MISSION BBQ — Restaurant in Wilmington

I’ve been a regular at Mission BBQ for years now, and it’s hands-down one of the best spots around—barbecue or otherwise. From the moment you walk in, the staff greets you with genuine warmth and friendliness that never falters, even if you roll up just minutes before closing. They’re just as welcoming and helpful then as they are at peak hours, making every visit feel like you’re stepping into a small, family-owned joint rather than a chain. And trust me, that’s a rare vibe for a place with multiple locations! The food? Oh, it’s a hearty, soul-satisfying masterpiece every single time. The meats—smoked fresh on-site—are consistently delicious, pulling in bold, mouthwatering flavors from BBQ traditions across the country. Whether it’s the tender brisket, juicy pulled pork, or fall-off-the-bone ribs, you’re in for a treat. The specials are always worth a try too; they mix things up just enough to keep you excited without straying from that classic American BBQ core that Mission proudly owns. Pair it with their kettle-brewed iced tea—it’s a must-try, refreshing perfection—and you’ve got a meal that hits all the right spots. What sets this place apart is the sauce game. Every table’s got a lineup of squeeze bottles labeled with state-inspired classics—think tangy Carolina vinegar, sweet Kansas City, or spicy Texas heat. They’re so good you’ll overuse them without a shred of regret, mixing and matching to your heart’s content. The flavors are spot-on and elevate an already stellar meal. Mission BBQ’s patriotism shines through in everything they do, and it’s not just for show. The staff goes above and beyond for veterans, offering generous military discounts and special deals that make you feel truly appreciated. It’s a nod to their mission of honoring service, and as a bonus, they’ve got an awesome rewards system that keeps you coming back for more—freebies and perks pile up fast. The whole place is family-friendly too, with a vibe that welcomes everyone, from kids to grandparents, like it’s your hometown hangout. Cleanliness is another win—every corner sparkles, no matter how busy it gets. The location’s a breeze to find, with plenty of parking every time I’ve swung by, which just adds to the laid-back ease of the experience. Over the years, I’ve watched this place stay true to its roots while treating every customer like they’re part of the family. It’s an American classic through and through—proud, flavorful, and unforgettable. If you haven’t been to Mission BBQ yet, go. You’ll thank me later—five stars doesn’t...

Let me start by saying that Mission Barbecue restaurants are dear to me as their mission is to celebrate our nation's heroes- wit good barbecue. They provide great friendly line service comparable to Chik-fila. The menu is pretty robust (dine in, takeout, catering) and normally has special seasonal features as smoked prime rib, creamy corn, etc. The atmosphere is a collective celebration and memorabilia to military and paramilitary (police, firefighters, first responders) and displays all through the dining area. This new location did not yet have online ordering during my second visit, but I could call my order in ahead for a quicker pickup. I had a dining in and takeout experience here. The staff was super friendly as I expected of Mission BBQ. I did have to wait a few more minutes for my call in takeout order to be constructed after paying in person. It was a pretty busy Sunday after Thanksgiving, and I wasn't the only person craving barbecue. Typically, a server would show you each component of your large takeout order before bagging your order. It didn't occur in the rush, and I missed a couple of my wife's called in items that were on the receipt. The family forgave me somewhat as it was a change from turkey meat leftovers. The brisket, barbecue, and pulled chicken were all moist and delicious! I was able to feed 6 adults with the 3 meat special for less than $150 bucks (no drinks on the takeout). Be sure to pick a few different sauces as well. They offer many in-house exclusive varieties. My dine in experience was days before Thanksgiving. There were parking spots directly in front for Veteran's. Made me smile, so I left it open for an elder Vet. I ordered the pulled pork and two sides with a drink and got salmon and riblets to go. You have to mix the sweet tea with the lemonade if you have any taste buds (50/50). Delaware has no sales tax and my meal was less than $16 bucks. Alabama White and Texas Twang are my sauces of choice. There are ten to choose from. The dining room had an attendant who maintains the cleanliness, and assists dining room customers. They'll get you extra sauces, utensils, etc. The dining experience was jovial and my food was freshly prepared and tasted great. I had to make the dining attendant take a tip as I left. Mission Barbecue is definitely my high-end fast food restaurant and commercially my only national barbecue restaurant. They still get my salute. ...

I started going to Missions in Dover. When it came up north I was concerned that the service wouldn't be the same. Well... after tonight I know for a fact that I didn't have to be concerned; as long as they stay consistent. This evening 5/8/24, between 6:30 - 7pm, Brianna took me and my son's order, she greeted us with a smile, she read our order back to us with no problem. She did forget to give us cups but when it was brought to her attention she immediately gave them to us, with apologies. The young lady, Janessa, when I tell you she was on it, she was on it! She made sure that she offered every condiment, utensils, and then she noticed that we had drinks, that we were drinking and she still offered a cup holder. The Brother in the back, I didn't get his name, but we'll call him Old School, he cut our ribeye perfectly, he cut the ribeyes like he cares! I know you may read this and say ok, they did what they are supposed to do, and your right, but how many times have you gone to get food and the simplest things are ignored example: you go through the drive thru down the road on your 30 min lunch break and you only order fries. You get back to the work, look in your bag, there's no ketchup and not even one napkin in the bag with your fries and now your asking everyone around you if they have ketchup and you may end up eating them w/no ketchup. Everybody knows that if someone orders fries that you need to put at least 2 ketchups in the bag; whether the person eats ketchup or not and at least two napkins, thats standard. So when someone takes the time to do all of those small things they should be recognized because those are the type of people that keep customers coming back! Because I don't care how good your food is, if your customer service suck you've lost me for good! So thank you Brianna, Janessa, and Old School, yall...