Red Hot & Blue

Reviewing this kind of barbecue in Texas can be tricky. We have such a wide spectrum of barbecue at our finger tips, it kind of comes down to convenience sometimes. Which is why I have been to Red, Hot, & Blue more often than I’d prefer, considering that I prefer to save up my barbecue dining for special, crazy-​go-​nuts occasions at standouts like Lockhart or Pecan Lodge. But my coworkers only go out to lunch so often, and for whatever reason, seem inclined to aim primarily for RH&B.
Red, Hot, & Blue is fine, though, in the same way that — if you play your cards right, get the right server, and perhaps have the right kitchen manager working — Chili’s might be surprisingly sufficient, in a pinch. The food is generally good, with a 4-​bottle array of bbq sauces, and a decent number of menu options. The biscuits, I do have to admit, are likely what the clouds are made out of in Heaven. I want them. And I think they want me back. Because they keep showing up.
On a recent visit, I must mention, I discovered some cellophane/​clingwrap-​like plastic underneath the meat on my plate, about halfway through my meal. Truth be told, thinking back to my decade-​past, near-​decade-​long restaurant experience, I could see how this kind of thing might happen to virtually any chain restaurant on any given day. Momentary lapse of detailed-​attention, and the pre-​portioned meat being plated takes some pre-​portion packaging along for the ride. That being said, my appetite was shot (hurray for accidental portion control!), and I waved down a passing manager to explain. His response was both infuriating and hysterical, in retrospect. Paraphrasing, it came down to, «Ooops, gross, sorry. I see you’re drinking a Coke. Would like a free to-​go Coke?» He then started to leave, empty-​handed, until I reminded him that there was basically trash on my plate, and that I wouldn’t be particularly opposed to seeing said plate transported to a location not so much directly under my nose.
My bill ultimately came with my entire meal included. Much head-​shaking did follow. After pointing out the situation to the manager, I still had to explain to my waiter that I had little to no intention of paying for food that came wrapped in kitchen trash (and for what it’s worth, I’m usually the sole patron actively trying to befriend the service industry employees, because I’ve BEEN one). Only then did the manager comp my meal. His prior negligence to do so remains one of the more baffling experiences of my restaurant-​working and –visiting history.
*****
TL;DR, there are better places but if you’re in a time crunch or it’s the only place nearby, sure, it’ll suffice. At least one of the managers is a space cadet at best, a fascist at worst (your mileage may vary). The meats are fine, though they claim to specialize in pork, I believe. Sacrilegious as it may be, I’m also not opposed to the turkey here (brisket-​laden lunch breaks make for rough afternoons at the office). The collard greens are laugh-​out-​loud pathetic, but the biscuits and the fried okra are more than a little OK. They serve your non-​alcoholic beverages in one-​each pitchers, which is kind of fun, and are happy to give you one in a to-​go cup if you find trash in your food! Enjoy!
I have spoken.

Not good, authentic bbq. We were all completely underwhelmed. They have a couple bottles of «different» types of sauces, the ALL tasted the same. And none of them were good, Dickey’s is a much better bet than this place. Only reason they get 2 stars is because we didn’t have bad service

Allison was great, the food was amazing. The portions are huge too. Great food for the value, everyone is very nice and friendly. Kinda a jazz rock atmosphere. It’s great though. Put sauce on everything!

I came here for lunch with a few coworkers. We were seated quickly and the server was really nice. The sweet tea is soooo good and I love the mini pitchers that the drinks come in. The fried pickles are probably the best I’ve every had. I had the brisket, sweet potatoes fries and potatoes salad. The potato salad is served a little warm but it is really good. The sweet potatoes fries was a little too sweet and over cooked for my liking and the brisket needed some season but overall it was good.

