We have a big debate in our family, of Redbones vs. Village Smokehouse vs. Blue Ribbon. Although we're partial to Village Smokehouse, we've moved away from Brookline so we were introduced to Blue Ribbon. I actually had it catered for my husband's birthday party, and the guests were all really excited. I like the pulled pork and beef brisket- they're a little dry until you add the yummy sauce (I like the sweet rather than hot) - the beans and rice can be a little dry too, but again- sauce is the key. I like getting a bunch of quart containers and having a mix and match dinner rather than the platter. If it's cold out, seats are limited- but the outside option is nice in good weather.
(4)
Devon R.
Oh sweet BBQ goodness Blue Ribbon is tasty. It's hard not to compare Blue Ribbon to Red Bones, especially since they are relatively close together. Redbones has always been a fav of mine but I have to say that Blue Ribbon holds it's own. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that their ribs weren't quite as good to me as Red Bones. They do however have awesome burnt ends...mmmmmmm...burnt ends. The jerk chicken is also incredible, the spicy rub def jumps out at you but it's sooo juicy and delicious, Jerk chicken may not be the first thing you think of when you're talking BBQ, but give it a try it rocks. I still have not tried their Mac & Cheese which I hear is legendary, so perhaps once that happens the fifth star will be earned.
(4)
Brandon W.
I love BBQ. I love ribs. I especially love Memphis style ribs - both wet and dry. I was really looking forward to a rib meal when I saw all the glowing reviews. The first thing that surprised me was that Blues offered their Memphis dry rib platter in 1/3 or 1/2 slab with two sides. Having eaten ribs in Memphis, Chattanooga, Kansas City, etc, I know I can easily devour a full slab so I was surprised that the meal topped up at 1/2 slab. It was only when I got my platter that I realized that the ribs were huge and not the baby back ribs that I was used to eating in the mid-west and south. Worse, they were tough (not your fall-off-the-bone type ribs). I was so disappointed with the ribs that I only half ate four of the ribs before giving up. The sides were OK - the mash potato was great, the slaw was kind of limp.
(3)
Joe U.
I really LIKE Blue Ribbon...I want to give it 5 stars because I met one of the founders and he's a great guy. Also, they're *cheap* for bbq. Plus, there just isn't much competition in the area. They knock out the over-rated Redbones (there was an era when Redbones was the only serious 'cue in town, but that's history). Blue Ribbon is my go-to place for 'cue because it's affordable and quick. Their sides are good and their meats are good. Their sauces and cornbread are 4.5 stars. I just wish their meats were a bit better...my view of Blue Ribbon is, "if it can be dry, it will be dry." In other words, don't get anything that can be dry. The pulled pork and burnt ends are in sauce, so they can't be that dry. The *wet* ribs are not dry. Their regular ribs can be dry, so I don't like to play russian roulette with it. The same goes for their brisket. Actually, I'm going there today and will try their brisket one more time, because a friend raved about it. [Time lapse]. OK tried their brisket...wow, it was not dry...in fact, it was extremely moist and tender. Now the bad part - I have never tasted such brisket...I mean that almost literally; I couldn't taste it because there was little taste. It was big and meaty, but tasted so bland. OK, they give sauce, but how can meat have so little taste? I felt and tasted almost as if part of the cooking was steaming or boiling. That's fine for veggies and soups, but not bbq. I mean, there was no smokiness at all. It was 3-stars for taste. In comparison, I just had Soul Fire brisket. Soul Fire does not have the best brisket in town, but it had so much more taste, plus a nice red smoke ring. Now that's more like it.
(4)
R. B.
I finally remembered to try Blue Ribbon when I happened to be in Arlington. Glad I did. Pulled chicken dinner was good- and they give you alot. I covered it in the yummy BBQ sauces they have out. Wasn't crazy about the rice and beans, they took some rice and slapped a pile of beans on top. I thought it was going to be, y'know, rice and beans mixed together and cooked with seasonings. My main problem with the place is there's not enough seating. And one other suggestion for them- we need soft butter for the cornbread!
(4)
Cara P.
How could I forget to review Blue Ribbon? If you ever get a chance to stop in do so. Actually, try to go out of your way to check this place out. The other location that I know of and was so blessed to work next to for seven years, was in Newton. Now, when I worked in Newton everyone got salads. I don't know why. We would go and pick up 12 salads. Pulled chicken or pulled pork. Cornbread crotons, yummy dressing. Mouthwatering........you get the picture......the bonus was the big hunk of warm buttery cornbread that wasn't dry........ Doesn't it seem a bit ironic we all got salads with a huge plop of pulled pork and slab of cornbread. I don't know. That is what they did before i came. and that is what I did when I started working there. Maybe it was easier for the people picking it up to place the orders. So fast forward to my own trip to Blue Ribbon to the arlingon location.....we always get take out because it is just to small to eat in there.... I have ordered and enjoyed the green beans, chilli mac and cheese, pulled pork, mashed and sweet potatoes and the pulled pork burritos. Trust me. I have never had "real" down south BBQ. So take my review with a grain of salt. I still think I know what tastes good though! The pulled pork burritos by far, surpass everything else I have ordered. Don't expect delivery, frills or any pretentious folks here ......you leave with a bunch of food, platic knives and forks, styrofoam plates, some excellent sweet tea and a lot of BBQ goodness.... Also, the corn bread was a bit more dry at this location versus the Newton location....but that's ok......Oh and even if you eat a salad you can end up in a serious comatose state from the cornbread crotons and the sugar in the salad dressing.......so just be prepared to eat at home and relax afterwards. This isn't the type of food you can eat and "go" This place blows RedBones, dry out of the water for the simple fact that I couldn't get past the atmosphere and judgmental pricks at RB to order a real meal........ Yup, this isn't a "let's be wicked cool and order a ton of beers while being really loud in plaid shirts and baseball caps" kinda place like RedBones is.
(3)
Bob W.
Blue Ribbon is awesome. If you like BBQ, it doesn't get any better at least in new england. Very reasonably priced. Try the beef brisket or pulled pork. Baked beans are very good. Friendly service too.
(5)
Doris K.
Amazing! I love this place and I'm from Texas where we know how to cook BBQ! I love that they have a variety of sides to choose from, and their brisket...DIVINE! They cook it perfectly and the meats are moist. They also have many different types of BBQ sauces, and the XXX hot is spicy so don't just pour it over your plate without thinking. I love their mashed potatoes, dirty rice, and baked beans. I have never had their desserts but I have heard many good things. I am not sure but one down side is that they do not offer alcohol. Another bad thing is that they close early, 9 pm. I tried Redbones and they certainly cannot compare to this place. It's a gem.
(5)
Craig R.
Loved this place when i lived across the street. they had awesome brownies and their grilled flatbread is to die for ..no really ..it is. The food is good. Not too many tables so the place does alot of carry out but they serve up somne tasty food - ribs, corn bread and the pulled pork .... Eat here ...now ...you know you want to!
(4)
Alec Y.
oh my dear lord. heaven in my mouth. barbeque food is one of the best things ever. but it's hard to do it right. to really make something melt in your mouth good, it takes a lot of time and care. blue ribbon is so good. ever since first having it, i couldn't believe i was living the first half of my life never having this every moment of my life. my favorite thing here by far, is their brisket. i love it. i love how easily the meet just falls apart in your mouth. i love how juicy and fatty each piece is. it's like butter, but protein. there really isn't much else to say about blue ribbon. the decor is almost diner-esque, but it's super unique. they have license plates up on the wall of almost every state. it's a classic bbq place.
(5)
Mark B.
Love this place. My go too bbq place. Great ribs. Pulled pork is so smokey it is lovely. The best sauces, especially mustard style and carolina vinegar style. Burnt ends are great. Jerk chicken is delicious. Not a big sides guy but sides are good here. Especially love collard greens and coleslaw.
(5)
Jim H.
If your idea of ribs is Chilis and the "give me my baby back" jingle, then this is not the place for you. But if when you hear BBQ, you think southwest Texas, 95 degrees in the shade and miles of dirt roads interrupted by smoke pits that may actually cause you to think about moving to the middle of nowhere just to be near a plate of burnt ends that are actually, well, burnt, then save yourself the trip and pick up a Blue Ribbon feedbag on your way home. No, it does not rank up there with the best of regional authentic BBQ our friends in the south are lucky enough to claim as their own--but we live in Massachusetts and the fact that we can come this close is reason enough to be grateful for our lot in life.
(4)
Valeria H.
Had Blue Ribbon cater a party for me last year...and it was a HUGE success. Everything was delicious, the prices were fair and the portion sizes were enormous, which was great for our party! They delivered everything to our home hot and in convenient containers (and on time!). They supplied us with their sauces and pickles. We got a variety of food to accomodate our guests...everyone from meat eaters to vegetarians. All the guests loved the pulled pork, sausage, pulled chicken and mac n cheese, mashed potatoes...and of course the corn bread! I don't know what this side dish is called but I loved it, it was spinach mixed with beans with a hint of smoked bacon or something and galricy- real good! Their mashed potatoes rocked too. (Now I want to run there to get some!)
(4)
Jason C.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Blows Red Bones away .
(5)
JJ G.
I only wish it was closer..., maybe that would mess it up, though. Part of the charm must be that it's laid back out in the nowhereville of outer Arlington I don't think that any other BBQ place in the area can compete or compare. This is head and shoulders above the rest, don't go anywhere else cuz you are just wasting time and gas, BBQ And yes, Lisa S., the desserts are Mmm Mmm Good!!
(5)
Julie H.
Don't be put off by the awful cornbread: the BBQ is great.
(4)
Kristen W.
Excellent BBQ. In greater Boston. From what I hear from southern ex pats it is pretty dang close to the real deal in TN or the Carolinas. Nuff said? Nah - I'd best say more: This place puts out generous helpings of consistently delicious BBQ offerings. Love love love the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Have been back several times but have not tried the chicken, which looks good - but being the carnivore that I am - I cannot pull myself away from ordering the brisket on repeat visits. In addition to some standard smoky and vinegary bbq sauces on the side, there is a yellow BBQ sauce that has a bit of curry flavor with a hint of pineapple/citrus - it is like hawaiian BBQ. I like it but I think a better compliment to their food would be the mustard based Charleston, South Carolina bbq I have coveted since visiting there in April. That stuff is so good and I know that if Bostonians are introduced to it they will hanker for it as much as I do when eating BBQ now. Someone bring it on the menu or tell me where I can find some succulent charleston barbecue locally!!! The sides are also much better than the average BBQ joint sides - some unique ones: cucumber salad, a really great flavorful potato salad, crisp and fresh cole slaw, beans. YUM. This place is scant on the seating but take-out is packaged up so nicely, why not take your meal home and put out anice spread and enjoy your feast with a cold beer? Perfect! If you have room left after inhaling your meat - it may take a few hours - Blue Ribbon has a few tasty desserts: home-made of course. Few folks walk out of this place without taking home a cobbler (blueberry -peach blend I believe). I found the key lime pie to be really tasty - that perfect combination of sweet and tart. I recall there being pecan pie and brownies on one occasion but have not been able to pull myself from my love affair with the key lime pie. You will not be disappointed here.
(5)
Daniel K.
IMO best BBQ in Boston (area). For those of you unfamiliar with Boston, some nearby cities make up a part of the Boston area and are essentially for all intents and purposes part of Boston, places like Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Revere are included in this list.
(4)
Laura H.
Delicious delicious BBQ. We had the pulled pork, jerk chicken (amazing), collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn & beans & rice. The food was all great and I think it cost less than $25. So good. The only thing is that the corn bread was kind of dry and crumbly. The place looks kind of small (we got takeout), but has a fun ambiance. We will definitely be going back!
(4)
Pamela P.
Good BBQ for New England...my review is for the one in Newton. When I worked in Newton we used to get our catering from Blue Ribbon...it's head and shoulders above Redbones. When I first moved to Boston Redbones was THE BBQ place (that was 9 years ago) but alas things have changed and they are no longer of the quality one expects for those kinds of prices. So Thank Ye Gods there was Blue Ribbon to take its place! Blue Ribbon is the best BBQ I have been able to find in the Boston-area...of course I am always on the lookout for good BBQ as it is a rare treasure indeed... As a side-note I have been pleasantly surprised by a little place called Tennessee BBQ in Braintree...their chicken is great...one time I got the jerk chicken and it was even better than Blue Ribbon's (but this was a one-time deal so it could have been a freak occurrence....). Anyway, Blue Ribbon...check it out.
(4)
Taishi T.
"The best burrito in the East!" I used to live right around the corner of the West Newton branch, and I used to go in at least twice a week or when visitors came into town. My friends would come to see a Sox game and then whine about going to Blue Ribbon before we go to the game. And, did I even protest, no. This had to be the best burrito I ever had till I went out to California and then that all changed, But the jerk chicken burrito is a special to die for. The staff are colorful and entertaining, the burritos are ginormous. And I go nuts with all the sauces that you can fill those little mini sauce cups with. Of course I always get the suicide one and just sit back after a few bites and just reflect on how lucky we really are to live in such a great country. So if I haven't sold you on these burritos then just go there and I won't have to tell you, "I told you so".
(4)
Steve N.
this is the Real Deal for this area. out of about 7 visits over the past year i've only been disappointed once when the ribs didn't have a smoke ring. the sides are solid too with the collards being a real stand-out. if they served beer they'd be 5 star.
(4)
Joyce K.
When we pulled up, my friend actually called someone to look up the Blue Ribbon BBQ on yelp to check if we came to the right place...that's how ugly it is. However, I completely justify it's ugliness as a part of its charm. I'm from Texas and I've never seen a BBQ joint with matching curtains or anything remotely chic. That would just be odd. We sat down for two seconds on the barstools facing the big window when they called out our order number. Speedy. I kind of stared at my pulled chicken sandwich in a suspicious way because it was all wrapped up in wax paper. But once I opened it, I was so glad I did! It was so moist and the juices dripped unto the bun making the flavors unite into one tasty bite of BBQ pulled pork! I would not recommend the green beans, they were soggy and tasted like something straight out of the can. The black eyed corn is delicious as are the collard greens and beans and rice. The corn bread is so mediocre that I didn't bother eating it. My friend loved his Jamaican Jerk half chicken, moist, woody, flavorful. The workers are the friendliest that I've met in any restaurant. Everything is a little too salty so I would only come here once a month or so in fear of clogging my arteries.
(4)
H Y.
Ribs, sausages, pork, cornbread, potatoes; they are all here in this little storefront. All the sauces you need to indulge. Affordable BBQ? Wow. And it's in Arlington. Who would have thunk it. Ribs and brisket are outstanding. The chicken is juicy. Even the sides are up to the task. They give plenty of meat in their portions. Complaints? it's kind of small and parking is tricky (try parking in the lot across from the front). The only thing they are missing is a scale to sell the meat by the pound to you like they do in Texas. I don't want six ribs. I want six pounds of ribs!
(4)
Maria P.
I have never had bbq before (I mean bbq on a grill cooked in the backyard sure, but I've never had bbq from a restaurant before). A friend and I decided to check this place out over a long weekend and I'm so glad we did. The food here is amazing (just like all the other reviews state). I got the Kansas City Burnt Ends bbq sandwich and it came with beans and coleslaw. It was perfectly sauced and cooked, had that amazing smoky flavor and the tips were burnt well just as I had requested. The ordering experience was difficult only because I had a hard time picking what to eat but the staff was friendly and waited patiently for me to make my choice. The restaurant itself is quite small but we were able to snag a table. This definitely isn't a place to linger over your meal as they focus on volume but it's a great lunch spot (that leaves you unable to eat dinner as their portions are huge). The food isn't expensive at all; in fact it's a downright bargain! I will definitely be back for some delicious bbq that will warm me right up in the middle of Boston's frigid winter.
(5)
Ethan M.
Delicious Jamaican Jerk Chicken with black-eyed corn and corn bread. Tasty Barbeque Pulled Chicken platter. Lemonade. Outdoor seating on Mass. Ave. 1950s southern-US diner atmosphere adorned with antique license plates and an Elvis figurine. Choice rock music playing loudly in the background. Welcome to heaven.
(5)
Ben L.
It's not every day that I wander off the beaten path and it's even more in frequent that I go to Arlington but this time it was totally worth it. I didn't go there because friends told me to go there. I hadn't heard stellar acclimation about it. I was passing by and what... what's that? my stomach want's some bbq? Hey, I wasn't going to argue with that. Yes they have signs that point you to the ordering area over to the left but it still took me a couple of moments to go over. Their menu options are on boards that hang from an odd gate contraption that dangles from the ceiling. As I was gazing up trying to get a grasp of their menu options some other people wandered in so it was time to order. First thing is to ask what is good and after I got the helpful reply "everything is good" I go to the old fall back ordering routine. Order a plate option and pick all of the details as quickly as I can. After I had ordered I went over to fill up my fountain drink and just as soon as I had finished they called my number and handed me a plate that looked like my rations for a week. Everything was good but but Their mashed potatoes were so smooth that I though they were trying to sell me a Mercedes. They had all the creamy texture of instant mashed potatoes. The ones that your parents always told you were nothing but powder and water but seemed like ever so much more. Yet in these potatoes there was real flavor and little bits of potato that had some how evaded the process hat had so surely handled the rest. Then there were the little bits of skin that hugged parts of the mash. Still holding on as truly representing the potato that was. That in a way still is. Well the mashed potatoes were really good. tip - bring a friend, take part of you meal home with you, or bring an EMT.
(4)
Rob C.
If Jake's Big Boss BBQ of Jamaica Plain, Boston was still in operation, I would say Blue Ribbon would be a slight step behind them. Now with no direct competition that is even at the level of blue ribbon in the Boston area, they are hands down, outstanding. You will find seating can be difficult at times but the food is outstanding. They have a good selection of BBQ sauce if you like to cover up your meat, but it does not need it. BBQ sauce is a condiment and should not cover up a meats flavor. Texas road house, Outback, any of those, just don't offer BBQ like Blue Ribbon. This is a touch of the south in the Boston area. Someone mentioned Uncle Pete's in a review that resides in the revere area. This is a very odd establishment that seems to almost have oriental style BBQ. The ribs are the only strong point, and they don't hold a candle to blue ribbon. My only dislike with blue ribbon is they do not offer baby back ribs...... If you find them closed.....Redbones is an option if you want to drive off to Somerville. But they are not as good.
(4)
John M.
Yelp's 2-star description is "Meh. I've experienced better." That's pretty much exactly how I felt after trying this place. It had some decent things, but I won't go out of my way to go back. Maybe we were there on a bad night, but it was nothing like most of the reviews I see here. Between me and my wife, we tried a lot of things from the menu, since we were looking to sample things from a new place: pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs, burnt ends, baked beans, regular beans, cole slaw, collard greens, and corn bread. For the meats -- Pulled pork had a lot of large chunks of pork rather than what most people expect for "pulled" pork, and what was smaller looked more "chopped" than "pulled," sort of lightly processed carnitas without much flavor. Tender, but not a lot to taste: this is the kind of pulled pork you need to sauce yourself. Jerk chicken was tender, and a bit of spice on the skin, but again not very flavorful: not what one thinks of with a typical spicy jerk chicken. Ribs were awful. Again, this may have been an off night or something, but I felt like I was eating a piece of bad pork roast on a bone with a (rather nice, but again not very strong) spice blend. The burnt ends were the only meat we had with decent flavor, though they were hardly "burnt ends" -- more like chopped brisket with a few real burnt ends mixed in. (Those who have had burnt ends in the South know what they are supposed to be.) For the sides -- overall, better than the meats, but still not exceptional. Baked beans were quite good, with a strong molasses flavor, but the regular beans had a very strong and rather unusual spice blend -- my wife refused to eat more than one bite, and she loves beans. Cole slaw was pretty good, but tasted a little old. Collard greens were okay (not my thing, so I won't judge them). About the only thing I can give real praise to (other than the baked beans, which is more of a Boston dish than Southern BBQ) was the cornbread. Still takes a more Northern (sweeter) style than Southern, but much tastier than I've had at just about any other restaurant around the Boston area. To sum up -- mostly relatively flavorless meats combined with oddly or overspiced side dishes. The portions are generous, but after we finished about half of our oversize dinners, we threw the rest in the trash. (And we very rarely waste food.) The food just wasn't good enough to justify the calorie intake. Although I lived in the South for a couple years and am familiar with various types of Southern BBQ, I'm not judging this place by those standards. I'm looking at places like Red Bones and other BBQ joints around here. And from a rather large selection of the menu, I'm pretty unimpressed.
(2)
Space O.
On a Friday at lunch time, we decided to check out the Blue Ribbon BBQ. I was undecided - should I go with a platter for around $9, or just the sandwich for about $6.95? I decided on the brisket sandwich - glad I did, because I had more than enough to eat. The sides that came with the sandwich - baked beans and cole slaw, were excellent, just like the sandwich. When one thinks of BBQ, one also probably thinks of high fat and high calories. If you order carefully, you can get a very nutritious and low fat meal at Blue Ribbon. Beef brisket is a lean cut of meat, but the BBQ cooking process adds a lot of flavor more common of higher fat content meats. Definitely consider the Blue Ribbon BBQ for a good quality, inexpensive meal. Not much seating indoors, so when the place is busy, plan on taking your meal to go or sitting outside.
(4)
Katherine I.
The tender barbequed meats are good alone, but the serve-yourself-sauces are their mojo - and it's working. There's a flavor for every taste. Some of their sauce choices make a face flush and tingly to the top of its skull. If you like that sort of hoodoo you'll be pleased to know they're not afraid of vinegar and habaneros here. Good ribs, good mac-n-cheese, rich and creamy mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn, perfect corn bread for sopping pot liquor, and grits. De-lish. Nearly everything a BBQ joint should be. The only things missing are more stools and southern accents. Bring your gris-gris bag because you'll need more than a lucky rabbit's foot or 4 leaf clover to protect you from their mojo.
(4)
Rich O.
The best BBQ in Greater Boston. Period. I wish they had more seating, beer etc but based strictly on food there is no place better!
(5)
Pito S.
Awesome BBQ. Never diisappoints.
(5)
Hannah T.
A valient and much appreciated effort Blue Ribbon. Now, I love Barbeque and I liked Blue Ribbon, but they were lacking a few true barbeque essentials. Their pulled pork sandwhich was really good, nice and sloppy and enormous of course. But their sides, really disappointing. Their cornbread was yummy but the baked beans were a real disappointment. They tasted very ketchupy and hardly tasted of molasses at all. It tasted like pure ketchup with a few beans mixed in and that is just not cool with me. Baked beans should be, well bean-y, and they were not. The overall meal was really good, but was lacking in the side department. I like Blue Ribbon and would go back, but would definitely choose different sides.
(3)
Jonathan G.
Hands down, the best bbq in Boston...one of my favorite places to eat! I moved away from Arlington a couple of years ago, and try to find an excuse to make a trip back, just for Blue Ribbon. I've heard complaints about the vinegar-based sauces...I think that's what makes them so good. The pulled pork is very good. So are the burnt ends, cole slaw, and beans. The soups are surprisingly good, made fresh, I think. I also love that you can load up on those delicious pickles and hot sauce at the condiment area. The (fresh?) lemonade is a must with the bbq. I have to agree that no beer is it's only negative. Silly Arlington puritan-value dry-town mentality!
(5)
Tony S.
This place is overrated; the food is mass produced, lacks imagination, and tastes ordinary. Popularity is no substitute for quality and neither is quantity. Pay attention to the flavors and you'll agree with me.
(2)
Christina K.
Been here once. Got the whole chicken with mash potatoes. The potatoes here are good. The chicken was tasty, not too dry and pretty flavorful. Would go back again. Menu (on the chalk boards) are a little hard to decipher but just grab a paper menu and its all good.
(4)
Kristin T.
YUM!!! I love the ribs but I have to say that I almost love the sauces more. The variety is great and I'm a fan of all of them.
(4)
Jennifer M.
I love this place. It's everything you expect from a good southern bbq joint --- except it's also clean.
(5)
Rooster L.
This place is good....yummy good. It is appropriately priced for BBQ. I got the $6.99 Burnt Ends sandwich with two sides and it was ALOT of food. The collard greens are fantastic and the black eye corn (black eyed peas with corn) was also good. My boyfriend got the 1/3rd of a slab, a nice selection if you are not too hungry but still want ribs. They also have 1/2 slab and full slab. The platters come with two side and cornbread. I agree with another reviewer - the cornbread was the worst part of the meal - cold and dry. Beans and mashed potatoes are great! They have all the sauces out for you to try which I like. My favorite were the the NC vinegar (especially over the collard greens) and the BBQ hot. I can't say any of the sauces were amazing (why it didn't get 5 stars) but out of the selection you should be able to find something you like. I like the decor too. Good spot if you just want some old fashion bbq and don't want to pay a fortune.
(4)
Luke R.
Best. BBQ. In. Boston.
(5)
Joseph T.
Everything here is just terrific. Ingredients are always fresh and flavorful. Brisket's fine. The sides are tasty. Yes, they only serve one style of ribs--and they're delicious, juicy, meaty and falling off the bone. Way better than Redbones, even if the menu is more limited.
(4)
Walter S.
Meatloaf sandwich was great. My 1st time eating here. I'll definitely be back
(4)
Kelsey G.
This place was super good! Their pull pork sandwich was amazing and the cornbread was just as good as my mom's homemade! Anyone looking for some authentic BBQ near Boston should definitely check this place out.
(4)
Anonymous P.
I'm generally of the mindset that "All-American food" isn't worth eating, but a place like this can change my mind. An hour later I can still taste the smokiness of my chicken and the hot, garlicky BBQ sauce and habenero vinegar they put out among many condiments. It's not perfect BBQ, but it's good. What I really liked, and what will draw me back, is that the menu has a lot of variety: several fish options, interesting sides, and desserts that sound amazing. Too bad I'm on a diet. But another nice thing is that you can easily order a healthy, low-calorie meal. There are sides like blackeyed peas with corn, beet salad, and collard greens, to go along with fish and chicken main dishes. Even a strict vegetarian could do well here. A vegan is probably stuck with their veggie burrito, no cheese. I like the atmosphere inside, and I like the food better than at Redbones. Of course, Redbones is much larger and has an excellent beer selection, so I'll still go there often. I wish I could wash Blue Ribbon's BBQ down with a hoppy India Pale Ale. Weird that they don't serve alcohol.
(5)
J S.
Ok, if you're at least from Texas or Oklahoma, you are going to be disappointed, i just have to say that first. Maybe this is fantastic for northern bbq. I got brisket. The meat quality was fine but quite dry. The barbeque had 3 options, hot, sweet, and golden. These were ok but none of the 3 were "good". The cornbread was burnt but ok. They have no fried okra or baked potatoes. The amount of food was a lot- my large bf and I were able to split a double meat plate with leftovers to spare. I will say that the pulled pork my friend got was good and juicy. The atmosphere was actually pretty cool.
(2)
S B.
this place is GREAT. After moving out of time, I would sometimes drive back just to come here. The pulled pork is just perfect. The cornbread is beyond delicious. And i love all the sides - potatoes, rice, etc. Don't forget to get some pie for dessert! Mmmm
(4)
Daniel S.
Best barbecue I've tasted, and consistently good. Staff is friendly, sides are delicious, and there is always variety thanks to the chalkboard specials and rotating sides. Seating is sparse, so I like to go at off hours. I've had some successes and some failures with the specials, but its probably more to do with my tastes than their cooking. I now go with the burnt ends platter every time and I'm never disappointed. If you eat in you can ask for a top when you finish up and just take you tray with you. If you get stuff to go it comes in styrofoam. The cookies are also quite good but tend to run out by dinner time. Peach cobbler was fine, one of these days I'll try the pecan pie when I'm not totally stuffed after all that meat and potatoes and cornbread and greens...
(5)
Carol M.
OK, so the food is much hotter than I expected (pulled pork & baked beans). The beans I couldn't finish cuz they were so hot. The sauce on the pulled pork is extremely greasy...it leaked all over my car. I'm used to more of a sweet & zesty BBQ. This is a very different acid, vinegar type sauce...which as one previous reviewer mentioned...reminds me of formalin. I actually poured a bottle of BBQ sauce I had in the fridge over it but still didn't make it through more than half. The cornbread was dry & not all that great. The only shining star on my plate was the mashed potatoes. Creamy, yummy goodness.
(1)
Derek L.
Growing up around the Memphis area has me on a barbecue quest up here. After a visit to Redbones, Blue Ribbon was the next stop. The dry-rub ribs were edible, but not quite what they're supposed to be. Memphis places put a lot more seasoning on them, for one, and (like much outside-the-region barbecue), these just aren't cooked long and slow enough. You can tell from the way they're sliced cleanly with a sharp knife - they need to be, with a somewhat chewy baked-pork feel. There's surprisingly little wood smoke in them, as well. I did appreciate, though, that they're not soaking in a sticky sauce. I also had the Kansas City burnt ends. There wasn't too much burnt-end feel to what I got, and the meat tasted a bit like it had cooked in the sauce (sort of a pot-roasty effect). Like the ribs, it wasn't bad, but not quite what you'd expect, either. The beans and slaw sides were just fine, and wouldn't raise an eyebrow anywhere in the South. The cornbread was on the dry side, though - and anyway, it's surprising how seldom you get cornbread with barbecue down where both of them are from. In West Tennessee, you're more likely to get a bag of potato chips than you are a piece of cornbread. I'll be back, at any rate, to try the pulled pork, which at least looked decent. (Not sure if it'll have enough hickory wood in it, though). And it's always important to remember how much barbecue varies even in its homeland. For example, a couple of years ago, I saw the natives in the Tidewater part of Virginia lining up at a venerable local barbecue restaurant whose pork sandwiches, to me, tasted like honey-sweetened sloppy joes. . .
(3)
Mona M.
The portions are gigantic, the prices are good, and the food is down home fantastic. The husband and I stopped in here for the curb appeal and left in a BBQ coma. The staff was very friendly as well. I grew up in the south, and a visit to Blue-Ribbon BBQ reminded me a lot of home. I just wish there was one closer to the city, as it's a great lunch!
(5)
M. Deloris D.
For quality and value, this place beats the pants off of Redbones. I have only one bad thing to say about Blue Ribbon: they won't deliver the barbecue to my living room and place it on my belly so I can eat in my preferred reclining position. Fortunately, I can see past this and, it has not affected their star rating. Blue Ribbon BBQ is just downright delicious and reasonably priced. My roommate and I often split a duo for dinner and have enough leftovers for both of us to take lunch the next day. My 6'5" 300lb dad and I (not a dainty girl mind you) split a trio and weren't able to finish it. Blue Ribbon is definitely first place barbecue. It makes my belly HAAAAAAAAPY. Yummy in my tummy.
(5)
aaron t.
I've got to say this place rockss for bbq compared to everything else out here in Boston. I'm mighty picky when it comes to bbq since I'm from the midwest, but this place has some great meat! Small, rustic, to go style restaurant. Great prices, tender meats, friendly staff!
(4)
Jason K.
I love Redbones - but I worship Blue Ribbon. What they lack in rib variety they make up for in taste and freshness. The ribs are simply remarkable, and make people I know who don't like ribs eat them. There is a minor downside of the place: it's take-out style set-up. To me this is a minor drawback in terms of being able to sit down and eat there, but the upside your expectations of getting a seat are pretty low. They also don;t serve beer, but that doesn't bother me given the aforementioned seating issue.
(5)
Dave M.
just look at the reviews - there's nothing I can really add. this place is good. and i mean REALLY good. I always go in telling myself, "ok i wont get platter..." ...ya, well, that changes the moment i walk through the front door and SMELL that tasty bbq sauce. they do everything good here. i love the corn bread that comes with the platters...and i love going to the bbq pumps and soaking it in some sexy southern sweetness. a friend of mine from south carolina visited and i brought him here -- now everytime he visits, he has to go there. its one of his top 3 bbq places he's ever eaten at. the food is great, the prices are avg, and parking is tough at times. just go, eat. enjoy. and get full!!
(5)
Melissa B.
This is the best place to get BBQ in the Boston area (sorry Redbones!) We usually get it to go as there is not a whole lot of seating, but they package it well and is always still piping hot by the time we get it home. You have the option of having your BBQ in a sandwich which comes with baked beans, cole slaw & pickles or as a platter which comes with your choice of 2 sides, cornbread & pickles. Their cornbread is so yummy. They also have a bulk option when you are feeding a crowd (and they also cater). It's really hard to go wrong with Blue Ribbon.
(5)
Jason W.
I'll admit it - my standards for barbecue are pretty high. I'm not just from NC - I'm from the BBQ capital of NC (Lexington). And god I miss the food... This place does a decent job for up here. The 'pulled pork' is good enough to stand on its own, not drenched in sauce like many places incorrectly do. Wish they served hush puppies. Also wish they'd offer chopped BBQ. And sweet tea would be good. Overall, great place relative to what else is around here. Satisfied my craving for a good BBQ sandwich.
(4)
Abby R.
Love love love blue ribbon - by far the best BBQ place in the Boston area. We went to Red Bones and to Firefly's (apparently the best BBQ according to the Phantom Gourmet) and both paled in comparison. Blue Ribbon is really tasty, and even my husband loves it - and he's from southern Texas. He says "the taste is close to a real Texas BBQ house - the BBQ sauce is especially good." If you can't take a redneck's word - then who's word can you take? If you're not a big meat eater (I'm not) then I'd suggest the pulled chicken or the spicy chicken salad roll - very yummy! The only con here is that they don't serve beer, and they don't have great seating. Otherwise - 5 stars!
(5)
Susan D.
I was not terribly impressed. This place lacks character. Doesn't serve mac and cheese. And the around the corner ordering area is weird and it's tough to get an idea of what they have because the writing on the chalk board is huge and so in your face. Would improve if they hired Trader Joe's chalkboard writer.
(1)
michelle m.
So, I'm from St. Louis, so I think I can "talk the talk" about good BBQ. In fact, my old neighbor used to run his smoker all day every Sunday and the smell was heaven. So, the last time I was in Boston, I thought I'd give this place a try. I have to say I was very impressed. I got the beef brisket, which was quite good, although not overwhelmingly impressive. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich, and that, I must say, was fantastic! The smoke of the pork was mouthwatering, and it was so tender and yummy. If you are looking for a place to plunk down for a while and let the food digest, this is not the place. A few sparse bar stools up against the counter are about all the room you get. Luckily, we went during a weekday, so coveted counterspace was available. The staff were very friendly, and the sweet potato pie slice we got to go was pretty gosh darn good, too.
(4)
Pete P.
i like blue ribbon's bbq better than any one else's... definitely better than redbones and barely better than east coast grill. the atmosphere is very much that of a typical take out joint. you arent going to bring a date to blue ribbon thats for sure. however, the food makes it worth the trip. their blackboard specials are always good - seriously, you cant go wrong with one of them. the bbq is never dry and their assortment/bar of sauces and vinegars is stellar and you get to take all you want! they also sell their sauce now - just ask at the counter. a lil trick? call in advance. you get to cut any line to pick up your phone order and since its best to take it away anyway, it is a super quick way to get your viddles. suggestions? for lunch, if they have the meatloaf sandy, get that. otherwise my fav is the spicy chicken rollup. the burritos are good but in no way mexican at all. the brisket sandy is better than the pulled pork one. if you are going to get a meat plate? get the trio and dedicate a good 30 mins or so to eat it - it's well worth it. PS - park across the st. in the stop and shop lot.
(4)
Ken L.
went tonight for thre 1st time.....GREAT BBQ! not much seating though.... pulled chicken was very good, i liked the corn bread, but i loved the collard greens!! looking forward to going back soon
(4)
Rinn S.
I like Blue Ribbon, but I've had better in Boston. Red Bones has more variety and serves beer, but Blue Ribbon does have better sauces. And by the way, Texan style is certainly not the end-all be-all of bbq, despite their claim as bbq authorities. Everyone has their own opinion of what constitutes the best bbq and I'm still searching for Eastern North Carolina chopped vinegar-sauced pork- the best there is, in my opinion. But Blue Ribbon will do the trick for most Bostonians.
(4)
Jim S.
Best BBQ in Boston - no doubt. Redbones is ok if you want huge portions, but for real BBQ head to Blue Ribbon in Arlington or W. Newton. The gold sauce keeps me coming back every time. The photos of the food should be outlawed!
(5)
Geoff T.
Okay, I'll admit it-- even though Redbones will always be my favorite hang out, the BBQ at Blue Ribbon beats it. It's probably the closest you are going to come to authentic BBQ in Boston (Redbones a close second). The ribs are great, available with different sauces, and the place just has that.... feel to it. Try the briskett and pulled pork. Authentic side dishes cooked the right way.
(5)
Lizzy M.
As a Bostonian, I am not a seasoned bbq connoissuer, but I didn't really love this place. I thought it was greasy without purpose- it had all the heaviness without the flavor to back it up. It just didn't feel very fresh. GOOD FOR: mashed potatoes, corn.
(3)
Emily H.
I have a great deal of love for the folks at Blue Ribbon on a number of levels. First, the take out. OH DEAR GOD YES. The pulled chicken is a particular favorite, the sauces have a nice tang, and I feel that all is well in the world. I can't add much here. However, their CATERING kicks ASS. Fo' serious. I ordered from them for a lunch meeting--I ordered for 20, and got enough to feed a freakin' army--for just about 10 bucks a head. The food was delicous, stayed warm (they double-tray everything), and the accoutrements were on-point. Plus, their delivery guy showed up totally on time (Even a bit early!) and was super helpful in setting things up, making sure I had my full order (they had forgotten serving spoons, and he told me who to call for a discount on the next order we made), and just all-around being good people. Other caterers I've worked with dump the food and peace out, so this was a special surprise. Plus, it's one of the few places where total carnivores and vegetarians (their rice and bean burrito is pretty good I guess) can be very happy.
(5)
M J.
The food here rocks. I do have one complaint, however: I must speak up about the super scary looking, very large, severely hairy guy working the place weekdays. That facial hair has NO PLACE in the food service biz. It's a sanitary issue. I cringe at him tossing the potato salad and touching my food order - even in rubber gloves!
(5)
Bill K.
Been going to the Blue Ribbon in Arlington for a few years and still love it. Most satisfying burrito (pulled pork!) in town. Costs more than the basic at Anna's but much better value. The sides are the best: potatoes are creamy and buttery, greens are really tasty and the oft' overlooked chocolate chip cookie is really good. And, as others have said, they have the best selection of sauces and vinegars around.
(5)
W ..
Awesome. Get the 3 meat platter, trio I think it's called, and you'll be set for the next couple days. I always get weird looks when I order the trio. Maybe b/c I'm a girl. Little do they know, I'm from the south, and southern girls looooove their BBQ meat. The sausage, ribs, and brisket are my top 3. The burnt ends are a little too burnt for my liking, but to my friends, they're perfect. The collard greens and mac 'n cheese are good. They don't always have the mac 'n cheese though. The cornbread's a little dry, but that's okay, I don't come here for the cornbread, I come for the meat! Make sure you don't leave without getting some extra sauces too. Parking can suck sometimes. Sometimes we cheat and park at the Stop and Shop across the street, but we do that with the constant paranoia of being towed, so be warned.
(5)
Mike Q.
As far as the food it not great not awful. The staff is so friendly. But what is BBQ with out beer. =(
(3)
Joe R.
The pulled chicken sandwich with two sides is the greatest fast food carry out for adults. I share this place with many friends, and it's always a hit. The slaw and mashed potatoes are a hit with my teenagers, and I have them going here for fast food rather than the national chain. Victory!
(5)
Ben R.
The Best BBQ in Boston!
(5)
Jud P.
Ya, it's good. The best BBQ I have had in Boston. Go for the burnt ends or the pulled pork. Also has a good selection of different sauces to choose from. And trust me, you will not leave here hungry. The portions are gut-bustingly huge. Not many places to sit, and can get pretty busy, but it's good for take out too, so no worries. And yes, the food is way better then Redbone's (but no booze). Blue Ribbon rocks.
(5)
Glen D.
Best BBQ I've had in the Boston area - puts Redbone's to shame. Tender meats, succulent sauces, perfect sides (I even like their cole slaw and I am *not* really a slaw fan!). Their menu always has some creative touches on it too, like the "BBQ burrito" or the fish sandwiches - but I always seem to come back to the burnt ends.... Definitely also try mixing 1/2 lemonade and 1/2 sweet tea for a perfect accompaniment. If you're eating there, it's best in the warm months when you can sit outside. But take out is always in season!
(5)
Peter P.
Great food, great prices, and home-made pickles. Wow is all i can say about the pulled pork sandwich. I love Redbones in Davis square, but the Blue Ribbon BBQ puts it to shame. The selection of sauces you can add to your already great pulled pork sandwich is great, ranging from tasty and flavorful, to burn your mouth off.
(5)
Heather B.
Damn tasty every time! Ribs, brisket, it's all good. For a treat, try the smoked cheeseburger.... YUM! Guys love BBQ so you might even have some cute boy eye candy to enjoy with your ribs!
(5)
Brandon L.
As someone who lived too many years in Arlington (before it was hip with the yuppies and Starbucks) I cannot believe how over rated Blue Ribbon is... First of all, they mainly serve dry back BBQ...only one variety and if you happen to catch the dry end of the run, then you get very dry BBQ and if you catch it relatively fresh, then it can be some of the best bbq you ever had. Yes I know it's better than the Red Bones in Somerville before the gourmet beer drinking hip Davis Sq folks ruined it but to be fair Red Bones serve a lot of different varieties. Blue ribbon on a good night can have interesting apetizers on the board, soups and deserts. Watch out for the sauce though, if you pour too much it'll give you wicked indigestion.
(4)
mike b.
I live right around the corner from this whole in the wall BBQ joint. I guess I've been staying away recently because I easily relapse into Blue Ribbon addiction. Two really close friends came to visit a few months ago and we ate there 3 out of the 4 nights they were in town. Yeah It's that good. If you are a fish fan, try their Cajun Catfish Sandwich.
(5)
Emma L.
If you can't get to Redbones or you can't get to the 'hood or go South right this minute, Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great option for BBQ.
(5)
Mary D.
I have loved this place for so long. I remember going here when I was about 12. I have gone only a handful of times [most likely for the best] with my dad and we love the mix-and-match plates. I love the food (although one complaint; a few things tastes remarkably different from back then, not as good.) I would go here every day if my heart could take it.
(5)
Melissa A.
The best Bbq in the Boston area - hands down. Try their ribs (the meat truly does fall off the bone!) and their pork sandwiches are delicious!
(5)
Laura B.
BBQ was good, but I wasn't blown away. I guess the minimal decor/comfort of the seating area is part of its charm. Go on a hot summer day for lunch and you might feel like the atmosphere is right...
(3)
John D.
One of my friends from Somerville took me to this joint while I was in Cambridge for work. There was no wait time because it was an early dinner, around 530. I ordered the duo platter with the ribs and beef brisket with the baked beans and mashed potatoes as sides. The dipping sauces were also very good, I love spicy things so I got the XXX hot sauce, it put a little sweat on my brow but still had the traditional BBQ taste. Good stuff all around, I did NOT leave hungry or disappointed, that's for sure.
(4)
Karman L.
Hole in a wall place. Great BBQQQ meat. I had the pulled pork, but it basically just melted in my mouth, and I don't even have to chew it. O my god. It was so good!!!
(5)
Crystal K.
Way better than Redbones!!! The only drawback is that it's more of a takeout joint than a sit-down place. They only have a few tables unfortunately and don't serve any beer. Really some of the best BBQ you'll get for easily hundreds and hundreds of miles.
(5)
Ben R.
Damn fine BBQ. Love their sauces, love their pulled pork, love their sides. It's all good.
(5)
Juli W.
Definitely not one of my favorites for BBQ. To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't have babyback ribs, which could be part of the bigger problem. I also found the size of the sides disappointing. I definitely prefer Red Bones.
(2)
Adrienne B.
I'm here for all the partners that may be brought here and do not enjoy bbq food. Their salads are totally good. And the sides are quite lovely- mashed potatoes- YUM and the corn bread is FAB. So next time your bbq loving partener wants to go and you start to complain, don't just get a salad and some sides and enjoy!
(4)
Emily H.
My boyfriend and I recently moved to Arlington and we saw this place and couldn't resist. We have gotten takeout each time, and the food is so filling and they stuff the styrafoam container to the gills. Their hot sauce is AMAZING!!! I had ordered the 1/3 slab of ribs and they gave me 2 more ribs than they should have. The pulled pork sandwich is huge. This place definitely didn't disappoint me and I will keep ordering from them again and again. The only negative would be that there is no real atmosphere for sitting in the restaurant, plus its pretty small, which is why we have always done takeout.
(5)
J. J.
Meat, meat, and more meat. It really doesn't hold a candle to any BBQ restaurants west of the Mississippi. However, as the local competition goes (what little of it there is), there're fine. Just set your expectations: you wouldn't expect to get fine French Country cuisine in the backwoods of Texas, would you? Don't expect much from BBQ in Arlington.
(2)
Patrick B.
Consistently good with generous portions and a great selection of tasty sauces. Great for takeout or eating at one of the outdoor tables when the weather's nice.
(4)
Rally P.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. Haven't been disappointed yet. Have to say I like it better than Redbones.
(4)
Pat T.
I lived near the W. Newton location when it opened, and boy was I glad to find Blue Ribbon. The barbecue is very good and it is consistent. Very fast takeout service. Their lemonade and corn bread are quite good, and the desserts are tasty too.
(5)
Jonny C.
One of the best BBQ places in Boston - festive atmosphere and mouthwatering spicy meats
(4)
shawn g.
the pulled pork was as wet and sloppy as it should be, and the coleslaw was crisp, and surprisingly good. surprising since i never order coleslaw and i not only ordered it but ATE it as well here. the mashed taters were creamy with a good amount of red skins mixed in, but the cornbread could use just a bit more honey and butter. and where's the beer???? sit outside if you can handle the weather....
(3)
shawnna r.
When my boyfriend and I drive up to this place to get our takeout, we start salivating. We usually pay a little under $20 for a pint of burnt ends and a side dish platter with three sides and a large cut of corn bread. This feeds us both lunch and dinner for at least the next 2-3 days. Now, I usually don't like to go out to lunch or dinner because I find it expensive, but that's under $5 a meal - I have a hard time cooking that tasty a meal for under $5 on my own so I consider it a real deal.
(5)
Melissa B.
Not a lot of good 'cue options in Boston, and especially not on this side of the river. Blue Ribbon rocks. I love their daily specials and even their sandwiches are quite good. Love the mashed potatoes and baked beans. The ribs rock and you can choose from a variety of BBQ sauces to top off your meat - one for ribs, one for brisket, one for burnt ends. Mmmm.
(4)
Arik C.
For a chain bbq type, this palce is pretty good. Much better than the Village Smokehouse, Firefly's or Tennessee's. Great pulled pork, ribs and their sides are all delicious. They sell their ribs and I have used it for my own ribs and was very happy. The sauces range from mild to hot and are fantastic. blueribbonbbq.com
(4)
Greg S.
Mmm BBQ! How could you not like a big combo plate of meat covered in BBQ sauce? Just about everything here is good and a combo plate usually takes me two sittings to eat, so if you ordered it to go you have dinner and then lunch for tomorrow. You can also get your meat in sandwich form if you'd rather have all of that finger licking BBQ on your hands, they come with slaw and beans. Most of the sides here are excellent as well, they had a cheesy potatoes side one night that made me wish I had ordered just that in a big bucket! Oh and if you want you have your choice of multiple BBQ sauces that you can add to your meal with, just save some for me! The only thing that would make Blue Ribbon better is more seating and a beer selection, that and a way to make the line disappear when I go there!
(4)
Tristan W.
It's hard to deny the overwhelming feeling of being taken advantage of these days. I hand the gas station attendent 3 bucks and he gives me 20 miles of travel. I figure hell, I'll take the train instead. But the MBTA hasn't been on time since the Celtics won a world championship, somehow that merits a 25% price hike. On principal alone I boycott it, so now I have to take a cab to work. Problem is half of the cabbies need me to give them directions to where I'm going, and on the way there the detours get me so turned around I forget why I stepped out of my house in the first place. That's when I stop the cab, hand over thirty bucks, and hoof it to the one honest place in this whole damn town. At the Blue Ribbon the food once had hooves, and the meals still have value. I hand the hipped out homey 9 bucks and 5 minutes later I'm wrist deep in 20 oz of mouth watering succulence. The portions are flinstone size. The food is so damn good that we need a new adjective to describe it. Quench your thirst at the never ending cistern of sweet tea and lemonade ( I mix the two for that famous Tom and Tom taste). Best part of all, at the end of it, I'm satisfied, and I will gladly hand over my hard earned money to the folks at the Blue Ribbon any day of the week , and twice on Sunday. I've had every platter they make. I recommend them all. Just make sure to get the butternut squash as a side, and the burnt ends at least once. To those at the Blue Ribbon reading this review, thank you.
(5)
J B.
Some say this is the best bbq in Boston. Though I am not a true aficiando, I must agree. Delicious ribs, great chicken, a varied selection of sauces. I esp enjoy the Arlington location (and by the way, this is NOT a chain, it's a local business that happens to have two locations, one in Arlington, one in W Newton), it's order-at-the counter, casual and laid-back. Love their cornbread too.
(4)
Thomas M.
Fantastic BBQ -- huge portions that can be hard to finish. I love the sandwiches and platters, but have a sore spot for their BBQ burritos -- they must weigh close to a pound. Excellent sweet tea and lemonade. I wish they served beer.
(5)
bella c.
really good stuff and huge portions!
(4)
Jeffrey W.
This place blows Redbones out of the water. The sauce is much better, they have great sides (though no hush puppies), and the atmosphere is so much more southern. Sit outside, sip sweet tea or lemonade, and watch the few cars go by as you take a trip to North Carolina.
(5)
Scott M.
I know there are tons of Redbones lovers out there but for me the place is Blue ribbon. Many a night I've raced over there 10 minutes before closing to get some of those ribs that just does it for me.
(4)
Orina B.
First let me say that the Yelp description about Blue Ribbon being "in Arlington Center" is wrong -- it's opposite Stop n' Shop, about a mile beyond the town center as you head toward Lexington. My need to write that is evidence of my complete devotion to sharing the gospel of Blue Ribbon . I love this place unreservedly. I used to live nearby and so had a chance to try nearly everything on the menu. There's something here for every taste and they'll adapt their menu to what you want. For example, when I order the BBQ chicken, I ask for white meat only and - for a dollar or so extra - they'll make the entire order white meat. If you want BBQ beef or chicken, you can order it 'dry" and they'll put the sauce on the side. If - like me - you don't want the pickles and cornbread that come with the meal - they'll give you a third side order, instead. Try the green beans and bacon. I don't even eat pork but I eat that. The portions are huge. The people are nice. Oddly - or maybe not - the only thing I've ever gotten there I didn't care for was a salad. What was I thinking ordering a salad???
(5)
Stephen J.
Great food, a fun place and really cool interior. My friend from Texas laments the fact that they don't have their "own" sauce (they have about 6 that you can mix and match), but I don't really care. The taste is delish. The pulled pork and chicken is truly tender, and is already loaded with flavor before you lather it in sauce if that's what you choose to do. Although I've never had them, other friends swear by the steak tips. The corn bread hits the spot (although I've had better), and they have an assortment of traditional sides, including collared greens, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc. The food here is certainly better than the BBQ at nearby Red Bones in Davis Square, the only downside is that seating is limited and there's no booze. It's not really as much a restaurant per se as it is a walk-in, take-out type of place. Still, even with their limited interior they've decorated nicely and the place is spotlessly clean. Overall the food maybe is not AS good as some coyboy BBQ from Arizona, but pretty darn close for being so far away.
(4)
Jessica H.
I think this is probably the best BBQ place in all of Massachusetts. Their ribs are so delicious. And, the sides that they have there are unbelievable! I think I might go there after I finish writing this review in fact. My favorite part about this place is that they put out all of their BBQ sauces, and they have a few, so you can add as much or as little as you need to your food. It's great!
(5)
L S.
Awesome bbq!! The bbq at this place is sooo good. They have pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, side dishes and desserts. The side dishes are just as good as the meat. I highly recommend the mashed potatoes and the collard greens. I have never had enough room for dessert but I'm sure it is delicious. They cater too, for more info go to blueribbonbbq.com !
(5)
Nishan K.
I found this place online highly recommended. I ordered one of the beef brisket sandwhiches with a side of cornbread that was really cheap. I was honestly a bit disappointed as the beans didn't taste right, the coleslaw was too maynassey, and the sandwhich was cut from a portion that was too fatty. I had to chew the meat for a few minutes just to get it digestable. I think the price is good for what you get and I would go there again, but will not get the same thing. My friend got a Caribean wrap, which he raved about the whole way home.
(3)
Juliette V.
I definately do not go here enough. The barbecue is some of the best I have found in the area. Large portions and tastey sauces. A great thing to note is that the large Whole Foods near Western Ave carries some of their things.
(4)
Megan C.
This is a counter service location with a lot of character. We went there for lunch on a Saturday and it didn't start getting busy until 12:20 or 12:40. Seating is limited but luckily even the "for here" orders come in take out containers. The service is casual, attentive and friendly, and they were courteous to a bunch of newbies overwhelmed by the chalk board menus. Plus, we were offered pickled watermelon rind samples as we looked over the menu. Delicious. The food is across the board delicious, from the $7 carnitas burrito to the platters edging in on $20 and over. Our party ordered a wide variety of menu items, and while one person thought the roast chicken was dry, she did get the white meat and opted not to use any of their wide array off sauces. I didn't have the same issue. The burnt ends were delicious and the green beans were super impressive - spicy and cooked with sausage. They have a small selection of desserts (including cobbler) but in the end it's the BBQ that is the real star. (Pro tip: homemade lemonade and homemade sweet tea at the fountain soda area = homemade Arnold Palmers. Amazing.)
(5)
Andrea H.
Pro: you will have an incredibly tasty meal. Con: this place is more addictive than crack. Seriously though, great BBQ. The side dishes can occasionally be hit-or-miss (undercooked or over salted). 9 times out of 10, it's perfect.
(4)
Peter W.
This place sucks. Started off decent years ago, and has steadily gone down hill the past couple of years. The last four visits, staff was rude, food was greasy and sitting around for a bit (includes ribs, pulled pork plate, brisket). The W. Newton location somehow has better food quality. Arlington location blows. That said, the owners should think of lessons for the front end staff to keep the place clean (W. Newton lets "their" counter get grimy, and you have to request them to wipe it down as they act annoyed at the request). Owners are clearly not involved. For now, whence I need my BBQ fix, it is back to Red Bones in Somerville and Sweet Cheeks in the Fenway.
(1)
A Y.
This place serves the messiest, most complicated, most humiliating-to-eat, most quickly-served burrito I've ever had. The chicken was beyond words. I'm bringing everyone I know here, messy food be damned.
(5)
Eunice E.
I think I ate my body weight in BBQ last night, but I'm getting hungry again just thinking about my food as I write this review. That's when you know it's good. Whether you're getting a sandwich or a platter, you're going to get a huge heap o' food. In fact, we got two platters yesterday for three people -- and we STILL had leftovers! The brisket is melt-in-your-mouth tender, the pulled chicken is deliciously flavored even on its own (though better with any of their BBQ sauces... the hot is my personal fave), and (most of) the sides are on point. The potato salad - check. The collard greens - check. Baked beans - check (I'm a sucker for sweet BBQ beans). But the coleslaw was a bit more what the heck than check. Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. I love filling the little plastic containers on the side with all the different sauces--like I said, the hot BBQ is probably my fave, but the sweet is yum, and the different vinegars and mustards are all pretty tasty, too. Don't forget to grab some of those delicious and satisfyingly crunchy pickle slices while you're at it! For a hearty meal, look no further than Blue Ribbon. Just remember to have some stretchy pants on before you start chowin'.
(4)
Dana S.
I heart you Blue Ribbon. I do. You need a bigger seating area. You know you do. As with all true love I will still love you when you get bigger ;) Your BBq ribs are to die for and I looooovvve your mashed potatoes. I love it all- Id make air freshener from the air i your Arlington store if I could .
(5)
Suzanne L.
I was compelled to write a review because I was seriously impressed with the allergy page: blueribbonbbq.com/allergy . It is THOROUGH and easy to understand. My friend's mom has seriously restrictive allergies but also loves BBQ, and it was such a burden off our minds to know ahead of time exactly what she could have. Thank you thank you Blue Ribbon!!!! Food-wise, this place is good - I also have not been wowed by the ribs as other people have mentioned, but I LOVE the pulled pork and the variety of sauces. The sides are kinda hit or miss. Regardless, this place is (gotta say it) so much better than Red Bones.
(4)
Von D.
I'm compelled to write this review on my smart phone in the bathroom....ugh. 1.ribs were dry and tasted like a dirty charcoal grill and liquid smoke. 2. The burnt ends and brisket tasted like pot roast. Not moist but flavorful. 3.baked beans were more like a can chili, had an almost mineral flavor. 4.we found the basic dishes were dialed in, (cole slaw greens cornbread) 5. Overall I was disappointed and it tasted like ass, you know how I know what ass tastes like? I spend Tuesday through Friday kissing my boss's...that's how I know.
(1)
Kathryn S.
As a frequent patron on Red Bones (because I live near Davis) I have to admit that this was my first visit to Blue Ribbon. What was I waiting for?! It was delicious! We got the Feed Bag special and everything was great! The ribs, the jerk chicken and the sides. I particularly loved the black eyed peas with corn! My husband and son loved the potato salad and corn bread. (It was our Father's Day dinner!) It was definitely worth getting in the car and driving to Arlington. And that's saying something from this Cantabridgian!
(5)
Chloe S.
This place is good, but honestly it's not the best BBQ in the area. A lot of the time something about it tastes like it is close to the mark, but not quite there. I eat here a lot because it's not too far from my office, but I am just not that impressed. I've been putting off writing this review for awhile because it's apparently sacrilege to criticize blue ribbon bbq and I can't quite put my finger on what it is I don't like, but every time I order anything on the menu I expect one thing and get something close to what I expected, but not quite. Sometimes it's too bland, sometimes too dry, sometimes too much vinegar (yes I know it's supposed to be vinegary, but there's the right amount and the wrong amount of vinegar), too salty, etc... Something is always wrong with it. In short I come here when everyone else is going, but I wouldn't pick it on my own. There is better BBQ.
(3)
Marc S.
Much better than last time (5 years ago). BBQ was well seasoned but not over salted. Ribs and beef brisket where awesome, with the right amount of spice and burnt ends. First time I had the corn and black eyed peas mixed tot her - highly recommended side. Needs a little more moistness and smoking flavors. I'll try again and add to post. It was Father's Day and closing.
(3)
Kristen W.
I'm not a BBQ snob (I've never even been to Texas) but I'm not one to pass up checking out a local barbecue joint. That being said, when you walk in the atmosphere is sub par but the food more than makes up for that. I went with the burnt ends, and was disappointed when it was served pulled and not in chunks, but surprisingly it was not lacking in flavor at all! This was some of the best burnt ends I've had, I loved that they weren't greasy! The massive cornbread adequately soaked up the alcohol in my stomach from the night before. The potato salad was good but I wish I would've got something besides the dirty rice. (All meat platters come with two sides and a huge slab of corn bread). It was easily enough for two meals and was great as leftovers the next day. Don't forget to check out the homemade sauces on the counter!
(4)
Ashli A.
I love this place because the Barbecue Duo Combo for ~$15.99 feeds me and my boyfriend (and it's not like we are still hungry after). We have had the brisket, smoked sausage, mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn. Our two favorites, hands down, are the brisket and the mashed potatoes. The brisket has the perfect amount of fat, it is tender, and flavorful (as in MEAT flavor- not like a bunch of added seasonings or anything- just good meat flavor). The mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. The cornbread that comes with the combo is good. You might feel like crap after you eat all of it, but who cares? EAT IT. ALL OF IT.
(5)
Magic Bites B.
Not only the food but the service and the personnel are great... Highly recommended...
(5)
Rajiv R.
So unprofessional. Put in a catering order for my birthday. When one of my guests went early to pick it up, the guy had no idea about the order. This was after they'd been so adamant on the phone about putting in the order 48 hours ahead of time (which I did, had the email confirmation and everything). When my friend called me from the restaurant and put the guy on, I gave him the confirmation number. He had no idea what to do with it. Had to pull the order together on the spot, but they didn't even have all the items available so he had to substitute. So the food arrived to the party wrong and late. Contacted the catering department the next day to see what happened. (Calm and courteous of course.) "I'll get back to you." It's been a week, never did. Like I said, so unprofessional. Taste-wise: meh. They've gone downhill in recent years any way. Sweet Cheeks is better.
(1)
Arthur M.
Love this place and love the bbq burrito and pulled chicken sandwich if you love bbq this place is for you
(5)
Nina S.
The bf surprised me with BBQ takeout from this place one night (man knows the way to my heart is through my stomach :P) and what a pleasant surprise! He got the ribs with corn bread collard greens and beans. The sauce on them was not too sweet and had a great smoky flavor that carried through and the meat was nice and tender. And the cornbread is righteous.
(4)
Tim A.
I just had some seriously insane BBQ at Blue Ribbon in Arlington tonight. Ribs, pulled chicken, pulled pork, beans, slaw, hot sausage, corn. Off the chain as they say. Every single thing our party of 3 had was fantastic including the best cornbread I've ever tasted. Complimented the owner while I was buying my assistant a gift certificate and he seemed really humble and happy that someone enjoyed the food so much. (Young, smart, talented owner/chef AND HOT. How much better can it get?) You won't be disappointed in any part of it. Seating is pretty limited.
(5)
Timmy L.
Cheap, hearty, and deeeeeelicious! Blue Ribbon BBQ is everything you want in your neighborhood barbecue joint. The experience starts off with artfully cooked, quality meat accompanied by a glorious roll and end with your choice between a luxurious number of sauces. Every one is interesting, unique, and leaves your tongue singing for more. While at initial glance the prices don't cause you to jump for joy, here's a pro tip for you: buy in bulk. With a hefty canister of BBQ, a couple containers of your favorite sauces, some rolls, and most importantly, their pickles, you can chow down on a glorious sandwich for less than an expensive coffee.
(5)
Morgan F.
Absolutely delicious! The food was wonderful, inexpensive, and ready very quickly - plus the ambiance of the place is just so fantastic, I never wanted to leave! Went there with my mother who is from the South, and she was as happy as I was - which is a very good recommendation for any southern food restaurant. Definitely try the cornbread pudding (SO good) and get a sweet tea while you're at it.
(5)
Erin H.
I'm pretty sad that I couldn't enjoy this as much as my friends did since I was stll feeling a bit ill from the day before. In any case, I decided to order the Texas brisket plate with a side of baked beans and potato salad. The portions are absolutely massive and the sauces are delicious! You can pack your own from the sauce bar. There's not too much space to eat indoor; this is much more of a to-go kind of joint. We actually took our food to a local park and had a picnic there. One interesting thing to note was that additional fee for ordering beef. I forget what the reason was (beef shortage perhaps?), but it was like an extra $2 or so if you ordered any beef dishes. I would definitely like to try it again when I'm back in Cambridge. I think I might like to try the burnt ends next time!
(4)
Maria S.
Poor service and meh food. Not worth the effort in getting here tonight. Should have gone with seafood in New England!
(1)
Sharon D.
Nice job catering a friend's surprise anniversary party! Some background, this couple met at an event in south Georgia so we were looking for a menu that would bring them back to this event that started them on their lifelong path, and Blue Ribbon came through in achieving this goal! We ordered pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, dirty rice, corn, collard greens, corn bread and salad. They even sent baby bottles of the sweet and golden bbq sauces and balsamic salad dressing. I personally enjoyed the pulled pork! It had just the right amount of seasoning and was so tender! Everything was delicious and arrived piping hot. The adults and the kids loved it all! Thanks for helping to make a wonderful even even more special! Great job! One of these days, we will have to try dining in!
(4)
Matt N.
Great BBQ. The sides can be a bit different every time, taste-wise and selection-wise, but that gives it part of its charm. Great service. The same crew seems to be there every time. I ordered online a couple times and both times I got a different side than the one I ordered so I'd double check before you leave if your heart is set on something. The food is fabulous. My wife always suggests Blue Ribbon and she's a vegetarian!!! Make sure you take advantages of the different sauces as well. They add some crazy taste to the already tasty meat. Great portions too - if you leave hungry you may have to rethink your life. Go to Redbones if you want to check-in on Facebook or buy a shirt, but if you want a much better BBQ, Blue Ribbon is well worth the trip down Mass ave!
(5)
Grant S.
What a delight! Lots of tempting choices, and the guy taking my order was very helpful in guiding me through them. As it was my first visit, I went with the ribs, collard greens and blackeyed pea salad. The ribs were pretty much perfect, great smoke ring and flavor. The sides were delicious, too. Definitely a BBQ joint as far as the atmosphere goes. I'll definitely be going back to try more of the menu.
(5)
Steven M.
I'm quite surprised to see this place have 4 stars from over 400 people. It was sub par at best. My ribs were a little over cooked and crunchy. Even my bones was edible which made no sense at all. The actual rib was chewable and edible! The coleslaw was really tangy and too watery for my taste. The potato salad was decent, but I have been making potato salad for awhile and I could've done the same job and I don't even like cooking. The atmosphere was really nice tho. When I walked in there, there was license plates all over the front wall. In my opinion that's dumb because it takes the place of where the menu should be. They actually have to put a sign that's small saying the menu is on the left. Clearly the designers didn't think that one through. All in all very mediocre. Maybe we got a bad batch of ribs, but it was still unacceptable.
(2)
Amanda P.
Update post-wedding catering by Blue Ribbon: Our guests were overjoyed. The delivery was on time...early, even. We ordered for 135, had almost exactly that many guests, and were smart enough to bring containers to freeze the leftovers. And oh, the leftovers. Two months later, we have one last meal of Burnt Ends waiting in the freezer. They're nearly as good as the day we were married. Even the veggie burritos freeze well and are great for a quick workday lunch (just add a touch of salsa or bbq on top). The most raved about items were the burnt ends and brisket (we also had pulled chicken, which is great with a burrito or topped with sauces, but not a stand-out next to the other two) and the mashed potatoes. Good god, the mashed potatoes. My vegan bridesmaid cast all care to the wind and had three helpings. If we did it all again, we'd order two sides of mashed potatoes and ask for extra Hot BBQ. We ordered the "Sandwich Meats" package and added a green salad side, which I believe was less than $13pp. We liked the sandwich meats better than the jerk chicken and ribs... it was a great choice. We ended up having our own people help with serving the food. We really struggled to get information from Simply Serving as recommended by Blue Ribbon. I'm hoping it was just a fluke and not typical, but getting a call back and an emailed quote took so long I didn't trust it was worth the cost. Our own people did a great job!
(5)
Scott F.
I went there for lunch today and got a 1/2 pint of the spicy sausage and a single rib called "the lone bone". The rib was excellent.. totally tender with just the right amount of bite. The sausage was tasty and spicy.. Their sauces were all top notch. Two thumbs up for Blue Ribbon.. :-)
(4)
Celestyne C.
I used Blue Ribbon for my son's graduation/18th birthday party. The kids (16-18 year old boys) and adults loved the food. The burnt ends are by far my favorite but I didn't have any ribs, baked beans or pulled pork left. a little disappointed with the sweet tea but my son wanted it. I have eaten in, taken out and now I have catered. Try it, you will like it!
(4)
Zizzles A.
So I just had some great Brisket here today, an oddity, and asked the guy why the brisket is so inconsistent. He tells me it's because it's different because I get different parts of the brisket, and says I can request the fattier section! Yes! Problem solved! Not only is the fattier brisket jucier, you get a little more of the smoke flavor because the meat is not nearly as dry. When the Brisket is good, I prefer it to the sauced burnt ends. The brisket really doesn't need sauce. It's smoky and juicy enough as is. I will attempt to ask for the fattier part next time. I ordered a lone bone of ribs, which turned out to be 3 bones...ooooook. But I'm not complaining for 3 dollars. You also get a slice of processed white bread that admittedly, is better than wonderbread. I never really noticed this before, but relative to the brisket, the ribs are a little on the flavorless side. Sure they're juicy and full of pork flavor, but there's no real smoke, and their memphis dry rub doesn't add enough to it. Of course, the spicy bbq sauce or the vinegar based one, my two favorites, remedy that problem in a jiffy. Not that I've been to memphis, but I'm guessing the dry rub wouldn't pass there. No biggie. It's still a yummy piece of meat.
(4)
Gamal S.
Best BBQ joint north of the Charles! Beats its nearest competition by a long shot for one simple reason: Blue Ribbon is authentic Southern cooking and most BBQ in this Yankee infested land are what y'all IMAGINE Southern cooking/Soul Food to taste like, and what these cats cook up is what my people eat down home. Thanks for bringing home to Arlington!
(5)
David L.
After having North Carolina and Texas BBQ, I never thought I'd find BBQ close to as tasty until I ended up at Blue Ribbon! After having the brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, or ribs weekly for about 6 months, I have to say that Blue Ribbon is definitely the closest (and tastiest!) I've had in the Northeast! The portions are huge, the prices are reasonable, and the food is drool-worthy. The only gripe I have is the lack of seating during the winter. With the popularity of the place, a small counter and 3 tables for 2 is definitely not enough, especially since all I want to do when served a steaming plate of food is to chow down right away! One word of warning though. Blue Ribbon has all kinds of different sauces (with varying spice levels) but the Jabanero Vinegar is extremely hot! I had a few drops mixed with my BBQ sauce and I almost couldn't sleep that night!
(4)
Nicolas C.
Riiiiiiiiibs........Drooool........ These portions are enormous, enough to feed a mighty man. Me, I'm long but trim; ribs, cornbread and 2 sides of your choice do not always fit inside my test-tube sized stomach. Very friendly staff that will give you suggestions if you just ask.
(5)
Lisa C.
I've had blue ribbon a number of times before when my company had an event catered, but I actually made it to blue ribbon for the first time for dinner last night. The food is ok. My boyfriend is from North Carolina and is a HUGE bbq snob, but luckily I had tried blue ribbon before we started dating so my opinion of the food wasn't really swayed. We shared a trio platter which is three meats, 2 sides, and cornbread. We got the NC pulled pork, the texas sliced brisket, and the kansas city burnt ends with cole slaw and I ordered green beans but they mistakenly gave us baked beans. no big deal though...i like baked beans. the pulled pork was pretty good. the bf thought it wasn't the pork he knows but still decent. i thought the brisket was pretty tasty. it was really moist and tender. the burnt ends were interesting. they tasted like they had almost been stewed or something. i had never had burnt ends before, but i was literally expecting the burnt ends of bbq that they chose not to throw out. the cole slaw was pretty good, but not quite what i had expected. the baked beans were ok but a little rich. cornbread was fine. considering its not a very expensive place, this place may make the rotation. I definitely prefer their bbq to redbones.
(3)
Judi V.
I hadn't been here in YEARS and I don't quite know why because I really like this place. Yesterday after our weekly staff meeting we were deciding where to get lunch from, it was one of our coworkers bday and food is always involved! The crew wanted to go to the default Redbones (which is okay I guess but a little inconsistent). I suggested that we go here. Out of the 7 of us I was the only one who'd been here so it was a chance to show off my foodie status to my friends. We all looked at the online menu and made up our minds on what we wanted. Most opted for the pulled pork sandwich, my boss got the pulled chicken (sooo health conscious!) and I got the brisket. Andi is right, the fattier part is best and it really doesn't need sauce as the meat is juicy and flavorful. Everyone loved what they got, the mashed got raves, the beans were good (but had a few undercooked members in the mix) the guy that got the cold slaw nearly licked the dish (I can't believe how much he ate and he's thin!!!). When we went to pick it up I discovered that my cohort had called the wrong one (DUH... 781 is Arlington 617 is Newton!) Anyway the guy behind the counter showed true genius and called the other store for the order and replicated it there very quickly for us. We spent time at the sauce bar and made up quite a smorgasbord of the flavorful stuff as well as plenty of those amazing pickle slices and lots of wet naps!!! The whole group loved the food and most of us took part home with us because the portions even on the sandwiches are HUGE! In the end the whole group paid homage to my expertise in picking just the right place to eat!! (Yeah.. like I look like I ever missed a meal!)
(4)
Mary R.
It's a cheap meal that leaves you feeling stuffed, but far from satisfied. After having heard so many great things about Blue Ribbon, I expected a great meal and was even willing to look past the terrible noise plastic knifes make on Styrofoam plates, that is until I started eating. I was less than wowed. I had the open-faced brisket sandwich, and although the meat was tender, it was also nothing to write home about. The small selection of sides -- no mac and cheese or candied yams are just ok and their sweet tea tastes exactly like that poorly flavored Cool Nestea. If you're looking for a good BBQ place head to Red Bones in Davis.
(2)
Takiyah G.
Finally some BBQ in my hood that I can get behind! Sorry Redbones. I'll always have a place in my heart for your delicious spicy catfish sand, fried okra, buffalo shrimp, and awesome delivery bikes, but this is why Blue Ribbon trumps you: 1)Pulled pork: Hands down, the best I've had in many moons. And I make it a mission when trying a new BBQ place, to rate them based on their prep and flavor of this sandwhich alone. So succulent and juicy, with a vinegary/spicy sauce...mmn. mouth is watering. But theres more.. 2)Price and value: So much food here! Choice of sides with my juicy burnt ends sandwhich, and none of that 'add an extra doller for something other than icky beans and coleslaw' crap. A sand with two nicely portioned sides was &6.99, whereas at the other BBQ spot already mentioned, thats just the sandwhich alone Plus, i have some leftover for lunch today....yes!!! Nice variety of sauces, good collards, awesome coleslaw that's much like my own recipe, creamy real potatoes, and I can't forget 3)Cornbread. It was a huge honking piece, slightly warmed, sweet yellow corn goodness wrapped in foil. This is not to say i won't ever eat at Redbones again, especially for their all you can eat buffet lunch, becuase over the years, they've fed me and fed me pretty well. But I've had enough 'meh' deliveries from them to venture out, and I'm glad I did. I think this is just the BBQ style that I prefer. Can't wait to try the ribs and desserts at Blue Ribbon!! Oh Arlington, you keep surprising me!
(4)
Brett M.
Why do I feel the need to qualify my review by exposing my southern roots and thereby giving my review more credit than those of the home-breed New Englanders? I mean, when you go to Blue Ribbon, you'll know that you are tasting really good BBQ. It doesn't matter if you are from Georgia, Carolina, Tenn, Ontario, Oregon, Maine, Germany, Vietnam, or France, you'll recognize you are giving your taste buds a treat... well, if you are from France, you will deny it b/c you are from France. I am addicted to their Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken sandwiches. I also recommend the ribs. The meats are tender and smokey. I like their beans A LOT. I could eat a bucket on a dare. Good veggies too: collards, greenbeans, mashed potatoes, etc. The only reason I am giving them less than a 5-start rating is that seating is very limited and I like my cornbread on the cornmeal-ly side. Blue Ribbon's corn bread is a little to cake-y sweet for me. Oh yeah, finish your meal with a dreambar. Y'all won't regret it!
(4)
Alexandra K.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great place to go as a newbie in the Boston area. It's famous among the residents here and I had at least 5 people tell me to go before I actually tried the food. Being from Cincinnati, where southern food and BBQ is very popular, I don't thoroughly enjoy Blue Ribbon's food. Their sweet BBQ sauce is excellent, but I have to pour gobs of it over the pulled pork before it isn't dry anymore. The chicken is also incredibly dry. I also don't like the baked beans. I normally enjoy sweet baked beans with brown sugar or other such ingredients. Blue Ribbon's are somewhat sweet, but they have this burnt flavor in them that makes me not like them much. Now for the things I like. Well, the one thing. I love their mashed potatoes. They leave the skins in (added fiber bonus) and have the perfect amount of garlic and sour cream. Delish! Maybe it's just my Ohio taste buds that don't like these New England BBQ flavors, I'll never know. I would recommend checking this place out, even if its just for the mashed potatoes.
(3)
David G.
Wow-simply wow. Tonight was my first trip to this place and I had some good expectations for it, but they were exceeded in ways that I didn't expect. I'll get right to what caused my excitement and it was the North Carolina pulled pork. I actually didn't even order it I got the half rack of ribs platter. However, my friend didn't touch half of her Carolina pork as she's not a big eater, so I went and tried it. "My god!" I thought-that's the best damn pulled pork I ever tried. Up until now the term "smokey" when used to describe food has always been in a much more subtle context-this pork was smokey in a way that has forever changed how I view that term. Incredibly smokey, moist perfectly flavored pulled pork. The best I ever had, and so good I'll cry if it's never that good again when I visit. Pulled pork bliss aside, it's time to talk ribs. I ordered a half rack of Memphis ribs and they were good, but not great. The flavor was distinct and they were incredibly moist with meat falling off the bone, but they were just OK for me. Maybe a bad night for the ribs-not bad ribs by any means-just not the work of the gods who did the pulled pork haha. The sides were brilliant-best mashed potatoes I've had in a while, moist delicious cornbread, and the green beans were flavored my favorite way. Best thing about this place is the prices-even if the food wasn't this good you'd have to reward them for affordable prices. $6.50 for a massive pulled prok sandwich with sides? Awesome. A big rib dinner platter for $14? Can't get that anywhere else I know of. As for the decor and layout of the place-it's small with very limited seating (10 people at most at the tables) and an ultra-casual atmosphere. The fellow who took the order was super friendly. Not much to complain about. Comparisons? Well I've been to Redbones and the Village Smokehouse and this is how I see it: For ribs I think Redbones has the edge for size and variety of ribs. However, Redbones is inconsistent on the flavor/cooking of the ribs. The Village Smokehouse offers a larger rib platter than either of them-a big long platter of small ribs. All completely different in style, so you'll have to try them all to see which kind of rib person you are. For Sausages it's hands down Village Smokehouse when compared to Redbones-no comparison. Redbones is aboslutely blah in the sausage department compared to the Smokehouse. Blue Ribbon I haven't tried. For pulled pork- Blue Ribbon slaughters Red Bones which has been dry and boring for me on two occasions. The Smokehouse I have not tried.
(5)
John L.
I've only had Blue Ribbon in catering-related situations, but when I've had it, it's been incredible. It's like meat paradise, what with the well-seasoned beef and chicken and pork, as well as the varied side dishes (the collared greens are great, as well as the beans, slaw, and mashed potatoes), and the great cornbread.
(5)
Jen L.
After finally trying Redbones, I can say with certainty that Blue Ribbon is MUCH BETTER. Bigger portions, lower prices, and no Davis Square hipster 'tude. Just the real thing. I recommend getting any of the $6.99 sandwich platters (though my favorite is the brisket) with beans and cole slaw and you will be able to bring home leftovers for 1-2 meals. All of the meats are extremely tender and the bread is super soft and tasty. My only complaint is that the seating is extremely limited, so sometimes takeout is the best and only option.
(4)
Aaron B.
I'd love to say that proximity to Blue Ribbon BBQ was the main reason for our house purchase, but that's not totally accurate. It was certainly a factor, however. We cold and stubborn New Englanders aren't know for our BBQ, but this place stands out as a beacon of southern-style cooking in the bleak northeast. The meats are just juicy enough and enhanced by their lineup of outstanding sauces -- the "gold" sauce is my go-to. Cornbread is done right (big block, kinda crumbly, only slightly sweet) and the blackeyed corn rounds out a platter meal nicely. It's a (very) small place, but I think that's part of the feel. Much bigger and it would have the impression of a BBQ factory. In the winter, we get the food to go, and in the summer, we sit outside. If you've only had their food via an event (catered), go check it out in person -- it's best fresh off the grill.
(5)
Raymond W.
I ordered the half rack of Memphis ribs, cornbread, black eyed corn and rice and beans. Although the ribs were piled high (5-6 ribs), the amount of work it took to eat in a civilized fashion and surprisingly not too filling made for a delicious meal without regrets. The ribs were tender and could easily be pulled off the bone, which made for good dipping in the various sauces. The black eyed corn was balanced and no ingredient dominated the side. The rice and beans were very well blended and was flavorful and even juicy, though each still held form, if that even makes sense for rice and beans. The cornbread left a lot to be desired as it was on the harder and less moist side. Overall, I think the pulled pork outshine the ribs. You just can't beat the fatty juice that good pulled pork gives you. I will be looking to give the brisket a try in the future.
(4)
Meredith K.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ place - closely followed by Village Smokehouse. I used to work in Waltham for years and frequently got lunch at the W. Newton location - I was really happy when they expanded to Arlington. I never sit and eat here though, I always get it to go - which is what I did today. This location does have seats (unlike W. Newton that only has a few stools) - and they have outdoor seating in the nice weather - although you overlook Mass. Ave and a stop and shop (not very exciting). The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, love the sides like potato salad, cole slaw and beans. And the big green salad is so tasty (which is what I had today) - they have cornbread croutons (awesome!), a very good balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and I always get it will the pulled chicken. YUM. My company has frequently ordered catering from them as well and it's just as good as when your order individually. You know how sometimes you get a bulk order like that and it sucks, not with Blue Ribbon it was the same quality.
(5)
Alyssa D.
Amazing. The pulled pork is so good. The pork burrito is great too. Isn't it burnt ends? I forget. It's awesome. It can be a little spicy. My Dr. Pepper burns when I drink it, ha ha. Really good. Lots of sauces too. p.s. The bakery next door has amazing cupcakes.
(5)
Elaine M.
I've been hearing a lot of great things about this place, so perhaps my expectations were set too high... but I wasn't terribly impressed. I had the Memphis dry-rubbed BBQ ribs platter with cheese grits and baked beans. The ribs weren't bad, but they weren't the best I've ever had. The sweet BBQ and hot BBQ sauces were pretty decent (I didn't like the gold sauce at all), but I would have liked them thicker. On the other hand, the cheese grits were a little too thick for my tastes. I have no complaints about the baked beans. I'm bewildered on why my impression of Blue Ribbon is vastly different from the majority of other reviewers here (am I not ordering the correct dishes?). I really wanted to love this place (as I have yet to find my "go to" BBQ ribs place around here), but I really can't say that I do.
(3)
T A.
I'm a meat purist; I don't believe in dousing my meat in anything. And I hate places that do it for me. Blue Ribbon gives me a rib that falls off the bone without a whole lot of taste-providers (i.e. sauces) to cheat with. If you do like getting saucy, they provide a handful of sauces for you to chose from. I couldn't tell you what those are because I never venture over there. The brisket is not as juicy as meat can get, but it beats the Red Bones version by a mile. For sides, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than the corn bread. Theirs is rich, crumbly, and thick (like my men). I'm not too keen on the vegetables, but that may be because I am a shameless carnivore. There aren't a lot of seats in the place, so don't come here with the football team unless you want take-out.
(4)
LovesToEat O.
Love this place! People are always super nice. They even made jokes to make you smile. Food is amazing. Always great!! The only bad thing I can say is their ribs have gone downhill. I used to love them but now they are either very dry and no flavor or all fat. But other than that this place is on my favorite list!
(5)
Emily C.
This was good BBQ, but not the best I've ever had. I always wanted to try it because there are always fat and happy-looking people sitting outside. I got the half BBQ chicken with mashed potatoes and baked beans and others in my party got the pulled pork and the spare ribs. It was all good, but it didn't blow my mind like I thought it would. The baked beans were really underwhelming and the potatoes were a little gooey, but that's not why anyone goes for BBQ anyway. The meat itself was all delicious and there were a nice variety of sauces.
(3)
Kena L.
Went there for the first time on a Saturday evening. The decor and ambiance is very authentic for a BBQ spot. There are a few little tables to sit inside, if you can't do a to go order. You order at the register and pick up your own order when it's ready on the other end, conveniently where all the BBQ sauces are located. They have a great variety of sauces, including some really yummy hot/spicy sauces! I had the half slab of ribs with potato salad and collard greens. Ribs were not baby back but very good! Potato salad had a lot of sliced onions in it but still tasty if you like onions! The collard greens were great after I put salt and pepper on it. The bf had sliced beef brisket with a tasty side of mashed red potatoes and dirty rice. His plate was so delicious! Way better than mine! Brisket were hot and moist! I'm not a big corn bread fan, but their cornbread was really good! By the way they had a nice variety of desserts but we didn't get to try it. ** Credit card welcome! Very reasonable price for the quality and amount of food you get! Overall - very tasty and delicious BBQ for the Boston area! You have to try it if you haven't! :)
(4)
Andy L.
Eating here is an occasion to celebrate. I've never been to the South, so this place delivers as close to the Platonic ideal of both ribs and mashed potatoes as I've experienced. It feels kind of stupid to give the highest rating to a restaurant from which I only ever order one dish: 1/3 slab memphis ribs. Who needs to love more than one dish, though? It will set you back about $15, but it comes in a takeout container that will let you save it for a second meal. The ribs are charred just right and slide off the bone nicely. Then you gotta sauce that thing up! There's self-serve jugs with a variety of BBQ sauces, and I always go for the spicy one. It makes a great rib wonderful, and when it splashes onto the buttery mashed potatoes, you've got something indescribably delicious. I wish there were more seating options, but part of its charm is how small it is. I take the 77 bus all the way up here from Cambridge when I want to treat myself to a decadent meal, so fie upon any Arlington resident who doesn't appreciate the crap out of this place.
(5)
Theis C.
Ok, first, let's take a moment and admit that Barbecue is a food, like bacon, that technically can be screwed up, but has a lot going for it. It doesn't take a magician to make fatty, salty, and sweet things taste like awesome. Blue ribbon accomplishes this with brio. Good on ya, friends. This is the best barbecue in the city, but I've had better in Racine, WI from a shack with bulletproof glass over the serving counter. The key accomplishment at Blue Ribbon is that they've captured that southern gritty ambiance that allows me to pretend while I'm in there that I'm not an over-educated, effete Northeastern elite. Have I ever eaten Possum? No I have not, nor have I ever gigged anything, or even ridden a horse through a McDonald's drive-thru. But when I'm in there, eating my fatbomb meal off a plastic tray on a steel table, I'm a shiner bock away from living my alter ego dreams.
(5)
Charlie P.
Go with lots of friends. Order 1 or more of the giant family meals, ensuring that it includes pulled pork, rolls, and corn bread. Have a drink and selection of tasty BBQ sauces ready before your food arrives because once it's on the table, you will not want to stop eating.
(4)
Andrew N.
Meat = Great Sauces = Meh I prefer to have my BBQ swimming in deliciously sweet sauces, which this place does not really do and the sauces that are provided are not my favorite. They make up for this by giving you some amazing meats and some pretty good sides to go with it. There is little room to sit down inside and it is always packed with people ordering and waiting for their orders so I consider it a take-out place. The beef brisket is always a great idea as is the burnt ends and the pulled pork. When my fiancee and I go here, one of us will always get the brisket. I have yet to try the sandwiches or chicken, but I can't see them being any less delicious than the other choices on the menu. All the sides are great in their own special way, some of your normal sides like mashed potatoes and veggies have a unique taste to them and while the baked beans are not my grandmother's baked beans, they are pretty good too. Go check it out!
(4)
Joanna F.
I love Blue Ribbon. I've only ordered from here three times, but each time the food has been magnificent and really cheap. Most recently, I got the pulled pork sandwich which comes with cole slaw and baked beans on the side. The sides are huge, the sandwich is hearty and it was only 7 bucks. That's a ridiculous deal. For my boyfriend's birthday we ordered one of the large combo platters. The amount of food we got was ridiculous and very reasonably priced. As for the actual food, I would say it's as good as a lot of the barbecue we had when we visited Memphis. Most places around here hardly compare.
(5)
Efy M.
Loved the pulled pork sandwich. It was juicy and just what I'm looking for in a pulled pork sandwich. Didn't care that much for the beef. The sauces and sides are okay, but I've had better. The girls at the counter taking our order were friendly.
(4)
Brian G.
Wow, i can not believe that this place has gotten so many good reviews. I am disgusted that my hacked chicken was PINK! I had to pick through it with my hands, trying to find the rare pieces that were not pink. I am not wasting any more of time reviewing this place. Disgusted & WAYY Overrated, clearly.
(1)
Bekah D.
very good bbq chicken- great side of rice and beans too. Quick service and love the atmosphere..will be back!
(4)
Angel C.
I LOVE BBQ. And when I'm craving BBQ, I go to Blue Ribbon. Everything I've had (ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, brisket) has been delicious. They have lots of sauces, which are all really good. Good flavor, good thickness, and plenty of spicy options. And good sides too! I need to go here more often! The place is pretty small, though, so it's not good for groups.
(5)
Joe L.
The best, I repeat, the BEST BBQ in the boston area. I have tried them all and nobody beats blue ribbon. If you want bbq go here and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Donald R.
This place is lucky to have the emperor's new clothes effect going on, so that everyone has to like what are some crapy sandwiches. Dont get a salad, a couple pieces of lettuce.
(1)
jessica s.
I am from North Carolina, and let me tell you, pork barbecue is very important. I do not expect to find anyone to treat pork exactly right up here, but Blue Ribbon at least has the best barbecue I've had yet north of the mason-dixon. So please bare in mind that three stars from a North Carolinian on a Massachusetts bbq joint is in fact pretty damn good review. I'd heard good things about the bbq at Red Bones, but was reeeally disappointed in their pork, and what they think passes for vinegar sauce, so thank goodness I found Blue Ribbon! While it's not quite as good as what you'd get in Lexington NC, or Eastern NC, etc., it'll at least hold me over til I'm down south again. The pork was tender, smokey, and juicy, and while $7-something is a bit high for a pulled pork sandwich, at least the portion was large and it came with slaw (which was o.k.) and baked beans (pretty tasty). And thank goodness for the sweet tea! Now they'd of gotten four stars if only banana pudding was on the menu....
(3)
Emerson O.
Reliable, consistent, flavorful BBQ. I love the pulled pork. Great for lunch and take out. Can be pretty busy around dinner time, and there's not much seating. Location has the feel of a store front, not a restaurant. It sits across the street from a grocery store in a busy intersection, so while there is outdoor seating in the summer, it has zero atmosphere (unless you ignore the stop and go traffic).
(4)
Cody S.
They great bbq and a large menu with many great choices. Service is quick but not super friendly . They want in and out. Not the cleanest place in town, The bathroom is old and dirty while the rest of the joint need cleaning and updating.
(3)
Vanilla P.
Head over to Blue Ribbon to swim in the pump-your-own sauces. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor seats, kick back and watch the traffic crawl down Mass Ave. Smash your cornbread into the mashed potatoes for an amazing carbohydrate trip, then pour some bbq sauce over it and use a spoon to savor. Added bonus for Blue Ribbon - This is absolutely a place to meet dudes. The majority of the clientele are men, so if you're single, go to Blue Ribbon and dab some sauce behind your ears and on your clavicle - you'll be dry-humped in no time. How do you spell barbecue? BBQ? Bar-B-Q? Barbeque? I spell it B-L-U-E R-I-B-B-O-N.
(5)
Luke B.
Oh my my! Blue Ribbon is tasty tasty tasty (that's right, 3 levels of tasty). Reasons why you NEED to go to Blue Ribbon NOW: - Chezee Mash, HOLY mashed potatoes! It isn't a standard menu item, but if it's available, don't think twice, order this. - Burnt Ends, SO SO tasty! Perfect smoke and saucy taste. This is a MUST for me. - Pulled Chicken, tender shredded chicken + a nice sweet sauce = YUM! - Pickles, I'm not one to normally eat from public (and open) containers, but their pickles are too damn good...and their FREE! - Pulled Chicken, wasn't anything amazing, but I think it just couldn't compete with the Ends and Chicken. Not it's fault. - Cole Slaw, nothing crazy, but still mmm mmm good. I will NEVER go to Redbones again! Blue Ribbon is my new BBQ love.
(5)
Branson L.
YES YES YES... Now that El Pelon has burnt down to ashes, this place has the best burrito in town... hrm... I know these bbq people know how to start fires.. hrmmmmm..... Anyway, Get a Burrito (burnt end) - or a pulled pork sandwich, or ribs.... choose your sides (beans and slaw) - Slather everything in Chipotle Mustard and hot sauce... then pig out like a freak. Great place, why not five stars then? I don't quite know... I'll get back to you on that.... pppps el pelon back up and runnin with the same great food... only problem its wayy out there for most peeps. when will they come in, expand, and take over the boston burrito market? probly never.
(4)
Julie R.
This was the best BBQ I've ever had around Boston! More like, probably from anywhere. Can you imagine how pleased I was that the portions were enormous too and I got to eat it again for dinner. Yummy in my tummy for sure! I had the N. Carolina pulled pork special with beans and coleslaw. The sandwich was on a big fluffy roll, loaded high with lots of chunky pork shreds. I was full from half. The amount of sauce on it was not over done so you can add your own to your liking. They had a good selection of self serve sweet-hot BBQ sauces. I. The baked beans even had a BBQ hint to them. I didn't think I would ever rave about coleslaw but this one tasted very home made. My boyfriend got the half rack ribs platter with creamed corn, grits, and cornbread. The ribs were huge. We easily had around 8 on the plate. They were fall off the bone juicy. You could taste the smoke. The ribs were cut individually already for you. I don't know what kind of BBQ preparation was going on back there but they were delicious. I loved the cream corn and cheddar grits too. I will be sure to get those next time. The cornbread was a huge moist chunk. With all this food we had we were stuffed, then the guy at the counter gave us a handy lid that slipped over the plate so we had an instant take out portion. On the side I got a big chocolate chunk cookie that was sweet satisfaction. Later that night I was lucky to not have to cook as planned. We had a little BBQ feast again. Lunch totaled $27 for 2 huge plates with drinks..which then amounted to an unexpected dinner. The only downside was there is not much seating besides 3 tables and a small bar area. Otherwise, this place is doing the BBQ right! Another blue ribbon to you!
(5)
Chris C.
Good BBQ for New England. Remember to phone in your order so you don't have to wait in line or wait for you food to be made. It can be a big time savings. I had the pulled pork with barbecued beans and the black eyed corn. The pulled port was good although not as flavorful as I was hoping for considering the reputation this place has. The beans were good and actually had a little hint of spiciness in them which I liked. The black eyed corn was average. The corn bread was decent. The portions and pricing were very good though. Its mainly a take out a joint although they did have some tables setup on the sidewalk out front.
(4)
Betts C.
I have to admit, I was shocked by just how good Blue Ribbon BBQ is. I've been a devoted Redbones girl, even though their ribs are sometimes not as great as others. It's been forgivable because of their spot-on beer list and fun atmosphere. However, my partner in crime and I are big fans of barbecue. When I was living in Kansas City and we were doing the long distance thing, I sometimes wondered if he didn't visit so often more for barbecue at Oklahoma Joe's & Arthur Bryant's more than for seeing me. So when a Living Social deal popped up for Blue Ribbon, we thought we'd give it a try. Considering it was about 8 PM on a Friday night, Blue Ribbon was very quiet. We pretty much had not wait in line, and though there aren't that many seats in the place itself, we had no trouble finding one. The food came out fast, and was spot-on delicious. I was super excited to try their KC-style burnt ends, and disappointed I was not. They were awesome. We also tried a half-rack of ribs, and their rub is better than that of Redbones. I can't speak for their consistency, but those ribs certainly rivaled the best of the Memphis style ribs we've had at Redbones. I sort of wish they had other varieties, just because these were so goods, and the burnt ends were so perfect. (Yes, I said perfect. I'm not sure how they'd stack up in comparison to Arthur Bryant's, but for burnt ends made in Massachusetts, they're pretty amazing.) However, what really and truly made my Blue Ribbon experience a winner (pun intended) were the sides. This has always been the downfall of Redbones for me, as their vegetables are pretty sad. We tried the black eyed corn, dirty rice, Texas kimchi, and cornbread, and I can say that they were all excellent. The Texas kimchi was spicy and a really brilliant addition to the menu. The black eyed corn, a mixture of corn and black eyed peas, was perfectly done and not bland. The dirty rice was a little less exciting, but still good. And the cornbread was delicious, coming in a large hunk that I admit I devoured in its entirety. Other points for Blue Ribbon- they allow you to take as much sauce as you like, and have a full array. Though they lack an alcohol license, they have lemonade and tea as fountain drinks, so one starts to almost feel Southern. And though it is a little out of the way, the Mass Ave location is easily accessible and the lack of busy-ness means there's no wait. The staff members with whom we interacted were super friendly, letting us take our time to figure out what to order and being very nice about everything. I felt no rush to finish quickly, which often happens in a restaurant of the counter-ordering style. Of course, the lack of beer list and margaritas are a negative. But one could easily take Blue Ribbon to go and make up for that at home. It's also not as perfectly located in Davis Square, but, again, it's not that far out. It's also fairly inexpensive (in part because of the no booze bit). The platters, which offer a full serving of meat, two sides, and cornbread, range from about $9-15, and are certainly more than enough food for one. Though I'm sure I won't give up on Redbones altogether, I might be a convert for Blue Ribbon, especially come summer when it's time for long rides down the Minutemen Bike Path. Nothing would be better towards the end of one of those than a big plate of burnt ends, black-eyed corn, and cornbread.
(4)
David R.
Excellent barbecue. They have a small dining room, which was pretty crowded when I went in on a Sunday night(three day weekend, Monday was a holiday), along with some outdoor seating. I had the pulled pork platter with collard greens, and baked beans. It came with cornbread. The pulled pork was tender, the beans were flavorful, and the collard greens were tasty(many times that that I've had collard greens at restaurants they've been bland;not so here). I was very surprised by how good their cornbread was. Three different flavors of sauce to choose from. I tried each of them and found the regular BBQ to be my favorite. Only downside is that it's(the sauce) a little watery. The portion was large; I was able to save some of the pulled pork for use in a tasty sandwich the next day. The service was quick and friendly, especially considering the place was so busy. I'm a new fan. I'll be back soon.
(4)
Bret C.
OFF THE HOOK! This place is as good as it gets around here for BBQ. It's easy, fast, affordable, and tastes great. No complaints whatsoever. This location is better than the Newton shop...Much more room to spread out and eat by the windows, etc. Also easier to park. I am definitely going to branch out and try the burnt ends and pulled chicken next time. It's just so hard to get away from the NC Pulled Pork - WOW! Can these guys please do another location in Boston?!
(5)
Ashley L.
THE best bbq in Beantown, hands down.
(5)
Samantha H.
I've been here a few times and the first time was great and then it slowly went down hill. I always lean toward the pull pork sandwich with many different sides. Tasteless, had lots of chunks of fat and plain gross. I have definitely experienced better (redbones, american bbq). Only reason for the 2 stars is because I liked their cornbread and their pickles. That's about it. Don't think I will be going back. Sorry.
(2)
Jen S.
I do love this place... the north carolina pulled pork, with tons of extra nc vinegar. yum! Trick is, I hate baked beans and cole slaw. Fortunately, they let you replace both with your choice of sides. Now, aren't they just darlin'? Key lime pie -- not to be missed! Beef brisket -- orgasmic! Mashed potatoes -- yum! Mac n cheese -- more, please! And you can make your own half-n-half (tea & lemonade). Sahweet!!!
(4)
Kimble M.
As a Texan, I feel obligated to withhold the fifth star, but for Boston, this is about as good as it gets. They make a solid brisket, nicely spicy sausage, and some decent other barbecued animals, serving it all up with some excellent sauce choices and damn delicious sides. While their sandwiches are served with baked beans and cole slaw, both o.k., some of their other sides are truly southern divine. If you happen to make it in on a day they've got cheese grits, order the full pint, or maybe the quart, and take some home with you. Seating is limited in either location, but they do a great job catering on short notice and cheaply. We ended up giving them a final number for 70 people at noon on Texas Independence Day last march, which they delivered promptly at 7PM despite the copious quantities of snow. At $12 per person with way too much food for the group to eat, it's definitely worth it.
(4)
David A.
Some small places are starting to pop up, but for a long time in metro boston the only real BBQ debate was between Red Bones and this place. Personally, I think both are very good and neither clearly superior to the other. I'm in Winchester though so BR is slightly closer than RB in Davis and I've consequently had more experience with it. We have some friends that we usually will order a feed back (for 4) anytime they come over. The feedback for 4 runs about $60.00 but is really enough food for 6 moderate eaters. We always have plenty of left overs. This is a good thing. The variety is great. yOu can sample a good deal of what's on BR's regular menu. THe ribs are saucy and good. Pulled pork is solid. The sides are typical BBQ (beans, cole slaw, etc.) and all well done. There's a jerk option also and while I've had better jerk at specifically jamaican places, the stuff here's not bad. There are several house sauces that range in flavor in terms of sweetness mainly. There's one atypical sauce that's a mid orange color, not too thick, that I find has a robust flavor and goes well w/ the pulled pork. I've never eaten in store, but there is out door seating in the spring/summer and a few diner style stools that line the window. The inside space is small however and probably not practical for any large party doing anything morethan grabbing a quick bite. We've always called inour order so i don't really know what wait times are like. There's a reason why this place is bascially a local institution: compentently done BBQ meat (I mean, hey, what can you expect this far from the south?), good portions and easy service. If you live in any town that abuts Arlington and haven't been to BR, you're doing something wrong.
(4)
Jeff D.
It's not as good at the barbecue you're going to get down South, but it's by far the best you're going to find in Boston. I find myself drawn to the sandwich list these days. I just had a greek lamb rollup with lettuce, cucumber, greek dressing, lamb and feta cheese. It was delicious and the flavors mixed perfectly. I also loved the baked beans and the ham and cheese grits were rich and salty. I've tried just about everything on the menu over the years and never come away disappointed.
(5)
Emily G.
Oh LORDY LORD! I agree with Luke B. - much MUCH better than Redbones. Can't go wrong at this place if you are really craving for a good, savory, teast-bud jumping, If they have Cheesy Mash, get it. Pronto. Now. I mean, now. Do I need to go into further explanation? Second - save room for dessert if you can. The pies looked SO good. And you know a BBQ does make a FIIINNNNEEEEE Pecan Pie! Pies, Pies, Pies! Yum, Yum, Yum! Third, if you have an iPhone, download the Blue Ribbon BBQ app and order it from the plam of your hand. I mean, what is more convenient than that?!
(5)
Anna S.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday night - very good. Tasted some of the pulled chicken and brisket, both of which were very good, and the mashed potatoes, which were awesome. Also had the coleslaw, which was divine, and I looooooove coleslaw. I was less impressed by the cornbread, baked beans, and collard greens. The sauces, however, were excellent, and very authentic.
(4)
Jocelyn G.
While getting lost trying to find the Regent Theater, I pointed this out to my boyfriend. 3 hours later when the concert ended, he declared that he had been thinking about BBQ since we past the Blue Ribbon and wanted to go there for a late (8:30) dinner. We lucked out by getting not only a parking space outside, but also one of the little tables.I would strongly suggest getting take out as there are very few places to sit inside and it can get quite crowded. The staff was mostly quiet, but friendly...one told me that I was not allowed to dance to Stevie Ray Vaughn, especially with cups in my hands, and the wait was fairly short. My platter was large and steamy hot, but the green beans seemed like they had been cooked a long time ago. The corn bread was mostly good, but dry in many places. Other than that, it was a satisfying meal that was only marred by a group standing over us like vultures waiting to attack the moment we stood up.
(4)
Nick M.
The best thing I can say about Blue Ribbon is that the North Carolina pulled pork is the best pulled pork I've had since I left North Carolina. It's as good as anything I had down there. My group of friends has had middling luck with the brisket -- sometimes it's excellent, sometimes it's barely okay -- but I've never had bad brisket there. Aside from the brisket and the pulled pork, I've also had excellent luck with the burnt ends, which have been tender and tasty. The sides are what they are -- some are unexciting (corn bread), some are just fine (mashed potatoes), and most of the rest are soaked in butter (collard greens, I'm looking at you). That said, sometimes you'll find a treat in the daily specials (jalapeño carrots, chickpea salad). I don't know that I'd recommend eating at the Blue Ribbon -- there's not much space to sit down and unlikely to be enough for more than two people to eat as a group comfortably -- but you can't do better for barbecue take-out in metro Boston.
(5)
Chuck K.
I'm not going to get into a jag about "real" BBQ because I'd be here all afternoon. This is just a mini-primer for how to order at Blue Ribbon. I had the "Texas Brisket" and it was a gray, flavorless, dry monstrosity. By contrast, I've had good luck with the "burnt ends" and pulled pork. The side orders are uniformly "meh." This has been a public service announcement.
(3)
Michael C.
Blue Ribbon is as good as it gets for BBQ in Boston. I have been going here for years and am never dissapointed. Some of their highlighs are their moist and crunchy corn bread, the Burnt Ends sandwhich is out of this world, top that off with some of their legendary baked beans and garlic mashed potatoes with gravy and you have yourself a great meal!
(5)
Katie G.
Deeeeeeeeeelicious! As a southern girl, I love me some real BBQ food. For lunch I had the pulled pork sandwich with beans and coleslaw. Big ass portions for a reasonable price. I'll definitely be coming back (but taking the food to go and then sitting in my car to stuff my face in private).
(4)
Tepring P.
How can this place only have seating for 10-15 people when it is soooo good? I like sticky, finger-lickin' savory/spicy/sweet BBQ and this is what I get here. The 3 meat option platter is enough for 3 people! Well ok, maybe only two b/c I always come hungry. Portions are big and food is flavorful. You can grab extra sauce from their big pump your own jars on your way out too. I am not so sure I like their sides (especially not the cornbread which is always dry - I know there are different types - northern v. southern). How about a corn on the cob (at least seasonally)? Maybe the sides are just not as good as compared to the MEAT....mmmm...... Oh and dessert, can't forget 1/3 of the meal's points...A-mazing cherry cobbler. If they have it, get it.
(4)
jake l.
Had a trio meal last night. Not so great and this place is OVERRATED. The brisket was not butterknife tender. The pulled pork, well.. tasted like any other pulled pork just had to douse with vinegar and sauce. The ribs were good(fall off the bone) although, they only give 2 ribs per order? what the hell? The sides were generic tasting the mashed potatoes were uninspired, the coleslaw wasn't tangy enough, but the cornbread was soft and moist. Blue Ribbon is officially the most overrated bbq spot in the Boston area. Word of advice from my visits of bbq joints.. when you read the reviews from yelpers who claim they are from the south and grew up there eating bbq. LISTEN TO THEM because they are right most of the time regarding my past few visits of bbq joints.
(2)
Traveling B.
This review is for the catering, I will be back to try the actual food later. The Bossy Boss decides to treat us commonfolk to lunch. Redbones comes up as it always does, and I commented that maybe we should do something else. It's not that I have a distaste for Redbones, I love their bar, and the St. Louis Ribs are good, but everything else is pretty much lacking for me. So, after much deliberation we all decide on Blue Ribbon. I knew I was taking a chance here, yes I might be a fatty but my suggesting powers were to be seriously tested by choosing this over the typically famous redbones. So, food gets here, Mac N'cheese, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, beans and cornbread. With a little iced tea and lemonade, add all of the fixings and wow, we ordered the 10 person size but we could have easily fed 15. And the ribs were succulent, the conrbread was moist and tasted much better than their competitions. It's the first time I've been in Boston where I thought the beans were worth a damn, though nowhere near as good from home, and the pulled pork had me going for seconds. But, oh my and butty oh but but but, the chicken was incredible. At first glance it looked as if it was going to be somewhat greasy and chocked full of oil. And that's the furthest from the truth, it was easy to hold and the meat came right off the bone, right into my mouth. Moist, tender, evenly full of flavor so that every bite had just the right amount of spices. Man, the chicken was good, that's all I'm saying. So yeah, the office has found a new place to get BBQ from, and I personally have found a new place to drool over everytime I pass the one in Arlington. Good on ye Blue Ribbon BBQ!!!!
(5)
Jeff M.
Quickest, cheapest, best bbq in the area. Meat stands on its own. I only use a little bit of the NC vinegar to highlight the meat. The meat is delicious but I love the sides you get to choose from.
(4)
Dan S.
Hey, this place is all right! I wish I could give this 3.7 stars. They don't deserve a 3 (I enjoyed my meal immensely), but a few things needed to be fixed. The ribs are really good. They "fall off the bone", as they should; the dry rub gives them a firm outer texture and a melty inside, definitely the highlight of my meal. The corn bread is nice, not too sweet but not too un-sweet either, a very balanced corn bread to compliment the rest of the food. Collard greens were definitely blaaand, and the sweet potatoes, while good, were somehow off a bit, a little too odd for my tastes. I think there was some orange juice or grapefruit juice in them, or something. Solid selection of passable sauces. As usual in the northeast, the sauces weren't anything to write home about. After sampling most of them, I opted for the generic "sweet" BBQ sauce to add lightly to the ribs. The "hot" BBQ sauce was pretty dismal and I'd recommend avoiding that. Friend had the burnt ends, which were top notch. Another had slaw (went unfinished) and mashed potatoes (over-buttery). The theme I noticed was that the meat was great, and the sides were mediocre. It was pretty busy inside while we were there (dinner time on a Thursday night). There was a bit of a wait to order, perhaps about five or ten minutes. We managed to snag an indoors table but it was just lucky timing. Because it's late summer and still nice out, the outdoor seating was in full swing but I can imagine that as soon as it becomes fall you won't be able to sit down here. As it was, it was pretty chaotic inside, not a very comfortable place to have a meal. Now, they serve your meal in a badass disposable styrofoam tray. Stuff like this drives me crazy - it's wasteful and you have no recourse. I realize it saves some hassle with cleanup, but a couple paper plates and a wipeable tray would perform just as well.
(4)
Matthew A.
I finally got to try Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! I stopped in here for lunch after a business appointment. I got the pulled pork sandwich which came with beans and slaw. I also order 2 ribs to taste as I heard the ribs are out of this would. The ribs were nice and meaty and just the right amt of smoke. I tryed a variety of BBQ sauces and vinagers available on the counter (I loved the SC Vinager on the slaw). Would def come back here for takout for dinner.
(5)
Apolinaras S.
It is official, I have an addiction to Blue Ribbon BBQ! I have lost count how many times I have been there, how much money I have spent, and how many people I have brought with me. I love the food, I love how generous portions are (always end up taking half the platter home), service. And unlike Red Bones in Somerville, which is a block away from me, they are not stingy with sauces. I will continue looking for excuses to drive to Blue Ribbon!
(5)
Jon P.
Best pulled pork I've had. Great sides, great value and my new go to BBQ spot. Never thought I'd replace redbones...
(5)
Jim O.
Our new granddaughter lives up the hill behind BRB, and I delighted to have this extra reason to get lunch there (visiting her) aside from the terrific food. I love the pork, the brisket, the mashed potatoes, the rice and beans, the cole slaw. I love the portions (huge), I love the very reasonable prices. I've not tried the deserts, and I didn't care for the pulled chicken, but I think BRB is the real deal.
(4)
Mary B.
Yes, finally, I found decent barbeque in the Boston area. I love all of their sauce selections and how they are readily available at the front counter so you can try something new - my favorite is the gold. The menu runs the whole gamut of barbeque, though I always go for the pulled chicken. The key for me here is that they have a ton of sides to you get to choose to complement your meal - the only thing that is holding me back from 5 stars is that I get my heart set on a certain side only to be told they're out. But, there are plenty of other options and I have never had a bad meal there. I definitely prefer their barbeque to Redbones, which has made me sick before. It's a no nonsense type of place. There isn't a lot of seating so I tend to go outside of normal lunch/dinner hours and I see a lot of people doing take-out, which is the best bet.
(4)
Jack M.
I've never actually been here, but I've had their food. Lots of it. I used to date a chick whose dad would go here a lot. Sometimes he'd bring me home some dinner. He was nice. Too bad his daughter was a giant pain in the brisket.... I have had a number of dishes and meals from this place. What stands out the most is their pulled pork sandwich. Pretty darn good. Oh - a huge plus is their pickles. Every meal came with a little container of some homemade pickle slices. I'm tellin ya- they were excellent! We used to fight over them. We used to fight a lot, actually... I'm deducting a star cause once I got a bbq chicken sandwich and as I bit down there was a huge BONE in there. GOD I HATE THAT. But overall, people rave about this place. It won't disappoint. Probably....
(3)
Ben H.
To be fair, I've had worse. It would take a monumental effort to be worse than that little place in Davis Sq. that people flock to. But, Blue Ribbon turns in a Blue Ribbon effort at being the worst BBQ in Boston. I firmly believe that sometimes places have an off day. BBQ is particularly hard to do well, and something small like a thermometer not reading properly can ruin a whole batch. So, just like that place in Davs, I've tried Blue Rubbon five times. In part it was to be as fair as possible, and in part it was in utter disbelief that anyone could make BBQ so poorly. Alas, after five attempts, I reach the same conclusion. I've had far better pulled pork from a prepackaged plastic tub in the local grocery store, better beans from a can, better cornbread from a bag, and a more southern atmosphere in Boston Common. Bill Miller's BBQ (the Taco Bell of BBQ and easily the worst BBQ in Texas) makes Blue Ribbon taste like skunky Miller High Life. Honestly, I don't even know why I keep looking for BBQ in Boston. I wouldn't expect to get decent clam chowder or lobster rolls in Texas; there's no reason to expect decent BBQ in Boston.
(1)
Cee C.
I am such a huge fan of this place. We come here almost twice a month. You can bring your own beers and the outdoor seating is abundant
(3)
Anne M.
I dont want to brag, but Im pretty much THE connoisseur of BBQ, and this place is my favorite place for pulled pork in Boston. The location is small, but its great in the summer when they have outside seating. The burnt ends are fantastic as well if you are not int he mood for pork. Oh, and I cant forget the pecan pie, delicious!
(5)
Tom K.
When I die, I hope my last meal is at Blue Ribbon so I can taste their BBQ for all eternity. Is it the rub? Is it the smoke? Is it the BBQ sauces? Is it the quality of the meats? Maybe it's the great selection of piping hot and tasty side dishes? Or is it the congo bar/dove bar or pecan pie for dessert. How can everything on the menu board be some damn good? When friends from out of town come to visit, we take them here. First question on their return visit? "Are we going to The Blue Ribbon?" My family has been eating here for 12 years now, 6 - 8 times each year. We've had pretty much everything on the board. Never had a bad meal. Burnt ends, sausage, pulled pork, ribs, jerked chicken, always hot, fresh generous portions and good. Sides? My favorites are the collard greens and cole slaw. Hot and tasty always and the cole slaw is not too watery, not too dry, just right. Desserts, I'd walk 5 miles for thier congo bar, my wife loves the Dove bar, I'm just not big on coconut. There are two negatives and neither of them have anything to do with the food. 1. Parking can be challenging to find on Mass Ave in Arlington. 2. Seating is just a few bar stools looking out the front windows, although they have a few table outside for the summer. We always eat there as I want to eat while everything is hot. If you like BBQ, this is the best of metro west. It's also one of the best places in the country for my money. I've travelled a lot and I can't honestly say I've had better BBQ anywhere and that includes a lot of places in Texas and North Carolina.
(5)
Flora B.
I had burnt ends, collard greens and baked beans. One star off because I wasn't so impressed by the cornbread (a little dry? needed something...) and THEY HAD RUN OUT OF MASHED POTATOES. :( However, this place is top notch and I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Carl H.
Burnt ends, ribs, brisket for dinner after a long day perfect.... Never had a bad meal here, great comfort food. Quick service awesome quality. If you are a BBQ guy or girl blue ribbon is a must!
(4)
Sanel S.
I liked this place a lot, the sandwich was great and sides were good too. It's not the most spectacular food I had ever eaten but I would say pulled pork was outstanding. I haven't had pulled pork in years so I don't have a good reference point but it didn't strike me as particularly high-grade food. Although the food is great the environment is cramped and it felt more like a place to be fed rather than a nice sit-down place. My only other complaint about this place is that they serve way too much food than is necessary for a human being to eat.
(4)
Jules M.
What else can I add about this restaurant? I love this place. This is the best bbq around. I've had bbq in the South and this ranks right up there. It doesn't matter if I get their pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs its all so good. Love the mashed potatoes and gravy. Even their pickles are good (they would be even better if they were deep fried.) I don't really do the feedbag specials. I feel you can do better by picking and choosing your own combo's. When I worked in Burlington I made my way here at least every 2 weeks. This place kicks ass! The one in West Newton is awesome too!
(5)
Hiep V.
Blue Ribbon fell a little short of my expectations, seeing as I've been trying to go to this place for a while.To get the most options out of my dinner, I went with the Trio combination, with choices of brisket, pork ribs, and burnt ends. The ribs were so juicy and literally fell off the bone, just the way I like them. The brisket was good, but not as tender compared to Redbones. I've heard a lot of things about burnt ends and had been dying to try them out; unfortunately, the ones at Blue Ribbon didn't live up to my expectations as all it was, was mushy meat (kind of like pulled pork). My sides of collard greens and cole slaw went well along with my meal. Seating is quite tight as there were only 3 tables with available seating for 4 each, and a bar counter to eat. The major downside for me was that they don't serve alcohol. When it comes to bbq, nothing's better than washing it all down with nice cold brewski. Unfortunately, Blue Ribbon's shortcomings, will have me choosing to go to one of the other bbq establishments in the area.
(3)
Rebecca K.
I guess, in the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I've never actually been to the restaurant. Don't even know where it is. But I've had take out from here on multiple occasions and it's soooooooo good. The pulled pork is really top rate. There's always a very healthy selection of sauces with which to top your BBQ. Then there's the baked bean goodness. Yum! Coming from the midwest, I do have an affinity for good BBQ and this place definitely satisfies the craving. Maybe one day, I'll actually make it to the restaurant, but, until then, I'm fine if my profs keep ordering it.
(4)
C D.
Went back and tried their mashed potatoes and special of the day which was stewed okra. I must have just hit it on an off day the first time I went because these two were out of this world! And I tried the pulled pork sandwich which was better than any other place I've tried in Boston.
(5)
Lauren L.
I might give Blue Ribbon 5 stars if we hadn't started off on the wrong foot. Allow me to explain... I ordered a catering package ("THE Sandwich Deal" if you must know) for lunch for my office of about 30 people 2 days in advance. WELL, my friend, our delivery time came and went with no delicious BBQ in sight. I gave them a call figuring they were just running a little late and that it was NBD. FALSE. Turns out the woman who took my order completely forgot to process it. Sucks. So that really put a damper on things. HOWEVER, the woman was super apologetic and felt really bad and totally admitted that it was her fault. So at another date and time of my choosing Blue Ribbon delivered my order FREE OF CHARGE and it was the ballzzz. I highly recommend the burnt ends, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. The baked beans are also totally awesome as are the mashed potatoes and corn bread. You can eat the meat plain or make a diesel sandwich with the rolls they provide. Whatever you want - follow your heart. Now there are some pretty picky folks in my office who love to complain but I didn't hear a peep out of them. Everyone loved it and was in a food coma for most of the afternoon. AND we had a crap-ton of leftovers, which, I'm sure I don't have to tell you, was kickass. I feel pretty confident that this little mishap was a fluke. They're human. We all make mistakes. Whatevs. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)
Eva F.
Oh, Boston, why must you be so bland? No matter what the cuisine, restaurants around here err on the side of caution when it comes to spices and seasonings. Blue Ribbon is no exception. That's why it irritates me when people call this "Southern food." Any Southern food I've had was a lot more flavorful than this! Down in Louisiana, I fell in love with Slap Ya Mama seasonings... no mama-slappin' going on around here! So it's bland. And soggy. It's a good portion size for the money, but I haven't yet been particularly inclined to finish what I've ordered. I keep giving them chances since they're in a convenient spot and everyone does rave about them so, but I think I'm going to have to agree with the others who called it overrated.
(3)
Linda J.
WOW what can i say that hasn't already been said. We hired this place to do our company BBQ and they did a wonderful job. Not only were they extremely pleasant but the food was incredible. Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends to BBQ Ribs and the OMG Red Bliss Potato salad was incredible! Thank you Blue Ribbon
(5)
V L.
Fast, Tasty and not too expensive. I love their specials. I usually get the pulled pork or burnt ends. Not a fan of the chicken but that's just me. Tasty pies and soups too. Cornbread is great!
(5)
Aaron P.
Funny story: When Blue Ribbon first opened I lived in an apartment across the street from it. I was a vegetarian at the time and I'm from Texas. So I SUFFERED HORRIBLY at the wonderful smell that wafted out of this joint and into my apartment on warm summer days. It was torture. Fast forward five years and I moved away but have decided to eat meat again. So one of the very first places I visit is Blue Ribbon, with memories of that aroma never leaving my mind. I can eat it. Finally! Talk about a disappointment. All the food (entree, sides and bread) on the plate was practically watered down and splashed together in a soup-like substance. The meat on my sandwich was way too tender and the sauces were pure vinegar. Maybe this poses as BBQ in some poduck place in South Carolina (where I hear vinegar is king), but in Texas you'd be run out of town serving this junk.
(2)
Luca R.
Best BBQ in Boston, hands down and the prices are great. Red Bones isn't even in the same league. These guys know their BBQ...makes me feel like I'm back in KY. Thank you Blue Ribbon, you guys are awesome! :)
(5)
Jennifer A.
I have had BBQ in other parts of the country, but I always find myself saying "this isn't as good as Blue Ribbon." They always have good specials, but I would mainly stick with the menu items. If the place is busy, sometimes the quality of the specials isn't fantastic or they run out, but some of the specials are sublime! The catfish sandwich is a fave, as is the pork loin with lemon garlic mayo. For old standbys, the pulled pork is one of the best! Their ribs are big and tasty and sometimes they even serve big beef ribs that are mouth watering! It is both a blessing and a curse (to my waistline) that I live across from this place. Cheap, fast, and delish!
(4)
Sushiman S.
Had to work Saturday, so since I was nearby and it seemed like the right thing to do, Blue Ribbon came to mind... This little Storefront on Mass. Ave. in Arlington, has the just the right ambiance for take out BBQ... Simple..... a couple places to sit and watch the traffic go by, outside tables for the adventurous always worry that a stray dog will fight me for my ribs)... Anyway, the service was quick, the food as always top notch...This is not a "red bones", but then it is not trying to be. I had a rib sandwich to go and took a rack of ribs home for dinner and sharing.... The rib sandwich was good, the ribs were meaty and and with the sides of cheesy mashed, and green beans (pleasantly overdone and mushy, just like mom made), and the never ending pickles and sauce... wonderbar!!!!! Must confess that I was still hungry so I ate a rib in the car on the way home, (sans sauce), but I still have to figure out how to get the grease off the steering wheel! (any suggestions????) Blue Ribbon gets a Blue Ribbon in my book!
(5)
Lee M.
I was debating between three and four stars for Blue Ribbon BBQ, but the 3 stars says "A-OK" and 4 stars days "Yay!" so I think 3 is more accurate (edit: I changed it to 4 after some consideration). I had the North Carolina pulled pork barbecue platter, cole slaw, green beans, cornbread, and sweet tea. And this was at the Arlington location. The cole slaw was mediocre at best. It was actually downright bad, but I don't really like to be mean. The green beans were pretty good, but they were spiced weirdly - they were actually spicy, which was just odd. The cornbread was good, nothing special, but good. The sweet tea could have been just a little bit more sweet (just a little), but that may be a compromise for their typical customers (northerners). Now, the barbecue. It's an eastern NC style. It's pulled pork from the whole pig, not just the shoulder, and it has a vinegar sauce instead of ketchup, but it's not really saucy. They put some (real) sauce on top when they served it, which I wish they had left off, or better yet put on the side (if I go again, I'll probably ask them to do that). The meat itself was pretty good. It was well spiced. I would have preferred a little leaner selection, but there's nothing wrong with what they served. Conclusion: Good barbecue, mediocre sides, good tea. I was disappointed that they didn't have banana pudding. That would have gotten them a fourth star (edit: except I went back and gave them 4 stars...but they should still have banana pudding)..
(4)
Adam P.
I'm rather a big fan of Blue Ribbon BBQ. Their take-out service is rather efficient, and they have some of the tastiest pulled meat and BBQ chicken I've ever eaten. I'm not the biggest fan of their green beans, but I do enjoy their baked beans and collard greens. It's a bit pricey for the plate meal, but it does include a lot of food.
(4)
Laura H.
Absolutely delicious. Their Sweet BBQ sauce is perfect for me- my boyfriend prefers the spicy sauce. They always have fantastic specials- everything from chicken salad, to burnt ends, to classic pulled pork. Be prepared to wait in line- but damn, so so worth it.
