ok, so I debated and debated about how I felt about this experience. The atmosphere was nice (not a fan of communal seating, but that's ok), the server was GREAT, and the entrees were fantastic. We had fried chicken and brisket. However, that being said, I felt that the sides were lacking. It was almost as if they spent all this time on fantastic entrees that the side dishes were an afterthought. We had Mac & Cheese which was ok, standard Mac & Cheese. Broccoli casserole was good. The Potato salad I did not care for at all. Everything on the plate, I feel, should be almost as amazing as the entree itself but maybe I have high standards. So, in short, for $18-$23 for a plate, the WHOLE plate better be damn good. For two people, only one of whom ordered ONE alcoholic drink, one appetizer, and two entrees, $40 a person for dinner. BUT brisket and fried chicken? AMAZING. If you're going to go, just get the entree because you can do that. Skip the sides.
(3)
Theodore Y.
Came here for dinner. Got the tray of pulled-pork with sides of cole slaw and mac n cheese. Buddy and I also got the buscuits! Biscuits = heaven. Get it. It's good. Cole slaw = piece of $hit. get something else. Seriously. It's really bad. No seasoning, no hints of vinegar or mayonnaise. Take a PASS! Mac n cheese = Nothing special. Pulled - pork = GENEROUS portion of pork. Tasted well with their sauces. Service was awesome. Would go back for the biscuits.
(3)
Kara C.
I am a Southern-food-loving girl trapped in New England, so Sweet Cheeks is a godsend! I have very high standards when it comes to my Southern food, and let me tell y'all that Sweet Cheeks knows what's up. The biscuits are AH-MAZ-ING. This is blasphemous but may be better than some of the biscuits I've had below the Mason Dixon line. The BBQ is off the chain, DEFINITELY order the fried okra, and be sure to wash it all down with some sweet tea (served in a mason jar, no less!). Y'all enjoy!
(4)
Jimmy S.
Okay, I'm actually from Texas and this food is just... not. And it's really too bad cause my family was pretty excited about this place. The Brisket: Look, you have to trim your brisket. Our sandwich was over half fat. Gross to the point of spitting out the first bite, and then digging through the sandwich and pulling out a pile of fat bigger than the pile of meat left. The Ribs: Again, strangely fatty. This would be more forgivable in ribs, however, if they weren't completely flavorless. I'm not sure if they ever saw smoke. They tasted like they were baked in an oven. The Sauce: Predominant flavor is Ketchup? Really? Yuck. My wife, who is a bbq snob, but not from texas, wouldn't eat it. I mixed in some habanero to mask the flavor. The Sides: Were okay, some even good. But sides are sides. They are not why we eat bbq. The Tea: Tea was good. But they didn't bring sugar. Texans put sugar in their tea. Duh. The owners bio says they drove through Texas once. They should go back, stay a few years, and learn how it's done. This is not it.
(1)
John W.
This is the best BBQ you will find in Boston, and the most authentically Southern. They let you choose the sauce to put on your meat, and you can choose from Carolina style, original, or a spicy pepper sauce. They keep it pretty simple with the dishes: you can get the slabs of meat or you can get them on a sandwich or Texas toast, and then you pick a certain number of sides. The biscuits are fantastic and are served with delicious Honey butter. I have gone several times and will definitely be back.
(5)
Susan W.
I wanted it to be so much more. . . We sat down and I was ecstatic to see fried okra on the menu. Fried okra! On a menu! In Boston! My enthusiasm waned when it arrived and I saw the individual okras (is that the proper term?) sliced in half and appeared to be flash fried. My husband tried one, but despite gnawing on it for a few minutes, he couldn't even bite it in half. It was still bright green - they all were! They were barely cooked. Inedible. The biscuits, though, more than made up for it. I wouldn't want to waste stomach-space on veg tables - even fried ones - when biscuits like that are available. I seriously plan to go back and buy them again for take out. I love BBQ places because I love sides. I'm no vegetarian (from a small town in Oklahoma - they shoot vegetarians there) but I really love potato salad, cole slaw, black-eyed peas. Sadly, the sides disappointed as well. Potato salad should be well-seasoned and flavorful when done right - this was not done right. My BBQ beans were better, but they were kinda sweet. Like, too sweet for ranch-style beans. My pulled pork was good - not great. I found the same thing as other reviewers. Lots of fat. And, I also agree with the Heinz ketchup-like quality of the BBQ sauce. Adding the vinegar and hot sauce improved the situation, but I don't feel that is my job when eating at a BBQ restaurant. I will probably give them another try for lunch or dinner because I think everyone deserves a second chance (and I have not yet tried the hush puppies. Gotta have hush puppies.) But I will definitely being going back to bring home those biscuits as long as I can.
(2)
craig s.
Best Bartender by far in a long time. Even though it was just lunch, Kayla made my Sweet Cheeks experience complete. Great personality, great attitude. She gets it. The food was exceptional , have the biscuit, try all the sauces, and have your buddy pay because , non jacked up swine don't grow on trees. Great vibe. No attitude , sexy but polite and ..friendly staff .... Am I in Boston? I'll go back
(4)
Ira H.
We went with a group of friends on Saturday night. The place was packed and we had to wait for 2 chatting stragglers to leave our reserved table so our large group could all sit down. Next, the fire alarm went off and made a racket. (A frequent occurrence in a smokey BBQ joint?) The biscuits were perfect as others here have mentioned. When the tray came out I was in BBQ heaven. The burnt ends were awesome. They had a different taste than the ones at Blue Ribbon BBQ. Less sauce, more briskety flavor. The Pork Belly was moist and tasty. As far as the side go, I was not that impressed. I tried the cheeseey/broccoli and the collard greens. The collard greens needed more flavor added. Blue Ribbon is better for this. The salad was way too salty. Barely edible. I would definitely return. Next time I will go for the burnt ends sandwich.
(4)
caitlin m.
As a makeup artist hired by People magazine to doll up the Top Chef owner, I didn't know what to expect when I got the call sheet that the photoshoot would be at a BBQ restaraunt. Wow I was so impressed. It's soooo fun in there. You will enjoy the atmosphere for sure. THe owner told me the tables were old bowling alley lanes. We had a bit of lunch and IT had me coming back with my boyfriend that night! I'm not kidding. THe food was so good, I had two meals in one day. Make sure you get the bisquits! The honey butter is to die for!
(5)
Jacob R.
One of my favorite things when visiting new cities is trying to see how the BBQ compares to what I get all the time down in Austin, TX. I was pleased to find a place that was: 1) Close to me 2) Created by a Chef I watched and enjoyed on Top Chef 3) Claimed to have real Texas style BBQ The first two, you pass with flying colors. The last, it was one of the better attempts I have had. I will say, I am used to the upscale BBQ idea, as I work right next to one in downtown Austin. That is where you lose a star. You owe Lamberts BBQ a thank you and a reference for taking every idea they have in creating upscale BBQ in downtown ATX. From the menu, to the sauce bottles, to the side items, to the serving plates, and the layout; this was a transplant of Lamberts. If Apple can patent rounded corners, you guys would be in trouble if Lamberts decided to start enforcing its brand. That aside, the BBQ was good. The brisket could have used some more smoke and a bit more care to ensure that fat rendered, but the bark was a pretty color and tasted great. The pork, was all around amazing. Granted it was the fancy variety, but it had smoke, flavor, and delicious fat. Great job. Sides were all nice and a good portion. All in all a bit expensive, even for the fancy style que. I have made it to four BBQ places in Boston now, and this is good, and the closest to traditional Texas style with a New England flair in a haute environment. Almost forgot to mention. You have lonestar beer.... for $5. In Texas, you would get laughed out of town. Lonestar is the beer that every place charges $2 for the 18 ounces can just because it is tradition. Only those with little money or hipsters actually buy it. It is cool that you carry Lonestar, but at $5!!!
(3)
Kerry G.
I'm going to make this short and sweet no pun intended! I am a southern-raised woman who is currently a vegetarian (technically pescetarian, but c'mon). When it comes to BBQ joints I miss me some pulled pork! But, thankfully, southern sides are plentiful and as delicious as they are fattening. Which brings me to Sweet Cheeks. Bottom line: The food was not that great SANS the biscuits everyone is raving about. And, it's not worth the money. P.S. Southern mac & cheese should not look and kind of taste like Kraft. Just sayin. Look up a Paula Deen recipe, Sweet Cheeks!
(2)
Kim P.
I think in the South we'd call this "fair to middlin." Nothing impressive about this place, particularly if you're hankering for good BBQ. The brisket was a bit dry. I didn't love the sauces, even the vingar-y one wasn't that tasty. The fried green tomatoes were overbreaded and not ripe enough and the broccoli casserole, which features quite prominently at every family BBQ I've ever attended, was not memorable. The biscuits with honey butter, though, were pretty bomb. I don't know if they usually play hip-hop, but when we walked in, there was a succession featuring Talib Kweli, Arrested Development and some other old school stars that made dining quite pleasant. I'm gonna say it, though: if you want real BBQ in the Bean, venture over to the Pit Stop. THAT'S real BBQ (but you might want to bring some of the Sweet Cheeks biscuits).
(2)
Eva K.
I usually get baby back ribs from the steakhouse around the corner, but BF convinced me to try Sweet Cheeks instead. The single star is for the hush puppies, which were pretty good. The pork ribs tasted like ham on a stick, the BBQ sauce was distinctly unsatisfying, and the big chunks of slaw made me feel like my jaw was really getting a chewing workout for not a lot of return on investment. In short, $50 (yeah, that's what it cost) of blah.
(1)
Kate S.
Food was pretty good but waiter was very sexist. Wrote to management & received a lackluster response. Followed up and still haven't heard anything. I hear this place was started by an awesome woman but it seems treating women like people doesn't translate to the rest of the staff. Here was my letter: Last night I visited with five women from my graduate program and we were all treated very poorly by our waiter. Aside from repeatedly referring to us as girls he made several snide comments when we struggled to split the bill six ways between cards and cash. However, the real issue with the bill was that an unmentioned 18% gratuity had been added. Because the tip was added down after the tax we didn't realize it at first and included only enough to cover our meals and tax, thinking we would leave the tip on our cards. Our bill was brought back to us, of course, with many remarks about how he hoped none of us girls were in school to be doctors because GIRLS ARE SO BAD AT MATH. There was still no mention of the 18% gratuity that had been added. When we finally figured out the missing link (tip was already included) we settled the bill in seconds. When we mentioned that we didn't realize tip was included and had been planning to tip again the waiter just shrugged and told us that the "girls inside will be laughing about this one for awhile." It should be irrelevant that we are all working professionals in our late twenties also in graduate school (three of us in business school). We are not idiots, we are not girls, and we all have the potential to be doctors. Even if we were none of those things, this sort of misogynistic treatment is unacceptable. I generally leave a generous tip but for the first time in my life I understood how some people leave a restaurant so disgusted that they leave nothing. I think it's worth mentioning to customers splitting a bill that you've added $30 dollars to it. Or at the very least when it is clear that they missed it and are planning to tip again to come clean instead of repeatedly infantilizing them and insulting their intelligence. Not noticing this policy (if it is restaurant policy to add 18% to parties of five or more) doesn't make us bad at math, or dumb, but it does make sure that we'll never come back.
(1)
Alex V.
Best fried chicken ever... Sp juicy and crispy. Best biscuit in the world... according to forbes.. and me. Best baked beans I have ever had. Not too sweet, plenty of pork. Finaly I get boston baked beans... allthough this place is Texas themed, Pulled pork and chicken was good. I am a whiskey drinker, and I had 2 whiskey drinks and was bombed.... A ton of hipster doofus'... like BOY the doofus is is strong in this place.
(5)
Nicole S.
We went into Sweet Cheeks to just check out the menu and decided on ordering a wee bit of pork belly to take home. Tiffany Faison (chef/owner) came out to personally great us and ask if we had been helped, when we mentioned we may want she escorted us over to the bar and someone promptly took our order. The pork belly (available in 1/4lb) increments came out super quickly while we had a beer at the bar. When we got home, even though it wasn't super hot (how could it be, we ordered it togo) it was still AMAZING, melt in your mouth wonderful. Best pork belly ever and at such a great value ($5 for 1/4 a pound) Seriously can't wait to go back and try everything on her menu!!!
(5)
John P.
Trendy little BBQ spot. Pork options don't disappoint - pulled and ribs are both delectable. The rest is mostly hit; outstanding biscuits, mac and cheese, beans, sweet tea. Only real miss is the cole slaw - just no on so many levels (taste of blanched greens, wide-chop, etc.). Sam LaGrassa (the gold-standard of Boston slaw) would be rolling over in his proverbial grave. That aside, love the small touches (drinks in mason jars, napkins/flatware in empty coffee tins). Almost guaranteed a wait on weekends for dinner; however, there is ample window seating around the perimeter (with the option of full service), which is a nice alternative. Boston's barbeque scene is abysmal; however, Sweet Cheeks is one of your best bets.
(4)
Oliana L.
Loved Sweet Cheeks, Initially we were going for take out since we had our baby with us but after seeing a couple of ladies coming out of there with strollers we decided to lunch in, waitress was quick to explain Texas style bbq and their 3 signature sauces, (jalapeno our fav)I ordered the brisket (best I ever had) husband got the ribs and we took an order of chicken home, so glad we did so! Loved all the side orders and their craft beer selections, we will be back!
(5)
Kara S.
The good! The hostess said it would be a half an hour to wait for a table so we tried to hit up the bar but it was WICKED crowded. If you didn't have a stool you were jostling around just to lift your drink to your mouth. However.....we got sat about 5 minutes later. I LOVED the smell of this place. I wanted to roll in it, make a perfume out of it, eat a candle that smells like it...(not that I've ever eaten a candle...but you know, some smell so good that you want to) I ordered the burnt ends sandwich and I've gotta say, I was disappointed. I've had burnt ends before and this wasn't it. This was a pile of fatty pork on a roll. My wife ordered the pulled pork platter and hers was way better. I loved the tater salad w/ bacon and the broccoli casserole though. They were WAY good. The biscuits are fantastic and about the size of your head. Order some for sure...the honey butter they come with is a perfect compliment to them. Lastly our waitress was great, attentive and enthusiastic. A nice meal for sure.
(3)
Jess H.
Went here for dinner for the first time last night after wanting to go for a while. I think the biscuits pretty much converted me into a fan. After hearing all the raves about them, I was still VERY impressed. They were so frickin' good. Then everyone was passing around butter, and I was like, these don't need any butter! But I decided to try some anyway, and that just made a perfect item even more perfect. I had to do a make-shift order to try both the fried chicken and brisket in one order (as the fried chicken is not included in the 2-item or 3-item trays) by ordering the chicken tray with a 1/4 pound of brisket on the side. Both the fried chicken and brisket were excellent, though I am very disappointed that our waiter forgot to put my brisket (that was barely touched due to how full I'd gotten off everything else) in my take-home baggie for lunch today. *Sigh* oh well! The potato salad was very good. The beans were also a good value as they include big chunks of meat, however, they were a bit too sweet for my taste. I would have gone easier on the molasses. I also had the Angry Cheeks to drink, which was surprisingly really good, and definitely something I would order again. It was also a BIG DRINK. It took the entire meal to finish. So, overall 4 stars, and I'll definitely be back again, if only for the biscuits!
(4)
Jeannie H.
ATMOSPHERE - I instantly salivate at the smell of smoked meat and hickory. The decor is industrial meets backyard cookout. It's well ventilated but gets extremely noisy during peak hours SERVICE - On the first visit, there were definitely wrinkles to iron out but they have become more polished with time. FOOD - No, this is not Texas or North Carolina. I wouldn't even venture to make make that comparison. However, they do make some decent BBQ. Strangely enough, my favorite is not their BBQ but their giant biscuit with honey butter and their fried okra. The pork belly was greasy and didn't have that nice crisp to the skin. The brisket was a little dry and fatty. The short ribs have been inconsistent. The problem is in the BBQ sauce or lack thereof. There are 3 choices in jars on the table, none of them interesting: traditional (fancy ketchup), Carolina vinegar, and habañero. For sides, I've had their black eyed peas, collar greens, mac n' cheese (ritz cracker crumbles on top), cole slaw (runny), potato salad (poorly seasoned) and carrot and raison salad (too vinegary). The collard greens is probably the best choice. The portion sizes are good and the price point is what you would expect for Boston standards though expensive for BBQ standards. I have been back several times due to convenience and lack of BBQ options in Boston. Great BBQ is dependent on a good rub or delicious sauce - neither of which is the case here.
(3)
Bruce I.
Sweet Cheeks has a good story, a nice room, and appropriate rustic decor. But we were disappointed. We had ribs (just ribs; not "baby back ribs" or "St Louis ribs" or "rib tips") and pork belly with carrot and raisin salad, mac and cheese, and baked beans. The salad was the best thing on the tray. The pork belly was decent. The ribs tasted smoky, but it wasn't that rich smoke from apple or mesquite wood, it was ashy-flavored. The beans were flavorless. The mac and cheese was okay, not better than that. There were three barbecue sauces on the table. The yellow one was super hot, like a single drop was painful. We're not afraid of the heat, but this had no flavor, just burn.. I guess it's just in case you need to prove how tough you are. The red one was vinegary, palatable, but we've sure had better. The pink one was another vinegar-based sauce, this one mostly vinegar. Pretty bad. Given the lackluster quality of the food, the ambiance became like a bad joke, with all drinks served in mason jars, dinner served on a baking tray, napkins and silverware on the table in a metal bucket. OK if we then got some real southern barbecue. But we didn't. Chef owner TIffani Faison has a fine dining background. In this setting, she's like a Long Island preppie slumming. Go back to the white tablecloths and leave the barbecue to the real country folk (who would never live in Boston so it looks like we will be continually disappointed in our quest for good barbecue).
(2)
Tori P.
Not impressed, food was okay, nothing special. It took a long time to be served and the whole staff seemed annoyed. Servers didn't bother to ask if we wanted more drinks, 2 hour dinner with 1 beer each. I very rarely complain about restaurants and understand they get busy, but that was not the case here, plenty of time was spent hanging around by the kitchen door. Just unimpressed all around.
(2)
Emily W.
I must first admit: I am from the South. I am from North Carolina, and I know my BBQ. Being North of the Mason-Dixon Line, I should have lowered my expectations. Sweet Cheeks is located right around Fenway Park. It's a tourist trap. Do not expect much, and expect to over pay for it. $16 for a pork sandwich and one side?!?!?! BLASPHEMY! Though the pork was good - great flavor and juicy - the mac and cheese was gross. It tasted oniony and they put ritz crackers on top. I am not from the school where you ruin mac and cheese by trying to dress it up. It's mac and cheese, the only ingredients needed are in the title. Service was decent - food came out fast, but I can't get past paying $16 for a sandwich. Probably won't be back.
(2)
Nancy B.
First, if there is a Sox game, don't go here expecting to get in quickly or for it to be a quiet relaxing meal. It is a few blocks from Fenway. I know not everyone in Boston lives and dies by the Sox, but be aware of what is going on around you. A party of five for our visit on a Sunday afternoon. Easy to get in, but it did fill up while we were there. Some tables are long tables that you may end up sharing with other parties. You will have room between you and the other parties of at least a chair. If that bugs you let them know you want your own table, they are available. Pretty darned good beer list, both bottles and draft. Take a look at the list on their website. If you are a beer geek you will find something that won't feel like a compromise. If you are into things not so different, they will have those too. Also, they have a full bar. As for the food, well, that is pretty darned good. Perhaps a few bucks more per order, but not to the point where I question who they think they are. We started with apps of fried green tomatoes and a bucket of biscuits. I have had fried green tomatoes all over the south, these were good, but nothing to get wowed about. Now, the biscuits, which are the size of a child's head, YES! Loved them, loved the honey butter with them. I could go there for drinks and a bucket of biscuits and be so happy. Two people had sandwiches and there was a healthy amount of meat on the sandwich for both of them. Husband and I each got trays that had the meat with one cold side and one warm side. Finally, due to dietary restrictions, one person got a salad. The person who had the salad said it was a really good and hearty salad with hazelnuts and barley that made it very crunchy. Our sides, cole slaw, mac & cheese, and potato salad. Loved them all. The mac & cheese was nice and creamy with a bread crumb topping. Three choices of sauces on your meat range from a vinegary, to a green tomato based to a traditional. It was fun to try all three on chicken which was perfectly cooked and pulled. As for service, we had a perfectly pleasant waiter who was willing to let us linger and chat when our meals were finished. Water glasses were always filled without having to ask. Refills on drinks were offered more than once. There are numerous tvs around if you want to watch a game or something while eating. Also, there is a bar to sit at with two tvs above the bar. Nicer weather you can sit outside. All we need to do now is plan to go back because that fried chicken is calling me!
(4)
Laura K.
I don't understand some of the reviews below. Sweetcheeks is the best food in the area by far. It KILLS all the crappy pub grub in the Fenway area. I've tried all the meats, and they're all superb. Particularly love the brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. Love the Texas BBQ sauce selections. And it has good beer and whiskey offers. Substantial portions make for a good value. Most importantly, this is REAL FOOD! Not crappy fodder.
(4)
Peggy M.
Showed up there on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a group of about 15 people. We didn't have reservations, but they accommodated us and moved some tables together on the patio. They feature Texas-style BBQ. I like that they serve meat that's been smoked with a rub, but you can choose from 3 different sauces, including a sweet KC sauce or a Carolina vinegar-based. I ordered the burnt ends brisket sandwich on texas toast, which came with 2 sides. Plenty of food. It was tasty. When they say they have the best damn biscuits, they aren't kidding! They are mouth watering good. There was a wide variety of beverages on the menu that come served in mason jars. Granted, it was my only visit, so I didn't encounter the problems with slow service that others have mentioned. But would I go back? Definitely. Even if it's just for those biscuits!
(4)
Julia F.
Want BBQ? Want it conveniently located? Wanna sit next to strangers? Ok, maybe not a "yes" to the last one. But seriously, BBQ, right there. Parking, T stops, walking distance from loads of places I go often. It'd be pushing it to ask for much more. Our waiter was friendly. My sister tried to order something with nuts - I told her she couldn't (we are all allergic) he came back and tried to make sure she was all set since she had an allergy - I told him we all could not have nuts. He seemed taken aback, but worked with us. My little sister told him we had just left a support group for people who can't eat nuts. He laughed, and came back with all our food. I got one of the trays: brisket, potato salad, mac n' cheese - it came with two slices of bread, onions and pickles. The brisket had a great texture, it was a little peppery. Potato salad was pretty good, mac n' cheese was gooey. My sisters also were very happy with what they got, and when I couldn't finish my plate, they tried the brisket and liked it a lot too. I'm not a HUGE fan of sitting close enough to touch elbows with somebody you don't know. But it was really easy to recommend the things we'd ordered to the people who sat down next to us as we were wrapping up our meal.
(3)
Gina C.
Good quality food with a really great atmosphere. I had the pulled work sandwich and it was very good. I had the mac n cheese and potato salad as sides which were both great. The wait for a table was definitely annoying, but when it's game day at Fenway that's to be expected. Our server was a little slow but again it was a busy place. My only qualm would be that it's a little over priced. All in all though a good spot!
(3)
Jessie L.
I had high hopes for Sweet Cheeks but was pretty let down. My boyfriend and I split the biscuits, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. The biscuits were amazing and definitely worth going back for but the meats were fatty and not flavorful at all. Considering the price of this BBQ joint versus some of the other places in Boston I definitely expected a much better experience. The potato salad was off and tasted like it was doused in vinegar. I probably wouldn't go back for a meal but I would go back for a biscuit and a drink served in a jar.
(3)
Matt I.
Now look. I like barbecue as much as the next guy. Maybe a little more. But I'm not one of those crazy BBQ purists that is gonna complain about things being 'inauthentic' if they're good. This place is good, with hints of greatness here and there. Went here with my wife and a friend after doing some shopping in the area and all of us realizing we were starving. Starters: the biscuits - holy crap the biscuits. GET THE BISCUITS. The salt and pepper potatoes were crazy good too. Fried green tomatoes were okay. Between the three of us we had a wide variety of meats. The pulled pork and chicken were okay, with a very smoky flavor. Brisket was alright, pork ribs were described as "good", but the wife wanted some sauce on them. Fried chicken was "flavorful and juicy", but the skin was a little burnt. Homemade sauces were pretty good (Texas BBQ, a vinegar sauce, and a hot sauce). Sides were a mixed bag. I thought the salad was too salty, but the Mac and cheese was AMAZING. Baked beans were "really good" and tasted "homemade" and "flavorful". Pretty big portions, though a bit pricier than some other BBQ places. Good selection of beers and other adult beverages. Lots of TVs (we were there during a Patriots game, could see a TV from anywhere). Service was friendly, but the server could have stopped in more frequently with water and to check on the food after it was dropped off by the runner. (No problems, but if there was one we would have had to flag someone down.) Overall, good but not great. I like the meat at Village Smokehouse better, but the sides and apps here are really strong. May just be a style thing!
(4)
Matt C.
The food is great. The location is perfect. The setting feels a little cramped but the beer selection and ambiance make up for any shortcoming. I had high expectations going into my first meal at Sweet Cheeks and although it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, it definitely warranted return visits.
(4)
Ken M.
A solid three stars, mostly due to atmosphere. It was bordering on uncomfortable to eat here due to the volume of the music (at 5:30 pm, no less) and the sun beating in through the high windows. It was also very warm, but that was almost understandable, seeing as it was a 90 degree day. I liked the decor and the presentation of the food. I don't really understand the price scheme, the cost of biscuits seems high, the cost of sides on their own seems high, but when we got the bill, it was surprisingly reasonable. The female wait staff all appeared to be waiting to be the next Zooey Dechanel and not necessarily fully intent on providing good service, but the bussers and water boys were pretty attentive. Andy very much enjoyed his brisket platter, he'd prefer me to give four stars for this review. I didn't really think the pulled pork on Texas Toast was anything special. The meat was quite dry. The star of the show was the macaroni and cheese and the pickles and onions. The carrot salad was an interesting take on a retro dish that was pretty good. I thought the food came out very quickly. I didn't use the restroom and it was too warm for the patio. I'd like to try Sweet Cheeks again, perhaps on a cooler day so we can enjoy our food outside.
(3)
Boris L.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had, hands down. I went with the pulled pork sandwich and got a scoop of the mac and cheese and a scoop of the potato salad. Everything was phenomenal, the pork was practically melting in my mouth, the mac and cheese was thick, and the potato salad was done really well. The restaurant in somewhat small on the inside, but they also have a nice patio for outdoor seating. It's a small menu so you aren't overwhelmed by a whole bunch of choices. I also liked how they bring everything out on a tray, it keeps the feel of the place casual while still serving the best food on the block. Price wise I thought it was extremely fair for what I got. The portion size was generous without being at the point where it's an excessive amount of food. The drink menu looked great too. My only complaint was that our drinks didn't come until halfway through our meal, but I was so impressed by the food that I had forgotten that I had even ordered a drink. Check this place out, get some great BBQ and try all of the sauces they make in house. The hype is real, my friends, Sweet Cheeks is the best BBQ in Boston
(5)
Richard K.
Came here for a company party. We had the whole outside private section rented out, it was great. Service was really good and the food was better than expected. Our company had buffet set up, but I have allergies and couldn't have any due to cross contamination. The friendly staid said they would put something together for me and brought out a huge plate full of food (allergy free) - I was very impressed.
(5)
Jacqueline S.
Due to my recent obsession with Southern cuisine, I had been dying to try Sweet Cheeks for a while. Luckily, with a party of 12 for my grad dinner, we were prepared to order LOTS AND LOTS of food. And that we did. The GIGANTIC biscuits came out first-- things of beauty, really. Next came out the sizzling hot fried green tomatoes with a spicy (jalapeño?) mayo sauce. SO TASTY--I highly recommend getting these. Then came the rest of our order: trays of pulled pork, pulled chicken, full rack o' ribs, collard greens, bbq beans, mac n cheese, and hush puppies. The collard greens were delicious but a little greasy for one of the few vegetables on the menu. The bbq beans had nice, smoky flavor and the mac n cheese was so-so. Didn't have much of an opinion on the hush puppies so I guess they weren't that memorable. Of the three meats we chose, the ribs were definitely the star. The meat falls right off the bone and is sweet with smoky undertones. The pulled pork and chicken were a little disappointing, however. Not quite as tender and juicy as we had hoped. But I am a big fan of the sauces they put out on the table. The BBQ sauce and vinegar-based sauce go well with all the meats and I especially loved pairing the vinegar sauce with the pulled pork. So overall, probably not the most authentic BBQ you could find in Boston but I'll still be coming back for the ribs, biscuits, and fried green tomatoes. Also, I love the atmosphere of this place: cozy and cabin-esque and our server was extremely friendly. Come here for some good eats, great atmosphere and service, and a relaxing, fun night with friends/family.
(4)
Adam H.
I have heard of Sweet Cheeks from multiple trusted sources that knew I had to check it out. When I realized my brother in law just starded working two blocks away I figure it would be the perfect chance to try this new place out. Although the decor wasn't what I was expecting I was very pleasantly surprised. The service was pretty good and the place was clean. The fantastic smell warmed something inside me and I couldn't wait to take my first bite. I had the brisket and my brother in law had the pulled pork. We were both very happy with the food and the portion sizes. They have some great sides to choose from to go with your meal. I went with the mac n cheese. Yum. I dont think i would have ordered anything different for lunch today but for my next lunch visit, there are a few things on the dinner menu that were not on the lunch menu that I might like to have for lunch. I will be back.
(4)
Natasha L.
So I have been wanting to try this place for awhile because I am a top chef fan. The biscuits and honey butter are soon good. And my sweet tea was good. And I like the whole mason jar type of thing but the friend chicke, Mac and cheese and potatoes salad...meh I think I ate like 4 bites. And for 2 people (only 1 beer) with tip it came to $84! That is just insane. And it would be one thing if it was amazing but to barely eat it? I also need to add they played fun 80's music. Oh and it too very long to get our food and we were 1 of maybe 4 tables there
(2)
Anna B.
This is not a bad place but it didn't live up to the hype. The food was good (though insanely salty). The short ribs are delicious. I liked the collard greens, my friend did not. My friend liked the mac and cheese, I did not. My drink was tasty but didn't seem to have any booze in it. I'd give them 3 stars but I found their seating policy obnoxious - when the restaurant's almost empty at 3PM, a party of 2 should not be declined a regular table. We were told we had to sit at a high top or the bar even after we asked if we could sit at a normal table. I prefer regular tables to hightops and probably won't return here as a result. More people came in but the regular tables never completely filled while we were there (I watched). I'd understand if it were closer to dinner but this was silly.
(2)
Clare F.
Adding to my review. Another solid experience AT Sweet Cheeks. I'd love to see some grilled or BBQ fish on the menu. My Woodchuck Cider was a good way to wash down the savoury biscuits. The one thing... Sweet Cheeks, you forgot my stinking leftovers. I ordered the large sized mac and cheese because I knew I would eat half, and save the rest for tomorrow. We get all the way home and guess what - husband has the meat he ordered to go, but my mac and cheese is now somewhere in the Sweet Cheeks trash barrel. That makes me a sad panda.
(3)
Joan C.
OMG. I think I've found Texas in Boston! Meat was moist, biscuits to die for, cheezy broccoli yum, salads yum, home made pickles and onions, multiple sauce selections ....IMHO, better than Redbones, Blue Ribbon, and place I went to in Fredricksburg TX for BBQ!
(5)
Tricia P.
Didn't remember why I stopped coming here, but NOW I remember... I used to come here frequently last year. In the beginning, food was great, served hot (as it should be) and service was great. However, quality of food started going downhill. Went there for dinner last night and boy, it is now at the depths of despair. My gastrointestinal system is STILL recuperating... Let me break it down for you: - Alcoholic beverage: Gross! It was the pineapple something which was too sweet in combination with a disgusting mixture of strong alcohol. The combination did not vibe. - Food: I ordered the Pork belly tray with a side of cheesy broccoli and coleslaw ($20). Also had one biscuit ($2.50). My bf ordered the pork rib tray with the same sides. Everything came out the same temperature as the coleslaw. *Pork belly- not cold, not warm; super salty *Pork ribs- not cold, not warm; just ok *Cheesy broccoli- very slightly warm but plain gross *Coleslaw and butter for biscuit- Both receive my one star. Came out the way it was supposed to...cold and yummy *Biscuit- Just ok but would've been a notch up if it had been served warm to hot - Service: Sat at the bar. Not bad considering that by bf and I were the only other couple there. - Total bill with tip $100: Totally not worth it and I will most likely have to spend another $100 juicing the next couple days to cleanse after that meal. I was wondering why the place was slow for a Thursday night. Now I know why! ~ Yelper Ninja OUT
(1)
Chayla F.
I am a Lousiana southern girl and the daughter of an award winning grill master. I was disappointed by this place. The ribs were tender and had decent flavor. The bar-b-q sauce was meh... They 3 differnt versions, only one was halfway traditional and it was not thick and rich. The other sauce options were outlandish. The drinks were OK. The most dissappointing thing about my visit were the sides!! The potato salad and baked beans had no flavor.One positve thing- service!! Polite and professional. I will not return unless I am going along for the ride with a group of friends.
(2)
Food D.
Oh. My. God. SO EFFING DELICIOUS! Interior: You walk in, and you smell this light smokey delicious smell that gets your mouth watering. Went on a sunny day, and it was such a nice atmosphere with back window/door open. It was busy and had a great buzz. Drinks: They have really nice cocktails and beers, and best of all, they serve all your drinks in a jar! Gotta love some jar sippin'! Service: Great, our waitress couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Food: The food was so delicious! I'm sitting here almost 12 hours later craving it... My mouth is watering! Firstly, presentation was great. The tray, and using a cup for your hot side, I loved it. The fried green tomatoes were delicious with the jalapeno ranch dip. The fried okra was good, but make sure there's a bunch of you, you get a pretty big pile of it! Definitely recommend the bucket of biscuits - best fresh biscuits I've ever had, nice and buttery and warm. The fried chicken was so juicy and the batter was spiced and salted just right. The ribs were so tender and juicy, the meat just fell off the bone! and when you slather the whole thing with their bbq/hot sauce... MMM! The brisket was also really tender, you could eat the whole thing with just a fork. It was a little dry though, I would have liked it juicier. All our sides were delicious, such as the mac & cheese and the collard greens. Overall, I would definitely recommend the ribs here.... best ribs I've ever had! DEFINITELY my new grub-out & drink spot!
(5)
Haley W.
This should really be 3 1/2 stars, but I'll round up for good measure. I tried the fried green tomatoes, brisket, pulled pork, cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens, and baked beans. The only reason I feel inclined to write this review is because Those. Were. Not. Baked. Beans. Seriously. The "baked beans" broke my heart. What should have been a sweet, tangy, yet salty side was in fact a bland interpretation of bean and beef chili (the server referred to them as "Cowboy Baked Beans" I have no idea what she was talking about). PEOPLE: Beef doesn't belong in baked beans, nor does an excessive amount of cumin! What these "baked beans" were missing was the ingredient that is definitive of genuine baked beans: molasses. MOLASSES. These "baked beans" HAD. NO. MOLASSES. Oh and BACON. In what universe does ground beef substitute for bacon?? Now, you may wonder why I am on a tirade simply because of baked beans. I'll have you know that, being from the South, and growing up on this delicacy, I consider myself somewhat of a baked bean connoisseur. In short: I LOVE BAKED BEANS. I eat them by the bowlful. I crave them. I love them enough to let this bizarre interpretation of them RUIN an otherwise fantastic BBQ dinner. So that is all. Fix the beans!!! Make them worthy to be on the menu of a restaurant which calls itself barbecue.
(4)
Donna M.
I don't understand what the hype is all about over this place. I rely on Yelp often for consumer opinions before making a dining choice. This one really backfired. First of all, chicken is my go to meal of choice, so I ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner. Not only did it taste like ham, but it was the saltiest food I'd ever eaten in my entire life. As if a whole shaker of salt was used on my dinner alone. Ridiculous this day in age when many restaurants are being chastised for NOT being health conscious. I had two bites and just couldn't stomach it so I switched out my dinner for pulled chicken at the waiter's suggestion. Mind you, I didn't think I've ever sent a meal back except for maybe a piece of steak that was undercooked and definitely not because it was soooo salty. Anyway, the pulled chicken was slightly less salty but still not very appetizing. In fact, the whole meal seemed compromised to me...too much salt, too much butter and wayyyyy too much fat on the brisket (which is what my boyfriend ordered). Nothing tasted like food. What a shame. Anyway, my boyfriend wound up horridly sick in the middle of the night. In short, this place is overpriced and the food is overly seasoned and just overall 'eh at best. The waiter knew I was disappointed, he was pleasant enough and understanding...probably the best part of the whole evening. At a minimum, I was expecting to NOT be charged for my meal but surprisingly we were. $70 later and one sick boyfriend in the middle of the night pretty much guarantees we won't be back. Was really hoping for a much more pleasant first time experience.
(1)
Gina R.
We lived across the street from this place for a year, and never went in. We are glad we finally tried it! First the good: the food was awesome. I've never lived in the south, so I can't speak to authenticity, but my taste buds certainly can speak to deliciousness. We started with the biscuits which were HUGE, but so fluffy, and the honey butter is exactly as wonderful as it sounds. We ordered two big cheeks trays to split among the four of us, with two orders of pulled pork, brisket, and pork belly. Everything was rubbed and smoked, Texas style, with options for three sauces on the side (we LOVED the tomato-based barbecue sauce). For sides, we ordered the mac and cheese, cole slaw, and the farmers salad. All the meats were tender, flavorful, and delicious, but the pork belly really stood out, so much that we hastily ordered an extra half pound (which we ended up happily bringing home). My husband from Hong Kong, a place that prides itself on its barbecue pork belly, couldn't help but be incredibly impressed. The mac and cheese was very rich, but very good, and the farmers salad was the perfect accompaniment to all this rich food. We also really liked our server, who was friendly, prompt, and helpful. The decor was casual and fun. The only complaint we had about this place is a problem we observed with the hostess. Our party made a mistake and accidentally made two reservations (two of us communicated poorly and we both ended up making a reservation). When we got there, we ran into some friends of our serendipitously, and upon realizing that we had two reservations, told our friends to take one of our reservations so they wouldn't have to wait. The hostess told our friends that she could not simply give them our reservation, and we honestly cannot understand why that would have been a problem (since the reservation we made went unused). Moreover, our friends had to sit in a corner for 20 minutes and wait for a table, when two full tables next to us sat empty for nearly 15 minutes of that time. We felt really embarrassed and sad for our friends, and especially, for our friend's parents, who had just traveled halfway around the world for a visit. Seemed like a sad first impression of our country to leave.
(4)
livingston c.
Went there for the first time today. Great atmosphere, tons of TVs to watch the football games, and lots of different beers on tap. Our waitress was very attentive and courteous. Got me a taste of all the draft beers for me to choose from. Our appetizers came out quick and were delicious, especially the biscuits and fried green tomatoes. We also got the hush puppies, but there wasn't anything special about them. For entrees, we got the Turkey leg tray and also their 3-meat tray with pork belly, ribs, and brisket. The turkey leg was a bit dry, as was the brisket. The pork belly and ribs were really good, but didn't have any sauce on them. The sauces on the table were only okay, without much selection if you just want different BBQ sauces. They had a vinegar, and two hot sauces to go along with their one BBQ sauce. Truthfully, I thought our sides and appetizers were actually better than the main entree. Our favorites were the cole slaw, collard greens, and broccoli casserole. Overall, we had a good meal and were totally stuffed at the end. Would have been 4 stars, but the price was very high for average BBQ. We spent over $80 for two of us!
(3)
Nikhil P.
I could start off this review with a slew of qualifiers: "I didn't grow up on shredded beef," "I don't generally eat slabs of meat," "I make a living examining human bellies, eating pork belly is disgusting to me," but I won't. I know good food, whatever style or animal (part) it's from, and I can appreciate the well-made from the not. Sweet Cheeks was firmly in the "not" category for me. The vibe is casual, and this place yearns, correction -- *aches* -- to be casual. From the "cold scoop," "hot scoop" thing they've got going on to their intentionally unmatched cutlery, they want to establish this real, easy-going southern flare. That's fine (and to their credit, everyone around me in the restaurant seemed to soak it up). The problem is, as cool and chill as it was, the food sucked. Southern cooking may not have frills, but its got strong flavours -- real, solid TASTES. Give me some smoky barbecue, thick peppercorn, honey glaze... anything! Sweet Cheeks had none of that. They describe their menu items in the most bland, straight-off-the-animal type of way (read: casual, indifferent), but then deliver exceedingly bland food, too. We had the pulled chicken sandwich, and a chicken tray with collard greens + a potato salad. The chicken was moist, but it was just plain chicken. The bread was plain white texas toast. I could almost picture the exact Shaw's bread-bag from where they got it from. The collard greens had some pieces of pulled pork thrown in them, and the creamy potato salad was essentially what I've had at summer work picnics for years. There was nothing at all special. Halfway through my meal after not being able to even finish the sizeable portions of chicken on my tray (ie. telling the people I was with, "this is getting kind of gross...") I thought the non-descript medicine-bottle jars of sauce would do the trick. They didn't. And again, by the plain-jane labeling on the bottles, it shouldn't have come as a surprise that it tasted like some sauce that I probably had stocked in the corners of my own kitchen fridge anyway. The real disappointment for me was when we brought half our meal home and reheated it the next day. I didn't come to Sweet Cheeks as any sort of commendation to my dietitian friends, but when the little Chinese restaurant style take-out box containers were covered (and I mean *covered*) in thick pieces of congealed lard from the meat the next day, it was a little ridiculous. What Sweet Cheeks can't (or won't?) do in terms of flavoring, they seem to add through the remarkable "flavoring" of grease. Call it natural, organic, or whatever Mother Nature term you choose, but the saturated fat content of such absurdly prepared food just defies reason. Did I get served some particularly fatty cuts that night? was there an extra dousing of animal fat drizzled in for good measure? or were the chefs just randomly hacking away? I wondered if it was the latter after encountering some particularly unchewable, cartilaginous pieces of chicken on my tray. Those pieces don't come from the breasts or thighs, folks! I see at least 2 dozen reviews that exalt the praises of this place. It's a fan favorite in the neighborhood. But it's hardly for everyone. Next time when a place presents itself as no frills, and reads on the menu as no frills, I'll try to be less surprised if it tastes that way, too.
(1)
Andrew W.
Biscuits were AMAZING. So big and fluffy and buttery. The honey butter on the side was a perfect addition. I'm sad that they don't do take out for biscuits. The other food was just ok. A little expensive. But I think it's all worth it for the biscuits
(3)
Vanessa S.
Biscuits! are so yummy ..... you got to try it
(5)
Melissa W.
The appetizers were as good as the entrees were bad. Came here with my boyfriend's family for an early Saturday dinner. When we ordered the biscuits and potato skins to start, we thought we were going to get fantastic main courses, because that is how good the apps were. Unfortunately we were wrong. The biscuits were enormous, warm and fluffy. They come with a honey butter, which makes it a little sweet. If you like biscuits, you will love these. The potato skins were topped with guac, cheese, peppers, sour cream and pulled pork. An unusual but delicious combination! Portions are generous (for appetizers and entrees). We ordered the tray where you select 3 meats and a pulled pork sandwich. The brisket was overcooked. I will concede that brisket it difficult to cook but I expected more from a BBQ restaurant. The ribs were dry and flavorless. Pork belly was extremely salty. Potato salad, broccoli & cheese and mac cheese were mediocre. The apps were great and for those, I gave 2 stars. In the end, it's the entrees that count, and they missed the mark.
(2)
Jolene S.
Great location and look. I think it's the same concept as Hill Country in NYC. For my money, Hill Country is way better. But it's not all bad: black-eyed peas and other sides were good. Brisket and pulled pork are decent. I would like a hickory smoke BBQ sauce option--instead there's lots of vinegar, butter, and oil--too much really. Onions should be cooked a bit (not raw) and you just get pure white bread. I love the concept and the portions are huge, but the food is not as great as it could be. I think Bahama Breeze ribs are better at a comparable price point and again Hill Country puts this place to shame for options and taste. Glad I tried it, and would recommend it for big groups on an expense acct during the Olympics/World Cup (right atmosphere for that)--but wouldn't really seek it out. Just okay.
(3)
Emily M.
If Sweet Cheeks did nothing else right, their biscuits would be enough. Hot, fluffy, and moist, each one is a savory cloud of butter. From heaven. Fortunately, this urban eatery offers more than just biscuits. Their macaroni and cheese, ribs, and farm salad will also melt in your mouth. Their home-brewed drink menu is a treat. And the classic camping plates and mason jars for water add a side of nostalgic charm that gets me every time. Unfortunately, I have yet to have a knock-your-socks-off BBQ dish here. Most of the meat is a little too dry for my taste, and yet so greasy that I feel sluggish for the rest of the night. For the price, I really would like more flavor and zest and less... fat. But like I said, their biscuits alone are worth a return. And, well heck, an extra star or two. In fact, just order a drink and a tub of biscuits. You will be happy, I promise.
(5)
Rob F.
OK, Ok OK Holy fried chicken batman... This place has, hands down the best fried chicken in Boston area!! I used to live in "Hot Lanta " and let me tell you, you just cant get any good southern cooking in Beantown... Until Sweet Cheeks that is, all I have to say is simply mouth watering. I tried my girlfriends BBQ and it was good, but didn't compare to the fried chicken.
(4)
Eric L.
This was a good find and something different from all the seafood restaurants in Boston. My gf and I tried 3 types of BBQ meat (pull pork, pork belly and brisket). The pull pork and brisket were the best, good flavor and tender. The pork belly had a good crusted skin, nice balance of fat and meat, but it was a bit too salty. Since we ordered carry out, I can't really rate on the service. But the cashier was pleasant.
(4)
Tim F.
Had my birthday at Sweet Cheeks with family and friends - great good, drinks, and a lot of fun! Absolutely worth it.
(5)
TJ L.
Reading other reviews I guess I should cover sauce, it's totally DIY with 3 options. I found the Carolina sauce to be totally boss on my pulled pork, the spicy habernaro delivered on the heat with some tasty tones to it, the tomato basted staple sauce I found to be pretty tasty, although my friends found they didn't like it the more they tasted it. I ordered a pulled pork tray with cole slaw and BBQ beans. The sides were amazing, the cole slaw was chopped and mega crunchy with good flavors. The beans had a pretty large chunk of pork belly chilling in the cup, I loved them but sadly ran out of steam with a quarter cup to go. The pulled pork was wonderful, pick up a slice of the bread that the tray comes with throw some onions and pickle on it, pulled pork, sauce, and throw it in your mouth and taste heaven. Me and my friends were going to split some biscuits but we totally forgot, I saw some on another table after I was already full and was kind of sad we didn't get any without our meal. I might not have been south of the mason-dixon line for BBQ but I feel this is likely the best I will do this far north.
(5)
Cagen L.
When we first walked in I was not real impressed. The decor just seems really contrived. It is in such a swanky area and they try to make it look like a southern BBQ shack. The layout was also almost exactly the same as the pizza place that was there before, which I was a big fan of. So I already kind of had a bad vibe, and when I saw the prices I was not pleased, but my wife really wanted to try it. As an appetizer we got the salt and pepper potatoes, I really liked those, basically irregularly shaped french fries, so you cant really go wrong. For a meal my daughter got the brisket and my wife and I got the pulled chicken. As much as I was turned off by everything else, the meat was spectacular. I had to give this place four stars just for the meat. The mac & cheese was pretty boring and the potato salad was terrible (to be fair we got it with out the bacon) but the pulled chicken and brisket made up for it. The service was fine nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either Soulfire has better BBQ sauce but Sweet Cheeks has the meat!
(4)
Greg T.
What can be said that hasn't been in the previous 150+ reviews before mine? Not much really, so I will sum it up with a few things that I felt would be good to know prior to coming here: -No reservations on weekends which is fine. We met at 7pm to encounter a 2 hour wait. They will call you when its ready, so you can venture down the street for a few beers. 2 hours is fine with me when beer is available and you aren't stuck drinking at the restaurant you are waiting for a seat at. -Cool vibe. Laid back and casual. It was a little loud on a Friday night, but where isn't? -Hush puppies were a little salty for my taste. Plus I am more partial to Carolina style puppies that are lighter and smaller. There were a little dense and bulbous. If they weren't so salty, they would have been better. Fried Green Tomatoes were good, and the dipping sauce was as well. -Brisket was moist which can be tough sometimes, and the ribs were right where they need to be. Good pullback and great flavor. -Sauce was not needed on any of the meats which is a good sign for bbq. Sauce should be an addition if desired, not a necessity to moisten the meats. All in all, I would be back here for sure. Their bbq is as good as it gets in this city, without the attitude you get at Blue Ribbon (which seems to be the measuring stick in this city...not sure of why though). Not the best bbq I have had in my life either, as sadly, we cannot compete with the South, but it was really good and had me wanting more the next day.
(4)
Meghan C.
I will start with the positives. The food is delicious. I especially loved the broccoli cheddar casserole. I also had the pulled pork sandwich. We ordered the biscuits, which may be the tastiest biscuits I've ever had. The honey butter spread for the biscuits was out of this world. My low rating has to do with how my party was treated during our evening at the restaurant. We had a reservation for my friend's 30th birthday for a party of 10. On our way to the restaurant we got stuck in traffic. Some of our party was at the restaurant, but it was their policy to not seat until the entire party had arrived. Because we were running late, I called the host desk to apologize and let them know we were on our way and should be there momentarily. I was told that was fine, our table would be fine, and that they appreciated our call. When I arrived shortly after, I was told our table had been lost. I worked as a waitress and hostess for a long time while I was in school. I understand how these things work, how stressful their job can be on a busy night. I was told we would be sat as soon as they could - probably about 20 minutes. Well, the next hour and a half was spent at the bar. We saw large party after large party get sat. I tried to be patient and understanding, because after all, it was our fault, wasn't it? But then some of my friends tried to check in with the hosts only to have one of them be particularly rude. We were ignored almost completely by one of the bartenders, while people around us were served. And one of my friends who was standing by the hostess stand overheard and reported back that they were seating these big parties (who did not have a reservation) and laughing about our situation. Are you serious?? I tried really hard to organize a birthday party for my friend. I tried my best to be understanding and polite to the host staff and you are enjoying the fact that our night is ruined (or heaven forbid, doing it on purpose)? I had an ice cream cake in their back freezer, so we couldn't leave the restaurant easily. We had been waiting so long that we started losing members of our party who had other places to be after dinner. Our party of 10 dwindled down to 6 after 1.5 hours of waiting for a table. Happy Birthday? Once we were sat everything was wonderful. Our waitress was great and very friendly. They brought over a round of complimentary shots to apologize for the wait (which was very appreciated). The food, as I said, was delicious. But due to dinner now being so late, our after dinner plans were missed/ruined and everyone went home. It was very disheartening to work hard to organize a birthday dinner, only to have the majority of the staff treat us so poorly. Overall the night was sadly a failure, no matter how delicious the meal was. If I eat here again I think it will just be a take out order.
(2)
Rachel S.
I have been to Sweet Cheeks twice, and had a fantastic experience each time. During the first visit, my friends and I sat at the bar and had dinner and drinks. Both bartenders were very attentive and had a great sense of humor. They made thoughtful drink recommendations and explained which sauce/condiment complimented each meat, etc. During my second visit (this past weekend), J.D. was our server and gave us great service. Everything was very tasty. I had pulled pork, macaroni&cheese, and collard greens. My friend enjoyed his pork belly, cheesy broccoli, and potato salad. We also ordered biscuits that come with honey butter and they were AMAZING! Definitely recommend!
(5)
Dennis D.
3.5 stars. The BBQ meats are just ok. Not enough bark overall for my taste. Of the options, the pulled pork is the best. The brisket has so much fat it has a wet and greasy mouthfeel, which is decidedly unpleasant. The burnt ends are a little better. Chicken is decent. The biscuits are most notable for coming with a fantastic honey butter. In and of themselves they are pretty good too. Note that they are huge, a basket of 4 could serve 6 easily. The sides are decent - my favorites are the broccoli cheese casserole, baked beans, collards, and the mac and cheese. If you're not into the meat you can order the lunch lady tray, which consists only of 4 sides (hot or cold). A bucket of biscuits and a lunch lady tray is an excellent value. The sweet tea passes muster with my picky Southern wife, which is saying something. The cocktails here range from fair to terrible. Beer selection is solid but uninspiring. For all that, I come here pretty often, because it's close by, the atmosphere is great for groups of pretty much any size, and the service is excellent. Gets busy on game nights. If you're on a BBQ pilgrimage this place is skippable, but it is nevertheless a welcome spot in the Fenway scene.
(3)
Joanna H.
I give it 4 stars for the biscuits. The BBQ was just alright for me. Too dry on its own and I'm not a big sauce person. Watch out for those spicy sauces on the table though. There's one called 911 that's supposed to be the spiciest, but the second spiciest set my mouth on fire already. But seriously, those huge biscuits that you can't wrap your hands around, they're so good. They'll definitely fill up your stomach past comfort, but you won't be able to stop. It comes with honey butter which a lot of people rave about, but it was too sweet for me. The biscuit was buttery and creamy enough on its own. Best biscuits ever.
(4)
Perry B.
Sweet cheeks what can I say probably the best barbecue in the North East. Technically great barbecue flavor wise great barbecue location: who knows its Boston I'm a Yankees fan but I can say I will make special trip to Boston just for this barbecue.
(5)
Lindsay B.
I've been wanting to try this place since it opened and I really liked it. I went with 2 other people and we strategically decided to go about 5:30pm on a Saturday, when the Sox were out of town, to avoid a crazy wait. We got seated right away at one of the high-top tables. I loved the sweet tea/ mint bourbon drink that I had - served over crushed ice in a big jar mug. Get the biscuits - likely the best thing on the menu and unlike anything else I have ever eaten. I like that the menu is very simple to order from- you are there for BBQ and they make it easy to order exactly what you want. The ribs were good, but the pork belly stole the show. I liked the carrot salad a lot, but thought the mac and cheese could be better. I like the vibe at this place, its low key, with good music, upscale and not too hipster/ trendy/ the chef was on a tv show. My only issue is an odd one - I felt like there were too many people working there. It was distracting! Perhaps it was because we were sitting in a high traffic area, but I felt like there was someone at our table every 4 minutes and there were groups of staff standing about.
(4)
J p.
O boy, this is a tricky one. Overall it is in fact A-OK. Food GENERALLY good, delicious propriety sauces, nice selection of drinks and good service. The portions are pretty large and I normally get then to share. So... what happened on my last visit was... (and the reason for 2 stars) I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken. Watching the wait staff carry this golden coloured delicious looking entree convinced me it was the right choice. True to sight it arrived at my table and I was ready to attack. Alas, a bleeding chicken drumstick appeared once I cut in. Yes, the pleasant sight of RED dribbling through. Off course, there went my appetite and any desire to eat buttermilk fried chicken. Being seated at the bar on this occasion, the bar tender promptly took the meal back once notified. Feeling bad, they gave me a free drink which was appreciated BUT didn't wipe the memory of the bleeding chicken. A replacement arrived and too be honest I can't say it was enjoyable mostly because of the joyous experience above. It was mostly wasted and I promptly paid and departed, thus far never to return. Thankfully the place is well lit. So, give it a shot if you around the area but EAT carefully and INSPECT diligently. There are other spots ahead of this venue I will visit and off course I need to work on erasing the bad memory... ;-)
(2)
Tom F.
Pork Belly & Biscuits! That's all you really need to know. The Pork Belly is so good that even my Kosher and Muslim friends give in to temptation. The biscuits: amazing. Need more? Check out Forbes' writeup: forbes.com/sites/larryol… But this quick review sells this place short. Go here and sample the menu.
(5)
Noel F.
I really wanted to like this place. I live in the neighborhood and have been there a few times. It's almost impossible to find good barbeque in Boston, so I was excited to try this place, but I always leave feeling disappointed. The ribs just taste like bland ham. The burnt ends are flavorless apart from being smothered in black pepper. I always have to put so much sauce on everything to get flavor out of the meat. And it's a shame because the meat itself is very high quality. It might just be that this very dry, smoked type of barbeque is classic Texas, but having never been to Texas, I can't be sure. I kind of expect my barbeque to be a slightly fatty very flavorful pork experience, but I've never had that here. The sides are pretty good, (except for the Mac n Cheese which is nasty, like knockoff Stouffers). The best things there are the cocktails and the biscuits. In fact, the biscuits are the main reason I've come back so many times in spit of kind of disliking my entrees. Best biscuits in Boston. But I simply can't spend $80 on dinner for two and leave feeling sad and hungry because the meat tasted like a dry roasted ham.
(2)
Michael D.
I love this place. Great flavor profiles. Whoever manages her pit really knows how to get great flavor. Side dishes are amazing. You absolutely must try her biscuit. Nothing fancy, she just coaxes the best flavor from the ingredients and serves them with maple butter. Salt and pepper potatoes are awesome with some vinegar sauce. Broccoli cheese casserole indulgent. Like her sauces.
(5)
Robby T.
We'd been curious about trying this place out for a while now and went with some friends last night. Decided to post up at the Citizen's PH bar for a while to wait out the 1.5-2 hour wait that we're told is normally the case on a weekend evening around 6:30-7. Not much change in the former layout of Cambridge 1, which was in this space before. Smelled fantastic. Loud, lit, casual atmosphere....fine....but there was blaring rap music throughout our entire dinner which was just confusing. Sat down and met our waiter who was a bit brash and not very willing to help, and just pretty bad at checking back on us. Didn't really know much of anything about the beers on tap nor did he inform us of the specials, etc (the guy filling up our waters later took care of this later). I can't get past the pricing. As a Redbones regular and general BBQ connoisseur, I dont get what Sweet Cheeks is trying to pull here. 7 dollars for 5 hush puppies? 10 dollars for 4 biscuits (which they were out of)? The BBQ itself is quite pricey in my opinion as well. Local beers are 6 bucks, a bit steep even for Boston. We all got different "trays," which run from 16-20ish dollars a piece and come with a good amount of food. The quality of our dinners was quite variable- my brisket cut was small and 50% fat, my friend next to me also had the brisket which was a much bigger and delicious looking cut. The pulled chicken, while salty, was absolutely delicious though. My favorite part of the meal was actually the sides- the brussels sprout salad was great, as was the mac n' cheese. I don't think we will be back. The waits, pricing, and overall experience just didn't impress me too much. Too much hype here- likely from the TV rep of the chef owner. However, if you've got some dough to spend and want the only decent bbq in the Fenway- check it out. I will save my pulled pork cravings for RB's and Highland.
(2)
Anastasia R.
Things I liked: 1.) The high-top, communal seating tables 2.) The service: Prompt, friendly and the servers have had the food so they know what they are talking about. 3.) BEERS 4.) The sides were really good too. Things I didn't like: 1.) The prices: Clearly gouging for not so effing special. 2.) Slapping food on a cafeteria tray to be ironic only works if the food is better than mediocre. 3.) Get yourself together in the kitchen. Your slow cooked meets left my intestines in a thoroughly unpleasant state. And I wasn't the only one at the party who left in a hurry.
(2)
Matthew Z.
Tasty food with a nice vibe and an eclectic beer selection. Went here for lunch on a weekday and sat at the bar. The bartender was friendly and informal, always present without being intrusive. At several points we asked for recommendations on beer and food and she was informed and helpful. I like the southern comfort food angle. The menu is simple, which I like, but others might find limited. Got pulled pork sandwich with greens and black eyed pees, came in those stoneware camping cups. My friend got a "lunch lady tray" which is essentially an assortment of sides and he was unable to finish. All in all it was nice comfort food served with a friendly attitude. Prices are a little high for a cheap lunch, but you get what you pay for. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Marisa B.
Maybe I'm not used to Texas BBQ (as I am a Carolina girl). The pulled pork left me wanting. The biscuits and honey butter were DYNAMITE. The location is great and there is ample outdoor seating.
(3)
Tammy T.
My first time going to Sweet Cheeks last night and tried their Monday night ramen. I would've given it a 1 star, but knowing that it isn't a ramen joint that I should be more giving. The ramen is prob the worse I've had... I should've stayed home and eaten my instant ramen instead. The tonkotsu broth didn't taste like tonkotsu because it is usually milky colored. I asked for mine to be spicy and they ended up using the korean bulgogi sauce for that. Umm first of all, that sauce isn't even spicy to begin with!! It has a lot of sodium which made my broth EXTRA salty!!! Then the noodles weren't even ramen noodles. I think they used tonkotsu noodles, which I've never had before. It reminded me of angel hair pasta or wonton noodles. They were soggy and soft which was a horrible texture in noodle soups. The pork was ok, and the only good thing in the bowl was the egg. It was a soft boiled egg and was perfect once i cracked it open. The service was beyond slow.. it took us more than 30 mins to get our noodles once we placed the order. I thought it was ramen night and expected the ramen to come out a lot faster than it did. I think other people who sat after us got their ramen before us too! I will prob come back for their bbq food but will never recommend anyone for their ramen unless they change their recipes.
(2)
Nicole W.
This place has a great vibe. There are cute little dollar toy/tattoo machines in the mens and women's restrooms and they have picnic style seating. The tradeoff is that the food is a bit more expensive than the average BBQ place, but it's not too crazy. You can even make different combos if you're the type that likes to have a variety of foods on your plate. The sauces: I thought they were all really good, but I've had friends who hated the sauces and much preferred the Redbones variety of BBQ. BBQ is a very personal thing. I liked it enough to come back and I prefer the ambience to Redbones, but it's not my absolute favorite for BBQ. That being said, it may be just the thing for somebody else!
(3)
Elizabeth K.
We're obsessed with trying to find good BBQ up North (we even had another BBQ place cater our wedding reception - I know, we're uber classy) so we were excited to try Sweet Cheeks (we're also die hard Top Chef fans). Sadly it was not all we had dreamed. The atmosphere is cool. The mixed drinks had some great variety and were really tasty (there were 3 of us drinking and all our cocktails were great). However, the food, was not as good. The hush puppies were super dry and had zero flavor. The brisket was also super, super dry (like they sliced it hours before and left it under heat lamps all day...not dry in the delicious dry-rubbed but still juicy meat sort of way). My pulled pork was good, but definitely not even close to the best I've ever had and the pork belly was also good, not great. The mac & cheese, broccoli & cheese, and cold sides (farmhouse salad, potato salad, cole slaw) were all pretty delicious though, however, the sides alone can't really make up for the main event! Unfortunately, even though I like the atmosphere of this place, there are actually tastier, cheaper BBQ options in Boston (which isn't saying much).
(3)
Susan C.
Sweet Cheeks was opened up by former Top Chef contestant Tiffani Faison a few months ago. I'm a huge fan of the show and have been waiting for the hype to die down a little to try it out. I finally got to about a week ago. Came here for lunch on a weekend and the place was full, but the wait wasn't too bad, maybe about 5 min. Ordered a rib to try and the great northern brisket with a side of potato salad. I must say, for a BBQ joint, this place is a little on a pricier side, but I guess it's partly due to the location and partly due to their choice of meat. Quality is definitely not an issue here in terms of meat. The rib (you can order them individually or by the rack) I tried was incredibly tender and flavorful and the meat melted in my mouth. It had great smoky flavor and I would say some of the best pork rib meat I have ever eaten. Ditto on the brisket meat. Just great smokiness and excellent meat quality. I saw some Yelpers had complained that the meat here was overly salty, and that scared me a little bit, but after trying the meat here, I wonder if those people just mistook the smokiness of the meat for saltiness. The flavor of the meat itself here was definitely different from other BBQ places in the Boston area, for example Redbones, Blue Ribbon, or SoulFire, and the quality of the meat here definitely exceeds the cuts used by other local BBQ restaurants. As for Sweet Cheeks' sauce, it was okay but did not really shine for me. I think I prefer Blue Ribbon's Sauces. I do like how they serve their meats on Texas Toast though, but you really can't go wrong with a crisp piece of buttered white bread. Also, I'm a potato salad lover, but the potato salad here was very disappointing. It was just bland. I'm not sure if maybe they forgot to season it. Overall, I'd be back because the meat is just awesome. Thinking about those big juicy tender cuts right now is making me salivate.
(4)
Aaron M.
Really great food with just as great service. Sweet Cheeks combines great food with a fantastic atmosphere. I have gone here on numerous occasion and every time its the same great service and food.
(5)
H. G.
Let me say, first, that I quite enjoyed reading the chef's spat with Apanduh B. below. I actually think it's great that a chef can come on here and say "bitch, you don't know what you're talking about." Hopefully I don't get the same treatment though... I'll start with the sides. Thank you, Tiffani, for teaching me that I like brussels sprouts. The farm salad with arugula, roasted brussels sprouts, farro, halved grapes, and pecorino romano was the best salad I've had in quite a while. Same with the mac and cheese, which was silky and delicious. I do wish it was served on something flatter, so that you could get more of the crunchy bread crumb topping. I probably wouldn't bother with the biscuits with honey butter next time. As for the mains, I tried both the pulled pork and the half chicken. I thought the pork was a little dry and fatty (though the sauces were fantastic), and the chicken didn't have enough flavor. One other thing. Because I got the tray of pulled pork, it came with something that was essentially white wonder bread. I'm torn. I know that it's traditional, but it sucks to make a sandwich out of that bread, especially if it's not at least toasted. What's annoying is that if you order a sandwich, you are offered either a bulky roll or hot griddled texas toast. So, in summary, next time I'd order a sandwich (not a tray) and a few sides.
(3)
Roscoe R.
Sweet Cheeks isn't high on my list of local BBQ places, based upon the "quality of food to price" ratio. I got the Big Cheeks (3-meat) platter, which comes with 2 sides and no cornbread (they give 2 slices of white bread instead -- arguably traditional, though cheap). I had no beverage -- just water. Cost for JUST this one plate of food, with nothing else, was $27.50 BEFORE tax & tip! [Big Cheeks platter is normally $26 with 1 hot + 1 cold side, but they upcharge you $1.50 to get 2 hot sides instead of 1 hot + 1 cold -- pretty classy .... NOT!] My 3 meats were ribs, pulled pork, and brisket. They gave me 4 TINY ribs, which were definitely tasty, with a nice, smoky flavor. They were cooked well, too -- neither overdone nor underdone. The brisket was dry and unremarkable, and the top of it was super salty to the point of being inedible. [Note: the top layer is about 1" of pure fat, which is normal. I don't eat that -- I think it's gross -- but I have friends who do.] The pulled pork was the best meat of the bunch. Add some North Carolina (vinegar-based) sauce to the pulled pork, put it between the 2 white bread slices they give you, add the pickle & onion garnish that's on your plate, and you end up with a tasty sandwich! My 2 hot sides were mac & cheese and baked beans. Portions were generous (they're served in small coffee cups). The mac & cheese was REALLY good! It was almost as good as Soul Fire's mac & cheese. The baked beans, however, were unquestionably the WORST baked beans I've ever had at any bbq place. They were devoid of flavor and so wrong in so many other ways, too -- hard to believe they'd serve these beasties to the public. Avoid them! Service was fine -- pretty much as expected -- though I was there when they weren't crowded and there were plenty of open tables. So, to summarize, the pulled pork and the mac & cheese were my "high points" (if you can call them that, at these prices). As far as local (Boston/Cambridge/Somerville) BBQ places go, I prefer either Blue Ribbon (even though they've gotten worse in the last few years) and Soul Fire (consistently pretty good, for New England!) to Sweet Cheeks. Redbones used to be at the bottom of my list, but I think I'd even go to Redbones over Sweet Cheeks at this point. I know Sweet Cheeks is pretty new. Hopefully, in time, their prices will go down and their quality will improve. I'd try it again if that happens. I just can't believe I paid $34 ($27.50 plus tax and tip) for just the one plate of so-so food described above (with no cornbread, no beverage, and no dessert, but did include a $1.50 upcharge to substitute a hot side for a cold side)!
(2)
Brady B.
It's about Goddamn time! What I mean by that opening statement is it's about Goddamn time that we got some GOOD BBQ in the city! I amongst many others have bitched about no BBQ in Boston...until now. Tiffani from Top Chef, who I just love has answered our prayers and opened up a kick-ass BBQ joint right in the Fenway! What's better is that it is Texas themed and it just so happened that I dined here w/ two friends of mine who are born Texans! Needless to say, they both gave Sweet Cheeks the nod. Now where do I start on the food? Between five of us we ordered up a little bit of everything....and little bit does NOT mean the portion sizes. We all went w/ our friend Mary Jane's selection of what to order...she's never wrong ;) First of all, the I-just-died-and-went-to-heavenly biscuits are HUGE!!! They serve them in large cans which was a cool touch. We shared everything from pork belly, pulled pork, brisket, ribs to mac and cheese, fried okra, hush puppies and dreamy cole slaw. Honestly, I can't say that there was one thing that any of us didn't love...it was all that delicious! The sauces are to die for as well! We did get to see Tiffani in the kitchen taking charge of the staff. They all seemed to be into it 100% which is great. Our server was a sweetheart that was knowledgeable and very attentive. Now to address some of the way too many negative Yelpers out there: for those of you crying that it's so expensive...is it really? Think about it, you're getting top quality BBQ in Boston. The portions are large and to the "down south this would be half the price" folks. You are absolutely right, but those down south joints probably pay a fraction of the rent that Tiffani and co. are paying for EXPENSIVE Boston real estate. Wake up folks. I don't live near the Fenway but you can bet your sweet asses I will be eating here regularly :)
(5)
David A.
"sigh". Cool concept. Funky settings, felt like I was transported back to a Mississippi shed BBQ place. Food came on a disjointed tray which kept that impression going... Then the first bite... awwww. so close. Yes, this was tasty. Sauces on the table made for good dressings, and the meat itself along with the sides were quite tasty, but it wasn't the home run i had hoped for. Worth a trip if you're in the area, but don't expect world class BBQ.
(3)
Dave G.
Look no further for BBQ - This is the BEST BBQ I've ever had in Boston. My wife being a Southerner, is addicted to their collard greens and black eyed peas. Their brisket is off the hook. Make sure to order the potatoes and/or biscuits with your meal. They also know how to mix a good cocktail. Definitely NOT a paper towel BBQ joint, they nailed the atmosphere perfectly and the place was packed on a frigid Tuesday night.
(4)
Drew L.
Best BBQ in Boston! Food and drink were so good. Can't go wrong with really anything on the menu. I would have given 5 stars if it were a little better priced. But will definitely be back.
(4)
Noelle F.
Came here for the first time last night, valentine's day, with a couple of friends. I must say, I'm surpised by the number of complaints this place has on Yelp. I got the pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese, and cole slaw. For those that are saying that the pulled pork is dry...are you not putting bbq sauce on it?! It was DELICIOUS (very smokey flavor), as was the mac and cheese. The cole slaw was not my favorite, so I'll probably get a different side next time. I read the reviews before coming here, and was worried about the portion sizes.. let me just say that for $11, the pulled pork sandwich was huge. I just had my leftover mac and cheese and a biscuit (OMG...get the biscuits...so good) and I still have half of my pulled pork left. I'm excited to go back and try out a few other menu items!
(4)
Howe L.
(+): atmosphere, beer and drink selection was pretty unique (-): music (what's with all the high school prom grinding on the wall music?!), food (dry brisket, ribs were not fall off the bone, white bread?!, okay sauces)
(3)
Anne S.
The food was okay, pricey and not wonderful. I really like bbq and this place just didn't really do it for me. The food could have gotten 3/4 stars stand alone, but the service was terrible. Hush Puppies were pretty dry, the ribs were not great and the brisket was pretty fatty. Everything else we got (baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, pulled pork) was worth paying for. But the service... The service was probably a 1 star. After saying that the wait would be about 45 minutes and getting seated 1.5 hours later, we were not in the best mood. Understanding that it was a Saturday night and the wait would probably be long, we prepared for an hour wait and made our way to the bar. But watching how unorganized the 4 people working at the front desk (why not have some of them bussing tables? or doing anything productive???) were and how rude they were when asked what type of wait we were looking at was really off putting. I also watched parties of 4 who got there after us get seated prior to our party of two and it just didn't make sense. It also does not make sense to have two to three tables just sitting there empty while your hostesses seem to just sit bewildered about how to run the front of the house. That being said, our waitress was fairly quick and quite nice. This place would be alright (just alright) if they changed and organized their seating/ hostess situation. .. probably won't come back.
(2)
Destiny P.
The service was fine but the food is a poor representation of southern food. I was disappointed. The food was seasoned poorly leaving everything bland. I can with a group of people hoping to be very satisfied and left a lot of food untouched. We ordered a range of things for the table to eat family style and portions allowed for that to happen but the food was not good.
(1)
Curtis M.
HOLY MOTHER OF BBQ, due to the fact that I'm a distiller. 99% of the time I'm unhappy with the whiskey at any bbq joint. NOT YOURS MOONSHINE!!! The food blows my mind. Mac and Chesse was mind blowing. I love you, NEVER go away!
(5)
Jackie L.
I have been wanting to try this place for months because I love BBQ and I love Top Chef! I was generally underwhelmed by my experience at Sweet Cheeks Q - in fact, I've been procrastinating writing this review because I have nothing truly exciting to say, good or bad. Here's the deal. My husband and I came here for a late lunch before a 4:00 PM Red Sox game. We were hoping to eat outside and - yes! there was a table available for us outside! However, the hostess asked if we didn't mind sitting in the sun because they were expecting a ton more people to arrive who had reservations. No problem, I mean, I felt a bit second class because we didn't have a reservation, but I get it. The awkward part - the "tons more people" never showed. While we were seated promptly, we waited what seemed like forever for a server to greet us and take our drink order. Finally, she arrived and took our beer and lunch orders. Unfortunately, when she came back with our drinks, my husband's was the wrong size so that required a re-do. Its impossible to eat light at this place, but I expected that going in. My husband and I both ordered "plates" at $20 a piece, which come with meat, a hot side, and a cold side. I ordered the pulled pork, mac and cheese, and farm salad. The food was okay - I think I may have hyped it up too much in my mind. Pulled pork was good and the table had several yummy BBQ sauces for the tasting. Mac and cheese was a bit Kraft-like, but still good. The farm salad was one of the more interesting things I had, with brussel sprouts, farro, and grapes mixed in with the greens. My husband had brisket, potato salad, and beans - brisket okay, potato salad not that great, beans good with real chunks of bacon. Wait for the check was a bit long too, and the bill was pricier than I would have liked. It seems that Boston just hasn't figured out BBQ yet. The next time I have a craving I may be back (though they are supposedly opening a Red Bones in my neighborhood, which may draw me in), just because there isn't really anywhere else to go. Guess I was just hoping for more.
(3)
Bret C.
UPDATE: Sweet Cheeks now officially has THE coolest restaurant sign in the greater Boston area. It looks like Vegas and I dig it. Those white lights are seriously amazing. I think I've learned why the prices here are so high...That sign must have cost a fortune!
(2)
P D.
My boyfriend and I decided to try out this place since we were pretty hungry after watching a movie. The waitress was great at explaining everything since this was our first time here. We needed several minutes because we weren't sure which type of meat we wanted. Brisket, chicken, pulled pork... All sounded awesome while on an empty stomach. We needed up getting pulled pork. My boyfriend got the tray and I got the sandwich. Which was basically the same thing, just that the sandwich was already put together for me. And the bread was toasted. Food came out faster than I thought it would and we began to stuff our faces! The food was delicious and just what we needed! The baked beans were really good! I enjoyed the bold & slight spiciness to them compared to the sweet style of baked beans. Next time we go, we think we're going to go with a 3 Meats Tray and just share it. We couldn't finish our regular trays.
(4)
Tom M.
Why in the world is Barbeque so much money? Barbeque isn't intended to be so expensive nor be served in a place this chic. If it wasn't for their price point and the feeling like I was at a yuppie bar this place would be 5 stars. The brisket rocked! I got it with two sides one warm one cold (mac n' cheese and potato salad. Both of those sides especially the potato salad are to rave about. The brisket itself was smoked, nice crispy outside, juicy inside. It honestly didn't need any dressing up. The mac n' cheese had a crispy exterior and the goo we all love once you dive in deep. The potato salad really blew me away, it's not every day you hear someone say the potato salad blew me away. It had bacon on it! I could go to village smoke house and get a similar setup for about 10 bucks less. Was it outstanding and better than Village Smoke House? Yes, but it didn't blow the other away by 10 bucks. I loved the interesting drinks. They have a good thing going on. I will probably try it again but only on a special occasion.
(4)
Jason H.
Great barbeque located in the city, and a fun place to have a drink. I've tried a bunch of BBQ places in and around the Boston area, and I have to say this is definitely one of, if not the best overall. I'm no expert, but the meats seem to be well-smoked and they allow you to add as much, or as little sauce as you like. There are 3 to choose from, all are very good. Their pulled pork is pretty amazing, the baked beans are insane and the biscuits are downright addicting. Beer selection is impressive, although the styles could be more varied. Atmosphere is lively, tables are spread out well enough and the mason jar drinking glasses are pretty cool.
(4)
Carrie P.
Amazing service and we werte 30 min late for our reservation. We called and let them know and they held our table. They were super busy since it was a game day but the food was awesome!!!!!! I had the pulled pork sandwich and a HUGE glass of sweet tea. We will be eating here before our next Red Sox game for sure!!!!!!!
(4)
Michael Z.
Atmosphere wise, Sweet Cheeks reminded me of a small version of Texas Roadhouse, although the cuisine here would be more authentic in regards to what they eat in the South. Everything about this place screams South. If your in the mood for steak I dont recommend coming here because you wont find any on the menu. Overall, i give the food a 3.5, I give the prices a 3, and the service a 3. The menu is a bit confusing at first glance but once you look it over a few times you kind of understand the ordering process. This place is redbones esk, with less of a selection food wise. As for the food, we ordered pork ribs, pork belly, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and brisket. All of those come with 1 cold or 1 hot side. The meat was extremely flavorful and soft. It has a very smokey flavor and is served without being smothered in sauce, something that I often prefer. We ordered biscuits as an appetizer as well, which were absolutely amazing if you are in the mood for a heart attack that night. The sweet butter that they bring with those biscuits is literally the icing to the cake. The only problem with the biscuits is that 2 will feed a family of 4, and they give you 4 total.. I was literally full before our food came out because i ate half a biscuit, and these things are massive. Prices are a bit steep. If your going there for the first time and want to try some of their food out, expect to pay somewhere in the upper 70's to mid 80's. Our bill was around $80 because we ordered a few drinks before we were seated. Overall, I gave this place a 3 and would not go back unless I was starving or craving some really southern cuisine. Sweet Cheeks you are A-OK!
(3)
Jessica G.
Oh Sweet Cheeks, you make me so happy. I love bbq a lot and was disappointed in my options when moving to the east coast. Yes, Red Bones is awesome, but across the river and so far away from me. Then, like magic, Sweet Cheeks opened and my cries for good bbq were answered. The biscuits alone make the trip worth it, but add in amazing sides, great meat and a stellar bar menu and I am leaving in a food coma. My one gripe is the wait on most nights...be prepared to sit at the bar as tables open up.
(4)
Ms M.
This place was awful. 1st - The service was horrible. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was NOT busy. It took us more than 20 minutes before we were greeted by our server and able to order (after being seated). Once the food was out, which took another 30 minutes, we asked for a refill on drinks and for them to fix one the orders which they messed up. After waiting another 20 minutes, we gave up. She never came back to give us our check, and I had to get it from the hostess. Over all we were there for almost 2 hours, which is ridiculous. 2nd- The food was not very good at all. I am from Georgia so I am pretty particular about BBQ. I ordered the pull-pork and it was very, very, vinegar-y. The Mac and Cheese was the only think I ate, and I threw the rest of it away.
(1)
Callan C.
Tasty BBQ near Fenway. The biscuits are huge and delicious and the honey butter is awesome. They really get in the way of eating all the rest of your food. Beyond good food the vibe is also nice, with lots of wood and trendy rustic touches such as mason jars for drinks, exposed light bulbs and coffee cans for silverware. Why not more than three stars? Primarily because it is highly overpriced. A pulled pork sandwich alone (with no sides) will set you back $12. A bucket of 4 biscuits is $10 (they are big, but comeon!). The sides add a substantial premium to the bill. I was also kind of turned off by the bread on my pulled pork sandwich. It had way too much butter on it, to the point where it was oily and soggy rather than crisply seasoned.
(3)
Tommy W.
Ok so here's the deal: 1. medicore bbq - pulled pork is delicious but other items are better are blue ribbon bbq 2. delicious sides - broccoli casserole is to die for...biscuits are also delicious 3. great drink menu - nice selection what makes this place so god awful is that their host does not take reservations, nor call aheads. I've gone in three times and somehow only ate once here. Two of the times there was at least a 1.5-2 hour wait. Seriously!! On the second time, i called the day ahead of time. No reservations for parties of less than 8. Then, you show up, the place has tables available but it's still a 2 hour wait. I ask the host if they do called ahead, she says no...yet, there's few people waiting around the host stand. I'm left wondering where are all of these people for a 2 hour wait if you do not accept reservations. It's seriously the service that leaves much to be desired for...I wish Tiffani would just take reservations or figure out a better system!
(2)
S T.
I was eagerly looking forward to coming here. I'm shocked this is BBQ? Bland and mediocre food. My expectations are very high, since he competed on Top Chef. I order the...I think it's called Sweet Cheeks tray where you had a choice of two meats and one choice of hot and one choice of cold sides...the price $24. There isn't a lot... My choice: Pork belly, pulled pork, Collard greens, and potato salad. Pulled pork - loved the pulled pork but still only good thing on the main platter. Pork belly - good to gnaw on NOT delicious...you get an inch of fat which some folks eat...I did! Think that was the only flavorful thing on this . The meat didn't have any taste to it. I didn't think it was possible to dine at a restaurant that serves tasteless BBQ. Potato Salad - Potato too big, very bland, no flavor, no seasoning, even with the what looks to be bacon bits the salad was tangy and sour, super sour! Super market potato salad is way better than this. Collard greens - Again, extremely sour...EXTREMELY! The sauces - the red sauce was decent but the flavor doesn't stick to your ribs...so easily forgettable. Not a fan of the vinegar base sauce. The pickles and onions....oh and the two pieces of white bread. BEST PART of my meal. This place isn't worth it. Bland meats and sauces....you could get this at your backyard BBQ during fourth of July. That's how amateur I found the food is. A big disappointment. I don't recommend coming here on a Friday...that is not a best night to go. This place gets full fast and seating is whoever has the biggest group gets a seat first. I will not come back to this place... SUMMARY: - Super sour side dishes. - Dry and bland meat. - Tasteless sauces.
(2)
Marco P.
Pretty good food. Great waiter. Horrendous hostesses.
(3)
Joe E.
Ribs were awesome. had collard greens which could be a meal in themselves, and the farm salad was great. staff was friendly.
(5)
Blair H.
Forget calling home. Go home and slap your mother for not making food like this. Granted, my mother is Japanese, so she is exempt from performing in the Southern Food category. Okra. Nature's snot-rocket fried to perfection. Not greasy in the slightest. Not doughy and battery like Chris Brown. Throw on some of that North Carolina vinegar sawce and throw back an Abita. Opted for the brisket and pork-ribs. Damn you for 86ing the pork belly. Most people would concentrated on picking apart the authenticity of the meat. My gramma made em different! Shut up. Frankly, my attention went straight to the side-items. Broccoli cheddar casserole, mac n' cheese, carrot and raisin salad, and cole slaw. All of them were surprisingly delicious, particularly because they always seem to be an afterthought to restaurants. You know, when that perfect steak comes with an wrinkly old man of a baked potato or when that sushi comes with a neon green seaweed salad? Can I get an AMEN?! Oops, we're still in Massachusetts. Why only five stars? I thought it was a little on the expensive side. Southern food to me is cheap. Served in Styrofoam containers with a plastic cup full of Kool-Aid. Oh YEAH! But seriously, that's the worst I could come up with...
(4)
Kate B.
Pros: One word- BISCUITS. Get them!!! They only make so many each day and they DO run out! Good vibe/atmosphere/decor Rest of the food is pretty darn tasty Cons: Wait staff is a little.. What's the word.. Ditzy? The first couple of times it was okay because I figured, oh, they just opened.. But I went recently and they're STILL like that. Not the kind of service that encourages great tips.
(3)
j n.
Well three times I have tried to go to to sweet cheeks and only once have I been. Let me say that the barbeque is good and the service at the bar was great. But the one star is coming from the fact that only once of the three times I've gone has this restaurant at their posted open times have they actually been open. Once they were randomly closed for a private event and today they were closed because they haven't started serving lunch yet. My advice is don't post yourself as being open if you are not open. Big pain in the ass.
(1)
Chris M.
i got pulled chicken and not in the dirty way. I thought this place was different. It seemed well thought out and executed without feeling 'chainy' The place has a vibe and style fitting a BBQ place. Where redbones comes off country (with the chairs and then the odd paintings downstairs), this place comes off polished with lots of farm-equipment-esque furnishings. The downside, is all this posh comes at a price seen in the prices of the food. Its BBQ, it's on the pricier side. It is extremely delicious but at 10bucks for just a pulled chicken sandwich ... i didn't really want to add on any scoops. But the chicken, was amazing, moist, flavorful, and just perfectly pulled. I don't even like dark meat, but this mixture of light and dark was just too good to let weird food phobias stop me. For someone who likes meat, this is a place to go. I'm not really into the sides i like fries w/ my chicken. Their lack of off bone -white meat only menu items leaves me thinking i'll just go next door to longhorns for some chainy chicken breast.
(3)
Jeff M.
Sweet Cheeks is really good. I am not sure why there are so many unfavorable reviews. You should not walk into Sweet Cheeks expecting an authentic Southern BBQ experience, this is after all Boston. The BBQ here is a more refined version than what you can find in the South or any of the joints scattered around the greater Boston area. Pork and brisket were both perfectly moist. No complaints on sides of slaw, greens and beans. But, the mac and cheese reminded me of the boxed kind you buy at supermarket. The biscuits are HUGE and delicious. For me Sweet Cheeks is a better version of BBQ than what else is offered in town. This may be my new pre/post - Fenway meal.
(4)
scott w.
Went to Sweet Cheeks with the fiance to do some business in the city. Well worth the trip on a Saturday afternoon. Grabbed a quick parking spot a block away. Walked in and sat down. Was moderately busy. Server came over and was very friendly and excited to recommend items. Got a glass of Apple cider moonshine which was awesome. (got a 2nd one as lunch went on). Got some fried green tomatoes to start. Tomatoes aren't really my thing, but I tried them and they were crispy and tasty. The dipping sauce that came with them really added to the food. Pork ribs and pork bellies were next. Outstanding. I wanted to save room for my entree so we took most of these home. (my dog stared at me while I devoured these the next day, desperately hoping I dropped something.) They were even good the next day. For the main course, I got a pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese as a side dish. A huge sandwich on texas toast, to which I applied some of their made in house sauces to. It was awesome, and some of the tastiest pulled pork I've had in a while. To go, because I was stuffed, I got the giant nutter butter. I love peanut butter and this thing totally delivered. Can't wait for my next trip into the city for some great BBQ by Fenway.
(5)
Shea H.
This place is amazing! The biscuits are to die for; you just need to run 5 miles afterwards to burn it off. I wish they sold their signiture BBQ sauce; SO GOOD!!!
(4)
Graceypoo M.
The belly was heavenly, the sweet tea + corn whiskey drink was awesome, and eye candy delightful! I love the wood panelling and picnic tables. They allow seating at the bar, which what my friends and I ended up doing. It helped that one of the bartenders is amazingly beautiful, which enhanced my perception of the ambiance. Too bad he wasn't the one helping us, but the one who did was cool too. The good: I ordered the two-item tray and got the pork belly and brisket. The belly was just..... WOW... I would definitely just get this by itself next time I come here. The belly is probably what's making me give this place 4 stars instead of the average 3. It is perfectly seasoned which did not overpower the natural sweetness of the meat. The coleslaw, shaved pickled onions, and pickles were delicious--provided some acidity and texture that are perfect accompaniment for the barbecue. Their house barbecue sauce is very tasty. I liked their North Carolina vinegar and hot sauce as well. The so so: The brisket was good, but it wasn't as moist as I hoped for. I used some of the heirloom baked beans (so flavorful) to moisten the brisket when I scooped that up with one of the white bread slices they offered with the trays. My friend got the pulled chicken, which was a bit salty and dry. Next time I'm going to try their mojito and a bottle of Lone Star..... as a side to my tray of pork belly. Get there right when it opens since the place fills up fast! =8)
(4)
Connie C.
Tiffani Faison was on "Top Chef." There is so much hype about her new restaurant. She did well in Top Chef-and I don't doubt that her accolades on the show were well deserved. I also saw a youtube video with her. I have read at least 2 articles where she was mentioned. Given Boston's limited choices on Southern-style BBQ-I was really excited to try the restaurant. I think the concept is great, and Ms. Faison's reputation precedes her. However, the value of the meal that I received is questionable. I honestly think it costs about $3-$4.00 to make my meal given the portions & what was included. Yet the tray costs $24.00 before tax and tip. If you get full, I think it's from side dishes and condiments/filler food. Each tray comes with a hot & cold side dish, 2 pieces of white bread, and pickles/onions. That's what I think fills you up-not the actual meat. The portion of meat is simply too small for the tray I received. I have been to Texas. Portions in Texas are huge. So I felt like I was paying for a lot of overhead, a huge staff, and the hype around a celebrity chef. I am not trying to put Ms. Faison down-I don't doubt her culinary talent, or her hard work. But the portions did not justify the price. The mac and cheese was very good. It's well seasoned and comes in a mug. I love mac and cheese-so that was a highlight. However, mac and cheese (especially at the size of a mug) doesn't cost much. The small portion of pickles & onions also costs very little. Then there's the bread. You get generous portions of rolls/bread in many restaurants for free. For the price of the tray-I was expecting more. You get two pieces of white bread-bread that looks like it came straight out of a Wonder Bread package. It's not corn bread. It just looked like someone pulled out 2 slices of white wonder bread and then put it on the tray. I liked the brisket. But there's too little meat. The sauces are good-but I don't want to pay $24.00 before tax and tip for side dishes and filler food, with small portions of meat. I don't mind the utensils. I am not a fan of communal tables-but I understand that the restaurant is aiming for a down home feel. The decor is fine. There were a lot of waitstaff when we went. I think it's a great concept, but the value of the food is poor. If I didn't know a celebrity chef headed this restaurant-this is something I could make myself very easily. And I am not a good cook. But it's simply too expensive for the portion of meat you're getting. It's not a good deal. Disappointed. The atmosphere is fun, loud, and Ms. Faison is a star chef for the right reasons. But I don't think the prices are fair, and the portions are ludicrous. Oh and don't give me 2 slices of Wonderbread-put some effort. For these prices, give me something really fantastic or go down home comfort food with large portions. This meal failed on both counts.
(2)
Jordan A.
Keep in mind I am reviewing this under 5 stars in its own context. As a southern girl, I can't say it's better than anything I have ever had, but it's far better than any BBQ I have had anywhere in the North East. That's pretty good right? Sorry, Red Bones, this place is putting you to shame. We ordered hush puppies and fried okra -- both legit and delicious. BRISKET OMG it was so good. PORK BELLY OMG it was so good. PULLED CHICKEN even that was really, really, really good. BROCCOLI CHEESE CASSEROLE -- you MUST order this. Their cole slaw was delicious, too. Yep, all around amazing. You don't need the sauces to make anything better or more juicy, but they are all delicious. The ghost pepper isn't just hot, it's very flavorful. Check this place out!
(5)
Jackie L.
Tried Sweet Cheeks for the first time last night. The chicken was moist and extremely flavorful. The food was absolutely delicious--I was a bit unsure of the hot side dish options, since I have a gluten allergy and there weren't any potato-type options. I was pleasantly surprised with how great the black eyed peas were. I will definitely be returning!
(5)
Marie R.
Been waiting for this one since the summer, snuck in to one of their practice nights. Place is just an all-around great time with fantastic BBQ. Loved the look, down home, rustic and really cozy. Ordered the Big Cheeks tray w/ the short rib - meat practically fell off the bone, super tasty, everything came on a tray with paper which I had never seen but was different and super cool. Had some fun slathering some of that meat up in the homemade BBQ sauce. Ordered some brisket for my tray too, amazing. Sides were just as good - broccoli cheese casserole, wow! Potato salad was just awesome creamy goodness! Ate all that for $24 - pretty sweet deal if you ask me. Boston needs this place, it's completely different from everything else around here and def heads and tails above other BBQ. Beer list is pretty extensive - found some of my favorite craft brews along with some new ones I'll be coming back very soon for. Cocktails were all about southern charm w/ a lot of goodness. Friend of mine ordered the Rocky Top something with appley moonshine stuff in it (can't remember the name), was perfect for a chilly fall night. Do not leave without that peanut butter cookie thing. Can't wait to make this my regular hang.
(5)
Charmie S.
Well, shucky ducky, quack quack! This place is oinktastic. I had been looking forward to going here for a while, so today, on my birthday, I went for it. I was not disappointed. I started at the bar with a drink called rock top? All I know is I saw moonshine in the description, and I just had to try it. A win there. Then there was the hush puppies. Win #2. Then came the tray -- of pork ribs, brisket, mac n cheese, and farm salad. Win #3. Whoever is back their doing the marinading, seasoning of those meats, bless you!!!! I can't think of the superlative that truly fits the awesomeness of this food. And I can't even talk about the biscuits -- are they made for giants? because they are huge and delicious. I left sweet cheeks thoroughly satisfied. I'm going back very soon.
(5)
Scott J.
Just like everyone else says, the brisket is tip-top, but I could easily go here and order nothing but biscuits and beer. Good lord, those biscuits are awesome. Otherwise, it's a little pricey for the amount of food on the plate.
(4)
Stel B.
As the 2 star indicator says "Meh. I've experienced better" pretty much sums it up. Pluses: location, nice layout and comfy swivel stools, the ribs are fantastic, nice take on the cole slaw with larger pieces of cabbage, good cocktails although some are miniature in size, fortunately the Dollywood isn't (how could it be?), delicious mac n' cheese uniquely presented in a mug (comfort food just got more comfy), good sauces, and fun old school food on a tray. Minuses: Extremely loud and very poor sound insulation, small portion sizes for the price, the brisket is disappointingly and inedibly fatty (too bad since the flavor was right on), food is served with two misplaced pieces of plain white bread rather than cornbread, the fried green tomatoes had absolutely no flavor, and careful with ordering the cocktails--some of which are sized slightly larger than a shot.
(2)
Jessica M.
I will say that, for the most part, the food was impressive for Boston BBQ. It does not stand ground against Texas BBQ and please don't expect it to or you will be disappointed. The BBQ sauces lack depth of flavor needed to be really good BBQ. That sounds much snobbier than I mean for it to be, sorry. The pork belly was amazing. Order this. It's incredibly delicious and almost makes the rest of the experience worth it. The brisket was mediocre and I would not order it again, the pulled pork was about average (nothing to write home about but better than most I've had up here), BBQ beans were lacking; however, the mac and cheese was awesome. Rumor has it that the collard greens were also good. I passed on anything remotely green as it is BBQ. All in all, the food would be four stars relative to my other Boston BBQ experiences (two compared to Texas). The reason why it's getting one star is for the absolutely terrible service and my overall annoyance with the experience. Oh, and the fact that they not only have Lone Star on the menu, but that it's $5 and the waiter recommended it! To my friend who specifically said she liked craft beer and didn't want anything like Budweiser or Miller Light. I was so incredibly shocked that I may have given the waiter a slight bit of education around how Lone Star is perceived in Texas (aka. it's the Milwaukee's Best of Texas...even below Narragansett). After that poor beer recommendation, she clarified that she wanted a craft, non-hoppy beer, to which he then recommended a hoppy beer. Finally, she gave up and settled on wine, which the waiter finally dropped off about two minutes before he came to wrap up our leftovers so we could go home. My other friend specifically mentioned his gluten allergy but wasn't told about the gluten in the BBQ sauce until after food had already been served and enough time had passed for him to eat some of it. They were good about replacing the food with a new order, but that was about it. All of our water glasses were empty and the two of us who did have alcoholic beverages were ready for another round half way through our meal but were never given the opportunity to order another one until the wine finally showed up. When the drinks came (including the long awaited water), it was after the waiter had already run the credit cards. It's super annoying to enjoy your food and beverages separately, especially when paying to eat somewhere where they should be served together. Once we got home, we discovered the waiter messed up our to-go containers, even though he specifically stated what was in each one when passing them out. Overall, disappointing. I would go back for the pork belly if it wasn't so overpriced and I didn't have to deal with the staff there again.
(1)
Jonique S.
NO, no and no. I went here for my bday and I was so excited as I had driven past this tempting place on many occasions. The portions are just toooooo big. I really wish our waitress had warned us before we ordered 4 separate meals. Each menu item could easily be enough food for 2-3 people. Now, you may be wondering why I am complaining about MORE FOOD. The answer is simple: It was NOT good. Between the four of us, we sampled most of the menu and I don't think I liked a single item save for the biscuits and baked beans. The ribs that I ordered were fatty and bland. After going to this place, I considered vegitarianism. Then I went home, ate some bacon, and got over it. I see no point in returning to this place. I've never been turned off by food before.
(1)
Rachel R.
Hey Sweet Cheeks, here's my Christmukkah wish list! Coleslaw Five golden biscuits COPIOUS amounts of honey butter Pony w/ silver saddle ALL OF THE PORK BELLY YOU HAVE (Ron Swanson style) Bottle of BBQ sauce xoxox, Rachel *Amendment: The wimpy pork ribs, dry brisket, and pot o' strangely textured broccoli casserole can sub for my lump of coal. The hit or miss-ness of each dish at Sweet Cheeks has me simultaneously intrigued and turned off, but the fact that I can't dabble without shelling out at least 20 bucks drops the overall feel to A-OK.
(3)
Jordan W.
Had an amazing time here, the biscuits were perfect, the brisket was melt in your mouth tender with no over the top seasonings to take away from the natural smoked flavor. The beer and American whiskey list was also pretty impressive. The hush puppies didn't bring me back to my summers vacationing on the Outer Banks like I had hoped they would've but still not bad. After going to a lot of other BBQ places in Boston and being disappointed I found this place to be a breath of fresh air. Overall is a great place to satisfy your BBQ desire, bring your friends and your appetite!
(4)
Sona C.
We are from North Carolina so love BBQ and were excited when Sweet Cheeks opened. We got there around 8pm on a Saturday night and it was crowded (good sign). They don't take reservations for groups less than 8 people. They told us it would be an hour weight and we decided to try out the bar. It actually ended up being a 45 minute wait overall. Drinks - we tried some sweet tea whiskey drink and a vodka gimlet. Both were so WEAK! We actually sent the vodka gimlet back because it was so terrible. The drinks look great on paper but weren't that wonderful. Staff - I actually loved the staff. They were sweet, nice, and although the service was slow, they weren't ignoring us. Food - EXPENSIVE. I am used to getting the same plate in North Carolina for 6 dollars, so spending 20+ dollars on BBQ is just silly. It's good, but not great. We ordered the pulled pork sandwich w/ the broccoli dish and slaw; my husband ordered beef brisket sandwich with mac & cheese and slaw. Mac and cheese is amazing. Broccoli dish is good but not amazing. It's just wrong to pay 10 dollars for 4 biscuits. Just plain wrong. Overall - We aren't planning on going again, but if you like BBQ, it's worth trying and you can make up your mind.
(3)
Yolanda S.
I should have went by what I read... This place is NOT good. The best item was the salad and the worst was the sauce! Don't waste your time... the McRib is probably a lot better, though I have never tried it. I have a good feeling this place will not last too long. Not worth trying if you have had good BBQ such as Blue Ribbon or home cooked on the grill.
(1)
Jenessa C.
Awesome brisket, pulled pork, & pork belly. Often places over cook the meat, but here the meat is just right. No matter what type of sauce you like they have you covered, as you select which type you'd like, spicy, vinegar-based, or just normal. Great fried green tomatoes, macaroni & cheese, broccoli casserole, & biscuits too. For those who like sweet tea they have it & its delicious! Cocktails are pretty nice here too. And for a nice atmospheric touch, the dishware is thematic as if you're camping. Just be warned, the portions are huge & you can easily get the 3 cuts of meat plate & split it between two. Every time I go here I have leftovers for another meal or two, so come hungry!
(4)
Thuy L.
If you like bbq, you definitely need to check this place out. BBQ + Tiffani Faison from Top Chef = A+ Fancy and fine-dining, Sweet Cheeks is not. The bar area is a little small and definitely make reservations. I have no idea what others are talking about regarding portion sizes. We started off with the bucket of biscuits and the honey butter is YUM-MAZING. I could have licked that bucket clean. We also got hush puppies, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and the mac n' cheese. These were a little less exciting for me. The fried green tomatoes were a little bland--it maybe needed some nuts or something to top it off. The fried okra and hush puppies were a little too greasy for my taste. What I would order again is the sweet cheeks tray which comes with your choice of 2 meats for $24. I selected the pork belly and the brisket. After ordering, the waitress told me that they had just run out of pork belly. After noticing my disappointment and talking to the chefs in the back, they made more just for me. That is some service. The pork belly is absolutely mouth watering. There is a perfect fat to meat ratio and just the right amount of crispiness on the skin. I can't wait to go back for that piece of the piggy. The brisket on the other hand was a little underwhelming--there wasn't enough sauce or something...i couldn't quite put my finger on it. My husband had the bbq and that was excellent as well. We definitely did not leave hungry, we actually left with a whole meal for the next day.
(4)
v y.
The BBQ here is legit. The meat is smokey and moist and is perfectly complemented by the sides available. I went with a couple friends and we decided to just order a little bit of everything. We started out with the fried okra and fried green tomatoes. I didn't love the tomatoes, but thats just because I don't really like tomatoes. The coating was crispy and the tomatoes were juicy. The fried okra was on point and will probably be a regular item I order there. I've also tried the hush puppies there (unimpressive and kind of dry) and the biscuits ( good biscuit but has nothing on the biscuit at island creek oyster bar down the street). Then came the main course. The brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken were all moist and delicious. But the real star for me were the ribs. The ribs have just enough fat and are perfectly smokey. The sides were pretty good as well. The Mac and cheese is good: it's creamy with a crunchy crumb topping. We also tried the collard greens and cole slaw which were decent.. So the down side- I'm not a fan of their sauces and I'm big on sauces. While none of the meat requires sauce, I just wish it were better because I really like sauce. Also, the wait here is always like 45-60 min. so be ready to wait. Overall, food is very good, service is good, and I like the atmosphere. Sorry Redbones you're no longer my go to BBQ place.
(4)
Christopher C.
Coming from Texas, I do enjoy my BBQ and the southern style atmosphere of the restaurant. The BBQ and the sides are okay. I think they do need to work on their entries, pricing, and portions, but they sure do have their biscuits down with honey butter! The service was on the slow side. I had brisket that was mostly fat and overcooked until it was falling apart. There was no flavor really to the brisket. Also, I got mac and cheese which was mediocre-good, and broccoli and cheese which was good. I do like this place because of the atmosphere, but the food is okay!
(4)
Lesley P.
Friendly service. A bit pricey . Glasses looked dirty but maybe they are just scratched up. The BBQ sauce was good which is very important. We had two pulled pork sandwiches, and a total of two sides: cole slaw and beans, one beer and an ice tea. With tip it was 50 bucks. Very middle of the road.
(3)
Kyle S.
I wanted to like this place. I REALLY wanted to like this place, but sadly the food fell short. I ordered the burnt end sandwich on a roll with slaw and collard greens (my favorite). Although the meat was good (1 star) the slaw was more like underdressed cabbage stem. Personally, I like my collard greens with flavor, so the one's from Sweet Cheek's were not for me. I make mine with tons of vinegar, sugar, smokey bacon and onions, simmer them in an IPA - definitely recommend this method :) My friend ordered the pulled pork with potato salad and mac and cheese. The potato salad was worse than store bought with undercooked potatoes and not enough flavor. The mac and cheese was velveeta-like (I prefer mine baked in a custard like cheese with melty cheese on the top). I didn't try the pork. Drink wise, I appreciated the beer selection as well as the cocktail list (1 star). My friend ordered a habanero tequila cocktail that I can still taste on my lips. Although I don't personally love tequila drinks, I was pleased that the drink was strong and flavorful. The beer I tried on draft was good, but nothing to write home about. Overall, I was dissatisfied with Chef Tiffany Faison's decision to exclude flavor and, dare I say, love from her would-be awesome restaurant. From a Top Chef All Star I expect a lot more and sadly, she didn't live up to her All Star status. Hopefully this gets back to her and she makes some changes because I'm willing to try again!
(2)
Stephen V.
I was hesitant to like any restaurant that replaced Cambridge 1, a favorite of mine. However, I couldn't help but love Sweet Cheeks. As an avid Top Chef fan, I was pleasantly surprised when I looked in the open kitchen and saw Tiffani! I had no idea this was her restaurant. I was a huge fan of hers in both seasons, and it took everything in me to not run into the kitchen and say so (but that would have just been creepy). Anyway, the good: - Decor is comfortable. - Estimated wait for a table was spot-on (I think we were actually seated more quickly than we were told) - Service was friendly and prompt - Food, overall, was delicious! The brisket was the perfect combo of tender meat and melt-in-your-mouth fat. Pulled chicken was tasty. Our sides of fried okra, salt & pepper potatoes, fried green tomatoes were all so, so good (and perhaps the best part of the meal). - Biscuits were perfect - Side portions were HUGE - Cocktails were creative and delicious! - The nutter-butter cookie was fantastic (perfect combo of salt and sweet), but I expected it to be and wanted it so badly to be warm! The needs work: - I wasn't crazy about the hush puppies (thought they were dry) - Meat portions are tiny...I didn't leave hungry, but that's because all the unhealthy, fried but delicious sides were enormous Also, we couldn't get the trays with the sides we wanted. This didn't make much sense to me, since the sides we wanted and sides that are offered with the trays are the same price or a dollar more. Instead, to get the sides we wanted, we had to order HUGE portions, and wound up throwing away a ton of food, which was a waste. I really wished the okra, tomatoes, potatoes, and hush puppies could be sides that come with the tray, since they cost as much as the sides that are offered w/ the tray. Overall, it was great. I'll be back. And I'm happy to be supporting Tiffani :)
(4)
Chris T.
Growing up in the South has made finding good barbecue in New England a difficult venture. I recall the local excitement when Smokehouse opened up down the street from me in Washington Square and my disappointment when I tried it. It seemed at the time that possibly New Englanders had a very different sense of what qualifies for "great barbecue". I had resigned myself to the possibility that barbecue was a sacrifice that I would have to make if I chose to live in New England. After trying Sweet Cheeks twice recently, I have completely changed my mind. Tiffani Faison gets it, and she gets it right. Nothing on this menu is an afterthought. Every item on my tray was clearly made with care and attention. And unlike many little barbecue joints in the South that typically have one show-stopping side, every side here was delicious with an inventive twist. I particularly enjoyed the mac and cheese. As far as the barbecue, it l seems like the emphasis is on Memphis and Carolina style (my favorites...might explain my bias towards this place), though they mix in a little Texas for good measure. Under the liquor heading, the house bill 819 is reason enough to come back to this restaurant again and again. This and the bucket o' biscuits would make a great quick filler or late night snack. Just an aside, whoever originally thought up honey butter is a genius and should be recognized as such. Service here was quick, friendly, and knowledgable. I got the sense that our server genuinely liked the food she was serving. The atmosphere is fun and inviting, and the decor looks like a mix of industrial and farmhouse. I felt like I was right back home in the South again. I could imagine my friends taking their kids here, and it would be a great place to take a date to show your fun, relaxed side. Maybe not a first date, though. Barbecue is messy.
(5)
Chris F.
Sweet cheeks - you have everything a boy could dream of. - Your biscuits are ridiculous. man-sized, fluffy, and with honey butter. d a m n. - You serve your food in a tray. I don't know why i like that, but I do. - Huge portions of meat. quality is good - not the best bbq i've had but some of the best i've had in boston. - Your vibe is casual cool and you always play great dinner music. Hell yes I want A Tribe Called Quest with my pulled pork, how did you know?!? - Service is fast, staff is chill and has fun, I always leave stupid-full and price is solid. - beer selection is choice. If you're from the South and are a bbq snob you probably won't love this place, but if you're everyone else you probably will.
(5)
Megan M.
I promise you this is NOT how the South does BBQ! I was super excited to try this place out after moving to Boston from the South & my craving for fried okra finally kicked in! We went as a group of 4 & none of us left excited. I will say that the biscuits were fantastic...& HUGE! I ordered the BBQ, greens & baked beans. The greens were undercooked & too sweet. The meat was ok & seemed to be your standard BBQ. The beans were not even edible in my opinion. We also ordered a basket of okra for the table & barely breaded okra spears were delivered. Also, the sweet tea was like drinking pure syrup... I wanted to find the chef & show him how we really do okra & sweet tea down South! I won't go back & the 3 friends I went with (who were not Southerners by the way) said they won't either.
This review is for service, not food. I came in at 6:45pm on Friday with a party of 6. We were told there would be an hour long wait, so we grabbed a couple seats at the bar and had a drink. At 7:45pm, I went back up to the hostesses to check on the progress-- another 10 minutes or so. Okay, fine. At 8:00pm, I go back up. Hey, so, it's been an hour and 15 minutes. How's that table looking? Another 30 minutes, probably. At 8:30pm, we check in again. Because, seriously, at this point it's been an hour and 45 minutes, which is, you know, 45 minutes longer than the original estimate. And what do they say? It will be another hour. ANOTHER HOUR. What?? Oh, they had a bunch of later reservations, so now those tables have to be sat. Seriously? You couldn't have: a) figured out earlier that we were never going to be seated or b) have actually come up to us to let us know what was going on instead of ignoring us until we asked? Terrible service. Train your hostesses better. The food is delicious, but not worth waiting 2 hours and 45 minutes (or potentially longer given how unreliable their estimates are).
(1)
Katie D.
I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but wanted to try this place out! I really liked the ambiance of the place!! Sorta laid back, die-y, but at the same time trendy. The food was pretty good I LOVED their coleslaw. I think the best way to order here is to get a tray, its not too much money and you get to try a little bit of everything! I don't know if I would be returning to eat again, but will definitely head back for a drink or two!
(4)
Penny F.
When I walked into Sweet Cheeks the other day Fenway Park was going nuts with all the glitz of the start of baseball season. I was half worried that we wouldn't be able to find a decent place to sit down nearby, but I was wrong. We walked into Sweet Cheeks and were greeted by three smiling hostesses and were seated immediately even though it was dinner time, and Fenway was filled with people. The atmosphere of Sweet Cheeks is awesome. It's a venue where alternative personalities seem to find their groove in the work place. I ordered a cocktail ($10) and it was amazing. It ended up being the only drink I had all night because it got me so buzzed, and it's delicious flavour made me forget to drink it slowly. I should note that their alcohol selection (including beer) is MASSIVE!!! It reminded me of being in Europe, and was not at all what I am used to seeing in American restaurants. We filled our table with Hush Puppies, Biscuits, and Fried Green Tomatoes. The hush puppies felt more like a dessert so we didn't eat too many of them even though they were delicious. The biscuits were massive, and we realised that next time we would probably just order half the amount of biscuits and have everyone split one. They were like heaven, and their amazing taste was partly due to the honey butter provided to spread over them. Never in my life would I have thought I'd enjoy a fried green tomato - but even now I am dreaming about returning just for them and how good they were. No one at the table had had them before - and everyone was in love. I ordered brisket and by the time it arrived I was already full. One bite of it with the house made vinegar and I was hooked. Everyone at the table ate and ate and ate until we were beyond full because of how delicious everything was. Every single thing that we were given had the most immense flavour to it. It all tasted fresh, well prepared and cooked. As we ate we admired the ascetics of the place - gorgeous wooden walls, long tables which we shared with other patrons, and the smell of the smoker were enough to create the perfect atmosphere. It was awesome to be able to see the entire kitchen, and layout of the place while we were dining. My friend was so excited about her left overs the next day that she texted me about eating them - and I was insanely jealous that I had finished my plate. I think Sweet Cheeks is the best restaurant that I have ever been to. Now don't let anything that I say next taint the awesomeness that is Sweet Cheeks - but the only thing that was sorta bad was it seemed out waitress forgot about us after she took our order. We really didn't see her much after that. The cocktails are also a bit steep in price, and the decor in the bathroom is really tacky and doesn't fit with the ascetics of the place- I can see what they were aiming for, but it sorta feels like you're walking into the bathroom at someone's house and not a restaurant. Also they put bread on all the trays but I didn't see a single person in the place eat it. It seemed that all the trays were being cleared with their bread still on it. I'd also like to recommend if you go there to get half a pound of the meat you want and then order a side or an appetizer of something - it can be cheaper than getting the actual tray and you will probably be just as full. Should also note that I thought I heard someone mention everything is really organic while we were there, but also heard there is High Fructose Corn Syrup in all the sauces - so if anyone has allergies or issues with that you should probably take note that its in there.
(5)
Steven T.
We ate here on Sunday evening, 26FEB - and while Sundays traditionally tend to be slow in the restaurant workd, this joint was jumping. After being told there'd be a 10-minute wait, we were seated less than a minute afterwards. The decor is minimalist, but functional and the playlist was skewed towards dance hits of the 70s and 80s. The dinner menu is fairly-limited, but there are lots of good options. I opted for the Berkshire pulled-pork sandwich on Texas Toast accompanied with 1 hot scoop (Cita's broccoli-Cheese casserole) and 1 cold scoop (Cole-Slaw) Pickles and onions were served on the side. In a word: "YUM!" I love the fact that Sweet Cheeks specializes in dry-rubbed pulle-pork. You have your choice of three different bbq-sauces on your table, so you control how messy you want your dinner to be, Service was spot-on: friendly and efficient. I think I may have found my new favorite BBQ joint!
(4)
Ashley G.
We went to this place because a friend of ours was dying to try it. I like BBQ and I know I'm partial, but I decided to give it a chance. I think everyone else was so hungry they didnt care what they were eating, but I did not share the same idea. I got the pulled pork sandwich which had absolutely no flavor and was actually quite off and became unbearable to finish. The prices are outrageous for horrible food and the wait staff is less than mediocre. The atmosphere was great and could be pulled off if the food delivered. Reading the other comments I might have gotten a bad batch of meat, but really that's no excuse. I will be sure never to go there again, and if I'm forced - I'll stick to the biscuits as that is the only thing that has gotten consistent reviews.
(1)
Robin Y.
I've come here with friends several times and am always shocked by how much our bill is at the end of the night. I'm vegetarian, so I'm not that great of a judge of the food here, but I do really like the broccoli cheese casserole, the biscuits with honey butter, and the farm salad (although once, it had all brussel sprouts instead of lettuce- not my taste). One thing that I've consistently disliked are their drinks- they sound so interesting on the menu, but they really don't taste good, and they're really expensive. It's like taking an $11 shot. I like the atmosphere of this place, which is probably why I keep coming back- the food is like nothing else in the Boston area.
(3)
Joel B.
I never write reviews but just had to give a shout out to Sweet Cheeks. Excellent food, large portions, reasonable prices. Any of those things are hard to find in this town, so finding all three is great. I had the "brisket tray" and the meat was delicious, well cooked and flavorful. I had the farm salad and mac-and-cheese for side, also very good. I don't live near the Fenway area, but this is my new go-to place when I am there.
(4)
Sarah A.
Dined here last night and had a really great experience! The restaurant wasn't crowded (it was a Wednesday) and the service was prompt and very friendly. We ordered the biscuits, pork belly platter with potato salad and mac 'n cheese, and I got the Dollywood cocktail. First of all, the Dollywood cocktail? Phenoooomenal! Tastes just like a raspberry lemonade (I muddled the raspberries it came with) with a vodka kick..mmm. The pork belly was very flavorful and I actually enjoyed it more without the BBQ sauce because of the deep rich flavor. I thought the normal BBQ sauce masked the complex flavors, however, the habanero ginger sauce complemented it perfectly! My only complaint with the pork belly would be that the fat is not really rendered so there are some "gooey" pieces. The pickles (which I guess are made in house?) were also a perfect complement to the fatty pork belly. The tartness of the pickles really cut through the fatty richness of the meat. The potato salad was topped with crumbled bacon (YUUUUM) and was absolutely delicious. I didn't eat too much of the Mac 'n Cheese but the very little I did eat was quite good, although I think I might opt for a different "hot scoop" next time. The biscuits were HUGE and delicious and the honey butter it comes with was soooo good, however, the biscuits themselves are very very buttery so I felt that maybe just honey served with them would be better than MORE butter. The only reason I can't give this place a 5 is the prices. 10 dollars for 4 biscuits is just a little expensive considering most BBQ places serve complimentary bread, biscuits, or corn bread. Would definitely want to come back again to try some other meats! MMM!
(4)
Kim K.
Yummy BBQ! Smaller menu but great options and really well prepared meat. The broccoli and cheese casserole is bonkers good. The ambiance is nice too. Prices are good. The service is pretty slow though. I will be back to give Sweet Cheeks another go though.
(3)
King Eat J.
Actually really love this place. Best biscuits I ever had. Didn't think biscuits could taste that good. If you like pork belly their's is delicious. Good ribs, mac and cheese, pulled chicken. It's all deadly. I gotta try their fried chicken. Drinks: Great beer selection, and their house bill 819 cocktail is delicious. It's a very well done cocktail
(4)
Jeremy M.
Decidedly 'meh'. Brisket, ribs and pork belly meat all very dry. Mac n cheese was more Kraft than homemade and the beer list was poor. Only saving grace was the above average slaw... Too much money for what it is.
(2)
Chris N.
Been here twice now and I'm a huge fan. I don't like BBQ joints that are wet rub places (just coating the meat in sauce)Thank God Sweet Cheeks is dry rub place!, more flavor into the meats. Makes everything taste better. Everything on the menu is amazing. Be sure to bring an appetite as the portions are huge!! Starters recommended: The hush puppies, the honey biscuits with honey butter. Main course recommendations: ribs, pulled pork, turkey leg (it's as big as your foot, no joke)
(4)
Heath M.
I happened to be in the Fenway area for reasons that had nothing to do with the (heartbreaking) Red Sox on a beautiful summer night, The situation provided us two unusual opportunities: we could not only dine comfortably in the neighborhood, but we could sit outside if we wanted to. We walked down to Sweet Cheeks to (finally) try it. Being super-hungry, I totally over-ordered. We started with biscuits, hushpuppies, and fried green tomatoes. For my entree I ordered the 1/2 chicken with potato salad and mac & cheese. I also got a side of pulled pork which you can buy in 1/4 increments. Let's have ourselves a little chat about fried green tomatoes. I'd never had them. I didn't even know you could eat a green tomato without getting sick until I saw the movie. Naturally, come hell or high water I was going to give them a try. No offense Ruth and Idgie, but I really don't get it. They weren't especially tasty, in fact, they are kind of bland. Though I get the fact southerners will fry just about anything and most of it is good, I think I might pass on these. Their hush puppies were...interesting, Frankly, they tasted more like felafel, there was an exotic spice profile to them that was more reminiscent of the Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines. They weren't bad, but the seasoning did obscure the corn flavor that makes a hush puppy so special. And the sauce didn't really work with them either (I'm not especially sure what the sauce even was, but it was creamy, tangy and white). I'm going to cover the biscuits later and skip to the entrees. I don't remember the last time I had chicken that was cooked so perfectly, but at the same time, it was a bit bland. You have to dump some BBQ sauce on it (which also has a spice profile that is more east than south). The pulled pork was also bland on its own, here's my philosophy about that: you either give it a really good rub to make the meat savory and fragrant so it can live on its own, or you stew it in BBQ sauce. Serve it the way you want the diner to have it. As for the sides, the potato salad was firm and chunky, which is fine if you're into that, but it too was under-seasoned. A little more salt, a little more spice, not too much to ask from a BBQ joint, is it? There was no salt & pepper on the table either, so I couldn't DIY it either (in fairness, I could have asked, I don't know why I didn't). The service was actually quite good; our waiter was prompt, courteous and very helpful about navigating the menu. The beer and drink selection featured plenty of colorful options for beer, wine and booze. The beer-gria was funky but not in a bad way, the "epa" was damn tasty. So, after all that, this place really is a mixed bag. But if they sold nothing but those huge, heavenly, biscuits, I'd make it rain stars. Seriously, you cannot not order them. If anything, I would go here just to get biscuits to go so I could have them for breakfast with strawberry jam, or make some breakfast sandwiches -- anything! They are simply the very best biscuits I've ever had in my entire life. Does that warrant four stars? I was tempted to be generous, but in the end, when you go out to eat, you go for the entrees. The chef really hasn't hit on quite the right flavor for the core offerings. That said, even if the food's a bit bland overall, the biscuits and the great service would bring me back.
(3)
Peter W.
We knew this place would be packed, but lucked out with only having to wait about five minutes for space at the high-top long table (shared with another group). We wanted to try everything, but settled for a pound each of pulled pork, brisket, and pork belly. We added a fried chicken, beans, sausage, and the biscuits. Too much food, but I don't mind leftovers. There was an extra sauce flavor that day, so we had four to choose from. My favorite was the succulent brisket. Really amazing. The pork belly was yummy. The pulled pork worked great with the sauces. The fried chicken was crunchy outside and moist inside. The sausage was a bit dry - I wouldn't order again. The biscuits were very good; and the honey butter was different. We ordered a pitcher of the Kentucky beer which was a bourbon taste. It's my new favorite beer! Service was attentive. Decor was clean and comfortable. The main take away is that there is a great new bbq place in Boston with a different taste to other places in the area.
(4)
Bradley W.
Went here with some friends after the Red Sox-Yankees game on Saturday. I live in New York City where some excellent BBQ places have opened recently. I also used to be involved with a chain of BBQ restaurants in NYC from 1988-1998 before selling out. I've Traveled and eaten BBQ all through North Carolina and spent time in Texas. My friend from Boston love this place and goes there a lot. First problem was he ordered appetizers. Four biscuits, Fried Green Tomatoes and the salt and pepper potatoes. The biscuits were pretty good but too big and filling to eat before a barbecue meal. I had one fried green tomato it was okay. The Salt and Pepper potatoes were the best out of our appetizers. I originally planned to order a tray with brisket, collared greens and cole slaw but soon realized it would be too much and got a burnt end sandwich. While the burnt ends were nice and moist they didn't have much flavor to them. The bbq sauces they had on the table weren't very special either. I brought most of my sandwich home and had it the next day. They just don't seem to use enough seasoning.
(2)
Ashley A.
Do not skip the biscuits! They are the best I've ever had. The honey butter is a nice touch too. Beware though, as they are HUGE. You're definitely fine splitting one with a friend. The beer selection is fantastic. Our waiter was knowledgeable about everything on the menu and could tell me what I'd like and not like based on my preferences. I loved the IPA he picked out for me. I was also a fan of the beer-gria (sangria made with beer in case you couldn't of guessed that one). I got the pulled pork sandwich and the coleslaw and mac and cheese on the sides. The meat was okay, but needed sauce and pickles to moisten it up a bit. The mac and cheese was good but way too heavy/cheesy for my liking. If you're into that though, you'll love it. The coleslaw was...coleslaw. My favorite part of the meal was probably the biscuits honestly :) I'd probably try other meats next time. I do love that most (if not all) of their food is sourced locally. In terms of ambiance, it's cute and very hipster-meets-yuppie (basically because they use mason jars). It's a bit loud though definitely not somewhere you want to go on a date. I was, however, a fan of the 90s music they were playing when I went on a Tuesday night (not sure if they do that all the time but it was awesome).
(3)
Moody F.
My boyfriend and I have ordered food here twice for takeout. The first time, everything was DELICIOUS. My boyfriend and I ordered the Fat Cheeks Tray with moist and flavorful pulled chicken, smokey brisket which was a little fatty for my taste but yummy nonetheless and the ribs were fall off the bone to die for! The mac & cheese was so, so and didn't boast much flavor but the collard greens were pretty tasty. The biscuits...OH, THE BISCUITS! For starters they're huge, next they're fresh and warm, and lastly they're super fluffy. They're served with a great honey butter. My boyfriend and I both raved about this place to our friends. When he suggested it tonight for dinner, I was more than game. When I called to place our order I noticed right away that I wasn't speaking with the upbeat and friendly woman that took our order the first time. Tonight's order taker was clearly not happy to be helping me and sounded like she was just ready to go home. Her tone was attitudinal right off the bat and she demanded a first and last name to put the order in. I remember giving a first name last time but why the last name? Whatever, I let it go and asked for a total after reviewing my order with her. She gave me the total and when I politely thanked her she just hung up on me. This time we ordered the exact same thing. Sides were tasty and mac & cheese was actually ooey, gooey with cheese and spices...thank you for stepping your mac & cheese game up! All of the meats were equally as delicious as the first time except the brisket. It didn't wow us this time at all. Also, we substituted the biscuits with hush puppies this time. I've eaten a lot of hush puppies in my day, primarily in the South. I love hush puppies. These hush were pretty big and looked awesome but upon giving them a try we found them to be a little too dry in the middle and I'm not sure if they were fried in oil that had been previously used for fried fish or if they're was some God awful spice incorporated into the recipe but #EPICFAIL. I feel so deceived because my mouth was watering when I saw these big bad boys and turns out they were oh so disappointing. We're definitely on the fence on whether we will be giving them a third try.
(3)
Amica M.
Really, a 3.5. I'm not a big barbecue person, but thought their pulled pork and barbecue sauces were the best I've had. Some of the sides like broccoli cheddar casserole were below average. Loved the pickles. The beverage glasses, which are actually jars were dirty, especially in the crevices where a top would screw into the jars. I can see how a dishwasher would not get that clean from all the gunk from peoples lips. ewwww.
(3)
David M.
This is a nice - different- place for the Fenway area. They have a limited menu, but the items are all pretty good. Its great for a group with the large picnic table, and the staff is wicked nice. The baby-back rib plate was huge, the pork belly was bacon heaven, the mac and cheese is creamy crispy amazingness. If you're craving BBQ, Sweet Cheeks is worth checking out.
(4)
Cheryl L.
mmm.good Definitely a place to go for Barbecue altho a bit pricy. I had the combo Brisket (moist ) and Ribs (dry) with carrot and raisin salad , heirloom bbq beans and a Bisquit ($ 26.00 ). Everything was very tasty especially with the barbecue sauce and a be back it is. Sat at the Bar. Service was great, informative and friendly. A lot of food. A take home meal for another night. sweetcheeksq.com/main-me… 617-266-1300
(4)
Rachel M.
AWESOME. Just awesome. Fun, accommodating staff. Love the atmosphere: Lots of TVs, great music always pumping (but not obnoxious). The Sweet Tea is just like down South...ahhh....Will get back to you on the beer selection. I've been pregnant since we discovered this place (actually found it on the way home from one of our first prenatal appts...now its a must-stop after EVERY appt...and there are A LOT). So, yeah...beer....can't wait. So far we've had the brisket and the pulled pork sandwich on toast...can't get past either. So good. Best BBQ I've had in New England BY FAR... A nice variety of sauce options are on the table...sweet, spicy, traditional...all great. Sides: Mac & Cheese - Disclaimer: I'm a Mac & Cheese snob. Its a little different, not my favorite style (baked with bread crumbs, a little dry), but good. For reference, my fave Mac & Cheese in the area (besides my own) is at Red Bones. Ranch Beans - Good. Hearty. A lot of meat in there...almost like chili. Cole Slaw - Salad-like...chunky, fresh, crisp, good. Broccoli Casserole - HOLY CRAP - AMAZING and totally unexpected...but have only seen it on the menu once. IF they have it, GET IT. Biscuits - I also consider myself a biscuit snob/connoisseur....BEST I HAVE EVER HAD BY A MILLION MILES. Words cannot describe. Just shut up and get one as an app. They are huge. They are fluffy. They are TO DIE FOR. You're welcome.
(5)
Michael C.
My family and I visited Sweet Cheeks for lunch earlier today. We were warmly greeted and sat immediately. The restaurant was about half empty so no surprise here. We started off with some AMAZING biscuits. My wife and son both had pulled chicken which was great and I had a burnt ends sandwich which was OK but tasted like it had teriyaki sauce on it which I found to be an odd flavor in a BBQ restaurant. really enjoyed the sides we got of potato salad and mac & cheese as well as the sweet tea. The only thing I was really disappointed in was the service in particular our waiter. It took a while before he came over to take our order and we almost never saw him again until he brought our check. Luckily, the kitchen works quickly here and they have runners bring the food. If not for the waiter, I probably would have given 4 if not 5 stars to this restaurant. On a smaller level, I was also disappointed that there is no kids menu. One would think a casual restaurant like this would cater to kids at least during lunch if not dinner as well. UPDATE: I've returned to Sweet Cheeks a few times since my initial review. I have to say the service is improved although still a little slow and not hugely attentive. I'm also still disappointed that there is no kids menu. The food is always great though (especially the biscuits) and the atmosphere is fun and everything is always very clean.
(4)
p.c. m.
I loved loved loved this place. Was at a work dinner so I got to try EVERYTHING -- the biscuits, collard greens, potato salad, brisket, pork belly, ribs were all fabulous. And the nutter butter and pot de creme butterscotch salted caramel thing were truly amazing. Whatever the filling was for the nutter butter was-- I'd like to live in a vat of it. Beans and mac and cheese were middle of the road.
(5)
Mac O.
I really liked Tiffani Faison on both of her seasons on "Top Chef": her searing barbs, a fearless cooking style, and a take-no-prisoners attitude. So on our first visit to Boston after she opened her very own eatery, husband and I headed out to the Fenway neighborhood to check out her venture, inspired by a road trip through Texas. Right away I liked the backyard-cookout-meets-industrial-park vibe; I didn't like the salty hostess who huffed at giving the two of us a four-top despite it being a 3 o'clock lull and the place nearly empty. Our server was really lovely and helpful, however, a highpoint of our visit. She started us with some drinks while we scoped out the menu -- a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy for me and a House Bill 819 corn whiskey cocktail for him (served, like every libation here, in Ball jars). We settled on a Fat Cheeks Tray to split: a choice of three barbequed meats and two "scoops", or sides: one hot, one cold. For himself, husband picked out the brisket, pulled chicken, and pulled pork. I added the mac 'n' cheese and Farm Salad -- arugula, wheatberries, Parmesan, plums, and candied hazelnuts. The tray also came with white bread and house-brined pickles and onions, "for making sandwiches like they do in Texas," our waitress informed us. Everything was fine, but I guess I expected far better from a Top Chef. Especially considering the sky-high prices. The mac 'n' cheese was excellent: creamy and al dente but I could have done without the Ritz crackers crumbled on top. The Farm Salad, while completely awesome in concept and pleasant in flavor, was undercut by over-dressing. Three homemade sauce options were available on the table -- traditional, Carolina vinegar, and habañero -- which I sampled with my Wonderbread and on my macs. Again, for Top Chef conceived sauces, I was unimpressed. And despite being a fan of heat, the habañero was so hot it incapacitated my palate for awhile. Husband was a bit underwhelmed by the barbeque itself: the brisket was a little dry, surprising considering an entire half of the plated portion was fat cap; the pork was standard; the chicken was his preferred of the three, tho honestly he felt that all of them lacked that distinctive BBQ tang and smoke. His verdict was that this was average, three-star barbeque. I have "Top Chef" issues. I'll eat anywhere associated with the show. But there are spots I'd return to over and over, and spots I don't need to revisit. And that's all I have to say about that. [Top Chef: Tiffani Faison]
(3)
KMarie C.
Outside of Texas and my husbands brisket, this place had the best melt in my mouth brisket I've ever had. I also have never been a big fan of black eyed peas, but again I could have licked the bowl. If you have never had fried okra or green tomatoes take your foodie training wheels off and give them a go. Perfectly crispy, hot and with the side of ranch dressing cools them down from the fryer nicely. Cafeteria seating at long picnic tables. Keep it casual cause it could get a little saucy. Our service was slow and forgetful, but friendly. And the hostesses seem to be missing welcoming smiles and gracious goodbyes. So that's the only thing keeping it form 5 stars.
(4)
Evan J.
The biscuits... oh my, the biscuits. If you wanted to order some to go... yeah - do it. I got the pulled pork. It was good, though every so slightly dry. We got the farm salad and broccoli & cheese casserole for sides. I didn't care for the salad (subjective - not a fan of sprouts) but the latter was delicious. All in all, the service was great but the good wasn't quite worth the higher price in my opinion.
(3)
Esther J.
Yum!!! Biscuits, fried green tomatoes, & pulled chicken tray. Everything was delicious & the service was on point!
(5)
Mathew P.
Delicious BBQ spot in Boston by Fenway! It's tough to find good BBQ in Boston and this is definitely one of my favorites. I like the pulled pork/pork belly and definitely try the biscuits which are off the chain!
(4)
Caroline F.
I happened to go here twice in a month which I don't usually do so i feel like I gotta write a review about my experiences. 1st visit: Fried Chicken: Was okay, it was strange there was a big gap in between the coating and the actual chicken which made it pretty hard to eat Fried Okra: DELICIOUS nothing else to say Sides: The meal trays come with sides, I got mac and cheese and cold slaw both very good! 2nd visit: 1/2 Chicken: BBQ chicken, soooooo SALTY, I couldn't believe it, neither my mother or I could eat more than a few bites. Fried Okra: YUM again Sides: Broccoli casserole was okay. FARM FRESH SALAD was amazing!!!!! Best thing of the night. Will definitely be going back but maybe I'll leave out the meat and just go for the amazing starters and sides. *Also try a biscuit with honey butter yum!
(4)
Daniel Y.
I just got back from Dallas and had some of the best BBQ of my life so when I went to Sweet Cheeks I assumed that I would be disappointed. The biscuits are no joke. Everything people rave about is 100% true. Much better than any biscuit I had down south. However...the BBQ is just average at a very high price. One thing I wasn't ready for was the huge portions though. If you go, I would suggest getting one tray and a bucket of biscuits and sharing. That is more than enough for two people. 3 stars overall because of decent bbq and high prices 5 stars for the biscuits.
(3)
Bailey W.
Brisket had a great smoke ring and was plenty moist, ribs and sausage were great, and the biscuits are incredible. For Boston, or really the north, the brisket and biscuits were incredibly impressive and on par with what you would get in Texas. I wasn't a fan of their standard BBQ sauce... I'm a Texan, absolutely love barbecue, and have never had a sauce with that flavor. Doesn't taste like home to me. Everything was a bit expensive, probably because it is a novelty. The place was packed!! I think it is the biscuits... If I didn't already get barbecue and sauce sent up from home, I would go back for sure!
(4)
Bill A.
I've been wanting to try Sweet Cheeks for a while, and stopped by last night for some quick take out. The place is great and had a couple of open bar stools for us while we waited. Great beer list too. The order was pretty quick despite not having called ahead--only about 10 minutes. We ordered a half rack of ribs, and a half pound each of the pulled chicken and the brisket. The value is OK--about $37, and the people are very friendly, with a great atmosphere in the restaurant, even on a Sunday evening. We lived for several years in Texas and really enjoy good barbeque. However, despite trying several highly recommended barbeque restaurants in the Boston area, hadn't yet found anything with the right combination of tenderness, sauce and smoke...until last night. The food was unbelievably tender, juicy and had the great barbeque flavor we were looking for. I'm told the smoking is all done on site, which probably explains it. The only criticism was the ribs, which are served "St. Louis" style (ie from the sides and front of the pig as opposed to the back/loin as with baby backs). Although the St. Louis cut is generally considered meatier and more tender than baby backs, these particular ribs were unfortunately full of cartilage, so much so that it really took away from the amazing flavor of the meat. Maybe they could trim them up a little better before cooking. Otherwise, everything was great. We will be back.
(4)
Chris I.
I was at Sweet Cheeks for an event and the food was fantastic!. I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but this place sold me. We had the Big Rig which is one of everything on their menu. There were nine or ten of us and we were all able to try all of the sides and meats that they offer. We were more than pleased-there was even a TON of food left over even though we ate for what seemed like hours. Everything was really fresh and prepared well. The broccoli cheese casserole was amazing. I would come back again and again just for that-it was a delicious mix of broccoli, cheese and I'm sure tons of butter! My other favorites were the carrot raisin salad, pork belly and chicken. We even got to meet the owner Tiffani and she was super sweet, very engaging and answered all of our questions. The waitstaff kept the food coming at a manageable pace and made sure we had everything we needed. I'm a fan.
(5)
Melissa Y.
Came with a group of 10 for a 9:30 dinner reservation and had a great time. Portions are generous, so it's a good idea to order family style and share. We loved the fried okra, fried tomatoes, and farm house salad (the large salad is huge!!) as sides. As for meat, if they still have the slow cooked salt & pepper rib special, GET IT, it is AMAZING - crispy light crust and juicy tender meat falling right off the bone. Also delicious was the pork belly. If I didn't already have that amazing rib, the next best meat would have been the pulled pork. Brisket was good but a tad dry. Service was prompt and friendly.
(4)
Erin W.
Sweet cheeks literally had the best brisket I have ever had, ever, ever, ever. The Hubs and I normally get a brisket plate and a pulled chicken sandwich to split when at bbq places, but we were both crazy over the brisket and fighting for every little morsel. The chicken was delicious but totally got out shone. The biscuits are a must have, light and fluffy and giant. My husband is now obsessed with them- thanks for setting the bar so high... it is a little tough to compete with those bad boys! The hush puppies were good but not our favorite thing on the table. All the sides were awesome and a perfect accoutrement to the star- the meat! Too bad we live in western mass, or maybe it is good, so we don't eat our weight in brisket every couple weeks.
(5)
D K.
The biscuits are amazing! And they are huge. Delicious and crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These are the best biscuits I have ever eaten. Ever. I got the BBQ ranch beans as a side and they were slightly undercooked. I think it's better to err on the side of overcooked with beans. The potato salad was good...but I think it was missing a little egg. The fried chicken sandwich was underwhelming. The chicken was fried well and was juicy but lacked salt. The brisket tender was pretty good, but the cut was very fatty...almost half of the cut of meat was fat. The wait staff was inattentive. I liked that the food was served on trays and that the cups were mason jars and the silver ware was in a bucket on the table. Bottom line, I would go back just for the biscuits. The rest of it was ok.
(4)
Emily W.
Sweet Cheeks is the ultimate comfort food in Boston, at least that I've found. I've been in probably 4-5 times and tried to taste a bunch of different things, and I've always left feeling satisfied (although, typically, maybe a little too satisfied-- the food is heavy enough that it leaves you in a food coma even if you only eat half of what's on your plate). My favorites are the brisket burnt ends and the pulled pork, although I've tried the fried chicken and loved the crispy, well-seasoned breading on that, too. But the sides, for me, steal the show! The broccoli and cheese casserole is super rich and delicious, and the potato salad is dill-y and wonderful. I also loved the farm salad, even though I was worried that ordering a salad when there were so many decadent options would be a waste; it was actually one of my favorite things that I tried! I'd skip the mac and cheese and the collard greens, which are fine but nowhere near as good as some of the other sides. And while I enjoyed my ribs, some of my family members found theirs dry (I think because we're used to sauce-covered ribs as opposed to these, which are dry-rubbed-- you can add your own sauce at the table if you so choose). The service is friendly, and the decor is cute and welcoming. The chef/owner stopped by our table one of the times we visited to see how our meal was, which I really appreciated! Make sure to go at an off-peak time or be willing to wait a bit to be seated; I've called ahead to ask when a good time to come in is, and the staff has never steered me wrong. Oh, and GET THE BISCUITS! Yum. P.S. I will add that I've been to gatherings where friends have ordered the catering/take-out platters, and the food was nowhere near as good as it is in the restaurant. But I'd still give Sweet Cheeks 5 stars because the in-restaurant experience is so great and because I've never ordered the large platters myself.
(5)
Julia M.
Sweet Cheeks serves up some of the best BBQ that I have had in the North. Their pulled pork sandwich is to die for - perfectly tender & juicy. Their BBQ sauce, although not the best I've had, is still quite tasty & pairs nicely with the pulled pork. Then, there are their biscuits: moist, buttery, & overall, delectable. Be sure to try some of the honey butter with the biscuits, as it adds a nice flavor to them. Sweet Cheeks has a casual, country decor, complete with Mason drinking cups & mismatched dining chairs. I should also note that they are generous with their portions - you definitely won't leave here hungry. Tidbits: -If you're like me & love Coca Cola made with cane sugar, you'll be pleased to hear that you can order Mexican Coke at Sweet Cheeks. -Sweet Cheeks can fill up for dinner during the weekend, so plan to arrive before 5:30 on those days or make a reservation to secure a table.
(4)
Mike T.
Very expensive and really disappointing. Seems like others have a better experience so maybe it was a fluke, but I had buyers remorse.
(2)
Heather S.
We were at Fenway and my girlfriend is a fan of Top Chef so it seemed natural to Sweet Cheeks since it is around the corner. Overall, the food was good. However, this is not Texas BBQ like they tout themselves as being. I had a burnt ends sandwich and while it was good, there was too much sauce on it and it hid the flavor of the meat. Also, you don't put sauce on brisket on true Texas BBQ. The cole slaw was good and the price was fair. If I were in the neighborhood, I would eat here again (and try some things that don't claim to be Texan), but I am not sure I would go out of my way.
(3)
Lin Z.
Top chef alum faisons basket I biscuits is flaky, oversized and served with sweet honey butter. Pulled pork is beautiful and I can't wait to try tiger mama when it opens
(5)
Dianne M.
I have never written a review on Yelp and I've just come home from Sweet Cheeks feeling awful. It's not good to leave a restaurant when your belly feels like crap and there is nothing you can do to hurry the process along. Had to tell the story. Walked in with my 91 year old dad, we only waited 20 minutes and it was busy. Cool. We sat in nice rocking chairs and looked at the limited menu.When we were seated our order was taken right away. We both ordered brisket, he the sandwich, me the plate. I had a really good view of the kitchen where I could see people moving quickly looking like they were really working hard. So I watched and then I watched some more. At the 20 minute mark I noticed that not one dish of food came out. I asked the hostess, she had someone check on our order and the report came back, we are up next, kitchen is short staffed. At the 30 minute mark an appetizer went by us and then a very large "to go" order went by .Drinks were being served everywhere but no other food. Our waitress never appeared. At the 35 minute mark I asked for the manager. He said the kitchen is very busy with many orders to fill, Well, yeah, every seat was taken, is this the first time? He told us our order is coming right out, and it did. 40 minutes for food that is not cooked to order. Duh. I wish I was warned. The brisket was not just fatty, it was at least 50% fat that could not all be cut away. I had never seen so much marbleized fat on brisket before. It was tasty but hit my stomach like lead. Left most of it behind. The sides were nice. Baked beans, Farmer salad but I did not go there for the nice sides. Our waitress finally appeared to clear things away so I asked if the brisket was always this fatty. "Well it varies but pretty much so". I noticed in another review that the chef says brisket is supposed to be fatty. I never heard that rule, I grew up on it. Live and learn. As we walked out the door we encountered 2 ladies shaking their heads. Evidently, while we were eating, a sign was put up on the door that as of 7pm the restaurant would be closed for a private party. And they had driven from Framingham. I wonder, was there really a party coming in or just trouble in the kitchen? It did not look like the existing patrons were clearing out any too soon. So I am home, uncomfortable, after eating comfort food with a higher than average price point. Not for me.
(1)
Elizabeth S.
This place is great. I went here for an event on valentines day. Amazing food, amazing service, and great atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Carolyn G.
This restaurant was fabulous, fun and friendly! Lively atmosphere too! Having lived down south I was VERY pleased with the food. - Delicious BBQ, sauces too but I didn't use it because it was so good on it's own - Best fried okra, biscuits, collard greens, broccoli casserole, fried green tomatoes,coleslaw...it was ALL GOOD - The Nutter Butter is not to be missed - big enough for 4 people - The drinks were a kick - moonshine no less! - Terrific service, prompt, friendly and lovin what they do - Make sure you have a reservation this place is really picking up! Top Chef Tiffani has brought the best Southern cookin this side of the Mason Dixon! We loved it! Congratulations and you've got a great team of people! To all of those supposed "foodies" who had issues - go down south have some BBQ and then come back - you'll be eating your words and Sweet Cheeks FOOD! PS I bought 2 gift certificates! Great idea for the holidays!!!!!
(5)
Kim L.
Had a really great meal last night at Sweet Cheeks! The vibe was casual and fun. It's a little weird to sit at the same table with other customers. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes. Crunchy, delicious and the ranch dip was SO flavorful and delicious. For meats we ordered some ribs, the turkey legs, brisket and the pork belly. Both the pork belly and brisket were outstanding. For sides The Farm Salad and Mac & Cheese were both SO amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)
DJ N.
DEAR SWEET CHEEKS - PLEASE ADD BEEF RIBS TO YOUR MENU :-) I tried this place a couple of weeks ago before checking out the Sox at Fenway. I must say...they are going to give Red Bones a good run for their money. I ordered the Beef Brisket "tray" which came with 2 large slabs of brisket, 2 sides (I got mac n cheese & the farm salad), and texas toast with pickles & onions. The brisket was tender and delicious!! The farm salad was amazing. I honestly didn't think I would love a salad so much, but this was so good. The mac n cheese was ok. I've definitely had better. My friend had the baby back ribs and the meat was falling off the bone. He said they were super yummy! He had the same sides and also had similar feedback. He ordered a biscuit on the side and it was massive. He highly recommended it. Our server was fun and attentive. The vibe was cool and energetic. I would definitely go back. The big miss is that they don't have beef ribs on the menu. That's a HUGE miss for me. I really like this place and want to give it 3.5 stars. If they had beef ribs, then I would seriously consider giving it 4 stars. I'm a fan, but the gaping hole on the menu is beef ribs. Plan to visit this place before or after a Sox game. It's worth the trip!
(3)
Ashley D.
there are some really good things... and there are some really not so good things. the good: -BRISKET. probably the best i've had -mac and cheese -broccoli cheese side -ok, pretty much all the sides -full bar, some good beers on tap the not so good: -ribs, dry and not tender -sauce, the tangy carolina sauce was alright but they could have substituted the other for bbq packets from mcdonalds and it would have had the same effect -very pricey -ran out of biscuits by 9pm. that's an oh no no
(3)
Caitlin A.
Being a huge fan of Top Chef since season 1, I was stoked to find out Tiffani Faison was opening a restaurant right in Fenway. BBQ, no less. So last night when I decided I wanted BBQ at 8:30 at night, the boyfriend and I made sure that Sweet Cheeks was open and hopped in the car. The hostess who sat us was extremely friendly and our waitress came to welcome us and explain to us their meat and sauces within three minutes. All their meat is Berkshire and are BBQ-ed only with a dry rub. No sauce. The sauce is on the table for you to put on. There are three options: BBQ (sweet), a hot sauce and a vinegar sauce. I opted for the pork rib tray (1/2 slab) with the mac and cheese and the potato salad. My boyfriend got the "Big Cheeks Tray" with pulled pork, pulled chicken and mac and cheese and the carrot and raisin salad. My ribs were to die for. The dry rub was fantastic and I only used a drop of the BBQ sauce, it really allowed me to taste the smokiness of the ribs. They were a little salty (which I like). The meat was lean and tender and I sucked every last bit of meat off that bone. The Mac and cheese was served in a mug and was also amazing; creamy, cheesy, with little crunchy flakes, num. Lastly, was the potato salad. It was good. It had little bacon bits on it and the potatoes themselves were good, but it was too vinegary for me. I like my potato salad smothered in mayo. My boyfriend also very much liked his tray. He put the BBQ sauce and some of the vinegar sauce on his meat. Both the pulled chicken and the pork were great. I had a bit of each and actually really liked the taste of the vinegar sauce. He was not a fan of any of the "cold scoops", so he ordered the carrot salad just to order something but didn't even try it. My mouth gets itchy when I eat carrots, so I didn't try it either. My only complaint was the bread. It was just white bread as far as I could tell. I did use one of the slices to create a sandwich with the meat, pickles and onions like the waitress suggested, and the flavors together were really good. However, I would have preferred corn bread. They had a large and good selection of beers, all in whimsically named categories. The atmosphere was fun, a little loud, but the tables and chairs and decor were wooden, homey and wonderful. The ONLY reason I didn't give Sweet Cheeks a 5 star review is because the boy and I (maybe naively) were expecting more "wow" from a two time contestant on Top Chef. Everything was really, really good (in my opinion), but I guess we were thinking we would be blown away. Regardless, Tiffani is doing a great job at Sweet Cheeks and I have found my new favorite BBQ joint.
(4)
Ruth F.
I know. My mistake. Went during opening week. Our waitress was not familiar with some of the drinks on the menu. My dark and stormy was very weak. I ordered three ribs, 1/4 lb of pulled pork, a side of beans, and three of us split the cornbread. My share of the dinner was 40 dollars. The pulled pork was the best part of the meal. I would have given that 4 stars. The meal was served on half sheet pans and #10 cans, which was cute and whimsical to us from the food service industry. The cornbread needs some work and the ribs were dry and chewey. I'd maybe give this place a try again, maybe... but you'd have to twist my arm pretty hard.
(2)
Nicole L.
