I'm a fan of this place. the atmosphere is nice and the food is really good, possibly the best in town. Is it the best BBQ I've ever had in my life and justifies waiting 2 hours in line to only be told half the menu has been sold out? Â Maybe not, but ordering for pick up is perfectly reasonable and an excellent choice.
Review Source:If you do not appreciate the quality of food at the Black Dog, you do not appreciate food. Â
The burnt ends are just the beginning of a foodgasm for your brain and belly. Â
The burgers are spectacular, the beef brisket makes you want to call you mom the thank her for birthing you, the corn bread (with chiles, pulled pork inside) is decadent, the late night dogs are sexy messes that a person can only conjure up in fits of mad deliciousness. Â Imagine a high quality dog, on a bun, topped with bacon, a friend egg, and maple syrup mayo. Â
This place is the Ernest Hemmingway of food joints; simultaneously wandering between the realm the simple and the complex .
This place is past being the best BBQ joint in Champaign/Urbana and well into a place of fine BBQ eating among the pantheon of BBQ gods. Â
Please do not eat there. Â It's hard enough to get a seat.
My son's  took me here when I was visiting them at School , this place was packed  and I loved the ambiance , the local Beer selection was  awesome  ,  The Burnt  tips  , the pulled pork,  the brisket/ sausage , their corn bread  was great  I can't say enough about this place
Review Source:Amazing barbeque. Like most people, I love the burnt ends. The blue cheese burger is also amazing. The Texas caviar is a favorite side. They are one of the few places in town with absinthe behind the bar (Seven Saints is the only other one I'm aware of), and they make a delicious sazerac cocktail. The staff is nice. Steve up front can seem a little on the serious side, but I would be too if I was trying to manage the crowd of people who pack in that little area.
Review Source:I had a full rack of ribs with slaw and sweet potato fries as my sides. The ribs were some of the best dry rub ribs I've had: very tender, smokey and meaty. I could not finish a full rack. The fries were on par with any other sweet potato fries I've had anywhere, but the portion size was relatively small and the fries themselves were on the cool side like they'd been cooked and reheated. The slaw was not to my liking. The cabbage was cut too thick, chewy and bitter. Â And while the sauce was a pretty tasty vinegar base, it did nothing to transform the cabbage. The sauce just ran to the bottom of the bowl. I would definitely recommend this place if just for the ribs. Our party of 4 waited about an hour to get in, but the servers were attentive and good at handling large crowds. Â I would have given Black Dog 5 stars if the slaw and fries were better. Â Overall, I love the feel of the place and appreciate a small business that does things well.
Review Source:I loved this place! It is delicious! Make sure to come here early though because the lines are long and they will only seat your party is complete.
We ordered the ribs with the peach sauce. The ribs were yummie but were not fall off the bone type. Â Despite this, the meat was still very tender. With the ribs came two sides. I opted for the spicy potato salad and the sweet potato fries. I liked both the sides but I think I enjoyed the spicy potato salad more.
The corn bread is its own beast. Â It is OUTSTANDING. It is definitely corn bread you probably have never tasted anywhere else. They put moist sweet pork meat in it!!!! What a wonderful surprise. I could eat a bunch of it up!
Overall food was good, service was good, and our food came out fast. A great experience! Looking forward to a return visit!
I went to Black Dog on a recent visit to C-U. Â Based on the reviews here, I was expecting a long wait, but got lucky and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table (I'm sure the miserable weather had something to do with that). Â I can be a touch critic when it comes to BBQ - having spent years living in the southeast and in Texas, I'm familiar with both BBQ traditions. Â Since everything looked so good, I had to get a combination plate. Â My ribs were just so-so - I got the small end, and the meat had gotten pretty dried out, and were perhaps a tad over-seasoned. Â They did have a decent smoke flavor though, and I imagine that if I had gotten the larger pieces I would have liked them significantly better. Â The brisket (my usual favorite) was not particularly good - it was so lean that it had become dry and tough. Â However, the burnt ends really stole the show. Â In case you aren't familiar, they are chunks of the brisket point (not really "burnt", but they spend some extra time in the smoker giving more smoke flavor, and they don't get overly dry because of their higher fat content). Â They had great flavor, with an ideal, tender-but-not-too-tender texture.