(5)
Ariel Z.
Wow...definitely exceeded my expectations and they were really high after reading the Yelp reviews. The burnt ends were the right tenderness. The baked beans were unexpectedly tangy and have a lot of molasses, very yummy. The potato salad was also spot on. Not a fan of the cole slaw, which could use a bit more flavor. The cornbread is just ok, but it comes with each order anyway. The wide assortment of sauces here are what makes this experience even more delicious. You can choose from two different types of hot sauces, two BBQ sauces (one sweet, one spicy), spicy Habanero vinegar, gold sauce, and a Chipotle-based sauce. Their sliced pickles were also a nice touch. Right when you walk in, you can smell the smokiness of the oven they cook all the meat in. Because of that, everything including the cornbread is somewhat smoky. Even without the Groupon, you could easily feed 2 for less than $20. This place also gets very crowded on the weekends, and be prepared to take the food elsewhere since there is practically no seating.
(4)
deborah c.
I lived around the corner from Redbones back in the 80's when they were really at their peak so I am kind of particular about Rib joints. Now I live near Blue Ribbon and after 12 or so visits, mostly just out of convenience, I can honestly say the only thing I am happy with there is the Carolina sauce. I will not repeat rib complaints others have stated, except to add that if you order takeout, they are good for tucking a couple of ancient, dried up ribs under fresh ones to complete your order. F-ed up guys!! Shitty restaurant cutting corner technique that makes me say BOO !! Who is making those collards? You're going to kill somebody with all that grease.
(2)
John L.
I still remember the first time I had Blue Ribbon brisket years back...it was an almost religious experience of flavor and texture that was out of this world. Fast forward to today, and I can't recommend a BBQ place that feels comfortable serving dried and/or old BBQ. We ordered brisket and ribs which were both dry and hard. The 2 stars are for the pulled pork, quality sides, and pickles which were good. We would love for it to be better since we live right around the corner!
(2)
Tony J.
Not bad, but not great either. When we went, the beef prices were all increased due to a shortage of beef. Didn't matter, the ambiance is very interesting and has a nice retro feel. The sauces are what makes this place go. Try the vinegar based sauce if you like acid in your food.
(4)
Stella D.
I was so excited to try Blue Ribbon this week, since I've heard a lot of good reviews. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. Normally, I wouldn't write a review if just one item was disappointing, but it was basically the entire meal. This is the run down. Ribs -- Tough and tasteless. Really, they were so tough, I couldn't get the meat off with a fork, knife, or my teeth. Burnt Ends -- Kind of like pulled beef, and doused in sauce. Not horrible, but not special. Cornbread -- Dry, tasteless. Mac-n-cheese -- Dry, a high pasta to cheese ratio. Not creamy, not cheesy, served kind of lukewarm. Very little flavor. Baked beans -- On the sweet side. Collard greens -- They were okay, standard, nothing special, but not bad. Cole slaw -- Also okay, mayo variety, but at least had some flavor. I hope this was a one-off, but I won't be back to try again.
(1)
Andrea B.
I just consumed about five billion calories in delicious, delicious BBQ. Why? Gotta make up for all the years of walking by this place without trying it. Not okay, not okay, not okay!! But now I'm so full that I may not be able to move from this spot on the couch until sometime next week. Portion sizes are very generous, but that still didn't stop my friend and I from ordering a decent variety of things to try. The menu is pretty long, and full of excellent options. We got the Texas Beef Brisket, the Creamy Chipotle Ranch Chicken Sliders (one of today's specials), and the North Carolina Pulled Pork, all of which were phenomenal, and so flavorful that we didn't need to touch any of the BBQ sauces or hot sauces that Blue Ribbon has to offer. Each of the above came with two sides, so I think you can imagine the food comas that we fell into after eating our way through everything. Of those sides, my favorites were the mashed potatoes (buttery and very filling) and the potato salad (can't have enough potatoes, seriously). And I also really loved the corn bread that came with the pulled pork and brisket platters. It was dense and moist, not dry and crumbly like most corn bread usually is. Even after all that, you better believe we saved room for dessert! We got slices of the key lime and pecan pies, both of which were freshly baked, and the perfect ending to a very rich and wonderful meal. Whether you're in the mood to dine in or take out (I recommend the latter, so you can take a nap immediately after eating, which you WILL want to do), service is friendly and fast. You can call in your order ahead of time, order online, or walk right in and place your order at the counter. Either way, wait time is minimal, and you'll have BBQ goodness all up in your face in a very short time indeed. I highly recommend liking their Facebook page, because they post new specials for this Arlington location, as well as for their West Newton location and their food truck. And by "new specials," I don't mean one item per day. I mean a whole bunch of scrumptious new things to try, each one sounding better than the last. So, it may have taken me a long time (read: three years) to get around to trying Blue Ribbon BBQ. But now that I finally got over there, I have a feeling that I am going to become quite the frequent customer!
(4)
Kevin Y.
Portions are good size. I love the beef brisket. I love most of the sides (can't love everything). I hear debates going back and forth between redbones and blue ribbon and w hich is better. Both have their pros and cons, but I prefer Blue Ribbon for lunch most of the time.
(5)
Local E.
Inconsistent ribs, good pulled meats, mostly good sides. After 30+ visits, I realized finishing my plate feels like a chore instead of a joy to be savored. Ribs: usually tough, boiled-tasting, wooden, chewy Pulled pork, pulled chicken: tasty, moist, winners Special sandwiches: usually worth a try Sauces: love 'em Rice and beans: coin toss; often has hard bits in them Random special sides: good Vastly prefer ribs, sausage, & vinegar sauce at Redbones.
(3)
Robert L.
Went here for lunch using a $15 groupon. Ordered the beef brisket sandwich, beans, collard greens, and a drink. Transaction was smooth, they looked up my groupon for me because it was not on my phone. Only reason for the average rating is because of the key lime pie - DO NOT get this. Tastes nothing like key lime. Note to chef: walk across the street to stop and shop, buy some Nellies key lime juice, make the key lime pie recipe printed on the bottle, serve that instead.
(3)
Mike L.
The Good: Burnt ends are super delicious, juicy, and fatty. Ribs are closer to Memphis style ribs than Kansas and fall of the bone real easy. It's worth coming here just for these. There's no where in the area that does these things better than Blue Ribbon. The Bad: Jerk chicken. On the dry side with a lot less taste than I hoped for. Not terrible though. The Ugly: Dirty rice, rice and beans and cole slaw were pretty tasteless and disappointing. Dirty rice is supposed to be cooked with "small pieces of chicken liver or giblets, green bell pepper, celery, onion and spices cayenne and black pepper"..and it seemed to be missing nearly all of that. Shame. Also, the cornbread is nearly bone dry. Regardless of poorly done sides, Blue Ribbon does what it sets out to do excellently.
(4)
Lisa W.
Wow.. I just realized that I never reviewed blue ribbon!! And I used to live around the corner from it. Seriously, we could see and more importantly, SMELL blue ribbon from our deck. A blessing and a curse, I tell you. I have to admit that having tried both places multiple times, I favor Blue Ribbon way over that other BBQ place in *ahem* Somerville. I like the quick take out option (there isn't a lot of seating inside), it's easy to get to and there's lots of street parking (just circle around the block on Highland Ave.), and I just like the food better. Pulled pork with some spicy bbq sauce.. rib sandwich... brisket... mmmmmm... meaattt... oh wait where am I? Yelp. Right. Anyway, the sandwich platters are the best value.. you get a good amount of meat, two sides, and a corn bread for under $10. Don't forget to fill a little plastic container with pickles!
(5)
Erik H.
Great BBQ spot. Has the right decor, menu, sauces and the food is great! Loved the outdoor seating in the summer. Greata place to wheel and deal meals with friends. Plenty of free street parking too.
(5)
Artie A.
I need to understand why my order put in at 3:15pm was not ready at the requested time of 6:15. This was a large order ($200) and I had to wait 20 minutes past the requested time for it to be prepared. I got there early and paid for the order. But apparently it was put at the end of the line, at that time, and the requested time was ignored. Perhaps you are telling me that I should go elsewhere. The food was excellent but the service needs some management.
(3)
Marcy Z.
A great surprise here in Arlington, MA. Tender juicy pulled pork with spicy sauces and a great smoky flavor. Very good selection of sides, red beans were really tasty. Good sized portions for your money, two meals with drinks for $25. We will be back.
(5)
Janet K.
Hands down the best BBQ in Boston! We got the Texas Sliced Beef Brisket ($14.49) and it was out of this world! It was our first time here today and the server was super friendly (even gave us a sampler - I'm getting the Kansas City Burnt Ends next time...). My husband really liked the cornbread and the sides were great overall. Highly recommended!
(5)
Sung L.
I and my family love this place. We come here whenever we cannot decide what to eat. Pulled pork and beef brisket are awesome. We also like cole slaw and other sides. Above all, taste of their food is consistently good which I really like. I highly recommend this place for BBQ at least around Boston area.
(5)
Phil B.
The two stars aren't for the restaurant on the whole, but for what I consider to be a unpleasant trend at Blue Ribbon. They're now putting hot pepper in almost everything. Their weekly Sunday cheese grits special almost never contained serious heat in the past, now they add jalapeno or other hot peppers almost every week. Mind you, they're not offering a milder version and giving people a choice, it's heat or nothing. The jerk chicken spicing seemingly has more heat in the mix than it used to. But the real head-scratcher here is that they now add habenero pepper into the macaroni salad. Macaroni salad is meant to be a cool and refreshing counterbalance to hot and spicy foods, much as Indian restaurants offer raita or blue cheese is served with Buffalo wings. What's more, they don't always label or name menu items to give customers a heads-up that a dish is hot. They could easily call their macaroni salad special "Habanero Macaroni Salad." Also, it might make sense to put little red stick-on ribbons on their menu boards next to any item with jalapeno, habanero, hot cherry peppers, etc. so people who like that sort of thing can gravitate towards it and people who don't care for it can order something else. The addition of "stealth heat" in menu items is a shoddy practice; let people know what's hot and what's not, and make their choices according to their own tastes.
(2)
Kevin T.
You won't find better smoked food anywhere in or around Boston. These folks put love and smoke into their dishes. A must have BBQ meal.
(5)
Nora M.
Love this place! Went again last night and had the chicken burrito. It was huge, hot and delicious. The line moves fast, the staff is great, the tables turn over quickly, and the customers are all happy and laid back. It's good barbecue for this northerner!
(5)
Peter E.
Craving BBQ and just did takeout. Sorely disappointed. Meat lacked any kind of bbq flavor and I found myself loading my own bbq sauce (some Stubbs). The entire reason you do bbq is for the flavors and sauces with the meat. I seriously think they forgot to load any sauce whatsoever on my order. Needless to say, not likely to ever go back when there is Red Bones in Somerville, which is always good.
(2)
Mark R.
Consistently great!!! Be coming here for 4 years. Memphis ribs are the best! Vegetarian burrito, burnt ends mashed potatoes are all good. Makes my family forget about chipotle. Who needs them when you have blue ribbon.
(5)
Christine J.
3.5 to 4 stars. Good BBQ. Not amazing but good enough. nothing fancy. Will come once in a blue moon.
(4)
Ashley P.
I know this place is an institution, but I just don't think the food is that amazing. Its a good spot and the prices are very reasonable, but I guess I just didn't fall in love. I have an issue with food that sits in bins with it's own juices before it is served and most of the meat here is served that way. Once again, maybe that is part of the charm, but I couldn't get down with this Southern kitchen.
(2)
Yvonne V.
We ordered take-out, there isn't a lot of seating. I had the beef brisket with mashed and collard greens. It was delicious. My husband had the burnt ends which I also thought was good, just not as tender as the brisket. The cornbread was good too. The potions were huge, enough for two meals.
(4)
S B.
My place of work gets catered food from here on occasion and I'm always bummed when they choose it because plain and simple...It's just not good. Greasy, either overcooked or undercooked bad cuts of meat. I end up eating 4 pieces of corn bread for lunch. That is the only saving grace. That's why I put 2 stars instead of the 1 star. You will not feel good after eating this food.
(2)
Melanie T.
It's fine, bordering on good. Very strong smoke flavor, but too many sides are pork heavy. Plus, they often run out of things very early.
(3)
Jennifer B.
No frills, down to business authentic BBQ place. Burnt ends were so flavorful. Beef brisket melted in my mouth. Everything was super juicy. Mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. In my opinion this place is better than sweet cheeks.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Came here because I got the Groupon. Food was really good- got the rib platter. Only thing was that the service was a little slow. They also got my order wrong, but when I told them about it the guys happily fixed it. Wish there was more room to sit, but definitely check this place out for good BBQ take-out!
(4)
Angie B.
We recently ordered a large take-out order online, which was very convenient. Everything we had was amazing. I particularly enjoyed the dirty rice. In addition to delicious food another reason Blue Ribbon is so special is that it is very accommodating of food allergies, and has an extensive amount of information on its website about what people with various allergies can and can't order. I have to avoid dairy and soy, and I was able to get the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, dirty rice, and the NC vinegar barbecue sauce (among other things). It is so wonderful to be able to have these options when on a limited diet.
(5)
Raj M.
Amazing BBQ joint! Their sandwiches are great! I love their Jamaican jerk Chicken sandwich and the brisket! Potato salad is out of this world!
(5)
Simon L.
Hortans cuban sandwich with sliced pork loin and pulled pork. A giant sandwich with mountains of sides - cole slaw and collard greens. Pork loin was juicy and had a crisp skin. A daily lunch special. Cole slaw was prepared with flecks of pepper - fresh cabbage and carrots. Collards had a nice pork flavor and were slightly crisp. Pulled pork was normal - that means excellent. Ribs here never disappoint. Whole racks of spares are consistenly smoked with a pink ring. Excellent bark formed by a medium rub. Juicy meat, not quite fall off the bone but in the way ribs should be smoked. Subtle spices. House made sauce has a nice kick. Unbeleivable that this joint has never been reviewed by yours truly. The Newton location has similarly consistent ribs and corn bread.
(4)
JD H.
Went here for lunch today with my mom and daughter. We all split the pulled pork platter. It was just the right amount for a 60+, 30+ and 1+ baby! The pulled pork melted in our mouths and the BBQ sauces were delicious. The only bummer was they didn't have a side of Mac N Cheese. With the price hikes at Red Bones this place gives them a run for their money.
(4)
Steve B.
DUDE...you don't even know! Real BBQ at it's finest! Best burnt ends I have ever had. Got the combo with that, the ribs (which are internationally known) and the bbq chicken to keep the calories down. Got baked beans (which here 8 outa 10) and Cole slaw which was great. All around just great BBQ...there is a reason everyone goes here when they have the cravings!
(5)
D K.
Really good BBQ! You get a lot of food for the price. We have never been disappointed.
(4)
Ash And Dan L.
Blue RIbbon BBQ delivers a great take-out meal. The TX ribs, pulled pork, and brisket are amazing. The potato salad and rice and beans were great, as was the cornbread. Oh, and can't forget the sausage...spicy and delicious.
(5)
D G.
Takeout: small order of chicken & 2 sides. On phone I was told 30 minutes, promptly arrive ( now is when a competent manager steps in and tells the customer it is going to be another 30 minutes - do you want to wait, come back in 1/2 hour, have an appetizer , etc.) and promptly paid. Chaos then ensues - I feel like a patient on Saturday night in the ER at BMC but this is Sunday night in Arlington Center. Cmon!!! Good food but think twice, 3x about takeout
(2)
Andy G.
Enjoy the wait. This place is chaotic and way understaffed. Online order said ready for pickup at 715 and 20 minutes later still waiting. Lots of angry people waiting here and the staff keep rolling there eyes at people that are complaining.
(1)
Michael R.
Unlike a few other reviewers, I find Blue Ribbon to be remarkably consistent and basically as good as any bbq I've ever had. The ribs are meaty and tender, with a perfect crust, and aren't suffocating under a layer of sugary sauce the way I've had it even in North Carolina and Texas. The brisket (and burnt ends variation) is blowaway. Some sides I like better than others, but everything seems well thought through - not an afterthought. The collard greens are spicy and chewy and just right. As others have mentioned, the sauces are a high point. It's a special treat for us - we have to hold back for the sake of our waistlines. But we go pretty often, and when we do, it's always great.
(5)
Jessica S.
I tried this place after I heard it had an awesome reputation. I thought it was a little overrated. The place is very small and crowded, the workers were all very rushed and rushed me when I was ordering. The food was pretty good, but nothing amazing like I was told. Overall this place is mediocre.
(3)
Chris M.
Just walked out the door with $50 worth of barbecue. The combo I ordered came with four drinks but the sweet tea and lemonade were empty. I kindly inform the staff and the individual I spoke with only said "ok". After asking again and waiting a total of about 10 minutes I walked out.
(1)
Bear W.
Being from Texas, we are pretty particular about our BBQ. I must say we were pleasantly surprised by Blue Ribbon BBQ and highly recommend the place! The sliced brisket was a little dry but the collard greens and black eyed corn were spot on. All of the sauces were absolutely delicious and the pickles were my wife's favorites. The Kansas City burnt ends, baked beans, and mashed potatoes were excellent as well.
(4)
Kayleigh S.
This place has huge serving sizes. Well worth the price. The sides aren't as delicious as redbones' but the meat is good and our meals are usually cheaper.
(4)
Wei W.
Ribs and brisket and burnt ends, oh my! If you're expecting some high-end sit-down BBQ, this is not the place to be. But if you've got a hankering for brisket or a craving for a rib-wich, I highly recommend you make a stop here. +tives: + Prices are decent. + Portions are massive. + Food is flavorful. + Service is quick. + They offer online ordering for takeout. -tives: - Depending on who's prepping the meat, it can either come out too salty or too bland. Luckily the variety of BBQ sauce helps offset this. - Parking availability can be slim. However, Stop and Shop right across the street can ease the pain a bit. I've had their rib plate, brisket plate, pulled chicken sandwich, pulled pork plate, and burnt ends sandwich, all of which tickled my fancy. I've also ordered from them for catering at work. They've proven that what produce in individual quantities can be scaled up to feed a group of 35 with just as much flavor. Of course I'll be back - the store is a couple of miles down the road and it gives me an excuse to "eat moar BBQ!"
(4)
Binh N.
Our go too Bbq joint! Love the ribs, collard greens, mash potatoes, and Bbq chicken on the bone!
(5)
Chris P.
I'm a huge BBQ fan and thought I would try this place out yesterday. So, I got the "Carolina" pulled pork and "Texas" brisquett tray with slaw and greens. The greens and slaw were pretty spot on, but the BBQ wasnt as good as I had hoped. First off, the "Carolina" pulled pork isn't Carolina at all. It didn't have that vinegar based sauce or taste. I'm from NC and smoke it myself often. Didnt taste bad, just not authentic. The brisquet was tender but lacked much smoke flavor. The corn bread was great and so was the slaw and greens. All in all it was OK. Not bad for a New England BBQ restraunt. I would go again. Next time I'll try the ribs. This place is worth your business!
(3)
Alexander S.
One of the best BBQ joints in the northeast. My advice to you is to skip a meal in advance of eating here, as everything is so damn delicious you will demand of yourself to stuff you face. The sauces are all amazing, the chicken and beef are world class. Highly recommended for parties and family or birthday outings. Simply fantastic in all aspects.
(5)
Nicholas C.
Great tasting barbecue. Also, I am severely lactose intolerant, and it is one of the only American restuarants I can eat at. It's part of this little cluster of restaurants that also includes Toraya, and it's one of my favorite spots.
(5)
Ted C.
Ever since a recent trip down south (South Carolina), I've had the occasional hankering for some good barbecue. Low and behold, there is actually good barbecue in the Boston area. Finally! I'm usually a pulled pork or pulled chicken guy, both of which are delicious here, but I really have to try the burnt ends next time I come. People rave about them. They'll let you taste any of the great variety of sauces ahead of time so you can get your order just right for your taste. Highly recommend!
(5)
Nan A.
This place is a picnic of the very best kind. First time and tried the Kansas City Burnt Ends and it was everything good BBQ should be a little vinegar sassy kick, a little salt, a little spice. Interior is done up as a fun retro Southern diner, with old time advertising and Americana folky art.
(5)
Court S.
This joint was just ok for me. I ordered the polled BBQ chix sandwich with 2 sides: coleslaw & stuffing. yelp.com/biz_photos/dnbf… Stuffing was slightly dry but flavorful. It had more of a sweet taste. Coleslaw was good. Pretty easy to make but nothing special. The employees all had blank stares like they'd rather be anywhere but there. No smile, no tip. Still on the quest to find great BBQ in the northeast.
(3)
Dan S.
I have lived in Goldsboro North Carolina for many years and pulled pork in the state is a real art form. While driving through Arlington and seeing pulled pork and a North Carolina state flag, I knew I needed to stop in and get some pulled pork. I bought two pints of pulled pork, got home and was immediately transported back to a local NC pig pickin'. It has been so long since I have had good NC pulled pork, there's nothing like it and this place was amazing and dead on. I am so happy to know I have a local place in Mass to get a rarely well prepared favorite outside of NC. I can't wait to get through these two pints so I can get back a get some more. Total hats off to you!
(5)
Abbey B.
Went here for my birthday with my roommates and boyfriend. Three of us got the pulled pork--just thinking about it makes my mouth literally water. I tried three sauces, and all were delicious. The best on the pulled pork was the Gold sauce, I thought. Nice and vinegary pulled pork, very good maple-roasted sweet potatoes (I think?), baked beans (beeeaaaaaaannnnnssss), cornbread (eh). I'd get the sandwich next time--the cornbread wasn't very tasty, and I could only finish about half the platter. The pulled pork was so good that I don't know if I'll try the ribs or brisket when I go back for dinner (tonight!). Seating isn't plentiful, but if you can find a spot, you'll be too busy chowing down to care.
(5)
Andre D.
I just ate lunch at the Blue Ribbon and it was everything my BBQ craving stomach could ask for on a hot Friday lunchtime outing. Before you even get inside the welcoming air-conditioned establishment with optional outdoor seating (which is where BBQ food is SUPPOSED to be consumed), you can smell the delicious Texas rub that they use on the savory ribs and hearty chicken selections. I can describe them in that way, because I was hungry (greedy) enough to ask for a half slab of BBQ ribs and half BBQ chicken for my meal. I also must say that they are without a doubt (and until I try other businesses) the best tasting BBQ spot in the Boston Area. Why not 5 Stars? I just can not bring myself to justify the OUTRAGEOUS PRICE for their food selections. My meal alone should not have hit the 20 dollar mark as 15 dollars or less would have sufficed for what appeared on my plate. The ribs and chicken may sound like a lot, but trust me, they are pretty much on the small side of average as I had NO PROBLEM putting away my 20 plus dollar meal with room to spare (and without feeling bloated). I noticed the big Texas flag hanging outside of the front door, but the food does not hold true to that true TEXAS SIZE expectation one would have as a first time patron. Well done Blue Ribbon, but everyone knows that size matters in Arlington, MA as well as Texas itself.
(4)
V H.
Had a chance to visit Blue Ribbon after hearing a lot about it on the food network.... C+ for effort... =) nothing special... but the best thing going for Boston
(3)
JEFFERY S.
Stellar food - I've never been disappointed with the food here in the 10 years I've lived in Arlington.
(5)
Emily C.
I'm a self-admitted rib-o-phile, so I end up here pretty frequently for the Memphis dry-rubbed ribs with a splash of their Hot Blue Ribbon sauce. The Texas beef brisket and the Jamaican jerk chicken are always pleasers, too. Get it with a honkin' slab of corn bread to dip into the chipotle mustard, and collard greens. Service is always speedy, and, despite not being able to get a beer with my ribs, I make do with the delicious vat of sweet tea. It's fun to sit by the window and watch the world go by, and you'll never, ever be hustled out the door if you decide to sit. There's outdoor seating when the weather's nice; take advantage of it when you can, because nothing's quite like eating barbecue outdoors in the summer.
(4)
Tess M.
I'm not new to Blue Ribbon. I usually always get the same thing; Kansas City Burnt Ends, Green Beans, and Black Eyed Corn. Tonight I said give me mashed potatoes instead of the corn. Good thing I did as it was the best thing in the whole meal. The burnt ends were dry. I don't normally get any extra sauce because they have plenty. Not tonight. Really needed sauce. The corn bread was bordering on dry and somewhat overbaked. Normally it's delicious and I love it. And instead of green beans, I found I had baked beans, which unfortunately I don't care for. I called back and they very nicely credited me for the green beans. I called before I started eating. Guess I should have waited. I had already spent an inordinate amount of time in the car from work to there and and didn't have the wherewithall to go back.
(2)
M B.
I last visited this particular Blue Ribbon about 3 years ago, and while the ribs at another rib place in Davis were certainly better, the ones I got here were pretty good, at least 4 stars. However, about 4 days ago I went in again on a whim when I had a hankering for some ribs, and didn't feel in the mood to fight Somerville / Davis Square traffic and parking. Frankly, the taste was good, but the ribs? Tough as nails. Several times I found myself thinking I'd bitten into a piece of beef jerky and had to seriously chew. Other parts of rib were, of course, easier and more tender but very dry. The sauce tastes very good though what they call spicy ... Well, I'd call maybe medium. I'm not sure what they changed in their process, and I'm not sure if this was a fluke and I happened upon a botched rack, I'll have to try again. But as of right now (7-7-2010) I was quite unimpressed. The rib joint in Davis has little to nothing to worry about.
(2)
Elliot K.
Oh my god. I'm from the south, and I'd never had barbecue this good since until I ate here. I've never had anything here I haven't loved, but make sure you try the burnt ends and the collard greens. The pulled pork, pulled chicken, cole slaw, black-eyed corn (a mix of black-eyed peas and corn, not some chimeric legume), and green beans are also all solid choices. Watch for side specials like the chili mac and cheese, which are usually worth getting. I can only think of two unflattering things to say about Blue Ribbon. First, there's very limited seating. You can almost forget about eating in if you come at prime lunch or dinner time. I advise getting takeout - what you miss in ambiance, you can make up for in beer. Also, I don't like their "feedbag" group takeout options. They're heavy on the sides and light on the meat, and you'll always end up with a huge untouched container of baked beans. You'll have a better dining experience for the same money getting bulk barbecue and sides. All in all, Blue Ribbon dishes up some of the best food in the suburbs, and is a serious bargain to boot.
(5)
Joel M.
Always great... love this place...
(5)
Dino P.
As a Redbones loyalist (I have my favorites there and it's my local spot), I still think there's some items available at Blue Ribbon that beat it. Now, I have to admit that Redbones as a sit-down establishment, with easy parking (hell yes I got a Somerville permit!), bartenders who I know and like, AND one of the best beer lists in the city cannot be beaten. But this is a categorical issue-- you can't compare a restaurant and bar with a take-out place with a stools and a counter. And Arlington has to be factored location-wise for me also--- Redbones is in my town and 5 min away. I took two friends to Blue Ribbon the other day-- one who recently relocated to Arlington and lives 2 blocks away, and another who loves Redbones but was the only one never to have gone to Blue Ribbon. We got there right around closing time, but you wouldn't know it from the EXTREMELY affable cat at the register. I got the burnt ends sandwich, Arlington got the sausage plate, and noob got a pint of burnt ends (he said he wasn't really hungry?). One thing that's always thrown me off was the fixed quality of the sauce-to-meat..... it's surely the Redbones talking, but what if i want the burnt ends with the NC vinegar sauce? Something about the menu isn't as user-friendly as I'd like also. But that doesn't mean this is an establishment not to trust-- in fact, I think I have to go back there today to try the sausage that Arlington had; it looked superb. I told the crew that the real ace at this place is the sauce itself-- and they took me to heart. We were testing all the sauces at the serve-yrself station (Gold BBQ, Hot BBQ, Chipotle Mustard, Habanero Vinegar, NC Vinegar, etc etc) and loaded up on all of them in the handy to-go plastic cups. I think we overdid it, but hey-- it's in my nature to think about food and equipment costs. The Chipotle Mustard is probably my favorite, and the Hot BBQ is also great. The cats I was with were enthused about the sauces, so when I also showed them the pickles (house-made to be sure, really fresh and subtle, cucumber flavors coming thru the brine, super good), they just bugged. We left there with a stack of food, bags of sauce, and overflowing cups of pickles. It's good that my friends are all about the hearty eating. We all went back to S'ville to watch Suspiria. The sandwich was outstanding, with beans and cole slaw. Would have liked different sides, but they seemed fixed (note: you can order whatever sides you want, but this is not clearly noted on the board). Nevertheless, saucing made the meal, but the burnt ends where flavorful themselves. Hopefully next time they will have the BBQ Fried Rice available (they have some rotating sides). Last time, I tried out this side, it was so good I asked for a pint of the stuff for next day's lunch. Bits of roasted pork, fried rice, eggs, veggies: it shouldn't work, but holy crap does it. Amazing stuff. Blue Ribbon is a hike for you if you take the T, but then again the bus does go right by it. It is an unusual thing-- takeout BBQ in Dorchester is one thing, but in Arlington is something else. This is without a doubt a place that's worth the trip, one of the best BBQ places in the area. Do NOT forget the sauce. Also, they have a lot more seating at the moment, with a broad sidewalk space filled with nice outdoor seating. If you need a break from the New England classic of fried seafood/roast beef and ice cream, I can't feature better summer food.
(4)
Nicholas P.
The Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. You may think it is a little out of the way but it is definitely worth it. I've found it be on par with any good authentic BBQ you can get. On a summer night it's great to get some BBQ and sit on the street tables and enjoy it while the sun sets. Good times!
(4)
Stephen H.
Went back to Blue Ribbon, tried there Brisket for the first time. Great decision, its the best offering there, get brisket or ribs or both. If you dont try these your missing out. Theres just nowhere else in new england i know where to get bbq this good Got there cole slaw again, theres better sides to be had (mashed potatoes/baked beans). Also their NC Vinegar based sauce goes incredibly well with pulled pork. The habanero sauce is insanely spicey, and I have a good spice tolerance but it was an ego check for me. Let me remind you again. Brisket.
(5)
Matt R.
Best BBQ in the area. Plus they do a great catering business.
(5)
Kent C.
The people working behind the counter were extremely friendly and the food was pretty good, especially the mashed potatoes.
(4)
Emma D.
I admit that tied to public transport as I am, I have never actually been TO Blue Ribbon. However (thankfully!!) my work has them cater fairly often and my roomie, bf, and their car have been known to stop to pick up a 'feedbag' for us to split. I just came up from the holiday party (yes it's a little late), and my second free blue ribbon meal of the day. SO AWESOME. ribs with 4 different sauces, some of the best mac n cheese, incredible corn bread and all the sides. Way to make up for my 12 hr days in lab...
(5)
Lauree K.
I am a Southerner, i.e. I know about barbeque. The food is good, but not great. I think this restaurant gets highly positive reviews, because it is a pleasant place to eat, and the owner and staff are very friendly. And it is slightly over-priced for the value, but then, this is New England. Back home I could get better stuff cheaper.
(3)
Tom E.
Some Things I love: my family, London, climbing trees, finding money, David Mitchell books, legwarmers, people who buy me dinner, telling stories, cats looking stupid, cycling through red lights, tea tea tea, orchids, Chewbacca, moscow mules, lego, showers, Yelp, coming out of an airport, Spaced series 1 & 2, naughty bedtime stuff, loose chocolate chips, cold beer on a hot day, scoring a goal - any goal, steep mountains, hugging when drunk, the Arcade Fire, throwing an aerobie, labradors, youtube, driving in the dark, getting into a freshly made bed, dancing uncontrollably to electro, hats, Matthew Broderick, skipping stones and... PULLED PORK yum!
(4)
Kai M.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ joint in the Boston area. It's reasonably priced and most-definitely worth it. I usually go with the Kansas City burnt end platter, side of mashed potatoes and baked beans. A delicious combo. They have a myriad of sauces to chose from, some better than other, but it's good to have the variety as an option. They offer generous portions as I almost always end up with leftovers. In the winter I would recommend takeout because they don't have great indoor seating. However, come summertime, they offer outdoor seating. What's better than enjoying some great bbq with a few friends outside on a sweet summer night? Maybe a liquor license, but overall I can't complain. Go here, you'll like it.
(5)
Christie L.
We were craving BBQ since our trip to Tennessee last month and decided to try this place out. We each got the 3meat trio, I got the pork, beef brisket, and ribs and the bf got the beef, ribs, and sausage. There was a TON of food! We both loved the beef brisket and my bf thought it could be the best he's had, the pork and sausage were also great. I wasn't crazy about the ribs...a little dry. The mashed potatoes were great, coleslaw just ok, and we weren't fans of the baked beans - a little too smokey. We didn't really like any of the sauces, but the sauce that they put on when serving it was alright with some of the BBQ. Overall, for Boston this is great BBQ and we'd go back if in the area - we had a ton of leftovers and ate for 3 days!
(4)
M M.
Friday night treat....we regularly get take out from Blue Ribbon. Lead with the beef brisket, pork ribs are also awesome. Last night, the collard greens were more delicious than ever...I'm falling in love all over again. Now listen up people...I lived in the south for most of my life: Blue Ribbon has the BEST pecan pie I have EVER eaten. Tip: order the beef brisket as a platter....I have a suspicion that the sandwich gets filled with the fattier cuts of brisket (presumably you're not going to look at the inside of your sandwich). Taste is very subjective, of course, however, the coleslaw is excellent....perhaps it has a touch of mustard? that would explain why I love it and some people don't....it's not that overly sweet stuff alot of places serve. Thank you Blue Ribbon!! The line at the counter doesn't lie...
(4)
Mary M.
Update: I stopped by last week to pick up some roadfood on my way out of town. I didn't know it when I ordered my brisket sandwich and baked beans, but that was THE one true meal combo to order as you're heading out of town on a Friday evening when the skies are clear and the traffic is light. I stopped off at a state park off Route 2, sat in a picnic area, ate the most wonderful brisket sandwich and baked beans I have ever had, and watched some huge white pines sloo o o o o owly grow. It was a truly perfect meal. Thank you Blue Ribbon.
(4)
Matt N.
Blue Ribbon is hands down the best BBQ in metro Boston. Arlington is a bit of a haul from my home in Somerville, but it is worth the drive every time. I almost always order the pulled pork sandwich which is fantastic. I recommend switching the cole slaw side for mashed potatoes - they are so good. I also recommend mixing the three sauces in one container and drenching your food with as much sauce as it will hold. The service is amazing (they wrap your little sauce containers in foil for you so they don't spill in the car) and quick. The place is small and could use more tables for sit down eating. It would also be nice if they had a liquor license to server beer - there is nothing like a cold beer with BBQ. But, minor criticisms aside, if you're eager for some good BBQ and have not been able to find it in Boston, look no further than Blue Ribbon.
(5)
Lori D.
I'm from the South, so believe me when I tell you this is the Real Deal. Their pulled pork is one of the best I've ever had (melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfectly seasoned), and I swear I could drink their Sweet BBQ sauce by the pint. The servings are very generous (meats & sides), the atmosphere is fun and super casual, and the prices are quite reasonable. Definitely my new favorite place in the neighborhood!
(5)
Kerri O.
Great Burnt Tips, Brisket, Meatloaf, etc.. One thing: Expand! I NEVER can get a seat, and live too far to Take Out. Also, though their Cornbread is THE BOMB, I don't care for their beans (watery), or their greens. They're okay, not fantastic. The mashed taters tend to be a little stiff, too. You should mash taters, not whip them. Love the Iced Tea. Never change that.
(4)
Jennifer K.
LOVE the ribs!!! Don't wear your skinny jeans - you'll end up unbottoning. There is one in West Newton too - equally yummy.
(5)
Sam S.
Although there aren't tons of BBQ options in boston-area, Blue Ribbon almost makes up for the lack of choices we have, due to the fairly wide variety on their menu (BBQ burritos? really?) and the extremely high quality. Meals are very reasonably priced so its a great value to boot. Only wish they would expand beyond arlington and newton. Still, makes me glad I only live one town away from top notch BBQ.
(5)
mike y.
3 words...Pulled Pork Sandwich ...drool
(4)
Corydon S.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is my favorite place to eat in Boston. The ribs and brisket are so good they make it impossible for me to order the ribs at other barbecue joints. They don't sell booze, just about every kind of tasty meat you could want sausage, pulled pork, dry rubbed ribs, and beef brisket. The sides are a little lackluster. After some trial and error, I usually get a double side of mashed potatoes with my combo platter. You can grab extra sauce (Hot, Sweet, Gold, or Vinegar) while you wait for your food, the sweet sauce is my favorite. I will probably eat there tonight, it's that good.
(5)
Jeremy P.
My new tradition is to walk to Blue Ribbon BBQ when I'm waiting for my car to be serviced at the Mirak Hyundai / Chevrolet Service Center down the road. My favorite foods include burnt ends, mashed potatoes, and the corn. I love their sauce as well. The last time I was there, starting my new tradition, I tried the burnt end burrito, which was an amazing value and very filling, but I prefer the burnt ends by themselves in all their glory. Perhaps I will try a BBQ sandwich next time.
(4)
Tom L.
Great food. I'm a big fan of the pulled chicken and Kansas City burnt ends.
(4)
Ray S.
Blue Ribbon catered our backyard wedding this summer in Marlborough. They were prompt and professional at every stage, from ordering through delivery, and the food was tasty. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Michelle E.
Small place, so not great for huge groups. Great prices, meat has a good taste, very tender ribs.....recommended!
(4)
Frances K.
Best sliced brisket I can remember! Plenty of sauce choices. Huge portions. Great service.
(5)
Barney B.
So far this is the best brick n mortar place to grab BBQ in this city. the brisket, pulled meats, sauces, beans, pickles, slaw - all of it is pretty tasty - just the right amount of flavor and spice. it's a favorite as well to grab for late nights at work - many a 'feedbag' has come to the office for the crew. This location is tons better than the W Newton one, because you actually have a chance to sit and enjoy
(4)
Mark O.
Frankly I do not see how one could improve on BRBBQ - ribs, sausage, chicken, pork, it's all very, very good. The sides are great, best for me are cornbread, corn, collards, potatoes. The pecan pie is the best I've ever had.
(5)
Stephanie T.
This is the place to go if you want consistantly good BBQ. Prior to becoming a regular at Blue Ribbon I had thought that Red Bones had the best BBQ in the area, but I was sorely wrong. Between my SO and I we have tried just about everything on the menu and we love it all. Their cornbread is always moist and to perfection. We usually get 4 meals out of a platter, so that makes the cost even more of a bargain! Buying in bulk from them is also a fabulous way to satisfy a hungry crowd and cost effective as well.
(5)
Vito M.
I'll admit that I was quite skeptical when I first walked in the door. Having gone to college in a state that prides itself on two types of BBQ may have set the bar a little too high on this place. However, these guys have (by far) the best pulled pork I've had in the Boston area. Blue Ribbon doesn't skimp on the juicy, meaty helpings. They're still lacking a little when it comes to the cornbread, and any self-respecting southern BBQ joint would have potato salad and hush puppies as regular fixtures on the menu. Regardless, this is a fantastic place to visit. I can't wait for it to warm up again so my friends and I can enjoy sandwiches on their sidewalk seating.
(4)
Mike D.
Pulled pork, bbq sauce, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn bread. Unreal. AND cheap considering the massive portions. Must go.
(5)
Peter D.
Definitely the best BBQ place I've been to - my girlfriend's from Texas and she loved it too. We had a half-off Groupon for this place, but it would have been worth it even at full price. We got the 2 meat combo platter (ribs and brisket) with mashed potatoes, rice & beans and cornbread - it was more than enough for the both of us. We finished the meal off with a slice of incredible pecan pie garnished with real whipped cream on top. Highly recommended!
(5)
Lesley K.
I agree that it's hard to talk about blue ribbon without a mention or comparison to Redbones. It may lack the "ambience" of Redbones, the carnival that that place is...but whatever it lacks in quirky decor and beers on tap it makes up for in the quality of it's food - in spades And - it's so ridiculously financially reasonable for the amount of food you get. My favorites? the pulled pork and the baked beans. The best BBQ I've had in the Northeast - hands down
(5)
Patricia H.
I love Blue RIbbon. I love it so much that this is my FIRST yelp review!! Even though I am a devoted reader, I have yet to post anything. But I just had the tastiest pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and gold sauce, made from takeout leftovers (we got a feedbag for 4, but it could've fed easily 6-7), that I just had to write a review. First: the meat. Their pulled pork is amazing. AMAZING. Smoky, juicy, flavorful, tender, surprisingly not too fatty (though good pulled pork needs at least some fat). I am also partial to the burnt ends, though they're not quite as succulent as the pork. I've only had the ribs once, and they were good, but not the best I've ever had. Then there's the sauces. I am a bit of a sauce snob. They get the spicy NC vinegar just right. The gold sauce is my favorite of the other bottled sauces, but I always prefer tangy to sweet. And the sides...excellent potato salad, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, beans (a little too sweet for my taste but very good). Their specials are always worth trying. And let's not forget their delicious homemade pickles! Or moist and crumbly cornbread! The food at Redbones, which is much closer to where I live, has nothing on this place. Redbones' pork is fattier, less flavorful, and they are super stingy with sauce. Their vinegar sauce pales in comparison to Blue Ribbon anyway. Their beans and potato salad are both a little bland. Rolls not as fresh. Cornbread is dry....need I go on? I prefer Redbones' collard greens, but that's about it. However, they do serve alcohol there, which is hard to argue with. If you are looking for a spot to hang out, Redbones will do just fine, but if you are looking for an amazing meal, I implore you to head a few miles up Mass Ave. My husband loves the food as much as I do, but he also prioritizes beer more than I do, so we don't go here nearly enough.
(5)
Nancy L.
Whenever I have the urges to return to my primitive cave-woman roots and gorge myself upon delicious meat but lack exhorbitant amount of money, I go to Blue Ribbon. Blue Ribbon is an amazing no-frills BBQ restaurant located on Mass Ave in Arlington that does a lot of things right: ribs, pulled pork and chicken, cornbread, and burnt ends to name a few, with a plethora of BBQ sauce to choose from. Its a quick service area that has a few sitting areas but I usually do take out to avoid the crowds. For $10 you get these amazing meat filled platters with 2 sides and corn bread that will last you for two meals, I don't think that you can ask for more. In March 2008 to celebrate their 10 year anniversary, they have this great deal where you can buy 2 sandwich platters for $10. Two for me, none for you :P
(4)
reese w.
Having a husband who loves smoking meat doesn't make me an expert in BBQ, but it sure makes me appreciate having Blue Ribbon BBQ within easy access in Arlington, MA. There is usually parking around the restaurant, making it easy to get there. The prices are reasonable and meals include a couple sides and a square of their tasty cornbread. They have a smoker in the back of the kitchen going all day, filling the place with the smell of BBQ. This is real smoked meat, people. This is not grilled meat with BBQ sauce slathered all over. This is real, true BBQ and my friends from the south have concurred. I highly recommend going to Blue Ribbon BBQ if you're in the mood for true BBQ.
(4)
B P.
More often than not, the food is good and their attitude is okay. But hey, if you've had a long day and decide to get dinner from out (since you did not want to end the "wonderful" day with more work) and you walk into the BR they could give you some terrible food with a generous helping of attitude. This is fifty percent of the time! At other times, they are nice and friendly and the food is good. So I really don't know what to make of this place. Sadly this bipolar behavior earns them a 3 star rating from me. I would much rather walk across to the Shop and Stop and pick up the new rotisserie chicken and add bbq sauce on their bad days!
(3)
Bruno A.
Boston isn't a city known for their barbecue, as shown by the strange popularity of Redbones, but Blue Ribbon comes pretty close. Pretty damn close. It's not the type of Southern barbecue that is so hot you brag about it to your friends and gain street cred just for surviving but it's good sloopy barbecue you find yourself enjoying once it's over and you savor the meaty, well fed feeling in your stomach.
(4)
Julie A.
Every time I drive by this place I roll down my windows and inhale! The smell is smile inducing, but the taste is mind-blowing! Their BBQ is more on the vinegar side, but still really damn good! the Pulled pork is tender, the baked beans are sweet, the collard greens are cooked to perfection, and the mashed potatoes are flavorful and creamy! my new favorite thing is their pulled pork burritos! YUM! I will say the cornbread is not so hot, and they sadly don't offer much fish, but everything else gets a two thumbs up! You also get a lot of food for your cheap bucks! you can't compare to Redbones, both are good, but the world of BBQ can have many different attitudes and flavors, these are both great places. 4.5 stars!!!
(4)
nicole p.
I am not a real BBQ fan but i consistently love the food here and will drive out of my way to go here. the pulled pork is fabulous. if you want a quick & easy meal, the pulled pork burrito is amazing. don't expect an authentic mexican burrito - it's just a way to have bbq'd pulled pork with yummy rice & beans in an easy way to eat. a plate isn't really required but it does drip a little - especially if you like adding hot sauce!
(5)
Ryan B.
My dinning experience consisted of a heap of succulent pulled bbq chicken pipping hot baked beans and cool crispy coleslaw. It was bustling with business. We were able to secure a seat at the counter and enjoyed every ounce of the grub. The staff was efficient and busy not overly friendly but I could have cared less once I got my order. Down side of the whole experiences: - I currently smell like bbq - Over ate and now sit lethargically at my computer screen trying to write this review - I am burping a lot... "BURPPPP" Fell much better now...
(5)
Aimee D.
Ohh the Blue Ribbon goodness. My husband and I were sitting around on a Saturday evening trying to think of where to have dinner. I felt like two things 1. some place new 2. BBQ, pulled pork to be exact. After Yelping around for about 10 mins I came across the review for Blue Ribbon BBQ. I had seen it before and thought "Why not go on a little adventure?". We pull up expecting a restaurant, but we were somehow alright with this carry out-ish idea. We didn't have to pay tip and we got refills on our drinks whenever we felt like it rather than waiting around for someone else to do it. I order the pulled pork platter with collard greens and baked beans. Pulled pork was perfection! I little spicy on the aftertaste and just the right amount of BBQ sauce on top. Best I've had in a while. I'd never had collard greens before but if that's what they're supposed to taste like I think I might have a new veggie in my life. Beans, I love you baked beans. I love how they dance in their thick, smokey sauce with pieces of bacon. My only wish is that there was more seating inside. Blue Ribbon, we will meet again someday soon.
(4)
Stephanie M.
well worth the drive. PULLED PORK sandwich is EXCELLENT same for the baked beans. cornbread is meh. and the guy below me who said Redbones was better. Total BS. I went to Redbones for the first time today since I was already rollin around DavisSq....not great at all. and their beans taste awful. and their pulled pork is not that great. I will review them next.
(4)
Tommy L.
Menu is simple but still very good. Everything they make is tasty. Lots of different sauces for any taste. Pulled pork is great, sausage is great. Mashed potatoes are amazing and cornbread is the best in the city, period. All of this and the combos makes sense and are cheap as hell. Location is less than ideal (IMO) but a great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)
ELLIS D.
Like my Mom would say, " That sure is some good Yankee Bar B que!"(read with a piedmont southern drawl) I have had some good southern style to compare. There seems to be a debate though, about Redbones and Blue RIbbon. Well unfortunately for me I could only sample Blue Ribbon. In a word Yum. The Pulled pork with mustard(south carolina style ) was blue ribbon quality. The Brisket with cumin infused sauce(St Louis style or Oakland stlye) was blue ribbon quality The ribs were not blue ribbon quality. Plain ole tough ribs. I was loooking for a more smokey fallen apart quality not the chinese sparerib type. CORN BREAD AS DRY AS THE MOJAVE . I loved it but not all of it.
(3)
Patryce S.
Only reason they are getting 3 stars is because this is a BBQ place and their bbq sauce is gross! So pretty much ruins their ribs of course and other food that comes with bbq sauce...sad because they would have gotten a 5 star if they had good sauce.
(3)
Brooks F.
If you must get barbeque in Boston, get it here. Did someone complain that the sides were overcooked and greasy? Did I read that right? That, right there is why you people don't deserve good barbeque.
(4)
Ilya Jacob R.
Disappointment. I'm not from the South. I didn't grow up eating BBQ ribs, collard greens, candied yams, and fried okra, daily or weekly. I grew in Mass and my BBQ experience is comparatively limited, but I know when food - any food - is NOT enjoyable. When food is good, in particular BBQ, it makes you smile. I remember one of my first times eating BBQ at Bub's BBQ in Sunderland, MA and that made me smile, not to metion release the beast [read: gut] From the moment I got there, their ambiance is night and day with places like Redbones and Bub's. Its small with some counter seating, but from the looks of it, Blue Ribbon is more of a grab-and-go place. They do have large tables outside (although when busy it can become family style with people joining you). They have only 1 kind of BBQ ribs - Memphis Dry-Rubbed. Huh? I thought it was a BBQ ribs place, I guess it comes down to expectations - I assumed that they'd have lots of different types of ribs. No such luck. Anyway, they do have brisket, chicken, and sausage. Sides are limited. No mac & cheese. No candied yams. My disappointment continues. I didn't see any starters/appetizers...more disappointment. Food was ready quick, but was served in styrofoam trays w/ no place to put the cleaned ribs. The ribs were okay, but brisket wasn't very good. Maybe it's just not my thing, but then again there was a good amount of fat. Not particularly impressed with the sausage either. It was another disappointment. Maybe my expectations were just too high.
(2)
David D.
The best BBQ in the area! Excellent brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. I'm not a big fan of their ribs, but I've had worse. Wonderful sauces and every side is a masterpiece. My favorites are the mashers and the coleslaw.
(4)
Anthony L.
coming from texas, this definitely lives up to texas bbq standards. price is good considering you get a lot of food, overall great place def coming back
(5)
T M.
This is probably about the best BBQ you will find around here. In particular the brisket is awesome. Everything is very tasty. It's not fully up to what you'd find in a BBQ restaurant in the Southern states (or Texas in particular) but it is very close. To me it blows Red Bones out of the water (food-wise, not beer-wise or quirky-atmosphere-wise of course :) ).
(4)
Tara S.
This place is a BBQ loving foodie heaven! My husband and I have been going there for several years now and we love it. It is a perfect spot for a quick and casual comforting meal that warms your soul. We love going there on a cold winter night when we are too lazy to cook or go somewhere that requires removing sweatpants. It is also fun in the summer as they have very casual outdoor seating on Mass Ave. I love the casual atmosphere because it reminds me of an old fashioned diner. Just be prepared if you are going to dine - in - you will leave smelling like a smoke pit! I recommend the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich or pulled BBQ chicken platter. The baked beans, mashed potatoes and corn bread are ALL a must! My husband loves the burnt ends brisket burrito. He also loves all of the different BBQ sauces they have available. The portions are large and prices are great. We can get dinner for the two of us for around $20 and have leftovers! The only reason I am giving them a 4/5 instead of 5 is because their mac and cheese could be better. But considering the mashed potatoes and baked beans are amazing - you don't really need the mac and cheese. Also, I think that sometimes the meat could be more flavorful, but they provide extra BBQ sauce which does the trick.
(4)
Jaimie F.
We used Blue Ribbon BBQ to cater our wedding and they were fantastic! Great company to work with and my guests RAVED about the food. 2 thumbs up!!
(5)
Laurie P.
Wish there was more seating, but no matter we took the food back to my aunt's house. My aunt is 91, and my dad is 86. They both really liked their meals, but they should have split one, lol. Dad had ribs and aunt had chicken. Hubby and I each had the pulled pork slider special, delicious! I bought a jar of BBQ sauce and need to put it to good use. Will return again someday.
(5)
Andre K.
In my opinion the best BBQ in New England. Oh and be prepared to leave this place stuffed!
(5)
Jenna L.
I honestly would say more like a 3.5 and normally I round down but this place deserves to be rounded up. I'm very picky about my BBQ and even went on a BBQ road trip across the country looking for the best of the best. This place was decent, which I was surprised about since the Boston area really is not known for it's BBQ in any way. Good amount of food, and cute place. Awesome sauces and lots to choose from. We got mashed potatoes with our meal which were good but weird for a BBQ place, haha. Definitely not the best BBQ I've ever had in my life, but the best I've had near Boston or even on the East Coast so far. Will be back for sure.
(4)
Aaron K.
Consistently great Q. I've been to Blue Ribbon several times since moving to Arlington and it is always really good (except one time that the pulled pork was dry, but any establishment is allowed one misfire). Went this past sunday for the Pats AFC Championship game for takeout. They had extra staff on hand and extra specials. Pulled pork was great, juicy and tender. Mashed potatoes are my favorite anywhere. Cheese grits were good (I prefer their green chili cheese grits for a little kick). One of their specials of the day was a chili for champions (that's us, pats nation). Tender beef brisket with southwest pinto beans in an awesome chili sauce. This was excellent and should be a regular item! They gave me a huge cup of it for 4.99$ and threw in some cornbread which was moist and tasty. Their BBQ sauce is the best around IMO as well. All this food was only 28$ (20$ if you count my livingsocial voucher), which makes for incredible value. My buddy and I feasted and I still had enough leftovers for 2 people. Service is always efficient and the people that take your orders and money are pretty good. I especially like the older regular guy behind the register, always good for some witty banter. Seating is kind of sparse in here, I always do take out. They have some tables set up outside during the summer months. Go for the BBQ, and keep going at a great value.
(5)
Ryan S.
I loved this place when I first moved to town five years ago, but it has consistently gotten worse and worse each time. The pulled pork and burnt ends get fattier, the green beans get spicier, and the mash potatoes get blander. It is still a good place for BBQ, I just hope the quality starts to improve. Often have coupons on Living Social. Try the burrito--surprisingly tasty!
(3)
Nina N.
Went here on a Saturday afternoon. It was raining so we couldn't sit outside. Inside was a bit warm but smells great, lol. The bar stool faced the streets and across the street you have your Stop & Shop or was it Shaws supermarket? The bar style seating was a bit wobbly, well at least the first stool to the left of the entrance way is so be careful. People don't clean after themselves when done so the eating area can be unappetizing. Maybe they can leave Lysol or Clorox clean wipes so we can clean the counter ourselves? Husband had the trio platter, three meats and two sides. He had the Kansas City Burnt Ends, North Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Sliced Beef Brisket and for sides he had collard greens and green beans. I had the Kansas City Burnt Ends with sides of dirty rice and coleslaw. Both orders came with the homemade corn bread which was nice. Had to say, the burnt ends was a pretty decent fair, the pulled pork was yummy, the brisket a bit dry? The collard greens tasted like it was boiled and left to sit a long time and the green beans tasted like it came from a can, which made me really sad. But then again, I do like the taste of green beans from a can every now and then. Nostalgic of the days when we didn't always have money for fresh veggies and ate veggies from a can. The dirty rice was decent but with the sauces they provided, all mixed up together, yum. My coleslaw was good, not great. I think it needed a little more acid, could use fresh squeeze of lemon juice or maybe apple cider to bring it up a notch. Sides sadly felt like it was made in advance rather than to order. I can understand why they do this of course, but of course, anything made to order of course would always taste ten times better. Just my opinion. There was a variety of sauces to select, self serve. We tried the extra hot sauce which had quite the kick if you're not used to heat. If you're used to eating really and I mean real spicy food and I am talking about if you are one of those Asians who would bite into a Thai chili, then this sauce is mild to you. The spicy BBQ was the best in my opinion. Perfect balance of spices. Next would be the gold sauce, creamy and sweet. I didn't bother trying the other vinegar sauces since it looked a bit runny and I wanted a thick sauce over my BBQ. :) I would come again and try some of the exotic items like pig feets and pig brain? I am only kidding about trying the pig brains but I did see it on the menu. Not sure if they really sure pig brains. I would give this place another try.
(3)
Susie J.
Overrated. I've been here twice and both times their brisket was dry and overcooked. The ribs were also not "fall off the bone" and soft. I would rather go to Soul Fire in Brighton for their ribs.
(2)
michael w.
generally the eats here are pretty good, for NE bbq. but lately, when I get takeout platters, the cornbread is almost always a crusty side piece. also, I noticed upon returning home today that a $1 misc. surcharge was added to the bill. when I called to find out why, I was told that it is due to the increased beef cost, being passed along. REALLY???? how about saying that at the register. "oh, there is a sign." next time I will look for "signs" and stick with pork. that is, if there is a next time.
(2)
Stephen M.
I love me some BBQ. I am in no way an expert on BBQ but for someone that enjoys some smoked dry rubbed ribs from time to time I can tell you that this place really hit the spot. I have only tried a couple other places in the area. the first being the famous Redbones, the second being Sweet Cheeks near Fenway, and Blue Ribbon being the third. Out of the three, Blue Ribbon runs away when it comes to ribs flavor and barbeque sauce, where as the others might have a slight edge when it comes to the sides. Don't get me wrong, the Mashed Potatoes at BRBBQ are some of the best I have had, but nothing compares to the Mac and Cheese offering at Sweet Cheeks or the fried pickles at Redbones. the restaurant itself is authentic. You see a lot of BBQ joints that try and make it look legit, when really it cost the person hundreds of thousands of dollars to create the same aesthetics BRBBQ naturally has. Overall if you are looking for an upscale BBQ place to take a client, this isn't your place. But if you want good authentic BBQ and sit on a stool, come on by.
(5)
Max M.
Gave it 3 chances and it was the same result every time. The sides were usually good, but if I got the chicken or the brisket or pulled pork it was just very bland. Was hoping this place would be great since there arnt too many decent bbq places around here. Honestly I'd even give this place 1 more shot since they have all these awards from the past, there is potential however it sucks at the moment.
(2)
Lu R.
By far the best Q in Boston. As a transplant born and raised south of the Mason-Dixon with family origins in the birthplace of Barbacoa, and blessed with a Lone Star state sweetheart, I know a little something about the worlds most perfect food, BBQ. We have tried about a dozen "Boston's Best" according to the Phantom, Phoenix, and local recommendations, and this place gets about as close as it gets to BBQ that I'm willing to pay for and recommend to people who ask. By Boston/New England standards, I would give it five stars. By mine, three and a half.
(3)
J C.
I ordered the beef brisket platter. It includes cornbread and two sides, so I got coleslaw and baked beans. The food came very quickly. The first thing that hit me was the size. This platter could easily fill two people or be partitioned into two meals. Alas, I lived too far for this meal to be a take home, so I set myself to polishing off the platter in one go. The slices of brisket spanned a variety of cuts. Some of the slices were somewhat tough and dry, but most importantly not to the point of being unchewable. These were probably the ends of the brisket and were greatly helped by adding sauces. Other slices were very fatty and tender -- aka the ideal brisket. The cornbread had a very hard crust. I tend to like my cornbread more buttery and soft, but this still tasted just fine. The coleslaw was pretty good. It wasn't overly vinegary, nor overly heavy from overuse of mayo. The cabbage really came through, with the vinegar cutting the fats in the mayo. The sourness provided a nice contrast to the sweetness of the baked beans and the fattiness of the brisket. I'm not generally a person who likes sauces, so I'm not going to judge the available sauces. There were about 6 sauces: spicy sauces, mayo or cream based sauces, and vinegar based sauces. This isn't the best BBQ I've ever had. Judging from the awards on its wall, the last one of which was won in 2005, the best days of this establishment were behind it. Nevertheless, it was some pretty dang good BBQ.
(4)
Chris T.
I love the rotating sides here, however make sure you try the potato salad, which is perhaps the best I've ever had. They have a nice variety of sauces too (the gold is my favorite). Only a few tables inside so it may be best for takeout.
(4)
Sammy L.
Very small place, I recommend take out unless you are with only one other person. The employees are pleasant to deal with. There bbq has a very tangy/spicy taste, not my kind of bbq. Overall, I would recommend a try. Big portions and inexpensive for southern style bbq.
(4)
Dirk D.
Best BBQ in Massachusetts. Everything was great.
(5)
Shruti M.
yum! Went here on a Friday night for a quick dinner and I'm now a fan. The staff was really friendly and patient with us newbies. The portions are big, one member of our party ordered a platter and there was definitely enough for another meal. I would definitely recommend trying the pulled pork sandwich, the chicken sliders and the half chicken platter. The sandwich was the perfect size and stuffed full of tasty, flavorful pork. The spicy BBQ sauce, as well as the sweet BBQ sauce, were both delicious! Both the sandwiches and platters come with two sides. There were four of us in our party, so we all got to try the coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and the dirty rice. the coleslaw was ok, but I really loved the potato salad. Others in our group raved about the baked beans. Parking is a bit of an issue, its very limited out front, but you can always park on a side street. Its not really a sit there and eat place, more a to-go place. great find in Arlington, can't wait to go back!
(4)
Scott B.
Generally the food is pretty good for the money. It is neither the best b-b-q or the worst and from my experience of going here at least 50 times, it is better than average. However tonight I was absolutely shocked at the poor quality of the brisket. It was mushy, lacked flavor and was fatty in a not good way. It was like it was injected with plain water to yield a mushy, rubbery meat that lacked a bark. It was gray meat. It happens but where was the quality control?
(2)
Jude M.
Been quite a few times, here's my review. ALL of the Meat is DRY. that's why they push the sauces. The Service is Terrible, Screw up orders with kids who could care less. Sides are dismal. This is BBQ for suburbanites. I've lived in the area for 40 years, so no this did not put Arlington on the "foodie map". Redbones is a far better choice.
(1)
Samantha S.
Absolutely great BBQ. It's definitely more North Carolina style than Memphis style (grew up on Memphis BBQ). But I love this place! I have since moved away (used to live two blocks away) and I do crave it every now and then. Again, not at good as Memphis style, but it certainly does do the trick
(4)
L J.
It's too damn expensive, but I like the cornbread. I'm so torn. I have a feeling that if there was another soul food place around here they'd lose the blue ribbon status. It is what it is, but it's NOT the Newton location. That place seemed to have better meat.
(2)
Paul R.
It's tough to find a good barbecue joint in this part of the country. Blue Ribbon Bbq is one of the better ones I've tried. The ribs are to die for, but what can I say, I'm a rib guy. I found the cornbread to be ok. I'm also a big cornbread guy so I was left a little wanting there. Overall, it's not the best Bbq joint in the world, but in this area, beggers can't be choosers. I'll definitely come back again.
(4)
Jeremy K.
Let's face it folks, Boston isn't exactly known for having many BBQ joints; the picking is thin and there really isn't much competition for this kind of fare out here. There's a few places, like SoulFire in Allston, the Village Smokehouse in Brookline and two locations when it comes to Blue Ribbon BBQ. They have one in Newton and this location in Allston. Having been to the Newton one a few times, I figured that I would go to this one instead since it's much closer to my apartment. A short drive later, I parked across the street at the Shaw's and made my way inside. This location isn't much bigger than the one in Newton and it boasts an identical menu; on the few trips I've made there, I've sampled many items that they offer: ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, you name it... Although it is far from exceptional, the food there is decent enough and the portions are huge; almost too big if you ask me. I have yet to be able to clear my plate in one sitting and often have to take the leftovers home, in shame. They have a ton of sides and often have daily specials according to what's in season. I've had everything from their collard greens to the corn bread, the coleslaw, the beans and even the black eyed corn. I am not a fan of their beans but their collard greens were pretty good and had a slight kick to them. The brisket had a nice smoke ring which is a quality indicator and which was nice to see. It tasted pretty good but obviously it's nothing like you can get south of the Mason Dixon line. They have a sauce area next to the pickup counter where there's a ton of various BBQ sauces that you can put on your food - all kinds of style from hot to vinegary. It's actually kind of nice to have those choices. Although Boston isn't a great BBQ city, this small, local chain remains one of the go-to spots for a reliable, affordable and decent meal. It's clean, affordable and quick; hell, you can even order by phone if you're in a hurry and pick it up - you'll save a few minutes. Not that they are slow or anything...
(3)
mike s.
My girlfriend picked up some takeout the other night. Pulled pork and brisket. Today we are both so sick with stomach pains and vomiting that I think we got serious food poisoning. Never again blue ribbon! Please inspect your facility, food storage and food preparation.
(1)
Dylan C.
I've only had the pulled pork sandwich so I cant comment on the whole menu but if your in the mood for some good bbq try out blue ribbon
(2)
Bobara B.
As a Southerner living in New England, I can say that Blue Ribbon has the best and most authentic barbecue and Southern food that I've had outside of the South. The meats, the sides, the sauces, and even the smoky smell of the restaurant's interior are enough to convince me, even if just momentarily, that I'm at a barbecue joint in Memphis, Birmingham, or Durham, and not Arlington, Massachusetts. Frankly, I was surprised at how good it was. We Southerners, when eating "Southern" food outside of the South, probably feel a lot like immigrants to the United States when eating at restaurants which prepare the cuisines of their home countries. I'm sure you've all seen reviews on Yelp which read something like "sure, this place has a fine adaptation of Chana Masala, but it's nothing like the stuff I get back in the Punjab." Well that hardly happened to me here. The only thing that might have been a little different than expected was the collard greens, but they were still pretty good. I especially liked their housemade sauces, in particularly the extra extra spicy sauce on the pulled pork.
(5)
David M.
I've been coming here since around the time they opened back in 2004. We no longer live in the area, but while recently visiting on a business trip I got food for myself to take back to my hotel. The quality, flavor, taste, etc was exactly as I remembered. Great place for BBQ!
(5)
Laura L.
After visiting Texas years and years ago, I stopped ordering brisket, because nothing outside of Texas tasted as good... until I found Blue Ribbon. Amazing. And they give you a pretty good portion, so that I eat it over two meals (YMMV of course). I should try some of their other dishes, but can't stop ordering brisket ...
(5)
Carole B.
I did not care for the food. Having recently moved here from the Midwest, I found the BBQ disappointing. Perhaps it has to do with the different styles of BBQ, and this is a style that I do not care for. I think this is a Carolina style with thin sauces where the vinegar is prominent. I also did not find the sides to be all that good either.
(2)
Ed F.
Great brisket, tender and well smoked. The hot sauce had just enough bite. Huge sides of slaw and beans were winners too. Apple cobbler topped off a great dinner.
(5)
Conor S.
If you eat meat, live in Newton, and haven't been here yet, you're doing it wrong. If you gave up meat, here's a great place to start again.
(4)
Helen S.
Pretty yum. I tried a few things from here when I was in Boston for a research conference. Brisket - 5/5 my god this was tasty BBQ chicken - 5/5, also cause I'm partial to chicken Ribs - 3/5, dece but not falling off the bone delicious Pulled chicken - 3/5, it was decent Cornbread - 4 yummy Averages out to 4 stars exactly
(4)
Claire W.
Great pulled pork. I love getting a platter which has a side of corn bread rather than getting a pulled pork sandwich. I'll take corn bread over a bun any day. So far, the green beans and the baked beans are my favorite sides. They are a great pairing of savory, bacon green beans against the sweetness of the baked beans. The pickled beet salad is also tasty. I would not order the succotash again though since I found it bland. I really like all the BBQ sauces on the counter. The mustard is tasty, the Carolina vinegar is just like I remember from the NC coast, and the gold BBQ sauce is my favorite, but it is most fun to try them all. It's so much food for $13. I get two meals out of it. Sometimes, I like to use the leftovers on a salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
(5)
Ken M.
YUM!
(4)
Charlotte K.
Well, I've been eating here for years, and I am certainly a fan of their food. But something is going on at this location that is not a good trend. The food is slow cooked, which is great, but the exceedingly slow service to get takeout is a new problem, that seems to be exacerbated by the current weeknight evening crew. They spend a lot of time in jolly conversation with each other, and it is now taking as long as 20 minutes for them to transfer the food from the line to the Styrofoam box (and by the way, can't you use something besides styro?). If the sides were being prepared while you wait I'd happily wait 20 minutes, but it's sitting there on a steam table in front of them. Last night I watched while they had to fix twice a totally mixed up side dish order for some other customers (who were a lot more patient than I would would have been). I think management needs to pay a visit, or send some anonymous minders. Something's not quite right here. I can't speak for daytime or weekends, when I rarely go. But weekday evenings are kind of a mess.
(3)
Williams J.
Delicious!! Nice folks too. A bit pricey but if I spent the time they do making this stuff guess I'd charge for it too. Love it.
(5)
Kelly C.
YUM! This definitely hit the spot. Wet ribs, and burnt ends.... So flavorful. The meat fell off the ribs (which technically is overcooked, but just the way I like them) I think I have watched to much Steve Raichlen thanks to hubby. GAH!!! Why were all the sides so salty though! Green beans were my favorite soft consistancy, and the beans were tasty (usually not a fan) Cornbread was good too. Wish this place was 4 times bigger with comfy booths...We ended up getting it to go because the place was crammed at 1pm on Presidents Day! And the best surprise...they had King Cake! YUM for this LA gal.
(4)
Mike R.
As far as BBQ goes, Blue Ribbon (in my opinion) is probably the best in the Boston area. For a take out joint, it does a good job. I have had better BBQ in Texas but this is not Texas. There have been some off days but for the most part it is fairly consistent. And it is at a reasonable price. They also have a nice variety of sauces, from sweet to super spicy.
(5)
Lori B.
My husband & I had been looking for a good place for BBQ since our favorite spot in Manchester NH closed. Well, we found it!!! I could tell this was going to be good when we could smell it down the street! We opened the door & it was BBQ heaven! I'm not going to write a fancy review about how delicious the food is or how the richness of the sauces "enhance the delicately smoky flavor"...this place doesn't warrant a fancy review. Why??? Well, for starters, you walk in and the place is straight out of something that my mom & dad would go to on a date in the 50's. It has 3 steel tables and a steel counter with about 8 stools (the kind that you would find at an old-school drug store or ice cream shop "back in the day"). It was a delight to walk into a place that hadn't changed with the times! And that's VERY GOOD! What about the food you say??? It's amazing...everything that we ordered was amazing! EXACTLY what BBQ should be! Just try it..... We live over 90 minutes away & would not hesitate to go back at a moments notice!
(5)
Lala I.
very decent food, great for a quick lunch in town
(4)
Steve M.
Blue Ribbon was a destination before newer restaurants put Arlington on the foodie map, and I would be mighty happy if another other BBQ joint showed up that could match the quality of the Blue Ribbon (hey, step it up Redbones!) Memphis style ribs are top-notch, as are the burnt ends and the red-hot sausage sandwiches. The XXXX sauce is really good, but the chipotle mustard is truly a smoky delight and is my favorite. The specials and desserts are always nice. Today at lunchtime the Poblano rice really shined, as did the blueberry peach cobbler. I asked the manager whether they ever considered expanding and getting a liquor license, and he said that they are perfectly content with what they offer. I like a beer with my ribs, but you have to respect an establishment that knows what it is about!
(5)
Chris P.
I recently ate food from the Blue Ribbon BBQ food truck at the World Cup event at Aeronaut Brewery in Somerville, and the food was amazing! Blue Ribbon served excellent food that had German and Brazilian influences to stay within the World Cup theme. The serving sizes were huge and prices were reasonable. The owners were so down-to-earth and super friendly, and they gave free samples of the sausage to those who were waiting in-line to get into the brewery. I love when restaurant owners continue to play a big part of their business. If I was to need a caterer for some kind of casual summer event, I would definitely hire the Blue Ribbon food truck! The meat was way better than Red Bones.
(5)
Sean H.
This place is a gem! EXCELLENT and affordable, it offers barbecue as good it comes. I opted for pulled pork with two sides: collards and green beans. I also ordered pot likker [sic] ( the seasoned water in which the collards are cooked) - tasty tasty. My companions had sausage (also very very good) and cheese grits (slow cooked like they are supposed to be). You cannot go wrong with this place. Super casual, you won't be going for the ambiance, but you will be returning for the food. THE BOMB! Who'd a thunk that good BBQ would be in Somerville, Mass!?!
(5)
Adriana T.
I have neer been here before nor I am a big fan of BBQ but the food I had there I liked :) Soooo if somebody who doesn't even like BBQ liked the pull pork BBQ sandwich I can only imagine how much people love it. The food came out very quick and the sandwich came with 2 sides - I chose mashed potatoes and green beans. The mashed potatoes were delicious!!! I think it had milk and a lot of butter in it because it tasted just perfect!!! The place was clean and the food was very inexpensive so I am definitely going to return to their restaurant. Keep up the good work guys!!!
(4)
Russ L.
I live close enough that I can walk here & I can count on 1 hand the number of times I have eaten here in the dozen years since I have lived close by. I like their coleslaw, burnt ends & sauces, but other than that, I think Blue Ribbon is overrated. Their meat in general is too dry & overcooked. You will need plenty of their great tasting sauce to moisten things up. I do a better job smoking ribs & chicken in my Weber! If you want EXCELLENT Brisket that is smoky & moist, & great all-around Q, try Lester's in Burlington!
(2)
Mike W.
As far as BBQ goes the food is "not bad." I'm not terrible a fan of their sauce, it's a bit on the sweet & thin side. I enjoy the smokey & thick sauce better. The big positive for me here is the portions. They are huge, and for the size they're pretty affordable. $50 for two people and we usually have leftovers for at least a day or two. Not too bad...
(3)
Dee J.
One of the best BBQ restaurants ever! The best sides are the potato salad, mashed potato, macaroni salad and baked beans....yum. Most bbq chicken and flavorful ribs, with tons of sauces to choose from. My fave mix is Sweet BBQ, Hot BBQ and dash of ha bane to vinegar.....again, yum!!!!!!
(5)
K B.
We tried this place for the first time and it was soooo good! Yes, the mashed potatoes are good, as well as the baked beans and black eye corn. We also ordered the pulled pork, brisket and a rack of ribs. The guy at the counter was really helpful in giving us some ideas of what to try. They were out of pulled chicken but this place was really busy so that's understandable. Also, there's maybe four places to sit and eat so had to take it to go. Next time, we're going to go earlier in the day so we have a chance to try more and sit down. They also had some unique items on special like pig brains but I wasn't feeling that adventurous. They also had a lot of different sauces to try with them. All in all this is a great place and I would definitely go again.
(4)
Jason P.
I have been here before, and I actually thought I wrote a review, but this place is WAY better than I remember it. The pulled pork and Brisquet are both outstanding. There sides are ok. Not a huge fan of the slaw. The mashed potatoes are very good. The potato salad is decent. There sauces are excellent. I give this place 4.5 stars, but I am rounding up for such great sauces. Is there better Q? Definitely. Is there better Q so close? Not so sure about that.
(5)
Adam P.
Let me preface this by saying that I've been to numerous BBQ joints in the greater Boston area and Blackstrap BBQ in Winthrop is undoubtedly the best (and thus what I compare everything I eat at other places to). That said, I have a few LivingSocial deals for Blue Ribbon that make the short trip from Medford worth it. The food is rather hit or miss, here's what I mean: Hit: The beans. Seriously the only thing I crave from this place on a regular basis. Their pickled beet special last night was also delicious. Their burnt end sandwich isn't full of your typical burnt ends (more like pulled pork), but it's super smoky, moist and flavorful. Ribs were underseasoned but cooked to the right point of tenderness (can add their tasty BBQ sauces anyway). Miss: The collards. Ordered them two separate times to be sure, and yes, they are officially the blandest, most baconless-est collards ever. The jerk chicken platter was dry, and their sliced brisket was dry and underseasoned. Disappointing there. So order at your own risk - I'm not saying you won't love it, I'm just saying you might hate it too...
(3)
Michelle B.
Pros: Extremely fast. Almost spot-on Carolina BBQ sauce Decent pulled pork. Delicious burnt ends. Meh: All of the sides, though the slaw and mashed tasted like my mom's. The service. Not even a suggestion of a smile, though we had plenty to share. Cons: Noticeably poor quality ingredients, particularly the sliced beef brisket, which (although tender) was gummy and gristly. With such a small selection of menu items and sides, is it too much to ask that they at least be fresh/well prepared? I think that's the major difference between preparations on either side of the Mason-Dixon line. In the south, BBQ joints make use of what they have, and maybe it doesn't sit in a steam tray for 10 hours like cafeteria food. Sadness. On to the next one. Will my search for stand-out BBQ never end?
(2)
Avram B.
My wife and I haven't eaten at Blue Ribbon in over ten years, but we both had positive memories of the quality of the food. I see Blue Ribbon listed as one of the top BBQ destinations in the Boston Area. So we looked forward to our Father's Day dinner of take-in. Unfortunately, the reality of the present did not live up our past memories. We were willing to overlook them getting my wife's order wrong. (She ordered the chicken platter and got ribs.) In Blue Ribbon's favor, when my wife called, the manager immediately agreed to remove her meal from the bill. The food was mediocre at best. I ordered a Trio Platter of brisket, ribs, and chicken. All three were chewy and not very flavorful. I had to work hard to get the chicken and ribs off the bone. One of my criteria for BBQ ribs and chicken is that it should be "fallen' off the bone". Hardly. This was my daughter's first experience with BBQ. She order the pulled pork sandwich because she had a sampling of really good pulled pork earlier in the day at the BBQ Barn. Taste-wise, it was not as bad as my trio, but it wasn't exactly pulled. Most of it was a large hunk of pork that had to be cut with a knife. The sides saved the meal from being a 1 star review. While the corn bread was on the dry side, the collard greens were excellent. They had a little kick and great seasoning. The Black-eyed corn was also excellent. Last Labor Day we had a street party in my neighborhood. My self and two other neighbors smoked chicken, pork butt, and pulled pork. Our home-made BBQ was 100 times better than what we ate tonight from Blue Ribbon.
(2)
Ana R.
A friend took me for the first time and I was glad to have the guidance. We shared a three meat plate (sounds dirty I know) and we had plenty left over to take home. The cornbread is great, though a bit cakey for my taste. The sauces are awesome. I wish they hadn't run out of lemonade - I wasn't able to make my own Arnold Palmer : ( I like it far better than Red Bones - sorry if that's blasphemy! But these dishes have tons of flavor and RB does not always deliver in that department. It was a cheap meal to share, and like I said, it was PLENTY for two people. With a Groupon, it was nearly free. The wait staff was really nice. They let us use the restrooms even after they closed the place and I chatted them up while I was waiting for my friend. Will definitely go again.
(5)
James B.
The food has been better the last month I went. I get a sandwich with sausage and brisket .It was good but some fat on it . need trim lean for sandwich.For the price its good. I also like the burned ends.I dont like the ribs.
(4)
Stephanie W.
I had a livingsocial coupon that I had to use ($6 for $15 worth of food, whatup!)...but boy...very blah food. We had: 1. Pulled chicken sandwich + mashed potatoes + coleslaw (approx $8) -Pulled chicken was dry -Coleslaw was tasteless -Mashed potatoes were solid 2. Rib sandwich + mashed potatoes + green beans (approx $8) -Ribs were dry and overcooked. The meat was way too burnt and even after chewing for minutes, it hurt my throat to swallow the food -The "rib sandwich" was really three of the aforementioned ribs, still on the bone, placed between two slices of white bread. I'm not sure how you're supposed to eat this as a sandwich, so I just ate the ribs and discarded the bread -The green beans were TERRIBLE! Sour! Ew! Do NOT even think about ordering these -Again, mashed potatoes were solid We also ordered a couple servings of cornbread, which was not terrible, but not as moist as I would have liked. Overall verdict? Redbones is better. Sorry!
(2)
Ralph S.
We've ordered from the Arlington location for family dinners, high school sport pre-event dinners and family celebrations. In the past the food and service was fine but recently I've seen a noticeable decline in both. The last order was incomplete - no sauces (how can any BBQ place forget sauces if they are paying attention) and no extra cornbread (they didn't forget the extra charge). Some of the food wasn't cooked or handled properly and I suffered the consequences that night. When I placed the phone order the young man seemed more interested in being cool and arrogant than getting it right. If I ever go again I will check to insure they have included everything.
(2)
Sharon O.
Soooooo good! Great tasting food and great value... what else can you ask for? The pulled pork was amazing. We had never heard of blue ribbon, but we left singing its praises to everyone in the area! Portion size was generous, what you'd expect from a great guilty pleasure bbq place. Love it! We experimented the the sauces a bit, which are ok, but the meat and sides are fabulous and the real stars. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Tiffany L.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is the best BBQ place that I've found so far in the greater Boston area...better than Sweet Cheeks and Red Bones. My husband, from Texas, agrees. The best things that we tried there are the ribs and the burnt tips. The ribs, if you get an end piece, falls off the bone, the ones closer to the center are very tender but there are still pieces that stick to the bone. The burnt tips are very flavorful and the BBQ sauce is very good (sweet and a bit vinegar-y). The one thing that I thought was just OK was the brisket...it wasn't as tender as it could be and I found it to be on the drier side. The smoke flavor that is infused into the meat made it feel very authentic though! I liked the collared greens - they're good if you need something to balance out the saltiness of the meat. The beans were very good, and I found it to be a good combo if you ate them with the drier brisket. I liked the sweet tea because it wasn't tooth rottening, but my husband prefers it sweeter. He also enjoyed the pecan pie, but couldn't understand why they put whipped cream on it. He shoved the cream aside and still ate the whole thing! We'll be going back when we need another BBQ fix!
(4)
Emily A.
Blue Ribbon in Arlington does an excellent job at providing it's customer base with an accurate snapshot of what life must be like at Rikers Island. I'm just a little confused why they changed the name of their gastronomical delicacies from the original moniker... "PRISON FOOD". This place was dreadful. The stank on my clothes right now is reminiscent of a campfire. A campfire at summer camp. A summer camp where very, VERY bad things happen to very, VERY good people. The fix is in at Blue Ribbon barbeque and let me tell ya' something, all the cooks are in on it. I felt like I was playing a game of "Clue". "Who killed Col. Mustard", you ask? I'll tell you who, the guy who opens up the canned green beans at Blue Ribbon, that's who! ORDER 1: Jerk Chicken with a rich, robust dumpster sauce. Flavorless corn with the consistency of a brown, fin-less trout. Rice and beans so sad that if you closed your eyes and listened closely, you could hear the cries of a thousand Mexico City cab drivers on strike. ORDER 2: "This tastes like sh*t", Kansas City Burnt Ends. Verbatim. First bite, first words. I wouldn't feed this to my dog and he eats actual fecal matter. The mashed potatoes were o.k. if you're into that sort of thing. The grey beans were green in their former life but once they caught the virus from the metallic confines of their former housing, things changed. The music got eerie. I knew I was eating some real, home cookin'! Thanks, Blue Ribbon! Both orders came with corn bread, which I would've said was the best part until my second to last bite which had a gorgeous, flowing 2" lock of white hair which I'm most certain belonged to the pusherman that took my order. GAG! At that point I was so angry I wanted to launch my IBC root beer across the restaurant right into one of those fake vintage signs but that would've been a waste of delicious IBC root beer and the signs had nothing to do with it. Ambiance: We decided to dine-in for extra authenticity! Our table was conveniently located next to the soda machine which gently sprayed Sprite while not in use. Well... it could have been Sprite, was wishing it was Morphine to take the pain away. Overall, just a horrific experience to the point where I actually wanted to bring my styrofoam plate of slop back to the kitchen and ask them to eat it. My guess is that they'd decline. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SERVING PEOPLE, PEOPLE!!!??" If you're from the south you will love this place. If you're from the mid west, you will also love this place. I'm from neither and I hate this place.
(1)
Dave T.
Only 4 stars because the ribs can SOMETIMES be dry, The brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, and chix have always been perfectly cooked. My favorite for lunch is one of those items in a burrito and I sub out the rice for mashed potatoes in the burrito. It's a heart stopper and one of my favorite guilty pleasures!
(4)
Danny S.
Not that Blue Ribbon needs any more internet praise, but this is hands down the best BBQ in Boston. Massive portions and low prices for quality BBQ. Quick service, plenty of house-made sauce and attention to detail. Do yourself a favor and go.
(5)
David B.
Best BBQ I've had in Boston. I had the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and collards. The collards were not as spicy as I prefer, but the pork was right on. Not much seating so plan to get it Togo if you're a party of 4 or more. The place has a real down-home feel with a chalkboard menu and sandwiches wrapped in wax-paper. It made me miss my hometown in NC.
(5)
Jessie C.
Pulled chicken burrito! I have dreams about you... The new online ordering is awesome! Super duper easy. Diggin' it. Way to go Blue Ribbon! Keep up the good work!
(5)
Rob S.
Pros: Best BBQ in Boston. LOVE the sauces. Con: Nowhere to sit.
(4)
Sarah G.
Blue Ribbon I will be back to give you a second chance, especially since my boyfriend is jealous I went without him...But if I do come back, I really really hope that your pulled chicken is not as dry as it was this time.... For $7.49 you get a pretty big sandwich deal--a sandwich of your choice, pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, etc. and two sides. I went with the pulled chicken and coleslaw and baked beans, because honestly people pulled anything without coleslaw should be illegal. It is just one of those marriages that will never get a divorce, ya know? Their baked beans are awesome. I had trouble stopping myself from eating all of those after my first bite! Their coleslaw? Well...not the best...in fact it tasted like it had been sitting out a while too...My pulled chicken sandwich was packed with meat, and the sauce was tasty, but the chicken was way overcooked and dry....even after sitting in sauce....Good thing they have sauces o' plenty for you to use as much as you want!! Being food lovers, Deanna S. and I tried pretty much all of the sauces (Tepring P. just sat there and ate her food since she was already a blue ribbon veteran ha ha) and my fav picks are their chipotle mustard, their XXX hot sauce, and their gold BBQ sauce. They actually sell some of their sauces in jars too! So blue ribbon--be prepared when I come back, because I wanted to love you so much more than Redbones, since everyone told me how much better you were!! Maybe I'll just stick with pork or brisket--i mean really the less healthy meat options usually are winners ha
(3)
HowieHardcor e.
Folks, this is as close to real BBQ as you're going to get in Massachusetts, and it's pretty darn good too. Pulled pork sandwich with two sides of beans, once a week, without fail, yesserie dawg!
(5)
Matt S.
My favorite thing to do here (beside get the smoked catfish when they have it)? Be sure that when I get the pulled pork platter I take a little cup of the NC Vinegar and another of the Habanero Vinegar, and crumble large chunks of my cornbread into each. That way it soaks it up but doesn't get too soggy, and still packs a pretty good punch. So good--better than the sweet potato pie (which is also so good).
(5)
Scott B.
This place is my favorite BBQ in the Boston area. Much preferred over Redbones. I've had a few of the entrees and most of the sides, and it's all good. I'm not a big fan of their collard greens; their style is a very divisive love it or hate it, and I unfortunately hate it. Everything else is great, though. Most importantly, all of the meats have tremendous flavor even without any of the great barbecue sauces. This is the test of a good barbecue place. Each of the meats have distinctive flavors, whether it's the vinegary Carolina-style pulled pork or the slightly sweet burnt ends. The sauces, rather than over power the flavor of the meat, complement the meal and add layers of flavor. I've lived in the area for a month and have already been back a few times.
(5)
Erica T.
This place is A-OK. Not bad at all, but after all the "This place is better than Rebones!" I've heard and finally tested it out... I disagree. I prefer Redbones. Flavor-wise, the two places are pretty much on par with each other. I had the Memphis Ribs because I've eaten it at both places and could compare a bit better. Portion was generous, and the baked beans very good, as well as the slaw. The ribs were deliciously smoked, but I do prefer not to loose as much of the juiciness of the meat. I was gnawing on my ribs in a tiring sort of way after awhile due to meat toughness. The cornbread was sweet and delicious as cornbread should be. I did take out, and the box ended up being messy-- no liquid tight containers here. Looking around, it seemed like a nice place to stop by, but I don't think I'd want to go out of my way for dinner AT Blue Ribbon. Not much seating available.
(3)
Kim K.
Stopped in for a quick Sunday lunch. I liked what we got - pulled pork, sausage, and the pickles - but WHY is everything so spicy?! I could see the red pepper flake in the sausage, and normally I'm a huge red pepper flake fan, but this was way too much. And it was throughout the pulled pork too. I like spice for sure but I don't like when it melts my tongue so much I can't even taste or enjoy my meal. Maybe I'll try Blue Ribbon again someday but I won't be rushing back.
(3)
Jonathan H.
This is my favorite spot for BBQ in Boston. I recommend the ribs and brisket for meats, and you've got to try the creamed corn when they have it. You also have a variety of sauces to choose from, including a few vinegar-based ones, and some excellent sweet tea to keep you hydrated. I still remember a few years back when I picking up dinner for a small group, and received the last portion of the creamed corn. However, since it only filled up half of the container, they asked me what side I'd like instead...in addition to the delicious corn. You won yourself a lifer with that move Blue Ribbon, stay awesome.
(5)
Gregory P.
The quality of meat and sides is strong, but the lackluster regular BBQ sauce is what prevents this place from getting my 5-star vote. I do love the atmosphere and the location. I visit this place every now and then if I'm riding the Minuteman Bike Path. The cornbread is delicious, and so is the dirty rice and mashed potatoes. The ribs are tender and full of meat. I just really wish their BBQ was better. I recommend getting the HOT BBQ sauce instead of the regular sauce. If they would improve their base BBQ sauce, they would be one of the best BBQ spots in Boston.
(4)
Deanna D.
Stopped into Blue Ribbon for BBQ while on girls night out. I've heard great things about this place so maybe my expectations were a bit high. The counter service was fast and friendly and the prices were reasonable. I had the pulled pork sandwich with baked beans & coleslaw. The sandwich was good sized and the meat was tender but lacked flavor on its own. I smothered it in a few different & delicious sauces to give it some flavor. The XXX hot and golden BBQ were some of my favorite sauces. I was not a fan of the baked beans or the coleslaw which was definitely disappointing since they were half my meal. I will be back and give it another try but for now it's a 3 star A-OK joint.
(3)
John S.
It's good to be home again. I used to spent a good deal of time in Arlington, and one of my favorite activities there was cramming Blue Ribbon BBQ into my stomach to satisfy my oft-raging BBQ cravings. After taking a couple years off, I made my triumphant return for some sausage and pulled pork. Both were excellent and just as I remembered, and served up by the pleasant folks that run the place. Is it the best BBQ I've ever had? No, but it's high-quality stuff, and some of the best around.
(4)
Chaos M.
I tried the sausage, chicken, and beef. This is ok actually.
(3)
Susan C.
I tried Blue Ribbon for the first time a few weeks ago. The place wasn't exactly what I had expected. It was set up more like a takeout place than a restaurant. You order at the counter, and then they have tables set up for customers to sit at and a line of stools with a counter by the window. Having never been here before, I was expecting more of a Redbones atmosphere with wait staff, and a bar, and whatnot. The food, however, did not disappoint. I ordered the brisket and ribs combo with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The meat was very tender and juicy, but a little lacking on the flavor if you do not eat it with their barbecue sauce. The sauce is quite tasty though--they have 3 versions if I remember correctly. One was sweet, one was a little mustardy, and one was spicy. I mixed the sweet and spicy one together for my meat, and found it to be just the right amount of heat. The spicy alone set my mouth on fire after a few bites. The slaw and potatoes were nice accompaniments. The potatoes were buttery, Paula Dean would have been proud. And the slaw was not too mayonnaisy, so that's always good. The portion size was also huge. Definitely enough for sharing between two people or for 2-3 meals.
(4)
Jeff W.
Rib-stickin', stomach-filling fun is to be had to eat at this place... the pulled pork is delicious and the sides are a-plenty. Every time after I eat there I waddle out the door thinking "ooooo boy..." Did I mention unlimited pickles and soft-drinks to wash all that goodness down? The smell wafting from the door will start to make your mouth water and your stomach ache for some lip-smackin' tastiness. Nuff said. Redbones is bogus.
(4)
Arnold C.
I had the half rack BBQ Memphis style on a Sunday night. Not busy. Light crowd. Meat lacked taste, and smeared with a bland BBQ sauce. It looked like the ribs were broiled rather BBQ. It was soggy, almost like it was reheated from a microwave. The collard greens were like cabbage in a pile of water on my plate. Yuck! Awful experience. Thought I would have a closer alternative to Bison County in Waltham if i need a BBQ fix. Bison County is farther and the meat is more charred than most places, but at least you think you had a BBQ. This Blue Ribbon made me feel cheated and dissatisfied. I would not go again.
(1)
kris a.
Too full to review best brisket in new england food coma; send help
(5)
Sean M.
Foods are so good there! Delicious ribs, chickens, and pulled pork! But potato salad was not that great though.
(5)
Matt B.
Delicious brisket sandwich. Great choice of sauces, some very hot, some more vinegary...
(5)
Emily S.
I've gotten BBQ from both the Newton and Arlington locations a few times and it's always been great. The meat is very tender, juicy, and flavorful. I especially enjoy the pulled pork and the corn bread! I've never had a problem with the staff. There is a small seating are if you want to eat at the restaurant but it's really more of a take out or catering kind of place. Too bad parking can be a bit of a pain.
(4)
Rachael F.
You're kidding. Have I seriously never reviewed this place? This place has the best BBQ in the Boston area by FAR. Everything is perfect. Delicious sweet BBQ sauce, moist meats, perfect beans and mashed potatoes, some of the best cornbread. Fast service, good prices, heaping portions. I have no complaints about this place. Perfection. The boyfriend and I eat here at least once a month, pretty sure we frequent this restaurant more than almost any other eatery. Seriously, can't emphasize enough how much I adore this place.
(5)
Kerry D.
This is a great, reasonably priced place for a quick lunch or dinner in either Arlington or Newton. Their burnt ends are my favorite, but their burritos are really good too. My only complaint is that the sides all seem really overcooked and greasy to me. I suspect that is actually authentic southern cooking, but maybe they could toss in a few fresher, crispier raw veggie options or something does not involve oil.
(4)
Andy V.
Blue Ribbon or Redbones? Go to Blue Ribbon if you want great ribs at reasonable prices and don't mind that it is essentially a take out place. Avoid the bbq roasted chicken which usually has been cooked until it has died a second death. The best deal is to order the 1/3 slab combo platter because often you'll get four ribs rather than three (it all depends on who's doing the packing). If you want to order around the dinner rush, the best bet is to go on line and place your order using this funky form which might make you nervous because you don't get this reassuring feeling that your order was actually taken and placed. Will it be ready when I get there or won't it? Don't worry! I've never had a problem except that you should definitely check to make sure they've included the proper side dishes. They don't seem to always survive the on line order translation process! Oh, and don't forget to try some desserts which are house-made. They change seasonally but I've tried the sweet-potatoe pie, the key lime pie, and even coconut custard and were all excellent. The chocolate cookies are pretty good but the brownies were disappointing. Go to Redbones if you want a sit-down ribs meal and want to indulge in the many, many craft brews. The servers are all quite knowledgeable about what's on tap. The difference in the ribs are a matter of personal taste. Personally, I find Redbones a bit more consistent in the cooking and portion size but also more expensive than BlueRibbon. Either way, enjoy! And don't forget the black-eyed peas! (the side dish).
(4)
Rachel B.
After visiting this place tonight and trying pulled pork, cornbread stuffing, baked beans, and mashed potatoes and pretty much all the sauce offerings, I can say that I understand why some people like this place, BUT it is not my kind of BBQ joint. About me: I like thick, sweet, smokey BBQ sauce and pretty much anything that is slathered underneath it. Full disclosure, no shame, I like the flavor of many BBQ sauces you can get from grocery stores or Texas BBQ places. I'm from California (a place where people eat this thing called "tri tip", something that apparently doesn't exist out here) and I was not raised on true southern foods. However, I can recognize good cooking. About this place: The BBQ sauces are more thin with a strong vinegar base. They have some interesting ones with habanero and chipotle mustard. Very interesting. The meat is fantastic. Pork that is smoky and tender and fabulous. Mashed potatoes are creamy and light. So that said, if you are from the south, or appreciate REAL BBQ, like something that would be served at a church picnic or at a state fair, then I think you would like this place. If you are like me, then perhaps not. But hey, maybe you need to try it and see!
(3)
Food Hunting T.
Went to there twice because first visit was fine and the second one was the end. Ordered 2 boxes at the 2nd visit and seeing half empty spaces of the boxes, their portions became less just like their menu. Paying 12 bucks for a $6 meal is not a satisfied mood. won't deal with this business again.
(1)
John C.
Even though i promised i would never return i came back for round two. I'm glutton for punishment i guess. maybe it's my deep desire that the yelp reviews for this place are correct. well, i came back. this time i ordered the beef brisket dinner. texas style i believe (open face on bread) with mashed pots, collard greens and corn bread. i also got a small container of beef brisket to go. my gf was studying at the starbucks down the street so i stopped for us to share this meal. her response when i arrived with blue ribbon bbq? "are you serious". i had to give them another shot, no one deserves a 1 star review... everyone, even bad restaurants deserve a second chance. well, i pitched and blue ribbon whiffed like big papi in the first half of last season. lets start with the sides: corn bread: corn bread is corn bread, it's probably the hardest item to ever mess up.. i would say this corn bread was actually slightly above average. it doesn't deserve more than what i've already written. mashed potatoes: i am a BIG fan of mashed potatoes so i'm always hesitant when purchasing mashed from a place that has to make a lot of it.. the mashed was actually decent, the downside was that you can tell it's been sitting around all day, it' had that, oh i've been sitting around all day glaze on it. fail. the gravy was BLEH... i honestly feel the gravy from KFC is better... collard greens: why did i even bother with this.. this was missing one really important item.. FLAVOR... slap some butter or some salt on it at least.. this had NOTHING. open faced brisket: upon her first bite my gf said it tasted weird... then i had my first bite.. and WOW, the aftertaste.. i've never eaten formaldehyde but i've spent enough time around it (dissection labs in high school and multiple cadaver labs in college and grad school) to have a good assumption of what it would taste like. well, apparently it's an ingredient in blue ribbons brisket. it was horrible. i had to drench the meat in the crappy gravy in order to stomach it. to top it ALL off, all the meat came on ONE slice of crappy white bread.. really, bread costs all but half a cent. you couldn't put more than ONE slice under all that meat? they pretty much put a cow on top of a cracker and called it a sandwich. the sad part was that i had another packed container of this.. luckily i got it with tons of spicy sauce which helped. (i had to eat this for lunch for the next 2 days). the ONE good thing about the meat was that it was very tender and juicy.. but what good is tender and juicy protein with it tastes like formaldehyde? blue ribbon, we've gone on two dates and both times you farted at the dinner table. needless to day, i got your number, but i won't be calling you again honey.. EVER
(1)
Jay K.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Blue Ribbon yet... This place is amazing and a dependable place to go with no matter who you're with. The food is amazing and you can either eat there or get it to go. The food is authentic and there are a lot of choices. I really like the burnt ends. Always a treat to come here. Prices are great too! The only thing is I wish they were open a little later so I can come here any time of day. That would be perfect.
(5)
Ryan B.
I cant think of a better word to use than 'meh' for this Boston-based BBQ joint. I love BBQ. I love it in all shapes and sizes and colors. I consider myself a pulled pork aficionado, I make my own BBQ sauces, and there has never been a piece of cornbread I didnt love. My GF and I tried this place out after an underwhelming meal (that we didnt even finish) at a local Mexican restaurant. We saw the praise from Yelpers and I was hoping it would hit the spot. As I've seen in some other reviews, this is very good BBQ for Massachusetts but barely above adequate when compared to the rest of America. I tasted the burnt ends with baked beans, corn bread, and cole slaw. My GF had the brisket sandwich with mashed potatoes. The burnt ends were DOUSED in a heavy helping of overly tomato-y BBQ sauce so I couldnt really enjoy the meat. The bread, beans, and salw were all above average. The brisket was very tasty but came on a pretty generic grocery store bun. The potatoes were excellent in consistency and flavor. I only tried of few of their sauces. The tomato based sauces were not very good. The flavors between sweet and spicy were not balanced very well. They were heavy on the tomato flavor and lacked the punch in the tastebuds that BBQ requires. Their mustard based golden BBQ sauce was amazing. It was the star of the show. If you want good BBQ and youre from MA, check it out. If you are from a BBQ lovin' state, dont go through the effort.
(3)
Melissa M.
now this is not a sit down restaurant so ideally call ahead to pick up your order, then drive home, and put on some sweat pants, because yes, this food is definitely good for when you want to crush some awesome bbq and you're cool with feeling homer simpson gross afterwards. the prices here are more than reasonable for the quality and quantity that you get; sweet cheeks charges way more, and in my opinion is only half as good. when i arrived my order was ready, as promised it would be in the 15 minute wait time they told me, and the guys behind the counter were super friendly. i filled up with some neat sauces at the sauce counter on the way out, and was on my way to gut-busting bliss. for a whopping 30 dollars we got the following: half rack rib platter with 2 sides (mashed potatoes/black eyed corn), and corn bread burnt ends platter with 2 sides (baked beans, collards), and corn bread order of pickles everything was good, and surprisingly, we ate everything, which was rather impressive. the rib meat fell off the bones, the sweet sauce was just right. the sides were good, i favored the mashed. corn bread was the only meh part of the meal - it wasn't bad, a little on the dry side. my gf crushed her burnt ends - i tried them and they were delicious, it's sort of like twice cooked pulled pork in a tomato based bbq sauce. the baked beans were amazeballs. definitely pick up a small container of their pickles - thinly sliced and not to sweet. i can't even tell you how soon i want to go back there, but i may need to institute a no more than once a month rule, or i see elastic waste band sweats in my future 24/7.
(4)
Heather G.
It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate you hate the least....ooh, actually, that's pretty harsh. Let me correct that: It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate who you think will cause the least irreparable damage to the economy and to our country's reputation. My point? Boston's not famous for its barbecue. :::cue exasperated face::: Shocker, right? So it's really no surprise that you can't really procure something incredible here, especially given that there are only a handful of restaurants that make a job of smoking meat (yep). So, the punchline is - have I had better barbecue? Sure. Have I had better barbecue in Boston? Nope. To compare Blue Ribbon to the vast world of Boston restaurants, this place would be low on the list. However, compared to its peer group, I'd say this is likely some of the best you can get here. Don't like it? Move south. There are just some things New England, on average, will never be known for. C'est la vie. While I liked the mustard-y vinegar-y sauce and the spicy hot sauce, I didn't think either really stood out and made me think it was some stellar BBQ sauce. The sides, too, while tasty, were not memorable. The garlicky red smashed potatoes had a nice creamy texture, but lacked salt. The beans had a burnt/smoky taste which was nice for a bite or two, but grew old quickly and, after a half serving, reminded me of the beans that get stuck to the bottom of the pot (which you scrape off and eat anyway because, hey, it's food!) when you cook them over a campfire. The most successful side, in my opinion, is the crunchy, under-mayo-ed cole slaw. Eat it alone or pile it on your brisket sandwich - it's delicious either way. We had our meats sandwiched between hard-ish, crumbly buns. On first inspection, I was disappointed by the choice of bulkie roll used, but I quickly learned that these dry, mealy things moisten up after prolonged contact with the meat, and stand up well overall throughout the duration of the meal. Let's talk about meat, shall we? While I enjoy barbecue, none of these meats left me craving a return visit. Both the brisket and the pulled pork were extremely fatty (the brisket more so), above and beyond what is expected when you order BBQ meats. Every.single.bite had a big, squishy chunk of fat, and it became annoying to have to look into my sandwich before each bite to be sure it had a good fat-to-meat ratio that wouldn't leave a squidgey (yeah, that's a word) feeling when i chewed. The burnt ends (for obvious reasons) did not suffer from this problem, and for that reason alone, I preferred this to the other meats. Because this place is outside the city and because (while it's likely the best BBQ Boston has to offer), on an absolute level, it's only "OK" for me, I won't run out to get back there. However, if you're really craving some smokey meats and have access to a car, have a trip over there. You may not be wowed, but it won't be a bad meal.
(3)
Lindsay C.
Oh My YUM! I loves me some Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! This is the closest thing you can get to Texas...so I am in love! I found a little piece of home up in New England. Now only if they served Shiner Bock beer with the food... I'd be in pure Lone Star Heaven! The chicken is so moist, smokey and flavorful. I like the BBQ chicken in their burrito and all the sauces poured on different parts...so many flavors! Thank you BBQ Gods at Blue Ribbon!
(5)
connie l.
yummmmmy! I LOVE BBQ. I've never ordered or been to the actual restaurant, but my prior work place used to get catering, and my friend got catering for her fiance's birthday last night. Definitely want to stop by the actual restaurant if I'm ever in the area. Burnt ends, pulled pork, and chicken are delicious! Pretty much all the meat here is tasty! Yum meat slathered with bbq sauce. I love all the different sauces, just wish they were slightly thicker. The beans, mashed potatoes, and cornbread are awesome. Sides are just as important as the meat! I absolutely love mac-n-cheese, and while the mac-n-cheese here is yummy, I've had better. The guy who delivered the catering order last night was pleasant and polite, brought the food up to my friend's third floor apartment and helped set things up. Portions have always been generous! My friend ordered catering for 10 people, and it was more than enough food for the 12-15 people that were at the party!
(4)
David P.
Updating this review makes me sad. I was in love with this place, but it has has gone seriously downhill and the affair is over. Their barbecue used to blow away everything else in the area. I had them at 5 stars with an exclamation point. I bought their cue in bulk for parties, dragged friends there - absolutely loved the stuff. Their burnt ends were heavenly, sweet,. smoky, complex - great texture. Over the last year or two, I've had a few weak meals there, but I kept hoping that I was catching them on off days, and an occasional good visit kept my hopes up. My last visit produced the worst barbecue I've had from them ever and the weakest I've had anywhere in a while. I've hit four places for barbecue in the last month and they were the weakest of the lot (the others were Soul Fire, Fire Box and Redbones). The ribs had little smoke, little bark, little rub and little flavor and sauce was very much needed. Thankfully, the sauces were as good as ever and some generous saucing helped save the ribs. The collard greens were bland. The chicken lacked smoke and lacked flavor overall and the texture was unappealing. The burnt ends were still sweet and tasty, the best thing I had, but far less complex than I remembered. Black eyed corn, once a favorite of mine was OK, but not exciting. I hold out some hope that once their groupons expire, things may get better. They sold some record level of groupons a while back and I wonder if they cut back on some things in order to avoid losing to much since they only get half the revenue, which means they get 3.75 for a 15 dollar groupon. I'll try them once or twice more to see if they are show some signs of recovery, but for now its Redbones and Soul Fire as my local Barbecue joints (Fire Box and Blackstrap are great, but a much bigger drive for me).
(2)
Rob D.
Totally awesome BBQ. One of the best parts? TONS of sauces. Lots of them hot. It doesn't get much better...
(5)
Traci K.
Thank the lo' for the corn bread. It's true - someone up above must have heard my desperate plea. Upon a recent jaunt at Blue Ribbon, I have to say the corn bread is much improved and SO delicious. Don't mind me, I'm just sticking this piece in my pocket for later... PS - Baked beans - you were a delight!
(5)
Paige C.
great boston barby meat cooked to death southern sides carnivore heaven
(5)
Amy M.
Got home and our order was wrong -- missing 1/3 of the meat on our 3-meat platter. Horrible, right? Well, there was still plenty of food but I was annoyed that we were home (not wanting to go back out and fetch the missing portion) and cheated out of 1/3. I called up, explained what happened and asked "so what do you do in this situation?" (The few times this has happened at other places, they always tell me to come back) and without missing a beat, the guy on the phone asked for my order number and refunded me on the spot. So. Delicious food and swiftly correcting errors without an elaborate blame game about where it went wrong. I mean, my only real complaint is how crowded it was but I wouldn't begrudge a good restaurant a busy evening!
(5)
Carter W.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great, for New England.. But compared to places down south it pales in comparison. It is like comparing a Hyundai to a Mercedes. It gets the job done, but it is not the same quality, and no one makes cars like the Germans or BBQ like good 'ol Southerners. If you have the chance try BR BBQ out, the burnt ends are the only item I get, but if you are from below the Mason Dixon don't expect to be blown away.
(3)
Jim S.
Few years back you couldn't get any kind of BBQ anywhere in New Enland, now at least we have an authentic North Carolina joint (I've spent a lot of time in NC). Remember that there are many many styles of BBQ throughout the country, If you are expecting Texas or Memphis, it's not here. A little hard to eat healthfully here. No, it's not a requirement of the joint, but worth commenting on since my wife and eat need to avoid fat. But there is chicken and usually catfish, even turket sometimes. Side dishes also seem on the heavy side. But the vinegar-based NC BBQ preparations are really authentic, and really good, and really a lot to eat. It's got a few tables/stools, but it's certainly not foe elegasnt dininig. Probably 70% is takeout. And yes, the staff is "move it on through, and don't bother with smalltalk". That's one difference from NC, where people are a lot friendlier, but this place is *better* than some BBQ I've had in NC, so deal with it.
(4)
Sam S.
I've been a regular patron since Blue Ribbon opened in Arlington about 15 years ago. No more! Groupon destroyed this place! It's now filled with Groupon bottom feeders - people who will come when things are dirt cheap, but disappear once prices go back to normal. There are now long lines and declining quality.
(1)
Junior S.
Burnt ends. Food coma. Personal shame regarding gluttony.
(5)
Fatih U.
Decent BBQ (e.g., Kansas City burnt ends), excellent sides (especially check the daily specials), tasty sauces, and interesting specials (e.g., BBQ'd catfish) -- definitely check the board before ordering. Not a fan of the corn bread or the half BBQ'd chicken. May have a long dinner queue. Not great for eating in, if ordering take out, call ahead and order it over the phone to save some time.
(5)
Steph P.
Now THAT's what I am talking about! Finally some actual, real for sho', honest to goodness BBQ! I have been dying to try this place and when the Groupon came out I knew it was time. Went last night with my ex for a dog custody discussion (his family hails from Memphis, so I knew there would be some serious judgment). When we first walked in I thought the backwoods kitsch was pretty cool, I liked the chalkboard menus and old cans of spam everywhere. While checking out the menu I said to my ex "Look! They have potlikker!" and the cashier said "You actually know what potlikker is?". We explained that we are from Cincinnati where there is decent BBQ and the chef (or maybe owner?) came out and asked us what part- he grew up there too! PS if you don't know what potlikker is, it is the juice that comes off when you boil collard greens and it is amazing if the greens are done right (with hamhocks or bacon). Chef/owner dude told us that a couple times a month they also make Skyline chili and I almost fainted (you can google that one if you don't know it). ANYWAY! We ordered a 1/3 slab of Memphis Ribs platter with 2 sides of collard greens and cornbread, a 1/2 pint of pulled pork and a side of coleslaw. It came out to about $25 and it was a TON of food. We really could have shared the platter, but we wanted to try a lot of things. The ribs were perfect and huge. Yeah, I really can't say much else. They honestly do rival what you would get in Memphis. Pulled pork was killer as well, seasoned but not in BBQ sauce (which is a no-no). Both meats had a really nice smoky/charred flavor without being burnt or crunchy. The collards were great, cole slaw had a great tang and was very creamy. I was especially impressed with the cornbread. Cornbread is all about the ratio of cornmeal to flour. In the North, there is usually more flour leading to a cakier version, while in the South there is more cornmeal which makes the bread crumbly. I prefer the Southern version and this nailed it. Dipped in my collard green juice (aka potlikker), it was just fantastic. Added bonus: At the sauce counter, there are sliced pickles :) My only gripes: The collards and the sweet BBQ sauce were a tad too spicy for me, but I am pretty sensitive. My ex wanted to marry a bottle of the spicy sauce (good thing we got that divorce). Not a lot of room to sit- a couple more tables would be nice. I wish I had bought more Groupons!
(4)
Sal C.
If not the best, one of the top BBQ spots in the Boston area. Burnt Ends and Memphis Dry-Rubbed Ribs are the best and the sides are all excellent. Favorite sides include black-eyed corn, collard greens, and rice and beans, but also like the homemade pickles and cornbread. And good selection of sauces. Not lots of seating but also great for take-out. In the warmer weather they have seating outside.
(5)
Frank W.
Delicious North Carolina BBQ, a little off the beaten-path. You can tell they're Arlington's competitor to RedBones and they pull it off. I split a pulled pork sandwich and jerk chicken sandwich with someone else. Jerk chicken was a slap in the face (hot, woo!) and the pulled pork was good -- but not pre-soaked in BBQ sauce.. they let you do that on your own. Some people might have found that this made it dry, but I kinda liked the control, personally. Coleslaw was bleh, but the baked beans were good. They were out of the Mac & Cheese (sad face) but I will try that the next time I go back. And for the record, chipotle mustard is the tits. Get it to go... not exactly the best environment to eat in IMHO. See you soon BRBBQ!
(4)
John S.
This was our first visit to Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington. Service was great, seating is limited but the warm weather provides additional tables outside. The menu is varied but surprisingly there was only one style of ribs (memphis) and to me it's all about the ribs. Our family had North Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (excellent), Burnt Ends sandwich (not finished and seemed not to be enjoyed), Drum Stick Platter (enjoyed) and I had a 1/2 slab Rib Platter (ribs were fatty, though tender they were not interesting and seemed steamed). I left 2 and didn't bring them home. Personally I prefer Tennessee BBQ's ribs that are firmer and sweeter. The side dishes were all good though the green beans had too much kick. The best mashed potatoes ever and good corn bread. The baked beans were ok not great. All the sauces were more vinegar based than molasses based. I like a molasses based sweeter sauce. We'll be back but I will get a Pulled Pork sandwich and skip the ribs.
(3)
Denise F.
My boyfriend and I went to this place to pick up some great bbq to eat while we watched NCAA tournament. We got pulled pork and ribs. The pull pork with mash potatoes was good. The pull pork well just average. I am sitting here try to describe it but I don't really have much to say about it. The ribs were sweet and the meat came off the bone. I thought they were a little small. I think the thing I really enjoy here is their cornbread. I love their cornbread because they come in huge pieces. The cornbread had little corn bits and was slightly sweet. I would come back for BBQ but Red Bones is just closer to my bf's house.
(3)
Michael S.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Burnt ends are outstanding as well as the pulled pork, cornbread, and pretty much everything on the menu.
(5)
Taino G.
No decor to speak of - but the food is simply divine. Best southern-style BBQ I've had in years. Highly recommend the burnt ends!
(4)
Joe P.
Checked them out a couple of times. A buddy who I treated to lunch said to me: "If I paid for this I would demand my money back". I can only attribute the high marks of this place to the fact that New Englanders DON'T KNOW GOOD BBQ. Not even mediocre. I agree with N F. It is laughable to compare this to the real thing. The mashed potatoes weren't awful though.
(1)
Tiff D.
I've had quite a bit of BBQ in the Boston area, and this is the best so far. YUM
(4)
Jeremy S.
I'm not sure what Kansas City Burnt Ends are, but they are sure damn tasty. Same goes with Blue Ribbon's baked beans and pulled pork... at least with those two things I knew what I was putting into my salivating mouth. I've only been to Blue Ribbon once and I'm already singing its praises over my old haunt--Redbones. When it comes solely down to the BBQ, Blue Ribbon earns the crown by a mile. Redbones gets points for beer, though, and that's something I can't overlook. If you're hankering for takeout you should dial up Blue Ribbon immediately. But, if you want to chill with some microbrews while gnawing on animal flesh, grab a seat at Redbones and enjoy yourself.
(5)
Lea E.
We were very excited to order from our local BBQ eatery for the SuperBowl. The food is good. What my friend experienced in picking up the order, the chaos and unfairness, will cause a long-standing favorite to lose our business! He ordered in the afternoon for a 6:00 delivery. When he arrived there was a long line of preorders and walk-ins, and no access in for those who had preordered. Apparently, one's order was not PUT IN until you paid, and they did not take payment on the phone. So orders placed ahead of time... too bad! One man had apparently ordered the day before! But all had to wait. Superbowl started... he waited in line. When he finally got to the cashier, no one apologized until he asked for this. He arrived an hour later than expected missing the first quarter of the game. A half- hearted apology, and no compensation. Very poor way to run a business. WE WILL NOT RETURN.
(1)
Dirgni S.
I got the Memphis dry rubbed ribs with dirty rice and green bean posole. The ribs were very tasty, though the sauces were too vinegary for me. I don't like sweet sauce, which these aren't, but they lack body. My sides were pretty bad. The dirty rice really had no flavor. If my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was Uncle Ben's. The posole was downright nasty. As my husband said, "the green beans were fresh.... from the can." My husband's mashed potatoes were yummy and my mom's potato salad was pretty tasty too. The cornbread was meh. The service was fine. The place is tiny, so seating is very limited. If I return, I'd get take out. Meat only. And I'd make my own BBQ sauce. I make a mean hot sauce. Oh, and they have good pickles. They're sliced into skinny chips. I'd prefer spears, but these were very crisp and tasty.
(3)
Julie B.
5 stars every step of the way! When I called to place an order, I felt as though I was teleported into the South where people talk a little slower and are actually nice. I felt the Southern Hospitality the entire time. When I came to pick up my order, everyone there was sweet as honey(you will never hear me use this term again so savor it now) and super polite. The food was amazing. I've had BBQ in the South and I haven't always been a fan. But man, this was awesome. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and my boyfriend had the burnt ends. Let me tell you something, you haven't lived until you've tried burnt ends so you better do it. So moist and juicy, smothered in a tangy bbq sauce. Considering the sandwiches, with two sides are just $7 and some change, you get a TON of food. We had enough leftovers for a whole other meal. Not to mention, they make the best baked beans I've ever tried. And I don't even like beans! Basically, this place amazing. You will not regret trying it, I promise you that.
(5)
Joe C.
If I was in North Carolina, St. Louis or in many other southern states or towns, I wouldn't be so generous. We don't live in the South so, I am not going to make that comparison. That all being said, Blue Ribbon is great! Everyone want to compare it to Redbones, which is understandable. Reality is that each place does some items better than the other... Both are great. You won't get the atmosphere and great beer selection here, but you will get damn good BBQ and you will get it quickly and it will be a tremendous value.
(5)
James W.
sometimes, i feel like i should just paste my notes as my review. "1st visit (07/10/11). pork burrito ($8). food coma." do you need to know something else? ok. in multiple visits at both blue ribbon locations (2 in newton and 3 or 4 at this point in arlington), i have never come away disappointed - except when i recall that they don't serve beer. sorry, but beer and bbq go together like ... uh, beer and bbq. both places are small with the requisite bbq joint vibe and the food is on point. the burnt ends, chicken, and burritos have become my go-tos, but i've also had the pulled pork and the bbq chicken, both of which were moist, smokey, and delicious with and without sauce. for the sides, the beans with large chunks of bacon and meat and collard greens with a healthy kick of spice are my favorites, but they have lots of offerings, including stuff for the vegetarian at the table. prices are going to vary based on what you order, of course, but your sammies and burritos will run about $8 all the way up to the triple (3 meats and 2 sides) for $16, so you're not breaking the bank to expand your waistline and provide job security for a cardiologist. "3rd visit, arlington. pulled chicken burrito ($8). good. still wish they sold beer." notes, people. notes.
(4)
Michael W.
Ok, we're New Englanders. We're not exactly known for BBQ. Blue Ribbon gets this concept perfectly. They were inspired by the classic roadside barbecue joints that dot the South. This isn't the typical sauce-slathered fare you see peddled around here. This stuff is made exactly the same way as in some of the most famous barbecue places in the country. The meat is slow cooked over low temps using traditional methods. The result is the best barbecue in the area, hands down. I've had every meat dish, and it's all fantastic. The brisket it tender and flaky and the meat falls right off of the ribs. They do offer various sides, and I can say that the collared greens, baked beans and cornbread are all delicious. The prices are reasonable and the location has parking and indoor and outdoor seating. If you're looking to have a Southern barbecue experience, look no further.
(5)
Laura T.
Great pulled pork, potato salad and cornbread. As for the BBQ sauces... why are there like 3,000,000 to choose from?!?!
(4)
Dan S.
Addicted. Been several times. Great pulled pork and dry-rub ribs every time. Wreaks wonderfully of smoked meat. Huge portions. Go there!
Do you like meat? I like meat. If you share my love of meat, I recommend the Blue Ribbon Barbeque. Even their non-meaty parts are good. Go here for all your meat related needs.
(5)
Matt S.
Best BBQ in Boston. Red Bones has two advantages: alcohol, and seating. The latter is debatable as there's notoriously a very long and camped wait. Awesome hot sauce, awesome pulled pork.... yada, yada, yada.... best BBQ in Boston.
(5)
Dan C.
Most of the time when I go to Greater Boston Motorsports I end up getting bent over and screwed...hard. Okay, pretty much every time I go there I end up paying twice as much as I hoped for whatever reason (I even end up paying for something when I just go there to look around). What keeps me coming back you ask--well that's easy: this place, Blue Ribbon BBQ. If it wasn't for this place I wouldn't even know the name Arlington, but thank Jesus, God, Mohammad, Buddha, Flying Spagetti Monster, whoever happens to be the higher power for inventing BBQ and more importantly for inventing this place. Where do I begin? Perhaps with the vast assortment of amazing BBQ sauces? XXX Hot rocks both my mouth and my world, but the vinegar sauce has its place too (mostly on their collards). Maybe with the fact that most plates are cheap, like under $10 cheap and come with more food than any sane person should be eating in one sitting. I polish my plate off every time I come here, which makes the ride home a little painful, but it's well worth it. Possibly with the truth that I'd break the law in order to enjoy the brisket sandwich heaped high with coleslaw and XXX hot bbq sauce (I'm on the fence whether or not I'd kill for one, but the fact that I'm debating it should mean something). One may find seating lacking for large groups, but I always find a seat either inside along the window or outside at one of the tables when I show up. Overall, the quality is better than Redbones and the price point is significantly lower. Oh, did I mention that the people who work there are actually awesome? I should have. Bottom line: Drive here, eat here, pass out in your car for a couple hours.
(4)
Kelly M.
How am I having delicious barbecue in Massachusetts? And how is it in Arlington? And how am I not really concerned whether it's authentic or what style it is? There are numerous sauces, numerous options, and actual fountain lemonade. Get extra napkins.
(4)
Kathleen F.
Warning: You may stuff yourself so much at Blue Ribbon that you feel as if you can never eat again, but don't worry, you'll be back! Blue Ribbon is by far my favorite place for BBQ in the Boston area. They have a great selection and I have never had anything that I did not enjoy. My favorites are the brisket and chicken platters, and favorite sides are the carrots (when they have them) and green beans, yum! They also have specials that vary if you want to try something new. We recently had the wings and jambalaya, they were both very good!! I highly recommend this place, definitely worth the drive out to Arlington!
(4)
Jason J.
Since moving to the area in 2008 I've been coming here when I am in the mood for BBQ but don't require booze or a hectic environment. Redbones is perfect for that. Blue Ribbon seems to be more consistent than Redbones, and nothing beats filling your intestines with various defunct livestock and gallons of lemonade while sitting outside on a summer evening on Mass Ave wondering what kind of cold cuts the guy with the Prius isn't buying at Stop & Shop across the street.
(4)
Michele P.
OK... so I was really excited to try this place out. We did take out this past weekend and I have mixed feelings about the experience. Lets start with the things that were good. The corn bread is delicious, and about as perfect as it gets. The coleslaw was crisp, fresh and tasty. The burnt ends of Brisket were yummy. But that is about where it ends. I have to say I was a little disappointed in just how dry the chicken and the ribs were. Maybe they are supposed to be that way, and maybe that's what southern BBQ is, but it was tough to eat I have to be honest. The baked beans were also extremely salty. So I have to say I have mixed feelings, I wanted it to be great, but it fell short for me. On the up side the service was fast and friendly which always leaves you with a nice impression.
(3)
Dan C.
Blue Ribbon BBQ, besides sharing a name with my fantastically favorite ghetto beer of choice, shares a bit of my sauce encrusted heart. Davis Square rival "Red Bones" used to be my BBQ joint of preference until I met Blue Ribbon. It was love at first rib! Seriously their combo plates are PACKED portion-wise, their sauce variety is BALLER, and their prices are downright CHEAP. My only reservations about giving them 5 stars is the locations aren't super convenient. Hopefully gods above and below willing Blue Ribbon will extend its fall off the bone meaty tendrils into other burbs in Boston. Personal reco: Get the BBQ Burrito with Burnt Ends.
(4)
Mike O.
There are really only 2 places to get BBQ in the metro Boston Area: Red Bones and here. I give it 5 stars because, as far as BBQ goes in Mass, this is as good as it gets. The quality of BBQ at these two establishments are essentially the same. Red Bones menu is a bit bigger, but BRB has a continually changing daily menu along with their steadfast BBQ classics. The two differences between these two places are the physical restaurant itself and the price. BRB is really for the lunch and takeout crowd where as Red Bones is a proper sit-down restaurant. And seeing BRB has far less overhead, you get far more bang for your buck. Whenever I find myself in Newton or Arlington (or even within a 5 mile radius) around noon, I know I'll be up to my neck in BBQ goodness.
