Ordered just the beef and it was solid. I still don't care much for their sauces but I can do with out sauce. The potato salad was awesome! The Mac and cheese was really good as well.
(4)
Anne T.
Pulled chicken and pork are excellent, as advertised the meat is so good it does not need any sauce! Sides were all great except the hush puppies which were bland. Huge portions to take home for leftovers, so it's a great bang for the buck. Chocolate cake was good, but not anything special. Nice beer selection. Not loud at all and good outdoor seating.
(5)
Steve P.
We grabbed some take out this weekend and it was wonderful. The pulled pork was really tender and flavorful. they do not smother the meat in sauce, but serve it "naked" and allow you to choose between a variety of sauce options. We had the mac & cheese, green beans and cornbread as our sides. My only complaint was that the green beans were really salty. Everything else was fantastic. With GT South's being the only other top-notch BBQ place on the north side of Indy, City BBQ is going to be smokin' for a long time to come. Welcome to Carmel!
(4)
Andra S.
Good stuff, people! I was able to taste a few of their menu items. The Pulled Pork sammie was delicious and lean. The turkey is good, but I'm sure it's great to others. I'm just not a big turkey fan. The few bites that I tried had a nice flavor. The beef brisket was delicious as well and had a nice bark on it. It was recommended I try the french fries. They were great and tasted like Five Guys fries. The potato salad was good, but I like chunks of potatoes in my salad. It was mushier than what I like, but it had a good flavor. Both the BBQ sauces I tried were very tasty (Original and Sweet. They also have a spicy version). Staff and Managers were very nice . Location is easy to find and the restaurant is comfy and low key. If you wanna eat like a caveman/cavewoman, this is the place to get your grubbin' on!
(4)
Travis S.
Great ribs, excellent sweet tea and hush puppies. Kids loved it and wife even said the chicken sandwich was one if the best she ever had. Sat outside and it was great (except for the gnats). We will be back.
(5)
D.j. W.
Great BBQ, Great Environment, and Great Service. A new favorite!
(5)
Joel V.
Excellent service, fabulous atmosphere, delicious food. Highly recommend North Carolina style sandwiches & their potato salad. Yummy.
(5)
Janet W.
It's a good thing the food is good, because the service for take out was anything but. I ordered online for a 6:00 pickup. Unfortunately, we didn't get our food until 6:30. There was one girl working the counter and the phone at the same time, with a guy to run and pick up the meat for each order. To make matters worse, she wasn't very competent so it was taking 10 minutes each time a person made their way to the counter. And while I appreciate the fact that the meat was run out so it would be hot, our sides had been sitting on the counter waiting for us since 6:00. This seems really inefficient and I'm surprised they haven't figured this out by now. We will probably go back and try it again when it's less busy, but if we have similar results that will be it.
(3)
Kelsey H.
Love this place! We had never been there and the man at the counter gave us samples of everything to try! Pork was AMAZING. As was the Mac n cheese! Definitely try all the sauces, they're on each table so anyone can have as much as possible. :)
(5)
Blake K.
Excellent food at reasonable prices. A great quick service gem. My favorite dish is the pulled pork sandwich. They allow you to add your own barbecue sauce to it either heated or room temperature from their lobby area. For the sides I love the fries, mac & cheese, and green beans with bacon :). Yum. The ribs are tasty as well. Very clean place and the staff are friendly.
(4)
Melissa K.
I'm really surprised by a lot of the meh and negative reviews on here. City BBQ is a fave of mine and my friends. Yes, it's a chain, but good food is good food, you know? I usually get the beef brisket or the pulled pork. Both are usually very tender and so flavorful. The smoke flavor really comes through. They have three different sauces I believe, original, sweet, and hot (Brushfire). All are really good! I enjoy the Brushfire, and it is the perfect amount of heat. I can't eat a lot of the sides because they have onion in them and I'm allergic. I usually get the mac and cheese or the corn pudding. The mac and cheese is very creamy, and the corn pudding tastes a bit like corn bread but without that dry consistency. It's more like a corn bread pudding, I guess you could say? I'm not disappointed I can't have more of the sides because both of those are super yummy sides and pair well with BBQ. The side salad is also a good choice if you want to stay on the healthy side. The salad is really big for a "side" salad! I really like City BBQ- both this location and the one near IUPUI.
(5)
Brian L.
Decent BBQ. As someone from Seattle I don't know good BBQ so this review is not from a BBQ snob. However, I do really, really like BBQ and City Barbeque did not disappoint. Their prices aren't the cheapest especially if you want to try a couple sides but the food is overall good and the environment is clean. I was struggling between 3 and 4 stars because during my time dining there I was able to learn all of the gossip and issues happening in the lives of the employees. Although it was mildly humorous it was also a little awkward especially when one of them started crying in the back. Life is life though and as long as that doesn't happen daily I'm guessing (and hoping) others won't experience it.
(4)
Scott N.
My first experience with City Barbeque was maybe a year ago when it first opened in Carmel. I got the sampler platter, and nothing really stood out to me as special. However, upon my arrival on my next visit I was greeted by the manager, who had me sample the pullled pork, brisket, and full cut brisket while he explained the differences. He then steered me towards the More Cowbell with the full cut brisket, and oh boy I'm sure glad he did. Texas toast, peppers, cheese, horseradish, and onions accompany the succulent full cut brisket on this sandwich. This is what differentiates City BBQ from the regular BBQ joints, and I will be coming back for another soon.
(5)
Katie U.
Sorry, City Barbeque. Who was I kidding? You're worthy of much more than 3 stars. I apologize - I just wasn't feelin' the beef brisket from my last visit. Round 2: pulled pork. Oh y'all. Melt in your mouth, fall apart on your fork goodness. Juicy, tender, delicious. Pair it with the sweet BBQ sauce and you've got a party in your mouth. The green beans with bacon are some of THE BEST I've ever had. Like Southern slow cooking style. I'm in love. Not to mention your cornbread is dense, cakey, goodness - I heated it up a smidge, slathered some butter on it, and I never looked back.
(4)
Kelsey A.
$1.25 rib Tuesday is the best day to go. Limited on the "sides" menu. Obviously they're cooking incredible amounts of ribs so the quality declines but they're still delicious. Sometimes it seems like the cooking gets a tad lazy but majority of the time you'll enjoy your meal. Definitely a great lunch spot.
(4)
Stacy P.
A-OK pretty much to sums up City Barbeque. The decor is pretty reminiscent of many of the BBQ joints that you would find in the Texas. There are TVs throughout, if you wish to catch a game while dining. They do have a allergen menu at the register, all you need to do is ask. In terms of gluten free options, there is a decent selection. I do appreciate that they noted gluten free on my receipt to signify to the back to change out their gloves prior to plating my food. If your a die hard BBQ lover, you will most likely be let down by the flavor and texture, especially the ribs. For the love of all things BBQ, the ribs should be that tough to eat and lack flavor. The saving grace of City Barbeque is hands down the sweet tea. It is definitely reminiscent of Southern Tea, and will cause a sugar high if you drink too much.
(3)
Andy C.
I am from California so my expectation for BBQ here in Indiana has always been very high. It was really good. The ribs, sausages, and chicken were exceptional. I would go back there every week except it is kinda pricy. You won't get out without spending at least $30 for two if you want to go home with a full stomach. Everything is pretty much self-serve but the customer service could be a little better at the counter. Overall, it deserves at least a 4 star rating... but definitely it's NOT one $.
(4)
Clare L.
In my opinion, in BBQ terms, this is about as good as you can get in Indy and almost perfect considering its a chain. This I can promise you - even the biggest of eaters will not go hungry. I've had the pulled pork sandwich, ribs and recently have gotten into the sausage and all have been excellent. You really can't go wrong with any of the sides either. The summer seasonal item, the cucs and onions, is one of my favorites. Also love the mac n cheese, baked beans (there's brisket right in there!) and corn pudding. I feel like I've been transported to the south every time I eat here. Must have something to do with the fact that they keep the sweet tea flowing. I think the "help yourself" fixings area is a great touch - pickles, onions and all of the sauces (both hot and cold) you can handle. The Brush Fire sauce is my fave! I think I would be happy drinking a cup of it. The order at the counter style of this restaurant makes it fast and convenient, although during busy times it does get a little hectic. I'll keep coming back for the great food and friendly service. City Barbeque is a winner!
(4)
Michael Y.
This bbq joint is overpriced garbage. Pull the membrane off the underside of the ribs. This way, smoke can fully penetrate the ribs. Ditch the 16 year old front of house staff. Where do I find damn good bbq you ask? Hanks Brisket on Michigan Rd produces some of the best bbq in the Midwest. Not cheap though. You know who will probably take your order there? Hank, the guy who owns the restaurant. Try the smoked corned beef!
(1)
Rick G.
Although I'd like to give them a 4 star review, I really can't and remain fair. City Barbeque in Carmel has decent food, decent service, and a decent atmosphere, yet, for me, nothing pushes it about A-OK to better than that. Partly because I find their food to be just a bit hit and miss. Hits: The pulled pork is amazing, as are the ribs. The beans are well above average, and those fries....they make my mouth water. Big time. Misses: The brisket. It's dry and bland. It just doesn't do it for me. Ditto for the chicken. It's just...OK. Nothing special. I will say the price is quite good for the amount of food you get....it's a good value for the dollars spent. City Barbeque is one of those places I'll stop in, if I'm in the area and hungry, but won't make a special effort to visit.
