Johnson's BBQ Shack — Restaurant in Bargersville

I don’t understand all the hype around Johnson’s BBQ. I honestly just don’t think Hoosiers “get” BBQ in general, but I’ve visited Johnson’s BBQ shack (this location on multiple occasions, and their Greenwood location once), and each time I am just massively underwhelmed. Last night really was the worst.

First off, the sides are the best thing they have going for them. I like the corn pudding, and I like the green beans, and the Mac and cheese is ok. But the meats, well…. Subpar. I’ve had the brisket and the ribs, and the pulled chicken. EVERY SINGLE TIME they have been cold. Period. 100% of the time. The brisket has typically been dry to very dry. But the absolute worst is the ribs. Gray, boiled-looking, half oven-baked with a little rub sprinkled on them. Where did these people learn BBQ?!?! Seriously, they looked like a slab of concrete. BBQ, especially ribs (!) should have a nice dark reddish brown exterior, light pink smoke ring beneath that…. I’m pretty sure these things were boiled and then baked in an oven, then sat on the counter for a couple hours before being microwaved and put on my plate.

Generally speaking, Hoosiers just don’t seem to understand what the word Barbecue ACTUALLY means but this takes it to a whole new level of disappointment. There are several other local BBQ places that suffer from a similar lack of understanding, but this place really set the bar low for me.

That said, I love the location, I love the patio, love train watching while eating, and I love the unique selection of soft drinks they have on tap! But those things alone...

Just went there today and I really wanted to like this place, the atmosphere is great in a nice little downtown of small town Indiana. The people were nice. Being that I’m doing keto diet I decided to double down on a brisket meal for 4 to have leftovers for lunches ($60). My wife had a pulled pork potato. I used to think even bad bbq is good bbq. This brisket had the texture of a sirloin steak that was cooked to well done. The bark was as tough as tree bark. The smoke flavor tasted like it was doused in matchlight. The potato that my wife had, we ordered pulled pork but we couldn’t tell if it was pork or chicken. The seasoning used on it was fairly overpowering and had a texture like chewing on sand. I do not like talking bad about places but I honestly can’t think of a time I’ve had worse food than this. I did not try the sides but based on what my wife said they were the best part because they just tasted like store bought GFS sides. For $85 all we could do I laugh at how bad it was the whole way home. I hope this place gets better but I can not let it have a 4.7 star review and keep taking peoples money.

Hire a pit master or send the current one to school so that they can turn this place around. Based on a lot of reviews I can see that I’m not the only one who has had this experience. I cook a lot of bbq and would volunteer my time to make this bbq better. This place has potential with the location and atmosphere, its main component, food, is...

Overall experience was ok, I happened to be in town and stumbled upon this place and it was dinner time. The good: great handcrafted sodas, slaw was spot on, baked mac & che nice, corn cake tasty and the portions were nice & served hot. Huh?: Since it isn't posted I asked "do you serve full spare ribs, St.Louis, or baby back ribs?" Counter person didn't know & asked the cook. Turns out they serve "Baby Back St.Louis style ribs" and since these are two completely different cuts for others that aren't as familiar with cuts of ribs, it would be like a cook telling you they serve T-bone Ribeye steaks, it's not a thing. Not so good: I got the 3 meat sampler and all 3 meats were pretty dry and I could only taste seasoning on the brisket, the pulled pork and chicken didn't seem to have any at all. I would try this place again, but on a Friday or Saturday evening when everything's coming off the grill/smoker and not being reheated....