(5)
John S.
It's good to be home again. I used to spent a good deal of time in Arlington, and one of my favorite activities there was cramming Blue Ribbon BBQ into my stomach to satisfy my oft-raging BBQ cravings. After taking a couple years off, I made my triumphant return for some sausage and pulled pork. Both were excellent and just as I remembered, and served up by the pleasant folks that run the place. Is it the best BBQ I've ever had? No, but it's high-quality stuff, and some of the best around.
(4)
Chaos M.
I tried the sausage, chicken, and beef. This is ok actually.
(3)
Susan C.
I tried Blue Ribbon for the first time a few weeks ago. The place wasn't exactly what I had expected. It was set up more like a takeout place than a restaurant. You order at the counter, and then they have tables set up for customers to sit at and a line of stools with a counter by the window. Having never been here before, I was expecting more of a Redbones atmosphere with wait staff, and a bar, and whatnot. The food, however, did not disappoint. I ordered the brisket and ribs combo with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The meat was very tender and juicy, but a little lacking on the flavor if you do not eat it with their barbecue sauce. The sauce is quite tasty though--they have 3 versions if I remember correctly. One was sweet, one was a little mustardy, and one was spicy. I mixed the sweet and spicy one together for my meat, and found it to be just the right amount of heat. The spicy alone set my mouth on fire after a few bites. The slaw and potatoes were nice accompaniments. The potatoes were buttery, Paula Dean would have been proud. And the slaw was not too mayonnaisy, so that's always good. The portion size was also huge. Definitely enough for sharing between two people or for 2-3 meals.
(4)
Jeff W.
Rib-stickin', stomach-filling fun is to be had to eat at this place... the pulled pork is delicious and the sides are a-plenty. Every time after I eat there I waddle out the door thinking "ooooo boy..." Did I mention unlimited pickles and soft-drinks to wash all that goodness down? The smell wafting from the door will start to make your mouth water and your stomach ache for some lip-smackin' tastiness. Nuff said. Redbones is bogus.
(4)
Arnold C.
I had the half rack BBQ Memphis style on a Sunday night. Not busy. Light crowd. Meat lacked taste, and smeared with a bland BBQ sauce. It looked like the ribs were broiled rather BBQ. It was soggy, almost like it was reheated from a microwave. The collard greens were like cabbage in a pile of water on my plate. Yuck! Awful experience. Thought I would have a closer alternative to Bison County in Waltham if i need a BBQ fix. Bison County is farther and the meat is more charred than most places, but at least you think you had a BBQ. This Blue Ribbon made me feel cheated and dissatisfied. I would not go again.
(1)
kris a.
Too full to review best brisket in new england food coma; send help
(5)
Sean M.
Foods are so good there! Delicious ribs, chickens, and pulled pork! But potato salad was not that great though.
(5)
Matt B.
Delicious brisket sandwich. Great choice of sauces, some very hot, some more vinegary...
(5)
Emily S.
I've gotten BBQ from both the Newton and Arlington locations a few times and it's always been great. The meat is very tender, juicy, and flavorful. I especially enjoy the pulled pork and the corn bread! I've never had a problem with the staff. There is a small seating are if you want to eat at the restaurant but it's really more of a take out or catering kind of place. Too bad parking can be a bit of a pain.
(4)
Andy V.
Blue Ribbon or Redbones? Go to Blue Ribbon if you want great ribs at reasonable prices and don't mind that it is essentially a take out place. Avoid the bbq roasted chicken which usually has been cooked until it has died a second death. The best deal is to order the 1/3 slab combo platter because often you'll get four ribs rather than three (it all depends on who's doing the packing). If you want to order around the dinner rush, the best bet is to go on line and place your order using this funky form which might make you nervous because you don't get this reassuring feeling that your order was actually taken and placed. Will it be ready when I get there or won't it? Don't worry! I've never had a problem except that you should definitely check to make sure they've included the proper side dishes. They don't seem to always survive the on line order translation process! Oh, and don't forget to try some desserts which are house-made. They change seasonally but I've tried the sweet-potatoe pie, the key lime pie, and even coconut custard and were all excellent. The chocolate cookies are pretty good but the brownies were disappointing. Go to Redbones if you want a sit-down ribs meal and want to indulge in the many, many craft brews. The servers are all quite knowledgeable about what's on tap. The difference in the ribs are a matter of personal taste. Personally, I find Redbones a bit more consistent in the cooking and portion size but also more expensive than BlueRibbon. Either way, enjoy! And don't forget the black-eyed peas! (the side dish).
(4)
John C.
Even though i promised i would never return i came back for round two. I'm glutton for punishment i guess. maybe it's my deep desire that the yelp reviews for this place are correct. well, i came back. this time i ordered the beef brisket dinner. texas style i believe (open face on bread) with mashed pots, collard greens and corn bread. i also got a small container of beef brisket to go. my gf was studying at the starbucks down the street so i stopped for us to share this meal. her response when i arrived with blue ribbon bbq? "are you serious". i had to give them another shot, no one deserves a 1 star review... everyone, even bad restaurants deserve a second chance. well, i pitched and blue ribbon whiffed like big papi in the first half of last season. lets start with the sides: corn bread: corn bread is corn bread, it's probably the hardest item to ever mess up.. i would say this corn bread was actually slightly above average. it doesn't deserve more than what i've already written. mashed potatoes: i am a BIG fan of mashed potatoes so i'm always hesitant when purchasing mashed from a place that has to make a lot of it.. the mashed was actually decent, the downside was that you can tell it's been sitting around all day, it' had that, oh i've been sitting around all day glaze on it. fail. the gravy was BLEH... i honestly feel the gravy from KFC is better... collard greens: why did i even bother with this.. this was missing one really important item.. FLAVOR... slap some butter or some salt on it at least.. this had NOTHING. open faced brisket: upon her first bite my gf said it tasted weird... then i had my first bite.. and WOW, the aftertaste.. i've never eaten formaldehyde but i've spent enough time around it (dissection labs in high school and multiple cadaver labs in college and grad school) to have a good assumption of what it would taste like. well, apparently it's an ingredient in blue ribbons brisket. it was horrible. i had to drench the meat in the crappy gravy in order to stomach it. to top it ALL off, all the meat came on ONE slice of crappy white bread.. really, bread costs all but half a cent. you couldn't put more than ONE slice under all that meat? they pretty much put a cow on top of a cracker and called it a sandwich. the sad part was that i had another packed container of this.. luckily i got it with tons of spicy sauce which helped. (i had to eat this for lunch for the next 2 days). the ONE good thing about the meat was that it was very tender and juicy.. but what good is tender and juicy protein with it tastes like formaldehyde? blue ribbon, we've gone on two dates and both times you farted at the dinner table. needless to day, i got your number, but i won't be calling you again honey.. EVER
(1)
Jay K.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Blue Ribbon yet... This place is amazing and a dependable place to go with no matter who you're with. The food is amazing and you can either eat there or get it to go. The food is authentic and there are a lot of choices. I really like the burnt ends. Always a treat to come here. Prices are great too! The only thing is I wish they were open a little later so I can come here any time of day. That would be perfect.
(5)
Rachel B.
After visiting this place tonight and trying pulled pork, cornbread stuffing, baked beans, and mashed potatoes and pretty much all the sauce offerings, I can say that I understand why some people like this place, BUT it is not my kind of BBQ joint. About me: I like thick, sweet, smokey BBQ sauce and pretty much anything that is slathered underneath it. Full disclosure, no shame, I like the flavor of many BBQ sauces you can get from grocery stores or Texas BBQ places. I'm from California (a place where people eat this thing called "tri tip", something that apparently doesn't exist out here) and I was not raised on true southern foods. However, I can recognize good cooking. About this place: The BBQ sauces are more thin with a strong vinegar base. They have some interesting ones with habanero and chipotle mustard. Very interesting. The meat is fantastic. Pork that is smoky and tender and fabulous. Mashed potatoes are creamy and light. So that said, if you are from the south, or appreciate REAL BBQ, like something that would be served at a church picnic or at a state fair, then I think you would like this place. If you are like me, then perhaps not. But hey, maybe you need to try it and see!
(3)
Ryan B.
I cant think of a better word to use than 'meh' for this Boston-based BBQ joint. I love BBQ. I love it in all shapes and sizes and colors. I consider myself a pulled pork aficionado, I make my own BBQ sauces, and there has never been a piece of cornbread I didnt love. My GF and I tried this place out after an underwhelming meal (that we didnt even finish) at a local Mexican restaurant. We saw the praise from Yelpers and I was hoping it would hit the spot. As I've seen in some other reviews, this is very good BBQ for Massachusetts but barely above adequate when compared to the rest of America. I tasted the burnt ends with baked beans, corn bread, and cole slaw. My GF had the brisket sandwich with mashed potatoes. The burnt ends were DOUSED in a heavy helping of overly tomato-y BBQ sauce so I couldnt really enjoy the meat. The bread, beans, and salw were all above average. The brisket was very tasty but came on a pretty generic grocery store bun. The potatoes were excellent in consistency and flavor. I only tried of few of their sauces. The tomato based sauces were not very good. The flavors between sweet and spicy were not balanced very well. They were heavy on the tomato flavor and lacked the punch in the tastebuds that BBQ requires. Their mustard based golden BBQ sauce was amazing. It was the star of the show. If you want good BBQ and youre from MA, check it out. If you are from a BBQ lovin' state, dont go through the effort.
(3)
Heather G.
It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate you hate the least....ooh, actually, that's pretty harsh. Let me correct that: It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate who you think will cause the least irreparable damage to the economy and to our country's reputation. My point? Boston's not famous for its barbecue. :::cue exasperated face::: Shocker, right? So it's really no surprise that you can't really procure something incredible here, especially given that there are only a handful of restaurants that make a job of smoking meat (yep). So, the punchline is - have I had better barbecue? Sure. Have I had better barbecue in Boston? Nope. To compare Blue Ribbon to the vast world of Boston restaurants, this place would be low on the list. However, compared to its peer group, I'd say this is likely some of the best you can get here. Don't like it? Move south. There are just some things New England, on average, will never be known for. C'est la vie. While I liked the mustard-y vinegar-y sauce and the spicy hot sauce, I didn't think either really stood out and made me think it was some stellar BBQ sauce. The sides, too, while tasty, were not memorable. The garlicky red smashed potatoes had a nice creamy texture, but lacked salt. The beans had a burnt/smoky taste which was nice for a bite or two, but grew old quickly and, after a half serving, reminded me of the beans that get stuck to the bottom of the pot (which you scrape off and eat anyway because, hey, it's food!) when you cook them over a campfire. The most successful side, in my opinion, is the crunchy, under-mayo-ed cole slaw. Eat it alone or pile it on your brisket sandwich - it's delicious either way. We had our meats sandwiched between hard-ish, crumbly buns. On first inspection, I was disappointed by the choice of bulkie roll used, but I quickly learned that these dry, mealy things moisten up after prolonged contact with the meat, and stand up well overall throughout the duration of the meal. Let's talk about meat, shall we? While I enjoy barbecue, none of these meats left me craving a return visit. Both the brisket and the pulled pork were extremely fatty (the brisket more so), above and beyond what is expected when you order BBQ meats. Every.single.bite had a big, squishy chunk of fat, and it became annoying to have to look into my sandwich before each bite to be sure it had a good fat-to-meat ratio that wouldn't leave a squidgey (yeah, that's a word) feeling when i chewed. The burnt ends (for obvious reasons) did not suffer from this problem, and for that reason alone, I preferred this to the other meats. Because this place is outside the city and because (while it's likely the best BBQ Boston has to offer), on an absolute level, it's only "OK" for me, I won't run out to get back there. However, if you're really craving some smokey meats and have access to a car, have a trip over there. You may not be wowed, but it won't be a bad meal.
(3)
Melissa M.
now this is not a sit down restaurant so ideally call ahead to pick up your order, then drive home, and put on some sweat pants, because yes, this food is definitely good for when you want to crush some awesome bbq and you're cool with feeling homer simpson gross afterwards. the prices here are more than reasonable for the quality and quantity that you get; sweet cheeks charges way more, and in my opinion is only half as good. when i arrived my order was ready, as promised it would be in the 15 minute wait time they told me, and the guys behind the counter were super friendly. i filled up with some neat sauces at the sauce counter on the way out, and was on my way to gut-busting bliss. for a whopping 30 dollars we got the following: half rack rib platter with 2 sides (mashed potatoes/black eyed corn), and corn bread burnt ends platter with 2 sides (baked beans, collards), and corn bread order of pickles everything was good, and surprisingly, we ate everything, which was rather impressive. the rib meat fell off the bones, the sweet sauce was just right. the sides were good, i favored the mashed. corn bread was the only meh part of the meal - it wasn't bad, a little on the dry side. my gf crushed her burnt ends - i tried them and they were delicious, it's sort of like twice cooked pulled pork in a tomato based bbq sauce. the baked beans were amazeballs. definitely pick up a small container of their pickles - thinly sliced and not to sweet. i can't even tell you how soon i want to go back there, but i may need to institute a no more than once a month rule, or i see elastic waste band sweats in my future 24/7.
(4)
connie l.
yummmmmy! I LOVE BBQ. I've never ordered or been to the actual restaurant, but my prior work place used to get catering, and my friend got catering for her fiance's birthday last night. Definitely want to stop by the actual restaurant if I'm ever in the area. Burnt ends, pulled pork, and chicken are delicious! Pretty much all the meat here is tasty! Yum meat slathered with bbq sauce. I love all the different sauces, just wish they were slightly thicker. The beans, mashed potatoes, and cornbread are awesome. Sides are just as important as the meat! I absolutely love mac-n-cheese, and while the mac-n-cheese here is yummy, I've had better. The guy who delivered the catering order last night was pleasant and polite, brought the food up to my friend's third floor apartment and helped set things up. Portions have always been generous! My friend ordered catering for 10 people, and it was more than enough food for the 12-15 people that were at the party!
(4)
David P.
Updating this review makes me sad. I was in love with this place, but it has has gone seriously downhill and the affair is over. Their barbecue used to blow away everything else in the area. I had them at 5 stars with an exclamation point. I bought their cue in bulk for parties, dragged friends there - absolutely loved the stuff. Their burnt ends were heavenly, sweet,. smoky, complex - great texture. Over the last year or two, I've had a few weak meals there, but I kept hoping that I was catching them on off days, and an occasional good visit kept my hopes up. My last visit produced the worst barbecue I've had from them ever and the weakest I've had anywhere in a while. I've hit four places for barbecue in the last month and they were the weakest of the lot (the others were Soul Fire, Fire Box and Redbones). The ribs had little smoke, little bark, little rub and little flavor and sauce was very much needed. Thankfully, the sauces were as good as ever and some generous saucing helped save the ribs. The collard greens were bland. The chicken lacked smoke and lacked flavor overall and the texture was unappealing. The burnt ends were still sweet and tasty, the best thing I had, but far less complex than I remembered. Black eyed corn, once a favorite of mine was OK, but not exciting. I hold out some hope that once their groupons expire, things may get better. They sold some record level of groupons a while back and I wonder if they cut back on some things in order to avoid losing to much since they only get half the revenue, which means they get 3.75 for a 15 dollar groupon. I'll try them once or twice more to see if they are show some signs of recovery, but for now its Redbones and Soul Fire as my local Barbecue joints (Fire Box and Blackstrap are great, but a much bigger drive for me).
(2)
Rob D.
Totally awesome BBQ. One of the best parts? TONS of sauces. Lots of them hot. It doesn't get much better...
(5)
Traci K.
Thank the lo' for the corn bread. It's true - someone up above must have heard my desperate plea. Upon a recent jaunt at Blue Ribbon, I have to say the corn bread is much improved and SO delicious. Don't mind me, I'm just sticking this piece in my pocket for later... PS - Baked beans - you were a delight!
(5)
Paige C.
great boston barby meat cooked to death southern sides carnivore heaven
(5)
Amy M.
Got home and our order was wrong -- missing 1/3 of the meat on our 3-meat platter. Horrible, right? Well, there was still plenty of food but I was annoyed that we were home (not wanting to go back out and fetch the missing portion) and cheated out of 1/3. I called up, explained what happened and asked "so what do you do in this situation?" (The few times this has happened at other places, they always tell me to come back) and without missing a beat, the guy on the phone asked for my order number and refunded me on the spot. So. Delicious food and swiftly correcting errors without an elaborate blame game about where it went wrong. I mean, my only real complaint is how crowded it was but I wouldn't begrudge a good restaurant a busy evening!
(5)
Carter W.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great, for New England.. But compared to places down south it pales in comparison. It is like comparing a Hyundai to a Mercedes. It gets the job done, but it is not the same quality, and no one makes cars like the Germans or BBQ like good 'ol Southerners. If you have the chance try BR BBQ out, the burnt ends are the only item I get, but if you are from below the Mason Dixon don't expect to be blown away.
(3)
Jim S.
Few years back you couldn't get any kind of BBQ anywhere in New Enland, now at least we have an authentic North Carolina joint (I've spent a lot of time in NC). Remember that there are many many styles of BBQ throughout the country, If you are expecting Texas or Memphis, it's not here. A little hard to eat healthfully here. No, it's not a requirement of the joint, but worth commenting on since my wife and eat need to avoid fat. But there is chicken and usually catfish, even turket sometimes. Side dishes also seem on the heavy side. But the vinegar-based NC BBQ preparations are really authentic, and really good, and really a lot to eat. It's got a few tables/stools, but it's certainly not foe elegasnt dininig. Probably 70% is takeout. And yes, the staff is "move it on through, and don't bother with smalltalk". That's one difference from NC, where people are a lot friendlier, but this place is *better* than some BBQ I've had in NC, so deal with it.
(4)
Sam S.
I've been a regular patron since Blue Ribbon opened in Arlington about 15 years ago. No more! Groupon destroyed this place! It's now filled with Groupon bottom feeders - people who will come when things are dirt cheap, but disappear once prices go back to normal. There are now long lines and declining quality.
(1)
Junior S.
Burnt ends. Food coma. Personal shame regarding gluttony.
(5)
Steph P.
Now THAT's what I am talking about! Finally some actual, real for sho', honest to goodness BBQ! I have been dying to try this place and when the Groupon came out I knew it was time. Went last night with my ex for a dog custody discussion (his family hails from Memphis, so I knew there would be some serious judgment). When we first walked in I thought the backwoods kitsch was pretty cool, I liked the chalkboard menus and old cans of spam everywhere. While checking out the menu I said to my ex "Look! They have potlikker!" and the cashier said "You actually know what potlikker is?". We explained that we are from Cincinnati where there is decent BBQ and the chef (or maybe owner?) came out and asked us what part- he grew up there too! PS if you don't know what potlikker is, it is the juice that comes off when you boil collard greens and it is amazing if the greens are done right (with hamhocks or bacon). Chef/owner dude told us that a couple times a month they also make Skyline chili and I almost fainted (you can google that one if you don't know it). ANYWAY! We ordered a 1/3 slab of Memphis Ribs platter with 2 sides of collard greens and cornbread, a 1/2 pint of pulled pork and a side of coleslaw. It came out to about $25 and it was a TON of food. We really could have shared the platter, but we wanted to try a lot of things. The ribs were perfect and huge. Yeah, I really can't say much else. They honestly do rival what you would get in Memphis. Pulled pork was killer as well, seasoned but not in BBQ sauce (which is a no-no). Both meats had a really nice smoky/charred flavor without being burnt or crunchy. The collards were great, cole slaw had a great tang and was very creamy. I was especially impressed with the cornbread. Cornbread is all about the ratio of cornmeal to flour. In the North, there is usually more flour leading to a cakier version, while in the South there is more cornmeal which makes the bread crumbly. I prefer the Southern version and this nailed it. Dipped in my collard green juice (aka potlikker), it was just fantastic. Added bonus: At the sauce counter, there are sliced pickles :) My only gripes: The collards and the sweet BBQ sauce were a tad too spicy for me, but I am pretty sensitive. My ex wanted to marry a bottle of the spicy sauce (good thing we got that divorce). Not a lot of room to sit- a couple more tables would be nice. I wish I had bought more Groupons!
(4)
Sal C.
If not the best, one of the top BBQ spots in the Boston area. Burnt Ends and Memphis Dry-Rubbed Ribs are the best and the sides are all excellent. Favorite sides include black-eyed corn, collard greens, and rice and beans, but also like the homemade pickles and cornbread. And good selection of sauces. Not lots of seating but also great for take-out. In the warmer weather they have seating outside.
(5)
Frank W.
Delicious North Carolina BBQ, a little off the beaten-path. You can tell they're Arlington's competitor to RedBones and they pull it off. I split a pulled pork sandwich and jerk chicken sandwich with someone else. Jerk chicken was a slap in the face (hot, woo!) and the pulled pork was good -- but not pre-soaked in BBQ sauce.. they let you do that on your own. Some people might have found that this made it dry, but I kinda liked the control, personally. Coleslaw was bleh, but the baked beans were good. They were out of the Mac & Cheese (sad face) but I will try that the next time I go back. And for the record, chipotle mustard is the tits. Get it to go... not exactly the best environment to eat in IMHO. See you soon BRBBQ!
(4)
John S.
This was our first visit to Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington. Service was great, seating is limited but the warm weather provides additional tables outside. The menu is varied but surprisingly there was only one style of ribs (memphis) and to me it's all about the ribs. Our family had North Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (excellent), Burnt Ends sandwich (not finished and seemed not to be enjoyed), Drum Stick Platter (enjoyed) and I had a 1/2 slab Rib Platter (ribs were fatty, though tender they were not interesting and seemed steamed). I left 2 and didn't bring them home. Personally I prefer Tennessee BBQ's ribs that are firmer and sweeter. The side dishes were all good though the green beans had too much kick. The best mashed potatoes ever and good corn bread. The baked beans were ok not great. All the sauces were more vinegar based than molasses based. I like a molasses based sweeter sauce. We'll be back but I will get a Pulled Pork sandwich and skip the ribs.
(3)
Denise F.
My boyfriend and I went to this place to pick up some great bbq to eat while we watched NCAA tournament. We got pulled pork and ribs. The pull pork with mash potatoes was good. The pull pork well just average. I am sitting here try to describe it but I don't really have much to say about it. The ribs were sweet and the meat came off the bone. I thought they were a little small. I think the thing I really enjoy here is their cornbread. I love their cornbread because they come in huge pieces. The cornbread had little corn bits and was slightly sweet. I would come back for BBQ but Red Bones is just closer to my bf's house.
(3)
Michael S.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Burnt ends are outstanding as well as the pulled pork, cornbread, and pretty much everything on the menu.
(5)
Taino G.
No decor to speak of - but the food is simply divine. Best southern-style BBQ I've had in years. Highly recommend the burnt ends!
(4)
Joe P.
Checked them out a couple of times. A buddy who I treated to lunch said to me: "If I paid for this I would demand my money back". I can only attribute the high marks of this place to the fact that New Englanders DON'T KNOW GOOD BBQ. Not even mediocre. I agree with N F. It is laughable to compare this to the real thing. The mashed potatoes weren't awful though.
(1)
Tiff D.
I've had quite a bit of BBQ in the Boston area, and this is the best so far. YUM
(4)
Lea E.
We were very excited to order from our local BBQ eatery for the SuperBowl. The food is good. What my friend experienced in picking up the order, the chaos and unfairness, will cause a long-standing favorite to lose our business! He ordered in the afternoon for a 6:00 delivery. When he arrived there was a long line of preorders and walk-ins, and no access in for those who had preordered. Apparently, one's order was not PUT IN until you paid, and they did not take payment on the phone. So orders placed ahead of time... too bad! One man had apparently ordered the day before! But all had to wait. Superbowl started... he waited in line. When he finally got to the cashier, no one apologized until he asked for this. He arrived an hour later than expected missing the first quarter of the game. A half- hearted apology, and no compensation. Very poor way to run a business. WE WILL NOT RETURN.
(1)
Dirgni S.
I got the Memphis dry rubbed ribs with dirty rice and green bean posole. The ribs were very tasty, though the sauces were too vinegary for me. I don't like sweet sauce, which these aren't, but they lack body. My sides were pretty bad. The dirty rice really had no flavor. If my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was Uncle Ben's. The posole was downright nasty. As my husband said, "the green beans were fresh.... from the can." My husband's mashed potatoes were yummy and my mom's potato salad was pretty tasty too. The cornbread was meh. The service was fine. The place is tiny, so seating is very limited. If I return, I'd get take out. Meat only. And I'd make my own BBQ sauce. I make a mean hot sauce. Oh, and they have good pickles. They're sliced into skinny chips. I'd prefer spears, but these were very crisp and tasty.
(3)
Julie B.
5 stars every step of the way! When I called to place an order, I felt as though I was teleported into the South where people talk a little slower and are actually nice. I felt the Southern Hospitality the entire time. When I came to pick up my order, everyone there was sweet as honey(you will never hear me use this term again so savor it now) and super polite. The food was amazing. I've had BBQ in the South and I haven't always been a fan. But man, this was awesome. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and my boyfriend had the burnt ends. Let me tell you something, you haven't lived until you've tried burnt ends so you better do it. So moist and juicy, smothered in a tangy bbq sauce. Considering the sandwiches, with two sides are just $7 and some change, you get a TON of food. We had enough leftovers for a whole other meal. Not to mention, they make the best baked beans I've ever tried. And I don't even like beans! Basically, this place amazing. You will not regret trying it, I promise you that.
(5)
Joe C.
If I was in North Carolina, St. Louis or in many other southern states or towns, I wouldn't be so generous. We don't live in the South so, I am not going to make that comparison. That all being said, Blue Ribbon is great! Everyone want to compare it to Redbones, which is understandable. Reality is that each place does some items better than the other... Both are great. You won't get the atmosphere and great beer selection here, but you will get damn good BBQ and you will get it quickly and it will be a tremendous value.
(5)
Fatih U.
Decent BBQ (e.g., Kansas City burnt ends), excellent sides (especially check the daily specials), tasty sauces, and interesting specials (e.g., BBQ'd catfish) -- definitely check the board before ordering. Not a fan of the corn bread or the half BBQ'd chicken. May have a long dinner queue. Not great for eating in, if ordering take out, call ahead and order it over the phone to save some time.
(5)
James W.
sometimes, i feel like i should just paste my notes as my review. "1st visit (07/10/11). pork burrito ($8). food coma." do you need to know something else? ok. in multiple visits at both blue ribbon locations (2 in newton and 3 or 4 at this point in arlington), i have never come away disappointed - except when i recall that they don't serve beer. sorry, but beer and bbq go together like ... uh, beer and bbq. both places are small with the requisite bbq joint vibe and the food is on point. the burnt ends, chicken, and burritos have become my go-tos, but i've also had the pulled pork and the bbq chicken, both of which were moist, smokey, and delicious with and without sauce. for the sides, the beans with large chunks of bacon and meat and collard greens with a healthy kick of spice are my favorites, but they have lots of offerings, including stuff for the vegetarian at the table. prices are going to vary based on what you order, of course, but your sammies and burritos will run about $8 all the way up to the triple (3 meats and 2 sides) for $16, so you're not breaking the bank to expand your waistline and provide job security for a cardiologist. "3rd visit, arlington. pulled chicken burrito ($8). good. still wish they sold beer." notes, people. notes.
(4)
Michael W.
Ok, we're New Englanders. We're not exactly known for BBQ. Blue Ribbon gets this concept perfectly. They were inspired by the classic roadside barbecue joints that dot the South. This isn't the typical sauce-slathered fare you see peddled around here. This stuff is made exactly the same way as in some of the most famous barbecue places in the country. The meat is slow cooked over low temps using traditional methods. The result is the best barbecue in the area, hands down. I've had every meat dish, and it's all fantastic. The brisket it tender and flaky and the meat falls right off of the ribs. They do offer various sides, and I can say that the collared greens, baked beans and cornbread are all delicious. The prices are reasonable and the location has parking and indoor and outdoor seating. If you're looking to have a Southern barbecue experience, look no further.
(5)
Laura T.
Great pulled pork, potato salad and cornbread. As for the BBQ sauces... why are there like 3,000,000 to choose from?!?!
(4)
Dan C.
Most of the time when I go to Greater Boston Motorsports I end up getting bent over and screwed...hard. Okay, pretty much every time I go there I end up paying twice as much as I hoped for whatever reason (I even end up paying for something when I just go there to look around). What keeps me coming back you ask--well that's easy: this place, Blue Ribbon BBQ. If it wasn't for this place I wouldn't even know the name Arlington, but thank Jesus, God, Mohammad, Buddha, Flying Spagetti Monster, whoever happens to be the higher power for inventing BBQ and more importantly for inventing this place. Where do I begin? Perhaps with the vast assortment of amazing BBQ sauces? XXX Hot rocks both my mouth and my world, but the vinegar sauce has its place too (mostly on their collards). Maybe with the fact that most plates are cheap, like under $10 cheap and come with more food than any sane person should be eating in one sitting. I polish my plate off every time I come here, which makes the ride home a little painful, but it's well worth it. Possibly with the truth that I'd break the law in order to enjoy the brisket sandwich heaped high with coleslaw and XXX hot bbq sauce (I'm on the fence whether or not I'd kill for one, but the fact that I'm debating it should mean something). One may find seating lacking for large groups, but I always find a seat either inside along the window or outside at one of the tables when I show up. Overall, the quality is better than Redbones and the price point is significantly lower. Oh, did I mention that the people who work there are actually awesome? I should have. Bottom line: Drive here, eat here, pass out in your car for a couple hours.
(4)
Kelly M.
How am I having delicious barbecue in Massachusetts? And how is it in Arlington? And how am I not really concerned whether it's authentic or what style it is? There are numerous sauces, numerous options, and actual fountain lemonade. Get extra napkins.
(4)
Kathleen F.
Warning: You may stuff yourself so much at Blue Ribbon that you feel as if you can never eat again, but don't worry, you'll be back! Blue Ribbon is by far my favorite place for BBQ in the Boston area. They have a great selection and I have never had anything that I did not enjoy. My favorites are the brisket and chicken platters, and favorite sides are the carrots (when they have them) and green beans, yum! They also have specials that vary if you want to try something new. We recently had the wings and jambalaya, they were both very good!! I highly recommend this place, definitely worth the drive out to Arlington!
(4)
Jason J.
Since moving to the area in 2008 I've been coming here when I am in the mood for BBQ but don't require booze or a hectic environment. Redbones is perfect for that. Blue Ribbon seems to be more consistent than Redbones, and nothing beats filling your intestines with various defunct livestock and gallons of lemonade while sitting outside on a summer evening on Mass Ave wondering what kind of cold cuts the guy with the Prius isn't buying at Stop & Shop across the street.
(4)
Michele P.
OK... so I was really excited to try this place out. We did take out this past weekend and I have mixed feelings about the experience. Lets start with the things that were good. The corn bread is delicious, and about as perfect as it gets. The coleslaw was crisp, fresh and tasty. The burnt ends of Brisket were yummy. But that is about where it ends. I have to say I was a little disappointed in just how dry the chicken and the ribs were. Maybe they are supposed to be that way, and maybe that's what southern BBQ is, but it was tough to eat I have to be honest. The baked beans were also extremely salty. So I have to say I have mixed feelings, I wanted it to be great, but it fell short for me. On the up side the service was fast and friendly which always leaves you with a nice impression.
(3)
Dan C.
Blue Ribbon BBQ, besides sharing a name with my fantastically favorite ghetto beer of choice, shares a bit of my sauce encrusted heart. Davis Square rival "Red Bones" used to be my BBQ joint of preference until I met Blue Ribbon. It was love at first rib! Seriously their combo plates are PACKED portion-wise, their sauce variety is BALLER, and their prices are downright CHEAP. My only reservations about giving them 5 stars is the locations aren't super convenient. Hopefully gods above and below willing Blue Ribbon will extend its fall off the bone meaty tendrils into other burbs in Boston. Personal reco: Get the BBQ Burrito with Burnt Ends.
(4)
Mike O.
There are really only 2 places to get BBQ in the metro Boston Area: Red Bones and here. I give it 5 stars because, as far as BBQ goes in Mass, this is as good as it gets. The quality of BBQ at these two establishments are essentially the same. Red Bones menu is a bit bigger, but BRB has a continually changing daily menu along with their steadfast BBQ classics. The two differences between these two places are the physical restaurant itself and the price. BRB is really for the lunch and takeout crowd where as Red Bones is a proper sit-down restaurant. And seeing BRB has far less overhead, you get far more bang for your buck. Whenever I find myself in Newton or Arlington (or even within a 5 mile radius) around noon, I know I'll be up to my neck in BBQ goodness.
(5)
LovesToEat O.
Love this place! People are always super nice. They even made jokes to make you smile. Food is amazing. Always great!! The only bad thing I can say is their ribs have gone downhill. I used to love them but now they are either very dry and no flavor or all fat. But other than that this place is on my favorite list!
(5)
Kena L.
Went there for the first time on a Saturday evening. The decor and ambiance is very authentic for a BBQ spot. There are a few little tables to sit inside, if you can't do a to go order. You order at the register and pick up your own order when it's ready on the other end, conveniently where all the BBQ sauces are located. They have a great variety of sauces, including some really yummy hot/spicy sauces! I had the half slab of ribs with potato salad and collard greens. Ribs were not baby back but very good! Potato salad had a lot of sliced onions in it but still tasty if you like onions! The collard greens were great after I put salt and pepper on it. The bf had sliced beef brisket with a tasty side of mashed red potatoes and dirty rice. His plate was so delicious! Way better than mine! Brisket were hot and moist! I'm not a big corn bread fan, but their cornbread was really good! By the way they had a nice variety of desserts but we didn't get to try it. ** Credit card welcome! Very reasonable price for the quality and amount of food you get! Overall - very tasty and delicious BBQ for the Boston area! You have to try it if you haven't! :)
(4)
Andy L.
Eating here is an occasion to celebrate. I've never been to the South, so this place delivers as close to the Platonic ideal of both ribs and mashed potatoes as I've experienced. It feels kind of stupid to give the highest rating to a restaurant from which I only ever order one dish: 1/3 slab memphis ribs. Who needs to love more than one dish, though? It will set you back about $15, but it comes in a takeout container that will let you save it for a second meal. The ribs are charred just right and slide off the bone nicely. Then you gotta sauce that thing up! There's self-serve jugs with a variety of BBQ sauces, and I always go for the spicy one. It makes a great rib wonderful, and when it splashes onto the buttery mashed potatoes, you've got something indescribably delicious. I wish there were more seating options, but part of its charm is how small it is. I take the 77 bus all the way up here from Cambridge when I want to treat myself to a decadent meal, so fie upon any Arlington resident who doesn't appreciate the crap out of this place.
(5)
Theis C.
Ok, first, let's take a moment and admit that Barbecue is a food, like bacon, that technically can be screwed up, but has a lot going for it. It doesn't take a magician to make fatty, salty, and sweet things taste like awesome. Blue ribbon accomplishes this with brio. Good on ya, friends. This is the best barbecue in the city, but I've had better in Racine, WI from a shack with bulletproof glass over the serving counter. The key accomplishment at Blue Ribbon is that they've captured that southern gritty ambiance that allows me to pretend while I'm in there that I'm not an over-educated, effete Northeastern elite. Have I ever eaten Possum? No I have not, nor have I ever gigged anything, or even ridden a horse through a McDonald's drive-thru. But when I'm in there, eating my fatbomb meal off a plastic tray on a steel table, I'm a shiner bock away from living my alter ego dreams.
(5)
Charlie P.
Go with lots of friends. Order 1 or more of the giant family meals, ensuring that it includes pulled pork, rolls, and corn bread. Have a drink and selection of tasty BBQ sauces ready before your food arrives because once it's on the table, you will not want to stop eating.
(4)
Emily C.
This was good BBQ, but not the best I've ever had. I always wanted to try it because there are always fat and happy-looking people sitting outside. I got the half BBQ chicken with mashed potatoes and baked beans and others in my party got the pulled pork and the spare ribs. It was all good, but it didn't blow my mind like I thought it would. The baked beans were really underwhelming and the potatoes were a little gooey, but that's not why anyone goes for BBQ anyway. The meat itself was all delicious and there were a nice variety of sauces.
(3)
Rachael F.
You're kidding. Have I seriously never reviewed this place? This place has the best BBQ in the Boston area by FAR. Everything is perfect. Delicious sweet BBQ sauce, moist meats, perfect beans and mashed potatoes, some of the best cornbread. Fast service, good prices, heaping portions. I have no complaints about this place. Perfection. The boyfriend and I eat here at least once a month, pretty sure we frequent this restaurant more than almost any other eatery. Seriously, can't emphasize enough how much I adore this place.
(5)
Kerry D.
This is a great, reasonably priced place for a quick lunch or dinner in either Arlington or Newton. Their burnt ends are my favorite, but their burritos are really good too. My only complaint is that the sides all seem really overcooked and greasy to me. I suspect that is actually authentic southern cooking, but maybe they could toss in a few fresher, crispier raw veggie options or something does not involve oil.
(4)
Andrew N.
Meat = Great Sauces = Meh I prefer to have my BBQ swimming in deliciously sweet sauces, which this place does not really do and the sauces that are provided are not my favorite. They make up for this by giving you some amazing meats and some pretty good sides to go with it. There is little room to sit down inside and it is always packed with people ordering and waiting for their orders so I consider it a take-out place. The beef brisket is always a great idea as is the burnt ends and the pulled pork. When my fiancee and I go here, one of us will always get the brisket. I have yet to try the sandwiches or chicken, but I can't see them being any less delicious than the other choices on the menu. All the sides are great in their own special way, some of your normal sides like mashed potatoes and veggies have a unique taste to them and while the baked beans are not my grandmother's baked beans, they are pretty good too. Go check it out!
(4)
Joanna F.
I love Blue Ribbon. I've only ordered from here three times, but each time the food has been magnificent and really cheap. Most recently, I got the pulled pork sandwich which comes with cole slaw and baked beans on the side. The sides are huge, the sandwich is hearty and it was only 7 bucks. That's a ridiculous deal. For my boyfriend's birthday we ordered one of the large combo platters. The amount of food we got was ridiculous and very reasonably priced. As for the actual food, I would say it's as good as a lot of the barbecue we had when we visited Memphis. Most places around here hardly compare.
(5)
Efy M.
Loved the pulled pork sandwich. It was juicy and just what I'm looking for in a pulled pork sandwich. Didn't care that much for the beef. The sauces and sides are okay, but I've had better. The girls at the counter taking our order were friendly.
(4)
Brian G.
Wow, i can not believe that this place has gotten so many good reviews. I am disgusted that my hacked chicken was PINK! I had to pick through it with my hands, trying to find the rare pieces that were not pink. I am not wasting any more of time reviewing this place. Disgusted & WAYY Overrated, clearly.
(1)
Bekah D.
very good bbq chicken- great side of rice and beans too. Quick service and love the atmosphere..will be back!
(4)
Angel C.
I LOVE BBQ. And when I'm craving BBQ, I go to Blue Ribbon. Everything I've had (ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, brisket) has been delicious. They have lots of sauces, which are all really good. Good flavor, good thickness, and plenty of spicy options. And good sides too! I need to go here more often! The place is pretty small, though, so it's not good for groups.
(5)
Joe L.
The best, I repeat, the BEST BBQ in the boston area. I have tried them all and nobody beats blue ribbon. If you want bbq go here and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Donald R.
This place is lucky to have the emperor's new clothes effect going on, so that everyone has to like what are some crapy sandwiches. Dont get a salad, a couple pieces of lettuce.
(1)
Dan S.
Addicted. Been several times. Great pulled pork and dry-rub ribs every time. Wreaks wonderfully of smoked meat. Huge portions. Go there!
Do you like meat? I like meat. If you share my love of meat, I recommend the Blue Ribbon Barbeque. Even their non-meaty parts are good. Go here for all your meat related needs.
(5)
Matt S.
Best BBQ in Boston. Red Bones has two advantages: alcohol, and seating. The latter is debatable as there's notoriously a very long and camped wait. Awesome hot sauce, awesome pulled pork.... yada, yada, yada.... best BBQ in Boston.
(5)
Lindsay C.
Oh My YUM! I loves me some Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! This is the closest thing you can get to Texas...so I am in love! I found a little piece of home up in New England. Now only if they served Shiner Bock beer with the food... I'd be in pure Lone Star Heaven! The chicken is so moist, smokey and flavorful. I like the BBQ chicken in their burrito and all the sauces poured on different parts...so many flavors! Thank you BBQ Gods at Blue Ribbon!
(5)
Jeremy S.
I'm not sure what Kansas City Burnt Ends are, but they are sure damn tasty. Same goes with Blue Ribbon's baked beans and pulled pork... at least with those two things I knew what I was putting into my salivating mouth. I've only been to Blue Ribbon once and I'm already singing its praises over my old haunt--Redbones. When it comes solely down to the BBQ, Blue Ribbon earns the crown by a mile. Redbones gets points for beer, though, and that's something I can't overlook. If you're hankering for takeout you should dial up Blue Ribbon immediately. But, if you want to chill with some microbrews while gnawing on animal flesh, grab a seat at Redbones and enjoy yourself.
(5)
jessica s.
I am from North Carolina, and let me tell you, pork barbecue is very important. I do not expect to find anyone to treat pork exactly right up here, but Blue Ribbon at least has the best barbecue I've had yet north of the mason-dixon. So please bare in mind that three stars from a North Carolinian on a Massachusetts bbq joint is in fact pretty damn good review. I'd heard good things about the bbq at Red Bones, but was reeeally disappointed in their pork, and what they think passes for vinegar sauce, so thank goodness I found Blue Ribbon! While it's not quite as good as what you'd get in Lexington NC, or Eastern NC, etc., it'll at least hold me over til I'm down south again. The pork was tender, smokey, and juicy, and while $7-something is a bit high for a pulled pork sandwich, at least the portion was large and it came with slaw (which was o.k.) and baked beans (pretty tasty). And thank goodness for the sweet tea! Now they'd of gotten four stars if only banana pudding was on the menu....
(3)
Emerson O.
Reliable, consistent, flavorful BBQ. I love the pulled pork. Great for lunch and take out. Can be pretty busy around dinner time, and there's not much seating. Location has the feel of a store front, not a restaurant. It sits across the street from a grocery store in a busy intersection, so while there is outdoor seating in the summer, it has zero atmosphere (unless you ignore the stop and go traffic).
(4)
Cody S.
They great bbq and a large menu with many great choices. Service is quick but not super friendly . They want in and out. Not the cleanest place in town, The bathroom is old and dirty while the rest of the joint need cleaning and updating.
(3)
Vanilla P.
Head over to Blue Ribbon to swim in the pump-your-own sauces. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor seats, kick back and watch the traffic crawl down Mass Ave. Smash your cornbread into the mashed potatoes for an amazing carbohydrate trip, then pour some bbq sauce over it and use a spoon to savor. Added bonus for Blue Ribbon - This is absolutely a place to meet dudes. The majority of the clientele are men, so if you're single, go to Blue Ribbon and dab some sauce behind your ears and on your clavicle - you'll be dry-humped in no time. How do you spell barbecue? BBQ? Bar-B-Q? Barbeque? I spell it B-L-U-E R-I-B-B-O-N.
(5)
Luke B.
Oh my my! Blue Ribbon is tasty tasty tasty (that's right, 3 levels of tasty). Reasons why you NEED to go to Blue Ribbon NOW: - Chezee Mash, HOLY mashed potatoes! It isn't a standard menu item, but if it's available, don't think twice, order this. - Burnt Ends, SO SO tasty! Perfect smoke and saucy taste. This is a MUST for me. - Pulled Chicken, tender shredded chicken + a nice sweet sauce = YUM! - Pickles, I'm not one to normally eat from public (and open) containers, but their pickles are too damn good...and their FREE! - Pulled Chicken, wasn't anything amazing, but I think it just couldn't compete with the Ends and Chicken. Not it's fault. - Cole Slaw, nothing crazy, but still mmm mmm good. I will NEVER go to Redbones again! Blue Ribbon is my new BBQ love.
(5)
Food Hunting T.
Went to there twice because first visit was fine and the second one was the end. Ordered 2 boxes at the 2nd visit and seeing half empty spaces of the boxes, their portions became less just like their menu. Paying 12 bucks for a $6 meal is not a satisfied mood. won't deal with this business again.
(1)
Branson L.
YES YES YES... Now that El Pelon has burnt down to ashes, this place has the best burrito in town... hrm... I know these bbq people know how to start fires.. hrmmmmm..... Anyway, Get a Burrito (burnt end) - or a pulled pork sandwich, or ribs.... choose your sides (beans and slaw) - Slather everything in Chipotle Mustard and hot sauce... then pig out like a freak. Great place, why not five stars then? I don't quite know... I'll get back to you on that.... pppps el pelon back up and runnin with the same great food... only problem its wayy out there for most peeps. when will they come in, expand, and take over the boston burrito market? probly never.
(4)
Julie R.
This was the best BBQ I've ever had around Boston! More like, probably from anywhere. Can you imagine how pleased I was that the portions were enormous too and I got to eat it again for dinner. Yummy in my tummy for sure! I had the N. Carolina pulled pork special with beans and coleslaw. The sandwich was on a big fluffy roll, loaded high with lots of chunky pork shreds. I was full from half. The amount of sauce on it was not over done so you can add your own to your liking. They had a good selection of self serve sweet-hot BBQ sauces. I. The baked beans even had a BBQ hint to them. I didn't think I would ever rave about coleslaw but this one tasted very home made. My boyfriend got the half rack ribs platter with creamed corn, grits, and cornbread. The ribs were huge. We easily had around 8 on the plate. They were fall off the bone juicy. You could taste the smoke. The ribs were cut individually already for you. I don't know what kind of BBQ preparation was going on back there but they were delicious. I loved the cream corn and cheddar grits too. I will be sure to get those next time. The cornbread was a huge moist chunk. With all this food we had we were stuffed, then the guy at the counter gave us a handy lid that slipped over the plate so we had an instant take out portion. On the side I got a big chocolate chunk cookie that was sweet satisfaction. Later that night I was lucky to not have to cook as planned. We had a little BBQ feast again. Lunch totaled $27 for 2 huge plates with drinks..which then amounted to an unexpected dinner. The only downside was there is not much seating besides 3 tables and a small bar area. Otherwise, this place is doing the BBQ right! Another blue ribbon to you!
(5)
Chris C.
Good BBQ for New England. Remember to phone in your order so you don't have to wait in line or wait for you food to be made. It can be a big time savings. I had the pulled pork with barbecued beans and the black eyed corn. The pulled port was good although not as flavorful as I was hoping for considering the reputation this place has. The beans were good and actually had a little hint of spiciness in them which I liked. The black eyed corn was average. The corn bread was decent. The portions and pricing were very good though. Its mainly a take out a joint although they did have some tables setup on the sidewalk out front.
(4)
Betts C.
I have to admit, I was shocked by just how good Blue Ribbon BBQ is. I've been a devoted Redbones girl, even though their ribs are sometimes not as great as others. It's been forgivable because of their spot-on beer list and fun atmosphere. However, my partner in crime and I are big fans of barbecue. When I was living in Kansas City and we were doing the long distance thing, I sometimes wondered if he didn't visit so often more for barbecue at Oklahoma Joe's & Arthur Bryant's more than for seeing me. So when a Living Social deal popped up for Blue Ribbon, we thought we'd give it a try. Considering it was about 8 PM on a Friday night, Blue Ribbon was very quiet. We pretty much had not wait in line, and though there aren't that many seats in the place itself, we had no trouble finding one. The food came out fast, and was spot-on delicious. I was super excited to try their KC-style burnt ends, and disappointed I was not. They were awesome. We also tried a half-rack of ribs, and their rub is better than that of Redbones. I can't speak for their consistency, but those ribs certainly rivaled the best of the Memphis style ribs we've had at Redbones. I sort of wish they had other varieties, just because these were so goods, and the burnt ends were so perfect. (Yes, I said perfect. I'm not sure how they'd stack up in comparison to Arthur Bryant's, but for burnt ends made in Massachusetts, they're pretty amazing.) However, what really and truly made my Blue Ribbon experience a winner (pun intended) were the sides. This has always been the downfall of Redbones for me, as their vegetables are pretty sad. We tried the black eyed corn, dirty rice, Texas kimchi, and cornbread, and I can say that they were all excellent. The Texas kimchi was spicy and a really brilliant addition to the menu. The black eyed corn, a mixture of corn and black eyed peas, was perfectly done and not bland. The dirty rice was a little less exciting, but still good. And the cornbread was delicious, coming in a large hunk that I admit I devoured in its entirety. Other points for Blue Ribbon- they allow you to take as much sauce as you like, and have a full array. Though they lack an alcohol license, they have lemonade and tea as fountain drinks, so one starts to almost feel Southern. And though it is a little out of the way, the Mass Ave location is easily accessible and the lack of busy-ness means there's no wait. The staff members with whom we interacted were super friendly, letting us take our time to figure out what to order and being very nice about everything. I felt no rush to finish quickly, which often happens in a restaurant of the counter-ordering style. Of course, the lack of beer list and margaritas are a negative. But one could easily take Blue Ribbon to go and make up for that at home. It's also not as perfectly located in Davis Square, but, again, it's not that far out. It's also fairly inexpensive (in part because of the no booze bit). The platters, which offer a full serving of meat, two sides, and cornbread, range from about $9-15, and are certainly more than enough food for one. Though I'm sure I won't give up on Redbones altogether, I might be a convert for Blue Ribbon, especially come summer when it's time for long rides down the Minutemen Bike Path. Nothing would be better towards the end of one of those than a big plate of burnt ends, black-eyed corn, and cornbread.
(4)
David R.
Excellent barbecue. They have a small dining room, which was pretty crowded when I went in on a Sunday night(three day weekend, Monday was a holiday), along with some outdoor seating. I had the pulled pork platter with collard greens, and baked beans. It came with cornbread. The pulled pork was tender, the beans were flavorful, and the collard greens were tasty(many times that that I've had collard greens at restaurants they've been bland;not so here). I was very surprised by how good their cornbread was. Three different flavors of sauce to choose from. I tried each of them and found the regular BBQ to be my favorite. Only downside is that it's(the sauce) a little watery. The portion was large; I was able to save some of the pulled pork for use in a tasty sandwich the next day. The service was quick and friendly, especially considering the place was so busy. I'm a new fan. I'll be back soon.
(4)
Bret C.
OFF THE HOOK! This place is as good as it gets around here for BBQ. It's easy, fast, affordable, and tastes great. No complaints whatsoever. This location is better than the Newton shop...Much more room to spread out and eat by the windows, etc. Also easier to park. I am definitely going to branch out and try the burnt ends and pulled chicken next time. It's just so hard to get away from the NC Pulled Pork - WOW! Can these guys please do another location in Boston?!
(5)
Ashley L.
THE best bbq in Beantown, hands down.
(5)
Samantha H.
I've been here a few times and the first time was great and then it slowly went down hill. I always lean toward the pull pork sandwich with many different sides. Tasteless, had lots of chunks of fat and plain gross. I have definitely experienced better (redbones, american bbq). Only reason for the 2 stars is because I liked their cornbread and their pickles. That's about it. Don't think I will be going back. Sorry.
(2)
David A.
Some small places are starting to pop up, but for a long time in metro boston the only real BBQ debate was between Red Bones and this place. Personally, I think both are very good and neither clearly superior to the other. I'm in Winchester though so BR is slightly closer than RB in Davis and I've consequently had more experience with it. We have some friends that we usually will order a feed back (for 4) anytime they come over. The feedback for 4 runs about $60.00 but is really enough food for 6 moderate eaters. We always have plenty of left overs. This is a good thing. The variety is great. yOu can sample a good deal of what's on BR's regular menu. THe ribs are saucy and good. Pulled pork is solid. The sides are typical BBQ (beans, cole slaw, etc.) and all well done. There's a jerk option also and while I've had better jerk at specifically jamaican places, the stuff here's not bad. There are several house sauces that range in flavor in terms of sweetness mainly. There's one atypical sauce that's a mid orange color, not too thick, that I find has a robust flavor and goes well w/ the pulled pork. I've never eaten in store, but there is out door seating in the spring/summer and a few diner style stools that line the window. The inside space is small however and probably not practical for any large party doing anything morethan grabbing a quick bite. We've always called inour order so i don't really know what wait times are like. There's a reason why this place is bascially a local institution: compentently done BBQ meat (I mean, hey, what can you expect this far from the south?), good portions and easy service. If you live in any town that abuts Arlington and haven't been to BR, you're doing something wrong.
(4)
Jeff D.
It's not as good at the barbecue you're going to get down South, but it's by far the best you're going to find in Boston. I find myself drawn to the sandwich list these days. I just had a greek lamb rollup with lettuce, cucumber, greek dressing, lamb and feta cheese. It was delicious and the flavors mixed perfectly. I also loved the baked beans and the ham and cheese grits were rich and salty. I've tried just about everything on the menu over the years and never come away disappointed.
(5)
Emily G.
Oh LORDY LORD! I agree with Luke B. - much MUCH better than Redbones. Can't go wrong at this place if you are really craving for a good, savory, teast-bud jumping, If they have Cheesy Mash, get it. Pronto. Now. I mean, now. Do I need to go into further explanation? Second - save room for dessert if you can. The pies looked SO good. And you know a BBQ does make a FIIINNNNEEEEE Pecan Pie! Pies, Pies, Pies! Yum, Yum, Yum! Third, if you have an iPhone, download the Blue Ribbon BBQ app and order it from the plam of your hand. I mean, what is more convenient than that?!
(5)
Anna S.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday night - very good. Tasted some of the pulled chicken and brisket, both of which were very good, and the mashed potatoes, which were awesome. Also had the coleslaw, which was divine, and I looooooove coleslaw. I was less impressed by the cornbread, baked beans, and collard greens. The sauces, however, were excellent, and very authentic.
(4)
Jen S.
I do love this place... the north carolina pulled pork, with tons of extra nc vinegar. yum! Trick is, I hate baked beans and cole slaw. Fortunately, they let you replace both with your choice of sides. Now, aren't they just darlin'? Key lime pie -- not to be missed! Beef brisket -- orgasmic! Mashed potatoes -- yum! Mac n cheese -- more, please! And you can make your own half-n-half (tea & lemonade). Sahweet!!!
(4)
Kimble M.
As a Texan, I feel obligated to withhold the fifth star, but for Boston, this is about as good as it gets. They make a solid brisket, nicely spicy sausage, and some decent other barbecued animals, serving it all up with some excellent sauce choices and damn delicious sides. While their sandwiches are served with baked beans and cole slaw, both o.k., some of their other sides are truly southern divine. If you happen to make it in on a day they've got cheese grits, order the full pint, or maybe the quart, and take some home with you. Seating is limited in either location, but they do a great job catering on short notice and cheaply. We ended up giving them a final number for 70 people at noon on Texas Independence Day last march, which they delivered promptly at 7PM despite the copious quantities of snow. At $12 per person with way too much food for the group to eat, it's definitely worth it.
(4)
Jocelyn G.
While getting lost trying to find the Regent Theater, I pointed this out to my boyfriend. 3 hours later when the concert ended, he declared that he had been thinking about BBQ since we past the Blue Ribbon and wanted to go there for a late (8:30) dinner. We lucked out by getting not only a parking space outside, but also one of the little tables.I would strongly suggest getting take out as there are very few places to sit inside and it can get quite crowded. The staff was mostly quiet, but friendly...one told me that I was not allowed to dance to Stevie Ray Vaughn, especially with cups in my hands, and the wait was fairly short. My platter was large and steamy hot, but the green beans seemed like they had been cooked a long time ago. The corn bread was mostly good, but dry in many places. Other than that, it was a satisfying meal that was only marred by a group standing over us like vultures waiting to attack the moment we stood up.
(4)
Nick M.
The best thing I can say about Blue Ribbon is that the North Carolina pulled pork is the best pulled pork I've had since I left North Carolina. It's as good as anything I had down there. My group of friends has had middling luck with the brisket -- sometimes it's excellent, sometimes it's barely okay -- but I've never had bad brisket there. Aside from the brisket and the pulled pork, I've also had excellent luck with the burnt ends, which have been tender and tasty. The sides are what they are -- some are unexciting (corn bread), some are just fine (mashed potatoes), and most of the rest are soaked in butter (collard greens, I'm looking at you). That said, sometimes you'll find a treat in the daily specials (jalapeño carrots, chickpea salad). I don't know that I'd recommend eating at the Blue Ribbon -- there's not much space to sit down and unlikely to be enough for more than two people to eat as a group comfortably -- but you can't do better for barbecue take-out in metro Boston.
(5)
Chuck K.
I'm not going to get into a jag about "real" BBQ because I'd be here all afternoon. This is just a mini-primer for how to order at Blue Ribbon. I had the "Texas Brisket" and it was a gray, flavorless, dry monstrosity. By contrast, I've had good luck with the "burnt ends" and pulled pork. The side orders are uniformly "meh." This has been a public service announcement.
(3)
Michael C.
Blue Ribbon is as good as it gets for BBQ in Boston. I have been going here for years and am never dissapointed. Some of their highlighs are their moist and crunchy corn bread, the Burnt Ends sandwhich is out of this world, top that off with some of their legendary baked beans and garlic mashed potatoes with gravy and you have yourself a great meal!
(5)
Tepring P.
How can this place only have seating for 10-15 people when it is soooo good? I like sticky, finger-lickin' savory/spicy/sweet BBQ and this is what I get here. The 3 meat option platter is enough for 3 people! Well ok, maybe only two b/c I always come hungry. Portions are big and food is flavorful. You can grab extra sauce from their big pump your own jars on your way out too. I am not so sure I like their sides (especially not the cornbread which is always dry - I know there are different types - northern v. southern). How about a corn on the cob (at least seasonally)? Maybe the sides are just not as good as compared to the MEAT....mmmm...... Oh and dessert, can't forget 1/3 of the meal's points...A-mazing cherry cobbler. If they have it, get it.
(4)
jake l.
Had a trio meal last night. Not so great and this place is OVERRATED. The brisket was not butterknife tender. The pulled pork, well.. tasted like any other pulled pork just had to douse with vinegar and sauce. The ribs were good(fall off the bone) although, they only give 2 ribs per order? what the hell? The sides were generic tasting the mashed potatoes were uninspired, the coleslaw wasn't tangy enough, but the cornbread was soft and moist. Blue Ribbon is officially the most overrated bbq spot in the Boston area. Word of advice from my visits of bbq joints.. when you read the reviews from yelpers who claim they are from the south and grew up there eating bbq. LISTEN TO THEM because they are right most of the time regarding my past few visits of bbq joints.
(2)
Traveling B.
This review is for the catering, I will be back to try the actual food later. The Bossy Boss decides to treat us commonfolk to lunch. Redbones comes up as it always does, and I commented that maybe we should do something else. It's not that I have a distaste for Redbones, I love their bar, and the St. Louis Ribs are good, but everything else is pretty much lacking for me. So, after much deliberation we all decide on Blue Ribbon. I knew I was taking a chance here, yes I might be a fatty but my suggesting powers were to be seriously tested by choosing this over the typically famous redbones. So, food gets here, Mac N'cheese, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, beans and cornbread. With a little iced tea and lemonade, add all of the fixings and wow, we ordered the 10 person size but we could have easily fed 15. And the ribs were succulent, the conrbread was moist and tasted much better than their competitions. It's the first time I've been in Boston where I thought the beans were worth a damn, though nowhere near as good from home, and the pulled pork had me going for seconds. But, oh my and butty oh but but but, the chicken was incredible. At first glance it looked as if it was going to be somewhat greasy and chocked full of oil. And that's the furthest from the truth, it was easy to hold and the meat came right off the bone, right into my mouth. Moist, tender, evenly full of flavor so that every bite had just the right amount of spices. Man, the chicken was good, that's all I'm saying. So yeah, the office has found a new place to get BBQ from, and I personally have found a new place to drool over everytime I pass the one in Arlington. Good on ye Blue Ribbon BBQ!!!!
(5)
Jeff M.
Quickest, cheapest, best bbq in the area. Meat stands on its own. I only use a little bit of the NC vinegar to highlight the meat. The meat is delicious but I love the sides you get to choose from.
(4)
Dan S.
Hey, this place is all right! I wish I could give this 3.7 stars. They don't deserve a 3 (I enjoyed my meal immensely), but a few things needed to be fixed. The ribs are really good. They "fall off the bone", as they should; the dry rub gives them a firm outer texture and a melty inside, definitely the highlight of my meal. The corn bread is nice, not too sweet but not too un-sweet either, a very balanced corn bread to compliment the rest of the food. Collard greens were definitely blaaand, and the sweet potatoes, while good, were somehow off a bit, a little too odd for my tastes. I think there was some orange juice or grapefruit juice in them, or something. Solid selection of passable sauces. As usual in the northeast, the sauces weren't anything to write home about. After sampling most of them, I opted for the generic "sweet" BBQ sauce to add lightly to the ribs. The "hot" BBQ sauce was pretty dismal and I'd recommend avoiding that. Friend had the burnt ends, which were top notch. Another had slaw (went unfinished) and mashed potatoes (over-buttery). The theme I noticed was that the meat was great, and the sides were mediocre. It was pretty busy inside while we were there (dinner time on a Thursday night). There was a bit of a wait to order, perhaps about five or ten minutes. We managed to snag an indoors table but it was just lucky timing. Because it's late summer and still nice out, the outdoor seating was in full swing but I can imagine that as soon as it becomes fall you won't be able to sit down here. As it was, it was pretty chaotic inside, not a very comfortable place to have a meal. Now, they serve your meal in a badass disposable styrofoam tray. Stuff like this drives me crazy - it's wasteful and you have no recourse. I realize it saves some hassle with cleanup, but a couple paper plates and a wipeable tray would perform just as well.
(4)
Matthew A.
I finally got to try Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! I stopped in here for lunch after a business appointment. I got the pulled pork sandwich which came with beans and slaw. I also order 2 ribs to taste as I heard the ribs are out of this would. The ribs were nice and meaty and just the right amt of smoke. I tryed a variety of BBQ sauces and vinagers available on the counter (I loved the SC Vinager on the slaw). Would def come back here for takout for dinner.
(5)
Apolinaras S.
It is official, I have an addiction to Blue Ribbon BBQ! I have lost count how many times I have been there, how much money I have spent, and how many people I have brought with me. I love the food, I love how generous portions are (always end up taking half the platter home), service. And unlike Red Bones in Somerville, which is a block away from me, they are not stingy with sauces. I will continue looking for excuses to drive to Blue Ribbon!
(5)
Jon P.
Best pulled pork I've had. Great sides, great value and my new go to BBQ spot. Never thought I'd replace redbones...
(5)
Jim O.
Our new granddaughter lives up the hill behind BRB, and I delighted to have this extra reason to get lunch there (visiting her) aside from the terrific food. I love the pork, the brisket, the mashed potatoes, the rice and beans, the cole slaw. I love the portions (huge), I love the very reasonable prices. I've not tried the deserts, and I didn't care for the pulled chicken, but I think BRB is the real deal.
(4)
Mary B.
Yes, finally, I found decent barbeque in the Boston area. I love all of their sauce selections and how they are readily available at the front counter so you can try something new - my favorite is the gold. The menu runs the whole gamut of barbeque, though I always go for the pulled chicken. The key for me here is that they have a ton of sides to you get to choose to complement your meal - the only thing that is holding me back from 5 stars is that I get my heart set on a certain side only to be told they're out. But, there are plenty of other options and I have never had a bad meal there. I definitely prefer their barbeque to Redbones, which has made me sick before. It's a no nonsense type of place. There isn't a lot of seating so I tend to go outside of normal lunch/dinner hours and I see a lot of people doing take-out, which is the best bet.
(4)
Jack M.
I've never actually been here, but I've had their food. Lots of it. I used to date a chick whose dad would go here a lot. Sometimes he'd bring me home some dinner. He was nice. Too bad his daughter was a giant pain in the brisket.... I have had a number of dishes and meals from this place. What stands out the most is their pulled pork sandwich. Pretty darn good. Oh - a huge plus is their pickles. Every meal came with a little container of some homemade pickle slices. I'm tellin ya- they were excellent! We used to fight over them. We used to fight a lot, actually... I'm deducting a star cause once I got a bbq chicken sandwich and as I bit down there was a huge BONE in there. GOD I HATE THAT. But overall, people rave about this place. It won't disappoint. Probably....
(3)
Ben H.
To be fair, I've had worse. It would take a monumental effort to be worse than that little place in Davis Sq. that people flock to. But, Blue Ribbon turns in a Blue Ribbon effort at being the worst BBQ in Boston. I firmly believe that sometimes places have an off day. BBQ is particularly hard to do well, and something small like a thermometer not reading properly can ruin a whole batch. So, just like that place in Davs, I've tried Blue Rubbon five times. In part it was to be as fair as possible, and in part it was in utter disbelief that anyone could make BBQ so poorly. Alas, after five attempts, I reach the same conclusion. I've had far better pulled pork from a prepackaged plastic tub in the local grocery store, better beans from a can, better cornbread from a bag, and a more southern atmosphere in Boston Common. Bill Miller's BBQ (the Taco Bell of BBQ and easily the worst BBQ in Texas) makes Blue Ribbon taste like skunky Miller High Life. Honestly, I don't even know why I keep looking for BBQ in Boston. I wouldn't expect to get decent clam chowder or lobster rolls in Texas; there's no reason to expect decent BBQ in Boston.
(1)
Tom K.
When I die, I hope my last meal is at Blue Ribbon so I can taste their BBQ for all eternity. Is it the rub? Is it the smoke? Is it the BBQ sauces? Is it the quality of the meats? Maybe it's the great selection of piping hot and tasty side dishes? Or is it the congo bar/dove bar or pecan pie for dessert. How can everything on the menu board be some damn good? When friends from out of town come to visit, we take them here. First question on their return visit? "Are we going to The Blue Ribbon?" My family has been eating here for 12 years now, 6 - 8 times each year. We've had pretty much everything on the board. Never had a bad meal. Burnt ends, sausage, pulled pork, ribs, jerked chicken, always hot, fresh generous portions and good. Sides? My favorites are the collard greens and cole slaw. Hot and tasty always and the cole slaw is not too watery, not too dry, just right. Desserts, I'd walk 5 miles for thier congo bar, my wife loves the Dove bar, I'm just not big on coconut. There are two negatives and neither of them have anything to do with the food. 1. Parking can be challenging to find on Mass Ave in Arlington. 2. Seating is just a few bar stools looking out the front windows, although they have a few table outside for the summer. We always eat there as I want to eat while everything is hot. If you like BBQ, this is the best of metro west. It's also one of the best places in the country for my money. I've travelled a lot and I can't honestly say I've had better BBQ anywhere and that includes a lot of places in Texas and North Carolina.
(5)
Flora B.
I had burnt ends, collard greens and baked beans. One star off because I wasn't so impressed by the cornbread (a little dry? needed something...) and THEY HAD RUN OUT OF MASHED POTATOES. :( However, this place is top notch and I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Carl H.
Burnt ends, ribs, brisket for dinner after a long day perfect.... Never had a bad meal here, great comfort food. Quick service awesome quality. If you are a BBQ guy or girl blue ribbon is a must!
(4)
Sanel S.
I liked this place a lot, the sandwich was great and sides were good too. It's not the most spectacular food I had ever eaten but I would say pulled pork was outstanding. I haven't had pulled pork in years so I don't have a good reference point but it didn't strike me as particularly high-grade food. Although the food is great the environment is cramped and it felt more like a place to be fed rather than a nice sit-down place. My only other complaint about this place is that they serve way too much food than is necessary for a human being to eat.
(4)
Hiep V.
Blue Ribbon fell a little short of my expectations, seeing as I've been trying to go to this place for a while.To get the most options out of my dinner, I went with the Trio combination, with choices of brisket, pork ribs, and burnt ends. The ribs were so juicy and literally fell off the bone, just the way I like them. The brisket was good, but not as tender compared to Redbones. I've heard a lot of things about burnt ends and had been dying to try them out; unfortunately, the ones at Blue Ribbon didn't live up to my expectations as all it was, was mushy meat (kind of like pulled pork). My sides of collard greens and cole slaw went well along with my meal. Seating is quite tight as there were only 3 tables with available seating for 4 each, and a bar counter to eat. The major downside for me was that they don't serve alcohol. When it comes to bbq, nothing's better than washing it all down with nice cold brewski. Unfortunately, Blue Ribbon's shortcomings, will have me choosing to go to one of the other bbq establishments in the area.
(3)
Rebecca K.
I guess, in the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I've never actually been to the restaurant. Don't even know where it is. But I've had take out from here on multiple occasions and it's soooooooo good. The pulled pork is really top rate. There's always a very healthy selection of sauces with which to top your BBQ. Then there's the baked bean goodness. Yum! Coming from the midwest, I do have an affinity for good BBQ and this place definitely satisfies the craving. Maybe one day, I'll actually make it to the restaurant, but, until then, I'm fine if my profs keep ordering it.
(4)
C D.
Went back and tried their mashed potatoes and special of the day which was stewed okra. I must have just hit it on an off day the first time I went because these two were out of this world! And I tried the pulled pork sandwich which was better than any other place I've tried in Boston.
(5)
Lauren L.
I might give Blue Ribbon 5 stars if we hadn't started off on the wrong foot. Allow me to explain... I ordered a catering package ("THE Sandwich Deal" if you must know) for lunch for my office of about 30 people 2 days in advance. WELL, my friend, our delivery time came and went with no delicious BBQ in sight. I gave them a call figuring they were just running a little late and that it was NBD. FALSE. Turns out the woman who took my order completely forgot to process it. Sucks. So that really put a damper on things. HOWEVER, the woman was super apologetic and felt really bad and totally admitted that it was her fault. So at another date and time of my choosing Blue Ribbon delivered my order FREE OF CHARGE and it was the ballzzz. I highly recommend the burnt ends, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. The baked beans are also totally awesome as are the mashed potatoes and corn bread. You can eat the meat plain or make a diesel sandwich with the rolls they provide. Whatever you want - follow your heart. Now there are some pretty picky folks in my office who love to complain but I didn't hear a peep out of them. Everyone loved it and was in a food coma for most of the afternoon. AND we had a crap-ton of leftovers, which, I'm sure I don't have to tell you, was kickass. I feel pretty confident that this little mishap was a fluke. They're human. We all make mistakes. Whatevs. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)
Cee C.
I am such a huge fan of this place. We come here almost twice a month. You can bring your own beers and the outdoor seating is abundant
(3)
Anne M.
I dont want to brag, but Im pretty much THE connoisseur of BBQ, and this place is my favorite place for pulled pork in Boston. The location is small, but its great in the summer when they have outside seating. The burnt ends are fantastic as well if you are not int he mood for pork. Oh, and I cant forget the pecan pie, delicious!
(5)
Eva F.
Oh, Boston, why must you be so bland? No matter what the cuisine, restaurants around here err on the side of caution when it comes to spices and seasonings. Blue Ribbon is no exception. That's why it irritates me when people call this "Southern food." Any Southern food I've had was a lot more flavorful than this! Down in Louisiana, I fell in love with Slap Ya Mama seasonings... no mama-slappin' going on around here! So it's bland. And soggy. It's a good portion size for the money, but I haven't yet been particularly inclined to finish what I've ordered. I keep giving them chances since they're in a convenient spot and everyone does rave about them so, but I think I'm going to have to agree with the others who called it overrated.
(3)
Linda J.
WOW what can i say that hasn't already been said. We hired this place to do our company BBQ and they did a wonderful job. Not only were they extremely pleasant but the food was incredible. Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends to BBQ Ribs and the OMG Red Bliss Potato salad was incredible! Thank you Blue Ribbon
(5)
V L.
Fast, Tasty and not too expensive. I love their specials. I usually get the pulled pork or burnt ends. Not a fan of the chicken but that's just me. Tasty pies and soups too. Cornbread is great!
(5)
Aaron P.
Funny story: When Blue Ribbon first opened I lived in an apartment across the street from it. I was a vegetarian at the time and I'm from Texas. So I SUFFERED HORRIBLY at the wonderful smell that wafted out of this joint and into my apartment on warm summer days. It was torture. Fast forward five years and I moved away but have decided to eat meat again. So one of the very first places I visit is Blue Ribbon, with memories of that aroma never leaving my mind. I can eat it. Finally! Talk about a disappointment. All the food (entree, sides and bread) on the plate was practically watered down and splashed together in a soup-like substance. The meat on my sandwich was way too tender and the sauces were pure vinegar. Maybe this poses as BBQ in some poduck place in South Carolina (where I hear vinegar is king), but in Texas you'd be run out of town serving this junk.
(2)
Luca R.
Best BBQ in Boston, hands down and the prices are great. Red Bones isn't even in the same league. These guys know their BBQ...makes me feel like I'm back in KY. Thank you Blue Ribbon, you guys are awesome! :)
(5)
Sushiman S.
Had to work Saturday, so since I was nearby and it seemed like the right thing to do, Blue Ribbon came to mind... This little Storefront on Mass. Ave. in Arlington, has the just the right ambiance for take out BBQ... Simple..... a couple places to sit and watch the traffic go by, outside tables for the adventurous always worry that a stray dog will fight me for my ribs)... Anyway, the service was quick, the food as always top notch...This is not a "red bones", but then it is not trying to be. I had a rib sandwich to go and took a rack of ribs home for dinner and sharing.... The rib sandwich was good, the ribs were meaty and and with the sides of cheesy mashed, and green beans (pleasantly overdone and mushy, just like mom made), and the never ending pickles and sauce... wonderbar!!!!! Must confess that I was still hungry so I ate a rib in the car on the way home, (sans sauce), but I still have to figure out how to get the grease off the steering wheel! (any suggestions????) Blue Ribbon gets a Blue Ribbon in my book!
(5)
Lee M.
I was debating between three and four stars for Blue Ribbon BBQ, but the 3 stars says "A-OK" and 4 stars days "Yay!" so I think 3 is more accurate (edit: I changed it to 4 after some consideration). I had the North Carolina pulled pork barbecue platter, cole slaw, green beans, cornbread, and sweet tea. And this was at the Arlington location. The cole slaw was mediocre at best. It was actually downright bad, but I don't really like to be mean. The green beans were pretty good, but they were spiced weirdly - they were actually spicy, which was just odd. The cornbread was good, nothing special, but good. The sweet tea could have been just a little bit more sweet (just a little), but that may be a compromise for their typical customers (northerners). Now, the barbecue. It's an eastern NC style. It's pulled pork from the whole pig, not just the shoulder, and it has a vinegar sauce instead of ketchup, but it's not really saucy. They put some (real) sauce on top when they served it, which I wish they had left off, or better yet put on the side (if I go again, I'll probably ask them to do that). The meat itself was pretty good. It was well spiced. I would have preferred a little leaner selection, but there's nothing wrong with what they served. Conclusion: Good barbecue, mediocre sides, good tea. I was disappointed that they didn't have banana pudding. That would have gotten them a fourth star (edit: except I went back and gave them 4 stars...but they should still have banana pudding)..
(4)
Adam P.
I'm rather a big fan of Blue Ribbon BBQ. Their take-out service is rather efficient, and they have some of the tastiest pulled meat and BBQ chicken I've ever eaten. I'm not the biggest fan of their green beans, but I do enjoy their baked beans and collard greens. It's a bit pricey for the plate meal, but it does include a lot of food.
(4)
Zizzles A.
So I just had some great Brisket here today, an oddity, and asked the guy why the brisket is so inconsistent. He tells me it's because it's different because I get different parts of the brisket, and says I can request the fattier section! Yes! Problem solved! Not only is the fattier brisket jucier, you get a little more of the smoke flavor because the meat is not nearly as dry. When the Brisket is good, I prefer it to the sauced burnt ends. The brisket really doesn't need sauce. It's smoky and juicy enough as is. I will attempt to ask for the fattier part next time. I ordered a lone bone of ribs, which turned out to be 3 bones...ooooook. But I'm not complaining for 3 dollars. You also get a slice of processed white bread that admittedly, is better than wonderbread. I never really noticed this before, but relative to the brisket, the ribs are a little on the flavorless side. Sure they're juicy and full of pork flavor, but there's no real smoke, and their memphis dry rub doesn't add enough to it. Of course, the spicy bbq sauce or the vinegar based one, my two favorites, remedy that problem in a jiffy. Not that I've been to memphis, but I'm guessing the dry rub wouldn't pass there. No biggie. It's still a yummy piece of meat.
(4)
Gamal S.
Best BBQ joint north of the Charles! Beats its nearest competition by a long shot for one simple reason: Blue Ribbon is authentic Southern cooking and most BBQ in this Yankee infested land are what y'all IMAGINE Southern cooking/Soul Food to taste like, and what these cats cook up is what my people eat down home. Thanks for bringing home to Arlington!
(5)
David L.
After having North Carolina and Texas BBQ, I never thought I'd find BBQ close to as tasty until I ended up at Blue Ribbon! After having the brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, or ribs weekly for about 6 months, I have to say that Blue Ribbon is definitely the closest (and tastiest!) I've had in the Northeast! The portions are huge, the prices are reasonable, and the food is drool-worthy. The only gripe I have is the lack of seating during the winter. With the popularity of the place, a small counter and 3 tables for 2 is definitely not enough, especially since all I want to do when served a steaming plate of food is to chow down right away! One word of warning though. Blue Ribbon has all kinds of different sauces (with varying spice levels) but the Jabanero Vinegar is extremely hot! I had a few drops mixed with my BBQ sauce and I almost couldn't sleep that night!
(4)
Nicolas C.
Riiiiiiiiibs........Drooool........ These portions are enormous, enough to feed a mighty man. Me, I'm long but trim; ribs, cornbread and 2 sides of your choice do not always fit inside my test-tube sized stomach. Very friendly staff that will give you suggestions if you just ask.
(5)
Lisa C.
I've had blue ribbon a number of times before when my company had an event catered, but I actually made it to blue ribbon for the first time for dinner last night. The food is ok. My boyfriend is from North Carolina and is a HUGE bbq snob, but luckily I had tried blue ribbon before we started dating so my opinion of the food wasn't really swayed. We shared a trio platter which is three meats, 2 sides, and cornbread. We got the NC pulled pork, the texas sliced brisket, and the kansas city burnt ends with cole slaw and I ordered green beans but they mistakenly gave us baked beans. no big deal though...i like baked beans. the pulled pork was pretty good. the bf thought it wasn't the pork he knows but still decent. i thought the brisket was pretty tasty. it was really moist and tender. the burnt ends were interesting. they tasted like they had almost been stewed or something. i had never had burnt ends before, but i was literally expecting the burnt ends of bbq that they chose not to throw out. the cole slaw was pretty good, but not quite what i had expected. the baked beans were ok but a little rich. cornbread was fine. considering its not a very expensive place, this place may make the rotation. I definitely prefer their bbq to redbones.
(3)
Judi V.
I hadn't been here in YEARS and I don't quite know why because I really like this place. Yesterday after our weekly staff meeting we were deciding where to get lunch from, it was one of our coworkers bday and food is always involved! The crew wanted to go to the default Redbones (which is okay I guess but a little inconsistent). I suggested that we go here. Out of the 7 of us I was the only one who'd been here so it was a chance to show off my foodie status to my friends. We all looked at the online menu and made up our minds on what we wanted. Most opted for the pulled pork sandwich, my boss got the pulled chicken (sooo health conscious!) and I got the brisket. Andi is right, the fattier part is best and it really doesn't need sauce as the meat is juicy and flavorful. Everyone loved what they got, the mashed got raves, the beans were good (but had a few undercooked members in the mix) the guy that got the cold slaw nearly licked the dish (I can't believe how much he ate and he's thin!!!). When we went to pick it up I discovered that my cohort had called the wrong one (DUH... 781 is Arlington 617 is Newton!) Anyway the guy behind the counter showed true genius and called the other store for the order and replicated it there very quickly for us. We spent time at the sauce bar and made up quite a smorgasbord of the flavorful stuff as well as plenty of those amazing pickle slices and lots of wet naps!!! The whole group loved the food and most of us took part home with us because the portions even on the sandwiches are HUGE! In the end the whole group paid homage to my expertise in picking just the right place to eat!! (Yeah.. like I look like I ever missed a meal!)
(4)
Takiyah G.
Finally some BBQ in my hood that I can get behind! Sorry Redbones. I'll always have a place in my heart for your delicious spicy catfish sand, fried okra, buffalo shrimp, and awesome delivery bikes, but this is why Blue Ribbon trumps you: 1)Pulled pork: Hands down, the best I've had in many moons. And I make it a mission when trying a new BBQ place, to rate them based on their prep and flavor of this sandwhich alone. So succulent and juicy, with a vinegary/spicy sauce...mmn. mouth is watering. But theres more.. 2)Price and value: So much food here! Choice of sides with my juicy burnt ends sandwhich, and none of that 'add an extra doller for something other than icky beans and coleslaw' crap. A sand with two nicely portioned sides was &6.99, whereas at the other BBQ spot already mentioned, thats just the sandwhich alone Plus, i have some leftover for lunch today....yes!!! Nice variety of sauces, good collards, awesome coleslaw that's much like my own recipe, creamy real potatoes, and I can't forget 3)Cornbread. It was a huge honking piece, slightly warmed, sweet yellow corn goodness wrapped in foil. This is not to say i won't ever eat at Redbones again, especially for their all you can eat buffet lunch, becuase over the years, they've fed me and fed me pretty well. But I've had enough 'meh' deliveries from them to venture out, and I'm glad I did. I think this is just the BBQ style that I prefer. Can't wait to try the ribs and desserts at Blue Ribbon!! Oh Arlington, you keep surprising me!
(4)
Brett M.
Why do I feel the need to qualify my review by exposing my southern roots and thereby giving my review more credit than those of the home-breed New Englanders? I mean, when you go to Blue Ribbon, you'll know that you are tasting really good BBQ. It doesn't matter if you are from Georgia, Carolina, Tenn, Ontario, Oregon, Maine, Germany, Vietnam, or France, you'll recognize you are giving your taste buds a treat... well, if you are from France, you will deny it b/c you are from France. I am addicted to their Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken sandwiches. I also recommend the ribs. The meats are tender and smokey. I like their beans A LOT. I could eat a bucket on a dare. Good veggies too: collards, greenbeans, mashed potatoes, etc. The only reason I am giving them less than a 5-start rating is that seating is very limited and I like my cornbread on the cornmeal-ly side. Blue Ribbon's corn bread is a little to cake-y sweet for me. Oh yeah, finish your meal with a dreambar. Y'all won't regret it!
(4)
Alexandra K.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great place to go as a newbie in the Boston area. It's famous among the residents here and I had at least 5 people tell me to go before I actually tried the food. Being from Cincinnati, where southern food and BBQ is very popular, I don't thoroughly enjoy Blue Ribbon's food. Their sweet BBQ sauce is excellent, but I have to pour gobs of it over the pulled pork before it isn't dry anymore. The chicken is also incredibly dry. I also don't like the baked beans. I normally enjoy sweet baked beans with brown sugar or other such ingredients. Blue Ribbon's are somewhat sweet, but they have this burnt flavor in them that makes me not like them much. Now for the things I like. Well, the one thing. I love their mashed potatoes. They leave the skins in (added fiber bonus) and have the perfect amount of garlic and sour cream. Delish! Maybe it's just my Ohio taste buds that don't like these New England BBQ flavors, I'll never know. I would recommend checking this place out, even if its just for the mashed potatoes.
(3)
David G.
Wow-simply wow. Tonight was my first trip to this place and I had some good expectations for it, but they were exceeded in ways that I didn't expect. I'll get right to what caused my excitement and it was the North Carolina pulled pork. I actually didn't even order it I got the half rack of ribs platter. However, my friend didn't touch half of her Carolina pork as she's not a big eater, so I went and tried it. "My god!" I thought-that's the best damn pulled pork I ever tried. Up until now the term "smokey" when used to describe food has always been in a much more subtle context-this pork was smokey in a way that has forever changed how I view that term. Incredibly smokey, moist perfectly flavored pulled pork. The best I ever had, and so good I'll cry if it's never that good again when I visit. Pulled pork bliss aside, it's time to talk ribs. I ordered a half rack of Memphis ribs and they were good, but not great. The flavor was distinct and they were incredibly moist with meat falling off the bone, but they were just OK for me. Maybe a bad night for the ribs-not bad ribs by any means-just not the work of the gods who did the pulled pork haha. The sides were brilliant-best mashed potatoes I've had in a while, moist delicious cornbread, and the green beans were flavored my favorite way. Best thing about this place is the prices-even if the food wasn't this good you'd have to reward them for affordable prices. $6.50 for a massive pulled prok sandwich with sides? Awesome. A big rib dinner platter for $14? Can't get that anywhere else I know of. As for the decor and layout of the place-it's small with very limited seating (10 people at most at the tables) and an ultra-casual atmosphere. The fellow who took the order was super friendly. Not much to complain about. Comparisons? Well I've been to Redbones and the Village Smokehouse and this is how I see it: For ribs I think Redbones has the edge for size and variety of ribs. However, Redbones is inconsistent on the flavor/cooking of the ribs. The Village Smokehouse offers a larger rib platter than either of them-a big long platter of small ribs. All completely different in style, so you'll have to try them all to see which kind of rib person you are. For Sausages it's hands down Village Smokehouse when compared to Redbones-no comparison. Redbones is aboslutely blah in the sausage department compared to the Smokehouse. Blue Ribbon I haven't tried. For pulled pork- Blue Ribbon slaughters Red Bones which has been dry and boring for me on two occasions. The Smokehouse I have not tried.
(5)
John L.
I've only had Blue Ribbon in catering-related situations, but when I've had it, it's been incredible. It's like meat paradise, what with the well-seasoned beef and chicken and pork, as well as the varied side dishes (the collared greens are great, as well as the beans, slaw, and mashed potatoes), and the great cornbread.
(5)
Aaron B.
I'd love to say that proximity to Blue Ribbon BBQ was the main reason for our house purchase, but that's not totally accurate. It was certainly a factor, however. We cold and stubborn New Englanders aren't know for our BBQ, but this place stands out as a beacon of southern-style cooking in the bleak northeast. The meats are just juicy enough and enhanced by their lineup of outstanding sauces -- the "gold" sauce is my go-to. Cornbread is done right (big block, kinda crumbly, only slightly sweet) and the blackeyed corn rounds out a platter meal nicely. It's a (very) small place, but I think that's part of the feel. Much bigger and it would have the impression of a BBQ factory. In the winter, we get the food to go, and in the summer, we sit outside. If you've only had their food via an event (catered), go check it out in person -- it's best fresh off the grill.
(5)
Raymond W.
I ordered the half rack of Memphis ribs, cornbread, black eyed corn and rice and beans. Although the ribs were piled high (5-6 ribs), the amount of work it took to eat in a civilized fashion and surprisingly not too filling made for a delicious meal without regrets. The ribs were tender and could easily be pulled off the bone, which made for good dipping in the various sauces. The black eyed corn was balanced and no ingredient dominated the side. The rice and beans were very well blended and was flavorful and even juicy, though each still held form, if that even makes sense for rice and beans. The cornbread left a lot to be desired as it was on the harder and less moist side. Overall, I think the pulled pork outshine the ribs. You just can't beat the fatty juice that good pulled pork gives you. I will be looking to give the brisket a try in the future.
(4)
Meredith K.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ place - closely followed by Village Smokehouse. I used to work in Waltham for years and frequently got lunch at the W. Newton location - I was really happy when they expanded to Arlington. I never sit and eat here though, I always get it to go - which is what I did today. This location does have seats (unlike W. Newton that only has a few stools) - and they have outdoor seating in the nice weather - although you overlook Mass. Ave and a stop and shop (not very exciting). The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, love the sides like potato salad, cole slaw and beans. And the big green salad is so tasty (which is what I had today) - they have cornbread croutons (awesome!), a very good balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and I always get it will the pulled chicken. YUM. My company has frequently ordered catering from them as well and it's just as good as when your order individually. You know how sometimes you get a bulk order like that and it sucks, not with Blue Ribbon it was the same quality.
(5)
Alyssa D.
Amazing. The pulled pork is so good. The pork burrito is great too. Isn't it burnt ends? I forget. It's awesome. It can be a little spicy. My Dr. Pepper burns when I drink it, ha ha. Really good. Lots of sauces too. p.s. The bakery next door has amazing cupcakes.
(5)
Elaine M.
I've been hearing a lot of great things about this place, so perhaps my expectations were set too high... but I wasn't terribly impressed. I had the Memphis dry-rubbed BBQ ribs platter with cheese grits and baked beans. The ribs weren't bad, but they weren't the best I've ever had. The sweet BBQ and hot BBQ sauces were pretty decent (I didn't like the gold sauce at all), but I would have liked them thicker. On the other hand, the cheese grits were a little too thick for my tastes. I have no complaints about the baked beans. I'm bewildered on why my impression of Blue Ribbon is vastly different from the majority of other reviewers here (am I not ordering the correct dishes?). I really wanted to love this place (as I have yet to find my "go to" BBQ ribs place around here), but I really can't say that I do.
(3)
T A.
I'm a meat purist; I don't believe in dousing my meat in anything. And I hate places that do it for me. Blue Ribbon gives me a rib that falls off the bone without a whole lot of taste-providers (i.e. sauces) to cheat with. If you do like getting saucy, they provide a handful of sauces for you to chose from. I couldn't tell you what those are because I never venture over there. The brisket is not as juicy as meat can get, but it beats the Red Bones version by a mile. For sides, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than the corn bread. Theirs is rich, crumbly, and thick (like my men). I'm not too keen on the vegetables, but that may be because I am a shameless carnivore. There aren't a lot of seats in the place, so don't come here with the football team unless you want take-out.
(4)
kathy r.
We have a big debate in our family, of Redbones vs. Village Smokehouse vs. Blue Ribbon. Although we're partial to Village Smokehouse, we've moved away from Brookline so we were introduced to Blue Ribbon. I actually had it catered for my husband's birthday party, and the guests were all really excited. I like the pulled pork and beef brisket- they're a little dry until you add the yummy sauce (I like the sweet rather than hot) - the beans and rice can be a little dry too, but again- sauce is the key. I like getting a bunch of quart containers and having a mix and match dinner rather than the platter. If it's cold out, seats are limited- but the outside option is nice in good weather.
(4)
Devon R.
Oh sweet BBQ goodness Blue Ribbon is tasty. It's hard not to compare Blue Ribbon to Red Bones, especially since they are relatively close together. Redbones has always been a fav of mine but I have to say that Blue Ribbon holds it's own. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that their ribs weren't quite as good to me as Red Bones. They do however have awesome burnt ends...mmmmmmm...burnt ends. The jerk chicken is also incredible, the spicy rub def jumps out at you but it's sooo juicy and delicious, Jerk chicken may not be the first thing you think of when you're talking BBQ, but give it a try it rocks. I still have not tried their Mac & Cheese which I hear is legendary, so perhaps once that happens the fifth star will be earned.
(4)
Brandon W.
I love BBQ. I love ribs. I especially love Memphis style ribs - both wet and dry. I was really looking forward to a rib meal when I saw all the glowing reviews. The first thing that surprised me was that Blues offered their Memphis dry rib platter in 1/3 or 1/2 slab with two sides. Having eaten ribs in Memphis, Chattanooga, Kansas City, etc, I know I can easily devour a full slab so I was surprised that the meal topped up at 1/2 slab. It was only when I got my platter that I realized that the ribs were huge and not the baby back ribs that I was used to eating in the mid-west and south. Worse, they were tough (not your fall-off-the-bone type ribs). I was so disappointed with the ribs that I only half ate four of the ribs before giving up. The sides were OK - the mash potato was great, the slaw was kind of limp.
(3)
Joe U.
I really LIKE Blue Ribbon...I want to give it 5 stars because I met one of the founders and he's a great guy. Also, they're *cheap* for bbq. Plus, there just isn't much competition in the area. They knock out the over-rated Redbones (there was an era when Redbones was the only serious 'cue in town, but that's history). Blue Ribbon is my go-to place for 'cue because it's affordable and quick. Their sides are good and their meats are good. Their sauces and cornbread are 4.5 stars. I just wish their meats were a bit better...my view of Blue Ribbon is, "if it can be dry, it will be dry." In other words, don't get anything that can be dry. The pulled pork and burnt ends are in sauce, so they can't be that dry. The *wet* ribs are not dry. Their regular ribs can be dry, so I don't like to play russian roulette with it. The same goes for their brisket. Actually, I'm going there today and will try their brisket one more time, because a friend raved about it. [Time lapse]. OK tried their brisket...wow, it was not dry...in fact, it was extremely moist and tender. Now the bad part - I have never tasted such brisket...I mean that almost literally; I couldn't taste it because there was little taste. It was big and meaty, but tasted so bland. OK, they give sauce, but how can meat have so little taste? I felt and tasted almost as if part of the cooking was steaming or boiling. That's fine for veggies and soups, but not bbq. I mean, there was no smokiness at all. It was 3-stars for taste. In comparison, I just had Soul Fire brisket. Soul Fire does not have the best brisket in town, but it had so much more taste, plus a nice red smoke ring. Now that's more like it.
(4)
R. B.
I finally remembered to try Blue Ribbon when I happened to be in Arlington. Glad I did. Pulled chicken dinner was good- and they give you alot. I covered it in the yummy BBQ sauces they have out. Wasn't crazy about the rice and beans, they took some rice and slapped a pile of beans on top. I thought it was going to be, y'know, rice and beans mixed together and cooked with seasonings. My main problem with the place is there's not enough seating. And one other suggestion for them- we need soft butter for the cornbread!
(4)
Mary R.
It's a cheap meal that leaves you feeling stuffed, but far from satisfied. After having heard so many great things about Blue Ribbon, I expected a great meal and was even willing to look past the terrible noise plastic knifes make on Styrofoam plates, that is until I started eating. I was less than wowed. I had the open-faced brisket sandwich, and although the meat was tender, it was also nothing to write home about. The small selection of sides -- no mac and cheese or candied yams are just ok and their sweet tea tastes exactly like that poorly flavored Cool Nestea. If you're looking for a good BBQ place head to Red Bones in Davis.
(2)
Jen L.
After finally trying Redbones, I can say with certainty that Blue Ribbon is MUCH BETTER. Bigger portions, lower prices, and no Davis Square hipster 'tude. Just the real thing. I recommend getting any of the $6.99 sandwich platters (though my favorite is the brisket) with beans and cole slaw and you will be able to bring home leftovers for 1-2 meals. All of the meats are extremely tender and the bread is super soft and tasty. My only complaint is that the seating is extremely limited, so sometimes takeout is the best and only option.
(4)
Laura H.
Absolutely delicious. Their Sweet BBQ sauce is perfect for me- my boyfriend prefers the spicy sauce. They always have fantastic specials- everything from chicken salad, to burnt ends, to classic pulled pork. Be prepared to wait in line- but damn, so so worth it.
(5)
Jules M.
What else can I add about this restaurant? I love this place. This is the best bbq around. I've had bbq in the South and this ranks right up there. It doesn't matter if I get their pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs its all so good. Love the mashed potatoes and gravy. Even their pickles are good (they would be even better if they were deep fried.) I don't really do the feedbag specials. I feel you can do better by picking and choosing your own combo's. When I worked in Burlington I made my way here at least every 2 weeks. This place kicks ass! The one in West Newton is awesome too!
(5)
Cara P.
How could I forget to review Blue Ribbon? If you ever get a chance to stop in do so. Actually, try to go out of your way to check this place out. The other location that I know of and was so blessed to work next to for seven years, was in Newton. Now, when I worked in Newton everyone got salads. I don't know why. We would go and pick up 12 salads. Pulled chicken or pulled pork. Cornbread crotons, yummy dressing. Mouthwatering........you get the picture......the bonus was the big hunk of warm buttery cornbread that wasn't dry........ Doesn't it seem a bit ironic we all got salads with a huge plop of pulled pork and slab of cornbread. I don't know. That is what they did before i came. and that is what I did when I started working there. Maybe it was easier for the people picking it up to place the orders. So fast forward to my own trip to Blue Ribbon to the arlingon location.....we always get take out because it is just to small to eat in there.... I have ordered and enjoyed the green beans, chilli mac and cheese, pulled pork, mashed and sweet potatoes and the pulled pork burritos. Trust me. I have never had "real" down south BBQ. So take my review with a grain of salt. I still think I know what tastes good though! The pulled pork burritos by far, surpass everything else I have ordered. Don't expect delivery, frills or any pretentious folks here ......you leave with a bunch of food, platic knives and forks, styrofoam plates, some excellent sweet tea and a lot of BBQ goodness.... Also, the corn bread was a bit more dry at this location versus the Newton location....but that's ok......Oh and even if you eat a salad you can end up in a serious comatose state from the cornbread crotons and the sugar in the salad dressing.......so just be prepared to eat at home and relax afterwards. This isn't the type of food you can eat and "go" This place blows RedBones, dry out of the water for the simple fact that I couldn't get past the atmosphere and judgmental pricks at RB to order a real meal........ Yup, this isn't a "let's be wicked cool and order a ton of beers while being really loud in plaid shirts and baseball caps" kinda place like RedBones is.
(3)
Bob W.
Blue Ribbon is awesome. If you like BBQ, it doesn't get any better at least in new england. Very reasonably priced. Try the beef brisket or pulled pork. Baked beans are very good. Friendly service too.
(5)
Doris K.
Amazing! I love this place and I'm from Texas where we know how to cook BBQ! I love that they have a variety of sides to choose from, and their brisket...DIVINE! They cook it perfectly and the meats are moist. They also have many different types of BBQ sauces, and the XXX hot is spicy so don't just pour it over your plate without thinking. I love their mashed potatoes, dirty rice, and baked beans. I have never had their desserts but I have heard many good things. I am not sure but one down side is that they do not offer alcohol. Another bad thing is that they close early, 9 pm. I tried Redbones and they certainly cannot compare to this place. It's a gem.
(5)
Craig R.
Loved this place when i lived across the street. they had awesome brownies and their grilled flatbread is to die for ..no really ..it is. The food is good. Not too many tables so the place does alot of carry out but they serve up somne tasty food - ribs, corn bread and the pulled pork .... Eat here ...now ...you know you want to!
(4)
Alec Y.
oh my dear lord. heaven in my mouth. barbeque food is one of the best things ever. but it's hard to do it right. to really make something melt in your mouth good, it takes a lot of time and care. blue ribbon is so good. ever since first having it, i couldn't believe i was living the first half of my life never having this every moment of my life. my favorite thing here by far, is their brisket. i love it. i love how easily the meet just falls apart in your mouth. i love how juicy and fatty each piece is. it's like butter, but protein. there really isn't much else to say about blue ribbon. the decor is almost diner-esque, but it's super unique. they have license plates up on the wall of almost every state. it's a classic bbq place.
(5)
Mark B.
Love this place. My go too bbq place. Great ribs. Pulled pork is so smokey it is lovely. The best sauces, especially mustard style and carolina vinegar style. Burnt ends are great. Jerk chicken is delicious. Not a big sides guy but sides are good here. Especially love collard greens and coleslaw.
(5)
Jim H.
If your idea of ribs is Chilis and the "give me my baby back" jingle, then this is not the place for you. But if when you hear BBQ, you think southwest Texas, 95 degrees in the shade and miles of dirt roads interrupted by smoke pits that may actually cause you to think about moving to the middle of nowhere just to be near a plate of burnt ends that are actually, well, burnt, then save yourself the trip and pick up a Blue Ribbon feedbag on your way home. No, it does not rank up there with the best of regional authentic BBQ our friends in the south are lucky enough to claim as their own--but we live in Massachusetts and the fact that we can come this close is reason enough to be grateful for our lot in life.
(4)
Valeria H.
Had Blue Ribbon cater a party for me last year...and it was a HUGE success. Everything was delicious, the prices were fair and the portion sizes were enormous, which was great for our party! They delivered everything to our home hot and in convenient containers (and on time!). They supplied us with their sauces and pickles. We got a variety of food to accomodate our guests...everyone from meat eaters to vegetarians. All the guests loved the pulled pork, sausage, pulled chicken and mac n cheese, mashed potatoes...and of course the corn bread! I don't know what this side dish is called but I loved it, it was spinach mixed with beans with a hint of smoked bacon or something and galricy- real good! Their mashed potatoes rocked too. (Now I want to run there to get some!)
(4)
Kristen W.
Excellent BBQ. In greater Boston. From what I hear from southern ex pats it is pretty dang close to the real deal in TN or the Carolinas. Nuff said? Nah - I'd best say more: This place puts out generous helpings of consistently delicious BBQ offerings. Love love love the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Have been back several times but have not tried the chicken, which looks good - but being the carnivore that I am - I cannot pull myself away from ordering the brisket on repeat visits. In addition to some standard smoky and vinegary bbq sauces on the side, there is a yellow BBQ sauce that has a bit of curry flavor with a hint of pineapple/citrus - it is like hawaiian BBQ. I like it but I think a better compliment to their food would be the mustard based Charleston, South Carolina bbq I have coveted since visiting there in April. That stuff is so good and I know that if Bostonians are introduced to it they will hanker for it as much as I do when eating BBQ now. Someone bring it on the menu or tell me where I can find some succulent charleston barbecue locally!!! The sides are also much better than the average BBQ joint sides - some unique ones: cucumber salad, a really great flavorful potato salad, crisp and fresh cole slaw, beans. YUM. This place is scant on the seating but take-out is packaged up so nicely, why not take your meal home and put out anice spread and enjoy your feast with a cold beer? Perfect! If you have room left after inhaling your meat - it may take a few hours - Blue Ribbon has a few tasty desserts: home-made of course. Few folks walk out of this place without taking home a cobbler (blueberry -peach blend I believe). I found the key lime pie to be really tasty - that perfect combination of sweet and tart. I recall there being pecan pie and brownies on one occasion but have not been able to pull myself from my love affair with the key lime pie. You will not be disappointed here.
(5)
Daniel K.
IMO best BBQ in Boston (area). For those of you unfamiliar with Boston, some nearby cities make up a part of the Boston area and are essentially for all intents and purposes part of Boston, places like Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Revere are included in this list.
(4)
Laura H.
Delicious delicious BBQ. We had the pulled pork, jerk chicken (amazing), collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn & beans & rice. The food was all great and I think it cost less than $25. So good. The only thing is that the corn bread was kind of dry and crumbly. The place looks kind of small (we got takeout), but has a fun ambiance. We will definitely be going back!
(4)
Pamela P.
Good BBQ for New England...my review is for the one in Newton. When I worked in Newton we used to get our catering from Blue Ribbon...it's head and shoulders above Redbones. When I first moved to Boston Redbones was THE BBQ place (that was 9 years ago) but alas things have changed and they are no longer of the quality one expects for those kinds of prices. So Thank Ye Gods there was Blue Ribbon to take its place! Blue Ribbon is the best BBQ I have been able to find in the Boston-area...of course I am always on the lookout for good BBQ as it is a rare treasure indeed... As a side-note I have been pleasantly surprised by a little place called Tennessee BBQ in Braintree...their chicken is great...one time I got the jerk chicken and it was even better than Blue Ribbon's (but this was a one-time deal so it could have been a freak occurrence....). Anyway, Blue Ribbon...check it out.
(4)
Taishi T.
"The best burrito in the East!" I used to live right around the corner of the West Newton branch, and I used to go in at least twice a week or when visitors came into town. My friends would come to see a Sox game and then whine about going to Blue Ribbon before we go to the game. And, did I even protest, no. This had to be the best burrito I ever had till I went out to California and then that all changed, But the jerk chicken burrito is a special to die for. The staff are colorful and entertaining, the burritos are ginormous. And I go nuts with all the sauces that you can fill those little mini sauce cups with. Of course I always get the suicide one and just sit back after a few bites and just reflect on how lucky we really are to live in such a great country. So if I haven't sold you on these burritos then just go there and I won't have to tell you, "I told you so".
(4)
Steve N.
this is the Real Deal for this area. out of about 7 visits over the past year i've only been disappointed once when the ribs didn't have a smoke ring. the sides are solid too with the collards being a real stand-out. if they served beer they'd be 5 star.
(4)
Joyce K.
When we pulled up, my friend actually called someone to look up the Blue Ribbon BBQ on yelp to check if we came to the right place...that's how ugly it is. However, I completely justify it's ugliness as a part of its charm. I'm from Texas and I've never seen a BBQ joint with matching curtains or anything remotely chic. That would just be odd. We sat down for two seconds on the barstools facing the big window when they called out our order number. Speedy. I kind of stared at my pulled chicken sandwich in a suspicious way because it was all wrapped up in wax paper. But once I opened it, I was so glad I did! It was so moist and the juices dripped unto the bun making the flavors unite into one tasty bite of BBQ pulled pork! I would not recommend the green beans, they were soggy and tasted like something straight out of the can. The black eyed corn is delicious as are the collard greens and beans and rice. The corn bread is so mediocre that I didn't bother eating it. My friend loved his Jamaican Jerk half chicken, moist, woody, flavorful. The workers are the friendliest that I've met in any restaurant. Everything is a little too salty so I would only come here once a month or so in fear of clogging my arteries.
(4)
H Y.
Ribs, sausages, pork, cornbread, potatoes; they are all here in this little storefront. All the sauces you need to indulge. Affordable BBQ? Wow. And it's in Arlington. Who would have thunk it. Ribs and brisket are outstanding. The chicken is juicy. Even the sides are up to the task. They give plenty of meat in their portions. Complaints? it's kind of small and parking is tricky (try parking in the lot across from the front). The only thing they are missing is a scale to sell the meat by the pound to you like they do in Texas. I don't want six ribs. I want six pounds of ribs!
(4)
Maria P.
I have never had bbq before (I mean bbq on a grill cooked in the backyard sure, but I've never had bbq from a restaurant before). A friend and I decided to check this place out over a long weekend and I'm so glad we did. The food here is amazing (just like all the other reviews state). I got the Kansas City Burnt Ends bbq sandwich and it came with beans and coleslaw. It was perfectly sauced and cooked, had that amazing smoky flavor and the tips were burnt well just as I had requested. The ordering experience was difficult only because I had a hard time picking what to eat but the staff was friendly and waited patiently for me to make my choice. The restaurant itself is quite small but we were able to snag a table. This definitely isn't a place to linger over your meal as they focus on volume but it's a great lunch spot (that leaves you unable to eat dinner as their portions are huge). The food isn't expensive at all; in fact it's a downright bargain! I will definitely be back for some delicious bbq that will warm me right up in the middle of Boston's frigid winter.
(5)
Ethan M.
Delicious Jamaican Jerk Chicken with black-eyed corn and corn bread. Tasty Barbeque Pulled Chicken platter. Lemonade. Outdoor seating on Mass. Ave. 1950s southern-US diner atmosphere adorned with antique license plates and an Elvis figurine. Choice rock music playing loudly in the background. Welcome to heaven.
(5)
Ben L.
It's not every day that I wander off the beaten path and it's even more in frequent that I go to Arlington but this time it was totally worth it. I didn't go there because friends told me to go there. I hadn't heard stellar acclimation about it. I was passing by and what... what's that? my stomach want's some bbq? Hey, I wasn't going to argue with that. Yes they have signs that point you to the ordering area over to the left but it still took me a couple of moments to go over. Their menu options are on boards that hang from an odd gate contraption that dangles from the ceiling. As I was gazing up trying to get a grasp of their menu options some other people wandered in so it was time to order. First thing is to ask what is good and after I got the helpful reply "everything is good" I go to the old fall back ordering routine. Order a plate option and pick all of the details as quickly as I can. After I had ordered I went over to fill up my fountain drink and just as soon as I had finished they called my number and handed me a plate that looked like my rations for a week. Everything was good but but Their mashed potatoes were so smooth that I though they were trying to sell me a Mercedes. They had all the creamy texture of instant mashed potatoes. The ones that your parents always told you were nothing but powder and water but seemed like ever so much more. Yet in these potatoes there was real flavor and little bits of potato that had some how evaded the process hat had so surely handled the rest. Then there were the little bits of skin that hugged parts of the mash. Still holding on as truly representing the potato that was. That in a way still is. Well the mashed potatoes were really good. tip - bring a friend, take part of you meal home with you, or bring an EMT.
(4)
Rob C.
If Jake's Big Boss BBQ of Jamaica Plain, Boston was still in operation, I would say Blue Ribbon would be a slight step behind them. Now with no direct competition that is even at the level of blue ribbon in the Boston area, they are hands down, outstanding. You will find seating can be difficult at times but the food is outstanding. They have a good selection of BBQ sauce if you like to cover up your meat, but it does not need it. BBQ sauce is a condiment and should not cover up a meats flavor. Texas road house, Outback, any of those, just don't offer BBQ like Blue Ribbon. This is a touch of the south in the Boston area. Someone mentioned Uncle Pete's in a review that resides in the revere area. This is a very odd establishment that seems to almost have oriental style BBQ. The ribs are the only strong point, and they don't hold a candle to blue ribbon. My only dislike with blue ribbon is they do not offer baby back ribs...... If you find them closed.....Redbones is an option if you want to drive off to Somerville. But they are not as good.
(4)
John M.
Yelp's 2-star description is "Meh. I've experienced better." That's pretty much exactly how I felt after trying this place. It had some decent things, but I won't go out of my way to go back. Maybe we were there on a bad night, but it was nothing like most of the reviews I see here. Between me and my wife, we tried a lot of things from the menu, since we were looking to sample things from a new place: pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs, burnt ends, baked beans, regular beans, cole slaw, collard greens, and corn bread. For the meats -- Pulled pork had a lot of large chunks of pork rather than what most people expect for "pulled" pork, and what was smaller looked more "chopped" than "pulled," sort of lightly processed carnitas without much flavor. Tender, but not a lot to taste: this is the kind of pulled pork you need to sauce yourself. Jerk chicken was tender, and a bit of spice on the skin, but again not very flavorful: not what one thinks of with a typical spicy jerk chicken. Ribs were awful. Again, this may have been an off night or something, but I felt like I was eating a piece of bad pork roast on a bone with a (rather nice, but again not very strong) spice blend. The burnt ends were the only meat we had with decent flavor, though they were hardly "burnt ends" -- more like chopped brisket with a few real burnt ends mixed in. (Those who have had burnt ends in the South know what they are supposed to be.) For the sides -- overall, better than the meats, but still not exceptional. Baked beans were quite good, with a strong molasses flavor, but the regular beans had a very strong and rather unusual spice blend -- my wife refused to eat more than one bite, and she loves beans. Cole slaw was pretty good, but tasted a little old. Collard greens were okay (not my thing, so I won't judge them). About the only thing I can give real praise to (other than the baked beans, which is more of a Boston dish than Southern BBQ) was the cornbread. Still takes a more Northern (sweeter) style than Southern, but much tastier than I've had at just about any other restaurant around the Boston area. To sum up -- mostly relatively flavorless meats combined with oddly or overspiced side dishes. The portions are generous, but after we finished about half of our oversize dinners, we threw the rest in the trash. (And we very rarely waste food.) The food just wasn't good enough to justify the calorie intake. Although I lived in the South for a couple years and am familiar with various types of Southern BBQ, I'm not judging this place by those standards. I'm looking at places like Red Bones and other BBQ joints around here. And from a rather large selection of the menu, I'm pretty unimpressed.
(2)
Jason C.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Blows Red Bones away .
(5)
JJ G.
I only wish it was closer..., maybe that would mess it up, though. Part of the charm must be that it's laid back out in the nowhereville of outer Arlington I don't think that any other BBQ place in the area can compete or compare. This is head and shoulders above the rest, don't go anywhere else cuz you are just wasting time and gas, BBQ And yes, Lisa S., the desserts are Mmm Mmm Good!!
(5)
Katie G.
Deeeeeeeeeelicious! As a southern girl, I love me some real BBQ food. For lunch I had the pulled pork sandwich with beans and coleslaw. Big ass portions for a reasonable price. I'll definitely be coming back (but taking the food to go and then sitting in my car to stuff my face in private).
(4)
Jennifer A.
I have had BBQ in other parts of the country, but I always find myself saying "this isn't as good as Blue Ribbon." They always have good specials, but I would mainly stick with the menu items. If the place is busy, sometimes the quality of the specials isn't fantastic or they run out, but some of the specials are sublime! The catfish sandwich is a fave, as is the pork loin with lemon garlic mayo. For old standbys, the pulled pork is one of the best! Their ribs are big and tasty and sometimes they even serve big beef ribs that are mouth watering! It is both a blessing and a curse (to my waistline) that I live across from this place. Cheap, fast, and delish!
(4)
Space O.
On a Friday at lunch time, we decided to check out the Blue Ribbon BBQ. I was undecided - should I go with a platter for around $9, or just the sandwich for about $6.95? I decided on the brisket sandwich - glad I did, because I had more than enough to eat. The sides that came with the sandwich - baked beans and cole slaw, were excellent, just like the sandwich. When one thinks of BBQ, one also probably thinks of high fat and high calories. If you order carefully, you can get a very nutritious and low fat meal at Blue Ribbon. Beef brisket is a lean cut of meat, but the BBQ cooking process adds a lot of flavor more common of higher fat content meats. Definitely consider the Blue Ribbon BBQ for a good quality, inexpensive meal. Not much seating indoors, so when the place is busy, plan on taking your meal to go or sitting outside.
(4)
Katherine I.
The tender barbequed meats are good alone, but the serve-yourself-sauces are their mojo - and it's working. There's a flavor for every taste. Some of their sauce choices make a face flush and tingly to the top of its skull. If you like that sort of hoodoo you'll be pleased to know they're not afraid of vinegar and habaneros here. Good ribs, good mac-n-cheese, rich and creamy mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn, perfect corn bread for sopping pot liquor, and grits. De-lish. Nearly everything a BBQ joint should be. The only things missing are more stools and southern accents. Bring your gris-gris bag because you'll need more than a lucky rabbit's foot or 4 leaf clover to protect you from their mojo.
(4)
Rich O.
The best BBQ in Greater Boston. Period. I wish they had more seating, beer etc but based strictly on food there is no place better!
(5)
Pito S.
Awesome BBQ. Never diisappoints.
(5)
Hannah T.
A valient and much appreciated effort Blue Ribbon. Now, I love Barbeque and I liked Blue Ribbon, but they were lacking a few true barbeque essentials. Their pulled pork sandwhich was really good, nice and sloppy and enormous of course. But their sides, really disappointing. Their cornbread was yummy but the baked beans were a real disappointment. They tasted very ketchupy and hardly tasted of molasses at all. It tasted like pure ketchup with a few beans mixed in and that is just not cool with me. Baked beans should be, well bean-y, and they were not. The overall meal was really good, but was lacking in the side department. I like Blue Ribbon and would go back, but would definitely choose different sides.
(3)
Jonathan G.
Hands down, the best bbq in Boston...one of my favorite places to eat! I moved away from Arlington a couple of years ago, and try to find an excuse to make a trip back, just for Blue Ribbon. I've heard complaints about the vinegar-based sauces...I think that's what makes them so good. The pulled pork is very good. So are the burnt ends, cole slaw, and beans. The soups are surprisingly good, made fresh, I think. I also love that you can load up on those delicious pickles and hot sauce at the condiment area. The (fresh?) lemonade is a must with the bbq. I have to agree that no beer is it's only negative. Silly Arlington puritan-value dry-town mentality!
(5)
Tony S.
This place is overrated; the food is mass produced, lacks imagination, and tastes ordinary. Popularity is no substitute for quality and neither is quantity. Pay attention to the flavors and you'll agree with me.
(2)
Christina K.
Been here once. Got the whole chicken with mash potatoes. The potatoes here are good. The chicken was tasty, not too dry and pretty flavorful. Would go back again. Menu (on the chalk boards) are a little hard to decipher but just grab a paper menu and its all good.
(4)
Kristin T.
YUM!!! I love the ribs but I have to say that I almost love the sauces more. The variety is great and I'm a fan of all of them.
(4)
Jennifer M.
I love this place. It's everything you expect from a good southern bbq joint --- except it's also clean.
(5)
Rooster L.
This place is good....yummy good. It is appropriately priced for BBQ. I got the $6.99 Burnt Ends sandwich with two sides and it was ALOT of food. The collard greens are fantastic and the black eye corn (black eyed peas with corn) was also good. My boyfriend got the 1/3rd of a slab, a nice selection if you are not too hungry but still want ribs. They also have 1/2 slab and full slab. The platters come with two side and cornbread. I agree with another reviewer - the cornbread was the worst part of the meal - cold and dry. Beans and mashed potatoes are great! They have all the sauces out for you to try which I like. My favorite were the the NC vinegar (especially over the collard greens) and the BBQ hot. I can't say any of the sauces were amazing (why it didn't get 5 stars) but out of the selection you should be able to find something you like. I like the decor too. Good spot if you just want some old fashion bbq and don't want to pay a fortune.
(4)
Luke R.
Best. BBQ. In. Boston.
(5)
Joseph T.
Everything here is just terrific. Ingredients are always fresh and flavorful. Brisket's fine. The sides are tasty. Yes, they only serve one style of ribs--and they're delicious, juicy, meaty and falling off the bone. Way better than Redbones, even if the menu is more limited.
(4)
Walter S.
Meatloaf sandwich was great. My 1st time eating here. I'll definitely be back
(4)
Anonymous P.
I'm generally of the mindset that "All-American food" isn't worth eating, but a place like this can change my mind. An hour later I can still taste the smokiness of my chicken and the hot, garlicky BBQ sauce and habenero vinegar they put out among many condiments. It's not perfect BBQ, but it's good. What I really liked, and what will draw me back, is that the menu has a lot of variety: several fish options, interesting sides, and desserts that sound amazing. Too bad I'm on a diet. But another nice thing is that you can easily order a healthy, low-calorie meal. There are sides like blackeyed peas with corn, beet salad, and collard greens, to go along with fish and chicken main dishes. Even a strict vegetarian could do well here. A vegan is probably stuck with their veggie burrito, no cheese. I like the atmosphere inside, and I like the food better than at Redbones. Of course, Redbones is much larger and has an excellent beer selection, so I'll still go there often. I wish I could wash Blue Ribbon's BBQ down with a hoppy India Pale Ale. Weird that they don't serve alcohol.
(5)
J S.
Ok, if you're at least from Texas or Oklahoma, you are going to be disappointed, i just have to say that first. Maybe this is fantastic for northern bbq. I got brisket. The meat quality was fine but quite dry. The barbeque had 3 options, hot, sweet, and golden. These were ok but none of the 3 were "good". The cornbread was burnt but ok. They have no fried okra or baked potatoes. The amount of food was a lot- my large bf and I were able to split a double meat plate with leftovers to spare. I will say that the pulled pork my friend got was good and juicy. The atmosphere was actually pretty cool.
(2)
S B.
this place is GREAT. After moving out of time, I would sometimes drive back just to come here. The pulled pork is just perfect. The cornbread is beyond delicious. And i love all the sides - potatoes, rice, etc. Don't forget to get some pie for dessert! Mmmm
(4)
Daniel S.
Best barbecue I've tasted, and consistently good. Staff is friendly, sides are delicious, and there is always variety thanks to the chalkboard specials and rotating sides. Seating is sparse, so I like to go at off hours. I've had some successes and some failures with the specials, but its probably more to do with my tastes than their cooking. I now go with the burnt ends platter every time and I'm never disappointed. If you eat in you can ask for a top when you finish up and just take you tray with you. If you get stuff to go it comes in styrofoam. The cookies are also quite good but tend to run out by dinner time. Peach cobbler was fine, one of these days I'll try the pecan pie when I'm not totally stuffed after all that meat and potatoes and cornbread and greens...
(5)
Carol M.
OK, so the food is much hotter than I expected (pulled pork & baked beans). The beans I couldn't finish cuz they were so hot. The sauce on the pulled pork is extremely greasy...it leaked all over my car. I'm used to more of a sweet & zesty BBQ. This is a very different acid, vinegar type sauce...which as one previous reviewer mentioned...reminds me of formalin. I actually poured a bottle of BBQ sauce I had in the fridge over it but still didn't make it through more than half. The cornbread was dry & not all that great. The only shining star on my plate was the mashed potatoes. Creamy, yummy goodness.
(1)
Kelsey G.
This place was super good! Their pull pork sandwich was amazing and the cornbread was just as good as my mom's homemade! Anyone looking for some authentic BBQ near Boston should definitely check this place out.
(4)
Derek L.
Growing up around the Memphis area has me on a barbecue quest up here. After a visit to Redbones, Blue Ribbon was the next stop. The dry-rub ribs were edible, but not quite what they're supposed to be. Memphis places put a lot more seasoning on them, for one, and (like much outside-the-region barbecue), these just aren't cooked long and slow enough. You can tell from the way they're sliced cleanly with a sharp knife - they need to be, with a somewhat chewy baked-pork feel. There's surprisingly little wood smoke in them, as well. I did appreciate, though, that they're not soaking in a sticky sauce. I also had the Kansas City burnt ends. There wasn't too much burnt-end feel to what I got, and the meat tasted a bit like it had cooked in the sauce (sort of a pot-roasty effect). Like the ribs, it wasn't bad, but not quite what you'd expect, either. The beans and slaw sides were just fine, and wouldn't raise an eyebrow anywhere in the South. The cornbread was on the dry side, though - and anyway, it's surprising how seldom you get cornbread with barbecue down where both of them are from. In West Tennessee, you're more likely to get a bag of potato chips than you are a piece of cornbread. I'll be back, at any rate, to try the pulled pork, which at least looked decent. (Not sure if it'll have enough hickory wood in it, though). And it's always important to remember how much barbecue varies even in its homeland. For example, a couple of years ago, I saw the natives in the Tidewater part of Virginia lining up at a venerable local barbecue restaurant whose pork sandwiches, to me, tasted like honey-sweetened sloppy joes. . .
(3)
Mona M.
The portions are gigantic, the prices are good, and the food is down home fantastic. The husband and I stopped in here for the curb appeal and left in a BBQ coma. The staff was very friendly as well. I grew up in the south, and a visit to Blue-Ribbon BBQ reminded me a lot of home. I just wish there was one closer to the city, as it's a great lunch!
(5)
M. Deloris D.
For quality and value, this place beats the pants off of Redbones. I have only one bad thing to say about Blue Ribbon: they won't deliver the barbecue to my living room and place it on my belly so I can eat in my preferred reclining position. Fortunately, I can see past this and, it has not affected their star rating. Blue Ribbon BBQ is just downright delicious and reasonably priced. My roommate and I often split a duo for dinner and have enough leftovers for both of us to take lunch the next day. My 6'5" 300lb dad and I (not a dainty girl mind you) split a trio and weren't able to finish it. Blue Ribbon is definitely first place barbecue. It makes my belly HAAAAAAAAPY. Yummy in my tummy.
(5)
aaron t.
I've got to say this place rockss for bbq compared to everything else out here in Boston. I'm mighty picky when it comes to bbq since I'm from the midwest, but this place has some great meat! Small, rustic, to go style restaurant. Great prices, tender meats, friendly staff!
(4)
Jason K.
I love Redbones - but I worship Blue Ribbon. What they lack in rib variety they make up for in taste and freshness. The ribs are simply remarkable, and make people I know who don't like ribs eat them. There is a minor downside of the place: it's take-out style set-up. To me this is a minor drawback in terms of being able to sit down and eat there, but the upside your expectations of getting a seat are pretty low. They also don;t serve beer, but that doesn't bother me given the aforementioned seating issue.
(5)
Dave M.
just look at the reviews - there's nothing I can really add. this place is good. and i mean REALLY good. I always go in telling myself, "ok i wont get platter..." ...ya, well, that changes the moment i walk through the front door and SMELL that tasty bbq sauce. they do everything good here. i love the corn bread that comes with the platters...and i love going to the bbq pumps and soaking it in some sexy southern sweetness. a friend of mine from south carolina visited and i brought him here -- now everytime he visits, he has to go there. its one of his top 3 bbq places he's ever eaten at. the food is great, the prices are avg, and parking is tough at times. just go, eat. enjoy. and get full!!
(5)
Melissa B.
This is the best place to get BBQ in the Boston area (sorry Redbones!) We usually get it to go as there is not a whole lot of seating, but they package it well and is always still piping hot by the time we get it home. You have the option of having your BBQ in a sandwich which comes with baked beans, cole slaw & pickles or as a platter which comes with your choice of 2 sides, cornbread & pickles. Their cornbread is so yummy. They also have a bulk option when you are feeding a crowd (and they also cater). It's really hard to go wrong with Blue Ribbon.
