If you want the definition of American food at exceptional rates with quality service look no further big Mike’s makes you sad to eat their food because it is so beautiful and It smells so good and you know once you eat it it’s gone and you’ll go back for more. Restaurant is very clean and the food is of high tier quality. I have been all across the country and I have yet to find anywhere as good as big Mike’s
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banana Pudding, Brisket Sandwich, Mac and Cheese, Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese
Daniel Otreba
Came in on Saturday. Food was really amazing, honestly I think I haven't had that good of a BBQ. Sides ware out of this world! The service was amazing! Angel was so helpful and nice ! Wow. Definitely will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua Harris
Today was a good day with family, friends and food.
I tried out Big Mikes BBQ Mills River and DANG was it good! Some awesome BBQ, and of course great service from Angel and Kayla! I had the pork, chicken combo plate with jalepeno cornbread and slaw. Any BBQ restaurant with Cheerwine levels up in my book. Go give them a try if you haven’t yet. I can’t wait to swing back through.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jake Wright
Great food, great people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deborah Barron Brown
Best BBQ ever. Big Mike started as a food truck but he got such a huge following he was able to open a sit down restaurant. You can eat inside or out. They have a bartended bar. You can also still pick up take out.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Marc Caenepeel
Wonderful bbq! Especially liked the Collard greens!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathan Taylor
Exceptional high quality smokehouse. Thee best chicken wings in the Western Carolina region. Get the wings dry with the signature Alabama white dipping sauce. Best collard greens I’ve ever had in my life (I order them by the quart) This is southern soul food with a fantastic backyard kick in the ass.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Wing Basket, The Slop Bucket, Wings, Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese
David Oates
So normally you get my Great Dane along for these BBQ outings but today was a motorcycle ride. My buddy and I ordered different stuff. WOW!!! The brisket was wonderful. The pork was tender and lean. The sauce was perfect. The sides were cooked to perfection. Price was fair for quantity and quality. Only real BBQ in Henderson County.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Beth FIELDS
Big Mike's catered a family event for us for about 40 people. The food arrived on time and it was hot and fresh when it arrived. It was plenty of food for all and everyone commented on how much they liked it. They were especially impressed by the pulled chicken. Even those who said they don't love barbecue were impressed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Kwon
Walking into Big Mike’s BBQ on a bustling Thursday afternoon, it was immediately clear this is a place locals love. The dining room was lively, the aroma of smoke and spice hung in the air, and despite the rush, the welcome was warm and genuine. The staff seemed happy to be there — a detail that often signals a well-run operation.
My server, Angel, set the tone for the experience. Attentive without hovering, she guided me through the menu with enthusiasm and clarity — an invaluable touch for a first-time guest. Her service alone would bring me back; she struck that rare balance between efficiency and Southern charm that defines great hospitality.
The food more than lived up to the atmosphere. I opted for the combo plate, an excellent value given the generous portions. Both the pork and brisket were moist, tender, and kissed with just the right amount of smoke. The Carolina sauce was particularly well done — sweet on the front but balanced with a bright vinegar tang that complemented rather than overwhelmed the meat.
On the side, the mac and cheese offered creamy comfort, while the beans carried a hearty, satisfying depth. Everything felt intentional and well-seasoned. And to finish, the banana pudding was a perfect Southern send-off: smooth, nostalgic, and not overly sweet — just right after a plate of rich barbecue.
In short, Big Mike’s BBQ captures the spirit of Carolina barbecue at its best — welcoming, generous, and delicious. With food this good and service as excellent as Angel’s, this spot is worth a special trip to Mills River.
This little gem was one of the highlights of our trip to Hendersonville. The food was fantastic- best collards I have ever had hands down! The service was great- everyone was so kind! It was also very clean. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Denny Hahn
Stopped here on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! The brisket is perfection. It's everything you could want in a pulled brisket. Juicy, flavorful, melts in your mouth, with a few crispy bits that are packed with flavor. The ribs are delicious, tender, and full of flavor. Everything I tasted was top notch. The service was also top notch. It's a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. I enjoyed this place so much I'm thinking about moving to the area so I can eat here all the time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket Sandwich, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Plate
Daniel DeVeau
Everything was delicious, fair prices. They fry in smoked tallow which is amazing. I wish they offered a side platter so we could try a bit of everything
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Glasco
Awesome service and the food was great...the new brick and mortar restaurant was much needed and is a welcomed addition to the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeanne Day
We just tried Big Mikes BBQ! We looked up some reviews which seemed very positive! I had the pulled chicken sandwich (all white meat) with potato tots with a classic BBQ sauce which was amazing! My husband had the special ( Meatloaf) with collard greens with brisket and Mac & Cheese. This was also amazing! My husband smokes a lot of meats on his Weber and we are really picky about our BBQ! This was tasty and high quality! The staff was friendly and very attentive!! Pricing was not too steep! We will be back with family and friends!!