(3)
Amanda L.
My order was taken incorrectly over the phone. When I arrived and noticed that my order wasn't correct, Kira did an EXCELLENT job of quickly correctly the issue and with such professionalism. Her service is why I will return. Thanks Kira!
(5)
Krista R.
City BBQ catered our June 2014 wedding. We were already big fans of the food served in the restaurant. We were already generally pleased with the service at City BBQ. At our wedding reception? City BBQ blew us away with professionalism, attention to detail...and THE FOOD. It was a whole different level of good. Seriously. Many guests commented it was the best BBQ they'd had, that it was better than they'd remembered it, etc. 5 stars. Highly recommended if you are wanting a casual, fun caterer for your wedding or big event!!
(5)
Danny V.
Nothing impressive or authentic about this business and their slop. The employees you hire make the restaurant. Carmel City BBQ is garbage. Don't be fooled by the faux "open kitchen". The kitchen staff produces messy, rushed and dirty food. The cashiers are 12 years old. The hosts, food runners/FOH staff are untrained, underpaid and uneducated to deal with common issues in a restaurant. The AGM & GM are under qualified and play an insignificant role at City BBQ Carmel. The entire business cuts corners in food quality and safety for small margins of profit. Set aside the "freshness" or integrity of the food. Chity Barbecue needs to get out of Carmel's local food farmers market scene and go back to the west coast with endless migrant cooks to meet the standards here. Yuck stay away.
(1)
Katie H.
Came by for a late lunch/early dinner. Not impressed in the slightest. Nothing was very good. Had the brisket and sausage. Brisket-some pieces were extremely fatty and others were very dry. The sausage tasted like a hotdog with black pepper sprinkled on top. I also had the vinegar slaw-which was just that. White vinegar and sliced cabbage. I also got a side of the gumbo which coming from LA... I wouldn't call this gumbo. Kinda like a thick chicken gravy mixed with a couple pieces of the "hotdog" sausage and maybe a few strings of chicken or was it brisket? I'm not sure. Didn't help my Bbq craving at all. Will have to look else where. Save your money and try and find a different Bbq spot.
(2)
T.j. K.
Went here for the first time and definitely intend on coming back. I ordered a brisket sandwich, hush puppies, and Mac and cheese. The sandwich with their original BBQ sauce on it and the hush puppies were both excellent. I want as big I a fan of the Mac and cheese thinking it was just OK. Other big pluses the price which was under $20 for myself and two boys and the service. The person that took our order was nice and even took time to talk to the boys and make sure they were having fun.
(4)
Steve G.
This is almost good. It has everything you are looking for but none of it is done with any attention to detail. The brisket was really dry- and not in a good way. The pulled pork was okay. Lots of sides but nothing with any kick. Just bland dry and uninteresting. Lots of different sauces available. Service is friendly and fast.
(3)
Ashley P.
Huge portions, quick service, and superb flavor are just the start of why this has become a go to for my BBQ fix. My first time there I thought I would be sharing the corn pudding with my guy, but was quickly informed it was so good that he would not be sharing. It was indeed delicius as as been any side I have ordered. The best way to try a bit of everythihnig is to get one of the samplers with generous heapings of meat. A variety of sauces are already on the table for you to try, and a whole bar next to the drinks has hot sauces on hand. The cobbbler changes regularly, and space should definitely be left for it. All in all, if you're looking for a hearty meal at a good price you should be sure to stop by.
(4)
Sarah C.
Quick service- even at lunch, friendly staff, HUGE portions, delicious food, and plenty of seating including an outside patio area. Carryout is always spot on as well. Parking is a little rough at times but you'll have that at lunch time anywhere. There is a self service condiment area with different bbq sauces and toppings to load up your sandwich. They offer a lunch special of a smaller portion sandwich with two sides. For lunch, it is more than enough food for the price. The sides to indulge in is the mac n cheese and the corn pudding. Delicious! Try them..you can thank me later. Tip- At lunch time, this place can get packed. As in, a long line coming out the door, waiting to order.
(5)
Liz H.
Good and cheap, is there a better combination? Their portions are nice. The family pack is great for families. They say it feeds 4 but it will feed 5 or 6 really easy.
(5)
Nicki C.
We come here about once a month to cure my brisket craving, and to get my toddler his "Meats!" We usually split the city sampler between the three of us, and more often than not, I get an extra order of naked brisket. The sides are ok, but I come back for the barbecue- not the sides. Although I do love the cukes and onions that they offer in the summer.
(5)
Ron R.
OK.....I know that saying something is the best in the universe always starts a heated debate, especially when its something so controversial as BBQ that comes from many different regions....but f that noise. City BBQ is the BEST BBQ in the universe hands down. I think I'd fight my own grandmother for this place. I've only come to this location, and I've only been here for lunch so perhaps it is the staff at this location and at lunch time because I cannot speak for the other locations. The Brisket is smokey, juicy and has plenty of bark....it is amazing. The only negative, if I had to be super picky is that the rub is very salty and if you get handed a ton of the delicious bark, you are going to taste the salt on your tongue for a while. The Ribs are what makes this place. Go on Tuesday's for $1.15 rib bone day. You can order them by the bone and they will not dissapoint. They fall off the bone with barely any pull and they have a nice pink smoke ring. Amazing workmanship! The pulled pork is good, but nothing to write home about. I've had better pulled pork in my life and would never pass up a chance on the brisket or ribs here for pulled pork. The sides here are good, especially the loaded fries. nom nom nom nom.
(5)
Jemmie W.
First, if you are from BBQ meccas like Texas, Memphis, etc., you really won't be impressed. I lived in Texas for three years and this place can't compare with the BBQ places there like Salt Lick, Rudy's, etc. Let's just get that out of the way. You're in Indiana and not Texas, so a Texas BBQ place is not a viable alternative to City Barbeque in Carmel, Indiana any more than the Bolshoi or La Scala are viable alternatives to ISO or Palladium in Indiana. Having said that, this place is pretty good, especially compared to the alternatives in metro Indy, almost all of which I have tried. We had the smoked pork ribs, brisket, and sausage, and all were pretty good for Indiana. There are three different sauces from sweet to original to spicy. The spicy would be the mild in Texas. The sausage is pretty good as well, but spiciness is definitely dialed down from what you might find in Texas. Overall this is one of the better BBQ places in metro Indy.
(4)
Andrea R.
BEWARE: prices were higher than advertised on the board! Our table was dirty and we had to wipe off all of the smeared bbq sauce ourselves. We ordered ribs, and they were dry and burnt and barely any meet but lots of fat, probably worst ribs I've had ever! My favorite part was the coleslaw UNTIL I found a BUG in it!! Overall...horrible experience and will probably never go back!
(1)
Brian C.
A pretty good chain BBQ restaurant. If you enjoyed slow cooked meats, you should give this fast casual BBQ restaurant a try. They have everything you'd expect at such a place; pull pork, chicken, brisket, sides of hush puppies, baked beans, peach cobbler, etc. The service was fast enough, which is good because on week days the lunch crowd is substantial. You'll still be able to get in and out on your lunch break. My only complaint is that the brisket was less tender than expected.
(4)
Ed S.
Nice barbeque restaurant located in the main Rangeline Road drag in Carmel. I had carryout.... the menu ranges from single servings all the way up to catering portions for many people. Dining areas look OK -- well kept and not too loud. Service was friendly and fast enough. What portion of City Barbeque's menu I sampled was great -- I had a chicken breast and a partial slab of ribs. accompanied by potato salad and baked bean sides (there are an abundance of side dishes on the menu). Pretty good place... I'll be back.
(4)
Lindsay B.
Best BBQ around !! The staff is also very helpful with questions you have when ordering and getting you everything you need !
(5)
Fab F.
Ok. I really need to change my review. My friends have convinced me to go back again and I tried different dishes and my opinion changed a little. I still think it is pricey for what it is and the green beans are over cooked but the beef brisket is delicious and the so is the turkey.
(3)
Joseph H.
Lunch at City Barbeque was such a pleasant experience. Even toward the end of the lunch rush, we were greeted warmly upon entering. When asked if it was our first time there, we were each given samples of pork and brisket. We all elected the lunch special, which is a smaller sandwich and two sides. I had the pulled pork. Delicious. Others had the brisket. Also delicious. In terms of sides, try the corn pudding. It's like corn inside a creamy cornbread. I really enjoyed it. Unless you're a vegetarian, give this place a try.
(5)
Pat D.
I saw a crowd here so I decided to give it a try (it was $1.25 rib Tuesday...kudos for that!). I love BBQ! But their pulled pork was just bad. Dry...flavorless...and the sandwich was very small for the price $6.99. I ordered the sandwich with vinegar slaw in lieu of mayo based. They made it wrong, but instead of remaking it they just raked the mayo slaw off and gave me a side of vinegar slaw. So I had low expectations for a quality experience. The homemade pickles and the hush puppies were fantastic, however. Which earned the second star. The corn pudding and ribs were all so-so. If it weren't for the pups and pickles, I would have scored this place a zero.
