Judge’s Bar-B-Que

This summer, I worked with sponsors at the State Fair, so I was there every single day for a month. PRAISE THE LORD that Judge’s BBQ was also there daily.
I didn’t get around to trying it until the last week, but once I did, I bought it every single day (okay, okay I bought it twice in a day a few times as well). I’ve never been a huge BBQ or brisket girl but apparently that’s because I had never had the good stuff.
The sandwich is huge and once you load it with pickles, consider yourself #blessed. I have not been to this actual location yet, but it’s written as my «Yelp goal for 2016» (check it out on the online Unilocal talk thread. ;)

Just realized I never dropped in a review from my first Elite event this year and am cleaning out my drafts… heh. Great BBQ place and Judge’s backstory how he came to be at this location is what entrepreneurs everywhere appreciate. Throw in good slow and low BBQ along with excellent sides and you have a winner. The Elite event was fantastic and Judge was gracious with his time (and food).
For me way on the NE side though… this is just such a haul to get there. If I lived closer I would certainly make a regular stop.

Awesome BBQ Buffet on Fridays. Ribs, Brisket, Chicken, Pulled Pork and all the sides. Brisket was probably the best I have ever had. If you love a great BBQ, do yourself a favor and get there … Oh, and bring some friends!

Holy barbeque buffet Batman! This place is the mother lode for more amazing barbeque options than any person should consume at one time. As of this review, their buffet hours are only on Fridays from 11 – 1, but it is well worth working your schedule around that timeframe to make it in here.
They had plenty of parking in their lot behind the restaurant, and there is also street parking all around the area. The older brick building is a neat one, and I’m sure it has quite a bit of history, as it looks like it has at one point housed quite a few businesses that have now all been merged into the one large open space. The smell of BBQ hits you as soon as you walk in, and you just know it is going to be good.
The options that we had when I was here were extensive, and I tried just about everything there. The BBQ was all done properly, and you could easily tell this wasn’t the kind of place that took shortcuts. The ribs were my favorite, but were followed closely by the smoked chicken, which usually isn’t that high on my list, but this was amazing. The pulled pork was great, and the brisket was tender and smoky. The house recipe sauce that I got on the side with mine was delicious, and had a nice kick to it. The homemade sides only played second fiddle to the main BBQ attractions because the BBQ was so good, but all of the homemade sides were exceptional. My favorite was the corn casserole, but the mac-​and-​cheese was a close second followed just behind by the BBQ baked beans.
To top it off, Judge himself was there to walk around the restaurant when he wasn’t cooking out back, and was making sure that everyone there was enjoying themselves and the food. The guy is super nice and has a serious passion for what he does, and it shows in his product. If you have any questions about it, there is a good chance he is standing outside the back door manning the smokers, and he was happy to answer any questions we had about the process.
You can’t call yourself a BBQ lover in Indy without going here to try all of what they have to offer. Just be sure that you come hungry.

Ok it is as good as everyone made it out to be. This place shouldn’t ever have under 4 stars, and if you think it should talk to Judge about your problem he is a very nice man.
Everything from scratch is how Judges does it. This includes all of the sides to the old school way of cooking his meat (charcoal!!). I tried every form of meat they had on the menu and it was all top notch. All of the pulled products were juicy but not greasy. The beef brisket had a nice smoke ring and could be cut with a fork or plastic knife. The chicken thighs and legs had seasoning swap into the meat making every bit as flavorful as the last. All the sides are good but you must try the corn bread stuffing, awesome!

I was fortunate enough to try pretty much all of his items at a event he put on recently. The judge was extremely nice and courteous and told us all about the history of his restaurant and himself. Everything was very flavorful and delicious, if you like bland food do not come here. My only gripe about the food is the sauce, he has a dark rich brown sauce. Not a sweet and spicy, or tangy barbecue sauce. So that was kind of a dealbreaker for me I won’t go back just because I do not like the barbecue sauce at all. But oh my God the food was amazing!

Ok… so maybe the westside of downtown is not your thing. You stop at the hospital, but venturing over the bridge on Michigan road… umm not so much… WELL YOUR MISSING OUT! Judge’s BBQ has been a staple of revitalization of West Michigan Road for several years now. Located on the other side of Haughville, directly across the street from the library and the Wheeler’s Tow yard, Judges offers up mouth watering, tender flavorful BBQ for your soul. Less then 2 miles down from the restaurant and you can already smell the distinct smell of BBQ… you know you are in for a treat. I tried the pulled pork, which was tender and smoky. The chicken was my absolute favorite. The seasoning was not only on the outside of the chicken but peel the skin off and two-​3 layers in, you can still see the seasoning… NOW THAT IS SOME GOOD CHICKEN.
Judge’s unfortunately is not open Mon-Thursday…But BAAABY if your anything like me and treat yourself on payday Friday’s…this is the buffet to be at. YES… I SAID BUFFET… they have a Lunch Buffet at Judges every Friday.
If you are having a wedding, work lunch or employee appreciation — skip the BORING sandwiches and hit up a local, hometown favorite, and utilize Judges for your catering. Your employees will THANK YOU!

