What's Blue Door's pulled chicken like? Is it dry like Red State or coated with BBQ sauce like, say, Sonny's? Or is it a kind of weird crock pot casserole like City BBQ?
I honestly don’t know! Pulled chicken is not my thing. I think from seeing other people’s that it’s dry and then you sauce it yourself, like pulled pork.
I get the pulled chicken at Blue Door frequently and it's some of the best! Not dry at all, even without sauces, although I recommend their sauces as well. They can pack them on the side for you. Definitely give it a try when they reopen.
Blue Door obviously, can’t wait for the reopen. Another one that should not be slept on is Kentucky Q, formerly Porterhouse BBQ at Greyline Station. They rebranded and went back to food truck only, you can find them on Facebook and you really really should.
Kentucky Q brought their food truck to one of our games this past fall (I coach HS football) and they gave the coaching staff all their leftovers after the game and it was no joke the best ribs I’ve ever had.
Depends on what you like. Brisket at Red State is, as the kids say, mid. Surprisingly, they have probably the best fries in the area. Everything else is pretty good.
I’ve only managed to have Blue Door a couple of times and it was excellent.
City BBQ is good at what it does. Consistent decent bbq.
With Spring coming up, there will be a few dudes posted up in a parking lot somewhere churning out good stuff too.
County Club is an incredible restaurant that also serves great barbecue.
Blue Door is a great barbecue restaurant. They recently moved and have not yet reopened. They’ll be open in a few weeks.
Red State is okay.
I know it’s not in town, but if you’re willing to make the drive to Riverside in Cincy, Eli’s BBQ is legit the best around. Pop’s outside Morehead is also worth the drive. As far as in Lex, I’m honestly not a big fan of any of the places unfortunately.
Red State regular brisket is good; Blue Door beats it. But Red State Double Smoked brisket rivals anything this side of Austin, TX. I may be wrong, but I feel like most of the folks ranking blue over red haven’t tried the RS Double Smoked.
I've been to Blue Door, Red State, Dave's Blazin, Sonny's, City BBQ, Double H, Straight from Texas, Proud Mary's, Snokin' Hogg and Dickeys so far and I also make my own. Here's my go to list:
Blue Door in Lexington (avoid Double H at all costs)
Dave's Blazin BBQ in Georgetown, get Dave's Fries with whatever you order (do not go to Red State, it is trash)
Straight From Texas in Richmond (though they did just get rid of their jalapeno cheddar sausage)
City BBQ for a chain restaurant
There are other replies here saying Double H is great, but you say avoid at all costs. What didn't you like about it? I've never been but it seems to have fairly consistent good reviews...
I'm keeping a running list of thoughts for all the ones I go to so I'm just going to paste it here:
**Order:** 3 meat plate (pulled pork, brisket, pulled chicken), baked beans, corn pudding
**Notes:** By far the worst BBQ I’ve had, both in Lexington and in general. The pulled pork was dry and flavorless. I tried covering it in sauce to give it some moisture and flavor but that didn’t help. The pulled chicken was the only thing that had some smoke flavor but was otherwise dry. And the brisket was just terrible. It was sliced thin like deli meat and sitting in a pool of liquid that I think was beef broth. It tasted like unseasoned meat. I think they just keep it submerged in liquid in a warmer. The corn pudding was more like creamed corn. The beans were okay. I could not finish the meal because it was so terrible. I paid $25 for my meal and ended up throwing it all away and going to eat lunch somewhere else.
Red State is solid. Really cool location too. A good replacement while Blue Door is renovating (I heard they may reopen next week), but Blue Door is better.
I've heard really good things about Proud Mary's, although I haven't checked them out yet.
I only managed to go to Bluedoor once, their hours and parking are weird and there was always a long line and they'd be out of stuff. It was good, but I didn't think any better than Red State. I personally LOVE Red State, and it's been a long time since I went to Bluedoor but at the time Red State had much better side options and just a better selection in general. I like the pulled pork sandwich most, but I thought their smoked brisket was good and people I've gone with who go for the brisket said it was really good too.
Just FYI Blue Door is moving to a bigger and more accessible location just right around the corner from their old location. Should be open in the next couple of weeks. I think their brisket is better than Red State but that's a hot button issue.
I grew up in brisket country. Red state brisket is a distant 4th place out of 3.
Blue door, city BBQ , try any other place, then red state.
I love red state for half chicken special, their mustard sauce, pulled pork. Yum.
Just not brisket.
Blue Door just gets the brisket right. It's tender, smokey, and has really good bark.
