BBQ By Mike — Restaurant in Town of Lewiston

This is the BEST BBQ Ribs and Brisket I have ever had. This review is 100% voluntary and I received no discount or compensation of any kind. See included review pictures. Food - 5stars Owner and co-owner - Very cool dudes Price - considering the 5 star food, extremly low priced.

I was driving back from Niagara Falls Canada to catch a plane home. I was attending a business conference for 3 days of all day long presentations and training. We were treated breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the finest restaurants in Niagara. We had private party all you can eat and drink everywhere we went.

We went to a VERY expensive steak restaurant... it was supposedly over 100$ a plate and 3 plates per person.

Garbage! Absolutly NOTHING compared to Mike's BBQ. I mean that! The fancy quadruple A steak was MEH at best... in comparison.

So we are on the way to the airport. My travel companion attending the same conference but flying a different airline and destination started talking about how big they are into bbq cooking at home on a competitive team. I mentioned we had 3+ hrs till our flights, let's find some good meat... So I am looking... and looking... 4.3... 4.8 .... 5stars... wait, how many reviews on that 5 star... HOLY... HEY! LETS GO HERE!.... (over 240 reviews)

I started reading the reviews out loud... Best BBQ ever... Def will return... Im a foodie and this blew my mind...

I kept reading reviews... Out Loud. Excitement building in our minds... There it is... We spotted it between gas stations.

Pulling in we knew this was going to be 100% energy focused on making good food. No wasted energy on fancy booths or marketing or etched glass windows... Walking up to the window, I could see the seriousness of the kitchen equipment... Wow! Like... That's some serious setup back there...

Mike the owner greets me (didn't know it at the time). He asks what I would like gesturing with a smile to a menu. I returned his gaze and straight faced said... I want ribs... and brisket... and corn bread. He asked what if any sauces, sides, and volume of brisket... .5lbs was enough with a full rack for my buddy and I.

We were presented shortly after with... what I have to describe as an experience of doing it right, without flaunting fancy packaging and pretend quality. Cardboard reinforced togo bag. Well sealed aluminum containers. Stacked securely, with silverware and sauces.

My new friend and I smiled and agreed we had time to eat before hitting the road... we begin to unpack it.

See photo of Brisket. O...M...Gosh! That is the best looking peice of meat, I have ever seen. Let me point out in the photo, that you can see individual small chunks of meat shifting aside other meat. It was so tender... so juicy... that the physical meat appearance detailed it clearly and confidently to me.

It vanished. We didn't say a word. Mike's partner walked by to check in with us, "Everything good?"... My eyes closed signifying my delight with the flavours - He chuckled, "Ah. Good. I can tell from the look on your faces. Enjoy my friends."

We opened the ribs. And squeeled with enthusiasm! See the picturrrre. (Yes pict-urrrrre)

Comon... you know that looks pretty good... but you may be thinking... flavours good but what about the meat. Ribs are always so scarce for meat. Burnt ends and fatty knuckles wasting the weight you paid for... BUT NOT HERE. Not at BBQ by Mike. We cleaned every bone completely. We were very satsified with, literally, the meat falling off the bone as we retreived them. The sauce... not too much, you see it in the pictures... you're worried it was not enough maybe? It was plenty... because... The meat was so juicy! It didn't need to be wet with sauce to be palletable.

We ate every shred. Never once did I open the extra sauces that were provided. None needed.

The corn bread was something amazing too. It was like...hmm.... a muffins worth of density and moisture but absolutely cornbread texture and flavour. It didn't need honey or butter. Was perfect just the way it was. Melting in your mouth. I didn't need a...

My girlfriend and I had a hankerin' for some real BBQ after a hot day of picking apples and we came across BBQ By Mike and we're sure glad we did! Mike charmed us with a sample of his smoked beans and we knew we were in for some big trouble after that. Ever eat food soooo good you know your going to eat so much you have to loosen the belt? That's this place. We ordered the half chickens, one with smoked baked potato and the other with the mac-n-cheese with SMOKED CANDIED BACON. Ohhh gawd. I'd be content dying by jumping over the falls after eating a slab of that! It was only his second Sunday being open and the place was movin'!

While we were waiting, Mike brought us some smoked brisket and charmed us with his personality. He is an earnest, honest businessman who looks after his customers and we sincerely hope he gets his winter logistics worked out and wish him all the luck in the world. This BBQ joint is this man's dream and you can tell, it's adorable. The prices are VERY REASONABLE for the portions ($13 for a huge, gorgeous, super-tasty half-chicken and a "side") and the love that goes into the process. It's all about quality and Mike knows it and won't compromise. It may be a little out of your way, but there is zero percent chance of regretting it. Meat smoked thirteen hours with hickory and cherry wood?!? In our opinion, not just a "side-trip", but a must destination.

He's closing shop near Thanksgiving but hopeful to open in January. Can you imagine hot, steaming, smoked bbq in the middle of a Buffalo winter?! There just might be a god after all!

By any means necessary...GET THERE AND EAT! Tell Mike we say "hello!", we're sure he'll give ya a little sample! ;)

P.S. Guy Fieri needs to visit here and showcase BBQ By Mike in Diners,...

Oh my sooo much good BBQ and sides. The #1 platter gives you Chicken, special made Sweet and Spicy Sausage, Ribs, and Pulled Pork. All were delicious and not fatty! We did the sweet sauce on top with a side of his Habanero sauce he makes from the peppers!The sides were great: the slaw had both red and green cabbage with a house made dressing that was not mayo but not vinegar tasting - right down the middle! The Candy Bacon was the best I have had, I may just have it for dinner next time. Baked Beans are not my thing but I may even give them a go after seeing family digging in with bits BBQ meat and yes, they smoke them! The Mohawk Mac and Cheese was an incredible combo we also ordered (and took home too!), it must weigh 5 pounds.

If you are wondering about the use of the Mohawk name - this is Native American BBQ and will give any Texas and Carolina BBQ a run for the money.

As for the experience it is near Gail's Gas and the Owner is still putting the finishing touches on the good sized indoor dining room but the warm greeting by Mike made us quickly wish we found it sooner. Mike shared lots of ordering advice and a bit of his history and it has us looking to...