Sweet Cheeks Q: Boston Gets Real Texan BBQ OK so what do I know about Texas? Fair question. I am not even a BBQ expert by any means. But what I can tell you is that I am eating Sweet Cheeks' Mac and Cheese for breakfast right now because I can't resist the leftovers sitting in my fridge. They deserve to be eaten-even at 10am. The food is that good. We went to this new hot spot in Fenway last night. With a smokey aroma luring in all of Boylston Street and Top Chef runner up, Tiffani Faison, essentially cooking in front of you in the open kitchen, it's no surprise there was a packed house. While the place is still experiencing some growing pains (some overwhelmed bartenders and a kitchen in the weeds on a slammed Friday night), the friendly service, the ambiance and most importantly the delicious food will keep me going back for more. The Eats: The menu is straightforward. None of that overly complicated stuff. You can expect to order anything and everything you really need in terms of BBQ -from pulled pork, pork ribs, short ribs, brisket and pork belly to delicious sides like the aforementioned mac and cheese and baked beans. Recommendations? * We kicked off the dining experience with fried okra and honey biscuits -- a great prelude to the meal. The over-sized biscuits paired with honey butter were perfectly sweet and delicious. The okra was lightly breaded, crispy and not greasy. * The pulled pork was my favorite, but I also tried the pork belly and short ribs which were impressively flavorful and tender. * And for sides? The broccoli and cheese casserole was especially rich but still quite yummy. The creamy mac and cheese with breadcrumbs and bbq beans were my favorites. The meat comes sauce-less, so you can enjoy every bit of the smokey taste. As a condiment lover, I tend to pour on the sauce but it just wasn't needed! While I added a touch of the table bbq sauce and tad of the hot sauce, I didn't want to overpower the incredible flavor packed in the meat itself. Read more of the review at: bit.ly/uUyAbh
(4)
Corie H.
I was all set to give this place 4 or 5 stars from last night's dinner until this morning. The atmosphere was fun, the service was good not great, and the fried chicken and carrot raisin salad were amazing. Oh, and those biscuits. I wasn't feeling great later in the night and worse this morning, but figured it was just too much rich food and booze. When I went to eat my last piece of chicken for breakfast, it was really under cooked inside. You would never be able to tell in the dim lighting of the restaurant. No wonder I didn't feel good. Gross. I don't seem to be the only person who has gotten sick there, based on other reviews, and Chef Faison doesn't give a damn.
(1)
Thomas T.
This is by far the best Southern BBQ style food in Boston. We started out with the Biscuits with honey butter and they were amazing! Best I have ever had! The drinks (Dollywood & Federalist) were awesome in the mason style jars! The entree was pork ribs and they were by far better than any ribs I have had down in Texas. Plenty of meat aand falling off the bone delicious. The Mac n Cheese and Potato salad sides were equally as good. The portion size was huge! Well worth the less than $20 price. Not a fan of the Top Chef show she was on. But I can see why she won! If you are heading to a Sox game or just in the area and love BBQ. This is the place to eat! You will not be disappointed at all! The waitstaff is great as well!
(5)
Ladyjane S.
** 5 stars for the biscuits and drinks ** Came here last night and seriously had the most amazing biscuits with honey butter. Ridiculous. Also the whiskey drink with the sweet tea (can't remember the name) that came with fresh mint was delicious. I will come back again (and again) for just those items. Service was very slow - but friendly. We ordered the big plate that came with 3 meats. We chose the brisket, pulled pork and ribs. They were out of pork belly - boo. I thought the proportions were fine for 2 people. I was quite stuffed when all was said and done. The brisket was way too fatty. Like 60/40 fat to meat ratio, which is sucky. The meat tasted really good, however. The pulled pork was good, no complaints. The ribs were okay, but not really my cup of tea. I like ribs the way most east coasters like theirs: tender and fall off the bone. (I like Texas Roadhouse's ribs - don't judge!) Obvously a personal preference so not taken into account in the review. For sides we got coleslaw and broccoli and cheese casserole. The coleslaw was decent, big chunks of cabbage, which was fine. WARNING- the broccoli cheese casserole - there are a lot of people commenting on how good this dish is. I'll admit, it's pretty tasty. HOWEVER - this is guaranteed to give you the grossest post-dinner burps EVER! Eat at your (and you partner's) own risk.
(4)
Zizzles A.
Yuppie barbeque might adequately describe Sweet Cheeks, not unlike Blue Ribbon or Soul Fire in price or atmosphere. This place is a slight notch above as far as feeling authentic with the metal trays and brown paper, but both the chic looking bar and the pop music playing in the background are clear giveaways. The baby back ribs are the best thing I tried. The flavor soaks through the whole rib. Instead of a smoke ring, the whole chuck of meat has a pink-ish coloring. Its plenty good without any sauce. Going off of two plates of brisket, it seems like there's a conscious effort to mix the fatty and lean chunks evenly into every serving. The whole pile is just greasy enough and it's tender enough that you don't need a knife to cut it up. For the sides, the mac + cheese was solid. It's not the fancy-mac that every steakhouse offers, just solid, totally orange, mac + cheese. The barbeque beans are different than the other local bbq joints I've tried. It's more earthy, bitter, even, and completely addicting. I would love to come back and try all the other sides. I also like the two-sauce thing rather than being mobbed with 6 or 7 sauces, half of which are just minutely different. One vinegar and one ketchup base is perfect for me.
(5)
Matt M.
Loved Sweet Cheeks! We were in the mood for something casual but a little different. We were pleasantly surprised with how satisfying our meal was. The idea of dry bbq was awesome; basically you control the level of spice/flavor pending your use of sauces provided on the table. I got the pulled chicken sandwich on a bulky roll with salt and pepper potatoes. Delicious. Note, I wasn't blown away by the cole slaw or the pecan chocolate dessert, but each was fine. It's definitely a low maintenance kind of place but I highly recommend if you're in the mood for good bbq.
(4)
Nick L.
I have been here a number of times and have enjoyed my meals and definitely the unique drinks, but the management and service during my last visit leaves much to be desired. Long story short...my girlfriend and I decided to eat here for once rather than our other Fenway staple. We sat in the 'beer garden'. She is not much into BBQ, bacon, ribs, steak and such. I ordered their fantastic buttermilk fried chicken dish and she ordered the cobb salad. She asked for no bacon on the salad, but they gave her the bacon anyways. As if the bacon and soft boiled eggs weren't enough protein for that salad, the line cook/chef included a dead grasshopper, as well. We were definitely distgusted by the bug, but it is a salad and bugs love leafy lettuce as much as we do, so my girlfriend quietly and politely went up to the outside bartender and told him there was a roach in her salad. He thought that was crazy and gave her a look. Came to the table to confirm and after a minute of staring he corrected her and said 'looks more like a grasshopper'. We didn't care much what it was (roach or grasshopper), just that it didn't belong in our food and it has kind of killed our afternoon. He made a comment that it may have jumped up into her salad because we were outside. We didn't like that comment much either. The bug was clearly dead and at mixed in with all the ingredients. He took the salad back to the chef. After about 15 minutes of sitting there and totally losing our appetites, we stopped the manager and asked him about the situation and he had not been told of the bug. So we had to tell him the story and he also thought the grasshopper could have jumped into the salad. We were pissed that the bartender never told his manager when he said he was going to and also that we were being told that 'bugs are bugs and are everywhere, so watch out' rather than a simple 'our bad, we're terribly sorry. what can we do to make this right'. After a total of about 20 minutes and appetites totally shot, the manager came back, said the chef denies that it came from his kitchen (prob came in the bagged salad from their distributor) and offered my girlfriend another salad and when she declined let us know that he would take care of the salad, the app we ordered and her drink. We were still on the hook for my drink and my barely half eaten meal. Oh well. All in all, i like this place, i'm moving into the neighborhood in 2 weeks and will probably only venture over for their drinks after this experience. A non-attentive bartender, an unapologetic manager and a chef in denial is what I am taking from that day. Accountability is too much to ask for from a group of employees that were not at fault for a dead grasshopper being included in their lettuce delivery. It happens. Oh well. 1 star was given for their service. 3 stars for food (would be 5 if not for dead bug) and 5 stars for their drinks.
(2)
Tulsi D.
I thought this restaurant was great overall! The food was very flavorful and delicious and the portions were very big. The biscuits with honey butter were absolutely delightful but very rich and filling so be careful. The chicken, pork and beef sandwiches were all very good and tasty. The drinks were also very good. The environment is laid back and fun. This place gets very packed and would definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time for Friday and Saturday.
(4)
Saba N.
So I want to give this place 5 stars because when I stepped in I was in love. This is exactly what Boston needed. It's absolutely gorgeous on the inside; open, airy, casual, lively, Miss Faison... you nailed it. It also happened to be 80 degrees outside (thanks mother nature) so all the windows and doors were open which I loved. Plus, they served the beer moonshine mugs which was so just so cute. And, the tables are big and picnic like (but more upscale). I really can't say enough about the vibe of this place. It was perfect. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't stay to eat. Total bummer. I picked up my sandwich -- which was way over priced in my opinion... 12 bucks for a pulled pork sandwich with NO sides!! Not even a little coleslaw.. that was 6 dollars extra. I'm going to say this once, I will never pay over 20 bucks for a pulled pork sandwich w/ beans and coleslaw. Come on now. I digress. So I pick up my sandwich and I'm thinking this has to be fantastic. I take a bite... disappointing! The meat was over cooked and the BBQ sauce on the side just didn't have the kick I long for (read: REDBONES). It wasn't awful but I guess I was expecting more. I did like that the bread didn't get soggy (even after 15 minutes) which is something that I hate about pulled pork sandwiches. But overall, it was average. I wouldn't get it again. Overall, I'd come back if I was in the area and the weather was nice. I just love the atmosphere and I'm curious to try other things on the menu. I
(4)
Steven H.
Went there around 4pm on a Friday. The ribs were boiled and the sausage interior was dry and crumbly. I enjoyed the mac and cheese though. My friend had the brisket and thought it was dry. Their BBQ sauce was weak and the vinegar sauce was watery and tasted like vinegar only. Didn't try the yellow sauce but it smelled lik pickles. Overall we were not impressed. This is good BBQ for city slickers that have never had good BBQ.
(2)
Cori L.
So this place has good smoked meats and biscuits but the sides SUCK. They just crumble ritz crackers on their mac and cheese! It isn't even baked in as a topping! Their beans, coleslaw and potato salad are also not even worth trying. But I still went here even though the sides sucked because the meats are smoked well even if they lack rub and the biscuits and butter are delicious. I will probably never go again or take out from them again because you can't order biscuits for take out. And what was their excuse!?! They don't travel well and they don't make enough for take out orders. THAT IS RIDICULOUS! AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE. Also, our waiter every time has disappeared for so long we thought we were going to have to stop someone else. And something that also annoyed me was how the server told us it was Texas BBQ. IT IS NOT TEXAS BBQ!!!! It is backyard bbq. It is a mix of lots of different types. Don't call it Texas if it isn't! Educate your staff please!
(1)
D W.
There are tons of BBQ places all over the US that I have eaten in and I am married to a Texan with strong opinions about BBQ. Sweet Cheeks Q is by far the #1 place we have been to. Not only unbelievable main dishes but the sides are out of this world. Great mac n cheese, biscuits to die for and phenomenal farmer's salad. UPDATE: IF YOU GO TO SWEET CHEEKS - DO NOT PARK AT THE TRILOGY PARKING LOT NEXT DOOR.
(5)
Meg B.
I have been drooling with anticipation to go to Sweet Cheeks since I first got the email from Urban Daddy. I have a deep passion (maybe obsession) with BBQ, especially when I go through my NC withdrawals (I use to reside there). First off, a lot of the reviews I read may be a little misleading. Yes the restaurant is pretty casual with the whole "school lunch tray", but I love the lighting and all the decor. I have yet to hit up the bar (next mission), but the menu had a diverse list of beers and lots of fun mixed drinks (don't forget the whiskey). I tried so hard to be adventurous and get something different than my usual go-to. EPIC FAIL. Pulled pork it is! And I have no complaints. The pork had a smokey tenderness to it that kept me going back for another bite. My suggestions, the one meat tray is more than enough food for one person, or three depending on your typical appetite. Don't expect to leave this restaurant still hungry (unless you are a vegetarian/vegan). Reviews suggested the broccoli casserole for the hot side..."meh". It was ok and didn't wow me...I wish I had gone for collard greens. But, the carrot and raisin salad was delish! It also made a great combination with the pulled pork in my to-go baggie. My partner in crime went all in and got the "three cheeks", which includes three different types of meat. BREAKING NEWS: If you fall into the category of having a slight interest in ribs....you better order the Berkshire Pork Ribs. I had one and i licked my fingers and the bone (I wasn't the only one). Now I know what I'm ordering next time! Biscuits, ribs, carrot & raisin salad and collard greens. And if you are smart you better do the same damn thing!
(5)
Valerie V.
Went with a group of four here for dinner & drinks after several recommendations. Was not disappointed! Thought the food was delicious and not too pricey and I loved the drinks (although they were tiny!). The Bucket of Biscuits is a must! I got the pulled chicken and loved that it was an option. I'm not a big pork eater so was happy to see that on the menu. Everything was delish and came out quickly. Only complaints would be that the drinks were small for the price and that the place was a little crowded---felt a little more like a feeding trough than a place to sit for a while and have drinks. I would certainly go back though if I was in the Fenway area.
(4)
Jennifer D.
Warning, I am a vegetarian, so my knowledge of southern bbq is limited. I ate the okra, fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese. The okra and fried green tomatoes were amazingly tasty. The mac n cheese was good but not fantastic. My wife had the fried chicken, potato salad and broccoli casserole. She loved all three, especially the casserole. The biscuits are what to eat when you go there, sooooooo good. The service was good. I am not sure about the actual bbq though, but I will eat the okra and biscuits again.
(4)
Benjamin O.
I've been here many times since they opened, and can finally come to the conclusion now that this is, overall, the best Bar-b-que in Boston. Be prepared for a long wait here if you come at night, especially on weekends. The ambiance is nice and casual, if a bit crowded and loud. Consider take-out if you're not up for a long wait. My favorites: the biscuits (Andre the GIant sized behemoths), salt-and-peppered potatoes (what makes these simple, fried potatoes so good?), pork ribs, pulled pork, collard greens. Enjoy, and be prepared to enjoy leftovers of the large portions for days to come.
(5)
Ariel P.
My wife and I went during the day on Christmas Eve. Overall, it was a pretty good experience. I've been to Texas, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina...this place reminded me of how good BBQ can be if it is done correctly. We arrived a little before 12, and the smells were awesome. I got the pork belly plate with mac and cheese, cole slaw, and a Porter. She got the pulled chicken, bbq beans and potato salad. We split a basket of biscuits. First off, it was too much food...in a good way. A bucket of biscuits gives you 4. They are ridiculously big, and the butter that comes with it really compliments them. The pork belly was top notch, as was the mac and cheese. The slaw was ok, but I'm sure that is because I'm used to slaw doused in mayo. The pulled chicken was excellent as well, but my wife wasn't a fan of the beans or potato salad. The service was pretty good. No qualms there. The price was high, but definitely reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. Since they advertise themselves as Texas BBQ, I'd love to see them add smoked sausage to the menu.
(4)
Joseluis A.
came in with friends for drinks and they wanted to eat. in the end, they didnt get anything to eat as they said it was kinda pricey. i did not even look at the food menu but based on service and beer list, this place is ok. would i return? perhaps cause with a name like sweet cheeks, its only natural that i am curious about it.
(3)
Mark V.
The food quality does not match the prices they charge. That is all.
(2)
Jennifer W.
Not that I'm an expert on BBQ or Southern food....but Sweet Cheeks was just OK. I agree with some other reviews that it was overpriced for what it is. And I really did not like the communal table setting. We were a part of 9 and we didn't get our own table and it was a really awkward seating arrangement. BF and I split a big tray and choose to get pulled pork, brisket & pork ribs. The pulled pork was pretty good as was the brisket, but really nothing that memorable. The sauce was good, but again...nothing special. Ribs were very different than what I was expecting, a little too salty I think. The side farm salad was actually the BEST thing all night. Arugula, brussel sprouts, parmesan & grapes. Savory, sweet, and YUMMY! Mac and Cheese was really subpar, I only had 2 bites...which NEVER happens when Mac & Cheese is present at the table. And finally the famous biscuits. I mean ya, they were really good, the honey butter is like crack, but it wasn't as crazy phenomenal as everyone's hyped it up to be. And they're HUGE! After I had one I was already half full. If I lived in the neighborhood I would go there occasionally, but since I do not, I'm crossing it off my "to go" list and moving on!
(3)
Jeff S.
After reading all of the reviews about Sweet Cheeks I was a little nervous to make my maiden voyage. In all fairness though, our meal last night was terrifyingly awesome. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars, is because I just can't completely justify the pricing they are using. Even if items, maybe just the sides, were just a couple of bucks cheaper it would have been 5 stars in my book. We had the Ribs, Pork Belly and Brisket, as well as the Salt Boiled Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Fried Okra, and a couple of the cold sides (which I never even got to eat because I was too full). The BBQ was really, really good. The ribs were better than anything I've had around Boston. They were tender/moist and had really good flavor. The Pork Belly and Brisket were equally as good. My biggest gripe would definitely come from the portion/value side of the equation. It is expensive for what you get. I think my plate was $24 (Pork Belly/Ribs/1 hot side/1 cold side) and that included 4 ribs and 4 pieces of pork belly. This was a little disappointing. I feel like there could have been a little more in the way of protein served. Also, paid $7 for a side order of the potatoes -- which is just a bit high. That said, they were SOOO TASTY!!!! They are like mashed potatoes that are then deep fried. I was dipping them in BBQ sauce and couldn't get enough -- despite the price, I would still order them again. Despite the experiences that other had, I thought the service was very good and the hostess was quite friendly. I will definitely be going back...just wish it was a little more reasonable from a pricing standpoint. From the owners' viewpoint though, if the food/service is really good and people will continue to go back even if it is a bit too expensive, why would you lowere your prices? (It was packed last night on a Wednesday, so they must be doing something right!)
(4)
Amanda L.
CAMERON DIAZ WAS HERE!! My girlfriend and I came in for lunch one weekend and she was eating here with Jason Segel, apparently they are in Boston shooting a movie. So we knew that this place had to be good. The atmosphere reminded me of Pucketts in Nashville, a casual fun place to get some really good southern comfort food. My friend and I got the fried chicken platter, and the burnt ends sandwich. We also got a biscuit with honey butter. The chicken was not really anything to write home about, just meh. But the burnt ends sandwish was SO GOOD! It was salty, and crispy with just the right amount of caramelization on the meat. Unreal. The biscuit with honey butter... I will never eat a biscuit without that honey butter again. I would definitely come back, but next time I'm skipping the fried chicken and ordering just a plate of burnt ends and a biscuit. I thought it was pretty pricy for barbeque, but I guess this is in Boston... not the South and the food was good.
(4)
Nick P.
I've been looking forward to going to Sweet Cheeks since I read that it was moving into the Fenway are for three reasons. 1) As a fan of BBQ and living in New England, it's hard to find fall off the bone meat and southern style comfort food. 2) I consider myself a comfort food foodie, when I can I like going to above average casual dining restaurant where the food will be fresh and clean and delicious. 3) I love Top Chef. After waiting a few weeks my fiance and I finally got to go. And we were not disappointed. Immediately when we walked in we recognized Tiffani Faison, an owner and head chef, cooking in the back and dancing to Pearl Jam, which immediately had us pumped up for the night. The place was packed so we put our names on a waiting list and went to the bar to wait. Our bartender (young guy, I forget his name) welcomed us as soon as we sat down and told us about the special draft beers and helped me choose a delicious full boded IPA and my better half a delicious drink, "The Heartless Jezebel." We loved that the cups were mason drinks and were digging our night. We were quoted a 20 min wait time, but it was more like 10 or 15 before the hostess took us to our seats and we were looking at the menu. We loved the tables and the mismatched chairs. Defly a playful atmosphere on family style dining. Also let me just say kudos for the selection of music. I was a little fearful that, like other BBQ joints i've been to they would be playing country and honky tonk music, but not Sweet Cheeks, we were jamming to great rock and roll from the 90's and 2000's. Our waitress was prompt and informative filling us in on the sauces available and answering questions about the items on the menu. I had pulled pork w/ broccoli and cheese casserole and potato salad. She had the half a chicken with the same sides. we also ordered the bucket of biscuits, because we love biscuits especially when they come in buckets. i started to get plate envy when the couple next to us got fried green tomatoes, but then our biscuits came. Four serious biscuits in a serious bucket. They were huge and I was afraid they would be heavy but they weren't. They were light and melted in your mouth, especially with the honey butter they are served with. Then are trays of food came, also no joke. I was surprised by the amount of food, sometimes you go to restaurants with a high price point (which they are, you just need to prepare for that so you're not shocked) and the food you get is disappointing, as was recently the case when we went to Legal Seafood. But my companion's chicken was a legit half a chicken and I had had a very healthy serving of pulled pork. Both of our proteins were perfectly cooked and the meat was falling of her bone and broke apart easily in my fingers. My pork was juicy and flavorful before adding their homemade BBQ and hot sauce. My fiance's chicken was, "The juiciest chicken I've ever had." And then the sides, lord the sides. The broccoli and cheese casserole is amazing.YOU MUST GET THIS SIDE!!! All the food was great, but that was the part of the dinner we spent the night talking about. If you bite into the potato salad after a bite of the casserole, the textures, temperatures and flavors make both dishes stand out more. We both left full and feeling like a food coma was imminent. You also know the food is very well prepared and fresh because you don't feel greasy and bloated like I have after some other BBQ means I've had in the state. You are full, but you don't fill sick. The restaurant is loud, fun and inviting. It's a bar feel without the normal drawbacks of a bar. The restaurant is only several weeks old and is already has a fantastic menu knowledgeable staff and a strong point of view. I can't wait to watch this place grow over the coming months including the outdoor dining area which they are starting to build now, which will be great in those hot summer nights before or after a Sox game. Not only do we plan to go back and have some of those fried green tomatoes, but we plan on being regulars! Great job to Tiffani and the staff of SweetCheeks BBQ!
(5)
Laura T.
Let me start by saying that maybe I had over-the-top expectations (based on the bff Holly B's review) but I just wasn't impressed by all with my meal. The pulled pork was ok, but I'm not a big fan of the way they let you put your own sauce on at the table... it was freezing cold and made the meat lukewarm at best... yuck. I thought the broccoli casserole was bland and one note. What i WAS really impressed with was the biscuits and butter, but how annoying that you have to buy a whole bucket instead of just being able to get one on the side. Service was cranky... won't be returning.
(2)
Karyn V.
My boyfriend is from Texas and always complains about New England's lack of good BBQ. We were therefore extremely excited about Sweet Cheeks' opening, and we were not disappointed! Sweet Cheeks offers family style seating where you sit at a large table next to people you may/may not know. The decor is as trendy as a BBQ restaurant can be with wood piles, large TV screens, and open kitchen. Drinks are served in mason jars; you eat on metal trays covered with butcher paper (which will make you think of upscale TV dinner); and, biscuits are brought to you in a paint can. This makes for a very fun and lively atmosphere. For only being open a week, our server knew the menu extremely well. She was informative and attentive without being overbearing. . Meat is available on 2-meat ($24) and 3-meat ($28) trays with two sides, as sandwiches ($10) on Texas toast with one side, and by the pound. We decided to split the 3-meat tray (pulled chicken, pulled pork, and brisket with a side of broccoli and potato salad). We also ordered a few ribs, hush puppies, and biscuits. The hush puppies were average. The BBQ was very good (especially the ribs), but the fat on the brisket should have been better trimmed. The biscuits were fantastic, but I wish they were served with honey only rather than the honey butter. Because the biscuits are already extremely buttery and moist, adding more butter was an overkill. The potato salad was also very good, and the side of broccoli was amazing. Covered with cheese and cracker crumbs, the broccoli really was a treat. The three table sauces for the BBQ were also extremely good, especially the "911" sauce. It isn't as spicy as promised, but it does have all the peppery fruitiness of habanero. I would have given Sweet Cheeks a five star rating if it wasn't for the price. When we ordered the $28 3-meat tray, we were expecting to get a lot of food. Instead, we really only got enough food for one person if we hadn't ordered the hush puppies and biscuits. For $28, I would just expect to get more than one piece of brisket and small scoops of pulled chicken and pork. All in all, I am very glad Boston finally has good BBQ! We will definitely be dining here again in the near future.
(4)
Karen M.
Had wanted to come for long time, heard great things and Tiffany Faison reminds me of Anne Burell on food network. Loved it! BF and I went for early bite one Sunday, shared the pulled pork and pulled chicken, beans, slaw, potato salad, and 2 cream sodas. The meats were so tender and tasty, liked the homemade buns. The potato salad was my least favorite, good but could have used a little more something. The habanero sauce will murder! Wow, serious spice! Our waiter was warm and friendly. Loved the temporary tattoo machine in restroom! Silly fun! Next time in kenmore, we're coming here!
(4)
Kristina F.
Holy food batman. They did a great job with the atmosphere decor. And the food. Really. Great. I love the whole style with the trays - I had a honking short rib dish. HUGE. Almost too big for me, but I love taking home leftovers. And we started with the yummy buttery biscuits, the potatoes and fried okra, so needless to say, I probably didn't need to order something so big. Sides were spot on. Mac and cheese was really good, but I also found their salad really fresh and delicious. While I normally don't like okra, there's was tasty. Loved the casual, laid back style and the drinks in jars. Very cool drink menu. Looking forward to coming back soon.
(4)
Hieu T.
Sweet Cheeks is a new, Southern style restaurant that recently open in the Fenway area. I went to try it out with couple of my coworkers and were highly recommended. It is a cute restaurant! The staff were really friendly and there seem to be a lot of people there for lunch (but if you are work near Fenway area, there are not a lot of options). I order the lunch tray with the Great Northern Brisket with their homemade fries as the appetizer. I love the waffle-looking fries, although it is a bit burnt! The Brisket was moist, but fatty. I wish there were more meat instead of fat but it is brisket so I can't really complain there. The three sauces that they have is not that impressive. It is actually a bit BLAND. If I compare Sweet Cheeks to FireFlies BBQ and Tennesee BBQ, Sweet Cheeks will come at the bottom. I had better southern style food at FireFlies and Tennessee. With the price that Sweet Cheeks charged for lunch, the food did not match up to it. The average is $11 to $13 for lunch and it is not worth it at all. There are other places around here that I can get a better deal with juicier food, hence why it was rated at three stars.
(3)
Jacqueline C.
I loved this place! It's perfectly casual but cool enough for a Saturday night dinner out with friends. The ambience is perfect...loud enough that you can't hear the people next to you but not so loud that you cannot hear your group or the awesome flashback to the 90s rap that was playing (all I want to do is a zoom zoom zoom zoom). Loved it. The food was really really good. There wasn't a bit I didn't put in my mouth that wasn't very, ver delicious. I can't wait to go back and try other things on the menu. I had the fried chicken platter with Mac and cheese and salad. It was incredible! The sweet tea is totally authentic and the biscuits are to die for. Our only downside was a looong wait because they forgot about us and they tried to make it up to us with free biscuits....after we already ordered some....and then the waitress spilled an entire glass of water on one of our friends. They were very nice and apologetic and I bet if I had water spilled on me I would not be giving them 5 stars ... But the food was great, service was good and ambience pretty cool for what it he place is.
(5)
Kadin L.
TEEEERRRRRRIIIFFFFIIICCCCC!!! Had my first REAL BBQ here several weeks ago with my friend and her family, and i must say, it's like having the BIG O in my mouth. i got a pulled pork sandwich on texas toast with a "scoop" of casserole and coleslaw. The pork was soooooo tender it melted in my mouth! AHHhhh! sooo good! It was my first time having casserole too and i have to say, MAGNIFICENT! WOW, first time for everything here! i love how they use jars as drink ware, very creative! LOVE all the wood tables! tip: ask your server for extra extra napkins if you get the texas toast because its VERRYY messy! P.S. THE HOME MADE HOT SAUCE IS TERRIFIC!!!!! YOU MUST TRY IT! INCREDIBLY GOOD!
(5)
Holly J.
I'd been waiting for this place to open its doors since they first started construction, and it was as good as I was anticipating! The official opening is today, and I can only imagine that this place is going to get more and more packed as word spreads. The atmosphere was fun and the staff was great, especially our waiter Chris - he was friendly, fun, and knowledgeable. We all tried a different beer, and found a couple great ones! The food was excellent - I had the brisket sandwich which was done to perfection, and a couple of friends got the pulled pork. I can't wait to buy that stuff by the pound and take it home! The bbq sauce on the table was delicious, and my friends had good things to say about the hot sauce (not really my thing). And, wow, the mac'n'cheese was EXCELLENT. I already can't wait to go back, as often I can make it happen!
(5)
Holly M.
I don't know how anyone could come here and not eat. It smells way too damn delicious when you walk in. Southern BBQ all the way. We had the hush puppies to start and they were awesome. The slightly sweet sauce they served with them was an awesome addition. My husband had the fried chicken platter and it was huge! We had to get the rest to go, and I was shocked. Very not like him. Overall the service was great and the food was pretty tasty. We'll be back for sure!
(3)
Adrienne P.
I like it here. Both times I've eaten here, I've gotten the biscuits (amazing) and shared a pick 3 plate... once with 2 other girls and once with one guy. Both times, we took food home. People say it's pricy for BBQ, but if you go this route, it's really not that bad all things considered. I think the pick 3 plate is about 26 bucks so split that 2 or 3 ways... One waiter tried to convince us we each needed our own plate... don't fall for it unless you're looking to have lunch for the next day! I was sad they didn't have cornbread until I tried the biscuit... no need for cornbread. Also sad that they don't carry Bulliet Burbon, but this forced me to try something new (they have a long list). I love the collards. They taste fresh. Don't bother with the hot sauce. It's spicy but pretty tasteless. Also, try the NC style vinegar. Yum!
(4)
Ben P.
Was surprised at their selection of alcohol. I didn't get any tonight but they had some of my favorite craft beers that aren't easy to get around here, and very reasonably priced I got a pulled pork sandwich. biscuits and sweet tea. The pulled pork was delicious with a mix of their original and death sauces (the death sauce wasn't THAT hot but had great flavor to go with the kick). Get it on texas toast, tastes much better than it would on a bulkie. I was in a large party and they were really good about refilling water. Biscuits with honey butter were to die for. Great authentic smell coming from the barbecue, sweet tea came in a big mason jar with added sweetener on the side but it was quite sweet to begin with. Bathroom was cool with random decor and an interesting prize egg machine in the Men's bathroom. While the service was attentive, it was nothing special, but the biggest knock is that some of the sides seemed to more expensive than they were worth and my friend who got the fried chicken said it was just okay and some was too burnt to eat. But overall I'd go again if I wasn't afraid to put a dent in the wallet.
(4)
Zinah A.
Was in the mood for some comfort food. Have heard about sweet cheeks wanted to check it out not even knowing that my Girl Tiffany from Top Chef was the executive chef! Immediately as we walked through it's doors the smell of BBQ & biscuits hit us. Mouth watering hungry girls we were anticipating a fulfilling dinner & were not let down! The biscuits were amazing with the sweet butter on the side left me wanting more. We got the tray of pork belly & pork ribs delicious! The pork belly seasoned just right, tender & juicy didn't feel one once of guilt because it was just perfect! My friend had the brisket which didn't need anything, huge portion, soft, tender, and juicy. We had a friendly server that was excited about the cocktails & food. The prices were just right for amount & quality of food. I can't wait to go back! I want some more pork belly even if I have to work out an additional 1-2 hours, IT'S WORTH IT!!!
(4)
Caesar R.
Well, the experience was ok. The service was a D, but the food was a solid B. The place was packed with tables of 10-12, must have been office holiday party lunch at Sweet Cheeks on Thursday. So we were grateful to get a table right away around 12:30 PM. We were seated then ignored for about 20 minutes. My wife was so excited for the ribs and the potato salad. The first greeting from our waiter was....we are out of the ribs and potato salad. The wife was unhappy, so I said, join the crowd (me). Eventually, we had our order taken and then our beverage of one diet coke (Massive quart mason ball jars, so come thirsty) and water arrive 15 minutes later. Thankfully, the manager came over and apologized for the wait. We shared the pork belly and the brisket. Both were delicious. Portion size was ample. A little pricey for bbq, but this is great stuff. Top Chef Runner Up from Season One Tiffany has done good things to her meat and in turn to your mouth! Get the service act together, otherwise, it will be take out from now on....
(3)
Danielle L.
Average tasting BBQ for the Boston area meaning below average compared to what you might get in someplace like Texas or out of your own smoker. The ribs had the best smoked flavor on my visit. The pork belly and burnt end on the brisket had the best overall flavor. It was served on paper with sliced bread and pickles like you often see it done in Texas but on top of a metal tray. The biscuits with honey butter are great. They're huge scone like biscuits. The sides are okay. The Mac and cheese was okay and better than I thought it would be based on other reviews. The portions are big. The service was very fast. We walked right, in got a table, had dinner, got leftovers boxed up, and were out in an hour. Very loud. Very expensive for BBQ. Two 2-meat combos, biscuits, and 2 beers with tip $90. Overall, it was nice to visit, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there. Especially when blue ribbon is closer, just as good or better, and one-third the cost.
(2)
Cullen F.
Atmosphere is fun. BBQ is dry. They need to go slow & low. It's more like high & dry. Food tastes good, but the TLC was missing. Ribs don't fall off bone, but taste really good. They don't have a lot of sauces, and that is a real issue when the BBQ is dry. Hush Puppies are good. Be prepared for shared seating. Mac & Cheese is standard, but good. Nothing blew our doors off. If you are on a date, and want private chat, be sure to request a table to yourself.
(2)
Chris A.
First, this would be a 3.5 if there were half-star grades on here. Anyway, pretty much everything you've read in other reviews is right. Expensive for BBQ, biscuits are awesome, food is good. We got the Fat Cheeks Tray (three meats, two sides) and the biscuits to share. It was more than enough food. Pulled Pork - 5/5 - This was amazing. Loved every bit of it with the regular sauce. Brisket - 4/5 - My girlfriend would say five, but I thought it was too tender. It was almost soggy. I want to feel like I'm eating meat, not mush. Still, delicious. Pork Ribs - 2/5 - I was not impressed. At all. Mac And Cheese - 3/5 - Didn't think that much of it and I'm a mac and cheese fanatic. Coleslaw - 3/5 - I don't eat it, but the girlfriend said it was pretty good. Sweet Tea - 6/5 - This was the type of sweet tea I love. As for the biscuits, they deserve their own paragraph. When you see them on the menu, you think "what? FOUR biscuits for TEN dollars?! Get the hell outta here." Luckily, I had read all the reviews on here beforehand about how good they were and how they were the size of your head. Both were very true. They were delicious and the butter was outstanding. We each had one and took two home with us. This morning we put some scrambled eggs on it and that was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a while. The main thing keeping this rating from being hire is the price. We shared the fat cheeks tray ($26), got one beer a piece ($12) and the biscuits ($10) and our bill was over $50. With tip, it's over $60. A Bud Light for $5? C'mon. If you ordered small cup of mac and cheese on the side, it's $6. Please. There's a reason this stuff usually sells for so little - because it's cheap to make! No need to gouge your customers just because the owner was on Top Chef. Would I come back? Never to have a drink. And I'd rather check out all other BBQ options in the area first. Maybe one lazy afternoon. We'll see.
(3)
Maggie S.
First off: I have never actually eaten in here; just take out, and it was fantastic. Me and my husband got the pulled pork and the pork belly with the broccoli and cheese casserole, mac and cheese and potato salad scoops and it was easily the best BBQ I have ever tasted and the sauces were delicious! I was wanting to LOVE this place so badly because I am a huge Top Chef junkie, and it did not disappoint. It is a little expensive for BBQ, but they give you so much food that leftovers are pretty much a guarantee. We had the rest of our meal for lunch the next day! I can't wait to go in for a sit-down meal!
(5)
Margaret B.
Went to Sweet Cheeks for a pre game meal. Limited menu, but if your looking for BBQ it will hit the spot. Casual atmosphere, drinks served from mason jars, and you help yourself to mismatched silverware in coffee cans placed along the bar. The intial bartender didn't seem interested in serving us, but another one came in shortly after and was very friendly. We would have been interested in bisquits but for $10 they can keep them, I would think they would be a given with your meal. I ordered the brisket and slaw and the bf had pulled pork with the mac n cheese. The pork was good and the mac n cheese was heavy but yummy. The brisket had as much fat as it did meat which was disappointing but was still very good. The slaw could have used some more tang. Overall we enjoyed.
(3)
Jessica B.
we used to live in boston and recently visited with a couple of our besties. when i did a little bit of research about what is going on there these days, i couldn't resist suggesting we hit this place up. i called saturday afternoon to inquire about reservations and was told that they weren't accepting any additional reservations for the evening but that they would be taking walk-ins as availability permitted. we figured we'd roll the dice since it was pretty early by city standards (maybe 6-7ish?) and were quoted about 20 minutes, if memory serves correctly. we made our way to the bar, found a place that was as out of the way as it gets, acquired the bartenders attention- who pointed out a couple of delicious sounding drink specials- ordered a round of bevvies and then *BOOM* they called our name. seeing as though i was under the impression we'd be there long enough to have more than one beverage i left my card. once our party was called i waited to cash out and the rest of our party made their way to our table. i waited for what seemed to be f o r e v e r....and then finally was able to join my homies. what i think is notable is that you can order most of the meats by the pound..meaning that i ordered a 1/4lb of one thing plus an appetizer in order to maximize the number of things we were able to sample and minimize the i'm so full i need a wheelbarrow feeling. i should agree that the biscuits were absolutely delicious..and HUGE. the butter was sweet and delicious as well. the bbq is smoked with a dry rub. 3 types of sauce seemed standard each table. i loved that they served, what seemed to be, all drinks in mason jars. it was packed and open concept-ish. the music was like a play list my most music savvy friend might put together ..so good. all in all i would say that sweet cheeks is a place we would frequent if we still lived in the city.
(4)
Amy B.
I took my parents to Sweet Cheeks last weekend and I will definitely be back to visit! As a vegetarian, I knew my menu options would be limited, but I was able to great a great (and extremely fattening) dinner. We started off with the bucket of biscuits, and MAN were they delicious! They are huge and rich and soft and buttery and just amazing. I could eat them all day. I had the mac n cheese and I was not disappointed. It wasn't the best I've ever had and I do wish it was a bit creamier, but overall, it had good flavor and I would get it again. I also got a side of fried green tomatoes which I had never had before and I loved them! Our waiter was extremely friendly, attentive and thorough and I wish I remembered his name so I could give him five stars! I would say give Sweet Cheeks a try, especially if you are NOT a vegetarian! :)
(4)
Joseph C.
Finally walked up the street to check out Fenway's newest eatery. If you'd ever been to the previous incarnation, Cambridge.1, you're sure to be surprised easily Sweet Cheeks adapted to the decor. Modest wait (about 45 min) , and there was some confusion over where we were supposed to stand until a table opened up (the bar OR the window-side counters ). The waitstaff will serve drinks while you wait. Biscuits are amazing (and despite an earlier posting, clearly labeled on the menu) and filling. Good beer selection. For dinner, I had the pork belly, collards, and carrot salad. I'm sure I will be coming back.
(3)
Brian L.
Made a lunch time visit in my quest to try every food joint near Fenway. Firstly, it takes a lot to get me to eat BBQ. I don't like getting messy.... but I was drawn in by the smell of wood fires... and thought "What the hell..." Had a pulled chicken sandwich as I figured that would be the least messy.... on Texas toast with onions and pickles. Pickles were a nice touch and reminded me of my days in North Carolina. Three sauces were available.... hot, mild and a vinegar sauce. The hot and vinegar were actually too vinegary for me (even for one called vinegar) but the mild was fine... average but fine... sort of tomato-based with a tiny tang. The chicken was cooked perfectly and it spilled from the sides of my sandwich. Had a side of this broccoli casserole in a cup.... quite tasty. It made me eat my veggies. The place seems to have a decent beer list. Some craft brews.... The price was slightly more than I would have expected to pay. Service was good. I could have done without the country music... it seemed weird sitting in the muddle of the city with Fenway nearby. Atmosphere was cozy.
(3)
Torin C.
Good Texas style BBQ. I had the ribs. They were tender and tasty, but a little salty. The Collard Greens were really, really salty. The waiter (J.D.) was awesome! I wanted to hang out with him after I ate. Overall it was really good, and I would go again.
(4)
Jad I.
I really wanted to like this place, I really did. I might just be harder to please because I'm from Memphis, TN, but Sweet Cheeks was a huge disappointment. THE ATMOSPHERE: The place itself is casual and truly southern, so in a way I guess I can't complain. But am I crazy to expect something classier in a restaurant where one can easily spend $30 on a meal? I sat at a picnic table. PICNIC. TABLE. THE FOOD: I ordered the pulled chicken tray with the mac & cheese and the potato salad. The pulled chicken was moist, but flavorless. The mac & cheese was standard. Nothing mind-blowing, really. Also, had I known the potato salad came with bacon on it, I wouldn't have ordered it at all because I don't eat pork. But when I explained this to the waiter, he happily brought me another order of the potato salad, sans the bacon. My only regret would be that I had not tried the biscuits, because I heard such great things about them. But 10 dollars for only 4 biscuits? Pass. My friend ordered the ribs and mac & cheese. He said the ribs were dry and flavorless (and overpriced!) and agreed that the mac & cheese was just average. I will say their sweet tea was really good: sweet, but not artificially sweet. I'd go back there just for it. THE SERVICE: The waiter was genuinely nice to us the whole evening, which made it even more surprising to me when he charged me for the replacement potato salad I ordered. I'm not sure if I should blame the service or the menu, because it doesn't say anywhere on the menu that the potato salad comes covered with bacon. But that doesn't make up for the fact that I was charged for both potato salads when I only ate one. OVERALL: After leaving, me and my friends felt sick. Sweet Cheeks brands itself as a southern barbecue establishment, but it is honestly the worst barbecue I've ever had. I might just be a harsh critic, but I can guarantee anyone from the south would agree with me. It's the equivalent of PF Changs calling itself authentic chinese food. More importantly, aside from having lackluster food, I would say Sweet Cheek's biggest problem is its price. It promises amazing food, which makes it seem worth paying $30. So anything less than amazing is just unacceptable. Rip-off.
(2)
Ken Y.
First, the prices were wayyyyyyyy high during lunch. They don't even match the web site ($5 higher than web site menu prices....trays averaged $18). Second, I got the pulled pork sandwich which was listed at $12 but was charged $18 on the bill. Thought maybe I got the tray instead, but came home to review the menu and it was definitely wrong. I should have asked while there :-P The BBQ sandwich was way too small for the price...and for the price, there were definitely fewer ribs than you'd get at other BBQ places around here. Food-wise, I thought it was better than the usual BBQ choices up here...Blue Ribbon and Redbones. I've never really liked their BBQ...thought the meat was dry, hated the bark on ribs, etc. The meat here was very tender including the ribs which were tender and pink all the way through. The pulled pork was good too...or at least better than those other places...they had a nice smoke flavor even w/o the sauce. For the sauce, I did a mix of what they had available since Texas BBQ style is dry and you get to add sauce as you see fit. So on my pulled pork sandwich, I used mostly their regular BBQ sauce, added a splash of the North Carolina BBQ sauce, and then a drop or two of the jalepeno sauce which is wicked hot if you eat it by itself. Then I topped it w/ part of the carrot/raisin salad which was great. That was an excellent sandwich, though I'm not going to have it again w/ texas toast bread (white bread toasted w/ probably half a stick of butter)-: and will get a bulkie roll instead next time. The BBQ beans tasted salty instead of brown sugar sweet...reminded me more of chili than anything else. Tried my D.C.'s potato salad which was topped w/ grated bacon and that was good...the broccoli and cheese was ehhh. Had the infamous biscuit and while it was nice and flaky (love the honey butter), we both thought it was a bit on the salty side. The leftover ribs were also salty as were the BBQ beans...you can't take excess salt out :-P Service we thought was good, though I did end up w/ no water in my cup near the end. We might try it again after a few months, but only if the prices for lunch are more like what's on their web site (trays for $12-14) instead of what we saw ($18-23).
(3)
Crystal E.
Southern food, not exactly exactly expert on those food but they are pretty good. Pricey though. I love the hush puppies! Yummy and the sweet tea! Good deal on the sweet tea! It's huge!
(3)
Jerei J.
Me and my boyfriend came here on our anniversary. He loves anything BBQ so I figured this was the place to be, and OMG was it perfect . The atmosphere was very friendly and the staff were friendly as well. The decorations and the tables added a lil southern flair to the place which made it fun. They brought out our drinks in huge mason jars and our biscuits in giant coffee tin jars, so it had a Texas appeal to it, and the food oh lord, talk about delicious. My boyfriend is annoying when it comes to food and is very picky, but he loved it. I got the pork ribs or something like that and it was pretty much the best damn ribs I ever had. And they give out awesome portions, like a huge ass tray of just food. Overall, my boyfriend had an amazing time and still talks about it to this day. We plan on going back...very soon
(5)
Jesse K.
I'll start with a caveat: I did not dine in at Sweet Cheeks. My fiance brought me her leftovers. That being said, I thought the food here was outstanding. I'm from the south, so I have high standards for BBQ. Though it has a devout and cult-like following, I find Red Bones just ok. So when I tell you that Sweet Cheeks has incredible, fit-for-the-south BBQ I mean it. The pulled pork is hands-down the best I've ever had; so smoky and flavorful I had no need for any sauce. The ribs were also cooked perfectly, gently coming off the bone. Finally, the beef brisket was so flavorful, with a soft pink middle and a charred crispy outside. The sides were no slouches either. The mac n cheese was indulgent, and the carrot salad is to die for. It has BBQ scraps sprinkled in for a perfect flavor and texture. Though I can't comment on the restaurant or service, I cannot recommend the food here enough. To BBQ snobs everywhere, get here asap.
(5)
Paul A.
I really can't say enough good things about Sweet Cheeks. They've got the best quality meat in the city, they're sauces are pretty great, rolls the size of your head, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. The berkshire pork ribs and pork belly are my favorites but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Another nice touch is all the drinks are served in ball jars (and shots in small preserves containers!)
(5)
Mabel S.
My first time at Sweet Cheeks was a great one! The atmosphere is casual and laid back, and seemed like a really fun place to hang out with friends. The use of trays and mason jars is genius! It's a really creative way to serve the food and drinks. Speaking of food, it was delicious. I got the pulled pork tray with mac and cheese and potato salad. The pulled pork was smoked just to my liking, and it was melt in your mouth good. The mac and cheese was super creamy, and the potato salad was just perfect! and a MUST TRY is the biscuits and honey butter. You'll regret it if you don't! The servers were all attentive and friendly, and got your food to you quickly. I would definitely go back to Sweet Cheeks.
(4)
Jeff S.
We went on a very busy night and it was well worth the wait. I had pork belly and it was delicious. I had to roll out of there. The atmosphere is fun. All drinks come in mason jars - water in mason jars, beer in mason jars, wine in smaller mason jars, shots in mini mason jars. Make sure to get a bucket o' biscuits to start.
(4)
Renee B.
Things I really liked: Service at the Bar! Fried Okra, Carrot Raisin salad, Broccoli Cheese salad, the tenderness of the meat (we had pulled pork, ribs, brisket), and the sweet potato hand pie. Things I wish were better: hushpuppies (not enough umph for me), Sauces (meh, decent flavor but nothing wowing) and prices (man that was an expensive dinner for what we got). We will be back because we want to try it again and the meat was cooked very well. I just was hoping for a little more.
(3)
Rhea B.
Wow, fantastic ribs, dreamy fried chicken, fab collard greens, large servings. Love this place! My first time was last night and I will be back. I just wish the music were a little less loud, so I could hear my dining companion better.
(5)
Larry P.
Came here night before Thanksgiving before a movie and could have had a better experience. First, I arrived a few minutes before my party did and asked to be seated. Though it was 5 pm and the restaurant was virtually empty, the hostess would not seat me and suggested I sit on a chair by the wall. While I understand why restaurants are usually reluctant to seat people before their entire party is present, in this case it felt rude and resulted in a very awkward situation where I sat alone on the wall very near the host's stand in the near-empty restaurant. My girlfriend arrived to the still-empty restaurant about ten minutes later and we asked to be seated while we waited for the third and final member of our party. Even though the restaurant uses the same tables for parties of 2 or 3, the hostess still wouldn't seat us. I finally just said we would only be 2 so that we could get a table. When our other friend came in about ten minutes later, we asked about being moved to another table that seemed to be arranged to accommodate 3 people a bit better (not a differently sized table, just one in a less congested area of the restaurant). Our waiter told us we couldn't move there because that table would shortly be grouped with the ones near it to seat a very large party. It seemed to us just a short time later that this was just not true as the tables he had referenced were being used by separate groups that had rambled in after we asked about switching tables. It would have been fine if there were some legitimate reason for us not to use the table we had asked about, but why make up a story? As for the food, my review must be mixed. The sauces left on the table were delicious, and the pineapple habanero had lots of kick. The fried ochra appetizer was really on point, but our main course came up lacking. The pork belly was extremely fatty, and I am not at all the type of guy who shies away from some fat on his meat. We had some pieces of brisket that were delicious, but a couple that were, again, comprised mostly of fat and largely inedible. I thought the pulled chicken, on the other hand, was stellar. Great texture, perfect amount of saltiness, and the aforementioned sauces complimented it beautifully. However, that (plus collard greens that were also very good) just could not offset the negative parts of our visit. Lastly, my late-arriving friend wasn't given water until just before the end of our meal (I understand he was late, but I also think our waiter could have looked over at some point to figure this out) and my girlfriend and I also got our first and only refills at that same time. Next time we are in Fenway, we would likely try another spot before venturing back in here.
(2)
Adam L.
Brisket was very fatty, pork was very dry, slaw was terrible. Mac & cheese was delicious! Great place to eat before a Sox game, but lower your expectations.
(2)
Dan H.
This was good BBQ. You can taste the smoke and the meat is fresh. No need to slather with BBQ sauce either. They have a habanero sauce that is actually spicy. A fantastic place to grab some good BBQ.
(4)
Conny D.
First the good - friendly and helpful wait staff; plus the meat is the reason you're there, so it is well prepared and generally tasty, the right balance of lean to fat for barbecue, good sauces. Now the bad, the sides are dreadful, and not a very good selection. Hard to make bad mac and cheese, but they've succeeded, no corn bread, but very sad "Texas Toast" for which the Lone Star State will be unhappy to be affiliated. Coleslaw also poorly executed, it goes on. If only they would pay as much attention to the sides and the selections as they do to the very good meat this would be a much better restaurant. The fun of eating barbecue is the whole tasting experience, the balance between sweet and sour, chewy, smooth, etc. so side dishes should get the same level of care and thought. Best bet would be to order take out of meat selections you like then go home and cook your own accompaniments. Here's hoping this new spot is still experimenting with its menu and they'll make some adjustments.
(2)
Brian S.
This place is great. And I'm totally going back. I went the day before Thanksgiving in the afternoon for lunch with a friend. It was pretty empty -- the bar was pretty much ours...which is just how I like it. After warming up with a refreshing hard cider...I ordered the pork ribs, she had the brisket. Both were great. Super smoky taste -- the ribs were a beautiful pink color -- they came off the bone, but didn't fall apart in your mouth...allowing you to chew into that smoky flesh and really taste the love and time that went into serving them to you. The brisket was equally smoky and delicious. The meat was so smoky-flavor-good that you didn't need to add bbq sauce to enjoy it. It stood strong as it was. Naked and smoky. And good thing the meat could stand on it's own four piggy legs -- cause the bbq sauce wasn't anything great. It's the reason for a three-star rating versus a four-star -- which I really wanted to give this place four stars. The hot wasn't hot enough, the regular wasn't flavorful enough, but mix the two and it was an ok addition to perfectly bbq'd meat. The sides were solid. Farm salad was amazing -- fresh and delicious, a great contrast the the heavy beans and meat on the other half of the tray! The whiskey selection is top notch -- and you can't beat the beer list. Also, the country music makes me happy. Congrats to Tiffany Faison on opening a great bbq joint in Boston. And thanks for taking time to meet and greet the patrons at the bar. Nice touch!
(3)
wendy g.
Okay so we go to Sweet Cheeks for the second time this week and we get to chat with the divine Tiffany and then we have pulled pork and pork belly and coleslaw and broccoli with cheese timbale AND the most delicious strawberry shortcake. We were trying to decide when to come back before we had even left lol oh my that was delicious.
(5)
Stephanie C.
At some point it seems a little silly writing another fantastic review for this place but I can't help myself. The sides are the star of the show here. Just really well done and not at all what you or your grandmother are making at your next family BBQ. The coleslaw is chopped versus shredded which is genius. Potato salad has bacon crumble and the potatoes were perfectly cooked. The mac & cheese, served in camping mugs is perfection. The right amount of breadcrumb and cheese. And the collard greens - I am still thinking about them. Not a huge clump of greens like you've seen other places. These are cooked and somehow they come out similar to a scalloped potato. perfect texture and not at all sticky or mushy. The meat is meant to shine and it does. We ordered the pulled pork, chicken, and brisket. The brisket was half fat which was very disappointing however the meat was good and even better with their house made sauce. pork and chicken were delicious. Tiffany inspires me to get a smoker and quit my job. And speaking of the head chef - she was out with her team bussing tables and helping out. quite a classy chic. you can tell she loves this place and you will too. and let's not forget the beer and cocktail list. wow!
(5)
John G.
The fact that I come here whenever an occasion permits is significant: there are few other restaurants in the Boston area that earn my regular patronage. When the Sox are in town this place will be crowded, so take note. Go with friends, get a bucket of biscuits. I recommend brisket, mac n cheese, and slaw, and some good beers and settle in.
(4)
Jessica L.
So good!!!!!!!!!! Love this place!!!! Obsessed with the huge, buttery, softball-sized biscuits lathered in honey butter. Sinfully delicious! The mac n' cheese is amazing, as is the broccoli cheese casserole. The meat is fantastic and smokey. Love the variety of BBQ sauces. The salads are also incredible--- hazelnuts, shredded brussel sprouts, amazing dressing. Sometimes I like to just get a salad and some sides (perfect if you're a vegetarian). Also, I owe this place an enormous debt, as the excellent and cheerful waiters here introduced me to the best beer ever--- Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Do you ever crave whiskey but don't want to get immediately wasted? Then order this incredible beer. LOVE this place!
(5)
Arthur E.
Very good. Pull pork was great. Those biscuits are huge and taste very good. Serving so large for the two meat tray dish. Had to take home half the tray, too much for this big guy to finish in one sitting. Well come back next I'm in town. Great atmosphere and lots of buzz.
(4)
Alan S.
Came here on a Saturday night with 9 friends. Great place for large groups but the place was jam packed. You definitely should have reservations if you are coming on a weekend. I got the burnt ends sandwich, which was more than enough for me. Smokey and delicious. The table also got an order of biscuits, which was deliciously crispy and very good with the honey butter. My only complaint with this place is that I feel that it is a tad overpriced. I've had just as good or better BBQ and have paid far less. Overall, Sweet Cheeks gets 4 stars from me as I feel that Boston really lacks in this category and the BBQ was very tasty.
(4)
Julia N.
I am just going to review the macaroni and cheese. It should be self-evident to every sentient thing that exists in this world, that Sweet Cheeks tastes just as its name entails. But you know, you walk into KFC or Popeye's and are like, "dang, I want some mac and cheese. I don't know what they use, but I'm sure they use something powdered, and just make it creamy and okay... in moderation." And then I put my spoon into the bowl for mac'n'cheese at Sweet Cheeks, and something cosmic happened. Something psychedelic. It's as if my body fell into a yellow vortex, like falling into a newly purchased love seat, like playing in ice cold foam on a crazy hot day, like having the first bite of a molten cake, like thinking you were going to fail a test and you outperform everyone, like.. that moment your mom stops encouraging you to have children, or that time you start making homemade baked mac'n'cheese and you pour the egg noodles into the cheese and steal a bite while the cheese melts.... I don't know what Sweet Cheeks did to their mac'n'cheese. Crack? Nah. Beer? .. Well, I don't think so. But whatever it is, it ranks as Godlike. Best mac'n'cheese that I've had at a restaurant in the New England area that DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE A triple $ sign and reservation for suited or well-knit clothed people.
(5)
Nick C.
We had been looking forward to going to this place for months. My mother had just had surgery and could eat solid food again, so this was a reward of sorts for making it through. We had had heard good things and my wife didn't eat anything the entire day gearing up to tear into some great BBQ. Unfortunately, this wasn't great BBQ. I will say that I gave 3 stars based on the drinks and the basket of biscuits alone. My drink the House Bill 819 had tea infused corn whiskey, simple syrup, mint and lemon and was awesome. The 4 huge biscuits in the bucket were great, not too dense, but the honey butter was the real star. As for the entrees, we each got a 3 meat Fat Cheeks tray. I opted for brisket, ribs and pork belly with baked beans and slaw. The pork belly was great and I thought the brisket good, tender and flavorful. But, the ribs. Good God, I have no idea what they did in the kitchen but the ribs tasted chemically. I ate only one on the tray and I was done. No one at the table enjoyed the ribs at all, which is really unfortunate for a BBQ place. The sauces provided on the table were also underwhelming. We traveled down here specifically from NH to visit this restaurant and after a hefty bill and having to pay for parking, I wouldn't do that again. If I was in the area, I would go here again and stick with the drinks, biscuits and the brisket. The search for great BBQ in New England continues....
(3)
S J.
Its good! It is... The meats are expertly prepared, savory and delicious. Buttery smooth brisket and hearty pulled pork, you can't go wrong. It makes me homesick. But, well, this is just me, but I do have an ax to grind when it comes to the table sauces; I'm all for fusion and updating old standards (like the fist sized hushpuppies served with honey butter- delicious) but some things are better recreated than reinvented. All in all? Will I go back? Hell yes. Will I hit an ATM first? (Quality and rarity is expensive) Will I be more diligent about trying the sauces before slathering on something that I thought would be more familiar. yep.
(4)
Chris C.
My dinner group (8 people this time) went there in early October. OVERALL RATINGS: Food: 4, Service: 3, Decor: 3, Overall: 3.5 SUMMARY REVIEW: Across the board, there were high marks for the food. There were special mentions of the "excellent biscuits and tender meat." The ribs, however, received mixed reviews with some calling them "tasty, meaty, and lean" but others thought they were "just ok." The sides were nearly universally disappointing. There were some service mix-ups with drinks but comments were generally positive. More than one mentioned the lack of water refills. Some noted the "douchy hipster plates" and "inauthentic" dinnerware. The "shared tables" and "uninspiring" decor were disappointing. INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS: "Loved the biscuits. I could have stopped after one and skipped dinner. My pork ribs were tasty, meaty and lean. The sides were ok but I suspect that the novelty cole slaw and cheese broccoli were the wrong choices. I admire the frugality of just changing the sign on the door - but it is pretty uninspiring design - not in a bad way. What were those drinks that came in a glass bucket anyway?" -- "Very good BBQ - pulled pork was good and the runs were juicy and the sauces were al good. Sides are a little bland, as is the "disnt this used to be Cambridge 1? " decor. Service was decent but water refills would have been nice. Good drinks but douchy hipster plates and canning jar glasses were a little much. The biscuits alone were worth 4 stars alone." -- "Sweet Cheeks was a delight. Between the excellent biscuits and the perfect tender meats, I'd come back here any day! Unfortunately, the sides left a bit to be desired.... The collard greens were uninspired and the carrot salad was very one note. Servicewise, I'm still trying to figure out where my drink order is..... The decor was nice, but completely an afterthought. Also, I'm really longing for the days when you'd go to a restaurant and food was served on plates. The tray/mason jar/tin can dinnerware rang very inauthentic. I mean, come on Tiffany, this is Fenway, not rural Appalachia. Despite this, if return solely for the quality of the meats. And those f'n awesome biscuits." -- "The pulled chicken was excellent. Moist and perfectly cooked. The biscuits were incredible. Ribs were just ok. Sweet tea wasn't really well mixed. At first I didn't think it was sweet. When I got to the bottom it was all sugar. I never have that problem down South. Acoustics in the restaurant weren't great. The music needed to be dialed down about 20%. I could only hold a conversation with the person next to me or across from me which was disappointing. Didn't love the shared tables either as I had a little kid next to me (which didn't help with the noise!). Waitress overall did a very good job although she was oblivious to the fact that her voice did not carry to such a large group in that loud a setting. But everything was brought out efficiently and correctly and that is saying a lot for a large group. I concur that the water should have been refreshed without asking." -- "I always ask, "Would I come back here? and the answer is definitely "yes!" You get bulk and bang (drinks) for the buck that just tastes good. However, the only other bah b que place I have for comparison is the one in Somerville, where they just slam down half a cow on the table, very unappetizing, so I guess one can ruin bar be. Although the caloric count fattened up my "sweet cheeks," (both pairs, meaning 4) it was well worth it" ------- Note from Chris C.: - I went to a large group function here shortly after this review, and liked my food better the 2nd time around. The experience get's better when you find your favorites, so I suggest a couple visits to find out what you do and don't like here
(4)
Kathleen C.
So, I really enjoyed Sweet Cheeks, but did not like the suggestion that I only get the pulled pork platter and not the sandwich because I LOVE pulled port sandwiches. So, while I was talked into 2 sides and a platter (by my family, NOT the restaurant), I was missing out on my bread... Ok, I'm being whiny about the sandwich, I admit, but this spot is good! The pork was delicious and so was the sauce, though I would have liked more sauce. We had takeout, and it was done quickly, which was nice. However, eating in would be nice as well, the spot seems lively and fun. So, food was a 4 (wanted more sauce), portion sizes/value/pricing was a 5 and service was friendly for the 2 seconds that I paid... great spot in the area!
(4)
Stephen M.
It's hard to find good BBQ in Boston, and all the good things I've heard about sweet cheeks lived up to expectations. I got the plate of pork ribs. The ribs themselves were not overly flavorful, but cooked to perfection, and the choices of BBQ sauces really brought everything together. One must-eat is the Mac and Cheese. In all honesty, the best I have had in my life.
(4)
Jeff S.
Great food. Pulled pork and belly were fantastic. Ribs could be better. Biscuits are delicious. Long wait. Friendly staff.
(4)
David C.
Food is always better when it's free, and thanks to Chris C. I finally got to enjoy a meal at Sweet Cheeks. I had been hesitant to go because the price point was a little high for southern food. I'm happy to report, however, that you get what you pay for at SC, and the food is delicious. I ordered the Big Cheeks tray with pork belly, pulled chicken, broccoli and cheese casserole, and carrot and raisin salad, and devoured every last bit of it. I felt like someone you'd see on The Biggest Loser when I left (all that was missing was the elephant scale of shame), but there was no way I was leaving any of that goodness behind. When I come back it'll be to sample SC's selection of fried goodies. I know there's a plate of hushpuppies back there with my name on it.
(4)
Tessa B.
I'm a barbecue fanatic. Back home, my parents barbecue at least once a week (typically on Sundays), so discovering this gem in the Fenway truly made me feel at home. The interior of Sweet Cheeks is a sort of rustic chic - you can tell they're trying to play up the young bar scene while still striving to promote the barbecue joint feel. The drinks are served in mason jars of all sizes, which are probably much appreciated by the hipster crowd (if they eat here - do they eat here?). Silverware is stored in a tin on each table in a serve yourself fashion, which really plays up the barbecue vibe of the restaurant. Of the three times I've eaten here I've constantly ordered the brisket - tender, juicy, and with just the right amount of fat - though I have also ventured as far as to order the pulled pork, which is delicious as well. As for sides, I've ordered the farm salad twice now and will continue each time - it has the perfect balance of sweet and savory and I suffer a love of brussels sprouts. The macaroni is not as cheesy as one would like, and the broccoli casserole could use a bit more texture. Overall, the meal was good, I would just rather have a plate of meat and salad. Oh, and order the biscuits. You'll thank me later. I've yet to try a dessert, but that just gives me something to look forward to.
(5)
Joe V.
Had a great time at this place after the Sox game. Came down here right after the game ended and it was packed. Hour and a half wait for our group of 8 was no problem. We hung out in the beer garden drinking beers and a few of their cocktails. My friend had the House Bill 819 and said it was great. The food was great, pulled pork on Texas Toast was a winner. Some guys got the fried chicken which I tried and it was class. Huge portions as well. The only problem I had with this place was the bartender, she wasnt single enough. Really cute and friendly, thought about asking her out on a date, maybe somewhere in the Back Bay, show her what its all about but alas there was rock on the ring finger. What a shame, could have really topped of the night.
(4)
Jeremy K.
Having been here quite a few times, it's about damn time I review this place. Boston-born, former Top Chef contestant Tiffany Faison's vision for a modern BBQ joint is awesome - I'm a big fan of the place. From the menu to the decor, the service and the style, I totally dig it and from my first visit on, I felt both welcomed and very comfortable. Let's face it folks, Boston has always been lacking in terms of solid BBQ. Sure there' the Village Smokehouse in Brookline, but their hours are weird, parking can be a bitch and their menu is on the pricey side. There's always Blue Ribbon out in Newton and Arlington but that's not exactly in Boston now is it... Then came this place, a big, conveniently located restaurant, built out of wood, with a large patio which is going to open soon (I can't flippin' wait!) and which also features a solid drink list. What differentiates this place from others, food aside, is the fact that the food is served in trays. Now some might cringe at this but I think that it's great. First off, it's super easy, secondly it's consistent and best of all, it's affordable and makes sure that every patron is set with bread, pickles and onions. Goodbye overcrowded table and hello elbow room: I dig the concept and the execution. It's a lot less messy too as the tray 'contains' everything and nothing leaks out of it onto the table either. The tray aside, you basically can order sandwiches or various meats like ribs, pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket and even pork belly. You can get a single meat, two or even three if you're a fat mess. Then you get to pick from a selection of both cold and warm sides ranging from the classic collard greens and mac and cheese and more creative ones like the carrot & raisin salad and the cheese casserole. There's 10 of them to pick from and the cheapest combination featuring a single meat and two sides will run you anywhere from $16 to $25 depending on what you get. The 'Big Cheeks' tray featuring two meats runs at $24 and the even bigger 'Fat Cheeks' tray is $26. Personally, I've never once been able to finish a tray featuring one meat but usually order two because I like the variety and it's not much more expensive - plus they pack it very neatly when you take the remaining food to go... so it makes for another tasty leftover feast! There's a few more items like biscuits, fried okra, hush puppies and even fried green tomatoes. I've had the latter and it was pretty good. They also have the absolutely delicious Sprecker root beer ($5) which might be the very best root beer out there. It's a bit expensive but oh so tasty. But enough about the food, let's talk about the decor. The place is has a lot of tables and even a bar in the back which can seat a decent amount of people. The place is pretty much all wood and has few decorative items but just enough to give it a neat atmosphere. There's large windows on the side which faces Boylston street. Each table has 3 small bottles featuring distinct BBQ sauces which are made in-house - a vinegar based one, a hot one and a regular one. In the front of the house, the friendly hostess directs the crowd but the place isn't always big enough to accomodate everyone - it's in a very busy area and it quite popular. Almost every time I've been there I've had to wait for a table except for the one time I went there on a weeknight late at night. I'm going to go ahead and assume that trying to eat there before a Red Sox game is going to be impossible, even with their soon-to-open terrace; I really hope that I'm wrong... All and all this is a welcome addition to the Boston BBQ scene with some tasty, juicy BBQ'd meats, an innovative presentation via the trays and some pretty tasty drinks and desserts. And while it is a bit expensive, the food is very tasty and the portions large enough to cover you for a late night snack later or even a second meal later depending on your appetite. Service is efficient but the lines, at times, can discourage quite a few... And it looks like I found yet another reason to return soon as I just read in Forbes magazine that the biscuits which Faison makes might content as the best in our nation: guess I'll have to find out for myself on another trip there, which hopefully will be soon...
(4)
David T.
If you enjoy a good old Fashion backyard BBQ, you're going to love this place. Food is excellent, sauces are homemade and tasty, all around good eats. Only negative is that it's crowded and can get really loud. I still highly recommend it.
(4)
Days G.
holy.. i dont think ill eat anywhere else after coming here yesterday. the best BBQ in Boston. going back this weekend.
(5)
Clara L.
After all the hype, we finally picked a night to try the restaurant. We did the necessary 1.5-2 hour wait on a Saturday night, and then were seated. This is when the disappointment began. It took us about 15 minutes to even be greeted by our server. It was busy, but not overly so that night. By that time, we had a drink or two at the bar and were increasingly hungry. Our group ordered a wide variety of the menu to try. The pulled pork was good, the brisket dry, the ribs just fine, the mac and cheese seriously under salted. The cole slaw was extremely under dressed/seasoned. It was pretty much chopped cabbage in a bit of sauce, that didn't manage to cover the strong taste of raw cabbage. The biscuits were slightly under baked, and not flaky. Overall, the BBQ was fine, but the sides need some improvement, especially if the a la carte charge is what it is. The service didn't improve throughout the meal, even as tables emptied and weren't filled at a rapid pace, it took many reminders for the check and the leftovers to be packed. I'm not sure that I would go back for a sit down meal, but might consider take out here without the wait.
(2)
Joanne B.
Who cares what the food is like when a restaurant is so loud, you only wish the evening was over? Went here with a group of friends I hadn't seen in ages and could not hear a bloody thing. The staff was very gracious and helped us move outside when a space opened up even though we'd already had apps and dirtied the table. Truly, I felt sorry for the staff that had no choice but to remain in such a deafening environment but I'm getting extremely sick and tired of restaurants that take my money so they can torture my eardrums. My motto is if I don't like it I probably won't review it but I'm breaking that rule for restaurants that are so loud, I can't enjoy my friends or my food. I will not be returning to Sweet Cheeks.
(2)
Tucker W.
just went last night for the first time, and had the pulled chicken tray. Simply put, it was amazing to me. So incredibly tender and flavorful, and no grizzle or fat at all. A nice big portion. The sides were fantastic. They actually put THOUGHT into their salad (at a BBQ place no less!)... i might not have a ton of experience with southern food (I'm a northerner), and some hardcore southern reviewers on here seem to be a little overly critical at times, but i just thought it was fantastic. I liked the vibe and the decor. Probably heresy to say this, but the pulled chicken was better than Redbones to me. Well done - please continue to do this really well!!! specialty drinks we ordered were fantastic as well.
(5)
Lauren S.
I love this place. They do standard barbecue in their own style and it works so well. We started off with the tin of biscuits. with honey butter. I was in heaven. My husband and I split the large tray of pork ribs, sausage and pulled chicken with the farmers salad and mac and cheese. I loved the farmers salad and the pork ribs the best. The pulled chicken was good as was the mac and cheese. I had a bite of the sausage but didn't love it. I was so full that we couldn't order dessert. I would definitely go back next time in Boston.
(4)
Mark N.
Surprisingly delicious barbeque. I had pulled pork, Mac and cheese, and the farm salad. You MUST get the farm salad. I finished that first, and it was fantastic. The dressing is the perfect complement to greasy meat. Pulled pork was good, and I like that they leave it up to you to sauce it as you see fit. They have a hot sauce, a BBQ sauce, and a sour vinegar sauce. They're all good, but my one complaint was that the BBQ sauce was too vinegary and not smoky enough. I wished they had had multiple BBQ sauces to choose from, and other hot sauces too. Still, that wasn't enough to detract from the deliciousness. Mac and cheese was also very tasty - super creamy without being cheese overload. AND, they don't bake it, which is my preference. I'm coming back soon. Surprised it took me so long to get here in the first place!
(5)
Deann A.
I love the brisket here. It falls apart on your plate. I've never been dissatisfied with the meats here. The sides are hit and miss, but I've found that if I always get the mac and cheese and coleslaw, then I'm happy. This is a whiskey place, lots of whiskey! Great drink menu. And then for dessert, the butterscotch pudding is so amazing, you'll want to get seconds. It's inspired me to try to make homemade butterscotch pudding. The downfall would be this place gets busy. We've had to wait 30-45min most times we come here to eat on a Friday or Saturday night. So worth the wait though if you like good BBQ.
(5)
Brooke L.
The first thing I have to give kudos to Sweet Cheeks for is the ambiance. Damn, they sure know how to make it feel like a summer night in the south. I went on a rainy night in April, but I could almost hear the crickets and see the fireflies. Also, it's crowded and buzzing with chatty people, but in a good way -- it feels like a barbecue where the vibe is intentional. We started with the biscuits and honey butter, which were so filling they could've been a meal by themselves, but so delicious it was almost impossible to stop after just one. My boyfriend got the pulled pork, which I found to be decent but nothing special, and I got the pork belly, which was like giant slabs of bacon with extra fat. It was awesome, but hard to stomach because it was so rich, even though I got the smallest portion. Thankfully I ordered the farm salad as well. At that point anything green tasted like heaven, and I wanted to go swimming in it. I couldn't take more than a few bites, though, because I was so full from the biscuit and belly. The waiter was amazing, by the way. He was attentive to the perfect degree, fast and friendly. All around, very good. I'll be coming back here, more because of the dining experience than the food.
(4)
Kyle C.
My girlfriend took me to Sweet Cheeks for my birthday last night, and it's safe to say I can comfortably go another 20 years without eating there. We started with an order of hushpuppies. They were bland, greasy, and lacked any crunch on the outside. At $7, they were awfully pricey compared to the far more flavorful hushpuppies I've had down south. But hey, Boston's Boston. I got the Big Cheeks Tray with brisket and pulled pork. Though the brisket was almost completely gristle, the pulled pork was great. Both the pork and whatever meat I could find on the two slabs of brisket were smoked wonderfully. I know it's their schtick, but their use of repurposed coffee cans, cafeteria trays, and mason jars was off-putting. Just give me my own utensils -- don't make me fish it out of an old Folgers can. Overall, Sweet Cheeks was extremely underwhelming. I won't go back, and I would not recommend it to my friends.
(2)
Nisreen D.
Came here saturday night with a bunch of friends. The food was great! We got the beef brisket, beef brisket with burnt ends, the fried chicken, the beans, cole slaw, salad, and mac n cheese. The food was awesome! It really hit the spot. There were 7 of us and we ordered the big tray, which allowed us to choose 3 different meats and a bunch of sides. However, two things- the cole slaw was okay and the the portions were a bit small for the burnt ends. We each only got a bit to taste for the burnt ends. But, I am definitely going back! :)
(4)
John S.
The painfully slow service almost dropped this rating to three stars, but the fact that it stayed at four is a testament to how fantastic the brisket at Sweet Cheeks is. People, this is excellent brisket. The spice rub is top among the best I've ever had and the brisket is obscenely juicy. Said brisket is supplemented by delicious mac'n'cheese (pasta stayed firm, cheese and seasoning was perfect), and delivered for a reasonable price. As I noted, the service is very slow - the kitchen for some reason cannot crank out the BBQ fast enough - but once that food comes you will be completely satisfied. Strong recommendation, but be prepared for 90 minutes worth from sit to pay.
(4)
Anne W.
The wait is not nearly as horrible on a Sunday night... we got seated right away. I felt so bad because the food was not nearly as good as last time.. and I had promised something decent to a friend a few of us were taking out. Most of us have had bbq in Texas so I said it was legit... oops. So part of the problem was that I wasn't that hungry.. I had a lot of delicious beverages earlier in the day that made me so full. I got to try the biscuits finally.. they were available that night. The honey butter was good.. but I didn't find it as amazing as people said it was. They also changed the farm salad which made me really really sad. They used to have brussel sprouts and now they use asparagus. That was just the saddest part. We did try a few other things... I think the consensus was the brisket was the best. The dessert options were not so good. We tried both.. both were not very good. The White Trash Mess didn't really taste good.. the brownie was too salty.. and I didn't like the fluff goo on top. The nutter butter cookie was equally dissapointing. Hoping it would come out fresh and warm with a scoop of ice cream. It was just a pre-baked cookie. But.. the waitress was really great.. she also took the dessert off our bill since we didn't like it. Bring back the brussel sprouts!!
(2)
Erin C.
Last night was my 2nd time to Sweet Cheeks. On my first visit it would probably have been 3 stars because I really think the prices are a little too high. But after a second time of enjoying the pulled chicken, the amazing biscuits with honey butter, awesome sides, and tasty drinks I'm all over this 4 star restaurant. The service is great. The bartenders are on point. The food is delish! I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Apolinaras S.
So in Boston you have Blue Ribbon BBQ in the #1 spot and Sweet Cheeks is in close 2nd. BTW, some of you Red Bones fans, folks, try the two places above and you will understand why Red Bones to BBQ is what McDonalds is to gourmet hamburger. OK, back to BBQ. My thing is the brisket. It is damn good. Skip the pulled pork. Don't know why, but pulled BBQ chicken is much more moist and delicious. But wait, there is something Sweet Cheeks has no other BBQ joint in Boston has - GIANT BISCUITS! And I mean they are fraking giant! You finish one and there is very little space left in your stomach for the rest of the meal. So get them, but share share share!
(4)
Winnie H.
Overrated and Overpriced. This is the first time we dine in Sweet Cheeks. the server did not explained the menu items but just left us there for about 20 minutes. we ordered the beef brisket and the buttermilk fried chicken. the chicken was undercooked, the meat was still attached to the bone with all the veins. we asked the server if we could sent it back and get somethig else instead. The got the half natural chicken instead. When we cut it, the juice was still running in dark pink/red color. Check with the server and was being told that "its supposed to be like that" would not go back and recommend to anyone.
(1)
Jared H.
I finally was able to give this place a try and I am happy I did. After reading all the reviews here on yelp, I decided to get the biscuits as an appetizer. They did not disappoint! They come out fresh and fluffy but the best part is the honey butter that gets served with it. We split the fat cheeks tray which is 3 meats and 2 sides. For the meats we had pulled pork, brisket and sausage. I really enjoyed the pulled pork, it was tender and had a great smoky flavor. The brisket was sliced thick and was also really smokey. It was a little fatty but I was able to cut it away. The sausage was just ok, nothing really special. For the sides we had the Mac & Cheese and the farm salad. The mac and cheese is very cheddary which i loved. It was thick and gooey, definitely recommend. The farm salad was also great, it has nuts, parmesan and grapes. Overall it was definitely a good meal.
(4)
Christine C.
So as someone who grew up in the south, I'm always on the lookout for a place that can give me a little taste of home. Well, this wasn't it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't southern. It was someone's interpretation of what they tried when they visited the south. The thing that threw me was the cost. It was so expensive. That's what made it totally not worth it for me. Rundown on what was absolutely NOT you would get in GA. These tasted nothing like what you think you should be getting: Hush puppies - some kind of weird glaze on them. Mac & cheese - I can't put my finger on it but I think it was too cheddar-y Fried okra - they left it as whole slices and cooked them in a tempura like batter. Sweet tea - not sweet! Now that's just not right. Things that were good: Fried chicken - I like how they brine the chicken to keep it moist but the crust was very salty Blackeyed peas - just yummy Ribs and brisket - good smoke but the two BBQ sauces were not great and not enough of a variety. The things that were good were not good enough to make me want to go back because it was too expensive. Frankly there's a place that I go to in the burbs that's a little more authentic and less expensive.
(2)
D J.
Don't let the faux Texas setting fool you, this is an east coast interpretation of Texas BBQ. Will upon entering the place I was spirited away back to the south by the awesome smell of smoked meat. I found the food to be heavily rich in sodium and the food to be close but not just right. This is probably the closest a Yankee will get to a genuine church BBQ though. The most outstanding thing I had were the potato skins/chips. There is enough food with this side to feed 4-5 people. They have a great bourbon selection rarity up north and a decent stock of beer too. Hope they add Corona to it, this big down south and you can't have true Texas BBQ without it.
(3)
X O.
I was a lil weary going in since I had seen some bad reviews but I thought it was pretty good. The biscuits are a must have, the butter it comes with...killer! -but they give you for 4 huge ones! We took the remaining too home. If you're a group of two its good to share the meal! It is a lot of food! It is a bit on the salty side but not unbearable as it says in one of the past reviews -I was worried about that bc I don't like salty food. I would say its a little saltier than I'd want it but I was still able to eat and enjoy it with 2 glasses of water. It was crowded and we sat at the bar, service was fine. I gave it a 3 rating because I thought the food was good but I have had better. I would still recommend this restaurant to people who want to eat bbq. I might be biased bc there are so many good bbq restaurants where I'm from and I was only visiting the area.
(3)
Ashley K.
A friend and I ordered some food, then decided we probably should have tried the biscuits, because they were EVERYWHERE and they smelled divine. The food came out super quickly and the biscuits followed. My ribs were great and I loved the beans. Wasn't a big fan of the cole slaw - too oniony for my liking. My friend had beef brisket which was excellent, and some awesome mac and cheese; she wasn't too big of a fan of the broccoli side. We both really liked the bbq sauce that comes in the bigger container on the tables. Our waiter was friendly, but there were a couple other people we interacted with (who picked up our plates and gave us to go containers) that we thought were quite rude, which was a disappointing part of the otherwise pretty great experience. BUT - the biscuits. the honey butter. omg. so good. I would go there just for a drink and some biscuits. I thought it was a little expensive compared to some bbq places I'm used to, but I'll definitely be back, even if it's just for a bucket o' biscuits (bucket o' heaven).
(4)
Alex A.
Good stuff. Sat outside for dinner. One of the bartenders acts as your server which is convenient. The person is going to be at the bar or in your vicinity, they are fine taking your order at the bar. Went up for drinks and placed my food order at the same time, minimal checking up, everything went well.
(4)
Stacey L.
Fantastic BBQ definitely the best I've had in the Boston area. Came in on a Saturday night around 8pm without a reservation. It was busy (told ~45min wait) but we were able find a seat at the counter seats against the windows. These seats are first come, first serve but you still get full service. We ordered drinks and the waiter highly suggested the biscuits which I agree were awesome. These were tallest, fluffiness biscuits with a delicious whipped honey butter. I had the brisket tray with the broccoli casserole and cole slaw. My boyfriend had the brisket sandwich on Texas toast with potato salad and baked beans. Both meals were delicious!!
(5)
Wendy C.
Trust me on this one. Put the pork belly on a biscuit with pickles, onions, hot sauce, and the Carolina sauce. You are welcome.
(5)
Ally G.
The pulled pork was okay nothing special, the same with the ribs and pulled chicken. The highlights were the sausage, brisket, and pork belly. The farm house salad and collard greens were amazing. I loved the farm house salad so much I am going to try and make it at home. The drinks were okay. Nothing that wowed me especially at $11 a pop. I'd go back but probably not for a while.
(3)
Pam C.
I FORGOT TO ORDER THE BISCUIT!!! NO IDEA HOW THAT HAPPENED. So now, I"ll have to go back, one day. Got a 2 meat tray of pulled pork and brisket. Meat was very good. Brisket had a little too much fat in it, but would still order again. There were 3 sauces on the table for your meats. A tomato & molasses, which was my favorite A vinegar based sauce, which was ok. There was a smaller bottle of a habanero corriander that was SPICY! For my 2 sides, I got the mac n cheese, which was pretty good and the farm salad, which was EXCELLENT. I could make a whole meal of that salad. It consisted of arugula, roasted brussel sprouts, grapes, farro and macadamia nuts.
(3)
Kathryn S.
My third visit to Sweet Cheeks! And it's better every time! The brisket and pulled chicken I love! Fried green tomatoes, watermelon salad, greens and black eyed peas are almost as good as grandmas! (Sorry Grandma) I have to say the bucket of biscuits made my mouth water because they looked and smelled so good! My husband loved them and said the sweet butter was the best! I will bring more to try Sweet Cheeks and know they will be fans!
(5)
Becca D.
The food is good but waitstaff is abysmal. The hostess directed us to the beer garden to sit where there were no available seats and then made us wait forty minutes for a table, while six tables remained empty the entire time.
(2)
Marissa H.
Oh Sweet Cheeks. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I'm going to start by saying I picked this place for my birthday while I was a vegetarian. I was a vegetarian, who chose a BBQ place. No, I didn't get meat, I literally went just for the sides. Their hush puppies are God's gift to man and come with an amazing maple sour cream. They give you six per serving which is pretty filling. The mac and cheese is also what you'd expect from a BBQ place -- amazing! The real stars are the biscuits. They're HUGE and the honey butter it comes with is drool-worthy. In the summer they also have this great cheesy grilled corn which I'd definitely suggest taking advantage of while supplies last. This is an amazing find by the fenway area, if you haven't gone already, make your way over ASAP.
(5)
Debrin S.
We stumbled upon this gem after a concert. Seek & find if you are in Boston! The scents of wood smoke, meat on the grill, the blues coming through the speakers & the huge buttery biscuits are all so coma inducing... In a good way ;) Awesome servers- they totally know their stuff! Get their recommendations. STRONG ample cocktails off their cocktail menu could make you lean a little in your chair. Take note! Don't skip the "sides" here! They aren't just filler. They are ridiculous; Cole slaw is tangy and crunchy w/o it being in a soup of mayo, house made pickles are addictive, Mac & cheese is cheesy & tasty & ultra rich. But the killer is the biscuits. Huge, golden, slight crunchy exterior, layered, buttery, pillows inside served w honey butter. Who knew this is what a real biscuit tasted like...dreamy. And all of their table sauces are made in house. BBQ, sweet, hot, vinegary- they've nailed it. Fantastic fried chicken; moist & tender, perfectly fried golden w just the right amount of spice. The other three shared the Big Rig w Berkshire pork belly, pulled pork & the brisket is done right and perfectly smoked. We just had to have dessert despite being stuffed to the gills and it was too yummy! Everything was excellent. If you have a love of Q, go here!
(5)
Jesse D.
I was disappointed, truly existentially disappointed, at the quality of their food (especially given the price). The meats were not phenomenal, in an attempt to sample as wide a variety as possible I ordered a three meat combo plus sides. The sausage was the best of the meats, the ribs were inedible with the quantity of fat on them, and the brisket (which is my usual favourite at barbecue) was the second worst I've ever had. The sides were not stellar either. We had to send the hush puppies back because they brought them out burnt. The biscuits were the only truly decent thing about the meal. The mac 'n' cheese was mostly bread crumbs. The slaw was far too vinegar-y. I didn't particularly care for any of the sauces. The best thing was the Captain Eli's root beer (which unfortunately cannot be counted towards sweet cheeks' score). It was insanely packed which I do not count against it, but merely mention as a heads up. I would love to give them a try on a less busy night because I would like to believe the curt service and mediocre food were a symptom of the bustling dining room but due to the price I can't imagine gambling another $30+ on this place. P.S. both people I was with were also very disappointed in their meals of pulled pork and chicken as well.
(1)
Amy B.
Sweet Cheeks means gluttony. When I go there, I know that no matter how conservatively I order, I'm going to waddle out with my belly turgid, my pants straining, and my mouth happy. First things first: Drinks. I primarily order beer at Sweet Cheeks thanks to their interesting and well-selected draft beer list. There's always something good on there to try or an old favorite to revisit. I've also tried some of the cocktails, which are delicious but very small. The best bang for your buck and wet for your whistle is the craft beer. Now on to food. I used to order the biscuit appetizers, because YES. They come in a serving of four gigantic biscuits. I've always eaten at Sweet Cheeks as half of a pair, so the size of the appetizer meant my friend and I heroically attempting to eat two biscuits each plus our meals. Then I learned an amazing secret: You can order ONE biscuit a la carte. So now I am able to exercise moderation AND indulgence in one go. For the actual meal, I've only ever had one thing: The brisket tray. I think the brisket is pretty delicious, and haven't felt the need to stray. For sides, I like the macaroni and cheese and the farm salad (especially because the latter allows me to brag about my "healthy lifestyle with fresh veggies at every meal"). I think they might have dessert here, but by the time I've crammed all of the aforementioned goodness into my person I am no longer capable of contemplating it. If you've made it to the end of a Sweet Cheeks meal and can even think about dessert, you're more of a man than I am.
(4)
Nick S.
Seriously wasn't sure what to expect. I mean seriously - one doesn't automatically connect BBQ w/Boston; well, one should. This woman is not playin' games . You owe it to your belly to introduce it to #SweetCheeksBoston
(4)
Jetson L.
This is my favorite restaurant on the planet, and I say that without exaggeration. I eat out a lot and have traveled extensively, and nothing touches my heart like Sweet Cheeks. Having eaten their entire menu on my dozen or more visits there, it's impossible for me to convey how truly phenomenal their food is. What follows is mostly praise; some loving criticism is at the bottom. First, they have the best biscuits on the planet. Their biscuits are massive, about 5 ounces each, and are served with house made honey butter. The biscuits are beautiful, pull apart bundles of warmth and joy. I served their biscuits at my Thanksgiving dinner. These biscuits cannot be oversold. $10 for 4 or $3 each. Do not miss this. Leftover biscuits microwave well at 30 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel. Do not refrigerate the whipped butter. This is for those occasions when you come alone and order biscuits to go...which I proudly do on the reg. Their meat is Texas style barbecue, dry rub served with sauce on the side. Their ribs are fantastically meaty and fatty but not overly so. Their brisket is incredible as well, very tender and flavorful. Their buttermilk fried chicken is great but I'm a pork lover and rarely order it. The sausage, pulled chicken, burnt ends (lunch only) are all high quality. Their beef short rib (great northern), which comes on and off the menu, is the best single piece of meat I have ever eaten, including steak from Figuera Rubaiyat, the best steakhouse in Brazil. It is massive, tender, meaty, a little fatty, with a great crust and all served on a giant dinosaur bone. Their side dishes are, incredibly, almost better than the meat. Notable standouts are the cheesy grits, better than you can find them anywhere; the broccoli casserole, which is cheesy and delicious; and the farm salad, which is beautifully balanced. Oh, and the carrot and raisin salad, when its on the menu, is probably my favorite salad. Their hot and crispies are phenomenal, and I was floored to see the hush puppies taken off the menu, which I heard was for quality control. They were served with maple sour cream, and I often had them for desert. Please bring them back. The fried tomatoes, fried okra, and salt and pepper potatoes are all great. Normally, however, a biscuit is a better appetizer for me. Desserts: the giant nutter butter is much softer and better than original nutter butters, think a giant soft cookie peanut butter sandwich. I had it once and it feeds 4 easily. I do not let myself order it because shoot, it's gotta be 3000 calories. The shortcake is lemon curd, fresh cream and berries on their biscuit, and is one of the best desserts I could imagine. The big rig, that thing in the corner that feeds 10? Order it. I did, for my birthday party, and it was a great decision. They do amazing cocktails- my sister swears by the Hillbilly Hooch- but I tend to save room for food. Their soft drinks are served in big old mason jars and are both adorable and generously portioned. The staff is attentive, friendly, and the place has a great atmosphere. As I truly love this restaurant- and I mean that wholeheartedly, I eat here on any possible occasion - there are still a few things I would change. It would be nice to know which favorite menu items are on or off during a given season; perhaps a blog would work? It hurts coming to the restaurant hankering for the short rib to find it has once again gone into hiding. I'm not a huge fan of the wedge salad, but of course tastes vary and I respect the opinion of the chef. The hush puppies need to come back promptly. Parking is nightmarish during Sox games, and the management is awesome for not allowing reservations for more than half the restaurant. However, it would be really meaningful if they could make some arrangement for customer parking during game time. Also, the lack of cheesy grits at lunch is devastating. Overall, Sweet Cheeks embodies everything that makes me love dining out. The food is impeccable and satisfying and far exceeds the quality any amateur could really produce at home. The variety and experimentation of the menu make this a place worth visiting again and again. The thoughtfulness and quality put into all the food and service combine with the gastronomic excellence to make this more than just amazing food, but amazing dining.
(5)
Megan I.
Had a fabulous time at Sweet Cheeks last night after the Red Sox game. When we got there it was an hour and fifteen minute wait. Luckily we had made a reservation. It was packed so we grabbed a few beers from their outdoor bar and waited while our table was set up, it maybe took 10 minutes. Then the BBQ, oh my god. We started with the biscuits which are a meal in themselves, the butter is delicious. I had the beef brisket tray which was heaven, it was so tender. Also had the Mac n cheese and salad, wow the sides were amazing, especially the Mac n cheese. My husband had some great ribs, fall of the bone but still cut nice and clean. Did not have room for dessert unfortunately. We will definitely be back next time we're in Boston!
(5)
Dawne P.
This place is amazing!! My only suggestions would be less mushy sausage and more finely chopped coleslaw!!
(5)
Tracy S.
Sweet Cheeks is a cure BBQ joint and bar by Fenway. It's a great place to stop before or after a game. It is open and airy and has a friendly country feel. Here is outdoor seating when it is nice it which is a plus. The drink prices are fair. I went with a large group and the bartenders were very friendly and accommodating. We definitely kept them busy and they were great. The Dolly Parton was a hint too lemon-y but still good. The Churchill cocktail was unexpectedly pink and strong. It was about $8 which I think is very reasonable. We didn't really get food, we just got a small hush puppies plate. It was so good! The sauce was delicious. I'd get it again. And I'll definitely go back to sweet cheeks!
(4)
Sam C.
Sweet Cheeks is a SOLID choice. The drinks are always strong. Biscuits are always to die for. And I may or may not have dreams about the Farm Salad, but I think there is serious hype going on, that comes around because there isn't too much real BBQ in the Boston area. Don't get me wrong, I dig Sweet Cheeks but it is expensive, loud and doesn't have an overwhelming selection.
(3)
Julia C.
This is one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants - I'm not usually super keen on going back to same places, but we've been back at least a couple dozen times! MUST TRY: 1) Biscuits and honey butter. It really is worth all the hype! 2) Fried okra. My goodness gracious. Get this if it's the only thing you're getting here . 3) Monday ramen nights when they offer it during colder months. I know, I know, ramen at a BBQ place sounds weird, but trust me, it's some of the best ramen I've had in Boston. My favorites are the lobster, roasted pork, and fried chicken (!) Get: 1) Some meat: Brisket OR fried chicken OR ribs (in that order) 2) Farm salad 3) Collard greens 4) Broccoli casserole 5) Bourbon cocktails 6) A beer on their fantastic craft brew menu Skip: 1) Potato salad 2) Fried tomatoes 3) Grits 4) Bringing along your vegetarian friends
(5)
Jevay G.
Overall I had a good experience. We started with the biscuits which were fluffy but not the most flavorful. The honey butter was definitely a necessity. After doing my research I ordered the fried chicken and well... it was DELICIOUS!!! They gave you half a chicken and it was so much food! For sides I got the broccoli casserole with was ok, good flavor but it was the farmer salad which knocked my socks off! I know how is salad so good, well they have figure it out! My meal was topped off with the delicious hot sauce they had. Overall I would give my meal 4.5/5 My classmate had the brisket and pork belly. The pork belly was beyond good, the brisket wasn't bad but nothing as special as the chicken or the pork belly. He had coleslaw and mac and cheese as his sides and he liked them, but I thought they were below par. Overall I would give his meal a 3/5 I would recommend this restaurant but not for everything but definitely the fried chicken and pork belly! Next time I will have to give their ribs a try.
(3)
Tiffany F.
This review is for Monday night ramen: This past Monday was the last day of Monday night ramen for the season and to say I'll miss it is an understatement. I've tried two different kinds: lobster and duck. Both are phenomenal! While it may seem strange that a BBQ joint serves up ramen, chef Tiffani knows what she's doing and manages to blend traditional Japanese flavors and ingredients with untraditional meat pairings. The untraditional broth will surely make your taste buds come alive! If you missed it this winter, next winter is a must. You'll regret not going, I promise.
(5)
Keisha R.
Meh. I echo the sentiments of those who say the food is beyond mediocre. I had the natural pulled chicken with mac n cheese, and if I don't end up sick it'll be nothing short of a miracle. The meat was cold and bland, and the mac straight from a box with flavorless crumbs on top. Tragic. 3 stars only for the great service (midday lunch, no crowd) and breezy, comfy, bugless patio setting. It was my primary reason for stopping in. I refused to pay $10 for 4 biscuits so I didn't get to see what the hoopla was. The "Federale" cocktail was equally tragic; I am not joking it tasted exactly like grapefruit juice. It was supposed to be a "spicy margarita". My goodness. Tragic waste of $24.
(3)
Patrick D.
Surprisingly authentic southern BBQ all the way up in Boston. Have dined here twice and definitely recommend making reservations for dinner; it gets really packed on the weekends! You NEED to start off with the biscuits. They are filled with warm buttery goodness. As FOR entrees, definitely do one of the platters because it will come with a HUGE portion of meat and then a hot and a cold side. The broccoli bake or ranch beans come in a mug as hot sides and there's a few great salads as cold ones too. Platters come with pickles and onions and you can also ask for white bread if you please for no additional charge. The meat comes without any BBQ sauce on it, there's 3 different sauces in jars already on the table so you can add as much or as little as you want. Really nice to be able to control the spice level and how saucy you want your meat. Big big portions so be prepared to wrap up some for lunch the next day. For the quantity of food you get, the prices are very reasonable. For drinks, there's a wide beer selection and some really unique cocktails that are all served in jars. The spicy tequila/jalapeno cocktail is a favorite. Best place in Boston if your craving some BBQ!
(5)
Mika S.
I love the rustic feel of Sweet Cheeks, with their woodsy interior, metal trays and camping mugs. My boyfriend and I split the Northern Beef Brisket sandwich on a bulkie roll, the Berkshire Pulled Pork on texas toast, a biscuit, the coleslaw and the cheddar broccoli casserole. I highly recommend getting a sandwich rather than just the meat because it tastes so much better on texas toast. Between the two meats, I preferred the brisket a lot more, because it was unbelievably tender and juicy - I actually found the pulled pork to be a bit dry and tasteless. Between the sides, my favourite was the broccoli cheddar casserole by far - it was so good, that I am trying to find more recipes like it. But most importantly, do NOT leave Sweet Cheeks without trying a biscuit!
(5)
Michele J.
Not impressed by taste, service, nor value. I had the prime rib brisket platter with the potato salad and mac n' cheese. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich. We also ordered the fried green tomatoes. The flavors were nothing to really get excited about, however the tenderness of the brisket was great. Comparing to places like M & M's food truck and Tennessee's, this place is not one I'll come back to.
(3)
Michael Z.
Felt like a very clean bbq experience with dishes that were made of quality ingredients. I thought the Cobb salad was a bit small and the dishes were all slightly over price. The mac and cheese definitely doesn't hold back on the cheese and the salads that accompany the meat plates are pretty solid.
(4)
Idy T.
I love ribs and can't seem to find any good BBQ places around Boston. I thought I was going to finally get some good BBQ ribs but sadly, I was not that impressed with Sweet Cheeks. They serve the entrees in trays and you have the option to choose different selections of meat and 2 sides. I tried the berkshire pork ribs (1/2 slab) and pulled pork. The ribs and pulled pork lacked the smoky flavor that I was looking for. The ribs were also a little dry. I had to dab it in a lot of sauce to add more flavor to the dish. Also, the BBQ sauces that they have on the side are also not that special. It was a little runny and I personally prefer a thicker sauce with my BBQ. The sides are also not that impressive. For the sides I got grits and cole slaw. The cole slaw was super chunky and tasted very onion-y. I wish there was more acidity and for it to be more thinly sliced. The grits however, was very delicious. It was warm and fluffy. It was comforting eating the cheesy grits. I would say that was the star of my meal. I also ordered some biscuits on the side. The biscuits are huge! They also serve it with honey butter. They biscuits were also really good. It was light and flaky and went really well with the honey butter. The place gets very crowded. I had to sit at the bar during my visit. I suggest making reservations if you decide to dine here. After eating at Sweet Cheeks, I am still on the search for a good BBQ place in Boston!
(3)
Averi I.
Didn't have an actual meal here, just biscuits and drinks, but let me say the biscuits were *fire emoji* good. Twice the size of a standard portion and served warm so the honey butter melts right in. Yeah, bruh. The classic rock playlist is also *fire emoji* strong. Great spot to sit back for a while around good food.
(4)
Jenna C.
I think this is the second Top Chef restaurant I've been to, with the first being Ink in LA. And actually, I prefer this delicious BBQ! This was our last meal in Boston, and definitely unforgettable. The biscuits were fluffy and rich. My pulled pork was tender and juicy. The mac and cheese was creamy. The collard greens were perfectly briny. The salad was flavorful. Everything was just so on point. And the portions were huge! I wish I took a picture of the to-go packing job... they literally used 20 little boxes for each of our 3 meals, to divide up all the little dishes. They were very friendly, but no Tiffany sighting. Ugh, why'd I write this review, now I just want a biscuit!
(5)
JO. C.
OMG! This is the place that you have to go, no matter what! The biscuit is a masterpiece in this restaurant- soft and crispy crust, yellow-browned apparel, and creamy-white biscuit belly. The secret sauce is Honey-butter cream. They can't live without each other, so try them together! The rib, brisket, pull-pork, and steak are too tasty to be true. The side dishes magically match the main courses, so that you won't get tired of the food.
(5)
Catie C.
This is bar far the best BBQ joint in Boston. What I don't like about other joints is that the rib were too dry. The ribs here looked dry and chewy; but in reality, they were opposite. It was tender! I was disappointed that there were no choice of ribs. I personally prefer baby rack which this restaurant does not offer. The other BBQ selections were yummy in texture and flavor. I didn't really care for the sides. Those did not wow me. I normally don't have much of a desire for biscuits. I must say that I really enjoyed the biscuit here. The flavor.. The moisture.. The butter.. Mouth watering! If only they sell it by piece. Another hard to find but done well here is the sweet tea. It's not sugar water. I can actually taste the tea just like I was having it in the South! I'm not sure if it's bottomless; but it was a ginormous mason jar glass. As for the decor, I love the rustic/industrial look. Mason jars, metal trays, tin cans.. The service was basic and friendly. It was busy when we were there so I wasn't expecting a chatty service.
(4)
Stephanie K.
Awesome bbq right in Boston. We had tickets to Red sox and didn't want to eat over prices bad park food. Just a quick walk down Boylston st and we sat right down. I had the buttermilk fried chicken with the farm salad and mac n cheese. The chicken was moist and crunchy. The mac n cheese was creamy and topped with Ritz cracker. My husband for the 3 meat plate with pulled pork and chicken and the ribs. The pork and chicken were both moist and full of flavor. The only reason they didn't get 5 stars is that the ribs were too salty. Oh and the biscuits yum yum yum where like a warm moist piece of cake with the sweet butter!!!
(4)
Angelica C.
This was real GREAT BBQ. I had the ribs---fall off the bone good; brisket---super tender and yummy burnt ends (my fave); humongous biscuits w/ honey butter---amazingly moist/tender (mouth watering as I type this up). Apart from the food, the service was fab, Phil was great host. The do not split checks for big parties so plan to divi up how you can/do.
(5)
Aaron K.
Sweet Cheeks is going to give you some terrific sweet cheeks for your auntie to pinch because you are going to eat more than you should. And you're going to love it. The BBQ is on point. This is not your small greasy bbq joint. It's a bit more expensive, but the quality of food is a lot better. The pork belly is something you don't see at other bbq places around and it's delicious. Slightly charred on the outside, soft and fatty on the inside. Yum. If you're feeling like a splurge try the short rib (from my 1st visit to last it went from 28-$35). My friend enjoyed this a lot and it looked amazing. Sides are not write off. My favorite is the farm salad, which usually includes brussel sprouts and some type of fruit such as a grape or raisin. May sound strange but it's wildly refreshing and tasty. Mac and Cheese is another good side done right. You can't come here and not try the biscuit! They allow them to be ordered one piece at a time for 3$ I believe and it's worth every penny. Honestly you can split one between 2 people. It's that huge. The honey butter that it's served with is damn near perfection. If you're trying to get your body beach ready I would skip this place. But most of the year in Boston we're preparing for the cold and there's nothing like some good BBQ to pack on the pounds.
(4)
Court S.
It was a very cold Saturday. My friend was visiting from London and we made plans for a bite before she left town. We had a lot to catch up on so we needed to be seated comfortably and not feel rushed to dine and dash. We arrived at Sweet Cheeks with our appetites in tow ready to chow down. Drinks: Sweet tea and Mary Palmer. Sweet tea is non alcoholic, regular iced tea. The Mary Palmer was vodka, jasmine tea, grapefruit juice and something else which I can't remember. It was too sour & tart for my taste so I could barely drink it. I'm not the type to ever send anything back, so I drank water instead. Biscuits and honey butter: Amazing. The biscuits are huge and warm, absorbing and melting the sweet honey butter. Fried green tomatoes: delicious and filing. Four generously sized tomato slices. Mac and cheese/cheddar broccoli casserole: both were delicious and cheesy with crumbled ritz crackers that give that extra crunch. Potato salad/coleslaw: fresh and flavorful. Both were tasty and complimented the other sides I ordered. SC makes their own specialty sauces to pour over your meat dishes. I'm a vegetarian and enjoyed the non meat dishes but any carnivore will have a field day here & be pleased with the variety of meat. This is the perfect place to dine and catch up because the food is very good, the portions are generous & the service was friendly.
(4)
Alicia G.
Went here for mother's day for lunch. It was pretty empty so we got seated right away. The waitress was very nice and had an answer for all of our questions. We each ordered a different cocktail, but they were out of whiskey or something so I had to get something else. I ended up with the Heartless Jezebel, which was decent. The biscuits and butter is amazing. Really delicious. I got the brisket with mac & cheese and some kind of broccoli casserole as sides. The sides were great. The brisket, not so much. I was basically presented a mushy plate of fat. I couldn't even take more than two bites. I ended up just eating the sides and bringing some of the fat home to feed my dog. Probably won't go back, unless it's just for cocktails and biscuits.
(3)
Rani P.
It's about time Boston has a true, BBQ joint with finger lickin' pieces of heaven, hot and cold sides, and a spiked sweet tea. Not surprised to find Ian G., who opened Russell House and SDLT, bringing his magic to this fantastic Fenway joint. The place is packed every night- but any wait is worth it. The hot and cold sides are all delicious, I recommend the Mac&Cheese and raisin carrot salad. My brisket might have been the best I've ever had- juicy, meaty, and didn't even need extra BBQ sauce. Dessert impressed me as much as the meal- the plate size nutter butter cookie can be split by 3, and still properly stuff and satisfy. It will be hard to not come here every day, but the to-go bag was full with leftovers for a week! The prices are reasonable, and trust me- it is worth every penny. The portions are huge, and trust me- you WILL hurt a bit on the walk home. And finally, you can trust me when I say there's a reason why Paula Deen is a diabetic, and I don't blame her.
(5)
Melissa M.
i really enjoyed my recent visit to sweet cheeks - and i will definitely be going back. i would say that sweet cheeks easily beats out redbones as far as quality and taste goes, but i still stand by east coast grill's ribs as the best i have had in boston. i really wish i could give it a 3 and a half star rating but i feel more inclined to round down rather than up based on a few things. the good: -really easy menu to order off of - they go for quality over quantity and i appreciate that i didn't have to rifle through a cheesecake factory sized menu. redbones should take note. -delicious cocktails and a decent bourbon menu. -seated upon arrival and no wait time. -amazing homemade biscuits with honey butter. -i tried the 2 meat combo and out of the short ribs and the pulled chicken, i really though their "stand out" was the pulled chicken. the things i would improve: -i really wanted to put some killer sauce on my average tasting ribs. the sauces were just ok but nothing really stood out about them. -to many staff people came to our table at what i think was inappropriate intervals - we literally had someone at our table every 4-5 minutes either cleaning something off or checking it, which made us feel rushed. let people be for a bit so they can enjoy their meal in peace, at least for ten whole minutes without interruption. maybe during a game day i would understand them working at this level, but that was not the case here. i am really looking forward to going back, it's a fun place with some tasty food - but next time i go i'd like to not feel so rushed.
(4)
chermaine y.
Went on a thursday night and it wasn't crowded. The service was ok. I got the ribs and pork belly. Pork belly was a lil salty and ribs were slightly tough. The barbecue sauce was over powered by the vinegar.The collard greens were nicely seasoned, mac and cheese was good but the potato sald was bland needed more seasoning. The biscuits and butter were better than the actual food. I was disappointed at the end of the night when me and my friend asked to get a box for our food and we found that the waitress mixed our food together and put both plates in one box. I wouldnt go back on that fact alone.
(2)
Chris C.
Sweet Cheeks -- you've won me over. I've never been disappointed with the array of BBQ options in Boston. But I've never been blown away, until last night. The quality at Sweet Cheeks is several notches higher than other well-established BBQ retreats such Blue Ribbon and Redbones.That said, you will find lovers and haters slopping BBQ sauce and pork grease all over their faces here, and I'm no different. So, how do I know I love this place? Three words: Berkshire Pork Ribs. They were part of my $26 Fat Cheeks tray and somewhat of red-headed step-child compared to the tray's companions -- pork belly and brisket. My first foray into the 14,000 foot peak of meat focused on the pork belly. Our server recommended that dish or the Pineland Farms Short Ribs. The belly was tender and juicy, easily carved by my simple table knife. However, I found it a bit bland and lacking the pallet-explosion elements of the other two meats. Would I recommend trying it? Absolutely. Would I sprint through crowds of women and small children to make sure my taste buds were satiated? Probably not. Thus, the first thought traversing my synapses was one of delight but not sheer stupefaction. The smoke ring was visually impressive. I next delved into the brisket. Absolutely an improvement over the belly and laced with the salty and smoky crust I had hoped for. It didn't melt easily in my mouth, but wasn't causing my molars to crack left and right either. Worth noting is the fact that the specific brisket cuts bordered on burnt ends; therefore, the aforementioned characteristics are absolutely expected. Mixed with a moderate helping of the restaurant's BBQ sauce, there were absolutely enjoyable. Recommendation worthy. Until this point, I had ignored the ribs. Ribs of any kind typically do not find themselves on my plate. Instead, many of the other pork variations are typically aligned at right angles on my plate. Not having thought of them up to that moment, I clamped down and easily pulled some meat off the bone. Wow. Enchanting. Covered in a rub formulated by BBQ gods and seasoned with exactly the right amount of salt, I couldn't get enough. They were by far the best component of the tray and the only thing I finished. Like a lunatic, I demanded that the server ensure the bones were kept in my carry-out box. But I don't have a dog. A small batch of stock will need to be created from their expertly crafted internals and external layering. Recommendation worthy? Hell yeah! In fact, I would strap a jet-pack on my back and fly over the crowd of women and small children to try just a single rib. The most telling fact is what I could conclude would happen during subsequent visits -- focusing exclusively on the ribs and ordering no other primary meats. Really. Of course, one must consume a beverage while partaking in BBQ debauchery. An Otter Creek Black IPA was my companion. Another reviewer commented on the lack of IPA choices and I echo that opinion. There aren't many. But if you like more whiskey variations than you can remember, you're in luck.
(5)
R H.
Chicken wings and brisket were excellent, but the sausage was flat out bad. Be prepared for a hefty bill as the prices are steep.
(3)
Luca R.
Very nice ambiance. Solid service. The sides were decent and the biscuits were awesome, probably the best part of the meal. The meat was terrible - no flavor. I don't know how this place calls itself barbecue because it's really not. The prices were also pretty steep. So far Blue Ribbon is the best bbq I've had in MA.
(2)
J. W.
The food and portion size is much much better since it opened.
(4)
P C.
This place was on our list for new/good/interesting places in the Boston area. Also being a Top Chef fan, my wife and I had above average hopes. Came here for dinner on Sunday night. First impressions was ok, typical layout with some shared long tables, old signs on the wall, mason jars for glasses, normal stuff for a BBQ joint. A decent amount of people dining but we got seated immediately. The waiter was friendly, funny, quirky guy who took care of us the entire dinner. Menu was ok, nothing out of the ordinary, kudos for using "local" Berkshire meat. I ordered a brisket tray w/ Cole slaw and mac'n cheese; the wife had a pulled pork tray w/ carrot& raisin salad and broccoli casserole. At first sight, it was a good size portion of meat and sides. First taste....well the meat was a big letdown! Looked good, fairly tender but tasteless. I could see the pink smoke ring but couldn't taste it? Dry rub? Where? on the meat? Both the pulled pork & brisket were tasteless. So tasteless meat, throw some sauce on it. Nope, the sauces didn't do it for us. BBQ was a bit too tomatoe-y, ketchup-y for our liking. The vinegar "North Carolina" sauce was tangy as the waiter said, but not that good. The hot sauce was hot with no taste. Sides were ok, not bad but we've had better. I got one rib to try, not impressed. I make better ribs in my backyard with a $60 walmart smoker. Overall, not impressed. Having lived in Beantown for a while now, I immediately think of 3 other places that are better. Maybe you think I'm a BBQ snob, but being satisfied is what it's all about and this place didn't do it.
(2)
Tommy T.
I must say, this is the best BBQ place in Boston! Great feel, great atmosphere, great food! Check it out, you will NOT be disappointed.
(5)
Kim D.
*for drinks and appetizers only* My friend and I ventured here after watching a movie. I got a whiskey inspired cocktail and she got a cocktail that was like an arnold palmer (I forgot both names). We ordered a few appetizers which were huge portions and heavy but it's a given for a southern bbq joint. I loved our cocktails but food was so so. Bartender was super friendly.
(3)
Daniel R.
This place just isn't very good. $10, 4 biscuits. Seriously? $5 PBR, really? $5 Narraganset, no way... My wife had a pulled chicken sandwich with sides of mac & cheese and "farm salad". I had a burnt ends sandwich with baked beans and potato salad. Her pulled chicken was as boring as could be. With a crock pot and a few hours, I could have made it myself. Her salad and mac & cheese were decent, but far from spectacular. My burnt ends were dreadful. For anyone who has ever had burnt ends, you know there should be a difference in consistency and texture than shredded beef. The closest I can compare this to texture wise was Chipotle's barbacoa. It just wasn't good. The potato salad was OK. I would have preferred a jar of Bush's to the baked beans. Two sandwich platters, biscuits, and a sweet tea and after tax and tip we're almost at $70. That's just uncalled for. I guess I can't really blame them for that...the prices were right on the menu, but I just don't get it. Have they never been to another bbq joint? Other people seem to really like this place, so I can't blame you for taking their word over mine, but it was a huge miss for me. Oh, and not for nothing, they've got the music way wrong here. They claim to serve "authentic texas barbecue" and they've got a soundtrack more fit for a Johnny Rocket's playing in the background. Do your research, man!
(2)
Samuel F.
The BBQ here wasn't the best I've ever had, but it certainly was satisfying. The sides were very good (including the farmhouse salad), and the biscuits were heavenly. The selection of drinks is extensive. The service was friendly, though a bit slow. But they managed to seat our large party, even though we came in mere minutes before the kitchen was scheduled to close. Overall, was a tasty (and huge) meal. The meats could be more heavily sauced. But despite the complaints from some other reviewers about the table-side sauces, I thought the house hot-sauce was very good.
(4)
Jeff Q.
Was really excited to come here, been meaning to do it since I relocated to Boston. It may just be the reality of BBQ on the east coast but I wasn't floored nor was I disappointed here. The cuts of meat they offer are great, loved the pork belly and the brisket. Biscuits were great as well. The actual bbq flavor was just so-so here. The only real knock on this place is entirely personal. It is really loud and the club music is kind of obnoxious, not really what I'm looking for in a BBQ place. In the end, it was good but I won't make a point of coming back.
(3)
Angela C.
The biscuits are so good!! Definitely worth the trip just to have some. I'm not a fan of their pulled pork...it was a lot greasier than I'm used to but the fried chicken was delicious, as are their potato salads, Mac and cheese and broccoli and cheese casserole. Their staff is always friendly and very accommodating and helpful. Really love the atmosphere. Definitely will be back.
(4)
Ryan G.
To put it simply, souther food shouldn't be made into a gourmet kind of thing. Sure they made it pretty hipster with the iron trays and serving drinks in jars; but if you're like me, you really just want good BBQ and great friend chicken and the decor and supplements are a small side bonus...but again, to reiterate, small...bonus To firstly state, the FOOD HERE DESERVES FOUR STARS! It is actually pretty good BBQ. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the fried chicken. I think its the best thing on the menu. The mac and cheese is also a definite must, but most of their sides are pretty good and can't really go wrong. I guess the main reason I give this 3 stars is what you get for the price. Although the food is great, servers are nice, great drinks, great decor: you really pay for an experience. I RECOMMEND YOU TRY THIS PLACE. But let me tell you, you can easily drop 30 bucks for something that should be 15... SIDE NOTE: good place to hang out and watch a sports game! lots of TVs, good beers, good drinks, manly food (HELLA MEAT DUH) so would definitely recommend this place for that.
(3)
Kelsey M.
Went here for my birthday. The decor and mason drinking glasses feed into the southern country bumpkin stereotype to the point of being offensive. The different BBQ sauces on the table taste nothing like the real sauces of the regions they claim. The food was decent but nothing to swoon about. The quest to find good/awesome BBQ/Smoked food continues.
(3)
Heather G.
3.5 stars? You mean to tell me I have a MORE favorable opinion of a restaurant than the general population? Ladies and gentlemen, we have a first. This may never have happened before. Let's break this down to its simplest form, though. The meat here: NOT GOOD. Every BBQ-d or braised or smoked piece of ANYTHING here has been mediocre. 2.5-3-stars. Never great. Ever. However, the sides...well, the sides are special. The sides have never been bad, none of them. I'm pretty sure i've had them all, and they're all fantastic. The drinks are STELLAR, the prices are cheap, and the biscuits....well to quote my favorite professor talking about private equity: "It's a lot like sex. When it's good, it's really good. When it's bad...it's still pretty good." Same goes for these biscuits. Even on an off-day, the sweet butter makes them at-least OK. So now for the breakdown: If you order a "tray", it comes with 1 hot and 1 cold side, a main-meat (hah, like man-meat. I'm a child), and two slices of white bread (really? white bread? Replace the white bread slice please with one of those giant biscuits and you can charge another couple bucks for the same thing! No one eats that white bread, so you're just losing margin on the Wonderbread loaves being discarded at a massive clip). So, let's talk about the meat. The pork belly option is fatty and delicious, but not advisable to order as a tray...it's too rich to have more than one small slab of belly, and you will soon get tired of throwing chunks of fat down your gullet. The pork ribs are a better option - they're smokey with a nice flavor, but they are also on the tough-side. Nothing about these falls off the bone, and when they come off the bone, the meat takes a bit of gnawing to break apart in your mouth. Pulled pork is run-of-the-mill - not amazing, not memorable, but better than, say, Redbones. As I said about the biscuits: on a great day, they come out huge, warm, fluffy, flaky, buttery, and incredible. Paired with the whipped honey butter and these are easily worth the $10 charged for the bucket of four. On a bad day, they're dry, crumbly, but still come with that delicious butter. Slather the butter over every inch, and it's still worth the $10. Now, most importantly: All the sides are delicious. I repeat: ALL SIDES. The collard greens are my favorite hot-side. They're sauteed with pork fat, they're sharp and vinegary, they're amazing. Best side this place has got, in my opinion. The farm salad, which sounds boring, is actually a fabulous fresh salad with hazelnuts, shaved Brussels sprouts, grapes, farro, and greens. Even the mundane mac & cheese is pretty solid here, but eat this one in its entirety at the restaurant and save something else for your to-go bag, because this doesn't taste so great day-2. The carrot and raisin salad was tossed in vinegar, which gave them a surprising kick, and made them a surprisingly UN-boring side. Bonus points for using Weller bourbon in their Damn Yankee, and the teeny Mason jars are a cute idea, but beware - this makes for a tiny drink at a big-boy-size drink price. A few sips and your cute little jar is emptied, and you're stuck ordering another $10 cocktail just minutes after your first was delivered. Maybe order two at a time...or maybe just go for a beer.
(4)
Kelly O.
I've now been here ~4 times, and my previous review still stands: I haven't yet been let down by Sweet Cheeks. Biscuits, pork belly, pulled pork, farm salad, all still drool-worthy (and still reasonably priced if you're smart about it, i.e. split the 3 meat tray with someone and add in biscuits, and maybe an extra side). The most recent improvement is the new awesome beer garden with retractable roof. Sitting out there with some friends, with a few growlers of Dogfish Head Peach (delicious BTW), a full plate of delicious meat, soaking in the breeze and shade (or sun if you prefer) on a beautiful summer's day = perfection. And our bartender/waiter was wicked chill and awesome, he definitely added to our awesome dinner. Upping to a deserved 5 stars.
(5)
Holly K.
I was really excited to finally try this place and it did not disappoint! I got the brisket plate with the broccoli casserole, potato salad, and a lone bone (a.k.a. one rib). The brisket was melt in your mouth delicious and the broccoli casserole was sooo good I probably could have eaten another cup full of it. Is this place a little on the pricey side for BBQ? Yes, but it is worth it! My only complaint is that the plates come with white bread, I would have much preferred corn bread or one of the delicious looking biscuits I saw on other people's tables. For a drink I got the Dollywood based on other reviews I read on Yelp, it was pretty good; it would be a great refreshing drink for a summer night. We got the giant nutter butter for dessert, it was all right, not something I am in a big rush to order again. *A statement of advice if you are planning on going on a weekend, go really early (I'm talking 4:45 to wait till a little after 5 to be seated), or really late, if not expect to wait!*
(5)
Katherine D.
I had a wonderful dinner during a frigid evening at Sweet Cheeks Q. The hostesses were friendly, and directed me to the bar to wait for my companion. Showed up on a Tuesday and there was not a wait at around 7:30. While waiting for my guy I snagged a moonshine cocktail in a mason jar. I think the size of the drink and the quality were absolutely deserving of its price. The boy shows up (he's always late) and we decided to stay at the bar and eat. His Dolly-something drink was incredible, and I was jealously stealing sips through our meal. I went "light" and ordered pulled pork on Texas toast. There was so much delicious pork that i pulled half of it out and ate that to make my sandwich more manageable, and by the time I had done so, I had filled up! The sauces are extraordinary, especially the spicy BBQ. I appreciate that not everything is slathered in sauce, and you can add lacquer as you please. The guy got the Fat Cheeks (choice of 3 meats) and while it was one of the more pricy menu items the amount of food was ample. He really enjoyed the pulled chicken and the ribs, and while he also rather enjoyed the brisket he thought it would have used a bit more seasoning. Sides were great, with the standout being the broccoli cheese casserole and he loved his cole slaw. Decor is cute, but even though I know communal tables are the new cool dining room fad, I find the seating a bit cramped and would prefer to keep my conversations private and other's conversations out of my dining experience.
(4)
Juliana C.
I had a Top Chef-obsessed college friend visit me last month with the mission of hitting up Sweet Cheeks; unfortunately, they hadn't opened by the time she left, so I promised to check it out and give her a full report. The things I do for friends.... Right off the bat I was pleased with the location being so close to the Fenway T, with a bright sign that's easy to spot from several blocks down. The hostess greeted me with a smile and I was seated right away, at a communal table since there were only two of us. The beer list is adequate, with prices on par with surrounding restaurants, and I was happy to see several Anderson Valley options (not to mention the category "Nice Cans" made me laugh). There are a lot of combinations available when it comes to the meat (you can buy a single rib!), and it took me a little while to scale back my calculations as to how much food I could handle. I ultimately settled on a 1/2 slab tray of the berkshire pork ribs -- with two sides and bread, $19 seemed like a reasonable amount to pay. The fried green tomato starter was pleasant, but nothing special. My tray of food was enormous. I had one of those Thanksgiving-style moments of doubt about finishing my plate, but soldiered on after vanquishing the tender, smoky ribs because the mac and cheese side was awesome (just the right amount of cheese, warm and sprinkled with crumbs, cozily nestled in a blue mug). The carrot and raisin salad was too sweet (and probably too healthy) for my taste. Throughout the meal our server was super attentive, friendly and helpful, which is a tough combination to find in a new restaurant. The plan was to check out the Hawthorne afterwards (and I have no doubt we could have used the walk), but neither of us wanted to move after all that food, so we stayed put and discovered that the men's restroom has a 50 cent machine, shaped like a chicken, that lays plastic eggs with toys inside. I got a tiny squishy elephant and named him Albert.
(4)
Kat M.
The Bucket O'Biscuits are probably one of the best things I've ever ate. I'm a chef (though now retired :() and I had at one point nearly applied for the job of biscuit maker at Sweet Cheeks just so I could get the recipe hahaha. If I hadn't been happy at my current job I totally would have applied. I have never had a bad meal and I'm constantly trying to get my friends to go with me when they are in town visiting.
(5)
Amanda G.
Sweet Cheeks is fun. It offers something different compared to other restaurants in Boston. It's all BBQ, so if you don't like that stay away. I've never been a huge BBQ fan, but I love the eats here. The trays are the way to go. Be prepared. You get a TON of food. The good news is that means you get, like, three extra meals out of it. You must get an order of the biscuits -- if anything just so you can indulge on honey butter. The atmosphere is probably one of my favorite parts about it. If you don't like dining next to people you don't know, the communal tables might be weird. But it's a fun experience, and it's never as awkward as you think it might be. And if any of you are Top Chef nerds, you will occasionally see Tiffani in the kitchen!
(4)
Dan S.
The they only have one type of traditional BBQ sauce which wasn't good. The others are jalapeño and something else unappealing. Also coleslaw was gross. Overall not very good BBQ
(2)
Christine T.
Came in for lunch a few days ago and at first, I was pretty turned off by the seemingly small portion that I was served but boy, was I wrong. I ordered the berkshire pork belly with a scoop of potato salad (don't judge) and it was delicious and very filling. The pork was so moist and juicy inside that I had to reevaluate my definition of what good barbecue was. It was flavorful in itself but topped with some of the house sauce they had on the table, it was absolutely divine. However, i was not digging the potato salad. Even though it was topped with bacon, it could not be salvaged. It was a little reminiscent of Stop&Shop's potato salad, very bland, very boring. Aside from that, service sucked. We sat down for about ten minutes until someone came to take our order and our waitress didn't refill our waters until we were about done with our meal. The place wasn't even busy. Overall, I would definitely love to try the dinner menu so I shall be back to update ya'll with my final verdict!
(3)
Joe M.
The reviews seem all over the place here. Personally I really enjoyed the restaurant, the service and the majority of the food. The Pulled Pork sandwich was very tasty, a little too greasy for me but overall good flavor. The ribs were excellent and the Salt and Pepper Baked Potatoes which were flash fried before serving were very tasty and a unique way to do potatoes. I have a dairy allergy so I avoided the biscuits and Mac & Cheese but my family all raved about them. I was disappointed with the Beer List, it was large but they didn't have any White Ales at all. Overall I would say it's a really good BBQ place for Massachusetts. The Ribs and Sides are better than Red Bones, the Pulled Pork and Beer selection are worse. If your from the South you probably won't love it, but considering the competition in New England I would say it rates very high.
(4)
Pip S.
Fantastic BBQ in Boston! Must try the biscuits with honey-butter. Came after a Red Sox game so it was crowded but still manageable and service was attentive. Come hungry and prepare to leave with a doggie-bag because proportions are large and in charge!
(4)
Sheila G.
I had heard about this place from several people and was anxious to check it out. A friend and I went early in December on a Monday afternoon and when we arrived there was no one in the place (that concerned me) was this a sign? And not a good one? The hostess at the door wasn't very welcoming and my friend noted that she had a sour disposition the entire time we were there. Our waitress was nice, though and attentive. We had several questions about the menu, like what is "farm salad" and she answered them all. We ordered drinks and be warned, they come in huge mason jars. (way too big) I ordered the natural pulled chicken and farm salad, my friend ordered the Berkshire pork ribs and black-eyed peas and of course biscuits.(way too big) To my delight everything was really good, especially the farm salad,(way too small) The chicken had a nice flavor and the rib meat was so tender it melted in your mouth. The bbq sauce is not the spicy sauce I make or am used to but it was good. I would definitely come back and would recommend that others check it out as well. The only unpleasant experience wasn't the restaurant's fault. A group of guys came in and sat on the bar stools in front of us. One of them had a serious case of "plumbers butt". Ewww!! Not a good site when you are trying to enjoy your lunch.
(4)
Jeff K.
Black-eyed peas were the best, and the farm salad was so good! I like my meat, so it is big that the sides topped my list. Hushpuppies were sweet, not savory. I like them savory, so they weren't my thing. You'll like them if you have a sweet tooth. Pulled pork was good, especially with their variety of sauces. I'll go back to try more and hang in their beer garden. This is the best BBQ I've had in Boston. Not sayin' much, but still really good. The bartender's Federale drink was good, but wasn't very attentive even in the off hours.
(4)
Alexa P.
We went in on a Friday and were told there was an hour wait. They suggested to leave a phone number and go next door for a drink and they'd call us when a table was ready, and they did! Points. When a member of our party and I went over to claim the table while the gents we were with settled our bar tab next door they were enthusiastic and didn't make us wait for our whole party to be seated. More points. When the person I was with gave the hostess attitude about which table they were putting us at (a communal one, in my opinion not a problem) she remained composed and calm and diffused the situation like a pro. Well done! Triple points. We had fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and biscuits for starters and they did not disappoint. As my husband says, "If it's fried, I'll eat it." And let's be honest, you can't go wrong with honey butter (comes with the biscuits). The bbq sauces they have on the table are also excellent. For entrees our group ordered the 3 meat plate, brisket, and 2 of us ordered the fried chicken and everyone seemed happy with what they got. I myself had the fried chicken and while the flavor was good and I enjoyed the seasonings in the batter, I wasn't too excited about biting through the crust into rubbery skin. The chicken was perfectly cooked and juicy though, so excavating to pull the skin off was really not that big of a deal. I had beans (delicious: firm, in a nice sauce with bits of pork) and collard greens (excellent, with a surprisingly bright flavor) on the side. The portion was huge (literally, half of a chicken) and so most of it came home with me and re-heated beautifully. Because the batter was so thick and well done it stayed crispy upon reheating. Our waitress was really helpful and friendly and overall we had a really nice meal there. I'll go back, but probably with just my husband and not during peak hours to avoid the long wait for a table. p.s. the best part of the evening may have been the 90's hip hop playing through the sound system.
(4)
Mk E.
You had me at "bucket of biscuits." I love eating here after a Sox game or on my way to a movie. Fantastic food, fun cocktails (I love anything in a canning jar), and good service. You must eat the fried green tomatoes and biscuits, then get yourself a tray. (Although the menu says a tray is intended to be a complete meal for one person, I've often split one and been perfectly happy.) I tend to go back to the pork belly time and again because they do it so well, but the pulled pork and fried chicken are fantastic as well. And this might sound weird, but I could swim in that coleslaw.
(5)
Tim D.
I first heard of Sweet Cheeks when my friend kept talking about it. She'd go there twice a week, and consistently rave about how great it was. I wasn't impressed - I'd had Redbones, how much better could this place be? A month or two after I first heard about it, I finally was dragged in. We were told we had to wait 15 minutes, but were able to grab a beer at the bar as we waited, then were pleasantly surprised when the wait was only 5. A bucket of biscuits was ordered. Wow. The biscuits are a genre all their own. Biscuits, right? Who gives a shit? Well, you're about to. These biscuits are amazing Forbes magazine says they're the best biscuits on the planet, ( forbes.com/sites/larryol… ) and I entirely agree. Crispy/buttery crunchy shell, steamy and moist inside, warm and flaky, buttery and airy, wonderfully textured, they're perfect. If you think you've ever had a biscuit before, you're about to be schooled. They come with an unnecessary-yet-absolutely-perfect side of honey butter. It's the best non-steak cow product I've ever had, the perfect balance of sweet and salty and a perfect compliment to the biscuit. Seriously, go there just for the biscuits. The other food's good too. I like the carrot salad. I like the pulled chicken. Fried chicken's really really great. Pulled pork is solid. But go get some biscuits. You won't regret it. You can thank me later.
(5)
Kelsey C.
There is something awesome about drinks served in jars. I know there's no buzz like you get from the apple cider moonshine in the Rocky Top, and the deceptively strong Dollywood will make you just talkative enough to be charming. The food is clearly higher-end than your down-home southern, but there's really nothing I don't like! Some things are better than others, but everything I had was pretty high on the awesomeness scale. The Fried Okra was clearly and easily my fave part of the entire night, brilliant use of half-slices of okra. I think I ate that entire bowl myself. Sorry fellow diners... For mains, the pork belly is pretty great...can pork belly really be bad? Just be sure to dip everything in the hot bbq sauce - it tastes good with everything, and the regular isn't nearly as good. Sides are often a lost art, but the ones at Sweet Cheeks haven't suffered any neglect. The broccoli and cheese casserole tastes like a creamier, mashed-up version of quiche. The collard greens can't compare to Soulfire, but the mac and cheese is good stuff. The hush puppies are good, and the honey butter is crazy-exceptional, but they're missing the familiar texture of coarsely-ground cornmeal, IMO. My pet peeve is that you can't substitute a biscuit for the white bread on the trays - who the heck wants white bread when biscuits are an option?!? If you need to wait 40 minutes for a table at 7 on a Wednesday night, either the place is good or it's new. Sweet Cheeks is both. And if your server's name is J.D., it's your lucky night. He's almost as fabulous as the food AND he has great taste in pants! If you're J.D.'s significant other, it's really not as bad as it sounds...
(5)
Joe B.
What a great meal after zac brown concert. Filled the gap with delicious pulled pork with slaw on top and some beef brisket sandwiches that were to die for. All on Texas toast! Hush puppies were good and the honey dipping sauce was awesome. Bathrooms were clean, service was good. Good bang for the buck. I was satisfied!!!
(5)
Ella B.
I'm not a BBQ expert, but the food was decent -- I ordered the "wet" style and it came with slices of white bread which was interesting. For me, it was novel, but apparently, it was appalling for my Irish American friend.. .lol. Overall, good drinks and decent food, good atmosphere - lots of TVs for your watching pleasure.
(3)
Leslie A.
The Mac N' Cheese was amazing! However, if you're not a typical heavy food eater (like myself) you may want to pass up on Sweet Cheeks. The food was all good but I felt like I needed to work out for the next week straight to work off the one meal. Also my server must have been having a bad day because he was no help with the menu (which was a bit confusing in portion size compared to cost) and did not seem at all excited to be at work. He went missing almost the entire meal and on a night where I wanted to grab a couple beers was limited to only one because he never returned to ask how things were going / if we would like anything else. I did enjoy the food but I do not think I will be recommending this in place of all the other great eateries in the Fenway area.
(2)
Gerald G.
Best BBQ I have ever had! I am a born and bred southerner who makes my own and loves to eat BBQ, so I consider myself an authority. Almost ashamed to admit the best I've ever had was in Boston, but I'm honest. I had the great northern brisket & it was melt in your mouth delicious as candy. Simply put: "BEST BBQ EVER"
(5)
Eric F.
Before I get into the food, I want to point out that our waitress was awesome and even went so far as to give my family friend an entirely new tray of pulled pork and beef brisket after she had just asked for some extra sauce for her dry pork. The folks here take very good care of their customers and I have much respect for that. Unfortunately, the BBQ itself was pretty darn sub-par. My Pineland Farms Short Rib looked delicious at first, but turned out to be intolerably dry...ie. I barely made it halfway through the rib with the help of copious amounts of the trio of sauces at the table. My friend's Berkshire Pulled Pork and Great Northern Brisket were decent for the first couple bites and essentially inedible thereafter from the dryness. My bro's Berkshire Pork Belly was very fatty and nicely seasoned, though bear in mind that it's nearly impossible to screw up meat that's at least 50% fat...and there were still several dried out pieces in the mix. The saving grace was the very generous portions all-around - you'll be plenty full provided that you can actually finish the food. I did really enjoy the Mac N' Cheese, homestyle with tons of flavor. That turned out to be the highlight of the meal sadly enough. Sweet Cheeks has a great, lively atmosphere and exceptional service that was enough to bump it up to 3 stars, but Chef Faison has some serious work to do with her BBQ.
(2)
Alee G.
Good food and great service! My favorite menu item was the farm salad. Everything about that salad is perfect. I also really enjoyed the biscuits, which are huge (about the size of my head). Don't be fooled. 4 biscuits is MORE than enough to fill up your entire party. I also ordered the beef brisket with a side of black eyed peas. Thumbs up for both items. The BBQ sauce is the only thing that caught me off guard... not in a bad way. It just wasn't what I expected. I'm used to BBQ sauce being really tangy and spiced, and this one was really sweet. It was OK, definitely not my favorite. I will return to Sweet Cheeks, simply for the farmer's salad and the biscuits if not anything else.
(4)
Jaimee D.
Service was a bit slow but friendly. The Mary Palmer drink was gross and their soda machine was not working properly. The biscuit bucket was the best thing we ordered. It definitely was not the best pulled pork we've ever had but it was perfect pre-game food. I loved the salad style cole slaw was delicious. I liked the primitive style. Trays, buckets and glass mug drink cups.
(3)
fred n.
If the atmosphere doesn't get you right away, the food most certainly will. Yummy ribs, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken and cobb salad - all of these are good here. Very tasty. Definitely seasoned through and flavorful. Strong smokey and rich flavor. Salty, but not too much salt. Sweet, but not too sweet. The trays are big portions for those looking for MORE food. Get the sandwich if you're looking for a smaller portion. In the 3 times I've eaten here, I have yet to have ENOUGH room to eat the NUTTER BUTTER dessert, so I'm planning a special trip to go back and try it. Can't wait. The chef/owner Tiffany came out and met us. She is super duper sweet and nice. Very friendly and cordial. What a great gal. Just made our night being so welcoming and hospitable. Our server, Ashley, was great too. Nothing special about our table, either. Just because - isn't that a great experience - to be checked up on to make sure our experience was nice and pleasant...which is was. Definitely good for large groups/parties, and for before/after an event in/around the Fenway (movies, games, etc.).
(4)
Cari H.
I was impressed. BBQ is my thing and this delivered. I have found my new local go-to smoked meats and comfort food joint. We started at the bar with a genuine moonshine cocktail, yum, while we waited. The host stand was even kind enough to bring me a chair. They were quite attentive, which was nice. Once seated at our table, I ordered the brisket and pulled pork, with a rib "onesie" (must try all the bbq staples!) The brisket was ridiculously tender. My one criticism would be that there was definitely not enough of it for the price. The pulled pork was tender and what you would expect. The rib was amazing. By far the best rib I have had in Boston yet. It really fell off the bone. Next time I go back, I will be ordering more of those. The sauce they offered was a very good blend sweet and mesquite, like a good KC style one, in my opinion. As a sides, the mac and cheese and broccoli casserole were very tasty. The bbq beans weren't my favorites; I prefer them on the sweeter side, but they were decent. The bucket of biscuits that our neighbors had looked delicious and I want to try them next visit also. Also, as a side note, you can see Tiffany Faison cooking in the open kitchen (at least on a weekend night), which, as a Top Chef fan, is kinda fun.
(5)
kristy a.
I am a fan of Sweet Cheeks and will be returning. Things I loved: Atmosphere-mismatched chairs, old tables, very warm feeling Bar all around-excellent idea, there are bar stools and a "shelf" all around the restaurant making it very comfortable/easy to wait for your table, plus they have a waiter for just these people, brilliant. Food-LOVED the farm salad (yes, seriously the side salad) really all the sides were good ( broccoli casserole, coleslaw, mac&cheese), fan of the ribs, liked both the BBQ sauce and hot sauce, friend commented the pulled pork was a little fatty, but tasty. Drinks-tea whiskey drink was great, huge selection of American microbrew beers Price-don't understand people complaining about the price, you get a meat of your choice and two sides, all good sized portions for under $20 unless it is the short rib which is only $25. Good deal to me. Our only disappointment: we waited 25 minutes once we sat to be greeted by our waitress. Now it was very busy, but this is really unacceptable. The food however came out fast once we had ordered and luckily we already had drinks. Going to chalk this up to being a new restaurant and hope it gets better. (by the way, saw a manager taking orders so they were trying to help out the staff). So as I said above, I will absolutely be back and you should definitely try it out.
(4)
Amberlynn P.
I highly recommend this place. It has an energetic atmosphere full of all types of people from the after work crowd, young people and families. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. The kitchen is open to the public, which I love, I very was impressed by it's cleanliness. The kitchen staff was extremely fast and efficient.
(5)
Erin C.
BEST BUCKET OF BISCUITS EVER. The end. These biscuits are huge, buttery, very flaky with a slightly crunchy exterior and just the perfect amount of subtle saltiness. The whipped honey butter that comes with the biscuits is also delicious. The wait for a table can be veeeery long on the weekends (unless you come early) so we often just get a bucket of biscuits to go. Also, most delicious are the fried chicken, brisket, and pork belly slathered with their house-made bbq sauce. Pulled pork and pulled chicken are ok. The best sides are broccoli cheese casserole, farm salad, and cole slaw. Finally, what to drink?!? ALWAYS Bub's tap. The best. Omg, I just had biscuits last night but I think I'm going to go buy some more tonight. (OK there are some minus points. The wait is very long unless you come here at 5-5:30pm. The inside gets veeeery loud. The pulled pork is disappointingly dry. But seriously, who cares; just get biscuits and brisket or biscuits and fried chicken and you will be incredibly five-star happy.)
(5)
IamInthebiz ..
Sometimes it's worth repeating ons-self.... Ate at Sweet Cheeks on Saturday late-evening (930pm-ish) and once again it was fabulous. Lillian is a great server along with Gustavo in the kitchen and the managers all made everything even better. My family loved the experience and the food. THANKS AGAIN!!!!
(5)
Raj S.
It was alright. I still prefer Red Bones in Davis Sq. or Soul Fire in Alston. The biscuits were tasty. The fried chicken had too much batter! And they only had 3 sauces... Weak! Find something else. Convenient if watching the Red Sox game,
(2)
Neechi M.
Is there any other option wherever you are? Oh yeah, then go there and do not even bother reading this review. This place was probably the worst meal/drink I've had in Boston. I tried a gin and tonic (had some funny taste that we could not figure out which probably was either horrible tonic, horrible gin or both -- they don't have Hendricks or Bombay or Tanqueray or Beefeater or anything I could recognize). I also tried a beer that was equally horrible. So why am I telling you not to bother going here? Well first, it is not really BBQ. No hush puppies and the fries are some weird round potato things. I asked the waitress if she could give me aioli with the meal and she said "I'll check in on that" and after getting the horrible cherry aioli the check subsequently had a $1.50 charge for aioli on a $5 bowl of fries which is not only absurd because of the price but because she didn't even bother telling me that there would be a charge at all. When I brought it up she said "oh we always charge for sides" -- oh well it sounds like communication is something they don't teach here. In summary, weak drinks, weak BBQ and weak service -- so ask yourself, why bother going here??
(1)
Sarah G.
I was so excited to try Sweet Cheeks, and it definitely did not disappoint. There were a few minor things that keep this place from being 5 stars, but overall it was a fun, tasty dinner, and we will definitely be back. It was Friday night around 7:30 pm, so we were expecting a wait and weren't too fazed when we were told it would be 45 minutes and that they would come find us at the bar. We soon got seats and were impressed by the beer list, which included a few hard-to-find favorites. Chef Tiffani Faison of Top Chef and Rocca fame was doing the rounds at various tables, and we assured her we were happy waiting; however we became a little concerned when 45 minutes turned into an hour and the hostess disinterestedly recommended we eat at the bar. Since the restaurant and bar are commingled right in the same noisy room, it didn't make much of a difference, but it got more crowded as our meal went on. I probably would have enjoyed my food a little more without others reaching back and forth between us to grab drinks. Anyway, the food. We started with the biscuits, which were heavenly, fluffy, light, and GIANT. When we finally did decide to eat at the bar, the bartender warned us that biscuits might not be available since they "tend to run out around this time." Uhm, thanks, maybe we would have liked to know that some time in the last hour we were sitting there. Anyway, they luckily still had biscuits, which were a meal in and of themselves (dessert?) They were possibly one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. Regarding the main meal: the meat was tasty, the sides underdeveloped. My BF is a South Carolinian who knows his BBQ, and he is VERY hard to please in this arena, especially north of the Mason Dixon Line. He was extremely happy with his brisket and pulled pork, and enjoyed trying the different regional sauces, although he was sad that there didn't seem to be a South Carolina mustard sauce available. I ordered a bunch of sides, and between us we had Fried Green Tomatoes (unremarkable), Potato Salad (also so-so), cole slaw (same), BBQ beans (tasted weirdly like chili), Mac & Cheese (delicious!!), and Black Eyed peas (didn't even get to these before the food coma set in.) We knew the portions were HUGE but wanted to try lots of different sides. Unfortunately, aside from the Mac & Cheese, this didn't prove to be worth it. I will definitely be heading back to Sweet Cheeks, despite my vegetarianism. It's fun, the drink list is great, and if you order enough food you will definitely end up eating something you like. Just get there before the biscuits run out!
(4)
Eric R.
Best BBQ in Boston area that I know of. Super high quality organic food and incredible beer and drink selection. Worth a try.
(5)
Rich B.
For starters we go at 4 pm on a Saturday and find out they are closed 3 to 5 pm. Bad start. We wait an hour and then at 5 it's mobbed and can't get service. Very limited menu biscuits and honey butter might be best I've ever had. Brisket was average and chicken and ribs were below average. I won't be back.
(2)
Fussy J.
the farm salad was great. The service was very slow. The meat was very very fatty and inedible.
(2)
Gina B.
ATTENTION!! BBQ so good, you don't even need sauce! I was utterly shocked by HOW GOOD this food was. My mom and I went to visit my sister at school last night and stopped in for dinner. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. We started with the biscuits and homemade honey butter. The biscuits were the size of my head! Seriously. I was full after just the biscuit, but of course I still ate more :). We all got the combo plates. My sister picked one, I picked two and my mom picked three! The prices were $18, $24, $26 respectively. I ordered the pulled pork and pork belly. OMG! Both were cooked perfectly! The combos come with 2 pieces of white bread (even though it seemed no one was using it-the meat was that good), house made pickles, onions, 1 cold and 1 hot side. I ordered the BBQ baked beans and Cole slaw. The Cole slaw was good and the beans, yummy. My mom ordered the collard greens and farm salad which consisted of shaved brussels sprouts, arugula, pine and walnuts, grapes, shallots and a vinaigrette. Delicious, crisp, sweet, tangy, crunchy and fresh. I NEED to figure out how to copy that. My sister, the broccoli and cheese casserole. Definitely Paula Dean-ish, heart attack in a cute little tin cup. Speaking of, the meal was served on a mini sheet pan with parchment paper. Great idea because it was easy to get at all that lovely meat :) Only problem was the waiter switched mine and my mom's to go meal. He was so confident when he handed them to us, we didn't think to check. Needless to say I made out because she had the choose 3! So I ended up with pulled pork, pork belly AND brisket. We will be back the next time we go to Boston. Chris LOVED the leftovers and agreed it was the best BBQ we've had (up north ;)
(5)
Jack M.
Went Yesterday. Service was great, food even better. Best Brisket i have ever eaten anywhere. Could go on but everything was to die for...
(5)
Ken H.
The Q is righteous. The sides are lacking. The service is slow. The space is OK.
(3)
Angie D.
I really liked sweet cheeks. The smaller menu had excellent choices and great options for sharing and tasting. The brisket and the baked beans had to be my favorite, (both) meaty and flavorful! We got the biscuits from a recommendation on Yelp and they were very good, but they are also very large! The service was nothing short of great! Our waiter was helpful, funny and informative.
(4)
Daniel G.
How can you be out of ribs and pork belly and half-chicken early on a Sunday evening and still call yourself a BBQ restaurant? (The Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch comes to mind here). It took 25 minutes to get 2 sandwiches to go, despite the fact that the staff outnumbered the customers. Everyone seems nice...but nicely incompetent. The Q is good but wildly overpriced. Blue Ribbon and East Coast Grill still have no competition in this town.
(2)
The K.
3.5 stars. I think the current consensus rating of 3.5 stars is right on. If the right price points were found on the entrees and addition of sides, the sauces improved, Sweet Cheeks would clearly move into the 4 star category in my book. Yes, the days of the Three Great BBQ spots in Greater Boston have passed: Jake's Boss BBQ, Uncle Pete's BBQ (RIP Pete), and Redbones were the standard bearers of BBQ in Boston; this far north of the Mason-Dixon you would be hard-pressed to convince anyone that great tasting BBQ could be found, but these three spots passed muster. Of those three venerable institutions, only Redbones remains. Now add Sweet Cheeks to the likes of Blue Ribbon BBQ and East Coast Grill - all places that serve pretty good BBQ but not quite awesome BBQ. What these places lack is that "conversion" factor, making BBQ-naive eaters convert to BBQ fanatics. So if the caveat can be stated that I favor Memphis-style pork ribs (which is the way I think pork ribs should be done), I wasn't a huge fan of the pork ribs at SC. However, I loved the flavor of the pulled pork. And the farmers salad as well was fantastic. The BBQ beans weren't sweet/maple syrupy enough for me and had a bit too much meat for my taste. Mac and cheese was decent. The service was fairly good but could definitely be jazzed up a bit more in terms of friendliness (it's a bbq joint after all). Sweet Cheeks makes me think about a place like Blue Smoke - Danny Meyer's joint in NYC, where the concept of BBQ and the execution of BBQ are almost there. All in all, I'll be back - to see if the prices come down a little bit and to get another taste of that pulled pork.
(3)
Deb L.
Being a lover of southern food and especially sweet tea, it's nice to have a place like Sweet Cheeks in Boston. Pulled pork was tasty and flavorful. Mac n cheese on the side was very "orange cheese" and not that great. Sweet tea was good
(3)
Emily N.
So addictive! I can't stop bringing people here. It's a unique gem in Boston with amazing food. Their "Farmer's Salad" is absolutely to die for if you don't do meat, also.
(5)
Seth D.
The food itself is amazingly good. Docking a star for the BBQ sauce: it's just mediocre. I might have to buy sauce at Soul Fire and bring it to Sweet Cheeks. Great setting, good service, excellent beer list.
(4)
Claire N.
amazing food. decor, tables, jars for glasses, metal cans to hold silver ware, every last detail goes to make sweet cheeks an awesome bbq experience. a tad pricey but don't eat all that meat in one sitting! everything I ate there was delicious. Oh, and the place was packed. be prepared to wait.
