4. Restaurants

Redbones

55 Chester St, Somerville, MA, 02144
  • (617) 628-2200
  • Store is closed

Redbones Menu

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  • Andrew K.

    Redbones is a neighborhood favorite in Davis. In all honesty the food is a little overhyped but still pretty delicious. Good Memphis ribs and decent sides. I havent explored the menu too much but it seems pretty straightforward. The sleeper selling point is the well-thought out beer list. Taps are always rotating and offering something different and awesome.

    (3)

  • Melissa M.

    Their beans were the worst! I had a craving for baked beans and these beans were just terrible. I had to send them back. They were that bad. Do not order!

    (3)

  • Julia F.

    Recently got take away from here. I called, chatted with the girl for a bit, she put me on hold one, apologized profusely for having done so when she got back on the line, and took my order. I got a parking spot right out front, the food was done in 15 minutes (the lower end of the estimate she'd given me after my order was placed) and I was headed home. I also now have tons of little tupperware containers cause of the slaw and beans! Bonus! It's a bit pricey for me to eat here often, but it's a nice treat. I am always really satisfied with the food, and service.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Okay, I'm a huge fan of red meat, especially when it's BBQ'd. My father actually introduced me to this joint and I haven't been able to keep away. This bar and grill is probably one of THE best places to get an order of ribs. And they a little pricy but it's well worth the money! The first time I saw the size of these ribs my eyes just bugged out. THEY'RE HUGE! And they flavor it up real nice with a great selection of sauces and dips. Red meat & beer? You honestly can't go wrong. I'd live there if I could.

    (5)

  • Elena H.

    two words. fried pickles. yes, they are delicious. i love redbones, it's one of my favorite neighborhood spots. there's never a pretentious crowd and they have an excellent draft beer selection. i'm not from the south. so, i don't proclaim myself a bbq expert. i think the pulled pork is the best. see also: garlic mashed potatoes, nachos and white trash sundae.

    (5)

  • Rachel J.

    I went here and left in a food coma. my bbq brisket sandwich was enormous and there is no way I could have finished the slaw and beans that it came with. I don't have BBQ very often so this was very very satisfying. However, when compared to the brisket that I've had in Texas it does not even compare, but I am pretty sure this is as good as it gets in Boston. The cornbread is not good or traditional- the pickles are A+ though.

    (4)

  • Laura M.

    I expected this place to be a lot better then it was. I first tried Red Bones at the Phantom Gourmet BBQ Bash and it was so yummy! I think I ate two pulled pork sandwiches. Since we loved it so much there we decided to try the actual restaurant thinking that it would be just as good, but we were defiantly wrong. The tables are so close together and you can barely hear each other talk! We started with a cornbread deep fried thing and I would never try it again. It was very dry and the dipping sauce just did not go well at all. I couldn't really find a sauce that I liked and the waiter was much help at explaining them...or maybe it was because I couldn't even hear what he was saying!

    (2)

  • Bill C.

    Boston is not a BBQ Hub, but Redbones does pretty well in a pinch. I've been here a few times and like it because it's priced well, does some decent que, and has a ton of great beers on tap. If you want your friends to love you forever, order the fried pickles as an appetizer. If you want your stomach to hate you for the rest of the night, order the jerk beef. It's delicious, but very, very spicy. Also, misleadingly named. Does not taste like jerk.

    (4)

  • J.J. B.

    Overrated Ribs were mediocre, pulled pork was just OK and the chili was more like stew. I wouldn't mind going back and give the brisket a whirl, but I can't muster up the desire. The atmosphere would be a lot more acceptable if the food was better. Good beer selection, friendly staff, decent prices. Parking is a nightmare in that area. Cash only. Shady. There's better out there, particularly if you've got a car.

    (2)

  • Felix D.

    Biggest Ribs I've ever seen. Texas Ribs!! Chocolate Stout went down a treat!

    (3)

  • Steve G.

    Oh man, what awesome BBQ. The redbones experience is straight out of a storybook. It has a decor that is indescribable, yet playful. I highly recommend that you sit in the basement. The food is great and is delivered very quickly by an incredibly friendly waitstaff. You get an incredible amount of food for the money and it is just plain delicious.

    (5)

  • Kylie S.

    I've been in Somerville almost a year and never thought to try this place because I assumed it was only barbecue and I'm a pescaterian. Silly me. The catfish sandwich, cole slaw, mac n cheese, beans and corn bread are all delicious. I was thrilled to find the corn bread not too sweet---I hate sweet cornbread. The atmosphere is funky and laid back--very enjoyable.

    (4)

  • William E.

    Used to be great....it's starting to loose its fastball though.

    (3)

  • Patrick F.

    I really enjoy Redbones. Their food, at least what I tend to order, is always up to my expectations if not beyond. I prefer to eat downstairs though or make an order for DELIVERY which is quite possibly the most awesome thing ever about them. The fact that I can have an order fo Fried oysters and some Texas Ribs delivered to my door in the middle of a blizzard earns them 4 stars in my book. Their margaritas are a great way to prime-up before a movie over at the Somerville Theater too! Parking and T access are great. I never have trouble getting there unless I'm trying to use a bus for some reason. Just expect a wait on the weekend because, well, there will be other people there ahead of you.

    (4)

  • Will S.

    Finally made it here after many years of hearing praise for the place. Notes: -My small order of 'Texas Beef Ribs' came with TWO ribs!? Yes, they were big, but I would expect at least one more for the $15 they are charging. -Redbones is overhyped. My meal was average, I requested "hot" but the ribs arrived with no sauce or any hot taste at all. -I agree with others who say Blue Ribbon blows this place out of the water. -Good beer selection, I had a Smuttynose. UPDATED 24 hours later: ughhh my stomach hurts!!!

    (3)

  • Ger T.

    Being from Texas, I enjoy a good plate of barbeque ribs or brisket every now and then, but when you want good barbeque in New England, I suppose there aren't so many options available. It's lucky that Redbones is around to satisfy the craving. I would say this is average barbeque - not awesome, not terrible, but a pretty good, solid plate of meat when you want one. I have some qualms about their sauce - the regular BBQ sauce isn't as thick nor as sweet as I would like in a good sauce, and has a really strong vinegar taste. Their drinks are pretty creative and come served in canning jars - a nice touch. The atmosphere is loud, crowded, "rustic" - awesomely authentic! I'd come here just for the nostalgia of it because it reminds me of my school days in Texas. Whoever designed the interior of this restaurant clearly knew something about how a real BBQ joint was supposed to look.

    (3)

  • Bruno A.

    I don't get this place. Have you people ever had real barbecue? It's not Redbones. Sure, it's in the middle of hip Davis Square and a very cool place to hang out and be seen but the food leaves me wanting. Maybe it's because it's been built up so much; "You like barbecue, you should really check out Redbone's, you'll love it! Oh you've been there? What did you think?" Not very much. The meat was dry and hard and covered up in heavy, bland sauce to hide it. The hash was good though not anything that would bring me back. What else...I liked the decor and yes, it is a cool place if that's what you look for to fill your stomach. Otherwise I'll go to Blue Ribbon to find the best 'cue in Mass.

    (2)

  • Robert S.

    I think the hype comes from lack of an abundance of BBQ joints in the area. Mediocre food-- hairy chicken, ok sauces, decent brisket, not terrible, but not in any way special. Very good Beer/drinks: after enough of their concoctions, the food seems much better, and the beer selection is pretty fabulous (although I did go 0-3 once when ordering beer off their tap list). Overall, it's nice to get drinks and BBQ in the same place, especially when accessible by the T. Honestly, though, if Blue Ribbon had a spot in Central with a liquor license, then Redbones would be the place people "used to go."

    (3)

  • David M.

    I seriously do not understand the appeal of this place. It is always crowded and hot. I'm not a BBQ connoisseur, but it tastes pretty much like what BBQ tastes like. Greens are tasteless and the cornbread smells like wood alcohol. And warm water is served in warm mason jars. Go to Blue Ribbon in Arlington.

    (1)

  • Tom H.

    This is a Davis square staple. Underbones is the spot to be. There is an extensive beer list and the food is excellent bbq. Jamaican jerk sandwich is spicy and delicious. The ribs are excellent and the sides can't be beat. If you like bbq you like Redbones.

    (5)

  • Mindy T.

    First time here and I will probably never be back. The service was great. The cornbread lacked flavor.. there was no sweetness that you usually get from cornbread. It basically tasted like nothing. I had the St. Louis Ribs and the Jerk Beef. The ribs were so tender, the meat fell right off the bone.. but the sauces that my meal came with was awful. I didn't even know what it was. Housemade BBQ sauce? Ketchup? Hot Sauce? Weird flavors..

    (2)

  • AJ C.

    One of kind place. Dive BBQ with great authentic food. Be sure to leave room for some pie at the end. My favourite: St. Louis style.

    (5)

  • Simon L.

    988 prior reviews. There's got to be something useful in them thar reviews. Read 'em. Good bbq. Excellent beer and bourbon.

    (5)

  • Alice P.

    As a Southerner taking a sojourn in the Northeast, I miss my home fare a lot and I have high standards for Southern food. Their food was excellent (I had the pulled pork platter with cole slaw and mac and cheese; also got a side of fried okra and tried my husband's side of hushpuppies), the drinks were also great (delicious margarita), and the location was good, too, only a few minutes from the Davis Square T stop. I wasn't crazy about the hushpuppies, but everything else was delicious. After Sweet Cheeks near Fenway, I had about given up on BBQ in the area, but Red Bones has restored my faith. Looking forward to next time!

    (4)

  • Ted P.

    Wow, I can't believe how many New Englanders like this place. This is hands down the worst BBQ I can ever recall having. I had heard it was bad from friends who know real BBQ, but had to try it as I couldn't believe it was as bad as they said... It was worse than I expected. Way worse. Do yourself a favor and skip this place.

    (1)

  • Renee H.

    We had a party of 10 and got to sit downstairs. They have a bar both upstairs and downstairs. The food was really good! I enjoyed their pulled pork nachos and I loved every bit of it. The service was awesome given the size of our group & the food came out wayyyyy quicker than I expected. Everyone who had the ribs said it was really good. Our bill was super confusing because the group I was with made it that way BUT our server made it easy and she was real professional about it. When I visit again I will make it a point to come back & try more of their food!

    (5)

  • Em K.

    Always a good time at Redbones! I've been there on dates, with friends, and even entertained a new roomie there. I can always count on a friendly/efficient service, great food/drinks, and many laughs. Davis Square has a really good selection and variety of restaurants but when I need a place I can count on Redbones is a no brainer. I'm a huge fan of their Jalapeno margarita, catfish, and pulled pork. Those never fail me. The hush puppies always seem like a good idea but to be honest they don't pack a ton of flavor in comparison with the rest of menu and just take up much needed stomach space. Try the wings or fried pickles instead!

    (4)

  • Declan B.

    The barbecue here is just spectacular. Beef, pork, mac and cheese, is all great. They have some nice sides too, my favorite being fried pickles and japalenos. Good drinks too, and all for a solid value.

    (5)

  • Meg K.

    Oh yes. Yes. I love this place. You cannot beat the pulled pork. Cole slaw, baked beans, mac and cheese.... anything you get will be a win. My only complaint with the place is the basement can smell damp sometimes, and I find the prices ($18 for pulled pork and sides?) to be pretty out of control for simple bbq. Regardless-- it's the best bbq in Boston. Definitely worth a trip.

    (4)

  • Jim B.

    Great place. Love the special where you get a bit of whatever they have for a very nice price. I fried up my leftovers the other morning with some eggs, homefries and baked beans. I only put 4 stars as the last time I was there the waitress wasn't paying much attention to us, even though it was practically empty (it's rarely less than packed). Scenester kids don't usually make good waiters/waitresses as they have to be depressed and withdrawn (SMILE). But, I have to say, service is usually great.

    (4)

  • Meg C.

    after waiting for an excruciating two hours, I was rewarded with succulent ribs and delicious fried pickles. Although sub-par to my native equivalents, this southern hospitality is worth its welcome in New England.

    (4)

  • Jing Z.

    I'm not quite a BBQ guy, I don't have meat often, either, so I don't have much feeling about the dishes. But I love the beans with the red bones. The restaurant is lovely. Davis square is beautiful at night.

    (3)

  • Sarah M.

    I went here for lunch today with my son and it was great. Their kids menu has great options and is really affordable. My pulled pork sandwich with two sides (fries and bbq beans) was excellent and another good deal at $10. The service was really friendly as well. I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Pat G.

    OMG this place is the bomb! Love it, love it, love it! I would eat it every day if I could.

    (5)

  • Timothy H.

    The worst BBQ place I've ever been to. The ribs were stale, flavorless, and it was cold. Not ever coming back here ever again.

    (1)

  • Anna K.

    Red hot love for Redbones. They have a ton of delicious beers and cider on tap to wash down the BBQ. No matter what, you always get a plate full of amazing homemade cornbread and butter. Ribs, jerk sandwiches, pulled pork, fried chicken, steak, a million sides, I want to eat it all when I go. Everything is so cheap, it's tempting to order one of each. If you like BBQ, you NEED to come here!

    (5)

  • Neil B.

    Excellent, excellent, excellent. Great food and outstanding service. Well worth a visit.

    (5)

  • Byron M.

    This is a bbq place in the heart of Davis Square in Somerville. I have heard alot of good things about Redbones, and I am a bit underwelmed. I guess maybe I have been spoiled with really superb bbq, but this is ok. Not bad bbq, but I have had much much better. My reference standard is based on Southern BBQ places where the bar is very high as far as bbq is concerned. I really don't like bbq places that dump alot of sauce over their meat.

    (3)

  • Tom Z.

    This place is delicious. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to go here anymore. Why? After ordering the Jamacian Jerk Chicken sandwich (which was delicious, but INSANELY hot--also, the coleslaw was awesome) my face swelled to about twice it's size. Maybe it was my cat allergies acting up I thought. About a month later, I ordered the same dish to see what my reaction would be. Same result. A trip to the emergency room later, i decided it was in my best interest not to go here anymore...... .....Except for the Northwest Beer Fest because Rogue Ales Brewery will be there!!!!!

    (3)

  • Christopher A.

    Great beer selection. Typical Cambridge eclectic atmosphere. Very casual. Kind and considerate wait staff. Pulled pork was fantastic and comes with different sauces. One criticism that I'd offer is that the baked beans were more akin to black beans.

    (4)

  • Kris M.

    The food was great. Delivery was fast, everything was there, including a little extra cornbread (That was to die for). I really enjoy their pulled bbq beef as well as their Texas Ribs. The only thing wrong was their potato salad tasted past it's prime.

    (4)

  • Mrs. G.

    This is a great barbeque joint and very authentic. They offer a wide variety of bbq sauces, and they don't skimp on the portions. Apparently, they change the type of beans they offer as the side daily. That was the only thing I didn't like, but maybe I didn't like their bean choice that day. The potato salad was very tasty, and the meat didn't disappoint! The service was also excellent.

    (4)

  • Christine A.

    Good food and they deliver! Whats better than that!?!?

    (4)

  • Amanda L.

    The lunch time special was awesome! They gave us so much meat! I loved the assortment. The sauces are finger licking good. The servers were very pleasant and laid back. The interior could have used a lil fixing up. Overall a good experience!

    (4)

  • Megan G.

    Tasty BBQ and delicious Margaritas

    (3)

  • Ethan T.

    I am not the biggest fan off BBQ, but I am always willingly dragged here by my friends. I think it is my affinity towards towards basement bars and restaurants. I am not the best person the judge the food, but I will say that my friends love it. The portions are large, the meat is tender, and the sides are straight out of Jamaica and the southern US. I love the communal vibe of the place. The tables are close together, and at times even shared. Not the best place for a small romantic dinner, but a great loud place for friends!

    (3)

  • Rebecca L.

    Did a beer flight, loved the murals. Great place!

    (5)

  • Ann Marie M.

    Best BBQ north of the south. Get the combo platter and dig in!!

    (4)

  • Free Y.

    To me it was just okay. Nothing to write home about.

    (3)

  • Breandain K.

    A somerville must!!!!!!! They have half priced apps from 4-6 on weekdays!!!!! Place Rocks!!!!

    (5)

  • Nho H.

    If you have a meat craving (we all need our iron), this place may make you not want to look at it for awhile. With the incredible selection on beers to go with your beef, it's hard to give this place anything below a 4. I really love the pull pork, St. Louis ribs and Texas BBQ (MASSIVE) along with some yummy southern mac & cheese and potato salad. Some of the best mac & cheese and potato salad I've ever had as well. Literally we had that for dinner the other day. I left wanting to roll down the street with an extremely happy tummy.

    (4)

  • Nadav T.

    Great beer selection, delicious meaty mains and fried apps (especially the fried pickles & jalapeno slices). The best deal on the planet is their lunch combo -- $9.99 for enough meat to stretch into three meals, at least!

    (4)

  • Chris K.

    Best Baby Back Ribs that I have found in New England. They offer two or three other kinds of ribs as well. I got a sampler pack which also included the beef brisket, which was also very tasty. I am a fan of sweeter BBQ sauce and their sweet sauce was simply amazing. On top of that the cornbread is delicious (what's a good bbq without a side of cornbread?). Beverages come in emptied glass jars which I thought was a charming touch. If you are in the area (or even if you aren't and are a fan of bbq, its worth the trip), definitely check this one out. It is right off of Davis Square too so there is plenty of extra entertainment in the area post-meal!

    (5)

  • Jonah J.

    A perfect example of how to do things right, even after being in business for a very long time. Redbones offers a reliable BBQ menu, with southern standbys, like ribs, chicken, beef brisket, BBQ hash, beans (of the day), MacNCheese, pot likkers, and tasty greens. Their pulled chicken and pulled pork are absolutely delicious. They will valet park your bike if you ride there. They offer buffalo sauce to go with anything, so definitely try it on the fried oysters. Their ribs are perfect, i prefer the St. Louis. Their vast beer selection is impressively varied, and always fresh. Their service is great, down to earth, and substitutions are almost always welcome.

    (5)

  • Jen L.

    Not bad, but Blue Ribbon is much, much better. Having had the privilege(?) of living in Texas for several years, I came to appreciate some good brisket and the occasional rib. The meat actually is pretty good, but the sides are just meh. If I'm paying $0.75 for a piece of cornbread, it should taste better than something that I could make out of a box - dry and fairly flavorless. The macaroni and cheese was also just so-so. I will also reiterate other comments about how extremely noisy and hipster-ish this place is. I get that you're WAAAY cooler than me - your flannel shirt and skinny jeans tell me so :)

    (3)

  • Jobeth B.

    Great bar. They have over 20 draft beers and a spinner wheel to help you decide if you must. If you want a good mojito, this place can accomodate!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth F.

    Meat and beer. It's tough to go wrong with this combo. Especially with such an attentive waitstaff. Unfortunately, today's meat was a smidge dry. The fried pickles and jalapenos, however? Aces.

    (3)

  • R.A. C.

    i cannot count how many places in this city you can find a good casked brew, but this is one of em. i had the fried catfish about a month ago with their cask brew, and my friend had the fried oyster po'boy. good god. i love fried southern fare. had a little siracha going too, a lil mixing of cuisines, but who's paying attention.

    (4)

  • Cheryl T.

    I will try and save you some money, not worth the trip! Fried okra had no seasoning, onion strings covered with the remnants of what was fried in the grease before them, and the baby back ribs ok at best, the sauce was terrible runny and thin .

    (1)

  • Eangelica A.

    I love everything about Redbones - the huge lemonade drinks served in old fashioned mason jars, fresh BBQ (ribs, beef, chicken you name it) and multiple sauces to choose from , the southern style cornbread (corn fritters) and of course the staff are always friendly. It's a good location near Davis Square and I now regularly question why I ever felt any compulsion to be vegetarian when in fact I regularly dream about all you can eat southern style BBQ in New England...5 Stars because I am now a guilt-free carnivore again.

    (5)

  • Corry B.

    What is the vegetarian (okay, full disclosure: I'm a pescatarian- eat fish) doing in the bbq? Drinking the beer and finding stuff to dip in ummy sauce, of course! Such a freaking good beer selection, two bars to choose from (upstairs has t.v. and baseball hats, downstairs has tatoos and cameo on the cd player) and plenty for even me to eat. I like sauce. I like spicey, I like dipping, the vinegar sauce is so good on the hush puppies. Corn fritters were sweet and fried (fried= good). They will give you as much sauce as you want. You can even dip your fingers (that's vegetarian, right?). I've only gone on a weeknight, but the servers were grand, I gesticulated too wildly and spilled my beer all over my friend and got a free replacement! Servers even help one another clear and chatted with us and didn't get annoyed while I dithered over the beer selections... and the art is fun and the women's bathroom is throne like. It wasn't that cheap, but it was that delightful.

    (4)

  • Joanna S.

    bbq and southern food....what could be better? definitely be prepared to use your hands to eat. the ribs are great. so is the pulled pork...and the mac and cheese. the staff is friendly and quite attentive for a place like this. very casual place. seating is similar to cafeteria style.

    (4)

  • Amie L.

    don't know what the big fuss is about. I've had better. Food here is pretty average. Why is everyone treating Redbones like it's the creme de la crop when it's really an Applebee's?

    (2)

  • Katherine S.

    As a native Virginian, I assumed my move to Boston would mean two things: being judged for saying "y'all" and lack of delicious BBQ. Redbones proved me wrong on the latter. This place gets the southern stamp of approval. Their menu is both delicious and expansive. The nice collection of beer choices doesn't hurt either. Y'all can't go wrong with this place! Don't forget to try their fried pickles!

    (5)

  • Jeff F.

    I don't know much about barbecue. I do know that Redbones is supposed to be one of the top barbecue joints in Boston. Walking in, Redbones seemed to nail the casual setting required for true barbecue. Rundown: - Wings: solid - Barbecue Belt: most of what I tried was average, but the Baby Back Ribs were the highlight Easy to get to right in Davis Square was a plus as were the $3 Narragansetts

    (3)

  • Dinara E.

    I love this place! Their jerk beef sliders are amazing and I get the corn hush puppies with maple syrup everytime! The corn bread they serve is also amazing. Their ribs are fall off the bone, especially the Arkansas and baby backs. Their soda always seems flat so I recommend their delicious iced tea. Oh ya - all the drinks are served in a big mason jar (except alcoholic beverages).

    (4)

  • Alex P.

    Definitely somewhere to go for a BBQ meal during the week with a short wait, but be ready to wait up to an hour or more if you come during prime dinner hours on the weekend. You definitely get what you pay for and more as the portions are very generous. I typically get the pulled pork plate or brisket plate, which come with the typical BBQ sides. Cornbread is not worth writing home about and the potato salad is pretty bland, could use some pepper or any sort of spices. I usually skimp on eating the sides and focus on the meat as it is flavored very nicely. Something worth trying, if you are really hungry, is the corn fritters and asking for whip cream on the side... DELICIOUSNESS.

    (3)

  • P. D.

    I've had my fair share of BBQ, and let me say this was close to if not the best I've had. I came here with a few people and we shared a bunch of sides which were all really good...Mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, corn fritters (holy cow these were good), then we split some ribs and meats which all checked out as well. Cool atmosphere, no frills, just lights out BBQ and beer. Killer.

    (5)

  • Morra Y.

    Favorite BBQ place in Boston. Liked the chicken legs and wings and of cuz ribs.

    (5)

  • Denis A.

    Stopped in with some co-workers. Beer was great, food was pretty good.

    (3)

  • Sung L.

    After hearing from few of my friends about this place, I tried it last night. I and my family went there and ordered Pulled Pork, Nacho with Pulled Pork, and BBQ Chicken. Overall, food was pretty decent. However, we had to wait about 25 minutes after ordering the food. I was not sure if that is because it was busy time. We were there around 7:30 pm and I am not sure if that was considered as busy time. Also, place was pretty dark (we were sitting downstairs) and noisy. Overall, pretty decent food but seems to take too long to get the food we ordered. I think I would prefer Blue Ribbons over this place.

    (3)

  • Brian Y.

    I don't have the most discerning of BBQ palates, but I can say that Redbones is pretty good. The cornbread, dry, sadness, but the ribs were really delicious and moist. Also the pulled pork was cooked perfectly, not much else I could ask for. I will have to go back and try the pork belly and brisket next time.

    (4)

  • Marc H.

    I glorified about Tennessee BBQ but red bones makes every southern BBQ place look bad. This was probably on of the most enjoyable atmospheres i have ever been it, it had the classic southern look with the skull and bones everywhere, the licence plates on the walls even the attire of the employees were spot on and matched the style of the restaurant. (I went for lunch with my brother and cousin). Our waiter was dressed with a white american t shirt with jeans and boots also with a straw hat giving it that nice southern look, the food was perfection I cant describe much more than that. I loved the lunch combo. It was fun it was delicious and you sure as hell i will be back there SEVERAL times and its very affordable! This is a fun place to go out with the guys and have manly food and be loud and have a great time! Food: 10 Environment: 10 Service: 10 Cleanliness: 8 Price: 10 Overall: 10

    (5)

  • Scott B.

    B-B-Q as it should be. And although I have eaten lots of BBQ all throughout this great country, I was always worried that my northeast upbringing would never make me a true expert. Over the years I brought friends from the south (N.C., S.C., MD, TX, FL and GA) and they have overwhelmingly validated my thought - that some excellent food is served in Somerville, MA. I love the brisket, St. Louis ribs and the dirty rice which is made right. Also, collard greens, okra and sweet potatoes to make for a balanced meal that even mama would be proud of.

    (5)

  • Kimberley S.

    This review may be a bit biased, so I will preface by saying that I do not like barbeque, so the menu tends to be a little limited for me. That being said, Redbones serves some of the best fried oysters I have ever eaten in my life and I'm sure I will return for them again and again. I have had a mixture of their apps, including fried catfish, corn fritters and fried pickles. All were very good. I just so wish there was something on the menu I could eat that wasn't fried. It's all fried. The atmosphere is not my favorite, with a dark basement with super tacky artwork and less-than-comfortable seating. The clientele is of an older, drunker, creepier variety that occasionally makes me squirm. But again, really good oysters. And it's cheap and does the trick.

    (3)

  • Paul C.

    I would have given this place a negative star if it had existed. Redbones is absolutely horrible! If there were BBQ police, this place would be due for a raid. Never, and I mean never go here! The meat had no flavor and the BBQ sauces did nothing to save the lack luster slabs of meat on my plate. The place should be ashamed to call itself a BBQ joint. If the owners of this place are reading, you should do us all a favor. Either get a new chief that knows something about BBQ, or pack it up and close the doors. Unless this place changes, it has no business serving BBQ.

    (1)

  • David K.

    Sorry, I don't get what all of the hoopla is about. I hear people rave about the food here, and wonder if they have ever had barbeque before. Very mediocre barbeque, that has a long wait. Even without the long wait, it isn't anything spectacular. Sides taste like an afterthought, and the ribs, pulled pork, and chicken are all boring. Sauces leave a lot to be desired. 2 stars because it didn't kill me or make me sick. In a word: Bland.

    (2)

  • Johny D.

    I went to Redbones as a part of my Virginian-in-exile-from North Carolina bbq tour since my company moved me up here about 18 months ago. I have been to a good number of places since I have been here and this, by far, was the most-disappointing. Just bad. I was let down after being told to go here and reading rave reviews. I have found Blue Ribbon to be the best BBQ around the Boston area. It is quite good and close to the quality found in the Southern US

    (1)

  • Irene F.

    wow. that's all i have to say about redbones. wow. amazing food, the ribs fall off the bones and melt in your mouth...the huge selection of brews is impressive (and no bud light here, either)...the buffalo shrimp are amazing, everything edible rules!! The atmosphere is definitely unique...highly highly recommended! I can't praise this place enough! Just make sure you go hungry...very hungry.

    (5)

  • Anna f.

    Lots of food and deliciuos! Go there with your kids , they will love it.

    (4)

  • seana m.

    If you are a vegetrarian stay far away. If not, be prepared to get messy for some bone sucking ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, yum yum yum. They have sauces from mild to hot hot hot. It's worth the wait to get into this place!

    (4)

  • Jeffrey W.

    Don't believe the sign that says "southern hospitality." Our waiter pretty rude. My wife and I went looking for a little taste of the south, but when she asked for sweet tea the waiter said they hadn't made any. My pulled pork was ok. The sauce wasn't quite right. In the end I prefer Blue Ribbon in Arlington or any place in North Carolina.

    (3)

  • J K.

    Good BBQ. Go with a group of friends that you can get rowdy with. Don't go on an intimate date. Eat the pulled pork til your brain falls out with joy.

    (4)

  • george k.

    More like four and a half stars but this is Boston's best BBQ. Like it a lot and everyone I took there were always very happy with it. Ambiance and food are its strong points. Parking around the corner.

    (5)

  • Sarah B.

    This is one of the great restaurants of all times. Girls, if your not sure where to take your guy friend/boyfriend, this is the place. Guys love it, girls too. Great, cheap food, and very cool atmosphere. The waitstaff are always friendly and helpful. I try to come here at least once a month, you get so much good food for really cheap. The only con is parking, it's really hard to find parking most weeknights the later it gets, and they will ticket you in this area. Other than that it's all good. Bonus- if you ask, they will give you a brown "doggie" bag full of rib bones for your pup! Awesome.

    (5)

  • Long N.

    The food is over price for the quality. The sandwich I had was sloppy and the meat was dry. Won't be going back

    (2)

  • Lester S.

    If you're from the south or any place with good Bbq, save your money and time. 2 stars because the sweet tea was pretty good. Everything else was below average.

    (2)

  • Sutee D.

    Overhyped in my opinion. I guess I was expecting too much. I'd been hearing about the place forever, and ended up going with my friend from Georgia. We are not BBQ aficionados but were both raised in the South. The meat was dry and the flavors were okay, but Redbones didn't come close to living up to what was promised. Like other reviewers, I think that Blue Ribbon is far better and better captures the BBQ spirit.

    (2)

  • Jamie A.

    ok, if you want a casual, mostly entertainingly loud atmosphere for dinner, this is a great pick. for late night drinkage, head to the basement for great music (belle & sebastian!) and lots of fun decor to take in. being right smack in the middle of davis square, the locale can't be beat. i've only been here once for actual dinner, and i can safely say that their jerk beef sandwich IS the SPICIEST THING I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. spicier than wasabi-eating-contests, this requires the cole slaw on the side to make it through. the cornbread also helps immensely. their nachos and wings are tasty as far as appetizers go, but their mojiots are my favorite for sure. they're on the pricey side, but man, they are tasty!

    (3)

  • Shirley Y.

    redbones ain't what it used to be, but still damn good southern "cuisine" and bbq in the metro boston area. atmosphere is fun, attitude is friendly and laid back, food is cheap and made any way you like it [that includes editing your sides]. they used to take only cash or check but they somehow rigged up a credit card machine now. plenty of beers on tap to choose from, and if you can't decide, there is a spin-a-draft at the bar. if you decide to take the non-alcoholic route, your soda / lemonade comes in a ball jar as a glass. and the okra and ribs...mmm....the ribs...*drool* tip: if the restaurant is full, and it tends to be, try to find a spot at the back bar where the cooking is done. you'll get freebies there, along with winning service.

    (4)

  • Susan D.

    Delicious macaroni and cheese (side dish). The pulled beef, which I ordered hot, is REALLY hot. When I order from any American restaurant, I never expect them to know what true heat is. This place proved me wrong. Even writing this review makes my tongue salivate with ferocious ambition. Be on the safe side and have a frosty mug of beer by your side. You may need it to quench the fire. The only down side is that there is not that many delicious vegetable side dishes. This is very much a meat joint with strange decor. Are flying pigs southern?

    (3)

  • Lauren H.

    DELICIOUS! Their chicken wings are fall off the bone sublime. Best I've ever had. I only give it 4 instead of 5 stars because I've never actually been to their location- I've only had their catering, but it's always been incredible!

    (4)

  • Kyle S.

    There is a GOD, and he/she/platypus must really love me because Redbones exists and it's less than 10 minutes away from where I live! Last night, I brought 9 of my best buddies to Davis Sq. to celebrate my 25th at the famed restaurant and never have I seen so much obliteration to the animal kingdom. We ordered both of the family style combos and found ourselves chowing down on everything from the most delicious beef brisket i've every tasted (allbeit we wanted much more) to texas style ribs that looked like they came from a brontosaurus. We were seated downstairs in the "underbones" section of the restaurant, which has a more down and dirty atmosphere. After some seriously delicious beers (bear racer 5 was a fav.) and enough meat to make a vegan poop their pants in disbelief, the only thing on my mind was slipping into a beautifully long food coma. Take some time to enjoy the art that covers practically every inch of the restaurant. I'm not sure what drugs that guy was on, but what a cool atmosphere to hang in... i'll be coming back for a late night drink soon. To top it all off, the waitress brought me something called a "white-trash sundae", which consists of almost entirely whip cream and some ice cream sandwiches.... BRILLIANT. Things to remember: don't go on honk fest weekend :-) (though the hostess did help us get a table much faster than I expected) order LOTS of mac n cheese and beef brisket. Eat something with some fiber, or some fruit later... you're intestines will thank you light beer may sound wussy, but at least you'll be able to eat more meat. ask for more sauce, and make sure to get some to go!

    (5)

  • C.M. M.

    great service. good selection of beer. fun bars. they get the fifth star for their community service. they are very helpful to many organizations that help our community members in need. so, by going there you not only get great service, good beer, and tasty food - you help a business who gives back to the community! five stars in my book.

    (5)

  • Stephanie W.

    Got delivery from them for an event I was invited to. I am partial to the ribs from Texas Roadhouse, so these were just so-so. However, they had really good side dishes, especially their mac-n-cheese. I just would not make the trek to go there.

    (3)

  • Anna H.

    I like Redbones a lot. I'm partial to the catfish--the beer selection is great, the cornbread up to my high standards, and the place itself is cool and welcoming. I'm not that into meat, so I can't speak for the bbq--which is of course the whole point of this place.

    (4)

  • Gina B.

    Best food coma I've had in a while!! My boyfriend took me there for birthday dinner and I honestly thought I was having Texas BBQ- Lone Star beer and all! Fried pickles and jalapeños- perfectly fried, not greasy at all. BF and I both got the meat + 3 and neither plate disappointed. Brisket- yum! Pulled pork- melt in your mouth! Sides of Mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, fries, slaw, and roasted veggies. They were really yummy, the slaw was just ok. But I'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Sara A.

    I've only been to Redbones once for dinner, but they definately satisfy my need for BBQ in Boston. I won't review the service because a friend works there. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and sweet potatoes which were so tasty...I even had enough leftover for a full lunch the next day. That is always a high point for me. The only downside is always having to wait, but I suppose that is just part of the experience.

    (3)

  • Geoff M.

    Always tempting, always disappointing. 1 star for the friendly staff and general funkiness. Head south for some real bbq.

    (2)

  • kim d.

    pulled pork is the way to go. i also had memphis ribs, which i thought were just OK. i like to think of myself as an onion rings connoisseur (if such a title exists), and the onion "strings" here are awesome. the sweet potato pie is not bad - especially with the fresh whipped cream. a friend ordered the chicken bbq and said it was really great. i think i'll get that as part of a combo on our next trip. we had to wait a short while for a table, but that's to be expected in a popular place on st. patty's day, especially since we were a group of 6. we just waited at the bar and some folks ordered a beer during our wait. we enjoyed the baseball trivia and red sox history on the bar walls. you wouldn't characterize our waitress as pleasant - and i felt like i had to work to get her attention. i also had the bad luck of a corner seat on the table at the intersection of two walkways in the restaurant. even with my less than favorable experience with the staff, i'd most definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Gary A.

    I recently moved to Boston. So near the top of my list of things to do was find a good BBQ joint. I was raised in Kansas City, and lived several years in Texas so I'm always a little skeptical when it comes to finding good Q in a region not known for it. For my first visit to an unknown BBQ joint, I always order a brisket sandwich. I can get a pretty good take on how authentic a place is by the brisket. So I made the trek from Dorchester to Davis Square based on the reviews of this place. I was there on a Saturday afternoon, so it wasn't very busy. The waiter provided excellent service. I ordered the Brisket Sandwich platter which comes with a side of potato salad and beans. Cornbread & butter was brought to my table shortly after I ordered. I didn't try it, preferring to wait until my plate was served. When it arrived, the sandwich was open faced, topped with coleslaw, pickles and raw onions. It looked really good. I took one bite and let me tell you, that was good brisket. Smokey, not dry, with just the right amount of lean-to-fat ratio. I chose the hot BBQ sauce, which was perfect. The potato salad and beans were served in the same bowl, which seemed odd, and the beans were black beans, not what I expected. But the beans were excellent. The potato salad was excellent, no bits of undercooked potato, just the right seasoning. When I got to the cornbread, it was a perfect square of dense flavorful "just like mama's" cornbread. So, I left happy, and really delighted that my first foray into Boston BBQ was a huge success. Life in Boston is going to be good. I'm already planning on what to order on my next visit to Redbones. Now, to find an authentic Szechuan restaurant........

    (5)

  • Jacob L.

    I like Redbones. I've had a few drinks here, tried the brisket sandwich and liked it, enjoyed the fried pickles as well. The service is good. Still... my one star rating comes after I ordered online, called to confirm the order, and was told that they don't accept orders online. I recited my story, told them I was sure they either have an answering service call, fax, or email the message to the restaurant. I get that there must have been some miscommunication here, and it may well be as much Yelp's fault as it was Redbones', but no one apologized for the inconvenience, offered to retake the order, assured me they would look into the matter, etc. Essentially there was no effort to ensure customer satisfaction. Bummer. EDIT on 11/30/14: I was contacted by people associated with the online ordering service who had talked to Redbones (who wanted the review changed.) Why would I change my review? It still happened, you still called a customer a liar.

    (1)

  • Alyssa J.

    Living down the street from Redbones has proven to be a real test of my character. Three minutes of briskly walking are all that separate me from collard greens, pulled pork and those goddamn deep fried jalepenos and pickles. There's nothing incredibly special about the food at Redbones, but it's nice to have a BBQ place in the neighborhood that also has a steadily revolving cask menu and some really heady bourbons. What I really love about Redbones is that it is unapologetically....Redbones. It's just a funky little bar in Somerville that serves fat kid food to real fat kids and those aspiring to be real fat kids. They also make a surprisingly good Bombay Sapphire Martini. When I say, "extra dry", they actually know what I'm talking about. Like, hello. If I wanted a martini glass full of Vermouth I would just order one. Also there's an old guy that sits at the bar upstairs and sings to himself. Sometimes if you're lucky he'll sing to you. Or unlucky, depends on your opinion of his voice I guess. My take? It's awesome.

    (4)

  • Angel F.

    Before writing this review I want everyone to know that I am partial to Dino BBQ (out of NY) which may be influencing this review. I did not think Redbones was very good, and I also thought it was overpriced. I paid $24 for the sampler. While the portions were large, it was pretty much a large heaping of average. Also, $24 entree and you don't get to choose your sides? I think you had to pay an additional $2 to swap the beans or slaw for something else. The brisket was dry, overcooked, and had little flavor. That disappointed me because brisket is my favorite bbq dish. The ribs were OK, I could have gotten them at TGI Friday's or somewhere and not known the difference. Beans were fine, as was the slaw, but who comes to a BBQ restaurant for sides anyway. And to top it all off, all the sauces on the table were average or gross, which I had to use anyway since the meat had no flavor. Overpriced and very average compared to other BBQ restaurants out there (although maybe not in this area.)

    (3)

  • ZZZZ T.

    A BBQ restaurant with no ribs....? Went there last night for dinner, after a weekend's worth of House of Cards, looking forward to some ribs, only to put in our order and then find there were no ribs available. Forced to go with some of the other BBQ options, they were meh (tellingly why some items were still available and others were not). This place used to be pretty delicious, but they've clearly lost a step. Great beer options, but the waitstaff was not conversant about the selection. Not leading with the lack of rib availability is unacceptable.

    (2)

  • Laura P.

    I've never jumped on the redbones wagon. I've eaten here about a dozen times. I find the BBQ to be average and I am not a big fan of the sides. The atmosphere is fun and service is good. But I've never understood the large following this restaurant has.

    (3)

  • Ada L.

    I'm happy to update that the restaurant contacted me, invited me back, and offered me a $50 gift certificate, which I accepted. My friends and I have been back several times since, and haven't had any more customer service problems. Thanks for caring, Redbones!

    (4)

  • Dawn A.

    We went to dinner at Redbone's after the Slutcracker at the Somerville Theater. The food was good. The corn fritters were unanimously voted a favorite with my friends. I could have just eaten those!! I had the brisket sandwich. It was good and decent sized. One of the major pluses of this place is that it's open late. Yummy food, late at night on a weekend--who isn't thrilled? While this BBQ might not be the stuff of my southern bbq fantasies, it's pretty good for Boston.

    (3)

  • Misty S.

    I'm a big fan of Redbones. Big portions. Awesome beer selection (and they host tap takeovers from local breweries downstairs- we went to an awesome one hosted by pretty things and got to meet their brewers/founders!). Delicious, delicious BBQ. I love their grilled shrimp. Even for someone who doesn't eat meat, I'm able to find something great to eat every time I go there. Love their cole slaw. Delicious cornbread. Delicious Mashed potatoes. A favorite!

    (4)

  • Rich M.

    Oh no! The Combo is gone! It's why I always go to Redbones when I need a meat infusion. The combo was 13 or 14 bucks at lunch and around 20 at dinner but what made it great was the incredible variety of things that came in it. There was a note on the menu about it being whatever was available at the time but it never disappointed. Ribs and chicken and sausage. and it was big! I would usually wind up taking close to half home and have it the next day. Maybe that was it. Maybe they weren't making enough money on it. I sat and looked at the menu for five minutes but there wasn't any way to get the variety on my plate that I came for and combining several things in the usual ways suggested on the menu wound up close to a mortgage payment. So insteaad I left and went to a Brazilian BBQ place on lower Broadway in Somerville and had a really nice meal for less than I would have paid for the combo. But I really miss the combo. Goodbye Redbones!

    (4)

  • Portia O.

    Best mac & cheese ever. The prices have risen a lot--a side of steamed broccoli is SIX DOLLARS!--but the quality is great and the food is tasty. You will feel like you're eating in a cafeteria, though--super noisy, thin paper napkins, and smooshed against the table next to you. Honestly, if I had the choice, I'd get the mac & cheese to go in a pint, save a few bucks, and eat in the quiet of my own home. With my own steamed broccoli for 50 cents. (SIX DOLLARS! THAT IS INSANE! FOR LITERALLY A CUP OF BROCCOLI!)

    (4)

  • Amy S.

    2 star dinner, 5 star beer drinkin, 4 star happy hour appetizer specials. I'm from the south, just barely - but still the south. Redbones serves up large portions of bland, school cafeteria soulfood. I've had dinner here twice and left fully bloated on both occasions, but also kinda deflated. That said, they give the after work crowd what they need - craft beer and 1/2 price plates of fried food.

    (3)

  • Kristina B.

    This place is raved about but unless you plan/love eating lots of meat, this place is alright. The concept of the place is great. The bbq is good but not the best I've had. If you are in the area, you should check it out for it's popularity.

    (3)

  • Brijesh J.

    The Jerk Beef was incredibly spicy!

    (4)

  • Ari P.

    Fried. Delicious. Noms. This place has no shortage of those. In my first foray into the BBQ scene that Boston has to offer, I rolled out of this place after achieving total frynihilation. Among the chosen appetizers, fried pickles (with jalapeños tossed in for good measure), Buffalo Shrimp (because calamari just won't do) and Hush Puppies which are best with the malt dippin' sauce, plain and simple. Super heavy, in retrospect I would not suggest ordering all of these at once. The pulled pork sandwich was satisfying, I opted out of the platter and just went for the sandwich, definitely the ideal option. They were kind of skimpy on the sauces, which was a letdown, but the pork was certainly able to speak for itself.

    (3)

  • Lu R.

    My wife and I were very disappointed in this place considering it was just voted best of in the Phoenix. The best things were the collars greens and the seasoning used for the beef and St. Louis style ribs. The pulled pork wash mushy, which typically comes from them adding the sauce to it way too early and letting it sit in the juices. The okra was not ripe and they served it with a salsa, which I have never seen in my 30+ years in the south and southwest, but it actually salvaged the dish a bit giving it a pickled-type feel to it. I likened the beans to Mexican or Texas chili beans or borracho/cowboy beans. They were okay but not what I expected. The brisket was bland but tenderly, fell apart. And none, and I mean none of the sauces were good. Cool atmosphere. Great beer list. Bumps this place up a star, but I wouldn't really go back to eat. Maybe to try their fried catfish, but there has to be better in Boston.

    (2)

  • John O.

    cool little BBQ joint in davis square. went there with a client who is also a good friend, so it was a casual business dinner. you definitely get a lot of food for your money, so that's great. i thought the beans were very meh, but the baby back ribs and chicken were pretty good. next time i will try the beef ribs. this place is no-frills, and you should definitely come here if you are looking for food and not scene.

    (3)

  • Ana R.

    I'm still not won over on Redbones. I've been here twice since my first review. The first time I was completely underwhelmed with my lunch. The second time I got the pulled pork sandwich with sweet sauce and a side of coleslaw. I scarfed it down because i was starving, and it was a good lunch (not $10 good, but still) but again, the main issue is that everything is bland. I had to smother my sandwich in the sweet bbq sauce it came with, which just shouldn't be the case for something that is slow-cooked. It should be infused with flavor inside and out. I had the pecan pie again and it was good, but dessert shouldn't make the meal, and it didn't.

    (3)

  • Bill T.

    Best bbq I had in a long time! Make sure you get a lot of napkins because you will get dirty! Love this place!

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    Never brilliant but almost always serviceable- today marked a new low: $17 for literally 3 bites of mediocre brisket with no sides (bland greens were extra) and when I humbly suggested that perhaps I might have a wee bit more the word came back that I'd had had my 6 oz and that was that. Another word got me a small discount but apparently food was scarce today. I doubt I'll be back -sorry, forgot the tasteless cornbread

    (1)

  • James J.

    Used to be my favorite BBQ place because of the quality AND QUANTITY. That should be the only reason for 2 stars here because this is all in the past now. Took 2 orders of BBQ belt for take out and when we opened the paper bag we were stunned - smaller boxes with stuff barely enough for one person. I mean, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I called right away and they were like "yeah we changed the quantity because of rising cost of meat and blah blah ..." Ok. So you guys are still raising prices AND at the same time reducing the quantity!!! I understand the laws of inflation but come on! Serving adults with kiddy size meals??? Not cool ...

    (2)

  • Jing Z.

    I've been here a couple of times, and I always found the food to be just okay - maybe even slightly mediocre. I've definitely had better bbq. A couple of days ago, my friends and I went, since 2 people never had Redbones before. We ordered 2 plates of Texas ribs, one rack of baby back ribs, and one rack of Memphis ribs. We also had sides of macaroni and cheese, Cole slaw, and mashed potatoes. The Texas ribs were awful. They were dry and had no flavor; one side of the ribs were also burnt. The baby back ribs were just okay. At least the Memphis ribs were soft. I hate the cole slaw at Redbones; it's soggy and has no flavor. The only good thing was the mashed potatoes, but it was something I felt I could easily make at home. The complimentary corn bread was also burnt. The bill came out to be about $30 per person for 7 people, which includes 4 drinks. For the food, I never come here by my own choice. I only come when a friend wants to go.

    (2)

  • Jo T.

    Best ribs in Boston, and I think I've tried most of them. Very consistent product. St. Louis ribs are tender and never dry. A great pit master must be here.

    (5)

  • Joshua C.

    Just moved here from South Carolina and have been craving good bbq. I've lived in South Carolina my whole life and was some what disappointed with this particular highly recommended spot. The fried pickles were fantastic. The hush puppies were more like a fritter than a light and fluffy southern hushpuppy...still very good just not a hush puppy. The pulled pork was not even close. Pulled pork should be not need any sauce and isn't cooked with anything but smoke...should be extremely moist after being slow cooked on open flames all day. My expectations were low but this was still very bad. The catfish was okay but the breading was a bit off with too much onion flavor. Also mac and cheese is not the mac and cheese you'd get at any joint or home in the South. Should be baked and not creamy but more like a casserole. Tasted more like easy mac. Being born and raised in the South this was a big let down however I've yet to find a spot in Boston that isn't and although not actually Southern style this spot gets 2 stars for pretty tasty fried pickles.

    (2)

  • Jeff R.

    RedBones is the place you take any out of town visitors when they come to Davis. The beers are great the people are nice and the food sticks to your ribs. If you are looking for a family dinner or a rowdy get together this is the spot to have some fun and eat well.

    (4)

  • Christopher H.

    Food was excellent. And the service was exceptional. Nachos were very good. Great beer selection. Ribs fell off the bone.

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Get the BBQ Hash! If you can handle the heat, saddle up to the kitchen bar and they will give you a free sausage appetizers. Some of the best BBQ I've ever had. And the place itself is just so cool. Sit downstairs sometime if you haven't before, beautiful art work. Definitely gets busy though.

    (5)

  • K B.

    Great food. Great beer selection.

    (4)

  • Bill Z.

    If you're not familiar with Redbones already and want to gauge its popularity, consider this: The number of reviews for Redbones on Yelp is approaching twice the number of reviews for Fenway Park. No wonder many of my Boston friends call Redbones "an institution." Prepare yourself for: a bit of a wait on a busy night, an impressive beer list, a very casual atmosphere, but most important, good bbq. It may not be the best you've ever had, bit it will be darn good. On this particular night, our party of 6 arrived at 7pm and had a 30 minute wait for a table, and a few of those interesting beers while waiting. Large groups should take advantage of - as we did - the "easy dinner order" option. Our combo for 6 gave us enough variety in our choices for everybody to be happy, at a very reasonable price. And because it's the most commonly ordered items, you get your dinner very quickly. We ordered a few appetizers too. The buffalo shrimp were the best I've ever had. The corn fritters were crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and served in a maple syrup glaze. They were tasty but filling. I only had 1 so I could save room for the meat. The ribs were so tender they fell off the bones. They had enough flavor that I didn't need any of the sauces, which are served on the side. The chicken was tasty but slightly dry. Their pulled pork is the best I've ever eaten. The jerk beef was spicy, due to the slices of jalapeno in it. The beans were smoky without being excessively sweet, and the coleslaw was fresh and tangy. My only wish is that they gave you bigger plates onto which you can pile your food. But I think that gave everybody at our table a fighting chance at everything.

    (4)

  • Meghan M.

    We have eaten here a few times. Pretty good, wouldn't say fantastic. It is expensive and not to sure if the taste measures up to it! Some of the staff is nice, others not so much. Waiters are very brief and quick, which can be either good or bad depending on the mood your in. The meats are better then the sides.

    (3)

  • Paul K.

    This place is awesome. The food is always delicious and the service is always quick and friendly. I love the pulled pork and the portions are always huge. The location is hard to get to if you drive because the parking is bad around Davis square, but the food is definitely worth it. I live on the north shore and this is the only place I'll go for bbq.

    (4)

  • Jac H.

    I am sad to say that Redbones had a limited menu when I came -- but that's because of the Blizzard Nemo. I went up to Boston to visit some of my Husband's friends, but was sadly only allowed outside to explore snow, and not the rest of Boston. My Husband's friend told us that this was the best BBQ place, and as it was delightful, I wish I could try more. fried pickles & jalepenos - awesome. catfish sandwich - tastey coleslaw - bland .. meat thing of hash - divine... if on a sandwich I would say 3.5 stars. I am certainly biased on this review because of the limited menu - but that isn't Redbones' fault. What was their fault was the terrible service. No one greeted us after we were seated until I flagged someone down. Some beers were forgotten, and our wait was terribly longer than anticipated. And why do we have to order the sides separate from the sandwich? I feel like it's pretty common that sandwiches typically come with one side.

    (3)

  • William K.

    This is the reason I go to Boston. Red Bones is THE place to go for a healthy red blooded American who enjoys a good beer and barbecue. Red Bones has one of the largest beer selections that I know about. They also have some of the best barbecue I have ever had. If you really want a good deal, get there for their daily special which I think goes until 3, but might be 4. There is a lunch item called the platter, it is 10.99 and I swear it had at least 5 pounds of the most tender ribs I ever ate, I was turned off at first because usually its a bit of a job biting the meat off the bones, not at Redbones, you can pretty much suck the meat off it is SO tender! You also get delicious corn bread, beans, rice and slaw. I am hooked. Every time I go, we sit downstairs. The artwork is something to see. Very psychedelic.

    (5)

  • David R.

    I've had BBQ in Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, and other places. I've had just as good a few times, but not better.

    (5)

  • Ali M.

    Just moved here from San Diego and really wanted to find a good local BBQ place. Sadly this place was sub par. The corn bread was dry and the portion was small. The potatoes salad had unevenly cooked potatoes. The beans were not BBQ beans, they were pinto beans out of a can, and tasted as such. The 1/2 chicken was decent, a bit over cooked. The BBQ sauce was tangy and vinegary. The only positive note was the pulled pork sandwich. I would never return here for the food, only the drinks.

    (2)

  • Stephen O.

    This place is a davis square mainstay. While all the other fashionable "it" places open and close, Redbones remains the constant. And for good reason. The barbecue is excellent (make sure you get your sauces), the bartenders are hornery, and the music and atmosphere is genuine. Its one of the last places in somerville that has been able to maintain its original charm and not succumb to the hipsters and college kids.

    (5)

  • Nitya D.

    Underbones, underbones, underbones. 30ish beers on tap. Pretty good whiskey selection. All priced fairly. Not many vegan options, but that is to be expected. Dimly lit, colorful bone shaped things on the ceilings and walls with a backdrop of odd, if not hilarious, mural paintings.

    (4)

  • Joe H.

    I've been coming here since I was a kid and it's still every bit as magical. I love the BBQ belt! It's got a little bit of everything. They have a decent but not oversized beer selection. Red Bones is THE first thing that comes to mind when anyone mentions Davis Sq.. it is also the first place that comes to mind when anyone mentions local BBQ joints. Red Bones is an unpretentious grungy joint. EAT HERE!

    (5)

  • Michele H.

    4.5 stars. There is one thing above all I love about this place, and that's the fried oysters. I've never, ever had better, more juicy ocean tasting goodness with the nicest kick of spices. I couldn't tell you much about the rest of the fare. You might find better BBQ, but if you're a lover of spicy, fresh, fried bivalves, you'll be in heaven.

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    Met up with a friend here for dinner the other night. Wasn't easy to find the place, since Somerville has loads of 1 way streets that don't make sense. But I was finally able to figure it out. Parking is on street or in a pay lot. Trust me, make sure you PAY that meter! It's well worth it and your car will still be there when you return....hopefully. The food? Very good. Portions were a bit on the small side, but so was the table. This place gives a new meaning to the words "maximum use of space". They really pack the place and you will be rubbing elbows with someone. If you don't like that kind of dining...then eat elsewhere. Had the BBQ sandwich with hot BBQ sauce. Was very good. Added a fried okra app. Always good to see a BBQ place with fried okra. Was al dente and went great with the BBQ sauce and salsa they brought out....again, portion was small for the small. Service here was excellent. They really stay on the tables to keep em moving in and out. The only reason it's not a 5 star is, not a fan of the cramped location, dining, parking, etc. But I'd still go back for another visit.

    (4)

  • Vicky H.

    Been here a few times. Just finally thought about writing the experience. Regular menu time: it gets busy and it gets loud. The service is ok, not superb. Soemtimes hit or miss depending on who you get. the food is "alright". It's not where you would want to come back to any time soon. I've tried several of their different styles of ribs and I think Memphis was my fav. It sorta sucks that just about every dish is served with beans and slaw, of both i don't really care for. the dessert menu isn't very desirable but White Trash Sundae is alright if you really want one. the late night menu: there really isn't one. just whatever they still got in the kitchen but it's a reduced price and often you get a HUGE helping!!! THIS is a nice value but then again, it's late so unsure if you really want to eat so much unless you're a vampire and sleep during the day :P The service during late night is more terrible than the day. It's often slow and drinks hardly get refilled. You may also end up searching for your waiter/waitress to settle the bill because it does take a while sometimes. But hey, if you got nothing else going on, it's a cool place to hang out. The decor is very nice.

    (2)

  • Kevin T.

    Great server in Christina but what has happened to Redbones? A perennial favorite... I hadn't been in a couple years. It's not geographically desirable any more. 7 of us had dinner... No fries... No mashed... No pulled chicken... No sweet potato fries... No brisket... What gives? Unacceptable.

    (2)

  • Marlarissa M.

    Really cool restaurant/bar. Get the family platters and enjoy a BBQ feast with others.

    (5)

  • deanna p.

    Again, as a southerner, I feel I must speak to their fantastic BBQ and atmosphere. Always hold off and wait for a table downstairs at underbones, it's worth it. I know many people say that blue ribbon has better bbq...and I've yet to try it (even though it's a block from my house)...but it could never offer the atmosphere redones gives. I always get the pulled pork. love their cornbread, corn fritters, mac and cheese, collard greens...the list goes on.

    (5)

  • Silas S.

    Ok so let me preface this review that this not specifically about food. I've been going to Redbones for years now and having lived in the south i can say it is not as good as BBQ down there but lets stay positive. What I like about in 10 points Rebones: 1) The everyman bar: Doctor, degenerate, engineer, student, carpenter, all are welcome here. A bastion of unpretentiousness. 2) Chili Verde: Not as good as it is out west but pretty good. 3) Great rotating beer list 4)Under Bones: Psst (can't believe i'm telling you this) if its packed upstairs you can usually find a spot downstairs. 5) Pacific Northwest Night: It is not possible to get so many great beers from the PacNW in one spot ANYWHERE ELSE 6)Bike Valet: How awesome is that! 7) Half off food happy hour. In a land devoid of all things timed happiness at least i can get cheap bite to eat here. 8) Beer served in (usually 4) different sizes. 9) Oktoberfest: Maybe its not fair that they have a great location but I come every year. 10) Its what every young lad or lass could hope for in a neighborhood bar. While its not technically in my neighborhood I've always felt like it was.

    (5)

  • Dave R.

    Have the Caribbean jerk steak sandwich and thank me later. It gave me a 109th bone in my body. The atmosphere is great an lively, the decor is trendy, and the beer selection is top notch. They have delerium tremens and nocturnum, which is important.

    (5)

  • Jenn T.

    Got some takeout BBQ from this place. I ordered the full of Texas ribs and a pulled pork order. Somehow, I guess a $19 order of Texas ribs comes out to 6 ribs?! Kind of a rip off in my opinion...I was expecting a full rack of ribs to come to my house! Other than that, the seasoning and sauces were yummy. The meat was very tender, well cooked and came off the bone super smoothly. The pulled pork was also good, with good sauce and flavor. It comes with beans, coleslaw and some cornbread. I wish it came with some other veggies, so that I wouldn't feel so fat after eating lol. But otherwise good. Delivery was relatively fast considering our huge order. Everything came out good as well. I'm still partial to Phil's BBQ in SD, which is my all time fav rib/BBQ place, but that's just my bias/loyalty to their awesome ribs.

    (3)

  • Heidi L.

    I don't claim to be a barbecue connoisseur so I won't stake any claims on the authenticity, but I love the sauce, the sides (okay, let's be real, the mac and cheese) and most importantly, the fact that they're really the only place in the Boston area with fried okra (yes. yes. yes). That said, there have definitely been times when the meat (particularly the pulled pork/chicken) has been too dry, hence the dousing of the hot sauce and the result that I end up eating more sides than meat...

    (3)

  • Hana K.

    It's hard to come across soul food / BBQ in Boston but leave it to Davis Square to have it! For those who do not eat ribs often, here is how their ribs menu works: Texas style -- beef All other styles -- pork Baby back ribs -- the best, most tender type of meat but it is slightly smaller than other ribs Memphis / Tennessee -- other parts of the pork *They all come with BBQ sauce on the side Their garlic mash potatoes are soo good!

    (4)

  • Damien S.

    I'm glad you could join me today, Redbones. Let's evaluate where we are and where we see this going. I'll begin. You get an extra star. It's the subtle things you've improved on in the last three years. The addition of fried pickles and jalapenos ($6) is a trump card, although the little morsels can be pretty salty. Still, they will be the death of me. The newfound glory in your rising star - a fried catfish sandwich with a perfect crust, dirty rice and slaw - is thrilling and quite the bargain at a measly $7 (M-F, 11-4p). I always include your bottomless sweet tea when I dine in, and you still make the cut for a $10 lunch. But, that's when I'm there. Perhaps the most bloating reason for our talk today, and this ROTD-shrouding public update, is a wonderful trait you've had for a while, yet I truly realized the impact only a few nights ago: the economy of delivery. It's free, and when I partake in Any Two meat plate (pulled pork, pulled chicken, pulled hamstring, pulled punches) you deliver FOUR MEALS WORTH of shredded animal. Four. I counted. And if that weren't enough, folks around Davis Square know you flyer the hell out of their 'hoods, offering a free appetizer with any delivered entree. Cows don't have enough room for that load and they have four stomachs. How do you stay in business? It's ridiculous. You're ridiculous. I love you.

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    I don't really get the hype. With such a bad ass name, you'd be expecting some bad ass BBQ... It's a cool spot, don't get me wrong. They have a killer beer selection and a huge menu. I thought the food was okay, but I think they could stand to put a little more love into it. Personally, I prefer Blue Ribbon.

    (3)

  • Dorian G.

    Holy shiitake mushrooms! This place has a ton of reviews! Not gonna take all night to read 'em all, hell, I'll be lucky if this gets read. Short story: tasty food, good beer, reasonably priced, nuff said. My favorite is the pulled pork sandwich. Slaw is bland, and corn bread like sawdust. Save yourself and skip the "plate" and just get the sandwich. When you're in David Square and you want some delicious meat, don't hesitate to head to Redbones.

    (4)

  • Joseph N.

    Phenomenal BBQ! Mac 'N Cheese is SO good! Well worth the price. Great spot for lunch or dinner but late night is even better!!

    (4)

  • Christina C.

    If you love ribs, you'll love Redbones. It's a Southern homestyle joint in Somerville's Davis Square and definitely worth a visit with friends. Their menu is extensive, and luckily I was with a group of six so we were able to split and try their Memphis, St. Louis, and Texas Beef ribs. My favorite by far was Memphis (a perfect blend of smoke and tang) and it was fall-off-the-bone delicious with lots of meat and not much fat. Way better than the BBQ I had in Memphis actually. They bring you sides of sauce for each order for extra dipping and lots of napkins. A friend got the pulled pork sandwich plate with beans and potato salad, which I helped myself to and found to be spot on. The flavor of the place was totally downhome and casual, and we enjoyed our messy meal with some great brews and (a few) shots of whiskey to boot.

    (4)

  • Regina F.

    Even though this place is as loud as a KMFDM Concert in the mid-80s, only with instruments and metal vocals replaced by drunk students ranting about missing jackets and shouting hostesses ringing their vocal bells announcing that "TABLE FOR CHRIS, 9, READY" three times before Chris and Co. finally worm their way through the bar and to their seats, the food is pretty damn amazing. The ribs are the definition of "fall-off-the-bone." They're so succulent and melt so willingly that even the most keen carnivore would be confused as to where meat product ends and cartilage ends...and it doesn't even matter, because the flavor is so smokey, so southern, so delightfully fattening. The coleslaw is crunchy and delightful - the perfect balance between vinegar and cream is achieved, making this coleslaw reminiscent of Aunt Caroline's homemade country 'slaw. The 4 BBQ sauces set before you only add to the authenticity - you're given the gamut from the thick and sweet (think KC) to the thin and vinegary (think Yankee). Pour all four of them all over everything you eat, and you'll be ridiculously happy.

    (5)

  • Christina T.

    So I never go out of my way to eat BBQ food. I prefer homemade BBQ over going to restaurants. We got there early and waited forever for a table but we headed downstairs to grab a beer in the meantime. I got the Jamaican Jerk Sandwich and man, that was spice that I was not prepared for. You know how sometimes you keep on eating, you expect it to taste better or be less spicy? Well, I kept on chowing down and eventually couldn't feel the inside of my mouth anymore - it was so uncomfortably hot. It didn't help that I doused it in the complimentary Spicy BBQ sauce. How very naive! I really love spicy food but sadly can't handle Mexican peppers. Good thing those water mason jars were bigger than my face, because I drank all of it.

    (2)

  • Dave F.

    Look, this place has over 1000 reviews. You're not going to learn anything about food, service, atmosphere, etc. from me that you haven't already seen literally hundreds of times. So here's the one most important point I can add: If you order a beer at the bar downstairs, you're going to pay tax on it. Your $3 PBR is actually going to cost $3.21. Not that I really care about the extra cost, but when I'm buying a beer, I don't want change. If I wanted to jangle when I walked, I'd dress like a cowboy.

    (3)

  • C L.

    outstanding! and I LOVE that they have gluten free menu AND great gluten free beer!

    (5)

  • Dan K.

    Good food in a relaxed, low-key atmosphere, and a lot of good craft brews to try.

    (4)

  • Kim E.

    Don't ever eat there. The food is sloppily done and has no flavor. The ambiance is rowdy and creates for a light atmosphere, but as for the quality of "Southern" cooking... I wouldn't suggest it. Never dining there ever again.

    (1)

  • Mary L.

    I'm no BBQ connoisseur, but I am a bit of a BBQ snob having been spoiled with Dinosaur BBQ the past four years in Syracuse. I had the choice of meat with two sides for $10. The pulled pork was dry and the bread felt like it had been sitting out for at least a day. The coleslaw was alright, there was something off about the texture and it was lacking flavor. The saving grace? THE POTATO SALAD WAS DIVINE. The creamy smooth texture, crunch of the dill and onions, and scallions to top were fabulous. I could easily devour a tub of it. Being fair, I did go to the food truck at 5pm, meaning that the food most likely sat out since the lunch rush. Until I can go into the restaurant and try it straight out of the kitchen, this place is mediocre in my book. Still searching for a fabulous BBQ place in Boston...

    (3)

  • Tom B.

    This review applies only to Underbones Bar, because as much as I love being the unhelpful review that takes up useful space, I'm not gonna be the vegan guy that reviews a BBQ spot and bitches they don't have vegan options. Great selection of beers on tap. Prices are what you'd expect to pay in Davis. Cool space, certainly chilled out.

    (4)

  • Patrick P.

    Friends were kind enough to invite us out to eat at Redbones, one of their favorite places. I had heard about the place for years but for some reason I never made it there. Now I know why. I had a half rack of ribs that were just not good. Dry as a bone with a tough leathery skin. I honestly felt like they had been cooked the day before or more and then reheated. My better half had the brisket which was too dry. Plus we were crammed into a corner table where we could barley move. Sorry to say that will be my one and only trip to Redbones

    (2)

  • Hilary H.

    I came to Redbones for the beer, but I wish it had been for that BBQ, too. Unfortunately, I was stuffed and all I could fit in were a few pints to fill the cracks. Their beer menu is seriously impressive - great domestic microbrews beside wonderful Belgians. Order by number, and the barkeep will be your best pal. I had a Sierra Nevada draught, my companions had a Dogfish Head Brown Ale, some magical Chimay wonder that tasted like chocolate and coffee, and some weird German pilsner that was quite refreshing, if different. Variety we did not lack. The food coming out of that kitchen smelled amazing, so I'll defs be back for some ribs and chicken wings!

    (4)

  • david b.

    another review of red bones. it doesnt have chicken parm but i will still give it 5 stars. spin the beer wheel. get a huge growler of water with lemon. get some hot cornbread with butter. wait 45 minutes for a table and drink a lot of beer, then get your meal within 4 minutes and 12 seconds of ordering. eat a lot or a little. the food will be very good no matter what you get. buy a redbones t-shirt or a gf, bf or father/mother, they will all enjoy it. spread the love . anyone who gives rebones less than 5 stars loves the yankees. you would never believe anything a yankees fan has to say right?

    (5)

  • Andrea B.

    Delicious southern BBQ food that's also insanely cheap? Okay, I'm totally down for that. Get me there, now! Sadly though, most of what I had was just average. But that description would NOT include the ribs (well, one rib) that David C. and I got to try, on the house. We were seated up at the counter right in front of the kitchen, and the cooks were serving them up for customers to try, for free. That chunk of meat was so delicious that I ended up being extremely disappointed that we didn't order more. We got the appetizer combo, which included buffalo shrimp (decent, if you love buffalo sauce), catfish fingers (delicious when dipped into the creamy tartar sauce that came with it), hushpuppies (bone dry - had to dip them in leftover maple syrup to make them more exciting - see below), and fried okra (it's fried, can't go wrong). I was talked into trying corn fritters with maple syrup (I'm not a fan of the latter - yes, you can go die of shock now), and fell completely in love with them and would wholeheartedly recommend them if you're in the mood for something insanely sweet but oddly delicious. After stuffing ourselves with aforementioned appetizers, we split what was supposed to be a pulled pork entree, but after careful inspection, David pointed out that it was actually chicken! And so it was. Service was appalling. Our waiter was pretty out of it the entire time. But dinner was super cheap, I discovered that maple syrup can be magical and that I enjoy catfish fingers...so you won't catch me complaining too much.

    (3)

  • Paul J. M.

    Once upon a time Redbones was the place to go for BBQ. Recently sold and they have sold out. I had a sausage appetizer that was a skinny 3 inch piece cut into 6 pieces. They filled the small plate with saltines. Yes saltines. They charged 6.99 for this disgrace. The name of this appetizer should henceforth be referred to as the official obituary of a once great restaurant. Perhaps they can change names to Saltines!

    (1)

  • Susan C.

    Redbones is jam packed every time I go for dinner, and Wednesday night was no exception. Showed up around 7:30pm or 8pm, and was told the wait would be 20-25 min. We ended up going downstairs and just eating at the bar - no wait. The food here is good, but definitely not was good as when they first opened. The cornbread was a bit dry. I ordered their special of the evening, which were steak tips. They have a nice smokiness to them, but were pretty bland by themselves if you didn't dip them in Redbones' BBQ sauce. My one dislike of this place is that if you ever get stuck eating in the downstairs, there is a faint scent of bathroom that malingers throughout, mostly because the bathroom is downstairs. Also, it is very dim down there, that coupled with the dank air accentuates the fact that you're eating in a basement.

    (3)

  • Kevin A.

    To me, "3/5" defines Redbones. It fills a hankering for some red meat, but it isn't great. The ribs were a little dry. Different sorts of beef are served sliced up and pre-mixed with sauce, instead of letting the smoked beef flavor shine through. It was sliced a little thin. The sides were fine but nothing to write home about. Basically, Redbones is a good place to satiate a craving for BBQ in an area scarce of good BBQ, but is not going to be extremely memorable. It is also priced above what one might expect for BBQ. It isn't awful, but if I go with one other person, we easily rack up a charge of $50+

    (3)

  • Kelly O.

    My old review still stands: tasty food, decent prices, great beer list, cool casual vibe... but I'm shocked at how much Underbones has transformed into a kiddie play area lately. At a recent birthday dinner, there were parents breastfeeding at their table, at 9 PM (so many things wrong with that statement...). At dinner there this weekend, all but one of the tables had small children at it, and I was horrified to find Redbones now has a kid's menu (who's next, Pour House???). Look, you can take your hellspawn to the upstairs part for all I care, which is brightly lit, non-porous, and if not actually family-friendly, at least more conducive to children making a mess. But leave my Underbones alone; let me and my childless friends enjoy our beer and meat in peace. Underbones is dark, cramped, noisy, porous, dirty, colorful, and a full out bar scene filled with raucous adults happily partaking in the 30 beers on tap... nothing about that says "hey, this is a great place for kids!". People, stop trying to pretend you're still young and hip by bringing your brats to your old haunts, the last thing the rest of us want to deal with is flying food and screaming children (yes that happened... for gods' sake, take your brats outside when they start to cry, have some respect for your fellow patrons!). I felt especially bad for the staff; it took no less than 4 of them to clean the table behind us after it had been destroyed by a bunch of small brats, vacuuming and all. I'll be the first to admit I am not a fan of children, but I get actively pissed when I'm forced to deal with them in a place I consider a sanctuary away from the crying and the annoyingness. It's really frustrating to see this trend spreading throughout the city, and I shudder to think how many other places are changing in this way... can't you leave us adults in peace?

    (4)

  • Chris P.

    The beer selection at Red Bones is excellent. The staff is fun. I especially like the downstairs area. The food is tasty, but it could be better.

    (4)

  • Nicolas C.

    BBQ! I love pork and there is nothing I love more then a great pig plate of ribs. I also love beer and when BBQ and beer are back together they make quite a sexy couple. This place is comfortable, near my apartment and has a really cool looking basement. It gets 5 stars because Its tough to getting ribs in Boston and especially in Somerville (I also go to blue ribbon but they don't have beer but they are cheaper).

    (5)

  • Natasha A.

    Because vegetarians scare me and Big meats rule! This place has the best barbeque ribs ever, both pork and beef, in all styles (memphis, texas, baby back etc...). Their sides are awesome too like the candied yams. Warning: they only take cash.

    (4)

  • Brian O.

    All draft beers are coming up short. There's a new manager supporting these short pours. Avoid at all costs.

    (1)

  • Steve L.

    Stick with the grilled seafood, the beer, the pulled pork, the beer, the jerk beef(if you can stand the heat), the beer, the mac'n'cheese, the beer. Did I mention the great beer selection of some 24 taps (plus one on cask every Monday), that rotate frequently. Stay away from the ribs unless you really enjoy dry-rub dried-out-ribs (reason for the 4stars instead of 5stars).

    (4)

  • Rob L.

    This place has an amazing atmosphere. The downstairs bar is great, has a great selection of beer and really cool bartenders. The food is so-so. I guess there aren't many choices for BBQ in the Boston area, but that doesn't make Redbones better. I think people go on a Friday or Saturday night, see the 90 minute wait for a table and crowds of people waiting inside and outside and get the wrong impression. They experience the cool atmosphere and authentic-looking menu, complete with hushpuppies, okra and collard greens and think, "this must be what great BBQ is." It isn't. Don't get me wrong; it's good, just not great. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could, just because of the atmosphere and the downstairs bar, but I feel the food needs to be better to get up to 4 stars.

    (3)

  • John K.

    This place does a lot of things right (bike valet, wheel 'o beer, atmosphere, location), but then they fall down on the most important part - the BBQ here just isn't very good. I speak mostly of the ribs. Either overcooked, over dry, all fat, no flavor difference between regional varieties, no special house sauces or options. I come out of here genuinely disappointed every time I go. I want to like it because they are so good at acting fun and they have good beers, but ultimately they don't deliver, so I can't recommend them. Check out Dinosaur (upstate NY), Smokin Joe's, or Blue Ribbon instead.

    (2)

  • S M.

    Awesome food , OK service , Great ambiance... I will go back for Pork ribs and grilled salmon.....

    (4)

  • Mark S.

    Eh. Ok. Blue ribbon is much better, but neither one is anything special. There are fast food barbecue chains in the south better than redbones.

    (2)

  • Dhruv S.

    I accidentally came across this place. my roomie invited me here for a farewell party. I think he took into account the fact that i am hardcore meat eater. And I must say that I haven't made a better decision yet in my life in terms of food choices. The ribs, the chicken, the beer (PBR) is value for money and not to forget delicious. The service is excellent too. I have been in beantown for a year and this is my best place to come for food. Yes you might want to reconsider bringing a friend here (especially if they are veg.) Not much here for the veggies. I always get a chick-rib combo here (its a BIG meal) but its great. the atmosphere is very chilled out as well. definitely deserves the 5 stars.

    (5)

  • adam and maggi w.

    Yummy beers, boyfriend likes the food.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth M.

    Reading the other reviews, I feel I must missing something. I've been to two events catered by Redbones, and both times the food was disappointing. I admit that, since I spent some time living in the South, my standards for barbecue may be high (at least for the Northeast). But it's not just that the stuff from Redbones was bad barbecue; it was, in my opinion, just bad food. The ribs were not at all choice. The coleslaw was bitter; in fact, when I first tasted it I thought it might be off. I didn't try anything else except for some mushy watermelon provided as part of the catering. After that I gave up.

    (2)

  • g-pap ..

    there are a ton of redbones haters out there, who get worked up about the ribs, claiming dryness. blue ribbon and mrs jones are better, the arguments go. perhaps -- but to defend the 'bones, note that menu selection is key. get the st. louis ribs. they are succulent, perfectly smoked, and slathered with just the right amount of sauce. excellent. yes, they cost 18$, but don't be tempted to make due with the cheaper memphis or arkansas ribs, which indeed can be a little styrofoam-y. i suppose the catfish sandwhich is pretty good, and the sides are swell as well: collards are soft but not overboiled, okra is competent but not great, and beans are tasty. the beer used to excite me greatly but too many flat beers have made me less enthused. they have a wide selection and have many english and belgian and u.s. micros on tap, but there may be too many and methinks the kegs get to be a few days old. the service is superb. once a buddy and i had a severe jones for ribs and raced to redbones for a fix, and wolfed through our racks of st. louis ribs. we were not quite sated and asked the server why a full rack was only 10 ribs even though the pig is equipped with 12. a lame rationale was offered, and but 5 minutes later a bucket of approximately (no, exactly) 26 ribs was plopped on our table. free. AWESOME. we chomped through those rather happily.

    (4)

  • Rebecca A.

    Yum! Yum! Yum! Truly delicious bbq. 4 stars instead of 5 because seating was cramped for our party of 8. We had fried okra as an appetizer which was good and corn fritters which I still dream of, dripping with maple syrup. I highly recommend the corn fritters. For our dinner I had the pulled chicken sandwich which was very tasty. The pulled chicken wasn't spicy or sticky sweet like I expected, but more smoky and savory. Very casual place and they had a large selection of beer.

    (4)

  • Heather Q.

    This place is excellent when you're starving and really have a taste for barbeque. Otherwise, it's just OK. The food is good, the portions are huge. It's not perfected Southern barbeque, but then you're not in the South, you're in Boston. It's certainly worth checking out. If you don't like barbeque, the catfish is good. I would avoid them for catering, though. Everybody gets so excited when they hear that an event is being catered by Redbones, but the actual execution is not great. If you must, I'd advise keeping it simple. Pulled pork sandwiches, cornbread, slaw. Skip the ribs and the wings.

    (3)

  • Jud P.

    It's not perfect, but it is pretty darn good. The highlight for me is always the beer. They have 20 or so different tap with tons of hard to find and unique beers. There are usually a few Belgians as well. The bartenders are very friendly and will let you sample just about anything before you commit to a pint. If you're looking for a ton of meat, then this is the place for you too. The ribs are great and so is the pulled pork. Also try the buffalo shrimp and the catfish fingers, they are some of my favorites. If you're just interested in the BBQ you can find better at Blue Ribbon in nearby Arlington. But if you want a good sitdown meal with great beer then Redbones is a can't miss. I've had both really great service and poor service so it just depends on who your waiter is. I've found the waiters are friendlier upstairs but that just might be coincidence. Despite its few flaws, Redbones is one of my favorite restaurants.

    (4)

  • Ben A.

    So I moved into my apartment near Davis Square in September and since then I've been to Redbones three times so I think I can now appropriately gauge it. Now from the outside it doesn't look amazing; it's a little worn and you can tell it's been the same way for years. The inside isn't overly impressive as well. It's hand painted and has a cool vibe, but you can tell that both the paint job and the furniture is a little dated. I do like that they have some of the most popular menu items painted in big bold letters on wooden signs on the back wall over by the kitchen. The atmosphere is alright. Usually nice and relaxed, very informal, but I don't know that you come to redbones for the crowd or the decor anyways. You come for the food. Now I haven't tried everything but from what I have tried: Their pulled pork sandwich, grilled salmon, brisket, mac and cheese, dirty rice, black bean pudding, caramel custard, all were very good. The mac and cheese was especially delicious. So when it looks worn and aged on the outside you know they're doing something right on the inside: they've been there for a while because they sure know how to cook. And they also have some really good beers on tap too! I also like that the non-alcoholic drinks come in Mason jars. It's a nice touch to give it a good homely feel. Another nice touch is that every meal comes with cornbread for the table. The food is very moderately priced too considering how big the portions are. I do agree with one of the other reviewers who said that they skimp on the sauce a bit... The grilled salmon didn't come with anything on it so it was kind of dry... there was lemon on the side but considering the name of the restaurant is "Redbones bbq" I was hoping they would have some really good home-made sauces. So when I came back the next time and ordered the brisket I made sure to ask for some sauce on it. I got a mild bbq sauce on it which was tasty but not overly memorable. Next time I'll have to try something a little more spicy. In short Redbones is a cool place to come and eat some solid food and kick back a few good beers with some friends on a Sunday or lazy weeknight. There is a bar upstairs that is sort of attached to the dining room but there are only a couple seats that can see the t.v.'s in the dining room. My roomate and I managed to sit there and watch some of the sox playoff games while we ate so that was kind of cool but if it was crowded I doubt we could have snagged those seats. The bar upstairs seemed kind of small but there is also a set of stairs leading to the basement immediately to the left when you walk in that leads downstairs to a bigger open bar/dance type area which you wouldn't notice unless someone told you or you were looking for it. I need to go back some time and check that out. Seemed kinda cool. I wonder if they have d.j.'s or shows down there or something.

    (4)

  • B D.

    I've been going to Redbones since 1995 or so. Some things are still excellent, but the meat has been getting cheaper and the kitchen has turned into a factory of mediocrity. In the last year, they seem to have hired this incredibly short woman who comes equipped with a baseball cap and the rudest attitude I have ever experienced. Every time I've (unfortunately) had to interact with her (she's usually the one with the waiting list), she's been a nasty little stereotypical southie girl- snide, rude, unhelpful, and sarcastic. And to think the sign says "southern hospitality"...

    (1)

  • John W.

    having just returned from the south, it is nice to be able to get some southern-style veggies in new england. despite the plethora of meat served up here, this place has plenty to offer vegetarians: mac & cheese, fried okra, broccoli, mashed potatoes, and the most delicious creamy spicy corn pudding. they also have a veggie burger, but it's not as good as others around town. their selection of beer is fairly impressive; a healthy mix of local and regional beers and brews from other places. they have a tiny bar upstairs and another subterranean bar. Beth M best describes the murals on the wall downstairs. also worth mentioning is their late night menu (served till 12:30am) last but not least, they have a bicycle delivery service and bicycle valet parking. how crazy is that?

    (4)

  • Drew M.

    Good beer selection, adequate food as far as I know. The wings were ok and the texas chili was terrible. Better for drinking than for eating so far.

    (4)

  • Wendy L.

    Yum, yum, yum. I love the baby back ribs which just fall off the bone. The macaroni and cheese are also delicious.

    (5)

  • Evelyn C.

    I would agree with many of the yelpers in that this is an average to above average bbq joint. Obviously, there aren't too many of these places in town. What gives them the 4 stars is there excellent beer choices, and they eclectic atmosphere. When people come and visit I always bring them here because it is so much fun! I love the sides and I like the fact that you can have a selection of sides as a combo. i went on a date to Redbones and sat at the counter where they were cooking up food, this made it less stressful and really entertaining!

    (4)

  • LT B.

    Is it bad that I think Red Bones in Boston is better than the ribs I had in two places in Texas (Ruby's and Salt Lick)? We came on a thurs night and it was packed. We ordered St. Louis and Texas ribs. The St. Louis ribs were my favorite along w/ side of mac and cheese. The service was friendly and quick. I didn't really notice any other barbeque places in Boston or Cambridge, but this is definitely a good spot even if there were many other barbeque alternatives.

    (4)

  • Jacob W.

    I recently stopped back by....the experience was better than the first. The apps we're free and all we're solid. Loved the corn fritters in maple syrup and was also a fan of the catfish fingers and buffalo shrimp. The beer menu was once again, amazing. And even though it was amazingly crowded, we still had great service which I was very impressed by. If around i'd definitely stop back in for a few brews and snacks. Definitely a good time sans BBQ. Maybe i'll give it a try next time...

    (3)

  • Aaron D.

    With the exception of the lunch spots around my office, this is my most frequented dining establishment. Every week my friends and I go here for drinks and food. The tradition has stood for over 10 years and I've been in on it for the last 3 or so. The beer selection is top notch and it's always fun to go in and see what's new on tap. I'm a big IPA and stout fan and they almost always have something I haven't tried. Whenever I have friends up from home, they demand to go to Redbones. While southerners may complain it's not authentic BBQ, when pressed I'm sure they'll agree it's the best around. When having a full meal I'll usually go with one of the sandwiches, pulled pork and brisket being favorites (comes with your choice of BBQ sauces: hot, mild, sweet, or vinegar). The sausage and catfish are solid as well. As for lighter fare, I love the fried pickles and jalapenos; introduced a year or two ago, they've improved by being thicker cut. The mac 'n' cheese is satisfying if not outstanding and anything drenched in their hedonistically buttery buffalo sauce gets an A+ (especially the shrimp). Although it tends to get really busy on weekends, the food comes out amazingly fast and the complimentary cornbread is a tasty starter. The servers are friendly and very personable and overall it's a fun place to eat

    (5)

  • jen f.

    always a hoot. great food. good beer. the bar on the left is fun. the basement downstairs is creepy and fun. the main dining room is nearly respectable. i am thankful this place exists.

    (5)

  • T B.

    Redbones is great. I had the opportunity to sit at the "bar" at the back upstairs on the stools. Watching the cooks prepare the food was... interesting. The free samples they kept passing over were awesome. I have no idea what language they were speaking, it wasn't English, Spanish or French.

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    Hot, spicy, savory, mouth-watering barbeque! Great place to take an out-of-towner. It kicks Blue Ribbon's ass!

    (4)

  • Sam S.

    At Redbones they REALLY do love you and want you to come back - Last time I was there for their lucious dry smoked ribs, my buddy and I sat at the bar, not the bar with beer, the one with meat. I call it the "meat bar". From the bar you can watch all that goes on in the pits, 6 different kinds of Ribs roasting away over a mesquite open fire. Then when you can't decide which rib you want, the guy at the pit yells "you wanna try some?" of course! He throws you a plate with 6 ribs on it, all looking a little different and tasting a little different. My favorite is St. Louis. Just as tender as babyback but not quite as small, and mmmhm I could go grab a rack right now.

    (5)

  • Melissa W.

    Good place to go if you like ribs... I had the pulled chicken sandwich, which was great. I like the beer selection, also. The waiter was very helpful about which beer to try and didn't give me any attitude about my special requests. I will have to go back and try the corn fritters...

    (4)

  • Chelsea P.

    Redbones is my digs. I live literally around the corner and make a point to go there late-night at least once a week for the delicious drafts and nachos. I'm usually too busy being obsessed with the nachos to eat anything else, but I really like the Memphis ribs. Don't even bother with the upstairs - Underbones is the only place you want to hang out. The service is great and the bartenders always have their Ipods going, so you're likely to hear Biggie followed by DJ Shadow. The large beer list is rotated frequently, and the margaritas are cheap and stellar. Ultimately, this is the coolest bar to hang out at in Davis, unless you're willing to tussle with frat boys at Joshua Tree or spend $9 on a crappy mojito at Orleans.

    (4)

  • Ashley F.

    Red bones is great. I know others have said it, and I'll say it too. It's a good place for bbq. They've got a great extensive menu, and the food is very good. Not the best bbq I've never had, but best I've had around these parts. The waitstaff is always friendly if a bit abrupt.

    (4)

  • Beth E.

    There are a million other reviews, ok, so there are 219 other reviews. I'm not sure how much more I can say that hasn't already been said. I'm giving three stars, but I think it's really more like 3.5 stars. The food is pretty good for what it is, it being BBQ in the Boston area. Like the brisket. Good portions. Nutty busy atmosphere. It's a cool little place. Have eaten there, have done the takeout thing. It's all good. Mmm, meat.

    (3)

  • Mick T.

    Decent BBQ, and a great beer selection make this a perfect spot to overeat. They have about 20 different beers on tap, and their selection ranges from obscure Belgium beers all the way to Pabst Blue Ribbon. However, there are better places to get BBQ, few of which are on the Red Line. But, I do like their Catfish, and the collard greens are decent, and their Key Lime Pye ain't bad either ... hmmm giving myself a hankering to go to Red Bones! What more can I say: Burp!

    (4)

  • Susan A.

    Good place to fulfill your craving for some ribs, but... that said... those ribs have such lost potential. Like that kid in your elementary school who you ran into working at the gas station. The things that could've been.... <tear> Food coma is 100% reliable, though. Full stomach, check. Mashed potatoes, check. Baked beans, check. Ribs, check

    (2)

  • Jordan A.

    Is this place good? Not really. I don't really get the hype. I am from Memphis and I am a little bit of a BBQ snob, but I can usually appreciate good BBQ from other places ... and this place didn't measure up. I was so excited about their seemingly authentic menu and ordered hushpuppies and fried okra for our table - both a disappointment, especially the hush puppies. I had the pulled pork and my boyfriend had the Memphis ribs - the meat was OK, tender and ok, but had very little flavor. The atmosphere was good and service was OK. I am pretty sad it wasn't as good as everyone made it out to be. Unfortunately, I won't be back....

    (2)

  • Greg F.

    LONG TIME PATRON OF REDBONES - TOTALLY UNHAPPY WITH REDBONES!!!!!!! I have eaten at Redbones on well over 100 occasions. I have been going there since the early to mid 90's and I have raved to anyone and everyone that would listen to my animated stories about this magical restaurant. I have introduced the spectacular foods, from the ribs, corn bread, catfish, sausages, iced teas, lemonade all the way down to the sweet potato pie with the fresh wipped cream. I have been one of Redbones biggest fans and cheerleaders. I moved to Texas about 2 1/2 years ago and have had many a BBQ plate and always told the local Texans about Redbones. I had to come back to Boston for a family event and of course Redbones was on the top of my list. But today was a very sad day for me. I arrived with my parents today to see Redbones staff setting up outside for a Bicycle event that happens every year. The restaurant was quiet for around 1:30 and as usual we were greeted by the happy staff. My customary dish at Redbones is the luncheon combo (All you can eat). With a great assortment of BBQ meats, beans, rice and cole slaw. When we looked at the menu, I was surprised to see that they have discontinued the "All you can eat" from their combo selection. I then asked to speak to the manager. Unfortunately the manager was unavailabe or too busy to speak to a 15 year customer. I was going to ask for a small bending of the "all you can eat" rule, for my long awaited return to my favorite restaurant. But the short of this portion of the story, was a polite, NO... I then proceeded to order the combo meal for myself and my father and a catfish sandwich with soup for my mother, from our server, Tyler. Tyler, by the way, was a great server. When we received our meals the meats were overcooked and smothered in a concealing sauce. My mother always told me to finish what was on my plate and I hate with a passion to discard food. So I finished almost all of it and when I was asked "How was everything?", I replied that I was very disappointed in my visit to Redbones. Tyler my server just asked my name and asked where I was from and I said that I am Greg from Texas. I own and operated a small community newpaper in Fort Worth Texas and I will be sure to write more about this experience and I will also be creating a webpage that will also add to this posting. I wish I could have talked with a manager and I'm sure this long winded review would have been totally different. Many Blessings!!!! Happy Eating at Redbones. Greg From Texas :)

    (2)

  • s c.

    Sorry, Redbones - you're going downhill. We've been coming to this institution for the last 20 yrs. Until BBQ became de riguer in the area, RB was the only game in town when you're hankering for southern BBQ goodness. While the vibe is still fun and friendly, the food can't hold a candle to Blue Ribbon. Because of its longstanding rep, the lines are still tend to be long towards end of the week, so we came on a Tues night this week. The buffalo scallops (they ran out of clams) app was good. Hubby ordered Memphis ribs and I order the baby back special. Both rib orders were super dry and overcooked. The sauce on the baby backs wasn't good, and I couldn't eat the ribs, so I swapped with hubby. The Memphis was OK, but very dry. Parts were so chewy we couldn't eat them. The corn bread was of meager size, a little mushy in middle. The best things were the fries and the scallops. I'm sad to see this well-loved institution deteriorate. Please, RB - pay more attention to the food quality, as much attention as to the brand.

    (2)

  • Dan M.

    I'll say up front that a few years ago I would have given Redbones a four or five star rating, and I think they could work their way back to that level of quality...but right now, things are pretty sad. I've been going to Redbones at least two or three times a month for the past four years (a band that I play in typically heads over there after our weekly Davis Square rehearsals). Over that time, I've seen things steadily decline. First, though, the good news: the quality of the food has stayed consistent, and I've always especially liked the non-barbecue things on the menu, particularly the potlikkers, the chile verde (which can vary from quite mild to pretty damn hot, depending on who made it that day), the catfish (always fresh and fried perfectly), and the fried pickles (served mixed with fried jalapenos). They've got a great rotating beer list, and they're always willing to provide samples of beers so you can try before you buy. Here's the thing, though...the service has declined dramatically over the past few years, the portions have gotten smaller, and the prices keep going up. Their waitstaff turnover in the past two years has been incredible--it seems like we have a new server every time, and I'm sorry to say that the majority of them are both rude and not particularly good at waiting tables. We often show up for the late-night menu, which features some discounted versions of the dishes on the regular menu, and last year there was about a six-month stretch where every single week the server rang something or other in at the wrong price and we had to send the check back. The prices themselves have gone up twice in less than three years, and it's been a particularly big hit where the beer is concerned. They're now selling 10.5-ounce glasses of certain beers for seven or eight bucks, which is ridiculous even for craft brews. They also just don't know how to treat their customers anymore. A few years ago, our band was recognized as being regulars who routinely ran up a $150+ bill for beer and food, and every couple of weeks the front manager would knock 10 or 15 percent off the check, or give us a free beer or two, which I thought was a great gesture, and a good way to treat regular patrons. Now, the management is as unhelpful as the waitstaff...my girlfriend lost her wallet there last year, and called them the next day to see if anyone had picked it up. She was told "no" so quickly that we were fairly sure they hadn't even looked for it...about six months later, a manager called and said that they'd eventually found her wallet, along with a few others, in a lost and found box that someone had tossed in a back room. When she went to pick it up, they didn't even apologize, let alone give her a free beer or a bite to eat for her trouble. I worked in the restaurant industry for many years, and I'd say that right now these guys are doing everything wrong but the food and the general atmosphere. It's great that they've been in Davis for over 20 years now, but they need to turn the ship around in a hurry if they want to last another 20.

    (2)

  • Amanda S.

    ....and I'm so disappointed to be writing this review. I was a HUGE Redbones fan a few years ago. I don't know what happened...they've really gone downhill. Went three times in the last 3 months and was hoping for a better outcome each time. Meat was dry and tough and overcooked. Service was HORRIBLE - last time, we ate at the bar and we were clearly an annoyance (at best) to the bartender. Mac and cheese (usually one of my favorites) was gluey and flavorless. Sauces were so-so. I am SO bummed out! I've heard Blue Ribbon is better - I am going to try them next time I've a hankering for ribs -- I suggest you do the same.

    (2)

  • Erin G.

    i'm a vegetarian and i didn't eat here but i sat and chatted while my meat loving friends tucked in to a bbq fest. everyone enjoyed their food - one spice fiend even said that the jerk chicken was TOO hot for him to eat, so that's impressive. the atmosphere was cute and kitschy...johnny cash playing in the background and flying pigs suspended from the ceiling. redbones loses some street cred because of it's service. it was 2:30PM on a saturday and yes, it was still busy for lunch groups, but our server was really slack with the beverages...and considering all i had ordered was water and ginger beer, was kind of a big deal to me. and one friend ordered some chili dish and as a server (not our main person) brought it out, he was carrying it at a 45 degree angle and throwing juice onto ME and the table. not cool. he just kind of slopped it across the table at her and left. i would try the portobella or veggie burger if i returned here. and hopefully the staff can work on getting some service trays.

    (3)

  • JeNnIfEr S.

    It wasn't a bad experience BUT I did leave feeling a bit let down.... Maybe that's because I had heard so many greats things about it before I went. I have only been there once, and when I went I had the pulled chicken sandwich. It was pretty dry and not much to write home about. However, the potato salad was great. I will definitely give Redbones another try.

    (3)

  • Jon M.

    Best barbeque I've had, ever. I eat here a little too often...

    (5)

  • Renee S.

    We took our 5-year old and 3-year old out to eat a few weeks ago. As soon as we were seated, our 3-year old said, "THIS is the kind of restaurant I like!" And she's right. It's great for kids: loud, crowded, messy, delicious.

    (4)

  • Leigh c.

    Best Hushpuppies. Ever. That would be enough in and of itself for 5 stars, but add to that the white-trash sundae, or the basement bar that looks like someone's make-out-room from Hampshire College circa 1991...perfection.

    (5)

  • al e c.

    i love redbones! in addition to having a great menu, an amazing beer list and a great atmosphere, redbones is also very involved in supporting the community. delicious and socially responsible ... wwho could ask for more. i won't go on and on, but be sure to try the corn pudding, succotash and buffalo shrimp.

    (5)

  • Allen G.

    Redbones is the definition of a mixed bag: precisely-cooked meat, acceptable sauces and average sides.

    (2)

  • Vin V.

    The Pulled Pork Plate is cheap and with the beans, etc. you'll have enough left over for breakfast in the morning.

    (4)

  • Kathleen M.

    I've only seen someone spit beer in someone else's face two times in my life, and both of those times were at Redbones. Don't get too horrified, because the spitter and spittee were both friends of mine. It's just a testament to how much fun this place can be, and how out of hands things can get if you don't pay attention to how much beer certain folks in your party consume. Here are some of my favorite things about Redbones: A guy on a bike brings the food to my house. The bartender will chose my beer with the spin of a wheel. If you really want just a pile of meat, you can get it...the slaw and beans at the bottom of the plate are almost insignificant. If you don't want just a pile of meat, they have awesome sides (try the meat and three!). COLLARD GREENS! CORN PUDDING! HUSH PUPPIES!--I used to avoid hush puppies like the plague at this one place called Chesapeake Bay Seafood House that we used to frequent in high school because CBSH was this all-you-can-eat seafood place, but they'd bring the hush puppies out for free first and we always thought they did that so the hush puppies would expand in our stomachs and we wouldn't be able to eat as much seafood. Then, there was the one incident when someone threw a ketchup-laden puppy at Tony and got the red stuff all over his white shirt, which really put a downer on the evening and made the seafood eating much less enjoyable and really made me start to hate the hush puppy, but then I had them again at Redbones and they're really awesome! They have a bike valet (yep, they will store your bike in a secured place, even if you aren't going to Redbones) that is open 'til midnight Mon-Sat and 'til 10 p Sun. The artwork downstairs is pretty cool. The staff is always really great, even when the place is packed. Things I don't like about Redbones: They used to not take credit cards, but it looks like they do now. They do take personal checks, which is pretty cool, although I may be the only person under 40 who still has a checkbook. The place gets packed on the weekends, and sometimes I'm really hungry because happy hour went long and waiting can be brutal.

    (4)

  • Jeannie C.

    "I just love this place. It is s great place to go on a Friday night and just decompress. You'll always have to wait but who cares, just go to the bar and get a beer and be ready to talk because this is your neighborhood bar. Then they'll call you in and serve you some great corn bread and butter. The food can be good or it can be great just depends on the night. Just go here with the attitude of kicking back, no attitudes here."

    (4)

  • Han K.

    It's not my favorite BBQ joint (Blue Ribbon gets that vote) but there's some dishes that I love like the hush puppies and corn fritters, and the all you can eat lunch deal can't be beat, plus the beer selection at Red Bones is just plain amazing. Sure it's dirty and dingy, but come on it's BBQ, not molecular gastronomy.

    (4)

  • Ellen S.

    I have had take-out from Redbones and been to parties where they did the catering but last night was my first venture to their restaurant in Davis Square. The wait was CRAZY long - they quoted me 45 min to and hour for our party of four...really ended up being an hour and a half. That seemed to hold true for people who were also waiting near us - maybe the host staff should work on their estimating skills. The decor is totally cool and once we were seated we had excellent service. I had a yummy brisket sandwich w/a side of onion rings that were delicious! It seemed as though everone at our table enjoyed thier dinners too - a pulled chicken sandwich and an assortment of ribs were consumed by the men. One other note - we had some hushpuppies for an app - they were ok, not awful but I've had better but we also got nachos and they were YUMMY! I feel as though I became a BBQ snob as we were die-hard fans of Uncle Pete's - still sad about Pete's sudden passing and the subsequent closing of his restaurant. I'd definitely go back to Redbones again.

    (3)

  • AJ L.

    Best. Restaurant. Ever. Well, okay, that's an exaggeration, but they make great BBQ and appetizers good enough that my vegan friend likes eating there, and the beer selection is the best in Somerville - think Bukowski's but not overpriced.

    (5)

  • Greg D.

    Seriously, what's not to like about Redbones? Delicious BBQ, wild decor, and huge beer selection, all served cold. I love going downstairs with all the crazy artwork. I recommend the Memphis ribs with a Smuttynose IPA . . . mmm, just writing this makes me want to go back.

    (5)

  • Joel G.

    This place was hyped ridiculously to me before I went on a Friday night in September. After a long wait, my friend and I sat down, starving. Our food came quickly, and it was....ehhh. Most of it was fairly tasty, but it didn't seem very high quality. The mac and cheese was bland, as was my friend's okra. The ribs I got were decent but (and I HATE to say this) I had better ribs at the Hard Rock Cafe. It's a fun place for sure, and the food was all edible...so 3 stars from me.

    (3)

  • Joshua P.

    If there were 6 stars to give I would be complaining that there weren't 7 for Red Bones. No-nonsense, homestyle barbecue, and $2.50 PBR drafts...who can argue with that. The atmosphere is wild and the service is friendly and fast. Next to the food and drink, the bathrooms in the basement are the best part, seriously check them out, they're bizarre.

    (5)

  • Sara F.