My sides were good - surprisingly good fries (skinny cut with a seasoned surface) and apples (a nice complement to BBQ that doubles as a dessert). Â None of the sauces stood out to me, but it was nice that they had a variety. Â If you want to try extra, you can get "half-and-half" if you ask - smaller portions of two different sauces - otherwise, they do charge extra. Â It is a little on the pricey side for BBQ, but given the relative lack of quality options in C-U (and the fact that they're always so busy), I can't fault them for that too much.
Black dog in Urbana food thoughts
Ribs definitely good - savory, smokey, come off the bone easily. 4 stars. Mild critique, possibly a bit too lean, and as a result perhaps on the ever so slightly tough side of acceptable
Burnt ends sandwich - apparently quite good, based on my February 2013 notes. I do remember being rather satisfied with the trip and the food overall
Twice baked potato casserole - also February 2013, basically tastes like the inside of a twice baked potato, which is to say, pretty good
Polish sausage - rather good for what it is, and grows on you throughout the sandwich. Very good toasted french bread bun
Beans - eh, nothing to write home about
Chips and salsa - same, eh
Sauce - nothing knocks it put of the park, but they're all pretty tasty
The best BBQ this side of the Mississippi... I'm not kidding, this stuff is amazing!
Black Dog uses local farms in the majority of their meal production, and it definitely shows! Â The food is fresh, reasonably priced, and finger lickin good, and comes complete with wet naps.
Would have received 5 stars if not for the service... From start to finish, it's lackluster, at best. Â The gentleman host seems checked out and by your presence, and the hipster staff follows suit. Â At times, you feel as though you have to apologize for requiring them to do their job. Â Not to mention that they're trying to push you out the door the minute you receive your entree. There are some exceptions to this (funny, tall hippy guy with great sense of humor, awesome short-haired lady cook, bald, heavily bearded bartender), but the more than few bad apples leave an unfortunate bad taste in your mouth.
If you can get past the service and long waits, this place is amazing!
Oh man... Black Dog... I wish you were closer!! Though I'm considering driving down to Champaign just to indulge in your tasty 'que and brews! Just thinking about you is making my mouth water!
This is a great joint in your are looking for some solid BBQ Â They also have a nice selection of microbrews. Get ready to wait though... We went at 3pm on Saturday and we still waited for a solid 20 minutes! Though the wait during peak lunch and dinner hours is way worse... It's almost painful watching plates of mouthwatering meats pass by you while you stand there helplessly. But trust me, the wait is worth it!
We loved it. Â Some if the best BBQ ever. Â The corn bread was tops and the slaw tasty. Â My wife is a vegetarian and when we discovered the corn bread and red beans and rice both have meat, the server could not have been more accommodating. Â The beer selection is great and our meal was only $35 for two (and that's with two drinks each). Â I may go back tomorrow for lunch!
Late addition. Â We went back and had another great experience. Â This place is the bomb
I'm not from the South, but it seems this is as good as it gets up here in the North. Â What a fantastic place. Â The look, the vibe, the food, the rolls of paper towel anchored to each table. Â The first time I went, someone (maybe the owner) casually dropped off a hot sauce we should try with our food. Â "Here, try this, you might like it," he said modestly. Â It was just right. Â I think this is my new Sunday lunch tradition.
Review Source:I've been frequenting Black Dog for the last few years --I've gone two days in a row and sat at the same table more than once. This seems like the perfect place to make my first review.
I've eaten a lot of Black Dog's entrees, and they're all varying shades of deliciousness. Therefore I'd suggest choosing what you eat based on your mood.
"Let's Play It Safe" -- Pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries
"Give Me More Food" -- Rib tips, with cornbread and collard greens
"I Am A Vegetarian Humoring My Friends" -- Grilled cheese or the portabella mushroom sandwich, with applesauce
"Randomize It!" -- Pick the special of the day
Recently they've started a late night menu -- I've only given it a try once, but I can assure you that it's just as delicious as their mainstays.
Black Dog is constantly crowded around traditional lunch and dinner times due to limited seating. I have a lot of luck eating a late lunch or early dinner between 1PM and 5PM. And of course, the Black Dog team is incredibly awesome. Seriously, just some nice as hell people.
