-0 Stars: Blue Barn BBQ (Cedar Falls)
Blue Barn BBQ
623 E 18th St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
I wanted this meal to be a win. I went in expecting the kind of comfort and bold flavor that good barbecue is known for. The smell, the name, the idea of brisket and wings, it all sounds like it should be hard to mess up. But this was one of the most disappointing barbecue orders I have had in a long time, and I have eaten barbecue all over the country.
Let me start with the only reason I can say anything positive at all. Two sides were genuinely good. The jalapeño cream corn was the standout. It had real flavor, a smooth creamy texture, and just enough jalapeño to give it a pleasant kick without overwhelming the dish. It tasted like someone actually cared about seasoning it. The potato salad was also outstanding. It was balanced, not bland, not overly sweet, not drowning in heavy dressing. It had that classic comfort taste you want on a barbecue plate. If I had only ordered those two sides, I would have walked away thinking, okay, maybe there is hope here.
But the main items, the reason people order barbecue, were a complete letdown.
The brisket was dry. Not slightly dry. Not needs a little sauce dry. I mean dry in a way that makes you stop chewing and think, is this really brisket. Brisket should have a rich beef flavor, a smoky edge, and at least some tenderness that makes each bite feel worth it. This had none of that. It tasted flat, like it had been cooked too long, held too long, or both. The texture was tired and lifeless, and instead of melting or pulling apart the way brisket should, it just sat in your mouth like flavorless shredded disappointment.
Then there were the wings, and somehow they were also dry. Wings should be the easy part. Even average wings can still be enjoyable because the skin, the seasoning, and the fat usually help carry the flavor. Not here. Both wings were dry, and worse, they had no flavor. No punch. No smoke. No seasoning that made you pause and say, okay, at least they tried. They tasted like they were cooked without confidence and served without care.
And let’s talk about the sauces, because sauce is often the “save” when the meat is struggling. I tried them hoping they would bring the plate back to life. They did not. The sauces did not enhance anything. They did not add depth. They did not add sweetness, tang, spice, or a smoky finish. They were just there, and even with sauce, the food still tasted dry and empty. That is the worst part. Sauce should help. Here, it was like pouring effort onto something that was already beyond saving.
The biggest issue is simple. Barbecue is supposed to have flavor. Barbecue is supposed to feel like time, smoke, seasoning, and patience all came together for a reason. This felt like the opposite. The meat came across as overcooked, under-seasoned, and handled like an afterthought. When you spend money on brisket and wings, you should not be working this hard to find something enjoyable.
I hate leaving reviews like this, but honesty matters. I would definitely not order from Blue Barn BBQ again. If you go, the jalapeño cream corn and potato salad might make you think you made a good choice. But if you are there for brisket and wings, which should be the main event, this place was a major disappointment.
Tiffany Mangrich Thoma
I can’t say enough great things about Blue Barn BBQ. They catered my daughter’s wedding yesterday and they were fantastic!!!! The food was incredible and the staff was so friendly and they made it so much less stressful setting it all up til the big day!!! Thanks for everything!!!
Michelle Wright
Big shout out to the Blue Barn BBQ! They catered our son‘s wedding and did an outstanding job! The food was amazing, friendly service, we would highly recommend!!
This used to be my favorite BBQ place. My latest experience, however, made me question if I’ll be going back. Their food is excellent, but their customer service is poor. They forgot to put the bread and sauce I had ordered in my take-out. I discovered it when I got home. When I called, they said I could drive back and get them or I could get them next time I came in. That’s a good way to kill an anticipated dining experience. I was not going to make a 30-40 minute round trip drive to complete my meal. They were unable to credit me or offer me a more meaningful form of compensation for this error (by the way, they were very slow at the time, just not paying attention). The food is great. I love their smoked chicken, Alabama white sauce, and the jalapeño cream corn. Too bad they are not more professional in filling in orders and making customers feel valued.
Used Blue Barn for wedding catering. Excellent choice. Food was great, customer service was great. Can't recommend enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard Kelm
GREAT BBQ!! We'll be back Servic was super helpful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork
Bright Smile
When to pick up, a lady at the counter is Very rude and i felt she was very disrespectful when handing food. I can feel from her body language she was being highly rude
Ordered a large amount of BBQ for a family get together. Brisket, chicken and wings were all excellent.along with a good supply of tasty cornbread. Everyone complimented us on choosing Blue Barn. Will definitely use BB in the future
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Southward
I got the Barn Brisket Sandwich with potato salad 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket
Amber Evans
Such good food!!! It’s even gluten free!!!
Dietary restrictions: Great gluten free options and safe!
I'm from the South and it's disappointing that they don't have brewed tea... sad for a BBQ company... Food, decent.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Gabriel smith
Burnt ends and cream corn were top notch, but the brisket and the corn bread tasted like paint and plastic. Sadly it made us both lose our appetite immediately. Slimy pulled pork as well.
