Blue Ribbon BBQ

A random stop to wait out the traffic from a day trip to Boston. Well, it was fantastic. One rib platter with green beans and potato salad and a triple slider platter with pork, chicken and bits with black eyed corn and cole slaw. In a word: awesome.
Sides first: perfectly soggy southern green beans, yum. Potato salad with a nice tangy bit. Probably home-​made cole slaw. Good black eyed corn. All the sides were just right. Large portions and not salted. You could salt and pepper to taste. It passed my test palate and that of my two boys ages 5 and 7.
The mains: I debated the ½ rack vs ¹⁄₃ rack. Glad I went with the ½ rack. Lots of meat. Tender. Not fall of the bone, but with a nice skin on the outside. The boys polished the bones clean. The triple slider platter was 3 sliders with each meat: pulled pork, pulled check and the burnt tendrils or the bits that have fallen off in carving and soaked in the sauces all day. All heavenly.
Several other observations: few seats. come early or take out. Menu is large and some is hard to read. I would need 5 or 6 additional visits to work through the menu. parking out front is metered.
All in all, a totally random stop that turned out to be a gold mine. I have bookmarked for future stops.

I gave up on the pulled pork since my last visit this winter.
A few days ago the kids wanted some ribs so i rolled the dice on this place again and purchased ribs and some beef brisket. After takeout the kids liked the ribs which had seemed over cooked to me but they ate them. My beef brisket was a complete waste of money and after a few days thinking about it i feel ripped off. The so called beef brisket was a container of grissel and chunks of beef fat with pulled beef in it. A fatty greasy mess. I dont understand how they can serve that to takeout customers and expect repeat business.
I will not make that mistake or waste my money on that again.

First time, here great food and great service. The mash potatoes are super great and the pulled pork is some of the best.

I’m a long-​time fan of Blue Ribbon BBQ, so am sorry to have to write this, but the original W Newton shop has so disappointed the last 3 times that it can no longer be overlooked as just an «off day.» The hot sausage has changed completely, so bland no longer worth eating. The collards now seem cooked with a gamey pork skin? whose strong off flavor ruins what had been the area’s best collards. The mashed potatoes have so much liquid added to them, now gloppy w little potato flavor. Corn bread square at 99 cents now a narrow half portion. Ribs dry and tasteless. Ends’ flavor lost smothered in sauce. Brisket dry. Cole slaw torn between creamy and vinegary – is it one or the other? Even the yellow bbq sauce has lost its rich tang! Is this the result of cost-​saving, or cooks with no palates? Please come back, Blue Ribbon of old!

You cannot say enough about Blue Ribbon in a simple review. It’s been a Boston BBQ Mainstay long before BBQ was cool here. They deliver legit dishes and a slew of sauces. You will leave fat and happy.

The best BBQ in the Boston area. Whenever I am in the area and have the time, I grab BBQ here or at the Arlington branch. The mashed potatoes and collard greens are fantastic. The pulled pork is my go to but the brisket, burnt ends and ribs are all wonderful. I like being able to choose the sauces from the dispensers so I can mix the spicy and mild BBQ sauces to drizzle on my pulled pork.
When I lived near this shop several years ago I would get take out here a lot. I miss having it nearby!

Have been here for take-​out several times, most recently, today. We got the dinner for six. There is more food than any six normal people could possibly eat. And really good. The ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and cornbread are at the top of our list. Oh, and the beans. BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, all really good stuff. We had eight people, and enough for left over for lunch tomorrow. Very, very good BBQ!

This is THE place that I know of in the area for BBQ. Smallish and easy to miss from the street but once inside you get great vibes, you know, the kind you only get at a place where they have odd crap on the walls like street signs, license plates, and colorful mason jars.
But guess what, none of that really matters because their food is incredible! All of it! Kansas City Burnt Ends. Do yourself a favor and check them out.
I’ve talked to people in line who say they flew into Boston for business and hiked out to Newton specifically for this place. No lie.
Also cornbread.

Ok it looks like a hole in the wall. The food? Unreal Great Great! Wow the burrito was huge and I had to work hard to finish it, the ribs were the best and pulled pork was worthy of an award.
This was my first trip to Blue Plate and I found it by accident, but I will be back! If you like good BBQ put this on your radar.

Been going there for years, and will keep going back for many more. Food quality ranges from excellent to out of this world.
Also their Ice Tea is just as good as their food.

The unbelievably good aroma hits you in the face as you enter this cozy den of smoked meat. Simply fantastic food made with care and love which you can taste in every bite. Actually, I can only judge the burnt ends as it is the only thing I’ve ever had here. They are truly outstanding! The BBQ beans and mashed potatoes are also excellent.
They aren’t called Blue Ribbon for nothing!