(5)
Jason W.
I'll admit it - my standards for barbecue are pretty high. I'm not just from NC - I'm from the BBQ capital of NC (Lexington). And god I miss the food... This place does a decent job for up here. The 'pulled pork' is good enough to stand on its own, not drenched in sauce like many places incorrectly do. Wish they served hush puppies. Also wish they'd offer chopped BBQ. And sweet tea would be good. Overall, great place relative to what else is around here. Satisfied my craving for a good BBQ sandwich.
(4)
Abby R.
Love love love blue ribbon - by far the best BBQ place in the Boston area. We went to Red Bones and to Firefly's (apparently the best BBQ according to the Phantom Gourmet) and both paled in comparison. Blue Ribbon is really tasty, and even my husband loves it - and he's from southern Texas. He says "the taste is close to a real Texas BBQ house - the BBQ sauce is especially good." If you can't take a redneck's word - then who's word can you take? If you're not a big meat eater (I'm not) then I'd suggest the pulled chicken or the spicy chicken salad roll - very yummy! The only con here is that they don't serve beer, and they don't have great seating. Otherwise - 5 stars!
(5)
Susan D.
I was not terribly impressed. This place lacks character. Doesn't serve mac and cheese. And the around the corner ordering area is weird and it's tough to get an idea of what they have because the writing on the chalk board is huge and so in your face. Would improve if they hired Trader Joe's chalkboard writer.
(1)
michelle m.
So, I'm from St. Louis, so I think I can "talk the talk" about good BBQ. In fact, my old neighbor used to run his smoker all day every Sunday and the smell was heaven. So, the last time I was in Boston, I thought I'd give this place a try. I have to say I was very impressed. I got the beef brisket, which was quite good, although not overwhelmingly impressive. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich, and that, I must say, was fantastic! The smoke of the pork was mouthwatering, and it was so tender and yummy. If you are looking for a place to plunk down for a while and let the food digest, this is not the place. A few sparse bar stools up against the counter are about all the room you get. Luckily, we went during a weekday, so coveted counterspace was available. The staff were very friendly, and the sweet potato pie slice we got to go was pretty gosh darn good, too.
(4)
Pete P.
i like blue ribbon's bbq better than any one else's... definitely better than redbones and barely better than east coast grill. the atmosphere is very much that of a typical take out joint. you arent going to bring a date to blue ribbon thats for sure. however, the food makes it worth the trip. their blackboard specials are always good - seriously, you cant go wrong with one of them. the bbq is never dry and their assortment/bar of sauces and vinegars is stellar and you get to take all you want! they also sell their sauce now - just ask at the counter. a lil trick? call in advance. you get to cut any line to pick up your phone order and since its best to take it away anyway, it is a super quick way to get your viddles. suggestions? for lunch, if they have the meatloaf sandy, get that. otherwise my fav is the spicy chicken rollup. the burritos are good but in no way mexican at all. the brisket sandy is better than the pulled pork one. if you are going to get a meat plate? get the trio and dedicate a good 30 mins or so to eat it - it's well worth it. PS - park across the st. in the stop and shop lot.
(4)
Ken L.
went tonight for thre 1st time.....GREAT BBQ! not much seating though.... pulled chicken was very good, i liked the corn bread, but i loved the collard greens!! looking forward to going back soon
(4)
Rinn S.
I like Blue Ribbon, but I've had better in Boston. Red Bones has more variety and serves beer, but Blue Ribbon does have better sauces. And by the way, Texan style is certainly not the end-all be-all of bbq, despite their claim as bbq authorities. Everyone has their own opinion of what constitutes the best bbq and I'm still searching for Eastern North Carolina chopped vinegar-sauced pork- the best there is, in my opinion. But Blue Ribbon will do the trick for most Bostonians.
(4)
Jim S.
Best BBQ in Boston - no doubt. Redbones is ok if you want huge portions, but for real BBQ head to Blue Ribbon in Arlington or W. Newton. The gold sauce keeps me coming back every time. The photos of the food should be outlawed!
(5)
Geoff T.
Okay, I'll admit it-- even though Redbones will always be my favorite hang out, the BBQ at Blue Ribbon beats it. It's probably the closest you are going to come to authentic BBQ in Boston (Redbones a close second). The ribs are great, available with different sauces, and the place just has that.... feel to it. Try the briskett and pulled pork. Authentic side dishes cooked the right way.
(5)
Julie H.
Don't be put off by the awful cornbread: the BBQ is great.
(4)
Lizzy M.
As a Bostonian, I am not a seasoned bbq connoissuer, but I didn't really love this place. I thought it was greasy without purpose- it had all the heaviness without the flavor to back it up. It just didn't feel very fresh. GOOD FOR: mashed potatoes, corn.
(3)
Emily H.
I have a great deal of love for the folks at Blue Ribbon on a number of levels. First, the take out. OH DEAR GOD YES. The pulled chicken is a particular favorite, the sauces have a nice tang, and I feel that all is well in the world. I can't add much here. However, their CATERING kicks ASS. Fo' serious. I ordered from them for a lunch meeting--I ordered for 20, and got enough to feed a freakin' army--for just about 10 bucks a head. The food was delicous, stayed warm (they double-tray everything), and the accoutrements were on-point. Plus, their delivery guy showed up totally on time (Even a bit early!) and was super helpful in setting things up, making sure I had my full order (they had forgotten serving spoons, and he told me who to call for a discount on the next order we made), and just all-around being good people. Other caterers I've worked with dump the food and peace out, so this was a special surprise. Plus, it's one of the few places where total carnivores and vegetarians (their rice and bean burrito is pretty good I guess) can be very happy.
(5)
M J.
The food here rocks. I do have one complaint, however: I must speak up about the super scary looking, very large, severely hairy guy working the place weekdays. That facial hair has NO PLACE in the food service biz. It's a sanitary issue. I cringe at him tossing the potato salad and touching my food order - even in rubber gloves!
(5)
Bill K.
Been going to the Blue Ribbon in Arlington for a few years and still love it. Most satisfying burrito (pulled pork!) in town. Costs more than the basic at Anna's but much better value. The sides are the best: potatoes are creamy and buttery, greens are really tasty and the oft' overlooked chocolate chip cookie is really good. And, as others have said, they have the best selection of sauces and vinegars around.
(5)
W ..
Awesome. Get the 3 meat platter, trio I think it's called, and you'll be set for the next couple days. I always get weird looks when I order the trio. Maybe b/c I'm a girl. Little do they know, I'm from the south, and southern girls looooove their BBQ meat. The sausage, ribs, and brisket are my top 3. The burnt ends are a little too burnt for my liking, but to my friends, they're perfect. The collard greens and mac 'n cheese are good. They don't always have the mac 'n cheese though. The cornbread's a little dry, but that's okay, I don't come here for the cornbread, I come for the meat! Make sure you don't leave without getting some extra sauces too. Parking can suck sometimes. Sometimes we cheat and park at the Stop and Shop across the street, but we do that with the constant paranoia of being towed, so be warned.
(5)
Mike Q.
As far as the food it not great not awful. The staff is so friendly. But what is BBQ with out beer. =(
(3)
Joe R.
The pulled chicken sandwich with two sides is the greatest fast food carry out for adults. I share this place with many friends, and it's always a hit. The slaw and mashed potatoes are a hit with my teenagers, and I have them going here for fast food rather than the national chain. Victory!
(5)
Ben R.
The Best BBQ in Boston!
(5)
Jud P.
Ya, it's good. The best BBQ I have had in Boston. Go for the burnt ends or the pulled pork. Also has a good selection of different sauces to choose from. And trust me, you will not leave here hungry. The portions are gut-bustingly huge. Not many places to sit, and can get pretty busy, but it's good for take out too, so no worries. And yes, the food is way better then Redbone's (but no booze). Blue Ribbon rocks.
(5)
Glen D.
Best BBQ I've had in the Boston area - puts Redbone's to shame. Tender meats, succulent sauces, perfect sides (I even like their cole slaw and I am *not* really a slaw fan!). Their menu always has some creative touches on it too, like the "BBQ burrito" or the fish sandwiches - but I always seem to come back to the burnt ends.... Definitely also try mixing 1/2 lemonade and 1/2 sweet tea for a perfect accompaniment. If you're eating there, it's best in the warm months when you can sit outside. But take out is always in season!
(5)
Peter P.
Great food, great prices, and home-made pickles. Wow is all i can say about the pulled pork sandwich. I love Redbones in Davis square, but the Blue Ribbon BBQ puts it to shame. The selection of sauces you can add to your already great pulled pork sandwich is great, ranging from tasty and flavorful, to burn your mouth off.
(5)
Heather B.
Damn tasty every time! Ribs, brisket, it's all good. For a treat, try the smoked cheeseburger.... YUM! Guys love BBQ so you might even have some cute boy eye candy to enjoy with your ribs!
(5)
Brandon L.
As someone who lived too many years in Arlington (before it was hip with the yuppies and Starbucks) I cannot believe how over rated Blue Ribbon is... First of all, they mainly serve dry back BBQ...only one variety and if you happen to catch the dry end of the run, then you get very dry BBQ and if you catch it relatively fresh, then it can be some of the best bbq you ever had. Yes I know it's better than the Red Bones in Somerville before the gourmet beer drinking hip Davis Sq folks ruined it but to be fair Red Bones serve a lot of different varieties. Blue ribbon on a good night can have interesting apetizers on the board, soups and deserts. Watch out for the sauce though, if you pour too much it'll give you wicked indigestion.
(4)
mike b.
I live right around the corner from this whole in the wall BBQ joint. I guess I've been staying away recently because I easily relapse into Blue Ribbon addiction. Two really close friends came to visit a few months ago and we ate there 3 out of the 4 nights they were in town. Yeah It's that good. If you are a fish fan, try their Cajun Catfish Sandwich.
(5)
Emma L.
If you can't get to Redbones or you can't get to the 'hood or go South right this minute, Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great option for BBQ.
(5)
Mary D.
I have loved this place for so long. I remember going here when I was about 12. I have gone only a handful of times [most likely for the best] with my dad and we love the mix-and-match plates. I love the food (although one complaint; a few things tastes remarkably different from back then, not as good.) I would go here every day if my heart could take it.
(5)
Melissa A.
The best Bbq in the Boston area - hands down. Try their ribs (the meat truly does fall off the bone!) and their pork sandwiches are delicious!
(5)
Laura B.
BBQ was good, but I wasn't blown away. I guess the minimal decor/comfort of the seating area is part of its charm. Go on a hot summer day for lunch and you might feel like the atmosphere is right...
(3)
John D.
One of my friends from Somerville took me to this joint while I was in Cambridge for work. There was no wait time because it was an early dinner, around 530. I ordered the duo platter with the ribs and beef brisket with the baked beans and mashed potatoes as sides. The dipping sauces were also very good, I love spicy things so I got the XXX hot sauce, it put a little sweat on my brow but still had the traditional BBQ taste. Good stuff all around, I did NOT leave hungry or disappointed, that's for sure.
(4)
Karman L.
Hole in a wall place. Great BBQQQ meat. I had the pulled pork, but it basically just melted in my mouth, and I don't even have to chew it. O my god. It was so good!!!
(5)
Crystal K.
Way better than Redbones!!! The only drawback is that it's more of a takeout joint than a sit-down place. They only have a few tables unfortunately and don't serve any beer. Really some of the best BBQ you'll get for easily hundreds and hundreds of miles.
(5)
Ben R.
Damn fine BBQ. Love their sauces, love their pulled pork, love their sides. It's all good.
(5)
Juli W.
Definitely not one of my favorites for BBQ. To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't have babyback ribs, which could be part of the bigger problem. I also found the size of the sides disappointing. I definitely prefer Red Bones.
(2)
Adrienne B.
I'm here for all the partners that may be brought here and do not enjoy bbq food. Their salads are totally good. And the sides are quite lovely- mashed potatoes- YUM and the corn bread is FAB. So next time your bbq loving partener wants to go and you start to complain, don't just get a salad and some sides and enjoy!
(4)
Emily H.
My boyfriend and I recently moved to Arlington and we saw this place and couldn't resist. We have gotten takeout each time, and the food is so filling and they stuff the styrafoam container to the gills. Their hot sauce is AMAZING!!! I had ordered the 1/3 slab of ribs and they gave me 2 more ribs than they should have. The pulled pork sandwich is huge. This place definitely didn't disappoint me and I will keep ordering from them again and again. The only negative would be that there is no real atmosphere for sitting in the restaurant, plus its pretty small, which is why we have always done takeout.
(5)
J. J.
Meat, meat, and more meat. It really doesn't hold a candle to any BBQ restaurants west of the Mississippi. However, as the local competition goes (what little of it there is), there're fine. Just set your expectations: you wouldn't expect to get fine French Country cuisine in the backwoods of Texas, would you? Don't expect much from BBQ in Arlington.
(2)
Patrick B.
Consistently good with generous portions and a great selection of tasty sauces. Great for takeout or eating at one of the outdoor tables when the weather's nice.
(4)
Rally P.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. Haven't been disappointed yet. Have to say I like it better than Redbones.
(4)
Pat T.
I lived near the W. Newton location when it opened, and boy was I glad to find Blue Ribbon. The barbecue is very good and it is consistent. Very fast takeout service. Their lemonade and corn bread are quite good, and the desserts are tasty too.
(5)
Jonny C.
One of the best BBQ places in Boston - festive atmosphere and mouthwatering spicy meats
(4)
shawn g.
the pulled pork was as wet and sloppy as it should be, and the coleslaw was crisp, and surprisingly good. surprising since i never order coleslaw and i not only ordered it but ATE it as well here. the mashed taters were creamy with a good amount of red skins mixed in, but the cornbread could use just a bit more honey and butter. and where's the beer???? sit outside if you can handle the weather....
(3)
shawnna r.
When my boyfriend and I drive up to this place to get our takeout, we start salivating. We usually pay a little under $20 for a pint of burnt ends and a side dish platter with three sides and a large cut of corn bread. This feeds us both lunch and dinner for at least the next 2-3 days. Now, I usually don't like to go out to lunch or dinner because I find it expensive, but that's under $5 a meal - I have a hard time cooking that tasty a meal for under $5 on my own so I consider it a real deal.
(5)
Melissa B.
Not a lot of good 'cue options in Boston, and especially not on this side of the river. Blue Ribbon rocks. I love their daily specials and even their sandwiches are quite good. Love the mashed potatoes and baked beans. The ribs rock and you can choose from a variety of BBQ sauces to top off your meat - one for ribs, one for brisket, one for burnt ends. Mmmm.
(4)
Arik C.
For a chain bbq type, this palce is pretty good. Much better than the Village Smokehouse, Firefly's or Tennessee's. Great pulled pork, ribs and their sides are all delicious. They sell their ribs and I have used it for my own ribs and was very happy. The sauces range from mild to hot and are fantastic. blueribbonbbq.com
(4)
Greg S.
Mmm BBQ! How could you not like a big combo plate of meat covered in BBQ sauce? Just about everything here is good and a combo plate usually takes me two sittings to eat, so if you ordered it to go you have dinner and then lunch for tomorrow. You can also get your meat in sandwich form if you'd rather have all of that finger licking BBQ on your hands, they come with slaw and beans. Most of the sides here are excellent as well, they had a cheesy potatoes side one night that made me wish I had ordered just that in a big bucket! Oh and if you want you have your choice of multiple BBQ sauces that you can add to your meal with, just save some for me! The only thing that would make Blue Ribbon better is more seating and a beer selection, that and a way to make the line disappear when I go there!
(4)
Tristan W.
It's hard to deny the overwhelming feeling of being taken advantage of these days. I hand the gas station attendent 3 bucks and he gives me 20 miles of travel. I figure hell, I'll take the train instead. But the MBTA hasn't been on time since the Celtics won a world championship, somehow that merits a 25% price hike. On principal alone I boycott it, so now I have to take a cab to work. Problem is half of the cabbies need me to give them directions to where I'm going, and on the way there the detours get me so turned around I forget why I stepped out of my house in the first place. That's when I stop the cab, hand over thirty bucks, and hoof it to the one honest place in this whole damn town. At the Blue Ribbon the food once had hooves, and the meals still have value. I hand the hipped out homey 9 bucks and 5 minutes later I'm wrist deep in 20 oz of mouth watering succulence. The portions are flinstone size. The food is so damn good that we need a new adjective to describe it. Quench your thirst at the never ending cistern of sweet tea and lemonade ( I mix the two for that famous Tom and Tom taste). Best part of all, at the end of it, I'm satisfied, and I will gladly hand over my hard earned money to the folks at the Blue Ribbon any day of the week , and twice on Sunday. I've had every platter they make. I recommend them all. Just make sure to get the butternut squash as a side, and the burnt ends at least once. To those at the Blue Ribbon reading this review, thank you.
(5)
J B.
Some say this is the best bbq in Boston. Though I am not a true aficiando, I must agree. Delicious ribs, great chicken, a varied selection of sauces. I esp enjoy the Arlington location (and by the way, this is NOT a chain, it's a local business that happens to have two locations, one in Arlington, one in W Newton), it's order-at-the counter, casual and laid-back. Love their cornbread too.
(4)
Thomas M.
Fantastic BBQ -- huge portions that can be hard to finish. I love the sandwiches and platters, but have a sore spot for their BBQ burritos -- they must weigh close to a pound. Excellent sweet tea and lemonade. I wish they served beer.
(5)
bella c.
really good stuff and huge portions!
(4)
Jeffrey W.
This place blows Redbones out of the water. The sauce is much better, they have great sides (though no hush puppies), and the atmosphere is so much more southern. Sit outside, sip sweet tea or lemonade, and watch the few cars go by as you take a trip to North Carolina.
(5)
Scott M.
I know there are tons of Redbones lovers out there but for me the place is Blue ribbon. Many a night I've raced over there 10 minutes before closing to get some of those ribs that just does it for me.
(4)
Orina B.
First let me say that the Yelp description about Blue Ribbon being "in Arlington Center" is wrong -- it's opposite Stop n' Shop, about a mile beyond the town center as you head toward Lexington. My need to write that is evidence of my complete devotion to sharing the gospel of Blue Ribbon . I love this place unreservedly. I used to live nearby and so had a chance to try nearly everything on the menu. There's something here for every taste and they'll adapt their menu to what you want. For example, when I order the BBQ chicken, I ask for white meat only and - for a dollar or so extra - they'll make the entire order white meat. If you want BBQ beef or chicken, you can order it 'dry" and they'll put the sauce on the side. If - like me - you don't want the pickles and cornbread that come with the meal - they'll give you a third side order, instead. Try the green beans and bacon. I don't even eat pork but I eat that. The portions are huge. The people are nice. Oddly - or maybe not - the only thing I've ever gotten there I didn't care for was a salad. What was I thinking ordering a salad???
(5)
Stephen J.
Great food, a fun place and really cool interior. My friend from Texas laments the fact that they don't have their "own" sauce (they have about 6 that you can mix and match), but I don't really care. The taste is delish. The pulled pork and chicken is truly tender, and is already loaded with flavor before you lather it in sauce if that's what you choose to do. Although I've never had them, other friends swear by the steak tips. The corn bread hits the spot (although I've had better), and they have an assortment of traditional sides, including collared greens, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc. The food here is certainly better than the BBQ at nearby Red Bones in Davis Square, the only downside is that seating is limited and there's no booze. It's not really as much a restaurant per se as it is a walk-in, take-out type of place. Still, even with their limited interior they've decorated nicely and the place is spotlessly clean. Overall the food maybe is not AS good as some coyboy BBQ from Arizona, but pretty darn close for being so far away.
(4)
Jessica H.
I think this is probably the best BBQ place in all of Massachusetts. Their ribs are so delicious. And, the sides that they have there are unbelievable! I think I might go there after I finish writing this review in fact. My favorite part about this place is that they put out all of their BBQ sauces, and they have a few, so you can add as much or as little as you need to your food. It's great!
(5)
L S.
Awesome bbq!! The bbq at this place is sooo good. They have pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, side dishes and desserts. The side dishes are just as good as the meat. I highly recommend the mashed potatoes and the collard greens. I have never had enough room for dessert but I'm sure it is delicious. They cater too, for more info go to blueribbonbbq.com !
(5)
Nishan K.
I found this place online highly recommended. I ordered one of the beef brisket sandwhiches with a side of cornbread that was really cheap. I was honestly a bit disappointed as the beans didn't taste right, the coleslaw was too maynassey, and the sandwhich was cut from a portion that was too fatty. I had to chew the meat for a few minutes just to get it digestable. I think the price is good for what you get and I would go there again, but will not get the same thing. My friend got a Caribean wrap, which he raved about the whole way home.
(3)
Juliette V.
I definately do not go here enough. The barbecue is some of the best I have found in the area. Large portions and tastey sauces. A great thing to note is that the large Whole Foods near Western Ave carries some of their things.
(4)
Megan C.
This is a counter service location with a lot of character. We went there for lunch on a Saturday and it didn't start getting busy until 12:20 or 12:40. Seating is limited but luckily even the "for here" orders come in take out containers. The service is casual, attentive and friendly, and they were courteous to a bunch of newbies overwhelmed by the chalk board menus. Plus, we were offered pickled watermelon rind samples as we looked over the menu. Delicious. The food is across the board delicious, from the $7 carnitas burrito to the platters edging in on $20 and over. Our party ordered a wide variety of menu items, and while one person thought the roast chicken was dry, she did get the white meat and opted not to use any of their wide array off sauces. I didn't have the same issue. The burnt ends were delicious and the green beans were super impressive - spicy and cooked with sausage. They have a small selection of desserts (including cobbler) but in the end it's the BBQ that is the real star. (Pro tip: homemade lemonade and homemade sweet tea at the fountain soda area = homemade Arnold Palmers. Amazing.)
(5)
Andrea H.
Pro: you will have an incredibly tasty meal. Con: this place is more addictive than crack. Seriously though, great BBQ. The side dishes can occasionally be hit-or-miss (undercooked or over salted). 9 times out of 10, it's perfect.
(4)
Peter W.
This place sucks. Started off decent years ago, and has steadily gone down hill the past couple of years. The last four visits, staff was rude, food was greasy and sitting around for a bit (includes ribs, pulled pork plate, brisket). The W. Newton location somehow has better food quality. Arlington location blows. That said, the owners should think of lessons for the front end staff to keep the place clean (W. Newton lets "their" counter get grimy, and you have to request them to wipe it down as they act annoyed at the request). Owners are clearly not involved. For now, whence I need my BBQ fix, it is back to Red Bones in Somerville and Sweet Cheeks in the Fenway.
(1)
A Y.
This place serves the messiest, most complicated, most humiliating-to-eat, most quickly-served burrito I've ever had. The chicken was beyond words. I'm bringing everyone I know here, messy food be damned.
(5)
Eunice E.
I think I ate my body weight in BBQ last night, but I'm getting hungry again just thinking about my food as I write this review. That's when you know it's good. Whether you're getting a sandwich or a platter, you're going to get a huge heap o' food. In fact, we got two platters yesterday for three people -- and we STILL had leftovers! The brisket is melt-in-your-mouth tender, the pulled chicken is deliciously flavored even on its own (though better with any of their BBQ sauces... the hot is my personal fave), and (most of) the sides are on point. The potato salad - check. The collard greens - check. Baked beans - check (I'm a sucker for sweet BBQ beans). But the coleslaw was a bit more what the heck than check. Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. I love filling the little plastic containers on the side with all the different sauces--like I said, the hot BBQ is probably my fave, but the sweet is yum, and the different vinegars and mustards are all pretty tasty, too. Don't forget to grab some of those delicious and satisfyingly crunchy pickle slices while you're at it! For a hearty meal, look no further than Blue Ribbon. Just remember to have some stretchy pants on before you start chowin'.
(4)
Dana S.
I heart you Blue Ribbon. I do. You need a bigger seating area. You know you do. As with all true love I will still love you when you get bigger ;) Your BBq ribs are to die for and I looooovvve your mashed potatoes. I love it all- Id make air freshener from the air i your Arlington store if I could .
(5)
Suzanne L.
I was compelled to write a review because I was seriously impressed with the allergy page: blueribbonbbq.com/allergy . It is THOROUGH and easy to understand. My friend's mom has seriously restrictive allergies but also loves BBQ, and it was such a burden off our minds to know ahead of time exactly what she could have. Thank you thank you Blue Ribbon!!!! Food-wise, this place is good - I also have not been wowed by the ribs as other people have mentioned, but I LOVE the pulled pork and the variety of sauces. The sides are kinda hit or miss. Regardless, this place is (gotta say it) so much better than Red Bones.
(4)
Von D.
I'm compelled to write this review on my smart phone in the bathroom....ugh. 1.ribs were dry and tasted like a dirty charcoal grill and liquid smoke. 2. The burnt ends and brisket tasted like pot roast. Not moist but flavorful. 3.baked beans were more like a can chili, had an almost mineral flavor. 4.we found the basic dishes were dialed in, (cole slaw greens cornbread) 5. Overall I was disappointed and it tasted like ass, you know how I know what ass tastes like? I spend Tuesday through Friday kissing my boss's...that's how I know.
(1)
Kathryn S.
As a frequent patron on Red Bones (because I live near Davis) I have to admit that this was my first visit to Blue Ribbon. What was I waiting for?! It was delicious! We got the Feed Bag special and everything was great! The ribs, the jerk chicken and the sides. I particularly loved the black eyed peas with corn! My husband and son loved the potato salad and corn bread. (It was our Father's Day dinner!) It was definitely worth getting in the car and driving to Arlington. And that's saying something from this Cantabridgian!
(5)
Chloe S.
This place is good, but honestly it's not the best BBQ in the area. A lot of the time something about it tastes like it is close to the mark, but not quite there. I eat here a lot because it's not too far from my office, but I am just not that impressed. I've been putting off writing this review for awhile because it's apparently sacrilege to criticize blue ribbon bbq and I can't quite put my finger on what it is I don't like, but every time I order anything on the menu I expect one thing and get something close to what I expected, but not quite. Sometimes it's too bland, sometimes too dry, sometimes too much vinegar (yes I know it's supposed to be vinegary, but there's the right amount and the wrong amount of vinegar), too salty, etc... Something is always wrong with it. In short I come here when everyone else is going, but I wouldn't pick it on my own. There is better BBQ.
(3)
Marc S.
Much better than last time (5 years ago). BBQ was well seasoned but not over salted. Ribs and beef brisket where awesome, with the right amount of spice and burnt ends. First time I had the corn and black eyed peas mixed tot her - highly recommended side. Needs a little more moistness and smoking flavors. I'll try again and add to post. It was Father's Day and closing.
(3)
Kristen W.
I'm not a BBQ snob (I've never even been to Texas) but I'm not one to pass up checking out a local barbecue joint. That being said, when you walk in the atmosphere is sub par but the food more than makes up for that. I went with the burnt ends, and was disappointed when it was served pulled and not in chunks, but surprisingly it was not lacking in flavor at all! This was some of the best burnt ends I've had, I loved that they weren't greasy! The massive cornbread adequately soaked up the alcohol in my stomach from the night before. The potato salad was good but I wish I would've got something besides the dirty rice. (All meat platters come with two sides and a huge slab of corn bread). It was easily enough for two meals and was great as leftovers the next day. Don't forget to check out the homemade sauces on the counter!
(4)
Ashli A.
I love this place because the Barbecue Duo Combo for ~$15.99 feeds me and my boyfriend (and it's not like we are still hungry after). We have had the brisket, smoked sausage, mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn. Our two favorites, hands down, are the brisket and the mashed potatoes. The brisket has the perfect amount of fat, it is tender, and flavorful (as in MEAT flavor- not like a bunch of added seasonings or anything- just good meat flavor). The mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. The cornbread that comes with the combo is good. You might feel like crap after you eat all of it, but who cares? EAT IT. ALL OF IT.
(5)
Magic Bites B.
Not only the food but the service and the personnel are great... Highly recommended...
(5)
Rajiv R.
So unprofessional. Put in a catering order for my birthday. When one of my guests went early to pick it up, the guy had no idea about the order. This was after they'd been so adamant on the phone about putting in the order 48 hours ahead of time (which I did, had the email confirmation and everything). When my friend called me from the restaurant and put the guy on, I gave him the confirmation number. He had no idea what to do with it. Had to pull the order together on the spot, but they didn't even have all the items available so he had to substitute. So the food arrived to the party wrong and late. Contacted the catering department the next day to see what happened. (Calm and courteous of course.) "I'll get back to you." It's been a week, never did. Like I said, so unprofessional. Taste-wise: meh. They've gone downhill in recent years any way. Sweet Cheeks is better.
(1)
Arthur M.
Love this place and love the bbq burrito and pulled chicken sandwich if you love bbq this place is for you
(5)
Nina S.
The bf surprised me with BBQ takeout from this place one night (man knows the way to my heart is through my stomach :P) and what a pleasant surprise! He got the ribs with corn bread collard greens and beans. The sauce on them was not too sweet and had a great smoky flavor that carried through and the meat was nice and tender. And the cornbread is righteous.
(4)
Tim A.
I just had some seriously insane BBQ at Blue Ribbon in Arlington tonight. Ribs, pulled chicken, pulled pork, beans, slaw, hot sausage, corn. Off the chain as they say. Every single thing our party of 3 had was fantastic including the best cornbread I've ever tasted. Complimented the owner while I was buying my assistant a gift certificate and he seemed really humble and happy that someone enjoyed the food so much. (Young, smart, talented owner/chef AND HOT. How much better can it get?) You won't be disappointed in any part of it. Seating is pretty limited.
(5)
Timmy L.
Cheap, hearty, and deeeeeelicious! Blue Ribbon BBQ is everything you want in your neighborhood barbecue joint. The experience starts off with artfully cooked, quality meat accompanied by a glorious roll and end with your choice between a luxurious number of sauces. Every one is interesting, unique, and leaves your tongue singing for more. While at initial glance the prices don't cause you to jump for joy, here's a pro tip for you: buy in bulk. With a hefty canister of BBQ, a couple containers of your favorite sauces, some rolls, and most importantly, their pickles, you can chow down on a glorious sandwich for less than an expensive coffee.
(5)
Morgan F.
Absolutely delicious! The food was wonderful, inexpensive, and ready very quickly - plus the ambiance of the place is just so fantastic, I never wanted to leave! Went there with my mother who is from the South, and she was as happy as I was - which is a very good recommendation for any southern food restaurant. Definitely try the cornbread pudding (SO good) and get a sweet tea while you're at it.
(5)
Erin H.
I'm pretty sad that I couldn't enjoy this as much as my friends did since I was stll feeling a bit ill from the day before. In any case, I decided to order the Texas brisket plate with a side of baked beans and potato salad. The portions are absolutely massive and the sauces are delicious! You can pack your own from the sauce bar. There's not too much space to eat indoor; this is much more of a to-go kind of joint. We actually took our food to a local park and had a picnic there. One interesting thing to note was that additional fee for ordering beef. I forget what the reason was (beef shortage perhaps?), but it was like an extra $2 or so if you ordered any beef dishes. I would definitely like to try it again when I'm back in Cambridge. I think I might like to try the burnt ends next time!
(4)
Maria S.
Poor service and meh food. Not worth the effort in getting here tonight. Should have gone with seafood in New England!
(1)
Sharon D.
Nice job catering a friend's surprise anniversary party! Some background, this couple met at an event in south Georgia so we were looking for a menu that would bring them back to this event that started them on their lifelong path, and Blue Ribbon came through in achieving this goal! We ordered pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, dirty rice, corn, collard greens, corn bread and salad. They even sent baby bottles of the sweet and golden bbq sauces and balsamic salad dressing. I personally enjoyed the pulled pork! It had just the right amount of seasoning and was so tender! Everything was delicious and arrived piping hot. The adults and the kids loved it all! Thanks for helping to make a wonderful even even more special! Great job! One of these days, we will have to try dining in!
(4)
Matt N.
Great BBQ. The sides can be a bit different every time, taste-wise and selection-wise, but that gives it part of its charm. Great service. The same crew seems to be there every time. I ordered online a couple times and both times I got a different side than the one I ordered so I'd double check before you leave if your heart is set on something. The food is fabulous. My wife always suggests Blue Ribbon and she's a vegetarian!!! Make sure you take advantages of the different sauces as well. They add some crazy taste to the already tasty meat. Great portions too - if you leave hungry you may have to rethink your life. Go to Redbones if you want to check-in on Facebook or buy a shirt, but if you want a much better BBQ, Blue Ribbon is well worth the trip down Mass ave!
(5)
Grant S.
What a delight! Lots of tempting choices, and the guy taking my order was very helpful in guiding me through them. As it was my first visit, I went with the ribs, collard greens and blackeyed pea salad. The ribs were pretty much perfect, great smoke ring and flavor. The sides were delicious, too. Definitely a BBQ joint as far as the atmosphere goes. I'll definitely be going back to try more of the menu.
(5)
Steven M.
I'm quite surprised to see this place have 4 stars from over 400 people. It was sub par at best. My ribs were a little over cooked and crunchy. Even my bones was edible which made no sense at all. The actual rib was chewable and edible! The coleslaw was really tangy and too watery for my taste. The potato salad was decent, but I have been making potato salad for awhile and I could've done the same job and I don't even like cooking. The atmosphere was really nice tho. When I walked in there, there was license plates all over the front wall. In my opinion that's dumb because it takes the place of where the menu should be. They actually have to put a sign that's small saying the menu is on the left. Clearly the designers didn't think that one through. All in all very mediocre. Maybe we got a bad batch of ribs, but it was still unacceptable.
(2)
Amanda P.
Update post-wedding catering by Blue Ribbon: Our guests were overjoyed. The delivery was on time...early, even. We ordered for 135, had almost exactly that many guests, and were smart enough to bring containers to freeze the leftovers. And oh, the leftovers. Two months later, we have one last meal of Burnt Ends waiting in the freezer. They're nearly as good as the day we were married. Even the veggie burritos freeze well and are great for a quick workday lunch (just add a touch of salsa or bbq on top). The most raved about items were the burnt ends and brisket (we also had pulled chicken, which is great with a burrito or topped with sauces, but not a stand-out next to the other two) and the mashed potatoes. Good god, the mashed potatoes. My vegan bridesmaid cast all care to the wind and had three helpings. If we did it all again, we'd order two sides of mashed potatoes and ask for extra Hot BBQ. We ordered the "Sandwich Meats" package and added a green salad side, which I believe was less than $13pp. We liked the sandwich meats better than the jerk chicken and ribs... it was a great choice. We ended up having our own people help with serving the food. We really struggled to get information from Simply Serving as recommended by Blue Ribbon. I'm hoping it was just a fluke and not typical, but getting a call back and an emailed quote took so long I didn't trust it was worth the cost. Our own people did a great job!
(5)
Scott F.
I went there for lunch today and got a 1/2 pint of the spicy sausage and a single rib called "the lone bone". The rib was excellent.. totally tender with just the right amount of bite. The sausage was tasty and spicy.. Their sauces were all top notch. Two thumbs up for Blue Ribbon.. :-)
(4)
Celestyne C.
I used Blue Ribbon for my son's graduation/18th birthday party. The kids (16-18 year old boys) and adults loved the food. The burnt ends are by far my favorite but I didn't have any ribs, baked beans or pulled pork left. a little disappointed with the sweet tea but my son wanted it. I have eaten in, taken out and now I have catered. Try it, you will like it!
(4)
Ariel Z.
Wow...definitely exceeded my expectations and they were really high after reading the Yelp reviews. The burnt ends were the right tenderness. The baked beans were unexpectedly tangy and have a lot of molasses, very yummy. The potato salad was also spot on. Not a fan of the cole slaw, which could use a bit more flavor. The cornbread is just ok, but it comes with each order anyway. The wide assortment of sauces here are what makes this experience even more delicious. You can choose from two different types of hot sauces, two BBQ sauces (one sweet, one spicy), spicy Habanero vinegar, gold sauce, and a Chipotle-based sauce. Their sliced pickles were also a nice touch. Right when you walk in, you can smell the smokiness of the oven they cook all the meat in. Because of that, everything including the cornbread is somewhat smoky. Even without the Groupon, you could easily feed 2 for less than $20. This place also gets very crowded on the weekends, and be prepared to take the food elsewhere since there is practically no seating.
(4)
deborah c.
I lived around the corner from Redbones back in the 80's when they were really at their peak so I am kind of particular about Rib joints. Now I live near Blue Ribbon and after 12 or so visits, mostly just out of convenience, I can honestly say the only thing I am happy with there is the Carolina sauce. I will not repeat rib complaints others have stated, except to add that if you order takeout, they are good for tucking a couple of ancient, dried up ribs under fresh ones to complete your order. F-ed up guys!! Shitty restaurant cutting corner technique that makes me say BOO !! Who is making those collards? You're going to kill somebody with all that grease.
(2)
John L.
I still remember the first time I had Blue Ribbon brisket years back...it was an almost religious experience of flavor and texture that was out of this world. Fast forward to today, and I can't recommend a BBQ place that feels comfortable serving dried and/or old BBQ. We ordered brisket and ribs which were both dry and hard. The 2 stars are for the pulled pork, quality sides, and pickles which were good. We would love for it to be better since we live right around the corner!
(2)
Andrea B.
I just consumed about five billion calories in delicious, delicious BBQ. Why? Gotta make up for all the years of walking by this place without trying it. Not okay, not okay, not okay!! But now I'm so full that I may not be able to move from this spot on the couch until sometime next week. Portion sizes are very generous, but that still didn't stop my friend and I from ordering a decent variety of things to try. The menu is pretty long, and full of excellent options. We got the Texas Beef Brisket, the Creamy Chipotle Ranch Chicken Sliders (one of today's specials), and the North Carolina Pulled Pork, all of which were phenomenal, and so flavorful that we didn't need to touch any of the BBQ sauces or hot sauces that Blue Ribbon has to offer. Each of the above came with two sides, so I think you can imagine the food comas that we fell into after eating our way through everything. Of those sides, my favorites were the mashed potatoes (buttery and very filling) and the potato salad (can't have enough potatoes, seriously). And I also really loved the corn bread that came with the pulled pork and brisket platters. It was dense and moist, not dry and crumbly like most corn bread usually is. Even after all that, you better believe we saved room for dessert! We got slices of the key lime and pecan pies, both of which were freshly baked, and the perfect ending to a very rich and wonderful meal. Whether you're in the mood to dine in or take out (I recommend the latter, so you can take a nap immediately after eating, which you WILL want to do), service is friendly and fast. You can call in your order ahead of time, order online, or walk right in and place your order at the counter. Either way, wait time is minimal, and you'll have BBQ goodness all up in your face in a very short time indeed. I highly recommend liking their Facebook page, because they post new specials for this Arlington location, as well as for their West Newton location and their food truck. And by "new specials," I don't mean one item per day. I mean a whole bunch of scrumptious new things to try, each one sounding better than the last. So, it may have taken me a long time (read: three years) to get around to trying Blue Ribbon BBQ. But now that I finally got over there, I have a feeling that I am going to become quite the frequent customer!
(4)
Kevin Y.
Portions are good size. I love the beef brisket. I love most of the sides (can't love everything). I hear debates going back and forth between redbones and blue ribbon and w hich is better. Both have their pros and cons, but I prefer Blue Ribbon for lunch most of the time.
(5)
Local E.
Inconsistent ribs, good pulled meats, mostly good sides. After 30+ visits, I realized finishing my plate feels like a chore instead of a joy to be savored. Ribs: usually tough, boiled-tasting, wooden, chewy Pulled pork, pulled chicken: tasty, moist, winners Special sandwiches: usually worth a try Sauces: love 'em Rice and beans: coin toss; often has hard bits in them Random special sides: good Vastly prefer ribs, sausage, & vinegar sauce at Redbones.
(3)
Robert L.
Went here for lunch using a $15 groupon. Ordered the beef brisket sandwich, beans, collard greens, and a drink. Transaction was smooth, they looked up my groupon for me because it was not on my phone. Only reason for the average rating is because of the key lime pie - DO NOT get this. Tastes nothing like key lime. Note to chef: walk across the street to stop and shop, buy some Nellies key lime juice, make the key lime pie recipe printed on the bottle, serve that instead.
(3)
Tony J.
Not bad, but not great either. When we went, the beef prices were all increased due to a shortage of beef. Didn't matter, the ambiance is very interesting and has a nice retro feel. The sauces are what makes this place go. Try the vinegar based sauce if you like acid in your food.
(4)
Stella D.
I was so excited to try Blue Ribbon this week, since I've heard a lot of good reviews. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. Normally, I wouldn't write a review if just one item was disappointing, but it was basically the entire meal. This is the run down. Ribs -- Tough and tasteless. Really, they were so tough, I couldn't get the meat off with a fork, knife, or my teeth. Burnt Ends -- Kind of like pulled beef, and doused in sauce. Not horrible, but not special. Cornbread -- Dry, tasteless. Mac-n-cheese -- Dry, a high pasta to cheese ratio. Not creamy, not cheesy, served kind of lukewarm. Very little flavor. Baked beans -- On the sweet side. Collard greens -- They were okay, standard, nothing special, but not bad. Cole slaw -- Also okay, mayo variety, but at least had some flavor. I hope this was a one-off, but I won't be back to try again.
(1)
Mike L.
The Good: Burnt ends are super delicious, juicy, and fatty. Ribs are closer to Memphis style ribs than Kansas and fall of the bone real easy. It's worth coming here just for these. There's no where in the area that does these things better than Blue Ribbon. The Bad: Jerk chicken. On the dry side with a lot less taste than I hoped for. Not terrible though. The Ugly: Dirty rice, rice and beans and cole slaw were pretty tasteless and disappointing. Dirty rice is supposed to be cooked with "small pieces of chicken liver or giblets, green bell pepper, celery, onion and spices cayenne and black pepper"..and it seemed to be missing nearly all of that. Shame. Also, the cornbread is nearly bone dry. Regardless of poorly done sides, Blue Ribbon does what it sets out to do excellently.
(4)
Lisa W.
Wow.. I just realized that I never reviewed blue ribbon!! And I used to live around the corner from it. Seriously, we could see and more importantly, SMELL blue ribbon from our deck. A blessing and a curse, I tell you. I have to admit that having tried both places multiple times, I favor Blue Ribbon way over that other BBQ place in *ahem* Somerville. I like the quick take out option (there isn't a lot of seating inside), it's easy to get to and there's lots of street parking (just circle around the block on Highland Ave.), and I just like the food better. Pulled pork with some spicy bbq sauce.. rib sandwich... brisket... mmmmmm... meaattt... oh wait where am I? Yelp. Right. Anyway, the sandwich platters are the best value.. you get a good amount of meat, two sides, and a corn bread for under $10. Don't forget to fill a little plastic container with pickles!
(5)
Erik H.
Great BBQ spot. Has the right decor, menu, sauces and the food is great! Loved the outdoor seating in the summer. Greata place to wheel and deal meals with friends. Plenty of free street parking too.
(5)
Artie A.
I need to understand why my order put in at 3:15pm was not ready at the requested time of 6:15. This was a large order ($200) and I had to wait 20 minutes past the requested time for it to be prepared. I got there early and paid for the order. But apparently it was put at the end of the line, at that time, and the requested time was ignored. Perhaps you are telling me that I should go elsewhere. The food was excellent but the service needs some management.
(3)
Marcy Z.
A great surprise here in Arlington, MA. Tender juicy pulled pork with spicy sauces and a great smoky flavor. Very good selection of sides, red beans were really tasty. Good sized portions for your money, two meals with drinks for $25. We will be back.
(5)
Janet K.
Hands down the best BBQ in Boston! We got the Texas Sliced Beef Brisket ($14.49) and it was out of this world! It was our first time here today and the server was super friendly (even gave us a sampler - I'm getting the Kansas City Burnt Ends next time...). My husband really liked the cornbread and the sides were great overall. Highly recommended!
(5)
Sung L.
I and my family love this place. We come here whenever we cannot decide what to eat. Pulled pork and beef brisket are awesome. We also like cole slaw and other sides. Above all, taste of their food is consistently good which I really like. I highly recommend this place for BBQ at least around Boston area.
(5)
Phil B.
The two stars aren't for the restaurant on the whole, but for what I consider to be a unpleasant trend at Blue Ribbon. They're now putting hot pepper in almost everything. Their weekly Sunday cheese grits special almost never contained serious heat in the past, now they add jalapeno or other hot peppers almost every week. Mind you, they're not offering a milder version and giving people a choice, it's heat or nothing. The jerk chicken spicing seemingly has more heat in the mix than it used to. But the real head-scratcher here is that they now add habenero pepper into the macaroni salad. Macaroni salad is meant to be a cool and refreshing counterbalance to hot and spicy foods, much as Indian restaurants offer raita or blue cheese is served with Buffalo wings. What's more, they don't always label or name menu items to give customers a heads-up that a dish is hot. They could easily call their macaroni salad special "Habanero Macaroni Salad." Also, it might make sense to put little red stick-on ribbons on their menu boards next to any item with jalapeno, habanero, hot cherry peppers, etc. so people who like that sort of thing can gravitate towards it and people who don't care for it can order something else. The addition of "stealth heat" in menu items is a shoddy practice; let people know what's hot and what's not, and make their choices according to their own tastes.
(2)
Kevin T.
You won't find better smoked food anywhere in or around Boston. These folks put love and smoke into their dishes. A must have BBQ meal.
(5)
Nora M.
Love this place! Went again last night and had the chicken burrito. It was huge, hot and delicious. The line moves fast, the staff is great, the tables turn over quickly, and the customers are all happy and laid back. It's good barbecue for this northerner!
(5)
Peter E.
Craving BBQ and just did takeout. Sorely disappointed. Meat lacked any kind of bbq flavor and I found myself loading my own bbq sauce (some Stubbs). The entire reason you do bbq is for the flavors and sauces with the meat. I seriously think they forgot to load any sauce whatsoever on my order. Needless to say, not likely to ever go back when there is Red Bones in Somerville, which is always good.
(2)
Mark R.
Consistently great!!! Be coming here for 4 years. Memphis ribs are the best! Vegetarian burrito, burnt ends mashed potatoes are all good. Makes my family forget about chipotle. Who needs them when you have blue ribbon.
(5)
Christine J.
3.5 to 4 stars. Good BBQ. Not amazing but good enough. nothing fancy. Will come once in a blue moon.
(4)
Ashley P.
I know this place is an institution, but I just don't think the food is that amazing. Its a good spot and the prices are very reasonable, but I guess I just didn't fall in love. I have an issue with food that sits in bins with it's own juices before it is served and most of the meat here is served that way. Once again, maybe that is part of the charm, but I couldn't get down with this Southern kitchen.
(2)
Yvonne V.
We ordered take-out, there isn't a lot of seating. I had the beef brisket with mashed and collard greens. It was delicious. My husband had the burnt ends which I also thought was good, just not as tender as the brisket. The cornbread was good too. The potions were huge, enough for two meals.
(4)
S B.
My place of work gets catered food from here on occasion and I'm always bummed when they choose it because plain and simple...It's just not good. Greasy, either overcooked or undercooked bad cuts of meat. I end up eating 4 pieces of corn bread for lunch. That is the only saving grace. That's why I put 2 stars instead of the 1 star. You will not feel good after eating this food.
(2)
Melanie T.
It's fine, bordering on good. Very strong smoke flavor, but too many sides are pork heavy. Plus, they often run out of things very early.
(3)
Jennifer B.
No frills, down to business authentic BBQ place. Burnt ends were so flavorful. Beef brisket melted in my mouth. Everything was super juicy. Mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. In my opinion this place is better than sweet cheeks.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Came here because I got the Groupon. Food was really good- got the rib platter. Only thing was that the service was a little slow. They also got my order wrong, but when I told them about it the guys happily fixed it. Wish there was more room to sit, but definitely check this place out for good BBQ take-out!
(4)
Angie B.
We recently ordered a large take-out order online, which was very convenient. Everything we had was amazing. I particularly enjoyed the dirty rice. In addition to delicious food another reason Blue Ribbon is so special is that it is very accommodating of food allergies, and has an extensive amount of information on its website about what people with various allergies can and can't order. I have to avoid dairy and soy, and I was able to get the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, dirty rice, and the NC vinegar barbecue sauce (among other things). It is so wonderful to be able to have these options when on a limited diet.
(5)
Raj M.
Amazing BBQ joint! Their sandwiches are great! I love their Jamaican jerk Chicken sandwich and the brisket! Potato salad is out of this world!
(5)
Simon L.
Hortans cuban sandwich with sliced pork loin and pulled pork. A giant sandwich with mountains of sides - cole slaw and collard greens. Pork loin was juicy and had a crisp skin. A daily lunch special. Cole slaw was prepared with flecks of pepper - fresh cabbage and carrots. Collards had a nice pork flavor and were slightly crisp. Pulled pork was normal - that means excellent. Ribs here never disappoint. Whole racks of spares are consistenly smoked with a pink ring. Excellent bark formed by a medium rub. Juicy meat, not quite fall off the bone but in the way ribs should be smoked. Subtle spices. House made sauce has a nice kick. Unbeleivable that this joint has never been reviewed by yours truly. The Newton location has similarly consistent ribs and corn bread.
(4)
JD H.
Went here for lunch today with my mom and daughter. We all split the pulled pork platter. It was just the right amount for a 60+, 30+ and 1+ baby! The pulled pork melted in our mouths and the BBQ sauces were delicious. The only bummer was they didn't have a side of Mac N Cheese. With the price hikes at Red Bones this place gives them a run for their money.
(4)
Steve B.
DUDE...you don't even know! Real BBQ at it's finest! Best burnt ends I have ever had. Got the combo with that, the ribs (which are internationally known) and the bbq chicken to keep the calories down. Got baked beans (which here 8 outa 10) and Cole slaw which was great. All around just great BBQ...there is a reason everyone goes here when they have the cravings!
(5)
D K.
Really good BBQ! You get a lot of food for the price. We have never been disappointed.
(4)
Ash And Dan L.
Blue RIbbon BBQ delivers a great take-out meal. The TX ribs, pulled pork, and brisket are amazing. The potato salad and rice and beans were great, as was the cornbread. Oh, and can't forget the sausage...spicy and delicious.
(5)
D G.
Takeout: small order of chicken & 2 sides. On phone I was told 30 minutes, promptly arrive ( now is when a competent manager steps in and tells the customer it is going to be another 30 minutes - do you want to wait, come back in 1/2 hour, have an appetizer , etc.) and promptly paid. Chaos then ensues - I feel like a patient on Saturday night in the ER at BMC but this is Sunday night in Arlington Center. Cmon!!! Good food but think twice, 3x about takeout
(2)
Andy G.
Enjoy the wait. This place is chaotic and way understaffed. Online order said ready for pickup at 715 and 20 minutes later still waiting. Lots of angry people waiting here and the staff keep rolling there eyes at people that are complaining.
(1)
Michael R.
Unlike a few other reviewers, I find Blue Ribbon to be remarkably consistent and basically as good as any bbq I've ever had. The ribs are meaty and tender, with a perfect crust, and aren't suffocating under a layer of sugary sauce the way I've had it even in North Carolina and Texas. The brisket (and burnt ends variation) is blowaway. Some sides I like better than others, but everything seems well thought through - not an afterthought. The collard greens are spicy and chewy and just right. As others have mentioned, the sauces are a high point. It's a special treat for us - we have to hold back for the sake of our waistlines. But we go pretty often, and when we do, it's always great.
(5)
Jessica S.
I tried this place after I heard it had an awesome reputation. I thought it was a little overrated. The place is very small and crowded, the workers were all very rushed and rushed me when I was ordering. The food was pretty good, but nothing amazing like I was told. Overall this place is mediocre.
(3)
Chris M.
Just walked out the door with $50 worth of barbecue. The combo I ordered came with four drinks but the sweet tea and lemonade were empty. I kindly inform the staff and the individual I spoke with only said "ok". After asking again and waiting a total of about 10 minutes I walked out.
(1)
Bear W.
Being from Texas, we are pretty particular about our BBQ. I must say we were pleasantly surprised by Blue Ribbon BBQ and highly recommend the place! The sliced brisket was a little dry but the collard greens and black eyed corn were spot on. All of the sauces were absolutely delicious and the pickles were my wife's favorites. The Kansas City burnt ends, baked beans, and mashed potatoes were excellent as well.
(4)
Kayleigh S.
This place has huge serving sizes. Well worth the price. The sides aren't as delicious as redbones' but the meat is good and our meals are usually cheaper.
(4)
Wei W.
Ribs and brisket and burnt ends, oh my! If you're expecting some high-end sit-down BBQ, this is not the place to be. But if you've got a hankering for brisket or a craving for a rib-wich, I highly recommend you make a stop here. +tives: + Prices are decent. + Portions are massive. + Food is flavorful. + Service is quick. + They offer online ordering for takeout. -tives: - Depending on who's prepping the meat, it can either come out too salty or too bland. Luckily the variety of BBQ sauce helps offset this. - Parking availability can be slim. However, Stop and Shop right across the street can ease the pain a bit. I've had their rib plate, brisket plate, pulled chicken sandwich, pulled pork plate, and burnt ends sandwich, all of which tickled my fancy. I've also ordered from them for catering at work. They've proven that what produce in individual quantities can be scaled up to feed a group of 35 with just as much flavor. Of course I'll be back - the store is a couple of miles down the road and it gives me an excuse to "eat moar BBQ!"
(4)
Binh N.
Our go too Bbq joint! Love the ribs, collard greens, mash potatoes, and Bbq chicken on the bone!
(5)
Lala I.
very decent food, great for a quick lunch in town
(4)
Steve M.
Blue Ribbon was a destination before newer restaurants put Arlington on the foodie map, and I would be mighty happy if another other BBQ joint showed up that could match the quality of the Blue Ribbon (hey, step it up Redbones!) Memphis style ribs are top-notch, as are the burnt ends and the red-hot sausage sandwiches. The XXXX sauce is really good, but the chipotle mustard is truly a smoky delight and is my favorite. The specials and desserts are always nice. Today at lunchtime the Poblano rice really shined, as did the blueberry peach cobbler. I asked the manager whether they ever considered expanding and getting a liquor license, and he said that they are perfectly content with what they offer. I like a beer with my ribs, but you have to respect an establishment that knows what it is about!
(5)
Chris P.
I recently ate food from the Blue Ribbon BBQ food truck at the World Cup event at Aeronaut Brewery in Somerville, and the food was amazing! Blue Ribbon served excellent food that had German and Brazilian influences to stay within the World Cup theme. The serving sizes were huge and prices were reasonable. The owners were so down-to-earth and super friendly, and they gave free samples of the sausage to those who were waiting in-line to get into the brewery. I love when restaurant owners continue to play a big part of their business. If I was to need a caterer for some kind of casual summer event, I would definitely hire the Blue Ribbon food truck! The meat was way better than Red Bones.
(5)
Sean H.
This place is a gem! EXCELLENT and affordable, it offers barbecue as good it comes. I opted for pulled pork with two sides: collards and green beans. I also ordered pot likker [sic] ( the seasoned water in which the collards are cooked) - tasty tasty. My companions had sausage (also very very good) and cheese grits (slow cooked like they are supposed to be). You cannot go wrong with this place. Super casual, you won't be going for the ambiance, but you will be returning for the food. THE BOMB! Who'd a thunk that good BBQ would be in Somerville, Mass!?!
(5)
Mike R.
As far as BBQ goes, Blue Ribbon (in my opinion) is probably the best in the Boston area. For a take out joint, it does a good job. I have had better BBQ in Texas but this is not Texas. There have been some off days but for the most part it is fairly consistent. And it is at a reasonable price. They also have a nice variety of sauces, from sweet to super spicy.
(5)
Adriana T.
I have neer been here before nor I am a big fan of BBQ but the food I had there I liked :) Soooo if somebody who doesn't even like BBQ liked the pull pork BBQ sandwich I can only imagine how much people love it. The food came out very quick and the sandwich came with 2 sides - I chose mashed potatoes and green beans. The mashed potatoes were delicious!!! I think it had milk and a lot of butter in it because it tasted just perfect!!! The place was clean and the food was very inexpensive so I am definitely going to return to their restaurant. Keep up the good work guys!!!
(4)
Russ L.
I live close enough that I can walk here & I can count on 1 hand the number of times I have eaten here in the dozen years since I have lived close by. I like their coleslaw, burnt ends & sauces, but other than that, I think Blue Ribbon is overrated. Their meat in general is too dry & overcooked. You will need plenty of their great tasting sauce to moisten things up. I do a better job smoking ribs & chicken in my Weber! If you want EXCELLENT Brisket that is smoky & moist, & great all-around Q, try Lester's in Burlington!
(2)
Mike W.
As far as BBQ goes the food is "not bad." I'm not terrible a fan of their sauce, it's a bit on the sweet & thin side. I enjoy the smokey & thick sauce better. The big positive for me here is the portions. They are huge, and for the size they're pretty affordable. $50 for two people and we usually have leftovers for at least a day or two. Not too bad...
(3)
Dee J.
One of the best BBQ restaurants ever! The best sides are the potato salad, mashed potato, macaroni salad and baked beans....yum. Most bbq chicken and flavorful ribs, with tons of sauces to choose from. My fave mix is Sweet BBQ, Hot BBQ and dash of ha bane to vinegar.....again, yum!!!!!!
(5)
K B.
We tried this place for the first time and it was soooo good! Yes, the mashed potatoes are good, as well as the baked beans and black eye corn. We also ordered the pulled pork, brisket and a rack of ribs. The guy at the counter was really helpful in giving us some ideas of what to try. They were out of pulled chicken but this place was really busy so that's understandable. Also, there's maybe four places to sit and eat so had to take it to go. Next time, we're going to go earlier in the day so we have a chance to try more and sit down. They also had some unique items on special like pig brains but I wasn't feeling that adventurous. They also had a lot of different sauces to try with them. All in all this is a great place and I would definitely go again.
(4)
Jason P.
I have been here before, and I actually thought I wrote a review, but this place is WAY better than I remember it. The pulled pork and Brisquet are both outstanding. There sides are ok. Not a huge fan of the slaw. The mashed potatoes are very good. The potato salad is decent. There sauces are excellent. I give this place 4.5 stars, but I am rounding up for such great sauces. Is there better Q? Definitely. Is there better Q so close? Not so sure about that.
(5)
Adam P.
Let me preface this by saying that I've been to numerous BBQ joints in the greater Boston area and Blackstrap BBQ in Winthrop is undoubtedly the best (and thus what I compare everything I eat at other places to). That said, I have a few LivingSocial deals for Blue Ribbon that make the short trip from Medford worth it. The food is rather hit or miss, here's what I mean: Hit: The beans. Seriously the only thing I crave from this place on a regular basis. Their pickled beet special last night was also delicious. Their burnt end sandwich isn't full of your typical burnt ends (more like pulled pork), but it's super smoky, moist and flavorful. Ribs were underseasoned but cooked to the right point of tenderness (can add their tasty BBQ sauces anyway). Miss: The collards. Ordered them two separate times to be sure, and yes, they are officially the blandest, most baconless-est collards ever. The jerk chicken platter was dry, and their sliced brisket was dry and underseasoned. Disappointing there. So order at your own risk - I'm not saying you won't love it, I'm just saying you might hate it too...
(3)
Michelle B.
Pros: Extremely fast. Almost spot-on Carolina BBQ sauce Decent pulled pork. Delicious burnt ends. Meh: All of the sides, though the slaw and mashed tasted like my mom's. The service. Not even a suggestion of a smile, though we had plenty to share. Cons: Noticeably poor quality ingredients, particularly the sliced beef brisket, which (although tender) was gummy and gristly. With such a small selection of menu items and sides, is it too much to ask that they at least be fresh/well prepared? I think that's the major difference between preparations on either side of the Mason-Dixon line. In the south, BBQ joints make use of what they have, and maybe it doesn't sit in a steam tray for 10 hours like cafeteria food. Sadness. On to the next one. Will my search for stand-out BBQ never end?
(2)
Avram B.
My wife and I haven't eaten at Blue Ribbon in over ten years, but we both had positive memories of the quality of the food. I see Blue Ribbon listed as one of the top BBQ destinations in the Boston Area. So we looked forward to our Father's Day dinner of take-in. Unfortunately, the reality of the present did not live up our past memories. We were willing to overlook them getting my wife's order wrong. (She ordered the chicken platter and got ribs.) In Blue Ribbon's favor, when my wife called, the manager immediately agreed to remove her meal from the bill. The food was mediocre at best. I ordered a Trio Platter of brisket, ribs, and chicken. All three were chewy and not very flavorful. I had to work hard to get the chicken and ribs off the bone. One of my criteria for BBQ ribs and chicken is that it should be "fallen' off the bone". Hardly. This was my daughter's first experience with BBQ. She order the pulled pork sandwich because she had a sampling of really good pulled pork earlier in the day at the BBQ Barn. Taste-wise, it was not as bad as my trio, but it wasn't exactly pulled. Most of it was a large hunk of pork that had to be cut with a knife. The sides saved the meal from being a 1 star review. While the corn bread was on the dry side, the collard greens were excellent. They had a little kick and great seasoning. The Black-eyed corn was also excellent. Last Labor Day we had a street party in my neighborhood. My self and two other neighbors smoked chicken, pork butt, and pulled pork. Our home-made BBQ was 100 times better than what we ate tonight from Blue Ribbon.
(2)
Ana R.
A friend took me for the first time and I was glad to have the guidance. We shared a three meat plate (sounds dirty I know) and we had plenty left over to take home. The cornbread is great, though a bit cakey for my taste. The sauces are awesome. I wish they hadn't run out of lemonade - I wasn't able to make my own Arnold Palmer : ( I like it far better than Red Bones - sorry if that's blasphemy! But these dishes have tons of flavor and RB does not always deliver in that department. It was a cheap meal to share, and like I said, it was PLENTY for two people. With a Groupon, it was nearly free. The wait staff was really nice. They let us use the restrooms even after they closed the place and I chatted them up while I was waiting for my friend. Will definitely go again.
(5)
James B.
The food has been better the last month I went. I get a sandwich with sausage and brisket .It was good but some fat on it . need trim lean for sandwich.For the price its good. I also like the burned ends.I dont like the ribs.
(4)
Stephanie W.
I had a livingsocial coupon that I had to use ($6 for $15 worth of food, whatup!)...but boy...very blah food. We had: 1. Pulled chicken sandwich + mashed potatoes + coleslaw (approx $8) -Pulled chicken was dry -Coleslaw was tasteless -Mashed potatoes were solid 2. Rib sandwich + mashed potatoes + green beans (approx $8) -Ribs were dry and overcooked. The meat was way too burnt and even after chewing for minutes, it hurt my throat to swallow the food -The "rib sandwich" was really three of the aforementioned ribs, still on the bone, placed between two slices of white bread. I'm not sure how you're supposed to eat this as a sandwich, so I just ate the ribs and discarded the bread -The green beans were TERRIBLE! Sour! Ew! Do NOT even think about ordering these -Again, mashed potatoes were solid We also ordered a couple servings of cornbread, which was not terrible, but not as moist as I would have liked. Overall verdict? Redbones is better. Sorry!
(2)
Ralph S.
We've ordered from the Arlington location for family dinners, high school sport pre-event dinners and family celebrations. In the past the food and service was fine but recently I've seen a noticeable decline in both. The last order was incomplete - no sauces (how can any BBQ place forget sauces if they are paying attention) and no extra cornbread (they didn't forget the extra charge). Some of the food wasn't cooked or handled properly and I suffered the consequences that night. When I placed the phone order the young man seemed more interested in being cool and arrogant than getting it right. If I ever go again I will check to insure they have included everything.
(2)
Sharon O.
Soooooo good! Great tasting food and great value... what else can you ask for? The pulled pork was amazing. We had never heard of blue ribbon, but we left singing its praises to everyone in the area! Portion size was generous, what you'd expect from a great guilty pleasure bbq place. Love it! We experimented the the sauces a bit, which are ok, but the meat and sides are fabulous and the real stars. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Tiffany L.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is the best BBQ place that I've found so far in the greater Boston area...better than Sweet Cheeks and Red Bones. My husband, from Texas, agrees. The best things that we tried there are the ribs and the burnt tips. The ribs, if you get an end piece, falls off the bone, the ones closer to the center are very tender but there are still pieces that stick to the bone. The burnt tips are very flavorful and the BBQ sauce is very good (sweet and a bit vinegar-y). The one thing that I thought was just OK was the brisket...it wasn't as tender as it could be and I found it to be on the drier side. The smoke flavor that is infused into the meat made it feel very authentic though! I liked the collared greens - they're good if you need something to balance out the saltiness of the meat. The beans were very good, and I found it to be a good combo if you ate them with the drier brisket. I liked the sweet tea because it wasn't tooth rottening, but my husband prefers it sweeter. He also enjoyed the pecan pie, but couldn't understand why they put whipped cream on it. He shoved the cream aside and still ate the whole thing! We'll be going back when we need another BBQ fix!
(4)
Emily A.
Blue Ribbon in Arlington does an excellent job at providing it's customer base with an accurate snapshot of what life must be like at Rikers Island. I'm just a little confused why they changed the name of their gastronomical delicacies from the original moniker... "PRISON FOOD". This place was dreadful. The stank on my clothes right now is reminiscent of a campfire. A campfire at summer camp. A summer camp where very, VERY bad things happen to very, VERY good people. The fix is in at Blue Ribbon barbeque and let me tell ya' something, all the cooks are in on it. I felt like I was playing a game of "Clue". "Who killed Col. Mustard", you ask? I'll tell you who, the guy who opens up the canned green beans at Blue Ribbon, that's who! ORDER 1: Jerk Chicken with a rich, robust dumpster sauce. Flavorless corn with the consistency of a brown, fin-less trout. Rice and beans so sad that if you closed your eyes and listened closely, you could hear the cries of a thousand Mexico City cab drivers on strike. ORDER 2: "This tastes like sh*t", Kansas City Burnt Ends. Verbatim. First bite, first words. I wouldn't feed this to my dog and he eats actual fecal matter. The mashed potatoes were o.k. if you're into that sort of thing. The grey beans were green in their former life but once they caught the virus from the metallic confines of their former housing, things changed. The music got eerie. I knew I was eating some real, home cookin'! Thanks, Blue Ribbon! Both orders came with corn bread, which I would've said was the best part until my second to last bite which had a gorgeous, flowing 2" lock of white hair which I'm most certain belonged to the pusherman that took my order. GAG! At that point I was so angry I wanted to launch my IBC root beer across the restaurant right into one of those fake vintage signs but that would've been a waste of delicious IBC root beer and the signs had nothing to do with it. Ambiance: We decided to dine-in for extra authenticity! Our table was conveniently located next to the soda machine which gently sprayed Sprite while not in use. Well... it could have been Sprite, was wishing it was Morphine to take the pain away. Overall, just a horrific experience to the point where I actually wanted to bring my styrofoam plate of slop back to the kitchen and ask them to eat it. My guess is that they'd decline. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SERVING PEOPLE, PEOPLE!!!??" If you're from the south you will love this place. If you're from the mid west, you will also love this place. I'm from neither and I hate this place.
(1)
Dave T.
Only 4 stars because the ribs can SOMETIMES be dry, The brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, and chix have always been perfectly cooked. My favorite for lunch is one of those items in a burrito and I sub out the rice for mashed potatoes in the burrito. It's a heart stopper and one of my favorite guilty pleasures!
(4)
Danny S.
Not that Blue Ribbon needs any more internet praise, but this is hands down the best BBQ in Boston. Massive portions and low prices for quality BBQ. Quick service, plenty of house-made sauce and attention to detail. Do yourself a favor and go.
(5)
David B.
Best BBQ I've had in Boston. I had the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and collards. The collards were not as spicy as I prefer, but the pork was right on. Not much seating so plan to get it Togo if you're a party of 4 or more. The place has a real down-home feel with a chalkboard menu and sandwiches wrapped in wax-paper. It made me miss my hometown in NC.
(5)
Jessie C.
Pulled chicken burrito! I have dreams about you... The new online ordering is awesome! Super duper easy. Diggin' it. Way to go Blue Ribbon! Keep up the good work!
(5)
Rob S.
Pros: Best BBQ in Boston. LOVE the sauces. Con: Nowhere to sit.
(4)
Sarah G.
Blue Ribbon I will be back to give you a second chance, especially since my boyfriend is jealous I went without him...But if I do come back, I really really hope that your pulled chicken is not as dry as it was this time.... For $7.49 you get a pretty big sandwich deal--a sandwich of your choice, pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, etc. and two sides. I went with the pulled chicken and coleslaw and baked beans, because honestly people pulled anything without coleslaw should be illegal. It is just one of those marriages that will never get a divorce, ya know? Their baked beans are awesome. I had trouble stopping myself from eating all of those after my first bite! Their coleslaw? Well...not the best...in fact it tasted like it had been sitting out a while too...My pulled chicken sandwich was packed with meat, and the sauce was tasty, but the chicken was way overcooked and dry....even after sitting in sauce....Good thing they have sauces o' plenty for you to use as much as you want!! Being food lovers, Deanna S. and I tried pretty much all of the sauces (Tepring P. just sat there and ate her food since she was already a blue ribbon veteran ha ha) and my fav picks are their chipotle mustard, their XXX hot sauce, and their gold BBQ sauce. They actually sell some of their sauces in jars too! So blue ribbon--be prepared when I come back, because I wanted to love you so much more than Redbones, since everyone told me how much better you were!! Maybe I'll just stick with pork or brisket--i mean really the less healthy meat options usually are winners ha
(3)
HowieHardcor e.
Folks, this is as close to real BBQ as you're going to get in Massachusetts, and it's pretty darn good too. Pulled pork sandwich with two sides of beans, once a week, without fail, yesserie dawg!
(5)
Matt S.
My favorite thing to do here (beside get the smoked catfish when they have it)? Be sure that when I get the pulled pork platter I take a little cup of the NC Vinegar and another of the Habanero Vinegar, and crumble large chunks of my cornbread into each. That way it soaks it up but doesn't get too soggy, and still packs a pretty good punch. So good--better than the sweet potato pie (which is also so good).
(5)
Scott B.
This place is my favorite BBQ in the Boston area. Much preferred over Redbones. I've had a few of the entrees and most of the sides, and it's all good. I'm not a big fan of their collard greens; their style is a very divisive love it or hate it, and I unfortunately hate it. Everything else is great, though. Most importantly, all of the meats have tremendous flavor even without any of the great barbecue sauces. This is the test of a good barbecue place. Each of the meats have distinctive flavors, whether it's the vinegary Carolina-style pulled pork or the slightly sweet burnt ends. The sauces, rather than over power the flavor of the meat, complement the meal and add layers of flavor. I've lived in the area for a month and have already been back a few times.
(5)
Erica T.
This place is A-OK. Not bad at all, but after all the "This place is better than Rebones!" I've heard and finally tested it out... I disagree. I prefer Redbones. Flavor-wise, the two places are pretty much on par with each other. I had the Memphis Ribs because I've eaten it at both places and could compare a bit better. Portion was generous, and the baked beans very good, as well as the slaw. The ribs were deliciously smoked, but I do prefer not to loose as much of the juiciness of the meat. I was gnawing on my ribs in a tiring sort of way after awhile due to meat toughness. The cornbread was sweet and delicious as cornbread should be. I did take out, and the box ended up being messy-- no liquid tight containers here. Looking around, it seemed like a nice place to stop by, but I don't think I'd want to go out of my way for dinner AT Blue Ribbon. Not much seating available.
(3)
Kim K.
Stopped in for a quick Sunday lunch. I liked what we got - pulled pork, sausage, and the pickles - but WHY is everything so spicy?! I could see the red pepper flake in the sausage, and normally I'm a huge red pepper flake fan, but this was way too much. And it was throughout the pulled pork too. I like spice for sure but I don't like when it melts my tongue so much I can't even taste or enjoy my meal. Maybe I'll try Blue Ribbon again someday but I won't be rushing back.
(3)
Jonathan H.
This is my favorite spot for BBQ in Boston. I recommend the ribs and brisket for meats, and you've got to try the creamed corn when they have it. You also have a variety of sauces to choose from, including a few vinegar-based ones, and some excellent sweet tea to keep you hydrated. I still remember a few years back when I picking up dinner for a small group, and received the last portion of the creamed corn. However, since it only filled up half of the container, they asked me what side I'd like instead...in addition to the delicious corn. You won yourself a lifer with that move Blue Ribbon, stay awesome.
(5)
Gregory P.
The quality of meat and sides is strong, but the lackluster regular BBQ sauce is what prevents this place from getting my 5-star vote. I do love the atmosphere and the location. I visit this place every now and then if I'm riding the Minuteman Bike Path. The cornbread is delicious, and so is the dirty rice and mashed potatoes. The ribs are tender and full of meat. I just really wish their BBQ was better. I recommend getting the HOT BBQ sauce instead of the regular sauce. If they would improve their base BBQ sauce, they would be one of the best BBQ spots in Boston.
(4)
Deanna D.
Stopped into Blue Ribbon for BBQ while on girls night out. I've heard great things about this place so maybe my expectations were a bit high. The counter service was fast and friendly and the prices were reasonable. I had the pulled pork sandwich with baked beans & coleslaw. The sandwich was good sized and the meat was tender but lacked flavor on its own. I smothered it in a few different & delicious sauces to give it some flavor. The XXX hot and golden BBQ were some of my favorite sauces. I was not a fan of the baked beans or the coleslaw which was definitely disappointing since they were half my meal. I will be back and give it another try but for now it's a 3 star A-OK joint.
(3)
Chris P.
I'm a huge BBQ fan and thought I would try this place out yesterday. So, I got the "Carolina" pulled pork and "Texas" brisquett tray with slaw and greens. The greens and slaw were pretty spot on, but the BBQ wasnt as good as I had hoped. First off, the "Carolina" pulled pork isn't Carolina at all. It didn't have that vinegar based sauce or taste. I'm from NC and smoke it myself often. Didnt taste bad, just not authentic. The brisquet was tender but lacked much smoke flavor. The corn bread was great and so was the slaw and greens. All in all it was OK. Not bad for a New England BBQ restraunt. I would go again. Next time I'll try the ribs. This place is worth your business!
(3)
Alexander S.
One of the best BBQ joints in the northeast. My advice to you is to skip a meal in advance of eating here, as everything is so damn delicious you will demand of yourself to stuff you face. The sauces are all amazing, the chicken and beef are world class. Highly recommended for parties and family or birthday outings. Simply fantastic in all aspects.
(5)
Nicholas C.
Great tasting barbecue. Also, I am severely lactose intolerant, and it is one of the only American restuarants I can eat at. It's part of this little cluster of restaurants that also includes Toraya, and it's one of my favorite spots.
(5)
Ted C.
Ever since a recent trip down south (South Carolina), I've had the occasional hankering for some good barbecue. Low and behold, there is actually good barbecue in the Boston area. Finally! I'm usually a pulled pork or pulled chicken guy, both of which are delicious here, but I really have to try the burnt ends next time I come. People rave about them. They'll let you taste any of the great variety of sauces ahead of time so you can get your order just right for your taste. Highly recommend!
(5)
Nan A.
This place is a picnic of the very best kind. First time and tried the Kansas City Burnt Ends and it was everything good BBQ should be a little vinegar sassy kick, a little salt, a little spice. Interior is done up as a fun retro Southern diner, with old time advertising and Americana folky art.
(5)
Court S.
This joint was just ok for me. I ordered the polled BBQ chix sandwich with 2 sides: coleslaw & stuffing. yelp.com/biz_photos/dnbf… Stuffing was slightly dry but flavorful. It had more of a sweet taste. Coleslaw was good. Pretty easy to make but nothing special. The employees all had blank stares like they'd rather be anywhere but there. No smile, no tip. Still on the quest to find great BBQ in the northeast.
(3)
Dan S.
I have lived in Goldsboro North Carolina for many years and pulled pork in the state is a real art form. While driving through Arlington and seeing pulled pork and a North Carolina state flag, I knew I needed to stop in and get some pulled pork. I bought two pints of pulled pork, got home and was immediately transported back to a local NC pig pickin'. It has been so long since I have had good NC pulled pork, there's nothing like it and this place was amazing and dead on. I am so happy to know I have a local place in Mass to get a rarely well prepared favorite outside of NC. I can't wait to get through these two pints so I can get back a get some more. Total hats off to you!
(5)
Abbey B.
Went here for my birthday with my roommates and boyfriend. Three of us got the pulled pork--just thinking about it makes my mouth literally water. I tried three sauces, and all were delicious. The best on the pulled pork was the Gold sauce, I thought. Nice and vinegary pulled pork, very good maple-roasted sweet potatoes (I think?), baked beans (beeeaaaaaaannnnnssss), cornbread (eh). I'd get the sandwich next time--the cornbread wasn't very tasty, and I could only finish about half the platter. The pulled pork was so good that I don't know if I'll try the ribs or brisket when I go back for dinner (tonight!). Seating isn't plentiful, but if you can find a spot, you'll be too busy chowing down to care.
(5)
Andre D.
I just ate lunch at the Blue Ribbon and it was everything my BBQ craving stomach could ask for on a hot Friday lunchtime outing. Before you even get inside the welcoming air-conditioned establishment with optional outdoor seating (which is where BBQ food is SUPPOSED to be consumed), you can smell the delicious Texas rub that they use on the savory ribs and hearty chicken selections. I can describe them in that way, because I was hungry (greedy) enough to ask for a half slab of BBQ ribs and half BBQ chicken for my meal. I also must say that they are without a doubt (and until I try other businesses) the best tasting BBQ spot in the Boston Area. Why not 5 Stars? I just can not bring myself to justify the OUTRAGEOUS PRICE for their food selections. My meal alone should not have hit the 20 dollar mark as 15 dollars or less would have sufficed for what appeared on my plate. The ribs and chicken may sound like a lot, but trust me, they are pretty much on the small side of average as I had NO PROBLEM putting away my 20 plus dollar meal with room to spare (and without feeling bloated). I noticed the big Texas flag hanging outside of the front door, but the food does not hold true to that true TEXAS SIZE expectation one would have as a first time patron. Well done Blue Ribbon, but everyone knows that size matters in Arlington, MA as well as Texas itself.
(4)
V H.
Had a chance to visit Blue Ribbon after hearing a lot about it on the food network.... C+ for effort... =) nothing special... but the best thing going for Boston
(3)
JEFFERY S.
Stellar food - I've never been disappointed with the food here in the 10 years I've lived in Arlington.
(5)
Emily C.
I'm a self-admitted rib-o-phile, so I end up here pretty frequently for the Memphis dry-rubbed ribs with a splash of their Hot Blue Ribbon sauce. The Texas beef brisket and the Jamaican jerk chicken are always pleasers, too. Get it with a honkin' slab of corn bread to dip into the chipotle mustard, and collard greens. Service is always speedy, and, despite not being able to get a beer with my ribs, I make do with the delicious vat of sweet tea. It's fun to sit by the window and watch the world go by, and you'll never, ever be hustled out the door if you decide to sit. There's outdoor seating when the weather's nice; take advantage of it when you can, because nothing's quite like eating barbecue outdoors in the summer.
(4)
Tess M.
I'm not new to Blue Ribbon. I usually always get the same thing; Kansas City Burnt Ends, Green Beans, and Black Eyed Corn. Tonight I said give me mashed potatoes instead of the corn. Good thing I did as it was the best thing in the whole meal. The burnt ends were dry. I don't normally get any extra sauce because they have plenty. Not tonight. Really needed sauce. The corn bread was bordering on dry and somewhat overbaked. Normally it's delicious and I love it. And instead of green beans, I found I had baked beans, which unfortunately I don't care for. I called back and they very nicely credited me for the green beans. I called before I started eating. Guess I should have waited. I had already spent an inordinate amount of time in the car from work to there and and didn't have the wherewithall to go back.
(2)
M B.
I last visited this particular Blue Ribbon about 3 years ago, and while the ribs at another rib place in Davis were certainly better, the ones I got here were pretty good, at least 4 stars. However, about 4 days ago I went in again on a whim when I had a hankering for some ribs, and didn't feel in the mood to fight Somerville / Davis Square traffic and parking. Frankly, the taste was good, but the ribs? Tough as nails. Several times I found myself thinking I'd bitten into a piece of beef jerky and had to seriously chew. Other parts of rib were, of course, easier and more tender but very dry. The sauce tastes very good though what they call spicy ... Well, I'd call maybe medium. I'm not sure what they changed in their process, and I'm not sure if this was a fluke and I happened upon a botched rack, I'll have to try again. But as of right now (7-7-2010) I was quite unimpressed. The rib joint in Davis has little to nothing to worry about.
(2)
Dino P.
As a Redbones loyalist (I have my favorites there and it's my local spot), I still think there's some items available at Blue Ribbon that beat it. Now, I have to admit that Redbones as a sit-down establishment, with easy parking (hell yes I got a Somerville permit!), bartenders who I know and like, AND one of the best beer lists in the city cannot be beaten. But this is a categorical issue-- you can't compare a restaurant and bar with a take-out place with a stools and a counter. And Arlington has to be factored location-wise for me also--- Redbones is in my town and 5 min away. I took two friends to Blue Ribbon the other day-- one who recently relocated to Arlington and lives 2 blocks away, and another who loves Redbones but was the only one never to have gone to Blue Ribbon. We got there right around closing time, but you wouldn't know it from the EXTREMELY affable cat at the register. I got the burnt ends sandwich, Arlington got the sausage plate, and noob got a pint of burnt ends (he said he wasn't really hungry?). One thing that's always thrown me off was the fixed quality of the sauce-to-meat..... it's surely the Redbones talking, but what if i want the burnt ends with the NC vinegar sauce? Something about the menu isn't as user-friendly as I'd like also. But that doesn't mean this is an establishment not to trust-- in fact, I think I have to go back there today to try the sausage that Arlington had; it looked superb. I told the crew that the real ace at this place is the sauce itself-- and they took me to heart. We were testing all the sauces at the serve-yrself station (Gold BBQ, Hot BBQ, Chipotle Mustard, Habanero Vinegar, NC Vinegar, etc etc) and loaded up on all of them in the handy to-go plastic cups. I think we overdid it, but hey-- it's in my nature to think about food and equipment costs. The Chipotle Mustard is probably my favorite, and the Hot BBQ is also great. The cats I was with were enthused about the sauces, so when I also showed them the pickles (house-made to be sure, really fresh and subtle, cucumber flavors coming thru the brine, super good), they just bugged. We left there with a stack of food, bags of sauce, and overflowing cups of pickles. It's good that my friends are all about the hearty eating. We all went back to S'ville to watch Suspiria. The sandwich was outstanding, with beans and cole slaw. Would have liked different sides, but they seemed fixed (note: you can order whatever sides you want, but this is not clearly noted on the board). Nevertheless, saucing made the meal, but the burnt ends where flavorful themselves. Hopefully next time they will have the BBQ Fried Rice available (they have some rotating sides). Last time, I tried out this side, it was so good I asked for a pint of the stuff for next day's lunch. Bits of roasted pork, fried rice, eggs, veggies: it shouldn't work, but holy crap does it. Amazing stuff. Blue Ribbon is a hike for you if you take the T, but then again the bus does go right by it. It is an unusual thing-- takeout BBQ in Dorchester is one thing, but in Arlington is something else. This is without a doubt a place that's worth the trip, one of the best BBQ places in the area. Do NOT forget the sauce. Also, they have a lot more seating at the moment, with a broad sidewalk space filled with nice outdoor seating. If you need a break from the New England classic of fried seafood/roast beef and ice cream, I can't feature better summer food.
(4)
Nicholas P.
The Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. You may think it is a little out of the way but it is definitely worth it. I've found it be on par with any good authentic BBQ you can get. On a summer night it's great to get some BBQ and sit on the street tables and enjoy it while the sun sets. Good times!
(4)
Elliot K.
Oh my god. I'm from the south, and I'd never had barbecue this good since until I ate here. I've never had anything here I haven't loved, but make sure you try the burnt ends and the collard greens. The pulled pork, pulled chicken, cole slaw, black-eyed corn (a mix of black-eyed peas and corn, not some chimeric legume), and green beans are also all solid choices. Watch for side specials like the chili mac and cheese, which are usually worth getting. I can only think of two unflattering things to say about Blue Ribbon. First, there's very limited seating. You can almost forget about eating in if you come at prime lunch or dinner time. I advise getting takeout - what you miss in ambiance, you can make up for in beer. Also, I don't like their "feedbag" group takeout options. They're heavy on the sides and light on the meat, and you'll always end up with a huge untouched container of baked beans. You'll have a better dining experience for the same money getting bulk barbecue and sides. All in all, Blue Ribbon dishes up some of the best food in the suburbs, and is a serious bargain to boot.
(5)
Joel M.
Always great... love this place...
(5)
Stephen H.
Went back to Blue Ribbon, tried there Brisket for the first time. Great decision, its the best offering there, get brisket or ribs or both. If you dont try these your missing out. Theres just nowhere else in new england i know where to get bbq this good Got there cole slaw again, theres better sides to be had (mashed potatoes/baked beans). Also their NC Vinegar based sauce goes incredibly well with pulled pork. The habanero sauce is insanely spicey, and I have a good spice tolerance but it was an ego check for me. Let me remind you again. Brisket.
(5)
Matt R.
Best BBQ in the area. Plus they do a great catering business.
(5)
Kent C.
The people working behind the counter were extremely friendly and the food was pretty good, especially the mashed potatoes.
(4)
Emma D.
I admit that tied to public transport as I am, I have never actually been TO Blue Ribbon. However (thankfully!!) my work has them cater fairly often and my roomie, bf, and their car have been known to stop to pick up a 'feedbag' for us to split. I just came up from the holiday party (yes it's a little late), and my second free blue ribbon meal of the day. SO AWESOME. ribs with 4 different sauces, some of the best mac n cheese, incredible corn bread and all the sides. Way to make up for my 12 hr days in lab...
(5)
Lauree K.
I am a Southerner, i.e. I know about barbeque. The food is good, but not great. I think this restaurant gets highly positive reviews, because it is a pleasant place to eat, and the owner and staff are very friendly. And it is slightly over-priced for the value, but then, this is New England. Back home I could get better stuff cheaper.
(3)
Tom E.
Some Things I love: my family, London, climbing trees, finding money, David Mitchell books, legwarmers, people who buy me dinner, telling stories, cats looking stupid, cycling through red lights, tea tea tea, orchids, Chewbacca, moscow mules, lego, showers, Yelp, coming out of an airport, Spaced series 1 & 2, naughty bedtime stuff, loose chocolate chips, cold beer on a hot day, scoring a goal - any goal, steep mountains, hugging when drunk, the Arcade Fire, throwing an aerobie, labradors, youtube, driving in the dark, getting into a freshly made bed, dancing uncontrollably to electro, hats, Matthew Broderick, skipping stones and... PULLED PORK yum!
(4)
Kai M.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ joint in the Boston area. It's reasonably priced and most-definitely worth it. I usually go with the Kansas City burnt end platter, side of mashed potatoes and baked beans. A delicious combo. They have a myriad of sauces to chose from, some better than other, but it's good to have the variety as an option. They offer generous portions as I almost always end up with leftovers. In the winter I would recommend takeout because they don't have great indoor seating. However, come summertime, they offer outdoor seating. What's better than enjoying some great bbq with a few friends outside on a sweet summer night? Maybe a liquor license, but overall I can't complain. Go here, you'll like it.
(5)
Christie L.
We were craving BBQ since our trip to Tennessee last month and decided to try this place out. We each got the 3meat trio, I got the pork, beef brisket, and ribs and the bf got the beef, ribs, and sausage. There was a TON of food! We both loved the beef brisket and my bf thought it could be the best he's had, the pork and sausage were also great. I wasn't crazy about the ribs...a little dry. The mashed potatoes were great, coleslaw just ok, and we weren't fans of the baked beans - a little too smokey. We didn't really like any of the sauces, but the sauce that they put on when serving it was alright with some of the BBQ. Overall, for Boston this is great BBQ and we'd go back if in the area - we had a ton of leftovers and ate for 3 days!
(4)
M M.
Friday night treat....we regularly get take out from Blue Ribbon. Lead with the beef brisket, pork ribs are also awesome. Last night, the collard greens were more delicious than ever...I'm falling in love all over again. Now listen up people...I lived in the south for most of my life: Blue Ribbon has the BEST pecan pie I have EVER eaten. Tip: order the beef brisket as a platter....I have a suspicion that the sandwich gets filled with the fattier cuts of brisket (presumably you're not going to look at the inside of your sandwich). Taste is very subjective, of course, however, the coleslaw is excellent....perhaps it has a touch of mustard? that would explain why I love it and some people don't....it's not that overly sweet stuff alot of places serve. Thank you Blue Ribbon!! The line at the counter doesn't lie...
(4)
Mary M.
Update: I stopped by last week to pick up some roadfood on my way out of town. I didn't know it when I ordered my brisket sandwich and baked beans, but that was THE one true meal combo to order as you're heading out of town on a Friday evening when the skies are clear and the traffic is light. I stopped off at a state park off Route 2, sat in a picnic area, ate the most wonderful brisket sandwich and baked beans I have ever had, and watched some huge white pines sloo o o o o owly grow. It was a truly perfect meal. Thank you Blue Ribbon.
(4)
Matt N.
Blue Ribbon is hands down the best BBQ in metro Boston. Arlington is a bit of a haul from my home in Somerville, but it is worth the drive every time. I almost always order the pulled pork sandwich which is fantastic. I recommend switching the cole slaw side for mashed potatoes - they are so good. I also recommend mixing the three sauces in one container and drenching your food with as much sauce as it will hold. The service is amazing (they wrap your little sauce containers in foil for you so they don't spill in the car) and quick. The place is small and could use more tables for sit down eating. It would also be nice if they had a liquor license to server beer - there is nothing like a cold beer with BBQ. But, minor criticisms aside, if you're eager for some good BBQ and have not been able to find it in Boston, look no further than Blue Ribbon.
(5)
Lori D.
I'm from the South, so believe me when I tell you this is the Real Deal. Their pulled pork is one of the best I've ever had (melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfectly seasoned), and I swear I could drink their Sweet BBQ sauce by the pint. The servings are very generous (meats & sides), the atmosphere is fun and super casual, and the prices are quite reasonable. Definitely my new favorite place in the neighborhood!
(5)
Kerri O.
Great Burnt Tips, Brisket, Meatloaf, etc.. One thing: Expand! I NEVER can get a seat, and live too far to Take Out. Also, though their Cornbread is THE BOMB, I don't care for their beans (watery), or their greens. They're okay, not fantastic. The mashed taters tend to be a little stiff, too. You should mash taters, not whip them. Love the Iced Tea. Never change that.
(4)
Jennifer K.
LOVE the ribs!!! Don't wear your skinny jeans - you'll end up unbottoning. There is one in West Newton too - equally yummy.
(5)
Sam S.
Although there aren't tons of BBQ options in boston-area, Blue Ribbon almost makes up for the lack of choices we have, due to the fairly wide variety on their menu (BBQ burritos? really?) and the extremely high quality. Meals are very reasonably priced so its a great value to boot. Only wish they would expand beyond arlington and newton. Still, makes me glad I only live one town away from top notch BBQ.
(5)
mike y.
3 words...Pulled Pork Sandwich ...drool
(4)
Corydon S.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is my favorite place to eat in Boston. The ribs and brisket are so good they make it impossible for me to order the ribs at other barbecue joints. They don't sell booze, just about every kind of tasty meat you could want sausage, pulled pork, dry rubbed ribs, and beef brisket. The sides are a little lackluster. After some trial and error, I usually get a double side of mashed potatoes with my combo platter. You can grab extra sauce (Hot, Sweet, Gold, or Vinegar) while you wait for your food, the sweet sauce is my favorite. I will probably eat there tonight, it's that good.
(5)
Jeremy P.
My new tradition is to walk to Blue Ribbon BBQ when I'm waiting for my car to be serviced at the Mirak Hyundai / Chevrolet Service Center down the road. My favorite foods include burnt ends, mashed potatoes, and the corn. I love their sauce as well. The last time I was there, starting my new tradition, I tried the burnt end burrito, which was an amazing value and very filling, but I prefer the burnt ends by themselves in all their glory. Perhaps I will try a BBQ sandwich next time.
(4)
Tom L.
Great food. I'm a big fan of the pulled chicken and Kansas City burnt ends.
(4)
Ray S.
Blue Ribbon catered our backyard wedding this summer in Marlborough. They were prompt and professional at every stage, from ordering through delivery, and the food was tasty. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Michelle E.
Small place, so not great for huge groups. Great prices, meat has a good taste, very tender ribs.....recommended!
(4)
Frances K.
Best sliced brisket I can remember! Plenty of sauce choices. Huge portions. Great service.
(5)
Barney B.
So far this is the best brick n mortar place to grab BBQ in this city. the brisket, pulled meats, sauces, beans, pickles, slaw - all of it is pretty tasty - just the right amount of flavor and spice. it's a favorite as well to grab for late nights at work - many a 'feedbag' has come to the office for the crew. This location is tons better than the W Newton one, because you actually have a chance to sit and enjoy
(4)
Mark O.
Frankly I do not see how one could improve on BRBBQ - ribs, sausage, chicken, pork, it's all very, very good. The sides are great, best for me are cornbread, corn, collards, potatoes. The pecan pie is the best I've ever had.
(5)
Stephanie T.
This is the place to go if you want consistantly good BBQ. Prior to becoming a regular at Blue Ribbon I had thought that Red Bones had the best BBQ in the area, but I was sorely wrong. Between my SO and I we have tried just about everything on the menu and we love it all. Their cornbread is always moist and to perfection. We usually get 4 meals out of a platter, so that makes the cost even more of a bargain! Buying in bulk from them is also a fabulous way to satisfy a hungry crowd and cost effective as well.
(5)
Vito M.
I'll admit that I was quite skeptical when I first walked in the door. Having gone to college in a state that prides itself on two types of BBQ may have set the bar a little too high on this place. However, these guys have (by far) the best pulled pork I've had in the Boston area. Blue Ribbon doesn't skimp on the juicy, meaty helpings. They're still lacking a little when it comes to the cornbread, and any self-respecting southern BBQ joint would have potato salad and hush puppies as regular fixtures on the menu. Regardless, this is a fantastic place to visit. I can't wait for it to warm up again so my friends and I can enjoy sandwiches on their sidewalk seating.
(4)
Mike D.
Pulled pork, bbq sauce, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn bread. Unreal. AND cheap considering the massive portions. Must go.
(5)
Peter D.
Definitely the best BBQ place I've been to - my girlfriend's from Texas and she loved it too. We had a half-off Groupon for this place, but it would have been worth it even at full price. We got the 2 meat combo platter (ribs and brisket) with mashed potatoes, rice & beans and cornbread - it was more than enough for the both of us. We finished the meal off with a slice of incredible pecan pie garnished with real whipped cream on top. Highly recommended!
(5)
Lesley K.
I agree that it's hard to talk about blue ribbon without a mention or comparison to Redbones. It may lack the "ambience" of Redbones, the carnival that that place is...but whatever it lacks in quirky decor and beers on tap it makes up for in the quality of it's food - in spades And - it's so ridiculously financially reasonable for the amount of food you get. My favorites? the pulled pork and the baked beans. The best BBQ I've had in the Northeast - hands down
(5)
Patricia H.
I love Blue RIbbon. I love it so much that this is my FIRST yelp review!! Even though I am a devoted reader, I have yet to post anything. But I just had the tastiest pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and gold sauce, made from takeout leftovers (we got a feedbag for 4, but it could've fed easily 6-7), that I just had to write a review. First: the meat. Their pulled pork is amazing. AMAZING. Smoky, juicy, flavorful, tender, surprisingly not too fatty (though good pulled pork needs at least some fat). I am also partial to the burnt ends, though they're not quite as succulent as the pork. I've only had the ribs once, and they were good, but not the best I've ever had. Then there's the sauces. I am a bit of a sauce snob. They get the spicy NC vinegar just right. The gold sauce is my favorite of the other bottled sauces, but I always prefer tangy to sweet. And the sides...excellent potato salad, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, beans (a little too sweet for my taste but very good). Their specials are always worth trying. And let's not forget their delicious homemade pickles! Or moist and crumbly cornbread! The food at Redbones, which is much closer to where I live, has nothing on this place. Redbones' pork is fattier, less flavorful, and they are super stingy with sauce. Their vinegar sauce pales in comparison to Blue Ribbon anyway. Their beans and potato salad are both a little bland. Rolls not as fresh. Cornbread is dry....need I go on? I prefer Redbones' collard greens, but that's about it. However, they do serve alcohol there, which is hard to argue with. If you are looking for a spot to hang out, Redbones will do just fine, but if you are looking for an amazing meal, I implore you to head a few miles up Mass Ave. My husband loves the food as much as I do, but he also prioritizes beer more than I do, so we don't go here nearly enough.
(5)
Nancy L.
Whenever I have the urges to return to my primitive cave-woman roots and gorge myself upon delicious meat but lack exhorbitant amount of money, I go to Blue Ribbon. Blue Ribbon is an amazing no-frills BBQ restaurant located on Mass Ave in Arlington that does a lot of things right: ribs, pulled pork and chicken, cornbread, and burnt ends to name a few, with a plethora of BBQ sauce to choose from. Its a quick service area that has a few sitting areas but I usually do take out to avoid the crowds. For $10 you get these amazing meat filled platters with 2 sides and corn bread that will last you for two meals, I don't think that you can ask for more. In March 2008 to celebrate their 10 year anniversary, they have this great deal where you can buy 2 sandwich platters for $10. Two for me, none for you :P
(4)
reese w.
Having a husband who loves smoking meat doesn't make me an expert in BBQ, but it sure makes me appreciate having Blue Ribbon BBQ within easy access in Arlington, MA. There is usually parking around the restaurant, making it easy to get there. The prices are reasonable and meals include a couple sides and a square of their tasty cornbread. They have a smoker in the back of the kitchen going all day, filling the place with the smell of BBQ. This is real smoked meat, people. This is not grilled meat with BBQ sauce slathered all over. This is real, true BBQ and my friends from the south have concurred. I highly recommend going to Blue Ribbon BBQ if you're in the mood for true BBQ.
(4)
B P.
More often than not, the food is good and their attitude is okay. But hey, if you've had a long day and decide to get dinner from out (since you did not want to end the "wonderful" day with more work) and you walk into the BR they could give you some terrible food with a generous helping of attitude. This is fifty percent of the time! At other times, they are nice and friendly and the food is good. So I really don't know what to make of this place. Sadly this bipolar behavior earns them a 3 star rating from me. I would much rather walk across to the Shop and Stop and pick up the new rotisserie chicken and add bbq sauce on their bad days!
(3)
Bruno A.
Boston isn't a city known for their barbecue, as shown by the strange popularity of Redbones, but Blue Ribbon comes pretty close. Pretty damn close. It's not the type of Southern barbecue that is so hot you brag about it to your friends and gain street cred just for surviving but it's good sloopy barbecue you find yourself enjoying once it's over and you savor the meaty, well fed feeling in your stomach.
(4)
Julie A.
Every time I drive by this place I roll down my windows and inhale! The smell is smile inducing, but the taste is mind-blowing! Their BBQ is more on the vinegar side, but still really damn good! the Pulled pork is tender, the baked beans are sweet, the collard greens are cooked to perfection, and the mashed potatoes are flavorful and creamy! my new favorite thing is their pulled pork burritos! YUM! I will say the cornbread is not so hot, and they sadly don't offer much fish, but everything else gets a two thumbs up! You also get a lot of food for your cheap bucks! you can't compare to Redbones, both are good, but the world of BBQ can have many different attitudes and flavors, these are both great places. 4.5 stars!!!
(4)
nicole p.
I am not a real BBQ fan but i consistently love the food here and will drive out of my way to go here. the pulled pork is fabulous. if you want a quick & easy meal, the pulled pork burrito is amazing. don't expect an authentic mexican burrito - it's just a way to have bbq'd pulled pork with yummy rice & beans in an easy way to eat. a plate isn't really required but it does drip a little - especially if you like adding hot sauce!
(5)
Ryan B.
My dinning experience consisted of a heap of succulent pulled bbq chicken pipping hot baked beans and cool crispy coleslaw. It was bustling with business. We were able to secure a seat at the counter and enjoyed every ounce of the grub. The staff was efficient and busy not overly friendly but I could have cared less once I got my order. Down side of the whole experiences: - I currently smell like bbq - Over ate and now sit lethargically at my computer screen trying to write this review - I am burping a lot... "BURPPPP" Fell much better now...
(5)
Aimee D.
Ohh the Blue Ribbon goodness. My husband and I were sitting around on a Saturday evening trying to think of where to have dinner. I felt like two things 1. some place new 2. BBQ, pulled pork to be exact. After Yelping around for about 10 mins I came across the review for Blue Ribbon BBQ. I had seen it before and thought "Why not go on a little adventure?". We pull up expecting a restaurant, but we were somehow alright with this carry out-ish idea. We didn't have to pay tip and we got refills on our drinks whenever we felt like it rather than waiting around for someone else to do it. I order the pulled pork platter with collard greens and baked beans. Pulled pork was perfection! I little spicy on the aftertaste and just the right amount of BBQ sauce on top. Best I've had in a while. I'd never had collard greens before but if that's what they're supposed to taste like I think I might have a new veggie in my life. Beans, I love you baked beans. I love how they dance in their thick, smokey sauce with pieces of bacon. My only wish is that there was more seating inside. Blue Ribbon, we will meet again someday soon.
(4)
Stephanie M.
well worth the drive. PULLED PORK sandwich is EXCELLENT same for the baked beans. cornbread is meh. and the guy below me who said Redbones was better. Total BS. I went to Redbones for the first time today since I was already rollin around DavisSq....not great at all. and their beans taste awful. and their pulled pork is not that great. I will review them next.
(4)
Tommy L.
Menu is simple but still very good. Everything they make is tasty. Lots of different sauces for any taste. Pulled pork is great, sausage is great. Mashed potatoes are amazing and cornbread is the best in the city, period. All of this and the combos makes sense and are cheap as hell. Location is less than ideal (IMO) but a great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)
ELLIS D.
Like my Mom would say, " That sure is some good Yankee Bar B que!"(read with a piedmont southern drawl) I have had some good southern style to compare. There seems to be a debate though, about Redbones and Blue RIbbon. Well unfortunately for me I could only sample Blue Ribbon. In a word Yum. The Pulled pork with mustard(south carolina style ) was blue ribbon quality. The Brisket with cumin infused sauce(St Louis style or Oakland stlye) was blue ribbon quality The ribs were not blue ribbon quality. Plain ole tough ribs. I was loooking for a more smokey fallen apart quality not the chinese sparerib type. CORN BREAD AS DRY AS THE MOJAVE . I loved it but not all of it.
(3)
Patryce S.
Only reason they are getting 3 stars is because this is a BBQ place and their bbq sauce is gross! So pretty much ruins their ribs of course and other food that comes with bbq sauce...sad because they would have gotten a 5 star if they had good sauce.
(3)
Brooks F.
If you must get barbeque in Boston, get it here. Did someone complain that the sides were overcooked and greasy? Did I read that right? That, right there is why you people don't deserve good barbeque.
(4)
Ilya Jacob R.
Disappointment. I'm not from the South. I didn't grow up eating BBQ ribs, collard greens, candied yams, and fried okra, daily or weekly. I grew in Mass and my BBQ experience is comparatively limited, but I know when food - any food - is NOT enjoyable. When food is good, in particular BBQ, it makes you smile. I remember one of my first times eating BBQ at Bub's BBQ in Sunderland, MA and that made me smile, not to metion release the beast [read: gut] From the moment I got there, their ambiance is night and day with places like Redbones and Bub's. Its small with some counter seating, but from the looks of it, Blue Ribbon is more of a grab-and-go place. They do have large tables outside (although when busy it can become family style with people joining you). They have only 1 kind of BBQ ribs - Memphis Dry-Rubbed. Huh? I thought it was a BBQ ribs place, I guess it comes down to expectations - I assumed that they'd have lots of different types of ribs. No such luck. Anyway, they do have brisket, chicken, and sausage. Sides are limited. No mac & cheese. No candied yams. My disappointment continues. I didn't see any starters/appetizers...more disappointment. Food was ready quick, but was served in styrofoam trays w/ no place to put the cleaned ribs. The ribs were okay, but brisket wasn't very good. Maybe it's just not my thing, but then again there was a good amount of fat. Not particularly impressed with the sausage either. It was another disappointment. Maybe my expectations were just too high.
(2)
David D.
The best BBQ in the area! Excellent brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. I'm not a big fan of their ribs, but I've had worse. Wonderful sauces and every side is a masterpiece. My favorites are the mashers and the coleslaw.
(4)
Anthony L.
coming from texas, this definitely lives up to texas bbq standards. price is good considering you get a lot of food, overall great place def coming back
(5)
T M.
This is probably about the best BBQ you will find around here. In particular the brisket is awesome. Everything is very tasty. It's not fully up to what you'd find in a BBQ restaurant in the Southern states (or Texas in particular) but it is very close. To me it blows Red Bones out of the water (food-wise, not beer-wise or quirky-atmosphere-wise of course :) ).
(4)
Tara S.
This place is a BBQ loving foodie heaven! My husband and I have been going there for several years now and we love it. It is a perfect spot for a quick and casual comforting meal that warms your soul. We love going there on a cold winter night when we are too lazy to cook or go somewhere that requires removing sweatpants. It is also fun in the summer as they have very casual outdoor seating on Mass Ave. I love the casual atmosphere because it reminds me of an old fashioned diner. Just be prepared if you are going to dine - in - you will leave smelling like a smoke pit! I recommend the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich or pulled BBQ chicken platter. The baked beans, mashed potatoes and corn bread are ALL a must! My husband loves the burnt ends brisket burrito. He also loves all of the different BBQ sauces they have available. The portions are large and prices are great. We can get dinner for the two of us for around $20 and have leftovers! The only reason I am giving them a 4/5 instead of 5 is because their mac and cheese could be better. But considering the mashed potatoes and baked beans are amazing - you don't really need the mac and cheese. Also, I think that sometimes the meat could be more flavorful, but they provide extra BBQ sauce which does the trick.
(4)
Jaimie F.
We used Blue Ribbon BBQ to cater our wedding and they were fantastic! Great company to work with and my guests RAVED about the food. 2 thumbs up!!
(5)
Laurie P.
Wish there was more seating, but no matter we took the food back to my aunt's house. My aunt is 91, and my dad is 86. They both really liked their meals, but they should have split one, lol. Dad had ribs and aunt had chicken. Hubby and I each had the pulled pork slider special, delicious! I bought a jar of BBQ sauce and need to put it to good use. Will return again someday.
(5)
Andre K.
In my opinion the best BBQ in New England. Oh and be prepared to leave this place stuffed!
(5)
Jenna L.
I honestly would say more like a 3.5 and normally I round down but this place deserves to be rounded up. I'm very picky about my BBQ and even went on a BBQ road trip across the country looking for the best of the best. This place was decent, which I was surprised about since the Boston area really is not known for it's BBQ in any way. Good amount of food, and cute place. Awesome sauces and lots to choose from. We got mashed potatoes with our meal which were good but weird for a BBQ place, haha. Definitely not the best BBQ I've ever had in my life, but the best I've had near Boston or even on the East Coast so far. Will be back for sure.
(4)
Nina N.
Went here on a Saturday afternoon. It was raining so we couldn't sit outside. Inside was a bit warm but smells great, lol. The bar stool faced the streets and across the street you have your Stop & Shop or was it Shaws supermarket? The bar style seating was a bit wobbly, well at least the first stool to the left of the entrance way is so be careful. People don't clean after themselves when done so the eating area can be unappetizing. Maybe they can leave Lysol or Clorox clean wipes so we can clean the counter ourselves? Husband had the trio platter, three meats and two sides. He had the Kansas City Burnt Ends, North Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Sliced Beef Brisket and for sides he had collard greens and green beans. I had the Kansas City Burnt Ends with sides of dirty rice and coleslaw. Both orders came with the homemade corn bread which was nice. Had to say, the burnt ends was a pretty decent fair, the pulled pork was yummy, the brisket a bit dry? The collard greens tasted like it was boiled and left to sit a long time and the green beans tasted like it came from a can, which made me really sad. But then again, I do like the taste of green beans from a can every now and then. Nostalgic of the days when we didn't always have money for fresh veggies and ate veggies from a can. The dirty rice was decent but with the sauces they provided, all mixed up together, yum. My coleslaw was good, not great. I think it needed a little more acid, could use fresh squeeze of lemon juice or maybe apple cider to bring it up a notch. Sides sadly felt like it was made in advance rather than to order. I can understand why they do this of course, but of course, anything made to order of course would always taste ten times better. Just my opinion. There was a variety of sauces to select, self serve. We tried the extra hot sauce which had quite the kick if you're not used to heat. If you're used to eating really and I mean real spicy food and I am talking about if you are one of those Asians who would bite into a Thai chili, then this sauce is mild to you. The spicy BBQ was the best in my opinion. Perfect balance of spices. Next would be the gold sauce, creamy and sweet. I didn't bother trying the other vinegar sauces since it looked a bit runny and I wanted a thick sauce over my BBQ. :) I would come again and try some of the exotic items like pig feets and pig brain? I am only kidding about trying the pig brains but I did see it on the menu. Not sure if they really sure pig brains. I would give this place another try.
(3)
Susie J.
Overrated. I've been here twice and both times their brisket was dry and overcooked. The ribs were also not "fall off the bone" and soft. I would rather go to Soul Fire in Brighton for their ribs.
(2)
Aaron K.
Consistently great Q. I've been to Blue Ribbon several times since moving to Arlington and it is always really good (except one time that the pulled pork was dry, but any establishment is allowed one misfire). Went this past sunday for the Pats AFC Championship game for takeout. They had extra staff on hand and extra specials. Pulled pork was great, juicy and tender. Mashed potatoes are my favorite anywhere. Cheese grits were good (I prefer their green chili cheese grits for a little kick). One of their specials of the day was a chili for champions (that's us, pats nation). Tender beef brisket with southwest pinto beans in an awesome chili sauce. This was excellent and should be a regular item! They gave me a huge cup of it for 4.99$ and threw in some cornbread which was moist and tasty. Their BBQ sauce is the best around IMO as well. All this food was only 28$ (20$ if you count my livingsocial voucher), which makes for incredible value. My buddy and I feasted and I still had enough leftovers for 2 people. Service is always efficient and the people that take your orders and money are pretty good. I especially like the older regular guy behind the register, always good for some witty banter. Seating is kind of sparse in here, I always do take out. They have some tables set up outside during the summer months. Go for the BBQ, and keep going at a great value.
(5)
Ryan S.
I loved this place when I first moved to town five years ago, but it has consistently gotten worse and worse each time. The pulled pork and burnt ends get fattier, the green beans get spicier, and the mash potatoes get blander. It is still a good place for BBQ, I just hope the quality starts to improve. Often have coupons on Living Social. Try the burrito--surprisingly tasty!
(3)
michael w.
generally the eats here are pretty good, for NE bbq. but lately, when I get takeout platters, the cornbread is almost always a crusty side piece. also, I noticed upon returning home today that a $1 misc. surcharge was added to the bill. when I called to find out why, I was told that it is due to the increased beef cost, being passed along. REALLY???? how about saying that at the register. "oh, there is a sign." next time I will look for "signs" and stick with pork. that is, if there is a next time.
(2)
Stephen M.
I love me some BBQ. I am in no way an expert on BBQ but for someone that enjoys some smoked dry rubbed ribs from time to time I can tell you that this place really hit the spot. I have only tried a couple other places in the area. the first being the famous Redbones, the second being Sweet Cheeks near Fenway, and Blue Ribbon being the third. Out of the three, Blue Ribbon runs away when it comes to ribs flavor and barbeque sauce, where as the others might have a slight edge when it comes to the sides. Don't get me wrong, the Mashed Potatoes at BRBBQ are some of the best I have had, but nothing compares to the Mac and Cheese offering at Sweet Cheeks or the fried pickles at Redbones. the restaurant itself is authentic. You see a lot of BBQ joints that try and make it look legit, when really it cost the person hundreds of thousands of dollars to create the same aesthetics BRBBQ naturally has. Overall if you are looking for an upscale BBQ place to take a client, this isn't your place. But if you want good authentic BBQ and sit on a stool, come on by.
(5)
Max M.
Gave it 3 chances and it was the same result every time. The sides were usually good, but if I got the chicken or the brisket or pulled pork it was just very bland. Was hoping this place would be great since there arnt too many decent bbq places around here. Honestly I'd even give this place 1 more shot since they have all these awards from the past, there is potential however it sucks at the moment.
(2)
Lu R.
By far the best Q in Boston. As a transplant born and raised south of the Mason-Dixon with family origins in the birthplace of Barbacoa, and blessed with a Lone Star state sweetheart, I know a little something about the worlds most perfect food, BBQ. We have tried about a dozen "Boston's Best" according to the Phantom, Phoenix, and local recommendations, and this place gets about as close as it gets to BBQ that I'm willing to pay for and recommend to people who ask. By Boston/New England standards, I would give it five stars. By mine, three and a half.
(3)
J C.
I ordered the beef brisket platter. It includes cornbread and two sides, so I got coleslaw and baked beans. The food came very quickly. The first thing that hit me was the size. This platter could easily fill two people or be partitioned into two meals. Alas, I lived too far for this meal to be a take home, so I set myself to polishing off the platter in one go. The slices of brisket spanned a variety of cuts. Some of the slices were somewhat tough and dry, but most importantly not to the point of being unchewable. These were probably the ends of the brisket and were greatly helped by adding sauces. Other slices were very fatty and tender -- aka the ideal brisket. The cornbread had a very hard crust. I tend to like my cornbread more buttery and soft, but this still tasted just fine. The coleslaw was pretty good. It wasn't overly vinegary, nor overly heavy from overuse of mayo. The cabbage really came through, with the vinegar cutting the fats in the mayo. The sourness provided a nice contrast to the sweetness of the baked beans and the fattiness of the brisket. I'm not generally a person who likes sauces, so I'm not going to judge the available sauces. There were about 6 sauces: spicy sauces, mayo or cream based sauces, and vinegar based sauces. This isn't the best BBQ I've ever had. Judging from the awards on its wall, the last one of which was won in 2005, the best days of this establishment were behind it. Nevertheless, it was some pretty dang good BBQ.
(4)
Chris T.
I love the rotating sides here, however make sure you try the potato salad, which is perhaps the best I've ever had. They have a nice variety of sauces too (the gold is my favorite). Only a few tables inside so it may be best for takeout.
(4)
Sammy L.
Very small place, I recommend take out unless you are with only one other person. The employees are pleasant to deal with. There bbq has a very tangy/spicy taste, not my kind of bbq. Overall, I would recommend a try. Big portions and inexpensive for southern style bbq.
(4)
Dirk D.
Best BBQ in Massachusetts. Everything was great.
(5)
Shruti M.
yum! Went here on a Friday night for a quick dinner and I'm now a fan. The staff was really friendly and patient with us newbies. The portions are big, one member of our party ordered a platter and there was definitely enough for another meal. I would definitely recommend trying the pulled pork sandwich, the chicken sliders and the half chicken platter. The sandwich was the perfect size and stuffed full of tasty, flavorful pork. The spicy BBQ sauce, as well as the sweet BBQ sauce, were both delicious! Both the sandwiches and platters come with two sides. There were four of us in our party, so we all got to try the coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and the dirty rice. the coleslaw was ok, but I really loved the potato salad. Others in our group raved about the baked beans. Parking is a bit of an issue, its very limited out front, but you can always park on a side street. Its not really a sit there and eat place, more a to-go place. great find in Arlington, can't wait to go back!
(4)
Scott B.
Generally the food is pretty good for the money. It is neither the best b-b-q or the worst and from my experience of going here at least 50 times, it is better than average. However tonight I was absolutely shocked at the poor quality of the brisket. It was mushy, lacked flavor and was fatty in a not good way. It was like it was injected with plain water to yield a mushy, rubbery meat that lacked a bark. It was gray meat. It happens but where was the quality control?
(2)
Jude M.
Been quite a few times, here's my review. ALL of the Meat is DRY. that's why they push the sauces. The Service is Terrible, Screw up orders with kids who could care less. Sides are dismal. This is BBQ for suburbanites. I've lived in the area for 40 years, so no this did not put Arlington on the "foodie map". Redbones is a far better choice.
(1)
Samantha S.
Absolutely great BBQ. It's definitely more North Carolina style than Memphis style (grew up on Memphis BBQ). But I love this place! I have since moved away (used to live two blocks away) and I do crave it every now and then. Again, not at good as Memphis style, but it certainly does do the trick
(4)
L J.
It's too damn expensive, but I like the cornbread. I'm so torn. I have a feeling that if there was another soul food place around here they'd lose the blue ribbon status. It is what it is, but it's NOT the Newton location. That place seemed to have better meat.
(2)
Paul R.
It's tough to find a good barbecue joint in this part of the country. Blue Ribbon Bbq is one of the better ones I've tried. The ribs are to die for, but what can I say, I'm a rib guy. I found the cornbread to be ok. I'm also a big cornbread guy so I was left a little wanting there. Overall, it's not the best Bbq joint in the world, but in this area, beggers can't be choosers. I'll definitely come back again.
(4)
Jeremy K.
Let's face it folks, Boston isn't exactly known for having many BBQ joints; the picking is thin and there really isn't much competition for this kind of fare out here. There's a few places, like SoulFire in Allston, the Village Smokehouse in Brookline and two locations when it comes to Blue Ribbon BBQ. They have one in Newton and this location in Allston. Having been to the Newton one a few times, I figured that I would go to this one instead since it's much closer to my apartment. A short drive later, I parked across the street at the Shaw's and made my way inside. This location isn't much bigger than the one in Newton and it boasts an identical menu; on the few trips I've made there, I've sampled many items that they offer: ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, you name it... Although it is far from exceptional, the food there is decent enough and the portions are huge; almost too big if you ask me. I have yet to be able to clear my plate in one sitting and often have to take the leftovers home, in shame. They have a ton of sides and often have daily specials according to what's in season. I've had everything from their collard greens to the corn bread, the coleslaw, the beans and even the black eyed corn. I am not a fan of their beans but their collard greens were pretty good and had a slight kick to them. The brisket had a nice smoke ring which is a quality indicator and which was nice to see. It tasted pretty good but obviously it's nothing like you can get south of the Mason Dixon line. They have a sauce area next to the pickup counter where there's a ton of various BBQ sauces that you can put on your food - all kinds of style from hot to vinegary. It's actually kind of nice to have those choices. Although Boston isn't a great BBQ city, this small, local chain remains one of the go-to spots for a reliable, affordable and decent meal. It's clean, affordable and quick; hell, you can even order by phone if you're in a hurry and pick it up - you'll save a few minutes. Not that they are slow or anything...
(3)
mike s.
My girlfriend picked up some takeout the other night. Pulled pork and brisket. Today we are both so sick with stomach pains and vomiting that I think we got serious food poisoning. Never again blue ribbon! Please inspect your facility, food storage and food preparation.
(1)
Dylan C.
I've only had the pulled pork sandwich so I cant comment on the whole menu but if your in the mood for some good bbq try out blue ribbon
(2)
Bobara B.
As a Southerner living in New England, I can say that Blue Ribbon has the best and most authentic barbecue and Southern food that I've had outside of the South. The meats, the sides, the sauces, and even the smoky smell of the restaurant's interior are enough to convince me, even if just momentarily, that I'm at a barbecue joint in Memphis, Birmingham, or Durham, and not Arlington, Massachusetts. Frankly, I was surprised at how good it was. We Southerners, when eating "Southern" food outside of the South, probably feel a lot like immigrants to the United States when eating at restaurants which prepare the cuisines of their home countries. I'm sure you've all seen reviews on Yelp which read something like "sure, this place has a fine adaptation of Chana Masala, but it's nothing like the stuff I get back in the Punjab." Well that hardly happened to me here. The only thing that might have been a little different than expected was the collard greens, but they were still pretty good. I especially liked their housemade sauces, in particularly the extra extra spicy sauce on the pulled pork.
(5)
David M.
I've been coming here since around the time they opened back in 2004. We no longer live in the area, but while recently visiting on a business trip I got food for myself to take back to my hotel. The quality, flavor, taste, etc was exactly as I remembered. Great place for BBQ!
(5)
Laura L.
After visiting Texas years and years ago, I stopped ordering brisket, because nothing outside of Texas tasted as good... until I found Blue Ribbon. Amazing. And they give you a pretty good portion, so that I eat it over two meals (YMMV of course). I should try some of their other dishes, but can't stop ordering brisket ...
(5)
Carole B.
I did not care for the food. Having recently moved here from the Midwest, I found the BBQ disappointing. Perhaps it has to do with the different styles of BBQ, and this is a style that I do not care for. I think this is a Carolina style with thin sauces where the vinegar is prominent. I also did not find the sides to be all that good either.
(2)
Ed F.
Great brisket, tender and well smoked. The hot sauce had just enough bite. Huge sides of slaw and beans were winners too. Apple cobbler topped off a great dinner.
(5)
Conor S.
If you eat meat, live in Newton, and haven't been here yet, you're doing it wrong. If you gave up meat, here's a great place to start again.
(4)
Helen S.
Pretty yum. I tried a few things from here when I was in Boston for a research conference. Brisket - 5/5 my god this was tasty BBQ chicken - 5/5, also cause I'm partial to chicken Ribs - 3/5, dece but not falling off the bone delicious Pulled chicken - 3/5, it was decent Cornbread - 4 yummy Averages out to 4 stars exactly
(4)
Claire W.
Great pulled pork. I love getting a platter which has a side of corn bread rather than getting a pulled pork sandwich. I'll take corn bread over a bun any day. So far, the green beans and the baked beans are my favorite sides. They are a great pairing of savory, bacon green beans against the sweetness of the baked beans. The pickled beet salad is also tasty. I would not order the succotash again though since I found it bland. I really like all the BBQ sauces on the counter. The mustard is tasty, the Carolina vinegar is just like I remember from the NC coast, and the gold BBQ sauce is my favorite, but it is most fun to try them all. It's so much food for $13. I get two meals out of it. Sometimes, I like to use the leftovers on a salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
(5)
Ken M.
YUM!
(4)
Charlotte K.
Well, I've been eating here for years, and I am certainly a fan of their food. But something is going on at this location that is not a good trend. The food is slow cooked, which is great, but the exceedingly slow service to get takeout is a new problem, that seems to be exacerbated by the current weeknight evening crew. They spend a lot of time in jolly conversation with each other, and it is now taking as long as 20 minutes for them to transfer the food from the line to the Styrofoam box (and by the way, can't you use something besides styro?). If the sides were being prepared while you wait I'd happily wait 20 minutes, but it's sitting there on a steam table in front of them. Last night I watched while they had to fix twice a totally mixed up side dish order for some other customers (who were a lot more patient than I would would have been). I think management needs to pay a visit, or send some anonymous minders. Something's not quite right here. I can't speak for daytime or weekends, when I rarely go. But weekday evenings are kind of a mess.
(3)
Williams J.
Delicious!! Nice folks too. A bit pricey but if I spent the time they do making this stuff guess I'd charge for it too. Love it.
(5)
Kelly C.
YUM! This definitely hit the spot. Wet ribs, and burnt ends.... So flavorful. The meat fell off the ribs (which technically is overcooked, but just the way I like them) I think I have watched to much Steve Raichlen thanks to hubby. GAH!!! Why were all the sides so salty though! Green beans were my favorite soft consistancy, and the beans were tasty (usually not a fan) Cornbread was good too. Wish this place was 4 times bigger with comfy booths...We ended up getting it to go because the place was crammed at 1pm on Presidents Day! And the best surprise...they had King Cake! YUM for this LA gal.
(4)
Lori B.
My husband & I had been looking for a good place for BBQ since our favorite spot in Manchester NH closed. Well, we found it!!! I could tell this was going to be good when we could smell it down the street! We opened the door & it was BBQ heaven! I'm not going to write a fancy review about how delicious the food is or how the richness of the sauces "enhance the delicately smoky flavor"...this place doesn't warrant a fancy review. Why??? Well, for starters, you walk in and the place is straight out of something that my mom & dad would go to on a date in the 50's. It has 3 steel tables and a steel counter with about 8 stools (the kind that you would find at an old-school drug store or ice cream shop "back in the day"). It was a delight to walk into a place that hadn't changed with the times! And that's VERY GOOD! What about the food you say??? It's amazing...everything that we ordered was amazing! EXACTLY what BBQ should be! Just try it..... We live over 90 minutes away & would not hesitate to go back at a moments notice!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
kathy r.