-0 Stars: Blue Barn BBQ (Cedar Falls) Blue Barn BBQ 623 E 18th St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 I wanted this meal to be a win. I went in expecting the kind of comfort and bold flavor that good barbecue is known for. The smell, the name, the idea of brisket and wings, it all sounds like it should be hard to mess up. But this was one of the most disappointing barbecue orders I have had in a long time, and I have eaten barbecue all over the country. Let me start with the only reason I can say anything positive at all. Two sides were genuinely good. The jalapeño cream corn was the standout. It had real flavor, a smooth creamy texture, and just enough jalapeño to give it a pleasant kick without overwhelming the dish. It tasted like someone actually cared about seasoning it. The potato salad was also outstanding. It was balanced, not bland, not overly sweet, not drowning in heavy dressing. It had that classic comfort taste you want on a barbecue plate. If I had only ordered those two sides, I would have walked away thinking, okay, maybe there is hope here. But the main items, the reason people order barbecue, were a complete letdown. The brisket was dry. Not slightly dry. Not needs a little sauce dry. I mean dry in a way that makes you stop chewing and think, is this really brisket. Brisket should have a rich beef flavor, a smoky edge, and at least some tenderness that makes each bite feel worth it. This had none of that. It tasted flat, like it had been cooked too long, held too long, or both. The texture was tired and lifeless, and instead of melting or pulling apart the way brisket should, it just sat in your mouth like flavorless shredded disappointment. Then there were the wings, and somehow they were also dry. Wings should be the easy part. Even average wings can still be enjoyable because the skin, the seasoning, and the fat usually help carry the flavor. Not here. Both wings were dry, and worse, they had no flavor. No punch. No smoke. No seasoning that made you pause and say, okay, at least they tried. They tasted like they were cooked without confidence and served without care. And let’s talk about the sauces, because sauce is often the “save” when the meat is struggling. I tried them hoping they would bring the plate back to life. They did not. The sauces did not enhance anything. They did not add depth. They did not add sweetness, tang, spice, or a smoky finish. They were just there, and even with sauce, the food still tasted dry and empty. That is the worst part. Sauce should help. Here, it was like pouring effort onto something that was already beyond saving. The biggest issue is simple. Barbecue is supposed to have flavor. Barbecue is supposed to feel like time, smoke, seasoning, and patience all came together for a reason. This felt like the opposite. The meat came across as overcooked, under-seasoned, and handled like an afterthought. When you spend money on brisket and wings, you should not be working this hard to find something enjoyable. I hate leaving reviews like this, but honesty matters. I would definitely not order from Blue Barn BBQ again. If you go, the jalapeño cream corn and potato salad might make you think you made a good choice. But if you are there for brisket and wings, which should be the main event, this place was a major disappointment.
I can’t say enough great things about Blue Barn BBQ. They catered my daughter’s wedding yesterday and they were fantastic!!!! The food was incredible and the staff was so friendly and they made it so much less stressful setting it all up til the big day!!! Thanks for everything!!!
Big shout out to the Blue Barn BBQ! They catered our son‘s wedding and did an outstanding job! The food was amazing, friendly service, we would highly recommend!!
They have the best brisket & chicken sandwiches
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Chicken, Baked Beans, Double for Two, Pulled Pork
It was quick and easy to pick up my order
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious BBQ and sides!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
This used to be my favorite BBQ place. My latest experience, however, made me question if I’ll be going back. Their food is excellent, but their customer service is poor. They forgot to put the bread and sauce I had ordered in my take-out. I discovered it when I got home. When I called, they said I could drive back and get them or I could get them next time I came in. That’s a good way to kill an anticipated dining experience. I was not going to make a 30-40 minute round trip drive to complete my meal. They were unable to credit me or offer me a more meaningful form of compensation for this error (by the way, they were very slow at the time, just not paying attention). The food is great. I love their smoked chicken, Alabama white sauce, and the jalapeño cream corn. Too bad they are not more professional in filling in orders and making customers feel valued.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Smoked Wings, Sauce, Pulled Chicken, Jalapeño Creamed Corn
Used Blue Barn for wedding catering. Excellent choice. Food was great, customer service was great. Can't recommend enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
GREAT BBQ!!
We'll be back
Servic was super helpful
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork
When to pick up, a lady at the counter is Very rude and i felt she was very disrespectful when handing food. I can feel from her body language she was being highly rude
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Ordered a large amount of BBQ for a family get together. Brisket, chicken and wings were all excellent.along with a good supply of tasty cornbread. Everyone complimented us on choosing Blue Barn. Will definitely use BB in the future
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I got the Barn Brisket Sandwich with potato salad 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket
Such good food!!! It’s even gluten free!!!
Dietary restrictions: Great gluten free options and safe!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Corn Bread, Jalapeño Creamed Corn, Brisket, Onion Jam, Mashed Potatoes
I'm from the South and it's disappointing that they don't have brewed tea... sad for a BBQ company... Food, decent.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Burnt ends and cream corn were top notch, but the brisket and the corn bread tasted like paint and plastic. Sadly it made us both lose our appetite immediately. Slimy pulled pork as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Jalapeño Creamed Corn
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