Finally found my way over to City Barbeque during a work lunch and I’m glad I did. I’ve been to one other City Barbeque in Columbus, Ohio and really enjoyed my food there so I decided I’d give this one a shot. As I was eating and then heading back to work, I opted for an 11:30am arrival time knowing that if you go between 12 – 1:30pm, it will be packed. We had a very short line to wait in and ordered almost immediately. I went with the turkey breast(naked, no bun) and a side of green beans and vinegar coleslaw. This is a lunch special where they downsize the meat portion and allow you to pick two sides. My man friend ordered the premium salad and a side of fries and a side of mac and cheese(he’s a vegetarian). I was very happy with my turkey breast and the green beans! The coleslaw was mediocre– could be found elsewhere, but was still solid. My man friend was a little less impressed as he thought the mac and cheese tasted like the frozen kind. Fries are fries and the salad was the only other option sans meat. It was a beautiful afternoon so we took advantage of sitting outside on the patio(in the shade). You are able to sit in the shade or in the sun, but since I had to go back to work I preferred to have a cooler atmosphere. The man at the register was very kind and even explained some of the menu to us. It was nice that although the place was becoming more crowded he did not rush us at all. Food was out in less than ten minutes. I’ll most definitely be back more often!
Tres B.
Place rating: 5 Seattle, WA
Stopped her on a road trip based on Unilocal reviews and hella hella yeah yeah what an amazing place. The BBQ is a blessing from the baby Jesus. Rich, smoky pulled pork, delicious buns and Cole slaw was AAAAmazing. Service was fast and friendly. I love you City BBQ.
Megan R.
Place rating: 5 Wadsworth, OH
I have eaten at city BBQ three different locations now. This location by far my favorite! The staff sooo friendly(always is the further south from Ohio you go). I ordered brisket tacos, comes with three, that was topped with corn salsa, side of pickled red onion and a roasted jalapeño. Amazing!!! So amazing that I ends up going to get another order. Yes that good! The tacos are not a regular menus item, so if you see it posted as the special it is a must get. David got the half rack of ribs, slaw and fries. He ended up eating one of my tacos j just couldn’t pack in the last one. Really good BBQ for a chain. Hell it is better BBQ then most I have had in Texas!
Marty W.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
Was very excited when this chain came To Louisville. Have not been disappointed. Whether it’s lunch, dinner or a catered meal. City BBQ continues to be a family favorite!
Lynn P.
Place rating: 4 Louisville, KY
After the amazing 1st trip into a(Columbus OH) City BBQ, I had to try the one that opened in Louisville about 6 months ago. It was a Saurday chilly Spring evening and the place was hoppin. This is a order at the counter and pick up and take to your table kind of set up. I don’t mind, but my dining partner didn’t care for that because it made things a bit more chaotic then he was in the mood for. People were in line 10 deep while their dining partner sought out(or hovered) for a table. Sure, if it were nicer, you could eat at their outside patio area. They could have used at least two more pairs of hands to help with the crowd and wiping off tables. The sweet tea dispenser was completely out, and no one refilled it within our entire visit. I liked the choice of some vintage sodas and they have a toppings bar but you couldn’t get to it because of all the people waiting to pick up their food. I will have to say, though, the barbecue is mighty tasty and made the wait, wiping down my own table and subbing out my standard sweet tea for a vintage Cheer wine, …worth it. My dining companion loved the baked beans and I was a big fan of the brisket. The mini corn loaf was a great little sweet to end the meal. The fries were hand cut and they have vinegar packets for those of us raised that way! All employees were very friendly and helpful. We talked to a guy(I would he was guess a manager) who was in the dining room helping to clear tables, and they are looking for a 2nd location to open another one in Louisville. I hope it is closer to where I live, but regardless, I will definitely return.
Lorie L.
