"I’m always on the lookout for great BBQ, and this place was rated the "Top Rated" in Augusta. I opted for the three meats and two sides, choosing burnt ends, brisket, and ribs, paired with mac and cheese and potato salad. I arrived a little after 7 PM; there was a decent line at the drive-thru, but the inside was not too crowded. I placed my order within about five minutes and enjoyed my iced tea while waiting. My food was ready in about five minutes, which was impressive.
Now, onto the food. I love burnt ends, but these were among the worst I've ever had. They were quite dry, and some pieces were actually burnt. The cooks should have recognized this and discarded them—they were past their prime. The brisket, on the other hand, was good—moist and with a subtle flavor that didn't overpower. The ribs were perfectly tender, practically falling off the bone, and had nice flavor. I appreciated that all the meats were served without sauce, as I prefer to taste the meat first before adding any sauce. The sweet smoke sauce was excellent and complemented all the meats well.
As for the sides, the mac and cheese was nothing special—very basic and almost bland. The potato salad also fell short; it needed something more than just salt and pepper in the recipe. I did have a banana pudding that was quite tasty, probably the highlight of the meal alongside the tea.
Maybe it's because I have a good smoker and my own BBQ recipes that I find large-scale BBQ often disappointing. It’s difficult to infuse the same love into the food when serving hundreds of people every day. The staff here was very friendly and accommodating, though. Overall, it was just okay. If this is considered the best BBQ in Augusta, you might want to look elsewhere."
