Phat Jacks

Easly the best in Lincoln. I was in Lincoln for august Ribfest a couple of years ago and these chain places were dissapointing. Phat Jacks is easily better than 90% of BBQ palces in the US and I have been tomany

We were driving through Iowa when we checked Unilocal and discovered Phat Jack’s. We read about the burnt ends, never had them and knew we had to try. So we called the restaurant. We spoke with Stacy and she advised if we wanted to have the burnt ends, which are a must have, we needed to reserve the only portion that was left! So we did! Stacy couldn’t have been more accommodating. When we arrived at the restaurant I chatted with a couple patrons and asked them about their recommendations. They suggested the burnt ends, but noted there were none left except one portion that was being saved for some guy from Iowa! Stacy protected our order and provided great service. The burnt ends and pulled pork were great and so was everything else! Thanks Stacy!

Excellent as always. Have never been disappointed. Hands down best BBQ in Lincoln. The psycho is a great choice. Sides are all great.

Excellent, excellent BBQ! The burnt ends are out… of…this…world. The ribs are meaty and perfectly smoked. The pulled pork is extremely moist and well smoked as well. This place gets almost packed by 11:30 so you better get there early for the burnt ends. Great little bbq joint with a very friendly staff and excellent food. Definitely a must.

Love love love this place! Visiting from our of state and got a recommendation for this place. We will definitely be returning!

It’s ok, but there’s really only one thing with getting, and that’s the burnt ends. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it. It’s pretty expensive. They also close very early and half the time they’re not even open. Not something you can depend on if you do like it.

Really tasty brisket and pork. Sides were also good. Sauce was original and very good.

Being from the West Coast I am very particular about food. Phat jacks is supposed to be Lincoln’s best place for barbecue but I did not have that experience. I ordered a combo meal with three ribs beef brisket potato salad and coleslaw. The ribs were not bad but my beef brisket was dry and cold. I just expected more from a place that was voted Lincoln best.

Love love love it. Best BBQ I’ve ever had. We use them for catering and stop by often to have it made to order.
Need to go early to avoid the noon hour rush.

I came here for lunch while on a business trip in Lincoln. As a BBQ lover I needed to try this place after seeing all of the rave reviews.
So I’ll start with the good… The girl at the counter was super friendly and helpful, efficient and my food was made in no time. The atmosphere is just fine with me, basically a typical BBQ joint, very appropriate. Portion size was very generous. They also took American Express which I wasn’t expecting, and is nice for biz travelers who often get stuck with these cards.
Now… the food. I’m a native North Carolinian, so I think my standards for pulled pork are pretty high, but I thought it was just ok. I had the pork with baked beans and slaw. The pork just didn’t taste/​feel like it was really smoked, it had more of a crock pot vibe. It also had some large chunks of fat, which in my experience doesn’t happen with smoked meats. Now, it tasted totally fine, and if I had made it in a crock pot at home, I would’ve been happy, but for BBQ with rave reviews, I was disappointed. They also put sauce on the meat before serving it. Sure, had I known I could’ve asked for it without, but I didn’t. I’m of the opinion that saucing should be left to the end user. The baked beans were actually really good and the slaw was solid. Sort of a vinagery mayo base, I liked it.
So all things considered, this place is alright. Would I go back next time I’m working in Lincoln? Maybe if it was convenient but I’ll likely try something new.

This isn’t the City Butcher quality but I was absolutely impressed for Lincoln, NE. They have some very good options.
I had the burnt ends. The meat was excellent but unfortunately it was quite cold. Still good though. Plus, I hear nothing but great things from consistent customers. I encourage you to give this establishment a chance.
Make sure you a) check their hours before going and b) go before lunch. After the lunch hour is kind of picked over or sold out. Right before the lunch hour is good.

KCBS judge and grew up on KC BBQ and I can vouch that this is real deal BBQ… Ribs and Brisket were both VG. Burnt Ends actually burnt, like they are supposed to be, are excellent. Pulled pork was the weak link. Wouldn’t bother again with the sides. Cheesy tators ok, beans and cornbread way too sweet. Agree with other review… this review would go up to 4.5 or 5 with some good fries. But you come for the BBQ and these guys know what they are doing. Girl at the cash register was super nice and friendly.

It has been quite awhile since I have had good barbecue. The only thing in my neck of the woods is Buffalo Wild Wings.
I was really happy with the service I received. Everyone was incredibly nice and interactive. Truly service with a smile.
Try the «Burnt Ends.» It was incredibly delicious.

