Vicki’s Barbecue & Shrimp

VICKI’S BBQ YOU SUCK BIGTIME!!! Not the place it used to be.
Can we say not good at all… and terrible customer service to boot !!!
We called to order and was told that and i quote“it’s not busy, come on in “. Why I asked can’t i order on the phone? After I was transferred to someone else, I was again told the same thing. OK, we are hungry and trying to support local business so we got in car and went there. Of course it wasn’t super busy but there was still a wait which is what we were trying to avoid.$ 25.00 later for a slab of ribs that only came with 1 side…(Who does that!!!) I was aked if I wanted the bbq sauce on the fries too. So I decided to be on the safe side and have them to put it on the side because there was someone else eating too and I was sure if that was what they preferred. Upon being call to counter after waiting for order the lady said… slab dinner with extra sauce on side. So I replied, no I didnt ask for extra sauce, i just wanted the sauce that you were gonna put on the fries on the side instead. She said, well that’s considered to be extra and I asked … So does it cost more that way? and she said YES… OK, i said, that makes no sense, you were gonna give it to me for free on the fries but because i want it on the side I have to pay extra!!! OK, no matter and i paid and left… Now for the good part!!! Can we say nasty as hell!!! Meat was hard and stringy in many many places and the Fries were HORRILBE, HORRIBLE AND MORE HORRILBE!!! HAD NOT BEEN THERE IN A GOOD WHILE BUT NEEDLESS TO SAY … WILL NOT BE GOING BACK EVER AGAIN OK!!!
VICKI’S IS NOT THE PLACE IT USED TO BE… AND I AM SORRY TO HAVE TO SAY THAT.

I haven’t been to this place in years. I found it when I worked in the area 35 yrs ago. I have since retired and moved to Fl and am visiting Detroit next week. In my experience Detroit has the best BBQ, shrimp, Mexican, and Chinese food of ANYWHERE! ! Let’s not even get into Kathy’s Cheesecake! I am planning my visit based on all the foods I miss. I looked up BBQ, hoping a restaurant came up on Unilocal that I knew. Vicki’s …WHAT? STILL OPEN? YES! I CAN SMELL IT ALREADY ! : —))

After reading the Unilocal reviews, I was in the mood for trying the ribs at Vicky’s. I ordered the full slab with fries. The ribs were stringy, dry and tough, and the sauce was too tomatoey. the fries tasted grainy and a little old. I would not go back. Detroit used to have many good barbecue joints, but the only two that I will eat in Detroit now are Slow’s and Parks BBQ. This would be third rate BBQ in the south like Texas or Tennessee or the Carolinas. I only gave it three stars because in Detroit there are not many choice barbecue restaurants.

I went in and ordered a ½ slab, cut, a BBQ sandwich, potato salad, beans and a piece of sweet potato pie. I got home and I had two ½ slabs, one cut, one uncut, cole slaw and beans. No sweet potato pie. Waaaaaaaahhhh! For me, the sauce was a touch too vinegary. The beans were good as was the cole slaw. But no sweet potato pie??? I LOVE that stuff. I was so disappointed. While there though, I spoke with another man who lives in the neighborhood and he told me of a liquor store — 2 blocks east of Vicki’s, turn right and look for an empty lot and the store is across the street. Tate’s??? Not sure. He said in the back they cook Soul Food with greens and beans and corn bread. May try that next time.

Detroit BBQ legendary spot. Rough hood so be safe, but worth it. Call order in to save time, gets busy. Everything is good here. Ribs are quality cut of meat, nice grilled charcoal taste. Sauce very good. In between sweet and tangy. Not Open Pit based which is a welcome since far too many urban spots have that taste base. Get the hot bbq sauce on side. Great additional kick to the mild. Seriously. Fried shrimp superb. Good batter and quality shrimp. Packet tarter only miss. Catch 22 is they are better to eat right away because otherwise fried foods can lose their crispiness in bags due to steam (a helpful trick is to keep the bag open and let the steam out). Steak fries are divine. Love the old school transparent fry bag they come in.
Careful — you might become a regular or need a monthly fix.
Parks and Vicki’s are hands down the top BBQ spots in the D, Slow’s in third. Both wrap the rib on a styrofoam plate wrapped w seran wrap.

This place is right around the corner from my office. We picked up some ribs last year, and although they were good, the sauce was overwhelming. The next time I go, I’ll get sauce on the side. The burned out buildings on either side of Vicky’s adds to its ambiance.

My family’s been going there for years. Huge fan.

