JP’s Barbeque Ribs and Chicken

I was so excited to get the, «Ribbin I’d never forget» after seeing all of JP’s awesome commercials that maybe I set the bar way too high… the service was great but that’s about all I can say. The location, inside a small airport, is really neat but I can honestly say franchise bbq joints have given me better «Ribbins».

Does not get any better than JP’s. The ribs were fall off the bone, finger licking good. The restaurant is ran by the most kind, genuine lady and refuse to get barbecue from anywhere else. A+

I moved to the area recently for school. A couple weekends ago, my parents flew down to Bolton Field to stay at my apartment for the weekend. We were hungry and figured we would try JP’s. Have you ever been to a place that makes you think «eh. It’s okay… But i wouldn’t come back»? That’s JP’s. I had the JP burger with coleslaw. The burger was flavorless. The only thing you could taste was the mustard. Not that there was too much mustard… The burger itself just didn’t taste like anything. The coleslaw was very obviously store bought. Just run of the mill $ 4-​for-​a-​half-​gallon coleslaw. Parents split a ribs/​chicken platter, I tried some just to try. The ribs and chicken at least taste like ribs and chicken. However, it’s not barbecue. You can tell it’s not smoked, probably just cooked in an oven for a few hours. If you’re at the airport and want something to eat, it’ll suffice. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

Well, THAT was an experience. Pretty sure the sauce came from a jar. But worse was even though they weren’t busy (only ONE other table had people) — tables were dirty and we had to wait for a seat — unless we wanted to ask the one other table of people to move, so some of us could get behind the loooong row of tables/​chairs lined up (or, I suppose, sit in a line, beside each other). Only 4? tables had «table cloths,» and all of them were the cheapo plastic (which is understandable considering what you’re there to eat) but they were worn out. I happen to know that Meijer is selling cheapo plastic table cloths for $ 2.99 each. $ 12 would go a long way, JP! Then the staff person acted like she was doing us a favor cleaning off a table (wiping all the food from the prior guests onto the floor with a big towel, leaving the table sticky and certainly not clean) and taking our orders. One of us had noticed the price discrepancies in the prices of the sides, and she said she didn’t know why there were price discrepancies. (crickets…) Our meals came and there were two rolls placed on top of the meals and they were obviously not freshly made, not warm, just bleh. The sides were a JOKE. They came in these tiny little cups & approximated 2 tablespoons full. It didn’t matter though, because they were absolutely TERRIBLE. The baked beans were indeed not baked, and had the same jarred sauce as the ribs. The potatoes au gratin were cooked beyond recognition and I doubt made that day, and I certainly doubt made from scratch. We had no silverware, had to ask for that. We all got one napkin each. At a BBQ restaurant??? No wipes. We asked for more, didn’t get them, so one of us «stole» some from one of the loooong row of tables/​chairs. No one asked if we needed more drinks or if we wanted anything else, if we were happy with our meals, nothing. The one good thing I can say, is that the ribs were tender and not overcooked and were pretty good, considering the «typical» tasting sauce. For three people, for what I just described, it was $ 64. SIXTY FOUR DOLLARS !!!
Stay home, folks.
It’s such a shame too, because the restaurant is at a small airport and not in an area over-​populated with restaurants … the atmosphere COULD be really cool, the food COULD be really good, and the place COULD be packed with hungry, appreciative guests with people standing in line to get in the door. JP (assuming there even IS a JP) and at least the one staff member appear to JUST NOT CARE. It’s a real shame.

I’ve been reading through the other reviews, and, as I’ve been a JP’s customer for overr 20 years I must say I’m a little surprised. I’ll grant you, nothing is perfect, but the food is very good.
A hint to you reviewers, not all BBQ has to be smoked, so leave that. If it’s your preference, that’s fine.
Let’s get to business here. The pulled pork is as good, if not better than any. No, it’s not smoky like City BBQ or other places. Tender, well sauced, unique flavor on the sweet side. Pair it with the baked beans which are amazing.
The ribs are big and meaty, again, not smoked. Let me clue you in about smoked meat. Smoking can be overdone, and is most of the time. Over-​smoking causes meat to be dry and pull away from the bone prematurely, killing some of the natural flavor. I’ll take these ribs any day. The sauce is delicious.
The cold sides are bought in, not house made, but who cares?
I’m a fan of this place and I’ll contune to come here for my barbeque.

Love to eat at this place, usually go there with friends. Food is delicious, ribs are out of this world. Chicken is great and they have sub sandwich ‘fat mama’ that became my favorite… If u have enough people u can play volleyball there. Would recommend it to a friend.