(2)
Freemond D.
Your personnel are always friendly, courteous and knowledgeable. They prepare the orders in a timely manner and I always leave feeling as though I've had a great experience and can't wait to return. Oh yeah ... the brisket is the best ever!
(4)
Chelsy N.
Getting this issue resolved has been a complete nightmare and no one seems to be taking this seriously. I haven't gotten any results since the incident happened, they've just been running me around and keeping me from getting any treatment. City BBQ quickly went from best cobbler to the absolute worst and I wish I didn't have to go through any of this. I just want to be taken care of like a valued customer. Please avoid the FROZEN processed cherry cobbler so this doesn't happen to you.
(1)
Billy P.
City barbeque is a great place to go for lunch. Everything is prepared on site from the green beans all the way to smoke turkey. The place is clean, so you get that aroma of perfectly smoked barbecue as soon as you open the door to go in. Damn awesome brisket. The ribs are tender bite off the bone competition quality. It's the only place I know in Indianapolis to get true Texas smoke sausage. The employees are smiling and friendly. Although it is a counter service restaurant the service there is better than most sit- down casual dining restaurants.
(5)
Rex S.
Every time I come to this place for lunch I am never ever disappointed. The service is excellent. Everyone top to bottom makes sure everything goes smooth. Also 7.00 for the generous portions and the quality of food at lunch time is really hard to believe. But it is very true. The lunch price competes so well and is a worthy competitor vs the nasty fast food chains. What is even more awesome is the food is fresh, generous portions. Most of the sides are more than what one needs to compliment their entree. My only tiny drawback is but at the same time is a compliment to their greatness is they get swamped close to noon and we sometimes can't wait in a line to and out the door. However, if one arrives between 11:00 and 11:30 you are in and served quickly.
(5)
Michael C.
Very good barbeque and especially good for the area, which had been a BBQ dead zone. I always want to go to Piada in the same strip mall, but when I get there, I smell City BBQ and inevitably end up there.
(4)
Jeana S.
Visited for the first time with my family the other day! I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but I ordered the smoked sausage, fries and mac n cheese and loved it! I will definitely be visiting Carmel again soon for this place! Only complaint is that the mac n cheese was a little dry. Other than that, great food and great atmosphere!
(4)
Cherry M.
As a Texas transplant, I knew that this was probably not going to meet the expectations one would have in a Texas smokehouse. That being said, it was decent for Carmel, Indiana. I had the rib/chicken combo with Mac 'n cheese and banana pudding. The best part was the chicken. Smokey and flavorful, I really enjoyed it! The ribs, well...just terrible. They were over cooked and a tad chewy. So, for what it was, it was decent barbecue.
(4)
Lizzie C.
The manager Chino went above and beyond to make us happy. His customer service was impeccable. I will return not only for the excellent food but for the fantastic staff. Thank you so much Chino.
(5)
Misty M.
We were in the area from out of town, and decided to give this place a try based on Yelp reviews. My husband and I both had the pulled pork. Although I have had better, it was still quite good. They left the burnt ends in the mix, which is great. The meat was maybe just a tad bit more greasy than some of the better pulled pork I've had. Prices were very fair. We had cornbread and fries for sides. Cornbread was pretty good. Fries were handcut and a little limp. Nice atmosphere and liked the outdoor dining area.
(4)
John J.
I found this place to be just O.K. Nothing really made me want to rush back. Also seems a bit pricey for a place with no wait service.
(3)
Emma M.
Always delicious and the service is great. I usually have the brisket and fries, and the hush puppies and fried pickles are always good too.
(4)
Theresa H.
City Barbeque catered my daughter's wedding. I cannot say enough about them. There are not enough words to express how good of a job they did. We chose the 3 meat , two sides with dessert. I received so many compliments about the amazing food. Dean was very patient with me as I asked a million questions over a 7 month period. It tasted like it came right out of your own kitchen. So fresh and homemade. Wedding food can be less than par but not City Barbeque. They know how to effectively serve large crowds fresh food. Thank you City Barbeque and Dean. You made my daughter's day perfect!!!
(5)
Tom W.
Delicious BBQ with just the right amount of smokiness. The smoked brisket sandwich with regular sauce had just the right combination of sweet and savory. My only 'beef' with the beef was a significant wedge of fat in a piece of the meat. The side of green beans also quite tasty. Next trip I'll tackle the pulled pork.
(4)
Bret W.
City Barbeque has above average food for a chain. This is our go-to restaurant when we crave barbeque. The quality of the food is consistent and the service is prompt and friendly. We particularly enjoy the selection of sauces and routinely get more than one to add variety to the meal. The baked beans are exceptional.
(4)
Jeannie W.
Excellent 1st visit. Deluxe sampler will feed 2 w plenty leftover! Mixed greens & green beans were amazing! Sauces all good! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Adrienne G.
So, I have been here twice now and let me tell you, this place knows how to do BBQ. I can't get enough of their brisket. It is so tender, moist and delicious. Their pulled pork is great as well. The hush puppies are fantastic but be forewarned that one side of these is plenty for two people. Their slaw is pretty good. It is not a creamy as other places but it has great flavor. I wasn't a big fan of the mac and cheese but it was still OK. And you can't forget the amazing southern sweet tea. All in all, a pretty good BBQ joint.
(4)
Kent H.
Not bad for bbq in this area it seems. Had a taste of the family platter / sampler. The pulled pork was good and moist, the ribs fell right off the bone, chicken was moist and the bread was soft and hot. As far as the sauces were concerned, a bit on a sweet side, but the spicy one was the best of the three. They have ones at the table, but the ones near the drink are kept hot and just the way it should be.
(4)
Matt E.
My wife and I had been going to City BBQ on a weekly basis, when it first opened. The pulled pork, cornbread, banana pudding & tea are all really good! Most of the other sides (green beans, mac & cheese, iceberg salad, baked beans) leave more to be desired. With all that said... I have to share our last experience with you. We went at 1:00pm on a Saturday. Normally, there would have been a line to the door. When we got there, no one in line and many open tables. I believe this more to do with the fact, they raised their prices in response to the demand. $11-12 per person seems like it should be more like a sit down restaurant, instead of fast food BBQ. After we ordered, my brother ordered a beer. Showed his ID... waited for an employee to bring it to his seat (very odd process)... he was asked to see his ID, again. When he told them, that they checked his ID at the register... the manager barked at him, "Well, it's MY liquor license!" He's nearly 30, not 21 yrs old. Plus, I found that to be unnecessary and off-putting. When our food was ready, the banana pudding came without whipped cream. I, kindly, asked for some & the lady told me "it was marked plain, that's why it didn't come with it". This had never been the case, before. Missing a cornbread, I went up a second time. With ugly looks, they gave me another cornbread. While I still gave this place 4 stars... we, definitely, won't be back as often. I think the service and alcohol process needs to be re-evaluated.
(4)
Andrew J.
I'm a big fan of BBQ and I was a bit nervous knowing that City is a chain. Walking in felt like a bbq chain. The decor was generic but everything was clean and well put together. I don't have a problem with Famous Daves or Smokey Bones but I find them to be a bit lack luster. City was a pleasant surprise. Most important part of good BBQ is the meat, and these guys do a great job. Their pork and brisket are both perfectly tender with a great smokey flavor. The second most important part is the sauce, and City has plenty of great sauces for you to choose from. Their sides are very good and you have more options than just the coleslaw and baked beans that you have at other places. If all this isn't enough the pickles are also excellent
(4)
Keith S.
City Barbeque is a top notch BBQ joint for sure. Very authentic down to the way they make your sandwich - you want pulled pork they pull the pork out of the roast and plop it onto the bun, nothing going to sit in a bucket here. The only thing to watch out for is they serve a LOT of food. The sampler which is actually pretty reasonable WILL FEED 3 easy. Their ribs are St. Louis style. They have absolutely great lemonade and iced tea including sweet tea. I am going to give this 5 stars - I have been to Shorty's in Miami and this beats it hands down. The only thing different I would like to see would be to add beef ribs to the menu.
(5)
Victor F.
I've heard a lot about this place from a co-worker and finally visited it. Our server was extremely nice. I asked for a sample and they gave me so much that it was a meal in itself. Pulled pork was delicious. The place is clean, friendly atmosphere. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Fred P.
Food = 5 stars easily. Service = 1 star Food was phenomenal. Had the brisket, Mac & cheese, and hush puppies. Spectacular. The problem was the service, one girl in particular, she wasn't wearing a name tag or anything. It was our first time and we weren't sure exactly what to expect when ordering. We walked up to the counter and this girl just stood there, not even acknowledging us other than giving us an annoyed bored look. I ordered the brisket, and then asked if the hush puppies were any good. Her response was , "well yeah I guess if you like hush puppies." My wife ordered without the girl saying a single word. When we paid, there was no thank you or any instructions as to whether we sat down or stayed up there. We decided to sit down. She then brought our food, again without a word or anything when we thanked her. We discovered that she had forgotten something so my wife went up to her and told her. Her response was, "yup, my bad". She then got the missing items and never apologized or anything. We don't expect to be treated like royalty, but simply giving the illusion that they appreciate us spending our money there would be nice. We were hoping that a manager would have come by but none ever did. Might be back, not sure. Food was some of the best but the crap service dampened the whole experience.