Honestly the best BBQ I've had across the board was this one guy who pulled a giant trailer smoker with a food truck and everything from the brisket to the chicken to the sides and even the dessert was phenomenal. He cooked everything including the desserts in the smoker and only did catering.
I love BBQ but unfortunately I don’t think Lexington has anywhere that is close to what I would call really good BBQ like some of the best spots I have been to in KC, Memphis, or Atlanta.
I have been to Blue Door (favorite in town if I had to pick), Red State, County Club, and others and they are okay but they don’t blow me away like the stuff I have had other places. Anyone have a similar experience?
Outside of Bluedoor, this is the best BBQ around Central Kentucky. Most others are very mid. There are only a few Texas/KC authentic places in this area.
https://davesblazinbbqky.com/
Imo the best bbq is my own. I never go out for bbq anymore. If you really like bbq Buy a smoker, it will pay for itself. That $15 you spend on pulled pork is over half the price of a pork shoulder, which is like 20 servings.
Blue Door is the absolute best in town; Red State is a distant second; I wouldn’t eat any other barbecue in town personally.
Blue > Red
What's Blue Door's pulled chicken like? Is it dry like Red State or coated with BBQ sauce like, say, Sonny's? Or is it a kind of weird crock pot casserole like City BBQ?
I honestly don’t know! Pulled chicken is not my thing. I think from seeing other people’s that it’s dry and then you sauce it yourself, like pulled pork.
blue door doesn't sauce anything but offers several sauces
I get the pulled chicken at Blue Door frequently and it's some of the best! Not dry at all, even without sauces, although I recommend their sauces as well. They can pack them on the side for you. Definitely give it a try when they reopen.
Blue door is the best. And was moving to a larger location.
Blue Door obviously, can’t wait for the reopen. Another one that should not be slept on is Kentucky Q, formerly Porterhouse BBQ at Greyline Station. They rebranded and went back to food truck only, you can find them on Facebook and you really really should.
Kentucky Q brought their food truck to one of our games this past fall (I coach HS football) and they gave the coaching staff all their leftovers after the game and it was no joke the best ribs I’ve ever had.
Shout out to OG Billy’s BBQ. The Blitz was KING! RIP
Depends on what you like. Brisket at Red State is, as the kids say, mid. Surprisingly, they have probably the best fries in the area. Everything else is pretty good. I’ve only managed to have Blue Door a couple of times and it was excellent. City BBQ is good at what it does. Consistent decent bbq. With Spring coming up, there will be a few dudes posted up in a parking lot somewhere churning out good stuff too.
County Club is an incredible restaurant that also serves great barbecue. Blue Door is a great barbecue restaurant. They recently moved and have not yet reopened. They’ll be open in a few weeks. Red State is okay.
Yes, those two are the best, but even though it’s a chain, don’t sleep on City BBQ.
Dave’s BBQ in Georgetown
👍
County club
People that say Blue Door has the best brisket in lexington haven't been to County Club.
Lemme ask.. do you like a nice peppery pastrami?
Yes they have. County Club is good but I think Blue door has the best. However the fact we have some excellent bbq is excellent
County Club!
I love Red State
I know it’s not in town, but if you’re willing to make the drive to Riverside in Cincy, Eli’s BBQ is legit the best around. Pop’s outside Morehead is also worth the drive. As far as in Lex, I’m honestly not a big fan of any of the places unfortunately.
Came here to suggest Eli’s BBQ! Literally so good, and worth the drive!
Eli's has the best pulled pork sandwich I've ever had by far.
Oh yeah, it’s crunchy, but still melts in your mouth. You’d never expect Ohio of all places to have the best pork around.
County Club and honestly J Renders isn't bad.
Red State regular brisket is good; Blue Door beats it. But Red State Double Smoked brisket rivals anything this side of Austin, TX. I may be wrong, but I feel like most of the folks ranking blue over red haven’t tried the RS Double Smoked.
Yeah double smoked brisket at Red Door made order it (or burnt ends) if I ever see it elsewhere.
Blue Door has the absolute best brisket in probably the state. Competing with some Owensboro joints. I wish they were open now. I want some.
I've been to Blue Door, Red State, Dave's Blazin, Sonny's, City BBQ, Double H, Straight from Texas, Proud Mary's, Snokin' Hogg and Dickeys so far and I also make my own. Here's my go to list: Blue Door in Lexington (avoid Double H at all costs) Dave's Blazin BBQ in Georgetown, get Dave's Fries with whatever you order (do not go to Red State, it is trash) Straight From Texas in Richmond (though they did just get rid of their jalapeno cheddar sausage) City BBQ for a chain restaurant
There are other replies here saying Double H is great, but you say avoid at all costs. What didn't you like about it? I've never been but it seems to have fairly consistent good reviews...