We have a big debate in our family, of Redbones vs. Village Smokehouse vs. Blue Ribbon. Although we're partial to Village Smokehouse, we've moved away from Brookline so we were introduced to Blue Ribbon. I actually had it catered for my husband's birthday party, and the guests were all really excited. I like the pulled pork and beef brisket- they're a little dry until you add the yummy sauce (I like the sweet rather than hot) - the beans and rice can be a little dry too, but again- sauce is the key. I like getting a bunch of quart containers and having a mix and match dinner rather than the platter. If it's cold out, seats are limited- but the outside option is nice in good weather.
(4)Devon R.
Oh sweet BBQ goodness Blue Ribbon is tasty. It's hard not to compare Blue Ribbon to Red Bones, especially since they are relatively close together. Redbones has always been a fav of mine but I have to say that Blue Ribbon holds it's own. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that their ribs weren't quite as good to me as Red Bones. They do however have awesome burnt ends...mmmmmmm...burnt ends. The jerk chicken is also incredible, the spicy rub def jumps out at you but it's sooo juicy and delicious, Jerk chicken may not be the first thing you think of when you're talking BBQ, but give it a try it rocks. I still have not tried their Mac & Cheese which I hear is legendary, so perhaps once that happens the fifth star will be earned.
(4)Brandon W.
I love BBQ. I love ribs. I especially love Memphis style ribs - both wet and dry. I was really looking forward to a rib meal when I saw all the glowing reviews. The first thing that surprised me was that Blues offered their Memphis dry rib platter in 1/3 or 1/2 slab with two sides. Having eaten ribs in Memphis, Chattanooga, Kansas City, etc, I know I can easily devour a full slab so I was surprised that the meal topped up at 1/2 slab. It was only when I got my platter that I realized that the ribs were huge and not the baby back ribs that I was used to eating in the mid-west and south. Worse, they were tough (not your fall-off-the-bone type ribs). I was so disappointed with the ribs that I only half ate four of the ribs before giving up. The sides were OK - the mash potato was great, the slaw was kind of limp.
(3)Joe U.
I really LIKE Blue Ribbon...I want to give it 5 stars because I met one of the founders and he's a great guy. Also, they're *cheap* for bbq. Plus, there just isn't much competition in the area. They knock out the over-rated Redbones (there was an era when Redbones was the only serious 'cue in town, but that's history). Blue Ribbon is my go-to place for 'cue because it's affordable and quick. Their sides are good and their meats are good. Their sauces and cornbread are 4.5 stars. I just wish their meats were a bit better...my view of Blue Ribbon is, "if it can be dry, it will be dry." In other words, don't get anything that can be dry. The pulled pork and burnt ends are in sauce, so they can't be that dry. The *wet* ribs are not dry. Their regular ribs can be dry, so I don't like to play russian roulette with it. The same goes for their brisket. Actually, I'm going there today and will try their brisket one more time, because a friend raved about it. [Time lapse]. OK tried their brisket...wow, it was not dry...in fact, it was extremely moist and tender. Now the bad part - I have never tasted such brisket...I mean that almost literally; I couldn't taste it because there was little taste. It was big and meaty, but tasted so bland. OK, they give sauce, but how can meat have so little taste? I felt and tasted almost as if part of the cooking was steaming or boiling. That's fine for veggies and soups, but not bbq. I mean, there was no smokiness at all. It was 3-stars for taste. In comparison, I just had Soul Fire brisket. Soul Fire does not have the best brisket in town, but it had so much more taste, plus a nice red smoke ring. Now that's more like it.
(4)R. B.
I finally remembered to try Blue Ribbon when I happened to be in Arlington. Glad I did. Pulled chicken dinner was good- and they give you alot. I covered it in the yummy BBQ sauces they have out. Wasn't crazy about the rice and beans, they took some rice and slapped a pile of beans on top. I thought it was going to be, y'know, rice and beans mixed together and cooked with seasonings. My main problem with the place is there's not enough seating. And one other suggestion for them- we need soft butter for the cornbread!
(4)Cara P.
How could I forget to review Blue Ribbon? If you ever get a chance to stop in do so. Actually, try to go out of your way to check this place out. The other location that I know of and was so blessed to work next to for seven years, was in Newton. Now, when I worked in Newton everyone got salads. I don't know why. We would go and pick up 12 salads. Pulled chicken or pulled pork. Cornbread crotons, yummy dressing. Mouthwatering........you get the picture......the bonus was the big hunk of warm buttery cornbread that wasn't dry........ Doesn't it seem a bit ironic we all got salads with a huge plop of pulled pork and slab of cornbread. I don't know. That is what they did before i came. and that is what I did when I started working there. Maybe it was easier for the people picking it up to place the orders. So fast forward to my own trip to Blue Ribbon to the arlingon location.....we always get take out because it is just to small to eat in there.... I have ordered and enjoyed the green beans, chilli mac and cheese, pulled pork, mashed and sweet potatoes and the pulled pork burritos. Trust me. I have never had "real" down south BBQ. So take my review with a grain of salt. I still think I know what tastes good though! The pulled pork burritos by far, surpass everything else I have ordered. Don't expect delivery, frills or any pretentious folks here ......you leave with a bunch of food, platic knives and forks, styrofoam plates, some excellent sweet tea and a lot of BBQ goodness.... Also, the corn bread was a bit more dry at this location versus the Newton location....but that's ok......Oh and even if you eat a salad you can end up in a serious comatose state from the cornbread crotons and the sugar in the salad dressing.......so just be prepared to eat at home and relax afterwards. This isn't the type of food you can eat and "go" This place blows RedBones, dry out of the water for the simple fact that I couldn't get past the atmosphere and judgmental pricks at RB to order a real meal........ Yup, this isn't a "let's be wicked cool and order a ton of beers while being really loud in plaid shirts and baseball caps" kinda place like RedBones is.
(3)Bob W.
Blue Ribbon is awesome. If you like BBQ, it doesn't get any better at least in new england. Very reasonably priced. Try the beef brisket or pulled pork. Baked beans are very good. Friendly service too.
(5)Doris K.
Amazing! I love this place and I'm from Texas where we know how to cook BBQ! I love that they have a variety of sides to choose from, and their brisket...DIVINE! They cook it perfectly and the meats are moist. They also have many different types of BBQ sauces, and the XXX hot is spicy so don't just pour it over your plate without thinking. I love their mashed potatoes, dirty rice, and baked beans. I have never had their desserts but I have heard many good things. I am not sure but one down side is that they do not offer alcohol. Another bad thing is that they close early, 9 pm. I tried Redbones and they certainly cannot compare to this place. It's a gem.
(5)Craig R.
Loved this place when i lived across the street. they had awesome brownies and their grilled flatbread is to die for ..no really ..it is. The food is good. Not too many tables so the place does alot of carry out but they serve up somne tasty food - ribs, corn bread and the pulled pork .... Eat here ...now ...you know you want to!
(4)Alec Y.
oh my dear lord. heaven in my mouth. barbeque food is one of the best things ever. but it's hard to do it right. to really make something melt in your mouth good, it takes a lot of time and care. blue ribbon is so good. ever since first having it, i couldn't believe i was living the first half of my life never having this every moment of my life. my favorite thing here by far, is their brisket. i love it. i love how easily the meet just falls apart in your mouth. i love how juicy and fatty each piece is. it's like butter, but protein. there really isn't much else to say about blue ribbon. the decor is almost diner-esque, but it's super unique. they have license plates up on the wall of almost every state. it's a classic bbq place.
(5)Mark B.
Love this place. My go too bbq place. Great ribs. Pulled pork is so smokey it is lovely. The best sauces, especially mustard style and carolina vinegar style. Burnt ends are great. Jerk chicken is delicious. Not a big sides guy but sides are good here. Especially love collard greens and coleslaw.
(5)Jim H.
If your idea of ribs is Chilis and the "give me my baby back" jingle, then this is not the place for you. But if when you hear BBQ, you think southwest Texas, 95 degrees in the shade and miles of dirt roads interrupted by smoke pits that may actually cause you to think about moving to the middle of nowhere just to be near a plate of burnt ends that are actually, well, burnt, then save yourself the trip and pick up a Blue Ribbon feedbag on your way home. No, it does not rank up there with the best of regional authentic BBQ our friends in the south are lucky enough to claim as their own--but we live in Massachusetts and the fact that we can come this close is reason enough to be grateful for our lot in life.
(4)Valeria H.
Had Blue Ribbon cater a party for me last year...and it was a HUGE success. Everything was delicious, the prices were fair and the portion sizes were enormous, which was great for our party! They delivered everything to our home hot and in convenient containers (and on time!). They supplied us with their sauces and pickles. We got a variety of food to accomodate our guests...everyone from meat eaters to vegetarians. All the guests loved the pulled pork, sausage, pulled chicken and mac n cheese, mashed potatoes...and of course the corn bread! I don't know what this side dish is called but I loved it, it was spinach mixed with beans with a hint of smoked bacon or something and galricy- real good! Their mashed potatoes rocked too. (Now I want to run there to get some!)
(4)Jason C.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Blows Red Bones away .
(5)JJ G.
I only wish it was closer..., maybe that would mess it up, though. Part of the charm must be that it's laid back out in the nowhereville of outer Arlington I don't think that any other BBQ place in the area can compete or compare. This is head and shoulders above the rest, don't go anywhere else cuz you are just wasting time and gas, BBQ And yes, Lisa S., the desserts are Mmm Mmm Good!!
(5)Julie H.
Don't be put off by the awful cornbread: the BBQ is great.
(4)Kristen W.
Excellent BBQ. In greater Boston. From what I hear from southern ex pats it is pretty dang close to the real deal in TN or the Carolinas. Nuff said? Nah - I'd best say more: This place puts out generous helpings of consistently delicious BBQ offerings. Love love love the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Have been back several times but have not tried the chicken, which looks good - but being the carnivore that I am - I cannot pull myself away from ordering the brisket on repeat visits. In addition to some standard smoky and vinegary bbq sauces on the side, there is a yellow BBQ sauce that has a bit of curry flavor with a hint of pineapple/citrus - it is like hawaiian BBQ. I like it but I think a better compliment to their food would be the mustard based Charleston, South Carolina bbq I have coveted since visiting there in April. That stuff is so good and I know that if Bostonians are introduced to it they will hanker for it as much as I do when eating BBQ now. Someone bring it on the menu or tell me where I can find some succulent charleston barbecue locally!!! The sides are also much better than the average BBQ joint sides - some unique ones: cucumber salad, a really great flavorful potato salad, crisp and fresh cole slaw, beans. YUM. This place is scant on the seating but take-out is packaged up so nicely, why not take your meal home and put out anice spread and enjoy your feast with a cold beer? Perfect! If you have room left after inhaling your meat - it may take a few hours - Blue Ribbon has a few tasty desserts: home-made of course. Few folks walk out of this place without taking home a cobbler (blueberry -peach blend I believe). I found the key lime pie to be really tasty - that perfect combination of sweet and tart. I recall there being pecan pie and brownies on one occasion but have not been able to pull myself from my love affair with the key lime pie. You will not be disappointed here.
(5)Daniel K.
IMO best BBQ in Boston (area). For those of you unfamiliar with Boston, some nearby cities make up a part of the Boston area and are essentially for all intents and purposes part of Boston, places like Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Revere are included in this list.
(4)Laura H.
Delicious delicious BBQ. We had the pulled pork, jerk chicken (amazing), collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn & beans & rice. The food was all great and I think it cost less than $25. So good. The only thing is that the corn bread was kind of dry and crumbly. The place looks kind of small (we got takeout), but has a fun ambiance. We will definitely be going back!
(4)Pamela P.
Good BBQ for New England...my review is for the one in Newton. When I worked in Newton we used to get our catering from Blue Ribbon...it's head and shoulders above Redbones. When I first moved to Boston Redbones was THE BBQ place (that was 9 years ago) but alas things have changed and they are no longer of the quality one expects for those kinds of prices. So Thank Ye Gods there was Blue Ribbon to take its place! Blue Ribbon is the best BBQ I have been able to find in the Boston-area...of course I am always on the lookout for good BBQ as it is a rare treasure indeed... As a side-note I have been pleasantly surprised by a little place called Tennessee BBQ in Braintree...their chicken is great...one time I got the jerk chicken and it was even better than Blue Ribbon's (but this was a one-time deal so it could have been a freak occurrence....). Anyway, Blue Ribbon...check it out.
(4)Taishi T.
"The best burrito in the East!" I used to live right around the corner of the West Newton branch, and I used to go in at least twice a week or when visitors came into town. My friends would come to see a Sox game and then whine about going to Blue Ribbon before we go to the game. And, did I even protest, no. This had to be the best burrito I ever had till I went out to California and then that all changed, But the jerk chicken burrito is a special to die for. The staff are colorful and entertaining, the burritos are ginormous. And I go nuts with all the sauces that you can fill those little mini sauce cups with. Of course I always get the suicide one and just sit back after a few bites and just reflect on how lucky we really are to live in such a great country. So if I haven't sold you on these burritos then just go there and I won't have to tell you, "I told you so".
(4)Steve N.
this is the Real Deal for this area. out of about 7 visits over the past year i've only been disappointed once when the ribs didn't have a smoke ring. the sides are solid too with the collards being a real stand-out. if they served beer they'd be 5 star.
(4)Joyce K.
When we pulled up, my friend actually called someone to look up the Blue Ribbon BBQ on yelp to check if we came to the right place...that's how ugly it is. However, I completely justify it's ugliness as a part of its charm. I'm from Texas and I've never seen a BBQ joint with matching curtains or anything remotely chic. That would just be odd. We sat down for two seconds on the barstools facing the big window when they called out our order number. Speedy. I kind of stared at my pulled chicken sandwich in a suspicious way because it was all wrapped up in wax paper. But once I opened it, I was so glad I did! It was so moist and the juices dripped unto the bun making the flavors unite into one tasty bite of BBQ pulled pork! I would not recommend the green beans, they were soggy and tasted like something straight out of the can. The black eyed corn is delicious as are the collard greens and beans and rice. The corn bread is so mediocre that I didn't bother eating it. My friend loved his Jamaican Jerk half chicken, moist, woody, flavorful. The workers are the friendliest that I've met in any restaurant. Everything is a little too salty so I would only come here once a month or so in fear of clogging my arteries.
(4)H Y.
Ribs, sausages, pork, cornbread, potatoes; they are all here in this little storefront. All the sauces you need to indulge. Affordable BBQ? Wow. And it's in Arlington. Who would have thunk it. Ribs and brisket are outstanding. The chicken is juicy. Even the sides are up to the task. They give plenty of meat in their portions. Complaints? it's kind of small and parking is tricky (try parking in the lot across from the front). The only thing they are missing is a scale to sell the meat by the pound to you like they do in Texas. I don't want six ribs. I want six pounds of ribs!
(4)Maria P.
I have never had bbq before (I mean bbq on a grill cooked in the backyard sure, but I've never had bbq from a restaurant before). A friend and I decided to check this place out over a long weekend and I'm so glad we did. The food here is amazing (just like all the other reviews state). I got the Kansas City Burnt Ends bbq sandwich and it came with beans and coleslaw. It was perfectly sauced and cooked, had that amazing smoky flavor and the tips were burnt well just as I had requested. The ordering experience was difficult only because I had a hard time picking what to eat but the staff was friendly and waited patiently for me to make my choice. The restaurant itself is quite small but we were able to snag a table. This definitely isn't a place to linger over your meal as they focus on volume but it's a great lunch spot (that leaves you unable to eat dinner as their portions are huge). The food isn't expensive at all; in fact it's a downright bargain! I will definitely be back for some delicious bbq that will warm me right up in the middle of Boston's frigid winter.
(5)Ethan M.
Delicious Jamaican Jerk Chicken with black-eyed corn and corn bread. Tasty Barbeque Pulled Chicken platter. Lemonade. Outdoor seating on Mass. Ave. 1950s southern-US diner atmosphere adorned with antique license plates and an Elvis figurine. Choice rock music playing loudly in the background. Welcome to heaven.
(5)Ben L.
It's not every day that I wander off the beaten path and it's even more in frequent that I go to Arlington but this time it was totally worth it. I didn't go there because friends told me to go there. I hadn't heard stellar acclimation about it. I was passing by and what... what's that? my stomach want's some bbq? Hey, I wasn't going to argue with that. Yes they have signs that point you to the ordering area over to the left but it still took me a couple of moments to go over. Their menu options are on boards that hang from an odd gate contraption that dangles from the ceiling. As I was gazing up trying to get a grasp of their menu options some other people wandered in so it was time to order. First thing is to ask what is good and after I got the helpful reply "everything is good" I go to the old fall back ordering routine. Order a plate option and pick all of the details as quickly as I can. After I had ordered I went over to fill up my fountain drink and just as soon as I had finished they called my number and handed me a plate that looked like my rations for a week. Everything was good but but Their mashed potatoes were so smooth that I though they were trying to sell me a Mercedes. They had all the creamy texture of instant mashed potatoes. The ones that your parents always told you were nothing but powder and water but seemed like ever so much more. Yet in these potatoes there was real flavor and little bits of potato that had some how evaded the process hat had so surely handled the rest. Then there were the little bits of skin that hugged parts of the mash. Still holding on as truly representing the potato that was. That in a way still is. Well the mashed potatoes were really good. tip - bring a friend, take part of you meal home with you, or bring an EMT.
(4)Rob C.
If Jake's Big Boss BBQ of Jamaica Plain, Boston was still in operation, I would say Blue Ribbon would be a slight step behind them. Now with no direct competition that is even at the level of blue ribbon in the Boston area, they are hands down, outstanding. You will find seating can be difficult at times but the food is outstanding. They have a good selection of BBQ sauce if you like to cover up your meat, but it does not need it. BBQ sauce is a condiment and should not cover up a meats flavor. Texas road house, Outback, any of those, just don't offer BBQ like Blue Ribbon. This is a touch of the south in the Boston area. Someone mentioned Uncle Pete's in a review that resides in the revere area. This is a very odd establishment that seems to almost have oriental style BBQ. The ribs are the only strong point, and they don't hold a candle to blue ribbon. My only dislike with blue ribbon is they do not offer baby back ribs...... If you find them closed.....Redbones is an option if you want to drive off to Somerville. But they are not as good.
(4)John M.
Yelp's 2-star description is "Meh. I've experienced better." That's pretty much exactly how I felt after trying this place. It had some decent things, but I won't go out of my way to go back. Maybe we were there on a bad night, but it was nothing like most of the reviews I see here. Between me and my wife, we tried a lot of things from the menu, since we were looking to sample things from a new place: pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs, burnt ends, baked beans, regular beans, cole slaw, collard greens, and corn bread. For the meats -- Pulled pork had a lot of large chunks of pork rather than what most people expect for "pulled" pork, and what was smaller looked more "chopped" than "pulled," sort of lightly processed carnitas without much flavor. Tender, but not a lot to taste: this is the kind of pulled pork you need to sauce yourself. Jerk chicken was tender, and a bit of spice on the skin, but again not very flavorful: not what one thinks of with a typical spicy jerk chicken. Ribs were awful. Again, this may have been an off night or something, but I felt like I was eating a piece of bad pork roast on a bone with a (rather nice, but again not very strong) spice blend. The burnt ends were the only meat we had with decent flavor, though they were hardly "burnt ends" -- more like chopped brisket with a few real burnt ends mixed in. (Those who have had burnt ends in the South know what they are supposed to be.) For the sides -- overall, better than the meats, but still not exceptional. Baked beans were quite good, with a strong molasses flavor, but the regular beans had a very strong and rather unusual spice blend -- my wife refused to eat more than one bite, and she loves beans. Cole slaw was pretty good, but tasted a little old. Collard greens were okay (not my thing, so I won't judge them). About the only thing I can give real praise to (other than the baked beans, which is more of a Boston dish than Southern BBQ) was the cornbread. Still takes a more Northern (sweeter) style than Southern, but much tastier than I've had at just about any other restaurant around the Boston area. To sum up -- mostly relatively flavorless meats combined with oddly or overspiced side dishes. The portions are generous, but after we finished about half of our oversize dinners, we threw the rest in the trash. (And we very rarely waste food.) The food just wasn't good enough to justify the calorie intake. Although I lived in the South for a couple years and am familiar with various types of Southern BBQ, I'm not judging this place by those standards. I'm looking at places like Red Bones and other BBQ joints around here. And from a rather large selection of the menu, I'm pretty unimpressed.
(2)Space O.
On a Friday at lunch time, we decided to check out the Blue Ribbon BBQ. I was undecided - should I go with a platter for around $9, or just the sandwich for about $6.95? I decided on the brisket sandwich - glad I did, because I had more than enough to eat. The sides that came with the sandwich - baked beans and cole slaw, were excellent, just like the sandwich. When one thinks of BBQ, one also probably thinks of high fat and high calories. If you order carefully, you can get a very nutritious and low fat meal at Blue Ribbon. Beef brisket is a lean cut of meat, but the BBQ cooking process adds a lot of flavor more common of higher fat content meats. Definitely consider the Blue Ribbon BBQ for a good quality, inexpensive meal. Not much seating indoors, so when the place is busy, plan on taking your meal to go or sitting outside.
(4)Katherine I.
The tender barbequed meats are good alone, but the serve-yourself-sauces are their mojo - and it's working. There's a flavor for every taste. Some of their sauce choices make a face flush and tingly to the top of its skull. If you like that sort of hoodoo you'll be pleased to know they're not afraid of vinegar and habaneros here. Good ribs, good mac-n-cheese, rich and creamy mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn, perfect corn bread for sopping pot liquor, and grits. De-lish. Nearly everything a BBQ joint should be. The only things missing are more stools and southern accents. Bring your gris-gris bag because you'll need more than a lucky rabbit's foot or 4 leaf clover to protect you from their mojo.
(4)Rich O.
The best BBQ in Greater Boston. Period. I wish they had more seating, beer etc but based strictly on food there is no place better!
(5)Pito S.
Awesome BBQ. Never diisappoints.
(5)Hannah T.
A valient and much appreciated effort Blue Ribbon. Now, I love Barbeque and I liked Blue Ribbon, but they were lacking a few true barbeque essentials. Their pulled pork sandwhich was really good, nice and sloppy and enormous of course. But their sides, really disappointing. Their cornbread was yummy but the baked beans were a real disappointment. They tasted very ketchupy and hardly tasted of molasses at all. It tasted like pure ketchup with a few beans mixed in and that is just not cool with me. Baked beans should be, well bean-y, and they were not. The overall meal was really good, but was lacking in the side department. I like Blue Ribbon and would go back, but would definitely choose different sides.
(3)Jonathan G.
Hands down, the best bbq in Boston...one of my favorite places to eat! I moved away from Arlington a couple of years ago, and try to find an excuse to make a trip back, just for Blue Ribbon. I've heard complaints about the vinegar-based sauces...I think that's what makes them so good. The pulled pork is very good. So are the burnt ends, cole slaw, and beans. The soups are surprisingly good, made fresh, I think. I also love that you can load up on those delicious pickles and hot sauce at the condiment area. The (fresh?) lemonade is a must with the bbq. I have to agree that no beer is it's only negative. Silly Arlington puritan-value dry-town mentality!
(5)Tony S.
This place is overrated; the food is mass produced, lacks imagination, and tastes ordinary. Popularity is no substitute for quality and neither is quantity. Pay attention to the flavors and you'll agree with me.
(2)Christina K.
Been here once. Got the whole chicken with mash potatoes. The potatoes here are good. The chicken was tasty, not too dry and pretty flavorful. Would go back again. Menu (on the chalk boards) are a little hard to decipher but just grab a paper menu and its all good.
(4)Kristin T.
YUM!!! I love the ribs but I have to say that I almost love the sauces more. The variety is great and I'm a fan of all of them.
(4)Jennifer M.
I love this place. It's everything you expect from a good southern bbq joint --- except it's also clean.
(5)Rooster L.
This place is good....yummy good. It is appropriately priced for BBQ. I got the $6.99 Burnt Ends sandwich with two sides and it was ALOT of food. The collard greens are fantastic and the black eye corn (black eyed peas with corn) was also good. My boyfriend got the 1/3rd of a slab, a nice selection if you are not too hungry but still want ribs. They also have 1/2 slab and full slab. The platters come with two side and cornbread. I agree with another reviewer - the cornbread was the worst part of the meal - cold and dry. Beans and mashed potatoes are great! They have all the sauces out for you to try which I like. My favorite were the the NC vinegar (especially over the collard greens) and the BBQ hot. I can't say any of the sauces were amazing (why it didn't get 5 stars) but out of the selection you should be able to find something you like. I like the decor too. Good spot if you just want some old fashion bbq and don't want to pay a fortune.
(4)Luke R.
Best. BBQ. In. Boston.
(5)Joseph T.
Everything here is just terrific. Ingredients are always fresh and flavorful. Brisket's fine. The sides are tasty. Yes, they only serve one style of ribs--and they're delicious, juicy, meaty and falling off the bone. Way better than Redbones, even if the menu is more limited.
(4)Walter S.
Meatloaf sandwich was great. My 1st time eating here. I'll definitely be back
(4)Kelsey G.
This place was super good! Their pull pork sandwich was amazing and the cornbread was just as good as my mom's homemade! Anyone looking for some authentic BBQ near Boston should definitely check this place out.
(4)Anonymous P.
I'm generally of the mindset that "All-American food" isn't worth eating, but a place like this can change my mind. An hour later I can still taste the smokiness of my chicken and the hot, garlicky BBQ sauce and habenero vinegar they put out among many condiments. It's not perfect BBQ, but it's good. What I really liked, and what will draw me back, is that the menu has a lot of variety: several fish options, interesting sides, and desserts that sound amazing. Too bad I'm on a diet. But another nice thing is that you can easily order a healthy, low-calorie meal. There are sides like blackeyed peas with corn, beet salad, and collard greens, to go along with fish and chicken main dishes. Even a strict vegetarian could do well here. A vegan is probably stuck with their veggie burrito, no cheese. I like the atmosphere inside, and I like the food better than at Redbones. Of course, Redbones is much larger and has an excellent beer selection, so I'll still go there often. I wish I could wash Blue Ribbon's BBQ down with a hoppy India Pale Ale. Weird that they don't serve alcohol.
(5)J S.
Ok, if you're at least from Texas or Oklahoma, you are going to be disappointed, i just have to say that first. Maybe this is fantastic for northern bbq. I got brisket. The meat quality was fine but quite dry. The barbeque had 3 options, hot, sweet, and golden. These were ok but none of the 3 were "good". The cornbread was burnt but ok. They have no fried okra or baked potatoes. The amount of food was a lot- my large bf and I were able to split a double meat plate with leftovers to spare. I will say that the pulled pork my friend got was good and juicy. The atmosphere was actually pretty cool.
(2)S B.
this place is GREAT. After moving out of time, I would sometimes drive back just to come here. The pulled pork is just perfect. The cornbread is beyond delicious. And i love all the sides - potatoes, rice, etc. Don't forget to get some pie for dessert! Mmmm
(4)Daniel S.
Best barbecue I've tasted, and consistently good. Staff is friendly, sides are delicious, and there is always variety thanks to the chalkboard specials and rotating sides. Seating is sparse, so I like to go at off hours. I've had some successes and some failures with the specials, but its probably more to do with my tastes than their cooking. I now go with the burnt ends platter every time and I'm never disappointed. If you eat in you can ask for a top when you finish up and just take you tray with you. If you get stuff to go it comes in styrofoam. The cookies are also quite good but tend to run out by dinner time. Peach cobbler was fine, one of these days I'll try the pecan pie when I'm not totally stuffed after all that meat and potatoes and cornbread and greens...
(5)Carol M.
OK, so the food is much hotter than I expected (pulled pork & baked beans). The beans I couldn't finish cuz they were so hot. The sauce on the pulled pork is extremely greasy...it leaked all over my car. I'm used to more of a sweet & zesty BBQ. This is a very different acid, vinegar type sauce...which as one previous reviewer mentioned...reminds me of formalin. I actually poured a bottle of BBQ sauce I had in the fridge over it but still didn't make it through more than half. The cornbread was dry & not all that great. The only shining star on my plate was the mashed potatoes. Creamy, yummy goodness.
(1)Derek L.
Growing up around the Memphis area has me on a barbecue quest up here. After a visit to Redbones, Blue Ribbon was the next stop. The dry-rub ribs were edible, but not quite what they're supposed to be. Memphis places put a lot more seasoning on them, for one, and (like much outside-the-region barbecue), these just aren't cooked long and slow enough. You can tell from the way they're sliced cleanly with a sharp knife - they need to be, with a somewhat chewy baked-pork feel. There's surprisingly little wood smoke in them, as well. I did appreciate, though, that they're not soaking in a sticky sauce. I also had the Kansas City burnt ends. There wasn't too much burnt-end feel to what I got, and the meat tasted a bit like it had cooked in the sauce (sort of a pot-roasty effect). Like the ribs, it wasn't bad, but not quite what you'd expect, either. The beans and slaw sides were just fine, and wouldn't raise an eyebrow anywhere in the South. The cornbread was on the dry side, though - and anyway, it's surprising how seldom you get cornbread with barbecue down where both of them are from. In West Tennessee, you're more likely to get a bag of potato chips than you are a piece of cornbread. I'll be back, at any rate, to try the pulled pork, which at least looked decent. (Not sure if it'll have enough hickory wood in it, though). And it's always important to remember how much barbecue varies even in its homeland. For example, a couple of years ago, I saw the natives in the Tidewater part of Virginia lining up at a venerable local barbecue restaurant whose pork sandwiches, to me, tasted like honey-sweetened sloppy joes. . .
(3)Mona M.
The portions are gigantic, the prices are good, and the food is down home fantastic. The husband and I stopped in here for the curb appeal and left in a BBQ coma. The staff was very friendly as well. I grew up in the south, and a visit to Blue-Ribbon BBQ reminded me a lot of home. I just wish there was one closer to the city, as it's a great lunch!
(5)M. Deloris D.
For quality and value, this place beats the pants off of Redbones. I have only one bad thing to say about Blue Ribbon: they won't deliver the barbecue to my living room and place it on my belly so I can eat in my preferred reclining position. Fortunately, I can see past this and, it has not affected their star rating. Blue Ribbon BBQ is just downright delicious and reasonably priced. My roommate and I often split a duo for dinner and have enough leftovers for both of us to take lunch the next day. My 6'5" 300lb dad and I (not a dainty girl mind you) split a trio and weren't able to finish it. Blue Ribbon is definitely first place barbecue. It makes my belly HAAAAAAAAPY. Yummy in my tummy.
(5)aaron t.
I've got to say this place rockss for bbq compared to everything else out here in Boston. I'm mighty picky when it comes to bbq since I'm from the midwest, but this place has some great meat! Small, rustic, to go style restaurant. Great prices, tender meats, friendly staff!
(4)Jason K.
I love Redbones - but I worship Blue Ribbon. What they lack in rib variety they make up for in taste and freshness. The ribs are simply remarkable, and make people I know who don't like ribs eat them. There is a minor downside of the place: it's take-out style set-up. To me this is a minor drawback in terms of being able to sit down and eat there, but the upside your expectations of getting a seat are pretty low. They also don;t serve beer, but that doesn't bother me given the aforementioned seating issue.
(5)Dave M.
just look at the reviews - there's nothing I can really add. this place is good. and i mean REALLY good. I always go in telling myself, "ok i wont get platter..." ...ya, well, that changes the moment i walk through the front door and SMELL that tasty bbq sauce. they do everything good here. i love the corn bread that comes with the platters...and i love going to the bbq pumps and soaking it in some sexy southern sweetness. a friend of mine from south carolina visited and i brought him here -- now everytime he visits, he has to go there. its one of his top 3 bbq places he's ever eaten at. the food is great, the prices are avg, and parking is tough at times. just go, eat. enjoy. and get full!!
(5)Melissa B.
This is the best place to get BBQ in the Boston area (sorry Redbones!) We usually get it to go as there is not a whole lot of seating, but they package it well and is always still piping hot by the time we get it home. You have the option of having your BBQ in a sandwich which comes with baked beans, cole slaw & pickles or as a platter which comes with your choice of 2 sides, cornbread & pickles. Their cornbread is so yummy. They also have a bulk option when you are feeding a crowd (and they also cater). It's really hard to go wrong with Blue Ribbon.
(5)Jason W.
I'll admit it - my standards for barbecue are pretty high. I'm not just from NC - I'm from the BBQ capital of NC (Lexington). And god I miss the food... This place does a decent job for up here. The 'pulled pork' is good enough to stand on its own, not drenched in sauce like many places incorrectly do. Wish they served hush puppies. Also wish they'd offer chopped BBQ. And sweet tea would be good. Overall, great place relative to what else is around here. Satisfied my craving for a good BBQ sandwich.
(4)Abby R.
Love love love blue ribbon - by far the best BBQ place in the Boston area. We went to Red Bones and to Firefly's (apparently the best BBQ according to the Phantom Gourmet) and both paled in comparison. Blue Ribbon is really tasty, and even my husband loves it - and he's from southern Texas. He says "the taste is close to a real Texas BBQ house - the BBQ sauce is especially good." If you can't take a redneck's word - then who's word can you take? If you're not a big meat eater (I'm not) then I'd suggest the pulled chicken or the spicy chicken salad roll - very yummy! The only con here is that they don't serve beer, and they don't have great seating. Otherwise - 5 stars!
(5)Susan D.
I was not terribly impressed. This place lacks character. Doesn't serve mac and cheese. And the around the corner ordering area is weird and it's tough to get an idea of what they have because the writing on the chalk board is huge and so in your face. Would improve if they hired Trader Joe's chalkboard writer.
(1)michelle m.
So, I'm from St. Louis, so I think I can "talk the talk" about good BBQ. In fact, my old neighbor used to run his smoker all day every Sunday and the smell was heaven. So, the last time I was in Boston, I thought I'd give this place a try. I have to say I was very impressed. I got the beef brisket, which was quite good, although not overwhelmingly impressive. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich, and that, I must say, was fantastic! The smoke of the pork was mouthwatering, and it was so tender and yummy. If you are looking for a place to plunk down for a while and let the food digest, this is not the place. A few sparse bar stools up against the counter are about all the room you get. Luckily, we went during a weekday, so coveted counterspace was available. The staff were very friendly, and the sweet potato pie slice we got to go was pretty gosh darn good, too.
(4)Pete P.
i like blue ribbon's bbq better than any one else's... definitely better than redbones and barely better than east coast grill. the atmosphere is very much that of a typical take out joint. you arent going to bring a date to blue ribbon thats for sure. however, the food makes it worth the trip. their blackboard specials are always good - seriously, you cant go wrong with one of them. the bbq is never dry and their assortment/bar of sauces and vinegars is stellar and you get to take all you want! they also sell their sauce now - just ask at the counter. a lil trick? call in advance. you get to cut any line to pick up your phone order and since its best to take it away anyway, it is a super quick way to get your viddles. suggestions? for lunch, if they have the meatloaf sandy, get that. otherwise my fav is the spicy chicken rollup. the burritos are good but in no way mexican at all. the brisket sandy is better than the pulled pork one. if you are going to get a meat plate? get the trio and dedicate a good 30 mins or so to eat it - it's well worth it. PS - park across the st. in the stop and shop lot.
(4)Ken L.
went tonight for thre 1st time.....GREAT BBQ! not much seating though.... pulled chicken was very good, i liked the corn bread, but i loved the collard greens!! looking forward to going back soon
(4)Rinn S.
I like Blue Ribbon, but I've had better in Boston. Red Bones has more variety and serves beer, but Blue Ribbon does have better sauces. And by the way, Texan style is certainly not the end-all be-all of bbq, despite their claim as bbq authorities. Everyone has their own opinion of what constitutes the best bbq and I'm still searching for Eastern North Carolina chopped vinegar-sauced pork- the best there is, in my opinion. But Blue Ribbon will do the trick for most Bostonians.
(4)Jim S.
Best BBQ in Boston - no doubt. Redbones is ok if you want huge portions, but for real BBQ head to Blue Ribbon in Arlington or W. Newton. The gold sauce keeps me coming back every time. The photos of the food should be outlawed!
(5)Geoff T.
Okay, I'll admit it-- even though Redbones will always be my favorite hang out, the BBQ at Blue Ribbon beats it. It's probably the closest you are going to come to authentic BBQ in Boston (Redbones a close second). The ribs are great, available with different sauces, and the place just has that.... feel to it. Try the briskett and pulled pork. Authentic side dishes cooked the right way.
(5)Lizzy M.
As a Bostonian, I am not a seasoned bbq connoissuer, but I didn't really love this place. I thought it was greasy without purpose- it had all the heaviness without the flavor to back it up. It just didn't feel very fresh. GOOD FOR: mashed potatoes, corn.
(3)Emily H.
I have a great deal of love for the folks at Blue Ribbon on a number of levels. First, the take out. OH DEAR GOD YES. The pulled chicken is a particular favorite, the sauces have a nice tang, and I feel that all is well in the world. I can't add much here. However, their CATERING kicks ASS. Fo' serious. I ordered from them for a lunch meeting--I ordered for 20, and got enough to feed a freakin' army--for just about 10 bucks a head. The food was delicous, stayed warm (they double-tray everything), and the accoutrements were on-point. Plus, their delivery guy showed up totally on time (Even a bit early!) and was super helpful in setting things up, making sure I had my full order (they had forgotten serving spoons, and he told me who to call for a discount on the next order we made), and just all-around being good people. Other caterers I've worked with dump the food and peace out, so this was a special surprise. Plus, it's one of the few places where total carnivores and vegetarians (their rice and bean burrito is pretty good I guess) can be very happy.
(5)M J.
The food here rocks. I do have one complaint, however: I must speak up about the super scary looking, very large, severely hairy guy working the place weekdays. That facial hair has NO PLACE in the food service biz. It's a sanitary issue. I cringe at him tossing the potato salad and touching my food order - even in rubber gloves!
(5)Bill K.
Been going to the Blue Ribbon in Arlington for a few years and still love it. Most satisfying burrito (pulled pork!) in town. Costs more than the basic at Anna's but much better value. The sides are the best: potatoes are creamy and buttery, greens are really tasty and the oft' overlooked chocolate chip cookie is really good. And, as others have said, they have the best selection of sauces and vinegars around.
(5)W ..
Awesome. Get the 3 meat platter, trio I think it's called, and you'll be set for the next couple days. I always get weird looks when I order the trio. Maybe b/c I'm a girl. Little do they know, I'm from the south, and southern girls looooove their BBQ meat. The sausage, ribs, and brisket are my top 3. The burnt ends are a little too burnt for my liking, but to my friends, they're perfect. The collard greens and mac 'n cheese are good. They don't always have the mac 'n cheese though. The cornbread's a little dry, but that's okay, I don't come here for the cornbread, I come for the meat! Make sure you don't leave without getting some extra sauces too. Parking can suck sometimes. Sometimes we cheat and park at the Stop and Shop across the street, but we do that with the constant paranoia of being towed, so be warned.
(5)Mike Q.
As far as the food it not great not awful. The staff is so friendly. But what is BBQ with out beer. =(
(3)Joe R.
The pulled chicken sandwich with two sides is the greatest fast food carry out for adults. I share this place with many friends, and it's always a hit. The slaw and mashed potatoes are a hit with my teenagers, and I have them going here for fast food rather than the national chain. Victory!
(5)Ben R.
The Best BBQ in Boston!
(5)Jud P.
Ya, it's good. The best BBQ I have had in Boston. Go for the burnt ends or the pulled pork. Also has a good selection of different sauces to choose from. And trust me, you will not leave here hungry. The portions are gut-bustingly huge. Not many places to sit, and can get pretty busy, but it's good for take out too, so no worries. And yes, the food is way better then Redbone's (but no booze). Blue Ribbon rocks.
(5)Glen D.
Best BBQ I've had in the Boston area - puts Redbone's to shame. Tender meats, succulent sauces, perfect sides (I even like their cole slaw and I am *not* really a slaw fan!). Their menu always has some creative touches on it too, like the "BBQ burrito" or the fish sandwiches - but I always seem to come back to the burnt ends.... Definitely also try mixing 1/2 lemonade and 1/2 sweet tea for a perfect accompaniment. If you're eating there, it's best in the warm months when you can sit outside. But take out is always in season!
(5)Peter P.
Great food, great prices, and home-made pickles. Wow is all i can say about the pulled pork sandwich. I love Redbones in Davis square, but the Blue Ribbon BBQ puts it to shame. The selection of sauces you can add to your already great pulled pork sandwich is great, ranging from tasty and flavorful, to burn your mouth off.
(5)Heather B.
Damn tasty every time! Ribs, brisket, it's all good. For a treat, try the smoked cheeseburger.... YUM! Guys love BBQ so you might even have some cute boy eye candy to enjoy with your ribs!
(5)Brandon L.
As someone who lived too many years in Arlington (before it was hip with the yuppies and Starbucks) I cannot believe how over rated Blue Ribbon is... First of all, they mainly serve dry back BBQ...only one variety and if you happen to catch the dry end of the run, then you get very dry BBQ and if you catch it relatively fresh, then it can be some of the best bbq you ever had. Yes I know it's better than the Red Bones in Somerville before the gourmet beer drinking hip Davis Sq folks ruined it but to be fair Red Bones serve a lot of different varieties. Blue ribbon on a good night can have interesting apetizers on the board, soups and deserts. Watch out for the sauce though, if you pour too much it'll give you wicked indigestion.
(4)mike b.
I live right around the corner from this whole in the wall BBQ joint. I guess I've been staying away recently because I easily relapse into Blue Ribbon addiction. Two really close friends came to visit a few months ago and we ate there 3 out of the 4 nights they were in town. Yeah It's that good. If you are a fish fan, try their Cajun Catfish Sandwich.
(5)Emma L.
If you can't get to Redbones or you can't get to the 'hood or go South right this minute, Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great option for BBQ.
(5)Mary D.
I have loved this place for so long. I remember going here when I was about 12. I have gone only a handful of times [most likely for the best] with my dad and we love the mix-and-match plates. I love the food (although one complaint; a few things tastes remarkably different from back then, not as good.) I would go here every day if my heart could take it.
(5)Melissa A.
The best Bbq in the Boston area - hands down. Try their ribs (the meat truly does fall off the bone!) and their pork sandwiches are delicious!
(5)Laura B.
BBQ was good, but I wasn't blown away. I guess the minimal decor/comfort of the seating area is part of its charm. Go on a hot summer day for lunch and you might feel like the atmosphere is right...
(3)John D.
One of my friends from Somerville took me to this joint while I was in Cambridge for work. There was no wait time because it was an early dinner, around 530. I ordered the duo platter with the ribs and beef brisket with the baked beans and mashed potatoes as sides. The dipping sauces were also very good, I love spicy things so I got the XXX hot sauce, it put a little sweat on my brow but still had the traditional BBQ taste. Good stuff all around, I did NOT leave hungry or disappointed, that's for sure.
(4)Karman L.
Hole in a wall place. Great BBQQQ meat. I had the pulled pork, but it basically just melted in my mouth, and I don't even have to chew it. O my god. It was so good!!!
(5)Crystal K.
Way better than Redbones!!! The only drawback is that it's more of a takeout joint than a sit-down place. They only have a few tables unfortunately and don't serve any beer. Really some of the best BBQ you'll get for easily hundreds and hundreds of miles.
(5)Ben R.
Damn fine BBQ. Love their sauces, love their pulled pork, love their sides. It's all good.
(5)Juli W.
Definitely not one of my favorites for BBQ. To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't have babyback ribs, which could be part of the bigger problem. I also found the size of the sides disappointing. I definitely prefer Red Bones.
(2)Adrienne B.
I'm here for all the partners that may be brought here and do not enjoy bbq food. Their salads are totally good. And the sides are quite lovely- mashed potatoes- YUM and the corn bread is FAB. So next time your bbq loving partener wants to go and you start to complain, don't just get a salad and some sides and enjoy!
(4)Emily H.
My boyfriend and I recently moved to Arlington and we saw this place and couldn't resist. We have gotten takeout each time, and the food is so filling and they stuff the styrafoam container to the gills. Their hot sauce is AMAZING!!! I had ordered the 1/3 slab of ribs and they gave me 2 more ribs than they should have. The pulled pork sandwich is huge. This place definitely didn't disappoint me and I will keep ordering from them again and again. The only negative would be that there is no real atmosphere for sitting in the restaurant, plus its pretty small, which is why we have always done takeout.
(5)J. J.
Meat, meat, and more meat. It really doesn't hold a candle to any BBQ restaurants west of the Mississippi. However, as the local competition goes (what little of it there is), there're fine. Just set your expectations: you wouldn't expect to get fine French Country cuisine in the backwoods of Texas, would you? Don't expect much from BBQ in Arlington.
(2)Patrick B.
Consistently good with generous portions and a great selection of tasty sauces. Great for takeout or eating at one of the outdoor tables when the weather's nice.
(4)Rally P.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. Haven't been disappointed yet. Have to say I like it better than Redbones.
(4)Pat T.
I lived near the W. Newton location when it opened, and boy was I glad to find Blue Ribbon. The barbecue is very good and it is consistent. Very fast takeout service. Their lemonade and corn bread are quite good, and the desserts are tasty too.
(5)Jonny C.
One of the best BBQ places in Boston - festive atmosphere and mouthwatering spicy meats
(4)shawn g.
the pulled pork was as wet and sloppy as it should be, and the coleslaw was crisp, and surprisingly good. surprising since i never order coleslaw and i not only ordered it but ATE it as well here. the mashed taters were creamy with a good amount of red skins mixed in, but the cornbread could use just a bit more honey and butter. and where's the beer???? sit outside if you can handle the weather....
(3)shawnna r.
When my boyfriend and I drive up to this place to get our takeout, we start salivating. We usually pay a little under $20 for a pint of burnt ends and a side dish platter with three sides and a large cut of corn bread. This feeds us both lunch and dinner for at least the next 2-3 days. Now, I usually don't like to go out to lunch or dinner because I find it expensive, but that's under $5 a meal - I have a hard time cooking that tasty a meal for under $5 on my own so I consider it a real deal.
(5)Melissa B.
Not a lot of good 'cue options in Boston, and especially not on this side of the river. Blue Ribbon rocks. I love their daily specials and even their sandwiches are quite good. Love the mashed potatoes and baked beans. The ribs rock and you can choose from a variety of BBQ sauces to top off your meat - one for ribs, one for brisket, one for burnt ends. Mmmm.
(4)Arik C.
For a chain bbq type, this palce is pretty good. Much better than the Village Smokehouse, Firefly's or Tennessee's. Great pulled pork, ribs and their sides are all delicious. They sell their ribs and I have used it for my own ribs and was very happy. The sauces range from mild to hot and are fantastic. blueribbonbbq.com
(4)Greg S.
Mmm BBQ! How could you not like a big combo plate of meat covered in BBQ sauce? Just about everything here is good and a combo plate usually takes me two sittings to eat, so if you ordered it to go you have dinner and then lunch for tomorrow. You can also get your meat in sandwich form if you'd rather have all of that finger licking BBQ on your hands, they come with slaw and beans. Most of the sides here are excellent as well, they had a cheesy potatoes side one night that made me wish I had ordered just that in a big bucket! Oh and if you want you have your choice of multiple BBQ sauces that you can add to your meal with, just save some for me! The only thing that would make Blue Ribbon better is more seating and a beer selection, that and a way to make the line disappear when I go there!
(4)Tristan W.
It's hard to deny the overwhelming feeling of being taken advantage of these days. I hand the gas station attendent 3 bucks and he gives me 20 miles of travel. I figure hell, I'll take the train instead. But the MBTA hasn't been on time since the Celtics won a world championship, somehow that merits a 25% price hike. On principal alone I boycott it, so now I have to take a cab to work. Problem is half of the cabbies need me to give them directions to where I'm going, and on the way there the detours get me so turned around I forget why I stepped out of my house in the first place. That's when I stop the cab, hand over thirty bucks, and hoof it to the one honest place in this whole damn town. At the Blue Ribbon the food once had hooves, and the meals still have value. I hand the hipped out homey 9 bucks and 5 minutes later I'm wrist deep in 20 oz of mouth watering succulence. The portions are flinstone size. The food is so damn good that we need a new adjective to describe it. Quench your thirst at the never ending cistern of sweet tea and lemonade ( I mix the two for that famous Tom and Tom taste). Best part of all, at the end of it, I'm satisfied, and I will gladly hand over my hard earned money to the folks at the Blue Ribbon any day of the week , and twice on Sunday. I've had every platter they make. I recommend them all. Just make sure to get the butternut squash as a side, and the burnt ends at least once. To those at the Blue Ribbon reading this review, thank you.
(5)J B.
Some say this is the best bbq in Boston. Though I am not a true aficiando, I must agree. Delicious ribs, great chicken, a varied selection of sauces. I esp enjoy the Arlington location (and by the way, this is NOT a chain, it's a local business that happens to have two locations, one in Arlington, one in W Newton), it's order-at-the counter, casual and laid-back. Love their cornbread too.
(4)Thomas M.
Fantastic BBQ -- huge portions that can be hard to finish. I love the sandwiches and platters, but have a sore spot for their BBQ burritos -- they must weigh close to a pound. Excellent sweet tea and lemonade. I wish they served beer.
(5)bella c.
really good stuff and huge portions!
(4)Jeffrey W.
This place blows Redbones out of the water. The sauce is much better, they have great sides (though no hush puppies), and the atmosphere is so much more southern. Sit outside, sip sweet tea or lemonade, and watch the few cars go by as you take a trip to North Carolina.
(5)Scott M.
I know there are tons of Redbones lovers out there but for me the place is Blue ribbon. Many a night I've raced over there 10 minutes before closing to get some of those ribs that just does it for me.
(4)Orina B.
First let me say that the Yelp description about Blue Ribbon being "in Arlington Center" is wrong -- it's opposite Stop n' Shop, about a mile beyond the town center as you head toward Lexington. My need to write that is evidence of my complete devotion to sharing the gospel of Blue Ribbon . I love this place unreservedly. I used to live nearby and so had a chance to try nearly everything on the menu. There's something here for every taste and they'll adapt their menu to what you want. For example, when I order the BBQ chicken, I ask for white meat only and - for a dollar or so extra - they'll make the entire order white meat. If you want BBQ beef or chicken, you can order it 'dry" and they'll put the sauce on the side. If - like me - you don't want the pickles and cornbread that come with the meal - they'll give you a third side order, instead. Try the green beans and bacon. I don't even eat pork but I eat that. The portions are huge. The people are nice. Oddly - or maybe not - the only thing I've ever gotten there I didn't care for was a salad. What was I thinking ordering a salad???
(5)Stephen J.
Great food, a fun place and really cool interior. My friend from Texas laments the fact that they don't have their "own" sauce (they have about 6 that you can mix and match), but I don't really care. The taste is delish. The pulled pork and chicken is truly tender, and is already loaded with flavor before you lather it in sauce if that's what you choose to do. Although I've never had them, other friends swear by the steak tips. The corn bread hits the spot (although I've had better), and they have an assortment of traditional sides, including collared greens, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc. The food here is certainly better than the BBQ at nearby Red Bones in Davis Square, the only downside is that seating is limited and there's no booze. It's not really as much a restaurant per se as it is a walk-in, take-out type of place. Still, even with their limited interior they've decorated nicely and the place is spotlessly clean. Overall the food maybe is not AS good as some coyboy BBQ from Arizona, but pretty darn close for being so far away.
(4)Jessica H.
I think this is probably the best BBQ place in all of Massachusetts. Their ribs are so delicious. And, the sides that they have there are unbelievable! I think I might go there after I finish writing this review in fact. My favorite part about this place is that they put out all of their BBQ sauces, and they have a few, so you can add as much or as little as you need to your food. It's great!
(5)L S.
Awesome bbq!! The bbq at this place is sooo good. They have pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, side dishes and desserts. The side dishes are just as good as the meat. I highly recommend the mashed potatoes and the collard greens. I have never had enough room for dessert but I'm sure it is delicious. They cater too, for more info go to blueribbonbbq.com !
(5)Nishan K.
I found this place online highly recommended. I ordered one of the beef brisket sandwhiches with a side of cornbread that was really cheap. I was honestly a bit disappointed as the beans didn't taste right, the coleslaw was too maynassey, and the sandwhich was cut from a portion that was too fatty. I had to chew the meat for a few minutes just to get it digestable. I think the price is good for what you get and I would go there again, but will not get the same thing. My friend got a Caribean wrap, which he raved about the whole way home.
(3)Juliette V.
I definately do not go here enough. The barbecue is some of the best I have found in the area. Large portions and tastey sauces. A great thing to note is that the large Whole Foods near Western Ave carries some of their things.
(4)Megan C.
This is a counter service location with a lot of character. We went there for lunch on a Saturday and it didn't start getting busy until 12:20 or 12:40. Seating is limited but luckily even the "for here" orders come in take out containers. The service is casual, attentive and friendly, and they were courteous to a bunch of newbies overwhelmed by the chalk board menus. Plus, we were offered pickled watermelon rind samples as we looked over the menu. Delicious. The food is across the board delicious, from the $7 carnitas burrito to the platters edging in on $20 and over. Our party ordered a wide variety of menu items, and while one person thought the roast chicken was dry, she did get the white meat and opted not to use any of their wide array off sauces. I didn't have the same issue. The burnt ends were delicious and the green beans were super impressive - spicy and cooked with sausage. They have a small selection of desserts (including cobbler) but in the end it's the BBQ that is the real star. (Pro tip: homemade lemonade and homemade sweet tea at the fountain soda area = homemade Arnold Palmers. Amazing.)
(5)Andrea H.
Pro: you will have an incredibly tasty meal. Con: this place is more addictive than crack. Seriously though, great BBQ. The side dishes can occasionally be hit-or-miss (undercooked or over salted). 9 times out of 10, it's perfect.
(4)Peter W.
This place sucks. Started off decent years ago, and has steadily gone down hill the past couple of years. The last four visits, staff was rude, food was greasy and sitting around for a bit (includes ribs, pulled pork plate, brisket). The W. Newton location somehow has better food quality. Arlington location blows. That said, the owners should think of lessons for the front end staff to keep the place clean (W. Newton lets "their" counter get grimy, and you have to request them to wipe it down as they act annoyed at the request). Owners are clearly not involved. For now, whence I need my BBQ fix, it is back to Red Bones in Somerville and Sweet Cheeks in the Fenway.
(1)A Y.
This place serves the messiest, most complicated, most humiliating-to-eat, most quickly-served burrito I've ever had. The chicken was beyond words. I'm bringing everyone I know here, messy food be damned.
(5)Eunice E.
I think I ate my body weight in BBQ last night, but I'm getting hungry again just thinking about my food as I write this review. That's when you know it's good. Whether you're getting a sandwich or a platter, you're going to get a huge heap o' food. In fact, we got two platters yesterday for three people -- and we STILL had leftovers! The brisket is melt-in-your-mouth tender, the pulled chicken is deliciously flavored even on its own (though better with any of their BBQ sauces... the hot is my personal fave), and (most of) the sides are on point. The potato salad - check. The collard greens - check. Baked beans - check (I'm a sucker for sweet BBQ beans). But the coleslaw was a bit more what the heck than check. Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. I love filling the little plastic containers on the side with all the different sauces--like I said, the hot BBQ is probably my fave, but the sweet is yum, and the different vinegars and mustards are all pretty tasty, too. Don't forget to grab some of those delicious and satisfyingly crunchy pickle slices while you're at it! For a hearty meal, look no further than Blue Ribbon. Just remember to have some stretchy pants on before you start chowin'.
(4)Dana S.
I heart you Blue Ribbon. I do. You need a bigger seating area. You know you do. As with all true love I will still love you when you get bigger ;) Your BBq ribs are to die for and I looooovvve your mashed potatoes. I love it all- Id make air freshener from the air i your Arlington store if I could .
(5)Suzanne L.
I was compelled to write a review because I was seriously impressed with the allergy page: blueribbonbbq.com/allergy . It is THOROUGH and easy to understand. My friend's mom has seriously restrictive allergies but also loves BBQ, and it was such a burden off our minds to know ahead of time exactly what she could have. Thank you thank you Blue Ribbon!!!! Food-wise, this place is good - I also have not been wowed by the ribs as other people have mentioned, but I LOVE the pulled pork and the variety of sauces. The sides are kinda hit or miss. Regardless, this place is (gotta say it) so much better than Red Bones.
(4)Von D.
I'm compelled to write this review on my smart phone in the bathroom....ugh. 1.ribs were dry and tasted like a dirty charcoal grill and liquid smoke. 2. The burnt ends and brisket tasted like pot roast. Not moist but flavorful. 3.baked beans were more like a can chili, had an almost mineral flavor. 4.we found the basic dishes were dialed in, (cole slaw greens cornbread) 5. Overall I was disappointed and it tasted like ass, you know how I know what ass tastes like? I spend Tuesday through Friday kissing my boss's...that's how I know.
(1)Kathryn S.
As a frequent patron on Red Bones (because I live near Davis) I have to admit that this was my first visit to Blue Ribbon. What was I waiting for?! It was delicious! We got the Feed Bag special and everything was great! The ribs, the jerk chicken and the sides. I particularly loved the black eyed peas with corn! My husband and son loved the potato salad and corn bread. (It was our Father's Day dinner!) It was definitely worth getting in the car and driving to Arlington. And that's saying something from this Cantabridgian!
(5)Chloe S.
This place is good, but honestly it's not the best BBQ in the area. A lot of the time something about it tastes like it is close to the mark, but not quite there. I eat here a lot because it's not too far from my office, but I am just not that impressed. I've been putting off writing this review for awhile because it's apparently sacrilege to criticize blue ribbon bbq and I can't quite put my finger on what it is I don't like, but every time I order anything on the menu I expect one thing and get something close to what I expected, but not quite. Sometimes it's too bland, sometimes too dry, sometimes too much vinegar (yes I know it's supposed to be vinegary, but there's the right amount and the wrong amount of vinegar), too salty, etc... Something is always wrong with it. In short I come here when everyone else is going, but I wouldn't pick it on my own. There is better BBQ.
(3)Marc S.
Much better than last time (5 years ago). BBQ was well seasoned but not over salted. Ribs and beef brisket where awesome, with the right amount of spice and burnt ends. First time I had the corn and black eyed peas mixed tot her - highly recommended side. Needs a little more moistness and smoking flavors. I'll try again and add to post. It was Father's Day and closing.
(3)Kristen W.
I'm not a BBQ snob (I've never even been to Texas) but I'm not one to pass up checking out a local barbecue joint. That being said, when you walk in the atmosphere is sub par but the food more than makes up for that. I went with the burnt ends, and was disappointed when it was served pulled and not in chunks, but surprisingly it was not lacking in flavor at all! This was some of the best burnt ends I've had, I loved that they weren't greasy! The massive cornbread adequately soaked up the alcohol in my stomach from the night before. The potato salad was good but I wish I would've got something besides the dirty rice. (All meat platters come with two sides and a huge slab of corn bread). It was easily enough for two meals and was great as leftovers the next day. Don't forget to check out the homemade sauces on the counter!
(4)Ashli A.
I love this place because the Barbecue Duo Combo for ~$15.99 feeds me and my boyfriend (and it's not like we are still hungry after). We have had the brisket, smoked sausage, mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn. Our two favorites, hands down, are the brisket and the mashed potatoes. The brisket has the perfect amount of fat, it is tender, and flavorful (as in MEAT flavor- not like a bunch of added seasonings or anything- just good meat flavor). The mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. The cornbread that comes with the combo is good. You might feel like crap after you eat all of it, but who cares? EAT IT. ALL OF IT.
(5)Magic Bites B.
Not only the food but the service and the personnel are great... Highly recommended...
(5)Rajiv R.
So unprofessional. Put in a catering order for my birthday. When one of my guests went early to pick it up, the guy had no idea about the order. This was after they'd been so adamant on the phone about putting in the order 48 hours ahead of time (which I did, had the email confirmation and everything). When my friend called me from the restaurant and put the guy on, I gave him the confirmation number. He had no idea what to do with it. Had to pull the order together on the spot, but they didn't even have all the items available so he had to substitute. So the food arrived to the party wrong and late. Contacted the catering department the next day to see what happened. (Calm and courteous of course.) "I'll get back to you." It's been a week, never did. Like I said, so unprofessional. Taste-wise: meh. They've gone downhill in recent years any way. Sweet Cheeks is better.
(1)Arthur M.
Love this place and love the bbq burrito and pulled chicken sandwich if you love bbq this place is for you
(5)Nina S.
The bf surprised me with BBQ takeout from this place one night (man knows the way to my heart is through my stomach :P) and what a pleasant surprise! He got the ribs with corn bread collard greens and beans. The sauce on them was not too sweet and had a great smoky flavor that carried through and the meat was nice and tender. And the cornbread is righteous.
(4)Tim A.
I just had some seriously insane BBQ at Blue Ribbon in Arlington tonight. Ribs, pulled chicken, pulled pork, beans, slaw, hot sausage, corn. Off the chain as they say. Every single thing our party of 3 had was fantastic including the best cornbread I've ever tasted. Complimented the owner while I was buying my assistant a gift certificate and he seemed really humble and happy that someone enjoyed the food so much. (Young, smart, talented owner/chef AND HOT. How much better can it get?) You won't be disappointed in any part of it. Seating is pretty limited.
(5)Timmy L.
Cheap, hearty, and deeeeeelicious! Blue Ribbon BBQ is everything you want in your neighborhood barbecue joint. The experience starts off with artfully cooked, quality meat accompanied by a glorious roll and end with your choice between a luxurious number of sauces. Every one is interesting, unique, and leaves your tongue singing for more. While at initial glance the prices don't cause you to jump for joy, here's a pro tip for you: buy in bulk. With a hefty canister of BBQ, a couple containers of your favorite sauces, some rolls, and most importantly, their pickles, you can chow down on a glorious sandwich for less than an expensive coffee.
(5)Morgan F.
Absolutely delicious! The food was wonderful, inexpensive, and ready very quickly - plus the ambiance of the place is just so fantastic, I never wanted to leave! Went there with my mother who is from the South, and she was as happy as I was - which is a very good recommendation for any southern food restaurant. Definitely try the cornbread pudding (SO good) and get a sweet tea while you're at it.
(5)Erin H.
I'm pretty sad that I couldn't enjoy this as much as my friends did since I was stll feeling a bit ill from the day before. In any case, I decided to order the Texas brisket plate with a side of baked beans and potato salad. The portions are absolutely massive and the sauces are delicious! You can pack your own from the sauce bar. There's not too much space to eat indoor; this is much more of a to-go kind of joint. We actually took our food to a local park and had a picnic there. One interesting thing to note was that additional fee for ordering beef. I forget what the reason was (beef shortage perhaps?), but it was like an extra $2 or so if you ordered any beef dishes. I would definitely like to try it again when I'm back in Cambridge. I think I might like to try the burnt ends next time!
(4)Maria S.
Poor service and meh food. Not worth the effort in getting here tonight. Should have gone with seafood in New England!
(1)Sharon D.
Nice job catering a friend's surprise anniversary party! Some background, this couple met at an event in south Georgia so we were looking for a menu that would bring them back to this event that started them on their lifelong path, and Blue Ribbon came through in achieving this goal! We ordered pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, dirty rice, corn, collard greens, corn bread and salad. They even sent baby bottles of the sweet and golden bbq sauces and balsamic salad dressing. I personally enjoyed the pulled pork! It had just the right amount of seasoning and was so tender! Everything was delicious and arrived piping hot. The adults and the kids loved it all! Thanks for helping to make a wonderful even even more special! Great job! One of these days, we will have to try dining in!
(4)Matt N.
Great BBQ. The sides can be a bit different every time, taste-wise and selection-wise, but that gives it part of its charm. Great service. The same crew seems to be there every time. I ordered online a couple times and both times I got a different side than the one I ordered so I'd double check before you leave if your heart is set on something. The food is fabulous. My wife always suggests Blue Ribbon and she's a vegetarian!!! Make sure you take advantages of the different sauces as well. They add some crazy taste to the already tasty meat. Great portions too - if you leave hungry you may have to rethink your life. Go to Redbones if you want to check-in on Facebook or buy a shirt, but if you want a much better BBQ, Blue Ribbon is well worth the trip down Mass ave!
(5)Grant S.
What a delight! Lots of tempting choices, and the guy taking my order was very helpful in guiding me through them. As it was my first visit, I went with the ribs, collard greens and blackeyed pea salad. The ribs were pretty much perfect, great smoke ring and flavor. The sides were delicious, too. Definitely a BBQ joint as far as the atmosphere goes. I'll definitely be going back to try more of the menu.
(5)Steven M.
I'm quite surprised to see this place have 4 stars from over 400 people. It was sub par at best. My ribs were a little over cooked and crunchy. Even my bones was edible which made no sense at all. The actual rib was chewable and edible! The coleslaw was really tangy and too watery for my taste. The potato salad was decent, but I have been making potato salad for awhile and I could've done the same job and I don't even like cooking. The atmosphere was really nice tho. When I walked in there, there was license plates all over the front wall. In my opinion that's dumb because it takes the place of where the menu should be. They actually have to put a sign that's small saying the menu is on the left. Clearly the designers didn't think that one through. All in all very mediocre. Maybe we got a bad batch of ribs, but it was still unacceptable.
(2)Amanda P.
Update post-wedding catering by Blue Ribbon: Our guests were overjoyed. The delivery was on time...early, even. We ordered for 135, had almost exactly that many guests, and were smart enough to bring containers to freeze the leftovers. And oh, the leftovers. Two months later, we have one last meal of Burnt Ends waiting in the freezer. They're nearly as good as the day we were married. Even the veggie burritos freeze well and are great for a quick workday lunch (just add a touch of salsa or bbq on top). The most raved about items were the burnt ends and brisket (we also had pulled chicken, which is great with a burrito or topped with sauces, but not a stand-out next to the other two) and the mashed potatoes. Good god, the mashed potatoes. My vegan bridesmaid cast all care to the wind and had three helpings. If we did it all again, we'd order two sides of mashed potatoes and ask for extra Hot BBQ. We ordered the "Sandwich Meats" package and added a green salad side, which I believe was less than $13pp. We liked the sandwich meats better than the jerk chicken and ribs... it was a great choice. We ended up having our own people help with serving the food. We really struggled to get information from Simply Serving as recommended by Blue Ribbon. I'm hoping it was just a fluke and not typical, but getting a call back and an emailed quote took so long I didn't trust it was worth the cost. Our own people did a great job!
(5)Scott F.
I went there for lunch today and got a 1/2 pint of the spicy sausage and a single rib called "the lone bone". The rib was excellent.. totally tender with just the right amount of bite. The sausage was tasty and spicy.. Their sauces were all top notch. Two thumbs up for Blue Ribbon.. :-)
(4)Celestyne C.
I used Blue Ribbon for my son's graduation/18th birthday party. The kids (16-18 year old boys) and adults loved the food. The burnt ends are by far my favorite but I didn't have any ribs, baked beans or pulled pork left. a little disappointed with the sweet tea but my son wanted it. I have eaten in, taken out and now I have catered. Try it, you will like it!
(4)Zizzles A.
So I just had some great Brisket here today, an oddity, and asked the guy why the brisket is so inconsistent. He tells me it's because it's different because I get different parts of the brisket, and says I can request the fattier section! Yes! Problem solved! Not only is the fattier brisket jucier, you get a little more of the smoke flavor because the meat is not nearly as dry. When the Brisket is good, I prefer it to the sauced burnt ends. The brisket really doesn't need sauce. It's smoky and juicy enough as is. I will attempt to ask for the fattier part next time. I ordered a lone bone of ribs, which turned out to be 3 bones...ooooook. But I'm not complaining for 3 dollars. You also get a slice of processed white bread that admittedly, is better than wonderbread. I never really noticed this before, but relative to the brisket, the ribs are a little on the flavorless side. Sure they're juicy and full of pork flavor, but there's no real smoke, and their memphis dry rub doesn't add enough to it. Of course, the spicy bbq sauce or the vinegar based one, my two favorites, remedy that problem in a jiffy. Not that I've been to memphis, but I'm guessing the dry rub wouldn't pass there. No biggie. It's still a yummy piece of meat.
(4)Gamal S.
Best BBQ joint north of the Charles! Beats its nearest competition by a long shot for one simple reason: Blue Ribbon is authentic Southern cooking and most BBQ in this Yankee infested land are what y'all IMAGINE Southern cooking/Soul Food to taste like, and what these cats cook up is what my people eat down home. Thanks for bringing home to Arlington!
(5)David L.
After having North Carolina and Texas BBQ, I never thought I'd find BBQ close to as tasty until I ended up at Blue Ribbon! After having the brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, or ribs weekly for about 6 months, I have to say that Blue Ribbon is definitely the closest (and tastiest!) I've had in the Northeast! The portions are huge, the prices are reasonable, and the food is drool-worthy. The only gripe I have is the lack of seating during the winter. With the popularity of the place, a small counter and 3 tables for 2 is definitely not enough, especially since all I want to do when served a steaming plate of food is to chow down right away! One word of warning though. Blue Ribbon has all kinds of different sauces (with varying spice levels) but the Jabanero Vinegar is extremely hot! I had a few drops mixed with my BBQ sauce and I almost couldn't sleep that night!
(4)Nicolas C.
Riiiiiiiiibs........Drooool........ These portions are enormous, enough to feed a mighty man. Me, I'm long but trim; ribs, cornbread and 2 sides of your choice do not always fit inside my test-tube sized stomach. Very friendly staff that will give you suggestions if you just ask.
(5)Lisa C.
I've had blue ribbon a number of times before when my company had an event catered, but I actually made it to blue ribbon for the first time for dinner last night. The food is ok. My boyfriend is from North Carolina and is a HUGE bbq snob, but luckily I had tried blue ribbon before we started dating so my opinion of the food wasn't really swayed. We shared a trio platter which is three meats, 2 sides, and cornbread. We got the NC pulled pork, the texas sliced brisket, and the kansas city burnt ends with cole slaw and I ordered green beans but they mistakenly gave us baked beans. no big deal though...i like baked beans. the pulled pork was pretty good. the bf thought it wasn't the pork he knows but still decent. i thought the brisket was pretty tasty. it was really moist and tender. the burnt ends were interesting. they tasted like they had almost been stewed or something. i had never had burnt ends before, but i was literally expecting the burnt ends of bbq that they chose not to throw out. the cole slaw was pretty good, but not quite what i had expected. the baked beans were ok but a little rich. cornbread was fine. considering its not a very expensive place, this place may make the rotation. I definitely prefer their bbq to redbones.
(3)Judi V.
I hadn't been here in YEARS and I don't quite know why because I really like this place. Yesterday after our weekly staff meeting we were deciding where to get lunch from, it was one of our coworkers bday and food is always involved! The crew wanted to go to the default Redbones (which is okay I guess but a little inconsistent). I suggested that we go here. Out of the 7 of us I was the only one who'd been here so it was a chance to show off my foodie status to my friends. We all looked at the online menu and made up our minds on what we wanted. Most opted for the pulled pork sandwich, my boss got the pulled chicken (sooo health conscious!) and I got the brisket. Andi is right, the fattier part is best and it really doesn't need sauce as the meat is juicy and flavorful. Everyone loved what they got, the mashed got raves, the beans were good (but had a few undercooked members in the mix) the guy that got the cold slaw nearly licked the dish (I can't believe how much he ate and he's thin!!!). When we went to pick it up I discovered that my cohort had called the wrong one (DUH... 781 is Arlington 617 is Newton!) Anyway the guy behind the counter showed true genius and called the other store for the order and replicated it there very quickly for us. We spent time at the sauce bar and made up quite a smorgasbord of the flavorful stuff as well as plenty of those amazing pickle slices and lots of wet naps!!! The whole group loved the food and most of us took part home with us because the portions even on the sandwiches are HUGE! In the end the whole group paid homage to my expertise in picking just the right place to eat!! (Yeah.. like I look like I ever missed a meal!)
(4)Mary R.
It's a cheap meal that leaves you feeling stuffed, but far from satisfied. After having heard so many great things about Blue Ribbon, I expected a great meal and was even willing to look past the terrible noise plastic knifes make on Styrofoam plates, that is until I started eating. I was less than wowed. I had the open-faced brisket sandwich, and although the meat was tender, it was also nothing to write home about. The small selection of sides -- no mac and cheese or candied yams are just ok and their sweet tea tastes exactly like that poorly flavored Cool Nestea. If you're looking for a good BBQ place head to Red Bones in Davis.
(2)Takiyah G.
Finally some BBQ in my hood that I can get behind! Sorry Redbones. I'll always have a place in my heart for your delicious spicy catfish sand, fried okra, buffalo shrimp, and awesome delivery bikes, but this is why Blue Ribbon trumps you: 1)Pulled pork: Hands down, the best I've had in many moons. And I make it a mission when trying a new BBQ place, to rate them based on their prep and flavor of this sandwhich alone. So succulent and juicy, with a vinegary/spicy sauce...mmn. mouth is watering. But theres more.. 2)Price and value: So much food here! Choice of sides with my juicy burnt ends sandwhich, and none of that 'add an extra doller for something other than icky beans and coleslaw' crap. A sand with two nicely portioned sides was &6.99, whereas at the other BBQ spot already mentioned, thats just the sandwhich alone Plus, i have some leftover for lunch today....yes!!! Nice variety of sauces, good collards, awesome coleslaw that's much like my own recipe, creamy real potatoes, and I can't forget 3)Cornbread. It was a huge honking piece, slightly warmed, sweet yellow corn goodness wrapped in foil. This is not to say i won't ever eat at Redbones again, especially for their all you can eat buffet lunch, becuase over the years, they've fed me and fed me pretty well. But I've had enough 'meh' deliveries from them to venture out, and I'm glad I did. I think this is just the BBQ style that I prefer. Can't wait to try the ribs and desserts at Blue Ribbon!! Oh Arlington, you keep surprising me!
(4)Brett M.
Why do I feel the need to qualify my review by exposing my southern roots and thereby giving my review more credit than those of the home-breed New Englanders? I mean, when you go to Blue Ribbon, you'll know that you are tasting really good BBQ. It doesn't matter if you are from Georgia, Carolina, Tenn, Ontario, Oregon, Maine, Germany, Vietnam, or France, you'll recognize you are giving your taste buds a treat... well, if you are from France, you will deny it b/c you are from France. I am addicted to their Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken sandwiches. I also recommend the ribs. The meats are tender and smokey. I like their beans A LOT. I could eat a bucket on a dare. Good veggies too: collards, greenbeans, mashed potatoes, etc. The only reason I am giving them less than a 5-start rating is that seating is very limited and I like my cornbread on the cornmeal-ly side. Blue Ribbon's corn bread is a little to cake-y sweet for me. Oh yeah, finish your meal with a dreambar. Y'all won't regret it!
(4)Alexandra K.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great place to go as a newbie in the Boston area. It's famous among the residents here and I had at least 5 people tell me to go before I actually tried the food. Being from Cincinnati, where southern food and BBQ is very popular, I don't thoroughly enjoy Blue Ribbon's food. Their sweet BBQ sauce is excellent, but I have to pour gobs of it over the pulled pork before it isn't dry anymore. The chicken is also incredibly dry. I also don't like the baked beans. I normally enjoy sweet baked beans with brown sugar or other such ingredients. Blue Ribbon's are somewhat sweet, but they have this burnt flavor in them that makes me not like them much. Now for the things I like. Well, the one thing. I love their mashed potatoes. They leave the skins in (added fiber bonus) and have the perfect amount of garlic and sour cream. Delish! Maybe it's just my Ohio taste buds that don't like these New England BBQ flavors, I'll never know. I would recommend checking this place out, even if its just for the mashed potatoes.
(3)David G.
Wow-simply wow. Tonight was my first trip to this place and I had some good expectations for it, but they were exceeded in ways that I didn't expect. I'll get right to what caused my excitement and it was the North Carolina pulled pork. I actually didn't even order it I got the half rack of ribs platter. However, my friend didn't touch half of her Carolina pork as she's not a big eater, so I went and tried it. "My god!" I thought-that's the best damn pulled pork I ever tried. Up until now the term "smokey" when used to describe food has always been in a much more subtle context-this pork was smokey in a way that has forever changed how I view that term. Incredibly smokey, moist perfectly flavored pulled pork. The best I ever had, and so good I'll cry if it's never that good again when I visit. Pulled pork bliss aside, it's time to talk ribs. I ordered a half rack of Memphis ribs and they were good, but not great. The flavor was distinct and they were incredibly moist with meat falling off the bone, but they were just OK for me. Maybe a bad night for the ribs-not bad ribs by any means-just not the work of the gods who did the pulled pork haha. The sides were brilliant-best mashed potatoes I've had in a while, moist delicious cornbread, and the green beans were flavored my favorite way. Best thing about this place is the prices-even if the food wasn't this good you'd have to reward them for affordable prices. $6.50 for a massive pulled prok sandwich with sides? Awesome. A big rib dinner platter for $14? Can't get that anywhere else I know of. As for the decor and layout of the place-it's small with very limited seating (10 people at most at the tables) and an ultra-casual atmosphere. The fellow who took the order was super friendly. Not much to complain about. Comparisons? Well I've been to Redbones and the Village Smokehouse and this is how I see it: For ribs I think Redbones has the edge for size and variety of ribs. However, Redbones is inconsistent on the flavor/cooking of the ribs. The Village Smokehouse offers a larger rib platter than either of them-a big long platter of small ribs. All completely different in style, so you'll have to try them all to see which kind of rib person you are. For Sausages it's hands down Village Smokehouse when compared to Redbones-no comparison. Redbones is aboslutely blah in the sausage department compared to the Smokehouse. Blue Ribbon I haven't tried. For pulled pork- Blue Ribbon slaughters Red Bones which has been dry and boring for me on two occasions. The Smokehouse I have not tried.
(5)John L.
I've only had Blue Ribbon in catering-related situations, but when I've had it, it's been incredible. It's like meat paradise, what with the well-seasoned beef and chicken and pork, as well as the varied side dishes (the collared greens are great, as well as the beans, slaw, and mashed potatoes), and the great cornbread.
(5)Jen L.
After finally trying Redbones, I can say with certainty that Blue Ribbon is MUCH BETTER. Bigger portions, lower prices, and no Davis Square hipster 'tude. Just the real thing. I recommend getting any of the $6.99 sandwich platters (though my favorite is the brisket) with beans and cole slaw and you will be able to bring home leftovers for 1-2 meals. All of the meats are extremely tender and the bread is super soft and tasty. My only complaint is that the seating is extremely limited, so sometimes takeout is the best and only option.
(4)Aaron B.
I'd love to say that proximity to Blue Ribbon BBQ was the main reason for our house purchase, but that's not totally accurate. It was certainly a factor, however. We cold and stubborn New Englanders aren't know for our BBQ, but this place stands out as a beacon of southern-style cooking in the bleak northeast. The meats are just juicy enough and enhanced by their lineup of outstanding sauces -- the "gold" sauce is my go-to. Cornbread is done right (big block, kinda crumbly, only slightly sweet) and the blackeyed corn rounds out a platter meal nicely. It's a (very) small place, but I think that's part of the feel. Much bigger and it would have the impression of a BBQ factory. In the winter, we get the food to go, and in the summer, we sit outside. If you've only had their food via an event (catered), go check it out in person -- it's best fresh off the grill.
(5)Raymond W.
I ordered the half rack of Memphis ribs, cornbread, black eyed corn and rice and beans. Although the ribs were piled high (5-6 ribs), the amount of work it took to eat in a civilized fashion and surprisingly not too filling made for a delicious meal without regrets. The ribs were tender and could easily be pulled off the bone, which made for good dipping in the various sauces. The black eyed corn was balanced and no ingredient dominated the side. The rice and beans were very well blended and was flavorful and even juicy, though each still held form, if that even makes sense for rice and beans. The cornbread left a lot to be desired as it was on the harder and less moist side. Overall, I think the pulled pork outshine the ribs. You just can't beat the fatty juice that good pulled pork gives you. I will be looking to give the brisket a try in the future.
(4)Meredith K.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ place - closely followed by Village Smokehouse. I used to work in Waltham for years and frequently got lunch at the W. Newton location - I was really happy when they expanded to Arlington. I never sit and eat here though, I always get it to go - which is what I did today. This location does have seats (unlike W. Newton that only has a few stools) - and they have outdoor seating in the nice weather - although you overlook Mass. Ave and a stop and shop (not very exciting). The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, love the sides like potato salad, cole slaw and beans. And the big green salad is so tasty (which is what I had today) - they have cornbread croutons (awesome!), a very good balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and I always get it will the pulled chicken. YUM. My company has frequently ordered catering from them as well and it's just as good as when your order individually. You know how sometimes you get a bulk order like that and it sucks, not with Blue Ribbon it was the same quality.
(5)Alyssa D.
Amazing. The pulled pork is so good. The pork burrito is great too. Isn't it burnt ends? I forget. It's awesome. It can be a little spicy. My Dr. Pepper burns when I drink it, ha ha. Really good. Lots of sauces too. p.s. The bakery next door has amazing cupcakes.
(5)Elaine M.
I've been hearing a lot of great things about this place, so perhaps my expectations were set too high... but I wasn't terribly impressed. I had the Memphis dry-rubbed BBQ ribs platter with cheese grits and baked beans. The ribs weren't bad, but they weren't the best I've ever had. The sweet BBQ and hot BBQ sauces were pretty decent (I didn't like the gold sauce at all), but I would have liked them thicker. On the other hand, the cheese grits were a little too thick for my tastes. I have no complaints about the baked beans. I'm bewildered on why my impression of Blue Ribbon is vastly different from the majority of other reviewers here (am I not ordering the correct dishes?). I really wanted to love this place (as I have yet to find my "go to" BBQ ribs place around here), but I really can't say that I do.
(3)T A.
I'm a meat purist; I don't believe in dousing my meat in anything. And I hate places that do it for me. Blue Ribbon gives me a rib that falls off the bone without a whole lot of taste-providers (i.e. sauces) to cheat with. If you do like getting saucy, they provide a handful of sauces for you to chose from. I couldn't tell you what those are because I never venture over there. The brisket is not as juicy as meat can get, but it beats the Red Bones version by a mile. For sides, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than the corn bread. Theirs is rich, crumbly, and thick (like my men). I'm not too keen on the vegetables, but that may be because I am a shameless carnivore. There aren't a lot of seats in the place, so don't come here with the football team unless you want take-out.
(4)LovesToEat O.
Love this place! People are always super nice. They even made jokes to make you smile. Food is amazing. Always great!! The only bad thing I can say is their ribs have gone downhill. I used to love them but now they are either very dry and no flavor or all fat. But other than that this place is on my favorite list!
(5)Emily C.
This was good BBQ, but not the best I've ever had. I always wanted to try it because there are always fat and happy-looking people sitting outside. I got the half BBQ chicken with mashed potatoes and baked beans and others in my party got the pulled pork and the spare ribs. It was all good, but it didn't blow my mind like I thought it would. The baked beans were really underwhelming and the potatoes were a little gooey, but that's not why anyone goes for BBQ anyway. The meat itself was all delicious and there were a nice variety of sauces.
(3)Kena L.
Went there for the first time on a Saturday evening. The decor and ambiance is very authentic for a BBQ spot. There are a few little tables to sit inside, if you can't do a to go order. You order at the register and pick up your own order when it's ready on the other end, conveniently where all the BBQ sauces are located. They have a great variety of sauces, including some really yummy hot/spicy sauces! I had the half slab of ribs with potato salad and collard greens. Ribs were not baby back but very good! Potato salad had a lot of sliced onions in it but still tasty if you like onions! The collard greens were great after I put salt and pepper on it. The bf had sliced beef brisket with a tasty side of mashed red potatoes and dirty rice. His plate was so delicious! Way better than mine! Brisket were hot and moist! I'm not a big corn bread fan, but their cornbread was really good! By the way they had a nice variety of desserts but we didn't get to try it. ** Credit card welcome! Very reasonable price for the quality and amount of food you get! Overall - very tasty and delicious BBQ for the Boston area! You have to try it if you haven't! :)
(4)Andy L.
Eating here is an occasion to celebrate. I've never been to the South, so this place delivers as close to the Platonic ideal of both ribs and mashed potatoes as I've experienced. It feels kind of stupid to give the highest rating to a restaurant from which I only ever order one dish: 1/3 slab memphis ribs. Who needs to love more than one dish, though? It will set you back about $15, but it comes in a takeout container that will let you save it for a second meal. The ribs are charred just right and slide off the bone nicely. Then you gotta sauce that thing up! There's self-serve jugs with a variety of BBQ sauces, and I always go for the spicy one. It makes a great rib wonderful, and when it splashes onto the buttery mashed potatoes, you've got something indescribably delicious. I wish there were more seating options, but part of its charm is how small it is. I take the 77 bus all the way up here from Cambridge when I want to treat myself to a decadent meal, so fie upon any Arlington resident who doesn't appreciate the crap out of this place.
(5)Theis C.
Ok, first, let's take a moment and admit that Barbecue is a food, like bacon, that technically can be screwed up, but has a lot going for it. It doesn't take a magician to make fatty, salty, and sweet things taste like awesome. Blue ribbon accomplishes this with brio. Good on ya, friends. This is the best barbecue in the city, but I've had better in Racine, WI from a shack with bulletproof glass over the serving counter. The key accomplishment at Blue Ribbon is that they've captured that southern gritty ambiance that allows me to pretend while I'm in there that I'm not an over-educated, effete Northeastern elite. Have I ever eaten Possum? No I have not, nor have I ever gigged anything, or even ridden a horse through a McDonald's drive-thru. But when I'm in there, eating my fatbomb meal off a plastic tray on a steel table, I'm a shiner bock away from living my alter ego dreams.
(5)Charlie P.
Go with lots of friends. Order 1 or more of the giant family meals, ensuring that it includes pulled pork, rolls, and corn bread. Have a drink and selection of tasty BBQ sauces ready before your food arrives because once it's on the table, you will not want to stop eating.
(4)Andrew N.
Meat = Great Sauces = Meh I prefer to have my BBQ swimming in deliciously sweet sauces, which this place does not really do and the sauces that are provided are not my favorite. They make up for this by giving you some amazing meats and some pretty good sides to go with it. There is little room to sit down inside and it is always packed with people ordering and waiting for their orders so I consider it a take-out place. The beef brisket is always a great idea as is the burnt ends and the pulled pork. When my fiancee and I go here, one of us will always get the brisket. I have yet to try the sandwiches or chicken, but I can't see them being any less delicious than the other choices on the menu. All the sides are great in their own special way, some of your normal sides like mashed potatoes and veggies have a unique taste to them and while the baked beans are not my grandmother's baked beans, they are pretty good too. Go check it out!
(4)Joanna F.
I love Blue Ribbon. I've only ordered from here three times, but each time the food has been magnificent and really cheap. Most recently, I got the pulled pork sandwich which comes with cole slaw and baked beans on the side. The sides are huge, the sandwich is hearty and it was only 7 bucks. That's a ridiculous deal. For my boyfriend's birthday we ordered one of the large combo platters. The amount of food we got was ridiculous and very reasonably priced. As for the actual food, I would say it's as good as a lot of the barbecue we had when we visited Memphis. Most places around here hardly compare.
(5)Efy M.
Loved the pulled pork sandwich. It was juicy and just what I'm looking for in a pulled pork sandwich. Didn't care that much for the beef. The sauces and sides are okay, but I've had better. The girls at the counter taking our order were friendly.
(4)Brian G.
Wow, i can not believe that this place has gotten so many good reviews. I am disgusted that my hacked chicken was PINK! I had to pick through it with my hands, trying to find the rare pieces that were not pink. I am not wasting any more of time reviewing this place. Disgusted & WAYY Overrated, clearly.
(1)Bekah D.
very good bbq chicken- great side of rice and beans too. Quick service and love the atmosphere..will be back!
(4)Angel C.
I LOVE BBQ. And when I'm craving BBQ, I go to Blue Ribbon. Everything I've had (ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, brisket) has been delicious. They have lots of sauces, which are all really good. Good flavor, good thickness, and plenty of spicy options. And good sides too! I need to go here more often! The place is pretty small, though, so it's not good for groups.
(5)Joe L.
The best, I repeat, the BEST BBQ in the boston area. I have tried them all and nobody beats blue ribbon. If you want bbq go here and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Donald R.
This place is lucky to have the emperor's new clothes effect going on, so that everyone has to like what are some crapy sandwiches. Dont get a salad, a couple pieces of lettuce.
(1)jessica s.
I am from North Carolina, and let me tell you, pork barbecue is very important. I do not expect to find anyone to treat pork exactly right up here, but Blue Ribbon at least has the best barbecue I've had yet north of the mason-dixon. So please bare in mind that three stars from a North Carolinian on a Massachusetts bbq joint is in fact pretty damn good review. I'd heard good things about the bbq at Red Bones, but was reeeally disappointed in their pork, and what they think passes for vinegar sauce, so thank goodness I found Blue Ribbon! While it's not quite as good as what you'd get in Lexington NC, or Eastern NC, etc., it'll at least hold me over til I'm down south again. The pork was tender, smokey, and juicy, and while $7-something is a bit high for a pulled pork sandwich, at least the portion was large and it came with slaw (which was o.k.) and baked beans (pretty tasty). And thank goodness for the sweet tea! Now they'd of gotten four stars if only banana pudding was on the menu....
(3)Emerson O.
Reliable, consistent, flavorful BBQ. I love the pulled pork. Great for lunch and take out. Can be pretty busy around dinner time, and there's not much seating. Location has the feel of a store front, not a restaurant. It sits across the street from a grocery store in a busy intersection, so while there is outdoor seating in the summer, it has zero atmosphere (unless you ignore the stop and go traffic).
(4)Cody S.
They great bbq and a large menu with many great choices. Service is quick but not super friendly . They want in and out. Not the cleanest place in town, The bathroom is old and dirty while the rest of the joint need cleaning and updating.
(3)Vanilla P.
Head over to Blue Ribbon to swim in the pump-your-own sauces. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor seats, kick back and watch the traffic crawl down Mass Ave. Smash your cornbread into the mashed potatoes for an amazing carbohydrate trip, then pour some bbq sauce over it and use a spoon to savor. Added bonus for Blue Ribbon - This is absolutely a place to meet dudes. The majority of the clientele are men, so if you're single, go to Blue Ribbon and dab some sauce behind your ears and on your clavicle - you'll be dry-humped in no time. How do you spell barbecue? BBQ? Bar-B-Q? Barbeque? I spell it B-L-U-E R-I-B-B-O-N.
(5)Luke B.
Oh my my! Blue Ribbon is tasty tasty tasty (that's right, 3 levels of tasty). Reasons why you NEED to go to Blue Ribbon NOW: - Chezee Mash, HOLY mashed potatoes! It isn't a standard menu item, but if it's available, don't think twice, order this. - Burnt Ends, SO SO tasty! Perfect smoke and saucy taste. This is a MUST for me. - Pulled Chicken, tender shredded chicken + a nice sweet sauce = YUM! - Pickles, I'm not one to normally eat from public (and open) containers, but their pickles are too damn good...and their FREE! - Pulled Chicken, wasn't anything amazing, but I think it just couldn't compete with the Ends and Chicken. Not it's fault. - Cole Slaw, nothing crazy, but still mmm mmm good. I will NEVER go to Redbones again! Blue Ribbon is my new BBQ love.
(5)Branson L.
YES YES YES... Now that El Pelon has burnt down to ashes, this place has the best burrito in town... hrm... I know these bbq people know how to start fires.. hrmmmmm..... Anyway, Get a Burrito (burnt end) - or a pulled pork sandwich, or ribs.... choose your sides (beans and slaw) - Slather everything in Chipotle Mustard and hot sauce... then pig out like a freak. Great place, why not five stars then? I don't quite know... I'll get back to you on that.... pppps el pelon back up and runnin with the same great food... only problem its wayy out there for most peeps. when will they come in, expand, and take over the boston burrito market? probly never.
(4)Julie R.
This was the best BBQ I've ever had around Boston! More like, probably from anywhere. Can you imagine how pleased I was that the portions were enormous too and I got to eat it again for dinner. Yummy in my tummy for sure! I had the N. Carolina pulled pork special with beans and coleslaw. The sandwich was on a big fluffy roll, loaded high with lots of chunky pork shreds. I was full from half. The amount of sauce on it was not over done so you can add your own to your liking. They had a good selection of self serve sweet-hot BBQ sauces. I. The baked beans even had a BBQ hint to them. I didn't think I would ever rave about coleslaw but this one tasted very home made. My boyfriend got the half rack ribs platter with creamed corn, grits, and cornbread. The ribs were huge. We easily had around 8 on the plate. They were fall off the bone juicy. You could taste the smoke. The ribs were cut individually already for you. I don't know what kind of BBQ preparation was going on back there but they were delicious. I loved the cream corn and cheddar grits too. I will be sure to get those next time. The cornbread was a huge moist chunk. With all this food we had we were stuffed, then the guy at the counter gave us a handy lid that slipped over the plate so we had an instant take out portion. On the side I got a big chocolate chunk cookie that was sweet satisfaction. Later that night I was lucky to not have to cook as planned. We had a little BBQ feast again. Lunch totaled $27 for 2 huge plates with drinks..which then amounted to an unexpected dinner. The only downside was there is not much seating besides 3 tables and a small bar area. Otherwise, this place is doing the BBQ right! Another blue ribbon to you!
(5)Chris C.
Good BBQ for New England. Remember to phone in your order so you don't have to wait in line or wait for you food to be made. It can be a big time savings. I had the pulled pork with barbecued beans and the black eyed corn. The pulled port was good although not as flavorful as I was hoping for considering the reputation this place has. The beans were good and actually had a little hint of spiciness in them which I liked. The black eyed corn was average. The corn bread was decent. The portions and pricing were very good though. Its mainly a take out a joint although they did have some tables setup on the sidewalk out front.
(4)Betts C.
I have to admit, I was shocked by just how good Blue Ribbon BBQ is. I've been a devoted Redbones girl, even though their ribs are sometimes not as great as others. It's been forgivable because of their spot-on beer list and fun atmosphere. However, my partner in crime and I are big fans of barbecue. When I was living in Kansas City and we were doing the long distance thing, I sometimes wondered if he didn't visit so often more for barbecue at Oklahoma Joe's & Arthur Bryant's more than for seeing me. So when a Living Social deal popped up for Blue Ribbon, we thought we'd give it a try. Considering it was about 8 PM on a Friday night, Blue Ribbon was very quiet. We pretty much had not wait in line, and though there aren't that many seats in the place itself, we had no trouble finding one. The food came out fast, and was spot-on delicious. I was super excited to try their KC-style burnt ends, and disappointed I was not. They were awesome. We also tried a half-rack of ribs, and their rub is better than that of Redbones. I can't speak for their consistency, but those ribs certainly rivaled the best of the Memphis style ribs we've had at Redbones. I sort of wish they had other varieties, just because these were so goods, and the burnt ends were so perfect. (Yes, I said perfect. I'm not sure how they'd stack up in comparison to Arthur Bryant's, but for burnt ends made in Massachusetts, they're pretty amazing.) However, what really and truly made my Blue Ribbon experience a winner (pun intended) were the sides. This has always been the downfall of Redbones for me, as their vegetables are pretty sad. We tried the black eyed corn, dirty rice, Texas kimchi, and cornbread, and I can say that they were all excellent. The Texas kimchi was spicy and a really brilliant addition to the menu. The black eyed corn, a mixture of corn and black eyed peas, was perfectly done and not bland. The dirty rice was a little less exciting, but still good. And the cornbread was delicious, coming in a large hunk that I admit I devoured in its entirety. Other points for Blue Ribbon- they allow you to take as much sauce as you like, and have a full array. Though they lack an alcohol license, they have lemonade and tea as fountain drinks, so one starts to almost feel Southern. And though it is a little out of the way, the Mass Ave location is easily accessible and the lack of busy-ness means there's no wait. The staff members with whom we interacted were super friendly, letting us take our time to figure out what to order and being very nice about everything. I felt no rush to finish quickly, which often happens in a restaurant of the counter-ordering style. Of course, the lack of beer list and margaritas are a negative. But one could easily take Blue Ribbon to go and make up for that at home. It's also not as perfectly located in Davis Square, but, again, it's not that far out. It's also fairly inexpensive (in part because of the no booze bit). The platters, which offer a full serving of meat, two sides, and cornbread, range from about $9-15, and are certainly more than enough food for one. Though I'm sure I won't give up on Redbones altogether, I might be a convert for Blue Ribbon, especially come summer when it's time for long rides down the Minutemen Bike Path. Nothing would be better towards the end of one of those than a big plate of burnt ends, black-eyed corn, and cornbread.
(4)David R.
Excellent barbecue. They have a small dining room, which was pretty crowded when I went in on a Sunday night(three day weekend, Monday was a holiday), along with some outdoor seating. I had the pulled pork platter with collard greens, and baked beans. It came with cornbread. The pulled pork was tender, the beans were flavorful, and the collard greens were tasty(many times that that I've had collard greens at restaurants they've been bland;not so here). I was very surprised by how good their cornbread was. Three different flavors of sauce to choose from. I tried each of them and found the regular BBQ to be my favorite. Only downside is that it's(the sauce) a little watery. The portion was large; I was able to save some of the pulled pork for use in a tasty sandwich the next day. The service was quick and friendly, especially considering the place was so busy. I'm a new fan. I'll be back soon.
(4)Bret C.
OFF THE HOOK! This place is as good as it gets around here for BBQ. It's easy, fast, affordable, and tastes great. No complaints whatsoever. This location is better than the Newton shop...Much more room to spread out and eat by the windows, etc. Also easier to park. I am definitely going to branch out and try the burnt ends and pulled chicken next time. It's just so hard to get away from the NC Pulled Pork - WOW! Can these guys please do another location in Boston?!
(5)Ashley L.
THE best bbq in Beantown, hands down.
(5)Samantha H.
I've been here a few times and the first time was great and then it slowly went down hill. I always lean toward the pull pork sandwich with many different sides. Tasteless, had lots of chunks of fat and plain gross. I have definitely experienced better (redbones, american bbq). Only reason for the 2 stars is because I liked their cornbread and their pickles. That's about it. Don't think I will be going back. Sorry.
(2)Jen S.
I do love this place... the north carolina pulled pork, with tons of extra nc vinegar. yum! Trick is, I hate baked beans and cole slaw. Fortunately, they let you replace both with your choice of sides. Now, aren't they just darlin'? Key lime pie -- not to be missed! Beef brisket -- orgasmic! Mashed potatoes -- yum! Mac n cheese -- more, please! And you can make your own half-n-half (tea & lemonade). Sahweet!!!
(4)Kimble M.
As a Texan, I feel obligated to withhold the fifth star, but for Boston, this is about as good as it gets. They make a solid brisket, nicely spicy sausage, and some decent other barbecued animals, serving it all up with some excellent sauce choices and damn delicious sides. While their sandwiches are served with baked beans and cole slaw, both o.k., some of their other sides are truly southern divine. If you happen to make it in on a day they've got cheese grits, order the full pint, or maybe the quart, and take some home with you. Seating is limited in either location, but they do a great job catering on short notice and cheaply. We ended up giving them a final number for 70 people at noon on Texas Independence Day last march, which they delivered promptly at 7PM despite the copious quantities of snow. At $12 per person with way too much food for the group to eat, it's definitely worth it.
(4)David A.
Some small places are starting to pop up, but for a long time in metro boston the only real BBQ debate was between Red Bones and this place. Personally, I think both are very good and neither clearly superior to the other. I'm in Winchester though so BR is slightly closer than RB in Davis and I've consequently had more experience with it. We have some friends that we usually will order a feed back (for 4) anytime they come over. The feedback for 4 runs about $60.00 but is really enough food for 6 moderate eaters. We always have plenty of left overs. This is a good thing. The variety is great. yOu can sample a good deal of what's on BR's regular menu. THe ribs are saucy and good. Pulled pork is solid. The sides are typical BBQ (beans, cole slaw, etc.) and all well done. There's a jerk option also and while I've had better jerk at specifically jamaican places, the stuff here's not bad. There are several house sauces that range in flavor in terms of sweetness mainly. There's one atypical sauce that's a mid orange color, not too thick, that I find has a robust flavor and goes well w/ the pulled pork. I've never eaten in store, but there is out door seating in the spring/summer and a few diner style stools that line the window. The inside space is small however and probably not practical for any large party doing anything morethan grabbing a quick bite. We've always called inour order so i don't really know what wait times are like. There's a reason why this place is bascially a local institution: compentently done BBQ meat (I mean, hey, what can you expect this far from the south?), good portions and easy service. If you live in any town that abuts Arlington and haven't been to BR, you're doing something wrong.
(4)Jeff D.
It's not as good at the barbecue you're going to get down South, but it's by far the best you're going to find in Boston. I find myself drawn to the sandwich list these days. I just had a greek lamb rollup with lettuce, cucumber, greek dressing, lamb and feta cheese. It was delicious and the flavors mixed perfectly. I also loved the baked beans and the ham and cheese grits were rich and salty. I've tried just about everything on the menu over the years and never come away disappointed.
(5)Emily G.
Oh LORDY LORD! I agree with Luke B. - much MUCH better than Redbones. Can't go wrong at this place if you are really craving for a good, savory, teast-bud jumping, If they have Cheesy Mash, get it. Pronto. Now. I mean, now. Do I need to go into further explanation? Second - save room for dessert if you can. The pies looked SO good. And you know a BBQ does make a FIIINNNNEEEEE Pecan Pie! Pies, Pies, Pies! Yum, Yum, Yum! Third, if you have an iPhone, download the Blue Ribbon BBQ app and order it from the plam of your hand. I mean, what is more convenient than that?!
(5)Anna S.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday night - very good. Tasted some of the pulled chicken and brisket, both of which were very good, and the mashed potatoes, which were awesome. Also had the coleslaw, which was divine, and I looooooove coleslaw. I was less impressed by the cornbread, baked beans, and collard greens. The sauces, however, were excellent, and very authentic.
(4)Jocelyn G.
While getting lost trying to find the Regent Theater, I pointed this out to my boyfriend. 3 hours later when the concert ended, he declared that he had been thinking about BBQ since we past the Blue Ribbon and wanted to go there for a late (8:30) dinner. We lucked out by getting not only a parking space outside, but also one of the little tables.I would strongly suggest getting take out as there are very few places to sit inside and it can get quite crowded. The staff was mostly quiet, but friendly...one told me that I was not allowed to dance to Stevie Ray Vaughn, especially with cups in my hands, and the wait was fairly short. My platter was large and steamy hot, but the green beans seemed like they had been cooked a long time ago. The corn bread was mostly good, but dry in many places. Other than that, it was a satisfying meal that was only marred by a group standing over us like vultures waiting to attack the moment we stood up.
(4)Nick M.
The best thing I can say about Blue Ribbon is that the North Carolina pulled pork is the best pulled pork I've had since I left North Carolina. It's as good as anything I had down there. My group of friends has had middling luck with the brisket -- sometimes it's excellent, sometimes it's barely okay -- but I've never had bad brisket there. Aside from the brisket and the pulled pork, I've also had excellent luck with the burnt ends, which have been tender and tasty. The sides are what they are -- some are unexciting (corn bread), some are just fine (mashed potatoes), and most of the rest are soaked in butter (collard greens, I'm looking at you). That said, sometimes you'll find a treat in the daily specials (jalapeño carrots, chickpea salad). I don't know that I'd recommend eating at the Blue Ribbon -- there's not much space to sit down and unlikely to be enough for more than two people to eat as a group comfortably -- but you can't do better for barbecue take-out in metro Boston.
(5)Chuck K.
I'm not going to get into a jag about "real" BBQ because I'd be here all afternoon. This is just a mini-primer for how to order at Blue Ribbon. I had the "Texas Brisket" and it was a gray, flavorless, dry monstrosity. By contrast, I've had good luck with the "burnt ends" and pulled pork. The side orders are uniformly "meh." This has been a public service announcement.
(3)Michael C.
Blue Ribbon is as good as it gets for BBQ in Boston. I have been going here for years and am never dissapointed. Some of their highlighs are their moist and crunchy corn bread, the Burnt Ends sandwhich is out of this world, top that off with some of their legendary baked beans and garlic mashed potatoes with gravy and you have yourself a great meal!
(5)Katie G.
Deeeeeeeeeelicious! As a southern girl, I love me some real BBQ food. For lunch I had the pulled pork sandwich with beans and coleslaw. Big ass portions for a reasonable price. I'll definitely be coming back (but taking the food to go and then sitting in my car to stuff my face in private).
(4)Tepring P.
How can this place only have seating for 10-15 people when it is soooo good? I like sticky, finger-lickin' savory/spicy/sweet BBQ and this is what I get here. The 3 meat option platter is enough for 3 people! Well ok, maybe only two b/c I always come hungry. Portions are big and food is flavorful. You can grab extra sauce from their big pump your own jars on your way out too. I am not so sure I like their sides (especially not the cornbread which is always dry - I know there are different types - northern v. southern). How about a corn on the cob (at least seasonally)? Maybe the sides are just not as good as compared to the MEAT....mmmm...... Oh and dessert, can't forget 1/3 of the meal's points...A-mazing cherry cobbler. If they have it, get it.
(4)jake l.
Had a trio meal last night. Not so great and this place is OVERRATED. The brisket was not butterknife tender. The pulled pork, well.. tasted like any other pulled pork just had to douse with vinegar and sauce. The ribs were good(fall off the bone) although, they only give 2 ribs per order? what the hell? The sides were generic tasting the mashed potatoes were uninspired, the coleslaw wasn't tangy enough, but the cornbread was soft and moist. Blue Ribbon is officially the most overrated bbq spot in the Boston area. Word of advice from my visits of bbq joints.. when you read the reviews from yelpers who claim they are from the south and grew up there eating bbq. LISTEN TO THEM because they are right most of the time regarding my past few visits of bbq joints.
(2)Traveling B.
This review is for the catering, I will be back to try the actual food later. The Bossy Boss decides to treat us commonfolk to lunch. Redbones comes up as it always does, and I commented that maybe we should do something else. It's not that I have a distaste for Redbones, I love their bar, and the St. Louis Ribs are good, but everything else is pretty much lacking for me. So, after much deliberation we all decide on Blue Ribbon. I knew I was taking a chance here, yes I might be a fatty but my suggesting powers were to be seriously tested by choosing this over the typically famous redbones. So, food gets here, Mac N'cheese, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, beans and cornbread. With a little iced tea and lemonade, add all of the fixings and wow, we ordered the 10 person size but we could have easily fed 15. And the ribs were succulent, the conrbread was moist and tasted much better than their competitions. It's the first time I've been in Boston where I thought the beans were worth a damn, though nowhere near as good from home, and the pulled pork had me going for seconds. But, oh my and butty oh but but but, the chicken was incredible. At first glance it looked as if it was going to be somewhat greasy and chocked full of oil. And that's the furthest from the truth, it was easy to hold and the meat came right off the bone, right into my mouth. Moist, tender, evenly full of flavor so that every bite had just the right amount of spices. Man, the chicken was good, that's all I'm saying. So yeah, the office has found a new place to get BBQ from, and I personally have found a new place to drool over everytime I pass the one in Arlington. Good on ye Blue Ribbon BBQ!!!!
(5)Jeff M.
Quickest, cheapest, best bbq in the area. Meat stands on its own. I only use a little bit of the NC vinegar to highlight the meat. The meat is delicious but I love the sides you get to choose from.
(4)Dan S.
Hey, this place is all right! I wish I could give this 3.7 stars. They don't deserve a 3 (I enjoyed my meal immensely), but a few things needed to be fixed. The ribs are really good. They "fall off the bone", as they should; the dry rub gives them a firm outer texture and a melty inside, definitely the highlight of my meal. The corn bread is nice, not too sweet but not too un-sweet either, a very balanced corn bread to compliment the rest of the food. Collard greens were definitely blaaand, and the sweet potatoes, while good, were somehow off a bit, a little too odd for my tastes. I think there was some orange juice or grapefruit juice in them, or something. Solid selection of passable sauces. As usual in the northeast, the sauces weren't anything to write home about. After sampling most of them, I opted for the generic "sweet" BBQ sauce to add lightly to the ribs. The "hot" BBQ sauce was pretty dismal and I'd recommend avoiding that. Friend had the burnt ends, which were top notch. Another had slaw (went unfinished) and mashed potatoes (over-buttery). The theme I noticed was that the meat was great, and the sides were mediocre. It was pretty busy inside while we were there (dinner time on a Thursday night). There was a bit of a wait to order, perhaps about five or ten minutes. We managed to snag an indoors table but it was just lucky timing. Because it's late summer and still nice out, the outdoor seating was in full swing but I can imagine that as soon as it becomes fall you won't be able to sit down here. As it was, it was pretty chaotic inside, not a very comfortable place to have a meal. Now, they serve your meal in a badass disposable styrofoam tray. Stuff like this drives me crazy - it's wasteful and you have no recourse. I realize it saves some hassle with cleanup, but a couple paper plates and a wipeable tray would perform just as well.
(4)Matthew A.
I finally got to try Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! I stopped in here for lunch after a business appointment. I got the pulled pork sandwich which came with beans and slaw. I also order 2 ribs to taste as I heard the ribs are out of this would. The ribs were nice and meaty and just the right amt of smoke. I tryed a variety of BBQ sauces and vinagers available on the counter (I loved the SC Vinager on the slaw). Would def come back here for takout for dinner.
(5)Apolinaras S.
It is official, I have an addiction to Blue Ribbon BBQ! I have lost count how many times I have been there, how much money I have spent, and how many people I have brought with me. I love the food, I love how generous portions are (always end up taking half the platter home), service. And unlike Red Bones in Somerville, which is a block away from me, they are not stingy with sauces. I will continue looking for excuses to drive to Blue Ribbon!
(5)Jon P.
Best pulled pork I've had. Great sides, great value and my new go to BBQ spot. Never thought I'd replace redbones...
(5)Jim O.
Our new granddaughter lives up the hill behind BRB, and I delighted to have this extra reason to get lunch there (visiting her) aside from the terrific food. I love the pork, the brisket, the mashed potatoes, the rice and beans, the cole slaw. I love the portions (huge), I love the very reasonable prices. I've not tried the deserts, and I didn't care for the pulled chicken, but I think BRB is the real deal.
(4)Mary B.
Yes, finally, I found decent barbeque in the Boston area. I love all of their sauce selections and how they are readily available at the front counter so you can try something new - my favorite is the gold. The menu runs the whole gamut of barbeque, though I always go for the pulled chicken. The key for me here is that they have a ton of sides to you get to choose to complement your meal - the only thing that is holding me back from 5 stars is that I get my heart set on a certain side only to be told they're out. But, there are plenty of other options and I have never had a bad meal there. I definitely prefer their barbeque to Redbones, which has made me sick before. It's a no nonsense type of place. There isn't a lot of seating so I tend to go outside of normal lunch/dinner hours and I see a lot of people doing take-out, which is the best bet.
(4)Jack M.
I've never actually been here, but I've had their food. Lots of it. I used to date a chick whose dad would go here a lot. Sometimes he'd bring me home some dinner. He was nice. Too bad his daughter was a giant pain in the brisket.... I have had a number of dishes and meals from this place. What stands out the most is their pulled pork sandwich. Pretty darn good. Oh - a huge plus is their pickles. Every meal came with a little container of some homemade pickle slices. I'm tellin ya- they were excellent! We used to fight over them. We used to fight a lot, actually... I'm deducting a star cause once I got a bbq chicken sandwich and as I bit down there was a huge BONE in there. GOD I HATE THAT. But overall, people rave about this place. It won't disappoint. Probably....
(3)Ben H.
To be fair, I've had worse. It would take a monumental effort to be worse than that little place in Davis Sq. that people flock to. But, Blue Ribbon turns in a Blue Ribbon effort at being the worst BBQ in Boston. I firmly believe that sometimes places have an off day. BBQ is particularly hard to do well, and something small like a thermometer not reading properly can ruin a whole batch. So, just like that place in Davs, I've tried Blue Rubbon five times. In part it was to be as fair as possible, and in part it was in utter disbelief that anyone could make BBQ so poorly. Alas, after five attempts, I reach the same conclusion. I've had far better pulled pork from a prepackaged plastic tub in the local grocery store, better beans from a can, better cornbread from a bag, and a more southern atmosphere in Boston Common. Bill Miller's BBQ (the Taco Bell of BBQ and easily the worst BBQ in Texas) makes Blue Ribbon taste like skunky Miller High Life. Honestly, I don't even know why I keep looking for BBQ in Boston. I wouldn't expect to get decent clam chowder or lobster rolls in Texas; there's no reason to expect decent BBQ in Boston.
(1)Cee C.
I am such a huge fan of this place. We come here almost twice a month. You can bring your own beers and the outdoor seating is abundant
(3)Anne M.
I dont want to brag, but Im pretty much THE connoisseur of BBQ, and this place is my favorite place for pulled pork in Boston. The location is small, but its great in the summer when they have outside seating. The burnt ends are fantastic as well if you are not int he mood for pork. Oh, and I cant forget the pecan pie, delicious!
(5)Tom K.
When I die, I hope my last meal is at Blue Ribbon so I can taste their BBQ for all eternity. Is it the rub? Is it the smoke? Is it the BBQ sauces? Is it the quality of the meats? Maybe it's the great selection of piping hot and tasty side dishes? Or is it the congo bar/dove bar or pecan pie for dessert. How can everything on the menu board be some damn good? When friends from out of town come to visit, we take them here. First question on their return visit? "Are we going to The Blue Ribbon?" My family has been eating here for 12 years now, 6 - 8 times each year. We've had pretty much everything on the board. Never had a bad meal. Burnt ends, sausage, pulled pork, ribs, jerked chicken, always hot, fresh generous portions and good. Sides? My favorites are the collard greens and cole slaw. Hot and tasty always and the cole slaw is not too watery, not too dry, just right. Desserts, I'd walk 5 miles for thier congo bar, my wife loves the Dove bar, I'm just not big on coconut. There are two negatives and neither of them have anything to do with the food. 1. Parking can be challenging to find on Mass Ave in Arlington. 2. Seating is just a few bar stools looking out the front windows, although they have a few table outside for the summer. We always eat there as I want to eat while everything is hot. If you like BBQ, this is the best of metro west. It's also one of the best places in the country for my money. I've travelled a lot and I can't honestly say I've had better BBQ anywhere and that includes a lot of places in Texas and North Carolina.
(5)Flora B.
I had burnt ends, collard greens and baked beans. One star off because I wasn't so impressed by the cornbread (a little dry? needed something...) and THEY HAD RUN OUT OF MASHED POTATOES. :( However, this place is top notch and I'll definitely be back.
(4)Carl H.
Burnt ends, ribs, brisket for dinner after a long day perfect.... Never had a bad meal here, great comfort food. Quick service awesome quality. If you are a BBQ guy or girl blue ribbon is a must!
(4)Sanel S.
I liked this place a lot, the sandwich was great and sides were good too. It's not the most spectacular food I had ever eaten but I would say pulled pork was outstanding. I haven't had pulled pork in years so I don't have a good reference point but it didn't strike me as particularly high-grade food. Although the food is great the environment is cramped and it felt more like a place to be fed rather than a nice sit-down place. My only other complaint about this place is that they serve way too much food than is necessary for a human being to eat.
(4)Jules M.
What else can I add about this restaurant? I love this place. This is the best bbq around. I've had bbq in the South and this ranks right up there. It doesn't matter if I get their pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs its all so good. Love the mashed potatoes and gravy. Even their pickles are good (they would be even better if they were deep fried.) I don't really do the feedbag specials. I feel you can do better by picking and choosing your own combo's. When I worked in Burlington I made my way here at least every 2 weeks. This place kicks ass! The one in West Newton is awesome too!
(5)Hiep V.
Blue Ribbon fell a little short of my expectations, seeing as I've been trying to go to this place for a while.To get the most options out of my dinner, I went with the Trio combination, with choices of brisket, pork ribs, and burnt ends. The ribs were so juicy and literally fell off the bone, just the way I like them. The brisket was good, but not as tender compared to Redbones. I've heard a lot of things about burnt ends and had been dying to try them out; unfortunately, the ones at Blue Ribbon didn't live up to my expectations as all it was, was mushy meat (kind of like pulled pork). My sides of collard greens and cole slaw went well along with my meal. Seating is quite tight as there were only 3 tables with available seating for 4 each, and a bar counter to eat. The major downside for me was that they don't serve alcohol. When it comes to bbq, nothing's better than washing it all down with nice cold brewski. Unfortunately, Blue Ribbon's shortcomings, will have me choosing to go to one of the other bbq establishments in the area.
(3)Rebecca K.
I guess, in the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I've never actually been to the restaurant. Don't even know where it is. But I've had take out from here on multiple occasions and it's soooooooo good. The pulled pork is really top rate. There's always a very healthy selection of sauces with which to top your BBQ. Then there's the baked bean goodness. Yum! Coming from the midwest, I do have an affinity for good BBQ and this place definitely satisfies the craving. Maybe one day, I'll actually make it to the restaurant, but, until then, I'm fine if my profs keep ordering it.
(4)C D.
Went back and tried their mashed potatoes and special of the day which was stewed okra. I must have just hit it on an off day the first time I went because these two were out of this world! And I tried the pulled pork sandwich which was better than any other place I've tried in Boston.
(5)Lauren L.
I might give Blue Ribbon 5 stars if we hadn't started off on the wrong foot. Allow me to explain... I ordered a catering package ("THE Sandwich Deal" if you must know) for lunch for my office of about 30 people 2 days in advance. WELL, my friend, our delivery time came and went with no delicious BBQ in sight. I gave them a call figuring they were just running a little late and that it was NBD. FALSE. Turns out the woman who took my order completely forgot to process it. Sucks. So that really put a damper on things. HOWEVER, the woman was super apologetic and felt really bad and totally admitted that it was her fault. So at another date and time of my choosing Blue Ribbon delivered my order FREE OF CHARGE and it was the ballzzz. I highly recommend the burnt ends, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. The baked beans are also totally awesome as are the mashed potatoes and corn bread. You can eat the meat plain or make a diesel sandwich with the rolls they provide. Whatever you want - follow your heart. Now there are some pretty picky folks in my office who love to complain but I didn't hear a peep out of them. Everyone loved it and was in a food coma for most of the afternoon. AND we had a crap-ton of leftovers, which, I'm sure I don't have to tell you, was kickass. I feel pretty confident that this little mishap was a fluke. They're human. We all make mistakes. Whatevs. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Eva F.
Oh, Boston, why must you be so bland? No matter what the cuisine, restaurants around here err on the side of caution when it comes to spices and seasonings. Blue Ribbon is no exception. That's why it irritates me when people call this "Southern food." Any Southern food I've had was a lot more flavorful than this! Down in Louisiana, I fell in love with Slap Ya Mama seasonings... no mama-slappin' going on around here! So it's bland. And soggy. It's a good portion size for the money, but I haven't yet been particularly inclined to finish what I've ordered. I keep giving them chances since they're in a convenient spot and everyone does rave about them so, but I think I'm going to have to agree with the others who called it overrated.
(3)Linda J.
WOW what can i say that hasn't already been said. We hired this place to do our company BBQ and they did a wonderful job. Not only were they extremely pleasant but the food was incredible. Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends to BBQ Ribs and the OMG Red Bliss Potato salad was incredible! Thank you Blue Ribbon
(5)V L.
Fast, Tasty and not too expensive. I love their specials. I usually get the pulled pork or burnt ends. Not a fan of the chicken but that's just me. Tasty pies and soups too. Cornbread is great!
(5)Aaron P.
Funny story: When Blue Ribbon first opened I lived in an apartment across the street from it. I was a vegetarian at the time and I'm from Texas. So I SUFFERED HORRIBLY at the wonderful smell that wafted out of this joint and into my apartment on warm summer days. It was torture. Fast forward five years and I moved away but have decided to eat meat again. So one of the very first places I visit is Blue Ribbon, with memories of that aroma never leaving my mind. I can eat it. Finally! Talk about a disappointment. All the food (entree, sides and bread) on the plate was practically watered down and splashed together in a soup-like substance. The meat on my sandwich was way too tender and the sauces were pure vinegar. Maybe this poses as BBQ in some poduck place in South Carolina (where I hear vinegar is king), but in Texas you'd be run out of town serving this junk.
(2)Luca R.
Best BBQ in Boston, hands down and the prices are great. Red Bones isn't even in the same league. These guys know their BBQ...makes me feel like I'm back in KY. Thank you Blue Ribbon, you guys are awesome! :)
(5)Jennifer A.
I have had BBQ in other parts of the country, but I always find myself saying "this isn't as good as Blue Ribbon." They always have good specials, but I would mainly stick with the menu items. If the place is busy, sometimes the quality of the specials isn't fantastic or they run out, but some of the specials are sublime! The catfish sandwich is a fave, as is the pork loin with lemon garlic mayo. For old standbys, the pulled pork is one of the best! Their ribs are big and tasty and sometimes they even serve big beef ribs that are mouth watering! It is both a blessing and a curse (to my waistline) that I live across from this place. Cheap, fast, and delish!
(4)Sushiman S.
Had to work Saturday, so since I was nearby and it seemed like the right thing to do, Blue Ribbon came to mind... This little Storefront on Mass. Ave. in Arlington, has the just the right ambiance for take out BBQ... Simple..... a couple places to sit and watch the traffic go by, outside tables for the adventurous always worry that a stray dog will fight me for my ribs)... Anyway, the service was quick, the food as always top notch...This is not a "red bones", but then it is not trying to be. I had a rib sandwich to go and took a rack of ribs home for dinner and sharing.... The rib sandwich was good, the ribs were meaty and and with the sides of cheesy mashed, and green beans (pleasantly overdone and mushy, just like mom made), and the never ending pickles and sauce... wonderbar!!!!! Must confess that I was still hungry so I ate a rib in the car on the way home, (sans sauce), but I still have to figure out how to get the grease off the steering wheel! (any suggestions????) Blue Ribbon gets a Blue Ribbon in my book!
(5)Lee M.
I was debating between three and four stars for Blue Ribbon BBQ, but the 3 stars says "A-OK" and 4 stars days "Yay!" so I think 3 is more accurate (edit: I changed it to 4 after some consideration). I had the North Carolina pulled pork barbecue platter, cole slaw, green beans, cornbread, and sweet tea. And this was at the Arlington location. The cole slaw was mediocre at best. It was actually downright bad, but I don't really like to be mean. The green beans were pretty good, but they were spiced weirdly - they were actually spicy, which was just odd. The cornbread was good, nothing special, but good. The sweet tea could have been just a little bit more sweet (just a little), but that may be a compromise for their typical customers (northerners). Now, the barbecue. It's an eastern NC style. It's pulled pork from the whole pig, not just the shoulder, and it has a vinegar sauce instead of ketchup, but it's not really saucy. They put some (real) sauce on top when they served it, which I wish they had left off, or better yet put on the side (if I go again, I'll probably ask them to do that). The meat itself was pretty good. It was well spiced. I would have preferred a little leaner selection, but there's nothing wrong with what they served. Conclusion: Good barbecue, mediocre sides, good tea. I was disappointed that they didn't have banana pudding. That would have gotten them a fourth star (edit: except I went back and gave them 4 stars...but they should still have banana pudding)..
(4)Adam P.
I'm rather a big fan of Blue Ribbon BBQ. Their take-out service is rather efficient, and they have some of the tastiest pulled meat and BBQ chicken I've ever eaten. I'm not the biggest fan of their green beans, but I do enjoy their baked beans and collard greens. It's a bit pricey for the plate meal, but it does include a lot of food.
(4)Laura H.
Absolutely delicious. Their Sweet BBQ sauce is perfect for me- my boyfriend prefers the spicy sauce. They always have fantastic specials- everything from chicken salad, to burnt ends, to classic pulled pork. Be prepared to wait in line- but damn, so so worth it.
(5)Ariel Z.
