Locations: 19 states (135 total - same as last year); 1 in Colorado; none in Texas. Florida has the most with 28.
This is only my second visit and Mrs. RJG joined me this time. We each got the two meat platter so we could try most of the protein they have on offer. We had the pulled chicken, sliced brisket, turkey, and classic sausage. All were excellent as noted below. Our only complaint is that the meats needed to be slightly hotter in temperature especially the sausage. She tried the baked beans and I had the mac n cheese. The latter was the prescribed hot, just like last year. And I even liked the baked beans, which I usually find to be cloyingly sweet, but not in this case. Along with the six sauces (as noted below) we also tried the Baja Bold which is their spiciest option. It's not exceedingly so, but provides a piquant option. Mrs. RJG really enjoyed both our cornbreads, as I knew she would. The two large soda fountain gives Mission the flexibility for more options. I took advantage of that this time, and had Diet Mountain Dew, something you rarely see in restaurants. The service was exceptionally friendly just like the first visit. All in all, still our favorite barbecue in town.
---original 8/19/23 review
Mission BBQ arrived with a bang here in the Springs, which like a lot of chains apparently, we represent their entre into Colorado and the Mountain West. As with these other chains, they have opened up nearby to our house around the Interquest and Voyager intersection. Shake Shack and Dave's Hot Chicken are coming soon as well.
Mission BBQ comes to us not a moment too soon. With Billy Sims closing, we have a dearth of barbeque in town. Not that Billy Sims was awesome compared to what we remember in Texas, but it was still excellent. Mission BBQ is "next level" from the normal Dickey's styled place. You can tell they take barbecue very seriously, and the place is crowded for a reason. It's a large space and fully staffed with workers everywhere. You order at the counter.
I went with the 2 meat platter (I wish they had a 5 meat platter lol), and I selected sliced brisket and pulled chicken, the latter you don't see too often. The young lady asked me if I wanted the brisket "moist" or "lean". What does that even mean? Apparently moist = more fat. I'll take lean then. Also chose the meal deal, and added mac n' cheese with a soda fountain drink. Comes with cornbread as well. 20 bucks later, my meal is ready to go. So yea, it ain't cheap.
The second after the pulled chicken passed my lips I knew this was going to be a great experience. The few places that do offer it usually comes out tough. Not here. Very moist and flavorful. Next the brisket. You can cut it with a fork. Same as the chicken - no need to get "moist" when lean is this flavorful. The mac n' cheese was very creamy, hot, and tasty with baked encrusted cheese on the edges. Back to the meats. Now it's time to try their 6 (count 'em) sauce bottles provided on each table. They have Tupelo (Mississippi), Memphis, Texas, Kansas City, St. Louis, and West Virginia. Each with a distinct flavor. The first 2 are too sweet for me, but that's their intent. I didn't even know West Virginia had a barbecue tradition, but if this sauce is its representative, then I need more of this smoky concoction! The other 3 were just as great. And even though the meats didn't need assistance, it was fun pouring a little bit on each bite to get the full range of flavors. I saved the cornbread for last as a possible dessert. It's very flaky but not overly sweet. A bit too much starch for me, but aficionados will probably vouch for it.
I really enjoyed my meal here, though I doubt I would go that often (cost; type of food). But I'll for certain get Mrs. RJG out here soon enough. Mission BBQ opened up precisely 10 years after 9/11 in the Baltimore suburb of Glen Burnie. A good majority of their restaurants are in the Mid to South Atlantic region. Apparently they have one in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore, an area I frequented quite a bit from 2016 to 2019 when I officed nearby in Harbor East. It's very much an American patriot kind of place, so don't expect them in the Capitol Hill area of Denver or Boulder anytime soon lol. In fact, they seem to avoid city centers altogether, preferring suburbia (which this part of Colorado Springs most certainly is). As such, emphasis is on family. No booze here. And that's what I saw - many families enjoying their time here. A splurge meal no doubt, but it's great to see the happy faces.
8/19/23 (new entry); 2/24/24
Colorado Springs
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