Hog Tide Bar-B-Que — Restaurant in Aurora

I have been reviewing restaurants around the country for many years. And by a complete accident I discovered what I believe is the BEST Bar-B-Que Anywhere. And make no mistake about it, this 64-year-old former restaurant owner is a Bar-B-Que Snob. Hog Tides 3rd generation Pitmaster Drew McNatt and his family have won so many awards they hardly have the space to display them in their warm and rustic dining room. I'm talking about multiple World Championships for their Ribs & Brisket. Make no mistake, you come to The Hog Tide to have the best Bar-B-Que ANYWHERE and do some serious eating. We tried and shared several items on the menu, and they were all amazing. The Pulled Pork Sandwich was delicious and melts in your mouth. Their Burnt Ends, no words to describe them other than I want them for my Last Supper. And the Ribs are without a doubt the best I have ever eaten, and I have eaten Ribs all over this country. We also got a taste of their Sausage that they import from Texas and it was beyond delicious. It was so good that I’m going to order it next time. Their homemade Potato Chips, Cole Slaw, and beans were outrageous good. Lots of other great sides and other menu items to try on our next visit. On Saturday nights they serve smoked Prime Rib. Yes, we will be there next Saturday! This is the place you don't mind driving an hour to visit. Your kids will be coming here with their kids. It just does not get any better. Mix all of the above with great service and we will be dining here on a...

Very clean restaurant. Good service. Prices are very fair. Ribs are very well cooked with a sweet slight smoky flavor. Fall off the bone tender. The brisket is well cooked and tender.

Things I wish: a little more crispy char on ribs, onions, and pickles on tray. The Texas toast was kind of a disapointment; Is it made on a toaster? I like buttered and flat top grilled Texas toast. The sides: beans and coleslaw was pretty hold your own kind of sides. Good portion, good flavor. I wish they offered a mixed plate...with ribs.

Without a doubt one of the best local BBQ places, In Missouri I'd say they give Pappy's in St.Louis a good race any day and beat them as well on some days...I don't think they rise to the Level of a Leo's in Oklahoma City, or Oklahoma Joes in KC, but not far off the given mark...

I'd place them around Pappy's or Salt Lick in Texas kind of quality and style.

What I can say is as far as being clean and polished and looking professional they might be the nicest BBQ restaurant I've ever sat in with real BBQ street cread besides Jack Stacks...

So well worth a visit if your a traveler looking always for some good ole Q or if your a local be happy you have such a golden gem in your backyard...cause you have to really put in some hard miles to find better Q...

I hate to be negative, but my family won't be returning to Hog Tide. I will explain why. My dad visits once a week from out of town, and when we found out how great the food was, we decided to go there weekly. However, the last 3 visits have been less than pleasant experiences. The first time, I chalked it up to everyone has a bad day, and shrugged it off. But we arrived an hour and 20 minutes before closing and were told to move twice due to them wanting to clean early. This happened again the second time. Tonight, as always, we arrived over an hour before closing time. They told us we would, "have to sit at the bar because the only section still open was full." Keep in mind, two thirds of the restaurant were vacant. A family of five does not eat cheap. It would go a long way to take the five seconds it takes to wipe off a table instead of making regular customers feel like an inconvenience. The servers are always friendly, but the woman who is at the cash register always acts like she hates her job. It's very off-putting. My family likes to enjoy spending time together and talking on the one day that we are all together for a meal, so being told we had no choice but sit at the bar was the last straw. Once again, the food is great, but the overall...