Big Ed's Barbecue — Restaurant in Old Bridge Township

I Went to Big Eds for the first time last week with my family of 4. (2 children.) If you ever drove by, you know the place-big red cow in the front of a bright red barn like restaurant with lots of cute wooden piggy cut outs decorating the parking lot. The inside looks exactly how I pictured it. Everything from the walls to the booths are a dark colored wood, typical steak house decore. They sell merchindise at the hosts desk. I didn't notice much else about the atmosphere. We visited around 3 p.m. on a Sunday. The place was busy but not overcrowded. However, by the time we left around 4:30 the early dinner crowd were all making their way in. Anyway, we were seated right away. It is clear that the staff is trained and knowledgeable - our server was pleasant, professional, and answered all of my newbie rib eating questions as if he actually cared about my experience in the restaurant. Bottom line- food is good- especially IF you like ribs. I haven't had resturant ribs in at least 10 years, so I ordered the all you can eat triple rack which comes with baby back(very tender- like a baby.) after the 1st rib, I knew I didn't care for baby backs, the ssme wayg I don't care for veil. It's psychological. Next I tried the spare ribs, which had tons of meat on each bone. In fact, I was able to cut the meat with a fork and knife so easily, I didn't even have to touch it with my hands! It was pretty good, but even though it was a lot of meat, it wasnt the best ribs I ever had. I wax pleased,but not impressed. Please note I know nothing about ribs and what constitutes good ribs vs. Bad ribs I just know my tastes and I wasn't all that into it. Finally, the last rack of ribs on my plate was called porterhouse which I have heard of but I really don't know what that means nor do I care to know. What I do know is that they were absolutely delicious there wasn't nearly as much meat on the bones at the spare ribs but the taste was incredible I would definitely order them again. A little perk to this place is instead of giving you typical dinner rolls or peanut they give you Mini Texas toast -which is pretty darn good, complementary, and pleantyful(they keep em' coming.) Overall, it was a good experience, both food and service . For me, there was a little sticker shock when I saw a $75 bill for two adult rib meals no alcohol and two kid meals. The reason for the shock is because they're pretty flamboyant about the fact that their prices are low and they even have a list of rules which I thought was a 'rib' at first(see whar I did there?) but it's actually a legit list of rules that help keep their prices...

I'm actually forcing myself to write this review cause I'm so bummed about my latest trip to Big Ed's which I have been a patron of for every bit of 20 plus years. Long enough to remeber when the all you can eat ribs hung off the plate and were $13.99. Tonight's visit was anything but that. The increased price is no shock (19.99)that has been climbing steadily over the years and understandably so. The smaller size of the initial rack of ribs has been decreasing in accordance with the price. So again. No shock. But tonight I experienced what I can only hope was just a fluke. The ribs were simply not fresh. Through all the price increases and portion downsizing the one thing that was always consistent was the freshness. I've reheated enough takeout to know what's what. These ribs were left overs. They were tough stiff and the bbq sauce was just squirted on as per the order. The fresh out of the smoker flavor and fall off the bone tenderness was absent. When they're fresh, they're hot juicy right down to the bone. On top of all that, my wife's fried chicken was literally ice cold in the center of the breast meat. My son's brisket sandwich was rubbery and again, was lacking that out of the smoker freshness. Lastly, my daughters fried shrimp. Frozen... I hope this isn't the proverbial "writing on the wall". Please tell me this isn't a sign of things to come. Big Ed's has been a family favorite for years. If Big Ed's wants to get rid of the ribs that didn't sell the night before, don't serve them to the people paying full price for them on the next day. Not cool. Take them to a local soup kitchen or shelter. I intentionally go to Big Ed's to get away from all the chain restaurants with their pre cooked rubbery food in exchange for something fresh and unique. Stop worrying about your ceiling tiles Big Ed and get back in the kitchen and oversee the quality of...

If you're a fan of barbeque, Big Ed's is a must-visit! The standout dish here has to be the baby back ribs; they are undeniably the best I’ve had. Tender and juicy, the meat practically falls off the bone, and the sweet house made bbq sauce gives it a delightful flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

The house-made BBQ sauce is a perfect accompaniment, adding a delicious kick that enhances every bite. The garlic bread, which comes unlimited with all meals, is a fantastic touch—crispy on the outside and warm on the inside, it’s hard to resist going back for seconds (or thirds!).

The chicken wings are another highlight. They're crispy on the outside, providing that satisfying crunch, while remaining juicy and flavorful on the inside. It's the perfect combination with beer! The staff at Big Ed's are incredibly attentive, ensuring that your needs are met without being intrusive. They genuinely care about providing a great dining experience, which makes a big difference. The restaurant is also impressively clean, adding to the overall welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend Big Ed's for anyone looking for an family or friends barbeque feast. With its unbeatable baby back ribs, tasty BBQ sauce, and fantastic service, you won’t leave...