There is lots to love here, but also lots that is just average. Â The building is awesome. Â Right in downtown Urbana. Â A long wood bar with booths along the perimeter. Â Tiled floors, and a great worn in pub feel. Â The service is friendly and they know the menu. Â Food and beer come out relatively quickly.
The beer selection is nice. Â About 8 rotating taps of quality micros from around the nation and some Belgians as well. Â They also have a rotating cask which is great. Â Plenty of bottles as well. Â I enjoyed Summit Oatmeal Stout on cask.
All fine and good, but the food left something to be desired for me. Â I wanted the burnt ends sandwich. Â They were out, that is not a problem at all. Â It is great that they can go through the good stuff like that. Â I ended up with a half rack of pork spare ribs. Â The ribs are very good. Â I did enjoy them, but not great. Â I do not like the BBQ sauce at all. Â it is like a tomato paste, almost marinara like. Â The sides are crap though. Â Mac and cheese seemed like it was sitting out forever. Â Similar to old mac and cheese that has been sitting out and hardened for hours after Christmas diner. Â The slaw seemed almost rancid. Â I could not eat it. Â Luckily I did not get a sandwich that would have been covered in it.
Overall, I really wanted to love this place. Â The meat is very good though not great, and got to love the beer selection. Â As well as a very nice Bourbon selection. Â Though overall, I think the reviews here are a bit of a home town bias. Â I will continue to support these guys, but not up to the hype I had been expecting.
This place is ok, I don't get all the rave reviews!!! Service was kinda bad, and it's too darn small in there ( I felt like it was a complete fire hazard). Â The most troubling thing that I experienced was the gentleman working behind the bar go and grab a handful of cornbread concotion (with NO GLOVES ON) and put in on someones tray!!! I looked down at my cornbread concotion and push it away! Just wrong! and Hickory Rivers' pulled pork is soooo much better than this place!
Review Source:A lot of my reviews lately have been negative. Â Have I just become too picky? Â Are my standards too high?
When I start wondering that, it's time to go to Black Dog. Â
This place is amazing. Â I've been there many times, with many people. Â Virtually everyone has been impressed. Â The sauces are good, the meat is wonderful, and the specials are interesting. Â
If you are a beer fan (I am) they consistently have interesting beer in a variety of styles. Â The taps rotate very frequently, so it's almost always a different set of choices when you go. Â They also get some limited release stuff, like cask-aged beers. Â It's awesome. Â
I'm not as much a cocktail drinker, but they also have their own infused liquors and cocktails made with them. Â
I think the sandwiches are the best deal, and they are consistently great. Â Tender pulled pork, the always-in-demand and frequently out of stock burnt ends, and delicious brisket. Â You can also get the meat on top of a burger for a decadent and delicious treat. Â And the sides are all good too! Â Potato salad with actual flavor instead of just mayonnaise! Â The best sweet potato fries I've ever had! Â
The platters seem like you maybe get a bit less food per dollar, but they're still good. Â I still have to give the nod to Lil Porgies for ribs, overall, but Black Dog is king for sandwiches.
Specials include things like smoked salmon, muffaleta sandwiches, and burritos or tacos. Â
They've had a couple charity nights with homemade ramen.  If you see one of  these and you like ramen at all - go.  This is the closest to real Japanese ramen I've had, with awesome barbecue twists like a hard boiled egg that's been smoked and is still, somehow, gooey in the middle.  Absolutely wonderful.
The downside? Â Black Dog is so good there's often a line. Â It's not a huge place. Â It wouldn't be good at all for a group of more than 6 people. Â And waits of 30 minutes or more are not uncommon. Â Don't be surprised by that - this isn't the place to go for a quick bite. Â (Though they do offer take-out.) Â
Overall? Â Black Dog is really, really good. Â It makes you feel good to eat here. Â If you like barbecue at all - especially Carolina style - you should go here. Â Yes, there will probably be a wait - because the secret's out.
THE GOOD: the cuisine is really great--entrees, appetizers, and drinks all are 4-5 star foods. I would recommend the the corn bread (it has bits of BBQ pork in it) to start, the chicken sandwich for an entree (its free range and you can tell the difference) and whatever beer is on the "nitro tap" (it makes the beer really creamy).
