Insider Pages Reviews for Russell Street Bar.B.Que

5 Stars: Fun atmosphere, wonderful service (by LucyElizabeth)

LucyElizabeth — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Every staff member we encountered was super-friendly, the atmosphere was fun and clean and the food was fantastic. We are going back for more!!!!

5 Stars: Great BBQ! (by stella64)

stella64 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I have been a patron of Russell Street BBQ for the last 5 years due to the consistency of their food. It is my tried and true place to always bring friends and family that are visiting from out-of-town. Typically, I do not post reviews good or bad, but when a friend from Vancouver said they went on Portland City Search to look at bbq reviews and said there were a couple poor reviews for the restaurant imagine my surprise. I can only figure that they are some people who are never pleased or they are competitors of Russell Street BBQ placing postings. So here I am telling you if you want great food that is reasonably priced go to Russell Street BBQ. Get there early though or you will wait since us locals already know how good it is.

5 Stars: Great Food (by justsomelady)

justsomelady — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Sometimes I find myself thinking nonstop about this place. The urge to go back can ba all-consuming sometimes. The ONLY bad things I've ever experienced here are the difficulty finding parking and the wait that is required for seating (only because they're so busy). When I go, I must have their Stumptown Iced Coffee with Cinnamon. It's better than words can describe!

1 Stars: NO OUTDOOR SEATING (by chadillac)

chadillac — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I used to use citysearch all of the time. This is it. Are they high? Do they no longer pay a tiny bit of attention?

I do like Russel Street. This is in no way a bad review of Russel Street, but outdoor dining?

Same with Le Pigeon. Even after a few years of being around Le Pigeon is still one the best restaurants in Portland, if not the country, but under a category of Outdoor Dining?

You should be embarrassed citysearch.

1 Stars: nothing to write home about (by simpsonsbart)

simpsonsbart — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:00:00 GMT

it wasn't good as I expected like what review said...sauce was like bottled grocery stuff from safeway...meat was tender but not enough of smokey flavor, sides were so-so. Even the bbq from trailers can beat this! lots of choices though, but the price was not worth it. .Campbell's was better and unique,Red's was similar to .Podna's,Reo's is definitely regretable, clay's is rude..Buster's? nah... .so far, Red's and Campbell's are the best in my opinion.

1 Stars: not worth the price (by amymusic)

amymusic — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:00:00 GMT

food is not real BBQ...anyone who knows the BBQ can tell this is not real...vegis are like from cans...meat is like from the electric smoker, doesn't have the evidence of slow cooked with real wood from the pit... these folks should of stayed in italian restaurant business, didn't realize the art of smoking it takes....it's a con! almost anyone can do better on their own backyard with some charcoal....it's like european chef trying to copy soul food.... not going to work.

4 Stars: Good (by footlong)

footlong — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Great food, love the place and atmosphere. If you like like bbq pork, get the bbq pork sandwich! Great mac and cheese too!

2 Stars: Very Underwhelmed (by lsb123)

lsb123 — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I have heard many times this was a great BBQ restaurant. The service was above average, but not much more. Though the prices were reasonable, we were overall severely underwhelmed with the food .

The pulled pork though tender had very little smoke flavor and no smoke rings. The sauce used on it was very one dimensional and even the spicy sauce had very little kick. The side dishes which included their "signature mac n cheese was grainy and very bland. The meaty beans were even worse, tasting like canned beans with some meat scraps added.

All in all very disappointing as there are many far better BBQ resturants in the greater Portland area

4 Stars: delightful! (by becca o.)

becca o. — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:50:00 GMT

Some of the best BBQ I've had! The meats are flavorful and well seasoned with a choice of four different sauces. The greens are to die for! They also have peppermint ice cream and delicious iced tea. One of my very favorite restaurants in Portland. Prices are a bit high, but this place is worth the cost.

2 Stars: Not worth the price (by pdx2009)

pdx2009 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

It was one of the worst bbq i had, because it wasn't real bbq. Meat tasted like it came out of the electric oven. Portlanders who doesn't know what real bbq is don't know it I guess, as long as it's flavored with hickory pellets and liquid smoke in a GAS-fired oven? It's like someone from Northwest who tries to copy online recipes of southern cuising without ever lived there. I wouldn't recommend this place unless it was last resort. Service was taking too long, and it was not worth it.

4 Stars: Good BBQ (by tiltrocks)

tiltrocks — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I had the pulled pork sandwich and it was tasty! and the portion was big between the sandwich and the fries i was stuffed. They have a good selection on sauces from sweet to spicy. they are all good, I like the spicier sauces.

1 Stars: overpriced for the shabby food (by paulbunyun)

paulbunyun — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I've just tried their pork ribs and it was over cooked, too small of volume for the price. Their sauce is not authentic southern sauce, food is more of a fusion southern food...I will not go there again. I also hate the bar that is visible from the restaurant because I wouldn't want my kids to be exposed to that type of atmosphere...