(2)
CK A.
OK BBQ. It apparently is a "chain" restaurant. I thought the macaroni and cheese was just ho-hum.
(3)
Kevin C.
Went for the first time tonight. Very good food. Desserts are out of this world. A little pricey, but good variety. Sauces need a little work. The spicy sauce is bland. Overall very good place!
(4)
Blake L.
City BBQ is legit and if you happen to make the mistake of parking on the far right side of the restaurant and see the outdoor smokers, you may never leave (the smell is outrageous). As a typical bbq place, the decor is a bit much and it feels a but sticky but it still has the new restaurant feel. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it could compete with some of the best i've had, not to mention the numerous types of bbq sauce to choose from. Hot, mild, sweet and others...I was in heaven. Price is not bad for the lunch portions of things.
(4)
Kimmy V.
Love their baby back ribs!!!!!!!
(5)
Dalila H.
Waited 15 minutes in line to order just to find that they were out of ribs. They should post when their out instead of wasting customers time. Seating was dirty!!! Can't tell how the food is because we left since they were out of what we wanted.
(1)
Peter B.
The BBQ you can get here is as good as it gets unless you smoke the food yourself. I highly recommend trying the smoked sausage on Texas toast. Amazing!
(5)
Michael C.
Food is excellent. Although BBQ sauces could use some improvement. Taste like grocery store brand
(4)
Steve C.
This is about as good as barbecue gets in Indianapolis. Even though this is a chain, the food gives even G.T. South's a run for their money. All the meats are excellent, moist and flavorful with a nice smoky flavor. My favorite is the brisket, but pulled pork is also especially good. The sides and sauces are also very good. The place seems to be frequently busy so allow a little extra time if you want lunch or are otherwise on a schedule. If you eat inside it can get loud but not overwhelming. Definately worth a visit.
(5)
Julie N.
Best BBQ place I've been to so far in Indianapolis. They have amazing sauces, great pulled chicken and delicious pickles to place on em! I loved their sweet potato casserole and they had an amazing corn casserole. Nothing I've had there has been bad. Most definitely will be back for more.
(5)
Kelly D.
Wanted barbecue and knew about this place so I went and tried it once...well twice in one week. The food was really good. The portions are big enough to share which I did every time. The best part would be the hush puppies. I only allowed the person I was sharing with to have 1. These were too good to share. The baked beans were also delicious but again the hush puppies were number one. The actual meat was good too but it always come back to the puppies.
(4)
Jennifer P.
Yes, the BBQ is pretty good, and the hushpuppies are pretty good too. Not a fan of the sauces in the squeeze bottles on the tables and the noise level of the restaurant though. The flow of the restaurant seems odd. You order at the register then find your table and wait for them to shout out your name to come grab your food from the counter. Kind of odd... Also, all of the sqeeze bottles with sauces in them at our table were sticky and left your hands feeling gross. And of course the one I like kept getting a clog in it. Sort of annoying. Also odd to me is that they serve their sandwiches on a piece of parchment/waxed paper. No plate or cardboard tray or anything. Found this weird. Overall, the food was good and the service was nice, but just some odd things about the place.
(3)
Jeremiah G.
BBQ is good here, plain and simple. Also offer chicken skinless or brisket bread-less (naked). Restaurant is setup similar to McAlisters Deli. Order/pay-grab from counter-then sit. From a dieter's perspective, Leg and Thigh, Green beans and a side salad are a good meal to fill me up when I just have to have BBQ.
(4)
Jessica B.
Love the pork, baked beans and peach cobbler! Staff is super friendly too!
(5)
Denise L.
All barbecue is not created equally and this place meets my standards. A coworker told me the one in Avon was really good, but I doubted her b/c bbq can be so hit & miss. When we arrived the line was out the door, but we were smart enough to phone our orders in. So we bypassed the line & went to the call ahead station. While waiting (the employee was taking an order over the phone) I observed this restaurant actually flowing like it had been opened for years & not like it just opened. I ordered a city lunch plate w/ North Carolina pulled pork with macaroni & cheese, green beans & two individual ribs. The food was so flipping good I felt like the pusherman had gave me my first hit! I will DEFINITELY be back!
(5)
Linda C.
GREEEEAAAAAATTTTTTTT BBQ. Did I say the BBQ was GREAT?!?!?! perfectly smoked and seasoned. 4 different BBQ sauces are available on every table as well as served warm on the condiment table. Pickles and other stuff are also in abundant supply. We always over order and take home leftovers for next day lunch. Carmel store is always busy no matter what time I have been in there.
(5)
Michele C.
Delicous pork and brisket as good as it gets... Dont forget the chocolate cake...nice staff fresh food
(5)
Amy D.
Awesome food every time!! Love the brisket, corn pudding, hush puppies, mac & cheese.
(4)
Stephanie T.
So, here's the deal with City BBQ, if you are a hard-core barbecue loving soul, you enjoy eating in a restaurant that resembles a barn and you don't mind eating on foam plates and parchment paper, then I would say you might want to try this place It's quite loud and very messy. Moist towelettes and a role of brown paper towels are provided. For my taste, however, I prefer silverware, napkins that aren't ...scratchy and people that deliver food to the table (instead of me having going to the counter to get my food when my name is yelled out). There are several barbecue sauces to choose from and they offer sides that go good with barbecue, such as vinegar coleslaw and hush puppies. Not taking into account the unrefined atmosphere, if I happen to be craving a delicious, get messy, barbecue sandwich, I probably would think about City BBQ.. take-out
(3)
Cathy W.
Pretty good pulled pork, but beef brisket was a little on the chewy side. A selection of sauces and sides that make the experience nice. Corn Puddling gets my thumbs up. However selling Nehi for $2.50 a bottle is downright silly
(3)
Marianne L.
Wow. I looked at all the reviews and was so excited to try this restaurant. Major let-down. The ribs were much drier than the ones you find at Charleston's or Max & Erma's. It really surprised me because I had read so many positive things about this restaurant. It's certainly a cute place - unpretentious. The texas toast is really good. The french fries with cheese (which was at a minimum) and bacon (at least the bacon was real) were ok. Maybe we all missed out by not getting anything else except the ribs, but boy, they were such a disappointment. Yelp doesn't often let me down, so I have to say I was sad that it did this time. I do have to say that all the employees were very nice!
(2)
Scot B.
The sampler (1 sausage. Pulled pork, brisket, turkey, Texas toast & 2 sides) is plenty of food for two. Enjoy!
(4)
Alex H.
Solid bbq, decent prices
(4)
Jessica S.
I'm a huge fan of the Avon location, so was excited to see this one open closer to home. It was packed on a Monday night. Food was very good as I expected, but the brisket was just a bit drier than usual. In talking to the manager, he said that people often ask for the fat to be trimmed off their brisket ... wha?? But that's where the flavor and juiciness is! Come on Carmel, this isn't health food, it's BBQ. So next time I'll be sure to ask for a little fat to be added to my brisket.
(4)
Dan D.
Took two attempts to get in at a workday lunch. Place and parking lot was full. Very good brisket. Nice selection of sides. Even with the crowd they did a good job getting the food out reasonably quick. Baked beans tasted too much like ketchup for me. A shot of BBQ sauce helped. Good hush puppies. A tie for first place with Dave's on my list for BBQ in Indy. First place overall is Sonny's BBQ in Ft. Myers FL.
(5)
Robert W.
Came here for ribs on a Friday night. No ribs or pulled chicken. First time here. It will also be my last. I do not recommend this restaurant. Just as we were finishing our meal, a family sat down behind us, I noticed that one member of the group had ribs. I asked the person if they called ahead and ordered ribs. They did not. No ribs for us, but another person could get ribs. I will NEVER go back. Food was ok. I have made better at home.
(1)
Brent S.
The wife and I went for dinner on Saturday. It was busy but there was plenty of parking and seating. It's the type of place where you order at the counter and they call your name to come pick up your order. I prefer the more sit down restaurant model, bit barbecue is a more casual food after all. My brisket sandwich was fantastic although I would have preferred the brisket sliced rather than chopped. My corn pudding was good also. I was not a big fan of the coleslaw. It is vinegar based with sizeable chunks or green peppers neither of which I am a fan. A creamy sweet coleslaw is a better bbq compliment in my opinion. My wife ordered the half chicken and the portion was huge. That's not a bad thing at all just not what we were expecting. Both the white and dark meat were very juicy. It was slightly disconcerting though that there were very small bits of the chicken close to the bone that were not cooked. Dangerous if we weren't paying attention. The cornbread was excellent. The mashed potatoes were very average. All of the sauces were excellent although I didn't fjnd much heat in the spicy sauce. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the mustard sauce. I can't wait until the Fishers location opens a little bit closer to home.
(4)
Joshua P.
True midwest food in an atmosphere that makes the pulled pork taste that much better. Carmel folk may have the stereotype of being fancy, but they sure like it at City BBQ, since its always packed when I go there.
