Couch's Barbecue — Restaurant in Ooltewah

It's okay. I had a hard time deciding on a rating because some things were 5 stars (sweet tea, signature sauce, Brunswick stew, banana pudding) and some were 3 (sides) and the rest fell in the middle (ribs and pork). It's a cute and beside the road little place. The service was excellent. The sweet tea was right on Southern style sweet. Besides seem to be an afterthought like the fried okra wasn't salted the green beans had no flavor the coleslaw needed salt or pepper etc... Now the Brunswick stew that I don't consider to be a side but a star and barbecue restaurants was very very good. They usually have pork and chicken and it smoked and then sliced really thin you won't find pulled pork or chicken and you won't find chopped pork or chicken and you won't find brisket.... I don't have a problem with thin sliced meats but they have a tendency to dry out and I found this true with the pork, that being said if you always Foster meat anyway their signature sauce was very good I even asked if they sold it which by the way they don't. Their ribs they only do on Friday and Saturday till they sell out had a nice bark to them and we're very tender. The ribs were good in their own bite but even better with the signature sauce. The banana pudding was very good very very good but again only available on Friday. It was a good thing we went in for the first time on a Friday! I took plenty of pictures of the menu so you'll know what they have they don't actually have very many sides and they only usually have thin sliced pork and chicken. If you are in the collegedale ooltewah area and are hankering for a little barbecue give them a try and see what you think, especially if it's Friday and you can get that...

I don't really get what all the hype is about with this restaurant. It's been around for a long time which makes it a hometown favorite, but overall I thought the barbecue experience was very mediocre. The meat is shaved, not pulled and very dry and smoky. The sides were ok. We tried the mashed potatoes, cole slaw, hot slaw, green beans, baked beans, and fries. The service is mediocre as well. We ordered the fried pickle spears but either the sever didn't hear us or forgot so we never got them. I also never got the gravy for my mashed potatoes, and we had to chase the server down to order dessert. The coconut pie was the highlight of my meal. It was really good and I wish I would have taken a picture. You can buy a whole pie for $15. They do serve beer here but only domestic bottle beer so not much of a choice, but who doesn't love an ice cold beer with a plate of BBQ. The restaurant itself is old and kind of dingy. It would be nice if they updated it since it is more accessible from the interstate now and has the potential to draw...

My family has been eating at Couch's for five generations. I just read the 1-star reviews and just shake my head. No, it isn't pulled pork and believe it or not, shaved pork doesn't make it blasphemy. It is very lean which means you don't have to contend with chunks of fat or gristle. And there is more than an ample amount of pork on their sandwiches. The hot slaw is the very best I have ever had and at 68, I've eaten more than my share of hot slaw around the country. The homemade, freshly baked pies with mounds of real meringue are exceptional. There is a reason this hole-in-the wall with virtually no atmosphere has been in business since the 1940's. Don't listen to the haters. Try their superb SLICED pork sandwiches or plates and don't forget the pies. Without preconceived notions, you will have a great meal like the vast majority of customers...