5 Stars: Delish (by rosalync)

rosalync — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

This place is talented and wise enough to make bbq healthy and better than any I have ever eaten. The meats ans sauces were great. Just enough of everything, smoky, juicy, tasty, sweet, tangy and flavorful. Our waiter said try the brisket and it melts in your mouth. The potato salad will make you think ou are at a family picnic. The greens are meatless and taste better than any I have has with meat.
I would give it 10 stars if I could.

5 Stars: YUMMY!!!!! (by HNDTJG)

HNDTJG — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Wow, what a fabulous restaurant! Had the brisket with mac n cheese and cole slaw. Also had the fresh cut fries for an appetizer with cajon sauce and wow, soooo yummy! The services was really good as well. A great local restaurant. My friend has the pork ribs with yams and cole slaw. The ribs were the best either of us have had and the yams were sooooo good! Their barbeque sauce is obviously homemade and it was very good. Totally recommend this restaurant. The only item that wasn't so good was the cornbread. It was very dry and not very flavorful which is kind of surprising for a barbeque restaurant.

1 Stars: Bad service, mediocre food... (by portlandjean)

portlandjean — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I HAD TO WAIT TOO LONG TO SIT AND THEN FINALLY WHEN I GOT THE FOOD, IT TASTED TOO DRY AND FATTY...SIDES WERE MEDIOCRE AND FOR THE PRICE AND THE WAIT, I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT. THE SIGN HAS A TWO LARGE NEON PIG ON THE ENTRANCE, NO WONDER, IF I ATE HERE CONSTANTLY I WOULD LOOK LIKE A PIG TOO!

5 Stars: Yummy !! (by pdxcupcake)

pdxcupcake — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Yummy, yummy, yummy !!!
Great quality food, organic and free range options. Bbq healthy but still so tasty. the sides were divine and the turkey, ribs and hot links were the best ever. We ordered them without the sauce and they were awesome. That is a true testament to how great it is when the meat can stand on its own and still be fabulous !!! We were able to try all the sauces and each one was better than the previous. There is one for every taste from spicy to sweet to mustard
Totally recommend !!!!!!

5 Stars: Meatapalooza (by multnomahvillage)

multnomahvillage — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

You need to go here. I don't care if you are a foodie who usually opts only for the seasonal and sustainable organic choices at a local northwest inspired restaurant. I enjoy that too. Russell Street has a huge selection, from TOFU (yes, at meat heaven), to salmon, shrimp, ribs, chicken, brisket, turkey, pork - you name it. The sides are divine and you get a wide selection to choose from. I ate here recently with my husband and two friends, we call got the sampler. With such a wide selection, I think that we did not overlap in our selections much! Even when you order the sampler, you can order a different sauce on each meat you choose. The service was fantastic. They do not take reservations, but the staff is extremely accomodating once you get your table.

5 Stars: Best BBQ I have ever had (by Kendra M.)

Kendra M. — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:24:00 GMT

And that is saying something seeing as how my Granny is a cook in Tennessee. Some of her stuff is still better, but it sure was nice to be able to get it right here in Portland!
Really great, authentic food. Would recommend to anyone--try the hush puppies for sure with a root beer float--you will never go anywhere else. :)

5 Stars: Try it, You'll Like It (by mmmmgoodie)

mmmmgoodie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Great food! I love it all, but have a real place in my heart for the brisket sandwich with slaw, or a chicken sandwich with pimento cheese. My favorite must have sides are: mac and cheese, greens, and beans! Kids get perfect sized portions, and love the mac and cheese. The cocktails are great, and they are always coming up with something new to try. My husband enjoys the beer selection, because there are so many great local beers on tap. The service is friendly and prompt, and we always feel welcome at Russell Street!!!!!

5 Stars: Favorite restuarant in town, Friday nights are busy (by rickspncr)

rickspncr — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to this restaurant I guess 25+ times in the past year. It has always been consistently good. Everything from the brisket to the pulled pork sandwiches. I think they are very reasonably priced. It doesn't get any better than this..when you can go in..sit down to good music, good bbq, sweet tea and home cooked deserts. My brother, couple friends and I make a point to visit frequently. Two thumbs up.

5 Stars: I waited too long for this (by angsgirl)

angsgirl — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I read about this place about a year ago and always wanted to go. Im not too familiar with that part of town so I didnt rush into it, besides, nobody can get EVERYTHING right. Either the bbq is good but the side dishes are horrible, or vice versa. (IE Campbells, pahdnas, etc) I have learned to just bbq at home so I know it is good. Found ourselves in that part of town and decided to try it. Absolutely the best! The meat is all organic, grain fed, non fatty, not stringy. The mac n cheese was just like Moms, maybe better. Cornbread was good, everything was home made. The to go menu is great, cocktails, friendly service. I cant say enough good!!