I hadn’t had JP’s for years, and was reluctant to try them again after seeing the reviews. Last time I went was 10 – 15 years ago at the east side location (which I guess is closing soon.) I also had it at a wedding reception about 20 years ago. I remember it as being above average.
This time, I was kinda close to the Bolton Field location so I swung by. Hey, an airport? I can watch planes! Well, except it was pretty dead that day.
This really ought to be two different reviews, for JP’s as a BBQ joint and as an airport café. As BBQ, it was decent. I’d waffle between 2 and 3 stars. I’ve definitely had better, but it wasn’t crap. I had a half rack dinner. The ribs were meaty and had decent flavor, though not much smoke. The sauce was, well, sauce. Nothing stood out about it. I tried the regular and spicy. Meh. They came with a good roll, average baked beans, and very good onion rings. Pop in a bottle.
As an airport café, it is a solid 3, almost 4 stars. Nothing fancy, but decorated with aviation items– and not in a «grab something with a plane on it» way, but an organic collection of mainly local items. Pix and shirts from solos, posters, models, etc. A decent range of menu items, at reasonable prices. A view of the ramp. Very good service.
I might be back just for the airport atmosphere. Hours are limited, bathrooms are in the ops building next door, there’s a patio and a party house.

I’ve been going here since it opened when I was a kid. I love the food, no it’s not always perfect, sometimes the ribs are a little tough, sometimes the chicken is a little dry, but it’s always delicious. The sauce is homemade and always taste amazing (I love getting some extra and dipping my fries in it.) I can’t say that I’ve always had the best of experiences here, but I wouldn’t say that it’s bad at all. I know for a fact that some of these other reviews are far over exaggerated, the food isn’t always great… but it’s never been THAT bad. Seriously… just because you had a bad experiences at a place is no reason to trash it, grow up.
This is what it comes down to, is JP’s the BEST Barbecue in Columbus? No, it’s not. But is it worth a try? HELL YES!

I have been going here for years, and yet to be dissatisfied once. The sauce reminds me of Arby sauce, but JPs is better. They arent the best BBQ place in town, but for the price they can’t be beat! They are good and the recipes have been the same since they opened years ago. They serve pork ribs so don’t expect beef ribs here.
They are hardly ever packed. They offer catering, and Valentines Day specials which I might add is awesome. I attended the V Day special a few years ago and it was fun and filling. Offering plane rides and an all you can eat buffet.
Definetly worth the visit and money.

My first Cross Country Solo lead me to JP’s BBQ. I had no idea it was here, and apparently my CFI who knows of my BBQ love sent me here as a surprise (thanks justin!)
The restaurant itself is right next to the terminal and has a large playground attached. It’s a small room, probably seats around 20 – 25 and I was the only one there. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
The menu is decent, lots of different BBQ options, yet surprisingly, no brisket. I opted for the ½ rack of ribs with the cole slaw and beans. I figured it was a solo flight, so the beans wouldn’t mind.
The rib’s were a tad chewy, and weren’t fall off the bone. They were decent, but not the type of dry ribs I typically prefer. The cole slaw was OK, but nothing to write home about.
Overall, it’s an OK restaurant, and definitely a good destination for a $ 100 Hamburger. It’s just not the best BBQ in Ohio (That’s BBQ Revue in Cincy).

I had read that JPs was one of the best BBQ restaurants in the state of Ohio. I found the sauce to be good and the Pulled Pork sandwich to be enjoyable but not exceptional. I enjoyed that it was located on the field at Bolton Field in Columbus so flying in for the meal made it more fun. It is a good place to go for sure if you are an aviation enthusiast. Though, be sure to have some wetnaps so the inside of your plane is not a mess afterwards.

BB Q sauce is outstanding. The rib quality is kinda hit or miss. Sometimes the meat is fall off the bone and sometimes not. Would have been 5 star if meat quality was always falloff the bone. the staff seems a little occupied with other tasks which is sometime questionable when we are the only table in the place.
As far a flavor of ribs GREAT!

Ah, where should I start? The people were nice, the BBQ was so-​so. It wasn’t falling off the bone like so many other places. The sauce was okay. It was cheap enough. A half rack of ribs with two sides only cost me $ 9.95. Considering the drive out there and the quality, that was probably more than it was worth.
I got two sides. One was au gratin potatoes like none that I have ever had before. They looked like potatoes in orange soup. The other side was cole slaw. They purchase their cold side dishes and this tasted like it.
I gave them an extra star because the help was nice. But I won’t be going back. Too many other good BBQ places in town.