Pitmaster BarBQue Company — Restaurant in Idaho Falls

I typically make a point to stop in to Pitmasters when visiting or traveling through Idaho Falls to get my BBQ fix -- typically consuming the three meat combo which includes cornbread and a side. It is priced identically to the two meat combo, the difference with the three meat being a smaller portion. However, diners are afforded the ability to sample a wider array of meats. Another difference between the two and the three meat combo is the distinction in the Chicken offered. The two meat combo comes with 1/4 Chicken which just might be their tastiest menu item. The flavor achieved on the skin is masterful -- striking a delicate balance between the tang of the rub, sweetness of the Honey and crunch of the skin. The Chicken itself is delightfully juicy and slightly smokey. This item, however, is offered only with the two meat combo. The Chicken associated with the three meat combo includes shredded Chicken which is always dry and lacks flavor. If you want the 1/4 Chicken with the three meat combo there is an upcharge associated with that. I'd recommend the owners ditch the shredded Chicken and alternatively offer the 1/4 Chicken on both offerings.

The price is a bit steep for both offerings at $15.89. Adding a 2nd side pushes the price over $18 before tax. For comparison purposes, the famous Joe's KC in Kansas City offers a two meat combo with a side for just over $12. Should Pitmasters include a 2nd side with these combos, the value would be fair. The price for Sandwiches is reasonable. Pulled Pork is smokey and tangy but maybe a touch dry at times. This has improved with time. Brisket is tasty but the lack of a smoke ring is a bit of a knock. Ribs have never disappointed.

The Cornbread that comes with the combos is extraordinary. Always moist with a distinct corn flavor.

As for the sides, the Baked Beans seem to continually improve. They're delicious. Sweet, smokey and hearty. Slaw is crunchy and is perfectly balanced between creamy and 'vinegary'. The Green Beans with Bacon tasted of canned Beans. I haven't sampled any other sides.

The Pig Candy is worth a try. The sweet, salty and crunchy nature of the honey-ed bacon dances gleefully on the pallate.

In terms of sauces, there are typically three on each table, with the new 'XXX' sauce available near the cash register. Ranked in terms of favorites: XXX, Competition, Chipotle, Bourbon. The XXX is the best balanced sauce and offers a nice zing. You can't go wrong with the Competition sauce. On the other end of the spectrum, the Bourbon is not enjoyable.

All in all, SE Idaho's best BBQ. The lack of a Five star rating is justified because the value could be a bit better. The Green Beans fall short as does the...

Ok from bbq’r to another an honest review. This review is based on this experience alone, because this was the second time I tried it. Here goes, let start with the mediocre seasoning on the brisket, it had some beefy flavor but lacked any kick of spice and salt was practically nonexistent, a healthy amount of salt allows a lot of other flavors to pop! Beef tallow is the king of brisket ingredients and didn’t taste any of it. Tender for sure and cooked to the perfect consistency not fall apart but “hangs “ and pulls perfectly! The ribs were a complete fail in the aspect of “got the end rib with “bits” so it was try and hard as shoe leather (the end rib should never be sold). Although the salt was great and the spices came through, I look forward to trying them again. I can’t say about the tenderness so moving on. THE GOOD…the candy bacon is awesome, it has a good amount of sweetness and smokiness to seasoning ratio, I don’t know if it jalapeño and black pepper that I tasted, but I really liked it!! It’s my personal preference to have it cooked less, but hey! It’s not my cooking. The Mac & cheese was good and you can tell they used real cheese because of the grainy texture. I would like to see a little more salt to bring the cheese flavor out a little more, but it was good and would eat it again. NOW…the beans, where do I begin…THESE ARE THE BEST BAKED BEANS I HAVE HAD IN A LONG TIME!!!! Not overly sweet, and balanced with the right amount of smokey and spiced to perfection!! (What am I saying, just get them, I can’t even make them this good).😊 The cornbread, iis really good and enjoyed it every time, personal preference once again would prefer it a little thinner to soak up the butter and honey a little better, but it’s not my cooking so no complaints. The chicken, for me was tough and dry, but that’s bbq chicken no matter where you go, if it’s not piping hot out of the smoker and served, that’s just the way chicken is when smoked, just live with it. The sauces!!! Yum 🤤 they’re all good and you should get one of each to try, can’t go wrong. OVERALL, I’m going to keep trying the menu, no one is perfect, but they’re better then the bbq places I’ve been to in Boise, who claim to have the best. So give them a shot and judge for yourself, cause this is...

I was excited to find what promised to be a great local BBQ joint.

First impression when walking in was the lack of smoke smell in the building. Granted, smokers are usually outside but that hypnotic, alluring smell is the norm for the BBQ joints I frequent.

We went on a Saturday night and were looking forward to the burnt ends special. Unfortunately they were out by 4:00 p.m., and I wondered why they didn't make enough to sell more instead of running out so early.

When I went back up to the counter to order something else, the two girls on the counter were gone; the guy in the kitchen said he didn't know where they went, and I stood there waiting for them to saunter back in.

So I ordered, grabbed drinks, and sat back down. And waited. And waited. By this time more people were coming in and they were getting busier. I was sipping on sweet tea and was disappointed that it was barely sweet and very watered down, with little tea flavour at all. Oh well, not the end of the world.

About 20 minutes after ordering, a waitress came to our table to tell us they has run out of one of the upgraded sides we ordered. Ok, I get running out of stuff - but why did it take 20 minutes to tell us? We were sitting there wondering why it was taking so long to slap some brisket on a bun.

When I talked to the cook (might have been an owner or manager, but he didn't have the courtesy to tell me) to get a refund, I asked why it took so long to tell us they were out of the side. He said when he went to put the order together he discovered they were out.

Here are the two major things that are contributing to the one star rating:

The order sat for 20 minutes before even beginning to put it together. Why? This is a sandwich, folks, not a five star meal. The meat is already cooked.

Why didn't he know they were out of the side? What about the person who put the last of it on another order prior to our order?

The entire staff acted like they didn't give a flip. Slow, poor service.

We ended up driving over to Dickey's Barbeque Pit, had two brisket sandwiches with 2 sides each and drinks for far less than Pitmaster charges. Had our food within 3 minutes of paying, and it was good. The sweet tea tasted like sweet tea. The place also smelled like...