THE BAD: customer service is very poor. in order to be seated all of your party must be present. I was hassled because 5 out of 6 of us where there. I understand if 1 person is holding a table down for 6 but 5/6? C'mon. Also, servers have been cold, short, and gruff with my tables. On the whole, the staff comes off very pretentious.
HOW TO FIX: right now you are walk in, consider a reservation system; expand your seating area/kitchen to accommodate more customers; ask your staff to be friendly (not many of them smile, honestly!) and understanding (especially in situations like the ones I described); try and give off the vibe that you appreciate our town in which you have been so successful.
STAY or GO: I wouldn't pick Black Dog for a meal but I would go if someone else wanted to.
I'm not even much of a BBQ fan, but this place is excellent! Â By far the best place for for barbecue in the CU. Â Loved the pulled pork, burnt ends, even the fries were great! Â The potato casserole is amazing. Â Good beer selection. Â Fun, casual bar atmosphere and the food comes out on metal pans :)
Get here early, because it's a small space and fills up quick. Â There is usually quite a line, sometimes out the door. Â It's worth it!
Darn it! Why there is nothing like this place in my town? I'm just jealous with UIUC kids.
I got there, it was packed so my friends and I have to wait around 15-20 minutes, I'll accept that. Sat down and we ordered the famous burnt ends (TWICE!), sweet potato fries and ribs. Ordered the beers and as a moderate fan of beer, I'll have to say that they have the right beer in stock. Food came, I have to keep myself not to swallow the food because OMG everything was delicious! Especially the burnt ends, it just melts above your tongue and that is why we ordered it twice.
Place is always packed but hey, the wait will always be worth it!
Who would have thought that Champaign, Illinois can put out the best barbecue? You lucky UIUC kids, I'm jealous!
Last September, I went to Black Dog for the first time on a double date. We had a 40-minute wait but time flew by in their awesome draft beer selection. They ran out of the famous burnt ends (meat cut from the point half of a smoked brisket) by the time we sat down, but everything else was delicious so I promised myself to go back. And I did, 3 times! It has become a tradition for my boyfriend and me. The quality of their food and beer is amazingly consistent.
The burnt ends turned out to be perfectly charred, moist and smokey. On top of that, their hot polish and chicken are just mind blowing. I never pick chicken over beef/pork at bbq places, until I reached my fork into my friend's Black Dog chicken platter :P But tonight, we got another surprise...Smoke Duck Special, which has now made Thursday night the best night! Both the duck and the chicken are worth trying. They not too greasy and deliciously spiced.
Last but not least, I have fallen in love with their sides and bbq sauces. You can't go wrong with the sweet potato fries and the vinegar based slaw, also, the cornbread has BRISKET in it! I know the bbq sauce variety does not help your decision making. If you like something with a little "zing" or "kick", I suggest the Hot Georgia Peach and the mustard.
You will see a line, possibly overflowing outside of the door. Â It is there for a reason. Â Find the gentleman or the lady taking the names for the queue and just wait... patiently... Â Black Dog's food is a privilege rewarded only to the most patient and determined. Â Take a note of the daily lunch and dinner specials. Â Some of those are really unique. Â If they haven't run out of the burnt ends, get that. Â Otherwise close your eyes and randomly point at something on the menu. Â Doesn't matter really because everything is top notch. Â If you are hungry, get the corn bread appetizer as well. Â As far as the sides go, the casserole is a crowd favorite. Â I also like the pit beans and the sweet potato fries. Â If your item has bbq sauce, note that you have some options besides the house one, all of them offering a different flavor experience. Â This place deserves 6 stars and then some.
Review Source:I took some out of town family members here for lunch this past Sunday. It was crowded, yes. A lot of people look at the line and immediately turn around. Keep in mind, there isn't a lot of room to stand indoors and wait for tables. It's a pretty small place, but the wait is WORTH it!
We started with the burnt ends. If you don't go early, you won't get them. They run out quickly (there's only so many of them since they come off the brisket). They melt in your mouth. They are ridiculously delicious. We also split the smoked wings. The sauce they put on them seems to be a spiced up version of their Carolina Red sauce. They were awesome.