(5)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :1356 South Rangeline Road
Carmel, IN, 46032
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Paul D.
Ordered just the beef and it was solid. I still don't care much for their sauces but I can do with out sauce. The potato salad was awesome! The Mac and cheese was really good as well.
(4)Anne T.
Pulled chicken and pork are excellent, as advertised the meat is so good it does not need any sauce! Sides were all great except the hush puppies which were bland. Huge portions to take home for leftovers, so it's a great bang for the buck. Chocolate cake was good, but not anything special. Nice beer selection. Not loud at all and good outdoor seating.
(5)Steve P.
We grabbed some take out this weekend and it was wonderful. The pulled pork was really tender and flavorful. they do not smother the meat in sauce, but serve it "naked" and allow you to choose between a variety of sauce options. We had the mac & cheese, green beans and cornbread as our sides. My only complaint was that the green beans were really salty. Everything else was fantastic. With GT South's being the only other top-notch BBQ place on the north side of Indy, City BBQ is going to be smokin' for a long time to come. Welcome to Carmel!
(4)Andra S.
Good stuff, people! I was able to taste a few of their menu items. The Pulled Pork sammie was delicious and lean. The turkey is good, but I'm sure it's great to others. I'm just not a big turkey fan. The few bites that I tried had a nice flavor. The beef brisket was delicious as well and had a nice bark on it. It was recommended I try the french fries. They were great and tasted like Five Guys fries. The potato salad was good, but I like chunks of potatoes in my salad. It was mushier than what I like, but it had a good flavor. Both the BBQ sauces I tried were very tasty (Original and Sweet. They also have a spicy version). Staff and Managers were very nice . Location is easy to find and the restaurant is comfy and low key. If you wanna eat like a caveman/cavewoman, this is the place to get your grubbin' on!
(4)Travis S.
Great ribs, excellent sweet tea and hush puppies. Kids loved it and wife even said the chicken sandwich was one if the best she ever had. Sat outside and it was great (except for the gnats). We will be back.
(5)D.j. W.
Great BBQ, Great Environment, and Great Service. A new favorite!
(5)Joel V.
Excellent service, fabulous atmosphere, delicious food. Highly recommend North Carolina style sandwiches & their potato salad. Yummy.
(5)Janet W.
It's a good thing the food is good, because the service for take out was anything but. I ordered online for a 6:00 pickup. Unfortunately, we didn't get our food until 6:30. There was one girl working the counter and the phone at the same time, with a guy to run and pick up the meat for each order. To make matters worse, she wasn't very competent so it was taking 10 minutes each time a person made their way to the counter. And while I appreciate the fact that the meat was run out so it would be hot, our sides had been sitting on the counter waiting for us since 6:00. This seems really inefficient and I'm surprised they haven't figured this out by now. We will probably go back and try it again when it's less busy, but if we have similar results that will be it.
(3)Kelsey H.
Love this place! We had never been there and the man at the counter gave us samples of everything to try! Pork was AMAZING. As was the Mac n cheese! Definitely try all the sauces, they're on each table so anyone can have as much as possible. :)
(5)Blake K.
Excellent food at reasonable prices. A great quick service gem. My favorite dish is the pulled pork sandwich. They allow you to add your own barbecue sauce to it either heated or room temperature from their lobby area. For the sides I love the fries, mac & cheese, and green beans with bacon :). Yum. The ribs are tasty as well. Very clean place and the staff are friendly.
(4)Melissa K.
I'm really surprised by a lot of the meh and negative reviews on here. City BBQ is a fave of mine and my friends. Yes, it's a chain, but good food is good food, you know? I usually get the beef brisket or the pulled pork. Both are usually very tender and so flavorful. The smoke flavor really comes through. They have three different sauces I believe, original, sweet, and hot (Brushfire). All are really good! I enjoy the Brushfire, and it is the perfect amount of heat. I can't eat a lot of the sides because they have onion in them and I'm allergic. I usually get the mac and cheese or the corn pudding. The mac and cheese is very creamy, and the corn pudding tastes a bit like corn bread but without that dry consistency. It's more like a corn bread pudding, I guess you could say? I'm not disappointed I can't have more of the sides because both of those are super yummy sides and pair well with BBQ. The side salad is also a good choice if you want to stay on the healthy side. The salad is really big for a "side" salad! I really like City BBQ- both this location and the one near IUPUI.
(5)Brian L.
Decent BBQ. As someone from Seattle I don't know good BBQ so this review is not from a BBQ snob. However, I do really, really like BBQ and City Barbeque did not disappoint. Their prices aren't the cheapest especially if you want to try a couple sides but the food is overall good and the environment is clean. I was struggling between 3 and 4 stars because during my time dining there I was able to learn all of the gossip and issues happening in the lives of the employees. Although it was mildly humorous it was also a little awkward especially when one of them started crying in the back. Life is life though and as long as that doesn't happen daily I'm guessing (and hoping) others won't experience it.
(4)Scott N.
My first experience with City Barbeque was maybe a year ago when it first opened in Carmel. I got the sampler platter, and nothing really stood out to me as special. However, upon my arrival on my next visit I was greeted by the manager, who had me sample the pullled pork, brisket, and full cut brisket while he explained the differences. He then steered me towards the More Cowbell with the full cut brisket, and oh boy I'm sure glad he did. Texas toast, peppers, cheese, horseradish, and onions accompany the succulent full cut brisket on this sandwich. This is what differentiates City BBQ from the regular BBQ joints, and I will be coming back for another soon.
(5)Katie U.
Sorry, City Barbeque. Who was I kidding? You're worthy of much more than 3 stars. I apologize - I just wasn't feelin' the beef brisket from my last visit. Round 2: pulled pork. Oh y'all. Melt in your mouth, fall apart on your fork goodness. Juicy, tender, delicious. Pair it with the sweet BBQ sauce and you've got a party in your mouth. The green beans with bacon are some of THE BEST I've ever had. Like Southern slow cooking style. I'm in love. Not to mention your cornbread is dense, cakey, goodness - I heated it up a smidge, slathered some butter on it, and I never looked back.
(4)Kelsey A.
$1.25 rib Tuesday is the best day to go. Limited on the "sides" menu. Obviously they're cooking incredible amounts of ribs so the quality declines but they're still delicious. Sometimes it seems like the cooking gets a tad lazy but majority of the time you'll enjoy your meal. Definitely a great lunch spot.
(4)Stacy P.
A-OK pretty much to sums up City Barbeque. The decor is pretty reminiscent of many of the BBQ joints that you would find in the Texas. There are TVs throughout, if you wish to catch a game while dining. They do have a allergen menu at the register, all you need to do is ask. In terms of gluten free options, there is a decent selection. I do appreciate that they noted gluten free on my receipt to signify to the back to change out their gloves prior to plating my food. If your a die hard BBQ lover, you will most likely be let down by the flavor and texture, especially the ribs. For the love of all things BBQ, the ribs should be that tough to eat and lack flavor. The saving grace of City Barbeque is hands down the sweet tea. It is definitely reminiscent of Southern Tea, and will cause a sugar high if you drink too much.
(3)Andy C.
I am from California so my expectation for BBQ here in Indiana has always been very high. It was really good. The ribs, sausages, and chicken were exceptional. I would go back there every week except it is kinda pricy. You won't get out without spending at least $30 for two if you want to go home with a full stomach. Everything is pretty much self-serve but the customer service could be a little better at the counter. Overall, it deserves at least a 4 star rating... but definitely it's NOT one $.
(4)Clare L.
In my opinion, in BBQ terms, this is about as good as you can get in Indy and almost perfect considering its a chain. This I can promise you - even the biggest of eaters will not go hungry. I've had the pulled pork sandwich, ribs and recently have gotten into the sausage and all have been excellent. You really can't go wrong with any of the sides either. The summer seasonal item, the cucs and onions, is one of my favorites. Also love the mac n cheese, baked beans (there's brisket right in there!) and corn pudding. I feel like I've been transported to the south every time I eat here. Must have something to do with the fact that they keep the sweet tea flowing. I think the "help yourself" fixings area is a great touch - pickles, onions and all of the sauces (both hot and cold) you can handle. The Brush Fire sauce is my fave! I think I would be happy drinking a cup of it. The order at the counter style of this restaurant makes it fast and convenient, although during busy times it does get a little hectic. I'll keep coming back for the great food and friendly service. City Barbeque is a winner!
(4)Michael Y.
This bbq joint is overpriced garbage. Pull the membrane off the underside of the ribs. This way, smoke can fully penetrate the ribs. Ditch the 16 year old front of house staff. Where do I find damn good bbq you ask? Hanks Brisket on Michigan Rd produces some of the best bbq in the Midwest. Not cheap though. You know who will probably take your order there? Hank, the guy who owns the restaurant. Try the smoked corned beef!
(1)Rick G.