4 Stars: Great food (by robert S.)

robert S. — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:43:00 GMT

Expect to be full when you go to the Tuccis BBQ house. They offer so many great items and really nice sampler type plates. Hushpuppies, fried green tomatos, sweet coleslaw, and baked beans are a few of the side dishes. Pulled pork, brisket, po boy sandwhiches you name it and they have it. Pecan pie for dessert and super sweet ice tea like in the south to drink. This place offers everthing and it is moderately priced.

4 Stars: Pretty good BBQ (by HeavyEquipmentSales)

HeavyEquipmentSales — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I agree with some of the comments that it could use more hickory smoke flavor like some of the barbeque that I have had in the south, but overall I have enjoyed it very much in each of my return visits. The Carolina barbeque needs some work though, it is pretty weak compared to what I have have had in NC.

4 Stars: Great service, great Q, so-so sides (by briand97)

briand97 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I was really impressed by Russell St. - the staff was friendly and we were promptly seated. I ordered the meatapalooza - including three meats, two sides and corn bread. Overall the meal was very good - the three choices I made for meat were brisket, pork ribs and beef ribs. I would have to say my least favorite was the beef rib - it was still good but paled in comparrison to the brisket and pork rib. - both of which are fall off the bone moist with a wonderful mix of spice and heat (I ordered mine hot). My only other wish is that the brisket was sliced instead of chopped but c'est la vie.

The sides were some what mixed - I ordered the collard greens, mac and cheese and also had the side of cornbread. The greens were great - truly flavorfull and I needed to fight my girlfriend off to maintain control of the dish. The mac-n-cheese was a little unremarkable. I really thought that the cornbread was pretty below average - kind of dry and very little taste.

Overall it was a great experience and I will go back many times

Pros- excellent BBQ, huge portions, great sauces, clean tables, fast and friendly service
Cons - so-so sides, prices a little high.

5 Stars: Fantastic food! (by JuliaCecil)

JuliaCecil — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

The bbq was so good, especially because it doesn't leave you feeling overly full and gross. They put a lot of healthy options on the menu, which I really appreciated. Great food, decent wine selection, and really fun atmosphere. Definitely go!

2 Stars: Over-rated! (by slooje32)

slooje32 — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Seriously, how did this place get 5 stars? The portions are small, the food is bland and the atmosphere is that of an upscale mcdonalds. The chicken was grey and the ribs were dull. Maybe I just had a rare bad experience, but nothing we saw on any of our plates made us want to come back. It just wasnt as good as everyone made it out to be.

5 Stars: Spendy but worth it (by mheidebrecht)

mheidebrecht — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:00:00 GMT

A little more expensive than I like for a restaurant I want to frequent often, but their bbq has never let me down!

5 Stars: Southern comfort in the Northwest (by Terry S.)

Terry S. — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:10:00 GMT

I am from the South, and put a 5 stars on this place -- friendly owners, great food , environment and prices. Two thumbs up for this affordable , great place to eat

5 Stars: The Best "Que" I've ever had (by sylbert)

sylbert — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Russell Street BBQ is one of Portland's jewels.
It started with a friendly welcome from the hostess and fresh water served to your table right away. The ambiance is well balanced: warm from the wood furniture and floors (no more red and blue plastic table cloth) but also fresh and clean with lots of sunlight and cute deco. My previous experiences of BBQ restaurants were in Texas, where the places were always too dark, smoky and far from spotless. Pretty bad first experiences that made me think I knew, and didn't really like BBQ.

I think Russell Street BBQ could turn anyone into BBQ lovers for many reasons:

- the meat is out of this world. I think the tenderness is what strikes you first. You can tell that it is quality meat. The smoky flavor is not over powering and the right amount of sauce is put on it (you can always add more).
So many restaurant use spices and sauces to cover the lack of meat taste but it is not the case at Russell St. The meat is truly spectacular.

- the sauces are so good. I loved the fact that we had choices because not everybody likes the same flavors! The server helps you decide and in doubt, go for the classic (in all logic, it has to be their signature sauce so it must be perfect for the food they serve = tip for reviewer arkrube). My personal favorite was the mustard seeds one as it was less sweet to me.

- the prices on the menu are like a cherry on the cake. For the service and quality food you?re getting, this is a bargain! $12 for a 1/2 order of ribs, fries, 2 sides and corn bread. It was so much food that there was sadly no room for anything else that day.

The also have a full bar, with cocktails and beers on tap. Unfortunately, I?m not a drinker so I can?t recommend anything there.

To conclude, I recommend you start with a strawberry lemonade and pimento cheese. Then, ribs or brisket with mac and cheese (made with real cheeses, no yellow box stuff) and potato salad.
If you still have room, try their floats.