    Redbones downstairs, with a cold beer, hushpuppies, and some ribs or pulled pork -- hmm, life is good. Go across the street to the Burren when you're done, since on busy nights you won't be encouraged to linger. But good luck finding parking Thursday to Saturday.

    (4)

  • Anonymous P.

    I'm rating this 5 stars for the bar. The beer selection is top notch. This isn't my kind of food (I eat chicken and fish and that's it), but I found my catfish sandwich nice enough. The hushpuppies and potatoes I had were bad. If I did eat meat, I have a feeling I'd find the food overrated, but again, the beer is awesome. Edit: You know... this place isn't all it's cracked up to be. The beer is good, but the bartenders don't even know what the hell it is. The food is much worse than Blue Ribbon BBQ. It's an OK place to have a beer, and that's all.

    (3)

  • Erik G.

    OK, full disclosure: my barbecue experience is heavily colored by my first love, Dinosaur Barbecue in Syracuse, NY. Half biker-bar, half family restaurant, all classless, all frigging awesome food. So, the similarity between Red Bones and Dinosaur made my heart grow two sizes that day. The pulled pork was great, and while the ribs weren't the best I've ever had, the sauce they gave me for them was almost enough to make up for it--goddamn, that's good BBQ sauce. The beer menu was also most impressive for a barbecue joint; I had a couple of west-coast brews that I had never heard of, but would definitely try again. The place had a great atmosphere (downstairs, anyway; the top floor looked eerily like a family diner on I-80), and wasn't terribly expensive, considering how much pork I wound up with.

    (4)

  • Kevin A.

    As a lover of succulent, slow-cooked swine, I was really looking forward to my dinner at Red Bones. Unfortunately I was not that impressed with the food. I got the Saint Louis and Memphis style ribs which were on the tough side and a bit too charred. I'd give this place another chance as the pulled pork my neighbors got looked great. Overall: Good bang for the buck, but I was expecting more.

    (3)

  • Amy L.

    In Davis Square and craving a really huge platter of meat and/or some passable flan? Do it here. Great place for groups.

    (3)

  • David D.

    the bbq at redbones really is second to none. delicious stuff everywhere, excellent excellent beer on tap, and good staff. redbones is a bit small, and it is pretty expensive, but you can spin the wheel of beer. thats got to be worth something, right? go, get drunk, stumble downstairs to underbones after food, and keep it college-a-riffic in davis sq.

    (4)

  • Bella and Aleksey R.

    I haven't been here in a while, but thought to mention that this place probably has the best spicy shrimp. Actually, not too many places out there have spicy shrimp at all. They also have a good drink menu. But the barbecue itself can't compete with Blue Ribbon, in my book.

    (3)

  • Pete P.

    what can i write that has not already been written about redbones? not much but i do live down the street and i do hit it all the time so i figured i must write something... the great: -beer selection -the staff -the location -the red sox stats laminated poster in the bar -the late night menu -the mac & cheese and buffalo shrimp -the bike valet -the painted walls in the basement the good: -fast service -the food in general -clientele -the t-shirts to buy (cool designs) the bad: -the dirty, nasty, disgusting never cleaned beer lines -the wait to be seated -the people that request a table for 4 but inevitably bring a 5th who invades your space in summary? i love it, i will always go. the food is hit or miss and if the wait is too long i blow it off.

    (3)

  • Liza H.

    I love Redbones because they have valet parking for bikes. However I've been consistently underwhelmed by the food. I was hoping for a more little pizzazz, some chutspah, namely more heat and smoke flavors. If I am going eat like I'm working on being a future bypass patient, there are other BBQ places I would go to.

    (2)

  • J B.

    I used to come here a lot (when I was in college) for the downstairs bar. I am not a fan of the wall/ceiling work but after going there so often it stopped bothering me so much. It gives the place character. It is nice to go in after not going for a year and have the bartenders say hello to you as though they at least slightly remember you. They are always so friendly. I don't eat meat but I hear from a lot of people that their meat options are really good (i know one of my friends likes the sausage and the pulled pork sandwich). I am a vegetarian and there are plenty of things I can eat at Redbones, I am a fan of the hush puppies and corn fritters, the nachos and the broccoli w/ lemon. Maybe not the most interesting or healthy (which is why I do not go much anymore) but it tastes good. They make pretty good mojito's as well. update: went yesterday evening for dinner upstairs at Redbones after having not been in a while. we had a great waiter, a really good meal, and some excelent drinks.

    (4)

  • Ed S.

    Redbones has great food, atmosphere, prices, and huge portions. The lunch specials are a great deal - for instance, an enormous jerked beef sandwich with sides of beans and cole slaw. The meal was served with four different types of barbecue sauce, all of which were excellent. The waiters were very friendly and attentive. It gets very busy at lunch time, but we still got seated immediately and never ignored.

    (5)

  • sarah s.

    as far as authentic bbq goes, at least around here, redbones is by far the best. i know everyone wants to say blue ribbon, but honestly, any self respecting bbq joint that doesn't serve beer is suspect in my book. redbones doesn't just serve beer, they serve great beer! constantly rotating taps leaves you with different choices literally every day. the only complaint is that sometimes when you really want something their printed menus will be out of date because the keg may have kicked earlier in the day. also yeah sometimes the food isn't so great, but i have found that usually happens on a weekend. but i say that about 90% of the places i visit, weekends are just so busy that sometimes things go a little haywire. go on a mellow weeknight, sit at the bar and enjoy! even better stay home and get one of their hottie bike delivery guys (or girls!) to pedal your ribs right to your door, even on the coldest days those guys are on those bikes, mindblowing!

    (4)

  • Eddie A.

    I grew up near Memphis, so I know my BBQ. I'm just going to come out and say it: Redbones is not the place for great BBQ or Southern food in general. The pulled pork, while tasty, isn't authentic -- the shredded pork shouldn't be cooked in sauce, instead the outside should be dry rubbed and the sauce should be added at the end. I tried the chicken fried steak once and it was poor, and I ordered an oyster po-boy once and it came on a New England hot dog bun! One of the major things that defines a po-boy is that it comes on a French baguette; serving one on a hot dog bun is just wrong. So why 4 stars if I don't like the food? The beer! Redbones has one of the best beer selections in the Boston area, their prices are very reasonable, and the bar has a fun vibe. The bartenders know their stuff and are happy to pour you a sample if you don't know what you want.

    (4)

  • Kai P.

    When I think of Redbones, I think of other two syllable words and terms. Big deal, so what, overrated. Well overrated is actually four syllables. Redbones is a decent restaurant with an above average bar if you like cooler style dives, but it has never surpassed the hype it generates or even comes close. The BBQ and pulled pork is okay but generic. This is as good as you could make in your backyard with a generic bottle of sauce. Mind you I am from the south, the home of BBQ. I was put off with the foods delivery to the table. I was about to give them high praise for the size of the portions until I realized they had hidden extra rice underneath the rack of ribs making it seem as if there was more bang to the buck. Bad form! That is like when you buy a bag of chips and realize twenty five percent of the bag is chips and seventy five is air. The one redeeming factor maybe the bar but if that's the case you might as well cross the street and go to the Burren. On the plus the staff was cool under fire.

    (2)

  • Josh O.

    It's no Everett & Jones, but this is some good barbecue. I'd had some left over brisket from here before, which was fantastic, and last night I actually went for the first time. Got the BBQ Hash Dinner, which was really good. The only thing I would have changed was to have more sauce. I'm used to my barbecue being served dripping with sauce, and was a little surprised by how dry they served it here. But it was still fantastic with good prices. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Mary R.

    I've never been a big fan of barbeque, but this place has some great alternative options that I find more appealing each time we go. The mac and cheese is the perfect creaminess without being too heavy and I love the pulled pork. Delicious without being too hot and spicy. And don't pass up a chance to try the Sweet Tea -- it's amazing!

    (4)

  • Stanford M.

    Don't listen to the haters. This is best place to put delicious meaty, spicy calories and beer into your body. This place is tops.' The jamaican jerked beef with a side of pickles should not be missed by anyone who claims to appreciate spicy food. The extensive beer collection makes up for any food which is not their usual amazing. The artwork in the lower level might take some taking getting used to, but it is really fun and changes on a semi-regular basis. Overall, Redbones is a fantastic place.

    (5)

  • Natalie R.

    I thought the barbecue was quite good. I can't speak for it's authenticity but I did have a good meal. i ordered the Texas something or other (sorry I can't remember the name) plate which amounted to a sampler platter of 4 of the best selling items. The most awesome part was they also gave me a sampler of all the sauces available. The beef Ribs were ok, the brisket was great, the pulled pork flavorful, and the pork ribs were a bit on the lean side. The beer selection was fantastic. The place seems to be perpetually packed and the seating arrangements not too organized. It's definitely a no-nonsense place. Even with two floors expect to wait outside for a table.

    (4)

  • Laura M.

    I'll just say the food is good. Other people have said everything else for me in that area. Some anecdotal details: We know Redbones has huge portions. But did you know you can order just one ("perfect") rib? Chris Rock would be thrilled. My friends recite the "good LORD that's a lotta money!!!" bit every time we go out for ribs, and when they rhetorically asked "how much for ONE rib?" I was pleased to be able to point it out on the menu. Down in Underbones, the restroom situation can get confusing. In the little corner where the restrooms are located, there are several doors, and TWO of those doors are labeled "Women." One is the ladies' room. The other is a closet. After imbibing some of their many delicious beers on tap (they had a dunkelweizen! come on, just ordering it is more fun than drinking most other types of beer!), I felt that this was not funny. The other woman waiting for the restroom seemed to pity me. Finally, the last time I was there, on my 22nd birthday, our server judiciously carded everyone at the table, and I realized I didn't have my ID on me. I had just applied for an MA license (my FL one was due to expire on my birthday), so they took my old license away and gave me a useless piece of paper to hold onto while the new license was being mailed to me. Of course it didn't fit in my wallet, and I kept forgetting to transfer it between purses, and I was really sad that I couldn't prove my brand-new age. I told the waitress I didn't have ID on me, and my friends were like "It's her BIRTHDAY!" and our waitress took pity and served me because, "Aww, you have to get a drink on your birthday." Everyone else at the table was 23-25, so I guess it was clear that we weren't conniving Tufts students or anything. I thought it was awesome of her, although I suppose she could have gotten in trouble for doing it. Rock on, Redbones waitress.

    (4)

  • amy s.

    Great atmosphere, excellent beer list, and I can't live without thier corn fritters, catfish and buffalo shrimp. The barbeque though? Meh. Inedible, flavorless and dry cornbread. Same for the dirty rice. I will never make the mistake of putting a hushpuppy in my mouth again. Stick to the things they do well, and you will have a great meal

    (4)

  • dan c.

    Rebones is average to below average BBQ. You can do wwwaaaayyyy better in the Boston area. Location and decor are great, tap beer selection is great, service is quick and "BBQ jointy" (I'm making up my own words now) ....but the 'cue itself is average at best. Do not take a legit BBQ guy or girl here, this place does not match up as a solid barbecue joint. It's not about the food, it's about the scene at Redbones, unfortunately. That being said, if you don't care much about the 'cue and you want a cool place to hit with awesome BBQ joint decor and lots of unique tap beer in a great walking location.....then you will love Redbones. Anyone in Boston who knows The Q is baffled as to why this place is such a popular destination. My guess is that it became popular before good BBQ was available in Boston.

    (2)

  • Jenny N.

    This is one crazy BBQ joint! Super loud, raucous and generally fun atmosphere, even though you may feel like you're eating elbow-to-elbow with your neighbor. I came here on a Saturday night with 3 others and we had to wait 40 minutes for a table. The place was packed to the gills, with people spilling out onto the sidewalk. Since it was the first visit for most of us, we took about 30 minutes just to decide on what we wanted to eat (given the vast menu of meats and side dishes), so the wait was tolerable (we had drinks in hand too). Overall, I think the food is a pretty good deal for the tastiness and amount they give you. Great to go with groups since there's lots of booze, and there's bound to be something for everyone on the menu so you can share platters. I like the fact that they let you try all the sauces and you can mix and match different combos. It's definitely not the best BBQ I've ever had, but it's pretty decent for Boston. I'd like to come back and checkout the lunch buffet sometime....

    (4)

  • robert f.

    been here approximately 50+ times last 10 years. rate it 45 times@ 5 stars and 5 times @ 4 stars.. best rib joint I have ever been, including places in south carolina, florida, chicago and colorado !!!!!!!!!!!!! lightning quick wicked friendly service. tight fit, thats all folks!

    (5)

  • Flora B.

    I went and had corn fritters and okra. These sides were good... I had a beer I'd never tried before (listed in the "regional beer" section - I think it was Allagash White from Maine). This place is a great find! Seems very popular with the locals as it fills fast after 6pm...

    (4)

  • Lynn W.

    Everytime I have been to Red Bones I feel like crap after I leave... and not because I didn't like or they have bad food, it's because they know how to do it up southern style with ridiculous heaps of meat that I just can't stop eating, heart attack inducing sides and huge sodas that make me take Austin Power pee breaks for 8 hours straight! The food is great for the price, the atmosphere is totally chill and the workers are just incredible! Tip: Eat at the Meat Rack counter and keep the guys entertained while they are cooking and you might just get a "taster" out of them (a small side of something you never had before). This is not a place you can go to all the time because seriously,. you'd be dead from clogged arteries if you did. But for a once in a while treat, try it out - your are guaranteed to come out feeling like crap, IN A GOOD WAY!

    (4)

  • Miss L.

    Redbones honestly has the best food in Boston. My bf and I will travel about an hour on the T each way to get here, but it's totally worth every second on public transportation. We prefer to sit downstairs (tends to be lit with more of an "ambiance" in mind, but hanging out in the bar upstairs is fun, too. If you are going to eat upstairs in the main area, I highly suggest eating at the counter so you can watch the expert pit masters do their thing. They occasionally will toss a free plate of appetizer/side dish deliciousness your way! Finally, the drink/beer menu is ridiculously awesome. If you're a beer-phile, it's heaven with new, unique brews popping up all the time. How about some tequila to wash down those ribs? Oh yeah, they have tequila galore, and a fantastic margarita that is made sans bottled sour mix. Amazing.

    (5)

  • jenilee p.

    walk into redbones and you instantly feel pretty at home, and a little bit hipper than when you walked in. bright and colorful hand-painted signs advertising its various side dishes, mains and appetizers adorn half the restaurant, while the remaining space is splayed with photographs of different blues and funk legends who the owners must respect, and the artists who in turn must have adored the culinary offerings of the owners. music playing in the background, when not a live band, can only be described as a playlist appropriate for a pimp. it just has a way of easing away ones case of the mondays...tuesdays, wednesdays, OR thursdays. you get the idea. i'd come here for a drink with friends at the drop of a hat. last time i came here, we started out with an order of hush puppies, which to the uninitiated are little deep fried corn fritters with some onion and vinegar for dipping. these were larger than other times when i've had them, and not too shabby on the taste side. i progressed to a small order of memphis-style ribs with cole slaw and beans, while the husband ordered the pull pork sandwich with potato salad and the same side of beans. i thought the pulled pork was perfectly tender, though perhaps a little on the wet side, and could have done with a little more bark (perhaps this is due to the fact that i really enjoyed the little bits of bark i successfully pilfered from the plate of said husband). the potato salad, notably mounded on top of the beans with an ice cream scoop, was excellent. more like a super chunky smashed potato salad (w/out skin) than your typical new england cubed ta-to salad, i would have to say this was my favorite side. beans were excellent, as also was the cole slaw (more vinegary than sweet... not a huge fan of too sweet miracle whipp-ed slaw). ok, but what about my ribs? they were pretty good. nice smoke ring, and they did taste like they were made to be memphis-style, dry rub pork ribs. i have this sneaking suspicion, however, that anyone from memphis would be very upset with the ribs, and there may even be some accusations of "yankee posers". i'll leave this to true southerners to call out the ribs...because, i am just a 'chusetts native. true origin of suspicion: husband only ate a couple bites of ribs before going snout down into his pulled pork, thereby preventing me from pulling the "let's share half and half" scam. foiled again! ::curses:: at any rate, today's rating of redbones is a direct result of it's wonderful atmosphere, and extensive, high-quality beer list (definitely spend a few minutes perusing). as a bbq joint, it is not the best of the bbq genre that i have experienced in new england (which by the way, the best is a side of the road shack in brimfield, ma called b.t.'s smokehouse). however, as a lively, unpretentious hot spot to go laugh it up, and dunk meat and greasy bits in a variety sauces, you, my friends, now should have plans for this weekend.

    (4)

  • Lori E.

    So I'm from the south so I know BBQ. They just don't cut it. Nowhere in the south would you find blackbeans served with BBQ. And the flavors aren't that great either. It's no fun eating in a wanna be BBQ joint.

    (1)

  • Laura A.

    i can't believe i didn't review redbones earlier, as i live literally around the corner from it and order/eat there at least once/week. yes, as a vegetarian i eat at redbones once/week (i can't help it - my boyfriend is an avowed carnivore). believe it or not, there are things for vegetarians to eat there -- many of the sides are vegetarian, and they have two vegetarian sandwiches (i prefer the veggie burger). given the choice, i prefer to sit downstairs in underbones so i don't have the whole "family of five that drove in from the suburbs" thing the next table over, but whatevs. the food is good, the beer selection is plentiful, the mojitos are super-tasty, i like the fact that i see the same staff there time after time, and they deliver your food by bike!

    (5)

  • Rina R.

    A dream for a ribs or meat lover. I'm not, so I get the seafood, that's good too. This restaurant is usually packed, so give it a try on a weeknight. It also offers reasonable prices and good microbrews.

    (3)

  • Steve M.

    Pretty decent BBQ, a little overpriced, but the atmosphere is really fun. The hush puppies are great, and so are the onion rings. I always appreciate a chance to enjoy a pint of beer and eat way more pork than I was ever intended to.

    (4)

  • marissa k.

    I found myself smiling a bit because all my friends loved the food here, but it's not at all in the same league as BBQ in the South. At All!!! I got better meat and 3 for $5 in Nashville than at Redbones for $12 or whatever it costs. the atmosphere sure as hell isn't southern either, nor is the staff, though our waiter was efficient and good. I got a raspberry lime rickey w/ vodka (can't remember the official name of the drink) and it was delicious. I ordered the buffalo shrimp and those were awesome. Rest of the food I tried was good enough, but once you've lived down south, red bones just doesn't compare. We had a huge group and had to wait a little bit, but they were very cool and called us on the cell phone when our tables were ready (so we were able to head to the burren for a drink).

    (3)

  • Xin S.

    Loved this place! Fast service, huge portions, and delicious food! The fried pickles and jalapenos starter is not to be missed, it came out super fast and piping hot and SO delicious! I totally spoiled my dinner eating so much of this app! The hush puppies were unfortunately a biiiig disappointment (super dry, practically no flavor). We both got combo plates as our entrees, and got to try 5 of their different meats (sausage was all out, bummer). The bbq hash was a standout, as was the bbq beef. They happily subbed one of my sides for a very reasonable charge, and I got the onion strings--WOW. Probably the best onion strings I've ever had. Lightly battered, crispy, onion-y and a HUGE pile! We got to take home a huge bag of leftovers at the end of the meal. The bill was super reasonable, $32 (pre tip) for 2 apps and 2 huge entrees. Service was friendly, fast and efficient. I will definitely be back to try the lunchtime pile of meat!

    (4)

  • George K.

    Uh huh. Top notch beer and BBQ.

    (5)

  • Malaisha W.

    I attended a catered sports event yesterday and Redbones provided the food. I found the meat moist and flavorful but I've had better bbq. I will go again but it isn't my top choice. I was pleased with their burger rolls, very soft and fresh tasting.

    (3)

  • Josh F.

    Like meat? Like beer? Like lots of meat and beer? If so, Redbones is a must vist. I've nerver had "authentic" Southern bbq before, but I imagine that Redbones is the closest you can get to it in ol' New England. The ribs and brisket are all dry rubbed and slow smoked at the restaruant with a choice of 4 sauces served on the side so you get the taste of the meat without the sauce covering it up. Even if you're not a bbq fan, you should go here just for the amazing selection of 20 quality draft beers. No Bud or Miller Lite on tap here! just quality domestic microbrews and flavorful imports. The taps are changed constantly so the beer you got one day may not be there the next day. The only two beers that are always on tap are Guinness and PBR. Not the cheapest place but the prices are average for bbq and drafts around Boston. That said, the all-you-can-eat lunch served until 4 is $9 on weekdays and $10 on weekends. One of the best lunch deals in the Boston area. The upstairs bar serves food and has two televisons constantly showing sports. Great place to grab a bite from the reduced price late-night menu and watch a game. Downstairs, "Underbones", is much more "hip" and caters to the college crowd. Whimsical, colorful, artwork by Charba covers the walls and a jukebox provides the background noise, if you can hear it over all the chatter; it can be a crowded late-night spot on the weekends. I've been going to 'bones for the past 7 years and there has been a slight but noticeable change. As the tv and newspaper reviews keep praising this place, the lines get longer and longer. There's a wait for a table every night now as opposed to just the weekends a few years ago. With this increased popularity Redbones has made a good effort to expand their menu. They now have veggie burgers and vegetable kebobs every night and nightly comfort food specials like roast turkey dinners and salmon steaks.

    (5)

  • buckminster f.

    so you know, they are no longer serving fried oysters. we went there to have these with beer, so we were a little disappointed at the get go. however once we got the fried okra with the spicy salsa and the buffalo shrimp with the blue cheese dressing, there was no problem. they also didnt have brooklyn lager or smithwicks, but again that was fine once they brought us some excellent beers they had on draft. the reason i dont mention the exact name of the beer is that i ended up chugging more than i had planned to initially. in any case, we had the arkansas ribs for the main along with mac n' cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad. they were all good, although i will be honest in saying that the potato salad was very standard, like the kind they sell at the big supermarkets, and the mac n cheese needed a bit of spices for more flavor. for dessert we had the pecan pie. it would have been really good warmed up and served with ice cream. we had ours cold and with a dallop of whipped cream on top, which wasn't the freshest but clearly it was good enough to write about.

    (4)

  • E G.

    Stopped by to meet a friend for lunch, never having been there before...the place was packed! Sat right at the bar & watched the cooks do their thing. The lunch special for $9.99 fed me for three days & it was GOOD! that and a micro brew IPA & I'm a permanent fan!

    (5)

  • Sean H.

    Ok, just so I don't repeat something someone else said, let me tell you a little story about Redbones. My girlfriend and I went there for dinner one night. We were having a great time and just kept ordering drinks and, eventually, dessert. The bill might have been around $70+ for the two of us. When the waiter came by to clear the table, I asked ot have the rest of my swordfish wrapped up. No problem! Well, he comes back a minute later with our latest round of drinks and tells me that, by mistake, he threw out the fish. He was really apologetic, but said he'd take care of it on the bill. So, dessert comes and we drink our drinks and we wait. And wait. And wait. And no bill comes up. He took care of the ENTIRE bill. Not just the part having to do with my half-piece of fish. That's the kind of service you get at Redbones. They take care of you because they like you and they want you to come back. And we keep going back. What a place.

    (5)

  • Eamon K.

    5 stars for the beer alone. Founders breakfast stout on draft, I didn't need to eat, I drank that all night.

    (5)

  • Orina B.

    This place may have been great once but I think they've been coasting on fumes for a long time. I was expecting great barbecue but take away the funky decor and location and the ribs are probably better at a Dennys. Warning: I've eaten lunch here three times and gotten sick twice. When I told this to a person who used to be a server there, he wasn't surprised. He said the "lunch special" is all the meat left over from the night before. Ick.

    (1)

  • F. Mark M.

    Comfort food and a great bar upstairs and downstairs. Huge portions and cheap. Fantastic beer selection. Its exactly what you hope for when you open the door and its exactly what you get.

    (4)

  • Evan K.

    Redbones is what BBQ is all about !!! There is not mistaking it for any other food. You walk down the street and there is the large sign in white and red saying Redbones. You walk in and there are two pigs painted like Jake& Elwood(Blues Brothers) for those of who have no idea what I was referring to. The inside also has pictures of the deep south and the walls are painted with signs saying pecan pie,margaritas and listing other southern food on the wall. This is what BBQ should be all about. I usually go with my Redbones friend about every other week and usually on Tuesdays,but now that he is married it has slowed down( shocking)a bit! The lemonade is the best I ever had andI usually try to have my Redbone Virgins order it( if we are not have beer). A good starter is the corn fritters you usually get about 5 and it is sitting in fresh maple syrup so if you are watching you weight ( and you know who you are)don't endulge but if you are throwing caution to the wind this is the best starter to have. If you have no regard for your health then go ahead and order the sausage with spicy mustard to die for. All the time you have spent in the gym eating healthy is going out the window it is time to enjoy so good ribs!!! There are 4 types of ribs Texas Beef, St.Louis,Memphis and Arkansas Ribs . There menu offers you combo which is the way to go you can get ribs/buffalo shrimp,ribs/chicken,ribs brisket etc you get the point,also as a side it comes with coleslaw,dirty rice,candy yams collard greens. Other sides are mac and cheese mashed potato and about any other comfort food you can think of. Now I have had a bad experience when my friend ordered Salmon which was under cooked on a couple of occasions,this should not happen,however @ the same time you should stick to ordering southern food @ a southern place, leave the Salmon to Bobby Flay. Now here is a Redbones secret I am willing to share wtih my readers(I think that is only my wife) . If you are with a male friend or by yourself sit @ the front it is worth it .There are only 6 stools( this will not work with your wife or date) and you will be give a small serving of brisket or pulled pork . The staff love to interact and will make sure that you are well taken care of,I also marvel @ the speed of how they operate the kitchen and the grill master making ribs and brisket.Truley a master piece.

    (4)

  • Joe R.

    Ah redbones. The draw of savory slow cooked BBQ. mmmm. The problem is that they're not that good. Granted it's hard to find good BBQ in boston. Redbones has great brisket, fried catfish and an amazing selection of beer including a wheel of beer. Aside from that, the food is fair.

    (3)

  • Geoff T.

    Redbones has been one of my few hangouts of choice for well over seven years now. People will tell you that over the years it has begun to suffer from a slight "Yuppification" and, well, I guess they're right. It hit the Phantom Gourmet and other cutesy "In The Know" restaurant reviewers and was touted to people as a fun place to slum it without actually slumming it. This isn't to say that there is anything remotely seedy about 'Bones, nor has their been in the years I've been frequenting it. It just means that the wait-staff and bartenders are actual humans, not smiling clones, that the napkins are paper and that if the Sox are playing, they'll be lighting up the two televisions in the upstairs bar. Anyway, the clientele aren't obnoxious, and it still caters to the bike messenger and local townie drinkers, too. The place consists of a small dining room and average sized bar upstairs, and a smaller bar and more tables in the basement. The basement is windowless, cool in temperature and has wonderful cartoonish murals all over the walls depicting everything from dog skeletons to aliens. Redbones has 20 beers on tap (they change depending on what comes in) and a friendly, knowledge staff that can tell you about each one (Heidi and Joel are two of my favorite bartenders around Boston, so tip well if you see 'em!). Can't decide? Dial-a-Draft! The upstairs has a huge wall-mounted spinner with numbers from one to twenty. Once spun, whatever number it lands on is the tap you drink out of. As for the food, just about everything on the menu is great. From the Hushpuppies to Catfingers for starters to the several different kinds of ribs and sandwiches, it's always a great, hearty mealperfect for throwing a few beers on top of once introduced to your stomach. Have a weekday afternoon off? Belly up to the bar and order The Combofor under ten bucks you get all you can eat BBQ of every variety (beef, pork, chicken, sausage...) on top of dirty rice and coleslaw.

    (4)

  • Gazelle T.

    Ehhh. I've heard people rave about Redbones, but honestly I didn't think it was anything special. Kind of pricy for what you're actually getting, I thought, and most of our food was on the bland side. I'll give them another shot, because the ribs were decent and it's possible we just ordered the wrong things, but if you want real, delicious barbecue go to East Coast Grill. It's not even more expensive.

    (2)

  • Derek L.

    I grew up in E. Arkansas, close to Memphis, so things like barbecue, cornbread, and catfish are serious matters to me. The food here is. . .not so bad. But neither is it great. The pulled pork needs more wood smoke, and is too wet with sauce. It wouldn't keep the place in business for two weeks in W. Tennessee. Since there's not much competition, it's worth eating here. But if you're a transplanted Southerner, as others have said here, don't get your hopes up too high.

    (3)

  • Ellie L.

    Not the place to take a picky eater for lunch--even if he/she discovers a less meaty/saucy item on the menu, it's often 'not available' that day. However, if you're with a big crowd around 11pm, some with their bellies growling, head straight to Underbones, the bar downstairs. With a menu full of munchies and giant drinks served in Mason jars that don't shirk on the alcohol, Underbones is a standard crowd-pleaser. The walls are neat to look at, and the dim lights mean you can ignore the BBQ sauce all over your hungry pals' faces.

    (3)

  • T L.

    who doesnt like good BBQ, i even like watching it on the food network. our posse went down on a saturday morning, extremely hung over and most likely wearing the same thing i had the night before, starving for large quantities of meat. redbones looks pretty legit when we step inside, selling us PBRs and turning some sort of booze wheel. menu is large and its tough to select what to get. wanted to go with the catfish for some reason but went with BBQ beef, chopped brisket sandwitch with sweet sauce and fries; sandwitch was messy, tasty but nothing spectacular, also they sell samplers of certain ribs, so i went with memphis rib which was really dry and hard (must of got a bad piece); tasted some corn fritters were freggin good. They sell all you can eat ribs that a day old, but not sure why anyone comes to a restaurant for old eats, and if the ribs i got were dry already how good could the day old ones taste. It could of been cause i was hung over and a Mcrib wouldnt of done the trick but it wasnt as good as i thought it was. but place is fun, rowdy and good place for a crew. 5 out of 10

    (3)

  • K. F.

    This place is great! I have eaten in and had it delivered to me many times. The candied yams are my favorite! They are so friendly and always accomodate my strange requests/substitutions. The delivery person has always arrived by bike too, which is great for this city of traffic. Wish more places around here were this friendly.

    (5)

  • Rebecca Y.

    I've had mixed experiences here, but the food is typically fantastic. Skip lunch - the portions are huge. Also, go early and don't bother on weekends - the wait can be tremendous.

    (4)

  • Sandra C.

    Great place for BBQ. I love their ribs and they have a plate with 4 different kinds of ribs. The place has very limited seating though and you'll have to wait a long time for a tiny table. Not a place to take your parents.

    (3)

  • Mike Q.

    Awesome place. Been going there for years .Great BBQ try the all you can eat combo. They have ton of eclectic beers on tap. If you can't decide on what u want to drink there is a giant beer wheel. Makes it fun. They also have a downstairs bar with with some great art. You gotta give this place a try.

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    You know.. everybody raves about this place. That's what made me go here. I got this giant plate of ribs and pulled chicken and dirty rice and beans and who knows what else. BUT, I ate it and you know what? I was not impressed! The ribs, which I expected to be out of this world, were so dry it was terrible. The portions were good, but aren't they always at BBQ places? Don't waste your time, go to Blue Ribbon in Arlington instead!

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    This place has enormous portions of food that will satisfy your craving for BBQ. If you're on the bar side, you will also find one of the most extensive and unique beer selections in the Boston area. Unfortunately, the food is only average for BBQ. If you've had ribs from a quality place with tender meat that falls right off the bone and an incredible sauce to match, then be prepared to be disappointed, especially since anyone in the know will attempt to recommend this place to you.

    (3)

  • Adrienne B.

    I've avoided redbones for awhile, I don't like bbq sauce, I don't eat red meat or pork and there is an air of "always packed" about it when you walk by. However, I went recently to meet some friends (their choice, it would have been rude to argue) and found I had to change my tune. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, it was a great blend of relaxed and fun without seeming like they are trying too hard. There was also a great variety of people also eating there which provided great people watching. I got the grilled chicken salad (wasn't in a fish mood) and a side of Mac and Cheese- how could you pass it up??- it was delicious! The chicken was flavored perfectly, the salad was fresh and had a great dressing and the mac and cheese lived up to the hype. I will definitely go back again. I think it would be fun to go when I'm in the mood for some chicken on the bone and get a nice plate of chicken, cole slaw and beans accompanied by a beer. Yum!

    (4)

  • Amy D.

    I'd have to agree that this place is overrated. On the bright side, I appreciate the efficient if brusque service and the food is never bad, it's just mediocre. The biggest problem I find is that their sauces lack flavor and intensity. I always get a pulled pork sandwich and my husband goes for the combo plate of buffalo shrimp and ribs. The meats are fine, if only the sauces were better! Try the garlic mashed as a side. And enjoy the beer menu...lots of unique brews to choose from!

    (3)

  • Stephen J.

    Red Bones is well talked about by locals, and mostly for good reason. The barbeque can be lip-smacking at times, there are 24 beers on tap, and the ambiance unique and fun. I recommend dinner more than lunch - the dinner menu is huge, the BBQ is fresh, and the place is bustling. The taste really isn't as good as nearby Blue Ribbon, not to say how it stacks up against real BBQ places a bit farther south of New England, but somehow it's still addictive. Lunch is rather disappointing - the menu has only 10 or so items, and the "combo platter," which is an assortment of ribs and chicken, seems to be the leftovers from the night before. No wonder it was only $8.99 for a huge plate at lunch (don't expect those cheap prices for dinner, however). In the basement is "Underbones," a fun place for friends and Davis Square locals to eat BBQ pub grub and drink from Red Bones' healthy (and rotating) selection of 24 brews. This place certainly isn't upscale (which is good, who wants fancy BBQ?), and you may wait over an hour on busy weekend nights. The service is hit or miss - I've walked out of Red Bones more than a few times complaining to friends that I'll never go back due to the service, yet the draw of the food, the generous portions, the easy location, and the uniqueness of the venue in the middle of New England makes me return once every few weeks.

    (3)

  • Leo C.

    The first time I went here, I got talking with the people at the next table, and it turned out they lived in New Hampshire; they'd come down to Boston just for this place. Not crazy - Redbones really is that good. Nice Southern-type atmosphere, although a Southern friend tells me it's not vaguely close to the real thing - still, they fooled me. And easily the best ribs in Boston, maybe in New England. Their catfish isn't remotely bad, either.

    (5)

  • Stephanie N.

    i had such high expectations for this place. my husband and i are huge fans of tony roma's and since we moved to the eastcoast we found "SmokeyBones" which is our favorite rib joint to eat at. i was referrred to redbones after a few had read my review on smokeybones. said that it was good ribs and i should try it. so we went and tried it. we were lucky to find a parking right in front of it since it was fairly busy. it was just so packed in there. it almost felt like we were sharing a table w/ a bunch of strangers. anyhow..tried the babyback ribs....st. louis style ribs (yuck)....fried okra (bland)..macaroni cheese (bland)...the babyback ribs wasn't too bad...we had a choice between 3or4 dipping barbq sauces...the st. louis style ribs i wasn't too fond of. just was chewy and rubbery?..the okra was bland..felt i had to add alot of salt and wasn't too fond of the salsa dip. just didn't seem to meld together in our opinions. maybe ranch dip or some sort of creamy dip would've paired better w/ it. coleslaw was ok but compared to smokeybones coleslaw it just didn't have enough "tang" or "zip" to it. the beans...was just awful. sooooooooooooo bland. after comparing everything we found we totally prefer Smokeybones. i do give redbones 3 stars since we got free cornbread to munch on while we waited for our order...also the babyback ribs was pretty good as long as u dipped it in alot of bbq. in our opinions it was just a little bit dry..but really wasn't too bad. and the waiter was awesome...they were really friendly and even tho it was packed found as a seat in less than 10 mins. maybe i mixed this up w/ red ribbons or watever u call it. but i'll try that next time. for now we're really happy w/ smokeybones.

    (3)

  • Juliette V.

    I use to love it and now I just think I always order the wrong thing. It is good to sit at the back of the upstairs dining room on the stools in front of the grill, you get extra stuff for free.

    (3)

  • Erin M.

    Redbones has delicious meat and side dishes and amazing, amazing barbeque. What can I say that hasn't already been said? A few tips: I was surprised to find that a vegetarian friend of mine could make a more-than-satisfying meal out of the vegetable side dishes. He would up with WAY too much food despite not being able to order any meat! So, myth busted: vegetarians can eat at Redbones. It is hard to find the fried pickles on the menu, but I definitely recommend ordering them. Also, they have a great beer selection including many local and international offerings for pretty good prices. I am a huge fan of Redbones for both dinner and late-night.

    (5)

  • Curt W.

    This place is a Davis Sq institution and with over 900 reviews, obviously they are wildly popular. There are many reasons why people - mostly college kids and townies - flock to this place for their cheap meat fix. My critique is a bit more focused on their take-out service. If you call for take-out, prepare yourselves to have them mishandle your order in some way, shape or form. They might not know how to pronounce the fresh fish selections-of-the-day when you inquire over the phone. And you might find yourself screaming into your phone because of all the background noise, making it difficult to order. And they don't offer online ordering. In my case, all this happened. Sure, got my order fast and hot, BUT they screwed up BASIC STUFF that is unacceptable to me, call me crazy, but come on..... - Forgot the sauce with one of the Catfish dishes - Terribly overcooked the main protein on the second dish - Got the side dishes wrong Really guys?! Gimme a break. Shame on you, Redbones, for having such poor quality control. There are PLENTY of other affordable, tasty restaurants in the area. We WON'T be back to your rib shack. For 36 bucks for 2 entrees, you should be doing better then this. Shame on you.

    (2)

  • M.Ann D.

    Just wanted to give a shout out to all the Bostonian vegetarians who occasionally find themselves in the tricky position of craving BBQ without the ... well, BBQ. For the record, this place has some of the best vegetarian BBQ-esque grub in town. List of favorites: 1) Corn fritters - imagine something like corn studded beignets covered in maple syrup 2) Fried okra - no slime and served with this killer vinegar sauce. 3) Mac 'n cheese - nothing fancy here, just old school goodness 4) Grilled Vegetables - (my fave, seriously!) they taste smoked, rather than just grilled 5) Succotash - ask for a side of their corn hot sauce for dipping 6) Beer - awesome beer list to wash down the goodness They also have grilled veggie burgers and grilled portabella mushroom sandwiches - though I haven't tried either yet, since I can't resist stuffing myself with 1-6.

    (5)

  • Leslie P.

    Definitely leave room to wait in line as some of the other reviews have said. Although it moved pretty fast, the service was great, I love the way its decorated... very southern comfort and artistic style. THe food was ABSOLUTELY delicious.. there were so many choices it was overwhelming. :) I live very close to this restaurant and have been dying to go for a LONG time. However, I found multiple.. (and I mean over 5) bone fragments in the pulled chicken.. NOT COOL. Thankfully I've found them and didn't accidentally swallow them because that is not fun. I'm hoping that this was a fluke though because I loved the food and fully intend on returning.. just perhaps I won't get the pulled chicken next time... :)

    (4)

  • Jamie L.

    I just don't get it, but I really wish I did... Everytime I go everything I get tastes like it's been sitting under a hot light for days, just dry, over-cooked, and bland. It's like my food was waiting longer for me than I was for it. I live in the neighborhood so I get lured in from time to time... if my opinion ever changes I'll be sure to let the POY (people of yelp) know. Great friendly people and a home-y atmosphere!

    (2)

  • Paul M.

    Redbones is a BBQ place in Davis Square. While I usually like to open with a brief description of the place for usefulness to readers, this is particularly important to note. It is a BBQ restaurant, not an old comedian (that's Red Skelton) nor Captain America's arch-nemesis (that's Red Skull). These are very important distinctions to make because if you ask Red Skull for BBQ he will kill you and I don't think it'd be right if anyone attacked Red Skelton's tomb believing him to be a threat to democracy worldwide from the grave. Onto the actual place: The food is awesome!!!!......um...sometimes. This is what vexes me most about Redbones, where Red Skull is consistently evil, and Red Skelton was consistently funny (probably, I wasn't alive in 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's so I wouldn't really know but my grandparents loved the guy) Redbones is inconsistent in its food. Some days it is like bathe me in this sauce and meat and come back 2 days later to make sure I'm still breathing good, and other times it's "meh." Why? I DON'T KNOW! The place is always jam packed. Upstairs is reminiscent of some strange mix of nostalgia and what you might expect from a southern hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint (Formica tables, etc.) while downstairs is more like a hip bar/restaurant. I prefer downstairs better, even though the wall murals make me feel like I've dropped acid despite never having actually done so in my life. Seriously, there's like one eyed aliens using skeletons (not red though...strange) as surfboards on waves of magma or something like that. I don't know. Maybe none of it exists and it's just something in the sauce that trips me out. They've got an extensive beer list which I've found quite good, though I'm not sure on how reasonably priced they are (one of the problems with drinking exotic craft brews at a restaurant- "Oh that sounds great for $8!" then flash-forward a week later and you see the same stuff in a sixer at a store for $9 or something). The best things I've had there though usually involve fried catfish, but they had some lunch special that was like $9 and a melange of mystery BBQ meats and that was fan-frickin-tastic! Alas, though my gut tells me to give Redbones a 4-star rating, my taste buds tell me 3-stars is the way to go. My brain doesn't care independently.

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    I understand there can be a good wait for Redbones. We went on Presidents Day and showed up around 2pm for a late lunch and 4 of us got seated right away. The drinks came in large mason jars with handles, great Sweet Tea. Our waiter, an MIT Grad, was attentive and friendly. Our food came out not even 10 minutes after we ordered. I had the Baby back ribs and the brisket. The ribs had so much meat on them, that I actually brought some food home. The brisket , my friend let me taste some sausage, and the ribs were all excellent. Like eating BBQ in Texas or Georgia. The only thing I could say bad was it was kind of tight in there. Cornbread comes with the meal and my plate had coleslaw and beans. I will go back with my kids as they all love good BBQ. I thought the amount of food they served the pricing was in line for the value. GOOD EATS.

    (5)

  • Erin B.

    My favorite thing about Redbones is that you can get your beers in a variety of sizes, and the beer list is pretty extensive. I've always enjoyed my food here too, and I like that there are some very inexpensive appetizers on the menu (such as the hushpuppies). The service has never really impressed me, but it's usually adequate, with one exception. I ate downstairs one night and had one of the worst waitresses I've ever had in my life. I saw she messed up the order of the people next to us so I was a little worried, but hey, it happens. When my friend ordered a sandwich without some of the toppings on it, our waitress asked if my friend could just have it without any toppings because it was easier for her to write down. I've never heard of anyone saying anything like that before; it shouldn't be that much of a hassle to write down a few extra words. The waitress also forgot several things we asked for. Finally, she came over and said a show had just let out and they were about to get a lot of people, so she tried to kick us out of our table while we were still finishing our drinks by saying we could go stand over at the bar. I'm pretty sure she said the same thing to the table next to us because they left pretty quickly, and the table remained *empty* for the rest of the time we were there (at least half an hour). If it was my first time there I probably wouldn't go back, but I know they have at least somewhat decent service usually and I like the food/beer, so I will likely return eventually.

    (3)

  • David C.

    There are a surprising amount of good bar-b-q places in boston and if you are enterprising, even more in the new gland region. In my opinion, red bones is the best in greater boston. I have friends who swear by other places, but this is the best combination of atmosphere, food, service and value. Let's start with the atmosphere: the first time a came here was with a group of friends and we didn't get a single thing to eat. We just spun the giant beer wheel all night and got pleasantly inebriated on there delicious selection of microbrews. Be careful with that thing though: my friend wound up with a fifteen dollar IPA, which while delcious, wasn't exactly what he was hoping for. Overrall the aptmosphere is relaxed, casual and fun. I prefer the downstairs eating area, but as long as you don't mind a casual setting, you'll be fine no matter where you sit. As for the food, it's delicious. I love barbecue and they do it right here. Spring for the ribs if your hungry as the portions are enormous. They have a couple of great combination platters and you'll always have a few leftovers. All the sides are delicious but my favorites are the mac and cheese and, of course, greens. If you think you are tough, get their spicy relish, but be warned: I had to drink three huge glasses of water after just tasting it. I gave the place four stars because some of the servers there aren't the best... don't get me wrong, they are quick but they are more interested in moving on, rather than helping you order something you really want. Overall it's a great place. Go there, spin the wheel, order a plate of ribs and leave happy.

    (4)

  • Ian W.

    I like to see The Pit. When I leave a Bar-B-Q place, I'm supposed to be full. Very full, I should be ashamed at how disgusting I just made myself out to be when I was cramming smoked animal flesh into my mouth. Back home, there is an all you can eat for $10 at lunch time. My face has to be greasy when I leave because I just couldn't help myself. Even after I wash my hands, the aroma of the Pit should be on my fingertips. Afterwards, I need to have the "itus" and drift into a pork coma. When the waiter can't tell me about the sauces, that is big big trouble. Maybe its cause I grew up with mostly mustard based sauces, of which I didn't see any. Florida, Georgia and South Carolina are part of the South too. So the meal I had was on the verge of satisfactory, and maybe this is on the better end of Massachusetts BBQ, but I think I can do better on the grill out back. I've decided to give Redbones another star for a few reasons... The staff always treats me right. I recently had some BBQ in North Carolina that made me realize how bad BBQ can actually get. And its one of maybe three places in Davis Square to get a drink that doesn't completely suck.

    (3)

  • Nikki B.

    Ahhhhh Redbones, is there anything bad to say about you? As a serious carnivore, the answer to that would be a resounding NO. I'll start with the drinks- Redbones has a great beer and alcohol selection and their margaritas are some of the best (and strongest!) I've ever had. Even with a belly full of ribs and cornbread, you can be prepared to be joyously knocked on your ass by one of their concoctions. Food wise, I don't know how to go wrong at this place. For dinner I usually order up a platter of their St. Louis style ribs and their spicy sauce, and a big side of corn bread. The meat is juicy, flavorful, and the service is lightning quick. You order and pretty much a minute later your plate of ribs is being whisked out to you. For lunch, I always get the special, which I've lovingly nicknamed the Anonymous Pile of Meat. Which is basically what you get. A massive amount of tender, juicy, absolutely delicious meat from various animals piled into the tastiest heap you will ever feast upon. And for 10 bucks for all of that, coleslaw, and cornbread you just can't go wrong. Finally, if you get a chance of where to sit try to sit downstairs. The decor is cool looking- like an unpretentious lounge, if that makes sense, and the music always seems to be great downstairs.

    (5)

  • Natalie V.

    After years of eating at Blue Ribbon, I finally made my way over here based on a friend's recommendation. It was wonderful. I had the lunch plate special, which was basically an assortment of whatever random meats they had on hand. It was huge. The fried okra was great. After years of hearing about vinegar-based sauce, I finally found something that was vinegary enough for my palate. The hush puppies were pretty good, but I still prefer the ones at The Fish Keg in Chicago, even though they are flown in from somewhere else. I wonder if it is fair to compare this place to Blue Ribbon. Both do BBQ, but in very different styles. I would recommend both for different reasons. Go to Blue Ribbon if you want saturated flavor, great lemonade, and a quiet, speedy meal without much face-time with your friends. Red Bones has a sit-down, almost pub-like vibe, more variety (I am pretty sure Blue Ribbon does not serve any fried sides, but Red Bones does), and their food overall is more restrained.

    (5)

  • Michael Z.

    Redbones was a very interesting experience to say the least. The ambiance of the lower floor is what really makes this place unique as it is unlike any other place that I have been to before. It is very dark and smokey, with cool art all over the walls. I give this place a 5 for creativity because they combine a Southern vibe with a little twist of their own. The menu is large enough to appeal to all BBQ lovers. Great bar area with tons of drinks to enjoy. If you can't decide on a beer, don't be discouraged. There is a large wheel of beers awaiting you're indecisiveness. Next, all you have to do is decide between a 16 oz. or 33 oz. beer.. which is a no brainer for most Bostonians. We sat on the main floor of Redbones which almost feels like a cafeteria room, completely different feel from their lower level floor. Although I would have preferred to dine in the South, we were hungry and were offered a table a lot sooner than what was expected. I ordered the fried oysters as an appetizer which were very juicy and wonderfully fried. These had a lot of flavor which made the $10 price tag worth the 6 fried oysters you recieved. For dinner, I ordered the memphis style ribs over brisket with a side of beans. The Ribs were sauced up nicely and fell off the bone pretty well. These were lightly charred and had a great smokey flavor. Brisket was tasty as well but didn't blow my mind. By the time I finished the meat I never made it to the beans. I had a few spoonfuls and they seemed alright but i really wasn't there to eat beans, as southern as they may have been.. 4 Stars because everything was good, nothing was amazing except their creativity. Get some fried steak on your menu and I might make you go 5 for 5.

    (4)

  • Melody V.

    Vegetarians love this place.... Because they ran out of beef ribs, baby back ribs, fried oysters and chili for a Saturday night. Time to change their business name to NObones.

    (1)

  • nicola s.

    If you love meat, meat and more meat then redbones is the place for you. I sit at the kitchen counter and order dirty rice and Catfish. I seldom change my request. My back is to the restaurant as I dig into my meal. I love the experience. It's different!

    (3)

  • Maryn H.

    It's rowdy. The waiters are no nonsense, and you get your food fast. Go for the ribs. They are delicious. You get cornbread free with every order. Not bad. And, they have local home brewed beer. You must try the Cisco Whaler Pale Tale Ale. Bomb. A place to gather with a group of friends and eat meat. I'd go back for sure, but only if I was in the mood.

    (3)

  • Tracee D.

    If MC Scat Cat from Paula Abdul's "opposites attract' opened a bbq joint it would be this place. Everyone loves it here. I am a serious carni- (meat eater not carnival worker) the chili, bbq hash, corn bread, popcorn shrimp all good. But aesthetically? I don't require graffitti'd cartoon basement cafeteria world...my eyes! my eyes!. Good service, great bartender's, great beer! next time I'll wear a blindfold & give it 5 stars.

    (2)

  • Jes H.

    Like they need my review, but I just love this place! What a funky little joint. Awesome food - the brisket sandwich is ridiculous. Awesome beer selection. And cheap!

    (5)

  • Andrea D.

    Awesome drinks and delicious eats, even for a vegetarian!

    (4)

  • Jae L.

    i've eaten at a couple of places that have claimed to have the "best ribs in america" on a sign on the door. I still think that redbones beats em all... I remember the time when I took an indian buddy of mine that had never had red meat in his life. It was a busy Wednesday evening and we got seated at those little two spots on the first level right near the kitchen. Somehow convinced him he needed to try 'em at least once. I looked over at him..gnawing on a piece of rib...sweating from the heat, hotsauce and beer...I distinctly remember saying to myself..."Some god somewhere is not very happy with you"

    (5)

  • Kristine M.

    Redbones is a fun place. It's lively, it has that beer wheel thing, and it's not too expensive. I'm actually not a barbecue fan, so I can't comment on that. I've gotten some sandwiches there that were just average. HOWEVER...I really, really like their macaroni and cheese!!!

    (3)

  • Beth F.

    The art, by Charba, is excellent and fun. The quantity of food is over the top. If you are looking for true bbq and ribs...Redbones can't be beat. If that type of food isn't your idea of a nice meal...skip Redbones entirely. The reputation can be out-do the actual experience for some. Be sure to at least walk through the lower level. But the main floor is where it's at. Price - reasonable for the amount of food. Variety - all bbq, ribs, chicken and the usual sides. Cornbread - excellent!

    (4)

  • Christine C.

    To begin with, I've only been here once. However, my experience was not very good. I thought the food was overcooked and dry and not very interesting to my taste. I always have a problem with sit-down formal places. They seem to be more expensive because you are paying for the wait staff and not necessarily the food. Not my favorite for BBQ.

    (2)

  • Alfonso E.

    Touch my pulled pork sandwich again, you die.

    (5)

  • Mindy L.

    I'm sorry, Redbones. I'm taking away my star for service because I met the bitchiest server at your fine establishment yesterday. Her attitude and obvious disdain for being in a customer service role soured the taste of my otherwise fabulous food. She would be rude even by Dick's Last Resort standards. A few helpful hints when training your service staff: 1) Have them ask to see identification rather than holding up their thumb and pointer finger in the universal sign for "ID" and then waving it an inch from a patron's face until they say, "what!?" 2) When a patron asks for a moment to peruse the beer menu and you come back and they have decided to go for a standard Corona...don't raise an eyebrow, stick your hand on your hip and sniff..."Corona?"like your time was wasted. 3) When you ask people if they need anything else...pause and wait to allow them to swallow their food so they can answer before you walk away without finding out if they actually DID need something else. Like another Corona. 4) Finally, when you receive a tip that's indicative of your rude attitude and substandard service, don't turn around and try to blow me up with your eyes. You deserved that tip. Take it and like it!

    (3)

  • Alana H.

    My boyfriend loves BBQ food, and so what better place to bring him on his birthday! We came here on a Saturday for lunch and were able to immediately grab a seat. It also helped that I had a Groupon. We started with hush puppies, I like my hush puppies sweeter than these are made and I found these to also be a bit dry. For my meal I got the Baby Back Rib Special and he ordered the Combo. He LOVED the Combo- which comes with whatever ribs they have at the time along with Chicken, Sausage, beans, cole slaw, dirty rice and BBQ Sauce. The Combo was a lot of food and he was able to take home leftovers which is saying a lot because he usually likes to finish his food. The Baby Back ribs fell off the bone and we great with the bbq sauce. The french fries were also really tasty and overall the meal was a little bit more than I could finish but I worked really hard to eat it all. They start you off with cornbread which was really warm and delicious. I ordered a sweet tea which was sweet just the way I like it. I love that this place is tucked away on a little side street but still in the Davis Square area.

    (4)

  • Olga F.

    Their pork sandwiches are amazing!! This is a great place!

    (5)

  • Leigh C.

    Dear Redbones, I hope everything is OK, because the last time we were in the food was not-so-good. The ribs were fatty, the sides were bland...please go back to your old ways...of super yummy BBQ! Your friend, L

    (2)

  • Madelyne S.

    My friends and I went here the other night and had a decent food experience. I ordered the brisket slider per the recommendation of another patron and it surprisingly came without an sauce on it at first. Not a bad thing necessarily, but you will have to give me more sauce than what you came me to top it off with if i am to enjoy it properly (it still ended up being pretty delicious). Great beer selection. Only irksome thing was our waiter who seemed like a nice guy but clearly did not know the menu and made me feel like his regularly check ins werent out of consideration but out of a desire to leave for the evening (final hint being: so, are you guys going to be leaving soon?). Anyway i will probably stick to the blue ribbon if i come back with a craving for bbq.

    (3)

  • Morgan H.

    This is going to sound weird, but don't go to Redbones for the BBQ. Go for the atmosphere and the drinks, and maybe some of the apps. My go-to dishes are the grilled chicken wings, fried pickles, and "catfingers" (deep fried catfish pieces with a delicious tartar dipping sauce). If I'm still hungry after apps, I'll get the mac and cheese. Be warned - it's basically just Velveeta ... but I love Velveeta. Aside from their impressive and delicious beer menu, they make some pretty good cocktails. The last time I was there I got their mezcal margarita which was smokey, spicy, and unbelievably good, not to mention fairly priced at around $7. It was strong and crisp and was basically just mezcal, fresh lime, and slices of jalapeno. So. Good. So again - go for drinks and non-BBQ fare. All of the meat dishes I've ordered there have been just fair. Not horrible, but sort of bland, not super moist or tender ... just forgettable. Even the cornbread isn't that great. They do make their own sausage daily which is good but again, not traditional BBQ. Try to get downstairs to "Underbones" if you can. It's dark and noisy and colorful and crowded and fun. Great for a small group.

    (3)

  • Ariel K.

    To be fair, my last pulled pork sandwich was at Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City. But good barbecue should be the standard! At Redbones, I ordered a pulled pork sandwich and tried some beef ribs. They were ok, but the meat was dry and the barbecue sauce was too tomato-y for my taste (ketchup lovers will have no problem). Instead of barbecue sauce and copious amounts of paper towel on each table, a la Okie Joe's, tables here come with tabasco sauce to add to your barbecue sauce (though you can order spicy barbecue sauce). Atmosphere: loud, full of families and buddies. Alcohol is served (and there is a separate bar area in the next room). We found the margarita to be too full of ice, but apparently the one we ordered was "the less good one." Lighting is bright--not to my taste, but I'm a snob about decor. In general: OK barbecue, but leagues from my experience in Kansas City (alas. A Bostonite, I'm rooting for east coast barbecue).

    (2)

  • DV P.

    I had the BBQ beef, which is served with sweet BBQ sauce, black beans, and coleslaw. Quite tasty, perfect portion size, and at $13.99 it is reasonably priced. Service was fast and no frills. It is not getting 5 stars only because it is definitely a dive, and hence the tables are not exactly the most well-cleaned. This wouldn't keep me from coming back in the future, though.

    (4)

  • Morgan P.

    MMMMMMMMMMM what is not to love about good meat, good drinks, and plenty of seating. Everyone must check this place out at least once. Then go up to arlington and try blue-ribbon bbq and while in a huge food coma debate which one is better!

    (5)

  • Lydia M.

    Absolutley delicious! Got the rib sampler and a double meat plate. My honest favorite was actually the pulled chicken. It's worth trying.

    (5)

  • Crystal S.

    How is this place able to house so many people without violating some sort of fire code? I've been here twice and both times have been seated in the over-crowded first level dining room. And you can't be shy because you'll be sitting elbow to elbow with at least 5 strangers. But, boy, oh boy.. the food. is. delicious. I get the pulled chicken sandwich with potato salad, sweet tea to drink and corn fritters to start. And both times I've eaten until I have to make myself stop (and then I get my leftovers to go!) The service each time was below average, with MIA waitresses, especially when it came time for our check. Maybe if they were quicker at getting people out of there, we wouldn't have to bump elbows with our neighbors.

    (4)

  • Jacob B.

    This place is really good. There is a huge beer selection and if your one of the cool kids you'll b-line it and drink downstairs. The barbecue itself is good but I think the cornbread is a bit dry. Overall It's a winner!

    (4)

  • Sam S.

    Amazing BBQ. Go after 1130 on weekends for the discounted menu at the bar!

    (5)

  • Courtney H.

    My sister loves sweet tea and southern food so I was shocked she lived a few blocks away and never went by Redbones! So we took my uncle who was visiting from NC. The cups were huge! My diet coke had me running to the bathroom like three times! Overall the BBQ couldn't match the south but it definitely had the flavor of home. I'll head back next time I'm really missing NC but it doesn't quite measure up. But how could any place up here?

    (3)

  • Calvin T.

    Friend of mine who lives in Davis Square took a group of us here and told us that he comes here about once a week. If I lived in Boston, I would too. $8 for a combo plate, which is literally about 1/2 a foot high of hot and savory ribs and delicious meaty beef sausages covered in omgBBQ sauce. Not to mention a side of flavorful dirty rice, pretty good sweet/sour coleslaw and normal black beans. And hot cornbread. And because we were naive and didn't believe a combo plate for each of us would be that much food, we shared some fried okra. It was all good. Redbones is now a mandatory stop every time I'm in Boston.

    (4)

  • Molly C.

    My favorite place in Davis, hands down. GREAT beer selection--one of the bartenders brews his own!--and obviously the food is to die for. Mention "Redbones" anywhere in the Boston Metro area and chances are you'll get an "ohh, I love that place!" Menu Highlights--pulled pork sandwich (vinegar sauce!), fried pickles and jalapenos, catfingers, buffalo scallops. If you don't want to spend a lot, their appetizers are filling enough to be a meal, once you count cornbread and beer. One thing I would avoid--the mac and cheese. It's either Stouffer's or made with Velveeta.

    (5)

  • Erin S.

    Great food and ambiance in this joint! We went on a Friday night, and it was super packed; the wait was about an hour, but well worth it. The inside is very colorful and eclectic; the theme gives you the idea of "The devil went down to Georgia". (pics to come) We got ribs with sides, pulled pork sandwich and hush puppies. The rib meat just fell off the bone, and was so delicious - there was little sharing going on. Pulled pork can be very tricky, which is why I wanted to try there's, and it was incredibly juicy, flavorful and with the vinegar bbq sauce, hands down the best pulled pork sandwich I've had. The hush puppies were ok; a little more sweet than savory, and would have been better I think with a little spice. But overall, A+ job.

    (4)

  • Cy K.

    I wanted to go big here - so I tried the whole BBQ belt - essentially all of their meats piled up on some beans and slaw. The pig pile came with four bbq sauces (sweet, tomato, spicy, and vinegar). To start with the good the Texan (Beef) and Memphis (pork) ribs were superb. Smoked and served dry they were a great palette on which to sample the sauces. I only wish they gave me more than one beef rib (was a little anemic as far as they go). The bad was the Brisket and Arkansas ribs. The Brisket was mediocre - certainly edible, but it wasn't the melt in your mouth experience I've come to expect. The Arkansas rib was terrible - essentially it was overcooked pork shoulder (dry as all get out). However the service at the bar was great - very friendly and attentive. I'll be back, but just for the Beef/Pork ribs.

    (3)

  • Lisa S.

    Disappointed!! Went there a couple weeks ago to treat my 15 year old son to some Yummy BBQ Ribs. We entered Redbones and was greeted by a nice hostess who asked "how many?", i replied two and a very awkward male grabbed two menus and just started walking.. No follow me please, this way I will seat you; nothing!? I almost played his game and actually thought about just standing there acting dumb but followed him only to be seated in the worst table and yet the place was dead! The waiter was friendly and We started out by ordering the fried oysters. We were totally shocked to see only 6 itty bitty fried oysters! I didn't want to complain because my son was with me and being 15 years old didn't want to cause him embarrassment; I just kind of laughed it off and said the staff must of been hungry and ate the other half of the order! The oysters were very good and we would have been happier if there were more! My son ordered ribs onion rings and Mac n cheese. I ordered ribs, pulled pork, French fries and coleslaw. Everything was delicious with the exception of the sour coleslaw. We got the bill and our lunch was 70$ lol!!!! (we substituted the sides and of coarse that costs extra to substitute for the beans and coleslaw) !

    (3)

  • Dodge S.

    What a great place to eat! Such wonderful ribs at a decent price, nice service and great decor. The only thing worth complaining about is the noise, which is almost deafening. Will it spoil your experience? Well, it's like going to the beach, the water is super cold but you still have a great time.

    (5)

  • G S B.

    Hi and welcome to Boston! You can't get great BBQ like at the Rendezvous in Memphis, but Redbones is about as good as it gets for this area. I always sit downstairs and they have great beer and remember you can always substitute one of the many excellent sides. A great place to go with friends but they get busy!

    (4)

  • Deanna D.

    I lived in the South for many years and Red Bones serves up some tasty BBQ. I enjoy the laid back vibe and colorful, funky, and random decor. The service is usually fast and friendly. The beer list offers a great selection and they also have beer flights which are my fav! ***You must try the CORN PUDDING!!!***---Its the best I've ever had! The Jamaican jerk BBQ is very tasty, moist and very spicy---You've been warned! The grilled salmon a good if you're not in the mood for rib sticking BBQ. The cornbread is ok--not the best but not the worst either. The Hushpuppies and Fried Okra--are too dry and flavorless. The Candied Yams, Collard Greens and Beans are usually solid sides. The Oyster Po Boy is also a standout on the menu. The prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is great for a groups or a casual night out. Red Bones keeps me coming back for more!

    (3)

  • Max S.

    Had a strong experience here recently. Good, affordable whiskey selection to start (had my favorite available - Bulleit Bourbon). The appetizer we had, buffalo shrimp was good, but fairly small for the price. The platter I ordered had the BEST pulled chicken I have ever had, but my pulled for was good at best. The ribs I tried were hit or miss, one kind (St. Louis style I believe) being great, and Texas style being only okay, a little too chewy. Overall, good experience, and will be back, but maybe not QUITE as good as I had been led to believe.

    (4)

  • Matt K.

    Impossible to give this place lower than 5 stars. The only complaint I could possibly find is that after moving to Davis I couldn't find it for like 3 weeks. Easily the Best BBQ in town. Blue Ribbon across town is solid, but I'm a little bit of a homer saying this place is honestly better. The menu has tons of BBQ options and there's no chance you leave this place hungry. Free warmed cornbread (unlimited if you keep asking for it) starts of the meal in solid southern style. Leading up to the millions of types of ribs with some of side options. Everything is juicy, flavorful, and filling. This place knows how to do BBQ so I highly recommend it to anyone. As with all great eateries there is often a wait, but they have an extensive beer list with tons of new beers to try and they do their best to get everyone in quickly. 20 minute waits are often only around 5 :)

    (5)

  • Sara D.

    I'm from Memphis, TN and we are known for our bbq and sweet tea..I've been in Mass about a year and half and so far this has been the only bbq place that I've really liked. The ribs taste true to home and the sweet tea is amazing. You can't really find sweet tea up here, or at least I haven't. It's sort of cheesy they serve it in mason jars but not so cheesy I hate it haha. I've been to Redbones several times, first time eating the Memphis style ribs with sweet bbq sauce. Second time I tried the fried catfish (a personal fave back home) We've also tried some of their appetizers...the corn fritters are really yummy, while we don't put syrup on them back home it's a nice touch. We've also had the fried okra (another personal fave from home) and hush puppies. I haven't tried Blue Ribbon yet and people keep telling me to go there but my boyfriend (he's from here but he's had real Memphis bbq before) LOOOOVE Redbones!

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    Bad to bone.....na na na na na....Bad to the bone....(that was supposed to the song lyrics by the way ha) That's right, I felt like a bad a$$ here because when I went and ordered the Jerk BBQ sandwich I basically had an all out verbal duel with our waitress about me being able to handle this spicy sandwich! But guess what? I won! She told me, "Ummmm that is our spiciest thing on the menu...i should give you the sauce on the side." Me: "Ummmm no. I am from California and love spicy food, so I want it spicy with everything on it please." Her: "Well I've seen full grown men not be able to eat this sandwich..." Me: "I love spicy food. It'll be fine" Her: "I should bring the sauce on the side, it may ruin the sandwich for you" Me: "I can handle it. Trust me, just bring me the sandwich as is!!" And this continued a couple more times.....that conversation made me more exhausted than the spicy sandwich did! BUT good news red bones, it was spicy!! I LOVE SPICY and this place actually made it spicy! BUT I also was stronger than some of those full grown men she mentioned, because I could still eat it and not cry, so I win. But thanks for making a pretty tasty and spicy bbw beef sandwich for me! The coleslaw was perfect on it too! The fries were only so so though...should have gotten the plate with the potato salad, but that will be for next time. And the wheel of beer is a pretty fun thing to do while you wait for your table too--as long as you are okay will all types of beer! Luckily I got one I could drink, but if it had been a little more bitter, not so sure... And this place doesn't really scream southern or bbq to me when you are inside, especially downstairs, but rather it screams Dia de los Muertes with all of the colorful, black light reactant bones and skeletons everywhere, which definitely will either make you feel awkward or entertained. I was the later. heh Lastly, let me concur with Chris M. and our discovery of the downstairs bathrooms requiring you to go up a few steep stairs in order to get to the toilet!! Not the best planning I don't think...especially if you have spun that wheel a few too many times upstairs!! :-)

    (3)

  • EricaLynn J.

    OMG BBQ FTW. This is the only BBQ place in town that doesn't make me long for the treats I had in Memphis. Every other place lacks and then some. Redbones is the real deal and that warms my icy heart.

    (4)

  • Dan A.

    Wow ... I'm honestly shocked Redbones has fewer than four stars. In at least eight trips, I have never, ever had a bad experience. Put simply, the food is great. My girlfriend and I usually split the Texas beef ribs, mac n' cheese and another side (tonight it was collard greens, but I've been happy with others, too). Everything was great - also including the barbeque sauces (I prefer spicy), beans, cole slaw and excellent corn bread. Also, Redbones has a really good selection of beers on tap. I don't remember the last time I'd seen Brooklyn Brown Ale on tap before, but I was very grateful to run into it at Redbones. My only complaint with Redbones is it can get crowded, but I can't really hold that against them - the place is good enough that this will probably always be a problem. One solution is to go to the bar and wait to grab a free stool or two; you can order from the full menu at the bar. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of the restaurants I enjoy aren't nearly as good the second or third time. Redbones is one of the exceptions. I've been at least six or seven times in the last two years, and even having been about three hours ago, I'm already looking forward to going back again.

    (4)

  • David P.

    I had a great time the first time I went to Redbones but thought the food was just "ok." I went back to Redbones for a second time hoping for some great BBQ and was thoroughly disappointed. I ordered one of their dinner combos and chose the Babyback ribs and the Pulled Pork platter. I swapped the side dishes from cole slaw and beans to mac n cheese and fries. The babyback ribs were ok, nothing special. I've definitely had better "fall off the bone" ribs before. Also, the ribs don't come with any sauce and I had to ask the waitress multiple times before she remembered to bring out sauce. However, what gives the rating only 2 stars was the pulled pork. The pulled pork was dry yet wet - if that makes sense. The meat itself was dry yet it came out soggy, almost like they tried to re-hydrate the meat with water. After a little while the meat started tasting like cardboard. It wasn't good at all. In fact, I ended up giving my leftovers to the homeless guy in Davis square. The only things that kept me from giving 1 star were the side dishes - very yummy - and the fried pickles. Overall, Redbones has a fun atmosphere and gets really busy during the weekends. But unfortunately the BBQ just doesn't stack up...

    (2)

  • Rahul C.

    Great restaurant with a character of it's own. Food is flavorful. They have some real good beers on tap - something that's important for me. Got a GroupOn coupon when I went here with friends. It's a noisy place mind you but lovely place for groups of up to 10.

    (4)

  • Mary Ann A.

    One of the few places that serves "beef ribs" in the area. On a Sunday afternoon, June 30, we ordered Memphis Ribs, traditional pork, regular order, $$17.99, and Texas Beef Ribs, four large, $23.99, dinners. The ribs were tasty, we've had them many times before; however, the sides -- black beans, just plain and we prefer brown; potato salad, bland; coleslaw, dry. Many containers of sauce, along with cornbread. Due to the messiness of eating ribs, we took them home to eat -- a nice Sunday night dinner. Next time we would forget the sides. Excellent, courteous and friendly service. Extensive menu, $8 and up. We keep going back for the ribs.

    (4)

  • Mister Chub S.

    After looking at the lunch menu I knew I had to order the combo special. It's a plate of whatever ribs they have ready at the moment, BBQ chicken, house-made sausage, dirty rice, beans and slaw for $8.99. If this wasn't amazing enough, when my friend and I each ordered one the server looked at us funny and asked us if we were sure we didn't want to split one. We ended up taking his word for it that it was big and shared one order. We not only gorged ourselves on a MOUNTAIN of BBQ'd meats and sides but we had enough to take home. ...and for the record, we're both fatties so that's saying something.

    (4)

  • Thomas S.

    I love the food here (especially the beef brisket). They also have a good selection of drinks (I like the cider).The atmosphere is great; it's crowded, but not so loud that you can't talk. I live a block away and would go every day if my waistline and wallet could handle it. The only complaint I have is that there is very little apart from meat, fried stuff, and alcohol on their menu. I tend not to take my vegetarian friends here (although one likes it). It can leave you craving a bit of fresh food afterwards.

    (4)

  • Stuart L.

    I used to love Redbones. Great ambiance, great beer list, sometimes very good BBQ. Excellent smoked turkey dinner. I don't know what happened, but I assume that the place has changed management, and the new owners or managers are trying to pinch pennies in a way that is going to ultimately destroy this business. Prices have skyrocketed, which wouldn't be a problem if quality and portions have correspondingly shrunk to alarming degrees. The quality of the food has also suffered. They have gotten rid of a few menu items that I used to go there for - the Arkansas ribs and the turkey dinner. I was told that the Arkansas were "a pain in the ass to prepare." The turkey dinner has also disappeared, due to its not being cost effective. I had a drink there with a friend a few months ago, and a regular told me the bar was so (uncharacteristically to me, based on my experience) empty because they had decided to discontinue the 1/2 price appetizers. Message to Redbones - you may coast for a while on your reputation, but you will eventually sink and go under. BTW, the service has also gone way downhill also. Very disappointing.

    (1)

  • Jeffrey K.

    I FREAKING LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! It's tough to find a BBQ place with authenticity in the Northeast however this place is sopping with deliciousness and grit. I haven't tried everything on the menu but the fried oysters are amazing for a starter!! The wings have some exceptional heat to them and unlike other restaurants they're large enough to feel satisfied! I'm a shoe in for their house margarita. The hot and tangy flavors of the BBQ mixed with the bitterness of the margarita go together like a hand in a glove. Most times than not I go with the BBQ Belt for a main course. It's $20 bones (get it?) but I am full for like 3 days afterwards. I am obsessed with this place and I feel its worth the 5 stars. Every time I go I do some serious damage...take that however you like. Cheers!

    (5)

  • T M.

    Over the years I've gone here a handful of times. I've never understood the mass appeal of this place. Must be the huge beer selection. Since I'm not a beer drinker I can only judge the food. I've eaten at a LOT of bbq places and this place doesn't rank very high in my opinion. Compared to most BBQ restaurants the food here is fairly bland. BBQ to me is all about rich flavors and the food here simply doesn't have it, not even compared to other BBQ restaurants in New England. I won't even begin to compare it to restaurants in the south and especially Texas. Mac & Cheese tastes like it was made from a box of velveeta. Extremely bland and basic. Hush Puppies were so dry you were chocking on them. Pulled pork had almost no flavor and the sauces didn't make it much better. Ribs were pretty bland. Flavors didn't pop at all. Maybe my taste buds weren't meant for this style but this is literally the only BBQ restaurant I've ever been to that I can't find a single thing that I really like or can recommend. The food to me here is very basic. To be fair I don't hate the food either, it's just a major 'MEH' as the kids say.

    (2)

  • Ben L.

    I enter and I flee rushing downstairs to underbones drowning the shame of underwhelming ribs and mediore sides with their tap list of happiness perhaps I will meet up with a friend and we will time it just right so we only need to wait half an hour to get a table the pulled pork sandwitch or st louis ribs might be just good enough at least they would be delivered by happy faces no we are standing packed togeter in purgatory traped just a few people away from actually being at the bar but still I am happy

    (3)

  • L F.

    I love love love Red Bones for their delicious fried pickles! I have never had better fried pickles in my life! Red Bones doles out large sized portions, which always leave me going home with leftovers. For the price, the food is really a steal. I have found the service to be iffy. The other night my friend and I went in hoping to grab a few beers and use a Groupon we had scored awhile back. It was Super Bowl Sunday so they were using the upstairs to prepare take out. We were directed to "Under Bones" the downstairs seating area. We found a table in this dark cavern and waited a few minutes for the bartender to serve us. The bartender wasn't really the problem--it was actually the waiter that was slower than molasses getting to us. We watched as he waited on several tables of patrons who had arrived long after us--kind of annoying. On another visit when I was grabbing lunch solo, I was seated at the counter upstairs. Again, I felt neglected in terms of service. The people in the kitchen did a much better job funneling me my food then the actual waiter did. Red Bones can be a pretty hectic, hopping spot to grab BBQ, but be warned, you may not get the service you are hoping for.

    (3)

  • Anthony R.

    Pull my pork! I've been coming here for years and have always had a great time. With nearly 1000 reviews, I figured I'd contribute my opinion to hopefully bump up their rating to at least 4 stars. I love the Jamaican jerk pork and the varieties of BBQ sauce are great (I'm a huge dipper so I ask for extra). There is just so much on the menu, it keeps me coming back for more to try different things. The collard greens and sides like mac n cheese and poppers are fantastic. The hushpuppies have been disappointing and the service can be a little "rough around the edges" but honestly Redbones is more about the experience and beer than just the food. Anyone that has a bad experience here needs to take a chill pill and probably wouldn't find any divey BBQ place enjoyable. My favorite experiences so far have been late night down in the basement. It gets super loud and crazy and it's something completely out of the ordinary to do. Redbones is one of the reasons I'd love to live in Davis Square!

    (5)

  • Nadine K.

    Came to the area to visit a friend, came to this place by chance. Waked in and it was packed which is always a good sign. Loved the decor remind me a lot of funky restaurant's in Austin Texas and THE FOOD WAS GREAT well what I ate. I had the catfish nuggets which were good not over the top but the smoked then grilled chicken wings were the star of the night. I would say the best chicken wing I've ever ate. Thanks Redbone

    (5)

  • Sarah B.

    My husband is from Oklahoma and he loves the BBQ here. It is a little sweet- not so much spicy- but really good smoked meat!

    (4)

  • braden m.

    Hard to believe that a BBQ joint can have no soul but that's the case here, I'm sorry to say. Due to a top notch bar staff it used to be my favorite place around, but recent management changes caused the knowledgeable and talented staff to move on to greener pastures, which is really a huge loss for the restaurant. There's something to be said for a staff that knows your name and what you like to drink, but I get the sense that those days are gone, and it's really a shame that the ownership isn't interested in cultivating that kind of atmosphere any longer.

    (1)

  • Anna M.

    I've been to Redbones many times- but last night I was particularly happy to find they are having a Raw Bar on Fridays in March! We started off with beer and oysters in the upstairs bar. It was a Friday night- I knew there would be quite the wait. In fact, there is almost always a wait and very little space indoors- so be prepared to brave the weather. They have close to 30 beers on tap and rotate them frequently so I can always try something new to drink. The corn fritters are delicious and come in a bowl of maple syrup! I've always had very friendly service at Redbones and last night our was no exception. There was a delay with the cornbread so our server brought out some extra maple syrup. yum! I had the Oyster Po'boy for my meal like I almost always do. Makes me long for my days in New Orleans. Redbones has a Late Night Menu that is served till 12:30am. It has saved me more than once after the rest of Davis Sq has stopped serving food.

    (4)

  • Mya S.

    My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday dinner because I had been craving BBQ. Boy did it hit the spot!!! We got the fried oysters app and shared the BBQ belt combo plate and still had left overs to take home. The drinks were great, but a little on the small side. Service was also friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back :)

    (5)

  • Ava S.

    I have eaten here more than probably anyone on yelp. The wood grilled chicken is a fabulous a full bodied flavor, good with French Chablis. The white rice with malt vinegar is perfect, like a healthy desert. Sometimes I go for a side of cheese sauce to put on just about anything. Corn fritters are like gooey yummy French toast dough balls with little pieces of corn and covered in maple syrup. Try the grilled salmon, the chicken fried chicken, and the Saint Louis ribs ... amazing. Oh and the bbq hash and potato smash make a serious friendship.

    (5)

  • David M.

    Been going to Redbones for the better part of a decade, and it has been consistently one of our favorite places in town. Sad to see the recent menu revisions come into play as the killed my favorite entree (Memphis ribs) and my wife's fave (portobello mushroom). Walked away disappointed in the food for the first time ever on our last visit.

    (3)

  • Jon H.

    Yeah sure, the lines are huge during dinnertimes. Parking sucks a big one. The seating can be horrid for large groups. But good bbq, speedy as hell service, and fair prices really make RedBones one of those great bbq places that you love to get takeout from, or a quick bite to eat with a good friend down in the bar. I'd say that Blue Ribbon out in Newton/Watertown is still a bit better (especially because of the family pack meals) but this is pretty damn good in its own right). Cornbread served complimentary is excellent - a little on the dry side, wish it had real bits of corn to complete it, but slather on some butter and I'm a happy camper. Also had the beef ribs meal (texas style). HUGE ribs, a little on the fat side, but towards the end (comes with four huge ribs) more lean meat. Wonderfully smoky and with tangy bbq sauce (GET AN EXTRA SAUCE ON THE SIDE FOR SHIZZLE), the ribs are a perfect dish, even more perfectly complemented by coleslaw. The service was snappy, we ended up waiting about 35 minutes for a party of 11 downstairs in the bar, but we only waited about 10-15 mins for ALL of our orders. Prices are really good, I spent about $20 including drink (btw, the drinks here are HUGE jugs).

    (4)

  • Erin M.

    We came here on Mother's Day for an early dinner. My sister recently moved into the neighborhood and told my parents about Red Bones. I used to go here with my friend who lived in Davis Square when I was in college, so I was ecstatic when it was suggested for dinner! We got the huge family combo for 6, which probably could have fed more like 12 people. It came with roasted BBQ chicken, ribs, pulled pork, corn bread, beans, and cole slaw. We also ordered a massive vat of mac & cheese. Everyone loved everything we had. The beer selection is also fantastic! All sorts of uncommon choices on draft! Our server was fantastic and more than patient with us as we shouted things we wanted to my dad as he ordered for us. She had us seated, served, fed, and out the door with several containers full of leftovers in probably under an hour. Redbones is easily the best BBQ I've had in the New England area! ...It's probably a very good thing I don't live very close to this place or I might turn into a giant pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac & cheese.

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    Redbones is pretty good. There is another spot around town I like better. I wish you got to choose your sides and that there was not as much sauce on the meat. Good beer selection.

    (3)

  • Shalini P.

    One to thing to know about me... I can be really lazy sometimes and if I am gonna trek all the way out to Somerville from Brookline it has to be for a pretty darn good reason... I know what you are thinking... Its only about 15 mins over the river. However, I have to rely on the MBTA and we all know how that goes... In fact in 7 yrs of living here I have only ventured to Davis about 4 times and sadly enough they were all this year... Anyhow I decided to make another trek all in the name of fried pickles and boy was I glad I did! Redbones = totally worth the trek! Everything was good. Fried pickles, fried okra, atomic corn, Memphis ribs oh my! All insanely delicious! Some of the meat was a little dry, so I have a feeling the meat can be a hit or a miss. I finished off the fried pickles and fried jalapenos myself... My friends were a little pissed but I just couldn't stop myself. They also have a great beer selection and wheel to help you pick if you can't decide! But in all seriousness, Davis has some pretty awesome stuff. The Burren has awesome beer selection and hilarious comedy shows. An added bonus... the movie theater serves booze! All good reasons to continue to make the trek! Sorry for doubting you Davis! You may be my new found love!

    (4)

  • Jerome O.

    A charming place, but unfortunately, all the kitsch and decor of a restaurant can't disguise lousy food. Maybe I'm spoiled from having visited one of the meccas of barbecue in the US (Memphis/St. Louis), and also being able to enjoy that style even here in Michigan, but I really hope that the lunch my wife and I had at Redbones one day was an anomaly and not the norm. The pulled pork was barely that. Sure, it was shredded. It was pork, we think. But it was about 30-40% gristle and fat, and tasted like it had been boiled first and then lightly smoked as a finish. That, my friends, is not barbecue. Despite its appearance, the meat was tougher than it should have been and utterly flavorless. Ultimately a very disappointing experience. What saves Redbones from only one star was that our server was at least plucky, polite, and cute. I was tempted to leave a low tip for the condition of the meal, but that would have been unfair to our server, who was on the ball with refilling our waters, and bringing out our dishes.

    (2)

  • Jenn W.

    It's been 5 years since my last visit to Redbones so I was thrilled to return last night with girlfriends during a visit to Somerville. Glad to report that this place is maybe even BETTER than I remember. We sat downstairs in the cool, dimly lit basement dining room, which to me somehow feels much more relaxed than the main level area (lack of windows?) Wolfed down the complementary cornbread (fairly plain, no fancy chunks of corn or anything... 2 stars) and enjoyed the friendly, cozy ambiance. I ordered the pulled pork dinner with baked beans and slaw - DELICIOUS! Five freakin' stars all the way. The pork is tender, juicy, and succulent. Baked beans are standard as far as beans go - but the slaw, wow, the slaw. I'm not much of a slaw girl, but the Redbones slaw has just enough zest and is light without being weighed down by mayo (as in, it's actually green, not the chintzy creamy white slaw that you get at so many bbq places). Six stars for the slaw! The waitress was extremely friendly, chatting up our group of girlfriends. We felt right at home. Every five years is much too long between visits to Redbones... can't wait to come back on my next visit to the area.

    (5)

  • Matt T.

    Love this place. They have the best selection of beer, of any restaurant in/around Boston, and it is always changing. The ribs are great. One of my favorite things there are the sausages! If you love BBQ, you must go to Redbones!

    (5)

  • Frank D.

    I really think people go for this place more for the ambiance and what it stands for more than what they are putting in their mouths. Let me start by telling you things I couldn't care less about: 1) beer menus 2) large messy racks of ribs 3) meat slathered in BBQ sauce That being said, I have the rice and beans, sausage and pulled pork sandwiches here. The rice and beans was dry and flavorless. The sausage was a horrible quality with that kind off, elementary school lunch, processed taste; I couldn't even finish it. As for the pulled pork sandwich, it was one big gooey disgusting mess on top of a low-quality hamburger bun. Here's a tip: if the meat were high quality, it wouldn't need to be swimming in syrupy-sweet BBQ sauces, it would be allowed to stand on its own. This is not a place you want to actually taste what you're eating. It's a place you go to to down beer and eat questionable quality food that is masked in a myriad of condiments. Disgusting, revolting and nasty.

    (1)

  • Mike L.

    Redbones has a large beer selection and a few bar tenders who know every beer on the menu intimately. They're always willing to make a recommendation and walk you through ordering. Their BBQ is great for New England, and their sauces are diverse and wonderful. The atmosphere is great as well. The place has a lot of character, and the downstairs walls are covered in a cohesive mural type painting. The people who actually go there are also fun and welcoming. Definitely a must stop in for comfort food and/or good brews, but it gets pretty crowded on the weekends

    (4)

  • Debra L.

    We came here at 6pm on Saturday night because we wanted to make a 7:40 movie at the Somerville theatre. There was no wait for a table since it was so early. Plus, the torrential downpour from Hurricane Hannah likely caused less-brave folks to stay in that night. Turns out, Redbones at 6pm on a Saturday night is family time. Who knew there were so many little kids in Davis Square? We were seated (practically on top of) a father who was there with his 2 little daughters. One, who looked to be about 5, had a full plate of food in front of her but she was having more fun sucking every last drop of juice out of a sour lemon wedge. Sucking on the lemon wedge kind of added to her cuteness, and best of all, it kept her quiet. That is, until she started to cry, uncontrollably at the top of her lungs. I don't know how her father figured it out from her incoherent sobs but...apparently she had a wee scrape on her knee and lemon juice had dripped into it. Ouch! Ouch to her knee and Ouch to my ears. Damn. So, our meal at Redbones was actually pretty entertaining and well, a little frightening. Anyway, the food was decent. I'm not going to bother reviewing it since over 400 other people have. I will say though that the Buffalo shrimp are addictive. That and my chicken was a little too dry. I think it could have used some lemon juice.

    (4)

  • Caroline C.

    I kinda want to give this place three stars, but I think I'm a bit biased against it because I've at least two less than impressive first dates here. Also, I'm mostly vegetarian. Note to men: you don't leave a great first impression dripping in BBQ sauce. It may be cute once we get to know you, but you really shouldn't lead with a gorge-fest. And it is a gorge-fest - the portions are huge. If you are a catfish fan, however - it is pretty decent, as in the beer list. As a whole, the restaurant is pretty fun - a good laid back place to meet a group of friends and have a good time. However, it is always packed . . .

    (4)

  • Haley T.

    Wheel of beer. Wheel of beer with some crazy awesome options. Why are you still reading this and not on your way there already? I'm not sure any of the dinner options are strictly speaking, vegan (besides the succotash). There are a surprising amount of vegetarian options, though. All of the dishes-appetizers, sides and entrees alike, are more suited to serve two or three people, not one. The service is always stellar. While it's usually pretty busy, it's worth the visit!

    (4)

  • Laura J.

    BBQ! How I love you. From my first stop in 3 years ago, Redbones has always delivered some tasty grub that has kept me coming back over the years. Is it the best BBQ I've ever had? No way. But it is definitely notable and will satisfy any craving for some finger lickin good ribs or pulled pork. My personal favorites are the fried pickles and jalapenos, chili verde, corn fritters with maples syrup, pulled pork sammie, fried catfish, and baby back ribs. And all of the BBQ sauces so good, but the sweet is my fav. Oh, and the cute waiter who slipped me and my friends into a table 20 minutes ahead of our scheduled wait time? Ya, he is a favorite too;)

    (4)

  • Erica F.

    I'd give the bar a 3 and the restaurant a 2, giving this place a 2.5. 3 stars would suggest this place is above average, which it is not, so 2 it is... but I digress. I really wanted to like this place especially because my cousin loves it and always wants to go there. I've tried, 4 times!! and enough is enough. The bar has good drinks, an extensive tap list and the beers are cheap enough, but it gets so packed so early. And if you're not there to drink, the bar area ends up spilling into the tables of people eating. But if it's not packed it could be a great place to grab a beer and watch a game. The food.... I'm sorry to say that I have yet, out of the 4 times I've been there, actually been able to enjoy my entire meal. Don't get the grilled vegetables whatever you do, it tastes like they were grilled over gas with too much fuel pumping out. My boyfriend had the pulled pork on two separate occasions and it was just not good. We also did a sampling of the appetizers on the menu for dinner one night, and really was not impressed by a single thing that came out. I will give them one thing though, the wings are exceptional. They're buffalo with a little hint of BBQ. Somewhere along the line someone is going to (for some reason unbeknown to me) insist "you've got to go to Redbones?!?!?@#$^%@@!" and you're going to think to yourself 'well maybe this review is wrong and it was just an off 4 random nights' and you're going to try it out anyways. Do yourself a favor, go early in the day and get yourself some wings and a couple new beers you've never tried

    (2)

  • David P.

    I live near by, so I go come here often. I love the energy and the organized chaos, friendly and efficient staff and the generous portions. The bar and the beer list are great. and the owners have been real contributors to the community. Over the years, the quality of their barbecue began to sag and the meat drifted from great to good. Lately though the Q has been getting better. My last visit, early on Friday evening, provided probably the best Q I have had there in memory and some of the best ever. I had the St. Louis ribs - with a powerful rich pork flavor and amply smoke and the Texas beef ribs - full of flavor and with a nice bark. It was also so good, I barely touched the sauces.. Not sure if I just hit the right time, but my expectations for the food there have been going up and up.

    (5)

  • Christina M.

    This place is finger lickin' good. My only real complaint is that it's always so busy and crowded here, so if you want to sit down and enjoy your meal without a long wait, you have to get here early. The last time I ate at Redbones my husband and I sat at the counter that looks over the grill. I couldn't believe how much meat they cook and serve up back there, and it was fun to watch the guys at work, although it did make me feel like I was part of a meat factory! I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw, and it was so yummy. Its fun how they serve your drinks in mason jars too. I kept hearing how this place wasn't as good as Blue Ribbon BBQ, so I was really excited to try BRB at a big bbq I went to last summer. While it was good I still didn't think the meat was as flavorful as it is in Redbones. I definitely look forward to going back.

    (4)

  • Julie R.

    I can't believe this place has been reviewed over 500 something times! I don't think I ever saw a place with so many reviews in my area. Well I've been to Redbones twice recently and enjoyed both times thoroughly. The first time I was eager to check it out and get some BBQ. My boyfriend said to find a good BBQ place on yelp for some ribs we haven't been to. Off to Redbones we were. On a weekend for lunch it was packed. We were seated right away though. The seating arrangement is packed tight so you might feel as if you are dining with others at the next table. The menu was huge, they offered so many items and platters at very reasonable prices I got a pulled pork sandwich for $5.99. It was very good. One of the better I've had. I like how they dressed the roll with coleslaw and pickles already. I had half and was full. My bf got the St. Louis style ribs. They were huge and falling off the bone. We got sides of baked beans that were very authentic and some crunchy home made coleslaw that was real good. We left feeling good and knowing we would soon return. Second time, another weekend lunch, my boyfriend is asking for ribs again. Off we go. We decide to spice it up this time and order some different stuff. We started with the Fried oysters. These were AMAZING! A big portion for $6.95. The chipotle tartar sauce on the side was out of this world. I kept it after I was done for a dipping sauce. He got the baby back ribs, which he liked. They were not as fall off the bone as the St. Louis. He said he would stick to the St. Louis kind. I got a half BBQ chicken. My chicken was a bit bland at first. I had to add some sauce to give it some flavor. After that, it was fine. The portion was enormous also. Service was sweet both times. If something wasn't right, they offered to make it right. The girls working there had that southern hospitality vibe going. The atmosphere is old school with black and white pictures and old BBQ memorabilia everywhere. I am a fan of this place. One thing they really need to improve on is their cornbread! It is not authentic at all, it is more like a crumbly cake. They should try the cornbread at Blue Ribbon which is dynamite and model it after theirs.

    (4)

  • Reba R.

    pretty dang good! fried okra is amazing! ...alot of times the tea is just too sweet. don't get me wrong- i'm a giant sweet tea fan, but i know when i see an inch high of sugar resting at the bottom of my mason jar... it might be just too sweet.

    (5)

  • David L.

    A friend of mine took me here for lunch. We had a big plate of different ribs. The ribs themselves were ok. I prefer to have fall off the bone flavorful meat. I couldn't taste any seasonings or smokey flavor to the different meats that they had. This tends to indicate that they do a quick cook on their meats (easy for prep, but also impacts flavor). The bring 4 different sauces. I didn't think any of them were special in any way. I also had their "sweet tea" which wasn't what I was hoping for. It was an under sweetened black tea where the sugar was added well after the brewing process which makes the flavor less than ideal. The service was prompt and polite which is always great to have. The restaurant itself has a lot of character. If they are going to do BBQ, they should spend more time cooking in the flavor.

    (2)

  • Liz P.

    Sorry guys, this place is one of the most overrated restaurants in New England. If anyone thinks this is BBQ, they just haven't had real BBQ. I can't tell you how many people swore this place was the best around. Although, most of these people also think greek-style pizza tastes great, so I should have been skeptical. I knew going in that it would never compare to the great Uncle Pete's, but I thought it would at least be somewhat good. Nope. My Memphis ribs were dry and just lacking flavor. Usually I can't get enough of the ribs, but these I had to eat simply to finish the meal I paid for. Sides were lackluster and didn't add anything to the meal. Portions were smaller than I expected. Service was good when we visited, so I'll give them +1 for that. I know a lot of people like this place, and that's fine. But please don't call it "great BBQ"!

    (2)

  • David M.

    Great BBQ, huge selection of beer, semi-friendly staff, but always way too crowded. The decor here makes the trip worthwhile alone. The very crowded noisy atmosphere is kind of fun. The staff is usually pretty friendly, and the food is always good. The ribs are never tough or dry, the pulled pork is the bomb (get the jamaican jerk, I dare you) and the fish sticks are pretty solid. I keep coming back for the beer selection, to be honest. The other really random experience here is the downstairs basement. The toilet is up a set of stairs AFTER you get in the bathroom. After a few beers, this is very amusing. Final word is: Good food, great beer, but be prepared for a wait, and have a sense of humor about the packed bar they ask you to wait in.

    (4)

  • Julianne S.

    I don't even eat pig and I love this place. You have to love a place that is unique and original. I love that they serve drinks in mason jars and they serve cornbread. But the best kept secret - or not - is the basement bar. Liter beers, wacky murals and a very cool scene. I love it.

    (5)

  • Shelter T.

    Redbones was one of those places that i have seen, but never went into. Finally, i did with a most important someone. We were seated immediately, no waiting, and the place was booming. We were waited on promptly and the staff was very curteous. I thought that the serving of our drinks in mason jars was an especially nice touch. The place smelled great and there were a lot of people eating in there with BBQ sauce all over their faces. It looked like a scene from Dawn of the Dead. The meal was priced right, the food was great, great staff, only thing of note was the noise level was high. I guess that downstairs was like a pub or something, but i didnt go down. The other great thing about Redbones is that if you want to make it a fun afternoon, they are right near a 10-lane bowling alley. Great fun for the whole family. I also recommend the Pulled Pork Sandwich. ;) -S

    (4)

  • Tyler C.

    This place deserves its reputation for decent BBQ, esp. for the sauces, but logistically, it's always difficult as it's always packed. That being so, for some reason I liked Blue Ribbon a little bit more, but Red Bone's trump card is that it is a block away from the red line T station.

    (3)

  • Brittany H.

    I like RedBones, mostly because it's one of the only places to get decent BBQ in the Boston area. They have a pretty good beer selection and also have events such as beer parties and liquor tastings that I like to go to, but I'm definitely part of their target market. The place is a little on the smaller side, so it can get really crowded on a Friday or Saturday night (try a 1 hour minimum wait) but it's usually worth it for me. They have everything you'd expect a BBQ joint to have, but sometimes I go just to get a plate of their corn fritters. Mmmm. I've had mixed experiences with the service; some people are friendly and attentive, but I've also been yelled at a few times. Total crapshoot.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    While I am was not comfortable with the density of patrons in the downstairs portion of the restaurant, the food was top-notch. My St. Louis style ribs were succulent and flavorful, the hush-puppies were cooked well, and - surprisingly - I really enjoyed the fried pickles and jalapenos. While I have heard some horror stories about the service at this establishment, our server was prompt and polite and did a great job in seeing to our needs. There were no complaints from my friends. My only negative criticism is the amount of people packed into a small place, but that really isn't their fault since the demand is so high.

    (4)

  • Shelley D.

    This place really is A-OK. It's not great, it's not bad but if you're craving corn bread with all the fixings then this is your place. I like that you get cold lemonade in a glass jar. The only thing is the barbecue really isn't that great. They take a piece of meat that they smoked and then after you order it they put the sauce on so the sauce has not had a chance to soak into the marrow and very core of the barbecue. Sigh. Oh well, the sides are yummy and try their salsa, it's surprisingly tasty.

    (3)

  • Sean M.

    At this point (almost 1000 reviews later for this place) I feel like I'm throwing sand at a beach here, but I love this place. Like, really, REALLY love this place. Wifey and I have been searching for a good BBQ spot for a bit, especially since the only one close to us is gone. My favorites: the brisket, any of the ribs, cole slaw, mac n cheese, the cornbread, corn fritters, hush puppies, catfingers, and the pretty awesome beer selection. I was pretty pumped to see Delerium and other randoms on the board in there. Service was pretty rad (several bartenders and servers are seriously on their game in there). LOVE the decor. It did get a little claustrophobic in there, but after an Allagash or two, I was fine with it. Definitely going back on an off day/night--if this place even has one.

    (5)

  • Anthony R.

    With nearly 400 reviews, you'd think there wouldn't be too much more to contribute to a review of Redbones.. you guys know the drill -- it's great BBQ for Boston, not enough to satisfy real Southerners but okay for us yanks, good beer selection, and a wacky, medium-priced cocktail list. All well and good. But seriously everyone, listen to me when I say: Go here for the late night menu, served after 10:30pm, (or maybe earlier if you ask really nicely) and get the Somerville Cheesesteak. A beef brisket sandwich with mozzarella cheese and served with horseradish. Wash it down with a beer and smile -- you've just had something amazing. You will not regret it.

    (5)

  • R C.

    Redbones... the pride of BBQ in Boston... To be honest, it is likely the best BBQ you can get in the city. The problem is, they know it. Food Appetizers: Buffalo shrimp is a nice starter, as is the cornbread, and the catfingers (fried catfish). Mains: Various ribs, pulled pork, and jerk beef. They have lunch and dinner specials also. Drinks: Beer mania - usually about 20 diff drafts on tap. Service Spotty at best. This is one of my only complaints about redbones - though the food is good, bartenders are friendly, and the guys cooking the food are always awesome, the servers tend to be curt (they are probably in a rush) and sometimes (like last night) downright unfriendly. Last night, our server said about 5 words to us. The Place Expect a wait. Doesn't matter what day or time you go, expect a wait. You can always try your luck at the bar (upstairs and down). Upstairs has a bar area (tv's and seats) and a dining area, downstairs is dark and crowded, but more lively than upstairs.

    (3)

  • Patti K.

    The food has really gone down hill in recent years. We've been in 4 or 5 times in the past few months, mostly because of Groupon. Yesterday we ordered take-out; the beef tips, which cost $14, were about the size of a hamburger in a take-out container. Our medium tips were more than well done. The 1/2 roasted chicken was also overdone, as were the baby back ribs. The coleslaw lacked flavor. The mashed potatoes were good, and would have been great had they been hotter. The beans were the usual. Overall, very disappointing, and definitely not worth the money.

    (1)

  • Jamie P.

    Good beer. Good BBQ. I recommend the Pulled Pork Sandwich (my favorite sauce is the hot sauce) and the Catfish Sandwich. That's all I have really had so far. I heard the potato salad is pretty good too.

    (5)

  • jamie g.

    Just went last night and had excellent service. Waited an hour when the hostess said 20 min.- but the bar is fun and attentive even for being in the weeds. Pulled pork was dry...but everything else is pretty excellent. My 3 star rating would be a 4...BUT- they need to get a proper sauce bar. Instead- you get 2 tiny tarter sauce sized cups of your sauce, having to bother the server for more (twice!!) What is up with the skimpy sauce? It's cheaper than ketchup! Plus- I ordered the hot bbq sauce and I would consider it mild, from where I come from! The sauce cups are paper- so they even triple up the paper- with all that cost- just put a decent sized bottles on the table and let the customers enjoy! Get a sauce with some heat in it!

    (3)

  • Doug P.

    I know that this is the best BBQ place in Boston, but after moving further south, I think it's pretty average. It's a casual fun atmosphere and If you're in the mood for comfort food and your out in Davis Square, I think it's a fine choice

    (3)

  • Carl A.

    This is the best ribs on this side of the country. I can not believe that I can even get in this place, (I sneak in on slow nights Mon-Wed). I love that I look like an animal and love to take a first date here, if she gives me a second date after watching me eat like a starved Dr Lectur she is a keeper. The beer flows from everyplace local and on the other side of the pond as well.

    (5)

  • Gary R.

    Small and packed but the food is great

    (4)

  • Michelle K.

