Big Daddy's Bar-B-Q
1000 E. 14th
Des Moines, IA
515-262-0352
Meat 4
Sides 5
Sauce 5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4.5
Overall 4.5
Reviewer's Comments: Big Daddy is a Des Moines institution who does one hell of a
lot of take out business, due to the fact that the dining area inside only seats sixteen
or so. Sometimes his ribs and chicken seem to have spent a wee too much time on a steam
table, but his combo sandwiches (Qnoscenti have slaw on theirs) are very good. A
person could dine happily just on his beans, which have onion, green pepper, enough smoked
link pieces to choke a horse, and are slow cooked in his pit. His scratch made pies
are excellent, but tend to be out by dinner time. His sauces are sweet tomato based
and range from mild (no heat) through Emergency Room (so named because it has put a few
masochistic idiots there). B.D. himself is quite a character, frequently begging
patrons to try a free 'small' (will fit into a wheelbarrow) sample of a work in
progress. He also raises quite a bit of money for the local food bank every
year. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Does not take checks or plastic.
Reviewed By: Wayne Scholtes ( hcannon@netins.net ) on 12/12/97.
Big Daddy's BBQ
Des Moines, IA
Meat: 4
Sides: 4.5
Sauce: 5
Service: 4.5
Atmosphere: 3
Overall: 4.5
Reviewr's comments: Having moved to Des Moines from San Antonio (where people are SERIOUS
about hot foods), I decided to take Big Daddy's challenge. If I could eat a 10 oz.
sandwich smothered in his hottest sauce in 10 minutes, Big Daddy would cater dinner for as
many people as I told him. If I failed to rise to the occasion, I would have to donate $10
per person (based on the number I wanted catered) to the local food bank. About 3 bites
into the sandwich, my eyes rolled back, sweat beads appeared on my forehead, and I started
to hiccup while trying to catch my breath. The crowd I had taken to witness my feat threw
in the towel, while Big Daddy whooped it up about "not being beaten yet". About
3 hours later my wife had to drive me to the emergency room for shots of Demerol and
Phernergen. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
Reviewed by: Pat Rudolph (pat_rudolph@3com.com)
on 12/8/98
RJ Boar's Barbecue
1804 State St
Bettendorf, IA
319-359-8949
Meat: 5
Sauce: 4.5
Sides: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Overall: 5
Reviewer's Comments: RJ Boar's Barbecue created the ultimate experience for me in
every aspect I was looking for in the dining experience (Great food, service, and
atmosphere that was easy on my pocketbook). Many restaurants don't include all of the
qualities people look for in a restaurant, let alone a BBQ restaurant. The Hickory Smoked
BBQ was fantastic, succulent, fall of the bone Baby Back or Spare Ribs really hit the
spot. The Baked Beans and RJ's Rice were out of this world! The decor was rustic with
antique nick nacks and wall hangings, yet very clean and up to date facilities. The
service was never pushy, yet very friendly and prompt. My wife is not as big a BBQ fanatic
as I am, which worked out well with all the items that were on the menu not in the BBQ
category...salads, appetizers, sandwiches, steaks, and seafood. Overall great experience!
You should call, I hear they have 5 other locations.
Reviewed By: Schuyler Moore ( smoore6686@aol.com ) on 3-10-99.
Name: Cedar Brewing Company
Address: 500 Blairs Ferry Rd NE
City: Cedar Rapids
State: IA
Phone: 319-378-9090
Meat: 5
Sauce: 5
Sides: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Overall: 5
Date: 7-10-00
User: Mike Snyder
Email: mike@beerstuff.com
Date: 7/10/00
Time: 7:52:51 PM
Comments
This brewpub not only has great hand-crafted ales but a great selection of smoked items including ribs, prime rib, rosemary garlic chicken, brisket platter and sandwich.
They feature two bbq sauces made with their own beer; Sweet Black Cobra and Red Hot Red Rocket. There are also four types of wings including Jamacian Jerk.
Cedar Brewing is open for lunch and dinner and serves burgers, tenderloins, pastas and salads in addition to their featured smoked items.
Name: Battles BBQ
Address:
City: Ames
State: IA
Phone:
Meat: 4.5
Sauce: 5
Sides: 5
Service: 4.5
Atmosphere: 4
Overall: 4.5
Date: 9/30/00
User: Ben Dykstra
Email: disker01@hotmail.com
Date: 10/1/00
Time: 4:06:51 PM
Comments
This small BBQ shack in the middle of campus town. This is the best in the state. (even better than Big Daddy)