4 Stars: Healthy tasty veggie bbq (by rodmclaughlin)

rodmclaughlin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I had the 'three meat' special but I chose no meat - just tofu, shrimp and salmon. For sides, I had coleslaw and greens, with cornbread and the Virginia classic sauce. It must be the healthiest and tastiest barbecue I've ever had. They have some good microbrews too. I'm not an expert on Southern food, but this was good. The service was excellent too. I'm glad we went there instead of the new yuppie Spanish place opposite. Good value - total cost for two was $50 including $10 tip and four beers. I'd recommed it for vegetarians too - there's a variety of sin-free dishes including bbq'd tofu and various side dishes.

2 Stars: What's the Hype..? (by arkrube)

arkrube — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Being a displaced Southerner, I had been overwhelmed by my co-workers and friends about Russell Street BBQ and it's greatness. Well, I ordered the 3 Meat Sampler (MeataPoolza) in which I got chicken, beef brisket, and pork ribs; plus, a side of cole slaw and beans with meat.
I placed my order and was informed I had to "pick" which style sauce I wanted on each piece of meat...WTF? Well, the chicken was received with no sauce and it was terribly overcooked; plus, the brisket had little/no sauce and there was no "smoke" about it at all...the pork ribs were ok, but could have endured the smoke process awhile longer.
Side dishes: cole slaw was acceptable, but was lacking some freshness, almost soggy...look at adding a bit of horseradish and black pepper to this mix, you might be impressed...and the beans with meat? I have had better at cafeteria style settings.
I own a Traeger smoker, as they profess in their menu, but I don't fear the hickory smoke like these folks. I suggest smoke the meat, stick with ONE sauce, add something to your beans, and add to your cole slaw; plus, be willing to make some more often...
I am not promoting Russell St. BBQ...I have had better, but decent BBQ hasbeen/is tough to find it in this "neck of the woods"...I'll keep looking, elsewhere.

5 Stars: THE PERFECT FIX (by mvmendelson)

mvmendelson — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

On the way home from a long day of work we decided to order out from RUSSELL STREET BBQ. Hadn't eaten there for awhile and we were in a bad way. Jonesing for that taste of smoky goodness and sauces that just can't be beat in Portland. We pretty much stick to our usual. For me its the chicken sandwich with derby mustard sauce and a side of the creamy coleslaw. My partner get the small chopped salad with brisket and corn bread. My partner ordered his and I just couldn't help myself, I veered and I ordered a classic, the pulled pork sandwich and I love the slaw on it, it comes that way and it's fantastic, with classic sauce and a side of the yummy mac and cheese. Not only was our meal grrrrrreat! But, it was still hot when we got home. We used to go all the time but have moved a little farther out so now, not as often but THANK GOODNESS THEY ARE HERE. Their commitment to keeping it local and fresh pays off big time in my book! Great job! We'll be back again and again!

5 Stars: Consistently the best BBQ (by andersona)

andersona — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

This is one of the few restaurants in town that remains consistently excellent. Whether my husband and I pop in for lunch with our toddler on Saturday for a beef brisket sandwich (with classic sauce, add pimento cheese) and mac & cheese, meet a large group of friends for a celebration (family style makes it EASY), or go out on a week night or two (the bursting with flavor chopped turkey salad is my favorite order) I always get the same quality service, food, and experience. The new big booths provide a sound barrier and lots of entertainment for my active little one, and I appreciate the addition of liquor for nights we get a babysitter! My 11 year old niece said when visiting from New Mexico, "I have never had better fries in my life...and I've eaten a LOT of fries!" She still talks about them every time we speak. So go, enjoy, and you too will experience the magic that is RSQ.

5 Stars: best pork sandwich (by turtlehead3000)

turtlehead3000 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

i love a pork sandwich and i found my love at russell street bbq. the smokey pork is delicious with the derby mustard sauce and the slaw topping takes it over the top. delicious. however, my favorite dish on the menu is the unique bbq shrimp appetizer. the creamy sauce with a spicey kick i could eat with a spoon...and i have.
great atmosphere, friendly service and don't forget a prailine on the way out!
head on out to the que for a little bit of the south in the northwest.

5 Stars: My favorite restaurant in Portland (by peterfj)

peterfj — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I love this place, and I've been a customer since it opened. The food is fantastic - my favorites are Smoked Beef Ribs, Turkey BBQ salad, and strawberry lemonade. The service rocks and the owners and staff are super friendly. I recommend Russell Street BBQ to anyone visiting Portland, friends, family, and total strangers.

5 Stars: Wish I could go back (by lynmusic1)

lynmusic1 — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT

My husband and I went to Russell Street Bar.B.Que our first night in Portland. After a long drive we wanted a relaxed atmosphere. The service was prompt and friendly, and our server was able to give us details and his opinion on what to get. They didn't even rush us and we came near closing.

We both got the baby back ribs and while mine was a little spicy for my taste (which is my own fault for ordering that sauce!) we agreed they were the smokiest, most tender and to die for ribs we've had in a long time. We tried our first hush puppies which are my husbands new favorite food and their selection of sides was good but nothing to write home about.