    Sigh. I was all set and ready to write a three-star update, but they screwed it up for themselves with the service. I had really good fried oysters (it was the Po' Boy Sandwich, but I didn't eat it as a sandwich) with a seasoned tartar sauce, fries, and cole slaw. I wasn't a fan of the cole slaw, really, but the oysters and fries were great. Unfortunately, it was really busy tonight (as it is pretty much every night that I've been there) and we never saw our server again after we got our meal. I can sympathize, because it sucks to serve at a restaurant that is always so tightly-packed and insane, but we were there for another 40 minutes - she couldn't have visited us once? One guy offered to get my friend another beer, but then he never brought it. Kind of a bummer.

    (2)

  • Amelia D.

    This place was good, but not amazing, as the popularity would suggest. I went on a Sunday and the place was PACKED! We sat at a high top in the downstairs bar room and it was extremely dimly lit. Very strange...we could barely see the menus. Service was exceptionally slow. We ordered corn fritters and fried pickles for apps. The pickles were superb. The fritters were just okay. I got the pulled pork sandwich with beans and potato salad for my meal. It was good, but again, not amazing. I got the vinigar flavored sauce and it really wasn't strong enough for me. I like it really tangy. The beans were not your typical baked beans. They were bland and didn't have any meat in them (which deprives them of flavor). But worst of all was the excessive wait times for the food, the fact that they forgot my sisters rice as well as the sauce on the side, and the fact that we had to aggressively ask for our check to be rung up by the bartender, who was also serving as a server. I don't know what was going on, but it was not the amazing experience that I was expecting. And the bill was rather large to boot. I wouldn't go back. It was decent food, but I've had better with much better service.

    (3)

  • Jocelyn G.

    We were told that there would be a crowd on a Friday night waiting for dinner, and there was....however, we got seats in about 5 minutes because our entire group was there. The food was plentiful, the lemon aid was tasty and came in a huge jelly jar, the beer delivery guy was nice, but our waitress was as surly as can be. Overall, a good place to go with a few friends but nothing spectacular and definitely not worth a long wait.

    (3)

  • Amy M.

    Redbones. Awesome food. Great Music. excellent customer service. fabulous beer! I usually go to redbones with a large group of people, they are ALWAYS accommodating to our needs. they have never given us a hard time about setting up more tables and bringing out more chairs. Every other restaurant in the area would never allow large groups of people without a reservation, but redbones does!!! I live all the way in salem mass, and make the drive to davis just for some redbones! I highly recommend you try it!

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    Redbones is the best bbq I've had in Boston (yes better than the C-grade BBQ at Soulfire), but make sure you know what not to get, which is their beef. They say the beef is sliced, but really it's chunked and just not good. Just stick with the pork and fish. The bar upstairs bar has a real cool vibe. Not so much downstairs.

    (3)

  • Heather G.

    I have eaten here many times now, as it is one of my boyfriend's favorite places. While I have never really had authentic southern-barbecue-type cooking (i've only had what New England offers), I can't imagine this is terribly authentic. Don't get me wrong, the food here is tasty. It's heavy, tangy, barbequey, and laregely fried. However, it tastes like it lacks that real slow-cooked, smoky, we-make-everything-with-grandma's-secret-recipe type flavor. it lacks the DEEP, layered barbecue-ness that only comes from making everything from scratch with a secret ingredient of sorts, and layering flavor over flavor for hours to produce perfectly-seasoned pulled pork or beef brisket. I cannot speak to how they actually prepare their BBQ, but to me, it doesn't have that lingering depth after eating it. That said, the pulled beef and pulled chicken both have a little punch to them, like a mini-kick-in-the-mouth, and the fried pickles are interesting. Sides are generally unremarkable, in my opinion, and I haven't had one that was memorable to dat, but i do LOVE their cornbread. Bonus points for serving drinks in mason jars - nice touch. I think the service could be much better. The hostess is always pretty curt when telling us we can't be seated until everyone in the party arrives, and can we please not wait in the doorway because we're crowding the small space, and might we consider stepping outside and waiting on the sidewalk in the middle of winter so we do not interrupt the flow of traffic in the restaurant (not really a suggestion, more like a command). That always bothers me. If we're in the way of traffic and we're a party of 7 waiting for our 8th person, why can't you just seat us? The place is so darn busy that the waitress won't get to us for drink orders for 20 minutes anyway! Especially if the table is empty and ready for us to be seated...seems very counterintuitive to the natural flow of service, but hey, i'm not in the restaurant business so perhaps there's some logic behind the policy. BUT, I have to remind myself that I do not come here for speedy, attentive, accomodating service. I come here for cornbread, and beers, and mason jars, and cheap food. For that, they are A-OK and, while I complain about some of the nuances, I always come back.

    (3)

  • Flora R.

    As a displaced Texan I have obviously eaten some tasty bbq in my time. Whenever I move to a new location I always try to find a place to fill the meaty gap in my life, and this place fits the bill. Redbones is definitely a destination for hearty servings of tasty brisket, yummy ribs, and anything you could want for sides. Mac and cheese, green beans, whatever - it's good. They have an ok beer menu and some seasonal rotations get exciting. After hours head downstairs to hang out in a more 'bar like' atmosphere, particularly if you're hanging in the area with a big group. The only thing I've had there and really disliked? Hushpuppies. Don't get those - they're dry. Otherwise, dive right in and wipe the bbq sauce off your mouth when you're finished.

    (4)

  • Ron I.

    I got pretty hungry studying so I decided to get some takeout for lunch. Wanting bbq, I headed to Redbones! I ordered the combo, which for $9 and change, is amazing. I substituted potato salad for beans and dirty rice and got a side of mac and cheese too (probably a bad move because there was wayyy too much food). There was atleast 2-3lbs of ribs, all extremely tender with moist, fall off the bone meat. Perfectly sauced too. The mac and cheese was good but nothing ground breaking; definitely better than Kraft but not quite gourmet. The potato salad, while good, isn't traditional salad since it's more of a mash than chunks of potato. The combo also came with a piece of cornbread which was decent. For the price, it's a ridiculous amount of good food. And I've never had bad wait staff at Redbones...yesterday was a ridiculously friendly woman who handed me my food and wished me happy eating!

    (4)

  • Josh S.

    I love BBQ. And the smell of Redbones permeates half of Davis Square all day long, as they slow cook their goods. I have to say that their food is good, but not great. I found that the meat was sometimes dry, and the flavors werent fantastic, and because of these things I found myself going to the BBQ sauce a lot. Not a good sign. Redbones is a good BBQ joint, but not the best. If you live in or around Davis square, however, its hard to resist that intoxicating aroma.

    (3)

  • Jeff C.

    Having spent most of my life in the Florida panhandle, aka "lower Alabama" I've cultivated a deep-fried love for good Barbeque. Unfortunately, New England doesn't quite get it, Redbones included. I am amazed that all the joints in the area consistently get the very basics all wrong. BBQ sauce in a tiny plastic serving cup? Really? The food at Redbones is disappointing, with nothing really standing out and the cornbread regrettably of the overly-dry jiffy mix variety. The only thing here that is really a must-have isn't even on the menu! The fried pickles and peppers is pretty much all that my friends and I ever get when we go here but they are amazing! I give Redbones two stars for the food, the best barbeque I've had in this area is Jake's Dixie Roadhouse in Waltham, hands down. Redbones is a regular stop in my group for one reason: the beer. Specifically, the downstairs bar, Underbones. This is why I give Redbones four stars. First of all its a charming environment covered in brightly colored quirky murals. You also have to appreciate a bar whose bartenders aren't afraid to dance behind the bar when a good song comes on. Its comforting. They keep clean draft lines, I never get a skunky beer and they have a respectable number of rotating brews, including some true greats like Founder's Canadian Breakfast Stout (which lasted about a day and a half, by the way). I also love how they advertise on the beer menus which beers are soon to be tapped. Essentially, I come to Redbones with the gang for great beers and unique environment. Do I go to Redbones when I get a craving for good barbeque? Not a chance.

    (4)

  • Jeremy K.

    4 stars, solid choice so im basing this one our experience there, it was west coast beer night or something, mer said she would drive and we had coverage so double win for me the beers featured were among others, rouge and the draw, lompoc, from oregon. i remember going to the old new when we were visiting family in the rose city and it was just as good this time but on a different coast. turns out the rouge people were kind enough to bring several kegs of the red and wheat with them for me to enjoy! redbones layout allowed for the basement section to host this beer festival of sorts, the real super win was the free apps there were serving. sorry waitstaff, coming over and asking me what i wanted for dinner when the whole time you had your yummy ribs, and tasty catfish fingers behind you gratis, well, at least you can get me another beer. seating was a bit tight, but we were with table for a good hour before we decided 2 was enough and we had to get back to parenting (do not call selective services on us please!) overall: location, davis square, one of my personal favs as far as those other city squares go taste: as i said, the meat and fish were good, corn fritters also won our attention price: 5 bucks a beer, but free apps = right price for me nowadayz

    (4)

  • Heather B.

    Don't come to Redbones if you're looking for true Southern food, but you can still come here and walk away satisfied. (The biggest letdown has been the fried okra, which is actually terrible.) The barbeque is good, the cornbread unlimited, and you can actually get sweet tea in a mason jar!

    (4)

  • Michele G.

    I finally crawled my way over to lovely Somerville to dine at Redbones against the expressed wishes of my husband (who has been screaming from the roof tops that this place is bunk). My initial impression was of LOVE, one of those great places you feel you could crawl into and dissapear for a while (must be the basement bar). There's something to be said about eating dinner surrounded by hand drawn advertising. Let me start by saying I have officially added fried pickles to my list of diet staples! The pulled pork sandwich was freaking awesome and yes! The stack of napkins of the table is there for a reason. While our waitress looked as though "she died 20 years ago" (a quote from the husband), she was effiecient and accomodating. The food flew out of the kitchen and so did the staff (we had no less than five different people drop off food while we were there). In fact, the only reason I'm going with 4 stars instead of 5 is because I was the only one at my table happy with my meal. (what do they know right!) My hubby griped the whole time, but that was expected and his opinion (in this case) doesn't matter. But, even my dad and my oldest weren't all together thrilled. Either way, this chicks a fan and I will definitely stop by whenever in Somerville.

    (4)

  • Kurt M.

    I'm a white vegetarian from the Midwest, i.e. one of the last people whose advice you should be taking in regards to BBQ. But when it comes to the various options for us vegetarians, there is enough to go around at Red Bones. The veggie burger I had wasn't the greatest but it wasn't horrible either. The mac n' cheese as well as the fries are hearty fare and I also have had the broccoli which was pretty solid. The location right off Davis Square makes it easy to get to and the prices aren't too bad and it will leave you feeling full.

    (4)

  • Lou P.

    Holy crap, meatwave! Spin the beer wheel, stick to it Ready to be full? There's pretty much always a wait, but if you've got the time, Red Bones is worth it if you're craving home made barbeque. They don't take reservations, but the waiting is made much easier by the variety of local and niche beers on tap at the two bars. As far as the food, their pulled pork is excellent, and for the portions and quality you receive, they could charge a lot more. The meat and three is always a favorite, especially with the fried okra. Unfortunately for Red Bones, it's too busy and crowded to be a good restaurant for conversation, and there are too many tables to be a great bar hangout. If you're looking for some beer and barbeque though, it's worth the hassle. Points deducted for indeterminate nature of establishment (bar? restaurant? cattle car?) and lack of reservations.

    (4)

  • William V.

    The quality of the meat and corn bread and food in general is high, but the flavor is not there. If you are from outside of Boston and really like BBQ I doubt highly that you will think this is good BBQ.

    (2)

  • David V.

    Sometimes you just want MEAT. Redbones is happy to deliver, at reasonable prices and portions that will have you saying 'uncle' before you can see the bottom of your plate. Sure, I've had better BBQ in Austin TX and Asheville, NC but you'd be hard pressed to find better in Mass. I'm a fan of ribs myself, and Redbones offers both pork and beef ribs in any number of styles, with your choice of sauces and the option to enjoy your BBQ sauce-less should you desire it that way. They also make delicious chicken wings, and for appetizers the fried catfish and the corn fritters are both quite good. The beer selection here is pretty strong - you've got your choice ranging from the cheap yellow kind (that admittedly goes pretty well with BBQ) to the hoppy American craft beers that they're somewhat known for carrying. Once in awhile they'll feature a selection of brews from a particular brewery or region - I was thrilled to be able to find Full Sail (of Hood River, OR) beer at Redbones once. The downsides - the wait can be pretty long, especially Thu-Sat around dinner time. It gets a little better if you're wiling to sit at the bar or came with a smaller group. Also, the decor in the downstairs bar is absolutely hideous.

    (4)

  • Anthony G.

    Sometimes fried oysters, cheese fries, and frickles are necessary at 1 in the morning. If you find yourself in the position where you need any of the food i listed previously, then this would be the place to go.

    (3)

  • Larissa A.

    I am always happy and full when I leave this place. It's all good. The food, the drinks, the staff. Never disappointing. Prefer sitting downstairs to up, but who cares after you wait and wait. I just want to EAT!!! And never skip the pie.

    (5)

  • Aez A.

    Came here with 2 buddies around 6pm on a Friday night. Waited at the bar with $5-6 beers for 45 minutes before being seated in a super busy, tightly packed dining room upstairs. Most of the stuff on the menu looked ahhhhmazing. I went with the tour of ribs(or something named like that), $21. it consisted of a 1/3 a rack of Texas styled ribs, 1/3 of a rack of memphis and a 1/3 of a rack of Arkansas style ribs. The Memphis was by fay my favorite; the spices in the meat were abundant and put it over the top. The Arkansas seemed a bit bland to me, These ribs do not come super slathered and drowning in bbq sauce... I thought that I wasn't going to like em dry, but ended up preferring being able to control how much Redbones house bbq sauce I could add to it. -MY friends got the pulled pork and said it was really really really good. I'm gonz have to try that next time. -Mac and cheese side was solid, fries came on a plate of their own and were... fries done right. -be prepared to wait, i'd say bring a snickers bar and enjoy the scene. it's easy to get annoyed at the crowd/wait but it can be fun if you're in good company, willing to take a deep breath, and try to relax- the bbq is worth ittt.

    (4)

  • Ian N.

    I can't say anything about RedBones that hasn't already been said, so I'll be brief... - Food is tremendous, just heaping portions of awesomeness. - Beer selection can satisfy any type of beer drinker from the oh-so-common Bud types, the hipster crowd and their love for Schlitz and PBR, to the snobby craft brew crowd. - Atmosphere is awesome, just a funky place that you want to be in. - Best pulled pork sandwich you'll ever have. I won't even argue this. Ok, a couple of things that make this place, well, not so good... - Parking blows - Often too ridiculously loud to carry on a conversation at your own table - Can take forever and a day to get seated. - Too packed to even get to the bar - Too many hipster art school types That being said, this place thrives despite all this, so it is up to you to relax and be patient when going there. This is part of the experience of going to RedBones. Best bet: just don't go on a weekend night. Pretty simple, right?

    (4)

  • Katie V.

    I don't have much new to add to what's already been said...the food was a little disappointing, but not terrible. I enjoyed the buffalo scallops as an app and shared St. Louis ribs with a friend. The rib meat was good, but the sauce was forgettable. The slaw was watery and the beans didn't taste like BBQ style baked beans (i.e. smoky and sweet) -- they tasted more like beans you'd get at a Mexican restaurant. Cornbread = good, but isn't it impossible to screw up cornbread? I had fun and I was impressed that despite it being a Friday night madhouse and I was in a group of 9, they seated us pretty quickly and we got our food in a reasonable amount of time. Waitress was good about checking in and getting drink refills. Funniest part of the experience: we asked for directions after getting off the T at Davis Square and a man told us which way to walk and then shouted "Enjoy the dead meat!" at us as we walked away.

    (3)

  • Jeremy G.

    It goes without saying that this place is one of the most notable restaurants in metro Boston. Authentic ambiance, fast service, inventive beer selection, plenty of local character and drop dead amazing BBQ food. This place is worth a trip well out of your way if you are in the mood for amazing BBQ. Be sure to check out both the upstairs and downstairs dining rooms. My wife and I have started coming here nearly every week. Not a great place to go if you plan on having a long meal; they don't rush you out but they are "fast casual." We often do their takeout as well. Delivery is a bit mixed; they are always changing their story on if they deliver to Cambridge or not. I'm puzzled why this place doesn't get uniformly 5 star reviews given how much even the middle-of-the-road reviewers seem to praise it... Perhaps its because they are a niche restaurant? If you are in the mood for southern BBQ, they are one of the best in the state.

    (5)

  • L W.

    The only reason I gave two is because of fun southern decor (and ball jar glasses), and the beer selection - otherwise it'd be a single. Before I even get to the food - the service is some of the rudest in Boston I've experienced. If you're going to do Southern, at least try to be friendly...you cannot separate hospitality from food in the south. While the menu is pretty good in terms of dish selection, they lack execution. I admit it's hard to get savory pulled pork with just the right tenderness and sauce, but I can do better in my crockpot and a good bottle of authentic sauce. The homemade sausage is ok, but the rest of the meat has been less than good, let alone authentic. The cornbread is not crispy enough on the outside or greasy enough, and mostly flavorless. The beans were nothing special either - coleslaw, hard to screw up. After living in Memphis, and growing up on Kansas City ribs, I'm afraid it's hard to eat either anywhere above the mason dixon line.

    (2)

  • Christine T.

    There is no better bbq - period. Having lived in Texas for a few years, I have to say that their bbq isn't anywhere near as good. This place is small inside. It's best to go during a weekday for a late lunch. Prepare to get your hands dirty and sopping with bbq sauce! It doesn't get much better than this. p.s. their portions are huge.

    (5)

  • Austin R.

    I came here a couple nights ago for the second time with groupon in hand. First of all, it's a great atmosphere inside. Really bustling, energetic vibe. The complimentary cornbread is topnotch and a very good way to start the meal. I got some corn pudding as an appetizer that was good but a tad bland. For my entrée, I got the barbecue belt which is a sampler of four different kinds of barbecue, Memphis pork ribs, Arkansas pork ribs, Texas beef rib, and beef brisket. I'm from Tennessee so I'm very familiar with the Memphis style which Redbones does quite well. I wasn't a big fan of the brisket as I found it too chewy but the other two ribs were phenomenal. The Arkansas had an almost caramelized exterior and succulent interior while the Texas beef rib was super flavor and I could taste the rich bone marrow-y flavor. The baked beans and slaw that come with all the entrees are alright, but as you'd expect, the meat is the star of the show at this joint. I ended up taking home half of my meal and I came pretty hungry, just to give you an idea of the portion sizes. This place is definitely worth at least one visit.

    (4)

  • Jackie R.

    Didi's thoughtful and detailed review is right on target, in my view. I've done REDBONES off and on for decades ---seriously, DECADES, (I'm that old!) --- and the place is exactly as she describes. The American way? Pile on into sub-par places, wait forever to be served, get mediocre stuff, and then say what a great time you and your friends had. REDBONES exemplifies this lame way to live.

    (2)

  • Emily H.

    Went to Redbones for the second time last week. We were hoping to escape the crowds by going during the week -- no luck, 1 hour wait on a Tuesday night! I understand why many people like Redbones -- it is one of the only BBQ places within miles. But -- really --- it is just not that good. My Husband (who, full disclosure - is Texan with plenty of BBQ experience) found the meat on his pulled pork sandwich dry and poor quality. I ordered the Salmon, which was good but not worth the price. We liked all of the sides --- corn pudding, mashed potatoes. One other thing worth noting -- on both my visits to Redbones, my order has been screwed up. This does not appear unusual. A woman sitting next to us (we were packed tight) received the wrong entree. When she pointed this out to her server, the server asked. What do you want me to do? Uhhhhh --- bring her what she ordered!! duhhhh. The screw-ups for my orders were acceptable alternatives so I just let them slide... but clearly this should not happen at a decent restaurant (visit #1: ordered pulled chicken sandwich, served grilled chicken sandwich. Visit #2: ordered mac & cheese side, served mashed potatoes). In sum: this place is not worth the wait or hype.

    (2)

  • Joanna C.

    Having grown up in the South, I know good BBQ... and though I'll be the first to admit that I've had better ribs off the back of a truck on the side of the road... Redbones serves up a mean pulled pork and beef brisket. Don't get me wrong, the ribs are good... I've just had better and I wish they had all of their sauces on each of the tables. But enough of the cons... The pros: if you are in the mood for meat and a great selection of brews (not to mention a pretty good margarita), Redbones is my go-to in the Boston area. The mac and cheese is fantastic as are the collard greens and corn bread. Also (and to me, most importantly)... their pickles are soooooo GOOOOODDDD. Meat. Pickles. Beer... What more can you ask for??

    (4)

  • James V.

    This place is great. There's a parking lot nearby, and it's right behind Davis Square, so getting to it is easy. There are lots of interesting beers on tap and plenty in bottles. It's not the Sunset, in terms of the sheer number of available beers, but probably the closest on this side of the Charles. Two of us split the 3 ribs/wings appetizer. They were revelatory. They totally primed me for eating more food. The wings were as good as any authentic char-pit full bbq chicken I've ever had and the ribs..oh the ribs were amazing. They made me question my choice for dinner. My choice for dinner was the triple combo of pulled chicken, pulled pork, and jerk beef. There's a warning on the menu about the jerk sauce, but I figured it was overly cautious, since I can routinely eat things that render most people to tears. This jerk sauce, though...I think I've met my match. I couldn't even come close to finishing it. I was tearing. It's not just painful hot, it's very, _very_ tasty, but also very spicy. I've kept some for lunch today. I hope to be able to work through it. I will *definitely* be returning to this place.

    (5)

  • Brian D.

    Redbones continues to have lines out the door on almost every night of the week. Places that suck usually do not have people lining up outside, drooling. This is just far enough off the beaten path to discourage hordes of tourists and Duck Boat dropouts so the folks waiting, hopefully, know what they are in for. The food quality seems to have been taken into consideration, thankfully, the sauces are full of life once again. The pulled pork is juicy, the baby back ribs smoked just right and the potato salad is fap-tastic. Service is a pain the ass. I mean, for the servers. This place gets packed, if you sit on the bar side upstairs, wear a helmet and be prepared to fight for adjoining barstools. But, stand your ground. Tip well, and be nice to the barkeeps and you will be rewarded with kindness and extra sauce upon request.

    (4)

  • Andi R.

    Are you kidding me..."overrated" is being kind. I guess if you've never lived in the south then this would be good bbq for you. WOW do I feel so sorry for you...so...so sorry. The meat was dry (we tried everything), pretty flavorless. The sauce was gross. The sausages needed to be in marinara sauce not on a bbq plate. Why do they give you black eyed peas with everything, it's supposed to be baked beans! I know I have a much higher standard for bbq since I have lived my whole life in Memphis and Dallas but please, go anywhere but here. Try Uncle Pete's in Revere, not perfect, but waaaay better than Redbones. And please let me know if you ever find great bbq here...my soul needs it!

    (1)

  • kimberly l.

    I'm a huge BBQ fan and while this place has been packed every time I've been there - I think that their food was worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Taryn M.

    Taking into account there aren't too many rib places in Boston, Redbones is not bad. They have a wide selection of ribs and other barbeque items and the portion are a pretty good side. We started off with a half dozen oysters which were surprisingly good considering Redbones isn't a seafood place. If I did a blind taste test I wouldn't have guessed the oysters came from a rib place. We also got an order of corn fritters which were good but more like dessert. With the maple syrup, they reminded me of pancakes. In terms of entrees, my husband ordered the Barbeque Belt which has a sampling of several different types of ribs (Memphis, Texas, and Arkansas ribs and sliced brisket...he ordered beans and potato salad as his sides). I ordered a half rack of baby back ribs with collard greens and mac and cheese as my sides. Overall, the Texas ribs (beef) were our favorite. They had a nice smokey flavor and the meat was not dry at all. The rest of the ribs were all decent (not as tender or as juicy as I like). Something to know about their ribs is that they are dry ribs that come with different sauces. Even my baby back ribs did not come with a barbeque sauce already on it. This wasn't a problem for me and I enjoyed trying different sauces. My husband and I both agreed that the brisket left a lot to be desired. Although it was tender, we found it to be very dry and needed to drench it in sauce to eat it. I've had much better brisket at places like Village Smokehouse in Brookline and Blue Ribbon in Newton and Arlington. The thing that will probably keep us from being more frequent patrons is the price. Redbones is very pricey for what it is and I am always a bit shocked by the bill at the end of the night. I think the two other rib places I mentioned above are a better deal and overall higher quality.

    (3)

  • Matt M.

    Got two orders of Wings: First their Hot Buffalo and the other with the Jerk sauce. The Buffalo were solid with good heat, a little skimpy on the meat. The Jerk wings were HUGE but were def more BBQ style then jerk, extra smoked / burnt and wasn't the biggest fan. Ordered delivery, accepted credit card with tip, timely for a Sundy.

    (4)

  • Tom T.

    I would love to give Redbones more stars since the food is delicious and it can be hard to find a good BBQ place in Boston. The problem is that their customer service was horrible and that just left a bad taste in my mouth. Plus, they are stingy with their barbeque sauce. Seriously? Anyway, I came here with a big group (11 people) on a Saturday night. They don't take reservations. That's fine. We put our name in and headed down to the bar for the estimated 1.5 hr wait that turned into almost 2.5 hours. Eventually, we were seated. I got a phone call that my girlfriend would be joining me after all (which makes 12 people instead of 11). I started to pull another chair over and immediately was jumped on by the manager. "Excuse me, what are you doing?" "Oh, just getting a chair, someone else is going to be joining us." "Well, how many people are you?" "Huh?" "I was told you are 11 people. I see [stops to count] 11 people here currently." "Yeah, but now we are going to have someone else coming." "Well, I was told 11. Are you 11 or 12 people?" And so it went on... I'm sorry, I realize that the place was crowded, and your staff was clearly already overworked. But our party was bringing you a lot of business. We drank for 2.5 hours in your bar. We tipped. We all ordered dinners and appetizers and drinks. If you are going to be upset about one extra person, then you don't need our business. Bottom line - if you are desperately craving barbeque, just order take out and eat it at home...or anywhere besides the restaurant.

    (2)

  • Andrew R.

    Let me start by pointing out that I've never been to a smokehouse down south. All I know is yankee BBQ establishments well north of the Mason-Dixon. However, this is my favorite. The ribs are fantastic, the hush puppies are my dream come true at 11pm after I've had a few rounds, and (though I occasionally regret it by the end of the sandwich) the jerk beef is delicious. The real reason I go here though, is because I want to have some good craft beer with a small group of people on a weekday night. Don't go here on the weekends: the place is always packed. In fact, even on a Tuesday or Wednesday, I frequently have to wait 20 minutes for a party of 5 or 6. Also, it's practically two different establishments, the upstairs restaurant is much more hectic, though kid friendly, while the downstairs (Underbones) is a wonderfully dark bar with crazy art on the walls. You definitely want to go downstairs. Parting tips: 1)WBUR members have a buy one entree get one free on Mon-Wed by showing a member card 2) the combo, available early in the day (before 4 I think?) is $10, feeds two people, and has a wide variety of their astounding selection of meats. Get it for lunch on a Saturday for a great deal.

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    As one of them northern yankees, I've been told before that New England BBQ is a sad comparison for real southern BBQ. This is a lie, hateful, and inspired by post civil war resentment. Get over it! Redbones is great BBQ! Everything is served in huge portions. Everything is served with a million sauces. Everything came off of some delicious animal at some point. I actually read some people complaining that there are not alot of vegetarian choices here. Seriously? Also from a beer angle, Redbones has followed the Somerville tradition of keeping interesting and quirky options on tap. If you're up for adventure, spin the great wheel of beer on the wall! There is some fantastic beer up there (try La Chouffe if its in season). Just be aware that if you get a twisted tea instead? I may giggle at you. Also, try the meat combination plates. They aren't CALLED "all you can eat" persay but its kind of given that no mortal can finish these damn things in one sitting.

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    Redbones was very highly recommended to meet by my roommates but when I saw free delivery on the take out menu I was pretty much sold. I ordered the Meat & Three with beef brisket, mac & cheese, succotash, and mashed potatoes. All were big portions, absolutely delicious (meat wasn't dry at all) and the delivery even arrived about twenty minutes earlier than it was supposed. Price aren't bad either.

    (4)

  • Dawn E.

    This is a probationary 4 star review based on two items. In the past I was pretty meh on Redbones, but I decided to give it another shot and in retrospect I think I was just ordering the the wrong things. It hadn't occurred to me in the past to order nachos, because nachos in a BBQ joint? Who does that? Somehow we got the bug though and it paid off - they were stellar. Minimalist as can be (chips, cheese, salsa, sour cream, jalapenos and guacamole) but the execution made the whole thing. The cheese coverage was 99%, they were baked until bubbly golden hot, and the guac was chunky, fresh and generous. Even the large wasn't a huge order, but it was all quality (no dry, superfluous chips). Nacho heaven. I also had the BBQ beef sandwich-- if you're like me and enjoy food that makes you break out in a little sweat, this is the right choice. Good combo of flavor and heat, and the meat was tender. So Redbones, you'll be seeing me again. Until then, enjoy your 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Natalie M.

    I have a solid relationship with Red Bones. It's kind of like having a boyfriend that for the most part is great but the passion is not there all the time. Or maybe your friends are all, "You are SO lucky," but you're just kind of like, "Well, he's kind of an asshole in large groups of people," BUT ANYWAY. I can't deny that Red Bones is an entirely solid place to eat. I live for their pulled pork. Plus, where else can you get collard greens and succotash (two items that, I swear, if they did not serve anymore my sister would never come to visit me)? In off-peak hours, I most recently went late on a Sunny Saturday Afternoon, it's great. Solid service, a great selection of reasonably priced draft beers and, like I mentioned before, the pulled pork. They must put crack cocaine in that ish because it is deadly in the best way possible. Additionally, I think they have a good thing going with the Mason Jars of water and non-alcoholic drinks. It keeps you filled and refreshed for your entire meal rather than having the waiter or waitress come over time and time again to fill your glass up. When that happens I always partly want to yell, "Get off my grill! I'm trying to EAT," My Beefs (no pun intended): They are a little stingy on the sauce. Like the Seinfeld episode with the toilet paper - it's as if they "don't have a square to spare". Also, I have had several occasions (ordering out and in) that something was forgotten or messed up. NBD. Life goes on. It's just BBQ. All in all, Red Bones is a solid establishment in my book. I always leave satisfied, if a few pounds heavier, and where else can you get your food delivered by an I-Pod Sporting Guy Smiley on a bicycle?! It's kitschy fun. Take it for what it's worth and you'll be A-Ok.

    (3)

  • Orly M.

    Awww man, last time I went to Redbones I got the chicken breast and it was so dry someone almost had to perform the heimlich on me. NOT GOOD. Other than the turkey dinner special on Tuesday, I vow never to eat at Redbones again. I'm not a rib eater but when i've sampled them i was unimpressed with those, too. Just go to underbones and have a few kind of weak drinks with friends. I have learned my lesson. I think.

    (2)

  • GirlWithACurl A.

    Redbones....I've loved you from the very start. I used to travel through Boston to see friends before I moved here and beg to go to 'underbones'. Anyplace that has cornbread, collard greens and ribs on the menu, that pairs perfectly with good Scotch....just take my wallet and hire a small gurney to wheel me out. Great for 2 or for 20! My tip - when it's super busy, sit at the bar and order food. ;)

    (5)

  • Blair H.

    Wah wah! These ribs aint like mommas ribs. She used ta make em with gym socks and sassafras. 2 stars. Same hillbilly goes to Wang Chungs Sushi Hut and gives it 5 stars. Why??? These ribs aren't your run of the mill ketchup smothered raccoon ribs. They dry rub em, smoke em, and grill em without sauce. Yup, they're a bit resistant from coming off the bone, but who cares unless your gramma gum face. If you want sauce, go and suck on a bottle. Baby back ribs are for babies. So appropriately named. Get some beef ribs and full grown shit-kickin' swine bones. I don't care if they're not "authentic." I can't find anything around here that's authentic. If it's good food, it's good food. Call them meat rods, and I'll eat em... Had a plate full of ribs and a pulled pork sandwich. Left there $30 later. Someone tell me where else I can get a carcass for $30.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    Disclaimer: I lived in NC for 7 years so I have high expectations when it comes to BBQ. I compare everything to what I ate living in the south. Ok I went to Redbones only once this summer on a date. I was really excited to try their hushpuppies and pulled pork since I hadn't had any NC BBQ since my last trip down south the winter before. Its a very busy place so we waited awhile for a table which is fine with me. I ordered the hushpuppies immediately and they came out with a ramekin of vinegar which I thought was odd. They also were shapped in giant balls which is new for me too. I figured it just must be a regional difference and immediately asked the waiter for a side of butter. He looked at me like I had 5 heads or something. Just so you're aware in NC you eat hushpuppies with a side of butter or a side of butter packets for dipping. There isn't any other way to eat them there. They might be served with vinegar in another part of the country like TX or TN or something that I'm just not aware of. When I got the side of butter, I picked up one hushpuppy and attempted to dip it in the butter and it disintegrated immediately. They were really dry so maybe that is why they serve them with vinegar. I didn't like them at all. Next I tried a combo platter with ribs and pulled pork. The ribs were very good so I will give them props for that. The pulled pork had no flavor whatsoever and I actually dumped the side of vinegar that came with the hushpuppies on it so that I could eat it. Honestly, this place is just ok. If you haven't been to an authentic BBQ place in the region (NC, SC) then you wouldn't know the difference and that is where I am coming from. I would go back and just get the ribs but I wouldn't wait as long as I did ever again.

    (2)

  • Celeste M.

    I always want to like Redbones, but I'm always disappointed. 1st time: I went with a handlebar-mustached guy on a date. I wanted chicken and ribs so he ordered us the day old bbq. It was dry but I assumed it'd be better the next time when it was fresher. 2nd time: Still dry. Second to last time: I went with my parents. They ordered okra which they used to eat with family in the south. They were used to flattened little okra mini-pancakes instead of the bite-sized chunks served. They found them too squishy and gooey. Nice waitress took it off the order! Last time: The waitress was a bit rude and a stupid friend of a friend took it out on not tipping the bartenders. She was confronted by the waitress. It was a bad scene. But all in all, I never can find what I really want: a reasonably-priced chicken and pork ribs combo. The ribs never really impress. The chicken is always dry. There's not enough sauce given. The sides are always disappointing (that is not mac and cheese). I have been Redbones-sober for 1 year and counting...

    (3)

  • Timothy C.

    Best BBQ in the Boston area.

    (5)

  • Neil T.

    I was told by a friend that a visit to Redbones was a must. It was very busy and not worth the 30+ minute wait late on a Saturday night. The place is a gong show of loud sports fans and drunkards. Had a plate with a few types of flavored ribs and brisket. Brisket was too dry (though tender) and the ribs were barely edible -- very tough and chewy. The fried oysters were good but the fried okra was awful. They looked and tasted like they were store bought and had been sitting in a freezer for months. I definitely wouldn't recommend it.

    (2)

  • Lady T.

    I would have given it three stars, but I'm subtracting one for the hype that surrounds this place unnecessarily. The beer selection is okay for the area, but pricey, and I was underwhelmed with the food. The portions were big, but my boyfriend said the ribs at Dinosaur BBQ (in my hometown) put it to shame and I've been told the Blue Ribbons' are also better. The waitstaff has always been friendly, however the "we don't seat people until the whole party is here" rule is annoying and inconvenient at best. I'll probably go back at some point, but when I have the choice of waiting for a half an hour to eat just-okay food here or heading across the street to the Burren and being seated immediately to eat just-okay food, I'll go across the street.

    (2)

  • Tepring P.

    It is alright, the pulled pork sandwich is ok, and you can add sauce to make it better. The beer selection is good. The downstairs is cool looking. I would only go back here if we were desperate and in Davis square. Maybe this place is good if you like your meat dry rub style. I like mine smothered and cooked in sauce. The sweet potato pie is not worth wasting money or calories on.

    (2)

  • San C.

    I'm new to the area, and friends wanted to take this Southerner to a BBQ place that they'd heard so much about. Apps: Fried pickles were good. Fried okra was lukewarm and bland. Hushpuppies were dense, flavorless and weirdly spongy. Cornbread was sickly sweet with a texture like sponge cake with no discernible corn meal flavor at all. Entrees: Pulled chicken that was a mound of mush. A house made beef sausage that was a grainy hamburger in a casing. Country fried chicken was OK. Coleslaw surprisingly good. Brisket was dry and not tender, and was more like roast beef. BBQ sauces were flavorless and reminded me of what I used to get in the grade school cafeteria. Grilled veggies that were slopped on a plate, greasy and completely flavorless. The KICKER: Fried oysters that had me puking my guts out in the basement bathroom of the Somerville Theater 4 hours later. Calling the restaurant to tell them about it was met with an, "Oh, OK." Even without the food poisoning, this is shameful BBQ. Was baffled by the huge crowd in this place. Stay away.

    (1)

  • Justin S.

    As far as good BBQ in the Northeast, this place is pretty close to tops. I have to admit that I'm a sucker for sides and often order Mac and Cheese (thick and sticky!), Texas Chili (thin and watery, but with tons of cheese and meat), and Corn Fritters (with maple syrup!). You can't beat their "Combo" which is ribs and basically whatever else they have a lot of at the moment for $9. Enough food for two meals if not more.

    (5)

  • Chad L.

    This place is a whole in the wall, however the BBQ is excellent! The Wings are roasted over a pit and they are incredible! The Mac & Cheese melts in your mouth. They serve their drinks in Ball Mason jars. (nice touch) Expect a long wait on the weekends. Try lunch or take-out to avoid the crowds. Parking can also be a problem during peak hours. Best BBQ I have tasted in Mass give it a try you won't be sorry!

    (5)

  • Blair S.

    Ah, Redbones. Here I am finally writing this review. I've been familiar with Redbones ever since my first year in Boston (5 years ago) when I had the unfortunate experience of meeting one of the owners, who I found rather detestable. As a Cambridge resident now, I've met far too many people who share that opinion to think that I was too quick to judge. HOWEVER this review isn't about that. It's about more recent events. I've had major service mishaps occur two out of the past 4 times I've been to Redbones, all within the last 2 months. The service is ENTIRELY hit or miss. I've had great service, terrible service, rude service, mediocre service, incompetent service - you name it. I was completely pissed the last time I brought a group of friends here and we tried to order whisky after dinner. We wanted Redemption Rye. They were out. We wanted the next rye on the menu. All out. Turns out they had no ryes. So we moved on to Bourbon. Basically, we requested SEVEN different ones before deciding to bag that idea, because apparently they don't keep any of that stocked. Well here's a clue, guys, take it off the menu. The server didn't know what was available and what wasn't, so everytime we asked for a different whisky it took 5-10 more minutes before he came back to tell us it was a no-go. Uh uh, Redbones. Not impressed. Then it's time to go, so I asked our server for my dinner (I had ordered dinner To-Go about 2 hours earlier, and told him to bring it out when we were leaving) only to find out that it had never been rung in, never been made, and the kitchen was closed. So it's coming up on 1am and I have no dinner to bring home with me, not cool. So. If your liquor storage room is empty, and your servers have a propensity to screw things up, you'd have to be a patient, hardworking and talented manager to try and field all the customer whining. Now, I've done my time working in restaurants, mind you, so I'm not a picky customer who gets angry easily, quite the opposite. However I was definitely upset and I asked for a manager. She came over, heard what happened, and magically made ribs appear. I was so relieved. I know that customers can suck and there are a lot of managers who won't bend over backwards to make sure everyone leaves happy, but this manager does. I have to say that Sam (I think she's the bar manager? Not entirely sure) handles issues graciously and seriously, taking care of business and putting smiles back on people's faces. It can be a tough job, and I just wanted to put it out there that she has resolved 2 separate issues for me, and has made all the difference. The basics: The food is decent. Well, it's tasty, but it's completely over-hyped, and I think of Redbones as a fuel-up spot rather than a dining experience. Get in, get out, hope that I'll find an interesting beer. The beer: while Redbones has a large collection of rotating drafts, I'm not sure there's any rhyme or reason to what beers they choose, or to the timing. There are typically beers on tap out of season (ie. Imperial stout in July), or not a good enough selection (ie. half of the taps will have IPA's on them) and sometimes it's just pure chaos. Sure they lean towards local breweries, and I can usually find something I want, but I somehow always find myself wishing there was more thought put into their draft list. 3 stars breakdown: 5 stars for Sam, no stars for being out of every whisky on your menu. 3 stars for the service, 3 for the food, etc.

    (3)

  • Allison S.

    Dinner for 2 (delivery): $29 (without tip) Worth it? Maybe. I had a craving for some bbq pulled pork, so we ordered from Redbones, seeing that they are known for their bbq. The meat was tasty, but each of the containers that they brought to my door was covered in slime. Messy. For sides, I ordered candied yams, baked beans and corn bread. The yams were super yummy, as was the corn bread (which came with single serving size pats of butter!), and the mashed potatoes. but the beans I took 1 taste and actually threw them out. They weren't the traditional baked beans one would expect from a bbq joint, but they were more like refried beans. Yuck. If I'm ever in the mood for bbq again, I wouldn't order delivery from Redbones again. Messy. I would try and sit down at Redbones, although I'm more likely to go to Blue Ribbon. Side note: I noticed on their site that they're going green! I asked our delivery man (who came from Redbones on a bicycle) about it, and he had no idea that they were going green. Silly Redbones.

    (3)

  • Kate P.

    You can't beat the prices and the bbq is always on point. However, i had a watered down whiskey drink the last time I went and the cornbread is always dry. C'mon, Redbones. You can do better! I need me some moist, cornbread and a strong drink to go with that swine! Also, unless you order a domestic beer, you'll be hard pressed to find a bottle of beer under $7. WTF?

    (3)

  • TheHungryCouple X.

    HIM: I cant wait to go back! I'm glad this was not our first date. The BBQ ribs were so good I wore half of them. I think I even made a dinosaur noise when i was tearing the meat off them, well actually, the meat fell off them. Perfect. She probably thought something was wrong, I was quiet, it was nothing, i just had food in my mouth the entire time. I have never been to such a cooler and unique place. It just wants to make you do man things...tons of good beer and meat. I'm so glad she introduced me to this place. This place was packed though, not so bad because you can spend time having a cold beer and just admiring the atmosphere and the smell of the BBQ. Look forward to going again! HER: REDBONES! One word: YUMMY! Great place for lunch, dinner or apps and drinks. The food is amazingly tasty. Although it's pretty heavy and filling so go only if you're hungry. The pulled pork sandwich and mashed potato's are awesome.. definitely my favorite. If you like to get messy, the ribs are a great choice. Everything has a unique flavor and is very satisfying. It is a loud and busy restaurant, usually packed with people waiting to eat. All around great place in a great area. Parking is a little difficult but nothing out of the ordinary for Davis Sq.

    (5)

  • Miriam L.

    Not bad, not bad at all. I've been wanting to try Redbones for a while now. I grew up on Blue Ribbon BBQ and lived in Nashville for a while and wanted to compare. I've finally had that chance, and it's not bad. Good coleslaw, decent beans. The fried okra could have used a little more salt, though. Also, I got bbq beef and pulled chicken, both of which were good, but needed more sauce. And what bbq place doesn't serve cornbread with every meal? One last thing - where's the Carolina's bbq? Redbones is more convenient to where I live now, so I'll keep coming back, but Blue Ribbon is better.

    (3)

  • Brian H.

    I have mixed feelings for RedBones. I think their lunch specials are great, but their dinner menu is lack luster when quality and price are compared. I have went here a few times on the weekends to check out the night scene and it was always disappointing. Both upstairs and downstairs are usually packed, and it seems very clicky. The service is usually not adequate to serve the amount of people standing at the bar. Plus no JukeBox or live music, so you are stuck listening to whatever the bartenders brought on their MP3 player(though it usually isn't too bad). Now I will tell you why this place actually gets a rating of three. There is with out a doubt no better beer selection in the immediate area. They have over 30 beers on tap with a lot of them being from micro and local breweries. You can always get a sample platter of beers if you are unsure what you want to order. Plus for those who are a little more daring, the upstairs bar has a 'spin the wheel' option to decide your fate. Plus the 'Combo' for lunch is under $9 and I highly doubt you can eat all of the BBQ in one sitting.

    (3)

  • Alden F.

    I've been here a few times and always been a bit underwhelmed. The food was decent, but not spectacular, the service was OK, but a little overly attentive like either the waitress had a crush on me or more likely she was probably at the end of her shift and wanted us to hurry up so she could get the hell out of there..... This would probably 4 stars if it wasn't for the atmosphere. Is it really necessary to have 90% of the decor in the dining room be an advertisement to buy a t-shirt or gift certificate? Seriously, it is OUT OF CONTROL. At one moment I looked up from my food and directly next to me on the wall is 2 pieces of paper encouraging me to buy either a pumpkin pie or a gift certificate. I look above that and see a display for t-shirts. And this is all just directly above my table. I look around and see these signs are above every table. Then I look near the door and there is a 3 foot wide hanging wooden sign saying GIFT CERTIFICATES screaming at me as I walk out of the restaurant. I understand times are tough and they need to make money somehow, but seriously they could tone it down a bit and not make the place feel like some sort of weird tourist trap. BTW.... the beer selection is quite good!

    (3)

  • Sam J.

    I can not believe red bones has only 3.5 stars on average. That's just craziness. Everything is great. The Texas beef ribs is what I always go for. Fried okra is great as well. Just make sure you go at non-busy times because there will definitely be a line.

    (5)

  • Andy M.

    Huge servings of tasty southern BBQ, fun decorations, large beer selection, very popular destination (Heads up: does not take reservations, and there is often a wait and a line to get in).

    (3)

  • Ben G.

    Mixed feeling about red bones... There were some totally awesome features of red bones. 1) terrific beer selection 2) catfingers - amazing 3) pulled pork 4) Brisket 5) Good Value for the money Some not so awesome features 1) We got a a BBQ belt and one entire rib was all fat and no meat 2) I felt really sick when i left... I don't know, I consider myself to know a thing or two about BBQ and i think i would still prefer Blue Ribbon or even the Village Smokehouse instead of RedBones.

    (4)

  • Gary T.

    BBQ so good that I figure a southerner must own this place! Trust me, that's the highest form of praise that I think can be given to a BBQ joint located in the middle of New England,LOL. I was in Boston recently, and being the BBQ addict that I am, I had researched where the best places were and Redbones is the one that I decided to give a shot. Redbones BBQ is located near Tuft's University if I recall correctly, I could be wrong there but I seem to remember seeing a lot of signs when we were going to the restaurant. They are located fairly close to a train station and the walk wasn't too bad, the whole neighborhood had a cool college-town, bohemian kind of feel to it that I really enjoyed. When we entered the restaurant, we were immediately greeted and shown a seat by the hostess and our server came over not too long after that. I have to give major props to our server; he was very friendly and attentive throughout our meal. I got the Memphis style ribs and the wife had the St. Louis style ribs (which I also got to sample) and they were both very good. The meat was falling off the bone and you could really tell the difference between the ribs. The St. Louis style tasted like that....it wasn't just a name and that goes for the Memphis dry rub style that I had as well. Our order came out very quickly and we barely had time to finish the corn bread that they brought out for us.....that was really the biggest surprise of the night.....their corn bread was some of, if not the best, that I have ever had. It was really good. Our meal also came with beans and Cole Slaw which were also very good. I also have to add that we got good value for our money, food is expensive in Boston (in my opinion), and we both got a lot of ribs for the price. I don't know if each of us got a whole side of ribs, but it was close. The only down side to me was the sauce. Their sauce, while not bad, was nothing to write home about. They have three types of sauce.... sweet, hot, and mild. I didn't have the courage to try the hot variety since the mild was already a little spicy in my opinion. It reminded me of Fatt Matt's sauce with a little less kick and more of a "ketchup-y" taste to it. I would recommend this place to anyone if they are in Boston....excellent service here and fast. They also have a bar that looks pretty cool and also an impressive list of microbrews although I didn't get to sample any of those.

    (4)

  • Billy M.

    Not sure what the appeal is to this place. There are drive thrus in Texas with better BBQ. Poor New England... Pulled pork sandwich? Very bland and not delicious at all. Their margaritas weren't that great either, but I didn't have high expectations for a margarita at a BBQ place haha The one saving grace for Red Bones was their DELICIOUS fried pickles and jalapenos. We ended up getting two orders. I would definitely go back for that dish alone. However, having one great appetizer doesn't warrant anything higher than two stars.

    (2)

  • Eric B.

    AWESOME FOOD! The only drawback is that there can be quite a wait for tables at times.

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Everybody loves Redbones, right? It has the perfect combination of BBQ and beer. It's close to the Davis Red Line station, which is good because you don't want to park here (or can't) anyway.

    (5)

  • Sarah W.

    I hate to do it. I feel like the devil. I hated Redbones! My fiance and I went there, not busy, service was fine. Food was...terrible! I attribute this mostly to the fact that I grew up in the country/south and if you can't get good barbeque there it doesn't exist. It's also not fair I worked for a Steak and Barbeque place that smoked and basted the boneless ribs the entire day (beginning around 5:00 in the morning) before serving them up at dinner...did I mention this was my first barbeque experience????!??? Totally unfair, I know. But it's created a really high bar Redbones just did not live up to. Everything was sooooo dry. Shameful for barbeque. The secret's supposed to be in the sauce yo! Atmosphere was totally cool. But, again, I just couldn't get past the food. Please, moving to TN in June '08, you have to, absolutely have to, come visit me for good barbeque. I swear you'll never look back. Though that may prove perilous for Redbones... I might give it one more shot. Maybe just one bad try? I'm kinda leaning on the side of "it was just shameful" for now.

    (1)

  • Scott F.

    This is the only place I've ever been to that has a Sausage of the Day. Other restaurants promise a daily soup, maybe a special drink, but only this place dares go into the realm of the ground meat du jour. I live for their Texas Ribs. Big, meaty, beef ribs - slow cooked, and you feel kinda like Fred Flintstone when you eat 'em. What's not to like? Thirsty? Spin the original Wheel of Beer. It never lets you down... Dinner for 3 tonight - round of beers, 2 apps, 2 entrees shared, 2 desserts came to a total of $60. And none of us walked away hungry. In fact, we could barely walk .... :: burp ::

    (4)

  • Tom M.

    I realize it's been said in about half of the 250 reviews of this place, but I can't resist leaving my own flaming turdbag on Redbones' doorstep. Maybe it's the way that Redbones has been hyped by so many people and I'm just a hater -- but no -- their food is legitimately weak. I give them 2 stars for an above-average beer selection, relatively friendly staff, and ability to seat larger parties, but it's the food, stupid. And the food is boring. Barbecue is not allowed to be boring. Do you have a car or a meat-loving friend who has one? Go eat at Blue Ribbon instead, and hit Redbones afterwards for a drink. Best of both worlds.

    (2)

  • Dave S.

    I love redbones! The beer menu can't be beat, and the staff are very special, friendly, funny and very very fast. I love to try a sampler of certain kinds of beer, say Belgian or highly hopped IPAs. They know their stuff. The ribs are just incredible. You can get great combos with sauce samplers that are incredible. Some of the sides seem a little less enticing but they represent authentic BBQ food of the south in one way or another. The wings are great, and my wife loves the shrimp. The pulled pork sandwiches are out of this world and very cheap. Be prepared to wait for a table unless you get there around 6.

    (4)

  • Alicia C.

    Let me start by saying that I am a BBQ fiend and that blue smoke in nyc is my idea of heaven on earth. All in all, I'd say it's a fun spot for a drink but not a BBQ destination in my book. Blue ribbon is still the best in Boston for BBQ. I really really had high hopes for Red Bones. Unfortunately, while there were some high points a lot of the food is...kinda bland. The good: the shredded jerk beef (yum), Cole slaw, bourbon selection and service. Definitely an A+ for service. The bad: The mac and cheese was congealed, grainy... The kind in the box is better. The beans were bland. On their own, the brisket was bland as were the ribs. The sweet BBQ sauce added flavor, but should have been applied during the last ten minutes of cooking for that glazed effect. The hushpuppies and corn bread were boring - not worth wasting the calories. Our waiter was great, but I was disappointed in the food.

    (2)

  • Mike D.

    As a child I was somehow able to attend the grand opening of Redbones with my father and an old friend of the family (Southerners both, though Pops has been up here for coming up on 40 years). It wasn't very good then, and it's never been that good any time I've gone back. The food's not terrible, but why is it you can get better Q at just about any random roadside shack in the Carolinas than you can at the most popular restaurant at Davis Square? I mean you can point to the difference in tap water when discussing why NY bagels are better than Boston's, and you can point to the fact that people from California who dis burritos served in the East are just assholes from California so who cares what they think, but with BBQ it's just a matter of meats, spices, and wood you can get in the North or the South. They do have great beers on tap, it's a fun environment, and again the food's not terrible, so I do like going every once in a while, but there's way too much hype over this place.

    (2)

  • Mimi H.

    Redbones never fails me as my go-to easy BBQ spot to bring friends who want to have a hearty, delicious, meaty meal with leftovers to spare. I try to sit downstairs where the noise-level is loud, but the artwork is awesome; I'll never get tired of finding new things to look at on those walls! I recommend the brisket (no sauce; ask for some "crunchy bits" or end pieces) with the mac & cheese or the garlicky mashed potatoes. The sausage, too, is worth trying -- not-too spicy, beautifully dry, and very tasty.

    (5)

  • Anastasia R.

    Underbones (the bar beneath RedBones) is one of my favorite local haunts. Its walls are covered in these wacky acrylic illustrations of all kinds of bizarre scenarios, many involving pirates. The atmosphere is great, a little dark, a little loud, and a great place to walk home from with a nice buzz and a full belly. Must Trys: 1.) The wheel of rotating drafts. Don't know what you want? Let fate decide for you. 2.) The Buffalo Shrimp served with blue cheese dressing for dipping. 3.) The Corn Pudding. It sounds fucked up but it's one of the best things on the menu. 4.) The Caramel Custard (referred to by the employees and regulars as Liquid Crack). The portions are big enough to almost always leave you with leftovers, and they serve corn bread. I love corn bread.

    (4)

  • Stephanie B.

    Too crowded. Too loud. Service is fast & friendly downstairs (the hostess is less than helpful and not really very friendly), including the food.. and actually the food is pretty darn good. But they don't take rezzies for fewer than 10 people, and they won't seat you unless everyone in your party has arrived.. which, by the way, is a giant pain when you have a big group! I had fried oysters (the tartar could have been better, but that was the only thing that could have been better), shared some nachos (pretty good guac!), and had the pulled chicken sammich plate. The potato salad doesn't look like much -- but I can still remember what it tasted like. Add on a Dark & Stormy and a Brooklyn pilsner -- and ok, I'll give it 3 stars instead of 2. Man, they need crowd control.. that part is very unfun. Oh, and a one-holer girls' room? Gimme a break!!

    (3)

  • Em B.

    I really wanted to like this place...a neat location and close to where we live. BUT...the food was pretty crappy and the service wasn't very good, either. It was not stellar barbecue at all-I don't know where all the great reviews came from. Some of the worst cornbread and onion rings I have ever had. Good beer selection, though!

    (2)

  • Sarah G.

    This was my second time at Redbones.... I went to Redbones at 1:30 on a Thursday afternoon. The place was not too busy. The service was really good overall. The only reason I went to Redbones was because I had a groupon. Not too much to say here but the white trash sundae was not great. It was a broken up ice cream sandwich and had some cream on top of it. I thought that the food itself was fairly satisfactory. Overall, Redbones is great if you have a coupon. Otherwise, it's a little on the expensive side.

    (4)

  • Cherie C.

    Love this place! Awesome food, fantastic beers, great atmosphere. I don't eat here nearly as often as I'd like.

    (5)

  • Chirag P.

    Their food was beyond my expectations. Great portions and very delicious, the pulled pork was beyond yummy! This place gets 4 stars though for one reason. When ya serve a sandwich, gotta have a soft bun. I literally got a stale biscuit bun. Not really much of an effect though to the overall great experience. Also, the wait time was longer than I expected, but then again this place is also always packed, so I don't blame them. Plus, we had a party of 8-9, which may have slowed them down a bit. On the plus side, they were very prompt on drink refills, which is great when I don't even have to ask for the refill and they get it.

    (4)

  • Kate D.

    I lived in the Porter Square-Davis Square area for 2 years, and one thing that really struck me is that most of the places in the area seem to be really overrated. Redbones was no exception-- the waits were SO long both times we went, and I didn't really dig the overcrowded cafeteria seating. The food was tasty (Po Boy sandwich was awesome), but that didn't compensate for the atmosphere in my opinion. The decor is great, but the seating situation left me wondering if we were violating the city-approved occupancy level. All in all, I get that the Davis/Porter area has a lot of people who like places with a 'cult-following', but its getting to the point of uncritical worship with Redbones.

    (3)

  • Laurie G.

    Ok, so I've lived in Boston for 30+ years and after hearing about this place forever, finally went last night, excited to bring my brother and nephew from out of town...and wondering, what is the big deal? Yes, the atmosphere and the service was good, and the menu was huge, and everything could have been so good, except for the food. Now i'm no southerner, but I know that this was not good soul food. It was ok, mediocre...my ribs mostly fell off the bone, but some of it was tough, the fries were very average...i think average describes the whole experience, so after all the hype, i felt pretty let down. I only eat this kind of food once in a great while, so if i'm gonna splurge, i want the experience to really sing...and this was about a whisper, sorry...won't be back.

    (2)

  • Lauren M.

    It's loud, it's dark, there's usually always a wait, and you can get better BBQ at Blue Ribbon. However, my husband and I have been going here weekly for years thanks to the great beer selection and friendly bartenders. If you are adventurous and wearing elastic waist pants, go for the barbeque belt (3 types of ribs and brisket).

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    Probably the one and only times I will go to a ribs place for brunch. I wasn't feeling having a giant plate of ribs when I hadn't had breakfast yet so I opted for the pulled pork sandwich. It was a solid choice. But my favorite was the cornbread that came! YUMM! If Phils in San Diego had cornbread at the table, it would be golden. Anyways, overall I liked the chill environment of the place- It is exactly how you would imagine a ribs restaurant to look.

    (4)

  • Bryan D.

    I wasn't impressed. The pulled pork was ok. The pulled chicken was dry and lacking everything. The mac and cheese was decent, but not creamy at all. So once it cooled off, it was solid. The potato salad was very good and lastly, the cole slaw was pretty basic and boring. I won't bother going back.

    (2)

  • Adriano A.

    I feel drunk. They constantly have a dinner special, half a rack of ribs and fries for ten dollars. Sat at the counter and went by myself. Cooks behind the counter gave me free samples of food. Do not really understand how they call this southern food though when its made by Hispanics. only reason i am not giving this five stars is because the meat was a little on the dry side but as a positive note when i tried to pull the bones apart on the ribs they just came out instead. fried pickles are fantastic. another positive note, last time i went there they messed up on my order and gave me a free beer. oh yah and they have awesome beer.

    (4)

  • Ralston G.

    Ummmmmmmm great BBQ - I spend days preparing and cooking ribs at home - for just one meal - I their ribs are just as good - I never thought I would say that- but it's true. No wait on a Sunday night. One of the best beer selections around. It was a little noisy, but the atmosphere was mind blowing - everyone was there because it was a "happening", an "event" -they were there to do more than eat- they were there to have fun. What made the night for me to see a little frail old lady in a house coat and uggs pounding down sample beers and gnawing on bones..... it made both my wife and myself chuckle. My wife liked the slaw so much she wants to order it again for the 4th of July - I always thought see did not care for slaw because she never eats it when I make it........ hmmmm Big fan; will return again, great night of fun.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    If you're ragin' for cajun', this place has it all: fried okra, dirty rice, and the best BBQ this side of the mason-dixon. Even better than the food, though, is the atmosphere. From an amazing beer selection to the friendly staff and the cheap little square tables packed into an always-busy dining room, this place just *feels* like BBQ. And the food, oh man the food. A large order, which is under $20, is enough meat to feed two grown adults with some left over. The takeout is an amazing deal, and a really reasonably priced dinner if you're making the sides at home (large ribs range from $15-20). The best deal is at lunch time, when they have a rib sampler with chicken and sausage for $8 - you can't order it for takeout, but you can take the leftovers home! I live just around the corner and I plan on continuing to eat here every few weeks until I die of heart failure...

    (5)

  • Rico S.

    Interesting place. The menu is pretty good for BBQ and sides. I enjoy the nachos and mac and cheese. The beer is what we go for. They have a wide variety and they serve the liter size stein's of it. Relatively good prices, too. Try spinning the Wheel of Beer if you can't decide. You may get yourself PBR or you might get a $17 German Oktoberfest beer you've never heard of. Nice place to go with friends, can get really busy, though. They have lots of events as well. It's worth going to just to see the decor of the place. Head downstairs for the voo-doo swamp themed Underbones

    (4)

  • Alex W.

    I like Redbones. I like Oktoberfest. So, why didn't I like Redbones Oktoberfest? Looking back, I didn't do the math. Cajun restaurant, doing German cuisine for one day per year. It seemed the kitchen strategy was:" they are just going to drink beer, and need a sausage sandwich to throw down the hatch." Which is fine for my brother-in-law's house, but he isn't charging by the plate. The sauerkraut was watery and washed out tasting. Is this from a can? Was there a date on said can? Did that date tie in with last year's Oktoberfest? The sauerkraut being tasty and fresh is key. Without that, I have sausage on a paper plate. This pivots the sausage into either a German taste sensation, or a disappointing sausage on a plate that should not have costed ten dollars. The band was fun. I noted some people dancing "the Chicken." The street was closed off for the event. But, as the reader may surmise, my joie de vivre was not aroused to allow me to bellow out " Prost!".

    (1)

  • Doug R.

    What can i say about redbones that most people havent already said! The selection of bbq is immense ranging from buffalo shrimp to just one rib in any flavor. I myself can not get enough of there pulled pork and mac n cheese. For serious try the mac n cheese...you wont be disappointed. The other great thing about the bone is its superb beer selection. if you are a little daring try the wheel and try and unique beer that you normally wouldnt get. if you are not that adventurous stick to the 2.50 narragansett 16oz cans. Mmmm Mmm Good

    (4)

  • Jeffrey L.

    10 most poignant comments i can think of about Redbones: 1. Often overrated 2. Fun setting 3. Great service 4. Great bar 5. Great location 6. Great pulled pork 7. Lousy corn bread 8. A little fake 9 Great community asset 10. Big lemonades!

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    I heart Redbones. I've eaten there probably ten times and had several deliveries over the last couple years. Unassuming and fun interior. Downstairs is really dark and weird (good way). Good for large groups down there, if you can get in. I've never been there a time it hasn't been busy, including Sunday brunch (same menu, if I recall). Sunday brunch the day I met some friends there featured a good Bluegrass Trio. Huge, interesting beer selection. Beer wheel for decision impasses! I'm a pretty big BBQ fan and I've had better, but this is still very good. I've had nearly everything on the menu. The thing that keeps challenging me is the Jamaican Jerk shredded beef. It's the single hottest dish I have ever eaten (I eat a good deal of hot stuff, and just thinking of this makes the bridge of my nose sweat). The rest of the menu is much more mild, but all the sauces are flavorful. I'm a big fan of the pulled pork, as well. Someone mentioned 'not a lot of ribs for the money.' I'd agree. I've had more, and more tender, ribs elsewhere. But they're still good, and I still order them. Negatives: always crowded - long waits. I'd go to the restaurant twice as much is there wasn't always such a wait. Downstairs bathroom is like doing your business in a half-sized broom closet. Not pretty, nor exceptionally clean. The challenge of Davis Sq. parking. The beans are awful. They taste like they have tobacco in them! Makes me sad. Bonus points: big supporters of cycling and local groups!! Free bike valet! Thanks, you guys rule. Corn bread!

    (4)

  • Trish F.

    Reasons why I love Red Bones and you should too: 1) Service. I've never had bad service here. Even after I almost punched one of the male servers in the.. well.. you know. What can I say? I use my hands when I talk! 2) Underbones. I love love hanging out down here. The bartenders are fantastic. One time after a Sox game, they were pretty low on the beer-age, so I tried a random beer. Hated it, but who am I to be wasteful? When I was halfway done, the bartender came over and asked how we were. I said, "Okay", and he bought me and my friend a round of different beers. 3) Charity. Redbones donates food to local events. Gotta love a restaurant that supports its community! 4) Catfish Strips. Now that Bob's is gone.. my loyalty lies here. 5) Being green. They have their old fryer oil recycled and turned into biodiesel. They also have bicycle delivery and even a bike valet! Nope.. I won't say best BBQ in Boston.. sometimes it's hit or miss.. but I will say they are a great part of my community and I'm proud to have them in my parts. Hmm.. that sounded awkward.

    (4)

  • Marie C.

    Ok, there are about a million reviews for Redbones, so I'll keep it short and sweet: The food is good, but the place is a bit over-hyped. People are shocked if you admit you haven't been here, yet the experience is not overwhelmingly positive. There are good things about Redbones, but you probably know them already. 3 stars because the hushpuppies were ridiculously dry. Like, thank-God-they-serve-water-in-glasses-the-size-of-­a-Big-Gulp DRY. I agree with Ben, I left feeling sick. Get the garlic mashed potatoes, though, they were great.

    (3)

  • David A.

    Pretty darn good BBQ for Mass. We went here on a rainy Saturday night and it was packed. This is a very colorful location with a great staff. They have an upstairs and a downstairs that are both lined with art and give Redbones a great feel. The drink menu is pretty good with a solid draught selection as well some good mixed drinks. The appetizer menu has some good choices on it but I didn't find the fried okra especially flavorful. For the main course I went with their homemade sausage and brisket. Unfortunately both were a bit dry. In sausage this can be ok, but for brisket it makes the meat tough to handle. The assortment of four different sauces to try with the meat were nice. Their sweet tomato based sauce was pretty good. For side dishes I had cole slaw and macaroni that were both pretty good. We didn't do a dessert but they do give you cornbread and if you dip it in some molasses that is all you really need. Pretty good, but I think they need to tinker with their brisket recipe a little bit.

    (3)

  • Lisa C.

    Heading to Underbones for an early dinner, we expected some pretty decent barbecue. We started with hushpuppies and then ordered the 2 meat plate (ribs and pulled pork), dirty rice, and fried okra. The hush puppies were good. The ribs seemed oversmoked and the pulled pork was decent- not anything great, but not so bad either. It was nice to have many choices of sauces for the barbecue, but it's not so great when the meat really needs the sauce to make it taste better. The dirty rice was ok- again, not anything great and the fried okra was good. then again it's relatively easy to make somethingbattered and deep fried. the beer list was pretty good and the service was good, too. our waitress checked on us often and the food came out SO quickly.

    (2)

  • Melissa S.

    I absolutely love this place...and I go here often. I cooked in a BBQ restaurant for 11 years, I know BBQ. First off, the upstairs bar is great to meet your friends after work and have a few beers off their Dial-a-Brew. I've had some of the best beers I've ever tasted in this bar. They always have a great selection, something like 23 beers. And if you're a sports fan, they usually have a game on. It can get pretty crowded at times, but if you're close and can get here shortly after 5, you're probably going to get a seat. My favorite rib? The Texas Beef Ribs...monstrous dinosaur bones with lots of meat and great flavor. The St. Louis Ribs (pork) are a close second. But if you're a newbie and have problems deciding just get the BBQ Belt. Yes, it's humongous, BUT, it has a little bit of everything so you can get a feel for your favorite rib/meat. This is the only place I've been where I actually eat the corn bread, it's that good. And if you're looking for some appetizers that will knock your socks off try the Buffalo Shrimp, Corn Fritters or the Corn Pudding. I have a lot of vegetarian friends and they even go here because there are such great veg sides and several other nice choices for vegheads. If I had one complaint it's that their mac & cheese is not all that good. For me the service has always been good but I think they know I'm a regular now so who knows? The wait can be long if you go at a peak dinner hour but I think it's worth the wait. Whenever someone from out of town comes to visit, this is the place I take them to.

    (5)

  • Sean M.

    This place is great! The building is a little hard to find, but worth the adventure. Once you walk in you have a few different areas to sit. It's small and a little cramped but the food and drink make up for it. The beer selection is amazing for a BBQ joint. Didn't look at the mixed or wine list but folks, were here for BBQ and beer! Now the BBQ was amazing. We got a mix of all they have to offer. The Texas style ribs were spot on! I lived in texas for 3 years and learned what real BBQ is, and if it's cooked with anything but smoke and takes less then 8 hours, it's not real BBQ. But the BBQ here was great. Just about as good as your going to get for "real" BBQ in the area. The prices were alright but if your going to get BBQ you should expect to pay a little money to get it. All in all it's a great place for BBQ and I will be going back time and time again.

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    It's gonna be a while ... On a Saturday night, I was not at all surprised that the wait was to be 45 minutes. We managed to squeeze ourselves downstairs. After 45 mins we check in and find that there are still a few more tables before ours. One hour passes and we're mighty hungry. Now, if you have invested an hour in waiting, what's another 15 minutes? This place is supposed to be fantastic, right? 1 hour and 40 minutes later (more than DOUBLE their estimate) we finally sit down. It's probably 10:00 by now. My friend and I order no less than 5 different beers between us, none of which they have. Apparently they get deliveries on Monday (does that make sense to YOU?). So I end up with something I didn't order because they waitress says it's kinda like what I wanted. My friend ends up with water. On to the food... Corn bread - dry, too sweet, just awful Hush puppies - very dry, really awful, terrible sauce The 'Que - overall really great except for the Jerk style which apparently took a bath at Chernobyl then got dipped in molten lava Mac n Cheese - nothing special Collards - wonderful and slightly vinegary as they should be But the crowing glory? The Corn Pudding. You know when Homer Simpson makes that sound when his mouth is wide open and drooling everywhere? I did that. Many times over. It was heaven. I loved every molecule of its buttery artery clogging corny goodness. Next time I'll try it during the week.

    (3)

  • Lisa M.

    I'm from Memphis, I know my BBQ. When I moved to Cambridge I ventured to find something resembling heirloom smoking. My first experience was Red Bones in Davis Square. We went in for lunch where there was live music for about 5 minutes. I sleep late so my lunch tends to be @ 3pm. There were B/W photos of Tennessee Williams, Porter Wagoner, Hank Williams, Chick Corea, etc on the wall which made me feel at home. On our next visit we sat downstairs. I don't know the artist and it's no use asking the wait staff about it coz no one seems to know basic answers about this place. After coming to this place for nearly 5 years I've come to realize if you want a personalized experience you have to sit at the bar. The first few months we came we would get the same people but later there was always an influx of those knowing less than the last. In the beginning we would get cornbread as we were being greeted, now we're lucky to get it before our meal arrives. And since when did they start charging for lateral substitutions? Why charge $1 to substitute slaw for beans? Makes no sense.

    (3)

  • Nancy L.

    Red Bones is a carnivore's wonderland and a fun place to be whether your here for the fantastic ribs, the wheel of beer, or the colorfully decorated walls. Vegetarians also have their choice among the sides of hush puppies, corn fritters, beans, cornbread etc. Great atmosphere that is boisterous and bustling. Prepare for a wait during busy hours. Meat- favorite is absolutely the ribs, they are succulent and do not rely on the sauces to make them stellar, they already are tender and great. I think the true test of a good bbq place is when you can eat the meat without the sauce. I also love the catfish fritters or catfish in general fried to golden deliciousness without being too oily. The pulled pork and chicken are generously flavored. Drinks- if you a beer person then Red Bone will make you smile or incredibly confused since they have so many different varieties. Never fear because the Wheel of Beer is here! just give it a spin and you are a happy person with your pint. The rickeys are also good and have a hint of alcohol. Decoration- I just love that the decorators took the idea of bone and ran with it. The walls and ceiling are covered with colorful characters made out of bones or from a weird sci-fi movie. You can spend so much time just looking at the wall and think that the artists must have had some chemical help to come up with these inspirations.

    (4)

  • J B.

    If you're in Davis- eat here! Been 5 times at least and was never disappointed with the service, food, or beer selection. Friendly bartenders and wait staff. Cornbread, fried jalapenos, pulled pork, pulled chicken, BBQ hash, and ribs are delicious. Be sure to check out the downstairs- very creative and funky artwork. Downside: really long wait time if you don't plan ahead.

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    I recently moved back to Texas (where I am originally from) and was out for bbq when I began reminiscing about Redbones. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually liked the Mass based BBQ spot better than a lot of Texas based joints. The atmosphere is great, and I love sitting at the food counter where the chefs take care of you. The buffalo shrimp is delicious and I always like to get the jerk beef, pulled pork, pork hash and sausage. I did have a disappointing experience ordering a chicken fried steak, but this is the northeast and they can't do everything great after-all. The beer selection is great too.

    (5)

  • Hugh R.

    WOW. Finally, a place that knows what the word "hot" means! Ordered the Jerk Beef Dinner, substituting potato salad for the slaw. Salad's cool texture nicely complimented spice of the jerk beef. Nicely flavored beans and a delicious order of corn bread to mop up the sauces. FAST delivery. From phone to door in less than 15 minutes, although I do live close. But still... Note, however, that there is a $13 min. order for deliveries, and the takeout is anything but "eco-friendly." Each item came in its own deli-style container for a mess of plastic to be disposed of after enjoying one's meal.

    (4)

  • Steve K.

    As far as BBQ places go, I don't see the hype. I think Red Bones has some pretty tasty food, don't get me wrong; but everyone absolutely raves about this place and let's face it... it's not THAT good. Lets start on one of my favorite things... BOOZE: -Beer Wheel! They have a ridiculous amount of beers here, ok ok, not as ridiculous as lets say Sunset Grill & Tap in Allston, but they do have quite a few. Added to this, they have the Beer Wheel! Don't know what you want, want to try your luck on something random and new??? Spin the beer wheel... that is what you are drinking this round. The bar area is a bit overcrowded, but I have seen worse. I would not recommend waiting for a table in there unless you want to be shoulder to shoulder with people getting drunk around the bar. Onto the FOOD!: -I have ate here a few times, and the one thing that this place screams is "INCONSISTENCY". Every time I come here, I feel like my food tastes different. It takes a severely different amount of time to prepare, and I always have to ask for things differently, such as the wonder of whether I will get cornbread or not, or why is my large nacho so damn small. -Nachos... First off, if I order a large nacho, it better be large. This place is a BBQ place. Go big or go home. The price is right on them, but I could find a larger plate of "large" nachos at a Japanese restaurant. -Pulled Pork... Bland It is juicy, I'll give it that. The portions are pretty good on it, whether in a sandwich or a plate, but it is bland. I always have to ask for extra sauce. When one of your biggest things sold is ribs & pulled pork, it best not come to me bland, and especially not on multiple occasions. On the "time to prepare" that I mentioned earlier... This place is packed all the time, doesn't matter when you go. So why is it that one night I order a pulled pork sandwich and it is in front of me in literally (I kid you not), 1 minute; when other nights it takes 30 or even 45? Prepare to order much? Something tells me that is a big NO -Ribs... the selection is pretty impressive. They have a number of different types of ribs, all of which are generally pretty tasty. -Unique foods... They have quite a few things that many BBQ spots don't tend to have. I can't think of them off the top of my head, but they always stand out and a couple have been tasty. Overall, the food is good; but if I'm going to wait an hour for a table of 2/3/4 or 5 (regardless of which night it is), I would much rather take the drive to somewhere like Village Smokehouse in Lowell, or Lester's BBQ in Burlington... the food is better, price is comparable, and there is never a wait over 15 minutes.

    (3)

  • Paul M.

    I made my first trip to redbones tonight. The food was delicious, and they had 12 different beers from Rogue Ales (brewed in my hometown) on tap! We got there at 7:30, and had to wait for almost an hour to be seated-- they don't take reservations on the weekends. We waited for our seats in the adjacent bar, but it was super crowded. Bottom line: good food, nice drink selection, but be prepared to wait if you're going for dinner on the weekend.

    (4)

  • Keith M.

    Tonight's the night. And I'm going to eat here again. And again. Nice night. Redbones is a great restaurant. I love the southwestern food. Pulled pork sandwiches, my favorite. But I'm hungry for something different now. Baked beans. Sometimes they put my teeth on edge. Other times they help me control the chaos. Their sauce runs into my bun, making it soggy. I suppose I should be upset, even feel violated, but I'm not. No, in fact, I think this a friendly message, like "Hey, wanna play?" and yes I want to play. I really, really do. The only real question I have is why in a building full of food, all supposedly with a keen insight to the human soul, is the potato salad the only one that gives me the creeps. No run off... no sticky, hot messy, awful run off. No run off at all! Why hadn't I thought of that? No run off, what a beautiful idea.

    (4)

  • Doug L.

    I've been to Redbones twice, both times it was crowded and there was a wait- and both times it was well worth it. The 'Barbeque Belt' is a great sampler/combo to try many of their offerings. The beef brisket was my favorite item on the menu and so tender it flakes apart with your fork. The corn fritters are quite good as well with their sweet maple dipping sauce. I like the addition of different sauces included with the meals for more slathering goodness. Portions are enormous and you'll have leftovers, especially if you're not a big eater. In addition to the good grub, the ambiance is cool, especially the artwork on the walls downstairs. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and helpful both of my visits. Redbones is a very unique place that fills a certain nice in Davis Square and for that it is one of my favorite places.

    (5)

  • Lee M.

    Redbones is a decently sized barbeque joint in Davis Square, Somerville. They're down a little side street, so their easy to miss if you're not looking for them. Redbones has good barbeque. That's about as far as I'll go. The pulled pork was not bad, but it wasn't as good as Blue Ribbon's. I was very excited to see hush puppies on the menu, but my excitement abated when I tried them. It's hard to say what you can mess up about frying corn meal, but apparently there's something. The beans were watery, not saucy. The potato salad was good. Basically, it seems that the sides are hit or miss at Redbones. I love that they deliver, and the people there had some good hospitality. They offered to make me some sweet tea (++), but I declined so I don't know how good their tea is (something that must be known before making a final judgment on a barbeque joint). Perhaps I'll go back to sample their tea - and maybe teach them how to do it if they do it wrong.

    (3)

  • Rachel L.

    Food is great and the drinks are strong! I am a margarita snob and this is one of my favorite spots to get one. The bartenders are very friendly and have a strong pour. Everything I've gotten there to eat has been good except for the jerk chicken sandwich. Way too spicy (and I LOVE spice) I could only have two bites and had to throw away the rest. Redbones is one of my favorite spots in Davis Sq!

    (4)

  • Erica S.

    This is the best place to drink in Davis. The beer selection is killer. In addition to a good selection of domestic (PBR all the way), imported (Red Stripe, Guinness, etc.), and regional (Smuttynose, Sam Adams, Harpoon, my personal fave Dogfish Head, etc.) beers, they also have an impressive menu of bottled specialty beers, and always have plenty of specials on tap. I'm never bored or disappointed with the beer options here-- and I'm kind of a beer snob. If beer isn't your thing (weirdo!), there is still plenty for you to drink here. They make an excellent mojito, the dark n' stormies are yum, and I even once drunkenly ordered a mudslide that turned out to be delicious. As far as food, Red Bones does a great job of being a place that vegetarians can dine happily alongside their carnivorous companions. The food is perfectly down-home Southern style, so there is a ton of your usual BBQ, fried seafood platters, and all the usual trimmings. I don't personally like BBQ all that much, but my friends who do love it here. The bonus for veggies is that both the veggie burgers and the portabello mushroom sandwich are awesome and satisfying. You won't feel left out here, promise. It's all a matter of opinion, but if you're here primarily to eat, I'd suggest sitting upstairs (it's more restauranty), while I'd suggest the downstairs as a better place for drinkers (it's more like a bar). No matter which floor you choose, you're sure to get stuffed, drunk, and have a merry old time.

    (4)

  • Bethany C.

    I don't know. We went on a Thursday at about 8 pm, which I guess is a weird transitional time for them. There were quite a few empty tables, but we were sat right next to the staff area between the bar and the dining room. This would have been totally fine if the entire staff did not then HOVER for the duration of our hour-long meal. We chalked it up to it being a small place with just no where good to stand, but still. I had a waitress literally 10 inches from me when she wasn't tending to her guests. This plus the darkness we were plummeted into once 9 pm hit led to a distracting meal. Three stars because the food was very tasty, although my boyfriend said his ribs were a little dry. I had the pulled pork which was a saucy bun of goodness. Bean were okay, the mashed potatoes were probably the high light, and the corn fritters were a bit cakey. I did enjoy my raspberry lime rickey, though. Raspberry Stoli...yum.

    (3)

  • Brandon L.

    Gourmet beer sucking trendy crowd ruined this place. It used to be a cool bbq place where they focused actually on meat. Nowadays it's all about beer drinking crowd who treat bbq as tapas on the side. As a result most bbq meat is dry, reheated on the grill as the yuppie patrons just linger on nursing on beer which means there are often lines outside that discourages the real bbq lovers. One of the coolest thing about this place is how they serve lemonade: in jars. In any bbq restaurant the key is knowing when the meat came out of the smoker. It's only then that it's tender otherwise you will get a dried up bones reheated in a hurry on the grill.

    (3)

  • B.Kiddo K.

    I know this place is all altern-punky-cool but I went there this weekend and got pretty ill on the food. The food I had was undercooked and just pretty much disgusting and my friends agree. the do have a killer beer selection but when you're washing down gross for it doesn't matter.

    (1)

  • Nate H.

    I really want to like this place but it seems every time i go there it gives me more reasons not to. I've been to Redbones 4 times now and I do have some nice things to say about it. The brisket is top notch and they have some pretty tasty ribs too but really thats where it ends for me. If I were to ever go back there it would be for take out only. On 3 separate occasions I have ordered off the beer menu and been told that they don't have what I want. One night it was 3 beers in a row. I understand that sometimes things run out but how hard is it to update your beer list. I have never been impressed by the side dishes at Redbones... They all sound great but when it comes down to taste they all tend to be very bland and poorly made. I think they might have the worst macaroni and cheese I've had. I understand that this place is busy and the servers work hard but its no excuse for being rude. I wish I had paid attention to names more because one time I had a great waitress who was very friendly and attentive but the other times I've been made to feel like I'm being an inconvenience by sitting in their section. All and all I've found that the bad outweighs the good and just don't see myself going back here. Maybe I'll swing by for some brisket to go but I'm all set with the Redbones experience.

    (2)

  • Brita F.

    Oh Redbones, how I love you. Good food (more corn fritters!), cheap prices (a $6 margarita?!), late night menu (food 'til 12:30am!?!?!), and you're but a ten minute walk from my door... if only your management weren't such weirdos and made awkward comments to me and my friends, you would be 5, nay, 6 stars! But don't worry, we'll be back, next time just avoiding eye contact.

    (4)

  • Tina M.

    Went for an early dinner before Extreme Beer Fest. We had no trouble getting a table before 5pm, but before 6, the place was packed and there was a line out the door! The food was good (I had the mash) and the portions are large - I had no chance of finishing my whole meal. My boyfriend had the ribs and was disappointed with the amount of meat on them. The beer selection is good. The staff was nice, although when I asked the waitress to describe the mash, she was a bit speechless..(it was my first time having it). The service is very fast, which was great - our food was out about 10 minutes after we ordered it.

    (4)

  • Tanvi D.

    Food is OK.. I've had better at Tennesse's BBQ.. The ribs are not bbq'd with the sauce on it, so, they tend to be quite dry.. The portions are huge., so, that makes up for the dryness and they also give mild, medium or hot sauce. I love the casualness of the place, though it does tend to get crowded around 8ish.. We went there in a big group of around 20 people and just wanted to hang out by the bar for the most part.. So, that was OK.. Things I like there are 1. Beer 2. Atmosphere (Both upstairs and downstairs) 3. Veggie Burger 4. Buffalo Shrimp 5. Corn Pudding 6. Corn Bread 7. Fried Okra Notice, how none of these things have any bones :-( Oh well.. My friends like it... So, I guess I'll keep going there..

    (3)

  • Kelly G.

    I want to review redbones and underbones separately...but since they're one establishment, I'll average. I'd give redbones a 4 and underbones a 2. Redbones: I love bbq and this place has it down. The sticky, sweet, yummy goodness ends up all over my face and hands (I may have once found a little in my hair...sh.) But it's worth the social disgrace. If you're ever craving piles of barbecued meat, this is the place. The dessert menu is a little sparse and weird though. Flan? Seriously. Underbones: Ugh. Ok, you can get the food which is good. But I have never had a good mixed drink there. For a place that has a cocktail special list they seem to screw up every mixed drink I've ever ordered. Their frozen drinks are terrible. Their mojitos are mostly soda water. Tonight a friend and I ordered mojitos and then an extra shot of lime syrup which seemed to fix them right up although she used the sugar shaker on the table to perk hers up even more. They even messed up a shirley temple. Stick to beer. I mean it should be obvious from the decor and the wait staff. Stick to beer. Blah. PS. I've heard a number of rave reviews of Redbones' catering.

    (3)

  • Roger G.

    I have mixed feelings about Redbones. I never go there for the food, per se, I go there because its a fun place to meet up with friends and indulge in Meat and Beer. The BBQ just isn't all that great when compared to a place like Blue Ribbon, never mind just about anywhere in the south. The service isn't great either, and their "entire-party-must-be-present" policy is really annoying when you're trying to get a large group together and you're busy managing the inevitable "barney is parking, fred is lost, wilma thinks she'll show up a bit late and might bring her friend betty" phone calls. Yet despite this, I'm bumping my 2-star inclinations up to 3 stars because our group of 17-ish biker scum wedged into Underbones, gorged ourselves on a bunch of mediocre BBQ, and had a lot of fun. And its always been that way. Go in with low expectations and you might be pleasantly surprised. :-)

    (3)

  • Josh F.

    I love Redbones for the bar in the basement more than the food. Underbones is one of my favorite places for a beer in Boston and the mixed rib plate off of the late-night menu absolutely hits the spot when you get the beer-munchies.

    (4)

  • J R.

    First of all, this place was chaotic and crowded. Everyone told me to come here, my friend has a T-shirt of the place, so I was expecting, well, good food. The food was a poor, poor New England version of Southern cooking: plain, dry, and bland. The cornbread was white. WHITE. Barely corny, barely flavorful, let alone spicey or jalepeno-ed like real corn bread. The catfish was sub-par, the hush-puppies were as bland as the cornbread (oh, and they came with our food even after we asked the waitress if they did, she said they didn't so we ordered a side of them, and were left with tons of bad hush puppies). The only good thing was the ribs, but even considering that, I've still had far better at many many other restaurants. It seems this restaurant gets by on the momentum of its rowdy, beer-tasting shtick and that alone.

    (1)

  • Al N.

    I am a barbeque snob, having eaten my way across half of the American south. I want to like Redbones, I really do; the service is good (they rented the downstairs to us once before they opened on a Sunday for a baby shower, and the server was beyond great and if I were to rate them on this one experience, they'd get an easy 5 stars), the rooms are fun to eat in (if cramped), the beer wheel is a thing of beauty... BUT-- The ribs are not what anyone who has eaten real Southern BBQ would call "good." It's too tough, too dry, and it sticks too hard to the bone. I agree with the knowing reviewers that BBQ is NOT about the sauce. Screw the sauce. I'm not even going to review the sauce because it's an afterthought. I'm talking about the meat, and the meat here is not up to even mediocre Southern standards. The pulled pork is dry and lacking in flavor. The sides are good but not that good, with typical Boston sausages, dry cornbread, and overcooked okra. Admittedly, it's waaaay better than Tennesee's or Famous Dave's, but it's got a long ways to go before it's southern. Try Mrs. Jones in Dorchester and you'll get an idea of what I'm talking about. It's a shame, really. The atmosphere is like an upscale truckstop (in a good way) and business is good, so why can't they just go the extra mile and do it right?

    (2)

  • Panos A.

    Love this place for the authentic atmosphere, patrons, servers. Fantastic beer list and the BEST fried pickles and jalapenos. The piles of meat are just ok so I would suggest ordering lots of apps or sides and sharing.

    (4)

  • Cathleen C.

    My boyfriend and I ate here because he was craving good BBQ. I have to say it was one of the grossest meals I've EVER had. He got the ribs, which were chewy and the sauce was terrible. I got the BBQ chicken, which was so dry it got stuck in my throat. Both of our baked beans were black, and the potato salad was served like an ice cream scoop was barely edible. The service was terrible, we waited over 40 minutes for our food, which we didn't even eat. The waitress never asked what was wrong or offered to comp anything. We got out of there as fast as we could and went home to cook dinner. I will never go back again.

    (1)

  • Travis D.

    Maybe I'm being a tad generous with 5 stars, but whatever... I love Redbones, and I'm not ashamed to admit it! The beer (and bourbon, for that matter) selection is outstanding... and I'm a sucker for a smorgasbord of alcohol. I've also had great service and mmm mmm tasty bbq every time that I've been there. Go for the random rib plate... it is more meat that one person should eat in a week.

    (5)

  • Abbey B.

    Every time I come here, I expect more than I get. I always overestimate how good the mac and cheese is, and same goes for the lemonade. I've had the pulled pork sandwich, and it's definitely not my favorite. But I keep coming back here. The beer selection is decent. The bar downstairs, which I never knew about till recently, doesn't have too much character, but it's nice to be able to enjoy the beer selection on tap sitting at a high table. You can order food down there, too. One of the best parts of Redbones, I think, is the live music they have on weekends. Redbones itself, as an establishment, has a lot of personality, but the food doesn't do much for me.

    (3)

  • Heather E.

    I'm a southern transplant. I love me some BBQ. With that said... I LOVE ME SOME REDBONES! Here are my favorite eats from the Bones: For fans of alcoholic drinks: -"The Awesome Vacation" (fun, fruity, & sweet) or -"The Dark and Stormy" (They use locally brewed ginger beer and really good rum for it!) -The also have a ton of fantastic beers. Apps: -Corn pudding (Sounds kinda nasty right? That's what I thought but it's a delicious concoction of corn, cheese, mild green chilies, bread crumbs and cream.) -Buffalo Shrimp (These are fantastic! They even satisfy my friends from Buffalo, NY. Undeniably good.) -Corn Fritters. Order these tasty lil' balls o' corny goodness dipped in maple syrup for dessert. You won't regret it! Entrees: -Any of the pulled meat sandwiches. My personal favorite is the pulled chicken. It's sweetened with a bit of brown sugar and mustard. Good on it's own - no additional sauces needed. -The "Barbecue Belt." Or what I call "a protein whore's dream come true." A huge plate of assorted BBQ'd meat. It will have you crying out "For the love of ATKINS, this is great!" -Beef Brisket. Slow cooked and moist. -Whatever you end up ordering be sure to get a side of potato salad with it. It's super fresh and light. Not the heavy mayonnaise covered stuff you get at the deli. Why I'm only bestowing 4 stars: - the long wait on weekend nights - the lunch menu is limited. - the lack of sweetened Iced Tea. (If they claim to be "Southern BBQ" then they should have sweetened Iced tea readily available.) *************WARNING****************************** Do not under any circumstance combine the following foods at Redbones: macaroni and cheese, fried catfish and bass ale. It will result in explosive diarrhea! This has happened to several people I know on several occasions. Just take my advice, for your own good.

    (4)

  • The Hungry American E.

    My friends work here and other friends rave about this place. I guess they've never been down south for real BBQ. Seating is tight and the food is average at best. I had high hopes.

    (2)

  • David B.

    Redbones is hands-down my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. The food is delicious. The ribs are cooked over a wood burning fire. Great beer selection, with 24 taps that rotate with my favorite IPAs, Ales and seasonals. I love the atmosphere at Redbones. The amazing colorful hand-painted art on black walls, which rotates with new work from the same artist every year or so. The staff is friendly and hip and willing to chat if they are not too busy. Great music selection. All around great and satisfying experience every time I eat there. There have been a couple of shiny new restaurant/bars that have moved into Davis Square in the last couple of years, with large TV screens and robust beer selections. I tried them out a few times for variety, but their food just isn't as good as Redbones, and they are lacking the hipness and friendliness that I have grown accustomed to at my favorite restaurant. Some places are just a restaurant, and a chosen few are local treasures. Redbones is one of the latter. It does not have a lot of options for vegetarians, but pescatarians should definitely check out their catfish and buffalo shrimp. Superb.

    (5)

  • Jphubs J.

    Hands down, best bbq in our area. Good ribs, great beer. One of mine and my husbands favorite places to be! :)

    (5)

  • Tim F.

    Had not been in years (ie. 10+) and went the other night with my girlfriend. The atmosphere is nice but crowded, so if you don't like eating with people you don't know then stay away or order takeout. The beer selection is extensive and just bordering on the edge of overwhelming. They have ipa, wheat, bock, bavarian style, etc on tap and/or in bottles. They also have a good list of other cocktails, and all for reasonable prices. We ordered the Barbecue Belt a mix or rib styles and brisket. The brisket was cold but did exhibit a nice smoke ring on it and had decent taste. The ribs were good with a nice flavor but not to much smoke to them. The beef ribs were on the greasy side with not a whole lot of meat to them. The beans and slaw that came with the meal were very good. The slaw had a slight vinegar tinge to it and was not overly wet. The beans were solid with a bit of brown sugar sweetness and hint of bacon. I was not impressed with the BBQ sauce at all. The selection was limited to vinegar, sweet, mild and hot. The hot was not very hot at all for me but we had asked for two types of sauce (sweet and hot) and they put the hot over everything and the sweet on the side. I would have thought they would have had them both on the side. Overall I think it is pretty decent food but there are better bbq joints around. They do have the history and name but I think Blue Ribbon is a better choice.

    (3)

  • Emily C.

    I like Redbone's but I prefer to order for delivery. Underbones is cool and all, but it's kind of loud and there's usually a drag of a wait if there's more than two people coming in at once. (They did manage to magnificently seat 20+ people without reservations for my last birthday, though. I had no idea that so many people would show, and they handled it beautifully. Props!) Super nice wait staff, and there's usually good music playing. Order some fried pickles and corn fritters and nibble at them before your ribs come. Brace yourself for the Jamaican Jerk sandwich, it's appropriately tongue-searing. The hottest barbecue sauce is the one to go for if you're brave; it's delicious. The mild sauce still has a lot of flavor if you're not up to the heartburn, though. Don't bring vegetarians; there are a few options for them on the menu, but they will complain. Vegans definitely need not apply. The beef ribs are to die for and I get the delivered to my house with catfingers and corn fritters frequently. Then, I gnaw them down to the bone like a rabid dog. Get them and then come back and thank me.

    (4)

  • Howe L.

    Wow, delicious ribs. And beware of the portion size, I ate so much my belly felt like exploding. There's an extensive list of beer and I love the atmosphere's touch of originality. This place is always packed, so I had very little room to move or breathe (not to mention the long line for one bathroom stall). Also, our waiter seemed kinda blunt and borderline rude, though still kinda cool in the "douche bag" sense.

    (4)

  • Jon V.

    good Q definetely in my top for new england

    (4)

  • Shannon M.

    I love this place. I went there for lunch and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. It was delicious and came with so many sides there is no way I could finish it. The prices were great. I would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Kerri O.

    I think I've had the most interesting introduction to a restaurant that's been recorded, since I found out about this place because the owner hit me on my bike with his truck about 17 years ago. I was fine, my bike was mangled. He got it fixed that day, and then asked me out. Sorry, no dice (I was 22, and gay; he was in his forties). However, it did introduce me to some great BBQ. Over the years, Redbones has gotten too popular to enjoy, because of the wait time to sit. However, here's a few tips: order out, if you live nearby. Go on an off-time. This is important, especially if you love brisket. If you get in around 3:30 pm on a weekend, you'll get the brisket right out of the smoker, and you will achieve Nirvana. Imagine the most tender and moist brisket, with all the juices flowing. The smoky flavor only surpassed by the fact that you can cut it with a fork. And, you can get seated. If you go during regular dining hours, go alone, and sit at the counter near the kitchen. Sure, it's chaotic, and noisy, but the chefs throw tid-bits atcha. Stay away from the Belgian beers. The double and triple brews have a real kick to them, and you will get wrecked really quickly. You don't want to hurl good BBQ, after all. Or, stick to their sweet tea, which is great. The only reason I don't give this place the highest rating is that you can't even get in there, during regular dining hours.

    (4)

  • Rodeo B.

    I've been to Redbones many, many times. I always go back for a reason (other than my uncontrollable compulsion to drink booze). I am a loyal fan but I won't go back to brunch. From Best to Worst: PULLED CHICKEN, JERK BEEF, BEEF BRISKET Yes. Yes. Yes. Platter or Sandwich. BEER Good draft selection, changed up nicely, cheap Narragansett cans SAUCES I'll slap my mama before I say their sauces aren't good WINGS Huge plates, very tasty, could be spicier, they offer the option of grilled wings and fried ATOMIC CORN RELISH One of the fastest relationships I've ever had LUNCH The all-you-can eat lunch special forces me to nap through the rest of the day LOCATION I can walk home with only one eye working CROWD Lively CROWDED It can be unusually hard to get that first drink at the downstairs bar on busier nights TAKE-OUT Food quality suffers a touch but it is quick. Be sure to ask for sauce or else you won't get it. RIBS Fatty. Very flavorful. They do take their time with them. But fatty. BRUNCH No. Just don't. If you go, order off their lunch menu. I went for the first time recently and got the egg scrambler which comes with three sides (which is a ton of food). Boy was I excited. Boy was I let down. Yes, the bbq hash was very good. But the eggs were dry, the pancakes forgettable and the hash browns merely potatoes. And then, oh goodness, the biscuits and gravy were a travesty. They brought out a piece of bread on a small plate that was closer to a hard dinner roll than a biscuit. I said, "I ordered the biscuits and gravy." And so they brought out a little side of white gravy in a cup. Just watery white gravy. Not even a rumor of black pepper or sausage or meat grease. Now that just can't pass for southern. And if you can't pass for southern when you're a bbq joint? Well now. Might as well be serving McRibs. Lacking all sorts of effort on the brunch.

    (4)

  • Meredith K.

    Redbones is a love/hate thing with me. What's to love? Location, location, location - I can walk here any night of the week. Beer selection - fantastic and they even have that wheel you can spin to help you decide. They can also seat really large groups. What's not to love? Cash only. Really? WTF - I hate this. And when do I always remember it's cash only? when the check comes and one of us has to run to a bank machine to pay for it. Annoying. UPDATE: I was just told they are now taking Credit cards... finally! I don't love the ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, or any of the fish dishes I've tried there. I hate that they don't cook the meats with the sauces so the meats can suck in that flavor. It's just plain cooked meat and you can pour a sauce on it and it's kind of dry. I don't find the meat as flavorful as Blue Ribbon, or Village Smokehouse. I have tried so many things on this menu, just hoping to find something I love and it just hasn't happened yet. Nothing is bad, it's just not fantastic either. So even though they are local I will make the drive to go to Blue Ribbon or Village Smokehouse instead.

    (3)

  • Michael L.

    I suggest going downstairs. Upstairs is kind of lame with bad lighting, chintzy tables, and no real bar scene. Downstairs is dark like a bar should be, with good music, great beer and drinks (try the Dark & Stormy [rum + ginger beer]), and decent (not quite excellent) BBQ food. An overall good atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Juli W.

    This place is very popular - especially with the students. You can get a lot of meat for cheap, and they've got a huge selection of beers. There's always a wait - but they do try to get people in and out pretty quickly. They also accommodate large groups pretty well (seating downstairs as well). With that said, the food is just ok at best. The ribs are usually overcooked and a bit bland for my taste. The daily specials are good deals, but can be hit or miss (steak tips were pretty good, meatloaf left something to be desired).

    (3)

  • Katie S.

    This place gets only 4 stars for two reasons - I left off the 5th star because of the fact that it's so freaking crowded, it's insane, and also because it can get really loud downstairs which is not the best atmosphere for eating dinner. Otherwise, I love love love Redbones. The food is insanely good and filling at a reasonable cost. I especially like the nachos, pulled pork, potato salad, mac and cheese, and lemonade. Plus, they are quick. My friends and I came for dinner on Saturday before a movie - we had an hour and we were done in record time. Which is not to say we felt rushed - I definately think we could've extended our stay - but our food arrived quickly and the waitress was attentive. I prefer eating upstairs, but I love the atmosphere downstairs for drinks and apps. It's dark down there and covered with fun stuff to look at. If only Redbones weren't so damn popular and crowded all the time, it would be the perfect spot for dinner or drinks, but I assure you, if you're willing to wait, you won't be sorry. It is well worth it!

    (4)

  • Susie C.

    I'm from the Northeast. BBQ is not really my forte. However, I will review this place because I've been a handful of times. Is it the best BBQ in town? Honestly, I have no idea, but I secretly doubt it. Is it good? Yes. In the 3 times I have eaten there I don't think I was ever seriously let down. Some of the sides I ordered were just average - broccoli, mac & cheese -but the ribs were pretty delish. I tend to not come here much, though. I'm often in Davis Square around dinner-time looking for a place to go with friends/family, and almost always go elsewhere. There is a great bar in the dark basement called Underbones, and I would rather come here for that then for dinner. One time I wanted a burger but they don't have that on the menu (and why should they?). To sum it up, I have to really be in the mood for BBQ, and I basically never am, so it's pointless for me to come here for food.

    (3)

  • Roni E.

