Great ambiance and apparently it rolled like it bc it was busy. Meat wasn't flavorful, Mac and cheese was watery, beer grits are very beery (could be a good thing). Cole slaw was good. We're from TX and it just isn't the same...maybe it's KY bbq?
Ella W.
Excellent barbecue in a small, charming area. The Carolina Mustard BBQ sauce is my favorite and the ribs are amazing, however the parking situation is not great. Try it out.
Robert A.
Don't miss this one! Looks like a dive but take the time to enter. Also request their sampler barbecue sauces. I had my normal barbecue request of baby back ribs ( half slab) and not disappointed. I also tried a bourbon beer, not bad.
Kathryn P.
We went here because it seemed to have good reviews, but I would not recommend. I ordered the sliced brisket sandwich with beer cheese and potato salad. The cheese was honestly gross and I scraped it off to eat my sandwich. The meat was fine. Dry, not flavorful, nothing special. The potato salad was not good. Its only flavor was onion, which is not what I am looking for in potato salad. Not all of it was gross. The Mac and cheese was okay and the fried pickles were pretty good. The ambiance was promising and service was good. But my sandwich left me feeling nasty. I would not go back.
Rob G.
I drive up and down I-75 between Cincinnati and Lexington a lot. I see the signs for Red State BBQ around the Georgetown exits and I want to go get some good BBQ! Today I finally stopped for lunch. The restaurant is a kind of shabby building off of US 25 and it sits in front of a very rough looking roadside motel. When you enter the restaurant it's very open with seating available all around the dining area. You walk up to the counter to place your order and pay. There's a menu board and the choices are pretty basic BBQ fare. Pulled pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket and ribs. The sides are typical offerings with beans, Mac and cheese, green beans, etc. but no baked potato! The decor of the place is graffiti covered walls and graffiti covered roll up window shades. The place was definitely no frills but it was clean. Most BBQ places I have gone to (I go to every one I have ever heard about) has a half chicken or chicken pieces. Red State only has pulled chicken so that's what I ordered. I wanted a baked potato but it wasn't an option so I got macaroni and cheese and baked beans. My food was ready really fast, I was glad I went here first by myself. Had I brought someone with me I would have felt bad. The chicken portion was very small, the bbq sauce came as a side in a small condiment cup like butter normally is served in. Maybe a tablespoon of Kentucky Small Batch Sauce! No bread- usually Texas toast or a roll would be expected at any other BBQ joint I have ever been to. The macaroni and the beans were served in styrofoam containers the size you would normally receive coke slaw in. I have been to the National chain BBQ place just down the road in Lexington. I have been to the legendary BBQ place in Owensboro. Louisville has probably five or six places in town that serve excellent BBQ. All of these choices offer a better experience and frankly better food for a more reasonable price.
Juan D.
On my way to Georgia and got the grumbles. BBQ was on my mind. Yelped what's in the area and Red State pops up. Divey BBQ spots are usually the best and this place didn't disappoint!! People wrote on the walls and ceilings and I loved it. Half slab of ribs, beer cheese grits and fried green tomatoes. Boom. Texas something or ruther bbq sauce. Oh and PEACH bread pudding. Oh and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (8.2%) Ribs-perfect smoke. Fall off the bone. Sauce so good I couldn't tell the rib from my finger and bit myself. Beer cheese grits- damn. Just damn. Fried green tomatoes- good but I've had better. Peach Bread Pudding- cmon. Peach cobbler had a baby with bread pudding?? I'm about to lose feeling in my toes. So damn good that I could care less about taking pics. If you're In the area and get the hankering for some meat sweats, stop here. You won't be sorry.
J R.
If you like mustard, you will like this mediocre place. I honestly have no idea why this place is so highly rated. In the 45 minutes my wife and I were there eating our dinner two other patrons complained about the food they were served. Under cooked wings and under cooked ribs. Fortunately, we ordeed something different. I assure you, we will never return.
Beth R.
The pulled pork was under seasoned, the fries were limp, the greens were overpowering with mustard. The sauces all had a mustard base. If you like mustard then this is the place for you! The service was fast and friendly. The ambiance wasn't too pleasing. And trying to enter and exit the parking lot was death defying! We definitely will go elsewhere in the future!
profjim1956
Mustard is king. Everything had an overwhelming taste of mustard. But, I shouldn't complain. The couple at the next table were served raw chicken wings. Kinda sounds like my experience was bad, but better than theirs.
Nancy C.
Definitely not fancy. Graffiti all over walls from previous guests. Who cares? The food came fast and was good! Prices are also good
Delicious, Fair Prices, Delicious again! We need Red State BBQ in more places! The service was fast. Freezing outside but warm inside!