Great service, atmosphere and food, it really helped set the tone for our vacation and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

2 Stars: Even they'll tell you: stay away from the beef ribs (by drm60)

drm60 — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT

It's a bright, cheery place; no question. The sauces are great and the service is very friendly. I ordered a half order of the beef ribs for $12 and got an overcooked order. The outside was so tough as to be inedible and there was so little sweet inside meat left that what looked to be an enormous order yielded a very small amount of food.

The server asked me how my order was. I asked if they intended the crust of the ribs to be so tough and dry. She went to ask and came back to tell me that the rib's are supposed to be "crunchy". She offered to replace them and finally offered to not charge me for my order. I paid anyway, because I ate what I could and they insisted that I received the ribs they way they intend to cook them.

Ultimately, my server told me that they don't do beef ribs very well. Pork is better.

I loved the sauces. The sides (potato salad and baked beans) were a little plain.

4 Stars: AWESOME (by secret_squirrels)

secret_squirrels — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Even if you don't eat meat the side dishes are awesome. Everything on the menu is great!
The spare ribs are the best deal in town!

5 Stars: Best BBQ in Portland (by warren7)

warren7 — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I love BBQ and have tried most of the joints in Portland. How I missed Russell Street is beyond me. Pork Ribs were very good, not drowned in sauce and done to mouth watering perfection. If you like your meat to fall off the bone and melt in your mouth this place can't be beat. My wife had the mild sauce and I had the classic, both were good although the mild was a bit bland for my taste. For our sides we both had the greens and mac n cheese, both were very good. The greens, in particular, were almost as good as Campbell's before the ownership switch. The service was attentive but not annoying and the sweet tea was a perfect compliment to the meal. The only drawback was that we did not care for the fried chocalate pie we ordered for dessert -- it was tough and seemed overdone. Would not order that again, but would highly reccomend this place for a great BBQ experience.

4 Stars: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm good! (by rustyanderson)

rustyanderson — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I love this place. The food is terrific. The ribs are juicy, tangy and meaty. The portions are a bit too large--which with ribs means they are perfect! Service is friendly, the interior is nice and parking is easy. I only eat there once per year because it's so lethal. So we pick a special occassion. If my doctor would let me, I'd eat there every week.

4 Stars: Just wonderful (by dangrmous)

dangrmous — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I have eaten here three times and have loved it every time. The meats are wonderfully smoked, the sides are delicious, and the sauces compliment everything well. The grilled shrimp are without a doubt some of the best shrimp I have enjoyed from any type of restaurant. A must-try item. They have very nice, if sometimes brisk servers. I can only fault them on their beef brisket, which I found to be rather dry. That said, don't miss the other meats, they're wonderful!

4 Stars: great food (by bls59)

bls59 — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Always looking for good barbecue,have always been pleased with the food here, love the ribs. sides are always good!!!

5 Stars: Great BBQ, great service (by spotspot)

spotspot — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

We have made this place one of our regular haunts, thanks to the terrific food and the consistency of the service. The ribs, mac and cheese, fries, and hush puppies are our favorites, but we (or our guests) have also tried the chicken, pork, and even the BBQ tofu, and all were excellent.
We've never had a bad meal, although once my partner's ribs arrived on the cold side. The staff were very apologetic, fixed the problem promptly, and took his meal off the bill. Many places wouldn't go this far to please their customers.
We will be back. Again and again.

3 Stars: Excellent Ribs, Lousy Brisket (by pdxken)

pdxken — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

As Im always in a search for excellent BBQ, I thought Id try Russells. The decor was clean, upscale pig. There were little porkers all through the restaurant. It was a nice touch. Although there is a variety of pork on the menu, I felt the place leaned more to a North Carolina style of BBQ.

I sampled the ribs and brisket. The ribs were excellent, they were tender and tasty. The brisket, however, left something to be desired. The brisket was NOT tender, but fortunately I had the ribs.

In short, an excellent spot if you are looking for ribs, particularly if you like NC style. If you are looking for more of a Texas style BBQ, youll be disappointed.

5 Stars: A first! The owners respond (by bbqqueen)

bbqqueen — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

First, we would like to thank everyone for their opinions and taking the time to post their thoughts here.

We have never responded to a review but it is important to us to point out a few mis-interpretations. The Derby Mustard Sauce is a wholegrain mustard mixed with spices and seasoning, then pureed in a blender for a great smooth sauce.
The pork ribs are braised then grilled with sauce. The brisket is smoked overnight, with another round of smoke in the morning. The beef ribs are smoked for at least 5 hours.

Thank you again to everyone who takes the time to provide feedback. We appreciate it!

