Sizzling Comfort Food and Southern Hospitality on Main Street — Red Hot & Blue Laurel
As a frequent visitor to Red Hot & Blue on Main Street in Laurel, Maryland, I can’t say enough good things about this spot. It feels like stepping into a friendly, down-home dining room where bold flavors, generous portions, and warm service come standard.
What keeps me coming back Signature Southern flavor: Pulled pork, ribs, and zesty BBQ sauces that hit that perfect combination of smoky and sweet. The compromise between comforting classics and bold twists makes every visit satisfying. Consistent quality: Across the board, entrees, sides, and desserts land with hearty flavor and satisfying textures. You know what you’re getting—a reliable plate that delivers on taste each time. Generous portions and value: The portions are ample, making it a great choice for sharing or for a hearty solo meal without breaking the bank. Friendly, approachable staff: The team is welcoming and eager to help with recommendations. They’re great at giving quick, cheerful service even during busy hours. Casual, lively atmosphere: The dining room feels relaxed and inviting—perfect for a casual family dinner, a weekend get-together with friends, or a post-work unwind with colleagues.
Standout dishes I love Smoked ribs or pulled pork plates with classic sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, or baked beans. Brisket and chicken plates that bring that classic BBQ balance of smoky, savory, and satisfying. A sweet finish like banana pudding or a rich cobbler to round out the meal.
Ambience and experience A welcoming vibe with a touch of neighborhood charm—bright, clean, and comfortable, easy to linger over conversation and a refill or two. Kid-friendly options alongside more robust adult fare—great for family nights or casual date nights.
Practical tips Go with a group to share several plates and sample a wider range of flavors. Check the daily specials; seasonal BBQ twists can be a delicious surprise. Save room for dessert—family-style portions make it easy to split a few sweet treats. Consider calling ahead for larger groups to ensure quick seating.
Bottom line Red Hot & Blue Laurel on Main Street is the go-to for hearty BBQ with a jovial, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re craving bold, comforting flavors, generous portions, and genuine hospitality, this is the place. Highly recommended for families, friends, and anyone who loves a good old-fashioned...
Read moreSo we, my company, got catering services through this particular red hot and blue. I really would not recommend this place. I use the online catering option. And I also called the establishment to get an expectation of how much food it was and what kind of containers it would come in. I had forgotten that a few years back when we did catering with the same location that some of the food was actually frozen so I wanted to just confirm that the food would be either hot or cold. That the food would come in half pans, v so that we could be set up properly. So I went to the restaurant to pick up the food. I think pick up was scheduled for 11:00 and I got there at 11:00. When I told the person who was manning the bar that I was there to pick up a catering order he said he didn't know about it he went to the back then he came back out and said they had it and then he gave me a bill. I had already paid online. But the bill that he gave me was for like $60 less than what I paid online. and then when the food came out even though I had specifically written instructions to have it in half pans and I called and confirmed it still was in third pans. And the amount of food was really really not worth it. The the double and triple packages they offer by per person online are really not worth it if you have to use this place you should probably just order however many pounds you need. That way they'll be more transparency. So we're eating the food and a lot of it just really lacks flavor which is not normal. I would say if you have to go to a barbecue place famous Dave's or mission BBQ or another big chain would probably be a much better bet. Yeah I just wouldn't come...
Read moreI was visiting from Louisiana. I came up here last year and spoke to the owner over the phone to see if we could get a table. We were here both times for a horserace. I wasn't able to make it to the restaurant last year. The owner (or manager) was so nice last year on the phone that I had to try this place on this visit. MY GOD. This was absolutely one of the worst meals I've ever had. EVER. The waitress sat me, took my order and brought my food all within 4 minutes of me sitting down. Wtf. That is never a good sign of good fresh food. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich with fries. How do you mess that up? The bread was "breaking apart" on top and completely fell apart on the 3rd bite. I mean completely didn't exist after that. Disintegrated. NO more sandwich. Just broken bits of bread, and pulled pork in pile of slop. And the pulled pork had absolutely NO flavor. BBQ sauce was bland and tasteless. I ate half of my meal, ordered an Uber and went eat somewhere else. Seriously, this was horrific food. When I tried to ask the waitress if people liked this particular menu item, she had the personality of a salt shaker and didn't care at all. Walked away from me, rolling her eyes. I was VERY nice about it. I simply wanted to know if I maybe ordered the wrong thing. I'm blown away that this place is still in business. SIDE NOTE: I sent a private message on FB to the manager, just to let them know about this...In hopes they'd fix the issues for future guests. Wasn't looking for free food or anything else. NO reply. That's the only reason, I'm now posting this review. BTW, they only had 2 other tables at...
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