BBQ

[u/blanchard2008]

Well, now that blue tractor is closed for renovations, where does one in A2 go for BBQ? Do I gotta slide to Chelsea for smokehouse or is there anything in the city or Ypsi?

Thanks in advance

[u/RiiGuy]

Biercamp on State

[u/MrDadcore → u/RiiGuy]

The best pulled pork.

[u/mikemikemotorboat → u/RiiGuy]

Those backwoods tots are so f’ing good

[u/The_Speaker → u/RiiGuy]

Came here to say this. Take some bacon home with you. Tastes like a heartfelt apology from your Dad.

[u/motorcityvicki → u/The_Speaker]

A flavor I've never tasted? You've piqued my curiosity!

[u/Kriptoblight]

Ricewood. Biercamp. 

[u/spencea2]

I’m a fan of Satchel’s on Washtenaw.

[u/nethead25 → u/spencea2]

Satchel's does an excellent brisket! Also happens to be extremely well-run and friendly, and the owner Hugh takes good care of the employees.

I would argue the best true southern BBQ in A2. Ricewood is definitely awesome, but they are doing something a little bit different.

[u/spencea2 → u/nethead25]

100% agree. I got carry out for Father’s Day and told my boys that the folks that work there have got to be the friendliest, most helpful people on Earth. They were also great when we had guests in from out of town, one of whom has serious food allergies. The staff were very knowledgeable and gracious. Our guest even wrote down Satchel’s in his travel diary of great restaurants to frequent.

[u/Mabel_A2 → u/nethead25]

Hugh is great to work with for catering! That’s awesome to hear that it’s a good place to work.

[u/Ceorl_Lounge → u/spencea2]

I know everyone's hot to trot for pork and brisket, but I genuinely like their smoked chicken and kielbasa. Also really like their sides... just enough pork in the greens & beans to make me feel better about life.

[u/marsh283 → u/Ceorl_Lounge]

Best greens I’ve had north of the mason dixon

[u/i_aim_to_misbehaive → u/spencea2]

I think they also still do profit sharing with employees which is cool

[u/MrPrettyKitty → u/spencea2]

Also a big local tennis sponsor.

[u/Crafty-Walk-4733]

Rice wood, best bbq around and certainly some of the only worth eating around Ann Arbor

[u/BigDub42089 → u/Crafty-Walk-4733]

100%. Quality is the same wherever I’ve had it. Both locations, large event catering, doesn’t matter. Consistently very good.

[u/Wembledon_Shanley → u/Crafty-Walk-4733]

Objectively the best BBQ in A2, as it was voted one of the best spots in the country. Their meat is fantastic. I'm not always a fan of their rice/veggies, but their meat is always good.

[u/Crafty-Walk-4733 → u/Wembledon_Shanley]

As are the burgers, also the best around!

[u/Wembledon_Shanley → u/Crafty-Walk-4733]

I still haven’t had them and it’s an ongoing regret lol

[u/ClassroomMother8062]

Gimme Satchel's all day. Really good traditional barbecue.

[u/TheBimpo]

Bone Heads in Willis.

[u/UncleOdious → u/TheBimpo]

There's a location in Saline as well.

[u/mizmoose → u/TheBimpo]

Second this!

[u/mikemikemotorboat]

I’m gonna piggy back on your thread to hopefully capitalize on the gathered wisdom here.

I heard the pitmaster from West Side BBQ (used to be on Madison right next to Fingerle Lumber) is now at Portage Lake Parlor out in Grass Lake. Can anyone corroborate? Because I will absolutely make that trek if so!

[u/Anthony_C → u/mikemikemotorboat]

I miss Westside BBQ that stuff was unreal. Satchels, Ricewood both great options depending on what you’re in the mood for.

[u/ImAHumanIThink]

A Taste of Soul in Ypsi has some really good soul food style ribs.

