Cactus Bob's is one of my favorite places in the Des Moines area. Woody's is pretty good, but their portions is pretty small and Jethro's is always good.
Iowa's Best BBQ Joint?
- Thread starter StClone
- Start date
I haven't explored a plethora of BBQ's but Jethro's has my vote. If you haven't been there, one of them is located right by Drake so you can kill two birds with one stone while cheering on the men's basketball team this year. The other is right by Adventureland in Altoona. I really liked the pulled pork and chicken nachos but have heard great things about everything on the menu, especially briskets. As other's have stated, the sauces are great.
Hard to say which is the best bbq because there are very few really bad ones.
Also - there are so many varieties of bbq (KC, Texas, Carolina, Bama. Memphis, etc.) that people will prefer one over another according to their tastes.
And posters are right when throwing in the experience as well as quality of sides. Even some chains (Famous Dave's) score very high on their side dishes making the "experience" better.
All I know is I encourage people to keep throwing their favorite places out there because I'm making a list and want to try them all.
Also - there are so many varieties of bbq (KC, Texas, Carolina, Bama. Memphis, etc.) that people will prefer one over another according to their tastes.
And posters are right when throwing in the experience as well as quality of sides. Even some chains (Famous Dave's) score very high on their side dishes making the "experience" better.
All I know is I encourage people to keep throwing their favorite places out there because I'm making a list and want to try them all.
Some sauces can be better than mine, but the best bbq meat is in my back yard. Restaurants may have a more consistent product because of equipment, but 90 percent of the time my smoker/grill make better brisket and shoulders than any bbq joint. My whole chickens are better than anyones, every time. JMHO
When Pigs Fly is in Urbandale. Smoked meats are great - I have had the pulled pork and the ribs. Fried okra is excellent as well.
Agree 100%.
And I never use sauce at home although I will leave a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's on the table for anyone that wants it. If you have good natural charcoal, hunks (not chips) of clean bark-free wood, good quality meat, and a decent rub (I make my own but you don't have to), and practice a couple times, you can make better bbq than anything you will find at the local joints. Saucing good bbq is like pouring ketchup over steak in my opinion.
I am gonna hate you, but only because The Pit is second fiddle to Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack in IC.
I would go back to Bandanas, When Pigs Fly, Smokey D's, Jimmy Jacks Iowa City and Hickory Park is alway good. Famous Dave's will do if nothing else is there. Had bad experiences at Jethros, Battles, Dickey's (Davenport). In KC Oklahoma Joes and Jack Stack are my favorites. Would eat at Gates again but not Bryants. Al and Irene's in Cedar Rapids is my cousin's favorite but I don't see me going back.
Oklahoma Joe's rocks. I love my Oklahoma Joe's smoker, which I've put a lot of hours on in the past 3 or 4 years.
All night smoke outs for a BBQ brisket are the best.
Is not run by a member of George's family.
Does use nearly identical recipes.
I've known the owner since we were 14. He's an ISU grad too.
It depends. If you're talking about birds or chops, then I'd agree. But for brisket, ribs, or really any other dark meat with a home-made rub, making a good home-made sauce to compliment the taste only amplifies the flavor IMO.
I even usually like to make a mop and sauce with any leftover rub, as to avoid any clashing flavors. Usually works out well, although when all else fails, I can use my go-to BBQ sauce recipe.
I do agree though, that anything made at home is the best because a) you made it, b) it's cheaper (usually), and c) not mass produced and fits exactly with the taste you want.
This! Blows away anything else I have had in KC. I try to go once or twice a month.
Get there early, line can get pretty bad, or call in your order, that makes life way easier.
Absolutely!
If your in CB, I would give the pulled pork at Boxer BBQ a shot. Very tender with good sauces and the portions are monstrous. I've also heard good things about McKenna's Blues, Booze and BBQ in Omaha/Clear Lake but haven't tried it.
In Des Moines, I think Smokey D's is the best if you are only considering the meats (which if I'm talking BBQ joint, thats what I think). But, if you add in the sides and total expereince, Jethro's passes them in my opinion, their Jalepeno creamed corn, slaw, and Mac and Cheez are all top notch! Nobody does brisket better than Flying Mango.
I am sooooo glad you brought up Sonny's! Even though it is a 'chain' it brings back a ton of memories, especially as a poor college kid... Every night (mon-thu) they have a different all-you-can-eat special! You can't complete the Sonny's experience without a giant bucket of sweet tea!
Kansas City wise, I have had them all except Oklahoma Joes and am kinda partial to Gates... I thought Jack Stacks was very overrated...
I am sooooo glad you brought up Sonny's! Even though it is a 'chain' it brings back a ton of memories, especially as a poor college kid... Every night (mon-thu) they have a different all-you-can-eat special! You can't complete the Sonny's experience without a giant bucket of sweet tea!
Kansas City wise, I have had them all except Oklahoma Joes and am kinda partial to Gates... I thought Jack Stacks was very overrated...
The first review on that link doesn't do Hog Stop any favors:
No pulled pork? No actual brisket? I'm not sure that qualifies as a BBQ joint. I'll stick to Boxer BBQ in CB for my BBQ fix in the Omaha/CB area.