For entrees we had quite a mix. The salmon was great. I even tried the beet salad with goat cheese. Not a normal menu item. I should say that I can't stand beets normally. These were good and I kept sneaking bites of my husband's! The brisket was perfect as was the smoked Polish. My dad loved his catfish, too.
What really made the meal was our server Matthis (spelling? Sorry if it's wrong). He was funny, friendly and fast. Our drinks were never empty and he seemed to really care that we were happy.
I wish it wasn't always so busy. I guess it's because the food is so delicious. Like I said though, it's worth the wait. Thanks to everyone there for a great lunch!
The best restaurant in the Champaign/Urbana area regardless of type of food, no question. I am originally from L.A and an almuni of the U of I, and in my 4 years in the area, this place consistently serves up the best meals. Whenever I go back down to school, I always make sure I go to Black Dog.
Logistics: They won't seat you until your full party is there, and make sure you arrive on the earlier side of whatever meal you plan on going to (5,5:30pm is a good bet for dinner, 11am or so for lunch). The waiting area inside is very small, but there is a nice size bar and tvs.
Food: Everything i've ever had from here is great. A go-to is always the combos, and obviously the BURNT ENDS have to be part of whatever creation you make. The ribs, pulled pork, brisket, rib tips, and all of the sandwiches and specials i've tried are delicious. There are some excellent sauces- Hot Georgia Peach and Carlina Red are my 2 favorites. As for sides, the thing to order is baked potato casserole- that alone might be the single best dish on my plate. They have specials all of the time and new dishes that are creative and unique.
Beer: Always some local, midwest brews on tap, and they change it up very frequently. The beers they offer are seasonal, the the fall/winter beers are particularly tasty. A great place to get a great meal, some good beers, and watch some games.
Service: The service is as good as the food, which is remarkable considering how busy the place gets. There always seems to be 2 waiters around which doesn't seem like much and really isn't- and they do run around, but the service is always fast, pleasant, and attentive. You never feel rushed, the waiters never seem to be too stressed, and they really do a great job.
Surprisingly good BBQ in a small town! Â The sauces can be REALLY spicy, and I can handle my fair share of spiciness! Â
The habanero and other sauce are different here... I've had spicy food/sauces that burn all the way through and linger for a long time, but Black Dog has sauces that burns going down, then it disappears (to give you hope), and reappears within 30 seconds to a minute... and then it burns and lingers for a long time. Â MADNESS! Â
IF you're in Urbana-Champaign, try this spot!
HANDS DOWN BEST FOOD IN THE AREA. Im currently living and San Diego but I grew up in Champaign/Urbana Illinois and until this place, the only comparable business was lil porgy's, not that I don't love porgy's, but this is just on another level of good.
I know its hard to get their beef brisket BURNT ENDS. But if you can get their early enough on the weekend its worth the wait. I can't say enough good things about this place. Even their own sauces are amazing.
You won't leave unsatisfied. I promise. Unless you don't like good BBQ, then you're weird anyways.
While I can't say a lot about this place that hasn't been said, I can definitely back up the rest of the reviews and say that this place is the real deal.
I've only had a handful of their menu items, but my favorite is the Black Dog burger. Definitely is a must try for first time visitors. Also another thing that I must add is that their fries are absolutely divine!
The only (and I mean ONLY) drawback from giving this joint five stars is that it takes awhile to get seated. I know it's popular because it's so good, but there isn't a lot of seating to begin with. My only advice to combat this is to just arrive early and expect to always have to wait a little bit.
I've heard so much about how great Black Dog is, and finally got a chance to try it this past weekend. Â Having heard that the burnt ends sell out quickly, my friends and I got there at 5 (apparently the have a batch of burnt ends at 11 AM and 5 PM) to a minimal line, and got seated after about 10 minutes of waiting. Â As good as everything on the menu sounded, I knew I had to have the burnt ends, so I ordered a burnt ends sandwich.
