True Eats & Drinks — Restaurant in North Township

Excellent drinks but overpriced mediocre food.

Despite the very mixed reviews a group of us decided to give TRUE BBQ a try. Unfortunately, the other comments here on the quality of the food were fairly accurate. Below is our full review by major categories:

FOOD was the worst part about the experience. The quality was very mediocre. We tried almost all the appetizers, and while a few were decent, they were mostly without much flavor. The house salad had greens on the bottom that were completely wilted and on their way to being liquefied (either the salad was not made to order and refrigerated or else someone didn't care about quality).The brisket was drier than a history or chemistry lecture. There was much more emphasis on the toppings: homemade pickles and a spiced mascarpone spread (cheese on BBQ is a bad sign). The pulled pork sandwich with slathered in a sickly sweet raspberry sauce. There is far, far better BBQ available for less than half the price only a few blocks from here. In my opinion almost all of the menu items were wildly overprice for what they were (see more about price below). The homemade spiced potato chips and pickles they provide while you wait for your food was one of the few bright spots of the meal.

DRINKS were definitely the only redeeming aspect of the meal. The drinks were expensive but were also excellent. They were strong, flavorful and had an excellent selection. Their whiskey selection was very good and reasonably priced. If you want a good drink, and are willing to pay slightly more for quality, then this place is for you.

SERVICE was kind of a mixed bag. The greeter and our server were both very friendly. Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful with selection of whiskey. However, despite it not being very busy there were definitely large gaps of time when we were waiting for attention (especially waiting for our checks and to pay).

PRICE was the biggest problem we had with this place. For example, a brisket sandwich costs $11 and the meat is dry and otherwise mediocre. You can get a far, far better brisket sandwich with way more, much better meat for $8 at another BBQ place nearby. Appetizers range in price from $7-14, entrees and BBQ from $17-32. This might be reasonable pricing for Chicago, but way too high for Northwest Indiana, especially when you consider the quality.

OVERALL: If you’re looking for somewhere to meet up with friends for some good drinks and a few decent appetizers then this might be the place for you. If you’re looking for good BBQ & food this is definitely not the place for you. While they have a large menu, it would have been better to focus on fewer items and do them better, especially if you’re going to...

My husband and I went here for dinner, because my husband had previously been there and said the food and whiskey were good. We went on a quiet Sunday evening. He had the Trio (ribs, brisket & pork shoulder) with Cole Slaw, Mac N Cheese. I had the Smoke 2 Brisket and Turkey Breast side of Mac N Cheese and Brussels Sprouts. Lets get into it I am a food vlogger and we dine out every Sunday. I was very disappointed We were sat in the patio area upon being seated we did not receive any silverware and when we received our complimentary chips napkins had to be requested. How sway?! Once we received our food we still didn't have any utensil and my husband did not receive his Mac N Cheese when the server finally brought the silverware our food was cold. I told her it was cold & the coleslaw was dry so she took the meat and not the sides (really?!) So now I have cold sides, we asked for fries instead. A gentleman brought the food back and yes it was STILL not right. It was barely warm and the plate was not hot either. I am a Chef with a degree and you learn HOT FOOD HOT PLATE. I asked the server for the manager low and behold it was the man who brought out the food. I gave him my plate and said hold this does it feel hot. He said they warmed up the food and then transferred plates. At that point I was done I said give me a to go box and I will warm my food up in my oven at home. The only thing hot were the fries, for the inconvenience he offered a dessert ,by that time I just wanted to go home before I became angry. I told the girl I was an influencer and I will be posting this review on social media. My husband gave her a $100 for the bill and she had the nerve to asked him did he want change! She should have asked herself did I deserve a tip because she knew the food was cold. She said she told them. When I go out to eat I expect quality food and quality service for my dollar. I am highly disappoint and I guess the manager was ok with that... FYI this was the Munster Location and all I wanted...

I have been coming here ever since it had opened. I never had a bad experience. I come here at least 1 to 2 times a month and often attended there holiday specials and the summer patio parties. Up until this weekend this was my favorite restaurant. Over the weekend my wife and I took our out of town guest here. I really wish I hadn't. It took roughly 45 minutes to get our food, which is understandable if they are busy, which they weren't. Upon receiving our food most of it was cold already. We had the st. Louis ribs with a side of broccoli, loaded fries, and the beef brisket platter with a side of mac n cheese. The brisket was dry and cold. The loaded fries where cold. The ribs no longer seem to be smoked like they had before, instead baked and broiled to appear smoked with the char you would expect. The side of broccoli was burnt. Yes burnt. The brisket was cold and dry and the mac n cheese had no flavor and covered in parmesan cheese. After speaking with the manager she kindly took our food back to remade. Upon receiving new food we saw that the loaded fries were reheated and the brisket was much better even though it was now cut against the grain in smaller pieces cut against the grain instead of the long with the grain strips and served with an au jus. When starting to the manager the fries were soggy and tasted reheated she said she watched them re make it. We know we had been lied to since the portion my wife ate was still gone exactly where she had eaten it. Upon eating it you can tell the pulled pork is no longer made the same as it is now flavorless. It was very frustrating to have a long time favorite restaurant now become a restaurant that I wont be returning to. There are much better BBQ restaurants that actually take pride in serving real BBQ.

Our out of town guest is a chef and said the only thing good about this place is its Bbq sauce. He even bought a bottle...