(5)
Jess H.
My fiance and I ordered take out for v-day. We have always passed this place on our way to downtown Boston and wanted to try it. I have to say that we are disappointed. Really, is this southern food. I thought everything was bland. Mac and cheese, I could have done myself, the collard greens needed to be cut and to SALTY, and was that really potato salad with vinegar on it?? I'm confused and very disappointed. We will not be eating there again. I am not one to write reviews but I needed to write this one.
(1)
S C.
Our daughter loves Sweet Cheeks and wanted to take us there...ok, well, she wanted us to take her there! So we did. It was packed, always a good sign. We started our meal with biscuits and flavored butter. Four huge, warm biscuits. Too bad they don't have half orders, because you really want them, but you also want to save room for BBQ. We had pulled chicken and brisket, we opted for both a brisket sandwich and platter. Let me just say that the brisket was the most tender brisket I have ever had. It literally melts in your mouth. There were three sauces on the table, regular, vinegar based and very hot. We did not try the hot, but the others were great. The farmer's salad was really good - Interesting, crunchy, flavorful. Mac and Cheese great and the broccoli mac very good, too. The platter was a lot of food. In my opinion, the bread is a waste...if you want to make a sandwich, just order a sandwich. Cut the price a bit on the platter and put bread on the menu as a side for those who really want it. The platter is also a lot of food, so ordering a sandwich might be a better option for some.We didn't really know how to gauge how much food to order, as we hadn't been there before. We took a lot home...not sorry about that, though. Next time, I will pick and choose better. Sweet Cheeks was a fun place, especially outside on a very lovely night. The interior restaurant was very loud and lively. All around great food and a fun experience. This is not a budget venue, but you can order less and still have a great meal. The quality, especially for something where you notice the difference between good and great, as in brisket, justifies the pricing. ps...the pickles and onions are a nice touch on the platter. I also would mention that there are communal tables, though I did notice some single tables. This didn't bother us, but for some it might.
(5)
Cony C.
The brisket, blackeye peas are pretty good!! I usually don't like coleslaw, but what they have is yummy! I ordered one bucket of biscuit today, it's OMG good!!! The size of biscuit is pretty big, be sure you are really really hungry , otherwise you might have to pack them home, like me! The minor down side is the ribs, kinda dry & not much meat on the rib. The dessert banana pudding is okay. I would like to go this place more often for sure!
(5)
Alex G.
I first read about Sweet Cheeks a few weeks before it opened. As a big fan of Southern-style BBQ, I was looking forward to having some authentic barbecue that I have not yet been able to experience in New England. The buzz surrounding Sweet Cheeks was all very upbeat, so I was excited to visit the restaurant as soon as it opened. The Food: A restaurant is only as good as its food, so I'd like to review that first. I started with an appetizer of hushpuppies and then I had the "Big Cheeks" tray which comes with three meats, a hot side, and a cold side, as well as two slices of bread for my entree. Well, the hushpuppies weren't my favorite. They were under-fried and were missing a lot of spices. Perhaps the chef was trying to create a more gourmet hushpuppy, but these were a bit too bland for my palate. The entree that I had was delicious. Everything that I had - the pork belly, the pulled chicken, and the brisket - was incredible BUT I felt extremely cheated when I received my plate. I paid $28 for my meal, which I would have happily paid for a fair portion, but instead of adding food to the "tray," they merely substituted food. In other words, if I were a bit more decisive, I could have paid $18 for an identical portion size of just pork belly or any of the other meats on my plate. To me, adding $10 to the cost of my meal should give me more than just variety, it should mean more food. The single piece of pork belly that I got, and the single piece of brisket, were not even the size of a credit card. The other person that I was eating with and I joked that this was "diet BBQ" because we both left the restaurant hungry. In fact, this value issue is the only reason that I won't be going back really soon. I wasn't alone in sharing this sentiment - I heard several people grumbling about the portion sizes throughout my meal. The Service: The service was really slow - so slow that they refunded those hushpuppies - but I'm not including that in my consideration of my rating because it was their first weekend in operation and I know that can be tough. Our waitress was really nice and seemed genuinely sorry that things were moving slowly. The Ambiance: This is a winner. The restaurant's design is inviting and comforting while simultaneously being elegant. I enjoyed looking around during the meal and taking in the details. If Sweet Cheeks can add more value to it's offerings - either by significantly lowering its prices or, more importantly, increasing portion sizes, this place can be a real winner because the food is at the quality that it should be. I just didn't appreciate that both people in my party left hungry.
(3)
Kim Z.
Show up early or wait! This place fills up quickly. And it's worth it. A little pricey, but not at all overwhelming. We had a party of 4, each had at least 1 drink and it was $100 total. There's communal tables which I thought would bother me, but it was actually kind of fun and social. Of course, we were on the end of a table so that probably helped! Our waitress was very helpful with explanations and recommendations which is a huge plus in my book AND all the staff was super attentive - my water was never ever empty. Killer cocktails and reasonable prices for beer. The biscuits were enormous and the honey butter they're served with is to die for. I had the brisket sandwich and it was HUGE and absolutely delicious. It's true - it's not really "Texas Toast" but the bread still tastes great. The only sides we got were salt and pepper potatoes and mac & cheese. The potatoes are super crisp, which I love. They weren't too peppery (or salty for that matter). And frankly, I loved the mac & cheese but it was more similar to Velveeta than down home Southern mac & cheese so people may deduct points for that. All meat is dry rub and there are 3 different sauces right on the table. Love that option so I can decide how much sauce I want on the food! And tons of parking around! Of course, that will most definitely change come baseball season. Oh oh oh oh - ROCKIN' music selection. Kudos to whoever puts together the playlists!
(4)
Reba R.
being from Texas, i was hoping to find some good BBQ that would take me back home. unfortunately... it doesn't compare. the fried okra was absolutely delicious and i'd go back again and again for that. but as for the BBQ itself, it's fancy BBQ. Texas doesn't do fancy BBQ- we like back woods real homemade slow cooked- fall apart in your mouth juicy BBQ that you slop up with your piece of bread. funny how they actually had to explain that. sweet tea was ok- i make it better. loved the decor. i do want one of those tables. biggest complaint- where's the toothpicks?!?! i guarantee you there is not one Texas BBQ joint that doesn't have a stack of toothpicks waitin' for ya at the door.
(3)
Will N.
Pretty surprised that Sweet Cheeks only has 3.5 stars. Me and my girlfriend went for dinner before Zac Brown at Fenway and we were very impressed. We started with a bucket of biscuits that are served with honey butter, easily the best biscuits we have ever had. Drink wise we had a couple John Dalys, which were very refreshing, highly recommend. For meals, we both had the pulled pork was some of the best I have ever had as well. Both the food and drinks were top notch and the vibe of the place is great as well. While we were eating, the owner/chef Tiffany from Top Chef was there which was also awesome to see. If you are looking for a couple drinks or some damn good BBQ, this is your place.
(5)
Priya D.
This is my favorite place for some q in the boston area but it does have its issues with consistency in quality. There is a lack of choices for BBQ in boston but this place does take it to a good level regardless of the other options around. I usually get a sandwich with some slaw on it and couple of scoops plus the absolutely amazing, magical, fantastical biscuits with honey butter. I have liked everything for the most part (LOVE those biscuits!) but the meat is a bit dryer (it is sorta hit or miss with the quality and flavor) and would like a more varied BBQ sauce selection to offset it. Texas style screams big flavored but the meats come undressed and with only a mild sauce, vinegar based tangy sauce and extra hot sauce available it doesn't really come together and feels like I am missing an essential piece of BBQ - a great signature sauce. I do like the idea of the meat coming undressed, but it just doesn't work with the options they give you to dress it. Other than that, I have liked all my sides and they have great drinks and it is a great environment. The biscuits get ordered twice - a serving for the restaurant and a serving to take home. They are the best biscuits i have ever had (have I said enough about the biscuits? i can keep going if needed). I am a once every two week returner but it is slightly unfortunate that I hesitate to order certain items (not the biscuits) because I'm not sure if it will be as good as last time or if it will be better. Overall though it's a good choice, if not a great one if you get it on the right day. Off to eat some leftover biscuits.BISCUITS!
(4)
Roger W.
Stopped in before the ball game, we got a table right away and the service was quick and friendly so we got to the game before the thunderstorm. Nice beers on draft, but is it really necessary to serve them in a mason jar? At the prices being charged they could afford a decent beer glass. I tried the short rib, which was good but enough food for two and had sufficient fat for 10. A little trimming prior to cooking would have made for a much more pleasant eating experience. The pulled pork was dried out but had nice flavor. The sauces on the table were... odd. If I go back I may bring my own sauce. Guess I should have tried a biscuit.
(2)
Wily D.
Well...what the heck is a Pork Belly sandwich you ask? Anyone who doesn't know instantly thinks 'ummm...gross, a pig's belly?' (me included). My best guess was PB was something like pork salt or that little piece of fat and meat that is used to top/flavor baked beans...Anyways, I tend to order whatever is new or different or just something I have never had before off a menu...and let me tell you, what an AMAZING chioce I made that day (about a week and a half ago). Each piece of 'belly' consisted of about an inch thick juicy, tender, melt in your mouth meat...some layers of fat too yes (don't be affraid though...it disolves like a warm savory jell-o)...this sandwich was definitely better than the pulled pork (and the PP sandwich was top 3 of all time for me, easy). PB is a rich, savory meat...think Pot Roast tender and rich...it is truly awesome, at least Sweet Cheeks' is. I ordered the farm salad to go along with my sandwich...glad I did becasue the sandwich was filling, needed NO sauce (though I did use a little on a few bites just for a try) and the salad was delicious! Will probably be coming by this FRI SC so keep up the good work and don't change too much. Hope the bartender's finger has healed too : )
(5)
Rich K.
We sat at the crowded bar on a Saturday night. Big mistake! It was like trying to eat inside an MBTA train at rush hour. People kept reaching over me to get their drinks or to pay. One person behind me reeked of cigarettes and another person cleared her throat in my face while I was eating. None of this is the restaurant's fault, but this is a warning against eating here on a busy night. The bartenders were super busy and consequently very unpleasant. There was no joking or small talk or nary a smile among this group. The beer selection was varied and solid. We ordered a second round, but our bartender completely forgot to give it to us. The food was decent, particularly the brisket, slaw, fried chicken, and Mac & cheese. The BBQ is Texas style cooked with rub and no sauce, but they do have a few jars of sauce as condiments. While the sides we had were pretty good, the menu was missing spuds: no mashed, no sweet potatoes, no French fries. That's just not right!
(2)
Natasha L.
I wanted to rate it 4.5 - but no such luck with Yelp. I'll say it right now, I'm a huge fan of Top Chef. However, I'm from the Southwest and I have standards when it comes to BBQ food. Sweet Cheeks definitely delivered. My friend is a photographer for the Improper Bostonian, and he photographed the food at Sweet Cheeks a few months ago and got to taste test it all. He couldn't wait to tell us about the wooden tables tops made from old bowling alley lanes or the take out options. We were all too full to eat dessert, but he highly suggested the nutter butter. I'll definitely be coming back to try it. The biscuits are to die for, and you won't regret ordering them. There were five of us at the table, and the waitress easily accommodated us. For those who complained about not getting cornbread, well, these biscuits can do cartwheels around boring ol' corn bread any day of the week. Our waitress was great, and she did a fabulous job of tending to many tables on a Saturday night. The fried okra was a tad salty for my boyfriend and me, but that certainly didn't stop us from enjoying it. It was nice and crunchy on the outside and not mushy on the inside. I personally ordered the pork belly with the broccoli & cheese and potato salad. The waitress kindly explained the idea behind the white bread and onion and cucumber salad, and it was delicious with pork belly. The pork belly was juicy and delicious, and it melted in my mouth. My boyfriend had the ribs, greens, and cole slaw, and he was more than thrilled with his meal. Trust me, he knows good pork, and he LOVED the ribs (and the pork belly that he stole off of my plate). It was a tad noisy in the restaurant, but the atmosphere was relaxed and down to earth, and I loved the decor (especially the lights on the ceiling and the refreshing colors and fabrics in the bathroom). I was hoping to see the menu on the website, but it's not posted yet - however, I love the layout of the website and that is the only portion still under construction. Also, I wish I could know what the sauces were on our table. We all took a guess, but we forgot to ask our waitress, Becca. Overall - delicious. It is clearly a restaurant that the owners/waiters/kitchen staff are passionate about, and it truly shows through the thought-out decor right down to the tasty menu options and service. Prices might be high for some customers, but the food is of very high quality, and this isn't exactly your local BBQ pit stop. Thanks for bringing a taste of quality BBQ to New England. I'll be dreaming of those biscuits tonight.
(5)
Joe U.
Really want to love this place. Celebrity chef meets bbq, sounds like the kind of love story you want to end happily. Alas, this place epitomizes what I hate about "gourmet" cuisine - it's pricey and tries to be different in lieu of tasting better. Maybe bbq is already gourmet enough; to do it right requires expertise and great amounts of time and heart/TLC. So, when a TV-show chef tackles bbq, I guess you get Sweet Cheeks, a mixture of misses. Rather than falling short of good bbq, each dish seems to take a wrong turn somewhere. The ribs are rather mediocre; obviously smoked but doesn't have that deeply moist, almost internally carmelized tenderness of good 'cue. The brisket is tender, but seems to be the most fatty cut of brisket possible; plus it's very salty. The pulled pork is simply dry. The pork belly is the best among the bunch, partly because it's not common (I've never had it 'cued this way before) and therefore has no comparison. Still, there's a strange saltiness to it...it must have been brined and the brine is overwhelming. Many side dishes are also strange-tasting (ie. "gourmet"). The collard greens are way too sour, even though the nice fresh leafy greens cry out for a better treatment. The baked beans are too mushy and non-descript. The black eye peas are also too mushy and bland. The broccoli in cheese is OK, most because they drown the whole thing mercilessly in max-fat creamy cheesiness. Can't go wrong with that. The mac and cheese is surprisingly standard, as if they couldn't think of how to mess with it. The cole slaw is another gourmet attempt to be different but not better; huge chunks of purple cabbage with very light, slightly sour (that's the theme here!) dressing. OK, best and worst: the two best things they have are the "farm salad" which is something original and doesn't really have much to do with bbq; a mix of greens, beans and some grilled veggies in a light dressing. It's a winner and shows what Faison can do when she's original. Second best is a monstrous peanut butter cookie dessert comprised of two of the largest cookies you've ever seen with a peanut butter cream layer in between. This would be a home-run if it weren't so salty. I confess that others thought it wasn't too salty, so ymmv. The worst? It was hard to choose, but I would say the bbq SAUCE itself. Both the spicy-gloppy one and the watery vinegary one are grade C at best. Considering how critical the sauce is (the sauce is the boss) for 'cue, I have to give Sweek Cheeks a low grade overall. Conclusion: the menu overall is sour, salty and strange...a far cry from SWEET cheeks.
(2)
johnny r.
Welcome to Beantown Sweet Cheeks!!! We've longed for you and are so excited you are here! This is the best bbq i've ever had... Try the biscuits and hush puppies. These apps are absolutely fantastic. I had the short ribs, with broccoli cheese casserole and farm salad. This was one of my all time favorite meals ever and i'm not even a big short ribs guy... I went with 5 friends opening friday, so we waited a little, but it was worth every minute!!!!
(5)
Victoria G.
o well. i give up. i've been here literally ten times. i live a block away. already did a review. this is my neighborhood and the food is really aweful. oily, fatty, small, overpriced, and at this point .....no one else is noticing. if people love it and keep eating here, so be it. i've worked in far too many restuarants and i think my opinion is too honest for people. or they are really drunk, or eat garbage and are fine with it. i've given sweet cheeks many, many chances and have gone at busy and not so busy times. the sides are drenched with oil and are tiny in a coffee cup as well as far too expensive. does anyone else see that??????....... i got very sick after a crappy chicken sandwich here. . i wont go back again and this is my last time writing it up. times are tough, and appearently, people eat shit and are fine with it.
(1)
Corey G.
Place is great. Had the brisket sandwich with mac & cheese and potato salad. The brisket had an amazing smokey flavor, and the homade barbeque and hot sauce were terriffic (the hot sauce should be called 912, not 911 though - it has a bit of a kick, but not super spicy). Highly reccomend the mac n cheese. And can't go wrong with beer (from their extensive list) in mason jars.
(5)
Ditt C.
BE AWARE.. The biscuits offered for the table are $10!!! A friend and I went and ordered 2 entrees and only 1 Coke. The total bill was $67.00!!, nevermind the tip. What a joke. The short rib I had was inedible because of the 2 inch layer of pure fat resting on the top which was slow cooked resulting in fatty, extra greasy pork below. The pork ribs my friend ordered were a dry rub and needed extra sauce added to be enjoyed. The slaw was good and so was the mac and cheese, but I won't be back.
(2)
Elizabeth M.
I have been a Top Chef fan since it's first season, and when a friend of mine invited me to grab dinner here last week, I was very excited to try it. Overall, the food was good and we had a good time, but I feel like there are still kinks to be worked out in order for it to become my go-to place for BBQ. Atmosphere: It is obvious to me that a great deal of thought went into the choices of decor, tables/chairs, and how customers would be served (on metal trays with jars to drink out of). There is a definite point of view here, and I liked it. The place is a little loud when it's crowded, but thankfully the music isn't cranked up to be heard over the din. We could hear each other without yelling across the table. Service: There seemed to be an excessive amount of staff. The restaurant isn't that big, and it felt like there was an army of people serving us. In my experience, this can sometimes backfire and stuff slips through the cracks because everyone assumes someone else is taking care of it. We had a server who was very nice but I think she was new. She wasn't the best at explaining certain menu items. She also didn't seem to really put much thought or care into us after (someone else) served us our dinner. When she came over to offer to box up the remainder of my friend's dinner (she finished before me), my friend took the opportunity to order a butterscotch pudding. I asked about the whitetrash holiday mess, and before I could decide if I wanted it, our server disappeared. I had to flag her down to order it. Then it took a good 20-25 minutes to get to me. When it came time for the check, one of the hostesses (there were 3) eventually came over to take care of it. Side note: There wasn't an explanation for a single thing on the menu. Everything was listed by title only. Most of the items are self explanatory, but there were some things, like the farm salad and whitetrash holiday mess that I had to ask about. Also, the server had to explain the three sauces on the table to us because they weren't labeled. This all seems silly to me, and a lot of work on the part of the servers could be avoided if the customer was given the information to read on his/her own. Also, it wasn't until I read a response from Tiffani of another reviewer on Yelp that I really understood what "never ever" meant when it came to their beef. I asked our server and it was clear she didn't know either when she haphazardly attempted to answer. I do like to know when restaurants use all natural meats, and I feel better about paying a little more for real quality product. Especially if that product is local. However, at the time, I took a look at the prices and thought they were super high. The Food: Is good. I ordered the two meat, two sides tray with pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese and farm salad. The salad was good, not overdressed and different from any other salad I've ever had. The mac and cheese was awesome. The only complaint I have about it is that it's served in a mug, so the ratio of creamy mac and cheese to crispy Ritz cracker-like topping is off. I'd rather eat it in a shallower vessel so I could enjoy the topping with every bite. The pulled pork was wonderful, lots of smokey flavor. I tried the non vinegar, non hot sauce sauce. I thought it was going to be sweet, but it really wasn't. It definitely was unique and I liked it. The brisket was a little fatty for me, but the meat was very good. I liked the pickles on the side, though they are shaved super thin and I like mine a little thicker. The onions I could take or leave. The white bread slices really bugged me. The concept of being able to make your own sandwich with the pickles and onions is interesting, but if I wanted a sandwich I would've ORDERED a sandwich. Especially since the bread choices for the sandwiches are much more appealing. I would've liked to see some cornbread or a biscuit on that tray instead. I think it's ridiculous that the biscuits aren't free, actually. They really should be complimentary at the beginning of the meal, and charging for them seems like a cheap move. The whitetrash holiday mess was described to me as a half-baked brownie - gooey in the middle - with a peppermint marshmallow topping. I took this to mean that the brownie would be warm. Alas, it was not. Maybe because it took forever to get to me. It was also not gooey in the middle, though it did taste good. The brownie was served in the same kind of mug as the mac and cheese, and again, same problem - the topping-to-brownie ratio. This dessert is so close to being outstanding, but for me just missed the mark. Too bad. I wish there were more choices for the "scoop" options - like getting two hots or two colds instead of one of each. I also wish the choices for hot scoops included the appetizer options. They sounded good! Overall decent, hoping the kinks work out.
(3)
Nikki C.
I don't how how people can give this places 4 or 5 stars. Its extremely expensive, 20$ an entree and 3.50 for a soda. My fiance got the smoked chicken, which was a dry pile of chicken shavings, a carrot and raisin salad which was ok, and the mac and cheese that was sub par at best. I got fried chicken, mac and cheese and potato salad. The potatoes were undercooked and tasted like they came from a pre made potato salad with bacon bits on top.The mac and cheese also tasted like it came from a box. It was so salty it was inedible. My fried chicken was also raw inside. I asked the waiter to take my meal off the bill. The manager came over and tried to argue with me that my chicken was not raw, he even mentioned its a complaint they get a lot there. He tried to come up with an array of excuses of why I was wrong. When chicken is cooked the juices run clear, the juice and the meat in my chicken were pink. I explained this to the manager. My food was taken off the bill. I tried to thank the waiter when he dropped off the bill, but he just threw the bill on the table as he passed by.
(1)
youngmi a.
there was a A LOT of hoopla about this restaurant. we live in the neighborhood and it took us three tries to get a table here on a weekend. so naturally, our appetites and expectations were sky high. maybe that was the problem because my husband and i both felt just okay about the food. he's a huge meat lover and i love pulled chicken. he ordered the ribs and thought they were mediocre and that they had a weird aftertaste. the pulled chicken was probably the highlight of the meal. so juicy and tender and flavorful. i got the sandwich and there was enough meat in there for two sandwiches! for our cold scoop we got the farm salad that everyone was talking about. i liked everything but the brussel sprouts which supposedly were roasted but tasted and felt raw. raw brussel sprouts are not fun. the mac and cheese was good but the sauces on the table are just okay. we just didn't fall in love with them. the staff was friendly and fast and the atmosphere is great for the food. it seems like a great place for groups, that is, if you can get a big enough table! we were starving so we were happy at how quickly our food came out. the trays were a fantastic idea. my only suggestion would be to offer hot towels or at least little disposable wet naps at the end of the meal since bbq is so messy! my hands were marinated in pulled chicken juices by the end of the meal. i don't know if we'll ever come back but if we do, i think i just want a meal made of sides. definitely want to try all of the hot scoops, hush puppies and bucket o' biscuits with honey butter.
(3)
Bernardo C.
This place will not last. I only say this because their pricing is out of this world. Growing up in Texas on BBQ (Blacks Barbecue, Smittys Market, Dickies, Sonny Brian's, The Salt Lick, etc...), 28 dollars should buy you a feast for a family of 4, with plenty leftover! At Sweet Cheeks, 28 dollars gets you two small portions of meat and a couple ice cream scooped sides. The food is good. I ordered a quarter pound of pork belly, a quarter pound of brisket and an order of fried okra. Both the pork belly and brisket were amazing. Very juicy and tender and had a nice smoky flavor. I could probably have pork belly for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was amazing. The barbecue sauces they make are also really good. I was not so impressed with the fried okra. They batter and fry the entire okra which I thought was nice as I'm used to cut rounds of fried okra. However, it was fried a little too long, so much so that the okra itself shriveled up and disappeared. I prefer soft tender fried okra. (Perhaps finding decent okra in the north east is to blame). I've heard that their other side items are really good, but I have yet to try them. One addition I'd like to see to the menu is homemade country sausage. I left there feeling very full, mostly due to my large consumption of beers. The beer selection is really nice. I enjoyed Bubs Tap which I was told is the owner's husband's home brew. They have an impressive cocktail list. You can even order a michelada! The atmosphere is nice. Very warm and comforting. The place has a nice smoky smell but not overwhelming. I will definitely be coming back again to try more items on the menu. My only complaint is the price. If the price was more reasonable, I can see this place lasting a long while. I don't mind spending big money, just give me big food! If the idea is to bring true Texas barbecue to Boston, please get the price right! A true Texas barbecue joint wouldn't charge these exorbitant prices. With amazing food and a reasonable price, this place could be a real winner!
(3)
Bree R.
I was really excited to try it. After seeing it on a tv, it looked like a really nice place to go with beautifully made tables and excellent bbq. I almost never get to enjoy bbq because most use soy sauce or beer or something I am allergic to in their sauces, but my mouth was watering, so I called. When I asked if anything on their menu was gluten-free, they said they had a gluten-free menu and I could eat all their meats and sauces and listed the sides including the s&p potatoes (deep fried). I asked if they were deep fried in the same oil as breaded items and she assured me they kept a separate fryer from the breaded food for the salt and pepper potatoes so I could even have those. She said they were really good about dealing with gluten. I was psyched! So, after standing on concrete flooring for an hour waiting for a table with a noise level that was unbearable, I found what I thought was a comfortable, beautiful restaurant we saw on tv was really a cold, loud assault on the senses with food that was disappointing. And, after going through the drill with the waiter about cross-contamination of food and being so sensitive, I was assured several times it was safe to eat the potatoes, that they took allergies very seriously.... I asked him to just confirm everything with the kitchen and come to find out that they were putting breaded stuff in the fryer and I could not have the potatoes. It was a bummer, but no biggie, I was glad he really checked and illness was avoided. So, what happens next? they serve me the gluten-free potato salad and as I take a big bite of the bacon-bit-covered potato salad, it was obvious from the crunch level of the bacon that it was deep fried. To be safe, I asked the waiter to confirm that it was not fried with the breaded stuff and what do you know, it was. My dinner was ruined and they did not even offer to buy me a glass of wine or dessert or anything, just repeated empty apologies from the waiter. Apparently they take it so seriously that when they screw up, they don't even tell a manager or do any damage control. Stupid. I know mistakes happen, it is how you handle it that determines if I will give a place another try. I will not be back. Very disappointing experience all around.
(3)
Ruth M.
For barbeque, WAY overpriced! (Although to be fair, it is after all in the Fenway area.) The menu is VERY limited, and they charge extra for everything--even for coleslaw on your sandwich. Good beer selection and drink prices are average. The pulled pork sandwich tasted very good, but everyone in my party, including me, got sick that night. Hmmmm. If I were you, I'd go elsewhere.
(1)
Ivy P.
Ok - this place is different! It may not be the most comfortable place to have a private convo at, and it sure is annoying that they do not accept reservations fri and sat (wait time 1.5 hrs- hell no) BUT it does have some good food and the prices are not so bad... I mean, for a 2 meat (Big Cheeks) tray, with two sides, two biscuits and 2 cocktails, my friend and paid $64 total including 20% tip! Not the cheapest certainly but not so horrible either. The biscuits were spectacular! Pulled chicken was very tasty and the collard greens... YUM! Cocktails are great as well. Sweet cheeks is good and original. The staff is nice too. I just hope they start taking reservations.
(4)
Big V.
We went here on a Friday night around 10 pm for a late dinner (for us) the place wasn't overly crowded and the hostess showed us to a table that was very close to Another table. My wife asked if we could sit at the next table over so we could talk without others in our lap. She told us that table wasn't clean and we'd have to go back to the hostess stand. We said no problem and she took her time wiping off the table then chatted up the waiter went back towards the kitchen once again walking by us without acknowledging us. It was very uncomfortable as diners began to look at us and the hostess who continued to walk around without sitting us in a not crowded restaurant to include I believe was the manager. We walked out and will never be back. I guess asking someone working in a restaurant to wipe down a table is putting her out. We ate at Sweet Carolines and our meals came with no attitude.
(1)
Catherine S.
I had very high expectations for this place. They weren't quite met, BUT it was still a fantastic meal! I got the beer-mimosa drink, which was delicious (and the best of both worlds), and they had a great cocktail and beer selection in general. The bucket of biscuits were out of this world, and the honey butter they came with was finger-licking good. Be wary, though: they're HUGE and made two of us stuffed before our trays even came out. I got the great northern biscuit tray; I wasn't a fan of the brisket, but that's a personal preference because I don't like overly fatty meat (there was a lot of fat to pick around. I'm not a Southern-food expert, though, so this could be perfectly normal). The macaroni side dish was great, and the potato salad was good too. Don't walk into this place expecting the typical shredded, drowning-in-sauce kind of BBQ, cause they do it differently! Great stuff though, I'll be back many times I'm sure.
(4)
Nakia H.
Sweet Cheeks left a sour taste in my mouth. Where shall I begin? My friend and I arrived around 7:45pm and didn't get seated until 9:45. The hostesses were very inattentive and left numerous tables open in a restaurant that had a ton of customers waiting to be seated. After 2 hours of waiting, instead of sitting my friend and I at a two occupant table they stuffed us at a table with strangers and luckily they were nice. I ordered the half chicken(half decent), Mac and cheese(didn't love it. It wasn't cooked well), and collard greens, which were good. My friend ordered ribs, which were amazing. I would say get the ribs and eat at this spot after 10pm so you won't experience the endless wait during the weekend.
(2)
G H.
I thought this place was solid. Prices were good...and the ambiance is great. I got the pulled pork which was amazing---the portions are HUGE!!!! the mac and cheese was delish! I loved that the drinks were served in mason jars. Can't wait to come back
(4)
Aleena C.
If you want quantity but not quality this is the place for you. I felt disgusted for days after eating here.
(2)
coco s.
Definitely going back to work my way down the menu. Had the brisket, just one rib, the mac n cheese, and farm salad. Only disappointment was my take home portion did not include any bbq sauce that I specifically asked the waiter make sure he put in my box of yum yum!
(4)
app P.
I do not like my bbq smothered in sauce -- I want to TASTE the meat, damnit! Fortunately, Sweet Cheeks allows its customers to do just this since the meat is cooked with a dry rub and bottles of sauce are on each table for each diner to use at their own discretion. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal of pulled pork sandwich (on a bulkie roll, of course) with slaw. I loaded that baby up with the pickles and onions and poured on the (carolina-style) vinegar and it came pretty darn close (for BBQ above the Mason-Dixon line) to the pulled pork I enjoyed in NC this past summer. I couldn't decide between the collards and the broccoli cheese casserole, and I applaud the (friendly!) waitress' decision with the latter. This surprisingly light blend of broccoli, cheese, and crust is served in a mug, which I thought was pretty cute. No need for salt and pepper with this meal -- I found everything well-seasoned. I am looking forward to a return visit because I really want to try the sweet tea, but on this visit, I just couldn't bring myself to spend the $4.50 (knowing it is a little over a dollar at Bojangles!!!).
(4)
S D.
I love barbecue and even though I grew up in the South eating pulled pork frequently, I don't think I'm that hard to please (love Red Bones and Blue Ribbon and Village Smokehouse). However, this pulled pork was frightful. And the sauces? Honestly. They did not bear the slightest resemblance to barbecue sauce. The biscuits? Couldn't tell you because as other reviewers experienced, they were out of them. Pitiful excuse for a barbecue place. Sigh. At least our waiter was nice.
(1)
samantha c.
I was sooo disappointed w/ sweet cheeks. I had high expectations but the meat was super dry. :( I'd try it again but it was expensive too. :( :(
(1)
Char M.
First visit. Great easy menu. Great entree and sides. You may have to eat at long tables with other people. Good service.
(4)
Lexi L.
Love this place!!! I have been at least a half dozen times, just in the last 3 months. Each time I go, I get a different meal and each time I have been blown away and completely full! There are so many different combinations, and you can never go wrong. The atmosphere and staff are fun,friendly, upbeat and the food is fantastic! Although the last visit I was a bit uneasy with the "hawk-like" behavior of what I assume was a manager. The way she circled the restaurant, with a bitter look on her face, eyeing the staff (like she was waiting for them to mess up), made me very uneasy. I felt like I needed to sit up in my chair and tuck in my shirt each time she passed. Not once in her many trips around the dining room did she stop at our table to say hello, or see how our meal was. She didnt look as though she was happy to be there and I am shocked that the staff was able to keep such an upbeat, fun attitude. I have been in the hotel and restaurant business for many years, and trained by top, 5 star companies. One of the first things I was taught. is that you are on stage and even if your having a shit day, DO NOT let your guests know or sense it. Well this poor girl must be having a shit life, because the look on her face and the attitude she had said it all. Kudos to the staff for putting up with this manager, and keep up the amazing work in the kitchen Tiffany!!! I will be back, but hope old sour puss wont be circling my table.
(4)
David M.
Really good Texas bar-b-que. I must say I enjoy the decor of the restaurant. Right down to the mini mason jar glass ware they serve cocktails in. Just as an FYI the platters can feed two people and I suggest against it for a single person unless your starving. The sandwich's are open face and definitely give you an opportunity to taste the delicious beef though the chicken sandwich is dry it's still pretty good especially if you add sauce. The biscuits are something that you have to have. They are as big as your face, when you add the honey butter it just makes your younger wanna slap your brain. But be careful as these things are filling. So if your going to jump into a full meal don't over do it with these delicious morsels. The one down side for me is the fact it's just reeks of swine. I don't eat pork and the smell of swine has always bothered me,but even with me having that small issue it's totally worth it. And from what friends told me the pork belly is a must have. So I say go and get it while you can. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
s r.
This Texan loved it. The chopped brisket sandwich was great, the staff was very attentive, and the sides were super tasty. What else do you need from a BBQ joint? We are looking forward to going back soon.
(5)
Meeg W.
Amazing BBQ. We shared (SHARED) the pulled pork platter and were completely stuffed by the mound of juicy, tender meat, and the two sides. I didn't eat any of the other meats, but I do know that the pulled pork was the most delicious pulled pork, the most delicious BBQ meat, I have ever eaten. One of the sides was an enameled mug full of mac and cheese, hands down the world's greatest mac and cheese. So creamy and delicious, the only way mac and cheese should be served. The other side was another mug of baked beans that we didn't care much for. Not what you'd really expect, they're not the typical navy beans in goopy sauce, I think they're kidney beans in a meat flavored, thin sauce. Interesting, but not the sweet beans I had envisioned, they should probably try to make that clear on their menu. If I had known I would have gotten the casserole side (can't remember exactly what was in it) which I had a single, amazing bite of, which is all they would share with me.
(5)
David m.
the kitchen was closed we got there, so we had a liquid diner. it was delicous. our waiter, name forgotten, sorry, was great. he talked to girls through a heavily whiskey based cocktail list to find something they would love. (he was from south boston, thats all i remember but he made our night!) the drinks were great and cant wait to go back and try food!
(5)
Emilio C.
If you and a friend want to pay 90 dollars to get realy sick and for tasteless food, this is your place. I went to JW culinary school, and this is the worse restaurant in Boston so far. Also the music is loud as hell. It has been four days and we are not totally recovered. FAT & GREASE AT SWEET CHEEKS
(1)
Kate E.
i heart the love in this joint!
(5)
Hank L.
Four of us dined at Sweet Cheeks last night. A truly amazing experience. The ambiance is funky and loud, exactly what you would expect in a five star Barbeque joint. The food was fantastic. The biscuits in the bucket-o-biscuits were absolutely delicious. The ribs and brisket were some of the best we had ever eaten. The carrot and raisin salad is a must-have. While the portions looked small, we were all pretty darn full at the end of the meal. One small gaff in the entree ordered (ordered short ribs and got pork ribs) was immediately dealt with by the friendly and efficient waitress. The mistake was of the no big deal variety. The restaurant is pretty loud. And Short Ribs and Pork Ribs could easily sound the same. Maybe they should change the menu to Pork Ribs and Beef Ribs. Great food. Great service. And a visit from Tiffani Faison at the end of the meal to apologize for the entree mix-up (really? no apology required. really.) made for a fabulous evening.
(5)
chris t.
had a perfect dinner on monday great food friendly staff couldn't ask for more. leftovers.... love it! had pork belly for breakfast with biscuit as big as my head.................. no bull! Thanks Tiffani
(5)
Kim C.
Turning the corner onto Boylston Street you could smell the smoke in the air. Sweet Cheeks is a fantastic addition to the Boston restaurant scene! Delicious food, great tap beer list, friendly staff and a low key atmosphere make this the perfect night out. We started with the biscuits and honey butter - four HUGE biscuits were delivered in a paint bucket. The biscuits were warm and buttery, but the star is the honey butter. Fantastic. I had the pulled pork sandwich with the farm salad and broccoli cheese casserole as my sides. The pulled pork was smokey and loaded with flavor. You can tell a good pulled pork when you don't need to add any sauce. There are three home made sauces on the table and I tried all three. They were good but not spectacular; my favorite of the three was the Carolina vinegar sauce. I ate most of my sandwich sans sauce. The farm salad was the perfect cold side. Perfectly sauteed brussel spouts and greens with grapes and barley. So good and light. The broccoli cheese was very good, but heavy; I could not finish it all. My boyfriend got the pulled pork tray with mac and cheese as a side and we both agreed that it was missing something, almost that it was too cheesy with an overpowering cheese taste at the beginning - if that makes sense. He had the cole slaw for his cold slide and it was very good. Large pieces of red and green cabbage with a vinegar kick. This is not a heavy, mayonnaise cole slaw. It is probably the most healthy southern meal you will ever eat. The portions were right on, we left full with two biscuits and some honey butter in a doggie bag. And we had the most PHENOMENAL Kentucky bourbon ale on draft. We will most definitely be back!
(4)
Luke L.
This being New England, there's a precious few establishments that even understand the difference between wet and dry. I am as obsessed with barbecue as you can be around here and I've never tasted perfect. But Sweet Cheeks is as close as it gets for Boston. The barbecue is thoughtful and balanced; striking a harmony between the pork, rub, and smoke. We got the "Fat Cheeks Tray", trying most of the meat offerings. Everything was delicious including the cocktails and sides. The pork ribs were the star. The staff was terrific. The atmosphere was both homey and sophisticated. My only criticism is the portions could be bigger. Thoughtful barbecue 10 minutes from the SE and Back Bay. Thankfully, Gratefully, Finally.
(5)
Al C.
Tasty tasty! Went on a Friday night before a Sox game around 5:15 to in preparation for a long wait, which we were expecting based on the reviews. To our surprise we got a table outside with no fuss. Our server was upbeat and friendly, recommending the growler of the special on tap, which was pretty tasty. Based on his suggestion he also said the Fat Cheeks tray and an order of biscuits would be more than enough for the two of us, and I'm glad we took his advice. The biscuits were huge and buttery, and the giant pot of whipped honey butter complimented them well. They were so big we took the other two leftover biscuits for the road. For our platter we got the pork belly, brisket, and ribs. The brisket was amazing- tasty, fall apart moist- and the ribs were also great. The pork belly wasn't what I was expecting, more like a cut of loin than a really thick piece of bacon with fatty skin. It was still tasty, albeit a bit salty, but I was expecting something richer. The mac n' cheese was creamy and cheese, but the coleslaw, made of big leaves of dressed cabbage instead of fine shreds, was a miss. Overall, a very enjoyable and delicious meal. Would definitely go back again!
(4)
Khanh P.
finally had the chance to experience this quaint little place. TIP: call ahead and make reservations, the space is crowded and limited and we had to wait about an hour for a table for 4 on a Saturday night. Be careful with ordering apps because you'll be stuffed! We shared their humongous biscuits with honey butter (addicting!) along with their salt&pepper potatos with jalapeño ranch. Sooo good I can't say bad things about these apps. The potatos were surprisingly really flavorful and nicely paired with their jalapeño ranch. For my entree I did the big cheeks tray - which I would recommend because you get to try a little bit of everything. I had the ribs and the pork belly along with the mac&cheese and farm salad. Love love love everything on my platter with the exception of the pork belly which was coating my mouth in fat. Ribs were tender, mac&cheese was not overwhelmingly cheesy and the salads dressing complimented it nicely. I was beyond stuffed even before my entree due to overindulging in the apps. Great place and fun place for a double date.
(4)
Venessa R.
Best biscuits EVER. Definitely worth 10 bucks. They come out piping hot and the butter served with it is amazing. Everytime i come here i get the pulled pork and its juicy snd flavorful every time. They have great sides too like the mac and cheese and Broccoli and cheese.
(5)
Ellie L.
Best biscuits ever!!! So large, so buttery, so flaky, so delicious. And, they come with whipped honey butter. As for the BBQ options, I'd say, in general, there could be more BBQ flavor. The meats were cooked well, but a little lacking in flavor - especially the chicken thighs. Nonetheless, the lunch specials are a really good deal and there are a good array of sides to choose from. In the end, the 4 stars mostly go to those awesome biscuits!
(4)
Miss H.
Look, the food is excellent and so I'll give 2 stars for that alone. So if you're dying to try the food, I would recommend getting take-out, and wait a few months while they work out their front of the house kinks. "Kinks" are understatement in my experience and get a -5 star in this review. We got there at 7 on Saturday night and it was packed, but we agreed to the 1-1.15hr wait and got stools and drinks. Everything was just fine until . . . after about an hour they gave us the worst table in the place. It was right in front of the door and so every time somebody walked in there was a gust of cold winter air on my back. Our waitress also informed us that they were out of pulled pork, which is what we came to try, so we were were very disappointed. I strongly recommend they remove that table as it's unfair to expect people to sit with winter gusts on their back. We decided to forfeit our table and wait for the next available one. 10 minutes later the host motioned for us to come over and we got up in delight. When we got to the table, they told us "false alarm!" they need the communal table for a party of 7. So we went back to our stools to wait more. We waited about 20-30 more mins and finally we were sat at a communal table. We were starving at that point and knew exactly what we wanted to order since we had over 1.5hrs to peruse the menu. The waitress came to our table 2 times to serve our neighbors and didn't say anything to us. A few mins later a group was sat next to us. The waitress came back and we were eager to place our order. She poured us water and then greeted the party that was sat after us and started to take their orders. I was in shock and called the manager as soon as he walked by. My patience was really being tested! It was really feeling like deliberate neglect at this point. So he took our orders and I was just dying to get one of those mouthwatering biscuits to start with. It was utter torture, almost humiliating, to watch the people who sat after us get served biscuits and entrees before we got anything! The only plus to waiting so long, was that that they finished smoking another batch of pulled pork by the time we ordered (sarcasm). My husband and I were furious watching these people eat their entrees next to us when we had got there first. We waited 10 more mins and were about to walk out when finally our entrees arrived. YET still NO biscuits. The biscuits arrived a few mins AFTER we got our entrees, which we were inhaling due to starvation. The manager only checked in on us once after and the only interaction we had with the waitress was at the end when she asked if we wanted dessert or the check. I'm more mad at myself for not walking out sooner.
(2)
Gracia L.
I'm not sure what you're talking about if you give this place any less than a 5 stars. You walk in and you immediately smell the flavors of meats that have been stewing for hours that immediately water your taste buds. I started with the tequila drink that is mixed with some tobasco and budlight lime (if you like spicy drinks, this one is the way to go). My fiance and I ordered the fried okra to start and it was a challenge for us to not finish the whole thing!! We wanted to leave some room for our dinner. We then split the three-meat platter of pork belly (OMG!), pulled chicken, and beef brisket...with sides of farm salad and broccoli cheese casserole. First off, let me tell you, the farm salad is nothing like a boring green house salad. It consisted of brussell sprouts, grapes, arugula, and peanuts. It was a party in my mouth. The pork belly just melt in your mouth. If you don't like fat, you will. I have gone to several BBQ places around Boston (Red Bones, Soul Fire, and Blue Ribbon BBQ) and they have nothing on this place. Tiffani Faison knows her bbq meats.
(5)
Sonia P.
Grabbed some BBQ here before my very first Sox game - this place serves some surprisingly delicious food! Snagged one of their barrel tables outside on their outdoor bar patio. Can't remember the name of our server but she was super efficient and spunky, we liked her! FOOD: portions are huge so definitely order several dishes to share -Fried Green Tomatoes: very yummy with a super light and crispy batter -Hushpuppies: a little oily, okay flavor -Pulled Pork: DELISH; a worthy competitor of BBQ you find in the South -Beef Brisket: probably liked this even more than the pork. Incredibly tender and full of flavor, hot diggity this meat was GOOD. Oh and all the meats come with different sauces which are fun to try. There are tons of beers to choose from to wash down all that BBQ goodness. Overall, Sweet Cheeks is... well... pretty sweet!
(4)
Shir L.
Unfortunately they don't seat you UNTIL your entire party arrives, even if 1-2 people are running late. Hostess's and Service is limited, don't expect too much. Food: 3 stars Everything was greasy, and oily which made it very filling. Shared the $26 fat cheeks tray of berkshire pork belly, berkshire pulled pork and berkshire pork ribs (1/2 slab). Meat was either dry or burnt and salty. Entrees: Great northern brisket (one of the better meat dishes) Buttermilk fried chicken (nothing out of the ordinary) Saved the Best for last: Biscuits - fluffy and delicious, melt in your mouth biscuits served with honey butter, hands down the BEST i've ever had. Will be returning here for just a beer and biscuits, you won't be disappointed!
(3)
Sabrina C.
Meal ordered: Pork belly tray with beans and cole slaw, plus one biscuit and lemonade. Pros: 1) The biscuit was out of control good with the honey butter. 2) The pork belly was also out of control good. It was succulent, perfectly seasoned (read: not salty), and filled me up really quickly. 3) The sides were delicious, especially the cole slaw. It was freshly made and the cabbage was still crisp; soggy cole slaw is the worst for me. 4) Good service and the restaurant itself was really cute, clean, and welcoming. Cons: 1) Don't get me wrong- the pork belly was amazing, but I reached food coma levels very quickly because it was quite fatty. This is not really a complaint since it's pork belly and should be fatty, but in the middle of the meal I was really feeling overwhelmed by how tasty and fatty it was. Don't order the pork belly if you're looking for a relatively lighter meat option. Summary: When I am back in Boston again, you will find me there. I would slather myself in biscuits and honey butter if I could.
(5)
Brie P.
Ended up here on a Friday night. Ended up with a table over in their beer garden. We were one of three groups outside. They have a walk up bar, music and if needed blankets. Ended up ordering one of the trays for my husband and myself. We ordered pulled pork, brisket and burnt ends. We got mac and cheese and the house salad as a side. We also got an order of biscuits and hush puppies. The biscuits and hush puppies came out first (after our drink order of course) the biscuits are HUGE and are filled with buttery goodness. The honey butter is a wonderful and addictive addition to the already mouthwatering biscuits. Now for the hush puppies. I am a sucker for a good hush puppy, and there are down right dangerous. Crispy outside,warm and just sweet enough. Oh, but in walks the sweet dipping sauce to make it even better! Needless to say,those didn't last long either. Our main trays came out,and were packed with life giving BBQ goodness. The pulled pork came out in a nice pile, slow cooked perfectly and is super tender. The burnt ends were so juicy and tender. I was worried they'd be dried out, but I was pleasantly surprised. Now onto my favorite thing ever, brisket. It was so tender and juicy and just fell apart with my fork. This was just as great as brisket I had at my wedding, that was smoked for 2 days just for our event. This brought me right back there. The mac n cheese was so cheesy and has a really great cracker crumble on top, that mixed up so well with the nicely cooked noodles abd ooey gooey cheesey goodness Only two things just left me going "meh". There were onions and pickles served on the tray,and I was sad to find out they had bread and butter pickles and not dill. Also, the house salad was nothing that blew me away. It was just a basic salad with a ton of things in it to me. But other than that, everyone was blown away by the amazing flavors that we got from this BBQ joint. I can't wait to return here again,and enjoy some mouth watering food.
(5)
Tanya Y.
I've always been compelled to come here because I drive by it literally every day when I go to work, and I'm happy that I've finally stepped foot in here. Although I'm not a BBQ connoisseur and haven't had a fair share of BBQ to compare it to, everything tasted pretty darn delicious. I've been here on two occasions - both during lunch time because the prices are significantly cheaper than at dinner time. Metered parking is also available on the same street and is much easier to come by if you ever want to give Sweet Cheeks a try. We were greeted at the door immediately and all the waitstaff seemed so sweet and kind - it was definitely comforting to feel like their welcomes were genuine. Mason jars served as cups, utensils were in a tin can, and three bottles of different sauce adorned the table once we were seated. Menus are all on printed paper and seemed rather simple. The significant other and I opted to try an order of the the famous biscuits (4 for $10), and two different trays. A tray typically comes with a choice of BBQ meat, one side dish (you can choose either hot or cold,) as well as housemade pickles, onion, and bread. We chose beef brisket ($12) for one tray and ribs ($14) for the other. While waiting, we decided to try the sauces - the larger sauce is their BBQ, which had a nice smokey flavor to it. The medium sized bottle is their vinegar sauce and the smallest a spicy habenero sauce. Warning: Use the habenero sauce in moderation, it does burn! For sides we got to try broccoli cheese casserole and their mac and cheese. The biscuits came out first : First impression? They're friggen ginormous, almost like biscuits on steroids. Fluffy, warm, and airy, they are made to order and are accompanied with a sweet honey butter. Be careful when eating these, though, you will get full, and quick! Then they trays came out shortly after. The ribs were my favorite of the two b options we ordered this time around. On another occasion we ordered the pork belly ($13) which I liked even better. Everything goes great stuff their bbqs sauce, and out of the two sides we liked the broccoli casserole the best. There was plenty of food left over so we ended up packing a lot of it to go. Left full and happy, and the staff were great :)
(4)
Damien S.
There are lines that make their way in to every conversations about Boston: - "So, did you?" *Did I what?* "Did you pahk your cah in the..." *Don't.* - "Oh, yeah, Farnham Hall, right?" *Faneuil?* "Yeah, Fanfare." - "Man, that Belichick is a genius. Does he ever smile?" *No.* and the relevant one: - "You guys have seafood on lock down, but is there any good BBQ?" Often because the short list of well-known and patronized joints boasting slow and low proffer specialty plates that I can get behind, namely Redbones' catfish, Blue Ribbon's burnt ends, Soul Fire's smoked wings, M&M's ribs... Please add Sweet Cheeks to the tops, for two very particular dishes: the Great Northern Brisket, and those legendary biscuits. The former, smoked until disintegrating and generally portioned with an exquisite fat/meat ratio, I will only order the brisket from now on. Pork is solid option, too, iff'n you're not into the red meat, and I would kick that pig out of bed for eating crackers. But lordy, the smoke on that beef, with a little spicy and hot sauce is just (physically and emotionally) heart-breakingly delicious. The biscuits? Look man, I can either sit here and paint with words the euphoria you'll feel downing a bucket with exquisite honey butter, or you can just see for yourself. A note to management: Consider a take-away kiosk on your patio that sells individual biscuits to passers-by, a la lemonade stand. You can have a window dedicated to your biscuits and you will kill it. The cons are few: some sides are less than memorable, the lofty prices for plates include the Fenway tax (feeling thrifty? Lunch menu is 15-20% less for the same servings), and the cocktails - especially the Damn Yankee - have been perfect one night, and incredibly off-balance the next. Front of house sees a similar fluctuation: twice, the service was outstanding; twice, absent and seemingly annoyed. Still, dat brisket. Free refills on the sweet tea. The glass is gigantic though, so if you polish off a second, pee before you leave.
(4)
Justin S.
Excellent BBQ with complimentary sides. DEFINITELY get the biscuits with honey butter. Carolina BBQ sauce was terrific as well as cheesy grits but everything we tried was excellent. If my son gets into school here, we'll happily be back!
(5)
Katie B.
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars here. I've eaten at sweet cheeks a couple times now and it's the sort of place I wouldn't oppose going to if my friends wanted to but would probably not seek it out myself. The food: overall, the food is mixed. I highly recommend getting a bucket of biscuits to start with. They are simply amazing. They are enormous, piping hot, fluffy and delicious. Not only that, but the honey butter that comes with it is incredible. If you come here, you have to get an order. I think it comes with 4 biscuits in each order. The fried chicken is also pretty good; its crispy on the outside and the meat is juicy. However, I wasn't blown away by their Texas toast, and surprisingly any of their pork items...they're not bad but they just don't do it for me. The sides are alright; some are better than others but I can't remember the names...I believe there was a salad that was pretty tasty. The portions are fairly large, fitting for their prices. Note: there are a lot of great sauces on the tables you should try! Service and ambience are casual and friendly.
(3)
Kate K.
I was in the neighborhood, checked out Yelp and went in. It was very crowded and the host was not feeling terribly imaginative or accommodating. I ended up at the bar, which turned out to be fine. Of course I ordered the biscuit and it was every bit as amazing as everybody said! It was hot, delicious, moist, fluffy and huge! The honey butter melted straightaway and made each bite heavenly! I ordered the St. Louis ribs with coleslaw and mac & cheese. The coleslaw was crunchy and chunky and was a good contrast to the ribs. The mac & cheese was ok. It came in a crock and had a Ritz cracker topping. The crackers could have been crushed more and the mac & cheese could have been creamier. I ate three of the six ribs and two of them were delicious. The third one was tough and chewy. Bummer. There were three different sauces for the ribs and I tried them all. The vinegary Carolina one was okay but more vinegar than flavor. The hot sauce nearly took my head off and the barbecue sauce was my favorite. It is a little sweet but works well with the ribs. The bartender, who took my order, was terrific. Her name is Kayla or Kaya? I am sorry I don't remember because it was so loud and I didn't hear her well. She guided me with my dinner choice and was spot on. She also gave me the biggest container of Diet Coke I've ever had! It was a quart Bell jar and was awesome! I think the restaurant is pricey and the food could be cooked with more care. It was a fun change of pace and I would go back.
(4)
Jonathan C.
I came here with my family for lunch and were seated promptly. Even though I had heard about the wonderful drinks before I went, it was just too early in the day for me to have a drink. However, the many good things I heard about the biscuits was something I was ready to try. The enormous biscuits came out, still warm to the touch. I cracked open the biscuit and spread the heavenly honey butter throughout the interior. They were a nice flaky texture inside with a crisp exterior. I can say that these were the best biscuits I have ever had in my life. Alongside the biscuits, we ordered the hushpuppies as another appetizer. They were very crisp and had a very flavorful dipping sauce. But the hushpuppies on the bottom of the container were super greasy and lacking the crisp texture that the top hushpuppies had. For my lunch, I ordered the pulled pork platter with the farm salad as a side. The meat itself was cooked well and was incredibly juicy. But the meat lacked a lot of flavor that I was looking for in pulled pork. This is where the BBQ sauces Sweet Cheeks offers came to the rescue. The sauces added some of the smokey and spicy flavors I was looking for out of the pulled pork. The farm salad was very unique. It was dressed perfectly and had a nice contrast between the saltiness of the cheese with the sweet bite of the grapes. Overall, the biscuits with the honey butter would keep me coming back time and time again. It was some of the best BBQ I have had in Boston.
(4)
Rachel N.
Have you ever come home from a meeting abt what to do with your life and stress-eaten an entire bag of chocolate chips - and subsequently struggled with what to do with the resulting sugar high? Well. I have. And here we are. So it is through this seductive veil of sh-tty Nestle-fueled mistakes that I bring to you my thoughts on Sweet Cheeks. Also, I should note that despite what KFG thinks, I don't eat red meat - haven't in like 15y with the exception of that one hot date w my sisterwife when the filet at Mistral was calling to me - so my review of SC will be a little skewed, but I did poll the carnivores for their thoughts. I don't care if you're celiac or go into anaphylactic shock when you eat gluten, get the biscuits. I am qualified to make this statement not only b/c my momsie is Southern, but more importantly, I was an obese child. I know my way around a biscuit. Real well. And these are great. Buttery, dense caloric perfection. Perhaps not as flakey as some would like, but to me, they were aces as I love that thick-sink-your-teeth in type thing. I would have preferred regular butter to slather on them instead of the honey butter stuff, but overall, a fan-effing-tastic way to start the meal. Whereas most ppl were all like "ohhhh, I can't eat an entire one by myself", I ate three. Because I am a champion. Hush puppies (which yes, I did initially type as "pussies") weren't as successful - weirdly sweet, too greasy. The fried green tomatoes were breaded well, but could have used a dash or two of salt. Friends got a variety of trays and sandos - ranging from $11-26, although it includes two sides, it wasn't a huge amnt of food for the price, though it was rich. The brisket and pulled pork got the best reviews, the pork belly less so. If you're going full veg, they can have anything fried, mac n' cheese (which was weirdly dry and unappetizing, a pass), and many of the sides (broc casserole, potato salad, cole slaw), though some of them have meat in them, so be sure to ask. I have zero idea what a vegan would eat here - oh, the farm salad (grapes, pecans, brussels, lettuce, parm) was actually pretty tight, so if you do sans cheese, perhaps you can hit that? Plan to spend $20-$30/pp - great cocktails, good beer list, wine is fine but nothing special, though it comes generously poured in a mini Mason jar, which always makes me happy. Vibe is muy casual - a little loud - hoppin bar scene and while the place isn't exactly sexxxy, we saw lots of first dates going down (and yelling timber, in honor of Flo Rida, duh), so it's pretty excellent people watching - bonus points for the fact that they do play oldies, so if we happen to cross paths there, get ready to hear me aggressively hum to Roy Orbison from across the resto. Overall, worth a trip, if for no other reason than the biscuits and cocktails alone.
(4)
William S.
Saying this upfront: I've only visited once and it was for their January ramen night. I hope to visit again soon because I'd love to try their BBQ (and it's a thrill to see Chef Faison). Until then, this review is just of their ramen night. To start: check their twitter. Not only is it quite informative, their social media staff is quite responsive if you have questions. If you are interested in a ramen night, it's important to know what variety they are serving (can be vegetarian, tonkatsu, or other). It's important to get there early. There was a line the night we went (January 19th, 2015), and they only make 100 bowls of ramen for the night. It was a cold and blustery night to wait outdoors, but the staff kept us warm with rounds of hot chocolate and togarashi popcorn. Honestly, their staff was as much a highlight of the evening as the food. Extremely personable, they were clearly enjoying themselves and made every effort to engage the customers. The ramen that night was tonkatsu with pork belly. The limited menu included a few classic Japanese appetizers (grilled shishito peppers and tsukemono), some sake, and some Japanese beer. They also offered extra pork belly and their signature buttermilk biscuits with honey butter. Before I start pointing out the flaws, I wan't to make an important note about the ramen: I loved it. The broth was luscious and salty, the noodles were the perfect consistency (it's great they've started using Sun), the soft-boiled seasoned egg was a nice twist on a classic component, and the pork belly was simply divine. That said, it wasn't perfect. Their noodles are too short. I suspect it was on purpose (to keep people cleaner), but you couldn't get that classic slurp going. They could also use another 2 oz. of noodles given how much broth there was. As for the broth, seasoning was a bit inconsistent from what I gathered by talking to others near us. In general, the broth could have used a bit more depth of flavor - it fell just short on a few umami notes. But here's the thing: it shouldn't have been perfect. This is a barbecue joint experimenting with ramen, something that most purveyors have to dedicate their craft to. If you're expecting the best ramen of your life, go to a dedicated ramen shop. I loved this whole-hearted attempt at their own version and applaud the willingness to experiment. If you want to be a ramen purist, don't go. It just means more for those of us who can appreciate it.
(4)
Jennifer N.
Was the food good? YES. Was it worth the money? MEH. Debatable. My friend and I came here Saturday evening probably around 5:30PM? There was no wait, but by the time we left...I believe people were talking about it being a 45 min wait or so? The place itself is really nice! I walked in and was pleasantly surprised by just how nice the place looked. The drink menu was pretty legit with a wide variety of beer and cocktails. The food menu was pretty basic - you have your meats and you have your sides. Pretty simple. You have the option of ordering by weight, tray, or sandwich. I went with the pulled pork sandwich and my friend got a tray with two meats (pork belly and pulled pork). They give you about half a pound of meat and the you can add on two sides (one cold, one hot) for $6. I was hoping the meal would already come with sides considering the price, but nope. The meats were really good and I liked the sauces provided. Three options - your basic molasses based bbq sauce, a Carolina vinegar sauce, and a jalapeno sauce. I loved the jalapeno sauce! Normally I don't think jalapenos are spicy, but this definitely had a kick to it! The sides were good too - I ordered the mac & cheese and farm salad. I really liked that the salad included brussel sprouts. It had a bit too much dressing that caused the greens to be a little soggy, but it was tasty nonetheless. I thought the mac and cheese was good, but could've done with a little less bread/cracker crumbs. Overall it was a good meal, but our meal came out to be around $60 before tip! A tray with sides, a sandwich with sides, and two beers.
(3)
Melissa B.
This was good, but not great. I'm not sure I understand all the hype. For starters, I called at 6 on a Tuesday and asked about the wait for a table for 2. I was told there was no wait. I was in the neighborhood, so my boyfriend and I walked in the front door of the restaurant no more than 10 minutes later (not an exaggeration). Somehow in those 5 min, they went from "no wait" to "no tables whatsoever". We were not given a wait time - just told to go eat at the standing tables around the edge or at the bar area outside. It took us a little bit to find a space to squeeze ourselves into and a little while longer to be served. The bartender did a great job, considering he had to bartend and serve a whole area by himself. I got the brisket, which was pretty good, but not the best I've had in my life. The potato salad was actually pretty amazing and the beans were good, but not my favorite. All that to say, the food was okay, the service was okay and the space was okay. What I'm not okay with is having to make reservations far in advance or squeezing myself into extra seating to eat food that's just okay.
(3)
Elizabeth P.
Let me preface my review by saying that I have never dined in at Sweet Cheeks, and have only attended 2 events catered by Sweet Cheeks. The event featured pulled pork and BBQ chicken with mac n cheese, cole slaw, salad and BBQ sauce. The food was great and definitely one of the better catered events I have attended. However, the past few years I lived in Texas, and this BBQ just doesn't compare. So, if you have had real southern BBQ you will probably be like "hmm yeah that was pretty good", however I am sure given the location's popularity it is one of the better places in the area for BBQ (sorry I'm a bit of a BBQ connoisseur)
(3)
Ying-Jer K.
The biscuits are must-have. The best ever had. I ordered the ribs, and wouldn't recommend it because it is a bit dry. The service is good and the atmosphere is excellent.
(4)
Jessica M.
From the moment I walked up to this place I wanted to love it! I actually did love it. The decor, the friendly staff, the awesome atmosphere, I was sold. My only complaint was some of the food. I expected a lot more. are boy and I both ordered plates with a cold side and warm side, oh and the fried okra to share. Yum to the okra! Ask for their homemade ranch or just dip it into some of the BBQ sauce on the table... Yum!!! Who needs chips when you have those!? I had the pork belly plate with Mac and cheese and the potato salad. The belly was great! Nice smoked flavor not obnoxiously fatty like some pork belly can be, oh and a big healthy portion!!! Now, my homemade mac and cheese is amazing so when I say this one is good, it's good! Lol nice flavor, crunchy buttery topping, super creamy, not too thick. mmmmm The potato salad somehow ended up on the boys plate and I had his coleslaw. I must admit I was not a fan of either. They both were bland and definitely could have used salt or something to wake it them up! Bummer indeed. The boy ordered brisket and greens. He wasn't a fan of the potato salad or coleslaw either :( His was upset his brisket was mostly fat... Not the delicious fat either just the chewy meh brisket. He ate around it and didn't want to make a big deal. I didn't even want to try it haha I was in belly heaven. Lol the greens made up for it though! He loved them. They were perfect, not bitter, perfect savory flavor! Well don't Cheeks! All in all I may go back if I'm in the area. I won't go out of my way to go here. Definitely open to trying some of the rest of their menu. I mean, everyone else's food looked good.
(3)
Helen L.
I read an article that the line for ramen starts at 8 and they only serve 100 bowls of ramen. Ramen is served from 9-10pm. Their regular kitchen closes at 9. Arrived at 7:30 and there was no one in line so we grabbed some drinks on the side bar. Theo, the host, was so welcoming and gave us the full run down of what to expect. John, the bartender, was sociable and welcoming. Around 8:30 they started passing out (Cajun?) popcorn and shrimp chips with seaweed flakes in mini Chinese takeout boxes. John and Theo kept making rounds to make sure everyone in line had a drink or water. They explained the flavor of the night and allowed us to try it to gage what spice level we wanted. Tonight's theme was vegetarian (mushrooms and other veges). The flavor was roasted Thai chili paste. The menu was limited because the normal kitchen hours closed at 9, but they still offered the biscuits and chicken wings as part of the late night ramen menu. Sat down 9:07pm! Kenny, the waiter, took our orders. He suggested getting the slow roasted short ribs. Ask for Kenny! He's awesome. Food came quickly. vegetarian mushroom ramen - roasted shiitakes, scallion, charred corn, soy-garlic butter, smoked tofu and Thai chile paste. Broth is made from fried mushrooms, charred vegetables, miso, sesame paste and kombu (kelp). The ramen had little broth (unlike places like Sapporo or Totto Ramen) but it was still flavorful and a little on the salty side. Buttermilk biscuits - never a let down! But can definitely fill you up quickly! one appetizer order comes with 4 large (size of your fists) biscuits. Salt and pepper short ribs slow roasted for 14 hours - Yelpers, this is a magical piece of meat. If I had to pick something to eat for the rest of my life...this is probably one of the top contenders. The meat was so tender and fell right off the bone. It so flavorful and so damn good. 1989 teriyaki wings - these weren't pretty good but the short ribs overpowered it. Overall so yummy!
(4)
Jennifer G.
I've been here both for their regular dinner menu and Monday night ramen. Here's my two cents: Their BBQ meals are delicious. I always start off with an order of biscuits. Careful though, they'll fill you up quick, so pace yourselves. Their portions are very generous, and you'll leave feeling satisfied for sure. I've had their pulled pork and fried chicken. Probably some of the best fried chicken I've had. Perfect amount of crisp and more chicken than bone, which is a plus. They have a wide selection of drinks and the best part is that they come in mason jars. Mason jars somehow make everything better. Their ramen was not so impressive. They switch it up every couple of weeks I believe, and I happened to come on vegetarian night (and I'm not a vegetarian). I thought I'd give it a try though, and sad to say, it was not very satisfying. I had heard about Monday night ramen for weeks now, and was really looking forward to it, but unfortunately there was too much hype over it and I was disappointed. It was flavorful, but not in the way that regular ramen dishes at other restaurants are. It's as if they mixed in some BBQ flavor and other sauces. They are a BBQ restaurant after all, but I think they should just stick to their BBQ. I would also have liked there to be more broth. The tofu and other vegetables soaked up all the broth, so towards the end, it just looked like a plain old noodle dish that you can get from any Asian restaurant. Their service is excellent and the servers are all very knowledgeable and friendly. While you're waiting in line (for ramen), they make sure to accommodate you as best as possible -- they come out with mini appetizers of popcorn and shrimp chips and make sure that you always have a drink or water in hand. Will I be back? Yes, most definitely. Will I get $15 ramen and stand in line for more than an hour? Most definitely not.
(4)
June-Young C.
I'd rate this place 3 star restaurant normally, but the ramen nights are spectacular. Although I may not be an ordinary American, I feel as if the portions are a little too small for the price. The ribs are good with all the sauces to choose from, but I find myself wanting a little more after eating a half rack of ribs. The sides are fairly good(I am a stickler for bbq beans and mac & cheese). I remember one time I ate a Fat Cheeks Tray with Brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork, and I was still hungry. Maybe it is an incentive to lose some weight?! The ramen nights are pretty crazy. Huge lines on Monday nights, but it is worth it. The soup is really thick since it has been cooking for 3 days, the half cooked egg literally melts in your mouth, and the fried chicken was really good. They seem to rotate the exact type of ramen every once in a while, so it may not be the same. I try to call ahead of time to make sure they are actually having ramen that Monday, because it is a seasonal thing. Overall, not a bad place!
(4)
Mike D.
Best BBQ I've had in a long time! (And I eat a lot of it) Ribs had the smokiness that true BBQ should have, absolutely awesome!! We order the sampler with 3 meats and 2 sides. Collard greens were awesome, salad was ok but good, pulled pork awesome, brisket - best brisket I have ever had, and the ribs were amazing... oh and no need for sauce on anything, just amazing. I wish I live closer to Boston - I would make this a weekly thing. Keep doing your thing Sweet Cheeks!
(5)
Vivian C.
Sweet Cheeks has been on my restaurant to-do list for quite a while now. And finally, did that, done that. And no rush to go back there any time soon. Located directly across from the Shaw's Supermarket, Sweet Cheeks is quite sizeable, and when there is good enough weather, they have additional seating out front on the sidewalk. There was a significant wait for the tables, so instead we happily hopped on a pair of their available first come first serve (yet still fully serviced) counter stools. Though service itself was a long time coming... I've been wanting to check out their highly touted biscuits and farmer's salad, and so we did. Along with a tray (buttermilk fried chicken $22), we opted to add a few onesies to get a tasty sampling of the proteins between the two of us. The biscuits arrived first, 4 in a metal pail for $10 (alternatively we could have also ordered them by the piece for $3 each). Hot, fluffy, huge they were, and the sweet soft butter melted gloriously against the biscuits. They were tasty, but I did not hear angels sing. Still greedily I accepted a share of the remaining carb and dairy to take home for breakfast another day. Our selected onsies arrived alongside the fried chicken on its tray, all set in little piles. In my meat order of preference from tops to bottom: fried chicken (4 pieces, tender meat, crispy coating), brisket (two fat slices in a 1/4 lb portion for $4.50; tender though with a thin fatty layer), ribs ($3.50 apiece; just not as tender as its tray-mates). The farmer's salad beat out the mac & cheese, no sweat, but you have to like brussel sprouts to really enjoy it. Sure, the pasta wasn't overly soft, but even with the crumby topping, it wasn't much of a standout from the supermarket one in the blue box. Seating options were your normal joe private tables, bar seats, the window side counter seats we populated, and a couple of long communal tables. Noise levels were on the loud side with music blaring and folks chit-chatting. Not the most comfy of restaurant settings. Service was nice when we had it; a bit tough to find at times though. We ordered the butterscotch pudding $5 to finish off our meal. Though not a large portion, it was super rich and creamy; much too much after a full belly of meat. The two of us each had about a third, and our sweet tooth cravings were well satiated.
(3)
Miles H.
To date, I've had one good experience with Sweet Cheeks, and that was shortly after it opened. For about $10, I got a massive, smoky pulled pork sandwich with a generous side of baked beans. Everything was delicious and well-worth the money. Since then, the place has become drunk on its own hype. The prices have gone up, the portions have gotten smaller, the BBQ quality has middled somewhere between Blackstrap (high) and Redbones (low), and perhaps most frustrating of all, you never quite know how much your meal is going to cost you until you show up at the restaurant and order, especially for lunch options. Menu costs are inflated significantly on the weekends, but the restaurant website fails to disclose this. When you don't have an unlimited budget for eating out, this can really mess with your meal plans. I've had my fill of Sweet Cheeks and I won't be going back: it's an arrogant, self-satisfied establishment that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
(1)
Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a bite to eat on a Saturday. We were there before noon, so were were seated right away, but the place began to fill up. There is a ton of seating and even a bar where they play whatever sporting events are happening that day. For our meal, we started with the biscuits and butter. Please note that one biscuit per person is enough--they are massive. These were very tasty, though I would have loved to have the option of fresh strawberry jam or something like that with them. For my meal I got the brisket sandwich and carrot slaw (at the suggestion of fellow Yelpers). The brisket sandwich was pretty sizable and had great tenderness and flavor--probably some of the best brisket I have had in a while. On the other hand, I was very unimpressed with the carrot slaw. If you were able to get all the ingredients in it in one bite, it was pretty good, but the carrots themselves were very hard to eat in my opinion. Overall, this place is a great spot for BBQ in the Fenway area. The service is friendly and food comes out pretty quickly. As it is BBQ, it can be a bit expensive, but if you can afford it, it's definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Tony J.
The food is pretty good. Good variety of different BBQs offered. Also, the biscuits are really good. Lots of sauces as well. In all, a pretty good place for BBQ in a city that isn't really known for BBQ.
(4)
Laura S.
LOVED THE BISCUITS!!!! .... But that's the only thing that I'd go back for. I had some southern fried chicken tenders and a few sides. Nothing was memorable, everything was heavier and saltier than the southern bbq that I grew up with....but the biscuits were actually to die for, and the butter was delicious too. Service was ok, but I would have appreciated knowing that we could get biscuits in quantities other than 4 (how they were listed on the menu)...my boyfriend and I had commented that 4 for $10 was a lot, and the server never said "oh you can get them in servings of 1" but we watched our neighbor order just one biscuit! You are crammed in the place with seating almost on top of your neighbors. There are TVs and local sports though. food is just ok. I'd go for the beer list and the biscuits and will definitely make my way back for the biscuits. DID I MENTION THE BISCUITS ARE DELICIOUS????
(3)
Jessica P.
I was so excited to go here after getting addicted to their bisquits and fried chicken. lol Unfortunately it was mediocre at best. Our waiter seemed very annoyed as if he could not be bothered with tending to our table. Took our order, walked away and we never saw him again... I kid you not! I had to ask someone else for water, since he never once checked on our table. Finally I ask another waiter for our check and it takes 4 people and 10 minutes to figure out that he left for the day. What??? You have customers and you don't even tell them or any other waiters to pick up your table? I would think that would be a priority. One of the waiters who came over was very apologetic, which was nice. However he made it a point to say they "pool" their tips and that the previous waiter would now be affecting all of them. I tip for great service, not mediocrity. After voicing how upset I was with the service and the fried chicken to 2 different waiters and the hostess they didn't offer to have me speak to the manager. Very disappointing! The thing about service is that you still have the opportunity to recover, when the customer is there. After they are gone, it's a loss cause. I have been there plenty of times and although the service wasn't always good, the food was. This time though, bad all around. Good riddance Sweet Cheeks! I will keep my business with the establisments that actually care about their customer.
(1)
Matt H.
Drinks were good, food was tasty. We visited before the Zac Brown Band concert at Fenway. Most other places had lines out the door, but at the time we got there there was nobody waiting so we found two seats at the bar. After we sat down, people started pouring in, just our luck I guess. Brisket sandwich was excellent, mac n cheese was also very good. Bartenders were friendly and attentive which is about all I need to make me happy. Fun place. I would definitely revisit.
(4)
Brett T.
Anyone who knows me knows I am a BBQ fanatic. Most places I try I am disappointed. But not sweet cheeks. They have it figured out. I had a sampler platter with all their meats and each one was cooked to perfection. Moist and juicy, great smoke rings and excellent flavor. The best part is that it's Texas style. That means sauce on the side. So if the meat can't stand on its own, you can tell right away. Anyone looking for real BBQ in Boston, this is the spot. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Erin B.
Oh, Sweet Cheeks. I must have had some glittery notion that you would be my elusive, unique BBQ experience I've searched for. Redbones doesn't have high quality food, but simply a good time, great beer selection and interesting downstairs bar. Blackstrap is great, but no atmosphere to be enough of a draw. The "real thing" down South was a little too homestyle for me. Considering all the hype around this place, and the fact that it always seems packed, I guess I was hoping for some kind of suave atmosphere, good food, exceptional service and an interesting take on the BBQ phenomenon. Well, Sweet Cheeks, you were a bit of a disappointment. I will try to mitigate my rating by offering some context: it was my birthday and my first time at this restaurant (maybe putting these two factors together was a gamble, but I figured, what's to lose? The biscuits are supposedly to die for and there'll be mac and cheese!) My brother immediately commented that he was surprised I picked this place for a birthday dinner, as he had dined here before. At this point, however, I had already been thinking the same thing, perusing the menu and noticing the clientele (unmistakably hipster-heavy) and bare -- although somewhat rustic --atmosphere. Not that there's anything wrong with these things. It just bordered on hokey (tin mugs for drinks, long wooden picnic-like tables for dining and buckets...lots of buckets) and I had something different in mind. Anyway, the service was a bit disorganized and no staff had any personality whatsoever, creating a rather bland experience. Honestly, the food wasn't super-memorable except for the biscuits, which they charge $10 for (a bucket of 4). Also, this: Me: Can I have a Jameson and ginger? Server: We are an All-American bar, so we only stock American-made beverages. Boo! Ok, I'll respect that. I ended up with a decent cocktail (that cost $11) made with bourbon. But, if you've read my reviews, you know I give credit to places that craft a menu (including cocktails) as this is the establishment's way of putting their best out there. If you say you can make an $11 bourbon cocktail extremely well, I will believe you and try it. In this case though, the Jameson and ginger probably would have been more interesting.
(3)
Jeff F.
Definitely not the best barbecue in Boston, but a great spot to come before or after a Sox game. I will be back simply because the Buttermilk Biscuits are the best Biscuits I've had anywhere. Mac & Cheese reminded me of Kraft American squirt cheese I ate as a kid which oddly enough was amazing. Actual barbecue I had was mediocre.
(3)
Leigh H.
Ate dinner here before a Red Sox game. It was quiet when we arrived but filled up pretty quickly. Nice setting and decor, and they have some outdoor space for warmer weather. Good beer list and the drinks menu looked delicious. We split the bucket of biscuits which was an excellent decision- they were warm and came with amazing honey butter. Between the three of us, we had the brisket, pork belly, and ribs, as well as a couple different sides. The meat and sides were all delicious but I do wish there was a larger variety of sauces available. The prices were definitely very reasonable.
(4)
Pam C.
Sweet Cheeks Q serves barbeque, and confusingly enough, ramen on some nights. The restaurant is quite big, with regular tables and a few high-tops, and the decor is very industrial chic. Their menu revolves around trays, which come with a serving of the main barbeque meat and a your choice of sides. Sweet Cheeks may be pricy, but you definitely get your money's worth of food. The trays come with a huge heaping of food, including quite a mountain of whatever meat you ordered. They take pride in their house marinate. Although it's quite delicious and the meat was very tender, I found the main effect of the marinating to be that I had a hard time telling the difference between the pork and the beef - they have been marinated and tenderized to an inch of their life, and were rendered almost indistinguishable. We both ordered a tray each, along with an order of the biscuits. The drinks came in mason jars, which was cute but a tad overdone. The pulled pork was slightly dry, but pretty good nonetheless. It only came with one slice of white bread, leaving me to figure out how to tackle the remaining mound of meat. The 'great northern brisket' beef was almost completely fat. The sides were kind of meh - the baked beans were fine, and my macaroni and cheese tasted as if it was made with Velveeta. The biscuits were massive, and flaky and buttery to the point of excessive, and overall delicious. The quantity of meat you get is quite astounding - I packed what I had left and had more than enough for both dinner and a late night snack. Service was fantastic - our server was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and everyone working at the restaurant just generally seemed very nice and happy. Overall, Sweet Cheeks was pretty fun; in a town like Boston it's definitely a unique experience, and they definitely try very hard to portray a Texan vibe. I don't think I will be going back, but I thoroughly enjoyed meal there.
(4)
Ali S.
I agree with those who are stuck between giving three and four stars. The good: our servers were attentive, the space was stylish and fun, the cocktail list was creative (and the wine/beer list long). Additionally, the biscuits, mac and cheese, and baked beans were all delicious. The so-so: the brisket was more fat than meat, there was only one BBQ sauce to choose from (one looked like an asian chili sauce and the other was bright orange?), and the bill at the end of the night was pretty pricey. In the future, I'd come back for sides, appetizers, and drinks with friends -- I'd probably try another meat -- but I'm not exactly eager for a return visit.
(3)
Linette G.
Cannot say enough great things about this place. BBQ is great, close to Fenway, and Emma the hostess (from Peabody!) was fantastic! The vibe was buzzing, everyone having a fun time. Huge, mouthwatering biscuits with honey butter, tray of brisket, pulled pork and links. We'll travel from DC/Baltimore to come back! Love SweetCheeks BBQ!!!
(5)
Karina L.
GET THE BISCUITS. $10 for a bucket o' biscuits seems extravagant until you see how immense these biscuits are. It's dense but flaky and goes wonderfully with the honey butter. A tray (around $20) will feed one person and, if you're not a bear, will give you a hefty amount of leftovers for your next meal (to eat with your leftover biscuits, of course). I almost always get the pork belly, which is flavorful and had a nice crisp on the side. We always get the mac and cheese as the hot side, and coleslaw and carrot/raisin salad are really nice cold sides much needed to break through the fat. My boyfriend almost always gets the brisket, which he loves dearly. Cocktails are delicious and wildly strong. Seriously, had to keep it together halfway through the cocktail. Respectable prices for a Fenway-area restaurant. They get packed before/after games, but the place has a ton of space, especially when there's outdoor seating.
(4)
Tony N.
This is really a 3.5 but just barely so I'm sticking with 3 for now. Pros: Brisket was amazing. Excellent smoke. Great bark. Just the right amount of fat. No sauce needed. Pulled pork is some of the best I have ever had. Also with some nice ends. Definite no sauce. Pork belly is excellent. Haven't had it too many other places to compare but it is tied for the best I've ever had. Fresh salad was definitely fresh. Nice compliment to all that meat! Cons: 1. Ordered a rib before deciding on whether to get a rack. It was terrible. Dry, no flavor, very, very small. Go to a place like Goody Coles in Brentwood NH or Soul Fire in Boston and you'll see what a real rib looks and tastes like. If you're gonna be a BBQ joint your ribs need to be a show stopper. Not here so minus a star. 2. $75 for two people plus tip is CRAZY for BBQ. Minus half a star. I am not going to be a regular for that reason. I'll be back but not until I hit up Soul Fire a few times before. Too rich for my blood! (now if I am paying for something other than location let me know and I will reconsider my position). In the Middle Drinks were good. Great bourbon selection. Collard greens could have used some more chopping. Leaves way to long for serving. Chop them up a bit and toss in a few for pork pieces?
(3)
Wilma O.
Amazing, amazing place. Maybe my favorite restaurant in Fenway thus far! It's also cool to see classy Southern food places like this. My friend and I split one of their trays, and although it was meant for one person, it was actually enough food. The drinks had the right amount of sweetness and alcohol. The beef brisket was good, but the pork belly stole the show! I'm so glad pork belly is in style now. The BBQ sauce was tangy, mild, and addictive (could have used a little extra oomph though). The sides were also addictive (she loved the cheddar broccoli while I was munching on the potato salad). In addition, the dessert we had (a Cracker Jack marshmallow fluff jar) was incredibly unique yet it worked. I'd definitely like to try more on the menu but this place tentatively goes on my favs list in Boston. The meat is incredibly high quality and the place's concept is unique against all the other fancy modern American in the area. Just make sure you make a reservation!
(5)
Eric G.
Tried this place a couple months ago while in town for a wedding. Let me start with saying that we're from Florida. Florida isn't exactly known as the barbecue capital or of the world or anything, but we have a few places that know how to do it right. We heard some good things about this place and figured we would give it a try. We started with the world famous biscuit. Basically, it's just a really big biscuit that didn't really have any other redeeming qualities. The honey butter that it came with was enjoyed. It should probably be marketed as "World famous honey butter with a huge biscuit. " Besides that I had a brisket sandwich and mac&cheese. The Texas toast that was sandwich was on was very buttery but otherwise flavorless. The mac&cheese was fine. No complaints there. The brisket was surprisingly dry considering how many fatty pieces I had. I don't mind fat on brisket as thats usually some of the best parts, but there was way too much. The non fat pieces were pretty dry with little flavor. Overall, little I was a little disappointed. While nothing was completely bad, there was a lot to be desired. I would recommend you try to go somewhere else, unless you really need some mediocre barbecue.
(3)
Nisha P.
Always a treat coming here. My girl friends and I split the brisket, fried chicken, and pulled pork meats, as well as a bunch of sides - mac and cheese, collard greens, and cole slaw. I can't say I touched the collard greens (was too busy with the meat), but the rest of the food was amazing. Tip: 6 of us girls split 1.5 lbs of meat and three sides and were contently full. (We are not small eaters) For dessert we tried the nutter butter, which was essentially a GIANT nutter butter cookie sandwich. Honestly, might be a little excessive...but yummy.
(4)
Ron J.
Worst brisket ever. I should have paid attention to fellow Yelper Candace B's photo (uploaded again under my name) because that's exactly how mine looked -- fatty beyond compare. Parts of it was tasty but so is butter except I don't eat butter by the stick. I sensed that mine was a common complaint because the server tried to persuade me that brisket is a very fatty cut of meat, which it is not (unless it's from Sweet Cheeks lol). Then in a huff he brought me a small plate of substitute slices that were only slightly leaner and definitely smaller than my original portion. I've had lots of brisket in my life -- from Aunt Sadie's Friday night special to barbeque joints all over the country and this Sweet Cheek's brisket was absurdly fatty. The only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 is because the sides are very good, especially the Mac and Cheese.
(2)
Kurls T.
Just ok BBQ... The servings are large, served cafeteria style on a tray. The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. We dined late in the evening on a warm summer day. We ordered 1)hillbilly hooch 2)Bucket O' biscuits & honey butter 3)Fat cheeks tray- Pork ribs, pulled pork & pork sausage with carrot and raisin salad & mac n' cheese 4)1/2 Chicken. The meal was edible but not impressive at all...just blah! The hillbilly hooch- sweetened iced tea- I think they forgot the alcohol. The service was the best part of our dining experience. I will most likely not be returning.
(3)
Andrea L.
Went in before a Red Sox game. The biscuits are huge and delish! The brisket and ribs were to die for and the Mac n cheese was not Kraft and very tasty!
(5)
Todd T.
This place is a mad house at peak times so you will want a reservation. However, if don't have one, they have quite a bit of first come first serve seating at the bar and beer garden. I thought the food and service was excellent. You must have the biscuits. It was deliciously fluffy, buttery, melt in your mouth awesome. The chopped brisket was very smokey, tender, and flavorful with just the right amount of crispy char. Pork ribs were also very good but a touch salty. Fried green tomatoes were prepared just right and served with a spicy ranch dipping sauce. Cheese grits were very good. Mac n cheese was good but somewhat standard. The cole slaw was really great. At first I was skeptical because I was thinking it would be more Virginia style (very fine processing) but it was definitely big chunk texas style. The decor was fun and lively. The service was top notch. This place is a well oiled machine. The overall experience was awesome and you should check it out. Note: you are going to want to eat everything. I would recommend ordering the smallest portions of meat (1/4 lb) and sharing sides so you can maximize trying to eat a bite of everything. You will not have trouble getting full unless you could actually eat a large pizza by yourself.
(4)
Young Y.
After hearing about this place from friends and magazines I was very excited to try this place. Good hot side dishes. Meats are slightly overpriced for the amount you get.
(3)
Alisha S.
Came here to eat with my fiancee. Smaller place.not much seating...staff.was friendly. We love BBQ and thought we would try a new place... Pork was bad, the meat we received smelt like literal shit.. the odor was so bad coming off the plate that we immediately both looked at each other with this puzzled look like "are you smelling what I'm smelling". They apologized but didn't not offer us another plate or to take the uneaten meals off our check...the side were nothing to talk about either.. a little on the pricey side for BBQ although it is expected in boston.
(2)
Jeffrey R.
Sweet Cheeks is definitely on my short list. (One note... I live right around the corner and have a neighborhood-y fondness for the place, so I may be a bit biased.) The space is unique and inviting. When it's warm out, the patio is fantastic and always packed, especially on a game night. There's a walk-up shed that serves drinks and food outside, which makes things relatively quick and easy if you see a spot open. When it comes to the food, the BBQ is solid - probably the best in Boston. BBQ is a polarizing food category, and you'll probably hear someone tell you that Sweet Cheeks doesn't fit whatever their definition of "authentic BBQ" may be. Ignore them... if you aren't clouded with preconceptions about BBQ, you'll like it. The sides are also to die for (don't skip the farm salad!) and the drink program is strong too (Dollywood!)
(5)
Claude F.
Come for the Ribs but STAY for the biscuits. For a MODERATELY PRICED southern style BBQ they probably have the brst ribs in Boston. Always juicey and meaty. BUT thier biscuits are the BEST I have ever had. But be carefull!!!! They serve them with honey butter! Which makes each one of the giant biscuits about 1000 calories and more Carbs than 500 Chocolate doughnuts. So here are some tips on coming here: 1. Ask for regular butter. This will save you a triple bypass. 2. DONT sit by the door or Bar. 3. There is free parking lot (super market) down the street. 4. The BEST dessert is the pudding.
(4)
Sara C.
We decided to check out the restaurant after seeing the chef on Top Chef Duels. You never know how a celebrity chef place will be, but this spot did not disappoint! We split an order of biscuits and a tray for two, and had more than enough food. The biscuits were totally the star of the show slathered with honey butter...so so good! The pulled pork was tender and really tasty with their BBQ sauce. The potato salad was excellent, but we weren't crazy about the Mac and cheese...it was a little too velveeta-y. Drinks were also excellent--I had a cocktail with about a million ingredients (the Mary Palmer) but they all came together and it was very delicious. All around a great experience. Would love to go back next summer so we could sit outside.
(4)
Liz L.
Yum! The biscuits and honey butter are soooo good. So are the ribs and pulled pork. I'm picky about coleslaw, and that was surprisingly really good too- nice n crunchy. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Stephanie T.
I had been dying to try out this place for months. I finally went with my roommate and it did not disappoint. The mac and cheese was amazing. You must order the biscuits, I thought I would need several as bread is basically my favorite food but they are HUGE and super filling. The butter they come with is amazing. Its hard to choose from all the options here, but everything I have tried has been very good, My fave BBQ in Boston for sure!
(4)
Cathy S.
I've been here a handful of times, and it's definitely the place I would take friends if they wanted BBQ in Boston. The meats are done really well, and the sides are solid although not amazing. My favorite is the brisket which is super tender and often has chunks of melt-in-your-mouth fat. The fried chicken is also really good and moist and worth the price! My favorite sides are the carrot and raisin salad (provides nice textural contrast and acidity, though I think it comes with bleu cheese which I ask to leave out) and the broccoli and cheese casserole (very rich). Would not recommend the mac and cheese! The biscuits with honey butter are amazing and I think one of the things this place is famous for, but they're huge and can really fill you up if you have them as a starter.
(4)
Lannie L.
I've been here at least 5 times (including an awesome Valentine's Day event) and it's a wonderful BBQ oasis in Boston. BBQ is not a common cuisine in these here parts, especially at a bigger restaurant venue that's conducive to group dinners. They have the classic selection of meat cuts (ribs, pork belly, brisket, pulled pork, chicken) with assorted sauces on the table. Unless you're super hungry, I think going with the sandwich option is just fine - you still get plenty of meat and additional sides if you so choose. If you're a big eater, go with the 2 (or 3?!) meat tray for portion size and assortment. The outdoor bar section in the summertime is a nice highlight of this place as well. Fan of: mason jars, trays, honey butter with ginormous biscuits, farm salad (given the other options, farm salad doesn't seem appealing but trust me, it's delicious!), pickles and onions on the side, broccoli/cheddar casserole, beer selection, sweet tea comes in a ginormous mason jar, atmosphere, friendly wait staff who don't get angry with giving multiple credit cards as payments when you're with a group Not a fan of: noise/music level on a busy night (hard to carry conversation with people beyond arm's length reach, saltiness of meat, texas toast saturated in butter (good/bad)
(4)
Brandon E.
This place was great. I was in Boston for work and met up with some friends and they suggested this place because it's good and pretty decently priced. The service wasn't spectacular but it wasn't horrible. We wound up being the only table outside and I felt maybe a bit of a burden for the server to come out to us. On to the food, the biscuits and the butter that comes with them is OUT OF THIS WORLD as well as the hush puppies they were also heavenly if you are coming here you need to order one or both of these, the portion sizes are GIANT! I ordered the brisket sandwich on texas toast and the brisket was melt in your mouth and perfectly cooked I couldn't finish it there was so much food. I also got the carrot raisin salad as a side. This was a game changer, my favorite carrot salad is from Chick-fil-a but this stuff was the stuff of legend. It was fresh carrots and raisins mixed in with bleu cheese and walnuts....You need to order this...absolutely need to order this! I wish I had more stomach room to finish it but I couldn't. I would definitely come back here if I was in the neighborhood.
(4)
Sarah G.
Got takeout for lunch here yesterday as I always walk by and have seen the great reviews! I ordered the lunch special pulled pork sandwich which is a steal at $11. However when I went to check out and she said $16 please, I was a little shocked because it was before 3pm and I had ordered the lunch special. She said they didn't do the lunch special on weekends which was not written anywhere and the menu right infront of the register was the lunch special price!! I already had my food in a bag and credit card out and felt a little forced to pay. The meal was really great, smokey flavor on the pulled pork (make sure you get the BBQ sauce as it is a little dry) I went with the broccoli side and it was the best part, very cheese and you could see the ritz crackers on top. Overall was a great sandwich but not worth almost $20 after taxes for a take out special.
(4)
Colonial C.
This is a destination stop whenever we are in boston. .unique food selections, happy staff that is looking ro please. Don't walk, run to sweet cheeks!
(5)
Teddy B.
WE WENT FOR TOP CHEF'S TIFFANY, NOT FOR FOOD NETWORK'S GUY FIERI! TL;DR? Sweet Cheeks Q is far, far from sweet. The headline says it all. Our expectations were set to precise, smart, confident Tiffany from Top Chef, but the food and service was more akin to something you'd expect from Food Network's resident knucklehead. The Sunday after the 4th we were reading online about where to eat and have a few drinks when we saw a fun blurb about Sweet Cheeks having a classic Texas BBQ spread. The main draw for us, since they're very hard to come by in Boston, the hushpuppies. Yes, hushpuppies! Also, I used to watch Top Chef, and when I saw it was (red-headed, sssssssnake) Tiffany's restaurant I thought, "Great. The menu will be delicious and everything we order will be perfectly executed. This restaurant definitely won't burn us like so many others!" Wrong. Dead wrong. Re-animated then re-dead wrong. Straight up, the worst part was the service. Awful. God awful. And I suspect the bad service (and poor management?) explains eveything else that went wrong, too. Me and my partner are laid back as hell. Give us water, drinks, and the waitstaff can disappear all they like, whatever. But leave us without anything except a crumpled menu flapping in the wind? No thanks. And especially not at these prices. So, our waitress (who I won't describe except to say that she's the one with the sleepy eyes) may be a nice girl but she's in the wrong frigging business. I know it was a holiday weekend, but it wasn't even busy. And no matter how many tables she had, she could have asked for help. (At the end, a more competent waiter did come and ask if everything was ok. It was too little, too late by then, though. "Just the check, please.") We did see tv's Tiffany taking a stroll outside and talking to customers. I felt like they were in a different restaurant. Maybe we should have eaten inside where the waitress's manager would see the cluster? I've noticed Tiffany has mellowed on tv, maybe she's mellowed off tv, too? Who knows. Finally, the water came. Then later a round of drinks. Then we tried to put our order in and the waitress announced that there were no hushpuppies (wtf?) and just walked away (wtf?) Then... no waitress. We sat for a good 10 minutes after we'd finished our beer and cocktail, thirsty and hungry, our order not even placed. We seriously (for real) considered leaving cash on the table for the drinks and buying some apples or something at the Star Market across the street. Anyway, one hour and fifteen minutes later another server brought us our food, which looked and tasted like it had been sitting. You know, fine dining. I had the fried chicken and TIL Texas-style fried chicken simply means leftover fried chicken, where the breading can be slipped off the meat like an old sock. Yum! The mac and cheese was Texas-style, too: lukewarm, with a funky aftertaste. Not a big step up from KFC and Velveeta with Ritz crackers, really. All in all, Sweet Cheeks Q was a huge diappointment. Letdown of letdowns. The most frustrating part? We watched several other patrons arrive half an hour after us and they got served first. That's unacceptable. Served food and drinks, mind you, not just water and "no hushpuppies." Tiffany's done a remarkable job building her brand and setting high expectations, from starting out as the villain of the first season of a breakout tv show to a series regular who seems like an extremely well respected chef who knows exactly what she's doing. Sadly, the actual dining experience at Tiffany's misses the mark wildly. Wildly. There was nothing sweet about Sweet Cheeks. My partner and I love hitting up new restaurants but time and again we walk away saying something like, "Instead of spending our money here, let's just go out less and save up for the places with exceptional food and exceptional service every single time. One and a half meals for two at a place like Sweet Cheeks equals one meal for two at an Abe & Louie's or The Captial Grille, as far as price goes. Think about that! It's insane. Anyways, it's just food. It's just one dismal meal. Best of luck to Tiffany. I hope she gets it together and trims the fat before it's too late and bad word of mouth sinks Sweet Cheeks. (Oh, and our waitress should get a check up. I'm low energy but she's low zombie. Maybe serving food, drinks, and a positive experience to people is NOT for you, drowsy-eyed zombie!)
(1)
Sarah E.
I came here for dinner on a Thursday evening, and the place was packed, even at 9pm when we showed up. I would recommend a reservation when coming here. My bf and I were absolutely STARVING when we showed up, so we over-ordered. For two people, we got the bucket of biscuits, a cocktail (which was whiskey based and thus not girly and thus not yummy), the beef brisket platter with salad and mac n cheese, and the pulled pork platter with broccoli casserole and potato salad. It was all yummy, and I preferred the pulled pork to the brisket. My broccoli casserole was heavy, and I feel like it's the recipe for terrible gas. The mac and cheese was not very flavorful (sorry, I could do better). The biscuits were AMAZING and so was the honey butter than came with it. So yeah, get those if you go here. We had a ton of leftovers for the next day, and I learned that cold pulled pork makes for the world best breakfast. Anyway. I would highly recommend this place. It is certainly pricey for BBQ, but you will have a TON of food for days.
(4)
Sophie P.
I was not impressed. I've come here handful of times, and I'd rather just pick at other people's dishes than eat my own. FOOD Biscuits: Yes, they're good. But for two people, four biscuits are over kill. I wish there was a way to order one biscuit, or half an order. I couldn't even finish one because it was so rich! Onesie ribs: These were so overcooked. The ribs didn't even fall off the bone, and one of the ribs was so rock hard that I didn't even eat it. They may keep the onesies off to the side, since this is more of a side order, but I still think the quality was terrible. Sides Carrot raisin salad: This was very refreshing. I really enjoyed this, and wish I could've just had a whole plate of this. Mac n cheese: I am a huge fan of mac n cheese, but I did not like this at all. The cheese was too creamy and thick, almost to the consistency of fake cheese or microwaved mac n cheese. The bread crumbs on top usually add a great consistency, but I didn't enjoy the two together. Tip: Go here for drinks and biscuits. Everything else is sub-par and is so overpriced for what it is.
(2)
Eugenia L.
Let's get through the bad news first, I found Sweet Cheek's BBQ meats disappointing. Most of what I tried (burnt ends, ribs, pork belly, and sausage) I found to be dry or bland. You end up drowning them in the house sauce, which is tasty, but it is all you end up tasting The pork belly and the ends were the most flavorful and tender of the bunch. But that's saying they're the best of the worst. Now onto the good points. All of their other food (except the BBQ, obviously) was great! Their biscuits are on point and Texas sized. Nothing beats a warm, fluffy biscuit with that honey butter. I also enjoyed their sides, especially the salads. They were the first thing to disappear on my tray. The carrot-raisin is reminiscent of Asian pickled daikon 'n carrots, but with sweet raisins and cheese. The farm salad is also a well composed salad, with the tangy dressing, peppery greens, and nuts. As crazy as it sounds I did enjoy my meal here. Again the meat was the only let down and consequently knocked down the rating. Especially since they label themselves a BBQ joint.
(3)
Amy H.
A few months ago, I convinced my significant other to move from Virginia to Boston. After putting up with the winter he had to put up with, I wanted to find things in Boston that would remind him of home. Wow, did this place deliver. He hasn't stopped talking about how great it was. I got the brisket and the pork belly, which were both fantastic. Pork belly can be so fatty, but this was rendered perfectly. My fiance got the pulled pork sandwich, which as also great. My only complaint is that my pre-wedding diet was ruined. I got the farm salad to offset the rest of the meal and it was delicious, but I definitely went overboard on the calories with the broccoli casserole and a few bites of my fiance's mac and cheese. The service was really great, and I loved our server. We will definitely come back here.
(5)
Denise N.
the other reviews here are absolutely on point. a group of us were here the other day for lunch and had a fabulous experience. we were a party of six, 4 adults and 2 kiddos. we arrived around 3 and were seated promptly. our server was friendly and knowledgeable, without being overbearing. there is a good amount of craft beers, so we all went for different options of those. note- they were out of some of the choices we had wanted to try. not a big deal, but something to mention. i liked that the beverages were served in mason jars, even a glass of wine i spied on another table was in a mini-mason jar- very cute. the food is phenomenal and, as others describe, plentiful. my table-mates all went with the pulled pork, either as a sandwich, or a tray. i got to sample a few bites, and the smoke flavor was present without being overwhelming. the biscuits served with honey butter are absolutely enormous, and so worth every single calorie that may be in them- divine! i ordered the lunch lady tray, which consists of 4 side dishes. i opted for cole slaw, collard greens, broccoli casserole, and farmer's salad. the cole slaw was the star. roughly cut, it was obviously chopped in-house, and the dressing hit all the notes of tangy, sweet, savory, and umami (there was definitely onion in the dressing, and i'm guessing just a hint of soy sauce too). i ate all of it. the collards were cooked well, but a little vinegar-y for my taste. the farmer's salad was greens served with halved grapes, toasted hazelnuts, and blistered brussel sprouts. it was hearty, and very good. the broccoli casserole was so-so. the cheese sauce seemed to have separated, and it could have been hotter. the flavor, however, was very good. to supplement my meal, i did order one rib and the meat fell right off the bone with no effort at all. i tried each of the three sauces (classic BBQ, vinegar, habenero). they were each good, and the habenero one carries legit heat- be careful (and i love spicy food). my boyfriend's rancher beans that came with his pulled pork were beyond delicious- they almost tasted like chili, they were so rich and savory. one of the kids got the fried chicken sandwich which was absolutely enormous, and looked yummy. the other kiddo got mac and cheese, and it looked classic, creamy, and delish. she didn't eat much (she's a little finicky), but her dad finished the rest. :-) food and drinks are actually reasonably priced- for a party of six, which included 5 entrees, a bucket of biscuits, and eight beers (each adult had 2), we came to a grand total of $180 which included tip- not bad at all. the restaurant is within easy walking distance of fenway (one of the reasons we chose it), and has a great vibe, in general. we will definitely be back.
(5)
FreshTake '.
This place was amazing. Huge portion sizes, I wish I would have planned to split my entire meal with my friend lol. The food was delicious, potatoes, cold, slaw, brisket, mac and cheese. Very good cocktails as well. Good service, nice out door patio area, inside was kind of muggy/hot.
(5)
soo hyuk l.
Would have gave 4 stars if the service was little better. Very mouth watering bbq. Loved biscuit with their special butter. Yummmmm!!
(4)
Amanda S.
Very yummy! Great spot if you're craving comfort food and a country atmosphere. Their menu is super fun as well, as you can pick and choose as you'd like. The sauces are amazing, but I wish they had something with a little more spice. A little slice of Nashville right outside Fenway park :)
(4)
Andy B.
Dinner night out with friends for a Batchelor party. Large group of 15 people and table was ready for us when we got there. Food was delicious though overpriced for bbq and beer.
(3)
Grace J.
I LOVE barbecue, and it's hard to find true, good quality, and affordable bbq around Boston. I love the simple menu- you get one meat, two sides. (That's the usual- you can get more meat, sides, etc.) The first time I went, I was a little nervous because a sox game was happening that night, and it's right around the corner. The place was PACKED and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to dine there. Well, they told me that I would need to wait 1 hour, and i really did want to try the place, so I said okay and went to the nearby (NEW!) target to kill time. Well, luckily enough, a spot opened up within 20 min and I was seated right away. Got the corn, biscuits, and pulled pork w/broccoli cheese casserole and cole slaw. Everything tasted very homemade and not too salty. Love that we could control the amount of flavor on the meat- they are all cooked without sauce. The corn was way beyond my expectations! You get a LOT of corn, so well worth the price, since it was also super yummy and grilled to perfection. Lastly, the biscuits. Ugh. Super well baked, huge, and melts in your mouth. And the honey butter? Out of this world good. I could swim in it. Needless to say, this place is one of my new boston faves! Just be careful with some of the hot sauces- one of them left me tearing up at the end of my meal (joyful tears tho!)
(5)
Alyssa B.
I love Sweet Cheeks! I love the food, the location, the atmosphere, the drinks. I love it all. Fair warning: the portions are HUGE. That's probably a plus for many of you, but for me it means I will be waddling home with a severe stomach ache. Yet I keep coming back! As many other Yelpers have mentioned, the biscuits with honey butter are TDF. But also huge. There are a plethora of other enticing appetizers, but knowing the portion size I often have to pass on the apps. I prefer to share a platter - pulled pork is good, but burnt ends is the bomb! I absolutely love the broccoli casserole and the carrot raisin salad. Cole slaw is great too. Still so much more to try, drooling just thinking about it... The only sort-of con is that the service can sometimes be kind of slow, but not so slow that it prevents me from visiting again and again.
(4)
Robyn B.
I'm obsessed with BBQ, and this definitely is one of the better options in Boston to satisfy my craving for a pulled pork sandwich. They have awesome mac & cheese (SUPER rich and heavy, so be ready for the food coma to hit) and sweet tea. They often offer special ramen on Monday nights... I tried the fried chicken ramen last winter, it was delicious (although very salty). Minus a star for the service. The waiters are nice, but not the most attentive. The food takes a long time to come out. Once waited 45 minutes for our meal after ordering! (And it was 9pm on a Monday night, not even that crowded...) We had to flag down our waitress a few times to ask when it would be ready. Most painful wait ever.
(3)
Allen B.
Sweet Cheeks Q aims to provide a Texas barbecue joint atmosphere in the Fenway district of Boston. The price is commiserate with the up-and-coming professional population occupying the nearby condos, and may be a little pricey for a family outing to the ballpark. The best things on the menu, appropriately, are the variety of Barbeque meats, which have occasional tough or burned spots but mostly vary from appropriately dry to tender and delicious. A selection of three basic BBQ sauces -- a Texas gold, a NC vinegar, and a hot sauce additive -- are available for your mix and match pleasure. The best value for money is found in the melt-in-your-mouth oversize buttermilk biscuits with spectacular whipped honey butter. It's a good thing the meat and biscuits are so tasty, because the sides are dreadful. The cheesy grits are actually a cheese sauce that happens to contain grits as an ingredient, while the macaroni suffers for lack of cheese or moisture. The BBQ baked beans are tough with only chipotle to indicate their BBQ nature. Consider a salad with your meat and biscuits; hopefully they can't mess that up. Sweet Cheeks makes sense only for the combination it offers -- location, a bar atmosphere, and decent if not stellar Southern offerings. For that combo, if you order right, it's solid. If you're not looking for all three of these features, consider your other, better value options for Boston BBQ.
(3)
Megan L.
If you're around Fenway, drop by! Friend and I were visiting Boston, and staying a hotel that backs up to Fenway park. This is walking distance from Fenway. Sat outside on the patio. It was ideal! A good spot for some texas bbq. We ordered beef brisket places, which were a bit fatty, rich, and heavy. However it was worth it as it was juicy, tender, and well cooked, and the bbq sauce complemented the brisket well. We also opted to share the mac n cheese, which was good.
(4)
Robyn T.
If I had come to Sweet Cheeks for the biscuits only, this review would be 10 stars. Never in my life have I had biscuits so good. My husband and I went to Sweet Cheeks on the coldest night of the century. We didn't have a reservation but thankfully were able to sit along the bar without waiting. Score! I loved the atmosphere of this place. Very down home, but with a rustic modern flare. Completely my style. We started with those famous biscuits and then I ordered pulled pork with mac n cheese and coleslaw and my hubs ordered pulled chicken with mac n cheese and potato salad. The service was excellent, despite how busy it was, and our food came out promptly. Both the pork and the chicken had fantastic flavors on their own. We were given 3 different sauces for our meats, and unfortunately we didn't really like any of them. Both of us are fans of hickory, honey flavors with a thicker consistency and there wasn't anything like that. The mac n cheese, albeit good, wasn't fantastic. So many places have mac n cheese on their menu in every variation you can think of, so we patrons have gotten snobby, and I'll admit I'm no exception. This version was a little too watery, and didn't have a full bodied taste of oozing cheese and cream. It wasn't bad, but didn't knock my socks off. The cold sides were just ok too. Nothing that sets them apart from something I could get at a neighborhood deli. We both agreed that the side dishes were the weak spot in the meal. All in all I would go back, even if it's just for those biscuits. It's in a great location and the service and atmosphere were both excellent.
(3)
Gautham D.
The 3 stars are for the service and location. It's a great to watch people specially during a Sox's game. Constant dinner and drama, the people who eat and walk around this restaurant are really colorful. 0 stars for the food though, as colorful as the people are around the restaurant the food bland and really devoid of salt. Far from flavorful southern food.
(3)
David F.
I was expecting a lot more from them due to the status of the restaurant and other people's reviews. Born in NC I have had my share of BBQ. I had the pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast, mac n cheese and slaw. Toast was fried in butter and mac had tons of butter with an odd consistency. Slaw was cut very thick and had a strong cabbage taste. I'm not an expert on Texas style bbq but have had my share of southern food. Biscuits and farmers salad was on point though. Not sure why there has to be so much butter in all.the items though. Give it a try but due some research on their more popular items.
(3)
Ashley P.
I loved everything about my visit here. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was amazingly helpful and kind. We made the common newbie mistake and ordered way too much food. First we had hush puppies, which my husband states is the best he has ever had in area (and his family is from the South). We then ordered some biscuits... oh the biscuits, I can't even describe how amazing they are. This girl here loves her carbohydrates and could easily just have had a meal of these bi quits and butter. They were phenomenal. We then ordered the trays, me with fried chicken and him with ribs and brisket. All of the food was amazing. We were so sad that we couldn't finish it, but we like to think that the homeless man we gave the leftovers too had a really delicious meal that night. The drinks were also delicious, I had a special drink called the Dollywood, which I actually described as "everything I like in a drink." It was tart and refreshing without being overly sweet. Overall, this was one of the best meals I have had recently in Boston. Get down there and stuff your face ASAP.
(5)
Sara M.
Dangerous. I live probably a 5 minute walk from this place... My friend and I came here to sit at the bar. The service was friendly and attentive, even though the place was slammed. I like their bourbon cocktails, especially when they arrived in mason jars. I only had three but I definitely felt buzzed when I left. The biscuit with honey butter is every bit as wondrous as everyone is saying. I haven't had a better version and I made sure to eat the entire thing over anything else. However, the brisket was tender and juicy, with a thick line of fat. The pork ribs were meaty and something you can sink your teeth into. The house sauce complemented it perfectly. Surprisingly, I was a fan of their potato salad - even though there was a heavy hand with the dill. Mac and cheese was deliciously creamy and the collard greens had that sour, bitter kick. We also got the chocolate cake for dessert but it was just alright. This may be my favorite BBQ place in Boston (not counting BT's since it's an hour away). I can see myself hanging at the bar drinking bourbon and happily stuffing biscuits in my mouth way too often.
(4)
Kyle G.
Fast service, generous servings, and some seriously delicious BBQ. You gotta start off with the "bucket o biscuits" with honey butter but be warned, they are huge and filling, but insanely good! We also got brisket and ribs with collard greens and mac n cheese. Really cool atmosphere and an awesome drink list including Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale!! If you're by Fenway make sure you put this great BBQ joint on your list.
(4)
Matt F.
5 stars for the biscuits. Its great to have a Top Chef alum in the neighborhood. Excellent BBQ, ribs and pulled pork are standouts. BBQ beans, Mac and cheese are best options for hot sides with tray and farm salad is a light option to balance out the smokiness of the meat.
(5)
Lauretta L.
I tried the Fried Chicken Platter with collard greens and mac & cheese, along with a bucket of biscuits, about a year ago. I remember the chicken being justtt barely worth the exorbitant price. It was flavorful with a bit of a kick, tender from proper brining and delicately crispy. Ok, fine, I'll ditch Popeye's and pay the extra $10 for Sweet Cheeks. The jumbo-sized biscuits were my favorite part of the meal. The Yelp reviews don't over hype them, they're mounds of crack. They're therefore addicting so watch yourself, or else you'll look down a few months later and not see your toes. I was also a huge fan of the collard greens, which had chunks of savory meat. Honestly, I didn't care for the mac & cheese, although most people love it. I prefer my mac & cheese to be covered with ooey gooey melted cheese and served piping hot. Sweet Cheeks made such a huge impression on me that I fought regular cravings until yesterday, when I finally gave in and returned. I got the same things, except I subbed the sides for a farm salad and the cheese broccoli casserole. Unfortunately, the chicken wasn't as good as the first time I went. It was a bit bland and didn't seem to be well-brined. Not worth the price anymore, IMO. The casserole was pretty terrible, as it was mushy and bland. However, the farm salad was spot on. I would order this alone. I can't remember the numerous ingredients, but if you like a salad with savory toasted hazelnuts, roasted brussel sprouts, barley, grapes and a light vinaigrette to pull it all together, you should try it. Plus, it's healthy! Service was always great and portions are huge. You can split a platter between two hungry people.
(3)
Meredith B.
Eaten here 4 times, got a huge stomachache every time. And no, I never chose to go back after the first time, I was coerced. Good: The BISCUITS- yum! The burnt ends brisket is also pretty good. Bad: The sauces, the sides, and the stomachache. Bottom line: I can think of multiple better BBQ places in Boston and multiple better restaurants in the Fenway area.
(2)
Lisa A.
We have eaten here twice in the last 3 days. Prime beef brisket is the popular choice in our family. Biscuits are amazing. Farm salad and cheesy grits are a winner. The only thing that I felt was too rich was the mac and cheese. Very good bbq food.
(4)
Danielle B.
I'm visiting from San Diego and I was really looking forward to trying this place. I love top chef. My friend and I walked in during a Red Sox game. We got sat, we waited for 10-15 minutes and we were never greeted. We left and went to Citizen Oyster bar down the street. The food smelled good, I wish I could have tried it
(1)
Sarah C.
I liked the sides a lot. I had the heartless Jezebel drink and that was very tasty. Pork belly was good. I have heard a lot about portions and I left very full and had leftovers. Yummy biscuits!!
(4)
Ays M.
I am leaving in the area and I guess I have high hopes about this place.. The portions are too small and the prices are not cheap. The service was almost awful as I felt like the waiters did not want to serve..The plates and mugs are also not nice.
(3)
Max K.
Drinks and food are amazing! The biscuits are a must!!! Everything came out smelling and looking amazing. I didn't love their sauces but to each their own.
(4)
Lauren D.
Great spot for BBQ, but on the expensive side. Loved the pork belly. I recommend getting the hush puppies and biscuits!
(3)
Kevin G.
So good. What's not to like. Flew all the way from California to eat here. Made the top 50 restaurants in Boston according to Boston magazine and it was so worth it. Walking distance to fenway Park. I had the fried green tomatoes, pulled pork and pulled chicken and Cole slaw and collard greens. It all tasted great. They call that the Big Cheeks Tray. I'd come back.
(5)
Matthew T.
Good service. Knowledgeable when asked questions. Food came out quick on a semi busy Monday. Warm and flavorful. Best biscuits in town.
(5)
T G.
I am from TN. We know barbecue. This was ok, but not the fall out of your chair kind. The mac and cheese was undercooked and was disappointing. The fried green tomatoes were pretty good, but the Chef needs to slice the pieces a little thinner and they will be better. Sweet tea doesn't exist in barbecue places up here. That's a travesty! Overall not worth the price, but the biscuits and butter were exceptional though!
(3)
Gordon A.
Been wanting to try this restaurant for quite a while. I love BBQ and am a Top Chef fan. Went on a Friday night and had made restaurants. We arrived early and had to wait for a bit, but were seated by our reservation time. Then we waited and waited for a waiter to show up. Finally had to go ask the hostess who our waiter was. She then finally arrived. Her service the rest of the night was okay, but not great. The biscuits were definitely the best thing I ate! Very yummy. I went for the 2 meat tray with pork belly, brisket, cole slaw, and cheesy grits. I've never had pork belly before and I was pretty happy with that. My brisket was nice and moist but very small serving size. My wife just had the brisket and had 5 slices. The 2 meat tray had just 2 slices of brisket. I wasn't necessarily expecting 2 full servings of meat, but given the price premium I wasn't expecting less than half a serving. The cheesy grits were tasty. They were served in a mug and were a bit runny which made eating them with a fork a bit of a challenge. With no spoon in sight I just drank them from the mug. The coleslaw was very chunky, and okay, but nothing to get overly excited about. One of our party was a vegetarian and had a pretty thin selection. I know, going to a BBQ place, what do you expect. But, they could try at least a little bit. A lot of the vegetable sides were not vegetarian. Was very loud, hard to hear the person across the table. Was getting bumped and crowded at our table due to the large crowd at the bar. Was hoping for more.
(3)
Emily L.
Monday night ramen! Their ramen changes weekly. Only one flavor each Monday. We got the duck fat broth with duck slices. Really good but filling/heavy. I think they only serve 100 bowls so you have to wait in line. It starts at 9. I got there at 8:15 and there were already 50 people in front of me. They take your name and only give you tickets for people who are present. If you are a party of 4 and only 3 are present by the time they sit you, you can either wait or your 4th person isn't getting in. Very organized. They gave us some popcorn as we waited. Got a side of the biscuits with honey butter. Absolutely delicious and a must try!
(4)
Gauravi P.
I'm in love with the brussel walnut salad they serve as a side here. I would come back here to eat that alone! The fried chicken here is pretty good too. It isn't as good as Tupelo's fried chicken in Cambridge but it's enjoyable. I've had better mac and cheese though. It was just bland and not as cheesy as I would have liked. I thought the kitchenware and table scape at Sweet Cheeks was very cool and definitely added authenticity. Service was great as well.
(4)
Honey B.
I am giving Sweet Cheeks 5 stars because of the bartender, Emma. She was hilarious, positive and upbeat. My friend and I had a great conversation with her and if I was living in Boston, I would certainly go back to see her! The food and drinks were great too but she definitely made our day!
(5)
Yeajin L.
If you like pork, this is a place to go. I personally don't like eating pork, so I don't enjoy as much. However, I do love their biscuits and their butter! Their butter has honey or maple syrup mixed in them, and it is one of the best things there. Not in a negative way but in a positive way. Majority of the workers are young, so they are very amiable.
(3)
Gillian G.
Glad I stopped in. I'll be coming back for sure. The drinks! I got the God damn Yankee. Delicious if you're a whiskey drinker. The collard greens were the best I've ever had. Also try the pork belly. You won't be disappointed. I mean, it's pig after all. Mmmmm
(5)
David B.
This is my second visit and enjoyed both. The amount of food that you get is significant for the price. Both times we've been there it has been packed. Not growing up with BBQ traditions, I can't vouch for the "authenticity" of what Sweet Cheeks serves but I enjoy it. The brisket is meaty but not dry. The ribs are wonderful. I like the cole slaw and corn bread...neither is sugary sweet. I thought it odd that I had to ask for BBQ sauce. We were too stuffed for dessert this time. We opted for dessert with our first visit and wasn't too impressed. Still, tasty and good value for the money and one of a growing list of eateries in that part of the Fenway.
(4)
CW W.
Second time I've been here and it will be my last. Why is that if I'm giving 3 stars? Once again food is not always the reason that makes a great restaurant. Big big part yes but if I can get the same level of quality somewhere else then why bother? So went with a few friends. Sure our server was friendly, maybe a little too salesman like, but ok. We ordered the biscuits with honey butter and they were simply delicious. The rest of the food was ok. My friends got the pulled pork, pork belly and brisket. Most of the meat was good but some was kinda dry. I got buttermilk chicken tenders, huge portion, crispy outside but somewhat dry on the inside. Most of the sides were good: baked beans, collard greens, potato salad, the farm salad was very good but cheesy grits were icky. Ok so food average, but waitstaff would get 1 1/2 stars. When we were done didn't see our server anywhere for over 10mins. Finally we asked the host to find him. He still couldn't be found because they sent over a different server. In addition, and this really bothered us...when this other server started to take our plates (3 out of 4 needed doggie bags) he put other plates/cups on the tray with food to wrap up?!?!!!??? Who does that? We thought it was so wrong what he did, my friend double checked he heard us say to wrap up the food because it just didn't make sense. Average food and poor service will not bring me back for a third time. But once again never take word and try it yourself.
(3)
Ayelet R.
I came here completely intent on trying pretty much every side dish they offer. And while I didn't achieve that goal, I did try quite a few of them thanks to their Lunch Lady Tray. Sure, $12 may sound expensive for lunch, but considering the sheer amount of food I got, plus the fact that it came to $3 a dish, it's actually quite a deal. And even though I was well aware that I was probably ordering too much food, I had to order a biscuit. I'm glad I did, because that was definitely the most stand-out part of the meal - I mean, a giant biscuit that had evidently just came out of the oven and a couple tablespoons of honey butter, all for me? What more could a girl ask for? I think I may have liked it a little too much, because I apparently disregarded the fact that it was about the size of my face and ate the whole thing, leaving me not too hungry for everything else that was to come. Luckily I did get to at least try four of the sides, though I didn't manage to finish any of them. As for what was on my tray: Mac and cheese - this was what I was most looking forward to (besides the biscuit), and it did not disappoint! Creamy and smooth perfection that went together perfectly with a splash of their jalapeno sauce. Broccoli and cheese casserole - I almost felt as if this should have been combined with the mac and cheese. Having said that, I've had way too many undercooked broccolis lately, so I commend them for perfectly cooking theirs. BBQ baked beans - this was probably my least favorite item I ordered. It wasn't bad, but the sauce was a bit too sweet for my liking. Farmer's salad - This was definitely a pleasant surprise! I imagined something pretty uninspired when I ordered this but went for it anyway just because I knew I couldn't finish four warm items. This was actually much better than most restaurants' salads, packed with greens, brussel sprouts, barley, parmesan, walnuts and grapes. I don't usually rave about salads, but this was really good! I gotta say that for a Southern barbecue restaurant, this place has got some really great veggie options.
(4)
John W.
I had passed Sweets Cheeks numerous times but never went in...a friend wanted to take me to dinner recently and I said why not... it's time. Decor: Huge room. .large tables with a nice bar. They have an outdoors seating area also and the night I went it was cold out so the door being constant opened with the constant draft bugged me when I was eating but I thought nothing is perfect. Food: It comes out on trays and you have your choice of meats and sides...it's very clever. The trays are very industrial looking...when the food comes out it has a military feel to it...no plates here....I like that you get many types of selections from large meals to a meal of just sides from black eyed peas,collard greens...excellent...and Mac & cheese. I ordered those three with one rib. It was more than enough for me...You need to go here very hungry...I mean not eating in three days hungry! Also...I almost forgot.. The BISCUITS!! Make sure to order these when you go...a meal in themselves...Wow!! huge, sweet tasting, melt in your mouth.... but only eat one.. they could ruin your appetite... but please order them. Believe the hype. They alone are worth the trip. Staff: We had a really cool waiter...he was extremely busy but always made us feel special. Everyone was nice all around..I highly recommend Sweet Cheeks.
(5)
Candace B.
I've eaten at some of the best BBQ joints in Texas, because my husband is from Dallas. We've never found good BBQ here in New England. We decided to check out Sweet Cheeks after a Red Sox game today, and it did not disappoint. We sat in the beer garden which was so nice. We ate at the game so we didn't need much food, but wanted to have some drinks and unwind before heading home with the crowd. We split a brisket plate with potato salad and macaroni and cheese. It was all delicious. The meat was tender and juicy. Didn't need much sauce. The potato salad really knocked my socks off, surprisingly. I actually didn't eat much Mac because I was full! A great version of BBQ right in New England. We will definitely go back.
(5)
Fatima I.
Upon walking in we were immediately seated. Our waitress was very friendly and prompt. I know the night was going to be bad when I order a ginger beer and it was probably the worst I've had. But that wasn't their fault. It is very loud in here so if you want to converse with your friends you have to scream in order for them to hear you including that table next to you. My boyfriend order the brisket sandwich and the BBQ beans which he enjoyed. But he said "it's not the south." Of course. I ordered the cheeky plate with the brisket, pulled chicken, cole slaw, and mac and cheese. The brisket: one of my briskets was probably 75% fat. The other piece had more meat than fat, so that made up. No BBQ sauce just plain old brisket. I will admit the meat was well cooked and very tender. The "pulled chicken" was more like chunks of flavorless chicken. The cole slaw was tasteless and absolutely disgusting. The Mac and cheese, which I decided to get because another yelper claimed it was "the best Mac and cheese." I was extremely disappointed and the Mac & Cheese because it tasted like it was made from the box. I didn't like any of their BBQ sauces. They weren't very tasty or BBQ style sauces. I also hated that they didn't put BBQ sauce on any of the meats (it was necessary for this place for me). I'm a Georgia girl so I KNOW what real BBQ tastes like and this was a complete failure. Would I recommend this place to a friend? HECK NO! Would I go back again? Absolutely not!
(2)
Ziyan C.
At 5pm on a Saturday, I was able to make an 8pm reservation for 6 people. We got there early and were able to be sat at 7:30pm, once our whole party arrived. My friend's Texan and after trying a lot of BBQ, this is the closest she's found to the real thing down there. Of course I trusted her word but it was definitely verified by our meal there. The cost: We went family style and got several iced-teas and sodas, two bins of biscuits, mac & cheese, a rack and a half of pork ribs, a quarter pound each of brisket & pulled pork, and a half chicken. It was such a crazy amount of food, more than enough for 7 people, and the cost (before tip) after splitting it seven ways was only $26! Must-haves: Biscuits, spare ribs, pulled pork! * Biscuits - 5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… single biscuit (huge!): yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Not only was this heavenly soft with a nice thick outer crust, but that whipped honey butter was AH-MAZING! That sweet and savory combo - as much as I was stuffed, I still ate two whole biscuits (and they're huge!). * Fried okra - 4.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Great breading, thick but not overly crunchy, just the right crisp & flavor to the veggie and the fried shell! * Pulled pork - 4 stars Very moist, tender, great flavor! * Brisket - 3.5 stars Maybe it was the cut I got, but this contained mostly fat and cartilage and not too much a flavor. * Pork ribs - 4.5 stars My favorite meat of the night. This had an incredibly strong smokey flavor & was charred just right. * Short ribs - 3.5 stars Nice, plenty of flavor, a decent amount of fat, meat could be a little more moist if I'm being picky. * Pork Belly - 3.5 stars Great flavor, tender meat, but (inevitably) the layer of fat was a little too much. The skin could've been crisped a little more, and the meat could be more tender if I'm being picky. * Half chicken - 3 stars The skin was crisped thinly and great. I had a leg, which was crazy moist and tasty. But then I tried a piece of breast and it half almost no flavor and was incredibly dry. If you're going to do chicken well, you'd better get both the light and dark meat right! * Mac & Cheese - 3.5 stars If you got a bite with the crumbles, I liked the texture. But with such a big tub and not as much surface area with crumbles, you end up mostly with the mac & cheese that was a bit too creamy/heavy and macaroni that's kind of small and hard. Meats 1: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Meats 2: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Meats 3: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee…
(4)
Robert S.
Saturday, April 25. Average city dining experience. Average including the food. Granted, the meat was perfectly smoked, but lacked flavor. Sauces were lackluster. Don't bother with the sides, they only inflate the bill and add nothing to the overall experience. Beans undercooked. Potato salad utterly flavorless. Also, sweet tea was Splenda and water. Like I said, average. When considering the price, not a good value dining experience.
(2)
Mook W.
Both the food and the drink selection here are well above average. The service is prompt and polite. The food comes out FAST. so why only 3 stars? The prices for the food are obscenely high. Wow. So I get to pay $24 for a small pulled pork sandwich and 2 ice cream scoops of sides? Plus some onions and pickles? That's not what true BBQ is all about. This is a solid BBQ place without the soul. If you have some money to spend and don't mind not getting good value for what is solid food, come on in. Otherwise, head to Blue Ribbon in W. Newton or Arlington for far superior food at far more reasonable prices.
(3)
Santi C.
Overrated Southern food. The wait is too long and disorganized. There are on par alternatives for BBQ food in Boston and if not I will just fly to the South anyway.
(2)
Paige C.
Biscuit in a meal You are way too full to eat Just keep on going. LIES. All lies. So it'l like $20+ bucks for one person (just for food), but despite what the menu says, you can split with another person and be fully satisfied. But, then it's more complicated than that... Lunch or dinner or brunch. Sandwich versus platter. Drink or no drink? Biscuit or no biscuit--NOT A QUESTION. Every time I come here, I feel a little confused and cheated by their menu. BUT the food is always delicious. I just know you can get it for half the price in other states. The brisket is killer. The pulled pork is solid. The fried chicken looks amazing. The mac-n-cheese is a little slimy for my liking. The beans are awesome. The sweet tea is bottomless (hello sugar crash). The biscuits are a meal in and of themselves. THEY TAKE RESERVATIONS! Bostonians rejoice!
(4)
Richard R.
Went there for lunch today and are well familiar with what good Texas dry rub BBQ should be . The brisket which should be a signature dish was literally half fat , dripping wet , and very salty . Not very smoky and no evidence of a dry rub . The ribs may as well been a very salty Virginia smoked ham on a bone . Not bad in and of itself but not BBQ ribs . Yes I know it's supposed to be dry rubbed , but again , lots of salt and no detectable rub . Good atmosphere, good service , good beer . Bottom line ...... An expensive disappointment
(1)
Clare D.
First off, the food is incredible. Everything my friends and I had was fantastic. I had the pulled pork tray with a scoop of mac n cheese and a scoop of black eyed peas served with two slices of white bread, pickles and onions. We got a bucket of biscuits to share and I could live off those for days, the honey butter that came with them was a perfect companion. We all tried various cocktails in mason jars and were equally pleased-I particularly liked the apple moonshine beverage. The drink I ordered was a take on a Manhattan but quite a bit sweeter than the standard, too sweet for my taste. Our server was very helpful and charming. She answered every question we had, gave great advice and when one of us needed to order food to go for a friend who couldn't have garlic she brought us a menu with all the non-garlic items circled by one of the chefs. She was super. The only thing that kept them from 5 stars is the atmosphere. It was very, very loud. The tables are lovely refinished wood but they are rather wide (which is helpful with all the food you get) but makes it even harder to hear your table-mates. There are at least 7 TV's throughout the space which is about 5 too many in my opinion. Between the noise from the other customers and the TV's playing a variety of different shows and then the music (which was a great selection of everything from hip-hop to classic blues but all played a bit too loud) it gets very distracting and hard to focus on the people you're with. Two of the TV's were playing a reality show about plastic surgery which was really graphic and not exactly what I wanted to watch while eating a lot of tasty meat. They do have great options for take out so I think that's what I'll be doing in the future. It'd be a shame to not eat in and enjoy their great bottled beer selection and good cocktails but unless I'm there alone and not wanting to talk with anyone I don't know how often I'll go back to dine in.
(4)
Joe L.
The only reason I'm not giving this place a one star rating is because the food. The food is really good, there is a lot of it, and it almost makes this place worth coming back to. Now let me break down what happened: 1- My girlfriend and I walk in around 7:30 on a Friday night and are told the wait would be 30-45 minutes- which is about we expected. We decide to get drinks at the bar, which must have been designed by a blind person. This is because there is a massive table positioned directly beside the bar, which basically pins in anyone trying to get a drink into a ridiculously crowded space. 2- The '30 to 45 minute wait' we were told was actually 1 hour and 30 minutes. I'm convinced I would still be standing there if we didn't agree to sit on the high top chairs by the window. The host must have been having a bad night or something because she was pretty rude to both of us and a total pain in the ass. 3- I had to get our own silverware after the appetizer got there. The waitress never brought any out and pulled a disappearing act until she decided to bring the entrees out a full 30 minutes after the app. 4- I had to get more silverware after the entree came. The waitress cleared everything after the appetizer was finished and never came back except to bring us the check. 5- The bartender gave back me the wrong debit card by accident. I didn't realize this until after I left the restaurant. When I came back he was actually a pretty nice dude, but didn't bother to comp me a drink or a meal after I described what happened above. I would have talked to a manager but at this point I had made up my mind that I was probably never coming back. Two thumbs down because of the awful, horrific service. It's a shame because I'm never coming back and never recommending this place to anyone.
(2)
Natalie O.
Amazing BBQ.! Love the atmosphere and the relaxed vibe. The meat is smoked til it literally falls apart with a fork. The biscuits and sides are great too. I highly recommend the Mac and cheese. Awesome restaurant!
(5)
Gerard M.
The pulled pork was good but we spent way too much for two sandwiches, mac and cheese,biscuits,a coke, and a beer. Anyway, It is nice to have a decent bbq place in the area.
(3)
Katie P.
Have been dying to try Sweet Cheeks out for sometime after hearing many friends rave about it. I recently did a road trip down to Tennessee and we made a special stop in Nashville for BBQ. I'm definitely not a BBQ connoisseur by any means, but compared to authentic southern BBQ... Sweet cheeks is not too far behind. I went for lunch and got the pulled pork sandwich on toasted/buttered Texas toast. It comes with your choice of one hot OR cold side. I opted for the farmers salad as recommended by the cute bartender. They have lots of sauces available: BBQ, green chile hot sauce and something type of a Tabasco sauce. For $10 this was a really good deal. I could only eat half... It was huuuugggeee. And I was hungry too. I definitely recommend coming in for lunch unless you want the famous biscuits since they only start serving them at 5 or 5:30. it's cheaper ($10-12 for lunch, $20 something for dinner) and the only difference is you get 2 sides. Definitely planning on going back again soon!
(4)
S A.
Biscuits are to die for. Mix the pepper vinegar (red or green) with the BBQ sauce for spicy deliciousness. Mac and cheese was fantastic. Not the best barbecue ever (being from Texas, you have a lot of competition) but definitely worth visiting
(4)
Sarah R.
SO good. I'll keep this short and sweet. Slightly disappointed they took my favorite drink off their menu.. it was something with moonshine and apple and it was yum. Biscuits- HUGE! Can easily split one between two people. So damn good with that butter, I swear they put crack in it. Fried Green Tomatoes- Nice and crispy, though the tomato itself wasnt quite ripe enough. The sauce was sooo much spicier than last time I had it, not a huge fan, bring back the slightly spicy ranch please. Broccoli Casserole- Too much casserole, not enough broccoli. It was too bad because I loved it last time. The flavors were good, but needed more brocc. Farm Salad- Fresh greens, arugula, nuts, parmesan, shaved asparagus in a light dressing, wow this was amazing. I could eat this all day. Pulled Pork- Loved that there were crisp pieces and it wasnt too "pulled". The vinegar sauce was to-die-for, legit wanted to stuff it in my bag. Pork Ribs- Literally fell off the bone so I ate them with my fingers. Such good flavor I didnt even need sauce with it. Tray came with four, and I devoured them. Could prob eat those all day. Do NOT understand the bad reviews, because this is damn good. Im no BBQ expert but it tastes good so Ill eat it. And yes, it is a little pricey, but its so much food you will be certain to have leftovers.
(5)
Rachel S.
I am from the south and know good barbecue this stuff is awful and over price. Stay clear the biscuits is the only thing they got going. The staff was clueless about the food
(1)
Billy Su B.
first and foremost, the bar was like a chip n' dales show. yes, large hot male specimen with arm size of tree-trunk, i would love another whiskey. the food: that beef brisket was just as hot as the barman. they're doing it right at sweet cheeks. that thing was smoky, rich, tender- just wonderful. i HIGHLY recommend the brisket *** cheesy broccoli casserole in a cup? i will fight you. my husband risked his life, even the next day, trying to steal a bite of it from the microwave. keep back, all ye who don't want your eyes poked out. the hushpuppies? yummerson. sweet meets savory. the pulled pork? delicious! the collards? YES!!! there's meat in them collards! so salty and flavorful! the farm fresh salad? even i, a scoffer of salads, ate it happily and with enthusiasm. baby brussels, light dressing, raisins and a grape or two- so pretty! a VEGETARIAN would have a very good time here, despite being surrounded by dead piggies, because the vegetable options, the biscuits, the hushpuppies, the casseroles, the macaroni- just so many exciting options! 2 cons: the bbq sauce was so so in my opinion (the spicy was MUCH better than the mild) and the waiter sort of... dumped all my food into one box. it was grotesque as i ate it the next day... i was like a piggy at her food trough. i'm talking salad, beef, pork, casserole, bread- all that crap was just slopped one on top of the other into one small box! final jovial note- the owner came over and asked how everything was, a mark of real southern type hospitality is always an A+ move in my book :) AND DOLLY PARTON'S PICTURES ARE IN THE BATHROOM!!!
(5)
FearlessLdr I.
I finally got a chance to taste barbecue Boston style. When Boston 'cue is compared to barbecue in Texas, Kansas City, Memphis or even Phoenix, I don't understand what all the hub-bub is about. I came into Boston early because I'm not as mobile as I used to be. As that I was in town so early, I decided to check out one of the Boston barbecue joints that some are raving about. I chose Sweet Cheeks because I knew where they were located, just up the street from what used to be the studios of WBCN -- and the fact there was a parking space open right at their front door! (LOL!!) I ordered a two meat plate (brisket and babyback ribs), bbq beans, mac n cheese, a biscuit w honey butter and sweet tea. For dessert, a version of peach cobbler made with a HUGE biscuit. The babybacks had a nice bark, no discernible smoke ring and were pretty dry. Only by adding one of the sauces offered were these ribs decent. The brisket had nice bark, a discernible smoke ring but were gray in color. The brisket was also pretty dry. The sauces offered were sweet, spicy and what appears to be a Carolina mustard/vinegar sauce. The spicy has a nice bite and is hot enough for just about everyone. To be honest, I'm not a fan of their sweet sauce. Not that Sweet Cheeks' sweet sauce is "bad" or "wrong," it's just a personal preference. As for the sides, the bbq beans had plenty of meat and a nice, tangy sauce. However, the kidney beans were significantly harder than al dente (underdone?). The mac n cheese was excellent. It had a lot of cheese with pasta and some crackers crumbled in it. The house-made biscuit was warm and had a pleasant cheesy flavor with a side of honey butter you can either apply sparingly or slather it on. The dessert was a pleasant take on a peach cobbler made with an oversized biscuit. Not too sweet, it was too large for one person to finish. The sweet tea came in a Mason Jar and never got below half full. Service was excellent. Thank you, Cruz... Maybe the pitmaster was having a bad day. Maybe their purveyor provided substandard meat. All I can say is the sides (excepting the beans) were great. But, the barbecue here is, to be kind, pedestrian. My take? For this meal, eating barbecue in Boston was like eating seafood in Arizona...
(2)
Ronnie D.
Went with 10 friends for a birthday dinner last night and it was perfect. We went for the "big rig" which looks expensive, but when you see the amount of food that you get it is well worth it for a party of 10. You pretty much get one of everything on the menu and all of the sides, both hot and cold, and all of the appetizers were great. We were already getting full when the massive tray of meat came out, which again was on point. Very solid BBQ, service was great, and atmosphere was very cool. Will be back soon.
(5)
Ross S.
Went Monday night for all the Ramen noodle hype. BELIEVE THE HYPE. How it works- they prepare only 100 bowls for the evening. First 100 people get in at 9am until close. Be there early or you might be out of luck. You choose your level if spiciness. They also serve alcohol, 4-5 apps and dessert. The ramen special on (4/14/14) was Lobster miso ramen. It was $20 and worth every penny. Deep, rich broth that had simmered for 8 hours. Lobster, tiger shrimp, oyster mushrooms, scallions, chili paste, and a 4 minute runny egg. Heaven in a bowl. I ate every last bit. It was filling but absolutely worth it. See my pictures of the ramen itself and the special after 9pm Ramen Monday menu for that day.
(5)
Aldo J.
After reading the reviews, I was pleasantly surprised with my overall great experience at sweet cheeks. Service was solid. They were pretty busy, but they easily helped us find a table in a timely manner. Got a drink at the bar, and while the drink was pretty good, it was not mixed for nearly long enough. It was given to me after being stirred for maybe 5 seconds. Also I noticed they charge $22 for a 22oz bottle of Cisco Grey Lady. That's absurd. They charge around $5-$6 dollars for 12oz bottles of other similar beers. Then they charge an EXTRA $16 for 10 more ounces?? This is not OK. The food was fantastic. Most reviews mention the portions were small. They must have fixed this because I eat a lot, and I thought the portions were more than adequate. I walked out of there stuffed after eating one of their treys. Had some of the best pulled pork I have ever had. The brisket was GREAT. But, it was a little bit too fatty (I know brisket is supposed to have a layer of fat). I got three pieces of brisket, 2 were OK. But the third was an actual strip of fat with no meat on it. They really shouldn't serve that. Flavor was AMAZING. Sides were great as well. A little pricey, but its great BBQ in the Fenway area. To be expected and certainly not outrageous. Also, they're still new so they will only get better! I highly recommend this place! Great job!
(4)
Kenneth G.
The best food I had in a long time that I didn't cook myself.The ribs and the pulled pork were outstanding. The service was great
(5)
Anya C.
Sweet cheeks is where we go when some stressed out students (us) want to feast. We usually get the pork belly, brisket, and mac and cheese. I also like the farm salad and carrot and raisin salad with blue cheese. The biscuits with honey butter are my favorite (I often find my self contemplating if i want to swing by just to pick up some biscuits and honey butter to go). I am no expert on southern food, but nonetheless this place is delicious.
(4)
Kasun N.
Sweet Cheeks is freaking awesome. The BBQ is delicious and deceptively filling, so don't be surprised if you end up going home with a couple of boxes. Wait time can be a bit too long but that's my only real gripe. Recommend their Brisket, Fried Chicken, Biscuits. Also come here for the Monday Night Ramen during the winter!! It's a contemporary take on Ramen that is to die for. It's limited to 100 bowls per Monday but is well worth the wait time to snag a bowl.
(5)
Greg K.
Ok, aside from the fun Tiffany sightings, this quickly falls to my been there, done that list. Meal started with burnt golf ball tasting hush puppies and went downhill from there. The sides were too "foodie" (my coleslaw shouldn't be in square chunks) and the beans were "al dente" according to the rest of the table. The mac & cheese was Kraftastic and the meat trays marginally made up for the rest. They do have some inventive cocktails, and the bucket of biscuits is worth it. We had to wait an hour at the bar, and it was comfortable enough on a crowded Friday evening even without seats available. All in all, I'm glad I went, but would go to Red Bones, Soul Fire, or take out from Blue Ribbon first. I would say this was on par with the Village Smokehouse in Brookline, and that's not saying much at all...
(2)
Felisa F.
I rolled into Sweet Cheeks after having an epic apocalyptic food weekend in Boston. I sat at the bar where I immediately felt put off by the bartender. He had a bit of an attitude while he took my order. A second guy behind the bar though was very nice and provided excellent service. I ordered the Big Cheeks Tray [$24] with sausage and brisket and had the potato salad and collard greens as my sides. The sausage was pleasantly spicy and smokey. They were big, thick, and juicy [that's what she said] and were amazing with the hot mustard. The brisket was fatty in all the right places and you could really taste the char from the barbecue [or at least I thought so]. It was tender and exceptionally filling. I've never had collard greens before so I wanted to give them a try. They were in a vinegar which made them in a little too acidic. However, the pieces of pork belly more than made up for this fact. The potato salad was standard but solid. No real complaints there. I was so full by the end, I was just going to leave it and pay. The nice bartender however convinced me to pack up my meal and eat it on the train ride back to NYC. We chatted some and he definitely made my experience a memorable one. He even included bread and an extra container of barbecue sauce. I was won over. The food was good too. $35 for a great meal and exceptional service.
(4)
Joseph S.
Tiffani's pork belly = food of the gods. I work in the area and just learned they are also doing lunch...i'm in so much trouble. Oh, and the butterscotch pudding just added to the menu - De.lic.ious. There will be many returns for this guy.
(5)
Aman S.
Amazing BBQ and Southern Food in the heart of Boston. The buttermilk biscuit is a must, and you only need one. I had the three meat plate with pulled chicken, pulled lamb shoulder and brisket (lean). All was super delicious. I also had the mac n cheese (wow) and the collard greens as my sides - both great. For dessert, not that I needed it, I had their version of the nutter butter - this was to gigantic sized peanut butter cookies with peanut butter cream in between - it was a little dry, and i would have preferred the cookies more moist, but none the less, amazing. I sat at the bar and ate with the bar tender, who made amazing drinks - true mixologist. I will return here again.
Best bbq in Boston for sure, definitely unexpected to find bbq this good in New England. Meats are fairly expensive but you get what you pay for. Sides rotate and all are all very tasty. Beer selection is strong as well. Be sure to get the biscuit appetizer.
(4)
Roy C.
Went last night and sat at the bar. Fun decor and good beer list. Unfortunatly the bartender was over his head. young and inexperienced. Cared more about his "buddies" than his guests! Food;average at best. May have been better if things were served at proper temps. Fried Green tomatoes-good;but a little bland Pork Belly-Served COLD pulled pork-DRY ribs-Cool and bland pulled Chicked-by far the best entree-I thought BBQ specilized in pork\beef Sides- Cole slaw-bland;but better when I added a little of their Carolina Vinegar broccoli caserole-Very good baked beans-Ok but no wow Overall this place has potential but they really need to re-evaluate their quality control!!
(2)
Beth H.
Pros: --great location and decent prices --cocktails are amazing and come in mason jars! I'd recommend the Dollywood --the watermelon salad has so many flavors going on. It is mind-blowing! The spicy peanuts?? Genius. --the pulled pork is good but the great northern brisket is fantastic. --try the carrot and raisin salad! --the coleslaw isn't shredded like usual -- I enjoyed theirs more than 'regular' type. --I would happily eat their fried okra instead of french fries as a side to every meal for the rest of my life. Cons: --they don't have cornbread and this makes me very, very sad. Bottom line: If you're in the mood for excellent bbq sauce, tasty drinks, and some really awesome sides....this is the place.
(4)
C. C.
This place has grown on me & I'm glad to see that it always has a steady pace of happy diners. The portions of the sides have improved since my initial review. The last couple times I throughly enjoyed the briskets & biscuits - yum! Now time to hit the gym...
(4)
Kenny C.
Sweet Cheeks would be a great place to dine outdoors in the summer. Their service is fast, and the food is good. We ordered a chopped brisket sandwich on Texas Toast and the toast was super crunch and buttery (which is great if you like that sorta thing). We also got pork belly and regular briskets and they both melt right in your mouth. Although the brisket melts a bit smoother and is much more tender than the pork belly. Actually I'd just get the brisket. Brisket good. There were enough to take home and it still tasted delicious after 3 days. They also make their sauces in house, they're super tasty and I'd buy a bottle to take home if I was barbecuing. 'Dis is gud. We be back. Minus a star because it's a little expensive for what you get.
(4)
Erica T.
I was really excited to try this place because I love BBQ and I love Top Chef. Our experience here overall was horrible but I mostly blame the hostess for this. I came here on a Friday after work with two of my friends and we were not sat for almost 2 hours even though the hostess originally estimated that we would be able to sit within 45 minutes and kept reassuring us that we were next on the list. We basically had to stand at the hostess stand for the last 20-25 minutes and forced them into sitting us. On the other hand our waiter was very nice and accommodating when we had some special requests. The positive side of waiting so long was that we were able to take advantage of the small outside bar area that they have. The bartender was fantastic. The two girls I was with could not decide on a drink and he ended up making them two drinks on the spot for them to try and they were both delicious. Overall the menu is pricey for BBQ style food and it defiantly isn't a cheap night out. I didn't fall in love with the food and I probably would not come back here. I would choose soul fire in allston any day over sweet cheeks for good BBQ.
(2)
Sarah D.
Yes, the biscuits are amazing. I want to eat another one right now, which is dangerous because I live pretty close to Fenway. So good. 5 enthusiastic stars for the biscuits. And as a few people have pointed out, you can order any number of biscuits you want - you don't have to order a whole basket! There was nothing else to get excited about here. The mac and cheese was awful (I should have listened to the other reviewers who commented on it!) and the potato salad was mediocre. There is no excuse for mac and cheese this bad. Sweet Cheeks - is anyone listening? People want to be able to come to your restaurant and eat decent mac and cheese! It's not that hard. Literally everyone I know (Whole Foods, my college roommate, my mom) makes better mac and cheese than you. You can fix this! We tried the pulled pork, brisket, and the pork belly. The pulled pork was good but salty. I wasn't a fan of the pork belly, and although I liked the brisket, be warned that it is very fatty. Anyway, we will be back for the biscuits. I think that's going to be a thing now. Just going out for biscuits. If you want to try this place but are leery of the mixed reviews, come with friends, order a lb of the pulled pork and a bucket of biscuits, and make your own little biscuit sandwiches. Easy.
(3)
Steven L.
Mediocre food that's not worth the price. Didn't like our waiter either. He kept trying to take my food while I was still eating it. Didn't hate it, but wouldn't go back or recommend it.
(2)
Justin G.
Flat out amazing. For real - the brisket, pulled pork, biscuits, collards, slaw, potato salad and beans were all outstanding.
(5)
Melanie M.