Place rating: 4 Louisville, KY
Visited City BBQ for the first time with my boys on Mother’s Day. The menu online looked great and when I walked inside, I was really happy to see lots of seating, high ceilings, colorful signage and a great patio area. A very modern«barn» or «backyard» BBQ feel without the hard, cheap, wooden seats. Order at the counter and the staff will call your number for pick-up. I highly recommend grabbing a sweet tea and pickles at the Pickle/BBQ bar. For those that really love pickles, you can take a quart home for $ 2.99. My youngest isn’t much on BBQ so we got him a chicken tender meal, which came with 1 side and a drink. He loved it and ate very well. The rest of us(3) ordered the 1 lb of pulled pork and(5) sides. I didn’t try the hottest sauce but loved the others. The mustard sauce has a «kick» to it. My fav was by far the sweet BBQ. The sweet cornbread came as a small loaf — brilliant. Easy to share without the hassle of it getting stuck in muffin wrappers. The sweet vinegar slaw was amazing — somewhere between slaw and the sweetness of summer salad. The fries were crispy and the side was enough to share. We also enjoyed the green beans and mac & cheese; however, the mac & cheese didn’t stand out. It was thin and lacked flavor compared to the other sides. Great meal! Friendly staff throughout the ordering process. I also spotted them roaming the tables, talking to families. When we left, a couple shouted«bye». My family will be back!
Trevor W.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
I was off work early and stopped by to pick up dinner to go on a Monday. There was no line so I took a moment to ask the two knowledgeable and professional ladies at the register their opinion on what their favorites were. Ordered the brisket and a pork sandwich w corn casserole, potato salad and peach cobbler. Service was impeccable, fast, and super friendly and the food was great!
Jessica A.
Place rating: 3 Louisville, KY
Not enough parking and a 45 minute wait for the food. Tables were scarce, they were just busy. The bussers walked past us twice and I had to clean my own Table. But the food was delicious, might try it out for lunch sometime, not during peak hours, or for catering or pick up to go, hopefully it will be better service. Delicious meal. Thank you.
Rob Y.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
It goes against my nature to give five stars to a chain, but City BBQ does it right — all of it. Their meats are all done well, ribs, chicken, pork and sausage — all delicious and all consistently so. They serve beers both traditional and flavored, as well as bottled and fountain sodas. There’s a sauce and condiment bar to go along with your meat and side. First time here and not sure what to get? Try the sampler. It’s a good portion of each meat and plenty for two to feast on together.
Michelle C.
Place rating: 4 Louisville, KY
This place is hopping! The hubs and I came here on a Saturday night around 6 and all of the tables were taken. When you come in, you go through the line to order and then snag a table. So we ordered to go. The portions were pretty large. I got the pulled chicken with ‘Bama sauce and then green beans and greens for my sides. I put some original sauce on my chicken and just had it without a bun. It was a seriously massive portion. The green beans were the flat fat kind which are my fave! Cooked to perfection with delicious bacon. The hubs thought they were a little salty but I loved them. I also got greens which had the slightest tang of vinegar and were amazing. Not everyone can cook greens very well but these were tender and delicious. We also got the peach cobbler. Oh my goodness!!! It was warm and very moist and delicious :) I can’t wait to go back and actually eat there.
McKenzie I.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
This is hands down one of the best barbecue places in Louisville. I’ve been twice now and each visit has been amazing. My first visit was actually at a Unilocal Elite event where I got to try most of their dishes family style. I tried their brisket, sausage, barbecue chicken, ribs, greens, potato salad, corn bread, corn pudding, homemade cobbler with fresh whipped cream and lots more and everything that I tried was simply perfection! All the items were expertly prepared(with a lot of love) and packed full of authentic flavor. After such a great experience during the event I couldn’t wait to come back for more! My second visit(the visit where I paid real money so I can actually review, haha) was very similar! I ordered the barbecue chicken with mac ‘n’ cheese and corn pudding. The bbq chicken is hands down the best chicken that I’ve ever had. It’s fall off the bone and slow cooked to perfection with delicious, slightly spicy bbq sauce. The chicken is so flavorful and moist that its hard be to believe that its so inexpensive. I’ve had meals with slow roasted chicken for $ 35 a plate that didn’t even come close to this chicken, so its a definite must try for those of us that aren’t huge fans of pork. The corn pudding is amazing, I could