Parker John's BBQ & Pizza, Stevens Point — Restaurant in Stevens Point

Great atmosphere and staff, my wife and I went for a later lunch around 2-3PM on opening day so it was decently busy. We got the haystack onion shoestrings, they were delicious and huge! I tried the table BBQ sauces and none of them really stuck out to me but the odd one out would be the Carolina Mustard BBQ as it's tangier. Portions are large, so my wife and I only got the BBQ platter with three meats and three sides. We got brisket, burnt ends, 1/2 slab of pork ribs with mac & cheese, beans, and sweet potato fries as the sides. The ribs are not fall off the bone, the servers tell you this beforehand so you know what to expect. Unfortunately, they were dry and needed salt. The spices made it taste drier, and the visual smoke ring was there but it did not have a smokey flavor; you really need the table BBQ sauces for this meat to have flavor. We ended up not finishing it after my wife and I ate one rib each. The burnt ends looked really good but I was not expecting it to be drowning in sauce, I prefer the sauce to be caramelized. As much sauce as it had, it was also dry, We did not finish it as I had a hard time chewing the larger chunks, almost came out if I didn't have my Pepsi. The least dry meat was the brisket, it was salted well, but kind of plain. Eat it quick before it gets cold! The Mac & cheese was a real disappointment, it tasted like Golden Corral's buffet mac & cheese, do not get this unless you have kids who like to eat plain, unseasoned mac & cheese. I enjoyed the sweet potato fries, they stayed crispy, and came with a sweet dip which I paired with my cornbread. The cornbread is one of the better ones I've had, it's not dry and has good texture. The beans were also good, it had chunks of meat (possibly brisket), and a nice sweet and tang. The stone pizzas sound delicious as well as the bloody Marys. I would be hesitant to order the pulled chicken/pork and smoked turkey given how dry our ribs and burnt ends were. I would recommend if you're out of spots to try in Stevens Point but would prefer to BBQ at home any day...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had such a wonderful experience at the new Parker John’s in Stevens Point! From start to finish, the entire team went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and taken care of. Even though the restaurant was very busy and on a wait, the staff handled everything with professionalism, patience, and genuine kindness.

The highlight of our visit was the incredible customer service. Our server was attentive and friendly, and the manager, Robert, truly stood out. He personally came to our table to check on us, making sure we were happy with our food and experience. What really impressed us was seeing how hands-on he was not only managing the floor but also serving food, bringing out drinks, and even bussing tables right alongside his team. His leadership, kindness, and work ethic set such a great example and made a lasting impression on us.

You could tell that the whole staff cared about the guests and wanted everyone to leave happy. Despite how busy it was, no one seemed flustered or rushed just focused, friendly, and committed to making sure every table had what they needed. That kind of service and teamwork really stood out.

The food was absolutely delicious, everything came out hot and fresh, and the atmosphere was upbeat and welcoming. For a brand-new location, the team already seems to be working together so well, and it’s clear they take pride in what they do.

We left feeling very satisfied, not just because of the great food, but because of the genuine hospitality we received. Parker John’s in Stevens Point has a fantastic team with true customer service at heart. We’ll definitely be back and will happily recommend this location to...

I’ve been here 3 times in 1 week, twice by myself and once with the kids. Fantastic each time.

Wait Times: It’s been pretty busy each time I have gone. This is expected with a new place opening up. There is bar seating if you want to eat at the bar, or if you want to get a drink/appetizer when waiting for a table. If there is a wait they text you when your seat is available. This allows you to wait in your car, do a quick errand, etc. if you can’t get a bar seat.

Food: If you like sweets, get the brownie sundae. I would come here just for that.

I have been trying a different entree each time. I will say that the food has been amazing each time and that service is always great. They have a plethora of wing sauces that I am excited to explore my way through over the coming weeks. The only item I wish they had is dry rub choices for the wings vs only sauce options.

Interior: This place has been totally remodeled from the Grazies location. It looks fantastic, has a bunch of artful stuff, and is VERY clean.

Membership: Their membership rewards makes the signup worthwhile. You can simply give your server your phone number and they can sign you up. The only issue I have is the app does not have a simple QR code for scanning to earn rewards...