Today I stumbled across Baton Rouge's worst barbecue joint, Deep South Barbecue. I went with the brisket and rib plate. To start with, this was by far the worst brisket I have ever had. It was dry, tough, and just plain tasted horrible. I would imagine that canned brisket in water (I've seen it before) would have to taste better than this.

Next I started on the ribs. I’m not going to downplay the taste that much. It was just alright, but not that bad. The bad part was the horrible quality of the meat. It too was tough and really stuck to the bone.

On the side I ordered the spaghetti and cheese and baked beans (AKA Bush's Baked Beans). Well we all love us some Bush's, but where is the creativity here guys. The Spaghetti and cheese here is just another classic spin off of every other barbecue restaurants and it was bland and pretty boring. I'll be staying away from this place for a while.

Food Rating: .5 out of 5 Bones Down!

Service
The service was pretty slow, especially for it being the usual assembly line barbecue restaurant. They made about four others plates before they got to ours.

Service Rating: 1 out of 5 Bones Down!

Atmosphere
I guess there is really nothing good to say about my experience at Deep South barbecue. The food was terrible, the service was slow and now I get to talk about the dinginess of the building. the place is a total dive. It is a very old building, missing a ceiling with sub-par dining furniture. On top of that, it's really not in the greatest neighborhood either.
Atmosphere Rating: 0 out of 5 Bones Down!


Overall: 1.5 Out of 15

Deep South Barbecue
6810 Plank Rd
Baton Rouge, LA 70811
(225) 356-5177

Featuring Special Guest: Gavin (Capt. Spaulding)

Today's restaurant review took us to Podnuh's Barbecue where I met up with my guest Gavin. I was in the barbecue mood today and wanted to try something new. What better place than one of Baton Rouge's original barbecue joints.

We both ordered the two meat plate with two sides. I went with the brisket and ribs with macaroni and baked beans and Gavin gave the pulled pork and ribs a go with a side of macaroni and tater' salad.

When we sat down, I noticed Gavin eyeballing his plate like a fat kid alone in his moms kitchen with a pack of cupcakes. He then looked up and said," I can't wait to slather this meat all over my face!" Lmao.

The first thing I tried on my plate was the brisket. Pretty good. A little tough. Not the best or worst I've ever had. Next I dug into the sides. The Macaroni was great and the baked beans (I have to give props to) had a unique flavor that was sweet, smoky and very delicious.

Last but not least was the ribs. The ribs were a little tough (didn't really fall off the bone), but feature a great rub with a solid smoky flavor. These ribs in my opinion go better wet with Podnuh's signature barbecue sauce that has a sweetly seasoned flavor.

On the other side of the table, Gavin continued to woof down his food. He bragged on the pulled pork, remarking on its flavor and tenderness. When it came to the ribs, Gavin agreed. I guess us fat boys know ribs!

Food Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Bones Up!

Service
When we got to Podnuh's, the place was packed with a lunch crowd. They were a little slow at first, but soon got the line moving. The chef was nice and did not rush me to decide. So many choices!

Service Rating: 4 out of 5 Bones Up!

Atmosphere
Podnuh's has that All-American smokehouse barbecue atmosphere. The wood, L-shaped building with the butcher block and long order table. The building is old, but the place was clean and spacious.

Atmosphere Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Bones


Overall: 12 Out of 15

Podnuh's Bar-B-Q
7026 Florida Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 926-3341
‎www.podnuhs.com

While driving through the area a couple of weeks ago, I passed by BJ's Mesquite Smokehouse (a food trailer running off a generator that sits on the foundation of an old building with a smoker pit around back.

At first I giggled, laughing at the idea of a restaurant running off of a generator, until I rolled down my window my smelled the salivating aroma of Mesquite barbecue. I knew I would be coming back here soon to try it out.

There are pretty much three things on the menu here: Ribs, Brisket, or Sausage. I decided to try the brisket and the ribs with beans and macaroni on the side. The first thing I tried was the brisket. Now if I'm lying, I'm buying! This is the BEST BRISKET I've had in the Baton Rouge area. It was by far the most tender I've had. The juices poured from it. It was so flavorful and had a great smoky mesquite flavor.

The Ribs, I’m not going to claim are the best in the area, but they rank high in my list. The Mesquite ribs were very flavorful and the meat fell off the bones nicely. Very good jobs guys!

When the meal was about over, the cook brought me out a link of their homemade pork sausage (trying to earn those service points I guess!) The pork sausage was good, although it really had more of a boudin flavor. However, it was very juicy and had a great seasoning to it.