Tonight was our first time visiting. The food was absolutely delicious and the prices made it a great value too. We took advantage of a special they are having where you can get 1 appetizer and 2 entrees for just $ 20.
If you’re looking for down-​home bbq, thus is the place to go! They also offer salads and burgers. There is s huge selection of side dishes-​they all sounded so good it was hard to choose!
Besides the incredible food, the service was amazing! Our waitress, Emily, knew it was our first visit. She took time to walk us through the menu, answer questions we had about certain side dishes, etc, and even made suggestions on what we may enjoy. She also explained all of the different sauces to is-​and they were all delicious!
The Manager also stopped by our table to ask how we were enjoying our meal. Always nice to know that a business cares and appreciates your business!
This was altogether a perfect dining experience with great food and stellar service!
We will absolutely be back!

Although the BBQ is not as good as Kansas City’s, their food is really good and consistent. I’ve never been disappointed. I’m a regular here. I rotate what I order. Sometimes it’s the smoked hot wings (my fave), sometimes it’s the delta catfish and sometimes it’s the chopped beef sandwich with fries. Always good. Customer service is excellent always. Price is good for the amount of food you get. Deducting one star because sometimes they do forget something you ordered on the side or make small mistakes with the order, but overall, I’m a regular supporter and like their food. Way to go RH&B!

It’s been about 5 years since we last ate at a Red Hot & Blue restaurant. We have only eaten at the Central Expressway location and was always pleased. After moving back to TX after being in the Seattle area after 5 years my husband surprised me with a trip to my favorite TX BBQ place, RHB. I was so excited to have a chance to order my favorite menu on the item, dry ribs. We had an awesome and professional waitress who worked hard to make sure we were very happy and kept our drink glasses full.
It didn’t take long for our order to show up. I noticed right away that the ribs appeared different than the last time I ate an order of them. The dry rub they use on the ribs was so thick it was actually caked on there making the ribs way too seasoned and down right gross. I have a rule and that is I never send food back because I know what kinds of things that some places (I am NOT saying this restaurant would) do to food and customers who aren’t satisfied. My husband informed the waitress about the issue with the ribs. I had only eaten ½ of a single rib and was ready to call it done. She offered to have my ribs replaced with any flavor of my choice and I picked a child’s type of ribs. I was very happy with everything else.
I have to say I am very impressed with the customer service and options they allow wait staff to do in order to make sure their customers are happy. We will return based upon the way they handled this situation. Of course next time I will be ordering a completely different plate.

Ok as much as I love the ribs. I get the potato salad. Hands down. Had the fried calamari. Was good and enough for us to share. Drinks are wonderful here.
Staff is friendly and wonderful here. Very helpful in explaining the menu and also the BBQ sauces. Also quick to refill drinks, love that.

Bbq is decent. It doesn’t have the right to be called Memphis bbq unfortunately. Still not a bad spot for some bbq when you’re feeling the urge.

So we just finished our meal. We decided to share the triple platter and order a side of hush puppies. We opted for the st louis rib, pulled pork and brisket. The st louis rib and pulled pork were awful as they had a strong taste of gas. The brisket on the other hand was yummy. Not sure if they use the same process to cook but they tasted totally different. As for the hush puppies, pork beans and cole slaw were great!
I wish I could rate it more since the person who helped us provided such great customer service.

Tried this place for the first with a co worker and boy do I regret this decision. The location is just right off the freeway off 114. We came around 4 pm today and it wasn’t crowded at all. We were greeted as soon as we walked through the door and sat at a booth. Were introduced by some old blues music like Etta James… Billie Holiday… etc. Our server greeted us and she was very friendly. We order our drinks and food.
Now keep in mind that this place was expensive. I order a drink and had the double meat plate. My choices were brisket and sausage with an loaded baked potato and potato salad. My co worker got the 5 meat plate as well.
For the prices we paid the food was very blanded and dry. The service was very slow. I told the server that we had to back from lunch but it seemed like she still took her time.
Bottom line don’t I personally would come here again

Great food! It’s one of the go to places in my office! We love it! Everything in the menu is good!

