Wow. Best BBQ I have had in ages . You must get the pulled pork. So tender and perfectly seasoned, doesn't even need sauce. But, great sauces too!
(5)
Jacob S.
Consistent way to break up the drive. Pickles are a little on the odd side but one can always depend on the rest.
(4)
Jehu C.
I had the beef brisket platter with bacon green beans and smoked beans. Green beans were cooked perfectly and fresh. No canned beans here. Side jalapeno cornbread was a nice extra. Highly recommend this place.
(4)
Andrew T.
Fresh green beans, succulent Iowa pork chops, ribs with the meat falling off, craft beer, football game on the TV, and old time jazz on the sound system.... Close to perfection.. What a great surprise.
(5)
Jerry G.
Fabulous! great ribs, incredible sauces, unique service, reasonable prices, and I know my 'que!! The cole slaw was just awesome! My wife's brisket was to die for!
(5)
Hanna G.
Yum! We were in Decorah for a night and this place was so good we ate there for both lunch and dinner! The prices are super reasonable and everything we tried was delicious-smoked chicken tacos, beef brisket sandwich, pork ribs, cornbread, mac & cheese, and sweet potato tator tots. This will be one of those places I fantasize about when I'm hungry for years to come. I wish they would open up another location in Minneapolis!
(5)
Brian B.
I had the pulled pork tacos, my wife had the chicken nachos. Both were outstanding. Excellent / friendly service by the owner. Can't wait to go back! Brian
(5)
Jay H.
Fresh, juicy pulled pork and brisket made for a winning lunch. The meats could have used a touch more smoke but otherwise were very good. There are a variety of sauces to try, which ranged from good to excellent. Mac and cheese was top notch, ate every scrap of everything. Outdoor seating is available. Staff was helpful and friendly.
(4)
Elyssa H.
Two stars because they were open on the 4th of July. Food was pricey and not even decent BBQ. The variety of sauces were also disappointing. My 9yr old who eats anything wouldn't finish her pulled pork sand which. They have outside seating which I wanted however, they wouldn't allow dining outside. Definitely not worth the time or money spent here. Our family will not go back.
(2)
Mark A.
Nice menu with everything you would expect from a good BBQ joint. I had the smoked prime rib sandwich, cole slaw, and smoked beans. Very good. Other things on the menu looked interesting - like Asian BBQ Salmon & Blacked Catfish.
(4)
Caite P.
We used to love this place so much that we had my bachelorette party and three birthdays here. The food is still quite good, but the service and experience has tanked. Haven't seen the owner/manager in months, always new faces at the counter, and the last two times we've gone they've been closed more than half an hour before their listed closing time. If you want people to come eat you have to actually be open. If you don't have enough customers to justify being open that late, change your hours. Also, loyalty program doesn't seem to work and the staff can't/won't fix it when the computer refuses to honor your code. If they can get this straight we'd be back in a heartbeat because we love the BBQ.
(2)
Brian S.
By the time I reached signs for Decorah during my Minneapolis-to-Dubuque trip, I was so hungry that I was willing to lower my dining standards considerably. Fortunately, I didn't have to. Decorah's a bit off the main road, and at first I found myself on the east side of town, wondering if the place even had a restaurant. Then I happened upon a happening, lit-up, picturesque downtown lined with eateries, other businesses and cars. It was nice to see a small town with an active core at 7 p.m. or so on a Friday. I pulled over and checked local restaurants' Yelp ratings, and Old Armory scored the highest. That rating turned out to be well-deserved, as I enjoyed a large salad laden with meat, good music (Don McLean's "American Pie" seemed to be playing the entire 20 minutes I was in the restaurant), interesting peripheral conversations among the locals and pro hoops on the TV. The salad was way too large for one sitting and provided a nice late-night meal later. I recommend this restaurant to passersby; I also recommend checking Decorah out, if only as part of a five-minute detour. It's a great slice of small-town Americana.
(4)
Cheryl H.
Baby back ribs seemed a little dry honestly. The cole slaw and the seasonal veggies were very tasty. I was a bit surprised when I paid via credit card, that the lowest % for tip was 15%, especially since you order on your own at the counter, no table service. Plus I ordered take out, might want to change the settings.
(3)
Heather C.
