Whenever I have my BBQ cravings from time to time, Lil Red's is the only place that can satisfy me. I genuinely believe this is the best spot in Seattle that does BBQ. The setup is very small with limited parking, so your best bet is to call in your order and pick it up when it's ready. I believe you can also order online through Uber eats as well. I ended up ordering in person and having a beer while I waited. The guy in the front that takes orders is also very helpful. What we ordered during the last visit was the brisket, burnt ends, Mac & cheese, and beans. Everything was so tasty, my only complaint is that I don't live closer!
Greyson S.
After two years of constantly missing the closing hour on this place, my partner and i finally were able to get an order in. Maybe they were having a bad night. Maybe the lag between finding out abt them and our ability to check them out led to them being overhyped in my mind, but I was not prepared for the disappointment. My partner got the brisket and I got the pulled pork. The meat was cooked to a good temperature but the brisket was dry and the pork was so extremely sweet that I, known for being a massive sweet tooth, could not finish it. Even adding their own bbq sauce couldnt bring it out of the overwhelming sweetness. The garlic mash was tasty, but almost runny. The baked beans were offgassing so much clove that I was transported back to my days in college with the art kids. The best thing was the mac n cheese but even that had overcooked noodles and was poorly seasoned. I dont like leaving reviews like this but damn I was really let down by this experience. Its been hell trying to find good affordable bbq up here and I guess my hunt continues.
Pasha RBDH
Probably the best Mac and cheese you have ever had in your life.
Brian Phillips
Incredible food. The brisket, ribs, and chicken were all amazing. The greens were the best I've ever had, being from South Carolina that is saying something. To top it all off the sweet potato/pecan pie was out of this world. Don't hesitate to try Red's food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nadine Joseph
Delicious - best bbq food I’ve ever had
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
W T
AWFUL SERVICE. Owner was extremely rude when I visited. Food was mediocre. It's only decent if you have NOT had real Jamaican food. I didnt expect much from them but was hoping for the best. Highly disappointed that I ever paid for what I recieved. Save your money and go somewhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Richard U.
BBQ with Jamaican flavors! This is my kind of place! No frills here, just really good BBQ! Stuff tried: Oxtail plate with Mac and cheese, collard greens side: this was a lot of food! Oxtail was stewed in a nicely spiced sauce and not just brown gravy. The Mac and cheese and collard greens were so good! I would get this with rice next time for maximum sopping up of gravy. Burnt ends: these were probably some of the best, most tender burnt ends I've had in ages! Drizzle the jerk sauce on them for a nicely spicy zing! Meat pie: I am a sucker for Jamaican meat pies. Nice ultra thin flaky crust, and the finely minced meat is nicely seasoned. Garlic mashed potatoes: creamy and garlicky! Also paired well with the sauce oxtails Most of the traffic here is take out to go orders so there really isn't any indoor seating, just a small countertop for while you wait. There are some outdoor tables if you prefer to not wait until you get home to eat!
Tanner Pope
I don't understand how there isn't a line out of the door. This place is a hidden gem. Don't skip out on the Mac and cheese and jerk fried rice. 10/10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Smith
Cons: the inside of the building is always a bit too hot in my opinion and the food is a little pricier than the other nearby options. Pros: EVERYTHING ELSE. The food is excellent, with my favorite being the brisket with a side of yams and mac and cheese. I especially like the mac and cheese, which has a really unique flavor to it you can't get anywhere else. The service is also great, with the staff hitting a comforting balance between casualness and professionalism. Overall, 5/5 stars, I always leave with a smile :)
One of the top spots in Seattle for bbq hands down sides are jammimg too
Atarrah Kelly
Got the oxtail and snapper meals. Sides were jerk pork fried rice, rice and peas, Mac and cheese, plantains, and cornbread. EVERYTHING was on point and delicious. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Rice
Jenna C.
This place is serving up by far the best barbecue I've had in Seattle. I would highly recommend getting a meal (comes with your choice of meat and two sides). The beef burnt ends is my fave cut of meat, with brisket being a close second. I've tried the pulled pork (great, but nothing too special) and the rib tips (honestly a little dry) as well. The Mac and cheese is absolutely amazing. Also, they give the most generous portions. The store does have limited outdoor/indoor seating, but tbh I feel like it's more of a takeout joint. I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually eat there. Service is fast and I've never had any issues.
Tim W.
Let me tell you. I got two items. This really needs to be 3 dollar signs. Got both meals that totaled $48.17. The jerk chicken was meh. But the brisket was amazing. The greens and Mac n cheese probably the best I've ever had. So flavorful. It's got a kick to it. Corn bread was good. Yams was a meh. I'd get the Mac n cheese, greens and brisket again. Service was great. Love it.
