After reading all the mystery and lore on yelp and tripadvisor we journeyed our way to Q L barbecue from Hartford City. There was a sign posted showing that they were renovating and had an address that led us over near Ball State University. We parked the car and walked through the snowy evening into Grandma Betty's ice cream/Q L barbecue.
  Upon entering we were asked, by one descendant of QL, "ice cream or BBQ?". We were the only ones there. It was quiet in there. Too quiet. As if it might have doubled as a  happy endings BBQ shack. The back I could see personal belongings you'd find in a U Store It. Bicycles, great big picture frames, a cot, computers. And the back door was open save a screen door that led to the back parking lot. I felt weird ordering. Like they wanted us to order so that we could eat there poisoned BBQ an become a mindless zombie. Anyway, they take credit card only through an app on his HTC Status that took about 8 long minutes to process. If you don't feel comfortable letting them type your credit card number on their cell phone then BRING CASH. There's also an ATM around the corner. Drinks are expensive and their hot tea is hot.The pork sammiches weren't for the faint of heart vegetarian. What I'm trying to say is, we got our money's worth. For 2.50 you get an amazing pulled pork perfection love experience.
  Mmmmm. Go. Now. They're ribs we're very meaty. The sauce may be too sweet for some. To obtain sweet AND spicy sauce on ribs it will cost a bit extra. So in place we did half and half for free. I couldn't tell when I hit the spicy which left a bit to be desired in that department. Really great food. Got 4 sammiches and a half slab of ribs for 18 bucks. Not bad. Great great food. Great reviews and I wasn't disappointed at all. Fun experience driving around town for it and there was even a beautiful picture of QL hisself on the wall.
my husband and I drove by looking for this establishment today and there is no evidence that it is in business. Â looks like a shabby neighborhood and we were really hesitant to get out of our car to investigate. Â i stopped to ask for directions prior to finding the place and the person told me they didn't think it was still open.
Review Source:I have had a lot of BBQ across the nation. Â This one has all the rest beat. Â This is not a sit down restaurant. The credit card reader may or may not be working. Â Rendevous in Memphis is good. Bryans in Dallas pretty good. Â North Carolina style different, but not what I am looking for. Â Everywhere down south are the Sonny's--boring.
Pulled pork is good, but a bit greasy. Â The father used to drain it a lot better than the present generation. Â Chicken is good, but be careful about what you are licking the sauce off of--it just might be the head of the chicken.
Went here for the first time recently. The gentleman who served me at the drive-up window was kind and responsive. Food came quickly. After all the yelp reviews, could hardly wait to dig in to the ribs.
I bbq frequently at home at an expert level and know good ribs when I get them away from home. I ordered a full slab and sat down at the nearby park to eat them on a picnic table on a nice day. The ribs were placed in a white styrofoam container that held them well. They were in clumps, meaning 2-3 bones each clump and they were spare ribs with a lot of the tips still there. The tips and the brisket, in my opinion should not be sold as ribs. When I order ribs, I want all ribs, either loin backs (baby backs) or spare ribs cut St. Louis style (tips removed). 50% of this offering was tender, while the portion that did not belong was tough and chewy as expected. Only one other bbq place did this, The Pointe in Anderson.
The biggest positive was the sauce and the fresh bread slices to soak it up. I got and recommend the spicy bbq sauce that drenched the meat heavily. Probably the best sauce anywhere. The negative was the lack of smokey flavor on the ribs achieved from fruit woods, oak or hickory. Smokey flavor was lacking and the meat quality was cheap, no doubt full of anti-biotics and hormones common in the cheapest cuts. For me that spells a headache after eating, that's how I know. Granted the cheap prices at QL's had to be achieved somehow.
Next time I'll try the pulled pork with the spicey sauce. I'm predicting a much better choice. Very scenic drive getting to QL's along the river and park nearby. Great for an explorer such as myself.
Q L's BBQ, definitely part of the "Muncie Dining Trifecta" (along with Pizza King and Burkies).
In the end, what we're all after is great tasting BBQ at a great price. Â Q L's delivers (well not literally)! Â Don't expect anything less and DEFINITELY don't expect any more.
There's no place to sit, the "drive-in" squawk box looks like it could fall down any day now, there are bars on the windows, there is a large gravel parking area (why I haven't a clue as it's drive-thru / take out only) and the building itself is a couple of decades past needing a good coat of paint.
Who cares!
It's among the best BBQ you'll get anywhere in the mid-west and at a cost that fits any budget.
QL's is one of the best BBQ joints in the state of Indiana. Â QL's is a drive-thru restaurant. The place is definitely a hole in the wall, but in my experience these types of places serve the best BBQ. Â I recommend the rack of ribs which are slathered in a sweet and tangy sauce. Â If you like spicy food, ask to have them from the barrel, which I have found is the only way to go. Â
Be sure to bring cash and call ahead as they have very bizarre hours.
Evidently QL's has been serving barbeque in Muncie since the 40s. Â I believe the story was he started in his garage and built up a following and later a more professional enterprise. Â He put his kids through school with it, and now grandkids are the operators. Â This is absolutely no frills and a bit out of the way, but QL's is known as the quintessential Muncie BBQ. Â I've even read about Germans having it dipped in nitroglycerin and flown to Mainz. Â
Call ahead, as hours can be erratic. Â Thursday through Saturday are your best bets.
I chose the "Meat Tips," essentially pulled pork and odds and ends slathered in a sweet, vinegary sauce. Â Buy three and get one free! Â Also, we picked up an order of 7 whole wings. Â These were slightly overcooked, but smoked and flavorful. Â I've been on a "real" mac kick, and QL's didn't disappoint. Â It was a pint of rich, peppery, wet mess - almost more the consistency of baked beans than a standard mac, but fantastic. Â Each meat order was served with two slices of wheat bread. Â In the past, it'd always been white, but times are changing. Â Luckily, QL's isn't mucking about with the important recipes.
We overfed 4 grown men for less than $20 and were all stricken by the "itis." Â Â
Located right at the northern end of the White River Greenway, one could easily stop in at the end of a bike ride and enjoy a greasy, messy, picnic. Â
Drive up only, but surprisingly takes plastic!
In all the world, there is no eatery with a lower "Frills Factor" than Q L's.
There is also no better pulled pork.
I say this with authority, as i have searched the world for pulled pork.
If you can get  there when it is open, if you can find it, and if you bring cash, be prepared for the finger licking-est BBQ sauce in these United States.
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