Mulligan's BBQ — Restaurant in Topeka

As a KCBS judge and having written over 100 BBQ restaurant reviews, I can say with complete confidence this is the worst "barbeque" I've ever had. I have often said that there is only one reason to chop brisket - because it is tough. Mulligan proves me wrong. The chopped brisket was moist and mushy. I was so disintegrated it would not have held together in a slice. I added sausage to combo-up my sammich. If Aldi had a selection of cheap kielbasa, this would be at the lowest end of the range. It was spongy and virtually tasteless. My wife had the turkey... the salted turkey, apparently. All the meats were re-warmed on the griddle. There was absolutely no hint whatsoever that the meat had been smoked, which is the only cooking style that qualifies as barbeque. NO HINT OF SMOKE. The portions were gargantuan, you will not leave hungry. The fried okra was the best part of the meal. The fries were mediocre. If you're dragging your carcass off the lake and have at least half-a-six-pack in you, Mulligan's BBQ will take care of business. If you're a fan of good Kansas City-style barbeque, you'll... you'll... wish for a mulligan if you eat...

Item by item:

Brisket was fabulous. Some of the best I've ever had anywhere in topeka or KC. It's worth the drive up from topeka just for the brisket.

The bun was really excellent as well. If not made fresh in house then they are getting excellent quality bread for the buns. Buttery and good. One of the rare times I am happy to eat my bbq as a sandwhich.

The bbq sauce is solid. At first I thought it was just KC masterpiece but I realized after a couple bites it wasnt. It's similar, but has more citrus. Reminded me a little of a thicker famous Dave's sauce.

Mac and cheese was soupy and flavorless. I added lots of salt and black pepper and it still tasted like I was eating yellow colored noodle soup.

Baked beans were not any better. There weren't really any beans, it's just that bright brown bean mush that looks like it's out of a can. They have a very strong flavor of something that I cant put my finger on but is very overwhelming.

Overall a very mixed bag. I'm hopeful that when I go back and try some different sides I'll find a plate I can...

Food was okay; not great, but okay. The dining area was so incredibly dirty! I was grossed out immediately but I stayed because the rest of my party wanted to. The floor looks like it hasn't been swept or mopped in a year, the tables and condiments thereon were all sticky and gross, and the one high chair that they had was just a horror show. Sticky, rusted, caked on gunk on the belt, built up residue in the corners of the seat. Have they ever, ever wiped it down? The bathroom continued the horror show feeling with low lighting to try to mask the inch of dirt behind the toilet, moldy broken soap dispenser, and overall never-cleaned ambience. With such dirty public spaces, I can't help but shudder to imagine what the kitchen...