    On recommendation of Damien I came to Redbones. I had a craving for meat while on my way to some studyin' in Davis. Walkin' in I felt like I just stepped into some redneck territory. Confused as to whether it was seat yourself or not. I asked the lady behind the counter who seemed busy. She sat me immediately. The place was definitely fit it's decor. Absolutely loved the murals, the collage of history, the big hand made signs, t-shirts on the wall, and plastic pigs flying in the air. Their menu is huge! They had everything on their menu that you can think of when you think of southern comfort. For $12.45 I had their lemonade which is served in this enormous mason jar which was delicious. I'm not sure if it was fresh squeezed or not, but it just tasted like it! Free Refills too! The perfect compliment to the Pulled Pork Sandwich + Handcut Fries. The pulled pork was just the right consistency. They also serve it with 4 different sauces that you can put on yourself if you so choose - hot, mild, sweet, vinegar. I mixed mine with the hot and mild - perfecto! The handcut fries were a bit disappointing I must say. It was definitely a decent sized portion (a big ole bowl), but they were dry, bland, and I am not convinced that they were actually handcut. I do need to give them props for making a to die for piece of cornbread. It was as if it came from the dirty dirty. Perfect consistency, sweetness, and buttahhh. If Paula Deen was here, she'd agree with me. Their service was quick and friendly. I'd definitely come back to try some of their other stuff, and pick up a few t-shirts. **************************************************­******************* Updated on 9/30/2007: Okay, so I've had to remove a star. I really did like this place and it really does have potential for having great ribs, now if they just knew how to smoke a rib that would be fantastic. I came here with Trish the other night after some bowling and got the Mixed Ribs. My "mixed ribs" consisted of a bowl full of ribs, CHICKEN, SAUSAGE. I don't recall chicken and sausage being a rib..... at any rate, I had one of them... and was done. The ribs were so dry and tasteless. I've seen better ribs done off of the back of a truck. Don't tell me your smoking pit in your kitchen can't make me some good ribs! Turn on the Food Network Channel guys! On a happier note, at least our server Jay had some good humor and was able to deal with my 20 questions and comedy routine. HA HA!

    (3)

  • Hnybny B.

    Oh Redbones, you cannot live on local lore forever. This place is all about BBQ, but is this great BBQ? No. If you want true southern style, hardcore, pit BBQ, this is not it. Has it got casual ambiance? Sure, lots. No air conditioning, which will be a problem if it's above 70 degrees outside, especially since it's packed most nights with hour plus wait times on the weekends. Honestly, my best experience there was sitting at the bar and having the cooks throw free samples on our plates for having to wait. In fact, I'd say the cooks were more friendly than the waitstaff, but then again, they hardly have to deal with the general public. So, why the low rating? If this was the kind of place you could walk into, get seated in less than a half hour, order, eat and leave in within another hour and feel it was worth it, it'd have more stars. The food is okay, at least for the general public. This is the most gluten unfriendly BBQ place at which I've ever eaten. They dry rub all their meat before they cook it and it's not gluten free. Here's the thing. It's outrageously easy to make a GF rub or convert a rub to GF. Cornstarch will replace flour quite easily. So, why don't they just keep some unseasoned meat aside for those with dietary restrictions or allergies? Because they don't give a damn. I spoke directly with the manager and they just don't see it as worthwhile making an effort. They have an allergy sheet listing the gluten free foods, which would be great if you were a vegetarian, but if you are..... what the hell are you doing at a BBQ place that's neon sign virtually screams "meat, meat, meat?" If you ask, they'll bring you "the book." This is the allergen guide all restaurants are required by law to provide. It's terribly confusing though because all the ingredients are listed except the rub, which is on all their meat! Ugh, please. Not willing to read all the above? No problem, I'll just give you the buzzwords. Long lines, no AC, tightly packed, gluten unfriendly, no parking, over hyped.

    (2)

  • Keith M.

    Fried Pickles & Jalapenos, Hush Puppies and Arkansas Ribs w/ Broccoli. Others had St Louis Ribs, Pulled Chicken and Onion Strings. Very good and way too much food. Always good service and flavorful food. Next time I might even try something different.

    (4)

  • Courtney V.

    This place is awesome. Bonus if you really like bbq food, but if you don't you'll still be able to find something. I always get their candied yams and potato salad - both amazing. I'm not a fan of pork or brisket, so I always get pulled chicken or the salmon. Both great choices and I always feel like I get my money's worth when I go here. Quick service, great food and casual atmosphere - doesn't get any better!

    (5)

  • Mariko W.

    I really want to like redbones. I really do. It has a lot going for it and I do like bbq. It just doesn't do it for me. Half the time I love what I get, and then I think I order the same thing the next time, and it's something completely different that I'm not a huge fan of. The beer selection is pretty good, and there are definitely some good choices to go with bbq, but when I only like what I get half the time, it's almost not worth going for me.

    (3)

  • S D.

    3 words: Sweet Corn Fritters (in maple syrup!) so delicious.

    (4)

  • Chaci C.

    I swear at some point I will rate something below a 4. Next time I have a bad experience, anywhere, I'll make sure to write a review. Redbones, however, is fantastic. I've been there a few dozen times and have always had great experiences. I think I was around 10 or 11 the first time I went. My Dad took me; he grew up in the area. Every time I go in there I feel like I'm 11 again, except the fact that I now drink beer instead of soda. Ah yes, the soda. It comes in a Mason jar... what else could you want? It's fantastic. Tons of beer choices... even Schlitz... Great BBQ. A pretty good amount of choices on the ribs. I tend to get the pulled pork plate when I get there. The sides are mostly fantastic. I love the hush puppies and greens. The mac and cheese is OK, but with so many great sides - they're overshadowed. The service is great. I've only had good experiences there. Sometimes the wait is a little long, it's not the best place to go with a large group of friends. If it's just 4 of you or something like that, the wait isn't ever too bad. Underbones (the bar in the basement) is a great place to hang out too. There's always a pretty cool crowd.

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    So I decided to give Redbones a second try that didn't include any sandwiches. My views of the place are now improved, but it's still not real love. First off, hearty thanks to those of you who recommend the BBQ hash. That alone is worth going back for (or maybe ordering takeout to avoid the obscene waits). I got the "pick three" with the hash, jerk beef, and pulled chicken. The hash blows the other stuff away. The jerk beef was also tasty. I like spicy stuff and this had a great heat. the pulled chicken was disappointing though...it was not pulled. Being familiar with my slow cooker, I know that even plain old boneless chicken breast can be turned into pulled chicken after several hours in there, meaning that Redbones' chicken had not been slow-cooked to BBQ standards, which was disappointing. My bf was also disappointed by the kind of dry and very thick sliced brisket. As before I enjoyed the tap selection, but the wait and cramped dining room aren't awesome. I'd say in the future I'd be more inclined to pick up several orders of hash to-go. And I still say stay away from the sandwiches...

    (3)

  • Jim M.

    My wife and I ate here on a Monday night and they still had a wait, unless you wanted to sit at the counter...why not? So we did, it was great entertainment and the Chef's served us our food. The beer selection is awesome. For food we had buffalo scallops which were perfect, not many places can cook scallops just right. For dinner I had THE BARBECUE BELT and my wife had the PORTABELLO MUSHROOM sandwich. Both were great, tons of food and even better, we had a Groupon.

    (4)

  • John X.

    I grew up in Texas so I know whats good BBQ, and this place is alright. However, it's their happy hour that I really enjoy, you can't beat half price appetizers (from 5-7). You get a good amount of wings, plenty of sausage, or whatever else you choose. They also have an excellent beer selection, and the other customers are all usually talkative and make the place entertaining. Looks like a standard BBQ joint, nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.

    (4)

  • Mortiche W.

    Great name, so-so food, boisterous atmosphere. If that's what you're looking for, this is your spot. Me? I prefer Food first, then atmosphere. If your food rocks my world, you can get away with a lot with me. The only reason we ended up here was because of the alcohol/large party accomodation/realitively inexpensive trifecta. Food: 2 stars atmosphere: 2 stars (unless you're already drunk- then it's 4) service: 2 stars I was pre-warned that the BBQ here wasn't all that great. Ya know what? I had better BBQ at a BBQ CHAIN RESTAURANT in Oaklahoma than I did here, but that's ok. I expected it. We got an ass-ton of food so I wouldn't just be basing my opinions on one thing. Started off with the Barbeque Belt which had Memphis, Texas and Arkansas style ribs with sliced brisket. Aside from liking my ribs basted in a little bit of sauce before being served (I know about not cooking them with sauce to prevent the sugars burning, but a little basting in the end never hurt anyone!) only one style of the ribs turned out a little dry, which was nice. The beef ribs were tender and juicy. I have no idea which ones were which with the pork ribs but one kind was rather dry. The brisket was unremarkable- plain smokey meat does nothing for me; it needs character AKA sauce. I ended up dipping my BBQ into the beans that came with the plate as they were the only thing that held some reasonable flavor. The little pill cups they served the trio of BBQ sauce in wasn't enough for any one person's plate, let alone the entire table (3 oz of sauce was all we got!) but that's ok, I was happy to pass on them anyway. We also ordered sides of: corn fritters (very dry on the outside, reminded me of bad doughnut holes- it needed the pool of 'maple syrup' it was swimming in), fried okra (the most boring okra ever- no seasonings in the outer shell- just cornmeal or batter, plain plain plain), corn pudding (I can taste the evaporated milk, can YOU? a congealing, solid mass, not very pudding-like), a side of cole slaw (inocuous, but edible) and collard greens (cooked with a little bit of meat and onions). The collard greens were the only saving grace of that entire parade of side dishes and I wish it weren't so- they were cooked really well, soft and tender but not boiled to hell or casting a sickly yellowish green on our plate. I wish this place gave me a better experience but between the crazy-loud atmosphere in the bar which began to give me noise fatigue even before we sat down to our table which was equally loud, their inability to take reservations, and what seemed like them not getting our orders straight (both in sequence, and in what we got- I saw several other orders like ours served differently than our plate), it made for a rough experience. Sorry Redbones- great name, but I think I'm gonna stick to smaller joints that focus on food (which should be your primary objective) from now on. Good luck feeding your masses.

    (2)

  • Colin N.

    Mullets, stained wifebeaters and crushed beer cans are the only things missing from this bbq dining experience. I like going to places where I am transported. Not in a Chili's sorta way. That would suck. More in a "welcome to our house, this is how we do it here" way. Redbones has a culture to it. I love that. The barbeque is pretty good, but not amazing. I lived in texas for 2 years (not that that would make me an expert). I am an expert. The nice thing is that there is no "Massachusetts Barbeque" so they've got every style under the southern sun. Variety is the spice of life! The big negative with redbones is that it is popular! People like the place and that gets in between me and food. Overall... best BBQ I have had in Boston.

    (4)

  • Jason F.

    Having lived in Atlanta for 5 years, I know a little something about good BBQ. If I was comparing this to a couple of restaurants down there, this wouldn't compare overly well. But, putting it in the context of being in the Boston area, this place is pretty legit. Great ribs and the fried pickles were VERY good (not overly greasy). The sweet tea left a little bit to be desired (once you have sweet tea in the south, you become a bit of a snob about it :) ). The place was packed and the service was decent - not excellent but not terrible. Overall, I would probably return to the restaurant, but I am curious to try other barbecue restaurants in the area to give a more complete comparison.

    (4)

  • David G.

    Redbones sure didn't need another review, but since I live in Davis and it's a bit of a landmark I had to toss in my opinion. My view of this place is that it's original and worth a trip at least once. There's two floors of dining and a bar on each floor. It is very casual looking with random art covering the walls, and a cozy bar area. The kitchen is open and you can see the barbeque cooking away, and if you wish, can sit right AT the kitchen. The food is probably hit or miss depending on the time of day, who's cooking and what you order, so it could range from amazing to fair. I recently went and decided to try every rib type they offer in a combo plate (Arkansas, St. Louis, Texas, etc ribs) and found them to be quite good overall with certain types being better than others. I think they really nailed the Texas beef ribs the night I was there. A great value for the amount of food I got. I could complain about the sides (Small salad too small and the mashed potataoes too loose) but that's not really the reason you come here. It's all about the barbeque and the great (quality) beer selection and casual atmosphere. It's not a five star experience, but it's a solid four for what it is. I mean where else can you get barbeque and have your bicycle valet parked haha?

    (4)

  • Billie M.

    With almost 250 reviews, not sure how much I can add, but nothing gets my motor runnin' like some spicy jerk beef and a plateful of fried okra. Whenever I'm looking for a little spice in my life, I head straight to Redbones. The jerk beef will make my eyes tear, but the flavor more than makes up for any pain. Pair that with some okra, dipped alternately in hot bbq sauce and the spicy salsa they serve it with, and ohh-ee, I'm in pig pickin' heaven. Uh, or beef pickin' heaven. If your mouth's on fire, order one of the dark and stormy's - or mark and stormy's or moscow mules. Just make sure you sample their ginger beer. Nice and thick with a ginger kick, it's one delicious drink. Also, gotta tip my hat to the pulled chicken and the mac n' cheese. But seriously, it's all about the jerk beef.

    (5)

  • Joshua M.

    The sausage and grilled chicken wings have gone from decent to irresistible. The service remains top notch

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    I am probably what you would call a regular at the upstairs bar area. Redbones has a great selection of beer and alcohol that makes it the easy choice if you want to grab a beer and hang out with friends. There are some great bartenders too. Unfortunately the food at Redbones can be hit or miss. I am not a ribs person, so I usually stick to other stuff. The pulled pork/chicken is ok, not great. I have had friends make better. The key lime pie and pecan pie aren't that good, sometimes I feel like giving them some new recipes for those. I had the steak tip special once and it was pretty good. I also like the chicken breast sandwich. The potato salad at redbones is also a favorite. The wings are great. The nachos are probably my favorite nachos anywhere. The fried pickles are also really good. A lot of the apps are pretty good. Overall I like redbones. Not everything on the menu is a home run, but they have enough good things to keep me coming back. You won't find a better drink selection in the Davis area, and the prices aren't crazy.

    (4)

  • John B.

    Wow, this place is lights out. I have been to Redbones twice now in just over a month, and sampled most of the ribs, and just plowed through the easy dinner for 4 (with the help of 3 friends of course). The ribs are great, the sauces are spicy AND tasty...and the cornbread and hush puppies are deeeelicious. So far, its been nothing but tasty...I'll definitely be making this a spot a regular haunt.

    (5)

  • Meg M.

    Okay so I'll be the first to tell you I'm not a BBQ expert. I have a pretty intense distaste for eating meat off the bone (let the comments ROLL in) and aside from the occasional pulled pork or chicken sandwich, I judge a BBQ place based on the stuff I love: Side dishes. After an awesome performance of the Slutcracker at the Somerville Theatre, the boy and I rushed off into the night air to head around the corner and fill our bellies. When we got there it was packed so we put our names on the list and headed into the bar room on the left for some more whiskey to take the edge off. Even though it was packed, the bartender greeted us right away and got us our drinks in hand and smiles on faces. We waited for about 15 minutes and then we were seated at a cute little two top in the back. Although the corn bread we were greeted with wasn't exactly the type I am used to.. I enjoyed it. I really cant shake a stick at corn bread in any form though. I love a little bit more moist and cakey usually ... but this one did the trick. Our waitress was funny and sweet and she got to us quickly. Wish I remember your name Redbones girl, I enjoyed you. She even let Mark's friend Phil take up a table in her section when he joined us at the end of our meal. The boy ordered a pulled chicken sandwich with sweet BBQ sauce which he seemed to enjoy. I ordered my two favorites: Mac n Cheese and Succotash. The Mac n Cheese was everything mac n cheese should be. Thick, creamy and delicious. Loved it. The succotash was also effing delicious. Added some tabasco to the broth and BAM .. instant awesomeness. Its not all that often I am in Somerville... but I'll tell you this much... I'll be back just to hit up Redbones.

    (4)

  • Emily G.

    I said let's go with a 3, my fiance said 4...so really this is a 3.5 but since I'm writing the review, 3 it is! Here's the deal - the place was PACKED! which is a testament that the business is obviously thriving. Good for them! Not so great for me..but I understood. When we got our seats, the beer selection was a 5. Awesome and delicious and well priced. We ordered up some appetizers - hush puppies and mac n cheese to be exact. These appetizers came out really quickly (maybe too quick?) and ...yes, they were good - but definitly nothing above a 3. They were not amazing. Same goes for the cornbread. I love cornbread, but this wasn't like falling apart, crumbling deliciousness - it was like a piece of kinda maybe made earlier in the day, corn bread. We each ordered different meals - I personally got catfish and pulled pork. It came with more hush puppes - which it didn't say that on the menu? So kind of an overload on hush puppies. Now..the BBQ...the real reason your here. I'd give that at least a 4! Which is really what's important at a BBQ place , is the BBQ. My pulled pork was GREAT! The catfish on the other hand - again maybe a 2 or 3. It was a kinda plain fish fried. No seasoning really at all. I tried my fiances ribs and they were great! Again, like a 4 - and again, what's really important at a BBQ place? The BBQ! So...if I went to redbones again, I'd skip the fancy pants appetizers and just go for what I'm really there for! Meat!! (and beer ofcourse!)

    (3)

  • Sameer N.

    This place is dope. The food is too ill. Might I recommend the macaroni and cheese, the pulled chicken, and the delicious brisket? The sides are so bangin', and the corn bread is delish. I don't eat pork so I'd suggest the brisket instead of the pork ribs. I recall them having beef ribs as well. There's a bar on the side that you might be waiting at, have a tight brew while you wait. The only thing I think kind of sucks is that you are somewhat strapped for privacy. One time my girlfriend and I were sitting next to another couple. My girlfriend said something out of line to me, I got all fired up and we got in an argument DIRECTLY next to the couple. They could hear everything going on, it was unavoidable. It was ok because the cornbread soon came and we took our anger out on our food. Later we got in another argument. The couple asked the waitress if they could have their food packed, I think the arguing got to them. We packed up our leftovers and banged in the car in Davis Sq. to make up from all the fighting. The food was good and the dessert was even better. What a night. I'll be back for you Red Bones. Next time, I might just get take out.

    (4)

  • Dirk D.

    I have been going here for the last 20 years to get the combo for lunch and it is always great. Excellent BBQ meat, great sides, and awesome beer selection.

    (5)

  • Michael W.

    I know this place is one of the darlings of Davis Square, but I wasn't impressed. We went for lunch, and were seated in the dingy basement, which has a smell. The food? As far as barbecue goes, totally forgettable. Everything I had, from the brisket to the ribs, can be had better elsewhere. If you're in Davis Square, just hit up one of the many alternatives. If you're dead set on barbecue, your options are far more limited, but I would head to Black Strap in Winthrop, which is superior in every way. It's such a shame, because we have so few options in our area for this kind of cuisine- I really wish Redbones was better, and that it's basement wasn't like some kind of weirdo murder cave.

    (2)

  • Christalina W.

    I was so disappointed with RedBones, as I had heard such great things. I didn't like the atmosphere, it was loud and noisy. The service was just ok, the server wasn't very attentive and a bit rude. As for the food, I got the pulled pork with beans, cole slaw, and tried all 3 BBQ sauces. I also tried the corn fritters, the corn bread, and the fried okra. The corn bread, corn fritters and fried okra were extremely bland, as was the coleslaw. The corn bread was also quite dry. The beans were ok, but only after I doused them with BBQ sauce. The pulled pork was good, but I have definitely had better. That needed a ton of BBQ sauce as well. The BBQ sauce almost tasted like it was from a bottle, I highly doubt it was homeade....it had an almost fake aftertaste. My friends tried different versions of the ribs. They didn't look seasoned at all, and they were complaining that they had no flavor. My other friend got the fried chicken and said that was bland as well, even the crispy skin. I definitely wouldn't recommend RedBones, or go back. It was overpriced, and the food was only subpar. Village Smokehouse in Brookline or Lester's BBQ in Burlington are 100x better.

    (2)

  • J D.

    not as good as it used to be - sad but true

    (3)

  • Sean M.

    Once upon a time there was a poor grad student who lived on Newbury Street, that's the one that dumps into Teale Sq, in Somerville not the one in Boston. When the endless equations, the research papers, the lousy Chinese fast food take-out, and the cheap beer were too much to bare, he would walk the MBTA path to Davis and seek solace in a fine BBQ meal at the place with the plywood pig out front. Linoleum tables, and wonder bread pulled pork samiches, with a cold bud. Affordable quality comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere, nirvana. In the late 1980's Davis Sq was more raw and less of a corporate Disneyland parody that is is now. I almost miss being called a "Barney" by the townies, who now direct their wrath at "Yuppies". As much as it pains me to say it, at Redbones the food was better then it is now. Mostly it's dry ribs that are a problem, then they cover them with sauce to hide it? Perhaps not, the volume here is way up I think they just need better quality control. We go in groups of 6-8 techno-geeks, we meet in the bar and eat downstairs. The service is pretty good, very few complaints but you want to get your order correct the first time. Any add-on's or changes messes with the flow. I like to think ahead when ordering beers too, if the server does a drive-by and yours is half full, order another, or be caught without a cold one to wash down the sauce and meat. What's better now: * The downstairs dinging room * The beer selection What keeps me going here: * Potlickers * Hushpuppies * Catfingers * Fried Okra * Memphis & Arkansas ribs * gluttony incarnate: The Barbeque Belt dinner.

    (3)

  • Jeff D.

    The BBQ in Boston. Is it as good as BBQ I've in eaten in the Carolinas? Of course not, but it's damn fine in its own right. I've had Blue Ribbon, and while it's good, it's not as good a Redbones, plus the fact I can't have beer at Blue Ribbon. What a drag, dude. I've eaten in and gotten take-out here and it's all great. Rib platters are plenty for two, and the sides are top notch. Great beer selection, and always have had good service. One caveat: I've sat downstairs twice and for some reason the food is never as good as it is upstairs. Maybe something evil happens to the food on the trek down the stairs, I don't know.

    (4)

  • Tristan B.

    Vegans, Vegetarians, get out, this is where it's all about MEAT. And bandsaws, and tons of dead animals. Mmmm... animals. So how is this place? How can I put it into words that Redbones is a bit of a love/hate affair with me, although it's mostly all of my own fault. I am not much of one for machismo, typically. My girlfriend goes to Hell Night at East Coast Grill and laughs, yet I am but a weenie whiteboy who was raised on mild salsa and delicate flavors of Japanese sushi. Of course I have to order the Jamaican Jerk Beef sandwich, which is probably one of the spiciest items on the menu, to show that I was no longer a weak palleted individual, but a strong, manly man with the forged stomach that would put Homer Simpson to shame. Plus, it has the word "jerk" in it, so I let my 14 year old loose and made all sorts of puns that would probably be more suitable to a Beavis and Butthead episode. Bad idea. I got the dinner arrival shortly, and she (my girlfriend) inquisitively took a taste of it. "That's pretty spicy, even for me." My reply was, "Eh, it's pretty good." She knew I was lying. In between mouthfuls of potato salad, which I normally would never eat, to cool my burning mouth, esophagus, and stomach, I chomped down on that burger-like object with the goal of eating every bite, to the last crumb for some semblance of victory, even though it was quite clear I was struggling harder than Milli Vanilli's fabled MTV concert. I struggled, I gasped, and finally my plate was clear. It was glorious. I had done it! The impression was made and no one was the wiser around me! This afterglow was to be short lived. The next morning after a brunch was, how can I say, not pleasant to a comical proportion. I always laughed and went "That will never happen to me!" but it did, Redbones' Jamaican Jerk Beef absolutely put a ruin on my digestive system. Like I said earlier, my fault for not being able to handle it. Wisely, the last time I went was at around 12:00 after running around town and a concert, I got the steak and cheese. And without a doubt, it was one of the best steak and cheeses I've ever had. Onions, TONS OF CHEESE, good steak, and optional items like tomatoes, lettuce, and a big fat pickle beside it. Add in a Spiked Arnold Palmer and a Dark & Stormy, and all I could do was really rip and tear through the cow flesh like the raptor scene in Jurassic Park. On top of it all it was all cheap! Cheap cheap cheap! Service has always been great, and they have Hitachino Nest beer, which makes Redbones my little heart's love. This review has been a test of the pop culture reference guide. If you feel uncomfortable or do not know who I am referring to, please consult your local wikipedia.org . Thank you!

    (5)

  • Cara P.

    Hush puppies and corn bread=yummy....that, in it of itself, rings this place three stars.......... Did I have a "real meal" ..........no.........why? Well.......... The only thing I don't like about this place. Is that *I* felt out of place? Why?? I mean I guess I understand why..........maybe I should not have worn all black........maybe I SHOULD have looked more like my waiter. Maybe, just maybe I should have smiled a little more and been wicked loud and rambunctious and ordered a beer....like every one else around me, who our waiter seemingly enjoyed and kissed some major ass.......... So in short.........come to the Bones.....check it out...but if you aren't a ........well I don't know how to put it gently.......If you are a "Certain" type.......you might not feel so uncomfortable and a little out of place at this joint.........and as anyone knows, that will take away from the even the best five star meal out there. ........ P.S Wear a plaid shirt or an American eagle hoodie and you should be fine.

    (3)

  • Russ S.

    I just hit up Redbones last night for the first time in probably three years. I don't even remember the circumstances regarding who I originally went with, or what I ordered, or anything. A few times since that visit, I've been privy to a few situations where catered Redbones was available at a work function. And it was good. With that said, I'm a Northerner through and through. Yeah, I got a southern girlfriend, and that's pretty much my only tie to the "Dixon" side of things. So I inherently feel a little apprehensive, emotionally, when I think about the prospects of a Southern barbeque. Redbones has been able to ease my Yankee mind in this regard. The pulled pork sandwich is to die for. If you like spices, this is the place for you. I got this Jamacian beef jerk sandwich and the thing was SO TASTY yet SOOO SPICY. Try to order an extra side of potato salad if you go this route. Damn. The downstairs decor is really fun. Upstairs feels like you're at a family picnic, however. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the beer list if you like good beers, and if you don't like good beers, I strongly suggest you look into upping the ante. It's pretty common to hear people swear by the amazingness of that which is Redbones, and I really don't blame those people. It's pretty hard to impress Northerners with southern barbeque, and Redbones does it perfectly. Plus, cornbread. Ain't nothin wrong with that.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    As a native Texan, I know what bbq should taste like. One thing that is really important is BBQ sauce and lots of it. I received a BBQ sauce cup the size of a thimble. Even after ordering a second, I realized 6 more of these and I still wouldn't have enough. Regardless of the food, the service here stinks. I ordered a chopped BBQ sandwich, but received a sliced BBQ sandwich and bill to match. After informing the waitress of this, she still asked whether I wanted to be charged for the wrong item! This lack of respect I could overlook, except I then waited at least 15 minutes to get my credit card back. Apparently emptying the dishwasher a few times was more important then finishing my bill. The atmosphere at the upstairs bar sucks, too. Skip this place.

    (1)

  • Beth M.

    Corn Pudding is a magical treat, one that I cannot replicate no matter which recipe I try, and it lives only at Redbones. I had some yesterday and I never think it's going to be as good as I remember, but it always is...creamy cheesy sweet corn goodness with a kick of jalapeno... I've never had a bad meal at Redbones...I've been a million times over the years and it never disappoints. My favorite entree has got to be the fried Louisiana catfish-- delectable. With sides of slaw, mac n cheese and hush puppies, guess who's in a food coma with half the food left on her plate? I've never actually ordered the ribs but have sampled them from my husband's order, always enjoying them. The beer selection is great, the service is friendly (though definitely rushed), and though it's really crowded (esp. if you're in the bar or upstairs) the vibe is still laid back. It's always really loud but everyone is having fun, so you just go with it. The decor is bizarre at best-- I kind of hate the murals on the walls downstairs-- if you look at them too long your brain starts to hurt, because they don't make a whole lot of sense...fish swimming with sharks with a hand holding an ice cream cone sticking out of it's mouth? check. rat riding a skateboard holding a lit match? check. totem poles on a lake with a naked chick and some other brightly painted crap? check. you get the idea. but just ignore it and focus on your plate. yum.

    (4)

  • Aretha B.

    OK! So I finally ate me some redbones! All this time I envisioned it as being in porter square, but alas it is in davis sq! There was a large line of people, but mouse and I just walked right in and went downstairs to eat at the bar. We actually just wound up ordering four appetizers to share: Corn Pudding - YUM! Creamy, sweet corn mass. Just warmed. Fish Fritters - catfish bites with crispy cornmeal coating. TASTY. Served with tartar and lemon. Mac n Cheese - good! not mushy. Smooth. Not a flavor explosion, but texturally, it comes correct. "Today's Sausage" - don't even know what it was, but it was pinkish, mildly spicy, and somewhat light for sausage. Not too oily. Their cornbread was almost like a poundcake consistency... not gritty at all. I kind of like gritty. This stuff was pretty ok. Having these four things together was tasty. Next time I'll see about the candied yams and collared greens. I may even try the ribs or pulled pork. The food came out quickly and the service was good. They have mount gay at the bar, my fave rum. Mmmmm. I'm glad this place was a positive experience!

    (4)

  • Alison B.

    I Love Redbones! I'm pretty sure my boyfriend and I would consider this our favorite spot in Somerville. We frequent this place often because of the awesome environment, delicious hot comfort food, beer wheel (you'll hear more about that later) and friendly staff. While Redbones offers a dining area, we always sit at the bar upstairs. This, in my opinion, is where the action is. You may have to stay for a while before getting seats but I promise it's worth the wait. The bartenders recognize us and always are able to provide great recommendations if we opt not to utilize the wheel. What is this wheel you ask? It's a wheel of fortune wheel that lands on a number. This number corresponds with a beer (huge beer selection). You have to drink the beer you are given....while this sounds risky, it really makes it a fun experience. The food is delicious.... I go between the pulled pork sandwich and the buffalo wings. The hush puppies are also to die for. They offer a million different ways to eat meat...what's not to love? Just go, trust me.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    German Weiss beer, cornbread, and baby back ribs. I tried both the mild and hot sauces. Very good meal. The place, as usual, was packed. As busy as the waitress was, she remained attentive and friendly. I love Redbones!

    (4)

  • Jillian M.

    I am ready to start a Redbones cult. Who's in? For all those that sing the praises of meat and worship at the house of BBQ... this is it. I love it and it loves me.

    (5)

  • ben s.

    Not a single bad thing to say. Best southern bar-b-q in the north. Great meat and great service in an awesome atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Deepa C.

    Wow, 213th review.. not sure if I will be saying anything new. I am a Jumbo alum, so Redbones was a staple back in college. It could feed a lot of of people a lot of food at once. I went back once a few years ago, and then again tonight, and honestly, I can't remember what I love so much, or if I even loved it. We had a group of 8, so the wait was the estimated 40 minutes. Pretty standard for a Redbones Saturday. The service is good too - we had two servers working our table and were never in want of anything. Maybe it's because I am limited to fish and chicken, but I don't see the spectacularity of the food. Cornbread, cold and on the dry side, pulled chicken sandwich on the dry side and Velveeta-y mac and cheese. All standard comfort food fare, all decent, but nothing that jumps off the plate. The bottom line - long lines and crowded waiting areas for fair to good food. BUT the crowds and lines add to an ambiance of frenzy and hospitality. It is def something to do at least once - the bigger the group the better. Beware though, the wait will be longer the bigger the group. They do deliver and have take out about which I have heard good things.

    (3)

  • Angela S.

    I'll make it brief, since this place has a zillion reviews already, but MAN OH MAN the food from Redbones is tasty. Some friends and I got delivery from here one Friday night when I was in town and it was fabulous. The ribs! The ribs are to die for! How can this come from New England?! (Oh yeah, salmon, catfish fingers, and roast chicken were all delicious too. But who in their right mind would order those when there are such perfect ribs to be had?)

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    I love this place but have had to face up to the fact that the food is lame. Lousy sides, bbq often tough and bland, the very opposite of what it should be. Alas.

    (2)

  • Erik F.

    Man I love Red Bones. I especially love the basement level bar, where the people are packed in elbow to elbow most of the time, but the waits for bar-height tables are shorter, and there's some privacy to be had as you huddle in the darkness with your party. Sharing tables with other parties upstairs isn't my thing. The food food is great, and you can get any combination of BBQ meat you want somewhere on the menu. It's not fancy, it's awesome. The real highlight is the 20+ draft beer selections. Warning: There is almost always a wait.

    (5)

  • Ryan L.

    Best.BBQ.Joint.In.The.Boston.Area. Enuff said. They give you good portions at a reasonable price and large selection to choose from. The pulled pork is unmatched, ribs are great, and the fried catfish is ridonkulously good. I've been to the Blue Ribbon in Newton, Soulfire in Brighton, and Tennessee's in Natick and Redbones beats them all.

    (5)

  • Colin O.

    It is sad to see such a great place go so far down hill. I expect a wait when I go to Redbones, but being told that the wait is 30 min then waiting for an hour is frustrating. The food quality had declined significantly, my ribs were burnt and had a gas like after taste. Again, it is to bad Redbones is no longer what it used to be.

    (2)

  • Cara G.

    What the world! Needs now! Is one! More review of Redbones! Carp, carp: my boyfriend and I were there for lunch with his parents. I tried to order cornbread and was told that they didn't have it until dinner, and minutes later, a plaid shirt-clad server in a baseball hat came swanning out of the kitchen, holding aloft a heaping plate of cornbread, which he presented with cheers to the table of gentlemen in plaid shirts and baseball caps right in front of us. Hmmm. Also, it took forever to get my drink, and they forgot a substitution that I had requested. That said, the buffalo shrimp are fantastic, the upstairs bar is a great place to get tipsy on a Friday afternoon in the fall, and the downstairs is its own thing entirely.

    (1)

  • Scott K.

    The atmosphere at Redbone's is fun for a group, and the bar is a great place to hang and have a drink. But this is really just a simulation of a barbecue joint. They don't seem to actually be interested in putting out quality food. Sides like mac-and-cheese are just bland, and the meats have no flavor or aroma to them. Beef brisket is OK, but really just a vehicle for Redbone's sauces. Want real barbecue? Blue Ribbon is not far away.

    (1)

  • Lana M.

    This place is the best. Great food, tons of options for everyone including vegetarians, and everything is very reasonably priced. Corn pudding is awesome. So are the fried pickles.

    (5)

  • Food Hunting T.

    went to here several times and never disappointed. everyone has his own rules. for me, the price is fair marching it's meat. doesn't like other restaurant ripped off your money for doing one-time business. in davis square, what else can meet your standard?

    (4)

  • Josh K.

    It's loud and crowded. Expect waits in the evenings. But bank on having delicious, home-cooked southern-style barbecue pretty much regardless of what you order. I happen to be a southern gentleman who can sniff out good barbecue from a mile away, and I can assure you that the barbecue here is definitely up to snuff. One of my favorite orders is the spicy jerk chicken burger. You'd really be hard pressed to find better barbecue anywhere in the area (possibly Blue Ribbon, depending upon your tastes).

    (5)

  • Angela V.

    I thought this place was awesome! my boyfriend is from the south so i tried to find a place that had a close enough bbq as i could and this place nailed it! He got the ribs which he said were AMAZING! I got a pulled chicken sandwich and it was the best one I've had.... I have gone back multiple times and each time it is good!

    (5)

  • Michael Z.

    Great ribs, pulled pork and beef. Good appetizers also. Don't forget to order fried pickles. Something for the whole family. Will go again

    (5)

  • Ryan C.

    This place is way better taken out or eaten-in than delivered. The Memphis ribs are superbly tender, and the sweet sauce exquisite, Arkansas ribs less tender but tremendously meaty. Sides like the corn bread and slaw are pretty much perfect. The pecan pie is similarly excellent. Start to finish Redbone's provides a first-rate BBQ meal.

    (5)

  • Ashlee C.

    Cheap appetizers and beer. The basement of Redbones is a pretty good place to start your night, and the waitresses who take care of the table service are fairly competent. They do not get all pissy when you just want to order a few wings and some beers and not full blown entrees. They have mixed drinks here, but I haven't really ventured to that side yet. They have beers ranging in 3-5 dollars here, so it is good for your wallet if you are strapped for cash. I feel like you could get some PBR for even cheaper than that, but I do not really recall. Overall, nothing in particular stands out other than the semi-chill atmosphere in the basement, and cheap food & drink. Definitely worth a look on your trek through Davis.

    (3)

  • Layla P.

    I'm from Texas and I really liked this place. Is that saying much? Who knows. The brisket was good, the Texas ribs (I didn't even know there were so many other kinds) were tender and delicious, the sides are nothing to scream about, hushpuppies were enjoyable, corn bread a little dry, mac n cheese not as fabulous as I expected. But what really stood out to me was the service, we had GREAT service. And since we were a group of 16, she didn't even need to be so great because the tip would be included anyway, but she was there anytime we needed her, asking if we needed anything, being helpful. There are lots of beers on tap and for you vegeterians there is a veggie burger somewhere on the menu.

    (4)

  • Bill M.

    I love Redbones! I used to live down the street from here, so I was a bit of a regular. I have tried just about everything on the menu other than the veggie burger (which I still cannot believe they have considering this is a Church of Meat). Redbones is two floors. Upstairs is the main dining room and the bar. The bar has some nice touches like the Wheel of Indecision for the times when you can not pick from the HUGE beer list. There are about 25 beers on the Wheel and you get whatever beer the arrow points to. The bar also has two TVs for your sports viewing pleasure. The downstairs is the overflow dining room the main bar. This is the bar to go to at night. No TVs, but loud music and funny/rude bartenders. I loved hanging out here. Always an interesting crowd. When it comes to BBQ, everyone has their favs, Redbones happens to be mine. The pulled pork is sent from the gods to your plate. I will get the pulled pork dinner so I don't have to deal with that pesky roll they give you when you order the sandwich. A nice hidden gem is their catfish. Served either in fingers as an appetizer or in sandwich form. Very tasty! Every time I go, if I'm just sitting at one of the bars or eating dinner, I'll order the sausage sampler. It's amazing. It changes every few days. They make their own sausages so they are always fresh and good. If you are looking for a deal, hit RB at lunch and order The Combo! It's one of EVERYTHING! Chicken, ribs, sausage, rice....everything they serve. And free refills too! When I feel like being a glutton, this is what I get. If you have never been, you have to try Redbones.

    (5)

  • Huan z.

    If you like meat and BBQ, this is the place to go. Waitress is very friendly and explains carefully on four different sauces they offer. Water are in the jar and many choices of beers are offered. Man's bathroom is not well marked as the woman's. It's a guilty trip for me. I really strongly felt I need get my daily vege and fruits somewhere else. It's only a block away from the train station next to Diva Indian Restaurant.

    (3)

  • Rebecca C.

    REVIEW IS FOR TAKE OUT ONLY! So, last week we ordered a feast from Redbones (Memphis ribs dinner + pulled pork dinner + mac'n'cheese + iced teas that came in these amazing quart plastic containers) and as we laid it all out on the table, we could see the roommates becoming saddened that they, too, were not eating Redbones BBQ. So this week we did it again! Easy order dinner for four (1/2 BBQ chicken, ribs of choice- we tried St. Louis- pulled pork, beans, cole slaw, and a bit of jerk beef and sausage somehow, plus corn bread- and we also got mac'n'cheese and iced tea for all!!). Both times, the food was really enjoyable, but just not super excellent. I appreciated the concept of the food more than the food itself, and mostly it was just way amazing to get a BBQ feast delivered to our door (plus one star, most definitely!). I'm sure we'll do it again sometime, but I think it will be for variety's sake.

    (4)

  • Eloni F.

    I lived in NYC for awhile and have been up and down sampling food from across the United States. Redbones has my favorite BBQ. I usually get the same things and am rarely dissapointed. Besides their awesome beer selection they have a full bar and a pretty good wine selection. They also have really good deals depending on when you go? 50% off apps until 6pm. They have some crazy lunch special where they give you this mound of ribs and sausages and meats for like $9. It's enought to feed 2 people. For appetizers I am in love with their Bufallo Scallops and the fried oysters. I also get the Jerk Beef (sandwhich or mound of meat) or the St. Louis Style Ribs. Man... I wanna go right now. I sit at either bar. It depends on what you like. Many people say the downstairs is dreary but I rather like that it's atmospheric and voodoo/jazzy. Some people could say the upstairs looks like a dive bar in a Louisiana swamp and many other people will love that. I like them both and I LOVE options.

    (5)

  • John M.

    After many years, many dozens of visits and take-out orders, I'm finished with Redbones. More than a decade ago, I could get a reliable decent meal here. No longer. The consistency has been spotty for some time, but it's simply not worth the money anymore. For example, the RIBS, the signature BBQ dish -- I used to be able to order a lot of different kinds of ribs and get something fairly tender (like most slow-cooked ribs should be) and flavorful -- St. Louis, Memphis, baby backs. First, the Memphis became chewy and inedible much of the time. Then the baby backs became worse than you'd often get at some crappy chain where they pressure-cook the hell out of 'em and drown 'em in sauce (except here the sauce was on the side... the ribs themselves were flavorless). For the past few years, I'd only order St. Louis because they were the only ones that actually still tasted like slow-cooked, decent quality ribs, and even then, there were bad days. It used to be that one or two of the St. Louis extra "tender" ribs might be chewy and taste like a dry pork chop -- now, it's more like half of a rack most of the time. But what really has made my decision to stop bothering with Redbones is their absolute ineptitude when it comes to filling orders correctly, particularly for take-out or delivery. Out of well over two dozen such orders I've placed over the years, I think I've only actually received the meal I've ordered twice. Most of the time it's little things. For example, I've received black-eyed peas at least three or four times in place of the standard beans to go with 'slaw in their standard dinners -- one would think that they would be used to filling orders with beans and slaw. As someone who doesn't particularly like black-eyed peas, this is mildly annoying. Or they forget the cornbread. Or they forget the sauce. Or they only include sides for one entree when two or three were ordered. (Of course, nowadays when their sides appear to have shrunk significantly sometimes in take-out orders, perhaps the small container is meant to serve three.) But a lot of times it's major things -- I often order a full rack of St. Louis ribs from the bulk take-out section (a much better deal than the dinner, since you get twice as many ribs for a dollar or two more, and given the size of the sides, they aren't worth it). But I've received half a rack or the wrong kind of ribs... and once I even just got a single Texas beef rib instead of an entire rack of pork ribs. I've ordered the "easy-order dinner for 4" a number of times, and always get the jerk chicken option instead of the regular roasted chicken -- it took me until the 4th time ordering it to actually get a jerk chicken... until then, I thought their "jerk chicken" spice was just really mild. To their credit, when I've called up to complain about a major mix-up, the driver is usually there within 15 minutes with the correct stuff, but I assume that's more because I usually tip the driver at least 20%, rather than Redbones' eagerness to correct my order. The frequency of the mix-ups is astonishing in take-out and delivery orders, and given the premium prices I'm paying for many menu items, I'm just tired of dealing with it, particularly now that the food is mediocre or worse most of the time. Eating there is just as bad. It's often loud, and service is generally mediocre, particularly on busy weekend nights. I've even been lied to by waitstaff who gave me incorrect orders, telling me that the food I had was what I ordered when it actually wasn't (I let it slide once or twice, but one time it required a manager to admit that I wasn't actually served what I had ordered). I feel strange even writing this review, since it probably sounds like I'm a crazy person to have so many screwed up orders, but I don't have this problem with any other restaurant. So, I'm just going to stop ordering. I do like some of their items (some ribs on good days, brisket on an occasional good day, sausage is generally good, BBQ beef is often okay), but I just can't see putting out the money to get unreliable food that is often not what I ordered. Goodbye, Redbones. I had some good memories back in the day.

    (1)

  • Gunnar E.

    It may sound like blasphemy, but I am actually not a huge fan of the ribs at redbones. However, I love pretty much everything else about this place. Their beer selection is phenomenal! They always have great and interesting beers on tap. The tend to have a couple of duds on the list (Heineken, Pabst Blue Ribbon, really?), so whatever you do, don't spin the wheel. On the food menu the appetizers are nice and the pulled pork and hash are fantastic. Portions are all very generous, so just stick with the sandwich versions rather than the full dinner plates. Also, how can you not love a place that puts on their own Oktoberfest street fair?

    (5)

  • William H.

    Stopped by their food truck in Milk St/Kirby St in Financial district today for lunch. I got the pulled pork sandwich and cole slaw. Good portion of pork, but a little dry. I would ask for extra sauce next time. Cole slaw was fine, not much seasonings as it tasted like just cabbage and mayo. I would like to still try their BBQ on the bone though.

    (3)

  • Max C.

    An absolutely phenomenal BBQ joint! I live in CNY & every time I go to Massachusetts I make it a point to stop at Redbones to eat. I am a diehard pulled pork fan & Redbones has the best I've ever had (sorry Dinosaur BBQ). Their BBQ hash is incredible. The brisket is beautifully smoked, seasoned, & fall apart tender. I just wish when you order their sauce with your food, you get more of it. I love their sauces.

    (5)

  • Kat V.

    4 stars for food -1 star for service (yep, negative 1) It pains me to have to write this review.....literally Partially because I ate so much awesome BBQ that it is nearly impossible to move, but mostly because it was a train wreck of an experience for our group at Redbones. Knowing that the line is long for this place, I got a head count and made the reservation the night before - Thursday night, 10 people, 7 PM...should be easy. SIDE NOTE: Redbones has a policy of not seating you until your entire party has arrived, while I understand this most of the time - this can be extremely hard when dealing with larger groups, dealing with public transportation/parking, etc. I wish they would switch it to seating you when most of your party is there, like if 9 out of 10 people are there, honestly, seat us...we can't control the the train delays at Park St! Anyway...I digress...our party is all there, we wait another 5-10 mins or so and get seated. We head downstairs to our table to quite possibly the loudest establishment I have ever been in outside of a concert venue or maybe my own skull after a night heavy drinking. It is insane! There is a large party with a video camera set up, and they are having some sort of roast meets a bachelor party meets a family gathering - it was horrible. To make it worse, our table was RIGHT next to it all, I am willing to bet our confused faces are captured for a lifetime on their lovely video. The staff did not even bother asking us if we would mind being sat there or prefer to wait for a different table. We had to scream to have a conversation with the person to our immediate left or right, and forget the person across the table or down two chairs, that conversation was just not going happen. When there was actually a lull in the "party" next to us, the staff was vacuuming around us and under our chairs - I thought we were going to be asked to lift our feet! Our server haphazardly took drink orders, not actually asking everyone, and then did the same with food orders. Shockingly, from what I gathered (via peoples faces and my lip reading skills), our food came out as ordered. Apparently there was more chaos with drinks being yanked out from under the noses of my companions by the bar keep and given to another table (ridiculous) - but our end of the table simply fought for elbow room and keeping our ear drums in tact. After finishing our food, one of the servers was trying to get us to move and free up chairs, even though we had not received our check, our plates/table had not been cleared, and we were still finishing our drinks. I personally told both her, and our server, multiple times, that both the table and chairs will be free as soon as we get our check but, "we can only move out of here as fast as you move." Once again, they vacuumed around us and tried to take chairs from our table with jackets on them when people were simply in the washroom - it was uncalled for and rude. Eventually, we received our bill, we were out of there within 5 minutes - and off to an establishment that actually wanted our business. Honestly, as I am sure you can tell by the review and rating, I am really taken aback by the service at Redbones this last time. I go to Redbones quite a bit, I talk it up to all my friends, I even organized this night out for 10+ people - my chance to show them Davis and the great BBQ joint and this was the display. :( I was so disappointed! This was hands down one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had. I am not giving up on Redbones because the food in amazing...but I am a little gun shy now, to say the least.

    (1)

  • Robert H.

    Sigh. Okay, so if I knew Yelp existed 2 years ago, I wouldn't have made all of the same culinary mistakes. Redbones was one of those mistakes. I think I went there twice - once for drinks, and once for food. Neither venture won points from me. The bar downstairs was just too... something. It was dark and crowded, and it felt like they were desparately trying to be some sort of road house dive without all of the quaint charm such places would ordinarily have. Foodwise, I had my hopes up too high, and was crushed by disappointment. Nothing here was great. At least one thing I ate should have been, but nothing was. The ribs weren't nearly tender enough, and the okra, corn bread, and tea was just plain awful. It'd have to be free for me to go back.

    (1)

  • Rue B.

    Note to barbeque joints in New England - smoke your damn meat! Get out of your slow-cooker mindset and throw some hickory chips in there. Then, take some bong hits while you wait the 8+ hours for it to smoke properly over low heat, then finger-pull it apart when it's falling off the bone. Got it? Not hard! Smoke + stoner patience = perfect pulled pork. Redbones pulled pork is yet another nicely-textured, but uninteresting, New England pulled pork sandwich that lacks the smoky punch and the vinegary bite I crave from truly good Carolina-style barbeque. Dirty rice side dish was poorly spiced and needed a bit more tomato and green pepper for texture. Not to mention more chicken innards (mmm gizzards & livers...) However, hush puppies were very very good and served with New England's culinary touch of real maple syrup. Cozy, friendly atmosphere, with friendly and helpful, though scattered, service. Redbones is pretty good for these parts, but I'm sensing over-rated. For now, I'll stick with the one good SMOKED pulled pork I've found in this state - from a hole-in-the-wall in far-flung Fitchburg: see yelp.com/biz/country-goo… Food may be sub-par, but beer selection is the main reason to come to Redbones. It is one of the better beer bars in the Boston area, with a great selection of Belgian and domestic microbrews on draft! Awesome brews!

    (3)

  • Maggie W.

    I love the barbecue here - and especially the Jerk Beef! It is really HOT - but I love that about it...and the "dirty rice" is a great side to compliment. I also love the corn fritters with some "atomic" salsa on the side - but be warned, it is NOT for the faint of heart! My only complaint is that they only serve a limited lunch menu - I don't really understand why they cannot prepare a corn fritter at lunch - it does not seem to be a complicated process...but, I guess I will just have to time my visits for dinner only from now on. I have never had a bad meal here - and they have daily specials that are usually great too, for those that want something other than traditional barbecue. Come hungry - leave full - and if you like beer, there is a large, frosty selection...Save room for some Pecan Pie too. Finally - they do deliver in the Somerville area (alas I have moved too far away now) and they take credit cards now, which was an issue in prior times. Parking is available just around the corner in a lot of meters. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • pete k.

    Since there is already a huge amount of good reviews, I'm gonna do this one short and sweet. I love the beer here - always very hard to find microbrews on tap, and always something different. Awesome. I also love that you can sit down, have great beer, and eat BBQ in a cool atmosphere. Of course, I should state that I have a smoker at home, so I have some pretty high standards when it comes to BBQ. So from a BBQ snob - The BBQ isn't great. Its... ok. It obviously never tastes bad - but if you are looking for great BBQ, you will likely end up disappointed. Its just big, sloppy, greasy, sometimes spicy, meat. Its nothing extraordinary - but to someone with no other access to BBQ, I see how they'd love it. For this type of cooking, I don't know if its possible to do as much as they do - not well at least. The time and care that it takes to produce perfect ribs does not seem to be invested here. A long trip to Redbones will certainly fill you up, get you buzzed, and fulfill your fat quota for a month. The food just isn't as enjoyable as it should be. In short - there's better BBQ out there. MUCH better BBQ. And.. its in Somerville. Parking sucks.

    (3)

  • Albert D.

    I can't say in terms of the rest of bbq in boston, since I haven't been to many places, but this place wasn't bad. My friend and I sat at the counter in back, so we got to watch the crazy chopping action going on. It was like medieval times with bbq. pulled port and bbq beef both looked and tasted a little too similar for my tastes, but it was good. Port ribs weren't bad, although it was hit or miss with how moist or dry each piece turned out to be. I didn't get any mac and cheese, but it looked good. Overall, I thought it was a decent meal for its price, and I would definitely give it another shot when I'm in the area

    (4)

  • Craig C.

    I don't get this place. Actually that's bull I totally get this place. Let me set the mood: Casual attire, jeans and a shirt you don't care about. A close friend who still loves you even when meat is stuck in your teeth. Don't go with "vegans" or "people who are on the wagon" or "loooozers" Baby Back ribs(thank god for dead pigs) Texas Beef ribs (dead cows) The pigs are better! Great beer selection, lotsa booze. cole slaw, beans, and much more. It's a good feed for Somerville. There's better out there and if your a rib snob you can leave the state and go back to Memphis or Texas or South Carolina but I'm not taking a plane to dinner tonight. I'm messy full and drunk. That always gets an A+ from me. Full rack o' baby back - say it with me, now eat it baby! **

    (3)

  • Linda J.

    I have to say we went on a Friday night and the place was hopping. They do a FANTASTIC job cleaning up each station when people leave and people leave a mess. After all it is a BBQ place. I was very very impressed on how clean they kept the place. I would suggest though it might add a nice touch to the place if everyone wore a REDBONES T-SHIRT. Some of the hosts had character like t-shirts on that were tacky. The FOOD PORTION was great and the STAFF new exactly what everything was when it came out. When you have a plate of different ribs its nice to know which is which.

    (4)

  • theresa c.

    Redbones is a carnivore's delight! I am in love. The first time I went there, I got to sit at the counter and gaze dreamily into their BBQ pit. I can't lie, I was salivating. There were huge racks of ribs, and sausages and... whoops! I'm drooling again. The catfish bites melt in your mouth, the brisket is to DIE for [but don't worry, you go to Meatlover's Paradise after you die], tasty ribs with good sauces, some really good mashed potatoes and the mac 'n cheese is delightful. Their cornbread is not sweet, which is genuine Southern style as far as I know. Also, my boyfriend said he's had Louisiana BBQ and thought Redbones was better. So yeah, basically... go there. And invite me, we'll have a Yelp date =)

    (5)

  • john e.

    I am giving this 3 stars, because the prices of the craft beers have been increasing a lot lately. There is one (Opa Opa IPA) at $4.50 and then the rest start at $6 and go on up. food is OK, although you need to be cautious if you want to eat healthy !

    (3)

  • Alex K.

    This place was fantastic. Top notch bbq. I had a huge plate or ribs and brisket as well as a great beer. The menu features any kind of bbq you could possibly want in addition to a wide variety of sides. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, this place has one of the best beer selection that I've encountered in the area. I look forward to returning here for dinner or to just to grab a beer.

    (4)

  • Brett H.

    People rave about this place, and I've been with friends several times but I consistently find it just OK. Service is decent and the food is fine. It's always crowded which is annoying but certainly not something they're looking to change!

    (3)

  • Will E.

    3.5 stars???? That's a travesty. The people who care complaining that there isn't sauce on the ribs are showing their ignorance about BBQ. Redbones makes Memphis-style dry rub ribs - they don't come slathered in BBQ sauce (you get sauce on the side). RedBones is fantastic. They have a great variety of ribs (the Arkansas is more like a huge pork chop, actually). The beer selection is good too. Ignore the naysayers - this place is the *best* - you will not be disappointed unless you're a knucklehead.

    (5)

  • D S.

    I know I am going against popular opinion here... Not a great example of barbeque. Do not be mislead. If you have ever experienced barbeque in the South or Midwest, this is not the spot for you. Avoid their "take" on brisket at all costs. Definitely a New England take on the concept of barbeque. Suppose it is passable for those who have never really had true good barbeque. Actually the only place in my life I asked for my money back and left. The staff was friendly and understanding.

    (1)

  • Nicole M.

    Redbones for me = mac and cheese and a killer margarita. I wouldn't think that a place chock full of meat would make a good margarita, but lo and behold, the last time I was there it was delish. And I'm a bit of a 'rita snob. I now use their secret ingredient when I make them at home. As for the other, I'm a sucker for mac & cheese and plus, I don't eat meat so I have limited options here.

    (4)

  • Molly S.

    I'm a vegetarian. Since I wear the pants in the household... we don't go to a lot of steakhouses, burger joints and meat-emphasis restaurants - however, Redbones we go to! Their portabello burgers and veggie burgers (with cheese and salsa) are the best (I know there's a chance they're cooked on the same grill with the same utensils as the meats; I'm not THAT concerned.) I love the fried Okra, nachos, mac and cheese, coleslaw and especially their chips and salsa. The only reason I didn't give Redbones 5 Stars is because you never know what you're going to get with the service. Sometimes the servers are on top of things, sometimes they disappear for twenty minutes. One time we had two waitresses working for us concurrently - and neither of them missed a beat - they both knew what was going on with our table at all times! They also get to wear their street clothes... which can be a little confusing sometimes. It's hard to know who the servers are. Their drink selection has something for everyone. My boyfriend always tries a new beer, and they always have the ginger beer or mojitos for me! Definitely vegetarian friendly, definitely delicious.

    (4)

  • Megz T.

    I'm clearly in the minority here, but I ate here once and it was not good... at all. Maybe I had a bad experience? I'm willing to try it one more time, only because everyone raves about the food, but I was not impressed in the least. I was so excited to try their ribs, being a huge rib fan! However, when they arrived they were black as night. I thought it was just the sauce or due to the smoking process so I took a bite and they were terribly bitter, extremely dry, tough, and bland on the inside all at the same time. I had to gnaw them off the bone... yuck! If this is what everyone raves about, then clearly my idea of great ribs is different than the majority. I love meaty, juicy, fall-off-the-bone, tasty ribs, and these were NOT that at all. The sides were tiny and over priced as well. I left there feeling starving and disappointed. :o( As mentioned, I am willing to give Redbones one more try, only because of so many good reviews. Deep down I really want to like it, so hopefully I have a better experience next time around.

    (1)

  • Courtney J.

    I love this place! Pulled pork, pulled chicken, jerk beef, ribs (BBQ Belt prehaps) mac-n-cheese, corn bread, dirty rice, need I say more?!? I am from SC and love, LOVE pulled pork so whenever I need a pick me up this is where I look. Huge portions, great service, and fast..maybe when you need your own pick me up you will give it a try...?!?

    (5)

  • Luke R.

    Enough has probably been written about Redbones, but thought I'd throw in my quick $0.02. I'm not a huge fan of either the upstairs or downstairs seating options. Upstairs is really bright and loud. Downstairs is really dark. However... the bar is absolutely perfect. It gets a little crazy on weekend nights, but I've never had to wait longer than 30 minutes to get a spot for two at the bar. Great service, good food, and a really good beer selection.

    (4)

  • Chas K.

    Had a great lunch there today after something like a 6-year hiatus. Redbones still has it. Arrived ~1:30 p.m. and had a 10-minute wait. The children's menu is a tremendous bargain. My son's kiddie pulled prok sandwich was the same size as the adult sandwich my wife ordered, plus he got cole slaw and a root beer for $4.95. I had the brisket which was fork tender and piled high on an egg bun. Got the sandwiches solo and ordered sides of dirty rice (needed more chicken liver) and collards. The greens are the best I've ever had, including in South Carolina. I am not a fan of their sauces, but the Q really doesn't need it. I'm a dry rub fan anyway. I HATE wet ribs. TIP: Redbones has a cool policy of offering 12 oz. and 10.5 oz. servings of beer at a reduced price vis-a-vis the pint prices, which are already very fair for the quality and selection. We left stuffed and uninterested in dinner for $50 including a 20% tip for the really excellent, friendly server, Natalie.

    (4)

  • Holly W.

    Definitely the coolest, funkiest place in the square. I like BBQ and I love drinking. Redbones is great for both although I have to say I spend a good amount more time here enjoying the drink than the eats. Get the fried okra! They have a great selection of beers and, if you're like me and want to try something new but can never decide what to try, you can spin the wheel and it decides for you. That's right - DECIDES FOR YOU. That in itself deserves 5 stars. I also just realized that they have delivery... dangerous.

    (5)

  • Hilary J.

    After having lived in Texas for a stint, I have a new found appreciation for this place. Tried and true, it is. Mexican Martinis, Lone Star beer, friendly staff, the whole shabang.

    (4)

  • Billy Su B.

    the south really does put you to shame red bones. your hush puppies are weaklings! tennessee hush puppies would destroy your hush puppies in a hush puppy brawl. i knew something was awry when i saw "vinegar" dip on the menu. the cornmeal was bland, a bit undercooked, and in need of salt and texture.. and grease. the ribs. well.. the meat was cooked nicely, very tender. but your bbq sauce was just sad. you'd have every toothless, beer drinking, shirtless east tennessean laughing their ass off at that bbq. it was like you weren't sure if it should be sweet or if it should be spicy, so you just left it in the middle, in no man's land. that bbq was absolutely boring and flavorless. it was too bad. the decor in that place was so great- laid back, nostalgic.. i even smelled sweet iced tea, which is practically unheard of up here. and i wanted to try your fried okra, but not for 7 dollars on top of ribs and an order of hush-puppies. 7 dollars? how much okra do you serve exactly?? great, great beer selection and cocktails for SEVEN DOLLARS! now THAT'S southern! ;) i don't know what to say, other than "don't feel bad. it's not like east tennesseans can cook clam chowder worth a damn.." we can't. but we sure can cook whoop your ass when it comes to bbq.

    (2)

  • Cori M.

    OK, so the barbecue is a little better at Blue Ribbon. And the ribs are much better there. However ... I can't walk to Blue Ribbon. I can't order buffalo shrimp, catfish fingers, or fried oysters there. And I certainly can't order a local microbrew off a big spinning wheel there. So, when I need the best ribs in town, I'll hop on the 77 and head head to Arlington. But for anything else, I'm sticking to Redbones.

    (4)

  • Jeanne B.

    Redbones is one of those great local places with a no frills attitude, but over the top food goodness. Saturday nights can be busy... and I mean really busy. An hour wait for a table for two is not an exaggeration, but believe me when I say it is completely worth it. The portions are large and absolutely delicious. The cornbread is phenomenal. I would also highly recommend the Memphis ribs, the macaroni and cheese, and the pulled pork sandwich. The hushpuppies are good, but I have had better (in my opinion the best hushpuppies come from North Carolina). The staff is super friendly, especially the lovely bartendress who let me sample a few brews before making a final decision. And don't even get me started on the beer selection! One word - AWESOME! So gather up those napkins and get ready for a messy night of delicious BBQ!

    (5)

  • Food E.

    2.5 stars. Not a BBQ snob by any stretch, but when you pride yourself on your BBQ (and give yourself a name like Redbones), please, please strive to deliver something... anything... more than a mediocre plate of half-assed southern food. It looked and tasted like batch-made county fair leftovers. Bump for an extensive beer menu, including multiple drafts. Extra bump for special nights/events. Slight ding for the hipster vibe.

    (2)

  • Tobias S.

    Red Bones is the best delivery BBQ in the city. As that is my only experience with the establishment, that is all I can speak to. We usually get pulled pork, mac 'n cheese (which is creamy and gooey and incredible), cornbread, and cole slaw. It's hard to go wrong. And, although this may be gross, I can attest that it's all still pretty delicious a week later. The prices are reasonable, delivery is reliable, and it'll definitely fill you to the brim - I don't know what else you could want from a neighborhood BBQ.

    (4)

  • Jen L.

    My ex and his buddy found this place when they were driving through Davis Square. They smelled something good, and followed the smell to the restaurant. For the next few years, we ate there every Sunday and I had their pulled pork sandwich with beans, dirty rice, and cole slaw. We met the owner, who mostly spent his time traveling around the country beer-tasting and bringing kegs back to the restaurant. We often got to sample these new beers, and that was a treat. I celebrated my 21st birthday here. I grew up in VA and live in TX, but this is actually the best BBQ I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Corey L.

    All in all Redbones is pretty good. The corn fritters are GREAT, but far from traditional. I grew up in the south, next to the best fried seafood and BBQ in the world. They do some good stuff here, but for the best you wanna go about 1500 miles south. If you can't do that, go here. It does get PACKED in, fair warning. If you don't like touching elbows, skip it.

    (3)

  • Jim K.

    Their food tastes bad. And the atmosphere is too hipster wannabe. Horrible service and rude hostess as well. No.

    (1)

  • Nicole B.

    the food here is excellent. however, the service is spotty and while the the menu is extensive, it can be a tad bit pricy for what it is. enjoy the food though!

    (4)

  • Deanna C.

    I really rate it a 3.5, but I'll round up because it's an unassuming place and is there for the locals. Great place for people watching of all ages (with a large amount of the 40+ crowd), but no matter what you're age you'll find it a comfortable place to grab a beer or stuff your face with corn fritters and ribs (or all of the above, as I like to do). Not recommended for people who like their own space and/or want private conversations, because the extremely packed restaurant will have you elbow to elbow with Mister Stranger next door, and sometimes it'll be easier to listen to your neighbor's conversation than the one at your own table (eavesdroppers take note!). It's loud, it's not the cleanest place, it's not romantic- but fun it is, with a huge menu, and cheap cold beer. Stick with the ribs for a guaranteed good time. A word to the wise: you WILL probably have to wait for your table (hey, it's a popular place), and their non-existent waiting area will make standing around tricky. So, try to go when it's a nicer day- that way you can grab some dollar candy at Family Dollar across the street and nibble on cheap sweets while you wait outside on their steps.

    (4)

  • Bevin C.

    I come here every week to enjoy half off apps at the bar before six. It is like eating for free! As many of these reviews indicate, the ironic thing about Redbones BBQ (and maybe all BBQ restaurants) is that the best aspect of eating here is the delicious sides, none of which are barbecued. You can certainly partake in Meat Worship here too. The pork ribs are great, beef ribs not so great. I really like the jerk beef, which is very spicy (but could be spicier if you ask me). My favorite thing is that Redbones serves Meat and Three. I first experienced Meat and Three in Tennessee, where many face-meltingly delicious restaurants offer this configuration - one kind of meat plus three "vegetables" (mac and cheese is a vegetable. hush puppies are vegetables.). It is the perfect balanced meal, allowing for versatility and variety and creativity. Plus it promotes vegetable-eating (even if said vegetables are soaked in bacon fat or deep-fried).

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    I am still trying to understand the areas fascination with BBQ - I have never seen so many BBQ restaurants! The beer selection is wonderful! The food not so much - not the biggest fan and I feel they are overpriced and overrated. I prefer the taste and wuality of Blue Ribbon.

    (3)

  • Tom E.

    Me and man-friend went to Redbones. Me ate meat, me drank beer. Me loved meat, me loved beer, me loved Redbones. * Grunt *

    (4)

  • Barney B.

    Disclaimer: The 4 stars I am giving Redbone's is solely for the attached bar. Frankly, I find the BBQ pretty mediocre. A bit of a BBQ snob, coming from the south - and I think this place misses. I mean, how can slow cooked baked beans be crunchy?? So when I go (which isn't often enough), I go only to grab maybe an app and sit at the bar on the first floor. It almost doesn't fit with the rest of the place, and this is half of why I like it. It's grungy without feeling dirty - it's got soul without feeling like it's trying to be cool. And yes, I think you can order the full menu - but an app, and a selection off the changing blackboard of beers is pretty much perfection, so why mess?

    (4)

  • Tonya S.

    Meh. Red Bones is way, way overrated. I kind of promised myself that I wouldn't go back at one time, but we were close by last night and I decided to give it one last shot. I got the Red Bones 'Rita margarita and it didn't taste like it had any alcohol in it (nor did it taste like it had any lime in it either.) In fact, it tasted like water-downed Kool Aid. I was bummed out because supposedly their margaritas are supposed to be the bomb. Next, they brought us two tiny pieces of cornbread. Really, really dry cornbread. When I ate it, I didn't taste cornbread...just the butter that I slathered on top of it. For dinner, I ordered the Rib Rib plate, which featured two different types of ribs. I'll give them credit for letting you figure out your own combo meals, but the ribs were mediocre at best. They were served with 4 small, thimble sized cups of sauce. This was not good because there wasn't enough sauce at all.. especially since the ribs don't already have sauce on them. I'm used to BBQ places being very generous with the sauce, which is essential for ribs! Lastly, the minuscule tastes of sauce that I received weren't that great as far as BBQ sauces go. The sweet sauce wasn't sweet, while the other unidentifiable sauces were either too vinegary or sour tasting. Definitely check out Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington instead for excellent BBQ (and tasty sauce!)

    (2)

  • Tom O.

    Best Q in Boston in my opinion, helps that the beer selection is also one of the better selections in Boston and that Redbones is often a sponsor of Beer Advocate events. Have yet to be disappointed with anything on the menu. It can get very crowded both upstairs and downstairs on a Friday or Saturday night so plan accordingly.

    (5)

  • matt k.

    Haven't got much to say beyond what other positive things have been said, but these two facts are important: - You can sit at the counter and watch the BBQ pit crew work. They may very well start handing you free appetizers! - They do beer samplers of the drafts they have at the moment. Yum!

    (4)

  • Corydon S.

    After last night I am adding another star. The beef brisket sandwich was so good it it totally surprised me. Our waitress was very helpful, smart, friendly and quick on her feet. We eat here almost every week and I love that you can be sorta of loud here without worrying about it. There are certain things on the menu I will not order. Some of the meats offerings fail on me, but I do think service is getting better.

    (3)

  • Alex B.

    Ahh Red Bones. Very cool spot. If you can make it downstairs, that is the best place to hang out for sure. I'm not a huge BBQ fan so I go for the beer and catfish. The owner is a very cool guy, took care of us big time last night. See if you can find the fishing picture of Ray!

    (4)

  • Annie P.

    What do you call a restaurant where the sides are better than the full on meals? REDBONES! Thumbs up for the Buffalo Shrimp (tiny bites) and Catfingers. Divine. Collard greens seemed as though they were sprinkled with Equal sugar packets. Eh, had much better elsewhere. Nutty tasting Mac and Cheese. Strange but creamy and interesting. Large steamed lemony broccoli to add to all that heaviness. Had to try some ribs as a duty to the establishment.. small side sample of the Baby back ribs. Tender and came with 4 different dipping sauces. Sweet, Hot, Mild and some sort of Vinegar. Sweet was the best. By the last standing main item, Pull pork sandwich (you can order the sandwiches Solo, not with all that crazy crap unless you want it.) ... I thought I was going to pass out. Got to say.. It was good but nothing memorable or something I would go back for. Lots of beer choices. Familiar and the unfamiliar. Very much enjoyed a Czech Lager that tasted like a pilsner. They seem to only sell large bottles here. Not much mini-sized. Bloody Mary was kicking too! Waitresses and Runner had amnesia to a lot of our orders but mix ups happen right? The downstairs gave off a lethargic feel with all that dark dark tribal mask bright cartoon paintings all over with red candles. Everyone looked real lazy. Like hocus pocus.. am I really sitting here? Overall, def. a chill out place with MUCH Comfort. The important part.

    (4)

  • Apolinaras S.

    Great service! Prices are definitely fantastic. We got two dinner combos and looks like there will be enough food for another dinner for both of us. I wish the Memphis ribs were smokier, but I am probably the only one likes to walk around with BBQ breath :-) Why not 5 stars.... well.... I am spoiled. I have tasted the real Memphis, Texas, Chicago, and other BBQ in the cities of origin, so I am a bit of a BBQ snob. (8/3 update). Had to reduce my rating to 3 stars. We got some take out from Redbones and service SUCKED! 1. Baby backs supposed to have beans included - none were. 2. When I asked for my CC transaction receipt, I was given silent treatment. How much more work is it to punch a button to give me the receipt?!?!? 3. One of the styrofoam containers must have been in the bottom of the pile, so I ended up with food in a gross container!!!!!! Redbones, clean up your act!!!!

    (3)

  • Ken M.

    I get redbones for catering at work a lot. someone should tell them how to make a salad, or they should just take it off the menu. Seriously - what is that dressing? The pulled pork is fine, the sauces are okay, and the macaroni and cheese is good. I've not been to the store ever, so I can't comment on atmosphere or cleanliness. However, I will say that if lunch is supposed to be at 12:30, don't deliver at 11:45 because it will get cold because in every corporate envirnment I've worked in, things tend to start late rather than early.

    (3)

  • Paul M.

    Overrated BBQ. Great selection of local and craft beer on tap. Sit at the bar upstairs. The music is good and the pints are pulled expertly.

    (3)

  • David E.

    Best BBQ in Boston. The pulled pork is phenomenal and the atmosphere and location are both great. Good service. I've the brisket as well, not great. but not terrible, stick to the pulled pork and a few beers.

    (4)

  • Joel M.

    Loved the fact that the menu had a meat and three option, though at $17 it's definitely not the kind of deal you'd find in the south. I gave up on trying to find those a year ago though, so I don't count that against the place. I choose the pulled pork, mac and cheese, collards, and fried okra. Of the four, only the collards beared any resemblance to what I'd find back at home in the South, though the cornbread served up front definitely hit the mark. The pork was cooked quite well, but the vinegar sauce left a lot to be desired, nothing like the North Carolina style sauces I was hoping for. The fried okra was similarly well cooked, but the breading just didn't have the right kick to overcome the okra's naturally bland flavor. The bar selection is fantastic, with and assortment of beers and bourbons that were all fairly priced and well chosen. Expect a long, crowded wait for a table (30-45 minutes) if you're going at peak times, but during our wait we were able to get drinks at the bar pretty easily. Service was otherwise great.

    (3)

  • Stephanie C.

    Nom nom nom, this place is amazing! I had the Pulled Pork Sandwich and my fiance had the BBQ Beef Sandwich, but before we talk about the main event let's talk about the sides. The lunch special came with coleslaw, BBQ beans and your choice of BBQ sauce. We picked a spicy sauce and a sweet one. The beans were incredibly good and I'm not a big fan of BBQ beans. They were packed with flavor and not overly sweet like a lot of beans tend to be. The coleslaw was pretty good, but tasted better on top of my sandwich. Both sandwiched were packed with meat and dripping with BBQ sauce. It was messy, tender and an all around good meal. I also ordered a sweet tea which came in a fairly large mason jar. I loved it! The service was quick and the staff friendly. I would eat here again the next time I'm visiting Boston, but next time I'm getting ribs lol! - Brownie Out

    (4)

  • Sean R.

    Best Barbecue Around! A must stop for us on our way into or out of the Bruins. The ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese, corn bread, and pretty much everything else is great. Great staff and casual atmosphere. Also had Redbones cater and they do an awesome job.

    (5)

  • Laura K.

    It's the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You've been eating for 48hrs straight. Your P.I.C. calls you up and says, "Redbones tonight?" You: A. Throw up the Turkey/ Stuffing/ Cranberry Sauce/ Greenbeans/ Mashed Carrots/ WhateverWeirdShitYouLike Sandwich you just hoovered to make room for BBQ! B. Enthusiastically accept; you've been eating moderately in the hope that this exact scenario would arise. C. Weigh the pros and cons, decide not to weigh yourself, and choose instead to hop on the Red Line to Davis. D. Decline. "D" is for D-friended and that's the fate that will befall you if that's your D-cision. As for me? A, B, C -- I like all three. Two truths and a lie? Apparently a million other people also ABC'd their way to Redbones Saturday night, but a projected 45min wait spent over a beer or three with a special friend -- while oogling our neighbors' fried pickles -- ain't half bad in the name of BBQ. A little over an hour later, less than 10min after placing our order, our table for four is at 50% capacity and loaded with enough rib/ pulled pork/ mac&cheese/ chili verde action for eight. From the catfish to the cornbread, there's not much I've ordered at Redbones that I haven't loved. The staff ranges from downright charming to friendly and efficient, 100% of the time. Bonus points for downstairs bartenders who make me laugh and Cisco Whale's Tale Ale on tap. [Sidenote: No thx on the sides.]

    (4)

  • Ken L.

    I've had BBQ from Texas to Georga, some great and some not so great. Redbones is as good as it gets in New England. Service and food are top notch. If it wasn't so unbearably noisy, I might have given them 5 stars. I liked the baby back ribs a bit better than the St. Louis ribs (I had the combo). The Mac & Cheese was especially good. Expect to stand outside waiting for a table. Could be a long wait on a weekend.

    (4)

  • David M.

    Have been going here for over 20 years and find the food consistently DEEEEEELICIOOOOUS! Not only are the portions generous, but the flavors are always there. Great service and they always are making sure the order is what it should be to make you happy! The few times my food came through wrong they were quick to fix it, love the food and the crew who works so hard to make me happy. Huge beer selection and the bartenders always are up on what they serve, very knowledgeable on the whole selection of beer and spirits they serve.

    (5)

  • Brinkley R.

    I'm originally from the midwest, and it's tough to find barbecue in the east that stacks up to red meat from back home. I have to say, however, that the barbecue here is pretty fantastic; the sauces (pretty decent variety) are great, and the quality of the food overall (amazing appetizers, especially the corn fritter) is top-notch. My favorite is their pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. Their ribs are pretty wide ranging in their styles and the way that they're made (Memphis-style, Texas red meat, you name it they pretty much have it). They're jerked chicken is also fantastic if you're into spicy food, just make sure you have a full drink near you. Their beer list also is pretty impressive; the bar upstairs has all the typical offerings along with a crazy variety of craft brews that I had never heard of before. Another nice thing is that it's not incredibly expensive for a dinner out; you can usually get out of there for around $25 (for the amount of food you get, trust me its a good deal). It's a great place to be after just getting out of work on a friday, want to find some good food, good beer and great atmosphere without breaking the bank, it's perfect. With that in mind, however, there are a couple of negatives that come with it too. The service has usually been pretty good once you're seated, although it can take a bit longer when they're busy (basically every night thursday-sunday). In the same vein, it can take as long as an hour to get a seat there during the weekend, and they don't take reservations. Overall, Redbones is a great place to get some good food and great beer, yet they do have some issues with the waiting time and service when they get busy; basically they're victims of their own success.

    (3)

  • Cassandra R.

    Pros: The service is good, the beer on tap is slightly adventurous, and the food is generally ok. Cons: Its expensive for what it is, the sides are not authentic southern food, and the clientele are hideous frat boy Tufts brats and flannel clad hipsters. Overall, not worth the trip to Davis, the Foundry, however, is.

    (3)

  • Manfred S.

    Went to Red Bones Tuesday night to recharge after not eating for a couple of days. Damn medical procedure. Loved the place from ions ago when I lived almost next door. Baby back ribs seemed like the proper recharge. Although, the ribs weren't bad, they were not the succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs of my memories. Buffalo wings were okay. The corn bread is okay too (but I had better). The black beans were the best part of the meal. So, it's an okay place for boozing (I couldn't, damn) and some nibbles, but not a premier dinner target. Hopefully (and likely) unrelated to the food, I ended up back in the hospital the next day and hoping to get released without surgery...

    (3)

  • Rachel E.

    As a few other reviewers noted, Redbones is overrated BBQ. Fried okra was tasteless, pulled pork was bland, with a mushy consistency (I think because they included a lot of the globby fat that is left in pork butt or shoulder after slow cooking). Even their BBQ sauces were bland! I know it's New England, but really -- we can do better than this. For better BBQ head to Blue Ribbon in Newton or Arlington or Bison County on Moody St. in Waltham.

    (2)

  • Calvin F.

    Redbones is a Davis Square institution. It's not exactly cheap, but it's not outrageous, and what they have is all quality stuff. It's not the absolute best BBQ you'll ever have, but it's close. Cajun, sweet, pulled pork, sausage, catfish, wings... whatever it is, you can bet it'll taste good. Go on a weeknight to take advantage of the specials if you're on a budget. And if you make your way down to UnderBones, you will find a diverse and ever-changing selection of beers and a knowledgeable bartender to help you find one that's to your liking. The best (Eden, I'm looking at you) will even let you have a sip for free if you've never tried one before. So if you have somebody who's new in town and doesn't know where to go around Davis, this place should definitely be in the running.

    (5)

  • Sidney A.

    Red Bones is pretty good for Southern food in the Northeast. I love their pulled chicken sandwich and mac n cheese. They also serve their drinks out of mason jars. I like this place quite a bit. It's one of a kind cause there isn't much Southern food up here. I definitely recommend this place if you're craving some Barbecue.

    (4)

  • Aisha L.

    Amazing fried pickles and jalapenos. Perfect dive bar snack food. Strong drinks. Dont wear a skirt, who knows what else has touched that chair.

    (4)

  • Chloe S.

    I've been coming to Redbones BBQ for about 6 years and each time the service and food is delicious. I especially love the Grilled Chicken breast plate. The chicken is always tender and moist, the seasoning just right. Substituting other sides is easy. I always choose the broccoli with fresh lemon and mac 'n cheese. The mac 'n cheese is so cheesy and warm, add a pinch of pepper and dive in! The servers are warm and friendly and are willing to accommodate any customer needs. The pull pork and pull chicken sandwiches are also a hit. I had Redbones Catering deliver to my party a little while ago and the food was piping hot and cooked just right, not too much BBQ sauce and not dry at all. The atmosphere inside is exciting and the artwork is forever changing. I recently had the St. Louis ribs and they were juicy, moist, and tender. I would recommend Redbones to any out-of-towners who are looking for great comfort food and a wide selection of local craft beers!

    (5)

  • Raymond W.

    Maybe a little over hyped, but decent BBQ easily accessible from the T off the Redline. The menu is much larger compared to Soulfire and Blue Ribbon, but some meats like the smoked brisket came out dry and the catfish sandwich over sauced. Pluses include the St. Louis ribs for juiciness, and the BBQ sampler for variety and value. I also pass this place regularly see always see a crowd on weekends, holidays, and in the summer. If you aren't willing to travel long distance for BBQ, Redbones is a safe pick.

    (3)

  • Julia E.

    This place is over-rated. I'd heard raves from all my friends, so decided to Groupon it last week. The atmosphere was pretty fun--good music, good beer list. But the food was mediocre at best. The ribs were tough and tasteless, cole slaw was flavorless, bbq sauce was weird, and beans were more Brazilian than southern. Plus, it came out 1 minute after I ordered it, tasting lukewarm. I know it takes hours to cook ribs, but this was pretty sketchy. The cherry on top was my food poisoning later that night. I'm fairly certain it was from Redbones. I'm not one to complain about the food put in front of me--usually I nosh it down and am grateful. But I spent all night hugging a toilet....not a fun Friday night. Overall, the food was not at all authentic. This is a hipster hot spot, but lacking in real substance. Real bbq falls of the bone and drips with flavor...next time I'll make my own bbq at home!!

    (2)

  • Michelle S.

    Despite being in Davis on a fairly regular basis, I had never been to Redbones. So last night, while debating where to go for a pre-party not-so-expensive dinner, I remembered Redbones and that I had been told to try it. My friends and I got there and were greeted by wicked cool decor and a fun atmosphere, not to mention some great smelling food. There was no wait. It was New Years Eve so I have no idea if there usually is one (I saw one of the other reviewers mentioned waiting an hour on one occasion). It looked like a pretty good sized place though - lots of seating. The hostess gave us the option of sitting upstairs or downstairs and I had to ask her if there was a difference. Downstairs was darker, quieter, and more mellow, so we went with that since the rest of the night was going to be bright, loud, and party-licious. The paintings/decorations all over the walls (and ceilings) give you so much to look at and take in, it's really cool. The menu was extensive, both for food and beer. I wound up getting the Baby Back Rib special - half rack and fries. Also tried ordering a Diet Coke, which was completely flat and all syrup. My friend's Sprite was in the same sad condition. I really hate having to complain about anything at a restaurant, but it was bad enough to send back and decide to stick with water. The food was fantastic. The cornbread required butter. I tried fried pickles for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. Negatives - icky soda and also the waitress wasn't all that friendly. I'll just give service the benefit of the doubt though, as I wouldn't want to be waiting tables on New Years Eve either. Positives - Good food, good prices, and lots of character. Final word - check it out, definitely.

    (4)

  • Particular P.

    Redbone's is the first Particulary Preferred bbq joint in Boston. Go for the ribs! This is not a place to bring a vegetarian. Don't worry about the sides focus on the meat. The bar is also a great place to get good beer, and strike up a friendly conversation. How could you not love this place?

    (5)

  • Thomas I.

    I'm going to go ahead and say that I'm from the South. I've got a discriminating taste for BBQ. Redbones is OK. If you need a fix of ribs they will do just fine. However, the food really wasn't that impressive. I had the pulled pork sandwich. It was a little bland.. even with the sauces. The cornbread that came as a side was good. I ordered baked beans. They were tasty... but they were black beans, not baked beans. Also, I got sweet tea... it was... bad. It didn't taste like sweet tea. It tasted like sugary dirt water.

    (3)

  • Katty H.

    We came here with a Groupon. Neither of us are huge BBQ people, but we eat it a few times during the summer months. Even though there were a few open tables, and plenty of servers, it still took a long time for someone to take our drink order. That being said, after we finally got a server he was attentive. We ordered the pulled chicken sandwich, a pulled meat sampler platter, mac n cheese and mashed potatoes. The chicken was good even without the BBQ sauce, though I would have preferred a few more spices/herbs in it. The sampler platter was okay, nothing mind-blowing. The mac n cheese was super tasty - you could feel your heart exploding whilst eating it. The mashed potatoes were sub par in my opinion. It would have been nice if cornbread came with your order... I forgot to order some :( The interior is cluttered and chaotic. They're going for that laid back, cafeteria look - I get that - but the tables are so tightly packed, and there are so many servers, it's like have bees swarming around you while trying to eat. I don't mind that it was loud, but the cramped atmosphere didn't make for pleasurable eating. If we got another BBQ craving, we might come back since we live in Davis. However, it would definitely be takeout!

    (3)

  • Bethany F.

    Meat. Meat. Meat. Meat. That is what Redbones is good for. We went as a group of about 15 people and all the guys got HUGE plates heaping with various BBQ meat, from ribs to pulled pork. It was so good, none of us could drink more than 1 or 2 beers after at the bar, which goes to show just how good the food was that everyone ate way more than they should be able to handle. My boyfriend woke up with what he called the "meat sweats". It's like being hungover...but after eating meat. P.S. I tried the corn fritters with maple syrup and it was surprisingly delicious. I usually don't like savory with sweet, but this southern combo was excellent. Try it out.

    (4)

  • Carolina N.

    My brother and I were looking for a great bbq spot. When we arrived around 7, there was a large line (it was a Saturday night). They told us the wait would be 20-30 minutes, and we were seated in that time frame. Redbones has a nice atmosphere - very family friendly, and the wait staff was nice. However, it took a long time to get our order in. The corn bread was dry. The ribs were not as juicy as we would have liked them to be, and the sauce comes in tiny containers, which means you can't dip your ribs in them. I think there are better bbq options, like the Village Smokehouse in Brookline.

    (2)

  • Brutallyhonest T.

    One word Delish!!!!! Great food and awesome beeer list. Totally worth the wait. I'm a born and raised Bostonian but live out of state. Every time I'm home to visit I make the time to hit this place. The line on Friday and Saturday nights can be a bit of a wait but they have a cool bar in the basement, "Underbones." I personally like to go during the lull...right after the lunch rush. You can usually grab a great seat at the bar. As a homebrewer, I think the beer list is amazing. You can also spin the wheel and take your chances of them picking the beer you drink. I've done it a million times and never had a beer I didn't like, but that is just me. To eat have the burnt ends are crazy good when available....amazing! BTW...Davis square has come a long way and there are some cool places to grab a drink or to take in a band.

    (5)

  • Lauren H.

    So my review of Redbones has to be split up into two very distinct categories: the restaurant and the bar. First, the restaurant. I love barbecue and as someone who grew up in the South, I fancy myself to be something of a connoisseur. So when I moved to Davis and my co-workers (all FROM Boston) started telling me how good Redbones was, I was skeptical. No offense to Northerners, but the barbecue up here just is NOT the same. So, in a nutshell, I was right. I wasn't crazy about the barbecue here. They are trying to master too many types of barbecue... having Kansas City, Arkansas, Texas, and Carolina all on the same menu just can't work. Okay now for the bar. I love this bar. I would hang out at this bar any night of the week. Great beer selection, chill bartenders. And the fried pickles rock my world (yes, I know pickles are food, but they are best had with beer... in the BAR). So I do love Redbones for drinking and apps, just not for barbecue.

    (4)

  • Brian D.

    Great bbq, great beer selection and crowded. That sums up Red Bones. I went here with a few buddies and decided to go downstairs to have a few drinks. The bartender tried to free up some seats for us but was unsucessful but definitely A for effort. The downstairs was crowded with people standing shoulder to shoulder. We eventually grabbed some bar seats but still had people hovering over us the whole night. We ordered food before the bar closed and I never really had a bbq cheese steak before but it was rather tasty. Instead of shaved beef you had cubes of steaks which melted in your mouth. We also ordered cheese fries which was a little soupy but still great. Also extra bonus points for the bartender. He blasted my friend and called him a .. (well you can put whatever word you liked in here) for not finishing his drink. Thats what I like to see out of my bartenders.

    (3)

  • Scott B.

    R-iding bikes to deliver food E-xtremely elaborate list of beers on tap D-elicious fried catfish fingers with amazing dipping sauce B-arbeque... awesome sweet luscious pulled pork bbq O-rgasmic corn fritters N-onstop crowd -- always hoppin' E-xtra large T-shirts for sale S-outhern delicasies... like collard greens and fried chicken p.s. I love you redbones. Redbones is awesome... a great restaurant atmosphere upstairs, and an odd-yet-awesome downstairs artsy kinda bar with skateboarding mouse pictures on the wall. Look for the flame in almost every wall painting.

    (4)

  • Sara M.

    My family's been making the trek into the city for Redbones takeout for years. Sadly, it appears that they are under new management or have a new chef. They used to make some of the best BBQ there is. (My aunt who grew up in Texas was very impressed.) We placed out regular takeout order earlier this week, but found the food to be very different once we got it home to eat. The baby back ribs both looked and tasted different. The sauce selection had been reduced and the sauce recipes have clearly changed. The fried okra used to be plentiful, well coated, and not greasy. Our orders this week were scant, poorly coated (with a lumpier batter), and very greasy. One of our favorites, the candies sweet potatoes, have even been discontinued. The food was fine but certainly not exemplary. I don't think we will be making the trek in from the suburbs anymore. My family will miss the old Redbones terribly.

    (2)

  • David T.

    First thing you'll notice about this place is that it is PACKED all the time (for good reason mind you)! The average wait time on a busy day is around an hour so plan on stopping by early or calling in to get reserved. The inside is a bit hard to navigate around with all the people but once you are seated the atmosphere begins to sink in. I would rate their food a decent 8/10 stars. It is nothing spectacular but they do know what they are doing. I ordered some meal for $10 and got a MOUNTAIN of ribs, sausages, and pulled pork slathered in BBQ sauce. Definitely a good place for BBQ lovers as they have all the fixin's; corn bread, beans, coleslaw, ribs, polish sausages, pulled pork, and etcetera. If you are a super stickler for BBQ you might, just might, be a little disappointed because they seem to focus more on having their menu's set up for bulk consumption rather than having speciality dishes that win awards. However, I believe that for most people this place stands out as above average.

    (4)

  • Gregory C.

    Love this place. Friendly staff. Good food. Drinks in a mason jar!

    (5)

  • Mary B.

    Almost five-hunny reviews... wow. Like everyone born and bred in the South, I have certain expectations and opinions when it comes to barbeque and such. I was not so impressed with the barbeque itself here and it actually made me kind of sick... the sides were ok and the service upstairs was not exactly infused with Dixie charm. But I love the downstairs bar. It's my favorite place to drink in Davis Square at the moment. The super super minty Mint Juleps are heavenly (not in the traditional cup, but the drink was so blissful I'd have it out of a boot.) Good - no, great, actually - beer selection. The nachos are really good and I would be game for trying some of the other food... maybe. Just no barbeque, ever, ever, again. Yeaaaa, ok, you're alright with me, kid.

    (3)

  • N B.

    A-OK. Predictable and gluttonous. Enormous portions of typical southern fare, but while everything I've had has been good, nothing really stands out as excellent. The fried pickles (which are not on the menu) are good. The mac n cheese is fine but a little bland. The beef brisket was a on the dry side. They give you way too much food--I'd gladly sacrifice quantity for quality here. I find the downstairs to be a bit cramped, loud, and dark--at times it can feel like someone set up a restaurant and bar in your friend's parents' basement. I usually end at Redbones when I'm with a big group and don't have much say in where we're going, and I always have a totally average dining experience.

    (3)

  • Nat P.

    DON'T GO to REDBONES without reading this review first! I came here starving and salivating for some meat and I was left unsatisfied. I love my meat, but I'm also a man who likes my veggies too. So I ordered the "Meat and Three" - a pricey (Nat makes the big bucks) dish that comes with three sides! Sounds good, right? WRONG - I asked for ribs as my meat and got one ONE RIB. One Rib? I used to summer in the Austin, TX and if you gave a man one rib for his dinner, you'd be arrested by a Texas Ranger for unhospitabilty. It's been a while, but I think it's still outlawed in Texas like a word that rhymes with Autonomy. Okay so we all know the portions leave much to be desired, so how were those sides, Nat? Uh, I would have been better off at Boston Chicken! Two of my sides were very average (Yams and Mac n Cheese) and the third one I got, Rice Pudding, was absoutely disgusting. My fault there though - I should have stuck with the french fries. Alright - you're probably asking so how was the service, Nat Dogg? Umm it's pretty bad too - it's one of the restaurants that try to disguse bad service as the folksy I shoudln't expect any better because this is an "authentic" Southern place. This is the kind of the place the waitresses stick their fingers in the water as they carry the glass to your table.

    (1)

  • Peter L.

    I have been in love with Redbones since the first time I went there six years ago. I like sitting at the bar and spinning the wheel for a beer. The buffalo shrimp is the best appetizer and the pulled pork sandwich is delicous!

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    Redbones has been one of my all time favorites for well over ten years. Never once had a bad experience. Great food, great people, great service, great times!

    (5)

  • Lindsay H.

    I am from the south, and to find genuine southern food in Boston is a very unique and special thing. I was ecstatic when I found Redbones. Sweet tea? REAL southern sweet tea and not the nasty Nestea stuff people claim to be sweet tea. Served to you in a Ball Canning style jar just like they would down in North-Cackalacky. I had the Beef Briscuit and the only thing that could have made it better was if it was served on garlic Texas toast. Unfortunately it was just a buttered bun. The bbq sauce was decent, I've had better, but just the entire experience of eating something so deliciously southern in Boston gave it a 4 star experience.

    (4)

  • Aga S.

    Great BBQ joint!!!! Loved the casual atmosphere, funky art decorating the walls and friendly staff. We ordered the family style meal for 4. The food came out very fast. We all shared 1 Rack Memphis, St. Louis Beef Ribs, Jerk Chicken. BBQ Beef, cornbread, beans, cole slaw and buns! Soooo much food. I'd rather say that this meal would be enough not for 4, but 6-8 people. But everything was delicious! They also have a decent beer selection!

    (4)

  • Elbee M.

    If I could review the food and the bar separately: Food = 2 = "Meh, I've had better". If you are dying for BBQ, I think Blue Ribbon nearby is better. Bar = 4 = "Yay, I'm a fan". Friendly bar staff. A really cool selection of beers. Good atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Christine K.

    My husband has been dying for BBQ since we moved to Boston and someone told him about this place, so last night was the night. We turned the corner at Chester St. and immediately knew where we were headed - there was a line out the door. We put our name in and was told it would be 35-45 minutes, so we hopped downstairs for a drink while we waited. The downstairs bar has some interesting decor, but it's cozy and adorable! The raspberry margarita was delish (not too sweet). We were called for a table about 15 minutes after we arrived - a nice bonus because I was starving! Upstairs is what you would imagine from a typical BBQ joint. We got the BBQ hash to start, which was awesome, but in the end totally unnecessary. I got a pulled pork plate with mashed potatoes and coleslaw, and my husband got the jerk beef with mac and cheese and collard greens. The waiter was integral in helping decide- and he knew his stuff. We got a side of the hot corn relish for good measure. Everything was amazing, with the exception of the hot corn relish which was so spicy it was INEDIBLE. To be fair, we were warned and my husband has a penchant for the overly spicy. There was enough food to feed 4 people, so we luckily have leftovers to enjoy this weekend. All in all, a solid BBQ joint, fun atmosphere, and good, (huge) cheap food. I'm sure we'll be back, but we'll have to try Blue Ribbon first.

    (4)

  • Sara M.

    I love Red Bones! Delicious BBQ and great sides. They do a dry rub, which sometimes seems like they could use a little wet on the meat. I have had the dirty rice, which is also good and the fried okra is tasty. The drinks are reasonably priced as I remember getting sloshed off of dirty martinis for maybe $5 a pop. It is probably some of the best BBQ in Boston. It is always crowded so there will be a bit of a wait. Don't expect to go out afterward as you will definitely have the meat sweats and/or a meat coma. I recommend checking out the old-school candlepin bowling place first that is just around the corner.

    (4)

  • Yancey L.

    Great southern food! Absolutely love it. Corn bread, jerk beef, grilled ribs, they taste no difference from the one I had in Georgia and NC. The only problem is the restaurant is always packed and the dinning space is really limited. so, please consider expanding or maybe opening a chain in Allston?

    (4)

  • Kelsey P.

    I don't really get why, but Boston has some pretty solid barbecue houses. In my opinion, Redbones is better than Blue Ribbon, but ymmv. Here's what I like about Redbones: - Massive, massive, massive portions. Get a plate of ribs, eat ribs for a week. (Well, not quite, and admittedly they're not so good the third or fourth time around...but anyway, this place is a pretty good deal.) - All kinds of wonderful sauces for all kinds of wonderful types of meat. - Sweet tea. As a transplant from Georgia, I always forget how much I miss sweet tea until I get it in mason jars at Redbones - It's grungy enough to feel authentic

    (4)

  • Kalun L.

    I like, nay, love eating pork. I especially love eating good BBQ ribs. However, I hate waiting in lines. Rarely is the objective truly worth the wait, but Redbones' ribs are *that* good. I was there over the weekend for my pre-show dinner before "Slutcracker" being performed at the Somerville Theater. I got the St. Louis and Memphis ribs combo plate and it was tender, smoky, dreamy, and well worth the wait. The platter comes with beans and slaw which you can substitute with other other items for a dollar, sadly, this is where a five-star review becomes a four-star one. To be sure, our waitron was great, dealing with an ever-increasing dinner party (we were like tribbles--yes, that was a nerdy Star Trek reference), who wanted separate checks which morphed into checks for each couple (I was against it, but I didn't speak up because I was meeting most of these folks for the first time and not inclined to be disagreeable). Anyway, things were being forgotten left and right and I never got my fries. If you know me, you know what an epic tragedy this is for me. I did politely ask about the missing fries but I never got them. Also, Andi P. was charged for a drink she never had. Since we were in a hurry, we paid the bill and left, but as in Vegas and tax-cut negotiations with the GOP, I hate leaving money on the table (as they say).

    (4)

  • L A.

    As a Florida native and a person who grew up on traditional down-home cooking, this place is the bee's knees. From buttery fried okra, to unreal corn fritters, to absolutely tantalizing and succulent meat selections and sauces, this place is the best of the best as far as southern dining is concerned. The prices are just as mind-blowing (in a good way) as the food, and because take-out is always an option, you really have no excuse to not try this place. The North may have won the war but the South wins as far as hearty and flavorful cooking is concerned, especially with a place like Redbones in the picture.

    (5)

  • James H.

    Simply the best BBQ in Boston

    (5)

  • David V.

    I dined here for the first time recently and I can't think of anything to complain about! I was in a group of about 20 people (we reserved a table ahead of time) and everything was well-organized, and the service was fast and efficient. Our server was excellent. She had a lot to keep track of and she did a fantastic job. All of the other employees were great at bringing out our food and cleaning up quickly. Now onto the important part, the FOOD! I ordered 1 Texas beef rib as a side dish to accompany my pulled pork dinner plate. The rib was delicious, thick, and perfectly cooked. The pork was amazing and a very tasty smokey grilled kind of flavor. I like that they serve the meat without the sauce (most other places serve with the sauce and the meat gets soggy) and they bring you as much sauce as you want! I went with the sweet sauce and I loved it. The pulled pork plate came with beans (excellent) and coleslaw, which I substituted for a delicious mixed plate of grilled veggies for $1.00 extra. I hope to return and sample more delicious BBQ here soon!

    (5)

  • L M.

    Upon entering, I was very excited. Red Bones has the great BBQ joint decor down to a T. And the beer selection was pretty good too. Maybe we just didn't order the right things... We got the combo plate that came with ribs of the day, chicken and sausage, coleslaw, beans and rice. Then a sausage of the day plate (onion and rosemary), then the kid's cat fingers meal, and an order of fried okra. The BBQ sauce on the ribs and chicken lacked any depth or real flavor. Both the sausage in the combo and in the meal was dry - crumbly almost - like it needed a bit of grease or fat to make a real sausage consistency. The coleslaw was flavorless and a bit dry. The beans were black-eyed peas - appreciated by this southerner - but again, lacked flavor. The fried okra had a good batter, but the okra itself was too crisp as if undercooked. Will we go again? Maybe - if so to try the fried pickles and pulled pork - but not for the other things mentioned above.

    (2)

  • Joanna F.

    I love Redbones. I've been for dinner and to drink beer from the extensive beer menu. The bbq isn't the best I've ever had. Blue Ribbon is about 10 times better. I got the pulled pork sandwich. The pork was ok, and they gave me a thimble full of sauce to pour over it. Good potato salad on the side. The service was gruff and left something to be desired. However, the night life here is awesome. They always have at least 20 interesting beers on tap and the downstairs is lively and fun. I always had heard redbones had an awesome bar but for some reason I never quite believed it. Well, now I do and I'll be back often.

    (4)

  • Christina Z.

    I hope I never have to go on a first date here, because I'm gonna get real sloppy, real fast. Black Velvet - yum Chocolate Berry (inspired! framboise and young's chocolate stout) - yum Fried Oysters - extra yum Corn Fritters - sweet and melt-in-your-mouth Wings - spicy goodness BBQ + Memphis Ribs (pork) + Dirty Rice (gimme) - too good Salmon - yum Mashed Potatoes - heavenly Texas Ribs (beef) - delish Sweet Potato Pie - sinful White Trash Pie - eh, don't bother Our waiter was a cutie. And this place is FUN. And decorates with flying pigs!

    (5)

  • Zack G.

    When I first moved to Cambridge, this was my favorite. Now it's so mediocre that I'll never go back. Either it's me, or they've just lost it; I think it's the latter.

    (2)

  • Robin S.

    It's not that I didn't like Redbones, It's just I was imagining "finger-lickin" ribs, saucey, messy, tons of napkins....not dry rub. I realized after the fact that there is a nightly-dinner special featuring 1/2 baby back ribs smothered in sauce w/ french fries which is what I would have gotten had known. Also, the mac n cheese was bland and the cornbread was hard as a rock. On the plus side, the amibance was cool (packed for a Wendesday night @ 8), the beer list was interesting and the staff were super friendly/helpful. Maybe they were having an off night or maybe I hyped it up way too much. Either way I left full but not 100% satisfied.