I took my first bite of my burnt ends sandwich and instantly the only things I could think were, "Oh my god this is amazing" and "What have I been doing the last four years of my life?". Â The burnt ends had a delicious smoke flavor which were complemented very well by the Carolina Red BBQ sauce, which has a slight bit of heat. Â I also enjoyed the soft cornmeal dusted bun that the meat came on. Â I found this sandwich to go really well with the draft Arrogant Bastard that I had. Â For my side I had the regular fries, which were good, but nothing extraordinary. Â The burnt ends were the true standout here. Â
It's a shame I didn't come here before I ended up graduating, but I guess I avoided gaining 10 pounds from eating here all the time if I did.
Seated in the heart of downtown Urbana, this restaurant gives the BBQ lover and anyone who loves a laid back, eclectic environment essentially nirvana. The help is great, and while you may wait a bit because it's generally busy (We went at 3:00 on Saturday and had a 10 minute wait), it's well worth it. Their menu is extensive and their selection of spirits was something that was pleasantly surprising. We all had different things and everyone was happy with their choices, and if you are a BBQ enthusiast, the house BBQ is definitely different, with a tangy vinegary taste with a nice smoky kick to it.
If you haven't been there and have the opportunity, run, don't walk!!!
Came here after my friends all raved about it. We arrived and there was a brief wait. I figured, hmmm...there are people here...that's a good sign. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
Here's what I got:
-combination platter with catfish, brisket, sweet potato fries, and double baked potatoes (for how much I paid I was expecting a larger portion; brisket was good; the catfish had an odd taste and odor - didn't really care for it; I had to pay extra for the sweet potato fries but it came with like 5 fries!! Grr. The twice baked potatoes were ok but suuuuuuper small cup of it)
-burnt ends (DELISH)
The food was a disappointment but the service was even worst! The server asked how the daiquiri was and my friend said it wasn't what she expected and he pounced on her interrogating her for why she didn't like it. IM SORRRY YOUR DRINKS AREN'T GOOD. You never attack the customer! So rude. He should've apologized and offered her another drink. Later he asked about the food and we mentioned the catfish and he had the same reaction! I was stunned.
Overall, the food and service left much more to be desired...
Hands down the best restaurant in Champaign. Â Really. Â Every regular menu item is fantastic (the pork, the brisket, the polish, catfish, etc. etc. etc.) Â The bbq sauces are amazing as well. Personally I like the chipotle, its spicy and amazing. Â The carolina red is great as well with a nice kick, and the hot georgia peach is an awesome combo of sweet and spicy. Â If it were just for this it would already be 5 stars. Â But it isn't just this.
The specials might be even better than the regular bbq. Â The cuban is the best cuban I've ever had. Â The pastrami is the best pastrami I've ever had. Â The new turkey club (twice a week) is THE BEST turkey sandwich I've ever had. Â The fried cod on Friday might be the best sandwich all week. Â Finally, the tacos and burritos here can stand up to Maize any day.
And then there's the beer. Â Different craft beers every time you go in there. Â Place is just awesome.
I think your experience of the Black Dog's atmosphere is largely contingent upon what sorts of restaurants you've been to in the past and how you expect to be treated by the people who are serving you/cooking you food for the evening.
If you tend to go out to restaurants like, say, Chili's or Friday's, where the servers are obligated to be saccharine to the point of nausea, then hey! you probably won't like The Black Dog's atmosphere because you'll think the servers, host or bartenders are rude for not falling all over themselves to do your bidding.
I personally love the Black Dog, primarily for the food. If I had one complaint about the place it would be that it gets pretty cramped. Probably once a week I entertain the notion of going to eat here and have to decide against it because of how ridiculously busy it is. I know The Black Dog isn't hurting for business and I might even be doing them a favor by not going to dine with them on their busier evenings, but GOD, I love them so much. Why do you constantly rebuff my advances, Black Dog?
The Black Dog is hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. I've loved everything I've tried on the menu thus far. Â The portions are always more than enough, and the food is, frankly, under-priced for the amount and quality of food you get. The first time I went I expected to pay $15 an entree and was shocked to find it was far cheaper. Pay this place a visit, even if you have to wait 40 minutes to be seated. Worth it.
I, like everyone else, have a hard time finding anything bad to say about this place.