Whenever I have my BBQ cravings from time to time, Lil Red's is the only place that can satisfy me. I genuinely believe this is the best spot in Seattle that does BBQ. The setup is very small with limited parking, so your best bet is to call in your order and pick it up when it's ready. I believe you can also order online through Uber eats as well. I ended up ordering in person and having a beer while I waited. The guy in the front that takes orders is also very helpful. What we ordered during the last visit was the brisket, burnt ends, Mac & cheese, and beans. Everything was so tasty, my only complaint is that I don't live closer!
After two years of constantly missing the closing hour on this place, my partner and i finally were able to get an order in. Maybe they were having a bad night. Maybe the lag between finding out abt them and our ability to check them out led to them being overhyped in my mind, but I was not prepared for the disappointment. My partner got the brisket and I got the pulled pork. The meat was cooked to a good temperature but the brisket was dry and the pork was so extremely sweet that I, known for being a massive sweet tooth, could not finish it. Even adding their own bbq sauce couldnt bring it out of the overwhelming sweetness. The garlic mash was tasty, but almost runny. The baked beans were offgassing so much clove that I was transported back to my days in college with the art kids. The best thing was the mac n cheese but even that had overcooked noodles and was poorly seasoned. I dont like leaving reviews like this but damn I was really let down by this experience. Its been hell trying to find good affordable bbq up here and I guess my hunt continues.
Probably the best Mac and cheese you have ever had in your life.
Incredible food. The brisket, ribs, and chicken were all amazing. The greens were the best I've ever had, being from South Carolina that is saying something. To top it all off the sweet potato/pecan pie was out of this world. Don't hesitate to try Red's food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious - best bbq food I’ve ever had
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AWFUL SERVICE. Owner was extremely rude when I visited. Food was mediocre. It's only decent if you have NOT had real Jamaican food. I didnt expect much from them but was hoping for the best. Highly disappointed that I ever paid for what I recieved. Save your money and go somewhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
BBQ with Jamaican flavors! This is my kind of place! No frills here, just really good BBQ! Stuff tried: Oxtail plate with Mac and cheese, collard greens side: this was a lot of food! Oxtail was stewed in a nicely spiced sauce and not just brown gravy. The Mac and cheese and collard greens were so good! I would get this with rice next time for maximum sopping up of gravy. Burnt ends: these were probably some of the best, most tender burnt ends I've had in ages! Drizzle the jerk sauce on them for a nicely spicy zing! Meat pie: I am a sucker for Jamaican meat pies. Nice ultra thin flaky crust, and the finely minced meat is nicely seasoned. Garlic mashed potatoes: creamy and garlicky! Also paired well with the sauce oxtails Most of the traffic here is take out to go orders so there really isn't any indoor seating, just a small countertop for while you wait. There are some outdoor tables if you prefer to not wait until you get home to eat!
I don't understand how there isn't a line out of the door. This place is a hidden gem. Don't skip out on the Mac and cheese and jerk fried rice. 10/10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cons: the inside of the building is always a bit too hot in my opinion and the food is a little pricier than the other nearby options. Pros: EVERYTHING ELSE. The food is excellent, with my favorite being the brisket with a side of yams and mac and cheese. I especially like the mac and cheese, which has a really unique flavor to it you can't get anywhere else. The service is also great, with the staff hitting a comforting balance between casualness and professionalism. Overall, 5/5 stars, I always leave with a smile :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Brisket
The cornbread was really good!
Food: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Goat Curry, Cornbread
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the top spots in Seattle for bbq hands down sides are jammimg too
Got the oxtail and snapper meals. Sides were jerk pork fried rice, rice and peas, Mac and cheese, plantains, and cornbread. EVERYTHING was on point and delicious. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Rice
This place is serving up by far the best barbecue I've had in Seattle. I would highly recommend getting a meal (comes with your choice of meat and two sides). The beef burnt ends is my fave cut of meat, with brisket being a close second. I've tried the pulled pork (great, but nothing too special) and the rib tips (honestly a little dry) as well. The Mac and cheese is absolutely amazing. Also, they give the most generous portions. The store does have limited outdoor/indoor seating, but tbh I feel like it's more of a takeout joint. I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually eat there. Service is fast and I've never had any issues.
Let me tell you. I got two items. This really needs to be 3 dollar signs. Got both meals that totaled $48.17. The jerk chicken was meh. But the brisket was amazing. The greens and Mac n cheese probably the best I've ever had. So flavorful. It's got a kick to it. Corn bread was good. Yams was a meh. I'd get the Mac n cheese, greens and brisket again. Service was great. Love it.
This place is so
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Red Beans, Garlic Mashed, Jerk Chicken, Burnt Ends, Coleslaw