Let me begin by saying that consuming the food here was a life-altering experience. I went with three friends on a Saturday night and put my name in at 7:45. I was getting annoyed when we went for a drink and came back and still were not even the next party by 9:15. However, when I made this point to the hostess, she made arrangements for us to eat at an extra seating space so we wouldn't miss our 10:40 movie. The waiter, who had to take us on as an extra "table," was super nice and so excited that I found myself shaking his hand when he agreed with the hostess that he would take care of us. The people who work here really are fabulous, as some of the reviews mention. Even though I'm not a Top Chef person (although my friends were), I was slightly disappointed I didn't get to thank the chef myself for the experience. I didn't pay that much attention to the drink list, because at that point I was so hungry I didn't want to waste room for the food, but I would say it was adequate, with some creative cocktails in addition to beer and wine. The food truly made me glad to be alive and thankful that humans have taste buds. They were out of biscuits (I forgive them, it's a brand new place and it was already 9:30--give them a chance to work out those kinds of kinks), so we had fried okra and hush puppies. As for the fried okra, it was served whole, which, as my friend who grew up in Texas (but was born in Newton) pointed out, improved the breading to okra ratio tremendously over the usual cut up okra presentation. The okra itself was smooth and silky and seemed fresh. I want to begin talking about the hush puppies by saying that I don't normally like hush puppies, but these were unlike anything I've ever had before and broke the mold. They were amazing, with hints of what we detected to be cumin and accompanied by what seemed to be a sweet (but not too sweet) cream sauce, which we broke down and began using on both the okra and the hush puppies because it was so good. For the main meal, I had pork belly, even though I normally hate gristle. It was about 80% solid meat and the fat was cooked such that there was no stringiness to it at all. It was almost like eating duck in the sense of how well the fat blended in with the meat. The macaroni and cheese made me feel like I had never had macaroni and cheese before in my life. It was so flavorful and the bread crumbs were so buttery, without any of the greasy feel of butter or cheese, that I would say nothing I've ever had compares---this made Red Bones M&C seem like Lean Cuisine. The farm salad was truly amazing, and as I said to the waiter afterward, "[w]hen is salad EVER amazing?" It was made of fresh brussels sprouts in lieu of lettuce, and had a smoky essence, some mouth-watering cheese (I think parmesan), and delectable nuts. My friends had brisket and the ribs. The ribs were not dry at all and had very nice meat with no visible gristle, although I like the pork belly better, and the brisket went very well with the BBQ sauce on the table. The only negative with the brisket was that it did have a bit of fat, but probably that added to the flavor, which was noteworthy. The broccoli and cheese was good and had a little spice kick to it, but I would say the macaroni and cheese was better and cheesier. All in all, I loved the staff, I liked the atmosphere, and I can honestly say that I was in disbelief of how good the food tasted. A must try, even for those who don't live in the city!
(5)
Owen R.
Great pulled chicken sandwich. Very average Mac n cheese, needs improvement. Tasty ribs! Staff was friendly, horrible ambience; too loud, very open concept. Closer to 3.5 than 3 stars, but yelp hasn't gotten there yet.....
(3)
Jean C.
We really liked it here... The food was delicious, the beer/whiskey menu was great, friendly service, and cool decor. The only problem is that the prices are very high for BBQ! The portions are large, though, so we at least have lunch for tomorrow.
(4)
Mike T.
Best BBQ food in Boston. The biscuits are delicious and the portion of meat is huge. Made the mistake and ordered two separate plates on a date. You could honestly get a combo and share it. Parking is a pain since it is in Fenway. They also run out of biscuits really quick so try to go early.
(4)
Bob L.
Terrific food awaits you at this fun eatery. One suggestion though. If you're like me and not a Texan, go without the Wonder Bread and ask for their sumptuous biscuits instead. They are award winning. So I had to inquire about what was the dillio with the Wonder Bread so I asked managing partner Brian Lesser who I had come to know from when he opened Saint and then Mini Bar. He said in the true spirit of Texas Barbeque, they serve the two slices of Wonder Bread because the Texas peeps like to make a sandwich by adding a little bit of their main course and their sides. I would have no part of this as this Yankee snob eats whole wheat bread and not that terrible white bread ;-) I had their half a chicken with farm fresh salad and mac and cheese. While I was counting the calories from the Mac and Cheese, which was off the charts delicious, I was salivating from the wonderful tastes of everything. Sweet Cheeks also has a boat load of beers from all ovah (had to toss in my Boston accent here) the US and the globe. I enjoyed a Kentucky Bourbon beer that was stored in Bourbon barrels to lend the flavor of the prior housed elixir. It was delish. So, if you're contemplating if you should dine here at Sweet Cheeks, contemplate no more as this eatery is a definite must! Enjoy...
(5)
Kexi L.
The biscuits are so GREAT! I love the honey butter served with it. Definitely will come back.
(4)
G K.
amazing pulled pork...and I think this is the best brisket i've ever had. great ribs. You must order the corn bread.
(5)
Corey L.
For a big family dinner, we ordered sweet cheeks to cater, so I was able to taste a lot of their stuff: pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, biscuits, beans, some sort of salad, and all their sauces. Basically, it was really good. The meat was all quality, really well-prepared meat. On it's own, it wasn't super flavorful. But with their sauce (which is SO good), it becomes quite a tasty meal. Pulled chicken and pulled pork: both high quality meat. Neither was super flavorful on it's own, but when sauce was added - really good. Took on the flavor of the sauce well. And I like being able to add as much as I want (always less than any restaurant adds). Brisket: super fatty, but cooked in this way so that the fat sort of melts in your mouth. I normally don't like the consistency of fat, but this was good. I still picked it off b/c that's who I am, but whenever I ate it, it added to the flavor. Mac/cheese: solid, not super cheesy or creamy. Biscuits: each one weighs about 5 pounds and I'm guessing that's mostly butter. These super good - nice and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. And the honey butter was incredible with them. As was the bbq sauce. Basically anything would be good with them. Beans: solid. Salad: pretty good, came with a bunch of ingredients that were all added at an appropriate proportion.
(4)
Robert S.
Very loud restaurant, couldn't hear my homies speak. My group and I ordered the fat cheeks tray, big cheeks tray, and the fried chicken trays. Pretty good shit--- literally... Had to take a mean dump after eating from these huge trays. The fried chicken was a bit dry but was pretty good. I had the brisket, bacon strips, and ribs. They were all tasty except the brisket is ridiculously fatty. I thought I was chewing on some dude's lipo fat lol. Definitely get the farm salad if you get the chance. It was a good highlight of the tray and fought off some cholesterol from this meal.
(3)
Annie S.
The biscuits and honey butter!!!!!! You honestly could eat just these and walk away beaming. But... If you're here you might as well get some more deliciousness. Live a little ya know. I had the pulled pork and the brisket. Both were great but I particularly recommend the brisket. So tender and perfectly cooked. I got it with cole slaw on it, but the meat itself is so good that the slaw is actually unnecessary. Wasn't a fan of the fried okra, but the cheesy grits was stellar.
(5)
Hyun Y.
I've had better BBQ. Most of their sides were good (broccoli and cheese casserole, farm salad, baked beens, potato salad, etc)...but the collards greens weren't that good. Oh, and salt and pepper potatoes were delicious. I had the pork ribs lunch tray, and the meat was a bit too salty for me. The sauces they have were pretty good. I tried my friend's order of pork belly meat, and that was better than the ribs. Overall, an ok bbq place.
(3)
Colette M.
Delicious! I love barbeque and Sweet Cheeks was a good enough for me while in Boston. Nothing will ever compare to the Texas BBQ that I am use to, but the brisket here was awesome. The biscuits with that butter was amazing too. I would recommend Sweet Cheeks to people who are craving some BBQ and haven't been to the South in a while.
(4)
mike y.
i've had better bbq. i miss uncle pete's in revere !!! liked the setup though. our table ate : pokbelly ...can't go wrong brisket .. was ok chicken ..was good if you like butter ...you'll like some of the sides !! slaw was ..eh would i go again ? nah..
(2)
Mike B.
big fan of the fried app's. ok i just like fried food but doing it well isn't that easy for most. Our group especially liked the okra, potatoes & hush puppies (with a killer maple sour cream sauce). cool beer in cans and solid bourbon drinks that you naturally want with all that delicious fat & smoke in traditional bbq. Cool vibe with old oil company signs, rocking chairs, mason jars for glasses, good, young staff. if ribs were better i'd go to five stars. i'll try it again soon. these guys should crush it during Sox home game days. get there early!
(4)
A B.
This update is to address Tiffani's wonderful message upon my recent review. Dearest Tiffani, I appreciate that you could take the time to write such a fantastic message in consideration to how busy you must be defending your cooking skills. However, if you could also address the other items (pork ribs, pulled pork and beans) that I had listed as to why they were not up to par, that would be great. Yelp is a place for everyday foodies who love good cooking and want to share their thoughts and views with other foodies. With this in mind, I believe that I have the right to keep myself in the "real review game." Clearly, your restaurant is not the one for me and I am appreciative of you for pointing out such an obvious fact. May your career prosper with your glowing personality and amazing customer relationship building skills. BEST, Apanduh
(1)
Nathan R.
Once every 4-6 months or so, I get a really strong craving for BBQ. The only reason I wait that long is that there's really no decent BBQ in Boston. That includes Sweet Cheeks, which is the closest (of the few insufficient options) to me. So I go to sweet cheeks. Then I vow never to go again. Repeat. I've now been here about 6 times. --Meats-- Beef Brisket = 1/2 dry lean meet and 1/2 fat. Pork Belly = At most 1/5 meat. 4/5 fat and grease. Ultra salty. Made me want to vomit. Literally. I'm contemplating an anti-emetic. Fried Chicken = Consistently pretty good, actually. Pulled Pork = Dry --Sides-- Biscuits = Super delicious. Can't make it through more than one without feeling sick. They're HUGE and DELICIOUS and BUTTER. Mac and Cheese = Kinda bland, surprisingly. Coleslaw = OK Potato Salad = Pretty good. One thing they've improved is the quality of their BBQ sauce. Or maybe it's just my perception. I used to hate their sauces, but found it pretty good this time. If you do decide to go here, I strongly recommend only getting the fried chicken, whatever sides suit you (they'll be OK) and maybe a biscuit. If you're a reasonable person, you should probably just split a single biscuit with another person. Two stars because fried chicken and butter biscuits. The rest is still awful. Edit: After sitting on it a night, other stuff I do like there: I've usually had good and friendly service, if sparse when they're busy (who isn't?). I also remember the ribs being pretty good, although I prefer a more south carolina/texas style sweet-sauce heavy rib. I will probably go back to try the pulled chicken and to order the fried chicken / ribs for myself (I usually end up trying someone else's)--I really want to like this place.
(2)
R F.
I'm giving it 5 stars! Yup. Everything from the upscale picnic tables and the county fair mugs to the wood smell to the gas station decorations to the Curly pig tail Q outside gives off a great casual, fun, yet nice and upscale vibe that is just nailed perfectly. The place is a splurge and a treat and whole lotta fatty delicious dishes that I won't be eating on a regular basis (even though I would LOVE to eat pork belly every day and their farm salad and mac and cheese). Anyway, the food is great (Ribs were just OK) - 3 different hot sauces/bbq sauces on the table, the meat is fall off the bones delicious, the sides are all great, and the pork belly... oh man, that stuff is amazing. I got the turkey legs which were really really good, but since the meat gets so shreddy, so does the bones? You have to be careful about not biting into sharp bones. Also, I got a farm salad, which was the best salad ever. Nuts, berries, arugula, easy on the dressing, charred brussel sprouts. mmmmmm. Mac and cheese. BBQ. Pork. Brisket. Fried Green Tomatoes. Drinks. I can't wait to come back here again and try new stuff. Highly recommended...
(5)
Chris G.
Sweet cheeks is the perfect bbq joint for city people who don't know what real bbq should feel and taste like. The faux southern atmosphere is downright annoying. It's like a caricature of a southern bbq joint.. seriously, you don't have to put everything in a mason jar. You get the feeling they searched "southern" and "rustic" on pinterest to determine what decor and utensil sets to order. The food is nothing special. No smoke flavor to speak of in the meat and the sauces were mediocre and far too sweet. I will give them credit, the mac and cheese was outstanding despite the fact that it was served in the most infuriating container available. I will also admit that the service was good. Overall, Sweet cheeks has a few things going for it, but the food quality suffers because it seems like they care more about cultivating a cutesy atmosphere than actually cooking good bbq. High quality bbq sells itself--you don't need to dress it up in some misguided fancy northern interpretation of what a southern restaurant is like. Some of the best bbq joints in the nation serve their food in styrofoam cartons because it speaks for itself, which unfortunately is not the case for Sweet Cheeks.
(1)
Celtics B.
OK, I am not a huge meat fan but if it's in front of me and looking yummy I'll eat it. The pulled pork and pork belly here are DELICIOUS! So juicy and succulent. And the biscuits... Don't even get me started. They are the size of a baby's head and just so amazing with the honey butter that comes on the side. Definitely get the broccoli cheese casserole, and the carrot salad. I can't get enough of this place. The only downfall (which is big for me) is that the biscuits are only complimentary of dining in, so they are not available for takeout which SUCKS! I'm always looking for a good place to get takeout, and eating sweet cheeks without their biscuits is just a huge tease!
(4)
Kelly M.
Great BBQ and great beer...what more do you need?? The pulled pork is moist and flavorful, and with the cole slaw it is perfectly sweet and tangy. The sides...where to start... the farmer's salad is full of little goodies that defnitely make this more than just a boring salad. Highlight of my meal though was the mac and cheese. It's served in a blue speckled tin cup stuffed with creamy mac and cheese and topped with crumbled crackers or breadcrumbs (i wasn't really paying too much attention before digging in). Beware! It is filling, but every bite will be worth it. I would go back just for the mac and cheese alone!!
(4)
S S.
I have definitely had better bbq. I was excited to try Sweet Cheeks, since I love Top Chef. However, I was severely disappointed by the toughness of the meat and the dryness of the pork belly. (How can pork belly be dry??) The sauce was good, but definitely underwhelming. The restaurant is also super loud, and the seating is inconvenient. The seating consists of long tables and you sit shoulder-to-shoulder with random strangers. The cool thing about the restaurant is the beers. I had a good Texan beer and my husband had one of the MA local beers. Definitely one of my least favorite bbq experiences.
(2)
Jason L.
I'm an atheist, so it should go without saying that pork slowly smoked and smothered in sauce is as close to a religious experience as I ever get. Fortunately for me, I lived in the land of (pork) milk and honey for ten years - the American south. While there, I personally ate enough BBQ to embarrass a family of four, sometimes enough that I began to think porcine thoughts and have porcine dreams. Speaking of porcine dreams, Sweet Cheeks has a pretty good thing going. We made an early reservation for 6:00 on Saturday because we were trying to make it to a show, but showed up about twenty minutes late. They sat us after a very brief wait and we exchanged a foodlust glance that said "oh my god we're going to eat smoked pork." (We also had fried okra. Each piece was sliced in half and lightly battered, a technique that I guess reduces the amount of okra goo you have to contend with. I don't mind okra goo, so I'm ok with the traditional disks with the heavy breading, but I did very much enjoy this version, which was really a nice variation on the usual way of doing this dish). You have to respect smoked pork. Not just anyone can appreciate the carnal beauty of a crusty salty smoky hunk of rib, so before you go choose your company wisely. Imagine how bad it would be if the server set down a tray of pork belly, brisket with a thick vein of fat in it, fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, roughly chopped coleslaw, and creamy sharp mac and cheese, and you grabbed one of the ribs and shoved the thing in your face, fat and sauce dripping down your chin, only to look across the table to see your companion digging in with a knife and fork. No, I don't think so. So go with someone good, split a $25 tray of meat and sides and onions (yeah, I ate them raw) and homemade pickles, and when it comes out on a metal tray, just dig in with your hands. I mean, come on. Isn't the existence of BBQ proof that you only live once?
(4)
H S.
For the last few weeks my roommate and I have been smelling something wonderful lingering in our apartment. Something like the smell of love and hugs on top of a fire... simultaneously, we were stalking the construction going on underneath our building, the soon-to-be Sweet Cheeks. When the boards came down and construction went away, we were thrilled to see the restaurant was just about ready to open. We received a lovely invite last night to try out Sweet Cheeks before the grand opening today and literally dropped all other plans to go. And after eating some delectable pulled pork, cozy mac n cheese, crunchy coleslaw, and tender brisket, I have to say I'm officially hooked. Our waiter Chris was friggin' fabulous and the drink menu is unbelievable. If for some odd reason I cannot come here for every meal (probably because I've already had too many ribs and lonestars and my body is rejecting them at that point), I will be the person pressed up against the glass looking in at others having ribs and lonestars. It's cool though because we're neighbors.
(5)
Lilly P.
Had a fantastic experience here! The food was good, drinks were strong, and the staff was fun and attentive. Like everyone else has said, the biscuits are a must, and the sides are great! The cheesy grits were awesome, as was the mac'n cheese. Loved the ribs, the pulled chicken was Meh, stick to the ribs and pork belly. Overall a must the next time we are in town!
(5)
Dona R.
Limited menu but first class atmosphere but overpriced and small portions. We left hungry!
(1)
Andrew W.
Came here for lunch, had the lunch baby back ribs. It was $14 for 5 ribs and a salad which i think is pretty decent. The ribs were a little bit dry but the farm salad or garden salad were terrific. The letdown is the very very poor service, nobody welcomed me and i had to take my own table, i have to wait 5 minutes until someone offered me a drink and a menu. Nobody was checking up on us and when we wanted to ask for a check not even a single waiter was in the dining room, i think they were all huddled up behind the counter so I had to wait again and everything took so long. The restaurant itself was not very busy at the moment, less than 10 table were occupied.
(3)
Andrew M.
Good Texas-style BBQ at a great price!!! If you're not a huge eater, the Fat Cheeks Tray will be enough for two. Pulled chicken was so juicy, tender and delicious. Pulled pork was good, but not huge on flavor. Brisket was unbelievably tender, but a bit fatty. Mention that you found them through Yelp and they'll treat you right; we got two free biscuits.
(4)
Yuka Y.
3 Reasons why I wanted to give Sweet Cheeks Q a try: Highly rated reviews Drinks in Mason Jars Never tried Southern food Sweet Cheeks is definitely overrated by yelpers...either that or Southern food is just not for me. Had their pork belly. While it certainly had a good amount of fat to be deemed as pork belly, it wasn't as flavorful as I expected. Slightly on the sweet side, must've been glazed. When I envision Southern pork belly, I expected some kind of peppery/smoked hard core flavored belly but mehh...my preconceived notions was completely off. I blame Taiwanese pork belly to be too good hence my amped up expectation of SOUTHERN bellys. For the cold scoop, I had their potato salad. The potato salad was hands down the best thing out of the entire dinner. I'm a fan of potato-related foods so perhaps I am biased. Not too much mayo put in it, similar to Japanese potato salad. Avoid the collard greens. Really didn't like it and the color and texture of it made me feel like I was eating big pieces of tea leaves. Bland, nothing special. Annnnd this is coming from a gal who usually loves her vegetables. If you ever have the chance to sit outside, do so. Inside is too loud to carry much audible conversation. Lighting is decent and the summer weather adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The drinks menu is extensive. The somewhat annoying thing is they give creative/wacky names to their alcohol selection but you can't figure out what flavors they're going for without asking the waiter. Best to let your server know what preferences you have if you have trouble figuring out what to get. I will have to give major kudos to Jacob, our waiter. He is one of the most enthusiastic waiters I've ever met. When asked about what he'd recommend for drinks, he promptly gave recs along with a very detailed description with smiles. Jacob, you were the only reason why I even ordered the collard greens because you made it sound so good pff. Places need more imaginative/enthusiastic waiters like him!
(3)
Jim S.
Great Fried chicken. I search for the best, and I give this a thumbs up. Good selection of beer. Can get pretty crouded, though
(5)
Joseph V.
You must order the biscuit they are MONSTER size $10 for 4 ( so good ) with soft whipped honey butter. Order a sweet tea to drink . Make sure you stir it first. All of the meats are dry rubbed so you have to add the type of sauce that you desire. They had your typical barbecue sauce and a nice Carolina sauce got what the third one was. I ordered the bird ends which were nice and tender I was eating it and didn't realize that the sauce was on that's how good they were. Foursides I ordered mac & cheese which use nice sharp cheddar cheese topped with a crusty bread crumb topping nice and creamy and delicious the other side I ordered was the carrot salad with the golden raisins walnuts and blue cheese with a nice tang. So much food a had to take the rest home. The service was great. I will be back here for BBQ next time I'm in Boston.
(4)
Fan L.
Best BBQ ribs I've had in town. Portions are SO big, I didn't have to eat until dinner next day. =)
(5)
Brendan B.
Quite good. Quite a lot. I would advise most guests they need to order just a single biscuit -- they're huge and outstanding. The fried chicken was pretty good, as was the mac and cheese. Bill 819, an iced tea and whiskey drink, was sweet and easy. My girlfriend tells me her cheesy grits were a tad soupy. And The service was friendly if a bit slow.
(4)
Beth G.
I checked this place out last Friday - we were fairly early so I was pretty surprised at how packed this joint was! Definitely not a spot for a quiet conversation or if you are uncomfortable with being butt-cheek to butt-cheek with strangers for the duration of your visit. There was a wait for a table, but I cannot tell you how long since we tried one of their specialty whiskey drinks that nearly knocked us on our arses (this is a good thing). It could have been ten minutes or four hours (but likely less than 20 minutes). All in all - worth it. The drinks, the great food (best mac and cheese I have EVER had in my life), and the friendly and knowledgeable staff. The only downside, they were out of pork belly after I had spent all day psyching myself up for it. Went with the brisket instead and was not disappointed.
(4)
Mark A.
Just happened to be in the area right before a sox game let out. People had started to leave, so I was lucky enough to find parking on the main drag. Hadn't planned on going here, but saw it, heard of it before, and decided to give it a whirl. A couple years ago I was in Austin, TX, and had many BBQ options; stepping into this place was a throwback to that trip. Mason jars for your water & soda beverages, a nice touch. I was a little taken back by the prices at first glance. $20 for 1/2 chicken tray seemed a bit steep, but considering the location, they need to charge a premium. I ended up getting the pulled pork tray, with the broccoli casserole and cole slaw. My wife ordered the brisket sandwich without sides ($12), and we split the two I got with my meal, which was the right choice. Had I read the reviews here first, I probably would have ordered a biscuit, but I passed, as there was plenty of food a comin'! Portion sizes on both were good. As mentioned above, splitting the sides was best for us. Ambiance - They definitely go for the southern BBQ look and feel. We arrived just before the sox game let out, so it was mostly dead to start, and standing room only with people out the door when we left. Very basic amenities. Did get very crowded and loud. Quantity - Portion sizes were good, both of us left full. Quality - Southern style BBQ. It was good. We weren't looking for high class. Value - Price isn't bad, a little steeper than I was thinking heading into the restaurant (just looking for quick/cheap eats). Because we split the sides I received with my tray, everything evened out, if we both ordered trays, it would've been $25 each meal, plus drinks, which isn't bad, but I was thinking $15 a plate walking through the door. Service - Probably the biggest challenge. A waiter stopped by our table shortly after we were seated, but he didn't end up being our waiter. Our actual waiter stopped by and took our drink order, then disappeared for 5+ minutes. Placed our order, and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. The waiter checked on us a few minutes after the food was brought out, but never came back (and didn't get refills for the rest of the meal). We had to flag him down to get the check, and it took him 5-10 minutes to get it to us. It did get busy, so it's not entirely his fault, but this drop in service did impact the experience. Overall - I'd give this place 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. If they shaved a couple dollars off the price, namely the biscuits ($10 for 4 biscuits) & sides, I would give it a solid 4. If in the area, I'd go there again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get there, as it's a crazy busy area.
(4)
Foodie L.
Word to the wise: expensive barbecue is rarely good barbecue. See, also, Sweet Cheeks. This place is too fancy for its own good.
(2)
Marc F.
Went here on Sat night with my wife for dinner. Overall, really love the atmosphere with the close tables and common seating. Very good beer and cocktail list. The fried green tomatoes were amazing and the biscuits are great. I really liked my ribs and my wife's pulled chicken was very tasty. The carrot raisin salad was also a good cold side. Two misses: the Mac and cheese is just so-so. Gluey and bland with ritz cracker topping. Expect better. I ordered burnt ends and to be honest I don't really know what I got. Kind of a shredded mass of briscuit with the occasional square of meat. No char, not even sure it was BBQ 'd. Big disappointment there. Overall, I recommend but left feeling kind of average. Will improve rating if I go back and get solid meal.
(3)
Lisa M J.
2.5 -- I was really torn on what to rate Sweet Cheeks, but since I have more negatives than positives decided to round down. When I walked in I liked the look of the restaurant, but it looks like a place that can get pretty loud when it's full (it was more empty than full on my visit). Still good vibe ("3"). Glassware is kitschy southern mason-jar, which annoyed my dining companion (me, not so much). Service = "2" I think the restaurant needs to focus on it's training although the server for the table next to ours seemed a bit better. Our server asked me what I wanted in my "gin and tonic" (I head specified the brand of gin, she meant like "what else" ... umm, ice?) and it came with a lemon. She explained the concept of "dry" BBQ and pointed to the sauces on the table, but failed to identify the different sauces. We realized that we didn't know anything about the sauces once we had food and desperately needed to apply some (see below). Unfortunately, at that point our waitress was nowhere to be found in order for us to ask. Later, I saw another server explain the sauces to her table, so this may just be a training issue. They have a bunch of interesting gins and other alcohols from smaller distilleries so I found this impressive. Food = "2.5" Things did not get off to a promising start when when the server had to go check and see if "they were still out of ribs" ... they were. Given that ribs are a mainstay of BBQ places I would recommend not running out if you are a BBQ place!! We ended up trying the chicken (good), brisket (terribly dry and tough), tasted too much like smoke and too little like a delicious meat). Pork belly - was also terribly dried out (which is hard considering natural fatty-ness of the cut). As others have noted it was very fatty, but I do not consider this a negative as I expect this out of a pork belly. The sauces were fine, but unremarkable. All the sides we had were good, but it is hard to go wrong when you involve melted cheese. As others have noted you get 2 random pieces of white bread (un-buttered, plain, room-temp). Our pieces, like those at the tables around us went untouched. I would ditch the bread and just give some complementary biscuits/butter, cornbread, or Texas toast. As a Northerner who has spend a long time transplanted in the south I am very familiar with the concept of "wet" and "dry" preparations of BBQ and unlike of my Southern counterparts don't feel strongly about either preparation as long as the outcome is delicious. Unfortunately 2 of our 3 meat choices bordered on dessicated which should not be how any BBQ is served. When we walked in, it looked like the chef might have had the night off but later we saw Chef Faison greeting some tables, thus things can't be written off as a sous-chef night. Portions of side-items are normal/generous. Meat portions seemed small individually, but when you combine two together equal your average fine-dining restaurant portion. Whenever I eat BBQ (usually in Memphis and usually in a place bordering on a dive) it always costs more than I expect (because I think I mentally subtract dollars when I enter a dive). I also think that BBQ just costs more than people think. I think the prices at Sweet Cheeks would be reasonable if the food quality and service improve. It is a beautiful new restaurant in the Fenway area so I am willing to throw down a little change for the ambiance of a real restaurant. I would be open to going again, but probably only if joining friends. On my own I would probably pick ICOB or Citizen if I was in that neighborhood and needed some grub.
(2)
Caitlin M.
Went to Sweet Cheeks tonight. I used to live in Memphis, so I'm used to awesome, cheap barbecue. This was good, fairly expensive barbecue. We had a reservation (definitely do that) but had to wait about 5-10 minutes for our table. There's not a lot of space to wait. We sat down and had our drink orders taken and looked at the menu. We started off with biscuits. They were huge and delicious. Two of us got the pork plate, one had ribs, and one had pulled chicken. The pork was really good. The ribs were too fatty. I think we all had the mac and cheese which I really liked. The potato salad also got good reviews. I tried the carrot and raisin salad and I didn't care for it, but don't take that as truth. As far as price goes, I thought $18 for a pork plate was a little steep. TL; DR: Good (not great) but expensive barbecue. Not on the top of my list for places to go back to, but if a friend wanted to go there I would.
(3)
Omar X.
Sweet Cheeks is pretty good. It's not great, but it's not bad. A few of the problems are understandable given that this is their opening weekend. They ran out of menus, they sat 5 of us at a 6 person table then made us share the table with another party of two. I had the Brisket Tray with coleslaw and mac and cheese. I also had the short rib. PROS: The flavor was pretty good. The brisket and short rib was good. Was told the BBQ beans were very good. I really like the sauces. CONS: They are a Texan BBQ place, but there is very little beef on the menu, unlike in traditional Texan Trays don't fit on the tables when everyone gets a tray Cocktails very small Drinks served in jars are not really that interesting anymore The portions are very small for the price you pay (3 slices of brisket for $20?) The mac and cheese was really bad; more like mac and oil Coleslaw was just lazy Will anyone actually eat the two pieces of white bread? I was pretty disappointed considering how much this place was hyped. The meat was good, but not even the best in the Boston area - and they charge waay too much. I will probably try it again because it's so close to where I live, but not really special enough to make a trip to Fenway.
(2)
Jake H.
Cool place to hangout and grab some drinks at, but if your looking to grub hard on some BBQ this is not the place. I came in for lunch and they did not let me get a full rack of ribs, just wouldn't let me, they had it they just said no. I could have came in got a half rack left and came back and got another but they would not let me order it in one sitting..... Does that even make sense?!?! Because it does not to me, I am in the industry and I couldn't even understand. I was willing to willing to pay, the product existed, but nope I was not allowed... Okay sweet cheeks
(3)
Melissa N.
Wahhh, I want to love this place, I really do! Its so close to my work and some of my friends work there. The first time I went, it was great. The food was delicious. I went back two more times and BOTH times I got food poisoning :( The first time was Christmas eve, my friend and I went and both got the pulled pork sandwich. We both were throwing up the next day. The second time, I went back again....god the same thing (I know..but I really love pulled pork and thought it must have been a fluke). Me and the girl I went with both got sick that same day as well!
(2)
Hannah P.
I have been to Sweet Cheeks many times and overall it is always good but it could be better. The fried green tomatoes are awesome--always juicy with a perfect crust on them. I recommend ordering the jalapeno ranch dip to eat with them. Also got the biscuits which deliver every time. For a savory/sweet combo, put the honey butter and jalapeno ranch on them---delish. Ordered the cheese dip as well which unfortunately was a huge disappointment. It was a super watery flavorless sauce that I'm sure is used for the mac and cheese normally. Would love to see an actual cheddar sauce with pickled jalapeños or something. Trays: this time I shared a big tray of sausage (okay, very dry this time but it has been better other times; beware it's miniature size), pork belly which has never ever been bad. It's got a charred crust and is smoked to perfection. Brisket has been hit or miss-sometimes very dry, pulled pork is good as well but needs those delicious sauces that are on the table. Fried chicken was ordered once--- wasn't a fan. I know a lot of people love it but it had a weird flavor to it--almost as if something was in the brining liquid and lacked seasoning. For sides--have loved the mac and cheese, farmers salad and potato salad. Ordered the ranch beans once and they were severely undercooked and there was no ranch notes. Drinks here are great and I love a place that lets their staff actually show their personality. All the staff here have been attentive, friendly and sometimes quite hilarious. In the summer, it is great to eat out on the deck and the staff brought us blankets once cooler temps set in.-- so sweet!
(4)
Natasha S.
I'm really shocked that this place has such high ratings. We went for lunch, and no one at my table came close to finishing their food, not because the portions are generous (although they are), but because it was some of the worst BBQ any of us had ever had. The meat was tough (including the brisket, which is unforgivable) and dry. The sides were pretty terrible, with the exception of the collard greens which were great, and the black eyed peas, which were good. Stay away from the baked beans and the macaroni and cheese. The sauces they have at the table were all overly sweet, and completely lacked in any depth of flavor- which was too bad, because I was hoping to use them to give the actual food I was eating something to taste like. I had been really excited, because none of the BBQ places up north seem to serve macaroni and cheese, which, to me, is essential. The macaroni and cheese was clearly not baked, and was instead made with a flavorless cheese sauce and put into a cup, with crumbled, soggy Ritz crackers on top. I would have even preferred velveeta- at least that tastes like something. Lunches are served with two slices of plain white bread, which had already become crusted over with staleness by the time they got to the table. Maybe I'm spoiled from having lived below the Mason-Dixon line, but this was not BBQ. Nor was it gourmet. I left feeling really confused. I don't understand the concept of this place. If the concept is gourmet BBQ, they really, really failed. If the concept is great tasting BBQ, they also failed. If the concept is that people are easily tricked into thinking meat is delicious no matter how it's served, then they succeeded. I won't be going back. In terms of BBQ places up here, it seems to me that there's no reason to ever go anywhere but Blue Ribbon.
(2)
Ryan B.
A solid 4 star experience food-wise. The brisket had a flavorful rub and was really moist so I didn't even try their three sauces. Unfortunately, the brisket was at least half fat, which is too much for me. The coleslaw is vinegar-based and tasty if a bit mild and cut too chunky. The biscuits are great. Though not the best, they have a butter flavor to them and they have that rolled-biscuit texture. The ribs also looked good, but I didn't try any because I was stuffed from my own brisket meal. The sweet tea was good, but it didn't have that bite of good strong tea, nor was it as sweet as I'm used to. The service was definitely 2 stars. The restaurant was half-full at 12:25pm, so we sat down immediately, but then it took way too long to place an order, then way too long to get the food, and then way way way too long for our waiter to wander back into the area so I could flag him down and pay an hour later. It seems to me that the majority of BBQ takes almost no time to "prepare" because it's already cooked, so if they just had the normal setup where you pay when you order and you get your food at the counter then I would have probably spent 10 minutes in line at the counter and still gotten out of the restaurant half an hour earlier than I did. I would definitely go here again, but only if I had time to spare.
(3)
Kiki P.
Overated, overpriced, below average, BBQ joint. Sweet Cheeks is EXTREMELY OVERPRICED. The pork ribs, brisket, and sausage are pretty good. However all of the sides and appetizers are just plain bad. I don't say that about many places, but I am sorry...its the ugly truth. Now I have spent some time in the south, so I have had a taste of some real BBQ. I understand real BBQ cannot be found in the northeast so I am keeping that in mind as I write this review. And even still, I don't plan on making another trip back to Sweet Cheeks. What to order: - Bucket of Biscuits with Honey Butter are pretty delicious I would recommend trying these out at least once because they literally just melt in your mouth. I just don't like paying 10 bux for a few biscuits which probably costs pennies for the business. Its like paying 10 bux for some bread. - Farm Salad is actually pretty legit. If I went back, I would definitely get this again. I can't remember exactly what was in it but it was yummy. - Mac N Cheese is one of the better sides to order. What NOT to order: - ALL OF THE SIDES: the coleslaw, potato salad, and BBQ beans are completely lack flavor. The BBQ beans do not taste like baked beans at all. They are made with black beans...who makes baked beans with BLACK BEANS? That's just weird. - The Hushpuppies are okay. Service: The service is alright. The staff is not very friendly. Value: The prices are just too high. The sides are all 7 bux and they basically have nothing inside them. Beans and potatoes are dirt cheap and I do not appreciate paying 7 bux for them. Putting the prices aside...the food just isn't all that good. If you decide to make a trip here, I would recommend getting a tray of ribs/brisket/chicken (pick one) with the farm salad and the mac N cheese as your two sides. I would give that dish a solid 4 stars and worth the money.
(2)
Bryan K.
Go for the biscuit if for nothing else. Two meat trays have a good portion of meat and sides are solid (got the bbq baked beans and Mac and cheese). Staff was very friendly!
(4)
Samuel C.
The dude on the duck tour swore by this place... And when he was like "Ricky's Fish tacos" in LA was one of his favorites: I had to take his recommendation with gravity. It's about a 10 minute walk from Fenway Park. And worth every single step. Every single signal light. Every single crack in the pavement.... Ok, service was a little slow but I noticed that as a recurring thing in Boston. Whatever. The food is A. Effing. Mazing. I started our table off with the biscuits. They are warm. soft. fluffy. Like a hug in my mouth. They serve it with this delicious sweet butter. maybe apple butter? i dont remember.... DELICIOUS!!! I ordered the Pork Ribs and the Brisket. The ribs fell of the bone. Soft. Moist. Almost no tug to every bite. The sauce was a bit distinct. It wasn't too sweet. It's ketchup based but you don't really taste tomatoe. it's good. But I like more molasses and brown sugar in my sauce. Either way. Went really well with the meats. The brisket was tender and moist . Small pockets of gristle here and there... tasty. I was impressed. The food is good. I recommend this place highly.
(5)
Victoria P.
FRIED OKRA! I'm a southern girl who is crazy about her BBQ and fried foods. The okra here is a clear winner. It comes to you as a delicious tower of fried goodness and each is perfectly battered with just the right amount of salt. I could have just had a plate of these and been satisfied. Definitely shareable, but who would want to do that? I also had the pulled pork plate with collards and potato salad. Not the best bbq i've ever had, but still good. It's tough finding good bbq in the city, but sweet cheeks is as close as I've gotten to the real thing. Will be back for the okra!
(4)
Rob C.
Years after it opened, Sweet Cheeks has become my go-to for special occasions, ones that demand a feast. You practically have to fast in advance if you think you're going to get through your whole meal, and you should, because you'll want to, whether it fits or not. The biscuits might just be my single favorite food item on the planet. Even the tangential items on the menu, like the fried chicken, are amazing. Beyond that, for a perpetually busy establishment, they are consistently solicitous of larger groups (make a reservation, though), even ones with kids. Sweet Cheeks is, simply put, a can't-fail night out. Just loosen your belt buckle.
(5)
Garnet M.
Stopped in last week for a late lunch/early dinner before the crowds at Fenway descended. The place had lots of empty tables and we picked a spot by the window. There were threats of rain showers, otherwise, we probably wold have taken one of the outside tables. There were three of us, with moderate appetites. Although it's not on the lunch menus we asked for the Fat Cheeks tray (three meats and three sides). We ordered the ribs, pulled pork and brisket along with mac and cheese, cole slaw and beans. Oh and a bucket o' biscuits with honey butter. While we waited for the food we tested out the BBQ sauces on the table. They smelled and tasted so good we could not wait for the food to arrive. To start, the biscuits. These delicious piles of gluten are worth every carb they have in them. Light, flaky, buttery. There are not adequate words to describe how good these things are. Order a bucket for now then order a second one to take home. I know from personal experience that they reheat very well. We took home our leftovers and when I opened the package, they added a container of honey butter. All of the meats were smoky and delicious, but my personal favorite was the brisket. The pulled pork had real porcine flavor, almost a gaminess you expect from lamb or venison. The rib I tasted was fantastic as well. All of the aforementioned BBQ sauces added extra levels of yum to the meat (and for one of us the beans). They were so good we took home bottles of the Sweet Cheeks BBQ sauce and the HOT habenero sauce. I loved the cole slaw and the beans, both had flavors that were spot on. The mac and cheese was perfectly creamy but the sauce had a strong taste of wine/vermouth, which was interesting but not expected. We had some time to kill before heading out, so we ordered dessert. What came to us was another of those amazing biscuits this time piled high with macerated strawberries, whipped cream and lemon curd. As it is often said near Fenway, so good, so good, so good! The lemon curd was a great addition and something I will do when I make strawberry shortcake in the future. The only downside of the meal was the service. The restaurant was not even half full and yet service was painfully slow. Our waiter, although very pleasant and accommodating, would disappear for long periods of time. All inall, a great experience. Can't wait to go back and try the cocktails.
(4)
KayGee G.
I decided to try this for Sunday brunch and I was not impressed. First of all the menu is not descriptive at all. So you have to ask a lot of questions. The best thing about my meal was the biscuit. In fact, I will only go back for the biscuits. The potato salad was not good, in fact the potatoes were not cooked very well. The broccoli casserole was good but as a leftover not so good very salty. The ribs were tender but the rub was barely there and the sauce was okay but nothing to write home about. I must say I had sticker shock at the end of my lunch. I had one glass of sweet tea and it was $4.50. That is ridiculous. That is an outrageous markup. That is like charging $3.00 for tap water. It is a tea bag and water. Overall way too expensive for the quality. M&M cost me three times less and the ribs and sides are slamming. So I will continue to search for a sit-down BBQ joint in Boston.
(2)
E. K.
Delicious! The corn on the cob, the fried squash blossom, the biscuits (thank goodness I don't live close by), the chicken. Everything was fabulous! The service, decor, ambiance, will definitely go back many times!!
(5)
Hillary M.
Oh lord. LORDY LORD. This is some good meat. I'm not sure how to handle the fact that the hands down very best thing I ate was the biscuit. I don't think there is a person on the planet that would reject that fabulous piece of pastry. The honey butter was awesome. The plates were packed with food - the best value is definitely a super sized plate. I got 3 kinds of meat (omg the pork belly) and the mac and cheese and farm salad. Oh, and did I mention I ate some biscuits? MERCY. The plate also comes with pickles, onions and white bread so you can make your own little sandwich. Which I did with the pulled pork and it was terrific. I've been eating my left overs for 2 days now and everything still tastes fantastic. I love a meal that reheats well so I can keep enjoying it. My friend ordered a lemonade and I don't recall seeing that on the menu, but I got one, too. SOOOOO good. Very tart and refreshing with the food. The bathroom is an adorable homage to Dolly P, complete with a machine for stickers or tattoos. Very festive! My only complaint was with the chairs. They are sort of like barstools around a big table, and you can't really scoot them in/out because your feet don't touch the ground. But they have a weird butt shape, too, so it is sort of hard to cozy in for your giant meal. Everyone in my party remarked on it - you just couldn't get comfortable! Otherwise, I was very happy and will definitely return!
(4)
Cassandra C.
We got take out from Sweet Cheeks, and it was overall disappointing. They were having a private event, but failed to tell us that the doors would be locked when we came to pick up our food. As for the food, they had already run out of the pork belly by 7pm. The meats were overdone, the casserole was over salted, and the portions were small for the price. They also did not give us barbecue sauce for the meats, and the meats were packaged separately from the bread with which they are paired. Also, they put the baked beans into a Chinese take out container, which is not conducive to all the liquid it swims in. The take out packaging was pretty strange. The nutter butter was pretty solid though. No need to go back anytime soon.
(2)
Lynne K.
Best part about this place = side dishes. Worst part = BBQ sauce. We arrived around 7:30 pm and were told the wait was 60-75 minutes. 95 minutes later we were seated, so they had already started out on a bad footing with me. While we were waiting for our table, we ordered some drinks from the bar. I was annoyed that they had this delicious looking lemonade, but it was already premixed with vodka. Really? Your bartenders can't be bothered to mix vodka into the lemonade? Unfortunate for anyone who isn't drinking. I got a unsweetened ice tea with lemon (god help you if you screw up that, which fortunately they didn't, and luckily it came sans booze) and my husband ordered a sweet tea, which was good and not overly sweet, as some can be. All while we were waiting, we saw big baskets of steaming biscuits going by ... Yum, they looked delicious. We were so excited to order them after being seated ... Only to find out they were out of them. Really? Strike #2 for me. So we ordered the hush puppies. They were fried perfectly, meaning they were crispy and not at all greasy. The batter was slightly heavy, but nothing too bad. The maple sour cream that accompanied them was fantastic. I would have loved a small dish of maple syrup as well as the sour cream, but then again, I'm a traditional gal. I ordered the pulled chicken platter, and contrary to other reviews, it want dry at all. It tasted like plain, smoked chicken. I agree with some other reviewers that a dry rub would have been great (they say it is dry rubbed, but I couldn't taste any). The BBQ sauce was horrible though! The sweet sauce was not sweet, and I've had North Caroline sweet bbq sauce. The vinegar sauce was okay. But really, the chicken, while cooked nicely, was bland without sauces. The side of cheesy broccoli was the best part of meal. The carrot and raisin salad tasted like a bottle of vinegar had been just dumped on it and was nearly inedible. I also wish the menu had indicated that blue cheese was mixed in with this side, as I hate blue cheese, and because it usually isn't in this type of dish, didn't think to ask them to leave it off. The pickles that came on the side were amazing. My husband ordered the pork belly and ribs. The ribs were good, but again, you couldn't taste the dry rub. They were moist and you could tell they were smoked nicely. I didn't taste the pork belly, but he said it was good. he said the coslaw was just okay. The bbq beans were good, but I personally prefer more beans and less pork. My husband thought they were great though, so it depends on your preference. The check took forever to come, and then forever to be collected. The manager finally came over and rung our credit card through. However, our server was nice, knowledgable and kind. The background music was also super loud, so everyone was yelling over one another to have a conversation. Unnnessary at a bbq joint. Overall, not a bad meal, but I wouldn't go back. I definetly wouldn't wait again. I might get the biscuits and a few sides as take out one night, but that's about it.
(2)
Jack M.
The only thing preventing this from being a five-star review is the price, which seems to have been inflated since the place opened last year. Otherwise, perfect.
(4)
Dania L.
I'd been dying to check out Sweet Cheeks since it opened for many reasons, and finally made it over with a handful of coworkers on a recent Thursday night. Overall the food and service were great, and I'm already planning a night to go back with friends. One thing to note about reservations/availability: Be aware of their "reservation" policy if you are going to eat with a group of people. I called ahead as we were going to be a group of about 10 originally, and was told that they don't take reservations Thursday through Sunday, or any other day between the hours of 6pm and 9pm. Moreover, they won't seat you unless your entire party is present. Weak. To make sure we wouldn't be waiting all night for a table, the hostess suggested we head there before/at 6pm. Our group ended up only being 5 that night, and when we arrived at 6pm we were seated without a problem. As soon as 6:15/6:30 hit though the place was PACKED. Okay on to the awesome stuff. We started out with homemade biscuits and an order of fried green tomatoes, along with some cocktails. The biscuits and honey butter were the best thing we ate that night, and were HUGE. Our table of 5 split one bucket and it was more than enough. The fried green tomatoes were pretty good considering you can't really find them around Boston (at least I haven't been able to), and were served with a ranch style sauce on the side. They were fried perfectly and the tomatoes were firm and had great flavor. I'd order them again, but will probably check out some of the other apps next time around. For drinks I had a Houston AFB which was tart and delicious, and strong. For $10 it was a bit small, though. Colleagues had a manhattan, some other mixed drink I can't remember, and a few beers which they all enjoyed. It's a pretty extensive drink/beer menu which is cool. Okay, more food stuff. The table ordered: a pork belly tray, rib tray, pulled pork sandwich on texas toast and a brisket sandwich on bulkie roll. For sides we had farm salad, baked beans, and broccoli + cheese casserole. All of the meat comes dry, but they have 3 different kinds of sauce on the table: a Texas-style BBQ, a vinegar-based BBQ sauce, and finally some sort of hot sauce. I had the pulled pork sandwich on toast with the Texas BBQ sauce and it was heaven. They give you so much meat that I had to remove half of it from the sandwich just so that I could pick it up and eat it. I'm down with that (especially since you're paying about $12 for a sandwich). I wasn't as huge a fan of the sides, and next time will probably just skip them entirely (I had farm salad and broccoli cheese casserole). On the side also comes onion and pickles, and while I don't normally eat pickles these were garlicky and had a bite to them which was unexpected. All of my friends really enjoyed their meals, and we all pretty much had to have most of the food wrapped up (yes, even the men). Finally, I can't say enough great things about our server. He was really attentive, had a great sense of humor and was helpful in recommending drinks for us. A+. For 5 people the apps, drinks and entrees came to just about $174. Not the cheapest, but for the money you're paying they definitely give you a lot of food. I've paid $40 for much worse in shittier atmospheres. To top off the great meal and drinks we had a Tiffani sighting which was a fun way to end the night. Nice to know she's a constant presence in her own restaurant. She'll definitely be getting more of my money soon!
(4)
Rachel H.
Heck yeah I'll be returning ! I went there for a 12:30pm lunch this past Friday and my group barely got there in the nick of time ( it was packed). I am a HUGE bourbon fan and ddn't tast any on my first visit ( too early in the day), but I did have a cocktail. the drinks are strong, tasty and are served in mason jars (CUTE!) FOOD: The farm salad is off the hook, serving size is really decent, the meat falls off the ribs, the chicken thighs yummy as well. I think that the 2 pieces of white bread that accompanied my meal should be optional ( no one in my group ate their bread because we were stuffed friom the food alone). The service was a little slow ( they were packed so good for Tiffani!), but that 's okay..the food makes up for it. The staff is super nice and friendly. This place is going to be packed before a Red Sox game ( plus they have outdoor seating). WELCOME TO THE FENWAY!
(4)
Leslie M.
The cocktails were awesome. I tried one called a Dolly something- lemony with sparkling wine werved in a super cute mason jar. Very refreshing. Next up my friend and I split the hush puppies. They were OK- too dry for my taste but I liked the flavor. I wish they had jalepenos in them or something to spice them up besides the mayo-y dip they are served with. I ordered the brisket platter with black eyed peas and the farmer's salad. The brisket was well done except for the giant fatty chunks which turned my stomach a bit. Maybe that's how they meant it to be? I had to cut those pieces off to even start to take any bites. The BBQ sauce at the table definitely moistened the meat and gave it some more flavor. I could taste a ton of smokiness in the meat! The black eyed peas were really gross. I took one bite and didn't eat the rest. I think they should be replaced by Texas Caviar!! Much better choice in my opinion. The farmer's salad was good. I also had a bite of my friend's mac n cheese. Overall it was not too mushy and cheesy enough- probably could have used some salt. LOVED the biscuits. They were, by far, the best part of the meal. I would go back just for a bucket of these babies. They're huge and fluffy and dense at the same time. Best biscuits I've ever had. I would definitely go back and try some different things. YUM.
(3)
Karen L.
I'm not a Top Chef watcher so didn't have a clue about the Significance of this place until after we sat down to eat. However, I'd eaten well at Rocca's, where Tiffani had cooked previously, and was happy to give this a try. I love barbeque and have a soft spot for brisket. SC's is perfect: tender with sweet, slightly charred ends, melting fat, and good, smoky flavor. I had the mac and cheese and farm salad as the sides. The M&C was amazing--creamy goodness with not a hint of Velveeta, just a pure, tangy, cheddar goodness and what I believe was a Ritz cracker topping, God bless them. The farm salad got huge points for being interesting (brussels sprouts AND farro AND arugula!), but the aged cheese in it didn't work for me. Whatever. A plate of barbeque that also contains farro makes my heart sing. The standard accompaniments of great pickles, meh onions (slice them thicker and pickle them, too!), and Wonder bread round out the platter very well. I felt it was a relative bargain for $18. The side of hush puppies was good--I don't love hush puppies to begin with, but these are a tasty, non-greasy, slightly cuminy example of the genre. I sort of wanted a tangier, less sweet sauce than the buttermilky (?) one it came with. I wished we'd tried the fried green tomatoes, instead. Also, although I was delighted to see a NC-style vinegar sauce on the table, I also kind of wanted a KC- or Kentucky-style sauce--something sweeter and smokier than the house barbeque sauce, maybe with a little celery salt. I know the sauce is where everyone gets super-fussy about BBQ and you can't make everyone happy with one sauce, so this is not a big deal to me. We'd once had a special dessert at Rocca: a butterscotch budino that has since been cited with dreamy eyes as the Best Dessert Ever. So when we saw butterscotch pudding on the recipe, we almost peed our pants. Indeed, it is spectacular. It comes in a smaller Mason jar and is quantity enough for 3 nibblers, especially given its extreme! unctuousness! There's a thin slick of what I think is hard sauce and a sprinkle of salt on top--although the congealed-butter texture of the hard sauce wasn't my thing, it was an extremely minor ding in an otherwise really special dessert. Amazing flavor, amazing texture--very similar to that budino. Thanks so much for putting this on the menu, guys! Booze-wise, you can get a RIDICULOUS amount of a rather spicy Michelada here for 10 bucks. It's a 24-oz jar--enough for at least 2 to share. It's served on ice, so if the idea of a beer cocktail on ice sketches you out, be advised. I also tried the Houston AFB--basically, an Aviation--and it was damn delicious. My only quibble was not a major one, but was enough to take off a star: the service is still in need of a little polish. We got there a little after 6:30 on a Sunday evening, and although the business was brisk, there were lots of empty seats. We were told there was a 45-minute wait for 3. I know it's all dependent on the server:table ratio, but it seemed a little strange. We also had to track down our own cocktail menus and ask for a server at one of the drink-but-no-dinner-service areas at the periphery of the restaurant. We ate at the bar, where the service was attentive, if occasionally a little amateur (I'd advise against interrupting conversations to introduce diners to the silverware jug and the barbeque sauce). It was all pretty forgivable given the general eagerness to keep us happy, as well as the visual appeal of the place (drinks served in Mason jars, repurposed wood furniture--you know, comfy-rustic-family-style chic) . It's also relatively new, and I suspect a lot of this will get worked out with time. As an addendum, I'm not sure what was going on when A.B. reviewed this restaurant. However, one thing SC doesn't lack is a desire to make its diners happy--if you can't find a single goddamn thing you like about the place, you're probably doing it wrong.
(4)
Nicole L.
cool atmosphere but the food is overpriced i've definitely had much better BBQ food good and unique beer selection though
(2)
Shinjita D.
Raised in the south (Memphis, TN and Dallas, TX), so I was stoked about a BBQ joint in the neighborhood. Biscuits...ok. Quality of meat (chicken, brisket, pork ribs) was solid but the preparation fell short - very salty, can't really taste any dry rub. Sauces at table...watery...and just not palatable. Left with a heavy stomach but absolutely ZERO satisfaction from the taste of food. And the food's NOT cheap! If you are dying for barbecue, do yourself a favor and get it shipped from the south - corkysbbq.com/ribs . Shipping is a little pricey, but at least you will feel satisfied with the baby back ribs!
(1)
Ashley H.
My friends and I have been dying to try this place out since last week and we finally made it last night! So yummy! I was the first to arrive in our party, and I was kindy directed to the bar after they took my name down for a table. The cocktail list had a lot of yummy looking choices but I immediatly went for the "Dollywood". Delicious lemon concoction with my fave vodka, Tito's from Austin. Plus I just love Dolly Parton. Once my friends arrived we were immediatly seated... we went for the bucket of biscuits and fried green tomatoes to start. The biscuits were HUGE and the honey butter with them was fantastic. We also loved the tomatoes... the dipping sauce that came with them was a really nice surprise... had a great kick to it. For our entrees we all went for a "tray" of some sort. I went with brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork. I loved how everything came dry rubbed because we got to try the 3 different bbq sauces on the table. Ribs fell off the bone, brisket was SUPER tender, and the pulled pork was great too. For my sides I had the mac and cheese (YUM!) and the farm salad, which was an awesome, really different, brussel sprout salad. I felt like I needed some "green" on that plate lol. After reading all the yelp reviews I was prepared to be dissapointed by the portion sizes, as that seems to be the biggest complaint on here but no way! Tiffany either changed the portion sizes after opening weekend or you are all crazy, cause all three of us went home stuffed WITH leftovers! Oh and the wonderbread, pickles and onions? Awesome reminder of my time spent on the BBQ trail in Texas.. it's the way to go :) All in all we loved Sweet Cheeks and will def be back. Minus one star for service... she was sweet, but really nervous and didn't seem to know much about the menu/food. She did ask for help when needed instead of just making up an answer which I appreciated. Really not that big a deal :)
(4)
David M.
Saturday Jan 28 went for a late lunch around 2:00 Sat at bar and the waitress took 10 minutes before she even asked if we wanted a drink and another 10 to take our order as if we were invisible, she was rude and cared more about chatting then helping us or the people to our left that got up and left, tired of waiting. That alone would have kept me from returning. My Brisket sandwich was so tough most of it was uneatable. My buddy got the pulled pork which was also mediocre with very little flavor. Two sandwiches, two sides, biscuits and an Ice Tea, $48.00. Don't walk - RUN AWAY from this place, I would give them one year before they are out of business, I look at the positive reviews and have to ask myself how many relatives the owner must have. Big deal the drinks are in a mason jar, very UNoriginal, the place is trying so hard to be hip, it should focus on hiring caring attentive staff and a meal prepared that does not require breaking a tooth. We should have taken the cue from the people that walked out. I can not believe Boston is so desperate for BBQ that they would accept this disastrous substitute.
(1)
AJ B.
Food is fantastic - really. Sauces ok. Good variety of gluten free options and the staff was very helpful with that. Only drawback, felt like it was a bit on the pricey side... even for what it was. That would not deter me from going again, but just thought some of you might want to know. I got hooked when ordering a side of greens (server charged me $7.50 - for a side) Everything else seemed right in line. Again - food was really good - including the greens.
(4)
Ann C.
From a vegetarian's perspective (I'm not self-righteous, but if vegetarians bother you, then I won't be offended if you skip this review). Why would a vegetarian go to a BBQ place you ask? Well, my boyfriend eats meat. Where I encourage and don't mind it at all, I personally can't prepare raw meat because it has always made me squeamish, even when I used to eat meat. Since I can't make it for him, I'm more than happy to go somewhere that is more carnivore/omnivore friendly. I actually suggested we try this place out. Walking in, you wouldn't expect the high prices. It's decorated in a very casual manner, which I'd like if the prices reflected it, but it's a little irritating knowing how much everything is. If you want $6 per SIDE, I expect to be eating somewhere my chair isn't bumped every five minutes. Yes, this place is popular, but the tables are over crowded. My bf and I were seated in a row of tables for two, and the waitress had to stand really close to my bf or me when she was talking to us, and we mostly talked to her stomach. Also, the woman next to me was a tad intoxicated and we almost had a few collisions because she was moving a little disjointedly. Also, I got the feeling people were stepping on my jacket. They didn't have anywhere to hang them, so the back of my chair was the only choice, and I had to eat with my scarf in my lap. When I left, it was pretty full, and I couldn't even put my jacket on in the restaurant! Also, the music was a little too loud. I'm not an old lady, but I do like being able to talk with the person I'm with, and since the tables were so close, all the parties in our row were shouting over the music and each other. :/ I came expecting to order a side and get some biscuits. I'd read promising reviews about the biscuits, so even though it cost $10 bucket of 4, I wasn't going to leave without trying one. However, I realized that with my bf's pulled pork sandwich came two sides (one hot and one cold) for an additional $6-- two for the price of one! This way it was less hit-or-miss for the overpriced sides. My boyfriend ordered me the potato salad without bacon and the broccoli casserole. The potato salad was definitely not the best I'd ever had, but it was okay. The broccoli casserole could be described in two words: undercooked and salty. So mushy and wet, yet the broccoli was overdone. It ended up making me sick shortly after I left, which was quite the drama since my boyfriend and I were walking back to our apt. I would definitely have been upset if I'd paid the $6 for either one. Even if they'd been good, the price didn't reflect the portion size IMO. My boyfriend says his pulled pork "Wasn't what he expected, but pretty good." He liked the table's BBQ sauce with it. HOWEVER, I would still come back here for one reason: THE BISCUITS. In truth, each was about the size of two biscuits and I could only eat one despite my small meal. They are delightfully crispy on the outside, and the honey butter is to die for. Nicely whipped, it is only lightly sweetened with honey, which gives it the most delicate sweet flavor. The only thing that annoys me is that the only option is to get 4. I wish they'd also serve the biscuits individually or a half order because my bf was so full, we ended up bringing three home! Basically, if you're a vegetarian and coming here with some friends, I'd recommend just getting biscuits (to share) and a special drink. I didn't try the Dollywood, but if I come back I plan to because the girls on either side of me got it. I ordered the sweet tea and I liked it, but I had to stir it before I tasted the sweetener. I do wish they'd have at least one vegetarian plate, and since it's owned by a Top Chef alumni, I'd challenge her to come up with something creative.
(3)
David B.
Well,what to say about this place...great big fluffy biscuits,the best I've ever had,served w/addictive honey butter.Great beer list,good wines-a tasty riesling from upstate N.Y. Great service,it was a busy Sat.nite.The carrot salad,cole slaw and mac and cheese all very good.The entrees however,well,just weren't that great.The pulled pork was bland,the ribs could've used a dry rub.They were tender but just a bit bland.The pork belly was a bit on the salty side and the sauces,well really did not taste that great nor did they add anything to any of the entrees.Unfortunately the table was not impressed as I think we were all expecting a bit more from Tiffany,the chef.I would go back to Redbones before I would eat here again.
(2)
Candice D.
The food here is pretty incredible. The biscuits are the best I have ever had. My sis and I split the pork belly and short ribs, both of which were fantastic, especially with the bbq sauce on the side. We also shared the mac and cheese and beans, both of which were tasty. The carrot raisin salad was also wonderful, and that was unexpected. The highlight was when the chef/owner Tiffany came out to serve us our meals, and then later took a picture with us. She was so sweet and personable. My only complaint was that our waiter was super nice in the beginning, but when I asked him before we ordered to split our group into 3 tickets, his demeanor immediately changed, and he was very cold the rest of the night. I would have said something at the end, but felt Tiffany more than made up for his attitude, and of course, the food spoke for itself. I just don't think splitting tickets, 3 for a group of 15, was that big of a deal for him to then treat us coldly the rest of the night. Would definitely eat here again!!
(4)
George M.
Something must have happened between the last time I went and tonight. Tonight, the meat was tender and perfectly cooked. The sides were outstanding (carrot salad == awesome) and the service was fast and friendly. Maybe they're reading the reviews and improving...
(4)
Ellen F.
This place is truly exceptional. We went there for lunch and what was most impressive is that I was able to have a vegetable plate at this barbecue place and it was excellent. The farm salad is particulary delicious--it's a brussels sprouts/arugula/hazelnut/faro salad that we had when Tiffany was the chef at Rocca and I was thrilled to see it on the menu here. It is an extraordinary dish. The macaroni and cheese and the carrot and raisin salad were also very good--as was the broccoli and cheese, although I only had a small taste because my companion ate the whole thing. She also had the brisket, which she pronounced superb.
(5)
Patrick M.
Stuffed! Nice portions of hearty BBQ await those willing to wait a little for a spot at the communal tables. Open kitchen & decor are rad; drink list is delicious (3 for 3 anyway). Recommend!
(4)
James H.
Top Chef contestant Tiffani Faison really did a great job with the meats, but came up way short on the side items. The potato salad(German style which is my favorite) was bland in flavor, the broccoli casserole was over cooked, the Mac and Cheese was dry. The best side item I had was the farm salad. It was light, crisp, and refreshing. The pork belly is to die for, it just melts in your mouth like butter on warm bread. The pork ribs have great flavor and fell right off the bone. The brisket was a little dry for long smoked brisket but the flavor was still there. There was a design flaw we noticed while sitting at the bar, all the restaurant glassware is washed threw the bar. That means they constantly have dirty glasses right next to the freshly made cocktails. What's to stop them from grabbing a dirty glass to make a new drink?
(2)
Sarah D.
I am only taking off a star because they do not allow reservations. Otherwise, I loved this place and can't wait to go back to try the rest of the items that sounded amazing. We had the fried green tomatoes, broccoli & cheese casserole, baked beans, mac and cheese, pulled pork, brisket and the country salad (I think). All were amazing. The Dolly was a great drink for girls that like their drinks on the sweeter side but not loaded with sugar. Can't wait to go back. If you go with just two people, hover the bar area and just eat there. It was better than waiting the 2 hours.
(4)
William C.
Very disappointed. Got the ribs, brisket, pork belly, beans collard greens. Got the end cut for the ribs - no meat, brisket way to fatty, Pork belly all fat, beans to sweet. Collard Greens were very good. Also had a margarita special order. Cost me 18 dollars. Asked for Anejo tequila, Contreau with a squeeze of lime. . Got Anajo tequila, triple sec wih sweet and sour. They said they did not have any foriegn liqour. But there sat a bottle of Grand Manier. 18 bucs for a drink. I brought up to the bartender. He shrugged and walked off. Not what I ordered. He did not care.
(1)
j j.
Service is plain rude. If you can get past that you'll get dry overlooked brisker, pulled pork, chicken. The beef short rib was tough, but the pork baby back was good. Why pay a lot for bad food and rude service?
(2)
sage f.
As most of the other reviews here mention, this is a Top Chef restaurant so I was excited to try it out. I definitely paid attention to the gestalt of the place (imagining the Restaurant Wars episode)...and this place didn't quite hold together. The high chairs at the big tables weren't so comfortable, the women's bathroom had a 9-to-5 theme and a big sticker vending machine that stuck out into one of the stalls, and the reception desk looked cluttered with knick-knacks. The menu looked promising: meat and sides (served as scoops in mugs.) I asked the waiter what his favorite was and he could only tell me that the brisket was "pretty good." And it was. While tender, it was not really flavorful. The pickles could have been more pickled. And the greens were way to greasy tasty; they literally were swimming in liquid. I was expecting more.
(3)
Jennifer D.
I've been wanting to try this place since it opened and I finally went last night. Yes there was a Sox game, so it was crowded, but we sat at one of the bars near the windows and a waitress came right over. Service was excellent, but that was about the only highlight of this place. The music was SO loud that I couldn't even hear my boyfriend, who was sitting right next to me. Yes, it's a bar, but people are eating dinner too, they might want to have a conversation. The food was just ok. I've had better bbq from other places in the area and their prices were actually reasonable! I loved the biscuits and the farm salad. I wish that's all I got because my brisket and his half chicken were just boring (and the bill came to $50!) . Completely overrated and not worth another visit. I'd rather go to Soul Fire or Black Strap BBQ.
(2)
JJ S.
Awesome BBQ in Boston.... collard greens, fried green tomatoes, drop-bisquits w/ honeybutter, amazin mac n cheese, delicious unique cocktails and yummy meats. Not even a fan of the baked beans but the heirloom beans were yummy. Cannot wait to get back here. Don't go if you don't love barbeque. My vegetarian friend found good stuff too.
(5)
Stephen F.
Fantastic! Sweet Cheeks is the best BBQ in the Boston area. I've been to several - Blue Ribbon, Red Bones, Fire Flys, etc. and, they can't hold a rib to Sweet Cheeks. The best way to describe it's awesomeness is to note that the food needs no sauce. Nothing. It's perfect as is. The smoked pork belly takes the chef several days to prepare and it shows. The brisket is moist and deeply flavored, the pulled pork is the best you will find, the beef ribs have a wonderful chew and taste heavenly. But, some surprises too. The smoked chicken and pulled chicken is the best chicken I have had anywhere. I skipped it during dinner (why take up valuable room for ribs) and didn't try it until I opened up the left overs at home. Wow! What a great surprise. It's out of this world good. The side dishes as well are a total hit: fried green tomatoes, fried okra, hush puppies and... the biscuits. OMG - the biscuits with honey butter are to die for. The staff are great. My wife arranged a surprise birthday party for me and several friends at Sweet Cheeks and everything was perfect. It's a great place to celebrate and I can't wait to return.
(5)
Back B.
If NYC has an institution like Katz Deli, then Sweet Cheeks in Boston is our legendary equivalent because you will soon discover this restaurant is special and should be embraced by every Bostonian. You will feel spoiled eating this bbq spectacular because you taste the quality of ingredients, preparation, and care it took to make their food. Their staff was also very friendly, helpful, and made me feel very welcomed. After you eat at Sweet Cheeks, you may consider this to be one of the best bbq meals you have ever had. Or maybe you can say that this is the best bbq meal you have had. You simply wont be disappointed because the food, and experience at this restaurant will resonate with you from the first bite.
(5)
Nicole M.
My boyfriend and I dined at Sweet Cheeks tonight and both got the ribs. I enjoyed my ribs and the house sauce but my boyfriend felt that both the ribs and sides were to salty. we both agreeded that the cheese grits were disgusting. The service was not warm or welcoming and as first timers, we had some questions about the menu and our server could not be bothered by them. In fact, we felt as though we were bothering him! What a disappointment!
(2)
Mary Kate L.
They are not kidding when they say "If you leave here hungry, it's nobody's fault but your own." My husband, some friends, and I just had to try out this place last night and it exceeded our expectations. I started out with the moonshine drink, it was delicious, especially love the dried apple soaking in the drink. Don't be fooled by the size; it seriously packs a punch. I got the pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese, and coleslaw for dinner. The pulled pork sandwich was absolutely delicious and super flavorful on its own, though as a fan of barbecue sauces I poured a healthy portion of the house sauce over it and loved that even more. It came with homemade pickles that were wonderful and definitely not to be forgotten in the crazy amount of food. The coleslaw was awesome, nice big pieces of cabbage and a nice creamy sauce. The mac and cheese, however, was just divine. I am a huge mac and cheese fan and this was deliciously homemade feeling. The sauce is not overdone, which is often an issue with restaurant mac and cheese, and the buttery crackers are a very happy edition. Top it off by serving it in a mug and I am just feeling cozy and at home. My husband had his meal with the broccoli and cheese casserole, which was really tasty and he absolutely adored it. To finish the meal, because we simply couldn't resist despite the food coma we were entering, we shared the giant nutter butter. It was seriously giant and I can't imagine finishing it myself. The cookies were super crispy and had a really nice salted peanut butter taste to them. The filling was so light and creamy that I could have eaten it with a spoon and been completely happy. In terms of staff and decor, I thought they hit it dead on. I love the homey feel of mismatched utensils and napkins that you had to dole out yourself. The trays with butcher paper that they serve the food on are a no nonsense way to really show off how awesome the whole meal is. Mason jars were a huge hit with our party, much more fun than the same old glasses. The staff was absolutely amazing. Our waiter could not have been nicer and was really down to earth, joking around with our group. I wish I had thought to get his name to point out how great he really was. We had one individual with some intense food allergies and he checked very thoroughly with the kitchen, which was very appreciated and thoughtful. This is a very welcome addition to Boston and my husband and I hope to come into the city to indulge as often as we can. THANK YOU SWEET CHEEKS!!
(5)
Johnny D.
Great place for BBQ! Brisket and pull pork are delicious, and so was the broccoli casserole. Unfortunately they ran out of the pork belly tonight, will definitely go back for that!!
(4)
Paul N.
Walked over with a buddy on the spur of the moment for lunch and turned out great. Good atmosphere but not overwhelming, a bit pricier than we expected but definitely worth it. Mason jars a plus. And love the variety of hot sauces on the table. Definitely brought a good slice of Texas to Boston.
(4)
Alex R.
So my wife and I have now been here twice. As a native Texan, I am a little picky about my BBQ especially at these types of price points. The first time we went here, I thought the meat was very fatty specifically in regards to the brisket. I was pretty disappointed and told my wife that I never wanted to go back and pay that much for low-quality BBQ; however, we had some family in town that wanted to try it, so we went back. This was some really good eating. Expecting the worst but hoping for the best, my fears of an over-priced bad meal were alleviated when they brought us some biscuits. This was truly the best part of the whole meal. My wife and I then split a plate with ribs and brisket both of which were very good. The rest of our family had a great time and enjoyed there meals as well. There are a few things they could and should change about this place though: 1. They serve Lone Star beer which I was drinking in college when Keystone Light was too expensive. If they went to serve a beer from Texas that is great with BBQ, I would suggest Shiner or St. Arnold's. 2. If you are going to call yourself a BBQ place, you have to serve sausage. 3. Pecan pie - Put it on the menu All in all- one bad experience, one good experience and some room to grow.
(3)
Steve N.
Pork three-way! Good stuff! Delicious pork belly. Loved the farm salad and hush puppies. Very good overall offerings. Two of us chose to split one of the samplers and picked out pork belly, pulled pork, and ribs. Thoroughly enjoyed all three. We'll be back for the brisket, we heard it was good but they ran out on opening night. Great staff. Very helpful and courteous on a busy opening night. Dale, our bartender, hooked us up with the Damn Yankee, which was great, and a Bub's Beer. It had something to do with bourbon casks and I'm looking forward to finding another one. You should absolutely try them both! Great staff, great food, we liked the atmosphere and ambience, loud but not unbearable. We were happy customers and are ready to go back for more.
(4)
Caroline D.
I love BBQ, so when I heard about Sweet Cheeks I had to try it. I would give the BBQ 4 stars, but I have to knock a star off for the price - pretty expensive for BBQ, in my opinion. The meat was delicious - good quality. The biscuits were to die for. Seriously. So amazing. Side were good - beans were nice and smoky. When you order a plate or a sandwich, you get one hot side and one cold side (unless you want to pay a buck or so more for two hot sides), and that was a bummer because I wasn't interested in any of the cold sides. Anyways, definitely give Sweet Cheeks a try (and do not forget to order the biscuits), but be mindful that it isn't cheap (we did have leftovers though).
(3)
Anna R.
If they only sold sweet tea, biscuits and mac & cheese, I'd give Sweet Cheeks five stars. Biscuits the side of my face and sweet honey butter made me feel happy and at home. Mac & cheese was gooey and warm and tasty. Excellent craft beer selection, but as I'm prego, I opted for sweet tea -- to my delight it came in a mason jar I needed two hands to lift, and it was perfectly sugary and refreshing. Good so far. Alas, Sweet Cheeks is a BBQ spot and unfortunately their BBQ is sub-par, not-too-flavourful and too fatty. I had pulled pork and it was dry and needed sauce. No biggie, but the three sauce choices were underwhelming. Two seemed the same. I was looking for one sweet and one vinegary but both just tasted peppery and bland. The one that looked like mustard was unpalatably spicy, I couldn't even taste any flavour. I liked the decor, but the place was waaaaaay too noisy. Couldn't hear my colleagues at lunch and there were only about 4 other small tables of patrons. The music was too-loud, obnoxious mid-90s pop radio. The service was good though, and I left fully satisfied by the biscuits so I'm only disappointed the BBQ wasn't better because it's a long haul from Watertown to only go for biscuits, mac and tea!
(3)
Cara S.
So technically, I'd like to give this place a 3.5. Came her with my sister on Friday night around 7:15. They quoted us an hour and 15 minute wait. I knew it wouldn't be that long and we were sat right around 45 min after coming in. The staff was pleasant and helpful. The portions of food were larger than I expected so I believe the price was fair for the quantity and location factor. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes- decent flavor, but I feel the result would have been much, much better if the tomatoes were sliced thinner. Green tomatoes can be tough, and ours were. I've had these at other restaurants sliced thinner and the result was much better. Next we shared the 1/2 rack of pork ribs, farm salad, broccoli casserole, mac and cheese, potato salad and pulled pork sandwich. The portions were large and the presentation was creative. The ribs were good, more of a St. Louis style, nothing like baby back so these required a lot of pick though to avoid pieces of fat. The farm salad was interesting and good; do not order this if you don't like Brussels sprouts. The broccoli casserole and mac and cheese were definitely a 4, if not a 5. Solid flavor on each. The mac and cheese could have been a bit creamier, but the flavor was on point. The potato salad had a unique flavor, I thought it was OK at best, but others may enjoy it. The pulled pork was good. They gave you a lot of meat. It was dry but that's why they give you the BBQ sauce on the table. The BBQ sauces were pretty good. The hot one could have been a bit hotter. The one with the chili flakes was very light and was good for the sandwich. The original was good, Overall I think this place was good, but not great. BBQ is so unique and very particular to one's tastes. I personally think Dinosaur BBQ is the Holy Grail of BBQ, but that's just my opinion.
(3)
moe s.
They charge you $15 to make a reservation for a large party? Seriously? The hostess was rude & snippy, and the food was mediocre at best. Never going back there again....ever.
(2)
Jennifer J.
Went here on a casual date in January and really liked it. The food was outstanding and the portions were ample. Since there were just two of us we took home (separately of course!) lots of goodies. I look forward to going back with a large group. I think that would be fun.
(4)
Jenn K.
I've never had a really amazing time with service here so a star gets docked but if Thorny from Supertroopers ever ate here he'd exclaim "Mother of God" all over again. Southern food is basically at the core of my existence - I think my blood is part barbecue sauce. After spending some time along the Gulf Coast I came back home craving the deliciousness that I had experienced in podunk Mississippi and Louisiana -- that kind of savory, tangy, spicy, sweet, perfectly crisp and fatty pork that both melted in your mouth and still required you to chew. Then I found Sweet Cheeks which emulates Southern food ALMOST to a t. The biscuits have never disappointed - flaky, buttery, peel-apart layers of carby goodness that don't leave you feeling like you need to wipe your hands off. The honey butter is inexplicably delicious but I imagine that this honey butter is what got Paula Deen hooked on butter in the first place. The pork, the brisket, the chicken - it's all incredibly cooked. Buttermilk fried? It's got the perfect amount of crunch and flavor with a moist piece of chicken underneath. The pork and brisket are so terrifically smoked that you can add the varieties of barbecue sauce to them...if you want to. You don't really need to, but I add a combination of all three sauces they leave on the table. Nothing's as great as vinegary tang and sweet spiciness combined. Mac-and-cheese is rich and savory, cole slaw is tangy and crunchy. Drinks are great, too - the bar is pretty vast but still keeps Southern roots at its core. I'd keep going about how wonderful this place is, but I'm already craving it and it's only 8:57 AM. Just go. Eat. Wear stretchy pants. (You're welcome.)
(4)
Matt B.
Food was delicious, beer list was great and the service was good. About as good as you can get for some great southern BBQ! had the pulled pork with their homemade baked beans. Probably the best pulled pork I've had on the east coast. Would recommend to anyone!
(4)
Sonia D.
Southern BBQ in Boston?! Not heard of until Sweet Cheeks! First time here and boy was I missing good southern BBQ. I ordered the tray of meat with 2 sides. Pork ribs, farmers salad and Mac & cheese. The ribs were perfectly cooked and the meat literally fell off the bone. They were dry rub which I didn't think I would like but definitely a fan. I dipped the meat into their homemade traditional BBQ and I was in heaven. The farmers salad and Mac & cheese were also perfect and a mixture of healthy and not so healthy. The new item on the menu are wings and those were also amazing. They were fried and had a garlicky flavor and cooked to perfection. The drinks were all yummy too. Honestly, everything here is great. Check it out if you are in the area or craving some good southern BBQ.
(5)
Peter H.
great service. was able to be seated at a communal table immediately on a weekday evening without wait. good young vibe in restaurant. the fried green tomatoes were meh. they told me this was a dry rub type place. I ordered the beef short rib and that was wonderful. the bbq sauce with some of the hot sauce was great. the pulled chicken and pulled pork were awesome as well. would definitely eat here again.
(5)
Annette N.
THE best barbecue in town, hands down! We live close to Redbones, and would still go here anytime. We've been too often to count and are never let down by the ribs (succulent and delicious), or brisket, and those biscuits are orgasm-inducing (*every* *single* *time*!). They have an awesome selection of beer, the nicest waitstaff and fun ambience, a yummy set of barbecue sauces, and major points for consistency. What's not to love?
(5)
Kalun L.
I've eaten here twice now. The first time was their first official day, and I try not to be a jerk by reviewing a restaurant on its inaugural run. I had a craving for ribs and Sweet Cheeks did a bang-up job on my second visit. Sweet Cheek's ribs are served dry and I could see the beautiful amber of the smoke in the meat. More importantly, the meat tasted deliciously porky and smoky. You dress the Q with one of three sauces on the table (vinegar, house mild, and spicy). I also got the salt and pepper potatoes which were a-ma-zing. The spuds were rough chopped, deep-fried without batter and coated in salt and pepper ... all the better to soak up the beverages. I got a cocktail called the Damn Yankee (better than being on the losing side of the "War of Northern Agression", or as I like to call it, the war where a bunch of rich white guys sent poor white guys to die so they could keep slaves, and let's not kid ourselves, the war was largely about slavery). ANYWAY, the Damn Yankee had, among other things, bourbon, maple liquor, and a house-made brandy cherry. It was a mighty strong and tasty drink. Sweet Cheeks also has moonshine on the menu, which I will have to try the next time. You can get trays of BBQ in various combinations (and varying prices). I got the 1/2 rack of Berkshire pork ribs which comes with one hot and one cold side, pickles, and white bread for $19. Sides are great, especially the collared greens which, with a splash of vinegar, was probably some of the best I've had. Even the coleslaw, which I generally hate on principle because it's raw cabbage and mayo, was excellent. The only thing I don't really get is why the Q is served with slices of white bread. I waddled out of Sweet Cheeks fat and happy. The take-away, get the ribs, get the sides, and get a strong cocktail. Also, did you know that Bus 55 runs from Copley Square and stops across the street? I didn't, but Andi P. did ... she has an app for it! Oh, beware the hipsters, but I'm coming around on them. It takes a lot of courage to all wear the same hat.
(5)
Michelle B.
What have I been doing with my life? Why have I not been eating the farm salad and brisket as much as possible since this place opened? Major fail. This place is great. The boyfriend and I went here last night before seeing a movie at Fenway; we got there at about 5:30 and the restaurant was already half full. We sat at the bar and one of the friendly bartenders immediately gave us menus so we could order some drinks and start the arduous process of deciding what to eat. I got the brisket, he got the pulled pork, and we both went with the mac and cheese with the farm salad. While I realize how absurd it is to rave about a salad at a BBQ place, I HAVE to: this salad was everything I ever want in a salad. Crisp greens, brussels sprouts leaves, red grapes, cranberries, and a delicious dressing. I could have had just that for dinner and been as happy. Of course that isn't all I had and I sure am glad. The brisket was amazingly tender and juicy, with perhaps a bit too much fat for my taste. Likewise, the mac and cheese was better than it had any right to be (especially being served in a slightly twee tin mug). The portion was huge and there was no way I could have finished it because it was so rich. The service at the bar was great; the bartender(s) checked in on us frequently, made sure we had everything we needed, and otherwise just let us hang out and be silly. That's exactly the type of service that I enjoy. I'm super happy I finally got to try this place. It surpassed my expectations and I think with the exception of Blue Ribbon, this is probably my favorite BBQ place in the area now.
(4)
Will O.
Giving it 5 cause the 3.5 avg. seems low. It's not the greatest BBQ I've ever had (it's pretty close) but everything is good. It's not overdone with sauce which is usually a sign that the que is bad. The drinks are awesome. Pork Belly was amazing. Biscuits are a must first time.
(5)
C S.
First thing that comes to mind about this place is : overrated. I simply didn't think the food was very good. I had heard so much hype but was left unimpressed. Had the ribs, which were fall off the bone tender but almost completely flavorless. Mac n cheese was decent but the only shining star here was the biscuits. Could have eaten the entire bucket myself.
(3)
Julie B.
When my Georgia-native boss picked Sweet Cheeks for our staff dinner I couldn't help but be excited. This just had to be authentic, good, southern food, right? To start off, the waitstaff was really great. Our server handled our party of 10 with humor, attentiveness and downright Southern hospitality. Major props to him. As far as food goes, it was pretty delicious. We started with the fried okra and the biscuits with honey butter. The biscuits were SO good. An absolute must try! I wasn't too crazy about the fried okra. For my meal I ordered the tray with short rib, mac n' cheese and potato salad. Unfortunately the short rib was a little bit fatty. I would have been more upset if I was paying but instead I just happily picked around for the best pieces (which were fantastic). The mac n' cheese was super rich and creamy and the potato salad was great. Everyone in my party was happy with their meal -- a big accomplishment for a group of 10! For dessert we tried one of everything. I was particularly a fan of the huge nutter butter and the butterscotch pudding. Overall it was a great experience. I think it's a little pricey but you get a ton of food. I like the different tray options available and am a fan of anything that is born out of Top Chef!
(4)
Jennifer K.
If you need to know one thing; it is that the biscuits are the size of your head! I had the best rum-punch ever. As previously mentioned the biscuits are huge and sooo yummy and come with a tub of sweet whipped butter.! I'm going to be dreaming of them for days. I had a "tray" with the broccoli-cheese "casserole", potato salad, and pulled pork. I tried all three sauces on the table, and decided that to my taste the traditional bar-b-que was the best. Not everyone at the table agreed. This is probably one of the best things about this place (besides the biscuits); the meat is dry rubbed and just waiting for your personal finishing touches. I had a piece of the fried chicken. It came in an armor of fried-ness. Which was pretty good, but would have been better if the batter had some zing to it. But I'm spoiled by Louisiana fried chicken, and expect mine to kick back. There is an extensive beer list to celebrate your biscuits with. For desert I ordered the Nutter Butter. I'm pretty sure it tried to kill me with sweet, sweet peanut-y love. Honestly, it's HUGE!! Desert for days, or a crowd, which ever you have more off. Bring your friends, and your appetite, and be prepared to bring some of the food back home with you. And for goodness sakes, get the biscuits!!!
(4)
Christopher M.
I don't profess to be one of those BBQ experts/snobs who will debate at length whether or not Boston has "real" BBQ. However, I can tell flavor, I can tell moisture, and I can tell service, and I can tell you that Sweet Cheeks has all three. It's really delicious. And while BBQ joints are not know for putting much attention into non-meat items, but I appreciate that Sweet Cheeks tries to break out of this box with an excellent bar well stocked with craft beers and serving up unique drink specials. Likewise BBQ joints are rarely known for their service, but once we got seated (which I admit, was a hassle), our server was quick and friendly and super helpful. Only downside is the place is crazy crowded, so be prepared to throw a few elbows, but it's worth it, trust me.
(4)
Lisa S.
Who knew there was good BBQ in Boston? Pork belly, Ribs, BISCUITS, strong drinks and that giant nutter butter cookie? Makes a girl want to move to Boston. Thanks to Tiffani and the cooking staff for the hook up!
(5)
Liz A.
Two words. Tourist. Trap. If you are looking for overpriced, mediocre food with a loud atmosphere, then this is your place. (Mind you I ate here at 11am -and it was like a rock concert level of loud.) I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. The portion was kind of small, considering the $15 price (with tax and tip). The taste was alright. The pulled pork sandwich I have had a qmarket was of better quality and about half the price. In summary, if you are looking for a cute place serving southern comfort dishes in Boston, look elsewhere. I would only recommend this place if you have 4+ screaming kids in your party OR a large party of adults whom you don't wish to speak to or dine with in the first place (the music drowns out the ability to converse or hear anything for that matter--which could be considered a positive or a negative depending on the situation). In my situation, it didn't fit the bill.
(2)
Martha M.
I came here for a dinner with some girlfriends and absolutely loved it! The place was totally packed, but we were given fair warning that it would be that way, especially on a Saturday night. They won't seat your party until everyone is there and say they'll cancel your reservation after 15 minutes. One of my friends was running late and they were actually really understanding. They let us sit down without her and she rolled in about 25 minutes late, all said and done. So, I can't vouch for them holding your reservation, but they did for us and we're not regulars or anything. Then the food. Just read the reviews. It is as delicious as most people say. The biscuits are to die for - just perfectly warm and buttery. Then there are the sides. It's almost impossible to choose, but the collard greens are spectacular. The beans weren't too great in my opinion. I had the brisket and it was perfection. I saw some comments below about the brisket being too fatty. All I can say is that in my case it wasn't. The cocktails were tasty, as well. Basically, this was one of my favorite dinners ever. I highly recommend coming here. However, if you want relative peace, try earlier on a weeknight. It was crazy packed.
(5)
Ian W.
I have been saving my review of Sweet Cheeks for the special honor of my 3000th Yelp review. Sweet Cheeks is a Southern style barbecue restaurant which is owned and managed by former Top Chef finalist Tiffani Faison. My sister competed with Tiffani on the inaugural season Top Chef in 2006 and they have remained in touch through the years. My friend and I decided to checkout Sweet Cheeks on our way to Fenway Park to catch the Red Sox. We arrived here around 4:30 PM on a sunny Saturday afternoon and we were promptly seated upon arrival and our drink order was taken. We ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes ($7) to start, which were deep fried hot and crispy (slightly greasy), served with a cool ranch dipping sauce. This was very good! For dinner, I went with the Berkshire Pulled Pork Tray ($18) served with 1 cold scoop & 1 hot scoop, soft white bread, pickles & onions. The pulled pork was moist and juicy and had nice smoky flavors. The potato salad was creamy and the potato chunks had a firm texture. The broccoli & cheese casserole was rich and filling. My buddy went with the Fat Cheeks Tray ($26) choosing 3 meats including pulled pork, brisket, & pork ribs served with 1 cold scoop, 1 hot scoop, soft white bread, pickles & onions. Each of the meats had good smoky flavors. The brisket was very tender with some fat attached. The ribs on the bone were slightly chewy. The carrot & raisin salad was very good, which had a good tangy flavor with shredded carrots, raisins, greens, & crumbled bleu cheese. The hot collard greens were pretty good. The portions of food were generous and we barely finished our dinners. We had to pass on the dessert. I would've ordered some butterscotch pudding if I saved room. The service was attentive with refills given on our soft drinks and the food arrived in timely order. After dinner, I asked our server if Tiffani was in the restaurant and mentioned my sister's name. Tiffani stopped by to say hello and asked us how the food was. We had a very enjoyable dinner in a very casual atmosphere. We will be sure to return again to Sweet Cheeks for some great tasting Southern barbecue in the Back Bay section of Boston. Sweet Cheeks is the perfect stop before your next Red Sox outing! Yelp Review #3000
(5)
Abby R.
This is some deluxe 'Q. Step 1: Order a tray with brisket, mac n cheese (obvi) and farm salad. Add on broccoli cheese casserole because yum. Also a biscuit with the honey butter. And a spicy tequila drink called the Federale. Step 2: Eat the warm, moist (moist? in a biscuit? I daresay yes) softball-sized biscuit slathered in sweetly soft butter. Reflect. Take a few healthy gulps of the Federale enthuse to dining partners about the taste and quality of the drink, while employing high suction to ingest the rest of it. Step 3: The Battle. Slather your brisket in the 3 different sauces like a redneck neapolitan confection of red meat. This is the only way to determine the true winner of the sauce battle. Biggest bottle will win. Avoid the one slice of brisket that seems to be all fat. Eat nuclear-temperature mac and cheese out of a tin mug, feel ghost of a gunnysack on your back and begin to see phantom campfire in front of you. Feel the heat. Realize the tin cup is burning you and abandon the thick, creamy mac for the farm salad. Feel health flow through you with each bite, especially the ones containing brussels sprouts because even though you think you don't like them, your mouth is telling you that you do like them. You like them a lot. Shovel more salad in to offset the next course: broccoli cheese casserole, which falls flat in the presence of the cheesy mac and the health of the farm salad. It is mushy and mostly flavorless. Set it aside in favor of more pleasing delights. Room in your stomach is at a premium. The weak get left behind. Step 4: Leave, sleep, repeat, minus the broccoli cheese casserole.
(4)
Spahky S.
Amazingly yummy barbecue. Every time I go I order the biscuit with Mac and cheese and coleslaw. The brisket is so tender that you don't even need a knife -- just use your fork. And then once it hits your mouth all you can think is that it's the best brisket EVER. The Mac and cheese is good but I personally am not a fan of the bread crumbs on top. Again good but would love it that much more with no breadcrumbs but that's just a personal preference. And then there's the cole slaw. I wish sweet cheeks would allow you to order a bowl of cole slaw like you would a bowl of soup because I would. This cole slaw is unlike any I've ever had in a good way. The dressing isn't overwhelming and it's cold and crispy. Whatever you do get the cole slaw.
(5)
Megan C.
This place is amazing! We went before a game and they had opened early to accommodate game-goers. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. I had pulled pork, potato salad and mac & cheese. I never order restaurant mac & cheese because I never find any I like, but I'm glad I took a chance here! The potato salad was out of this world and the pulled pork was some of the most flavorful I've ever had. I will be returning the next time I'm in the area!
(5)
Christi S.
Biscuits! OMG, they are massive! We got the 2 item plate, a half rack, bucket of biscuits, 2 teas between 2 ppl & we could not finish. Biscuits: awesome, super warm. Butter is honey butter, so make sure to butter them biscuits! Ribs: not bad, neatly cut, nicely presented. They have 3 diff sauces on the table that you can use. Mac n cheese: I've had better, but these I wouldn't mind as well. I wish the bread crumbs were a little bit more baked. Brisket: yum! delicious even w/o sauce Pork belly: drool-worthy. Tea: worth it! I ordered the Arnie Palmer, 1/2 tea, 1/2 lemonade. Comes in a huge mason glass & free refills! can't beat it!
(4)
Andrew H.
So, I learned about BBQ while living in North Carolina, which is already enough to upset a few Texas nutters with our heretical vinegar based sauces (but for reals I'm down with any sauce, please don't shoot me). And what I learned down there held up pretty well up here. I was very pleased with Sweet Cheeks! I stopped in for lunch and settled on the pork ribs (shut up, I know the Carolinas are pulled pork country). The ribs were tender, but not too soft, and had a respectable bark and a legit smoke ring. Like any proper BBQ joint, sauce is served on the side, not on the meat. The Carolina sauce they had complimented them wonderfully with a great tangy vinegary flavor (though the smoke could hold up fine on it's own). I also quite enjoyed the coleslaw, which made a great side. All in all, Sweet Cheeks is quality, real BBQ, which is far too hard to come across this far north. I won't lie and say it's the best I've ever had (maybe I'm just too nostalgic for those tiny highway-side smoke shacks), but it's legit and absolutely merits returning to with my friends.
(4)
Julia K.
I'm from Texas so I'm a big fan of good BBQ. At Sweet Cheeks, the BBQ meats are prepared with dry rub and cooked slowly over several hours which is considered "Texas" style. I started off with an infamous biscuit which was good, but I didn't think it was that special. To be honest, I thought it was a little dry, and the butter wasn't as sweet as I would have thought it would be for whipped honey butter. For my main dish, I ordered the pulled pork tray with mac n' cheese and the potato salad. At first, I didn't think the portions were that big given the price but it took me two meals to consume all of the food. The pork was moist and even better when paired with the house BBQ sauce. The mac n' cheese was so thick and creamy that you really couldn't eat too much in one sitting. Next time, I would pass on the potato salad. I didn't think there was anything special - the sauce was simply mayo any herbs. Lastly, the house made pickles were delicious! Make sure to ask your server for extras with your takeout (that's if you have any)!
(4)
Jim P.
Decent BBQ, although I didn't like any of the three options for BBQ sauce, so I wouldn't go back again. Meat on my ribs was very tender, and it had a generous portion of meat on each rib. The BBQ beans were very tasty and the hush puppies were sweet and tasty, I'd definitely have those again. I prefer a Carolina honey taste to my BBQ sauce, but apparently "Texas" style bbq doesn't have any sweet options. I thought of walking across the street to the Shaws and buying some BBQ sauce, since I ended up eating the ribs dry. Wife said that her pulled pork was fatty and not very "pulled", as it was in large slabs. My son's pulled chicken was very good, and he said that he didn't need any bbq sauce given it's good smoke taste and since it so tender/juicy
(3)
Sugar F.
I'm supposed to be a vegetarian ok? But 2% of the time I indulge and Sweet Cheeks was so the place to do it. Pork Belly. Brisket. Pulled pork. No sauce needed - that's how you know it's good. Way better than Red Bones, the only Boston BBQ competition I've tried.
(5)
Brittany T.
This place is delish! The food comes in really large portions so be prepared to split. The biscuits are unreal and the cocktails are good too. The prices are good especially since you should split your meal. I would totally go back!
(5)
Andrea L.
My friend Tara was having a birthday party for her one-year old granddaughter. A mixed race crowd, new faces and lots of cats, not enough time to clean the house, let alone shower - what's a girl to do - order BBQ from Sweet Cheeks (of course she had the forethought to do so in advance of course).. Apparatently this place had been featured on TV - the local review show, maybe. The food was really good. We had fried chicken, pulled pork & chicken, collard greens, friend green tomatoes, mac & ch, ribs and beans - is that everything? two kinds of rolls and hush puppies. Everything was delicious! The hush puppies were a little dry and the friend green tomatoes could use some more flavor - but other than that - wonderful. The nice biy carried all the stuff to the car for us and helped us make room. Sadly we waited and the food was cold when we started - but it did not temper anyone's enjoyment. Fried chicken and mac & cheese - YUM!
(4)
Kimberly K.
Cool vibe and good eats. All was good, except the fried chicken lacked flavor. It was moist and crispy, but under seasoned. I thought the cocktails were really lacking. Fun beers, though.
(4)
Allison G.
Excellent. We brought two strollers and they had no trouble accommodating us. Robbie is a great server, very attentive. Had the brisket (burnt ends) sandwich with potato salad and Mac n cheese. Sweet tea to drink. We have never had a bad experience here. Atmosphere is perfect.
(5)
Xavior m.
The best Texas BBQ ribs that I have in Boston. The sampler plater where you pick 3 meats is not worth it. The portion size is very much a kin to tapas.
(3)
Carrie P.
How does this place only have 3.5 stars?!?! I am from the south and this was by far some of the best BBQ I've ever had. I had the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and the broccoli casserole and potato salad for sides. We also got the biscuits for starters and I tried a few other sides. Everything was incredibly delicious (well, I'd maybe skip the ranch style beans, but otherwise literally everything was amazing). Probably the weakest thing, for me, was the sauces, but it really didn't matter because the meat was so well prepared that it hardly needed sauce. Honestly one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. I will be bringing my parents back here when they come to visit.
(5)
Brooke P.
I gave it a 3 bcuz the food was just ok. The servers were great. We had the fried chicken (needed salt but was juicy), the brisket, ribs, and pulled pork needed some flavors. I had farm salad was overdressed for my liking. The BISCUITS were off the hook. I would only come back for the biscuits. I still love Tiffany she is a great chef :)
(3)
Ryan R.
I never write reviews mainly because I'm in the industry and far too many people now think they are NY Times food critics. With that being said I came here for lunch on Tuesday May 19, with the goal of having some kick ass barbeque. And damn, I was not disappointed. The bartender was great and very accommodating. I wanted to sample almost everything barbeque which wasn't an option on the lunch menu however I guess it is on the dinner menu which she did for my friend and I with no problem. So we sat down to a tray of pork belly, ribs, brisket, potato salad and Mac n Cheese. I can honesty say I would sell my mother for that pork belly. Brisket some of the best I have ever had and I have had a lot. The ribs were good not great but better than anything I've had around here in a long time. Killer potato salad, the Mac was OK. Wasn't a huge fan of their sauces but their barbeque was so damn good it really doesn't need sauce. All in all cool spot and kick ass barbeque. And that's all that matters.
(4)
Andrea B.
The biscuits. Get them!! You'll be thanking me a million times over. I really cannot say enough about Sweet Cheeks' enormous, buttery, warm pieces of doughy goodness. The menu doesn't mention it, but you can order them individually, which makes for an excellent appetizer. But I must warn you - consume one of these, and you'll be full before you eat a single bite of the rest of your meal! I can't say enough about the rest of the food here, either. I'm no southern BBQ expert, and I don't pretend to be, but everything I tried here was dee-lic-ious. Their lunch menu is pretty simple. You can either order a sandwich or a tray. I'd go with the trays, if I were you. First step is to choose your meat. From pork belly to pork ribs to brisket and more, you really can't go wrong. I got the brisket, and it was perfectly tender, not too fatty, and not too chewy. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Your lunch tray also comes with a pile of onions and pickles and your choice of one hot or cold scoop, which is their version of a side. I got a scoop of their potato salad, which is topped with bacon bits. Yum!! By the time you've consumed all of the aforementioned food, you may be full to the point of bursting. Sadly, this was the case for me, so I wasn't able to try any of their scrumptious sounding desserts. Root beer chocolate cake? Yes, please! But that's not a problem. Now I just have an excuse to come back soon!
(4)
David K.
Mediocre. Mixed bag of service, delightful biscuits, unimpressive brisket, good buttermilk fried chicken and cole slaw (wife thought too much celery), poor Mac & cheese.
(3)
Eric H.
There are two things I wish I tried, the biscuits (but only can be ordered in groups of 4 for $10, need more options) and a sandwich. I had a brisket tray and my girlfriend had the 4 side tray (she doesn't eat meat, this wasn't even on the menu, I only knew about it because I saw it on the lunch menu). For the price I was expecting better quality. The brisket was decent. The mac and cheese was the highlight. My carrot and raisin salad was good, the cheese grits were good, the broccoli and cheese casserole was only ok and not very warm. The house bbq sauce wasn't even that good. The place was actually pretty chilly when we were in there, it is in the 40's outside, turn on the heat a little. Overall it was just ok, if I am spending that much on the food I expect more from it or more options (like 1 or 2 biscuits instead of 4). If I want BBQ I will stick with 2 better places: Red Bones or Blue Ribbon. They get away with prices and mediocrity because of location and lack of competition. Not quality.
(2)
Colin M.
Everytime I come here the meal is on point and the bartenders are very nice. Their Cobb salad is legit. Add extra chicken. I also enjoy their outside bar during the warm summer months. It's a great alternative to the sport bars in the area.
(5)
Rebekah H.
The place had a very southern like atmosphere. It's very loud but retting is nice. I suggest making reservations because it gets busy! First time I tried to go there was a two hour wait, second time I made reservations and still had to wait 30 minutes for a table to open up but it was worth the wait. By far THE BEST BBQ joint in Boston! It is so good, my cousin and I split one of the 3 meat platter (chicken, brisket & pulled pork) with cole slaw and Mac & cheese as a side. OMG it's to die for. The meat was cooked to perfection. Brisket was my favorite by far. The cole slaw was very good, and I typically don't care for coleslaw but it wasn't over done with extra sauce and seasoning like it usually is. The biscuits...seriously was my favorite part of the meal. I would go back just to eat the biscuits. My mom used to make homemade biscuits and this made me feel like I was back home, they came out hot and they come with this butter that has honey mixed into it...it's just so freakin good.
(5)
Emily G.
I'm no BBQ expert, but I am a pretty big fan. Texas, KC, Memphis, Carolina style - I love it all, as long as it's done well. Sweet Cheeks has brought the Lone Star style 'cue to up to Massachusetts, and it's doing right by me. The menu is broken up into tray options: single meat, double meat (aka Big Cheeks), or triple meat (Fat Cheeks!) which includes a hefty scoop from both the hot and cold sides, plus a mound of house pickles and onions. The single meat tray is more than enough food for one person, but you can also order sides and meat by the pound a la carte. I've had the opportunity to taste most of the offerings, and you can't go wrong with the pulled pork, fried chicken, or thick sliced brisket. However, my personal favorite is the ribs: a 1/2 slab of meaty pork with a lovely bark from smoking. The ribs are tender but still have some bite (as poetic as it sounds, "falling off the bone" equals overcooked), easily pulled apart. All the sauces are quite nice, but the ribs really need no other accoutrements. No one really goes to eat BBQ for the sides, but Sweet Cheeks might be changing that single-handedly. The farm salad with arugula, roasted brussels sprouts, grapes, farro, and hazelnuts is a triumph, and although they might seem boring, the black eyed peas are quite delicious with bits of pork running through. Of course, the famous biscuits are certainly worth ordering, and you can add on a single to start or on your tray if the bucket of four is too many. I do love that Sweet Cheeks is sourcing their meat responsibly, but more importantly, that Berkshire pig tastes like pork oughta. I'm more than willing to put up a couple more bucks for meat that tastes better. Besides, 99% of the time I take home leftovers so I get to enjoy that Sweet Cheeks magic all over again.
(4)
Desmond M.
The food here is incredible. My friend and I came here, he ordered the ribs and I had the pork belly. The pork belly is exceptionally juicy and a perfect balance between meat and fat. They have excellent spicy sauces that really give the meat some bite. The ribs are smoked with a unique flavour. Never had them like that before but it is a truly distinct smoked flavour. Incredibly fall off the bone delicious. Definitely a place to go back to.
(4)
Matt A.
We were seated right away but our waiter didn't visit us for another 10 minutes or so. The place looked nice and clean if unspectacular. There was a fairly large bar with several flat screen Tv's and a liquor menu consisting of a wide variety of craft, foreign and domestic beers and a small cocktail selection. The menu consists of pulled pork, pulled chicken, pork bellies, brisket, sausage, fried chicken and ribs. I like they keep it simple as they focus on what they're good at. They also offer several sides. To start we ordered fresh-baked biscuits and they were enormous! They came with a surprisingly delicious honey-butter spread. Once buttered the biscuits were a treat and something I would come back for itself! For our main course, we ordered the pulled pork sandwich and the burnt ends brisket sandwich. Both were very good. Pulled pork (no BBQ sauce-they bring 3 homemade bottles (original, Carolina and habanero) out separate for you to add yourself) was piled high with a distinct vinegar taste, on a grilled bulky roll (could have had it on a Texas toast too). The burnt ends were perfectly smoked tasted like they came straight from Texas to Boston. For our sides we ordered the baked Mac and cheese which was so good it may have been my favorite thing on the menu. Also potato salad, simply assembled yet still a classic taste and the farm salad. All in all-a good place for BBQ but definitely some training needed for the wait staff.
(3)
Glynn H.
The good stuff first....................love the place and the vibe.............wonderful service!!! The food on the other hand, well...............the biscuits are awesome...........the fried okra is terrific, but BBQ is NOT barbeque. It is cooked meat with very little flavor and certainly no smoke flavors at all. Could not figure out if this was trying to be a Carolina style, a Memphis style or Texas style of barbeque, but in the end the meat was not barbeque. Just cooked, flavorless meat. The available sauces were equally lame. Now on to the next barbeque restaurant to find one that really has barbeque.
(2)
Dawn S.
Being from Texas, I am hard to please in this department, but I thought since the owner is too that it might be okay. I was wrong. The food is pretty much terrible. The hush puppies are too dense, over cooked, and the sauce was terrible. The cole slaw and BBQ sauce are too vinegary. The ribs and brisket were well cooked, but poorly seasoned. The pulled chicken was just terrible. There was a great beer list.
(1)
Jon M.
Food = 5 Stars. Supposedly the meat is naturally raised. The meats and sides are killer - especially the chicken, farm salad, and collard greens. For a less-healthy side...the BISCUITS w/ honey butter are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Best you'll ever have. I ate here for 1 year without getting them. Dumb move. Value = 5 Stars. I come here with a date often and grab the Fat Cheeks Tray for $26. Tons of food and almost as much as Chipotle. Staff = 4.5 Stars. Usually super-nice and friendly. Ambiance = 4 Stars. This place is LOUD. Don't come for a conversation, you won't be able to hear across the table. Just chow.
(5)
Hector I.
I went there on March 9th for a birthday dinner. I've been searching for a good BBQ place for a while and this kicked ass. First the bad... The wait was a pain and the seating sucked since the door blew cold air right at us. A vestibule was attempted and it fails... it needs to be bigger with a more acute angle from one door to the other. The okay... the atmosphere was a little high brow for a BBQ place but not too much so, I was mindful to eat without letting the delicious, slightly spicy, BBQ sauce on my lips. The good...The food was honest, so authentic, it reminded me of what I like about food even the mac and cheese. Everything was cooked really well with decent portions. I ordered the pork ribs which were tender moist and easily pealed off the bone. Slightly salty... but I found my self not minding it. I just combined it with the perfect mac and cheese side. I will be going back... in the summer... on a Wednesday... with a dress shirt and dress pants.
(4)
Lola C.
It was my first time having Texas BBQ and both two dishes we ordered were great! The Big Cheeks tray of brisket and pork belly couldn't have been any better. I especially liked the brisket as the pork belly was a little fatty. We had mac&cheese as hot scoop and farm salad as cold scoop. I think they complemented the meat well and the home-made BBQ sauce was magnificent! The pulled pork sandwich was yummy. The toast in the sandwich was perfect.
(4)
Kelsey H.
Yes I ordered the salad at a BBQ place. And it was a good salad too! The smoked chicken on top was a bit too salty so I'm glad I ordered a side of pulled pork too. The pork was juicy and flavorful, and perfectly good without any additional sauce on it. Both the table BBQ sauce and the apple cider vinegar sauce were super super tasty. I couldn't decide which one I liked better so I kept switching in between them with each bite. The biscuits were so good that my friend ordered a bucket to go to bring home on the plane. They're served with a light whipped honey butter that melts on the fresh, steamy, flaky biscuits. The service was speedy and competent but our waitress didn't seem very happy. I don't think I saw her smile once!! DEFINITELY make a reservation. The place was packed on a Sunday night! There's also outdoor seating and I think and outdoor bar too so you can take advantage of the beautiful Boston nights!
(5)
P. L.
Went there a few weeks ago with some friends on a Friday night. Figured we would get there early. Went to Beerworks for a beer at 5 and the plan was to get to this place at 5:30....Well one beer led to another and we got to Sweet Cheeks at 6 and there was already a 45 minute wait. So, be warned, Early means early or be prepared for a long wait. I have heard up to 2 hours. Totally insane. Anyway, we got lucky and just as we went to the bar to get a beer for waiting, 2 dudes were leaving and we squeezed a chair in and the 3 of us sat at the bar immediately and were able to order beer and food. Score 1 for that! The bartenders were very nice and helpful. They could tell we had not been there before. The guy behind the bar could not have been nicer or more patient with us. Really appreciated that from him. He could have easily been a dick to us but he was not. Makes a huge difference in an experience when something like that happens. Onto the food. Biscuits are as advertised and universally praised. I agree with other parties of 2 being unhappy that they need to order 4 for $10 just to get them. They are too big to eat more than one for sure. But, it is a restaurant in business to make money...and if this is a featured item, they need to make the cash with their featured item. Buy an order, share it with your neighbor or take some home. I had ribs with side of cole slaw and beans. Ribs were 10/10. The ribs come with no sauce. I tasted their 3 sauces and none of them did much for me (-1 point for that) so I did not bother putting any sauce on the ribs but they did not need any, they were that good. The beans were tasty (although they killed me later in the night for obvious reasons). The cole slaw was nothing special. Too much dressing maybe? Too chunky? Not sure but not worth getting. One friend got fried chicken based on recommendation from the bar keep. It was excellent. A lot of chicken in that order. I hope you are hungry. He also got a side of brisket to taste it. It was excellent. Needed BBQ sauce but as I said, I did not like their sauces. The other friend got sausage and pork belly (another bar keep recommend, the belly that is). Pork belly is everywhere you look now. It was good, but I will stick to ribs for my BBQ experience. Too much fat with the belly for my liking. General feeling from friends on sides were same as mine...Ok but nothing to wait 2 hours for. Beer selection was good. Place was a zoo with lots of excitement and energy. Too many people packed inside waiting for tables. I thought it was a bit expensive. $22 for 1/2 rack of ribs with 2 sides and having to pay $2.50 extra for a biscuit makes it pricey for BBQ. Better than my last trip to Redbones. I would go again but I would not wait more than 30 minutes for a table. Oh, one last thing. As helpful as the bartender was, he had a nose ring which just bums me out. I can't even look at someone to talk to them with one of those things. Second nose ring server in one week. Note to restaurant managers - do you really need to have someone with a nose ring represent your restaurant?
(4)
J D.
I was excited to try Sweet Cheeks. I come to Boston fairly often on business but rarely have an opportunity to try any restaurants in/around downtown. This was finally the night to go somewhere interesting. I fought the traffic and finally found a place to park. Walked up to the restaurant only to find signs on the doors that they were closed for a private event!! There is no notice on their website, no way of knowing that I would just be wasting my time. Really, really disappointed!
(1)
Shelby B.
The pulled pork and cup-o-greens alone would merit a 5-star review. The rootbeer is tasty, and their beer selection is legit too. Then why the low review? Service and lack of quality control. Lemme splain. From the moment my friend and I arrived we started getting the stink eye from the server/bartender. We were patient and courteous as always while sitting at the bar waiting to order food/drinks, but the barkeep was not having it. The tall, scraggly self-important young droog behaved as if it were SUCH a BURDEN to take our order (2 pulled pork sandwiches, greens and slaw, 2 beers). He even resorted to eye-rolling with full sigh. Keep in mind that there were only 5-8 more people in the entire restaurant. And if you're reading this, young droog, please get a bigger septum ring. Yours is so small, smaller even than my girlfriend's septum ring, that it looks like you got punched by a stapler. Commit and get a badass, heavy septum ring or take out your small one...I digress. It speaks to the manager of this place that he/she would allow such a non-chill vibe to develop in an otherwise great establishment with such potential. But another thing bothered me a bit. The music was pretty loud, early millennium, top-40 electronic dance pop. WTF? Getting the pulled pork right, and also nailing the greens is some next level jedi BBQ magic. But, if Sweet Cheeks is to be taken seriously it needs to control the quality of the service and nail down the ambience. Complete the vision and be great, Sweet Cheeks, Boston needs you.
(2)
Edi D.
Great experience! We tried a sampling of dishes and enjoyed all of them. The biscuits and fried chicken were made expertly: flaky on the outside and warm and moist inside. Everything else was very good but a step down: fried green tomatoes, ribs, and sides: Mac and cheese (almost too cheesy), collard greens, farm salad and cole slaw. We really enjoyed our cocktails. Overall, fair price for everything and good quality. I left very satisfied and with lots of leftovers. Music was too loud.
(4)
Stephen F.
Wonderful raisin carrot salad and the pulled pork was delicious!
(4)
Bryant F.
The food was good. A little pricey but average for the location. I would definately come back.
(4)
Cj H.
Despite the fact my companion enjoyed his meal I found this place to be highly overrated and by far the worst BBQ I have ever had. He enjoyed the brisket( despite the fat)and the potato salad. I on the other hand had pulled chicken that was all dark meat with no smoke,the Mac & cheese under cooked and the cole slaw was just wrong. The sauce was terrible. The mixed drink, biscuit and our waiter were my only positives
(2)
Maria V.
The biscuits here are superb. It was crispy on the outside and so unbelievably soft in the inside. The honey butter was made perfect. These are are definitely the best combination I've ever tasted so far. For the maun course I ordered the Pulled pork Tray.. It was so moist and seasoned to perfection. The mac & cheese was superb -definitely worth trying. I'm kinda disappointed with the coleslaw because the veggies are hard and really unpleasant to chew. They could have changed them to shredded, smaller-cut coleslaw for our convenience. And yes, the authentic original bbq sauce was UGH -just love how they taste!
(4)
Sarah W.
(Disclaimer: I am not from Texas. I have been to Texas and have eaten BBQ multiple times in Texas, but I am not Texan.) Overall, I really like Sweet Cheeks. The vibe is great, the service is great, and the food is great. It's really an experience -- different enough from typical Boston fare that it can serve as a great "let's try something new!" place-- but it backs up that unique experience with solidly delicious food and a great next-door-neighbor vibe that invites you to become a regular. FIVE STARS - UNBELIEVABLE -biscuits with honey butter - larger than life (seriously, they are HUGE) and oh-so-delicious -hush puppies with some sort of amazing dipping cream -playlist - seriously, they play the best music -beer garden - WHY IS THIS NOT MORE OF A THING, BOSTON? -farm salad -- it's like everything you ever wanted in a salad, on your plate FOUR STARS - SO GOOD -fried okra - not a believer in okra? try these. -pulled chicken - so tender and tasty -broccoli cheese casserole - heavy on the cheese, just the way I like it -white bread and pickles and onions - makes it all amazing -portion sizes - take my word for it, two people can share one tray, esp. if there are apps involved THREE STARS - SOLID LIKE A ROCK -BBQ sauces -- they vary, and are all tasty, but none spoke to me -prices - yes, they are more than what you would pay in Texas or some such roadside BBQ. but this is Boston. plus, the meat's all natural. I don't think that's even a commonly understood term in Texas. TWO STARS - NEEDS IMPROVEMENT -giant nutter butter -- I expected "wow," but all I got was this giant peanut butter cookie business. It needed something else. -where is the Shiner Bock, Tiffani?? HOW CAN THERE NOT BE SHINER?? -my scale said I had to not eat here all the time. #howcanthisbe BONUS POINTS: -gay-owned & woman-owned small business. word. it's nice to know that you can take a queer bachelorette party here and the server will just be super excited for you and chat with folks about her awesome vermont tattoo.
(5)
Bonnie G.
While Sweet Cheeks serves good food, the best biscuits and sweet tea in Boston but the food overall was overpriced. It was good but not great and for the price it needs to be great. Service is good. They offer validated parking which is nice.
(3)
Timothy H.
The pork brisket was phenomenal!!! Their rib and pull pork, however, was overcooked, dry, and hard. Both the pull pork and the ribs didn't have much taste flavor to them. Their biscuit was the best biscuit I ever had. The biscuits were huge, warm, soft, and buttery. The sweet butter spread that came with it made it even better! Overall, this place is good for certain selected items sucks as the pork brisket and the biscuits, everything worse was kind of bad. Definitely worthwhile to check it out if you're ever in the mood for some BBQ in the Fenway area.
(3)
Bryan D.
A small group of us went here before a concert at Fenway. Thankfully we got there early and walked right in, halfway through our meal there was a line down the street. I am a big BBQ snob. There was really only one place I would go for good BBQ before I went here. I have tried everywhere in New England, but no place was worth going back to. This place changed that. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the brisket, it was a little tough and could use a couple more hours in the smoker. Everything else (we ordered pretty much one of everything) was incredible and even the drinks were great. I want to go back every time we're in the area now.
(4)
Matthew S.
Sweet Cheeks is a very good establishment for BBQ. While it may not rival the type of BBQ you'll get in Memphis or in Texas, it's one of the best places for BBQ in greater Boston. The meats are dry-rubbed and then you can add your own BBQ sauce. The bucket of biscuits here is a must get. The broccoli & cheese side and the carrot and raisin salad are both excellent.
(4)
Rebecca R.
The biscuits here should be illegal they are so good. They are twice as tall as any biscuit I have ever had. The biscuit with the honey butter completed me and made me so happy and full. I want a supply of them fresh from the oven on hand at all times, except for my waist line. So good.
(5)
Jamie H.
my husband went to sweet cheeks with his friends last week, and fortunately for him he remembered to bring me home some sides. i had the cole slaw and carrot salad, and was super excited to finally go for my own meal. i ordered the pork sandwich on bulky roll (which my husband loved last time) and collard greens and my husband got the brisket sandwich with potato salad. the pork was absolutely amazing, it was so super juicy, a little bit fatty, and a very large amount for a $12 sandwich. the roll was toasted and buttery, and i actually ended up leaving a fair amount of it behind, so perhaps i should have gotten the tray. i thought the collard greens were okay, as they were cooked with pork so they were a little heavy and greasy but very flavorful although they could have used more vinegar. my husband got the brisket sandwich and thoroughly enjoyed it, but i did notice that he picked out a few pieces of fat that he could not eat. he also said that it was not as effective of a vehicle for the sauce as the pulled pork, but still amazing. i had a bite and agreed that the pork was better. the potato salad had a phenomenal dill flavor and pieces of celery. it is also super important to mention the sauces. there is one tomato-y flavored one that is the base sauce and absolutely amazing, i could have drank it. there was a more spicy habanero sauce that was tasty but a little too hot for me, and a sweet Virginia style vinegar that looks like thai chili sauce and is just as sweet. the cole slaw still remains my favorite side, with huge pieces of cabbage that made it feel lighter. the shredded carrots were topped with a gorgonzola cheese and raisins, and very delicious as well if you like heavier cheeses. we got a table outside, which is awesome that they have the outdoor tables and patio, so i would also recommend it as a great night spot. the cocktails and craft beer list are fairly extensive, and the prices very reasonable. the only problem today was that the service was fairly slow - we sat down at noon and did not have our food until past 12:30.
(5)
Joseph L.
We stopped today to give the place a try. Overall the food was tasty but my ribs and my sons brisket were both way over cooked. My wife ordered a salad and they upgraded it without asking her. Overall I'd say it's worth a visit and you decide if it's worth going back. For us we won't, I make better bbq on my smoker.
(3)
Steve W.
Hands down the best bbq. Meaty juicy ribs. Good size portions. Excellent beverage selection.
(4)
Ellen W.
Texans/southerners, if you miss barbecue from home, this is the place to go. I've been searching for a place in Boston that does consistent, delicious barbecue since I moved here from Houston. Sweet Cheeks is the clear winner. We discovered this place about a year ago, have come on average every 2-4 weeks, and have never had anything here we didn't like. Tonight, we were trying to be healthy and shared the 1/2 chicken tray with a 1/4 lb brisket, with the farm salad and the collard greens for sides. I also got the caramel apple with sea salt for dessert (I know, I know--that's not healthy). The smoked chicken is unbelievably juicy, including the white meat. I am usually skeptical of ordering chicken from restaurants because of how much I hate dry chicken. Both Sweet Cheeks' roasted chicken and fried chicken are amazing. The brisket was delicious as usual. I'm usually too full to get dessert but I couldn't pass on the caramel apple. The sea salt was the perfect touch to balance the sweetness of the caramel. Other must-gets if you've never been to Sweet Cheeks: biscuits with the honey butter, fried okra, mac n cheese, any of the meats. They also have lemonade and sweet tea. Also, if you can, try to get Evans for your server. He's the best one we've had so far.
(5)
Laura W.
The food is really tasty, but the service is *really* rushed.
(3)
Michelle M.
Le sigh. I really, really wanted to like this place because I'm a fan of Top Chef and barbeque, but I really can't give it more than two stars. The atmosphere is nice..but the food just sucks. Everything was insanely salty. I would say that's the only flavor on the menu: salty. I ordered a side of beans that 1) weren't cooked and 2) tasted more like a fajita/salsa seasoning than barbeque baked beans. And, how can you mess beans up!? Saving grace of the meal: definitely the biscuits and honey butter. I would go back for drinks and biscuits, but nothing else.
(2)
Mena M.
I was reading all the reviews because I was confused by why such a great place is less than 4 stars. The trouble is that a lot of the reviews are either people that compare this place to epic BBQ places in Texas and give it 3 stars or just don't know good BBQ and give it 3 stars. Then there's not many people giving it 5 stars to balance it out, which is not fair but I agree it's not a 5 star BBQ joint. It's just not fair to give too much of a "location curve" because it's in the Northeast. I will say this IS BY FAR THE BEST BBQ I'VE HAD BETWEEN NEW YORK AND BOSTON. Four stars. The best, most succint review was Colette M who said "Delicious! I love barbeque and Sweet Cheeks was a good enough for me while in Boston. Nothing will ever compare to the Texas BBQ that I am use to, but the brisket here was awesome. The biscuits with that butter was amazing too. I would recommend Sweet Cheeks to people who are craving some BBQ and haven't been to the South in a while."
(4)
Rusty R.
Reasonable prices and good food in proximity to Fenway. Friendly service. The pulled pork was good, and the mac & cheese was WONDERFUL. Highly recommended. The fried green tomatoes were just average but I still enjoyed them. The mayo served with them was very good. Portions of everything are large so you will leave full!!!
(4)
Lesley N.
I do not claim to be a BBQ expert, but this place is good. Trays are huge. Ribs, brisket, and pork belly are all tender and flavorful. Sides can be a hit or miss...so I usually opt for a double serving of the farm salad. The farm salad can be really salty depending on whomever is roasting the brussel sprouts that day, but when the salt level is just right...it becomes my favorite salad in the city. I swearz! The place is always crowded and to be honest the service isn't the friendliest. Biscuits are pricey at $10 for 4, but you can order 1 for $3. The biscuits are good...but $#^% they are just biscuits! Do not make the same mistake I did and ask for some honey and get charged like 2 bucks for it at the end without warning... So choose the farm salad as your side, avoid my biscuit mistakes, order for take out, and you are good to grub.
(4)
Hugo C.
I should have known better than to get BBQ outside of the South. I am from CA and even we have half-way decent BBQ. After college I moved out to TX for work. Man can the South do BBQ right! It would be an embarrassment to present Sweet Cheeks in the South. Marbling is great for rich meats cooked slowly, but there is no excuse for serving grizzle with a little bit of brisket. And even worse was the burnt-ends. What is served is not burnt-ends... what is served resembles regurgitated burnt-ends. Who wants sloppy seconds? The table top sauces are only "meh" and do not make up for the lack of flavor in the meats. The only saving grace is the farm salad. It was delicious and incorporated a unique use of farro grains and charred brussel sprouts. Take it from me, until real BBQ is served here, you are better off saving a pretty penny and buying buffalo chicken tenders and mac 'n cheese from Star Market across the street.
(2)
Matthew B.
Recently moved from South Florida to Boston at the end of January and the one thing I've been missing is good barbecue. Last night I decided to try Sweet Cheeks takeout after reading hundreds of positive reviews online. I'm hoping my experience was a fluke, because it was one of the worst meals I've ever had. I ordered the Fat Cheeks tray, a Brisket Burnt Ends sandwich, and a large side of mac and cheese. The sandwich was virtually inedible; it was completely doused in salt, burnt, and tasted like something out of a car. I cooked dinner for my girlfriend so she actually had something to eat. My Fat Cheeks tray was tasteless and cold and the brisket, pulled pork and pork belly were sitting in a solid 1/2 inch of a mixture of water and oil. The collard greens on the side weren't cooked through at all, and I barely touched the broccoli casserole. I put a slight dent in the mac and cheese, but every single item on the menu tasted like it came out of a box or worse. Not only all of that, but I paid $60 for all this trouble. I'd love to hear back from the restaurant. 700+ good yelp reviews doesn't usually indicate an awful place to eat and maybe I just had a bad experience, but it truly was terrible. Hopefully I'll be able to change my opinion in the future.
(1)
Daniel G.
I've been meaning to try this place after reading several accolades on Thrillist (maybe). So me and the woman, who was also in the mood for BBQ, made the drive from Somerville to the Fenway. Not being fussy, we grabbed an open stool at the counter by the window. As an amateur BBQ connoisseur, I was excited to try the rubs and the sauces that Sweet Cheeks had to offer. But something struck me about Sweet Cheeks that other BBQ restaurants do not offer and that is high quality Angus beef and heritage pork. So when our brisket and fat cheeks platter arrived, I was very impressed with that the seasoning of the meat did not overwhelm the taste but compliment it. My sausage was peppery and delightful, the ribs were very rich and complimented by the tomato based sauce, the pulled pork was smoky and umami, and the brisket was tender and tasty. I wish they had a pie on their dessert menu. Also jamming to old school Prince, MJ, and Rick James was a highlight.
(4)
Michelle C.
the Fried Green tomatoes were there this time! they are SOO good and surprisingly not greasy at all! Had to come back for the chicken which was just as amazing as I remembered.
(4)
Lucy E.
Large portions, cold beer, and AMAZING biscuits (yes all the hype on yelp is too true). A 'platter' of food is definitely share-able, especially if you're indulging in the biscuits or any other appetizer. Although leftovers are good too, so maybe on second thought, invest in your own platter. They have a small draft beer list, however it is usually very good. It has two or three crafts beers and often a local beer or two. As for the biscuits, the menu reads that they come in a basket of four, but you can actually order them individually. However, my bf and I did not know this and ordered the basket of four last time we went and took the other two home for breakfast the next day, so it turned on not only to not be a mistake, but really a wonderful idea. So go ahead, order too much of everything and enjoy the rest the next day!
(4)
Jenn Z.
Tasty meat dishes and amazing (& huge) biscuits with honey butter. In addition to the biscuit size, the entree trays can easily be shared by two people.
(4)
Greg F.
Went today for lunch. I had the pulled pork with a little of the barbecue sauce on it. Flavorful, smoky and tender. The homemade coleslaw was top notch. I found the platter to be plenty of food, but I could not resist trying the brisket that my friend ordered. Best brisket I have ever tasted. There was a crunchy bark on the outside, but the meat was as tender as possible. We also shared some of the mac and cheese, which also had a delicious crust to go along with the wonderfully cheesy macaroni. Our waiter was friendly, not pushy, not overly attentive, but there when we needed him. I'll be back!
(5)
A A.
Ok, so just went by to get some food at 10 pm. Dining room full. Doors locked. Hours till 10. I understand, but 10 pm at Fenway ????.perhaps short-sided?
(2)
Danielle F.
If you are going there to eat, I'd recommend wearing loose-fitting pants (or maybe steal a move from Joey on Friends and wear maternity pants)!!! Big fan of this place. Another good pre-gaming spot if you're headed to Fenway Park. It's closest to the Fenway stop (on the D line). From the restaurant it's a short walk to the ballpark. The restaurant smells like a smokehouse when you walk in. There are some tables located outside on the sidewalk for outdoor dining and there is a small covered beer garden with some long high top tables as well. There are a fair amount of tables, you can call for a reservations. There's a pretty impressive beer list, usually about 6 or so on tap and a large array in bottles and cans. Options range from light domestic options to dark porters. In addition there are some pretty tasty-looking cocktails, but I've yet to sample them. I've always kind of thought of this place as a beer drinkin' establishment. Glasses for drinks are mason jars. The bucket of biscuits are gigantic, but really tasty with the honey butter. One is more than enough for me, so I'd suggest making sure you order them with a reasonably large sized group. Otherwise those puppies might get left behind. The portions in general are quite generous, so it's important to remember to come hungry and remember it's a marathon not a sprint. I don't eat red meat, but I still find plenty to choose from on the menu. I'm partial to the pulled chicken over the pulled pork, but both are quite good. A friend has raved about the relatively recent addition of fried chicken, and a staff member has told me that it is a popular menu item. The trays are a great idea as you choose one meat and then one hot side and one cold side. For hot sides, I am partial to the BBQ baked beans and the black-eyed peas. The mac and cheese fell short compared to those other two, in my opinion. For cold sides, the carrot and raisin salad and the potato salad are both solid choices. In a more recent visit, I noticed that they have added a cobb salad with smoked chicken. That is on the to-do list for a future visit. I don't pretend to be a BBQ expert, but I've always enjoyed my meals here and have had a pleasant experience while doing so. I really enjoy sitting out in the beer garden in summer months, sampling their beer list and eating some fabulous BBQ. Hats off to Tiffani and company for a great restaurant!
(4)
Alice P.
Usually if I have one bad experience, I give the restaurant one more chance before I take my complaints to Yelp-like sites. But my first experience was bad enough that I don't think they deserve the benefit of the doubt. 1. The food isn't very good. I'm not from Texas, so I can't speak to whether the food is authentically Texan, but as a Southerner who misses the real deal, I did find it just generally disappointing. The whole meal was like a heavy, greasy dessert: there was butter and sugar on everything, from the $7 hushpuppies (which had a weird oily taste--they were more like beignets than hush puppies) to the pulled pork. It wasn't the worst Southern food I've ever had, but I would put it up there with the kind of stuff they serve at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede or at like a Ryan's steakhouse. You could tell that there was some effort to be culinary and the presentation of the food was quite nice looking, but it just wasn't good. 2. The food may have made us sick. Within half an hour after leaving, my stomach was incredibly upset. We were seeing a movie at the Regal Fenway across the way afterwards and I had to leave the movie twice to dash to the restroom because I just felt awful. My husband seemed to have escaped unscathed...until his stomach revolted the next morning. It's possible that we both got into something else, so I won't say outright "the food made us sick"; however, I think it's the most likely candidate as by far the greasiest, heaviest, most buttery food we ate all week. I also had to wonder about the cleanliness of using the same trays for food service. I couldn't tell whether the trays that serve as plates were getting washed between use, or if they were just putting a new piece of wax paper on top. If the former, disregard; if the latter, I have to wonder how sanitary that is, because the food leaks through the paper / touches the edges of the tray and that's gross. 3. Their prices are INSANE. We had no idea how much the place cost, coming in. Once we sat down and saw the menu, our eyes popped. $7 for sides?! $4.50 for a lemonade?! $18+ for an entree with two sides? WHAT IS THIS?! But by the point we saw the menu, we were already seated and we had been wanting to try Sweet Cheeks for a while, so taking a deep breath we decided just this once, we'd give it a shot. Never again. $60 for two was insane for a casual dinner place and I don't care where it's located or what kind of hype it's getting. It's extortion. (Our bill contained: 1 lemonade, 1 order of hush-puppies, a pulled pork platter and a pulled pork sandwich, each with two sides included; plus 20% gratuity for service--no alcoholic beverages or desserts). 4. If you're not there at five, be prepared to wait. The first two times we tried to go here (at 6 and at 7 on a Friday and Saturday night, respectively), we ended up leaving because they said it would be a 2-3 hour wait. We came back at 5 this time and were seated and served right away (but the place started filling up by 5:30. They get one star for service which was pretty decent (not to mention Yelp won't allow you to give a place 0 stars). I seriously recommend taking your business elsewhere if you're looking for a pre-movie meal and especially if you're missing good Southern food....
(1)
Cindy W.
Southern hospitality and good o' comfort bbQ is the way to live yo life! SC totally delivers everything you want. Drinks were always full, plate filled with juicy cuts of all different meats and sides that I am still thinking about today. I got the tray with 2 meats (pork belly/ribs) with sides of the farmers salad and baked beans. Holy molly was the pork belly thick and tender packed with a great crispy skin. And the rib's meat was just falling off the bones. The baked beans was good but they tasted way better the next day. However, the farmers salad was AMAZE balls!!!! So fresh and full of life. Order whatever...it doesn't matter because I guarantee that it will be all good. But if I may give you a tip for tap is that you must...I say MUST....order the pail of biscuits with their maple whipped butter. Order it and you can buy me dinner next time. A true a staple for this place. With a party of 20 of us on a busy Saturday Red sox game night, the service and food was pronominal. BEST bbQ in BOSTON! *drooling
(4)
Susan W.
Not bad. I really miss barbecue.
(4)
Alex S.
Being a Texan, you tend to crave some good BBQ every now and then. This was the perfect opportunity to try this place out. When we arrived, the restaurant was packed so we had to wait a bit. We eventually took some seats by the window because we didn't want to wait any longer. Things to get: Mary Palmer (grapefruit juice, vodka, lemonade and tea), bucket o'biscuits, beef brisket, and BBQ chicken. The service here is slow but at times but they make up for it in their huge portions. Although it doesn't compare to southern BBQ, it's still a very valiant attempt and probably the best you can get in Boston. Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2013/11/17…
(4)
Joanna F.
Really liked the atmosphere and I thought the food was fine. Was it the best bbq I've ever had? Not by a long shot. But I think it's probably the nicest looking and warmest environment of a bbq restaurant that I've ever been to. I really liked the lunch trays they do at lunchtime. I got the pulled pork with a "scoop" of potato salad. There was a significant amount of both as well as pickles and onions on the side. Not too shabby for $12. The pulled pork was pretty salty for my taste, but still fairly good. The service was also pleasant and speedy. I expect I'll be back since I work across the street, but I probably wouldn't go here if I didn't. Much better Q can be found elsewhere. A-OK truly sums it up.
(3)
Mustafa K.
Everything is just so delicious. I work at Longwod medical area and i often visit here. Pulled chicken is perfect. Mac and cheese, cole slaw, brocolly and cheese... everything but everything is good for barbaeque lovers
(5)
Jay W.
Ordered the Pulled Pork sandwich tray with house bbq sauce and a side of coleslaw and collard greens. I had prompt service eating at the bar on a moderately crowded night. Staff was friendly and generally attentive. You're not going to get dripping hunks of pulled pork here, and it may even be on the dry side, but it's satisfying with the house made sauce and crispy roll. The collards were punchy, lots of vinegar and the coleslaw was thick cut and mild. I'm looking forward to the re-start of Ramen Mondays this autumn/winter.
(4)
Mike C.
Grade A BBQ. I was both surprised and impressed. I have always been a bit hesitant to try this place due to the price and the fact that I always eat at El Pelon when in the area. Sweet Cheeks does live up to the hype. Normally when dining at restaurants with celebrity chefs, I expect beautiful presentation or exquisite dishes most people would not be able to make. Good bbq is usually reserved for that southern comfort grill master or at old family restaurants not prevalent in Boston or New England. This is a true gem breaking barriers. The main focus here is pig. There are some chicken and beef options, but they don't seem to be highlighted as much. The pork ribs and pork belly were favorites. The ribs were not fall off the bone baby back ribs, but were meaty and flavorful. Many seem to complain about how fatty some of their meats are, but the pork belly is supposed to be! It was juicy with just the right amount of bark. Pulled chicken was properly seasoned dark meat. Homemade bbq and hot sauce were decent. The farm salad and mac/cheese really shined as side dishes. The combination of nuts, grapes, balsamic, and cheese is genius. Why don't more salads have grapes to make them more sweet? Perhaps I don't eat salad as much as I should, but this is a very suitable dish for any carnivore to try and pair with their meal. The trays do come with pickles and onions. Mac and cheese was the typical homemade style. A cocktail I would recommend for dessert is the Indian Summer. Listed as a normal cocktail, but definitely a bit sweet to drink with the meal. It came off as a coconut apple caramel latte on ice. The mason jar was rimmed with cinnamon sugar and coconut flakes. We never had problems with service as some other yelpers have managed. It was in fact one of the positives. I can't wait to return and try the popular biscuits and their other meats.
(5)
Meg N.
positives - drinks - the drinks are very good - I had one that seemed like sweet tea with whiskey and it was perfect with the food. - bar and seating area - very comfortable (except we only received one steak knife) - sides and apps - had the carrot and raisin salad - yum, also good -mac and cheese and the fried green tomatoes with the jalapeno ranch sauce - would go back just for the sides and apps negatives - server started out good but then disappeared - were left without water for a long period of time - the actual bbq - the meat didn't have a lot of flavor, was very fatty and the sauce options seemed to either be sweet or really spicy - portions - so much food! would rather better quality and smaller portions Have heard from other people that the food has dropped off in the last year - hope it improves because the location is perfect during red sox season.
(3)
Jonah K.
Boston has always had a pretty sad BBQ scene for as long as I can remember. Spending time in Texas, and living in Georgia for 3 years I've had the best BBQ (okay Memphis, and St Louis are pretty awesome too). I also am an avid smoker and have made pretty much anything BBQed out there. This brisket is superb, very well done. I would highly suggest ordering it. The rest of the sides were decent, but nothing to write home about. The main focus is on the meat, and it was really worth getting. Excellent drinks, bartender, and service overall. I will be back.
(4)
David J.
Lousy service. Double booked our table for a birthday party and made us wait over an hour despite having a reservation...
(1)
David J.
The food was pretty good. If I had to just rate the food I'd give the place 4 stars. The service is what brings this place down. Saturday night with 9PM reservations, not seated until 930PM, it was busy. Slow service while THREE hostesses sit around and essentially do nothing except lump up in a ball together. At least clear a table or something. I'd say fire two hostesses and hire two more waitstaff. They ran out of biscuits, which is one of their signature items. As I went to the bathroom I heard one of the hostesses turn a couple away, they said the wait for a table was so long they'd never be seated tonight. Five minutes later I saw three open tables that stayed open the rest of the night. Our waitress was pretty good and they did comp some items without us even asking, but they really need to get their act together, poor service is dragging this place down.
(2)
Rebecca R.
We had heard nothing but good things about this place, however it did not live up to our expectations in the least. We had a bunch of friends we were meeting and we found them near the bar area which was super crowded. When I had asked if we could snag one of the high top tables (since there were so many empty) I was told they were being seated momentarily for dine in guests. During our entire 2 hours there I did not see any of those tables sat... The wait staff were not very friendly. The one thing I enjoyed was my drink. I got the pineapple crush, i think it was called. Well it tasted like a pina colada on the rocks. Smooth flavor, chunk of grilled pineapple and served in a mason jar. Very nice. Now on to the food. Major disappointment. The husband and I ordered the fried chicken meal. At a whopping $22 you received 3 pieces of fried chicken and 2 sides. The chicken was disgusting. The batter had no flavor and there was literally no chicken on any of the pieces. An extreme let down, especially after paying $22. The amount of chicken we scrounged literally wasn't even what you normally get one 1 piece anywhere else. The mac and cheese side (husbands choice) was pretty good. It was cheesy warm and did have that home cooked taste. The potato salad side (my choice) was just okay. It had to much dressing/mayonaisse on it and was pretty sub par. Also, you did not get much of the sides. I left pretty disappointed and hungry. I would have much rather gone for a slice of pizza and saved ourselves the money and aggravation.
(2)
Jurme B.
I don't understand why this place has any less than 5 stars. The food was INCREDIBLE. Best barbecue I've ever had and one of the best restaurants I've been to in Boston. The brisket was amazing, as was the pulled pork. And don't even get me started on the mountainous golden brown buttermilk softball sized pillows they call biscuits, if I could survive on these alone I would.
(5)
Nat G.
Oh those ethereal biscuits, light and crusty, with honey butter---2 for there and 2 for the freezer! Oh yes, there's other food: flavorful brisket, crunchy, fresh-tasting coleslaw, though prefer other than pepperiness; yummingly comforting mac and cheese; Belgian-style Omegang Witte ale from Cooperstown that was a delicious match.
(4)
Arkangel R.
One oif the better BBQ places around. Staff is friendly and offer good recommendations. I ordered the pulled chicken with mac and cheese and a biscuit. Biscuit with the side of honey-butter is awesome and huge. Mac and cheese is creamy and tasty. Pulled chicken which is all dark meat was delicious. I recommend this place.
(5)
Joe R.
Cautionary Tale: About a month ago, I went to Sweet Cheeks in Fenway with 6 friends for dinner. We arrived without a reservation and the host did a fantastic job keeping us informed and seating us in a prompt fashion. While we waited, we had a few drinks from the great beer selection and then sat down to eat. I have been to Sweet Cheeks before and find their BBQ to be some of the best in Boston. This experience was not much different in terms of food. After my meal I visited the bathroom and while there, I noticed two cock roaches. The first, was stuck to some duct tape which held a Texas license plate to the wall. It was in plain sight and had been there for quite some time (since it was dead). The second was very much alive and also stuck to some duct tape. I mentioned this to the waiter as he brought our bill, but was quite repulsed and didn't want to take any of the food home with me. Since then, I have made an effort to contact Sweet Cheeks via email to express my concern, but after two weeks have heard no response. Given that, I felt it important that people should be aware of the conditions at this establishment.
(2)
Alyssa W.
I like bbq so I had to try this place. I'm usually a fan of saucy sweet bbq, but this place didnt dissappoint. They do a tradiational dry rub and sauces are on the table. we ordered family style and tried a bit of everything. biscuits, rack of ribs, brisket, fried chicken and short rib. biscuits are great, big and served with honey butter. so good. ribs were tender and tasty brisket was super moist and favorful fried chicken, a bit heavy on the batter, but moist inside short rib, tasty tasty tasty sides: mac n cheese. if you like mac n cheese you def need to try theirs. broccoli cheese casserole was ok, I'd probably choose something else if I return cole slaw, chunky and perfect with the fried chicken. like bbq? go here.
(4)
Jennifer J.
Worth every penny. Took $40 in cab rides there and back to bring this delicious goodness to my people. You won't be disappointed. Get everything and share.
(5)
Daniel E.
Upfront, I am a KC native and have had my share of legendary KC BBQ. That being said, this place was terrible. I thought I would try a change of pace and try the pork belly. The pork belly was decent, but it didn't even taste like it was smoked. What really made it a less than stellar experience was the sides and price. I tried the coleslaw and Mac n Cheese. First, the was something that the most amateur cook could put together. Most people think "sprinkle some celery seed on it and it will be great!" Well, not so true. The Mac n Cheese didn't even taste homemade and tasted like it was made with processed cheese not real cheese. On to price. It was $20 just for my single meal with no drink. One of the fortes of BBQ is that you focus on the meat, give lots of it, keep the sides simple (fries, BBQ beans, and slaw), and have good sauce. This restaurant missed on all points. I was just attending a Red Sox game and don't live in Boston, but if I did, I would not frequent this establishment again.
(1)
Phillip W.
My favorite bbq spot in Boston - but it's a bit expensive. Must haves (in order): biscuits, fried chicken, great northern rib (this item may have fallen off the menu), farm salad (inconsistent though), broccoli casserole. Bubs tap serves some of my favorite beer (bourbon ale). Have had some real variation in service ... doesn't help that it can get super busy. But always enjoy my meal.
(5)
Samantha G.
Great BBQ. Very accommodating for those with allergies (I have a gluten allergy), but 4 stars because it was overpriced and the server seemed to nickel and dime us. Either way, I'll be back for the food! Yuuuum
(4)
Taylor J.
My company took me out to this amazing BBQ spot. I have to say that it was perfect. A few of my coworkers got there early and hit up the bar. We ordered the most amazing Whiskey Gingers (made with ginger beer) and it went UPHILL from there! The food was amazing and we ordered EVERYTHING on the menu! So since I can honestly say that I tasted everything they had to offer, I consider myself an expert on the greatness that is their restaraunt. I loved everything and even my husband, who ate the leftovers all week long, couldn't put the ribs and chicken and mac-n-cheese and greens and brisket down. Great job Sweet Cheeks!
(5)
Ellen L.
1) I got sick off their food. 2) the food has no flavor 3) service was SLOOOOW 4) all of the meat was SUPER fatty and just seemed to be bad cuts of meat 5) brisket was almost a pulled beef it was so overcooked we tried platters with pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and pork belly. for sides we had baked beans, mac and cheese, carrot and raisin salad, and potato salad. nothing worth talking about there. the biscuits on the other hand were absolutely delightful. i wish i just ordered a bunch of those rather than spending all sorts of money on the other stuff. i had high hopes and was let down.
(1)
Jay J.
Excellent food before a redsox game. Or anytime. It it's based on texas bbq. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)
Q S.
We were a party of 12 and were told the wait was 45 min. 1.5 frustrating hours later, we got seated. At first, we were offered a table for 8... uh, are you kidding me? But after speaking to several people, we got a bigger table, one that actually fit 12 people. The food was good. My favorites were the biscuits and fried chicken - the sides were just ok. At the end of the meal, we wanted to speak to the manager about our experience. She completely ignored us. All 12 of us decided that we would not visit again.
(2)
Carrianne C.
I'm torn on this review... this would really be 3.5 stars. I'm from NC, and used to work at a bbq joint down there so a really good barbecue to me is pulled pork... and my problem is that it's not AMAZING and yet it's priced pretty high for some barbecue. I also tried the chopped brisket sandwich, which was much better. Not as good as it would be in the south butttt we're in MA. Portions are massive - I wish they would offer a smaller size portion along with the regular. I just CAN'T eat that much in one sitting. Overall its okay, nothing to go out of your way for - next time I want barbecue I'll probably try a different place instead.
(3)
Wendy L.
We ordered a bunch of things for the three adults - obviously way too much, but variety is the spice of life. Our order ranked by my favorite to less (not least, just less) favorite: 1. Biscuits. Definitely get the biscuits. They look like giant, hard mounds of biscuits, but they are amazingly light and fluffy; they taste like clouds of butter. Oh, and the honey butter is a must-do on top. 2. Pulled chicken. I was a skeptic at first - I had never had pulled chicken - but it was juicy, a little spicy and incredibly flavorful. You can buy it by the pound. 3. Fried green tomatoes. Good fry on the outside, a tiny bit tart on the inside. It's great that the tomatoes really held up with the fry. Tasty Ranch-like sauce on top. 4. Fried chicken. Really good fry, light and stayed decently crispy as cold fried chicken leftovers. 5. Collared greens. These had the bitterness cooked out of them without being overcooked. The pieces are long...almost like collared green pappardelle. 6. Macaroni and cheese. Who doesn't like mac and cheese? This one was good but didn't have the cheesy richness of others. 7. Broccoli casserole. Tasty but more cheese casserole than broccoli. We got takeout which was a great option - and they do everything takeout (including biscuits). All of that food which lasted more than two meals - only $75.
(4)
Blake H.
Adding sweet cheeks to my Top 10 list until proven otherwise. I am from NC and this is a great place to go for some BBQ in Boston! And sorry..you are in Boston...the prices will not be the same as down south but the portions and quality are worth it. Even my mother loved it here! First, make sure to get the bucket o'biscuits. Melt in your mouth! The honey butter is sooo good. I almost fill up on these before even getting to the main course. I have had the pulled pork, northern brisket, and the burnt ends. I will forever ever get the burnt ends brisket sandwich. So delicious! But they are all great options. For side dishes mother recommends the mac n'cheese. I had the BBQ beans which were unique; they had a ranch kick to them. Make sure to make reservations in advance as this place gets packed.
(5)
Chelsea C.
I can't say enough good things about this place. My boyfriend and I have walked by it constantly when we're in the Fenway area but we'd never been until a few weekends ago. I like that the meals are served on a metal tray, it gives it an industrial sort of feel. Only issue was that I don't eat red meat or pork, so a lot of the side options were out for me. I ended up with the shredded chicken, the potato salad, and the farmers salad, all of which were delicious. They even had a decent gluten free beer, which is a plus! The chicken was so delicious I didn't need to put any bbq sauce on it, and I loved their bbq sauces, so that's saying something. I can't wait to go back here!
(4)
Good E.
Had the fried chicken and it tasted like dog food.... It looked like frozen chicken that was heated up... How could someone serve that with dignity... Brisket tasted like it was boiled had no flavor.... Baked beans were hard and mysterious. The water was the best thing I ingested no joke... This place needs Restaurant Impossible!!!
(1)
Stephanie H.
I have become a frequent flyer at Sweet Cheeks. I tried their take-out about two years ago and loved the flavors and interesting sides, but the food tended to get a little soggy after sitting around, waiting for me to pick it up and finally devouring it. My boyfriend and I were craving barbecue and had been disappointed a couple times by our regular spot, so we stopped into Sweet Cheeks. The location near Fenway is pretty good, and if you're lucky you can find a parking spot at one of the meters outside. Inside, it has that nice woodsy ski lodge smell, and the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. We split a huge platter of brisket, pulled pork, collard greens and the farm salad. I had a gluten free beer, which was nice to see on the menu. We basically ate in silence, with the occasional "oh my god" or, "this brisket is SO good" or "these sides are amazing" and "mmm there is so much butter." The brisket was some of the best I had ever had, and the pulled pork was super tender. They serve the sauces separately so you can add to taste. Finally, the sides on the menu are so much more interesting than at your typical barbecue place, and are a nice change from the standard mashed potatoes and cornbread. The farm salad had greens, grapes, grilled brussels sprouts and a sharp cheese. SO good. I should also mention that every time we returned (4 and counting), the service was fast and friendly. You can be in and out quickly or stretch your meal a little longer if you're in the mood.
(5)
Ben C.
I was excited to find some BBQ up north that was suppose to be really good. My coworker and I sat at the bar and got the pulled pork sandwich...after being ignored by the bar tender for about 15 min. This bartender was TERRIBLE! We had to get his attention for drink order, food order, and check. All this and his he was feet away the entire time. Don't waste your time here.
(1)
Dianne R.
My family came here for my birthday lunch. It was such a disappointment! My fried chicken was very underdone. When I mentioned this to the waiter, he said they always take the temperature before serving, so a blood vessel probably ruptured after cooking. What??? Blood vessel still had fresh blood after cooking...plus the meat was still red!!! My potato salad was heavily seasoned with dill and the broccoli cssserole was mushy. Out of the three adults in our party, only one liked their meal and neither of the two children liked theirs. The restaurant gets one star for their atrociously priced but delicious rolls.
