Tucked away at 1703 S 11th St in South Philadelphia, Mike’s BBQ is the kind of place that makes you forget every other barbecue spot you’ve ever tried. With a 4.6-star rating from hundreds of loyal fans, this no-frills joint has earned a serious reputation for slow-smoked meats that hit different every single time.
Run by Michael Strauss of Taproom on 19th fame, Mike’s BBQ keeps things simple — and that simplicity is exactly what makes it so special. Whether you’re a lifelong Philly local or just passing through Pennsylvania, this is one barbecue stop you absolutely cannot skip.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs That Redefine the Standard
Some ribs make you reach for a fork. Mike’s BBQ ribs make you forget silverware exists entirely.
Reviewers consistently rave that these ribs are fresh, falling off the bone, and packed with smoky flavor that hits you from the very first bite.
The team at Mike’s BBQ takes freshness seriously. Multiple customers have noted that the ribs seem to be made fresh each day the restaurant is open, which explains why they sometimes sell out before closing time.
If you show up and they’re gone, don’t be discouraged — come back earlier next time. Thursday through Sunday, doors open at noon, and getting there early is the smartest move you can make.
One bachelor party guest called the ribs the “overall winner” of an entire spread that included brisket and wings. That says everything.
USDA Prime Brisket That Sets a New Bar
A Physical Education teacher once fasted Monday through Thursday just so he could enjoy Mike’s brisket guilt-free on Thursday. That level of dedication tells you everything about how good this brisket really is.
Mike’s BBQ uses only USDA Prime beef, which is the highest grade available — and you can absolutely taste the difference. The brisket is described by customers as tender, juicy, and loaded with flavor that rivals anything you’d find in Texas or Tennessee.
One customer reported that a coworker who had just returned from Nashville said Mike’s brisket made Central BBQ’s version feel like it wasn’t even real brisket. The bark, the smoke ring, the tenderness, the juice — it all comes together in a way that feels like true craftsmanship.
This is not fast food barbecue. This is the real deal.
The Brisket Cheesesteak Worth Every Detour
Philly is famous for cheesesteaks, but Mike’s BBQ flipped the script in the most delicious way possible. The brisket cheesesteak swaps out the usual ribeye for slow-smoked prime brisket, and the result is something that customers call “beyond amazing.”
One reviewer who visited on a food tour of the city said the brisket cheesesteak was probably the best thing they tried all day — and they visited multiple spots. Another customer described it perfectly: it doesn’t taste like a cheesesteak with better meat, it tastes like a brisket sandwich with cheese, and that’s a beautiful thing.
The sandwich earned an 8 out of 10 from a self-described critic who only wished the cheese was distributed a little more evenly. Even at less than perfect, this sandwich is worth every mile of the drive to South Philly.
Korean BBQ Wings With Flavor That Pops
Not every barbecue joint is brave enough to put Korean BBQ on the menu, but Mike’s BBQ pulls it off with serious style. The Korean BBQ wings bring a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile that stands apart from anything else on the menu.
Customers who tried them during food tours and casual visits alike have praised the bold flavor and satisfying glaze. These wings show that Mike’s isn’t just a one-trick pony — the kitchen clearly knows how to work with different flavor traditions without losing its barbecue soul.
Pair them with a cold drink and some homemade chips, and you’ve got a snack situation that’s hard to walk away from. If you’re visiting for the first time and can’t decide between traditional and adventurous, order both.
Life is too short to skip the Korean BBQ wings at Mike’s BBQ.
Smoked Pulled Pork That Satisfies Every Craving
Pulled pork done right is a labor of love, and Mike’s BBQ clearly puts that love into every batch. Customers have described the pulled pork as excellent, with one reviewer saying they could eat it all day without getting tired of it.
The texture is the kind that comes only from hours of slow smoking — tender enough to shred effortlessly, but with enough bite to remind you this is real smoked meat, not something that came out of a slow cooker. The smokiness runs all the way through, not just on the surface.
Mike’s BBQ keeps its menu focused, which means every item on it gets the full attention it deserves. The pulled pork is proof of that philosophy in action.
Whether you pile it on a sandwich or eat it straight, this is the kind of pulled pork that makes you close your eyes and just appreciate the moment.
Perfectly Smoked Chicken That Melts Off the Bone
Smoked chicken is one of those dishes that looks simple but is incredibly easy to get wrong. Mike’s BBQ gets it very right.
Customers describe the chicken as perfectly smoked and so tender it literally falls off the bone.
That kind of result doesn’t happen by accident. It takes precise temperature control, the right wood, and a genuine understanding of how smoke interacts with poultry.
The half chicken has become a favorite for customers who want something a little lighter than brisket but still packed with that deep, satisfying smoky flavor.
One reviewer who ordered it twice in the same year made a point of calling it out specifically as a must-order. For anyone who thinks chicken is the boring choice at a barbecue spot, Mike’s BBQ is about to change that opinion completely.
Order it and prepare to be genuinely surprised.
Gouda Mac and Cheese Worth Getting Addicted To
“I’m addicted” — that’s a direct quote from a customer who tried the mac and cheese at Mike’s BBQ for the first time. When smoked Gouda replaces the usual processed cheese, something magical happens to a classic comfort food dish.