Best chicken posole I’ve ever had (and I’m Mexican lol)!!! This place never disappoints. From the brisket to the chicken! Even their chocolate chip cookies are delicious! We never leave without grabbing a few, the Mr. is obsessed with them!

Went to blue ribbon and wanted to try something different than my usual pulled pork sandwich. I ordered burnt end platter and sandwich for my boyfriend and was highly disappointed with the meal. The brunt end was a sloppy mess and covered with sauce. Burnt end is suppose to me crispy juicy ends of beef and we got burnt end sloppy joes. Disgusting.

Great food, service is so so but the food makes up for it. Got the trio platter and everything was amazing and enough for my g/​f and I.

First time here won’t be the last this place is THE BEST.
I recommend the Kansas City ends platter. I’m hooked and you will be to.

For Massachusetts, a really great BBQ joint. My wife and I ordered a smoked turkey breast for Thanksgiving, and when we went to pick it up decided to sit down for a bite. We’re from Alabama originally and have lived all over the South, so we have pretty high standards when it comes to BBQ, but Blue Ribbon delivers.
I got the pulled pork sandwich. It was very good. They don’t make the mistake a lot of places around MA do (I’m looking at you, Redbones), which is to mix the meat with sauce before serving. Instead, they keep the meat separate and just add sauce when it’s served. Doing it this way preserves the meat’s smokiness and prevents it from going soggy, and it’s the way every decent joint in the South will do it. (I thought it was funny that another reviewer thought the meat was TOO smokey — that’s just how BBQ is supposed to taste!!!)
The smoked turkey breast was also fantastic the next day – tender and smokey, not dry at all, wonderful.
That said, if we weren’t in MA I’d probably only give four stars. In the South, Blue Ribbon would be a pretty average bbq place – the kind you’d visit if it were convenient but likely wouldn’t be your regular stop. My biggest gripe was that the meat, while having a good flavor, was pretty light on bark. You need those dry hard pieces in there to give a good contrast with the wetness of the sauce. I don’t know if they’re just cooking too large pieces so there’s not enough surface area, or putting the meat in foil (which helps with tenderness but softens the bark), but there’s room for improvement here. I appreciated having Carolina Gold sauce available, although Blue Ribbon’s version to me needs more mustard and less sugar – it didn’t have that good tang that great mustard-​based sauce really brings. The sides I got (potato salad and baked beans) were also just okay.
Really though, these gripes are minor. Blue Ribbon is miles ahead of the pack for BBQ places in this area, and I’ll definitely be back.

Blue Ribbon BBQ is a very good place for BBQ. They’re a fast-​casual type of place where you walk up to the counter/​register to order and then get your food after a short wait. They do have seating inside, but it is very limited. To go orders are boxed up very well and even if it takes you a half hour to drive home, hot items will stay hot. I’ve had the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs here. All are excellent. They do a great job smoking meats here. Side items are very good, too. Collard greens are worth getting. I do wish they had a couple more options. This is definitely the best place to go West of Boston for BBQ.

I have been going here for a few years now. They have great ribs and smoked chicken. The sides are mostly delicious, especially the cornbread and mashed potatoes. The pulled pork is just ok and can tend to be a bit greasy. The iced tea is good, but not great and on the plus side it has free refills along with the lemonade. The sauces are just ok and tend to be a bit watery, but for most of the meats they don’t need it because their moist and tender. The seating is limited, so be weary of that if you plan to eat at the restaurant. Since I’ve started going here I’ve noticed they have increased the prices a good amount, so that’s one thing I’m not too happy with. All in all, if I’m in the area and have a hankering for barbecue I’ll generally stop in for some decent Q.

When it comes to catered events, Blue Ribbon does it right. The meals are always beyond exceptional. We are always satisfied and pleased with their BBQ flavors. We usually have to order extra on the side. I haven’t encountered any issues with ordering from them. Their customer service skills is excellent. They will go out of way to accommodate you as best as they can. They are also prompt when it comes to delivering. Often times they’ll call to inform me that they will be arriving early or a tad late. Prices are reasonable and comparable to other BBQ caters.

VERY pleased with Blue Ribbon’s catering services. Their PRE-​order attentiveness was top notch. Their DAY-​OF contact with me to inform me they would be 5 minutes early was very helpful. Their driver displayed all of the food perfectly with his own suggestions on how the buffet line works best with BBQ. He even recommended a good pulled pork combo sandwich.
The food was amazing. All of the sauces and dressings were great for the guests who had different preferences. The food was hot.
All in all, very impressed with this operation. I never write reviews, but these guys deserved it.