(1)
Frank M.
Attention people who've never been down South: this is not good BBQ, especially for the price. If you care more about vibe and eclectic beer selection and location, go to Sweet Cheeks. If you want truly good BBQ, this isn't it. The ribs are dried out, too fatty, too expensive. The sauces aren't very good, the baked beans are terrible, and the service is subpar. The menu is designed like a cable tv contract and condescendingly states that items are designed for one person (read they don't want you sharing). Sure we shouldn't expect greatness for BBQ up here, but this place acts like its God's gift and it's not even close.
(2)
Shirley Y.
This place is amazing. Not exactly slap-on-the-BBQ-sauce yee-haw Texan style, but a tad bit gourmet without the pretentiousness. It's famous too, something to do with Top Chef something or the other. Located down the street on Boylston Street away from the more congested area of the city, the restaurant has space to expand to an outdoor seating area and a beer garden type area. The portion sizes are substantial, and as my friend tried to warn me a few times, no one leaves hungry here. In fact, I saw lots of brown paper doggie bags sitting at most tables. I came hungry. Unplanned, but a good thing, as we ordered two starters of griddled corn, fried okra, hush puppies and a bucket of biscuits each "the size of [my friend's] face" served with honey butter. The corn came slathered in a pesto aioli garnished with a leaf of basil on each ear. Nice and well spiced, with paprika and Parmesan cheese on top. The fried okra came whole, breaded with crack. Ok, probably drug-free but I don't think it's ok to eat almost the whole plate by myself in one sitting. Which I did, of course. The hush puppies came swimming in a sea of honey and served with a white cream sauce. What's this sauce, we ask? Don't know, but it's amazing. Normally, hush puppies are too dry for my taste but these came out crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside. Sure, I will eat more. By now, I'm wondering if we should be ordering our entree. Since I wanted both the fried chicken and the ribs, I opted for the fried chicken tray with two ribs as sides, in addition to one cold side, and one hot side. You can get one rib as a side. Brilliant, for us indecisive people. And when the tray came, I was full simply by looking at the *five* giant pieces of fried chicken. Um, yes, I think I can spare a piece of chicken in exchange for that melt-in-your-mouth brisket. The fried chicken was delicious. I swear I taste a bit of truffle oil in the crunchy cornmeal batter. The ribs were moist, juicy and fall-off-the-bone, but I am glad I opted for the chicken as the main course. The potato salad is better than most. I would love to tell you how the broccoli cheese casserole was, but I hit the wall right about then. Probably something to do with the expanding half a biscuit in my stomach, and the whole plate of okra that I devoured in rapid succession. But wait, I still have room for another yummy drink in a Ball jar!
(5)
Mike Z.
Yo B what 'chu think 'bout that Sweety badonkadonk Cheeks you checkin' out the other night? She a 2.5 Her overcooked brisket be too muhfugin' fatty and 'na mean...some homies into that shit, but uh-uh...not me..I like 'um shaped like a coke bottle 'na mean. Her pork ribs? That shit tender as fuck, but where the salt shaker at? Her muhfugin' pork-like belly...homeslice you see that shit? Salty as fuck and daymmmm...bitch needs a treadmill and a half. Least she made summin' right...that mac n' cheese and potato salad. Her sauce? Whack. Price? Bitch this ain't Sweet Cheeks in Fenway, why you be charging prescription prices like them for? Oh wait, it is. I be her 500th...cheaaaaaa
(3)
K M.
Great bbq. Brisket. Pulled Pork. Chicken. TExas toast. Sides are hit or miss. Good sides: mac cheese, farm salad, brocolli dish, potato salad. Not good beans. Bucket of biscuits is just too much food. Maybe get a biscuit and split between two people. Pork belly deilicious too. Down home good bbq, dont trip, definitely 4 star at the least.
(4)
Mallory H.
We were so looking forward to a BBQ escapade relocating from NC to MA and the food did not disappoint. Top top notch biscuits and all day smoked meat. My problem is the service left a bad taste in my mouth-- very friendly demeanor but we were abandoned for 40min and resorted to tackling a hostess for a to go box. Nailed the food-- failed the southern hospitality.
(3)
Dave F.
I visited Sweet Cheeks Q for the the first meeting up with a friend in city. City parking is always tough but I knew this when we selected this spot so I won't hold that gainst them. Upon walking in, the first thing that caught me was the unbelievable aroma from the kitchen. It was a great smell without the smokey feel you get from some BBQ joints. After a short wait, as we requested a separate table rather than the community seating, we got out table and sat. Our water mason jars were filled rather quickly and we ordered drinks and a bucket of biscuits. These biscuits were to die for and filling enough to be a meal. The honey butter was amazing. Our waiter took our order (we loved the fact that they used utility belts instead of aprons) and our food came out quickly. I got the tray with two meets and two hot sides, brisket, pulled pork, Mac and cheese and BBQ ranch beans. Everything on my plate was AMAZING, including the pickles. Their light brown colored BBQ sauce in the larger bottle on the center of the table made everything even better. My companion also got the pulled pork along with the broccoli casserole which was also delicious. Our only complaint is that our waiter promptly gave us the bill when taking away our dishes when we would have preferred another drink as we stayed to chat a while longer. They seemed a bit rushed to get us out of there although it wasn't yet closing time but coming close. All on all, the food did the talking on this experience and for that alone I'd go back.
(4)
Marion M.
Went here for dinner after seeing it on Yelp, no clue why it is less than 4 stars. We ordered the Bucket o biscuits with honey butter ($10)-if you've never jad a foodgasm before this would be the time, these evil huge buttery flaky carbs of goodness made me break my no carb after 6pm rule and I would do it again! The fat cheeks tray ($26) Pork belly and brisket-delicious,juicy, party in your mouth,double foodgasm,pulled pork-just ok, had to use the sauce to make it good, the farm salad-wow!they use grilled brussel sprouts, pine nuts and grapes, the mac and cheese was ok-good enough for 2 people to share.We also ordered the hillbilly hooch peach flavor($10)-strong and deadly because you can hardly taste the liquor, but it's definitely there. I love the place and I hate it at the same time coz this is gonna cost me at least 2 extra gym days, but it's worth it!!
(5)
Anthony M.
Some of the best BBQ I have ever had! Went with a party of 6 and the waiter sat us right away and was very polite and answered our questions. Started with the biscuits and let me tell you they are everything as advertised. I had the pulled chicken and the GF had the pulled pork, other members of the party also went with pulled pork and one had the sliced brisket. Everybody loved the food, we all tried multiple sides (mac & Cheese, farm salad, collared Greens, coleslaw, Ranch Beans) and were all happy. I have been trying to get here since they opened and I was not disappointed and I can not wait to get back for some more BBQ
(5)
K.C. K.
We had dinner here on Saturday and I am still thinking about our meal. It was SO. FREAKING. DELICIOUS. Allow me to elaborate. We went for a geriatrically early dinner at 5 pm (we had movie tickets at 6:45 and, well, we have a toddler so we didn't want to be out too late since babysitters aren't cheap!). Thankfully Sweet Cheeks was doing a brisk business so we didn't feel too ridiculous. Our server was great; friendly without wearing flair. He encouraged us to try the biscuits, which I must implore everyone in the greater Boston area to do IMMEDIATELY. They are sublime. I want the recipe and don't want the recipe because then I would make them at home and gain 50 lbs. Sweet Cheeks is Texas (read: dry rub, not sauced) BBQ, which is my personal favorite. I had the Berkshire pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast and yes, I am salivating as I type those words. Instead of choosing a hot or cold side I went with the fried green tomatoes, which are offered as an appetizer. This was my only misstep. The sandwich was outstanding; while a few different sauces are offered at the table you really don't need them. The meat was moist and full of flavor and the Texas toast offered the perfect counterpoint of buttery crunch. I want one right now. The tomatoes were disappointing; I probably shouldn't have ordered them in November but I'm a sucker for fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes themselves were clearly out of season and the breading was too heavy and uninspired. The accompanying jalapeno ranch was, however, fantastic. My husband had the brisket, which he devoured. I didn't try it as I was too busy inhaling my meal. I did try his macaroni and cheese, which was delicious. Next time I'll skip the tomatoes and get the broccoli cheese casserole side instead. I cannot wait to return.
(4)
Ty U.
Alright food but really rude and discriminatory. I went here and decided to splurge a little and take my girlfriend out for a nice barque dinner. We're both college students and a meal like this is a treat, so we dressed in our finest and set to town. When we arrived at 545, we were told there would be a 20-30 minute wait, which we thought was doable. In the following HOUR AND 15 MINUTES we saw plenty of up to do older couples be seated after about a 10 minute wait, without any reservation. From our experience in Boston, this is pretty standard in nicer restaurants to some extent but this was outrageous. It took is another half an hour for one of the many servers to approach us, and was very curt with us and immediately asked what we wanted, after seeing him be very friendly and talkative to tables around us. The food was pretty good, thus constituting the 2 stars, but we were so upset by the rest of the experience we didn't really feel like eating. So tips to restaurant goers: make sure you have $20 bills hanging out of your pocket or risk being treated poorly. Tips to the restaurant: think of a time where you've treated yourself beyond what you'd normally spend before treating a customer the way you do.
(2)
Lauren L.
My husband and I argued all the way home regarding 3 or 4 stars. To preface: he is a barbeque nut, having told me countless tales of his visits to Dreamland, Jack's Stacks, Pierces, etc. He was the one who convinced me to drive into the middle of no-man's land Texas to experience Salt Lick. By default I have become quite enamoured of smoked meats with tangy sauce. We actually made a special trip into Boston to do the Phantom Gourmet's BBQ festival (where he had Virginia BBQ and I had the Texas, we ate and compared notes). That being said, we agreed this is very good... for the North. My husband insists for the North this is a 4 star joint. Atmosphere wise this was right on. The decor was well thought out with reworked iron chair, metal platters, jelly jars as glasses, etc. The meat was cooked perfectly: our brisket was absolutely fork tender, the pulled pork was moist and tasty. The pork belly. . . was good. . . a different offering from the usual bbq fare. As per many many other yelpers, there was a decent amount of fat on the brisket but it still was very tasty. The biscuits were superb, order just one per person because they truly are the size of a softball! We actually shared a "fat cheeks" platter, had two biscuits, and were more than satisfied (THE PORTIONS ARE VERY GENEROUS). The collards were well cooked and seasoned. The potato salad was fresh and light. They had a nice offering of side dishes, including many fresher, lighter things (like carrot salad). The sauce is where I take off my stars. My husband says I am being harsh, he is the one who loves to slop up his sauce with the white bread (which they do provide here, along with pickles and onions). It's nothing special. The mustard based and pepper varieties on the table were good, they did spice it up, but overall we were not impressed. The bland sauce is very problematic because this is Texas style bbq where you accent your meat with the sauce. All in all this was VERY good, very well cooked, an adorable location and a well thought out concept. Our server was friendly and attentive, the beer selection was great, and I wished I was less full so I could try more of the snazzy cocktails. We'll be going back because as we said, this is a great bbq joint for the North.
(3)
Nate Y.
I came here with some expectation, both good and bad, and came out with both, but mostly good. The layout is nothing fancy, reminds me a little bit like Tasty Burger's layout down the street. A good choice of beers and cocktails, didn't hear of any disappointments from my group. The BBQ trays are $20's-low $30's. The meat comes out on a tray with the sides. Having friends who share, I had a good sample of meats they offer, I only missed out on the ribs. The pork belly was meaty, not fatty, and moist. The brisket also moist and tasty. I had the buttermilk fried chicken which was moist with a nice flaky batter. It was even better as leftovers! I only found the chicken bits to be tasteless. They do have three BBQ sauces you can choose from, so you can always add what you like. My sides of collard greens with pork and mac n' cheese were both so good. In agreement with everyone else that you need to get the biscuits. They are big, flaky, and moist! And the apple butter, mmmmm!! So the meals may seems a bit high, but I had more than enough for leftovers, so overall not a bad deal.
(4)
Sally E.
A friend and I were visiting Boston and staying at a hotel right behind Fenway Park. We sort of meandered down the road and stumbled upon Sweet Cheeks, which looked enticing enough - and filling enough. This was my first time having texas bbq and I actually really liked it. My friend and I shared the mac n cheese and each had our own beef brisket plates. Everything was super rich and heavy (which I'm definitely not used to, coming from LA) but I enjoyed every bite of my food-coma inducing meal. The meat definitely could have had less fat, but that's really my only complaint. It was well-cooked and juicy and the bbq sauce complemented it so well. We also sat outside on the patio and the weather was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but would definitely return if I was near Fenway.
(4)
Stephanie V.
The menu can be confusing so if you haven't been here, yet, ask how to order the sandwiches. Every time you add something, there's a charge. The menu is about 95% pork, a couple dishes of chicken and a couple sides without meat. If you are a vegetarian, you are severely limited to ordering sides like fried okra, jalapeno bites, potato chunks. With all of that being said, the fried potato chunks were different and very good. While it's customary to have cole slaw on the pulled pork sandwich, (which is an extra cost to get cole slaw) until you've tried the cole slaw and know you like their homemade slaw, get it on the side and add it later, if you can. The brisket on Texas toast was good. It came with marinaded pickles and onions on the side. Probably to decorate the large pan and take away from the large space from the small sandwich, but I thoroughly enjoyed eating it. The mac and cheese (a side) is good, too. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised with the experience. Some food was ok, some was good and some surprised us at how good it was. It appears EVERYTHING is homemade. The staff was very, very nice and attentive.
(4)
Jason B.
After much searching for "real" BBQ outside of Kansas City or Texas, I can finally say that there is decent BBQ to be had in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sweet Cheeks is a funky little joint in the Fenway area, across the street from the Shaw's. Don't hold your breath for street parking, but it's easily accessible from the Fenway MBTA stop. They have a good amount of outdoor seating for your summer day BBQ adventure, and a large open room inside. It's a bit warm, because any large open space with a partially exposed kitchen will be so, but as long as it's not 100 degrees outside, you'll be okay. Brisket and ribs are a fantastic value - get the "Tray" - pick a hot side and a cold side, and you'll have more than enough food to stuff yourself with. The ribs are a great value - six or seven large pork ribs, with tender meat that is easy to eat without being overcooked - PRO TIP: you don't want "falling off the bone" - if it is, it's overcooked. You want your ribs to be tender but still adhering a bit. The brisket is a huge portion of slow-cooked goodness, with just enough fat to keep it tender. Your table will come with a plethora of sauces for dipping and slathering - the vinegar-based sauce is fantastic, as is the large bottle of sweet KC style sauce. Hot sauces are good too - the green is milder, while the orange is much spicier. Sides are a real highlight here too. The black-eyed peas are smoked, salty and terrific. Collard greens are swimming in their broth, but still somewhat al dente. Potato salad is a bit of a disappointment, but the farm salad with roasted brussels sprouts is not to be missed. Get a jelly jar of Troeg's Hopback Amber and share your plates with your date. You'll want to try everything!
(4)
Rosemary H.
The food here is great. I would recommend starting with a bucket of biscuits (hellooo honey butter!) and then choosing a tray for your meal. With a tray, you get to pick from a selection of meats (I'm quite partial to the pork ribs and the pork belly) and one hot side and one cold side. I usually get the carrot salad and collard greens as my sides and they've never failed to disappoint. The bad thing about Sweet Cheeks is that the service is god-awful. I was there yesterday and while my table's waiter was fine (if a bit slow), we watched as one party of two was seated by the hostess, waited 20 minutes without having a server come to greet them, and then left out of frustration. It was another full 15 minutes before anyone even noticed that they had walked out! I've had similar experiences at Sweet Cheeks as well, so I would caution anyone heading in that you should really aim for an off-hour when they aren't guaranteed to be super busy. Last time I sat in the beer garden outside, they had one server running the bar and taking care of every single table. It took us almost three hours to eat what should have been a quick and easy meal. Again, I love the food, but Sweet Cheeks needs to get its act together in terms of training its waitstaff and making sure enough servers are on duty during peak hours.
(3)
Eunice E.
I wanted to like this place so much, especially since I heard that this was a "real" BBQ joint... of which there is a significant dearth in Boston. Armed with an appetite and a hankering for pulled pork, I came in, ready to take on what Sweet Cheeks would throw at me... ... which ended up being dirty mason jars (mine was stained a bizarre shade of orange and had little crusty things on it... and unfortunately was filled with water before I could even say anything about the unsanitary condition) and sadly disappointing food. Not all of it was bad, though! In fact, some of it was great--like those giant biscuits with honey butter. (One was enough to feed two adults and then some. One also costs $3, so you'd probably be better off ordering the 4 for $10, if you can eat that much.) And my diet Coke was swell, too. The rest of it, though, was "take it or leave it" quality, and, quite frankly, I think I'd leave most of it. The fried green tomatoes were decent... I could really eat only one slice (came with six)... and, fair warning, that white creamy sauce with which it came had a bit of a kick to it, which was nice for me, but could potentially scare away some others. I ordered the pulled pork (okay) and the broccoli and cheese casserole and farm salad as per Yelpers' recommendations (both were all right, though I did enjoy my casserole a bit more with the habanero sauce provided at the table). My tray also came with two slices of thick white bread... but, uh, I didn't eat either of them. They did not look at all appetizing on my tray. It is pretty pricey for BBQ (bill came out to $60 for two, before tip), but the portions are definitely HUGE. I left with a TON of leftovers... as in, almost my entire meal. I think this experience could have been much better if I had enjoyed any of the sauces at the table... one was barbecue (but tasted so strongly of... beer? that I refused to eat more than a few bites of meat with that on it), one was a vinegar mix (tastiest of the bunch, but so watery I couldn't really eat too much of it, either), and the other was the aforementioned habanero hot sauce, which was good, but definitely mean to your stomach. When the best part of a restaurant is the bread and the diet Coke, that's not so hot. It's really kitschy here, and the mason jars could appeal to some, I guess, but they're a little hokey for my tastes... especially when they're NOT CLEAN. Disappointing... will continue my search for good BBQ in Boston proper...
(2)
Jow O.
the biscuits... oh the biscuits . I could come here just for these! love this place.. good southern themed drinks.. great bbq..you will not leave unsatisfied. seems like people had mixed reviews. your mileage may vary
(5)
Alejandro G.
Yes!!! i think this is my first 5-star rating in Yelp. This place deserves all the shout outs in the world, i always get the pulled pork with Mac & Cheese and Cole Slaw. The flavor of the meat is fantastic and nobody can say no to those amazing Mac&Cheese. Be careful not to eat with your eyes, the portions are ridiculous and if you order a tray with 2 meat choices (not that i've done it, not the last time at least :)) you'll be eating for a week. If you are a fan of the biscuits like i am you will enjoy these guys biscuits, they are B.I.G. and Seriously HOT!!! They'll bring you that bucket right out of the oven. Besides that the food is great and we always have a great time there my nephew enjoys drinking from a jar. Good place, good food!
(5)
Mindy L.
I'm not the type of girl that lacks for words. I'm actually quite verbose and have a tendency to give my opinion on everything, but for some reason, the words necessary to describe Sweet Cheeks have eluded me for the past several months. I made my second visit here on Thursday night and I'm still have trouble deciding on how I want to describe it. First, a disclaimer. I don't think I like barbecue. There. It's been said. It's out there...and there is no taking it back. I know, I know. ::Gasps:: ::snide whispers:: I don't know enough about "real" barbecue to pass judgments, so read this knowing it's coming from someone who just likes food in general. I could come here and just make a meal out of beer and biscuits. That's all I really need. I mean, I like a nice cut of meat just as much as the next girl, but I can get that just about anywhere. We were sitting at the bar passing time until our table was ready and I kept asking questions about beer and the bartender (I should have asked his name, but you can't miss him...bald head, big red beard - great guy!) kept giving me little quarter cup tastes of each until I had finally made a decision. Actually, he made it for me. I ended up with a Dreamweaver which was delightful. The Grey Lady I had next tasted like thyme or sage or something which was different, but not horrible. Anyway, back to the biscuits. Piping hot, fresh from the oven, slathered in cinnamon butter - so delicious. Again, it could be my meal. But, I tried the pork belly and the brisket because I like meat, too. The pork belly was juicy, thick cut, very tender and altogether yum. The brisket is fairly dry and though seasoned well, not my favorite. But the biscuits ... oh the biscuits ...
(4)
Nisa B.
Sweet cheeks is "the cool as sh!t. Fred's playlist and John the bartender. Perfect mix! MM Sweet Cheeks has great food and a chill atmosphere. Ate outside and John the Bartender was Amazing! MHW Great playlist with great food eat outside with John. Highly recommend Sweet Cheeks!!! John is the best bartender and Fred has the most dynamic playlist. Come to here for an Amazing time! Donna Sweet cheeks is the best. And ask for John the bartender and make sure Fred is playing the music. It's GREAT !!!!!!!!
(5)
marki s.
My girlfriend and I had the fortune of getting tickets to a Redsox playoff game in Boston. This place was right around the corner to Fenway park. First off you HAVE to get the biscuits and honey butter. They are fantastic. What I don't recommend is eating more than one bcs you have a lot of food ahead of you. I had the burnt ends sandwich with potato salad and ranch beans. Burnt ends awesome, Texas toast with it awesome, beans pretty good, and potato salad...?? Well it's potato salad it's there to take up room. All in all fantastic place and pretty quick service, but dont go if your going to a ball game....you can't take home the left overs!
(4)
Leslie S.
Went here for dinner on a whim with some friends. We shared hush puppies, and I had the ribs, mac and cheese, and farm salad and a Mary Palmer to drink. The food was awesome and the portions were generous. I ended up taking half my food home in a box and I normally clean my plate when I go out. We were seated immediately, and Sam, our waiter, was attentive and courteous and made sure to let us know what style of BBQ we would be eating and told us about the sauces when he found out we had never been before. Our food and drinks came out quickly, and the waiter had no problem splitting the check, and even split our shared appetizer into thirds. It's a little expensive for a casual dinner for college students (because come on, it's BBQ), but I'd definitely be back for a special occasion. Extra bonus points for the fact that not one, not two, but THREE Beyonce songs played while we were eating dinner.
(4)
Kristina N.
I love BBQ so I had to come try this place. We ordered the pork ribs and they were delicious! We also ordered the biscuits (good, but I still think the biscuit at Island Creek Oyster Bar is the best biscuit in Boston), mac & cheese (really good), broccoli & cheese casserole (yummm), potato salad (good), coleslaw (also good), bbq beans (meh), and collard greens (meh). We also ordered brisket which was pretty decent. I'd say the standouts were the pork ribs and the mac & cheese. I came here on a Monday night in the winter and it wasn't busy at all but I heard there are huge waits if there's a Sox game about to start/ending. They do take reservations. I went with a party of 8 and they annoyingly make you wait until every person arrives to seat you even if 7 people are waiting. We sampled different cocktails and they were okay.
Great place for a texas style barbecue sandwich. The barbecue is delicious and it comes with pickles and onion on the side. You can pick the hot griddled texas toast that was really good. The place is not cheap so be mindful of what you order.
(4)
Leah Y.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. I loved the "feel" of it and everything from the decor to the mason jars, etc. Unfortunately, the food was just meh. I got one of the "trays" with pulled chicken and pork ribs, the carrot/raisin salad and mac&cheese. I also had a 'Sizzurp' (drink) which was 3.5 stars. The food itself though just tasted so-so. Not terrible, but I wasn't wowed by any of it. It might just be the style of BBQ, but it left something to be desired. Might try them again someday and order different meats, but I'll have to bring my own sauce or spices or something...
(2)
Carrie L.
I have yet to have good BBQ in the Northeast. I was initially very excited when Sweet Cheeks opened up. On my first visit, I got the turkey leg (the pork belly was sold out at 7 PM). On my second visit, I ordered the pork belly (finally!) The turkey leg was not good. I've had better at Disney World and random festivals and events (Spartan race). The pork belly was decent but I've also had better elsewhere. There was SO MUCH FAT on it. My last two pieces were nothing but fat. I couldn't bring myself to finish it. I like fat a lot for its chewy texture but I can't eat straight up FAT with no meat attached. That is just gross! The sides were okay but nothing special either. Bottom line, nothing special. It is worth a try. The ambiance isn't bad. But the food left much to be desired.
(3)
Anna G.
Yum delish so good! How does yelp only have 3.5 stars for sweet cheeks?! So, the biscuits are amazing. A must. Even if you come here alone, you just get them. Take the leftovers home. I thought the Mac was so good and I loved my farm salad. Actually, that was the best "cold" I tried. My pulled pork was pretty good but would probably try something else next time. My friends gave rave reviews to the buttermilk chicken and the ribs but I didn't try either. I'll def be coming back.... After hitting the gym a few times.
(4)
Drew R.
Great service. Great food. Plentiful beverage menu. The staff was super friendly and attentive. I just wish it weren't so darn expensive. We got a tray to share with a couple sides and it was enough food. Not disappointed in any of the food. I wish they had sauce cups for the BBQ sauces instead of pouring it on and mixing flavors.
(4)
H S.
My review is a little late, we actually came for lunch on Superbowl Sunday. It was fantastic! The quality was incredible, the monster wings were probably some of the best wings I've ever had (and I love wings, love them). I think the beer is priced a little high, but it's Fenway, so that's fine. I though the service was excellent. The only critique I have is that I was a little disappointed in the Broccoli Cheese casserole side. It could have been warmer and a little more flavorful, but that's it. The slaw was inventive and unique. Did I mention how good the monster wings were? We ordered some for an app, and then I had to have more for my lunch. The portions were enormous. Can't wait to to go back!
(4)
Tom S.
Found this place while I was on the internet, looking for restaurants in Boston while we were visiting. BBQ! Amazing!! We stopped in for lunch. The lunch portions were huge and incredibly delicious. The waiter said the bisquits were world famous. They absolutely ARE!! I'm from the Deep South and these were THE best bisquits I have ever had. The staff was fun and the food was amazing!!
(5)
Charlie S.
Had a great time here. Get the pulled pork with beans. The portion is large, the flavor excellent (smoky and tangy) and don't forget the Macaroni and Cheese.
(5)
Danny L.
Very expensive for BBQ, but the quality is there and you get a LOT of food for 18-20 bucks. Go with the pulled pork platter with mac and cheese and farm salad and then a bucket o' biscuits and you will be full of happiness (and diabeetus).
(5)
Robert M.
Marbled Brisket - you know what I am talking about. So many places outside of the Great Republic of Texas ruin brisket by trimming all of the fat off before smoking or they simply buy the lean flat side. Tis place apparently read the instruction manual (which you can see at the front door...Texas BBQ cook books). So this place seems to do things rights. And if you go there and you order brisket and they bring it and it has fat on it, be a little open minded and try it before you make the NE OMG WTF face. LOL So, on to the food: Brisket, cooked perfectly, but could use a little salt. Served dry as it should be. The meat was wonderful and melt in your mouth. This should be served without question with white bread, onion and pickle. For some reason you have to ask for it. But, at least it is on offer. Ribs, cooked wonderfully. Served dry as they should be. Fall off the bone. Sides - Beans. This was funny. They serve beans like I am used to and if you think about, I would only think of them as Beans or BBQ Beans. The lady made an effort to explain that they were not Boston Baked Beans and that we would need to be prepared. S o I had to ask why she would think I would go to a BBQ place and even want Boston Baked Beans. It was funny. Side - Broccoli Cheese casserole - Fantastic. Desert - You have to try their Chocolate Root beer Cake. This thing was amazing. It is my next B-Day cake. I have had Dr. Pepper Chocolate cake, but never Root Beer. This thing just makes me drool thinking about it. It is a must have. So down side. The price. But, I guess the location dictates. It was worth it though.
(4)
Kim D.
I made the mistake of getting the pork belly entree to go. It came with collard greens and the carrot slaw which i was dying to order again bc of my last in restaurant visit. By the time I got home and had the slaw it was all over the container and mixed the the collard greens. It tasted like the liquor of the collard greens....not what i was dreaming about by any means. I haven't had the pork belly yet, or the collards ... but i'm sure it takes like the slaw. Not a very wise to go packaging system on their part. I won't be doing that again! So if u go here, do ureself a favor and eat it.
(2)
Simon L.
Not quite my favorite bbq in the area. Ribs were nicely smoked and tender but were more the size of baby backs as opposed to spares - too lean and lacking enough meat. Pork belly was a win - crispy and buttery with plenty of smoke all in one bite. Brisket was certainly over smoked. I really enjoyed the slaw and mac and cheese. Served with slices of texas toast on a papered tray, format is easy. Nice. Love the house brew - a sweet maple thick ale, simply excellent. Several pours of charcoal aged bourbon. Similar comments from dining companions - price to substance to same at competitors, a little too much. Service was friendly although they had some trouble transfering our check from one server to the next since we arrived somewhat between lunch and dinner shifts. Plenty of flatscreens to watch the games alng with a multitude of bourbon and beer make this a fun spot. Big plate glass windows allow you to watch Boylston traffic passersby and the green line is a mere three minute walk. Hgh but comfortable stools and heavy tables.
(3)
Miki M.
This is a review just for Ramen Mondays. I was interested, given that it's a BBQ joint on the ramen. Unfortunately, the menu was vegetarian so no tonkotsu broth. The service outside while waiting in line was nice. The popcorn was stale but it was free so can't explain. But I must say that wasn't worth $15, already high for a bowl of ramen. The vegetarian aspect was fine, but this ramen was too complicated and confusing for its own good. First of all, the service and organization was poor. Although I was first in line, my party was almost the last to be served. All the toppings on the ramen were quite good and flavorful, but there was just too much of it. The noodles were overlooked or sitting for too long. It got clumpy and thick. And they were too thin for the density of the broth and toppings. It just got lost in the crowd. The broth was flavorful but was way too thick in the jungle of toppings and noodles. If you're gonna do something new, do it right!
(2)
Molly M.
Ammmmazing! I get the pulled pork sandwich every payday. The Mac and cheese is the best side. Love that they have Mexican coke in bottles too. Great place.
(5)
Jessi R.
It's Texas-style BBQ, which is not my favorite, but they put together an okay meal. The sides weren't anything to write home about--not very interesting, and my broccoli & cheese casserole looked & tasted like it had been sitting for quite some time: cold and separated. The meat, what wasn't covered in fat, was delicious, as were the sauces available on the table. The biscuits were delicious and served with amazing honey butter, but we had to order them separately...who doesn't offer bread WITH their BBQ? The prices were a little high, but not extremely so. I'll admit that one of the three stars above is based on their beer selection. Offered in draft, bottles and cans, you can definitely find a craft beer to your liking.
(3)
Laura C.
When you stagger/waddle out of lunch at a barbecue place so full you will end up skipping dinner, saying "my only two complaints were that the cocktails were only so-so and that mayonnaise slaw was good but I prefer a vinegar slaw," chances are you've just had a good meal. Gawd, yes. Between us we had the brisket, the pulled pork, ribs, slaw, bbq beans, potato salad. Everything was excellent. You know how people praise ribs by saying the meat is falling off the bone? That was literally the case here: two bites off the top, and the next time you went to pick the rib up, the bone lifted and all the remaining meat stayed behind on the tray. All three sauces on the table were also very good -- bonus points for a hot sauce that was legitimately spicy but also had flavor, not just heat. The cabbage in the slaw was in chunks, not shreds -- you couldn't get away with that without using fresh, high-quality produce. Excellent meal all around. If half stars were possible I'd have gone with 4.5, but since I feel like Sweet Cheeks is underrated on here, it tipped me over to the five.
(5)
Rebecca G.
Sweet Cheeks was on our Boston to-do list if it fit into our pre-baseball time, and luckily it did - this will be a staple for any future trips. One of the best barbecue places we've ever been - and happy to see chef Tiffani Faison doing well. Most people around us seemed to be ordering the trays (combo of meat and side) but none of the sides on the list really interested us - we wanted to try the hush puppies, and the salt and pepper potatoes. So we ordered both, and each got a sandwich to split. They also serve their ribs individually as a side, if you want to try them - so we added that on too. To share: pulled pork sandwich, pulled chicken sandwich, rib, hush puppies, salt and pepper potatoes The table has several sauces on it, ranging from sweet to hot, and we enjoyed mixing and matching. The pulled pork and chicken were both great. The hush puppies are on the sweet side, but very fresh. The potatoes were the standout - roughly cut, fried, smashed, and fried again, they're perfectly cooked. This lands on our favorite dishes ever list, without a doubt.
(4)
Scott M.
Excellent BBQ I truly thought this was just going to be an average BBQ meal. I was wrong. It was excellent. I had the bulled chicken and brisket. All juicy and flavoful. Neither needed bbq sauce (although the BBQ Sauce is excellent) Collard Greens and Carrot Salad were excellent choices for side dishes. This was a great place to come before the Sox game, they take reservations and have outside seating.
(5)
Duke C.
Rather than eating ballpark food on Yawkey or the Fenway Franks, we decided to stop by Sweet Cheeks before a game. A Texas-style BBQ joint by Tiffany Faison of Top Chef fame, It's all about using top quality local ingredients for BBQ here. We decided to get two trays and share so we can try a bit more of the menu. Favorite was definitely the Great Northern Brisket. Thick thick slabs of fatty, moist brisket! It actually is one of the best brisket I've had anywhere. Love the color of that smoke ring too. Berkshire Pork Rib! Berkshire pork is a high quality breed of pork and you can tell from that first bite. While the ribs may not be as good as what I had in St. Louis, the ribs are juicy, meaty, and tender. The Berkshire Pulled Pork was tasty as well and really good with the sauces. For the sauces, there's 3 types: Texas-style original, Memphis-style vinegar based, and spicy habanero. I liked the original sauce a lot, with a few drops of the spicy one mixed in. When I first tried the habanero one, I didn't believe it was that spicy but damn it killed my taste buds for over 10 minutes. Sides is probably the weakest part of Sweet Cheeks. Didn't care much for the potato salad and mac n' cheese, but BBQ beans and carrot salad were good. Carrot salad is probably my favorite. No free biscuits so we had to order it. Kinda sucks for a BBQ spot, but damn these biscuits are amazing. For $10, you get a bucket of biscuit with their honey butter. The honey butter is crack. BBQ is probably forever ruined for me after Bogart's and Pappy's in St. Louis, but I gotta say, I do like Sweet Cheeks! Even though there's nothing in particular that really jumps for me, everything was tasty. They definitely focus more on the quality of ingredients and it shows.
(4)
Mary A.
The food was delicious. I had the burnt end sandwich with Mac and cheese and the farmers salad. We also ordered the biscuits as an appetizer, everything was amazing. I'm giving it 3 stars because the service was absolutely terrible. We sat at our table for 15 minutes before anyone came over to serve us, once we were served the waiter never came back to check on us. But the food is good enough that I'd go back.
(3)
Dana T.
The biscuits are to die for. But all the joy stops there. My fried chicken entree arrived raw. Not pink. Not underdone. RAW!! There were apologies and replacements, but the damage was done and I felt queasy enough that I didn't eat much. How does a restaurant that specializes in protein screw it up so badly? One more thing--the bussers tried to remove our biscuits when we had taken just a single bite. Poor training. Poor execution.
(1)
Misato P.
Ohhhh their brisket is fabulous!! Drinks are very affordable(considering it's in the Fenway neighborhood, this is rare), friendly atmosphere and ahh their biscuits are soft inside and flaky on the outside. It is yummy feast over here but I'm scared to know how much calories I consumed over there lol
(4)
Adam B.
had high expectations, but they were not met.... great location, good vibe.... good service, was seated pretty quickly on a busy night..... loved the dollywood drink.... really liked the founders oatmeal stout.... liked the layout and the content of the menu.... liked that there was not a lot of labeling on the bottles on the table.... did not like the food, none of it met my expectations.... i think sol fire in allston is significantly better..... thought the pork rib was too salty.... thought the beef brisket was too dry and fatty.... thought the pulled pork was too bland....i prefer it on the tangy vinegary side.... thought the cole slaw was too bland, though when mixed with north carolina vinegar sauce it was much better.... mac n cheese was ok....would have liked it less buttery and more cheesey.... though the pickles were too oniony.... did not like the sweet bbq at all....reminded me of jarred tomato sauce.... north carolina vinegar sauce had a nice bite, but not enough flavor....
(2)
happygirl H.
I've been to this place twice, once for dinner and once for lunch. Cocktails are good and not as expensive as most trendy places, which this definitely is. I had a margarita in a mason jar, and as another patron observed, drinking anything out of a mason jar makes it better, so they've got that going for them. Good pour and not too sweet. I had a ginger beer today which was not my favorite. Other friends like the tea and the beer seems to be ok. Almost got a pbr, but if it's not ice cold it's undrinkable, so I didn't want to take the chance! When we went for dinner, my friend and I both had brisket. It's a big slab of meat. I like getting BBQ with the sauce on it---I never got dry BBQ before, certainly not in TX or cali places. Their sauce is mild, tomato based---good not great. The vinegar sauce is pretty good, but again, I've had better. And the hot hot is like a mexican habanero hot sauce, just a few drops'll do you. Sides: biscuits are amazing, but fill you up fast. A good meal would be a biscuit and the greens and no meat! Greens are pretty good, with a nice liquor, but salty. Mac and cheese is greasy with soggy bread crumbs. Cole slaw is like chunks of cabbage with a watery dressing that is not sweet enough. The pulled pork again felt like it should be served sauced. It's also very salty. It's good, but I've definitely had better, many times. The ribs were good. Still waiting to have the chicken. we did not do desserts. It's a homey feeling place, but quite loud and we were seated at a communal table, which was probably a drag for the two people who weren't in our silly loud party. Service was excellent, fast, informative, friendly without being up in our business. I think it's a little too trendy, spendy and maybe kind of a slightly, "oh, aren't we cool, we're into SOUTHERN STUFF" vibe. Self-conscious and not authentic. But a good place to go get a pile o'meat and a margie in a mason jar!
(3)
Michael C.
Quality BBQ joints are something Boston is really missing. I really liked their completely open kitchen. I came on opening night so I will excuse the slowish service but the staff was great. I was also babysitting my 2 year old niece and they were very accommodating and provided a booster seat. Here is what we had: Biscuits w/ Honey Butter - By far the highlight of the meal. I usually think that bread should be free but in this case I will make an exception Ribs - Some of the best ribs I've ever had. In full disclosure they are tied with the Texas Roadhouse in my mind for top ribs, this is a very high honor! Mac 'n' Cheese - Quality Mac, looks like it had a panko crust. Came in a decent sized mug. Pulled Chicken - This was very good as well. I would probably get this the next time I go in a sandwich. The seasoning was excellent Brisket - good brisket, the marbled fat added some great flavor, although I'm sure Jennie Craig would not approve Potato Salad - In my opinion, your run of the mill potato salad
(4)
Karen A.
Really great place. Cool ambiance, tasty melt in your mouth pulled pork sandwich. I enjoy a good BBQ and just putting Kraft on pork does not make it BBQ. Delicious marinade plus some extra sauces to add some pizzazz. Pretty cheap if you don't order drinks and very filling. Be schedule in a nap afterwards. Over great place, will be back. Ps try the fried okra. If you don't know what okra is don't worry, you'll love it anyway. It's fried!
(4)
Dan W.
Unless you're from Texas, you should not be giving this place a bad rating. SC is awesome! I've been here a bunch of times with reservations and the bbq was top shelf. The brisket melts in your mouth just like it should and the chicken is smokey and moist. The 3 sauces are perfect. I get the beans as a side and pour the green sauce all over them. The bulky roll they use on the sandwiches are great too. I just read a review by Bebe who claimed that Sweet Cheeks is "racist" because they were seating white people before them. Well, I'm sure those people made reservations before they came, you can do it from your phone with a touch of a button, I know that I always do. There were about 10 black people in the restaurant tonight and they all had huge smiles on their faces. I think they need to take that review off of yelp, it's insulting.
(5)
Leah K.
We chose Sweet Cheeks for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. I made reservations a few weeks in advance. Annoyingly, our dinner party kept changing their minds, so I called three times to change the number of people (including adding one an hour before dinner). UGH. Sorry guys. We showed up about 10 before 7, our reservation time. We weren't seating until 7:20. Not sure if it was our fault, or theirs. Oh well. Service was pretty fast, that was nice. Our only issue was finding our waitress when it came time to pay. Where did you go? Come back. We want to pay you! On to the food. We had the biscuits with honey butter (TO DIE FOR). Gripe: It's $10 for 4 biscuits. They are delicious, but that's pretty expensive. And then our trays came. Out of 7 of us, 2 had pulled pork or chicken sandwiches, three of us had pulled pork or chicken, one had a half a chicken, and the last had pulled pork and ribs. We were all very happy with what we got (I think!). I had the pulled pork tray. I chose mac and cheese and the carrot raisin salad. My picky boyfriend ordered mac and cheese for him, and chose his other side to be the farmers salad, so I could eat it. Thanks guy! The mac and cheese was some of the best I've ever had!! So creamy! The carrot and raisin salad was fantastic. Shredded carrots, raisins, blue cheese and walnuts in a vinaigrette. The farmers salad was equally as delicious. Arugula, grapes, hazelnuts, brussels sprouts, in a vinaigrette. Pulled pork was amazing, it is a dry rub, but I found it moist enough that I didn't have to add the bbq sauce that is placed at your table. I tried the collard greens (warm and savory), and halved chicken (so moist!), and ribs (deliciously smoked). Nice touch: my friend ordered the Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, but they were at the end of the keg. They gave her the last bit, and didn't charge her for it. How kind! For two of us (one who ordered a couple of beers), the bill after tax and tip was $76. Ouch. There was a lot of food and it was delicious, but I will say that's a hefty bill. Would I go back? Yes of course. Do I think they could lower their prices? Yes, but I'm not an accountant. It's a great place for parties and I suggest you pay a visit! --
I've been to Sweet Cheeks about a dozen times. I've been for lunch and dinner; I've dined alone, with a date, and as part of a group; and I've tried most of Sweet Cheeks' menu. Obviously I like the place. For years Boston had two top BBQ spots, Blue Ribbon and Redbones. The food at Sweet Cheeks is every bit as good as those, and the overall dining experience (seating, comfort, decor) is much better. I think it's now the #1 spot. The whole menu is great, but I have some favorites. Start with the biscuits. They are oversized and dry and fantastic, with or without the honey butter. Try the lemonade. It's rich, sweet, and complex. The collard greens are pure umami, and they go great with every entree. For dessert, there's a dinner-plate-sized nutter butter cookie you can share with a friend, or a thick butterscotch pudding--topped with a sugary syrup to trap in moisture, and bits of delicious contrasting salt--that you can keep all to yourself. For entrees, I don't have a preference. They're all great. For dinner Sweet Cheeks serves a fried chicken plate that comes crunchy, well seasoned, and plentiful. (Yes, there's a breast. That's always my question with fried chicken.) The pulled meat sandwiches are great on Texas toast. Even the various BBQ sauces are interchangeably tasty. My only advice is to try different things, because that's what I keep doing and I haven't been disappointed yet. I have one criticism of Sweet Cheeks, and it's structural. During late afternoon, half the seats in the restaurant face a sun-glaring window, and for some reason Sweet Cheeks hasn't yet invested in a shade. I know it sounds like a silly nitpick, but if you end up sitting down at three o'clock, you'll see what I mean. I've asked to move my seat, and I have overheard other customers doing the same. If anybody from the restaurant sees this review, I'm sure they will know exactly what I'm talking about. The window just needs a simple remote-controlled shade along the top edge, and the problem would be fixed. Overall, Sweet Cheeks is a win for Boston. I get cravings for it, which is one of my tests for a "favorite" restaurant. If you like BBQ at all, you'll have a good experience here.
(5)
David G.
I've been here twice and have loved just about every bite, the brisket being my absolute favorite thing on the menu. The pork belly and ribs were also excellent as was the pulled chicken. Both times we started with the bucket of biscuits and probably could've made a meal out of just those, and one biscuit is practically enough for a full meal. The sides were great, mac and cheese, cole slaw and collard greens were terrific, however the potato salad left something to be desired, way to oniony. I sat at the bar both times and enjoyed their rotating selection of beers on tap, especially the local choices of IPAs. The atmosphere was vibrant and casual, as I think a BBQ place should be.
(4)
Bill W.
I like the food but the waitstaff is okay at best. The bartender (dark looking brunette with blue eyes) during lunch is extremely rude and will treat you like crap unless your an old white man who looks like he's rich. Typical of this area. I will be back but next time she will not be receiving a gratuity.
(2)
Ken L.
Pluses: Best collard greens I've ever had, the food was very good. Damn good Bloody Mary.... cool atmosphere/vibe Minuses: kinda pricey, $24 for 4 ribs, 2 brisket, and a couple sides feels steep. The food was good quality, but not sure I'm going back. Service was average at best. We had to ask twice for straws and when my wife had a question about the menu the waitress' response was only "it's a personal preference". Gotta go deeper than that, babe. We've never been here.
(3)
Justin L.
The BBQ was actually quite good (pork belly!), especially the sides (Broccoli casserole, mac n' cheese, salads), but I wanted to talk about the service experience. I called in the order for 7:00 PM and when I arrived, it was delayed 15 minutes. I wish I would've had an explanation then about why it was delayed, because it seemed as if they had completely forgotten the order. In a rush to get to the next destination, I didn't notice that the dessert, which I was looking forward to, was missing. I called them the next day and got things straight with a manager. They didn't charge the dessert and he explained to me that because a large party had happened to come in right when my order was supposed to be picked up, my food was delayed. Perhaps this is how it is at all BBQ places (since you want it fresh, right?), so just a heads up if you make a take-out order. I just wish communication was clear when I picked it up. Conclusion: food is worth eating again.
(3)
Stacy G.
We went to Sweet Cheeks on a Friday night. We ordered the biscuits which were unbelievable. They are served with honey butter. The honey butter was not blended very well--looked like they mixed it when the butter was cold so it didn't blend well. My husband had the spare rib tray with cole slaw and baked beans and he absolutely loved everything. Ribs were tender and fell off the bone. I had the brisket with potato salad and mac n cheese. The brisket was a bit dry (my husband agreed) and the mac n cheese tasted a bit chalky (if that makes sense). It looks like they just crumbled some ritz crackers on top instead of cooking the crackers in butter and then baking on top of the mac n cheese. It's definitely a different flavor. I am a LOVER of potato salad and this was so tart and vinegary that I couldn't eat it. It looked good on the platter with the bacon bits, but not that great of a taste. Staff was great, great ambiance, etc. My suggestion would be to add in a kids menu. BBQ is a family kind of food. There were no less than 10 kids in the restaurant when we went and the option is to order them a side or a $16+ tray of food. The waitress suggested we just take some of the food from our platters and give to our 3.5 year old which was fine, but not ideal.
(3)
Bradley R.
This place was better after giving it a chance again. Our seating situation and service was much better which definitely helped the experience. The food still isn't mind blowing. I'd rather get something from Blue Ribbon if it is just about really good meat but if I'm in the area I'd definitely consider it an option.
(4)
gator N.
I was very excited to try this place but the food was disappointing. Ribs dry. Sorry but worst baked beans and potato salad I have ever had. The pulled pork was nice and their BBQ sauces delicious which helped me enjoy the ribs. Good ambience. Won't be returning there are better BBQ places. Enjoyed meeting Top Chef contestant Tiffany. Also, they don't have wet naps.
(2)
Ben B.
food. so. good.... go!
(5)
Deborah M.
Hey Yelp....how can you say they take reservations? Limited reservations for parties over 8 ...is not taking reservations. Most of us travel in twos, fours, fives and occasionally sixes...so people should know what the parameters are.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lis M.
ok, so I debated and debated about how I felt about this experience. The atmosphere was nice (not a fan of communal seating, but that's ok), the server was GREAT, and the entrees were fantastic. We had fried chicken and brisket. However, that being said, I felt that the sides were lacking. It was almost as if they spent all this time on fantastic entrees that the side dishes were an afterthought. We had Mac & Cheese which was ok, standard Mac & Cheese. Broccoli casserole was good. The Potato salad I did not care for at all. Everything on the plate, I feel, should be almost as amazing as the entree itself but maybe I have high standards. So, in short, for $18-$23 for a plate, the WHOLE plate better be damn good. For two people, only one of whom ordered ONE alcoholic drink, one appetizer, and two entrees, $40 a person for dinner. BUT brisket and fried chicken? AMAZING. If you're going to go, just get the entree because you can do that. Skip the sides.
(3)Theodore Y.
Came here for dinner. Got the tray of pulled-pork with sides of cole slaw and mac n cheese. Buddy and I also got the buscuits! Biscuits = heaven. Get it. It's good. Cole slaw = piece of $hit. get something else. Seriously. It's really bad. No seasoning, no hints of vinegar or mayonnaise. Take a PASS! Mac n cheese = Nothing special. Pulled - pork = GENEROUS portion of pork. Tasted well with their sauces. Service was awesome. Would go back for the biscuits.
(3)Kara C.
I am a Southern-food-loving girl trapped in New England, so Sweet Cheeks is a godsend! I have very high standards when it comes to my Southern food, and let me tell y'all that Sweet Cheeks knows what's up. The biscuits are AH-MAZ-ING. This is blasphemous but may be better than some of the biscuits I've had below the Mason Dixon line. The BBQ is off the chain, DEFINITELY order the fried okra, and be sure to wash it all down with some sweet tea (served in a mason jar, no less!). Y'all enjoy!
(4)Jimmy S.
Okay, I'm actually from Texas and this food is just... not. And it's really too bad cause my family was pretty excited about this place. The Brisket: Look, you have to trim your brisket. Our sandwich was over half fat. Gross to the point of spitting out the first bite, and then digging through the sandwich and pulling out a pile of fat bigger than the pile of meat left. The Ribs: Again, strangely fatty. This would be more forgivable in ribs, however, if they weren't completely flavorless. I'm not sure if they ever saw smoke. They tasted like they were baked in an oven. The Sauce: Predominant flavor is Ketchup? Really? Yuck. My wife, who is a bbq snob, but not from texas, wouldn't eat it. I mixed in some habanero to mask the flavor. The Sides: Were okay, some even good. But sides are sides. They are not why we eat bbq. The Tea: Tea was good. But they didn't bring sugar. Texans put sugar in their tea. Duh. The owners bio says they drove through Texas once. They should go back, stay a few years, and learn how it's done. This is not it.
(1)John W.
This is the best BBQ you will find in Boston, and the most authentically Southern. They let you choose the sauce to put on your meat, and you can choose from Carolina style, original, or a spicy pepper sauce. They keep it pretty simple with the dishes: you can get the slabs of meat or you can get them on a sandwich or Texas toast, and then you pick a certain number of sides. The biscuits are fantastic and are served with delicious Honey butter. I have gone several times and will definitely be back.
(5)Susan W.
I wanted it to be so much more. . . We sat down and I was ecstatic to see fried okra on the menu. Fried okra! On a menu! In Boston! My enthusiasm waned when it arrived and I saw the individual okras (is that the proper term?) sliced in half and appeared to be flash fried. My husband tried one, but despite gnawing on it for a few minutes, he couldn't even bite it in half. It was still bright green - they all were! They were barely cooked. Inedible. The biscuits, though, more than made up for it. I wouldn't want to waste stomach-space on veg tables - even fried ones - when biscuits like that are available. I seriously plan to go back and buy them again for take out. I love BBQ places because I love sides. I'm no vegetarian (from a small town in Oklahoma - they shoot vegetarians there) but I really love potato salad, cole slaw, black-eyed peas. Sadly, the sides disappointed as well. Potato salad should be well-seasoned and flavorful when done right - this was not done right. My BBQ beans were better, but they were kinda sweet. Like, too sweet for ranch-style beans. My pulled pork was good - not great. I found the same thing as other reviewers. Lots of fat. And, I also agree with the Heinz ketchup-like quality of the BBQ sauce. Adding the vinegar and hot sauce improved the situation, but I don't feel that is my job when eating at a BBQ restaurant. I will probably give them another try for lunch or dinner because I think everyone deserves a second chance (and I have not yet tried the hush puppies. Gotta have hush puppies.) But I will definitely being going back to bring home those biscuits as long as I can.
(2)craig s.
Best Bartender by far in a long time. Even though it was just lunch, Kayla made my Sweet Cheeks experience complete. Great personality, great attitude. She gets it. The food was exceptional , have the biscuit, try all the sauces, and have your buddy pay because , non jacked up swine don't grow on trees. Great vibe. No attitude , sexy but polite and ..friendly staff .... Am I in Boston? I'll go back
(4)Ira H.
We went with a group of friends on Saturday night. The place was packed and we had to wait for 2 chatting stragglers to leave our reserved table so our large group could all sit down. Next, the fire alarm went off and made a racket. (A frequent occurrence in a smokey BBQ joint?) The biscuits were perfect as others here have mentioned. When the tray came out I was in BBQ heaven. The burnt ends were awesome. They had a different taste than the ones at Blue Ribbon BBQ. Less sauce, more briskety flavor. The Pork Belly was moist and tasty. As far as the side go, I was not that impressed. I tried the cheeseey/broccoli and the collard greens. The collard greens needed more flavor added. Blue Ribbon is better for this. The salad was way too salty. Barely edible. I would definitely return. Next time I will go for the burnt ends sandwich.
(4)caitlin m.
As a makeup artist hired by People magazine to doll up the Top Chef owner, I didn't know what to expect when I got the call sheet that the photoshoot would be at a BBQ restaraunt. Wow I was so impressed. It's soooo fun in there. You will enjoy the atmosphere for sure. THe owner told me the tables were old bowling alley lanes. We had a bit of lunch and IT had me coming back with my boyfriend that night! I'm not kidding. THe food was so good, I had two meals in one day. Make sure you get the bisquits! The honey butter is to die for!
(5)Jacob R.
One of my favorite things when visiting new cities is trying to see how the BBQ compares to what I get all the time down in Austin, TX. I was pleased to find a place that was: 1) Close to me 2) Created by a Chef I watched and enjoyed on Top Chef 3) Claimed to have real Texas style BBQ The first two, you pass with flying colors. The last, it was one of the better attempts I have had. I will say, I am used to the upscale BBQ idea, as I work right next to one in downtown Austin. That is where you lose a star. You owe Lamberts BBQ a thank you and a reference for taking every idea they have in creating upscale BBQ in downtown ATX. From the menu, to the sauce bottles, to the side items, to the serving plates, and the layout; this was a transplant of Lamberts. If Apple can patent rounded corners, you guys would be in trouble if Lamberts decided to start enforcing its brand. That aside, the BBQ was good. The brisket could have used some more smoke and a bit more care to ensure that fat rendered, but the bark was a pretty color and tasted great. The pork, was all around amazing. Granted it was the fancy variety, but it had smoke, flavor, and delicious fat. Great job. Sides were all nice and a good portion. All in all a bit expensive, even for the fancy style que. I have made it to four BBQ places in Boston now, and this is good, and the closest to traditional Texas style with a New England flair in a haute environment. Almost forgot to mention. You have lonestar beer.... for $5. In Texas, you would get laughed out of town. Lonestar is the beer that every place charges $2 for the 18 ounces can just because it is tradition. Only those with little money or hipsters actually buy it. It is cool that you carry Lonestar, but at $5!!!
(3)Kerry G.
I'm going to make this short and sweet no pun intended! I am a southern-raised woman who is currently a vegetarian (technically pescetarian, but c'mon). When it comes to BBQ joints I miss me some pulled pork! But, thankfully, southern sides are plentiful and as delicious as they are fattening. Which brings me to Sweet Cheeks. Bottom line: The food was not that great SANS the biscuits everyone is raving about. And, it's not worth the money. P.S. Southern mac & cheese should not look and kind of taste like Kraft. Just sayin. Look up a Paula Deen recipe, Sweet Cheeks!
(2)Kim P.
I think in the South we'd call this "fair to middlin." Nothing impressive about this place, particularly if you're hankering for good BBQ. The brisket was a bit dry. I didn't love the sauces, even the vingar-y one wasn't that tasty. The fried green tomatoes were overbreaded and not ripe enough and the broccoli casserole, which features quite prominently at every family BBQ I've ever attended, was not memorable. The biscuits with honey butter, though, were pretty bomb. I don't know if they usually play hip-hop, but when we walked in, there was a succession featuring Talib Kweli, Arrested Development and some other old school stars that made dining quite pleasant. I'm gonna say it, though: if you want real BBQ in the Bean, venture over to the Pit Stop. THAT'S real BBQ (but you might want to bring some of the Sweet Cheeks biscuits).
(2)Eva K.
I usually get baby back ribs from the steakhouse around the corner, but BF convinced me to try Sweet Cheeks instead. The single star is for the hush puppies, which were pretty good. The pork ribs tasted like ham on a stick, the BBQ sauce was distinctly unsatisfying, and the big chunks of slaw made me feel like my jaw was really getting a chewing workout for not a lot of return on investment. In short, $50 (yeah, that's what it cost) of blah.
(1)Kate S.
Food was pretty good but waiter was very sexist. Wrote to management & received a lackluster response. Followed up and still haven't heard anything. I hear this place was started by an awesome woman but it seems treating women like people doesn't translate to the rest of the staff. Here was my letter: Last night I visited with five women from my graduate program and we were all treated very poorly by our waiter. Aside from repeatedly referring to us as girls he made several snide comments when we struggled to split the bill six ways between cards and cash. However, the real issue with the bill was that an unmentioned 18% gratuity had been added. Because the tip was added down after the tax we didn't realize it at first and included only enough to cover our meals and tax, thinking we would leave the tip on our cards. Our bill was brought back to us, of course, with many remarks about how he hoped none of us girls were in school to be doctors because GIRLS ARE SO BAD AT MATH. There was still no mention of the 18% gratuity that had been added. When we finally figured out the missing link (tip was already included) we settled the bill in seconds. When we mentioned that we didn't realize tip was included and had been planning to tip again the waiter just shrugged and told us that the "girls inside will be laughing about this one for awhile." It should be irrelevant that we are all working professionals in our late twenties also in graduate school (three of us in business school). We are not idiots, we are not girls, and we all have the potential to be doctors. Even if we were none of those things, this sort of misogynistic treatment is unacceptable. I generally leave a generous tip but for the first time in my life I understood how some people leave a restaurant so disgusted that they leave nothing. I think it's worth mentioning to customers splitting a bill that you've added $30 dollars to it. Or at the very least when it is clear that they missed it and are planning to tip again to come clean instead of repeatedly infantilizing them and insulting their intelligence. Not noticing this policy (if it is restaurant policy to add 18% to parties of five or more) doesn't make us bad at math, or dumb, but it does make sure that we'll never come back.
(1)Alex V.
Best fried chicken ever... Sp juicy and crispy. Best biscuit in the world... according to forbes.. and me. Best baked beans I have ever had. Not too sweet, plenty of pork. Finaly I get boston baked beans... allthough this place is Texas themed, Pulled pork and chicken was good. I am a whiskey drinker, and I had 2 whiskey drinks and was bombed.... A ton of hipster doofus'... like BOY the doofus is is strong in this place.
(5)Nicole S.
We went into Sweet Cheeks to just check out the menu and decided on ordering a wee bit of pork belly to take home. Tiffany Faison (chef/owner) came out to personally great us and ask if we had been helped, when we mentioned we may want she escorted us over to the bar and someone promptly took our order. The pork belly (available in 1/4lb) increments came out super quickly while we had a beer at the bar. When we got home, even though it wasn't super hot (how could it be, we ordered it togo) it was still AMAZING, melt in your mouth wonderful. Best pork belly ever and at such a great value ($5 for 1/4 a pound) Seriously can't wait to go back and try everything on her menu!!!
(5)John P.
Trendy little BBQ spot. Pork options don't disappoint - pulled and ribs are both delectable. The rest is mostly hit; outstanding biscuits, mac and cheese, beans, sweet tea. Only real miss is the cole slaw - just no on so many levels (taste of blanched greens, wide-chop, etc.). Sam LaGrassa (the gold-standard of Boston slaw) would be rolling over in his proverbial grave. That aside, love the small touches (drinks in mason jars, napkins/flatware in empty coffee tins). Almost guaranteed a wait on weekends for dinner; however, there is ample window seating around the perimeter (with the option of full service), which is a nice alternative. Boston's barbeque scene is abysmal; however, Sweet Cheeks is one of your best bets.
(4)Oliana L.
Loved Sweet Cheeks, Initially we were going for take out since we had our baby with us but after seeing a couple of ladies coming out of there with strollers we decided to lunch in, waitress was quick to explain Texas style bbq and their 3 signature sauces, (jalapeno our fav)I ordered the brisket (best I ever had) husband got the ribs and we took an order of chicken home, so glad we did so! Loved all the side orders and their craft beer selections, we will be back!
(5)Kara S.
The good! The hostess said it would be a half an hour to wait for a table so we tried to hit up the bar but it was WICKED crowded. If you didn't have a stool you were jostling around just to lift your drink to your mouth. However.....we got sat about 5 minutes later. I LOVED the smell of this place. I wanted to roll in it, make a perfume out of it, eat a candle that smells like it...(not that I've ever eaten a candle...but you know, some smell so good that you want to) I ordered the burnt ends sandwich and I've gotta say, I was disappointed. I've had burnt ends before and this wasn't it. This was a pile of fatty pork on a roll. My wife ordered the pulled pork platter and hers was way better. I loved the tater salad w/ bacon and the broccoli casserole though. They were WAY good. The biscuits are fantastic and about the size of your head. Order some for sure...the honey butter they come with is a perfect compliment to them. Lastly our waitress was great, attentive and enthusiastic. A nice meal for sure.
(3)Jess H.
Went here for dinner for the first time last night after wanting to go for a while. I think the biscuits pretty much converted me into a fan. After hearing all the raves about them, I was still VERY impressed. They were so frickin' good. Then everyone was passing around butter, and I was like, these don't need any butter! But I decided to try some anyway, and that just made a perfect item even more perfect. I had to do a make-shift order to try both the fried chicken and brisket in one order (as the fried chicken is not included in the 2-item or 3-item trays) by ordering the chicken tray with a 1/4 pound of brisket on the side. Both the fried chicken and brisket were excellent, though I am very disappointed that our waiter forgot to put my brisket (that was barely touched due to how full I'd gotten off everything else) in my take-home baggie for lunch today. *Sigh* oh well! The potato salad was very good. The beans were also a good value as they include big chunks of meat, however, they were a bit too sweet for my taste. I would have gone easier on the molasses. I also had the Angry Cheeks to drink, which was surprisingly really good, and definitely something I would order again. It was also a BIG DRINK. It took the entire meal to finish. So, overall 4 stars, and I'll definitely be back again, if only for the biscuits!
(4)Jeannie H.
ATMOSPHERE - I instantly salivate at the smell of smoked meat and hickory. The decor is industrial meets backyard cookout. It's well ventilated but gets extremely noisy during peak hours SERVICE - On the first visit, there were definitely wrinkles to iron out but they have become more polished with time. FOOD - No, this is not Texas or North Carolina. I wouldn't even venture to make make that comparison. However, they do make some decent BBQ. Strangely enough, my favorite is not their BBQ but their giant biscuit with honey butter and their fried okra. The pork belly was greasy and didn't have that nice crisp to the skin. The brisket was a little dry and fatty. The short ribs have been inconsistent. The problem is in the BBQ sauce or lack thereof. There are 3 choices in jars on the table, none of them interesting: traditional (fancy ketchup), Carolina vinegar, and habañero. For sides, I've had their black eyed peas, collar greens, mac n' cheese (ritz cracker crumbles on top), cole slaw (runny), potato salad (poorly seasoned) and carrot and raison salad (too vinegary). The collard greens is probably the best choice. The portion sizes are good and the price point is what you would expect for Boston standards though expensive for BBQ standards. I have been back several times due to convenience and lack of BBQ options in Boston. Great BBQ is dependent on a good rub or delicious sauce - neither of which is the case here.
(3)Bruce I.
Sweet Cheeks has a good story, a nice room, and appropriate rustic decor. But we were disappointed. We had ribs (just ribs; not "baby back ribs" or "St Louis ribs" or "rib tips") and pork belly with carrot and raisin salad, mac and cheese, and baked beans. The salad was the best thing on the tray. The pork belly was decent. The ribs tasted smoky, but it wasn't that rich smoke from apple or mesquite wood, it was ashy-flavored. The beans were flavorless. The mac and cheese was okay, not better than that. There were three barbecue sauces on the table. The yellow one was super hot, like a single drop was painful. We're not afraid of the heat, but this had no flavor, just burn.. I guess it's just in case you need to prove how tough you are. The red one was vinegary, palatable, but we've sure had better. The pink one was another vinegar-based sauce, this one mostly vinegar. Pretty bad. Given the lackluster quality of the food, the ambiance became like a bad joke, with all drinks served in mason jars, dinner served on a baking tray, napkins and silverware on the table in a metal bucket. OK if we then got some real southern barbecue. But we didn't. Chef owner TIffani Faison has a fine dining background. In this setting, she's like a Long Island preppie slumming. Go back to the white tablecloths and leave the barbecue to the real country folk (who would never live in Boston so it looks like we will be continually disappointed in our quest for good barbecue).
(2)Tori P.
Not impressed, food was okay, nothing special. It took a long time to be served and the whole staff seemed annoyed. Servers didn't bother to ask if we wanted more drinks, 2 hour dinner with 1 beer each. I very rarely complain about restaurants and understand they get busy, but that was not the case here, plenty of time was spent hanging around by the kitchen door. Just unimpressed all around.
(2)Emily W.
I must first admit: I am from the South. I am from North Carolina, and I know my BBQ. Being North of the Mason-Dixon Line, I should have lowered my expectations. Sweet Cheeks is located right around Fenway Park. It's a tourist trap. Do not expect much, and expect to over pay for it. $16 for a pork sandwich and one side?!?!?! BLASPHEMY! Though the pork was good - great flavor and juicy - the mac and cheese was gross. It tasted oniony and they put ritz crackers on top. I am not from the school where you ruin mac and cheese by trying to dress it up. It's mac and cheese, the only ingredients needed are in the title. Service was decent - food came out fast, but I can't get past paying $16 for a sandwich. Probably won't be back.
(2)Nancy B.
First, if there is a Sox game, don't go here expecting to get in quickly or for it to be a quiet relaxing meal. It is a few blocks from Fenway. I know not everyone in Boston lives and dies by the Sox, but be aware of what is going on around you. A party of five for our visit on a Sunday afternoon. Easy to get in, but it did fill up while we were there. Some tables are long tables that you may end up sharing with other parties. You will have room between you and the other parties of at least a chair. If that bugs you let them know you want your own table, they are available. Pretty darned good beer list, both bottles and draft. Take a look at the list on their website. If you are a beer geek you will find something that won't feel like a compromise. If you are into things not so different, they will have those too. Also, they have a full bar. As for the food, well, that is pretty darned good. Perhaps a few bucks more per order, but not to the point where I question who they think they are. We started with apps of fried green tomatoes and a bucket of biscuits. I have had fried green tomatoes all over the south, these were good, but nothing to get wowed about. Now, the biscuits, which are the size of a child's head, YES! Loved them, loved the honey butter with them. I could go there for drinks and a bucket of biscuits and be so happy. Two people had sandwiches and there was a healthy amount of meat on the sandwich for both of them. Husband and I each got trays that had the meat with one cold side and one warm side. Finally, due to dietary restrictions, one person got a salad. The person who had the salad said it was a really good and hearty salad with hazelnuts and barley that made it very crunchy. Our sides, cole slaw, mac & cheese, and potato salad. Loved them all. The mac & cheese was nice and creamy with a bread crumb topping. Three choices of sauces on your meat range from a vinegary, to a green tomato based to a traditional. It was fun to try all three on chicken which was perfectly cooked and pulled. As for service, we had a perfectly pleasant waiter who was willing to let us linger and chat when our meals were finished. Water glasses were always filled without having to ask. Refills on drinks were offered more than once. There are numerous tvs around if you want to watch a game or something while eating. Also, there is a bar to sit at with two tvs above the bar. Nicer weather you can sit outside. All we need to do now is plan to go back because that fried chicken is calling me!
(4)Laura K.
I don't understand some of the reviews below. Sweetcheeks is the best food in the area by far. It KILLS all the crappy pub grub in the Fenway area. I've tried all the meats, and they're all superb. Particularly love the brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. Love the Texas BBQ sauce selections. And it has good beer and whiskey offers. Substantial portions make for a good value. Most importantly, this is REAL FOOD! Not crappy fodder.
(4)Peggy M.
Showed up there on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a group of about 15 people. We didn't have reservations, but they accommodated us and moved some tables together on the patio. They feature Texas-style BBQ. I like that they serve meat that's been smoked with a rub, but you can choose from 3 different sauces, including a sweet KC sauce or a Carolina vinegar-based. I ordered the burnt ends brisket sandwich on texas toast, which came with 2 sides. Plenty of food. It was tasty. When they say they have the best damn biscuits, they aren't kidding! They are mouth watering good. There was a wide variety of beverages on the menu that come served in mason jars. Granted, it was my only visit, so I didn't encounter the problems with slow service that others have mentioned. But would I go back? Definitely. Even if it's just for those biscuits!
(4)Julia F.
Want BBQ? Want it conveniently located? Wanna sit next to strangers? Ok, maybe not a "yes" to the last one. But seriously, BBQ, right there. Parking, T stops, walking distance from loads of places I go often. It'd be pushing it to ask for much more. Our waiter was friendly. My sister tried to order something with nuts - I told her she couldn't (we are all allergic) he came back and tried to make sure she was all set since she had an allergy - I told him we all could not have nuts. He seemed taken aback, but worked with us. My little sister told him we had just left a support group for people who can't eat nuts. He laughed, and came back with all our food. I got one of the trays: brisket, potato salad, mac n' cheese - it came with two slices of bread, onions and pickles. The brisket had a great texture, it was a little peppery. Potato salad was pretty good, mac n' cheese was gooey. My sisters also were very happy with what they got, and when I couldn't finish my plate, they tried the brisket and liked it a lot too. I'm not a HUGE fan of sitting close enough to touch elbows with somebody you don't know. But it was really easy to recommend the things we'd ordered to the people who sat down next to us as we were wrapping up our meal.
(3)Gina C.
Good quality food with a really great atmosphere. I had the pulled work sandwich and it was very good. I had the mac n cheese and potato salad as sides which were both great. The wait for a table was definitely annoying, but when it's game day at Fenway that's to be expected. Our server was a little slow but again it was a busy place. My only qualm would be that it's a little over priced. All in all though a good spot!
(3)Jessie L.
I had high hopes for Sweet Cheeks but was pretty let down. My boyfriend and I split the biscuits, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. The biscuits were amazing and definitely worth going back for but the meats were fatty and not flavorful at all. Considering the price of this BBQ joint versus some of the other places in Boston I definitely expected a much better experience. The potato salad was off and tasted like it was doused in vinegar. I probably wouldn't go back for a meal but I would go back for a biscuit and a drink served in a jar.
(3)Matt I.
Now look. I like barbecue as much as the next guy. Maybe a little more. But I'm not one of those crazy BBQ purists that is gonna complain about things being 'inauthentic' if they're good. This place is good, with hints of greatness here and there. Went here with my wife and a friend after doing some shopping in the area and all of us realizing we were starving. Starters: the biscuits - holy crap the biscuits. GET THE BISCUITS. The salt and pepper potatoes were crazy good too. Fried green tomatoes were okay. Between the three of us we had a wide variety of meats. The pulled pork and chicken were okay, with a very smoky flavor. Brisket was alright, pork ribs were described as "good", but the wife wanted some sauce on them. Fried chicken was "flavorful and juicy", but the skin was a little burnt. Homemade sauces were pretty good (Texas BBQ, a vinegar sauce, and a hot sauce). Sides were a mixed bag. I thought the salad was too salty, but the Mac and cheese was AMAZING. Baked beans were "really good" and tasted "homemade" and "flavorful". Pretty big portions, though a bit pricier than some other BBQ places. Good selection of beers and other adult beverages. Lots of TVs (we were there during a Patriots game, could see a TV from anywhere). Service was friendly, but the server could have stopped in more frequently with water and to check on the food after it was dropped off by the runner. (No problems, but if there was one we would have had to flag someone down.) Overall, good but not great. I like the meat at Village Smokehouse better, but the sides and apps here are really strong. May just be a style thing!
(4)Matt C.
The food is great. The location is perfect. The setting feels a little cramped but the beer selection and ambiance make up for any shortcoming. I had high expectations going into my first meal at Sweet Cheeks and although it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, it definitely warranted return visits.
(4)Ken M.
A solid three stars, mostly due to atmosphere. It was bordering on uncomfortable to eat here due to the volume of the music (at 5:30 pm, no less) and the sun beating in through the high windows. It was also very warm, but that was almost understandable, seeing as it was a 90 degree day. I liked the decor and the presentation of the food. I don't really understand the price scheme, the cost of biscuits seems high, the cost of sides on their own seems high, but when we got the bill, it was surprisingly reasonable. The female wait staff all appeared to be waiting to be the next Zooey Dechanel and not necessarily fully intent on providing good service, but the bussers and water boys were pretty attentive. Andy very much enjoyed his brisket platter, he'd prefer me to give four stars for this review. I didn't really think the pulled pork on Texas Toast was anything special. The meat was quite dry. The star of the show was the macaroni and cheese and the pickles and onions. The carrot salad was an interesting take on a retro dish that was pretty good. I thought the food came out very quickly. I didn't use the restroom and it was too warm for the patio. I'd like to try Sweet Cheeks again, perhaps on a cooler day so we can enjoy our food outside.
(3)Boris L.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had, hands down. I went with the pulled pork sandwich and got a scoop of the mac and cheese and a scoop of the potato salad. Everything was phenomenal, the pork was practically melting in my mouth, the mac and cheese was thick, and the potato salad was done really well. The restaurant in somewhat small on the inside, but they also have a nice patio for outdoor seating. It's a small menu so you aren't overwhelmed by a whole bunch of choices. I also liked how they bring everything out on a tray, it keeps the feel of the place casual while still serving the best food on the block. Price wise I thought it was extremely fair for what I got. The portion size was generous without being at the point where it's an excessive amount of food. The drink menu looked great too. My only complaint was that our drinks didn't come until halfway through our meal, but I was so impressed by the food that I had forgotten that I had even ordered a drink. Check this place out, get some great BBQ and try all of the sauces they make in house. The hype is real, my friends, Sweet Cheeks is the best BBQ in Boston
(5)Richard K.
Came here for a company party. We had the whole outside private section rented out, it was great. Service was really good and the food was better than expected. Our company had buffet set up, but I have allergies and couldn't have any due to cross contamination. The friendly staid said they would put something together for me and brought out a huge plate full of food (allergy free) - I was very impressed.
(5)Jacqueline S.
Due to my recent obsession with Southern cuisine, I had been dying to try Sweet Cheeks for a while. Luckily, with a party of 12 for my grad dinner, we were prepared to order LOTS AND LOTS of food. And that we did. The GIGANTIC biscuits came out first-- things of beauty, really. Next came out the sizzling hot fried green tomatoes with a spicy (jalapeño?) mayo sauce. SO TASTY--I highly recommend getting these. Then came the rest of our order: trays of pulled pork, pulled chicken, full rack o' ribs, collard greens, bbq beans, mac n cheese, and hush puppies. The collard greens were delicious but a little greasy for one of the few vegetables on the menu. The bbq beans had nice, smoky flavor and the mac n cheese was so-so. Didn't have much of an opinion on the hush puppies so I guess they weren't that memorable. Of the three meats we chose, the ribs were definitely the star. The meat falls right off the bone and is sweet with smoky undertones. The pulled pork and chicken were a little disappointing, however. Not quite as tender and juicy as we had hoped. But I am a big fan of the sauces they put out on the table. The BBQ sauce and vinegar-based sauce go well with all the meats and I especially loved pairing the vinegar sauce with the pulled pork. So overall, probably not the most authentic BBQ you could find in Boston but I'll still be coming back for the ribs, biscuits, and fried green tomatoes. Also, I love the atmosphere of this place: cozy and cabin-esque and our server was extremely friendly. Come here for some good eats, great atmosphere and service, and a relaxing, fun night with friends/family.
(4)Adam H.
I have heard of Sweet Cheeks from multiple trusted sources that knew I had to check it out. When I realized my brother in law just starded working two blocks away I figure it would be the perfect chance to try this new place out. Although the decor wasn't what I was expecting I was very pleasantly surprised. The service was pretty good and the place was clean. The fantastic smell warmed something inside me and I couldn't wait to take my first bite. I had the brisket and my brother in law had the pulled pork. We were both very happy with the food and the portion sizes. They have some great sides to choose from to go with your meal. I went with the mac n cheese. Yum. I dont think i would have ordered anything different for lunch today but for my next lunch visit, there are a few things on the dinner menu that were not on the lunch menu that I might like to have for lunch. I will be back.
(4)Natasha L.
So I have been wanting to try this place for awhile because I am a top chef fan. The biscuits and honey butter are soon good. And my sweet tea was good. And I like the whole mason jar type of thing but the friend chicke, Mac and cheese and potatoes salad...meh I think I ate like 4 bites. And for 2 people (only 1 beer) with tip it came to $84! That is just insane. And it would be one thing if it was amazing but to barely eat it? I also need to add they played fun 80's music. Oh and it too very long to get our food and we were 1 of maybe 4 tables there
(2)Anna B.
This is not a bad place but it didn't live up to the hype. The food was good (though insanely salty). The short ribs are delicious. I liked the collard greens, my friend did not. My friend liked the mac and cheese, I did not. My drink was tasty but didn't seem to have any booze in it. I'd give them 3 stars but I found their seating policy obnoxious - when the restaurant's almost empty at 3PM, a party of 2 should not be declined a regular table. We were told we had to sit at a high top or the bar even after we asked if we could sit at a normal table. I prefer regular tables to hightops and probably won't return here as a result. More people came in but the regular tables never completely filled while we were there (I watched). I'd understand if it were closer to dinner but this was silly.
(2)Clare F.
Adding to my review. Another solid experience AT Sweet Cheeks. I'd love to see some grilled or BBQ fish on the menu. My Woodchuck Cider was a good way to wash down the savoury biscuits. The one thing... Sweet Cheeks, you forgot my stinking leftovers. I ordered the large sized mac and cheese because I knew I would eat half, and save the rest for tomorrow. We get all the way home and guess what - husband has the meat he ordered to go, but my mac and cheese is now somewhere in the Sweet Cheeks trash barrel. That makes me a sad panda.
(3)Joan C.
OMG. I think I've found Texas in Boston! Meat was moist, biscuits to die for, cheezy broccoli yum, salads yum, home made pickles and onions, multiple sauce selections ....IMHO, better than Redbones, Blue Ribbon, and place I went to in Fredricksburg TX for BBQ!
(5)Tricia P.
Didn't remember why I stopped coming here, but NOW I remember... I used to come here frequently last year. In the beginning, food was great, served hot (as it should be) and service was great. However, quality of food started going downhill. Went there for dinner last night and boy, it is now at the depths of despair. My gastrointestinal system is STILL recuperating... Let me break it down for you: - Alcoholic beverage: Gross! It was the pineapple something which was too sweet in combination with a disgusting mixture of strong alcohol. The combination did not vibe. - Food: I ordered the Pork belly tray with a side of cheesy broccoli and coleslaw ($20). Also had one biscuit ($2.50). My bf ordered the pork rib tray with the same sides. Everything came out the same temperature as the coleslaw. *Pork belly- not cold, not warm; super salty *Pork ribs- not cold, not warm; just ok *Cheesy broccoli- very slightly warm but plain gross *Coleslaw and butter for biscuit- Both receive my one star. Came out the way it was supposed to...cold and yummy *Biscuit- Just ok but would've been a notch up if it had been served warm to hot - Service: Sat at the bar. Not bad considering that by bf and I were the only other couple there. - Total bill with tip $100: Totally not worth it and I will most likely have to spend another $100 juicing the next couple days to cleanse after that meal. I was wondering why the place was slow for a Thursday night. Now I know why! ~ Yelper Ninja OUT
(1)Chayla F.
I am a Lousiana southern girl and the daughter of an award winning grill master. I was disappointed by this place. The ribs were tender and had decent flavor. The bar-b-q sauce was meh... They 3 differnt versions, only one was halfway traditional and it was not thick and rich. The other sauce options were outlandish. The drinks were OK. The most dissappointing thing about my visit were the sides!! The potato salad and baked beans had no flavor.One positve thing- service!! Polite and professional. I will not return unless I am going along for the ride with a group of friends.
(2)Food D.
Oh. My. God. SO EFFING DELICIOUS! Interior: You walk in, and you smell this light smokey delicious smell that gets your mouth watering. Went on a sunny day, and it was such a nice atmosphere with back window/door open. It was busy and had a great buzz. Drinks: They have really nice cocktails and beers, and best of all, they serve all your drinks in a jar! Gotta love some jar sippin'! Service: Great, our waitress couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Food: The food was so delicious! I'm sitting here almost 12 hours later craving it... My mouth is watering! Firstly, presentation was great. The tray, and using a cup for your hot side, I loved it. The fried green tomatoes were delicious with the jalapeno ranch dip. The fried okra was good, but make sure there's a bunch of you, you get a pretty big pile of it! Definitely recommend the bucket of biscuits - best fresh biscuits I've ever had, nice and buttery and warm. The fried chicken was so juicy and the batter was spiced and salted just right. The ribs were so tender and juicy, the meat just fell off the bone! and when you slather the whole thing with their bbq/hot sauce... MMM! The brisket was also really tender, you could eat the whole thing with just a fork. It was a little dry though, I would have liked it juicier. All our sides were delicious, such as the mac & cheese and the collard greens. Overall, I would definitely recommend the ribs here.... best ribs I've ever had! DEFINITELY my new grub-out & drink spot!
(5)Haley W.
This should really be 3 1/2 stars, but I'll round up for good measure. I tried the fried green tomatoes, brisket, pulled pork, cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens, and baked beans. The only reason I feel inclined to write this review is because Those. Were. Not. Baked. Beans. Seriously. The "baked beans" broke my heart. What should have been a sweet, tangy, yet salty side was in fact a bland interpretation of bean and beef chili (the server referred to them as "Cowboy Baked Beans" I have no idea what she was talking about). PEOPLE: Beef doesn't belong in baked beans, nor does an excessive amount of cumin! What these "baked beans" were missing was the ingredient that is definitive of genuine baked beans: molasses. MOLASSES. These "baked beans" HAD. NO. MOLASSES. Oh and BACON. In what universe does ground beef substitute for bacon?? Now, you may wonder why I am on a tirade simply because of baked beans. I'll have you know that, being from the South, and growing up on this delicacy, I consider myself somewhat of a baked bean connoisseur. In short: I LOVE BAKED BEANS. I eat them by the bowlful. I crave them. I love them enough to let this bizarre interpretation of them RUIN an otherwise fantastic BBQ dinner. So that is all. Fix the beans!!! Make them worthy to be on the menu of a restaurant which calls itself barbecue.
(4)Donna M.
I don't understand what the hype is all about over this place. I rely on Yelp often for consumer opinions before making a dining choice. This one really backfired. First of all, chicken is my go to meal of choice, so I ordered the 1/2 chicken dinner. Not only did it taste like ham, but it was the saltiest food I'd ever eaten in my entire life. As if a whole shaker of salt was used on my dinner alone. Ridiculous this day in age when many restaurants are being chastised for NOT being health conscious. I had two bites and just couldn't stomach it so I switched out my dinner for pulled chicken at the waiter's suggestion. Mind you, I didn't think I've ever sent a meal back except for maybe a piece of steak that was undercooked and definitely not because it was soooo salty. Anyway, the pulled chicken was slightly less salty but still not very appetizing. In fact, the whole meal seemed compromised to me...too much salt, too much butter and wayyyyy too much fat on the brisket (which is what my boyfriend ordered). Nothing tasted like food. What a shame. Anyway, my boyfriend wound up horridly sick in the middle of the night. In short, this place is overpriced and the food is overly seasoned and just overall 'eh at best. The waiter knew I was disappointed, he was pleasant enough and understanding...probably the best part of the whole evening. At a minimum, I was expecting to NOT be charged for my meal but surprisingly we were. $70 later and one sick boyfriend in the middle of the night pretty much guarantees we won't be back. Was really hoping for a much more pleasant first time experience.
(1)Gina R.
We lived across the street from this place for a year, and never went in. We are glad we finally tried it! First the good: the food was awesome. I've never lived in the south, so I can't speak to authenticity, but my taste buds certainly can speak to deliciousness. We started with the biscuits which were HUGE, but so fluffy, and the honey butter is exactly as wonderful as it sounds. We ordered two big cheeks trays to split among the four of us, with two orders of pulled pork, brisket, and pork belly. Everything was rubbed and smoked, Texas style, with options for three sauces on the side (we LOVED the tomato-based barbecue sauce). For sides, we ordered the mac and cheese, cole slaw, and the farmers salad. All the meats were tender, flavorful, and delicious, but the pork belly really stood out, so much that we hastily ordered an extra half pound (which we ended up happily bringing home). My husband from Hong Kong, a place that prides itself on its barbecue pork belly, couldn't help but be incredibly impressed. The mac and cheese was very rich, but very good, and the farmers salad was the perfect accompaniment to all this rich food. We also really liked our server, who was friendly, prompt, and helpful. The decor was casual and fun. The only complaint we had about this place is a problem we observed with the hostess. Our party made a mistake and accidentally made two reservations (two of us communicated poorly and we both ended up making a reservation). When we got there, we ran into some friends of our serendipitously, and upon realizing that we had two reservations, told our friends to take one of our reservations so they wouldn't have to wait. The hostess told our friends that she could not simply give them our reservation, and we honestly cannot understand why that would have been a problem (since the reservation we made went unused). Moreover, our friends had to sit in a corner for 20 minutes and wait for a table, when two full tables next to us sat empty for nearly 15 minutes of that time. We felt really embarrassed and sad for our friends, and especially, for our friend's parents, who had just traveled halfway around the world for a visit. Seemed like a sad first impression of our country to leave.
(4)livingston c.
Went there for the first time today. Great atmosphere, tons of TVs to watch the football games, and lots of different beers on tap. Our waitress was very attentive and courteous. Got me a taste of all the draft beers for me to choose from. Our appetizers came out quick and were delicious, especially the biscuits and fried green tomatoes. We also got the hush puppies, but there wasn't anything special about them. For entrees, we got the Turkey leg tray and also their 3-meat tray with pork belly, ribs, and brisket. The turkey leg was a bit dry, as was the brisket. The pork belly and ribs were really good, but didn't have any sauce on them. The sauces on the table were only okay, without much selection if you just want different BBQ sauces. They had a vinegar, and two hot sauces to go along with their one BBQ sauce. Truthfully, I thought our sides and appetizers were actually better than the main entree. Our favorites were the cole slaw, collard greens, and broccoli casserole. Overall, we had a good meal and were totally stuffed at the end. Would have been 4 stars, but the price was very high for average BBQ. We spent over $80 for two of us!
(3)Nikhil P.
I could start off this review with a slew of qualifiers: "I didn't grow up on shredded beef," "I don't generally eat slabs of meat," "I make a living examining human bellies, eating pork belly is disgusting to me," but I won't. I know good food, whatever style or animal (part) it's from, and I can appreciate the well-made from the not. Sweet Cheeks was firmly in the "not" category for me. The vibe is casual, and this place yearns, correction -- *aches* -- to be casual. From the "cold scoop," "hot scoop" thing they've got going on to their intentionally unmatched cutlery, they want to establish this real, easy-going southern flare. That's fine (and to their credit, everyone around me in the restaurant seemed to soak it up). The problem is, as cool and chill as it was, the food sucked. Southern cooking may not have frills, but its got strong flavours -- real, solid TASTES. Give me some smoky barbecue, thick peppercorn, honey glaze... anything! Sweet Cheeks had none of that. They describe their menu items in the most bland, straight-off-the-animal type of way (read: casual, indifferent), but then deliver exceedingly bland food, too. We had the pulled chicken sandwich, and a chicken tray with collard greens + a potato salad. The chicken was moist, but it was just plain chicken. The bread was plain white texas toast. I could almost picture the exact Shaw's bread-bag from where they got it from. The collard greens had some pieces of pulled pork thrown in them, and the creamy potato salad was essentially what I've had at summer work picnics for years. There was nothing at all special. Halfway through my meal after not being able to even finish the sizeable portions of chicken on my tray (ie. telling the people I was with, "this is getting kind of gross...") I thought the non-descript medicine-bottle jars of sauce would do the trick. They didn't. And again, by the plain-jane labeling on the bottles, it shouldn't have come as a surprise that it tasted like some sauce that I probably had stocked in the corners of my own kitchen fridge anyway. The real disappointment for me was when we brought half our meal home and reheated it the next day. I didn't come to Sweet Cheeks as any sort of commendation to my dietitian friends, but when the little Chinese restaurant style take-out box containers were covered (and I mean *covered*) in thick pieces of congealed lard from the meat the next day, it was a little ridiculous. What Sweet Cheeks can't (or won't?) do in terms of flavoring, they seem to add through the remarkable "flavoring" of grease. Call it natural, organic, or whatever Mother Nature term you choose, but the saturated fat content of such absurdly prepared food just defies reason. Did I get served some particularly fatty cuts that night? was there an extra dousing of animal fat drizzled in for good measure? or were the chefs just randomly hacking away? I wondered if it was the latter after encountering some particularly unchewable, cartilaginous pieces of chicken on my tray. Those pieces don't come from the breasts or thighs, folks! I see at least 2 dozen reviews that exalt the praises of this place. It's a fan favorite in the neighborhood. But it's hardly for everyone. Next time when a place presents itself as no frills, and reads on the menu as no frills, I'll try to be less surprised if it tastes that way, too.
(1)Andrew W.
Biscuits were AMAZING. So big and fluffy and buttery. The honey butter on the side was a perfect addition. I'm sad that they don't do take out for biscuits. The other food was just ok. A little expensive. But I think it's all worth it for the biscuits
(3)Vanessa S.
Biscuits! are so yummy ..... you got to try it
(5)Melissa W.
The appetizers were as good as the entrees were bad. Came here with my boyfriend's family for an early Saturday dinner. When we ordered the biscuits and potato skins to start, we thought we were going to get fantastic main courses, because that is how good the apps were. Unfortunately we were wrong. The biscuits were enormous, warm and fluffy. They come with a honey butter, which makes it a little sweet. If you like biscuits, you will love these. The potato skins were topped with guac, cheese, peppers, sour cream and pulled pork. An unusual but delicious combination! Portions are generous (for appetizers and entrees). We ordered the tray where you select 3 meats and a pulled pork sandwich. The brisket was overcooked. I will concede that brisket it difficult to cook but I expected more from a BBQ restaurant. The ribs were dry and flavorless. Pork belly was extremely salty. Potato salad, broccoli & cheese and mac cheese were mediocre. The apps were great and for those, I gave 2 stars. In the end, it's the entrees that count, and they missed the mark.
(2)Jolene S.
Great location and look. I think it's the same concept as Hill Country in NYC. For my money, Hill Country is way better. But it's not all bad: black-eyed peas and other sides were good. Brisket and pulled pork are decent. I would like a hickory smoke BBQ sauce option--instead there's lots of vinegar, butter, and oil--too much really. Onions should be cooked a bit (not raw) and you just get pure white bread. I love the concept and the portions are huge, but the food is not as great as it could be. I think Bahama Breeze ribs are better at a comparable price point and again Hill Country puts this place to shame for options and taste. Glad I tried it, and would recommend it for big groups on an expense acct during the Olympics/World Cup (right atmosphere for that)--but wouldn't really seek it out. Just okay.
(3)Emily M.
If Sweet Cheeks did nothing else right, their biscuits would be enough. Hot, fluffy, and moist, each one is a savory cloud of butter. From heaven. Fortunately, this urban eatery offers more than just biscuits. Their macaroni and cheese, ribs, and farm salad will also melt in your mouth. Their home-brewed drink menu is a treat. And the classic camping plates and mason jars for water add a side of nostalgic charm that gets me every time. Unfortunately, I have yet to have a knock-your-socks-off BBQ dish here. Most of the meat is a little too dry for my taste, and yet so greasy that I feel sluggish for the rest of the night. For the price, I really would like more flavor and zest and less... fat. But like I said, their biscuits alone are worth a return. And, well heck, an extra star or two. In fact, just order a drink and a tub of biscuits. You will be happy, I promise.
(5)Rob F.
OK, Ok OK Holy fried chicken batman... This place has, hands down the best fried chicken in Boston area!! I used to live in "Hot Lanta " and let me tell you, you just cant get any good southern cooking in Beantown... Until Sweet Cheeks that is, all I have to say is simply mouth watering. I tried my girlfriends BBQ and it was good, but didn't compare to the fried chicken.
(4)Eric L.
This was a good find and something different from all the seafood restaurants in Boston. My gf and I tried 3 types of BBQ meat (pull pork, pork belly and brisket). The pull pork and brisket were the best, good flavor and tender. The pork belly had a good crusted skin, nice balance of fat and meat, but it was a bit too salty. Since we ordered carry out, I can't really rate on the service. But the cashier was pleasant.
(4)Tim F.
Had my birthday at Sweet Cheeks with family and friends - great good, drinks, and a lot of fun! Absolutely worth it.
(5)TJ L.
Reading other reviews I guess I should cover sauce, it's totally DIY with 3 options. I found the Carolina sauce to be totally boss on my pulled pork, the spicy habernaro delivered on the heat with some tasty tones to it, the tomato basted staple sauce I found to be pretty tasty, although my friends found they didn't like it the more they tasted it. I ordered a pulled pork tray with cole slaw and BBQ beans. The sides were amazing, the cole slaw was chopped and mega crunchy with good flavors. The beans had a pretty large chunk of pork belly chilling in the cup, I loved them but sadly ran out of steam with a quarter cup to go. The pulled pork was wonderful, pick up a slice of the bread that the tray comes with throw some onions and pickle on it, pulled pork, sauce, and throw it in your mouth and taste heaven. Me and my friends were going to split some biscuits but we totally forgot, I saw some on another table after I was already full and was kind of sad we didn't get any without our meal. I might not have been south of the mason-dixon line for BBQ but I feel this is likely the best I will do this far north.
(5)Cagen L.
When we first walked in I was not real impressed. The decor just seems really contrived. It is in such a swanky area and they try to make it look like a southern BBQ shack. The layout was also almost exactly the same as the pizza place that was there before, which I was a big fan of. So I already kind of had a bad vibe, and when I saw the prices I was not pleased, but my wife really wanted to try it. As an appetizer we got the salt and pepper potatoes, I really liked those, basically irregularly shaped french fries, so you cant really go wrong. For a meal my daughter got the brisket and my wife and I got the pulled chicken. As much as I was turned off by everything else, the meat was spectacular. I had to give this place four stars just for the meat. The mac & cheese was pretty boring and the potato salad was terrible (to be fair we got it with out the bacon) but the pulled chicken and brisket made up for it. The service was fine nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either Soulfire has better BBQ sauce but Sweet Cheeks has the meat!
(4)Greg T.
What can be said that hasn't been in the previous 150+ reviews before mine? Not much really, so I will sum it up with a few things that I felt would be good to know prior to coming here: -No reservations on weekends which is fine. We met at 7pm to encounter a 2 hour wait. They will call you when its ready, so you can venture down the street for a few beers. 2 hours is fine with me when beer is available and you aren't stuck drinking at the restaurant you are waiting for a seat at. -Cool vibe. Laid back and casual. It was a little loud on a Friday night, but where isn't? -Hush puppies were a little salty for my taste. Plus I am more partial to Carolina style puppies that are lighter and smaller. There were a little dense and bulbous. If they weren't so salty, they would have been better. Fried Green Tomatoes were good, and the dipping sauce was as well. -Brisket was moist which can be tough sometimes, and the ribs were right where they need to be. Good pullback and great flavor. -Sauce was not needed on any of the meats which is a good sign for bbq. Sauce should be an addition if desired, not a necessity to moisten the meats. All in all, I would be back here for sure. Their bbq is as good as it gets in this city, without the attitude you get at Blue Ribbon (which seems to be the measuring stick in this city...not sure of why though). Not the best bbq I have had in my life either, as sadly, we cannot compete with the South, but it was really good and had me wanting more the next day.
(4)Meghan C.
I will start with the positives. The food is delicious. I especially loved the broccoli cheddar casserole. I also had the pulled pork sandwich. We ordered the biscuits, which may be the tastiest biscuits I've ever had. The honey butter spread for the biscuits was out of this world. My low rating has to do with how my party was treated during our evening at the restaurant. We had a reservation for my friend's 30th birthday for a party of 10. On our way to the restaurant we got stuck in traffic. Some of our party was at the restaurant, but it was their policy to not seat until the entire party had arrived. Because we were running late, I called the host desk to apologize and let them know we were on our way and should be there momentarily. I was told that was fine, our table would be fine, and that they appreciated our call. When I arrived shortly after, I was told our table had been lost. I worked as a waitress and hostess for a long time while I was in school. I understand how these things work, how stressful their job can be on a busy night. I was told we would be sat as soon as they could - probably about 20 minutes. Well, the next hour and a half was spent at the bar. We saw large party after large party get sat. I tried to be patient and understanding, because after all, it was our fault, wasn't it? But then some of my friends tried to check in with the hosts only to have one of them be particularly rude. We were ignored almost completely by one of the bartenders, while people around us were served. And one of my friends who was standing by the hostess stand overheard and reported back that they were seating these big parties (who did not have a reservation) and laughing about our situation. Are you serious?? I tried really hard to organize a birthday party for my friend. I tried my best to be understanding and polite to the host staff and you are enjoying the fact that our night is ruined (or heaven forbid, doing it on purpose)? I had an ice cream cake in their back freezer, so we couldn't leave the restaurant easily. We had been waiting so long that we started losing members of our party who had other places to be after dinner. Our party of 10 dwindled down to 6 after 1.5 hours of waiting for a table. Happy Birthday? Once we were sat everything was wonderful. Our waitress was great and very friendly. They brought over a round of complimentary shots to apologize for the wait (which was very appreciated). The food, as I said, was delicious. But due to dinner now being so late, our after dinner plans were missed/ruined and everyone went home. It was very disheartening to work hard to organize a birthday dinner, only to have the majority of the staff treat us so poorly. Overall the night was sadly a failure, no matter how delicious the meal was. If I eat here again I think it will just be a take out order.
(2)Rachel S.
I have been to Sweet Cheeks twice, and had a fantastic experience each time. During the first visit, my friends and I sat at the bar and had dinner and drinks. Both bartenders were very attentive and had a great sense of humor. They made thoughtful drink recommendations and explained which sauce/condiment complimented each meat, etc. During my second visit (this past weekend), J.D. was our server and gave us great service. Everything was very tasty. I had pulled pork, macaroni&cheese, and collard greens. My friend enjoyed his pork belly, cheesy broccoli, and potato salad. We also ordered biscuits that come with honey butter and they were AMAZING! Definitely recommend!
(5)Dennis D.
3.5 stars. The BBQ meats are just ok. Not enough bark overall for my taste. Of the options, the pulled pork is the best. The brisket has so much fat it has a wet and greasy mouthfeel, which is decidedly unpleasant. The burnt ends are a little better. Chicken is decent. The biscuits are most notable for coming with a fantastic honey butter. In and of themselves they are pretty good too. Note that they are huge, a basket of 4 could serve 6 easily. The sides are decent - my favorites are the broccoli cheese casserole, baked beans, collards, and the mac and cheese. If you're not into the meat you can order the lunch lady tray, which consists only of 4 sides (hot or cold). A bucket of biscuits and a lunch lady tray is an excellent value. The sweet tea passes muster with my picky Southern wife, which is saying something. The cocktails here range from fair to terrible. Beer selection is solid but uninspiring. For all that, I come here pretty often, because it's close by, the atmosphere is great for groups of pretty much any size, and the service is excellent. Gets busy on game nights. If you're on a BBQ pilgrimage this place is skippable, but it is nevertheless a welcome spot in the Fenway scene.
(3)Joanna H.
I give it 4 stars for the biscuits. The BBQ was just alright for me. Too dry on its own and I'm not a big sauce person. Watch out for those spicy sauces on the table though. There's one called 911 that's supposed to be the spiciest, but the second spiciest set my mouth on fire already. But seriously, those huge biscuits that you can't wrap your hands around, they're so good. They'll definitely fill up your stomach past comfort, but you won't be able to stop. It comes with honey butter which a lot of people rave about, but it was too sweet for me. The biscuit was buttery and creamy enough on its own. Best biscuits ever.
(4)Perry B.
Sweet cheeks what can I say probably the best barbecue in the North East. Technically great barbecue flavor wise great barbecue location: who knows its Boston I'm a Yankees fan but I can say I will make special trip to Boston just for this barbecue.
(5)Lindsay B.
I've been wanting to try this place since it opened and I really liked it. I went with 2 other people and we strategically decided to go about 5:30pm on a Saturday, when the Sox were out of town, to avoid a crazy wait. We got seated right away at one of the high-top tables. I loved the sweet tea/ mint bourbon drink that I had - served over crushed ice in a big jar mug. Get the biscuits - likely the best thing on the menu and unlike anything else I have ever eaten. I like that the menu is very simple to order from- you are there for BBQ and they make it easy to order exactly what you want. The ribs were good, but the pork belly stole the show. I liked the carrot salad a lot, but thought the mac and cheese could be better. I like the vibe at this place, its low key, with good music, upscale and not too hipster/ trendy/ the chef was on a tv show. My only issue is an odd one - I felt like there were too many people working there. It was distracting! Perhaps it was because we were sitting in a high traffic area, but I felt like there was someone at our table every 4 minutes and there were groups of staff standing about.
(4)J p.
O boy, this is a tricky one. Overall it is in fact A-OK. Food GENERALLY good, delicious propriety sauces, nice selection of drinks and good service. The portions are pretty large and I normally get then to share. So... what happened on my last visit was... (and the reason for 2 stars) I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken. Watching the wait staff carry this golden coloured delicious looking entree convinced me it was the right choice. True to sight it arrived at my table and I was ready to attack. Alas, a bleeding chicken drumstick appeared once I cut in. Yes, the pleasant sight of RED dribbling through. Off course, there went my appetite and any desire to eat buttermilk fried chicken. Being seated at the bar on this occasion, the bar tender promptly took the meal back once notified. Feeling bad, they gave me a free drink which was appreciated BUT didn't wipe the memory of the bleeding chicken. A replacement arrived and too be honest I can't say it was enjoyable mostly because of the joyous experience above. It was mostly wasted and I promptly paid and departed, thus far never to return. Thankfully the place is well lit. So, give it a shot if you around the area but EAT carefully and INSPECT diligently. There are other spots ahead of this venue I will visit and off course I need to work on erasing the bad memory... ;-)
(2)Tom F.
Pork Belly & Biscuits! That's all you really need to know. The Pork Belly is so good that even my Kosher and Muslim friends give in to temptation. The biscuits: amazing. Need more? Check out Forbes' writeup: forbes.com/sites/larryol… But this quick review sells this place short. Go here and sample the menu.
(5)Noel F.
I really wanted to like this place. I live in the neighborhood and have been there a few times. It's almost impossible to find good barbeque in Boston, so I was excited to try this place, but I always leave feeling disappointed. The ribs just taste like bland ham. The burnt ends are flavorless apart from being smothered in black pepper. I always have to put so much sauce on everything to get flavor out of the meat. And it's a shame because the meat itself is very high quality. It might just be that this very dry, smoked type of barbeque is classic Texas, but having never been to Texas, I can't be sure. I kind of expect my barbeque to be a slightly fatty very flavorful pork experience, but I've never had that here. The sides are pretty good, (except for the Mac n Cheese which is nasty, like knockoff Stouffers). The best things there are the cocktails and the biscuits. In fact, the biscuits are the main reason I've come back so many times in spit of kind of disliking my entrees. Best biscuits in Boston. But I simply can't spend $80 on dinner for two and leave feeling sad and hungry because the meat tasted like a dry roasted ham.
(2)Michael D.
I love this place. Great flavor profiles. Whoever manages her pit really knows how to get great flavor. Side dishes are amazing. You absolutely must try her biscuit. Nothing fancy, she just coaxes the best flavor from the ingredients and serves them with maple butter. Salt and pepper potatoes are awesome with some vinegar sauce. Broccoli cheese casserole indulgent. Like her sauces.
(5)Robby T.
We'd been curious about trying this place out for a while now and went with some friends last night. Decided to post up at the Citizen's PH bar for a while to wait out the 1.5-2 hour wait that we're told is normally the case on a weekend evening around 6:30-7. Not much change in the former layout of Cambridge 1, which was in this space before. Smelled fantastic. Loud, lit, casual atmosphere....fine....but there was blaring rap music throughout our entire dinner which was just confusing. Sat down and met our waiter who was a bit brash and not very willing to help, and just pretty bad at checking back on us. Didn't really know much of anything about the beers on tap nor did he inform us of the specials, etc (the guy filling up our waters later took care of this later). I can't get past the pricing. As a Redbones regular and general BBQ connoisseur, I dont get what Sweet Cheeks is trying to pull here. 7 dollars for 5 hush puppies? 10 dollars for 4 biscuits (which they were out of)? The BBQ itself is quite pricey in my opinion as well. Local beers are 6 bucks, a bit steep even for Boston. We all got different "trays," which run from 16-20ish dollars a piece and come with a good amount of food. The quality of our dinners was quite variable- my brisket cut was small and 50% fat, my friend next to me also had the brisket which was a much bigger and delicious looking cut. The pulled chicken, while salty, was absolutely delicious though. My favorite part of the meal was actually the sides- the brussels sprout salad was great, as was the mac n' cheese. I don't think we will be back. The waits, pricing, and overall experience just didn't impress me too much. Too much hype here- likely from the TV rep of the chef owner. However, if you've got some dough to spend and want the only decent bbq in the Fenway- check it out. I will save my pulled pork cravings for RB's and Highland.
(2)Anastasia R.
Things I liked: 1.) The high-top, communal seating tables 2.) The service: Prompt, friendly and the servers have had the food so they know what they are talking about. 3.) BEERS 4.) The sides were really good too. Things I didn't like: 1.) The prices: Clearly gouging for not so effing special. 2.) Slapping food on a cafeteria tray to be ironic only works if the food is better than mediocre. 3.) Get yourself together in the kitchen. Your slow cooked meets left my intestines in a thoroughly unpleasant state. And I wasn't the only one at the party who left in a hurry.
(2)Matthew Z.
Tasty food with a nice vibe and an eclectic beer selection. Went here for lunch on a weekday and sat at the bar. The bartender was friendly and informal, always present without being intrusive. At several points we asked for recommendations on beer and food and she was informed and helpful. I like the southern comfort food angle. The menu is simple, which I like, but others might find limited. Got pulled pork sandwich with greens and black eyed pees, came in those stoneware camping cups. My friend got a "lunch lady tray" which is essentially an assortment of sides and he was unable to finish. All in all it was nice comfort food served with a friendly attitude. Prices are a little high for a cheap lunch, but you get what you pay for. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Marisa B.
Maybe I'm not used to Texas BBQ (as I am a Carolina girl). The pulled pork left me wanting. The biscuits and honey butter were DYNAMITE. The location is great and there is ample outdoor seating.
(3)Tammy T.
My first time going to Sweet Cheeks last night and tried their Monday night ramen. I would've given it a 1 star, but knowing that it isn't a ramen joint that I should be more giving. The ramen is prob the worse I've had... I should've stayed home and eaten my instant ramen instead. The tonkotsu broth didn't taste like tonkotsu because it is usually milky colored. I asked for mine to be spicy and they ended up using the korean bulgogi sauce for that. Umm first of all, that sauce isn't even spicy to begin with!! It has a lot of sodium which made my broth EXTRA salty!!! Then the noodles weren't even ramen noodles. I think they used tonkotsu noodles, which I've never had before. It reminded me of angel hair pasta or wonton noodles. They were soggy and soft which was a horrible texture in noodle soups. The pork was ok, and the only good thing in the bowl was the egg. It was a soft boiled egg and was perfect once i cracked it open. The service was beyond slow.. it took us more than 30 mins to get our noodles once we placed the order. I thought it was ramen night and expected the ramen to come out a lot faster than it did. I think other people who sat after us got their ramen before us too! I will prob come back for their bbq food but will never recommend anyone for their ramen unless they change their recipes.
(2)Nicole W.
This place has a great vibe. There are cute little dollar toy/tattoo machines in the mens and women's restrooms and they have picnic style seating. The tradeoff is that the food is a bit more expensive than the average BBQ place, but it's not too crazy. You can even make different combos if you're the type that likes to have a variety of foods on your plate. The sauces: I thought they were all really good, but I've had friends who hated the sauces and much preferred the Redbones variety of BBQ. BBQ is a very personal thing. I liked it enough to come back and I prefer the ambience to Redbones, but it's not my absolute favorite for BBQ. That being said, it may be just the thing for somebody else!
(3)Elizabeth K.
We're obsessed with trying to find good BBQ up North (we even had another BBQ place cater our wedding reception - I know, we're uber classy) so we were excited to try Sweet Cheeks (we're also die hard Top Chef fans). Sadly it was not all we had dreamed. The atmosphere is cool. The mixed drinks had some great variety and were really tasty (there were 3 of us drinking and all our cocktails were great). However, the food, was not as good. The hush puppies were super dry and had zero flavor. The brisket was also super, super dry (like they sliced it hours before and left it under heat lamps all day...not dry in the delicious dry-rubbed but still juicy meat sort of way). My pulled pork was good, but definitely not even close to the best I've ever had and the pork belly was also good, not great. The mac & cheese, broccoli & cheese, and cold sides (farmhouse salad, potato salad, cole slaw) were all pretty delicious though, however, the sides alone can't really make up for the main event! Unfortunately, even though I like the atmosphere of this place, there are actually tastier, cheaper BBQ options in Boston (which isn't saying much).
(3)Susan C.
Sweet Cheeks was opened up by former Top Chef contestant Tiffani Faison a few months ago. I'm a huge fan of the show and have been waiting for the hype to die down a little to try it out. I finally got to about a week ago. Came here for lunch on a weekend and the place was full, but the wait wasn't too bad, maybe about 5 min. Ordered a rib to try and the great northern brisket with a side of potato salad. I must say, for a BBQ joint, this place is a little on a pricier side, but I guess it's partly due to the location and partly due to their choice of meat. Quality is definitely not an issue here in terms of meat. The rib (you can order them individually or by the rack) I tried was incredibly tender and flavorful and the meat melted in my mouth. It had great smoky flavor and I would say some of the best pork rib meat I have ever eaten. Ditto on the brisket meat. Just great smokiness and excellent meat quality. I saw some Yelpers had complained that the meat here was overly salty, and that scared me a little bit, but after trying the meat here, I wonder if those people just mistook the smokiness of the meat for saltiness. The flavor of the meat itself here was definitely different from other BBQ places in the Boston area, for example Redbones, Blue Ribbon, or SoulFire, and the quality of the meat here definitely exceeds the cuts used by other local BBQ restaurants. As for Sweet Cheeks' sauce, it was okay but did not really shine for me. I think I prefer Blue Ribbon's Sauces. I do like how they serve their meats on Texas Toast though, but you really can't go wrong with a crisp piece of buttered white bread. Also, I'm a potato salad lover, but the potato salad here was very disappointing. It was just bland. I'm not sure if maybe they forgot to season it. Overall, I'd be back because the meat is just awesome. Thinking about those big juicy tender cuts right now is making me salivate.
(4)Aaron M.
Really great food with just as great service. Sweet Cheeks combines great food with a fantastic atmosphere. I have gone here on numerous occasion and every time its the same great service and food.
(5)H. G.
Let me say, first, that I quite enjoyed reading the chef's spat with Apanduh B. below. I actually think it's great that a chef can come on here and say "bitch, you don't know what you're talking about." Hopefully I don't get the same treatment though... I'll start with the sides. Thank you, Tiffani, for teaching me that I like brussels sprouts. The farm salad with arugula, roasted brussels sprouts, farro, halved grapes, and pecorino romano was the best salad I've had in quite a while. Same with the mac and cheese, which was silky and delicious. I do wish it was served on something flatter, so that you could get more of the crunchy bread crumb topping. I probably wouldn't bother with the biscuits with honey butter next time. As for the mains, I tried both the pulled pork and the half chicken. I thought the pork was a little dry and fatty (though the sauces were fantastic), and the chicken didn't have enough flavor. One other thing. Because I got the tray of pulled pork, it came with something that was essentially white wonder bread. I'm torn. I know that it's traditional, but it sucks to make a sandwich out of that bread, especially if it's not at least toasted. What's annoying is that if you order a sandwich, you are offered either a bulky roll or hot griddled texas toast. So, in summary, next time I'd order a sandwich (not a tray) and a few sides.
(3)Roscoe R.
Sweet Cheeks isn't high on my list of local BBQ places, based upon the "quality of food to price" ratio. I got the Big Cheeks (3-meat) platter, which comes with 2 sides and no cornbread (they give 2 slices of white bread instead -- arguably traditional, though cheap). I had no beverage -- just water. Cost for JUST this one plate of food, with nothing else, was $27.50 BEFORE tax & tip! [Big Cheeks platter is normally $26 with 1 hot + 1 cold side, but they upcharge you $1.50 to get 2 hot sides instead of 1 hot + 1 cold -- pretty classy .... NOT!] My 3 meats were ribs, pulled pork, and brisket. They gave me 4 TINY ribs, which were definitely tasty, with a nice, smoky flavor. They were cooked well, too -- neither overdone nor underdone. The brisket was dry and unremarkable, and the top of it was super salty to the point of being inedible. [Note: the top layer is about 1" of pure fat, which is normal. I don't eat that -- I think it's gross -- but I have friends who do.] The pulled pork was the best meat of the bunch. Add some North Carolina (vinegar-based) sauce to the pulled pork, put it between the 2 white bread slices they give you, add the pickle & onion garnish that's on your plate, and you end up with a tasty sandwich! My 2 hot sides were mac & cheese and baked beans. Portions were generous (they're served in small coffee cups). The mac & cheese was REALLY good! It was almost as good as Soul Fire's mac & cheese. The baked beans, however, were unquestionably the WORST baked beans I've ever had at any bbq place. They were devoid of flavor and so wrong in so many other ways, too -- hard to believe they'd serve these beasties to the public. Avoid them! Service was fine -- pretty much as expected -- though I was there when they weren't crowded and there were plenty of open tables. So, to summarize, the pulled pork and the mac & cheese were my "high points" (if you can call them that, at these prices). As far as local (Boston/Cambridge/Somerville) BBQ places go, I prefer either Blue Ribbon (even though they've gotten worse in the last few years) and Soul Fire (consistently pretty good, for New England!) to Sweet Cheeks. Redbones used to be at the bottom of my list, but I think I'd even go to Redbones over Sweet Cheeks at this point. I know Sweet Cheeks is pretty new. Hopefully, in time, their prices will go down and their quality will improve. I'd try it again if that happens. I just can't believe I paid $34 ($27.50 plus tax and tip) for just the one plate of so-so food described above (with no cornbread, no beverage, and no dessert, but did include a $1.50 upcharge to substitute a hot side for a cold side)!
(2)Brady B.
It's about Goddamn time! What I mean by that opening statement is it's about Goddamn time that we got some GOOD BBQ in the city! I amongst many others have bitched about no BBQ in Boston...until now. Tiffani from Top Chef, who I just love has answered our prayers and opened up a kick-ass BBQ joint right in the Fenway! What's better is that it is Texas themed and it just so happened that I dined here w/ two friends of mine who are born Texans! Needless to say, they both gave Sweet Cheeks the nod. Now where do I start on the food? Between five of us we ordered up a little bit of everything....and little bit does NOT mean the portion sizes. We all went w/ our friend Mary Jane's selection of what to order...she's never wrong ;) First of all, the I-just-died-and-went-to-heavenly biscuits are HUGE!!! They serve them in large cans which was a cool touch. We shared everything from pork belly, pulled pork, brisket, ribs to mac and cheese, fried okra, hush puppies and dreamy cole slaw. Honestly, I can't say that there was one thing that any of us didn't love...it was all that delicious! The sauces are to die for as well! We did get to see Tiffani in the kitchen taking charge of the staff. They all seemed to be into it 100% which is great. Our server was a sweetheart that was knowledgeable and very attentive. Now to address some of the way too many negative Yelpers out there: for those of you crying that it's so expensive...is it really? Think about it, you're getting top quality BBQ in Boston. The portions are large and to the "down south this would be half the price" folks. You are absolutely right, but those down south joints probably pay a fraction of the rent that Tiffani and co. are paying for EXPENSIVE Boston real estate. Wake up folks. I don't live near the Fenway but you can bet your sweet asses I will be eating here regularly :)
(5)David A.
"sigh". Cool concept. Funky settings, felt like I was transported back to a Mississippi shed BBQ place. Food came on a disjointed tray which kept that impression going... Then the first bite... awwww. so close. Yes, this was tasty. Sauces on the table made for good dressings, and the meat itself along with the sides were quite tasty, but it wasn't the home run i had hoped for. Worth a trip if you're in the area, but don't expect world class BBQ.
(3)Dave G.
Look no further for BBQ - This is the BEST BBQ I've ever had in Boston. My wife being a Southerner, is addicted to their collard greens and black eyed peas. Their brisket is off the hook. Make sure to order the potatoes and/or biscuits with your meal. They also know how to mix a good cocktail. Definitely NOT a paper towel BBQ joint, they nailed the atmosphere perfectly and the place was packed on a frigid Tuesday night.
(4)Drew L.
Best BBQ in Boston! Food and drink were so good. Can't go wrong with really anything on the menu. I would have given 5 stars if it were a little better priced. But will definitely be back.
(4)Noelle F.
Came here for the first time last night, valentine's day, with a couple of friends. I must say, I'm surpised by the number of complaints this place has on Yelp. I got the pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese, and cole slaw. For those that are saying that the pulled pork is dry...are you not putting bbq sauce on it?! It was DELICIOUS (very smokey flavor), as was the mac and cheese. The cole slaw was not my favorite, so I'll probably get a different side next time. I read the reviews before coming here, and was worried about the portion sizes.. let me just say that for $11, the pulled pork sandwich was huge. I just had my leftover mac and cheese and a biscuit (OMG...get the biscuits...so good) and I still have half of my pulled pork left. I'm excited to go back and try out a few other menu items!
(4)Howe L.
(+): atmosphere, beer and drink selection was pretty unique (-): music (what's with all the high school prom grinding on the wall music?!), food (dry brisket, ribs were not fall off the bone, white bread?!, okay sauces)
(3)Anne S.
The food was okay, pricey and not wonderful. I really like bbq and this place just didn't really do it for me. The food could have gotten 3/4 stars stand alone, but the service was terrible. Hush Puppies were pretty dry, the ribs were not great and the brisket was pretty fatty. Everything else we got (baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, pulled pork) was worth paying for. But the service... The service was probably a 1 star. After saying that the wait would be about 45 minutes and getting seated 1.5 hours later, we were not in the best mood. Understanding that it was a Saturday night and the wait would probably be long, we prepared for an hour wait and made our way to the bar. But watching how unorganized the 4 people working at the front desk (why not have some of them bussing tables? or doing anything productive???) were and how rude they were when asked what type of wait we were looking at was really off putting. I also watched parties of 4 who got there after us get seated prior to our party of two and it just didn't make sense. It also does not make sense to have two to three tables just sitting there empty while your hostesses seem to just sit bewildered about how to run the front of the house. That being said, our waitress was fairly quick and quite nice. This place would be alright (just alright) if they changed and organized their seating/ hostess situation. .. probably won't come back.
(2)Destiny P.
The service was fine but the food is a poor representation of southern food. I was disappointed. The food was seasoned poorly leaving everything bland. I can with a group of people hoping to be very satisfied and left a lot of food untouched. We ordered a range of things for the table to eat family style and portions allowed for that to happen but the food was not good.
(1)Curtis M.
HOLY MOTHER OF BBQ, due to the fact that I'm a distiller. 99% of the time I'm unhappy with the whiskey at any bbq joint. NOT YOURS MOONSHINE!!! The food blows my mind. Mac and Chesse was mind blowing. I love you, NEVER go away!
(5)Jackie L.
I have been wanting to try this place for months because I love BBQ and I love Top Chef! I was generally underwhelmed by my experience at Sweet Cheeks Q - in fact, I've been procrastinating writing this review because I have nothing truly exciting to say, good or bad. Here's the deal. My husband and I came here for a late lunch before a 4:00 PM Red Sox game. We were hoping to eat outside and - yes! there was a table available for us outside! However, the hostess asked if we didn't mind sitting in the sun because they were expecting a ton more people to arrive who had reservations. No problem, I mean, I felt a bit second class because we didn't have a reservation, but I get it. The awkward part - the "tons more people" never showed. While we were seated promptly, we waited what seemed like forever for a server to greet us and take our drink order. Finally, she arrived and took our beer and lunch orders. Unfortunately, when she came back with our drinks, my husband's was the wrong size so that required a re-do. Its impossible to eat light at this place, but I expected that going in. My husband and I both ordered "plates" at $20 a piece, which come with meat, a hot side, and a cold side. I ordered the pulled pork, mac and cheese, and farm salad. The food was okay - I think I may have hyped it up too much in my mind. Pulled pork was good and the table had several yummy BBQ sauces for the tasting. Mac and cheese was a bit Kraft-like, but still good. The farm salad was one of the more interesting things I had, with brussel sprouts, farro, and grapes mixed in with the greens. My husband had brisket, potato salad, and beans - brisket okay, potato salad not that great, beans good with real chunks of bacon. Wait for the check was a bit long too, and the bill was pricier than I would have liked. It seems that Boston just hasn't figured out BBQ yet. The next time I have a craving I may be back (though they are supposedly opening a Red Bones in my neighborhood, which may draw me in), just because there isn't really anywhere else to go. Guess I was just hoping for more.
(3)Bret C.
UPDATE: Sweet Cheeks now officially has THE coolest restaurant sign in the greater Boston area. It looks like Vegas and I dig it. Those white lights are seriously amazing. I think I've learned why the prices here are so high...That sign must have cost a fortune!
(2)P D.
My boyfriend and I decided to try out this place since we were pretty hungry after watching a movie. The waitress was great at explaining everything since this was our first time here. We needed several minutes because we weren't sure which type of meat we wanted. Brisket, chicken, pulled pork... All sounded awesome while on an empty stomach. We needed up getting pulled pork. My boyfriend got the tray and I got the sandwich. Which was basically the same thing, just that the sandwich was already put together for me. And the bread was toasted. Food came out faster than I thought it would and we began to stuff our faces! The food was delicious and just what we needed! The baked beans were really good! I enjoyed the bold & slight spiciness to them compared to the sweet style of baked beans. Next time we go, we think we're going to go with a 3 Meats Tray and just share it. We couldn't finish our regular trays.
(4)Tom M.
Why in the world is Barbeque so much money? Barbeque isn't intended to be so expensive nor be served in a place this chic. If it wasn't for their price point and the feeling like I was at a yuppie bar this place would be 5 stars. The brisket rocked! I got it with two sides one warm one cold (mac n' cheese and potato salad. Both of those sides especially the potato salad are to rave about. The brisket itself was smoked, nice crispy outside, juicy inside. It honestly didn't need any dressing up. The mac n' cheese had a crispy exterior and the goo we all love once you dive in deep. The potato salad really blew me away, it's not every day you hear someone say the potato salad blew me away. It had bacon on it! I could go to village smoke house and get a similar setup for about 10 bucks less. Was it outstanding and better than Village Smoke House? Yes, but it didn't blow the other away by 10 bucks. I loved the interesting drinks. They have a good thing going on. I will probably try it again but only on a special occasion.
(4)Jason H.
Great barbeque located in the city, and a fun place to have a drink. I've tried a bunch of BBQ places in and around the Boston area, and I have to say this is definitely one of, if not the best overall. I'm no expert, but the meats seem to be well-smoked and they allow you to add as much, or as little sauce as you like. There are 3 to choose from, all are very good. Their pulled pork is pretty amazing, the baked beans are insane and the biscuits are downright addicting. Beer selection is impressive, although the styles could be more varied. Atmosphere is lively, tables are spread out well enough and the mason jar drinking glasses are pretty cool.
(4)Carrie P.
Amazing service and we werte 30 min late for our reservation. We called and let them know and they held our table. They were super busy since it was a game day but the food was awesome!!!!!! I had the pulled pork sandwich and a HUGE glass of sweet tea. We will be eating here before our next Red Sox game for sure!!!!!!!
(4)Michael Z.
Atmosphere wise, Sweet Cheeks reminded me of a small version of Texas Roadhouse, although the cuisine here would be more authentic in regards to what they eat in the South. Everything about this place screams South. If your in the mood for steak I dont recommend coming here because you wont find any on the menu. Overall, i give the food a 3.5, I give the prices a 3, and the service a 3. The menu is a bit confusing at first glance but once you look it over a few times you kind of understand the ordering process. This place is redbones esk, with less of a selection food wise. As for the food, we ordered pork ribs, pork belly, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and brisket. All of those come with 1 cold or 1 hot side. The meat was extremely flavorful and soft. It has a very smokey flavor and is served without being smothered in sauce, something that I often prefer. We ordered biscuits as an appetizer as well, which were absolutely amazing if you are in the mood for a heart attack that night. The sweet butter that they bring with those biscuits is literally the icing to the cake. The only problem with the biscuits is that 2 will feed a family of 4, and they give you 4 total.. I was literally full before our food came out because i ate half a biscuit, and these things are massive. Prices are a bit steep. If your going there for the first time and want to try some of their food out, expect to pay somewhere in the upper 70's to mid 80's. Our bill was around $80 because we ordered a few drinks before we were seated. Overall, I gave this place a 3 and would not go back unless I was starving or craving some really southern cuisine. Sweet Cheeks you are A-OK!
(3)Jessica G.
Oh Sweet Cheeks, you make me so happy. I love bbq a lot and was disappointed in my options when moving to the east coast. Yes, Red Bones is awesome, but across the river and so far away from me. Then, like magic, Sweet Cheeks opened and my cries for good bbq were answered. The biscuits alone make the trip worth it, but add in amazing sides, great meat and a stellar bar menu and I am leaving in a food coma. My one gripe is the wait on most nights...be prepared to sit at the bar as tables open up.
(4)Ms M.
This place was awful. 1st - The service was horrible. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was NOT busy. It took us more than 20 minutes before we were greeted by our server and able to order (after being seated). Once the food was out, which took another 30 minutes, we asked for a refill on drinks and for them to fix one the orders which they messed up. After waiting another 20 minutes, we gave up. She never came back to give us our check, and I had to get it from the hostess. Over all we were there for almost 2 hours, which is ridiculous. 2nd- The food was not very good at all. I am from Georgia so I am pretty particular about BBQ. I ordered the pull-pork and it was very, very, vinegar-y. The Mac and Cheese was the only think I ate, and I threw the rest of it away.
(1)Callan C.
Tasty BBQ near Fenway. The biscuits are huge and delicious and the honey butter is awesome. They really get in the way of eating all the rest of your food. Beyond good food the vibe is also nice, with lots of wood and trendy rustic touches such as mason jars for drinks, exposed light bulbs and coffee cans for silverware. Why not more than three stars? Primarily because it is highly overpriced. A pulled pork sandwich alone (with no sides) will set you back $12. A bucket of 4 biscuits is $10 (they are big, but comeon!). The sides add a substantial premium to the bill. I was also kind of turned off by the bread on my pulled pork sandwich. It had way too much butter on it, to the point where it was oily and soggy rather than crisply seasoned.
(3)Tommy W.
Ok so here's the deal: 1. medicore bbq - pulled pork is delicious but other items are better are blue ribbon bbq 2. delicious sides - broccoli casserole is to die for...biscuits are also delicious 3. great drink menu - nice selection what makes this place so god awful is that their host does not take reservations, nor call aheads. I've gone in three times and somehow only ate once here. Two of the times there was at least a 1.5-2 hour wait. Seriously!! On the second time, i called the day ahead of time. No reservations for parties of less than 8. Then, you show up, the place has tables available but it's still a 2 hour wait. I ask the host if they do called ahead, she says no...yet, there's few people waiting around the host stand. I'm left wondering where are all of these people for a 2 hour wait if you do not accept reservations. It's seriously the service that leaves much to be desired for...I wish Tiffani would just take reservations or figure out a better system!
(2)S T.
I was eagerly looking forward to coming here. I'm shocked this is BBQ? Bland and mediocre food. My expectations are very high, since he competed on Top Chef. I order the...I think it's called Sweet Cheeks tray where you had a choice of two meats and one choice of hot and one choice of cold sides...the price $24. There isn't a lot... My choice: Pork belly, pulled pork, Collard greens, and potato salad. Pulled pork - loved the pulled pork but still only good thing on the main platter. Pork belly - good to gnaw on NOT delicious...you get an inch of fat which some folks eat...I did! Think that was the only flavorful thing on this . The meat didn't have any taste to it. I didn't think it was possible to dine at a restaurant that serves tasteless BBQ. Potato Salad - Potato too big, very bland, no flavor, no seasoning, even with the what looks to be bacon bits the salad was tangy and sour, super sour! Super market potato salad is way better than this. Collard greens - Again, extremely sour...EXTREMELY! The sauces - the red sauce was decent but the flavor doesn't stick to your ribs...so easily forgettable. Not a fan of the vinegar base sauce. The pickles and onions....oh and the two pieces of white bread. BEST PART of my meal. This place isn't worth it. Bland meats and sauces....you could get this at your backyard BBQ during fourth of July. That's how amateur I found the food is. A big disappointment. I don't recommend coming here on a Friday...that is not a best night to go. This place gets full fast and seating is whoever has the biggest group gets a seat first. I will not come back to this place... SUMMARY: - Super sour side dishes. - Dry and bland meat. - Tasteless sauces.
(2)Marco P.
Pretty good food. Great waiter. Horrendous hostesses.
(3)Joe E.
Ribs were awesome. had collard greens which could be a meal in themselves, and the farm salad was great. staff was friendly.
(5)Blair H.
Forget calling home. Go home and slap your mother for not making food like this. Granted, my mother is Japanese, so she is exempt from performing in the Southern Food category. Okra. Nature's snot-rocket fried to perfection. Not greasy in the slightest. Not doughy and battery like Chris Brown. Throw on some of that North Carolina vinegar sawce and throw back an Abita. Opted for the brisket and pork-ribs. Damn you for 86ing the pork belly. Most people would concentrated on picking apart the authenticity of the meat. My gramma made em different! Shut up. Frankly, my attention went straight to the side-items. Broccoli cheddar casserole, mac n' cheese, carrot and raisin salad, and cole slaw. All of them were surprisingly delicious, particularly because they always seem to be an afterthought to restaurants. You know, when that perfect steak comes with an wrinkly old man of a baked potato or when that sushi comes with a neon green seaweed salad? Can I get an AMEN?! Oops, we're still in Massachusetts. Why only five stars? I thought it was a little on the expensive side. Southern food to me is cheap. Served in Styrofoam containers with a plastic cup full of Kool-Aid. Oh YEAH! But seriously, that's the worst I could come up with...
(4)Kate B.
Pros: One word- BISCUITS. Get them!!! They only make so many each day and they DO run out! Good vibe/atmosphere/decor Rest of the food is pretty darn tasty Cons: Wait staff is a little.. What's the word.. Ditzy? The first couple of times it was okay because I figured, oh, they just opened.. But I went recently and they're STILL like that. Not the kind of service that encourages great tips.
(3)j n.
Well three times I have tried to go to to sweet cheeks and only once have I been. Let me say that the barbeque is good and the service at the bar was great. But the one star is coming from the fact that only once of the three times I've gone has this restaurant at their posted open times have they actually been open. Once they were randomly closed for a private event and today they were closed because they haven't started serving lunch yet. My advice is don't post yourself as being open if you are not open. Big pain in the ass.
(1)Chris M.
i got pulled chicken and not in the dirty way. I thought this place was different. It seemed well thought out and executed without feeling 'chainy' The place has a vibe and style fitting a BBQ place. Where redbones comes off country (with the chairs and then the odd paintings downstairs), this place comes off polished with lots of farm-equipment-esque furnishings. The downside, is all this posh comes at a price seen in the prices of the food. Its BBQ, it's on the pricier side. It is extremely delicious but at 10bucks for just a pulled chicken sandwich ... i didn't really want to add on any scoops. But the chicken, was amazing, moist, flavorful, and just perfectly pulled. I don't even like dark meat, but this mixture of light and dark was just too good to let weird food phobias stop me. For someone who likes meat, this is a place to go. I'm not really into the sides i like fries w/ my chicken. Their lack of off bone -white meat only menu items leaves me thinking i'll just go next door to longhorns for some chainy chicken breast.
(3)Jeff M.
Sweet Cheeks is really good. I am not sure why there are so many unfavorable reviews. You should not walk into Sweet Cheeks expecting an authentic Southern BBQ experience, this is after all Boston. The BBQ here is a more refined version than what you can find in the South or any of the joints scattered around the greater Boston area. Pork and brisket were both perfectly moist. No complaints on sides of slaw, greens and beans. But, the mac and cheese reminded me of the boxed kind you buy at supermarket. The biscuits are HUGE and delicious. For me Sweet Cheeks is a better version of BBQ than what else is offered in town. This may be my new pre/post - Fenway meal.
(4)scott w.
Went to Sweet Cheeks with the fiance to do some business in the city. Well worth the trip on a Saturday afternoon. Grabbed a quick parking spot a block away. Walked in and sat down. Was moderately busy. Server came over and was very friendly and excited to recommend items. Got a glass of Apple cider moonshine which was awesome. (got a 2nd one as lunch went on). Got some fried green tomatoes to start. Tomatoes aren't really my thing, but I tried them and they were crispy and tasty. The dipping sauce that came with them really added to the food. Pork ribs and pork bellies were next. Outstanding. I wanted to save room for my entree so we took most of these home. (my dog stared at me while I devoured these the next day, desperately hoping I dropped something.) They were even good the next day. For the main course, I got a pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese as a side dish. A huge sandwich on texas toast, to which I applied some of their made in house sauces to. It was awesome, and some of the tastiest pulled pork I've had in a while. To go, because I was stuffed, I got the giant nutter butter. I love peanut butter and this thing totally delivered. Can't wait for my next trip into the city for some great BBQ by Fenway.
(5)Shea H.
This place is amazing! The biscuits are to die for; you just need to run 5 miles afterwards to burn it off. I wish they sold their signiture BBQ sauce; SO GOOD!!!
(4)Graceypoo M.
The belly was heavenly, the sweet tea + corn whiskey drink was awesome, and eye candy delightful! I love the wood panelling and picnic tables. They allow seating at the bar, which what my friends and I ended up doing. It helped that one of the bartenders is amazingly beautiful, which enhanced my perception of the ambiance. Too bad he wasn't the one helping us, but the one who did was cool too. The good: I ordered the two-item tray and got the pork belly and brisket. The belly was just..... WOW... I would definitely just get this by itself next time I come here. The belly is probably what's making me give this place 4 stars instead of the average 3. It is perfectly seasoned which did not overpower the natural sweetness of the meat. The coleslaw, shaved pickled onions, and pickles were delicious--provided some acidity and texture that are perfect accompaniment for the barbecue. Their house barbecue sauce is very tasty. I liked their North Carolina vinegar and hot sauce as well. The so so: The brisket was good, but it wasn't as moist as I hoped for. I used some of the heirloom baked beans (so flavorful) to moisten the brisket when I scooped that up with one of the white bread slices they offered with the trays. My friend got the pulled chicken, which was a bit salty and dry. Next time I'm going to try their mojito and a bottle of Lone Star..... as a side to my tray of pork belly. Get there right when it opens since the place fills up fast! =8)
(4)Connie C.
Tiffani Faison was on "Top Chef." There is so much hype about her new restaurant. She did well in Top Chef-and I don't doubt that her accolades on the show were well deserved. I also saw a youtube video with her. I have read at least 2 articles where she was mentioned. Given Boston's limited choices on Southern-style BBQ-I was really excited to try the restaurant. I think the concept is great, and Ms. Faison's reputation precedes her. However, the value of the meal that I received is questionable. I honestly think it costs about $3-$4.00 to make my meal given the portions & what was included. Yet the tray costs $24.00 before tax and tip. If you get full, I think it's from side dishes and condiments/filler food. Each tray comes with a hot & cold side dish, 2 pieces of white bread, and pickles/onions. That's what I think fills you up-not the actual meat. The portion of meat is simply too small for the tray I received. I have been to Texas. Portions in Texas are huge. So I felt like I was paying for a lot of overhead, a huge staff, and the hype around a celebrity chef. I am not trying to put Ms. Faison down-I don't doubt her culinary talent, or her hard work. But the portions did not justify the price. The mac and cheese was very good. It's well seasoned and comes in a mug. I love mac and cheese-so that was a highlight. However, mac and cheese (especially at the size of a mug) doesn't cost much. The small portion of pickles & onions also costs very little. Then there's the bread. You get generous portions of rolls/bread in many restaurants for free. For the price of the tray-I was expecting more. You get two pieces of white bread-bread that looks like it came straight out of a Wonder Bread package. It's not corn bread. It just looked like someone pulled out 2 slices of white wonder bread and then put it on the tray. I liked the brisket. But there's too little meat. The sauces are good-but I don't want to pay $24.00 before tax and tip for side dishes and filler food, with small portions of meat. I don't mind the utensils. I am not a fan of communal tables-but I understand that the restaurant is aiming for a down home feel. The decor is fine. There were a lot of waitstaff when we went. I think it's a great concept, but the value of the food is poor. If I didn't know a celebrity chef headed this restaurant-this is something I could make myself very easily. And I am not a good cook. But it's simply too expensive for the portion of meat you're getting. It's not a good deal. Disappointed. The atmosphere is fun, loud, and Ms. Faison is a star chef for the right reasons. But I don't think the prices are fair, and the portions are ludicrous. Oh and don't give me 2 slices of Wonderbread-put some effort. For these prices, give me something really fantastic or go down home comfort food with large portions. This meal failed on both counts.
(2)Jordan A.
Keep in mind I am reviewing this under 5 stars in its own context. As a southern girl, I can't say it's better than anything I have ever had, but it's far better than any BBQ I have had anywhere in the North East. That's pretty good right? Sorry, Red Bones, this place is putting you to shame. We ordered hush puppies and fried okra -- both legit and delicious. BRISKET OMG it was so good. PORK BELLY OMG it was so good. PULLED CHICKEN even that was really, really, really good. BROCCOLI CHEESE CASSEROLE -- you MUST order this. Their cole slaw was delicious, too. Yep, all around amazing. You don't need the sauces to make anything better or more juicy, but they are all delicious. The ghost pepper isn't just hot, it's very flavorful. Check this place out!
(5)Jackie L.
Tried Sweet Cheeks for the first time last night. The chicken was moist and extremely flavorful. The food was absolutely delicious--I was a bit unsure of the hot side dish options, since I have a gluten allergy and there weren't any potato-type options. I was pleasantly surprised with how great the black eyed peas were. I will definitely be returning!
(5)Marie R.
Been waiting for this one since the summer, snuck in to one of their practice nights. Place is just an all-around great time with fantastic BBQ. Loved the look, down home, rustic and really cozy. Ordered the Big Cheeks tray w/ the short rib - meat practically fell off the bone, super tasty, everything came on a tray with paper which I had never seen but was different and super cool. Had some fun slathering some of that meat up in the homemade BBQ sauce. Ordered some brisket for my tray too, amazing. Sides were just as good - broccoli cheese casserole, wow! Potato salad was just awesome creamy goodness! Ate all that for $24 - pretty sweet deal if you ask me. Boston needs this place, it's completely different from everything else around here and def heads and tails above other BBQ. Beer list is pretty extensive - found some of my favorite craft brews along with some new ones I'll be coming back very soon for. Cocktails were all about southern charm w/ a lot of goodness. Friend of mine ordered the Rocky Top something with appley moonshine stuff in it (can't remember the name), was perfect for a chilly fall night. Do not leave without that peanut butter cookie thing. Can't wait to make this my regular hang.
(5)Charmie S.
Well, shucky ducky, quack quack! This place is oinktastic. I had been looking forward to going here for a while, so today, on my birthday, I went for it. I was not disappointed. I started at the bar with a drink called rock top? All I know is I saw moonshine in the description, and I just had to try it. A win there. Then there was the hush puppies. Win #2. Then came the tray -- of pork ribs, brisket, mac n cheese, and farm salad. Win #3. Whoever is back their doing the marinading, seasoning of those meats, bless you!!!! I can't think of the superlative that truly fits the awesomeness of this food. And I can't even talk about the biscuits -- are they made for giants? because they are huge and delicious. I left sweet cheeks thoroughly satisfied. I'm going back very soon.
(5)Scott J.
Just like everyone else says, the brisket is tip-top, but I could easily go here and order nothing but biscuits and beer. Good lord, those biscuits are awesome. Otherwise, it's a little pricey for the amount of food on the plate.
(4)Stel B.
As the 2 star indicator says "Meh. I've experienced better" pretty much sums it up. Pluses: location, nice layout and comfy swivel stools, the ribs are fantastic, nice take on the cole slaw with larger pieces of cabbage, good cocktails although some are miniature in size, fortunately the Dollywood isn't (how could it be?), delicious mac n' cheese uniquely presented in a mug (comfort food just got more comfy), good sauces, and fun old school food on a tray. Minuses: Extremely loud and very poor sound insulation, small portion sizes for the price, the brisket is disappointingly and inedibly fatty (too bad since the flavor was right on), food is served with two misplaced pieces of plain white bread rather than cornbread, the fried green tomatoes had absolutely no flavor, and careful with ordering the cocktails--some of which are sized slightly larger than a shot.
(2)Jessica M.
I will say that, for the most part, the food was impressive for Boston BBQ. It does not stand ground against Texas BBQ and please don't expect it to or you will be disappointed. The BBQ sauces lack depth of flavor needed to be really good BBQ. That sounds much snobbier than I mean for it to be, sorry. The pork belly was amazing. Order this. It's incredibly delicious and almost makes the rest of the experience worth it. The brisket was mediocre and I would not order it again, the pulled pork was about average (nothing to write home about but better than most I've had up here), BBQ beans were lacking; however, the mac and cheese was awesome. Rumor has it that the collard greens were also good. I passed on anything remotely green as it is BBQ. All in all, the food would be four stars relative to my other Boston BBQ experiences (two compared to Texas). The reason why it's getting one star is for the absolutely terrible service and my overall annoyance with the experience. Oh, and the fact that they not only have Lone Star on the menu, but that it's $5 and the waiter recommended it! To my friend who specifically said she liked craft beer and didn't want anything like Budweiser or Miller Light. I was so incredibly shocked that I may have given the waiter a slight bit of education around how Lone Star is perceived in Texas (aka. it's the Milwaukee's Best of Texas...even below Narragansett). After that poor beer recommendation, she clarified that she wanted a craft, non-hoppy beer, to which he then recommended a hoppy beer. Finally, she gave up and settled on wine, which the waiter finally dropped off about two minutes before he came to wrap up our leftovers so we could go home. My other friend specifically mentioned his gluten allergy but wasn't told about the gluten in the BBQ sauce until after food had already been served and enough time had passed for him to eat some of it. They were good about replacing the food with a new order, but that was about it. All of our water glasses were empty and the two of us who did have alcoholic beverages were ready for another round half way through our meal but were never given the opportunity to order another one until the wine finally showed up. When the drinks came (including the long awaited water), it was after the waiter had already run the credit cards. It's super annoying to enjoy your food and beverages separately, especially when paying to eat somewhere where they should be served together. Once we got home, we discovered the waiter messed up our to-go containers, even though he specifically stated what was in each one when passing them out. Overall, disappointing. I would go back for the pork belly if it wasn't so overpriced and I didn't have to deal with the staff there again.
(1)Jonique S.
NO, no and no. I went here for my bday and I was so excited as I had driven past this tempting place on many occasions. The portions are just toooooo big. I really wish our waitress had warned us before we ordered 4 separate meals. Each menu item could easily be enough food for 2-3 people. Now, you may be wondering why I am complaining about MORE FOOD. The answer is simple: It was NOT good. Between the four of us, we sampled most of the menu and I don't think I liked a single item save for the biscuits and baked beans. The ribs that I ordered were fatty and bland. After going to this place, I considered vegitarianism. Then I went home, ate some bacon, and got over it. I see no point in returning to this place. I've never been turned off by food before.
(1)Rachel R.
Hey Sweet Cheeks, here's my Christmukkah wish list! Coleslaw Five golden biscuits COPIOUS amounts of honey butter Pony w/ silver saddle ALL OF THE PORK BELLY YOU HAVE (Ron Swanson style) Bottle of BBQ sauce xoxox, Rachel *Amendment: The wimpy pork ribs, dry brisket, and pot o' strangely textured broccoli casserole can sub for my lump of coal. The hit or miss-ness of each dish at Sweet Cheeks has me simultaneously intrigued and turned off, but the fact that I can't dabble without shelling out at least 20 bucks drops the overall feel to A-OK.
(3)Jordan W.
Had an amazing time here, the biscuits were perfect, the brisket was melt in your mouth tender with no over the top seasonings to take away from the natural smoked flavor. The beer and American whiskey list was also pretty impressive. The hush puppies didn't bring me back to my summers vacationing on the Outer Banks like I had hoped they would've but still not bad. After going to a lot of other BBQ places in Boston and being disappointed I found this place to be a breath of fresh air. Overall is a great place to satisfy your BBQ desire, bring your friends and your appetite!
(4)Sona C.
We are from North Carolina so love BBQ and were excited when Sweet Cheeks opened. We got there around 8pm on a Saturday night and it was crowded (good sign). They don't take reservations for groups less than 8 people. They told us it would be an hour weight and we decided to try out the bar. It actually ended up being a 45 minute wait overall. Drinks - we tried some sweet tea whiskey drink and a vodka gimlet. Both were so WEAK! We actually sent the vodka gimlet back because it was so terrible. The drinks look great on paper but weren't that wonderful. Staff - I actually loved the staff. They were sweet, nice, and although the service was slow, they weren't ignoring us. Food - EXPENSIVE. I am used to getting the same plate in North Carolina for 6 dollars, so spending 20+ dollars on BBQ is just silly. It's good, but not great. We ordered the pulled pork sandwich w/ the broccoli dish and slaw; my husband ordered beef brisket sandwich with mac & cheese and slaw. Mac and cheese is amazing. Broccoli dish is good but not amazing. It's just wrong to pay 10 dollars for 4 biscuits. Just plain wrong. Overall - We aren't planning on going again, but if you like BBQ, it's worth trying and you can make up your mind.
(3)Yolanda S.
I should have went by what I read... This place is NOT good. The best item was the salad and the worst was the sauce! Don't waste your time... the McRib is probably a lot better, though I have never tried it. I have a good feeling this place will not last too long. Not worth trying if you have had good BBQ such as Blue Ribbon or home cooked on the grill.
(1)Jenessa C.
Awesome brisket, pulled pork, & pork belly. Often places over cook the meat, but here the meat is just right. No matter what type of sauce you like they have you covered, as you select which type you'd like, spicy, vinegar-based, or just normal. Great fried green tomatoes, macaroni & cheese, broccoli casserole, & biscuits too. For those who like sweet tea they have it & its delicious! Cocktails are pretty nice here too. And for a nice atmospheric touch, the dishware is thematic as if you're camping. Just be warned, the portions are huge & you can easily get the 3 cuts of meat plate & split it between two. Every time I go here I have leftovers for another meal or two, so come hungry!
(4)Thuy L.
If you like bbq, you definitely need to check this place out. BBQ + Tiffani Faison from Top Chef = A+ Fancy and fine-dining, Sweet Cheeks is not. The bar area is a little small and definitely make reservations. I have no idea what others are talking about regarding portion sizes. We started off with the bucket of biscuits and the honey butter is YUM-MAZING. I could have licked that bucket clean. We also got hush puppies, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and the mac n' cheese. These were a little less exciting for me. The fried green tomatoes were a little bland--it maybe needed some nuts or something to top it off. The fried okra and hush puppies were a little too greasy for my taste. What I would order again is the sweet cheeks tray which comes with your choice of 2 meats for $24. I selected the pork belly and the brisket. After ordering, the waitress told me that they had just run out of pork belly. After noticing my disappointment and talking to the chefs in the back, they made more just for me. That is some service. The pork belly is absolutely mouth watering. There is a perfect fat to meat ratio and just the right amount of crispiness on the skin. I can't wait to go back for that piece of the piggy. The brisket on the other hand was a little underwhelming--there wasn't enough sauce or something...i couldn't quite put my finger on it. My husband had the bbq and that was excellent as well. We definitely did not leave hungry, we actually left with a whole meal for the next day.
(4)v y.
The BBQ here is legit. The meat is smokey and moist and is perfectly complemented by the sides available. I went with a couple friends and we decided to just order a little bit of everything. We started out with the fried okra and fried green tomatoes. I didn't love the tomatoes, but thats just because I don't really like tomatoes. The coating was crispy and the tomatoes were juicy. The fried okra was on point and will probably be a regular item I order there. I've also tried the hush puppies there (unimpressive and kind of dry) and the biscuits ( good biscuit but has nothing on the biscuit at island creek oyster bar down the street). Then came the main course. The brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken were all moist and delicious. But the real star for me were the ribs. The ribs have just enough fat and are perfectly smokey. The sides were pretty good as well. The Mac and cheese is good: it's creamy with a crunchy crumb topping. We also tried the collard greens and cole slaw which were decent.. So the down side- I'm not a fan of their sauces and I'm big on sauces. While none of the meat requires sauce, I just wish it were better because I really like sauce. Also, the wait here is always like 45-60 min. so be ready to wait. Overall, food is very good, service is good, and I like the atmosphere. Sorry Redbones you're no longer my go to BBQ place.