4 Stars: still searching for "best beef ribs" (by un4gotn)

un4gotn — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

we started our city search for a restaurant with beef ribs for my mom's 60th (her request) and russel street bbq popped up with it's rave reviews so we went to check it out...atmostphere was casual, yet clean and interesting, menu was wide with selection, and we sampled many items between us-the beef ribs were good, nice and meaty, but not quite as tender as i have had other places, and i tried the mustard bbq sauce which really isn't mustard at all but was unique and flavorful. my daughter loved their mac-n-cheese made from scratch, and candied yams tasted like grandma's (a good thing). My husband (meatsa platter with shrimp, pork ribs, and brisket) who eats nothing but meat 100% of the time could tell his meat was boiled then seared, as opposed to long time smoking of other bbq and that seemed to bother him a bit but i enjoyed for what it was, a casual lunch out. our bill for 2 adults and 2 children was 30$ including drinks (my husband had 2 beers and their sweet tea was wonderful) which was pretty decent. service was good, a little short with my kids, but to be fair they are kind of wild and she even packed my dog back home a left over bag. outside patio looked nice, kinda wish we had ate out there since the weather was nice. we will go back, but not out of our way to do so. we will probably just stick to rib city or goldies (although no beef ribs)- on our side of river.

5 Stars: Great BBQ (by pdx33)

pdx33 — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My friend suggested we have lunch at Russel Street BBQ. Being a person who can not turned down good BBQ I obliged the offer. The pulled pork sandwhich was one of the best that I have ever had. Nice Tender Meat, great service too. Worth the trip across town.

5 Stars: Excellent BBQ (by shaft28)

shaft28 — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I am a BBQ man - I que several times a week and enjoy nothing more than fine BBQ. And Russell St BBQ is fantastic. The fries are excellent (douple fried and good to the last crumb).
We both got the combo platter and agree the shredded pork and classic sauce were excellent. The sausage was good but a little too hot dogish for me. The baby back ribs brought the excellence back again. Side dished - mac & cheese evry good, meaty beans quite good, greens were excellent, candied yams excellent (not too sweet, just right).
We both took home 1/2 our meals and split the turtle brownie which was excellent.
Service was great, super friendly and they had all of their sauces on the table to use as condiments (and so you can try them all).
I'm still sticking to Clay's as my No 1 but Russell Street is a close second and different enough that I could eat here just as often.

5 Stars: Great BBQ! (by soozieque)

soozieque — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This place is great....yummy barbeque, family friendly and a great little outdoor dining area. I keep taking more and more peoiple here and everyone loves it!

5 Stars: best bbq in the Pacific Northwest (by rickbrowne)

rickbrowne — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I am a cookbook author, restaurant critic, and host of a cooking show and i found Russell St. to be magnificent, great service, great ribs, great fries, great desserts, great staff, and overall the best I've had west of the Mississippi.
Can't believe the person who said it didn't deserve a ten then showed their bbq ignorance by asking for "cheese" on a pulled pork sandwich. Who is this person, obviously never eaten southern bbq in their lives, that review is a disservice to the excellence we've found here.
It deserves an 11 for putting everything together in a superb bbq restaurant.

5 Stars: Great Barbecue! (by jldr)

jldr — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My wife and I have been looking for a good rib place for a long time and now we have found one! I had the Babyback ribs which were to die for! My wife had the Meatapalooza that was soooo delicious. And the sides were also really tasty (the greens and beans were wonderful). Top this off with good service and you can't go wrong. The only thing my wife and I would recommend Russell's fix is the cornbread. It was good tasting, but should be warmed before serving and arrive with some butter (honey-butter is often used elsewhere).

5 Stars: Best BBQ in Portand, bar none! (by valkraider)

valkraider — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I have eaten at every almost BBQ joint in town. Busters, Cambpells, Big Daddy's, Reo's, the little stand by New Seasons on NE 33rd, Tennessee Red's, Clay's, and probably several others I am forgetting.

Russel Street is the best. Period.

The owners are great, the food is wonderful, they serve Laurelhurst beer and root beer, and they have - believe it or not - vegetarian BBQ too. Their pork kicks arse, their brisket is wonderful. The turkey so tasty and their hot links are superb. They have great sauces - and the best part is they use natural meats - so no antibiotics or hormones or mad cow... Just good meat.

Their desserts rotate and their specials change every so often. They have the some of the best greens outside of the south, and their other sides are tops as well.

If you like BBQ, you MUST try Russel St.

