding is still used for parades, etc. I don't think they take reservations so you may have to wait a bit. Price point was super good too!

    interior
    Lex M.

    Excellent friendly service, tasty inexpensive food, great beef brisket. Mostly local crowd.

    Michelle S.

    Great food, service and ambience! I used to cone here back in 1991 studying for gross anatomy lab exams! It's still here and still had the cool vibe with antique firetrucks i side and old photos everywhere. I loved it then and now! Great BBq, beans, baked potatoes and hamburger steaks!

    Carolina Pulled Pork Plate
    Elizabeth M.

    Walking into the front door, first sight is old firehouse truck with the Dalmatian on seat waiting on driver . Everyone from walking in to walking out was super friendly! So nice to be back with southern hospitality. I tried the pulled pork; it was very good along with the side coleslaw I ordered. Maria, my waitress was Johnny on the spot; I never had to ask for anything; refill, napkin, to go box or the check. I would definitely return.

    Pulled Pork
    Bryan F.

    For a bbq place I was surprised not to smell anything smoking. Walking through the front door you first have to make it past the antechamber and giant enter sanctum doors. The dining room seemed smaller than the waiting area. My wife told me later that there was a much larger seating area that no one was in. Th wait staff was very nice, well groomed, and provided the right amount of attention. Nothing more and nothing less. The food was good but not great. I had the pulled pork. It seemed like it have been slow cooked in a crockpot, not in a smoker. My wife had the chopped stake. She liked it. The fries were good, but had that frozen fry feeling. If in JC, I might try it again simply because of how clean it was and how nice the staff were.

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    10 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Solid food and solid service for years! Love a good bbq stuffed baked potato, and a good family friendly spot.

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    6 years ago

    Got the pulled pork platter, it was so yummy!! The bbq beans are greatly seasoned and are wonderful!

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    8 years ago

    Great food service eveytime. Never been disappointed at this establishment. Eat there everytime I'm in jc

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Great Food, Great Service, Great prices, very friendly service. The smoked flavor is very strong. Burgers was fresh. Soup was good.

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    9 years ago

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    Page 3 of 5

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    Southern Craft

    Southern Craft

    4.3
    (564 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Fantastic. The space is large and nicely arranged with plenty of seating options. The staff were…read moreall extremely friendly. The beer, some from an attached brewery, was great, with a nice range of styles. Not everything on tap was another IPA. In terms of food, I'm not their target audience, but they do seem to have made at least some effort to have something without meat on the menu. In terms of food, I ordered the house salad with a smoked vegetable topping. It was great. The smoked vegetables were a really nice way to get a little bit of barbecue into a vegetarian dish. They also added lots of flavor to the salad. I was afraid the salad might not be very substantial, so I also ordered some pickle fries. Those were interesting, but substantially more food than I needed. The salad is already plenty for a meal. I've been traveling this week, and I think this place is the best restaurant I've checked out during my trip. Highly recommended.

    When arriving we were greeted by an absolutely lovely , happy and fun young lady with a big smile…read morewho suggested trying the tater tots . As we were seated we had the privilege of meeting our waitress Sophia . Undecided on what to get besides the tater tots I picked her brain . Settled on loaded tater tots , coleslaw sweet potato's , brisket , turkey and a meat of her choice (ended up with pork belly . The loaded tater tots had jalapeño queso and pulled pork absolutely amazing tots . Coleslaw was nice crisp and a good mild flavor . While the sweet potato's were full of flavor and had a granola type stuff on to . Brisket was the perfect amount fat and meat . Turkey was thin sliced , great full flavor and slightly moist . The pork belly had lots of meat , mixed with the jalapeño queso the pork belly had a mind blowing flavor . The pork belly and the added queso should be the number one selling item on the menu . Full 5* from the perfect service and for the food

    Photos
    Southern Craft
    2 meat BBQ Combo. Pork belly and turkey
    2 meat BBQ Combo. Pork belly and turkey
    Outside

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    Outside

    The Firehouse - bbq - Updated July 2026

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