(4)Christopher C.
Coming from Texas, I do enjoy my BBQ and the southern style atmosphere of the restaurant. The BBQ and the sides are okay. I think they do need to work on their entries, pricing, and portions, but they sure do have their biscuits down with honey butter! The service was on the slow side. I had brisket that was mostly fat and overcooked until it was falling apart. There was no flavor really to the brisket. Also, I got mac and cheese which was mediocre-good, and broccoli and cheese which was good. I do like this place because of the atmosphere, but the food is okay!
(4)Lesley P.
Friendly service. A bit pricey . Glasses looked dirty but maybe they are just scratched up. The BBQ sauce was good which is very important. We had two pulled pork sandwiches, and a total of two sides: cole slaw and beans, one beer and an ice tea. With tip it was 50 bucks. Very middle of the road.
(3)Kyle S.
I wanted to like this place. I REALLY wanted to like this place, but sadly the food fell short. I ordered the burnt end sandwich on a roll with slaw and collard greens (my favorite). Although the meat was good (1 star) the slaw was more like underdressed cabbage stem. Personally, I like my collard greens with flavor, so the one's from Sweet Cheek's were not for me. I make mine with tons of vinegar, sugar, smokey bacon and onions, simmer them in an IPA - definitely recommend this method :) My friend ordered the pulled pork with potato salad and mac and cheese. The potato salad was worse than store bought with undercooked potatoes and not enough flavor. The mac and cheese was velveeta-like (I prefer mine baked in a custard like cheese with melty cheese on the top). I didn't try the pork. Drink wise, I appreciated the beer selection as well as the cocktail list (1 star). My friend ordered a habanero tequila cocktail that I can still taste on my lips. Although I don't personally love tequila drinks, I was pleased that the drink was strong and flavorful. The beer I tried on draft was good, but nothing to write home about. Overall, I was dissatisfied with Chef Tiffany Faison's decision to exclude flavor and, dare I say, love from her would-be awesome restaurant. From a Top Chef All Star I expect a lot more and sadly, she didn't live up to her All Star status. Hopefully this gets back to her and she makes some changes because I'm willing to try again!
(2)Stephen V.
I was hesitant to like any restaurant that replaced Cambridge 1, a favorite of mine. However, I couldn't help but love Sweet Cheeks. As an avid Top Chef fan, I was pleasantly surprised when I looked in the open kitchen and saw Tiffani! I had no idea this was her restaurant. I was a huge fan of hers in both seasons, and it took everything in me to not run into the kitchen and say so (but that would have just been creepy). Anyway, the good: - Decor is comfortable. - Estimated wait for a table was spot-on (I think we were actually seated more quickly than we were told) - Service was friendly and prompt - Food, overall, was delicious! The brisket was the perfect combo of tender meat and melt-in-your-mouth fat. Pulled chicken was tasty. Our sides of fried okra, salt & pepper potatoes, fried green tomatoes were all so, so good (and perhaps the best part of the meal). - Biscuits were perfect - Side portions were HUGE - Cocktails were creative and delicious! - The nutter-butter cookie was fantastic (perfect combo of salt and sweet), but I expected it to be and wanted it so badly to be warm! The needs work: - I wasn't crazy about the hush puppies (thought they were dry) - Meat portions are tiny...I didn't leave hungry, but that's because all the unhealthy, fried but delicious sides were enormous Also, we couldn't get the trays with the sides we wanted. This didn't make much sense to me, since the sides we wanted and sides that are offered with the trays are the same price or a dollar more. Instead, to get the sides we wanted, we had to order HUGE portions, and wound up throwing away a ton of food, which was a waste. I really wished the okra, tomatoes, potatoes, and hush puppies could be sides that come with the tray, since they cost as much as the sides that are offered w/ the tray. Overall, it was great. I'll be back. And I'm happy to be supporting Tiffani :)
(4)Chris T.
Growing up in the South has made finding good barbecue in New England a difficult venture. I recall the local excitement when Smokehouse opened up down the street from me in Washington Square and my disappointment when I tried it. It seemed at the time that possibly New Englanders had a very different sense of what qualifies for "great barbecue". I had resigned myself to the possibility that barbecue was a sacrifice that I would have to make if I chose to live in New England. After trying Sweet Cheeks twice recently, I have completely changed my mind. Tiffani Faison gets it, and she gets it right. Nothing on this menu is an afterthought. Every item on my tray was clearly made with care and attention. And unlike many little barbecue joints in the South that typically have one show-stopping side, every side here was delicious with an inventive twist. I particularly enjoyed the mac and cheese. As far as the barbecue, it l seems like the emphasis is on Memphis and Carolina style (my favorites...might explain my bias towards this place), though they mix in a little Texas for good measure. Under the liquor heading, the house bill 819 is reason enough to come back to this restaurant again and again. This and the bucket o' biscuits would make a great quick filler or late night snack. Just an aside, whoever originally thought up honey butter is a genius and should be recognized as such. Service here was quick, friendly, and knowledgable. I got the sense that our server genuinely liked the food she was serving. The atmosphere is fun and inviting, and the decor looks like a mix of industrial and farmhouse. I felt like I was right back home in the South again. I could imagine my friends taking their kids here, and it would be a great place to take a date to show your fun, relaxed side. Maybe not a first date, though. Barbecue is messy.
(5)Chris F.
Sweet cheeks - you have everything a boy could dream of. - Your biscuits are ridiculous. man-sized, fluffy, and with honey butter. d a m n. - You serve your food in a tray. I don't know why i like that, but I do. - Huge portions of meat. quality is good - not the best bbq i've had but some of the best i've had in boston. - Your vibe is casual cool and you always play great dinner music. Hell yes I want A Tribe Called Quest with my pulled pork, how did you know?!? - Service is fast, staff is chill and has fun, I always leave stupid-full and price is solid. - beer selection is choice. If you're from the South and are a bbq snob you probably won't love this place, but if you're everyone else you probably will.
(5)Megan M.
I promise you this is NOT how the South does BBQ! I was super excited to try this place out after moving to Boston from the South & my craving for fried okra finally kicked in! We went as a group of 4 & none of us left excited. I will say that the biscuits were fantastic...& HUGE! I ordered the BBQ, greens & baked beans. The greens were undercooked & too sweet. The meat was ok & seemed to be your standard BBQ. The beans were not even edible in my opinion. We also ordered a basket of okra for the table & barely breaded okra spears were delivered. Also, the sweet tea was like drinking pure syrup... I wanted to find the chef & show him how we really do okra & sweet tea down South! I won't go back & the 3 friends I went with (who were not Southerners by the way) said they won't either.
(1)Aaron L.
I am another reviewer who regards himself as not only an aficionado of good BBQ, but also have a massive Texas forged BBQ n my backyard and have been pumping out my own ribs, brisket, etc. for years. I would say on food quality alone - Sweet Cheeks is impressive. The meats are tender, carefully smoked and very tasty. The sides are solid to really good as well. The biscuits are worth the hype. All in all - this place is top notch food wise. I would describe the approach to the food, however, as "backyard chic" - which some die-hards might struggle with, but I liked. What I mean by this is that there is a modern cuisine approach to the portion sizes and plating (the décor and environment is very laid back and casual with a good energy). My issues with Sweet Cheeks (which is why I went 4 stars, not 5 and even flirted with giving three) was the pricing to portion size. We were challenged trying to figure out how much food to order and as a result, we wound up WAY over ordering, largely because our waitress misguided us. She was "selling" too hard. For instance, she said the smoked turkey leg (which was great) was ideally suited for one person, when in fact two legs came on a place and it was very easy to share. Either better pricing or a slightly different configuration on the old-school Chinese restaurant style menu (two from section A, three from section B) I think would go a LONG way as the food here is really top notch. Yes - the atmosphere is loud, but it's a BBQ joint - I would have been disappointed if the energy level was more subdued.
(4)Selena J.
This review is for service, not food. I came in at 6:45pm on Friday with a party of 6. We were told there would be an hour long wait, so we grabbed a couple seats at the bar and had a drink. At 7:45pm, I went back up to the hostesses to check on the progress-- another 10 minutes or so. Okay, fine. At 8:00pm, I go back up. Hey, so, it's been an hour and 15 minutes. How's that table looking? Another 30 minutes, probably. At 8:30pm, we check in again. Because, seriously, at this point it's been an hour and 45 minutes, which is, you know, 45 minutes longer than the original estimate. And what do they say? It will be another hour. ANOTHER HOUR. What?? Oh, they had a bunch of later reservations, so now those tables have to be sat. Seriously? You couldn't have: a) figured out earlier that we were never going to be seated or b) have actually come up to us to let us know what was going on instead of ignoring us until we asked? Terrible service. Train your hostesses better. The food is delicious, but not worth waiting 2 hours and 45 minutes (or potentially longer given how unreliable their estimates are).
(1)Katie D.
I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but wanted to try this place out! I really liked the ambiance of the place!! Sorta laid back, die-y, but at the same time trendy. The food was pretty good I LOVED their coleslaw. I think the best way to order here is to get a tray, its not too much money and you get to try a little bit of everything! I don't know if I would be returning to eat again, but will definitely head back for a drink or two!
(4)Penny F.
When I walked into Sweet Cheeks the other day Fenway Park was going nuts with all the glitz of the start of baseball season. I was half worried that we wouldn't be able to find a decent place to sit down nearby, but I was wrong. We walked into Sweet Cheeks and were greeted by three smiling hostesses and were seated immediately even though it was dinner time, and Fenway was filled with people. The atmosphere of Sweet Cheeks is awesome. It's a venue where alternative personalities seem to find their groove in the work place. I ordered a cocktail ($10) and it was amazing. It ended up being the only drink I had all night because it got me so buzzed, and it's delicious flavour made me forget to drink it slowly. I should note that their alcohol selection (including beer) is MASSIVE!!! It reminded me of being in Europe, and was not at all what I am used to seeing in American restaurants. We filled our table with Hush Puppies, Biscuits, and Fried Green Tomatoes. The hush puppies felt more like a dessert so we didn't eat too many of them even though they were delicious. The biscuits were massive, and we realised that next time we would probably just order half the amount of biscuits and have everyone split one. They were like heaven, and their amazing taste was partly due to the honey butter provided to spread over them. Never in my life would I have thought I'd enjoy a fried green tomato - but even now I am dreaming about returning just for them and how good they were. No one at the table had had them before - and everyone was in love. I ordered brisket and by the time it arrived I was already full. One bite of it with the house made vinegar and I was hooked. Everyone at the table ate and ate and ate until we were beyond full because of how delicious everything was. Every single thing that we were given had the most immense flavour to it. It all tasted fresh, well prepared and cooked. As we ate we admired the ascetics of the place - gorgeous wooden walls, long tables which we shared with other patrons, and the smell of the smoker were enough to create the perfect atmosphere. It was awesome to be able to see the entire kitchen, and layout of the place while we were dining. My friend was so excited about her left overs the next day that she texted me about eating them - and I was insanely jealous that I had finished my plate. I think Sweet Cheeks is the best restaurant that I have ever been to. Now don't let anything that I say next taint the awesomeness that is Sweet Cheeks - but the only thing that was sorta bad was it seemed out waitress forgot about us after she took our order. We really didn't see her much after that. The cocktails are also a bit steep in price, and the decor in the bathroom is really tacky and doesn't fit with the ascetics of the place- I can see what they were aiming for, but it sorta feels like you're walking into the bathroom at someone's house and not a restaurant. Also they put bread on all the trays but I didn't see a single person in the place eat it. It seemed that all the trays were being cleared with their bread still on it. I'd also like to recommend if you go there to get half a pound of the meat you want and then order a side or an appetizer of something - it can be cheaper than getting the actual tray and you will probably be just as full. Should also note that I thought I heard someone mention everything is really organic while we were there, but also heard there is High Fructose Corn Syrup in all the sauces - so if anyone has allergies or issues with that you should probably take note that its in there.
(5)Steven T.
We ate here on Sunday evening, 26FEB - and while Sundays traditionally tend to be slow in the restaurant workd, this joint was jumping. After being told there'd be a 10-minute wait, we were seated less than a minute afterwards. The decor is minimalist, but functional and the playlist was skewed towards dance hits of the 70s and 80s. The dinner menu is fairly-limited, but there are lots of good options. I opted for the Berkshire pulled-pork sandwich on Texas Toast accompanied with 1 hot scoop (Cita's broccoli-Cheese casserole) and 1 cold scoop (Cole-Slaw) Pickles and onions were served on the side. In a word: "YUM!" I love the fact that Sweet Cheeks specializes in dry-rubbed pulle-pork. You have your choice of three different bbq-sauces on your table, so you control how messy you want your dinner to be, Service was spot-on: friendly and efficient. I think I may have found my new favorite BBQ joint!
(4)Ashley G.
We went to this place because a friend of ours was dying to try it. I like BBQ and I know I'm partial, but I decided to give it a chance. I think everyone else was so hungry they didnt care what they were eating, but I did not share the same idea. I got the pulled pork sandwich which had absolutely no flavor and was actually quite off and became unbearable to finish. The prices are outrageous for horrible food and the wait staff is less than mediocre. The atmosphere was great and could be pulled off if the food delivered. Reading the other comments I might have gotten a bad batch of meat, but really that's no excuse. I will be sure never to go there again, and if I'm forced - I'll stick to the biscuits as that is the only thing that has gotten consistent reviews.
(1)Robin Y.
I've come here with friends several times and am always shocked by how much our bill is at the end of the night. I'm vegetarian, so I'm not that great of a judge of the food here, but I do really like the broccoli cheese casserole, the biscuits with honey butter, and the farm salad (although once, it had all brussel sprouts instead of lettuce- not my taste). One thing that I've consistently disliked are their drinks- they sound so interesting on the menu, but they really don't taste good, and they're really expensive. It's like taking an $11 shot. I like the atmosphere of this place, which is probably why I keep coming back- the food is like nothing else in the Boston area.
(3)Joel B.
I never write reviews but just had to give a shout out to Sweet Cheeks. Excellent food, large portions, reasonable prices. Any of those things are hard to find in this town, so finding all three is great. I had the "brisket tray" and the meat was delicious, well cooked and flavorful. I had the farm salad and mac-and-cheese for side, also very good. I don't live near the Fenway area, but this is my new go-to place when I am there.
(4)Sarah A.
Dined here last night and had a really great experience! The restaurant wasn't crowded (it was a Wednesday) and the service was prompt and very friendly. We ordered the biscuits, pork belly platter with potato salad and mac 'n cheese, and I got the Dollywood cocktail. First of all, the Dollywood cocktail? Phenoooomenal! Tastes just like a raspberry lemonade (I muddled the raspberries it came with) with a vodka kick..mmm. The pork belly was very flavorful and I actually enjoyed it more without the BBQ sauce because of the deep rich flavor. I thought the normal BBQ sauce masked the complex flavors, however, the habanero ginger sauce complemented it perfectly! My only complaint with the pork belly would be that the fat is not really rendered so there are some "gooey" pieces. The pickles (which I guess are made in house?) were also a perfect complement to the fatty pork belly. The tartness of the pickles really cut through the fatty richness of the meat. The potato salad was topped with crumbled bacon (YUUUUM) and was absolutely delicious. I didn't eat too much of the Mac 'n Cheese but the very little I did eat was quite good, although I think I might opt for a different "hot scoop" next time. The biscuits were HUGE and delicious and the honey butter it comes with was soooo good, however, the biscuits themselves are very very buttery so I felt that maybe just honey served with them would be better than MORE butter. The only reason I can't give this place a 5 is the prices. 10 dollars for 4 biscuits is just a little expensive considering most BBQ places serve complimentary bread, biscuits, or corn bread. Would definitely want to come back again to try some other meats! MMM!
(4)Kim K.
Yummy BBQ! Smaller menu but great options and really well prepared meat. The broccoli and cheese casserole is bonkers good. The ambiance is nice too. Prices are good. The service is pretty slow though. I will be back to give Sweet Cheeks another go though.
(3)King Eat J.
Actually really love this place. Best biscuits I ever had. Didn't think biscuits could taste that good. If you like pork belly their's is delicious. Good ribs, mac and cheese, pulled chicken. It's all deadly. I gotta try their fried chicken. Drinks: Great beer selection, and their house bill 819 cocktail is delicious. It's a very well done cocktail
(4)Jeremy M.
Decidedly 'meh'. Brisket, ribs and pork belly meat all very dry. Mac n cheese was more Kraft than homemade and the beer list was poor. Only saving grace was the above average slaw... Too much money for what it is.
(2)Chris N.
Been here twice now and I'm a huge fan. I don't like BBQ joints that are wet rub places (just coating the meat in sauce)Thank God Sweet Cheeks is dry rub place!, more flavor into the meats. Makes everything taste better. Everything on the menu is amazing. Be sure to bring an appetite as the portions are huge!! Starters recommended: The hush puppies, the honey biscuits with honey butter. Main course recommendations: ribs, pulled pork, turkey leg (it's as big as your foot, no joke)
(4)Heath M.
I happened to be in the Fenway area for reasons that had nothing to do with the (heartbreaking) Red Sox on a beautiful summer night, The situation provided us two unusual opportunities: we could not only dine comfortably in the neighborhood, but we could sit outside if we wanted to. We walked down to Sweet Cheeks to (finally) try it. Being super-hungry, I totally over-ordered. We started with biscuits, hushpuppies, and fried green tomatoes. For my entree I ordered the 1/2 chicken with potato salad and mac & cheese. I also got a side of pulled pork which you can buy in 1/4 increments. Let's have ourselves a little chat about fried green tomatoes. I'd never had them. I didn't even know you could eat a green tomato without getting sick until I saw the movie. Naturally, come hell or high water I was going to give them a try. No offense Ruth and Idgie, but I really don't get it. They weren't especially tasty, in fact, they are kind of bland. Though I get the fact southerners will fry just about anything and most of it is good, I think I might pass on these. Their hush puppies were...interesting, Frankly, they tasted more like felafel, there was an exotic spice profile to them that was more reminiscent of the Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines. They weren't bad, but the seasoning did obscure the corn flavor that makes a hush puppy so special. And the sauce didn't really work with them either (I'm not especially sure what the sauce even was, but it was creamy, tangy and white). I'm going to cover the biscuits later and skip to the entrees. I don't remember the last time I had chicken that was cooked so perfectly, but at the same time, it was a bit bland. You have to dump some BBQ sauce on it (which also has a spice profile that is more east than south). The pulled pork was also bland on its own, here's my philosophy about that: you either give it a really good rub to make the meat savory and fragrant so it can live on its own, or you stew it in BBQ sauce. Serve it the way you want the diner to have it. As for the sides, the potato salad was firm and chunky, which is fine if you're into that, but it too was under-seasoned. A little more salt, a little more spice, not too much to ask from a BBQ joint, is it? There was no salt & pepper on the table either, so I couldn't DIY it either (in fairness, I could have asked, I don't know why I didn't). The service was actually quite good; our waiter was prompt, courteous and very helpful about navigating the menu. The beer and drink selection featured plenty of colorful options for beer, wine and booze. The beer-gria was funky but not in a bad way, the "epa" was damn tasty. So, after all that, this place really is a mixed bag. But if they sold nothing but those huge, heavenly, biscuits, I'd make it rain stars. Seriously, you cannot not order them. If anything, I would go here just to get biscuits to go so I could have them for breakfast with strawberry jam, or make some breakfast sandwiches -- anything! They are simply the very best biscuits I've ever had in my entire life. Does that warrant four stars? I was tempted to be generous, but in the end, when you go out to eat, you go for the entrees. The chef really hasn't hit on quite the right flavor for the core offerings. That said, even if the food's a bit bland overall, the biscuits and the great service would bring me back.
(3)Peter W.
We knew this place would be packed, but lucked out with only having to wait about five minutes for space at the high-top long table (shared with another group). We wanted to try everything, but settled for a pound each of pulled pork, brisket, and pork belly. We added a fried chicken, beans, sausage, and the biscuits. Too much food, but I don't mind leftovers. There was an extra sauce flavor that day, so we had four to choose from. My favorite was the succulent brisket. Really amazing. The pork belly was yummy. The pulled pork worked great with the sauces. The fried chicken was crunchy outside and moist inside. The sausage was a bit dry - I wouldn't order again. The biscuits were very good; and the honey butter was different. We ordered a pitcher of the Kentucky beer which was a bourbon taste. It's my new favorite beer! Service was attentive. Decor was clean and comfortable. The main take away is that there is a great new bbq place in Boston with a different taste to other places in the area.
(4)Bradley W.
Went here with some friends after the Red Sox-Yankees game on Saturday. I live in New York City where some excellent BBQ places have opened recently. I also used to be involved with a chain of BBQ restaurants in NYC from 1988-1998 before selling out. I've Traveled and eaten BBQ all through North Carolina and spent time in Texas. My friend from Boston love this place and goes there a lot. First problem was he ordered appetizers. Four biscuits, Fried Green Tomatoes and the salt and pepper potatoes. The biscuits were pretty good but too big and filling to eat before a barbecue meal. I had one fried green tomato it was okay. The Salt and Pepper potatoes were the best out of our appetizers. I originally planned to order a tray with brisket, collared greens and cole slaw but soon realized it would be too much and got a burnt end sandwich. While the burnt ends were nice and moist they didn't have much flavor to them. The bbq sauces they had on the table weren't very special either. I brought most of my sandwich home and had it the next day. They just don't seem to use enough seasoning.
(2)Ashley A.
Do not skip the biscuits! They are the best I've ever had. The honey butter is a nice touch too. Beware though, as they are HUGE. You're definitely fine splitting one with a friend. The beer selection is fantastic. Our waiter was knowledgeable about everything on the menu and could tell me what I'd like and not like based on my preferences. I loved the IPA he picked out for me. I was also a fan of the beer-gria (sangria made with beer in case you couldn't of guessed that one). I got the pulled pork sandwich and the coleslaw and mac and cheese on the sides. The meat was okay, but needed sauce and pickles to moisten it up a bit. The mac and cheese was good but way too heavy/cheesy for my liking. If you're into that though, you'll love it. The coleslaw was...coleslaw. My favorite part of the meal was probably the biscuits honestly :) I'd probably try other meats next time. I do love that most (if not all) of their food is sourced locally. In terms of ambiance, it's cute and very hipster-meets-yuppie (basically because they use mason jars). It's a bit loud though definitely not somewhere you want to go on a date. I was, however, a fan of the 90s music they were playing when I went on a Tuesday night (not sure if they do that all the time but it was awesome).
(3)Moody F.
My boyfriend and I have ordered food here twice for takeout. The first time, everything was DELICIOUS. My boyfriend and I ordered the Fat Cheeks Tray with moist and flavorful pulled chicken, smokey brisket which was a little fatty for my taste but yummy nonetheless and the ribs were fall off the bone to die for! The mac & cheese was so, so and didn't boast much flavor but the collard greens were pretty tasty. The biscuits...OH, THE BISCUITS! For starters they're huge, next they're fresh and warm, and lastly they're super fluffy. They're served with a great honey butter. My boyfriend and I both raved about this place to our friends. When he suggested it tonight for dinner, I was more than game. When I called to place our order I noticed right away that I wasn't speaking with the upbeat and friendly woman that took our order the first time. Tonight's order taker was clearly not happy to be helping me and sounded like she was just ready to go home. Her tone was attitudinal right off the bat and she demanded a first and last name to put the order in. I remember giving a first name last time but why the last name? Whatever, I let it go and asked for a total after reviewing my order with her. She gave me the total and when I politely thanked her she just hung up on me. This time we ordered the exact same thing. Sides were tasty and mac & cheese was actually ooey, gooey with cheese and spices...thank you for stepping your mac & cheese game up! All of the meats were equally as delicious as the first time except the brisket. It didn't wow us this time at all. Also, we substituted the biscuits with hush puppies this time. I've eaten a lot of hush puppies in my day, primarily in the South. I love hush puppies. These hush were pretty big and looked awesome but upon giving them a try we found them to be a little too dry in the middle and I'm not sure if they were fried in oil that had been previously used for fried fish or if they're was some God awful spice incorporated into the recipe but #EPICFAIL. I feel so deceived because my mouth was watering when I saw these big bad boys and turns out they were oh so disappointing. We're definitely on the fence on whether we will be giving them a third try.
(3)Amica M.
Really, a 3.5. I'm not a big barbecue person, but thought their pulled pork and barbecue sauces were the best I've had. Some of the sides like broccoli cheddar casserole were below average. Loved the pickles. The beverage glasses, which are actually jars were dirty, especially in the crevices where a top would screw into the jars. I can see how a dishwasher would not get that clean from all the gunk from peoples lips. ewwww.
(3)David M.
This is a nice - different- place for the Fenway area. They have a limited menu, but the items are all pretty good. Its great for a group with the large picnic table, and the staff is wicked nice. The baby-back rib plate was huge, the pork belly was bacon heaven, the mac and cheese is creamy crispy amazingness. If you're craving BBQ, Sweet Cheeks is worth checking out.
(4)Cheryl L.
mmm.good Definitely a place to go for Barbecue altho a bit pricy. I had the combo Brisket (moist ) and Ribs (dry) with carrot and raisin salad , heirloom bbq beans and a Bisquit ($ 26.00 ). Everything was very tasty especially with the barbecue sauce and a be back it is. Sat at the Bar. Service was great, informative and friendly. A lot of food. A take home meal for another night. sweetcheeksq.com/main-me… 617-266-1300
(4)Rachel M.
AWESOME. Just awesome. Fun, accommodating staff. Love the atmosphere: Lots of TVs, great music always pumping (but not obnoxious). The Sweet Tea is just like down South...ahhh....Will get back to you on the beer selection. I've been pregnant since we discovered this place (actually found it on the way home from one of our first prenatal appts...now its a must-stop after EVERY appt...and there are A LOT). So, yeah...beer....can't wait. So far we've had the brisket and the pulled pork sandwich on toast...can't get past either. So good. Best BBQ I've had in New England BY FAR... A nice variety of sauce options are on the table...sweet, spicy, traditional...all great. Sides: Mac & Cheese - Disclaimer: I'm a Mac & Cheese snob. Its a little different, not my favorite style (baked with bread crumbs, a little dry), but good. For reference, my fave Mac & Cheese in the area (besides my own) is at Red Bones. Ranch Beans - Good. Hearty. A lot of meat in there...almost like chili. Cole Slaw - Salad-like...chunky, fresh, crisp, good. Broccoli Casserole - HOLY CRAP - AMAZING and totally unexpected...but have only seen it on the menu once. IF they have it, GET IT. Biscuits - I also consider myself a biscuit snob/connoisseur....BEST I HAVE EVER HAD BY A MILLION MILES. Words cannot describe. Just shut up and get one as an app. They are huge. They are fluffy. They are TO DIE FOR. You're welcome.
(5)Michael C.
My family and I visited Sweet Cheeks for lunch earlier today. We were warmly greeted and sat immediately. The restaurant was about half empty so no surprise here. We started off with some AMAZING biscuits. My wife and son both had pulled chicken which was great and I had a burnt ends sandwich which was OK but tasted like it had teriyaki sauce on it which I found to be an odd flavor in a BBQ restaurant. really enjoyed the sides we got of potato salad and mac & cheese as well as the sweet tea. The only thing I was really disappointed in was the service in particular our waiter. It took a while before he came over to take our order and we almost never saw him again until he brought our check. Luckily, the kitchen works quickly here and they have runners bring the food. If not for the waiter, I probably would have given 4 if not 5 stars to this restaurant. On a smaller level, I was also disappointed that there is no kids menu. One would think a casual restaurant like this would cater to kids at least during lunch if not dinner as well. UPDATE: I've returned to Sweet Cheeks a few times since my initial review. I have to say the service is improved although still a little slow and not hugely attentive. I'm also still disappointed that there is no kids menu. The food is always great though (especially the biscuits) and the atmosphere is fun and everything is always very clean.
(4)p.c. m.
I loved loved loved this place. Was at a work dinner so I got to try EVERYTHING -- the biscuits, collard greens, potato salad, brisket, pork belly, ribs were all fabulous. And the nutter butter and pot de creme butterscotch salted caramel thing were truly amazing. Whatever the filling was for the nutter butter was-- I'd like to live in a vat of it. Beans and mac and cheese were middle of the road.
(5)Mac O.
I really liked Tiffani Faison on both of her seasons on "Top Chef": her searing barbs, a fearless cooking style, and a take-no-prisoners attitude. So on our first visit to Boston after she opened her very own eatery, husband and I headed out to the Fenway neighborhood to check out her venture, inspired by a road trip through Texas. Right away I liked the backyard-cookout-meets-industrial-park vibe; I didn't like the salty hostess who huffed at giving the two of us a four-top despite it being a 3 o'clock lull and the place nearly empty. Our server was really lovely and helpful, however, a highpoint of our visit. She started us with some drinks while we scoped out the menu -- a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy for me and a House Bill 819 corn whiskey cocktail for him (served, like every libation here, in Ball jars). We settled on a Fat Cheeks Tray to split: a choice of three barbequed meats and two "scoops", or sides: one hot, one cold. For himself, husband picked out the brisket, pulled chicken, and pulled pork. I added the mac 'n' cheese and Farm Salad -- arugula, wheatberries, Parmesan, plums, and candied hazelnuts. The tray also came with white bread and house-brined pickles and onions, "for making sandwiches like they do in Texas," our waitress informed us. Everything was fine, but I guess I expected far better from a Top Chef. Especially considering the sky-high prices. The mac 'n' cheese was excellent: creamy and al dente but I could have done without the Ritz crackers crumbled on top. The Farm Salad, while completely awesome in concept and pleasant in flavor, was undercut by over-dressing. Three homemade sauce options were available on the table -- traditional, Carolina vinegar, and habañero -- which I sampled with my Wonderbread and on my macs. Again, for Top Chef conceived sauces, I was unimpressed. And despite being a fan of heat, the habañero was so hot it incapacitated my palate for awhile. Husband was a bit underwhelmed by the barbeque itself: the brisket was a little dry, surprising considering an entire half of the plated portion was fat cap; the pork was standard; the chicken was his preferred of the three, tho honestly he felt that all of them lacked that distinctive BBQ tang and smoke. His verdict was that this was average, three-star barbeque. I have "Top Chef" issues. I'll eat anywhere associated with the show. But there are spots I'd return to over and over, and spots I don't need to revisit. And that's all I have to say about that. [Top Chef: Tiffani Faison]
(3)KMarie C.
Outside of Texas and my husbands brisket, this place had the best melt in my mouth brisket I've ever had. I also have never been a big fan of black eyed peas, but again I could have licked the bowl. If you have never had fried okra or green tomatoes take your foodie training wheels off and give them a go. Perfectly crispy, hot and with the side of ranch dressing cools them down from the fryer nicely. Cafeteria seating at long picnic tables. Keep it casual cause it could get a little saucy. Our service was slow and forgetful, but friendly. And the hostesses seem to be missing welcoming smiles and gracious goodbyes. So that's the only thing keeping it form 5 stars.
(4)Evan J.
The biscuits... oh my, the biscuits. If you wanted to order some to go... yeah - do it. I got the pulled pork. It was good, though every so slightly dry. We got the farm salad and broccoli & cheese casserole for sides. I didn't care for the salad (subjective - not a fan of sprouts) but the latter was delicious. All in all, the service was great but the good wasn't quite worth the higher price in my opinion.
(3)Esther J.
Yum!!! Biscuits, fried green tomatoes, & pulled chicken tray. Everything was delicious & the service was on point!
(5)Mathew P.
Delicious BBQ spot in Boston by Fenway! It's tough to find good BBQ in Boston and this is definitely one of my favorites. I like the pulled pork/pork belly and definitely try the biscuits which are off the chain!
(4)Caroline F.
I happened to go here twice in a month which I don't usually do so i feel like I gotta write a review about my experiences. 1st visit: Fried Chicken: Was okay, it was strange there was a big gap in between the coating and the actual chicken which made it pretty hard to eat Fried Okra: DELICIOUS nothing else to say Sides: The meal trays come with sides, I got mac and cheese and cold slaw both very good! 2nd visit: 1/2 Chicken: BBQ chicken, soooooo SALTY, I couldn't believe it, neither my mother or I could eat more than a few bites. Fried Okra: YUM again Sides: Broccoli casserole was okay. FARM FRESH SALAD was amazing!!!!! Best thing of the night. Will definitely be going back but maybe I'll leave out the meat and just go for the amazing starters and sides. *Also try a biscuit with honey butter yum!
(4)Daniel Y.
I just got back from Dallas and had some of the best BBQ of my life so when I went to Sweet Cheeks I assumed that I would be disappointed. The biscuits are no joke. Everything people rave about is 100% true. Much better than any biscuit I had down south. However...the BBQ is just average at a very high price. One thing I wasn't ready for was the huge portions though. If you go, I would suggest getting one tray and a bucket of biscuits and sharing. That is more than enough for two people. 3 stars overall because of decent bbq and high prices 5 stars for the biscuits.
(3)Bailey W.
Brisket had a great smoke ring and was plenty moist, ribs and sausage were great, and the biscuits are incredible. For Boston, or really the north, the brisket and biscuits were incredibly impressive and on par with what you would get in Texas. I wasn't a fan of their standard BBQ sauce... I'm a Texan, absolutely love barbecue, and have never had a sauce with that flavor. Doesn't taste like home to me. Everything was a bit expensive, probably because it is a novelty. The place was packed!! I think it is the biscuits... If I didn't already get barbecue and sauce sent up from home, I would go back for sure!
(4)Bill A.
I've been wanting to try Sweet Cheeks for a while, and stopped by last night for some quick take out. The place is great and had a couple of open bar stools for us while we waited. Great beer list too. The order was pretty quick despite not having called ahead--only about 10 minutes. We ordered a half rack of ribs, and a half pound each of the pulled chicken and the brisket. The value is OK--about $37, and the people are very friendly, with a great atmosphere in the restaurant, even on a Sunday evening. We lived for several years in Texas and really enjoy good barbeque. However, despite trying several highly recommended barbeque restaurants in the Boston area, hadn't yet found anything with the right combination of tenderness, sauce and smoke...until last night. The food was unbelievably tender, juicy and had the great barbeque flavor we were looking for. I'm told the smoking is all done on site, which probably explains it. The only criticism was the ribs, which are served "St. Louis" style (ie from the sides and front of the pig as opposed to the back/loin as with baby backs). Although the St. Louis cut is generally considered meatier and more tender than baby backs, these particular ribs were unfortunately full of cartilage, so much so that it really took away from the amazing flavor of the meat. Maybe they could trim them up a little better before cooking. Otherwise, everything was great. We will be back.
(4)Chris I.
I was at Sweet Cheeks for an event and the food was fantastic!. I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but this place sold me. We had the Big Rig which is one of everything on their menu. There were nine or ten of us and we were all able to try all of the sides and meats that they offer. We were more than pleased-there was even a TON of food left over even though we ate for what seemed like hours. Everything was really fresh and prepared well. The broccoli cheese casserole was amazing. I would come back again and again just for that-it was a delicious mix of broccoli, cheese and I'm sure tons of butter! My other favorites were the carrot raisin salad, pork belly and chicken. We even got to meet the owner Tiffani and she was super sweet, very engaging and answered all of our questions. The waitstaff kept the food coming at a manageable pace and made sure we had everything we needed. I'm a fan.
(5)Melissa Y.
Came with a group of 10 for a 9:30 dinner reservation and had a great time. Portions are generous, so it's a good idea to order family style and share. We loved the fried okra, fried tomatoes, and farm house salad (the large salad is huge!!) as sides. As for meat, if they still have the slow cooked salt & pepper rib special, GET IT, it is AMAZING - crispy light crust and juicy tender meat falling right off the bone. Also delicious was the pork belly. If I didn't already have that amazing rib, the next best meat would have been the pulled pork. Brisket was good but a tad dry. Service was prompt and friendly.
(4)Erin W.
Sweet cheeks literally had the best brisket I have ever had, ever, ever, ever. The Hubs and I normally get a brisket plate and a pulled chicken sandwich to split when at bbq places, but we were both crazy over the brisket and fighting for every little morsel. The chicken was delicious but totally got out shone. The biscuits are a must have, light and fluffy and giant. My husband is now obsessed with them- thanks for setting the bar so high... it is a little tough to compete with those bad boys! The hush puppies were good but not our favorite thing on the table. All the sides were awesome and a perfect accoutrement to the star- the meat! Too bad we live in western mass, or maybe it is good, so we don't eat our weight in brisket every couple weeks.
(5)D K.
The biscuits are amazing! And they are huge. Delicious and crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These are the best biscuits I have ever eaten. Ever. I got the BBQ ranch beans as a side and they were slightly undercooked. I think it's better to err on the side of overcooked with beans. The potato salad was good...but I think it was missing a little egg. The fried chicken sandwich was underwhelming. The chicken was fried well and was juicy but lacked salt. The brisket tender was pretty good, but the cut was very fatty...almost half of the cut of meat was fat. The wait staff was inattentive. I liked that the food was served on trays and that the cups were mason jars and the silver ware was in a bucket on the table. Bottom line, I would go back just for the biscuits. The rest of it was ok.
(4)Emily W.
Sweet Cheeks is the ultimate comfort food in Boston, at least that I've found. I've been in probably 4-5 times and tried to taste a bunch of different things, and I've always left feeling satisfied (although, typically, maybe a little too satisfied-- the food is heavy enough that it leaves you in a food coma even if you only eat half of what's on your plate). My favorites are the brisket burnt ends and the pulled pork, although I've tried the fried chicken and loved the crispy, well-seasoned breading on that, too. But the sides, for me, steal the show! The broccoli and cheese casserole is super rich and delicious, and the potato salad is dill-y and wonderful. I also loved the farm salad, even though I was worried that ordering a salad when there were so many decadent options would be a waste; it was actually one of my favorite things that I tried! I'd skip the mac and cheese and the collard greens, which are fine but nowhere near as good as some of the other sides. And while I enjoyed my ribs, some of my family members found theirs dry (I think because we're used to sauce-covered ribs as opposed to these, which are dry-rubbed-- you can add your own sauce at the table if you so choose). The service is friendly, and the decor is cute and welcoming. The chef/owner stopped by our table one of the times we visited to see how our meal was, which I really appreciated! Make sure to go at an off-peak time or be willing to wait a bit to be seated; I've called ahead to ask when a good time to come in is, and the staff has never steered me wrong. Oh, and GET THE BISCUITS! Yum. P.S. I will add that I've been to gatherings where friends have ordered the catering/take-out platters, and the food was nowhere near as good as it is in the restaurant. But I'd still give Sweet Cheeks 5 stars because the in-restaurant experience is so great and because I've never ordered the large platters myself.
(5)Julia M.
Sweet Cheeks serves up some of the best BBQ that I have had in the North. Their pulled pork sandwich is to die for - perfectly tender & juicy. Their BBQ sauce, although not the best I've had, is still quite tasty & pairs nicely with the pulled pork. Then, there are their biscuits: moist, buttery, & overall, delectable. Be sure to try some of the honey butter with the biscuits, as it adds a nice flavor to them. Sweet Cheeks has a casual, country decor, complete with Mason drinking cups & mismatched dining chairs. I should also note that they are generous with their portions - you definitely won't leave here hungry. Tidbits: -If you're like me & love Coca Cola made with cane sugar, you'll be pleased to hear that you can order Mexican Coke at Sweet Cheeks. -Sweet Cheeks can fill up for dinner during the weekend, so plan to arrive before 5:30 on those days or make a reservation to secure a table.
(4)Mike T.
Very expensive and really disappointing. Seems like others have a better experience so maybe it was a fluke, but I had buyers remorse.
(2)Heather S.
We were at Fenway and my girlfriend is a fan of Top Chef so it seemed natural to Sweet Cheeks since it is around the corner. Overall, the food was good. However, this is not Texas BBQ like they tout themselves as being. I had a burnt ends sandwich and while it was good, there was too much sauce on it and it hid the flavor of the meat. Also, you don't put sauce on brisket on true Texas BBQ. The cole slaw was good and the price was fair. If I were in the neighborhood, I would eat here again (and try some things that don't claim to be Texan), but I am not sure I would go out of my way.
(3)Lin Z.
Top chef alum faisons basket I biscuits is flaky, oversized and served with sweet honey butter. Pulled pork is beautiful and I can't wait to try tiger mama when it opens
(5)Dianne M.
I have never written a review on Yelp and I've just come home from Sweet Cheeks feeling awful. It's not good to leave a restaurant when your belly feels like crap and there is nothing you can do to hurry the process along. Had to tell the story. Walked in with my 91 year old dad, we only waited 20 minutes and it was busy. Cool. We sat in nice rocking chairs and looked at the limited menu.When we were seated our order was taken right away. We both ordered brisket, he the sandwich, me the plate. I had a really good view of the kitchen where I could see people moving quickly looking like they were really working hard. So I watched and then I watched some more. At the 20 minute mark I noticed that not one dish of food came out. I asked the hostess, she had someone check on our order and the report came back, we are up next, kitchen is short staffed. At the 30 minute mark an appetizer went by us and then a very large "to go" order went by .Drinks were being served everywhere but no other food. Our waitress never appeared. At the 35 minute mark I asked for the manager. He said the kitchen is very busy with many orders to fill, Well, yeah, every seat was taken, is this the first time? He told us our order is coming right out, and it did. 40 minutes for food that is not cooked to order. Duh. I wish I was warned. The brisket was not just fatty, it was at least 50% fat that could not all be cut away. I had never seen so much marbleized fat on brisket before. It was tasty but hit my stomach like lead. Left most of it behind. The sides were nice. Baked beans, Farmer salad but I did not go there for the nice sides. Our waitress finally appeared to clear things away so I asked if the brisket was always this fatty. "Well it varies but pretty much so". I noticed in another review that the chef says brisket is supposed to be fatty. I never heard that rule, I grew up on it. Live and learn. As we walked out the door we encountered 2 ladies shaking their heads. Evidently, while we were eating, a sign was put up on the door that as of 7pm the restaurant would be closed for a private party. And they had driven from Framingham. I wonder, was there really a party coming in or just trouble in the kitchen? It did not look like the existing patrons were clearing out any too soon. So I am home, uncomfortable, after eating comfort food with a higher than average price point. Not for me.
(1)Elizabeth S.
This place is great. I went here for an event on valentines day. Amazing food, amazing service, and great atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Carolyn G.
This restaurant was fabulous, fun and friendly! Lively atmosphere too! Having lived down south I was VERY pleased with the food. - Delicious BBQ, sauces too but I didn't use it because it was so good on it's own - Best fried okra, biscuits, collard greens, broccoli casserole, fried green tomatoes,coleslaw...it was ALL GOOD - The Nutter Butter is not to be missed - big enough for 4 people - The drinks were a kick - moonshine no less! - Terrific service, prompt, friendly and lovin what they do - Make sure you have a reservation this place is really picking up! Top Chef Tiffani has brought the best Southern cookin this side of the Mason Dixon! We loved it! Congratulations and you've got a great team of people! To all of those supposed "foodies" who had issues - go down south have some BBQ and then come back - you'll be eating your words and Sweet Cheeks FOOD! PS I bought 2 gift certificates! Great idea for the holidays!!!!!
(5)Kim L.
Had a really great meal last night at Sweet Cheeks! The vibe was casual and fun. It's a little weird to sit at the same table with other customers. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes. Crunchy, delicious and the ranch dip was SO flavorful and delicious. For meats we ordered some ribs, the turkey legs, brisket and the pork belly. Both the pork belly and brisket were outstanding. For sides The Farm Salad and Mac & Cheese were both SO amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)DJ N.
DEAR SWEET CHEEKS - PLEASE ADD BEEF RIBS TO YOUR MENU :-) I tried this place a couple of weeks ago before checking out the Sox at Fenway. I must say...they are going to give Red Bones a good run for their money. I ordered the Beef Brisket "tray" which came with 2 large slabs of brisket, 2 sides (I got mac n cheese & the farm salad), and texas toast with pickles & onions. The brisket was tender and delicious!! The farm salad was amazing. I honestly didn't think I would love a salad so much, but this was so good. The mac n cheese was ok. I've definitely had better. My friend had the baby back ribs and the meat was falling off the bone. He said they were super yummy! He had the same sides and also had similar feedback. He ordered a biscuit on the side and it was massive. He highly recommended it. Our server was fun and attentive. The vibe was cool and energetic. I would definitely go back. The big miss is that they don't have beef ribs on the menu. That's a HUGE miss for me. I really like this place and want to give it 3.5 stars. If they had beef ribs, then I would seriously consider giving it 4 stars. I'm a fan, but the gaping hole on the menu is beef ribs. Plan to visit this place before or after a Sox game. It's worth the trip!
(3)Ashley D.
there are some really good things... and there are some really not so good things. the good: -BRISKET. probably the best i've had -mac and cheese -broccoli cheese side -ok, pretty much all the sides -full bar, some good beers on tap the not so good: -ribs, dry and not tender -sauce, the tangy carolina sauce was alright but they could have substituted the other for bbq packets from mcdonalds and it would have had the same effect -very pricey -ran out of biscuits by 9pm. that's an oh no no
(3)Caitlin A.
Being a huge fan of Top Chef since season 1, I was stoked to find out Tiffani Faison was opening a restaurant right in Fenway. BBQ, no less. So last night when I decided I wanted BBQ at 8:30 at night, the boyfriend and I made sure that Sweet Cheeks was open and hopped in the car. The hostess who sat us was extremely friendly and our waitress came to welcome us and explain to us their meat and sauces within three minutes. All their meat is Berkshire and are BBQ-ed only with a dry rub. No sauce. The sauce is on the table for you to put on. There are three options: BBQ (sweet), a hot sauce and a vinegar sauce. I opted for the pork rib tray (1/2 slab) with the mac and cheese and the potato salad. My boyfriend got the "Big Cheeks Tray" with pulled pork, pulled chicken and mac and cheese and the carrot and raisin salad. My ribs were to die for. The dry rub was fantastic and I only used a drop of the BBQ sauce, it really allowed me to taste the smokiness of the ribs. They were a little salty (which I like). The meat was lean and tender and I sucked every last bit of meat off that bone. The Mac and cheese was served in a mug and was also amazing; creamy, cheesy, with little crunchy flakes, num. Lastly, was the potato salad. It was good. It had little bacon bits on it and the potatoes themselves were good, but it was too vinegary for me. I like my potato salad smothered in mayo. My boyfriend also very much liked his tray. He put the BBQ sauce and some of the vinegar sauce on his meat. Both the pulled chicken and the pork were great. I had a bit of each and actually really liked the taste of the vinegar sauce. He was not a fan of any of the "cold scoops", so he ordered the carrot salad just to order something but didn't even try it. My mouth gets itchy when I eat carrots, so I didn't try it either. My only complaint was the bread. It was just white bread as far as I could tell. I did use one of the slices to create a sandwich with the meat, pickles and onions like the waitress suggested, and the flavors together were really good. However, I would have preferred corn bread. They had a large and good selection of beers, all in whimsically named categories. The atmosphere was fun, a little loud, but the tables and chairs and decor were wooden, homey and wonderful. The ONLY reason I didn't give Sweet Cheeks a 5 star review is because the boy and I (maybe naively) were expecting more "wow" from a two time contestant on Top Chef. Everything was really, really good (in my opinion), but I guess we were thinking we would be blown away. Regardless, Tiffani is doing a great job at Sweet Cheeks and I have found my new favorite BBQ joint.
(4)Ruth F.
I know. My mistake. Went during opening week. Our waitress was not familiar with some of the drinks on the menu. My dark and stormy was very weak. I ordered three ribs, 1/4 lb of pulled pork, a side of beans, and three of us split the cornbread. My share of the dinner was 40 dollars. The pulled pork was the best part of the meal. I would have given that 4 stars. The meal was served on half sheet pans and #10 cans, which was cute and whimsical to us from the food service industry. The cornbread needs some work and the ribs were dry and chewey. I'd maybe give this place a try again, maybe... but you'd have to twist my arm pretty hard.
(2)Nicole L.
Sweet Cheeks Q: Boston Gets Real Texan BBQ OK so what do I know about Texas? Fair question. I am not even a BBQ expert by any means. But what I can tell you is that I am eating Sweet Cheeks' Mac and Cheese for breakfast right now because I can't resist the leftovers sitting in my fridge. They deserve to be eaten-even at 10am. The food is that good. We went to this new hot spot in Fenway last night. With a smokey aroma luring in all of Boylston Street and Top Chef runner up, Tiffani Faison, essentially cooking in front of you in the open kitchen, it's no surprise there was a packed house. While the place is still experiencing some growing pains (some overwhelmed bartenders and a kitchen in the weeds on a slammed Friday night), the friendly service, the ambiance and most importantly the delicious food will keep me going back for more. The Eats: The menu is straightforward. None of that overly complicated stuff. You can expect to order anything and everything you really need in terms of BBQ -from pulled pork, pork ribs, short ribs, brisket and pork belly to delicious sides like the aforementioned mac and cheese and baked beans. Recommendations? * We kicked off the dining experience with fried okra and honey biscuits -- a great prelude to the meal. The over-sized biscuits paired with honey butter were perfectly sweet and delicious. The okra was lightly breaded, crispy and not greasy. * The pulled pork was my favorite, but I also tried the pork belly and short ribs which were impressively flavorful and tender. * And for sides? The broccoli and cheese casserole was especially rich but still quite yummy. The creamy mac and cheese with breadcrumbs and bbq beans were my favorites. The meat comes sauce-less, so you can enjoy every bit of the smokey taste. As a condiment lover, I tend to pour on the sauce but it just wasn't needed! While I added a touch of the table bbq sauce and tad of the hot sauce, I didn't want to overpower the incredible flavor packed in the meat itself. Read more of the review at: bit.ly/uUyAbh
(4)Corie H.
I was all set to give this place 4 or 5 stars from last night's dinner until this morning. The atmosphere was fun, the service was good not great, and the fried chicken and carrot raisin salad were amazing. Oh, and those biscuits. I wasn't feeling great later in the night and worse this morning, but figured it was just too much rich food and booze. When I went to eat my last piece of chicken for breakfast, it was really under cooked inside. You would never be able to tell in the dim lighting of the restaurant. No wonder I didn't feel good. Gross. I don't seem to be the only person who has gotten sick there, based on other reviews, and Chef Faison doesn't give a damn.
(1)Thomas T.
This is by far the best Southern BBQ style food in Boston. We started out with the Biscuits with honey butter and they were amazing! Best I have ever had! The drinks (Dollywood & Federalist) were awesome in the mason style jars! The entree was pork ribs and they were by far better than any ribs I have had down in Texas. Plenty of meat aand falling off the bone delicious. The Mac n Cheese and Potato salad sides were equally as good. The portion size was huge! Well worth the less than $20 price. Not a fan of the Top Chef show she was on. But I can see why she won! If you are heading to a Sox game or just in the area and love BBQ. This is the place to eat! You will not be disappointed at all! The waitstaff is great as well!
(5)Ladyjane S.
** 5 stars for the biscuits and drinks ** Came here last night and seriously had the most amazing biscuits with honey butter. Ridiculous. Also the whiskey drink with the sweet tea (can't remember the name) that came with fresh mint was delicious. I will come back again (and again) for just those items. Service was very slow - but friendly. We ordered the big plate that came with 3 meats. We chose the brisket, pulled pork and ribs. They were out of pork belly - boo. I thought the proportions were fine for 2 people. I was quite stuffed when all was said and done. The brisket was way too fatty. Like 60/40 fat to meat ratio, which is sucky. The meat tasted really good, however. The pulled pork was good, no complaints. The ribs were okay, but not really my cup of tea. I like ribs the way most east coasters like theirs: tender and fall off the bone. (I like Texas Roadhouse's ribs - don't judge!) Obvously a personal preference so not taken into account in the review. For sides we got coleslaw and broccoli and cheese casserole. The coleslaw was decent, big chunks of cabbage, which was fine. WARNING- the broccoli cheese casserole - there are a lot of people commenting on how good this dish is. I'll admit, it's pretty tasty. HOWEVER - this is guaranteed to give you the grossest post-dinner burps EVER! Eat at your (and you partner's) own risk.
(4)Zizzles A.
Yuppie barbeque might adequately describe Sweet Cheeks, not unlike Blue Ribbon or Soul Fire in price or atmosphere. This place is a slight notch above as far as feeling authentic with the metal trays and brown paper, but both the chic looking bar and the pop music playing in the background are clear giveaways. The baby back ribs are the best thing I tried. The flavor soaks through the whole rib. Instead of a smoke ring, the whole chuck of meat has a pink-ish coloring. Its plenty good without any sauce. Going off of two plates of brisket, it seems like there's a conscious effort to mix the fatty and lean chunks evenly into every serving. The whole pile is just greasy enough and it's tender enough that you don't need a knife to cut it up. For the sides, the mac + cheese was solid. It's not the fancy-mac that every steakhouse offers, just solid, totally orange, mac + cheese. The barbeque beans are different than the other local bbq joints I've tried. It's more earthy, bitter, even, and completely addicting. I would love to come back and try all the other sides. I also like the two-sauce thing rather than being mobbed with 6 or 7 sauces, half of which are just minutely different. One vinegar and one ketchup base is perfect for me.
(5)Matt M.
Loved Sweet Cheeks! We were in the mood for something casual but a little different. We were pleasantly surprised with how satisfying our meal was. The idea of dry bbq was awesome; basically you control the level of spice/flavor pending your use of sauces provided on the table. I got the pulled chicken sandwich on a bulky roll with salt and pepper potatoes. Delicious. Note, I wasn't blown away by the cole slaw or the pecan chocolate dessert, but each was fine. It's definitely a low maintenance kind of place but I highly recommend if you're in the mood for good bbq.
(4)Nick L.
I have been here a number of times and have enjoyed my meals and definitely the unique drinks, but the management and service during my last visit leaves much to be desired. Long story short...my girlfriend and I decided to eat here for once rather than our other Fenway staple. We sat in the 'beer garden'. She is not much into BBQ, bacon, ribs, steak and such. I ordered their fantastic buttermilk fried chicken dish and she ordered the cobb salad. She asked for no bacon on the salad, but they gave her the bacon anyways. As if the bacon and soft boiled eggs weren't enough protein for that salad, the line cook/chef included a dead grasshopper, as well. We were definitely distgusted by the bug, but it is a salad and bugs love leafy lettuce as much as we do, so my girlfriend quietly and politely went up to the outside bartender and told him there was a roach in her salad. He thought that was crazy and gave her a look. Came to the table to confirm and after a minute of staring he corrected her and said 'looks more like a grasshopper'. We didn't care much what it was (roach or grasshopper), just that it didn't belong in our food and it has kind of killed our afternoon. He made a comment that it may have jumped up into her salad because we were outside. We didn't like that comment much either. The bug was clearly dead and at mixed in with all the ingredients. He took the salad back to the chef. After about 15 minutes of sitting there and totally losing our appetites, we stopped the manager and asked him about the situation and he had not been told of the bug. So we had to tell him the story and he also thought the grasshopper could have jumped into the salad. We were pissed that the bartender never told his manager when he said he was going to and also that we were being told that 'bugs are bugs and are everywhere, so watch out' rather than a simple 'our bad, we're terribly sorry. what can we do to make this right'. After a total of about 20 minutes and appetites totally shot, the manager came back, said the chef denies that it came from his kitchen (prob came in the bagged salad from their distributor) and offered my girlfriend another salad and when she declined let us know that he would take care of the salad, the app we ordered and her drink. We were still on the hook for my drink and my barely half eaten meal. Oh well. All in all, i like this place, i'm moving into the neighborhood in 2 weeks and will probably only venture over for their drinks after this experience. A non-attentive bartender, an unapologetic manager and a chef in denial is what I am taking from that day. Accountability is too much to ask for from a group of employees that were not at fault for a dead grasshopper being included in their lettuce delivery. It happens. Oh well. 1 star was given for their service. 3 stars for food (would be 5 if not for dead bug) and 5 stars for their drinks.
(2)Tulsi D.
I thought this restaurant was great overall! The food was very flavorful and delicious and the portions were very big. The biscuits with honey butter were absolutely delightful but very rich and filling so be careful. The chicken, pork and beef sandwiches were all very good and tasty. The drinks were also very good. The environment is laid back and fun. This place gets very packed and would definitely recommend making reservations ahead of time for Friday and Saturday.
(4)Saba N.
So I want to give this place 5 stars because when I stepped in I was in love. This is exactly what Boston needed. It's absolutely gorgeous on the inside; open, airy, casual, lively, Miss Faison... you nailed it. It also happened to be 80 degrees outside (thanks mother nature) so all the windows and doors were open which I loved. Plus, they served the beer moonshine mugs which was so just so cute. And, the tables are big and picnic like (but more upscale). I really can't say enough about the vibe of this place. It was perfect. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't stay to eat. Total bummer. I picked up my sandwich -- which was way over priced in my opinion... 12 bucks for a pulled pork sandwich with NO sides!! Not even a little coleslaw.. that was 6 dollars extra. I'm going to say this once, I will never pay over 20 bucks for a pulled pork sandwich w/ beans and coleslaw. Come on now. I digress. So I pick up my sandwich and I'm thinking this has to be fantastic. I take a bite... disappointing! The meat was over cooked and the BBQ sauce on the side just didn't have the kick I long for (read: REDBONES). It wasn't awful but I guess I was expecting more. I did like that the bread didn't get soggy (even after 15 minutes) which is something that I hate about pulled pork sandwiches. But overall, it was average. I wouldn't get it again. Overall, I'd come back if I was in the area and the weather was nice. I just love the atmosphere and I'm curious to try other things on the menu. I
(4)Steven H.
Went there around 4pm on a Friday. The ribs were boiled and the sausage interior was dry and crumbly. I enjoyed the mac and cheese though. My friend had the brisket and thought it was dry. Their BBQ sauce was weak and the vinegar sauce was watery and tasted like vinegar only. Didn't try the yellow sauce but it smelled lik pickles. Overall we were not impressed. This is good BBQ for city slickers that have never had good BBQ.
(2)Cori L.
So this place has good smoked meats and biscuits but the sides SUCK. They just crumble ritz crackers on their mac and cheese! It isn't even baked in as a topping! Their beans, coleslaw and potato salad are also not even worth trying. But I still went here even though the sides sucked because the meats are smoked well even if they lack rub and the biscuits and butter are delicious. I will probably never go again or take out from them again because you can't order biscuits for take out. And what was their excuse!?! They don't travel well and they don't make enough for take out orders. THAT IS RIDICULOUS! AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE. Also, our waiter every time has disappeared for so long we thought we were going to have to stop someone else. And something that also annoyed me was how the server told us it was Texas BBQ. IT IS NOT TEXAS BBQ!!!! It is backyard bbq. It is a mix of lots of different types. Don't call it Texas if it isn't! Educate your staff please!
(1)D W.
There are tons of BBQ places all over the US that I have eaten in and I am married to a Texan with strong opinions about BBQ. Sweet Cheeks Q is by far the #1 place we have been to. Not only unbelievable main dishes but the sides are out of this world. Great mac n cheese, biscuits to die for and phenomenal farmer's salad. UPDATE: IF YOU GO TO SWEET CHEEKS - DO NOT PARK AT THE TRILOGY PARKING LOT NEXT DOOR.
(5)Meg B.
I have been drooling with anticipation to go to Sweet Cheeks since I first got the email from Urban Daddy. I have a deep passion (maybe obsession) with BBQ, especially when I go through my NC withdrawals (I use to reside there). First off, a lot of the reviews I read may be a little misleading. Yes the restaurant is pretty casual with the whole "school lunch tray", but I love the lighting and all the decor. I have yet to hit up the bar (next mission), but the menu had a diverse list of beers and lots of fun mixed drinks (don't forget the whiskey). I tried so hard to be adventurous and get something different than my usual go-to. EPIC FAIL. Pulled pork it is! And I have no complaints. The pork had a smokey tenderness to it that kept me going back for another bite. My suggestions, the one meat tray is more than enough food for one person, or three depending on your typical appetite. Don't expect to leave this restaurant still hungry (unless you are a vegetarian/vegan). Reviews suggested the broccoli casserole for the hot side..."meh". It was ok and didn't wow me...I wish I had gone for collard greens. But, the carrot and raisin salad was delish! It also made a great combination with the pulled pork in my to-go baggie. My partner in crime went all in and got the "three cheeks", which includes three different types of meat. BREAKING NEWS: If you fall into the category of having a slight interest in ribs....you better order the Berkshire Pork Ribs. I had one and i licked my fingers and the bone (I wasn't the only one). Now I know what I'm ordering next time! Biscuits, ribs, carrot & raisin salad and collard greens. And if you are smart you better do the same damn thing!
(5)Valerie V.
Went with a group of four here for dinner & drinks after several recommendations. Was not disappointed! Thought the food was delicious and not too pricey and I loved the drinks (although they were tiny!). The Bucket of Biscuits is a must! I got the pulled chicken and loved that it was an option. I'm not a big pork eater so was happy to see that on the menu. Everything was delish and came out quickly. Only complaints would be that the drinks were small for the price and that the place was a little crowded---felt a little more like a feeding trough than a place to sit for a while and have drinks. I would certainly go back though if I was in the Fenway area.
(4)Jennifer D.
Warning, I am a vegetarian, so my knowledge of southern bbq is limited. I ate the okra, fried green tomatoes and mac n cheese. The okra and fried green tomatoes were amazingly tasty. The mac n cheese was good but not fantastic. My wife had the fried chicken, potato salad and broccoli casserole. She loved all three, especially the casserole. The biscuits are what to eat when you go there, sooooooo good. The service was good. I am not sure about the actual bbq though, but I will eat the okra and biscuits again.
(4)Benjamin O.
I've been here many times since they opened, and can finally come to the conclusion now that this is, overall, the best Bar-b-que in Boston. Be prepared for a long wait here if you come at night, especially on weekends. The ambiance is nice and casual, if a bit crowded and loud. Consider take-out if you're not up for a long wait. My favorites: the biscuits (Andre the GIant sized behemoths), salt-and-peppered potatoes (what makes these simple, fried potatoes so good?), pork ribs, pulled pork, collard greens. Enjoy, and be prepared to enjoy leftovers of the large portions for days to come.
(5)Ariel P.
My wife and I went during the day on Christmas Eve. Overall, it was a pretty good experience. I've been to Texas, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina...this place reminded me of how good BBQ can be if it is done correctly. We arrived a little before 12, and the smells were awesome. I got the pork belly plate with mac and cheese, cole slaw, and a Porter. She got the pulled chicken, bbq beans and potato salad. We split a basket of biscuits. First off, it was too much food...in a good way. A bucket of biscuits gives you 4. They are ridiculously big, and the butter that comes with it really compliments them. The pork belly was top notch, as was the mac and cheese. The slaw was ok, but I'm sure that is because I'm used to slaw doused in mayo. The pulled chicken was excellent as well, but my wife wasn't a fan of the beans or potato salad. The service was pretty good. No qualms there. The price was high, but definitely reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. Since they advertise themselves as Texas BBQ, I'd love to see them add smoked sausage to the menu.
(4)Joseluis A.
came in with friends for drinks and they wanted to eat. in the end, they didnt get anything to eat as they said it was kinda pricey. i did not even look at the food menu but based on service and beer list, this place is ok. would i return? perhaps cause with a name like sweet cheeks, its only natural that i am curious about it.
(3)Mark V.
The food quality does not match the prices they charge. That is all.
(2)Jennifer W.
Not that I'm an expert on BBQ or Southern food....but Sweet Cheeks was just OK. I agree with some other reviews that it was overpriced for what it is. And I really did not like the communal table setting. We were a part of 9 and we didn't get our own table and it was a really awkward seating arrangement. BF and I split a big tray and choose to get pulled pork, brisket & pork ribs. The pulled pork was pretty good as was the brisket, but really nothing that memorable. The sauce was good, but again...nothing special. Ribs were very different than what I was expecting, a little too salty I think. The side farm salad was actually the BEST thing all night. Arugula, brussel sprouts, parmesan & grapes. Savory, sweet, and YUMMY! Mac and Cheese was really subpar, I only had 2 bites...which NEVER happens when Mac & Cheese is present at the table. And finally the famous biscuits. I mean ya, they were really good, the honey butter is like crack, but it wasn't as crazy phenomenal as everyone's hyped it up to be. And they're HUGE! After I had one I was already half full. If I lived in the neighborhood I would go there occasionally, but since I do not, I'm crossing it off my "to go" list and moving on!
(3)Jeff S.
After reading all of the reviews about Sweet Cheeks I was a little nervous to make my maiden voyage. In all fairness though, our meal last night was terrifyingly awesome. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars, is because I just can't completely justify the pricing they are using. Even if items, maybe just the sides, were just a couple of bucks cheaper it would have been 5 stars in my book. We had the Ribs, Pork Belly and Brisket, as well as the Salt Boiled Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Fried Okra, and a couple of the cold sides (which I never even got to eat because I was too full). The BBQ was really, really good. The ribs were better than anything I've had around Boston. They were tender/moist and had really good flavor. The Pork Belly and Brisket were equally as good. My biggest gripe would definitely come from the portion/value side of the equation. It is expensive for what you get. I think my plate was $24 (Pork Belly/Ribs/1 hot side/1 cold side) and that included 4 ribs and 4 pieces of pork belly. This was a little disappointing. I feel like there could have been a little more in the way of protein served. Also, paid $7 for a side order of the potatoes -- which is just a bit high. That said, they were SOOO TASTY!!!! They are like mashed potatoes that are then deep fried. I was dipping them in BBQ sauce and couldn't get enough -- despite the price, I would still order them again. Despite the experiences that other had, I thought the service was very good and the hostess was quite friendly. I will definitely be going back...just wish it was a little more reasonable from a pricing standpoint. From the owners' viewpoint though, if the food/service is really good and people will continue to go back even if it is a bit too expensive, why would you lowere your prices? (It was packed last night on a Wednesday, so they must be doing something right!)
(4)Amanda L.
CAMERON DIAZ WAS HERE!! My girlfriend and I came in for lunch one weekend and she was eating here with Jason Segel, apparently they are in Boston shooting a movie. So we knew that this place had to be good. The atmosphere reminded me of Pucketts in Nashville, a casual fun place to get some really good southern comfort food. My friend and I got the fried chicken platter, and the burnt ends sandwich. We also got a biscuit with honey butter. The chicken was not really anything to write home about, just meh. But the burnt ends sandwish was SO GOOD! It was salty, and crispy with just the right amount of caramelization on the meat. Unreal. The biscuit with honey butter... I will never eat a biscuit without that honey butter again. I would definitely come back, but next time I'm skipping the fried chicken and ordering just a plate of burnt ends and a biscuit. I thought it was pretty pricy for barbeque, but I guess this is in Boston... not the South and the food was good.
(4)Nick P.
I've been looking forward to going to Sweet Cheeks since I read that it was moving into the Fenway are for three reasons. 1) As a fan of BBQ and living in New England, it's hard to find fall off the bone meat and southern style comfort food. 2) I consider myself a comfort food foodie, when I can I like going to above average casual dining restaurant where the food will be fresh and clean and delicious. 3) I love Top Chef. After waiting a few weeks my fiance and I finally got to go. And we were not disappointed. Immediately when we walked in we recognized Tiffani Faison, an owner and head chef, cooking in the back and dancing to Pearl Jam, which immediately had us pumped up for the night. The place was packed so we put our names on a waiting list and went to the bar to wait. Our bartender (young guy, I forget his name) welcomed us as soon as we sat down and told us about the special draft beers and helped me choose a delicious full boded IPA and my better half a delicious drink, "The Heartless Jezebel." We loved that the cups were mason drinks and were digging our night. We were quoted a 20 min wait time, but it was more like 10 or 15 before the hostess took us to our seats and we were looking at the menu. We loved the tables and the mismatched chairs. Defly a playful atmosphere on family style dining. Also let me just say kudos for the selection of music. I was a little fearful that, like other BBQ joints i've been to they would be playing country and honky tonk music, but not Sweet Cheeks, we were jamming to great rock and roll from the 90's and 2000's. Our waitress was prompt and informative filling us in on the sauces available and answering questions about the items on the menu. I had pulled pork w/ broccoli and cheese casserole and potato salad. She had the half a chicken with the same sides. we also ordered the bucket of biscuits, because we love biscuits especially when they come in buckets. i started to get plate envy when the couple next to us got fried green tomatoes, but then our biscuits came. Four serious biscuits in a serious bucket. They were huge and I was afraid they would be heavy but they weren't. They were light and melted in your mouth, especially with the honey butter they are served with. Then are trays of food came, also no joke. I was surprised by the amount of food, sometimes you go to restaurants with a high price point (which they are, you just need to prepare for that so you're not shocked) and the food you get is disappointing, as was recently the case when we went to Legal Seafood. But my companion's chicken was a legit half a chicken and I had had a very healthy serving of pulled pork. Both of our proteins were perfectly cooked and the meat was falling of her bone and broke apart easily in my fingers. My pork was juicy and flavorful before adding their homemade BBQ and hot sauce. My fiance's chicken was, "The juiciest chicken I've ever had." And then the sides, lord the sides. The broccoli and cheese casserole is amazing.YOU MUST GET THIS SIDE!!! All the food was great, but that was the part of the dinner we spent the night talking about. If you bite into the potato salad after a bite of the casserole, the textures, temperatures and flavors make both dishes stand out more. We both left full and feeling like a food coma was imminent. You also know the food is very well prepared and fresh because you don't feel greasy and bloated like I have after some other BBQ means I've had in the state. You are full, but you don't fill sick. The restaurant is loud, fun and inviting. It's a bar feel without the normal drawbacks of a bar. The restaurant is only several weeks old and is already has a fantastic menu knowledgeable staff and a strong point of view. I can't wait to watch this place grow over the coming months including the outdoor dining area which they are starting to build now, which will be great in those hot summer nights before or after a Sox game. Not only do we plan to go back and have some of those fried green tomatoes, but we plan on being regulars! Great job to Tiffani and the staff of SweetCheeks BBQ!
(5)Laura T.
Let me start by saying that maybe I had over-the-top expectations (based on the bff Holly B's review) but I just wasn't impressed by all with my meal. The pulled pork was ok, but I'm not a big fan of the way they let you put your own sauce on at the table... it was freezing cold and made the meat lukewarm at best... yuck. I thought the broccoli casserole was bland and one note. What i WAS really impressed with was the biscuits and butter, but how annoying that you have to buy a whole bucket instead of just being able to get one on the side. Service was cranky... won't be returning.
(2)Karyn V.
My boyfriend is from Texas and always complains about New England's lack of good BBQ. We were therefore extremely excited about Sweet Cheeks' opening, and we were not disappointed! Sweet Cheeks offers family style seating where you sit at a large table next to people you may/may not know. The decor is as trendy as a BBQ restaurant can be with wood piles, large TV screens, and open kitchen. Drinks are served in mason jars; you eat on metal trays covered with butcher paper (which will make you think of upscale TV dinner); and, biscuits are brought to you in a paint can. This makes for a very fun and lively atmosphere. For only being open a week, our server knew the menu extremely well. She was informative and attentive without being overbearing. . Meat is available on 2-meat ($24) and 3-meat ($28) trays with two sides, as sandwiches ($10) on Texas toast with one side, and by the pound. We decided to split the 3-meat tray (pulled chicken, pulled pork, and brisket with a side of broccoli and potato salad). We also ordered a few ribs, hush puppies, and biscuits. The hush puppies were average. The BBQ was very good (especially the ribs), but the fat on the brisket should have been better trimmed. The biscuits were fantastic, but I wish they were served with honey only rather than the honey butter. Because the biscuits are already extremely buttery and moist, adding more butter was an overkill. The potato salad was also very good, and the side of broccoli was amazing. Covered with cheese and cracker crumbs, the broccoli really was a treat. The three table sauces for the BBQ were also extremely good, especially the "911" sauce. It isn't as spicy as promised, but it does have all the peppery fruitiness of habanero. I would have given Sweet Cheeks a five star rating if it wasn't for the price. When we ordered the $28 3-meat tray, we were expecting to get a lot of food. Instead, we really only got enough food for one person if we hadn't ordered the hush puppies and biscuits. For $28, I would just expect to get more than one piece of brisket and small scoops of pulled chicken and pork. All in all, I am very glad Boston finally has good BBQ! We will definitely be dining here again in the near future.
(4)Karen M.
Had wanted to come for long time, heard great things and Tiffany Faison reminds me of Anne Burell on food network. Loved it! BF and I went for early bite one Sunday, shared the pulled pork and pulled chicken, beans, slaw, potato salad, and 2 cream sodas. The meats were so tender and tasty, liked the homemade buns. The potato salad was my least favorite, good but could have used a little more something. The habanero sauce will murder! Wow, serious spice! Our waiter was warm and friendly. Loved the temporary tattoo machine in restroom! Silly fun! Next time in kenmore, we're coming here!
(4)Kristina F.
Holy food batman. They did a great job with the atmosphere decor. And the food. Really. Great. I love the whole style with the trays - I had a honking short rib dish. HUGE. Almost too big for me, but I love taking home leftovers. And we started with the yummy buttery biscuits, the potatoes and fried okra, so needless to say, I probably didn't need to order something so big. Sides were spot on. Mac and cheese was really good, but I also found their salad really fresh and delicious. While I normally don't like okra, there's was tasty. Loved the casual, laid back style and the drinks in jars. Very cool drink menu. Looking forward to coming back soon.
(4)Hieu T.
Sweet Cheeks is a new, Southern style restaurant that recently open in the Fenway area. I went to try it out with couple of my coworkers and were highly recommended. It is a cute restaurant! The staff were really friendly and there seem to be a lot of people there for lunch (but if you are work near Fenway area, there are not a lot of options). I order the lunch tray with the Great Northern Brisket with their homemade fries as the appetizer. I love the waffle-looking fries, although it is a bit burnt! The Brisket was moist, but fatty. I wish there were more meat instead of fat but it is brisket so I can't really complain there. The three sauces that they have is not that impressive. It is actually a bit BLAND. If I compare Sweet Cheeks to FireFlies BBQ and Tennesee BBQ, Sweet Cheeks will come at the bottom. I had better southern style food at FireFlies and Tennessee. With the price that Sweet Cheeks charged for lunch, the food did not match up to it. The average is $11 to $13 for lunch and it is not worth it at all. There are other places around here that I can get a better deal with juicier food, hence why it was rated at three stars.
(3)Jacqueline C.
I loved this place! It's perfectly casual but cool enough for a Saturday night dinner out with friends. The ambience is perfect...loud enough that you can't hear the people next to you but not so loud that you cannot hear your group or the awesome flashback to the 90s rap that was playing (all I want to do is a zoom zoom zoom zoom). Loved it. The food was really really good. There wasn't a bit I didn't put in my mouth that wasn't very, ver delicious. I can't wait to go back and try other things on the menu. I had the fried chicken platter with Mac and cheese and salad. It was incredible! The sweet tea is totally authentic and the biscuits are to die for. Our only downside was a looong wait because they forgot about us and they tried to make it up to us with free biscuits....after we already ordered some....and then the waitress spilled an entire glass of water on one of our friends. They were very nice and apologetic and I bet if I had water spilled on me I would not be giving them 5 stars ... But the food was great, service was good and ambience pretty cool for what it he place is.
(5)Kadin L.
TEEEERRRRRRIIIFFFFIIICCCCC!!! Had my first REAL BBQ here several weeks ago with my friend and her family, and i must say, it's like having the BIG O in my mouth. i got a pulled pork sandwich on texas toast with a "scoop" of casserole and coleslaw. The pork was soooooo tender it melted in my mouth! AHHhhh! sooo good! It was my first time having casserole too and i have to say, MAGNIFICENT! WOW, first time for everything here! i love how they use jars as drink ware, very creative! LOVE all the wood tables! tip: ask your server for extra extra napkins if you get the texas toast because its VERRYY messy! P.S. THE HOME MADE HOT SAUCE IS TERRIFIC!!!!! YOU MUST TRY IT! INCREDIBLY GOOD!
(5)Holly J.
I'd been waiting for this place to open its doors since they first started construction, and it was as good as I was anticipating! The official opening is today, and I can only imagine that this place is going to get more and more packed as word spreads. The atmosphere was fun and the staff was great, especially our waiter Chris - he was friendly, fun, and knowledgeable. We all tried a different beer, and found a couple great ones! The food was excellent - I had the brisket sandwich which was done to perfection, and a couple of friends got the pulled pork. I can't wait to buy that stuff by the pound and take it home! The bbq sauce on the table was delicious, and my friends had good things to say about the hot sauce (not really my thing). And, wow, the mac'n'cheese was EXCELLENT. I already can't wait to go back, as often I can make it happen!
(5)Holly M.
I don't know how anyone could come here and not eat. It smells way too damn delicious when you walk in. Southern BBQ all the way. We had the hush puppies to start and they were awesome. The slightly sweet sauce they served with them was an awesome addition. My husband had the fried chicken platter and it was huge! We had to get the rest to go, and I was shocked. Very not like him. Overall the service was great and the food was pretty tasty. We'll be back for sure!
(3)Adrienne P.
I like it here. Both times I've eaten here, I've gotten the biscuits (amazing) and shared a pick 3 plate... once with 2 other girls and once with one guy. Both times, we took food home. People say it's pricy for BBQ, but if you go this route, it's really not that bad all things considered. I think the pick 3 plate is about 26 bucks so split that 2 or 3 ways... One waiter tried to convince us we each needed our own plate... don't fall for it unless you're looking to have lunch for the next day! I was sad they didn't have cornbread until I tried the biscuit... no need for cornbread. Also sad that they don't carry Bulliet Burbon, but this forced me to try something new (they have a long list). I love the collards. They taste fresh. Don't bother with the hot sauce. It's spicy but pretty tasteless. Also, try the NC style vinegar. Yum!
(4)Ben P.
Was surprised at their selection of alcohol. I didn't get any tonight but they had some of my favorite craft beers that aren't easy to get around here, and very reasonably priced I got a pulled pork sandwich. biscuits and sweet tea. The pulled pork was delicious with a mix of their original and death sauces (the death sauce wasn't THAT hot but had great flavor to go with the kick). Get it on texas toast, tastes much better than it would on a bulkie. I was in a large party and they were really good about refilling water. Biscuits with honey butter were to die for. Great authentic smell coming from the barbecue, sweet tea came in a big mason jar with added sweetener on the side but it was quite sweet to begin with. Bathroom was cool with random decor and an interesting prize egg machine in the Men's bathroom. While the service was attentive, it was nothing special, but the biggest knock is that some of the sides seemed to more expensive than they were worth and my friend who got the fried chicken said it was just okay and some was too burnt to eat. But overall I'd go again if I wasn't afraid to put a dent in the wallet.
(4)Zinah A.
Was in the mood for some comfort food. Have heard about sweet cheeks wanted to check it out not even knowing that my Girl Tiffany from Top Chef was the executive chef! Immediately as we walked through it's doors the smell of BBQ & biscuits hit us. Mouth watering hungry girls we were anticipating a fulfilling dinner & were not let down! The biscuits were amazing with the sweet butter on the side left me wanting more. We got the tray of pork belly & pork ribs delicious! The pork belly seasoned just right, tender & juicy didn't feel one once of guilt because it was just perfect! My friend had the brisket which didn't need anything, huge portion, soft, tender, and juicy. We had a friendly server that was excited about the cocktails & food. The prices were just right for amount & quality of food. I can't wait to go back! I want some more pork belly even if I have to work out an additional 1-2 hours, IT'S WORTH IT!!!
(4)Caesar R.
Well, the experience was ok. The service was a D, but the food was a solid B. The place was packed with tables of 10-12, must have been office holiday party lunch at Sweet Cheeks on Thursday. So we were grateful to get a table right away around 12:30 PM. We were seated then ignored for about 20 minutes. My wife was so excited for the ribs and the potato salad. The first greeting from our waiter was....we are out of the ribs and potato salad. The wife was unhappy, so I said, join the crowd (me). Eventually, we had our order taken and then our beverage of one diet coke (Massive quart mason ball jars, so come thirsty) and water arrive 15 minutes later. Thankfully, the manager came over and apologized for the wait. We shared the pork belly and the brisket. Both were delicious. Portion size was ample. A little pricey for bbq, but this is great stuff. Top Chef Runner Up from Season One Tiffany has done good things to her meat and in turn to your mouth! Get the service act together, otherwise, it will be take out from now on....
(3)Danielle L.
Average tasting BBQ for the Boston area meaning below average compared to what you might get in someplace like Texas or out of your own smoker. The ribs had the best smoked flavor on my visit. The pork belly and burnt end on the brisket had the best overall flavor. It was served on paper with sliced bread and pickles like you often see it done in Texas but on top of a metal tray. The biscuits with honey butter are great. They're huge scone like biscuits. The sides are okay. The Mac and cheese was okay and better than I thought it would be based on other reviews. The portions are big. The service was very fast. We walked right, in got a table, had dinner, got leftovers boxed up, and were out in an hour. Very loud. Very expensive for BBQ. Two 2-meat combos, biscuits, and 2 beers with tip $90. Overall, it was nice to visit, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there. Especially when blue ribbon is closer, just as good or better, and one-third the cost.
(2)Cullen F.
Atmosphere is fun. BBQ is dry. They need to go slow & low. It's more like high & dry. Food tastes good, but the TLC was missing. Ribs don't fall off bone, but taste really good. They don't have a lot of sauces, and that is a real issue when the BBQ is dry. Hush Puppies are good. Be prepared for shared seating. Mac & Cheese is standard, but good. Nothing blew our doors off. If you are on a date, and want private chat, be sure to request a table to yourself.
(2)Chris A.
First, this would be a 3.5 if there were half-star grades on here. Anyway, pretty much everything you've read in other reviews is right. Expensive for BBQ, biscuits are awesome, food is good. We got the Fat Cheeks Tray (three meats, two sides) and the biscuits to share. It was more than enough food. Pulled Pork - 5/5 - This was amazing. Loved every bit of it with the regular sauce. Brisket - 4/5 - My girlfriend would say five, but I thought it was too tender. It was almost soggy. I want to feel like I'm eating meat, not mush. Still, delicious. Pork Ribs - 2/5 - I was not impressed. At all. Mac And Cheese - 3/5 - Didn't think that much of it and I'm a mac and cheese fanatic. Coleslaw - 3/5 - I don't eat it, but the girlfriend said it was pretty good. Sweet Tea - 6/5 - This was the type of sweet tea I love. As for the biscuits, they deserve their own paragraph. When you see them on the menu, you think "what? FOUR biscuits for TEN dollars?! Get the hell outta here." Luckily, I had read all the reviews on here beforehand about how good they were and how they were the size of your head. Both were very true. They were delicious and the butter was outstanding. We each had one and took two home with us. This morning we put some scrambled eggs on it and that was one of the best breakfasts I've had in a while. The main thing keeping this rating from being hire is the price. We shared the fat cheeks tray ($26), got one beer a piece ($12) and the biscuits ($10) and our bill was over $50. With tip, it's over $60. A Bud Light for $5? C'mon. If you ordered small cup of mac and cheese on the side, it's $6. Please. There's a reason this stuff usually sells for so little - because it's cheap to make! No need to gouge your customers just because the owner was on Top Chef. Would I come back? Never to have a drink. And I'd rather check out all other BBQ options in the area first. Maybe one lazy afternoon. We'll see.
(3)Maggie S.
First off: I have never actually eaten in here; just take out, and it was fantastic. Me and my husband got the pulled pork and the pork belly with the broccoli and cheese casserole, mac and cheese and potato salad scoops and it was easily the best BBQ I have ever tasted and the sauces were delicious! I was wanting to LOVE this place so badly because I am a huge Top Chef junkie, and it did not disappoint. It is a little expensive for BBQ, but they give you so much food that leftovers are pretty much a guarantee. We had the rest of our meal for lunch the next day! I can't wait to go in for a sit-down meal!
(5)Margaret B.
Went to Sweet Cheeks for a pre game meal. Limited menu, but if your looking for BBQ it will hit the spot. Casual atmosphere, drinks served from mason jars, and you help yourself to mismatched silverware in coffee cans placed along the bar. The intial bartender didn't seem interested in serving us, but another one came in shortly after and was very friendly. We would have been interested in bisquits but for $10 they can keep them, I would think they would be a given with your meal. I ordered the brisket and slaw and the bf had pulled pork with the mac n cheese. The pork was good and the mac n cheese was heavy but yummy. The brisket had as much fat as it did meat which was disappointing but was still very good. The slaw could have used some more tang. Overall we enjoyed.
(3)Jessica B.
we used to live in boston and recently visited with a couple of our besties. when i did a little bit of research about what is going on there these days, i couldn't resist suggesting we hit this place up. i called saturday afternoon to inquire about reservations and was told that they weren't accepting any additional reservations for the evening but that they would be taking walk-ins as availability permitted. we figured we'd roll the dice since it was pretty early by city standards (maybe 6-7ish?) and were quoted about 20 minutes, if memory serves correctly. we made our way to the bar, found a place that was as out of the way as it gets, acquired the bartenders attention- who pointed out a couple of delicious sounding drink specials- ordered a round of bevvies and then *BOOM* they called our name. seeing as though i was under the impression we'd be there long enough to have more than one beverage i left my card. once our party was called i waited to cash out and the rest of our party made their way to our table. i waited for what seemed to be f o r e v e r....and then finally was able to join my homies. what i think is notable is that you can order most of the meats by the pound..meaning that i ordered a 1/4lb of one thing plus an appetizer in order to maximize the number of things we were able to sample and minimize the i'm so full i need a wheelbarrow feeling. i should agree that the biscuits were absolutely delicious..and HUGE. the butter was sweet and delicious as well. the bbq is smoked with a dry rub. 3 types of sauce seemed standard each table. i loved that they served, what seemed to be, all drinks in mason jars. it was packed and open concept-ish. the music was like a play list my most music savvy friend might put together ..so good. all in all i would say that sweet cheeks is a place we would frequent if we still lived in the city.
(4)Amy B.
I took my parents to Sweet Cheeks last weekend and I will definitely be back to visit! As a vegetarian, I knew my menu options would be limited, but I was able to great a great (and extremely fattening) dinner. We started off with the bucket of biscuits, and MAN were they delicious! They are huge and rich and soft and buttery and just amazing. I could eat them all day. I had the mac n cheese and I was not disappointed. It wasn't the best I've ever had and I do wish it was a bit creamier, but overall, it had good flavor and I would get it again. I also got a side of fried green tomatoes which I had never had before and I loved them! Our waiter was extremely friendly, attentive and thorough and I wish I remembered his name so I could give him five stars! I would say give Sweet Cheeks a try, especially if you are NOT a vegetarian! :)
(4)Joseph C.
Finally walked up the street to check out Fenway's newest eatery. If you'd ever been to the previous incarnation, Cambridge.1, you're sure to be surprised easily Sweet Cheeks adapted to the decor. Modest wait (about 45 min) , and there was some confusion over where we were supposed to stand until a table opened up (the bar OR the window-side counters ). The waitstaff will serve drinks while you wait. Biscuits are amazing (and despite an earlier posting, clearly labeled on the menu) and filling. Good beer selection. For dinner, I had the pork belly, collards, and carrot salad. I'm sure I will be coming back.
(3)Brian L.
Made a lunch time visit in my quest to try every food joint near Fenway. Firstly, it takes a lot to get me to eat BBQ. I don't like getting messy.... but I was drawn in by the smell of wood fires... and thought "What the hell..." Had a pulled chicken sandwich as I figured that would be the least messy.... on Texas toast with onions and pickles. Pickles were a nice touch and reminded me of my days in North Carolina. Three sauces were available.... hot, mild and a vinegar sauce. The hot and vinegar were actually too vinegary for me (even for one called vinegar) but the mild was fine... average but fine... sort of tomato-based with a tiny tang. The chicken was cooked perfectly and it spilled from the sides of my sandwich. Had a side of this broccoli casserole in a cup.... quite tasty. It made me eat my veggies. The place seems to have a decent beer list. Some craft brews.... The price was slightly more than I would have expected to pay. Service was good. I could have done without the country music... it seemed weird sitting in the muddle of the city with Fenway nearby. Atmosphere was cozy.
(3)Torin C.
Good Texas style BBQ. I had the ribs. They were tender and tasty, but a little salty. The Collard Greens were really, really salty. The waiter (J.D.) was awesome! I wanted to hang out with him after I ate. Overall it was really good, and I would go again.
(4)Jad I.
I really wanted to like this place, I really did. I might just be harder to please because I'm from Memphis, TN, but Sweet Cheeks was a huge disappointment. THE ATMOSPHERE: The place itself is casual and truly southern, so in a way I guess I can't complain. But am I crazy to expect something classier in a restaurant where one can easily spend $30 on a meal? I sat at a picnic table. PICNIC. TABLE. THE FOOD: I ordered the pulled chicken tray with the mac & cheese and the potato salad. The pulled chicken was moist, but flavorless. The mac & cheese was standard. Nothing mind-blowing, really. Also, had I known the potato salad came with bacon on it, I wouldn't have ordered it at all because I don't eat pork. But when I explained this to the waiter, he happily brought me another order of the potato salad, sans the bacon. My only regret would be that I had not tried the biscuits, because I heard such great things about them. But 10 dollars for only 4 biscuits? Pass. My friend ordered the ribs and mac & cheese. He said the ribs were dry and flavorless (and overpriced!) and agreed that the mac & cheese was just average. I will say their sweet tea was really good: sweet, but not artificially sweet. I'd go back there just for it. THE SERVICE: The waiter was genuinely nice to us the whole evening, which made it even more surprising to me when he charged me for the replacement potato salad I ordered. I'm not sure if I should blame the service or the menu, because it doesn't say anywhere on the menu that the potato salad comes covered with bacon. But that doesn't make up for the fact that I was charged for both potato salads when I only ate one. OVERALL: After leaving, me and my friends felt sick. Sweet Cheeks brands itself as a southern barbecue establishment, but it is honestly the worst barbecue I've ever had. I might just be a harsh critic, but I can guarantee anyone from the south would agree with me. It's the equivalent of PF Changs calling itself authentic chinese food. More importantly, aside from having lackluster food, I would say Sweet Cheek's biggest problem is its price. It promises amazing food, which makes it seem worth paying $30. So anything less than amazing is just unacceptable. Rip-off.
(2)Ken Y.
First, the prices were wayyyyyyyy high during lunch. They don't even match the web site ($5 higher than web site menu prices....trays averaged $18). Second, I got the pulled pork sandwich which was listed at $12 but was charged $18 on the bill. Thought maybe I got the tray instead, but came home to review the menu and it was definitely wrong. I should have asked while there :-P The BBQ sandwich was way too small for the price...and for the price, there were definitely fewer ribs than you'd get at other BBQ places around here. Food-wise, I thought it was better than the usual BBQ choices up here...Blue Ribbon and Redbones. I've never really liked their BBQ...thought the meat was dry, hated the bark on ribs, etc. The meat here was very tender including the ribs which were tender and pink all the way through. The pulled pork was good too...or at least better than those other places...they had a nice smoke flavor even w/o the sauce. For the sauce, I did a mix of what they had available since Texas BBQ style is dry and you get to add sauce as you see fit. So on my pulled pork sandwich, I used mostly their regular BBQ sauce, added a splash of the North Carolina BBQ sauce, and then a drop or two of the jalepeno sauce which is wicked hot if you eat it by itself. Then I topped it w/ part of the carrot/raisin salad which was great. That was an excellent sandwich, though I'm not going to have it again w/ texas toast bread (white bread toasted w/ probably half a stick of butter)-: and will get a bulkie roll instead next time. The BBQ beans tasted salty instead of brown sugar sweet...reminded me more of chili than anything else. Tried my D.C.'s potato salad which was topped w/ grated bacon and that was good...the broccoli and cheese was ehhh. Had the infamous biscuit and while it was nice and flaky (love the honey butter), we both thought it was a bit on the salty side. The leftover ribs were also salty as were the BBQ beans...you can't take excess salt out :-P Service we thought was good, though I did end up w/ no water in my cup near the end. We might try it again after a few months, but only if the prices for lunch are more like what's on their web site (trays for $12-14) instead of what we saw ($18-23).
(3)Crystal E.
Southern food, not exactly exactly expert on those food but they are pretty good. Pricey though. I love the hush puppies! Yummy and the sweet tea! Good deal on the sweet tea! It's huge!
(3)Jerei J.
Me and my boyfriend came here on our anniversary. He loves anything BBQ so I figured this was the place to be, and OMG was it perfect . The atmosphere was very friendly and the staff were friendly as well. The decorations and the tables added a lil southern flair to the place which made it fun. They brought out our drinks in huge mason jars and our biscuits in giant coffee tin jars, so it had a Texas appeal to it, and the food oh lord, talk about delicious. My boyfriend is annoying when it comes to food and is very picky, but he loved it. I got the pork ribs or something like that and it was pretty much the best damn ribs I ever had. And they give out awesome portions, like a huge ass tray of just food. Overall, my boyfriend had an amazing time and still talks about it to this day. We plan on going back...very soon
(5)Jesse K.
I'll start with a caveat: I did not dine in at Sweet Cheeks. My fiance brought me her leftovers. That being said, I thought the food here was outstanding. I'm from the south, so I have high standards for BBQ. Though it has a devout and cult-like following, I find Red Bones just ok. So when I tell you that Sweet Cheeks has incredible, fit-for-the-south BBQ I mean it. The pulled pork is hands-down the best I've ever had; so smoky and flavorful I had no need for any sauce. The ribs were also cooked perfectly, gently coming off the bone. Finally, the beef brisket was so flavorful, with a soft pink middle and a charred crispy outside. The sides were no slouches either. The mac n cheese was indulgent, and the carrot salad is to die for. It has BBQ scraps sprinkled in for a perfect flavor and texture. Though I can't comment on the restaurant or service, I cannot recommend the food here enough. To BBQ snobs everywhere, get here asap.
(5)Paul A.
I really can't say enough good things about Sweet Cheeks. They've got the best quality meat in the city, they're sauces are pretty great, rolls the size of your head, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. The berkshire pork ribs and pork belly are my favorites but you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Another nice touch is all the drinks are served in ball jars (and shots in small preserves containers!)
(5)Mabel S.
My first time at Sweet Cheeks was a great one! The atmosphere is casual and laid back, and seemed like a really fun place to hang out with friends. The use of trays and mason jars is genius! It's a really creative way to serve the food and drinks. Speaking of food, it was delicious. I got the pulled pork tray with mac and cheese and potato salad. The pulled pork was smoked just to my liking, and it was melt in your mouth good. The mac and cheese was super creamy, and the potato salad was just perfect! and a MUST TRY is the biscuits and honey butter. You'll regret it if you don't! The servers were all attentive and friendly, and got your food to you quickly. I would definitely go back to Sweet Cheeks.
(4)Jeff S.
We went on a very busy night and it was well worth the wait. I had pork belly and it was delicious. I had to roll out of there. The atmosphere is fun. All drinks come in mason jars - water in mason jars, beer in mason jars, wine in smaller mason jars, shots in mini mason jars. Make sure to get a bucket o' biscuits to start.
(4)Renee B.
Things I really liked: Service at the Bar! Fried Okra, Carrot Raisin salad, Broccoli Cheese salad, the tenderness of the meat (we had pulled pork, ribs, brisket), and the sweet potato hand pie. Things I wish were better: hushpuppies (not enough umph for me), Sauces (meh, decent flavor but nothing wowing) and prices (man that was an expensive dinner for what we got). We will be back because we want to try it again and the meat was cooked very well. I just was hoping for a little more.
(3)Rhea B.
Wow, fantastic ribs, dreamy fried chicken, fab collard greens, large servings. Love this place! My first time was last night and I will be back. I just wish the music were a little less loud, so I could hear my dining companion better.
(5)Larry P.
Came here night before Thanksgiving before a movie and could have had a better experience. First, I arrived a few minutes before my party did and asked to be seated. Though it was 5 pm and the restaurant was virtually empty, the hostess would not seat me and suggested I sit on a chair by the wall. While I understand why restaurants are usually reluctant to seat people before their entire party is present, in this case it felt rude and resulted in a very awkward situation where I sat alone on the wall very near the host's stand in the near-empty restaurant. My girlfriend arrived to the still-empty restaurant about ten minutes later and we asked to be seated while we waited for the third and final member of our party. Even though the restaurant uses the same tables for parties of 2 or 3, the hostess still wouldn't seat us. I finally just said we would only be 2 so that we could get a table. When our other friend came in about ten minutes later, we asked about being moved to another table that seemed to be arranged to accommodate 3 people a bit better (not a differently sized table, just one in a less congested area of the restaurant). Our waiter told us we couldn't move there because that table would shortly be grouped with the ones near it to seat a very large party. It seemed to us just a short time later that this was just not true as the tables he had referenced were being used by separate groups that had rambled in after we asked about switching tables. It would have been fine if there were some legitimate reason for us not to use the table we had asked about, but why make up a story? As for the food, my review must be mixed. The sauces left on the table were delicious, and the pineapple habanero had lots of kick. The fried ochra appetizer was really on point, but our main course came up lacking. The pork belly was extremely fatty, and I am not at all the type of guy who shies away from some fat on his meat. We had some pieces of brisket that were delicious, but a couple that were, again, comprised mostly of fat and largely inedible. I thought the pulled chicken, on the other hand, was stellar. Great texture, perfect amount of saltiness, and the aforementioned sauces complimented it beautifully. However, that (plus collard greens that were also very good) just could not offset the negative parts of our visit. Lastly, my late-arriving friend wasn't given water until just before the end of our meal (I understand he was late, but I also think our waiter could have looked over at some point to figure this out) and my girlfriend and I also got our first and only refills at that same time. Next time we are in Fenway, we would likely try another spot before venturing back in here.
(2)Adam L.
Brisket was very fatty, pork was very dry, slaw was terrible. Mac & cheese was delicious! Great place to eat before a Sox game, but lower your expectations.
(2)Dan H.
This was good BBQ. You can taste the smoke and the meat is fresh. No need to slather with BBQ sauce either. They have a habanero sauce that is actually spicy. A fantastic place to grab some good BBQ.
(4)Conny D.
First the good - friendly and helpful wait staff; plus the meat is the reason you're there, so it is well prepared and generally tasty, the right balance of lean to fat for barbecue, good sauces. Now the bad, the sides are dreadful, and not a very good selection. Hard to make bad mac and cheese, but they've succeeded, no corn bread, but very sad "Texas Toast" for which the Lone Star State will be unhappy to be affiliated. Coleslaw also poorly executed, it goes on. If only they would pay as much attention to the sides and the selections as they do to the very good meat this would be a much better restaurant. The fun of eating barbecue is the whole tasting experience, the balance between sweet and sour, chewy, smooth, etc. so side dishes should get the same level of care and thought. Best bet would be to order take out of meat selections you like then go home and cook your own accompaniments. Here's hoping this new spot is still experimenting with its menu and they'll make some adjustments.
(2)Brian S.
This place is great. And I'm totally going back. I went the day before Thanksgiving in the afternoon for lunch with a friend. It was pretty empty -- the bar was pretty much ours...which is just how I like it. After warming up with a refreshing hard cider...I ordered the pork ribs, she had the brisket. Both were great. Super smoky taste -- the ribs were a beautiful pink color -- they came off the bone, but didn't fall apart in your mouth...allowing you to chew into that smoky flesh and really taste the love and time that went into serving them to you. The brisket was equally smoky and delicious. The meat was so smoky-flavor-good that you didn't need to add bbq sauce to enjoy it. It stood strong as it was. Naked and smoky. And good thing the meat could stand on it's own four piggy legs -- cause the bbq sauce wasn't anything great. It's the reason for a three-star rating versus a four-star -- which I really wanted to give this place four stars. The hot wasn't hot enough, the regular wasn't flavorful enough, but mix the two and it was an ok addition to perfectly bbq'd meat. The sides were solid. Farm salad was amazing -- fresh and delicious, a great contrast the the heavy beans and meat on the other half of the tray! The whiskey selection is top notch -- and you can't beat the beer list. Also, the country music makes me happy. Congrats to Tiffany Faison on opening a great bbq joint in Boston. And thanks for taking time to meet and greet the patrons at the bar. Nice touch!
(3)wendy g.
Okay so we go to Sweet Cheeks for the second time this week and we get to chat with the divine Tiffany and then we have pulled pork and pork belly and coleslaw and broccoli with cheese timbale AND the most delicious strawberry shortcake. We were trying to decide when to come back before we had even left lol oh my that was delicious.
(5)Stephanie C.
At some point it seems a little silly writing another fantastic review for this place but I can't help myself. The sides are the star of the show here. Just really well done and not at all what you or your grandmother are making at your next family BBQ. The coleslaw is chopped versus shredded which is genius. Potato salad has bacon crumble and the potatoes were perfectly cooked. The mac & cheese, served in camping mugs is perfection. The right amount of breadcrumb and cheese. And the collard greens - I am still thinking about them. Not a huge clump of greens like you've seen other places. These are cooked and somehow they come out similar to a scalloped potato. perfect texture and not at all sticky or mushy. The meat is meant to shine and it does. We ordered the pulled pork, chicken, and brisket. The brisket was half fat which was very disappointing however the meat was good and even better with their house made sauce. pork and chicken were delicious. Tiffany inspires me to get a smoker and quit my job. And speaking of the head chef - she was out with her team bussing tables and helping out. quite a classy chic. you can tell she loves this place and you will too. and let's not forget the beer and cocktail list. wow!
(5)John G.
The fact that I come here whenever an occasion permits is significant: there are few other restaurants in the Boston area that earn my regular patronage. When the Sox are in town this place will be crowded, so take note. Go with friends, get a bucket of biscuits. I recommend brisket, mac n cheese, and slaw, and some good beers and settle in.
(4)Jessica L.
So good!!!!!!!!!! Love this place!!!! Obsessed with the huge, buttery, softball-sized biscuits lathered in honey butter. Sinfully delicious! The mac n' cheese is amazing, as is the broccoli cheese casserole. The meat is fantastic and smokey. Love the variety of BBQ sauces. The salads are also incredible--- hazelnuts, shredded brussel sprouts, amazing dressing. Sometimes I like to just get a salad and some sides (perfect if you're a vegetarian). Also, I owe this place an enormous debt, as the excellent and cheerful waiters here introduced me to the best beer ever--- Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Do you ever crave whiskey but don't want to get immediately wasted? Then order this incredible beer. LOVE this place!
(5)Arthur E.
Very good. Pull pork was great. Those biscuits are huge and taste very good. Serving so large for the two meat tray dish. Had to take home half the tray, too much for this big guy to finish in one sitting. Well come back next I'm in town. Great atmosphere and lots of buzz.
(4)Alan S.
Came here on a Saturday night with 9 friends. Great place for large groups but the place was jam packed. You definitely should have reservations if you are coming on a weekend. I got the burnt ends sandwich, which was more than enough for me. Smokey and delicious. The table also got an order of biscuits, which was deliciously crispy and very good with the honey butter. My only complaint with this place is that I feel that it is a tad overpriced. I've had just as good or better BBQ and have paid far less. Overall, Sweet Cheeks gets 4 stars from me as I feel that Boston really lacks in this category and the BBQ was very tasty.
(4)Julia N.
I am just going to review the macaroni and cheese. It should be self-evident to every sentient thing that exists in this world, that Sweet Cheeks tastes just as its name entails. But you know, you walk into KFC or Popeye's and are like, "dang, I want some mac and cheese. I don't know what they use, but I'm sure they use something powdered, and just make it creamy and okay... in moderation." And then I put my spoon into the bowl for mac'n'cheese at Sweet Cheeks, and something cosmic happened. Something psychedelic. It's as if my body fell into a yellow vortex, like falling into a newly purchased love seat, like playing in ice cold foam on a crazy hot day, like having the first bite of a molten cake, like thinking you were going to fail a test and you outperform everyone, like.. that moment your mom stops encouraging you to have children, or that time you start making homemade baked mac'n'cheese and you pour the egg noodles into the cheese and steal a bite while the cheese melts.... I don't know what Sweet Cheeks did to their mac'n'cheese. Crack? Nah. Beer? .. Well, I don't think so. But whatever it is, it ranks as Godlike. Best mac'n'cheese that I've had at a restaurant in the New England area that DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE A triple $ sign and reservation for suited or well-knit clothed people.
(5)Nick C.
We had been looking forward to going to this place for months. My mother had just had surgery and could eat solid food again, so this was a reward of sorts for making it through. We had had heard good things and my wife didn't eat anything the entire day gearing up to tear into some great BBQ. Unfortunately, this wasn't great BBQ. I will say that I gave 3 stars based on the drinks and the basket of biscuits alone. My drink the House Bill 819 had tea infused corn whiskey, simple syrup, mint and lemon and was awesome. The 4 huge biscuits in the bucket were great, not too dense, but the honey butter was the real star. As for the entrees, we each got a 3 meat Fat Cheeks tray. I opted for brisket, ribs and pork belly with baked beans and slaw. The pork belly was great and I thought the brisket good, tender and flavorful. But, the ribs. Good God, I have no idea what they did in the kitchen but the ribs tasted chemically. I ate only one on the tray and I was done. No one at the table enjoyed the ribs at all, which is really unfortunate for a BBQ place. The sauces provided on the table were also underwhelming. We traveled down here specifically from NH to visit this restaurant and after a hefty bill and having to pay for parking, I wouldn't do that again. If I was in the area, I would go here again and stick with the drinks, biscuits and the brisket. The search for great BBQ in New England continues....
(3)S J.
Its good! It is... The meats are expertly prepared, savory and delicious. Buttery smooth brisket and hearty pulled pork, you can't go wrong. It makes me homesick. But, well, this is just me, but I do have an ax to grind when it comes to the table sauces; I'm all for fusion and updating old standards (like the fist sized hushpuppies served with honey butter- delicious) but some things are better recreated than reinvented. All in all? Will I go back? Hell yes. Will I hit an ATM first? (Quality and rarity is expensive) Will I be more diligent about trying the sauces before slathering on something that I thought would be more familiar. yep.
(4)Chris C.
My dinner group (8 people this time) went there in early October. OVERALL RATINGS: Food: 4, Service: 3, Decor: 3, Overall: 3.5 SUMMARY REVIEW: Across the board, there were high marks for the food. There were special mentions of the "excellent biscuits and tender meat." The ribs, however, received mixed reviews with some calling them "tasty, meaty, and lean" but others thought they were "just ok." The sides were nearly universally disappointing. There were some service mix-ups with drinks but comments were generally positive. More than one mentioned the lack of water refills. Some noted the "douchy hipster plates" and "inauthentic" dinnerware. The "shared tables" and "uninspiring" decor were disappointing. INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS: "Loved the biscuits. I could have stopped after one and skipped dinner. My pork ribs were tasty, meaty and lean. The sides were ok but I suspect that the novelty cole slaw and cheese broccoli were the wrong choices. I admire the frugality of just changing the sign on the door - but it is pretty uninspiring design - not in a bad way. What were those drinks that came in a glass bucket anyway?" -- "Very good BBQ - pulled pork was good and the runs were juicy and the sauces were al good. Sides are a little bland, as is the "disnt this used to be Cambridge 1? " decor. Service was decent but water refills would have been nice. Good drinks but douchy hipster plates and canning jar glasses were a little much. The biscuits alone were worth 4 stars alone." -- "Sweet Cheeks was a delight. Between the excellent biscuits and the perfect tender meats, I'd come back here any day! Unfortunately, the sides left a bit to be desired.... The collard greens were uninspired and the carrot salad was very one note. Servicewise, I'm still trying to figure out where my drink order is..... The decor was nice, but completely an afterthought. Also, I'm really longing for the days when you'd go to a restaurant and food was served on plates. The tray/mason jar/tin can dinnerware rang very inauthentic. I mean, come on Tiffany, this is Fenway, not rural Appalachia. Despite this, if return solely for the quality of the meats. And those f'n awesome biscuits." -- "The pulled chicken was excellent. Moist and perfectly cooked. The biscuits were incredible. Ribs were just ok. Sweet tea wasn't really well mixed. At first I didn't think it was sweet. When I got to the bottom it was all sugar. I never have that problem down South. Acoustics in the restaurant weren't great. The music needed to be dialed down about 20%. I could only hold a conversation with the person next to me or across from me which was disappointing. Didn't love the shared tables either as I had a little kid next to me (which didn't help with the noise!). Waitress overall did a very good job although she was oblivious to the fact that her voice did not carry to such a large group in that loud a setting. But everything was brought out efficiently and correctly and that is saying a lot for a large group. I concur that the water should have been refreshed without asking." -- "I always ask, "Would I come back here? and the answer is definitely "yes!" You get bulk and bang (drinks) for the buck that just tastes good. However, the only other bah b que place I have for comparison is the one in Somerville, where they just slam down half a cow on the table, very unappetizing, so I guess one can ruin bar be. Although the caloric count fattened up my "sweet cheeks," (both pairs, meaning 4) it was well worth it" ------- Note from Chris C.: - I went to a large group function here shortly after this review, and liked my food better the 2nd time around. The experience get's better when you find your favorites, so I suggest a couple visits to find out what you do and don't like here
(4)Kathleen C.
So, I really enjoyed Sweet Cheeks, but did not like the suggestion that I only get the pulled pork platter and not the sandwich because I LOVE pulled port sandwiches. So, while I was talked into 2 sides and a platter (by my family, NOT the restaurant), I was missing out on my bread... Ok, I'm being whiny about the sandwich, I admit, but this spot is good! The pork was delicious and so was the sauce, though I would have liked more sauce. We had takeout, and it was done quickly, which was nice. However, eating in would be nice as well, the spot seems lively and fun. So, food was a 4 (wanted more sauce), portion sizes/value/pricing was a 5 and service was friendly for the 2 seconds that I paid... great spot in the area!
(4)Stephen M.
It's hard to find good BBQ in Boston, and all the good things I've heard about sweet cheeks lived up to expectations. I got the plate of pork ribs. The ribs themselves were not overly flavorful, but cooked to perfection, and the choices of BBQ sauces really brought everything together. One must-eat is the Mac and Cheese. In all honesty, the best I have had in my life.
(4)Jeff S.
Great food. Pulled pork and belly were fantastic. Ribs could be better. Biscuits are delicious. Long wait. Friendly staff.
(4)David C.
Food is always better when it's free, and thanks to Chris C. I finally got to enjoy a meal at Sweet Cheeks. I had been hesitant to go because the price point was a little high for southern food. I'm happy to report, however, that you get what you pay for at SC, and the food is delicious. I ordered the Big Cheeks tray with pork belly, pulled chicken, broccoli and cheese casserole, and carrot and raisin salad, and devoured every last bit of it. I felt like someone you'd see on The Biggest Loser when I left (all that was missing was the elephant scale of shame), but there was no way I was leaving any of that goodness behind. When I come back it'll be to sample SC's selection of fried goodies. I know there's a plate of hushpuppies back there with my name on it.
(4)Tessa B.
I'm a barbecue fanatic. Back home, my parents barbecue at least once a week (typically on Sundays), so discovering this gem in the Fenway truly made me feel at home. The interior of Sweet Cheeks is a sort of rustic chic - you can tell they're trying to play up the young bar scene while still striving to promote the barbecue joint feel. The drinks are served in mason jars of all sizes, which are probably much appreciated by the hipster crowd (if they eat here - do they eat here?). Silverware is stored in a tin on each table in a serve yourself fashion, which really plays up the barbecue vibe of the restaurant. Of the three times I've eaten here I've constantly ordered the brisket - tender, juicy, and with just the right amount of fat - though I have also ventured as far as to order the pulled pork, which is delicious as well. As for sides, I've ordered the farm salad twice now and will continue each time - it has the perfect balance of sweet and savory and I suffer a love of brussels sprouts. The macaroni is not as cheesy as one would like, and the broccoli casserole could use a bit more texture. Overall, the meal was good, I would just rather have a plate of meat and salad. Oh, and order the biscuits. You'll thank me later. I've yet to try a dessert, but that just gives me something to look forward to.
(5)Joe V.
Had a great time at this place after the Sox game. Came down here right after the game ended and it was packed. Hour and a half wait for our group of 8 was no problem. We hung out in the beer garden drinking beers and a few of their cocktails. My friend had the House Bill 819 and said it was great. The food was great, pulled pork on Texas Toast was a winner. Some guys got the fried chicken which I tried and it was class. Huge portions as well. The only problem I had with this place was the bartender, she wasnt single enough. Really cute and friendly, thought about asking her out on a date, maybe somewhere in the Back Bay, show her what its all about but alas there was rock on the ring finger. What a shame, could have really topped of the night.
(4)Jeremy K.
Having been here quite a few times, it's about damn time I review this place. Boston-born, former Top Chef contestant Tiffany Faison's vision for a modern BBQ joint is awesome - I'm a big fan of the place. From the menu to the decor, the service and the style, I totally dig it and from my first visit on, I felt both welcomed and very comfortable. Let's face it folks, Boston has always been lacking in terms of solid BBQ. Sure there' the Village Smokehouse in Brookline, but their hours are weird, parking can be a bitch and their menu is on the pricey side. There's always Blue Ribbon out in Newton and Arlington but that's not exactly in Boston now is it... Then came this place, a big, conveniently located restaurant, built out of wood, with a large patio which is going to open soon (I can't flippin' wait!) and which also features a solid drink list. What differentiates this place from others, food aside, is the fact that the food is served in trays. Now some might cringe at this but I think that it's great. First off, it's super easy, secondly it's consistent and best of all, it's affordable and makes sure that every patron is set with bread, pickles and onions. Goodbye overcrowded table and hello elbow room: I dig the concept and the execution. It's a lot less messy too as the tray 'contains' everything and nothing leaks out of it onto the table either. The tray aside, you basically can order sandwiches or various meats like ribs, pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket and even pork belly. You can get a single meat, two or even three if you're a fat mess. Then you get to pick from a selection of both cold and warm sides ranging from the classic collard greens and mac and cheese and more creative ones like the carrot & raisin salad and the cheese casserole. There's 10 of them to pick from and the cheapest combination featuring a single meat and two sides will run you anywhere from $16 to $25 depending on what you get. The 'Big Cheeks' tray featuring two meats runs at $24 and the even bigger 'Fat Cheeks' tray is $26. Personally, I've never once been able to finish a tray featuring one meat but usually order two because I like the variety and it's not much more expensive - plus they pack it very neatly when you take the remaining food to go... so it makes for another tasty leftover feast! There's a few more items like biscuits, fried okra, hush puppies and even fried green tomatoes. I've had the latter and it was pretty good. They also have the absolutely delicious Sprecker root beer ($5) which might be the very best root beer out there. It's a bit expensive but oh so tasty. But enough about the food, let's talk about the decor. The place is has a lot of tables and even a bar in the back which can seat a decent amount of people. The place is pretty much all wood and has few decorative items but just enough to give it a neat atmosphere. There's large windows on the side which faces Boylston street. Each table has 3 small bottles featuring distinct BBQ sauces which are made in-house - a vinegar based one, a hot one and a regular one. In the front of the house, the friendly hostess directs the crowd but the place isn't always big enough to accomodate everyone - it's in a very busy area and it quite popular. Almost every time I've been there I've had to wait for a table except for the one time I went there on a weeknight late at night. I'm going to go ahead and assume that trying to eat there before a Red Sox game is going to be impossible, even with their soon-to-open terrace; I really hope that I'm wrong... All and all this is a welcome addition to the Boston BBQ scene with some tasty, juicy BBQ'd meats, an innovative presentation via the trays and some pretty tasty drinks and desserts. And while it is a bit expensive, the food is very tasty and the portions large enough to cover you for a late night snack later or even a second meal later depending on your appetite. Service is efficient but the lines, at times, can discourage quite a few... And it looks like I found yet another reason to return soon as I just read in Forbes magazine that the biscuits which Faison makes might content as the best in our nation: guess I'll have to find out for myself on another trip there, which hopefully will be soon...
(4)David T.
If you enjoy a good old Fashion backyard BBQ, you're going to love this place. Food is excellent, sauces are homemade and tasty, all around good eats. Only negative is that it's crowded and can get really loud. I still highly recommend it.
(4)Days G.
holy.. i dont think ill eat anywhere else after coming here yesterday. the best BBQ in Boston. going back this weekend.
(5)Clara L.
After all the hype, we finally picked a night to try the restaurant. We did the necessary 1.5-2 hour wait on a Saturday night, and then were seated. This is when the disappointment began. It took us about 15 minutes to even be greeted by our server. It was busy, but not overly so that night. By that time, we had a drink or two at the bar and were increasingly hungry. Our group ordered a wide variety of the menu to try. The pulled pork was good, the brisket dry, the ribs just fine, the mac and cheese seriously under salted. The cole slaw was extremely under dressed/seasoned. It was pretty much chopped cabbage in a bit of sauce, that didn't manage to cover the strong taste of raw cabbage. The biscuits were slightly under baked, and not flaky. Overall, the BBQ was fine, but the sides need some improvement, especially if the a la carte charge is what it is. The service didn't improve throughout the meal, even as tables emptied and weren't filled at a rapid pace, it took many reminders for the check and the leftovers to be packed. I'm not sure that I would go back for a sit down meal, but might consider take out here without the wait.
(2)Joanne B.
Who cares what the food is like when a restaurant is so loud, you only wish the evening was over? Went here with a group of friends I hadn't seen in ages and could not hear a bloody thing. The staff was very gracious and helped us move outside when a space opened up even though we'd already had apps and dirtied the table. Truly, I felt sorry for the staff that had no choice but to remain in such a deafening environment but I'm getting extremely sick and tired of restaurants that take my money so they can torture my eardrums. My motto is if I don't like it I probably won't review it but I'm breaking that rule for restaurants that are so loud, I can't enjoy my friends or my food. I will not be returning to Sweet Cheeks.
(2)Tucker W.
just went last night for the first time, and had the pulled chicken tray. Simply put, it was amazing to me. So incredibly tender and flavorful, and no grizzle or fat at all. A nice big portion. The sides were fantastic. They actually put THOUGHT into their salad (at a BBQ place no less!)... i might not have a ton of experience with southern food (I'm a northerner), and some hardcore southern reviewers on here seem to be a little overly critical at times, but i just thought it was fantastic. I liked the vibe and the decor. Probably heresy to say this, but the pulled chicken was better than Redbones to me. Well done - please continue to do this really well!!! specialty drinks we ordered were fantastic as well.
(5)Lauren S.
I love this place. They do standard barbecue in their own style and it works so well. We started off with the tin of biscuits. with honey butter. I was in heaven. My husband and I split the large tray of pork ribs, sausage and pulled chicken with the farmers salad and mac and cheese. I loved the farmers salad and the pork ribs the best. The pulled chicken was good as was the mac and cheese. I had a bite of the sausage but didn't love it. I was so full that we couldn't order dessert. I would definitely go back next time in Boston.
(4)Mark N.
Surprisingly delicious barbeque. I had pulled pork, Mac and cheese, and the farm salad. You MUST get the farm salad. I finished that first, and it was fantastic. The dressing is the perfect complement to greasy meat. Pulled pork was good, and I like that they leave it up to you to sauce it as you see fit. They have a hot sauce, a BBQ sauce, and a sour vinegar sauce. They're all good, but my one complaint was that the BBQ sauce was too vinegary and not smoky enough. I wished they had had multiple BBQ sauces to choose from, and other hot sauces too. Still, that wasn't enough to detract from the deliciousness. Mac and cheese was also very tasty - super creamy without being cheese overload. AND, they don't bake it, which is my preference. I'm coming back soon. Surprised it took me so long to get here in the first place!
(5)Deann A.
I love the brisket here. It falls apart on your plate. I've never been dissatisfied with the meats here. The sides are hit and miss, but I've found that if I always get the mac and cheese and coleslaw, then I'm happy. This is a whiskey place, lots of whiskey! Great drink menu. And then for dessert, the butterscotch pudding is so amazing, you'll want to get seconds. It's inspired me to try to make homemade butterscotch pudding. The downfall would be this place gets busy. We've had to wait 30-45min most times we come here to eat on a Friday or Saturday night. So worth the wait though if you like good BBQ.
(5)Brooke L.
The first thing I have to give kudos to Sweet Cheeks for is the ambiance. Damn, they sure know how to make it feel like a summer night in the south. I went on a rainy night in April, but I could almost hear the crickets and see the fireflies. Also, it's crowded and buzzing with chatty people, but in a good way -- it feels like a barbecue where the vibe is intentional. We started with the biscuits and honey butter, which were so filling they could've been a meal by themselves, but so delicious it was almost impossible to stop after just one. My boyfriend got the pulled pork, which I found to be decent but nothing special, and I got the pork belly, which was like giant slabs of bacon with extra fat. It was awesome, but hard to stomach because it was so rich, even though I got the smallest portion. Thankfully I ordered the farm salad as well. At that point anything green tasted like heaven, and I wanted to go swimming in it. I couldn't take more than a few bites, though, because I was so full from the biscuit and belly. The waiter was amazing, by the way. He was attentive to the perfect degree, fast and friendly. All around, very good. I'll be coming back here, more because of the dining experience than the food.
(4)Kyle C.
My girlfriend took me to Sweet Cheeks for my birthday last night, and it's safe to say I can comfortably go another 20 years without eating there. We started with an order of hushpuppies. They were bland, greasy, and lacked any crunch on the outside. At $7, they were awfully pricey compared to the far more flavorful hushpuppies I've had down south. But hey, Boston's Boston. I got the Big Cheeks Tray with brisket and pulled pork. Though the brisket was almost completely gristle, the pulled pork was great. Both the pork and whatever meat I could find on the two slabs of brisket were smoked wonderfully. I know it's their schtick, but their use of repurposed coffee cans, cafeteria trays, and mason jars was off-putting. Just give me my own utensils -- don't make me fish it out of an old Folgers can. Overall, Sweet Cheeks was extremely underwhelming. I won't go back, and I would not recommend it to my friends.
(2)Nisreen D.
Came here saturday night with a bunch of friends. The food was great! We got the beef brisket, beef brisket with burnt ends, the fried chicken, the beans, cole slaw, salad, and mac n cheese. The food was awesome! It really hit the spot. There were 7 of us and we ordered the big tray, which allowed us to choose 3 different meats and a bunch of sides. However, two things- the cole slaw was okay and the the portions were a bit small for the burnt ends. We each only got a bit to taste for the burnt ends. But, I am definitely going back! :)
(4)John S.
The painfully slow service almost dropped this rating to three stars, but the fact that it stayed at four is a testament to how fantastic the brisket at Sweet Cheeks is. People, this is excellent brisket. The spice rub is top among the best I've ever had and the brisket is obscenely juicy. Said brisket is supplemented by delicious mac'n'cheese (pasta stayed firm, cheese and seasoning was perfect), and delivered for a reasonable price. As I noted, the service is very slow - the kitchen for some reason cannot crank out the BBQ fast enough - but once that food comes you will be completely satisfied. Strong recommendation, but be prepared for 90 minutes worth from sit to pay.
(4)Anne W.
The wait is not nearly as horrible on a Sunday night... we got seated right away. I felt so bad because the food was not nearly as good as last time.. and I had promised something decent to a friend a few of us were taking out. Most of us have had bbq in Texas so I said it was legit... oops. So part of the problem was that I wasn't that hungry.. I had a lot of delicious beverages earlier in the day that made me so full. I got to try the biscuits finally.. they were available that night. The honey butter was good.. but I didn't find it as amazing as people said it was. They also changed the farm salad which made me really really sad. They used to have brussel sprouts and now they use asparagus. That was just the saddest part. We did try a few other things... I think the consensus was the brisket was the best. The dessert options were not so good. We tried both.. both were not very good. The White Trash Mess didn't really taste good.. the brownie was too salty.. and I didn't like the fluff goo on top. The nutter butter cookie was equally dissapointing. Hoping it would come out fresh and warm with a scoop of ice cream. It was just a pre-baked cookie. But.. the waitress was really great.. she also took the dessert off our bill since we didn't like it. Bring back the brussel sprouts!!
(2)Erin C.
Last night was my 2nd time to Sweet Cheeks. On my first visit it would probably have been 3 stars because I really think the prices are a little too high. But after a second time of enjoying the pulled chicken, the amazing biscuits with honey butter, awesome sides, and tasty drinks I'm all over this 4 star restaurant. The service is great. The bartenders are on point. The food is delish! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Apolinaras S.
So in Boston you have Blue Ribbon BBQ in the #1 spot and Sweet Cheeks is in close 2nd. BTW, some of you Red Bones fans, folks, try the two places above and you will understand why Red Bones to BBQ is what McDonalds is to gourmet hamburger. OK, back to BBQ. My thing is the brisket. It is damn good. Skip the pulled pork. Don't know why, but pulled BBQ chicken is much more moist and delicious. But wait, there is something Sweet Cheeks has no other BBQ joint in Boston has - GIANT BISCUITS! And I mean they are fraking giant! You finish one and there is very little space left in your stomach for the rest of the meal. So get them, but share share share!
(4)Winnie H.
Overrated and Overpriced. This is the first time we dine in Sweet Cheeks. the server did not explained the menu items but just left us there for about 20 minutes. we ordered the beef brisket and the buttermilk fried chicken. the chicken was undercooked, the meat was still attached to the bone with all the veins. we asked the server if we could sent it back and get somethig else instead. The got the half natural chicken instead. When we cut it, the juice was still running in dark pink/red color. Check with the server and was being told that "its supposed to be like that" would not go back and recommend to anyone.
(1)Jared H.
I finally was able to give this place a try and I am happy I did. After reading all the reviews here on yelp, I decided to get the biscuits as an appetizer. They did not disappoint! They come out fresh and fluffy but the best part is the honey butter that gets served with it. We split the fat cheeks tray which is 3 meats and 2 sides. For the meats we had pulled pork, brisket and sausage. I really enjoyed the pulled pork, it was tender and had a great smoky flavor. The brisket was sliced thick and was also really smokey. It was a little fatty but I was able to cut it away. The sausage was just ok, nothing really special. For the sides we had the Mac & Cheese and the farm salad. The mac and cheese is very cheddary which i loved. It was thick and gooey, definitely recommend. The farm salad was also great, it has nuts, parmesan and grapes. Overall it was definitely a good meal.
(4)Christine C.
So as someone who grew up in the south, I'm always on the lookout for a place that can give me a little taste of home. Well, this wasn't it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't southern. It was someone's interpretation of what they tried when they visited the south. The thing that threw me was the cost. It was so expensive. That's what made it totally not worth it for me. Rundown on what was absolutely NOT you would get in GA. These tasted nothing like what you think you should be getting: Hush puppies - some kind of weird glaze on them. Mac & cheese - I can't put my finger on it but I think it was too cheddar-y Fried okra - they left it as whole slices and cooked them in a tempura like batter. Sweet tea - not sweet! Now that's just not right. Things that were good: Fried chicken - I like how they brine the chicken to keep it moist but the crust was very salty Blackeyed peas - just yummy Ribs and brisket - good smoke but the two BBQ sauces were not great and not enough of a variety. The things that were good were not good enough to make me want to go back because it was too expensive. Frankly there's a place that I go to in the burbs that's a little more authentic and less expensive.
(2)D J.
Don't let the faux Texas setting fool you, this is an east coast interpretation of Texas BBQ. Will upon entering the place I was spirited away back to the south by the awesome smell of smoked meat. I found the food to be heavily rich in sodium and the food to be close but not just right. This is probably the closest a Yankee will get to a genuine church BBQ though. The most outstanding thing I had were the potato skins/chips. There is enough food with this side to feed 4-5 people. They have a great bourbon selection rarity up north and a decent stock of beer too. Hope they add Corona to it, this big down south and you can't have true Texas BBQ without it.
(3)X O.
I was a lil weary going in since I had seen some bad reviews but I thought it was pretty good. The biscuits are a must have, the butter it comes with...killer! -but they give you for 4 huge ones! We took the remaining too home. If you're a group of two its good to share the meal! It is a lot of food! It is a bit on the salty side but not unbearable as it says in one of the past reviews -I was worried about that bc I don't like salty food. I would say its a little saltier than I'd want it but I was still able to eat and enjoy it with 2 glasses of water. It was crowded and we sat at the bar, service was fine. I gave it a 3 rating because I thought the food was good but I have had better. I would still recommend this restaurant to people who want to eat bbq. I might be biased bc there are so many good bbq restaurants where I'm from and I was only visiting the area.
(3)Ashley K.
A friend and I ordered some food, then decided we probably should have tried the biscuits, because they were EVERYWHERE and they smelled divine. The food came out super quickly and the biscuits followed. My ribs were great and I loved the beans. Wasn't a big fan of the cole slaw - too oniony for my liking. My friend had beef brisket which was excellent, and some awesome mac and cheese; she wasn't too big of a fan of the broccoli side. We both really liked the bbq sauce that comes in the bigger container on the tables. Our waiter was friendly, but there were a couple other people we interacted with (who picked up our plates and gave us to go containers) that we thought were quite rude, which was a disappointing part of the otherwise pretty great experience. BUT - the biscuits. the honey butter. omg. so good. I would go there just for a drink and some biscuits. I thought it was a little expensive compared to some bbq places I'm used to, but I'll definitely be back, even if it's just for a bucket o' biscuits (bucket o' heaven).
(4)Alex A.
Good stuff. Sat outside for dinner. One of the bartenders acts as your server which is convenient. The person is going to be at the bar or in your vicinity, they are fine taking your order at the bar. Went up for drinks and placed my food order at the same time, minimal checking up, everything went well.
(4)Stacey L.
Fantastic BBQ definitely the best I've had in the Boston area. Came in on a Saturday night around 8pm without a reservation. It was busy (told ~45min wait) but we were able find a seat at the counter seats against the windows. These seats are first come, first serve but you still get full service. We ordered drinks and the waiter highly suggested the biscuits which I agree were awesome. These were tallest, fluffiness biscuits with a delicious whipped honey butter. I had the brisket tray with the broccoli casserole and cole slaw. My boyfriend had the brisket sandwich on Texas toast with potato salad and baked beans. Both meals were delicious!!
(5)Wendy C.
Trust me on this one. Put the pork belly on a biscuit with pickles, onions, hot sauce, and the Carolina sauce. You are welcome.
(5)Ally G.
The pulled pork was okay nothing special, the same with the ribs and pulled chicken. The highlights were the sausage, brisket, and pork belly. The farm house salad and collard greens were amazing. I loved the farm house salad so much I am going to try and make it at home. The drinks were okay. Nothing that wowed me especially at $11 a pop. I'd go back but probably not for a while.
(3)Pam C.
I FORGOT TO ORDER THE BISCUIT!!! NO IDEA HOW THAT HAPPENED. So now, I"ll have to go back, one day. Got a 2 meat tray of pulled pork and brisket. Meat was very good. Brisket had a little too much fat in it, but would still order again. There were 3 sauces on the table for your meats. A tomato & molasses, which was my favorite A vinegar based sauce, which was ok. There was a smaller bottle of a habanero corriander that was SPICY! For my 2 sides, I got the mac n cheese, which was pretty good and the farm salad, which was EXCELLENT. I could make a whole meal of that salad. It consisted of arugula, roasted brussel sprouts, grapes, farro and macadamia nuts.
(3)Kathryn S.
My third visit to Sweet Cheeks! And it's better every time! The brisket and pulled chicken I love! Fried green tomatoes, watermelon salad, greens and black eyed peas are almost as good as grandmas! (Sorry Grandma) I have to say the bucket of biscuits made my mouth water because they looked and smelled so good! My husband loved them and said the sweet butter was the best! I will bring more to try Sweet Cheeks and know they will be fans!
(5)Becca D.
The food is good but waitstaff is abysmal. The hostess directed us to the beer garden to sit where there were no available seats and then made us wait forty minutes for a table, while six tables remained empty the entire time.
(2)Marissa H.
Oh Sweet Cheeks. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I'm going to start by saying I picked this place for my birthday while I was a vegetarian. I was a vegetarian, who chose a BBQ place. No, I didn't get meat, I literally went just for the sides. Their hush puppies are God's gift to man and come with an amazing maple sour cream. They give you six per serving which is pretty filling. The mac and cheese is also what you'd expect from a BBQ place -- amazing! The real stars are the biscuits. They're HUGE and the honey butter it comes with is drool-worthy. In the summer they also have this great cheesy grilled corn which I'd definitely suggest taking advantage of while supplies last. This is an amazing find by the fenway area, if you haven't gone already, make your way over ASAP.
(5)Debrin S.
We stumbled upon this gem after a concert. Seek & find if you are in Boston! The scents of wood smoke, meat on the grill, the blues coming through the speakers & the huge buttery biscuits are all so coma inducing... In a good way ;) Awesome servers- they totally know their stuff! Get their recommendations. STRONG ample cocktails off their cocktail menu could make you lean a little in your chair. Take note! Don't skip the "sides" here! They aren't just filler. They are ridiculous; Cole slaw is tangy and crunchy w/o it being in a soup of mayo, house made pickles are addictive, Mac & cheese is cheesy & tasty & ultra rich. But the killer is the biscuits. Huge, golden, slight crunchy exterior, layered, buttery, pillows inside served w honey butter. Who knew this is what a real biscuit tasted like...dreamy. And all of their table sauces are made in house. BBQ, sweet, hot, vinegary- they've nailed it. Fantastic fried chicken; moist & tender, perfectly fried golden w just the right amount of spice. The other three shared the Big Rig w Berkshire pork belly, pulled pork & the brisket is done right and perfectly smoked. We just had to have dessert despite being stuffed to the gills and it was too yummy! Everything was excellent. If you have a love of Q, go here!
(5)Jesse D.
I was disappointed, truly existentially disappointed, at the quality of their food (especially given the price). The meats were not phenomenal, in an attempt to sample as wide a variety as possible I ordered a three meat combo plus sides. The sausage was the best of the meats, the ribs were inedible with the quantity of fat on them, and the brisket (which is my usual favourite at barbecue) was the second worst I've ever had. The sides were not stellar either. We had to send the hush puppies back because they brought them out burnt. The biscuits were the only truly decent thing about the meal. The mac 'n' cheese was mostly bread crumbs. The slaw was far too vinegar-y. I didn't particularly care for any of the sauces. The best thing was the Captain Eli's root beer (which unfortunately cannot be counted towards sweet cheeks' score). It was insanely packed which I do not count against it, but merely mention as a heads up. I would love to give them a try on a less busy night because I would like to believe the curt service and mediocre food were a symptom of the bustling dining room but due to the price I can't imagine gambling another $30+ on this place. P.S. both people I was with were also very disappointed in their meals of pulled pork and chicken as well.
(1)Amy B.
Sweet Cheeks means gluttony. When I go there, I know that no matter how conservatively I order, I'm going to waddle out with my belly turgid, my pants straining, and my mouth happy. First things first: Drinks. I primarily order beer at Sweet Cheeks thanks to their interesting and well-selected draft beer list. There's always something good on there to try or an old favorite to revisit. I've also tried some of the cocktails, which are delicious but very small. The best bang for your buck and wet for your whistle is the craft beer. Now on to food. I used to order the biscuit appetizers, because YES. They come in a serving of four gigantic biscuits. I've always eaten at Sweet Cheeks as half of a pair, so the size of the appetizer meant my friend and I heroically attempting to eat two biscuits each plus our meals. Then I learned an amazing secret: You can order ONE biscuit a la carte. So now I am able to exercise moderation AND indulgence in one go. For the actual meal, I've only ever had one thing: The brisket tray. I think the brisket is pretty delicious, and haven't felt the need to stray. For sides, I like the macaroni and cheese and the farm salad (especially because the latter allows me to brag about my "healthy lifestyle with fresh veggies at every meal"). I think they might have dessert here, but by the time I've crammed all of the aforementioned goodness into my person I am no longer capable of contemplating it. If you've made it to the end of a Sweet Cheeks meal and can even think about dessert, you're more of a man than I am.
(4)Nick S.
Seriously wasn't sure what to expect. I mean seriously - one doesn't automatically connect BBQ w/Boston; well, one should. This woman is not playin' games . You owe it to your belly to introduce it to #SweetCheeksBoston
(4)Jetson L.
This is my favorite restaurant on the planet, and I say that without exaggeration. I eat out a lot and have traveled extensively, and nothing touches my heart like Sweet Cheeks. Having eaten their entire menu on my dozen or more visits there, it's impossible for me to convey how truly phenomenal their food is. What follows is mostly praise; some loving criticism is at the bottom. First, they have the best biscuits on the planet. Their biscuits are massive, about 5 ounces each, and are served with house made honey butter. The biscuits are beautiful, pull apart bundles of warmth and joy. I served their biscuits at my Thanksgiving dinner. These biscuits cannot be oversold. $10 for 4 or $3 each. Do not miss this. Leftover biscuits microwave well at 30 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel. Do not refrigerate the whipped butter. This is for those occasions when you come alone and order biscuits to go...which I proudly do on the reg. Their meat is Texas style barbecue, dry rub served with sauce on the side. Their ribs are fantastically meaty and fatty but not overly so. Their brisket is incredible as well, very tender and flavorful. Their buttermilk fried chicken is great but I'm a pork lover and rarely order it. The sausage, pulled chicken, burnt ends (lunch only) are all high quality. Their beef short rib (great northern), which comes on and off the menu, is the best single piece of meat I have ever eaten, including steak from Figuera Rubaiyat, the best steakhouse in Brazil. It is massive, tender, meaty, a little fatty, with a great crust and all served on a giant dinosaur bone. Their side dishes are, incredibly, almost better than the meat. Notable standouts are the cheesy grits, better than you can find them anywhere; the broccoli casserole, which is cheesy and delicious; and the farm salad, which is beautifully balanced. Oh, and the carrot and raisin salad, when its on the menu, is probably my favorite salad. Their hot and crispies are phenomenal, and I was floored to see the hush puppies taken off the menu, which I heard was for quality control. They were served with maple sour cream, and I often had them for desert. Please bring them back. The fried tomatoes, fried okra, and salt and pepper potatoes are all great. Normally, however, a biscuit is a better appetizer for me. Desserts: the giant nutter butter is much softer and better than original nutter butters, think a giant soft cookie peanut butter sandwich. I had it once and it feeds 4 easily. I do not let myself order it because shoot, it's gotta be 3000 calories. The shortcake is lemon curd, fresh cream and berries on their biscuit, and is one of the best desserts I could imagine. The big rig, that thing in the corner that feeds 10? Order it. I did, for my birthday party, and it was a great decision. They do amazing cocktails- my sister swears by the Hillbilly Hooch- but I tend to save room for food. Their soft drinks are served in big old mason jars and are both adorable and generously portioned. The staff is attentive, friendly, and the place has a great atmosphere. As I truly love this restaurant- and I mean that wholeheartedly, I eat here on any possible occasion - there are still a few things I would change. It would be nice to know which favorite menu items are on or off during a given season; perhaps a blog would work? It hurts coming to the restaurant hankering for the short rib to find it has once again gone into hiding. I'm not a huge fan of the wedge salad, but of course tastes vary and I respect the opinion of the chef. The hush puppies need to come back promptly. Parking is nightmarish during Sox games, and the management is awesome for not allowing reservations for more than half the restaurant. However, it would be really meaningful if they could make some arrangement for customer parking during game time. Also, the lack of cheesy grits at lunch is devastating. Overall, Sweet Cheeks embodies everything that makes me love dining out. The food is impeccable and satisfying and far exceeds the quality any amateur could really produce at home. The variety and experimentation of the menu make this a place worth visiting again and again. The thoughtfulness and quality put into all the food and service combine with the gastronomic excellence to make this more than just amazing food, but amazing dining.
(5)Megan I.
Had a fabulous time at Sweet Cheeks last night after the Red Sox game. When we got there it was an hour and fifteen minute wait. Luckily we had made a reservation. It was packed so we grabbed a few beers from their outdoor bar and waited while our table was set up, it maybe took 10 minutes. Then the BBQ, oh my god. We started with the biscuits which are a meal in themselves, the butter is delicious. I had the beef brisket tray which was heaven, it was so tender. Also had the Mac n cheese and salad, wow the sides were amazing, especially the Mac n cheese. My husband had some great ribs, fall of the bone but still cut nice and clean. Did not have room for dessert unfortunately. We will definitely be back next time we're in Boston!
(5)Dawne P.
This place is amazing!! My only suggestions would be less mushy sausage and more finely chopped coleslaw!!
(5)Tracy S.
Sweet Cheeks is a cure BBQ joint and bar by Fenway. It's a great place to stop before or after a game. It is open and airy and has a friendly country feel. Here is outdoor seating when it is nice it which is a plus. The drink prices are fair. I went with a large group and the bartenders were very friendly and accommodating. We definitely kept them busy and they were great. The Dolly Parton was a hint too lemon-y but still good. The Churchill cocktail was unexpectedly pink and strong. It was about $8 which I think is very reasonable. We didn't really get food, we just got a small hush puppies plate. It was so good! The sauce was delicious. I'd get it again. And I'll definitely go back to sweet cheeks!
(4)Sam C.
Sweet Cheeks is a SOLID choice. The drinks are always strong. Biscuits are always to die for. And I may or may not have dreams about the Farm Salad, but I think there is serious hype going on, that comes around because there isn't too much real BBQ in the Boston area. Don't get me wrong, I dig Sweet Cheeks but it is expensive, loud and doesn't have an overwhelming selection.
(3)Julia C.
This is one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants - I'm not usually super keen on going back to same places, but we've been back at least a couple dozen times! MUST TRY: 1) Biscuits and honey butter. It really is worth all the hype! 2) Fried okra. My goodness gracious. Get this if it's the only thing you're getting here . 3) Monday ramen nights when they offer it during colder months. I know, I know, ramen at a BBQ place sounds weird, but trust me, it's some of the best ramen I've had in Boston. My favorites are the lobster, roasted pork, and fried chicken (!) Get: 1) Some meat: Brisket OR fried chicken OR ribs (in that order) 2) Farm salad 3) Collard greens 4) Broccoli casserole 5) Bourbon cocktails 6) A beer on their fantastic craft brew menu Skip: 1) Potato salad 2) Fried tomatoes 3) Grits 4) Bringing along your vegetarian friends
(5)Jevay G.
Overall I had a good experience. We started with the biscuits which were fluffy but not the most flavorful. The honey butter was definitely a necessity. After doing my research I ordered the fried chicken and well... it was DELICIOUS!!! They gave you half a chicken and it was so much food! For sides I got the broccoli casserole with was ok, good flavor but it was the farmer salad which knocked my socks off! I know how is salad so good, well they have figure it out! My meal was topped off with the delicious hot sauce they had. Overall I would give my meal 4.5/5 My classmate had the brisket and pork belly. The pork belly was beyond good, the brisket wasn't bad but nothing as special as the chicken or the pork belly. He had coleslaw and mac and cheese as his sides and he liked them, but I thought they were below par. Overall I would give his meal a 3/5 I would recommend this restaurant but not for everything but definitely the fried chicken and pork belly! Next time I will have to give their ribs a try.
(3)Tiffany F.
This review is for Monday night ramen: This past Monday was the last day of Monday night ramen for the season and to say I'll miss it is an understatement. I've tried two different kinds: lobster and duck. Both are phenomenal! While it may seem strange that a BBQ joint serves up ramen, chef Tiffani knows what she's doing and manages to blend traditional Japanese flavors and ingredients with untraditional meat pairings. The untraditional broth will surely make your taste buds come alive! If you missed it this winter, next winter is a must. You'll regret not going, I promise.
(5)Keisha R.
Meh. I echo the sentiments of those who say the food is beyond mediocre. I had the natural pulled chicken with mac n cheese, and if I don't end up sick it'll be nothing short of a miracle. The meat was cold and bland, and the mac straight from a box with flavorless crumbs on top. Tragic. 3 stars only for the great service (midday lunch, no crowd) and breezy, comfy, bugless patio setting. It was my primary reason for stopping in. I refused to pay $10 for 4 biscuits so I didn't get to see what the hoopla was. The "Federale" cocktail was equally tragic; I am not joking it tasted exactly like grapefruit juice. It was supposed to be a "spicy margarita". My goodness. Tragic waste of $24.
(3)Patrick D.
Surprisingly authentic southern BBQ all the way up in Boston. Have dined here twice and definitely recommend making reservations for dinner; it gets really packed on the weekends! You NEED to start off with the biscuits. They are filled with warm buttery goodness. As FOR entrees, definitely do one of the platters because it will come with a HUGE portion of meat and then a hot and a cold side. The broccoli bake or ranch beans come in a mug as hot sides and there's a few great salads as cold ones too. Platters come with pickles and onions and you can also ask for white bread if you please for no additional charge. The meat comes without any BBQ sauce on it, there's 3 different sauces in jars already on the table so you can add as much or as little as you want. Really nice to be able to control the spice level and how saucy you want your meat. Big big portions so be prepared to wrap up some for lunch the next day. For the quantity of food you get, the prices are very reasonable. For drinks, there's a wide beer selection and some really unique cocktails that are all served in jars. The spicy tequila/jalapeno cocktail is a favorite. Best place in Boston if your craving some BBQ!
(5)Mika S.
I love the rustic feel of Sweet Cheeks, with their woodsy interior, metal trays and camping mugs. My boyfriend and I split the Northern Beef Brisket sandwich on a bulkie roll, the Berkshire Pulled Pork on texas toast, a biscuit, the coleslaw and the cheddar broccoli casserole. I highly recommend getting a sandwich rather than just the meat because it tastes so much better on texas toast. Between the two meats, I preferred the brisket a lot more, because it was unbelievably tender and juicy - I actually found the pulled pork to be a bit dry and tasteless. Between the sides, my favourite was the broccoli cheddar casserole by far - it was so good, that I am trying to find more recipes like it. But most importantly, do NOT leave Sweet Cheeks without trying a biscuit!
(5)Michele J.
Not impressed by taste, service, nor value. I had the prime rib brisket platter with the potato salad and mac n' cheese. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich. We also ordered the fried green tomatoes. The flavors were nothing to really get excited about, however the tenderness of the brisket was great. Comparing to places like M & M's food truck and Tennessee's, this place is not one I'll come back to.
(3)Michael Z.
Felt like a very clean bbq experience with dishes that were made of quality ingredients. I thought the Cobb salad was a bit small and the dishes were all slightly over price. The mac and cheese definitely doesn't hold back on the cheese and the salads that accompany the meat plates are pretty solid.
(4)Idy T.
I love ribs and can't seem to find any good BBQ places around Boston. I thought I was going to finally get some good BBQ ribs but sadly, I was not that impressed with Sweet Cheeks. They serve the entrees in trays and you have the option to choose different selections of meat and 2 sides. I tried the berkshire pork ribs (1/2 slab) and pulled pork. The ribs and pulled pork lacked the smoky flavor that I was looking for. The ribs were also a little dry. I had to dab it in a lot of sauce to add more flavor to the dish. Also, the BBQ sauces that they have on the side are also not that special. It was a little runny and I personally prefer a thicker sauce with my BBQ. The sides are also not that impressive. For the sides I got grits and cole slaw. The cole slaw was super chunky and tasted very onion-y. I wish there was more acidity and for it to be more thinly sliced. The grits however, was very delicious. It was warm and fluffy. It was comforting eating the cheesy grits. I would say that was the star of my meal. I also ordered some biscuits on the side. The biscuits are huge! They also serve it with honey butter. They biscuits were also really good. It was light and flaky and went really well with the honey butter. The place gets very crowded. I had to sit at the bar during my visit. I suggest making reservations if you decide to dine here. After eating at Sweet Cheeks, I am still on the search for a good BBQ place in Boston!
(3)Averi I.
Didn't have an actual meal here, just biscuits and drinks, but let me say the biscuits were *fire emoji* good. Twice the size of a standard portion and served warm so the honey butter melts right in. Yeah, bruh. The classic rock playlist is also *fire emoji* strong. Great spot to sit back for a while around good food.
(4)Jenna C.
I think this is the second Top Chef restaurant I've been to, with the first being Ink in LA. And actually, I prefer this delicious BBQ! This was our last meal in Boston, and definitely unforgettable. The biscuits were fluffy and rich. My pulled pork was tender and juicy. The mac and cheese was creamy. The collard greens were perfectly briny. The salad was flavorful. Everything was just so on point. And the portions were huge! I wish I took a picture of the to-go packing job... they literally used 20 little boxes for each of our 3 meals, to divide up all the little dishes. They were very friendly, but no Tiffany sighting. Ugh, why'd I write this review, now I just want a biscuit!
(5)JO. C.
OMG! This is the place that you have to go, no matter what! The biscuit is a masterpiece in this restaurant- soft and crispy crust, yellow-browned apparel, and creamy-white biscuit belly. The secret sauce is Honey-butter cream. They can't live without each other, so try them together! The rib, brisket, pull-pork, and steak are too tasty to be true. The side dishes magically match the main courses, so that you won't get tired of the food.
(5)Catie C.
This is bar far the best BBQ joint in Boston. What I don't like about other joints is that the rib were too dry. The ribs here looked dry and chewy; but in reality, they were opposite. It was tender! I was disappointed that there were no choice of ribs. I personally prefer baby rack which this restaurant does not offer. The other BBQ selections were yummy in texture and flavor. I didn't really care for the sides. Those did not wow me. I normally don't have much of a desire for biscuits. I must say that I really enjoyed the biscuit here. The flavor.. The moisture.. The butter.. Mouth watering! If only they sell it by piece. Another hard to find but done well here is the sweet tea. It's not sugar water. I can actually taste the tea just like I was having it in the South! I'm not sure if it's bottomless; but it was a ginormous mason jar glass. As for the decor, I love the rustic/industrial look. Mason jars, metal trays, tin cans.. The service was basic and friendly. It was busy when we were there so I wasn't expecting a chatty service.
(4)Stephanie K.