5 Stars: Sweet BBQ!!! (by chris_n_tina)

chris_n_tina — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

We LOVE RSBBQ--period. The atmosphere is great for a couple or group of friends. The service is friendly, the decor is simple and fun. The FOOD is why you'll LOVE it, too. They excel at pork--ribs, sandwiches, etc--and the sides are great, too. Must haves: greens, cornbread, fries and mac-n-cheese. Also they make amazing BBQ salmon, and the our all-time-fav, the BBQ shrimp in mustard sauce is heavenly! Old fashioned peppermint ice cream to clean your palate after dinner is the best.
It can be a long wait on Fri/Sat nights...good time to go is Sunday for lunch right when they open the door. Oh, yeah--they also crank out commercial free smokin' blues--enjoy! :-)

5 Stars: The best of the best (by Big1der)

Big1der — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

We have eaten here countless times and everything is consistently excellent and sometimes supreme. This place cares about their customer and does everything possible to make you feel welcome and serve you the greatest meal you have ever had. I personally have never been anywhere where time after time everything is perfect

5 Stars: Now I'll Never Need to Go Back! (by jd91469)

jd91469 — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Back to Carolina for barbeque! I have found Barbeque Perfection in Portland at Russell Street. In fact, my last visit to old NC left me eager for Russell Street's "Q." And I put my $$ where my mouth is: I have officially eaten more than 100 barbeque dinners at RSBBQ. Most of them have been my all-time favorite: Pulled Pork Plate, greens (world's best with a few drops of NC vinegar), slaw (goes right onto the "Q" for a delectable mixture), classic sauce with a dash of ultra-hot Frank's, Texas toast, and a huge glass of sweet tea to wash it all down (if you're from back east, there is no other kind of tea). The only way to improve is by adding hush puppies and baked chocolate pie - but those are a meal in themselves. Great food; great staff; great place - it's Barbeque Perfection!!!

3 Stars: What's all the fuss? (by peligrogirl)

peligrogirl — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to RSBBQ at least five times now and I'm not seeing the "10" about it. All the meats have been dry and sauces lacking in flavor. Besides that, I always leave feeling like I spent too much for what I got. The two things I will recommend are the smoked turkey salad and pulled pork sandwiches (just be sure to ask for cheese and extra sauce), even though even the price of the salad made me squirm ($10). On the bright side, they are really nice people.

5 Stars: Best BBQ (by copgril39370)

copgril39370 — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 09:00:00 GMT

We have tried just about everywhere in the Portland Metro area and had come to the conclusion that our BBQ at home was the best...til we tried Russell Street BBQ. The pulled pork was moist and tender. The meat fell off the bone on the baby backs and the brisket fell apart when we ate it. I would suggest the Meatalapooza a super value at $15 with TONS of food. The mac and cheese wasn't as good as mine but the greens rocked and so did the potato salad and the fries w/chipolte mayo! It was a little hard to talk with friends because of the echoing off the hardwood floors but the staff were super and attentive. PS: The hot bbq sauce made my husband break a sweat and don't let the term 'mustard' turn you away...because the mustard bbq sauce was the best!!

3 Stars: Pretty Decent Barbeque (by Tracey W.)

Tracey W. — Mon, 09 May 2005 11:23:00 GMT

I am not a huge fan of barbequed food but my husband is. So we went and it was actually pretty good!!! I was surprised at how well I liked it. Service was good also!! They were very attentive to us and filled our water glasses without having to be told. Very nice experience.

5 Stars: A BBQ joint worthy of the name (by oddlycalm)

oddlycalm — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 09:00:00 GMT

This is Carolina style Q, so you know pork is king. The baby backs were lean and pefectly cooked with the meat falling off the bone. The pulled pork is equally well executed, and this is one of the few places you'll find outside of North Carolina that serves authentic vinegar based pig sauce. They also have a Georgia style mustard sauce, a classic Western North Carolina tomato based sauce, and a hot version of the classic as well. The sides we tried were all excellent, especially the white cheddar mac & cheese, and the fried peach pies dusted with cinnamon were to die for.

Brisket lovers note that while the brisket here has a good smokey flavor and is moist, it's definitely not Texas style. Also, the sauces here really work better with pork. A solid effort but not quite on quite the same lofty level as their pork.

4 Stars: Respectable Pulled Pork Barbecue Sandwiches in PDX (by Steve H.)

Steve H. — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 10:42:00 GMT

I grew up in North Carolina. That pretty much makes me a barbecue snob. In North Carolina it's all about the pulled pork sandwich, served on a bun with fiery vinegar sauce and coleslaw. Sadly, this food of the gods doesn't exist in the Pacific Northwest, so satiating my craving in Portland has proved challenging...until I happened upon Russell Street Barbecue. They make a very respectable pulled pork sandwich. It's not the stuff of the gods, mind you, but it's pretty darn close. The pork is moist with a nice smokey flavor, and the sauce I tried (they have several) was spicy and tangy. They have decent sides too, including a delicious mac and cheese. Finally, the prices are reasonable (a lot of places charge a fortune for barbecue that usually isn't even very good). If you are one of those folks who knows barbecue, Russell Street won't dissappoint in the way almost every other barbecue joint does. These folks know what they're doing. I think they have beef barbecue as well, but who really cares when there's pork?