Jim S.
Simply amazing food served on paper plates with plastic silverware. Ribs are to die for. They just fall off the bone as every smoked rib should.
Scott S.
Double smoked brisket was dry, no enough bbq sauce. Bratwurst was apparently store bought. Good cole slaw and potato salad.
Justin H.
I stopped here on a long road trip. It's a hole in the wall place with a nondescript exterior. Yet, at 8 pm, the place was full of cars. For BBQ, the more unassuming the place, the better. Usually, if I smell wood smoke, it's even better. Alas, no smoke smell here. But, given the cars outside, I decided to go in. Southern BBQ is almost always a better choice than other quick food options. That proved true here. I had the brisket, pulled chicken, greens, and corn pudding. All were pretty good. Main room for improvement would be to have more tender, less fat brisket. But, it's still good. Sauces were tasty too and the food came out in under 5 minutes. Check out my photos: This place is the most graffitied interior I've ever seen. Wow. That took some time! Based on when I was there, it seemed to be a local favorite. BBQ gets a 4* Service: 5* for being super fast Price: 3.5* because it was a little high for fast service BBQ
Nikki M.
I recently dined at Red State BBQ in Georgetown, Kentucky, and had a mixed experience. As a BBQ enthusiast, I was eager to try their offerings, especially on a bustling Friday evening at 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, the meal did not entirely meet my expectations. The ribs, which should be a highlight at any BBQ joint, were disappointing. They were tough and seemed like they were not freshly made, lacking the tenderness and flavor that one expects from good BBQ ribs. They certainly did not fall off the bone, which was a letdown. The sauce selection was a hit and miss. While the South Carolina sauce had a nice flavor, the Memphis sauce was overly sweet and lacked the tangy vinegar kick typical of Memphis-style BBQ. It would benefit from a better balance of flavors. The sides were also underwhelming. The Mac and cheese was overcooked, resulting in a mushy texture, and the cheese quality did not enhance the dish. The green beans were bland and lacked seasoning, which was disappointing for a staple side dish. However, it wasn't all negative. The corn pudding and peach bread pudding were delightful. The corn pudding had a comforting, homely quality, and the peach bread pudding was a unique and enjoyable end to the meal. Overall, I was quite disappointed with the quality of some of the main items, especially the ribs. For a BBQ restaurant, it's crucial to get these basics right.
Great ambiance and apparently it rolled like it bc it was busy. Meat wasn't flavorful, Mac and cheese was watery, beer grits are very beery (could be a good thing). Cole slaw was good. We're from TX and it just isn't the same...maybe it's KY bbq?
Excellent barbecue in a small, charming area. The Carolina Mustard BBQ sauce is my favorite and the ribs are amazing, however the parking situation is not great. Try it out.
Don't miss this one! Looks like a dive but take the time to enter. Also request their sampler barbecue sauces. I had my normal barbecue request of baby back ribs ( half slab) and not disappointed. I also tried a bourbon beer, not bad.
We went here because it seemed to have good reviews, but I would not recommend. I ordered the sliced brisket sandwich with beer cheese and potato salad. The cheese was honestly gross and I scraped it off to eat my sandwich. The meat was fine. Dry, not flavorful, nothing special. The potato salad was not good. Its only flavor was onion, which is not what I am looking for in potato salad. Not all of it was gross. The Mac and cheese was okay and the fried pickles were pretty good. The ambiance was promising and service was good. But my sandwich left me feeling nasty. I would not go back.
I drive up and down I-75 between Cincinnati and Lexington a lot. I see the signs for Red State BBQ around the Georgetown exits and I want to go get some good BBQ! Today I finally stopped for lunch. The restaurant is a kind of shabby building off of US 25 and it sits in front of a very rough looking roadside motel. When you enter the restaurant it's very open with seating available all around the dining area. You walk up to the counter to place your order and pay. There's a menu board and the choices are pretty basic BBQ fare. Pulled pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket and ribs. The sides are typical offerings with beans, Mac and cheese, green beans, etc. but no baked potato! The decor of the place is graffiti covered walls and graffiti covered roll up window shades. The place was definitely no frills but it was clean. Most BBQ places I have gone to (I go to every one I have ever heard about) has a half chicken or chicken pieces. Red State only has pulled chicken so that's what I ordered. I wanted a baked potato but it wasn't an option so I got macaroni and cheese and baked beans. My food was ready really fast, I was glad I went here first by myself. Had I brought someone with me I would have felt bad. The chicken portion was very small, the bbq sauce came as a side in a small condiment cup like butter normally is served in. Maybe a tablespoon of Kentucky Small Batch Sauce! No bread- usually Texas toast or a roll would be expected at any other BBQ joint I have ever been to. The macaroni and the beans were served in styrofoam containers the size you would normally receive coke slaw in. I have been to the National chain BBQ place just down the road in Lexington. I have been to the legendary BBQ place in Owensboro. Louisville has probably five or six places in town that serve excellent BBQ. All of these choices offer a better experience and frankly better food for a more reasonable price.