I had the same experience as Alan and Alex. This place was closed with no explanation as to why. I won’t waste my time trying to get in there again.

We had the same experience as Alex M. We made a special trip to judge’s on a Thursday, March 26. Even more disappointing was that we called on the way from Lafayettette to ask about the buffet and were told that it was only on Friday, but no mention that they weren’t open the hours that were listed for that day.

Came here for first time on a Monday at 1 pm. Not open, no sign on door, nothing. Went out of our way to check this place out. Not impressed.

I love Judge’s BBQ. It is everything that you would want from an urban BBQ joint. The character of the builidng is outstanding with exposed brick and raw beams makes the place feel rustic without being run-​down. The staff is friendly and always boistrous (something that is absolutely required for the consumption and enjoyment of BBQ). I love the food and I especially love the lunch buffet which gives you all of the BBQ, sides, and rolls you could ever want. I have to say, this is probably the best BBQ in Indy.

For those times when you want to show your intern what a pig you are and do it all on a shoestring budget: enter Judge’s all-​you-​can-​eat Friday BBQ lunch. Yes, you heard me, all you can eat BBQ! Ribs, ribs, ribs (obviously my favorite), pulled pork, pulled chicken, mac n’ cheese, corn pudding (just like mom’s), boiled and buttered cabbage and buns. I’m feeling full just talking about it.
I loved Judge’s before I even experienced their bbq. The owner has such a social media and in-​person personality that you can’t help but jump on his bbq-​loving bandwagon. Good news is, his business and eats are just as good as I had imagined. If I had to pick three dishes from the buffet to fill myself to the rim: ribs, mac n’ cheese and corn pudding. Yeahhhhh that’s where it’s at. Oh! The cost? $ 11-​$ 12 for the buffet. Extremely reasonable — especially given my loaded down styrofoam plate.

I might be a Midwestern girl but my extensive family in Texas has made me a bit of a barbecue snob, and let me tell you, Judge’s is the most authentic barbecue that I have ever had in the north. This makes sense since Judge himself is straight out of Mississippi. I took advantage of Judge’s Friday lunch buffet and everything is delicious, but if you have to eat one thing and one thing only you HAVE to have his ribs. They are seasoned with a mouth watering dry rub and cooked to perfection. It will have you licking the bone until there is no meat left. I always say that the best ribs are the ones where you don’t need sauce, they can stand on their own. With these ribs I would skip the BBQ sauce if Judge’s sauce wasn’t so finger-​licking good! This is real sauce ya’ll! Not this thick mess you find on the shelves of the grocery store. Judge’s recipe is authentic and delicious! I tend to like things hot, and his spicy sauce adds the perfect kick.
But don’t be shy to try all the fixin’s when you’re there. Judge’s creamy mac n’ cheese is authentic as it gets and the corn bread soufflé is out of this world, with corn kernels that compliment each bite. The picnic style tables add to the southern feel. Along with the tastes and smells you will think that you have traveled to a local BBQ joint in Mississippi rather than Indianapolis.

Every day during the work week, Judge’s puts out a barbecue buffet spread that has to be unrivaled in Indianapolis. It features succulent pork spare ribs, moist pulled pork and chicken and rib tips. A simple but effective salt-​and-​pepper rub was used on the ribs. They complement the meats with three difference versions of their vinegar-​based sauce, varying in heat level.
The baked beans also were smoky, seasoned by the pork. Their macaroni and cheese was notable because it really is macaroni and actual cheese (no Velveeta could be detected). Also on the buffet were candied yams, a creamy cornbread pudding, collard greens and a coleslaw liked very much by my picky spouse.
You can learn more about Judge’s and its interesting story at my Barbecued Adventures blog –

Judge’s has solid pulled pork and pulled chicken. Their ribs, however, are not the greatest. Where they really shine is their side dishes. Sweet potatoes, mac n cheese, corn casserole, baked beans, potato salad, and broccoli are all on the menu and are all worth eating. The BBQ sauce is a thin and spicy concoction that comes in Original, Mild, and Spicy. It’s really not to my taste (I’m prone to pick sweet honey BBQ sauces), but it’s flavorful and pairs nicely with the pulled meats.
Overall the restaurant is clean, the staff is friendly and personable, it was easy to find a seat at lunch, and the buffet was refreshed every few minutes with meats and sides alike.
For those wondering the lunch buffet (what almost everyone seems to order) is $ 10.95 M-​TH and $ 11.95 on Fridays (due to the addition to ribs to the line).