Although I'd like to give them a 4 star review, I really can't and remain fair. City Barbeque in Carmel has decent food, decent service, and a decent atmosphere, yet, for me, nothing pushes it about A-OK to better than that. Partly because I find their food to be just a bit hit and miss. Hits: The pulled pork is amazing, as are the ribs. The beans are well above average, and those fries....they make my mouth water. Big time. Misses: The brisket. It's dry and bland. It just doesn't do it for me. Ditto for the chicken. It's just...OK. Nothing special. I will say the price is quite good for the amount of food you get....it's a good value for the dollars spent. City Barbeque is one of those places I'll stop in, if I'm in the area and hungry, but won't make a special effort to visit.
(3)Amanda L.
My order was taken incorrectly over the phone. When I arrived and noticed that my order wasn't correct, Kira did an EXCELLENT job of quickly correctly the issue and with such professionalism. Her service is why I will return. Thanks Kira!
(5)Krista R.
City BBQ catered our June 2014 wedding. We were already big fans of the food served in the restaurant. We were already generally pleased with the service at City BBQ. At our wedding reception? City BBQ blew us away with professionalism, attention to detail...and THE FOOD. It was a whole different level of good. Seriously. Many guests commented it was the best BBQ they'd had, that it was better than they'd remembered it, etc. 5 stars. Highly recommended if you are wanting a casual, fun caterer for your wedding or big event!!
(5)Danny V.
Nothing impressive or authentic about this business and their slop. The employees you hire make the restaurant. Carmel City BBQ is garbage. Don't be fooled by the faux "open kitchen". The kitchen staff produces messy, rushed and dirty food. The cashiers are 12 years old. The hosts, food runners/FOH staff are untrained, underpaid and uneducated to deal with common issues in a restaurant. The AGM & GM are under qualified and play an insignificant role at City BBQ Carmel. The entire business cuts corners in food quality and safety for small margins of profit. Set aside the "freshness" or integrity of the food. Chity Barbecue needs to get out of Carmel's local food farmers market scene and go back to the west coast with endless migrant cooks to meet the standards here. Yuck stay away.
(1)Katie H.
Came by for a late lunch/early dinner. Not impressed in the slightest. Nothing was very good. Had the brisket and sausage. Brisket-some pieces were extremely fatty and others were very dry. The sausage tasted like a hotdog with black pepper sprinkled on top. I also had the vinegar slaw-which was just that. White vinegar and sliced cabbage. I also got a side of the gumbo which coming from LA... I wouldn't call this gumbo. Kinda like a thick chicken gravy mixed with a couple pieces of the "hotdog" sausage and maybe a few strings of chicken or was it brisket? I'm not sure. Didn't help my Bbq craving at all. Will have to look else where. Save your money and try and find a different Bbq spot.
(2)T.j. K.
Went here for the first time and definitely intend on coming back. I ordered a brisket sandwich, hush puppies, and Mac and cheese. The sandwich with their original BBQ sauce on it and the hush puppies were both excellent. I want as big I a fan of the Mac and cheese thinking it was just OK. Other big pluses the price which was under $20 for myself and two boys and the service. The person that took our order was nice and even took time to talk to the boys and make sure they were having fun.
(4)Steve G.
This is almost good. It has everything you are looking for but none of it is done with any attention to detail. The brisket was really dry- and not in a good way. The pulled pork was okay. Lots of sides but nothing with any kick. Just bland dry and uninteresting. Lots of different sauces available. Service is friendly and fast.
(3)Ashley P.
Huge portions, quick service, and superb flavor are just the start of why this has become a go to for my BBQ fix. My first time there I thought I would be sharing the corn pudding with my guy, but was quickly informed it was so good that he would not be sharing. It was indeed delicius as as been any side I have ordered. The best way to try a bit of everythihnig is to get one of the samplers with generous heapings of meat. A variety of sauces are already on the table for you to try, and a whole bar next to the drinks has hot sauces on hand. The cobbbler changes regularly, and space should definitely be left for it. All in all, if you're looking for a hearty meal at a good price you should be sure to stop by.
(4)Sarah C.
Quick service- even at lunch, friendly staff, HUGE portions, delicious food, and plenty of seating including an outside patio area. Carryout is always spot on as well. Parking is a little rough at times but you'll have that at lunch time anywhere. There is a self service condiment area with different bbq sauces and toppings to load up your sandwich. They offer a lunch special of a smaller portion sandwich with two sides. For lunch, it is more than enough food for the price. The sides to indulge in is the mac n cheese and the corn pudding. Delicious! Try them..you can thank me later. Tip- At lunch time, this place can get packed. As in, a long line coming out the door, waiting to order.
(5)Liz H.
Good and cheap, is there a better combination? Their portions are nice. The family pack is great for families. They say it feeds 4 but it will feed 5 or 6 really easy.
(5)Nicki C.
We come here about once a month to cure my brisket craving, and to get my toddler his "Meats!" We usually split the city sampler between the three of us, and more often than not, I get an extra order of naked brisket. The sides are ok, but I come back for the barbecue- not the sides. Although I do love the cukes and onions that they offer in the summer.
(5)Ron R.
OK.....I know that saying something is the best in the universe always starts a heated debate, especially when its something so controversial as BBQ that comes from many different regions....but f that noise. City BBQ is the BEST BBQ in the universe hands down. I think I'd fight my own grandmother for this place. I've only come to this location, and I've only been here for lunch so perhaps it is the staff at this location and at lunch time because I cannot speak for the other locations. The Brisket is smokey, juicy and has plenty of bark....it is amazing. The only negative, if I had to be super picky is that the rub is very salty and if you get handed a ton of the delicious bark, you are going to taste the salt on your tongue for a while. The Ribs are what makes this place. Go on Tuesday's for $1.15 rib bone day. You can order them by the bone and they will not dissapoint. They fall off the bone with barely any pull and they have a nice pink smoke ring. Amazing workmanship! The pulled pork is good, but nothing to write home about. I've had better pulled pork in my life and would never pass up a chance on the brisket or ribs here for pulled pork. The sides here are good, especially the loaded fries. nom nom nom nom.
(5)Jemmie W.
First, if you are from BBQ meccas like Texas, Memphis, etc., you really won't be impressed. I lived in Texas for three years and this place can't compare with the BBQ places there like Salt Lick, Rudy's, etc. Let's just get that out of the way. You're in Indiana and not Texas, so a Texas BBQ place is not a viable alternative to City Barbeque in Carmel, Indiana any more than the Bolshoi or La Scala are viable alternatives to ISO or Palladium in Indiana. Having said that, this place is pretty good, especially compared to the alternatives in metro Indy, almost all of which I have tried. We had the smoked pork ribs, brisket, and sausage, and all were pretty good for Indiana. There are three different sauces from sweet to original to spicy. The spicy would be the mild in Texas. The sausage is pretty good as well, but spiciness is definitely dialed down from what you might find in Texas. Overall this is one of the better BBQ places in metro Indy.
(4)Andrea R.
BEWARE: prices were higher than advertised on the board! Our table was dirty and we had to wipe off all of the smeared bbq sauce ourselves. We ordered ribs, and they were dry and burnt and barely any meet but lots of fat, probably worst ribs I've had ever! My favorite part was the coleslaw UNTIL I found a BUG in it!! Overall...horrible experience and will probably never go back!
(1)Brian C.
A pretty good chain BBQ restaurant. If you enjoyed slow cooked meats, you should give this fast casual BBQ restaurant a try. They have everything you'd expect at such a place; pull pork, chicken, brisket, sides of hush puppies, baked beans, peach cobbler, etc. The service was fast enough, which is good because on week days the lunch crowd is substantial. You'll still be able to get in and out on your lunch break. My only complaint is that the brisket was less tender than expected.
(4)Ed S.
Nice barbeque restaurant located in the main Rangeline Road drag in Carmel. I had carryout.... the menu ranges from single servings all the way up to catering portions for many people. Dining areas look OK -- well kept and not too loud. Service was friendly and fast enough. What portion of City Barbeque's menu I sampled was great -- I had a chicken breast and a partial slab of ribs. accompanied by potato salad and baked bean sides (there are an abundance of side dishes on the menu). Pretty good place... I'll be back.
(4)Lindsay B.
Best BBQ around !! The staff is also very helpful with questions you have when ordering and getting you everything you need !
(5)Fab F.
Ok. I really need to change my review. My friends have convinced me to go back again and I tried different dishes and my opinion changed a little. I still think it is pricey for what it is and the green beans are over cooked but the beef brisket is delicious and the so is the turkey.
(3)Joseph H.
Lunch at City Barbeque was such a pleasant experience. Even toward the end of the lunch rush, we were greeted warmly upon entering. When asked if it was our first time there, we were each given samples of pork and brisket. We all elected the lunch special, which is a smaller sandwich and two sides. I had the pulled pork. Delicious. Others had the brisket. Also delicious. In terms of sides, try the corn pudding. It's like corn inside a creamy cornbread. I really enjoyed it. Unless you're a vegetarian, give this place a try.
(5)Pat D.
I saw a crowd here so I decided to give it a try (it was $1.25 rib Tuesday...kudos for that!). I love BBQ! But their pulled pork was just bad. Dry...flavorless...and the sandwich was very small for the price $6.99. I ordered the sandwich with vinegar slaw in lieu of mayo based. They made it wrong, but instead of remaking it they just raked the mayo slaw off and gave me a side of vinegar slaw. So I had low expectations for a quality experience. The homemade pickles and the hush puppies were fantastic, however. Which earned the second star. The corn pudding and ribs were all so-so. If it weren't for the pups and pickles, I would have scored this place a zero.