I will definitely be coming back to this hidden treasure.

Food Rating: 5 out of 5 Bones Up!

Service
The service was fast and like I said, they brought me out a free link of pork sausage without them knowing I was reviewing the place. Bonus points for them!

Service Rating: 5 out of 5 Bones Up!

Atmosphere
Hmmm, this is a toughy being that it’s a food trailor. I guess you could say that the atmosphere changes with the seasons. The only problem I would say is that its not in a greatest part of town and there is only one table to sit at and eat. More of a to-go place I guess.

Atmosphere Rating: 3 out of 5 Bones (I'll go middle of the road here)


Overall: 13 Out of 15

BJ's Mesquite Smokehouse BBQ
Corner of Government & 14th St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
(225) 774-0840

Since moving to the area all I have heard people talk about is how great Wayne's Barbecue is. "You will not find a better barbeque place around, it’s wonderful, blah, blah, blah", they always say. So on a late lunch one day, I decided to hop in my truck and take a drive down to ole Wayne's Barbecue in the town of Livingston.

As you first set eyes on Wayne's, the first thing that comes to mind is "Prepare to Dive". This small dive has all the visual characteristics of what could be the making of great hole-in-the-wall restaurant. As I walked in obvious regulars filled the room, munching down on the usual and the aroma of smoky barbecue filled my nostrils. As with any barbecue place I go to, Ribs are what’s always on my mind. I went for the rib lunch and decided I would steal a few bites of my colleagues brisket (what this place is supposedly known for) once we sat down.

I opened my styrofoam box (nothing fancy here) and dove straight into the ribs. At first the taste was very good. Sweet and Smoky, a lot of meat, and probably some on the most tender ribs I have had in the area. But of course being me, I had to find something wrong with it. My only complaint was the quality of the meat. It was very fatty on parts and the tips were too hard for me to chew. Now I know tips are supposed to be nice and toasty, but these things could kill if flung across a room. On the side I had mac & cheese and green beans. It was good, nothing unusual or different about it. After cleaning my plate, it was time to sneak a few pieces of brisket from my friends plate.

"Look over there, its Wayne!!!" I shouted to him. As he turned his head, I grabbed the brisket and carefully hid it under my napkin. He turned back never noticing.

After settling down from all the excitement, i proceeded to try my first piece of brisket. It was delicious. It was tender, juicy & flavorful. I really recommend it to anyone looking for quality brisket, just make sure you order it and not something else so you don’t have to steal it from a friend later.

Food Rating: 3 out of 5 Bones

Service
The service was as good as it could be. They take your order, hand you the plate of food and then you are on your own from there. Good luck!

Service Rating: 4 out of 5 Bones

Atmosphere
Some people like dives and I am one of those people. There is however one question I keep pondering over and over again. "Is Wayne’s supposed to be a dive?" It seems to me that it was at one time a clean, nice restaurant but the years have not been kind to it. Either the owner is a genius (and a little old) or its time for some major remodeling. I can't decide, so I'll go middle of the road on this one.

Atmosphere Rating: 2 out of 5 Bones


Overall: 9 Out of 15

Wayne’s Barbecue
29285 S Frost Rd
Livingston, LA 70754
(225) 686-7427‎

Well, Im gonna be the spoiler on this one. I was not impressed with the Baby Back Ribs at all! My dogs chew toy is more tender! Along with that, there was little meat on each bone and you had to work hard to get it off.

Im not gonna knock the entire meal however. The Mac and Cheese was the bomb! Definatley not something poored out of a box and into a pot of boiling water. It was rich, it was creamy, well, it was just plain awesome. By the way, the pork and beans wasnt that bad either.

I know its a shame I went to a BBQ restaurant and all I'm yappin about is the mac and cheese, but thats really all there is to talk about from this visit. Now, I've had better experiences with past visits, and really recommend the Smokin Ribs, but of course come review time, its just not gonna turn out the way it has in previous visits.

Food Ratings: 2 out of 5 Bones Down

Service
Service? Im not even going there, even though she did say one thing to us the entire time I was there, "What do you want?"!

Service Rating: 0 out of 5 Giblets

Atmosphere
This place has the kind of country BBQ atmosphere you would expect to find in most Pitt BBQ places. It had the twangy country music, the cheap antique country decor, and lots of wood paneling. It played as most BBQ restaurants would, but one thing really matters to me and that is cleanlisness. It had that, so it was just fine for me.

Atmosphere Rating: 3 out of 5 Giblets


Overall: 5 Out of 15

Sonny's Barbecue
512475 Florida Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
(225) 272-5028