eat this every single day with every meal. Its sweet and filling and very satisfying, I highly recommend this dish for corn lovers! The meal was also served with a fresh sesame roll, which was delicious and a great compliment to the bbq chicken. The only thing that held the meal back was the mac’n’cheese. The noodles were well overdone and the cheese reminded me of Stouffers microwavable macaroni and cheese. Bummer, next time I’ll get the collard greens(they’re amazing!). Also worth noting is their amazing fresh brewed teas and lemonade. They’re sweet tea is not overly sweetened and goes great with the food here. The staff is very friendly, helpful and seems genuinely happy to be at City Barbeque. They’re also very quick, as my order was ready just moments after placing it. And although that seems a bit too fast, my food was incredibly fresh. The restaurant is impeccably clean with a full hot and cold condiment bar(with warm bbq sauces, jalepenos, butters, honey and lemons), clean tables, clean bathrooms and all utensils and lots of bbq choices available at the table. Overall: If you love barbecue you will love this place. City Barbeque has definitely reignited my love for all things slathered in spicy sauces. The food and service is so good I actually drive 20 miles to eat here. I think I might be in love with City Barbeque…
Lauren H.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
This is some damn good barbeque. Definitely some of the best in the city. On my first visit, I had the full cut brisket sandwich, corn pudding, and fries. I was completely satisfied with everything; so much so that I don’t know if I’ll ever order anything else. The brisket is perfect: smokey, juicy, flavorful, with bites of the heavenly bark throughout. The fries are skin-on, salty, and delicious. The corn pudding was recommended to me by the guy taking our order, and omg, just get it. It’s the best corn pudding you’ll have. The BBQ sauces were tasty as well. Options are: regular, sweet, heat, and mustard. My favorite was the heat, but all were great. A couple other things to mention… I really like the atmosphere here. The restaurant is very open and spacious. There’s also a large area of patio seating, which is nice for warm weather. There are lots of BBQ signs and décor throughout the restaurant, which creates a nice, casual atmosphere. Also to note: The menu is a la carte, aka your meat doesn’t come with sides or a drink. Your first side is $ 2.29, and any side after that is another $ 1. Not a bad deal. The prices may seem high at first, but considering the quality and taste of the food, I believe the menu is priced accurately. I will gladly pay a little more for an excellent meal. I already can’t wait to come back!
Bryan J.
Place rating: 5 Germantown, Louisville, KY
Me, Scott’s mom and Scott all visited City Barbeque one night after working on this god-forsaken puzzle she’s been stuck on for months. I was very impressed and I can’t wait to go back! One of my favorite things was they have a nice selection of sauce to choose from. They have five different barbeque-esque sauces and one honey mustard sauce. Being someone who loves loves loves all sauces I sampled a bit of each one. They each had what you need in sauces at a barbeque joint — smoky, sweet and spicy. My favorite had to be the Brush Fire because it was the hottest of them and had an excellent flavor to it. The other ones were definitely notable though. The Swine Wine was an excellent mix of spices that gives the meat some peppery kick, the Original had an ounce of heat, a lot of smoke and a bit of sweet as well and the Sweet City was also very yummy but a little too sweet for my liking. You can also purchase bottles of the sauce while you’re there if you really need some for your own barbeque at home. We came in a little before closing and this is when service can be stellar or bad. The service was great. While we took a while to order because we hadn’t checked the menu before coming, the staff at the counter was extremely patient and offered us samples of the sides so we could figure out what we wanted. We ended up getting the Judge’s Sampler which comes with brisket, pulled pork, ¼ chicken, ½ slab of ribs, 2 sides(we got corn pudding and mac and cheese) Texas toast and two pieces of corn bread. The brisket was obviously smoked with care and was salty but not overly so. The pulled pork was so damn succulent plus I added some of the Brush Fire sauce and Swine Wine to give something extra because a good pig is a drunk wine-o piggy. The chicken was good, but at a barbeque joint I don’t want chicken, give me the good stuff, like that half slab of ribs. It was so tasty and it pretty much melted off the bone when you put it up to your mouth. The sides, one was excellent and the other kind of missed missed the nail. The corn pudding was phenomenal, it was sweet and salty and it wasn’t overwhelming with corn or bread the perfect mix. Unfortunately the Mac and Cheese left a little bit to be desired in my opinion. While it was still decent it tasted no different than what you would get at