5 Stars: Hog Heaven! (by ebcupcake)

ebcupcake — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I love this place! The staff is warm and welcoming, the food is delicious and it the decor is fun and down home. The little pigs everywhere make for some fun while you wait for your food. The food choices are creative and unusual, I always order strawberry soda with my BBQ and enjoy a dessert- last time they had cherry cupcakes (my favorite).
Go here with your friends or your honey and share the love!

5 Stars: I'm a snob (by inthebiz4years)

inthebiz4years — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Being from North Carolina, I am very picky about my barbecue, and have found it difficult to find the distinctive east coast carolina style I prefer. No such problems here, and my companion (who favors St. Louis style) was very pleased as well. Really busy at lunch (bunch of smart eaters) but service was friendly and attententive for volume level. Delicious beer selection, too, just right for quenching the thirst induced by perfectly messy, drippy, spicy pulled pork. YUM!!

5 Stars: Don't Pass this one over!!! (by audionut1956)

audionut1956 — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 09:00:00 GMT

From the very cool ambience that resonants of a small southern town cafe, to the traditional but inspired southern style menu, your taste buds will be in heaven. This place is like the Lay's potato chip commerical...bet you can't just eat there once!!!

5 Stars: Out-Standing! Best BBQ... Period (by rayaskew)

rayaskew — Sat, 06 Nov 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Russell Street brings the best complete barbeque dining experience to Portland of any restaurant this side of the Atlantic (yes, it's THAT good). Every aspect of every dish, even sides, shows attention to detail, and culinary expertise that are second to none. The pulled pork is better than you can get South of the Mason Dixon, the beef ribs (if you can get them) are outstanding, but the best thing there is the pork ribs - you will literally have to force yourself to stop eating. Give yourself a treat, drop by and have a lunch or dinner - you'll be thanking yourself over and over and over and over and over.

5 Stars: Rib Heaven (by bj0025)

bj0025 — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Our family has returned a number of times since our first visit. The food and service have been consistently excellent with each visit. The range of sauces will match with any person's taste. the meats are top quality, especially the ribs - which simply fall off the bones in their eagerness to reach your taste buds. And make sure to save room for the desserts. What reallty makes a dinner here special, though, is the friendly and capable wait staff. We love this place!

5 Stars: Best BEST ribs in town (by mkyu2)

mkyu2 — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Most tender, juicy ribs, and yet the leanest in town. The spicy sauce is the best sauce I've ever had. The collard greens perfect, the beans incredible everytime. The place is immaculate, the service is great, and on top of all this they use organic wood to smoke their ribs, all natural non animal by product fed pork, beef, and they don't use trans fats to fry like most places now a days. I'm so in love with this place i've recommended it to everyone.

5 Stars: Just what I was looking for! (by cvankeu)

cvankeu — Tue, 27 Jul 2004 09:00:00 GMT

We'll I don't claim to be an expert on BBQ, But I know tender ribs when I see them. I could not even pick up the ribs with out the meat falling off. Very Tender. The sides were great! The shoe string french fries were very good. Even better that mcmenamins!. I even got a free fried chocolate pie for It being my birthday! My only complaint is the mac and cheese was a little bland. But I think I am just use to the boxed stuff.
I would highly recomend this place for BBQ

5 Stars: Lovin it! (by bucko97124)

bucko97124 — Sat, 22 May 2004 09:00:00 GMT

This has turned out to be one of favorite places for BBQ. You don't have to pick-up the baby backs, the meat just falls off the bones. The greens are perfectly done and absolutely delicious. The only thing wrong with the candied yams is that your side portion is not enough. I could eat a whole plate of them. The taste like they simmered all day in brown sugar.
My only constructive criticism is that the toast is worth putting on the plate, switch to cornbread. The mac & cheese leaves something to be desired, not very creamy. And last, there is no pecan pie.
But I will continue to come back and I will continue to ask for Pecan Pie even though I know its not there.

5 Stars: Go get some! (by auvious)

auvious — Sat, 24 Apr 2004 09:00:00 GMT

You've gotta try this place...the meat is incredible, especially the pork, and sides are great. Reasonable prices compared to other, less than stellar, Portland que restaurants.

5 Stars: Still My Favorite Restaurant (by andreatheteachercat)

andreatheteachercat — Sun, 04 Apr 2004 09:00:00 GMT

5 Stars: Yumm (by blueboodah)

blueboodah — Wed, 31 Mar 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I enjoyed the great meat at this place. No gristle here. The beer was also great! Their selection of deserts was outstanding!

5 Stars: awwwww yeah. (by dearcatastrophe)

dearcatastrophe — Sat, 06 Mar 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Finally, a Portland BBQ place that "gets it". Smoke and Sauce are the key points of Q, and this place has it. Pork is the best item on the menu, brisket in my opinion shouldn't be shredded (cos then it's just chopped beef) -- it should be sliced. The tofu and shrimp Q is intriguing. Greens ROCK! Yes, yes, yes! Shoestring fries are hand-cut -- fresh and crispy.