City Barbeque — Restaurant in Westerville

I’ve given City Barbecue in Columbus more than a few chances, and unfortunately, it just doesn’t deliver anymore. Every time I go, the food is lukewarm at best. That’s especially frustrating when you’re paying a premium for what should be hot, freshly smoked BBQ. The meats—brisket, pulled pork, ribs—are consistently overcooked and dry, lacking moisture and that deep, smoky flavor you expect from a barbecue spot that charges these kinds of prices.

And speaking of prices—everything is an upcharge. Want a side? That’s extra. Want more sauce? Also extra. Even basic things that should be standard feel like nickel-and-dime add-ons. The sandwich buns aren’t toasted, which makes the whole thing fall apart into a soggy mess halfway through eating. It’s just not well thought out. The service is another issue. Staff often seem distracted or indifferent. I’ve had missing items in orders, incorrect sides, and long waits even when the place isn’t busy. You can tell there’s a lack of leadership and quality control in the kitchen and the front of house. Columbus deserves better. For a city with great food, it’s shocking how disappointing this place has become. If someone opens a new BBQ joint with real attention to quality, pricing, and service, City BBQ’s days will...

I got the three meat; chicken quarter (they were out of pulled chicken) pulled pork and brisket, 19.95 plus 3 dollars for the brisket, two sides; greens and cornbread.

The brisket was three small pieces, poor quality beef that was more than half fat. If you look closely at the picture you can see just how fatty it was. The pulled pork was cold, but tasted good, really small portion. The chicken was really good,

The cornbread was on the dry side, the greens were a lot of stems and very salty.

Overall, if the food had been good the price might have been alright. With only one thing being good, the chicken, three things being not good and one thing being a really small portion, 23 dollars was really high for a less than average meal. I rarely eat McDonald's and would actually prefer a big Mac over this. I'm positive I won't be returning for this unless their food really changes. That brisket was so fatty, there was more put back on the plate than consumed....

It was impossible to make a phone call to the actual property. I was being bullied into pre paying. I pay cash. I finally found a corporate person who connected me to the manager of the property. I was on hold for 20min. Enough time to actually drive there. While I'm still on hold and standing in the store, the manager finally comes on and I tell him that I’m already there. He said he was busy in the back with another customer. Not sure what that means. The juvenile that was waiting on me was rude to me right in front of the manager and he looked as shocked as I was. This juvenile person said that I don’t have to come there, that it was a choice. I will never return to that location again. I had no problem getting in touch with the New Albany location and I was permitted to place my order over the phone and pay cash when I arrived. Why does City BBQ have to make it so difficult? This isn’t brain surgery! Besides I was the only one...