Such good BBQ, some of the best I’ve ever had in Portland. You need to get the brisket when you come here or you’re missing out. This place gets BUSY so show up early and be ready to possibly wait, but they still get food out fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Bloom
I maybe had too high standards given the pedigree.
This is a lot better than matt's, a little better than botto's, but worse than the lost holy trinity bbq, and I don't know how to compare it to grassland because that place seems to want to sell everything besides brisket everytime i'm there for some reason.
On the ranking of 1: hill country destination, 2: good for austin (2010) 3: good for houston(2016), 4: dallas or lower, I'd give it a 3?
ideally whole bar thing would burn down and be rebuilt as a cafeteria line with a man slicing brisket right in front of you on a slab. The way it's running in the winter brisket's in danger of getting cold by the time your plate reaches you.
The lean brisket was a bit dry but great crust and the fat was great.
Egregiously they didn't include white bread pickles and onion in my to go order even though I specifically asked (and paid extra for bread?) which makes the entire meal an abject failure, like being served carnitas with no tortillas/salsa. I think the picked red onions are just a little bit sour for the total acid balance. I recommend bringing your own raw white onions and wonderbread from home.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Adonis Pacheco
Great food, Andy the bartender was super helpful in guiding our first visit on what to order and drink. Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rick Washington
Decent spot. Seating adequate. Great bar. Food was average at best. Had a pulled pork sandwich. Lacking flavor and meat was not shredded. Chunks of pork on a toasted slice of bread. Tried the tacos on Taco Tuesday and if you're hoping to bring in business with that offer, you won't last. Meat was horribly seasoned. Taco shells were rock hard. Ate one of three and called it good. Great idea. But not Texas barbecue, far from it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Yotes
The Portland outpost of Austin’s La Barbecue, Lil Barbecue delivers and brings another big hitter to the city. My first bite was a piece of sausage. That one bite took me to Texas. A nice link hitting you with spices and a peppery bite. One of the things I loved about all the meats here is how black pepper heavy it was. The brisket was probably my favorite brisket this week. Such a smoky and peppery bite seasoned throughout. The flat was so moist and again the peppery bite from the bark just made it amazing. The chicken was probably my favorite meat today. The nice crispy skin on the thigh that just cracks with every bite. I’m full from yesterday still but that devoured that meat. Eating my veggies here was a delight. The Cesar salads had me feeling I was underdressed and like I paid for valet parking. Way better than what I’ve gotten at a lot of fancy restaurants. Oh the tater tots! First of all, I didn’t know tater tots were allowed to be not cylindrical. And I didn’t know tater tots were allow to be this good. I think if you get any side. You need to get these. Lastly the “nothing fancy, just like you remember it” banana pudding. It’s a lie. It’s not normal. I ordered it expecting something like Buc-ee’s pudding and nope. The only think resembling “normal” was the Nilla wafers. A really creamy and stretchy(?) pudding. Think marshmallow fluff. It had a floral and citrusy flavor to it too. I’m so confused. But so delighted. But also so confused. “Just like you remember it” lol.
One of the best parts, they are open 7 days a week (hrs change from weekends to weekdays). So if you want bbq on a Monday a wonderful stop. Maybe I’ll get that banana pudding again. Lol “Nothing Fancy”
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Helen Leigh
Staff have always been great here, and the drinks are good. The updated cocktail menu has some delicious choices.
I used to eat here pretty regularly before the menu change. Unfortunately the new menu doesn't have good vegetarian or vegan options - only beets and tots, no protein. I'm omnivorous but my spouse doesn't eat meat so we can't come here together any more.
I visited with a friend to try the BBQ and we both had the brisket. It was decent, but honestly a touch dry. Beans were very sweet, which is not to my taste. I'd probably somewhere else next time I want BBQ.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Morgan Kenyon
Service is fast and friendly, and the food is excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Vaughan
BBQ was legit. Lots of great options. Highly recommend trying the brisket. Go early as they sell out at times
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T F
Top notch brisket. It's really solid Texas BBQ. The bbq beans were also outstanding. The Chicken abs sausage were also great. My wife loved the pork ribs, while I just thought they were good. We both agreed that's the pulled pork sucks though. It was bland and dry. Skip it, but one can't expect good pig bbq in a Texas spot. The sides were good. Loved the pickled veggies on the side. Should be in a Tupperware container by the water bucket though for that true Texas vibe. All in all. Very happy to have solid bbq in Portland and I hope they stay consistent. Other Portland bbq joints fail in that respect. They will be great one time, then dry as clay the next.
Great BBQ and drinks with friendly and fast service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott Snyder
Moist meats! Chill beats! Incredible eats! Comfy seats! The service can't be beat! Such a happy staff to complement the barbecue and libations. Some of the best brisket this side of Austin. Smoky tender and just the right peppery spicing on the pork ribs. Food came fast and tasty.
Will return for more...a worthy addition to the Portland BBQ elite....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nancy Weisman
Feeling ripped off by the price of 2 bones (ribs) and 3 slices of brisket. $33 and no sides. Never again, no matter the taste.
Jeffrey Chan
Came here with a large party on a sat night. Indoor seating was tricky, but they had outdoor seating with heaters.
The person at the bar was really friendly. However some of the servers seemed angry for some reason.
BBQ was ok, brisket was dry, chicken was dry, casing on sausage was super chewy. Flavor was decent. It felt like there was not enough fat on the meats or they were over smoked.
I liked their drinks though. I probably go back to Matt's BBQ before coming back here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Taylor Vignali
I thought it was next level. Instant classic! They stuck the landing in the jump from Austin. A welcome addition to Portland.