I know Texas is big on BBQ but this place didn’t make me feel like it. For $ 16 bucks I expected a bigger platter, after all it’s bigger in Texas right?! The BBQ sauces tasted like straight tomatoes, I might as well been eating ketchup. The chicken was dry but it was white meat so I wasn’t too surprised. The sausage was on point! I did get a free dessert, banana pudding that was pretty decent. I’m from Florida and most people don’t associate FL and BBQ but this place has nothing on Sticky Fingaz. Too bad there’s not one here.

Service here was kind of slow but the food was great. I like the different options for the sauce and how they leave the seasoning on the table for you to add more.
The sweet tea is really good. Taste like real sweet southern style tea. The rib falls off the bone. The brisket is really good. My favorite sides are the baked beans and mashed potatoes. but save room for dessert. Peach cobbler and ice cream. Yum!

My coworker wanted to go while we were on an assignment in Irving, so a few of us went. I was glad we didn’t have to wait for a table even though it was busy lunchtime. The décor is interesting and fun. The drinks come in large pitchers.
I’ve been craving a good pulled pork sandwich since moving here. It was just okay. I ordered potato salad and received a scoop of flavorless hunk o’potatoes. I requested my cole slaw on the side instead of on the sandwich. It was just okay too.
The bread they bring out was tasty enough. I tried some of my coworker’s okra, just okay as well. All in all, I wasn’t exactly impressed, but may give them another try. I will definitely choose a different side item next time.

My girlfriend and I went here for my birthday once and we were both blown away by the delicious, St. Louis inspired barbecue. I would highly recommend the ribs and the pulled pork. The brisket was average, but everything else we ordered was amazing. Our waiter was also very friendly and prompt. The overall atmosphere was good; not too bright and not too dark. I thought the prices were slightly high at first, considering the place looks kind of like a nice Applebees on the inside, but the food proved me wrong there. Would definitely recommend.

When it comes to BBQ chains, Red Hot & Blue tops my list with no close contender. Being a native Texan, I have to admit it hurts my soul a little to admit that this Tennessee-​styled BBQ join is my favorite for a quick hit of pork ribs and potato salad (the BEST potato salad in the business I guaranty).
But the experience is fun and the BBQ is very solid, what more can I say?
~Carpe Diem~

The Ribs are just OK
Sweet Potato fries are good
Hush puppies are good
Their greens are gross
Their green beans are gross
The Macaroni and Cheese is not traditional– it’s straight out of the box 99cent box style! SMH!
Way over priced for what you are getting.

Love the five meat platter because it includes most meats. The brisket is my favorite. Service is always on point. Food is always delicious. Favorite place in Dallas for BBQ.

Look, you don’t eat BBQ at a national chain if you’re in Texas unless there are extenuating circumstances. In my case, it was freezing rain, on a holiday, and this place was a) open, and b) across the highway from my hotel. Otherwise… No.
Having said that, their dry rub ribs are pretty dang good. Other meats are average at best. Brisket was totally flavorless, and the sausage was dry and tough. For sides, I doubled up on fried okra, and it was decent. I got the blackberry cobbler for desert, and I definitely recommend that.
In sum, if you’re not in a place known for local BBQ, like Texas, then RH&B is a perfectly acceptable option.

Our service was excellent. My dining partner had a pulled pork sandwich with ribs. I had the pulled pork meal with a garden salad. One thing I liked about this place is that they have the option of ordering the ribs dry. Very often my dining partner orders dry ribs, just to get them served covered in BBQ sauce (the very way he doesn’t like them). This place, on the other hand, offers them dry, which is nice.
My dining partner’s meal was not prepared as ordered, but he managed through it anyway. In general, I don’t eat pork, but I enjoy good pulled pork every once in a while. Unfortunately, the pulled pork had quite a bit of fat in it I had to pick away. So, some of the meal I was served was not food I would eat.
We walked away from the dining experience say, «That was okay… but…»