We were visiting Decorah and wanted some good food that would fit two distinctively different diets. The vegetarian and the two non-vegetarians. This place fit the bill. The staff was nice, the food was great. We went here twice in the three days we were in town. We'll be back again next year when we are in town again!
(4)
Wes J.
Probably one of the best BBQ I've ever had. Brisket sandwich was so tasty, probably should've gone for two! Meat had full flavor & I could've eaten without sauce (that good). Sauces made the sandwich that much better though! Sweet Potato tots were very flavorful and a great side. Great environment (sucker for blues in BBQ) & will definitely return!
(5)
Marc J.
In Decorah on a fishing trip. Found Old Armory BBQ on yelp and decided to give it a try. Brisket was excellent but fatty. Sweet potato tater tots were dynamite. Great prices. Nice ambience. Bar attached. Fun place
(4)
Kim H.
Ok...you are in Decorah, IA....um you are not going to get a lot of choices for food outside of the norm. This place used to be the old Cafe Deluxe and it is quite good. This def beats the chain bbq restaurants out there. It get's crowded here during the work days and it is a self service meaning your order and then wait. Why they ask for a tip before you even eat is beyond me. When you see that option just skip it even though it looks like you can't. If you like the service just leave money at the table! Nice outdoor seating. The Iowa nachos were a heart attack but were pretty good.
(4)
Joe P.
Stopped by on a Monday evening on our way back from a trip to Duluth. Decent crowd, nice quick service. Struck up a conversation with Matt the owner who told us they had only been open for about 4-6 weeks at that point (about a month ago). We had the pulled pork and I believe the turkey. The good - the sauce and the sides. Not so good, the pulled pork was dried out. Clearly on the warmer for too long. When the owner asked how it was I told him. To his credit he agreed and went and got a fresher piece of pork. He also let us taste a new sauce he was working on kind of a Carolina / KC combo. It showed a lot of potential . I am veteran BBQ fan having toured Memphis, KC and St. Louis among others. 3 stars for effort and execution. Great potential.
(3)
Andrew S.
Stopped here before heading out of town. Great BBQ. Sweet potato tots?! Yes, please! Beef brisket sandwich was delicious. Mac and cheese, very creamy. Homemade chips and pickles. 4 sauces at table to choose from.
(4)
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Address :421 W Water St,Ste 102
Decorah, IA, 52101
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Liz A.
Wow. Best BBQ I have had in ages . You must get the pulled pork. So tender and perfectly seasoned, doesn't even need sauce. But, great sauces too!
(5)Jacob S.
Consistent way to break up the drive. Pickles are a little on the odd side but one can always depend on the rest.
(4)Jehu C.
I had the beef brisket platter with bacon green beans and smoked beans. Green beans were cooked perfectly and fresh. No canned beans here. Side jalapeno cornbread was a nice extra. Highly recommend this place.
(4)Andrew T.
Fresh green beans, succulent Iowa pork chops, ribs with the meat falling off, craft beer, football game on the TV, and old time jazz on the sound system.... Close to perfection.. What a great surprise.
(5)Jerry G.
Fabulous! great ribs, incredible sauces, unique service, reasonable prices, and I know my 'que!! The cole slaw was just awesome! My wife's brisket was to die for!
(5)Hanna G.
Yum! We were in Decorah for a night and this place was so good we ate there for both lunch and dinner! The prices are super reasonable and everything we tried was delicious-smoked chicken tacos, beef brisket sandwich, pork ribs, cornbread, mac & cheese, and sweet potato tator tots. This will be one of those places I fantasize about when I'm hungry for years to come. I wish they would open up another location in Minneapolis!
(5)Brian B.
I had the pulled pork tacos, my wife had the chicken nachos. Both were outstanding. Excellent / friendly service by the owner. Can't wait to go back! Brian
(5)Jay H.
Fresh, juicy pulled pork and brisket made for a winning lunch. The meats could have used a touch more smoke but otherwise were very good. There are a variety of sauces to try, which ranged from good to excellent. Mac and cheese was top notch, ate every scrap of everything. Outdoor seating is available. Staff was helpful and friendly.
(4)Elyssa H.
Two stars because they were open on the 4th of July. Food was pricey and not even decent BBQ. The variety of sauces were also disappointing. My 9yr old who eats anything wouldn't finish her pulled pork sand which. They have outside seating which I wanted however, they wouldn't allow dining outside. Definitely not worth the time or money spent here. Our family will not go back.
(2)Mark A.