    (2)

  • Darci N.

    I have been hesitant to write a review on Redbones, as I'm a vegetarian. What weight could a vegetarian's review possibly hold at a BBQ joint? Let me tell you. First things first, we entered the restaurant and weren't greeted. We were left to our own devices to figure out in which direction, up or through, we would be able to find a host. We proceeded downstairs to check first, following the flow of traffic, and entered into a damp, smelly, dark dungeon-esk room. This was the first time I was inclined to run screaming out the door and down the street back to my car. But it gets better, obviously we don't find a host, or any staff that will help us, so its back upstairs we go. We find the host, and for our party of 6, they say it'll be about 45 minutes. Reasonable, we'll have a drink. But bathrooms first - this is where it gets EVEN SCARIER. I get bathroom upkeep is sometimes difficult for busy restaurants, but this was a sad, sad, excuse for a bathroom that looked like it hadn't even been clean when they opened that day. Not to mention, you have to duck into it and go up a few stairs? Bizarre (insert the second time I was inclined to run away screaming). Redbones redeem themselves by offering a pretty nice selection of beer, I decided on the cider they had - the bartenders were pleasant though not overly attentive. We were brought to our table, where we hungrily ordered 2/3 of the menu. Having not yet finished the cider I had previously ordered, I asked for water, with lemon. LEMON. I proceeded to ask 4 more times for that lemon, and 45 minutes and a massive mason jar later of water, no lemon. The meat-eaters could speak more to the BBQ, but I nibbled a bit on the cornbread, which was mediocre. We ordered the hush puppies, and they were dry and not incredibly flavorful. I was a big fan of the fried pickles/jalepenos - the plate was enormous and a good size for sharing with 6. I think it would have been a tad overwhelming for a party of any less. With pickles and cider, I was feeling less and less like I was sitting in a smelly cellar - until after we had finished our food. We were working on the remainder of our drinks, digesting, relaxing, chatting... and then a host approached us and asked "how much longer are you going to be?" Uh, excuse me? I get they are busy, but there are much better ways to hint to a table you'd like them to hurry up... you bring the bill, you ask if there's anything else you can get them, you fill and refill their water glasses. You don't ask them when they're going to hurry up and get out!!!!!!

    (2)

  • Elaine A.

    Omigod, they now have a food truck in Copley! AMAZING. But, bummed they were out of mac & cheese the day I went. I think they'll figure out their supply needs better when the truck gets a bit more established. Best of luck!

    (4)

  • Thana T.

    Dear World, Hello, I'm 24, and Redbones was my first wings experience. Hey, don't scoff! There's a first for everything. I came here last night to a packed downstairs bar and met some friends for wings, beer and fries. Totally messy, totally greasy, totally awesome. I was warned to not wear my nice blazer to this place and, though I did not regret my decision (so what if I want to dress up ok!?) I probably wouldn't do it again. The interior is funky, decorated with odd murals and cool bone-related paraphernalia. The service wasn't anything special but the wings... well, i don't really GET wings, but they were good! Not spicy enough to make me want to curl up and die, but definitely had a bit of a kick to it. I'd definitely come back here again with a few good friends. This time, with bib.

    (3)

  • Adam S.

    My friends and I are well-acquainted with this place - we funneled thousands of dollars to 'bones over our four years as undergrads. And yet I can't give our go-to night out a better rating. I'll try to keep the Chronicle of Redbones brief. First, the service is atrocious ~25% of the time. It depends on the server/bartender and the night of course, but we've been speechless at the level of rudeness and confusion on the part of the waitstaff. On our very first trip, the server grabbed my plate of ribs to pack up as I was eating it - I literally had a rib in my hands. Another time we got yelled at for sitting down, after another server had told us to take any seat. But the management was apologetic the one time I complained, and the incidents give us something to laugh about later (/to write about on yelp). Most nights went smoothly in any case. The food situation is slightly better. The corn fritters are epic, but the meat not so much. Blue Ribbon (Arlington) has much better ribs IMO. Avoid the babyback rib special: a $10 half-rack is too good to be true, and I'm pretty sure they're just yesterday's bones. The nachos are so-so and could be bigger - we always went to Sunset Bar in Allston in for severe nacho cravings. Still, the menu has a great selection and wide range of prices, even for dinner. Why even 3 stars? Bones redeems itself by being the best beer bar in Davis. The upstairs and downstairs bars are roomy and clean most nights, it's not full of bros, the selection is great, and the prices are low. Compare to Sligo, Foundry, JTree, Orleans...none has all this except Bones. I got St. Bernardus 12 on tap here, and at the very least they had a unique brew every time we went. At $2.62, PBR is only 37 cents more than in Sligo. So my love/hate relationship with bones drags on, but I keep going back for a good time. We even went for my last night out before moving away from Boston...where the waitress proceeded to give annoyed glances when we weren't all ordering entrees. That's 'bones I guess.

    (3)

  • John G.

    If this is the best BBQ in Boston, that says a lot about Boston's food scene. Took my southern friends there last weekend, and they were unimpressed. They were even less impressed when the Oyster Po Boy made one of them violently ill shortly after. Fried pickles were excellent, but the corn bread, hush puppies, and fried okra were bland. My Chicken Fried Chicken was fine, but the brisket was meh, and the pulled chicken was mush. I don't plan to return. (UPDATE: They at least refunded our check.)

    (1)

  • Leonard B.

    It's Sunday new years day, and my sister, son Eddie and my daughter Julia went to this restaurant ... Wow what can say ! I could not speak how much i loved the food we ordered a mix plate so I could try a little of everything. Keep up the good work My son loved the flying pigs hanging around :)

    (5)

  • Molly W.

    My only problem with this place was the amount of time it took me to decide which of the gagillion beers on tap to drink. Chicken wings with the jerk sauce (as per request for "wings so hot my mouth will burn") highly recommended. Boston--and redbones-- provides!

    (4)

  • Jenna P.

    I find myself coming to Redbones occasionally when I'm in the mood for some quick BBQ and/or some great beer! Redbones has a pretty huge menu with lots to choose from, but the beer menu is way more appealing to me! Service is always alright.. Buffalo shrimp app is soooooooo good. I will continue to go to Redbones until there's another BBQ spot in Davis.

    (3)

  • Brad F.

    Redbones was a first for me last night, and since we didn't eat here my review is strictly based on the basement bar. It was an unusually hot day for late September and after walking around Cambridge and Somerville for about an hour, to walk downstairs to "Underbones" only to be met with a blast of sweltering, sweaty air was an immediate put-off. I would have bolted after drink #1 it was so uncomfortable, humid, and crowded, but we were waiting on friends to arrive so I had to stick it out. It's 85 degrees out guys. Kick on the A/C. The second star is credited solely to the bartenders, who were exceptionally friendly, gracious, and attentive considering how busy they were. However, I can't remember the last bar I went to that measured their mixed drinks using a single shot. I mean, seriously??? Over the course of 2 hours, and $105 later, my girlfriend and I left with nary a buzz. Absolutely unacceptable. I'm not looking to get hammered and rowdy by any means, but at fifty bucks a head I should be feeling pretty good, and all I felt was a sweaty mess. Clearly this is a business that puts tight restrictions on their bartenders in an effort to maximize a buck, and I felt bad that I couldn't justify tipping them more for their kindness once receiving the shocking bill. C'mon Redbones, you've hired a great staff - trust them to eyeball making a drink and rewarding good customers with a heavy hand.

    (2)

  • J M.

    Count me in on the minority on this place. I've always wanted to try it, based mainly on a lot of friends that frequent and rave about the place. Got there late lunch/early dinner time to avoid the rush, ordered a round of appetizers to get a feel for their food. Got a sampler, a couple of IPA's and the buffalo-sauced shrimp. Small portion of probably the driest and saltiest cornbread I have ever eaten placed on table. If that is a way to make you drink more beer, mission accomplished. The shrimp was delicately coated and tossed in standard 'buffalo' hot sauce, very tasty..the okra wasnt slimy, yah!, but instead the grainy texture of cornmeal took over your mouth (can we get some water please)..was good for a few bites, but overwhelming gritty texture stopped us in our tracks after a few. The catfish fingers were good for a few bites then suffered the same fate as the fried okra. Everything on the sampler was overcooked or dry. Moving on..more beer please. Overly complicated menu. had never been here before, so jumping around between dishes for awhile. Settled for a rib/brisket dish with collard greens and potato salad. Others in party of 4 had anything from beef ribs to pulled pork and nothing stood out. More beer please. This place really fills up and gets loud as we were winding down..I ate my ribs/brisket and came to the conclusion, they were just OLD. Mediocre at best. I realize it can't be made to order, but the ribs tasted like yesterdays lunch. Pulled pork was flavorless and dry (more beer please).Brisket was moist but lacked alot of seasoning, other than the smoke. Sides: potato salad; okay, collard greens; salty/greasy mush. Server was a young girl on her first day, first hour actually but she kept it fun, though screwed up the order out of the gate, but she was the least of their problems. Place is a goldmine..not sure why My first and probably last visit was a major disappointment.

    (2)

  • Arianna D.

    Always busy and always delicious, Redbones has some of the best bbq. Prices are decent and they have a pretty good beer list. However, parking sucks and you don't feel like getting to know your neighbors over dinner you might want to avoid this on busy weekend nights. They're open for lunch and it's often the best time to go since they're less busy.

    (4)

  • Michael J.

    Back in the day, I was a bbq snob when I lived in the South. I grew a taste for Carolina style in my years living in TN and GA. Texas style was a nice change of pace, and midwest (St. Louis / KC) was a little more difficult to find and good for the bbq craving. Going farther west from Carolina (before you crossed the MS) tended to put more focus on the sauces and offered the choice of vinegar based, that you would find in Carolina style, and tomato based from farther west, where they take pride in their sauces. Now that I live in Boston, I sought out Red Bones. The food was great. However, they seem to have an identity crisis, because they serve every kind of bbq. Maybe they are trying to satisfy every type of customer that comes through the door, regardless of where they are from? I am used to bbq places that serve a limited menu, and focus on their specialty. How a bbq place can specialize in everything seems to be a challenge. Red Bones has every kind of food from every region, including the Gulf with the catfish and sausage. You can truly take a tour of the south with the Red Bones menu. To make it easy for the general public, Red Bones even explains the region of the style for most of the menu items. Because good bbq meat takes so long to smoke, they would need a huge smoker, probably have a lot of waste because of their wide selection, or they save the leftovers for the next day. They don't even have a dish like Brunswick Stew where they would be able to throw the leftovers from the day before, so who knows what they do with them. So, was it good? Yeah, it was good. I had the pulled pork. The meat was surprisingly good - tender and well seasoned. The worst thing you can do to a nice pile of pulled pork is to drench it in sauce, and fortunately Red Bones didn't do that. But they do offer several different sauces, but I found that they just covered up the taste of the meat, and didn't offer anything spectacular. I would go back to try other items, but would probably focus on the region of the south with the best bbq - Carolina.

    (4)

  • Nate M.

    Excellent BBQ. Heard that there can be a very long wait but they had plenty of open tables ~2pm on Black Friday. Major hipster vibe - Dig it. Excellent draft beer selection - Dig it. Fried Pickles - Dig it. BBQ plate for $12 bucks that is literally piled w/ 2 lbs of various meats? Wow. Triple dig it. The amount of meat on the plate was comical. Chicken wings were decent but the ribs were stunning. Fantastic. I find it very cool that they are able to offer a random leftover assortment of meat for such a cheap price. We were laughing at the amount of food on our table. Catfish fingers and hushpuppies were excellent as well. Barely had room for the sides but I tried the slaw, dirty rice and beans. Dirty rice was solid, slaw was good and beans were ok. Cornbread was the only downer. Was told that their cornbread is excellent but today the batch we had was a bit dry. Not bad, but nothing special. Interesting to read some of the other reviews which say that the food is overpriced. Maybe the dinner plates that are around $20 could be considered overpriced a bit, but lunch is basically a steal and the apps were around $5 each. Hope to try it again sometime on another one of my Boston visits.

    (4)

  • Andrea K.

    I was the first of our party to arrive and they wouldn't seat us until we all arrived, even though the downstairs just had one group at the tables and another group at the bar - about 15 empty tables down there. The second hostess thought that was stupid and sat me as soon as the first hostess finished her shift though - I appreciated that. We had: Moscow Mules - not great - they had mint in them, like a mojito, and weak ginger beer. We like mojitos though and had a couple of them, but they should change the name of the drink since it's not what you expect with a Moscow Mule. I think the second round of drinks actually were mojitos - we couldn't taste the ginger beer. Buffalo shrimp - really good - we got another order to share with our meal after having the appetizer. Pulled pork sandwich (solo) - good! They used to offer you a few different sauces of different temps, but they didn't this time. Brisket sandwich with coleslaw & beans - the coleslaw was potato salad - we think. The beans were gross. Brisket was good. (we'll get the solo next time). Mashed potatoes - good, so fine though that they seemed like they were made from a mix - hopefully they weren't. Mac & Cheese - gummy, made with Velveeta but most was eaten. We were kind of rushed through our meal, the server asked if he could take our plates several times, while we were still eating. It was a Tuesday night, and we were there for an early dinner (6:00). There was no time to chat after the meal. As soon as we got the credit card slips, the server said, "take your time", but then came by three times in five minutes to see if we needed anything else. The fourth time he asked, we left.

    (3)

  • Ben S.

    Good eats, and an awesome atmosphere, especially in the basement. I was bummed out to find they ran out of the lunch special just after noon on my last visit, but there's a lot to love on the menu.

    (4)

  • Sarah N.

    I really like their catfish sandwich. The fish is moist and the breading crispy. Their potato salad is great and not too mayo-y. The basement is dark and I like their oddly shaped bathrooms (but I'm only 5'5"). Lots of good beers and water comes in a giant mason jar (so you don't have to worry about refills!). I wish their sauce was more distinctive and their corn bread had more corn flavor. Sit facing the prep area if you can! Those guys are great.

    (4)

  • The Dog Faced Boy D.

    I'm back! Redbone's won me over! I went back last week with my family and we had a MUCH better experience!!! Service was great. Food came out quickly and it was hot. Sides, Apps, Misc, etc. Beans- nice, with chunks of brisket Coleslaw- pretty good Corn bread- excellent Onion Rings- Pretty good Fried Pickles and Jalapenos- EXCELLANT! Piping hot, crispy, tasty!!! Got the combo-Beef Ribs and St. Louis ribs Everything had a nice taste to it, but the beef ribs were (again) dry, hard and crusty. No smoke ring. The pork ribs were much better. My wife loved her BBQ chicken (it was delicious). My kids got the Classic BBQ Burger- much better than last time.....and the Baby Back Ribs...also pretty good. Both were great deals from the kids menu. The sugar pie was a great dessert! Drinks were generous and tasty! I'm so happy this most recent visit (I'm sure they'll get the beef ribs right again....like they used too!) and will be back!

    (4)

  • Cristina R.

    I'm from Georgia, where good barbecue runs wild. And boy did I take it for granted until I came up North and realized how lucky I'd been. I live close to Davis, so I was relieved to find Redbones and get a Southern fix. When I informed my coworkers that I was going to try it out for dinner one day, they raved about the food and ensured me that I'd love it. They obviously haven't been to the South. I even question if the cooks at Redbones have crossed the Mason-Dixon line. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich plate which includes baked beans and potato salad. A classic. It's not possible to mess that up, right? Wrong. The cornbread they brought out was too dry, crumbly, and pretty flavorless. Likewise, the pork was dry and not nearly as tender or well-marinated as the Southern BBQ Gods declare it should be. And the price! Who's ever heard of paying that much for a poorly executed pulled pork sandwich? It's a travesty, really. The only semi-authentic thing that I could find about the restaurant was the atmosphere: somewhat chaotic, loud, with tables packed close together so you're nearly elbow-to-elbow with your neighbor. In other words, you get all the cons of a barbecue joint without the pros of good food and cheap prices. Although I live just a few blocks from Redbones, I haven't returned. And I won't. I'd rather hold in my cravings until I go home than have a subpar experience in Boston which just makes me miss the South.

    (2)

  • Marcus B.

    The food is outstanding no matter what I've eaten. Where the three stars instead of five comes in is due to the service. The upstairs bar is prompt, fast and friendly with anything ordered. Downstairs, the four times that I've gone the attitude from the bar tender has come across as though I'm infringing on their time (being asked to "wait one minute" and then be ignored for the next ten while the ice was refilled and other persons who'd arrived after me were served pushed it over the edge) while the wait staff are constantly overloaded. One small point of irritation - entrees should come with cornbread which only happens if I eat upstairs. I'll be happy to keep doing take-out orders but if I'd like to have a few drinks I'll be heading to another local venue.

    (3)

  • Peter S.

    I was very excited to be a late arrival to the Redbones experience, that I had heard so much about going back several years. What a disappointment... The meat was had an over powered smoke flavor, although tender. The side of cole slaw was dry and flavorless as were the baked beans. One the only highlight was the corn bread and that is not what I expected at all. I think I should have hopped on the band-wagon years ago, when they were doing everything right;-(

    (2)

  • Jeff C.

    Ehhh alright, came here for a sunday brunch, not sure why...the waiter was really nice. The wings were good. The 11$ rib plater was mediocre at best. Next time Ill pay more for ribs and go somewhere else.

    (3)

  • Amanda M.

    Love this place it's food is great every time I had one bad batch and they gave me a 100 gift card I think that says a lot they care about the customers and I well continue eating here the pull pork sandwich is great !! :)

    (5)

  • Alyssa M.

    This tucked away BBQ joint is good (for not being in the South). I'm Texan, I can't help myself! I think I liked the atmosphere/bartender (Michael- he makes a great gimlet-like cocktail!) better than the food. They have a great beer list, with many locals on tap. Their range of scotches and whiskeys was also impressive. My bf and I got one of the app samplers because we wanted to try some of the fried catfish. For nearly $20, we weren't very satisfied. We were served more fried okra than anything else, so of course that was the least tasty item on the plate. I don't know how they made the okra so slimy beneath the fried crust! Weird. The catfish, however, was really good and we loved the tartar sauce. Another item on the sampler was buffalo shrimp, creative and delicious! I got the brisket sandwich plate, and I rate it 3 out of 5 stars too. Just average. Wasn't too keen on any of the 4 BBQ sauces offered. Too sweet, not enough spice and smoke flavor. The potato salad was spot on, but the beans of the day were....plain black beans?? Um ok! But the staff was great, drinks were drunk :) , and we left with full bellies! Note: my brother got ribs and said they were great!

    (3)

  • Robert D.

    Ignore the health code violations and my violent digestive illness last time I ate here. The food is outlandishly nice, the service is excellent and the price is just right.

    (4)

  • J C.

    I got a pulled pork sandwich and was underwhelmed. The pork was basically tasteless and was chewy and not tender. I pin this to a severe lack of fat content, or maybe they didn't cook it long enough, or maybe they failed to brine it long enough. The sauce they used did not help add flavor at all. The potato salad was great though. It was surprisingly light and complemented the pork extremely well. Probably the highlight of the meal.

    (2)

  • Duncan W.

    This place is truly the McDonald's of BBQ. An absolute abomination. The only reason I give this place 2 stars instead of 1 is the staff really is excellent. They are very attentive and friendly, unfortunately that doesn't save the horrible BBQ.

    (2)

  • Chris P.

    This one was between a 3 and a 4 for me so I pulled the trigger on the 4. I gave it a 4 becasue it is by far the best BBQ you can get in the Boston area. I'm a southern guy who has eaten at a ton of southern BBQ restraunts so from that prospective I would have given it a 3. But this place is in Boston and that's what I'm compairing it to. So everything I have had there has been pretty damn good and well smoked. Anything from Ribs, brisquet, pork... has all been great. So have the sides. I was superised they had fried okra. Its not authentic style but they have it.. And its not bad. The atmosphere is also nice. Laid back get your eat on feel. The bar is also awesome. Good beer selection. All in all it's a great place to get BBQ in Boston! I will freqent this place often!

    (4)

  • Melissa K.

    As a vegetarian my experience at Red Bones is much different but it is still a solid choice. You can definitely eat well here as a vegetarian there are salads, a mushroom and a veggie burger, and so many yummy sides. My favorites are the mac and cheese, the fried okra, the free corn bread, and the corn fritters. The beer choices are always solid. The atmosphere can be a little chaotic at times. My favorite spot is a seat at the downstairs bar were it feels a little more sane.

    (4)

  • David T.

    I'm a vegetarian, and Redbones is a BBQ joint -- in other words, I should have no business eating there. Somehow, though, they pull off a veg-friendly dining experience that still makes them one of my favorites. Great (and extensive!) craft beer list that changes constantly, and all sorts of excellent appetizers: corn fritters in maple syrup, fried pickles, succotash, and collards are all delicious. Even their cornbread is a treat. My friends and family who eat meat say the barbecue is great too. Definitely don't miss the corn fritters, and definitely ask to be seated in the basement level, where the ambience is way more fun than upstairs, with low lighting and trippy apocalyptic murals.

    (4)

  • Margaret C.

    While this place has really gone to the undergrads over the years, it's still pretty good food in a fun atmosphere, and less pretentious than a lot of the newer Davis eateries. Their ribs are better than their pulled items, I think, though I'm not a huge fan of most of their sauces. Their cornbread is of the fluffy, sweet variety, and comes in improbably huge bricks. If you're in Davis and are craving large platters of meat and some decent beer, go for it. But if you have wheels and you're doing take out, take the trip to Blue Ribbon in Arlington--better and cheaper.

    (3)

  • Jon S.

    Ahh, redbones, I could spend a while writing about the food and atmosphere but the most accurate way to describe it is that This is the type of restaurant that you would find in a little town in say Georgia that would be packed with locals on a Friday night. No nonsense, ol' style BBQ.

    (4)

  • Kristen R.

    I don't know what people are talking about-the ribs are as good as they were years ago. Meaty and tender, they are delicious! Sides are good, although cornbread not as sweet and moist as I like and coleslaw could have used a little more mayo. Collard greens good with a little kick. Service was very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is very casual and not fancy, but it was clean and comfortable enough- but that's just one of the charms of the place. Half a rack was more than enough per person, in fact, no one could finish all theirs and we took the leftovers home. Go for the baby back ribs!!!

    (4)

  • Abby R.

    The pulled pork. The brisket. The spicy jerk. Good atmosphere, if you don't mind being in close quarters with your neighbors, genial waitstaff, funky decor. It can take a long time to be seated especially on weekends, and I don't think I'd want to coordinate bringing a large party here, but it is most definitely worth going, and whatever you order, it's going to be delicious.

    (5)

  • David G.

    I'll preface this with what seems to be a favorite refrain here - 'lived/worked in the South (including Texas) and sampled more than a fair number of roadside BBQ shacks'. One of the great controversies of the Boston area when it comes to BBQ is whether Redbones is awesome sauce or sucks, for me it falls right in the middle. Fast, friendly service, always a solid spot to go for lunch/dinner. Was working in Davis Square yesterday and stopped by for a combo platter to go. Heaping portion of tasty food for $11 - ribs, chicken, sausage, three sides and cornbread. Whoa! The only downside is no utensils were to be found in my take out bag :(. The plastic cover for the sides makes a decent ad hoc spoon.

    (3)

  • Josh K.

    It's sad to see Redbones struggling through a midlife identity crisis. When it was younger, Redbones had amazing food, reasonable prices, great beer selection and an ambiance that made you want to keep coming back with groups as frequent as possible. Now with Redbones, the beer selection is still fresh and youthful. The ambiance, much of the same, has aged liked fine wine but the menu is in need of a major overhaul. I use to come to Redbones with large groups 2-3 times/month and we'd load up on delicious ribs, sandwiches and beer. These days we get together maybe 2 times a year at Redbones and just order a couple of mediocre sandwiches and a beer or two. The restaurant needs to find its food identity again. Recently I was told by a waitress that the food sales had gone down and Redbones had been working on improving their menu. This conversation came up when I told the waitress that my brisket sandwich was the best I had in years and so I was curious if they changed their recipes. After learning that they were changing their recipes, I had hope again that Redbones would return to glory. Unfortunately, I went back with a friend 2 weeks later telling him that the food had improved but instead the meal hit a new low. The menu prices had now increased for the sandwich plates from $9.99-$12.99 and some of my favorite sides were no longer on the menu. My brisket sandwich was dry and fatty, leaving me wondering if the amazing brisket sandwich I had a few weeks earlier was a figment of my imagination. Redbones is creeping into the price range of fine dining. I use to love going to Redbones for the beef ribs but now with the prices well over $20 and smaller portions these last few years, I just don't enjoy the ribs experience anymore. It takes well over $30 to fill up on the Texas ribs and sides. Redbones is missing the mark with myself and a lot of its previously loyal frequent customers. We never came to Redbones for large group "hangout" meals at fine dinning prices. What we use to love about Redbones was the reasonable prices, great food, beer and company. It's as if Redbones gained so much popularity that they stopped caring about their loyal frequent customers because they could charge and serve whatever they want to the long lines of people. @Redbones- As a former frequent customer, if you ever want to bring me in for suggestions, taste tests, etc. I'd love to help you get your magic back.

    (2)

  • Chris C.

    I've heard from colleagues and friends in the Cambridge area that you have to absolutely go here for BBQ, it is the best in Cambridge. I went with my gf who is from TX and we both went in starving and just by looking at the menu we were already feeling overwhelmed by the GI-normous menu. We ordered a bit of everything, and honestly it was just OK. The portions were small and underwhelming, I think there was just too much hype and in fact I may have had better BBQ at Blue Ribbon. Meat was a little dry and the food was just good, this did not live up to the hype.

    (3)

  • Commodore E.

    You know what? Surprisingly better than I expected. I could list my BBQ creds but I'm not gonna...but I guarantee they're more legit than the 22yo girl whose bf took her to a couple of skinny-jeans bbq joints in charleston. Anyway, it wasn't the end-all of smoked meat, but it was embarrassingly better than anything I've had in Dallas. I'll distill my review down to this: I was with good people, the food was solid, and so was the service. THAT's good BBQ.

    (4)

  • Xiao Z.

    This is the quintessential BBQ meeting joint for almost every single Tufts Undergrad within the greater Jumbo area. I'm a great fan of their pulled pork sandwich and don't even get me started on their Jerked Beef Sandwiches! Everything is soo delicious, reasonably priced and the atmosphere is chill with some far-out paintings in the basement. Food: 3 stars Mixed drinks: 2 stars (they're tiny and meh) Decor: 3 stars Price: 4 stars Feel-goodness: 5 stars

    (4)

  • Rebecca Y.

    3.5 stars. St. louis ribs were tender and falling off the bone. The waitress recommended it to me. Out of the 5 sauces served with it, the secret sauce is the best. Get these ribs, they will not disappoint. The baby back ribs are good, but not nearly as tender as the St. louis ribs. The fried oysters were fantastic and a steal at only $5. The oysters were fresh and super tender, awesome. Service was friendly. Decor is fine, a great place for a casual dinner or lunch with friends. I'd come back if I was in the mood for BBQ.

    (3)

  • Marta M.

    my favorite restaurant of all time. and i've lived on three continents. i've also had my birthday party here for the past ten consecutive years. so maybe i am a little biased - but i also used to work as a chef and i know my meat... so the place is super casual, and the food is no-nonsense southern BBQ goodness. i don't care what all the self-professed BBQ aficionados say on here; the meat is, simply put, heavenly. also, the staff there makes you feel like you are having dinner at your favorite cousin's house. southern hospitality is no joking matter in this restaurant. the bar is FANTASTIC - incredible variety of brews on draft plus a serious commitment to cocktail-mixing. the lynchburg lemonade is, dare i say, better than in lynchburg - just make sure you ask for a little bit of extra club soda to even out the sweetness of the lemonade. (yes, the bartenders are happy to put up with special drink requests. how refreshingly wonderful of them). the decor downstairs is hilariously great - psychedelic grafitti-inspired craziness. there is nothing wrong with the dining room upstairs, but def. ask to be seated downstairs if you can - the wall art is an instant mood-booster. beware of crowds; redbones is beyond popular and waiting for a table is a must unless you get there before 5:00 pm on any given day. things of note: - sausage appetizer. garlicky fantasticness, made fresh in-house daily. special note must be given to the accompanying mustard, also homemade. i want to one day swim in a vat of it, it's so delicious. - catfish fingers. the breading is made with cornmeal (and is thus super-crunchy). the fish is succulent, moist and amazingly flavorful. maybe sprinkled with crack? i don't know, but i do want to eat it every day! - go ahead and order extra sides of the collard greens. you will thank me. - forgo the coleslaw for dirty rice. their rice and their beans together are the original match made in heaven. - get the BBQ belt special. it's a selection of essentially everything they have - thick cut pork, pork ribs, beef ribs, and brisket. it will set you back less than 20 dollars and will feed you for at least three meals. - you will be a better person after you try their sweet potato pie. they used to only take cash, but now cards are okay too. weekends and weeknights are pretty busy, so like i said, go early. your tummy will thank you.

    (5)

  • S Y.

    I have to say, I know nothing about ribs, being from Southern California. I love Tony Roma's, which is probably a good indicator of that. I usually have a bigger appetite than my stomach allows, so I ordered 3 single plates of 3 different kinds of ribs, which was more than enough for me. I only liked one of them and I regrettably cannot remember which one it is (or rather, I didn't know which was which when I first got them anyhow). There were 3 different sauces and I did not enjoy them either. The cornbread fritter things were also not as good as I expected. With that said, my friends really enjoyed their meals and beers, so I gave Redbones an extra star rating. It's a fun atmosphere and seating was incredibly fast ("15 minutes" was really 2 seconds). It's taken me four years to even venture out into Somerville/Davis Square and it wasn't a bad reason to do so.

    (3)

  • Kim L.

    As a former Tufts grad student, I have an allegiance to Redbones like no other. I like Redbones. I like it a lot. I have a few reasons why. First, there's the food. Who doesn't like BBQ? So many kinds. So many kinds of spicy. Now, that being said, I can hear the vegetarians on Yelp saying, "I can't eat at a BBQ place!" Now, let me tell you: I have friends who are vegetarian/I was vegetarian myself. While the menu is severely limited if you're a non-meat eater, there are still things on the menu that are sooooooo good. Like the mac and cheese. Or if you're a pescatarian, the buffalo shrimp. Oh dear god my mouth is watering as I write. Second, there's the beer. With two bars stalked full of locals, seasonals, and belgians (on tap and in bottle), who wouldn't be able to find something they don't like? They've got a full bar, too for those non- beer drinkers. Third, it's a great place for group gatherings. Be it for dinner or drinks, the space is great to have a group outing. And "underbones" (the downstairs portion) offers a completely different atmosphere from the upstairs dining room and bar. It's quite possibly one of the best places in Davis to wind down with a beer. A few other things to know: If you want a night in, Redbones delivers (and they do it by bike if you live nearby). You can also take out pretty late in the evening--they'll have your order ready at the front bar if you call it in. Bottom line: You and your buddies looking for a watering hole in Davis? Head to Redbones--you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Joseph T.

    I've eaten at Redbones numerous times over the years. It is very overrated. Blue Ribbon in Arlington is soooo much better. And Redbones is always overcrowded and cramped and noisy. The food is just unremarkable--I've tried various kinds of ribs, chicken, pulled pork--plates and sandwiches. I've never left there feeling like I had a memorable meal. I usually end up there because friends from out of town, or even locals, love it and want to meet there. I go, thinking, okay, I'll give it another shot, and I am always disappointed. The sides are mediocre, the meat and sauces are just middle of the road. I wish I could say better things about it.

    (2)

  • jean g.

    slaughterhouse sized portions of well bbq'd meat, ample sauces. DIRTY RICE AND BEANS... take me to the temple! if you think budwiser is beer you will find yourself a stranger in a strange land. ride your bike over there on a sunday afternoon and see what 20 bucks will get you.

    (5)

  • Matthew B.

    Everything about this place is fantastic, huge heaping plates of meat, great beer and excellent service.

    (4)

  • Babs P.

    The first time I went here was for the lunch buffet, and I hated it. I've been here several more times, but at the dinner hour, and now it's one of my fave places in the area. I even waited for almost two hours with a group of 7 people for a table on a friday night, and it was worth it. The staff gave us all the desserts on the menu at the end of our meal to make up for the wait. I recommend all of them. Oh, and don't forget to check out Underbones - the basement bar.

    (4)

  • Jj D.

    I am a patron of under bones more so red bones, but its the same place so no need to get technical about it. The beers are average pricing the food is pretty darn good. Very authentic and hearty, I always leave with a full stomach. The pulled pork is my favorite, if you are a fan of spicy foods and I mean very spice foods try the Jamaican jerk chicken. I love hot foods and have a pretty high tolerance on the Scoville Scale. I was already about 6 beers deep and got my food the Jamaican jerk chicken. It was so spicy I could barley finish it I was even warned the our waiter . waiter - "the jerk chicken is really hot, like really hot. me - "yea, thats great ill take it' waiter- "no seriously its really hot just so you k now" me - "ahhh, yea im fine"(totally underestimating this guys opinion, oh such a bad decision) I had to keep drinking beers to hold back the heat. Although we all know beer/water just makes hot foods worse. So if you get the jerk chicken order a baileys or White Russian to wash it down because you will need it. also the pictures down stairs are really cool

    (4)

  • Ellen W.

    When I get a craving for tasty ribs and meat, this is the spot. All who doesn't dabble in vegan pleasures, you must give these guys a shot. This restaurant has hands down the best ribs, chicken, pork, etc. I have ever had the pleasure to eat. I'm more of a seafood and pork chick, but their steak is enough to make you melt. The seasoning is perfect, and the goods are tender. I'm not a big fan of the sausage, but it's not because it's unsavory (I'm picky with sausage). My boyfriend's father used to unload buckets of their food on us, and I say keep it COMING.

    (5)

  • Rich O.

    I've probably been harsh about this place when speaking about it as I am a total Blue Ribbon snob for BBQ. Upon further review it is more of a total package then just a barbecue joint. Great appetizers. Great beer selection. Funky atmosphere. To me it's a great sit down, get messy and eat and drink sort of place as opposed to a place I would opt for takeout

    (4)

  • Nate R.

    I can't say that I am in love with the food here. Ribs are my favorite food and I live down the street, but have only eaten here 3 times. I wish I liked the food here better than i do, small tear. However, I do love coming here and downing a few beers with friends for a change of pace. Last time i went all i wanted was babyback ribs and a Coors Light. No Coors Light (fine), No babyback ribs, large tear.....

    (2)

  • Ellen E.

    I love Redbones for so many reasons. It has good food, is generous to community causes, is in walking distance. Tonight I was let down. The price of a glass of wine has gone way up, and the actual amount in a glass has gone way down, all the way to chintzy. The collard greens, which were an additional 1 buck as as substitute, were tasteless, watery, and in a tiny dish which on its own was depressing. Will rethink going there again soon in the near future, sadly.

    (2)

  • Mark W.

    Red Bones is... ok. I was leaning towards to one stars but the experience (which is a creative one) gave it another star. The ribs were ok the bbq sauce selections was good. Although I know it's the theme for this place but I couldn't help but feel that the place was dirty. Several other bbq/ribs restaurants offer a much better experience for the sale price such as fire fly's in Quincy or even the Corib Pub in West Roxbury.

    (2)

  • Peter K.

    I am from Tennessee, and used to drive a multi-state truck route one day a week; I have been to a few barbecue places. I laughed when I saw a pretentionus barbecue place (not redbones) in Cambridge using a jennair! Hilarious. I love Redbones. the pulled pork is great, as are the ribs. If your taste runs to catfish just feel free. They do smoke their meats for a long time and the flavor is deep and delicious. Some find that the long smoking renders too much of the fat out and makes the meat not as tender as they would like. but not me. Big portions! Great greens, cole slaw, and cornbread. I have had the pecan pie there at least 10 times and had it somewhat overdone a time or two, but it is not to be missed. If you do not think you are all that hungry split it with someone you love. As good as mine is at home, (and I was a pro baker for over 5 years) Barleywine in season and great beers and knowledgeable advice from the bar staff. YUM!

    (5)

  • Cheryl Y.

    Goddamn, this place is good. I always have their pulled chicken plate which is excellent. The portions are large, but you can get half the food at half the price, which results in a really cheap and great dinner. The atmosphere is fun and comfortable. My servers have always been friendly, and the food comes quickly. The sides are probably the best part, as there are so many to choose from. I have had (and liked) the mac and cheese, broccoli, mashed potatoes and, of course, the cornbread. There are enough side dishes (and a couple of sandwiches) to make a veg meal for your vegetarian friends... ...or you can just say screw 'em and come down here with your meat eating friends and chow down.

    (5)

  • Melissa H.

    You can smell the bbq from the street, which would usually get anyone's tummy rumbling. Walking in, it kind of has a cheesy look to it. The drinks are served in huge jars (I felt extremely manly holding that huge jar, but it's a cute nice touch.) I ordered the ribs and pulled chicken with sweet bbq sauce. The pulled chicken and the sweet bbq sauce was amazing. So good. The ribs on the other hand.. they didn't have the first type I wanted, and I can't remember what I chose instead. But the ribs were pretty dry and didn't have much flavor - just the charcoal-ish meat flavor, if that's what you like then go ahead.. but I like my ribs messy. Overall, the staff was a bit weird. But it was also a Sunday and closing time. I've had better ribs at Bugaboo.. and my grandma makes better beans =)

    (3)

  • Jen H.

    Word to the wise: Plan to wait in line. Therefore.... get there early, get your name on the list, grab yourself a drink at the bar, and wait it out. If you're not sure what you want to drink - have the bartender spin the wheel of draft beer choices and PRESS YOUR LUCK!!! (Does anyone else remember this game show but me??) Anyway, if you're a fan of beer, I don't think there are any "whammy's" on the circle choices, so you're safe. Our group was 6 people, and we had about a 40 min wait around 8pm (mind you its winter so the line is shorter, but I've heard that in the summer time it can be around the block). Most of the people I went with got the baby back rips of various sauces. I opted for the BBQ Hash Dinner - it was good. Not "blow my socks off and show you an O face delicious," but better than I had originally expected for a "Northerners pulling off Southern Food" thing. I was also surprised that there was SWEET TEA. (I didn't have it, but the girl that did said it could use a tad more sugar). All in all a good meal.

    (4)

  • Jeremy P.

    Food is good, but not Bob-The-Chef's-good. I like the quirky atmosphere of the place, but I have a few complaints (maybe they're more like personal issues). If you go there just to drink from their good beer menu they won't let you sit at the tables downstairs until either 10:30 or 11 (I forget which now); even when it's obvious that people aren't really eating anymore and the tables sit empty, the rule applies. So you end up standing near the bar (not At the bar because it's too crowded) and feel like you're in the way of the barbacks moving stacks of glasses around. There is an odd stair inside the bathroom that makes me nervous. When I sat upstairs for dinner I felt claustrophobic. I got the sausage-of-the-day, which is such a great idea, but, no lie, it tasted like weed. In a very bad way. (I couldn't imagine something tasting like weed in a good way, but in case someone thought that sounded tubular or something) Despite my issues, I like having a unique place in the neighborhood that serves cold beer. I think the chicken, pulled pork, and mac and cheese are all very good. And the bike delivery is just brilliant, although it does lead me to overtip the deliverer because of the extra effort involved.

    (3)

  • Maura H.

    I checked out Redbones because someone had given me a gift certificate after I moved to Boston from South Carolina. I was super psyched to get a taste of the south after having been gone for a few months, but the experience was less than southern. The restaurants tagline of Southern Hospitatlity was certainly not what I expected. I assumed that the restaurant had southern sweet tea, so I requested it. If there was any sugar in the tea, I certainly couldn't taste it. When I asked my waitress about it, she gave a rude response of "well it isn't Lipton". I said I understood, but I didn't think there was any sugar in it. She slammed the sugar shaker on the table and told me to fix it myself. The food was fine. Nothing to rave about.

    (1)

  • Meghan W.

    This place is way crowded, but definitely worth the wait. The food is great and the portions are extremely generous. We had less of a wait as seats at the counter opened up which we were hesitant about at first but it turned out to be a great choice! We looked right into the kitchen and it was amazing to watch those guys work - it was like having dinner with a show! The prices were very reasonable and I look forward to going back.

    (5)

  • Evan P.

    I went here for my birthday with my mom. It was a really great experience. The server was really friendly, and explained the differences between the different types of racks. The ribs I got were delicious, and fairly authentic-tasting for a New England spot. Automatic two stars for serving Franziskaner Hefeweisen on tap. Great atmosphere, lots of young people, plenty of laughs. The prices are definitely reasonable. Boosh!

    (5)

  • Thanh V.

    Redbones is an amazing bbq spot. I usually order the barbecue belt because my tummy is like a family of 27. It fills me up and never lets me down. I go with a bunch of the fellas and it's usually me that destroys that plate of amazing farm animals. I love the jars as cups... it really brings out my inner hill billy. I give this place 4 stars because parking is not great there and I usually have to wait a long time before getting seat. The waiting list is huge! But was the meal good? Uhm. YES!

    (4)

  • Ilya Jacob R.

    Go. Now. Go. Immediately. If you are not even thinking about eating tonight, go. (Meanwhile, I will be trying my darndest to live vicariously through you...). I love the ambiance, but don't love the wait on the busy nights. Whether you're at the bar or tables upstairs or down, its a good time. It's loud and busy. It's may not be not Southern-style BBQ, (only been once to a place in Texas for BBQ), but it sure is plenty enjoyable. Food comes out quick and their menu has plenty of options and variations from which to choose. To be honest, I can never remember which ribs I should get - so I splurge when the wife's not around and get the Barbecue Belt. For starters, I recommend grabbing up some catfingers, potlikkers, or bbq hash. Sides-wise you have to hit some candied yams (my favorite), mashed, and the mac and cheese. I used to get half and half/Arnold Palmer, before I realized that they have the real deal southern style sweet tea (some of my past Southern clients brew it the same way) and its amazing. My wife doesn't really do BBQ so for me getting her to go is a tough sell, but she orders up the pulled pork and seems to enjoy that quite a bit. (thank god she's not a vegetarian - even though i did not reviewer s. t. doesn't seem to mind!). You'll probably see me at the bar eating alone for lunch sometime - come by and say hello! Just don't tell the wife.

    (5)

  • Carole C.

    I have been going to Redbones for over 10 years. The food is great, and they have the best beer selection in Davis Square. I just can't help but notice a change in the overall atmosphere, mostly in the constant turnover in bar staff. This is one of my favorite places to hang out, as it's a bit more "grown up" than the other D-Square bars, but I am noticing it's not as much fun as it used to be. I'm not sure if there's new management, but it just has a very different vibe than it used to. I will still hang out there, I guess I just miss the 'Bones of old.

    (4)

  • D B.

    This place is pretty cool. The food is pretty good. Wings are nice and spicey. I've had a few dishes that included bbq ribs and chicken. They were quality meals but nothing that blew me away. If you're sitting at the bar and can't decide on one of their many beers they will spin a wheel and make it easy for you. It's a cool place to meet friends and enjoy some decent bbq.

    (3)

  • Stephen Y.

    Beer wheel !!!..... That was the best part.... Unfortunately, indulged too quickly too much Various kinds of beasts prepared differently.... fairly generous portions... Wish I was less drunk to appreciate the food but the jerk chicken was fxxKin hot ! even was I was fairly intoxicated.... The fried oysters were pretty decent as well

    (3)

  • dawn a.

    ahhhhh redbones how i miss thee! my tiny 97 pound behind put away 90 dollars in oysters and ribs oh a cat fish finger or two, and some dirty dirty rice. its love served up family style by the pound or half pound, rack or half rack. sit downstairs get trashed and stare at the walls.

    (4)

  • L D.

    I don't know who claims Redbones is a steakhouse because it most certainly is not. Anyway. There's nothing to say about Redbones that hasn't already been written in here but I'll add to the list of Redbones lovers after spending yet another evening there last night. I tend to get there on the early side to snag a bar seat (preferably downstairs in the darkness). The bartenders are amazing and attentive, always willing to let you try a taste of one of their many beer options before committing to a pint. The kegs rotate regularly so the taps are always clean. The only problem is you might find something you love but it will be gone by the time you return for another pint. The food is so amazingly sinfully delicious. I typically order the pulled pork sandwich which requires a fork for eating. I've tried many of the appetizer plates including the sausage of the day (always fresh and delicious) and the tasty catfish fingers (request extra tartar sauce). The cornbread isn't so great because it sits out all night waiting to be plated and served. I've tried some of the ribs (they have several different varieties) and most people claim they are fantastic but ribs are just not my thing. Something about gnawing meat off of a bone really skeeves me out. Plus your fingers get all kinds of greasy. Of course, every table has an ample supply of WetNaps. The prices are affordable and they offer lunch/afternoon deals for a few bucks off dinner price. They recently started accepting credit cards after many years of cash only service. Great for the convenience, not great for my credit account. Now I can stay all night long and not worry about running to an ATM when the bill arrives!

    (5)

  • California G.

    This is one of my favorite local joints that I tend to go to on a weekly basis. There's nothing like their baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket and their mac and cheese. YES PLEASE! Not to mention their many beers on tap and their bike valet! It is pretty much always busy during dinner time, but if you dont mind sitting @ the bar to eat and knocking a few down you'll do just fine. Besides who doesn't love bbq and beer?!

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    I agree with some of the mixed reviews. But what it boils down to is this: Great Beer, Great Meat, Quirky Atmosphere. Make the most of it and you'll have a great time.

    (4)

  • allgimbel c.

    Chili Verde....yummm. Fried oysters...double yummm. The White Trash Sundae is inspired...ice cream sandwiches and whipped cream. What's not to like? Friendly service and lots to choose from if barbecue is not your thing. Beat the nighttime crowds by going for lunch. I've been, both times on a Saturday, and found it to be pleasant and laid back. Oh, and...no small thing. A clean, recently updated ladies room.

    (5)

  • Dan D.

    Great beer selection, fun atmosphere. Too crowded on weekend nights, but fine otherwise. Is the BBQ here exactly like it is in the one part of the south that you used to live? Of course not. Who cares? It still tastes good. I'll wager that the little barbeque joints in your old home town didn't have fantastic beers on tap either, so stop comparing Redbones to them, it is a different place. And it is a very good place.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth E.

    Try and get yourself seated downstairs so you can enjoy the amazing and unusual wall art (make sure to check out the downstairs bathroom too, its pretty damn cool). Aside from of having plenty of different kinds of beer on tap, ensuring that you'll be able to get your favorite brew, a trip to Redbones also will usually entail a wait to get seated, eating too much, and very sticky fingers when you're through with your meal. Don't worry: they give out little moist towelette packages. Really though, I love Redbones for the food and BBQ sauces. Share a wings appetizer, get a plate o'meat for dinner and wash it all down with a cool beer. If you're a vegetarian and your meat lovin' friends have made you come along, the portabella burger is just divine (even though you won't have too many other options). Whether meat or veggies are your thing, you'll be able to enjoy the BBQ sauces--just ask your server for samples of each on the side. They are all good.

    (5)

  • Eve L.

    I have only been to Redbones once. I am a vegetarian, so there's not a whole lot there for me, esp in terms of their specialty, which is MEAT. However, the one time I went there I was stoned off my ass. I was with about 5 or 6 other people and we were all stoned, and we ordered about six billion side dishes because we were ravenous. It was all delicious.

    (4)

  • Iska B.

    Did the whole "4th meal" thing here so I only tried out their bar menu (they serve till 12:30AM). Still, what I had was good. The nachos were covered in sour cream, salsa and guacamole with tons of cheese. The pulled pork was also quite good and I really liked the sauce and the sandwich came with tasty beans and pickles. The coleslaw was kinda bland though and I do love my coleslaw. All in all a large amount of food for not too much money. I feel like I can't really comment on the food since I didn't get to experience the whole menu but for late night eats it was damn satisfying. The margarita I had was also nice and strong with lots of salt. Excellent. I will definitely be back here again to try out more of their menu. I also thought the decor was really cute with the pigs everywhere.

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    I really love Redbones, so it pains me to give them only four stars. I have to be honest though, eh? I've spent a limited amount of time in the South, so when someone complains that the food here isn't authentic, I really have no way of qualifying such a remark. Regardless, the food is f'ing delicious. I highly recommend the "Meat and Three", which is any of their barbecue meats, plus three sides (that's a ton of food, by the way). Beans, greens, and corn pudding is a pretty typical set for me. The variety of sides is what really makes the food special in my mind. That and the beer--Redbones has a great rotating beer list that is one of the best I've seen north of the river. On the flip side, I have to take off a star since the table service can be a bit spotty at times (the bartenders, however, have always been fantastic), and the food a bit inconsistent. The fried okra is pretty weak, and sometimes the food doesn't taste quite as fresh as it should. Don't take these criticisms too strongly though, Redbones probably earns 4.4 stars if I could be so precise.

    (4)

  • Bill C.

    VERY average at best. I went yesterday and sat at the counter. It was a great place to sit watching the illegals cook the BBQ...scooping beans, pulled pork, bbq beef, collard greens, mac n cheese out of a steam tray...yes thats right a steam tray. I guess that's how it comes out so fast. I was treated to a complimentary BBQ Hash or whatever it is called. It was pretty tasty...pulled pork with peppers, onions and potato. I ordered buffalo wings to start and was given the grilled wings (7.99). Not what I ordered but they were decent...a lot of sauce and the wings were cooked perfectly. Pick Three for main course (11.99)...Pulled pork, BBQ beef and the sausage. The sausage was AWESOME.... other than that, I've had better BBQ at smokey bones. The beans were awful, the slaw was good. Pulled pork was OK but it was sitting in a steam table so I am sure it looses some flavor. The BBQ was nothing to brag about. I also ordered a side of one texas rib ($4)(see a pattern here? I am fat and prob. wont make it much past 30) . That was pretty good... a decent amount of meat and a great smokey flavor. I had to watch my caloric intake so I had two michelob ultra's. The service was OK. The place was pretty busy at 430 on a sat, afternoon but being a solo-fatty, I got right in. Thankfully I had a 50% off coupon and saved $10! But I will not be back. If I could, I'd give it 2.5 stars... I gave it 3 instead of 2, however, because of the free hash.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    Two words: buffalo wings. Simply the best. Fries, corn fritters, and mac and cheese are absolutely fantastic as well. Prices are great, and portions are generous.

    (5)

  • Matthew R.

    Red bones rulz.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    THIS is a restaurant. A bit of a zoo, so prepare to wait (even at off-times). FRIED PICKLES are a must, and I prefer the baby back ribs, though I didn't try any BBQ there I didn't like. Great beers too.

    (5)

  • Joshua K.

    I've been to Redbones many times and its consistent. However, fans of really good bbq won't be impressed. The beer selection and atmosphere are awesome and I recommend them any time. The food is always good even if its not falling off the bone bbq wonderfulness.

    (3)

  • Fernando A.

    I like meat. I know meat. Meat knows me. This is a good place for ribs, pulled pork and chicken. It is not the best place but it is a good place to see a Boston crowd and then you can cross the street to the Burren for a good Irish bar. Now that calls for the extra star!

    (4)

  • Lauren T.

    I find it hard to believe that in 96 reviews NO ONE has mentioned the best place to sit while AT Redbones. Go there, an ask to sit at the counter by the cooks. It is an awesome location; you get to watch the BBQ masters cook up some baby back ribs and they ALWAYS give you tastes of the sausage of the day or buffalo shrimp. Who doesn't love free appetizers while waiting for the world's best BBQ?

    (5)

  • Scott B.

    sixty everchanging beer taps + succulent bbq = awesome the whole vibe of the place is high energy and fun, including the staff and customers. the art is great, and I hear it changes yearly

    (5)

  • Carson E.

    Redbones is a great Somerville establishment. I first experienced it a few years ago while doing a play in Boston. A couple of us from the cast heard about it and headed over. When you get inside, the vibe is instantly great. There's a big dining room upstairs, an adjoining bar, and then to top it off, a really awesome basement lounge and bar to boot. That said, everyone at the table were BBQ fiends. When our stuff arrived, it all looked terrific and we had some glorious Maker's Mark Ice Tea concoctions to wash it down with. But once we dug beneath the surface, the food was seriously just so-so. The meat was dry and chewy, the cornbread...maybe the driest and blandest I've had anywhere, and just overall not awesome. I've been back several times since then. My sister now lives in Somerville and I get up from NYC once a month or so to hang out and we always inevitably end up pulling up a seat at the bar in the basement when I do. The food is still just so-so. I had the "chili" last week and I am not kidding when I say that it was basically beef broth with three biggish chunks of cubed steak in it. No beans. No onions. No tomatoes. The broth was tasty and the meat was good....but chili, it wasn't. Now all of that said...I still really like Redbones. I like the staff. Everyone's friendly and cool. The bartenders are great and nice and fun. I LOVE the decor. Redbones had the great sense to hire a local artist (and a great one!) to draw murals all over the walls and create sculptures for the doors and ceilings. The result is a one of a kind feel that makes you feel someplace special. It has that "There's only ONE Redbones!" vibe that rocks. The basement bar is dim, relaxed, and chill and the beer and spirit list is long and affordable. The last time I was up there, they had some awesome NY micro-brews (ala Six Points) and a sick Bourbon list. All in all I would say that I would highly recommend hitting Redbones as a pre-cursor to dinner and night out elsewhere or as a great place for a night cap. I think that a little exploration in the kitchen to yield juicier, moister, and more flavorful BBQ options would slide this place easily into 5 star land. In the meantime, I kind of feel like a regular and hope I haven't made any enemies by yelping my mind. It's just my opinion...and growing up in Kansas, when it comes to BBQ, I know that there are some heated ones about it! But I got lots of love for Redbones and everyone there. I say GO!

    (3)

  • Phil P.

    I went here for my birthday and August after hearing lots of great things about their barbecue and beer selection. After living in Memphis for three years I have become quite the barbecue snob so I wasn't sure if their food would live up to my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. While the barbecue tastes NOTHING like what you would get in Memphis or other places down south, it was very excellent nevertheless. My only thought is that they should not be advertising it as southern style cooking, because really the way they do their pulled pork is an entirely different animal. I can't really speak for the ribs, but I'll be sure to try them next time. On a final note, the beer selection was pretty awesome, and the funky folk art all over the walls makes for a great environment.

    (4)

  • Dachary C.

    I'm very torn about how to rank this place. I ate at Redbones for the first time on Wednesday. The meat was tasty. The sides were mediocre, the bread wasn't anything to write home about, and the app of chili was... not impressive. The overall meal experience was somewhat unpleasant. The atmosphere was *very* loud, to the point that I could hardly hear the people across the table from me speaking, and the waiter had to ask me to yell to put my order in. The lighting was kind of bright and harsh - stark, I'd probably call it. Based on the experience that I had here, I'd probably be satisfied to never go back. However, my fellow Yelpers seem to rate this place very highly, so I'm hoping that I just caught it on a bad night. As I said, the actual bbq was tasty, but I'd probably be just as satisfied with Ryles in Inman Square. I think the jury is out on Redbones - I'm going to have to go back to give it a fair and final assessment.

    (3)

  • Rob D.

    Dear God In Heaven, I have died and found an afterlife. Everything - EVERYTHING - about this place rocks. The way it looks, the folks that man it, the beer selection (and, of course, The Giant Beer Wheel Of Death!), and...the food. Good lord, the food. This is what people mean by "smoke house." Everything is without equal...including the collard greens. Please, if you want your soul cleansed of whatever ails it, try the buffalo shrimp. Oh...and sit at the counter if you can - it's tough because its small, but its worth it to watch guys who actually work for a living -- and who seem to really love what they are doing. This place is so good I'm not even gonna subtract points for the ridiculously long lines on Friday and Saturday nights...because - well - I understand. ...and to think I used to live within walking distance. Now I don't. What was I THINKING????

    (5)

  • Lou S.

    Redbones is the best. I'm not out there looking for crazy fake service or filet mignon, ya know? I can count on Redbones to be a bit loud, rowdy, casual, just good comfort food ... ribs, chicken, catfish and all the fixins ... I've been to a few rib places out there ... The Blue Ribbon, Tennessee's, Dave's BBQ ... and to me, Redbones is the original, the best ... Just for that there downstairs vibe alone, walls just plain filled w/ vibrant handmade artwork, some of the best backdrop music selected by the downhome bartenders and waitstaff ... sometimes there are live music events ... just a great spot to grab a beer, get some food and hang out.

    (5)

  • Becka D.

    I can't get enough of this place...and I am by no means a huge meat eater, but this place is fabulous. The food is tasty and the potions are huge. The bar area is great too...good place to catch a drink or two on a weeknight. One of the huge bonuses for me is how biker (as in bicycles, not motorcycles) friendly they are. Not only do they do their deliveries via bike, but they have valet parking for your bike (I've never actually used it since I live about 2 blocks away, but its a cute idea). They were also showing some of the key Tour de France stages last year, with a brunch along with it. I love that!!

    (4)

  • John P.

    You can start any number of fights by talking about who makes the best barbecue in Boston. This strikes me as silly - like fighting over the best clam chowder in Denver - but it gets a conversation going. Anyhow, no one sticks up for Redbones (Blue Ribbon is the usual winner). But you know what? Redbones serves good barbecue. They make great pulled pork sandwiches and spicy sausage. The upstairs dining room sizzles with atmosphere - old band posters and album covers, specials painted on the walls like a soul food cafe. And the downstairs (Underbones) is a great bar to meet friends in. I've never seen it crowded - though maybe I've just been lucky. They play decent music and there's a great selection of beer on tap. I don't insist on going here, but I always have a good time when I do.

    (3)

  • leighlee a.

    Oh how I miss this place!! I moved 2,000 miles away and this is one Somerville establishment that I truly miss. I crave their food and am sadened by the fact that it will probably be years before I get to go back. The food is great - especially the mac & cheese - and the beer list is amazing! Head here during a snow storm - nothing beats drinking beer and eating BBQ on a random afternoon when the town is dead. The only thing that I didn't like about the place is they won't seat you until your entire party is there. Oh. And, get there early - the line is super long around 7 pm.

    (5)

  • Saba N.

    Redbones is absolutely delicious and anyone who says anything else is flat out wrong. I don't even need to write anymore because you just need to go and try it for yourself. mmmm

    (4)

  • David M.

    Redbones does not have the best BBQ you will ever find. But, they do have one of the best dishes you will ever have- their BBQ Hash! Their ribs were ok, the brisket and pork are damn good. The fried okra was outta site. But, the BBQ hash is nothing short of amazing. It may not look like much of a dish, but it's easily the best thing going in the Boston area.

    (4)

  • aja m.

    Not only is this place the best BBQ you'll get in Boston, but it's also the coolest joint to eat it too! Cool artwork, fun and friendly wait staff, and if you're lucky enough to sit at the counter they usually give you some free food! We also ordered delivery from them last night, and there was a slight mixup that left us with twice the amount of food that we ordered. We only paid for one portion, and we'll be eating the best BBQ all weekend. We love you Redbones!!!!

    (5)

  • Charoline D.

    I've never (knowingly) eaten okra, I don't have a drawl, hate country music, and cawn is corn....so maybe I don't have a really fantastic grasp on what southern cooking is all about but I think if it was absolutely stupendous, I'd have been coma on the floor in a pile of goop soaked bovine remnants....BBQ bubbles foaming out my nose. It was fairly busy for a Sunday afternoon at 1:30, but we found parking easily around the corner on Day Street. We enter, and are immediately molested by the wonky sounds of a live band...banjos included. Where. Am. I? As a kid, this is probably totally embarrassing....much like a 12 yr old doomed to sit and watch the robotic bears play bluegrass at Chuckie Cheese with 7 yr old cousins, alternating long stares at the floor and nibbles of frozen pizza. A quick glance over the drink menu, and I chose the red sangria....the remainder of the drink menu sent me on a whirlwind back to 2004 when I could first legally drink and would order anything with vodka and schnapps....with age comes experience, and I'd just rather not order something that tastes like a zima with a jolly rancher fizzing at the bottom. Margs, a mojito, iced tea with a shot of whatever in it....eh. I ended up choosing the sangria, it was cheap, had no fruit floating in it, and tasted more like raspberry schnapps than wine. We decided to split an order of buffalo wings, I was pleased to see that they were on the bone and not just white meat chunks joined by tendon and fatty tissue sitting in just a bath of hunter orange ooze. The celery was crisp and the sauce was a little more of a cross between bbq and buffalo. Awesomely messy. It was then that I realized, ok, we each now only have one flimsy diner style napkin and one wet nap remaining. We were only GIVEN one napkin to begin with, which was confusing to me. I fully understand businesses trying to cut cost and be more eco friendly, but if you're not going to put a dispenser on the table, throw a chick a rib bone and leave me a couple extra. Isn't BBQ supposed to be messy? For lunch, I ordered the pulled jerk sandwich which was very inexpensive with a lot of spice in it. It arrived on a toasted bulky roll topped with white onions and dill pickle chips. Pickles, are probably one of my most hated toppings. I quickly removed them before any juice had a chance to seep into my pile of carnage. Initially, it wasn't terribly spicy, but upon further demolition, it was pretty damn hot and tasty. I asked for it to be served sans coleslaw and beans, and just got the potato salad, which was practically perfect, but I would maybe add some cracked black pepper and dill into the mix. KUDOS FOR NOT PUTTING EGGS IN IT! All in all, my sandwich ended up costing something like $7 since I singled out the extra side dishes. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a human garbage disposal and don't need to be gorging myself on legumes and shredded cabbage covered in mayo.

    (3)

  • Natasha W.

    I really enjoyed this place! The menu is great, there's so much selection and they have samplers, easy orders, and lots of combos so you can really get whatever you want. My boyfriend got the rib sampler and I had the brisket and while yes I know we are in the northeast I thought it was all great. There are huge portions too! If you're from the south I know you've had better but from those of us who specialize in lobster and clam chowder I think this is the best its going to get. If you go on a Saturday night you're going to have to wait, maybe an hour but on a nice night when its warm you can walk around Davis Square which is fun or you can go drink in the bar.

    (4)

  • Amanda L.

    I think it's some unwritten rule that all BBQ places refuse to take reservations, especially when it comes to big parties. I understand if it's for 2 or 3 people, but a party of 11?! Come ON! Ranting aside, I was very curious about Redbones. I had heard a lot of good about this place so I was excited to bring the crew here to celebrate Joe's birthday. I got to Redbones extra early and put our name down. By the time everyone was there we waited maybe another 10 minutes. I liked that the hostess was very nice to us about us waiting. I ordered some Harpoon Root Beer (yes, you heard me, ROOT BEER) because it's some of the most delicious Root Beer ever, Barq's and A&W be damned. Joe and I split an order of Fried Okra, and at $6.99, I was expecting a platter. What we got was a bowl of bland fried grossness. While not wholly inedible, it didn't even taste like there was any salt on the damn things. ::Sigh:: I ordered the pulled pork sandwich, sans any sides (Gotta watch my girlish figure right?). There was some confusion when the food finally came out, but I got my sandwich. I thought it was really tasty and juicy. I munched on some of Joe's ribs, and while tender, lacked any sort of flavor and could only taste good slathered in BBQ sauce. Speaking of BBQ sauce, how does it make sense to but your BBQ sauce into LITTLE TINY TIMBLES?!!?!?!?! Clearly there are 11 of us at the table, and most of us have chunks of meat on our plates, wouldn't it make some sort of sense to give us maybe a little more BBQ sauce? I don't get it.... Anyway, I also tried some of Joe's baked beans, and really, they were the worst I've ever had. Not a smidgen of brown sugar and there wasn't even any sauce. They tasted undercooked, and even thinking about them right now makes me cringe. Gross. The price points on some of the menu items are really weird. My sandwich cost less than our appetizer, and Joe had a slice of tiny pecan pie that was $3.99. When all was said an done, it was about $200.00 (not including tax and tip), for 9 of us (Although, half of that was consumed by Calvin and the mountains of meat he consumed). I really expected to be blown away by this place, especially given some of the reviews I read, but I was sadly disappointed.

    (2)

  • Kaitlin M.

    I came here on a Tuesday evening at 6:30 with an out of town friend--we decided we were up for something fun and different. We waited outside for our name to be called, they said 25 min wait, but then decided to head to the downstairs bar to wait, where we got a seat at the bar! Score! The bartender carded us (which was awesome since we're 29) and was really friendly but not intrusive, we both had Allagash White, which was on tap. We both ordered the chicken dinner and swapped out sides. I got the hot sauce, my friend had the mild, and we ordered corn bread. The corn bread was awesome (2 pieces) and moist--didn't have the corn kernels in it, and was a little sweet. The BBQ was sweet--shredded chicken in a bbq sauce, a pretty huge portion, and delish--I loved the additional spicy sauce. My steamed broccoli was crunchy, and my salad was pretty nice for a garden salad! The ambiance was what really made it awesome--it seemed almost folk-y. The tables were close together, the walls were covered in paintings, and overall it was a really fun place. Then, we got the bill. It was a little less than $60 for the two of us, including our beers. Redonkulous amount of food for so little! And an awesome staff, and a fun decor. Recommended!

    (4)

  • Eli B.

    Even at the ripe age of thirteen, I knew Redbones was the bee's knees. Though not old enough to appreciate the place as more than a delicious pulled pork sandwich (it is arguably the best not-in-the-south pulled pork sandwich out there), the decor, the clientelle, and the staff, all pointed to an establishment that is just great, top to bottom. So yes, the food is good. It's good as heck. You can fill up on their fantastic appetizers, or a nice sandwich, for six or seven bucks, no problem. But let's talk about the real meat (pun definitely intended) of Redbones: the atmosphere. Redbones has become the place we go after the bi-weekly tastings at Downtown Wine & Spirits. Usually eight or nine of us will just head downstairs, and usually receive seating pretty quickly. The downstairs area is filled with all sorts of zany paintings, nostalgic music (Eels and Beck, for instance), and a rotating tap of fairly unique beers, which go for $7.50 or so. The staff is laid-back, and the service is quick. Food comes quickly, but not too quickly, and the drinks flow freely. Admittedly, I've never really spent any lengthy period of time at the bar upstairs, but it seems like a good place to catch the game with a brewski. It's just tough to not enjoy yourself at Redbones. The staff seem genuinely happy to be working there, the beers are good and interesting, the prices are reasonable, and the walls are covered with aliens. Definitely check out Redbones if you've got a veggie friend looking to break fast, or if you just want to chow down on some ridiculously good barbecue. Eat your heart out, Blue Ribbon.

    (5)

  • Rebecca K.

    Double review time!! Redbones: Eh, decent. Underbones: fabulous. Two places (technically), one listing on Yelp!, what's a girl to do? Redbones: Decent BBQ. Nothing exceptional, but good. I've never actually eaten in the restaurant, only gotten take out, which is definitely how I'd recommend going. The restaurant is tiny, a bit toasty, and kinda divey looking. Besides, since it's so small, if you want to go during peak eating times, you'll probably be looking at a wait. But, they're pretty quick with the take out. (One time, I placed my order when I was above ground at Charles/MGH and by the time I got off the Red Line and made it over, it was ready.) And, as I said, it's pretty decent BBQ. Underbones: I love this pace. Came here on a Friday night with friends when we were looking for somewhere chill to go in Davis. It was just what we had in mind. Even on a Friday, it wasn't packed and we could get a table pretty quickly. Decent selection of beer and pretty good mixed drinks for a reasonable - if not verging on cheap - price. Very friendly service with a smile. (Our waiter just chuckled every time we added one more appetizer onto our order in a rather spastic fashion.) Redbones, I'll probably order again if I'm craving meat for take out. Underbones, I'm definitely going to return to. Especially when I'm just looking for a chill place to kick back with a beer after a long week at work.

    (3)

  • Liz S.

    Um, you all are crazy. Not sure why this place has such good reviews. The wait was long (30+ min), cornbread and hushpuppies were practically stale, service was sub-par, and food wasn't even good. Best part was cool atmosphere in basement, the large bathrooms, and the huge diet cokes.

    (2)

  • Slugs A.

    Great food. Great beers. Great atmosphere. Great service. 5 stars. Enough said.

    (5)

  • Andrew D.

    I'm honestly a little daunted by the sheer volume of reviews Redbones has gotten, so I will just say one thing: wheel of beer. When first arriving here, and especially if you are a Redbones virgin, you are required to go to the bar and have the barista spin the wheel for you, which will quickly result in a completely random but delicious selection of beer placed in front of you for your enjoyment. The beer selection here is incredible, and totally unexpected for what looks like a typical "southern comfort food" kind of place. After the novelty of the wheel has worn off (or you wind up with three Guinesses in a row), you need to set yourself up with a mountain or two of meat, pronto. The prices may seem a little high at first, but when your platter arrives piled 6 inches high with the greasiest, tastiest meat you have ever laid eyes upon, money becomes less of an issue. Make sure to get lots of sides to go with it, as the corn bread is another thing you can't miss out on. Lastly, a warning: do NOT try to finish everything on your plate, it just isn't possible, and probably not good for your health either. You are already going to be near-comatose by the time you walk out, don't make things worse by risking cardiac arrest. They will be more than happy to box up that leftover pile of meat, which makes for a great lunch the next day... and probably the three meals after that too...

    (4)

  • Waybs L.

    1 word Absolutely the best effing cat fish ( &fingers) and if you sit in the high chairs by the kitchen you get free appz! okay i know i said 1 word but whatever!

    (4)

  • G H.

    Everything I have eaten here is good. Friendly service with huge portions and a wide selection of beers to choose from. What more could you want? Oh, and you can't beat the price.

    (4)

  • David P.

    Good beer selection with okay baby back ribs. Unfortunately the ribs are dry, but at least they give you decent sauces. Portions are okay. Will not return.

    (2)

  • Ellen C.

    I don't usually like BBQ very much. However, I really did enjoy the ribs and pulled pork from this place. I can't complain about the noise or atmosphere, or even comment on it, because we had take out. The food traveled well (impressively, given the contents) and was awesome. I highly recommend the corn bread. And the pulled pork. Really bun + pulled pork + cole slaw + hot sauce = delicious.

    (4)

  • Jen R.

    YES! Decent Southern-style BBQ in New England??? Before today, I wouldn't have believed it. But it's true- a meat and 3 sides, and a Lone Star beer: all the things you love about Texas but in the much better region that we know and love as the Northeast. And a big shout out for having a good bourbon selection. That is just entirely too hard to locate up here.

    (4)

  • Meghan K.

    I love Redbones. They have a huge selection of beers on tap, and they are always adding new options. You can also spin a wheel to select your beer if you can't decide. They also serve sweet tea in mason jars! When we go here, we always get their buffalo wings, barbecue beef or pork sandwiches, hush puppies, and ribs...everything is always delicious!

    (4)

  • Michelle K.

    Moving to Boston from Atlanta means I will never be satisfied with the BBQ I get up here. But after reading the reviews on Yelp, and hearing about the BBQ from many people in the area, I decided to give it a try. Redbones has a great menu full of different BBQ options, with the best selection in appetizers - okra, corn fritters, hush puppies, etc. The beer menu is pretty good too, with different beer specials. As far as I'm concerned, if there is PBR, a BBQ place can't really go wrong. Beside the beer, the rest of the meal was just "eh". The hush puppies had chives in them or something - way too fancy for hush puppies. They don't need to be flavored, they just need to be absorbent to sop up all the BBQ juice, right? Oh, and speaking of juice, there was none. Maybe it was just the Pulled Pork Sandwich, but the pork was pretty dry, and the BBQ sauces served on the side just didn't do it. I'm a North Carolina BBQ lover (vinegar-based sauce), and they offer every kind of sauce BUT North Carolina. Oh, and that sweet vinegar stuff they served was not cool - total fake out sent my excitement up and then crashed it to the ground once I tasted it. Bummer. I didn't mind the spicy sauce but I was already disappointed. The service was spotty - you either have to track a server down to get them to do something for you, or they come around all the time. I think over the course of the meal we had 3 servers. I would come back to Redbones if I was craving a huge pile of pork, but at least I won't get my expectations up too much next time.

    (3)

  • Scott P.

    the best keeps on getting better. how can you go wrong huge portions and high quality BBQ

    (4)

  • Josh B.

    I love this place. The food is very good (bbq & fried pickles!) and they consistently have an excellent beer selection. It can get busy, but you can grab a beer at the bar while you wait. Word of advice: request a table downstairs. It's quieter, you'll have more room, and the paintings are funny.

    (5)

  • Erick H.

    With 750+ reviews, Redbones hardly needs another, but after two visits, I'm compelled to add my opinion to the mix. During both visits, I enjoyed excellent service and good food, making this a reliable and acceptable barbecue joint. The fried pickles and jalapeños offered as an appetizer are a tasty, if not unnecessary, way to start off a meal (though, honestly, the smaller pickles that dominated my first order were preferable to the larger cuts prevalent during my second visit). For entrees, I've tried both the pulled pork sandwich and the fried catfish sandwich, both of which were quite satisfying. The pulled pork was tender and infused with an excellent mix of spices while the catfish was fried perfectly in a batter that didn't try to mask the fish's delicate flavor. I ordered the former as a plate while opting for the "solo" option for the latter, and a decision I ultimately regretted as I was still hungry after finishing the sandwich. Considering the quality sides that accompanied the pulled pork sandwich, I was disappointed that much more by my choice. Don't repeat my mistake unless, of course, you're certain you will be too full to try even a small sample of the sides a plate includes. The first floor's decor is reminiscent of Southern barbecue restaurants I've visited, but descending to the lower level, you would be forgiven for thinking you've entered a different restaurant bedecked in a hippie surfer motif. Thankfully, having two levels allows this extremely-popular restaurant to reasonably accommodate the capacity crowds it regularly attracts. To this point, almost any time I pass Chester Street on a weekend, there are people waiting out front for tables. Should you find yourself in the area with a barbecue craving and some patience, a visit to Redbones is well-advised.

    (3)

  • Kate F.

    Go-to place for cheap drinks in Davis. Being of the vegetarian persuasion, I frequent Underbones for the bar, not Redbones for the meals. The Good Stuff: Cheap. Not pretentious. Fun. Inexpensive. Good music mixes. Big menu for when hunger strikes. Did I say cheap? The Not-So-Good Stuff: Not extremely vegetarian friendly. Crowded - always. Never sure when I can sit at a table (versus sitting at the bar). The women's restroom deliberately mislabeled in Underbones - which is kind of hilarious. A Davis Legend that I'm happy to support, thanks to some awesome staff and the good vibes shared among the crowds on Saturday nights.

    (4)

  • Erica T.

    So I mentioned how I wanted to go back for brunch? Its just as fantastic as any other time. The portions are delicious and huge and well-- it was the best damn steak and eggs I've ever had the privilege to shove in my face. The best part? They deliver, brunch too!

    (4)

  • Cory Q.

    The service here as gone way down ill since the entire bar staff left. The new bartenders are nice but very green. They work slowly, forget to check on customers and can't even do roll-ups properly. (Check it out next time you are at the bar, the roll-ups aren't tight enough to hold the flatware) I know I sound like a snob but the old bartenders were very good (especially Paul, Heidi and Kristin) and now I always leave frustrated. The owners need to learn that when they alienate staff it effects service. Food is still good though.

    (1)

  • Rich F.

    Again, my review comes weeks after visiting the location. My excuse is that I had to go into a state of deep contemplation over the experience... Redbones, you done me wrong. I kept hearing all this great stuff about Redbones, but I found it to be average at best. Here is why. - The location is cramped and even if the eating area is half full, it still feels cramped. - The wait staff is OK. Nothing special. - The cornbread was just average. - The BBQ was dry and just average. On the other hand. - The beer list was good. - the portion sizes are huge. I ordered the Barbeque Belt to get a good sample of the different offerings. What the meal made up for in portion size, it lost on taste. There was just nothing that special about it. The sauces they served with the meal were good, but the little tiny paper cups that they came in held very little. I substituted Mac & Cheese for the Cole Slaw and it was a good call. My GF had the Slaw and it was not impressive. The bottom line is if you have been to the south and experienced real Southern BBQ, you are going to be disappointed. If you are looking for a fun place to meet up with friends and have a few beers with some average BBQ, then this is the place.

    (3)

  • Tasha S.

    I heard about this place from a bunch of people of how good the food was. I checked the website and the prices were pretty good. When I got there it was like I entered another world. The atmosphere was very causual and had interesting art on the walls. It had a good feel to the place. We ordered a plate to share and had a an appetiser. We got the bbq belt and fried pickles and jalepenos. The entree was ok, had no taste unless dipped in the sauce but DO NOT ORDER THE FRIED PICKLES AND JALEPENOS! I got so sick the next day. I'll go there again to drink but I'll be wary to eat there again

    (3)

  • Ben K.

    I'm always less enthusiastic about writing a 442nd review for a restaurant than, say, a 4th, but Redbones is a place whose praises cannot be sung enough. I can't remember the first time I ate here. Probably ten years ago, which for a strapping lad of 23 is a long time. Back then we'd make the Odyssean journey from the suburbs, navigating the vagaries of public transportation required to plunge into heaping never-ending Combo plates which we rarely finished one of. Now, I rarely make the Herculean attempt, and stick with the more modest -- and extremely reasonably priced -- pulled pork solo. Word to the wise: the jerk beef always sounds like a good idea, but never ever is. Perhaps there are those with more (Hephaestian?) fortitude for heat than I, but I always regret choosing the sandwich three bites in. And the problem is not so much that the heat is too intense, which it is, but that it completely overwhelms any other experience of the sandwich. All the other flavors carefully woven into the meat and fixin's are fire-razed away. More than the food, though, what's striking here is the atmosphere. Looking over my decade of patronage, I can't remember any remarkably bad service, and have more stories of unusually good service than I can share here. Most recently, we had a waiter who was a bit absent-minded, but fixed his mistakes immediately every time, concluding in a free pulled pork sandwich for the few bites of one that my friend had asked to be packed up and had gotten accidentally thrown away. The only thing that has changed over the time I've been going here is my over-21 ID, and discovering Underbones. This is now my go-to bar in Davis. Great beer menu, an even better late-night snack menu, tables if you want them with service, and Dionysian events (often featuring free appetizers). If that weren't cake enough, the icing is very reasonably-priced catering. Just thinking about it makes me wish I had a chafing dish full of delicious pork slathered in hot sauce in front of me. If Redbones gets any marks off, it's definitely not vegetarian-friendly. I can't off the top of my head remember anything more substantial than hush puppies that would appeal to an ovo-lacto. So, sorry, guys, but maybe you should try elsewhere. But, really, what were you expecting from a down home Southern barbecue joint? There's a reason that Redbones has so many die-hard loyalists. Actually, a whole bunch of reasons. A whole bunch of delicious delicious reasons. Honestly, I don't know why I'm not there right now.

    (5)

  • Alison D.

    The corn fritters are so sweet and yummy and my absolute favorite thing on the menu. The beer wheel is great. You never know what you are going to get and that it 100% of the fun. (Actually this is a secret test: If I suggest a random beer form the beer wheel and you say no because what if you get something not good, then you are no fun!)

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    If you like meat, in particular barbecued meat, you've come to the right place. Menu is extensive and offers almost every type of barbecued rib, chicken, and steak you can think of. They also have a wide selection of apps, sides, and beer. I've been to Red Bones a couple of times and the service is speedy (despite a packed house). I had the chicken wings served with cole slaw, dirty rice, and grilled veggies tonight. Chicken wings were a little dry but still pretty good. Overall the meal was decent. It's a fun place to eat with a lively atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Collin N.

    Awesome ribs and great hushpuppies.

    (5)

  • Melissa G.

    I feel like I should preface this review with the fact that I am a full blooded Yankee (nooo not a New York fan but someone born and raised in the North). With that said- I think Redbones is pretty solid food, fair drinks, and good prices. I have been into the restaurant only once for sit down, and twice now for take-out. Everybody who has helped me was very friendly, especially the dreadlocked waiter I had on my first visit. I like this. If you go, start with the fried pickles and jalapenos. They are delicious. The pickles and jalapenos are lightly breaded and fried but still crispy and tasty. The BBQ beef brisket is very tender and tasty. The BBQ sauce isn't anything to write home about, and neither is the hot sauce. However, when ordering brisket it's really about the meat, and the meat is good. On my one sit down experience I ordered Sangria. I LOVE sangria and this one was ok. Again, nothing to write home about. So overall. Fried pickles and jalapenos and beef brisket = delish. Service = friendly. Sauce and Sangria = eh. Worth the stop if you're in the neighborhood and in the mood for BBQ.

    (3)

  • Bill T.

    Decent BBQ. Good beer selection. Cool staff and atmosphere. Easy to get to from Davis T stop on the Red Line. I've had the pulled pork, chicken wings, and sausage. All decent. The cornbread is lousy. Worth the visit though.

    (3)

  • Kyra T.

    oh redbones, how awesome you are. Situated in Davis Sq. this place will surely fill you to the max so you will not leave hungry. Their portions are generous and the sides are pretty good (cornbread, bean, slaw). They have a very eclectic mix of beers available and you can also do tasting flights. I would recommend the pulled pork or BBQ beef-- you cannot go wrong! The atmosphere in the basement has alot of character, def. a good place to go with a group of friends. Be prepared to go into food coma mode upon leaving...

    (4)

  • Bradford M.

    What can I say about Redbones that hasn't already been said? I went there for the billionth time on Tuesday for a friend's birthday dinner, and it was as stellar is it's been every other time I've gone. Their brisket plate is one of my top five favorite meals anywhere. This time I had the combo with the buffalo shrimp (buffalo shrimp!), and it made me even happier. My personal sauce combo is the "sweet" and "mild" sauces together (they also have "hot" and "vinegar"). Add in a couple of pints of whatever variety of beer floats your boat (or spin the "wheel of beer" if you can't decide, I think they have 20-ish on tap), and maybe some hush puppies, and you've got a meal that will put you into serious foodgasm territory. Also, don't be afraid of the sausage of the day. That's right, they make their own sausage, and have different varieties featured on different days. I've never been disappointed. If you don't mind sitting on a stool you can even eat at the counter next to the kitchen and watch them rock the bbq. If you sit at the counter they'll usually kick you a sample of something (the bbq hash, the buffalo shrimp, whatever they feel like throwing your way), and once I even ended up sitting next to the owner who BS'd with me for a while and bought me a beer or two (his wife is, hilariously, a vegetarian). The downstairs bar/dining area, Underbones, has an awesome evil den-of-the-devil decorating theme going on that I highly recommend you check out even if you're going to eat upstairs. Very cool stuff down there. Basically, if you like bbq at all, just go to Redbones. Just go. No, stop talking. Go. Now. It's good.

    (5)

  • Larry S.

    I squeezed water out of the BBQ Hash and tasted something fuel based on the ribs... I asked the guy wearing the 'Pit Master' shirt how the BBQ was made and he stated that is was 'cooked' off site at a commissary and held at the restaurant in steam tables!!!! He was extremely proud of the fast service due to this process... I'm from Memphis, TN and had BBQ at Rendezvous, Interstate BBQ and Blues City Cafe in Downtown Memphis... Never have I encountered soggy BBQ at these places... The bar is low at Redbones.... Boston deserves better!!! How would a steak cooked off site or a burger taste??? BBQ is no different...

    (1)

  • Amberly W.

    Love! Love! Love this place! This is me and the BF's favorite Davis Square spot. We have been coming here for years. My usual is St. Louis style ribs with mac & cheese and collard greens. BF goes back and forth between the pulled pork sandwich and the Po Boy sandwich. Both are delish! The drinks are great. They make a mean Bloody Mary...perfect for a Sunday Funday:) BF loves a good micro brew and they have a great selection. I have eaten A LOT of barbecue and this place is by far the BEST in Boston!

    (5)

  • Brie P.

    Great stop for southerners BBQ. They have a decent bar that is always busy, and a lot of good beers on tap. Beware, a lot of popular beers run out quick on a busy night. Also pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac and cheese is just amazing.

    (4)

  • Philemona J.

    For years Redbones has been my go to place to eat with friends mainly because of the beer selection and location. Was disappointed to discover they were out of many staples (sausage of the day and st. Louis ribs) and they discontinued the scallop dishes. I still recommend 'bones for the food and atmosphere, but for me I think the place is played out.

    (3)

  • Brittany T.

    Redbones in my opinion wasn't worth the hype. The place is lively but the food is meh. Not the BBQ I was looking for. Everyone knows Redbones so I was expecting to be amazed but it wasn't anyhting special, but at least Davis Square is a great place to be once your done!

    (3)

  • Tara L.

    Great craft beer selection! I had gone here quite a few years ago while visiting family in Boston and was afraid it wouldn't live up to my memory but going back with Eric and Celeste, it was as good as I remembered. I had the jerk beef which was excellent but waaaaay spicy. Celeste got a huge plate of ribs and was in heaven and Eric got brisket which was quite good. And the beer selection, again, was great. I definitely didn't appreciate the beer selection the first time I was there.

    (4)

  • Stephen M.

    yeah, i know this place has over 800 reviews. not like mine's gonna change things here. still, this needs to be said. the salt lick in austin is not better than this place. i'm sure nobody would agree with me. but, sorry salt lick is all hype, imho. plus, this place has awesome beer on tap, a fact salt lick can do nothing about. anyway, the bbq is very good, esp considering this is new england. the place itself is very cool and oddly enough, i've seen some very attractive women here ... again, esp considering this is new england. oh and wow, sneaky good nachos! wasn't expecting that. do not overlook 'em on your next trip, as they're not traditionally associated with bbq.

    (4)

  • Susan N.

    What's all the hype about this place? I went to Redbones awhile back after hearing all the hype about how it's the best BBQ joint in Boston. I wouldn't brag about that. Now I'm not from the south but I have tried excellent BBQ. Think Dinosaur BBQ and Daisy May. Redbones comes nowhere near this category. The portions were big but the food was bland. Smaller portions with taste would be better. The servie was good and the beer selection was pretty good, hence the two stores. If anyone knows of decent BBQ in Boston, I'd love to know about it.

    (2)

  • Andrew M.

    The food here is just insanely delicious and authentic, the price notwithstanding. Fried okra, fried catfish, babyback ribs were good enough that we cleaned our massive plates despite not being particularly hungry. Dining companion is from 'bama and vouched for the awesomeness. Sorry yelpers- they don't have fried snark. The ribs came with three sauces that could stand for improvement and would disappoint someone for whom this cuisine is all about the sauce. As often noted, service lags a bit and prices are outrageous. If the prices were lower I'd come here much more often.

    (5)

  • Megan S.

    You know a restaurant is good when there's a line of people waiting all the way to the corner to get in. I came here this week for a beer release party. I waited an hour with many other Redbones fans and the keg was kicked by the time that I got in, but no worries. The free appetizers made it worth it--hushpuppies, fried catfish, fried oysters, corn fritters covered in maple syrup. I don't even eat meat, and I still love this place! Hot tip: WGBH members get 10% Mon-Thursday on meals.

    (4)

  • DA W.

    I don't get the attraction. Big heaps of mediocre fried food. Flavorless cole slaw. Pretty good mashed potatoes and good beer. Too loud to carry on a conversation.

    (2)

  • Gina R.

    I've heard from everyone and their mother that this is THE BEST place for BBQ anywhere around Boston. And the lines prove that everyone is dying to get in. We were lucky enough to snag a seat at the downstairs bar, but otherwise our wait would have been about an hour and a half. I'm not sure it's worth that long of a wait but certainly worth waiting 15 or 20 minutes for a table. The portions are enormous, but beware - the sauces have a serious kick. I had jerk chicken in Jamaica that wasn't this potent. I've got to say, if I go again, I'll stick with the basics - pulled pork, rice and beans.

    (3)

  • Victor L.

    Stumbled on this place while briefly in town for a visit. Great stuff

    (5)

  • Mojo M.

    Bones is like a great college roommate -- it tempts you with bad things. Food that is bad for you. Drinks that are bad for you. Cheap women that are bad for you. I keep reading in the reviews that the BBQ doesn't taste as good as blah blah in blah blah inbred bible belt roadhouse. SHUT THE F*CK UP. When were any of you suburban artfag wannabe''s ever in a tin roofed juke joint? Y'all wouldn't know good bbq if the damn grilled pig bit you on your ass. Go to Redbones any night of of the week and get some grub, brews and meet some good folks.

    (5)

  • Vanessa C.

    I don't get the hype. I'm guessing people in boston have just never experienced real bbq, because this place pretty much sucks. I lived in the neighborhood so I gave it several chances, but the food is just... not... good. the hushpuppies are dry. the ribs are dry & not very meaty. THEY DONT EVEN MAKE HAMBURGERS FFS! are they trying to kill me? they would get only one star from me except for the following: their pulled pork is tolerable, they are open late AND they deliver. other than that, I really wouldn't waste my money here. its not cheap enough to be worth it for food thats just not good.

    (2)

  • Jenny S.

    Area Recommendation: sit your pretty buns at the upstairs bar with a pal. Food Order: Cat Fingers, Potato Salad, and maybe some buffalo wings for an extra kick! Drink Order: Beer, beer, beer- and if you are friendly with the regular bar tenders, they will pour you shots of beer to taste over and over and over. Spin the Wheel, Stay till one, Good times had by all! I've been going since grade school and I miss it!

    (4)

  • Luke S.

    This is my favorite place in Boston. Fantastic selection of beers on tap (if you can't decide, they have a spin wheel on the wall to make a choice for you!), and unique appetizer options (fried pickles, hushpuppies, fritters). My favorite entrees have been the St. Louis ribs and the BBQ pulled pork sandwich platter. This is a great place to go indulge yourself after a major accomplishment.

    (5)

  • Michelle G.

    I had bought the Groupon for Red Bones based on great reviews from a couple of co-workers. It was extremely busy, and even the bar had more people than chairs at it. We waited 20 minutes to sit, and it was very well worth it! All of the staff works together to pick up your empty plates and bring you drinks/food. The second you put down your glass because you're out of drink, someone is already there picking it up, and on their way with a refill. I am just so impressed with the superior service in such a busy place. Then the food was absolutely amazing. I had the pulled chicken sandwich, and I have been craving it ever since!! It was so delicious. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • chelsea h.

    delicious food, great atmosphere- staff is super- nice. a bit tight, but its all part of the fun atmosphere. warning: the food might induce a bit of a stomach ache. but hey, its BBQ- what do you expect? and its totally worth it!

    (5)

  • Jillian Z.

    We will definitely go back!! Ate downstairs at high top bar table. The bartender was our server and was very good. Loved the atmosphere, menu, and the food was great too. Macaroni and cheese was good however, tasted like it had been sitting in an aluminum pan or something...had a very metallic taste to it besides that everything was fantastic. cant wait to go back again. Make sure you go on an empty stomach and order slowly. we ordered 5 times as much food as we needed!

    (4)

  • Brandy S.

    Yum Yum Yum - while not quite the quality of the south, the BBQ is good and well worth the wait. I loved all of the sides except for the hushpuppies - not sure why you can't get a decent hushpuppy above the Mason Dixon line, but whatever. Still good food.

    (4)

  • Joe b.

    Most delicious ribs i've ever had. Excellent ambiance with autographed photos of all these famous people who went there. Kind servers, and generous portions. Only thing holdin' this place back from the 5 spot is their prices, not outlandish, but expensive.

    (4)

  • bruno p.

    i wanna like redbones cuz they support cyclists bigtime. but their food ain't so great. good beer selection though. for cue go to blue ribbon. now them boys knows dey cue sho' 'nuff. and i know cue bein' born an' bred in da carolinas.

    (2)

  • Nate Y.

    The Good: crispy potatoes, they were very crispy. Mac n' cheese was cheesy. Corn bread was tasty. Non-alcoholic drinks are served in big ol' canning jars and refills are free. Service was fine. The Bad: Memphis ribs, although moist, were tasteless. The beef brisket was dry and tasteless. They give four kinds of BBQ sauce in these itty, bitty cups. They gave us two servings of this for nine people ?! The Ugly: I still cleaned my plate, because that's how I was raised, filled my belly and I paid for it later :( I miss my Kansas City, Mississippi, and Cincinnati BBQ (tear).

    (2)

  • Nick C.

    Okay, It's my fault I didn't like the styles I tried before, I had the pulled pork sandwich with some spicy sauce, it was great and made me cry a little. As far as atmosphere though, when picking up the takeout at the bar the place brings flashbacks of "The Hills Have Eyes" based on their drunk and weird looking clientele.

    (4)

  • Max C.

    Quite possibly the best ribs you'll experience north of the Mason Dixon line (I strongly recommend the Arkansas-style ribs). The pulled pork and barbecue beef aren't too shabby either. They even have a respectable number of items on the menu for vegetarians (not bad for a rib joint). Despite the fact that this place gets super busy, especially Friday and Saturday nights (you might have to wait an hour or more for a table), the waitstaff are nearly all, for the most part, very friendly, attentive and helpful.

    (4)

  • Laura S.

    Everybody loves Redbones but the food is really not that good. Sure it's a cool spot with funky decor and a "spin the wheel" beer collection, but aren't restaurants about the food too? Their pulled sandwiches and hash are full of chunks of fat and gristle, their sauces are thin and not very tasty, the ribs are NOT tender and the corn bread is dry. There are a few good selections here though. The catfingers and corn pudding won't dissapoint.

    (2)

  • kathy c.

    The food is decent at best, the service is fine. It's over rated and over priced for the quality. Delivery charge is ridiculous.

    (2)

  • Maggie B.

    The best BBQ in Boston. As a Texan, that's saying a lot! The beer selection is also really incredible. The staff can be a little slow or indifferent, but they warm up after too long. Overall, this is a great place to kill an afternoon and feel immensely stuffed after. Leave some time for a nap afterwards!

    (4)

  • Tessa M.

    As I live right down the street from Redbones, I have oft visited this local haunt to general satisfaction. Every time I come here I order the catfish fritters, which are amazing. i highly, highly recommend them. The pulled pork is always a good choice, it's tangy and sweet and there is a perfect balance of sauce. Usually someone in my family orders ribs, and as much as I would love to praise them, they usually are dry and require me to dump my micro-cup of sauce on top to satisfy my taste buds. Same goes for the beef brisket. Although I don't really care for cornbread, theirs is always warm and yummy. The (non-alcoholic) drinks come in massive glasses, which is a plus. Service is also very good, I usually have a friendly waiter/waitress.

    (4)

  • Sean D.

    We went for our annual trip to Redbones last night, and as usual no one was disappointed. I had the St. Louis style ribs while my companions had the Memphis and Baby Back. All were dry rubbed and smoked with a perfect char. While I don't feel sauce is needed, with their ribs I do enjoy their hot BBQ sauce. The sides were mostly good: the cole slaw is always Delicious and the potato salad was equally as good. They are prepared very old school, the way mom used to. The black eyed peas were a little sub par and bland but it didn't stop anyone from enjoying the meal. The Atomic corn relish while tasty is so beyond hot as to not be enjoyable unless you are a true chile head, I like it, but have yet to finish a serving The service was a little below the standard that I have had there in the past. Our waiter was neither friendly or attentive, which surprised me as normally they are both. The service so poor in fact on this night that we had to ask three times for drinks. Other than that the food arrived in good time and was hot and Delicious. I will obviously go back

    (4)

  • Sami W.

    This place is like the stock market......it was awesome couple years ago, but now it's worthless. Better hold on to your cash and wait until it picks up again, if it does! Ok, I take it back, I was a bit harsh just to explain my frustration! It wasn't all that bad. The buffalo shrimp appetizers (total of 4 shrimp) was great, except that we had to fight for the last shrimp and I might have poked my brother's hand with my fork. The combo that I got which consisted of the baby back ribs and beef brisket was very dry. The only good thing that night was the beer selection. Didn't care much about the company either (my brother was lecturing me, but at least he took care of the tab)

    (2)

  • Americo G.

    Highly recomended by friends, and rightfully so. Great BBQ at very reasonable prices, and the beer selection is worth the trip. Regulars at the bar were friendly and engaging. I will definetly be back on my next trip to Boston.

    (4)

  • Brian G.

    You can't make a better restaurant, period.

    (5)

  • Zane G.

    This place has some great BBQ, a large menu with plenty of options. The downstairs is filled with amazing painting, dim light atmosphere. I suggest the buffalo wing and dirty rice apps. The Barbecue belt meal is large and in charge. They have a good beer selection as well. The staff is friendly but on a busy night, you may wait ten minutes just to get a drink of water and place your order. Overall, I always enjoy coming here.

    (5)

  • Miguel C.

    I've been here once for dinner and once for late-night food, and both times have been good. The sandwiches are reasonably priced and come out fast (pulled pork was good). The second time around I ordered a rack of ribs, and they were tasty, but I felt weird devouring my meat caveman-like while my friends were civilly eating their meals. There is a good selection of beers as well.

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    So, yeah, I've been several times now and I just can't give this place more than 3 stars. Parts of it are good. The pulled pork is legit. But the service has been pretty spotty. In particular, we had the worst waitress in the world a couple of weeks ago. She was basically "I just broke up with you, asshole" pissed at us for no apparent reason. She took forever to take our orders, didn't ask us if we wanted other drinks past our first ones, and didn't really give a flying fuck about us enough to check on us. She begrudgingly gave us our check after sufficiently dicking around for a while and then never gave us change. An "assumed tip" after such a lack of service like that is pretty much theft, in my opinion. I flipped off the area of her general direction when we left (I'm a tough mufucker!). I don't think she saw it, which is appropriate considering how little attention she paid to us the rest of the time we were there. This chick isn't the norm for the service there, or any business that cares about it's income, but she should be fired. She was wearing a baseball cap and dark-rimmed glasses and she really sucked. And that's coming from someone who likes nearly everyone, too. So, aside from that, it's a fun place and all and the food really is good (I recommend the Po' Boy, Pulled Pork, mac'n'cheese), but if this place were down south, it would be considered 'decent'. I was just in South Carolina last weekend and it reminded me of what the real shit tastes like (I'm glad I worked "shit tastes like" into a review. That's a real high point!). I'm not trying to completely trash Redbones or anything, but I'm just telling it like it is. And that last run-in with Mrs. Bitchwaitress left a bad taste in my mouth (no not shit taste).

    (3)

  • Mike E.

    Can you say dirty indulgence? Redbones hits me in the pit of my soul. There's nothing better than getting your grizzle on down at Bones, especially on a night when they have a few kickass IPA's on tap. They often pour "Green Flash IPA", which is one of my all time favorite brews! As I like to say "More Flash more Fun...Green Flash!!". Not to mention bones has one of the best deals going in Davis, with the half price apps and single ribs everyday between 4-6pm. You have to try the Buffalo Scallops...totally insane. I'm also a big fan of the pit fired chicken wings, these things are just slow cooked on the pit, and have little bit of char on them, which brings out my barbaric side. If you're really in the groove to gorge yourself, then I DARE you to go for the "BBQ Belt"...now that's a heap of meat...and personally I think they should tac your picture on the wall if you finish it! Go Bones!

    (5)

  • David F.

    Redbones is one of the best places in Boston for BBQ styled food. Yet it doesn't compare to the pulled pork that we had growing up in North Carolina. Being something in the Boston-area, naturally the prices are 3x what you'd find in North Carolina. If you are in the NC area and you enjoy Redbones, you must stop by Stammy's where you'll probably feed two people for $10 including tip. The beer selection at Redbones is excellent and the service is generally pretty good. Sometimes when its a little crowded downstairs it can degrade a bit, but overall it is quite good. Definitely something everyone in the area must try.

    (4)

  • Emme D.

    I came here this weekend for dinner with friends for the first time. There was an hour and a half wait for four people, so I was really hoping the wait would be worth the food. It was. I got the catfish/rib combo (St. Louis ribs). The fish was flavorful and the potato salad side was tasty. The coleslaw was okay, with a hint of left outside the fridge too long, but still edible. The ribs were alright. There is no sauce on them, so you get to season with BBQ sauce as you please, but were perhaps slightly overcooked. I did enjoy it and would go back. The beer selection was enormous and would be quite enjoyable for a beer aficionado. For dessert we split pecan pie and custard. The custard is aka flan, which is a nice surprise and the pecan pie is superb. I look forward to going back and enjoying some BBQ, hopefully without an hour and a half wait. I forgot to mention about the decor/ambiance. It is dingy in there. The basement level is dark, cramped and extremely loud. A lot of large groups come here and the seating is across a long picnic-style table, unless you have a group of four. Not a good first date place. The service was good.

    (4)

  • Jenna L.

    I love Redbones, the atmosphere, the beer, the margaritas (made by Desmond, the best Scottish margarita maker I have had the pleasure of being given beverages from) Yes, it is crowded and there is a wait but what do you expect - it is awesome BBQ and a good bar scene, and in Davis. My only suggestion would be to get there earlier rather than later as the usually good brisket are a little dry in the later hours of the night.

    (5)

  • Dorise G.

    frankly i think i would give this place 5 stars on the waitress alone. she ROCKED, and we were a table of 9. was suuuuper knowledgeable about beer selection, was very clear about the different types of ribs, made sure we were well-watered, well-fed, well-sauced, and well-cleaned. accommodated requests to have sides put on separate plates, gave us re-heating instructions, and brought us extra sauces (and extra salsa for me!) to take home. that, and the food was great. i've always thought ribs weren't really a thing a pseudo-kosher jew like myself could indulge in, but was pleasantly surprised to find their texas beef ribs, which were freakin fantastic. that, and i sided it with mac and cheese (hence the separate plates - now you understand what i mean about pseudo-kosher), fried okra, and crispy potatoes. did the "meat and three" so all that was only 16 bones, the beer was reasonable at $5 (mmmm punkin beer), and i've got enough in leftovers for lunch tomorrow. rock this shaz. stat.