Wow...definitely exceeded my expectations and they were really high after reading the Yelp reviews. The burnt ends were the right tenderness. The baked beans were unexpectedly tangy and have a lot of molasses, very yummy. The potato salad was also spot on. Not a fan of the cole slaw, which could use a bit more flavor. The cornbread is just ok, but it comes with each order anyway. The wide assortment of sauces here are what makes this experience even more delicious. You can choose from two different types of hot sauces, two BBQ sauces (one sweet, one spicy), spicy Habanero vinegar, gold sauce, and a Chipotle-based sauce. Their sliced pickles were also a nice touch. Right when you walk in, you can smell the smokiness of the oven they cook all the meat in. Because of that, everything including the cornbread is somewhat smoky. Even without the Groupon, you could easily feed 2 for less than $20. This place also gets very crowded on the weekends, and be prepared to take the food elsewhere since there is practically no seating.
(4)deborah c.
I lived around the corner from Redbones back in the 80's when they were really at their peak so I am kind of particular about Rib joints. Now I live near Blue Ribbon and after 12 or so visits, mostly just out of convenience, I can honestly say the only thing I am happy with there is the Carolina sauce. I will not repeat rib complaints others have stated, except to add that if you order takeout, they are good for tucking a couple of ancient, dried up ribs under fresh ones to complete your order. F-ed up guys!! Shitty restaurant cutting corner technique that makes me say BOO !! Who is making those collards? You're going to kill somebody with all that grease.
(2)John L.
I still remember the first time I had Blue Ribbon brisket years back...it was an almost religious experience of flavor and texture that was out of this world. Fast forward to today, and I can't recommend a BBQ place that feels comfortable serving dried and/or old BBQ. We ordered brisket and ribs which were both dry and hard. The 2 stars are for the pulled pork, quality sides, and pickles which were good. We would love for it to be better since we live right around the corner!
(2)Tony J.
Not bad, but not great either. When we went, the beef prices were all increased due to a shortage of beef. Didn't matter, the ambiance is very interesting and has a nice retro feel. The sauces are what makes this place go. Try the vinegar based sauce if you like acid in your food.
(4)Stella D.
I was so excited to try Blue Ribbon this week, since I've heard a lot of good reviews. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. Normally, I wouldn't write a review if just one item was disappointing, but it was basically the entire meal. This is the run down. Ribs -- Tough and tasteless. Really, they were so tough, I couldn't get the meat off with a fork, knife, or my teeth. Burnt Ends -- Kind of like pulled beef, and doused in sauce. Not horrible, but not special. Cornbread -- Dry, tasteless. Mac-n-cheese -- Dry, a high pasta to cheese ratio. Not creamy, not cheesy, served kind of lukewarm. Very little flavor. Baked beans -- On the sweet side. Collard greens -- They were okay, standard, nothing special, but not bad. Cole slaw -- Also okay, mayo variety, but at least had some flavor. I hope this was a one-off, but I won't be back to try again.
(1)Andrea B.
I just consumed about five billion calories in delicious, delicious BBQ. Why? Gotta make up for all the years of walking by this place without trying it. Not okay, not okay, not okay!! But now I'm so full that I may not be able to move from this spot on the couch until sometime next week. Portion sizes are very generous, but that still didn't stop my friend and I from ordering a decent variety of things to try. The menu is pretty long, and full of excellent options. We got the Texas Beef Brisket, the Creamy Chipotle Ranch Chicken Sliders (one of today's specials), and the North Carolina Pulled Pork, all of which were phenomenal, and so flavorful that we didn't need to touch any of the BBQ sauces or hot sauces that Blue Ribbon has to offer. Each of the above came with two sides, so I think you can imagine the food comas that we fell into after eating our way through everything. Of those sides, my favorites were the mashed potatoes (buttery and very filling) and the potato salad (can't have enough potatoes, seriously). And I also really loved the corn bread that came with the pulled pork and brisket platters. It was dense and moist, not dry and crumbly like most corn bread usually is. Even after all that, you better believe we saved room for dessert! We got slices of the key lime and pecan pies, both of which were freshly baked, and the perfect ending to a very rich and wonderful meal. Whether you're in the mood to dine in or take out (I recommend the latter, so you can take a nap immediately after eating, which you WILL want to do), service is friendly and fast. You can call in your order ahead of time, order online, or walk right in and place your order at the counter. Either way, wait time is minimal, and you'll have BBQ goodness all up in your face in a very short time indeed. I highly recommend liking their Facebook page, because they post new specials for this Arlington location, as well as for their West Newton location and their food truck. And by "new specials," I don't mean one item per day. I mean a whole bunch of scrumptious new things to try, each one sounding better than the last. So, it may have taken me a long time (read: three years) to get around to trying Blue Ribbon BBQ. But now that I finally got over there, I have a feeling that I am going to become quite the frequent customer!
(4)Kevin Y.
Portions are good size. I love the beef brisket. I love most of the sides (can't love everything). I hear debates going back and forth between redbones and blue ribbon and w hich is better. Both have their pros and cons, but I prefer Blue Ribbon for lunch most of the time.
(5)Local E.
Inconsistent ribs, good pulled meats, mostly good sides. After 30+ visits, I realized finishing my plate feels like a chore instead of a joy to be savored. Ribs: usually tough, boiled-tasting, wooden, chewy Pulled pork, pulled chicken: tasty, moist, winners Special sandwiches: usually worth a try Sauces: love 'em Rice and beans: coin toss; often has hard bits in them Random special sides: good Vastly prefer ribs, sausage, & vinegar sauce at Redbones.
(3)Robert L.
Went here for lunch using a $15 groupon. Ordered the beef brisket sandwich, beans, collard greens, and a drink. Transaction was smooth, they looked up my groupon for me because it was not on my phone. Only reason for the average rating is because of the key lime pie - DO NOT get this. Tastes nothing like key lime. Note to chef: walk across the street to stop and shop, buy some Nellies key lime juice, make the key lime pie recipe printed on the bottle, serve that instead.
(3)Mike L.
The Good: Burnt ends are super delicious, juicy, and fatty. Ribs are closer to Memphis style ribs than Kansas and fall of the bone real easy. It's worth coming here just for these. There's no where in the area that does these things better than Blue Ribbon. The Bad: Jerk chicken. On the dry side with a lot less taste than I hoped for. Not terrible though. The Ugly: Dirty rice, rice and beans and cole slaw were pretty tasteless and disappointing. Dirty rice is supposed to be cooked with "small pieces of chicken liver or giblets, green bell pepper, celery, onion and spices cayenne and black pepper"..and it seemed to be missing nearly all of that. Shame. Also, the cornbread is nearly bone dry. Regardless of poorly done sides, Blue Ribbon does what it sets out to do excellently.
(4)Lisa W.
Wow.. I just realized that I never reviewed blue ribbon!! And I used to live around the corner from it. Seriously, we could see and more importantly, SMELL blue ribbon from our deck. A blessing and a curse, I tell you. I have to admit that having tried both places multiple times, I favor Blue Ribbon way over that other BBQ place in *ahem* Somerville. I like the quick take out option (there isn't a lot of seating inside), it's easy to get to and there's lots of street parking (just circle around the block on Highland Ave.), and I just like the food better. Pulled pork with some spicy bbq sauce.. rib sandwich... brisket... mmmmmm... meaattt... oh wait where am I? Yelp. Right. Anyway, the sandwich platters are the best value.. you get a good amount of meat, two sides, and a corn bread for under $10. Don't forget to fill a little plastic container with pickles!
(5)Erik H.
Great BBQ spot. Has the right decor, menu, sauces and the food is great! Loved the outdoor seating in the summer. Greata place to wheel and deal meals with friends. Plenty of free street parking too.
(5)Artie A.
I need to understand why my order put in at 3:15pm was not ready at the requested time of 6:15. This was a large order ($200) and I had to wait 20 minutes past the requested time for it to be prepared. I got there early and paid for the order. But apparently it was put at the end of the line, at that time, and the requested time was ignored. Perhaps you are telling me that I should go elsewhere. The food was excellent but the service needs some management.
(3)Marcy Z.
A great surprise here in Arlington, MA. Tender juicy pulled pork with spicy sauces and a great smoky flavor. Very good selection of sides, red beans were really tasty. Good sized portions for your money, two meals with drinks for $25. We will be back.
(5)Janet K.
Hands down the best BBQ in Boston! We got the Texas Sliced Beef Brisket ($14.49) and it was out of this world! It was our first time here today and the server was super friendly (even gave us a sampler - I'm getting the Kansas City Burnt Ends next time...). My husband really liked the cornbread and the sides were great overall. Highly recommended!
(5)Sung L.
I and my family love this place. We come here whenever we cannot decide what to eat. Pulled pork and beef brisket are awesome. We also like cole slaw and other sides. Above all, taste of their food is consistently good which I really like. I highly recommend this place for BBQ at least around Boston area.
(5)Phil B.
The two stars aren't for the restaurant on the whole, but for what I consider to be a unpleasant trend at Blue Ribbon. They're now putting hot pepper in almost everything. Their weekly Sunday cheese grits special almost never contained serious heat in the past, now they add jalapeno or other hot peppers almost every week. Mind you, they're not offering a milder version and giving people a choice, it's heat or nothing. The jerk chicken spicing seemingly has more heat in the mix than it used to. But the real head-scratcher here is that they now add habenero pepper into the macaroni salad. Macaroni salad is meant to be a cool and refreshing counterbalance to hot and spicy foods, much as Indian restaurants offer raita or blue cheese is served with Buffalo wings. What's more, they don't always label or name menu items to give customers a heads-up that a dish is hot. They could easily call their macaroni salad special "Habanero Macaroni Salad." Also, it might make sense to put little red stick-on ribbons on their menu boards next to any item with jalapeno, habanero, hot cherry peppers, etc. so people who like that sort of thing can gravitate towards it and people who don't care for it can order something else. The addition of "stealth heat" in menu items is a shoddy practice; let people know what's hot and what's not, and make their choices according to their own tastes.
(2)Kevin T.
You won't find better smoked food anywhere in or around Boston. These folks put love and smoke into their dishes. A must have BBQ meal.
(5)Nora M.
Love this place! Went again last night and had the chicken burrito. It was huge, hot and delicious. The line moves fast, the staff is great, the tables turn over quickly, and the customers are all happy and laid back. It's good barbecue for this northerner!
(5)Peter E.
Craving BBQ and just did takeout. Sorely disappointed. Meat lacked any kind of bbq flavor and I found myself loading my own bbq sauce (some Stubbs). The entire reason you do bbq is for the flavors and sauces with the meat. I seriously think they forgot to load any sauce whatsoever on my order. Needless to say, not likely to ever go back when there is Red Bones in Somerville, which is always good.
(2)Mark R.
Consistently great!!! Be coming here for 4 years. Memphis ribs are the best! Vegetarian burrito, burnt ends mashed potatoes are all good. Makes my family forget about chipotle. Who needs them when you have blue ribbon.
(5)Christine J.
3.5 to 4 stars. Good BBQ. Not amazing but good enough. nothing fancy. Will come once in a blue moon.
(4)Ashley P.
I know this place is an institution, but I just don't think the food is that amazing. Its a good spot and the prices are very reasonable, but I guess I just didn't fall in love. I have an issue with food that sits in bins with it's own juices before it is served and most of the meat here is served that way. Once again, maybe that is part of the charm, but I couldn't get down with this Southern kitchen.
(2)Yvonne V.
We ordered take-out, there isn't a lot of seating. I had the beef brisket with mashed and collard greens. It was delicious. My husband had the burnt ends which I also thought was good, just not as tender as the brisket. The cornbread was good too. The potions were huge, enough for two meals.
(4)S B.
My place of work gets catered food from here on occasion and I'm always bummed when they choose it because plain and simple...It's just not good. Greasy, either overcooked or undercooked bad cuts of meat. I end up eating 4 pieces of corn bread for lunch. That is the only saving grace. That's why I put 2 stars instead of the 1 star. You will not feel good after eating this food.
(2)Melanie T.
It's fine, bordering on good. Very strong smoke flavor, but too many sides are pork heavy. Plus, they often run out of things very early.
(3)Jennifer B.
No frills, down to business authentic BBQ place. Burnt ends were so flavorful. Beef brisket melted in my mouth. Everything was super juicy. Mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. In my opinion this place is better than sweet cheeks.
(4)Stephanie W.
Came here because I got the Groupon. Food was really good- got the rib platter. Only thing was that the service was a little slow. They also got my order wrong, but when I told them about it the guys happily fixed it. Wish there was more room to sit, but definitely check this place out for good BBQ take-out!
(4)Angie B.
We recently ordered a large take-out order online, which was very convenient. Everything we had was amazing. I particularly enjoyed the dirty rice. In addition to delicious food another reason Blue Ribbon is so special is that it is very accommodating of food allergies, and has an extensive amount of information on its website about what people with various allergies can and can't order. I have to avoid dairy and soy, and I was able to get the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, dirty rice, and the NC vinegar barbecue sauce (among other things). It is so wonderful to be able to have these options when on a limited diet.
(5)Raj M.
Amazing BBQ joint! Their sandwiches are great! I love their Jamaican jerk Chicken sandwich and the brisket! Potato salad is out of this world!
(5)Simon L.
Hortans cuban sandwich with sliced pork loin and pulled pork. A giant sandwich with mountains of sides - cole slaw and collard greens. Pork loin was juicy and had a crisp skin. A daily lunch special. Cole slaw was prepared with flecks of pepper - fresh cabbage and carrots. Collards had a nice pork flavor and were slightly crisp. Pulled pork was normal - that means excellent. Ribs here never disappoint. Whole racks of spares are consistenly smoked with a pink ring. Excellent bark formed by a medium rub. Juicy meat, not quite fall off the bone but in the way ribs should be smoked. Subtle spices. House made sauce has a nice kick. Unbeleivable that this joint has never been reviewed by yours truly. The Newton location has similarly consistent ribs and corn bread.
(4)JD H.
Went here for lunch today with my mom and daughter. We all split the pulled pork platter. It was just the right amount for a 60+, 30+ and 1+ baby! The pulled pork melted in our mouths and the BBQ sauces were delicious. The only bummer was they didn't have a side of Mac N Cheese. With the price hikes at Red Bones this place gives them a run for their money.
(4)Steve B.
DUDE...you don't even know! Real BBQ at it's finest! Best burnt ends I have ever had. Got the combo with that, the ribs (which are internationally known) and the bbq chicken to keep the calories down. Got baked beans (which here 8 outa 10) and Cole slaw which was great. All around just great BBQ...there is a reason everyone goes here when they have the cravings!
(5)D K.
Really good BBQ! You get a lot of food for the price. We have never been disappointed.
(4)Ash And Dan L.
Blue RIbbon BBQ delivers a great take-out meal. The TX ribs, pulled pork, and brisket are amazing. The potato salad and rice and beans were great, as was the cornbread. Oh, and can't forget the sausage...spicy and delicious.
(5)D G.
Takeout: small order of chicken & 2 sides. On phone I was told 30 minutes, promptly arrive ( now is when a competent manager steps in and tells the customer it is going to be another 30 minutes - do you want to wait, come back in 1/2 hour, have an appetizer , etc.) and promptly paid. Chaos then ensues - I feel like a patient on Saturday night in the ER at BMC but this is Sunday night in Arlington Center. Cmon!!! Good food but think twice, 3x about takeout
(2)Andy G.
Enjoy the wait. This place is chaotic and way understaffed. Online order said ready for pickup at 715 and 20 minutes later still waiting. Lots of angry people waiting here and the staff keep rolling there eyes at people that are complaining.
(1)Michael R.
Unlike a few other reviewers, I find Blue Ribbon to be remarkably consistent and basically as good as any bbq I've ever had. The ribs are meaty and tender, with a perfect crust, and aren't suffocating under a layer of sugary sauce the way I've had it even in North Carolina and Texas. The brisket (and burnt ends variation) is blowaway. Some sides I like better than others, but everything seems well thought through - not an afterthought. The collard greens are spicy and chewy and just right. As others have mentioned, the sauces are a high point. It's a special treat for us - we have to hold back for the sake of our waistlines. But we go pretty often, and when we do, it's always great.
(5)Jessica S.
I tried this place after I heard it had an awesome reputation. I thought it was a little overrated. The place is very small and crowded, the workers were all very rushed and rushed me when I was ordering. The food was pretty good, but nothing amazing like I was told. Overall this place is mediocre.
(3)Chris M.
Just walked out the door with $50 worth of barbecue. The combo I ordered came with four drinks but the sweet tea and lemonade were empty. I kindly inform the staff and the individual I spoke with only said "ok". After asking again and waiting a total of about 10 minutes I walked out.
(1)Bear W.
Being from Texas, we are pretty particular about our BBQ. I must say we were pleasantly surprised by Blue Ribbon BBQ and highly recommend the place! The sliced brisket was a little dry but the collard greens and black eyed corn were spot on. All of the sauces were absolutely delicious and the pickles were my wife's favorites. The Kansas City burnt ends, baked beans, and mashed potatoes were excellent as well.
(4)Kayleigh S.
This place has huge serving sizes. Well worth the price. The sides aren't as delicious as redbones' but the meat is good and our meals are usually cheaper.
(4)Wei W.
Ribs and brisket and burnt ends, oh my! If you're expecting some high-end sit-down BBQ, this is not the place to be. But if you've got a hankering for brisket or a craving for a rib-wich, I highly recommend you make a stop here. +tives: + Prices are decent. + Portions are massive. + Food is flavorful. + Service is quick. + They offer online ordering for takeout. -tives: - Depending on who's prepping the meat, it can either come out too salty or too bland. Luckily the variety of BBQ sauce helps offset this. - Parking availability can be slim. However, Stop and Shop right across the street can ease the pain a bit. I've had their rib plate, brisket plate, pulled chicken sandwich, pulled pork plate, and burnt ends sandwich, all of which tickled my fancy. I've also ordered from them for catering at work. They've proven that what produce in individual quantities can be scaled up to feed a group of 35 with just as much flavor. Of course I'll be back - the store is a couple of miles down the road and it gives me an excuse to "eat moar BBQ!"
(4)Binh N.
Our go too Bbq joint! Love the ribs, collard greens, mash potatoes, and Bbq chicken on the bone!
(5)Chris P.
I'm a huge BBQ fan and thought I would try this place out yesterday. So, I got the "Carolina" pulled pork and "Texas" brisquett tray with slaw and greens. The greens and slaw were pretty spot on, but the BBQ wasnt as good as I had hoped. First off, the "Carolina" pulled pork isn't Carolina at all. It didn't have that vinegar based sauce or taste. I'm from NC and smoke it myself often. Didnt taste bad, just not authentic. The brisquet was tender but lacked much smoke flavor. The corn bread was great and so was the slaw and greens. All in all it was OK. Not bad for a New England BBQ restraunt. I would go again. Next time I'll try the ribs. This place is worth your business!
(3)Alexander S.
One of the best BBQ joints in the northeast. My advice to you is to skip a meal in advance of eating here, as everything is so damn delicious you will demand of yourself to stuff you face. The sauces are all amazing, the chicken and beef are world class. Highly recommended for parties and family or birthday outings. Simply fantastic in all aspects.
(5)Nicholas C.
Great tasting barbecue. Also, I am severely lactose intolerant, and it is one of the only American restuarants I can eat at. It's part of this little cluster of restaurants that also includes Toraya, and it's one of my favorite spots.
(5)Ted C.
Ever since a recent trip down south (South Carolina), I've had the occasional hankering for some good barbecue. Low and behold, there is actually good barbecue in the Boston area. Finally! I'm usually a pulled pork or pulled chicken guy, both of which are delicious here, but I really have to try the burnt ends next time I come. People rave about them. They'll let you taste any of the great variety of sauces ahead of time so you can get your order just right for your taste. Highly recommend!
(5)Nan A.
This place is a picnic of the very best kind. First time and tried the Kansas City Burnt Ends and it was everything good BBQ should be a little vinegar sassy kick, a little salt, a little spice. Interior is done up as a fun retro Southern diner, with old time advertising and Americana folky art.
(5)Court S.
This joint was just ok for me. I ordered the polled BBQ chix sandwich with 2 sides: coleslaw & stuffing. yelp.com/biz_photos/dnbf… Stuffing was slightly dry but flavorful. It had more of a sweet taste. Coleslaw was good. Pretty easy to make but nothing special. The employees all had blank stares like they'd rather be anywhere but there. No smile, no tip. Still on the quest to find great BBQ in the northeast.
(3)Dan S.
I have lived in Goldsboro North Carolina for many years and pulled pork in the state is a real art form. While driving through Arlington and seeing pulled pork and a North Carolina state flag, I knew I needed to stop in and get some pulled pork. I bought two pints of pulled pork, got home and was immediately transported back to a local NC pig pickin'. It has been so long since I have had good NC pulled pork, there's nothing like it and this place was amazing and dead on. I am so happy to know I have a local place in Mass to get a rarely well prepared favorite outside of NC. I can't wait to get through these two pints so I can get back a get some more. Total hats off to you!
(5)Abbey B.
Went here for my birthday with my roommates and boyfriend. Three of us got the pulled pork--just thinking about it makes my mouth literally water. I tried three sauces, and all were delicious. The best on the pulled pork was the Gold sauce, I thought. Nice and vinegary pulled pork, very good maple-roasted sweet potatoes (I think?), baked beans (beeeaaaaaaannnnnssss), cornbread (eh). I'd get the sandwich next time--the cornbread wasn't very tasty, and I could only finish about half the platter. The pulled pork was so good that I don't know if I'll try the ribs or brisket when I go back for dinner (tonight!). Seating isn't plentiful, but if you can find a spot, you'll be too busy chowing down to care.
(5)Andre D.
I just ate lunch at the Blue Ribbon and it was everything my BBQ craving stomach could ask for on a hot Friday lunchtime outing. Before you even get inside the welcoming air-conditioned establishment with optional outdoor seating (which is where BBQ food is SUPPOSED to be consumed), you can smell the delicious Texas rub that they use on the savory ribs and hearty chicken selections. I can describe them in that way, because I was hungry (greedy) enough to ask for a half slab of BBQ ribs and half BBQ chicken for my meal. I also must say that they are without a doubt (and until I try other businesses) the best tasting BBQ spot in the Boston Area. Why not 5 Stars? I just can not bring myself to justify the OUTRAGEOUS PRICE for their food selections. My meal alone should not have hit the 20 dollar mark as 15 dollars or less would have sufficed for what appeared on my plate. The ribs and chicken may sound like a lot, but trust me, they are pretty much on the small side of average as I had NO PROBLEM putting away my 20 plus dollar meal with room to spare (and without feeling bloated). I noticed the big Texas flag hanging outside of the front door, but the food does not hold true to that true TEXAS SIZE expectation one would have as a first time patron. Well done Blue Ribbon, but everyone knows that size matters in Arlington, MA as well as Texas itself.
(4)V H.
Had a chance to visit Blue Ribbon after hearing a lot about it on the food network.... C+ for effort... =) nothing special... but the best thing going for Boston
(3)JEFFERY S.
Stellar food - I've never been disappointed with the food here in the 10 years I've lived in Arlington.
(5)Emily C.
I'm a self-admitted rib-o-phile, so I end up here pretty frequently for the Memphis dry-rubbed ribs with a splash of their Hot Blue Ribbon sauce. The Texas beef brisket and the Jamaican jerk chicken are always pleasers, too. Get it with a honkin' slab of corn bread to dip into the chipotle mustard, and collard greens. Service is always speedy, and, despite not being able to get a beer with my ribs, I make do with the delicious vat of sweet tea. It's fun to sit by the window and watch the world go by, and you'll never, ever be hustled out the door if you decide to sit. There's outdoor seating when the weather's nice; take advantage of it when you can, because nothing's quite like eating barbecue outdoors in the summer.
(4)Tess M.
I'm not new to Blue Ribbon. I usually always get the same thing; Kansas City Burnt Ends, Green Beans, and Black Eyed Corn. Tonight I said give me mashed potatoes instead of the corn. Good thing I did as it was the best thing in the whole meal. The burnt ends were dry. I don't normally get any extra sauce because they have plenty. Not tonight. Really needed sauce. The corn bread was bordering on dry and somewhat overbaked. Normally it's delicious and I love it. And instead of green beans, I found I had baked beans, which unfortunately I don't care for. I called back and they very nicely credited me for the green beans. I called before I started eating. Guess I should have waited. I had already spent an inordinate amount of time in the car from work to there and and didn't have the wherewithall to go back.
(2)M B.
I last visited this particular Blue Ribbon about 3 years ago, and while the ribs at another rib place in Davis were certainly better, the ones I got here were pretty good, at least 4 stars. However, about 4 days ago I went in again on a whim when I had a hankering for some ribs, and didn't feel in the mood to fight Somerville / Davis Square traffic and parking. Frankly, the taste was good, but the ribs? Tough as nails. Several times I found myself thinking I'd bitten into a piece of beef jerky and had to seriously chew. Other parts of rib were, of course, easier and more tender but very dry. The sauce tastes very good though what they call spicy ... Well, I'd call maybe medium. I'm not sure what they changed in their process, and I'm not sure if this was a fluke and I happened upon a botched rack, I'll have to try again. But as of right now (7-7-2010) I was quite unimpressed. The rib joint in Davis has little to nothing to worry about.
(2)Elliot K.
Oh my god. I'm from the south, and I'd never had barbecue this good since until I ate here. I've never had anything here I haven't loved, but make sure you try the burnt ends and the collard greens. The pulled pork, pulled chicken, cole slaw, black-eyed corn (a mix of black-eyed peas and corn, not some chimeric legume), and green beans are also all solid choices. Watch for side specials like the chili mac and cheese, which are usually worth getting. I can only think of two unflattering things to say about Blue Ribbon. First, there's very limited seating. You can almost forget about eating in if you come at prime lunch or dinner time. I advise getting takeout - what you miss in ambiance, you can make up for in beer. Also, I don't like their "feedbag" group takeout options. They're heavy on the sides and light on the meat, and you'll always end up with a huge untouched container of baked beans. You'll have a better dining experience for the same money getting bulk barbecue and sides. All in all, Blue Ribbon dishes up some of the best food in the suburbs, and is a serious bargain to boot.
(5)Joel M.
Always great... love this place...
(5)Dino P.
As a Redbones loyalist (I have my favorites there and it's my local spot), I still think there's some items available at Blue Ribbon that beat it. Now, I have to admit that Redbones as a sit-down establishment, with easy parking (hell yes I got a Somerville permit!), bartenders who I know and like, AND one of the best beer lists in the city cannot be beaten. But this is a categorical issue-- you can't compare a restaurant and bar with a take-out place with a stools and a counter. And Arlington has to be factored location-wise for me also--- Redbones is in my town and 5 min away. I took two friends to Blue Ribbon the other day-- one who recently relocated to Arlington and lives 2 blocks away, and another who loves Redbones but was the only one never to have gone to Blue Ribbon. We got there right around closing time, but you wouldn't know it from the EXTREMELY affable cat at the register. I got the burnt ends sandwich, Arlington got the sausage plate, and noob got a pint of burnt ends (he said he wasn't really hungry?). One thing that's always thrown me off was the fixed quality of the sauce-to-meat..... it's surely the Redbones talking, but what if i want the burnt ends with the NC vinegar sauce? Something about the menu isn't as user-friendly as I'd like also. But that doesn't mean this is an establishment not to trust-- in fact, I think I have to go back there today to try the sausage that Arlington had; it looked superb. I told the crew that the real ace at this place is the sauce itself-- and they took me to heart. We were testing all the sauces at the serve-yrself station (Gold BBQ, Hot BBQ, Chipotle Mustard, Habanero Vinegar, NC Vinegar, etc etc) and loaded up on all of them in the handy to-go plastic cups. I think we overdid it, but hey-- it's in my nature to think about food and equipment costs. The Chipotle Mustard is probably my favorite, and the Hot BBQ is also great. The cats I was with were enthused about the sauces, so when I also showed them the pickles (house-made to be sure, really fresh and subtle, cucumber flavors coming thru the brine, super good), they just bugged. We left there with a stack of food, bags of sauce, and overflowing cups of pickles. It's good that my friends are all about the hearty eating. We all went back to S'ville to watch Suspiria. The sandwich was outstanding, with beans and cole slaw. Would have liked different sides, but they seemed fixed (note: you can order whatever sides you want, but this is not clearly noted on the board). Nevertheless, saucing made the meal, but the burnt ends where flavorful themselves. Hopefully next time they will have the BBQ Fried Rice available (they have some rotating sides). Last time, I tried out this side, it was so good I asked for a pint of the stuff for next day's lunch. Bits of roasted pork, fried rice, eggs, veggies: it shouldn't work, but holy crap does it. Amazing stuff. Blue Ribbon is a hike for you if you take the T, but then again the bus does go right by it. It is an unusual thing-- takeout BBQ in Dorchester is one thing, but in Arlington is something else. This is without a doubt a place that's worth the trip, one of the best BBQ places in the area. Do NOT forget the sauce. Also, they have a lot more seating at the moment, with a broad sidewalk space filled with nice outdoor seating. If you need a break from the New England classic of fried seafood/roast beef and ice cream, I can't feature better summer food.
(4)Nicholas P.
The Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. You may think it is a little out of the way but it is definitely worth it. I've found it be on par with any good authentic BBQ you can get. On a summer night it's great to get some BBQ and sit on the street tables and enjoy it while the sun sets. Good times!
(4)Stephen H.
Went back to Blue Ribbon, tried there Brisket for the first time. Great decision, its the best offering there, get brisket or ribs or both. If you dont try these your missing out. Theres just nowhere else in new england i know where to get bbq this good Got there cole slaw again, theres better sides to be had (mashed potatoes/baked beans). Also their NC Vinegar based sauce goes incredibly well with pulled pork. The habanero sauce is insanely spicey, and I have a good spice tolerance but it was an ego check for me. Let me remind you again. Brisket.
(5)Matt R.
Best BBQ in the area. Plus they do a great catering business.
(5)Kent C.
The people working behind the counter were extremely friendly and the food was pretty good, especially the mashed potatoes.
(4)Emma D.
I admit that tied to public transport as I am, I have never actually been TO Blue Ribbon. However (thankfully!!) my work has them cater fairly often and my roomie, bf, and their car have been known to stop to pick up a 'feedbag' for us to split. I just came up from the holiday party (yes it's a little late), and my second free blue ribbon meal of the day. SO AWESOME. ribs with 4 different sauces, some of the best mac n cheese, incredible corn bread and all the sides. Way to make up for my 12 hr days in lab...
(5)Lauree K.
I am a Southerner, i.e. I know about barbeque. The food is good, but not great. I think this restaurant gets highly positive reviews, because it is a pleasant place to eat, and the owner and staff are very friendly. And it is slightly over-priced for the value, but then, this is New England. Back home I could get better stuff cheaper.
(3)Tom E.
Some Things I love: my family, London, climbing trees, finding money, David Mitchell books, legwarmers, people who buy me dinner, telling stories, cats looking stupid, cycling through red lights, tea tea tea, orchids, Chewbacca, moscow mules, lego, showers, Yelp, coming out of an airport, Spaced series 1 & 2, naughty bedtime stuff, loose chocolate chips, cold beer on a hot day, scoring a goal - any goal, steep mountains, hugging when drunk, the Arcade Fire, throwing an aerobie, labradors, youtube, driving in the dark, getting into a freshly made bed, dancing uncontrollably to electro, hats, Matthew Broderick, skipping stones and... PULLED PORK yum!
(4)Kai M.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ joint in the Boston area. It's reasonably priced and most-definitely worth it. I usually go with the Kansas City burnt end platter, side of mashed potatoes and baked beans. A delicious combo. They have a myriad of sauces to chose from, some better than other, but it's good to have the variety as an option. They offer generous portions as I almost always end up with leftovers. In the winter I would recommend takeout because they don't have great indoor seating. However, come summertime, they offer outdoor seating. What's better than enjoying some great bbq with a few friends outside on a sweet summer night? Maybe a liquor license, but overall I can't complain. Go here, you'll like it.
(5)Christie L.
We were craving BBQ since our trip to Tennessee last month and decided to try this place out. We each got the 3meat trio, I got the pork, beef brisket, and ribs and the bf got the beef, ribs, and sausage. There was a TON of food! We both loved the beef brisket and my bf thought it could be the best he's had, the pork and sausage were also great. I wasn't crazy about the ribs...a little dry. The mashed potatoes were great, coleslaw just ok, and we weren't fans of the baked beans - a little too smokey. We didn't really like any of the sauces, but the sauce that they put on when serving it was alright with some of the BBQ. Overall, for Boston this is great BBQ and we'd go back if in the area - we had a ton of leftovers and ate for 3 days!
(4)M M.
Friday night treat....we regularly get take out from Blue Ribbon. Lead with the beef brisket, pork ribs are also awesome. Last night, the collard greens were more delicious than ever...I'm falling in love all over again. Now listen up people...I lived in the south for most of my life: Blue Ribbon has the BEST pecan pie I have EVER eaten. Tip: order the beef brisket as a platter....I have a suspicion that the sandwich gets filled with the fattier cuts of brisket (presumably you're not going to look at the inside of your sandwich). Taste is very subjective, of course, however, the coleslaw is excellent....perhaps it has a touch of mustard? that would explain why I love it and some people don't....it's not that overly sweet stuff alot of places serve. Thank you Blue Ribbon!! The line at the counter doesn't lie...
(4)Mary M.
Update: I stopped by last week to pick up some roadfood on my way out of town. I didn't know it when I ordered my brisket sandwich and baked beans, but that was THE one true meal combo to order as you're heading out of town on a Friday evening when the skies are clear and the traffic is light. I stopped off at a state park off Route 2, sat in a picnic area, ate the most wonderful brisket sandwich and baked beans I have ever had, and watched some huge white pines sloo o o o o owly grow. It was a truly perfect meal. Thank you Blue Ribbon.
(4)Matt N.
Blue Ribbon is hands down the best BBQ in metro Boston. Arlington is a bit of a haul from my home in Somerville, but it is worth the drive every time. I almost always order the pulled pork sandwich which is fantastic. I recommend switching the cole slaw side for mashed potatoes - they are so good. I also recommend mixing the three sauces in one container and drenching your food with as much sauce as it will hold. The service is amazing (they wrap your little sauce containers in foil for you so they don't spill in the car) and quick. The place is small and could use more tables for sit down eating. It would also be nice if they had a liquor license to server beer - there is nothing like a cold beer with BBQ. But, minor criticisms aside, if you're eager for some good BBQ and have not been able to find it in Boston, look no further than Blue Ribbon.
(5)Lori D.
I'm from the South, so believe me when I tell you this is the Real Deal. Their pulled pork is one of the best I've ever had (melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfectly seasoned), and I swear I could drink their Sweet BBQ sauce by the pint. The servings are very generous (meats & sides), the atmosphere is fun and super casual, and the prices are quite reasonable. Definitely my new favorite place in the neighborhood!
(5)Kerri O.
Great Burnt Tips, Brisket, Meatloaf, etc.. One thing: Expand! I NEVER can get a seat, and live too far to Take Out. Also, though their Cornbread is THE BOMB, I don't care for their beans (watery), or their greens. They're okay, not fantastic. The mashed taters tend to be a little stiff, too. You should mash taters, not whip them. Love the Iced Tea. Never change that.
(4)Jennifer K.
LOVE the ribs!!! Don't wear your skinny jeans - you'll end up unbottoning. There is one in West Newton too - equally yummy.
(5)Sam S.
Although there aren't tons of BBQ options in boston-area, Blue Ribbon almost makes up for the lack of choices we have, due to the fairly wide variety on their menu (BBQ burritos? really?) and the extremely high quality. Meals are very reasonably priced so its a great value to boot. Only wish they would expand beyond arlington and newton. Still, makes me glad I only live one town away from top notch BBQ.
(5)mike y.
3 words...Pulled Pork Sandwich ...drool
(4)Corydon S.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is my favorite place to eat in Boston. The ribs and brisket are so good they make it impossible for me to order the ribs at other barbecue joints. They don't sell booze, just about every kind of tasty meat you could want sausage, pulled pork, dry rubbed ribs, and beef brisket. The sides are a little lackluster. After some trial and error, I usually get a double side of mashed potatoes with my combo platter. You can grab extra sauce (Hot, Sweet, Gold, or Vinegar) while you wait for your food, the sweet sauce is my favorite. I will probably eat there tonight, it's that good.
(5)Jeremy P.
My new tradition is to walk to Blue Ribbon BBQ when I'm waiting for my car to be serviced at the Mirak Hyundai / Chevrolet Service Center down the road. My favorite foods include burnt ends, mashed potatoes, and the corn. I love their sauce as well. The last time I was there, starting my new tradition, I tried the burnt end burrito, which was an amazing value and very filling, but I prefer the burnt ends by themselves in all their glory. Perhaps I will try a BBQ sandwich next time.
(4)Tom L.
Great food. I'm a big fan of the pulled chicken and Kansas City burnt ends.
(4)Ray S.
Blue Ribbon catered our backyard wedding this summer in Marlborough. They were prompt and professional at every stage, from ordering through delivery, and the food was tasty. Definitely recommended!
(5)Michelle E.
Small place, so not great for huge groups. Great prices, meat has a good taste, very tender ribs.....recommended!
(4)Frances K.
Best sliced brisket I can remember! Plenty of sauce choices. Huge portions. Great service.
(5)Barney B.
So far this is the best brick n mortar place to grab BBQ in this city. the brisket, pulled meats, sauces, beans, pickles, slaw - all of it is pretty tasty - just the right amount of flavor and spice. it's a favorite as well to grab for late nights at work - many a 'feedbag' has come to the office for the crew. This location is tons better than the W Newton one, because you actually have a chance to sit and enjoy
(4)Mark O.
Frankly I do not see how one could improve on BRBBQ - ribs, sausage, chicken, pork, it's all very, very good. The sides are great, best for me are cornbread, corn, collards, potatoes. The pecan pie is the best I've ever had.
(5)Stephanie T.
This is the place to go if you want consistantly good BBQ. Prior to becoming a regular at Blue Ribbon I had thought that Red Bones had the best BBQ in the area, but I was sorely wrong. Between my SO and I we have tried just about everything on the menu and we love it all. Their cornbread is always moist and to perfection. We usually get 4 meals out of a platter, so that makes the cost even more of a bargain! Buying in bulk from them is also a fabulous way to satisfy a hungry crowd and cost effective as well.
(5)Vito M.
I'll admit that I was quite skeptical when I first walked in the door. Having gone to college in a state that prides itself on two types of BBQ may have set the bar a little too high on this place. However, these guys have (by far) the best pulled pork I've had in the Boston area. Blue Ribbon doesn't skimp on the juicy, meaty helpings. They're still lacking a little when it comes to the cornbread, and any self-respecting southern BBQ joint would have potato salad and hush puppies as regular fixtures on the menu. Regardless, this is a fantastic place to visit. I can't wait for it to warm up again so my friends and I can enjoy sandwiches on their sidewalk seating.
(4)Mike D.
Pulled pork, bbq sauce, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn bread. Unreal. AND cheap considering the massive portions. Must go.
(5)Peter D.
Definitely the best BBQ place I've been to - my girlfriend's from Texas and she loved it too. We had a half-off Groupon for this place, but it would have been worth it even at full price. We got the 2 meat combo platter (ribs and brisket) with mashed potatoes, rice & beans and cornbread - it was more than enough for the both of us. We finished the meal off with a slice of incredible pecan pie garnished with real whipped cream on top. Highly recommended!
(5)Lesley K.
I agree that it's hard to talk about blue ribbon without a mention or comparison to Redbones. It may lack the "ambience" of Redbones, the carnival that that place is...but whatever it lacks in quirky decor and beers on tap it makes up for in the quality of it's food - in spades And - it's so ridiculously financially reasonable for the amount of food you get. My favorites? the pulled pork and the baked beans. The best BBQ I've had in the Northeast - hands down
(5)Patricia H.
I love Blue RIbbon. I love it so much that this is my FIRST yelp review!! Even though I am a devoted reader, I have yet to post anything. But I just had the tastiest pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and gold sauce, made from takeout leftovers (we got a feedbag for 4, but it could've fed easily 6-7), that I just had to write a review. First: the meat. Their pulled pork is amazing. AMAZING. Smoky, juicy, flavorful, tender, surprisingly not too fatty (though good pulled pork needs at least some fat). I am also partial to the burnt ends, though they're not quite as succulent as the pork. I've only had the ribs once, and they were good, but not the best I've ever had. Then there's the sauces. I am a bit of a sauce snob. They get the spicy NC vinegar just right. The gold sauce is my favorite of the other bottled sauces, but I always prefer tangy to sweet. And the sides...excellent potato salad, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, beans (a little too sweet for my taste but very good). Their specials are always worth trying. And let's not forget their delicious homemade pickles! Or moist and crumbly cornbread! The food at Redbones, which is much closer to where I live, has nothing on this place. Redbones' pork is fattier, less flavorful, and they are super stingy with sauce. Their vinegar sauce pales in comparison to Blue Ribbon anyway. Their beans and potato salad are both a little bland. Rolls not as fresh. Cornbread is dry....need I go on? I prefer Redbones' collard greens, but that's about it. However, they do serve alcohol there, which is hard to argue with. If you are looking for a spot to hang out, Redbones will do just fine, but if you are looking for an amazing meal, I implore you to head a few miles up Mass Ave. My husband loves the food as much as I do, but he also prioritizes beer more than I do, so we don't go here nearly enough.
(5)Nancy L.
Whenever I have the urges to return to my primitive cave-woman roots and gorge myself upon delicious meat but lack exhorbitant amount of money, I go to Blue Ribbon. Blue Ribbon is an amazing no-frills BBQ restaurant located on Mass Ave in Arlington that does a lot of things right: ribs, pulled pork and chicken, cornbread, and burnt ends to name a few, with a plethora of BBQ sauce to choose from. Its a quick service area that has a few sitting areas but I usually do take out to avoid the crowds. For $10 you get these amazing meat filled platters with 2 sides and corn bread that will last you for two meals, I don't think that you can ask for more. In March 2008 to celebrate their 10 year anniversary, they have this great deal where you can buy 2 sandwich platters for $10. Two for me, none for you :P
(4)reese w.
Having a husband who loves smoking meat doesn't make me an expert in BBQ, but it sure makes me appreciate having Blue Ribbon BBQ within easy access in Arlington, MA. There is usually parking around the restaurant, making it easy to get there. The prices are reasonable and meals include a couple sides and a square of their tasty cornbread. They have a smoker in the back of the kitchen going all day, filling the place with the smell of BBQ. This is real smoked meat, people. This is not grilled meat with BBQ sauce slathered all over. This is real, true BBQ and my friends from the south have concurred. I highly recommend going to Blue Ribbon BBQ if you're in the mood for true BBQ.
(4)B P.
More often than not, the food is good and their attitude is okay. But hey, if you've had a long day and decide to get dinner from out (since you did not want to end the "wonderful" day with more work) and you walk into the BR they could give you some terrible food with a generous helping of attitude. This is fifty percent of the time! At other times, they are nice and friendly and the food is good. So I really don't know what to make of this place. Sadly this bipolar behavior earns them a 3 star rating from me. I would much rather walk across to the Shop and Stop and pick up the new rotisserie chicken and add bbq sauce on their bad days!
(3)Bruno A.
Boston isn't a city known for their barbecue, as shown by the strange popularity of Redbones, but Blue Ribbon comes pretty close. Pretty damn close. It's not the type of Southern barbecue that is so hot you brag about it to your friends and gain street cred just for surviving but it's good sloopy barbecue you find yourself enjoying once it's over and you savor the meaty, well fed feeling in your stomach.
(4)Julie A.
Every time I drive by this place I roll down my windows and inhale! The smell is smile inducing, but the taste is mind-blowing! Their BBQ is more on the vinegar side, but still really damn good! the Pulled pork is tender, the baked beans are sweet, the collard greens are cooked to perfection, and the mashed potatoes are flavorful and creamy! my new favorite thing is their pulled pork burritos! YUM! I will say the cornbread is not so hot, and they sadly don't offer much fish, but everything else gets a two thumbs up! You also get a lot of food for your cheap bucks! you can't compare to Redbones, both are good, but the world of BBQ can have many different attitudes and flavors, these are both great places. 4.5 stars!!!
(4)nicole p.
I am not a real BBQ fan but i consistently love the food here and will drive out of my way to go here. the pulled pork is fabulous. if you want a quick & easy meal, the pulled pork burrito is amazing. don't expect an authentic mexican burrito - it's just a way to have bbq'd pulled pork with yummy rice & beans in an easy way to eat. a plate isn't really required but it does drip a little - especially if you like adding hot sauce!
(5)Ryan B.
My dinning experience consisted of a heap of succulent pulled bbq chicken pipping hot baked beans and cool crispy coleslaw. It was bustling with business. We were able to secure a seat at the counter and enjoyed every ounce of the grub. The staff was efficient and busy not overly friendly but I could have cared less once I got my order. Down side of the whole experiences: - I currently smell like bbq - Over ate and now sit lethargically at my computer screen trying to write this review - I am burping a lot... "BURPPPP" Fell much better now...
(5)Aimee D.
Ohh the Blue Ribbon goodness. My husband and I were sitting around on a Saturday evening trying to think of where to have dinner. I felt like two things 1. some place new 2. BBQ, pulled pork to be exact. After Yelping around for about 10 mins I came across the review for Blue Ribbon BBQ. I had seen it before and thought "Why not go on a little adventure?". We pull up expecting a restaurant, but we were somehow alright with this carry out-ish idea. We didn't have to pay tip and we got refills on our drinks whenever we felt like it rather than waiting around for someone else to do it. I order the pulled pork platter with collard greens and baked beans. Pulled pork was perfection! I little spicy on the aftertaste and just the right amount of BBQ sauce on top. Best I've had in a while. I'd never had collard greens before but if that's what they're supposed to taste like I think I might have a new veggie in my life. Beans, I love you baked beans. I love how they dance in their thick, smokey sauce with pieces of bacon. My only wish is that there was more seating inside. Blue Ribbon, we will meet again someday soon.
(4)Stephanie M.
well worth the drive. PULLED PORK sandwich is EXCELLENT same for the baked beans. cornbread is meh. and the guy below me who said Redbones was better. Total BS. I went to Redbones for the first time today since I was already rollin around DavisSq....not great at all. and their beans taste awful. and their pulled pork is not that great. I will review them next.
(4)Tommy L.
Menu is simple but still very good. Everything they make is tasty. Lots of different sauces for any taste. Pulled pork is great, sausage is great. Mashed potatoes are amazing and cornbread is the best in the city, period. All of this and the combos makes sense and are cheap as hell. Location is less than ideal (IMO) but a great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)ELLIS D.
Like my Mom would say, " That sure is some good Yankee Bar B que!"(read with a piedmont southern drawl) I have had some good southern style to compare. There seems to be a debate though, about Redbones and Blue RIbbon. Well unfortunately for me I could only sample Blue Ribbon. In a word Yum. The Pulled pork with mustard(south carolina style ) was blue ribbon quality. The Brisket with cumin infused sauce(St Louis style or Oakland stlye) was blue ribbon quality The ribs were not blue ribbon quality. Plain ole tough ribs. I was loooking for a more smokey fallen apart quality not the chinese sparerib type. CORN BREAD AS DRY AS THE MOJAVE . I loved it but not all of it.
(3)Patryce S.
Only reason they are getting 3 stars is because this is a BBQ place and their bbq sauce is gross! So pretty much ruins their ribs of course and other food that comes with bbq sauce...sad because they would have gotten a 5 star if they had good sauce.
(3)Brooks F.
If you must get barbeque in Boston, get it here. Did someone complain that the sides were overcooked and greasy? Did I read that right? That, right there is why you people don't deserve good barbeque.
(4)Ilya Jacob R.
Disappointment. I'm not from the South. I didn't grow up eating BBQ ribs, collard greens, candied yams, and fried okra, daily or weekly. I grew in Mass and my BBQ experience is comparatively limited, but I know when food - any food - is NOT enjoyable. When food is good, in particular BBQ, it makes you smile. I remember one of my first times eating BBQ at Bub's BBQ in Sunderland, MA and that made me smile, not to metion release the beast [read: gut] From the moment I got there, their ambiance is night and day with places like Redbones and Bub's. Its small with some counter seating, but from the looks of it, Blue Ribbon is more of a grab-and-go place. They do have large tables outside (although when busy it can become family style with people joining you). They have only 1 kind of BBQ ribs - Memphis Dry-Rubbed. Huh? I thought it was a BBQ ribs place, I guess it comes down to expectations - I assumed that they'd have lots of different types of ribs. No such luck. Anyway, they do have brisket, chicken, and sausage. Sides are limited. No mac & cheese. No candied yams. My disappointment continues. I didn't see any starters/appetizers...more disappointment. Food was ready quick, but was served in styrofoam trays w/ no place to put the cleaned ribs. The ribs were okay, but brisket wasn't very good. Maybe it's just not my thing, but then again there was a good amount of fat. Not particularly impressed with the sausage either. It was another disappointment. Maybe my expectations were just too high.
(2)David D.
The best BBQ in the area! Excellent brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. I'm not a big fan of their ribs, but I've had worse. Wonderful sauces and every side is a masterpiece. My favorites are the mashers and the coleslaw.
(4)Anthony L.
coming from texas, this definitely lives up to texas bbq standards. price is good considering you get a lot of food, overall great place def coming back
(5)T M.
This is probably about the best BBQ you will find around here. In particular the brisket is awesome. Everything is very tasty. It's not fully up to what you'd find in a BBQ restaurant in the Southern states (or Texas in particular) but it is very close. To me it blows Red Bones out of the water (food-wise, not beer-wise or quirky-atmosphere-wise of course :) ).
(4)Tara S.
This place is a BBQ loving foodie heaven! My husband and I have been going there for several years now and we love it. It is a perfect spot for a quick and casual comforting meal that warms your soul. We love going there on a cold winter night when we are too lazy to cook or go somewhere that requires removing sweatpants. It is also fun in the summer as they have very casual outdoor seating on Mass Ave. I love the casual atmosphere because it reminds me of an old fashioned diner. Just be prepared if you are going to dine - in - you will leave smelling like a smoke pit! I recommend the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich or pulled BBQ chicken platter. The baked beans, mashed potatoes and corn bread are ALL a must! My husband loves the burnt ends brisket burrito. He also loves all of the different BBQ sauces they have available. The portions are large and prices are great. We can get dinner for the two of us for around $20 and have leftovers! The only reason I am giving them a 4/5 instead of 5 is because their mac and cheese could be better. But considering the mashed potatoes and baked beans are amazing - you don't really need the mac and cheese. Also, I think that sometimes the meat could be more flavorful, but they provide extra BBQ sauce which does the trick.
(4)Jaimie F.
We used Blue Ribbon BBQ to cater our wedding and they were fantastic! Great company to work with and my guests RAVED about the food. 2 thumbs up!!
(5)Laurie P.
Wish there was more seating, but no matter we took the food back to my aunt's house. My aunt is 91, and my dad is 86. They both really liked their meals, but they should have split one, lol. Dad had ribs and aunt had chicken. Hubby and I each had the pulled pork slider special, delicious! I bought a jar of BBQ sauce and need to put it to good use. Will return again someday.
(5)Andre K.
In my opinion the best BBQ in New England. Oh and be prepared to leave this place stuffed!
(5)Jenna L.
I honestly would say more like a 3.5 and normally I round down but this place deserves to be rounded up. I'm very picky about my BBQ and even went on a BBQ road trip across the country looking for the best of the best. This place was decent, which I was surprised about since the Boston area really is not known for it's BBQ in any way. Good amount of food, and cute place. Awesome sauces and lots to choose from. We got mashed potatoes with our meal which were good but weird for a BBQ place, haha. Definitely not the best BBQ I've ever had in my life, but the best I've had near Boston or even on the East Coast so far. Will be back for sure.
(4)Aaron K.
Consistently great Q. I've been to Blue Ribbon several times since moving to Arlington and it is always really good (except one time that the pulled pork was dry, but any establishment is allowed one misfire). Went this past sunday for the Pats AFC Championship game for takeout. They had extra staff on hand and extra specials. Pulled pork was great, juicy and tender. Mashed potatoes are my favorite anywhere. Cheese grits were good (I prefer their green chili cheese grits for a little kick). One of their specials of the day was a chili for champions (that's us, pats nation). Tender beef brisket with southwest pinto beans in an awesome chili sauce. This was excellent and should be a regular item! They gave me a huge cup of it for 4.99$ and threw in some cornbread which was moist and tasty. Their BBQ sauce is the best around IMO as well. All this food was only 28$ (20$ if you count my livingsocial voucher), which makes for incredible value. My buddy and I feasted and I still had enough leftovers for 2 people. Service is always efficient and the people that take your orders and money are pretty good. I especially like the older regular guy behind the register, always good for some witty banter. Seating is kind of sparse in here, I always do take out. They have some tables set up outside during the summer months. Go for the BBQ, and keep going at a great value.
(5)Ryan S.
I loved this place when I first moved to town five years ago, but it has consistently gotten worse and worse each time. The pulled pork and burnt ends get fattier, the green beans get spicier, and the mash potatoes get blander. It is still a good place for BBQ, I just hope the quality starts to improve. Often have coupons on Living Social. Try the burrito--surprisingly tasty!
(3)Nina N.
Went here on a Saturday afternoon. It was raining so we couldn't sit outside. Inside was a bit warm but smells great, lol. The bar stool faced the streets and across the street you have your Stop & Shop or was it Shaws supermarket? The bar style seating was a bit wobbly, well at least the first stool to the left of the entrance way is so be careful. People don't clean after themselves when done so the eating area can be unappetizing. Maybe they can leave Lysol or Clorox clean wipes so we can clean the counter ourselves? Husband had the trio platter, three meats and two sides. He had the Kansas City Burnt Ends, North Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Sliced Beef Brisket and for sides he had collard greens and green beans. I had the Kansas City Burnt Ends with sides of dirty rice and coleslaw. Both orders came with the homemade corn bread which was nice. Had to say, the burnt ends was a pretty decent fair, the pulled pork was yummy, the brisket a bit dry? The collard greens tasted like it was boiled and left to sit a long time and the green beans tasted like it came from a can, which made me really sad. But then again, I do like the taste of green beans from a can every now and then. Nostalgic of the days when we didn't always have money for fresh veggies and ate veggies from a can. The dirty rice was decent but with the sauces they provided, all mixed up together, yum. My coleslaw was good, not great. I think it needed a little more acid, could use fresh squeeze of lemon juice or maybe apple cider to bring it up a notch. Sides sadly felt like it was made in advance rather than to order. I can understand why they do this of course, but of course, anything made to order of course would always taste ten times better. Just my opinion. There was a variety of sauces to select, self serve. We tried the extra hot sauce which had quite the kick if you're not used to heat. If you're used to eating really and I mean real spicy food and I am talking about if you are one of those Asians who would bite into a Thai chili, then this sauce is mild to you. The spicy BBQ was the best in my opinion. Perfect balance of spices. Next would be the gold sauce, creamy and sweet. I didn't bother trying the other vinegar sauces since it looked a bit runny and I wanted a thick sauce over my BBQ. :) I would come again and try some of the exotic items like pig feets and pig brain? I am only kidding about trying the pig brains but I did see it on the menu. Not sure if they really sure pig brains. I would give this place another try.
(3)Susie J.
Overrated. I've been here twice and both times their brisket was dry and overcooked. The ribs were also not "fall off the bone" and soft. I would rather go to Soul Fire in Brighton for their ribs.
(2)michael w.
generally the eats here are pretty good, for NE bbq. but lately, when I get takeout platters, the cornbread is almost always a crusty side piece. also, I noticed upon returning home today that a $1 misc. surcharge was added to the bill. when I called to find out why, I was told that it is due to the increased beef cost, being passed along. REALLY???? how about saying that at the register. "oh, there is a sign." next time I will look for "signs" and stick with pork. that is, if there is a next time.
(2)Stephen M.
I love me some BBQ. I am in no way an expert on BBQ but for someone that enjoys some smoked dry rubbed ribs from time to time I can tell you that this place really hit the spot. I have only tried a couple other places in the area. the first being the famous Redbones, the second being Sweet Cheeks near Fenway, and Blue Ribbon being the third. Out of the three, Blue Ribbon runs away when it comes to ribs flavor and barbeque sauce, where as the others might have a slight edge when it comes to the sides. Don't get me wrong, the Mashed Potatoes at BRBBQ are some of the best I have had, but nothing compares to the Mac and Cheese offering at Sweet Cheeks or the fried pickles at Redbones. the restaurant itself is authentic. You see a lot of BBQ joints that try and make it look legit, when really it cost the person hundreds of thousands of dollars to create the same aesthetics BRBBQ naturally has. Overall if you are looking for an upscale BBQ place to take a client, this isn't your place. But if you want good authentic BBQ and sit on a stool, come on by.
(5)Max M.
Gave it 3 chances and it was the same result every time. The sides were usually good, but if I got the chicken or the brisket or pulled pork it was just very bland. Was hoping this place would be great since there arnt too many decent bbq places around here. Honestly I'd even give this place 1 more shot since they have all these awards from the past, there is potential however it sucks at the moment.
(2)Lu R.
By far the best Q in Boston. As a transplant born and raised south of the Mason-Dixon with family origins in the birthplace of Barbacoa, and blessed with a Lone Star state sweetheart, I know a little something about the worlds most perfect food, BBQ. We have tried about a dozen "Boston's Best" according to the Phantom, Phoenix, and local recommendations, and this place gets about as close as it gets to BBQ that I'm willing to pay for and recommend to people who ask. By Boston/New England standards, I would give it five stars. By mine, three and a half.
(3)J C.
I ordered the beef brisket platter. It includes cornbread and two sides, so I got coleslaw and baked beans. The food came very quickly. The first thing that hit me was the size. This platter could easily fill two people or be partitioned into two meals. Alas, I lived too far for this meal to be a take home, so I set myself to polishing off the platter in one go. The slices of brisket spanned a variety of cuts. Some of the slices were somewhat tough and dry, but most importantly not to the point of being unchewable. These were probably the ends of the brisket and were greatly helped by adding sauces. Other slices were very fatty and tender -- aka the ideal brisket. The cornbread had a very hard crust. I tend to like my cornbread more buttery and soft, but this still tasted just fine. The coleslaw was pretty good. It wasn't overly vinegary, nor overly heavy from overuse of mayo. The cabbage really came through, with the vinegar cutting the fats in the mayo. The sourness provided a nice contrast to the sweetness of the baked beans and the fattiness of the brisket. I'm not generally a person who likes sauces, so I'm not going to judge the available sauces. There were about 6 sauces: spicy sauces, mayo or cream based sauces, and vinegar based sauces. This isn't the best BBQ I've ever had. Judging from the awards on its wall, the last one of which was won in 2005, the best days of this establishment were behind it. Nevertheless, it was some pretty dang good BBQ.
(4)Chris T.
I love the rotating sides here, however make sure you try the potato salad, which is perhaps the best I've ever had. They have a nice variety of sauces too (the gold is my favorite). Only a few tables inside so it may be best for takeout.
(4)Sammy L.
Very small place, I recommend take out unless you are with only one other person. The employees are pleasant to deal with. There bbq has a very tangy/spicy taste, not my kind of bbq. Overall, I would recommend a try. Big portions and inexpensive for southern style bbq.
(4)Dirk D.
Best BBQ in Massachusetts. Everything was great.
(5)Shruti M.
yum! Went here on a Friday night for a quick dinner and I'm now a fan. The staff was really friendly and patient with us newbies. The portions are big, one member of our party ordered a platter and there was definitely enough for another meal. I would definitely recommend trying the pulled pork sandwich, the chicken sliders and the half chicken platter. The sandwich was the perfect size and stuffed full of tasty, flavorful pork. The spicy BBQ sauce, as well as the sweet BBQ sauce, were both delicious! Both the sandwiches and platters come with two sides. There were four of us in our party, so we all got to try the coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and the dirty rice. the coleslaw was ok, but I really loved the potato salad. Others in our group raved about the baked beans. Parking is a bit of an issue, its very limited out front, but you can always park on a side street. Its not really a sit there and eat place, more a to-go place. great find in Arlington, can't wait to go back!
(4)Scott B.
Generally the food is pretty good for the money. It is neither the best b-b-q or the worst and from my experience of going here at least 50 times, it is better than average. However tonight I was absolutely shocked at the poor quality of the brisket. It was mushy, lacked flavor and was fatty in a not good way. It was like it was injected with plain water to yield a mushy, rubbery meat that lacked a bark. It was gray meat. It happens but where was the quality control?
(2)Jude M.
Been quite a few times, here's my review. ALL of the Meat is DRY. that's why they push the sauces. The Service is Terrible, Screw up orders with kids who could care less. Sides are dismal. This is BBQ for suburbanites. I've lived in the area for 40 years, so no this did not put Arlington on the "foodie map". Redbones is a far better choice.
(1)Samantha S.
Absolutely great BBQ. It's definitely more North Carolina style than Memphis style (grew up on Memphis BBQ). But I love this place! I have since moved away (used to live two blocks away) and I do crave it every now and then. Again, not at good as Memphis style, but it certainly does do the trick
(4)L J.
It's too damn expensive, but I like the cornbread. I'm so torn. I have a feeling that if there was another soul food place around here they'd lose the blue ribbon status. It is what it is, but it's NOT the Newton location. That place seemed to have better meat.
(2)Paul R.
It's tough to find a good barbecue joint in this part of the country. Blue Ribbon Bbq is one of the better ones I've tried. The ribs are to die for, but what can I say, I'm a rib guy. I found the cornbread to be ok. I'm also a big cornbread guy so I was left a little wanting there. Overall, it's not the best Bbq joint in the world, but in this area, beggers can't be choosers. I'll definitely come back again.
(4)Jeremy K.
Let's face it folks, Boston isn't exactly known for having many BBQ joints; the picking is thin and there really isn't much competition for this kind of fare out here. There's a few places, like SoulFire in Allston, the Village Smokehouse in Brookline and two locations when it comes to Blue Ribbon BBQ. They have one in Newton and this location in Allston. Having been to the Newton one a few times, I figured that I would go to this one instead since it's much closer to my apartment. A short drive later, I parked across the street at the Shaw's and made my way inside. This location isn't much bigger than the one in Newton and it boasts an identical menu; on the few trips I've made there, I've sampled many items that they offer: ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, you name it... Although it is far from exceptional, the food there is decent enough and the portions are huge; almost too big if you ask me. I have yet to be able to clear my plate in one sitting and often have to take the leftovers home, in shame. They have a ton of sides and often have daily specials according to what's in season. I've had everything from their collard greens to the corn bread, the coleslaw, the beans and even the black eyed corn. I am not a fan of their beans but their collard greens were pretty good and had a slight kick to them. The brisket had a nice smoke ring which is a quality indicator and which was nice to see. It tasted pretty good but obviously it's nothing like you can get south of the Mason Dixon line. They have a sauce area next to the pickup counter where there's a ton of various BBQ sauces that you can put on your food - all kinds of style from hot to vinegary. It's actually kind of nice to have those choices. Although Boston isn't a great BBQ city, this small, local chain remains one of the go-to spots for a reliable, affordable and decent meal. It's clean, affordable and quick; hell, you can even order by phone if you're in a hurry and pick it up - you'll save a few minutes. Not that they are slow or anything...
(3)mike s.
My girlfriend picked up some takeout the other night. Pulled pork and brisket. Today we are both so sick with stomach pains and vomiting that I think we got serious food poisoning. Never again blue ribbon! Please inspect your facility, food storage and food preparation.
(1)Dylan C.
I've only had the pulled pork sandwich so I cant comment on the whole menu but if your in the mood for some good bbq try out blue ribbon
(2)Bobara B.
As a Southerner living in New England, I can say that Blue Ribbon has the best and most authentic barbecue and Southern food that I've had outside of the South. The meats, the sides, the sauces, and even the smoky smell of the restaurant's interior are enough to convince me, even if just momentarily, that I'm at a barbecue joint in Memphis, Birmingham, or Durham, and not Arlington, Massachusetts. Frankly, I was surprised at how good it was. We Southerners, when eating "Southern" food outside of the South, probably feel a lot like immigrants to the United States when eating at restaurants which prepare the cuisines of their home countries. I'm sure you've all seen reviews on Yelp which read something like "sure, this place has a fine adaptation of Chana Masala, but it's nothing like the stuff I get back in the Punjab." Well that hardly happened to me here. The only thing that might have been a little different than expected was the collard greens, but they were still pretty good. I especially liked their housemade sauces, in particularly the extra extra spicy sauce on the pulled pork.
(5)David M.
I've been coming here since around the time they opened back in 2004. We no longer live in the area, but while recently visiting on a business trip I got food for myself to take back to my hotel. The quality, flavor, taste, etc was exactly as I remembered. Great place for BBQ!
(5)Laura L.
After visiting Texas years and years ago, I stopped ordering brisket, because nothing outside of Texas tasted as good... until I found Blue Ribbon. Amazing. And they give you a pretty good portion, so that I eat it over two meals (YMMV of course). I should try some of their other dishes, but can't stop ordering brisket ...
(5)Carole B.
I did not care for the food. Having recently moved here from the Midwest, I found the BBQ disappointing. Perhaps it has to do with the different styles of BBQ, and this is a style that I do not care for. I think this is a Carolina style with thin sauces where the vinegar is prominent. I also did not find the sides to be all that good either.
(2)Ed F.
Great brisket, tender and well smoked. The hot sauce had just enough bite. Huge sides of slaw and beans were winners too. Apple cobbler topped off a great dinner.
(5)Conor S.
If you eat meat, live in Newton, and haven't been here yet, you're doing it wrong. If you gave up meat, here's a great place to start again.
(4)Helen S.
Pretty yum. I tried a few things from here when I was in Boston for a research conference. Brisket - 5/5 my god this was tasty BBQ chicken - 5/5, also cause I'm partial to chicken Ribs - 3/5, dece but not falling off the bone delicious Pulled chicken - 3/5, it was decent Cornbread - 4 yummy Averages out to 4 stars exactly
(4)Claire W.
Great pulled pork. I love getting a platter which has a side of corn bread rather than getting a pulled pork sandwich. I'll take corn bread over a bun any day. So far, the green beans and the baked beans are my favorite sides. They are a great pairing of savory, bacon green beans against the sweetness of the baked beans. The pickled beet salad is also tasty. I would not order the succotash again though since I found it bland. I really like all the BBQ sauces on the counter. The mustard is tasty, the Carolina vinegar is just like I remember from the NC coast, and the gold BBQ sauce is my favorite, but it is most fun to try them all. It's so much food for $13. I get two meals out of it. Sometimes, I like to use the leftovers on a salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
(5)Ken M.
YUM!
(4)Charlotte K.
Well, I've been eating here for years, and I am certainly a fan of their food. But something is going on at this location that is not a good trend. The food is slow cooked, which is great, but the exceedingly slow service to get takeout is a new problem, that seems to be exacerbated by the current weeknight evening crew. They spend a lot of time in jolly conversation with each other, and it is now taking as long as 20 minutes for them to transfer the food from the line to the Styrofoam box (and by the way, can't you use something besides styro?). If the sides were being prepared while you wait I'd happily wait 20 minutes, but it's sitting there on a steam table in front of them. Last night I watched while they had to fix twice a totally mixed up side dish order for some other customers (who were a lot more patient than I would would have been). I think management needs to pay a visit, or send some anonymous minders. Something's not quite right here. I can't speak for daytime or weekends, when I rarely go. But weekday evenings are kind of a mess.
(3)Williams J.
Delicious!! Nice folks too. A bit pricey but if I spent the time they do making this stuff guess I'd charge for it too. Love it.
(5)Kelly C.
YUM! This definitely hit the spot. Wet ribs, and burnt ends.... So flavorful. The meat fell off the ribs (which technically is overcooked, but just the way I like them) I think I have watched to much Steve Raichlen thanks to hubby. GAH!!! Why were all the sides so salty though! Green beans were my favorite soft consistancy, and the beans were tasty (usually not a fan) Cornbread was good too. Wish this place was 4 times bigger with comfy booths...We ended up getting it to go because the place was crammed at 1pm on Presidents Day! And the best surprise...they had King Cake! YUM for this LA gal.
(4)Mike R.
As far as BBQ goes, Blue Ribbon (in my opinion) is probably the best in the Boston area. For a take out joint, it does a good job. I have had better BBQ in Texas but this is not Texas. There have been some off days but for the most part it is fairly consistent. And it is at a reasonable price. They also have a nice variety of sauces, from sweet to super spicy.
(5)Lori B.
My husband & I had been looking for a good place for BBQ since our favorite spot in Manchester NH closed. Well, we found it!!! I could tell this was going to be good when we could smell it down the street! We opened the door & it was BBQ heaven! I'm not going to write a fancy review about how delicious the food is or how the richness of the sauces "enhance the delicately smoky flavor"...this place doesn't warrant a fancy review. Why??? Well, for starters, you walk in and the place is straight out of something that my mom & dad would go to on a date in the 50's. It has 3 steel tables and a steel counter with about 8 stools (the kind that you would find at an old-school drug store or ice cream shop "back in the day"). It was a delight to walk into a place that hadn't changed with the times! And that's VERY GOOD! What about the food you say??? It's amazing...everything that we ordered was amazing! EXACTLY what BBQ should be! Just try it..... We live over 90 minutes away & would not hesitate to go back at a moments notice!
(5)Lala I.
very decent food, great for a quick lunch in town
(4)Steve M.
Blue Ribbon was a destination before newer restaurants put Arlington on the foodie map, and I would be mighty happy if another other BBQ joint showed up that could match the quality of the Blue Ribbon (hey, step it up Redbones!) Memphis style ribs are top-notch, as are the burnt ends and the red-hot sausage sandwiches. The XXXX sauce is really good, but the chipotle mustard is truly a smoky delight and is my favorite. The specials and desserts are always nice. Today at lunchtime the Poblano rice really shined, as did the blueberry peach cobbler. I asked the manager whether they ever considered expanding and getting a liquor license, and he said that they are perfectly content with what they offer. I like a beer with my ribs, but you have to respect an establishment that knows what it is about!
(5)Chris P.
I recently ate food from the Blue Ribbon BBQ food truck at the World Cup event at Aeronaut Brewery in Somerville, and the food was amazing! Blue Ribbon served excellent food that had German and Brazilian influences to stay within the World Cup theme. The serving sizes were huge and prices were reasonable. The owners were so down-to-earth and super friendly, and they gave free samples of the sausage to those who were waiting in-line to get into the brewery. I love when restaurant owners continue to play a big part of their business. If I was to need a caterer for some kind of casual summer event, I would definitely hire the Blue Ribbon food truck! The meat was way better than Red Bones.
(5)Sean H.
This place is a gem! EXCELLENT and affordable, it offers barbecue as good it comes. I opted for pulled pork with two sides: collards and green beans. I also ordered pot likker [sic] ( the seasoned water in which the collards are cooked) - tasty tasty. My companions had sausage (also very very good) and cheese grits (slow cooked like they are supposed to be). You cannot go wrong with this place. Super casual, you won't be going for the ambiance, but you will be returning for the food. THE BOMB! Who'd a thunk that good BBQ would be in Somerville, Mass!?!
(5)Adriana T.
I have neer been here before nor I am a big fan of BBQ but the food I had there I liked :) Soooo if somebody who doesn't even like BBQ liked the pull pork BBQ sandwich I can only imagine how much people love it. The food came out very quick and the sandwich came with 2 sides - I chose mashed potatoes and green beans. The mashed potatoes were delicious!!! I think it had milk and a lot of butter in it because it tasted just perfect!!! The place was clean and the food was very inexpensive so I am definitely going to return to their restaurant. Keep up the good work guys!!!
(4)Russ L.
I live close enough that I can walk here & I can count on 1 hand the number of times I have eaten here in the dozen years since I have lived close by. I like their coleslaw, burnt ends & sauces, but other than that, I think Blue Ribbon is overrated. Their meat in general is too dry & overcooked. You will need plenty of their great tasting sauce to moisten things up. I do a better job smoking ribs & chicken in my Weber! If you want EXCELLENT Brisket that is smoky & moist, & great all-around Q, try Lester's in Burlington!
(2)Mike W.
As far as BBQ goes the food is "not bad." I'm not terrible a fan of their sauce, it's a bit on the sweet & thin side. I enjoy the smokey & thick sauce better. The big positive for me here is the portions. They are huge, and for the size they're pretty affordable. $50 for two people and we usually have leftovers for at least a day or two. Not too bad...
(3)Dee J.
One of the best BBQ restaurants ever! The best sides are the potato salad, mashed potato, macaroni salad and baked beans....yum. Most bbq chicken and flavorful ribs, with tons of sauces to choose from. My fave mix is Sweet BBQ, Hot BBQ and dash of ha bane to vinegar.....again, yum!!!!!!
(5)K B.
We tried this place for the first time and it was soooo good! Yes, the mashed potatoes are good, as well as the baked beans and black eye corn. We also ordered the pulled pork, brisket and a rack of ribs. The guy at the counter was really helpful in giving us some ideas of what to try. They were out of pulled chicken but this place was really busy so that's understandable. Also, there's maybe four places to sit and eat so had to take it to go. Next time, we're going to go earlier in the day so we have a chance to try more and sit down. They also had some unique items on special like pig brains but I wasn't feeling that adventurous. They also had a lot of different sauces to try with them. All in all this is a great place and I would definitely go again.
(4)Jason P.
I have been here before, and I actually thought I wrote a review, but this place is WAY better than I remember it. The pulled pork and Brisquet are both outstanding. There sides are ok. Not a huge fan of the slaw. The mashed potatoes are very good. The potato salad is decent. There sauces are excellent. I give this place 4.5 stars, but I am rounding up for such great sauces. Is there better Q? Definitely. Is there better Q so close? Not so sure about that.
(5)Adam P.
Let me preface this by saying that I've been to numerous BBQ joints in the greater Boston area and Blackstrap BBQ in Winthrop is undoubtedly the best (and thus what I compare everything I eat at other places to). That said, I have a few LivingSocial deals for Blue Ribbon that make the short trip from Medford worth it. The food is rather hit or miss, here's what I mean: Hit: The beans. Seriously the only thing I crave from this place on a regular basis. Their pickled beet special last night was also delicious. Their burnt end sandwich isn't full of your typical burnt ends (more like pulled pork), but it's super smoky, moist and flavorful. Ribs were underseasoned but cooked to the right point of tenderness (can add their tasty BBQ sauces anyway). Miss: The collards. Ordered them two separate times to be sure, and yes, they are officially the blandest, most baconless-est collards ever. The jerk chicken platter was dry, and their sliced brisket was dry and underseasoned. Disappointing there. So order at your own risk - I'm not saying you won't love it, I'm just saying you might hate it too...
(3)Michelle B.
Pros: Extremely fast. Almost spot-on Carolina BBQ sauce Decent pulled pork. Delicious burnt ends. Meh: All of the sides, though the slaw and mashed tasted like my mom's. The service. Not even a suggestion of a smile, though we had plenty to share. Cons: Noticeably poor quality ingredients, particularly the sliced beef brisket, which (although tender) was gummy and gristly. With such a small selection of menu items and sides, is it too much to ask that they at least be fresh/well prepared? I think that's the major difference between preparations on either side of the Mason-Dixon line. In the south, BBQ joints make use of what they have, and maybe it doesn't sit in a steam tray for 10 hours like cafeteria food. Sadness. On to the next one. Will my search for stand-out BBQ never end?
(2)Avram B.
My wife and I haven't eaten at Blue Ribbon in over ten years, but we both had positive memories of the quality of the food. I see Blue Ribbon listed as one of the top BBQ destinations in the Boston Area. So we looked forward to our Father's Day dinner of take-in. Unfortunately, the reality of the present did not live up our past memories. We were willing to overlook them getting my wife's order wrong. (She ordered the chicken platter and got ribs.) In Blue Ribbon's favor, when my wife called, the manager immediately agreed to remove her meal from the bill. The food was mediocre at best. I ordered a Trio Platter of brisket, ribs, and chicken. All three were chewy and not very flavorful. I had to work hard to get the chicken and ribs off the bone. One of my criteria for BBQ ribs and chicken is that it should be "fallen' off the bone". Hardly. This was my daughter's first experience with BBQ. She order the pulled pork sandwich because she had a sampling of really good pulled pork earlier in the day at the BBQ Barn. Taste-wise, it was not as bad as my trio, but it wasn't exactly pulled. Most of it was a large hunk of pork that had to be cut with a knife. The sides saved the meal from being a 1 star review. While the corn bread was on the dry side, the collard greens were excellent. They had a little kick and great seasoning. The Black-eyed corn was also excellent. Last Labor Day we had a street party in my neighborhood. My self and two other neighbors smoked chicken, pork butt, and pulled pork. Our home-made BBQ was 100 times better than what we ate tonight from Blue Ribbon.
(2)Ana R.
A friend took me for the first time and I was glad to have the guidance. We shared a three meat plate (sounds dirty I know) and we had plenty left over to take home. The cornbread is great, though a bit cakey for my taste. The sauces are awesome. I wish they hadn't run out of lemonade - I wasn't able to make my own Arnold Palmer : ( I like it far better than Red Bones - sorry if that's blasphemy! But these dishes have tons of flavor and RB does not always deliver in that department. It was a cheap meal to share, and like I said, it was PLENTY for two people. With a Groupon, it was nearly free. The wait staff was really nice. They let us use the restrooms even after they closed the place and I chatted them up while I was waiting for my friend. Will definitely go again.
(5)James B.
The food has been better the last month I went. I get a sandwich with sausage and brisket .It was good but some fat on it . need trim lean for sandwich.For the price its good. I also like the burned ends.I dont like the ribs.
(4)Stephanie W.
I had a livingsocial coupon that I had to use ($6 for $15 worth of food, whatup!)...but boy...very blah food. We had: 1. Pulled chicken sandwich + mashed potatoes + coleslaw (approx $8) -Pulled chicken was dry -Coleslaw was tasteless -Mashed potatoes were solid 2. Rib sandwich + mashed potatoes + green beans (approx $8) -Ribs were dry and overcooked. The meat was way too burnt and even after chewing for minutes, it hurt my throat to swallow the food -The "rib sandwich" was really three of the aforementioned ribs, still on the bone, placed between two slices of white bread. I'm not sure how you're supposed to eat this as a sandwich, so I just ate the ribs and discarded the bread -The green beans were TERRIBLE! Sour! Ew! Do NOT even think about ordering these -Again, mashed potatoes were solid We also ordered a couple servings of cornbread, which was not terrible, but not as moist as I would have liked. Overall verdict? Redbones is better. Sorry!
(2)Ralph S.
We've ordered from the Arlington location for family dinners, high school sport pre-event dinners and family celebrations. In the past the food and service was fine but recently I've seen a noticeable decline in both. The last order was incomplete - no sauces (how can any BBQ place forget sauces if they are paying attention) and no extra cornbread (they didn't forget the extra charge). Some of the food wasn't cooked or handled properly and I suffered the consequences that night. When I placed the phone order the young man seemed more interested in being cool and arrogant than getting it right. If I ever go again I will check to insure they have included everything.
(2)Sharon O.
Soooooo good! Great tasting food and great value... what else can you ask for? The pulled pork was amazing. We had never heard of blue ribbon, but we left singing its praises to everyone in the area! Portion size was generous, what you'd expect from a great guilty pleasure bbq place. Love it! We experimented the the sauces a bit, which are ok, but the meat and sides are fabulous and the real stars. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Tiffany L.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is the best BBQ place that I've found so far in the greater Boston area...better than Sweet Cheeks and Red Bones. My husband, from Texas, agrees. The best things that we tried there are the ribs and the burnt tips. The ribs, if you get an end piece, falls off the bone, the ones closer to the center are very tender but there are still pieces that stick to the bone. The burnt tips are very flavorful and the BBQ sauce is very good (sweet and a bit vinegar-y). The one thing that I thought was just OK was the brisket...it wasn't as tender as it could be and I found it to be on the drier side. The smoke flavor that is infused into the meat made it feel very authentic though! I liked the collared greens - they're good if you need something to balance out the saltiness of the meat. The beans were very good, and I found it to be a good combo if you ate them with the drier brisket. I liked the sweet tea because it wasn't tooth rottening, but my husband prefers it sweeter. He also enjoyed the pecan pie, but couldn't understand why they put whipped cream on it. He shoved the cream aside and still ate the whole thing! We'll be going back when we need another BBQ fix!
(4)Emily A.
Blue Ribbon in Arlington does an excellent job at providing it's customer base with an accurate snapshot of what life must be like at Rikers Island. I'm just a little confused why they changed the name of their gastronomical delicacies from the original moniker... "PRISON FOOD". This place was dreadful. The stank on my clothes right now is reminiscent of a campfire. A campfire at summer camp. A summer camp where very, VERY bad things happen to very, VERY good people. The fix is in at Blue Ribbon barbeque and let me tell ya' something, all the cooks are in on it. I felt like I was playing a game of "Clue". "Who killed Col. Mustard", you ask? I'll tell you who, the guy who opens up the canned green beans at Blue Ribbon, that's who! ORDER 1: Jerk Chicken with a rich, robust dumpster sauce. Flavorless corn with the consistency of a brown, fin-less trout. Rice and beans so sad that if you closed your eyes and listened closely, you could hear the cries of a thousand Mexico City cab drivers on strike. ORDER 2: "This tastes like sh*t", Kansas City Burnt Ends. Verbatim. First bite, first words. I wouldn't feed this to my dog and he eats actual fecal matter. The mashed potatoes were o.k. if you're into that sort of thing. The grey beans were green in their former life but once they caught the virus from the metallic confines of their former housing, things changed. The music got eerie. I knew I was eating some real, home cookin'! Thanks, Blue Ribbon! Both orders came with corn bread, which I would've said was the best part until my second to last bite which had a gorgeous, flowing 2" lock of white hair which I'm most certain belonged to the pusherman that took my order. GAG! At that point I was so angry I wanted to launch my IBC root beer across the restaurant right into one of those fake vintage signs but that would've been a waste of delicious IBC root beer and the signs had nothing to do with it. Ambiance: We decided to dine-in for extra authenticity! Our table was conveniently located next to the soda machine which gently sprayed Sprite while not in use. Well... it could have been Sprite, was wishing it was Morphine to take the pain away. Overall, just a horrific experience to the point where I actually wanted to bring my styrofoam plate of slop back to the kitchen and ask them to eat it. My guess is that they'd decline. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SERVING PEOPLE, PEOPLE!!!??" If you're from the south you will love this place. If you're from the mid west, you will also love this place. I'm from neither and I hate this place.
(1)Dave T.
Only 4 stars because the ribs can SOMETIMES be dry, The brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, and chix have always been perfectly cooked. My favorite for lunch is one of those items in a burrito and I sub out the rice for mashed potatoes in the burrito. It's a heart stopper and one of my favorite guilty pleasures!
(4)Danny S.
Not that Blue Ribbon needs any more internet praise, but this is hands down the best BBQ in Boston. Massive portions and low prices for quality BBQ. Quick service, plenty of house-made sauce and attention to detail. Do yourself a favor and go.
(5)David B.
Best BBQ I've had in Boston. I had the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and collards. The collards were not as spicy as I prefer, but the pork was right on. Not much seating so plan to get it Togo if you're a party of 4 or more. The place has a real down-home feel with a chalkboard menu and sandwiches wrapped in wax-paper. It made me miss my hometown in NC.
(5)Jessie C.
Pulled chicken burrito! I have dreams about you... The new online ordering is awesome! Super duper easy. Diggin' it. Way to go Blue Ribbon! Keep up the good work!
(5)Rob S.
Pros: Best BBQ in Boston. LOVE the sauces. Con: Nowhere to sit.
(4)Sarah G.
Blue Ribbon I will be back to give you a second chance, especially since my boyfriend is jealous I went without him...But if I do come back, I really really hope that your pulled chicken is not as dry as it was this time.... For $7.49 you get a pretty big sandwich deal--a sandwich of your choice, pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, etc. and two sides. I went with the pulled chicken and coleslaw and baked beans, because honestly people pulled anything without coleslaw should be illegal. It is just one of those marriages that will never get a divorce, ya know? Their baked beans are awesome. I had trouble stopping myself from eating all of those after my first bite! Their coleslaw? Well...not the best...in fact it tasted like it had been sitting out a while too...My pulled chicken sandwich was packed with meat, and the sauce was tasty, but the chicken was way overcooked and dry....even after sitting in sauce....Good thing they have sauces o' plenty for you to use as much as you want!! Being food lovers, Deanna S. and I tried pretty much all of the sauces (Tepring P. just sat there and ate her food since she was already a blue ribbon veteran ha ha) and my fav picks are their chipotle mustard, their XXX hot sauce, and their gold BBQ sauce. They actually sell some of their sauces in jars too! So blue ribbon--be prepared when I come back, because I wanted to love you so much more than Redbones, since everyone told me how much better you were!! Maybe I'll just stick with pork or brisket--i mean really the less healthy meat options usually are winners ha
(3)HowieHardcor e.
Folks, this is as close to real BBQ as you're going to get in Massachusetts, and it's pretty darn good too. Pulled pork sandwich with two sides of beans, once a week, without fail, yesserie dawg!
(5)Matt S.
My favorite thing to do here (beside get the smoked catfish when they have it)? Be sure that when I get the pulled pork platter I take a little cup of the NC Vinegar and another of the Habanero Vinegar, and crumble large chunks of my cornbread into each. That way it soaks it up but doesn't get too soggy, and still packs a pretty good punch. So good--better than the sweet potato pie (which is also so good).
(5)Scott B.
This place is my favorite BBQ in the Boston area. Much preferred over Redbones. I've had a few of the entrees and most of the sides, and it's all good. I'm not a big fan of their collard greens; their style is a very divisive love it or hate it, and I unfortunately hate it. Everything else is great, though. Most importantly, all of the meats have tremendous flavor even without any of the great barbecue sauces. This is the test of a good barbecue place. Each of the meats have distinctive flavors, whether it's the vinegary Carolina-style pulled pork or the slightly sweet burnt ends. The sauces, rather than over power the flavor of the meat, complement the meal and add layers of flavor. I've lived in the area for a month and have already been back a few times.
(5)Erica T.
This place is A-OK. Not bad at all, but after all the "This place is better than Rebones!" I've heard and finally tested it out... I disagree. I prefer Redbones. Flavor-wise, the two places are pretty much on par with each other. I had the Memphis Ribs because I've eaten it at both places and could compare a bit better. Portion was generous, and the baked beans very good, as well as the slaw. The ribs were deliciously smoked, but I do prefer not to loose as much of the juiciness of the meat. I was gnawing on my ribs in a tiring sort of way after awhile due to meat toughness. The cornbread was sweet and delicious as cornbread should be. I did take out, and the box ended up being messy-- no liquid tight containers here. Looking around, it seemed like a nice place to stop by, but I don't think I'd want to go out of my way for dinner AT Blue Ribbon. Not much seating available.
(3)Kim K.
Stopped in for a quick Sunday lunch. I liked what we got - pulled pork, sausage, and the pickles - but WHY is everything so spicy?! I could see the red pepper flake in the sausage, and normally I'm a huge red pepper flake fan, but this was way too much. And it was throughout the pulled pork too. I like spice for sure but I don't like when it melts my tongue so much I can't even taste or enjoy my meal. Maybe I'll try Blue Ribbon again someday but I won't be rushing back.
(3)Jonathan H.
This is my favorite spot for BBQ in Boston. I recommend the ribs and brisket for meats, and you've got to try the creamed corn when they have it. You also have a variety of sauces to choose from, including a few vinegar-based ones, and some excellent sweet tea to keep you hydrated. I still remember a few years back when I picking up dinner for a small group, and received the last portion of the creamed corn. However, since it only filled up half of the container, they asked me what side I'd like instead...in addition to the delicious corn. You won yourself a lifer with that move Blue Ribbon, stay awesome.
(5)Gregory P.
The quality of meat and sides is strong, but the lackluster regular BBQ sauce is what prevents this place from getting my 5-star vote. I do love the atmosphere and the location. I visit this place every now and then if I'm riding the Minuteman Bike Path. The cornbread is delicious, and so is the dirty rice and mashed potatoes. The ribs are tender and full of meat. I just really wish their BBQ was better. I recommend getting the HOT BBQ sauce instead of the regular sauce. If they would improve their base BBQ sauce, they would be one of the best BBQ spots in Boston.
(4)Deanna D.
Stopped into Blue Ribbon for BBQ while on girls night out. I've heard great things about this place so maybe my expectations were a bit high. The counter service was fast and friendly and the prices were reasonable. I had the pulled pork sandwich with baked beans & coleslaw. The sandwich was good sized and the meat was tender but lacked flavor on its own. I smothered it in a few different & delicious sauces to give it some flavor. The XXX hot and golden BBQ were some of my favorite sauces. I was not a fan of the baked beans or the coleslaw which was definitely disappointing since they were half my meal. I will be back and give it another try but for now it's a 3 star A-OK joint.
(3)John S.
It's good to be home again. I used to spent a good deal of time in Arlington, and one of my favorite activities there was cramming Blue Ribbon BBQ into my stomach to satisfy my oft-raging BBQ cravings. After taking a couple years off, I made my triumphant return for some sausage and pulled pork. Both were excellent and just as I remembered, and served up by the pleasant folks that run the place. Is it the best BBQ I've ever had? No, but it's high-quality stuff, and some of the best around.
(4)Chaos M.
I tried the sausage, chicken, and beef. This is ok actually.
(3)Susan C.
I tried Blue Ribbon for the first time a few weeks ago. The place wasn't exactly what I had expected. It was set up more like a takeout place than a restaurant. You order at the counter, and then they have tables set up for customers to sit at and a line of stools with a counter by the window. Having never been here before, I was expecting more of a Redbones atmosphere with wait staff, and a bar, and whatnot. The food, however, did not disappoint. I ordered the brisket and ribs combo with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The meat was very tender and juicy, but a little lacking on the flavor if you do not eat it with their barbecue sauce. The sauce is quite tasty though--they have 3 versions if I remember correctly. One was sweet, one was a little mustardy, and one was spicy. I mixed the sweet and spicy one together for my meat, and found it to be just the right amount of heat. The spicy alone set my mouth on fire after a few bites. The slaw and potatoes were nice accompaniments. The potatoes were buttery, Paula Dean would have been proud. And the slaw was not too mayonnaisy, so that's always good. The portion size was also huge. Definitely enough for sharing between two people or for 2-3 meals.
(4)Jeff W.
Rib-stickin', stomach-filling fun is to be had to eat at this place... the pulled pork is delicious and the sides are a-plenty. Every time after I eat there I waddle out the door thinking "ooooo boy..." Did I mention unlimited pickles and soft-drinks to wash all that goodness down? The smell wafting from the door will start to make your mouth water and your stomach ache for some lip-smackin' tastiness. Nuff said. Redbones is bogus.
(4)Arnold C.
I had the half rack BBQ Memphis style on a Sunday night. Not busy. Light crowd. Meat lacked taste, and smeared with a bland BBQ sauce. It looked like the ribs were broiled rather BBQ. It was soggy, almost like it was reheated from a microwave. The collard greens were like cabbage in a pile of water on my plate. Yuck! Awful experience. Thought I would have a closer alternative to Bison County in Waltham if i need a BBQ fix. Bison County is farther and the meat is more charred than most places, but at least you think you had a BBQ. This Blue Ribbon made me feel cheated and dissatisfied. I would not go again.
(1)kris a.
Too full to review best brisket in new england food coma; send help
(5)Sean M.
Foods are so good there! Delicious ribs, chickens, and pulled pork! But potato salad was not that great though.
(5)Matt B.
Delicious brisket sandwich. Great choice of sauces, some very hot, some more vinegary...
(5)Emily S.
I've gotten BBQ from both the Newton and Arlington locations a few times and it's always been great. The meat is very tender, juicy, and flavorful. I especially enjoy the pulled pork and the corn bread! I've never had a problem with the staff. There is a small seating are if you want to eat at the restaurant but it's really more of a take out or catering kind of place. Too bad parking can be a bit of a pain.
(4)Rachael F.
You're kidding. Have I seriously never reviewed this place? This place has the best BBQ in the Boston area by FAR. Everything is perfect. Delicious sweet BBQ sauce, moist meats, perfect beans and mashed potatoes, some of the best cornbread. Fast service, good prices, heaping portions. I have no complaints about this place. Perfection. The boyfriend and I eat here at least once a month, pretty sure we frequent this restaurant more than almost any other eatery. Seriously, can't emphasize enough how much I adore this place.
(5)Kerry D.
This is a great, reasonably priced place for a quick lunch or dinner in either Arlington or Newton. Their burnt ends are my favorite, but their burritos are really good too. My only complaint is that the sides all seem really overcooked and greasy to me. I suspect that is actually authentic southern cooking, but maybe they could toss in a few fresher, crispier raw veggie options or something does not involve oil.
(4)Andy V.
Blue Ribbon or Redbones? Go to Blue Ribbon if you want great ribs at reasonable prices and don't mind that it is essentially a take out place. Avoid the bbq roasted chicken which usually has been cooked until it has died a second death. The best deal is to order the 1/3 slab combo platter because often you'll get four ribs rather than three (it all depends on who's doing the packing). If you want to order around the dinner rush, the best bet is to go on line and place your order using this funky form which might make you nervous because you don't get this reassuring feeling that your order was actually taken and placed. Will it be ready when I get there or won't it? Don't worry! I've never had a problem except that you should definitely check to make sure they've included the proper side dishes. They don't seem to always survive the on line order translation process! Oh, and don't forget to try some desserts which are house-made. They change seasonally but I've tried the sweet-potatoe pie, the key lime pie, and even coconut custard and were all excellent. The chocolate cookies are pretty good but the brownies were disappointing. Go to Redbones if you want a sit-down ribs meal and want to indulge in the many, many craft brews. The servers are all quite knowledgeable about what's on tap. The difference in the ribs are a matter of personal taste. Personally, I find Redbones a bit more consistent in the cooking and portion size but also more expensive than BlueRibbon. Either way, enjoy! And don't forget the black-eyed peas! (the side dish).
(4)Rachel B.
After visiting this place tonight and trying pulled pork, cornbread stuffing, baked beans, and mashed potatoes and pretty much all the sauce offerings, I can say that I understand why some people like this place, BUT it is not my kind of BBQ joint. About me: I like thick, sweet, smokey BBQ sauce and pretty much anything that is slathered underneath it. Full disclosure, no shame, I like the flavor of many BBQ sauces you can get from grocery stores or Texas BBQ places. I'm from California (a place where people eat this thing called "tri tip", something that apparently doesn't exist out here) and I was not raised on true southern foods. However, I can recognize good cooking. About this place: The BBQ sauces are more thin with a strong vinegar base. They have some interesting ones with habanero and chipotle mustard. Very interesting. The meat is fantastic. Pork that is smoky and tender and fabulous. Mashed potatoes are creamy and light. So that said, if you are from the south, or appreciate REAL BBQ, like something that would be served at a church picnic or at a state fair, then I think you would like this place. If you are like me, then perhaps not. But hey, maybe you need to try it and see!
(3)Food Hunting T.
Went to there twice because first visit was fine and the second one was the end. Ordered 2 boxes at the 2nd visit and seeing half empty spaces of the boxes, their portions became less just like their menu. Paying 12 bucks for a $6 meal is not a satisfied mood. won't deal with this business again.
(1)John C.
Even though i promised i would never return i came back for round two. I'm glutton for punishment i guess. maybe it's my deep desire that the yelp reviews for this place are correct. well, i came back. this time i ordered the beef brisket dinner. texas style i believe (open face on bread) with mashed pots, collard greens and corn bread. i also got a small container of beef brisket to go. my gf was studying at the starbucks down the street so i stopped for us to share this meal. her response when i arrived with blue ribbon bbq? "are you serious". i had to give them another shot, no one deserves a 1 star review... everyone, even bad restaurants deserve a second chance. well, i pitched and blue ribbon whiffed like big papi in the first half of last season. lets start with the sides: corn bread: corn bread is corn bread, it's probably the hardest item to ever mess up.. i would say this corn bread was actually slightly above average. it doesn't deserve more than what i've already written. mashed potatoes: i am a BIG fan of mashed potatoes so i'm always hesitant when purchasing mashed from a place that has to make a lot of it.. the mashed was actually decent, the downside was that you can tell it's been sitting around all day, it' had that, oh i've been sitting around all day glaze on it. fail. the gravy was BLEH... i honestly feel the gravy from KFC is better... collard greens: why did i even bother with this.. this was missing one really important item.. FLAVOR... slap some butter or some salt on it at least.. this had NOTHING. open faced brisket: upon her first bite my gf said it tasted weird... then i had my first bite.. and WOW, the aftertaste.. i've never eaten formaldehyde but i've spent enough time around it (dissection labs in high school and multiple cadaver labs in college and grad school) to have a good assumption of what it would taste like. well, apparently it's an ingredient in blue ribbons brisket. it was horrible. i had to drench the meat in the crappy gravy in order to stomach it. to top it ALL off, all the meat came on ONE slice of crappy white bread.. really, bread costs all but half a cent. you couldn't put more than ONE slice under all that meat? they pretty much put a cow on top of a cracker and called it a sandwich. the sad part was that i had another packed container of this.. luckily i got it with tons of spicy sauce which helped. (i had to eat this for lunch for the next 2 days). the ONE good thing about the meat was that it was very tender and juicy.. but what good is tender and juicy protein with it tastes like formaldehyde? blue ribbon, we've gone on two dates and both times you farted at the dinner table. needless to day, i got your number, but i won't be calling you again honey.. EVER
(1)Jay K.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Blue Ribbon yet... This place is amazing and a dependable place to go with no matter who you're with. The food is amazing and you can either eat there or get it to go. The food is authentic and there are a lot of choices. I really like the burnt ends. Always a treat to come here. Prices are great too! The only thing is I wish they were open a little later so I can come here any time of day. That would be perfect.
(5)Ryan B.
I cant think of a better word to use than 'meh' for this Boston-based BBQ joint. I love BBQ. I love it in all shapes and sizes and colors. I consider myself a pulled pork aficionado, I make my own BBQ sauces, and there has never been a piece of cornbread I didnt love. My GF and I tried this place out after an underwhelming meal (that we didnt even finish) at a local Mexican restaurant. We saw the praise from Yelpers and I was hoping it would hit the spot. As I've seen in some other reviews, this is very good BBQ for Massachusetts but barely above adequate when compared to the rest of America. I tasted the burnt ends with baked beans, corn bread, and cole slaw. My GF had the brisket sandwich with mashed potatoes. The burnt ends were DOUSED in a heavy helping of overly tomato-y BBQ sauce so I couldnt really enjoy the meat. The bread, beans, and salw were all above average. The brisket was very tasty but came on a pretty generic grocery store bun. The potatoes were excellent in consistency and flavor. I only tried of few of their sauces. The tomato based sauces were not very good. The flavors between sweet and spicy were not balanced very well. They were heavy on the tomato flavor and lacked the punch in the tastebuds that BBQ requires. Their mustard based golden BBQ sauce was amazing. It was the star of the show. If you want good BBQ and youre from MA, check it out. If you are from a BBQ lovin' state, dont go through the effort.
(3)Melissa M.
now this is not a sit down restaurant so ideally call ahead to pick up your order, then drive home, and put on some sweat pants, because yes, this food is definitely good for when you want to crush some awesome bbq and you're cool with feeling homer simpson gross afterwards. the prices here are more than reasonable for the quality and quantity that you get; sweet cheeks charges way more, and in my opinion is only half as good. when i arrived my order was ready, as promised it would be in the 15 minute wait time they told me, and the guys behind the counter were super friendly. i filled up with some neat sauces at the sauce counter on the way out, and was on my way to gut-busting bliss. for a whopping 30 dollars we got the following: half rack rib platter with 2 sides (mashed potatoes/black eyed corn), and corn bread burnt ends platter with 2 sides (baked beans, collards), and corn bread order of pickles everything was good, and surprisingly, we ate everything, which was rather impressive. the rib meat fell off the bones, the sweet sauce was just right. the sides were good, i favored the mashed. corn bread was the only meh part of the meal - it wasn't bad, a little on the dry side. my gf crushed her burnt ends - i tried them and they were delicious, it's sort of like twice cooked pulled pork in a tomato based bbq sauce. the baked beans were amazeballs. definitely pick up a small container of their pickles - thinly sliced and not to sweet. i can't even tell you how soon i want to go back there, but i may need to institute a no more than once a month rule, or i see elastic waste band sweats in my future 24/7.
(4)Heather G.
It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate you hate the least....ooh, actually, that's pretty harsh. Let me correct that: It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate who you think will cause the least irreparable damage to the economy and to our country's reputation. My point? Boston's not famous for its barbecue. :::cue exasperated face::: Shocker, right? So it's really no surprise that you can't really procure something incredible here, especially given that there are only a handful of restaurants that make a job of smoking meat (yep). So, the punchline is - have I had better barbecue? Sure. Have I had better barbecue in Boston? Nope. To compare Blue Ribbon to the vast world of Boston restaurants, this place would be low on the list. However, compared to its peer group, I'd say this is likely some of the best you can get here. Don't like it? Move south. There are just some things New England, on average, will never be known for. C'est la vie. While I liked the mustard-y vinegar-y sauce and the spicy hot sauce, I didn't think either really stood out and made me think it was some stellar BBQ sauce. The sides, too, while tasty, were not memorable. The garlicky red smashed potatoes had a nice creamy texture, but lacked salt. The beans had a burnt/smoky taste which was nice for a bite or two, but grew old quickly and, after a half serving, reminded me of the beans that get stuck to the bottom of the pot (which you scrape off and eat anyway because, hey, it's food!) when you cook them over a campfire. The most successful side, in my opinion, is the crunchy, under-mayo-ed cole slaw. Eat it alone or pile it on your brisket sandwich - it's delicious either way. We had our meats sandwiched between hard-ish, crumbly buns. On first inspection, I was disappointed by the choice of bulkie roll used, but I quickly learned that these dry, mealy things moisten up after prolonged contact with the meat, and stand up well overall throughout the duration of the meal. Let's talk about meat, shall we? While I enjoy barbecue, none of these meats left me craving a return visit. Both the brisket and the pulled pork were extremely fatty (the brisket more so), above and beyond what is expected when you order BBQ meats. Every.single.bite had a big, squishy chunk of fat, and it became annoying to have to look into my sandwich before each bite to be sure it had a good fat-to-meat ratio that wouldn't leave a squidgey (yeah, that's a word) feeling when i chewed. The burnt ends (for obvious reasons) did not suffer from this problem, and for that reason alone, I preferred this to the other meats. Because this place is outside the city and because (while it's likely the best BBQ Boston has to offer), on an absolute level, it's only "OK" for me, I won't run out to get back there. However, if you're really craving some smokey meats and have access to a car, have a trip over there. You may not be wowed, but it won't be a bad meal.
(3)Lindsay C.
Oh My YUM! I loves me some Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! This is the closest thing you can get to Texas...so I am in love! I found a little piece of home up in New England. Now only if they served Shiner Bock beer with the food... I'd be in pure Lone Star Heaven! The chicken is so moist, smokey and flavorful. I like the BBQ chicken in their burrito and all the sauces poured on different parts...so many flavors! Thank you BBQ Gods at Blue Ribbon!
(5)connie l.
yummmmmy! I LOVE BBQ. I've never ordered or been to the actual restaurant, but my prior work place used to get catering, and my friend got catering for her fiance's birthday last night. Definitely want to stop by the actual restaurant if I'm ever in the area. Burnt ends, pulled pork, and chicken are delicious! Pretty much all the meat here is tasty! Yum meat slathered with bbq sauce. I love all the different sauces, just wish they were slightly thicker. The beans, mashed potatoes, and cornbread are awesome. Sides are just as important as the meat! I absolutely love mac-n-cheese, and while the mac-n-cheese here is yummy, I've had better. The guy who delivered the catering order last night was pleasant and polite, brought the food up to my friend's third floor apartment and helped set things up. Portions have always been generous! My friend ordered catering for 10 people, and it was more than enough food for the 12-15 people that were at the party!
(4)David P.
Updating this review makes me sad. I was in love with this place, but it has has gone seriously downhill and the affair is over. Their barbecue used to blow away everything else in the area. I had them at 5 stars with an exclamation point. I bought their cue in bulk for parties, dragged friends there - absolutely loved the stuff. Their burnt ends were heavenly, sweet,. smoky, complex - great texture. Over the last year or two, I've had a few weak meals there, but I kept hoping that I was catching them on off days, and an occasional good visit kept my hopes up. My last visit produced the worst barbecue I've had from them ever and the weakest I've had anywhere in a while. I've hit four places for barbecue in the last month and they were the weakest of the lot (the others were Soul Fire, Fire Box and Redbones). The ribs had little smoke, little bark, little rub and little flavor and sauce was very much needed. Thankfully, the sauces were as good as ever and some generous saucing helped save the ribs. The collard greens were bland. The chicken lacked smoke and lacked flavor overall and the texture was unappealing. The burnt ends were still sweet and tasty, the best thing I had, but far less complex than I remembered. Black eyed corn, once a favorite of mine was OK, but not exciting. I hold out some hope that once their groupons expire, things may get better. They sold some record level of groupons a while back and I wonder if they cut back on some things in order to avoid losing to much since they only get half the revenue, which means they get 3.75 for a 15 dollar groupon. I'll try them once or twice more to see if they are show some signs of recovery, but for now its Redbones and Soul Fire as my local Barbecue joints (Fire Box and Blackstrap are great, but a much bigger drive for me).
(2)Rob D.
Totally awesome BBQ. One of the best parts? TONS of sauces. Lots of them hot. It doesn't get much better...
(5)Traci K.
Thank the lo' for the corn bread. It's true - someone up above must have heard my desperate plea. Upon a recent jaunt at Blue Ribbon, I have to say the corn bread is much improved and SO delicious. Don't mind me, I'm just sticking this piece in my pocket for later... PS - Baked beans - you were a delight!
(5)Paige C.
great boston barby meat cooked to death southern sides carnivore heaven
(5)Amy M.
Got home and our order was wrong -- missing 1/3 of the meat on our 3-meat platter. Horrible, right? Well, there was still plenty of food but I was annoyed that we were home (not wanting to go back out and fetch the missing portion) and cheated out of 1/3. I called up, explained what happened and asked "so what do you do in this situation?" (The few times this has happened at other places, they always tell me to come back) and without missing a beat, the guy on the phone asked for my order number and refunded me on the spot. So. Delicious food and swiftly correcting errors without an elaborate blame game about where it went wrong. I mean, my only real complaint is how crowded it was but I wouldn't begrudge a good restaurant a busy evening!
(5)Carter W.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great, for New England.. But compared to places down south it pales in comparison. It is like comparing a Hyundai to a Mercedes. It gets the job done, but it is not the same quality, and no one makes cars like the Germans or BBQ like good 'ol Southerners. If you have the chance try BR BBQ out, the burnt ends are the only item I get, but if you are from below the Mason Dixon don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Jim S.
Few years back you couldn't get any kind of BBQ anywhere in New Enland, now at least we have an authentic North Carolina joint (I've spent a lot of time in NC). Remember that there are many many styles of BBQ throughout the country, If you are expecting Texas or Memphis, it's not here. A little hard to eat healthfully here. No, it's not a requirement of the joint, but worth commenting on since my wife and eat need to avoid fat. But there is chicken and usually catfish, even turket sometimes. Side dishes also seem on the heavy side. But the vinegar-based NC BBQ preparations are really authentic, and really good, and really a lot to eat. It's got a few tables/stools, but it's certainly not foe elegasnt dininig. Probably 70% is takeout. And yes, the staff is "move it on through, and don't bother with smalltalk". That's one difference from NC, where people are a lot friendlier, but this place is *better* than some BBQ I've had in NC, so deal with it.
(4)Sam S.
I've been a regular patron since Blue Ribbon opened in Arlington about 15 years ago. No more! Groupon destroyed this place! It's now filled with Groupon bottom feeders - people who will come when things are dirt cheap, but disappear once prices go back to normal. There are now long lines and declining quality.
(1)Junior S.
Burnt ends. Food coma. Personal shame regarding gluttony.
(5)Fatih U.
Decent BBQ (e.g., Kansas City burnt ends), excellent sides (especially check the daily specials), tasty sauces, and interesting specials (e.g., BBQ'd catfish) -- definitely check the board before ordering. Not a fan of the corn bread or the half BBQ'd chicken. May have a long dinner queue. Not great for eating in, if ordering take out, call ahead and order it over the phone to save some time.
(5)Steph P.
Now THAT's what I am talking about! Finally some actual, real for sho', honest to goodness BBQ! I have been dying to try this place and when the Groupon came out I knew it was time. Went last night with my ex for a dog custody discussion (his family hails from Memphis, so I knew there would be some serious judgment). When we first walked in I thought the backwoods kitsch was pretty cool, I liked the chalkboard menus and old cans of spam everywhere. While checking out the menu I said to my ex "Look! They have potlikker!" and the cashier said "You actually know what potlikker is?". We explained that we are from Cincinnati where there is decent BBQ and the chef (or maybe owner?) came out and asked us what part- he grew up there too! PS if you don't know what potlikker is, it is the juice that comes off when you boil collard greens and it is amazing if the greens are done right (with hamhocks or bacon). Chef/owner dude told us that a couple times a month they also make Skyline chili and I almost fainted (you can google that one if you don't know it). ANYWAY! We ordered a 1/3 slab of Memphis Ribs platter with 2 sides of collard greens and cornbread, a 1/2 pint of pulled pork and a side of coleslaw. It came out to about $25 and it was a TON of food. We really could have shared the platter, but we wanted to try a lot of things. The ribs were perfect and huge. Yeah, I really can't say much else. They honestly do rival what you would get in Memphis. Pulled pork was killer as well, seasoned but not in BBQ sauce (which is a no-no). Both meats had a really nice smoky/charred flavor without being burnt or crunchy. The collards were great, cole slaw had a great tang and was very creamy. I was especially impressed with the cornbread. Cornbread is all about the ratio of cornmeal to flour. In the North, there is usually more flour leading to a cakier version, while in the South there is more cornmeal which makes the bread crumbly. I prefer the Southern version and this nailed it. Dipped in my collard green juice (aka potlikker), it was just fantastic. Added bonus: At the sauce counter, there are sliced pickles :) My only gripes: The collards and the sweet BBQ sauce were a tad too spicy for me, but I am pretty sensitive. My ex wanted to marry a bottle of the spicy sauce (good thing we got that divorce). Not a lot of room to sit- a couple more tables would be nice. I wish I had bought more Groupons!
(4)Sal C.
If not the best, one of the top BBQ spots in the Boston area. Burnt Ends and Memphis Dry-Rubbed Ribs are the best and the sides are all excellent. Favorite sides include black-eyed corn, collard greens, and rice and beans, but also like the homemade pickles and cornbread. And good selection of sauces. Not lots of seating but also great for take-out. In the warmer weather they have seating outside.
(5)Frank W.
Delicious North Carolina BBQ, a little off the beaten-path. You can tell they're Arlington's competitor to RedBones and they pull it off. I split a pulled pork sandwich and jerk chicken sandwich with someone else. Jerk chicken was a slap in the face (hot, woo!) and the pulled pork was good -- but not pre-soaked in BBQ sauce.. they let you do that on your own. Some people might have found that this made it dry, but I kinda liked the control, personally. Coleslaw was bleh, but the baked beans were good. They were out of the Mac & Cheese (sad face) but I will try that the next time I go back. And for the record, chipotle mustard is the tits. Get it to go... not exactly the best environment to eat in IMHO. See you soon BRBBQ!
(4)John S.
This was our first visit to Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington. Service was great, seating is limited but the warm weather provides additional tables outside. The menu is varied but surprisingly there was only one style of ribs (memphis) and to me it's all about the ribs. Our family had North Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (excellent), Burnt Ends sandwich (not finished and seemed not to be enjoyed), Drum Stick Platter (enjoyed) and I had a 1/2 slab Rib Platter (ribs were fatty, though tender they were not interesting and seemed steamed). I left 2 and didn't bring them home. Personally I prefer Tennessee BBQ's ribs that are firmer and sweeter. The side dishes were all good though the green beans had too much kick. The best mashed potatoes ever and good corn bread. The baked beans were ok not great. All the sauces were more vinegar based than molasses based. I like a molasses based sweeter sauce. We'll be back but I will get a Pulled Pork sandwich and skip the ribs.
(3)Denise F.
My boyfriend and I went to this place to pick up some great bbq to eat while we watched NCAA tournament. We got pulled pork and ribs. The pull pork with mash potatoes was good. The pull pork well just average. I am sitting here try to describe it but I don't really have much to say about it. The ribs were sweet and the meat came off the bone. I thought they were a little small. I think the thing I really enjoy here is their cornbread. I love their cornbread because they come in huge pieces. The cornbread had little corn bits and was slightly sweet. I would come back for BBQ but Red Bones is just closer to my bf's house.
(3)Michael S.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Burnt ends are outstanding as well as the pulled pork, cornbread, and pretty much everything on the menu.
(5)Taino G.
No decor to speak of - but the food is simply divine. Best southern-style BBQ I've had in years. Highly recommend the burnt ends!
(4)Joe P.
Checked them out a couple of times. A buddy who I treated to lunch said to me: "If I paid for this I would demand my money back". I can only attribute the high marks of this place to the fact that New Englanders DON'T KNOW GOOD BBQ. Not even mediocre. I agree with N F. It is laughable to compare this to the real thing. The mashed potatoes weren't awful though.
(1)Tiff D.
I've had quite a bit of BBQ in the Boston area, and this is the best so far. YUM
(4)Jeremy S.
I'm not sure what Kansas City Burnt Ends are, but they are sure damn tasty. Same goes with Blue Ribbon's baked beans and pulled pork... at least with those two things I knew what I was putting into my salivating mouth. I've only been to Blue Ribbon once and I'm already singing its praises over my old haunt--Redbones. When it comes solely down to the BBQ, Blue Ribbon earns the crown by a mile. Redbones gets points for beer, though, and that's something I can't overlook. If you're hankering for takeout you should dial up Blue Ribbon immediately. But, if you want to chill with some microbrews while gnawing on animal flesh, grab a seat at Redbones and enjoy yourself.
(5)Lea E.
We were very excited to order from our local BBQ eatery for the SuperBowl. The food is good. What my friend experienced in picking up the order, the chaos and unfairness, will cause a long-standing favorite to lose our business! He ordered in the afternoon for a 6:00 delivery. When he arrived there was a long line of preorders and walk-ins, and no access in for those who had preordered. Apparently, one's order was not PUT IN until you paid, and they did not take payment on the phone. So orders placed ahead of time... too bad! One man had apparently ordered the day before! But all had to wait. Superbowl started... he waited in line. When he finally got to the cashier, no one apologized until he asked for this. He arrived an hour later than expected missing the first quarter of the game. A half- hearted apology, and no compensation. Very poor way to run a business. WE WILL NOT RETURN.
(1)Dirgni S.
I got the Memphis dry rubbed ribs with dirty rice and green bean posole. The ribs were very tasty, though the sauces were too vinegary for me. I don't like sweet sauce, which these aren't, but they lack body. My sides were pretty bad. The dirty rice really had no flavor. If my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was Uncle Ben's. The posole was downright nasty. As my husband said, "the green beans were fresh.... from the can." My husband's mashed potatoes were yummy and my mom's potato salad was pretty tasty too. The cornbread was meh. The service was fine. The place is tiny, so seating is very limited. If I return, I'd get take out. Meat only. And I'd make my own BBQ sauce. I make a mean hot sauce. Oh, and they have good pickles. They're sliced into skinny chips. I'd prefer spears, but these were very crisp and tasty.
(3)Julie B.
5 stars every step of the way! When I called to place an order, I felt as though I was teleported into the South where people talk a little slower and are actually nice. I felt the Southern Hospitality the entire time. When I came to pick up my order, everyone there was sweet as honey(you will never hear me use this term again so savor it now) and super polite. The food was amazing. I've had BBQ in the South and I haven't always been a fan. But man, this was awesome. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and my boyfriend had the burnt ends. Let me tell you something, you haven't lived until you've tried burnt ends so you better do it. So moist and juicy, smothered in a tangy bbq sauce. Considering the sandwiches, with two sides are just $7 and some change, you get a TON of food. We had enough leftovers for a whole other meal. Not to mention, they make the best baked beans I've ever tried. And I don't even like beans! Basically, this place amazing. You will not regret trying it, I promise you that.
(5)Joe C.
If I was in North Carolina, St. Louis or in many other southern states or towns, I wouldn't be so generous. We don't live in the South so, I am not going to make that comparison. That all being said, Blue Ribbon is great! Everyone want to compare it to Redbones, which is understandable. Reality is that each place does some items better than the other... Both are great. You won't get the atmosphere and great beer selection here, but you will get damn good BBQ and you will get it quickly and it will be a tremendous value.
(5)James W.
sometimes, i feel like i should just paste my notes as my review. "1st visit (07/10/11). pork burrito ($8). food coma." do you need to know something else? ok. in multiple visits at both blue ribbon locations (2 in newton and 3 or 4 at this point in arlington), i have never come away disappointed - except when i recall that they don't serve beer. sorry, but beer and bbq go together like ... uh, beer and bbq. both places are small with the requisite bbq joint vibe and the food is on point. the burnt ends, chicken, and burritos have become my go-tos, but i've also had the pulled pork and the bbq chicken, both of which were moist, smokey, and delicious with and without sauce. for the sides, the beans with large chunks of bacon and meat and collard greens with a healthy kick of spice are my favorites, but they have lots of offerings, including stuff for the vegetarian at the table. prices are going to vary based on what you order, of course, but your sammies and burritos will run about $8 all the way up to the triple (3 meats and 2 sides) for $16, so you're not breaking the bank to expand your waistline and provide job security for a cardiologist. "3rd visit, arlington. pulled chicken burrito ($8). good. still wish they sold beer." notes, people. notes.
(4)Michael W.
Ok, we're New Englanders. We're not exactly known for BBQ. Blue Ribbon gets this concept perfectly. They were inspired by the classic roadside barbecue joints that dot the South. This isn't the typical sauce-slathered fare you see peddled around here. This stuff is made exactly the same way as in some of the most famous barbecue places in the country. The meat is slow cooked over low temps using traditional methods. The result is the best barbecue in the area, hands down. I've had every meat dish, and it's all fantastic. The brisket it tender and flaky and the meat falls right off of the ribs. They do offer various sides, and I can say that the collared greens, baked beans and cornbread are all delicious. The prices are reasonable and the location has parking and indoor and outdoor seating. If you're looking to have a Southern barbecue experience, look no further.
(5)Laura T.
Great pulled pork, potato salad and cornbread. As for the BBQ sauces... why are there like 3,000,000 to choose from?!?!
(4)Dan S.
Addicted. Been several times. Great pulled pork and dry-rub ribs every time. Wreaks wonderfully of smoked meat. Huge portions. Go there!
(5)Wayne W.
Admittedly, it's a bit of a schlep from Inman Square, but, Lord have mercy, Blue Ribbon does it to my pure-dee satisfaction. My mind drifts back to André's Cajun Cracklins on Route 90 NW of Baton Rouge . . . a quarter-pound of cracklins, a fried pig tail, a bottle of Barq's. You know what? I want me a pulled-pork samich with a side of collards right NOW, child!
(5)Layla L.
Do you like meat? I like meat. If you share my love of meat, I recommend the Blue Ribbon Barbeque. Even their non-meaty parts are good. Go here for all your meat related needs.
(5)Matt S.
Best BBQ in Boston. Red Bones has two advantages: alcohol, and seating. The latter is debatable as there's notoriously a very long and camped wait. Awesome hot sauce, awesome pulled pork.... yada, yada, yada.... best BBQ in Boston.
(5)Dan C.
Most of the time when I go to Greater Boston Motorsports I end up getting bent over and screwed...hard. Okay, pretty much every time I go there I end up paying twice as much as I hoped for whatever reason (I even end up paying for something when I just go there to look around). What keeps me coming back you ask--well that's easy: this place, Blue Ribbon BBQ. If it wasn't for this place I wouldn't even know the name Arlington, but thank Jesus, God, Mohammad, Buddha, Flying Spagetti Monster, whoever happens to be the higher power for inventing BBQ and more importantly for inventing this place. Where do I begin? Perhaps with the vast assortment of amazing BBQ sauces? XXX Hot rocks both my mouth and my world, but the vinegar sauce has its place too (mostly on their collards). Maybe with the fact that most plates are cheap, like under $10 cheap and come with more food than any sane person should be eating in one sitting. I polish my plate off every time I come here, which makes the ride home a little painful, but it's well worth it. Possibly with the truth that I'd break the law in order to enjoy the brisket sandwich heaped high with coleslaw and XXX hot bbq sauce (I'm on the fence whether or not I'd kill for one, but the fact that I'm debating it should mean something). One may find seating lacking for large groups, but I always find a seat either inside along the window or outside at one of the tables when I show up. Overall, the quality is better than Redbones and the price point is significantly lower. Oh, did I mention that the people who work there are actually awesome? I should have. Bottom line: Drive here, eat here, pass out in your car for a couple hours.
(4)Kelly M.
How am I having delicious barbecue in Massachusetts? And how is it in Arlington? And how am I not really concerned whether it's authentic or what style it is? There are numerous sauces, numerous options, and actual fountain lemonade. Get extra napkins.
(4)Kathleen F.
Warning: You may stuff yourself so much at Blue Ribbon that you feel as if you can never eat again, but don't worry, you'll be back! Blue Ribbon is by far my favorite place for BBQ in the Boston area. They have a great selection and I have never had anything that I did not enjoy. My favorites are the brisket and chicken platters, and favorite sides are the carrots (when they have them) and green beans, yum! They also have specials that vary if you want to try something new. We recently had the wings and jambalaya, they were both very good!! I highly recommend this place, definitely worth the drive out to Arlington!
(4)Jason J.
Since moving to the area in 2008 I've been coming here when I am in the mood for BBQ but don't require booze or a hectic environment. Redbones is perfect for that. Blue Ribbon seems to be more consistent than Redbones, and nothing beats filling your intestines with various defunct livestock and gallons of lemonade while sitting outside on a summer evening on Mass Ave wondering what kind of cold cuts the guy with the Prius isn't buying at Stop & Shop across the street.
(4)Michele P.
OK... so I was really excited to try this place out. We did take out this past weekend and I have mixed feelings about the experience. Lets start with the things that were good. The corn bread is delicious, and about as perfect as it gets. The coleslaw was crisp, fresh and tasty. The burnt ends of Brisket were yummy. But that is about where it ends. I have to say I was a little disappointed in just how dry the chicken and the ribs were. Maybe they are supposed to be that way, and maybe that's what southern BBQ is, but it was tough to eat I have to be honest. The baked beans were also extremely salty. So I have to say I have mixed feelings, I wanted it to be great, but it fell short for me. On the up side the service was fast and friendly which always leaves you with a nice impression.
(3)Dan C.
Blue Ribbon BBQ, besides sharing a name with my fantastically favorite ghetto beer of choice, shares a bit of my sauce encrusted heart. Davis Square rival "Red Bones" used to be my BBQ joint of preference until I met Blue Ribbon. It was love at first rib! Seriously their combo plates are PACKED portion-wise, their sauce variety is BALLER, and their prices are downright CHEAP. My only reservations about giving them 5 stars is the locations aren't super convenient. Hopefully gods above and below willing Blue Ribbon will extend its fall off the bone meaty tendrils into other burbs in Boston. Personal reco: Get the BBQ Burrito with Burnt Ends.
(4)Mike O.
There are really only 2 places to get BBQ in the metro Boston Area: Red Bones and here. I give it 5 stars because, as far as BBQ goes in Mass, this is as good as it gets. The quality of BBQ at these two establishments are essentially the same. Red Bones menu is a bit bigger, but BRB has a continually changing daily menu along with their steadfast BBQ classics. The two differences between these two places are the physical restaurant itself and the price. BRB is really for the lunch and takeout crowd where as Red Bones is a proper sit-down restaurant. And seeing BRB has far less overhead, you get far more bang for your buck. Whenever I find myself in Newton or Arlington (or even within a 5 mile radius) around noon, I know I'll be up to my neck in BBQ goodness.
(5)John S.