I LOVE BLUE RIBBON! It is some of the best bbq in the Boston area. I used to come here often to get lunch when I worked in Newton. There’s almost always a line that goes out the door but the staff there are amazing at getting all the food out quickly.
I really love the Kansas City burnt ends. The meat is so tender and the bbq sauce they use is so sweet and tangy. It’s so delicious! I also really like getting the Jamaican jerk chicken, ribs, smoked sausage and brisket. You actually can’t go wrong with any of the meat here!
They have really good sides too. I always get the mashed potatoes because they are to die for. They’re very creamy and rich but there’s still good consistency to them. The collard greens and baked beans are also really good. I’m not really a fan of the rice and beans because I think they lack flavor and I think they’re a little soggy.
Anyways, I give Blue Ribbon five stars. My only complaint is that they don’t have Mac and cheese as a regular side. A girl can only dream right?

Blue Ribbon BBQ is fantastic barbecue for Massachusetts! My friends and I used to go here in college. Thankfully, my Mom was craving barbecue the last time I returned to Boston. We picked up our usual order of pulled pork, pork ribs, burnt ends, collard greens, and cornbread.
The pulled pork is so perfectly tangy and full of flavor. The pork ribs have a great rub and are super tender. The burnt ends are like a fantastic punch of flavor to your face — the kind where you just say «Thank you» at the end. The greens at are smokey and comforting.
We ordered cheese grits with sweet corn this time around. They were so good that I did a little cheese grit happy dance at the end.
The food itself is amazing, but what really sets Blue Ribbon apart is the barbecue sauce. Or barbecue sauces, I really should say. The regular sauce is a great balance, but my favorite is the gold barbecue sauce. I wish I knew how to make it. It’s a beautiful gold color, but also has a warm and satisfying «gold» taste, if you will. They also have a hot version of their regular sauce, chipotle, and some other flavors.

Bbq restaurants are pretty scarce in this area so I’m glad blue ribbon is around. This has been one of my go to spots since high school and I try to come here every so often but ends up being maybe once or twice a year.
Walking into the restaurant you get a whiff of the aroma of smoked meats. I ordered a slicked brisket plate that big enough to feed you for two meals. For sides I go with a double side of mashed, if that doesn’t tell you how good it is then I don’t know what else to tell you. The meat has the perfect flavor and tenderness that it melts in your mouth. Pulled pork sandwich is also a must try here whenever i’m feeling different. They offer a variety of sauces that you can pack up to bring home. Service has always been phenomenal and food comes out quick. Pricing is fair for the portions you receive.
Parking situation can be a little tricky as there is a small lot across the street which can be easily missed and another larger lot around the corner behind the Village bank. Keep a look out on GroupOn as they do offer deals every once in a while.

I am not a big bbq fan usually but this place is delicious. I really love the food here, especially the burnt ends… and the gold sauce. The pickles are always fantastic. I haven’t had anything here i don’t like. Even the cole slaw and i am not usually an eater of this.
The only thing that would improve this would be outside seating. or more inside seating… a restaurant so i can eat there comfortable.
The feedbag for 4 is an amazing value and so great.

Having grown up in West Newton, Blue Ribbon is the benchmark by which I measure all barbecue, everywhere. I have been surprised to find that it beats many of the roadside places that you find in the south. The smoke can be smelled from blocks away, and it shines right on through in the ribs. The pulled pork has a sumptuous, chewy texture that I have often wished for while eating lesser barbecue somewhere else. The interplay between the baked beans and the homemade pickles might well be something that I think of on my deathbed. In my youth, this place was one of the gravest of all obstacles to vegetarianism. I have mixed feelings about living so far from it now. It has surely been better for my waistline.

I come to W. Newton for one reason. Band practice at some shithole studio here. Now I have an actual reason to come. Blue Ribbon BBQ is as legit as Southern BBQ gets. With a variety of hot sauces, delicious corn bread, and savory, slow cooked pulled pork, this place will leave your mouth watering for more. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich combo for just $ 9 bucks including two sides: I got rice&beans, and collard greens.
The only Southern BBQ joint I can compare this place to is Red Bones BBQ in Somerville, MA. This place blows Red Bones out of the water. The pilled pork is WAY better, the collard greens are so flavorful and spicy, and the beans actually taste like beans. They got it all down! These guys are a must try, for anyone in town with hunger.
Long live Blue Ribbon!