KFC and I there are plenty of places that have much tastier versions in my opinion. I think next time I’ll try another side for sure. Being someone who isn’t much of a cornbread fan unless it’s been sweetened with honey, I actually really enjoyed the cornbread as it was moist and had just a hint of a sweet side. I also bought this awesome cup while I was there for only $ 5 and that money goes to a Veteran’s fund that I can’t recall the name of. It holds quite a bit of liquid and providing I visit again before March 31 with the cup my drink is free. How cool is that? They also had City Barbeque T-Shirts for only $ 4 and the proceeds go to Kosair’s Children’s Hospital. It’s pretty awesome that they do outreaches like this for our community. You get some free swag and charities get money to support their cause. Freaking sweet dude! On that same note there were two police officers behind us waiting to get their meal and Scott’s mom, being a retired police officer, was going to pay for their meal but the manager said that she was going to go ahead and do so. A lot of bonus points there as well. The whole restaurant is very open concept. You can see everything from any seat in the house and it’s a really simple but clean design. There are a lot of cool pictures and signs on the walls that will for sure provide you with a giggle. The bathroom has some signs with what I’m guessing are holy scriptures of bathroom walls. It’s all very well thought out and it’s not everyday that you actually get to have fun looking around at decorations. I loved everything about City Barbeque! If you haven’t been then get your ass in gear and get some of the best brisket, customer service and sauces in town!
Emily W.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
One morning several months ago, I stood with my dad outside First Watch and noticed City Barbeque going up across Hurstbourne Parkway. My dad commented that he had heard that City Barbeque has some of the best brisket and that we’ll need to try it when it opens, so I was excited to finally have the opportunity quickly after opening in November and again in December. On my first visit, my husband and I ordered the Judge’s Plate as my dad had heard sampling the meats was the best idea. For $ 27, you get chicken, ribs, pork, brisket, two sides, and bread and toast. Of the meats, the chicken and brisket were the standouts. Both of them just melt in your mouth and are unlike any I’ve tried before. We chose hush puppies and green beans as our sides and were pleased with everything. It was more than enough food for both of us and we had leftovers for the next day, but I’d probably not get that much food for just two people going forward. The second time around, we went with family and ordered almost everything on the menu. We had two city samplers(the SAUSAGE was the standout this time!), a half chicken(I had to), slaw, green beans, french fries, fried pickles and hush puppies. For all of that, our bill was around $ 50, so another excellent bargain. The whole group enjoyed the experience and my dad(the picky barbeque man) was extremely impressed, mostly with the brisket. I anticipate him requesting many dinners here in the future! The service was quick and hospitable on both visits. You’ll order at the counter and collect your meal when your ordered is called. Overall, I’ve found the sausage, chicken, and briskets to be the best meats. Three great reasons you need to check out City Barbeque!
Whitney R.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
I absolutely love City Barbeque. Everything about this place is fantastic from the food to the atmosphere. I really appreciate the process of ordering your food here as it allows you to order and receive your food relatively quickly and then take it to your table to enjoy. This is really great if you’re on a lunch break or a time crunch because you don’t have to wait on a waiter to come take your order. They also offer carry out which is great if you don’t feel like cooking. The staff here at City Barbeque is possibly the friendliest staff I’ve encountered at a restaurant. They’re very efficient and have your food ready moments after you order. They are great about correcting any mistakes in your meal and sometimes throw in a free side for the trouble. Even though you order and receive your food at the counter there is still someone walking around the tables to see how you’re doing and to take any trash. Now onto the food! I’ve never been a huge BBQ fan but I could eat City Barbeque everyday. I love their pulled pork and usually order it on a bun but their ribs are also very good. My favorite sides are their green beans, cornbread, and corn pudding although all of their sides are a great choice. Their desserts are phenomenal and a perfect end to your meal as any dessert should be. If you haven’t had the chance to try City Barbeque then I would urge you to go as soon as you can. It’s definitely worth trying even if BBQ isn’t your thing. Also don’t forget to download the City Barbeque app in order to get discounts on your first three visits.
Amy L.