Awesome bbq right in Boston. We had tickets to Red sox and didn't want to eat over prices bad park food. Just a quick walk down Boylston st and we sat right down. I had the buttermilk fried chicken with the farm salad and mac n cheese. The chicken was moist and crunchy. The mac n cheese was creamy and topped with Ritz cracker. My husband for the 3 meat plate with pulled pork and chicken and the ribs. The pork and chicken were both moist and full of flavor. The only reason they didn't get 5 stars is that the ribs were too salty. Oh and the biscuits yum yum yum where like a warm moist piece of cake with the sweet butter!!!
(4)Angelica C.
This was real GREAT BBQ. I had the ribs---fall off the bone good; brisket---super tender and yummy burnt ends (my fave); humongous biscuits w/ honey butter---amazingly moist/tender (mouth watering as I type this up). Apart from the food, the service was fab, Phil was great host. The do not split checks for big parties so plan to divi up how you can/do.
(5)Aaron K.
Sweet Cheeks is going to give you some terrific sweet cheeks for your auntie to pinch because you are going to eat more than you should. And you're going to love it. The BBQ is on point. This is not your small greasy bbq joint. It's a bit more expensive, but the quality of food is a lot better. The pork belly is something you don't see at other bbq places around and it's delicious. Slightly charred on the outside, soft and fatty on the inside. Yum. If you're feeling like a splurge try the short rib (from my 1st visit to last it went from 28-$35). My friend enjoyed this a lot and it looked amazing. Sides are not write off. My favorite is the farm salad, which usually includes brussel sprouts and some type of fruit such as a grape or raisin. May sound strange but it's wildly refreshing and tasty. Mac and Cheese is another good side done right. You can't come here and not try the biscuit! They allow them to be ordered one piece at a time for 3$ I believe and it's worth every penny. Honestly you can split one between 2 people. It's that huge. The honey butter that it's served with is damn near perfection. If you're trying to get your body beach ready I would skip this place. But most of the year in Boston we're preparing for the cold and there's nothing like some good BBQ to pack on the pounds.
(4)Court S.
It was a very cold Saturday. My friend was visiting from London and we made plans for a bite before she left town. We had a lot to catch up on so we needed to be seated comfortably and not feel rushed to dine and dash. We arrived at Sweet Cheeks with our appetites in tow ready to chow down. Drinks: Sweet tea and Mary Palmer. Sweet tea is non alcoholic, regular iced tea. The Mary Palmer was vodka, jasmine tea, grapefruit juice and something else which I can't remember. It was too sour & tart for my taste so I could barely drink it. I'm not the type to ever send anything back, so I drank water instead. Biscuits and honey butter: Amazing. The biscuits are huge and warm, absorbing and melting the sweet honey butter. Fried green tomatoes: delicious and filing. Four generously sized tomato slices. Mac and cheese/cheddar broccoli casserole: both were delicious and cheesy with crumbled ritz crackers that give that extra crunch. Potato salad/coleslaw: fresh and flavorful. Both were tasty and complimented the other sides I ordered. SC makes their own specialty sauces to pour over your meat dishes. I'm a vegetarian and enjoyed the non meat dishes but any carnivore will have a field day here & be pleased with the variety of meat. This is the perfect place to dine and catch up because the food is very good, the portions are generous & the service was friendly.
(4)Alicia G.
Went here for mother's day for lunch. It was pretty empty so we got seated right away. The waitress was very nice and had an answer for all of our questions. We each ordered a different cocktail, but they were out of whiskey or something so I had to get something else. I ended up with the Heartless Jezebel, which was decent. The biscuits and butter is amazing. Really delicious. I got the brisket with mac & cheese and some kind of broccoli casserole as sides. The sides were great. The brisket, not so much. I was basically presented a mushy plate of fat. I couldn't even take more than two bites. I ended up just eating the sides and bringing some of the fat home to feed my dog. Probably won't go back, unless it's just for cocktails and biscuits.
(3)Rani P.
It's about time Boston has a true, BBQ joint with finger lickin' pieces of heaven, hot and cold sides, and a spiked sweet tea. Not surprised to find Ian G., who opened Russell House and SDLT, bringing his magic to this fantastic Fenway joint. The place is packed every night- but any wait is worth it. The hot and cold sides are all delicious, I recommend the Mac&Cheese and raisin carrot salad. My brisket might have been the best I've ever had- juicy, meaty, and didn't even need extra BBQ sauce. Dessert impressed me as much as the meal- the plate size nutter butter cookie can be split by 3, and still properly stuff and satisfy. It will be hard to not come here every day, but the to-go bag was full with leftovers for a week! The prices are reasonable, and trust me- it is worth every penny. The portions are huge, and trust me- you WILL hurt a bit on the walk home. And finally, you can trust me when I say there's a reason why Paula Deen is a diabetic, and I don't blame her.
(5)Melissa M.
i really enjoyed my recent visit to sweet cheeks - and i will definitely be going back. i would say that sweet cheeks easily beats out redbones as far as quality and taste goes, but i still stand by east coast grill's ribs as the best i have had in boston. i really wish i could give it a 3 and a half star rating but i feel more inclined to round down rather than up based on a few things. the good: -really easy menu to order off of - they go for quality over quantity and i appreciate that i didn't have to rifle through a cheesecake factory sized menu. redbones should take note. -delicious cocktails and a decent bourbon menu. -seated upon arrival and no wait time. -amazing homemade biscuits with honey butter. -i tried the 2 meat combo and out of the short ribs and the pulled chicken, i really though their "stand out" was the pulled chicken. the things i would improve: -i really wanted to put some killer sauce on my average tasting ribs. the sauces were just ok but nothing really stood out about them. -to many staff people came to our table at what i think was inappropriate intervals - we literally had someone at our table every 4-5 minutes either cleaning something off or checking it, which made us feel rushed. let people be for a bit so they can enjoy their meal in peace, at least for ten whole minutes without interruption. maybe during a game day i would understand them working at this level, but that was not the case here. i am really looking forward to going back, it's a fun place with some tasty food - but next time i go i'd like to not feel so rushed.
(4)chermaine y.
Went on a thursday night and it wasn't crowded. The service was ok. I got the ribs and pork belly. Pork belly was a lil salty and ribs were slightly tough. The barbecue sauce was over powered by the vinegar.The collard greens were nicely seasoned, mac and cheese was good but the potato sald was bland needed more seasoning. The biscuits and butter were better than the actual food. I was disappointed at the end of the night when me and my friend asked to get a box for our food and we found that the waitress mixed our food together and put both plates in one box. I wouldnt go back on that fact alone.
(2)Chris C.
Sweet Cheeks -- you've won me over. I've never been disappointed with the array of BBQ options in Boston. But I've never been blown away, until last night. The quality at Sweet Cheeks is several notches higher than other well-established BBQ retreats such Blue Ribbon and Redbones.That said, you will find lovers and haters slopping BBQ sauce and pork grease all over their faces here, and I'm no different. So, how do I know I love this place? Three words: Berkshire Pork Ribs. They were part of my $26 Fat Cheeks tray and somewhat of red-headed step-child compared to the tray's companions -- pork belly and brisket. My first foray into the 14,000 foot peak of meat focused on the pork belly. Our server recommended that dish or the Pineland Farms Short Ribs. The belly was tender and juicy, easily carved by my simple table knife. However, I found it a bit bland and lacking the pallet-explosion elements of the other two meats. Would I recommend trying it? Absolutely. Would I sprint through crowds of women and small children to make sure my taste buds were satiated? Probably not. Thus, the first thought traversing my synapses was one of delight but not sheer stupefaction. The smoke ring was visually impressive. I next delved into the brisket. Absolutely an improvement over the belly and laced with the salty and smoky crust I had hoped for. It didn't melt easily in my mouth, but wasn't causing my molars to crack left and right either. Worth noting is the fact that the specific brisket cuts bordered on burnt ends; therefore, the aforementioned characteristics are absolutely expected. Mixed with a moderate helping of the restaurant's BBQ sauce, there were absolutely enjoyable. Recommendation worthy. Until this point, I had ignored the ribs. Ribs of any kind typically do not find themselves on my plate. Instead, many of the other pork variations are typically aligned at right angles on my plate. Not having thought of them up to that moment, I clamped down and easily pulled some meat off the bone. Wow. Enchanting. Covered in a rub formulated by BBQ gods and seasoned with exactly the right amount of salt, I couldn't get enough. They were by far the best component of the tray and the only thing I finished. Like a lunatic, I demanded that the server ensure the bones were kept in my carry-out box. But I don't have a dog. A small batch of stock will need to be created from their expertly crafted internals and external layering. Recommendation worthy? Hell yeah! In fact, I would strap a jet-pack on my back and fly over the crowd of women and small children to try just a single rib. The most telling fact is what I could conclude would happen during subsequent visits -- focusing exclusively on the ribs and ordering no other primary meats. Really. Of course, one must consume a beverage while partaking in BBQ debauchery. An Otter Creek Black IPA was my companion. Another reviewer commented on the lack of IPA choices and I echo that opinion. There aren't many. But if you like more whiskey variations than you can remember, you're in luck.
(5)R H.
Chicken wings and brisket were excellent, but the sausage was flat out bad. Be prepared for a hefty bill as the prices are steep.
(3)Luca R.
Very nice ambiance. Solid service. The sides were decent and the biscuits were awesome, probably the best part of the meal. The meat was terrible - no flavor. I don't know how this place calls itself barbecue because it's really not. The prices were also pretty steep. So far Blue Ribbon is the best bbq I've had in MA.
(2)J. W.
The food and portion size is much much better since it opened.
(4)P C.
This place was on our list for new/good/interesting places in the Boston area. Also being a Top Chef fan, my wife and I had above average hopes. Came here for dinner on Sunday night. First impressions was ok, typical layout with some shared long tables, old signs on the wall, mason jars for glasses, normal stuff for a BBQ joint. A decent amount of people dining but we got seated immediately. The waiter was friendly, funny, quirky guy who took care of us the entire dinner. Menu was ok, nothing out of the ordinary, kudos for using "local" Berkshire meat. I ordered a brisket tray w/ Cole slaw and mac'n cheese; the wife had a pulled pork tray w/ carrot& raisin salad and broccoli casserole. At first sight, it was a good size portion of meat and sides. First taste....well the meat was a big letdown! Looked good, fairly tender but tasteless. I could see the pink smoke ring but couldn't taste it? Dry rub? Where? on the meat? Both the pulled pork & brisket were tasteless. So tasteless meat, throw some sauce on it. Nope, the sauces didn't do it for us. BBQ was a bit too tomatoe-y, ketchup-y for our liking. The vinegar "North Carolina" sauce was tangy as the waiter said, but not that good. The hot sauce was hot with no taste. Sides were ok, not bad but we've had better. I got one rib to try, not impressed. I make better ribs in my backyard with a $60 walmart smoker. Overall, not impressed. Having lived in Beantown for a while now, I immediately think of 3 other places that are better. Maybe you think I'm a BBQ snob, but being satisfied is what it's all about and this place didn't do it.
(2)Tommy T.
I must say, this is the best BBQ place in Boston! Great feel, great atmosphere, great food! Check it out, you will NOT be disappointed.
(5)Kim D.
*for drinks and appetizers only* My friend and I ventured here after watching a movie. I got a whiskey inspired cocktail and she got a cocktail that was like an arnold palmer (I forgot both names). We ordered a few appetizers which were huge portions and heavy but it's a given for a southern bbq joint. I loved our cocktails but food was so so. Bartender was super friendly.
(3)Daniel R.
This place just isn't very good. $10, 4 biscuits. Seriously? $5 PBR, really? $5 Narraganset, no way... My wife had a pulled chicken sandwich with sides of mac & cheese and "farm salad". I had a burnt ends sandwich with baked beans and potato salad. Her pulled chicken was as boring as could be. With a crock pot and a few hours, I could have made it myself. Her salad and mac & cheese were decent, but far from spectacular. My burnt ends were dreadful. For anyone who has ever had burnt ends, you know there should be a difference in consistency and texture than shredded beef. The closest I can compare this to texture wise was Chipotle's barbacoa. It just wasn't good. The potato salad was OK. I would have preferred a jar of Bush's to the baked beans. Two sandwich platters, biscuits, and a sweet tea and after tax and tip we're almost at $70. That's just uncalled for. I guess I can't really blame them for that...the prices were right on the menu, but I just don't get it. Have they never been to another bbq joint? Other people seem to really like this place, so I can't blame you for taking their word over mine, but it was a huge miss for me. Oh, and not for nothing, they've got the music way wrong here. They claim to serve "authentic texas barbecue" and they've got a soundtrack more fit for a Johnny Rocket's playing in the background. Do your research, man!
(2)Samuel F.
The BBQ here wasn't the best I've ever had, but it certainly was satisfying. The sides were very good (including the farmhouse salad), and the biscuits were heavenly. The selection of drinks is extensive. The service was friendly, though a bit slow. But they managed to seat our large party, even though we came in mere minutes before the kitchen was scheduled to close. Overall, was a tasty (and huge) meal. The meats could be more heavily sauced. But despite the complaints from some other reviewers about the table-side sauces, I thought the house hot-sauce was very good.
(4)Jeff Q.
Was really excited to come here, been meaning to do it since I relocated to Boston. It may just be the reality of BBQ on the east coast but I wasn't floored nor was I disappointed here. The cuts of meat they offer are great, loved the pork belly and the brisket. Biscuits were great as well. The actual bbq flavor was just so-so here. The only real knock on this place is entirely personal. It is really loud and the club music is kind of obnoxious, not really what I'm looking for in a BBQ place. In the end, it was good but I won't make a point of coming back.
(3)Angela C.
The biscuits are so good!! Definitely worth the trip just to have some. I'm not a fan of their pulled pork...it was a lot greasier than I'm used to but the fried chicken was delicious, as are their potato salads, Mac and cheese and broccoli and cheese casserole. Their staff is always friendly and very accommodating and helpful. Really love the atmosphere. Definitely will be back.
(4)Ryan G.
To put it simply, souther food shouldn't be made into a gourmet kind of thing. Sure they made it pretty hipster with the iron trays and serving drinks in jars; but if you're like me, you really just want good BBQ and great friend chicken and the decor and supplements are a small side bonus...but again, to reiterate, small...bonus To firstly state, the FOOD HERE DESERVES FOUR STARS! It is actually pretty good BBQ. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend the fried chicken. I think its the best thing on the menu. The mac and cheese is also a definite must, but most of their sides are pretty good and can't really go wrong. I guess the main reason I give this 3 stars is what you get for the price. Although the food is great, servers are nice, great drinks, great decor: you really pay for an experience. I RECOMMEND YOU TRY THIS PLACE. But let me tell you, you can easily drop 30 bucks for something that should be 15... SIDE NOTE: good place to hang out and watch a sports game! lots of TVs, good beers, good drinks, manly food (HELLA MEAT DUH) so would definitely recommend this place for that.
(3)Kelsey M.
Went here for my birthday. The decor and mason drinking glasses feed into the southern country bumpkin stereotype to the point of being offensive. The different BBQ sauces on the table taste nothing like the real sauces of the regions they claim. The food was decent but nothing to swoon about. The quest to find good/awesome BBQ/Smoked food continues.
(3)Heather G.
3.5 stars? You mean to tell me I have a MORE favorable opinion of a restaurant than the general population? Ladies and gentlemen, we have a first. This may never have happened before. Let's break this down to its simplest form, though. The meat here: NOT GOOD. Every BBQ-d or braised or smoked piece of ANYTHING here has been mediocre. 2.5-3-stars. Never great. Ever. However, the sides...well, the sides are special. The sides have never been bad, none of them. I'm pretty sure i've had them all, and they're all fantastic. The drinks are STELLAR, the prices are cheap, and the biscuits....well to quote my favorite professor talking about private equity: "It's a lot like sex. When it's good, it's really good. When it's bad...it's still pretty good." Same goes for these biscuits. Even on an off-day, the sweet butter makes them at-least OK. So now for the breakdown: If you order a "tray", it comes with 1 hot and 1 cold side, a main-meat (hah, like man-meat. I'm a child), and two slices of white bread (really? white bread? Replace the white bread slice please with one of those giant biscuits and you can charge another couple bucks for the same thing! No one eats that white bread, so you're just losing margin on the Wonderbread loaves being discarded at a massive clip). So, let's talk about the meat. The pork belly option is fatty and delicious, but not advisable to order as a tray...it's too rich to have more than one small slab of belly, and you will soon get tired of throwing chunks of fat down your gullet. The pork ribs are a better option - they're smokey with a nice flavor, but they are also on the tough-side. Nothing about these falls off the bone, and when they come off the bone, the meat takes a bit of gnawing to break apart in your mouth. Pulled pork is run-of-the-mill - not amazing, not memorable, but better than, say, Redbones. As I said about the biscuits: on a great day, they come out huge, warm, fluffy, flaky, buttery, and incredible. Paired with the whipped honey butter and these are easily worth the $10 charged for the bucket of four. On a bad day, they're dry, crumbly, but still come with that delicious butter. Slather the butter over every inch, and it's still worth the $10. Now, most importantly: All the sides are delicious. I repeat: ALL SIDES. The collard greens are my favorite hot-side. They're sauteed with pork fat, they're sharp and vinegary, they're amazing. Best side this place has got, in my opinion. The farm salad, which sounds boring, is actually a fabulous fresh salad with hazelnuts, shaved Brussels sprouts, grapes, farro, and greens. Even the mundane mac & cheese is pretty solid here, but eat this one in its entirety at the restaurant and save something else for your to-go bag, because this doesn't taste so great day-2. The carrot and raisin salad was tossed in vinegar, which gave them a surprising kick, and made them a surprisingly UN-boring side. Bonus points for using Weller bourbon in their Damn Yankee, and the teeny Mason jars are a cute idea, but beware - this makes for a tiny drink at a big-boy-size drink price. A few sips and your cute little jar is emptied, and you're stuck ordering another $10 cocktail just minutes after your first was delivered. Maybe order two at a time...or maybe just go for a beer.
(4)Kelly O.
I've now been here ~4 times, and my previous review still stands: I haven't yet been let down by Sweet Cheeks. Biscuits, pork belly, pulled pork, farm salad, all still drool-worthy (and still reasonably priced if you're smart about it, i.e. split the 3 meat tray with someone and add in biscuits, and maybe an extra side). The most recent improvement is the new awesome beer garden with retractable roof. Sitting out there with some friends, with a few growlers of Dogfish Head Peach (delicious BTW), a full plate of delicious meat, soaking in the breeze and shade (or sun if you prefer) on a beautiful summer's day = perfection. And our bartender/waiter was wicked chill and awesome, he definitely added to our awesome dinner. Upping to a deserved 5 stars.
(5)Holly K.
I was really excited to finally try this place and it did not disappoint! I got the brisket plate with the broccoli casserole, potato salad, and a lone bone (a.k.a. one rib). The brisket was melt in your mouth delicious and the broccoli casserole was sooo good I probably could have eaten another cup full of it. Is this place a little on the pricey side for BBQ? Yes, but it is worth it! My only complaint is that the plates come with white bread, I would have much preferred corn bread or one of the delicious looking biscuits I saw on other people's tables. For a drink I got the Dollywood based on other reviews I read on Yelp, it was pretty good; it would be a great refreshing drink for a summer night. We got the giant nutter butter for dessert, it was all right, not something I am in a big rush to order again. *A statement of advice if you are planning on going on a weekend, go really early (I'm talking 4:45 to wait till a little after 5 to be seated), or really late, if not expect to wait!*
(5)Katherine D.
I had a wonderful dinner during a frigid evening at Sweet Cheeks Q. The hostesses were friendly, and directed me to the bar to wait for my companion. Showed up on a Tuesday and there was not a wait at around 7:30. While waiting for my guy I snagged a moonshine cocktail in a mason jar. I think the size of the drink and the quality were absolutely deserving of its price. The boy shows up (he's always late) and we decided to stay at the bar and eat. His Dolly-something drink was incredible, and I was jealously stealing sips through our meal. I went "light" and ordered pulled pork on Texas toast. There was so much delicious pork that i pulled half of it out and ate that to make my sandwich more manageable, and by the time I had done so, I had filled up! The sauces are extraordinary, especially the spicy BBQ. I appreciate that not everything is slathered in sauce, and you can add lacquer as you please. The guy got the Fat Cheeks (choice of 3 meats) and while it was one of the more pricy menu items the amount of food was ample. He really enjoyed the pulled chicken and the ribs, and while he also rather enjoyed the brisket he thought it would have used a bit more seasoning. Sides were great, with the standout being the broccoli cheese casserole and he loved his cole slaw. Decor is cute, but even though I know communal tables are the new cool dining room fad, I find the seating a bit cramped and would prefer to keep my conversations private and other's conversations out of my dining experience.
(4)Juliana C.
I had a Top Chef-obsessed college friend visit me last month with the mission of hitting up Sweet Cheeks; unfortunately, they hadn't opened by the time she left, so I promised to check it out and give her a full report. The things I do for friends.... Right off the bat I was pleased with the location being so close to the Fenway T, with a bright sign that's easy to spot from several blocks down. The hostess greeted me with a smile and I was seated right away, at a communal table since there were only two of us. The beer list is adequate, with prices on par with surrounding restaurants, and I was happy to see several Anderson Valley options (not to mention the category "Nice Cans" made me laugh). There are a lot of combinations available when it comes to the meat (you can buy a single rib!), and it took me a little while to scale back my calculations as to how much food I could handle. I ultimately settled on a 1/2 slab tray of the berkshire pork ribs -- with two sides and bread, $19 seemed like a reasonable amount to pay. The fried green tomato starter was pleasant, but nothing special. My tray of food was enormous. I had one of those Thanksgiving-style moments of doubt about finishing my plate, but soldiered on after vanquishing the tender, smoky ribs because the mac and cheese side was awesome (just the right amount of cheese, warm and sprinkled with crumbs, cozily nestled in a blue mug). The carrot and raisin salad was too sweet (and probably too healthy) for my taste. Throughout the meal our server was super attentive, friendly and helpful, which is a tough combination to find in a new restaurant. The plan was to check out the Hawthorne afterwards (and I have no doubt we could have used the walk), but neither of us wanted to move after all that food, so we stayed put and discovered that the men's restroom has a 50 cent machine, shaped like a chicken, that lays plastic eggs with toys inside. I got a tiny squishy elephant and named him Albert.
(4)Kat M.
The Bucket O'Biscuits are probably one of the best things I've ever ate. I'm a chef (though now retired :() and I had at one point nearly applied for the job of biscuit maker at Sweet Cheeks just so I could get the recipe hahaha. If I hadn't been happy at my current job I totally would have applied. I have never had a bad meal and I'm constantly trying to get my friends to go with me when they are in town visiting.
(5)Amanda G.
Sweet Cheeks is fun. It offers something different compared to other restaurants in Boston. It's all BBQ, so if you don't like that stay away. I've never been a huge BBQ fan, but I love the eats here. The trays are the way to go. Be prepared. You get a TON of food. The good news is that means you get, like, three extra meals out of it. You must get an order of the biscuits -- if anything just so you can indulge on honey butter. The atmosphere is probably one of my favorite parts about it. If you don't like dining next to people you don't know, the communal tables might be weird. But it's a fun experience, and it's never as awkward as you think it might be. And if any of you are Top Chef nerds, you will occasionally see Tiffani in the kitchen!
(4)Dan S.
The they only have one type of traditional BBQ sauce which wasn't good. The others are jalapeño and something else unappealing. Also coleslaw was gross. Overall not very good BBQ
(2)Christine T.
Came in for lunch a few days ago and at first, I was pretty turned off by the seemingly small portion that I was served but boy, was I wrong. I ordered the berkshire pork belly with a scoop of potato salad (don't judge) and it was delicious and very filling. The pork was so moist and juicy inside that I had to reevaluate my definition of what good barbecue was. It was flavorful in itself but topped with some of the house sauce they had on the table, it was absolutely divine. However, i was not digging the potato salad. Even though it was topped with bacon, it could not be salvaged. It was a little reminiscent of Stop&Shop's potato salad, very bland, very boring. Aside from that, service sucked. We sat down for about ten minutes until someone came to take our order and our waitress didn't refill our waters until we were about done with our meal. The place wasn't even busy. Overall, I would definitely love to try the dinner menu so I shall be back to update ya'll with my final verdict!
(3)Joe M.
The reviews seem all over the place here. Personally I really enjoyed the restaurant, the service and the majority of the food. The Pulled Pork sandwich was very tasty, a little too greasy for me but overall good flavor. The ribs were excellent and the Salt and Pepper Baked Potatoes which were flash fried before serving were very tasty and a unique way to do potatoes. I have a dairy allergy so I avoided the biscuits and Mac & Cheese but my family all raved about them. I was disappointed with the Beer List, it was large but they didn't have any White Ales at all. Overall I would say it's a really good BBQ place for Massachusetts. The Ribs and Sides are better than Red Bones, the Pulled Pork and Beer selection are worse. If your from the South you probably won't love it, but considering the competition in New England I would say it rates very high.
(4)Pip S.
Fantastic BBQ in Boston! Must try the biscuits with honey-butter. Came after a Red Sox game so it was crowded but still manageable and service was attentive. Come hungry and prepare to leave with a doggie-bag because proportions are large and in charge!
(4)Sheila G.
I had heard about this place from several people and was anxious to check it out. A friend and I went early in December on a Monday afternoon and when we arrived there was no one in the place (that concerned me) was this a sign? And not a good one? The hostess at the door wasn't very welcoming and my friend noted that she had a sour disposition the entire time we were there. Our waitress was nice, though and attentive. We had several questions about the menu, like what is "farm salad" and she answered them all. We ordered drinks and be warned, they come in huge mason jars. (way too big) I ordered the natural pulled chicken and farm salad, my friend ordered the Berkshire pork ribs and black-eyed peas and of course biscuits.(way too big) To my delight everything was really good, especially the farm salad,(way too small) The chicken had a nice flavor and the rib meat was so tender it melted in your mouth. The bbq sauce is not the spicy sauce I make or am used to but it was good. I would definitely come back and would recommend that others check it out as well. The only unpleasant experience wasn't the restaurant's fault. A group of guys came in and sat on the bar stools in front of us. One of them had a serious case of "plumbers butt". Ewww!! Not a good site when you are trying to enjoy your lunch.
(4)Jeff K.
Black-eyed peas were the best, and the farm salad was so good! I like my meat, so it is big that the sides topped my list. Hushpuppies were sweet, not savory. I like them savory, so they weren't my thing. You'll like them if you have a sweet tooth. Pulled pork was good, especially with their variety of sauces. I'll go back to try more and hang in their beer garden. This is the best BBQ I've had in Boston. Not sayin' much, but still really good. The bartender's Federale drink was good, but wasn't very attentive even in the off hours.
(4)Alexa P.
We went in on a Friday and were told there was an hour wait. They suggested to leave a phone number and go next door for a drink and they'd call us when a table was ready, and they did! Points. When a member of our party and I went over to claim the table while the gents we were with settled our bar tab next door they were enthusiastic and didn't make us wait for our whole party to be seated. More points. When the person I was with gave the hostess attitude about which table they were putting us at (a communal one, in my opinion not a problem) she remained composed and calm and diffused the situation like a pro. Well done! Triple points. We had fried okra, fried green tomatoes, and biscuits for starters and they did not disappoint. As my husband says, "If it's fried, I'll eat it." And let's be honest, you can't go wrong with honey butter (comes with the biscuits). The bbq sauces they have on the table are also excellent. For entrees our group ordered the 3 meat plate, brisket, and 2 of us ordered the fried chicken and everyone seemed happy with what they got. I myself had the fried chicken and while the flavor was good and I enjoyed the seasonings in the batter, I wasn't too excited about biting through the crust into rubbery skin. The chicken was perfectly cooked and juicy though, so excavating to pull the skin off was really not that big of a deal. I had beans (delicious: firm, in a nice sauce with bits of pork) and collard greens (excellent, with a surprisingly bright flavor) on the side. The portion was huge (literally, half of a chicken) and so most of it came home with me and re-heated beautifully. Because the batter was so thick and well done it stayed crispy upon reheating. Our waitress was really helpful and friendly and overall we had a really nice meal there. I'll go back, but probably with just my husband and not during peak hours to avoid the long wait for a table. p.s. the best part of the evening may have been the 90's hip hop playing through the sound system.
(4)Mk E.
You had me at "bucket of biscuits." I love eating here after a Sox game or on my way to a movie. Fantastic food, fun cocktails (I love anything in a canning jar), and good service. You must eat the fried green tomatoes and biscuits, then get yourself a tray. (Although the menu says a tray is intended to be a complete meal for one person, I've often split one and been perfectly happy.) I tend to go back to the pork belly time and again because they do it so well, but the pulled pork and fried chicken are fantastic as well. And this might sound weird, but I could swim in that coleslaw.
(5)Tim D.
I first heard of Sweet Cheeks when my friend kept talking about it. She'd go there twice a week, and consistently rave about how great it was. I wasn't impressed - I'd had Redbones, how much better could this place be? A month or two after I first heard about it, I finally was dragged in. We were told we had to wait 15 minutes, but were able to grab a beer at the bar as we waited, then were pleasantly surprised when the wait was only 5. A bucket of biscuits was ordered. Wow. The biscuits are a genre all their own. Biscuits, right? Who gives a shit? Well, you're about to. These biscuits are amazing Forbes magazine says they're the best biscuits on the planet, ( forbes.com/sites/larryol… ) and I entirely agree. Crispy/buttery crunchy shell, steamy and moist inside, warm and flaky, buttery and airy, wonderfully textured, they're perfect. If you think you've ever had a biscuit before, you're about to be schooled. They come with an unnecessary-yet-absolutely-perfect side of honey butter. It's the best non-steak cow product I've ever had, the perfect balance of sweet and salty and a perfect compliment to the biscuit. Seriously, go there just for the biscuits. The other food's good too. I like the carrot salad. I like the pulled chicken. Fried chicken's really really great. Pulled pork is solid. But go get some biscuits. You won't regret it. You can thank me later.
(5)Kelsey C.
There is something awesome about drinks served in jars. I know there's no buzz like you get from the apple cider moonshine in the Rocky Top, and the deceptively strong Dollywood will make you just talkative enough to be charming. The food is clearly higher-end than your down-home southern, but there's really nothing I don't like! Some things are better than others, but everything I had was pretty high on the awesomeness scale. The Fried Okra was clearly and easily my fave part of the entire night, brilliant use of half-slices of okra. I think I ate that entire bowl myself. Sorry fellow diners... For mains, the pork belly is pretty great...can pork belly really be bad? Just be sure to dip everything in the hot bbq sauce - it tastes good with everything, and the regular isn't nearly as good. Sides are often a lost art, but the ones at Sweet Cheeks haven't suffered any neglect. The broccoli and cheese casserole tastes like a creamier, mashed-up version of quiche. The collard greens can't compare to Soulfire, but the mac and cheese is good stuff. The hush puppies are good, and the honey butter is crazy-exceptional, but they're missing the familiar texture of coarsely-ground cornmeal, IMO. My pet peeve is that you can't substitute a biscuit for the white bread on the trays - who the heck wants white bread when biscuits are an option?!? If you need to wait 40 minutes for a table at 7 on a Wednesday night, either the place is good or it's new. Sweet Cheeks is both. And if your server's name is J.D., it's your lucky night. He's almost as fabulous as the food AND he has great taste in pants! If you're J.D.'s significant other, it's really not as bad as it sounds...
(5)Joe B.
What a great meal after zac brown concert. Filled the gap with delicious pulled pork with slaw on top and some beef brisket sandwiches that were to die for. All on Texas toast! Hush puppies were good and the honey dipping sauce was awesome. Bathrooms were clean, service was good. Good bang for the buck. I was satisfied!!!
(5)Ella B.
I'm not a BBQ expert, but the food was decent -- I ordered the "wet" style and it came with slices of white bread which was interesting. For me, it was novel, but apparently, it was appalling for my Irish American friend.. .lol. Overall, good drinks and decent food, good atmosphere - lots of TVs for your watching pleasure.
(3)Leslie A.
The Mac N' Cheese was amazing! However, if you're not a typical heavy food eater (like myself) you may want to pass up on Sweet Cheeks. The food was all good but I felt like I needed to work out for the next week straight to work off the one meal. Also my server must have been having a bad day because he was no help with the menu (which was a bit confusing in portion size compared to cost) and did not seem at all excited to be at work. He went missing almost the entire meal and on a night where I wanted to grab a couple beers was limited to only one because he never returned to ask how things were going / if we would like anything else. I did enjoy the food but I do not think I will be recommending this in place of all the other great eateries in the Fenway area.
(2)Gerald G.
Best BBQ I have ever had! I am a born and bred southerner who makes my own and loves to eat BBQ, so I consider myself an authority. Almost ashamed to admit the best I've ever had was in Boston, but I'm honest. I had the great northern brisket & it was melt in your mouth delicious as candy. Simply put: "BEST BBQ EVER"
(5)Eric F.
Before I get into the food, I want to point out that our waitress was awesome and even went so far as to give my family friend an entirely new tray of pulled pork and beef brisket after she had just asked for some extra sauce for her dry pork. The folks here take very good care of their customers and I have much respect for that. Unfortunately, the BBQ itself was pretty darn sub-par. My Pineland Farms Short Rib looked delicious at first, but turned out to be intolerably dry...ie. I barely made it halfway through the rib with the help of copious amounts of the trio of sauces at the table. My friend's Berkshire Pulled Pork and Great Northern Brisket were decent for the first couple bites and essentially inedible thereafter from the dryness. My bro's Berkshire Pork Belly was very fatty and nicely seasoned, though bear in mind that it's nearly impossible to screw up meat that's at least 50% fat...and there were still several dried out pieces in the mix. The saving grace was the very generous portions all-around - you'll be plenty full provided that you can actually finish the food. I did really enjoy the Mac N' Cheese, homestyle with tons of flavor. That turned out to be the highlight of the meal sadly enough. Sweet Cheeks has a great, lively atmosphere and exceptional service that was enough to bump it up to 3 stars, but Chef Faison has some serious work to do with her BBQ.
(2)Alee G.
Good food and great service! My favorite menu item was the farm salad. Everything about that salad is perfect. I also really enjoyed the biscuits, which are huge (about the size of my head). Don't be fooled. 4 biscuits is MORE than enough to fill up your entire party. I also ordered the beef brisket with a side of black eyed peas. Thumbs up for both items. The BBQ sauce is the only thing that caught me off guard... not in a bad way. It just wasn't what I expected. I'm used to BBQ sauce being really tangy and spiced, and this one was really sweet. It was OK, definitely not my favorite. I will return to Sweet Cheeks, simply for the farmer's salad and the biscuits if not anything else.
(4)Jaimee D.
Service was a bit slow but friendly. The Mary Palmer drink was gross and their soda machine was not working properly. The biscuit bucket was the best thing we ordered. It definitely was not the best pulled pork we've ever had but it was perfect pre-game food. I loved the salad style cole slaw was delicious. I liked the primitive style. Trays, buckets and glass mug drink cups.
(3)fred n.
If the atmosphere doesn't get you right away, the food most certainly will. Yummy ribs, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken and cobb salad - all of these are good here. Very tasty. Definitely seasoned through and flavorful. Strong smokey and rich flavor. Salty, but not too much salt. Sweet, but not too sweet. The trays are big portions for those looking for MORE food. Get the sandwich if you're looking for a smaller portion. In the 3 times I've eaten here, I have yet to have ENOUGH room to eat the NUTTER BUTTER dessert, so I'm planning a special trip to go back and try it. Can't wait. The chef/owner Tiffany came out and met us. She is super duper sweet and nice. Very friendly and cordial. What a great gal. Just made our night being so welcoming and hospitable. Our server, Ashley, was great too. Nothing special about our table, either. Just because - isn't that a great experience - to be checked up on to make sure our experience was nice and pleasant...which is was. Definitely good for large groups/parties, and for before/after an event in/around the Fenway (movies, games, etc.).
(4)Cari H.
I was impressed. BBQ is my thing and this delivered. I have found my new local go-to smoked meats and comfort food joint. We started at the bar with a genuine moonshine cocktail, yum, while we waited. The host stand was even kind enough to bring me a chair. They were quite attentive, which was nice. Once seated at our table, I ordered the brisket and pulled pork, with a rib "onesie" (must try all the bbq staples!) The brisket was ridiculously tender. My one criticism would be that there was definitely not enough of it for the price. The pulled pork was tender and what you would expect. The rib was amazing. By far the best rib I have had in Boston yet. It really fell off the bone. Next time I go back, I will be ordering more of those. The sauce they offered was a very good blend sweet and mesquite, like a good KC style one, in my opinion. As a sides, the mac and cheese and broccoli casserole were very tasty. The bbq beans weren't my favorites; I prefer them on the sweeter side, but they were decent. The bucket of biscuits that our neighbors had looked delicious and I want to try them next visit also. Also, as a side note, you can see Tiffany Faison cooking in the open kitchen (at least on a weekend night), which, as a Top Chef fan, is kinda fun.
(5)kristy a.
I am a fan of Sweet Cheeks and will be returning. Things I loved: Atmosphere-mismatched chairs, old tables, very warm feeling Bar all around-excellent idea, there are bar stools and a "shelf" all around the restaurant making it very comfortable/easy to wait for your table, plus they have a waiter for just these people, brilliant. Food-LOVED the farm salad (yes, seriously the side salad) really all the sides were good ( broccoli casserole, coleslaw, mac&cheese), fan of the ribs, liked both the BBQ sauce and hot sauce, friend commented the pulled pork was a little fatty, but tasty. Drinks-tea whiskey drink was great, huge selection of American microbrew beers Price-don't understand people complaining about the price, you get a meat of your choice and two sides, all good sized portions for under $20 unless it is the short rib which is only $25. Good deal to me. Our only disappointment: we waited 25 minutes once we sat to be greeted by our waitress. Now it was very busy, but this is really unacceptable. The food however came out fast once we had ordered and luckily we already had drinks. Going to chalk this up to being a new restaurant and hope it gets better. (by the way, saw a manager taking orders so they were trying to help out the staff). So as I said above, I will absolutely be back and you should definitely try it out.
(4)Amberlynn P.
I highly recommend this place. It has an energetic atmosphere full of all types of people from the after work crowd, young people and families. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. The kitchen is open to the public, which I love, I very was impressed by it's cleanliness. The kitchen staff was extremely fast and efficient.
(5)Erin C.
BEST BUCKET OF BISCUITS EVER. The end. These biscuits are huge, buttery, very flaky with a slightly crunchy exterior and just the perfect amount of subtle saltiness. The whipped honey butter that comes with the biscuits is also delicious. The wait for a table can be veeeery long on the weekends (unless you come early) so we often just get a bucket of biscuits to go. Also, most delicious are the fried chicken, brisket, and pork belly slathered with their house-made bbq sauce. Pulled pork and pulled chicken are ok. The best sides are broccoli cheese casserole, farm salad, and cole slaw. Finally, what to drink?!? ALWAYS Bub's tap. The best. Omg, I just had biscuits last night but I think I'm going to go buy some more tonight. (OK there are some minus points. The wait is very long unless you come here at 5-5:30pm. The inside gets veeeery loud. The pulled pork is disappointingly dry. But seriously, who cares; just get biscuits and brisket or biscuits and fried chicken and you will be incredibly five-star happy.)
(5)IamInthebiz ..
Sometimes it's worth repeating ons-self.... Ate at Sweet Cheeks on Saturday late-evening (930pm-ish) and once again it was fabulous. Lillian is a great server along with Gustavo in the kitchen and the managers all made everything even better. My family loved the experience and the food. THANKS AGAIN!!!!
(5)Raj S.
It was alright. I still prefer Red Bones in Davis Sq. or Soul Fire in Alston. The biscuits were tasty. The fried chicken had too much batter! And they only had 3 sauces... Weak! Find something else. Convenient if watching the Red Sox game,
(2)Neechi M.
Is there any other option wherever you are? Oh yeah, then go there and do not even bother reading this review. This place was probably the worst meal/drink I've had in Boston. I tried a gin and tonic (had some funny taste that we could not figure out which probably was either horrible tonic, horrible gin or both -- they don't have Hendricks or Bombay or Tanqueray or Beefeater or anything I could recognize). I also tried a beer that was equally horrible. So why am I telling you not to bother going here? Well first, it is not really BBQ. No hush puppies and the fries are some weird round potato things. I asked the waitress if she could give me aioli with the meal and she said "I'll check in on that" and after getting the horrible cherry aioli the check subsequently had a $1.50 charge for aioli on a $5 bowl of fries which is not only absurd because of the price but because she didn't even bother telling me that there would be a charge at all. When I brought it up she said "oh we always charge for sides" -- oh well it sounds like communication is something they don't teach here. In summary, weak drinks, weak BBQ and weak service -- so ask yourself, why bother going here??
(1)Sarah G.
I was so excited to try Sweet Cheeks, and it definitely did not disappoint. There were a few minor things that keep this place from being 5 stars, but overall it was a fun, tasty dinner, and we will definitely be back. It was Friday night around 7:30 pm, so we were expecting a wait and weren't too fazed when we were told it would be 45 minutes and that they would come find us at the bar. We soon got seats and were impressed by the beer list, which included a few hard-to-find favorites. Chef Tiffani Faison of Top Chef and Rocca fame was doing the rounds at various tables, and we assured her we were happy waiting; however we became a little concerned when 45 minutes turned into an hour and the hostess disinterestedly recommended we eat at the bar. Since the restaurant and bar are commingled right in the same noisy room, it didn't make much of a difference, but it got more crowded as our meal went on. I probably would have enjoyed my food a little more without others reaching back and forth between us to grab drinks. Anyway, the food. We started with the biscuits, which were heavenly, fluffy, light, and GIANT. When we finally did decide to eat at the bar, the bartender warned us that biscuits might not be available since they "tend to run out around this time." Uhm, thanks, maybe we would have liked to know that some time in the last hour we were sitting there. Anyway, they luckily still had biscuits, which were a meal in and of themselves (dessert?) They were possibly one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. Regarding the main meal: the meat was tasty, the sides underdeveloped. My BF is a South Carolinian who knows his BBQ, and he is VERY hard to please in this arena, especially north of the Mason Dixon Line. He was extremely happy with his brisket and pulled pork, and enjoyed trying the different regional sauces, although he was sad that there didn't seem to be a South Carolina mustard sauce available. I ordered a bunch of sides, and between us we had Fried Green Tomatoes (unremarkable), Potato Salad (also so-so), cole slaw (same), BBQ beans (tasted weirdly like chili), Mac & Cheese (delicious!!), and Black Eyed peas (didn't even get to these before the food coma set in.) We knew the portions were HUGE but wanted to try lots of different sides. Unfortunately, aside from the Mac & Cheese, this didn't prove to be worth it. I will definitely be heading back to Sweet Cheeks, despite my vegetarianism. It's fun, the drink list is great, and if you order enough food you will definitely end up eating something you like. Just get there before the biscuits run out!
(4)Eric R.
Best BBQ in Boston area that I know of. Super high quality organic food and incredible beer and drink selection. Worth a try.
(5)Rich B.
For starters we go at 4 pm on a Saturday and find out they are closed 3 to 5 pm. Bad start. We wait an hour and then at 5 it's mobbed and can't get service. Very limited menu biscuits and honey butter might be best I've ever had. Brisket was average and chicken and ribs were below average. I won't be back.
(2)Fussy J.
the farm salad was great. The service was very slow. The meat was very very fatty and inedible.
(2)Gina B.
ATTENTION!! BBQ so good, you don't even need sauce! I was utterly shocked by HOW GOOD this food was. My mom and I went to visit my sister at school last night and stopped in for dinner. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. We started with the biscuits and homemade honey butter. The biscuits were the size of my head! Seriously. I was full after just the biscuit, but of course I still ate more :). We all got the combo plates. My sister picked one, I picked two and my mom picked three! The prices were $18, $24, $26 respectively. I ordered the pulled pork and pork belly. OMG! Both were cooked perfectly! The combos come with 2 pieces of white bread (even though it seemed no one was using it-the meat was that good), house made pickles, onions, 1 cold and 1 hot side. I ordered the BBQ baked beans and Cole slaw. The Cole slaw was good and the beans, yummy. My mom ordered the collard greens and farm salad which consisted of shaved brussels sprouts, arugula, pine and walnuts, grapes, shallots and a vinaigrette. Delicious, crisp, sweet, tangy, crunchy and fresh. I NEED to figure out how to copy that. My sister, the broccoli and cheese casserole. Definitely Paula Dean-ish, heart attack in a cute little tin cup. Speaking of, the meal was served on a mini sheet pan with parchment paper. Great idea because it was easy to get at all that lovely meat :) Only problem was the waiter switched mine and my mom's to go meal. He was so confident when he handed them to us, we didn't think to check. Needless to say I made out because she had the choose 3! So I ended up with pulled pork, pork belly AND brisket. We will be back the next time we go to Boston. Chris LOVED the leftovers and agreed it was the best BBQ we've had (up north ;)
(5)Jack M.
Went Yesterday. Service was great, food even better. Best Brisket i have ever eaten anywhere. Could go on but everything was to die for...
(5)Ken H.
The Q is righteous. The sides are lacking. The service is slow. The space is OK.
(3)Angie D.
I really liked sweet cheeks. The smaller menu had excellent choices and great options for sharing and tasting. The brisket and the baked beans had to be my favorite, (both) meaty and flavorful! We got the biscuits from a recommendation on Yelp and they were very good, but they are also very large! The service was nothing short of great! Our waiter was helpful, funny and informative.
(4)Daniel G.
How can you be out of ribs and pork belly and half-chicken early on a Sunday evening and still call yourself a BBQ restaurant? (The Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch comes to mind here). It took 25 minutes to get 2 sandwiches to go, despite the fact that the staff outnumbered the customers. Everyone seems nice...but nicely incompetent. The Q is good but wildly overpriced. Blue Ribbon and East Coast Grill still have no competition in this town.
(2)The K.
3.5 stars. I think the current consensus rating of 3.5 stars is right on. If the right price points were found on the entrees and addition of sides, the sauces improved, Sweet Cheeks would clearly move into the 4 star category in my book. Yes, the days of the Three Great BBQ spots in Greater Boston have passed: Jake's Boss BBQ, Uncle Pete's BBQ (RIP Pete), and Redbones were the standard bearers of BBQ in Boston; this far north of the Mason-Dixon you would be hard-pressed to convince anyone that great tasting BBQ could be found, but these three spots passed muster. Of those three venerable institutions, only Redbones remains. Now add Sweet Cheeks to the likes of Blue Ribbon BBQ and East Coast Grill - all places that serve pretty good BBQ but not quite awesome BBQ. What these places lack is that "conversion" factor, making BBQ-naive eaters convert to BBQ fanatics. So if the caveat can be stated that I favor Memphis-style pork ribs (which is the way I think pork ribs should be done), I wasn't a huge fan of the pork ribs at SC. However, I loved the flavor of the pulled pork. And the farmers salad as well was fantastic. The BBQ beans weren't sweet/maple syrupy enough for me and had a bit too much meat for my taste. Mac and cheese was decent. The service was fairly good but could definitely be jazzed up a bit more in terms of friendliness (it's a bbq joint after all). Sweet Cheeks makes me think about a place like Blue Smoke - Danny Meyer's joint in NYC, where the concept of BBQ and the execution of BBQ are almost there. All in all, I'll be back - to see if the prices come down a little bit and to get another taste of that pulled pork.
(3)Deb L.
Being a lover of southern food and especially sweet tea, it's nice to have a place like Sweet Cheeks in Boston. Pulled pork was tasty and flavorful. Mac n cheese on the side was very "orange cheese" and not that great. Sweet tea was good
(3)Emily N.
So addictive! I can't stop bringing people here. It's a unique gem in Boston with amazing food. Their "Farmer's Salad" is absolutely to die for if you don't do meat, also.
(5)Seth D.
The food itself is amazingly good. Docking a star for the BBQ sauce: it's just mediocre. I might have to buy sauce at Soul Fire and bring it to Sweet Cheeks. Great setting, good service, excellent beer list.
(4)Claire N.
amazing food. decor, tables, jars for glasses, metal cans to hold silver ware, every last detail goes to make sweet cheeks an awesome bbq experience. a tad pricey but don't eat all that meat in one sitting! everything I ate there was delicious. Oh, and the place was packed. be prepared to wait.
(5)Jess H.
My fiance and I ordered take out for v-day. We have always passed this place on our way to downtown Boston and wanted to try it. I have to say that we are disappointed. Really, is this southern food. I thought everything was bland. Mac and cheese, I could have done myself, the collard greens needed to be cut and to SALTY, and was that really potato salad with vinegar on it?? I'm confused and very disappointed. We will not be eating there again. I am not one to write reviews but I needed to write this one.
(1)S C.
Our daughter loves Sweet Cheeks and wanted to take us there...ok, well, she wanted us to take her there! So we did. It was packed, always a good sign. We started our meal with biscuits and flavored butter. Four huge, warm biscuits. Too bad they don't have half orders, because you really want them, but you also want to save room for BBQ. We had pulled chicken and brisket, we opted for both a brisket sandwich and platter. Let me just say that the brisket was the most tender brisket I have ever had. It literally melts in your mouth. There were three sauces on the table, regular, vinegar based and very hot. We did not try the hot, but the others were great. The farmer's salad was really good - Interesting, crunchy, flavorful. Mac and Cheese great and the broccoli mac very good, too. The platter was a lot of food. In my opinion, the bread is a waste...if you want to make a sandwich, just order a sandwich. Cut the price a bit on the platter and put bread on the menu as a side for those who really want it. The platter is also a lot of food, so ordering a sandwich might be a better option for some.We didn't really know how to gauge how much food to order, as we hadn't been there before. We took a lot home...not sorry about that, though. Next time, I will pick and choose better. Sweet Cheeks was a fun place, especially outside on a very lovely night. The interior restaurant was very loud and lively. All around great food and a fun experience. This is not a budget venue, but you can order less and still have a great meal. The quality, especially for something where you notice the difference between good and great, as in brisket, justifies the pricing. ps...the pickles and onions are a nice touch on the platter. I also would mention that there are communal tables, though I did notice some single tables. This didn't bother us, but for some it might.
(5)Cony C.
The brisket, blackeye peas are pretty good!! I usually don't like coleslaw, but what they have is yummy! I ordered one bucket of biscuit today, it's OMG good!!! The size of biscuit is pretty big, be sure you are really really hungry , otherwise you might have to pack them home, like me! The minor down side is the ribs, kinda dry & not much meat on the rib. The dessert banana pudding is okay. I would like to go this place more often for sure!
(5)Alex G.
I first read about Sweet Cheeks a few weeks before it opened. As a big fan of Southern-style BBQ, I was looking forward to having some authentic barbecue that I have not yet been able to experience in New England. The buzz surrounding Sweet Cheeks was all very upbeat, so I was excited to visit the restaurant as soon as it opened. The Food: A restaurant is only as good as its food, so I'd like to review that first. I started with an appetizer of hushpuppies and then I had the "Big Cheeks" tray which comes with three meats, a hot side, and a cold side, as well as two slices of bread for my entree. Well, the hushpuppies weren't my favorite. They were under-fried and were missing a lot of spices. Perhaps the chef was trying to create a more gourmet hushpuppy, but these were a bit too bland for my palate. The entree that I had was delicious. Everything that I had - the pork belly, the pulled chicken, and the brisket - was incredible BUT I felt extremely cheated when I received my plate. I paid $28 for my meal, which I would have happily paid for a fair portion, but instead of adding food to the "tray," they merely substituted food. In other words, if I were a bit more decisive, I could have paid $18 for an identical portion size of just pork belly or any of the other meats on my plate. To me, adding $10 to the cost of my meal should give me more than just variety, it should mean more food. The single piece of pork belly that I got, and the single piece of brisket, were not even the size of a credit card. The other person that I was eating with and I joked that this was "diet BBQ" because we both left the restaurant hungry. In fact, this value issue is the only reason that I won't be going back really soon. I wasn't alone in sharing this sentiment - I heard several people grumbling about the portion sizes throughout my meal. The Service: The service was really slow - so slow that they refunded those hushpuppies - but I'm not including that in my consideration of my rating because it was their first weekend in operation and I know that can be tough. Our waitress was really nice and seemed genuinely sorry that things were moving slowly. The Ambiance: This is a winner. The restaurant's design is inviting and comforting while simultaneously being elegant. I enjoyed looking around during the meal and taking in the details. If Sweet Cheeks can add more value to it's offerings - either by significantly lowering its prices or, more importantly, increasing portion sizes, this place can be a real winner because the food is at the quality that it should be. I just didn't appreciate that both people in my party left hungry.
(3)Kim Z.
Show up early or wait! This place fills up quickly. And it's worth it. A little pricey, but not at all overwhelming. We had a party of 4, each had at least 1 drink and it was $100 total. There's communal tables which I thought would bother me, but it was actually kind of fun and social. Of course, we were on the end of a table so that probably helped! Our waitress was very helpful with explanations and recommendations which is a huge plus in my book AND all the staff was super attentive - my water was never ever empty. Killer cocktails and reasonable prices for beer. The biscuits were enormous and the honey butter they're served with is to die for. I had the brisket sandwich and it was HUGE and absolutely delicious. It's true - it's not really "Texas Toast" but the bread still tastes great. The only sides we got were salt and pepper potatoes and mac & cheese. The potatoes are super crisp, which I love. They weren't too peppery (or salty for that matter). And frankly, I loved the mac & cheese but it was more similar to Velveeta than down home Southern mac & cheese so people may deduct points for that. All meat is dry rub and there are 3 different sauces right on the table. Love that option so I can decide how much sauce I want on the food! And tons of parking around! Of course, that will most definitely change come baseball season. Oh oh oh oh - ROCKIN' music selection. Kudos to whoever puts together the playlists!
(4)Reba R.
being from Texas, i was hoping to find some good BBQ that would take me back home. unfortunately... it doesn't compare. the fried okra was absolutely delicious and i'd go back again and again for that. but as for the BBQ itself, it's fancy BBQ. Texas doesn't do fancy BBQ- we like back woods real homemade slow cooked- fall apart in your mouth juicy BBQ that you slop up with your piece of bread. funny how they actually had to explain that. sweet tea was ok- i make it better. loved the decor. i do want one of those tables. biggest complaint- where's the toothpicks?!?! i guarantee you there is not one Texas BBQ joint that doesn't have a stack of toothpicks waitin' for ya at the door.
(3)Will N.
Pretty surprised that Sweet Cheeks only has 3.5 stars. Me and my girlfriend went for dinner before Zac Brown at Fenway and we were very impressed. We started with a bucket of biscuits that are served with honey butter, easily the best biscuits we have ever had. Drink wise we had a couple John Dalys, which were very refreshing, highly recommend. For meals, we both had the pulled pork was some of the best I have ever had as well. Both the food and drinks were top notch and the vibe of the place is great as well. While we were eating, the owner/chef Tiffany from Top Chef was there which was also awesome to see. If you are looking for a couple drinks or some damn good BBQ, this is your place.
(5)Priya D.
This is my favorite place for some q in the boston area but it does have its issues with consistency in quality. There is a lack of choices for BBQ in boston but this place does take it to a good level regardless of the other options around. I usually get a sandwich with some slaw on it and couple of scoops plus the absolutely amazing, magical, fantastical biscuits with honey butter. I have liked everything for the most part (LOVE those biscuits!) but the meat is a bit dryer (it is sorta hit or miss with the quality and flavor) and would like a more varied BBQ sauce selection to offset it. Texas style screams big flavored but the meats come undressed and with only a mild sauce, vinegar based tangy sauce and extra hot sauce available it doesn't really come together and feels like I am missing an essential piece of BBQ - a great signature sauce. I do like the idea of the meat coming undressed, but it just doesn't work with the options they give you to dress it. Other than that, I have liked all my sides and they have great drinks and it is a great environment. The biscuits get ordered twice - a serving for the restaurant and a serving to take home. They are the best biscuits i have ever had (have I said enough about the biscuits? i can keep going if needed). I am a once every two week returner but it is slightly unfortunate that I hesitate to order certain items (not the biscuits) because I'm not sure if it will be as good as last time or if it will be better. Overall though it's a good choice, if not a great one if you get it on the right day. Off to eat some leftover biscuits.BISCUITS!
(4)Roger W.
Stopped in before the ball game, we got a table right away and the service was quick and friendly so we got to the game before the thunderstorm. Nice beers on draft, but is it really necessary to serve them in a mason jar? At the prices being charged they could afford a decent beer glass. I tried the short rib, which was good but enough food for two and had sufficient fat for 10. A little trimming prior to cooking would have made for a much more pleasant eating experience. The pulled pork was dried out but had nice flavor. The sauces on the table were... odd. If I go back I may bring my own sauce. Guess I should have tried a biscuit.
(2)Wily D.
Well...what the heck is a Pork Belly sandwich you ask? Anyone who doesn't know instantly thinks 'ummm...gross, a pig's belly?' (me included). My best guess was PB was something like pork salt or that little piece of fat and meat that is used to top/flavor baked beans...Anyways, I tend to order whatever is new or different or just something I have never had before off a menu...and let me tell you, what an AMAZING chioce I made that day (about a week and a half ago). Each piece of 'belly' consisted of about an inch thick juicy, tender, melt in your mouth meat...some layers of fat too yes (don't be affraid though...it disolves like a warm savory jell-o)...this sandwich was definitely better than the pulled pork (and the PP sandwich was top 3 of all time for me, easy). PB is a rich, savory meat...think Pot Roast tender and rich...it is truly awesome, at least Sweet Cheeks' is. I ordered the farm salad to go along with my sandwich...glad I did becasue the sandwich was filling, needed NO sauce (though I did use a little on a few bites just for a try) and the salad was delicious! Will probably be coming by this FRI SC so keep up the good work and don't change too much. Hope the bartender's finger has healed too : )
(5)Rich K.
We sat at the crowded bar on a Saturday night. Big mistake! It was like trying to eat inside an MBTA train at rush hour. People kept reaching over me to get their drinks or to pay. One person behind me reeked of cigarettes and another person cleared her throat in my face while I was eating. None of this is the restaurant's fault, but this is a warning against eating here on a busy night. The bartenders were super busy and consequently very unpleasant. There was no joking or small talk or nary a smile among this group. The beer selection was varied and solid. We ordered a second round, but our bartender completely forgot to give it to us. The food was decent, particularly the brisket, slaw, fried chicken, and Mac & cheese. The BBQ is Texas style cooked with rub and no sauce, but they do have a few jars of sauce as condiments. While the sides we had were pretty good, the menu was missing spuds: no mashed, no sweet potatoes, no French fries. That's just not right!
(2)Natasha L.
I wanted to rate it 4.5 - but no such luck with Yelp. I'll say it right now, I'm a huge fan of Top Chef. However, I'm from the Southwest and I have standards when it comes to BBQ food. Sweet Cheeks definitely delivered. My friend is a photographer for the Improper Bostonian, and he photographed the food at Sweet Cheeks a few months ago and got to taste test it all. He couldn't wait to tell us about the wooden tables tops made from old bowling alley lanes or the take out options. We were all too full to eat dessert, but he highly suggested the nutter butter. I'll definitely be coming back to try it. The biscuits are to die for, and you won't regret ordering them. There were five of us at the table, and the waitress easily accommodated us. For those who complained about not getting cornbread, well, these biscuits can do cartwheels around boring ol' corn bread any day of the week. Our waitress was great, and she did a fabulous job of tending to many tables on a Saturday night. The fried okra was a tad salty for my boyfriend and me, but that certainly didn't stop us from enjoying it. It was nice and crunchy on the outside and not mushy on the inside. I personally ordered the pork belly with the broccoli & cheese and potato salad. The waitress kindly explained the idea behind the white bread and onion and cucumber salad, and it was delicious with pork belly. The pork belly was juicy and delicious, and it melted in my mouth. My boyfriend had the ribs, greens, and cole slaw, and he was more than thrilled with his meal. Trust me, he knows good pork, and he LOVED the ribs (and the pork belly that he stole off of my plate). It was a tad noisy in the restaurant, but the atmosphere was relaxed and down to earth, and I loved the decor (especially the lights on the ceiling and the refreshing colors and fabrics in the bathroom). I was hoping to see the menu on the website, but it's not posted yet - however, I love the layout of the website and that is the only portion still under construction. Also, I wish I could know what the sauces were on our table. We all took a guess, but we forgot to ask our waitress, Becca. Overall - delicious. It is clearly a restaurant that the owners/waiters/kitchen staff are passionate about, and it truly shows through the thought-out decor right down to the tasty menu options and service. Prices might be high for some customers, but the food is of very high quality, and this isn't exactly your local BBQ pit stop. Thanks for bringing a taste of quality BBQ to New England. I'll be dreaming of those biscuits tonight.
(5)Joe U.
Really want to love this place. Celebrity chef meets bbq, sounds like the kind of love story you want to end happily. Alas, this place epitomizes what I hate about "gourmet" cuisine - it's pricey and tries to be different in lieu of tasting better. Maybe bbq is already gourmet enough; to do it right requires expertise and great amounts of time and heart/TLC. So, when a TV-show chef tackles bbq, I guess you get Sweet Cheeks, a mixture of misses. Rather than falling short of good bbq, each dish seems to take a wrong turn somewhere. The ribs are rather mediocre; obviously smoked but doesn't have that deeply moist, almost internally carmelized tenderness of good 'cue. The brisket is tender, but seems to be the most fatty cut of brisket possible; plus it's very salty. The pulled pork is simply dry. The pork belly is the best among the bunch, partly because it's not common (I've never had it 'cued this way before) and therefore has no comparison. Still, there's a strange saltiness to it...it must have been brined and the brine is overwhelming. Many side dishes are also strange-tasting (ie. "gourmet"). The collard greens are way too sour, even though the nice fresh leafy greens cry out for a better treatment. The baked beans are too mushy and non-descript. The black eye peas are also too mushy and bland. The broccoli in cheese is OK, most because they drown the whole thing mercilessly in max-fat creamy cheesiness. Can't go wrong with that. The mac and cheese is surprisingly standard, as if they couldn't think of how to mess with it. The cole slaw is another gourmet attempt to be different but not better; huge chunks of purple cabbage with very light, slightly sour (that's the theme here!) dressing. OK, best and worst: the two best things they have are the "farm salad" which is something original and doesn't really have much to do with bbq; a mix of greens, beans and some grilled veggies in a light dressing. It's a winner and shows what Faison can do when she's original. Second best is a monstrous peanut butter cookie dessert comprised of two of the largest cookies you've ever seen with a peanut butter cream layer in between. This would be a home-run if it weren't so salty. I confess that others thought it wasn't too salty, so ymmv. The worst? It was hard to choose, but I would say the bbq SAUCE itself. Both the spicy-gloppy one and the watery vinegary one are grade C at best. Considering how critical the sauce is (the sauce is the boss) for 'cue, I have to give Sweek Cheeks a low grade overall. Conclusion: the menu overall is sour, salty and strange...a far cry from SWEET cheeks.
(2)johnny r.
Welcome to Beantown Sweet Cheeks!!! We've longed for you and are so excited you are here! This is the best bbq i've ever had... Try the biscuits and hush puppies. These apps are absolutely fantastic. I had the short ribs, with broccoli cheese casserole and farm salad. This was one of my all time favorite meals ever and i'm not even a big short ribs guy... I went with 5 friends opening friday, so we waited a little, but it was worth every minute!!!!
(5)Victoria G.
o well. i give up. i've been here literally ten times. i live a block away. already did a review. this is my neighborhood and the food is really aweful. oily, fatty, small, overpriced, and at this point .....no one else is noticing. if people love it and keep eating here, so be it. i've worked in far too many restuarants and i think my opinion is too honest for people. or they are really drunk, or eat garbage and are fine with it. i've given sweet cheeks many, many chances and have gone at busy and not so busy times. the sides are drenched with oil and are tiny in a coffee cup as well as far too expensive. does anyone else see that??????....... i got very sick after a crappy chicken sandwich here. . i wont go back again and this is my last time writing it up. times are tough, and appearently, people eat shit and are fine with it.
(1)Corey G.
Place is great. Had the brisket sandwich with mac & cheese and potato salad. The brisket had an amazing smokey flavor, and the homade barbeque and hot sauce were terriffic (the hot sauce should be called 912, not 911 though - it has a bit of a kick, but not super spicy). Highly reccomend the mac n cheese. And can't go wrong with beer (from their extensive list) in mason jars.
(5)Ditt C.
BE AWARE.. The biscuits offered for the table are $10!!! A friend and I went and ordered 2 entrees and only 1 Coke. The total bill was $67.00!!, nevermind the tip. What a joke. The short rib I had was inedible because of the 2 inch layer of pure fat resting on the top which was slow cooked resulting in fatty, extra greasy pork below. The pork ribs my friend ordered were a dry rub and needed extra sauce added to be enjoyed. The slaw was good and so was the mac and cheese, but I won't be back.
(2)Elizabeth M.
I have been a Top Chef fan since it's first season, and when a friend of mine invited me to grab dinner here last week, I was very excited to try it. Overall, the food was good and we had a good time, but I feel like there are still kinks to be worked out in order for it to become my go-to place for BBQ. Atmosphere: It is obvious to me that a great deal of thought went into the choices of decor, tables/chairs, and how customers would be served (on metal trays with jars to drink out of). There is a definite point of view here, and I liked it. The place is a little loud when it's crowded, but thankfully the music isn't cranked up to be heard over the din. We could hear each other without yelling across the table. Service: There seemed to be an excessive amount of staff. The restaurant isn't that big, and it felt like there was an army of people serving us. In my experience, this can sometimes backfire and stuff slips through the cracks because everyone assumes someone else is taking care of it. We had a server who was very nice but I think she was new. She wasn't the best at explaining certain menu items. She also didn't seem to really put much thought or care into us after (someone else) served us our dinner. When she came over to offer to box up the remainder of my friend's dinner (she finished before me), my friend took the opportunity to order a butterscotch pudding. I asked about the whitetrash holiday mess, and before I could decide if I wanted it, our server disappeared. I had to flag her down to order it. Then it took a good 20-25 minutes to get to me. When it came time for the check, one of the hostesses (there were 3) eventually came over to take care of it. Side note: There wasn't an explanation for a single thing on the menu. Everything was listed by title only. Most of the items are self explanatory, but there were some things, like the farm salad and whitetrash holiday mess that I had to ask about. Also, the server had to explain the three sauces on the table to us because they weren't labeled. This all seems silly to me, and a lot of work on the part of the servers could be avoided if the customer was given the information to read on his/her own. Also, it wasn't until I read a response from Tiffani of another reviewer on Yelp that I really understood what "never ever" meant when it came to their beef. I asked our server and it was clear she didn't know either when she haphazardly attempted to answer. I do like to know when restaurants use all natural meats, and I feel better about paying a little more for real quality product. Especially if that product is local. However, at the time, I took a look at the prices and thought they were super high. The Food: Is good. I ordered the two meat, two sides tray with pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese and farm salad. The salad was good, not overdressed and different from any other salad I've ever had. The mac and cheese was awesome. The only complaint I have about it is that it's served in a mug, so the ratio of creamy mac and cheese to crispy Ritz cracker-like topping is off. I'd rather eat it in a shallower vessel so I could enjoy the topping with every bite. The pulled pork was wonderful, lots of smokey flavor. I tried the non vinegar, non hot sauce sauce. I thought it was going to be sweet, but it really wasn't. It definitely was unique and I liked it. The brisket was a little fatty for me, but the meat was very good. I liked the pickles on the side, though they are shaved super thin and I like mine a little thicker. The onions I could take or leave. The white bread slices really bugged me. The concept of being able to make your own sandwich with the pickles and onions is interesting, but if I wanted a sandwich I would've ORDERED a sandwich. Especially since the bread choices for the sandwiches are much more appealing. I would've liked to see some cornbread or a biscuit on that tray instead. I think it's ridiculous that the biscuits aren't free, actually. They really should be complimentary at the beginning of the meal, and charging for them seems like a cheap move. The whitetrash holiday mess was described to me as a half-baked brownie - gooey in the middle - with a peppermint marshmallow topping. I took this to mean that the brownie would be warm. Alas, it was not. Maybe because it took forever to get to me. It was also not gooey in the middle, though it did taste good. The brownie was served in the same kind of mug as the mac and cheese, and again, same problem - the topping-to-brownie ratio. This dessert is so close to being outstanding, but for me just missed the mark. Too bad. I wish there were more choices for the "scoop" options - like getting two hots or two colds instead of one of each. I also wish the choices for hot scoops included the appetizer options. They sounded good! Overall decent, hoping the kinks work out.
(3)Nikki C.
I don't how how people can give this places 4 or 5 stars. Its extremely expensive, 20$ an entree and 3.50 for a soda. My fiance got the smoked chicken, which was a dry pile of chicken shavings, a carrot and raisin salad which was ok, and the mac and cheese that was sub par at best. I got fried chicken, mac and cheese and potato salad. The potatoes were undercooked and tasted like they came from a pre made potato salad with bacon bits on top.The mac and cheese also tasted like it came from a box. It was so salty it was inedible. My fried chicken was also raw inside. I asked the waiter to take my meal off the bill. The manager came over and tried to argue with me that my chicken was not raw, he even mentioned its a complaint they get a lot there. He tried to come up with an array of excuses of why I was wrong. When chicken is cooked the juices run clear, the juice and the meat in my chicken were pink. I explained this to the manager. My food was taken off the bill. I tried to thank the waiter when he dropped off the bill, but he just threw the bill on the table as he passed by.
(1)youngmi a.
there was a A LOT of hoopla about this restaurant. we live in the neighborhood and it took us three tries to get a table here on a weekend. so naturally, our appetites and expectations were sky high. maybe that was the problem because my husband and i both felt just okay about the food. he's a huge meat lover and i love pulled chicken. he ordered the ribs and thought they were mediocre and that they had a weird aftertaste. the pulled chicken was probably the highlight of the meal. so juicy and tender and flavorful. i got the sandwich and there was enough meat in there for two sandwiches! for our cold scoop we got the farm salad that everyone was talking about. i liked everything but the brussel sprouts which supposedly were roasted but tasted and felt raw. raw brussel sprouts are not fun. the mac and cheese was good but the sauces on the table are just okay. we just didn't fall in love with them. the staff was friendly and fast and the atmosphere is great for the food. it seems like a great place for groups, that is, if you can get a big enough table! we were starving so we were happy at how quickly our food came out. the trays were a fantastic idea. my only suggestion would be to offer hot towels or at least little disposable wet naps at the end of the meal since bbq is so messy! my hands were marinated in pulled chicken juices by the end of the meal. i don't know if we'll ever come back but if we do, i think i just want a meal made of sides. definitely want to try all of the hot scoops, hush puppies and bucket o' biscuits with honey butter.
(3)Bernardo C.
This place will not last. I only say this because their pricing is out of this world. Growing up in Texas on BBQ (Blacks Barbecue, Smittys Market, Dickies, Sonny Brian's, The Salt Lick, etc...), 28 dollars should buy you a feast for a family of 4, with plenty leftover! At Sweet Cheeks, 28 dollars gets you two small portions of meat and a couple ice cream scooped sides. The food is good. I ordered a quarter pound of pork belly, a quarter pound of brisket and an order of fried okra. Both the pork belly and brisket were amazing. Very juicy and tender and had a nice smoky flavor. I could probably have pork belly for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was amazing. The barbecue sauces they make are also really good. I was not so impressed with the fried okra. They batter and fry the entire okra which I thought was nice as I'm used to cut rounds of fried okra. However, it was fried a little too long, so much so that the okra itself shriveled up and disappeared. I prefer soft tender fried okra. (Perhaps finding decent okra in the north east is to blame). I've heard that their other side items are really good, but I have yet to try them. One addition I'd like to see to the menu is homemade country sausage. I left there feeling very full, mostly due to my large consumption of beers. The beer selection is really nice. I enjoyed Bubs Tap which I was told is the owner's husband's home brew. They have an impressive cocktail list. You can even order a michelada! The atmosphere is nice. Very warm and comforting. The place has a nice smoky smell but not overwhelming. I will definitely be coming back again to try more items on the menu. My only complaint is the price. If the price was more reasonable, I can see this place lasting a long while. I don't mind spending big money, just give me big food! If the idea is to bring true Texas barbecue to Boston, please get the price right! A true Texas barbecue joint wouldn't charge these exorbitant prices. With amazing food and a reasonable price, this place could be a real winner!
(3)Bree R.
I was really excited to try it. After seeing it on a tv, it looked like a really nice place to go with beautifully made tables and excellent bbq. I almost never get to enjoy bbq because most use soy sauce or beer or something I am allergic to in their sauces, but my mouth was watering, so I called. When I asked if anything on their menu was gluten-free, they said they had a gluten-free menu and I could eat all their meats and sauces and listed the sides including the s&p potatoes (deep fried). I asked if they were deep fried in the same oil as breaded items and she assured me they kept a separate fryer from the breaded food for the salt and pepper potatoes so I could even have those. She said they were really good about dealing with gluten. I was psyched! So, after standing on concrete flooring for an hour waiting for a table with a noise level that was unbearable, I found what I thought was a comfortable, beautiful restaurant we saw on tv was really a cold, loud assault on the senses with food that was disappointing. And, after going through the drill with the waiter about cross-contamination of food and being so sensitive, I was assured several times it was safe to eat the potatoes, that they took allergies very seriously.... I asked him to just confirm everything with the kitchen and come to find out that they were putting breaded stuff in the fryer and I could not have the potatoes. It was a bummer, but no biggie, I was glad he really checked and illness was avoided. So, what happens next? they serve me the gluten-free potato salad and as I take a big bite of the bacon-bit-covered potato salad, it was obvious from the crunch level of the bacon that it was deep fried. To be safe, I asked the waiter to confirm that it was not fried with the breaded stuff and what do you know, it was. My dinner was ruined and they did not even offer to buy me a glass of wine or dessert or anything, just repeated empty apologies from the waiter. Apparently they take it so seriously that when they screw up, they don't even tell a manager or do any damage control. Stupid. I know mistakes happen, it is how you handle it that determines if I will give a place another try. I will not be back. Very disappointing experience all around.
(3)Ruth M.
For barbeque, WAY overpriced! (Although to be fair, it is after all in the Fenway area.) The menu is VERY limited, and they charge extra for everything--even for coleslaw on your sandwich. Good beer selection and drink prices are average. The pulled pork sandwich tasted very good, but everyone in my party, including me, got sick that night. Hmmmm. If I were you, I'd go elsewhere.
(1)Ivy P.
Ok - this place is different! It may not be the most comfortable place to have a private convo at, and it sure is annoying that they do not accept reservations fri and sat (wait time 1.5 hrs- hell no) BUT it does have some good food and the prices are not so bad... I mean, for a 2 meat (Big Cheeks) tray, with two sides, two biscuits and 2 cocktails, my friend and paid $64 total including 20% tip! Not the cheapest certainly but not so horrible either. The biscuits were spectacular! Pulled chicken was very tasty and the collard greens... YUM! Cocktails are great as well. Sweet cheeks is good and original. The staff is nice too. I just hope they start taking reservations.
(4)Big V.
We went here on a Friday night around 10 pm for a late dinner (for us) the place wasn't overly crowded and the hostess showed us to a table that was very close to Another table. My wife asked if we could sit at the next table over so we could talk without others in our lap. She told us that table wasn't clean and we'd have to go back to the hostess stand. We said no problem and she took her time wiping off the table then chatted up the waiter went back towards the kitchen once again walking by us without acknowledging us. It was very uncomfortable as diners began to look at us and the hostess who continued to walk around without sitting us in a not crowded restaurant to include I believe was the manager. We walked out and will never be back. I guess asking someone working in a restaurant to wipe down a table is putting her out. We ate at Sweet Carolines and our meals came with no attitude.
(1)Catherine S.
I had very high expectations for this place. They weren't quite met, BUT it was still a fantastic meal! I got the beer-mimosa drink, which was delicious (and the best of both worlds), and they had a great cocktail and beer selection in general. The bucket of biscuits were out of this world, and the honey butter they came with was finger-licking good. Be wary, though: they're HUGE and made two of us stuffed before our trays even came out. I got the great northern biscuit tray; I wasn't a fan of the brisket, but that's a personal preference because I don't like overly fatty meat (there was a lot of fat to pick around. I'm not a Southern-food expert, though, so this could be perfectly normal). The macaroni side dish was great, and the potato salad was good too. Don't walk into this place expecting the typical shredded, drowning-in-sauce kind of BBQ, cause they do it differently! Great stuff though, I'll be back many times I'm sure.
(4)Nakia H.
Sweet Cheeks left a sour taste in my mouth. Where shall I begin? My friend and I arrived around 7:45pm and didn't get seated until 9:45. The hostesses were very inattentive and left numerous tables open in a restaurant that had a ton of customers waiting to be seated. After 2 hours of waiting, instead of sitting my friend and I at a two occupant table they stuffed us at a table with strangers and luckily they were nice. I ordered the half chicken(half decent), Mac and cheese(didn't love it. It wasn't cooked well), and collard greens, which were good. My friend ordered ribs, which were amazing. I would say get the ribs and eat at this spot after 10pm so you won't experience the endless wait during the weekend.
(2)G H.
I thought this place was solid. Prices were good...and the ambiance is great. I got the pulled pork which was amazing---the portions are HUGE!!!! the mac and cheese was delish! I loved that the drinks were served in mason jars. Can't wait to come back
(4)Aleena C.
If you want quantity but not quality this is the place for you. I felt disgusted for days after eating here.
(2)coco s.
Definitely going back to work my way down the menu. Had the brisket, just one rib, the mac n cheese, and farm salad. Only disappointment was my take home portion did not include any bbq sauce that I specifically asked the waiter make sure he put in my box of yum yum!
(4)app P.
I do not like my bbq smothered in sauce -- I want to TASTE the meat, damnit! Fortunately, Sweet Cheeks allows its customers to do just this since the meat is cooked with a dry rub and bottles of sauce are on each table for each diner to use at their own discretion. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal of pulled pork sandwich (on a bulkie roll, of course) with slaw. I loaded that baby up with the pickles and onions and poured on the (carolina-style) vinegar and it came pretty darn close (for BBQ above the Mason-Dixon line) to the pulled pork I enjoyed in NC this past summer. I couldn't decide between the collards and the broccoli cheese casserole, and I applaud the (friendly!) waitress' decision with the latter. This surprisingly light blend of broccoli, cheese, and crust is served in a mug, which I thought was pretty cute. No need for salt and pepper with this meal -- I found everything well-seasoned. I am looking forward to a return visit because I really want to try the sweet tea, but on this visit, I just couldn't bring myself to spend the $4.50 (knowing it is a little over a dollar at Bojangles!!!).
(4)S D.
I love barbecue and even though I grew up in the South eating pulled pork frequently, I don't think I'm that hard to please (love Red Bones and Blue Ribbon and Village Smokehouse). However, this pulled pork was frightful. And the sauces? Honestly. They did not bear the slightest resemblance to barbecue sauce. The biscuits? Couldn't tell you because as other reviewers experienced, they were out of them. Pitiful excuse for a barbecue place. Sigh. At least our waiter was nice.
(1)samantha c.
I was sooo disappointed w/ sweet cheeks. I had high expectations but the meat was super dry. :( I'd try it again but it was expensive too. :( :(
(1)Char M.
First visit. Great easy menu. Great entree and sides. You may have to eat at long tables with other people. Good service.
(4)Lexi L.
Love this place!!! I have been at least a half dozen times, just in the last 3 months. Each time I go, I get a different meal and each time I have been blown away and completely full! There are so many different combinations, and you can never go wrong. The atmosphere and staff are fun,friendly, upbeat and the food is fantastic! Although the last visit I was a bit uneasy with the "hawk-like" behavior of what I assume was a manager. The way she circled the restaurant, with a bitter look on her face, eyeing the staff (like she was waiting for them to mess up), made me very uneasy. I felt like I needed to sit up in my chair and tuck in my shirt each time she passed. Not once in her many trips around the dining room did she stop at our table to say hello, or see how our meal was. She didnt look as though she was happy to be there and I am shocked that the staff was able to keep such an upbeat, fun attitude. I have been in the hotel and restaurant business for many years, and trained by top, 5 star companies. One of the first things I was taught. is that you are on stage and even if your having a shit day, DO NOT let your guests know or sense it. Well this poor girl must be having a shit life, because the look on her face and the attitude she had said it all. Kudos to the staff for putting up with this manager, and keep up the amazing work in the kitchen Tiffany!!! I will be back, but hope old sour puss wont be circling my table.
(4)David M.
Really good Texas bar-b-que. I must say I enjoy the decor of the restaurant. Right down to the mini mason jar glass ware they serve cocktails in. Just as an FYI the platters can feed two people and I suggest against it for a single person unless your starving. The sandwich's are open face and definitely give you an opportunity to taste the delicious beef though the chicken sandwich is dry it's still pretty good especially if you add sauce. The biscuits are something that you have to have. They are as big as your face, when you add the honey butter it just makes your younger wanna slap your brain. But be careful as these things are filling. So if your going to jump into a full meal don't over do it with these delicious morsels. The one down side for me is the fact it's just reeks of swine. I don't eat pork and the smell of swine has always bothered me,but even with me having that small issue it's totally worth it. And from what friends told me the pork belly is a must have. So I say go and get it while you can. You won't be disappointed.
(4)s r.
This Texan loved it. The chopped brisket sandwich was great, the staff was very attentive, and the sides were super tasty. What else do you need from a BBQ joint? We are looking forward to going back soon.
(5)Meeg W.
Amazing BBQ. We shared (SHARED) the pulled pork platter and were completely stuffed by the mound of juicy, tender meat, and the two sides. I didn't eat any of the other meats, but I do know that the pulled pork was the most delicious pulled pork, the most delicious BBQ meat, I have ever eaten. One of the sides was an enameled mug full of mac and cheese, hands down the world's greatest mac and cheese. So creamy and delicious, the only way mac and cheese should be served. The other side was another mug of baked beans that we didn't care much for. Not what you'd really expect, they're not the typical navy beans in goopy sauce, I think they're kidney beans in a meat flavored, thin sauce. Interesting, but not the sweet beans I had envisioned, they should probably try to make that clear on their menu. If I had known I would have gotten the casserole side (can't remember exactly what was in it) which I had a single, amazing bite of, which is all they would share with me.
(5)David m.
the kitchen was closed we got there, so we had a liquid diner. it was delicous. our waiter, name forgotten, sorry, was great. he talked to girls through a heavily whiskey based cocktail list to find something they would love. (he was from south boston, thats all i remember but he made our night!) the drinks were great and cant wait to go back and try food!
(5)Emilio C.
If you and a friend want to pay 90 dollars to get realy sick and for tasteless food, this is your place. I went to JW culinary school, and this is the worse restaurant in Boston so far. Also the music is loud as hell. It has been four days and we are not totally recovered. FAT & GREASE AT SWEET CHEEKS
(1)Kate E.
i heart the love in this joint!
(5)Hank L.
Four of us dined at Sweet Cheeks last night. A truly amazing experience. The ambiance is funky and loud, exactly what you would expect in a five star Barbeque joint. The food was fantastic. The biscuits in the bucket-o-biscuits were absolutely delicious. The ribs and brisket were some of the best we had ever eaten. The carrot and raisin salad is a must-have. While the portions looked small, we were all pretty darn full at the end of the meal. One small gaff in the entree ordered (ordered short ribs and got pork ribs) was immediately dealt with by the friendly and efficient waitress. The mistake was of the no big deal variety. The restaurant is pretty loud. And Short Ribs and Pork Ribs could easily sound the same. Maybe they should change the menu to Pork Ribs and Beef Ribs. Great food. Great service. And a visit from Tiffani Faison at the end of the meal to apologize for the entree mix-up (really? no apology required. really.) made for a fabulous evening.
(5)chris t.
had a perfect dinner on monday great food friendly staff couldn't ask for more. leftovers.... love it! had pork belly for breakfast with biscuit as big as my head.................. no bull! Thanks Tiffani
(5)Kim C.
Turning the corner onto Boylston Street you could smell the smoke in the air. Sweet Cheeks is a fantastic addition to the Boston restaurant scene! Delicious food, great tap beer list, friendly staff and a low key atmosphere make this the perfect night out. We started with the biscuits and honey butter - four HUGE biscuits were delivered in a paint bucket. The biscuits were warm and buttery, but the star is the honey butter. Fantastic. I had the pulled pork sandwich with the farm salad and broccoli cheese casserole as my sides. The pulled pork was smokey and loaded with flavor. You can tell a good pulled pork when you don't need to add any sauce. There are three home made sauces on the table and I tried all three. They were good but not spectacular; my favorite of the three was the Carolina vinegar sauce. I ate most of my sandwich sans sauce. The farm salad was the perfect cold side. Perfectly sauteed brussel spouts and greens with grapes and barley. So good and light. The broccoli cheese was very good, but heavy; I could not finish it all. My boyfriend got the pulled pork tray with mac and cheese as a side and we both agreed that it was missing something, almost that it was too cheesy with an overpowering cheese taste at the beginning - if that makes sense. He had the cole slaw for his cold slide and it was very good. Large pieces of red and green cabbage with a vinegar kick. This is not a heavy, mayonnaise cole slaw. It is probably the most healthy southern meal you will ever eat. The portions were right on, we left full with two biscuits and some honey butter in a doggie bag. And we had the most PHENOMENAL Kentucky bourbon ale on draft. We will most definitely be back!
(4)Luke L.
This being New England, there's a precious few establishments that even understand the difference between wet and dry. I am as obsessed with barbecue as you can be around here and I've never tasted perfect. But Sweet Cheeks is as close as it gets for Boston. The barbecue is thoughtful and balanced; striking a harmony between the pork, rub, and smoke. We got the "Fat Cheeks Tray", trying most of the meat offerings. Everything was delicious including the cocktails and sides. The pork ribs were the star. The staff was terrific. The atmosphere was both homey and sophisticated. My only criticism is the portions could be bigger. Thoughtful barbecue 10 minutes from the SE and Back Bay. Thankfully, Gratefully, Finally.
(5)Al C.
Tasty tasty! Went on a Friday night before a Sox game around 5:15 to in preparation for a long wait, which we were expecting based on the reviews. To our surprise we got a table outside with no fuss. Our server was upbeat and friendly, recommending the growler of the special on tap, which was pretty tasty. Based on his suggestion he also said the Fat Cheeks tray and an order of biscuits would be more than enough for the two of us, and I'm glad we took his advice. The biscuits were huge and buttery, and the giant pot of whipped honey butter complimented them well. They were so big we took the other two leftover biscuits for the road. For our platter we got the pork belly, brisket, and ribs. The brisket was amazing- tasty, fall apart moist- and the ribs were also great. The pork belly wasn't what I was expecting, more like a cut of loin than a really thick piece of bacon with fatty skin. It was still tasty, albeit a bit salty, but I was expecting something richer. The mac n' cheese was creamy and cheese, but the coleslaw, made of big leaves of dressed cabbage instead of fine shreds, was a miss. Overall, a very enjoyable and delicious meal. Would definitely go back again!
(4)Khanh P.
finally had the chance to experience this quaint little place. TIP: call ahead and make reservations, the space is crowded and limited and we had to wait about an hour for a table for 4 on a Saturday night. Be careful with ordering apps because you'll be stuffed! We shared their humongous biscuits with honey butter (addicting!) along with their salt&pepper potatos with jalapeño ranch. Sooo good I can't say bad things about these apps. The potatos were surprisingly really flavorful and nicely paired with their jalapeño ranch. For my entree I did the big cheeks tray - which I would recommend because you get to try a little bit of everything. I had the ribs and the pork belly along with the mac&cheese and farm salad. Love love love everything on my platter with the exception of the pork belly which was coating my mouth in fat. Ribs were tender, mac&cheese was not overwhelmingly cheesy and the salads dressing complimented it nicely. I was beyond stuffed even before my entree due to overindulging in the apps. Great place and fun place for a double date.
(4)Venessa R.
Best biscuits EVER. Definitely worth 10 bucks. They come out piping hot and the butter served with it is amazing. Everytime i come here i get the pulled pork and its juicy snd flavorful every time. They have great sides too like the mac and cheese and Broccoli and cheese.
(5)Ellie L.
Best biscuits ever!!! So large, so buttery, so flaky, so delicious. And, they come with whipped honey butter. As for the BBQ options, I'd say, in general, there could be more BBQ flavor. The meats were cooked well, but a little lacking in flavor - especially the chicken thighs. Nonetheless, the lunch specials are a really good deal and there are a good array of sides to choose from. In the end, the 4 stars mostly go to those awesome biscuits!
(4)Miss H.
Look, the food is excellent and so I'll give 2 stars for that alone. So if you're dying to try the food, I would recommend getting take-out, and wait a few months while they work out their front of the house kinks. "Kinks" are understatement in my experience and get a -5 star in this review. We got there at 7 on Saturday night and it was packed, but we agreed to the 1-1.15hr wait and got stools and drinks. Everything was just fine until . . . after about an hour they gave us the worst table in the place. It was right in front of the door and so every time somebody walked in there was a gust of cold winter air on my back. Our waitress also informed us that they were out of pulled pork, which is what we came to try, so we were were very disappointed. I strongly recommend they remove that table as it's unfair to expect people to sit with winter gusts on their back. We decided to forfeit our table and wait for the next available one. 10 minutes later the host motioned for us to come over and we got up in delight. When we got to the table, they told us "false alarm!" they need the communal table for a party of 7. So we went back to our stools to wait more. We waited about 20-30 more mins and finally we were sat at a communal table. We were starving at that point and knew exactly what we wanted to order since we had over 1.5hrs to peruse the menu. The waitress came to our table 2 times to serve our neighbors and didn't say anything to us. A few mins later a group was sat next to us. The waitress came back and we were eager to place our order. She poured us water and then greeted the party that was sat after us and started to take their orders. I was in shock and called the manager as soon as he walked by. My patience was really being tested! It was really feeling like deliberate neglect at this point. So he took our orders and I was just dying to get one of those mouthwatering biscuits to start with. It was utter torture, almost humiliating, to watch the people who sat after us get served biscuits and entrees before we got anything! The only plus to waiting so long, was that that they finished smoking another batch of pulled pork by the time we ordered (sarcasm). My husband and I were furious watching these people eat their entrees next to us when we had got there first. We waited 10 more mins and were about to walk out when finally our entrees arrived. YET still NO biscuits. The biscuits arrived a few mins AFTER we got our entrees, which we were inhaling due to starvation. The manager only checked in on us once after and the only interaction we had with the waitress was at the end when she asked if we wanted dessert or the check. I'm more mad at myself for not walking out sooner.
(2)Gracia L.
I'm not sure what you're talking about if you give this place any less than a 5 stars. You walk in and you immediately smell the flavors of meats that have been stewing for hours that immediately water your taste buds. I started with the tequila drink that is mixed with some tobasco and budlight lime (if you like spicy drinks, this one is the way to go). My fiance and I ordered the fried okra to start and it was a challenge for us to not finish the whole thing!! We wanted to leave some room for our dinner. We then split the three-meat platter of pork belly (OMG!), pulled chicken, and beef brisket...with sides of farm salad and broccoli cheese casserole. First off, let me tell you, the farm salad is nothing like a boring green house salad. It consisted of brussell sprouts, grapes, arugula, and peanuts. It was a party in my mouth. The pork belly just melt in your mouth. If you don't like fat, you will. I have gone to several BBQ places around Boston (Red Bones, Soul Fire, and Blue Ribbon BBQ) and they have nothing on this place. Tiffani Faison knows her bbq meats.
(5)Sonia P.
Grabbed some BBQ here before my very first Sox game - this place serves some surprisingly delicious food! Snagged one of their barrel tables outside on their outdoor bar patio. Can't remember the name of our server but she was super efficient and spunky, we liked her! FOOD: portions are huge so definitely order several dishes to share -Fried Green Tomatoes: very yummy with a super light and crispy batter -Hushpuppies: a little oily, okay flavor -Pulled Pork: DELISH; a worthy competitor of BBQ you find in the South -Beef Brisket: probably liked this even more than the pork. Incredibly tender and full of flavor, hot diggity this meat was GOOD. Oh and all the meats come with different sauces which are fun to try. There are tons of beers to choose from to wash down all that BBQ goodness. Overall, Sweet Cheeks is... well... pretty sweet!
(4)Shir L.
Unfortunately they don't seat you UNTIL your entire party arrives, even if 1-2 people are running late. Hostess's and Service is limited, don't expect too much. Food: 3 stars Everything was greasy, and oily which made it very filling. Shared the $26 fat cheeks tray of berkshire pork belly, berkshire pulled pork and berkshire pork ribs (1/2 slab). Meat was either dry or burnt and salty. Entrees: Great northern brisket (one of the better meat dishes) Buttermilk fried chicken (nothing out of the ordinary) Saved the Best for last: Biscuits - fluffy and delicious, melt in your mouth biscuits served with honey butter, hands down the BEST i've ever had. Will be returning here for just a beer and biscuits, you won't be disappointed!
(3)Sabrina C.
Meal ordered: Pork belly tray with beans and cole slaw, plus one biscuit and lemonade. Pros: 1) The biscuit was out of control good with the honey butter. 2) The pork belly was also out of control good. It was succulent, perfectly seasoned (read: not salty), and filled me up really quickly. 3) The sides were delicious, especially the cole slaw. It was freshly made and the cabbage was still crisp; soggy cole slaw is the worst for me. 4) Good service and the restaurant itself was really cute, clean, and welcoming. Cons: 1) Don't get me wrong- the pork belly was amazing, but I reached food coma levels very quickly because it was quite fatty. This is not really a complaint since it's pork belly and should be fatty, but in the middle of the meal I was really feeling overwhelmed by how tasty and fatty it was. Don't order the pork belly if you're looking for a relatively lighter meat option. Summary: When I am back in Boston again, you will find me there. I would slather myself in biscuits and honey butter if I could.
(5)Brie P.
Ended up here on a Friday night. Ended up with a table over in their beer garden. We were one of three groups outside. They have a walk up bar, music and if needed blankets. Ended up ordering one of the trays for my husband and myself. We ordered pulled pork, brisket and burnt ends. We got mac and cheese and the house salad as a side. We also got an order of biscuits and hush puppies. The biscuits and hush puppies came out first (after our drink order of course) the biscuits are HUGE and are filled with buttery goodness. The honey butter is a wonderful and addictive addition to the already mouthwatering biscuits. Now for the hush puppies. I am a sucker for a good hush puppy, and there are down right dangerous. Crispy outside,warm and just sweet enough. Oh, but in walks the sweet dipping sauce to make it even better! Needless to say,those didn't last long either. Our main trays came out,and were packed with life giving BBQ goodness. The pulled pork came out in a nice pile, slow cooked perfectly and is super tender. The burnt ends were so juicy and tender. I was worried they'd be dried out, but I was pleasantly surprised. Now onto my favorite thing ever, brisket. It was so tender and juicy and just fell apart with my fork. This was just as great as brisket I had at my wedding, that was smoked for 2 days just for our event. This brought me right back there. The mac n cheese was so cheesy and has a really great cracker crumble on top, that mixed up so well with the nicely cooked noodles abd ooey gooey cheesey goodness Only two things just left me going "meh". There were onions and pickles served on the tray,and I was sad to find out they had bread and butter pickles and not dill. Also, the house salad was nothing that blew me away. It was just a basic salad with a ton of things in it to me. But other than that, everyone was blown away by the amazing flavors that we got from this BBQ joint. I can't wait to return here again,and enjoy some mouth watering food.
(5)Tanya Y.
I've always been compelled to come here because I drive by it literally every day when I go to work, and I'm happy that I've finally stepped foot in here. Although I'm not a BBQ connoisseur and haven't had a fair share of BBQ to compare it to, everything tasted pretty darn delicious. I've been here on two occasions - both during lunch time because the prices are significantly cheaper than at dinner time. Metered parking is also available on the same street and is much easier to come by if you ever want to give Sweet Cheeks a try. We were greeted at the door immediately and all the waitstaff seemed so sweet and kind - it was definitely comforting to feel like their welcomes were genuine. Mason jars served as cups, utensils were in a tin can, and three bottles of different sauce adorned the table once we were seated. Menus are all on printed paper and seemed rather simple. The significant other and I opted to try an order of the the famous biscuits (4 for $10), and two different trays. A tray typically comes with a choice of BBQ meat, one side dish (you can choose either hot or cold,) as well as housemade pickles, onion, and bread. We chose beef brisket ($12) for one tray and ribs ($14) for the other. While waiting, we decided to try the sauces - the larger sauce is their BBQ, which had a nice smokey flavor to it. The medium sized bottle is their vinegar sauce and the smallest a spicy habenero sauce. Warning: Use the habenero sauce in moderation, it does burn! For sides we got to try broccoli cheese casserole and their mac and cheese. The biscuits came out first : First impression? They're friggen ginormous, almost like biscuits on steroids. Fluffy, warm, and airy, they are made to order and are accompanied with a sweet honey butter. Be careful when eating these, though, you will get full, and quick! Then they trays came out shortly after. The ribs were my favorite of the two b options we ordered this time around. On another occasion we ordered the pork belly ($13) which I liked even better. Everything goes great stuff their bbqs sauce, and out of the two sides we liked the broccoli casserole the best. There was plenty of food left over so we ended up packing a lot of it to go. Left full and happy, and the staff were great :)
(4)Damien S.
There are lines that make their way in to every conversations about Boston: - "So, did you?" *Did I what?* "Did you pahk your cah in the..." *Don't.* - "Oh, yeah, Farnham Hall, right?" *Faneuil?* "Yeah, Fanfare." - "Man, that Belichick is a genius. Does he ever smile?" *No.* and the relevant one: - "You guys have seafood on lock down, but is there any good BBQ?" Often because the short list of well-known and patronized joints boasting slow and low proffer specialty plates that I can get behind, namely Redbones' catfish, Blue Ribbon's burnt ends, Soul Fire's smoked wings, M&M's ribs... Please add Sweet Cheeks to the tops, for two very particular dishes: the Great Northern Brisket, and those legendary biscuits. The former, smoked until disintegrating and generally portioned with an exquisite fat/meat ratio, I will only order the brisket from now on. Pork is solid option, too, iff'n you're not into the red meat, and I would kick that pig out of bed for eating crackers. But lordy, the smoke on that beef, with a little spicy and hot sauce is just (physically and emotionally) heart-breakingly delicious. The biscuits? Look man, I can either sit here and paint with words the euphoria you'll feel downing a bucket with exquisite honey butter, or you can just see for yourself. A note to management: Consider a take-away kiosk on your patio that sells individual biscuits to passers-by, a la lemonade stand. You can have a window dedicated to your biscuits and you will kill it. The cons are few: some sides are less than memorable, the lofty prices for plates include the Fenway tax (feeling thrifty? Lunch menu is 15-20% less for the same servings), and the cocktails - especially the Damn Yankee - have been perfect one night, and incredibly off-balance the next. Front of house sees a similar fluctuation: twice, the service was outstanding; twice, absent and seemingly annoyed. Still, dat brisket. Free refills on the sweet tea. The glass is gigantic though, so if you polish off a second, pee before you leave.
(4)Justin S.
Excellent BBQ with complimentary sides. DEFINITELY get the biscuits with honey butter. Carolina BBQ sauce was terrific as well as cheesy grits but everything we tried was excellent. If my son gets into school here, we'll happily be back!
(5)Katie B.
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars here. I've eaten at sweet cheeks a couple times now and it's the sort of place I wouldn't oppose going to if my friends wanted to but would probably not seek it out myself. The food: overall, the food is mixed. I highly recommend getting a bucket of biscuits to start with. They are simply amazing. They are enormous, piping hot, fluffy and delicious. Not only that, but the honey butter that comes with it is incredible. If you come here, you have to get an order. I think it comes with 4 biscuits in each order. The fried chicken is also pretty good; its crispy on the outside and the meat is juicy. However, I wasn't blown away by their Texas toast, and surprisingly any of their pork items...they're not bad but they just don't do it for me. The sides are alright; some are better than others but I can't remember the names...I believe there was a salad that was pretty tasty. The portions are fairly large, fitting for their prices. Note: there are a lot of great sauces on the tables you should try! Service and ambience are casual and friendly.
(3)Kate K.
I was in the neighborhood, checked out Yelp and went in. It was very crowded and the host was not feeling terribly imaginative or accommodating. I ended up at the bar, which turned out to be fine. Of course I ordered the biscuit and it was every bit as amazing as everybody said! It was hot, delicious, moist, fluffy and huge! The honey butter melted straightaway and made each bite heavenly! I ordered the St. Louis ribs with coleslaw and mac & cheese. The coleslaw was crunchy and chunky and was a good contrast to the ribs. The mac & cheese was ok. It came in a crock and had a Ritz cracker topping. The crackers could have been crushed more and the mac & cheese could have been creamier. I ate three of the six ribs and two of them were delicious. The third one was tough and chewy. Bummer. There were three different sauces for the ribs and I tried them all. The vinegary Carolina one was okay but more vinegar than flavor. The hot sauce nearly took my head off and the barbecue sauce was my favorite. It is a little sweet but works well with the ribs. The bartender, who took my order, was terrific. Her name is Kayla or Kaya? I am sorry I don't remember because it was so loud and I didn't hear her well. She guided me with my dinner choice and was spot on. She also gave me the biggest container of Diet Coke I've ever had! It was a quart Bell jar and was awesome! I think the restaurant is pricey and the food could be cooked with more care. It was a fun change of pace and I would go back.
(4)Jonathan C.
I came here with my family for lunch and were seated promptly. Even though I had heard about the wonderful drinks before I went, it was just too early in the day for me to have a drink. However, the many good things I heard about the biscuits was something I was ready to try. The enormous biscuits came out, still warm to the touch. I cracked open the biscuit and spread the heavenly honey butter throughout the interior. They were a nice flaky texture inside with a crisp exterior. I can say that these were the best biscuits I have ever had in my life. Alongside the biscuits, we ordered the hushpuppies as another appetizer. They were very crisp and had a very flavorful dipping sauce. But the hushpuppies on the bottom of the container were super greasy and lacking the crisp texture that the top hushpuppies had. For my lunch, I ordered the pulled pork platter with the farm salad as a side. The meat itself was cooked well and was incredibly juicy. But the meat lacked a lot of flavor that I was looking for in pulled pork. This is where the BBQ sauces Sweet Cheeks offers came to the rescue. The sauces added some of the smokey and spicy flavors I was looking for out of the pulled pork. The farm salad was very unique. It was dressed perfectly and had a nice contrast between the saltiness of the cheese with the sweet bite of the grapes. Overall, the biscuits with the honey butter would keep me coming back time and time again. It was some of the best BBQ I have had in Boston.
(4)Rachel N.
Have you ever come home from a meeting abt what to do with your life and stress-eaten an entire bag of chocolate chips - and subsequently struggled with what to do with the resulting sugar high? Well. I have. And here we are. So it is through this seductive veil of sh-tty Nestle-fueled mistakes that I bring to you my thoughts on Sweet Cheeks. Also, I should note that despite what KFG thinks, I don't eat red meat - haven't in like 15y with the exception of that one hot date w my sisterwife when the filet at Mistral was calling to me - so my review of SC will be a little skewed, but I did poll the carnivores for their thoughts. I don't care if you're celiac or go into anaphylactic shock when you eat gluten, get the biscuits. I am qualified to make this statement not only b/c my momsie is Southern, but more importantly, I was an obese child. I know my way around a biscuit. Real well. And these are great. Buttery, dense caloric perfection. Perhaps not as flakey as some would like, but to me, they were aces as I love that thick-sink-your-teeth in type thing. I would have preferred regular butter to slather on them instead of the honey butter stuff, but overall, a fan-effing-tastic way to start the meal. Whereas most ppl were all like "ohhhh, I can't eat an entire one by myself", I ate three. Because I am a champion. Hush puppies (which yes, I did initially type as "pussies") weren't as successful - weirdly sweet, too greasy. The fried green tomatoes were breaded well, but could have used a dash or two of salt. Friends got a variety of trays and sandos - ranging from $11-26, although it includes two sides, it wasn't a huge amnt of food for the price, though it was rich. The brisket and pulled pork got the best reviews, the pork belly less so. If you're going full veg, they can have anything fried, mac n' cheese (which was weirdly dry and unappetizing, a pass), and many of the sides (broc casserole, potato salad, cole slaw), though some of them have meat in them, so be sure to ask. I have zero idea what a vegan would eat here - oh, the farm salad (grapes, pecans, brussels, lettuce, parm) was actually pretty tight, so if you do sans cheese, perhaps you can hit that? Plan to spend $20-$30/pp - great cocktails, good beer list, wine is fine but nothing special, though it comes generously poured in a mini Mason jar, which always makes me happy. Vibe is muy casual - a little loud - hoppin bar scene and while the place isn't exactly sexxxy, we saw lots of first dates going down (and yelling timber, in honor of Flo Rida, duh), so it's pretty excellent people watching - bonus points for the fact that they do play oldies, so if we happen to cross paths there, get ready to hear me aggressively hum to Roy Orbison from across the resto. Overall, worth a trip, if for no other reason than the biscuits and cocktails alone.
(4)William S.
Saying this upfront: I've only visited once and it was for their January ramen night. I hope to visit again soon because I'd love to try their BBQ (and it's a thrill to see Chef Faison). Until then, this review is just of their ramen night. To start: check their twitter. Not only is it quite informative, their social media staff is quite responsive if you have questions. If you are interested in a ramen night, it's important to know what variety they are serving (can be vegetarian, tonkatsu, or other). It's important to get there early. There was a line the night we went (January 19th, 2015), and they only make 100 bowls of ramen for the night. It was a cold and blustery night to wait outdoors, but the staff kept us warm with rounds of hot chocolate and togarashi popcorn. Honestly, their staff was as much a highlight of the evening as the food. Extremely personable, they were clearly enjoying themselves and made every effort to engage the customers. The ramen that night was tonkatsu with pork belly. The limited menu included a few classic Japanese appetizers (grilled shishito peppers and tsukemono), some sake, and some Japanese beer. They also offered extra pork belly and their signature buttermilk biscuits with honey butter. Before I start pointing out the flaws, I wan't to make an important note about the ramen: I loved it. The broth was luscious and salty, the noodles were the perfect consistency (it's great they've started using Sun), the soft-boiled seasoned egg was a nice twist on a classic component, and the pork belly was simply divine. That said, it wasn't perfect. Their noodles are too short. I suspect it was on purpose (to keep people cleaner), but you couldn't get that classic slurp going. They could also use another 2 oz. of noodles given how much broth there was. As for the broth, seasoning was a bit inconsistent from what I gathered by talking to others near us. In general, the broth could have used a bit more depth of flavor - it fell just short on a few umami notes. But here's the thing: it shouldn't have been perfect. This is a barbecue joint experimenting with ramen, something that most purveyors have to dedicate their craft to. If you're expecting the best ramen of your life, go to a dedicated ramen shop. I loved this whole-hearted attempt at their own version and applaud the willingness to experiment. If you want to be a ramen purist, don't go. It just means more for those of us who can appreciate it.
(4)Jennifer N.
Was the food good? YES. Was it worth the money? MEH. Debatable. My friend and I came here Saturday evening probably around 5:30PM? There was no wait, but by the time we left...I believe people were talking about it being a 45 min wait or so? The place itself is really nice! I walked in and was pleasantly surprised by just how nice the place looked. The drink menu was pretty legit with a wide variety of beer and cocktails. The food menu was pretty basic - you have your meats and you have your sides. Pretty simple. You have the option of ordering by weight, tray, or sandwich. I went with the pulled pork sandwich and my friend got a tray with two meats (pork belly and pulled pork). They give you about half a pound of meat and the you can add on two sides (one cold, one hot) for $6. I was hoping the meal would already come with sides considering the price, but nope. The meats were really good and I liked the sauces provided. Three options - your basic molasses based bbq sauce, a Carolina vinegar sauce, and a jalapeno sauce. I loved the jalapeno sauce! Normally I don't think jalapenos are spicy, but this definitely had a kick to it! The sides were good too - I ordered the mac & cheese and farm salad. I really liked that the salad included brussel sprouts. It had a bit too much dressing that caused the greens to be a little soggy, but it was tasty nonetheless. I thought the mac and cheese was good, but could've done with a little less bread/cracker crumbs. Overall it was a good meal, but our meal came out to be around $60 before tip! A tray with sides, a sandwich with sides, and two beers.
(3)Melissa B.
This was good, but not great. I'm not sure I understand all the hype. For starters, I called at 6 on a Tuesday and asked about the wait for a table for 2. I was told there was no wait. I was in the neighborhood, so my boyfriend and I walked in the front door of the restaurant no more than 10 minutes later (not an exaggeration). Somehow in those 5 min, they went from "no wait" to "no tables whatsoever". We were not given a wait time - just told to go eat at the standing tables around the edge or at the bar area outside. It took us a little bit to find a space to squeeze ourselves into and a little while longer to be served. The bartender did a great job, considering he had to bartend and serve a whole area by himself. I got the brisket, which was pretty good, but not the best I've had in my life. The potato salad was actually pretty amazing and the beans were good, but not my favorite. All that to say, the food was okay, the service was okay and the space was okay. What I'm not okay with is having to make reservations far in advance or squeezing myself into extra seating to eat food that's just okay.
(3)Elizabeth P.
Let me preface my review by saying that I have never dined in at Sweet Cheeks, and have only attended 2 events catered by Sweet Cheeks. The event featured pulled pork and BBQ chicken with mac n cheese, cole slaw, salad and BBQ sauce. The food was great and definitely one of the better catered events I have attended. However, the past few years I lived in Texas, and this BBQ just doesn't compare. So, if you have had real southern BBQ you will probably be like "hmm yeah that was pretty good", however I am sure given the location's popularity it is one of the better places in the area for BBQ (sorry I'm a bit of a BBQ connoisseur)
(3)Ying-Jer K.
The biscuits are must-have. The best ever had. I ordered the ribs, and wouldn't recommend it because it is a bit dry. The service is good and the atmosphere is excellent.
(4)Jessica M.
From the moment I walked up to this place I wanted to love it! I actually did love it. The decor, the friendly staff, the awesome atmosphere, I was sold. My only complaint was some of the food. I expected a lot more. are boy and I both ordered plates with a cold side and warm side, oh and the fried okra to share. Yum to the okra! Ask for their homemade ranch or just dip it into some of the BBQ sauce on the table... Yum!!! Who needs chips when you have those!? I had the pork belly plate with Mac and cheese and the potato salad. The belly was great! Nice smoked flavor not obnoxiously fatty like some pork belly can be, oh and a big healthy portion!!! Now, my homemade mac and cheese is amazing so when I say this one is good, it's good! Lol nice flavor, crunchy buttery topping, super creamy, not too thick. mmmmm The potato salad somehow ended up on the boys plate and I had his coleslaw. I must admit I was not a fan of either. They both were bland and definitely could have used salt or something to wake it them up! Bummer indeed. The boy ordered brisket and greens. He wasn't a fan of the potato salad or coleslaw either :( His was upset his brisket was mostly fat... Not the delicious fat either just the chewy meh brisket. He ate around it and didn't want to make a big deal. I didn't even want to try it haha I was in belly heaven. Lol the greens made up for it though! He loved them. They were perfect, not bitter, perfect savory flavor! Well don't Cheeks! All in all I may go back if I'm in the area. I won't go out of my way to go here. Definitely open to trying some of the rest of their menu. I mean, everyone else's food looked good.
(3)Helen L.
I read an article that the line for ramen starts at 8 and they only serve 100 bowls of ramen. Ramen is served from 9-10pm. Their regular kitchen closes at 9. Arrived at 7:30 and there was no one in line so we grabbed some drinks on the side bar. Theo, the host, was so welcoming and gave us the full run down of what to expect. John, the bartender, was sociable and welcoming. Around 8:30 they started passing out (Cajun?) popcorn and shrimp chips with seaweed flakes in mini Chinese takeout boxes. John and Theo kept making rounds to make sure everyone in line had a drink or water. They explained the flavor of the night and allowed us to try it to gage what spice level we wanted. Tonight's theme was vegetarian (mushrooms and other veges). The flavor was roasted Thai chili paste. The menu was limited because the normal kitchen hours closed at 9, but they still offered the biscuits and chicken wings as part of the late night ramen menu. Sat down 9:07pm! Kenny, the waiter, took our orders. He suggested getting the slow roasted short ribs. Ask for Kenny! He's awesome. Food came quickly. vegetarian mushroom ramen - roasted shiitakes, scallion, charred corn, soy-garlic butter, smoked tofu and Thai chile paste. Broth is made from fried mushrooms, charred vegetables, miso, sesame paste and kombu (kelp). The ramen had little broth (unlike places like Sapporo or Totto Ramen) but it was still flavorful and a little on the salty side. Buttermilk biscuits - never a let down! But can definitely fill you up quickly! one appetizer order comes with 4 large (size of your fists) biscuits. Salt and pepper short ribs slow roasted for 14 hours - Yelpers, this is a magical piece of meat. If I had to pick something to eat for the rest of my life...this is probably one of the top contenders. The meat was so tender and fell right off the bone. It so flavorful and so damn good. 1989 teriyaki wings - these weren't pretty good but the short ribs overpowered it. Overall so yummy!
(4)Jennifer G.
I've been here both for their regular dinner menu and Monday night ramen. Here's my two cents: Their BBQ meals are delicious. I always start off with an order of biscuits. Careful though, they'll fill you up quick, so pace yourselves. Their portions are very generous, and you'll leave feeling satisfied for sure. I've had their pulled pork and fried chicken. Probably some of the best fried chicken I've had. Perfect amount of crisp and more chicken than bone, which is a plus. They have a wide selection of drinks and the best part is that they come in mason jars. Mason jars somehow make everything better. Their ramen was not so impressive. They switch it up every couple of weeks I believe, and I happened to come on vegetarian night (and I'm not a vegetarian). I thought I'd give it a try though, and sad to say, it was not very satisfying. I had heard about Monday night ramen for weeks now, and was really looking forward to it, but unfortunately there was too much hype over it and I was disappointed. It was flavorful, but not in the way that regular ramen dishes at other restaurants are. It's as if they mixed in some BBQ flavor and other sauces. They are a BBQ restaurant after all, but I think they should just stick to their BBQ. I would also have liked there to be more broth. The tofu and other vegetables soaked up all the broth, so towards the end, it just looked like a plain old noodle dish that you can get from any Asian restaurant. Their service is excellent and the servers are all very knowledgeable and friendly. While you're waiting in line (for ramen), they make sure to accommodate you as best as possible -- they come out with mini appetizers of popcorn and shrimp chips and make sure that you always have a drink or water in hand. Will I be back? Yes, most definitely. Will I get $15 ramen and stand in line for more than an hour? Most definitely not.
(4)June-Young C.
I'd rate this place 3 star restaurant normally, but the ramen nights are spectacular. Although I may not be an ordinary American, I feel as if the portions are a little too small for the price. The ribs are good with all the sauces to choose from, but I find myself wanting a little more after eating a half rack of ribs. The sides are fairly good(I am a stickler for bbq beans and mac & cheese). I remember one time I ate a Fat Cheeks Tray with Brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork, and I was still hungry. Maybe it is an incentive to lose some weight?! The ramen nights are pretty crazy. Huge lines on Monday nights, but it is worth it. The soup is really thick since it has been cooking for 3 days, the half cooked egg literally melts in your mouth, and the fried chicken was really good. They seem to rotate the exact type of ramen every once in a while, so it may not be the same. I try to call ahead of time to make sure they are actually having ramen that Monday, because it is a seasonal thing. Overall, not a bad place!
(4)Mike D.
Best BBQ I've had in a long time! (And I eat a lot of it) Ribs had the smokiness that true BBQ should have, absolutely awesome!! We order the sampler with 3 meats and 2 sides. Collard greens were awesome, salad was ok but good, pulled pork awesome, brisket - best brisket I have ever had, and the ribs were amazing... oh and no need for sauce on anything, just amazing. I wish I live closer to Boston - I would make this a weekly thing. Keep doing your thing Sweet Cheeks!
(5)Vivian C.
Sweet Cheeks has been on my restaurant to-do list for quite a while now. And finally, did that, done that. And no rush to go back there any time soon. Located directly across from the Shaw's Supermarket, Sweet Cheeks is quite sizeable, and when there is good enough weather, they have additional seating out front on the sidewalk. There was a significant wait for the tables, so instead we happily hopped on a pair of their available first come first serve (yet still fully serviced) counter stools. Though service itself was a long time coming... I've been wanting to check out their highly touted biscuits and farmer's salad, and so we did. Along with a tray (buttermilk fried chicken $22), we opted to add a few onesies to get a tasty sampling of the proteins between the two of us. The biscuits arrived first, 4 in a metal pail for $10 (alternatively we could have also ordered them by the piece for $3 each). Hot, fluffy, huge they were, and the sweet soft butter melted gloriously against the biscuits. They were tasty, but I did not hear angels sing. Still greedily I accepted a share of the remaining carb and dairy to take home for breakfast another day. Our selected onsies arrived alongside the fried chicken on its tray, all set in little piles. In my meat order of preference from tops to bottom: fried chicken (4 pieces, tender meat, crispy coating), brisket (two fat slices in a 1/4 lb portion for $4.50; tender though with a thin fatty layer), ribs ($3.50 apiece; just not as tender as its tray-mates). The farmer's salad beat out the mac & cheese, no sweat, but you have to like brussel sprouts to really enjoy it. Sure, the pasta wasn't overly soft, but even with the crumby topping, it wasn't much of a standout from the supermarket one in the blue box. Seating options were your normal joe private tables, bar seats, the window side counter seats we populated, and a couple of long communal tables. Noise levels were on the loud side with music blaring and folks chit-chatting. Not the most comfy of restaurant settings. Service was nice when we had it; a bit tough to find at times though. We ordered the butterscotch pudding $5 to finish off our meal. Though not a large portion, it was super rich and creamy; much too much after a full belly of meat. The two of us each had about a third, and our sweet tooth cravings were well satiated.
(3)Miles H.
To date, I've had one good experience with Sweet Cheeks, and that was shortly after it opened. For about $10, I got a massive, smoky pulled pork sandwich with a generous side of baked beans. Everything was delicious and well-worth the money. Since then, the place has become drunk on its own hype. The prices have gone up, the portions have gotten smaller, the BBQ quality has middled somewhere between Blackstrap (high) and Redbones (low), and perhaps most frustrating of all, you never quite know how much your meal is going to cost you until you show up at the restaurant and order, especially for lunch options. Menu costs are inflated significantly on the weekends, but the restaurant website fails to disclose this. When you don't have an unlimited budget for eating out, this can really mess with your meal plans. I've had my fill of Sweet Cheeks and I won't be going back: it's an arrogant, self-satisfied establishment that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
(1)Ryan R.
Went here with a friend to grab a bite to eat on a Saturday. We were there before noon, so were were seated right away, but the place began to fill up. There is a ton of seating and even a bar where they play whatever sporting events are happening that day. For our meal, we started with the biscuits and butter. Please note that one biscuit per person is enough--they are massive. These were very tasty, though I would have loved to have the option of fresh strawberry jam or something like that with them. For my meal I got the brisket sandwich and carrot slaw (at the suggestion of fellow Yelpers). The brisket sandwich was pretty sizable and had great tenderness and flavor--probably some of the best brisket I have had in a while. On the other hand, I was very unimpressed with the carrot slaw. If you were able to get all the ingredients in it in one bite, it was pretty good, but the carrots themselves were very hard to eat in my opinion. Overall, this place is a great spot for BBQ in the Fenway area. The service is friendly and food comes out pretty quickly. As it is BBQ, it can be a bit expensive, but if you can afford it, it's definitely worth checking out.
(4)Tony J.
The food is pretty good. Good variety of different BBQs offered. Also, the biscuits are really good. Lots of sauces as well. In all, a pretty good place for BBQ in a city that isn't really known for BBQ.
(4)Laura S.
LOVED THE BISCUITS!!!! .... But that's the only thing that I'd go back for. I had some southern fried chicken tenders and a few sides. Nothing was memorable, everything was heavier and saltier than the southern bbq that I grew up with....but the biscuits were actually to die for, and the butter was delicious too. Service was ok, but I would have appreciated knowing that we could get biscuits in quantities other than 4 (how they were listed on the menu)...my boyfriend and I had commented that 4 for $10 was a lot, and the server never said "oh you can get them in servings of 1" but we watched our neighbor order just one biscuit! You are crammed in the place with seating almost on top of your neighbors. There are TVs and local sports though. food is just ok. I'd go for the beer list and the biscuits and will definitely make my way back for the biscuits. DID I MENTION THE BISCUITS ARE DELICIOUS????
(3)Jessica P.
I was so excited to go here after getting addicted to their bisquits and fried chicken. lol Unfortunately it was mediocre at best. Our waiter seemed very annoyed as if he could not be bothered with tending to our table. Took our order, walked away and we never saw him again... I kid you not! I had to ask someone else for water, since he never once checked on our table. Finally I ask another waiter for our check and it takes 4 people and 10 minutes to figure out that he left for the day. What??? You have customers and you don't even tell them or any other waiters to pick up your table? I would think that would be a priority. One of the waiters who came over was very apologetic, which was nice. However he made it a point to say they "pool" their tips and that the previous waiter would now be affecting all of them. I tip for great service, not mediocrity. After voicing how upset I was with the service and the fried chicken to 2 different waiters and the hostess they didn't offer to have me speak to the manager. Very disappointing! The thing about service is that you still have the opportunity to recover, when the customer is there. After they are gone, it's a loss cause. I have been there plenty of times and although the service wasn't always good, the food was. This time though, bad all around. Good riddance Sweet Cheeks! I will keep my business with the establisments that actually care about their customer.
(1)Matt H.
Drinks were good, food was tasty. We visited before the Zac Brown Band concert at Fenway. Most other places had lines out the door, but at the time we got there there was nobody waiting so we found two seats at the bar. After we sat down, people started pouring in, just our luck I guess. Brisket sandwich was excellent, mac n cheese was also very good. Bartenders were friendly and attentive which is about all I need to make me happy. Fun place. I would definitely revisit.
(4)Brett T.
Anyone who knows me knows I am a BBQ fanatic. Most places I try I am disappointed. But not sweet cheeks. They have it figured out. I had a sampler platter with all their meats and each one was cooked to perfection. Moist and juicy, great smoke rings and excellent flavor. The best part is that it's Texas style. That means sauce on the side. So if the meat can't stand on its own, you can tell right away. Anyone looking for real BBQ in Boston, this is the spot. I will definitely be back!
(5)Erin B.
Oh, Sweet Cheeks. I must have had some glittery notion that you would be my elusive, unique BBQ experience I've searched for. Redbones doesn't have high quality food, but simply a good time, great beer selection and interesting downstairs bar. Blackstrap is great, but no atmosphere to be enough of a draw. The "real thing" down South was a little too homestyle for me. Considering all the hype around this place, and the fact that it always seems packed, I guess I was hoping for some kind of suave atmosphere, good food, exceptional service and an interesting take on the BBQ phenomenon. Well, Sweet Cheeks, you were a bit of a disappointment. I will try to mitigate my rating by offering some context: it was my birthday and my first time at this restaurant (maybe putting these two factors together was a gamble, but I figured, what's to lose? The biscuits are supposedly to die for and there'll be mac and cheese!) My brother immediately commented that he was surprised I picked this place for a birthday dinner, as he had dined here before. At this point, however, I had already been thinking the same thing, perusing the menu and noticing the clientele (unmistakably hipster-heavy) and bare -- although somewhat rustic --atmosphere. Not that there's anything wrong with these things. It just bordered on hokey (tin mugs for drinks, long wooden picnic-like tables for dining and buckets...lots of buckets) and I had something different in mind. Anyway, the service was a bit disorganized and no staff had any personality whatsoever, creating a rather bland experience. Honestly, the food wasn't super-memorable except for the biscuits, which they charge $10 for (a bucket of 4). Also, this: Me: Can I have a Jameson and ginger? Server: We are an All-American bar, so we only stock American-made beverages. Boo! Ok, I'll respect that. I ended up with a decent cocktail (that cost $11) made with bourbon. But, if you've read my reviews, you know I give credit to places that craft a menu (including cocktails) as this is the establishment's way of putting their best out there. If you say you can make an $11 bourbon cocktail extremely well, I will believe you and try it. In this case though, the Jameson and ginger probably would have been more interesting.
(3)Jeff F.
Definitely not the best barbecue in Boston, but a great spot to come before or after a Sox game. I will be back simply because the Buttermilk Biscuits are the best Biscuits I've had anywhere. Mac & Cheese reminded me of Kraft American squirt cheese I ate as a kid which oddly enough was amazing. Actual barbecue I had was mediocre.
(3)Leigh H.
Ate dinner here before a Red Sox game. It was quiet when we arrived but filled up pretty quickly. Nice setting and decor, and they have some outdoor space for warmer weather. Good beer list and the drinks menu looked delicious. We split the bucket of biscuits which was an excellent decision- they were warm and came with amazing honey butter. Between the three of us, we had the brisket, pork belly, and ribs, as well as a couple different sides. The meat and sides were all delicious but I do wish there was a larger variety of sauces available. The prices were definitely very reasonable.
(4)Pam C.
Sweet Cheeks Q serves barbeque, and confusingly enough, ramen on some nights. The restaurant is quite big, with regular tables and a few high-tops, and the decor is very industrial chic. Their menu revolves around trays, which come with a serving of the main barbeque meat and a your choice of sides. Sweet Cheeks may be pricy, but you definitely get your money's worth of food. The trays come with a huge heaping of food, including quite a mountain of whatever meat you ordered. They take pride in their house marinate. Although it's quite delicious and the meat was very tender, I found the main effect of the marinating to be that I had a hard time telling the difference between the pork and the beef - they have been marinated and tenderized to an inch of their life, and were rendered almost indistinguishable. We both ordered a tray each, along with an order of the biscuits. The drinks came in mason jars, which was cute but a tad overdone. The pulled pork was slightly dry, but pretty good nonetheless. It only came with one slice of white bread, leaving me to figure out how to tackle the remaining mound of meat. The 'great northern brisket' beef was almost completely fat. The sides were kind of meh - the baked beans were fine, and my macaroni and cheese tasted as if it was made with Velveeta. The biscuits were massive, and flaky and buttery to the point of excessive, and overall delicious. The quantity of meat you get is quite astounding - I packed what I had left and had more than enough for both dinner and a late night snack. Service was fantastic - our server was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and everyone working at the restaurant just generally seemed very nice and happy. Overall, Sweet Cheeks was pretty fun; in a town like Boston it's definitely a unique experience, and they definitely try very hard to portray a Texan vibe. I don't think I will be going back, but I thoroughly enjoyed meal there.
(4)Ali S.
I agree with those who are stuck between giving three and four stars. The good: our servers were attentive, the space was stylish and fun, the cocktail list was creative (and the wine/beer list long). Additionally, the biscuits, mac and cheese, and baked beans were all delicious. The so-so: the brisket was more fat than meat, there was only one BBQ sauce to choose from (one looked like an asian chili sauce and the other was bright orange?), and the bill at the end of the night was pretty pricey. In the future, I'd come back for sides, appetizers, and drinks with friends -- I'd probably try another meat -- but I'm not exactly eager for a return visit.
(3)Linette G.
Cannot say enough great things about this place. BBQ is great, close to Fenway, and Emma the hostess (from Peabody!) was fantastic! The vibe was buzzing, everyone having a fun time. Huge, mouthwatering biscuits with honey butter, tray of brisket, pulled pork and links. We'll travel from DC/Baltimore to come back! Love SweetCheeks BBQ!!!
(5)Karina L.
GET THE BISCUITS. $10 for a bucket o' biscuits seems extravagant until you see how immense these biscuits are. It's dense but flaky and goes wonderfully with the honey butter. A tray (around $20) will feed one person and, if you're not a bear, will give you a hefty amount of leftovers for your next meal (to eat with your leftover biscuits, of course). I almost always get the pork belly, which is flavorful and had a nice crisp on the side. We always get the mac and cheese as the hot side, and coleslaw and carrot/raisin salad are really nice cold sides much needed to break through the fat. My boyfriend almost always gets the brisket, which he loves dearly. Cocktails are delicious and wildly strong. Seriously, had to keep it together halfway through the cocktail. Respectable prices for a Fenway-area restaurant. They get packed before/after games, but the place has a ton of space, especially when there's outdoor seating.
(4)Tony N.
This is really a 3.5 but just barely so I'm sticking with 3 for now. Pros: Brisket was amazing. Excellent smoke. Great bark. Just the right amount of fat. No sauce needed. Pulled pork is some of the best I have ever had. Also with some nice ends. Definite no sauce. Pork belly is excellent. Haven't had it too many other places to compare but it is tied for the best I've ever had. Fresh salad was definitely fresh. Nice compliment to all that meat! Cons: 1. Ordered a rib before deciding on whether to get a rack. It was terrible. Dry, no flavor, very, very small. Go to a place like Goody Coles in Brentwood NH or Soul Fire in Boston and you'll see what a real rib looks and tastes like. If you're gonna be a BBQ joint your ribs need to be a show stopper. Not here so minus a star. 2. $75 for two people plus tip is CRAZY for BBQ. Minus half a star. I am not going to be a regular for that reason. I'll be back but not until I hit up Soul Fire a few times before. Too rich for my blood! (now if I am paying for something other than location let me know and I will reconsider my position). In the Middle Drinks were good. Great bourbon selection. Collard greens could have used some more chopping. Leaves way to long for serving. Chop them up a bit and toss in a few for pork pieces?
(3)Wilma O.
Amazing, amazing place. Maybe my favorite restaurant in Fenway thus far! It's also cool to see classy Southern food places like this. My friend and I split one of their trays, and although it was meant for one person, it was actually enough food. The drinks had the right amount of sweetness and alcohol. The beef brisket was good, but the pork belly stole the show! I'm so glad pork belly is in style now. The BBQ sauce was tangy, mild, and addictive (could have used a little extra oomph though). The sides were also addictive (she loved the cheddar broccoli while I was munching on the potato salad). In addition, the dessert we had (a Cracker Jack marshmallow fluff jar) was incredibly unique yet it worked. I'd definitely like to try more on the menu but this place tentatively goes on my favs list in Boston. The meat is incredibly high quality and the place's concept is unique against all the other fancy modern American in the area. Just make sure you make a reservation!
(5)Eric G.
Tried this place a couple months ago while in town for a wedding. Let me start with saying that we're from Florida. Florida isn't exactly known as the barbecue capital or of the world or anything, but we have a few places that know how to do it right. We heard some good things about this place and figured we would give it a try. We started with the world famous biscuit. Basically, it's just a really big biscuit that didn't really have any other redeeming qualities. The honey butter that it came with was enjoyed. It should probably be marketed as "World famous honey butter with a huge biscuit. " Besides that I had a brisket sandwich and mac&cheese. The Texas toast that was sandwich was on was very buttery but otherwise flavorless. The mac&cheese was fine. No complaints there. The brisket was surprisingly dry considering how many fatty pieces I had. I don't mind fat on brisket as thats usually some of the best parts, but there was way too much. The non fat pieces were pretty dry with little flavor. Overall, little I was a little disappointed. While nothing was completely bad, there was a lot to be desired. I would recommend you try to go somewhere else, unless you really need some mediocre barbecue.
(3)Nisha P.
Always a treat coming here. My girl friends and I split the brisket, fried chicken, and pulled pork meats, as well as a bunch of sides - mac and cheese, collard greens, and cole slaw. I can't say I touched the collard greens (was too busy with the meat), but the rest of the food was amazing. Tip: 6 of us girls split 1.5 lbs of meat and three sides and were contently full. (We are not small eaters) For dessert we tried the nutter butter, which was essentially a GIANT nutter butter cookie sandwich. Honestly, might be a little excessive...but yummy.
(4)Ron J.
Worst brisket ever. I should have paid attention to fellow Yelper Candace B's photo (uploaded again under my name) because that's exactly how mine looked -- fatty beyond compare. Parts of it was tasty but so is butter except I don't eat butter by the stick. I sensed that mine was a common complaint because the server tried to persuade me that brisket is a very fatty cut of meat, which it is not (unless it's from Sweet Cheeks lol). Then in a huff he brought me a small plate of substitute slices that were only slightly leaner and definitely smaller than my original portion. I've had lots of brisket in my life -- from Aunt Sadie's Friday night special to barbeque joints all over the country and this Sweet Cheek's brisket was absurdly fatty. The only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 is because the sides are very good, especially the Mac and Cheese.
(2)Kurls T.
Just ok BBQ... The servings are large, served cafeteria style on a tray. The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable. We dined late in the evening on a warm summer day. We ordered 1)hillbilly hooch 2)Bucket O' biscuits & honey butter 3)Fat cheeks tray- Pork ribs, pulled pork & pork sausage with carrot and raisin salad & mac n' cheese 4)1/2 Chicken. The meal was edible but not impressive at all...just blah! The hillbilly hooch- sweetened iced tea- I think they forgot the alcohol. The service was the best part of our dining experience. I will most likely not be returning.
(3)Andrea L.
Went in before a Red Sox game. The biscuits are huge and delish! The brisket and ribs were to die for and the Mac n cheese was not Kraft and very tasty!
(5)Todd T.
This place is a mad house at peak times so you will want a reservation. However, if don't have one, they have quite a bit of first come first serve seating at the bar and beer garden. I thought the food and service was excellent. You must have the biscuits. It was deliciously fluffy, buttery, melt in your mouth awesome. The chopped brisket was very smokey, tender, and flavorful with just the right amount of crispy char. Pork ribs were also very good but a touch salty. Fried green tomatoes were prepared just right and served with a spicy ranch dipping sauce. Cheese grits were very good. Mac n cheese was good but somewhat standard. The cole slaw was really great. At first I was skeptical because I was thinking it would be more Virginia style (very fine processing) but it was definitely big chunk texas style. The decor was fun and lively. The service was top notch. This place is a well oiled machine. The overall experience was awesome and you should check it out. Note: you are going to want to eat everything. I would recommend ordering the smallest portions of meat (1/4 lb) and sharing sides so you can maximize trying to eat a bite of everything. You will not have trouble getting full unless you could actually eat a large pizza by yourself.
(4)Young Y.
After hearing about this place from friends and magazines I was very excited to try this place. Good hot side dishes. Meats are slightly overpriced for the amount you get.
(3)Alisha S.
Came here to eat with my fiancee. Smaller place.not much seating...staff.was friendly. We love BBQ and thought we would try a new place... Pork was bad, the meat we received smelt like literal shit.. the odor was so bad coming off the plate that we immediately both looked at each other with this puzzled look like "are you smelling what I'm smelling". They apologized but didn't not offer us another plate or to take the uneaten meals off our check...the side were nothing to talk about either.. a little on the pricey side for BBQ although it is expected in boston.
(2)Jeffrey R.
Sweet Cheeks is definitely on my short list. (One note... I live right around the corner and have a neighborhood-y fondness for the place, so I may be a bit biased.) The space is unique and inviting. When it's warm out, the patio is fantastic and always packed, especially on a game night. There's a walk-up shed that serves drinks and food outside, which makes things relatively quick and easy if you see a spot open. When it comes to the food, the BBQ is solid - probably the best in Boston. BBQ is a polarizing food category, and you'll probably hear someone tell you that Sweet Cheeks doesn't fit whatever their definition of "authentic BBQ" may be. Ignore them... if you aren't clouded with preconceptions about BBQ, you'll like it. The sides are also to die for (don't skip the farm salad!) and the drink program is strong too (Dollywood!)
(5)Claude F.
Come for the Ribs but STAY for the biscuits. For a MODERATELY PRICED southern style BBQ they probably have the brst ribs in Boston. Always juicey and meaty. BUT thier biscuits are the BEST I have ever had. But be carefull!!!! They serve them with honey butter! Which makes each one of the giant biscuits about 1000 calories and more Carbs than 500 Chocolate doughnuts. So here are some tips on coming here: 1. Ask for regular butter. This will save you a triple bypass. 2. DONT sit by the door or Bar. 3. There is free parking lot (super market) down the street. 4. The BEST dessert is the pudding.
(4)Sara C.
We decided to check out the restaurant after seeing the chef on Top Chef Duels. You never know how a celebrity chef place will be, but this spot did not disappoint! We split an order of biscuits and a tray for two, and had more than enough food. The biscuits were totally the star of the show slathered with honey butter...so so good! The pulled pork was tender and really tasty with their BBQ sauce. The potato salad was excellent, but we weren't crazy about the Mac and cheese...it was a little too velveeta-y. Drinks were also excellent--I had a cocktail with about a million ingredients (the Mary Palmer) but they all came together and it was very delicious. All around a great experience. Would love to go back next summer so we could sit outside.
(4)Liz L.
Yum! The biscuits and honey butter are soooo good. So are the ribs and pulled pork. I'm picky about coleslaw, and that was surprisingly really good too- nice n crunchy. Definitely recommend!
(5)Stephanie T.
I had been dying to try out this place for months. I finally went with my roommate and it did not disappoint. The mac and cheese was amazing. You must order the biscuits, I thought I would need several as bread is basically my favorite food but they are HUGE and super filling. The butter they come with is amazing. Its hard to choose from all the options here, but everything I have tried has been very good, My fave BBQ in Boston for sure!
(4)Cathy S.
I've been here a handful of times, and it's definitely the place I would take friends if they wanted BBQ in Boston. The meats are done really well, and the sides are solid although not amazing. My favorite is the brisket which is super tender and often has chunks of melt-in-your-mouth fat. The fried chicken is also really good and moist and worth the price! My favorite sides are the carrot and raisin salad (provides nice textural contrast and acidity, though I think it comes with bleu cheese which I ask to leave out) and the broccoli and cheese casserole (very rich). Would not recommend the mac and cheese! The biscuits with honey butter are amazing and I think one of the things this place is famous for, but they're huge and can really fill you up if you have them as a starter.
(4)Lannie L.
I've been here at least 5 times (including an awesome Valentine's Day event) and it's a wonderful BBQ oasis in Boston. BBQ is not a common cuisine in these here parts, especially at a bigger restaurant venue that's conducive to group dinners. They have the classic selection of meat cuts (ribs, pork belly, brisket, pulled pork, chicken) with assorted sauces on the table. Unless you're super hungry, I think going with the sandwich option is just fine - you still get plenty of meat and additional sides if you so choose. If you're a big eater, go with the 2 (or 3?!) meat tray for portion size and assortment. The outdoor bar section in the summertime is a nice highlight of this place as well. Fan of: mason jars, trays, honey butter with ginormous biscuits, farm salad (given the other options, farm salad doesn't seem appealing but trust me, it's delicious!), pickles and onions on the side, broccoli/cheddar casserole, beer selection, sweet tea comes in a ginormous mason jar, atmosphere, friendly wait staff who don't get angry with giving multiple credit cards as payments when you're with a group Not a fan of: noise/music level on a busy night (hard to carry conversation with people beyond arm's length reach, saltiness of meat, texas toast saturated in butter (good/bad)
(4)Brandon E.
This place was great. I was in Boston for work and met up with some friends and they suggested this place because it's good and pretty decently priced. The service wasn't spectacular but it wasn't horrible. We wound up being the only table outside and I felt maybe a bit of a burden for the server to come out to us. On to the food, the biscuits and the butter that comes with them is OUT OF THIS WORLD as well as the hush puppies they were also heavenly if you are coming here you need to order one or both of these, the portion sizes are GIANT! I ordered the brisket sandwich on texas toast and the brisket was melt in your mouth and perfectly cooked I couldn't finish it there was so much food. I also got the carrot raisin salad as a side. This was a game changer, my favorite carrot salad is from Chick-fil-a but this stuff was the stuff of legend. It was fresh carrots and raisins mixed in with bleu cheese and walnuts....You need to order this...absolutely need to order this! I wish I had more stomach room to finish it but I couldn't. I would definitely come back here if I was in the neighborhood.
(4)Sarah G.
Got takeout for lunch here yesterday as I always walk by and have seen the great reviews! I ordered the lunch special pulled pork sandwich which is a steal at $11. However when I went to check out and she said $16 please, I was a little shocked because it was before 3pm and I had ordered the lunch special. She said they didn't do the lunch special on weekends which was not written anywhere and the menu right infront of the register was the lunch special price!! I already had my food in a bag and credit card out and felt a little forced to pay. The meal was really great, smokey flavor on the pulled pork (make sure you get the BBQ sauce as it is a little dry) I went with the broccoli side and it was the best part, very cheese and you could see the ritz crackers on top. Overall was a great sandwich but not worth almost $20 after taxes for a take out special.
(4)Colonial C.
This is a destination stop whenever we are in boston. .unique food selections, happy staff that is looking ro please. Don't walk, run to sweet cheeks!
(5)Teddy B.
WE WENT FOR TOP CHEF'S TIFFANY, NOT FOR FOOD NETWORK'S GUY FIERI! TL;DR? Sweet Cheeks Q is far, far from sweet. The headline says it all. Our expectations were set to precise, smart, confident Tiffany from Top Chef, but the food and service was more akin to something you'd expect from Food Network's resident knucklehead. The Sunday after the 4th we were reading online about where to eat and have a few drinks when we saw a fun blurb about Sweet Cheeks having a classic Texas BBQ spread. The main draw for us, since they're very hard to come by in Boston, the hushpuppies. Yes, hushpuppies! Also, I used to watch Top Chef, and when I saw it was (red-headed, sssssssnake) Tiffany's restaurant I thought, "Great. The menu will be delicious and everything we order will be perfectly executed. This restaurant definitely won't burn us like so many others!" Wrong. Dead wrong. Re-animated then re-dead wrong. Straight up, the worst part was the service. Awful. God awful. And I suspect the bad service (and poor management?) explains eveything else that went wrong, too. Me and my partner are laid back as hell. Give us water, drinks, and the waitstaff can disappear all they like, whatever. But leave us without anything except a crumpled menu flapping in the wind? No thanks. And especially not at these prices. So, our waitress (who I won't describe except to say that she's the one with the sleepy eyes) may be a nice girl but she's in the wrong frigging business. I know it was a holiday weekend, but it wasn't even busy. And no matter how many tables she had, she could have asked for help. (At the end, a more competent waiter did come and ask if everything was ok. It was too little, too late by then, though. "Just the check, please.") We did see tv's Tiffany taking a stroll outside and talking to customers. I felt like they were in a different restaurant. Maybe we should have eaten inside where the waitress's manager would see the cluster? I've noticed Tiffany has mellowed on tv, maybe she's mellowed off tv, too? Who knows. Finally, the water came. Then later a round of drinks. Then we tried to put our order in and the waitress announced that there were no hushpuppies (wtf?) and just walked away (wtf?) Then... no waitress. We sat for a good 10 minutes after we'd finished our beer and cocktail, thirsty and hungry, our order not even placed. We seriously (for real) considered leaving cash on the table for the drinks and buying some apples or something at the Star Market across the street. Anyway, one hour and fifteen minutes later another server brought us our food, which looked and tasted like it had been sitting. You know, fine dining. I had the fried chicken and TIL Texas-style fried chicken simply means leftover fried chicken, where the breading can be slipped off the meat like an old sock. Yum! The mac and cheese was Texas-style, too: lukewarm, with a funky aftertaste. Not a big step up from KFC and Velveeta with Ritz crackers, really. All in all, Sweet Cheeks Q was a huge diappointment. Letdown of letdowns. The most frustrating part? We watched several other patrons arrive half an hour after us and they got served first. That's unacceptable. Served food and drinks, mind you, not just water and "no hushpuppies." Tiffany's done a remarkable job building her brand and setting high expectations, from starting out as the villain of the first season of a breakout tv show to a series regular who seems like an extremely well respected chef who knows exactly what she's doing. Sadly, the actual dining experience at Tiffany's misses the mark wildly. Wildly. There was nothing sweet about Sweet Cheeks. My partner and I love hitting up new restaurants but time and again we walk away saying something like, "Instead of spending our money here, let's just go out less and save up for the places with exceptional food and exceptional service every single time. One and a half meals for two at a place like Sweet Cheeks equals one meal for two at an Abe & Louie's or The Captial Grille, as far as price goes. Think about that! It's insane. Anyways, it's just food. It's just one dismal meal. Best of luck to Tiffany. I hope she gets it together and trims the fat before it's too late and bad word of mouth sinks Sweet Cheeks. (Oh, and our waitress should get a check up. I'm low energy but she's low zombie. Maybe serving food, drinks, and a positive experience to people is NOT for you, drowsy-eyed zombie!)
(1)Sarah E.
I came here for dinner on a Thursday evening, and the place was packed, even at 9pm when we showed up. I would recommend a reservation when coming here. My bf and I were absolutely STARVING when we showed up, so we over-ordered. For two people, we got the bucket of biscuits, a cocktail (which was whiskey based and thus not girly and thus not yummy), the beef brisket platter with salad and mac n cheese, and the pulled pork platter with broccoli casserole and potato salad. It was all yummy, and I preferred the pulled pork to the brisket. My broccoli casserole was heavy, and I feel like it's the recipe for terrible gas. The mac and cheese was not very flavorful (sorry, I could do better). The biscuits were AMAZING and so was the honey butter than came with it. So yeah, get those if you go here. We had a ton of leftovers for the next day, and I learned that cold pulled pork makes for the world best breakfast. Anyway. I would highly recommend this place. It is certainly pricey for BBQ, but you will have a TON of food for days.
(4)Sophie P.
I was not impressed. I've come here handful of times, and I'd rather just pick at other people's dishes than eat my own. FOOD Biscuits: Yes, they're good. But for two people, four biscuits are over kill. I wish there was a way to order one biscuit, or half an order. I couldn't even finish one because it was so rich! Onesie ribs: These were so overcooked. The ribs didn't even fall off the bone, and one of the ribs was so rock hard that I didn't even eat it. They may keep the onesies off to the side, since this is more of a side order, but I still think the quality was terrible. Sides Carrot raisin salad: This was very refreshing. I really enjoyed this, and wish I could've just had a whole plate of this. Mac n cheese: I am a huge fan of mac n cheese, but I did not like this at all. The cheese was too creamy and thick, almost to the consistency of fake cheese or microwaved mac n cheese. The bread crumbs on top usually add a great consistency, but I didn't enjoy the two together. Tip: Go here for drinks and biscuits. Everything else is sub-par and is so overpriced for what it is.
(2)Eugenia L.
Let's get through the bad news first, I found Sweet Cheek's BBQ meats disappointing. Most of what I tried (burnt ends, ribs, pork belly, and sausage) I found to be dry or bland. You end up drowning them in the house sauce, which is tasty, but it is all you end up tasting The pork belly and the ends were the most flavorful and tender of the bunch. But that's saying they're the best of the worst. Now onto the good points. All of their other food (except the BBQ, obviously) was great! Their biscuits are on point and Texas sized. Nothing beats a warm, fluffy biscuit with that honey butter. I also enjoyed their sides, especially the salads. They were the first thing to disappear on my tray. The carrot-raisin is reminiscent of Asian pickled daikon 'n carrots, but with sweet raisins and cheese. The farm salad is also a well composed salad, with the tangy dressing, peppery greens, and nuts. As crazy as it sounds I did enjoy my meal here. Again the meat was the only let down and consequently knocked down the rating. Especially since they label themselves a BBQ joint.
(3)Amy H.
A few months ago, I convinced my significant other to move from Virginia to Boston. After putting up with the winter he had to put up with, I wanted to find things in Boston that would remind him of home. Wow, did this place deliver. He hasn't stopped talking about how great it was. I got the brisket and the pork belly, which were both fantastic. Pork belly can be so fatty, but this was rendered perfectly. My fiance got the pulled pork sandwich, which as also great. My only complaint is that my pre-wedding diet was ruined. I got the farm salad to offset the rest of the meal and it was delicious, but I definitely went overboard on the calories with the broccoli casserole and a few bites of my fiance's mac and cheese. The service was really great, and I loved our server. We will definitely come back here.
(5)Denise N.
the other reviews here are absolutely on point. a group of us were here the other day for lunch and had a fabulous experience. we were a party of six, 4 adults and 2 kiddos. we arrived around 3 and were seated promptly. our server was friendly and knowledgeable, without being overbearing. there is a good amount of craft beers, so we all went for different options of those. note- they were out of some of the choices we had wanted to try. not a big deal, but something to mention. i liked that the beverages were served in mason jars, even a glass of wine i spied on another table was in a mini-mason jar- very cute. the food is phenomenal and, as others describe, plentiful. my table-mates all went with the pulled pork, either as a sandwich, or a tray. i got to sample a few bites, and the smoke flavor was present without being overwhelming. the biscuits served with honey butter are absolutely enormous, and so worth every single calorie that may be in them- divine! i ordered the lunch lady tray, which consists of 4 side dishes. i opted for cole slaw, collard greens, broccoli casserole, and farmer's salad. the cole slaw was the star. roughly cut, it was obviously chopped in-house, and the dressing hit all the notes of tangy, sweet, savory, and umami (there was definitely onion in the dressing, and i'm guessing just a hint of soy sauce too). i ate all of it. the collards were cooked well, but a little vinegar-y for my taste. the farmer's salad was greens served with halved grapes, toasted hazelnuts, and blistered brussel sprouts. it was hearty, and very good. the broccoli casserole was so-so. the cheese sauce seemed to have separated, and it could have been hotter. the flavor, however, was very good. to supplement my meal, i did order one rib and the meat fell right off the bone with no effort at all. i tried each of the three sauces (classic BBQ, vinegar, habenero). they were each good, and the habenero one carries legit heat- be careful (and i love spicy food). my boyfriend's rancher beans that came with his pulled pork were beyond delicious- they almost tasted like chili, they were so rich and savory. one of the kids got the fried chicken sandwich which was absolutely enormous, and looked yummy. the other kiddo got mac and cheese, and it looked classic, creamy, and delish. she didn't eat much (she's a little finicky), but her dad finished the rest. :-) food and drinks are actually reasonably priced- for a party of six, which included 5 entrees, a bucket of biscuits, and eight beers (each adult had 2), we came to a grand total of $180 which included tip- not bad at all. the restaurant is within easy walking distance of fenway (one of the reasons we chose it), and has a great vibe, in general. we will definitely be back.