If you want the definition of American food at exceptional rates with quality service look no further big Mike’s makes you sad to eat their food because it is so beautiful and It smells so good and you know once you eat it it’s gone and you’ll go back for more. Restaurant is very clean and the food is of high tier quality. I have been all across the country and I have yet to find anywhere as good as big Mike’s
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banana Pudding, Brisket Sandwich, Mac and Cheese, Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese
Came in on Saturday. Food was really amazing, honestly I think I haven't had that good of a BBQ. Sides ware out of this world!
The service was amazing! Angel was so helpful and nice ! Wow. Definitely will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Today was a good day with family, friends and food.
I tried out Big Mikes BBQ Mills River and DANG was it good! Some awesome BBQ, and of course great service from Angel and Kayla! I had the pork, chicken combo plate with jalepeno cornbread and slaw. Any BBQ restaurant with Cheerwine levels up in my book. Go give them a try if you haven’t yet. I can’t wait to swing back through.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, great people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best BBQ ever. Big Mike started as a food truck but he got such a huge following he was able to open a sit down restaurant. You can eat inside or out. They have a bartended bar. You can also still pick up take out.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Wonderful bbq!
Especially liked the Collard greens!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional high quality smokehouse.
Thee best chicken wings in the Western Carolina region. Get the wings dry with the signature Alabama white dipping sauce.
Best collard greens I’ve ever had in my life (I order them by the quart)
This is southern soul food with a fantastic backyard kick in the ass.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Wing Basket, The Slop Bucket, Wings, Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese
So normally you get my Great Dane along for these BBQ outings but today was a motorcycle ride.
My buddy and I ordered different stuff. WOW!!!
The brisket was wonderful. The pork was tender and lean. The sauce was perfect. The sides were cooked to perfection. Price was fair for quantity and quality.
Only real BBQ in Henderson County.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Big Mike's catered a family event for us for about 40 people. The food arrived on time and it was hot and fresh when it arrived.
It was plenty of food for all and everyone commented on how much they liked it. They were especially impressed by the pulled chicken. Even those who said they don't love barbecue were impressed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Walking into Big Mike’s BBQ on a bustling Thursday afternoon, it was immediately clear this is a place locals love. The dining room was lively, the aroma of smoke and spice hung in the air, and despite the rush, the welcome was warm and genuine. The staff seemed happy to be there — a detail that often signals a well-run operation.
My server, Angel, set the tone for the experience. Attentive without hovering, she guided me through the menu with enthusiasm and clarity — an invaluable touch for a first-time guest. Her service alone would bring me back; she struck that rare balance between efficiency and Southern charm that defines great hospitality.
The food more than lived up to the atmosphere. I opted for the combo plate, an excellent value given the generous portions. Both the pork and brisket were moist, tender, and kissed with just the right amount of smoke. The Carolina sauce was particularly well done — sweet on the front but balanced with a bright vinegar tang that complemented rather than overwhelmed the meat.
On the side, the mac and cheese offered creamy comfort, while the beans carried a hearty, satisfying depth. Everything felt intentional and well-seasoned. And to finish, the banana pudding was a perfect Southern send-off: smooth, nostalgic, and not overly sweet — just right after a plate of rich barbecue.
In short, Big Mike’s BBQ captures the spirit of Carolina barbecue at its best — welcoming, generous, and delicious. With food this good and service as excellent as Angel’s, this spot is worth a special trip to Mills River.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baked Beans, Banana Pudding, Brisket Sandwich, Beans, Pulled Pork Plate
Restaurantji Recommends
This little gem was one of the highlights of our trip to Hendersonville. The food was fantastic- best collards I have ever had hands down! The service was great- everyone was so kind! It was also very clean.
We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped here on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! The brisket is perfection. It's everything you could want in a pulled brisket. Juicy, flavorful, melts in your mouth, with a few crispy bits that are packed with flavor. The ribs are delicious, tender, and full of flavor. Everything I tasted was top notch. The service was also top notch. It's a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. I enjoyed this place so much I'm thinking about moving to the area so I can eat here all the time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket Sandwich, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Plate
Everything was delicious, fair prices. They fry in smoked tallow which is amazing.
I wish they offered a side platter so we could try a bit of everything
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome service and the food was great...the new brick and mortar restaurant was much needed and is a welcomed addition to the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We just tried Big Mikes BBQ! We looked up some reviews which seemed very positive! I had the pulled chicken sandwich (all white meat) with potato tots with a classic BBQ sauce which was amazing! My husband had the special ( Meatloaf) with collard greens with brisket and Mac & Cheese. This was also amazing! My husband smokes a lot of meats on his Weber and we are really picky about our BBQ! This was tasty and high quality! The staff was friendly and very attentive!! Pricing was not too steep! We will be back with family and friends!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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