On my way to Georgia and got the grumbles. BBQ was on my mind. Yelped what's in the area and Red State pops up. Divey BBQ spots are usually the best and this place didn't disappoint!! People wrote on the walls and ceilings and I loved it. Half slab of ribs, beer cheese grits and fried green tomatoes. Boom. Texas something or ruther bbq sauce. Oh and PEACH bread pudding. Oh and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale (8.2%) Ribs-perfect smoke. Fall off the bone. Sauce so good I couldn't tell the rib from my finger and bit myself. Beer cheese grits- damn. Just damn. Fried green tomatoes- good but I've had better. Peach Bread Pudding- cmon. Peach cobbler had a baby with bread pudding?? I'm about to lose feeling in my toes. So damn good that I could care less about taking pics. If you're In the area and get the hankering for some meat sweats, stop here. You won't be sorry.
If you like mustard, you will like this mediocre place. I honestly have no idea why this place is so highly rated. In the 45 minutes my wife and I were there eating our dinner two other patrons complained about the food they were served. Under cooked wings and under cooked ribs. Fortunately, we ordeed something different. I assure you, we will never return.
The pulled pork was under seasoned, the fries were limp, the greens were overpowering with mustard. The sauces all had a mustard base. If you like mustard then this is the place for you! The service was fast and friendly. The ambiance wasn't too pleasing. And trying to enter and exit the parking lot was death defying! We definitely will go elsewhere in the future!
Mustard is king. Everything had an overwhelming taste of mustard. But, I shouldn't complain. The couple at the next table were served raw chicken wings. Kinda sounds like my experience was bad, but better than theirs.
Definitely not fancy. Graffiti all over walls from previous guests. Who cares? The food came fast and was good! Prices are also good
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious, Fair Prices, Delicious again! We need Red State BBQ in more places! The service was fast. Freezing outside but warm inside!
Simply amazing food served on paper plates with plastic silverware. Ribs are to die for. They just fall off the bone as every smoked rib should.
Double smoked brisket was dry, no enough bbq sauce. Bratwurst was apparently store bought. Good cole slaw and potato salad.
I stopped here on a long road trip. It's a hole in the wall place with a nondescript exterior. Yet, at 8 pm, the place was full of cars. For BBQ, the more unassuming the place, the better. Usually, if I smell wood smoke, it's even better. Alas, no smoke smell here. But, given the cars outside, I decided to go in. Southern BBQ is almost always a better choice than other quick food options. That proved true here. I had the brisket, pulled chicken, greens, and corn pudding. All were pretty good. Main room for improvement would be to have more tender, less fat brisket. But, it's still good. Sauces were tasty too and the food came out in under 5 minutes. Check out my photos: This place is the most graffitied interior I've ever seen. Wow. That took some time! Based on when I was there, it seemed to be a local favorite. BBQ gets a 4* Service: 5* for being super fast Price: 3.5* because it was a little high for fast service BBQ
I recently dined at Red State BBQ in Georgetown, Kentucky, and had a mixed experience. As a BBQ enthusiast, I was eager to try their offerings, especially on a bustling Friday evening at 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, the meal did not entirely meet my expectations. The ribs, which should be a highlight at any BBQ joint, were disappointing. They were tough and seemed like they were not freshly made, lacking the tenderness and flavor that one expects from good BBQ ribs. They certainly did not fall off the bone, which was a letdown. The sauce selection was a hit and miss. While the South Carolina sauce had a nice flavor, the Memphis sauce was overly sweet and lacked the tangy vinegar kick typical of Memphis-style BBQ. It would benefit from a better balance of flavors. The sides were also underwhelming. The Mac and cheese was overcooked, resulting in a mushy texture, and the cheese quality did not enhance the dish. The green beans were bland and lacked seasoning, which was disappointing for a staple side dish. However, it wasn't all negative. The corn pudding and peach bread pudding were delightful. The corn pudding had a comforting, homely quality, and the peach bread pudding was a unique and enjoyable end to the meal. Overall, I was quite disappointed with the quality of some of the main items, especially the ribs. For a BBQ restaurant, it's crucial to get these basics right.