It's good to be home again. I used to spent a good deal of time in Arlington, and one of my favorite activities there was cramming Blue Ribbon BBQ into my stomach to satisfy my oft-raging BBQ cravings. After taking a couple years off, I made my triumphant return for some sausage and pulled pork. Both were excellent and just as I remembered, and served up by the pleasant folks that run the place. Is it the best BBQ I've ever had? No, but it's high-quality stuff, and some of the best around.
(4)Chaos M.
I tried the sausage, chicken, and beef. This is ok actually.
(3)Susan C.
I tried Blue Ribbon for the first time a few weeks ago. The place wasn't exactly what I had expected. It was set up more like a takeout place than a restaurant. You order at the counter, and then they have tables set up for customers to sit at and a line of stools with a counter by the window. Having never been here before, I was expecting more of a Redbones atmosphere with wait staff, and a bar, and whatnot. The food, however, did not disappoint. I ordered the brisket and ribs combo with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The meat was very tender and juicy, but a little lacking on the flavor if you do not eat it with their barbecue sauce. The sauce is quite tasty though--they have 3 versions if I remember correctly. One was sweet, one was a little mustardy, and one was spicy. I mixed the sweet and spicy one together for my meat, and found it to be just the right amount of heat. The spicy alone set my mouth on fire after a few bites. The slaw and potatoes were nice accompaniments. The potatoes were buttery, Paula Dean would have been proud. And the slaw was not too mayonnaisy, so that's always good. The portion size was also huge. Definitely enough for sharing between two people or for 2-3 meals.
(4)Jeff W.
Rib-stickin', stomach-filling fun is to be had to eat at this place... the pulled pork is delicious and the sides are a-plenty. Every time after I eat there I waddle out the door thinking "ooooo boy..." Did I mention unlimited pickles and soft-drinks to wash all that goodness down? The smell wafting from the door will start to make your mouth water and your stomach ache for some lip-smackin' tastiness. Nuff said. Redbones is bogus.
(4)Arnold C.
I had the half rack BBQ Memphis style on a Sunday night. Not busy. Light crowd. Meat lacked taste, and smeared with a bland BBQ sauce. It looked like the ribs were broiled rather BBQ. It was soggy, almost like it was reheated from a microwave. The collard greens were like cabbage in a pile of water on my plate. Yuck! Awful experience. Thought I would have a closer alternative to Bison County in Waltham if i need a BBQ fix. Bison County is farther and the meat is more charred than most places, but at least you think you had a BBQ. This Blue Ribbon made me feel cheated and dissatisfied. I would not go again.
(1)kris a.
Too full to review best brisket in new england food coma; send help
(5)Sean M.
Foods are so good there! Delicious ribs, chickens, and pulled pork! But potato salad was not that great though.
(5)Matt B.
Delicious brisket sandwich. Great choice of sauces, some very hot, some more vinegary...
(5)Emily S.
I've gotten BBQ from both the Newton and Arlington locations a few times and it's always been great. The meat is very tender, juicy, and flavorful. I especially enjoy the pulled pork and the corn bread! I've never had a problem with the staff. There is a small seating are if you want to eat at the restaurant but it's really more of a take out or catering kind of place. Too bad parking can be a bit of a pain.
(4)Andy V.
Blue Ribbon or Redbones? Go to Blue Ribbon if you want great ribs at reasonable prices and don't mind that it is essentially a take out place. Avoid the bbq roasted chicken which usually has been cooked until it has died a second death. The best deal is to order the 1/3 slab combo platter because often you'll get four ribs rather than three (it all depends on who's doing the packing). If you want to order around the dinner rush, the best bet is to go on line and place your order using this funky form which might make you nervous because you don't get this reassuring feeling that your order was actually taken and placed. Will it be ready when I get there or won't it? Don't worry! I've never had a problem except that you should definitely check to make sure they've included the proper side dishes. They don't seem to always survive the on line order translation process! Oh, and don't forget to try some desserts which are house-made. They change seasonally but I've tried the sweet-potatoe pie, the key lime pie, and even coconut custard and were all excellent. The chocolate cookies are pretty good but the brownies were disappointing. Go to Redbones if you want a sit-down ribs meal and want to indulge in the many, many craft brews. The servers are all quite knowledgeable about what's on tap. The difference in the ribs are a matter of personal taste. Personally, I find Redbones a bit more consistent in the cooking and portion size but also more expensive than BlueRibbon. Either way, enjoy! And don't forget the black-eyed peas! (the side dish).
(4)John C.
Even though i promised i would never return i came back for round two. I'm glutton for punishment i guess. maybe it's my deep desire that the yelp reviews for this place are correct. well, i came back. this time i ordered the beef brisket dinner. texas style i believe (open face on bread) with mashed pots, collard greens and corn bread. i also got a small container of beef brisket to go. my gf was studying at the starbucks down the street so i stopped for us to share this meal. her response when i arrived with blue ribbon bbq? "are you serious". i had to give them another shot, no one deserves a 1 star review... everyone, even bad restaurants deserve a second chance. well, i pitched and blue ribbon whiffed like big papi in the first half of last season. lets start with the sides: corn bread: corn bread is corn bread, it's probably the hardest item to ever mess up.. i would say this corn bread was actually slightly above average. it doesn't deserve more than what i've already written. mashed potatoes: i am a BIG fan of mashed potatoes so i'm always hesitant when purchasing mashed from a place that has to make a lot of it.. the mashed was actually decent, the downside was that you can tell it's been sitting around all day, it' had that, oh i've been sitting around all day glaze on it. fail. the gravy was BLEH... i honestly feel the gravy from KFC is better... collard greens: why did i even bother with this.. this was missing one really important item.. FLAVOR... slap some butter or some salt on it at least.. this had NOTHING. open faced brisket: upon her first bite my gf said it tasted weird... then i had my first bite.. and WOW, the aftertaste.. i've never eaten formaldehyde but i've spent enough time around it (dissection labs in high school and multiple cadaver labs in college and grad school) to have a good assumption of what it would taste like. well, apparently it's an ingredient in blue ribbons brisket. it was horrible. i had to drench the meat in the crappy gravy in order to stomach it. to top it ALL off, all the meat came on ONE slice of crappy white bread.. really, bread costs all but half a cent. you couldn't put more than ONE slice under all that meat? they pretty much put a cow on top of a cracker and called it a sandwich. the sad part was that i had another packed container of this.. luckily i got it with tons of spicy sauce which helped. (i had to eat this for lunch for the next 2 days). the ONE good thing about the meat was that it was very tender and juicy.. but what good is tender and juicy protein with it tastes like formaldehyde? blue ribbon, we've gone on two dates and both times you farted at the dinner table. needless to day, i got your number, but i won't be calling you again honey.. EVER
(1)Jay K.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Blue Ribbon yet... This place is amazing and a dependable place to go with no matter who you're with. The food is amazing and you can either eat there or get it to go. The food is authentic and there are a lot of choices. I really like the burnt ends. Always a treat to come here. Prices are great too! The only thing is I wish they were open a little later so I can come here any time of day. That would be perfect.
(5)Rachel B.
After visiting this place tonight and trying pulled pork, cornbread stuffing, baked beans, and mashed potatoes and pretty much all the sauce offerings, I can say that I understand why some people like this place, BUT it is not my kind of BBQ joint. About me: I like thick, sweet, smokey BBQ sauce and pretty much anything that is slathered underneath it. Full disclosure, no shame, I like the flavor of many BBQ sauces you can get from grocery stores or Texas BBQ places. I'm from California (a place where people eat this thing called "tri tip", something that apparently doesn't exist out here) and I was not raised on true southern foods. However, I can recognize good cooking. About this place: The BBQ sauces are more thin with a strong vinegar base. They have some interesting ones with habanero and chipotle mustard. Very interesting. The meat is fantastic. Pork that is smoky and tender and fabulous. Mashed potatoes are creamy and light. So that said, if you are from the south, or appreciate REAL BBQ, like something that would be served at a church picnic or at a state fair, then I think you would like this place. If you are like me, then perhaps not. But hey, maybe you need to try it and see!
(3)Ryan B.
I cant think of a better word to use than 'meh' for this Boston-based BBQ joint. I love BBQ. I love it in all shapes and sizes and colors. I consider myself a pulled pork aficionado, I make my own BBQ sauces, and there has never been a piece of cornbread I didnt love. My GF and I tried this place out after an underwhelming meal (that we didnt even finish) at a local Mexican restaurant. We saw the praise from Yelpers and I was hoping it would hit the spot. As I've seen in some other reviews, this is very good BBQ for Massachusetts but barely above adequate when compared to the rest of America. I tasted the burnt ends with baked beans, corn bread, and cole slaw. My GF had the brisket sandwich with mashed potatoes. The burnt ends were DOUSED in a heavy helping of overly tomato-y BBQ sauce so I couldnt really enjoy the meat. The bread, beans, and salw were all above average. The brisket was very tasty but came on a pretty generic grocery store bun. The potatoes were excellent in consistency and flavor. I only tried of few of their sauces. The tomato based sauces were not very good. The flavors between sweet and spicy were not balanced very well. They were heavy on the tomato flavor and lacked the punch in the tastebuds that BBQ requires. Their mustard based golden BBQ sauce was amazing. It was the star of the show. If you want good BBQ and youre from MA, check it out. If you are from a BBQ lovin' state, dont go through the effort.
(3)Heather G.
It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate you hate the least....ooh, actually, that's pretty harsh. Let me correct that: It's like voting in the presidential election for the candidate who you think will cause the least irreparable damage to the economy and to our country's reputation. My point? Boston's not famous for its barbecue. :::cue exasperated face::: Shocker, right? So it's really no surprise that you can't really procure something incredible here, especially given that there are only a handful of restaurants that make a job of smoking meat (yep). So, the punchline is - have I had better barbecue? Sure. Have I had better barbecue in Boston? Nope. To compare Blue Ribbon to the vast world of Boston restaurants, this place would be low on the list. However, compared to its peer group, I'd say this is likely some of the best you can get here. Don't like it? Move south. There are just some things New England, on average, will never be known for. C'est la vie. While I liked the mustard-y vinegar-y sauce and the spicy hot sauce, I didn't think either really stood out and made me think it was some stellar BBQ sauce. The sides, too, while tasty, were not memorable. The garlicky red smashed potatoes had a nice creamy texture, but lacked salt. The beans had a burnt/smoky taste which was nice for a bite or two, but grew old quickly and, after a half serving, reminded me of the beans that get stuck to the bottom of the pot (which you scrape off and eat anyway because, hey, it's food!) when you cook them over a campfire. The most successful side, in my opinion, is the crunchy, under-mayo-ed cole slaw. Eat it alone or pile it on your brisket sandwich - it's delicious either way. We had our meats sandwiched between hard-ish, crumbly buns. On first inspection, I was disappointed by the choice of bulkie roll used, but I quickly learned that these dry, mealy things moisten up after prolonged contact with the meat, and stand up well overall throughout the duration of the meal. Let's talk about meat, shall we? While I enjoy barbecue, none of these meats left me craving a return visit. Both the brisket and the pulled pork were extremely fatty (the brisket more so), above and beyond what is expected when you order BBQ meats. Every.single.bite had a big, squishy chunk of fat, and it became annoying to have to look into my sandwich before each bite to be sure it had a good fat-to-meat ratio that wouldn't leave a squidgey (yeah, that's a word) feeling when i chewed. The burnt ends (for obvious reasons) did not suffer from this problem, and for that reason alone, I preferred this to the other meats. Because this place is outside the city and because (while it's likely the best BBQ Boston has to offer), on an absolute level, it's only "OK" for me, I won't run out to get back there. However, if you're really craving some smokey meats and have access to a car, have a trip over there. You may not be wowed, but it won't be a bad meal.
(3)Melissa M.
now this is not a sit down restaurant so ideally call ahead to pick up your order, then drive home, and put on some sweat pants, because yes, this food is definitely good for when you want to crush some awesome bbq and you're cool with feeling homer simpson gross afterwards. the prices here are more than reasonable for the quality and quantity that you get; sweet cheeks charges way more, and in my opinion is only half as good. when i arrived my order was ready, as promised it would be in the 15 minute wait time they told me, and the guys behind the counter were super friendly. i filled up with some neat sauces at the sauce counter on the way out, and was on my way to gut-busting bliss. for a whopping 30 dollars we got the following: half rack rib platter with 2 sides (mashed potatoes/black eyed corn), and corn bread burnt ends platter with 2 sides (baked beans, collards), and corn bread order of pickles everything was good, and surprisingly, we ate everything, which was rather impressive. the rib meat fell off the bones, the sweet sauce was just right. the sides were good, i favored the mashed. corn bread was the only meh part of the meal - it wasn't bad, a little on the dry side. my gf crushed her burnt ends - i tried them and they were delicious, it's sort of like twice cooked pulled pork in a tomato based bbq sauce. the baked beans were amazeballs. definitely pick up a small container of their pickles - thinly sliced and not to sweet. i can't even tell you how soon i want to go back there, but i may need to institute a no more than once a month rule, or i see elastic waste band sweats in my future 24/7.
(4)connie l.
yummmmmy! I LOVE BBQ. I've never ordered or been to the actual restaurant, but my prior work place used to get catering, and my friend got catering for her fiance's birthday last night. Definitely want to stop by the actual restaurant if I'm ever in the area. Burnt ends, pulled pork, and chicken are delicious! Pretty much all the meat here is tasty! Yum meat slathered with bbq sauce. I love all the different sauces, just wish they were slightly thicker. The beans, mashed potatoes, and cornbread are awesome. Sides are just as important as the meat! I absolutely love mac-n-cheese, and while the mac-n-cheese here is yummy, I've had better. The guy who delivered the catering order last night was pleasant and polite, brought the food up to my friend's third floor apartment and helped set things up. Portions have always been generous! My friend ordered catering for 10 people, and it was more than enough food for the 12-15 people that were at the party!
(4)David P.
Updating this review makes me sad. I was in love with this place, but it has has gone seriously downhill and the affair is over. Their barbecue used to blow away everything else in the area. I had them at 5 stars with an exclamation point. I bought their cue in bulk for parties, dragged friends there - absolutely loved the stuff. Their burnt ends were heavenly, sweet,. smoky, complex - great texture. Over the last year or two, I've had a few weak meals there, but I kept hoping that I was catching them on off days, and an occasional good visit kept my hopes up. My last visit produced the worst barbecue I've had from them ever and the weakest I've had anywhere in a while. I've hit four places for barbecue in the last month and they were the weakest of the lot (the others were Soul Fire, Fire Box and Redbones). The ribs had little smoke, little bark, little rub and little flavor and sauce was very much needed. Thankfully, the sauces were as good as ever and some generous saucing helped save the ribs. The collard greens were bland. The chicken lacked smoke and lacked flavor overall and the texture was unappealing. The burnt ends were still sweet and tasty, the best thing I had, but far less complex than I remembered. Black eyed corn, once a favorite of mine was OK, but not exciting. I hold out some hope that once their groupons expire, things may get better. They sold some record level of groupons a while back and I wonder if they cut back on some things in order to avoid losing to much since they only get half the revenue, which means they get 3.75 for a 15 dollar groupon. I'll try them once or twice more to see if they are show some signs of recovery, but for now its Redbones and Soul Fire as my local Barbecue joints (Fire Box and Blackstrap are great, but a much bigger drive for me).
(2)Rob D.
Totally awesome BBQ. One of the best parts? TONS of sauces. Lots of them hot. It doesn't get much better...
(5)Traci K.
Thank the lo' for the corn bread. It's true - someone up above must have heard my desperate plea. Upon a recent jaunt at Blue Ribbon, I have to say the corn bread is much improved and SO delicious. Don't mind me, I'm just sticking this piece in my pocket for later... PS - Baked beans - you were a delight!
(5)Paige C.
great boston barby meat cooked to death southern sides carnivore heaven
(5)Amy M.
Got home and our order was wrong -- missing 1/3 of the meat on our 3-meat platter. Horrible, right? Well, there was still plenty of food but I was annoyed that we were home (not wanting to go back out and fetch the missing portion) and cheated out of 1/3. I called up, explained what happened and asked "so what do you do in this situation?" (The few times this has happened at other places, they always tell me to come back) and without missing a beat, the guy on the phone asked for my order number and refunded me on the spot. So. Delicious food and swiftly correcting errors without an elaborate blame game about where it went wrong. I mean, my only real complaint is how crowded it was but I wouldn't begrudge a good restaurant a busy evening!
(5)Carter W.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great, for New England.. But compared to places down south it pales in comparison. It is like comparing a Hyundai to a Mercedes. It gets the job done, but it is not the same quality, and no one makes cars like the Germans or BBQ like good 'ol Southerners. If you have the chance try BR BBQ out, the burnt ends are the only item I get, but if you are from below the Mason Dixon don't expect to be blown away.
(3)Jim S.
Few years back you couldn't get any kind of BBQ anywhere in New Enland, now at least we have an authentic North Carolina joint (I've spent a lot of time in NC). Remember that there are many many styles of BBQ throughout the country, If you are expecting Texas or Memphis, it's not here. A little hard to eat healthfully here. No, it's not a requirement of the joint, but worth commenting on since my wife and eat need to avoid fat. But there is chicken and usually catfish, even turket sometimes. Side dishes also seem on the heavy side. But the vinegar-based NC BBQ preparations are really authentic, and really good, and really a lot to eat. It's got a few tables/stools, but it's certainly not foe elegasnt dininig. Probably 70% is takeout. And yes, the staff is "move it on through, and don't bother with smalltalk". That's one difference from NC, where people are a lot friendlier, but this place is *better* than some BBQ I've had in NC, so deal with it.
(4)Sam S.
I've been a regular patron since Blue Ribbon opened in Arlington about 15 years ago. No more! Groupon destroyed this place! It's now filled with Groupon bottom feeders - people who will come when things are dirt cheap, but disappear once prices go back to normal. There are now long lines and declining quality.
(1)Junior S.
Burnt ends. Food coma. Personal shame regarding gluttony.
(5)Steph P.
Now THAT's what I am talking about! Finally some actual, real for sho', honest to goodness BBQ! I have been dying to try this place and when the Groupon came out I knew it was time. Went last night with my ex for a dog custody discussion (his family hails from Memphis, so I knew there would be some serious judgment). When we first walked in I thought the backwoods kitsch was pretty cool, I liked the chalkboard menus and old cans of spam everywhere. While checking out the menu I said to my ex "Look! They have potlikker!" and the cashier said "You actually know what potlikker is?". We explained that we are from Cincinnati where there is decent BBQ and the chef (or maybe owner?) came out and asked us what part- he grew up there too! PS if you don't know what potlikker is, it is the juice that comes off when you boil collard greens and it is amazing if the greens are done right (with hamhocks or bacon). Chef/owner dude told us that a couple times a month they also make Skyline chili and I almost fainted (you can google that one if you don't know it). ANYWAY! We ordered a 1/3 slab of Memphis Ribs platter with 2 sides of collard greens and cornbread, a 1/2 pint of pulled pork and a side of coleslaw. It came out to about $25 and it was a TON of food. We really could have shared the platter, but we wanted to try a lot of things. The ribs were perfect and huge. Yeah, I really can't say much else. They honestly do rival what you would get in Memphis. Pulled pork was killer as well, seasoned but not in BBQ sauce (which is a no-no). Both meats had a really nice smoky/charred flavor without being burnt or crunchy. The collards were great, cole slaw had a great tang and was very creamy. I was especially impressed with the cornbread. Cornbread is all about the ratio of cornmeal to flour. In the North, there is usually more flour leading to a cakier version, while in the South there is more cornmeal which makes the bread crumbly. I prefer the Southern version and this nailed it. Dipped in my collard green juice (aka potlikker), it was just fantastic. Added bonus: At the sauce counter, there are sliced pickles :) My only gripes: The collards and the sweet BBQ sauce were a tad too spicy for me, but I am pretty sensitive. My ex wanted to marry a bottle of the spicy sauce (good thing we got that divorce). Not a lot of room to sit- a couple more tables would be nice. I wish I had bought more Groupons!
(4)Sal C.
If not the best, one of the top BBQ spots in the Boston area. Burnt Ends and Memphis Dry-Rubbed Ribs are the best and the sides are all excellent. Favorite sides include black-eyed corn, collard greens, and rice and beans, but also like the homemade pickles and cornbread. And good selection of sauces. Not lots of seating but also great for take-out. In the warmer weather they have seating outside.
(5)Frank W.
Delicious North Carolina BBQ, a little off the beaten-path. You can tell they're Arlington's competitor to RedBones and they pull it off. I split a pulled pork sandwich and jerk chicken sandwich with someone else. Jerk chicken was a slap in the face (hot, woo!) and the pulled pork was good -- but not pre-soaked in BBQ sauce.. they let you do that on your own. Some people might have found that this made it dry, but I kinda liked the control, personally. Coleslaw was bleh, but the baked beans were good. They were out of the Mac & Cheese (sad face) but I will try that the next time I go back. And for the record, chipotle mustard is the tits. Get it to go... not exactly the best environment to eat in IMHO. See you soon BRBBQ!
(4)John S.
This was our first visit to Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington. Service was great, seating is limited but the warm weather provides additional tables outside. The menu is varied but surprisingly there was only one style of ribs (memphis) and to me it's all about the ribs. Our family had North Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich (excellent), Burnt Ends sandwich (not finished and seemed not to be enjoyed), Drum Stick Platter (enjoyed) and I had a 1/2 slab Rib Platter (ribs were fatty, though tender they were not interesting and seemed steamed). I left 2 and didn't bring them home. Personally I prefer Tennessee BBQ's ribs that are firmer and sweeter. The side dishes were all good though the green beans had too much kick. The best mashed potatoes ever and good corn bread. The baked beans were ok not great. All the sauces were more vinegar based than molasses based. I like a molasses based sweeter sauce. We'll be back but I will get a Pulled Pork sandwich and skip the ribs.
(3)Denise F.
My boyfriend and I went to this place to pick up some great bbq to eat while we watched NCAA tournament. We got pulled pork and ribs. The pull pork with mash potatoes was good. The pull pork well just average. I am sitting here try to describe it but I don't really have much to say about it. The ribs were sweet and the meat came off the bone. I thought they were a little small. I think the thing I really enjoy here is their cornbread. I love their cornbread because they come in huge pieces. The cornbread had little corn bits and was slightly sweet. I would come back for BBQ but Red Bones is just closer to my bf's house.
(3)Michael S.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Burnt ends are outstanding as well as the pulled pork, cornbread, and pretty much everything on the menu.
(5)Taino G.
No decor to speak of - but the food is simply divine. Best southern-style BBQ I've had in years. Highly recommend the burnt ends!
(4)Joe P.
Checked them out a couple of times. A buddy who I treated to lunch said to me: "If I paid for this I would demand my money back". I can only attribute the high marks of this place to the fact that New Englanders DON'T KNOW GOOD BBQ. Not even mediocre. I agree with N F. It is laughable to compare this to the real thing. The mashed potatoes weren't awful though.
(1)Tiff D.
I've had quite a bit of BBQ in the Boston area, and this is the best so far. YUM
(4)Lea E.
We were very excited to order from our local BBQ eatery for the SuperBowl. The food is good. What my friend experienced in picking up the order, the chaos and unfairness, will cause a long-standing favorite to lose our business! He ordered in the afternoon for a 6:00 delivery. When he arrived there was a long line of preorders and walk-ins, and no access in for those who had preordered. Apparently, one's order was not PUT IN until you paid, and they did not take payment on the phone. So orders placed ahead of time... too bad! One man had apparently ordered the day before! But all had to wait. Superbowl started... he waited in line. When he finally got to the cashier, no one apologized until he asked for this. He arrived an hour later than expected missing the first quarter of the game. A half- hearted apology, and no compensation. Very poor way to run a business. WE WILL NOT RETURN.
(1)Dirgni S.
I got the Memphis dry rubbed ribs with dirty rice and green bean posole. The ribs were very tasty, though the sauces were too vinegary for me. I don't like sweet sauce, which these aren't, but they lack body. My sides were pretty bad. The dirty rice really had no flavor. If my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was Uncle Ben's. The posole was downright nasty. As my husband said, "the green beans were fresh.... from the can." My husband's mashed potatoes were yummy and my mom's potato salad was pretty tasty too. The cornbread was meh. The service was fine. The place is tiny, so seating is very limited. If I return, I'd get take out. Meat only. And I'd make my own BBQ sauce. I make a mean hot sauce. Oh, and they have good pickles. They're sliced into skinny chips. I'd prefer spears, but these were very crisp and tasty.
(3)Julie B.
5 stars every step of the way! When I called to place an order, I felt as though I was teleported into the South where people talk a little slower and are actually nice. I felt the Southern Hospitality the entire time. When I came to pick up my order, everyone there was sweet as honey(you will never hear me use this term again so savor it now) and super polite. The food was amazing. I've had BBQ in the South and I haven't always been a fan. But man, this was awesome. I had the pulled chicken sandwich and my boyfriend had the burnt ends. Let me tell you something, you haven't lived until you've tried burnt ends so you better do it. So moist and juicy, smothered in a tangy bbq sauce. Considering the sandwiches, with two sides are just $7 and some change, you get a TON of food. We had enough leftovers for a whole other meal. Not to mention, they make the best baked beans I've ever tried. And I don't even like beans! Basically, this place amazing. You will not regret trying it, I promise you that.
(5)Joe C.
If I was in North Carolina, St. Louis or in many other southern states or towns, I wouldn't be so generous. We don't live in the South so, I am not going to make that comparison. That all being said, Blue Ribbon is great! Everyone want to compare it to Redbones, which is understandable. Reality is that each place does some items better than the other... Both are great. You won't get the atmosphere and great beer selection here, but you will get damn good BBQ and you will get it quickly and it will be a tremendous value.
(5)Fatih U.
Decent BBQ (e.g., Kansas City burnt ends), excellent sides (especially check the daily specials), tasty sauces, and interesting specials (e.g., BBQ'd catfish) -- definitely check the board before ordering. Not a fan of the corn bread or the half BBQ'd chicken. May have a long dinner queue. Not great for eating in, if ordering take out, call ahead and order it over the phone to save some time.
(5)James W.
sometimes, i feel like i should just paste my notes as my review. "1st visit (07/10/11). pork burrito ($8). food coma." do you need to know something else? ok. in multiple visits at both blue ribbon locations (2 in newton and 3 or 4 at this point in arlington), i have never come away disappointed - except when i recall that they don't serve beer. sorry, but beer and bbq go together like ... uh, beer and bbq. both places are small with the requisite bbq joint vibe and the food is on point. the burnt ends, chicken, and burritos have become my go-tos, but i've also had the pulled pork and the bbq chicken, both of which were moist, smokey, and delicious with and without sauce. for the sides, the beans with large chunks of bacon and meat and collard greens with a healthy kick of spice are my favorites, but they have lots of offerings, including stuff for the vegetarian at the table. prices are going to vary based on what you order, of course, but your sammies and burritos will run about $8 all the way up to the triple (3 meats and 2 sides) for $16, so you're not breaking the bank to expand your waistline and provide job security for a cardiologist. "3rd visit, arlington. pulled chicken burrito ($8). good. still wish they sold beer." notes, people. notes.
(4)Michael W.
Ok, we're New Englanders. We're not exactly known for BBQ. Blue Ribbon gets this concept perfectly. They were inspired by the classic roadside barbecue joints that dot the South. This isn't the typical sauce-slathered fare you see peddled around here. This stuff is made exactly the same way as in some of the most famous barbecue places in the country. The meat is slow cooked over low temps using traditional methods. The result is the best barbecue in the area, hands down. I've had every meat dish, and it's all fantastic. The brisket it tender and flaky and the meat falls right off of the ribs. They do offer various sides, and I can say that the collared greens, baked beans and cornbread are all delicious. The prices are reasonable and the location has parking and indoor and outdoor seating. If you're looking to have a Southern barbecue experience, look no further.
(5)Laura T.
Great pulled pork, potato salad and cornbread. As for the BBQ sauces... why are there like 3,000,000 to choose from?!?!
(4)Dan C.
Most of the time when I go to Greater Boston Motorsports I end up getting bent over and screwed...hard. Okay, pretty much every time I go there I end up paying twice as much as I hoped for whatever reason (I even end up paying for something when I just go there to look around). What keeps me coming back you ask--well that's easy: this place, Blue Ribbon BBQ. If it wasn't for this place I wouldn't even know the name Arlington, but thank Jesus, God, Mohammad, Buddha, Flying Spagetti Monster, whoever happens to be the higher power for inventing BBQ and more importantly for inventing this place. Where do I begin? Perhaps with the vast assortment of amazing BBQ sauces? XXX Hot rocks both my mouth and my world, but the vinegar sauce has its place too (mostly on their collards). Maybe with the fact that most plates are cheap, like under $10 cheap and come with more food than any sane person should be eating in one sitting. I polish my plate off every time I come here, which makes the ride home a little painful, but it's well worth it. Possibly with the truth that I'd break the law in order to enjoy the brisket sandwich heaped high with coleslaw and XXX hot bbq sauce (I'm on the fence whether or not I'd kill for one, but the fact that I'm debating it should mean something). One may find seating lacking for large groups, but I always find a seat either inside along the window or outside at one of the tables when I show up. Overall, the quality is better than Redbones and the price point is significantly lower. Oh, did I mention that the people who work there are actually awesome? I should have. Bottom line: Drive here, eat here, pass out in your car for a couple hours.
(4)Kelly M.
How am I having delicious barbecue in Massachusetts? And how is it in Arlington? And how am I not really concerned whether it's authentic or what style it is? There are numerous sauces, numerous options, and actual fountain lemonade. Get extra napkins.
(4)Kathleen F.
Warning: You may stuff yourself so much at Blue Ribbon that you feel as if you can never eat again, but don't worry, you'll be back! Blue Ribbon is by far my favorite place for BBQ in the Boston area. They have a great selection and I have never had anything that I did not enjoy. My favorites are the brisket and chicken platters, and favorite sides are the carrots (when they have them) and green beans, yum! They also have specials that vary if you want to try something new. We recently had the wings and jambalaya, they were both very good!! I highly recommend this place, definitely worth the drive out to Arlington!
(4)Jason J.
Since moving to the area in 2008 I've been coming here when I am in the mood for BBQ but don't require booze or a hectic environment. Redbones is perfect for that. Blue Ribbon seems to be more consistent than Redbones, and nothing beats filling your intestines with various defunct livestock and gallons of lemonade while sitting outside on a summer evening on Mass Ave wondering what kind of cold cuts the guy with the Prius isn't buying at Stop & Shop across the street.
(4)Michele P.
OK... so I was really excited to try this place out. We did take out this past weekend and I have mixed feelings about the experience. Lets start with the things that were good. The corn bread is delicious, and about as perfect as it gets. The coleslaw was crisp, fresh and tasty. The burnt ends of Brisket were yummy. But that is about where it ends. I have to say I was a little disappointed in just how dry the chicken and the ribs were. Maybe they are supposed to be that way, and maybe that's what southern BBQ is, but it was tough to eat I have to be honest. The baked beans were also extremely salty. So I have to say I have mixed feelings, I wanted it to be great, but it fell short for me. On the up side the service was fast and friendly which always leaves you with a nice impression.
(3)Dan C.
Blue Ribbon BBQ, besides sharing a name with my fantastically favorite ghetto beer of choice, shares a bit of my sauce encrusted heart. Davis Square rival "Red Bones" used to be my BBQ joint of preference until I met Blue Ribbon. It was love at first rib! Seriously their combo plates are PACKED portion-wise, their sauce variety is BALLER, and their prices are downright CHEAP. My only reservations about giving them 5 stars is the locations aren't super convenient. Hopefully gods above and below willing Blue Ribbon will extend its fall off the bone meaty tendrils into other burbs in Boston. Personal reco: Get the BBQ Burrito with Burnt Ends.
(4)Mike O.
There are really only 2 places to get BBQ in the metro Boston Area: Red Bones and here. I give it 5 stars because, as far as BBQ goes in Mass, this is as good as it gets. The quality of BBQ at these two establishments are essentially the same. Red Bones menu is a bit bigger, but BRB has a continually changing daily menu along with their steadfast BBQ classics. The two differences between these two places are the physical restaurant itself and the price. BRB is really for the lunch and takeout crowd where as Red Bones is a proper sit-down restaurant. And seeing BRB has far less overhead, you get far more bang for your buck. Whenever I find myself in Newton or Arlington (or even within a 5 mile radius) around noon, I know I'll be up to my neck in BBQ goodness.
(5)LovesToEat O.
Love this place! People are always super nice. They even made jokes to make you smile. Food is amazing. Always great!! The only bad thing I can say is their ribs have gone downhill. I used to love them but now they are either very dry and no flavor or all fat. But other than that this place is on my favorite list!
(5)Kena L.
Went there for the first time on a Saturday evening. The decor and ambiance is very authentic for a BBQ spot. There are a few little tables to sit inside, if you can't do a to go order. You order at the register and pick up your own order when it's ready on the other end, conveniently where all the BBQ sauces are located. They have a great variety of sauces, including some really yummy hot/spicy sauces! I had the half slab of ribs with potato salad and collard greens. Ribs were not baby back but very good! Potato salad had a lot of sliced onions in it but still tasty if you like onions! The collard greens were great after I put salt and pepper on it. The bf had sliced beef brisket with a tasty side of mashed red potatoes and dirty rice. His plate was so delicious! Way better than mine! Brisket were hot and moist! I'm not a big corn bread fan, but their cornbread was really good! By the way they had a nice variety of desserts but we didn't get to try it. ** Credit card welcome! Very reasonable price for the quality and amount of food you get! Overall - very tasty and delicious BBQ for the Boston area! You have to try it if you haven't! :)
(4)Andy L.
Eating here is an occasion to celebrate. I've never been to the South, so this place delivers as close to the Platonic ideal of both ribs and mashed potatoes as I've experienced. It feels kind of stupid to give the highest rating to a restaurant from which I only ever order one dish: 1/3 slab memphis ribs. Who needs to love more than one dish, though? It will set you back about $15, but it comes in a takeout container that will let you save it for a second meal. The ribs are charred just right and slide off the bone nicely. Then you gotta sauce that thing up! There's self-serve jugs with a variety of BBQ sauces, and I always go for the spicy one. It makes a great rib wonderful, and when it splashes onto the buttery mashed potatoes, you've got something indescribably delicious. I wish there were more seating options, but part of its charm is how small it is. I take the 77 bus all the way up here from Cambridge when I want to treat myself to a decadent meal, so fie upon any Arlington resident who doesn't appreciate the crap out of this place.
(5)Theis C.
Ok, first, let's take a moment and admit that Barbecue is a food, like bacon, that technically can be screwed up, but has a lot going for it. It doesn't take a magician to make fatty, salty, and sweet things taste like awesome. Blue ribbon accomplishes this with brio. Good on ya, friends. This is the best barbecue in the city, but I've had better in Racine, WI from a shack with bulletproof glass over the serving counter. The key accomplishment at Blue Ribbon is that they've captured that southern gritty ambiance that allows me to pretend while I'm in there that I'm not an over-educated, effete Northeastern elite. Have I ever eaten Possum? No I have not, nor have I ever gigged anything, or even ridden a horse through a McDonald's drive-thru. But when I'm in there, eating my fatbomb meal off a plastic tray on a steel table, I'm a shiner bock away from living my alter ego dreams.
(5)Charlie P.
Go with lots of friends. Order 1 or more of the giant family meals, ensuring that it includes pulled pork, rolls, and corn bread. Have a drink and selection of tasty BBQ sauces ready before your food arrives because once it's on the table, you will not want to stop eating.
(4)Emily C.
This was good BBQ, but not the best I've ever had. I always wanted to try it because there are always fat and happy-looking people sitting outside. I got the half BBQ chicken with mashed potatoes and baked beans and others in my party got the pulled pork and the spare ribs. It was all good, but it didn't blow my mind like I thought it would. The baked beans were really underwhelming and the potatoes were a little gooey, but that's not why anyone goes for BBQ anyway. The meat itself was all delicious and there were a nice variety of sauces.
(3)Rachael F.
You're kidding. Have I seriously never reviewed this place? This place has the best BBQ in the Boston area by FAR. Everything is perfect. Delicious sweet BBQ sauce, moist meats, perfect beans and mashed potatoes, some of the best cornbread. Fast service, good prices, heaping portions. I have no complaints about this place. Perfection. The boyfriend and I eat here at least once a month, pretty sure we frequent this restaurant more than almost any other eatery. Seriously, can't emphasize enough how much I adore this place.
(5)Kerry D.
This is a great, reasonably priced place for a quick lunch or dinner in either Arlington or Newton. Their burnt ends are my favorite, but their burritos are really good too. My only complaint is that the sides all seem really overcooked and greasy to me. I suspect that is actually authentic southern cooking, but maybe they could toss in a few fresher, crispier raw veggie options or something does not involve oil.
(4)Andrew N.
Meat = Great Sauces = Meh I prefer to have my BBQ swimming in deliciously sweet sauces, which this place does not really do and the sauces that are provided are not my favorite. They make up for this by giving you some amazing meats and some pretty good sides to go with it. There is little room to sit down inside and it is always packed with people ordering and waiting for their orders so I consider it a take-out place. The beef brisket is always a great idea as is the burnt ends and the pulled pork. When my fiancee and I go here, one of us will always get the brisket. I have yet to try the sandwiches or chicken, but I can't see them being any less delicious than the other choices on the menu. All the sides are great in their own special way, some of your normal sides like mashed potatoes and veggies have a unique taste to them and while the baked beans are not my grandmother's baked beans, they are pretty good too. Go check it out!
(4)Joanna F.
I love Blue Ribbon. I've only ordered from here three times, but each time the food has been magnificent and really cheap. Most recently, I got the pulled pork sandwich which comes with cole slaw and baked beans on the side. The sides are huge, the sandwich is hearty and it was only 7 bucks. That's a ridiculous deal. For my boyfriend's birthday we ordered one of the large combo platters. The amount of food we got was ridiculous and very reasonably priced. As for the actual food, I would say it's as good as a lot of the barbecue we had when we visited Memphis. Most places around here hardly compare.
(5)Efy M.
Loved the pulled pork sandwich. It was juicy and just what I'm looking for in a pulled pork sandwich. Didn't care that much for the beef. The sauces and sides are okay, but I've had better. The girls at the counter taking our order were friendly.
(4)Brian G.
Wow, i can not believe that this place has gotten so many good reviews. I am disgusted that my hacked chicken was PINK! I had to pick through it with my hands, trying to find the rare pieces that were not pink. I am not wasting any more of time reviewing this place. Disgusted & WAYY Overrated, clearly.
(1)Bekah D.
very good bbq chicken- great side of rice and beans too. Quick service and love the atmosphere..will be back!
(4)Angel C.
I LOVE BBQ. And when I'm craving BBQ, I go to Blue Ribbon. Everything I've had (ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, brisket) has been delicious. They have lots of sauces, which are all really good. Good flavor, good thickness, and plenty of spicy options. And good sides too! I need to go here more often! The place is pretty small, though, so it's not good for groups.
(5)Joe L.
The best, I repeat, the BEST BBQ in the boston area. I have tried them all and nobody beats blue ribbon. If you want bbq go here and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Donald R.
This place is lucky to have the emperor's new clothes effect going on, so that everyone has to like what are some crapy sandwiches. Dont get a salad, a couple pieces of lettuce.
(1)Dan S.
Addicted. Been several times. Great pulled pork and dry-rub ribs every time. Wreaks wonderfully of smoked meat. Huge portions. Go there!
(5)Wayne W.
Admittedly, it's a bit of a schlep from Inman Square, but, Lord have mercy, Blue Ribbon does it to my pure-dee satisfaction. My mind drifts back to André's Cajun Cracklins on Route 90 NW of Baton Rouge . . . a quarter-pound of cracklins, a fried pig tail, a bottle of Barq's. You know what? I want me a pulled-pork samich with a side of collards right NOW, child!
(5)Layla L.
Do you like meat? I like meat. If you share my love of meat, I recommend the Blue Ribbon Barbeque. Even their non-meaty parts are good. Go here for all your meat related needs.
(5)Matt S.
Best BBQ in Boston. Red Bones has two advantages: alcohol, and seating. The latter is debatable as there's notoriously a very long and camped wait. Awesome hot sauce, awesome pulled pork.... yada, yada, yada.... best BBQ in Boston.
(5)Lindsay C.
Oh My YUM! I loves me some Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! This is the closest thing you can get to Texas...so I am in love! I found a little piece of home up in New England. Now only if they served Shiner Bock beer with the food... I'd be in pure Lone Star Heaven! The chicken is so moist, smokey and flavorful. I like the BBQ chicken in their burrito and all the sauces poured on different parts...so many flavors! Thank you BBQ Gods at Blue Ribbon!
(5)Jeremy S.
I'm not sure what Kansas City Burnt Ends are, but they are sure damn tasty. Same goes with Blue Ribbon's baked beans and pulled pork... at least with those two things I knew what I was putting into my salivating mouth. I've only been to Blue Ribbon once and I'm already singing its praises over my old haunt--Redbones. When it comes solely down to the BBQ, Blue Ribbon earns the crown by a mile. Redbones gets points for beer, though, and that's something I can't overlook. If you're hankering for takeout you should dial up Blue Ribbon immediately. But, if you want to chill with some microbrews while gnawing on animal flesh, grab a seat at Redbones and enjoy yourself.
(5)jessica s.
I am from North Carolina, and let me tell you, pork barbecue is very important. I do not expect to find anyone to treat pork exactly right up here, but Blue Ribbon at least has the best barbecue I've had yet north of the mason-dixon. So please bare in mind that three stars from a North Carolinian on a Massachusetts bbq joint is in fact pretty damn good review. I'd heard good things about the bbq at Red Bones, but was reeeally disappointed in their pork, and what they think passes for vinegar sauce, so thank goodness I found Blue Ribbon! While it's not quite as good as what you'd get in Lexington NC, or Eastern NC, etc., it'll at least hold me over til I'm down south again. The pork was tender, smokey, and juicy, and while $7-something is a bit high for a pulled pork sandwich, at least the portion was large and it came with slaw (which was o.k.) and baked beans (pretty tasty). And thank goodness for the sweet tea! Now they'd of gotten four stars if only banana pudding was on the menu....
(3)Emerson O.
Reliable, consistent, flavorful BBQ. I love the pulled pork. Great for lunch and take out. Can be pretty busy around dinner time, and there's not much seating. Location has the feel of a store front, not a restaurant. It sits across the street from a grocery store in a busy intersection, so while there is outdoor seating in the summer, it has zero atmosphere (unless you ignore the stop and go traffic).
(4)Cody S.
They great bbq and a large menu with many great choices. Service is quick but not super friendly . They want in and out. Not the cleanest place in town, The bathroom is old and dirty while the rest of the joint need cleaning and updating.
(3)Vanilla P.
Head over to Blue Ribbon to swim in the pump-your-own sauces. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor seats, kick back and watch the traffic crawl down Mass Ave. Smash your cornbread into the mashed potatoes for an amazing carbohydrate trip, then pour some bbq sauce over it and use a spoon to savor. Added bonus for Blue Ribbon - This is absolutely a place to meet dudes. The majority of the clientele are men, so if you're single, go to Blue Ribbon and dab some sauce behind your ears and on your clavicle - you'll be dry-humped in no time. How do you spell barbecue? BBQ? Bar-B-Q? Barbeque? I spell it B-L-U-E R-I-B-B-O-N.
(5)Luke B.
Oh my my! Blue Ribbon is tasty tasty tasty (that's right, 3 levels of tasty). Reasons why you NEED to go to Blue Ribbon NOW: - Chezee Mash, HOLY mashed potatoes! It isn't a standard menu item, but if it's available, don't think twice, order this. - Burnt Ends, SO SO tasty! Perfect smoke and saucy taste. This is a MUST for me. - Pulled Chicken, tender shredded chicken + a nice sweet sauce = YUM! - Pickles, I'm not one to normally eat from public (and open) containers, but their pickles are too damn good...and their FREE! - Pulled Chicken, wasn't anything amazing, but I think it just couldn't compete with the Ends and Chicken. Not it's fault. - Cole Slaw, nothing crazy, but still mmm mmm good. I will NEVER go to Redbones again! Blue Ribbon is my new BBQ love.
(5)Food Hunting T.
Went to there twice because first visit was fine and the second one was the end. Ordered 2 boxes at the 2nd visit and seeing half empty spaces of the boxes, their portions became less just like their menu. Paying 12 bucks for a $6 meal is not a satisfied mood. won't deal with this business again.
(1)Branson L.
YES YES YES... Now that El Pelon has burnt down to ashes, this place has the best burrito in town... hrm... I know these bbq people know how to start fires.. hrmmmmm..... Anyway, Get a Burrito (burnt end) - or a pulled pork sandwich, or ribs.... choose your sides (beans and slaw) - Slather everything in Chipotle Mustard and hot sauce... then pig out like a freak. Great place, why not five stars then? I don't quite know... I'll get back to you on that.... pppps el pelon back up and runnin with the same great food... only problem its wayy out there for most peeps. when will they come in, expand, and take over the boston burrito market? probly never.
(4)Julie R.
This was the best BBQ I've ever had around Boston! More like, probably from anywhere. Can you imagine how pleased I was that the portions were enormous too and I got to eat it again for dinner. Yummy in my tummy for sure! I had the N. Carolina pulled pork special with beans and coleslaw. The sandwich was on a big fluffy roll, loaded high with lots of chunky pork shreds. I was full from half. The amount of sauce on it was not over done so you can add your own to your liking. They had a good selection of self serve sweet-hot BBQ sauces. I. The baked beans even had a BBQ hint to them. I didn't think I would ever rave about coleslaw but this one tasted very home made. My boyfriend got the half rack ribs platter with creamed corn, grits, and cornbread. The ribs were huge. We easily had around 8 on the plate. They were fall off the bone juicy. You could taste the smoke. The ribs were cut individually already for you. I don't know what kind of BBQ preparation was going on back there but they were delicious. I loved the cream corn and cheddar grits too. I will be sure to get those next time. The cornbread was a huge moist chunk. With all this food we had we were stuffed, then the guy at the counter gave us a handy lid that slipped over the plate so we had an instant take out portion. On the side I got a big chocolate chunk cookie that was sweet satisfaction. Later that night I was lucky to not have to cook as planned. We had a little BBQ feast again. Lunch totaled $27 for 2 huge plates with drinks..which then amounted to an unexpected dinner. The only downside was there is not much seating besides 3 tables and a small bar area. Otherwise, this place is doing the BBQ right! Another blue ribbon to you!
(5)Chris C.
Good BBQ for New England. Remember to phone in your order so you don't have to wait in line or wait for you food to be made. It can be a big time savings. I had the pulled pork with barbecued beans and the black eyed corn. The pulled port was good although not as flavorful as I was hoping for considering the reputation this place has. The beans were good and actually had a little hint of spiciness in them which I liked. The black eyed corn was average. The corn bread was decent. The portions and pricing were very good though. Its mainly a take out a joint although they did have some tables setup on the sidewalk out front.
(4)Betts C.
I have to admit, I was shocked by just how good Blue Ribbon BBQ is. I've been a devoted Redbones girl, even though their ribs are sometimes not as great as others. It's been forgivable because of their spot-on beer list and fun atmosphere. However, my partner in crime and I are big fans of barbecue. When I was living in Kansas City and we were doing the long distance thing, I sometimes wondered if he didn't visit so often more for barbecue at Oklahoma Joe's & Arthur Bryant's more than for seeing me. So when a Living Social deal popped up for Blue Ribbon, we thought we'd give it a try. Considering it was about 8 PM on a Friday night, Blue Ribbon was very quiet. We pretty much had not wait in line, and though there aren't that many seats in the place itself, we had no trouble finding one. The food came out fast, and was spot-on delicious. I was super excited to try their KC-style burnt ends, and disappointed I was not. They were awesome. We also tried a half-rack of ribs, and their rub is better than that of Redbones. I can't speak for their consistency, but those ribs certainly rivaled the best of the Memphis style ribs we've had at Redbones. I sort of wish they had other varieties, just because these were so goods, and the burnt ends were so perfect. (Yes, I said perfect. I'm not sure how they'd stack up in comparison to Arthur Bryant's, but for burnt ends made in Massachusetts, they're pretty amazing.) However, what really and truly made my Blue Ribbon experience a winner (pun intended) were the sides. This has always been the downfall of Redbones for me, as their vegetables are pretty sad. We tried the black eyed corn, dirty rice, Texas kimchi, and cornbread, and I can say that they were all excellent. The Texas kimchi was spicy and a really brilliant addition to the menu. The black eyed corn, a mixture of corn and black eyed peas, was perfectly done and not bland. The dirty rice was a little less exciting, but still good. And the cornbread was delicious, coming in a large hunk that I admit I devoured in its entirety. Other points for Blue Ribbon- they allow you to take as much sauce as you like, and have a full array. Though they lack an alcohol license, they have lemonade and tea as fountain drinks, so one starts to almost feel Southern. And though it is a little out of the way, the Mass Ave location is easily accessible and the lack of busy-ness means there's no wait. The staff members with whom we interacted were super friendly, letting us take our time to figure out what to order and being very nice about everything. I felt no rush to finish quickly, which often happens in a restaurant of the counter-ordering style. Of course, the lack of beer list and margaritas are a negative. But one could easily take Blue Ribbon to go and make up for that at home. It's also not as perfectly located in Davis Square, but, again, it's not that far out. It's also fairly inexpensive (in part because of the no booze bit). The platters, which offer a full serving of meat, two sides, and cornbread, range from about $9-15, and are certainly more than enough food for one. Though I'm sure I won't give up on Redbones altogether, I might be a convert for Blue Ribbon, especially come summer when it's time for long rides down the Minutemen Bike Path. Nothing would be better towards the end of one of those than a big plate of burnt ends, black-eyed corn, and cornbread.
(4)David R.
Excellent barbecue. They have a small dining room, which was pretty crowded when I went in on a Sunday night(three day weekend, Monday was a holiday), along with some outdoor seating. I had the pulled pork platter with collard greens, and baked beans. It came with cornbread. The pulled pork was tender, the beans were flavorful, and the collard greens were tasty(many times that that I've had collard greens at restaurants they've been bland;not so here). I was very surprised by how good their cornbread was. Three different flavors of sauce to choose from. I tried each of them and found the regular BBQ to be my favorite. Only downside is that it's(the sauce) a little watery. The portion was large; I was able to save some of the pulled pork for use in a tasty sandwich the next day. The service was quick and friendly, especially considering the place was so busy. I'm a new fan. I'll be back soon.
(4)Bret C.
OFF THE HOOK! This place is as good as it gets around here for BBQ. It's easy, fast, affordable, and tastes great. No complaints whatsoever. This location is better than the Newton shop...Much more room to spread out and eat by the windows, etc. Also easier to park. I am definitely going to branch out and try the burnt ends and pulled chicken next time. It's just so hard to get away from the NC Pulled Pork - WOW! Can these guys please do another location in Boston?!
(5)Ashley L.
THE best bbq in Beantown, hands down.
(5)Samantha H.
I've been here a few times and the first time was great and then it slowly went down hill. I always lean toward the pull pork sandwich with many different sides. Tasteless, had lots of chunks of fat and plain gross. I have definitely experienced better (redbones, american bbq). Only reason for the 2 stars is because I liked their cornbread and their pickles. That's about it. Don't think I will be going back. Sorry.
(2)David A.
Some small places are starting to pop up, but for a long time in metro boston the only real BBQ debate was between Red Bones and this place. Personally, I think both are very good and neither clearly superior to the other. I'm in Winchester though so BR is slightly closer than RB in Davis and I've consequently had more experience with it. We have some friends that we usually will order a feed back (for 4) anytime they come over. The feedback for 4 runs about $60.00 but is really enough food for 6 moderate eaters. We always have plenty of left overs. This is a good thing. The variety is great. yOu can sample a good deal of what's on BR's regular menu. THe ribs are saucy and good. Pulled pork is solid. The sides are typical BBQ (beans, cole slaw, etc.) and all well done. There's a jerk option also and while I've had better jerk at specifically jamaican places, the stuff here's not bad. There are several house sauces that range in flavor in terms of sweetness mainly. There's one atypical sauce that's a mid orange color, not too thick, that I find has a robust flavor and goes well w/ the pulled pork. I've never eaten in store, but there is out door seating in the spring/summer and a few diner style stools that line the window. The inside space is small however and probably not practical for any large party doing anything morethan grabbing a quick bite. We've always called inour order so i don't really know what wait times are like. There's a reason why this place is bascially a local institution: compentently done BBQ meat (I mean, hey, what can you expect this far from the south?), good portions and easy service. If you live in any town that abuts Arlington and haven't been to BR, you're doing something wrong.
(4)Jeff D.
It's not as good at the barbecue you're going to get down South, but it's by far the best you're going to find in Boston. I find myself drawn to the sandwich list these days. I just had a greek lamb rollup with lettuce, cucumber, greek dressing, lamb and feta cheese. It was delicious and the flavors mixed perfectly. I also loved the baked beans and the ham and cheese grits were rich and salty. I've tried just about everything on the menu over the years and never come away disappointed.
(5)Emily G.
Oh LORDY LORD! I agree with Luke B. - much MUCH better than Redbones. Can't go wrong at this place if you are really craving for a good, savory, teast-bud jumping, If they have Cheesy Mash, get it. Pronto. Now. I mean, now. Do I need to go into further explanation? Second - save room for dessert if you can. The pies looked SO good. And you know a BBQ does make a FIIINNNNEEEEE Pecan Pie! Pies, Pies, Pies! Yum, Yum, Yum! Third, if you have an iPhone, download the Blue Ribbon BBQ app and order it from the plam of your hand. I mean, what is more convenient than that?!
(5)Anna S.
Ate here for the first time on a Sunday night - very good. Tasted some of the pulled chicken and brisket, both of which were very good, and the mashed potatoes, which were awesome. Also had the coleslaw, which was divine, and I looooooove coleslaw. I was less impressed by the cornbread, baked beans, and collard greens. The sauces, however, were excellent, and very authentic.
(4)Jen S.
I do love this place... the north carolina pulled pork, with tons of extra nc vinegar. yum! Trick is, I hate baked beans and cole slaw. Fortunately, they let you replace both with your choice of sides. Now, aren't they just darlin'? Key lime pie -- not to be missed! Beef brisket -- orgasmic! Mashed potatoes -- yum! Mac n cheese -- more, please! And you can make your own half-n-half (tea & lemonade). Sahweet!!!
(4)Kimble M.
As a Texan, I feel obligated to withhold the fifth star, but for Boston, this is about as good as it gets. They make a solid brisket, nicely spicy sausage, and some decent other barbecued animals, serving it all up with some excellent sauce choices and damn delicious sides. While their sandwiches are served with baked beans and cole slaw, both o.k., some of their other sides are truly southern divine. If you happen to make it in on a day they've got cheese grits, order the full pint, or maybe the quart, and take some home with you. Seating is limited in either location, but they do a great job catering on short notice and cheaply. We ended up giving them a final number for 70 people at noon on Texas Independence Day last march, which they delivered promptly at 7PM despite the copious quantities of snow. At $12 per person with way too much food for the group to eat, it's definitely worth it.
(4)Jocelyn G.
While getting lost trying to find the Regent Theater, I pointed this out to my boyfriend. 3 hours later when the concert ended, he declared that he had been thinking about BBQ since we past the Blue Ribbon and wanted to go there for a late (8:30) dinner. We lucked out by getting not only a parking space outside, but also one of the little tables.I would strongly suggest getting take out as there are very few places to sit inside and it can get quite crowded. The staff was mostly quiet, but friendly...one told me that I was not allowed to dance to Stevie Ray Vaughn, especially with cups in my hands, and the wait was fairly short. My platter was large and steamy hot, but the green beans seemed like they had been cooked a long time ago. The corn bread was mostly good, but dry in many places. Other than that, it was a satisfying meal that was only marred by a group standing over us like vultures waiting to attack the moment we stood up.
(4)Nick M.
The best thing I can say about Blue Ribbon is that the North Carolina pulled pork is the best pulled pork I've had since I left North Carolina. It's as good as anything I had down there. My group of friends has had middling luck with the brisket -- sometimes it's excellent, sometimes it's barely okay -- but I've never had bad brisket there. Aside from the brisket and the pulled pork, I've also had excellent luck with the burnt ends, which have been tender and tasty. The sides are what they are -- some are unexciting (corn bread), some are just fine (mashed potatoes), and most of the rest are soaked in butter (collard greens, I'm looking at you). That said, sometimes you'll find a treat in the daily specials (jalapeño carrots, chickpea salad). I don't know that I'd recommend eating at the Blue Ribbon -- there's not much space to sit down and unlikely to be enough for more than two people to eat as a group comfortably -- but you can't do better for barbecue take-out in metro Boston.
(5)Chuck K.
I'm not going to get into a jag about "real" BBQ because I'd be here all afternoon. This is just a mini-primer for how to order at Blue Ribbon. I had the "Texas Brisket" and it was a gray, flavorless, dry monstrosity. By contrast, I've had good luck with the "burnt ends" and pulled pork. The side orders are uniformly "meh." This has been a public service announcement.
(3)Michael C.
Blue Ribbon is as good as it gets for BBQ in Boston. I have been going here for years and am never dissapointed. Some of their highlighs are their moist and crunchy corn bread, the Burnt Ends sandwhich is out of this world, top that off with some of their legendary baked beans and garlic mashed potatoes with gravy and you have yourself a great meal!
(5)Tepring P.
How can this place only have seating for 10-15 people when it is soooo good? I like sticky, finger-lickin' savory/spicy/sweet BBQ and this is what I get here. The 3 meat option platter is enough for 3 people! Well ok, maybe only two b/c I always come hungry. Portions are big and food is flavorful. You can grab extra sauce from their big pump your own jars on your way out too. I am not so sure I like their sides (especially not the cornbread which is always dry - I know there are different types - northern v. southern). How about a corn on the cob (at least seasonally)? Maybe the sides are just not as good as compared to the MEAT....mmmm...... Oh and dessert, can't forget 1/3 of the meal's points...A-mazing cherry cobbler. If they have it, get it.
(4)jake l.
Had a trio meal last night. Not so great and this place is OVERRATED. The brisket was not butterknife tender. The pulled pork, well.. tasted like any other pulled pork just had to douse with vinegar and sauce. The ribs were good(fall off the bone) although, they only give 2 ribs per order? what the hell? The sides were generic tasting the mashed potatoes were uninspired, the coleslaw wasn't tangy enough, but the cornbread was soft and moist. Blue Ribbon is officially the most overrated bbq spot in the Boston area. Word of advice from my visits of bbq joints.. when you read the reviews from yelpers who claim they are from the south and grew up there eating bbq. LISTEN TO THEM because they are right most of the time regarding my past few visits of bbq joints.
(2)Traveling B.
This review is for the catering, I will be back to try the actual food later. The Bossy Boss decides to treat us commonfolk to lunch. Redbones comes up as it always does, and I commented that maybe we should do something else. It's not that I have a distaste for Redbones, I love their bar, and the St. Louis Ribs are good, but everything else is pretty much lacking for me. So, after much deliberation we all decide on Blue Ribbon. I knew I was taking a chance here, yes I might be a fatty but my suggesting powers were to be seriously tested by choosing this over the typically famous redbones. So, food gets here, Mac N'cheese, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, beans and cornbread. With a little iced tea and lemonade, add all of the fixings and wow, we ordered the 10 person size but we could have easily fed 15. And the ribs were succulent, the conrbread was moist and tasted much better than their competitions. It's the first time I've been in Boston where I thought the beans were worth a damn, though nowhere near as good from home, and the pulled pork had me going for seconds. But, oh my and butty oh but but but, the chicken was incredible. At first glance it looked as if it was going to be somewhat greasy and chocked full of oil. And that's the furthest from the truth, it was easy to hold and the meat came right off the bone, right into my mouth. Moist, tender, evenly full of flavor so that every bite had just the right amount of spices. Man, the chicken was good, that's all I'm saying. So yeah, the office has found a new place to get BBQ from, and I personally have found a new place to drool over everytime I pass the one in Arlington. Good on ye Blue Ribbon BBQ!!!!
(5)Jeff M.
Quickest, cheapest, best bbq in the area. Meat stands on its own. I only use a little bit of the NC vinegar to highlight the meat. The meat is delicious but I love the sides you get to choose from.
(4)Dan S.
Hey, this place is all right! I wish I could give this 3.7 stars. They don't deserve a 3 (I enjoyed my meal immensely), but a few things needed to be fixed. The ribs are really good. They "fall off the bone", as they should; the dry rub gives them a firm outer texture and a melty inside, definitely the highlight of my meal. The corn bread is nice, not too sweet but not too un-sweet either, a very balanced corn bread to compliment the rest of the food. Collard greens were definitely blaaand, and the sweet potatoes, while good, were somehow off a bit, a little too odd for my tastes. I think there was some orange juice or grapefruit juice in them, or something. Solid selection of passable sauces. As usual in the northeast, the sauces weren't anything to write home about. After sampling most of them, I opted for the generic "sweet" BBQ sauce to add lightly to the ribs. The "hot" BBQ sauce was pretty dismal and I'd recommend avoiding that. Friend had the burnt ends, which were top notch. Another had slaw (went unfinished) and mashed potatoes (over-buttery). The theme I noticed was that the meat was great, and the sides were mediocre. It was pretty busy inside while we were there (dinner time on a Thursday night). There was a bit of a wait to order, perhaps about five or ten minutes. We managed to snag an indoors table but it was just lucky timing. Because it's late summer and still nice out, the outdoor seating was in full swing but I can imagine that as soon as it becomes fall you won't be able to sit down here. As it was, it was pretty chaotic inside, not a very comfortable place to have a meal. Now, they serve your meal in a badass disposable styrofoam tray. Stuff like this drives me crazy - it's wasteful and you have no recourse. I realize it saves some hassle with cleanup, but a couple paper plates and a wipeable tray would perform just as well.
(4)Matthew A.
I finally got to try Blue Ribbon BBQ!!! I stopped in here for lunch after a business appointment. I got the pulled pork sandwich which came with beans and slaw. I also order 2 ribs to taste as I heard the ribs are out of this would. The ribs were nice and meaty and just the right amt of smoke. I tryed a variety of BBQ sauces and vinagers available on the counter (I loved the SC Vinager on the slaw). Would def come back here for takout for dinner.
(5)Apolinaras S.
It is official, I have an addiction to Blue Ribbon BBQ! I have lost count how many times I have been there, how much money I have spent, and how many people I have brought with me. I love the food, I love how generous portions are (always end up taking half the platter home), service. And unlike Red Bones in Somerville, which is a block away from me, they are not stingy with sauces. I will continue looking for excuses to drive to Blue Ribbon!
(5)Jon P.
Best pulled pork I've had. Great sides, great value and my new go to BBQ spot. Never thought I'd replace redbones...
(5)Jim O.
Our new granddaughter lives up the hill behind BRB, and I delighted to have this extra reason to get lunch there (visiting her) aside from the terrific food. I love the pork, the brisket, the mashed potatoes, the rice and beans, the cole slaw. I love the portions (huge), I love the very reasonable prices. I've not tried the deserts, and I didn't care for the pulled chicken, but I think BRB is the real deal.
(4)Mary B.
Yes, finally, I found decent barbeque in the Boston area. I love all of their sauce selections and how they are readily available at the front counter so you can try something new - my favorite is the gold. The menu runs the whole gamut of barbeque, though I always go for the pulled chicken. The key for me here is that they have a ton of sides to you get to choose to complement your meal - the only thing that is holding me back from 5 stars is that I get my heart set on a certain side only to be told they're out. But, there are plenty of other options and I have never had a bad meal there. I definitely prefer their barbeque to Redbones, which has made me sick before. It's a no nonsense type of place. There isn't a lot of seating so I tend to go outside of normal lunch/dinner hours and I see a lot of people doing take-out, which is the best bet.
(4)Jack M.
I've never actually been here, but I've had their food. Lots of it. I used to date a chick whose dad would go here a lot. Sometimes he'd bring me home some dinner. He was nice. Too bad his daughter was a giant pain in the brisket.... I have had a number of dishes and meals from this place. What stands out the most is their pulled pork sandwich. Pretty darn good. Oh - a huge plus is their pickles. Every meal came with a little container of some homemade pickle slices. I'm tellin ya- they were excellent! We used to fight over them. We used to fight a lot, actually... I'm deducting a star cause once I got a bbq chicken sandwich and as I bit down there was a huge BONE in there. GOD I HATE THAT. But overall, people rave about this place. It won't disappoint. Probably....
(3)Ben H.
To be fair, I've had worse. It would take a monumental effort to be worse than that little place in Davis Sq. that people flock to. But, Blue Ribbon turns in a Blue Ribbon effort at being the worst BBQ in Boston. I firmly believe that sometimes places have an off day. BBQ is particularly hard to do well, and something small like a thermometer not reading properly can ruin a whole batch. So, just like that place in Davs, I've tried Blue Rubbon five times. In part it was to be as fair as possible, and in part it was in utter disbelief that anyone could make BBQ so poorly. Alas, after five attempts, I reach the same conclusion. I've had far better pulled pork from a prepackaged plastic tub in the local grocery store, better beans from a can, better cornbread from a bag, and a more southern atmosphere in Boston Common. Bill Miller's BBQ (the Taco Bell of BBQ and easily the worst BBQ in Texas) makes Blue Ribbon taste like skunky Miller High Life. Honestly, I don't even know why I keep looking for BBQ in Boston. I wouldn't expect to get decent clam chowder or lobster rolls in Texas; there's no reason to expect decent BBQ in Boston.
(1)Tom K.
When I die, I hope my last meal is at Blue Ribbon so I can taste their BBQ for all eternity. Is it the rub? Is it the smoke? Is it the BBQ sauces? Is it the quality of the meats? Maybe it's the great selection of piping hot and tasty side dishes? Or is it the congo bar/dove bar or pecan pie for dessert. How can everything on the menu board be some damn good? When friends from out of town come to visit, we take them here. First question on their return visit? "Are we going to The Blue Ribbon?" My family has been eating here for 12 years now, 6 - 8 times each year. We've had pretty much everything on the board. Never had a bad meal. Burnt ends, sausage, pulled pork, ribs, jerked chicken, always hot, fresh generous portions and good. Sides? My favorites are the collard greens and cole slaw. Hot and tasty always and the cole slaw is not too watery, not too dry, just right. Desserts, I'd walk 5 miles for thier congo bar, my wife loves the Dove bar, I'm just not big on coconut. There are two negatives and neither of them have anything to do with the food. 1. Parking can be challenging to find on Mass Ave in Arlington. 2. Seating is just a few bar stools looking out the front windows, although they have a few table outside for the summer. We always eat there as I want to eat while everything is hot. If you like BBQ, this is the best of metro west. It's also one of the best places in the country for my money. I've travelled a lot and I can't honestly say I've had better BBQ anywhere and that includes a lot of places in Texas and North Carolina.
(5)Flora B.
I had burnt ends, collard greens and baked beans. One star off because I wasn't so impressed by the cornbread (a little dry? needed something...) and THEY HAD RUN OUT OF MASHED POTATOES. :( However, this place is top notch and I'll definitely be back.
(4)Carl H.
Burnt ends, ribs, brisket for dinner after a long day perfect.... Never had a bad meal here, great comfort food. Quick service awesome quality. If you are a BBQ guy or girl blue ribbon is a must!
(4)Sanel S.
I liked this place a lot, the sandwich was great and sides were good too. It's not the most spectacular food I had ever eaten but I would say pulled pork was outstanding. I haven't had pulled pork in years so I don't have a good reference point but it didn't strike me as particularly high-grade food. Although the food is great the environment is cramped and it felt more like a place to be fed rather than a nice sit-down place. My only other complaint about this place is that they serve way too much food than is necessary for a human being to eat.
(4)Hiep V.
Blue Ribbon fell a little short of my expectations, seeing as I've been trying to go to this place for a while.To get the most options out of my dinner, I went with the Trio combination, with choices of brisket, pork ribs, and burnt ends. The ribs were so juicy and literally fell off the bone, just the way I like them. The brisket was good, but not as tender compared to Redbones. I've heard a lot of things about burnt ends and had been dying to try them out; unfortunately, the ones at Blue Ribbon didn't live up to my expectations as all it was, was mushy meat (kind of like pulled pork). My sides of collard greens and cole slaw went well along with my meal. Seating is quite tight as there were only 3 tables with available seating for 4 each, and a bar counter to eat. The major downside for me was that they don't serve alcohol. When it comes to bbq, nothing's better than washing it all down with nice cold brewski. Unfortunately, Blue Ribbon's shortcomings, will have me choosing to go to one of the other bbq establishments in the area.
(3)Rebecca K.
I guess, in the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I've never actually been to the restaurant. Don't even know where it is. But I've had take out from here on multiple occasions and it's soooooooo good. The pulled pork is really top rate. There's always a very healthy selection of sauces with which to top your BBQ. Then there's the baked bean goodness. Yum! Coming from the midwest, I do have an affinity for good BBQ and this place definitely satisfies the craving. Maybe one day, I'll actually make it to the restaurant, but, until then, I'm fine if my profs keep ordering it.
(4)C D.
Went back and tried their mashed potatoes and special of the day which was stewed okra. I must have just hit it on an off day the first time I went because these two were out of this world! And I tried the pulled pork sandwich which was better than any other place I've tried in Boston.
(5)Lauren L.
I might give Blue Ribbon 5 stars if we hadn't started off on the wrong foot. Allow me to explain... I ordered a catering package ("THE Sandwich Deal" if you must know) for lunch for my office of about 30 people 2 days in advance. WELL, my friend, our delivery time came and went with no delicious BBQ in sight. I gave them a call figuring they were just running a little late and that it was NBD. FALSE. Turns out the woman who took my order completely forgot to process it. Sucks. So that really put a damper on things. HOWEVER, the woman was super apologetic and felt really bad and totally admitted that it was her fault. So at another date and time of my choosing Blue Ribbon delivered my order FREE OF CHARGE and it was the ballzzz. I highly recommend the burnt ends, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. The baked beans are also totally awesome as are the mashed potatoes and corn bread. You can eat the meat plain or make a diesel sandwich with the rolls they provide. Whatever you want - follow your heart. Now there are some pretty picky folks in my office who love to complain but I didn't hear a peep out of them. Everyone loved it and was in a food coma for most of the afternoon. AND we had a crap-ton of leftovers, which, I'm sure I don't have to tell you, was kickass. I feel pretty confident that this little mishap was a fluke. They're human. We all make mistakes. Whatevs. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Cee C.
I am such a huge fan of this place. We come here almost twice a month. You can bring your own beers and the outdoor seating is abundant
(3)Anne M.
I dont want to brag, but Im pretty much THE connoisseur of BBQ, and this place is my favorite place for pulled pork in Boston. The location is small, but its great in the summer when they have outside seating. The burnt ends are fantastic as well if you are not int he mood for pork. Oh, and I cant forget the pecan pie, delicious!
(5)Eva F.
Oh, Boston, why must you be so bland? No matter what the cuisine, restaurants around here err on the side of caution when it comes to spices and seasonings. Blue Ribbon is no exception. That's why it irritates me when people call this "Southern food." Any Southern food I've had was a lot more flavorful than this! Down in Louisiana, I fell in love with Slap Ya Mama seasonings... no mama-slappin' going on around here! So it's bland. And soggy. It's a good portion size for the money, but I haven't yet been particularly inclined to finish what I've ordered. I keep giving them chances since they're in a convenient spot and everyone does rave about them so, but I think I'm going to have to agree with the others who called it overrated.
(3)Linda J.
WOW what can i say that hasn't already been said. We hired this place to do our company BBQ and they did a wonderful job. Not only were they extremely pleasant but the food was incredible. Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends to BBQ Ribs and the OMG Red Bliss Potato salad was incredible! Thank you Blue Ribbon
(5)V L.
Fast, Tasty and not too expensive. I love their specials. I usually get the pulled pork or burnt ends. Not a fan of the chicken but that's just me. Tasty pies and soups too. Cornbread is great!
(5)Aaron P.
Funny story: When Blue Ribbon first opened I lived in an apartment across the street from it. I was a vegetarian at the time and I'm from Texas. So I SUFFERED HORRIBLY at the wonderful smell that wafted out of this joint and into my apartment on warm summer days. It was torture. Fast forward five years and I moved away but have decided to eat meat again. So one of the very first places I visit is Blue Ribbon, with memories of that aroma never leaving my mind. I can eat it. Finally! Talk about a disappointment. All the food (entree, sides and bread) on the plate was practically watered down and splashed together in a soup-like substance. The meat on my sandwich was way too tender and the sauces were pure vinegar. Maybe this poses as BBQ in some poduck place in South Carolina (where I hear vinegar is king), but in Texas you'd be run out of town serving this junk.
(2)Luca R.
Best BBQ in Boston, hands down and the prices are great. Red Bones isn't even in the same league. These guys know their BBQ...makes me feel like I'm back in KY. Thank you Blue Ribbon, you guys are awesome! :)
(5)Sushiman S.
Had to work Saturday, so since I was nearby and it seemed like the right thing to do, Blue Ribbon came to mind... This little Storefront on Mass. Ave. in Arlington, has the just the right ambiance for take out BBQ... Simple..... a couple places to sit and watch the traffic go by, outside tables for the adventurous always worry that a stray dog will fight me for my ribs)... Anyway, the service was quick, the food as always top notch...This is not a "red bones", but then it is not trying to be. I had a rib sandwich to go and took a rack of ribs home for dinner and sharing.... The rib sandwich was good, the ribs were meaty and and with the sides of cheesy mashed, and green beans (pleasantly overdone and mushy, just like mom made), and the never ending pickles and sauce... wonderbar!!!!! Must confess that I was still hungry so I ate a rib in the car on the way home, (sans sauce), but I still have to figure out how to get the grease off the steering wheel! (any suggestions????) Blue Ribbon gets a Blue Ribbon in my book!
(5)Lee M.
I was debating between three and four stars for Blue Ribbon BBQ, but the 3 stars says "A-OK" and 4 stars days "Yay!" so I think 3 is more accurate (edit: I changed it to 4 after some consideration). I had the North Carolina pulled pork barbecue platter, cole slaw, green beans, cornbread, and sweet tea. And this was at the Arlington location. The cole slaw was mediocre at best. It was actually downright bad, but I don't really like to be mean. The green beans were pretty good, but they were spiced weirdly - they were actually spicy, which was just odd. The cornbread was good, nothing special, but good. The sweet tea could have been just a little bit more sweet (just a little), but that may be a compromise for their typical customers (northerners). Now, the barbecue. It's an eastern NC style. It's pulled pork from the whole pig, not just the shoulder, and it has a vinegar sauce instead of ketchup, but it's not really saucy. They put some (real) sauce on top when they served it, which I wish they had left off, or better yet put on the side (if I go again, I'll probably ask them to do that). The meat itself was pretty good. It was well spiced. I would have preferred a little leaner selection, but there's nothing wrong with what they served. Conclusion: Good barbecue, mediocre sides, good tea. I was disappointed that they didn't have banana pudding. That would have gotten them a fourth star (edit: except I went back and gave them 4 stars...but they should still have banana pudding)..
(4)Adam P.
I'm rather a big fan of Blue Ribbon BBQ. Their take-out service is rather efficient, and they have some of the tastiest pulled meat and BBQ chicken I've ever eaten. I'm not the biggest fan of their green beans, but I do enjoy their baked beans and collard greens. It's a bit pricey for the plate meal, but it does include a lot of food.
(4)Zizzles A.
So I just had some great Brisket here today, an oddity, and asked the guy why the brisket is so inconsistent. He tells me it's because it's different because I get different parts of the brisket, and says I can request the fattier section! Yes! Problem solved! Not only is the fattier brisket jucier, you get a little more of the smoke flavor because the meat is not nearly as dry. When the Brisket is good, I prefer it to the sauced burnt ends. The brisket really doesn't need sauce. It's smoky and juicy enough as is. I will attempt to ask for the fattier part next time. I ordered a lone bone of ribs, which turned out to be 3 bones...ooooook. But I'm not complaining for 3 dollars. You also get a slice of processed white bread that admittedly, is better than wonderbread. I never really noticed this before, but relative to the brisket, the ribs are a little on the flavorless side. Sure they're juicy and full of pork flavor, but there's no real smoke, and their memphis dry rub doesn't add enough to it. Of course, the spicy bbq sauce or the vinegar based one, my two favorites, remedy that problem in a jiffy. Not that I've been to memphis, but I'm guessing the dry rub wouldn't pass there. No biggie. It's still a yummy piece of meat.
(4)Gamal S.
Best BBQ joint north of the Charles! Beats its nearest competition by a long shot for one simple reason: Blue Ribbon is authentic Southern cooking and most BBQ in this Yankee infested land are what y'all IMAGINE Southern cooking/Soul Food to taste like, and what these cats cook up is what my people eat down home. Thanks for bringing home to Arlington!
(5)David L.
After having North Carolina and Texas BBQ, I never thought I'd find BBQ close to as tasty until I ended up at Blue Ribbon! After having the brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, or ribs weekly for about 6 months, I have to say that Blue Ribbon is definitely the closest (and tastiest!) I've had in the Northeast! The portions are huge, the prices are reasonable, and the food is drool-worthy. The only gripe I have is the lack of seating during the winter. With the popularity of the place, a small counter and 3 tables for 2 is definitely not enough, especially since all I want to do when served a steaming plate of food is to chow down right away! One word of warning though. Blue Ribbon has all kinds of different sauces (with varying spice levels) but the Jabanero Vinegar is extremely hot! I had a few drops mixed with my BBQ sauce and I almost couldn't sleep that night!
(4)Nicolas C.
Riiiiiiiiibs........Drooool........ These portions are enormous, enough to feed a mighty man. Me, I'm long but trim; ribs, cornbread and 2 sides of your choice do not always fit inside my test-tube sized stomach. Very friendly staff that will give you suggestions if you just ask.
(5)Lisa C.
I've had blue ribbon a number of times before when my company had an event catered, but I actually made it to blue ribbon for the first time for dinner last night. The food is ok. My boyfriend is from North Carolina and is a HUGE bbq snob, but luckily I had tried blue ribbon before we started dating so my opinion of the food wasn't really swayed. We shared a trio platter which is three meats, 2 sides, and cornbread. We got the NC pulled pork, the texas sliced brisket, and the kansas city burnt ends with cole slaw and I ordered green beans but they mistakenly gave us baked beans. no big deal though...i like baked beans. the pulled pork was pretty good. the bf thought it wasn't the pork he knows but still decent. i thought the brisket was pretty tasty. it was really moist and tender. the burnt ends were interesting. they tasted like they had almost been stewed or something. i had never had burnt ends before, but i was literally expecting the burnt ends of bbq that they chose not to throw out. the cole slaw was pretty good, but not quite what i had expected. the baked beans were ok but a little rich. cornbread was fine. considering its not a very expensive place, this place may make the rotation. I definitely prefer their bbq to redbones.
(3)Judi V.
I hadn't been here in YEARS and I don't quite know why because I really like this place. Yesterday after our weekly staff meeting we were deciding where to get lunch from, it was one of our coworkers bday and food is always involved! The crew wanted to go to the default Redbones (which is okay I guess but a little inconsistent). I suggested that we go here. Out of the 7 of us I was the only one who'd been here so it was a chance to show off my foodie status to my friends. We all looked at the online menu and made up our minds on what we wanted. Most opted for the pulled pork sandwich, my boss got the pulled chicken (sooo health conscious!) and I got the brisket. Andi is right, the fattier part is best and it really doesn't need sauce as the meat is juicy and flavorful. Everyone loved what they got, the mashed got raves, the beans were good (but had a few undercooked members in the mix) the guy that got the cold slaw nearly licked the dish (I can't believe how much he ate and he's thin!!!). When we went to pick it up I discovered that my cohort had called the wrong one (DUH... 781 is Arlington 617 is Newton!) Anyway the guy behind the counter showed true genius and called the other store for the order and replicated it there very quickly for us. We spent time at the sauce bar and made up quite a smorgasbord of the flavorful stuff as well as plenty of those amazing pickle slices and lots of wet naps!!! The whole group loved the food and most of us took part home with us because the portions even on the sandwiches are HUGE! In the end the whole group paid homage to my expertise in picking just the right place to eat!! (Yeah.. like I look like I ever missed a meal!)
(4)Takiyah G.
Finally some BBQ in my hood that I can get behind! Sorry Redbones. I'll always have a place in my heart for your delicious spicy catfish sand, fried okra, buffalo shrimp, and awesome delivery bikes, but this is why Blue Ribbon trumps you: 1)Pulled pork: Hands down, the best I've had in many moons. And I make it a mission when trying a new BBQ place, to rate them based on their prep and flavor of this sandwhich alone. So succulent and juicy, with a vinegary/spicy sauce...mmn. mouth is watering. But theres more.. 2)Price and value: So much food here! Choice of sides with my juicy burnt ends sandwhich, and none of that 'add an extra doller for something other than icky beans and coleslaw' crap. A sand with two nicely portioned sides was &6.99, whereas at the other BBQ spot already mentioned, thats just the sandwhich alone Plus, i have some leftover for lunch today....yes!!! Nice variety of sauces, good collards, awesome coleslaw that's much like my own recipe, creamy real potatoes, and I can't forget 3)Cornbread. It was a huge honking piece, slightly warmed, sweet yellow corn goodness wrapped in foil. This is not to say i won't ever eat at Redbones again, especially for their all you can eat buffet lunch, becuase over the years, they've fed me and fed me pretty well. But I've had enough 'meh' deliveries from them to venture out, and I'm glad I did. I think this is just the BBQ style that I prefer. Can't wait to try the ribs and desserts at Blue Ribbon!! Oh Arlington, you keep surprising me!
(4)Brett M.
Why do I feel the need to qualify my review by exposing my southern roots and thereby giving my review more credit than those of the home-breed New Englanders? I mean, when you go to Blue Ribbon, you'll know that you are tasting really good BBQ. It doesn't matter if you are from Georgia, Carolina, Tenn, Ontario, Oregon, Maine, Germany, Vietnam, or France, you'll recognize you are giving your taste buds a treat... well, if you are from France, you will deny it b/c you are from France. I am addicted to their Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken sandwiches. I also recommend the ribs. The meats are tender and smokey. I like their beans A LOT. I could eat a bucket on a dare. Good veggies too: collards, greenbeans, mashed potatoes, etc. The only reason I am giving them less than a 5-start rating is that seating is very limited and I like my cornbread on the cornmeal-ly side. Blue Ribbon's corn bread is a little to cake-y sweet for me. Oh yeah, finish your meal with a dreambar. Y'all won't regret it!
(4)Alexandra K.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great place to go as a newbie in the Boston area. It's famous among the residents here and I had at least 5 people tell me to go before I actually tried the food. Being from Cincinnati, where southern food and BBQ is very popular, I don't thoroughly enjoy Blue Ribbon's food. Their sweet BBQ sauce is excellent, but I have to pour gobs of it over the pulled pork before it isn't dry anymore. The chicken is also incredibly dry. I also don't like the baked beans. I normally enjoy sweet baked beans with brown sugar or other such ingredients. Blue Ribbon's are somewhat sweet, but they have this burnt flavor in them that makes me not like them much. Now for the things I like. Well, the one thing. I love their mashed potatoes. They leave the skins in (added fiber bonus) and have the perfect amount of garlic and sour cream. Delish! Maybe it's just my Ohio taste buds that don't like these New England BBQ flavors, I'll never know. I would recommend checking this place out, even if its just for the mashed potatoes.
(3)David G.
Wow-simply wow. Tonight was my first trip to this place and I had some good expectations for it, but they were exceeded in ways that I didn't expect. I'll get right to what caused my excitement and it was the North Carolina pulled pork. I actually didn't even order it I got the half rack of ribs platter. However, my friend didn't touch half of her Carolina pork as she's not a big eater, so I went and tried it. "My god!" I thought-that's the best damn pulled pork I ever tried. Up until now the term "smokey" when used to describe food has always been in a much more subtle context-this pork was smokey in a way that has forever changed how I view that term. Incredibly smokey, moist perfectly flavored pulled pork. The best I ever had, and so good I'll cry if it's never that good again when I visit. Pulled pork bliss aside, it's time to talk ribs. I ordered a half rack of Memphis ribs and they were good, but not great. The flavor was distinct and they were incredibly moist with meat falling off the bone, but they were just OK for me. Maybe a bad night for the ribs-not bad ribs by any means-just not the work of the gods who did the pulled pork haha. The sides were brilliant-best mashed potatoes I've had in a while, moist delicious cornbread, and the green beans were flavored my favorite way. Best thing about this place is the prices-even if the food wasn't this good you'd have to reward them for affordable prices. $6.50 for a massive pulled prok sandwich with sides? Awesome. A big rib dinner platter for $14? Can't get that anywhere else I know of. As for the decor and layout of the place-it's small with very limited seating (10 people at most at the tables) and an ultra-casual atmosphere. The fellow who took the order was super friendly. Not much to complain about. Comparisons? Well I've been to Redbones and the Village Smokehouse and this is how I see it: For ribs I think Redbones has the edge for size and variety of ribs. However, Redbones is inconsistent on the flavor/cooking of the ribs. The Village Smokehouse offers a larger rib platter than either of them-a big long platter of small ribs. All completely different in style, so you'll have to try them all to see which kind of rib person you are. For Sausages it's hands down Village Smokehouse when compared to Redbones-no comparison. Redbones is aboslutely blah in the sausage department compared to the Smokehouse. Blue Ribbon I haven't tried. For pulled pork- Blue Ribbon slaughters Red Bones which has been dry and boring for me on two occasions. The Smokehouse I have not tried.
(5)John L.
I've only had Blue Ribbon in catering-related situations, but when I've had it, it's been incredible. It's like meat paradise, what with the well-seasoned beef and chicken and pork, as well as the varied side dishes (the collared greens are great, as well as the beans, slaw, and mashed potatoes), and the great cornbread.
(5)Aaron B.
I'd love to say that proximity to Blue Ribbon BBQ was the main reason for our house purchase, but that's not totally accurate. It was certainly a factor, however. We cold and stubborn New Englanders aren't know for our BBQ, but this place stands out as a beacon of southern-style cooking in the bleak northeast. The meats are just juicy enough and enhanced by their lineup of outstanding sauces -- the "gold" sauce is my go-to. Cornbread is done right (big block, kinda crumbly, only slightly sweet) and the blackeyed corn rounds out a platter meal nicely. It's a (very) small place, but I think that's part of the feel. Much bigger and it would have the impression of a BBQ factory. In the winter, we get the food to go, and in the summer, we sit outside. If you've only had their food via an event (catered), go check it out in person -- it's best fresh off the grill.
(5)Raymond W.
I ordered the half rack of Memphis ribs, cornbread, black eyed corn and rice and beans. Although the ribs were piled high (5-6 ribs), the amount of work it took to eat in a civilized fashion and surprisingly not too filling made for a delicious meal without regrets. The ribs were tender and could easily be pulled off the bone, which made for good dipping in the various sauces. The black eyed corn was balanced and no ingredient dominated the side. The rice and beans were very well blended and was flavorful and even juicy, though each still held form, if that even makes sense for rice and beans. The cornbread left a lot to be desired as it was on the harder and less moist side. Overall, I think the pulled pork outshine the ribs. You just can't beat the fatty juice that good pulled pork gives you. I will be looking to give the brisket a try in the future.
(4)Meredith K.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ place - closely followed by Village Smokehouse. I used to work in Waltham for years and frequently got lunch at the W. Newton location - I was really happy when they expanded to Arlington. I never sit and eat here though, I always get it to go - which is what I did today. This location does have seats (unlike W. Newton that only has a few stools) - and they have outdoor seating in the nice weather - although you overlook Mass. Ave and a stop and shop (not very exciting). The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, love the sides like potato salad, cole slaw and beans. And the big green salad is so tasty (which is what I had today) - they have cornbread croutons (awesome!), a very good balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and I always get it will the pulled chicken. YUM. My company has frequently ordered catering from them as well and it's just as good as when your order individually. You know how sometimes you get a bulk order like that and it sucks, not with Blue Ribbon it was the same quality.
(5)Alyssa D.
Amazing. The pulled pork is so good. The pork burrito is great too. Isn't it burnt ends? I forget. It's awesome. It can be a little spicy. My Dr. Pepper burns when I drink it, ha ha. Really good. Lots of sauces too. p.s. The bakery next door has amazing cupcakes.
(5)Elaine M.
I've been hearing a lot of great things about this place, so perhaps my expectations were set too high... but I wasn't terribly impressed. I had the Memphis dry-rubbed BBQ ribs platter with cheese grits and baked beans. The ribs weren't bad, but they weren't the best I've ever had. The sweet BBQ and hot BBQ sauces were pretty decent (I didn't like the gold sauce at all), but I would have liked them thicker. On the other hand, the cheese grits were a little too thick for my tastes. I have no complaints about the baked beans. I'm bewildered on why my impression of Blue Ribbon is vastly different from the majority of other reviewers here (am I not ordering the correct dishes?). I really wanted to love this place (as I have yet to find my "go to" BBQ ribs place around here), but I really can't say that I do.
(3)T A.
I'm a meat purist; I don't believe in dousing my meat in anything. And I hate places that do it for me. Blue Ribbon gives me a rib that falls off the bone without a whole lot of taste-providers (i.e. sauces) to cheat with. If you do like getting saucy, they provide a handful of sauces for you to chose from. I couldn't tell you what those are because I never venture over there. The brisket is not as juicy as meat can get, but it beats the Red Bones version by a mile. For sides, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than the corn bread. Theirs is rich, crumbly, and thick (like my men). I'm not too keen on the vegetables, but that may be because I am a shameless carnivore. There aren't a lot of seats in the place, so don't come here with the football team unless you want take-out.
(4)kathy r.
We have a big debate in our family, of Redbones vs. Village Smokehouse vs. Blue Ribbon. Although we're partial to Village Smokehouse, we've moved away from Brookline so we were introduced to Blue Ribbon. I actually had it catered for my husband's birthday party, and the guests were all really excited. I like the pulled pork and beef brisket- they're a little dry until you add the yummy sauce (I like the sweet rather than hot) - the beans and rice can be a little dry too, but again- sauce is the key. I like getting a bunch of quart containers and having a mix and match dinner rather than the platter. If it's cold out, seats are limited- but the outside option is nice in good weather.
(4)Devon R.
Oh sweet BBQ goodness Blue Ribbon is tasty. It's hard not to compare Blue Ribbon to Red Bones, especially since they are relatively close together. Redbones has always been a fav of mine but I have to say that Blue Ribbon holds it's own. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that their ribs weren't quite as good to me as Red Bones. They do however have awesome burnt ends...mmmmmmm...burnt ends. The jerk chicken is also incredible, the spicy rub def jumps out at you but it's sooo juicy and delicious, Jerk chicken may not be the first thing you think of when you're talking BBQ, but give it a try it rocks. I still have not tried their Mac & Cheese which I hear is legendary, so perhaps once that happens the fifth star will be earned.
(4)Brandon W.
I love BBQ. I love ribs. I especially love Memphis style ribs - both wet and dry. I was really looking forward to a rib meal when I saw all the glowing reviews. The first thing that surprised me was that Blues offered their Memphis dry rib platter in 1/3 or 1/2 slab with two sides. Having eaten ribs in Memphis, Chattanooga, Kansas City, etc, I know I can easily devour a full slab so I was surprised that the meal topped up at 1/2 slab. It was only when I got my platter that I realized that the ribs were huge and not the baby back ribs that I was used to eating in the mid-west and south. Worse, they were tough (not your fall-off-the-bone type ribs). I was so disappointed with the ribs that I only half ate four of the ribs before giving up. The sides were OK - the mash potato was great, the slaw was kind of limp.
(3)Joe U.
I really LIKE Blue Ribbon...I want to give it 5 stars because I met one of the founders and he's a great guy. Also, they're *cheap* for bbq. Plus, there just isn't much competition in the area. They knock out the over-rated Redbones (there was an era when Redbones was the only serious 'cue in town, but that's history). Blue Ribbon is my go-to place for 'cue because it's affordable and quick. Their sides are good and their meats are good. Their sauces and cornbread are 4.5 stars. I just wish their meats were a bit better...my view of Blue Ribbon is, "if it can be dry, it will be dry." In other words, don't get anything that can be dry. The pulled pork and burnt ends are in sauce, so they can't be that dry. The *wet* ribs are not dry. Their regular ribs can be dry, so I don't like to play russian roulette with it. The same goes for their brisket. Actually, I'm going there today and will try their brisket one more time, because a friend raved about it. [Time lapse]. OK tried their brisket...wow, it was not dry...in fact, it was extremely moist and tender. Now the bad part - I have never tasted such brisket...I mean that almost literally; I couldn't taste it because there was little taste. It was big and meaty, but tasted so bland. OK, they give sauce, but how can meat have so little taste? I felt and tasted almost as if part of the cooking was steaming or boiling. That's fine for veggies and soups, but not bbq. I mean, there was no smokiness at all. It was 3-stars for taste. In comparison, I just had Soul Fire brisket. Soul Fire does not have the best brisket in town, but it had so much more taste, plus a nice red smoke ring. Now that's more like it.
(4)R. B.
I finally remembered to try Blue Ribbon when I happened to be in Arlington. Glad I did. Pulled chicken dinner was good- and they give you alot. I covered it in the yummy BBQ sauces they have out. Wasn't crazy about the rice and beans, they took some rice and slapped a pile of beans on top. I thought it was going to be, y'know, rice and beans mixed together and cooked with seasonings. My main problem with the place is there's not enough seating. And one other suggestion for them- we need soft butter for the cornbread!
(4)Mary R.
It's a cheap meal that leaves you feeling stuffed, but far from satisfied. After having heard so many great things about Blue Ribbon, I expected a great meal and was even willing to look past the terrible noise plastic knifes make on Styrofoam plates, that is until I started eating. I was less than wowed. I had the open-faced brisket sandwich, and although the meat was tender, it was also nothing to write home about. The small selection of sides -- no mac and cheese or candied yams are just ok and their sweet tea tastes exactly like that poorly flavored Cool Nestea. If you're looking for a good BBQ place head to Red Bones in Davis.
(2)Jen L.
After finally trying Redbones, I can say with certainty that Blue Ribbon is MUCH BETTER. Bigger portions, lower prices, and no Davis Square hipster 'tude. Just the real thing. I recommend getting any of the $6.99 sandwich platters (though my favorite is the brisket) with beans and cole slaw and you will be able to bring home leftovers for 1-2 meals. All of the meats are extremely tender and the bread is super soft and tasty. My only complaint is that the seating is extremely limited, so sometimes takeout is the best and only option.
(4)Laura H.
Absolutely delicious. Their Sweet BBQ sauce is perfect for me- my boyfriend prefers the spicy sauce. They always have fantastic specials- everything from chicken salad, to burnt ends, to classic pulled pork. Be prepared to wait in line- but damn, so so worth it.
(5)Jules M.
What else can I add about this restaurant? I love this place. This is the best bbq around. I've had bbq in the South and this ranks right up there. It doesn't matter if I get their pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs its all so good. Love the mashed potatoes and gravy. Even their pickles are good (they would be even better if they were deep fried.) I don't really do the feedbag specials. I feel you can do better by picking and choosing your own combo's. When I worked in Burlington I made my way here at least every 2 weeks. This place kicks ass! The one in West Newton is awesome too!
(5)Cara P.
How could I forget to review Blue Ribbon? If you ever get a chance to stop in do so. Actually, try to go out of your way to check this place out. The other location that I know of and was so blessed to work next to for seven years, was in Newton. Now, when I worked in Newton everyone got salads. I don't know why. We would go and pick up 12 salads. Pulled chicken or pulled pork. Cornbread crotons, yummy dressing. Mouthwatering........you get the picture......the bonus was the big hunk of warm buttery cornbread that wasn't dry........ Doesn't it seem a bit ironic we all got salads with a huge plop of pulled pork and slab of cornbread. I don't know. That is what they did before i came. and that is what I did when I started working there. Maybe it was easier for the people picking it up to place the orders. So fast forward to my own trip to Blue Ribbon to the arlingon location.....we always get take out because it is just to small to eat in there.... I have ordered and enjoyed the green beans, chilli mac and cheese, pulled pork, mashed and sweet potatoes and the pulled pork burritos. Trust me. I have never had "real" down south BBQ. So take my review with a grain of salt. I still think I know what tastes good though! The pulled pork burritos by far, surpass everything else I have ordered. Don't expect delivery, frills or any pretentious folks here ......you leave with a bunch of food, platic knives and forks, styrofoam plates, some excellent sweet tea and a lot of BBQ goodness.... Also, the corn bread was a bit more dry at this location versus the Newton location....but that's ok......Oh and even if you eat a salad you can end up in a serious comatose state from the cornbread crotons and the sugar in the salad dressing.......so just be prepared to eat at home and relax afterwards. This isn't the type of food you can eat and "go" This place blows RedBones, dry out of the water for the simple fact that I couldn't get past the atmosphere and judgmental pricks at RB to order a real meal........ Yup, this isn't a "let's be wicked cool and order a ton of beers while being really loud in plaid shirts and baseball caps" kinda place like RedBones is.
(3)Bob W.
Blue Ribbon is awesome. If you like BBQ, it doesn't get any better at least in new england. Very reasonably priced. Try the beef brisket or pulled pork. Baked beans are very good. Friendly service too.
(5)Doris K.
Amazing! I love this place and I'm from Texas where we know how to cook BBQ! I love that they have a variety of sides to choose from, and their brisket...DIVINE! They cook it perfectly and the meats are moist. They also have many different types of BBQ sauces, and the XXX hot is spicy so don't just pour it over your plate without thinking. I love their mashed potatoes, dirty rice, and baked beans. I have never had their desserts but I have heard many good things. I am not sure but one down side is that they do not offer alcohol. Another bad thing is that they close early, 9 pm. I tried Redbones and they certainly cannot compare to this place. It's a gem.
(5)Craig R.
Loved this place when i lived across the street. they had awesome brownies and their grilled flatbread is to die for ..no really ..it is. The food is good. Not too many tables so the place does alot of carry out but they serve up somne tasty food - ribs, corn bread and the pulled pork .... Eat here ...now ...you know you want to!
(4)Alec Y.
oh my dear lord. heaven in my mouth. barbeque food is one of the best things ever. but it's hard to do it right. to really make something melt in your mouth good, it takes a lot of time and care. blue ribbon is so good. ever since first having it, i couldn't believe i was living the first half of my life never having this every moment of my life. my favorite thing here by far, is their brisket. i love it. i love how easily the meet just falls apart in your mouth. i love how juicy and fatty each piece is. it's like butter, but protein. there really isn't much else to say about blue ribbon. the decor is almost diner-esque, but it's super unique. they have license plates up on the wall of almost every state. it's a classic bbq place.
(5)Mark B.
Love this place. My go too bbq place. Great ribs. Pulled pork is so smokey it is lovely. The best sauces, especially mustard style and carolina vinegar style. Burnt ends are great. Jerk chicken is delicious. Not a big sides guy but sides are good here. Especially love collard greens and coleslaw.
(5)Jim H.
If your idea of ribs is Chilis and the "give me my baby back" jingle, then this is not the place for you. But if when you hear BBQ, you think southwest Texas, 95 degrees in the shade and miles of dirt roads interrupted by smoke pits that may actually cause you to think about moving to the middle of nowhere just to be near a plate of burnt ends that are actually, well, burnt, then save yourself the trip and pick up a Blue Ribbon feedbag on your way home. No, it does not rank up there with the best of regional authentic BBQ our friends in the south are lucky enough to claim as their own--but we live in Massachusetts and the fact that we can come this close is reason enough to be grateful for our lot in life.
(4)Valeria H.
Had Blue Ribbon cater a party for me last year...and it was a HUGE success. Everything was delicious, the prices were fair and the portion sizes were enormous, which was great for our party! They delivered everything to our home hot and in convenient containers (and on time!). They supplied us with their sauces and pickles. We got a variety of food to accomodate our guests...everyone from meat eaters to vegetarians. All the guests loved the pulled pork, sausage, pulled chicken and mac n cheese, mashed potatoes...and of course the corn bread! I don't know what this side dish is called but I loved it, it was spinach mixed with beans with a hint of smoked bacon or something and galricy- real good! Their mashed potatoes rocked too. (Now I want to run there to get some!)
(4)Kristen W.
Excellent BBQ. In greater Boston. From what I hear from southern ex pats it is pretty dang close to the real deal in TN or the Carolinas. Nuff said? Nah - I'd best say more: This place puts out generous helpings of consistently delicious BBQ offerings. Love love love the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Have been back several times but have not tried the chicken, which looks good - but being the carnivore that I am - I cannot pull myself away from ordering the brisket on repeat visits. In addition to some standard smoky and vinegary bbq sauces on the side, there is a yellow BBQ sauce that has a bit of curry flavor with a hint of pineapple/citrus - it is like hawaiian BBQ. I like it but I think a better compliment to their food would be the mustard based Charleston, South Carolina bbq I have coveted since visiting there in April. That stuff is so good and I know that if Bostonians are introduced to it they will hanker for it as much as I do when eating BBQ now. Someone bring it on the menu or tell me where I can find some succulent charleston barbecue locally!!! The sides are also much better than the average BBQ joint sides - some unique ones: cucumber salad, a really great flavorful potato salad, crisp and fresh cole slaw, beans. YUM. This place is scant on the seating but take-out is packaged up so nicely, why not take your meal home and put out anice spread and enjoy your feast with a cold beer? Perfect! If you have room left after inhaling your meat - it may take a few hours - Blue Ribbon has a few tasty desserts: home-made of course. Few folks walk out of this place without taking home a cobbler (blueberry -peach blend I believe). I found the key lime pie to be really tasty - that perfect combination of sweet and tart. I recall there being pecan pie and brownies on one occasion but have not been able to pull myself from my love affair with the key lime pie. You will not be disappointed here.
(5)Daniel K.
IMO best BBQ in Boston (area). For those of you unfamiliar with Boston, some nearby cities make up a part of the Boston area and are essentially for all intents and purposes part of Boston, places like Somerville, Arlington, Cambridge, Revere are included in this list.
(4)Laura H.
Delicious delicious BBQ. We had the pulled pork, jerk chicken (amazing), collard greens, mashed potatoes, corn & beans & rice. The food was all great and I think it cost less than $25. So good. The only thing is that the corn bread was kind of dry and crumbly. The place looks kind of small (we got takeout), but has a fun ambiance. We will definitely be going back!
(4)Pamela P.
Good BBQ for New England...my review is for the one in Newton. When I worked in Newton we used to get our catering from Blue Ribbon...it's head and shoulders above Redbones. When I first moved to Boston Redbones was THE BBQ place (that was 9 years ago) but alas things have changed and they are no longer of the quality one expects for those kinds of prices. So Thank Ye Gods there was Blue Ribbon to take its place! Blue Ribbon is the best BBQ I have been able to find in the Boston-area...of course I am always on the lookout for good BBQ as it is a rare treasure indeed... As a side-note I have been pleasantly surprised by a little place called Tennessee BBQ in Braintree...their chicken is great...one time I got the jerk chicken and it was even better than Blue Ribbon's (but this was a one-time deal so it could have been a freak occurrence....). Anyway, Blue Ribbon...check it out.
(4)Taishi T.
"The best burrito in the East!" I used to live right around the corner of the West Newton branch, and I used to go in at least twice a week or when visitors came into town. My friends would come to see a Sox game and then whine about going to Blue Ribbon before we go to the game. And, did I even protest, no. This had to be the best burrito I ever had till I went out to California and then that all changed, But the jerk chicken burrito is a special to die for. The staff are colorful and entertaining, the burritos are ginormous. And I go nuts with all the sauces that you can fill those little mini sauce cups with. Of course I always get the suicide one and just sit back after a few bites and just reflect on how lucky we really are to live in such a great country. So if I haven't sold you on these burritos then just go there and I won't have to tell you, "I told you so".
(4)Steve N.
this is the Real Deal for this area. out of about 7 visits over the past year i've only been disappointed once when the ribs didn't have a smoke ring. the sides are solid too with the collards being a real stand-out. if they served beer they'd be 5 star.
(4)Joyce K.
When we pulled up, my friend actually called someone to look up the Blue Ribbon BBQ on yelp to check if we came to the right place...that's how ugly it is. However, I completely justify it's ugliness as a part of its charm. I'm from Texas and I've never seen a BBQ joint with matching curtains or anything remotely chic. That would just be odd. We sat down for two seconds on the barstools facing the big window when they called out our order number. Speedy. I kind of stared at my pulled chicken sandwich in a suspicious way because it was all wrapped up in wax paper. But once I opened it, I was so glad I did! It was so moist and the juices dripped unto the bun making the flavors unite into one tasty bite of BBQ pulled pork! I would not recommend the green beans, they were soggy and tasted like something straight out of the can. The black eyed corn is delicious as are the collard greens and beans and rice. The corn bread is so mediocre that I didn't bother eating it. My friend loved his Jamaican Jerk half chicken, moist, woody, flavorful. The workers are the friendliest that I've met in any restaurant. Everything is a little too salty so I would only come here once a month or so in fear of clogging my arteries.
(4)H Y.
Ribs, sausages, pork, cornbread, potatoes; they are all here in this little storefront. All the sauces you need to indulge. Affordable BBQ? Wow. And it's in Arlington. Who would have thunk it. Ribs and brisket are outstanding. The chicken is juicy. Even the sides are up to the task. They give plenty of meat in their portions. Complaints? it's kind of small and parking is tricky (try parking in the lot across from the front). The only thing they are missing is a scale to sell the meat by the pound to you like they do in Texas. I don't want six ribs. I want six pounds of ribs!
(4)Maria P.
I have never had bbq before (I mean bbq on a grill cooked in the backyard sure, but I've never had bbq from a restaurant before). A friend and I decided to check this place out over a long weekend and I'm so glad we did. The food here is amazing (just like all the other reviews state). I got the Kansas City Burnt Ends bbq sandwich and it came with beans and coleslaw. It was perfectly sauced and cooked, had that amazing smoky flavor and the tips were burnt well just as I had requested. The ordering experience was difficult only because I had a hard time picking what to eat but the staff was friendly and waited patiently for me to make my choice. The restaurant itself is quite small but we were able to snag a table. This definitely isn't a place to linger over your meal as they focus on volume but it's a great lunch spot (that leaves you unable to eat dinner as their portions are huge). The food isn't expensive at all; in fact it's a downright bargain! I will definitely be back for some delicious bbq that will warm me right up in the middle of Boston's frigid winter.
(5)Ethan M.
Delicious Jamaican Jerk Chicken with black-eyed corn and corn bread. Tasty Barbeque Pulled Chicken platter. Lemonade. Outdoor seating on Mass. Ave. 1950s southern-US diner atmosphere adorned with antique license plates and an Elvis figurine. Choice rock music playing loudly in the background. Welcome to heaven.
(5)Ben L.
It's not every day that I wander off the beaten path and it's even more in frequent that I go to Arlington but this time it was totally worth it. I didn't go there because friends told me to go there. I hadn't heard stellar acclimation about it. I was passing by and what... what's that? my stomach want's some bbq? Hey, I wasn't going to argue with that. Yes they have signs that point you to the ordering area over to the left but it still took me a couple of moments to go over. Their menu options are on boards that hang from an odd gate contraption that dangles from the ceiling. As I was gazing up trying to get a grasp of their menu options some other people wandered in so it was time to order. First thing is to ask what is good and after I got the helpful reply "everything is good" I go to the old fall back ordering routine. Order a plate option and pick all of the details as quickly as I can. After I had ordered I went over to fill up my fountain drink and just as soon as I had finished they called my number and handed me a plate that looked like my rations for a week. Everything was good but but Their mashed potatoes were so smooth that I though they were trying to sell me a Mercedes. They had all the creamy texture of instant mashed potatoes. The ones that your parents always told you were nothing but powder and water but seemed like ever so much more. Yet in these potatoes there was real flavor and little bits of potato that had some how evaded the process hat had so surely handled the rest. Then there were the little bits of skin that hugged parts of the mash. Still holding on as truly representing the potato that was. That in a way still is. Well the mashed potatoes were really good. tip - bring a friend, take part of you meal home with you, or bring an EMT.
(4)Rob C.
If Jake's Big Boss BBQ of Jamaica Plain, Boston was still in operation, I would say Blue Ribbon would be a slight step behind them. Now with no direct competition that is even at the level of blue ribbon in the Boston area, they are hands down, outstanding. You will find seating can be difficult at times but the food is outstanding. They have a good selection of BBQ sauce if you like to cover up your meat, but it does not need it. BBQ sauce is a condiment and should not cover up a meats flavor. Texas road house, Outback, any of those, just don't offer BBQ like Blue Ribbon. This is a touch of the south in the Boston area. Someone mentioned Uncle Pete's in a review that resides in the revere area. This is a very odd establishment that seems to almost have oriental style BBQ. The ribs are the only strong point, and they don't hold a candle to blue ribbon. My only dislike with blue ribbon is they do not offer baby back ribs...... If you find them closed.....Redbones is an option if you want to drive off to Somerville. But they are not as good.
(4)John M.
Yelp's 2-star description is "Meh. I've experienced better." That's pretty much exactly how I felt after trying this place. It had some decent things, but I won't go out of my way to go back. Maybe we were there on a bad night, but it was nothing like most of the reviews I see here. Between me and my wife, we tried a lot of things from the menu, since we were looking to sample things from a new place: pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs, burnt ends, baked beans, regular beans, cole slaw, collard greens, and corn bread. For the meats -- Pulled pork had a lot of large chunks of pork rather than what most people expect for "pulled" pork, and what was smaller looked more "chopped" than "pulled," sort of lightly processed carnitas without much flavor. Tender, but not a lot to taste: this is the kind of pulled pork you need to sauce yourself. Jerk chicken was tender, and a bit of spice on the skin, but again not very flavorful: not what one thinks of with a typical spicy jerk chicken. Ribs were awful. Again, this may have been an off night or something, but I felt like I was eating a piece of bad pork roast on a bone with a (rather nice, but again not very strong) spice blend. The burnt ends were the only meat we had with decent flavor, though they were hardly "burnt ends" -- more like chopped brisket with a few real burnt ends mixed in. (Those who have had burnt ends in the South know what they are supposed to be.) For the sides -- overall, better than the meats, but still not exceptional. Baked beans were quite good, with a strong molasses flavor, but the regular beans had a very strong and rather unusual spice blend -- my wife refused to eat more than one bite, and she loves beans. Cole slaw was pretty good, but tasted a little old. Collard greens were okay (not my thing, so I won't judge them). About the only thing I can give real praise to (other than the baked beans, which is more of a Boston dish than Southern BBQ) was the cornbread. Still takes a more Northern (sweeter) style than Southern, but much tastier than I've had at just about any other restaurant around the Boston area. To sum up -- mostly relatively flavorless meats combined with oddly or overspiced side dishes. The portions are generous, but after we finished about half of our oversize dinners, we threw the rest in the trash. (And we very rarely waste food.) The food just wasn't good enough to justify the calorie intake. Although I lived in the South for a couple years and am familiar with various types of Southern BBQ, I'm not judging this place by those standards. I'm looking at places like Red Bones and other BBQ joints around here. And from a rather large selection of the menu, I'm pretty unimpressed.
(2)Jason C.
Best BBQ in the Boston area. Blows Red Bones away .
(5)JJ G.
I only wish it was closer..., maybe that would mess it up, though. Part of the charm must be that it's laid back out in the nowhereville of outer Arlington I don't think that any other BBQ place in the area can compete or compare. This is head and shoulders above the rest, don't go anywhere else cuz you are just wasting time and gas, BBQ And yes, Lisa S., the desserts are Mmm Mmm Good!!
(5)Katie G.
Deeeeeeeeeelicious! As a southern girl, I love me some real BBQ food. For lunch I had the pulled pork sandwich with beans and coleslaw. Big ass portions for a reasonable price. I'll definitely be coming back (but taking the food to go and then sitting in my car to stuff my face in private).
(4)Jennifer A.
I have had BBQ in other parts of the country, but I always find myself saying "this isn't as good as Blue Ribbon." They always have good specials, but I would mainly stick with the menu items. If the place is busy, sometimes the quality of the specials isn't fantastic or they run out, but some of the specials are sublime! The catfish sandwich is a fave, as is the pork loin with lemon garlic mayo. For old standbys, the pulled pork is one of the best! Their ribs are big and tasty and sometimes they even serve big beef ribs that are mouth watering! It is both a blessing and a curse (to my waistline) that I live across from this place. Cheap, fast, and delish!
(4)Space O.
On a Friday at lunch time, we decided to check out the Blue Ribbon BBQ. I was undecided - should I go with a platter for around $9, or just the sandwich for about $6.95? I decided on the brisket sandwich - glad I did, because I had more than enough to eat. The sides that came with the sandwich - baked beans and cole slaw, were excellent, just like the sandwich. When one thinks of BBQ, one also probably thinks of high fat and high calories. If you order carefully, you can get a very nutritious and low fat meal at Blue Ribbon. Beef brisket is a lean cut of meat, but the BBQ cooking process adds a lot of flavor more common of higher fat content meats. Definitely consider the Blue Ribbon BBQ for a good quality, inexpensive meal. Not much seating indoors, so when the place is busy, plan on taking your meal to go or sitting outside.
(4)Katherine I.
The tender barbequed meats are good alone, but the serve-yourself-sauces are their mojo - and it's working. There's a flavor for every taste. Some of their sauce choices make a face flush and tingly to the top of its skull. If you like that sort of hoodoo you'll be pleased to know they're not afraid of vinegar and habaneros here. Good ribs, good mac-n-cheese, rich and creamy mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn, perfect corn bread for sopping pot liquor, and grits. De-lish. Nearly everything a BBQ joint should be. The only things missing are more stools and southern accents. Bring your gris-gris bag because you'll need more than a lucky rabbit's foot or 4 leaf clover to protect you from their mojo.
(4)Rich O.
The best BBQ in Greater Boston. Period. I wish they had more seating, beer etc but based strictly on food there is no place better!
(5)Pito S.
Awesome BBQ. Never diisappoints.
(5)Hannah T.
A valient and much appreciated effort Blue Ribbon. Now, I love Barbeque and I liked Blue Ribbon, but they were lacking a few true barbeque essentials. Their pulled pork sandwhich was really good, nice and sloppy and enormous of course. But their sides, really disappointing. Their cornbread was yummy but the baked beans were a real disappointment. They tasted very ketchupy and hardly tasted of molasses at all. It tasted like pure ketchup with a few beans mixed in and that is just not cool with me. Baked beans should be, well bean-y, and they were not. The overall meal was really good, but was lacking in the side department. I like Blue Ribbon and would go back, but would definitely choose different sides.
(3)Jonathan G.
Hands down, the best bbq in Boston...one of my favorite places to eat! I moved away from Arlington a couple of years ago, and try to find an excuse to make a trip back, just for Blue Ribbon. I've heard complaints about the vinegar-based sauces...I think that's what makes them so good. The pulled pork is very good. So are the burnt ends, cole slaw, and beans. The soups are surprisingly good, made fresh, I think. I also love that you can load up on those delicious pickles and hot sauce at the condiment area. The (fresh?) lemonade is a must with the bbq. I have to agree that no beer is it's only negative. Silly Arlington puritan-value dry-town mentality!
(5)Tony S.
This place is overrated; the food is mass produced, lacks imagination, and tastes ordinary. Popularity is no substitute for quality and neither is quantity. Pay attention to the flavors and you'll agree with me.
(2)Christina K.
Been here once. Got the whole chicken with mash potatoes. The potatoes here are good. The chicken was tasty, not too dry and pretty flavorful. Would go back again. Menu (on the chalk boards) are a little hard to decipher but just grab a paper menu and its all good.
(4)Kristin T.
YUM!!! I love the ribs but I have to say that I almost love the sauces more. The variety is great and I'm a fan of all of them.
(4)Jennifer M.
I love this place. It's everything you expect from a good southern bbq joint --- except it's also clean.
(5)Rooster L.
This place is good....yummy good. It is appropriately priced for BBQ. I got the $6.99 Burnt Ends sandwich with two sides and it was ALOT of food. The collard greens are fantastic and the black eye corn (black eyed peas with corn) was also good. My boyfriend got the 1/3rd of a slab, a nice selection if you are not too hungry but still want ribs. They also have 1/2 slab and full slab. The platters come with two side and cornbread. I agree with another reviewer - the cornbread was the worst part of the meal - cold and dry. Beans and mashed potatoes are great! They have all the sauces out for you to try which I like. My favorite were the the NC vinegar (especially over the collard greens) and the BBQ hot. I can't say any of the sauces were amazing (why it didn't get 5 stars) but out of the selection you should be able to find something you like. I like the decor too. Good spot if you just want some old fashion bbq and don't want to pay a fortune.
(4)Luke R.
Best. BBQ. In. Boston.
(5)Joseph T.
Everything here is just terrific. Ingredients are always fresh and flavorful. Brisket's fine. The sides are tasty. Yes, they only serve one style of ribs--and they're delicious, juicy, meaty and falling off the bone. Way better than Redbones, even if the menu is more limited.
(4)Walter S.
Meatloaf sandwich was great. My 1st time eating here. I'll definitely be back
(4)Anonymous P.
I'm generally of the mindset that "All-American food" isn't worth eating, but a place like this can change my mind. An hour later I can still taste the smokiness of my chicken and the hot, garlicky BBQ sauce and habenero vinegar they put out among many condiments. It's not perfect BBQ, but it's good. What I really liked, and what will draw me back, is that the menu has a lot of variety: several fish options, interesting sides, and desserts that sound amazing. Too bad I'm on a diet. But another nice thing is that you can easily order a healthy, low-calorie meal. There are sides like blackeyed peas with corn, beet salad, and collard greens, to go along with fish and chicken main dishes. Even a strict vegetarian could do well here. A vegan is probably stuck with their veggie burrito, no cheese. I like the atmosphere inside, and I like the food better than at Redbones. Of course, Redbones is much larger and has an excellent beer selection, so I'll still go there often. I wish I could wash Blue Ribbon's BBQ down with a hoppy India Pale Ale. Weird that they don't serve alcohol.
(5)J S.
Ok, if you're at least from Texas or Oklahoma, you are going to be disappointed, i just have to say that first. Maybe this is fantastic for northern bbq. I got brisket. The meat quality was fine but quite dry. The barbeque had 3 options, hot, sweet, and golden. These were ok but none of the 3 were "good". The cornbread was burnt but ok. They have no fried okra or baked potatoes. The amount of food was a lot- my large bf and I were able to split a double meat plate with leftovers to spare. I will say that the pulled pork my friend got was good and juicy. The atmosphere was actually pretty cool.
(2)S B.
this place is GREAT. After moving out of time, I would sometimes drive back just to come here. The pulled pork is just perfect. The cornbread is beyond delicious. And i love all the sides - potatoes, rice, etc. Don't forget to get some pie for dessert! Mmmm
(4)Daniel S.
Best barbecue I've tasted, and consistently good. Staff is friendly, sides are delicious, and there is always variety thanks to the chalkboard specials and rotating sides. Seating is sparse, so I like to go at off hours. I've had some successes and some failures with the specials, but its probably more to do with my tastes than their cooking. I now go with the burnt ends platter every time and I'm never disappointed. If you eat in you can ask for a top when you finish up and just take you tray with you. If you get stuff to go it comes in styrofoam. The cookies are also quite good but tend to run out by dinner time. Peach cobbler was fine, one of these days I'll try the pecan pie when I'm not totally stuffed after all that meat and potatoes and cornbread and greens...
(5)Carol M.
OK, so the food is much hotter than I expected (pulled pork & baked beans). The beans I couldn't finish cuz they were so hot. The sauce on the pulled pork is extremely greasy...it leaked all over my car. I'm used to more of a sweet & zesty BBQ. This is a very different acid, vinegar type sauce...which as one previous reviewer mentioned...reminds me of formalin. I actually poured a bottle of BBQ sauce I had in the fridge over it but still didn't make it through more than half. The cornbread was dry & not all that great. The only shining star on my plate was the mashed potatoes. Creamy, yummy goodness.
(1)Kelsey G.
This place was super good! Their pull pork sandwich was amazing and the cornbread was just as good as my mom's homemade! Anyone looking for some authentic BBQ near Boston should definitely check this place out.
(4)Derek L.
Growing up around the Memphis area has me on a barbecue quest up here. After a visit to Redbones, Blue Ribbon was the next stop. The dry-rub ribs were edible, but not quite what they're supposed to be. Memphis places put a lot more seasoning on them, for one, and (like much outside-the-region barbecue), these just aren't cooked long and slow enough. You can tell from the way they're sliced cleanly with a sharp knife - they need to be, with a somewhat chewy baked-pork feel. There's surprisingly little wood smoke in them, as well. I did appreciate, though, that they're not soaking in a sticky sauce. I also had the Kansas City burnt ends. There wasn't too much burnt-end feel to what I got, and the meat tasted a bit like it had cooked in the sauce (sort of a pot-roasty effect). Like the ribs, it wasn't bad, but not quite what you'd expect, either. The beans and slaw sides were just fine, and wouldn't raise an eyebrow anywhere in the South. The cornbread was on the dry side, though - and anyway, it's surprising how seldom you get cornbread with barbecue down where both of them are from. In West Tennessee, you're more likely to get a bag of potato chips than you are a piece of cornbread. I'll be back, at any rate, to try the pulled pork, which at least looked decent. (Not sure if it'll have enough hickory wood in it, though). And it's always important to remember how much barbecue varies even in its homeland. For example, a couple of years ago, I saw the natives in the Tidewater part of Virginia lining up at a venerable local barbecue restaurant whose pork sandwiches, to me, tasted like honey-sweetened sloppy joes. . .
(3)Mona M.
The portions are gigantic, the prices are good, and the food is down home fantastic. The husband and I stopped in here for the curb appeal and left in a BBQ coma. The staff was very friendly as well. I grew up in the south, and a visit to Blue-Ribbon BBQ reminded me a lot of home. I just wish there was one closer to the city, as it's a great lunch!
(5)M. Deloris D.
For quality and value, this place beats the pants off of Redbones. I have only one bad thing to say about Blue Ribbon: they won't deliver the barbecue to my living room and place it on my belly so I can eat in my preferred reclining position. Fortunately, I can see past this and, it has not affected their star rating. Blue Ribbon BBQ is just downright delicious and reasonably priced. My roommate and I often split a duo for dinner and have enough leftovers for both of us to take lunch the next day. My 6'5" 300lb dad and I (not a dainty girl mind you) split a trio and weren't able to finish it. Blue Ribbon is definitely first place barbecue. It makes my belly HAAAAAAAAPY. Yummy in my tummy.
(5)aaron t.
I've got to say this place rockss for bbq compared to everything else out here in Boston. I'm mighty picky when it comes to bbq since I'm from the midwest, but this place has some great meat! Small, rustic, to go style restaurant. Great prices, tender meats, friendly staff!
(4)Jason K.
I love Redbones - but I worship Blue Ribbon. What they lack in rib variety they make up for in taste and freshness. The ribs are simply remarkable, and make people I know who don't like ribs eat them. There is a minor downside of the place: it's take-out style set-up. To me this is a minor drawback in terms of being able to sit down and eat there, but the upside your expectations of getting a seat are pretty low. They also don;t serve beer, but that doesn't bother me given the aforementioned seating issue.
(5)Dave M.
just look at the reviews - there's nothing I can really add. this place is good. and i mean REALLY good. I always go in telling myself, "ok i wont get platter..." ...ya, well, that changes the moment i walk through the front door and SMELL that tasty bbq sauce. they do everything good here. i love the corn bread that comes with the platters...and i love going to the bbq pumps and soaking it in some sexy southern sweetness. a friend of mine from south carolina visited and i brought him here -- now everytime he visits, he has to go there. its one of his top 3 bbq places he's ever eaten at. the food is great, the prices are avg, and parking is tough at times. just go, eat. enjoy. and get full!!
(5)Melissa B.
This is the best place to get BBQ in the Boston area (sorry Redbones!) We usually get it to go as there is not a whole lot of seating, but they package it well and is always still piping hot by the time we get it home. You have the option of having your BBQ in a sandwich which comes with baked beans, cole slaw & pickles or as a platter which comes with your choice of 2 sides, cornbread & pickles. Their cornbread is so yummy. They also have a bulk option when you are feeding a crowd (and they also cater). It's really hard to go wrong with Blue Ribbon.