(2)Freemond D.
Your personnel are always friendly, courteous and knowledgeable. They prepare the orders in a timely manner and I always leave feeling as though I've had a great experience and can't wait to return. Oh yeah ... the brisket is the best ever!
(4)Chelsy N.
Getting this issue resolved has been a complete nightmare and no one seems to be taking this seriously. I haven't gotten any results since the incident happened, they've just been running me around and keeping me from getting any treatment. City BBQ quickly went from best cobbler to the absolute worst and I wish I didn't have to go through any of this. I just want to be taken care of like a valued customer. Please avoid the FROZEN processed cherry cobbler so this doesn't happen to you.
(1)Billy P.
City barbeque is a great place to go for lunch. Everything is prepared on site from the green beans all the way to smoke turkey. The place is clean, so you get that aroma of perfectly smoked barbecue as soon as you open the door to go in. Damn awesome brisket. The ribs are tender bite off the bone competition quality. It's the only place I know in Indianapolis to get true Texas smoke sausage. The employees are smiling and friendly. Although it is a counter service restaurant the service there is better than most sit- down casual dining restaurants.
(5)Rex S.
Every time I come to this place for lunch I am never ever disappointed. The service is excellent. Everyone top to bottom makes sure everything goes smooth. Also 7.00 for the generous portions and the quality of food at lunch time is really hard to believe. But it is very true. The lunch price competes so well and is a worthy competitor vs the nasty fast food chains. What is even more awesome is the food is fresh, generous portions. Most of the sides are more than what one needs to compliment their entree. My only tiny drawback is but at the same time is a compliment to their greatness is they get swamped close to noon and we sometimes can't wait in a line to and out the door. However, if one arrives between 11:00 and 11:30 you are in and served quickly.
(5)Michael C.
Very good barbeque and especially good for the area, which had been a BBQ dead zone. I always want to go to Piada in the same strip mall, but when I get there, I smell City BBQ and inevitably end up there.
(4)Jeana S.
Visited for the first time with my family the other day! I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but I ordered the smoked sausage, fries and mac n cheese and loved it! I will definitely be visiting Carmel again soon for this place! Only complaint is that the mac n cheese was a little dry. Other than that, great food and great atmosphere!
(4)Cherry M.
As a Texas transplant, I knew that this was probably not going to meet the expectations one would have in a Texas smokehouse. That being said, it was decent for Carmel, Indiana. I had the rib/chicken combo with Mac 'n cheese and banana pudding. The best part was the chicken. Smokey and flavorful, I really enjoyed it! The ribs, well...just terrible. They were over cooked and a tad chewy. So, for what it was, it was decent barbecue.
(4)Lizzie C.
The manager Chino went above and beyond to make us happy. His customer service was impeccable. I will return not only for the excellent food but for the fantastic staff. Thank you so much Chino.
(5)Misty M.
We were in the area from out of town, and decided to give this place a try based on Yelp reviews. My husband and I both had the pulled pork. Although I have had better, it was still quite good. They left the burnt ends in the mix, which is great. The meat was maybe just a tad bit more greasy than some of the better pulled pork I've had. Prices were very fair. We had cornbread and fries for sides. Cornbread was pretty good. Fries were handcut and a little limp. Nice atmosphere and liked the outdoor dining area.
(4)John J.
I found this place to be just O.K. Nothing really made me want to rush back. Also seems a bit pricey for a place with no wait service.
(3)Emma M.
Always delicious and the service is great. I usually have the brisket and fries, and the hush puppies and fried pickles are always good too.
(4)Theresa H.
City Barbeque catered my daughter's wedding. I cannot say enough about them. There are not enough words to express how good of a job they did. We chose the 3 meat , two sides with dessert. I received so many compliments about the amazing food. Dean was very patient with me as I asked a million questions over a 7 month period. It tasted like it came right out of your own kitchen. So fresh and homemade. Wedding food can be less than par but not City Barbeque. They know how to effectively serve large crowds fresh food. Thank you City Barbeque and Dean. You made my daughter's day perfect!!!
(5)Tom W.
Delicious BBQ with just the right amount of smokiness. The smoked brisket sandwich with regular sauce had just the right combination of sweet and savory. My only 'beef' with the beef was a significant wedge of fat in a piece of the meat. The side of green beans also quite tasty. Next trip I'll tackle the pulled pork.
(4)Bret W.
City Barbeque has above average food for a chain. This is our go-to restaurant when we crave barbeque. The quality of the food is consistent and the service is prompt and friendly. We particularly enjoy the selection of sauces and routinely get more than one to add variety to the meal. The baked beans are exceptional.
(4)Jeannie W.
Excellent 1st visit. Deluxe sampler will feed 2 w plenty leftover! Mixed greens & green beans were amazing! Sauces all good! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Adrienne G.
So, I have been here twice now and let me tell you, this place knows how to do BBQ. I can't get enough of their brisket. It is so tender, moist and delicious. Their pulled pork is great as well. The hush puppies are fantastic but be forewarned that one side of these is plenty for two people. Their slaw is pretty good. It is not a creamy as other places but it has great flavor. I wasn't a big fan of the mac and cheese but it was still OK. And you can't forget the amazing southern sweet tea. All in all, a pretty good BBQ joint.
(4)Kent H.
Not bad for bbq in this area it seems. Had a taste of the family platter / sampler. The pulled pork was good and moist, the ribs fell right off the bone, chicken was moist and the bread was soft and hot. As far as the sauces were concerned, a bit on a sweet side, but the spicy one was the best of the three. They have ones at the table, but the ones near the drink are kept hot and just the way it should be.
(4)Matt E.
My wife and I had been going to City BBQ on a weekly basis, when it first opened. The pulled pork, cornbread, banana pudding & tea are all really good! Most of the other sides (green beans, mac & cheese, iceberg salad, baked beans) leave more to be desired. With all that said... I have to share our last experience with you. We went at 1:00pm on a Saturday. Normally, there would have been a line to the door. When we got there, no one in line and many open tables. I believe this more to do with the fact, they raised their prices in response to the demand. $11-12 per person seems like it should be more like a sit down restaurant, instead of fast food BBQ. After we ordered, my brother ordered a beer. Showed his ID... waited for an employee to bring it to his seat (very odd process)... he was asked to see his ID, again. When he told them, that they checked his ID at the register... the manager barked at him, "Well, it's MY liquor license!" He's nearly 30, not 21 yrs old. Plus, I found that to be unnecessary and off-putting. When our food was ready, the banana pudding came without whipped cream. I, kindly, asked for some & the lady told me "it was marked plain, that's why it didn't come with it". This had never been the case, before. Missing a cornbread, I went up a second time. With ugly looks, they gave me another cornbread. While I still gave this place 4 stars... we, definitely, won't be back as often. I think the service and alcohol process needs to be re-evaluated.
(4)Andrew J.
I'm a big fan of BBQ and I was a bit nervous knowing that City is a chain. Walking in felt like a bbq chain. The decor was generic but everything was clean and well put together. I don't have a problem with Famous Daves or Smokey Bones but I find them to be a bit lack luster. City was a pleasant surprise. Most important part of good BBQ is the meat, and these guys do a great job. Their pork and brisket are both perfectly tender with a great smokey flavor. The second most important part is the sauce, and City has plenty of great sauces for you to choose from. Their sides are very good and you have more options than just the coleslaw and baked beans that you have at other places. If all this isn't enough the pickles are also excellent
(4)Keith S.
City Barbeque is a top notch BBQ joint for sure. Very authentic down to the way they make your sandwich - you want pulled pork they pull the pork out of the roast and plop it onto the bun, nothing going to sit in a bucket here. The only thing to watch out for is they serve a LOT of food. The sampler which is actually pretty reasonable WILL FEED 3 easy. Their ribs are St. Louis style. They have absolutely great lemonade and iced tea including sweet tea. I am going to give this 5 stars - I have been to Shorty's in Miami and this beats it hands down. The only thing different I would like to see would be to add beef ribs to the menu.
(5)Victor F.
I've heard a lot about this place from a co-worker and finally visited it. Our server was extremely nice. I asked for a sample and they gave me so much that it was a meal in itself. Pulled pork was delicious. The place is clean, friendly atmosphere. Definitely coming back.
(5)Fred P.
Food = 5 stars easily. Service = 1 star Food was phenomenal. Had the brisket, Mac & cheese, and hush puppies. Spectacular. The problem was the service, one girl in particular, she wasn't wearing a name tag or anything. It was our first time and we weren't sure exactly what to expect when ordering. We walked up to the counter and this girl just stood there, not even acknowledging us other than giving us an annoyed bored look. I ordered the brisket, and then asked if the hush puppies were any good. Her response was , "well yeah I guess if you like hush puppies." My wife ordered without the girl saying a single word. When we paid, there was no thank you or any instructions as to whether we sat down or stayed up there. We decided to sit down. She then brought our food, again without a word or anything when we thanked her. We discovered that she had forgotten something so my wife went up to her and told her. Her response was, "yup, my bad". She then got the missing items and never apologized or anything. We don't expect to be treated like royalty, but simply giving the illusion that they appreciate us spending our money there would be nice. We were hoping that a manager would have come by but none ever did. Might be back, not sure. Food was some of the best but the crap service dampened the whole experience.