    (5)

  • Rick S.

    Try the pulled chicken. Absolutely delicious. The Macaroni and Cheese is middling at best, but the beans are good and the dirty rice is so good we got a second helping to go. Pricey, though. Our bill added up quickly. Friendly service, reasonably quick for a busy rainy Saturday lunch hour. One guy even asked me where I got my sweatshirt, which I thought was cool.

    (4)

  • Ali G.

    Pulled pork is awesomely juicy, and the sweet sauce compliments the meat very well! All the sides I tried were just okay - mac n cheese, fried okra, potatoes. Good atmosphere and quick service.

    (3)

  • Shannon S.

    Redbones is a loyal place - I've had many fantastically normal hangouts here. The food is a-okay by me and I feel like I get two things that I need with any BBQ place A.) A Lot of Food B.) A Lot of Choices You know what I don't like though? Being seated downstairs during the winter. It's COLD down there, Redbones, and way too dark during the day. During the winter I find myself trying to eat until I get warm again. I love being downstairs at night during the summer though :D Their BBQ beef sandwich is delicious - their Chipotle Oyster po boy is a winner - I love their Corn Fritters. Once I found these things on the menu, I didn't stray too far from them. They are a good mixture of sweet, spicy and just plain.... meat. Things they need to work on : Corn bread AND hush puppies - both are too dry. The grits are better than I last had them a year ago, but need to have more time to sop up the water. Also, I think that the meat in their Texas Chili is awesome - tender, delicious - but I think they need more beans to round it out. I'm a southern girl - this BBQ is no where near as good as what I have back in SC, but Redbones - I pat you on your head like that Irish man in Babe and say "That'll do pig, that'll do" because honestly - Redbones has a lot more going for it than simply awesome BBQ. It's a lifestyle choice. Oh and if you're like me and care about such things. They have a fantastic beer menu - but they are exceptionally busy at night . Also, their food is always better when you eat it hot in the restaurant. You will not be seated until your whole party is there. Remember these things, and have a couch to sit on when the meat coma sets in - and you know what? You'll be okay.

    (4)

  • Kimble M.

    I feel obligated to tell y'all - this is not how barbecue is supposed to be. Pros: Beer! Sometimes even Lonestar! (+1 for authenticity) Fried Pickles! Cons: Taste, miserly sauce distribution, taste and taste. At least one of those tastes is for subpar side offerings, but two of them are for inauthentic portrayal of barbecue. If the barbecue were any good, the tiny portions of sauce wouldn't be an issue. Takeaways: Come here to drink, eat once you're drunk enough to ensure that you don't really care what it tastes like. If you actually crave barbecue, try Blue Ribbon down Mass Ave in Arlington instead, but don't go around claiming that Redbones is barbecue. You're likely to get ridiculed by a Texan.

    (2)

  • Buggin O.

    Place is over-rated. BBQ is mediocre. Just cause you have corn bread and greens and you slap some sauce on meat doesn't mean you have BBQ. They should spend more time on their food and less on the decorations in the joint. It's really just a bunch of people who really don't know BBQ telling other people who don't know BBQ that it's all that. Then again, you're in Somerville what can you expect. Don't believe the hype!

    (2)

  • Steve N.

    Love the 'Bones! i have been coming here for quite a while and unlike many others i do really like this place. granted all i will get is a full rack of ribs and maybe a few sides (the corn salsa will light you up) many DC's have had other stuff with overall satisfactory results. the beer list is eclectic and fresh.

    (4)

  • Daniel H.

    Crowded for a reason. I'm a ribs, cornbread, and pulled pork man. Get here early and come hungry.

    (5)

  • Anthony V.

    I never actually CRAVE bbq food, so it has taken me a while to get here despite the fact that I live a tough 10 minute walk away. Overall a pretty good experience. Very casual. They have a solid draft beer selection which makes it a great candidate for my bar scene list. The menu is really hoping that you dig pig. I don't so i was left with either chicken, questionable seafood or steak. I got the steak tips which were amazing. They have a lot of great southern staples like hush puppies and deep fried okra. The service was pretty casual with no uniform or pitches but still around enough to make sure all of our drinks were full. **All in all i was pretty satisfied with the pricing. 6 of us each got entrees, split an appetizer and had a drink or two each and our total bill was $110. After tip we put in something like $23 each which is pretty amazing. Also, the art on the walls is pretty crazy. Probably the product of watching Beavis and Butthead while on acid with oil paints handy. Anyways, I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Bryan G.

    Redbones is it. This is the best BBQ place in Boston, when you add up the whole package. First, the food. Now I will get this out of the way first. This is not the best BBQ in Boston. There is another place (not to be mentioned in this review, soon to enter my realm of reviews) which has better-tasting BBQ. That being said, I do really like the food here. My personal favorites are the hushpuppies and the fried catfish. I do also love the pulled pork and memphis ribs. One thing that's great about Redbones is they let you mix and match your entrees, in combos of one, two and even three. I almost always get fried catfish plus ribs or pulled pork. Second, the beer. Oh the beer! One of the better beer selections in the Boston area, definitely the best in Somerville. Plus they have the wheel of beer. Spin the wheel, drink the beer you land on. Great for the undecided or the adventurous. Third, and best of all, the atmosphere. If you are willing to wait a bit longer, eat downstairs (nicknamed Underbones). The place is decked out in this colorful, cartooney, happy, crazy (and very weird) art. You can spend minutes just staring at the walls. It makes the place very laid-back and fun. People never seem to mind waiting up to an hour for their table, just standing at the bar drinking pints and talking to random people. Plus the service is always fast. I have never waited more than 15 minutes (usually it takes 5-10) for my food or drink. Redbones is certainly one of the most famous restaurants in the Boston area, and with good reason. It is one of my favorite places to eat and drink. If you're a visitor, do yourself a favor and make the short Red Line trip out to Davis Square. Make Redbones your first stop of the night. You will not be disappointed. And if you're a local and still haven't been there, go there right now. I can't tell you how many times I've said "YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO REDBONES?!?!" And I'll never forget when someone first said that to me. Redbones is a true classic.

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    This place is absolutely delicious, and extremely affordable. Some of the best southern BBQ in the City...tied with Blue Ribbon in Newton. But this place is much better suited for a sit-down dinner with friends! Downsides ... there are a few...VERY LONG WAITS!!! Very difficult to park , and very very loud. The Jamaican jerk chicken is SO spicy I almost died lol. They'll offer you a test sample, and I am so glad I took them up on it b/c there's NO way I could've eaten a whole dish like that !! But overall, a very fun place to have a great southern BBQ up north.

    (4)

  • Jin C.

    2 Days before I would have given Red Bones 4 stars.. maybe, I think I'm being very generous with the 2 stars I am giving it. The ribs are good, not fantastic or crap, they are good. -Getting food poisoning is bad, really really bad.- Despite getting food poisoning I am trying to write an unbiased review about the food itself. My boyfriend and I spent 2 days violently ill from our Red Bones order. So I guess just be careful =/ (only meal we had together in a few days so this was definitely it. my parents used to have a restaurant so I wouldn't accuse any business light heartedly) Their sides for the most part are not very good, if anyone tells you their cornbread is good.. they most likely have not ever had good cornbread? The beans were good, cole slaw alright for the cheap kind? Rice is not good, very dry when I had it. Basically you order from here to get the meat, not the sides, I used to get pretty excited about this place, but I don't think I'll ever be having Red Bones again.. sorry! If you really want great ribs I suggest Formaggio Kitchen.

    (2)

  • Julie B.

    OMG this food is AWESOME We got a bunch of everything since we went with 7 people. 7 people on a friday night and we only waited for a table for like 20 minutes. The staff was friendly, the bathrooms were decent, the food was out of this world! Not too pricey either! the place was PACKED which meant it was a little hard to get a drink while waiting for the table... but totally understandable. beware of the the spicy "relish" or whatever it is ITS REALLY SPICY

    (5)

  • The Dude L.

    My primary love for Redbones lies in their tap selection at their bar. They have some really good craft beers here. Sometimes they have a clunker on tap, but the bartenders will let you try a sample before you order. The bar area itself is untidy and Spartan, just like a good bar should be. And the bartenders will talk to you about beer if they have the time. As for the food, they're hit or miss, but the waitstaff will always bring you more sauce. On a good day, they're fantastic. Make sure you order the mac & cheese. Just realize that Redbones is almost always packed in the early evening. I can't recall any night being here where you didn't wait for at least one beer prior to being seated.

    (3)

  • H T.

    (((Inside boyfriend's mind))) Manwich! Manwich! Manwich! I want a manwich! Jerky beefy manwich with spicy spicy sauce! Manwich! Manwich! Manwich! I want a manwich! And beeeeer!! *.grunts.burps.scratches.* scratches?? ^-^ (((Only thing in Hana's mind.))) Margarita, Margarita, Margarita, Frozen Margaritas, pleeeeease... Oh yeah, and nachos too. To Avoid: macNcheese and corn fritters.

    (4)

  • Steve B.

    Good ribs, brisket ok. nice BBQ atmosphere (loud, lots of beer on tap, sells shirts) Basement has somewhat quieter seating. our waitress looked/acted like someone killed her favorite puppy, but the service was still good. I'd definitely go back. Order the BBQ Belt, for 19 bucks you get 3 different types of ribs (2 of each), a slice of brisket, and a hunk of brisket point. They give you a plate with 4-5 different types of bbq sauce. the above meal comes with slaw and some beans. a buck to change out beans for salad or dirty rice or something.

    (4)

  • Tina D.

    I want to preface this review by saying that I went on the day the groupon expired, and so did everyone else apparently... slackers. I got to Redbones at dinner time and was greeted with a line out the door. I was told there would be a 90 minute wait, but then realized there were actually two people take separate lists of reservations (not sure how that works). The bar area is first come, first serve, and so I hung out there until I found a few seats to sit in. They were actually facing the wall, not at the bar and after looking around for an elusive menu, I finally had to ask the couple next to us to borrow theirs. Once we were ready to order, I had to wait again and flag down an employee only to be told that he would not take our order and we must ask the bartender. I would like to see him try to yell an order to a bartender in a packed tiny little room. Fortunately, we tried to flag down another employee, and a very nice girl (I think her name was Kara) took our order for us and entered it into the bartender's computer. She even came by afterwards to check on us, even though she wasn't "technically" our server. People like that really make a great restaurant experience! Our drinks and food came pretty quickly. The Celts Green Margarita was delicious! The hushpuppies should probably be removed from the menu as it is not so good. The corn fritters tasted like a funnel cake and the ribs were just so-so. The standout for sure was the pulled chicken sandwich. The beans were bland and the fries were average. I would consider coming back for drinks, but probably not for food.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth D.

    Pulled beef and pork sliders with sweet sauce. 25 beers on tap. Next to my compnay's office. 'nuff said.

    (5)

  • Reid D.

    All I really should need to say is that they have cask conditioned beer. Okay they also have great BBQ and a bike valet service, and great merch but cask conditioned ales! What Am I doing here ... I'm off to Red Bones for a pint.

    (5)

  • James B.

    Home Run ! I went with a combo dry rib and brisket, fries. It was the best meal i had there ever!!!! my friends too.. last few times i went was left over plate special ,good in its own right. If you can spring 20.00 for a combo plate. its worth it.ribs were meaty and great bbq smoked taste, fries fresh cut to die for.brisket heaven! waitress was great. we went on tue night 7-8pm we waited for 10-15mins.and we were so happy. my hats off to the cooks at that night.

    (5)

  • Paula A.

    Been to Redbones many times, never been disappointed. I usually go Thurs - Sat & expect to wait for a table, we had the brilliant idea to go on a Monday & you guessed it, no lines, no crowd - no problem! we even parked AT the front door which was a bonus b/c we usually drive aimlessly looking for parking. We mixed it up with an order of fried pickles, they were good, I liked the dipping sauce too. I got my old standby: pulled pork sandwich plate--delicious as always. Portions are huge (the dog loves when we go to Redbones b/c she's guaranteed a doggie-bag). If they happen to have the crème brûlée beer, you gotta try it. Its usually crowded & loud, if you DO accept the offer to sit at the counter, you'll probably get free nibblers, but you'll also sweat your butt off.

    (4)

  • Kate W.

    It was love at first bite and I'm for sure going back! Me and the bf took the bar seating, as we weren't really looking for waiting to be on tonight's menu, but that turned out to be no sacrifice. Regular seating in the basement seemed to be all banquet seating, which I wasn't keen on, being elbow to elbow with someone's family dinner. The wait staff is well matched to the cuisine, casual, and had good timing(i.e. wasn't pushy, nor did I wonder when to send the search party). Anyways, I'm no aficionado on grilling and bbq, but I thought Redbones was grreat! I got the pulled pork and the bf got the SPICY jerk pork, while sharing the large dish of fries. I can handle quite hot with the foreign foods, but glad I wasn't the one with the jerk pork. The fries were just right: plain, none floppy, and not trying to out do the meat. Everything was excellent, including the variety of draft beer.

    (5)

  • Chi N.

    I am a 6 foot 3 hairy Indian man. And I cried like a 2 year old girl who fell of a swing -- all because of Redbones. Why, you ask? Well, I ordered the jerk beef sandwich. Imagine some shredded beef doused.. and not like doused taking a shower doused, but doused like firefighters on a burning movie star's house in Malibu -- you know, Peter North doused.. in the spiciest sauce this side of the Pacific. then put on a soft white bun which is really only useful for wiping your tears as you attempt to bite this monster of a sandwich. Fantastic stuff, really. But where Redbones falls short is the real BBQ -- it just doesn't live up to the standards that I grew up expecting in the deep south -- or well, southern california. So it'd get a 3-star except the beer list is quite exceptional so I'd have to give it the fourth star. Now, go eat that jerk beef and cry the little girl out.

    (4)

  • Finn M.

    The food is a 4. This is not the best barbecue I've ever had, but it's the best barbecue restaurant in greater boston. The pulled meats are awesome, the ribs are great, their collar'd greens are excellent, and I love the Texas chili and the corn fritters are awesome. I've got nothing bad to say about the food, it's just not five-star quality. The first time I ever went, my friend and I were so excited to find a great bbq place that we ate ourselves silly, went home (rather uncomfortably I might add) and fell asleep on the floor for two hours. The atmosphere and experience, though, take it up to a 5. You're rubbing elbows with the 300lb guy next to you whose in the middle of a giant rack of ribs, but you know what? That's exactly what I want from my bbq joint. They serve drinks out of big pickling jars. They play good music. There's no negative space in the restaurant whatsoever, and if you sit at the bar in the dining room, you get to watch all the food being made. You can get hushpuppies, a bbq pulled pork sandwich with a plate of potato salad and beans, and pecan pie for under $20, all at an awesome and engaging location. Come on. As if that wasn't enough, there's essentially an entire second restaurant down below. There's a bit of a heaven-and-hell vibe going on; upstairs is bustling bbq joint, but downstairs, the walls are painted black and have wild alien-packed murals on them, and there are candles all over the place. It's an awesome, awesome place to meet and have dinner and drinks with friends. I'm a total Redbones fanboy, and I don't care. One of my absolute favorite spots in the greater Boston area. If I was dating a girl and she didn't like it here I'd probably break up with her no matter HOW cute she was, because, I don't think this is going to work out, babe.

    (5)

  • James W.

    not sure what i can add after 715+ reviews that hasn't already been said, but since redbones tends to be a place i make a pilgrimage to once or twice a year i throw my $.02 in. it is *always* packed. the crowds always astound me because, while the food at redbones is good, it's not really sure-i'll-wait-an-hour-and-a-half spectacular. i guess they benefit from a lack of bbq options in the area but, whatever the reason, i'd suggest having some snacks at home before setting out to redbones. over the years i've had most of the appetizers and the bbq offerings and have found it to be somewhat hit or miss. the pulled pork sandwich i got some time ago was more than just a little on the dry side, while the pulled pork i got on my most recent visit was tender, moist, and flavorful. their hushpuppies ($3) have been consistently memorable along with the corn fritters ($4.5) and the dirty rice ($3). the ribs ($12 - $21) are generally a very safe bet and i do like that redbones is one of the few places in the area to get beef ribs. the combos ($11 - $19) are a great way to sample the menu. on my most recent trip i got the bbq meat & rib combo ($17) and ended up with a plate stacked high with pulled pork, beef brisket, memphis ribs, beans & slaw. i was half in the bag and seriously ravenous after the long wait at the bar, but it was pretty frikkin' good. speaking of the bar, the beer wheel is a nice gimmick but i'd suggest taking some time to look over redbones' spectacular beer list. they typically have 20 or more beers on tap with about 30 or 40 more in bottles and cans, and there's very very little in the way of budweiser. if you're about to stuff yourself with smokey meat, give the butternuts porkslap pale ale a try. it's like drinking bacon. carbonated, alcoholic bacon. in the middle of davis square, parking is a serious pain in the a$$. you might hit the street lottery, or win big in one of the municipal lots located on the outskirts or the square, but probably not. and, even if you do, you'll be running out to feed the meter since it's hard to get out of here in under 2 hours with the wait. if you can't walk here, definitely take the t.

    (3)

  • Fiddos J.

    After months of wanting to, I finally went there last week and the food is as good, if not better, than my already high expectations. The atmosphere is really good - high energy and very unpretentious. The service is superb - our waitress was very knowledgeable, friendly and changed our order without any fuss when there was a misunderstanding. But the food - OMG. That is the high point of this place. The ribs are so well seasoned that you don't need bbq sauce and the meat simply falls off the bone. And the fried catfish is out of this world. These guys know their deep frying. It tastes just as good the next day, cold out of the fridge. And yes - the portion are enormous - I think you'll always need a doggy bag.

    (5)

  • William A.

    Best place for bbq in MASS if you ask me. The place looks a little dirty, but it really isn't that look just adds to its charm. And you can't leave without trying the ribs and margarita. Even if you are full, price is awesome as well. my dad and i love going there

    (5)

  • Ryan H.

    I went to redbones on a friday night and waited 45 minutes to get a table. I assumed this place would be amazing just because of the crowd. I'll break down each part of the experience. atmosphere- 4 stars. pretty cool. not a lot of places like this in boston. Drink menu- 3 stars. pretty average. i ended up getting a soda though and it came in a giant jar which was awesome. cornbread- 1 star. One of the top 5 worst cornbreads ive had in my life. It was so dry you could barely swallow it and it was served at room temperature. hush puppies- 3 stars. i dont know much about hush puppies but these were ok. they werent really flavorful but they werent bad. BBQ hash- 3.5 stars- this was pretty good. The meat was tender and there was a perfect amount of potatoes. For Dinner I had a bbq platter which came with arkansas ribs, texas ribs, memphis ribs and brisket with cole slaw and BLACK BEANS!!!!! i dont know who serves black beans with bbq but this was unpleasant. The ribs- 3 stars. The texas were my favorite but all were pretty good.Not fall off the bone good but decent. The coleslaw was decent as well. BBQ sauce- This is where the problem lied. They had 4 different kinds, sweet, vinegar, spicy, medium. The sweet was pretty much straight molasses. The vinegar was...well...pretty much straight vinegar. The spicy and the medium sauces were so tangy they were almost sour. All four of these were almost inedible. I ended up taking my ribs to go and using a my own bbq sauce at home it was so bad. I guess i could recommend ordering takeout from redbones but stock up on your own bbq sauce before you do. I wont be going back.

    (2)

  • Rachel C.

    I like Redbones, but for all the praise I had heard about it, I wanted to like it more. Anytime I have ever been to Redbones it is with a large group and they have always been more than accommodating. We used to come after dodgeball when our usual bar had trivia and was too crowded. It was a great option because we could sit, and on a Tuesday night it was pretty empty and quiet. However, it always too them a while to figure out how to push the tables together in the otherwise empty dining room and would not let us help them. I'm talking 20 minutes to push three tables together. Um... ok, we'll wait. Other than that, the service I have had there has been spot on! I mean these guys don't miss a beat to ask you if you want a re-fill on your GIANT mason jar of tasty beverage or water. I'm a huge fan of the mason jars, and they make a mean Arnold Palmer! They also have a pretty good rotating selection of domestic and seasonal beer on tap. And don't forget those big red cans of Narragansett! Also, when it is crowed, if you have a reservation, and you are in a large group, you can be in and out of there in about an hour. Not bad considering the crowds! As for food, they have a very wide selection. Some really traditional Southern fair, and your bbq standards. But, I feel like maybe they have stretched themselves too thin. The food just isn't all that spectacular. I was actually really disappointed by the mac and cheese. The food for the most part is good, but I don't crave it the way crave Soulfire. Nothing I've had there really stands out in my mind as something I would need to eat again. Same goes for the barbecue sauces. I mean come on, don't give me little cup, I'll only be asking you for more in about five minutes. Leave some bottles of it out on the table! This girl likes to mix, match and SLOTHER! All that aside, it's still a place I would come back to. I like the atmosphere and I love the art all over the walls. And while I would never travel out of my way to go there, if I were in Davis Square and wanted to sit down, relax and get some food, Redbones would still probably be my top choice for the first stop of the night.

    (3)

  • Jennifer N.

    I've been here a couple times because I live near Davis and sometimes have a killer craving for BBQ. I always hope that Redbones is better than previous times but I'm never actually satisfied with the food I get. Last time I went, I got the Mac and Cheese and BBQ hash, which is pulled pork, bbq beef, and potatoes; my boyfriend got the grilled sausage sandwich. The Mac and Cheese was so bland, it needed salt and actual cheese taste. The BBQ hash tasted really good initially but soon it was just all too mushy and the flavors melded into something super salty and greasy that I couldn't finish it. The sausage had a good taste to it but it was nothing spectacular. Overall, it's convenient which is why I come here. Servers aren't fantastic either; they do minimal work, take your order and bring you your food. If you just happen to be in the area and really want BBQ then come here, otherewise check out East Coast Grill in Inman!

    (2)

  • Cheryl M.

    We've always loved redbones food and service but tonight they surpassed all our expectations. After forgetting to include the cornbread in our order, we had several very sad guests (2 kids and 1 mama in particular ). After a quick call, they drove the cornbread over. We had invite friends over to introduce them to the delicious BBQ, not realizing they'd also get a taste of the exceptional service. Redbones thanks for making our evening--I wish I could give you 10 stars!

    (5)

  • Simon S.

    This is the best BBQ I've had... in boston. There are better option in the north, in bigger cities like NYC, and having been to the deep south the BBQ there puts this to shame. With that said, big portions of a variety of ribs, nice and smokey. if you're looking for the more sauce-inundated ribs, hit up blue ribbon BBQ. Way more sauce there, more flavorfull pulled pork. Big pro is the beer. I love beer, and the selection at redbones does not disappoint. About what you'd expect to pay for beer ($5-$6 a pint). Service was good. The waitress tolerated my buddies clumsy attempts to hit on her, and used it as an excuse to keep the beer coming (no problem here, though my tab by the end of the night was impressive). It's loud and crazy, but solid ribs and good beer can't be a bad thing.

    (4)

  • Greg W.

    I know lots of people share this point of view, but there isn't better BBQ in Boston than Redbones. I had heard that they had recently changed ownership after 25 years, but I didn't notice any difference in quality of food. My family had lunch there yesterday and the pulled chicken sandwich, the Memphis ribs, and all the sides were spot on. Possibly some of the best sweet potato fries I've had; crisp like regular fries, but with a hint of sweetness, and, of course, healthier for you. And the speed they turn around the order is amazing. Yes, they weren't slammed when we ate, but I've waited longer at McDonald's. From walking in the door to asking for our check was maybe 25 minutes. I think I'll be visiting Davis Square more frequently.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey K.

    If Redbones could only serve Blue Ribbon's BBQ. . . it would be fantastic. The BBQ is good but I've certainly had better. The place gets big points for atmosphere and drinks selection. The beer menu is great. The prices are fine. Here are a couple of pointers: 1) If you can, sit at the cooking counter. You'll get to watch the cooks at work. Its pretty cool and scary at the same time. There's definitely a TON of meat back there. Also, while you're waiting, they'll feed you little samples. Tip them a couple bucks to keep it coming. 2) Lunch has all you can eat BBQ. Its obviously the leftovers from the night before but its good for a cheap meal. Some guys from my office go there and have eating competitions. I can barely finish a single plate they give you so much food.

    (3)

  • Tasha H.

    I hate to give this place a bad review after having enjoyed it for so many years, but my last experience inclines me to this mediocre expression. I have gone to this place for years, since I was pretty small, and always loved it, especially for the environment. When I came of drinking age, I enjoyed a few beers there as well. The food is hit or miss, sometimes it's warm, sometimes it's delicious, and sometimes it's not. The ribs and sides I had last time were dry and cool, which is obviously not a good thing for ribs and beans. The service seems to be hit or miss as well, I've never had any real problems with it until last time, when the server was fairly inattentive and we ended up getting our check and asking for water from somebody else. They seem to cater more towards large groups than individuals or couples. Don't get the potato salad. I've never experienced it mashed before. If I wanted cold mashed potatoes, I would have asked for them. If you don't want loud, don't go here, but it adds to the experience, in my opinion.

    (3)

  • Laura M.

    Can't go wrong with Redbones- about as good as BBQ gets in the Boston area! The raspberry lime rickey is by far my favorite drink, but all their drinks and beer selection are great. The fried catfish and hushpuppies are the real deal, and I can't say which style ribs are my favorite because they're all good! I've been coming to Redbones for years, and although things seem to vary slightly visit to visit, I always walk out satisfied. Great place for drinks with friends or a casual meal- just be warned that the wait can be a bit of a bummer, and they won't even look at you until your whole party has arrived.

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    It is true, for bars in Sommerville this is the best one. Their beer selection and rotation is amazing. You will find lots of new favorites to try. Their basement is a trip: the art downstairs is so wild, it is inspiring, rotating every few years/months. It is also true that the barbecue isn't the best, but stick with the sausage, wings, and St. Louis Ribs and you should be good. Here is a tip: if you can handle it, asked to be seated at the kitchen bar (upstairs in back). They give you free samples, or at least did for me. Great place to watch Sox games. Great support for the local cycling scene. Beware the Wheel of Beer as it knows what you don't want! Crowded during the school year.

    (4)

  • Brendan M.

    This is actually a 3.5 Star deal. I've had Red Bones twice, once I was upstairs, the other time down stairs. Both atmosphere's are fun. There's a lot of wierd paintings and murals on the walls. They're colorful and add something to the vibrant cajun-folk theme I think they're going for. I tried a platter the first time that had a little bit of everything. It was like a half pound of food that had baby back and spare ribs and also some barbecued chicken. Delish. I only have BBQ a few times a year, so when I do it's always a treat. The meat was tender and came with a bunch of sauces for dipping. I was lovin it. The second time around I tried more apps and stuff since I was with my office. The hush puppies were good, and I can't actually remember what I got for the entree. I'd guess ribs again. This is not the best BBQ is town, but it is a fun place to go in Davis Square (which sometimes feels like it doesn't have as many options as you'd think) and the menu is what it should be. If you're not suffering too badly from "The Itis" after your meal, go behind the restaurant to the right and find Sacco's candle-pin bowling alley. It's a blast!

    (4)

  • Jonathan V.

    At Redbones you sort of get the feeling that you are at some sort of Boston-area landmark. Like you have stumbled upon some hidden gem, a (gasp!) New England eatery that serves good barbecue. This is a testament to their atmosphere, which adds a lot to the experience. The service is great too, very friendly. They have lots of delicious beers on tap. (Side note: I will never give a restaurant any credit for having a good drink menu - focus on the food.) However, and steady yourself for this one, as some have mentioned, the barbecue is NOT THAT GOOD. I had the one of everything platter and nothing really struck me as being great. I'm not even a barbecue snob from the south. I'm from Maine! I suppose if you are in the mood for barbecue and you have reasonable expectations for the food, then Redbones is a really fun place to go to dinner with a group of friends. I would heartily recommend it for that. It is, however, just a hollow shell of the food you can get at some of the elite barbecue places in most metropolitan areas.

    (3)

  • Dana L.

    We came here after some drinking. Moral of the story is that I shouldn't go to a wine tasting without eating first (especially if I expect to actually drink the wines). We sat downstairs in the bar area. The decor was pretty neat, if maybe a little scary. I had the Somerville Cheesesteak, which is basically a cheesesteak with brisket in it instead of steak. Fairly good, albeit not awe-inspiring like I was initially led to believe. The horseradish that it came with was kind of skimpy and somewhat impotent. It's only on the late-night menu, but we managed to get it even though we were there at 10. The service was decent, although my water never go refilled. My meal was only $7, and it was fairly large. If you want one of the platters, you could pay almost $20 for a meal, but the prices seem pretty reasonable. I'm not really much of a carnivore, but if you are, you'll probably like this place.

    (3)

  • FM D.

    Restaurant to avoid - They take my reservation for 10 a week ahead of time and then cancel less than 24 hours before the event. He was nice enough to let me know that we could wait at the bar for a table. I guess i won't miss your scrawny portions and overpriced beer either.

    (1)

  • Michael S.

    I have to give this place 3 stars, not 4 because the BBQ is really not superb for a BBQ restaurant. However, the beer selection is outstanding. From Alagash to Rouge. Dogfish Head to PBR (I am from Milwaukee so I have to rep Wisconsin), Redbones does run the gamut. Going here for a few pints and some hush puppies with that great spiced vinegar for dipping is perfect. Plus, the Davis Square/Tufts crowd is nice compared to other neighborhoods. The service has always been good and being that the place is generally packed, you still get good service. Now the food is good. It isn't bad at all. But for a place to call itself a BBQ joint and serve food like that disappoints me a bit. But there are select dished that are very good. The Jerk Beef sandwich is quite good and spicy. Also the fried oysters are good. Furthermore, they have complimentary corn bread. However, the benchmark of a BBQ restaurant, depending on where it is is either the pulled pork or brisket, neither of which is amazing. Again, they are good, but not great. If you are looking for really good BBQ and wont be going to Texas, Kansas City, or Memphis any time soon, try Blue Ribbon BBQ. But if it's great beer and decent food you are looking for, give Redbones a try. They wont disappoint, but also won't amaze you.

    (3)

  • Melanie P.

    I had eaten at Redbones a while ago, and all that I remembered was not liking their BBQ chicken, but that the yams were good. After a traumatic day getting locked out of my apt, I was in need for some comfort food & I decided to try their delivery. I got a rib, buffalo wings, and sides of mac & cheese, yams, and corn. The sides were okay--you can't really mess up yams unless you don't cook them long enough, and the corn pudding was interesting. The mac & cheese was meh. I give the beef BBQ ribs a high meh, while the wings were probably the best I've had in Boston (take that for what its worth). The delivery was fast, and it was still hot (basically), so that was good, but it reminded me of Tony Romas-- it's okay if you need a BBQ fix, but in an absolute sense, its not that great. Maybe if you like the pork ribs those might be better (given how much people on these boards tend to love redbones I assume they must be doing something right--but it ain't the beef ribs, I'll tell you that!). I would definitely get the hot wings again---and it was a pretty large order (enough for lunch tomorrow!), so if they were a wing restaurant I would probably give them a 4.5! Free delivery w/ a relatively low minimum was also pretty nice.

    (3)

  • LAindc L.

    Great atmosphere, good food, great beer selection. Last time we went we were offered the "pit" seats, instead of waiting for an hour, and I'm glad we did it - Marcos (chef of the day) was in control of his kitchen and it fun watching how it all happened back there and that they all looked pretty happy as a team. It'll definitely give me a better feeling about being there in the future now that I think the staff is being taken care of!

    (4)

  • Ben H.

    Redbones is one of the best places around as long as you aren't interested in eating. They have a pretty good atmosphere and a decent selection of alcohol. Then again, so does almost everyone else in the neighborhood. The problem is that they sell you this decades old dried up shoe leather they found in a dumpster, flavor it to taste exactly like cardboard, and then claim it's BBQ. It's so dry and so flavorless that it makes Natural Ice beer a refreshing change of pace. When I first ate at Redbones about 3 years ago, I was so shocked by just how bad the food was that I assumed something must have just been wrong with my plate. So, I went back. I went back no less than 5 more times. I took other people (also from Texas, also who know what BBQ looks like, tastes like, smells like, etc) with me for second opinions. I tried every style they had at least twice and the brisket every time I visited. I tried them at night, at lunch, on weekends, weekdays, upstairs, downstairs, and even in large groups so everyone could get a little taste of everything. Needless to say, it's all bad. Everything is bad. Everything. Only the hush-puppies were even close to palatable. How do you screw up whole kernel corn? How? I can make better corn with a can opener and a microwave. After numerous failures, I am ready to declare Redbones the worst BBQ anywhere. To call this atrocity BBQ is to slap people who enjoy BBQ in the face, knee them in the groin, kick them in the pants, and then charge them for the service.

    (1)

  • Frank B.

    Been going there for years.Noticed in the last couple years overall the quality has slipped dramatically. Still a big fan of the Verde Chili,a must. but I just don't get as excited about their BBQ as in the past. Maybe its time to put some of that good ole'love back in the cookin'! The place is still full,lots of young locals,the bar is always buzzing, .Still a fan of the beer dial,can't decide what to drink ,take a chance and spin,Always a winner.Great selection of brew.. Go make your own decision. Has potential for greatness again!!!

    (3)

  • Tracy C.

    Don't be estranged by its location and modest exterrior, Red Bones should definitely not be overlooked. I personally prefer the bar more than the dinning room, but regardless of where you end up locating yourself, Red Bones is a wonderful hangout for sharing drinks, food and laughters with your friends. Stepping through those doors by no means imply that you are in the South, but Red Bones do a pretty okay job trying to bring a variety of Southern flavors into our lives. I really like the baby-back ribs, they are extremely tender, juicy and the flavoring is great. However, the beef brisket wasn't as unforgettable. I find the cornbread dull, and the hushpuppies unimpressive. The nachos I quite liked, but it didn't get tham any extra point because it really isn't hard to prepare an acceptable plate of nachos. I do like getting the chicken fingers or catfingers at the bar, they are delicious and very fairly priced. They have a good selection of beers, scotch and the bar tenders make good cocktails. I find the staff friendly and easy going. I go eat there because there aren't many choices around for that style of southern food, and I am still waiting to be wow-ed. But I do think it's a fun place to hang out.

    (3)

  • Aaron S.

    I've only been to Redbones twice. The first time was in 2006, as a freshmen. I remember getting the BBQ belt and stuffed myself on delicious meat. I also remember it being a lot darker. Can anybody vouch for this? Anyways, I went back a few days ago with my GF who's from Texas. I wasn't as impressed, which is to say...we still polished off that heaping plate of meat. We split the BBQ belt and got some chili verde. Delicious stuff. I think next time I'll get just the Arkansas Ribs. Never seen those before. Bonus points for the mason jars for drinks.

    (4)

  • Michal N.

    I really love red bones. Big time. They have some awesome steak tips. However, I am gluten free and i don't appreciate the fact that their menu and the take-out person on the phone says "the meat may or may not be gluten free" when I call. I mean - it is gluten free... or it isnt. Just tell me which. I found it really frustrating. Make up your mind red bones.

    (3)

  • Smarty G.

    As a Southerner with a sophisticated BBQ palate, I was skeptical that this place was as good as I expected it to be. Thankfully, it was! The boyfriend had a full plate of ribs and moaned w/ ecstasy while consuming them. I had a trio of meats -pull pork, pull chicken and sausage- which were all succulent. I was surprised that out of the 3, my favorite was the pull chicken. My boyfriend fully expects my future requests to pick-up to-go orders.

    (4)

  • Kenneth R.

    I'm in town for a conference that needed to serve a buffet to 75 people last night at the place where we've been having lectures. There were two separate lines -- one with all sorts of quite good Chinese food and one with amazingly good barbecue. The two cuisines were funny neighbors on my plate, but I can deal with just about anything. My opinion of the Q kept going up and up. Excellent brisket and really good chicken. There were also some collard greens that I deeply appreciated. No comment on the service or ambiance at Redbones, since I've never been there! I hope someday to make it to the source, however.

    (4)

  • Sam D.

    Favorite BBQ in Bean Town. My girlfriend and I live around the corner in Davis square and can't get enough of this place. As the other reviews have said, the portions at Redbones are HUGE. While a full rack of ribs will set you back $19, I can't imagine anyone going home without a full stomach and a healthy helping of left overs. The sides/starters are great, and the beer list is vast and varied. Occasionally there are off nights where the food isn't quite up to par but this has only happened once in many visits. Go to Redbones, you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • P K.

    Fun atmosphere, good barbecue, and plenty of beer to choose from. The prices are fair and the service is quick. Enjoy good-sized portions of chicken, ribs or pulled pork with or without the tasty barbecue sauces, it is flavorful and good. Honestly, it is not my favorite selection of beer; they have a good portion of heavy, high-alcohol and hoppy craft beers - typically favored by a more bearded bohemian type. The place gets crowed, so get there early, find a beer you like - stay late.

    (4)

  • Madison B.

    BBQ is definitely a favorite of mine and this place is so great at giving me exactly what I want and their menu is HUGE! I come here for lunch a lot with coworkers and never feel disappointed. Food is always fast and perfect. yummy...

    (4)

  • Don S.

    Best BBQ ever. I had the jerk beef and pulled chicken. Great stuff! I chose potato salad and coleslaw as my sides. The potato salad was really good, but the coleslaw was a little bland. We had another person join our party after we had been seated, and it was difficult to find another table. The wait staff dies their best to be accommodating but you don't go fir the ambiance. The place is always packed and you never leave hungry.

    (4)

  • Gone F.

    YUMMMMMMM Love the eclectic atmosphere, the total weirdness of this great spot, but most of all the barbeque pulled pork, beans, cornbread, etc... Oh my....Can't wait to go back. The staff is fun, the place is bustling and it felt like I had turned back the clock 40 years. Went with my daughter. Felt like I was back in my teens. LOL! Not to diminish the fact that the food really is fabulous and plentiful.

    (5)

  • matt b.

    The dining room is loud and tightly packed and vegetarians won't find much to eat here - but the food is excellent. The kitchen staff ( sit at the counter by the kitchen sometime ) is very efficient and friendly. They churn out hundreds of pounds of well executed BBQ every night, so, instead of over-tipping your A&F wearing waiter, consider giving the cooks some cash (the front of house doesn't share their tips with the cooks).

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    Redbones is a funky place to go for a meal or just for drinks. Downstairs is great too. The place is a bit pricey or they would get five stars in my book. They also sure seem to get lots of famous peeps. Great place to at least check out if you are in Davis Sq. and haven't been there before.

    (4)

  • Walt Z.

    one of my favorite places to hit up whenever i get the chance. i lived in the south for a few years, and crave catfish almost daily, so this is a spot i hit up. the beer selection is awesome and rotated weekly. definitely a place i recommend to friends!

    (5)

  • Brian G.

    I am a big fan of "Bones". Enough to the point where I bought a Redbones hat. I will say that their pulled pork and chicken are both spectacular. They also have solid pork ribs and make an unreal chicken wings. The weakness are that the staff can easily get confused and screw up the simplest task and also the sauces aren't that great but we are in New England not North Carolina so I cannot expect perfection. The prices are also great and I suggested going for a midweek lunch if you get the chance since the prices are even lower then and there is not the huge crowd like on the weekend.

    (4)

  • H Y.

    Good for a northeast BBQ joint. The Blue Ribbon is better and anything down South is best but you are in Somerville so what are your choices? They give good portions and their atmosphere is pretty cool. I wouldn't wait in line to eat here though. Eat at the stool/bar and chat it up with the cook if he's got time. Also get freebies and best choice of ribs there. Skip the lunch buffet. It seemed like leftovers warmed over.

    (3)

  • michael m.

    Beer and Barbecue. The two go hand in hand, like, well, two hands. This place hits it spot on -- cheap, plentiful food and quality beer on top. The pulled dishes -- chicken and pork -- are phenomenal, as are the barbecue wings. Everything is served with four different sauces -- sweet, mild, hot, and vinegar. The beers are served in appropriate glasses -- stouts in stout glasses, pints in pint glasses. At least when I was there, the bartender seemed to know what he was doing. There is a happy hour special -- free appetizers from 4-6. And there is bike valet parking certain times of the day -- although after having a few brews, that could be a fun ride back home :]

    (5)

  • Ana M.

    Oh, man, I love this place. I'm a HUGE fan of ribs and all shaved meats so this is totally the place for me. Go with one of the combos (I like the St. Louis Ribs & Whatever), you won't be disappointed. My one complaint is that the ribs aren't saucy enough. I don't know if it's cuz I always order the wrong style, but I like the kind that are slathered in BBQ sauce and, like, dripping with it. Other than that, it's amazing!

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    I'd rather go for just a beer. The selection is really very good. Maybe my time in the South spoiled me, but the meat was just mediocre. They need more sauce. There needs to be big bottles/vats of different sauces on the tables, instead of the thimble size dixie cups that come on the plate. The babyback ribs were not tender enough, and the hash was a bit bland. Though after a few strong beers, the hash was quite good the next morning. The place is fun and the atmosphere is cute* I will definitely give it another try.

    (3)

  • Steven B.

    Redbones seems to be in a downward spiral. In last couple of months their menu has been cut roughly in half (no more Memphis ribs!!), they stopped delivery, and generally food has gone downhill. It has always been a favorite place of ours, so I hope they get it together soon before it becomes just another beer hall.

    (3)

  • Scot M.

    To me redbones sets the standard for great southern style BBQ in the Boston area. The St. Louis ribs are outstanding and meaty as are all meat entrees and sides. Dining areas are cute and artsy. Drinks are decent but pricey. At peak hours it is packed w long wait times. But worth the wait. Yu can get a drink in a nearby bar while u wait. Redbones is the equal of brookline's village smokehouse which serves a moreTexas style BBQ. This is must go place in cambridge.

    (5)

  • Andrea M.

    I only eat at Redbones when I'm with a group that really, really wants to, because I'm not one to be a party pooper and move a whole group somewhere else. Otherwise, I'm not so much a fan. The cornbread is lovely, the catfish is generally good, but the BBQ is not all that or the bag of chips you shoulda got. I've had BBQ from all regions of the country, I've had BBQ *in* the South, I lived next door to true Southern Baptists that BBQ'd meat so tender you'd shed a tear. Redbones BBQ, in my opinion, is mostly hype. Nice place to hang out, though, I s'pose.

    (2)

  • Tommy L.

    The best thing about Redbones are the side dishes: mac n cheese, hush puppies, corn fritters, mashed potatoes, and catfingers just to name a few. The meat is good but the corn bread (a BBQ joint must) is bland and tasteless. This loses major points in my book. Also, it's not as cheap as Blue Ribbon BBQ

    (4)

  • Nicole S.

    Yes it is fantastic BBQ. I have been there several times and had to catered to my office for events and have loves all the great service and food i have had. Great BBQ but lets take a moment to reflect upon the corn pudding. Sweet Corn, butter, cheese, and some spicy seasoning cooked together into this pudding. Once I tasted it I regreted it because I wanted an endless supply of it. I sat there eating this amazing corn pudding and longing for more, every day, every meal. Once again, I am lucky I dont live closer or I would be there all the time. Yummy goodness!!

    (5)

  • Andrew W.

    Best southern comfort food in the area. Huge portions and delicious. Can get very crowded so call ahead of time.

    (5)

  • Rich G.

    Been coming here for years. Love the brisket and pulled pork sandwich.....and don't forget the spin the wheel for a chance at a great beer you've never had.

    (5)

  • Phil K.

    At first I was a little leery about BBQ in New England. Clam chowdah and seafood--yes. But pulled pork and brisket--ehh maybe? Located in Davis square, this place is off the main drag. When you stroll around you'll see some very crunchy places, which makes a bbq joint seem out of place. The sign is old and rustic- a true sign of no frills bbq. The checkered tablecloths were a very nice touch. The beer selection is fantastic as well. We ordered hush puppies and corn fritters to start. The hush puppies were great! Cooked to perfection. The corn fritters were served in a maple syrup sauce which was a nice compliment. Now - the BBQ. Decided to go with the brisket sandwich. Came with two sides so I had mac and cheese and potato salad. They put sauces on the table, but I wanted to try it without any sauce. First bite was amazing! Extremely tender and moist. The outside was charred to perfectly and I could take the smoke. I was quite impressed! I added some BBQ sauce which complimented the beef very nicely. My friend ordered the St. Louis style ribs. I tried one and it was a bit dry, but nonetheless very very tasty. The char on the outside was exactly right. If you're looking for southern style BBQ... This place has got it! Good to know there are some great BBQ joints even in New England!

    (5)

  • N B.

    My husband loves their BBQ. I love their portobello sandwich (vegetarian) which is actually one of the best that I ever had. Service was okay. The cornbread was also really good.

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    After a night of drinking in Davis Square, we went to Redbones for a heavy late dinner. We got there right before midnight and we were able to find a table downstairs. The service was friendly and the prices were reasonable. The ribs were great and the beef brisket was even better. I could have done without the buffalo wings, they were too salty. I find that with most authentic BBQ places, the BBQ sauce is thin and watery which is also the case with RedBones. I wish there was something thicker available. The chicken and waffles is great, def try it! Skip the mai thai drink and save it for an authentic Chinese restaurant. Ambiance is cool and chillax. Nice spot for friends or a casual date.

    (4)

  • Jose S.

    I had a dinner here, it's really hard to find a table for a very bug amount of people here, so mind calling with some days to avoid any surprise. As far as I know, the restaurant has two stores, one big area on the first floor and another one downstairs. When I came down the stairs it became darker and darker, so if you like a clear atmosphere it's not your option. Before sitting I paid attention to the walls, they were painted with kind of weird and creepy pictures, but they were good painted. Talking about what really matters, there is a big selection of beverages and food, but luckily each one fit in a big sheet. As usual you can find beers of many kinds and types, wines and cider ( I sticked with this ). In the food menu there are a lot of many choices too, but as we were visiting the US we were craving for some local style food: BBQ. One thing that surprised me was the pile of napkins that was on the table, I was anxious to start eating! We order a lot of things, pork ribs and smoked pork ( I really liked them ), also they have good chicken and fish, cabbage salad and some other dishes that I don't remember. But in summary, the food was really good. As deserts we had them all, the chocolate and banana ones were the least sweet and best for me, but the other ones are a good option if you enjoyed sweet desserts.

    (4)

  • Maddie C.

    I tried this place for the first time and really liked it. Other reviewers have mentioned the missing cornbread, which I found odd to not appear on the menu, but I didn't realize they used to serve it. It's honestly not a deal breaker for me because the food is so good. It's like going to somebody's house to eat. I can rave about the pulled pork and chicken & waffles, but I'm looking forward to trying more on the menu as well (desserts especially!) One thing I really liked is that they have an extensive beer list and you can get different sized pours of everything, ranging from 10.5oz to 16oz+. Beer can be heavy with BBQ, so it was nice to try two different small pours and not feel stuffed! I will be going back to Redbones.

    (5)

  • Omar Q.

    They start meals off at red bones with some complimentary cornbread. Mine was inedibly dry. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich platter with fries and macaroni and cheese. The sandwich itself was moist but it required a liberal dose of barbecue sauce. The fries were cut thin and they were shriveled up. They were not very appetizing or seasoned. The Mac and cheese might've been good a few hours earlier but it was bland and obviously reheated. The one saving grace was the banana pudding. I love banana pudding, and it was pretty tasty here. Definitely not the best I've ever had, but still good.

    (3)

  • Jen K.

    A year ago I would've raved about Redbones. I wasn't Yelping at that point, but if I did, I'd be writing this review to negate the awesome review I would've posted back then. The food is good, but they've shrunk the portion sizes of the side dishes AND taken away the complimentary cornbread. What?! Was so disappointed when I visited a couple weeks ago and ordered the 1/2 rack of St. Louis-style ribs. I picked the collard greens and mac 'n cheese for my sides. The side dishes arrived in the tiniest little cup dishes; could swear the portions used to be bigger. The ribs were still good but I was still reeling from shock over the lack of cornbread (which, the waitress informed me, you can still order for an additional cost - no thanks!) Anyway, I was very disappointed and probably won't be back soon.

    (2)

  • Jessica L.

    I have been to Redbones a few times over the past few years and the atmosphere is fun, a little loud at times, and sometimes the wait for a table is longer than I'd like. Drinks are served in mason jars, the staff is super friendly and welcoming. The best part is starting my meal with a delicious piece of cornbread. Much to my surprise tonight, no cornbread arrived to our table. When I asked about it the server said they stopped serving cornbread a few weeks ago. Umm what?! It's like a signature thing, how do you get rid of it? While the other food may be pretty good, I will be hard pressed to return knowing there is no warm cornbread to enjoy. Hush puppies and corn fritters are no match for the fresh cornbread. Bring it back!

    (3)

  • E F.

    Meat. It's meaty. It's crowded and a bit loud but the food is tasty and everyone I bring here has good time. You -will- feel the meal the next day. Your poor colon. But your stomach and your taste buds will thank you, so it's six-one-way-half-dozen-the-other. Pick ribs over wings any day here.

    (4)

  • Karen M.

    Looking for a funky atmosphere and great food? Look no further! One of the best BBQ places in the northeast Vegetarians love the fish too.

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    I'll toss my hat in the ring and join the 1,338 reviews - if it wasn't already hard enough for those out of towners to pick one of the many great restaurants in Somerville. Locals know Redbones for solid barbecue in the dearth of barbecue that is Greater Boston. You can get swindled by the Coast Cafe or travel to the boonies (ahem, suburbs), or you can fork over $$$ for "BBQ-fusion" in Boston, so we're stuck with Redbones, and this is not a bad thing. The cheery, no frills interior, extensive beer list, and tasty ribs and brisket at this Davis Square institution meets all of your BBQ cravings. Both the St. Louis Ribs (entirely blackened, but no have fear, they have a nice wetness to them), and the Baby Backs (the name evokes memories of sticky BBQ sauce, but they are served dry as well and you need to add some sauce to sweeten them up). The brisket was your average brisket - tender, with decent flavor. I would suggest ordering a combo so you can pick and choose between 2 or 3 BBQ items and 2 sides (roughly $23.00). For sides, the vegetarian beans are a highlight - as is the Mac n'cheese. I would recommend finishing things off with a slice of chilled pecan pie (~$6.00). The interior is barebones with a colorful array of signage and plastic chairs. Seating is both upstairs and downstairs - we had no wait on a Wednesday at 6pm, but the place fills up quick on the weekend. Not a great place for a date unless she specifically requests barbecue and is wearing a t-shirt - or is your significant other and doesn't care if you get sauce on your face. Overall, Redbones covers all the bases and serves up the barbecue for your Greater Boston cravings.

    (4)

  • Miles H.

    Redbones has evidently made some changes, and since I didn't exactly give the place a stellar review, I think some updates are in order. The St. Louis-style pork ribs have gotten really, really good. Maybe the first time I tried them was something of a fluke, because the second helping was delicious: tender, smokey, and crispy on the outside. This would easily be my go-to meat in the future. Also, let's talk baked beans for a minute. On past visits, my meal came with plain pinto beans that you really couldn't call "baked" in the way we think of baked beans as hearty and packed with flavor. But now, Redbones has rolled out an alternative BBQ baked bean side, and man, it's awesome. Savory, sweet, and complete with chunks of meat. Definitely the best side in the house. Overall, Redbones remains somewhere in the middle of my Boston-area BBQ list. It's nice to see that they've spiced things up here and there.

    (3)

  • Steve E.

    As a recent transplant from Texas it pains me to say this is the best bbq joint I have been to in a LONG time. I have been several times, had every kind of meat and it is all good. Cant miss coming here.

    (5)

  • Ted B.

    Great southern BBQ and best tap selection in Somerville. How could you go wrong with that!

    (5)

  • Corey L.

    I've been here a few times and I think I've always gotten the Barbeque Belt, a mix of different BBQ stuff. Really good. The ribs, brisket, pulled pork - all great. This is a decently big place with a very distinct style about it. The service has always been fair and I've always had decent experiences here - the main reason to go is the food. Also, last time I went there was a dude that looked exactly like Fabio sitting near us. Was crazy. Big dude with hair like a lion. Why?

    (4)

  • Kim A.

    So let me be honest by saying that i don't even know how to rate this experience. I called at 8:20 pm and placed an order for a small get together at my house. The man I spoke to was VERY difficult to speak with because he either couldn't hear what I was saying because he was it was to loud in the restaurant or he wasn't paying attention to what I said. I had to repeat nearly everything that I said, it was almost comical. I told our guest that red bones delivers food via bike so it was going to be awhile, they knew this when they chose this restaurant. After no call and no show at 945 I called back. I spoke with a man and asked for an ETA. He put me on hold. I was on hold for probably about 5-10 minutes when he came back on, I told him who I was and he said he thought someone had already helped me, he put me on hold again reassuring me that someone would help me and that I wouldn't be on hold that long. A woman than came on the phone and said your food is on the way we are sorry we also packed a gift card. Ok....our food arrived over 2 hours after placing the order at 10:50. We paid $98 for the food and received a $50 gift card. We shouldn't of have had to pay at all! The man who delivered it apologized. I don't even know what happened because it wasn't communicated to me, hell at this point I don't even know if it would have made it better. I obviously know that they are sorry, but what I do not know is if I could ever order from them again and trust that my food will arrive. By the time the food arrived people were either starving or it had been so long that they weren't hungry anymore.

    (2)

  • Denis D.

    Been there many times. I used to wake up at night and crave their Jamaican Jerk Beef sandwich.... it used to be so delicious, soooo spicy. I absolutely loved it, and recommended that heavenly creation (or perhaps, from hell, hehe) to so many friends. Last few times I went there, that sandwich was really, really disappointing. It was bland... yuk... I asked the waiter what the heck happened to the spiciness? And he brought a side of sauce.... Not the same thing, at all..... I used to like that place, the downstairs decor reminds me of college days. Food used to be good (at least the Jamaican Jerk sandwich was), service was always so so, beer was good, not too expensive. But I've been disappointed too many times. Enough is enough... anyway, parking is always a major headache going there. Lots of better options closeby. Will I go back? Hmmm. Someday.... Will I recommend that restaurant again? Hell no.

    (2)

  • Clay F.

    In addition to having increasingly mediocre food, they're also dumb. If you call for delivery, you don't get the restaurant. You get some voicemail in the main office. Then, when you're connected to the food part that you were obviously looking for in the first place it will ring and ring and ring. I just did this, and then a woman answered after 10 rings. I told her I wanted to put in an order for delivery, and she preceded to yell the word delivery and hang up on me. When I called back (mistakes happen) the line was off the hook. Morons.

    (2)

  • Ali P.

    Normally I would give this place 5 stars. I have been coming here with my family for years and we have always enjoyed ourself, food, drinks, atmosphere, staff. Everything was always great. Unfortunately my rating has gone from 5 stars to 1. I am a nurse, by no means do I have any culinary knowledge, however it is completely erroneous to me that mr. Nick Gregory made an executive decision to stop serving cornbread. Is that not a staple in barbecue? After a long talk with the waitress, demanding to speak to the GM, she informed me I was not the only person who has such strong feelings about this matter. I always praised redbones on their expertise of the art of barbecue and incorporating classic staples as well as new twists. The luxury of respect is now lost. With a heavy heart I regret to say I am from now on taking my business to Blue Ribbon. I hope this decision is overturned and the city can enjoy bbq the right way. Just bring it back, Nick.. please bring it back

    (1)

  • Phillip M.

    Red Bones is a pretty solid choice in Davis square. Great beer selection, and decent BBQ (remember you're in the North Easternest city in the US, so it's never going to be amazing BBQ). Great portions for the price. Huge space with plenty of room. Downstairs gets fun on weekend nights. Good place for families to eat in Davis.

    (4)

  • Alexandra M.

    I'm going to need to go back. That plate of fried pickles and jalapenos was so filling and HUGE. I wish my plate of buffalo shrimp was just as big because it was so good, but I would have needed to be rolled out then. Cheap beer and I liked the way the menu was laid out with a few lines of descriptions, not overkill and overwhelming as some places do now. Staff were interesting...I'm not talking about the service itself, but the fact that our server didn't know what a flash drive was (my friend gave me one, I couldn't reach my purse, so I left it on the counter). He said he didn't know anything about that computer stuff. They won't seat you without your whole party, which makes sense because the place is small but everything moves fast enough so you shouldn't be waiting too long. We sat at the 'bar' by the oven, and watching the meat come out and be cut up and it was almost enough to convert two vegetarians.

    (4)

  • John A.

    The pecan pie and potato salad are delicious

    (4)

  • here t.

    I'm reviewing the bbq here. The place is fun, if dated and well a bit tired. But, the BBQ is very, very ordinary. Lazy, monopoly-happy prep/recipe. Its not like they don't have the equipment, but I think they just stopped trying or something. If you've had the real stuff, you know this ain't it.

    (2)

  • Justin K.

    This place is excellent. Came here for a late night dinner, got the chicken wings (non buffalo), jerk beef, fried catfish, and mac and cheese: Wings - I was a little apprehensive to order these at first because I thought the buffalo would be more flavorful (they ran out), but these were surprisingly super tasty! It's got this rub with a lot of different seasonings, and the meat falls off the bone. Jerk beef - omg so good. Meat is super tender, and it's definitely got a spicy kick so be prepared for that. Catfish - also really good. Moist fish on the inside with a crispy breading outside. Mac and cheese - YOU HAVE TO GET THIS. STOP READING AND ORDER IT NOW.

    (5)

  • Lizzie B.

    Redbones is the place I go to when I am too lazy to Yelp a new restaurant. I mean that as a compliment. I know if I show up before 6, I won't have to wait long for a seat, and the food will be generously portioned and good. Things of note: The chicken fried chicken special is my favorite, but it's only available once a week. The white gravy is deliciously bad for you, and will probably pop off the first button of your pants, but it's worth it. The chicken is lean and crispy, with a peppery crumble. The Mac n' Cheese is quite creamy, but I WANT BREAD CRUMBS. It needs something to cut the taste of straight cream and cheese. Still tasty though, but I think it's impossible to eat more than a few bites without keeling over from stomach fatigue. The complimentary corn bread is YUM! Perfectly soft and crumbly. I appreciate that it's served with melted butter. Nothing worse than watching a perfectly good piece of cornbread disintegrate because you can't seem to manage to rub the rock solid butter onto it. My Dad loves the wood grilled chicken. I haven't tried it, but I've wondered at its size. It looks like it came off a Pterodactyl. My Mom swears by the grilled chicken sandwich. A good option for those that don't want to gain an inch or two in the waist. She claims that it is "the juiciest in Boston." The buffalo chicken appetizer is very good, but if you are a wimp like me, ask for a refill of water before you start chowing down. The grilled shrimp plate is quite good. You get 12 medium sized shrimp on two skewers with two sides for $18.99. The shrimp are good, but I wish they weren't covered in butter sauce. May I suggest some garlic or herb rub instead? Still, grilled shrimp are hard to find in the area, particularly with a price point less than $25, so i'll leave my complaining for another day. Pro tip: For all plates except for the fish, you have to pay a surcharge to substitute sides. If you get a fish plate (shrimp included), you can substitute any side you want for no additional charge. (May I suggest the dirty rice, the mac n' cheese, or the sweet potato fries?) Anyways, good food if a wee bit over priced, divey atmosphere (old school rock on the radio however), good beer and cider selection. Great place to bring your hippie parents or to holla at a Tufts student.

    (4)

  • Jason A.

    Southern BBQ and beer what isn't there to like? A bit older and rundown, feels like one of those places that hasn't changed in 20 years, but that's exactly why people like it, and the locals love it. Our server was a bit aloof. Attentive but quiet, knowledgeable but not going to share unless you pull it out of him. Igorish. The draft list was big, but not local focused. Only about 20% were locals. A couple solid beers, but nothing crazy. Some of the food was really great, especially the okra, and a pulled chicken. The corn bread was a little dry and not as sweet as I like. The hush puppies needed to be sweeter as well. Pretty decent food, but nothing special.

    (3)

  • Bob M.

    No cornbread? Seriously? Been going there forever. But if cornbread is out so am I. Please post an explanation/warning on your website and in the window. This really is the last reason to avoid Davis Square.

    (1)

  • A W.

    It is safe to say my husband and I have eaten at Redbones literally dozens and dozens of times since 1987. Let me put it this way, the bar used to serve mixed drinks in mason jars or pint glasses. So last night's dinner was an eye opening disappointment. First let me say the music was great and the staff was friendly as usual, but somewhat less knowledgeable than in the past. When we inquired about the ingredients in a couple of menu items, it was quite an effort to find out the answer. In the past the staff had a very large 3-ring notebook that had each dish listing the ingredients. A very fast, easy, and extremely helpful tool. I'm not really sure if that's available any longer (?). Also, having worked in the restaurant business I know menus change, and prices do go up. The prices have gone way up at Redbones recently. One size (there used to be two) of nachos for about $10. The nachos were good, but the chips seem to have changed and the salsa was more of the spaghetti sauce variety than the fresh salsa variety of the past. The side dishes are fewer and are now really really small portions. The brisket was smokey and juicy as in the past, there was just much less of it on my plate. It would be hard to believe the pinto beans were canned, but it really seemed that way. The beans had very little if any seasoning, as did the coleslaw or collard greens. The slaw used to have a great light but creamy vinegar sauce, a perfect complement to the expertly smoked meats. What happened? And what happened to the corn pudding? And sweet potatoes? Where is the cornbread? People who are new to the area may find Redbones a good BBQ restaurant with a wonderful beer selection and cool music, but for people who have loved Redbones for 25+ years it is no longer great. The last three or four years has been a slow steady decline of a great BBQ restaurant. No reason to return.

    (1)

  • Steve H.

    Have been a customer at Redbones for over 15 years. through regular patronage as well as having large catered events there along with promoting redbones to many i have sent thousands of dollars and repeat business to them. That being said I will never return and I will ensure that everyone I speak with going forward goes to Blue Ribbon BBQ or if you want great ribs I suggest The Rosebud in Davis Sq. Their ribs and their service blow redbones away. Not sure when staff turnover at redbones took place but the newer staff is disengaged and some are down right rude. If you don't like your job find another one. I'm paying for a service therefore I am not doing you a favor by showing up. I get better service at the DMV than I have had at Redbones the last 3 visits. Today was it. You're done. Your staff sucks and btw your food quality has dropped. I'll be in Davis Sq 2-3 x per week but will go to Painted Burro(5 star service and food), Rosebud(ditto...plus killer ribs!!!!) Posto( ditto), Broadway Eatery, 5 Horse Tavern but never to redbones with your attitudinal and unprofessional staff. Also having 30years experience in restaurant industry i will spread the word If anything. Get yourself some new door staff. They're they're the worst I have ever come across.

    (1)

  • CC S.

    As a transplant from the south my hopes are always high for BBQ places. If you want real BBQ avoid this place. The staff was really nice and the atmosphere was cool, but unfortunately the food is severely lacking. The greens weren't cooked long enough, and they were quite bland to be honest. The brisket was extremely bland and the catfish fingers were horrible. Catfish fingers should be nice pieces of white meat fish that tastes clean and surprisingly not fishy. Unfortunately the ones they offered were more like half raw fried catfish scraps that were very fishy tasting...I really wanted to not leave a bad review but if you want something more similar to real BBQ and southern food you're probably better off at a Popeyes Chicken or Cracker Barrel.

    (2)

  • Heather V.

    I can honestly say that this has been the best BBQ I've ever had so far in my short life. I had been on a BBQ kick recently and tried a few different places around the Boston area to find somewhere with great ribs, and I found that here. I was a little sketchy when we walked in, upstairs didn't look like much. Downstairs feels like a real down home BBQ place. We had just about everything on the menu. The rib platter was extremely worth it. We sampled different styles of ribs in one sitting. We also had a burger and the oyster sandwich. The sides were good, any time mac and cheese don't taste like it came out of a box is a win. Even dessert was great, that pecan pie was perfect. Our server was amazing, she was friendly and could hold a conversation. She even recommended a few other places in the area to try. Definitely give this place a try if you like BBQ.

    (5)

  • Janice R.

    What gives with the negative reviews? We just had the most delicious satisfying meal, and the friendly tall man with the nice hat waits on us every time. We never have a bad meal here. Always great! We were pleased with the addition of vegan collard greens, vegan beans, vegan mashed potatoes. My husband thought they might be bland, but no! They were spiced up nicely. You can order non-vegan versions too. The menu is clearly marked with the different versions. They even mark gluten free versions. We had the fish platter combo. Wow! We ate every speck of our food. Buffalo shrimp and cat fish fingers, fried Okra, all so good. All so fresh, as usual with their food. We like the cheery bright upstairs better than downstairs. The downstairs has a character of its own; I can understand why people like it who prefer to eat there. All in all, thank you Redbones! for the many years of delicious food and kind wait staff. We appreciate the continuous great experiences, and enjoy the 15 minute walk from Porter Square. Pretty houses on the quiet back streets.

    (5)

  • Dave K.

    Somewhere between standard and goldmine is the Redbones experience. I honestly have to go closer to goldmine but the fact of it is, sometimes, Redbones lets ya down. It's true. You'll be super pumped to have that lunch combo and it will be gone. But I do not want to talk about disappointments, those are terribly sad. And more importantly infrequent. I would say Redbones wins due to an unstoppable TRIDENT of power. BEERS - the hands down best beer menu of any restaurant I've ever seen. Rotating taps, nitros, you name it - they've got it or a better idea for you. MEATS - I wish I could tell you about the meats. But this unordinary standard fare will make my mouth water too much. And I'm not close to dinner yet, buddy. SEATS - the atmosphere of this place is a triple threat. Each area has its own unique character. The bar is cozy and warm with lots of banter. The restaurant is cozy and family friendly. Downstairs is cozy and loud. See the trident. Believe in its power. Trust yourself to harness its mighty wings of fury.

    (4)

  • Chase S.

    SSssssooooooooeeeeee! Hell yeah. This place does BBQ right. My NE friends brought me here with excitement but also trepidation--would this southern boy give Redbones a stamp of approval. Amen, yes. Their meats -- and trust me, I tried them all -- are succulent, smokey, moist, and flavorful. The portions are generous and prices meek. The sauces are pretty nice but nothing to write home about -- that's the main area for improvement. I'd also say the baby back ribs, while great and fall-off the bone, had a bit too much tar to their sauce and it tasted slightly burnt to the refined palate. BBQ aside, the decor is fun and wild. Everyone loves the spinning beer wheel -- even the 4 year olds with their families. One kid kept landing on what apparently translated to chocolate milk. What luck! Every time! The servers and hostess were all congenial and made me feel right at home. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Alex H.

    Redbones, what happened? I've been here so many times and had so much good food, but this last visit was sad and disappointing. To start, they didn't have the cornbread that normally comes complimentary with the meal, and offered no substitutions for that. Okay, fine, I guess. My major problem was with the side of pulled chicken, which looked (and tasted, I imagine) like fancy chunky cat food, which is to say... pretty gross. It was also a tiny portion for the price. I don't know what went wrong here, because I used to LOVE their pulled chicken. (It's worth noting that the brisket and St. Louis ribs were still as tasty as I remember though.) Service was acceptable, but borderline rude. We sat at our table for a good 20+ minutes after our food had been cleared before I finally had to ask for a check.

    (2)

  • Joe T.

    this place has been going downhill fast over last few years! It may still fool visitors but service and consistency no longer there! Prices are way up faster than inflation! The menu these days show items that when you order them, few minutes later they come back apologizing! This is even when u call ahead of time! I heard people talking ownership and mgt change and staff turnover!

    (1)

  • 颖瑶

    I would say last time my combo, which was Texas ribs and shrimp one, was terrible. But this time, using the coupon Redbones offered me, I fell in love with their ribs! Mush try the BBQ belts! Def worth it! So high that I can't finish all but it tasted awesome!

    (4)

  • Catie C.

    I always wondered about this place since it's suppose to have great BBQ ribs. Time after time, I had put this venture off. Curiosity killed the cat finally. Very casual atmosphere with a stack of home use square paper dinner napkins on each table. To make a note - they are not necessarily clean. I picked up one and a bunch got clung together by some kind of sauce splatter. Not exactly the most comfortable offerings even when it's one person sitting at a four top - a bit cramped/tight to be exact. I can only imagine if I had 3 friends with me! I was greeted with a petite square piece of bread and a patty of butter - I think cornbread, I couldn't quite figure it out. The server then asked me what I would like to drink. She kinda looked at me weird when I asked if she has Coke. Anyways, I got my cola in a large mason jar. Large enough that I didn't have to ask for a refill! The server was quite helpful when I asked her about the menu. Guided me thru some choices when I told her I wanted to try a little bit of everything. She did note that the portion of these dishes are ginormous. Fudge! This is when I actually wanted to bring a pig with me so I don't waste food. I ended up ordering a small St. Louis Rib which came with beans and coleslaw. It came with 5 ribs and 2 sauces on the side. Down to the point, I have no idea why there is so much rave about Redbones. Maybe I'm just anal, I actually like my ribs tender, juicy and fall off the bone. It didn't hit any of that. If I didn't drench the meat in the sauce, it was wicked dry. Nothing savory about these ribs. As for the sides, beans. I'm from Boston so when she said beans, I automatically thought, Boston Baked Beans. To my dismay, it was no where close. Honestly, I couldn't figure out what they were trying to do with the beans. It just tasted like blanched beans. For the coleslaw, it was too sour for my taste. Is there a sour version of coleslaw? I don't eat it often, but I never had sour slaw before. All in all, now I know what Redbones is all about. I've had more enjoyable ribs and sides else where.

    (2)

  • Bo F.

    The apps (catfingers, and nachos) were better avoided... BUT THE MEATS.... Were the draw, my son had brisket for the first time, and loved it! I had the Texas Beef ribs, which were almost as good as the ones I make. Now, value wise, overall a good value, however the Texas Beef Ribs were very overpriced for (4) ribs $23... A dinner for two without alcohol was $70, plus tip $85.. I'd go back again and make slightly different choices.

    (4)

  • Karina L.

    Come here if you're feeling particularly carnivorous and primal. Red Bones is a no-frills restaurant. Your food is served on trays and the napkins are thrown in a heap on your table (you will need many). Redbones probably isn't the best BBQ you'll have in your lifetime. I prefer Sweet Cheeks, but you definitely get more bang for your buck at Redbones. We got the $11.99 lunch combo, which is an enormous heap of whatever ribs and other BBQ meats (mostly ribs, though) on a plate with baked beans, slaw, and dirty rice. The sides aren't that special so I wouldn't suggest ordering them if they didn't come with your meal. But the ribs were delicious, and crispy and soft in all the right places. And we had enough leftover to last for 3 meals. Fantastic deal.

    (4)

  • Meghana P.

    If you're craving some delicious BBQ food in Davis Square, look no further than Redbone. The place has an artsy vibe, with an upstairs and downstairs. Downstairs, where we sat, is a little darker but has some interesting artwork on the walls to check out while you wait for your food. Our server was super friendly and recommended some popular dishes (mac n cheese, pulled pork, brisket). I ordered the pulled pork plate with mac n cheese and collard greens. While we waited, our server had brought out some cornbread with butter that was really good. The room was packed but the food came out pretty quickly. The portion was very generous. Mac n cheese was absolutely delicious; creamy and cheesy - you could eat a bowl of just that and be very happy! The collard greens were just okay, needed a little seasoning. The server had also brought a side of baked beans by mistake which were really good, much better than the collards. Fries are also yummy - thin like McDonald's. They have a good beer selection, too. Definitely would come here again!

    (5)

  • Stephen D.

    Great BBQ best ribs I've ever had redefined fall off the bone!!!!!!! Amazing selection for vegetarians and meat eaters alike with amazing cornbread to boot!

    (5)

  • Andy B.

    The Brookline high school football team had its end of year banquet yesterday, catered by Redbones. I've got nothing but positive things to say about our experience. The food was fantastic and delivered right on time. The lady Jo Jo who helped coordinate everything was very responsive and friendly. And Nick, the gentleman who delivered the food, was tremendous. The odds are very high that will use Redbones again for next years event. And meanwhile I think the restaurant will be seeing some new customers from Brookline soon !!!

    (5)

  • Rupert H.

    I am kind of torn here. I went to redbones for dinner last night after not having been in for years (after prices started to go up while portions got smaller). We decided to give it another try...annnnnd...well, the food was good. I got the catfish which was really good, and the baked beans were the best I have had around here. BUT, I just can't overlook that they're not doing cornbread anymore. I get it that food prices are going up, and restaurants end up passing that along to the customers, but NO CORNBREAD?! Charge us for it if you have to, but seriously, no cornbread?! Also, we spotted them weighing out the brisket before plating--seems kind of tacky.

    (2)

  • Arkangel R.

    Ordered pickup, They forgot a few sides and the food was pretty sub par. The pulled pork had all the fat rendered out of it so it was completely dry. They don't label anything so BBQ sauces were different. Overpriced too.

    (1)

  • Jolene S.

    I have been to Redbones several times and I've also ordered take-out for a large group from there. Going in to get a sandwich plate (pulled pork or Jamaican jerk) is a pretty good value and the side of mac/cheese is recommended for sharing. I'm also a big fan of the cornbread and butter. The bbq platters, esp. ribs don't outdo chains like Bahama Breeze. But if you're trying to throw a college social event/party on a budget, you might consider it for the value. It's an ok option for a sandwich plate or takeout/catering. Perhaps lunch is a good value too (will refer you to Monique S review for more on that). But I wouldn't call it a "destination" for BBQ. If you're near Davis though, add it to the rotation.

    (3)

  • Mark F.

    Note, this review is from 2011 Met up with some friends at this place for lunch. Sat the bar first which is on the side. Really friendly staff and a large selection on tap. The bar might not look big, but there were at least a dozen stools, some stools facing the wall, and a table at the window. Sat down to eat in a very crowded and loud dining area. Although I could barely hear anyone, I felt it still had a charm I usually see at many barbecue restaurants. I was really impressed by the attentiveness of the dining room staff as well in such a busy and noisy place. The food was incredible and some of the most reasonably priced barbecue food I have seen, especially for that area. Beer selection was great and unique. I had Allagash White, Opa-Opa IPA, and Tuckerman's Pale Ale while I was there. Noticed they had Rogue Old Crustacean. Overall, if I lived in Davis Square, this would be the place for me.

    (4)

  • Jamie H.

    my friends and I went to redbones for lunch and it was delicious. there's a decent selection of beers on tap, and I really liked how they came in 10 oz, 12, oz, 16 oz, and 20 oz options. we started with the buffalo shrimp appetizer. the battered shrimp were coated in a great spicy buffalo sauce, but i thought the portion was a little bit small for the price. however, I would definitely recommend it and order it again. the big pieces of complimentary cornbread were served hot and were a great bonus to the meal. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich for $12.99, which came with slaw, pickles, onions, and two sides - collard greens and steamed broccoli for me. the pulled pork was mild but still had a great flavor, and was even better with the addition of the sauces on the table. my husband initially ordered the lunch special, but they were all out so instead he got the ribs which were amazing - definitely a great pick and possibly better option. his sides were the sweet potato fries and mac and cheese, which were both good. it was more than enough food for both of us, and we came home with about half the sandwich and some of the mac and cheese and fries. our waiter was also very nice and friendly, and the service was just the right pace for lunch and beers.

    (4)

  • Dan S.

    The ribs are great at lunch but ordering an hour before closing time means getting stuff that is as crunchy and burnt as toast. If you're looking for a late dinner, better to go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Eduardo N.

    Good solid food, esp. if you are a passionate carnivore like yours truly, and if you adore southern comfort food like cornbread and such, and you do get plentiful portions. They have an excellent craft beer selection, though it helps if you are a cheap drunk...lol Took off one star only because just like almost every restaurant in the exploding Yuppy-ville that is Cambridge/Somerville, this place is quite overpriced. But it's also constantly crowded, so I guess that must be the appropriate business model for its time and location. There is a certain theme-park/tourist-trap vibe here though, which I'm not crazy about and doubt that I'll be coming back as a result.

    (4)

  • Kat G.

    I like the BBQ here and the cocktails are spot on. There's a few areas to sit, but I prefer the downstairs where the bar is. The place is usually pretty busy which makes the ambiance fun. Would definitely recommend if you like BBQ and a good time.

    (4)

  • Alexandra S.

    This is a local goldmine of southern style BBQ goodness and with over 1,000 reviews they hardly need me to weigh in. yelp.com/biz_photos/redb… But given just how many times we've been here over the past 20 years, I thought it deserved my own shout-out. Plus we were just there last night after a bit of a hiatus and had a great time. I've never known Redbones not to be teeming with people. The safest time to arrive to ensure you don't have to wait is during the day for lunch or for a very early dinner which is what we did last night. Not much other than the prices has changed since we started coming here. They have a system down and it works. It's a very casual, simply decorated, fun place serving up delicious BBQ. Redbones has two levels of dining although the downstairs has always been a bit too dark and subterranean for us. We prefer the upstairs including the long bar area which is the place to wait if the line is long. yelp.com/biz_photos/redb… The menu includes all manner of BBQ ribs, pork and beef, brisket, pulled pork, chicken, fish options including catfish, salmon and shrimp. The two standard sides you get are beans and cole slaw although you are able to substitute. I always substitute those sides but I was unhappy to learn last night that in order to do so you are now charged $1.50 per substitution. That seems a little silly to me and like hair-splitting. Just let folks pick the two sides they want with no extra charge. I hardly think the collard greens and sweet potato fries I swapped in were worth much, if any more, than the beans and slaw. yelp.com/biz_photos/redb… My St. Louis style pork ribs were delicious. yelp.com/biz_photos/redb… I tend to get the baby-back ribs but these were thicker, moister and more flavorful. You get a choice of sauces all bought to the table. My favorite is the vinegar although the sweet sauce has a wonderful molasses undertone which my husband loves. In fact, he bought a quart of it to bring home. The fried pickles and jalapenos are out of this world and we had an order of those. The appetizers in general are delicious. Some of our favorites include the fried okra, the corn pudding and the corn fritters served with maple syrup. You can get your entrée in a regular size order or a small one. We usually get regular size which means we will have enough food to take home for another meal. Leftovers tonight! Yay! This place had to be one of the first in New England to serve drinks in Mason jars, a practice I adopted at home BBQ parties myself because of Redbones. There is a really extensive beer menu. The beer roulette wheel at the bar is fun. Let the bartender spin the wheel to see on which beer it will land if you're struggling with what to order. They make a pretty decent Margarita. As for the wines, they are just okay. The servers are always helpful and Brenna was no exception last night. She was super sweet and attentive. The vibe is upbeat and fun here. Don't wear your fancy clothes, just come comfy. You'll leave very full and with BBQ splashed on you somewhere. Just dig in and enjoy yourself. This place is a terrific Davis Square institution.

    (4)

  • Dan E.

    This previously dependable and authentic restaurant needs to return to it's roots. The recent innovations on the food menu are too clever by half. The worst example is a chicken that is salted to an extreme that is almost unedible. Please, please go back to the old successful formula that made you great.

    (2)

  • Sandy G.

    It's been beyond a rough couple days & I decided last minute 2 find some late night comfort food. I grew up n Greenwood SC so I knew Redbones at Davis Square was my go-to restaurant & pub. Their pork BBQ sandwich is what I always order there & it's exactly what I needed. The entree, along w the 2 sides ( mac & cheese, potato salad ) & a Pinot didn't disappoint or surprise me. What surprised me was the ambiance at their bar area. The vibe can only be described as "surreal." I don't give a rats ^ss who reads this review & thinks I'm off my meds. It was the total package, coolest music, comfy seat (ok ppl-I meant my bar stool) perfect size high quality TV w basketball game on (not like those high brow bars w CNN or FOX) & overall laid back atmosphere. THIS is what surprised/shocked me. It was the strikingly pretty bartender. "Pretty is as pretty does." B/C I arrived late, I wouldn't expect any bartender to give me their full attention B/C they have so many other closing duties to perform. I didn't catch her name but I"LL just call her "multi-class" darn spell check, I meant "multi task" b/c she was handling everything like clockwork, perfect timing on all fronts. Please, put this bar at Redbones on ur bucket list. If ur lucky & you get served by the gorg bartender I've nicknamed "multi class" that's as good as life gets.

    (5)

  • Doven M.

    The happy hour specials are the best! Why did they get rid of the Memphis ribs!

    (4)

  • D S.

    Bad service with good food. I got a beef brisket that tasted good and I thing it will be better if it has some type of sauce. We didn't have to wait and they came fast to take my order but the waiter had a face like I don't want to be there. May be a little smile and good service will give this place a five thumps up. Only the food was good. I think in the future what is order take out. I will go back someday when they change service.

    (2)

  • Michael H.

    Have been coming here since in grad school at Tufts in 1995, but had not been in a while. Recently returned with family and will not be going back. Why? Service: got drinks, ordered, and then food was served with no utensils on the table. We asked the guy who delivered our food for utensils, but nothing happened. We finally found our waitress and asked for them, and it still took a several minutes for her to bring them. We then asked for water for the table. Never happened - she forgot. So we asked again and got it. Utensils and water are pretty basic for any restaurant, right? Food: most everything was good, but the Texas rib in the Barbeque Belt combo dinner was rock hard/inedible. The reason this was so annoying is that it wasn't a judgement call - whoever put that rib on our plate knew that it was rock hard and put it there anyhow. Mostly terrible service, but getting served an inedible rib at a BBQ joint was the final nail in the coffin. Go for drinks at the bar and eat somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Jessica S.

    Ok so I went here with my boyfriend for his birthday because he swore by it! And I'd have to say it was pretty good! Great beer on tap, love the bar area! The only downfall was the parking! Very hard to park!and! The place is pretty small... Imagine going there on a Saturday night. Even though we got seated pretty quickly! I could barely move! And I felt like the waiter was rushing us. Overall the food was good, I had the buffalo shrimp, which I liked! And I tried some of my boyfriends ribs which were good!

    (3)

  • Jack L.

    Hmmm, not impressed at all by this place (and I'm from California with few good BBQ places nearby). I had high hopes when we first entered as the place looked like an "authentic dive BBQ joint". The hostess was MIA for at least five minutes when we walked in (We later discovered she was talking to someone in the back). When she did finally seat us, she handed out the menus and left without saying much. Our server was definitely less helpful than the hostess, and he acted annoyed by our questions. We went with the Baby Back Ribs (for three of us) and a Grilled/Pulled Chicken Dish. The food took ages to come out, and the staff only brought three of the items out. We had to ask our server and a manager at least two times to receive the other dish. Also, we received the wrong side on one of the orders, and the waiter insisted we had told him we wanted the wrong item.... Overall meat quality was disappointing at best. However, the fries and collared greens were somewhat tasty, and I did experience a "BBQ dive moment". However, it definitely does not give Texas BBQ any justice whatsoever. Pretty disappointed (especially considering some of the reviews). Head elsewhere for dinner!

    (2)

  • Lauren P.

    You know, Redbones is alright. It's definitely not the best, but it's also not the worst. In terms of BBQ in Boston, it's a decent pit stop and has a fun atmosphere. What I love about Redbones: interesting beer options BEER WHEEL AT THE BAR - yaysies mac and cheese (love me that velveeta-y goodness) hush puppies all the sauces What I don't love about Redbones: This place is CRAMMED with people later in the evening and I have waited nearly 2 hours for a table. (If you go right from work for an early dinner it's not too bad, tho.) The cornbread is pretty dry and tasteless. Last time I was there I got the pulled chicken sandwich. Again, not awful but not the very best you can get in the area.

    (3)

  • Lenora S.

    Redbones is a great place to chill with friends over a pint/cocktail and a plate of nachos. As a native Texan, I find the BBQ up to snuff and the staff friendly. Drinks are cheap, come in a variety of sizes, an there is a huge selection of beer options if that's what you're looking for. Very cool place. Will miss it when I'm gone.

    (4)

  • Alison C.

    Disclaimer: while I have eaten many-a-time at Redbones and really enjoyed the restaurants food, beer, and vibe, this is a review for the catering. When my now husband and I started planning our wedding, one of our easiest decisions was hiring the caterers. We wanted something delicious, reliable and fun. We had worked with Redbones for smaller parties before (like his 30th) and knew that Redbones fit the bill. The Managers, Jo Jo and Mikaela were both easy to work with. They were proactive, flexible, and both easy-going but still on top of things. Just awesome. They were timely in responding to emails and phone calls, and we had a ton. The Bar Manager also worked with us to price out kegs for the beer wagon, which hasn't been used for this sort of event before, so was not an easy task. The rest of the staff was just as professional, proactive and dependable as Jo Jo and Mikaela. They all stepped up in a major ways too. The beer wagon had dropped off and plugged in to keep the kegs cold the day before we got married. The day of the wedding it was discovered that the electrical to the field we were getting married in had just given out. Zach went and got enough dry ice to take the temp back down to ideal drinking temps (down from 65 degrees!). Much to their (and the Overbrook house where we got married) credit, I only found our about this days later. We had about 170 people at our Cape Cod wedding. The smoker (and the amazing smell!) delicious BBQ, and beer wagon were huge hits. The really friendly staff were big with the crowd too. I would for sure recommend booking them for your backyard BBQ wedding! Or really, for any party. They were so, so, so good.

    (5)

  • Reese D.

    Food is freshly prepared, which is great. The good: we had the St Louis and Baby Back ribs. Both are good. The wings we ordered from the appetizer menu are great too. The fries and sweet potato fries are awesome. You can tell they are freshly cut on premise, not frozen. The coleslaw is good. Plus, the restaurant is really clean, which is a great and welcoming change from other BBQ joints which tend to get "greasy", you know what I mean. Neutral: Corn fritters were drenched in maple syrup. We were hoping that they weren't. Would be great if they can serve the maple syrup on the side instead. The I-Am-Certainly-Not-Impressed: Fried Oysters. Being a New Englander, I have to admit that we have pretty high expectations when it comes to our seafood. Maybe it is my fault that I decide to order a fried oyster appetizer, but lesson learned. Price is certainly decent on the ribs and most of the items we ordered with the exceptions of the Fried Oyster. I don't think they should charge anyone $7.99 for 5 wimpy looking fried oyster.

    (4)

  • Nancy D.

    Fabulous ribs, collard greens, mac and cheese and fried pickles. It's our first time here and the logo is what grabbed our attention. The service was great can't wait to be back.

    (4)

  • christian m.

    test

    (5)

  • Jungmin L.

    Ribs.

    (4)

  • C B.

    Very very good barbeque, but the brisket could have been smoked more. None the less, the meat quality was excellent and the hush puppies were the best. Highly recommended, especially in the New England market.

    (4)

  • Andy D.

    Redbones used to be a great place and I would eat at the food truck that stopped in Malden almost every week, but it's gone incredibly downhill in 6 months since the last time the food truck ran there and I can't recommend any one go there anymore. I don't like to eat at the restaurant. I feel like their food is "slightly better than fast food" quality and doesn't really need a waitstaff/sit-down component to complement it. This is especially true since the sit-down area is decidedly cramped and the staff are weirdly casual. So I enjoy(ed) the food truck option. However, he prices have increased. I don't mind a price increase on its own and other food trucks have increased in price, but Redbones gives you significantly less food compared to the other trucks (and compared to their own restaurant), yet costs much more. The amount of meat they give you is fine, but if you order a combo, they barely give you any sides. (They also for some reason don't give you any complimentary coleslaw with your sandwich like you receive at the restaurant). There also used to be a 2-side sandwich combo that they no longer offer. They've also really pared down the side choices at the food truck. No more candied yams or cornbread. I know it isn't because they weren't popular because they were always the first things to leave! The biggest offense, however, is that they no longer serve baked beans. They have been replaced with veggie-friendly pinto beans and they are absolutely terrible. They taste like they were left in the pot too long and have zero flavor. Honestly, claiming to serve Southern fare with bacon-less pinto beans and no candied yams...tragic!

    (2)

  • Eric F.

    Yum! I'd heard great things about Redbones from several friends and they really hit the nail on the head. My bro and I were led downstairs to the basement level room and we opted for some Texas Beef Ribs and Pulled Pork. The ribs were tasty - good flavor and served dry for you to slather on BBQ sauce as you see fit. But man, that pulled pork was DELICIOUS! I've finally discovered what good pulled pork tastes like after seeing nothing but less-than-stellar renditions from every other place I've come across. I'll add that our quirky and super friendly server did a great job throughout our meal and the food came out in record time. I probably wouldn't go for The Combo seeing as how most of the negative reviews are based on that...so steer clear and get at that pulled pork!

    (4)

  • Binh L.

    Potlikkers. I really love their potlikkers. It is worth another star for this. Plus, great late night food for a happy drunk bunch. I believe their kitchen stays open the latest. Your southern food isn't bad.. for a northerner. Sorry, I'm a snob. Sincerely, your southern implant

    (4)

  • Liliya M.

    I like Redbones and I'm a vegetarian. There, I said it. They have a surprisingly tasty selection for veg-heads and their balsamic portobella sandwich rocks my veggie socks off!

    (4)

  • KEith J.

    Really really good ... did I mention really good? Got takeout lunch here today the pulled pork plate @ 6.49 a real deal. First the packaging was exemplary compared to other places I've been. The corn bread was wrapped in foil and not put in with the food to get soggy. The sides were in their own individual containers. The sweet sauce was tasty. Great value for the $.$$. Got the pecan pie for dessert @ $4.99 for a slice maybe a little skimpy but delicious. Would I go back? In a heartbeat.

    (4)

  • Mike Z.

    We came here on a late Sunday night and surprisingly the place was packed. The decor is what you would expect for a BBQ joint, tacky and old-fashioned. It's common knowledge that the BBQ scene in Boston has always been unimpressive and Red Bones fit right in this category. The chicken wings were overly charred and as a result, the meat was very dry and the skin was inedible. The cole slaw that came with it was very soury and dry, there weren't enough dressing. The beef brisket was decent. Very tender on the initial bite, but dryness quickly settled in. The meat was not juicy enough. The meat had to be drowned in sauce to overcome the dryness. The highlight of the night was the St. Louis ribs. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and tasted great, definitely amongst the better ribs. There were only a limited amount of sauces that were provided, in very small amounts as well. Not to mention, it wasn't anything to rave about either. I didn't like how their menu didn't allow for more flexibility with the combos and sides like SoulFire does. Most of the combos were prefixed with beans and cole slaw or solely slaw - likely because it's the least expensive of the sides to provide. Not everybody only likes beans and slaw! Substitutions cost $1.50. Lastly, my beer was lukewarm when it arrived. Anyhoo, if on the offchance that I do return, I'd probably stick to the ribs. Anything else would be a risky undertaking.

    (3)

  • John S.

    Off our list. No longer as good as their reputation. Dry and bland all around. The cornbread is uninteresting. Tonight's special was a half rack of baby backs with fries- they were very very dry and tasted like they were reheated from yesterday (special all right). Good fries just like five guys. Memphis ribs were good but the beans have no taste and are dull. The coleslaw is not what I prefer, too much vinegar and no contrasting sweet taste. We're done with Redbones.

    (1)

  • Stefanie Y.

    I've heard great things about Redbones, so I was pretty excited to finally try it out. We went on a Tuesday night and were seated immediately, which was an unexpected plus. Our waitress was friendly and prompt with our orders. The food was OK. My friend and I both ordered the pulled pork sandwich, as well as hush puppies and the "one perfect rib" baby back ribs. The pulled pork had good flavor, but was mushier than I would have liked. The coleslaw could have done with more seasoning - it seemed like it was mostly lettuce and sour cream. I did like that Redbones provided three BBQ sauce options. The hush puppies were...a miss. They were hard and tasteless. I slathered mine in BBQ sauce, but that only emphasized the lack of flavor even more. Even the cornbread could have used a little more flavor, though it was fairly moist and had a nice texture. The ribs were delicious. They were tender, though not as tender as some other baby back ribs I've had. It seemed that the top was a little burned, which may have made the meat a little tough. However, the meat against the bone was perfect and tasted great with the sweet BBQ sauce. Overall, we had a good time and we left full, but a little disappointed. If I do come here again, I'll just go straight for the ribs.

    (3)

  • Anu G.

    I dont' eat meat, so I can't rate the ribs or the meat entrees. But the corn bread and other vegetarian dishes were delicious. Good service, great selection of microbrews.

    (4)

  • Donna G.

    This place is wonderful. Go for the live music and laid back vibe and stay for the BBQ and well done cocktails. A Davis Square institution.

    (4)

  • Cherry W.

    We have been to redbones a handful of times and the food is typically good enough (not stellar, but good enough) for us to go back there. But yesterday, I was extremely disappointed with the attitude of the staff, which was unhelpful and unfriendly. The waiter (who was quite nice) helped me pack up the left over collard greens and ribs that I couldn't finish. However, by the time we were ready to leave the restaurant, I realized that the paper bag that was given to me was leaking all over the place and juices were dripping through the bag like a leaky faucet. I turned to the closest staff who happens to be the front desk receptionist for a plastic bag to put my food in. She just gave me a look as if that was a stupid question and said that they don't have any plastic bags. She then offered to get me a paper bag even though it's plainly clear that wouldn't do anything and another paper bag would just soak right through. The unhelpfulness of this staff member was just astonishing. Be aware! For better BBQ and more friendly staff, I think I will hike up to Arlington for Blue Ribbon from now on.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    Best BBQ I have ever had! I got the BBQ belt and it was awesome. Great ribs and perfectly smoked meats. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Becky P.

    "Meh. I've experienced better," is what I said to myself, last time I ate at Redbones. I'm from South Carolina, so I'm pretty into barbecue in general. I was stoked to eat some Redbones, but after trying my food, I was disappointed. The hushpupies were no good. They just had a very unpleasant flavor. There was something crunchy and gritty in my catfingers. The fried pickles were great though, I will give them that. The Diet Coke I ordered was completely flat- no carbonation at all. And when I pointed this out to the waiter, he said that they used an off brand cola so that's why it tasted funny. That and the fact that the carbonator wasn't working! It's a pet peeve of mine when people don't believe me, even though I am always right. It's another pet peeve of mine when I order Diet Coke and get an off brand, or worse, PEPSI. At least they don't serve Pepsi. Two stars.

    (2)

  • Chris C.

    Good food, nice selection of beers on tap, and some really cute girls working. Why wouldn't you want to go here?

    (5)

  • Tammy T.

    This place is great for groups--plenty of seating to go around. I shared the 'Combo' with my sister. It's essentially the odds and ends of the bbq meat. You get pretty much everything but not the prettiest parts. For example, when you normally get ribs, you get don't get the large, bulky end pieces--these go to the 'Combo'. If you aren't too picky about your cut, I'd recommend this dish since it's much more affordable and the flavor is essentially the same. The meat is cooked well, but I didn't care that much for the sauce (just okay). For a beverage, I got the Swedish Lemonade--very light and fruity (hardly could taste the absolut). Someone else in my party got a huge glass of beer though and felt that was a great deal (so maybe try that?) .

    (3)

  • Tammy R.

    If Southern barbecue joints are any indication, Redbones is spot on in its crowded, noisy, piled-plate glory. No pretty plating or delicate portions here; you're going to get meat majestically piled on top of your side dishes, and a towering pile of napkins at your table to offset the inevitable dribbling of sauce and grease on your face. My quest for meaty, tender beef ribs ends at Redbones. Beef ribs are hard to find, and while I like pork ribs just fine, my personal go-to meal for ribs always involves a beef rib. At Redbones, I add a corn pudding from their appetizer list and I'm in heaven. Their corn pudding is a creamy, corn-filled concoction that is unique to them, I think; I've never seen anything quite like it. The staff at Redbones is friendly and accommodating. The seating is crammed into the space, and you may find yourself elbow-to-elbow with others if you end up in the middle of the room. The bar can get packed, too. But if you're the type to enjoy Southern BBQ done right, you're not going to mind. The ribs are all well-done, tender, and flavourful. You're going to get them piled atop beans and coleslaw, but you can substitute another side if you wish. You'll get free cornbread at the beginning of your meal, alongside beverages served in ginormous Mason jars. And if you're up for sweeeeeet, you'll order the Sweet Tea (oh, god, yum). The chili is a bit on the thin side, but still excellent, with giant cubes of meat. Fried okra is crispy, not greasy. And the beef ribs are fantastic, pull-off-the bone tender for dipping into the plate of sauces that come with the ribs. The menu is extensive; dine-in and bulk takeout are both available. I've eaten at Redbones several times and have loved it every time. I've also had Redbones' catering, which also kicks ass. Parking can be tricky; it's Davis Square, after all. And expect a wait on busy weekend evenings. Don't wear your good shirt. :)

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    By far the best BBQ I've ever tasted. From first view the outside it looks like you wouldn't want to go inside and trust the food. Don't be tricked though. My favorite is the pulled pork sandwich. Only bad thing is trying to find a parking spot

    (5)

  • David C.

    As a diehard Southern food fan, it pains me to say that Redbones is simply OK. I want to like them more than I do because I dig their vibe and their prices agree with me, but every time I eat there, I can't help feeling that the food has just slightly missed the mark. My first visit to Redbones was for lunch a few months back, and I got The Combo, a heaping pile of meat the likes of which I have never seen, served up with a generous helping of beans, coleslaw, dirty rice, and cornbread. I don't want to complain about a meal that could feed a family of four for $10, but it really wasn't that great. The meat was tough and the bbq sauce was pretty generic. The sides were passable, but nothing to write home about. Still, $10!!! A price tag like that makes it hard to break up with a place, no matter how bad the food. And I wouldn't even go so far as to say the food at Redbones is bad, just mediocre. P.S. Give the corn fritters with maple syrup a try. They're really sweet and interesting. A welcome addition to an otherwise lackluster menu.

    (3)

  • Mike G.

    Meh... I could go either way on this. How's that for the start of a review? No really, it's difficult for me to say 5 stars or one, do I went with 3. And here is why! :-P The location itself, isn't the easiest to get too, especially if you're not from the area and following directions via your Sprint Cell phone. Really, it's just not on the main street, and if you kept going down the main street while being focused on traffic/pedestrians. You'd completely miss this place. This was mainly just a quick note to anyone on the hunt for this place, it didn't affect my star decision in this instance. Once you're inside there is "mostly" limited seating. Enough for most likely 50 people, but in close quarters. Me and the table behind me kept bumping chairs, and constant apologies followed. The menu is giant, in size and options, and is two sided so if you don't find what you're looking for on one side - simply rotate and continue. Although - I'm sure you would have figured this out... I'm just saying. :) For this "event" we had complimentary cornbread, corn fritters appetizer, 'small' baby back ribs with cole slaw and beans, and a pulled pork sandwich with beans and fries. The Cornbread wasn't too sweet or dry, I guess you'd say it was a bit of both. I've had cornbread that would make me want to order a whole loaf for the actual meal, and this wasn't it. Although, it was a tasty starter. Soft, moist, and tasty. :) The corn fritters came drizzled in Maple syrup, which had also taken over the bottom of the bowl/dish it was served in. I felt there was more fritter and less corn, but for the most part these were made well and tasted good. Again, the ones I've had before had a bit more sweet corn in the mix that really added the flavor you wanted, and these just seemed to be moderate at best. Both the ribs and pulled pork were really good. However, it was lacking that "something"... that "kick"... that you wanted from it. Usually I would solve this with BBQ sauce, and bring it all together, however their BBQ sauce selections were not that fantastic. One was pure heat (so if you like spicy more than flavor that might be your winner). The sweet was more like... sweet teriyaki... it's hard to describe, but it had a really not-so-pleasant flavor to it. All that said, I want to point out that the meat was good, cooked well, tender, almost perfection minus that hint of flavor. And to prove it, I went home and had the ribs again the next day for dinner, then basted them with a little store bought sauce before reheating. Fantastic!!! Possible the best ribs in Boston. LOL The pulled pork will be reheated later tonight. :-P LOL The beans are a bit of a letdown, I was expecting BBQ/baked style beans, but they were black eye peas. Not at all what I was expecting. The cole slaw is decent, but nothing to write home about. (Just Yelp - LOL) And the fries are actually quite delicious. You can tell they are fresh cut potatoes so that is a HUGE plus! I love homemade fries instead of ones that are frozen. Delicious. I wouldn't tell anyone to avoid the place, in the end it was tasty and a good choice for a day out. But, if Redbones had a better BBQ Sauce, or established a BYOBS (Bring Your Own BBQ Sauce) then it'd be my hands down favorite by far!!

    (3)

  • Craig A.

    We ordered catering for my daughters bday today. The food was out of this world good! I would reccomend their food to anyone!

    (5)

  • John C.

    "Acceptable for Boston" BBQ. Brisket was dry. Beans were plain. Beer was $9. 30 minute wait was really an hour. A bit pricey for "ok" BBQ. If you are coming from another part of the country expecting similar BBQ, this isn't it.

    (3)

  • Lin G.

    My relationship with Redbone has gone through many changes over the past year. A friend of a friend worked there for a while. Unfulfilled promises to take me there someday turned into (men are at times disappointing)... I left Boston. Then upon visiting, we came here for a drink. And I returned with someone else for a meal. The downstairs area definitely has loads more character than the cafeteria style seating area upon walking in. Downstairs, it was darker, with funky paintings all around the walls. Psychedelic, almost. And not without its charms. The water jar was so large that you are guaranteed not to want a refill. And if you drink a coke that came in such a jar, congratulations, you would have consumed 52 spoonfuls of pure sugar. Easily. Cornbread with butter. YUM. Lots of good choices. we opted for the catfish sandwich $9? (nice, greasy and crispy, just how I like it) and a full rack of Memphis pork ribs to share, $20something?. The ribs were enough to feed 3 of us. Impressive, given my lumberjack appetite. The service was generally friendly though I felt like they wanted us to leave, despite there being some empty tables around so no one was waiting. That's annoying. The food was worth it though. The pork ribs were large and very delicious. The Memphis cut is the fattiest and packed lots of flavor. If this doesn't hit the spot, I don't know what will.

    (4)

  • Jen L.