I have yet to find a barbecue place as good as blue ribbon barbecue anywhere else in New England. I haven’t been to all of them, but this is certainly the best I’ve found. The burnt ends sandwich seems to be a real crowd pleaser, and I have to say I really enjoyed mine. Like you’d expect from barbecue, they are just jam packed with flavor. The pulled pork and pulled chicken are also great. I have yet to try the ribs but that’s on my bucket list. The prices are probably 30−40% higher than your average lunch sandwich joint but they are well worth the price. The lunch service is also remarkably fast. No complaints whatsoever.

Best restaurant in Boston, if you’re looking for classic Southern BBQ. The Trio Platter is the best option if you’re having trouble deciding what kind of meat to get — it gives you 3 different kinds of meat, corn bread, and two sides for only $ 17! It’s a bit much for one person, but is perfect to split between two people. The meat is perfectly cooked, with a nice char and a smokey taste. The baked beans are also delicious, with a slightly sweet undertone. One of the best parts of the restaurant is the wide array of homemade BBQ sauces — they’ve got everything, from Carolina Gold to Chipotle.
There’s limited seating, but the restaurant offers take-​out and has incredibly fast service. This place is nothing fancy, but it definitely gets the job done.

Although I like this place well enough, I am not nearly the fan that many other reviewers seem to be. I much prefer Redbones over Blue Ribbon primarily because Redbones has an official meat smoker and their barbecue has a better flavor. It seems Blue Ribbon does its cooking in commercial ovens. While the meat is tender I find things overly smoky tasting. Do they add Liquid Smoke??? I don’t know but the flavor of smoke on some of the meat can be too much for me.
Consider this place primarily for take-​out. There are only a few seats. It is cafeteria style ordering. There are often long lines but they move fairly quickly. After ordering you can load up on the sauces in pump bottles on the counter by putting them into the small plastic containers provided but unfortunately with ill-​fitting lids… try getting those home without leaking.
On my most recent visit I ordered what’s called a Duo Platter with brisket and pulled pork. The two sides I chose were collards and mashed potatoes both of which were really delicious. You get a piece of corn bread as well which is tasty although sometimes a bit dry as it was on this recent visit.
The pulled pork was very good, flavorful and moist. The brisket was tender but the smoke flavor was too much for me after a couple of pieces.
No liquor license here so if you were hoping to snag one of the counter seats and enjoy your barbecue with a beer or something stronger, you would be out of luck.
Okay in a pinch but not my favorite barbecue by any stretch.

Am I a BBQ guru? Absolutely not, but I do know a good BBQ place and Blue Ribbon is definitely on the top of the list!
I’m not from the South and I really know nothing about BBQ, I just know that I like pulled chicken, pulled pork and some sweet sauces. I also LOVE sides such as corn bread and coleslaw.
The amount of food they give you on a platter meal can be shared or just eaten the next day. I usually am able to make a lunch and dinner (if not more) out of a pulled chicken platter. The chicken is never dry and they give you a really good amount of meat. Blue Ribbon makes great coleslaw, mashed potatoes and corn bread. The prices at Blue Ribbon are very reasonable for what you get.
Tip: Call in or place your order online. During peak hours the wait can be long if you do not pre-​order ahead. Also as mentioned in other reviews, the space for seating is very limited so you are best to just do take out during peak hours. Parking is on the street or in a few private lots around the area if you are lucky enough to get a spot.

It was long time since I indulged in BBQ and this place hit the right spot!
Very economical and bang for your buck. Taste is awesome. The ribs seem to be cooked at a consistent heat for quiet a few hours and the juices are all trapped in the meat. The bbq sauce does perfect justice to the mix. Not too sweet and not over powering. If I were to build my imaginative rib shack this place is what it would come to be. Quick service and limited seating. So beware if you are going to come here during peak lunch hour! Had heard a lot about this place and now got to taste it. A+

Good, but far from great.
This kitty-​corner location in Newton lacks tableside service, but makes up for it in kitsch appeal. Made up to look like roadside BBQ/​down home convenience store, a place like this would be a gem, if only the food were better.
By the way, I have yet to see a cleaner BBQ joint, anywhere. If this were New York, this place would surely get an «A» from the health board. Lovely people, (mostly) cool customers (this is Newton, after all), but the food is far from par.
When I walk in a place like this, I expect to be transported to meat heaven. That rarified atmosphere where the meat falls off the bone and the juices alone are worth asking for seconds. Instead, Blue Ribbon serves only a mediocre BBQ. Not bad, but far from great.
Memphis dry rub ribs, my favorite, were just this side of tough. Texas BBQ brisket, a treat in almost any place, required sauce (which were aplenty and yummy!) to be eaten. Dirty rice was OK, black eyed corn was mixed with beans and neither of us liked it, and corn bread was alright.
There are places where you’re forced to ignore the décor and the service just because the food is so good.
Sadly, this isn’t it.
2 stars