MISSION BBQ — Restaurant in Camp Hill

Leaps and bounds better than the Mission BBQ at 5054 Jonestown Rd, as far as taste (foods, sweet tea, soda mixtures, etc.). I'm a little disappointed that both require a veteran to register (I'd rather you not thank me by storing my information in yet another database that may be hacked, heck, I'd think I and all other veterans did enough that showing an ID would be enough) however, I never did in Annapolis, or other locations. But I didn't sign on that line for a discount, I just wish we didn't have to do even more to receive what you advertise openly. Nope, I'd rather my information not be sold. Back to the actual review. The yardbird here was tender enough with just enough moisture, and taste. I prefer the smokey mountain bbq with yardbird. The pulled pork could use a bit more smoke for my tastes, but BBQ is a finicky thing, especially when you attempt to maximize individual's preferences. So I get it. The ribs, while palatable, are just satisfactory. A rib without proper smoke infusion may as well be baked, though they are tender but with very little bite. The sweet tea is the best in the area, depending.. that is depending if people drink it (northerners, and mind you I was born and raised a PAer, dont seem to drink it with any type of frequency), fast enough for it not to sit and get "stale." In short, for that "want BBQ without driving 40 minutes away" moment, Mission BBQ will do just fine.

Edited review: I realize COVID is affecting everything, but... so it seems Mission BBQ is too dependent on things such as Heinz manufactured sauces for their BBQ sauces, or so was told to me. Their hickory mountain sauce is not just different, but sub par, way too sweet and hardly any smokey bite despite the name of the BBQ sauce. And they changed their pulled pork, it's disgusting anymore, period. Their yardbird us still rocking, nice and moist, but it's usually sold out by 6pm and without any decent smokey mountain BBQ sauce to dip it in... sigh. Mission BBQ, take your old sauces to a lab, get with a manufacturer/packager to make your own proprietary sauces to ship to stores rather than stores relying on commonly had Heinz products that they cant seem to get? From 4 stars to...

First experience was horrible. What kind of BBQ place doesn't provide BBQ sauce with your brisket and pork, or even ask if you'd like some, or mention that you have to request it specifically in your online order? They need to update their website to remind customers that sauce isn't a standard item, and maybe train their staff to check with customers before they leave with a $90 order COMPLETELY DEVOID OF BBQ SAUCE (or even ketchup for that matter)! When I think of BBQ, I think of sauce, and this place could probably sell their own brand if they'd learn how to offer it with their meals first. Back at the office, when we all realized the travesty, the rest of my work team just joylessly choked their food down anyway (except for one who later secretly admitted she also couldn't eat her lunch without it), but I saved mine for the next day and picked up a bottle of generic sauce from the store to consume my meal cold, and shared it with my coworker. Needless to say, it was very underwhelming for both of us, and I definitely won't be back (not sure about her). And while another of my coworkers was painfully stuffing down her dry as a bone chicken, she mentioned that if you're in the restaurant at noon everyone leaps up to sing the national anthem. That's what I call coerced patriotism. I don't need to shout out the Star Spangled Banner while I'm gagging on bad BBQ to show my love for this country. What a freak show. First time, last time. To be fair, this is not my first BBQ fail in the area. There is seriously something wrong with BBQ, and service in general, in this part of the country. This is not only the last time I'll try this mess of a "growing chain," but the last attempt I'll make for BBQ in the NE in general. Don't go, but if you do,...

This is for the Camp Hill, PA location.

We appreciate their mission and focus, but the food can be hit or miss here.

On 11/1/2022, we arrived at approximately 6:30 pm. The jalapeno cheese sausage was very good as was the green beans, cheesy potatoes and corn bread. Both the pork and turkey were somewhat dry. The caramel apple dessert was very sweet to the point became too much. Although not ordered this time, the brisket has usually been very good.

The restaurant was not very busy and we choose a table near the entry doors. Soon after a couple with two misbehaved children sat near us. The children were wandering around on their own for a bit then once seated, one of them keep kicking the bottom on her seat (wood). The female seemed to know (perhaps is an employee there?) a staff worker who spent the better part of 15 minutes at their table talking about her personal life, which seems to be a mess. Personally, I don't care to hear about it when she was taken advantage of when she was drunk. Don't get drunk and you won't have that problem! Seemed very immature and the fact that you loudly discuss your personal issue in public speaks volumes.

Finally, for more than 10 minutes there was a loud (we were as far from the kitchen as possible) persistent banging coming from the kitchen. Not sure if there were loading wood into the smoker but not sure why it can't be...