    Best BBQ in the Boston area, for sure. Love the art downstairs. I visited here once with friends just to grab some drinks and I felt odd not ordering food, haha. Pulled pork sandwich is highly recommended! And great prices too.

    (5)

  • Beth R.

    Redbones is obviously an amazing establishment. A hole-in-the-wall that you have to visit at least once. Unfortunately, I am allergic to gluten and all of their sauces have wheat in them and I was a bit underwhelmed by the sausage (as to be expected at a BBQ joint). The atmosphere is great and the staff was very helpful and friendly.

    (4)

  • Séamus C.

    When I think BBQ, Davis Square/Somerville (intuitively) doesn't pop-up as a place to go. However, go to Redbones and savor some sumptuous lip-smackin, finger-licking goodness. A quick walk from the T, so don't fret about driving/parking to enjoy good 'ol Southern cooking...

    (4)

  • shannon r.

    I don't get it. I REALLY want to like redbones. I live in the neighborhood, they sponsor lots of great events, and I like their bike friendly reputation. But I just can't give Redbones food a ringing endorsement. I've eaten there several times and have also had their sandwiches at several outdoor events and I'm always left unsatisfied. I like the ambiance of the place and the idea of it much more than the execution. It's not terrible but I think I just have very high expectations due to all the hype. The hushpuppies I got were terrible.

    (2)

  • Jim M.

    Great BBQ. Sit at the chef's counter.

    (4)

  • Mary C.

    I have been coming here since the place opened over 25 years ago. Redbones is my husband's favorite restaurant. We go there for lunch and dinner frequently. I don't understand the comments about it being over priced. My husband usually gets the lunch mixed grill. There is so much food that he brings over half of it home and we get 2 -3 more meals out of it. I usually get the pulled pork sandwich which is delicious. My only complaint is the cornbread which I think is a bit dry. The beer selection is incredible and the decor is so funky. I love this place!

    (5)

  • Sonya S.

    I've had bar-b-q in the deep south, in Memphis, in Nashville, in Florida, in New Orleans, in North Carolina..... and this place stands out and beats them all. Shocking as it stands in Davis Square, Somerville, MA! But seriously, this place makes the most amazing meat I've ever had. It also does kick a** hush puppies and Buffalo Shrimp. Oh yum! Just thinking about it is making me hungry and I'm living about 1700 miles away right now! Also it has a huge beer list. If you sit at the little bar near where the guys are cooking the meat, they'll give you a little starter plate of their hash while you are waiting. YUM! When I come here I always get the baby back ribs and the buffalo shrimp. I can't help it, both are so good! I've also had the chicken, pulled pork, brisket and a couple other items, all good. If you ever go for lunch or brunch than for $10 you get a huge plate of "whatever" is left over from the night before, and the plate is huge and piled with succulent, smoked meats of all sorts as well as sides. I believe that you can eat as much as you want, but really, who is going to make it past about 10" high of meat falling off the plate??? I also like Blue Ribbon which is takeout in Arlington and the Village Smokehouse, but this place is better with more food and a bigger menu.

    (5)

  • Joe R.

    We used to head down to Redbones on a weekly basis when I lived in Medford. Excellent greens and cornbread, but what really makes them stand out is their extensive beer list. The beers rotate often & I frequently found beers at Redbones that I couldn't find anywhere else. Pro tip: Certain bartenders are willing to trade drinks for pastries, but the cost of entry is high ... usually about 5-6 lbs. of pastries to start. :)

    (4)

  • Lance M.

    As a lover of Ribs, it truly hurts to give Redbones 1 Star. I went yesterday and had the worst meal imaginable. I ordered the Memphis Ribs (the last 3 times I went, they were out of them) and wanted BBQ wings. They didn't have BBQ wings only grilled with BBQ sauce on the side, so I said OK. The staff was really great and helpful with my order. I received my food and took it home. I was shocked. The great smell of smoked BBQ permeated throughout Davis Sq. did not make it into my ribs & wings. The ribs were not dry rubbed. The wings were just burnt and the smoke was very light on the food. I used so much sauce on everything. The sides: the dirty rice was not dirty at all-but expensive for the amount. The Beans to my surprise was not BBQ Beans they were hospital bland, in fact, you could serve this whole meal in the hospital meeting the blandness requirements. The coleslaw was just OK, but for the container, it looked like they literally took a pinch of slaw and stuck it in the middle. (I really dig the plastic containers) The literal definition of Barbecue involves cooking meat on an open fire. Unfortunately, Redbones went no further than throwing the meat on the fire. Now, my taste for Ribs are 1. The Barbecue Pit (Dorchester) 2. Smoken Joes (Brighton Circle) and down to Wing it (Allston) and Ryles-wet rubbed (Cambridge) I've been to Redbones a few times before yesterday and I don't remember it being soo bad on everything But I got some really cool plastic containers for my lunch, I guess the $32.00 was worth it.

    (1)

  • Nancy M.

    I was with a big crowd, staff very accommodating and was very pleasant and so helpful. Great place would go back to spend more time .. Largest beer mugs I've seen in awhil

    (3)

  • Sawyer E.

    My friends, I do not joke about my BBQ. It is my favorite food genre and there is no better place than Redbones. I always go here for celebrations because I like to reward myself with the smoky, saucy, tender meat whenever I succeed in life. The ribs, and pulled pork are the best ever, I have gotten one of each every time I go with a group. The corn pudding is also something that was passed down from the BBQ masters to the redbones cooks. BUT, there is one food item that I would never normally get at an amazing BBQ place but I tried it and cannot stop eating it. BUFFALO SHRIMP. They are lightly fried and tossed in a not so spicy but incredibly flavorful buffalo sauce. There is nothing better on Earth. Thank you redbones for making my life amazing.

    (5)

  • Chas B.

    I have seen the light at redbones. Stick to the basics and go during happy hour. That way you get what you pay for. By basics I mean: ribs & chicken. Dont try any specials or get anything too complex... don start trying to get fancy... and lets face it, you can order beer in 33 oz mugs

    (3)

  • Lydia W.

    Been here a couple of times to eat and meet friends at the bar. Good beer on draft. Food was okay. Service was ok - it took them a long time to come over for the initial greet both times. I'm originally from the SOUTH so I'm not going to compare this to REAL SOUTHERN food. It's ok for Northerners I guess. :) The atmosphere is fun and lively though and when there is a problem, they are quick to fix it and make you happy.

    (3)

  • N G.

    Awesome BBQ, and great beer selection, plus they cater and deliver by bike! There's one other place in the area whose BBQ (and sauce selection) I very slightly prefer, but you can't beat the BBQ and beer combo.

    (5)

  • Ellen L.

    Just wanted to say Redbones was the best idea we had to order and have the food delivered. The food was FABULOUS and everyone was thrilled. Can't recommend enough and cannot wait to order again. Marvelous!

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    So, yeah. I'm a BBQ snob. I guess this is going to be the best I'm going to get in Boston. That's fine. The food is okay. It's certainly not offensive by any stretch. If you really care about the tenderness of the meat or the quality of the sauce, read someone else's review. It's well covered. The bar area is loud and kind of obnoxious, full of people waiting for their seat. The beer list is pretty deep and the bartenders know what they're talking about. Take a chance and spin The Wheel of Fate. You'll either end up with a PBR or something actually worth tasting. The top floor is too crowded. There's always an elbow ready to accidentally smack you in the back of the head. There's always a server trying to squeeze between seats that are too closely placed together. Try to get a seat on the bottom floor. The walls are covered in bizarre neon paintings and you get the exact same pile of meat on a plate... just with fewer elbows in the back of your head. Oh, and look for the Rocket Baby on the wall.

    (4)

  • Jared S.

    Redbones is great for BBQ meats and the beer list is fantastic. And SUPER SECRET TIP (well, maybe not so secret), the "Somerville Cheesesteak" on the late night menu after 10:30 is the best value meal in all of New England - for $8 you get two enormous slabs of brisket on a sub roll and smothered in cheese. Mmmmm. But their regular dinner BBQ is all a bit expensive, and I find that their other sides and things are sub par, which is really a huge bummer since they should enhance the whole meal. Plus the place gets awfully crowded and hot in the summer. To be a little more detailed, I've had all of their various ribs, pulled pork, chicken wings, and brisket, and they are all phenomenal. There are 3 different BBQ sauces that you can then dip your meat in, sweet (Texas style molasses based), or hot/mild (Carolina-style vinegar based, one with extra cayenne), At around $17-$20 for a BBQ "dinner plate" (which includes beans, slaw, and corn bread) it can get expensive in a hurry, but you do get a lot of food. And their sandwiches are decently priced at around $10 each though. As for the sides, I would not recommend anything with cornmeal in it. They are unnecessarily stingy with the cornbread and it's always dry anyway, as are the hush puppies and corn fritters. All of them are so thick and dry you need 2 beers to get through an order. The mac n cheese is also entirely bland and doesn't differentiate much from a box of Kraft. The fried pickles and okra are decent. Since I live in Davis, I have made and will continue to make Redbones a weekly tradition. Is it the best BBQ in the world? No. Is it very good BBQ? Yes.

    (3)

  • Jay C.

    I've been a loyal customer here for the last four years or so and had the worst experience ever......I took my family for our son's 13th birthday, the evening started out promising after being told the wait for our group of 7 was only 20 minutes. After 40 minutes was up my fiancé went inside to find out how much longer since we had 5 extremely hungry kids, she was rudely informed by the hostess that there were maybe 3 more parties ahead of us. Twenty minutes later one of the hostesses came outside a practically whispered the name for our party, then we were seated downstairs. Next we waited almost 10 minutes before we were asked for our drink orders. On the plus side, my son and his 2 friends enjoyed and devoured their meal for 4. Our girls liked their respective baby back rib meals, one was a kids meal. I thought my burnt ends sandwich was not up to previous levels of quality, my fiancé was also not happy with her brisket sandwich. The final straw for the evening was when the bottom completely fell out of my son's friend's glass, spilling soda everywhere. The waitress made an attempt to sop up the soda and to make sure the glass was removed and there were no injuries. By the time the bill came I was too upset to ask for the manager when I saw that the cost of the drinks weren't taken off or had the manager offered an apology, so after dropping almost $200, I decided never to return.

    (1)

  • Lynne L.

    After years away, a stop at Redbones was as satisfactory as the old days. I had the fried catfish dinner, which was superb. The tartar sauce was the best tartar sauce I have ever tasted. Even the cold slaw was excellent, only the hush puppies were not outstanding. Also, great friendly service and good beer selection.

    (5)

  • Michelle R.

    My worst vegan/veg trait is my love of BBQ. I'm obsessed. And I like places that smell like good BBQ, while recognizing that the quality matters much less because I'm probably going to eat fries with BBQ sauce, not whatever meat is cookin. Red bones smells pretty good. I love that they have fried okra, and cornbread. It's not the best, but they have it. And they serve drinks in mason jars. My bf loves the ribs and meat dishes, and our mutual love of fried pickles really comes out here. Having said that... I'd never bring my southern grandparents here. It's just. A shell of what the family makes back home. But being that its Boston, I'll take just about any south I can get. Oh, and extra star bc they do have a crazy good beer list. I don't love beer, but it is really good.

    (4)

  • Joe G.

    I get the idea of going for a no-frills atmosphere so I'm not too concerned about the old rattly tables, cheap and thin napkins, and things like that. It was kind of annoying having so many people jammed into a small room, though. As a party of two you're right on top of another party of two on each side of you. It's not quite as crowded as Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Harvard Square, but it reminded me of that a bit. Another touch that I didn't really care for was having the grill/prep area out in the open at the back of the dining room. While I get what they were going for (it made the room smell GREAT and it was fun to watch them grill the food) it makes it even louder in there - impossible to hear the person you're with. I didn't really need to hear the cooks swearing and shouting to add to that feeling! Major positives outside of the food include: speed of service (we were in and out, without feeling rushed - they were quick to wait on us and quick to bring out the food), sodas/waters in giant mugs (not only useful to prevent waiting for refills, but also to help wash down a lot of spicy food). The food was good, but I wouldn't call it earth-shattering. My pulled pork was good, though not excellent until I added the spicy sauce that came with it on the side. I'm not much of a cornbread person but I didn't like it much. Girlfriend's ribs were a little dry, we thought, but had good flavor. There were so many delicious-looking options on the menu that Redbones warrants a return trip, all things considered.

    (3)

  • K. Brooke Z.

    Pulled pork-pretty decent fried pickles-Love those! Mac & Cheese-great Everything else I've tried...meh I like when I eat here, but always feel super gross when I leave. Its kind of like the happy equivalent of eating Chinese food...loving it while I'm eating it...not so happy with my choices after.

    (3)

  • Jeff K.

    I think when you hear the name you think OH YA.. I'm a fan but when you actually get there and eat it's like "a-ok" and nothing that you would race back for every weekend day. It was ok, not a long wait, plenty of parking in the lot around the corner but there is definitely better and I am glad that I went and got it off my list of places to eat.

    (3)

  • Jonny C.

    I wish RedBones was one of those BBQ joints that made me drool, crave and pine for. It is okay, but it isnt "drop your pants and shit in the alley" good. Wait, what? I love the Southern agrarian themed upstairs and the dark, voodoo-swamp themed downstairs. I love that they have a couple of really cheap suds options. I love the trucks, the location, the concept.... I just dont love the food. The brisket is excellent, but I've been underwhelmed by all of the rib varieties: kinda dry, kind of bland, kind of just not what I am looking for. The catfish is heart stoppingly salty. The beans are just not that good (i think most people feel this way, because if you see a bus person clearing tables, there are lots 'o beans left on the plates) However, all of these maladies would be cured by sauce. Precious, precious sauce. A variety of sauces to be specific- like a real BBQ joint be doin'. They should have a sweet, a sour and a super spicey. They dont. If you wanna add some heat, your only option is a crusty old bottle of Tabasco. That just isnt getting it done for me. I almost feel bad not liking the food because I like the concept so much. I'll still patronize the 'Bones because of its proximity to the crib and because sometimes you just need some BBQ. But it isnt the soul satisfying grub that i want 'Q to be.

    (2)

  • C E.

    Best BBQ in Boston, hands down. Anything you try is great. (The pulled pork was heaven. Brisket, tasty) The staff are busy while attentive, hustling people in/out of the crowded little spot. It gets pretty packed and lines are long, but service is efficient.

    (5)

  • Bill G.

    I've lived in the neighborhood for years and I still love it- although I do admit it has changed. Prices are higher, the portions are smaller as pretty much everywhere else. I heard that they got a new executive chef recently and the menu has changed- a few of my favorite things are gone. The buffalo scallops were to die for- I introduced them to many friends over the years who loved them. They're gone. The Redbones T-Bone... gone. The dipping sauce for the grilled salmon... gone. I still go but not as often as I used to. My words to Redbones- it's time to up your game.

    (3)

  • Jon S.

    I have had some great times at this place. I have been there for a beer tasting downstairs and they did a street festival that was amazing. They have some great events and promotions. My favorite thing is the buffalo shrimp. The wait staff is good especially Ken who I have had a couple times and Tim the bartender is a great guy as well.

    (4)

  • Anne W.

    I am just not impressed with the bbq up here. I know it's not Texas.. and we're nowhere near the South.. but I heard so many good things... and still, it fell flat. I have tried the ribs.. got a variety of different ones. The sauces are just not too great. And you have to apply the sauce yourself. I always thought they were painted on while they are cooking to absorb the flavor. Was not impressed by the okra or the hush puppies either.. sorry Red Bones, the only redeeming quality is that you're open late.

    (3)

  • Pete J.

    I need to start doing some homework before going out. When my friend suggested Redbones, I'm like, "Sure!" not even knowing anything about the place. Little did I know what goodness lay in store for me. Friday night, the place is packed. 40 minute wait for a table, no biggie, we'll have a drink in the bar while we wait. "Unless you'd like to sit at the counter?" Hell yes, we'd like to sit at the counter! It was just the two of us, so the counter was perfect. You can watch the cooks prepare the dishes, and boy do they work. It is a production line that Henry Ford would be proud of. Beer's cheap ($2.50 for a Gansett), food's cheap too. I pull out my iphone to get some Yelp recommendations. That's when I see that Damien S. is the Duke of Redbones with something like 18 check-ins. Now I know it's going to be good :) While we were waiting one of the cooks gives us a free sausage appetizer. Nice touch (SIT AT THE COUNTER!!) The catfish was outstanding, the brisket was very good, as was the cornbread. I liked the coleslaw, but wasn't a big fan of the potato salad. I'm going to come back for more!

    (4)

  • Kathleen K.

    Great spot for the carnivore and authentic BBQ lover. Yeah, the pulled pork, all the ribs, the chicken wings, the catfish, even the pot likker. Large portions for hearty eaters. Excellent beer selection, decent margaritas too. The staff are sharp and easy going, the atmosphere funky and way casual. A favorite with the college crowd. Deliveries via bike is cool. These guys are great community supporters, donating time/food/space to all kinds of local needs.

    (4)

  • Shanell P.

    OMG! This place is heaven for a fat kid like myself and others like me! I had a business meeting here and I left satisfied both about the business and my stomach! First, there were some many great combinations to choose from; felt like a little kid in a candy store. The portions are quite generous, especially with the ribs! I never thought I would touch okra again until I had it fried here & their catfish...whoa lawdy lawdy! The cornbread, let me stop, I'm starting to drool! Anyways, it's a great place! Atmosphere is a nice cozy area, with a bar, and I believe a downstairs as well. The only thing is finding parking. Sunday, parking is FREE! And the citation officers can be too generous.

    (5)

  • Robert D.

    Everything's great but its a hit or miss. Sometimes its amazing and some days just dry . Service is ok. There grilled wings are fantastic. But when its on the Bbq rocks! That's why it gets the four. An not he five

    (4)

  • Michael A.

    The food here is so bland and unpalatable that its current three star average is almost painful to me. I really wish I were one of the people rating this place a 5. I would then have the opportunity to learn for the first time, at a different restaurant, what makes truly great barbecue.

    (1)

  • Alexis C.

    Do not come here on a date. You will not look dainty, refined, and classy. You will look greasy and saucy (and not personality-wise) and probably eat way too much for any action afterward. Instead, come here with someone who doesn't mind if you wear stretch pants. Because you will need that extra half inch of waist wiggle that your tightest jeans can't handle. The atmosphere is very cute and lively, and I love the Mason jars with water. I'm not into Southern food, so a lot of things were new to me, but that hasn't stopped me from trucking forth. All the meat I've ever tried is amazing. The mac and cheese (god, I love mac and cheese) is sometimes great and sometimes only mediocre. Their cornbread is great, in my opinion. Not a fan of the corn fritters because they remind me of something that came out of the Corn Baller from Arrested Development. There's almost no detectable corn, but it's just fried dough. I'm also not a fan of the fried pickles, although I like the fried jalapenos that are mixed into the fried pickle. But maybe that's because I tried the fried pickles on a takeout order and they got pretty soggy. I usually try to get takeout because this place doesn't do reservations and the wait can be long. Be careful--the portions are pretty big. I once had a waitress look at me (I'm tiny) and say, "Gurl, that is a LOT of food you just ordered. You sure you want all that?" I said, "Yes, ma'am" and took home 75% of it as yummy, yummy leftovers.

    (4)

  • Drew L.

    Over hyped by far. Saving grace is solid beer selection. I have been a hand full of times but never was that impressed. Stay away from the lunch combo, literally leftovers...

    (2)

  • L. B.

    I've been here many times with friends and have never been disappointed. The place is loud, boisterous and always crowded. I love it. The decor is basic. Laminate tables, Kitchy artwork and music posters decorate the upstairs. The downstairs is dark with brightly painted artwork all over the walls and wood cutouts of bones on the ceiling. The waitstaff works like a well oiled machine. They are quick and precise. The food is a carnivore's paradise. They do offer some vegetarian options, but you don't typically go to a barbecue place for a salad. Everything I've ever had has been wonderful from hush puppies and fried ocra to Memphis ribs and Jamaican jerked beef. They have a full bar menu and they even have a "wheel of beer" where the brave spin the wheel and accept what they land on. For those who aren't ready to pop by the end of the meal, they offer some yummy dessert options including pecan pie.

    (4)

  • Chris M.

    +1 for a sassy, hipster, partially drunk bartender. I didn't expect dinner and a show from sitting at the bar. The bartenders got our drinks and food fast, and served it up with some attitude. Aside from the place being swamped for a weeknight, it was a g

    (4)

  • Gale S.

    I love eating out around the holidays, especially in Davis when all the pesky Tufts students are home for break. No wait! I think my festive mood (combined with nagging hunger) improved my most recent Redbones experience. Long time Davis resident, I've been here countless times for pulled pork and/or beer. I love sitting in the basement and smelling the sweet smell of sauce and hipsters. You shouldn't expect real Southern BBQ if you come here, but if you leave that naysayer attitude at the door, I think you'll enjoy your meal at a restaurant that has become a Davis staple.

    (4)

  • Ashley H.

    It was the boo's birthday so this was his top choice. Anything with a snout he is pretty much down for. I descend from a tribe of hillbillies, so I am pretty particular about my Southern cooking. This place had it's hits and misses. Drinks- awesome beer selection for the man, great margs for moi. We had a bit of a wait on a Saturday night- not bad when there is a bar to hold your elbows up. They serve unlimited cornbread- it was okay, not moist enough and definitely not up to snuff with Aunt Margaret's- the standard by which all corn breads are measured. The fried pickles on the other hand were perfection, slices and not spears, just the way they should be. The man had a combo of one of the rib styles and pulled pork. He was a fan of the ribs and not so much the pulled pork. I had baby back ribs and pulled chicken. The pulled chicken was OKAY, the baby back ribs were awesome. Matty said they were the best thing on the table. I also had sweet potato fries, I've had better from the Market Basket freezer case. So here is the perfect order at this place: margarita, fried pickles, baby back ribs. There you go, don't even need to see the menu.

    (3)

  • elaine m.

    Redbones is a part of our life. The BBQ is really good -- is it the best I've ever had? well, no, and it can be inconsistent, but it's still really good, the cornbread is great the fried okra is amazing, and the Wheel of Beer is a hoot. The atmosphere is unbeatable. It's just so homey and fun and nice. We have so many family memories here -- and it's always our standby when we can decide where else to go. My son even wrote his college application essay about Redbones!

    (5)

  • Rizza N.

    When it comes to BBQ, this place gets it right. I stopped in last week and had their pulled pork and brisket. Simply stated, it is the best. Looking forward to my next trip to Redbones!

    (5)

  • Sarah F.

    I LOVE Red Bones! I've been coming to this spot regularly since I moved to the Boston area seven years ago. Love the apps- usually get get a mix of those (although the pulled pork is delicious). My favorites include the catfish fingers, sausage of the day, buffalo wings or shrimp, Mac and cheese, steamed broccoli, and fried pickles. Everything here is great whether you are in the main dining area, the downstairs or the bar. A lot of local beers and water is served in mason jars. If you still have room at the end of your BBQ gorge, don't miss the key lime pie! Delicious!

    (5)

  • John S.

    I know I'm in the minority here, but I firmly believe Redbones does not serve great BBQ. They serve some decent BBQ (like the pork) and some decent sides (like the mac'n'cheese), but their menu makes a lot of promises that they can't deliver. The brisket is invariably too fatty and feels too rushed. The ribs are nothing short of disaster. It pains me when my friends are going there, since it's always too crowded and if there's food to be had, it's going to be bad food. I've traveled to St. Louis and North Carolina and Kansas City looking for good Q. I know good Q. Redbones ain't it.

    (2)

  • Michael D.

    3.5 stars. Friends got the combo lunch special ( yelp.com/biz_photos/FmAI… ). The picture doesnt do justince..it came with SO MUCH FOOD but it was like the butt end of everything. Essentially it consists of everything that no one would pay for at a restaurant. The dry, almost meatless end of ribs and random chicken parts all covered on their mild BBQ sauce. But for 8.99 you get SO MUCH food but the quality is worn about 1.5 stars. So maybe if youre going for quantity, get the combo lunch special? I ordered the regular beef rib dinner ( yelp.com/biz_photos/FmAI… ). Smoke ring was perfect ( yelp.com/biz_photos/FmAI… ), tenderness was spot on, but the flavor was somewhat lacking. I mean, they serve their bones dry here, (no sauce) but I personally like my ribs covered in sauce. Not that it's a bad thing that they serve it this way.. just not my style. BUT on the BETTER side of things, they have a lot of beers on tap so you can get your buzz on for a decent price. they had a 33 OZ IPA for ONLY 8 BUCKS. what a freakin steal. But, BE CAREFUL. I was fine.. but my 5 friends who all got the 33oz IPA with their lunch combo ALL ALMOST FOOD COMA-ED WHILE AT THE RESTAURANT. they were SWEATING while they were eating and we literally had to stay there for like an hour after the meal just so they could mentally and physically prepare themselves to stand up. freakin ridiculous. ANYWAY, come here for QUANTITY at a decent price!

    (3)

  • Mollie P.

    The most awesome thing about redbones is the beer list. I love to go sit at the bar and try different things on a slow afternoon. Food's good too, service is as good as it gets in Boston (read: not so great but tolerable), and I think their fried pickles are the best thing to ever happen. The wait to be seated for dinner can be long, but their take-out is always fast and just as good as eating in!

    (4)

  • Kelsey M.

    This place is overrated! Food is so-so here and is defiantly not worth more than a 15 minute wait! The restaurant is very cramped on the inside and loud. The corn fritters were good, but nothing like the ones in the South. The ribs I had this last go around tasted gross and I didn't eat them, their sandwiches are OK. The 'dirty rice' is NOT real dirty rice. There are racially offensive posters prominently displayed such as the 'white trash sundae.'

    (3)

  • Andrew H.

    I don't think this place needs one more review. But I will do my duty and write a few words about Redbones. I live in LA and was visiting my cousin in Cambridge. We walked about a mile from her home and landed at Redbones about 6pm on a Saturday night. It was jammed and crowded, even at that early hour. We put our name on the list and came back in 20 minutes and went into the very packed bar. The bar has lots of beers on the menu and though the service and crowd is raucous and friendly, it can be hard to know what to order and to push your way up to the counter and get their attention. When we sat down, a very nice, short haired waitress brought us our menus and we ordered some sort of a family dinner that was split between 4 adults and cost $49. Cornbread, beans, cole slaw, BBQ jerk chicken, pulled pork, buns, meaty and juicy big Texas beef ribs. Very filling. And we really enjoyed everything. I ordered an Opa Opa IPA beer. They brought us lots of napkins and handy-wipes to clean up. Reasonable prices, large portions, good food, great beers. What more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Roxana W.

    One word: Over-hyped. Two words: Too much. Three words: I've had better. I've been to this place many of times, but for some reason never gotten around to writing a review. Probably because of the reasons above. There are other BBQ joints in the Boston area that taste significantly better than Redbones. People that think this place is amazing probably have never had real BBQ(like in the south) or have unsophisticated palates. Yeah I'm a snob. Don't care. The food is fine, but it is not spectacular; most of it is under seasoned that they give you hot sauces to drown it in. Hushpuppies are dry, the sliders are not worth the price, collards are under seasoned, brisket is good, ribs are pretty good, catfish is dry on occasion, cornfritters are yummy as all hell, keylime pie is not good, sausage is just meh, macncheese is also meh... didn't I say I've been here a lot? I could go on. The ambiance makes up for it. It is a fun place to be, always packed, good background music ( I dance in my chair there every time) and I leave stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey ready for the roasting oven. Drinks are pretty good and you'll have a good time drinking them. Over all 3 stars sums it up. Enjoy.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    Let me preface this review by saying that I have lived in the Carolina's and Texas, so I may be a bit of a BBQ snob! I think it is a 4 star place for Boston, just not for me. Let me pull those silver bbq tongs out of my ass, and get on with my review. Came here on a Sat afternoon for lunch. And by afternoon, I mean like 230p. I was surprised that it was still so busy at that time. With that being said, there were some tables that were open. However, I took Pete J's advice on his review and asked to sit at the counter. It was nice, we got to watch the meat slow cook on the grill, as well as several gents rushing back and forth working the meat and sides stations. I longingly watched as they easily separated meat from bone. I knew from then on, that it was going to be tender. mmmmmmmm tender... We started off with the comp sausage (thank you Pete J for the counter advice). It was good. It came with mustard and the price was right. We then ordered the fried pickles and jalapenos. I thought they were good. They came with a decent sauce and we piping hot out of the fryer. For the main course we shared the bbq basket. It came with ribs from Memphis, Texas, and Arkansas as well as some Brisket. For the most part they were ok. We were offered 4 different choices of sauce. I was not overly impressed by any of them. While the meat did fall off the bone as planned, some of it was a bit dry. For the most part it was ok though. I also ordered a side of dirty rice. I like that they made it right with chicken liver's as well. Tasty Our server was friendly and I had a sweet tea. It came in a huge jar and was tasty. Overall, the experience was fun. For a guy going with gf, an app and one plate of meat is more than enough. The menu is large, and the staff was fine. If I was not such a bbq snob, I would go back. At least I am honest about my snobbishness.

    (3)

  • Kacie M.

    My parents were in town and I had a Groupon for Red Bones, so we decided to go here for dinner. The wait was pretty long, but we'd had a late lunch so we didn't mind. That is one thing to keep in mind: The wait was 45 minutes on a Sunday at 6:30. I can't imagine how long it would be on a Friday or Saturday night for a table. The food was good and worth the wait. My Memphis ribs were more tender (tenderer?) than my mom's baby back ribs, but she still enjoyed her meal. The garlic mashed potatoes were delicious and I wish I had been hungry enough to clean my plate. My dad enjoyed the catfish on his catfish sandwich, but the bun fell apart and he ended up eating it without the bun. Didn't get any drinks, but hopefully I can come back soon to try one of their margaritas!

    (4)

  • Jessica R.

    I. LOVE. REDBONES. Their BBQ meat is ridiculously good. Their sauces are great. Fried pickles and jalapenos? Yes, please. And an extra large sweet tea in a giant Ball jar? Thank you very much.

    (5)

  • Jurgen K.

    I would echo some of the other comments-- The food is quite good, with some highlights that are exceptional (memphis style BBQ being one of my favorites) and with quality that is incredibly consistent from one night to the next. Family friendly environment and excellent service in the restaurant with a great festive atmosphere. We made a discovery two summers ago that changed our lives-- Their takeout/catering menu is in some ways even better than eating in. You get the same exact quality, but BBQ meats and sides are scaled up to a very generous scale. If you want to feed a group of people and want to make sure everyone is stuffed with great food this is the way to go. On another note, they have some food trucks which circulate around the city, again with similarly consistent quality (but perhaps a little reheated). These are more expensive than eating in, but great when you just need a fix of that barbecue flavor...

    (5)

  • Leah K.

    Took me a long time to try Red Bones. So glad I did! Not only was I very excited to see their veryyy long menu (my mama is southern so seeing nice southern sides made me happy), but the ambiance was very cute! Packed tables and fun atmosphere. Our food came out FAST (which it should, because BBQ takes a long time to cook so it's simmers on the stove all day, ready and waiting). My friend and I got hush puppies, mac and cheese, pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches. My mac and cheese was very creamy (a must for me) but could have used more seasoning (mustard powder, salt?). The sandwich was AMAZING, creamy and tasty pulled chicken with slaw and pickles and onions on top (very crispy). It was hot and filling, and was about $8. Good sized portions (I couldn't finish the side or sandwich). I can't wait to try the ribs and other sides...people sure looked happy with their big piles of food! One funny thing to note is that it's hard to tell the waiters and staff from the customers, but our waiter was very helpful and checked in a lot!

    (5)

  • Steven S.

    Stopped by after attending the American Craft Beer Festival. Actually, this was a dumb move, because the last thing I wanted was more beer, and Redbones is supposedly known for it's amazing beer selection. Yup, that part's true. Next time I visit, I will drink more. I promise. Otherwise, the BBQ menu is about as comprehensive as they come. Generous portions, service that's a little too rapid, and a cool space (especially downstairs where it's literally a lower temperature) where they play cool retro music that old fucks like me can appreciate. Some might say it's a bit expensive for what you get, and I can't say the food knocked my socks off, or any other garment. Tasty, for sure, though in the comforting way BBQ usually is. I would go back. In fact, I look forward to trying a few more things so I have an excuse to drink there and revise my rating upward.

    (3)

  • Julie H.

    I LOVE redbones. I was first introduced to them through NERAX (New England Real Ale Exhibition) in Somerville as they were catering and I got a free sandwich cause I was working there. I LOVED the sandwich. It was the super spicy pulled pork. I actually loved it so much that I surprised my husband one day when we both played hookey from work and brought him somewhere FAR away for lunch. The restaurant was really cute and quaint. Finding parking truly sucked, but the wait was worth it. The indoor area was older looking, but a good part of the overall experience. The sandwich was good, but they forgot our fries :( We ended up getting them taken off our bill because of that. The beer selection was excellent, but prices were a tad high.. I'm a rare beer geek... I only like good beer, but don't like to pay through the teeth for it. Overall, I am still a fan!!

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    Best BBQ in New England. Being from Alabama and raised on Dixieland and Sonny's BBQ, I can't say Red Bones is 5 star BBQ. It's quite easily 4 star, but isn't 100% pit smoked southern BBQ from Alabama. The food is amazing. All meats just fall off the bone, and are very juicy and meaty. There are 4 sauces available, all of which are good (I personally find the best combination is Jerk Beef with the Vinegar Sauce: it was incredible). They offer a variety of ribs, including an appropriately well-seasoned Memphis dry-rub that can't be matched in New England. The one thing I'd like a little more of is the smokey flavor you get with good pit smoked BBQ - this BBQ is cooked on a grill, not in the pit. In speaking of the sides, many people gripe about the corn bread. It is not sweet, and is a little dry... but that's exactly how real Southern cornbread is made (sweet cornbread is an abomination). If you aren't using your dry cornbread to sop up collard greens and bean juice, you're doing it all wrong. All sides I found were the best Southern sides outside of the south, save only the Okra which was somewhat run-of-the-mill. RAVES: Amazing Beer Selection. I tried 4 different IPAs while there. - Also, you must try the Atomic Corn Relish (not for the faint of heart). To me, the best things there are the memphis ribs and the jerk beef - both are exploding with flavor RANTS: Sometimes you have to wait, but its worth it by the end.

    (4)

  • Julie B.

    This review truly saddens me to write, because, under normal circumstances, I LOVE me some Redbones. But, due to a totally rude and incompetent waiter, I have to give a 1. BEWARE OF KELVYN! I arrived at Redbones around 6ish on a Saturday night for a friend's birthday sporting a group of 7. We had an approximate 20-30 minute wait (NBD), and were then seated with a seemingly normal waiter named Kelvyn. Everything was TOTALLY fine until the bill came... The bill came out to $136, not including gratuity. My friends and I happen to be decent tippers, so planned on giving a tip of $27, for a total of $163. We also didn't want the birthday boy to pay, so here is the breakdown of the money that was thrown on the table: Friend 1: $20 Friend 2: $20 Friend 3: $16 Friend 4: $43 Myself and my boyfriend: $55 This total came to $154 - $9 short of where we needed to be. Friend 4 offered to take their money back and put the rest on their card. I counted out the $43 and gave it back to them, changing the cash total to $111. The total that should therefore have been put on his card was $25, but instead, when the waiter came back, my friend was charged $45. I had everyone at the table double check their wallets to see how much they put down, and I had friend 4 check to see that I correctly gave them $43 and not $63 back. All checked out. We then called Kelvyn over to the table to notify him that he seemed to be short $20. Instead of offering an apology, or even going back to check, he IMMEDIATELY responded with the following: Kelvyn: No, there was $91. I counted it twice, and I had another waitress confirm, so it seems that the math is right. So what's the problem (snarkily), you trying to figure out the tip? I tried to politely respond that I too had counted the money several times and, being a former bank teller, I knew for a fact that there was $111 in the bill. Kelvyn did not seem to care, and again did not offer to check and walked away. The fact that he came right out of the gate saying that there was $91 in the bill, and he had another person confirm (why?) seemed incredibly suspicious to me. I think he pocketed that $20. MEANWHILE, I have neglected to mention that although we had a table of 7, we received 6 plates, 6 sets of silverware, and 6 pieces of cornbread. So, as it would appear, Kelvyn couldn't count correctly from the start. I'd also like to note that we still tipped Kelvyn 15%, because although we were bamboozled, we aren't jerks. Also, on the way out, we notified the host that we were shorted this money and he too seemed not to care, and offered no apology or assistance. While the food is undeniably good at Redbones, our terrible experience with Kelvyn convinced us that we will not be going back. Hope that $20 is worth it, jerkface!

    (1)

  • Matt C.

    Can't go wrong with Redbones. I think the hype sometimes exceeds the experience but the food is good, the prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is great.

    (4)

  • Daniela A.

    What's not to love?! Beer & BBQ! the only place you can find a 33 oz glass of Dogfish beer! My boyfriend and I ordered everything A La Carte and basically ordered one of everything on the menu.... All the food was delish!

    (5)

  • George L.

    Surprisingly average BBQ. The ambiance, beer selection, and offerings are right where they need to be. I journeyed here to try the famous Redbones and while I left with a full tummy I don't perceive the need to venture here again. The ribs were tender but not very flavorful. The Hot BBQ sauce wasn't hot (I added a fair share of tobasco to my very good pulled pork) but the sweet sauce was just fine. I personally like a sweet and spicy sauce the most but it isn't an offering here. Mashed potatos were a dissapointment while the mac and cheese were a-okay. The Corn Bread? Oh, it was pretty good. It's surprising how many places mess up corn bread. Now, if I were a Somervillian, or a full-time Bostonian, or a Cambridgian I can totally see myself spending a meal here from time to time but I don't recommend going too far out of ones way. I'll keep driving to MoJo's in Portsmouth, NH and Goody Coles in Brentwood, NH for some decent BBQ. it's closer to my neck of the woods anyway. Pass

    (3)

  • Brendan L.

    An establishment in old fashioned pit style BBQ. Don't miss the late night specials if you can eat dinner after 10PM. Helluva deal.

    (5)

  • Monique S.

    Boy, they are too generous. I went and tried the 8.99 lunch special, a "heaping" serving of whateve ribs they have along with any other meat, red beans and rice, and cole slaw. The brought out enough ribs to feed an army. How is it possible for one person to eat that? The ribs were solid, good and filling. The red beans and rice tasted fine, and the potato salad was all right. The sauce was almost a pasta sauce type of consistency than the usual BBQ sauce I'm used to, but I'd definitely go again. The only bad thing is that they give so much food that it probably goes to waste.

    (4)

  • Bill R.

    This is the place to get BBQ around the Boston area. All of their meat is fantastic and the atmosphere is great. Basically a wanna be dive bar that serves small batch bourbon, craft brews and really good BBQ. Is it the greatest BBQ I have ever had... no, but its awesome for New England. The only knock I have on this place is the coleslaw kinda sucks, just not my style.

    (5)

  • Allen J.

    Delicious, but I don't remember anything specific about it, which is probably a fault. If they were truly amazing, I'd remember it. Nonetheless, if you're in the area, check this place out.

    (3)

  • Colleen M.

    I'm not sure my love for redbones is entirely rational, but I just love it there. The food is reliably delicious and dirt cheap. The beer list is amazing. I love the vibe at the bar, especially during the day for lunch. Sitting at the bar is a great way to avoid the huge crowds in the dining area. As for the food, you can't go wrong with any of the BBQ sandwiches (pulled chicken, pulled pork, jerk beef). I also love the St. Louis style ribs. Definitely get the potato salad - it's like a cross between mashed potatoes and normal potato salad, and is absolutely addicting. This isn't a place you need to order appetizers if you're ordering a meal, but I the fried pickles & jalapenos, the fried oysters, and the corn fritters are pretty great. The corn fritters are like little corn donuts doused in maple syrup, and could probably pass as dessert if you wanted. Speaking of dessert, the pecan pie is a must. Living in such close proximity to Redbones has been dangerous for me...

    (5)

  • Taja M.

    Just had a going away party for a co-worker who is moving to the South for a new job. She requested Good ole' fashioned bbq. I had my reservations. They ordered from RedBones. I was intrigued by the smell and by the time everyone got in line. I wondered if i was going to like it. On my plate was a piece of cornbread, potato salad, mac n cheese, beef brisket (added sweet & hot sauce on top), some fresh onions, and a slice of vinegar/garlicky pickle and a little pulled pork (not a fan of pork). And a ice cold imitation Coke. It was Heaven on a plate! BRING ON THE SWINE!! I've never been to the location but they have made a believer out of me and I will definitely visit over there when I can. Even though I wasnt a fan of the mac n cheese (a glorified velveeta sauce) everything else was superb. I have never had meat so tender aside from my southern family's kitchen. I have a terrible craving for BBQ now that I prob won't shake and looking forward to raid the company refrigerator tomorrow to beat the rush for leftovers. If its empty this evening, i might even sneak an attempt make myself an early plate for tomorrow....shhhhhh lol. RedBones, I love ya, I love ya!! (Madea voice) lol

    (5)

  • Marissa A.

    I wanted BBQ and we got BBQ. Granted my friend had a Groupon, but I always wanted to try this place. Chill place, great beer selection. We wanted to a tad adventurous, so for appy's we got fried okra and the hushpuppies. The okra was okay since everything fried is pretty much good but I was disappointed by the hush puppies. It was very starchy and doughy but no real taste. But for dinner I went with the special, a half rack of baby back ribs with a side of fries. Ribs, not bad, not bad at all. They definitely hit the spot. I should've gotten beans on the side, but no subs on the special. I would go back and try something else for sure.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    Redbones is my go-to place for casual dinners or late brunches (they open at 11:30) when I'm in Davis Square and hung over (which is more often than not, when I wake up in Davis). Physicists have theorized that it is possible to leave Redbones hungry, but it has not yet been proven by experiment. Vegetarians beware: if the thought of a massive plate of ribs, covered with a thick layer of slow-grilled barbecued meat and fat turns you off, you may want to look elsewhere. The food is beyond amazing, authentic, and mouth-watering, the atmosphere is casual, fun, and it's a great place for a round of tequila shots late on a Saturday morning (definitely proven by experiment)

    (4)

  • Nate B.

    Despite admittedly limited BBQ experience, I have to say that redbones is fantastic. A fun atmosphere with plenty of food, although it is a bit pricy all things considered. Still, the food is top notch and definitely worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Tanya S.

    The ribs and pulled pork is fantastic for the northeast! As are the veggies and corn bread. The wait can be long, but it's worth the weight for all the meats! Also, an enormous amount of beer choices. Always great service, even with large groups.

    (5)

  • Karen M.

    Usually I do takeout because I am not a fan of the down-home atmosphere, although it's very authentic. But the wait on many nights is long, and you have to wait out in the street. Inside is cramped and noisy, and sort of proudly unattractive, with a little of the mocking hipster attitude (Keith Haring-type colorful illustrations of human and animal skeletons, etc...sort of a weird celebration of slaughter). I like all the ribs, especially the Memphis and baby backs, and also like the brisket, and I am a fan of the hot sauce. I usually don't order any sides unless I'm particularly hungry in which case the dirty rice is a nice treat. They seem to put scraps of meat (and maybe chicken liver) and some red bell pepper (or pimiento?) and onion in there, it feels humble and offhand, but it's really delicious. There are no healthy vegetable dishes. The veggies are either drowning in grease or mayonnaise, or are deep fried. The cornbread I find too dense and heavy. The fries are only edible for the first ten minutes out of the kitchen, after that they become cold, limp and greasy. Redbones was a pioneer at a time when there was no good barbecue in Boston, now I think the New England palate is becoming more educated about Southern food, and Redbones may need to step up and take the cooking a little more seriously going forward.

    (3)

  • Sarah D.

    I don't like giving bad reviews. I'm not a mean person. I wish every restaurant was awesome. But I can't help but feel like Redbones is the main reason for all those "you can't get real bbq in Massachusetts" rumors you hear. In case you wanted to know *even more* about me, take this into consideration: I am not a picky eater. And I am also not a person who carries around a rulebook in her back pocket to determine whether something qualifies as "real bbq". I expect one thing from food: deliciousness. NOPE. The meat (specifically the pulled pork and the chopped brisket) is flavorless and soggy. Not soggy with delicious fatty meat juice, but soggy with sauce. Sauce that tastes an awful lot like straight-from-the-can Campbell's Tomato Soup. And the beans were mind-blowing. I have not seen beans this color, or tasted beans this... tasteless... since hot dog day in my middle school cafeteria. The best thing I can say is that their cole slaw tastes like cole slaw and everything is cheapish. I hear tell that they have good sides. Maybe this is true of the sides I have not sampled. Regardless, I prefer my "good sides" to sit beside a good main. I have no doubt that Redbones will continue to do a swift business, and I wish them all the best, but I think it's pretty clear that we do not bring out the best in each other. We are better off apart.

    (2)

  • Sara L.

    Meh. My friends had been hearing great things about this spot for a long time, so we tried it out. While the ribs were well-cooked and there was a lovely smoke ring, they and the rest of the food were severely underseasoned. The rub just wasn't up to par. The jerk beef, albeit good (and a little too spicy), wasn't authentically Jamaican. The greens weren't seasoned at all. The fried fish, however, was exceptional. If this is the best barbeque Boston has to offer, I'd skip it...

    (2)

  • Dor Z.

    You better WERRRRK, girlfriend...on your appetite!! I always forget that barbecue really fills you up, order everything off the menu, and am stuck with leftovers for the next week and a half. Redbones has a decent selection of ribs and brisket and all that jazz. Personally, I don't find their meat very tasty or juicy - my experiences always yield results that are rather chewy and bland. Their sauces are okay, but even they can't save the drab slabs of dead animal on my plate. Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh, but I don't come to Redbones for the protein anymore. In my opinion, barbecue wins with the sides. I love Redbones' collards, yams, dirty rice, mashed potatoes, etc. etc. Pair this meal with a nice drink, be it something from their lofty beer selection or a specialty cocktail, and you've got a wonderful dining experience carved out for you. Going to Redbones is always a fun experience. It's a cool, relaxed place for a decent meal and tasty drinks. I've always had great, laid-back-yet-professional service. PS. Try to sit in front of the kitchen. The kitchen staff is mad chill. Food 7/10 Service 8/10 Atmosphere 9/10

    (4)

  • Emily R.

    I love redbones. I am here about once a month, and recently have been hitting up their food truck in downtown for lunch during the week. The food is great, some of the best ribs I have had anywhere in Boston. Their steak tips are my favorite right now, whatever they marinade them with is too good. Their beer selection is also always great, along with their service. I have never had a problem and always bring my friends/family to redbones when they are visiting me! ..... P.S. GET THE CORN FRITTERS ....

    (5)

  • Richard S.

    Always great food at my neighborhood BBQ.

    (4)

  • Mollie W.

    Woah woah woah..... So I've lived in Somerville 2 Years and haven't written a RED BONES review, how dare I even call myself somervillian (yes, that's an official term) I've been here more times than I can count. Some of the wait staff are great, some aren't. Sometimes you wait until you feel like you've grown old and have lived your whole life downstairs by the loud bar(for example the 3 hour wait which was 2 hours more than the estimated wait they gave us.... not that I'm still bitter about that...) sometimes you wait 10 minutes. You get the point. The food varies too. I personally find most of the ribs other than the baby backs leaving something to be desired, however the pulled pork is one of my favorites, and a far better meat option. But.. if you want to know my 'must try' It's the CATFISH! Crispy, hot, flaky amazing-ness -especially good with their slaw and yams. There, I did it.. can I be initiated at a Somervillan now?

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    I really enjoy this place, the food is really good., a lot of delicious choice (unless you're vegan, of course). There is a great atmosphere and everyone is nice and helpful.

    (4)

  • Adriel I.

    Dubs tee eff Redbones?! What has happened to you? When I got to Boston, I figured out pretty quickly that Redbones is something of a local institution. Whenever I would snobbishly complain about the lack of good bbq this far north, some local would always drop their dunkin in horror and semi-whisper aghast "but...but what about Redbones?". So I tried it. And the first few times, I had to grudgingly admit that, while it probably wouldn't rate if plopped down somewhere in Memphis, Redbones had edible, and nigh on flavorful bbq. The catfish is always pretty good, the drinks are strong enough, and while the ribs probably wouldn't make you sing "Sweet Home Alabama", they would generally satisfy the urge for southern cuisine. So imagine my disappointment when my last trip out to Redbones ran amok. I was feeling particularly carnivorous, so I went with the Barbecue Belt. I was expecting ribs done three different ways. What I got was three different forms of bland and chewy. No amount of sauce was saving these ribs. I won't even get into the sides, which I didn't bother finishing. My companions didn't fare any better. The displeasure was enough to cause open grumbling at the table about how bad the meal was. Sadly, I lied to the (nice) waitress who came by with the standard question of "is everything ok?" I mean, I answered yes, but that's because I didn't know where to start with just how wrong things were. Honestly, I was a little embarrassed, as it was my suggestion to go to Redbones. In my past excursions, it has usually been solid B grade bbq. Sure, it was the holidays, and perhaps traffic was low, so the food had sat out for a while. But no excuses guys...you can do better than this.

    (2)

  • Russell R.

    Crowded as ever but the food was lackluster at best. The chili was a bowl of green liquid with a few pieces of meet and beans. The ribs were fatty and tasteless. 5 people sharing 3 meals and still $92! Time to step it up or people will realize how bad this old staple has truly gotten.

    (2)

  • Jared B.

    Best BBQ in Boston. That is all

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    The only things that are keeping this cesspit of culinary disasters open is the beer list, the fact that it's in the heart of Davis Square and the too-dumb-to-know-any-better college kids who frequent it. Go to Blue Ribbon for good BBQ if you're in the area. It's worth the 10 minute drive.

    (1)

  • Rachel M.

    Food has been tasting blander here over the last few years, but it won't dock a star off the prices, service and remainder of my time here. I always leave fat and happy. And I don't mind paying a buck extra for mac n cheese and potato salad instead of beans and cole slaw (yucky) as a side. Cheap drinks, too.

    (5)

  • James C.

    Freakin' awesome food with huge portions! Nothing comes close in Maryland.

    (5)

  • Adam P.

    For starters, I'm a BBQ snob, so take that for what it's worth. Redbones isn't your standard BBQ dive, so don't get the wrong idea before you go to eat there. Much more of a standard restaurant/pub that just happens to feature primarily BBQ on their menu. That said, some of their BBQ is delectable, namely the St. Louis ribs. Incredibly tender, beautiful color, and they just fall off the bone. Their brisket is meaty but dry, and their pulled pork is good (nothing special). Their fried oysters are nice and light, but not worth the price tag. Sides are enjoyable, especially the mac and cheese. Lastly, they have an insane beer selection. They have almost 20 craft brews on tap each night, plus belgians and your standard domestics. The BBQ may be a bit pricey, but the bar makes it almost worth it. Overall, not my go-to BBQ joint, but a fun place to hang out and celebrate once in a while.

    (4)

  • Jason J.

    I come here so often I consider Redbones my dining room. Since other Yelpers covered the finer points, a haiku will suffice for my review: The key to my Heart Beer, booze, dead animals: yum MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT MEAT

    (4)

  • Rob C.

    Have i really never reviewed Redbones? Going to Redbones on a weekend night is a bit of an undertaking. You need to be motivated and dedicated, as it may involve standing outside or in the crowded downstairs bar, but let there be no question as to whether or not it's worth it. Upstairs is kinda faux Southern-dive-y barbecue place, comfortable, if crowded. Downstairs looks like Beavis' hallucinations from "Beavis & Butt-head Do America", also crowded. Both are awesome. And even though it's crowded, the staff are hardworking and highly accommodating, even to large groups. The food is excellent, of course, with huge varieties of flavorful meat, and delicious sauce. The portions are huge; when you order a sandwich, you get two sandwiches worth of meat. The cornbread is moist and tasty, and the sides are uniformly yummy. Not to be forgotten, the beer selection is the glue that holds your evening at Redbones together, while you're waiting for a seat, as you linger at the table, wondering why you ate so much, there's a stellar list of 20-30 high-quality microbrews at very reasonable prices. Long story short, there's a very good reason it's so crowded. Make time to wait anyway.

    (4)

  • Lauren V.

    I swear every time I leave town and tell someone I'm from Boston they ask if I've been to Redbones. "No, I haven't". "Not yet." "Nope." "No." "No, dammit, leave me alone!" Incredulous stares follow. So I finally went to see what the racket was all about. And honestly, I'm bemused by the proliferation of allegiance to this place. The fried pickles and jalapenos? Yeah, they're ok. The serving was way too large for two people, but that's not a problem. But, my pulled pork sandwich was soggy and bland. It looked as though it were trying to osmose into my plate. Not appealing. My fiance's ribs was more like rib. Did the server get hungry and eat the other half? Why so small? In the end, overpriced for undertasty. Two stars for a solid beer selection and the waiter's slight mortification when I caught him wiggling his eyebrows at me.

    (2)

  • Phuong P.

    The difference between 2 stars and 1 star = "Meh. I've experienced better" and "Eek! Methinks not," respectively. I was going to give a generous 2 stars but having to wait 2 hours for such a gross plate of meat and swill? No thanks. Went recently, around 1/28/2012 and I waited a while to write this review but everyone who went that day probably experienced the same terrible dry, chewy, tasteless food I had. If anything, Redbones should have received 100 bad ratings that night. I can't even begin to think that this place is popular. The thing about a bbq place is that consistency is key. The meat gets cooked the same way everyday because they're supposed to have a winning combination. We ordered the bbq belt I believe. Ribs and brisket. Brisket was not soft but overwhelmingly bland and the bbq sauce provided couldn't do a damn thing to fix that. Maybe they should invest in a new sauce. No actually, the sauce is probably fine on its own but nothing could save that meat. I feel bad for the animals that died so Redbones could turn it into bad bbq. I thought maybe the ribs could save my experience - I was pretty optimistic at the beginning. How were the ribs? The same thing. I don't think you can call RED a flavor and get away with it. On another note, the doorman was a gentleman and very friendly. The host, aka the guy who tells you how much time is left in your wait - he really needs to learn numbers because telling everyone "you're almost up," "pretty soon now," and "not much longer" are not references to anything but your uselessness. Be frank to people. No one wants to wait 2 hours when you said 45max especially when the food sucks. P.S. go to soulfire if you want good bbq. It's cheaper for one and actually tastes good. The cornbread is actually worth mentioning too.

    (1)

  • Jennifer T.

    Great selection and decent prices for tasty BBQ, ambiance was more crowded, small tables, busy and loud. Nice place for no frills and good eats. We've been here twice, once we got the "easy order for 4" which was good - large portions, however, one item we didnt care for was the jerk chicken, which was a bit too dry and salty for us. The good things were the St. Louis ribs, which were tender, and the pulled pork was plentiful. However, the second time we went we ordered random dishes and shared, and felt it was a tastier experience than the options in the pre-set "easy order". The beef brisket was very flavorful and the collard greens were some of the best I've tasted before.

    (4)

  • Chris H.

    We love the pulled pork, wings, and draft beer offerings. Redbones IS wheelchair accessible. The helpful wait staff is always ready with the ramp to get up one step. No problem at all with our large power chair.

    (5)

  • Erin B.

    It's strange that I haven't written a review of Redbones yet. I used to reluctantly enjoy it, but now I'm a full-fledged fan. It used to have the best beer selection before 5 Horses and Foundry added some competition, but they still have a broad rotating selection and I typically favor their choices over the other places'. Pulled pork, pulled chicken, mac n cheese, steak tips, corn bread, Texas chili and key lime pie are my favorites. I've never been disappointed here. They are always consistent.

    (4)

  • Bret C.

    Update - this place is definitely way too expensive for both BBQ and the amount of food you actually get. Ribs were blah. Pulled pork and sides are decent. Blue Ribbon is the clear winner for BBQ in the area. If you're stuck in town, go to Soul Fire. Sweet Cheeks is not good. The Redbones space is ghetto and not in a good way. It was probably cool in the 90s, but today it just looks ancient and gross. Time for a renovation.

    (1)

  • Joe G.

    Been here a few times. Still baffles me that I've only known 3 BBQ places in New England including this one, so there isn't much competition. Red bones is a good restaurant. On weekends it's a circus and if you don't have a reservation the wait is well over an hour. The atmosphere is loud and it's packed. The bar is authentic and festive. Growing up in Chicago, going to college in KY, and living for over 6 months in OKC, I'm pretty spoiled with my BBQ restaurant food experiences. That being said, the food is good, not great. Part of the fun in this restaurant is the atmosphere, it's an enjoyable experience and the location is perfect. Come here with a group of 4 friends and get ready to have some fun before hitting the Davis square bars.

    (3)

  • Jon W.

    Really excellent BBQ done well with huge portions. I couldn't finish it all. But saved room for delicious pecan pie for dessert. Service was very good and friendly.

    (5)

  • Blake H.

    I have been to Redbones three times now and it has always been a pleasure! The food is just what I need to help ease my southern food suffering (I am from NC). The appetizers are great - try the fried pickles, chicken wings, or mac n cheese. The pulled pork sandwich is a must, just minus the onions. Very casual atmosphere and a decent beer selection. The staff are very friendly and do a great job at helping one another. Next time my family is up from NC I will bring them by!

    (4)

  • Luke B.

    Classic, smokey, over the top, spicy, gut busting....basically just delicious. I could go on for hours but I know noboday really cares about pontification so I'll cut to the chase: Here's what you'll eat: -fried catfish -house made sausage -habanero corn salsa -beef brisket -coleslaw -buffalo shrimp -shots of tequila -local draft beer -a healthy amount of water Here's how you'll feel: -FUCKING AWESOME and really full. Get your act together and go here and try to set in front of the open part of the kitchen if you want to see what it's like to actually work, the kitchen guys at Red Bones are killer!

    (4)

  • Caitlin C.

    Well, what I can I say that hasn't been said in the 516 other reviews? I went here for the first time on Friday evening, shared a plate of bbq chicken, crispy potatoes, macncheese, and some weird corn pudding thing. And I loved the spicy bbq dipping sauce. It was delicious. Paired it with a tasty dark n stormy...mmm, rum. They also have a sweet beer wheel that you can spin if you can't make a decision. Closes at 1 (a lil too early IMO). Cool place. I'll be back to sample more Southern delicacies for sure.

    (4)

  • James A.

    Great food - wait time was decent, I bought the Groupon so the price is right. Great beer collection as well.

    (4)

  • Ed M.

    Redbones is pretty damn tasty and has a nice beer selection. My issue with coming here is pretty much anytime you go, there is a heck of a wait for a table and it is amazingly packed once you get in. Tables seem a bit close and it's a little crazy. Food wise, I like it. It's damn tasty but every experience we have had of sitting down to eat has been pretty time consuming. Underbones is also a good spot later in the evening to grab some beers and appetizers at the bar and sample some great beers you haven't seen or heard of yet. Usually after about 10pm or so there is some room to stand down there or possibly sit at the bar and enjoy. Love the hush puppies and the brisket, the ribs are nice as well.

    (3)

  • Matthew B.

    Redbones is a destination for non-southern friends of mine. I say non-southern because truly experienced BBQers will be focused on how much better their sauce is. Those north of the Mason Dixon will be more than pleased by the experience. I'm not going to get preachy on the main dish. Just eat something with BBQ sauce. For appetizers though, you really should enjoy a hush puppy or six. The beer menu is mighty as well. Take a spin at the random beer picker if you're feeling indecisive -- they'll choose for you in a wheel of fortune-esque enactment.

    (4)

  • Ariel G.

    yum. the food here is great. i love their ribs and the servers are good at explaining whats different about there different selections. Their pulled pork is good too. I also love their corn bread. One thing that wasn't so great here is the last time i went it was not during their 'standard' dining hours and they only had a bar menu which was not up to par with what i thought an actual RESTAURANT should have as a bar menu. maybe a little bar somewhere. A resturant should have a very good off ours bar menu. But other than that this place is great! my mouth is watering, i think i will try to go here tonight!

    (4)

  • Jennifer Y.

    Two Words: Fried Pickles! I would definitely go back for the fried pickles/ jalapenos! Other than that, they have a large selection of bbq sauces which was exciting to try. My waitress was nice enough to warn me that the Jamaican jerk bbq sauce was super spicy so she put it on the side. And thank god she did because it was friggin hott. The pulled pork was nothing out of the ordinary. The ribs were a little over priced and dry.

    (3)

  • Jamara W.

    so Im a vegetarian and you would think that Redbones a place named Red Bones wouldnt be the best option for a night out. Wrong ! The BBQ here is tasty. There are plenty of fish and side dish options to keep one satisfied and interested. Parking is a struggle but that is life when driving to Somerville. Take the T if you can.

    (4)

  • Jacquelyn M.

    SO good. I love me some BBQ. Tons of different beer on tap and in bottle. Great service. Food is phenomenal!

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    They have the best fries and i dare say I've never had a better plate of hash!! Also a chill spot in the basement to have a few craft beers!

    (5)

  • Caitlin M.

    This is my kind of place. Best barbeque in Boston...hands down. All the sauces are great, and every type of meat I've had has been phenomenal. Be sure to ask for extra sauce, though -- one little plastic cup usually isn't enough. Awesome beer selection (try the wheel if you like good beers and you're laid back enough to drink whatever it lands on). Fun atmosphere, especially in the summer. Expect a long wait most nights of the week, even in the winter (or try takeout!). Side dishes/apps are not their strong point, but you MUST try the buffalo scallops -- whoever invented those was a genius!! The hush puppies are pretty good, too. Thank you, Redbones, for being awesome!

    (5)

  • Brendan B.

    Unpretentious. Loveable. Inviting. Great food and drink. Seriously, if you love great BBQ, look no further. I usually get the pulled pork sandwich or beef brisket; solid choices and always done well. Beer and drink list is well cultured, with some classics and fan favorites abound. Good mix of barflys, college age kids and 20 to 30s crowd, some families on the weekends. Oh, and Black Sabbath is playing over the stereo right now. If I could award another point for that, I would. ONE gripe: where's my free corn bread?! Bring back the complimentary corn bread!!

    (4)

  • Mindy N.

    Redbones has gone way down hill. So sad. We've given it 2 more chances than we should have, remembering how wonderful it used to be. Tonight, our 2 dinners were virtually tasteless. Salmon was awful, garlic mashed potatoes had no garlic and no taste, steak tips grisly and inedible. With this food, not that you'd want more but the portions were so small- great if you're on a diet and want 4 oz. of salmon or 5 oz. of steak. Last time, had the brisket dinner- flavorless and 3 small strips of meat. Never again.

    (2)

  • James A.

    Redbones is consistently inconsistent. I have gone in there and gotten some crazy good meals. Other times, the food is cold and completely day-old. The menu is pricey by BBQ joint standards, and for that I expect fresh food. The waitstaff is also hit or miss- you better hope they're in a good mood!

    (2)

  • Brent M.

    This is the third order since November 2013 and very disappointed. The baby back ribs were our favorite item on the menu. They have gone from very lean and tender, falling off the bones, to very fatty tough low grade version. We have seen the same with the brisket and other items. Even worse, they seem to be out many items often. Won't be ordering again unless I see someone else comment that they have improved towards they usual standards.

    (1)

  • Brian R.

    I love this place. Great food, fantastic beer selection and responsive staff. I've had better BBQ in New Orleans but not in Boston.

    (4)

  • Chann C.

    This place is always packed everytime I come here. They give you cornbread with butter to start off. As an appetizer, I always get their fried pickles. It comes with some fried jalapenos as well. They are so damn tasty! Their BBQ is pretty good. Just good. Nothing special. I always have to use a lot of their hot or sweet sauce to give it a kick. Noisy atmosphere and cramped but decent sized space. Service was very friendly.

    (3)

  • mzamar x.

    People make a big deal about this place but I never understand why. I don't think the BBQ is even very good. The vegetables are terrible. There is much better BBQ in this town, like at Blue Ribbon! Go there now.

    (2)

  • Mallory S.

    Good beer. Good BBQ. I recommend the Pulled Pork Sandwich (my favorite sauce is the hot sauce) and the Catfish Sandwich. That's all I have really had so far. Potato salad was good. I love that cornbread is included! Take out is efficient, but it can be very crowded. Best to go at 'off' times.

    (5)

  • Ribblet N.

    Had their catfish, didn't know it was a sandwich. I think I ordered wrong. The place is rustic and down to earth, good eats if you like meat.

    (4)

  • Gregory S.

    The food was great. The St. Louis Rib were great they had a smokyness and were fall of the bone good. Almost everything was tasty. I felt like a total pig and still managed to enjoy a piece of pecan pie which might have been some of the best of my life. I would just avoid the baby back ribs, they were too tough.

    (4)

  • MJ H.

    I have visited UnderBones twice now. My first experience was great since I was already tipsy when I got there, but last night when I met friends... I was not happy about spending money on FOUR amaretto sours with no buzz. And trust me-- I am a lightweight! I did like the bartenders, and I had fun with friends... but if I want to party and have some fun, I will visit elsewhere and possibly make my last drink of the night here.

    (2)

  • Jonathan F.

    Redbones...fantastic classic southern style BBQ joint! I had the baby back ribs which fell off the bone, these are the best ribs I've had anywhere outside of Texas! The beef brisket was also great so was the service! We couldn't reserve a table as you have to do so in advance ( at least 24 hours) but we only had to wait a couple of minutes for a table. Parking is just round the corner. If you are near by and hungry, definately pop in!

    (4)

  • Sharon T.

    Loud. Fun. Fast comfort food. Great selection of beer, bourbons, and cocktails. I had the pulled pork plate with potato salad, beans, and mac and cheese. They serve four kinds of homemade sauce. My party had the pecan pie which they pronounced delicious. It's not the best barbecue (I'm from the south and I have traveled all over the US trying local barbecue) but it is worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Louie M.

    I grew up eating at Redbones. Since I was a wee child, my parents would bring me here. Its quintessential "New England" style southern BBQ with a great beer selection. Back in Boston for a holiday; landed at Logan and first stop after ditching my luggage was redbones. Fried catfish with a pile of jerk beef, fritters, and cole slaw. Nothing can be better. A massive beer and good atmosphere, not bad. We were run petty quickly out of the restaurant after we ate though, little time to relax.

    (5)

  • John D.

    This is how BBQ is done folks. They are in a league all by themselves for making BBQ. Not smothered in sauce just a great dry rub with lean cuts of meat and that great dry rub bark that is so good. The slaw and the pulled chicken were all excellent. The folks out in Sturbridge MA at BT Smokehouse should visit Red Bones to find out how BBQ is done.

    (4)

  • Marc C.

    I took my son and teenage friend for a little BBQ after rock climbing recently - and loved it! We all had ribs different styles - Memphis, Arkansas, Baby back... Yum. Their comment, "why would anyone be a vegetarian?" And the corn bread before the meal is hot and plentiful. Waitress was sweet, checked in often. Loved the funky voodoo surfer decor downstairs!!!

    (4)

  • Jennafir E.

    So, after watching phantom gourmet, my bf and I decide, hey, let's go try out restaurants on this rainy day. We make up rules, nothing over 10 dollars and you must share. it can't be a chain and must be a new place. yada yada. We happen upon Davis Square before out stomachs scream out for us to stop and find Redbones. Now, I'm just saying, I'm not a huge southern fan, because usually restaurants use too much or too little sauce, or overcook the meat. Redbones had it nailed. We tried the pulled pork and were very satisfied. It was heavenly. The giant size soda made me cringe, but I wanted to take the cup home. The price is great, the bartender was friendly as sin and I can't wait to go back to try their bbq ribs and southern fineries.Oh and the great beer list, though the liquor drinks called out to me more.

    (4)

  • Jake G.

    People will tell you that you can't have a fourth of July without barbecue, and whether I agree with them or not, I hungrily opted for what seemed like (based on 141 Yelp reviews) the next best thing to a grill in the backyard: Redbones. Wrong choice. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the whole Southern Hospitality deal as much as the next hick, and I'm a huge fan of the Hushpuppies and Candied Yams, but when it came to capturing the slow-down, comforting atmosphere of the South, Redbones fell short. Hey, by "unique ambiance," did you mean "crack baby's basement bedroom?" The downstairs is covered with some bizarre murals of hip surfing rats and giggling demons that I am almost positive would glow in the dark. Aside from the two items mentioned above, the food was so-so. My girlfriend's Pulled Jerk Beef (yeah, I laughed too) was mislabeled "Hot," when it should have read "Ulcer Inducing." But I won't fault them for that, it's a gamble whenever you see that. I will, however, never forgive them for their cornbread. I'm sorry, but when you're a Southern Barbecue joint, get some decent cornbread! This corn block tasted weeks old and was served room temp, invoking eerie comparisons to my kitchen sponge. If you want really great barbecue, fire up the grill out back. But if you don't have one, you may want to try somewhere other than Redbones for that smoky, comfy BBQ. I may go back for the Hushpuppies, though.

    (3)

  • Sara C.

    It's the only bbq place around here so I guess that's why it gets decent reviews. I went there once and had a po'boy and some of the bf's pulled pork sandwich - both were pretty good. But the last time I was there my boyfriend ordered the jerk beef sandwich - and our waiter didn't bother telling us that oh btw it's the hottest thing on the menu. After complaining to friends, they said most of the time the waiters/waitresses bring out a sample with ice cream to make sure you want to order it. Blame it on our crappy waiter that night. My ribs - which we shared bc the jerk sandwich was so awful - were decent but the sauce on the side is what really saved them. All in all, it's alright but not my fav.

    (2)

  • sven g.

    The place is fantastic. Great beer, food, music, barkeeps, etc. I love everything about you, don't change a thing.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Many nights spent here gobbling up cornbread and catfish, trying to crack the stern exterior of the no-nonsense, borderline mute waiter who always served us. Or down in underbones drinking an IPA I'd never heard of, trying to make sense of the fluctuating crowd. Always noisy, always a slightly different frequency of noise.

    (4)

  • M B.

    The cons: * cornbread and hush puppies barely had a corn taste * first beer we got was a bit flat and came in a rather small glass * the "mild" sauce was still incredibly spicy ... I don't like spicy sauce at all, so I had nothing to put on my sandwich. The "medium" sauce was ridiculously hot so my fiance took my mild sauce for his own sandwich since he likes a bit of spice. * the side of beans that came with the potato salad was "meh." The pros: * good service * pulled pork and brisket sandwiches were tasty * found a parking spot right in front * huge portions * good beer selection * soda/lemonade/water in big mason jars was a cute touch * coleslaw and potato salad were both very good, and I really liked the pickles on my sandwich Not bad. Not awesome, but not bad.

    (3)

  • Rob S.

    Best BBQ north of the Mason-Dixon!

    (5)

  • stacey l.

    Tasty! The hot bbq sauce is delish. The best thing about this place is the fast service. You are not going to get authentic southern bbq here, but it is worth a visit and the menu is varied. I would suggest trying this place on a week night the first time you go. The wait on a weekend can detract from the positive features.

    (4)

  • Heather H.

    The good: +They have a really good beer list +Their mac and cheese is really good +Their BBQ is mighty fine for New England (I have lived in St. Louis and Virginia and traveled a lot throughout the Southeast) +Their catfish fingers are to die for +They offer pot likkers +They put coleslaw on the pulled pork & chicken sandwiches +Both the bar and the dining room are fun and inviting +Huge portions. I often split sides with friends +Good fries The not so good: -They don't put enough coleslaw on the sandwiches -Their collard greens aren't so awesome. Kind of "meh," actually. -The grilled fish isn't very good -The are not messing around with the Jamaican Jerk- WAY WAY WAY too hot -I often eat too much (okay this is my own fault)

    (4)

  • Herbert K.

    If you get the chance... sneak in here for lunch on a weekday. No lines, get a seat at the bar, take your time, and pick something you've never had from the beer list. I've ordered "The Lunch Combo" probably 20 times in my life, and have never finished it once. Some items miss - I'm an idiot for oysters - but the "po-boy dinner" is fried oysters on a hot dog roll, with a chipotle tarter sauce. Bzzzzzzzz. Sorry, that's incorrect. Now, the chile verde? On one of those rainy afternoons, when the rain is starting to turn to snow? Yes please... :) Oh, and another beer....

    (4)

  • Bryan S.

    I heard good things about Redbones and it did not disappoint. It is on the crowded side when busy, but with seating both upstairs and downstairs the wait wasn't terribly bad, considering. The beer selection is pretty decent for this kind of restaurant, too. The appetizers were a mixed bag - the buffalo shrimp were fantastic. On the other hand, the hush puppies were fairly bland, lacking any particular flavor. I would have expected better hush puppies in ribs restaurant. The St. Louis ribs were very good with a dry rub and some kind of sweet dipping sauce. They were cooked just enough and tasted great. The sides - beans and cole slaw were also on point. Finally, I finished it off with a "white trash sundae" (ice cream sandwiches with whip cream and chocolate sauce) - very nice ending to a good meal.

    (4)

  • Seth J.

    WARNING: Minnesotan reviewing a barbecue joint. Opinions may be tainted by lack of barbecue in the frozen tundra. Ambiance: There are 3 areas to sit in - the upstairs bar, the upstairs dining room, and the downstairs. I much prefer the downstairs. It's dark, loud, and has some crazy s*** painted on the walls, none of which are detractors for me. The upstairs is brighter, with BBQ memorabilia and pictures all over the walls - looks like what I always thought a BBQ place would look like (see above warning). Not a great date spot, but then again, when was eating meat straight off the bones with your hands ever great for dates? I go here with friends for beer and meat, especially warming on cold nights. Food: Again, see above warning. The food here is awesome. Several choices for ribs let you tailor your experience to your tastes, and the catfish rocked me. Beware the Jerk! I've had friends end the night in tears from it despite the waitstaff's and my warnings. Now, I may be from the midwest, but Habanaro peppers make me drool with anticipated tastiness; however, this spice-bomb from lower Hades made my mouth plain hurt. Don't say I didn't warn you! The max n' cheese is damn good, and the corn bread... well, I love the corn bread. Beer selection is excellent - microbrews from local and far-flung breweries paired with a tasty pulled pork sammich make for a good night. The selection changes often, so come back! Service: Waitstaff is attentive and friendly. Whenever my beer nears the bottom quarter of the glass, they ask me if I want another - which definitely isn't a bad thing. Quit trying to get me shmammied, Redbones, I love you anyway! On a recent visit, we asked for more cornbread 3 times, and they always brought it quickly and with a smile - no extra charge! One thing I've always been mystified with is that they don't seat your party unless everyone is there - this is something I've always hated, and will hate until the day I die. Bartenders are great, ready and able to explain any of their selections to you. Sitting at the bar and eating some brisket is always great. Price: Beers are $5+ unless you buy the cheapo stuff - I've never felt ripped off for drinks. Food is decently priced - big portions ensure you never leave hungry, but its not super cheap. Totally worth it, I say. Bottom line: Great place, fun atmosphere, good food, good beer. What else do you need? Tip: Eat at the bar to avoid long waits for tables!

    (4)

  • Lynette S.

    love the catfish sandwich and collards, but cole slaw and corn bread were both so disgusting that the review was pulled way down.

    (2)

  • Ashley G.

    Meh. That's exactly what I thought when I left. For anyone who's had great gooey scrumptious BBQ and comes here expecting that, don't. They have ridiculous wait times and the lighting upstairs makes you feel like you are on the examining table at a doctors office. The Mac and Cheese and Beans were my favorite things, but by far not the best I've had in the Boston area. And if my favorite things were 2 sides, I think that's saying something.

    (3)

  • Paul S.

    A bit over rated, The Food is So So, I have had much better else were. The place is tight. Not very wheelchair friendly. I did like the beer wheel behind the bar. Their beer selection is huge. I could not decide so spin the wheel and let it pick for you.

    (3)

  • Elaine C.

    I recently ate dinner here on my 21st birthday. What I wanted was a fun, no-frills, good-sized meal with some friends. And that's exactly what I got at Redbones. Although they don't usually take reservations, you call ahead to tell them you have large group, and they will try to save a table (just make sure you show up on time or you lose your spot). The rich smell of BBQ sauce, the crowded dining area, and the excited and loud laughter make Redbones a great place for a family or friends night out. The waitstaff is credibly friendly and the music is always eclectic and fun. You definitely get your money's worth in terms of portions. In terms of taste, however, the food is decent (e.g. not bad for a BBQ place in New England). My major complaint is the meat is too dry! Not juicy enough, not fall-off-the-bones enough, and not enough sauce! However, it's really the fabulous and fun atmosphere of this BBQ joint that earns Redbones it's 4-star rating.

    (4)

  • Isaac M.

    Too die for, enough said.

    (5)

  • mia d.

    I love you guys. Can i suggest you open another location in Boston/JP? Seems like a pretty solid investment... Don't change a thing (except for the artwork. :)

    (5)

  • Tan G.

    Best RIBS place hands down. Huge glass jars filled with soda! Cute kids menu! Casual attire. This place is always full of people. Metered street parking available around the area. I actually had the steamed seafood platter and it was great as well. It gets a bit loud from others talking, but that's what I love about it. Staff was friendly and casual as well. Always a safe spot to go for reliable fill me up food and fast consistent service.

    (5)

  • James S.

    Simply amazing. Food is incredible. Beer as awesome. Hot sauce is mind blowing. Get the ribs. They may have better BBQ places down south, but definitely not in Somerville. I like to go by myself sometimes and sit at the counter and watch the guys cook while I wait/eat. It's a great experience.

    (5)

  • Gabrielle P.

    The decor was our favorite part of this restaurant! We were told to go here by a friend and well, we really weren't that impressed. The waiter sucked and our food was just OK. My guy is a BBQ freak and I thought this place would be heaven for him, but he just wasn't that into it. Looking on all the walls was pretty cool. A lot of famous people have been there and left their mark, so that was fun to check out. Sadly we'll never go here again.

    (2)

  • Greycella L.

    Redbones served as a slightly unconventional Sunday morning brunch choice for catching up with old friends. The sweet tea served in a huge mason jar immediately transported me to the sticky South, and the fried pickles & jalapeno appetizer was a hit with our group. I went with the chili verde, which was listed as an appetizer but was a meal portion and total bargain at 5 bucks! I nibbled on my man's BBQ hash dinner and thought the sauce was excellent. My only quibble? The service was pretty darn slow. Otherwise, I'd totally stop by here again given there wasn't much in the way of a wait time.

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    I really had my hopes up for Redbones, people talk about this place like it's the best thing that's ever happened to BBQ. Well, it's not. The food was good, but not outstanding. They had an excellent beer selection, and a fun atmosphere. Would I go back and wait over an hour to eat there again? Probably not, however the wait wasn't so bad since they have a small upstairs bar area to help pass the time. The cornbread was delicious, the texas ribs were just so-so, and the pulled pork was pretty tasty. I think that they should have bottles of their 4 sauces on the table, I would have liked to try them all, and the little paper cup of sauce that came with my meal wasn't nearly enough. Overall, an alright BBQ joint but not worth the hype.

    (3)

  • Heather S.

    Redbones has fantastic food. The meat was especially tender and I was pleasantly surprised to find fried okra on the menu. My only complaint is that classic bar-b-q should involve smoking the meat over hickory, etc. There was no smoky wood flavor to the bark on the ribs. The sauce was so-so. If you are from the South and are looking for BBQ like home, Red Bones falls flat. But if you are dying for fried okra and some nicely cooked meat, this is the place.

    (3)

  • Stephanie T.

    yay! popped the proverbial red bones cherry last weekend! the food here was TASTY and served in ginormous portions. the menu - extensive / moderately priced (including the beer menu!) staff - friendly (despite the chaos) restaurant - (we ate downstairs) i personally find the decor amazing. it's a little noisy and cozy (very, very cozy), so maybe not the best place for a romantic date or dinner with your parents, but overall a place with good personality bursting at the seams bathrooms - impeccably clean my single complaint is that immediately following my meal here, i was a bit concerned i might explode. but, that feeling eventually subsided (until of course i popped the leftovers in the microwave the next day) definitely another davis sq. gem.

    (4)

  • James H.

    REDBONES RULES!! Their BBQ is delicious, the waitstaff is friendly with a bit of urban attitude. Very cool (and mostly attractive). I've been going here for years, since I was a kid. Aside from their kick-ass menu, the thing that makes Redbones such a GREAT place is the atmosphere; its friendly and funky and hip and I feel at home right away. As soon as you sit at your table (it may be a while but trust me its worth the wait) any and all stress and lingering negativity seems to be washed away.. maybe its the beer. But seriously, its hard to be in a foul mood in here. Honestly I don't know what these other Yelpers are complaining about. I guess there's just no pleasing some people.

    (5)

  • Carrie M.

    holy crap, they added fried pickles and jalapenos to their menu. the extra star is back and i think i'm in love.

    (5)

  • Naitasia H.

    Red bones is good, but not great. Im going to start with the "not great" part. Charging for substitutions is a bad move. Especially when EVERYTHINg comes with beans & slaw. You leave people no choice but to substitute at some point. Some of the food needed more flavor like the mac 'n cheese that was very bland. And the corn fritters were more donut munchkin' & less corn. Now onto the "good." I like the gritty atmosphere of the place a lot. No one wants to eat pretentious BBQ. So I really liked the stuff hanging on the walls and the mason jar glasses. It was "gritty" without being dirty. Also, the waitstaff appear to be more like patrons in the way they dress, which is good and bad. Bad because you may not recognize your server. Good because it's far less intimidating and that serves a purpose in a place like this.

    (3)

  • Austin H.

    I love this place! Very unassuming from the outside but so cool inside! Very casual and low key but lots to look at on the walls. Main dining area is pretty large and both times I have been they have been able to seat us right away even though there was quite a large crowd. I have had the St. Louis and baby back ribs and both were outstanding! However the last time I went I tried the fried oysters and they were amazing, the best I have had in the area. Service was true southern hospitality.

    (4)

  • Jimmie L.

    I haven't eaten at Redbones a few years, but one of the groups here at work had Redbones cater lunch. Oh my goodness. There was a point as I was eating where I thought - nothing will ever taste THIS good again. It was a smoky pulled pork - you could taste the vinegar making it tart, the spices, the depth of flavor was heavenly. My plate was filled with 2 types of pulled pork, pulled chicken, rice and beans, baked beans, cole slaw, a bun and really nice corn bread (not the kind that makes yer teeth all icky afterwards (icky is a technical term in this case)) At some point I will have the energy to have the cookie bar that is the dessert....but the whole meal was so lovely that i don't want to spoil the afterglow with a mere cookie. Rockin' Redbones ! Nice way to do a Friday.

    (5)

  • Jason T.

    The food is great, the beer selection is awesome and the waitstaff are friendly. What more can you really ask for in a place. I take all my friends here when they first come to Davis and sure enough this turns out to be their regular bar as well. I really don't think there is a better bar in Davis Square.

    (5)

  • Sean E.

    I still stand by "come for the beer, stay for the food". They recently had this amazing week of Berkshire Brewing Casks -- a different beer on cask a day for an entire week. Jazztown! And I've really come to love their ribs, greens and beans. There's some less than stellar options on the menu, but there are some things they do perfect here. My de facto stop for diner and a movie at the Somerville Theater -- really my first option for dining/drinking in David Sq. In another couple years this will probably be a Fiver.

    (4)

  • Jim O.

    I love Redbones. I just wish the food was as good as it looks like it should be. Not that it's bad. It just could be more consistantly good. I've had a couple occasions where the ribs were dryer than I'd like. Then again, I tend to eat meals after 11pm. Why should should love Redbones too: 1) Late night menu. Nothing like walking down to Redbones at midnight for a giant plate of mixed ribs. The portions are huge and it's 10 bucks! 2) Fantastic beer list. 'nuff said? I think so. 3) Funky cool decor. Especially downstairs. I love how very Davis Square it is. No TV and you still get distracted from your dinner companion. 4) That crazy blue haired girl who swapped bras with her friend at that table next to me. (she might not be there when you go, but you never know.) So, the food is not up to Blue Ribbon standards. On the other hand, Blue ribbon is not up to Redbones on the coolness scale. So there. I've had many great meals at Redbones, and a few not so great meals. I've also had great take-out delivered by bicycle. I've also fed huge quantities of drunk after-party revellers, and no one complained even a little. Like any relationship, sometimes you wonder why you keep going back. There's just something there. So, I love Redbones, flaws and all.

    (4)

  • Phil W.

    I can't stop ordering the catfingers. Every time I go, it's just a given. They're so ridiculously tasty. Eating upstairs is okay, but the basement's where it's at. The art is funky and the music's good, and the bartenders are great (Heidi and Bryce especially). Though if you can't decide what to drink, it's worth stopping in the upstairs bar to spin the Wheel of Beers to see what you get. Redbones is also very supportive of the community, and is usually one of the sponsors of whatever Davis Square event is happening. And for home delivery, they deliver via *bicycle.* And what's tastier than food that someone had to exercise to bring you?

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    Great BBQ with an even better beer list.

    (5)

  • Melissa W.

    I've only been to Redbones once, but there's a reason this Texan hasn't been back. Redbones has a lot going for it - I dig the informal atmosphere, the beer, and the decor. However, on a weekend night you should expect a long wait. Ours was close to an hour. When we were finally seated, I tried the St. Louis ribs, described on the menu as "lean and tender," but they were extremely fatty and quite overdone. Not appetizing at all. And for $14, I consider this quite a rip-off. The wait service was pretty shoddy as well, although they were friendly. All in all, I would definitely recommend Blue Ribbon over Redbones.

    (2)

  • Lawless C.

    Redbones--no one's heard of this place! Davis Square's undiscovered secret BBQ joint. Shhh...don't spoil it!

    (3)

  • Nicole L.

    A nice treat for first night in Boston. Recommended by my boss, ex-Bostonian resident as a must-try place and turned out my host had the same idea. The restaurant was very crowded on friday and they don't take reservations. We waited for more than an hour to get a table. The restaurant has all kinds of corky things about it. It is a very cute restaurant and a really cool bar at the basement. Apparently a guy name Rud is a regular there. Anyhow the food was good - I had the rib platter for $18.99. A platter entirely too large for me it has a huge arkansa rib, two memphis ribs, two texas ribs and the brisket. The ribs were delicious but it was hard getting the meat off the arkansa rib. The other two ribs were delicious and fall off the bones. The brisket was very smokey and a little too dry - has to do with the thick cut I think. The ribs came with a choice of sauce - I chose the hot bbq. It was delish! It came with two sides - beans and coleslaw which I replaced with succotash and collard greens. The succotash was very disappointing it was wayyyyy overcooked and I wasnt too crazy about it. The collard green however was perfect. Overall I think it was a good BBQ place.

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    I'm a Southerner, so I am very particular about my bbq. I love the decor & when I walked in, I felt so much at home. The beer selection is awesome - you would certainly never find that anywhere in the south. We started with the buffalo scallops, which were absolutely mouth-watering. For the main meal, I had pulled pork & my bf had beef brisquet. The pulled pork and corn bread were dry, but the beef brisquet was really tender and good. I'm glad black-eyed peas were served as a side, so I'll have good luck for the new year :) Overall, an excellent experience - the right mix of northern & southern.

    (4)

  • Mags L.

    decent bbq. i'd ordered takeout in the past and had a variety of food including ribs, fried okra, etc. i went back recently and dined in. had the catfish sandwich. black beans. was pretty tasty. my pal had the pulled pork sandwich and some ribs. dining in was pretty fun. had a refreshing stella and big jar like mugs for my h20. my only gripe was the guy sitting next to us who kept giving us dirty looks. i'm sorry we didn't order a huge plate of ribs. i was pretty full from my previous meals of the day. i didn't mean to make your girlfriend/wife feel bad 'cos she had 1000 ribs on her plate and about a stick of butter slathered on her cornbread. next time i will just have 1 giant meal during the day and we can certainly have a throwdown.

    (3)

  • Brendan M.

    Redbones user manual: 7 days before your planned visit, start going to the gym every day 4 days before, stop eating meat - stick to salads from here on in 2 days before, make an appointment with your cardiologist for the week after your visit 12 hours before, stop eating altogether When you get there, get a rack of St.Louis ribs smothered in BBQ sauce, a plate of deep fried Okra and a pint of lager and start indulging. And remember to save space for the pecan pie!

    (3)

  • Anthony B.

    If you think Applebee's has perfected BBQ with the invention of the "riblet" then stop reading this immediately. It's probably too late for me to convince you to go to Redbone's anyways, and even if you did, it just wouldn't be the same as the corn syrup covered tidbits you've grow to enjoy. I don't claim to be a BBQ snob (or really even know anything about it other than "man, that tastes good" type of horse sense) but you don't have to be a snob to know when you've found something uniquely incredible. Some people claim it's like the south and that's why they love it while others state that it's not really like true southern BBQ (there's a lot of variation in "southern BBQ" anyways), but why does it have to be like something else in order for it to be great? The ribs are smoked to pinky perfection and are not bathing in a ketchupy generic BBQ sauce. You can choose from the hot or mild tomato based sauces, the vingar based sauce, or the molasses based sauce. Or you can do what I do and get a sampling of all four on the side. The Saint Louis ribs are killer and I'm also a huge fan of the Texas beef ribs (aka brontosaurus ribs). For an appetizer I can never resist the buffalo shrimp. My only complaint is that I wish the order had about 10 shrimp rather than 6. You can't go wrong with beer at Redbones. They have about 30 varieties on tap including a cask conditioned brew, which is always a tasty adventure. They also often carry harpoon specialty brews such as the hundred barrel series. I am always sad when a Boston restaurant/bar decides to omit harpoon from their taps because it can be had everywhere else and is not "special enough". The hundred barrel series and newly developed leviathan series have put our some of the best beers I've ever tasted. Cheers to Redbones for knowing great beer when they taste it! They also carry a great variety of imports and other domestics as well on their ever evolving tap list (spin the beer wheel if you can't decide). The atmosphere is colorful and well developed, the waitstaff is eclectic and fun, and the food and drink is outstanding. Great,...now I'm hungry again.

    (5)

  • Jonathan L.

    The beers are good. The portions are massive. The atmosphere is perfect for a BBQ joint. However, as far as taste goes... the ribs were lacking. We got fried okra as an appetizer, which turned out to be quite tasty. My experience is much like Tarn's. If you want lots of meat and beer, this is a decent pick.

    (3)

  • Brent G.

    eh... I don't know what to say about this place. It is truly average. Decent beer selection, but nothing I haven't tried before. The food was good but tended to be a bit on the dry side. I am not sure if I am being hard on this place because my expectations were very high. The restaurant seemed very popular even for a week day and it came recommended from a friend of mine but I thought the place was mediocre at best.

    (3)

  • Dana B.

    After living in Texas for a year I developed a higher standard of BBQ food. Redbones fits that standard. Neither myself nor anyone I have been there with has had a bad meal there. It's all been fantastic. The atmosphere is extremely casual and southern. The servers are friendly and helpful. It's very reasonably priced and their portions are HUGE! AND as if that wasn't enough, they serve pumpkin beer in the fall!! Redbones is extremely popular and tends to get really busy in the evening, but the perfect time to go is for a late lunch on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Asha P.

    Red bones is definitely one of my favorite places to go out for dinner. Yea, it's crowded cuz it's AWESOME! And the noise? All part of the ambience for me! In my opinion, it's best to wait an extra 5 or 10 minutes for a table downstairs. The atmosphere is so different that it's like an entirely different restaurant. As for the food, everything I have had there was great. I found my favorite thing, though, and pretty much stick to it every single time I go there: sliced brisket sandwich with hot sauce and a dark and stormy. Mmmmm! Their beers are really good too but I can never seem to deny the dark and stormies. On two occasions my boyfriend and I have ordered food over the phone. The second time they accidentally gave us someone else's meal entirely, but the manager apologized and told us to keep the food plus he sent us our correct order AND comped it on my credit card! Still I am definitely going to stick to dining in, it's a good time if you bring a good crowd and aren't the type who likes to keep their fingers clean.

    (5)

  • Gaelle D.

    Redbones is a very reasonable place to get your BBQ cravings satisfied without going out of your way (unless you're lucky enough to live next door to Blue Ribbon or Uncle Pete's!). But, don't expect anything outstanding there. The ribs are really average, the brisket is good, the sausages may be great or mediocre depending on the day. I like the downstairs area better because it feels more like a bar than the noisy, fast-paced upstairs. And, they have a pretty good selection of good beers on tap, including Belgian imports that I dig :)) (see my review of the Publick House in Brookline). I don't know who did the artwork that covers the walls inside but I really love it:)

    (3)

  • Ravi P.

    Southern BBQ is the last thing you expect to be done well in New England, but Redbones manages to come through by Davis Square in Cambridge, MA. With three main rooms: all ages dining, the basement otherwise known as Underbones, and the upstairs bar -- there is a place for everyone. There are also menus for all hours: main dining, late nite dining, and bar. While family dining appears to be the idea behind Redbones, there are plenty of items on the menu that are cheap and won't stuff you where you can't walk (been there). The menu covers a wide variety of items commonly found in the south, though maybe not necessarily all under the same roof or plate for that matter. Greens, black-eyed peas, puppies, mac-n-cheese, dirty rice, beans, etc can all be ordered as sides for single meals or by the pint or quart for family style dining. The same can be done for the meats. From pulled pork and beef, Texas style beef ribs, chicken, and at least 4 different style pork ribs, you'll be sure to find something that you'll enjoy. All of the BBQ items are typically served dry and are accompanied by any combination of four sauces: hot, medium, mild, and vinegar (if memory serves me). If you are a beer lover then you will love Redbones even more. With over 20 tap lines there is a excellent menu of local and regional, and beer from other places.

    (5)

  • Alec Y.

    i think this place gets compared to blue ribbon a lot. i really love blue ribbon. but that doesn't mean i don't really like redbones too. i personally enjoy blue ribbon a little bit more, but perhaps thats also because i'm much closer to it. redbones is different that blue ribbon. redbones is actually a sit down and order type of place, while blue ribbon is just order you food at the cash register and sit and wait for it. so theres a little more for redbones to be judged on. with their food, it's quite comparable to blue ribbon. the food is close, but i would say that blue ribbon edges it out a little bit. i really enjoyed their ribs. it was very good and it wasn't i really hate burnt ribs. they had a huge variety of dipping sauces and it was nice to change it up. when it comes to the service, it wasn't awesome. they are always extremely busy so it ended up really being, sit down, order drinks, order food and check. they didn't really check up on you. for me, i don't really care. so thats all fine. the decor was very classic all american bbq. big huge signs, big huge menus. big huge everything. i goes well with the food. you can't eat bbq without feeling like your in the US.

    (4)

  • jaimie w.

    Redbones is one of my favorite places in Davis Sq. The pulled chicken sandwich is delicious, juicy, and equivalent to any pulled pork I've eaten. The downstairs bar Underbones is my go-to spot for weekend drinking in Davis Sq.

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    After having been gone from boston for 3 years, I insisted that my first meal back would be at redbones. GODDAMN do I love the meat and three, where my meat is pulled pork, and my 3 are collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. This time I went astray and got a combo platter with the beef brisket and st. louis ribs. There was so much meat on my plate that another plate had to be brought out for me to transfer smaller portions of meat onto for eating, and also in order to be able to locate my collard greens. After having not eaten all day in preparation for this trip, at the end of the meal there was still so much food unconsumed that the styrofoam box they put my leftovers in had to be taped shut. Love to Redbones, and Love to them FINALLY accepting credit cards.

    (5)

  • rach m.

    Funny story... I found out about this place a couple years ago when I was stranded for weather at some airport going somewhere (couldn't tell you where), a fellow traveller mentioned this place. I put a note in my phone and didn't think much more about it. That is, until I was in Boston this past weekend and realized it was around the corner from where I was staying. Needless to say, this place lived up to its hype. It's more Carolina-style BBQ than Texas. But nonetheless, absolutely delicious with a great beer list and stellar service.

    (4)

  • Slackercat H.

    I am a regular. Great BBQ. Love the baby back ribs, dirty rice, candy yam, fried oyster po-boy sandwich. And I always order a jar of lemonade. My little toddler loves it here. Great place for kids.

    (4)

  • Beverly S.

    I used to love and frequent this place atleast once a week about 5-6 years ago, it was awesome! I couldn't get enough! Sitting next to strangers, being loud and messy ( type of place that made my young son happy that he didn't have to keep clean while eating!) That place was fun. Then started going less and less and will no longer be visiting.....they've gone down with everything (except the prices)as time has gone by. The service was never the greatest, it's what I liked about it, just bring me my food and beer and run along! It's total shit now! Although there are a few old timers there, they newer staff, not sure what they're responsibility is, but I think it's to rush your meal and practically throw you with that not so yummy rib in your mouth! The very last time I went was with my husband! Had recently found out I was pregnant and I was cravin me some ribs! My meal was ruined by some young girl in a way too small outfit (atleast realize that you need to have a booty, a nice one, to attempt to wear booty pants!), kept coming to our table to try to take plates! She took the bowl you're given for the bones! Ok fine, we'll use the other plates. But she constantly kept coming over to ask if we were done when we were both still chompin away with food still on our plates! Finally she walked over and grabbed my husband's plate with a rib on it that he was saving for last and attempted to take it away, THAT did it! I yelled out, "EXCUSE ME! Bring that right back NOW, we are NOT done, no where near done, how dare you take a plate away without asking, when we're finished WE will let YOU know, now leave us ALONE!" I wasn't even hungry anymore, but if they're new concept is to rush you out, I took even longer to finish my meal! And for the first time ever, left a not so good tip. You don't want to mess with a pregnant woman's food! The quality of the food, dry ribs with no meat, even the Texas Beef ribs which should be meatier, try fattier! So so dry and flavorless brisket, skimpy sides, dry and now very small cornbread. I guess they figure that they've gotten famous enough that they can slack off now because that college crowd around Davis Sq area will eat anything! You must not know what real bbq is if you think this place is good. Bring a stop watch and good luck!

    (1)

  • Rob C.

    As with anything....over time things degrade and so has red bones. Some time ago they were top notch but I feel they have slipped. What I cannot understand is how so many people write 5 star ratings. This place is not "to die for" type establishment. I know a two places in Memphis Tennessee that are five star, but this is not one of them. It has good BBQ, i'll give it that. But if I had to chose, between redbones and Blue Ribbon....Its blue ribbon.... The draw to redbones is perhaps the all you can eat plate. But getting all you can eat on the cheap does not make a restaurant top notch.

    (3)

  • Seth M.

    Best barbecue in Boston, hands down. Village smokehouse in Brookline is a very close second. I had these guys cater a big birthday party I threw myself a few years back - you can't beat those ribs and that chicken. mmm mmm mmm!

    (5)

  • jack p.

    Redbones is a really fantastic, very laid-back Davis restaurant. They specialize in meat, which all my carnivorous friends say is great, but I like their fried pickles. They deliver on bikes, apparently have valet service for bikes although I usually just lock mine outside, and my boss' band plays there sometimes, all of which are very hip.

    (4)

  • Kevin W.

    I don't go here to Indulge in delicious barbecue, I think of Redbone's as a truck stop...you fuel up and leave. Its ridiculously consistent and I hope with every visit Ill arrive to find betterment ? Beer is possibly the most popular beverage in the world. Redbones has a very unique seasonal beer menu that constantly changes. Although the beer menu would be better served if the staff were better educated in what they were pouring ? I'm not looking for a beer connoisseur behind the bar but what they have is complete mockery and it's a disservice to those breweries who they represent "spin our beer wheel" ? The inconvenient truth about Redbones, it's a renaissance BBQ restaurant: it knows a little about most things and a lot about nothing that matters. They need to be legit in who they are and take pride in what they perceive to know. Maybe specialize in being good in something because you have (always had) potential !

    (3)

  • yo s.

    The food is really good. Not the best bbq in the area (Blue Ribbon), but totally solid. The late night menu is full of good cheap snacks 'til 12:30 to lay down on top of that night of drinking. So, why 5 stars? The combination of solid food (specials rock), great taps (40 or so) and laid back unpretentious attitude makes for a great time. Yeah, it's that good.

    (5)

  • Graham C.

    There have been many reviews on this place, and I'll just add my .02. When you go there by yourself or with one other person. I recommend sitting at the counter in the back. I like to watch the guys work, and they usually give me a sample appetizer. Just remember to hang some money on the clothesline. The Wheel of Beer is another favorite. I always let them spin the wheel. Good beer selection. As for the food, I prefer Blue Ribbon in Arlington for BBQ. Though this place does do a good Chicken Fried Steak. It's the atmosphere I think that really draws the crowds. Oh, and you have a better chance of finding Whitey Bulger, than finding parking.

    (3)

  • Kathleen D.

    I think I go to Red Bones at the worst times: I'm really full already. Or I'm not feeling very BBQ-ish or I'm looking to get drunk and eating seems like it might hold me back. The food looks good and greasy and cheesy and saucey. I'm sure it's delicious. It's very dark in the basement area, with fun paintings, so plus 1 for ambiance alone. Last time I was there I saw many boys with big hilarious hair-dos and skin tight jeans. I like the whole concept of the place. I didn't see the picture of Ray. Where is it?

    (4)

  • Tra A.

    Visited from NY.. Have had my fair share of BBQ. This is definitely one of my top 3 experiences with BBQ. I had the brisket with a side of veggies and sweet potato fries. Brisket was melt in your mouth good. Had the smoky taste to them to add to it. My boyfriend had the platter which had a little bit of everything. Nothing was mediocre and no spice was too overwhelming. Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Matt L.

    Surprisingly underwhelming. Everyone around here talks fondly of redbones, but frankly, I thought it was very average. Worth a visit if you want a drink or something, or something quick to eat. Otherwise, don't bother. In particular, I do not recommend the Buffalo Shrimp- it costs $7 dollars, and you get 6 small shrimps, I shit you not

    (2)

  • Jamie G.