(5)Jason W.
I'll admit it - my standards for barbecue are pretty high. I'm not just from NC - I'm from the BBQ capital of NC (Lexington). And god I miss the food... This place does a decent job for up here. The 'pulled pork' is good enough to stand on its own, not drenched in sauce like many places incorrectly do. Wish they served hush puppies. Also wish they'd offer chopped BBQ. And sweet tea would be good. Overall, great place relative to what else is around here. Satisfied my craving for a good BBQ sandwich.
(4)Abby R.
Love love love blue ribbon - by far the best BBQ place in the Boston area. We went to Red Bones and to Firefly's (apparently the best BBQ according to the Phantom Gourmet) and both paled in comparison. Blue Ribbon is really tasty, and even my husband loves it - and he's from southern Texas. He says "the taste is close to a real Texas BBQ house - the BBQ sauce is especially good." If you can't take a redneck's word - then who's word can you take? If you're not a big meat eater (I'm not) then I'd suggest the pulled chicken or the spicy chicken salad roll - very yummy! The only con here is that they don't serve beer, and they don't have great seating. Otherwise - 5 stars!
(5)Susan D.
I was not terribly impressed. This place lacks character. Doesn't serve mac and cheese. And the around the corner ordering area is weird and it's tough to get an idea of what they have because the writing on the chalk board is huge and so in your face. Would improve if they hired Trader Joe's chalkboard writer.
(1)michelle m.
So, I'm from St. Louis, so I think I can "talk the talk" about good BBQ. In fact, my old neighbor used to run his smoker all day every Sunday and the smell was heaven. So, the last time I was in Boston, I thought I'd give this place a try. I have to say I was very impressed. I got the beef brisket, which was quite good, although not overwhelmingly impressive. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich, and that, I must say, was fantastic! The smoke of the pork was mouthwatering, and it was so tender and yummy. If you are looking for a place to plunk down for a while and let the food digest, this is not the place. A few sparse bar stools up against the counter are about all the room you get. Luckily, we went during a weekday, so coveted counterspace was available. The staff were very friendly, and the sweet potato pie slice we got to go was pretty gosh darn good, too.
(4)Pete P.
i like blue ribbon's bbq better than any one else's... definitely better than redbones and barely better than east coast grill. the atmosphere is very much that of a typical take out joint. you arent going to bring a date to blue ribbon thats for sure. however, the food makes it worth the trip. their blackboard specials are always good - seriously, you cant go wrong with one of them. the bbq is never dry and their assortment/bar of sauces and vinegars is stellar and you get to take all you want! they also sell their sauce now - just ask at the counter. a lil trick? call in advance. you get to cut any line to pick up your phone order and since its best to take it away anyway, it is a super quick way to get your viddles. suggestions? for lunch, if they have the meatloaf sandy, get that. otherwise my fav is the spicy chicken rollup. the burritos are good but in no way mexican at all. the brisket sandy is better than the pulled pork one. if you are going to get a meat plate? get the trio and dedicate a good 30 mins or so to eat it - it's well worth it. PS - park across the st. in the stop and shop lot.
(4)Ken L.
went tonight for thre 1st time.....GREAT BBQ! not much seating though.... pulled chicken was very good, i liked the corn bread, but i loved the collard greens!! looking forward to going back soon
(4)Rinn S.
I like Blue Ribbon, but I've had better in Boston. Red Bones has more variety and serves beer, but Blue Ribbon does have better sauces. And by the way, Texan style is certainly not the end-all be-all of bbq, despite their claim as bbq authorities. Everyone has their own opinion of what constitutes the best bbq and I'm still searching for Eastern North Carolina chopped vinegar-sauced pork- the best there is, in my opinion. But Blue Ribbon will do the trick for most Bostonians.
(4)Jim S.
Best BBQ in Boston - no doubt. Redbones is ok if you want huge portions, but for real BBQ head to Blue Ribbon in Arlington or W. Newton. The gold sauce keeps me coming back every time. The photos of the food should be outlawed!
(5)Geoff T.
Okay, I'll admit it-- even though Redbones will always be my favorite hang out, the BBQ at Blue Ribbon beats it. It's probably the closest you are going to come to authentic BBQ in Boston (Redbones a close second). The ribs are great, available with different sauces, and the place just has that.... feel to it. Try the briskett and pulled pork. Authentic side dishes cooked the right way.
(5)Julie H.
Don't be put off by the awful cornbread: the BBQ is great.
(4)Lizzy M.
As a Bostonian, I am not a seasoned bbq connoissuer, but I didn't really love this place. I thought it was greasy without purpose- it had all the heaviness without the flavor to back it up. It just didn't feel very fresh. GOOD FOR: mashed potatoes, corn.
(3)Emily H.
I have a great deal of love for the folks at Blue Ribbon on a number of levels. First, the take out. OH DEAR GOD YES. The pulled chicken is a particular favorite, the sauces have a nice tang, and I feel that all is well in the world. I can't add much here. However, their CATERING kicks ASS. Fo' serious. I ordered from them for a lunch meeting--I ordered for 20, and got enough to feed a freakin' army--for just about 10 bucks a head. The food was delicous, stayed warm (they double-tray everything), and the accoutrements were on-point. Plus, their delivery guy showed up totally on time (Even a bit early!) and was super helpful in setting things up, making sure I had my full order (they had forgotten serving spoons, and he told me who to call for a discount on the next order we made), and just all-around being good people. Other caterers I've worked with dump the food and peace out, so this was a special surprise. Plus, it's one of the few places where total carnivores and vegetarians (their rice and bean burrito is pretty good I guess) can be very happy.
(5)M J.
The food here rocks. I do have one complaint, however: I must speak up about the super scary looking, very large, severely hairy guy working the place weekdays. That facial hair has NO PLACE in the food service biz. It's a sanitary issue. I cringe at him tossing the potato salad and touching my food order - even in rubber gloves!
(5)Bill K.
Been going to the Blue Ribbon in Arlington for a few years and still love it. Most satisfying burrito (pulled pork!) in town. Costs more than the basic at Anna's but much better value. The sides are the best: potatoes are creamy and buttery, greens are really tasty and the oft' overlooked chocolate chip cookie is really good. And, as others have said, they have the best selection of sauces and vinegars around.
(5)W ..
Awesome. Get the 3 meat platter, trio I think it's called, and you'll be set for the next couple days. I always get weird looks when I order the trio. Maybe b/c I'm a girl. Little do they know, I'm from the south, and southern girls looooove their BBQ meat. The sausage, ribs, and brisket are my top 3. The burnt ends are a little too burnt for my liking, but to my friends, they're perfect. The collard greens and mac 'n cheese are good. They don't always have the mac 'n cheese though. The cornbread's a little dry, but that's okay, I don't come here for the cornbread, I come for the meat! Make sure you don't leave without getting some extra sauces too. Parking can suck sometimes. Sometimes we cheat and park at the Stop and Shop across the street, but we do that with the constant paranoia of being towed, so be warned.
(5)Mike Q.
As far as the food it not great not awful. The staff is so friendly. But what is BBQ with out beer. =(
(3)Joe R.
The pulled chicken sandwich with two sides is the greatest fast food carry out for adults. I share this place with many friends, and it's always a hit. The slaw and mashed potatoes are a hit with my teenagers, and I have them going here for fast food rather than the national chain. Victory!
(5)Ben R.
The Best BBQ in Boston!
(5)Jud P.
Ya, it's good. The best BBQ I have had in Boston. Go for the burnt ends or the pulled pork. Also has a good selection of different sauces to choose from. And trust me, you will not leave here hungry. The portions are gut-bustingly huge. Not many places to sit, and can get pretty busy, but it's good for take out too, so no worries. And yes, the food is way better then Redbone's (but no booze). Blue Ribbon rocks.
(5)Glen D.
Best BBQ I've had in the Boston area - puts Redbone's to shame. Tender meats, succulent sauces, perfect sides (I even like their cole slaw and I am *not* really a slaw fan!). Their menu always has some creative touches on it too, like the "BBQ burrito" or the fish sandwiches - but I always seem to come back to the burnt ends.... Definitely also try mixing 1/2 lemonade and 1/2 sweet tea for a perfect accompaniment. If you're eating there, it's best in the warm months when you can sit outside. But take out is always in season!
(5)Peter P.
Great food, great prices, and home-made pickles. Wow is all i can say about the pulled pork sandwich. I love Redbones in Davis square, but the Blue Ribbon BBQ puts it to shame. The selection of sauces you can add to your already great pulled pork sandwich is great, ranging from tasty and flavorful, to burn your mouth off.
(5)Heather B.
Damn tasty every time! Ribs, brisket, it's all good. For a treat, try the smoked cheeseburger.... YUM! Guys love BBQ so you might even have some cute boy eye candy to enjoy with your ribs!
(5)Brandon L.
As someone who lived too many years in Arlington (before it was hip with the yuppies and Starbucks) I cannot believe how over rated Blue Ribbon is... First of all, they mainly serve dry back BBQ...only one variety and if you happen to catch the dry end of the run, then you get very dry BBQ and if you catch it relatively fresh, then it can be some of the best bbq you ever had. Yes I know it's better than the Red Bones in Somerville before the gourmet beer drinking hip Davis Sq folks ruined it but to be fair Red Bones serve a lot of different varieties. Blue ribbon on a good night can have interesting apetizers on the board, soups and deserts. Watch out for the sauce though, if you pour too much it'll give you wicked indigestion.
(4)mike b.
I live right around the corner from this whole in the wall BBQ joint. I guess I've been staying away recently because I easily relapse into Blue Ribbon addiction. Two really close friends came to visit a few months ago and we ate there 3 out of the 4 nights they were in town. Yeah It's that good. If you are a fish fan, try their Cajun Catfish Sandwich.
(5)Emma L.
If you can't get to Redbones or you can't get to the 'hood or go South right this minute, Blue Ribbon BBQ is a great option for BBQ.
(5)Mary D.
I have loved this place for so long. I remember going here when I was about 12. I have gone only a handful of times [most likely for the best] with my dad and we love the mix-and-match plates. I love the food (although one complaint; a few things tastes remarkably different from back then, not as good.) I would go here every day if my heart could take it.
(5)Melissa A.
The best Bbq in the Boston area - hands down. Try their ribs (the meat truly does fall off the bone!) and their pork sandwiches are delicious!
(5)Laura B.
BBQ was good, but I wasn't blown away. I guess the minimal decor/comfort of the seating area is part of its charm. Go on a hot summer day for lunch and you might feel like the atmosphere is right...
(3)John D.
One of my friends from Somerville took me to this joint while I was in Cambridge for work. There was no wait time because it was an early dinner, around 530. I ordered the duo platter with the ribs and beef brisket with the baked beans and mashed potatoes as sides. The dipping sauces were also very good, I love spicy things so I got the XXX hot sauce, it put a little sweat on my brow but still had the traditional BBQ taste. Good stuff all around, I did NOT leave hungry or disappointed, that's for sure.
(4)Karman L.
Hole in a wall place. Great BBQQQ meat. I had the pulled pork, but it basically just melted in my mouth, and I don't even have to chew it. O my god. It was so good!!!
(5)Crystal K.
Way better than Redbones!!! The only drawback is that it's more of a takeout joint than a sit-down place. They only have a few tables unfortunately and don't serve any beer. Really some of the best BBQ you'll get for easily hundreds and hundreds of miles.
(5)Ben R.
Damn fine BBQ. Love their sauces, love their pulled pork, love their sides. It's all good.
(5)Juli W.
Definitely not one of my favorites for BBQ. To be honest, I was disappointed that they didn't have babyback ribs, which could be part of the bigger problem. I also found the size of the sides disappointing. I definitely prefer Red Bones.
(2)Adrienne B.
I'm here for all the partners that may be brought here and do not enjoy bbq food. Their salads are totally good. And the sides are quite lovely- mashed potatoes- YUM and the corn bread is FAB. So next time your bbq loving partener wants to go and you start to complain, don't just get a salad and some sides and enjoy!
(4)Emily H.
My boyfriend and I recently moved to Arlington and we saw this place and couldn't resist. We have gotten takeout each time, and the food is so filling and they stuff the styrafoam container to the gills. Their hot sauce is AMAZING!!! I had ordered the 1/3 slab of ribs and they gave me 2 more ribs than they should have. The pulled pork sandwich is huge. This place definitely didn't disappoint me and I will keep ordering from them again and again. The only negative would be that there is no real atmosphere for sitting in the restaurant, plus its pretty small, which is why we have always done takeout.
(5)J. J.
Meat, meat, and more meat. It really doesn't hold a candle to any BBQ restaurants west of the Mississippi. However, as the local competition goes (what little of it there is), there're fine. Just set your expectations: you wouldn't expect to get fine French Country cuisine in the backwoods of Texas, would you? Don't expect much from BBQ in Arlington.
(2)Patrick B.
Consistently good with generous portions and a great selection of tasty sauces. Great for takeout or eating at one of the outdoor tables when the weather's nice.
(4)Rally P.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. Haven't been disappointed yet. Have to say I like it better than Redbones.
(4)Pat T.
I lived near the W. Newton location when it opened, and boy was I glad to find Blue Ribbon. The barbecue is very good and it is consistent. Very fast takeout service. Their lemonade and corn bread are quite good, and the desserts are tasty too.
(5)Jonny C.
One of the best BBQ places in Boston - festive atmosphere and mouthwatering spicy meats
(4)shawn g.
the pulled pork was as wet and sloppy as it should be, and the coleslaw was crisp, and surprisingly good. surprising since i never order coleslaw and i not only ordered it but ATE it as well here. the mashed taters were creamy with a good amount of red skins mixed in, but the cornbread could use just a bit more honey and butter. and where's the beer???? sit outside if you can handle the weather....
(3)shawnna r.
When my boyfriend and I drive up to this place to get our takeout, we start salivating. We usually pay a little under $20 for a pint of burnt ends and a side dish platter with three sides and a large cut of corn bread. This feeds us both lunch and dinner for at least the next 2-3 days. Now, I usually don't like to go out to lunch or dinner because I find it expensive, but that's under $5 a meal - I have a hard time cooking that tasty a meal for under $5 on my own so I consider it a real deal.
(5)Melissa B.
Not a lot of good 'cue options in Boston, and especially not on this side of the river. Blue Ribbon rocks. I love their daily specials and even their sandwiches are quite good. Love the mashed potatoes and baked beans. The ribs rock and you can choose from a variety of BBQ sauces to top off your meat - one for ribs, one for brisket, one for burnt ends. Mmmm.
(4)Arik C.
For a chain bbq type, this palce is pretty good. Much better than the Village Smokehouse, Firefly's or Tennessee's. Great pulled pork, ribs and their sides are all delicious. They sell their ribs and I have used it for my own ribs and was very happy. The sauces range from mild to hot and are fantastic. blueribbonbbq.com
(4)Greg S.
Mmm BBQ! How could you not like a big combo plate of meat covered in BBQ sauce? Just about everything here is good and a combo plate usually takes me two sittings to eat, so if you ordered it to go you have dinner and then lunch for tomorrow. You can also get your meat in sandwich form if you'd rather have all of that finger licking BBQ on your hands, they come with slaw and beans. Most of the sides here are excellent as well, they had a cheesy potatoes side one night that made me wish I had ordered just that in a big bucket! Oh and if you want you have your choice of multiple BBQ sauces that you can add to your meal with, just save some for me! The only thing that would make Blue Ribbon better is more seating and a beer selection, that and a way to make the line disappear when I go there!
(4)Tristan W.
It's hard to deny the overwhelming feeling of being taken advantage of these days. I hand the gas station attendent 3 bucks and he gives me 20 miles of travel. I figure hell, I'll take the train instead. But the MBTA hasn't been on time since the Celtics won a world championship, somehow that merits a 25% price hike. On principal alone I boycott it, so now I have to take a cab to work. Problem is half of the cabbies need me to give them directions to where I'm going, and on the way there the detours get me so turned around I forget why I stepped out of my house in the first place. That's when I stop the cab, hand over thirty bucks, and hoof it to the one honest place in this whole damn town. At the Blue Ribbon the food once had hooves, and the meals still have value. I hand the hipped out homey 9 bucks and 5 minutes later I'm wrist deep in 20 oz of mouth watering succulence. The portions are flinstone size. The food is so damn good that we need a new adjective to describe it. Quench your thirst at the never ending cistern of sweet tea and lemonade ( I mix the two for that famous Tom and Tom taste). Best part of all, at the end of it, I'm satisfied, and I will gladly hand over my hard earned money to the folks at the Blue Ribbon any day of the week , and twice on Sunday. I've had every platter they make. I recommend them all. Just make sure to get the butternut squash as a side, and the burnt ends at least once. To those at the Blue Ribbon reading this review, thank you.
(5)J B.
Some say this is the best bbq in Boston. Though I am not a true aficiando, I must agree. Delicious ribs, great chicken, a varied selection of sauces. I esp enjoy the Arlington location (and by the way, this is NOT a chain, it's a local business that happens to have two locations, one in Arlington, one in W Newton), it's order-at-the counter, casual and laid-back. Love their cornbread too.
(4)Thomas M.
Fantastic BBQ -- huge portions that can be hard to finish. I love the sandwiches and platters, but have a sore spot for their BBQ burritos -- they must weigh close to a pound. Excellent sweet tea and lemonade. I wish they served beer.
(5)bella c.
really good stuff and huge portions!
(4)Jeffrey W.
This place blows Redbones out of the water. The sauce is much better, they have great sides (though no hush puppies), and the atmosphere is so much more southern. Sit outside, sip sweet tea or lemonade, and watch the few cars go by as you take a trip to North Carolina.
(5)Scott M.
I know there are tons of Redbones lovers out there but for me the place is Blue ribbon. Many a night I've raced over there 10 minutes before closing to get some of those ribs that just does it for me.
(4)Orina B.
First let me say that the Yelp description about Blue Ribbon being "in Arlington Center" is wrong -- it's opposite Stop n' Shop, about a mile beyond the town center as you head toward Lexington. My need to write that is evidence of my complete devotion to sharing the gospel of Blue Ribbon . I love this place unreservedly. I used to live nearby and so had a chance to try nearly everything on the menu. There's something here for every taste and they'll adapt their menu to what you want. For example, when I order the BBQ chicken, I ask for white meat only and - for a dollar or so extra - they'll make the entire order white meat. If you want BBQ beef or chicken, you can order it 'dry" and they'll put the sauce on the side. If - like me - you don't want the pickles and cornbread that come with the meal - they'll give you a third side order, instead. Try the green beans and bacon. I don't even eat pork but I eat that. The portions are huge. The people are nice. Oddly - or maybe not - the only thing I've ever gotten there I didn't care for was a salad. What was I thinking ordering a salad???
(5)Stephen J.
Great food, a fun place and really cool interior. My friend from Texas laments the fact that they don't have their "own" sauce (they have about 6 that you can mix and match), but I don't really care. The taste is delish. The pulled pork and chicken is truly tender, and is already loaded with flavor before you lather it in sauce if that's what you choose to do. Although I've never had them, other friends swear by the steak tips. The corn bread hits the spot (although I've had better), and they have an assortment of traditional sides, including collared greens, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc. The food here is certainly better than the BBQ at nearby Red Bones in Davis Square, the only downside is that seating is limited and there's no booze. It's not really as much a restaurant per se as it is a walk-in, take-out type of place. Still, even with their limited interior they've decorated nicely and the place is spotlessly clean. Overall the food maybe is not AS good as some coyboy BBQ from Arizona, but pretty darn close for being so far away.
(4)Jessica H.
I think this is probably the best BBQ place in all of Massachusetts. Their ribs are so delicious. And, the sides that they have there are unbelievable! I think I might go there after I finish writing this review in fact. My favorite part about this place is that they put out all of their BBQ sauces, and they have a few, so you can add as much or as little as you need to your food. It's great!
(5)L S.
Awesome bbq!! The bbq at this place is sooo good. They have pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, side dishes and desserts. The side dishes are just as good as the meat. I highly recommend the mashed potatoes and the collard greens. I have never had enough room for dessert but I'm sure it is delicious. They cater too, for more info go to blueribbonbbq.com !
(5)Nishan K.
I found this place online highly recommended. I ordered one of the beef brisket sandwhiches with a side of cornbread that was really cheap. I was honestly a bit disappointed as the beans didn't taste right, the coleslaw was too maynassey, and the sandwhich was cut from a portion that was too fatty. I had to chew the meat for a few minutes just to get it digestable. I think the price is good for what you get and I would go there again, but will not get the same thing. My friend got a Caribean wrap, which he raved about the whole way home.
(3)Juliette V.
I definately do not go here enough. The barbecue is some of the best I have found in the area. Large portions and tastey sauces. A great thing to note is that the large Whole Foods near Western Ave carries some of their things.
(4)Megan C.
This is a counter service location with a lot of character. We went there for lunch on a Saturday and it didn't start getting busy until 12:20 or 12:40. Seating is limited but luckily even the "for here" orders come in take out containers. The service is casual, attentive and friendly, and they were courteous to a bunch of newbies overwhelmed by the chalk board menus. Plus, we were offered pickled watermelon rind samples as we looked over the menu. Delicious. The food is across the board delicious, from the $7 carnitas burrito to the platters edging in on $20 and over. Our party ordered a wide variety of menu items, and while one person thought the roast chicken was dry, she did get the white meat and opted not to use any of their wide array off sauces. I didn't have the same issue. The burnt ends were delicious and the green beans were super impressive - spicy and cooked with sausage. They have a small selection of desserts (including cobbler) but in the end it's the BBQ that is the real star. (Pro tip: homemade lemonade and homemade sweet tea at the fountain soda area = homemade Arnold Palmers. Amazing.)
(5)Andrea H.
Pro: you will have an incredibly tasty meal. Con: this place is more addictive than crack. Seriously though, great BBQ. The side dishes can occasionally be hit-or-miss (undercooked or over salted). 9 times out of 10, it's perfect.
(4)Peter W.
This place sucks. Started off decent years ago, and has steadily gone down hill the past couple of years. The last four visits, staff was rude, food was greasy and sitting around for a bit (includes ribs, pulled pork plate, brisket). The W. Newton location somehow has better food quality. Arlington location blows. That said, the owners should think of lessons for the front end staff to keep the place clean (W. Newton lets "their" counter get grimy, and you have to request them to wipe it down as they act annoyed at the request). Owners are clearly not involved. For now, whence I need my BBQ fix, it is back to Red Bones in Somerville and Sweet Cheeks in the Fenway.
(1)A Y.
This place serves the messiest, most complicated, most humiliating-to-eat, most quickly-served burrito I've ever had. The chicken was beyond words. I'm bringing everyone I know here, messy food be damned.
(5)Eunice E.
I think I ate my body weight in BBQ last night, but I'm getting hungry again just thinking about my food as I write this review. That's when you know it's good. Whether you're getting a sandwich or a platter, you're going to get a huge heap o' food. In fact, we got two platters yesterday for three people -- and we STILL had leftovers! The brisket is melt-in-your-mouth tender, the pulled chicken is deliciously flavored even on its own (though better with any of their BBQ sauces... the hot is my personal fave), and (most of) the sides are on point. The potato salad - check. The collard greens - check. Baked beans - check (I'm a sucker for sweet BBQ beans). But the coleslaw was a bit more what the heck than check. Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. I love filling the little plastic containers on the side with all the different sauces--like I said, the hot BBQ is probably my fave, but the sweet is yum, and the different vinegars and mustards are all pretty tasty, too. Don't forget to grab some of those delicious and satisfyingly crunchy pickle slices while you're at it! For a hearty meal, look no further than Blue Ribbon. Just remember to have some stretchy pants on before you start chowin'.
(4)Dana S.
I heart you Blue Ribbon. I do. You need a bigger seating area. You know you do. As with all true love I will still love you when you get bigger ;) Your BBq ribs are to die for and I looooovvve your mashed potatoes. I love it all- Id make air freshener from the air i your Arlington store if I could .
(5)Suzanne L.
I was compelled to write a review because I was seriously impressed with the allergy page: blueribbonbbq.com/allergy . It is THOROUGH and easy to understand. My friend's mom has seriously restrictive allergies but also loves BBQ, and it was such a burden off our minds to know ahead of time exactly what she could have. Thank you thank you Blue Ribbon!!!! Food-wise, this place is good - I also have not been wowed by the ribs as other people have mentioned, but I LOVE the pulled pork and the variety of sauces. The sides are kinda hit or miss. Regardless, this place is (gotta say it) so much better than Red Bones.
(4)Von D.
I'm compelled to write this review on my smart phone in the bathroom....ugh. 1.ribs were dry and tasted like a dirty charcoal grill and liquid smoke. 2. The burnt ends and brisket tasted like pot roast. Not moist but flavorful. 3.baked beans were more like a can chili, had an almost mineral flavor. 4.we found the basic dishes were dialed in, (cole slaw greens cornbread) 5. Overall I was disappointed and it tasted like ass, you know how I know what ass tastes like? I spend Tuesday through Friday kissing my boss's...that's how I know.
(1)Kathryn S.
As a frequent patron on Red Bones (because I live near Davis) I have to admit that this was my first visit to Blue Ribbon. What was I waiting for?! It was delicious! We got the Feed Bag special and everything was great! The ribs, the jerk chicken and the sides. I particularly loved the black eyed peas with corn! My husband and son loved the potato salad and corn bread. (It was our Father's Day dinner!) It was definitely worth getting in the car and driving to Arlington. And that's saying something from this Cantabridgian!
(5)Chloe S.
This place is good, but honestly it's not the best BBQ in the area. A lot of the time something about it tastes like it is close to the mark, but not quite there. I eat here a lot because it's not too far from my office, but I am just not that impressed. I've been putting off writing this review for awhile because it's apparently sacrilege to criticize blue ribbon bbq and I can't quite put my finger on what it is I don't like, but every time I order anything on the menu I expect one thing and get something close to what I expected, but not quite. Sometimes it's too bland, sometimes too dry, sometimes too much vinegar (yes I know it's supposed to be vinegary, but there's the right amount and the wrong amount of vinegar), too salty, etc... Something is always wrong with it. In short I come here when everyone else is going, but I wouldn't pick it on my own. There is better BBQ.
(3)Marc S.
Much better than last time (5 years ago). BBQ was well seasoned but not over salted. Ribs and beef brisket where awesome, with the right amount of spice and burnt ends. First time I had the corn and black eyed peas mixed tot her - highly recommended side. Needs a little more moistness and smoking flavors. I'll try again and add to post. It was Father's Day and closing.
(3)Kristen W.
I'm not a BBQ snob (I've never even been to Texas) but I'm not one to pass up checking out a local barbecue joint. That being said, when you walk in the atmosphere is sub par but the food more than makes up for that. I went with the burnt ends, and was disappointed when it was served pulled and not in chunks, but surprisingly it was not lacking in flavor at all! This was some of the best burnt ends I've had, I loved that they weren't greasy! The massive cornbread adequately soaked up the alcohol in my stomach from the night before. The potato salad was good but I wish I would've got something besides the dirty rice. (All meat platters come with two sides and a huge slab of corn bread). It was easily enough for two meals and was great as leftovers the next day. Don't forget to check out the homemade sauces on the counter!
(4)Ashli A.
I love this place because the Barbecue Duo Combo for ~$15.99 feeds me and my boyfriend (and it's not like we are still hungry after). We have had the brisket, smoked sausage, mashed potatoes, black-eyed corn. Our two favorites, hands down, are the brisket and the mashed potatoes. The brisket has the perfect amount of fat, it is tender, and flavorful (as in MEAT flavor- not like a bunch of added seasonings or anything- just good meat flavor). The mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. The cornbread that comes with the combo is good. You might feel like crap after you eat all of it, but who cares? EAT IT. ALL OF IT.
(5)Magic Bites B.
Not only the food but the service and the personnel are great... Highly recommended...
(5)Rajiv R.
So unprofessional. Put in a catering order for my birthday. When one of my guests went early to pick it up, the guy had no idea about the order. This was after they'd been so adamant on the phone about putting in the order 48 hours ahead of time (which I did, had the email confirmation and everything). When my friend called me from the restaurant and put the guy on, I gave him the confirmation number. He had no idea what to do with it. Had to pull the order together on the spot, but they didn't even have all the items available so he had to substitute. So the food arrived to the party wrong and late. Contacted the catering department the next day to see what happened. (Calm and courteous of course.) "I'll get back to you." It's been a week, never did. Like I said, so unprofessional. Taste-wise: meh. They've gone downhill in recent years any way. Sweet Cheeks is better.
(1)Arthur M.
Love this place and love the bbq burrito and pulled chicken sandwich if you love bbq this place is for you
(5)Nina S.
The bf surprised me with BBQ takeout from this place one night (man knows the way to my heart is through my stomach :P) and what a pleasant surprise! He got the ribs with corn bread collard greens and beans. The sauce on them was not too sweet and had a great smoky flavor that carried through and the meat was nice and tender. And the cornbread is righteous.
(4)Tim A.
I just had some seriously insane BBQ at Blue Ribbon in Arlington tonight. Ribs, pulled chicken, pulled pork, beans, slaw, hot sausage, corn. Off the chain as they say. Every single thing our party of 3 had was fantastic including the best cornbread I've ever tasted. Complimented the owner while I was buying my assistant a gift certificate and he seemed really humble and happy that someone enjoyed the food so much. (Young, smart, talented owner/chef AND HOT. How much better can it get?) You won't be disappointed in any part of it. Seating is pretty limited.
(5)Timmy L.
Cheap, hearty, and deeeeeelicious! Blue Ribbon BBQ is everything you want in your neighborhood barbecue joint. The experience starts off with artfully cooked, quality meat accompanied by a glorious roll and end with your choice between a luxurious number of sauces. Every one is interesting, unique, and leaves your tongue singing for more. While at initial glance the prices don't cause you to jump for joy, here's a pro tip for you: buy in bulk. With a hefty canister of BBQ, a couple containers of your favorite sauces, some rolls, and most importantly, their pickles, you can chow down on a glorious sandwich for less than an expensive coffee.
(5)Morgan F.
Absolutely delicious! The food was wonderful, inexpensive, and ready very quickly - plus the ambiance of the place is just so fantastic, I never wanted to leave! Went there with my mother who is from the South, and she was as happy as I was - which is a very good recommendation for any southern food restaurant. Definitely try the cornbread pudding (SO good) and get a sweet tea while you're at it.
(5)Erin H.
I'm pretty sad that I couldn't enjoy this as much as my friends did since I was stll feeling a bit ill from the day before. In any case, I decided to order the Texas brisket plate with a side of baked beans and potato salad. The portions are absolutely massive and the sauces are delicious! You can pack your own from the sauce bar. There's not too much space to eat indoor; this is much more of a to-go kind of joint. We actually took our food to a local park and had a picnic there. One interesting thing to note was that additional fee for ordering beef. I forget what the reason was (beef shortage perhaps?), but it was like an extra $2 or so if you ordered any beef dishes. I would definitely like to try it again when I'm back in Cambridge. I think I might like to try the burnt ends next time!
(4)Maria S.
Poor service and meh food. Not worth the effort in getting here tonight. Should have gone with seafood in New England!
(1)Sharon D.
Nice job catering a friend's surprise anniversary party! Some background, this couple met at an event in south Georgia so we were looking for a menu that would bring them back to this event that started them on their lifelong path, and Blue Ribbon came through in achieving this goal! We ordered pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, dirty rice, corn, collard greens, corn bread and salad. They even sent baby bottles of the sweet and golden bbq sauces and balsamic salad dressing. I personally enjoyed the pulled pork! It had just the right amount of seasoning and was so tender! Everything was delicious and arrived piping hot. The adults and the kids loved it all! Thanks for helping to make a wonderful even even more special! Great job! One of these days, we will have to try dining in!
(4)Matt N.
Great BBQ. The sides can be a bit different every time, taste-wise and selection-wise, but that gives it part of its charm. Great service. The same crew seems to be there every time. I ordered online a couple times and both times I got a different side than the one I ordered so I'd double check before you leave if your heart is set on something. The food is fabulous. My wife always suggests Blue Ribbon and she's a vegetarian!!! Make sure you take advantages of the different sauces as well. They add some crazy taste to the already tasty meat. Great portions too - if you leave hungry you may have to rethink your life. Go to Redbones if you want to check-in on Facebook or buy a shirt, but if you want a much better BBQ, Blue Ribbon is well worth the trip down Mass ave!
(5)Grant S.
What a delight! Lots of tempting choices, and the guy taking my order was very helpful in guiding me through them. As it was my first visit, I went with the ribs, collard greens and blackeyed pea salad. The ribs were pretty much perfect, great smoke ring and flavor. The sides were delicious, too. Definitely a BBQ joint as far as the atmosphere goes. I'll definitely be going back to try more of the menu.
(5)Steven M.
I'm quite surprised to see this place have 4 stars from over 400 people. It was sub par at best. My ribs were a little over cooked and crunchy. Even my bones was edible which made no sense at all. The actual rib was chewable and edible! The coleslaw was really tangy and too watery for my taste. The potato salad was decent, but I have been making potato salad for awhile and I could've done the same job and I don't even like cooking. The atmosphere was really nice tho. When I walked in there, there was license plates all over the front wall. In my opinion that's dumb because it takes the place of where the menu should be. They actually have to put a sign that's small saying the menu is on the left. Clearly the designers didn't think that one through. All in all very mediocre. Maybe we got a bad batch of ribs, but it was still unacceptable.
(2)Amanda P.
Update post-wedding catering by Blue Ribbon: Our guests were overjoyed. The delivery was on time...early, even. We ordered for 135, had almost exactly that many guests, and were smart enough to bring containers to freeze the leftovers. And oh, the leftovers. Two months later, we have one last meal of Burnt Ends waiting in the freezer. They're nearly as good as the day we were married. Even the veggie burritos freeze well and are great for a quick workday lunch (just add a touch of salsa or bbq on top). The most raved about items were the burnt ends and brisket (we also had pulled chicken, which is great with a burrito or topped with sauces, but not a stand-out next to the other two) and the mashed potatoes. Good god, the mashed potatoes. My vegan bridesmaid cast all care to the wind and had three helpings. If we did it all again, we'd order two sides of mashed potatoes and ask for extra Hot BBQ. We ordered the "Sandwich Meats" package and added a green salad side, which I believe was less than $13pp. We liked the sandwich meats better than the jerk chicken and ribs... it was a great choice. We ended up having our own people help with serving the food. We really struggled to get information from Simply Serving as recommended by Blue Ribbon. I'm hoping it was just a fluke and not typical, but getting a call back and an emailed quote took so long I didn't trust it was worth the cost. Our own people did a great job!
(5)Scott F.
I went there for lunch today and got a 1/2 pint of the spicy sausage and a single rib called "the lone bone". The rib was excellent.. totally tender with just the right amount of bite. The sausage was tasty and spicy.. Their sauces were all top notch. Two thumbs up for Blue Ribbon.. :-)
(4)Celestyne C.
I used Blue Ribbon for my son's graduation/18th birthday party. The kids (16-18 year old boys) and adults loved the food. The burnt ends are by far my favorite but I didn't have any ribs, baked beans or pulled pork left. a little disappointed with the sweet tea but my son wanted it. I have eaten in, taken out and now I have catered. Try it, you will like it!
(4)Ariel Z.
Wow...definitely exceeded my expectations and they were really high after reading the Yelp reviews. The burnt ends were the right tenderness. The baked beans were unexpectedly tangy and have a lot of molasses, very yummy. The potato salad was also spot on. Not a fan of the cole slaw, which could use a bit more flavor. The cornbread is just ok, but it comes with each order anyway. The wide assortment of sauces here are what makes this experience even more delicious. You can choose from two different types of hot sauces, two BBQ sauces (one sweet, one spicy), spicy Habanero vinegar, gold sauce, and a Chipotle-based sauce. Their sliced pickles were also a nice touch. Right when you walk in, you can smell the smokiness of the oven they cook all the meat in. Because of that, everything including the cornbread is somewhat smoky. Even without the Groupon, you could easily feed 2 for less than $20. This place also gets very crowded on the weekends, and be prepared to take the food elsewhere since there is practically no seating.
(4)deborah c.
I lived around the corner from Redbones back in the 80's when they were really at their peak so I am kind of particular about Rib joints. Now I live near Blue Ribbon and after 12 or so visits, mostly just out of convenience, I can honestly say the only thing I am happy with there is the Carolina sauce. I will not repeat rib complaints others have stated, except to add that if you order takeout, they are good for tucking a couple of ancient, dried up ribs under fresh ones to complete your order. F-ed up guys!! Shitty restaurant cutting corner technique that makes me say BOO !! Who is making those collards? You're going to kill somebody with all that grease.
(2)John L.
I still remember the first time I had Blue Ribbon brisket years back...it was an almost religious experience of flavor and texture that was out of this world. Fast forward to today, and I can't recommend a BBQ place that feels comfortable serving dried and/or old BBQ. We ordered brisket and ribs which were both dry and hard. The 2 stars are for the pulled pork, quality sides, and pickles which were good. We would love for it to be better since we live right around the corner!
(2)Andrea B.
I just consumed about five billion calories in delicious, delicious BBQ. Why? Gotta make up for all the years of walking by this place without trying it. Not okay, not okay, not okay!! But now I'm so full that I may not be able to move from this spot on the couch until sometime next week. Portion sizes are very generous, but that still didn't stop my friend and I from ordering a decent variety of things to try. The menu is pretty long, and full of excellent options. We got the Texas Beef Brisket, the Creamy Chipotle Ranch Chicken Sliders (one of today's specials), and the North Carolina Pulled Pork, all of which were phenomenal, and so flavorful that we didn't need to touch any of the BBQ sauces or hot sauces that Blue Ribbon has to offer. Each of the above came with two sides, so I think you can imagine the food comas that we fell into after eating our way through everything. Of those sides, my favorites were the mashed potatoes (buttery and very filling) and the potato salad (can't have enough potatoes, seriously). And I also really loved the corn bread that came with the pulled pork and brisket platters. It was dense and moist, not dry and crumbly like most corn bread usually is. Even after all that, you better believe we saved room for dessert! We got slices of the key lime and pecan pies, both of which were freshly baked, and the perfect ending to a very rich and wonderful meal. Whether you're in the mood to dine in or take out (I recommend the latter, so you can take a nap immediately after eating, which you WILL want to do), service is friendly and fast. You can call in your order ahead of time, order online, or walk right in and place your order at the counter. Either way, wait time is minimal, and you'll have BBQ goodness all up in your face in a very short time indeed. I highly recommend liking their Facebook page, because they post new specials for this Arlington location, as well as for their West Newton location and their food truck. And by "new specials," I don't mean one item per day. I mean a whole bunch of scrumptious new things to try, each one sounding better than the last. So, it may have taken me a long time (read: three years) to get around to trying Blue Ribbon BBQ. But now that I finally got over there, I have a feeling that I am going to become quite the frequent customer!
(4)Kevin Y.
Portions are good size. I love the beef brisket. I love most of the sides (can't love everything). I hear debates going back and forth between redbones and blue ribbon and w hich is better. Both have their pros and cons, but I prefer Blue Ribbon for lunch most of the time.
(5)Local E.
Inconsistent ribs, good pulled meats, mostly good sides. After 30+ visits, I realized finishing my plate feels like a chore instead of a joy to be savored. Ribs: usually tough, boiled-tasting, wooden, chewy Pulled pork, pulled chicken: tasty, moist, winners Special sandwiches: usually worth a try Sauces: love 'em Rice and beans: coin toss; often has hard bits in them Random special sides: good Vastly prefer ribs, sausage, & vinegar sauce at Redbones.
(3)Robert L.
Went here for lunch using a $15 groupon. Ordered the beef brisket sandwich, beans, collard greens, and a drink. Transaction was smooth, they looked up my groupon for me because it was not on my phone. Only reason for the average rating is because of the key lime pie - DO NOT get this. Tastes nothing like key lime. Note to chef: walk across the street to stop and shop, buy some Nellies key lime juice, make the key lime pie recipe printed on the bottle, serve that instead.
(3)Tony J.
Not bad, but not great either. When we went, the beef prices were all increased due to a shortage of beef. Didn't matter, the ambiance is very interesting and has a nice retro feel. The sauces are what makes this place go. Try the vinegar based sauce if you like acid in your food.
(4)Stella D.
I was so excited to try Blue Ribbon this week, since I've heard a lot of good reviews. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. Normally, I wouldn't write a review if just one item was disappointing, but it was basically the entire meal. This is the run down. Ribs -- Tough and tasteless. Really, they were so tough, I couldn't get the meat off with a fork, knife, or my teeth. Burnt Ends -- Kind of like pulled beef, and doused in sauce. Not horrible, but not special. Cornbread -- Dry, tasteless. Mac-n-cheese -- Dry, a high pasta to cheese ratio. Not creamy, not cheesy, served kind of lukewarm. Very little flavor. Baked beans -- On the sweet side. Collard greens -- They were okay, standard, nothing special, but not bad. Cole slaw -- Also okay, mayo variety, but at least had some flavor. I hope this was a one-off, but I won't be back to try again.
(1)Mike L.
The Good: Burnt ends are super delicious, juicy, and fatty. Ribs are closer to Memphis style ribs than Kansas and fall of the bone real easy. It's worth coming here just for these. There's no where in the area that does these things better than Blue Ribbon. The Bad: Jerk chicken. On the dry side with a lot less taste than I hoped for. Not terrible though. The Ugly: Dirty rice, rice and beans and cole slaw were pretty tasteless and disappointing. Dirty rice is supposed to be cooked with "small pieces of chicken liver or giblets, green bell pepper, celery, onion and spices cayenne and black pepper"..and it seemed to be missing nearly all of that. Shame. Also, the cornbread is nearly bone dry. Regardless of poorly done sides, Blue Ribbon does what it sets out to do excellently.
(4)Lisa W.
Wow.. I just realized that I never reviewed blue ribbon!! And I used to live around the corner from it. Seriously, we could see and more importantly, SMELL blue ribbon from our deck. A blessing and a curse, I tell you. I have to admit that having tried both places multiple times, I favor Blue Ribbon way over that other BBQ place in *ahem* Somerville. I like the quick take out option (there isn't a lot of seating inside), it's easy to get to and there's lots of street parking (just circle around the block on Highland Ave.), and I just like the food better. Pulled pork with some spicy bbq sauce.. rib sandwich... brisket... mmmmmm... meaattt... oh wait where am I? Yelp. Right. Anyway, the sandwich platters are the best value.. you get a good amount of meat, two sides, and a corn bread for under $10. Don't forget to fill a little plastic container with pickles!
(5)Erik H.
Great BBQ spot. Has the right decor, menu, sauces and the food is great! Loved the outdoor seating in the summer. Greata place to wheel and deal meals with friends. Plenty of free street parking too.
(5)Artie A.
I need to understand why my order put in at 3:15pm was not ready at the requested time of 6:15. This was a large order ($200) and I had to wait 20 minutes past the requested time for it to be prepared. I got there early and paid for the order. But apparently it was put at the end of the line, at that time, and the requested time was ignored. Perhaps you are telling me that I should go elsewhere. The food was excellent but the service needs some management.
(3)Marcy Z.
A great surprise here in Arlington, MA. Tender juicy pulled pork with spicy sauces and a great smoky flavor. Very good selection of sides, red beans were really tasty. Good sized portions for your money, two meals with drinks for $25. We will be back.
(5)Janet K.
Hands down the best BBQ in Boston! We got the Texas Sliced Beef Brisket ($14.49) and it was out of this world! It was our first time here today and the server was super friendly (even gave us a sampler - I'm getting the Kansas City Burnt Ends next time...). My husband really liked the cornbread and the sides were great overall. Highly recommended!
(5)Sung L.
I and my family love this place. We come here whenever we cannot decide what to eat. Pulled pork and beef brisket are awesome. We also like cole slaw and other sides. Above all, taste of their food is consistently good which I really like. I highly recommend this place for BBQ at least around Boston area.
(5)Phil B.
The two stars aren't for the restaurant on the whole, but for what I consider to be a unpleasant trend at Blue Ribbon. They're now putting hot pepper in almost everything. Their weekly Sunday cheese grits special almost never contained serious heat in the past, now they add jalapeno or other hot peppers almost every week. Mind you, they're not offering a milder version and giving people a choice, it's heat or nothing. The jerk chicken spicing seemingly has more heat in the mix than it used to. But the real head-scratcher here is that they now add habenero pepper into the macaroni salad. Macaroni salad is meant to be a cool and refreshing counterbalance to hot and spicy foods, much as Indian restaurants offer raita or blue cheese is served with Buffalo wings. What's more, they don't always label or name menu items to give customers a heads-up that a dish is hot. They could easily call their macaroni salad special "Habanero Macaroni Salad." Also, it might make sense to put little red stick-on ribbons on their menu boards next to any item with jalapeno, habanero, hot cherry peppers, etc. so people who like that sort of thing can gravitate towards it and people who don't care for it can order something else. The addition of "stealth heat" in menu items is a shoddy practice; let people know what's hot and what's not, and make their choices according to their own tastes.
(2)Kevin T.
You won't find better smoked food anywhere in or around Boston. These folks put love and smoke into their dishes. A must have BBQ meal.
(5)Nora M.
Love this place! Went again last night and had the chicken burrito. It was huge, hot and delicious. The line moves fast, the staff is great, the tables turn over quickly, and the customers are all happy and laid back. It's good barbecue for this northerner!
(5)Peter E.
Craving BBQ and just did takeout. Sorely disappointed. Meat lacked any kind of bbq flavor and I found myself loading my own bbq sauce (some Stubbs). The entire reason you do bbq is for the flavors and sauces with the meat. I seriously think they forgot to load any sauce whatsoever on my order. Needless to say, not likely to ever go back when there is Red Bones in Somerville, which is always good.
(2)Mark R.
Consistently great!!! Be coming here for 4 years. Memphis ribs are the best! Vegetarian burrito, burnt ends mashed potatoes are all good. Makes my family forget about chipotle. Who needs them when you have blue ribbon.
(5)Christine J.
3.5 to 4 stars. Good BBQ. Not amazing but good enough. nothing fancy. Will come once in a blue moon.
(4)Ashley P.
I know this place is an institution, but I just don't think the food is that amazing. Its a good spot and the prices are very reasonable, but I guess I just didn't fall in love. I have an issue with food that sits in bins with it's own juices before it is served and most of the meat here is served that way. Once again, maybe that is part of the charm, but I couldn't get down with this Southern kitchen.
(2)Yvonne V.
We ordered take-out, there isn't a lot of seating. I had the beef brisket with mashed and collard greens. It was delicious. My husband had the burnt ends which I also thought was good, just not as tender as the brisket. The cornbread was good too. The potions were huge, enough for two meals.
(4)S B.
My place of work gets catered food from here on occasion and I'm always bummed when they choose it because plain and simple...It's just not good. Greasy, either overcooked or undercooked bad cuts of meat. I end up eating 4 pieces of corn bread for lunch. That is the only saving grace. That's why I put 2 stars instead of the 1 star. You will not feel good after eating this food.
(2)Melanie T.
It's fine, bordering on good. Very strong smoke flavor, but too many sides are pork heavy. Plus, they often run out of things very early.
(3)Jennifer B.
No frills, down to business authentic BBQ place. Burnt ends were so flavorful. Beef brisket melted in my mouth. Everything was super juicy. Mashed potatoes are rich and creamy. In my opinion this place is better than sweet cheeks.
(4)Stephanie W.
Came here because I got the Groupon. Food was really good- got the rib platter. Only thing was that the service was a little slow. They also got my order wrong, but when I told them about it the guys happily fixed it. Wish there was more room to sit, but definitely check this place out for good BBQ take-out!
(4)Angie B.
We recently ordered a large take-out order online, which was very convenient. Everything we had was amazing. I particularly enjoyed the dirty rice. In addition to delicious food another reason Blue Ribbon is so special is that it is very accommodating of food allergies, and has an extensive amount of information on its website about what people with various allergies can and can't order. I have to avoid dairy and soy, and I was able to get the pulled pork, pulled chicken, collard greens, dirty rice, and the NC vinegar barbecue sauce (among other things). It is so wonderful to be able to have these options when on a limited diet.
(5)Raj M.
Amazing BBQ joint! Their sandwiches are great! I love their Jamaican jerk Chicken sandwich and the brisket! Potato salad is out of this world!
(5)Simon L.
Hortans cuban sandwich with sliced pork loin and pulled pork. A giant sandwich with mountains of sides - cole slaw and collard greens. Pork loin was juicy and had a crisp skin. A daily lunch special. Cole slaw was prepared with flecks of pepper - fresh cabbage and carrots. Collards had a nice pork flavor and were slightly crisp. Pulled pork was normal - that means excellent. Ribs here never disappoint. Whole racks of spares are consistenly smoked with a pink ring. Excellent bark formed by a medium rub. Juicy meat, not quite fall off the bone but in the way ribs should be smoked. Subtle spices. House made sauce has a nice kick. Unbeleivable that this joint has never been reviewed by yours truly. The Newton location has similarly consistent ribs and corn bread.
(4)JD H.
Went here for lunch today with my mom and daughter. We all split the pulled pork platter. It was just the right amount for a 60+, 30+ and 1+ baby! The pulled pork melted in our mouths and the BBQ sauces were delicious. The only bummer was they didn't have a side of Mac N Cheese. With the price hikes at Red Bones this place gives them a run for their money.
(4)Steve B.
DUDE...you don't even know! Real BBQ at it's finest! Best burnt ends I have ever had. Got the combo with that, the ribs (which are internationally known) and the bbq chicken to keep the calories down. Got baked beans (which here 8 outa 10) and Cole slaw which was great. All around just great BBQ...there is a reason everyone goes here when they have the cravings!
(5)D K.
Really good BBQ! You get a lot of food for the price. We have never been disappointed.
(4)Ash And Dan L.
Blue RIbbon BBQ delivers a great take-out meal. The TX ribs, pulled pork, and brisket are amazing. The potato salad and rice and beans were great, as was the cornbread. Oh, and can't forget the sausage...spicy and delicious.
(5)D G.
Takeout: small order of chicken & 2 sides. On phone I was told 30 minutes, promptly arrive ( now is when a competent manager steps in and tells the customer it is going to be another 30 minutes - do you want to wait, come back in 1/2 hour, have an appetizer , etc.) and promptly paid. Chaos then ensues - I feel like a patient on Saturday night in the ER at BMC but this is Sunday night in Arlington Center. Cmon!!! Good food but think twice, 3x about takeout
(2)Andy G.
Enjoy the wait. This place is chaotic and way understaffed. Online order said ready for pickup at 715 and 20 minutes later still waiting. Lots of angry people waiting here and the staff keep rolling there eyes at people that are complaining.
(1)Michael R.
Unlike a few other reviewers, I find Blue Ribbon to be remarkably consistent and basically as good as any bbq I've ever had. The ribs are meaty and tender, with a perfect crust, and aren't suffocating under a layer of sugary sauce the way I've had it even in North Carolina and Texas. The brisket (and burnt ends variation) is blowaway. Some sides I like better than others, but everything seems well thought through - not an afterthought. The collard greens are spicy and chewy and just right. As others have mentioned, the sauces are a high point. It's a special treat for us - we have to hold back for the sake of our waistlines. But we go pretty often, and when we do, it's always great.
(5)Jessica S.
I tried this place after I heard it had an awesome reputation. I thought it was a little overrated. The place is very small and crowded, the workers were all very rushed and rushed me when I was ordering. The food was pretty good, but nothing amazing like I was told. Overall this place is mediocre.
(3)Chris M.
Just walked out the door with $50 worth of barbecue. The combo I ordered came with four drinks but the sweet tea and lemonade were empty. I kindly inform the staff and the individual I spoke with only said "ok". After asking again and waiting a total of about 10 minutes I walked out.
(1)Bear W.
Being from Texas, we are pretty particular about our BBQ. I must say we were pleasantly surprised by Blue Ribbon BBQ and highly recommend the place! The sliced brisket was a little dry but the collard greens and black eyed corn were spot on. All of the sauces were absolutely delicious and the pickles were my wife's favorites. The Kansas City burnt ends, baked beans, and mashed potatoes were excellent as well.
(4)Kayleigh S.
This place has huge serving sizes. Well worth the price. The sides aren't as delicious as redbones' but the meat is good and our meals are usually cheaper.
(4)Wei W.
Ribs and brisket and burnt ends, oh my! If you're expecting some high-end sit-down BBQ, this is not the place to be. But if you've got a hankering for brisket or a craving for a rib-wich, I highly recommend you make a stop here. +tives: + Prices are decent. + Portions are massive. + Food is flavorful. + Service is quick. + They offer online ordering for takeout. -tives: - Depending on who's prepping the meat, it can either come out too salty or too bland. Luckily the variety of BBQ sauce helps offset this. - Parking availability can be slim. However, Stop and Shop right across the street can ease the pain a bit. I've had their rib plate, brisket plate, pulled chicken sandwich, pulled pork plate, and burnt ends sandwich, all of which tickled my fancy. I've also ordered from them for catering at work. They've proven that what produce in individual quantities can be scaled up to feed a group of 35 with just as much flavor. Of course I'll be back - the store is a couple of miles down the road and it gives me an excuse to "eat moar BBQ!"
(4)Binh N.
Our go too Bbq joint! Love the ribs, collard greens, mash potatoes, and Bbq chicken on the bone!
(5)Lala I.
very decent food, great for a quick lunch in town
(4)Steve M.
Blue Ribbon was a destination before newer restaurants put Arlington on the foodie map, and I would be mighty happy if another other BBQ joint showed up that could match the quality of the Blue Ribbon (hey, step it up Redbones!) Memphis style ribs are top-notch, as are the burnt ends and the red-hot sausage sandwiches. The XXXX sauce is really good, but the chipotle mustard is truly a smoky delight and is my favorite. The specials and desserts are always nice. Today at lunchtime the Poblano rice really shined, as did the blueberry peach cobbler. I asked the manager whether they ever considered expanding and getting a liquor license, and he said that they are perfectly content with what they offer. I like a beer with my ribs, but you have to respect an establishment that knows what it is about!
(5)Chris P.
I recently ate food from the Blue Ribbon BBQ food truck at the World Cup event at Aeronaut Brewery in Somerville, and the food was amazing! Blue Ribbon served excellent food that had German and Brazilian influences to stay within the World Cup theme. The serving sizes were huge and prices were reasonable. The owners were so down-to-earth and super friendly, and they gave free samples of the sausage to those who were waiting in-line to get into the brewery. I love when restaurant owners continue to play a big part of their business. If I was to need a caterer for some kind of casual summer event, I would definitely hire the Blue Ribbon food truck! The meat was way better than Red Bones.
(5)Sean H.
This place is a gem! EXCELLENT and affordable, it offers barbecue as good it comes. I opted for pulled pork with two sides: collards and green beans. I also ordered pot likker [sic] ( the seasoned water in which the collards are cooked) - tasty tasty. My companions had sausage (also very very good) and cheese grits (slow cooked like they are supposed to be). You cannot go wrong with this place. Super casual, you won't be going for the ambiance, but you will be returning for the food. THE BOMB! Who'd a thunk that good BBQ would be in Somerville, Mass!?!
(5)Mike R.
As far as BBQ goes, Blue Ribbon (in my opinion) is probably the best in the Boston area. For a take out joint, it does a good job. I have had better BBQ in Texas but this is not Texas. There have been some off days but for the most part it is fairly consistent. And it is at a reasonable price. They also have a nice variety of sauces, from sweet to super spicy.
(5)Adriana T.
I have neer been here before nor I am a big fan of BBQ but the food I had there I liked :) Soooo if somebody who doesn't even like BBQ liked the pull pork BBQ sandwich I can only imagine how much people love it. The food came out very quick and the sandwich came with 2 sides - I chose mashed potatoes and green beans. The mashed potatoes were delicious!!! I think it had milk and a lot of butter in it because it tasted just perfect!!! The place was clean and the food was very inexpensive so I am definitely going to return to their restaurant. Keep up the good work guys!!!
(4)Russ L.
I live close enough that I can walk here & I can count on 1 hand the number of times I have eaten here in the dozen years since I have lived close by. I like their coleslaw, burnt ends & sauces, but other than that, I think Blue Ribbon is overrated. Their meat in general is too dry & overcooked. You will need plenty of their great tasting sauce to moisten things up. I do a better job smoking ribs & chicken in my Weber! If you want EXCELLENT Brisket that is smoky & moist, & great all-around Q, try Lester's in Burlington!
(2)Mike W.
As far as BBQ goes the food is "not bad." I'm not terrible a fan of their sauce, it's a bit on the sweet & thin side. I enjoy the smokey & thick sauce better. The big positive for me here is the portions. They are huge, and for the size they're pretty affordable. $50 for two people and we usually have leftovers for at least a day or two. Not too bad...
(3)Dee J.
One of the best BBQ restaurants ever! The best sides are the potato salad, mashed potato, macaroni salad and baked beans....yum. Most bbq chicken and flavorful ribs, with tons of sauces to choose from. My fave mix is Sweet BBQ, Hot BBQ and dash of ha bane to vinegar.....again, yum!!!!!!
(5)K B.
We tried this place for the first time and it was soooo good! Yes, the mashed potatoes are good, as well as the baked beans and black eye corn. We also ordered the pulled pork, brisket and a rack of ribs. The guy at the counter was really helpful in giving us some ideas of what to try. They were out of pulled chicken but this place was really busy so that's understandable. Also, there's maybe four places to sit and eat so had to take it to go. Next time, we're going to go earlier in the day so we have a chance to try more and sit down. They also had some unique items on special like pig brains but I wasn't feeling that adventurous. They also had a lot of different sauces to try with them. All in all this is a great place and I would definitely go again.
(4)Jason P.
I have been here before, and I actually thought I wrote a review, but this place is WAY better than I remember it. The pulled pork and Brisquet are both outstanding. There sides are ok. Not a huge fan of the slaw. The mashed potatoes are very good. The potato salad is decent. There sauces are excellent. I give this place 4.5 stars, but I am rounding up for such great sauces. Is there better Q? Definitely. Is there better Q so close? Not so sure about that.
(5)Adam P.
Let me preface this by saying that I've been to numerous BBQ joints in the greater Boston area and Blackstrap BBQ in Winthrop is undoubtedly the best (and thus what I compare everything I eat at other places to). That said, I have a few LivingSocial deals for Blue Ribbon that make the short trip from Medford worth it. The food is rather hit or miss, here's what I mean: Hit: The beans. Seriously the only thing I crave from this place on a regular basis. Their pickled beet special last night was also delicious. Their burnt end sandwich isn't full of your typical burnt ends (more like pulled pork), but it's super smoky, moist and flavorful. Ribs were underseasoned but cooked to the right point of tenderness (can add their tasty BBQ sauces anyway). Miss: The collards. Ordered them two separate times to be sure, and yes, they are officially the blandest, most baconless-est collards ever. The jerk chicken platter was dry, and their sliced brisket was dry and underseasoned. Disappointing there. So order at your own risk - I'm not saying you won't love it, I'm just saying you might hate it too...
(3)Michelle B.
Pros: Extremely fast. Almost spot-on Carolina BBQ sauce Decent pulled pork. Delicious burnt ends. Meh: All of the sides, though the slaw and mashed tasted like my mom's. The service. Not even a suggestion of a smile, though we had plenty to share. Cons: Noticeably poor quality ingredients, particularly the sliced beef brisket, which (although tender) was gummy and gristly. With such a small selection of menu items and sides, is it too much to ask that they at least be fresh/well prepared? I think that's the major difference between preparations on either side of the Mason-Dixon line. In the south, BBQ joints make use of what they have, and maybe it doesn't sit in a steam tray for 10 hours like cafeteria food. Sadness. On to the next one. Will my search for stand-out BBQ never end?
(2)Avram B.
My wife and I haven't eaten at Blue Ribbon in over ten years, but we both had positive memories of the quality of the food. I see Blue Ribbon listed as one of the top BBQ destinations in the Boston Area. So we looked forward to our Father's Day dinner of take-in. Unfortunately, the reality of the present did not live up our past memories. We were willing to overlook them getting my wife's order wrong. (She ordered the chicken platter and got ribs.) In Blue Ribbon's favor, when my wife called, the manager immediately agreed to remove her meal from the bill. The food was mediocre at best. I ordered a Trio Platter of brisket, ribs, and chicken. All three were chewy and not very flavorful. I had to work hard to get the chicken and ribs off the bone. One of my criteria for BBQ ribs and chicken is that it should be "fallen' off the bone". Hardly. This was my daughter's first experience with BBQ. She order the pulled pork sandwich because she had a sampling of really good pulled pork earlier in the day at the BBQ Barn. Taste-wise, it was not as bad as my trio, but it wasn't exactly pulled. Most of it was a large hunk of pork that had to be cut with a knife. The sides saved the meal from being a 1 star review. While the corn bread was on the dry side, the collard greens were excellent. They had a little kick and great seasoning. The Black-eyed corn was also excellent. Last Labor Day we had a street party in my neighborhood. My self and two other neighbors smoked chicken, pork butt, and pulled pork. Our home-made BBQ was 100 times better than what we ate tonight from Blue Ribbon.
(2)Ana R.
A friend took me for the first time and I was glad to have the guidance. We shared a three meat plate (sounds dirty I know) and we had plenty left over to take home. The cornbread is great, though a bit cakey for my taste. The sauces are awesome. I wish they hadn't run out of lemonade - I wasn't able to make my own Arnold Palmer : ( I like it far better than Red Bones - sorry if that's blasphemy! But these dishes have tons of flavor and RB does not always deliver in that department. It was a cheap meal to share, and like I said, it was PLENTY for two people. With a Groupon, it was nearly free. The wait staff was really nice. They let us use the restrooms even after they closed the place and I chatted them up while I was waiting for my friend. Will definitely go again.
(5)James B.
The food has been better the last month I went. I get a sandwich with sausage and brisket .It was good but some fat on it . need trim lean for sandwich.For the price its good. I also like the burned ends.I dont like the ribs.
(4)Stephanie W.
I had a livingsocial coupon that I had to use ($6 for $15 worth of food, whatup!)...but boy...very blah food. We had: 1. Pulled chicken sandwich + mashed potatoes + coleslaw (approx $8) -Pulled chicken was dry -Coleslaw was tasteless -Mashed potatoes were solid 2. Rib sandwich + mashed potatoes + green beans (approx $8) -Ribs were dry and overcooked. The meat was way too burnt and even after chewing for minutes, it hurt my throat to swallow the food -The "rib sandwich" was really three of the aforementioned ribs, still on the bone, placed between two slices of white bread. I'm not sure how you're supposed to eat this as a sandwich, so I just ate the ribs and discarded the bread -The green beans were TERRIBLE! Sour! Ew! Do NOT even think about ordering these -Again, mashed potatoes were solid We also ordered a couple servings of cornbread, which was not terrible, but not as moist as I would have liked. Overall verdict? Redbones is better. Sorry!
(2)Ralph S.
We've ordered from the Arlington location for family dinners, high school sport pre-event dinners and family celebrations. In the past the food and service was fine but recently I've seen a noticeable decline in both. The last order was incomplete - no sauces (how can any BBQ place forget sauces if they are paying attention) and no extra cornbread (they didn't forget the extra charge). Some of the food wasn't cooked or handled properly and I suffered the consequences that night. When I placed the phone order the young man seemed more interested in being cool and arrogant than getting it right. If I ever go again I will check to insure they have included everything.
(2)Sharon O.
Soooooo good! Great tasting food and great value... what else can you ask for? The pulled pork was amazing. We had never heard of blue ribbon, but we left singing its praises to everyone in the area! Portion size was generous, what you'd expect from a great guilty pleasure bbq place. Love it! We experimented the the sauces a bit, which are ok, but the meat and sides are fabulous and the real stars. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Tiffany L.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is the best BBQ place that I've found so far in the greater Boston area...better than Sweet Cheeks and Red Bones. My husband, from Texas, agrees. The best things that we tried there are the ribs and the burnt tips. The ribs, if you get an end piece, falls off the bone, the ones closer to the center are very tender but there are still pieces that stick to the bone. The burnt tips are very flavorful and the BBQ sauce is very good (sweet and a bit vinegar-y). The one thing that I thought was just OK was the brisket...it wasn't as tender as it could be and I found it to be on the drier side. The smoke flavor that is infused into the meat made it feel very authentic though! I liked the collared greens - they're good if you need something to balance out the saltiness of the meat. The beans were very good, and I found it to be a good combo if you ate them with the drier brisket. I liked the sweet tea because it wasn't tooth rottening, but my husband prefers it sweeter. He also enjoyed the pecan pie, but couldn't understand why they put whipped cream on it. He shoved the cream aside and still ate the whole thing! We'll be going back when we need another BBQ fix!
(4)Emily A.
Blue Ribbon in Arlington does an excellent job at providing it's customer base with an accurate snapshot of what life must be like at Rikers Island. I'm just a little confused why they changed the name of their gastronomical delicacies from the original moniker... "PRISON FOOD". This place was dreadful. The stank on my clothes right now is reminiscent of a campfire. A campfire at summer camp. A summer camp where very, VERY bad things happen to very, VERY good people. The fix is in at Blue Ribbon barbeque and let me tell ya' something, all the cooks are in on it. I felt like I was playing a game of "Clue". "Who killed Col. Mustard", you ask? I'll tell you who, the guy who opens up the canned green beans at Blue Ribbon, that's who! ORDER 1: Jerk Chicken with a rich, robust dumpster sauce. Flavorless corn with the consistency of a brown, fin-less trout. Rice and beans so sad that if you closed your eyes and listened closely, you could hear the cries of a thousand Mexico City cab drivers on strike. ORDER 2: "This tastes like sh*t", Kansas City Burnt Ends. Verbatim. First bite, first words. I wouldn't feed this to my dog and he eats actual fecal matter. The mashed potatoes were o.k. if you're into that sort of thing. The grey beans were green in their former life but once they caught the virus from the metallic confines of their former housing, things changed. The music got eerie. I knew I was eating some real, home cookin'! Thanks, Blue Ribbon! Both orders came with corn bread, which I would've said was the best part until my second to last bite which had a gorgeous, flowing 2" lock of white hair which I'm most certain belonged to the pusherman that took my order. GAG! At that point I was so angry I wanted to launch my IBC root beer across the restaurant right into one of those fake vintage signs but that would've been a waste of delicious IBC root beer and the signs had nothing to do with it. Ambiance: We decided to dine-in for extra authenticity! Our table was conveniently located next to the soda machine which gently sprayed Sprite while not in use. Well... it could have been Sprite, was wishing it was Morphine to take the pain away. Overall, just a horrific experience to the point where I actually wanted to bring my styrofoam plate of slop back to the kitchen and ask them to eat it. My guess is that they'd decline. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SERVING PEOPLE, PEOPLE!!!??" If you're from the south you will love this place. If you're from the mid west, you will also love this place. I'm from neither and I hate this place.
(1)Dave T.
Only 4 stars because the ribs can SOMETIMES be dry, The brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, and chix have always been perfectly cooked. My favorite for lunch is one of those items in a burrito and I sub out the rice for mashed potatoes in the burrito. It's a heart stopper and one of my favorite guilty pleasures!
(4)Danny S.
Not that Blue Ribbon needs any more internet praise, but this is hands down the best BBQ in Boston. Massive portions and low prices for quality BBQ. Quick service, plenty of house-made sauce and attention to detail. Do yourself a favor and go.
(5)David B.
Best BBQ I've had in Boston. I had the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and collards. The collards were not as spicy as I prefer, but the pork was right on. Not much seating so plan to get it Togo if you're a party of 4 or more. The place has a real down-home feel with a chalkboard menu and sandwiches wrapped in wax-paper. It made me miss my hometown in NC.
(5)Jessie C.
Pulled chicken burrito! I have dreams about you... The new online ordering is awesome! Super duper easy. Diggin' it. Way to go Blue Ribbon! Keep up the good work!
(5)Rob S.
Pros: Best BBQ in Boston. LOVE the sauces. Con: Nowhere to sit.
(4)Sarah G.
Blue Ribbon I will be back to give you a second chance, especially since my boyfriend is jealous I went without him...But if I do come back, I really really hope that your pulled chicken is not as dry as it was this time.... For $7.49 you get a pretty big sandwich deal--a sandwich of your choice, pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, etc. and two sides. I went with the pulled chicken and coleslaw and baked beans, because honestly people pulled anything without coleslaw should be illegal. It is just one of those marriages that will never get a divorce, ya know? Their baked beans are awesome. I had trouble stopping myself from eating all of those after my first bite! Their coleslaw? Well...not the best...in fact it tasted like it had been sitting out a while too...My pulled chicken sandwich was packed with meat, and the sauce was tasty, but the chicken was way overcooked and dry....even after sitting in sauce....Good thing they have sauces o' plenty for you to use as much as you want!! Being food lovers, Deanna S. and I tried pretty much all of the sauces (Tepring P. just sat there and ate her food since she was already a blue ribbon veteran ha ha) and my fav picks are their chipotle mustard, their XXX hot sauce, and their gold BBQ sauce. They actually sell some of their sauces in jars too! So blue ribbon--be prepared when I come back, because I wanted to love you so much more than Redbones, since everyone told me how much better you were!! Maybe I'll just stick with pork or brisket--i mean really the less healthy meat options usually are winners ha
(3)HowieHardcor e.
Folks, this is as close to real BBQ as you're going to get in Massachusetts, and it's pretty darn good too. Pulled pork sandwich with two sides of beans, once a week, without fail, yesserie dawg!
(5)Matt S.
My favorite thing to do here (beside get the smoked catfish when they have it)? Be sure that when I get the pulled pork platter I take a little cup of the NC Vinegar and another of the Habanero Vinegar, and crumble large chunks of my cornbread into each. That way it soaks it up but doesn't get too soggy, and still packs a pretty good punch. So good--better than the sweet potato pie (which is also so good).
(5)Scott B.
This place is my favorite BBQ in the Boston area. Much preferred over Redbones. I've had a few of the entrees and most of the sides, and it's all good. I'm not a big fan of their collard greens; their style is a very divisive love it or hate it, and I unfortunately hate it. Everything else is great, though. Most importantly, all of the meats have tremendous flavor even without any of the great barbecue sauces. This is the test of a good barbecue place. Each of the meats have distinctive flavors, whether it's the vinegary Carolina-style pulled pork or the slightly sweet burnt ends. The sauces, rather than over power the flavor of the meat, complement the meal and add layers of flavor. I've lived in the area for a month and have already been back a few times.
(5)Erica T.
This place is A-OK. Not bad at all, but after all the "This place is better than Rebones!" I've heard and finally tested it out... I disagree. I prefer Redbones. Flavor-wise, the two places are pretty much on par with each other. I had the Memphis Ribs because I've eaten it at both places and could compare a bit better. Portion was generous, and the baked beans very good, as well as the slaw. The ribs were deliciously smoked, but I do prefer not to loose as much of the juiciness of the meat. I was gnawing on my ribs in a tiring sort of way after awhile due to meat toughness. The cornbread was sweet and delicious as cornbread should be. I did take out, and the box ended up being messy-- no liquid tight containers here. Looking around, it seemed like a nice place to stop by, but I don't think I'd want to go out of my way for dinner AT Blue Ribbon. Not much seating available.
(3)Kim K.
Stopped in for a quick Sunday lunch. I liked what we got - pulled pork, sausage, and the pickles - but WHY is everything so spicy?! I could see the red pepper flake in the sausage, and normally I'm a huge red pepper flake fan, but this was way too much. And it was throughout the pulled pork too. I like spice for sure but I don't like when it melts my tongue so much I can't even taste or enjoy my meal. Maybe I'll try Blue Ribbon again someday but I won't be rushing back.
(3)Jonathan H.
This is my favorite spot for BBQ in Boston. I recommend the ribs and brisket for meats, and you've got to try the creamed corn when they have it. You also have a variety of sauces to choose from, including a few vinegar-based ones, and some excellent sweet tea to keep you hydrated. I still remember a few years back when I picking up dinner for a small group, and received the last portion of the creamed corn. However, since it only filled up half of the container, they asked me what side I'd like instead...in addition to the delicious corn. You won yourself a lifer with that move Blue Ribbon, stay awesome.
(5)Gregory P.
The quality of meat and sides is strong, but the lackluster regular BBQ sauce is what prevents this place from getting my 5-star vote. I do love the atmosphere and the location. I visit this place every now and then if I'm riding the Minuteman Bike Path. The cornbread is delicious, and so is the dirty rice and mashed potatoes. The ribs are tender and full of meat. I just really wish their BBQ was better. I recommend getting the HOT BBQ sauce instead of the regular sauce. If they would improve their base BBQ sauce, they would be one of the best BBQ spots in Boston.
(4)Deanna D.
Stopped into Blue Ribbon for BBQ while on girls night out. I've heard great things about this place so maybe my expectations were a bit high. The counter service was fast and friendly and the prices were reasonable. I had the pulled pork sandwich with baked beans & coleslaw. The sandwich was good sized and the meat was tender but lacked flavor on its own. I smothered it in a few different & delicious sauces to give it some flavor. The XXX hot and golden BBQ were some of my favorite sauces. I was not a fan of the baked beans or the coleslaw which was definitely disappointing since they were half my meal. I will be back and give it another try but for now it's a 3 star A-OK joint.
(3)Chris P.
I'm a huge BBQ fan and thought I would try this place out yesterday. So, I got the "Carolina" pulled pork and "Texas" brisquett tray with slaw and greens. The greens and slaw were pretty spot on, but the BBQ wasnt as good as I had hoped. First off, the "Carolina" pulled pork isn't Carolina at all. It didn't have that vinegar based sauce or taste. I'm from NC and smoke it myself often. Didnt taste bad, just not authentic. The brisquet was tender but lacked much smoke flavor. The corn bread was great and so was the slaw and greens. All in all it was OK. Not bad for a New England BBQ restraunt. I would go again. Next time I'll try the ribs. This place is worth your business!
(3)Alexander S.
One of the best BBQ joints in the northeast. My advice to you is to skip a meal in advance of eating here, as everything is so damn delicious you will demand of yourself to stuff you face. The sauces are all amazing, the chicken and beef are world class. Highly recommended for parties and family or birthday outings. Simply fantastic in all aspects.
(5)Nicholas C.
Great tasting barbecue. Also, I am severely lactose intolerant, and it is one of the only American restuarants I can eat at. It's part of this little cluster of restaurants that also includes Toraya, and it's one of my favorite spots.
(5)Ted C.
Ever since a recent trip down south (South Carolina), I've had the occasional hankering for some good barbecue. Low and behold, there is actually good barbecue in the Boston area. Finally! I'm usually a pulled pork or pulled chicken guy, both of which are delicious here, but I really have to try the burnt ends next time I come. People rave about them. They'll let you taste any of the great variety of sauces ahead of time so you can get your order just right for your taste. Highly recommend!
(5)Nan A.
This place is a picnic of the very best kind. First time and tried the Kansas City Burnt Ends and it was everything good BBQ should be a little vinegar sassy kick, a little salt, a little spice. Interior is done up as a fun retro Southern diner, with old time advertising and Americana folky art.
(5)Court S.
This joint was just ok for me. I ordered the polled BBQ chix sandwich with 2 sides: coleslaw & stuffing. yelp.com/biz_photos/dnbf… Stuffing was slightly dry but flavorful. It had more of a sweet taste. Coleslaw was good. Pretty easy to make but nothing special. The employees all had blank stares like they'd rather be anywhere but there. No smile, no tip. Still on the quest to find great BBQ in the northeast.
(3)Dan S.
I have lived in Goldsboro North Carolina for many years and pulled pork in the state is a real art form. While driving through Arlington and seeing pulled pork and a North Carolina state flag, I knew I needed to stop in and get some pulled pork. I bought two pints of pulled pork, got home and was immediately transported back to a local NC pig pickin'. It has been so long since I have had good NC pulled pork, there's nothing like it and this place was amazing and dead on. I am so happy to know I have a local place in Mass to get a rarely well prepared favorite outside of NC. I can't wait to get through these two pints so I can get back a get some more. Total hats off to you!
(5)Abbey B.
Went here for my birthday with my roommates and boyfriend. Three of us got the pulled pork--just thinking about it makes my mouth literally water. I tried three sauces, and all were delicious. The best on the pulled pork was the Gold sauce, I thought. Nice and vinegary pulled pork, very good maple-roasted sweet potatoes (I think?), baked beans (beeeaaaaaaannnnnssss), cornbread (eh). I'd get the sandwich next time--the cornbread wasn't very tasty, and I could only finish about half the platter. The pulled pork was so good that I don't know if I'll try the ribs or brisket when I go back for dinner (tonight!). Seating isn't plentiful, but if you can find a spot, you'll be too busy chowing down to care.
(5)Andre D.
I just ate lunch at the Blue Ribbon and it was everything my BBQ craving stomach could ask for on a hot Friday lunchtime outing. Before you even get inside the welcoming air-conditioned establishment with optional outdoor seating (which is where BBQ food is SUPPOSED to be consumed), you can smell the delicious Texas rub that they use on the savory ribs and hearty chicken selections. I can describe them in that way, because I was hungry (greedy) enough to ask for a half slab of BBQ ribs and half BBQ chicken for my meal. I also must say that they are without a doubt (and until I try other businesses) the best tasting BBQ spot in the Boston Area. Why not 5 Stars? I just can not bring myself to justify the OUTRAGEOUS PRICE for their food selections. My meal alone should not have hit the 20 dollar mark as 15 dollars or less would have sufficed for what appeared on my plate. The ribs and chicken may sound like a lot, but trust me, they are pretty much on the small side of average as I had NO PROBLEM putting away my 20 plus dollar meal with room to spare (and without feeling bloated). I noticed the big Texas flag hanging outside of the front door, but the food does not hold true to that true TEXAS SIZE expectation one would have as a first time patron. Well done Blue Ribbon, but everyone knows that size matters in Arlington, MA as well as Texas itself.
(4)V H.
Had a chance to visit Blue Ribbon after hearing a lot about it on the food network.... C+ for effort... =) nothing special... but the best thing going for Boston
(3)JEFFERY S.
Stellar food - I've never been disappointed with the food here in the 10 years I've lived in Arlington.
(5)Emily C.
I'm a self-admitted rib-o-phile, so I end up here pretty frequently for the Memphis dry-rubbed ribs with a splash of their Hot Blue Ribbon sauce. The Texas beef brisket and the Jamaican jerk chicken are always pleasers, too. Get it with a honkin' slab of corn bread to dip into the chipotle mustard, and collard greens. Service is always speedy, and, despite not being able to get a beer with my ribs, I make do with the delicious vat of sweet tea. It's fun to sit by the window and watch the world go by, and you'll never, ever be hustled out the door if you decide to sit. There's outdoor seating when the weather's nice; take advantage of it when you can, because nothing's quite like eating barbecue outdoors in the summer.
(4)Tess M.
I'm not new to Blue Ribbon. I usually always get the same thing; Kansas City Burnt Ends, Green Beans, and Black Eyed Corn. Tonight I said give me mashed potatoes instead of the corn. Good thing I did as it was the best thing in the whole meal. The burnt ends were dry. I don't normally get any extra sauce because they have plenty. Not tonight. Really needed sauce. The corn bread was bordering on dry and somewhat overbaked. Normally it's delicious and I love it. And instead of green beans, I found I had baked beans, which unfortunately I don't care for. I called back and they very nicely credited me for the green beans. I called before I started eating. Guess I should have waited. I had already spent an inordinate amount of time in the car from work to there and and didn't have the wherewithall to go back.
(2)M B.
I last visited this particular Blue Ribbon about 3 years ago, and while the ribs at another rib place in Davis were certainly better, the ones I got here were pretty good, at least 4 stars. However, about 4 days ago I went in again on a whim when I had a hankering for some ribs, and didn't feel in the mood to fight Somerville / Davis Square traffic and parking. Frankly, the taste was good, but the ribs? Tough as nails. Several times I found myself thinking I'd bitten into a piece of beef jerky and had to seriously chew. Other parts of rib were, of course, easier and more tender but very dry. The sauce tastes very good though what they call spicy ... Well, I'd call maybe medium. I'm not sure what they changed in their process, and I'm not sure if this was a fluke and I happened upon a botched rack, I'll have to try again. But as of right now (7-7-2010) I was quite unimpressed. The rib joint in Davis has little to nothing to worry about.
(2)Dino P.
As a Redbones loyalist (I have my favorites there and it's my local spot), I still think there's some items available at Blue Ribbon that beat it. Now, I have to admit that Redbones as a sit-down establishment, with easy parking (hell yes I got a Somerville permit!), bartenders who I know and like, AND one of the best beer lists in the city cannot be beaten. But this is a categorical issue-- you can't compare a restaurant and bar with a take-out place with a stools and a counter. And Arlington has to be factored location-wise for me also--- Redbones is in my town and 5 min away. I took two friends to Blue Ribbon the other day-- one who recently relocated to Arlington and lives 2 blocks away, and another who loves Redbones but was the only one never to have gone to Blue Ribbon. We got there right around closing time, but you wouldn't know it from the EXTREMELY affable cat at the register. I got the burnt ends sandwich, Arlington got the sausage plate, and noob got a pint of burnt ends (he said he wasn't really hungry?). One thing that's always thrown me off was the fixed quality of the sauce-to-meat..... it's surely the Redbones talking, but what if i want the burnt ends with the NC vinegar sauce? Something about the menu isn't as user-friendly as I'd like also. But that doesn't mean this is an establishment not to trust-- in fact, I think I have to go back there today to try the sausage that Arlington had; it looked superb. I told the crew that the real ace at this place is the sauce itself-- and they took me to heart. We were testing all the sauces at the serve-yrself station (Gold BBQ, Hot BBQ, Chipotle Mustard, Habanero Vinegar, NC Vinegar, etc etc) and loaded up on all of them in the handy to-go plastic cups. I think we overdid it, but hey-- it's in my nature to think about food and equipment costs. The Chipotle Mustard is probably my favorite, and the Hot BBQ is also great. The cats I was with were enthused about the sauces, so when I also showed them the pickles (house-made to be sure, really fresh and subtle, cucumber flavors coming thru the brine, super good), they just bugged. We left there with a stack of food, bags of sauce, and overflowing cups of pickles. It's good that my friends are all about the hearty eating. We all went back to S'ville to watch Suspiria. The sandwich was outstanding, with beans and cole slaw. Would have liked different sides, but they seemed fixed (note: you can order whatever sides you want, but this is not clearly noted on the board). Nevertheless, saucing made the meal, but the burnt ends where flavorful themselves. Hopefully next time they will have the BBQ Fried Rice available (they have some rotating sides). Last time, I tried out this side, it was so good I asked for a pint of the stuff for next day's lunch. Bits of roasted pork, fried rice, eggs, veggies: it shouldn't work, but holy crap does it. Amazing stuff. Blue Ribbon is a hike for you if you take the T, but then again the bus does go right by it. It is an unusual thing-- takeout BBQ in Dorchester is one thing, but in Arlington is something else. This is without a doubt a place that's worth the trip, one of the best BBQ places in the area. Do NOT forget the sauce. Also, they have a lot more seating at the moment, with a broad sidewalk space filled with nice outdoor seating. If you need a break from the New England classic of fried seafood/roast beef and ice cream, I can't feature better summer food.
(4)Nicholas P.
The Blue Ribbon BBQ is great. You may think it is a little out of the way but it is definitely worth it. I've found it be on par with any good authentic BBQ you can get. On a summer night it's great to get some BBQ and sit on the street tables and enjoy it while the sun sets. Good times!
(4)Elliot K.
Oh my god. I'm from the south, and I'd never had barbecue this good since until I ate here. I've never had anything here I haven't loved, but make sure you try the burnt ends and the collard greens. The pulled pork, pulled chicken, cole slaw, black-eyed corn (a mix of black-eyed peas and corn, not some chimeric legume), and green beans are also all solid choices. Watch for side specials like the chili mac and cheese, which are usually worth getting. I can only think of two unflattering things to say about Blue Ribbon. First, there's very limited seating. You can almost forget about eating in if you come at prime lunch or dinner time. I advise getting takeout - what you miss in ambiance, you can make up for in beer. Also, I don't like their "feedbag" group takeout options. They're heavy on the sides and light on the meat, and you'll always end up with a huge untouched container of baked beans. You'll have a better dining experience for the same money getting bulk barbecue and sides. All in all, Blue Ribbon dishes up some of the best food in the suburbs, and is a serious bargain to boot.
(5)Joel M.
Always great... love this place...
(5)Stephen H.
Went back to Blue Ribbon, tried there Brisket for the first time. Great decision, its the best offering there, get brisket or ribs or both. If you dont try these your missing out. Theres just nowhere else in new england i know where to get bbq this good Got there cole slaw again, theres better sides to be had (mashed potatoes/baked beans). Also their NC Vinegar based sauce goes incredibly well with pulled pork. The habanero sauce is insanely spicey, and I have a good spice tolerance but it was an ego check for me. Let me remind you again. Brisket.
(5)Matt R.
Best BBQ in the area. Plus they do a great catering business.
(5)Kent C.
The people working behind the counter were extremely friendly and the food was pretty good, especially the mashed potatoes.
(4)Emma D.
I admit that tied to public transport as I am, I have never actually been TO Blue Ribbon. However (thankfully!!) my work has them cater fairly often and my roomie, bf, and their car have been known to stop to pick up a 'feedbag' for us to split. I just came up from the holiday party (yes it's a little late), and my second free blue ribbon meal of the day. SO AWESOME. ribs with 4 different sauces, some of the best mac n cheese, incredible corn bread and all the sides. Way to make up for my 12 hr days in lab...
(5)Lauree K.
I am a Southerner, i.e. I know about barbeque. The food is good, but not great. I think this restaurant gets highly positive reviews, because it is a pleasant place to eat, and the owner and staff are very friendly. And it is slightly over-priced for the value, but then, this is New England. Back home I could get better stuff cheaper.
(3)Tom E.
Some Things I love: my family, London, climbing trees, finding money, David Mitchell books, legwarmers, people who buy me dinner, telling stories, cats looking stupid, cycling through red lights, tea tea tea, orchids, Chewbacca, moscow mules, lego, showers, Yelp, coming out of an airport, Spaced series 1 & 2, naughty bedtime stuff, loose chocolate chips, cold beer on a hot day, scoring a goal - any goal, steep mountains, hugging when drunk, the Arcade Fire, throwing an aerobie, labradors, youtube, driving in the dark, getting into a freshly made bed, dancing uncontrollably to electro, hats, Matthew Broderick, skipping stones and... PULLED PORK yum!
(4)Kai M.
Blue Ribbon is my favorite BBQ joint in the Boston area. It's reasonably priced and most-definitely worth it. I usually go with the Kansas City burnt end platter, side of mashed potatoes and baked beans. A delicious combo. They have a myriad of sauces to chose from, some better than other, but it's good to have the variety as an option. They offer generous portions as I almost always end up with leftovers. In the winter I would recommend takeout because they don't have great indoor seating. However, come summertime, they offer outdoor seating. What's better than enjoying some great bbq with a few friends outside on a sweet summer night? Maybe a liquor license, but overall I can't complain. Go here, you'll like it.
(5)Christie L.
We were craving BBQ since our trip to Tennessee last month and decided to try this place out. We each got the 3meat trio, I got the pork, beef brisket, and ribs and the bf got the beef, ribs, and sausage. There was a TON of food! We both loved the beef brisket and my bf thought it could be the best he's had, the pork and sausage were also great. I wasn't crazy about the ribs...a little dry. The mashed potatoes were great, coleslaw just ok, and we weren't fans of the baked beans - a little too smokey. We didn't really like any of the sauces, but the sauce that they put on when serving it was alright with some of the BBQ. Overall, for Boston this is great BBQ and we'd go back if in the area - we had a ton of leftovers and ate for 3 days!
(4)M M.
Friday night treat....we regularly get take out from Blue Ribbon. Lead with the beef brisket, pork ribs are also awesome. Last night, the collard greens were more delicious than ever...I'm falling in love all over again. Now listen up people...I lived in the south for most of my life: Blue Ribbon has the BEST pecan pie I have EVER eaten. Tip: order the beef brisket as a platter....I have a suspicion that the sandwich gets filled with the fattier cuts of brisket (presumably you're not going to look at the inside of your sandwich). Taste is very subjective, of course, however, the coleslaw is excellent....perhaps it has a touch of mustard? that would explain why I love it and some people don't....it's not that overly sweet stuff alot of places serve. Thank you Blue Ribbon!! The line at the counter doesn't lie...
(4)Mary M.
Update: I stopped by last week to pick up some roadfood on my way out of town. I didn't know it when I ordered my brisket sandwich and baked beans, but that was THE one true meal combo to order as you're heading out of town on a Friday evening when the skies are clear and the traffic is light. I stopped off at a state park off Route 2, sat in a picnic area, ate the most wonderful brisket sandwich and baked beans I have ever had, and watched some huge white pines sloo o o o o owly grow. It was a truly perfect meal. Thank you Blue Ribbon.
(4)Matt N.
Blue Ribbon is hands down the best BBQ in metro Boston. Arlington is a bit of a haul from my home in Somerville, but it is worth the drive every time. I almost always order the pulled pork sandwich which is fantastic. I recommend switching the cole slaw side for mashed potatoes - they are so good. I also recommend mixing the three sauces in one container and drenching your food with as much sauce as it will hold. The service is amazing (they wrap your little sauce containers in foil for you so they don't spill in the car) and quick. The place is small and could use more tables for sit down eating. It would also be nice if they had a liquor license to server beer - there is nothing like a cold beer with BBQ. But, minor criticisms aside, if you're eager for some good BBQ and have not been able to find it in Boston, look no further than Blue Ribbon.
(5)Lori D.
I'm from the South, so believe me when I tell you this is the Real Deal. Their pulled pork is one of the best I've ever had (melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfectly seasoned), and I swear I could drink their Sweet BBQ sauce by the pint. The servings are very generous (meats & sides), the atmosphere is fun and super casual, and the prices are quite reasonable. Definitely my new favorite place in the neighborhood!
(5)Kerri O.
Great Burnt Tips, Brisket, Meatloaf, etc.. One thing: Expand! I NEVER can get a seat, and live too far to Take Out. Also, though their Cornbread is THE BOMB, I don't care for their beans (watery), or their greens. They're okay, not fantastic. The mashed taters tend to be a little stiff, too. You should mash taters, not whip them. Love the Iced Tea. Never change that.
(4)Jennifer K.
LOVE the ribs!!! Don't wear your skinny jeans - you'll end up unbottoning. There is one in West Newton too - equally yummy.
(5)Sam S.
Although there aren't tons of BBQ options in boston-area, Blue Ribbon almost makes up for the lack of choices we have, due to the fairly wide variety on their menu (BBQ burritos? really?) and the extremely high quality. Meals are very reasonably priced so its a great value to boot. Only wish they would expand beyond arlington and newton. Still, makes me glad I only live one town away from top notch BBQ.
(5)mike y.
3 words...Pulled Pork Sandwich ...drool
(4)Corydon S.
Blue Ribbon BBQ is my favorite place to eat in Boston. The ribs and brisket are so good they make it impossible for me to order the ribs at other barbecue joints. They don't sell booze, just about every kind of tasty meat you could want sausage, pulled pork, dry rubbed ribs, and beef brisket. The sides are a little lackluster. After some trial and error, I usually get a double side of mashed potatoes with my combo platter. You can grab extra sauce (Hot, Sweet, Gold, or Vinegar) while you wait for your food, the sweet sauce is my favorite. I will probably eat there tonight, it's that good.
(5)Jeremy P.
My new tradition is to walk to Blue Ribbon BBQ when I'm waiting for my car to be serviced at the Mirak Hyundai / Chevrolet Service Center down the road. My favorite foods include burnt ends, mashed potatoes, and the corn. I love their sauce as well. The last time I was there, starting my new tradition, I tried the burnt end burrito, which was an amazing value and very filling, but I prefer the burnt ends by themselves in all their glory. Perhaps I will try a BBQ sandwich next time.
(4)Tom L.
Great food. I'm a big fan of the pulled chicken and Kansas City burnt ends.
(4)Ray S.
Blue Ribbon catered our backyard wedding this summer in Marlborough. They were prompt and professional at every stage, from ordering through delivery, and the food was tasty. Definitely recommended!
(5)Michelle E.
Small place, so not great for huge groups. Great prices, meat has a good taste, very tender ribs.....recommended!
(4)Frances K.
Best sliced brisket I can remember! Plenty of sauce choices. Huge portions. Great service.
(5)Barney B.
So far this is the best brick n mortar place to grab BBQ in this city. the brisket, pulled meats, sauces, beans, pickles, slaw - all of it is pretty tasty - just the right amount of flavor and spice. it's a favorite as well to grab for late nights at work - many a 'feedbag' has come to the office for the crew. This location is tons better than the W Newton one, because you actually have a chance to sit and enjoy
(4)Mark O.
Frankly I do not see how one could improve on BRBBQ - ribs, sausage, chicken, pork, it's all very, very good. The sides are great, best for me are cornbread, corn, collards, potatoes. The pecan pie is the best I've ever had.
(5)Stephanie T.
This is the place to go if you want consistantly good BBQ. Prior to becoming a regular at Blue Ribbon I had thought that Red Bones had the best BBQ in the area, but I was sorely wrong. Between my SO and I we have tried just about everything on the menu and we love it all. Their cornbread is always moist and to perfection. We usually get 4 meals out of a platter, so that makes the cost even more of a bargain! Buying in bulk from them is also a fabulous way to satisfy a hungry crowd and cost effective as well.
(5)Vito M.
I'll admit that I was quite skeptical when I first walked in the door. Having gone to college in a state that prides itself on two types of BBQ may have set the bar a little too high on this place. However, these guys have (by far) the best pulled pork I've had in the Boston area. Blue Ribbon doesn't skimp on the juicy, meaty helpings. They're still lacking a little when it comes to the cornbread, and any self-respecting southern BBQ joint would have potato salad and hush puppies as regular fixtures on the menu. Regardless, this is a fantastic place to visit. I can't wait for it to warm up again so my friends and I can enjoy sandwiches on their sidewalk seating.
(4)Mike D.
Pulled pork, bbq sauce, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn bread. Unreal. AND cheap considering the massive portions. Must go.
(5)Peter D.
Definitely the best BBQ place I've been to - my girlfriend's from Texas and she loved it too. We had a half-off Groupon for this place, but it would have been worth it even at full price. We got the 2 meat combo platter (ribs and brisket) with mashed potatoes, rice & beans and cornbread - it was more than enough for the both of us. We finished the meal off with a slice of incredible pecan pie garnished with real whipped cream on top. Highly recommended!
(5)Lesley K.
I agree that it's hard to talk about blue ribbon without a mention or comparison to Redbones. It may lack the "ambience" of Redbones, the carnival that that place is...but whatever it lacks in quirky decor and beers on tap it makes up for in the quality of it's food - in spades And - it's so ridiculously financially reasonable for the amount of food you get. My favorites? the pulled pork and the baked beans. The best BBQ I've had in the Northeast - hands down
(5)Patricia H.
I love Blue RIbbon. I love it so much that this is my FIRST yelp review!! Even though I am a devoted reader, I have yet to post anything. But I just had the tastiest pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and gold sauce, made from takeout leftovers (we got a feedbag for 4, but it could've fed easily 6-7), that I just had to write a review. First: the meat. Their pulled pork is amazing. AMAZING. Smoky, juicy, flavorful, tender, surprisingly not too fatty (though good pulled pork needs at least some fat). I am also partial to the burnt ends, though they're not quite as succulent as the pork. I've only had the ribs once, and they were good, but not the best I've ever had. Then there's the sauces. I am a bit of a sauce snob. They get the spicy NC vinegar just right. The gold sauce is my favorite of the other bottled sauces, but I always prefer tangy to sweet. And the sides...excellent potato salad, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, beans (a little too sweet for my taste but very good). Their specials are always worth trying. And let's not forget their delicious homemade pickles! Or moist and crumbly cornbread! The food at Redbones, which is much closer to where I live, has nothing on this place. Redbones' pork is fattier, less flavorful, and they are super stingy with sauce. Their vinegar sauce pales in comparison to Blue Ribbon anyway. Their beans and potato salad are both a little bland. Rolls not as fresh. Cornbread is dry....need I go on? I prefer Redbones' collard greens, but that's about it. However, they do serve alcohol there, which is hard to argue with. If you are looking for a spot to hang out, Redbones will do just fine, but if you are looking for an amazing meal, I implore you to head a few miles up Mass Ave. My husband loves the food as much as I do, but he also prioritizes beer more than I do, so we don't go here nearly enough.
(5)Nancy L.
Whenever I have the urges to return to my primitive cave-woman roots and gorge myself upon delicious meat but lack exhorbitant amount of money, I go to Blue Ribbon. Blue Ribbon is an amazing no-frills BBQ restaurant located on Mass Ave in Arlington that does a lot of things right: ribs, pulled pork and chicken, cornbread, and burnt ends to name a few, with a plethora of BBQ sauce to choose from. Its a quick service area that has a few sitting areas but I usually do take out to avoid the crowds. For $10 you get these amazing meat filled platters with 2 sides and corn bread that will last you for two meals, I don't think that you can ask for more. In March 2008 to celebrate their 10 year anniversary, they have this great deal where you can buy 2 sandwich platters for $10. Two for me, none for you :P
(4)reese w.
Having a husband who loves smoking meat doesn't make me an expert in BBQ, but it sure makes me appreciate having Blue Ribbon BBQ within easy access in Arlington, MA. There is usually parking around the restaurant, making it easy to get there. The prices are reasonable and meals include a couple sides and a square of their tasty cornbread. They have a smoker in the back of the kitchen going all day, filling the place with the smell of BBQ. This is real smoked meat, people. This is not grilled meat with BBQ sauce slathered all over. This is real, true BBQ and my friends from the south have concurred. I highly recommend going to Blue Ribbon BBQ if you're in the mood for true BBQ.
(4)B P.
More often than not, the food is good and their attitude is okay. But hey, if you've had a long day and decide to get dinner from out (since you did not want to end the "wonderful" day with more work) and you walk into the BR they could give you some terrible food with a generous helping of attitude. This is fifty percent of the time! At other times, they are nice and friendly and the food is good. So I really don't know what to make of this place. Sadly this bipolar behavior earns them a 3 star rating from me. I would much rather walk across to the Shop and Stop and pick up the new rotisserie chicken and add bbq sauce on their bad days!
(3)Bruno A.
Boston isn't a city known for their barbecue, as shown by the strange popularity of Redbones, but Blue Ribbon comes pretty close. Pretty damn close. It's not the type of Southern barbecue that is so hot you brag about it to your friends and gain street cred just for surviving but it's good sloopy barbecue you find yourself enjoying once it's over and you savor the meaty, well fed feeling in your stomach.
(4)Julie A.
Every time I drive by this place I roll down my windows and inhale! The smell is smile inducing, but the taste is mind-blowing! Their BBQ is more on the vinegar side, but still really damn good! the Pulled pork is tender, the baked beans are sweet, the collard greens are cooked to perfection, and the mashed potatoes are flavorful and creamy! my new favorite thing is their pulled pork burritos! YUM! I will say the cornbread is not so hot, and they sadly don't offer much fish, but everything else gets a two thumbs up! You also get a lot of food for your cheap bucks! you can't compare to Redbones, both are good, but the world of BBQ can have many different attitudes and flavors, these are both great places. 4.5 stars!!!
(4)nicole p.
I am not a real BBQ fan but i consistently love the food here and will drive out of my way to go here. the pulled pork is fabulous. if you want a quick & easy meal, the pulled pork burrito is amazing. don't expect an authentic mexican burrito - it's just a way to have bbq'd pulled pork with yummy rice & beans in an easy way to eat. a plate isn't really required but it does drip a little - especially if you like adding hot sauce!
(5)Ryan B.
My dinning experience consisted of a heap of succulent pulled bbq chicken pipping hot baked beans and cool crispy coleslaw. It was bustling with business. We were able to secure a seat at the counter and enjoyed every ounce of the grub. The staff was efficient and busy not overly friendly but I could have cared less once I got my order. Down side of the whole experiences: - I currently smell like bbq - Over ate and now sit lethargically at my computer screen trying to write this review - I am burping a lot... "BURPPPP" Fell much better now...
(5)Aimee D.
Ohh the Blue Ribbon goodness. My husband and I were sitting around on a Saturday evening trying to think of where to have dinner. I felt like two things 1. some place new 2. BBQ, pulled pork to be exact. After Yelping around for about 10 mins I came across the review for Blue Ribbon BBQ. I had seen it before and thought "Why not go on a little adventure?". We pull up expecting a restaurant, but we were somehow alright with this carry out-ish idea. We didn't have to pay tip and we got refills on our drinks whenever we felt like it rather than waiting around for someone else to do it. I order the pulled pork platter with collard greens and baked beans. Pulled pork was perfection! I little spicy on the aftertaste and just the right amount of BBQ sauce on top. Best I've had in a while. I'd never had collard greens before but if that's what they're supposed to taste like I think I might have a new veggie in my life. Beans, I love you baked beans. I love how they dance in their thick, smokey sauce with pieces of bacon. My only wish is that there was more seating inside. Blue Ribbon, we will meet again someday soon.
(4)Stephanie M.
well worth the drive. PULLED PORK sandwich is EXCELLENT same for the baked beans. cornbread is meh. and the guy below me who said Redbones was better. Total BS. I went to Redbones for the first time today since I was already rollin around DavisSq....not great at all. and their beans taste awful. and their pulled pork is not that great. I will review them next.
(4)Tommy L.
Menu is simple but still very good. Everything they make is tasty. Lots of different sauces for any taste. Pulled pork is great, sausage is great. Mashed potatoes are amazing and cornbread is the best in the city, period. All of this and the combos makes sense and are cheap as hell. Location is less than ideal (IMO) but a great place for lunch or dinner.
(5)ELLIS D.
Like my Mom would say, " That sure is some good Yankee Bar B que!"(read with a piedmont southern drawl) I have had some good southern style to compare. There seems to be a debate though, about Redbones and Blue RIbbon. Well unfortunately for me I could only sample Blue Ribbon. In a word Yum. The Pulled pork with mustard(south carolina style ) was blue ribbon quality. The Brisket with cumin infused sauce(St Louis style or Oakland stlye) was blue ribbon quality The ribs were not blue ribbon quality. Plain ole tough ribs. I was loooking for a more smokey fallen apart quality not the chinese sparerib type. CORN BREAD AS DRY AS THE MOJAVE . I loved it but not all of it.
(3)Patryce S.
Only reason they are getting 3 stars is because this is a BBQ place and their bbq sauce is gross! So pretty much ruins their ribs of course and other food that comes with bbq sauce...sad because they would have gotten a 5 star if they had good sauce.
(3)Brooks F.
If you must get barbeque in Boston, get it here. Did someone complain that the sides were overcooked and greasy? Did I read that right? That, right there is why you people don't deserve good barbeque.
(4)Ilya Jacob R.
Disappointment. I'm not from the South. I didn't grow up eating BBQ ribs, collard greens, candied yams, and fried okra, daily or weekly. I grew in Mass and my BBQ experience is comparatively limited, but I know when food - any food - is NOT enjoyable. When food is good, in particular BBQ, it makes you smile. I remember one of my first times eating BBQ at Bub's BBQ in Sunderland, MA and that made me smile, not to metion release the beast [read: gut] From the moment I got there, their ambiance is night and day with places like Redbones and Bub's. Its small with some counter seating, but from the looks of it, Blue Ribbon is more of a grab-and-go place. They do have large tables outside (although when busy it can become family style with people joining you). They have only 1 kind of BBQ ribs - Memphis Dry-Rubbed. Huh? I thought it was a BBQ ribs place, I guess it comes down to expectations - I assumed that they'd have lots of different types of ribs. No such luck. Anyway, they do have brisket, chicken, and sausage. Sides are limited. No mac & cheese. No candied yams. My disappointment continues. I didn't see any starters/appetizers...more disappointment. Food was ready quick, but was served in styrofoam trays w/ no place to put the cleaned ribs. The ribs were okay, but brisket wasn't very good. Maybe it's just not my thing, but then again there was a good amount of fat. Not particularly impressed with the sausage either. It was another disappointment. Maybe my expectations were just too high.
(2)David D.
The best BBQ in the area! Excellent brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. I'm not a big fan of their ribs, but I've had worse. Wonderful sauces and every side is a masterpiece. My favorites are the mashers and the coleslaw.
(4)Anthony L.
coming from texas, this definitely lives up to texas bbq standards. price is good considering you get a lot of food, overall great place def coming back
(5)T M.
This is probably about the best BBQ you will find around here. In particular the brisket is awesome. Everything is very tasty. It's not fully up to what you'd find in a BBQ restaurant in the Southern states (or Texas in particular) but it is very close. To me it blows Red Bones out of the water (food-wise, not beer-wise or quirky-atmosphere-wise of course :) ).
(4)Tara S.
This place is a BBQ loving foodie heaven! My husband and I have been going there for several years now and we love it. It is a perfect spot for a quick and casual comforting meal that warms your soul. We love going there on a cold winter night when we are too lazy to cook or go somewhere that requires removing sweatpants. It is also fun in the summer as they have very casual outdoor seating on Mass Ave. I love the casual atmosphere because it reminds me of an old fashioned diner. Just be prepared if you are going to dine - in - you will leave smelling like a smoke pit! I recommend the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich or pulled BBQ chicken platter. The baked beans, mashed potatoes and corn bread are ALL a must! My husband loves the burnt ends brisket burrito. He also loves all of the different BBQ sauces they have available. The portions are large and prices are great. We can get dinner for the two of us for around $20 and have leftovers! The only reason I am giving them a 4/5 instead of 5 is because their mac and cheese could be better. But considering the mashed potatoes and baked beans are amazing - you don't really need the mac and cheese. Also, I think that sometimes the meat could be more flavorful, but they provide extra BBQ sauce which does the trick.
(4)Jaimie F.
We used Blue Ribbon BBQ to cater our wedding and they were fantastic! Great company to work with and my guests RAVED about the food. 2 thumbs up!!
(5)Laurie P.
Wish there was more seating, but no matter we took the food back to my aunt's house. My aunt is 91, and my dad is 86. They both really liked their meals, but they should have split one, lol. Dad had ribs and aunt had chicken. Hubby and I each had the pulled pork slider special, delicious! I bought a jar of BBQ sauce and need to put it to good use. Will return again someday.
(5)Andre K.
In my opinion the best BBQ in New England. Oh and be prepared to leave this place stuffed!
(5)Jenna L.
I honestly would say more like a 3.5 and normally I round down but this place deserves to be rounded up. I'm very picky about my BBQ and even went on a BBQ road trip across the country looking for the best of the best. This place was decent, which I was surprised about since the Boston area really is not known for it's BBQ in any way. Good amount of food, and cute place. Awesome sauces and lots to choose from. We got mashed potatoes with our meal which were good but weird for a BBQ place, haha. Definitely not the best BBQ I've ever had in my life, but the best I've had near Boston or even on the East Coast so far. Will be back for sure.
(4)Nina N.
Went here on a Saturday afternoon. It was raining so we couldn't sit outside. Inside was a bit warm but smells great, lol. The bar stool faced the streets and across the street you have your Stop & Shop or was it Shaws supermarket? The bar style seating was a bit wobbly, well at least the first stool to the left of the entrance way is so be careful. People don't clean after themselves when done so the eating area can be unappetizing. Maybe they can leave Lysol or Clorox clean wipes so we can clean the counter ourselves? Husband had the trio platter, three meats and two sides. He had the Kansas City Burnt Ends, North Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Sliced Beef Brisket and for sides he had collard greens and green beans. I had the Kansas City Burnt Ends with sides of dirty rice and coleslaw. Both orders came with the homemade corn bread which was nice. Had to say, the burnt ends was a pretty decent fair, the pulled pork was yummy, the brisket a bit dry? The collard greens tasted like it was boiled and left to sit a long time and the green beans tasted like it came from a can, which made me really sad. But then again, I do like the taste of green beans from a can every now and then. Nostalgic of the days when we didn't always have money for fresh veggies and ate veggies from a can. The dirty rice was decent but with the sauces they provided, all mixed up together, yum. My coleslaw was good, not great. I think it needed a little more acid, could use fresh squeeze of lemon juice or maybe apple cider to bring it up a notch. Sides sadly felt like it was made in advance rather than to order. I can understand why they do this of course, but of course, anything made to order of course would always taste ten times better. Just my opinion. There was a variety of sauces to select, self serve. We tried the extra hot sauce which had quite the kick if you're not used to heat. If you're used to eating really and I mean real spicy food and I am talking about if you are one of those Asians who would bite into a Thai chili, then this sauce is mild to you. The spicy BBQ was the best in my opinion. Perfect balance of spices. Next would be the gold sauce, creamy and sweet. I didn't bother trying the other vinegar sauces since it looked a bit runny and I wanted a thick sauce over my BBQ. :) I would come again and try some of the exotic items like pig feets and pig brain? I am only kidding about trying the pig brains but I did see it on the menu. Not sure if they really sure pig brains. I would give this place another try.
(3)Susie J.
Overrated. I've been here twice and both times their brisket was dry and overcooked. The ribs were also not "fall off the bone" and soft. I would rather go to Soul Fire in Brighton for their ribs.
(2)Aaron K.
Consistently great Q. I've been to Blue Ribbon several times since moving to Arlington and it is always really good (except one time that the pulled pork was dry, but any establishment is allowed one misfire). Went this past sunday for the Pats AFC Championship game for takeout. They had extra staff on hand and extra specials. Pulled pork was great, juicy and tender. Mashed potatoes are my favorite anywhere. Cheese grits were good (I prefer their green chili cheese grits for a little kick). One of their specials of the day was a chili for champions (that's us, pats nation). Tender beef brisket with southwest pinto beans in an awesome chili sauce. This was excellent and should be a regular item! They gave me a huge cup of it for 4.99$ and threw in some cornbread which was moist and tasty. Their BBQ sauce is the best around IMO as well. All this food was only 28$ (20$ if you count my livingsocial voucher), which makes for incredible value. My buddy and I feasted and I still had enough leftovers for 2 people. Service is always efficient and the people that take your orders and money are pretty good. I especially like the older regular guy behind the register, always good for some witty banter. Seating is kind of sparse in here, I always do take out. They have some tables set up outside during the summer months. Go for the BBQ, and keep going at a great value.
(5)Ryan S.
I loved this place when I first moved to town five years ago, but it has consistently gotten worse and worse each time. The pulled pork and burnt ends get fattier, the green beans get spicier, and the mash potatoes get blander. It is still a good place for BBQ, I just hope the quality starts to improve. Often have coupons on Living Social. Try the burrito--surprisingly tasty!
(3)michael w.
generally the eats here are pretty good, for NE bbq. but lately, when I get takeout platters, the cornbread is almost always a crusty side piece. also, I noticed upon returning home today that a $1 misc. surcharge was added to the bill. when I called to find out why, I was told that it is due to the increased beef cost, being passed along. REALLY???? how about saying that at the register. "oh, there is a sign." next time I will look for "signs" and stick with pork. that is, if there is a next time.
(2)Stephen M.
I love me some BBQ. I am in no way an expert on BBQ but for someone that enjoys some smoked dry rubbed ribs from time to time I can tell you that this place really hit the spot. I have only tried a couple other places in the area. the first being the famous Redbones, the second being Sweet Cheeks near Fenway, and Blue Ribbon being the third. Out of the three, Blue Ribbon runs away when it comes to ribs flavor and barbeque sauce, where as the others might have a slight edge when it comes to the sides. Don't get me wrong, the Mashed Potatoes at BRBBQ are some of the best I have had, but nothing compares to the Mac and Cheese offering at Sweet Cheeks or the fried pickles at Redbones. the restaurant itself is authentic. You see a lot of BBQ joints that try and make it look legit, when really it cost the person hundreds of thousands of dollars to create the same aesthetics BRBBQ naturally has. Overall if you are looking for an upscale BBQ place to take a client, this isn't your place. But if you want good authentic BBQ and sit on a stool, come on by.
(5)Max M.
Gave it 3 chances and it was the same result every time. The sides were usually good, but if I got the chicken or the brisket or pulled pork it was just very bland. Was hoping this place would be great since there arnt too many decent bbq places around here. Honestly I'd even give this place 1 more shot since they have all these awards from the past, there is potential however it sucks at the moment.
(2)Lu R.
By far the best Q in Boston. As a transplant born and raised south of the Mason-Dixon with family origins in the birthplace of Barbacoa, and blessed with a Lone Star state sweetheart, I know a little something about the worlds most perfect food, BBQ. We have tried about a dozen "Boston's Best" according to the Phantom, Phoenix, and local recommendations, and this place gets about as close as it gets to BBQ that I'm willing to pay for and recommend to people who ask. By Boston/New England standards, I would give it five stars. By mine, three and a half.
(3)J C.
I ordered the beef brisket platter. It includes cornbread and two sides, so I got coleslaw and baked beans. The food came very quickly. The first thing that hit me was the size. This platter could easily fill two people or be partitioned into two meals. Alas, I lived too far for this meal to be a take home, so I set myself to polishing off the platter in one go. The slices of brisket spanned a variety of cuts. Some of the slices were somewhat tough and dry, but most importantly not to the point of being unchewable. These were probably the ends of the brisket and were greatly helped by adding sauces. Other slices were very fatty and tender -- aka the ideal brisket. The cornbread had a very hard crust. I tend to like my cornbread more buttery and soft, but this still tasted just fine. The coleslaw was pretty good. It wasn't overly vinegary, nor overly heavy from overuse of mayo. The cabbage really came through, with the vinegar cutting the fats in the mayo. The sourness provided a nice contrast to the sweetness of the baked beans and the fattiness of the brisket. I'm not generally a person who likes sauces, so I'm not going to judge the available sauces. There were about 6 sauces: spicy sauces, mayo or cream based sauces, and vinegar based sauces. This isn't the best BBQ I've ever had. Judging from the awards on its wall, the last one of which was won in 2005, the best days of this establishment were behind it. Nevertheless, it was some pretty dang good BBQ.
(4)Chris T.
I love the rotating sides here, however make sure you try the potato salad, which is perhaps the best I've ever had. They have a nice variety of sauces too (the gold is my favorite). Only a few tables inside so it may be best for takeout.
(4)Sammy L.
Very small place, I recommend take out unless you are with only one other person. The employees are pleasant to deal with. There bbq has a very tangy/spicy taste, not my kind of bbq. Overall, I would recommend a try. Big portions and inexpensive for southern style bbq.
(4)Dirk D.
Best BBQ in Massachusetts. Everything was great.
(5)Shruti M.
yum! Went here on a Friday night for a quick dinner and I'm now a fan. The staff was really friendly and patient with us newbies. The portions are big, one member of our party ordered a platter and there was definitely enough for another meal. I would definitely recommend trying the pulled pork sandwich, the chicken sliders and the half chicken platter. The sandwich was the perfect size and stuffed full of tasty, flavorful pork. The spicy BBQ sauce, as well as the sweet BBQ sauce, were both delicious! Both the sandwiches and platters come with two sides. There were four of us in our party, so we all got to try the coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and the dirty rice. the coleslaw was ok, but I really loved the potato salad. Others in our group raved about the baked beans. Parking is a bit of an issue, its very limited out front, but you can always park on a side street. Its not really a sit there and eat place, more a to-go place. great find in Arlington, can't wait to go back!
(4)Scott B.
Generally the food is pretty good for the money. It is neither the best b-b-q or the worst and from my experience of going here at least 50 times, it is better than average. However tonight I was absolutely shocked at the poor quality of the brisket. It was mushy, lacked flavor and was fatty in a not good way. It was like it was injected with plain water to yield a mushy, rubbery meat that lacked a bark. It was gray meat. It happens but where was the quality control?
(2)Jude M.
Been quite a few times, here's my review. ALL of the Meat is DRY. that's why they push the sauces. The Service is Terrible, Screw up orders with kids who could care less. Sides are dismal. This is BBQ for suburbanites. I've lived in the area for 40 years, so no this did not put Arlington on the "foodie map". Redbones is a far better choice.
(1)Samantha S.
Absolutely great BBQ. It's definitely more North Carolina style than Memphis style (grew up on Memphis BBQ). But I love this place! I have since moved away (used to live two blocks away) and I do crave it every now and then. Again, not at good as Memphis style, but it certainly does do the trick
(4)L J.
It's too damn expensive, but I like the cornbread. I'm so torn. I have a feeling that if there was another soul food place around here they'd lose the blue ribbon status. It is what it is, but it's NOT the Newton location. That place seemed to have better meat.
(2)Paul R.
It's tough to find a good barbecue joint in this part of the country. Blue Ribbon Bbq is one of the better ones I've tried. The ribs are to die for, but what can I say, I'm a rib guy. I found the cornbread to be ok. I'm also a big cornbread guy so I was left a little wanting there. Overall, it's not the best Bbq joint in the world, but in this area, beggers can't be choosers. I'll definitely come back again.
(4)Jeremy K.
Let's face it folks, Boston isn't exactly known for having many BBQ joints; the picking is thin and there really isn't much competition for this kind of fare out here. There's a few places, like SoulFire in Allston, the Village Smokehouse in Brookline and two locations when it comes to Blue Ribbon BBQ. They have one in Newton and this location in Allston. Having been to the Newton one a few times, I figured that I would go to this one instead since it's much closer to my apartment. A short drive later, I parked across the street at the Shaw's and made my way inside. This location isn't much bigger than the one in Newton and it boasts an identical menu; on the few trips I've made there, I've sampled many items that they offer: ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, you name it... Although it is far from exceptional, the food there is decent enough and the portions are huge; almost too big if you ask me. I have yet to be able to clear my plate in one sitting and often have to take the leftovers home, in shame. They have a ton of sides and often have daily specials according to what's in season. I've had everything from their collard greens to the corn bread, the coleslaw, the beans and even the black eyed corn. I am not a fan of their beans but their collard greens were pretty good and had a slight kick to them. The brisket had a nice smoke ring which is a quality indicator and which was nice to see. It tasted pretty good but obviously it's nothing like you can get south of the Mason Dixon line. They have a sauce area next to the pickup counter where there's a ton of various BBQ sauces that you can put on your food - all kinds of style from hot to vinegary. It's actually kind of nice to have those choices. Although Boston isn't a great BBQ city, this small, local chain remains one of the go-to spots for a reliable, affordable and decent meal. It's clean, affordable and quick; hell, you can even order by phone if you're in a hurry and pick it up - you'll save a few minutes. Not that they are slow or anything...
(3)mike s.
My girlfriend picked up some takeout the other night. Pulled pork and brisket. Today we are both so sick with stomach pains and vomiting that I think we got serious food poisoning. Never again blue ribbon! Please inspect your facility, food storage and food preparation.
(1)Dylan C.
I've only had the pulled pork sandwich so I cant comment on the whole menu but if your in the mood for some good bbq try out blue ribbon
(2)Bobara B.
As a Southerner living in New England, I can say that Blue Ribbon has the best and most authentic barbecue and Southern food that I've had outside of the South. The meats, the sides, the sauces, and even the smoky smell of the restaurant's interior are enough to convince me, even if just momentarily, that I'm at a barbecue joint in Memphis, Birmingham, or Durham, and not Arlington, Massachusetts. Frankly, I was surprised at how good it was. We Southerners, when eating "Southern" food outside of the South, probably feel a lot like immigrants to the United States when eating at restaurants which prepare the cuisines of their home countries. I'm sure you've all seen reviews on Yelp which read something like "sure, this place has a fine adaptation of Chana Masala, but it's nothing like the stuff I get back in the Punjab." Well that hardly happened to me here. The only thing that might have been a little different than expected was the collard greens, but they were still pretty good. I especially liked their housemade sauces, in particularly the extra extra spicy sauce on the pulled pork.
(5)David M.
I've been coming here since around the time they opened back in 2004. We no longer live in the area, but while recently visiting on a business trip I got food for myself to take back to my hotel. The quality, flavor, taste, etc was exactly as I remembered. Great place for BBQ!
(5)Laura L.
After visiting Texas years and years ago, I stopped ordering brisket, because nothing outside of Texas tasted as good... until I found Blue Ribbon. Amazing. And they give you a pretty good portion, so that I eat it over two meals (YMMV of course). I should try some of their other dishes, but can't stop ordering brisket ...
(5)Carole B.
I did not care for the food. Having recently moved here from the Midwest, I found the BBQ disappointing. Perhaps it has to do with the different styles of BBQ, and this is a style that I do not care for. I think this is a Carolina style with thin sauces where the vinegar is prominent. I also did not find the sides to be all that good either.
(2)Ed F.
Great brisket, tender and well smoked. The hot sauce had just enough bite. Huge sides of slaw and beans were winners too. Apple cobbler topped off a great dinner.
(5)Conor S.
If you eat meat, live in Newton, and haven't been here yet, you're doing it wrong. If you gave up meat, here's a great place to start again.
(4)Helen S.
Pretty yum. I tried a few things from here when I was in Boston for a research conference. Brisket - 5/5 my god this was tasty BBQ chicken - 5/5, also cause I'm partial to chicken Ribs - 3/5, dece but not falling off the bone delicious Pulled chicken - 3/5, it was decent Cornbread - 4 yummy Averages out to 4 stars exactly
(4)Claire W.
Great pulled pork. I love getting a platter which has a side of corn bread rather than getting a pulled pork sandwich. I'll take corn bread over a bun any day. So far, the green beans and the baked beans are my favorite sides. They are a great pairing of savory, bacon green beans against the sweetness of the baked beans. The pickled beet salad is also tasty. I would not order the succotash again though since I found it bland. I really like all the BBQ sauces on the counter. The mustard is tasty, the Carolina vinegar is just like I remember from the NC coast, and the gold BBQ sauce is my favorite, but it is most fun to try them all. It's so much food for $13. I get two meals out of it. Sometimes, I like to use the leftovers on a salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
(5)Ken M.
YUM!
(4)Charlotte K.
Well, I've been eating here for years, and I am certainly a fan of their food. But something is going on at this location that is not a good trend. The food is slow cooked, which is great, but the exceedingly slow service to get takeout is a new problem, that seems to be exacerbated by the current weeknight evening crew. They spend a lot of time in jolly conversation with each other, and it is now taking as long as 20 minutes for them to transfer the food from the line to the Styrofoam box (and by the way, can't you use something besides styro?). If the sides were being prepared while you wait I'd happily wait 20 minutes, but it's sitting there on a steam table in front of them. Last night I watched while they had to fix twice a totally mixed up side dish order for some other customers (who were a lot more patient than I would would have been). I think management needs to pay a visit, or send some anonymous minders. Something's not quite right here. I can't speak for daytime or weekends, when I rarely go. But weekday evenings are kind of a mess.
(3)Williams J.
Delicious!! Nice folks too. A bit pricey but if I spent the time they do making this stuff guess I'd charge for it too. Love it.
(5)Kelly C.
YUM! This definitely hit the spot. Wet ribs, and burnt ends.... So flavorful. The meat fell off the ribs (which technically is overcooked, but just the way I like them) I think I have watched to much Steve Raichlen thanks to hubby. GAH!!! Why were all the sides so salty though! Green beans were my favorite soft consistancy, and the beans were tasty (usually not a fan) Cornbread was good too. Wish this place was 4 times bigger with comfy booths...We ended up getting it to go because the place was crammed at 1pm on Presidents Day! And the best surprise...they had King Cake! YUM for this LA gal.
(4)Lori B.
My husband & I had been looking for a good place for BBQ since our favorite spot in Manchester NH closed. Well, we found it!!! I could tell this was going to be good when we could smell it down the street! We opened the door & it was BBQ heaven! I'm not going to write a fancy review about how delicious the food is or how the richness of the sauces "enhance the delicately smoky flavor"...this place doesn't warrant a fancy review. Why??? Well, for starters, you walk in and the place is straight out of something that my mom & dad would go to on a date in the 50's. It has 3 steel tables and a steel counter with about 8 stools (the kind that you would find at an old-school drug store or ice cream shop "back in the day"). It was a delight to walk into a place that hadn't changed with the times! And that's VERY GOOD! What about the food you say??? It's amazing...everything that we ordered was amazing! EXACTLY what BBQ should be! Just try it..... We live over 90 minutes away & would not hesitate to go back at a moments notice!
(5)