Nice menu with everything you would expect from a good BBQ joint. I had the smoked prime rib sandwich, cole slaw, and smoked beans. Very good. Other things on the menu looked interesting - like Asian BBQ Salmon & Blacked Catfish.
(4)Caite P.
We used to love this place so much that we had my bachelorette party and three birthdays here. The food is still quite good, but the service and experience has tanked. Haven't seen the owner/manager in months, always new faces at the counter, and the last two times we've gone they've been closed more than half an hour before their listed closing time. If you want people to come eat you have to actually be open. If you don't have enough customers to justify being open that late, change your hours. Also, loyalty program doesn't seem to work and the staff can't/won't fix it when the computer refuses to honor your code. If they can get this straight we'd be back in a heartbeat because we love the BBQ.
(2)Brian S.
By the time I reached signs for Decorah during my Minneapolis-to-Dubuque trip, I was so hungry that I was willing to lower my dining standards considerably. Fortunately, I didn't have to. Decorah's a bit off the main road, and at first I found myself on the east side of town, wondering if the place even had a restaurant. Then I happened upon a happening, lit-up, picturesque downtown lined with eateries, other businesses and cars. It was nice to see a small town with an active core at 7 p.m. or so on a Friday. I pulled over and checked local restaurants' Yelp ratings, and Old Armory scored the highest. That rating turned out to be well-deserved, as I enjoyed a large salad laden with meat, good music (Don McLean's "American Pie" seemed to be playing the entire 20 minutes I was in the restaurant), interesting peripheral conversations among the locals and pro hoops on the TV. The salad was way too large for one sitting and provided a nice late-night meal later. I recommend this restaurant to passersby; I also recommend checking Decorah out, if only as part of a five-minute detour. It's a great slice of small-town Americana.
(4)Cheryl H.
Baby back ribs seemed a little dry honestly. The cole slaw and the seasonal veggies were very tasty. I was a bit surprised when I paid via credit card, that the lowest % for tip was 15%, especially since you order on your own at the counter, no table service. Plus I ordered take out, might want to change the settings.
(3)Heather C.
We were visiting Decorah and wanted some good food that would fit two distinctively different diets. The vegetarian and the two non-vegetarians. This place fit the bill. The staff was nice, the food was great. We went here twice in the three days we were in town. We'll be back again next year when we are in town again!
(4)Wes J.
Probably one of the best BBQ I've ever had. Brisket sandwich was so tasty, probably should've gone for two! Meat had full flavor & I could've eaten without sauce (that good). Sauces made the sandwich that much better though! Sweet Potato tots were very flavorful and a great side. Great environment (sucker for blues in BBQ) & will definitely return!
(5)Marc J.
In Decorah on a fishing trip. Found Old Armory BBQ on yelp and decided to give it a try. Brisket was excellent but fatty. Sweet potato tater tots were dynamite. Great prices. Nice ambience. Bar attached. Fun place
(4)Kim H.
Ok...you are in Decorah, IA....um you are not going to get a lot of choices for food outside of the norm. This place used to be the old Cafe Deluxe and it is quite good. This def beats the chain bbq restaurants out there. It get's crowded here during the work days and it is a self service meaning your order and then wait. Why they ask for a tip before you even eat is beyond me. When you see that option just skip it even though it looks like you can't. If you like the service just leave money at the table! Nice outdoor seating. The Iowa nachos were a heart attack but were pretty good.
(4)Joe P.
Stopped by on a Monday evening on our way back from a trip to Duluth. Decent crowd, nice quick service. Struck up a conversation with Matt the owner who told us they had only been open for about 4-6 weeks at that point (about a month ago). We had the pulled pork and I believe the turkey. The good - the sauce and the sides. Not so good, the pulled pork was dried out. Clearly on the warmer for too long. When the owner asked how it was I told him. To his credit he agreed and went and got a fresher piece of pork. He also let us taste a new sauce he was working on kind of a Carolina / KC combo. It showed a lot of potential . I am veteran BBQ fan having toured Memphis, KC and St. Louis among others. 3 stars for effort and execution. Great potential.
(3)Andrew S.
Stopped here before heading out of town. Great BBQ. Sweet potato tots?! Yes, please! Beef brisket sandwich was delicious. Mac and cheese, very creamy. Homemade chips and pickles. 4 sauces at table to choose from.
(4)