Been going there for years I hate to do this but it is not the first time they are living high off the hog but the flavor is not there anymore no smoke taste the sauce is weak it is like they don’t care anymore please go back to the old flavor or will soon go out of business it is never the same anymore no good old fashion rib joints in the city Texas, Youngs, Greens, Sanders where good spots died with the city what a lost

Stopped in after the Eminem and Rihanna concert because it showed they had 4stars! After ordering 2 meals that could have fed four people we feel a 5 star rating is deserved! The ribs melted in my mouth and my boyfriend ate the rib tips as if they were the last in the world! Staff was unbelievably friendly and that was at 12:30AM! Thank you Vicki’s!

Not in the greatest neighborhood but what good BBQ spot is. When you walk in its standing room only. Yell your order from what appeared to be a 4 item menu: Ribs, Shrimp, Fries and pop (Soda).
I will definately return. Sauce and ribs were nice…

Omg i never even new about this place until my mother told me today i had planned to go to Parks old style bbq all the way on the eastside buy now i am so happy i found out about this place. I mean I would go to the ends of the earth for some great bbq and this place has it, slow cook in a wood and charcoal pit nothing but that great bbq flavor and the ribs are steaming hot and fresh what else can i say im a custo fo life now.

I don’t how you couldn’t love Vickie’s. Vickie’s is for the BBQ purist… not for the Slow’s loving, new in the ‘hood and don’t know what good BBQ is types. This is for the real deal Holyfield BBQ lovers. Juicy, smoky, succulent and tangy. Absolutely lovely.

The best BBQ in all the metro area of Detroit Hands down… I have been coming to Vickies well over 20 yrs and brought a few newbies along the way /​will be eating Vickies to my grave… Yummy

This place holds a soft spot in my heart… it’s literally 5 minutes away from my house and I’ve eaten here as long as I can remember. However, as the reviews show it’s not just a local favorite. It’s great food! I’m not big on ribs but a small end from this place makes me oh so happy. And the fried shrimp are delish. Don’t get me started on the meaty BBQ sauce! I think its a great meal for a night at home.

Hands down one of the worst bbq joint I have come across I think I could of did a better job on an easy bake oven

Vicki, Vicki, you were my second choice tonight.
I wanted Slows, but my stomach was too light.
The wait there was long, but with you I was in and out.
And, you, Vicki, is who this review is about.
It was light years ago, when I first heard about you.
And, once again, I visited here, on a dare from my work crew.
While the neighborhood is gritty, and your establishment isn’t pretty,
You sure are well-​know around this city.
Your meat was tender, your meat was good,
And I challenge anyone to find better in their neighborhood.
Though the sauce leaves something to be desired,
Nonetheless, it was good, different, not tired.
Though your menu is scant, with only a few choices,
I will return, for I enjoy your ribs’ tender moistness.
I could smell your tender goodness the entire car ride home,
And, indeed, you were good, right down to the bone.
If anyone else is in the area of West Warren and McKinley,
I recommend you stop by, quickly.
After all, Vicki, you are the unlikely hero,
But, back one day, to you I will go.

Ok, so it’s two blocks from the site where Malice Green was brutally beaten, and you should never go alone, and I could tell you a million and one reasons not to step foot in the door, but the simple fact of the matter is, I have never, ever, (and forgive me for this run on sentence) had better ribs from any other establishment! Vicki’s sauce is to die for and their ribs and french fries always make my summer night. Be smart, go with a friend, during the day, but enjoy the best ribs from the most unlikely establishment– and don’t forget to ask for extra sauce!

A friend lassooed me into going to Vicki’s BBQ, and after my experience I most assuredly will not return. After dodging a prostitute and a one-​eyed bum to get to the front door, I found that the smoked filled 10×10 location caused me to need a few puffs from the ol’ inhaler. Upon recieving my rib snack in a cellophane wrapped cardboard boat, the pungent smell of the vinegar ladened sauce made my eyes water. Against my better judgement, I pressed forward and took a bite. EWWWW… the meat was so tough I thanked the man upstairs for blessing me with excellent dental benefits. It was like chewing a vinegared tire. I only gave them two stars because my fries were pretty good, and my friend’s shrimp was tasty. Will not return.

My favorite traditional BBQ place in Detroit, and one of my favorite carry out places of all time. Normally I don’t like my BBQ bathing in sauce, but I’ll make an exception for Vicki’s. They’re offering smoked ribs now, but they’re usually not ready until pretty late. The menu is pretty simple, only showing chicken, ribs, and fried shrimp.
Walking in the first time was kind of confusing, and you have to make your way to the window and find out who ordered already or not. They will ask you if you want hot or mild, and whether you want sauce on your fries or not. If you order a half slab of ribs, you will need to select the small end or the large end. The large end is a little more meat, but the small end is more tender and tastier.
Coleslaw is pretty standard, but the baked beans are ridiculously good.