Place rating: 5 Germantown, Louisville, KY
The BEST brisket in town– hands down! City BBQ takes the time to slow cook the meat to perfection and you can certainly taste the difference. My boyfriend and I had a gift certificate for a family pack which normally comes with 1 lb. of pulled pork, 2 sides, cornbread and drinks. We wanted to upgrade to brisket for a $ 3 upcharge and add an order of banana pudding. The kind gentleman that took or order gave us the upgrade at no additional charge. So nice! We chose the greens and mac-n-cheese for our sides. They are both delicious but the greens were extra flavorful. The mini cornbread loaves were fantastic– a little sweet and super moist. I dipped everything in a couple different BBQ sauces and enjoyed all of them That brisket needed no sauce and no bread– it is just amazing. The banana pudding was just okay. I make a really tasty pudding myself so I am picky with that. We did get a sample of the triple chocolate cake and I liked it more. What really makes this place 5 star worthy are the little extra touches. Even though you order at the counter, there is a server that comes around often to check on you. We had Eli and it was his first night. We would have never known! He was so friendly, and helpful. We also got to meet the manager on our way out and just like the rest of the staff, he was very friendly and had a genuine smile.
David H.
Place rating: 4 Arlington, VA
Doesn’t get much better than this for a quick BBQ lunch. The pulled pork was excellent and they have a bunch of sauces on the table so pick your favorite. I went with original but all were pretty tasty. The gumbo was enjoyable and something you don’t see often enough in a BBQ place. The green beans were tasty as well and the tea is up to par as it should be in any self respecting BBQ place. The service is really fast here, you order and pay at the counter so you aren’t waiting for a waiter. Perfect spot for a quick meal and they even sell shirts for $ 4 and donate the money to charity. I’ll have to come back here and try some ribs sometime when I’m back in town. I’m wanting BBQ just from writing this review!
Joseph T.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
Man. I tip my hat to City BBQ. Really good BBQ. The Louisville BBQ scene has been impressing me lately. For years, Louisville BBQ has *sucked.* That’s not the case anymore. And with the addition of City BBQ, Louisville is getting legit. Cafeteria style. Walk in, get in line, order food, wait for food, take a seat. I prefer this, as you can just leave when you are done eating, rather than having to wait to pay. The vinegar based sauce is very tasty. Put it on the fries. You’ll enjoy. Brisket is excellent. So is the pork. Really enjoyed the greens. Again — add the vinegar. Divine. Excellent place.
Heather D.
Place rating: 5 Louisville, KY
If you’re looking for a specialty BBQ place in Louisville, this is it. The inside screams BBQ joint– very rustic, distressed wood walls, tin light fixtures, wood tables. The ordering process is very much fast food(place your order with the cashier) but the quality and price are all sit down restaurant. The service is lightning quick. I had just enough time to fill up my kettle brewed sweet tea(which was wonderful) before my order was up! The portion sizes are fairly large. You aren’t going to leave hungry. My half slab of ribs was HUGE. The meat was lean, tender and tasty. A little bit of sweet BBQ sauce on top and I was over the moon. The pork beans were excellent: smoky, tangy and probably the best beans in town. My lunch partner agreed. He got the pulled turkey sandwich. The turkey was very tender and flavorful. The hush puppies were also very good. Fluffy, crispy and the least oily hush puppies I’ve had in Louisville. You’re going to pay a few more dollars to eat here compared to other BBQ places in town but it’s worth it. Also: they participate in charities and food rescue. So it’s a great feeling knowing you’re supporting an establishment that gives back to the community and doesn’t support food waste.
Sarah C.
Place rating: 4 Louisville, KY
I recently had the opportunity to check this place out at a Unilocal event before they even opened to the public. I am so glad I went to this one. The place looked great. The lighting, the seating situation, the way the ordering line is separate from the dining section, and most importantly the food and the staff… all A+! We had the pleasure of meeting the owners and hearing them tell us a little bit about the business and how things are done at City Barbeque. They are all very friendly and generous! The food was excellent. I am not a meat eater but tried most of what they brought around. I enjoyed the greens and the corn pudding the most. The pulled pork was tasty, especially when paired with any one of their sauces(original, mustard, sweet, and brush fire). The other sides were delicious as well, and if you like potato salad… this one is a winner! Thanks to City BBQ for opening their doors to us and giving us a sneak preview of what we all have to look forward to eating in the near future!