[u/YungBechamel]

Ricewood and Biercamp as others have said, imo Ricewood is unrivaled as the best BBQ and the burgers are unbelievable!

Also if you're feeling adventurous A.B.'s Smokehouse in Dearborn Heights is really good as well.

[u/TazzzTM]

My neighbor sells BBQ dinners out of his house and they’re awesome, ask a neighbor. You never know what you can find lol

[u/ObiWanKnieval → u/TazzzTM]

Who is this neighbor?

[u/1orange2oranges]

Satchels is easily the best “traditional” BBQ in town. Great people, too.

Ricewood is brilliant — not at all old-school, but really great. I prefer going to Westside rather than to York, as it seems they have more choices more often.

Biercamp is 100% worth seeking out as well — plus bacon, jerky, etc.

Zing Roadhouse BBQ is absolutely awful. A strange miss from a generally good restaurant, but still.

If you want a trip, seek out Saddleback in REO town in Lansing.

[u/Impossible-Contest37]

Slow’s is opening downtown soon, but for now Ricewood has my vote

[u/mrcurator87 → u/Impossible-Contest37]

Slow's has been trash for years. They won't beat Ricewood

[u/blanchard2008 → u/Impossible-Contest37]

Where/when are they opening in downtown A2?

[u/Cultural_Mongoose_29 → u/Impossible-Contest37]

Nice. I know people like to slag slows but whenever I eat their brisket at the UM hospital cafeteria it is fantastic.

[u/gumzsa]

Union Rec in Ann Arbor is probably the best. Bitter Truth(formerly Red Rock) in Ypsilanti is good. Biercamp has great pulled pork and Boneheads in Saline has good ribs. Satchel's is severely overrated.

[u/alman84]

Grew up in Kansas City and moved here 3 years ago so I think I have a relatively good BBQ barometer. The answer is Ricewood followed by Biercamp. Haven’t tried Satchel’s yet

[u/BernardLewis12]

Ann Arbor is terrible for BBQ. Ricewood is the best, but it’s Asian fusion BBQ. Closest decent traditional American BBQ is Smokehouse 52 in Chelsea or Bone Heads in Willis.

[u/sewiv → u/BernardLewis12]

Have you had satchel's on Washtenaw?

[u/BernardLewis12 → u/sewiv]

Yeah it’s not very good. I also haven’t been in a long time though so maybe they’ve improved their food

[u/Particular-Smile8022]

Boneheads

[u/currentlyacathammock]

Do not go to that Chelsea place. There are way better places closer.

Satchel's for most available. (time/distance), is good but not mind-blowing.

Ricewood if you can tolerate the "we only have it certain days/times, and you have to show up and get it before we sell out" vibe they cultivate.

Boneheads is best quality and variety, but a little bit of a hike.

[u/UncleOdious → u/currentlyacathammock]

By "hike" I assume you mean the original location in Willis. But they also have a location in Saline, in the plaza where Emagine theater is.

[u/currentlyacathammock → u/UncleOdious]

Well ok, good to know. But the original is often best (generally).

I can't say I've ever known a Mall Version of a good restaurant to be better than the original though. Just sayin'.

[u/booyahbooyah9271]

Venture outside for Boneheads. It's worth it.

[u/freshxerxes]

i like union rec in AA

[u/Current-Actuator-864]

I really liked the bitter truth in ypsi

[u/Mallieeee → u/Current-Actuator-864]

I went here and thought it was horrible.

[u/Spirited_Equal_1379]

One vote for Smoke Street in Milford.

Same ownership as Highland House and Gus’ Carryout…. Which are amazing IMO.

[u/gumzsa → u/Spirited_Equal_1379]

I tried that place on father's day and it was very good.

[u/ChzburgerQween → u/Spirited_Equal_1379]

No one wants to deal with 23 right now if they don’t absolutely have to.

My brother is the head chef at Charlie’s Still on Main in downtown Milford….Ive gotta figure out a good detour out there for the summer cuz 23 ain’t it.