Phat Jack’s food is as exceptional as its customer service. Morgan and Lacey bring high energy, helpful advice, and a fun spirit to make the whole experience a reason to be a repeat customer and recommend this place to everyone!
Tammi and I had the Phat Jack’s combo and Brisket meal. The ribs, brisket, pulled pork, baked beans, and cole slaw are the finest we have had in Lincoln and elsewhere. We’ve had bbq in Memphis, in KC, and in Atlanta. Phat Jack’s is in a top tier league nationally! That is also evident in all their trophies and medals that adorn the walls. They should be very proud!
Looking for a place to have bbq? Stop now. Phat Jack’s is where it’s at!

Finally made it up here. They have extended their hours btw so you don’t have to rush in before the bell. The food was good and the sauces were unique. Probably the best BBQ in Lincoln.

Fast casual dining bbq. Affordable price with big portion. It was not as good as lovely Kansas bbq but it was lincoln good. I loved baked bean.

One word. Fries. A barbecue joint that does nachos (which are VERY generous) but not fries… I think that’s a sin and considering there is a creepy church in the same complex, they might want to address that. I also think they could put up a Batman like signal light that says «Out of ends» so I wouldn’t need to drive all that way just to get the pulled pork which melts in my mouth.
I think they’re the best in Lincoln, currently (Winter of 2015) but not quite the best I’ve had. The sides are a little sad which is a note seen on other reviews, I think an outside consultant similar to what Brewsky’s did with their sides would put them so far ahead of anyone (especially in that part of town) they’d all retire fat cats on the slow smoked pork fat we’re all drooling over…
Batman light and fries = Glorious riches.

Went here while in town on business, based on Unilocal!reviews of course, and was not let down. The lady at the counter was super nice and helpful with the menu. I went with the Brisket and Hot link sandwich and it was delicious. I didn’t read all of the reviews here but I guess their burnt ends are awesome, I’ll be getting that next time. Friendly people, good food that came out fast and a good price — can’t go wrong with any of that.

We ordered a couple of combos with ribs, pulled pork, brisket, beans, potato salad, and cornbread. And then of course the burnt ends because based on the reviews it seems it would be a crime not to.
The burnt ends were phenomenal! The pork, brisket, and beans were all great as well. The potato salad and cornbread were good but nothing to write home about. The ribs… I’m knocking one star off. It is a crime against bbq to serve ribs that are tough. They were meaty and had good flavor but the meat was not tender at all.
Overall a visit thst lived up to Unilocal’s hype. We will definitely swing by the next time we’re in Lincoln!

Whenever I eat BBQ I’m searching for something. I want the perfect pulled pork sandwich with spicy sauce. I want the sauce to be so tasty I continue to eat it on the ruffled potato chips served on the side. I want the homemade lemonade to be so sweet, and the pork to be so succulent… (This is a specific want from my college days, another taste from another time).
I didn’t find that here, and I’m starting to think that what I’m searching for doesn’t exist anymore. But that all is besides the point. I didn’t even order a pulled pork sandwich, after all.
What I did eat here — amazing meat and plenty of it — makes me see what all the Phat Jack’s fuss is about.
My order was the Jack’s Combo… 3 ribs, pulled pork, and brisket and 2 small sides (coleslaw & cheesy potatoes). All for $ 13.99. Steal!
And if that wasn’t enough I also ordered the legendary Burnt Ends, described as the «hidden treasure of the brisket» with cornbread.
Yes it was a lot to order for lunch, but there were so many other items I wanted and managed to somehow refrain from ordering… Nachos, loaded baked potato, bbq sundae or any number of amazing-​sounding sandwiches.
Let’s talk about what I did get. The pork and the brisket were very good. But I won’t be dreaming about them. The burnt ends and ribs… Those were where it was at. The sides were good enough to stand up to the meat — which as it should takes center stage. Pretty perfect slaw, and cheesy potatoes. Sweet glaze on the cornbread for dessert.
And the pork ribs… Oh the ribs! My favorite by far.
They’re right when they say «You’ll want these ribs again and again». If I find my way back here, I’ll be going for the full slab, no doubt. They were some of the meatiest ribs I’ve ever enjoyed. Very low fat. And while they were tender, they also had an oh so special char on the outside. Mmm-​mm!!!
I don’t really get the philosophy of serving BBQ on top of plain bread, though. Why not make that bread something to write home about… Texas toast?
As it was, the bread wasn’t even a vehicle to get the meat to my mouth and it sadly went uneaten (because as I was obviously talking leftovers home, what would I do with BBQ-​sauce-​soaked bread?)
We seem to be in a bit of a BBQ desert in Omaha, so this place is almost worth the drive. But if you’re blessed to be in Lincoln, I’d say Phat Jack’s stands up to the hype.