Barque BBQ — Restaurant in Chattanooga

I dined at Barque on a Friday afternoon, about an hour before closing, and I was admittedly a bit nervous about the quality of the food given the timing. Typically, BBQ is best closer to when the meats are fresh out of the pits. But as soon as my meal was served, all my worries disappeared.

The presentation was great, and we started with the “Load ’Em Up Nachos.” It was a choose-your-protein adventure (we chose pulled pork) piled on top of tortilla chips, with queso, slaw, baked beans, pickles, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. They were AMAZING and hit the spot.

For my main course, I had the “Texas Two Step” with pulled pork and ribs, plus two sides—mac and cheese and baked beans—along with cornbread, pickles, and pickled onions. The mac and cheese had a delicious peppery garlic overtone in the cheese sauce, which I loved. The macaroni was well-cooked, but I do wish the cheese sauce was a bit thicker. Overall, though, it was really good. The baked beans were spot on—great consistency with a smoky, slightly mustardy, sweet, peppery BBQ flavor, plus little bits of trimmings that added a lot to the taste.

The pulled pork was excellent, especially with their sweet BBQ sauce. I loved the smokiness, which worked perfectly with the sauce. But the real standout was the ribs—hands down the best ribs I’ve eaten in Chattanooga. Honestly, the best BBQ plate in Chattanooga, period. The ribs had an amazing smoky flavor, enhanced by the seasonings in the dry rub that formed a great bark. Soooo good!

Overall, it’s an easy 5/5, 10/10—whatever scale you go by. I can’t believe it took me this long to make it over to Barque, especially after dealing with substandard BBQ at other places in town. For me, Texas-style BBQ is the gold standard, and Barque is just as good, if not better, than some of the BBQ spots I’ve been to in Texas....

Review from a Hill Country born Texan - adorable place - atmosphere is on point even down to the Shiner sign on the wall and Buddy Holly record cover.

My favorites: chili is ON POINT. And no beans of course - thank you :). I would come back again just for that with the yummy cornbread mac and cheese - delicious and love the pepper bite in it Proper BBQ sauce is exactly that. Bought a bottle to take home with me

A few tips for anyone finding the brisket or chicken dry. This is a traditional authentic dry rub Texas bbq joint. It’s all about the smoke and sauce.

To the chef - we may have had 2nd day reheated brisket as there wasn’t much of a smoke ring if at all and would have preferred a thicker bark. I do realize how difficult brisket is to have on a menu and serve perfectly every time. But the sauce made up for some of that. And you can see from the potato salad pic that the lid must have been screwed off on the paprika 🤣

Ribs were great and fell off the bone. And you even had Texas Pete’s pepper sauce. Great job!

And btw - I felt like I was in Texas being helped by Meghan (sp?). She was welcoming...

I don’t usually post anything but good reviews but this visit has me Upset. Husband and I got To go order …Sat in June around 2pm. We went due to good reviews. Here’s or experience. The potato salad tasted like Walmart. Drowned In vinegar, mayo was wierd. took one bite. The mac n cheese. Pasta was WAY overcooked to point of mushy and 4 Times the macaroni size. Once Mixed after Cooking it becomes Mushy. Then completely void of any flavor…no cheese..no salt. How’d u Do that? Brisket..here’s where I’m really confused. It smelled/tasted just like my kittens food. I know a great deal of blood causes that strong iron smell and taste but in a. Brisket? I’m so sorry but I was so disappointed and then to see high reviews? Maybe staff all left and quick trip to Walmart was made? $50 we paid that went straight in the garbage. We were Left hungry,angry and smelling like liver. We have bar b Que joints on every corner. I soooo wanted this to b great or atleast good being close To my home. I’m sorry to have this experience in ur place. IDK…maybe it’s suppose to be just a bar. I’d love to know….if ur up to sharing...