The Gouda brings a rich, slightly smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with everything else on the menu. It’s creamy without being soupy, and the cheese flavor is bold enough to hold its own next to heavily seasoned meats.
Kids and adults alike have given it rave reviews across multiple customer visits.
One reviewer noted their children called it “yummy,” while another adult customer said they wished they lived closer just to have it more often. Mac and cheese is supposed to be comforting, and Mike’s version delivers that feeling in every single bite.
Get a large portion — you will not regret it.
Sweet Moist Cornbread That Completes the Meal
Good cornbread is the unsung hero of any great barbecue spread, and Mike’s BBQ serves a version that customers specifically call out by name. One reviewer described it as “perfect sweet moist cornbread” — the kind of description that makes you want to order it before you’ve even seen the menu.
Cornbread at a barbecue joint should soak up sauce, balance out spice, and bring a little sweetness to the table. Mike’s version does all three without trying too hard.
It’s the kind of side dish that disappears from the table before anyone realizes they ate it all.
Pair it with the ribs or pulled pork and you’ve got a combination that feels like a proper Southern meal right in the middle of South Philly. For a no-frills spot, Mike’s BBQ manages to make even the supporting players taste like stars.
Homemade Potato Chips That Steal the Show
Nobody walks into Mike’s BBQ expecting the potato chips to be a highlight — but then they arrive at the table and everything changes. Multiple customers have mentioned receiving a handful of homemade chips alongside their order, almost as a bonus treat.
Thin, crispy, and seasoned just right, these chips are the kind of snack that disappears in minutes. They’re not an afterthought.
They feel like something the kitchen genuinely cares about making well, even though they’re not the main event.
One reviewer noted that the chips were a “nice, delicious touch” that added something extra to an already impressive meal. That attention to detail — making sure even the small stuff is done with care — is part of what separates Mike’s BBQ from the competition.
When a barbecue joint’s free chips are worth writing about, you know the kitchen has its priorities straight.
Banana Pudding Dessert That Ends Things on a High Note
You made it through the ribs, the brisket, and the mac and cheese — now it’s time for the finale. Mike’s BBQ serves a banana pudding that one customer on a city-wide food tour called “insanely good” and the best part of the entire day.
Banana pudding is a classic Southern dessert, and it fits perfectly into Mike’s BBQ’s no-frills approach to doing traditional things exceptionally well. Creamy, sweet, and layered with the kind of texture that makes you slow down and actually savor each spoonful, this dessert is a proper ending to a serious meal.
Not every barbecue spot bothers with dessert, but the ones that do right tend to leave a lasting impression. Mike’s BBQ clearly understands that a great last bite is just as important as a great first one.
Save room — this pudding is absolutely worth it.
Catering Services That Turn Any Event Into a Feast
When a catering order becomes the talk of the entire office, you know the food is doing something right. Mike’s BBQ offers catering services, and multiple customers have shared stories of coworkers, party guests, and event attendees immediately asking where the food came from.
One reviewer used Mike’s for a Super Bowl party and ended up with a legendary story — after a mix-up with their order, the team loaded them up with everything available at no charge. That kind of generosity and neighborhood pride is rare, and it’s the reason that customer called themselves a customer for life.
Another reviewer noted that ordering for catering was smooth, easy, and came with great portions. Whether it’s a birthday party, a work event, or a bachelor party kickoff, Mike’s BBQ catering delivers the same quality you’d get sitting down in the restaurant.
Call ahead and plan early.
A No-Frills Atmosphere With Big-Time Heart
Walking through the door at Mike’s BBQ, you’re immediately greeted by the smell of real wood smoke and the kind of warmth that only comes from a place that genuinely cares about its customers. One reviewer described opening the door and being “greeted warmly by the staff and smell of BBQ smoke” — and that sets the tone for everything that follows.
The space is simple and unfussy, which is exactly the point. Mike’s BBQ isn’t trying to impress you with fancy decor.
It lets the food and the people do all the talking. Staff members know regulars by name, ask about their families, and make every visit feel personal rather than transactional.
There’s both indoor and outdoor seating available, so you can enjoy your meal however you’re most comfortable. In a city full of restaurants competing for attention, Mike’s BBQ wins by keeping it real every single time.
Limited Hours That Make Every Visit Feel Like a Special Occasion
Mike’s BBQ is only open Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 5:15 PM. That’s it.
Four days a week, just over five hours each day — and somehow, that scarcity makes every single visit feel like a small celebration.
The limited schedule exists because quality takes time. Everything is made with care, which means quantities are finite and popular items like ribs can sell out before closing.
More than one customer has shown up and found their first-choice item gone, which is the clearest possible sign that the food is worth the effort of planning ahead.
Pro tip: arrive early, especially on Thursdays and Fridays when the week’s freshest batches are ready. Check the website at mikesbbqphilly.com or call ahead at 267-831-2040 before making the trip.
Mike’s BBQ rewards the prepared and the punctual with some of the best barbecue in all of Pennsylvania.
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