Came for lunch with hubby and daughters. I not a buffet girl, but seriously. Here’s a sampling — pork, chicken, ribs, rib tips, crazy-​good sweet potatoes and baked beans. Greens and slaw. My 7 year old was in heaven especially with the green beans. Seriously the best I have EVER had.
Different buffet items daily.
FYI you can order off the menu for more choices or non-​buffet fans.
Plus BONUS — they cater! Office party anyone ?
Random comment but the fountain drinks were perfectly fizzy and I’m picky about that!
Ask for Judge! He’s a great guy. And pick up some BBQ sauce to take home.

The BBQ is really good here, and the sauce is awesome. Next time you run out of Cattleman’s, Kraft… whatever you usually buy… get thee to Haughville and buy some of Judge’s sauce. It’s terrific. There are 3 varieties (mild, medium, hot), and although I prefer the medium, they’re all very good.
They’re only open for lunch during the weekdays. Weekends they’re closed for the catering stuff.
First off, all the employees were SUPER friendly, helpful, and smiling. Tables were cleaned quickly, the buffet was cleaned up and replenished often, and everyone greets you, asks how you are, and thanks you for coming in as you leave.
The buffet includes 2 meats, bread, greens, baked beans, corn casserole, sweet potatoes (yams? I dunno), cabbage, mac and cheese, cole slaw, potato salad… at least on the day I went. It’s $ 10.99, which is a pretty good value if you’re a big eater. If you’re a normal-​to-​light eater, I’d say order a sandwich and one side and you’ll save money and still be pretty stuffed. I was very impressed with the pulled chicken and pulled pork. My coworker had an order of wings and said they were the best she’d had. They have one very unique item on the menu, the smoked pork tenderloin. It’s along the lines of a boneless smoked pork chop… definitely something to try in the future!
There is a good-​sized parking lot and this restaurant is right across the street from the library. Nice, clean interior.

If you want BBQ for lunch during the week (not dinner and not on the weekends) Judge’s is a great place to go. Excellent lunch buffet lets you try a little bit of everything, greens, chicken, brisket, corn bread casserole, mac and cheese. Very clean place. I guess the only thing that drives me crazy is that you add the BBQ to the meat as opposed to have the meat cooked on it.
Food: ³⁄₅
Service: ³⁄₅
Location: ⁴⁄₅

I went to Judge’s Bar-​B-​Que for the first time this past Friday. I tried going here before on a Saturday, but they are closed on the weekends. The cost for Friday’s buffet is $ 11.95 and drinks are $ 1.95. I am perfectly fine with those prices as the food is excellent and the cook has standards. You use paper plates and plastic silverware, but I have no issues with this as the most important reason to go is the food. Also, you clean your own table. I just like to give all the information so people are not surprised when they get there. Also, you will have noticed I gave this place a five stars, so any of those things were a nonissue for me.
First the food. The ribs are a dry rub with the option to put on your own sauce. The meat has enough flavor to stand on its own easily with no sauce. The ribs are tender and have great color to them. The burnt ends were also excellent. I preferred sauce on the pulled pork and chicken which is also on the menu on Friday. The spicy sauce had just a little kick but it had excellent flavor. Both of these items were very good. As for the sides, they could also be the star of the show. Baked beans and corn casserole were outstanding and the mac and cheese was good. I didn’t get to try the apples, greens, Cole slaw or potato salad as I was stuffed. Top recommendations for this place are the ribs and baked beans. These were by far the best baked beans I have ever tasted.
The building is very warm and inviting and well laid out. The owner cares about his business and it shows in the cleanest of the restaurant. The staff is friendly and helpful. The owner stopped by and checked on me while I was stuffing my face. :) A very nice gentleman. Yet, another restaurant in Indianapolis that gets it. Good food, fair prices and high standards. Judges gets top marks in all three categories.
If you are bored of chain restaurants and think for yourself and are not manipulated by millions of dollars in TV commercials to make yourself believe you have to eat average to below average overpriced food at some chain restaurant, I am one of you. Let’s all keep supporting the true food scene in Indy.

Best BBQ in Indy, hands-​down. Chicken, pulled pork, ribs… everything here is good. The hours are pretty limited, but if you’re in the downtown area during lunch hours Mon — Fri this place is worth checking out.
Prices are very reasonable and the portions are just right. I come away full, but not stuffed. The green beans and mac and cheese are pretty tasty too.

Give it a try. You want be disappointed. Pulled BBQ Chicken, baked beans, corn casserole, greens excellent. Try the lunch buffet. All forementioned plus pulled pork, chicken, mac cheese, fried apples etc. Tradional, warm pub feeling. Friendly staff & owner, Judge stopped by our table for our thought on resturant.
Great place for lunch… just wish they were open for dinner. To far for lot of our friends for lunch.