Delicious food and drinks!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such good BBQ, some of the best I’ve ever had in Portland. You need to get the brisket when you come here or you’re missing out. This place gets BUSY so show up early and be ready to possibly wait, but they still get food out fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I maybe had too high standards given the pedigree.
This is a lot better than matt's, a little better than botto's, but worse than the lost holy trinity bbq, and I don't know how to compare it to grassland because that place seems to want to sell everything besides brisket everytime i'm there for some reason.
On the ranking of 1: hill country destination, 2: good for austin (2010) 3: good for houston(2016), 4: dallas or lower, I'd give it a 3?
ideally whole bar thing would burn down and be rebuilt as a cafeteria line with a man slicing brisket right in front of you on a slab. The way it's running in the winter brisket's in danger of getting cold by the time your plate reaches you.
The lean brisket was a bit dry but great crust and the fat was great.
Egregiously they didn't include white bread pickles and onion in my to go order even though I specifically asked (and paid extra for bread?) which makes the entire meal an abject failure, like being served carnitas with no tortillas/salsa. I think the picked red onions are just a little bit sour for the total acid balance. I recommend bringing your own raw white onions and wonderbread from home.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Great food, Andy the bartender was super helpful in guiding our first visit on what to order and drink. Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Decent spot. Seating adequate. Great bar. Food was average at best. Had a pulled pork sandwich. Lacking flavor and meat was not shredded. Chunks of pork on a toasted slice of bread.
Tried the tacos on Taco Tuesday and if you're hoping to bring in business with that offer, you won't last. Meat was horribly seasoned. Taco shells were rock hard. Ate one of three and called it good.
Great idea. But not Texas barbecue, far from it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
The Portland outpost of Austin’s La Barbecue, Lil Barbecue delivers and brings another big hitter to the city. My first bite was a piece of sausage. That one bite took me to Texas. A nice link hitting you with spices and a peppery bite. One of the things I loved about all the meats here is how black pepper heavy it was. The brisket was probably my favorite brisket this week. Such a smoky and peppery bite seasoned throughout. The flat was so moist and again the peppery bite from the bark just made it amazing. The chicken was probably my favorite meat today. The nice crispy skin on the thigh that just cracks with every bite. I’m full from yesterday still but that devoured that meat. Eating my veggies here was a delight. The Cesar salads had me feeling I was underdressed and like I paid for valet parking. Way better than what I’ve gotten at a lot of fancy restaurants. Oh the tater tots! First of all, I didn’t know tater tots were allowed to be not cylindrical. And I didn’t know tater tots were allow to be this good. I think if you get any side. You need to get these. Lastly the “nothing fancy, just like you remember it” banana pudding. It’s a lie. It’s not normal. I ordered it expecting something like Buc-ee’s pudding and nope. The only think resembling “normal” was the Nilla wafers. A really creamy and stretchy(?) pudding. Think marshmallow fluff. It had a floral and citrusy flavor to it too. I’m so confused. But so delighted. But also so confused. “Just like you remember it” lol.
One of the best parts, they are open 7 days a week (hrs change from weekends to weekdays). So if you want bbq on a Monday a wonderful stop. Maybe I’ll get that banana pudding again. Lol “Nothing Fancy”
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff have always been great here, and the drinks are good. The updated cocktail menu has some delicious choices.
I used to eat here pretty regularly before the menu change. Unfortunately the new menu doesn't have good vegetarian or vegan options - only beets and tots, no protein. I'm omnivorous but my spouse doesn't eat meat so we can't come here together any more.
I visited with a friend to try the BBQ and we both had the brisket. It was decent, but honestly a touch dry. Beans were very sweet, which is not to my taste. I'd probably somewhere else next time I want BBQ.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Service is fast and friendly, and the food is excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BBQ was legit. Lots of great options. Highly recommend trying the brisket. Go early as they sell out at times
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Top notch brisket. It's really solid Texas BBQ. The bbq beans were also outstanding. The Chicken abs sausage were also great. My wife loved the pork ribs, while I just thought they were good. We both agreed that's the pulled pork sucks though. It was bland and dry. Skip it, but one can't expect good pig bbq in a Texas spot.
The sides were good. Loved the pickled veggies on the side. Should be in a Tupperware container by the water bucket though for that true Texas vibe.
All in all. Very happy to have solid bbq in Portland and I hope they stay consistent. Other Portland bbq joints fail in that respect. They will be great one time, then dry as clay the next.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Great BBQ and drinks with friendly and fast service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Moist meats! Chill beats! Incredible eats! Comfy seats! The service can't be beat! Such a happy staff to complement the barbecue and libations. Some of the best brisket this side of Austin. Smoky tender and just the right peppery spicing on the pork ribs. Food came fast and tasty.
Will return for more...a worthy addition to the Portland BBQ elite....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Feeling ripped off by the price of 2 bones (ribs) and 3 slices of brisket. $33 and no sides. Never again, no matter the taste.
Came here with a large party on a sat night. Indoor seating was tricky, but they had outdoor seating with heaters.
The person at the bar was really friendly. However some of the servers seemed angry for some reason.
BBQ was ok, brisket was dry, chicken was dry, casing on sausage was super chewy. Flavor was decent. It felt like there was not enough fat on the meats or they were over smoked.
I liked their drinks though. I probably go back to Matt's BBQ before coming back here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
I thought it was next level. Instant classic! They stuck the landing in the jump from Austin. A welcome addition to Portland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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