Chester’s Barbeque

Experienced an issue with an employee and the owner made it right immediately.
«To err is human. To recover is devine.»
–Unknown

First time I have ever had a mustard based sauce on ribs. It was very good. Wait time was reasonable. Sides were Mac and cheese and cabbage. Well worth the money.

I have a love/​hate relationship with Chesters lol. Love the food, ribs in particular. Hate the wait. I go in expecting to wait at least 20 mins if it’s busy. If not 10 mins at most.

My husband liked it, I did not. Very fatty parts of the ribs on the sandwiches. Very sloppy. It was ok… won’t come back.

The food here is so flavorful. It was a delight to eat here. It’s clear that a lot of time goes into their food.

Visited Columbus on business, stopped by Gus’s on the way back to the hotel. Interesting having Carolina-​style BBQ in Georgia. You can smell the barbeque smoking all down the block. Waited in a line of 4 – 5 locals, that’s a pretty good sign. Ordered the rib plate with corn bread, collard greens, potato salad, and bread. Good deal for under $ 9. The Carolina-​style vinegar-​mustard bbq sauce was different and interesting. The ribs themselves were decent but a little on the scrawny side. It still made a tasty, filling, & reasonable meal. Very enjoyable and one to repeat whenever business takes me back to Columbus!

This California boy is hooked. The sauce is amazing… not too sweet. Prices are very r reasonable too.

Chester’s is one of the best places to get food downtown. Great ribs and slaw, good prices and pretty quick too. Mustard BBQ that puts country’s to shame.
Often close early, so go during the day.

I love the unique taste of this barbecue! the ribs are outstanding! only negative thing I’ve gotten many chipped sandwiches that are chunked not chipped… and with a lot of fat in it. but I still go back.

i did not like this barbeque at all the sauce made my tongue burn and the pulled pork had all kinds of nasty gristle in it. the mac and cheese was really good. my friends coleslaw looked really weird and completely unappetizing i didnt even want to taste it. made a piece of her barbeque and it was equally horrible.

If i could give this 0 stars I would. I had high expectations because it looks like a quaint BBQ spot that would have amazing food and is the exact opposite of that. Typically the best spots are the hole in walls that offer no aesthetic appeal but this was the exception. Chester’s looks like a dump and the food is the same. I have had BBQ in just about every style, sauce and type and this was the worst. The mustard base was runny and green… yes green… A few bites into the chipped pork I decided to put the plate down for the neighborhood cats and would be surprised if they actually eat any. The ribs were just a big a let down and decided to spare the animals and toss it into the trash.
If you love BBQ or your taste buds just steer clear.

My wife and I were in Columbus, GA, for a few days while I went through the Conus Replacement Center at Ft Benning getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan. While there, we hit the two highest rated barbeque places (as rated on
).
We were very disappointed in both, the Georgia barbeque wasteland extends to Columbus from our experience.
Chester’s was the highest rated. It is downtown and a dump. The dumps often have the best barbeque, so that was a plus right away. It was small, with only stool seating along the walls. It was lunchtime and a steady stream of customers, all getting take-​out. We both got big chopped pork sandwiches, a bag of chips and sweet tea, perfect combination. Prices were good.
They have a few other things like ribs and chicken. This is the kind of place I want to love, but, frankly, it was some of the worst barbeque I’ve ever had. In Columbus, they seem to like to chop their pork rather than pull it. I don’t mind that as long as the taste is there. The sauce was a sickly sweet mustard based one that was terrible. Note that I am from South Carolina, where mustard based sauces originated. I have never tasted anything like this. Plus, the meat was drenched in it. Next, the meat was full of things that shouldn’t have been there, big pieces of fat (I love fat, but this was overkill) and gristle. I guess some folks like this type of sauce and UFOs in the meat, but don’t say you weren’t warned.

Delicious. I love mustard based BBQ so I thought it was amazing. The mac’n’cheese was excellent, as was the potato salad. Ribs and sandwiches are both good. The coleslaw was a bit too spicy for me & is vinegar based. The lemonade is extra sweet. The line was out the door when we arrived and never got shorter. There is almost no seating so everyone gets their food to go. I would def go again.

What a pleasant surprise; the mustard flavored BBQ Ribs are outstanding, close to Virginia BBQ but with mustard. Collar green are well done, not bitter at all. The mustard slaw is different and welcomed. At last, the buttermilk pie tasted like solid flan, eggy and good, the crust is flaky and nice. Highly recommended.

Overrated… too much mustard in the que for my liking. Roach on floor while I was eating.