(2)CK A.
OK BBQ. It apparently is a "chain" restaurant. I thought the macaroni and cheese was just ho-hum.
(3)Kevin C.
Went for the first time tonight. Very good food. Desserts are out of this world. A little pricey, but good variety. Sauces need a little work. The spicy sauce is bland. Overall very good place!
(4)Blake L.
City BBQ is legit and if you happen to make the mistake of parking on the far right side of the restaurant and see the outdoor smokers, you may never leave (the smell is outrageous). As a typical bbq place, the decor is a bit much and it feels a but sticky but it still has the new restaurant feel. I had the pulled pork sandwich and it could compete with some of the best i've had, not to mention the numerous types of bbq sauce to choose from. Hot, mild, sweet and others...I was in heaven. Price is not bad for the lunch portions of things.
(4)Kimmy V.
Love their baby back ribs!!!!!!!
(5)Dalila H.
Waited 15 minutes in line to order just to find that they were out of ribs. They should post when their out instead of wasting customers time. Seating was dirty!!! Can't tell how the food is because we left since they were out of what we wanted.
(1)Peter B.
The BBQ you can get here is as good as it gets unless you smoke the food yourself. I highly recommend trying the smoked sausage on Texas toast. Amazing!
(5)Michael C.
Food is excellent. Although BBQ sauces could use some improvement. Taste like grocery store brand
(4)Steve C.
This is about as good as barbecue gets in Indianapolis. Even though this is a chain, the food gives even G.T. South's a run for their money. All the meats are excellent, moist and flavorful with a nice smoky flavor. My favorite is the brisket, but pulled pork is also especially good. The sides and sauces are also very good. The place seems to be frequently busy so allow a little extra time if you want lunch or are otherwise on a schedule. If you eat inside it can get loud but not overwhelming. Definately worth a visit.
(5)Julie N.
Best BBQ place I've been to so far in Indianapolis. They have amazing sauces, great pulled chicken and delicious pickles to place on em! I loved their sweet potato casserole and they had an amazing corn casserole. Nothing I've had there has been bad. Most definitely will be back for more.
(5)Kelly D.
Wanted barbecue and knew about this place so I went and tried it once...well twice in one week. The food was really good. The portions are big enough to share which I did every time. The best part would be the hush puppies. I only allowed the person I was sharing with to have 1. These were too good to share. The baked beans were also delicious but again the hush puppies were number one. The actual meat was good too but it always come back to the puppies.
(4)Jennifer P.
Yes, the BBQ is pretty good, and the hushpuppies are pretty good too. Not a fan of the sauces in the squeeze bottles on the tables and the noise level of the restaurant though. The flow of the restaurant seems odd. You order at the register then find your table and wait for them to shout out your name to come grab your food from the counter. Kind of odd... Also, all of the sqeeze bottles with sauces in them at our table were sticky and left your hands feeling gross. And of course the one I like kept getting a clog in it. Sort of annoying. Also odd to me is that they serve their sandwiches on a piece of parchment/waxed paper. No plate or cardboard tray or anything. Found this weird. Overall, the food was good and the service was nice, but just some odd things about the place.
(3)Jeremiah G.
BBQ is good here, plain and simple. Also offer chicken skinless or brisket bread-less (naked). Restaurant is setup similar to McAlisters Deli. Order/pay-grab from counter-then sit. From a dieter's perspective, Leg and Thigh, Green beans and a side salad are a good meal to fill me up when I just have to have BBQ.
(4)Jessica B.
Love the pork, baked beans and peach cobbler! Staff is super friendly too!
(5)Denise L.
All barbecue is not created equally and this place meets my standards. A coworker told me the one in Avon was really good, but I doubted her b/c bbq can be so hit & miss. When we arrived the line was out the door, but we were smart enough to phone our orders in. So we bypassed the line & went to the call ahead station. While waiting (the employee was taking an order over the phone) I observed this restaurant actually flowing like it had been opened for years & not like it just opened. I ordered a city lunch plate w/ North Carolina pulled pork with macaroni & cheese, green beans & two individual ribs. The food was so flipping good I felt like the pusherman had gave me my first hit! I will DEFINITELY be back!
(5)Linda C.
GREEEEAAAAAATTTTTTTT BBQ. Did I say the BBQ was GREAT?!?!?! perfectly smoked and seasoned. 4 different BBQ sauces are available on every table as well as served warm on the condiment table. Pickles and other stuff are also in abundant supply. We always over order and take home leftovers for next day lunch. Carmel store is always busy no matter what time I have been in there.
(5)Michele C.
Delicous pork and brisket as good as it gets... Dont forget the chocolate cake...nice staff fresh food
(5)Amy D.
Awesome food every time!! Love the brisket, corn pudding, hush puppies, mac & cheese.
(4)Stephanie T.
So, here's the deal with City BBQ, if you are a hard-core barbecue loving soul, you enjoy eating in a restaurant that resembles a barn and you don't mind eating on foam plates and parchment paper, then I would say you might want to try this place It's quite loud and very messy. Moist towelettes and a role of brown paper towels are provided. For my taste, however, I prefer silverware, napkins that aren't ...scratchy and people that deliver food to the table (instead of me having going to the counter to get my food when my name is yelled out). There are several barbecue sauces to choose from and they offer sides that go good with barbecue, such as vinegar coleslaw and hush puppies. Not taking into account the unrefined atmosphere, if I happen to be craving a delicious, get messy, barbecue sandwich, I probably would think about City BBQ.. take-out
(3)Cathy W.
Pretty good pulled pork, but beef brisket was a little on the chewy side. A selection of sauces and sides that make the experience nice. Corn Puddling gets my thumbs up. However selling Nehi for $2.50 a bottle is downright silly
(3)Marianne L.
Wow. I looked at all the reviews and was so excited to try this restaurant. Major let-down. The ribs were much drier than the ones you find at Charleston's or Max & Erma's. It really surprised me because I had read so many positive things about this restaurant. It's certainly a cute place - unpretentious. The texas toast is really good. The french fries with cheese (which was at a minimum) and bacon (at least the bacon was real) were ok. Maybe we all missed out by not getting anything else except the ribs, but boy, they were such a disappointment. Yelp doesn't often let me down, so I have to say I was sad that it did this time. I do have to say that all the employees were very nice!
(2)Scot B.
The sampler (1 sausage. Pulled pork, brisket, turkey, Texas toast & 2 sides) is plenty of food for two. Enjoy!
(4)Alex H.
Solid bbq, decent prices
(4)Jessica S.
I'm a huge fan of the Avon location, so was excited to see this one open closer to home. It was packed on a Monday night. Food was very good as I expected, but the brisket was just a bit drier than usual. In talking to the manager, he said that people often ask for the fat to be trimmed off their brisket ... wha?? But that's where the flavor and juiciness is! Come on Carmel, this isn't health food, it's BBQ. So next time I'll be sure to ask for a little fat to be added to my brisket.
(4)Dan D.
Took two attempts to get in at a workday lunch. Place and parking lot was full. Very good brisket. Nice selection of sides. Even with the crowd they did a good job getting the food out reasonably quick. Baked beans tasted too much like ketchup for me. A shot of BBQ sauce helped. Good hush puppies. A tie for first place with Dave's on my list for BBQ in Indy. First place overall is Sonny's BBQ in Ft. Myers FL.
(5)Robert W.
Came here for ribs on a Friday night. No ribs or pulled chicken. First time here. It will also be my last. I do not recommend this restaurant. Just as we were finishing our meal, a family sat down behind us, I noticed that one member of the group had ribs. I asked the person if they called ahead and ordered ribs. They did not. No ribs for us, but another person could get ribs. I will NEVER go back. Food was ok. I have made better at home.
(1)Brent S.
The wife and I went for dinner on Saturday. It was busy but there was plenty of parking and seating. It's the type of place where you order at the counter and they call your name to come pick up your order. I prefer the more sit down restaurant model, bit barbecue is a more casual food after all. My brisket sandwich was fantastic although I would have preferred the brisket sliced rather than chopped. My corn pudding was good also. I was not a big fan of the coleslaw. It is vinegar based with sizeable chunks or green peppers neither of which I am a fan. A creamy sweet coleslaw is a better bbq compliment in my opinion. My wife ordered the half chicken and the portion was huge. That's not a bad thing at all just not what we were expecting. Both the white and dark meat were very juicy. It was slightly disconcerting though that there were very small bits of the chicken close to the bone that were not cooked. Dangerous if we weren't paying attention. The cornbread was excellent. The mashed potatoes were very average. All of the sauces were excellent although I didn't fjnd much heat in the spicy sauce. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the mustard sauce. I can't wait until the Fishers location opens a little bit closer to home.
(4)Joshua P.
True midwest food in an atmosphere that makes the pulled pork taste that much better. Carmel folk may have the stereotype of being fancy, but they sure like it at City BBQ, since its always packed when I go there.
(5)