Hoodoo Brown BBQ — Restaurant in Ridgefield

We then ordered a large order of nachos which were okey they just break so easily so it's hard to get anything on them. Also ordered two pounds of brisket which had SO MUCH fat on it along with two pounds of pulled pork. Two large orders of Mac & cheese which tasted like overcooked toddler Mac and cheese. 6 pieces of cornbread... why so many? Because last time we were there they were AMAZING they had some type of glaze over the top and tasted incredible and moist... this time they were DRY DRY DRY. We didn't even eat all of them and the bottoms were so hard, with my husband did tell the guy who cheated our dishes because he asked if we wanted to bring them home... why would we want to bring them home?! They tasted yucky. 😭😭 We also ordered a brisket sandwich with cheese which they forgot the cheese for and we had to flag someone down. Our friends ordered a brisket grilled cheese and they loved it. Their daughter had an order of chicken tenders and fries and the chicken tenders were so hard and dry. The banquet sauce was delicious though!!

Overall we spent $300 between the six of us, it was literally $299 total! I'm sorry but in no world was what we ordered worth that amount. I personally left with my stomach hurting, yet I barely ate. The brisket just didn't sit well in my stomach. Overall we were all very disappointed to have spent so much money and not be full nor have much to bring home. This was all enough to make us not return again. I did tip my waitress well, but like last time she wasn't very attentive with refills or checking on us. Very disappointing. 🥺

Review from February 13, 2022: Loved this BBQ place!!

My husband and I went in knowing exactly what we were ordering... We waited less than 10 min for seating... I should mention it was a little after 8PM, although they seemed to still be fairly busy. We were welcomed by the owner, which was pretty neat!

Our food did not take long to come out, it was done relatively quickly. When it was brought over our server started walking by us, she didn't ask about the food, didn't ask about refills on our drinks, just seemed overall disconnected. I had to get her attention to refill our water, she didn't do what other servers do... instead she once again began walking away and I had to tell her my husband also needed a refill. It just seemed like we were having to get our server to be a server for the entirety of our meal.

Overall I enjoyed the food, I do want to point out, corn on the cob.. did not have much flavor! I saw a picture of the corn and I definitely expected better flavoring, was very disappointed to find that it wasn't the case. Also my husband ordered scalloped potatoes, and they seemed as though they were boxed from the store. No real flavoring in those. The cornbread was really good though, very moist! And all of the meat, was super tasty!

The outdoor setup looked awesome with the smokers outside and everything. It was really cool! I just think that the server is in need of additional training, I mean maybe it was an off night for her but a lot of it just seem like common sense. Don't get me wrong she's still got a $20 tip, but that doesn't mean it was...

Updated 4/12/24: We got the prime rib for a friend’s birthday (take out.) She devoured it in one setting. Absolutely amazing — and came with dipping sauce, a side salad, and fries.

The taste is unparalleled and it’s clear Hoo Doo sources the highest quality meats.

Cody, Chris, and the team continue to shine!

Updated 6/4/2023: I went here with a large group in the private room. We ordered appetizers, platters, and sides. Amazing service. A couple highlights:

1. Ribs -- The meat was so tender that it fell right off the bones.
2. Wings -- We enjoyed Buffalo and tried RyThai, which was really good.
3. Brisket -- This needs no introduction. I'd recommend getting an extra order for the table so everyone isn't fighting over it.
4. Dessert -- You need to save room for it every time.

We tried to compliment the owners but they were out of town and BBQing to raise money for pediatric cancer (Hogs for a Cause). Go figure.

Classy ownership, friendly staff, great food.

Updated 2/24/2022: I had their wings on Super Bowl Sunday. I didn’t think they could get any better but they did. Hoo Doo won Connecticut Magazine’s best BBQ spot...again. I also recently read in 068 magazine that it is the Wilton Fire Chief’s favorite spot. What impresses me most is that, despite winning all the awards and accolades, Hoo Doo is committed to getting better each day.

I don’t even get jealous when my Austin friends text me their BBQ pictures, I just drive down the road to Hoo Doo Brown.

Original review

This is the best BBQ that I have had—better than any BBQ that I have had in Texas. The ownership group is personable and takes pride in their craft. My kids worship the brisket grilled cheese, my wife loves the pork belly, and my favorite are the ribs (both beef and pork.)

You have to save room for dessert—specifically the Banana Bourbon Pie—which is handmade each day.

They also offer BBQ classes and pig roasts for special events (e.g., pig roasts.)

There are so many out-of-state license plates in the parking lot you would think you are at Six Flags/Disney World.

It is not a surprise that Hoo Doo has won numerous Food&Wine and CT Magazine awards/recognitions. But despite all its success, through the years, this is still a family place. Come inside, you’ll feel like family, and your stomach will be eternally grateful to you but angry that you did not come sooner. You won’t be able to eat...

August 2024 - Driving to Greenwich and passing through Ridgefield, we were surprised to see a genuine barbecue spot alongside the main route firing up their ovens for the day with roaring fire, staff with large shovels, wood cords and pouring smoke from chimneys. I said to my passenger, if that isn't what detects real barbecue I don't know what does. Never pull into a barbecue place if you don't see live smoke coming out. I'll give a pass to owners who maybe make their meats in the morning so if you go by in the afternoon or evening you won't see the smoke pouring out of chimneys, but it's fresh. You'd have to know the restaurant to be sure this was the case.

Driving back north, I suggested to my passenger that if we saw this place preparing their bounty for the day on the way down, we should stop and buy a couple of things to give it a try. He agreed. There it was and we pulled in. The young staff member with the shovel and flames blazing was gone as stoves were banked, but one chef was busy in the back turning all kinds of meat and another was spritzing sausages with a water bottle before closing the lid. This is the real deal.

We decided to get a half pound of pulled pork and a half pound of brisket. These are two things any customer, reviewer, or fellow cook should try to get an idea on how well barbecue is made at a place. I would add ribs, but my own are so good, I don't buy them when I'm out.

Other delectable choices are chicken wings, smoked turkey, sausages, and half chickens. We skipped sides but all standards are here - cornbread, mac and cheese, beans, fries and sprouts. Any of their meat selections are available in a sandwich if you don't want to purchase by weight. They also sell a couple of combination boxes for groups that feature a large sized sampling of their delicacies that come with cornbread.

Desserts are available, too. Stepping inside to take some photos, I saw most of them were sold out for the day, including a cookie dough and banana bourbon cream pie. There is a large casual dining room and a small event room or more simply, a room for a good group of people. Full bar. Decent parking....