Woodstock BBQ — Restaurant in Lakewood

Woodstock BBQ in Lakewood, Ohio, is a must-visit destination for barbecue enthusiasts and anyone craving hearty comfort food. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’re greeted by the warm and inviting atmosphere that embodies the spirit of a classic barbecue joint. The rustic decor, complete with wooden accents and vibrant artwork, creates a laid-back environment perfect for enjoying a casual meal with friends and family.

The menu at Woodstock BBQ is a true celebration of smoked meats and flavorful dishes, showcasing a variety of options that cater to all tastes. The star of the show is undoubtedly the barbecue, with a selection of meats that are smoked to perfection. Whether you choose the tender brisket, juicy pulled pork, or flavorful ribs, each dish is infused with a rich, smoky flavor that leaves a lasting impression. The meats are served with a choice of house-made barbecue sauces, allowing you to customize each bite to your liking.

One standout item that should not be missed is the smoked chicken, which is juicy and flavorful, with a crispy skin that adds a delightful texture. The sides at Woodstock BBQ are equally impressive, with options like creamy coleslaw, perfectly seasoned fries, and baked beans that complement the main dishes beautifully. The mac and cheese is a crowd favorite, offering a rich and cheesy indulgence that pairs perfectly with the smoky flavors of the barbecue.

For those looking for something different, Woodstock BBQ also offers a variety of sandwiches and tacos that showcase the same high-quality smoked meats. The BBQ brisket sandwich, stacked high with tender meat and topped with slaw, is a satisfying choice that is sure to please. The barbecue tacos, filled with your choice of smoked meat and fresh toppings, provide a fun twist on traditional barbecue fare.

The drink menu at Woodstock BBQ is well-curated, featuring a selection of craft beers and cocktails that perfectly complement the hearty meal. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to help you find the perfect drink to pair with your food, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Service at Woodstock BBQ is friendly and attentive, creating a welcoming environment where you can relax and enjoy your meal. The staff is passionate about the food they serve, and their enthusiasm adds to the overall charm of the restaurant.

In summary, Woodstock BBQ in Lakewood is a fantastic spot that delivers on both flavor and experience. With its smoky, tender barbecue, delicious sides, and inviting atmosphere, it’s a place where you can indulge in satisfying comfort food while enjoying the company of friends and family. Whether you’re a barbecue aficionado or simply looking for a great meal, Woodstock BBQ is definitely...

There aren't a lot of great BBQ restaurants in Cleveland, but there are plenty of good ones.

Woodstock won the 2024 Scene Magazine Best BBQ in Cleveland award, beating out 2023 winner Mabel's (Michael Symon's joint).

I have been to Mabel's original location downtown and to their Eastside location, and I wasn't terribly impressed.

Having heard about Woodstock, I wanted to give it a try, and finally did yesterday.

It was around 3:00 p.m., and we were able to walk right in and pick our table. The service was prompt throughout the visit, and our drinks and food were served quickly.

I wanted to sample as much meat as I could, so I ordered the four-meat plate. My wife ordered the Turkey sandwich, and I swiped a bit of turkey, so I was able to sample five different meats.

First, I love to sample the sides before I taste the meat. If a restaurant is going to make homemade sides, and not just your basic vegetable or bean, they're usually going to have some quality meat.

The sides I ordered were the Kansas City Cheesy Corn, Collard Greens, and Fried Brussel Sprouts in Sweet Chili BBQ.

The corn was just OK. The Collard Greens were flavorful but needed more pepper for my liking. The Brussel Sprouts were nice and caramelized, and had some great flavor.

Now, on to the meat:

Brisket

I give the brisket the lowest rating of all the meats I tasted. It was tender, but needed more of a bark to add some flavoring.

Wings

The wings had a nice rub that coupled with the smoke flavor, really made these a delight. They were cooked well, and fell off the bone.

Texas Sausage

This was my favorite of the meats I sampled. The sausage had a great texture and balance of meat to fat. I used all three BBQ sauces to see how each enhanced the flavor. Good stuff.

Rib Tips

The Rib Tips were cooked well, and fell off the bone. These would make a great appetizer.

Turkey

I stole a few pieces of my wife's Turkey Sandwich so I could sample the meat.

This was some of the best smoked turkey I've had.

SAUCES

Sweet BBQ: Good stuff and really enhances the meat and smoke flavors.

Spicy: This was just tangy, not really spicy. I wish they had something with more heat.

Carolina Mustard: I'm not a big fan of the Carolina mustard-based sauces, but this was pretty good.

Overall, the service was quick, the food was really good, and the sauces added some different flavor profiles into the mix.

All in all, I'd agree with Woodstock beating out Mabel's for Best BBQ in Cleveland, but I haven't eaten at all the BBQ joints in the area. I hope to...

New to the Cleveland area and decided to try Woodstock BBQ based on reviews.

Nice neighborhood. Parked for free on a side street a short walk from the restaurant. Got there just after opening (4-ish) on a Wednesday and chose to sit on the patio to enjoy the weather.

Service was good. Server was nice and checked on us often, keeping our drinks filled.

Ordered for two people and ate family style to try multiple options. Large portions for the price which is a huge plus for me. Chose the beef sausage sandwich with slaw on the side. Also got a 4 meat platter with ribs, dry rub wings, brisket and pastrami. Sides for the platter were collard greens, mac n cheese, and smokehouse beans.

Overall, the food quality and taste ranged from good to delicious. I'm not a sauce guy so this is just for the meat and dry rub. I liked the ribs the best. Tender, well cooked, with great flavor. Next up was the pastrami, frickin frackin delicious. The portion was too fatty for my liking, maybe 30% of the slices were pure fat. But that's subjective, some people would complain If there was no fat on it. Brisket was two slices. The first slice was from an edge and had all the bark, smoke ring, and flavoring, extremely good. The second slice was from the inside and lacked the deliciousness of the first. The beef sausage sandwich was quite good much better than a lot of other bbq links from other places. The wings were cooked very well. Crispy outside with juicy insides but I found the dry rub flavor lacking on them. It was the only meat I was tempted to put sauce on to perk it up. The sides were good. Slaw was fresh, about the only thing I ask for from slaw, so good. Mac n cheese didn't blow my mind, but tasty and well above average for a restaurant. Smokehouse beans were tomato based, and sweet and smoky at the same time, very good. Corn bread was good. A big slice, corn forward with a mild sweetness level. I did not try the collard greens so no judgment.

Overall, I enjoyed and recommend. I'll be back to try more...