Four words: FIVE DOLLAR RIB TRAY. And these aren’t some dainty ribs that look like they came off a prairie dog. We’re talking big, meaty ribs that are dripping with a savory combination of their own natural juices and Chester’s signature tangy mustard-​vinegar sauce.
Now, I’ve been a huge fan of mustard BBQ sauce since I first tasted the sweet golden nectar in the midlands of South Carolina, where it originated. This particular style of sauce is rarely seen outside of SC, and even more rarely perfected. But this humble-​looking hovel in Columbus, GA really gives the Palmetto State’s best BBQ joints a run for their money.
If your mouth isn’t already watering, you can check out some tantalizing rib footage from my first visit to Chester’s via the link below. The video is from a tour that I did with my band Milktooth and also features some clips from Fat Matt’s BBQ in Atlanta.
Chester’s BBQ video:
As you can see in the video, this Chester’s location consists of one room where customers can place their order at the counter and then wait for their food (it’s take-​out only). As some other reviewers have mentioned, this place is located in a seemingly rough part of town. But don’t let that scare you away. Both times I’ve been there, the room was filled with very friendly folks and families with little kids. There’s also plenty of street parking right out front, in addition to their side lot. If you’re still concerned, make sure to go during daylight lunch hours.
Now back to the food: I’ve already mentioned the $ 5 rib tray, which seriously stands out as one of the top 5 BBQ experiences of my life. If a pile of ribs doesn’t piqué your interest, you can try their barbeque chicken tray for the same price. Both trays come with a side of slaw, which is steeped in a thin mustard-​vinegar sauce. I’m not much of a slaw guy, but my friends enjoyed it.
Another side item that I ordered was a cup of their BBQ beans, which I believe cost me around $ 1. The beans were a little bland for my taste… until I drizzled in some of the leftover mustard sauce from my ribs. Needless to say, that did the trick.
I topped things off with one of their 99¢ «chipped» (pulled pork) sandwiches, which my bargain-​o-​meter wouldn’t let me leave without trying. Being gluten-​free myself, I removed the bun and mixed the meat in with my order of beans. The decently-​sized pork portion was tasty and tender and probably would have been enough to write a good review about on its own… had it not been completely overshadowed by the ribs’ majesty.
To sum things up: if you are ever near Columbus and you like barbeque, I would HIGHLY recommend Chester’s. Grab a rib tray, take a short drive east to Riverwalk park (
), and enjoy an unforgettable meal on the banks of the Chattahoochee. You won’t regret it.

So for real I really grew up on this. I remember when they only had one location and people would wake up early Saturday morning to go hold down their place in line. As a college student, each and every time I went home I’d have to get me a Barbeque plate.
Even now that I’m pork, beef, and chicken less I still go and get a cup of the Barbeque sauce just to make a ‘sauce sammich’. The Barbeque sauce is where its at… its a mustard based sauce. I guess I like it sooo much because I’m not a fan of red sauce.
Another kudos for this spot is that they sell hot dogs. Not that I eat them anymore, but it sucks living up North and not knowing a good hot dog spot.
As others have stated this spot is located across from the projects but trust me its safe. And once you try it you’ll continue to come back!!!

Correct. Must like mustard based BBQ. So far this is the best tasting bbq in Columbus that I have had, which gives it it’s 4 stars. However, the service was without a smile and the rib tip sandwich had bones in it. If the meat and sauce weren’t so delicious this would be a 2 star event. Greens were darn good too. Much better for pick up then dine in!

Chester’s is a family owned business based out of Columbus. They are owned by the same family that own’s Thornton’s Barbeque on Cussetta Road. Chester’s has by far the tastiest and most southern style Rib’s I ever had! 5 $ gets you a plate that gives you 3 – 4 meaty ribs, a side of ‘slaw & a piece of bread to soak it all up. Also, they have great sweet tea that cannot be touched. Go and get you some!

The only other good place worth dining at in Columbus. Chester’s is located in what I suppose are the projects. Do not be alarmed, just be sure to come here for lunch and you’ll be fine.
I barely looked at the menu as I wasn’t the one ordering, but I do remember seeing some type of rib entrée, roasted chicken, and assorted hot dogs. If you’ve never had ribs with mustard sauce before, a southern staple, you’re in for a delicious surprise. Chester’s is the type of place Bourdain would swing by for a snack before heading over to Burt’s Butcher Shoppe for the real deal. Even if you’re not a big fan of coleslaw (a culinary abomination in my opinion), try it at Chester’s. It really does have an interesting bite to it.