I almost always get the beef brisket and a beer, but their pulled pork, chicken, and polish are amazing, as well. Â One visit, they had pozole, which was pretty damn good. Â The sweet potato fries are a must, but every other side I've tried is amazing, too: pit beans, regular fries, baked potato casserole, and on and on.
It's got a very casual vibe that I like, but it's also not so casual that it's trashy. Â There's often local abstract art on the walls, but there's also a huge jug of tequila and pineapple on top of the fridge. Â So, there's a desirable balance.
Since this place now has a rep, lunch and dinner times are sometimes kind of crazy. Â If you can hit it around 3 p.m. during the week, you usually won't have to wait for a table.
The prices are fair, as long as you don't go too nuts with the beer.
What can I say that hasn't been said before? I met my boss here for lunch on a sunny Monday afternoon. We were quickly greeted by we had 2 more people yet to show up so we had to wait for them to be seated.
As soon as our party was there, we were quickly ushered to a table and greeted by our server.
He informed us that he had been overhearing our conversations at the table and was happy to report that they did have burnt ends and explained to one of my lunch mates what a mufelleta was and what it was made of today. This was a great touch - what an easy way to make a quick and easy impression on a table!
So, I got my burnt ends sandwich, along with sweet potato fries - which I had been told were AMAZING. I also ordered their beans.
We also ordered the cornbread... which was delish!!! I recommend it highly. It was moist, slightly spicy... and full of amazingness!
The burnt end sandwich was increds. Cooked to perfection and flavored wonderfully with a Carolina Red sauce.
The sweet potato fries weren't amazing - they were AH-MAY-ZING!!!!!
The beans were delish as well - and did not need for me to add in any sauce or anything, which is my usual habit.
I have to say... I have been coming to central Illinois for years and I am pissed it took until today for me to get to this place.
I will be back... probably every trip to central Illinois!!!
This might be the best barbecue that I have had in the Midwest. I'm straining my brain to think of better. I spent three years in Texas where I became a real lover of all things barbecue. Black Dog knocked my socks off.
We started with chicken wings. They arrived too hot to touch and glazed in the house standard Carolina BBQ sauce. They were great. Then we shared two combination platters which included brisket, sausage, pulled pork, ribs, twice baked potatoes, slaw, pit beans and sweet potato fries. We had a flight of BBQ sauces which included Carolina, Texas Georgia peach hot and mild, chipotle, Milo's mustard and a vinegar. Get the flight. The diversity of the sauces is half the fun.
Keep in mind that you are in a college town and the atmosphere is busy, bustling and full of college kids. I enjoyed it, and actually prefer it over a faux-texan theme with a bunch of cowboy junk on the walls.
Great beer selection also. I'll be back next time I'm in Urbana.
Meh, I've experienced better. Certainly not a place I'd go for a relaxing dining experience.
Went on a Thursday night, and was ushered in to two seats at the end of the bar by the hostess. The bartender/server was nice and was around enough to take our order, and the service was very efficient, almost too efficient. I certainly felt rushed to order, eat my food, pay my bill, and leave so the people waiting could eat. I've been to much busier BBQ places like Oklahoma Joes in Kansas City that operates a similar size joint  out of a gas station and it's all self seating, and although most people won't sit there all day while others wait, they don't hurry you out after you've waiting your turn in line. I probably still had half my food on my plate when I was asked "are you all done with that?"... seriously?
As for the food, I ordered the cornbread appetizer, and the pork inside was a interesting touch, which I liked. Before we could finish our cornbread the food was already served. I got the pulled pork/brisket combo with twice baked casserole and slaw. The sides were pretty good, though my GF's potato salad had zero flavor. The meat was nothing special. Yes, it was tender, but the pulled pork almost looked roasted rather than smoked, and having an ice cream scoop shaped pork was kinda odd. Â
The house sauce was what really killed it for me. I really couldn't put my finger on what I don't like about it but the sweet, smoky, kick it has just doesn't do anything for me but overpower the flavor of the meat.
And like everyone else says, the place is packed and cramped all the time. If this place is so great then they should give the customer a good overall dining experience and not just rely on their food. I'll try going back again sometime, and who knows I may hit the lottery and be able to get their seemingly impossible to get burnt ends.
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