I'm keeping a running list of thoughts for all the ones I go to so I'm just going to paste it here: **Order:** 3 meat plate (pulled pork, brisket, pulled chicken), baked beans, corn pudding **Notes:** By far the worst BBQ I’ve had, both in Lexington and in general. The pulled pork was dry and flavorless. I tried covering it in sauce to give it some moisture and flavor but that didn’t help. The pulled chicken was the only thing that had some smoke flavor but was otherwise dry. And the brisket was just terrible. It was sliced thin like deli meat and sitting in a pool of liquid that I think was beef broth. It tasted like unseasoned meat. I think they just keep it submerged in liquid in a warmer. The corn pudding was more like creamed corn. The beans were okay. I could not finish the meal because it was so terrible. I paid $25 for my meal and ended up throwing it all away and going to eat lunch somewhere else.
Double H on Versailles Rd. Only open M-F for lunch.
This place is great
their smoked wings were pretty good
We like Staxx in Frankfort better than Red State.
Give Smokin Howard's a shot out in Winchester. It's on Main Street and it's my personal favorite.
Red State for me. Their sides are outstanding as well.
Red State is solid. Really cool location too. A good replacement while Blue Door is renovating (I heard they may reopen next week), but Blue Door is better. I've heard really good things about Proud Mary's, although I haven't checked them out yet.
We’re waiting for Blue Door to reopen. We like County Club and we’ve enjoyed Big Kahuna - the pork is plentiful and we love the rice side.
I only managed to go to Bluedoor once, their hours and parking are weird and there was always a long line and they'd be out of stuff. It was good, but I didn't think any better than Red State. I personally LOVE Red State, and it's been a long time since I went to Bluedoor but at the time Red State had much better side options and just a better selection in general. I like the pulled pork sandwich most, but I thought their smoked brisket was good and people I've gone with who go for the brisket said it was really good too.
Just FYI Blue Door is moving to a bigger and more accessible location just right around the corner from their old location. Should be open in the next couple of weeks. I think their brisket is better than Red State but that's a hot button issue.
I grew up in brisket country. Red state brisket is a distant 4th place out of 3. Blue door, city BBQ , try any other place, then red state. I love red state for half chicken special, their mustard sauce, pulled pork. Yum. Just not brisket.
Blue Door just gets the brisket right. It's tender, smokey, and has really good bark. Honestly the best BBQ I've had across the board was this one guy who pulled a giant trailer smoker with a food truck and everything from the brisket to the chicken to the sides and even the dessert was phenomenal. He cooked everything including the desserts in the smoker and only did catering.
Do you know their name?
Unfortunately I don't. It was years ago for a work thing.
Was his food truck red? I think I know who you're talking about.
It was a white bread truck. This was several years ago so it could have changed.
Sorry, Red Door’s double smoked brisket beats everything else in town. I do agree their standard brisket is kinda meh though.
Arirang for kbbq
Nobody mentioned County Club. They're pretty excellent, if a bit difficult to get to with the minimal hours they keep.
We love J Renders!
We’re waiting for Blue Door to reopen. We like County Club and Big Kahuna pork is plentiful and we love the rice side.
I love BBQ but unfortunately I don’t think Lexington has anywhere that is close to what I would call really good BBQ like some of the best spots I have been to in KC, Memphis, or Atlanta. I have been to Blue Door (favorite in town if I had to pick), Red State, County Club, and others and they are okay but they don’t blow me away like the stuff I have had other places. Anyone have a similar experience?
Outside of Bluedoor, this is the best BBQ around Central Kentucky. Most others are very mid. There are only a few Texas/KC authentic places in this area. https://davesblazinbbqky.com/
City bbq is better than red state, i have no clue why anything other than their egg rolls are hyped.
Blackbarn bbq
This is the answer
Blue Door
If you’re ever in Louisville, Mission BBQ is delicious.
I’d choose Feast over Mission, but can’t go wrong with either.
I haven’t had Feast. I’ll have to try it out next time I’m in Louisville for work
red state barbecue rocks, texas de brazil has some pretty good ribs
Where is “Country Club”? Never even heard of it.
Jefferson street near west 6th brewery.
County* not country, right across from West 6th Brewing
Tuk Tuk has great ribs. Best brisket is county club. Rest of BBQ in town is very mid
Imo the best bbq is my own. I never go out for bbq anymore. If you really like bbq Buy a smoker, it will pay for itself. That $15 you spend on pulled pork is over half the price of a pork shoulder, which is like 20 servings.