    Definitely not the best BBQ in Boston (I'll save Blue Ribbon for that distinction), but definitely a great place to go! It has a great bar in the basement, and some seating upstairs (though you often end up sitting next to ppl you don't know, but at least there IS seating, unlike Blue Ribbon. Also, Redbones has a GREAT beer selection and full liquor license. We started with the corn fritters... with real chunks of corn and syrup.. yum! I had the BBQ Beef Sandwich and a side of mac and cheese. The mac was alright, nothing special, but the beef was great- comes with coleslaw and pickles on it.. a great a combo (they held the onions for me). I like the sweet BBQ sauce. the mild and the spicy have a weird tangy flavor and I dont ever like vinegar sauce. My friend got the plate that comes with potato salad and beans. The beans are weirdly flavored.. would not get again, but the potato salad was good, nice and creamy. The pulled pork sandwich is also really good here. Great service... food comes out like 5 minutes after you order, and great location... right in Davis Square. Dont you worry Redbones, I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Alexandra L.

    This used to be part of the weekly dinner rotation when I lived in Cambridge during the summers - sometimes I loved it and sometimes it just didn't hit the spot. I like the downhome feeling provided by the long tables and benches/plastic chairs.... I am not a BIG bbq fan (but the guy I was dating @ the time was - hence the weekly visit) - ha! But even for the non bbq fan this place is good. Be prepared for American sized portions, a lot of meat, and LOADS of cards - this is not for the light or picky eater. Ha.

    (3)

  • Anthony M.

    this is the second time that I have eaten food from this highly recommended BBQ joint. We got catering and the food lived up to all of the hype. Probably the best pulled chicken I have ever had. The second time we went we ate there and all in all it was ok. the hush puppies were very dry and the the corn pudding was lacking flavor. I had the pick two with ribs and pulled pork. The Memphis ribs had great flavor but were very fatty and hard to chew. The pulled pork was great and the dirty rice was adequate. I will be back and the only reason for the three stars was for the not so great apps...

    (3)

  • Dave K.

    As a preface: I don't really eat red meat and I hadn't eaten pork in a couple of years before Saturday. Also know that when I did eat these things I LOVED BBQ joints and lived in New Orleans for a while. I had a hung-over craving for meat and we went here for the baby back ribs. These weren't bad, but were hardly falling off the bone either. The "sides" of sauce don't really let you dip or give you anything to spread. They weren't bad, but it was definitely NOT worth eating pork for the ribs. There are a TON of pretty decent brews there, and some weird heaven/hell thing going on with the upstairs and downstairs (although I'm not sure which is which.) Our waiter was this tall dude with this whole sociopath-just-after-a-kill-and-realizing-he-isn'­t-getting-the-fix-he-once-did kind of thing going on...and the cornbread was the kind you made in your college dorm in the community kitchen and wondered why it didn't taste like your mom's. The bathrooms are pretty cool though...

    (3)

  • Feelit P.

    Good BBQ - the waistaff use to be way cooler bout 6 years ago. The beer list is top notch. The Scottish bartender is old as shit. And the muscular bartender downstairs thinks he knows things about weight lifting and toasted raviolis.

    (3)

  • Lara R.

    I doubt I will EVER go back to this place. I went with a friend because it was recommended by a third party. Unfortunately, I don't trust that third party's opinion in food anymore. We were sat immediately, but it was at this tiny table that didn't have enough room for our plates and drinks. We had to stack our food. It was ridiculous. On top of that, the food wasn't even good. We got the hushpuppies as an appetizer, but they were dry. I was hungry and they were edible, so I ate them.. but they weren't really enjoyable. For my entree I ordered the Sliced Brisket Sandwich. Awful. I didn't bother finishing it. I wasn't happy. I decided to fill myself up on soda instead.. that was way better. I'm a picky eater, so let me share that my friend also hated his meal.. and he eats anything. We didn't even bother taking it to go, we knew we weren't going to bother re-heating something that tasted crappy to begin with. I've heard that the food has gone downhill. I also heard that they used to do this unlimited ribs deal, but they stopped doing it. Maybe I just had a crappy experience because most people that I know who have also been there are surprised with my bad review. Despite the fact that they are surprised, they tend to share that they usually only go there for the beer, not the food. So, hey, maybe it'd be great for drinks.

    (1)

  • Peter C.

    PBR ON TAP!!!! any place that offers this is fine by me. But what really got me excited about this place was the prospect of getting my fingers dirty eating some great barbecue. Mac and cheese was great, not too salty just the right amount of cheese, and most importantly the macaroni was not overcooked which could ruin the dish. The baked beans that came with the ribs were packed with flavor. I had the baby back ribs. I've never seen so much meat on baby back ribs in my life. Sauce came on the side which was a nice treat. Im so sick of ribs that are drenched in sauce you cant even taste the meat. The meat was juicy and came right off the bone. Seems to be a great hangout for the local Tufts kids. Overall a great atmosphere and great food.

    (5)

  • Marty E.

    Ribs as good as I've had on Beale Street in Memphis! "Accidently" found this gem off of Davis Square. Ordered the Memphis Ribs with sides of beans & dirty rice. Fall off the bone ribs, great Memphis rub with good sauces. Outside is deceiving; inside I thought I was at a rib joint in the South - not what I was expecting to find 5 miles outside of Boston. Will definitley go back when I'm in the area again.

    (5)

  • Cari H.

    This is just a fun place! And not half bad bbq either! I have always enjoyed going here. For newbies, I highly recommend sitting back by the kitchen window... they are known to pitch you some free tasty morsels at the bar back there. I love the beer, the fritters and the molasses-y sweet sauce. The missing fifth star... not traditional baked beans and dry brisket in my experience. That hasn't stopped me from going back again and again though!

    (4)

  • Jameson B.

    They know what they are good at, and stick to it. BBQ sauce, ribs, etc.. AWESOME. Nothing hits the spot quite like the sliced brisket sandwich with onion rings. Love take-out and and sitting at home and devouring a BBQ sandwich from Red Bones. Beer? Tons of 'em and all pretty decently priced. My one complaint: for a "southern down-home BBQ" place, their cornbread is awful. Don't even bother.

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    Gets the authentic Southerner stamp of approval! Exactly what you would want from a down-home cookin' place. Even the pecan pie was delicious. My only complaint is that they don't have Carolina pulled pork. While their pulled pork was delicious, it was quite dry if you didn't dip in into enough sauce. Having a choice of four sauces is fine, but I definitely prefer S.C.-style sauce covered barbeque. Fried okra (we just call it okra in the South :-) and hush puppies were definitely up to par, but a little too yuppified for me. Hush puppies should come with plain old Aunt Jemima syrup (Yes, there was a real Aunt Jemima. She's from my part of South Carolina), and fried okra should be a bit more fried for proper heart attack inducement. But overall, I enjoyed my fourth of our rmeal as much as I've enjoyed any barbeque plate at a family picnic down south. Also, the baked beans were terrible.

    (5)

  • Patrick B.

    I think Redbones tends to be a bit overrated (maybe over hyped is a better description?) Don't get me wrong, everything they cook is quite good (I have a slight preference for Blue Ribbon, but enjoy Redbones every so often as well) and they have one of the best beer selections on tap in the area. You'll either love or hate the atmosphere - its extremely informal - almost a dining hall type of experience - with the tables very close to one another. If you're expecting this, it makes for a party type of atmosphere with you and the other diners. If you're expecting something more private or formal, you'll be miserable. And, remember that its cash only - if you forget this, you'll also be miserable! They also do a terrific job with takeout orders - whether its for one person, a party of 10 or 20 or a whole office full of people.

    (4)

  • Y Z.

    about as good as the directions they give over the phone for all the hype- really not that impressive. I've experienced better @ soul fire

    (2)

  • Daniel K.

    Great food, I usually got the brisket, sometimes the pulled pork, the bar is a decent place to get loaded, but beware this place is not cheap, when I was moving I also noticed that the quality had started to take something of a downturn.

    (4)

  • Lauren R.

    So I finally had a drink in the basement of Redbones this past Saturday night (it's where I ended my Valentine's Night out with the girls). I really liked the space; I find the whole Redbones atmosphere to be very fun and playful. They also have a pretty nice beer selection, and their mixed drinks aren't badly priced, either.

    (4)

  • Greg S.

    This place is a go to for me. I love the vibe of underbones, and the food/latenight menu are amazing! Plus service is fast, beer selection is amazing (the bartenders really know them well too) and there are no TVs!

    (5)

  • Jake F.

    My father is from the south, so when there is good barbecue to be had, he is all over it. ever since moving to Boston this has been one of his favorite spots, and the entire family keeps going back for some more of that delicious 'cue. The service is very fast, and efficient. Most of the time we are in and out within an hour, which is great when all you want to do is sit down and have some great food without paying for any frills of the restaurant. The closest I have come to disappointment was when I was served cold pecan pie (which of course didn't stop me from finishing the entire piece!) I suggest: pulled pork, corn fritters, catfingers, fried okra, mac and cheese, baked beans, corn bread, ribs, and pecan pie.

    (5)

  • Carey W.

    Really yummy ribs! Came here for dinner with friends, and ordered a smaller ribs special for dinner. I don't remember exactly what it was, but the ribs were delicious! The service was good and our waiter was really patient with our group and very accommodating about splitting our bill.

    (4)

  • molly f.

    Hush puppies, corn bread, mac & cheese, and delicious bbq- what more can you ask for in a BBQ joint? My boyfriend is obsessed w/ the buffalo shrimp side dish and wanted to be sure it got a shout out, so for you shrimp lovers- give those a try. Expect to wait a little while for the table as the place is often packed with hungry crowds. Come here hungry because the portions are hearty and sure to get you through several days of leftovers. Only downside is the price- its a little pricy, but again, you won't have to eat for 2 days!

    (4)

  • Lucien D.

    This place is overated. The parking is a pain in this area, the wait times for a table is excessive during peak times, the wait staff are nice but not pleasant. I had been here twice. Once for dinner there and once for takeout. The takeout they messed up the order and I had to go back to fix it and by the time I got home an hour passed and the food was cold. There are so many other nice BBQ places in the area (or on a short jump on the T) that it's not worth it.

    (1)

  • Chris R.

    If you've found yourself walking anywhere on Elm street in Davis Square I can all but guarantee you've smelled that sweet sweet smoke wafting from the kitchen of Redbones BBQ. After hearing chatter of Redbones around town and wading through the 1,300 plus reviews on yelp I decided to give it a try. As an appetizer we ordered the BUFFALO SCRIMP w/ BLUE CHEESE. Although the order was small (7 scrimp i believe) they were crispy, packed with flavor and delicious. For the main course I ordered the PULLED PORK SANDWICH, 1/4 BABY BACK RACK, POTATO SALAD, and FRENCH FRIES. My accomplice Shannon went with the BRISKET SANDWICH, MASHED POTATOES, and MAC AND CHEESE. We bit in, looked each other in the eye, and gave a single direct off axis head nod. This of course translates into the sought after and elusive BOOTY rating. Next time, if i happened to be on acid, I'll be sure to check out the basement. Redbones BBQ? More like GivesMeABone BBQ

    (4)

  • Vineet S.

    I had high hopes from this place , I really wished if this place would have got 4 or 5 stars in my book but that did not happen. I went here for lunch. The place is spread across the main dining area and bar. I had the jerk chicken with dirty rice and beans. The jerl chicken comes with rice and coleslaw. I swapped coleslaw with dirty rice, they charge extra for that. First of all my chicken didn't taste like jerk chicken and the portion of the food was small. I actually did not taste any jerk sauce on my chicken it tasted like plain grilled chicken. The best part of my meal was the dirty rice. They serve complimentary corn bread on the side.Also the corn bread did not taste fresh. It is definitely an overhyped BBQ joint. Sorry Redbones but I was disappointed with the food here!!

    (2)

  • Emir A.

    I came here with a friend who said the food here was good. The place was very dark and very noisy. Our server took us to a table and did not come back to take our order until a good half an hour. We ordered some cocktails, which turned out to be very disappointing. We sat there a while waiting for our food to arrive, struggling to talk over the noise filling the room. Described as the best barbecue food in the Boston area, I was very disappointed to find out that the food was actually not that great. Just regular barbecue you could get at any other barbecue place, at most slightly above average. When we were done with our food, it took long to catch the attention of our waiter and get the check. I have had Redbones at several work events in other times after this experience, and although the ambience is way better, the food is still average.

    (2)

  • Brian G.

    Service - Don't remember the name of our waiter. Nice gentleman. Didn't know a lot about the beer selection, but I don't know anything on that front either so it didn't bother me. Was more than willing to bring out little samplers for us to try before we buy. Our waiter was great, humorous and while this likely was the only time I'll be in that area, definitely someone who would be great to see once a week as a regular. Decor - Some may hate this place because of it. It looks like a place they used to have punk shows in the basement, definitely a divey/punk theme to it. This could turn some off, but I thought it was awesome. Food - You can hate everything about this place, but this is where you can't hate this place. Catfish was great, bbq was solid, beans were great. Hushpuppies!!! Something I haven't had in forever, just like we used to get at the diner in downtown small town Illinois when I was younger. I _really_ wish I had a place like this within walking distance of my house. If I were within an hour I'd be a weekly regular at this place for food and a half dozen beers. DO have the beef ribs! Pricing - For BBQ, I think it was adequately priced. Like many bbq places, you'll be taking food home in a doggie bag. I can eat enough to make most uncomfortable, and still couldn't finish my plate.

    (4)

  • Matt G.

    I may be the only person I know that really isn't a fan of Redbones. I simply don't GET the appeal. There is always a huge wait, and in the summer a mob of people outside the door. Where I will give them credit is that they have a great beer selection, so I will give them that. However, I always... for whatever reason... leave feeling like I would have had a better evening spending a little bit more going down the road to nearly any of the other restaurants in Davis square. The food is fine, I guess its the ambiance. Upstairs you feel like you are in a cafeteria with that whole plastic feel, and in the basement... you are very much aware you are in a basement. Onto the food... it IS good barbecue. Expect traditional, no frills barbecue-- tangy sauce, tender ribs, fritters, and stick to your ribs (lol) coleslaw. . Much like the decor and ambiance of the place. Perhaps I have simply outgrown the vibe of the place... I don't know. Redbones does have a foodtruck, and are very active in the Somerville community. I cannot think of a single Somerville event, that I have not seen a Redbones tent dishing out sauce and pulled pork. (they cater and do take-out) I would have given Redbones 2 stars, but the food *is* good... I just always leave feeling like I ate in some dark basement--- because I did.

    (3)

  • Amanda L.

    Pork and mac and cheese were great! French fries were greasy way above average. I got takeout and by the time I got home (live close by), the pork sandwich was really soggy. Would like to go back and dine in, as that may make a difference!

    (3)

  • Matthew H.

    Went here on a busy Saturday night. Split an order of buffalo wings that were delicious, but they were tiny. I had the beef brisket with Mac and cheese and collard greens. The sides were really good and the brisket was super tender, but the brisket was overly smokey. It took way too long to get our food, considering most of the food is pre-cooked/smoked. Nonetheless, the food is pretty good, but I'm not sure I'm willing to wait more than an hour to eat.

    (3)

  • Socal C.

    We dined here semi-regularly until two months ago when I ordered a brisket sandwich plate. They brought the food to me but there's no sandwich...just brisket and sides. I'm thinking I got the wrong order. The waiter comes and casually tells me "This is your order. We ran out of bread for sandwiches." Thanks for telling me beforehand. I think you gotta let a customer know this bit of info. I like brisket sandwiches...if I"m just gonna be eating meat with sides...I'd rather the meal be a plate of ribs. So I asked for cornbread and the waiter's response with a condescending grin was "Oh, you want some cornbread? Sure." Snarky. We wont' be back. Good bbq at Redbones and excellent beer list but no reason to be treated like that.

    (2)

  • John H.

    Food was great, I had BBQ Belt. This place packs them in, but very well managed. Large drinks and huge portions, cat fingers really hit the spot.

    (5)

  • Cynthia E.

    Reminds me of true BBQ in Kentucky during college years. This place hit the spot with their pulled pork sandwich dinners and cucumber margaritas!

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Red Bones has good BBQ in an area that is severely lacking in choices. Soul Fire is it's only real competitor and they offer cheaper prices on similar if not identical food. It's a hipster trap, really. Every time I've been by for dinner the line full of college kids was out the door as if they were giving away PBR for free. I finally was able to stop in around noontime on a Saturday and was disappointed. The chairs were almost falling apart and the interior felt more like a backyard setup than a heralded restaurant. I could certainly see myself giving 5 stars if I was a drunk college kid with a pocket full of someone else's money stumbling in here and ordering ribs to devour them drunkenly and not think twice about it. Hell, if I'm with a group and they want ribs, I'll probably follow them. But a smart group will know that your money will go further elsewhere. The prices were astoundingly high for what we received, which is basically southern comfort food made to be cheap, then sold high to people who have enough cash to live near the T or on a college campus. The food is ok, I liked it all. Just not worth what they were charging. Went once and haven't been back.

    (3)

  • Sam D.

    i would give this place 4 stars , only if they had Ribs to sell! 3 times in a row i have been there , they have been out of RIBS!! how can you operate as a BBQ restaurant and be out of Ribs. 1st time, they are out of chicken.... this was the only time i have been to any restaurant where they are out of chicken! Then for 3 other visits in a row, they are out of Beef Ribs and St. Luis ribs! of course they make us wait 30 minutes to be seated, then take our drinks and appetizers order. after about 10 minutes, the waitress comes and tells us "sorry we are out of Ribs tonight! would you like pulled chicken/pulled pork instead? " on our last visit, we called 4 times during the day to check on their Ribs supply, they ensured us they had plenty of Ribs... of course we get there ... and they say they have enough for one order only. it is really disappointing, each time they say "oh we are SO sorry with a condescending tone " but come on!!!! so here we are spending $50+ per person on food and drinks, only to be served foods we didn't want. Whoever runs this restaurant and is responsible for it's day to day operations needs to be demoted or replaced! Smokehouse in Brookline has NEVER ran out of Ribs!

    (1)

  • Michelle N.

    My husband and I went into this establishment on Thursday to see what the BBQ craze was about. To my surprise the food was great. We ordered the fried pickles and pulled pork sandwiches. Delightful. The negative to this was the server staff. We own our own establishment and the serving style here I found to be unwelcoming. Our drinks were slammed down on our table by the gentleman serving us. He did not at all seem to be happy to be there. This was frustrating as of course our server is the first point of contact at this establishment. All and all I think the food was tremndous. They just need to work on the friendliness of staff. Is it a BBQ dive? Yes. However, service is still service no matter what the establishment. We will be back! Michelle

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    I came here because I've always heard good things about Redbones. The people who worked here were very nice and the food was decent; I just wasn't particularly impressed with the food. I got the Barbeque Belt which included the Texas Ribs, St. Louis Ribs, baby back ribs, and sliced brisket. The only thing there that was super tender was the sliced brisket. None of the ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, and some of the ribs were actually kind of hard. I found myself dousing the ribs in BBQ sauce that they provide on the side. The restaurant itself was really crowded; I found myself wedged between a chair, a wall, and the computer where orders were inputted. Sometimes I wondered if people could actually see me, and I couldn't move without hitting something. However, the waitress we had was amazing! She was so helpful and even gave us more cornbread to take home with us! For the price of the BBQ, it wasn't a super good deal. If I did go there again, I'd probably just get the sliced brisket; that was the only thing on my plate that I thoroughly enjoyed eating. Everything else was just ok.

    (3)

  • Kristen C.

    I've heard rave reviews about Redbones ever since living in the Boston/Cambridge area (8 years), and 5 years ago, this place was boss. The last few times I've gone however, the BBQ - which should always be excellent per its genre - was just meh. I was really bummed. This applies to both what I ordered, as well as what my friends ordered. According to the verbal description of what the yelp stars mean, it's a 2 stars - "Meh. I've experienced better." Everything else about Redbones - the waitstaff, ambiance, drinks, side dishes, etc., were awesome! Hence the bump up to 3 stars. When it comes down to it, however, the BBQ at a BBQ place needs to be reliably delicious. Redbones hasn't executed on this, unfortunately. Bottom line: I'd go if friends really wanted to go there, but I wouldn't volunteer it.

    (3)

  • Ryan O.

    Got here a little after 7 with 4 other people last night. Got told a "half hour wait". No big deal, we will grab a drink at the bar. After 45 minutes and 3 drinks later, we check in and were told "oh, you're next"... after hearing 2 other people called and plenty of time finishing another drink, finally got seated. The waitress comes over to our table of 5 that's been waiting over an hour to eat...with just a drink menu. Seriously,that's your course of action? Yeah, we all walked over here, beers in tow. Then she follows that up informing us they're out of macncheese, brisket, and some other delicious thing that I couldn't hear over my stomach yelling profanities at her. We order the "meal for 4" to speed things up, saying "sure" to whatever question. Hoping it'll just finally come. Bad news was the beans were watery(no one else even tried them) and I personally didn't like the coleslaw. The cornbread, ribs, chicken and chopped beef were great though. This place is probably great on a slower night. But being seated a half hour later than you were told and not having your most popular items at 8pm? I just can't say it was worth it. I can say without a doubt I'm not running back there.

    (2)

  • Lauren K.

    If i could give them 0 stars, I would. Incredibly unaccommodating. Have no clue about customer service. This is the kind of place you don't want to give your money to.

    (1)

  • Max Z.

    I have always been baffled as to why Redbones is a popular place in Davis. On weekends they are always packed, so I suspected this place might be worth giving another chance despite my negative experiences. I've been a total of 3 or 4 times, and each time I left disappointed. All the meat that I tried here fell short. Usually chewy, not tender, and unpleasant. The sauces that come with the dishes are pretty sub par as well in my opinion. The sides were nothing to write home about either. If you're looking for a tasty dinner before enjoying a night out in Davis, don't waste your money here. But if you're looking to grab beers with some friends, this place is fine I guess.. I'd personally take my business elsewhere in either scenario.

    (2)

  • Larry C.

    First of all, the cornbread was a little weak, but was redeemed by the high quality corn fritter. Service was excellent accommodating our party of 8 and taking the time explain the best way to order given our fussy eater children. Ribs were excellent, fried pickles and peppers excellent, great seasonal beer list. Must enjoy. Else there would not be 1340 positive reviews ! Thumbs up!!

    (5)

  • Alexandra W.

    Shared the family style meal (for 6) among five people and we had enough leftovers to feed a family of four! Really generous portions for a better value than if we had each gotten our own individual meals. Every single thing we got was packed full of flavor - baby back ribs and pulled pork were tender and smoky (didn't even put BBQ sauce on the ribs because they were already so tasty!), the beans weren't baked beans which I expected, but were black eyed peas cooked in a spicy flavorful broth. We subbed Mac and cheese for the slaw (EXCELLENT DECISION), and we also got the jerk chicken. Be careful if you go jerk chicken; it's absolutely delicious, but some pieces are mild and some are very spicy! I highly recommend redbones for a big group - it's great for sharing!

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    I love Redbones. We don't get to BBQ joints much but this is always a treat. Today I had the Rib/Rib combo which was 2 Texas ribs and 4 St Louis ribs. The Texas are harder to eat because the meat is tougher but it was tasty. I was hoping to get the Lunch combo but they were sold out. Bummer. Reverse Margarita along with the ribs and it was one of the more memorable Saturday lunches in a while.

    (4)

  • Monica B.

    I'm going to start with the bad- which is the reason I'm giving this place only 3 stars. However, I want to make it clear that I do like Redbones food :-) It's been a while since I've been to this place, and sadly, what I remember the most is how cramped we were. The chairs were so small and the tables were too close together. The corn fritters and baby back ribs were my favorite. For sides, I've had the mashed potatoes, french fries, collard greens and beans. The beans were disgusting...

    (3)

  • Sasha H.

    Yes. Just yes. This place is amazing! Get there early on Fridays and Saturdays because there's usually a pretty long wait during peak hours, but the food is definitely worth it. I usually split some sort of meat/rib platter with my boyfriend and it's more than enough food for two (note: we are both very very voracious eaters). They bring out an assortment of different sauces to choose from so you can make every bite a little different. The fried pickles and tartar sauce are AMAZING. The mac and cheese is pretty good too, but there are definitely better sides. The inside of this place is pretty cool looking and there are two floors, although I've only been seated in the first floor. Bonus: They serve their drinks in little mason jar-esque cups and it just makes for a really cute ambiance. It can be a little pricey, which is why I generally go only on special occasions or if we have guests visiting. Nonetheless, would definitely recommend if you are or are with someone who is a BBQ fan!

    (5)

  • Ian S.

    Well, I'm not an expert on barbeque or Southern food but I like it here, so much so that I insisted on taking family here for dinner during a recent visit. They were a little reticent (they wanted to go to someplace "fancier") but I insisted that this would be more fun. To be sure, it's no-frills, but that's not a bad thing. The restaurant is high on charm and personality, it's clean, and perhaps most importantly the food is plentiful and delicious--comfort food at its best. Come here If you're craving barbecued meat with lots of carbolicious sides (mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, etc.) Drinks are served in Mason jars; meals are served with cornbread. The decor is kitschy in an endearing way. It's frequently busy, especially for dinner, but they do a quick turnover and the wait is usually a fast one. It makes for a nice alternative to some of the other area restaurants since there isn't really any other place like this in the Davis Square area (especially not since M3 closed).

    (4)

  • Larry G.

    I was predisposed to be unimpressed. This is New England after all. What would they know about Southern style ribs? I ordered the baby back ribs. My wife ordered the St Louis style ribs. We're from St Louis. We thought we'd give it a try. I was completely won over with the first bite. Delicious! Best ribs I've had in many years. We traded ribs and couldn't decide which was better. All I could think was "I can't wait to write a Yelp review". The cornbread was right out of the oven - fabulous. The black beans were wonderful. The coleslaw was nothing to write home about, but I'm not complaining. Our waitress asked if we wanted dessert and we both declined, not wanting to risk anything that might detract from the best ribs we've had in many years. Great location, wonderful service, cool ambience....I highly recommend Redbones.

    (5)

  • Cina B.

    Went to rebones on a Saturday for lunch. We were served warm cornbread with cold butter to start. We decided to get the buffalo wings as an appetizer, they were 5 stars and amazing!!! For our main dishes we got the jerk beef sandwich which didn't really taste like jerk beef, the rib combo which came with 1 or 2 ribs of each. The beef rib was delicious and the pork ribs were super dry you could barely eat them. The beans on the side were nasty and the Mac and cheese was like craft creamy Mac and cheese. I would expect a baked Mac and cheese from a place like this. We always wanted to try this place but it's not a great as everyone says it is.

    (3)

  • Michelle P.

    I've had Redbones a few times now, both in the restaurant and their catering. This review is for their catering. We used Redbones as our wedding caterer and we were very happy with our choice. I had to place several calls to them in the time up until the wedding and there was always someone there to take my call and answer my questions. They made everything incredibly easy and gave us a ton of options, from what to serve for dinner, to appetizers, to linens and tableware. And they were never trying to upsell me, which so often happens with anything wedding-related. What we wanted was what we got, nothing pushy. The workers that showed up to serve at the wedding were terrific and actually helped us with cleanup which was above and beyond. And the best part, our guests loved the food (we knew they would!). Definitely go to Redbones for a delicious BBQ meal... and don't overlook them for catering your next event!

    (5)

  • Kristen W.

    I love Redbones! The downstairs bar is the perfect place to meet up with friends! The staff is friendly and recommends great beers with their flights. They seem to really know what you like to drink. Anytime I mention " let's go to redbones" to a girlfriend try immediately shout " I love that place" While their Pulled Pork is incredibly tasty, lately I have been addicted to their Mac n' cheese. I also recommend their wings and corn fritters. I have also gotten their Ribs which was so tender it was falling off the bone! Just how I like it!! If your reading this because your unsure of going to redbones or not... You need to go!!! 5 stars for great food, beverage, friendly staff, and all around great restaurant in the heart of Davis square!

    (5)

  • Molly G.

    Redbones is the best barbecue, hands down. Whenever my friends come in from out of town, I always take them to Redbones. The food is amazing, and the restaurant has a really cool, casual vibe. They always have a great list of drafts, and if you're feeling lucky and want to try something new, you can spin their beer wheel and let it pick one for you. I've never had anything bad from their menu, but my favorites are the baby back ribs and pulled chicken. Roasted veggies are delicious, too.

    (5)

  • Harri S.

    This is a standard BBQ spot, and by no means my go to. They have a very unique interior (that's a lotta pigs in sunglasses, but hey). Their beers extremely reasonably priced. And they have an extensive selection. That makes for the extra star. I highly recommend hitting up the upstairs bar for drinks and apps. The downstairs dining room is too damn dim. I like to see my food thank you very much. I like their portion-size. Definitely a little (very slightly) overpriced, especially considering the taste isn't that special. Very generic. That being said, I think that their fried pickles and their pulled pork are my favorite.

    (3)

  • Jason S.

    I go here about once a year and love their food. The portions are big and easy to share and so is the beer. The decor is very casual. They have some innovative appetizers. I like the okra and steak tips. Go there with an appetite!

    (5)

  • Daniel P.

    I have a hard time not giving Red Bones five stars, but a couple of less than mediocre servers knock them down a notch. There certainly is better bbq in the country, I don't think anyone can claim RedBones as the end all of all BBQ. But for an inexpensive joint that has produced a good set of Memphis, St. Louis, Baby Back, Texas and other popular ribs, I think you have to tip your cap to what your dollar buys there... I typically go scrounge for a bar seat downstairs at UnderBones and have never been disappointed with service. Sitting at a table can produce some different results so I try to avoid that. My standard order is the combination St. Louis and "whatever" ribs where you can pick any other rack and I'll usually get Baby Backs or Memphis depending on my mood to go with my St. Louis ribs. Beans and slaw are the standard sides with the rib combo, but I'll usually sub out for some mac and cheese and some steamed broccoli, both always very tasty and well cooked. The beer selection is always stellar with several beers that I want to try that I never get out of there having had enough of the different beers, but having had plenty enough alcohol... All in all, a great spot to have in Davis Square, and it's short walk from my doorstep certainly makes it a regular staple in my dining adventures...

    (4)

  • Mickey M.

    My friends rave about this place..but I'm always disappointed in the quality of their food. They're kind of like Nomar Garciaparra..gets by on an old reputation that's not quite what it used to be. That being said, Redbones has a terrific beer selection that makes up for it.

    (3)

  • Ryans D.

    Men and women walking around with all sorts of piercings and too skinny jeans...but they appear to be harmless creatures. "Why does it cry, Sméagol?"

    (4)

  • Michelle B.

    I can't believe yesterday was the first time I've ever been to Redbones. I've had the food before, but never actually felt the need to go to Somerville to get it for myself. Yesterday since we were in the area anyway, husband and I had a late lunch/early dinner there. I had the half rack of St Louis ribs and fries, one of their all day specials. For $10, it was the best thing I could've ordered - the ribs were so good with the crisp exterior and the meltingly soft, smoky interior. My husband had the sausage of the day, a pulled pork slider and a side of slaw. The sausage was great, the slider was pretty good but the slaw needs some work - it's a little bland. I don't even want to talk about the corn bread. I was a little surprised by the beer prices - even things I'm used to paying $5 for a pint were closer to $7 or 8 here, which I found a little odd. Service was just okay - our waiter was very brusque, but the bus staff was polite and very quick to take away dirty plates.

    (4)

  • Angel C.

    Go to Redbones for the atmosphere, not the food. It's a great place to hang out with friends and have some beer, if you don't mind the mediocre BBQ. The meat is usually dry, their sauces aren't very good, and the cole slaw doesn't have much flavor. And why do they give you so little sauce!?!?!?!? I always have to ask for more. They are open pretty late, which is good. And I get a kick out of the jars that they serve you soda or water in.

    (2)

  • L W.

    I'm also surprised that Redbones is in the 3+ stars category - I've really loved this placed since stumbling in almost ten years ago. I don't recall ever having a bad meal. Whenever we come, we make sure to come at the beginning of lunch or dinner so that there's no wait, and we don't have unreasonable expectations of the waitstaff, who are always ridiculously busy. A few tricks we've learned over the years: - Get the house margarita (the one that has a two order limit). It comes in a full-sized shaker with a strainer and martini glass. It's a great value, and it's easily 2-3 servings of margarita. They'll bring you two martini glasses, if you want to share (doubly good value), and it always tides me over the entire meal, so I don't have to keep flagging down a waiter. - I never order the dinner combos anymore, because I don't like the sides they come with, and there's no choice in the matter. Nowadays, I come for the ribs, so I order just the ribs - off the bulk menu, which you're welcome to do even if it's dine-in. The St. Louis, baby back, and Texas beef ribs are all really good. - Then, I order a bunch of sides - not off the bulk menu. I LOVE their collard greens, potato salad, and dirty rice (skip if you're not a fan of liver). Long story short, I've moved four times since first discovering Redbones, and now I live 45 minutes, one-way, by T from this place, and I still enjoy making the trip. I've also trekked farther south for ribs, and while I have to say that these ribs aren't the best compared to Texas or North Carolina, they're definitely my favorite in Boston (compared to Blue Ribbon, Sweet Cheeks, Soul Fire, Village Smokehouse, and other even less memorable places I've tried).

    (5)

  • Joanne G.

    Corn bread leaves something to be desired. The meat was what I came for and there was a lot of it and I ate too much. Could that be the reason why I wasn't as impressed as I thought I should have been? Maybe it was the atmosphere, it could have been better, I felt as if we were bothering the staff, there were very few smiles to go around, and usually I prefer something light and tasty when I'm out with my hubbie. Yeah, so although I should have loved it with at least 4 stars, Redbones is squeaking by with 3

    (3)

  • Kyle D.

    I recently had some barbecue from the RedBones mobile in the BackBay. They have the best ribs that I have ever had. The ribs are big and juicy with very flavorful sauce. But there are some criticisms that keep this place from being five stars 1) The bus only offered ribs and some sides - no chicken - what a violation! 2) The cost were 2 dollars per rib - a little bit pricey. 3) The ribs are not marinated or cooked in the sauce; you have to add your own (but they have nice choices) - and I don't think the ribs are seasoned with enough pepper. Nevertheless, this place has a very good product. But most of you already know that. Like they say, there's always room for improvement.

    (4)

  • Ryan M.

    Went here lately with a bunch of my friends and had a fantastic time. While David Square is off the beaten path for a lot of Bostoners but it is absolutely worth a quick trip out on the red line. Absolutely delicious food, incredible sauces, and delicious fries. Giant beer selection and you can get many of the offerings in giant beer steins which is pretty awesome. Very friendly waitresses who are fun to joke around with and a lot of really interesting pieces on the walls.Gets busy esp on weekends and they cram in a lot of people in a small space, but it is absolutely worth it. Basically, great food, great beer, great service, what more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Dynamic D.

    I don't think so. I was so in the mood for some great BBQ. We recently moved to the city and I needed a fix. Well this is not the place for it. Even though there was a crowd out the door, this was no indication of the tasteless food inside. We ordered ribs (dried out), brisket (fatty, flavorless), sausage (dried out and terrible), cornfritters(didn't even resemble anything like- no flavlor), okra(need I say again no flavor), hush puppies (please someone find out how to make these) and greens(finally something with flavor). And then they forgot over half of our sides. After driving through 30 minutes of traffic to get there, I was not driving back. I called and they said they would send me a $25 gift certificate ( I'm nuts right. My thought was maybe in house is better) well they sent a $20 gift certificate. Here's a tip if your speciaty is BBQ be good at BBQ. BBQ is full of FLAVOR. IT IS THE ESSENCE of BBQ.

    (1)

  • Maki P.

    I'd give the bar at Redbones a 4.5, the restaurant a 3.5. Good meat (the St. Louis Ribs are best), but not amazing in my opinion. The meat isn't falling-off-the-bone-and-melt-in-your-mouth tender and the sauce isn't anything to write home about. Decent prices. A very unique ambiance for Cambridge. Great music selection. The bar, though, is awesome. Amazing rotating selection of local beers, interesting artisanally-carved taps, and even a huge wheel that you can spin a la Wheel of Fortune in case you're overwhelmed by the wealth of options. A great place to grab a seat and catch up with an old friend. There seems to be a crowd of regulars at the bar, too, including one dude that I sat next to that always ordered the salsa verde (which looked amazing! Note to self: order that next time) and brought in his own hot sauce to go along with it. He and the bartender had a heartwarming rapport, it seemed. The pulled pork sandwiches are also a pleasant surprise. I'm unfortunately not crazy about the sides and several of the appetizers. My go-to meal is actually an appetizer special-- a combination of a few bbq'd wings (surprisingly delish! MAN, I love wings) and a few St. Louis Ribs. Who could ask for anything more?

    (4)

  • Madison S.

    Best BBQ. Better than Blue Ribbon, though I like Blue Ribbon a lot. This place is the real deal. First time? Get the BBQ Belt and try a bit of everything. Don't like coleslaw and beans? Swap em' out for collards, succotash or mac n' cheese (there's a long list from which to choose). For apps and non-alcoholic drinks, awesome Chili and a not-too-sweet Lemonade.

    (5)

  • Christine T.

    I did take out one day, because the place was crowded. I'd had Redbones before on various catering events and it was alright. People love this place i don't understand. Here's my experience dry dry meat and it all tasted the same, chicken, pork, beef, wth?... not bbq for real bbq aficionados i guess it suffices for the NE... the sauce servings are small and all the same taste. nothing special... sides mac and cheese bland, potatoes runny and too garlicy, okra soggy and not crisp...also gave me diarrhea not recommended.

    (2)

  • Rob F.

    That "gigantic boulder" that I used to climb on when I was a little kid turned out to be a small rock when I revisited it as an adult. That mind blowing and deep art film I saw in 1975 was kind of ponderous and predictable when I got it from Netflix recently. That barbecue at Redbones... I've been coming to Redbones on and off since it first opened. Wow! Was it ever really that good? Was it really so unexceptional last night? Is this a restaurant review, or a treatment for a new ponderous and predictable art film? We arrived at a little after 7 on a Thursday night. We were told that a table for 3 would be a 20 minute wait. 20 minutes? What? Is the economy that bad or has something gone a little wrong here? I expected to wait an hour in an uncomfortably crowded bar. Walked in downstairs and found multiple open seats and were served immediately. Before my friend and I finished our hefeweizen (8.50), we were seated upstairs. (Listen: I'm not complaining. This was all wonderful and comfortable and totaslly unexpected, but kind of got me wondering about where the crowd was...) So, here comes the cornbread. Not hot... just a little warm. Not a crunchy top, no sign of corn kernels, no sign of corn mealiness... just kind of doughy, nondescript, low in flavor stuff that butter didn't bring back to life. I said to my friends "Well, this ain't worth writing home about," and they agreed. Not what I remembered at all, and really not worth eating. Next up: Buffalo wings and corn fritters. Wings: Meaty yes, crispy, no, certainly not. Hot and flavorful? Hardly. Didn't break a sweat. Didn't even need to reach for the rest of my beer. Didn't need a wet nap. Really, not worth eating. Corn fritters were OK, but somehow not as good as I remembered. They were under fried, or something. While I can't put my finger on it, the word that comes to mind is "homogenized." They were missing that hand made, fresh corn kernel and bursting with flavor essence... I guess the other word is "bland." When the main meal was served, there was still a fritter in the bowl. Unheard of. My friend said, "I'm gonna eat this if no one else wants it." No one else wanted it. THAT pretty much says it all: when these fritters were good, people got bloody fork wounds on their hands if they got too close to the plate. Next up, the Barbecue Belt (18.50) and a pint of Pabst Blue Ribbon (2.62). The PBR was great! The Belt? Eh. The brisket was not what I've seen elsewhere, nor remember from here: it was of a chunk of meat instead of tender slices. It was utterly lacking in sauce. Although tender and nicely seasoned, it had no hint of smokiness whatsoever. It made me glad that I did not order it as my entree. I anticipated that the ribs would be better. Yeah, they were. They were... OK. Not one of them made me close my eyes and say "Mmmm." Not like the old days. Yeah, I ate it. Almost all of it. So what? I was hungry. That wasn't the point. Neither of my dinner companions had much, if anything, to say about the meal as we ate. On this, my memory is 100% crystal clear: when Redbones was Redbones, you talked about the food while you ate it. You raved about the food. You got giddy. You looked at the stuff that you didn't order that was going to other peoples' tables and you leaned towards it and tried to smell it as it went by. Sometimes it looked so good you just ordered some in the middle of the meal. Everyone ate until they couldn't. The beans and slaw were probably the worst and beans and/or slaw I've ever had. One forkful of slaw was enough. The beans, on the other hand, I picked at throughout the dinner. My mind kept telling me they couldn't be that flavorless and disappointing and that I should just try them again. Stupid mind. My tongue was right the first time. Friends, I came here to praise Redbones, not to bury it, but something happened on the way to the forum.

    (2)

  • Andy L.

    "Not Blue Ribbon BBQ" is my enduring impression of this place. That attitude is half a reflection of how spoiled and entitled I am. I live a few blocks away from ribs! They are good ribs - nearly as good as Blue Ribbon - but they don't fall off the bone the way they do at that restaurant. The side dishes are weak, like an afterthought: potato salad, beans, and collared greens. If you aren't a ribs fiend - or you're on Lent - then the catfish po'boy is pretty good. Ask for lots of tartar sauce if you want to be like me. Trying to dine in is stress-inducing, as there's usually a wait, and the floor itself is very crowded. The tables are so squeezed that you will often feel like you're sharing your table with a few strangers on either side. I do like the darker aesthetic of the basement, however. The painted wall is a source of idle fascination. My preferred way of interacting with the place has evolved to occasional take-out orders of a pulled-pork sandwich. The meat will nearly overflow from its container when you get it, and you can get your hands messy in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

    (3)

  • Jim D.

    I have been tainted by BBQ in Austin Texas, and homemade delights as well. But, I was very pleasantly surprised at the meal we had at Redbones. It's a dive, maybe borderline shithole. But then again I'm a big sucker for such places! Get the Saint Louis ribs, and never look back. The Arkansas ribs were also very good. The combo where you can get both would be a great idea! Do yourself a favor, get the Hot and Sweet sauces. Both are excellent. The cornbread is crap, the fried okra aint bad. I would pass on the pulled meats, they weren't anything special really. I was also not order the Brisket. There's was not impressive (again, Stubs in Austin has spoiled me) tl,dr: get the ribs!

    (4)

  • Ajay S.

    Great Place for feeding a BBQ craving.. also great beers on tap.. Most full meals run 15 to 20+ bucks per person but you will be full. Also get crazy busy on thurs, fri, sat nights.

    (4)

  • Lauren A.

    I've had barbecue in NC, SC, TN, Kansas City, and I've lived in Austin and Houston. I've had almost all sorts of barbecue and I crave all sorts of barbecue. Red Bones covers that craving and then some. You can get your gigantic Texas ribs, your pulled pork, your sausage, your Arkansas ribs (which are actually just HUGE chunks of meat surrounding a bone, btw), your sandwiches, your side dishes, your four types of barbecue sauce... My only complaints are that they're missing creamed corn (a la Rudy's), and I wish the sauce was smoked onto the ribs. The corn fritters are different from what my grandmother used to make, but they're still damn good, and served with maple syrup, which is a plus. In my experience, Red Bones delivers pretty far away from the actual restaurant without a minimum order, which is awesome. They also serve five dollar bbq sandwiches during Davis Square fests and the bar menu (a smaller version of the dinner menu) is something like half off around 11. Pretty sweet. In short: it's the best ribs & sausage I've had in Massachusetts, and definitely rivals that of Austin and Houston (*disclaimer: does not apply to brisket*).

    (4)

  • Alison C.

    Redbones BBQ is what real BBQ should be. The restaurant is truly a dive, but a packed one at that. My friend and I went for a late dinner on a Friday night and had to wait about an hour for a table! Though half of our evening was spent simply smelling the delicious BBQ sauce while others got to partake in the juicy goodness, the wait was enjoyably spent in their also crowded bar. Redbones offers a massive list of beers and ciders. For those indecisive patrons who cannot pick just one option, the bartenders (mysteriously older men) will spin a wheel to choose for you. Their mixture of half-beer and half-cider is a perfect balance of bitter and sweet. When we finally sat at our straightforward wooden table, we enjoyed massive chunks of flaky cornbread that had a buttermilk biscuit undertone. The bread was filling, but worth stocking up on. The BBQ Pulled Chicken platter was a large portion served with heaps of fresh cole slaw and savory baked beans. The chicken was tender and roasted with an ideal amount of sauce. This was a true plate of comfort food- simple, heavy, and satisfying. Redbones is a casual joint with friendly service and food as tasty as it is affordable. It is a highly recommended experience, perfect for a fun night out with friends.

    (4)

  • Andy T.

    So it's Saturday night, there's nothing good on Lifetime and your 17 cats are starting to get on your nerves. You want a drink, but you don't want your beverage smashed out of your hand because you are in a crammed bar with a bunch of "elbows-out" drinkers. That's right. I'm talking to you, normal lady at the Burren at 10 PM, but wing span of condor by 12. You want a place that has a good whiskey selection, but you avoid establishments that have aroma therapy candles in the bathrooms. What do you do? I like barbecue just as much as the next guy, but I had no idea Red Bones offered the whiskey selection it does. It was nice and chill. The bar tenders had time to hang out and tell you about the different drinks. And they were spinning a nice mix of tunes. I always need a food destination right after a few drinks. Mission accomplished. I got some good whiskey, good company, and an awesome pulled pork sandwich. I was pretty pumped. I'll definitely hit up Red Bones for a beverage again soon.

    (4)

  • Jesse C.

    Dad and I went here last night for dinner to celebrate his birthday. Even though it was real busy, we got some seats at the counter. ( our little secret?) The buffalo shrimp was delicious and we ate more brisket and ribs than we both thought we could. I was happy to bring the leftovers home.

    (5)

  • Phatkatmeowmeow M.

    The ribs with the sweet sauce an the Mac an chees an the large sweet tea with some alcohol in it yea man

    (4)

  • Alex F.

    A good offering for BBQ in the area. I've had better, but for a quick fix, it's A-OK. I would avoid the Jerk flavor though, it's far too spicy for comfort, and this is coming from a half-Thai guy who grew up on spicy food. I mean, unless you enjoy crying over your food! Pretty decent beer selection and good sized menu.

    (3)

  • Milena P.

    My dorm orders food from here for Finals week, when we get free dinner every night. This food SUCKS. My least favorite night of the week. The ribs are OK, the mashed potatoes are bland as hell, and the brisket is sort of nasty. I give it two stars just because it was free.

    (2)

  • Sean B.

    Whenever I hear that someone found something to dislike about Redbones, I assume that if we ever achieved World Peace, and the United Nations held a summit to declare said World Peace, that person would make comments about all the fashion faux pas of the leaders of the world. Or if somebody offered them $1000 on the spot, they'd say something like,"oh my God, don't even hand me that money. You just rubbed your nose with your hand, and don't even bother to carry around HAND SANITIZER with you. YOU HATE BABIES AND SMALL ANIMALS." Let's face it. Redbones is a gift from above, and if you don't feel like accepting the gift, just stay quiet and leave it for the rest of us. No, I'm not from the south, and I guess I don't know what true BBQ tastes like, but I also enjoy not living in 120 degree weather with 80% humidity, so I'll take the trade-off. Whether it's the Choose 2 for $10.99 (with 2 sides) or Choose 3 for ONE DOLLAR MORE, the Mac and Cheese, or the White Trash Sundae... sorry, lost track of what I was getting at... I need to go BACK to Redbones (already went once today). Don't bite the hand that feeds you, unless it's holding pulled pork. PS: If you need sauce to truly enjoy pulled pork, you have no soul.

    (4)

  • Adam E.

    Ok, third update's the charm. Redbones got me on their side and I'm ready to be full-fledged friends. What changed? Their attitude. Redbones, have you been going to therapy? Started some new meds? Whatever it is, keep it up girl! The way to win at Redbones is this. Ribs. Order friggin ribs, corn pudding, sweet potatoes and maybe some extra cornbread. You want beans and slaw? Go for it. You don't like the beef/pork? I don't know why you're here, but the catfish is pretty awesome. Thirsty? BEER, and plenty of it, or a nice bourbon and ginger beer. Now stop. Follow those rules. Do not stray! It will be like Gremlins! Thinking you love mashed potatoes? Don't. They taste like potato buds. Are you all, "Oh but brisket/pulled chicken is my fave!" Well, Is dry your fave? Ok then. And maybe you rly want a raspberry margarita! You're better off ordering a shot of tequila and downing a dozen sugar packets. It's like a glass of diabetes. Just stick to the rules. Insolence will not be tolerated!

    (4)

  • Rachael F.

    I feel like maybe it was an off night, but I would give them a 3.5. The place sort of looks grungy, but in a promising sort of way. It was super crowded, but they sat us right away and got us our food alarmingly quickly after ordering. I suspect they just have buckets of everything they serve in the back, but hey, that's totally acceptable to me. BBQ was good, we got a variety of combos. It bothered me that my meal was served with black beans? I don't know if I just missed choosing brown beans or what, but black beans are definitely not my preferred BBQ side dish. I don't understand why that would be the default. However, we had the world's most awkward waitress. She would literally come over, stand over us, and say nothing until we were like "Uhhhh...if you're waiting on us I guess we'll order food?" This happened every time she came over. Even if you weren't trained well, everyone who has ever gone out to eat should know the proper waiter/customer interaction. Perhaps she was a time traveler and thus didn't know how it works? It was weird. Anyway, I definitely have nothing against this place, it's decent, but I think Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington is way better.

    (3)

  • Mike L.

    Delicious for the most part. I would avoid the baby-back ribs, which have been dry when I had them. The Texas beef ribs are awesome.

    (5)

  • Nicole W.

    Best BBQ north of the Mason Dixon line and best reason NOT to be a vegetarian! My family are big meat/BBQ lovers and have eaten our way through the best roadside BBQs in Texas and in South Carolina. Redbones is right on par with our beloved Southern joints where mac & cheese is considered a vegetable. We've all been several times prior and it's always been A+! The ambiance is fun and lively, and the service is phenominal- quick, friendly and great with reccomendations. This past time, our server was awesome and he recommended the Clipper City Peg Leg Stout for my dad who wanted a dark beer, just not Guiness- my dad was thrilled and would totally get it again. The food came within 5 minutes (that's the beauty of BBQ that's been slow roasted to perfection all day). We ordered the Texas Beef Ribs, St. Louis Ribs, and Brisket. Perfect, loved loved loved and we'd all get exactly the same next time. For sides we did collard greens, fried okra, hush puppies and the pinto beans- all were great. We had plenty of leftovers for the next day. Thank god we came at 5pm on a gorgeous Friday night in May- we were seated right away, but as we left there was a line... It's definitely a hip happening spot in hip happening Davis Square!

    (5)

  • Leighann F.

    So you're familiar the BBQ, and the beer selection, and the down-right quirky interior, but do you have any experience with wolfing down their wings? Often overlooked due to the red meat festival going down onto the wee hours at Red Bones, they serve up a pretty mean plate of buffalo wings; crispy and slathered in sauce, these little suckers will leave your brow glistening with sweat while your hands and mouth are in severe need of a wet nap. Concurrently, wings also pair well with 'Gansett. Who knew?

    (4)

  • Andrew J.

    My only regret... is that I have Boneitis

    (3)

  • Timothy S.

    First of all, let me get this out of the way. If you serve fried pickles, you are highly likely to get a rating above 3 stars from me. That leapfrogs a restaurant to higher ground for BBQ joints (think Corky's in Nashville, aka NashVegas). I had not been in a year, since they catered a party for me last September (2010). It was like coming home again. So the standards here are strong, the ribs, the collard greens etc. The beer selection (and their recommendations) are like that uber competitive jerk who just entered a "try to be the coolest dude" competition, in this case the "how bitter can we make your IPA" contest. But that aside, the people are friendly and the food is SOLID. I am wowed by, of all things, the buffalo shrimp. My wife and I ordered 2 servings (no, we are not fat country hicks, though we are very much so at heart). On the downside, it is often crowded and loud - upside if you like a little bit of energy. Overall, we make a long trip to get there because of the places where you might have a "nice" BBQ dinner out, it has atmosphere and good food. Honestly, though, I had trouble sleeping with all of the food I ate. Also, for me, I don't like the creamy style of mac and cheese that they serve. I like the dry, casserole style with more cheese than cream. So one demerit there. Still, I had them cater a party for me because they do it right.

    (4)

  • Betts C.

    I have to confess one thing first: I moved to Somerville from Kansas City, Missouri. For those not so well-versed in barbecue, KC is one of those places that prides itself on its own particular kind of barbecue. And that's probably the kind that I prefer. I have also eaten excellent ribs in Memphis, in St. Louis, in Alabama and while living in Texas, but KC is my preferred style. And also the one style not on the menu at Redbones. But other than that, Redbones is good. Their St Louis style ribs are excellent, and I fully recommend trying their sausage. The catfingers are tasty, and encouraged me to try other (fried) fish options the next time we go. The only disappointment I have in Redbones was their fried okra. It was boring. And soggy. And so not worth the calories, and that annoyed me. So basically, don't go to Redbones if you're in the mood for a vegetable. Go when feeling entirely carnivorous and iron-starved, and you will leave feeling great. Or at least overly full, which is probably ok. And though your wait will be longer with a larger group, it's also fun to go there with three or four others, and order some of the larger combos. You can try different varieties of ribs and smoked meats (their pulled pork is pretty tasty), and you'll still be guaranteed to get enough food. The margaritas are decent, if a tad sweet, and the beer selection is pretty great. It tends to be very busy on weekend nights, but I fully recommend going down to the bar for a drink while you wait, and if you aren't opposed, you can often find a seat in the bar where you can eat much faster. You'll be in close quarters, but sometimes the wait is long enough that that seems worth it.

    (3)

  • Molly N.

    Enough juicy, tender, meaty meat to feed two hungry twentysomethings + around forty beers to choose from and drink out of 33 oz steins + lots of fried goodness + pleasant service + joyful decor = REDBONES You would be stupid to not eat here even once if you live in the vicinity.

    (5)

  • Shaina P.

    There are lots of reasons to go to Redbones shared by lots of different people. Here are my reasons: 1. DTP gets like a 15% discount on food because Redbones sponsors the Boston Road Club. 2. Service is lightning quick. 3. You can have the barguy/gal spin the beer wheel upstairs. Your beer fate is in the hands of the bartender. There's like a million beers to choose from. But when you're here, the drink of choice is Narragansett. 4. Dirty Rice, Mac & Cheese, Fried Okra, Chili Verde, all meat, especially the pulled kind. 5. You can substitute just about anything with anything (for a $1). 6. They deliver food with a bike. 7. Big azz water jars. 8. You can load on the sauce and ask for more. 9. Meat and three. 10. Take out and catering. Warnings: parking can be tough waits up to 2 hours or more is common werd.

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    Love love love that I can get Redbones for lunch while at work in the Back Bay!! Check out the food truck on Clarendon Street near Newbury & Boylston on Mondays & Wednesday. Uhm yeah the only thing missing is the cold beer. Then again it is only lunch time!! They are around the 'hood other times and locations too!! Check it out!! Mac 'n' Cheese mmmmm.....

    (5)

  • Dee P.

    I used to love this place. Would have given it 5 stars. Then I talked to some employees and apparently the owners treat them like absolute dirt. I also found out the (admittedly lovely and rich) mac-n-cheese is made with Velveeta and sits in a heating tray for a day or more. Ew. Some stuff is tasty, for sure, but the crowds are generally not worth the wait. The downstairs is cool with the resident artist's rotating paintings, but I'm not running back anytime soon. You used to be able to get potlikkers (leftover broth) for super cheap- a good poor-man's lunch... but even that has gone up in price. (They'd be throwing it out otherwise; can't even give a starving student a break??)

    (3)

  • Benito L.

    3.5 stars The ribs were really tender, but lacked the deep robust flavor I look for in good ole authentic bbq. But WOW, are the portions humongous, I brought the leftovers back to Los Angeles and have enough to last me for two more lunches. Yay!

    (3)

  • Ranjit V.

    Prices are good. You get a fair amount of food. I tried the jerk beef and it was HOT. Great taste though. We sat downstairs and it was a great atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Alicia B.

    Meh. If you've been here once, you've been here enough. Honest. While RedBones is a popular place -- and I've heard it dropped so many times in conversations -- it's really not that great of a place to hang out at. It's loud, crowded and obnoxiously too "restaurant." We actually sat at the bar downstairs. It was a great seat, but shortly after we claimed our spot, I felt like I was in the way of a conversational mosh pit behind me. Not conducive. And while I would have liked to have stayed for several more rounds (let's face it; they have a pretty great beer selection), I just could not stand the noise and the bumped-into-ness that was Redbones. Hell, leaving become like running through a shark-invested saltwater river with a javelin in one hand and your T card in the other. It's just not my scene. As for food, it was decent. Yeah, decent. The hushpuppies were disgusting. As was the corn bread. Don't bother. Instead, buy from the perfect rib menu and have what we deemed "A Rib Off." We sampled from St. Louis, Arkansas and Memphis. In my book, St. Louis won - hands down. Oh, and RedBones does do quite a bit of local craft beer events. For that, I give them mad props. They tend to have them jam-packed with patrons by 5 p.m. though. And for that, I give them a thumbs down. In conclusion: Go for a beer. But don't make this your end-all, be-all stop for the night. It's too loud and annoyingly crowded for that. Unless you just want to smile and nod at your friends the entire time.

    (3)

  • Hillary B.

    I went to Redbones for the first time on Friday evening as part of a group of seven, and had a terrific time! Redbones had been on my hitlist for a while, and I'm very happy that I finally went. We had about a 30 minute wait for our party of seven, and they were strict about not seating us until everyone in our party had arrived. It was great being a part of a larger group because we ordered a lot of different things from the bulk menu (pulled chicken, brisket, garlic mashed potatoes, collard greens, candied yams...) and shared. The collard greens were actually my favorite dish! That, and the fried pickles (and jalapenos!) appetizer. I also ordered an apple bourbon cocktail ("Jacked") which was tasty, but kind of expensive for what it was. When I return, I will definitely order something from the large tap menu instead.

    (4)

  • Caitlin I.

    You are basically taking your life in your hands going there on a Friday night. And your kidneys for that matter. I was bumped around so many times between people trying to get to the side to let others through and the drunk 30 somethings in the bar area who decided to have a "who can make a dumber face?" photo contest right next to me. I might have had to check at one point to make sure I walked out of there with everything in tact. When you tell me that I'm only going to be waiting for a table for 20 minutes on a Friday night, I automatically assume that you're lying to me, but I also don't think that I'll be waiting over an hour. After FINALLY being seated, our drinks and food came out relatively quickly considering how many people were there. Food was pretty much how I remember it; tasty and with ridiculously large servings. Service was slightly spotty, but at that point, I was perfectly fine with not being berated with the "How is everything? Can I get you anything?" status quo. One other upside was that I remembered (after the fact of course) that they do pick up AND delivery. Next Red Bones trip is hereby planned in advance. Done and DONE.

    (3)

  • Mike S.

    I remember coming here years ago, when they first began and thinking I had died and gone to heaven. I went back today and was shocked first by the price for a 1/2 rack of ribs ($14?? WTF?) on a lunch "specials" menu. Come on now, really? What's so special about dropping $20 on lunch?? I was going to substitute the fries for sweet potato fries until I read that they would charge extra to do so (again WTF? Putting the insane price aside, I was pleased to have it served pretty quickly. Under the 1/2 rack was a HUGE helping of (soggy, regular) fries and a side of BBQ sauce. I thought I would get a choice of BBQ sauce, but apparently not (maybe if you ask?). The ribs were good, but really not great......a little on the dry side, and the weren't "fall off the bone" as I was dreaming about! The corn bread was good......and the ribs were ok..........to quote Forest Gump, "that's about all I can say about that." I'm just happy that they didn't charge extra for the cornbread!!! The lesson learned here is that sometimes it's better to savor the memory than to try and relive it. Here's hoping that they get some old guy from down south to resurrect this place and bring it back to what it once was.

    (2)

  • Andrew F.

    The first time I'd ever gone to Red Bones, I was out and about in Somerville with my sister-in-law. She found out that I had never been there, whipped her station wagon around, and we went there ASAP. If you like BBQ - real, honest BBQ - not just grilled food that places pass off as BBQ, Red Bones is the place to go. I ate my bodyweight in pork and ribs that evening. How does Red Bones improve upon something as awesome as copious quantities of BBQ at good prices? As is almost always the case, Beer is the answer. Red Bones beer selection is sure to offer the discerning yet thirsty traveler something to help wash down all that sticky goodness. If you are there for the late night menu, get the catfish dinner. It is fan-freakin-tastic.

    (4)

  • Mike M.

    Here is my SAT Verbal prep review of RedBones: Oasis is to the Beatles as RedBones is to BBQ The Darkness is to Led Zeppelin as RedBones is to BBQ So I thought I really liked Oasis and that they were super talented, but then I listened to a lot of Beatles and found out they were kind of an imposter. Not untalented, just imposters. I thought the Darkness rocked really hard in their sequined jumpsuits and falsettos. Then I relistened to my Zeppelin collection and realized that Robert Plante was the original and best. I thought RedBones was good BBQ. Maybe even really good BBQ. I was especially happy to find it here in Cambridge - such variety! ribs, brisket, chicken, etc. But then you go have REAL BBQ - ribs in Memphis, brisket in Lockhart, Tx, etc. and you realize RedBones is just not that good. I am not trying to be a snob - i still am up for Oasis and the Darkness from time to time - but it is just super derivative and kind of lame. I will give them props for having Lone Star bottles on their menu, but they are not deserving of the throngs of people packing in every night. They are good once in a while and you will leave full, but they just can't hold a candle to the real thing.

    (2)

  • Chelsea T.

    I a serious fan of this place. As lover of BBQ and Southern food (I grew up in Texas), I am really pleased with this restaurant. Everything here is pretty delicious, though the cornbread and fried okra needs a little work. The cheese fries are worth going - I usually order them after hours when I'm hanging out at the car downstairs, Under Bones, which has a really amazing beer selection. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun without being terribly kitschy or cheesy. The waitstaff is also really friendly and able to talk about the food from the restaurant with appreciation, which is important. I'd eat here everyday if I could. Definitely authentic and really, really good.

    (4)

  • Jonathan L.

    Great BBQ food, original and fun setting, awesome cask ale, amazing service. Good for families as well as with friends. We would have had to wait 20 minutes for a table on the main floor, but fortunately could get one at the bar downstairs straight away (well, we went on a Monday...). I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu, especially the selection of beers.

    (5)

  • Katie O.

    Absolutely melt-in-your-mouth fantastic ribs. I guess I'm a bit of a rib snob...being from the midwest with southern roots...and it's been difficult to find ribs that truly satisfy. Let me tell you, the BBQ Belt allowed me to try every kind of rib (except for the St. Louis and one other one, but that's okay, cuz I ordered those too). They were ALL fantastic. My personal favourite is the St. Louis. The flavor is amazing, and the meat is so tender...falls right off the bone! They have several sauces from which you can choose, and I loved them all (you can ask for a sauce sampler), but honestly the ribs are perfect just the way they are! The service was speedy and impeccable. I've been there twice now, and the waiters have been exceptional. My husband was very impressed, too. We're spreading the word.

    (4)

  • Laura D.

    I have been to Redbones many times since moving to the Boston area six years ago. I bought the Groupon for it since my fiance is a huge BBQ fan and we went on Sunday for lunch. They do a weekend brunch which I was unaware of and we still decided to get lunch. So I knew the portions would be huge and we opted to share a meal and get an appetizer. We started with the buffalo scallops. An interesting mix and they where fantastic! We then had a three meat combo. Beef brisket, ribs and chicken. They don't smoke their meat as much as other places and it is mostly seasoned with a thick tomato based sauce. They give you four other sauce options which I find strange since it is pre-sauced. The ribs where great and juicy and lean. The brisket was also very good, a little drier then some places but good. The chicken was nothing special. For sides we got the free cornbread which is delicious. The meal came with rice, slaw and beans, None where overly special. The slaw was the best of the three. For desert we got a slice of pecan pie. I don't like pecan pie it was mostly for the boy since this was his treat. He said it was good but nothing special. The have a decent number of beers on tap. Overall it is a good time but not the best bbq in the world.

    (3)

  • Rana A.

    Redbones does BBQ right! The four of us came in and ordered family style and had ribs, pulled pork, brisket with mac & cheese and fried okra on the side. All of it was GREAT!!! The mac & cheese was so rich and creamy while the fried okra were little balls of fried goodness. The ribs were moist, brisket tender and the pulled pork was beyond flavorful. One thing that would've been nice is if they could have all their BBQ sauces labeled and on the table. Instead they're served in small, styrofoam containers and the waitress explains the sauces, but then walks away. Though i don't live in Boston, Redbones is on my hitlist of foods to eat the next time i'm there.

    (4)

  • Temurkin C.

    $9.99 for a half rack of baby-back ribs and fries? Yes please! Our original plan was to go to Anna's Taqueria, but the intoxicating smell of BBQ from Redbones quickly changed our minds. I liked everything about this place. Its BBQ stands up to anything I've had in Virginia, and the beer selection is excellent. Victory Brewery makes my favorite beer, and I was pleased to see that they have their pilsner on tap. The prices seem very reasonable for BBQ, with my pulled pork sandwich platter being $8.99, which included baked beans (meh...) and a really, really good potato salad. I was a little weirded out by how they serve their BBQ sauce in small, white paper cups though. Sauce should be in giant squeeze bottles on the table (I guess they missed that day of BBQ 101) so I don't have to waste the server's time and keep asking for more. The corn bread was delicious! Soft, chewy, and warm. mmmmmmmmmmmm. And I repeat, $9.99 for a half rack of baby-back ribs and fries! I'm not sure if they offer this price everyday (we went on a Tuesday), but I'm pretty sure they have similar deals throughout the week. My friend was nice enough to share, and they were falling-off-the-bone delicious. Go to Redbones. Like now. You won't regret it.

    (4)

  • Calli C.

    I met up with some old friends on a Sunday night to eat some BBQ and catch up; I knew Redbones can get ridiculously crowded, and I'm also an old lady, so we opted for an earlyish eat-time of 6:30. Our party of three was seated right away. The downstairs section is a bit dim for our old-lady eyes, and we were immediately overwhelmed with the menu and couldn't decide what to get. A round of drinks later, we were feeling ambitious and went for the easy order meal for four. And if that wasn't enough, I had a side order of mac'n'cheese. Wow. WOW. Soo much food - memphis ribs, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, beans, buns, coleslaw, cornbread, and my sad little plate of mac'n'cheese. The mac'n'cheese did not disappoint - I could taste every ounce of that heart-attack-inducing goodness. My faves were the pulled pork and the beans, which had a little spice to them. The ribs and chicken were okay, best when slathered with one of the four amazing sauces they provided us with. We ate our fill and still had enough to take him for lunch tomorrow. Yeehaw!

    (4)

  • Claudia H.

    Do you miss Texan BBQ?? I do!! This is the only place to go in Boston for ribs. I've been going here for a while, and the food keeps getting consistently better. All meals start with warm cornbread, and it's hard to go wrong with any of their appetizers. The beer selection at Redbones is wide and eclectic - everything from microbrews and craft beer to PBR. I would recommend going at lunch and getting the Combo Plate - it's about 3 pounds of ribs, sausage, and bbq and varies depending on what they have on hand - all for $9.

    (4)

  • Amber D.

    From the atmosphere to the food, Redbones is over-the-top good (and maybe a little quirky - seriously, check out the menu). I guess some of their more bizarre dishes aren't quite hits. I grew up in the middle of the U.S. with a healthy love of grilled meats and southern food, and a healthy apprehension of aquatic life. When you love something like bbq as much as I do, you don't come to a place that smells as heavenly as this and order seafood. All of the meats I've had have been seasoned to perfection, cooked slowly and carefully to maintain delicious moistness, flavour, and the perfect texture. While I still think my dad is a better grill master than anyone I've encountered, Redbones is a good alternative to traveling over 1000 miles to get some delicious food. As a side note, the sides are pretty good, but not the best (the cornbread is lacking, and some of the dishes just fall flat). But if you're going to a BBQ place for the sides, you're doing it wrong.

    (5)

  • Kasey A.

    Best buffalo scallops ever!!!! I never even heard of buffalo scallops until I came to this place, but let me tell you, they're like Heaven in your mouth. Everything else about the place was average to me, but those scallops will keep me coming back for sure.

    (4)

  • Julie F.

    I had only been to Redbones once before with 4 female friends and one male friend and our waiter was so rude (read: quietly making sexist remarks to our male friend about the rest of us, and I could hear him) so I did not plan on returning. However, a Groupon came up so I thought why not give this place another chance? While waiting for our table on a packed Saturday night, my husband and I hung out at the bar and got a few beers. The tap list is decent and we enjoyed a couple of micro-brews. I closed up the tab and received the check - $29 for 4 beers?!?! I even asked the bartender to run it again just to make sure. I am sorry, but why do the beers cost an average of $7 per pint? That is outrageous! The food is okay. The ribs were great but the pulled chicken sandwhich lacked any condiments and the side of beans were a bit undercooked. I am not well versed in BBQ and don't pretend to be, but know what bland chicken and undercooked beans taste like. If you go, enjoy the ribs and give your wallet a break and get beers somewhere else after dinner.

    (2)

  • Allison R.

    Living on the Somerville side of the Cambridge line has its perks, including the fact that Redbones delivers to my door. Called in delivery last weekend, and it arrived neatly packaged and piping hot ahead of schedule. When I don't crave BBQ in my slippers, dining in is an attractive option since the beer selection is belgian and tasty. And the meat is pretty awesomely delicious too.

    (5)

  • Jonathan B.

    Yes, this is a hotspot and its hard to get a table here. However, it's not impossible to snag a barseat and the staff here is super efficient and super awesome. Beer selection is far above average, belgians on tap and a solid rotating draft list. Oh yeah the food.. its pretty nice. I've heard people say this place is expensive for BBQ, but considering the portion size and the atmosphere I have a hard time finding a better value for dining in Davis. And while I've never been to Dixie or Louisiana or whatever, I can't think of anyone anywhere finding the food here deplorable or just average. As I said, It's pretty nice. Edit, this place is good when it's good but the quality of the BBQ is pretty inconsistent especially if you go at off peak times. It's one thing to ask a coffee shop to brew a fresh pot of coffee if they haven't moved it in hours, but when you deal with BBQ in the volume that Redbones does, you're going to get the occasional crap batch of ribs. So it goes.

    (3)

  • Beck N.

    Only stopped in here for a few beers after a movie, so I can't comment about their food (will have to go back to check that out). For a first timer, this place is a bit odd...we ventured down to the basement (it's carpeted?) & since the bar was full, we ended up at the bar on the ground level. It was pretty packed, but there were enough beer options. Service wasn't overly friendly, but drinks were served in a reasonable amount of time.

    (3)

  • aland f.

    So I'm not sure where all of the BBQ Fascists on Yelp came from, but I just ate at Redbones and found it to be quite pleasing: PBR on tap - Check. Corn Fritters that make you almost beg for an early heart attack - Check Pulled Pork that was mouth watering juicy - Check Southerners who think BBQ is only good because it's grilled in their state - Checkmate (my sympathies, being a Californian makes me prone to being a hamburger nazi... In-n-Out forever!) This place is a ton of fun, I highly recommend it for nights out with your friends.

    (4)

  • Lisa M.

    I wanted to like this place. Really, I did. But having lived in St. Louis, Missouri, I do know good barbecue... We ordered the "Barbecue Belt Sampler" - I thought this was a good long-term investment in that I could see what they had that I really liked. I would say the best thing in the sampler was some kind of brisket - the ribs were all a little dry. I really couldn't tell which ribs were trying to be which (Memphis vs. Texas vs. Arkansas) - and I've been to Rib Fest many times over. One major problem here is that they ask you what sauce you want, and then serve you a tiny McDonalds-sized cup of it. Um... that's not okay. Each table should have a large squeeze bottle of each type of sauce, so that you can indulge in all of them, and mix a few together. Moreover, the sauces were just mediocre compared to other barbecue I've had in the southern midwest. They serve "sweet," "hot," "mild," and "vinegar." The vinegar literally isn't much more than vinegar; it's not a thick sauce that will coat. And where is the smokey-sweet sauce?? Just "sweet" was ... too sweet. I probably won't go back here - it was super crowded, parking was difficult, the meat was a little dry, and the sauce situation was so disappointing. I'm open to trying Blue Ribbon, but currently assuming that good barbecue just doesn't exist in this area of the country. Sad... but lobster rolls are a decent trade-off.

    (2)

  • Shawn M.

    Big ups to redbones for being one of the only boston area establishments I could find televising the tour de france on a Thursday morning. It was a frickin mountain stage for crying out loud. Valet bike service? Check. Fruit, yogurt granola, egg, sausage, bacon, cornbread, coffee, orange juice buffet? CHEck. Like 30 mouthwatering beers on tap? CHECK! And I haven't even tried the bbq. Holy tamale Peggy sue ill be back soon.

    (4)

  • Adam B.

    Tried this place about a week or so ago and it was fantastic. We had a group of 5 of us and it was, no joke, the first time I've ever been hammered off of food. We all walked out of there feeling as though we each competed in a case race. I actually felt a little hungover the next day. Anywho, the food was great (friend pickles and okra, mac and cheese, yams, potatoes, brisquet, etc....) It really does not matter what you order here, it's all going to taste amazing. My one sort of bad thing to say is that the meat comes rather dry because they want you to put whatever sauce you like on it yourself. A nice idea, but can be annoying sometimes.

    (4)

  • John M.

    I've eaten at Redbones before and it was OK. But we just ordered some takeout tonight (first time in years) and it was terrible. The pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches were ok. The fries were so bad, we just threw the whole box out. It was closer to a bin of mashed potatoes than french fries. The rest of the food was gross too. It was like we called in 2 hours before we got there, not 10 minutes. We don't plan on going back.

    (2)

  • Holly O.

    My favorite casual dining spot in the Cambridge/Somerville/Medford area, it really doesn't get any better than redbones. It's always busy here and if you've ever eaten the food, then you know why. Try the bbq hash dinner. Local beers, good barbeque, delicious collard greens, cheap prices. MMMMMMMMMMMMM Last time I was there though my (male) server had shorter shorts on than even I own, which i thought was kinda gross, I mean I don't mind how you dress but it seemed inapprpriate for working in a restaurant.

    (5)

  • Eric W.

    Things I like most about Redbones: (1) the Barbecue Belt: it's piled high with so much meat, folks will turn their heads at the waiter/tress delivers it to the table, (2) the mac & cheese: cheesy goodness, (3) the corn fritters: when you dip them in syrup, they're like dessert, (4) excellent microbrew beer list, and (5) "yummy meaty goodness" (so speaketh my wife). Things I like least about Redbones: (1) tasteless cornbread, (2) while we've frequently ordered the baby back ribs, a couple times they've just been way too dried out. But most of the time they're cooked just about right. And five stars for their catering: we've used Redbones to cater food for 90 people out in Harvard, MA (45 mins away), and Redbones was both on-time and the food was still steaming hot upon its arrival!

    (4)

  • John K.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the world. That has a lot to do with the memories I've had here over the past 15 years, but the food is amazing and its unique atmosphere is perfect for a gathering of good friends. Ribs are very good, but I go here for the pulled pork sandwich and the sides. Try the chicken wings - they're large bbq style wings, not the Buffalo style that you can find anywhere else. Also recommend the collard greens, mac and cheese, and hush puppies. Wash it down with several beers. If that sounds like too much food for one sitting, this probably isn't the place for you.

    (5)

  • Nathen S.

    Awesome bbq. Great atmosphere. Quick service. This place is great!

    (4)

  • Alan Y.

    I came to Redbones for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was fairly busy, but we were seated away. Both my friend and I decided to get the combo lunch platter, which was basically a conglomeration of chicken, ribs, and sausage all heaped on one dish. The dish also came with a side dish of rice, beans, and coleslaw. The serving size of the meat was ENORMOUS and I could barely finish the platter, which rarely happens given my surprisingly voracious appetite. The meat itself was quite juicy, thought not as strongly-flavored and smoky as I would like. The side dishes were so-so, especially the beans. I also decided to get the sweet tea as a beverage, which was decent and not too-sweet. The service was extremely quick. Both my friend and I received our dishes within 5 minutes of ordering. The service was also friendly enough. I'll definitely come back soon to try some of their other dishes.

    (4)

  • M M.

    LOVE: -flights of beer - try 4 different ones, then order a regular size of your favorite one...or maybe just another flight of 4 =D -fried catfish....crispy, light, moist inside...YUMM! -collard greens...more mellow than Blue Ribbon, more butterey, less hot spice -the awesome staff....always doing their best to get it out fast even when they are SLAMMED -tarter sauce...so FRESH tasting SO SO... -Memphis ribs...last order was tough in texture -hushpuppies....nothing special....maybe they should add jalapeno -the wait....often too crowded to even wait inside...winter's coming

    (4)

  • Scott B.

    Ok I am torn between the beer selection and the BBQ. Was in here two nights ago to meet up with friends. I have been here many times and have always sat downstairs. The beer selection is great. Order by number and the bartenders know some great beers. BBQ is all over the place, not a lot of sauce and they serve the extra on the side. Not much on the side as mentioned. Wings are great! They smoke them on the grill and that is one of the best items. My friend is a regular and knew to ask about jalapeno cheese fries. They usually only serve them late night (after 10). But they were nice enough to make them for us. They were great! Overall BBQ is Ok, but beer selection is great. So it all evens out.

    (4)

  • Crystle L.

    So yummy!!! Food is awesome can be a little over crowded but if your up for meeting new friends great place to go. Mmmm the brisket

    (4)

  • Hiro T.

    Redbones is an interesting establishment. The decor is almost creepy with low lighting. In other words, it does not resemble a BBQ restaurant. The food is sub par. The dry rib rub appears to only be on the ribs for added context, not really for the flavor. There are four sauces, but none of them are really that great. I would rather one amazing sauce rather than multiple mediocre sauces. To be honest, here in the northeast it must be pretty good judging by the crowd size, but Redbones wouldn't survive a week in the south. The price was also fairly steep. On the plus side, the sausage and cornbread were good. The fried pickles and jalapenos were also good...but, then again, kind of hard to mess up throwing things into a fryer. The food would receive only 2 stars, but the have 33oz beers. How can you go wrong with one of those!? They also have a surprisingly vast beer selection. But, they don't have bud light on draft! And, you call yourselves a BBQ restaurant!?

    (3)

  • Marie R.

    Hands down one of my favorite places for BBQ! I haven't had anything I didn't like. You must spin the wheel of beer! Only downside is that its crazy busy on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Christine Y.

    Pulled pork like I had at a friend's in South Carolina. The sauces are a nice variety of flavors, plus a bunch of us created our own blends on the plate. Corn bread, slaw - it's all good eats! Definitely a noisy place but we had no troubles talking around the table to each other - & loved the crazy decor! Reminded me of funky food joints in Asheville NC.

    (4)

  • Rick W.

    I found this place the way I found the last barbecue place to really rock my socks: I smelled it from down the street. When I got to the door I was pleased to see an extensive menu and a long list of beers on tap, obviously the management is after my own heart. Real barbecue and plenty of beer! And a pretty nice collection of whiskeys and other liquors. So I sat down and got a pulled pork sandwich and an IPA. The sandwich was very generous, perfectly smokey and had a kick-ass sauce. I'm in love with this place!

    (5)

  • DJ N.

    My favorite rib joint in the Bean! I love Red Bones and highly recommend their beef ribs. It comes with 2 sides and corn bread. The mac n cheese and mashed potatoes are really yummy! The corn bread is also pretty good. I usually get a bit of each of the BBQ sauces, but wind up dunking my ribs in the spicy stuff. It's all good :) Another one of my favorites here is the fried pickles. I haven't found too many places in Boston that serve this item so this is special. It comes with fried jalepenos as well and it's all really yummy. I would love to give Red Bones 5 stars, but sadly, the area that they lack in is consistency. I have had some pretty amazing meals here, and every once in a while I feel let down because the quality shifted for the night. But don't let that turn you away. 9 times out of 10, Red Bones is awesome!

    (4)

  • Albert H.

    BBQ fare with huge craft beer list makes an interesting combination. They open at 11 which is 30 minutes earlier in the day than most places for beer, so this is an easy first choice for a pub crawl. They have a giant wheel with an arrow to spin in case you can't decide on which beer to order. Cask ale is sometimes available as well. Founders Breakfast Stout was on tap, which is an amazing offering. Next visit I'll have to try either the fried corn fritters or homemade hush puppies. It's also across the street from Diesel cafe, where some of the best espresso in Boston can be found. Friendly service at the bar too but I must admit he was a doofus.

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    I liked Redbones - it didn't quiteeee live up to the hype, but it was solid. Know that it will be crowded - we went at a random time on a weekend afternoon, and it was still hopping. We got in after a short wait, but it's definitely a challenge even just walking across the restaurant. Service was okay. Not the friendliest. But, to be fair, this didn't really seem like the type of place you go to for the service. The menu itself was huge, with many options that were calling my name. I ended up going for the ribs, which were tasty - but they were very red/rare (are ribs supposed to be rare? I'd never had ribs quite this 'pink' before..) The BBQ sauce itself was yummy, so I think next time I'll give it a try on something else. Now that my expectations have been adequately set, I'm ready to give this one another go.

    (3)

  • Craig R.

    When I moved to Davis Square, I was excited to be living so close to the legendary Red Bones. I hadn't previously tried it and as a huge fan of BBQ I couldn't wait to dive in. While I wouldn't say Red Bones was disappointing, I wouldn't say it lived up to what I expected. The nachos are great, The pulled pork and brisket is good, the ribs are mediocre and everything is very expensive. The staff is always great and the atmosphere can't be beat. So if you want to go out to have fun. Go to Red Bones. If you want out of this world BBQ (like I did), look elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Sandy H.

    The portions are huge, the bbq is yummy, and they have happy hour specials (1/2 off appetizers). What more do you want from a bbq joint? I always order their baby back ribs special (1/2 rack with fries) for $9.99 and their corn pudding appetizer when I come here. I LOVE their corn pudding! It makes me so happy when I eat it, but then I start thinking about how much butter goes into it and I feel a little guilty. A word to the folks who come to a bbq joint and order something that's not bbq...DON'T do that to yourself. When you come to a bbq joint, you order bbq.

    (4)

  • Lisa R.

    After trying to come here twice previously, and leaving due to a too-long wait, my husband and I were finally able to eat here. Third time is the charm, they say... the key was coming here for lunch on a Saturday. We each ordered the Wood Grilled Chicken - he had his jerk style, and I had mine plain. I got the mild sauce, and he got the sweet sauce. Both were ridiculously good. I also really loved the beans. The cole slaw was bland, but I didn't mind so much. It was a good contrast to everything else on my plate. The corn bread that they give you was nice and moist. It was bland, but if you put butter on it, it's really good. I was blown away by the beer and booze selection, and the prices are very reasonable. I can't wait to come here again! Oh, and the service couldn't have been better.

    (4)

  • Corey H.

    Came here during the week, in the middle of January. This place was packed. It was about a half hour wait and the bar was standing room only. The bar area is fairly narrow but long (Instert joke here). The beer selection at this place is AMAZING! They must have 25 beers on tap and most of them are REAL beer, not just Coors or Bud. After being seated in the top level, I hear the basment is less crowded and not as crazy busy, we looked at the packed menu. I was impressed. They had so much to choose from. Prices were reasonable for a BBQ place. Usually about $10-$15 a plate. The portion sizes were not HUGE but they were definantely big. The meats were all very flavorful especially the Jerk pork, a little on the spicy side. The beans were decent and teh slaw was decent. my friends had the mac and cheese that actually looked really good. The service was great. Everyone was smiling and happy to be working. With as busy as the place was, the food came out very fast and was piping hot. Don't forget the great corn bread they bring out. Conclusion... This place is solid. I will go here again when im in town again. They BBQ was really good and the atmosphere was laid back in easy to have a good time. The beer selection alone is worth a trip here.

    (4)

  • Pete M.

    I've been eating at Redbones for the past 10 years. Rebones used to be my favorite local place to go with friends and hang out for a beer or 4. Redbones had the best group of bartenders in the city. Their customer service was unparalleled. In the past years, I feel like management has really clamped down on the customer service. All the aforementioned bartenders are gone and replaced mostly with young inexperienced bartenders. This is a problem when you have and extensive beer list. In the past the bartenders would know the beer list inside out and might throw you a free one after you spent $100. Now they probably contact to one of those companies that weigh the beer to figure or exactly how much beer is sold. The staff may have to pay for their once free after shift drink. Now lets talk about the barbecue. I feel Redbones gets beat by many other barbecue joints in the city. While it is good, you can do much better. I will say, their Texas ribs are pretty good. Also, I will say their Buffalo shrimp/Buffalo scallop appetizer is a must have.

    (3)

  • Alan T.

    I'm updating my review for Redbones. I went back a few weeks back with one of the groupons I mentioned in my previous review. The food was much better this time (ordered the same meat plate so it's a fair comparison). I'm bumping it up one star only because consistency should be a priority (point of reference, first time went on a busy Friday night, second time on a slow early weekday night).

    (3)

  • Sharon S.

    Yet again, another AMAZING meal at Redbones! I can't say enough. My husband Mark and I went there on 4/12 for our 3rd wedding anniversary, we just had to. Mark ordered the sausage: tender, flavorful, not too spicy, and the mellow mustard sauce was the perfect dip. I ordered the grilled chicken wings: there were so many of them and I dipped them in the hot bbq sauce they offered them with. . . Oh Man!!! We both ordered the full rack of beef Texas ribs and a crispy pile of onion straws. I only got through 2 of them and Mark finished 3, but we just know the leftovers will a savory treat for later. And to finish, a slice of rich, syrupy, decadent Pecan Pie with a dollop of real whipped cream. Need I say more? I would, but that's all we ate. Mark enjoyed the House Margarita with a thick salt rim and a fresh slice of lime, he ordered two, so I know they satisfyed him completely. I drove so I ordered a very refreshing Shirley Temple loaded with cherries enough to share with Mark. We completed our visit with a souvenir, two t-shirts with the Redbones logos. We will be proud to wear them. We love it when we wear the shirts, folks will ask about Redbones and we get to gush over how great they are. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • stacey p.

    Redbones did a fabulous job catering our wedding. The food was a huge hit, and it was about half the cost as a traditional caterer. They were very professional and easy to work with, and all our guests raved about the food. It was a great change from the usual dry chicken/salmon and overcooked steak we have had at so many other weddings. Instead we had delicious ribs and pulled chicken, salmon fresh off the smoker, and some great veggie options too. We couldn't recommend Redbones more highly. It was the best food we've ever had at a wedding, and we saved thousands of dollars!

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    I heard that this was the best barbeque in Boston. Someone please tell me this is not the case. I'd really like to give this place a 3.5... While the food was pretty good, and at a reasonable price, it wasn't amazing. So I really wouldn't be so sure why it was so packed on a Tuesday night were it not for all the raving reviews. This place is pretty good, but not amazing. I'd recommend giving it a shot, you might end up loving it.

    (4)

  • Jimmy H.

    My youth was in North Carolina, I feel home whenever I taste southern food. Just when I thought of giving up search of southern/cajun food, I bumped into Red Bones. It felt like I found lost mother. Ordering BBQ is definitely right move, but I also suggest trying out many appetizers like enjoying tapas. I think their appetizer selection is very unique or maybe simple southern. My favorites from appetizer are: - Hush puppies - Fried Okra - Corn fritter - Buffalo shrimp(this is awesome) - Catfingers These are not something you can always find in Boston area.

    (4)

  • Isabella R.

    Great place for some local BBQ! Friendly staff and a unique, comfortable atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Laura B.

    I was hungry and without food in my fridge so my roommate and I ordered some pulled pork sandwiches for takeout. Very moist and flavorful. My only complaint is that the beans were a bit bland but with pepper and the extra bbq sauce provided I was able to fix them up.

    (3)

  • Richard L.

    great place bar good beer food great food

    (4)

  • Danan R.

    I love this place. Where else could you get a platter of delicious bbq that contains more food than should be consumed in a week. Not that I would even attempt to limit myself to a decent serving size. The ribs are tender, flavorful, and HUGE. The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, as is the chicken. Add in the mac-n-cheese, hushpuppies, and cornbread, and you have the perfect Southern meal - for less than $20, max. They have a nice selection of beer as well. It's a very casual place but the service is friendly and it's only 1 block away from the T (red line). I will miss it terribly, for sure. Redbones is one of those places that is on the "must do" lists of my school's undergrads - for good reason.

    (5)

  • Katie L.

    I keep going for the atmosphere (the it's-too-crowded-there's-funky-"art"-on-the-walls-­i'm-sitting-at-a-picnic-table-and-drinking-from-a-­mason-jar kind of atmosphere). It really is an awesome place to go even just to people watch. I've never seen it NOT crowded. The bar tenders are PHENOMENAL. Super friendly (extra points for not being fake friendly) and helpful when you're struggling to decide which beer you want. For the eighth time. The food is... meh. Hence only 3 stars. It's not bad, but I've had better BBQ elsewhere. (The one thing that I've gotten EVERY TIME that never fails... their Corn Fritter things. Oh man..) Did I mention that water comes in Mason Jars?

    (3)

  • Nina Y.

    Why I like it? It satisfies my cravings for reasonably-priced, huge portions of BBQ. The service is friendly, and I like that I can always grab a beer in Underbones after. Why I gave it less than 5 stars? It gets way too crowded! I always avoid Friday and weekend evenings.

    (4)

  • John L.

    Redbones is the quintessential barbecue joint. (well, as quintessential as it can be North of the Mason-Dixon) The beef ribs ("Texas") are amazing; its like the juiciest steak you've ever had except it's on a bone. The traditional pork ribs (St. Louis, baby backs, etc) are also excellent. My preference would be the baby backs. The sides are very good including the grilled chicken wings. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I am a huge sports fan and the downstairs bar has no television. The drinks are fairly cheap and generally strong.

    (4)

  • j j.

    When I moved to Boston, I was expecting some excellent beans, but this place has fab ribs. I'm talking the real deal just like down in MS or TN. Not sure how they got a permit to smoke meat, but the food here rocks. So do the beers, and margaritas. Only down side is that if you show up at rush hour on F or Sat night, you will wait for a table. p.s. the nacos rock!

    (5)

  • Andrew P.

    I may be biased because I love buffalo wings and that's all I ever get here... but additionally, Underbones (the bar below the restaurant) has extremely speedy service and a better selection of beer on draught than most other bars.

    (5)

  • Bianca T.

    Redbones BBQ is a really cool spot... located in Davis Sq. When we were walking up we saw the painted vintage car out front ... really eye catching ! The entire restaurant is decorated in bright colorful paintings of skulls and animals and just all kinds of crazy cool stuff ... There is an up stairs and down stairs with bar ... we sat downstairs because it is more family friendly upstairs .... There were 13 people in our party and they accommodated us without a problem ... got a table immediately .... our waitress was really horrible ... she was irritated, rolled her eyes, huffed ... no matter how friendly we were to her she just continued to be rude and sarcastic .... I asked her several questions while ordering and she was so mean .... The food looked really good when it came out but everything was cold and the plate when all sloppy ... so the beans and the cole slaw were all mixed together and the the pulled pork and baby back ribs were luke warm/cold ... I am awarding 2 star only for the cool atmosphere ... I will never eat there again .... I recommend Blue Ribbon in Arlington ....

    (2)

  • Sarina H.

    Had I had written this review 4 years ago - it would have definitely been 5 stars. I was all up in its grill - hah? It was my home away from home during what I lovingly call my fat years (read, 60 pounds heavier). I freaking LOVED Redbones. It was my happy place. The food used to be awesome. However, throughout the years the luster it once had...is gone. The quality of the food has deteriorated. I used to long for the Memphis ribs with sweet sauce and a side of cornbread. I finished each meal with a slice of pecan pie. I ate there every chance I had. And now....now...the mood, the lust for it...has perished. The love. No more. The food is just now so so. The last time we went, the ribs were dry and the sauces were sparse. Service was crusty -- but then again, I've never really had great service there -- such is why we usually defaulted our excursions to take out. Boston really needs a new champion for barbeques, because this once great king has obviously stepped down from the throne. Who will step forward??

    (3)

  • Rachel B.

    Yum! Tried this for the first time today, and was very pleased. We just moved to the area and have been on the lookout for some finger-lickin' barbecue. Some tips: - Ask for the 4 BBQ sauce flavors so you can try them all when you order the AMAZING pulled pork sandwich. I don't even care for pork, but I was scarfing down my husband's delish sandwich the whole meal. I will order that next time for sure. - Look for the specials because you can get a good amount of food for a little bit cheaper than the more pricey main entree - Get a beer there. The options are endless. I wasn't super hungry, so I got the Mac and Cheese, which was pretty standard. Not bad, not amazing. But that's not what this place is about. Looking forward to going back for some ribs!

    (4)

  • Bridget B.

    Overrated BBQ, great beer selection, awesome appetizers. Sit upstairs near the bar as the taps are pulled better, it's less noisy, and it feels somehow cozier. They also do awesome delivery on BIKES no less.

    (3)

  • N. C.

    I kept hearing that this place was amazing but frankly, I found it to be over rated. The ribs were too try and not tasteful. Although the staff was friendly we felt rushed and the wait was ridiculous.

    (3)

  • Jim D.

    Geesh, can this place get any more reviews? I love barbeque. Love it! I don't know of any diehard carnivore who doesn't. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about the legendary Redbones and the massive portions of meat you get here. I ordered the pulled pork and Arkansas rib combo. Well, massive portions are indeed correct, but the taste and flavor unfortunately didn't blow me away. They definitely were good, but not something I would rave about. I love me some big meat, but I love big meat with big flavor. That didn't seem to happen here. It was also topped off with a mammoth mountain of very watery cole slaw which just seemed to make a bbq-slaw soup on my platter that didn't help either. Eww. The reviews are definitely right on track concerning the huge crowds here. I arrived around 6pm and the upstairs was completely packed. The downstairs was really dark, had a funky decor and a lot more additional seating. I'd opt for the downstairs area over the upstairs chaos for sure. Service was extremely efficient and friendly. We must have had 4-5 different people servicing our table. We never had to ask for anything and they kept our beer glasses full. Prices are reasonable. The menu is huge so you're more than likely to find something you'll like in almost any price range. They have a really good beer selection so that is definitely a nice perk. It seems like a really chill place to grab a few drinks and apps, but the ribs and barbeque won't be luring me back.

    (3)

  • Brendan T.

    I don't get the hype. The beer is ok downstairs is very dark, the wait is usually long and the food is ok but not amazing, staff is very chill.

    (3)

  • Stephanie G.

    At the risk of sounding combative, I'm going to say that if you don't like Redbones, you're doing it wrong. This place is a glorious shrine to southern barbecue that is messy and greasy and crispy and has all these delicious dipping sauces that mean that you will always be licking your fingers and eying your neighbor's plate. I love the atmosphere with the wacky art, and there's just enough music that you can hear it, but you have to yell a little, and the yelling and the drinking and eating just makes me feel like I'm indulging in the best gluttony of hedonism available at a table in Boston for under $15 a person. And I admit it, there are sometimes when I don't like Redbones - when I'd rather have a cocktail than a beer, or a vegetable dish than pulled pork. But hear me out - this isn't Redbones, it's me. Redbones knows what it does and it does it excellently, consistently. And when I am in the mood, it is this rowdy 20-something's heaven on earth.

    (5)

  • Samantha H.

    Redbones needs to open a new location soon!! I love coming here but hate the wait! Tiny and tight but really good food, good service, and great drinks. Cool, fun atmosphere. Definitely recommend

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    Great atmosphere even if it is a tad noisy. I wouldn't say I've ever had stellar service here.... The menu is a little lacking for the vegetarians among us but clearly this place excels in the meat department. Their vegetarian burger is ok and the fries are kind of amazing which is all that really matters when I'm craving something greasy and fried in the middle of the night. =)

    (3)

  • Christian H.

    If you are in the mood for great bbq, good drinks and a fun atmosphere, Red Bones in Davis Square is a good place to check out. Granted, if you find yourself, on a weekend in the middle of a craving for bbq, just remember that you will have to wait a while. A good thing to do is also try to snag one of the high tables downstairs by the bar but its pretty much a free for all. A great appetizer to start out with is probably the corn fritters. Deep fried corn bread with chunks of corn, soaked in honey, how can you go wrong? When ordering, be sure to ask for the homemade whipped cream. This is one of the top things they have here. The apps in general are good, but go for the fritters. Once you have them, its pretty much a sure bet you'll get them again and again each time you come back. As far as the meats and ribs go, go for the ribs. With many different styles, whether it be Texas, Memphis or St. Louis, they will come in all shapes and sizes. Each will be accompanied with different sweet, savory and spicy sauces. Each rib style is always going to be different in flavor , in consistency and in effort. The bigger the rib, the more delicious work you have cut out for yourself. Falling right off the bone, this is some pretty darn good meat. If you're not in the mood for ribs, there are plent of other options including bbq chicken, jerk pork, brisket, sausages and everything in between. The great thing is that you have the option of picking 2 or 3 types of meats with some sides. There are plenty of different combos that Red Bones offers. Whether you do meat and sides, meat, just sides or just apps, everything is pretty good and pretty reasonbly priced for a bbq joint. The staff is also really helpful and makes sure you get the best deal. Red Bones offers plenty of sides, from slaw, to garlic mash, mac and cheese, collard greens and plenty more. The great thing of course, is that complimentary cornbread is comes before your meal, giving you the option of eating now, or have something to sopp up the lingering sauces. Its those kind of choices that are easy and truly reflect a really laid back bbq place. That, or they just have a lot good cornbread to be had. Any of the sides are great. Top recommendation? Mac and cheese. Warm and a staple in comfort food, it goes well with all the meat combos. Again, Red Bones prides itself as a major hot spot in Davis Square that promises plenty of meat and plenty of options. Feeling overwhelmed is natural at a place like this, and thats exactly how it should be. There should be no shortage of good, satisfying food.

    (4)

  • Lena N.

    I like the atmosphere of this place. Very laid back and unique. The walls are interestingly painted. Chaotic but somehow everything works. The beer selection is awesome. They have ~20 beers on tap from the local to the international. And the friendly bartenders really seem to know the selection since they have always managed to recommend me a good beer after I tell them what I usually drink. Food is disappointing. I'm not from the South but I know that this is not good BBQ. Pulled pork is dry. I've had their BBQ Belt plate several times. It's a sampler of four different BBQ styles. Also usually dry. I see a running theme here. The sauces are so so and too vinegary for my taste. Unfortunately, this seems to be the only BBQ place in Boston, which is mainly the reason I am a return customer. Overall, really good for beers. BBQ is only so so at best. But it gets the job done if you're hankering for meat.

    (3)

  • Alyson G.

    I fell in love with BBQ in the South. And just like that, chicken was never the same without sauce. So just like with Mexican, I am always in search of good BBQ, and up here it is so hard to find. So of course when I moved to Somerville, I couldn't wait to try Redbones. We went with a group of about 8, and were seated at a table with the sweetest waitress. She was really good at telling us all about everything, including all the different sauces. i decided to order a combo platter, because I was being a piggy obvi, and got pulled pork, brisket, cole slaw and cornbread. We shared a couple apps too, corn pudding and huspuppies I think, but I can't totally remember because I was all about the brisket! Once our dinner came out the table went quiet, there were ribs, pulled pork, brisket and so many sides it was OOC! And all the sauces, hot, sweet, mild was it, oh my! I've been back and tried the hush puppies again (what is the dipping sauce, vinegar-meh) and somehow thought it was a good idea to try someones buffalo scallop because I love buffalo sauce and scallops and it was so not good. Buffalo calamari is so good, but scallops, such a bad idea! So compared to most of the places around here, Redbones rocks, but I've had much better pulled pork at other BBQ joints. So three stars it is.

    (3)

  • Aaron P.

    My blood pressure gets boiling when people hear I'm from Texas and they say "You must love/try Redbones!" This is not real BBQ. At least, not the BBQ I am used to being from Texas and the south. Example: Hushpuppies are one of my favorite foods. They are a cornmeal mash with onions, peppers, spices, etc. deep fried (sometimes baked) and served with butter, honey or - best of all worlds - honeybutter. I have no frickin' idea what I got frm Redbones when I ordered hushpuppies. It was like something from another planet. I even asked the server if they got my order wrong. Another favorite is breaded and fried okra - another southern staple. Here it was soggy and tasteless (needs to be crispy with a dash of salt and some pepper). They didn't even offer sliced brisket! I had to settle for a pulled pork sandwich and it was mostly watered down pork and a soggy piece of bread. No bun, no toast, nothing. I can imagine Redbones' BBQ is probably like buying clam chowder in Iowa. For better BBQ in the area try Tennessee's (Framingham), Firefly (Marlborough) and Soul Fire (Allston).

    (1)

  • Ashley L.

    3 strikes and yer out. I went to this place 3x last year with friends and it never got better. Sorry to say the beer selection is the only redeeming qualities which is a shame cause the atmosphere is great. The food is either overcooked, soggy, or bland. If you want great BBQ, go to Blue Ribbon in Arlington or Newton instead - hands down infinitely better.

    (1)

  • Jennifer D.

    Growing up in the South, I knew finding good BBQ in the East would be a struggle. Having read great reviews about Redbones, I decided to give it a try. The service was good and the atmosphere was fun, although the food was not all that great, with the exception of the fried pickles. I had the pulled pork sandwich, and even though the description said the meat was smoked, it tasted more like it came out of a jar. Even lowering my expectations, I was not impressed. It's disappointing that people think this is the place for great BBQ. People just don't know what they are missing. Good BBQ is something I truly miss about the South. Sigh...

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 12

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Loud
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : No
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Redbones

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