(5)FreshTake '.
This place was amazing. Huge portion sizes, I wish I would have planned to split my entire meal with my friend lol. The food was delicious, potatoes, cold, slaw, brisket, mac and cheese. Very good cocktails as well. Good service, nice out door patio area, inside was kind of muggy/hot.
(5)soo hyuk l.
Would have gave 4 stars if the service was little better. Very mouth watering bbq. Loved biscuit with their special butter. Yummmmm!!
(4)Amanda S.
Very yummy! Great spot if you're craving comfort food and a country atmosphere. Their menu is super fun as well, as you can pick and choose as you'd like. The sauces are amazing, but I wish they had something with a little more spice. A little slice of Nashville right outside Fenway park :)
(4)Andy B.
Dinner night out with friends for a Batchelor party. Large group of 15 people and table was ready for us when we got there. Food was delicious though overpriced for bbq and beer.
(3)Grace J.
I LOVE barbecue, and it's hard to find true, good quality, and affordable bbq around Boston. I love the simple menu- you get one meat, two sides. (That's the usual- you can get more meat, sides, etc.) The first time I went, I was a little nervous because a sox game was happening that night, and it's right around the corner. The place was PACKED and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to dine there. Well, they told me that I would need to wait 1 hour, and i really did want to try the place, so I said okay and went to the nearby (NEW!) target to kill time. Well, luckily enough, a spot opened up within 20 min and I was seated right away. Got the corn, biscuits, and pulled pork w/broccoli cheese casserole and cole slaw. Everything tasted very homemade and not too salty. Love that we could control the amount of flavor on the meat- they are all cooked without sauce. The corn was way beyond my expectations! You get a LOT of corn, so well worth the price, since it was also super yummy and grilled to perfection. Lastly, the biscuits. Ugh. Super well baked, huge, and melts in your mouth. And the honey butter? Out of this world good. I could swim in it. Needless to say, this place is one of my new boston faves! Just be careful with some of the hot sauces- one of them left me tearing up at the end of my meal (joyful tears tho!)
(5)Alyssa B.
I love Sweet Cheeks! I love the food, the location, the atmosphere, the drinks. I love it all. Fair warning: the portions are HUGE. That's probably a plus for many of you, but for me it means I will be waddling home with a severe stomach ache. Yet I keep coming back! As many other Yelpers have mentioned, the biscuits with honey butter are TDF. But also huge. There are a plethora of other enticing appetizers, but knowing the portion size I often have to pass on the apps. I prefer to share a platter - pulled pork is good, but burnt ends is the bomb! I absolutely love the broccoli casserole and the carrot raisin salad. Cole slaw is great too. Still so much more to try, drooling just thinking about it... The only sort-of con is that the service can sometimes be kind of slow, but not so slow that it prevents me from visiting again and again.
(4)Robyn B.
I'm obsessed with BBQ, and this definitely is one of the better options in Boston to satisfy my craving for a pulled pork sandwich. They have awesome mac & cheese (SUPER rich and heavy, so be ready for the food coma to hit) and sweet tea. They often offer special ramen on Monday nights... I tried the fried chicken ramen last winter, it was delicious (although very salty). Minus a star for the service. The waiters are nice, but not the most attentive. The food takes a long time to come out. Once waited 45 minutes for our meal after ordering! (And it was 9pm on a Monday night, not even that crowded...) We had to flag down our waitress a few times to ask when it would be ready. Most painful wait ever.
(3)Allen B.
Sweet Cheeks Q aims to provide a Texas barbecue joint atmosphere in the Fenway district of Boston. The price is commiserate with the up-and-coming professional population occupying the nearby condos, and may be a little pricey for a family outing to the ballpark. The best things on the menu, appropriately, are the variety of Barbeque meats, which have occasional tough or burned spots but mostly vary from appropriately dry to tender and delicious. A selection of three basic BBQ sauces -- a Texas gold, a NC vinegar, and a hot sauce additive -- are available for your mix and match pleasure. The best value for money is found in the melt-in-your-mouth oversize buttermilk biscuits with spectacular whipped honey butter. It's a good thing the meat and biscuits are so tasty, because the sides are dreadful. The cheesy grits are actually a cheese sauce that happens to contain grits as an ingredient, while the macaroni suffers for lack of cheese or moisture. The BBQ baked beans are tough with only chipotle to indicate their BBQ nature. Consider a salad with your meat and biscuits; hopefully they can't mess that up. Sweet Cheeks makes sense only for the combination it offers -- location, a bar atmosphere, and decent if not stellar Southern offerings. For that combo, if you order right, it's solid. If you're not looking for all three of these features, consider your other, better value options for Boston BBQ.
(3)Megan L.
If you're around Fenway, drop by! Friend and I were visiting Boston, and staying a hotel that backs up to Fenway park. This is walking distance from Fenway. Sat outside on the patio. It was ideal! A good spot for some texas bbq. We ordered beef brisket places, which were a bit fatty, rich, and heavy. However it was worth it as it was juicy, tender, and well cooked, and the bbq sauce complemented the brisket well. We also opted to share the mac n cheese, which was good.
(4)Robyn T.
If I had come to Sweet Cheeks for the biscuits only, this review would be 10 stars. Never in my life have I had biscuits so good. My husband and I went to Sweet Cheeks on the coldest night of the century. We didn't have a reservation but thankfully were able to sit along the bar without waiting. Score! I loved the atmosphere of this place. Very down home, but with a rustic modern flare. Completely my style. We started with those famous biscuits and then I ordered pulled pork with mac n cheese and coleslaw and my hubs ordered pulled chicken with mac n cheese and potato salad. The service was excellent, despite how busy it was, and our food came out promptly. Both the pork and the chicken had fantastic flavors on their own. We were given 3 different sauces for our meats, and unfortunately we didn't really like any of them. Both of us are fans of hickory, honey flavors with a thicker consistency and there wasn't anything like that. The mac n cheese, albeit good, wasn't fantastic. So many places have mac n cheese on their menu in every variation you can think of, so we patrons have gotten snobby, and I'll admit I'm no exception. This version was a little too watery, and didn't have a full bodied taste of oozing cheese and cream. It wasn't bad, but didn't knock my socks off. The cold sides were just ok too. Nothing that sets them apart from something I could get at a neighborhood deli. We both agreed that the side dishes were the weak spot in the meal. All in all I would go back, even if it's just for those biscuits. It's in a great location and the service and atmosphere were both excellent.
(3)Gautham D.
The 3 stars are for the service and location. It's a great to watch people specially during a Sox's game. Constant dinner and drama, the people who eat and walk around this restaurant are really colorful. 0 stars for the food though, as colorful as the people are around the restaurant the food bland and really devoid of salt. Far from flavorful southern food.
(3)David F.
I was expecting a lot more from them due to the status of the restaurant and other people's reviews. Born in NC I have had my share of BBQ. I had the pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast, mac n cheese and slaw. Toast was fried in butter and mac had tons of butter with an odd consistency. Slaw was cut very thick and had a strong cabbage taste. I'm not an expert on Texas style bbq but have had my share of southern food. Biscuits and farmers salad was on point though. Not sure why there has to be so much butter in all.the items though. Give it a try but due some research on their more popular items.
(3)Ashley P.
I loved everything about my visit here. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was amazingly helpful and kind. We made the common newbie mistake and ordered way too much food. First we had hush puppies, which my husband states is the best he has ever had in area (and his family is from the South). We then ordered some biscuits... oh the biscuits, I can't even describe how amazing they are. This girl here loves her carbohydrates and could easily just have had a meal of these bi quits and butter. They were phenomenal. We then ordered the trays, me with fried chicken and him with ribs and brisket. All of the food was amazing. We were so sad that we couldn't finish it, but we like to think that the homeless man we gave the leftovers too had a really delicious meal that night. The drinks were also delicious, I had a special drink called the Dollywood, which I actually described as "everything I like in a drink." It was tart and refreshing without being overly sweet. Overall, this was one of the best meals I have had recently in Boston. Get down there and stuff your face ASAP.
(5)Sara M.
Dangerous. I live probably a 5 minute walk from this place... My friend and I came here to sit at the bar. The service was friendly and attentive, even though the place was slammed. I like their bourbon cocktails, especially when they arrived in mason jars. I only had three but I definitely felt buzzed when I left. The biscuit with honey butter is every bit as wondrous as everyone is saying. I haven't had a better version and I made sure to eat the entire thing over anything else. However, the brisket was tender and juicy, with a thick line of fat. The pork ribs were meaty and something you can sink your teeth into. The house sauce complemented it perfectly. Surprisingly, I was a fan of their potato salad - even though there was a heavy hand with the dill. Mac and cheese was deliciously creamy and the collard greens had that sour, bitter kick. We also got the chocolate cake for dessert but it was just alright. This may be my favorite BBQ place in Boston (not counting BT's since it's an hour away). I can see myself hanging at the bar drinking bourbon and happily stuffing biscuits in my mouth way too often.
(4)Kyle G.
Fast service, generous servings, and some seriously delicious BBQ. You gotta start off with the "bucket o biscuits" with honey butter but be warned, they are huge and filling, but insanely good! We also got brisket and ribs with collard greens and mac n cheese. Really cool atmosphere and an awesome drink list including Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale!! If you're by Fenway make sure you put this great BBQ joint on your list.
(4)Matt F.
5 stars for the biscuits. Its great to have a Top Chef alum in the neighborhood. Excellent BBQ, ribs and pulled pork are standouts. BBQ beans, Mac and cheese are best options for hot sides with tray and farm salad is a light option to balance out the smokiness of the meat.
(5)Lauretta L.
I tried the Fried Chicken Platter with collard greens and mac & cheese, along with a bucket of biscuits, about a year ago. I remember the chicken being justtt barely worth the exorbitant price. It was flavorful with a bit of a kick, tender from proper brining and delicately crispy. Ok, fine, I'll ditch Popeye's and pay the extra $10 for Sweet Cheeks. The jumbo-sized biscuits were my favorite part of the meal. The Yelp reviews don't over hype them, they're mounds of crack. They're therefore addicting so watch yourself, or else you'll look down a few months later and not see your toes. I was also a huge fan of the collard greens, which had chunks of savory meat. Honestly, I didn't care for the mac & cheese, although most people love it. I prefer my mac & cheese to be covered with ooey gooey melted cheese and served piping hot. Sweet Cheeks made such a huge impression on me that I fought regular cravings until yesterday, when I finally gave in and returned. I got the same things, except I subbed the sides for a farm salad and the cheese broccoli casserole. Unfortunately, the chicken wasn't as good as the first time I went. It was a bit bland and didn't seem to be well-brined. Not worth the price anymore, IMO. The casserole was pretty terrible, as it was mushy and bland. However, the farm salad was spot on. I would order this alone. I can't remember the numerous ingredients, but if you like a salad with savory toasted hazelnuts, roasted brussel sprouts, barley, grapes and a light vinaigrette to pull it all together, you should try it. Plus, it's healthy! Service was always great and portions are huge. You can split a platter between two hungry people.
(3)Meredith B.
Eaten here 4 times, got a huge stomachache every time. And no, I never chose to go back after the first time, I was coerced. Good: The BISCUITS- yum! The burnt ends brisket is also pretty good. Bad: The sauces, the sides, and the stomachache. Bottom line: I can think of multiple better BBQ places in Boston and multiple better restaurants in the Fenway area.
(2)Lisa A.
We have eaten here twice in the last 3 days. Prime beef brisket is the popular choice in our family. Biscuits are amazing. Farm salad and cheesy grits are a winner. The only thing that I felt was too rich was the mac and cheese. Very good bbq food.
(4)Danielle B.
I'm visiting from San Diego and I was really looking forward to trying this place. I love top chef. My friend and I walked in during a Red Sox game. We got sat, we waited for 10-15 minutes and we were never greeted. We left and went to Citizen Oyster bar down the street. The food smelled good, I wish I could have tried it
(1)Sarah C.
I liked the sides a lot. I had the heartless Jezebel drink and that was very tasty. Pork belly was good. I have heard a lot about portions and I left very full and had leftovers. Yummy biscuits!!
(4)Ays M.
I am leaving in the area and I guess I have high hopes about this place.. The portions are too small and the prices are not cheap. The service was almost awful as I felt like the waiters did not want to serve..The plates and mugs are also not nice.
(3)Max K.
Drinks and food are amazing! The biscuits are a must!!! Everything came out smelling and looking amazing. I didn't love their sauces but to each their own.
(4)Lauren D.
Great spot for BBQ, but on the expensive side. Loved the pork belly. I recommend getting the hush puppies and biscuits!
(3)Kevin G.
So good. What's not to like. Flew all the way from California to eat here. Made the top 50 restaurants in Boston according to Boston magazine and it was so worth it. Walking distance to fenway Park. I had the fried green tomatoes, pulled pork and pulled chicken and Cole slaw and collard greens. It all tasted great. They call that the Big Cheeks Tray. I'd come back.
(5)Matthew T.
Good service. Knowledgeable when asked questions. Food came out quick on a semi busy Monday. Warm and flavorful. Best biscuits in town.
(5)T G.
I am from TN. We know barbecue. This was ok, but not the fall out of your chair kind. The mac and cheese was undercooked and was disappointing. The fried green tomatoes were pretty good, but the Chef needs to slice the pieces a little thinner and they will be better. Sweet tea doesn't exist in barbecue places up here. That's a travesty! Overall not worth the price, but the biscuits and butter were exceptional though!
(3)Gordon A.
Been wanting to try this restaurant for quite a while. I love BBQ and am a Top Chef fan. Went on a Friday night and had made restaurants. We arrived early and had to wait for a bit, but were seated by our reservation time. Then we waited and waited for a waiter to show up. Finally had to go ask the hostess who our waiter was. She then finally arrived. Her service the rest of the night was okay, but not great. The biscuits were definitely the best thing I ate! Very yummy. I went for the 2 meat tray with pork belly, brisket, cole slaw, and cheesy grits. I've never had pork belly before and I was pretty happy with that. My brisket was nice and moist but very small serving size. My wife just had the brisket and had 5 slices. The 2 meat tray had just 2 slices of brisket. I wasn't necessarily expecting 2 full servings of meat, but given the price premium I wasn't expecting less than half a serving. The cheesy grits were tasty. They were served in a mug and were a bit runny which made eating them with a fork a bit of a challenge. With no spoon in sight I just drank them from the mug. The coleslaw was very chunky, and okay, but nothing to get overly excited about. One of our party was a vegetarian and had a pretty thin selection. I know, going to a BBQ place, what do you expect. But, they could try at least a little bit. A lot of the vegetable sides were not vegetarian. Was very loud, hard to hear the person across the table. Was getting bumped and crowded at our table due to the large crowd at the bar. Was hoping for more.
(3)Emily L.
Monday night ramen! Their ramen changes weekly. Only one flavor each Monday. We got the duck fat broth with duck slices. Really good but filling/heavy. I think they only serve 100 bowls so you have to wait in line. It starts at 9. I got there at 8:15 and there were already 50 people in front of me. They take your name and only give you tickets for people who are present. If you are a party of 4 and only 3 are present by the time they sit you, you can either wait or your 4th person isn't getting in. Very organized. They gave us some popcorn as we waited. Got a side of the biscuits with honey butter. Absolutely delicious and a must try!
(4)Gauravi P.
I'm in love with the brussel walnut salad they serve as a side here. I would come back here to eat that alone! The fried chicken here is pretty good too. It isn't as good as Tupelo's fried chicken in Cambridge but it's enjoyable. I've had better mac and cheese though. It was just bland and not as cheesy as I would have liked. I thought the kitchenware and table scape at Sweet Cheeks was very cool and definitely added authenticity. Service was great as well.
(4)Honey B.
I am giving Sweet Cheeks 5 stars because of the bartender, Emma. She was hilarious, positive and upbeat. My friend and I had a great conversation with her and if I was living in Boston, I would certainly go back to see her! The food and drinks were great too but she definitely made our day!
(5)Yeajin L.
If you like pork, this is a place to go. I personally don't like eating pork, so I don't enjoy as much. However, I do love their biscuits and their butter! Their butter has honey or maple syrup mixed in them, and it is one of the best things there. Not in a negative way but in a positive way. Majority of the workers are young, so they are very amiable.
(3)Gillian G.
Glad I stopped in. I'll be coming back for sure. The drinks! I got the God damn Yankee. Delicious if you're a whiskey drinker. The collard greens were the best I've ever had. Also try the pork belly. You won't be disappointed. I mean, it's pig after all. Mmmmm
(5)David B.
This is my second visit and enjoyed both. The amount of food that you get is significant for the price. Both times we've been there it has been packed. Not growing up with BBQ traditions, I can't vouch for the "authenticity" of what Sweet Cheeks serves but I enjoy it. The brisket is meaty but not dry. The ribs are wonderful. I like the cole slaw and corn bread...neither is sugary sweet. I thought it odd that I had to ask for BBQ sauce. We were too stuffed for dessert this time. We opted for dessert with our first visit and wasn't too impressed. Still, tasty and good value for the money and one of a growing list of eateries in that part of the Fenway.
(4)CW W.
Second time I've been here and it will be my last. Why is that if I'm giving 3 stars? Once again food is not always the reason that makes a great restaurant. Big big part yes but if I can get the same level of quality somewhere else then why bother? So went with a few friends. Sure our server was friendly, maybe a little too salesman like, but ok. We ordered the biscuits with honey butter and they were simply delicious. The rest of the food was ok. My friends got the pulled pork, pork belly and brisket. Most of the meat was good but some was kinda dry. I got buttermilk chicken tenders, huge portion, crispy outside but somewhat dry on the inside. Most of the sides were good: baked beans, collard greens, potato salad, the farm salad was very good but cheesy grits were icky. Ok so food average, but waitstaff would get 1 1/2 stars. When we were done didn't see our server anywhere for over 10mins. Finally we asked the host to find him. He still couldn't be found because they sent over a different server. In addition, and this really bothered us...when this other server started to take our plates (3 out of 4 needed doggie bags) he put other plates/cups on the tray with food to wrap up?!?!!!??? Who does that? We thought it was so wrong what he did, my friend double checked he heard us say to wrap up the food because it just didn't make sense. Average food and poor service will not bring me back for a third time. But once again never take word and try it yourself.
(3)Ayelet R.
I came here completely intent on trying pretty much every side dish they offer. And while I didn't achieve that goal, I did try quite a few of them thanks to their Lunch Lady Tray. Sure, $12 may sound expensive for lunch, but considering the sheer amount of food I got, plus the fact that it came to $3 a dish, it's actually quite a deal. And even though I was well aware that I was probably ordering too much food, I had to order a biscuit. I'm glad I did, because that was definitely the most stand-out part of the meal - I mean, a giant biscuit that had evidently just came out of the oven and a couple tablespoons of honey butter, all for me? What more could a girl ask for? I think I may have liked it a little too much, because I apparently disregarded the fact that it was about the size of my face and ate the whole thing, leaving me not too hungry for everything else that was to come. Luckily I did get to at least try four of the sides, though I didn't manage to finish any of them. As for what was on my tray: Mac and cheese - this was what I was most looking forward to (besides the biscuit), and it did not disappoint! Creamy and smooth perfection that went together perfectly with a splash of their jalapeno sauce. Broccoli and cheese casserole - I almost felt as if this should have been combined with the mac and cheese. Having said that, I've had way too many undercooked broccolis lately, so I commend them for perfectly cooking theirs. BBQ baked beans - this was probably my least favorite item I ordered. It wasn't bad, but the sauce was a bit too sweet for my liking. Farmer's salad - This was definitely a pleasant surprise! I imagined something pretty uninspired when I ordered this but went for it anyway just because I knew I couldn't finish four warm items. This was actually much better than most restaurants' salads, packed with greens, brussel sprouts, barley, parmesan, walnuts and grapes. I don't usually rave about salads, but this was really good! I gotta say that for a Southern barbecue restaurant, this place has got some really great veggie options.
(4)John W.
I had passed Sweets Cheeks numerous times but never went in...a friend wanted to take me to dinner recently and I said why not... it's time. Decor: Huge room. .large tables with a nice bar. They have an outdoors seating area also and the night I went it was cold out so the door being constant opened with the constant draft bugged me when I was eating but I thought nothing is perfect. Food: It comes out on trays and you have your choice of meats and sides...it's very clever. The trays are very industrial looking...when the food comes out it has a military feel to it...no plates here....I like that you get many types of selections from large meals to a meal of just sides from black eyed peas,collard greens...excellent...and Mac & cheese. I ordered those three with one rib. It was more than enough for me...You need to go here very hungry...I mean not eating in three days hungry! Also...I almost forgot.. The BISCUITS!! Make sure to order these when you go...a meal in themselves...Wow!! huge, sweet tasting, melt in your mouth.... but only eat one.. they could ruin your appetite... but please order them. Believe the hype. They alone are worth the trip. Staff: We had a really cool waiter...he was extremely busy but always made us feel special. Everyone was nice all around..I highly recommend Sweet Cheeks.
(5)Candace B.
I've eaten at some of the best BBQ joints in Texas, because my husband is from Dallas. We've never found good BBQ here in New England. We decided to check out Sweet Cheeks after a Red Sox game today, and it did not disappoint. We sat in the beer garden which was so nice. We ate at the game so we didn't need much food, but wanted to have some drinks and unwind before heading home with the crowd. We split a brisket plate with potato salad and macaroni and cheese. It was all delicious. The meat was tender and juicy. Didn't need much sauce. The potato salad really knocked my socks off, surprisingly. I actually didn't eat much Mac because I was full! A great version of BBQ right in New England. We will definitely go back.
(5)Fatima I.
Upon walking in we were immediately seated. Our waitress was very friendly and prompt. I know the night was going to be bad when I order a ginger beer and it was probably the worst I've had. But that wasn't their fault. It is very loud in here so if you want to converse with your friends you have to scream in order for them to hear you including that table next to you. My boyfriend order the brisket sandwich and the BBQ beans which he enjoyed. But he said "it's not the south." Of course. I ordered the cheeky plate with the brisket, pulled chicken, cole slaw, and mac and cheese. The brisket: one of my briskets was probably 75% fat. The other piece had more meat than fat, so that made up. No BBQ sauce just plain old brisket. I will admit the meat was well cooked and very tender. The "pulled chicken" was more like chunks of flavorless chicken. The cole slaw was tasteless and absolutely disgusting. The Mac and cheese, which I decided to get because another yelper claimed it was "the best Mac and cheese." I was extremely disappointed and the Mac & Cheese because it tasted like it was made from the box. I didn't like any of their BBQ sauces. They weren't very tasty or BBQ style sauces. I also hated that they didn't put BBQ sauce on any of the meats (it was necessary for this place for me). I'm a Georgia girl so I KNOW what real BBQ tastes like and this was a complete failure. Would I recommend this place to a friend? HECK NO! Would I go back again? Absolutely not!
(2)Ziyan C.
At 5pm on a Saturday, I was able to make an 8pm reservation for 6 people. We got there early and were able to be sat at 7:30pm, once our whole party arrived. My friend's Texan and after trying a lot of BBQ, this is the closest she's found to the real thing down there. Of course I trusted her word but it was definitely verified by our meal there. The cost: We went family style and got several iced-teas and sodas, two bins of biscuits, mac & cheese, a rack and a half of pork ribs, a quarter pound each of brisket & pulled pork, and a half chicken. It was such a crazy amount of food, more than enough for 7 people, and the cost (before tip) after splitting it seven ways was only $26! Must-haves: Biscuits, spare ribs, pulled pork! * Biscuits - 5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… single biscuit (huge!): yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Not only was this heavenly soft with a nice thick outer crust, but that whipped honey butter was AH-MAZING! That sweet and savory combo - as much as I was stuffed, I still ate two whole biscuits (and they're huge!). * Fried okra - 4.5 stars pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Great breading, thick but not overly crunchy, just the right crisp & flavor to the veggie and the fried shell! * Pulled pork - 4 stars Very moist, tender, great flavor! * Brisket - 3.5 stars Maybe it was the cut I got, but this contained mostly fat and cartilage and not too much a flavor. * Pork ribs - 4.5 stars My favorite meat of the night. This had an incredibly strong smokey flavor & was charred just right. * Short ribs - 3.5 stars Nice, plenty of flavor, a decent amount of fat, meat could be a little more moist if I'm being picky. * Pork Belly - 3.5 stars Great flavor, tender meat, but (inevitably) the layer of fat was a little too much. The skin could've been crisped a little more, and the meat could be more tender if I'm being picky. * Half chicken - 3 stars The skin was crisped thinly and great. I had a leg, which was crazy moist and tasty. But then I tried a piece of breast and it half almost no flavor and was incredibly dry. If you're going to do chicken well, you'd better get both the light and dark meat right! * Mac & Cheese - 3.5 stars If you got a bite with the crumbles, I liked the texture. But with such a big tub and not as much surface area with crumbles, you end up mostly with the mac & cheese that was a bit too creamy/heavy and macaroni that's kind of small and hard. Meats 1: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Meats 2: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee… Meats 3: yelp.com/biz_photos/swee…
(4)Robert S.
Saturday, April 25. Average city dining experience. Average including the food. Granted, the meat was perfectly smoked, but lacked flavor. Sauces were lackluster. Don't bother with the sides, they only inflate the bill and add nothing to the overall experience. Beans undercooked. Potato salad utterly flavorless. Also, sweet tea was Splenda and water. Like I said, average. When considering the price, not a good value dining experience.
(2)Mook W.
Both the food and the drink selection here are well above average. The service is prompt and polite. The food comes out FAST. so why only 3 stars? The prices for the food are obscenely high. Wow. So I get to pay $24 for a small pulled pork sandwich and 2 ice cream scoops of sides? Plus some onions and pickles? That's not what true BBQ is all about. This is a solid BBQ place without the soul. If you have some money to spend and don't mind not getting good value for what is solid food, come on in. Otherwise, head to Blue Ribbon in W. Newton or Arlington for far superior food at far more reasonable prices.
(3)Santi C.
Overrated Southern food. The wait is too long and disorganized. There are on par alternatives for BBQ food in Boston and if not I will just fly to the South anyway.
(2)Paige C.
Biscuit in a meal You are way too full to eat Just keep on going. LIES. All lies. So it'l like $20+ bucks for one person (just for food), but despite what the menu says, you can split with another person and be fully satisfied. But, then it's more complicated than that... Lunch or dinner or brunch. Sandwich versus platter. Drink or no drink? Biscuit or no biscuit--NOT A QUESTION. Every time I come here, I feel a little confused and cheated by their menu. BUT the food is always delicious. I just know you can get it for half the price in other states. The brisket is killer. The pulled pork is solid. The fried chicken looks amazing. The mac-n-cheese is a little slimy for my liking. The beans are awesome. The sweet tea is bottomless (hello sugar crash). The biscuits are a meal in and of themselves. THEY TAKE RESERVATIONS! Bostonians rejoice!
(4)Richard R.
Went there for lunch today and are well familiar with what good Texas dry rub BBQ should be . The brisket which should be a signature dish was literally half fat , dripping wet , and very salty . Not very smoky and no evidence of a dry rub . The ribs may as well been a very salty Virginia smoked ham on a bone . Not bad in and of itself but not BBQ ribs . Yes I know it's supposed to be dry rubbed , but again , lots of salt and no detectable rub . Good atmosphere, good service , good beer . Bottom line ...... An expensive disappointment
(1)Clare D.
First off, the food is incredible. Everything my friends and I had was fantastic. I had the pulled pork tray with a scoop of mac n cheese and a scoop of black eyed peas served with two slices of white bread, pickles and onions. We got a bucket of biscuits to share and I could live off those for days, the honey butter that came with them was a perfect companion. We all tried various cocktails in mason jars and were equally pleased-I particularly liked the apple moonshine beverage. The drink I ordered was a take on a Manhattan but quite a bit sweeter than the standard, too sweet for my taste. Our server was very helpful and charming. She answered every question we had, gave great advice and when one of us needed to order food to go for a friend who couldn't have garlic she brought us a menu with all the non-garlic items circled by one of the chefs. She was super. The only thing that kept them from 5 stars is the atmosphere. It was very, very loud. The tables are lovely refinished wood but they are rather wide (which is helpful with all the food you get) but makes it even harder to hear your table-mates. There are at least 7 TV's throughout the space which is about 5 too many in my opinion. Between the noise from the other customers and the TV's playing a variety of different shows and then the music (which was a great selection of everything from hip-hop to classic blues but all played a bit too loud) it gets very distracting and hard to focus on the people you're with. Two of the TV's were playing a reality show about plastic surgery which was really graphic and not exactly what I wanted to watch while eating a lot of tasty meat. They do have great options for take out so I think that's what I'll be doing in the future. It'd be a shame to not eat in and enjoy their great bottled beer selection and good cocktails but unless I'm there alone and not wanting to talk with anyone I don't know how often I'll go back to dine in.
(4)Joe L.
The only reason I'm not giving this place a one star rating is because the food. The food is really good, there is a lot of it, and it almost makes this place worth coming back to. Now let me break down what happened: 1- My girlfriend and I walk in around 7:30 on a Friday night and are told the wait would be 30-45 minutes- which is about we expected. We decide to get drinks at the bar, which must have been designed by a blind person. This is because there is a massive table positioned directly beside the bar, which basically pins in anyone trying to get a drink into a ridiculously crowded space. 2- The '30 to 45 minute wait' we were told was actually 1 hour and 30 minutes. I'm convinced I would still be standing there if we didn't agree to sit on the high top chairs by the window. The host must have been having a bad night or something because she was pretty rude to both of us and a total pain in the ass. 3- I had to get our own silverware after the appetizer got there. The waitress never brought any out and pulled a disappearing act until she decided to bring the entrees out a full 30 minutes after the app. 4- I had to get more silverware after the entree came. The waitress cleared everything after the appetizer was finished and never came back except to bring us the check. 5- The bartender gave back me the wrong debit card by accident. I didn't realize this until after I left the restaurant. When I came back he was actually a pretty nice dude, but didn't bother to comp me a drink or a meal after I described what happened above. I would have talked to a manager but at this point I had made up my mind that I was probably never coming back. Two thumbs down because of the awful, horrific service. It's a shame because I'm never coming back and never recommending this place to anyone.
(2)Natalie O.
Amazing BBQ.! Love the atmosphere and the relaxed vibe. The meat is smoked til it literally falls apart with a fork. The biscuits and sides are great too. I highly recommend the Mac and cheese. Awesome restaurant!
(5)Gerard M.
The pulled pork was good but we spent way too much for two sandwiches, mac and cheese,biscuits,a coke, and a beer. Anyway, It is nice to have a decent bbq place in the area.
(3)Katie P.
Have been dying to try Sweet Cheeks out for sometime after hearing many friends rave about it. I recently did a road trip down to Tennessee and we made a special stop in Nashville for BBQ. I'm definitely not a BBQ connoisseur by any means, but compared to authentic southern BBQ... Sweet cheeks is not too far behind. I went for lunch and got the pulled pork sandwich on toasted/buttered Texas toast. It comes with your choice of one hot OR cold side. I opted for the farmers salad as recommended by the cute bartender. They have lots of sauces available: BBQ, green chile hot sauce and something type of a Tabasco sauce. For $10 this was a really good deal. I could only eat half... It was huuuugggeee. And I was hungry too. I definitely recommend coming in for lunch unless you want the famous biscuits since they only start serving them at 5 or 5:30. it's cheaper ($10-12 for lunch, $20 something for dinner) and the only difference is you get 2 sides. Definitely planning on going back again soon!
(4)S A.
Biscuits are to die for. Mix the pepper vinegar (red or green) with the BBQ sauce for spicy deliciousness. Mac and cheese was fantastic. Not the best barbecue ever (being from Texas, you have a lot of competition) but definitely worth visiting
(4)Sarah R.
SO good. I'll keep this short and sweet. Slightly disappointed they took my favorite drink off their menu.. it was something with moonshine and apple and it was yum. Biscuits- HUGE! Can easily split one between two people. So damn good with that butter, I swear they put crack in it. Fried Green Tomatoes- Nice and crispy, though the tomato itself wasnt quite ripe enough. The sauce was sooo much spicier than last time I had it, not a huge fan, bring back the slightly spicy ranch please. Broccoli Casserole- Too much casserole, not enough broccoli. It was too bad because I loved it last time. The flavors were good, but needed more brocc. Farm Salad- Fresh greens, arugula, nuts, parmesan, shaved asparagus in a light dressing, wow this was amazing. I could eat this all day. Pulled Pork- Loved that there were crisp pieces and it wasnt too "pulled". The vinegar sauce was to-die-for, legit wanted to stuff it in my bag. Pork Ribs- Literally fell off the bone so I ate them with my fingers. Such good flavor I didnt even need sauce with it. Tray came with four, and I devoured them. Could prob eat those all day. Do NOT understand the bad reviews, because this is damn good. Im no BBQ expert but it tastes good so Ill eat it. And yes, it is a little pricey, but its so much food you will be certain to have leftovers.
(5)Rachel S.
I am from the south and know good barbecue this stuff is awful and over price. Stay clear the biscuits is the only thing they got going. The staff was clueless about the food
(1)Billy Su B.
first and foremost, the bar was like a chip n' dales show. yes, large hot male specimen with arm size of tree-trunk, i would love another whiskey. the food: that beef brisket was just as hot as the barman. they're doing it right at sweet cheeks. that thing was smoky, rich, tender- just wonderful. i HIGHLY recommend the brisket *** cheesy broccoli casserole in a cup? i will fight you. my husband risked his life, even the next day, trying to steal a bite of it from the microwave. keep back, all ye who don't want your eyes poked out. the hushpuppies? yummerson. sweet meets savory. the pulled pork? delicious! the collards? YES!!! there's meat in them collards! so salty and flavorful! the farm fresh salad? even i, a scoffer of salads, ate it happily and with enthusiasm. baby brussels, light dressing, raisins and a grape or two- so pretty! a VEGETARIAN would have a very good time here, despite being surrounded by dead piggies, because the vegetable options, the biscuits, the hushpuppies, the casseroles, the macaroni- just so many exciting options! 2 cons: the bbq sauce was so so in my opinion (the spicy was MUCH better than the mild) and the waiter sort of... dumped all my food into one box. it was grotesque as i ate it the next day... i was like a piggy at her food trough. i'm talking salad, beef, pork, casserole, bread- all that crap was just slopped one on top of the other into one small box! final jovial note- the owner came over and asked how everything was, a mark of real southern type hospitality is always an A+ move in my book :) AND DOLLY PARTON'S PICTURES ARE IN THE BATHROOM!!!
(5)FearlessLdr I.
I finally got a chance to taste barbecue Boston style. When Boston 'cue is compared to barbecue in Texas, Kansas City, Memphis or even Phoenix, I don't understand what all the hub-bub is about. I came into Boston early because I'm not as mobile as I used to be. As that I was in town so early, I decided to check out one of the Boston barbecue joints that some are raving about. I chose Sweet Cheeks because I knew where they were located, just up the street from what used to be the studios of WBCN -- and the fact there was a parking space open right at their front door! (LOL!!) I ordered a two meat plate (brisket and babyback ribs), bbq beans, mac n cheese, a biscuit w honey butter and sweet tea. For dessert, a version of peach cobbler made with a HUGE biscuit. The babybacks had a nice bark, no discernible smoke ring and were pretty dry. Only by adding one of the sauces offered were these ribs decent. The brisket had nice bark, a discernible smoke ring but were gray in color. The brisket was also pretty dry. The sauces offered were sweet, spicy and what appears to be a Carolina mustard/vinegar sauce. The spicy has a nice bite and is hot enough for just about everyone. To be honest, I'm not a fan of their sweet sauce. Not that Sweet Cheeks' sweet sauce is "bad" or "wrong," it's just a personal preference. As for the sides, the bbq beans had plenty of meat and a nice, tangy sauce. However, the kidney beans were significantly harder than al dente (underdone?). The mac n cheese was excellent. It had a lot of cheese with pasta and some crackers crumbled in it. The house-made biscuit was warm and had a pleasant cheesy flavor with a side of honey butter you can either apply sparingly or slather it on. The dessert was a pleasant take on a peach cobbler made with an oversized biscuit. Not too sweet, it was too large for one person to finish. The sweet tea came in a Mason Jar and never got below half full. Service was excellent. Thank you, Cruz... Maybe the pitmaster was having a bad day. Maybe their purveyor provided substandard meat. All I can say is the sides (excepting the beans) were great. But, the barbecue here is, to be kind, pedestrian. My take? For this meal, eating barbecue in Boston was like eating seafood in Arizona...
(2)Ronnie D.
Went with 10 friends for a birthday dinner last night and it was perfect. We went for the "big rig" which looks expensive, but when you see the amount of food that you get it is well worth it for a party of 10. You pretty much get one of everything on the menu and all of the sides, both hot and cold, and all of the appetizers were great. We were already getting full when the massive tray of meat came out, which again was on point. Very solid BBQ, service was great, and atmosphere was very cool. Will be back soon.
(5)Ross S.
Went Monday night for all the Ramen noodle hype. BELIEVE THE HYPE. How it works- they prepare only 100 bowls for the evening. First 100 people get in at 9am until close. Be there early or you might be out of luck. You choose your level if spiciness. They also serve alcohol, 4-5 apps and dessert. The ramen special on (4/14/14) was Lobster miso ramen. It was $20 and worth every penny. Deep, rich broth that had simmered for 8 hours. Lobster, tiger shrimp, oyster mushrooms, scallions, chili paste, and a 4 minute runny egg. Heaven in a bowl. I ate every last bit. It was filling but absolutely worth it. See my pictures of the ramen itself and the special after 9pm Ramen Monday menu for that day.
(5)Aldo J.
After reading the reviews, I was pleasantly surprised with my overall great experience at sweet cheeks. Service was solid. They were pretty busy, but they easily helped us find a table in a timely manner. Got a drink at the bar, and while the drink was pretty good, it was not mixed for nearly long enough. It was given to me after being stirred for maybe 5 seconds. Also I noticed they charge $22 for a 22oz bottle of Cisco Grey Lady. That's absurd. They charge around $5-$6 dollars for 12oz bottles of other similar beers. Then they charge an EXTRA $16 for 10 more ounces?? This is not OK. The food was fantastic. Most reviews mention the portions were small. They must have fixed this because I eat a lot, and I thought the portions were more than adequate. I walked out of there stuffed after eating one of their treys. Had some of the best pulled pork I have ever had. The brisket was GREAT. But, it was a little bit too fatty (I know brisket is supposed to have a layer of fat). I got three pieces of brisket, 2 were OK. But the third was an actual strip of fat with no meat on it. They really shouldn't serve that. Flavor was AMAZING. Sides were great as well. A little pricey, but its great BBQ in the Fenway area. To be expected and certainly not outrageous. Also, they're still new so they will only get better! I highly recommend this place! Great job!
(4)Kenneth G.
The best food I had in a long time that I didn't cook myself.The ribs and the pulled pork were outstanding. The service was great
(5)Anya C.
Sweet cheeks is where we go when some stressed out students (us) want to feast. We usually get the pork belly, brisket, and mac and cheese. I also like the farm salad and carrot and raisin salad with blue cheese. The biscuits with honey butter are my favorite (I often find my self contemplating if i want to swing by just to pick up some biscuits and honey butter to go). I am no expert on southern food, but nonetheless this place is delicious.
(4)Kasun N.
Sweet Cheeks is freaking awesome. The BBQ is delicious and deceptively filling, so don't be surprised if you end up going home with a couple of boxes. Wait time can be a bit too long but that's my only real gripe. Recommend their Brisket, Fried Chicken, Biscuits. Also come here for the Monday Night Ramen during the winter!! It's a contemporary take on Ramen that is to die for. It's limited to 100 bowls per Monday but is well worth the wait time to snag a bowl.
(5)Greg K.
Ok, aside from the fun Tiffany sightings, this quickly falls to my been there, done that list. Meal started with burnt golf ball tasting hush puppies and went downhill from there. The sides were too "foodie" (my coleslaw shouldn't be in square chunks) and the beans were "al dente" according to the rest of the table. The mac & cheese was Kraftastic and the meat trays marginally made up for the rest. They do have some inventive cocktails, and the bucket of biscuits is worth it. We had to wait an hour at the bar, and it was comfortable enough on a crowded Friday evening even without seats available. All in all, I'm glad I went, but would go to Red Bones, Soul Fire, or take out from Blue Ribbon first. I would say this was on par with the Village Smokehouse in Brookline, and that's not saying much at all...
(2)Felisa F.
I rolled into Sweet Cheeks after having an epic apocalyptic food weekend in Boston. I sat at the bar where I immediately felt put off by the bartender. He had a bit of an attitude while he took my order. A second guy behind the bar though was very nice and provided excellent service. I ordered the Big Cheeks Tray [$24] with sausage and brisket and had the potato salad and collard greens as my sides. The sausage was pleasantly spicy and smokey. They were big, thick, and juicy [that's what she said] and were amazing with the hot mustard. The brisket was fatty in all the right places and you could really taste the char from the barbecue [or at least I thought so]. It was tender and exceptionally filling. I've never had collard greens before so I wanted to give them a try. They were in a vinegar which made them in a little too acidic. However, the pieces of pork belly more than made up for this fact. The potato salad was standard but solid. No real complaints there. I was so full by the end, I was just going to leave it and pay. The nice bartender however convinced me to pack up my meal and eat it on the train ride back to NYC. We chatted some and he definitely made my experience a memorable one. He even included bread and an extra container of barbecue sauce. I was won over. The food was good too. $35 for a great meal and exceptional service.
(4)Joseph S.
Tiffani's pork belly = food of the gods. I work in the area and just learned they are also doing lunch...i'm in so much trouble. Oh, and the butterscotch pudding just added to the menu - De.lic.ious. There will be many returns for this guy.
(5)Aman S.
Amazing BBQ and Southern Food in the heart of Boston. The buttermilk biscuit is a must, and you only need one. I had the three meat plate with pulled chicken, pulled lamb shoulder and brisket (lean). All was super delicious. I also had the mac n cheese (wow) and the collard greens as my sides - both great. For dessert, not that I needed it, I had their version of the nutter butter - this was to gigantic sized peanut butter cookies with peanut butter cream in between - it was a little dry, and i would have preferred the cookies more moist, but none the less, amazing. I sat at the bar and ate with the bar tender, who made amazing drinks - true mixologist. I will return here again.
(5)Colleen L.
This restaurant was nothing short of awesome! Food, service, atmosphere...everything was great! Came here on a Friday night for dinner around 6:15. Hostess said the wait was around 30-40 mins and that was ok with us because the place smelled fantastic! Beer selection was good. Should have tried the speciality drinks in the mason jars (will next time!) Sat within 40 mins. We all split the biscuits and the fried green tomatoes between the four of us. Everything was delicious! The biscuits were heaven. Had to have only half bc I needed to save room for dinner. We all got the trays, with the ladies getting one meat choice and the men two choices. Everything was amazing! Best Mac and cheese ever! The ribs were fall of the bone and the brisket was melt in your mouth. My fiancé and I had never been but my sister and her fiancé had earlier when Sweet cheeks just opened. They remarked that they didn't think this place could have gotten better but it had! We will definitely go back and bring others!
(5)Bobby M.
Best bbq in Boston for sure, definitely unexpected to find bbq this good in New England. Meats are fairly expensive but you get what you pay for. Sides rotate and all are all very tasty. Beer selection is strong as well. Be sure to get the biscuit appetizer.
(4)Roy C.
Went last night and sat at the bar. Fun decor and good beer list. Unfortunatly the bartender was over his head. young and inexperienced. Cared more about his "buddies" than his guests! Food;average at best. May have been better if things were served at proper temps. Fried Green tomatoes-good;but a little bland Pork Belly-Served COLD pulled pork-DRY ribs-Cool and bland pulled Chicked-by far the best entree-I thought BBQ specilized in pork\beef Sides- Cole slaw-bland;but better when I added a little of their Carolina Vinegar broccoli caserole-Very good baked beans-Ok but no wow Overall this place has potential but they really need to re-evaluate their quality control!!
(2)Beth H.
Pros: --great location and decent prices --cocktails are amazing and come in mason jars! I'd recommend the Dollywood --the watermelon salad has so many flavors going on. It is mind-blowing! The spicy peanuts?? Genius. --the pulled pork is good but the great northern brisket is fantastic. --try the carrot and raisin salad! --the coleslaw isn't shredded like usual -- I enjoyed theirs more than 'regular' type. --I would happily eat their fried okra instead of french fries as a side to every meal for the rest of my life. Cons: --they don't have cornbread and this makes me very, very sad. Bottom line: If you're in the mood for excellent bbq sauce, tasty drinks, and some really awesome sides....this is the place.
(4)C. C.
This place has grown on me & I'm glad to see that it always has a steady pace of happy diners. The portions of the sides have improved since my initial review. The last couple times I throughly enjoyed the briskets & biscuits - yum! Now time to hit the gym...
(4)Kenny C.
Sweet Cheeks would be a great place to dine outdoors in the summer. Their service is fast, and the food is good. We ordered a chopped brisket sandwich on Texas Toast and the toast was super crunch and buttery (which is great if you like that sorta thing). We also got pork belly and regular briskets and they both melt right in your mouth. Although the brisket melts a bit smoother and is much more tender than the pork belly. Actually I'd just get the brisket. Brisket good. There were enough to take home and it still tasted delicious after 3 days. They also make their sauces in house, they're super tasty and I'd buy a bottle to take home if I was barbecuing. 'Dis is gud. We be back. Minus a star because it's a little expensive for what you get.
(4)Erica T.
I was really excited to try this place because I love BBQ and I love Top Chef. Our experience here overall was horrible but I mostly blame the hostess for this. I came here on a Friday after work with two of my friends and we were not sat for almost 2 hours even though the hostess originally estimated that we would be able to sit within 45 minutes and kept reassuring us that we were next on the list. We basically had to stand at the hostess stand for the last 20-25 minutes and forced them into sitting us. On the other hand our waiter was very nice and accommodating when we had some special requests. The positive side of waiting so long was that we were able to take advantage of the small outside bar area that they have. The bartender was fantastic. The two girls I was with could not decide on a drink and he ended up making them two drinks on the spot for them to try and they were both delicious. Overall the menu is pricey for BBQ style food and it defiantly isn't a cheap night out. I didn't fall in love with the food and I probably would not come back here. I would choose soul fire in allston any day over sweet cheeks for good BBQ.
(2)Sarah D.
Yes, the biscuits are amazing. I want to eat another one right now, which is dangerous because I live pretty close to Fenway. So good. 5 enthusiastic stars for the biscuits. And as a few people have pointed out, you can order any number of biscuits you want - you don't have to order a whole basket! There was nothing else to get excited about here. The mac and cheese was awful (I should have listened to the other reviewers who commented on it!) and the potato salad was mediocre. There is no excuse for mac and cheese this bad. Sweet Cheeks - is anyone listening? People want to be able to come to your restaurant and eat decent mac and cheese! It's not that hard. Literally everyone I know (Whole Foods, my college roommate, my mom) makes better mac and cheese than you. You can fix this! We tried the pulled pork, brisket, and the pork belly. The pulled pork was good but salty. I wasn't a fan of the pork belly, and although I liked the brisket, be warned that it is very fatty. Anyway, we will be back for the biscuits. I think that's going to be a thing now. Just going out for biscuits. If you want to try this place but are leery of the mixed reviews, come with friends, order a lb of the pulled pork and a bucket of biscuits, and make your own little biscuit sandwiches. Easy.
(3)Steven L.
Mediocre food that's not worth the price. Didn't like our waiter either. He kept trying to take my food while I was still eating it. Didn't hate it, but wouldn't go back or recommend it.
(2)Justin G.
Flat out amazing. For real - the brisket, pulled pork, biscuits, collards, slaw, potato salad and beans were all outstanding.
(5)Melanie M.
Let me begin by saying that consuming the food here was a life-altering experience. I went with three friends on a Saturday night and put my name in at 7:45. I was getting annoyed when we went for a drink and came back and still were not even the next party by 9:15. However, when I made this point to the hostess, she made arrangements for us to eat at an extra seating space so we wouldn't miss our 10:40 movie. The waiter, who had to take us on as an extra "table," was super nice and so excited that I found myself shaking his hand when he agreed with the hostess that he would take care of us. The people who work here really are fabulous, as some of the reviews mention. Even though I'm not a Top Chef person (although my friends were), I was slightly disappointed I didn't get to thank the chef myself for the experience. I didn't pay that much attention to the drink list, because at that point I was so hungry I didn't want to waste room for the food, but I would say it was adequate, with some creative cocktails in addition to beer and wine. The food truly made me glad to be alive and thankful that humans have taste buds. They were out of biscuits (I forgive them, it's a brand new place and it was already 9:30--give them a chance to work out those kinds of kinks), so we had fried okra and hush puppies. As for the fried okra, it was served whole, which, as my friend who grew up in Texas (but was born in Newton) pointed out, improved the breading to okra ratio tremendously over the usual cut up okra presentation. The okra itself was smooth and silky and seemed fresh. I want to begin talking about the hush puppies by saying that I don't normally like hush puppies, but these were unlike anything I've ever had before and broke the mold. They were amazing, with hints of what we detected to be cumin and accompanied by what seemed to be a sweet (but not too sweet) cream sauce, which we broke down and began using on both the okra and the hush puppies because it was so good. For the main meal, I had pork belly, even though I normally hate gristle. It was about 80% solid meat and the fat was cooked such that there was no stringiness to it at all. It was almost like eating duck in the sense of how well the fat blended in with the meat. The macaroni and cheese made me feel like I had never had macaroni and cheese before in my life. It was so flavorful and the bread crumbs were so buttery, without any of the greasy feel of butter or cheese, that I would say nothing I've ever had compares---this made Red Bones M&C seem like Lean Cuisine. The farm salad was truly amazing, and as I said to the waiter afterward, "[w]hen is salad EVER amazing?" It was made of fresh brussels sprouts in lieu of lettuce, and had a smoky essence, some mouth-watering cheese (I think parmesan), and delectable nuts. My friends had brisket and the ribs. The ribs were not dry at all and had very nice meat with no visible gristle, although I like the pork belly better, and the brisket went very well with the BBQ sauce on the table. The only negative with the brisket was that it did have a bit of fat, but probably that added to the flavor, which was noteworthy. The broccoli and cheese was good and had a little spice kick to it, but I would say the macaroni and cheese was better and cheesier. All in all, I loved the staff, I liked the atmosphere, and I can honestly say that I was in disbelief of how good the food tasted. A must try, even for those who don't live in the city!
(5)Owen R.
Great pulled chicken sandwich. Very average Mac n cheese, needs improvement. Tasty ribs! Staff was friendly, horrible ambience; too loud, very open concept. Closer to 3.5 than 3 stars, but yelp hasn't gotten there yet.....
(3)Jean C.
We really liked it here... The food was delicious, the beer/whiskey menu was great, friendly service, and cool decor. The only problem is that the prices are very high for BBQ! The portions are large, though, so we at least have lunch for tomorrow.
(4)Mike T.
Best BBQ food in Boston. The biscuits are delicious and the portion of meat is huge. Made the mistake and ordered two separate plates on a date. You could honestly get a combo and share it. Parking is a pain since it is in Fenway. They also run out of biscuits really quick so try to go early.
(4)Bob L.
Terrific food awaits you at this fun eatery. One suggestion though. If you're like me and not a Texan, go without the Wonder Bread and ask for their sumptuous biscuits instead. They are award winning. So I had to inquire about what was the dillio with the Wonder Bread so I asked managing partner Brian Lesser who I had come to know from when he opened Saint and then Mini Bar. He said in the true spirit of Texas Barbeque, they serve the two slices of Wonder Bread because the Texas peeps like to make a sandwich by adding a little bit of their main course and their sides. I would have no part of this as this Yankee snob eats whole wheat bread and not that terrible white bread ;-) I had their half a chicken with farm fresh salad and mac and cheese. While I was counting the calories from the Mac and Cheese, which was off the charts delicious, I was salivating from the wonderful tastes of everything. Sweet Cheeks also has a boat load of beers from all ovah (had to toss in my Boston accent here) the US and the globe. I enjoyed a Kentucky Bourbon beer that was stored in Bourbon barrels to lend the flavor of the prior housed elixir. It was delish. So, if you're contemplating if you should dine here at Sweet Cheeks, contemplate no more as this eatery is a definite must! Enjoy...
(5)Kexi L.
The biscuits are so GREAT! I love the honey butter served with it. Definitely will come back.
(4)G K.
amazing pulled pork...and I think this is the best brisket i've ever had. great ribs. You must order the corn bread.
(5)Corey L.
For a big family dinner, we ordered sweet cheeks to cater, so I was able to taste a lot of their stuff: pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, biscuits, beans, some sort of salad, and all their sauces. Basically, it was really good. The meat was all quality, really well-prepared meat. On it's own, it wasn't super flavorful. But with their sauce (which is SO good), it becomes quite a tasty meal. Pulled chicken and pulled pork: both high quality meat. Neither was super flavorful on it's own, but when sauce was added - really good. Took on the flavor of the sauce well. And I like being able to add as much as I want (always less than any restaurant adds). Brisket: super fatty, but cooked in this way so that the fat sort of melts in your mouth. I normally don't like the consistency of fat, but this was good. I still picked it off b/c that's who I am, but whenever I ate it, it added to the flavor. Mac/cheese: solid, not super cheesy or creamy. Biscuits: each one weighs about 5 pounds and I'm guessing that's mostly butter. These super good - nice and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. And the honey butter was incredible with them. As was the bbq sauce. Basically anything would be good with them. Beans: solid. Salad: pretty good, came with a bunch of ingredients that were all added at an appropriate proportion.
(4)Robert S.
Very loud restaurant, couldn't hear my homies speak. My group and I ordered the fat cheeks tray, big cheeks tray, and the fried chicken trays. Pretty good shit--- literally... Had to take a mean dump after eating from these huge trays. The fried chicken was a bit dry but was pretty good. I had the brisket, bacon strips, and ribs. They were all tasty except the brisket is ridiculously fatty. I thought I was chewing on some dude's lipo fat lol. Definitely get the farm salad if you get the chance. It was a good highlight of the tray and fought off some cholesterol from this meal.
(3)Annie S.
The biscuits and honey butter!!!!!! You honestly could eat just these and walk away beaming. But... If you're here you might as well get some more deliciousness. Live a little ya know. I had the pulled pork and the brisket. Both were great but I particularly recommend the brisket. So tender and perfectly cooked. I got it with cole slaw on it, but the meat itself is so good that the slaw is actually unnecessary. Wasn't a fan of the fried okra, but the cheesy grits was stellar.
(5)Hyun Y.
I've had better BBQ. Most of their sides were good (broccoli and cheese casserole, farm salad, baked beens, potato salad, etc)...but the collards greens weren't that good. Oh, and salt and pepper potatoes were delicious. I had the pork ribs lunch tray, and the meat was a bit too salty for me. The sauces they have were pretty good. I tried my friend's order of pork belly meat, and that was better than the ribs. Overall, an ok bbq place.
(3)Colette M.
Delicious! I love barbeque and Sweet Cheeks was a good enough for me while in Boston. Nothing will ever compare to the Texas BBQ that I am use to, but the brisket here was awesome. The biscuits with that butter was amazing too. I would recommend Sweet Cheeks to people who are craving some BBQ and haven't been to the South in a while.
(4)mike y.
i've had better bbq. i miss uncle pete's in revere !!! liked the setup though. our table ate : pokbelly ...can't go wrong brisket .. was ok chicken ..was good if you like butter ...you'll like some of the sides !! slaw was ..eh would i go again ? nah..
(2)Mike B.
big fan of the fried app's. ok i just like fried food but doing it well isn't that easy for most. Our group especially liked the okra, potatoes & hush puppies (with a killer maple sour cream sauce). cool beer in cans and solid bourbon drinks that you naturally want with all that delicious fat & smoke in traditional bbq. Cool vibe with old oil company signs, rocking chairs, mason jars for glasses, good, young staff. if ribs were better i'd go to five stars. i'll try it again soon. these guys should crush it during Sox home game days. get there early!
(4)A B.
This update is to address Tiffani's wonderful message upon my recent review. Dearest Tiffani, I appreciate that you could take the time to write such a fantastic message in consideration to how busy you must be defending your cooking skills. However, if you could also address the other items (pork ribs, pulled pork and beans) that I had listed as to why they were not up to par, that would be great. Yelp is a place for everyday foodies who love good cooking and want to share their thoughts and views with other foodies. With this in mind, I believe that I have the right to keep myself in the "real review game." Clearly, your restaurant is not the one for me and I am appreciative of you for pointing out such an obvious fact. May your career prosper with your glowing personality and amazing customer relationship building skills. BEST, Apanduh
(1)Nathan R.
Once every 4-6 months or so, I get a really strong craving for BBQ. The only reason I wait that long is that there's really no decent BBQ in Boston. That includes Sweet Cheeks, which is the closest (of the few insufficient options) to me. So I go to sweet cheeks. Then I vow never to go again. Repeat. I've now been here about 6 times. --Meats-- Beef Brisket = 1/2 dry lean meet and 1/2 fat. Pork Belly = At most 1/5 meat. 4/5 fat and grease. Ultra salty. Made me want to vomit. Literally. I'm contemplating an anti-emetic. Fried Chicken = Consistently pretty good, actually. Pulled Pork = Dry --Sides-- Biscuits = Super delicious. Can't make it through more than one without feeling sick. They're HUGE and DELICIOUS and BUTTER. Mac and Cheese = Kinda bland, surprisingly. Coleslaw = OK Potato Salad = Pretty good. One thing they've improved is the quality of their BBQ sauce. Or maybe it's just my perception. I used to hate their sauces, but found it pretty good this time. If you do decide to go here, I strongly recommend only getting the fried chicken, whatever sides suit you (they'll be OK) and maybe a biscuit. If you're a reasonable person, you should probably just split a single biscuit with another person. Two stars because fried chicken and butter biscuits. The rest is still awful. Edit: After sitting on it a night, other stuff I do like there: I've usually had good and friendly service, if sparse when they're busy (who isn't?). I also remember the ribs being pretty good, although I prefer a more south carolina/texas style sweet-sauce heavy rib. I will probably go back to try the pulled chicken and to order the fried chicken / ribs for myself (I usually end up trying someone else's)--I really want to like this place.
(2)R F.
I'm giving it 5 stars! Yup. Everything from the upscale picnic tables and the county fair mugs to the wood smell to the gas station decorations to the Curly pig tail Q outside gives off a great casual, fun, yet nice and upscale vibe that is just nailed perfectly. The place is a splurge and a treat and whole lotta fatty delicious dishes that I won't be eating on a regular basis (even though I would LOVE to eat pork belly every day and their farm salad and mac and cheese). Anyway, the food is great (Ribs were just OK) - 3 different hot sauces/bbq sauces on the table, the meat is fall off the bones delicious, the sides are all great, and the pork belly... oh man, that stuff is amazing. I got the turkey legs which were really really good, but since the meat gets so shreddy, so does the bones? You have to be careful about not biting into sharp bones. Also, I got a farm salad, which was the best salad ever. Nuts, berries, arugula, easy on the dressing, charred brussel sprouts. mmmmmm. Mac and cheese. BBQ. Pork. Brisket. Fried Green Tomatoes. Drinks. I can't wait to come back here again and try new stuff. Highly recommended...
(5)Chris G.
Sweet cheeks is the perfect bbq joint for city people who don't know what real bbq should feel and taste like. The faux southern atmosphere is downright annoying. It's like a caricature of a southern bbq joint.. seriously, you don't have to put everything in a mason jar. You get the feeling they searched "southern" and "rustic" on pinterest to determine what decor and utensil sets to order. The food is nothing special. No smoke flavor to speak of in the meat and the sauces were mediocre and far too sweet. I will give them credit, the mac and cheese was outstanding despite the fact that it was served in the most infuriating container available. I will also admit that the service was good. Overall, Sweet cheeks has a few things going for it, but the food quality suffers because it seems like they care more about cultivating a cutesy atmosphere than actually cooking good bbq. High quality bbq sells itself--you don't need to dress it up in some misguided fancy northern interpretation of what a southern restaurant is like. Some of the best bbq joints in the nation serve their food in styrofoam cartons because it speaks for itself, which unfortunately is not the case for Sweet Cheeks.
(1)Celtics B.
OK, I am not a huge meat fan but if it's in front of me and looking yummy I'll eat it. The pulled pork and pork belly here are DELICIOUS! So juicy and succulent. And the biscuits... Don't even get me started. They are the size of a baby's head and just so amazing with the honey butter that comes on the side. Definitely get the broccoli cheese casserole, and the carrot salad. I can't get enough of this place. The only downfall (which is big for me) is that the biscuits are only complimentary of dining in, so they are not available for takeout which SUCKS! I'm always looking for a good place to get takeout, and eating sweet cheeks without their biscuits is just a huge tease!
(4)Kelly M.
Great BBQ and great beer...what more do you need?? The pulled pork is moist and flavorful, and with the cole slaw it is perfectly sweet and tangy. The sides...where to start... the farmer's salad is full of little goodies that defnitely make this more than just a boring salad. Highlight of my meal though was the mac and cheese. It's served in a blue speckled tin cup stuffed with creamy mac and cheese and topped with crumbled crackers or breadcrumbs (i wasn't really paying too much attention before digging in). Beware! It is filling, but every bite will be worth it. I would go back just for the mac and cheese alone!!
(4)S S.
I have definitely had better bbq. I was excited to try Sweet Cheeks, since I love Top Chef. However, I was severely disappointed by the toughness of the meat and the dryness of the pork belly. (How can pork belly be dry??) The sauce was good, but definitely underwhelming. The restaurant is also super loud, and the seating is inconvenient. The seating consists of long tables and you sit shoulder-to-shoulder with random strangers. The cool thing about the restaurant is the beers. I had a good Texan beer and my husband had one of the MA local beers. Definitely one of my least favorite bbq experiences.
(2)Jason L.
I'm an atheist, so it should go without saying that pork slowly smoked and smothered in sauce is as close to a religious experience as I ever get. Fortunately for me, I lived in the land of (pork) milk and honey for ten years - the American south. While there, I personally ate enough BBQ to embarrass a family of four, sometimes enough that I began to think porcine thoughts and have porcine dreams. Speaking of porcine dreams, Sweet Cheeks has a pretty good thing going. We made an early reservation for 6:00 on Saturday because we were trying to make it to a show, but showed up about twenty minutes late. They sat us after a very brief wait and we exchanged a foodlust glance that said "oh my god we're going to eat smoked pork." (We also had fried okra. Each piece was sliced in half and lightly battered, a technique that I guess reduces the amount of okra goo you have to contend with. I don't mind okra goo, so I'm ok with the traditional disks with the heavy breading, but I did very much enjoy this version, which was really a nice variation on the usual way of doing this dish). You have to respect smoked pork. Not just anyone can appreciate the carnal beauty of a crusty salty smoky hunk of rib, so before you go choose your company wisely. Imagine how bad it would be if the server set down a tray of pork belly, brisket with a thick vein of fat in it, fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, roughly chopped coleslaw, and creamy sharp mac and cheese, and you grabbed one of the ribs and shoved the thing in your face, fat and sauce dripping down your chin, only to look across the table to see your companion digging in with a knife and fork. No, I don't think so. So go with someone good, split a $25 tray of meat and sides and onions (yeah, I ate them raw) and homemade pickles, and when it comes out on a metal tray, just dig in with your hands. I mean, come on. Isn't the existence of BBQ proof that you only live once?
(4)H S.
For the last few weeks my roommate and I have been smelling something wonderful lingering in our apartment. Something like the smell of love and hugs on top of a fire... simultaneously, we were stalking the construction going on underneath our building, the soon-to-be Sweet Cheeks. When the boards came down and construction went away, we were thrilled to see the restaurant was just about ready to open. We received a lovely invite last night to try out Sweet Cheeks before the grand opening today and literally dropped all other plans to go. And after eating some delectable pulled pork, cozy mac n cheese, crunchy coleslaw, and tender brisket, I have to say I'm officially hooked. Our waiter Chris was friggin' fabulous and the drink menu is unbelievable. If for some odd reason I cannot come here for every meal (probably because I've already had too many ribs and lonestars and my body is rejecting them at that point), I will be the person pressed up against the glass looking in at others having ribs and lonestars. It's cool though because we're neighbors.
(5)Lilly P.
Had a fantastic experience here! The food was good, drinks were strong, and the staff was fun and attentive. Like everyone else has said, the biscuits are a must, and the sides are great! The cheesy grits were awesome, as was the mac'n cheese. Loved the ribs, the pulled chicken was Meh, stick to the ribs and pork belly. Overall a must the next time we are in town!
(5)Dona R.
Limited menu but first class atmosphere but overpriced and small portions. We left hungry!
(1)Andrew W.
Came here for lunch, had the lunch baby back ribs. It was $14 for 5 ribs and a salad which i think is pretty decent. The ribs were a little bit dry but the farm salad or garden salad were terrific. The letdown is the very very poor service, nobody welcomed me and i had to take my own table, i have to wait 5 minutes until someone offered me a drink and a menu. Nobody was checking up on us and when we wanted to ask for a check not even a single waiter was in the dining room, i think they were all huddled up behind the counter so I had to wait again and everything took so long. The restaurant itself was not very busy at the moment, less than 10 table were occupied.
(3)Andrew M.
Good Texas-style BBQ at a great price!!! If you're not a huge eater, the Fat Cheeks Tray will be enough for two. Pulled chicken was so juicy, tender and delicious. Pulled pork was good, but not huge on flavor. Brisket was unbelievably tender, but a bit fatty. Mention that you found them through Yelp and they'll treat you right; we got two free biscuits.
(4)Yuka Y.
3 Reasons why I wanted to give Sweet Cheeks Q a try: Highly rated reviews Drinks in Mason Jars Never tried Southern food Sweet Cheeks is definitely overrated by yelpers...either that or Southern food is just not for me. Had their pork belly. While it certainly had a good amount of fat to be deemed as pork belly, it wasn't as flavorful as I expected. Slightly on the sweet side, must've been glazed. When I envision Southern pork belly, I expected some kind of peppery/smoked hard core flavored belly but mehh...my preconceived notions was completely off. I blame Taiwanese pork belly to be too good hence my amped up expectation of SOUTHERN bellys. For the cold scoop, I had their potato salad. The potato salad was hands down the best thing out of the entire dinner. I'm a fan of potato-related foods so perhaps I am biased. Not too much mayo put in it, similar to Japanese potato salad. Avoid the collard greens. Really didn't like it and the color and texture of it made me feel like I was eating big pieces of tea leaves. Bland, nothing special. Annnnd this is coming from a gal who usually loves her vegetables. If you ever have the chance to sit outside, do so. Inside is too loud to carry much audible conversation. Lighting is decent and the summer weather adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The drinks menu is extensive. The somewhat annoying thing is they give creative/wacky names to their alcohol selection but you can't figure out what flavors they're going for without asking the waiter. Best to let your server know what preferences you have if you have trouble figuring out what to get. I will have to give major kudos to Jacob, our waiter. He is one of the most enthusiastic waiters I've ever met. When asked about what he'd recommend for drinks, he promptly gave recs along with a very detailed description with smiles. Jacob, you were the only reason why I even ordered the collard greens because you made it sound so good pff. Places need more imaginative/enthusiastic waiters like him!
(3)Jim S.
Great Fried chicken. I search for the best, and I give this a thumbs up. Good selection of beer. Can get pretty crouded, though
(5)Joseph V.
You must order the biscuit they are MONSTER size $10 for 4 ( so good ) with soft whipped honey butter. Order a sweet tea to drink . Make sure you stir it first. All of the meats are dry rubbed so you have to add the type of sauce that you desire. They had your typical barbecue sauce and a nice Carolina sauce got what the third one was. I ordered the bird ends which were nice and tender I was eating it and didn't realize that the sauce was on that's how good they were. Foursides I ordered mac & cheese which use nice sharp cheddar cheese topped with a crusty bread crumb topping nice and creamy and delicious the other side I ordered was the carrot salad with the golden raisins walnuts and blue cheese with a nice tang. So much food a had to take the rest home. The service was great. I will be back here for BBQ next time I'm in Boston.
(4)Fan L.
Best BBQ ribs I've had in town. Portions are SO big, I didn't have to eat until dinner next day. =)
(5)Brendan B.
Quite good. Quite a lot. I would advise most guests they need to order just a single biscuit -- they're huge and outstanding. The fried chicken was pretty good, as was the mac and cheese. Bill 819, an iced tea and whiskey drink, was sweet and easy. My girlfriend tells me her cheesy grits were a tad soupy. And The service was friendly if a bit slow.
(4)Beth G.
I checked this place out last Friday - we were fairly early so I was pretty surprised at how packed this joint was! Definitely not a spot for a quiet conversation or if you are uncomfortable with being butt-cheek to butt-cheek with strangers for the duration of your visit. There was a wait for a table, but I cannot tell you how long since we tried one of their specialty whiskey drinks that nearly knocked us on our arses (this is a good thing). It could have been ten minutes or four hours (but likely less than 20 minutes). All in all - worth it. The drinks, the great food (best mac and cheese I have EVER had in my life), and the friendly and knowledgeable staff. The only downside, they were out of pork belly after I had spent all day psyching myself up for it. Went with the brisket instead and was not disappointed.
(4)Mark A.
Just happened to be in the area right before a sox game let out. People had started to leave, so I was lucky enough to find parking on the main drag. Hadn't planned on going here, but saw it, heard of it before, and decided to give it a whirl. A couple years ago I was in Austin, TX, and had many BBQ options; stepping into this place was a throwback to that trip. Mason jars for your water & soda beverages, a nice touch. I was a little taken back by the prices at first glance. $20 for 1/2 chicken tray seemed a bit steep, but considering the location, they need to charge a premium. I ended up getting the pulled pork tray, with the broccoli casserole and cole slaw. My wife ordered the brisket sandwich without sides ($12), and we split the two I got with my meal, which was the right choice. Had I read the reviews here first, I probably would have ordered a biscuit, but I passed, as there was plenty of food a comin'! Portion sizes on both were good. As mentioned above, splitting the sides was best for us. Ambiance - They definitely go for the southern BBQ look and feel. We arrived just before the sox game let out, so it was mostly dead to start, and standing room only with people out the door when we left. Very basic amenities. Did get very crowded and loud. Quantity - Portion sizes were good, both of us left full. Quality - Southern style BBQ. It was good. We weren't looking for high class. Value - Price isn't bad, a little steeper than I was thinking heading into the restaurant (just looking for quick/cheap eats). Because we split the sides I received with my tray, everything evened out, if we both ordered trays, it would've been $25 each meal, plus drinks, which isn't bad, but I was thinking $15 a plate walking through the door. Service - Probably the biggest challenge. A waiter stopped by our table shortly after we were seated, but he didn't end up being our waiter. Our actual waiter stopped by and took our drink order, then disappeared for 5+ minutes. Placed our order, and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. The waiter checked on us a few minutes after the food was brought out, but never came back (and didn't get refills for the rest of the meal). We had to flag him down to get the check, and it took him 5-10 minutes to get it to us. It did get busy, so it's not entirely his fault, but this drop in service did impact the experience. Overall - I'd give this place 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4. If they shaved a couple dollars off the price, namely the biscuits ($10 for 4 biscuits) & sides, I would give it a solid 4. If in the area, I'd go there again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get there, as it's a crazy busy area.
(4)Foodie L.
Word to the wise: expensive barbecue is rarely good barbecue. See, also, Sweet Cheeks. This place is too fancy for its own good.
(2)Marc F.
Went here on Sat night with my wife for dinner. Overall, really love the atmosphere with the close tables and common seating. Very good beer and cocktail list. The fried green tomatoes were amazing and the biscuits are great. I really liked my ribs and my wife's pulled chicken was very tasty. The carrot raisin salad was also a good cold side. Two misses: the Mac and cheese is just so-so. Gluey and bland with ritz cracker topping. Expect better. I ordered burnt ends and to be honest I don't really know what I got. Kind of a shredded mass of briscuit with the occasional square of meat. No char, not even sure it was BBQ 'd. Big disappointment there. Overall, I recommend but left feeling kind of average. Will improve rating if I go back and get solid meal.
(3)Lisa M J.
2.5 -- I was really torn on what to rate Sweet Cheeks, but since I have more negatives than positives decided to round down. When I walked in I liked the look of the restaurant, but it looks like a place that can get pretty loud when it's full (it was more empty than full on my visit). Still good vibe ("3"). Glassware is kitschy southern mason-jar, which annoyed my dining companion (me, not so much). Service = "2" I think the restaurant needs to focus on it's training although the server for the table next to ours seemed a bit better. Our server asked me what I wanted in my "gin and tonic" (I head specified the brand of gin, she meant like "what else" ... umm, ice?) and it came with a lemon. She explained the concept of "dry" BBQ and pointed to the sauces on the table, but failed to identify the different sauces. We realized that we didn't know anything about the sauces once we had food and desperately needed to apply some (see below). Unfortunately, at that point our waitress was nowhere to be found in order for us to ask. Later, I saw another server explain the sauces to her table, so this may just be a training issue. They have a bunch of interesting gins and other alcohols from smaller distilleries so I found this impressive. Food = "2.5" Things did not get off to a promising start when when the server had to go check and see if "they were still out of ribs" ... they were. Given that ribs are a mainstay of BBQ places I would recommend not running out if you are a BBQ place!! We ended up trying the chicken (good), brisket (terribly dry and tough), tasted too much like smoke and too little like a delicious meat). Pork belly - was also terribly dried out (which is hard considering natural fatty-ness of the cut). As others have noted it was very fatty, but I do not consider this a negative as I expect this out of a pork belly. The sauces were fine, but unremarkable. All the sides we had were good, but it is hard to go wrong when you involve melted cheese. As others have noted you get 2 random pieces of white bread (un-buttered, plain, room-temp). Our pieces, like those at the tables around us went untouched. I would ditch the bread and just give some complementary biscuits/butter, cornbread, or Texas toast. As a Northerner who has spend a long time transplanted in the south I am very familiar with the concept of "wet" and "dry" preparations of BBQ and unlike of my Southern counterparts don't feel strongly about either preparation as long as the outcome is delicious. Unfortunately 2 of our 3 meat choices bordered on dessicated which should not be how any BBQ is served. When we walked in, it looked like the chef might have had the night off but later we saw Chef Faison greeting some tables, thus things can't be written off as a sous-chef night. Portions of side-items are normal/generous. Meat portions seemed small individually, but when you combine two together equal your average fine-dining restaurant portion. Whenever I eat BBQ (usually in Memphis and usually in a place bordering on a dive) it always costs more than I expect (because I think I mentally subtract dollars when I enter a dive). I also think that BBQ just costs more than people think. I think the prices at Sweet Cheeks would be reasonable if the food quality and service improve. It is a beautiful new restaurant in the Fenway area so I am willing to throw down a little change for the ambiance of a real restaurant. I would be open to going again, but probably only if joining friends. On my own I would probably pick ICOB or Citizen if I was in that neighborhood and needed some grub.
(2)Caitlin M.
Went to Sweet Cheeks tonight. I used to live in Memphis, so I'm used to awesome, cheap barbecue. This was good, fairly expensive barbecue. We had a reservation (definitely do that) but had to wait about 5-10 minutes for our table. There's not a lot of space to wait. We sat down and had our drink orders taken and looked at the menu. We started off with biscuits. They were huge and delicious. Two of us got the pork plate, one had ribs, and one had pulled chicken. The pork was really good. The ribs were too fatty. I think we all had the mac and cheese which I really liked. The potato salad also got good reviews. I tried the carrot and raisin salad and I didn't care for it, but don't take that as truth. As far as price goes, I thought $18 for a pork plate was a little steep. TL; DR: Good (not great) but expensive barbecue. Not on the top of my list for places to go back to, but if a friend wanted to go there I would.
(3)Omar X.
Sweet Cheeks is pretty good. It's not great, but it's not bad. A few of the problems are understandable given that this is their opening weekend. They ran out of menus, they sat 5 of us at a 6 person table then made us share the table with another party of two. I had the Brisket Tray with coleslaw and mac and cheese. I also had the short rib. PROS: The flavor was pretty good. The brisket and short rib was good. Was told the BBQ beans were very good. I really like the sauces. CONS: They are a Texan BBQ place, but there is very little beef on the menu, unlike in traditional Texan Trays don't fit on the tables when everyone gets a tray Cocktails very small Drinks served in jars are not really that interesting anymore The portions are very small for the price you pay (3 slices of brisket for $20?) The mac and cheese was really bad; more like mac and oil Coleslaw was just lazy Will anyone actually eat the two pieces of white bread? I was pretty disappointed considering how much this place was hyped. The meat was good, but not even the best in the Boston area - and they charge waay too much. I will probably try it again because it's so close to where I live, but not really special enough to make a trip to Fenway.
(2)Jake H.
Cool place to hangout and grab some drinks at, but if your looking to grub hard on some BBQ this is not the place. I came in for lunch and they did not let me get a full rack of ribs, just wouldn't let me, they had it they just said no. I could have came in got a half rack left and came back and got another but they would not let me order it in one sitting..... Does that even make sense?!?! Because it does not to me, I am in the industry and I couldn't even understand. I was willing to willing to pay, the product existed, but nope I was not allowed... Okay sweet cheeks
(3)Melissa N.
Wahhh, I want to love this place, I really do! Its so close to my work and some of my friends work there. The first time I went, it was great. The food was delicious. I went back two more times and BOTH times I got food poisoning :( The first time was Christmas eve, my friend and I went and both got the pulled pork sandwich. We both were throwing up the next day. The second time, I went back again....god the same thing (I know..but I really love pulled pork and thought it must have been a fluke). Me and the girl I went with both got sick that same day as well!
(2)Hannah P.
I have been to Sweet Cheeks many times and overall it is always good but it could be better. The fried green tomatoes are awesome--always juicy with a perfect crust on them. I recommend ordering the jalapeno ranch dip to eat with them. Also got the biscuits which deliver every time. For a savory/sweet combo, put the honey butter and jalapeno ranch on them---delish. Ordered the cheese dip as well which unfortunately was a huge disappointment. It was a super watery flavorless sauce that I'm sure is used for the mac and cheese normally. Would love to see an actual cheddar sauce with pickled jalapeños or something. Trays: this time I shared a big tray of sausage (okay, very dry this time but it has been better other times; beware it's miniature size), pork belly which has never ever been bad. It's got a charred crust and is smoked to perfection. Brisket has been hit or miss-sometimes very dry, pulled pork is good as well but needs those delicious sauces that are on the table. Fried chicken was ordered once--- wasn't a fan. I know a lot of people love it but it had a weird flavor to it--almost as if something was in the brining liquid and lacked seasoning. For sides--have loved the mac and cheese, farmers salad and potato salad. Ordered the ranch beans once and they were severely undercooked and there was no ranch notes. Drinks here are great and I love a place that lets their staff actually show their personality. All the staff here have been attentive, friendly and sometimes quite hilarious. In the summer, it is great to eat out on the deck and the staff brought us blankets once cooler temps set in.-- so sweet!
(4)Natasha S.
I'm really shocked that this place has such high ratings. We went for lunch, and no one at my table came close to finishing their food, not because the portions are generous (although they are), but because it was some of the worst BBQ any of us had ever had. The meat was tough (including the brisket, which is unforgivable) and dry. The sides were pretty terrible, with the exception of the collard greens which were great, and the black eyed peas, which were good. Stay away from the baked beans and the macaroni and cheese. The sauces they have at the table were all overly sweet, and completely lacked in any depth of flavor- which was too bad, because I was hoping to use them to give the actual food I was eating something to taste like. I had been really excited, because none of the BBQ places up north seem to serve macaroni and cheese, which, to me, is essential. The macaroni and cheese was clearly not baked, and was instead made with a flavorless cheese sauce and put into a cup, with crumbled, soggy Ritz crackers on top. I would have even preferred velveeta- at least that tastes like something. Lunches are served with two slices of plain white bread, which had already become crusted over with staleness by the time they got to the table. Maybe I'm spoiled from having lived below the Mason-Dixon line, but this was not BBQ. Nor was it gourmet. I left feeling really confused. I don't understand the concept of this place. If the concept is gourmet BBQ, they really, really failed. If the concept is great tasting BBQ, they also failed. If the concept is that people are easily tricked into thinking meat is delicious no matter how it's served, then they succeeded. I won't be going back. In terms of BBQ places up here, it seems to me that there's no reason to ever go anywhere but Blue Ribbon.
(2)Ryan B.
A solid 4 star experience food-wise. The brisket had a flavorful rub and was really moist so I didn't even try their three sauces. Unfortunately, the brisket was at least half fat, which is too much for me. The coleslaw is vinegar-based and tasty if a bit mild and cut too chunky. The biscuits are great. Though not the best, they have a butter flavor to them and they have that rolled-biscuit texture. The ribs also looked good, but I didn't try any because I was stuffed from my own brisket meal. The sweet tea was good, but it didn't have that bite of good strong tea, nor was it as sweet as I'm used to. The service was definitely 2 stars. The restaurant was half-full at 12:25pm, so we sat down immediately, but then it took way too long to place an order, then way too long to get the food, and then way way way too long for our waiter to wander back into the area so I could flag him down and pay an hour later. It seems to me that the majority of BBQ takes almost no time to "prepare" because it's already cooked, so if they just had the normal setup where you pay when you order and you get your food at the counter then I would have probably spent 10 minutes in line at the counter and still gotten out of the restaurant half an hour earlier than I did. I would definitely go here again, but only if I had time to spare.
(3)Kiki P.
Overated, overpriced, below average, BBQ joint. Sweet Cheeks is EXTREMELY OVERPRICED. The pork ribs, brisket, and sausage are pretty good. However all of the sides and appetizers are just plain bad. I don't say that about many places, but I am sorry...its the ugly truth. Now I have spent some time in the south, so I have had a taste of some real BBQ. I understand real BBQ cannot be found in the northeast so I am keeping that in mind as I write this review. And even still, I don't plan on making another trip back to Sweet Cheeks. What to order: - Bucket of Biscuits with Honey Butter are pretty delicious I would recommend trying these out at least once because they literally just melt in your mouth. I just don't like paying 10 bux for a few biscuits which probably costs pennies for the business. Its like paying 10 bux for some bread. - Farm Salad is actually pretty legit. If I went back, I would definitely get this again. I can't remember exactly what was in it but it was yummy. - Mac N Cheese is one of the better sides to order. What NOT to order: - ALL OF THE SIDES: the coleslaw, potato salad, and BBQ beans are completely lack flavor. The BBQ beans do not taste like baked beans at all. They are made with black beans...who makes baked beans with BLACK BEANS? That's just weird. - The Hushpuppies are okay. Service: The service is alright. The staff is not very friendly. Value: The prices are just too high. The sides are all 7 bux and they basically have nothing inside them. Beans and potatoes are dirt cheap and I do not appreciate paying 7 bux for them. Putting the prices aside...the food just isn't all that good. If you decide to make a trip here, I would recommend getting a tray of ribs/brisket/chicken (pick one) with the farm salad and the mac N cheese as your two sides. I would give that dish a solid 4 stars and worth the money.
(2)Bryan K.
Go for the biscuit if for nothing else. Two meat trays have a good portion of meat and sides are solid (got the bbq baked beans and Mac and cheese). Staff was very friendly!
(4)Samuel C.
The dude on the duck tour swore by this place... And when he was like "Ricky's Fish tacos" in LA was one of his favorites: I had to take his recommendation with gravity. It's about a 10 minute walk from Fenway Park. And worth every single step. Every single signal light. Every single crack in the pavement.... Ok, service was a little slow but I noticed that as a recurring thing in Boston. Whatever. The food is A. Effing. Mazing. I started our table off with the biscuits. They are warm. soft. fluffy. Like a hug in my mouth. They serve it with this delicious sweet butter. maybe apple butter? i dont remember.... DELICIOUS!!! I ordered the Pork Ribs and the Brisket. The ribs fell of the bone. Soft. Moist. Almost no tug to every bite. The sauce was a bit distinct. It wasn't too sweet. It's ketchup based but you don't really taste tomatoe. it's good. But I like more molasses and brown sugar in my sauce. Either way. Went really well with the meats. The brisket was tender and moist . Small pockets of gristle here and there... tasty. I was impressed. The food is good. I recommend this place highly.
(5)Victoria P.
FRIED OKRA! I'm a southern girl who is crazy about her BBQ and fried foods. The okra here is a clear winner. It comes to you as a delicious tower of fried goodness and each is perfectly battered with just the right amount of salt. I could have just had a plate of these and been satisfied. Definitely shareable, but who would want to do that? I also had the pulled pork plate with collards and potato salad. Not the best bbq i've ever had, but still good. It's tough finding good bbq in the city, but sweet cheeks is as close as I've gotten to the real thing. Will be back for the okra!
(4)Rob C.
Years after it opened, Sweet Cheeks has become my go-to for special occasions, ones that demand a feast. You practically have to fast in advance if you think you're going to get through your whole meal, and you should, because you'll want to, whether it fits or not. The biscuits might just be my single favorite food item on the planet. Even the tangential items on the menu, like the fried chicken, are amazing. Beyond that, for a perpetually busy establishment, they are consistently solicitous of larger groups (make a reservation, though), even ones with kids. Sweet Cheeks is, simply put, a can't-fail night out. Just loosen your belt buckle.
(5)Garnet M.
Stopped in last week for a late lunch/early dinner before the crowds at Fenway descended. The place had lots of empty tables and we picked a spot by the window. There were threats of rain showers, otherwise, we probably wold have taken one of the outside tables. There were three of us, with moderate appetites. Although it's not on the lunch menus we asked for the Fat Cheeks tray (three meats and three sides). We ordered the ribs, pulled pork and brisket along with mac and cheese, cole slaw and beans. Oh and a bucket o' biscuits with honey butter. While we waited for the food we tested out the BBQ sauces on the table. They smelled and tasted so good we could not wait for the food to arrive. To start, the biscuits. These delicious piles of gluten are worth every carb they have in them. Light, flaky, buttery. There are not adequate words to describe how good these things are. Order a bucket for now then order a second one to take home. I know from personal experience that they reheat very well. We took home our leftovers and when I opened the package, they added a container of honey butter. All of the meats were smoky and delicious, but my personal favorite was the brisket. The pulled pork had real porcine flavor, almost a gaminess you expect from lamb or venison. The rib I tasted was fantastic as well. All of the aforementioned BBQ sauces added extra levels of yum to the meat (and for one of us the beans). They were so good we took home bottles of the Sweet Cheeks BBQ sauce and the HOT habenero sauce. I loved the cole slaw and the beans, both had flavors that were spot on. The mac and cheese was perfectly creamy but the sauce had a strong taste of wine/vermouth, which was interesting but not expected. We had some time to kill before heading out, so we ordered dessert. What came to us was another of those amazing biscuits this time piled high with macerated strawberries, whipped cream and lemon curd. As it is often said near Fenway, so good, so good, so good! The lemon curd was a great addition and something I will do when I make strawberry shortcake in the future. The only downside of the meal was the service. The restaurant was not even half full and yet service was painfully slow. Our waiter, although very pleasant and accommodating, would disappear for long periods of time. All inall, a great experience. Can't wait to go back and try the cocktails.
(4)KayGee G.
I decided to try this for Sunday brunch and I was not impressed. First of all the menu is not descriptive at all. So you have to ask a lot of questions. The best thing about my meal was the biscuit. In fact, I will only go back for the biscuits. The potato salad was not good, in fact the potatoes were not cooked very well. The broccoli casserole was good but as a leftover not so good very salty. The ribs were tender but the rub was barely there and the sauce was okay but nothing to write home about. I must say I had sticker shock at the end of my lunch. I had one glass of sweet tea and it was $4.50. That is ridiculous. That is an outrageous markup. That is like charging $3.00 for tap water. It is a tea bag and water. Overall way too expensive for the quality. M&M cost me three times less and the ribs and sides are slamming. So I will continue to search for a sit-down BBQ joint in Boston.
(2)E. K.
Delicious! The corn on the cob, the fried squash blossom, the biscuits (thank goodness I don't live close by), the chicken. Everything was fabulous! The service, decor, ambiance, will definitely go back many times!!
(5)Hillary M.
Oh lord. LORDY LORD. This is some good meat. I'm not sure how to handle the fact that the hands down very best thing I ate was the biscuit. I don't think there is a person on the planet that would reject that fabulous piece of pastry. The honey butter was awesome. The plates were packed with food - the best value is definitely a super sized plate. I got 3 kinds of meat (omg the pork belly) and the mac and cheese and farm salad. Oh, and did I mention I ate some biscuits? MERCY. The plate also comes with pickles, onions and white bread so you can make your own little sandwich. Which I did with the pulled pork and it was terrific. I've been eating my left overs for 2 days now and everything still tastes fantastic. I love a meal that reheats well so I can keep enjoying it. My friend ordered a lemonade and I don't recall seeing that on the menu, but I got one, too. SOOOOO good. Very tart and refreshing with the food. The bathroom is an adorable homage to Dolly P, complete with a machine for stickers or tattoos. Very festive! My only complaint was with the chairs. They are sort of like barstools around a big table, and you can't really scoot them in/out because your feet don't touch the ground. But they have a weird butt shape, too, so it is sort of hard to cozy in for your giant meal. Everyone in my party remarked on it - you just couldn't get comfortable! Otherwise, I was very happy and will definitely return!
(4)Cassandra C.
We got take out from Sweet Cheeks, and it was overall disappointing. They were having a private event, but failed to tell us that the doors would be locked when we came to pick up our food. As for the food, they had already run out of the pork belly by 7pm. The meats were overdone, the casserole was over salted, and the portions were small for the price. They also did not give us barbecue sauce for the meats, and the meats were packaged separately from the bread with which they are paired. Also, they put the baked beans into a Chinese take out container, which is not conducive to all the liquid it swims in. The take out packaging was pretty strange. The nutter butter was pretty solid though. No need to go back anytime soon.
(2)Lynne K.
Best part about this place = side dishes. Worst part = BBQ sauce. We arrived around 7:30 pm and were told the wait was 60-75 minutes. 95 minutes later we were seated, so they had already started out on a bad footing with me. While we were waiting for our table, we ordered some drinks from the bar. I was annoyed that they had this delicious looking lemonade, but it was already premixed with vodka. Really? Your bartenders can't be bothered to mix vodka into the lemonade? Unfortunate for anyone who isn't drinking. I got a unsweetened ice tea with lemon (god help you if you screw up that, which fortunately they didn't, and luckily it came sans booze) and my husband ordered a sweet tea, which was good and not overly sweet, as some can be. All while we were waiting, we saw big baskets of steaming biscuits going by ... Yum, they looked delicious. We were so excited to order them after being seated ... Only to find out they were out of them. Really? Strike #2 for me. So we ordered the hush puppies. They were fried perfectly, meaning they were crispy and not at all greasy. The batter was slightly heavy, but nothing too bad. The maple sour cream that accompanied them was fantastic. I would have loved a small dish of maple syrup as well as the sour cream, but then again, I'm a traditional gal. I ordered the pulled chicken platter, and contrary to other reviews, it want dry at all. It tasted like plain, smoked chicken. I agree with some other reviewers that a dry rub would have been great (they say it is dry rubbed, but I couldn't taste any). The BBQ sauce was horrible though! The sweet sauce was not sweet, and I've had North Caroline sweet bbq sauce. The vinegar sauce was okay. But really, the chicken, while cooked nicely, was bland without sauces. The side of cheesy broccoli was the best part of meal. The carrot and raisin salad tasted like a bottle of vinegar had been just dumped on it and was nearly inedible. I also wish the menu had indicated that blue cheese was mixed in with this side, as I hate blue cheese, and because it usually isn't in this type of dish, didn't think to ask them to leave it off. The pickles that came on the side were amazing. My husband ordered the pork belly and ribs. The ribs were good, but again, you couldn't taste the dry rub. They were moist and you could tell they were smoked nicely. I didn't taste the pork belly, but he said it was good. he said the coslaw was just okay. The bbq beans were good, but I personally prefer more beans and less pork. My husband thought they were great though, so it depends on your preference. The check took forever to come, and then forever to be collected. The manager finally came over and rung our credit card through. However, our server was nice, knowledgable and kind. The background music was also super loud, so everyone was yelling over one another to have a conversation. Unnnessary at a bbq joint. Overall, not a bad meal, but I wouldn't go back. I definetly wouldn't wait again. I might get the biscuits and a few sides as take out one night, but that's about it.
(2)Jack M.
The only thing preventing this from being a five-star review is the price, which seems to have been inflated since the place opened last year. Otherwise, perfect.
(4)Dania L.
I'd been dying to check out Sweet Cheeks since it opened for many reasons, and finally made it over with a handful of coworkers on a recent Thursday night. Overall the food and service were great, and I'm already planning a night to go back with friends. One thing to note about reservations/availability: Be aware of their "reservation" policy if you are going to eat with a group of people. I called ahead as we were going to be a group of about 10 originally, and was told that they don't take reservations Thursday through Sunday, or any other day between the hours of 6pm and 9pm. Moreover, they won't seat you unless your entire party is present. Weak. To make sure we wouldn't be waiting all night for a table, the hostess suggested we head there before/at 6pm. Our group ended up only being 5 that night, and when we arrived at 6pm we were seated without a problem. As soon as 6:15/6:30 hit though the place was PACKED. Okay on to the awesome stuff. We started out with homemade biscuits and an order of fried green tomatoes, along with some cocktails. The biscuits and honey butter were the best thing we ate that night, and were HUGE. Our table of 5 split one bucket and it was more than enough. The fried green tomatoes were pretty good considering you can't really find them around Boston (at least I haven't been able to), and were served with a ranch style sauce on the side. They were fried perfectly and the tomatoes were firm and had great flavor. I'd order them again, but will probably check out some of the other apps next time around. For drinks I had a Houston AFB which was tart and delicious, and strong. For $10 it was a bit small, though. Colleagues had a manhattan, some other mixed drink I can't remember, and a few beers which they all enjoyed. It's a pretty extensive drink/beer menu which is cool. Okay, more food stuff. The table ordered: a pork belly tray, rib tray, pulled pork sandwich on texas toast and a brisket sandwich on bulkie roll. For sides we had farm salad, baked beans, and broccoli + cheese casserole. All of the meat comes dry, but they have 3 different kinds of sauce on the table: a Texas-style BBQ, a vinegar-based BBQ sauce, and finally some sort of hot sauce. I had the pulled pork sandwich on toast with the Texas BBQ sauce and it was heaven. They give you so much meat that I had to remove half of it from the sandwich just so that I could pick it up and eat it. I'm down with that (especially since you're paying about $12 for a sandwich). I wasn't as huge a fan of the sides, and next time will probably just skip them entirely (I had farm salad and broccoli cheese casserole). On the side also comes onion and pickles, and while I don't normally eat pickles these were garlicky and had a bite to them which was unexpected. All of my friends really enjoyed their meals, and we all pretty much had to have most of the food wrapped up (yes, even the men). Finally, I can't say enough great things about our server. He was really attentive, had a great sense of humor and was helpful in recommending drinks for us. A+. For 5 people the apps, drinks and entrees came to just about $174. Not the cheapest, but for the money you're paying they definitely give you a lot of food. I've paid $40 for much worse in shittier atmospheres. To top off the great meal and drinks we had a Tiffani sighting which was a fun way to end the night. Nice to know she's a constant presence in her own restaurant. She'll definitely be getting more of my money soon!
(4)Rachel H.
Heck yeah I'll be returning ! I went there for a 12:30pm lunch this past Friday and my group barely got there in the nick of time ( it was packed). I am a HUGE bourbon fan and ddn't tast any on my first visit ( too early in the day), but I did have a cocktail. the drinks are strong, tasty and are served in mason jars (CUTE!) FOOD: The farm salad is off the hook, serving size is really decent, the meat falls off the ribs, the chicken thighs yummy as well. I think that the 2 pieces of white bread that accompanied my meal should be optional ( no one in my group ate their bread because we were stuffed friom the food alone). The service was a little slow ( they were packed so good for Tiffani!), but that 's okay..the food makes up for it. The staff is super nice and friendly. This place is going to be packed before a Red Sox game ( plus they have outdoor seating). WELCOME TO THE FENWAY!
(4)Leslie M.
The cocktails were awesome. I tried one called a Dolly something- lemony with sparkling wine werved in a super cute mason jar. Very refreshing. Next up my friend and I split the hush puppies. They were OK- too dry for my taste but I liked the flavor. I wish they had jalepenos in them or something to spice them up besides the mayo-y dip they are served with. I ordered the brisket platter with black eyed peas and the farmer's salad. The brisket was well done except for the giant fatty chunks which turned my stomach a bit. Maybe that's how they meant it to be? I had to cut those pieces off to even start to take any bites. The BBQ sauce at the table definitely moistened the meat and gave it some more flavor. I could taste a ton of smokiness in the meat! The black eyed peas were really gross. I took one bite and didn't eat the rest. I think they should be replaced by Texas Caviar!! Much better choice in my opinion. The farmer's salad was good. I also had a bite of my friend's mac n cheese. Overall it was not too mushy and cheesy enough- probably could have used some salt. LOVED the biscuits. They were, by far, the best part of the meal. I would go back just for a bucket of these babies. They're huge and fluffy and dense at the same time. Best biscuits I've ever had. I would definitely go back and try some different things. YUM.
(3)Karen L.
I'm not a Top Chef watcher so didn't have a clue about the Significance of this place until after we sat down to eat. However, I'd eaten well at Rocca's, where Tiffani had cooked previously, and was happy to give this a try. I love barbeque and have a soft spot for brisket. SC's is perfect: tender with sweet, slightly charred ends, melting fat, and good, smoky flavor. I had the mac and cheese and farm salad as the sides. The M&C was amazing--creamy goodness with not a hint of Velveeta, just a pure, tangy, cheddar goodness and what I believe was a Ritz cracker topping, God bless them. The farm salad got huge points for being interesting (brussels sprouts AND farro AND arugula!), but the aged cheese in it didn't work for me. Whatever. A plate of barbeque that also contains farro makes my heart sing. The standard accompaniments of great pickles, meh onions (slice them thicker and pickle them, too!), and Wonder bread round out the platter very well. I felt it was a relative bargain for $18. The side of hush puppies was good--I don't love hush puppies to begin with, but these are a tasty, non-greasy, slightly cuminy example of the genre. I sort of wanted a tangier, less sweet sauce than the buttermilky (?) one it came with. I wished we'd tried the fried green tomatoes, instead. Also, although I was delighted to see a NC-style vinegar sauce on the table, I also kind of wanted a KC- or Kentucky-style sauce--something sweeter and smokier than the house barbeque sauce, maybe with a little celery salt. I know the sauce is where everyone gets super-fussy about BBQ and you can't make everyone happy with one sauce, so this is not a big deal to me. We'd once had a special dessert at Rocca: a butterscotch budino that has since been cited with dreamy eyes as the Best Dessert Ever. So when we saw butterscotch pudding on the recipe, we almost peed our pants. Indeed, it is spectacular. It comes in a smaller Mason jar and is quantity enough for 3 nibblers, especially given its extreme! unctuousness! There's a thin slick of what I think is hard sauce and a sprinkle of salt on top--although the congealed-butter texture of the hard sauce wasn't my thing, it was an extremely minor ding in an otherwise really special dessert. Amazing flavor, amazing texture--very similar to that budino. Thanks so much for putting this on the menu, guys! Booze-wise, you can get a RIDICULOUS amount of a rather spicy Michelada here for 10 bucks. It's a 24-oz jar--enough for at least 2 to share. It's served on ice, so if the idea of a beer cocktail on ice sketches you out, be advised. I also tried the Houston AFB--basically, an Aviation--and it was damn delicious. My only quibble was not a major one, but was enough to take off a star: the service is still in need of a little polish. We got there a little after 6:30 on a Sunday evening, and although the business was brisk, there were lots of empty seats. We were told there was a 45-minute wait for 3. I know it's all dependent on the server:table ratio, but it seemed a little strange. We also had to track down our own cocktail menus and ask for a server at one of the drink-but-no-dinner-service areas at the periphery of the restaurant. We ate at the bar, where the service was attentive, if occasionally a little amateur (I'd advise against interrupting conversations to introduce diners to the silverware jug and the barbeque sauce). It was all pretty forgivable given the general eagerness to keep us happy, as well as the visual appeal of the place (drinks served in Mason jars, repurposed wood furniture--you know, comfy-rustic-family-style chic) . It's also relatively new, and I suspect a lot of this will get worked out with time. As an addendum, I'm not sure what was going on when A.B. reviewed this restaurant. However, one thing SC doesn't lack is a desire to make its diners happy--if you can't find a single goddamn thing you like about the place, you're probably doing it wrong.
(4)Nicole L.
cool atmosphere but the food is overpriced i've definitely had much better BBQ food good and unique beer selection though
(2)Shinjita D.
Raised in the south (Memphis, TN and Dallas, TX), so I was stoked about a BBQ joint in the neighborhood. Biscuits...ok. Quality of meat (chicken, brisket, pork ribs) was solid but the preparation fell short - very salty, can't really taste any dry rub. Sauces at table...watery...and just not palatable. Left with a heavy stomach but absolutely ZERO satisfaction from the taste of food. And the food's NOT cheap! If you are dying for barbecue, do yourself a favor and get it shipped from the south - corkysbbq.com/ribs . Shipping is a little pricey, but at least you will feel satisfied with the baby back ribs!
(1)Ashley H.
My friends and I have been dying to try this place out since last week and we finally made it last night! So yummy! I was the first to arrive in our party, and I was kindy directed to the bar after they took my name down for a table. The cocktail list had a lot of yummy looking choices but I immediatly went for the "Dollywood". Delicious lemon concoction with my fave vodka, Tito's from Austin. Plus I just love Dolly Parton. Once my friends arrived we were immediatly seated... we went for the bucket of biscuits and fried green tomatoes to start. The biscuits were HUGE and the honey butter with them was fantastic. We also loved the tomatoes... the dipping sauce that came with them was a really nice surprise... had a great kick to it. For our entrees we all went for a "tray" of some sort. I went with brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork. I loved how everything came dry rubbed because we got to try the 3 different bbq sauces on the table. Ribs fell off the bone, brisket was SUPER tender, and the pulled pork was great too. For my sides I had the mac and cheese (YUM!) and the farm salad, which was an awesome, really different, brussel sprout salad. I felt like I needed some "green" on that plate lol. After reading all the yelp reviews I was prepared to be dissapointed by the portion sizes, as that seems to be the biggest complaint on here but no way! Tiffany either changed the portion sizes after opening weekend or you are all crazy, cause all three of us went home stuffed WITH leftovers! Oh and the wonderbread, pickles and onions? Awesome reminder of my time spent on the BBQ trail in Texas.. it's the way to go :) All in all we loved Sweet Cheeks and will def be back. Minus one star for service... she was sweet, but really nervous and didn't seem to know much about the menu/food. She did ask for help when needed instead of just making up an answer which I appreciated. Really not that big a deal :)
(4)David M.
Saturday Jan 28 went for a late lunch around 2:00 Sat at bar and the waitress took 10 minutes before she even asked if we wanted a drink and another 10 to take our order as if we were invisible, she was rude and cared more about chatting then helping us or the people to our left that got up and left, tired of waiting. That alone would have kept me from returning. My Brisket sandwich was so tough most of it was uneatable. My buddy got the pulled pork which was also mediocre with very little flavor. Two sandwiches, two sides, biscuits and an Ice Tea, $48.00. Don't walk - RUN AWAY from this place, I would give them one year before they are out of business, I look at the positive reviews and have to ask myself how many relatives the owner must have. Big deal the drinks are in a mason jar, very UNoriginal, the place is trying so hard to be hip, it should focus on hiring caring attentive staff and a meal prepared that does not require breaking a tooth. We should have taken the cue from the people that walked out. I can not believe Boston is so desperate for BBQ that they would accept this disastrous substitute.
(1)AJ B.
Food is fantastic - really. Sauces ok. Good variety of gluten free options and the staff was very helpful with that. Only drawback, felt like it was a bit on the pricey side... even for what it was. That would not deter me from going again, but just thought some of you might want to know. I got hooked when ordering a side of greens (server charged me $7.50 - for a side) Everything else seemed right in line. Again - food was really good - including the greens.
(4)Ann C.
From a vegetarian's perspective (I'm not self-righteous, but if vegetarians bother you, then I won't be offended if you skip this review). Why would a vegetarian go to a BBQ place you ask? Well, my boyfriend eats meat. Where I encourage and don't mind it at all, I personally can't prepare raw meat because it has always made me squeamish, even when I used to eat meat. Since I can't make it for him, I'm more than happy to go somewhere that is more carnivore/omnivore friendly. I actually suggested we try this place out. Walking in, you wouldn't expect the high prices. It's decorated in a very casual manner, which I'd like if the prices reflected it, but it's a little irritating knowing how much everything is. If you want $6 per SIDE, I expect to be eating somewhere my chair isn't bumped every five minutes. Yes, this place is popular, but the tables are over crowded. My bf and I were seated in a row of tables for two, and the waitress had to stand really close to my bf or me when she was talking to us, and we mostly talked to her stomach. Also, the woman next to me was a tad intoxicated and we almost had a few collisions because she was moving a little disjointedly. Also, I got the feeling people were stepping on my jacket. They didn't have anywhere to hang them, so the back of my chair was the only choice, and I had to eat with my scarf in my lap. When I left, it was pretty full, and I couldn't even put my jacket on in the restaurant! Also, the music was a little too loud. I'm not an old lady, but I do like being able to talk with the person I'm with, and since the tables were so close, all the parties in our row were shouting over the music and each other. :/ I came expecting to order a side and get some biscuits. I'd read promising reviews about the biscuits, so even though it cost $10 bucket of 4, I wasn't going to leave without trying one. However, I realized that with my bf's pulled pork sandwich came two sides (one hot and one cold) for an additional $6-- two for the price of one! This way it was less hit-or-miss for the overpriced sides. My boyfriend ordered me the potato salad without bacon and the broccoli casserole. The potato salad was definitely not the best I'd ever had, but it was okay. The broccoli casserole could be described in two words: undercooked and salty. So mushy and wet, yet the broccoli was overdone. It ended up making me sick shortly after I left, which was quite the drama since my boyfriend and I were walking back to our apt. I would definitely have been upset if I'd paid the $6 for either one. Even if they'd been good, the price didn't reflect the portion size IMO. My boyfriend says his pulled pork "Wasn't what he expected, but pretty good." He liked the table's BBQ sauce with it. HOWEVER, I would still come back here for one reason: THE BISCUITS. In truth, each was about the size of two biscuits and I could only eat one despite my small meal. They are delightfully crispy on the outside, and the honey butter is to die for. Nicely whipped, it is only lightly sweetened with honey, which gives it the most delicate sweet flavor. The only thing that annoys me is that the only option is to get 4. I wish they'd also serve the biscuits individually or a half order because my bf was so full, we ended up bringing three home! Basically, if you're a vegetarian and coming here with some friends, I'd recommend just getting biscuits (to share) and a special drink. I didn't try the Dollywood, but if I come back I plan to because the girls on either side of me got it. I ordered the sweet tea and I liked it, but I had to stir it before I tasted the sweetener. I do wish they'd have at least one vegetarian plate, and since it's owned by a Top Chef alumni, I'd challenge her to come up with something creative.
(3)David B.
Well,what to say about this place...great big fluffy biscuits,the best I've ever had,served w/addictive honey butter.Great beer list,good wines-a tasty riesling from upstate N.Y. Great service,it was a busy Sat.nite.The carrot salad,cole slaw and mac and cheese all very good.The entrees however,well,just weren't that great.The pulled pork was bland,the ribs could've used a dry rub.They were tender but just a bit bland.The pork belly was a bit on the salty side and the sauces,well really did not taste that great nor did they add anything to any of the entrees.Unfortunately the table was not impressed as I think we were all expecting a bit more from Tiffany,the chef.I would go back to Redbones before I would eat here again.
(2)Candice D.
The food here is pretty incredible. The biscuits are the best I have ever had. My sis and I split the pork belly and short ribs, both of which were fantastic, especially with the bbq sauce on the side. We also shared the mac and cheese and beans, both of which were tasty. The carrot raisin salad was also wonderful, and that was unexpected. The highlight was when the chef/owner Tiffany came out to serve us our meals, and then later took a picture with us. She was so sweet and personable. My only complaint was that our waiter was super nice in the beginning, but when I asked him before we ordered to split our group into 3 tickets, his demeanor immediately changed, and he was very cold the rest of the night. I would have said something at the end, but felt Tiffany more than made up for his attitude, and of course, the food spoke for itself. I just don't think splitting tickets, 3 for a group of 15, was that big of a deal for him to then treat us coldly the rest of the night. Would definitely eat here again!!
(4)George M.
Something must have happened between the last time I went and tonight. Tonight, the meat was tender and perfectly cooked. The sides were outstanding (carrot salad == awesome) and the service was fast and friendly. Maybe they're reading the reviews and improving...
(4)Ellen F.
This place is truly exceptional. We went there for lunch and what was most impressive is that I was able to have a vegetable plate at this barbecue place and it was excellent. The farm salad is particulary delicious--it's a brussels sprouts/arugula/hazelnut/faro salad that we had when Tiffany was the chef at Rocca and I was thrilled to see it on the menu here. It is an extraordinary dish. The macaroni and cheese and the carrot and raisin salad were also very good--as was the broccoli and cheese, although I only had a small taste because my companion ate the whole thing. She also had the brisket, which she pronounced superb.
(5)Patrick M.
Stuffed! Nice portions of hearty BBQ await those willing to wait a little for a spot at the communal tables. Open kitchen & decor are rad; drink list is delicious (3 for 3 anyway). Recommend!
(4)James H.
Top Chef contestant Tiffani Faison really did a great job with the meats, but came up way short on the side items. The potato salad(German style which is my favorite) was bland in flavor, the broccoli casserole was over cooked, the Mac and Cheese was dry. The best side item I had was the farm salad. It was light, crisp, and refreshing. The pork belly is to die for, it just melts in your mouth like butter on warm bread. The pork ribs have great flavor and fell right off the bone. The brisket was a little dry for long smoked brisket but the flavor was still there. There was a design flaw we noticed while sitting at the bar, all the restaurant glassware is washed threw the bar. That means they constantly have dirty glasses right next to the freshly made cocktails. What's to stop them from grabbing a dirty glass to make a new drink?
(2)Sarah D.
I am only taking off a star because they do not allow reservations. Otherwise, I loved this place and can't wait to go back to try the rest of the items that sounded amazing. We had the fried green tomatoes, broccoli & cheese casserole, baked beans, mac and cheese, pulled pork, brisket and the country salad (I think). All were amazing. The Dolly was a great drink for girls that like their drinks on the sweeter side but not loaded with sugar. Can't wait to go back. If you go with just two people, hover the bar area and just eat there. It was better than waiting the 2 hours.
(4)William C.
Very disappointed. Got the ribs, brisket, pork belly, beans collard greens. Got the end cut for the ribs - no meat, brisket way to fatty, Pork belly all fat, beans to sweet. Collard Greens were very good. Also had a margarita special order. Cost me 18 dollars. Asked for Anejo tequila, Contreau with a squeeze of lime. . Got Anajo tequila, triple sec wih sweet and sour. They said they did not have any foriegn liqour. But there sat a bottle of Grand Manier. 18 bucs for a drink. I brought up to the bartender. He shrugged and walked off. Not what I ordered. He did not care.
(1)j j.
Service is plain rude. If you can get past that you'll get dry overlooked brisker, pulled pork, chicken. The beef short rib was tough, but the pork baby back was good. Why pay a lot for bad food and rude service?
(2)sage f.
As most of the other reviews here mention, this is a Top Chef restaurant so I was excited to try it out. I definitely paid attention to the gestalt of the place (imagining the Restaurant Wars episode)...and this place didn't quite hold together. The high chairs at the big tables weren't so comfortable, the women's bathroom had a 9-to-5 theme and a big sticker vending machine that stuck out into one of the stalls, and the reception desk looked cluttered with knick-knacks. The menu looked promising: meat and sides (served as scoops in mugs.) I asked the waiter what his favorite was and he could only tell me that the brisket was "pretty good." And it was. While tender, it was not really flavorful. The pickles could have been more pickled. And the greens were way to greasy tasty; they literally were swimming in liquid. I was expecting more.
(3)Jennifer D.
I've been wanting to try this place since it opened and I finally went last night. Yes there was a Sox game, so it was crowded, but we sat at one of the bars near the windows and a waitress came right over. Service was excellent, but that was about the only highlight of this place. The music was SO loud that I couldn't even hear my boyfriend, who was sitting right next to me. Yes, it's a bar, but people are eating dinner too, they might want to have a conversation. The food was just ok. I've had better bbq from other places in the area and their prices were actually reasonable! I loved the biscuits and the farm salad. I wish that's all I got because my brisket and his half chicken were just boring (and the bill came to $50!) . Completely overrated and not worth another visit. I'd rather go to Soul Fire or Black Strap BBQ.
(2)JJ S.
Awesome BBQ in Boston.... collard greens, fried green tomatoes, drop-bisquits w/ honeybutter, amazin mac n cheese, delicious unique cocktails and yummy meats. Not even a fan of the baked beans but the heirloom beans were yummy. Cannot wait to get back here. Don't go if you don't love barbeque. My vegetarian friend found good stuff too.
(5)Stephen F.
Fantastic! Sweet Cheeks is the best BBQ in the Boston area. I've been to several - Blue Ribbon, Red Bones, Fire Flys, etc. and, they can't hold a rib to Sweet Cheeks. The best way to describe it's awesomeness is to note that the food needs no sauce. Nothing. It's perfect as is. The smoked pork belly takes the chef several days to prepare and it shows. The brisket is moist and deeply flavored, the pulled pork is the best you will find, the beef ribs have a wonderful chew and taste heavenly. But, some surprises too. The smoked chicken and pulled chicken is the best chicken I have had anywhere. I skipped it during dinner (why take up valuable room for ribs) and didn't try it until I opened up the left overs at home. Wow! What a great surprise. It's out of this world good. The side dishes as well are a total hit: fried green tomatoes, fried okra, hush puppies and... the biscuits. OMG - the biscuits with honey butter are to die for. The staff are great. My wife arranged a surprise birthday party for me and several friends at Sweet Cheeks and everything was perfect. It's a great place to celebrate and I can't wait to return.
(5)Back B.
If NYC has an institution like Katz Deli, then Sweet Cheeks in Boston is our legendary equivalent because you will soon discover this restaurant is special and should be embraced by every Bostonian. You will feel spoiled eating this bbq spectacular because you taste the quality of ingredients, preparation, and care it took to make their food. Their staff was also very friendly, helpful, and made me feel very welcomed. After you eat at Sweet Cheeks, you may consider this to be one of the best bbq meals you have ever had. Or maybe you can say that this is the best bbq meal you have had. You simply wont be disappointed because the food, and experience at this restaurant will resonate with you from the first bite.
(5)Nicole M.
My boyfriend and I dined at Sweet Cheeks tonight and both got the ribs. I enjoyed my ribs and the house sauce but my boyfriend felt that both the ribs and sides were to salty. we both agreeded that the cheese grits were disgusting. The service was not warm or welcoming and as first timers, we had some questions about the menu and our server could not be bothered by them. In fact, we felt as though we were bothering him! What a disappointment!
(2)Mary Kate L.
They are not kidding when they say "If you leave here hungry, it's nobody's fault but your own." My husband, some friends, and I just had to try out this place last night and it exceeded our expectations. I started out with the moonshine drink, it was delicious, especially love the dried apple soaking in the drink. Don't be fooled by the size; it seriously packs a punch. I got the pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese, and coleslaw for dinner. The pulled pork sandwich was absolutely delicious and super flavorful on its own, though as a fan of barbecue sauces I poured a healthy portion of the house sauce over it and loved that even more. It came with homemade pickles that were wonderful and definitely not to be forgotten in the crazy amount of food. The coleslaw was awesome, nice big pieces of cabbage and a nice creamy sauce. The mac and cheese, however, was just divine. I am a huge mac and cheese fan and this was deliciously homemade feeling. The sauce is not overdone, which is often an issue with restaurant mac and cheese, and the buttery crackers are a very happy edition. Top it off by serving it in a mug and I am just feeling cozy and at home. My husband had his meal with the broccoli and cheese casserole, which was really tasty and he absolutely adored it. To finish the meal, because we simply couldn't resist despite the food coma we were entering, we shared the giant nutter butter. It was seriously giant and I can't imagine finishing it myself. The cookies were super crispy and had a really nice salted peanut butter taste to them. The filling was so light and creamy that I could have eaten it with a spoon and been completely happy. In terms of staff and decor, I thought they hit it dead on. I love the homey feel of mismatched utensils and napkins that you had to dole out yourself. The trays with butcher paper that they serve the food on are a no nonsense way to really show off how awesome the whole meal is. Mason jars were a huge hit with our party, much more fun than the same old glasses. The staff was absolutely amazing. Our waiter could not have been nicer and was really down to earth, joking around with our group. I wish I had thought to get his name to point out how great he really was. We had one individual with some intense food allergies and he checked very thoroughly with the kitchen, which was very appreciated and thoughtful. This is a very welcome addition to Boston and my husband and I hope to come into the city to indulge as often as we can. THANK YOU SWEET CHEEKS!!
(5)Johnny D.
Great place for BBQ! Brisket and pull pork are delicious, and so was the broccoli casserole. Unfortunately they ran out of the pork belly tonight, will definitely go back for that!!
(4)Paul N.
Walked over with a buddy on the spur of the moment for lunch and turned out great. Good atmosphere but not overwhelming, a bit pricier than we expected but definitely worth it. Mason jars a plus. And love the variety of hot sauces on the table. Definitely brought a good slice of Texas to Boston.
(4)Alex R.
So my wife and I have now been here twice. As a native Texan, I am a little picky about my BBQ especially at these types of price points. The first time we went here, I thought the meat was very fatty specifically in regards to the brisket. I was pretty disappointed and told my wife that I never wanted to go back and pay that much for low-quality BBQ; however, we had some family in town that wanted to try it, so we went back. This was some really good eating. Expecting the worst but hoping for the best, my fears of an over-priced bad meal were alleviated when they brought us some biscuits. This was truly the best part of the whole meal. My wife and I then split a plate with ribs and brisket both of which were very good. The rest of our family had a great time and enjoyed there meals as well. There are a few things they could and should change about this place though: 1. They serve Lone Star beer which I was drinking in college when Keystone Light was too expensive. If they went to serve a beer from Texas that is great with BBQ, I would suggest Shiner or St. Arnold's. 2. If you are going to call yourself a BBQ place, you have to serve sausage. 3. Pecan pie - Put it on the menu All in all- one bad experience, one good experience and some room to grow.
(3)Steve N.
Pork three-way! Good stuff! Delicious pork belly. Loved the farm salad and hush puppies. Very good overall offerings. Two of us chose to split one of the samplers and picked out pork belly, pulled pork, and ribs. Thoroughly enjoyed all three. We'll be back for the brisket, we heard it was good but they ran out on opening night. Great staff. Very helpful and courteous on a busy opening night. Dale, our bartender, hooked us up with the Damn Yankee, which was great, and a Bub's Beer. It had something to do with bourbon casks and I'm looking forward to finding another one. You should absolutely try them both! Great staff, great food, we liked the atmosphere and ambience, loud but not unbearable. We were happy customers and are ready to go back for more.
(4)Caroline D.
I love BBQ, so when I heard about Sweet Cheeks I had to try it. I would give the BBQ 4 stars, but I have to knock a star off for the price - pretty expensive for BBQ, in my opinion. The meat was delicious - good quality. The biscuits were to die for. Seriously. So amazing. Side were good - beans were nice and smoky. When you order a plate or a sandwich, you get one hot side and one cold side (unless you want to pay a buck or so more for two hot sides), and that was a bummer because I wasn't interested in any of the cold sides. Anyways, definitely give Sweet Cheeks a try (and do not forget to order the biscuits), but be mindful that it isn't cheap (we did have leftovers though).
(3)Anna R.
If they only sold sweet tea, biscuits and mac & cheese, I'd give Sweet Cheeks five stars. Biscuits the side of my face and sweet honey butter made me feel happy and at home. Mac & cheese was gooey and warm and tasty. Excellent craft beer selection, but as I'm prego, I opted for sweet tea -- to my delight it came in a mason jar I needed two hands to lift, and it was perfectly sugary and refreshing. Good so far. Alas, Sweet Cheeks is a BBQ spot and unfortunately their BBQ is sub-par, not-too-flavourful and too fatty. I had pulled pork and it was dry and needed sauce. No biggie, but the three sauce choices were underwhelming. Two seemed the same. I was looking for one sweet and one vinegary but both just tasted peppery and bland. The one that looked like mustard was unpalatably spicy, I couldn't even taste any flavour. I liked the decor, but the place was waaaaaay too noisy. Couldn't hear my colleagues at lunch and there were only about 4 other small tables of patrons. The music was too-loud, obnoxious mid-90s pop radio. The service was good though, and I left fully satisfied by the biscuits so I'm only disappointed the BBQ wasn't better because it's a long haul from Watertown to only go for biscuits, mac and tea!
(3)Cara S.
So technically, I'd like to give this place a 3.5. Came her with my sister on Friday night around 7:15. They quoted us an hour and 15 minute wait. I knew it wouldn't be that long and we were sat right around 45 min after coming in. The staff was pleasant and helpful. The portions of food were larger than I expected so I believe the price was fair for the quantity and location factor. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes- decent flavor, but I feel the result would have been much, much better if the tomatoes were sliced thinner. Green tomatoes can be tough, and ours were. I've had these at other restaurants sliced thinner and the result was much better. Next we shared the 1/2 rack of pork ribs, farm salad, broccoli casserole, mac and cheese, potato salad and pulled pork sandwich. The portions were large and the presentation was creative. The ribs were good, more of a St. Louis style, nothing like baby back so these required a lot of pick though to avoid pieces of fat. The farm salad was interesting and good; do not order this if you don't like Brussels sprouts. The broccoli casserole and mac and cheese were definitely a 4, if not a 5. Solid flavor on each. The mac and cheese could have been a bit creamier, but the flavor was on point. The potato salad had a unique flavor, I thought it was OK at best, but others may enjoy it. The pulled pork was good. They gave you a lot of meat. It was dry but that's why they give you the BBQ sauce on the table. The BBQ sauces were pretty good. The hot one could have been a bit hotter. The one with the chili flakes was very light and was good for the sandwich. The original was good, Overall I think this place was good, but not great. BBQ is so unique and very particular to one's tastes. I personally think Dinosaur BBQ is the Holy Grail of BBQ, but that's just my opinion.
(3)moe s.
They charge you $15 to make a reservation for a large party? Seriously? The hostess was rude & snippy, and the food was mediocre at best. Never going back there again....ever.
(2)Jennifer J.
Went here on a casual date in January and really liked it. The food was outstanding and the portions were ample. Since there were just two of us we took home (separately of course!) lots of goodies. I look forward to going back with a large group. I think that would be fun.
(4)Jenn K.
I've never had a really amazing time with service here so a star gets docked but if Thorny from Supertroopers ever ate here he'd exclaim "Mother of God" all over again. Southern food is basically at the core of my existence - I think my blood is part barbecue sauce. After spending some time along the Gulf Coast I came back home craving the deliciousness that I had experienced in podunk Mississippi and Louisiana -- that kind of savory, tangy, spicy, sweet, perfectly crisp and fatty pork that both melted in your mouth and still required you to chew. Then I found Sweet Cheeks which emulates Southern food ALMOST to a t. The biscuits have never disappointed - flaky, buttery, peel-apart layers of carby goodness that don't leave you feeling like you need to wipe your hands off. The honey butter is inexplicably delicious but I imagine that this honey butter is what got Paula Deen hooked on butter in the first place. The pork, the brisket, the chicken - it's all incredibly cooked. Buttermilk fried? It's got the perfect amount of crunch and flavor with a moist piece of chicken underneath. The pork and brisket are so terrifically smoked that you can add the varieties of barbecue sauce to them...if you want to. You don't really need to, but I add a combination of all three sauces they leave on the table. Nothing's as great as vinegary tang and sweet spiciness combined. Mac-and-cheese is rich and savory, cole slaw is tangy and crunchy. Drinks are great, too - the bar is pretty vast but still keeps Southern roots at its core. I'd keep going about how wonderful this place is, but I'm already craving it and it's only 8:57 AM. Just go. Eat. Wear stretchy pants. (You're welcome.)
(4)Matt B.
Food was delicious, beer list was great and the service was good. About as good as you can get for some great southern BBQ! had the pulled pork with their homemade baked beans. Probably the best pulled pork I've had on the east coast. Would recommend to anyone!
(4)Sonia D.
Southern BBQ in Boston?! Not heard of until Sweet Cheeks! First time here and boy was I missing good southern BBQ. I ordered the tray of meat with 2 sides. Pork ribs, farmers salad and Mac & cheese. The ribs were perfectly cooked and the meat literally fell off the bone. They were dry rub which I didn't think I would like but definitely a fan. I dipped the meat into their homemade traditional BBQ and I was in heaven. The farmers salad and Mac & cheese were also perfect and a mixture of healthy and not so healthy. The new item on the menu are wings and those were also amazing. They were fried and had a garlicky flavor and cooked to perfection. The drinks were all yummy too. Honestly, everything here is great. Check it out if you are in the area or craving some good southern BBQ.
(5)Peter H.
great service. was able to be seated at a communal table immediately on a weekday evening without wait. good young vibe in restaurant. the fried green tomatoes were meh. they told me this was a dry rub type place. I ordered the beef short rib and that was wonderful. the bbq sauce with some of the hot sauce was great. the pulled chicken and pulled pork were awesome as well. would definitely eat here again.
(5)Annette N.
THE best barbecue in town, hands down! We live close to Redbones, and would still go here anytime. We've been too often to count and are never let down by the ribs (succulent and delicious), or brisket, and those biscuits are orgasm-inducing (*every* *single* *time*!). They have an awesome selection of beer, the nicest waitstaff and fun ambience, a yummy set of barbecue sauces, and major points for consistency. What's not to love?
(5)Kalun L.
I've eaten here twice now. The first time was their first official day, and I try not to be a jerk by reviewing a restaurant on its inaugural run. I had a craving for ribs and Sweet Cheeks did a bang-up job on my second visit. Sweet Cheek's ribs are served dry and I could see the beautiful amber of the smoke in the meat. More importantly, the meat tasted deliciously porky and smoky. You dress the Q with one of three sauces on the table (vinegar, house mild, and spicy). I also got the salt and pepper potatoes which were a-ma-zing. The spuds were rough chopped, deep-fried without batter and coated in salt and pepper ... all the better to soak up the beverages. I got a cocktail called the Damn Yankee (better than being on the losing side of the "War of Northern Agression", or as I like to call it, the war where a bunch of rich white guys sent poor white guys to die so they could keep slaves, and let's not kid ourselves, the war was largely about slavery). ANYWAY, the Damn Yankee had, among other things, bourbon, maple liquor, and a house-made brandy cherry. It was a mighty strong and tasty drink. Sweet Cheeks also has moonshine on the menu, which I will have to try the next time. You can get trays of BBQ in various combinations (and varying prices). I got the 1/2 rack of Berkshire pork ribs which comes with one hot and one cold side, pickles, and white bread for $19. Sides are great, especially the collared greens which, with a splash of vinegar, was probably some of the best I've had. Even the coleslaw, which I generally hate on principle because it's raw cabbage and mayo, was excellent. The only thing I don't really get is why the Q is served with slices of white bread. I waddled out of Sweet Cheeks fat and happy. The take-away, get the ribs, get the sides, and get a strong cocktail. Also, did you know that Bus 55 runs from Copley Square and stops across the street? I didn't, but Andi P. did ... she has an app for it! Oh, beware the hipsters, but I'm coming around on them. It takes a lot of courage to all wear the same hat.
(5)Michelle B.
What have I been doing with my life? Why have I not been eating the farm salad and brisket as much as possible since this place opened? Major fail. This place is great. The boyfriend and I went here last night before seeing a movie at Fenway; we got there at about 5:30 and the restaurant was already half full. We sat at the bar and one of the friendly bartenders immediately gave us menus so we could order some drinks and start the arduous process of deciding what to eat. I got the brisket, he got the pulled pork, and we both went with the mac and cheese with the farm salad. While I realize how absurd it is to rave about a salad at a BBQ place, I HAVE to: this salad was everything I ever want in a salad. Crisp greens, brussels sprouts leaves, red grapes, cranberries, and a delicious dressing. I could have had just that for dinner and been as happy. Of course that isn't all I had and I sure am glad. The brisket was amazingly tender and juicy, with perhaps a bit too much fat for my taste. Likewise, the mac and cheese was better than it had any right to be (especially being served in a slightly twee tin mug). The portion was huge and there was no way I could have finished it because it was so rich. The service at the bar was great; the bartender(s) checked in on us frequently, made sure we had everything we needed, and otherwise just let us hang out and be silly. That's exactly the type of service that I enjoy. I'm super happy I finally got to try this place. It surpassed my expectations and I think with the exception of Blue Ribbon, this is probably my favorite BBQ place in the area now.
(4)Will O.
Giving it 5 cause the 3.5 avg. seems low. It's not the greatest BBQ I've ever had (it's pretty close) but everything is good. It's not overdone with sauce which is usually a sign that the que is bad. The drinks are awesome. Pork Belly was amazing. Biscuits are a must first time.
(5)C S.
First thing that comes to mind about this place is : overrated. I simply didn't think the food was very good. I had heard so much hype but was left unimpressed. Had the ribs, which were fall off the bone tender but almost completely flavorless. Mac n cheese was decent but the only shining star here was the biscuits. Could have eaten the entire bucket myself.
(3)Julie B.
When my Georgia-native boss picked Sweet Cheeks for our staff dinner I couldn't help but be excited. This just had to be authentic, good, southern food, right? To start off, the waitstaff was really great. Our server handled our party of 10 with humor, attentiveness and downright Southern hospitality. Major props to him. As far as food goes, it was pretty delicious. We started with the fried okra and the biscuits with honey butter. The biscuits were SO good. An absolute must try! I wasn't too crazy about the fried okra. For my meal I ordered the tray with short rib, mac n' cheese and potato salad. Unfortunately the short rib was a little bit fatty. I would have been more upset if I was paying but instead I just happily picked around for the best pieces (which were fantastic). The mac n' cheese was super rich and creamy and the potato salad was great. Everyone in my party was happy with their meal -- a big accomplishment for a group of 10! For dessert we tried one of everything. I was particularly a fan of the huge nutter butter and the butterscotch pudding. Overall it was a great experience. I think it's a little pricey but you get a ton of food. I like the different tray options available and am a fan of anything that is born out of Top Chef!
(4)Jennifer K.
If you need to know one thing; it is that the biscuits are the size of your head! I had the best rum-punch ever. As previously mentioned the biscuits are huge and sooo yummy and come with a tub of sweet whipped butter.! I'm going to be dreaming of them for days. I had a "tray" with the broccoli-cheese "casserole", potato salad, and pulled pork. I tried all three sauces on the table, and decided that to my taste the traditional bar-b-que was the best. Not everyone at the table agreed. This is probably one of the best things about this place (besides the biscuits); the meat is dry rubbed and just waiting for your personal finishing touches. I had a piece of the fried chicken. It came in an armor of fried-ness. Which was pretty good, but would have been better if the batter had some zing to it. But I'm spoiled by Louisiana fried chicken, and expect mine to kick back. There is an extensive beer list to celebrate your biscuits with. For desert I ordered the Nutter Butter. I'm pretty sure it tried to kill me with sweet, sweet peanut-y love. Honestly, it's HUGE!! Desert for days, or a crowd, which ever you have more off. Bring your friends, and your appetite, and be prepared to bring some of the food back home with you. And for goodness sakes, get the biscuits!!!
(4)Christopher M.
I don't profess to be one of those BBQ experts/snobs who will debate at length whether or not Boston has "real" BBQ. However, I can tell flavor, I can tell moisture, and I can tell service, and I can tell you that Sweet Cheeks has all three. It's really delicious. And while BBQ joints are not know for putting much attention into non-meat items, but I appreciate that Sweet Cheeks tries to break out of this box with an excellent bar well stocked with craft beers and serving up unique drink specials. Likewise BBQ joints are rarely known for their service, but once we got seated (which I admit, was a hassle), our server was quick and friendly and super helpful. Only downside is the place is crazy crowded, so be prepared to throw a few elbows, but it's worth it, trust me.
(4)Lisa S.
Who knew there was good BBQ in Boston? Pork belly, Ribs, BISCUITS, strong drinks and that giant nutter butter cookie? Makes a girl want to move to Boston. Thanks to Tiffani and the cooking staff for the hook up!
(5)Liz A.
Two words. Tourist. Trap. If you are looking for overpriced, mediocre food with a loud atmosphere, then this is your place. (Mind you I ate here at 11am -and it was like a rock concert level of loud.) I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. The portion was kind of small, considering the $15 price (with tax and tip). The taste was alright. The pulled pork sandwich I have had a qmarket was of better quality and about half the price. In summary, if you are looking for a cute place serving southern comfort dishes in Boston, look elsewhere. I would only recommend this place if you have 4+ screaming kids in your party OR a large party of adults whom you don't wish to speak to or dine with in the first place (the music drowns out the ability to converse or hear anything for that matter--which could be considered a positive or a negative depending on the situation). In my situation, it didn't fit the bill.
(2)Martha M.
I came here for a dinner with some girlfriends and absolutely loved it! The place was totally packed, but we were given fair warning that it would be that way, especially on a Saturday night. They won't seat your party until everyone is there and say they'll cancel your reservation after 15 minutes. One of my friends was running late and they were actually really understanding. They let us sit down without her and she rolled in about 25 minutes late, all said and done. So, I can't vouch for them holding your reservation, but they did for us and we're not regulars or anything. Then the food. Just read the reviews. It is as delicious as most people say. The biscuits are to die for - just perfectly warm and buttery. Then there are the sides. It's almost impossible to choose, but the collard greens are spectacular. The beans weren't too great in my opinion. I had the brisket and it was perfection. I saw some comments below about the brisket being too fatty. All I can say is that in my case it wasn't. The cocktails were tasty, as well. Basically, this was one of my favorite dinners ever. I highly recommend coming here. However, if you want relative peace, try earlier on a weeknight. It was crazy packed.
(5)Ian W.
I have been saving my review of Sweet Cheeks for the special honor of my 3000th Yelp review. Sweet Cheeks is a Southern style barbecue restaurant which is owned and managed by former Top Chef finalist Tiffani Faison. My sister competed with Tiffani on the inaugural season Top Chef in 2006 and they have remained in touch through the years. My friend and I decided to checkout Sweet Cheeks on our way to Fenway Park to catch the Red Sox. We arrived here around 4:30 PM on a sunny Saturday afternoon and we were promptly seated upon arrival and our drink order was taken. We ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes ($7) to start, which were deep fried hot and crispy (slightly greasy), served with a cool ranch dipping sauce. This was very good! For dinner, I went with the Berkshire Pulled Pork Tray ($18) served with 1 cold scoop & 1 hot scoop, soft white bread, pickles & onions. The pulled pork was moist and juicy and had nice smoky flavors. The potato salad was creamy and the potato chunks had a firm texture. The broccoli & cheese casserole was rich and filling. My buddy went with the Fat Cheeks Tray ($26) choosing 3 meats including pulled pork, brisket, & pork ribs served with 1 cold scoop, 1 hot scoop, soft white bread, pickles & onions. Each of the meats had good smoky flavors. The brisket was very tender with some fat attached. The ribs on the bone were slightly chewy. The carrot & raisin salad was very good, which had a good tangy flavor with shredded carrots, raisins, greens, & crumbled bleu cheese. The hot collard greens were pretty good. The portions of food were generous and we barely finished our dinners. We had to pass on the dessert. I would've ordered some butterscotch pudding if I saved room. The service was attentive with refills given on our soft drinks and the food arrived in timely order. After dinner, I asked our server if Tiffani was in the restaurant and mentioned my sister's name. Tiffani stopped by to say hello and asked us how the food was. We had a very enjoyable dinner in a very casual atmosphere. We will be sure to return again to Sweet Cheeks for some great tasting Southern barbecue in the Back Bay section of Boston. Sweet Cheeks is the perfect stop before your next Red Sox outing! Yelp Review #3000
(5)Abby R.
This is some deluxe 'Q. Step 1: Order a tray with brisket, mac n cheese (obvi) and farm salad. Add on broccoli cheese casserole because yum. Also a biscuit with the honey butter. And a spicy tequila drink called the Federale. Step 2: Eat the warm, moist (moist? in a biscuit? I daresay yes) softball-sized biscuit slathered in sweetly soft butter. Reflect. Take a few healthy gulps of the Federale enthuse to dining partners about the taste and quality of the drink, while employing high suction to ingest the rest of it. Step 3: The Battle. Slather your brisket in the 3 different sauces like a redneck neapolitan confection of red meat. This is the only way to determine the true winner of the sauce battle. Biggest bottle will win. Avoid the one slice of brisket that seems to be all fat. Eat nuclear-temperature mac and cheese out of a tin mug, feel ghost of a gunnysack on your back and begin to see phantom campfire in front of you. Feel the heat. Realize the tin cup is burning you and abandon the thick, creamy mac for the farm salad. Feel health flow through you with each bite, especially the ones containing brussels sprouts because even though you think you don't like them, your mouth is telling you that you do like them. You like them a lot. Shovel more salad in to offset the next course: broccoli cheese casserole, which falls flat in the presence of the cheesy mac and the health of the farm salad. It is mushy and mostly flavorless. Set it aside in favor of more pleasing delights. Room in your stomach is at a premium. The weak get left behind. Step 4: Leave, sleep, repeat, minus the broccoli cheese casserole.
(4)Spahky S.
Amazingly yummy barbecue. Every time I go I order the biscuit with Mac and cheese and coleslaw. The brisket is so tender that you don't even need a knife -- just use your fork. And then once it hits your mouth all you can think is that it's the best brisket EVER. The Mac and cheese is good but I personally am not a fan of the bread crumbs on top. Again good but would love it that much more with no breadcrumbs but that's just a personal preference. And then there's the cole slaw. I wish sweet cheeks would allow you to order a bowl of cole slaw like you would a bowl of soup because I would. This cole slaw is unlike any I've ever had in a good way. The dressing isn't overwhelming and it's cold and crispy. Whatever you do get the cole slaw.
(5)Megan C.
This place is amazing! We went before a game and they had opened early to accommodate game-goers. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. I had pulled pork, potato salad and mac & cheese. I never order restaurant mac & cheese because I never find any I like, but I'm glad I took a chance here! The potato salad was out of this world and the pulled pork was some of the most flavorful I've ever had. I will be returning the next time I'm in the area!
(5)Christi S.
Biscuits! OMG, they are massive! We got the 2 item plate, a half rack, bucket of biscuits, 2 teas between 2 ppl & we could not finish. Biscuits: awesome, super warm. Butter is honey butter, so make sure to butter them biscuits! Ribs: not bad, neatly cut, nicely presented. They have 3 diff sauces on the table that you can use. Mac n cheese: I've had better, but these I wouldn't mind as well. I wish the bread crumbs were a little bit more baked. Brisket: yum! delicious even w/o sauce Pork belly: drool-worthy. Tea: worth it! I ordered the Arnie Palmer, 1/2 tea, 1/2 lemonade. Comes in a huge mason glass & free refills! can't beat it!
(4)Andrew H.
So, I learned about BBQ while living in North Carolina, which is already enough to upset a few Texas nutters with our heretical vinegar based sauces (but for reals I'm down with any sauce, please don't shoot me). And what I learned down there held up pretty well up here. I was very pleased with Sweet Cheeks! I stopped in for lunch and settled on the pork ribs (shut up, I know the Carolinas are pulled pork country). The ribs were tender, but not too soft, and had a respectable bark and a legit smoke ring. Like any proper BBQ joint, sauce is served on the side, not on the meat. The Carolina sauce they had complimented them wonderfully with a great tangy vinegary flavor (though the smoke could hold up fine on it's own). I also quite enjoyed the coleslaw, which made a great side. All in all, Sweet Cheeks is quality, real BBQ, which is far too hard to come across this far north. I won't lie and say it's the best I've ever had (maybe I'm just too nostalgic for those tiny highway-side smoke shacks), but it's legit and absolutely merits returning to with my friends.
(4)Julia K.
I'm from Texas so I'm a big fan of good BBQ. At Sweet Cheeks, the BBQ meats are prepared with dry rub and cooked slowly over several hours which is considered "Texas" style. I started off with an infamous biscuit which was good, but I didn't think it was that special. To be honest, I thought it was a little dry, and the butter wasn't as sweet as I would have thought it would be for whipped honey butter. For my main dish, I ordered the pulled pork tray with mac n' cheese and the potato salad. At first, I didn't think the portions were that big given the price but it took me two meals to consume all of the food. The pork was moist and even better when paired with the house BBQ sauce. The mac n' cheese was so thick and creamy that you really couldn't eat too much in one sitting. Next time, I would pass on the potato salad. I didn't think there was anything special - the sauce was simply mayo any herbs. Lastly, the house made pickles were delicious! Make sure to ask your server for extras with your takeout (that's if you have any)!
(4)Jim P.
Decent BBQ, although I didn't like any of the three options for BBQ sauce, so I wouldn't go back again. Meat on my ribs was very tender, and it had a generous portion of meat on each rib. The BBQ beans were very tasty and the hush puppies were sweet and tasty, I'd definitely have those again. I prefer a Carolina honey taste to my BBQ sauce, but apparently "Texas" style bbq doesn't have any sweet options. I thought of walking across the street to the Shaws and buying some BBQ sauce, since I ended up eating the ribs dry. Wife said that her pulled pork was fatty and not very "pulled", as it was in large slabs. My son's pulled chicken was very good, and he said that he didn't need any bbq sauce given it's good smoke taste and since it so tender/juicy
(3)Sugar F.
I'm supposed to be a vegetarian ok? But 2% of the time I indulge and Sweet Cheeks was so the place to do it. Pork Belly. Brisket. Pulled pork. No sauce needed - that's how you know it's good. Way better than Red Bones, the only Boston BBQ competition I've tried.
(5)Brittany T.
This place is delish! The food comes in really large portions so be prepared to split. The biscuits are unreal and the cocktails are good too. The prices are good especially since you should split your meal. I would totally go back!
(5)Andrea L.
My friend Tara was having a birthday party for her one-year old granddaughter. A mixed race crowd, new faces and lots of cats, not enough time to clean the house, let alone shower - what's a girl to do - order BBQ from Sweet Cheeks (of course she had the forethought to do so in advance of course).. Apparatently this place had been featured on TV - the local review show, maybe. The food was really good. We had fried chicken, pulled pork & chicken, collard greens, friend green tomatoes, mac & ch, ribs and beans - is that everything? two kinds of rolls and hush puppies. Everything was delicious! The hush puppies were a little dry and the friend green tomatoes could use some more flavor - but other than that - wonderful. The nice biy carried all the stuff to the car for us and helped us make room. Sadly we waited and the food was cold when we started - but it did not temper anyone's enjoyment. Fried chicken and mac & cheese - YUM!
(4)Kimberly K.
Cool vibe and good eats. All was good, except the fried chicken lacked flavor. It was moist and crispy, but under seasoned. I thought the cocktails were really lacking. Fun beers, though.
(4)Allison G.
Excellent. We brought two strollers and they had no trouble accommodating us. Robbie is a great server, very attentive. Had the brisket (burnt ends) sandwich with potato salad and Mac n cheese. Sweet tea to drink. We have never had a bad experience here. Atmosphere is perfect.
(5)Xavior m.
The best Texas BBQ ribs that I have in Boston. The sampler plater where you pick 3 meats is not worth it. The portion size is very much a kin to tapas.
(3)Carrie P.
How does this place only have 3.5 stars?!?! I am from the south and this was by far some of the best BBQ I've ever had. I had the pulled pork sandwich with slaw and the broccoli casserole and potato salad for sides. We also got the biscuits for starters and I tried a few other sides. Everything was incredibly delicious (well, I'd maybe skip the ranch style beans, but otherwise literally everything was amazing). Probably the weakest thing, for me, was the sauces, but it really didn't matter because the meat was so well prepared that it hardly needed sauce. Honestly one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. I will be bringing my parents back here when they come to visit.
(5)Brooke P.
I gave it a 3 bcuz the food was just ok. The servers were great. We had the fried chicken (needed salt but was juicy), the brisket, ribs, and pulled pork needed some flavors. I had farm salad was overdressed for my liking. The BISCUITS were off the hook. I would only come back for the biscuits. I still love Tiffany she is a great chef :)
(3)Ryan R.
I never write reviews mainly because I'm in the industry and far too many people now think they are NY Times food critics. With that being said I came here for lunch on Tuesday May 19, with the goal of having some kick ass barbeque. And damn, I was not disappointed. The bartender was great and very accommodating. I wanted to sample almost everything barbeque which wasn't an option on the lunch menu however I guess it is on the dinner menu which she did for my friend and I with no problem. So we sat down to a tray of pork belly, ribs, brisket, potato salad and Mac n Cheese. I can honesty say I would sell my mother for that pork belly. Brisket some of the best I have ever had and I have had a lot. The ribs were good not great but better than anything I've had around here in a long time. Killer potato salad, the Mac was OK. Wasn't a huge fan of their sauces but their barbeque was so damn good it really doesn't need sauce. All in all cool spot and kick ass barbeque. And that's all that matters.
(4)Andrea B.
The biscuits. Get them!! You'll be thanking me a million times over. I really cannot say enough about Sweet Cheeks' enormous, buttery, warm pieces of doughy goodness. The menu doesn't mention it, but you can order them individually, which makes for an excellent appetizer. But I must warn you - consume one of these, and you'll be full before you eat a single bite of the rest of your meal! I can't say enough about the rest of the food here, either. I'm no southern BBQ expert, and I don't pretend to be, but everything I tried here was dee-lic-ious. Their lunch menu is pretty simple. You can either order a sandwich or a tray. I'd go with the trays, if I were you. First step is to choose your meat. From pork belly to pork ribs to brisket and more, you really can't go wrong. I got the brisket, and it was perfectly tender, not too fatty, and not too chewy. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Your lunch tray also comes with a pile of onions and pickles and your choice of one hot or cold scoop, which is their version of a side. I got a scoop of their potato salad, which is topped with bacon bits. Yum!! By the time you've consumed all of the aforementioned food, you may be full to the point of bursting. Sadly, this was the case for me, so I wasn't able to try any of their scrumptious sounding desserts. Root beer chocolate cake? Yes, please! But that's not a problem. Now I just have an excuse to come back soon!
(4)David K.
Mediocre. Mixed bag of service, delightful biscuits, unimpressive brisket, good buttermilk fried chicken and cole slaw (wife thought too much celery), poor Mac & cheese.
(3)Eric H.
There are two things I wish I tried, the biscuits (but only can be ordered in groups of 4 for $10, need more options) and a sandwich. I had a brisket tray and my girlfriend had the 4 side tray (she doesn't eat meat, this wasn't even on the menu, I only knew about it because I saw it on the lunch menu). For the price I was expecting better quality. The brisket was decent. The mac and cheese was the highlight. My carrot and raisin salad was good, the cheese grits were good, the broccoli and cheese casserole was only ok and not very warm. The house bbq sauce wasn't even that good. The place was actually pretty chilly when we were in there, it is in the 40's outside, turn on the heat a little. Overall it was just ok, if I am spending that much on the food I expect more from it or more options (like 1 or 2 biscuits instead of 4). If I want BBQ I will stick with 2 better places: Red Bones or Blue Ribbon. They get away with prices and mediocrity because of location and lack of competition. Not quality.
(2)Colin M.
Everytime I come here the meal is on point and the bartenders are very nice. Their Cobb salad is legit. Add extra chicken. I also enjoy their outside bar during the warm summer months. It's a great alternative to the sport bars in the area.
(5)Rebekah H.
The place had a very southern like atmosphere. It's very loud but retting is nice. I suggest making reservations because it gets busy! First time I tried to go there was a two hour wait, second time I made reservations and still had to wait 30 minutes for a table to open up but it was worth the wait. By far THE BEST BBQ joint in Boston! It is so good, my cousin and I split one of the 3 meat platter (chicken, brisket & pulled pork) with cole slaw and Mac & cheese as a side. OMG it's to die for. The meat was cooked to perfection. Brisket was my favorite by far. The cole slaw was very good, and I typically don't care for coleslaw but it wasn't over done with extra sauce and seasoning like it usually is. The biscuits...seriously was my favorite part of the meal. I would go back just to eat the biscuits. My mom used to make homemade biscuits and this made me feel like I was back home, they came out hot and they come with this butter that has honey mixed into it...it's just so freakin good.
(5)Emily G.
I'm no BBQ expert, but I am a pretty big fan. Texas, KC, Memphis, Carolina style - I love it all, as long as it's done well. Sweet Cheeks has brought the Lone Star style 'cue to up to Massachusetts, and it's doing right by me. The menu is broken up into tray options: single meat, double meat (aka Big Cheeks), or triple meat (Fat Cheeks!) which includes a hefty scoop from both the hot and cold sides, plus a mound of house pickles and onions. The single meat tray is more than enough food for one person, but you can also order sides and meat by the pound a la carte. I've had the opportunity to taste most of the offerings, and you can't go wrong with the pulled pork, fried chicken, or thick sliced brisket. However, my personal favorite is the ribs: a 1/2 slab of meaty pork with a lovely bark from smoking. The ribs are tender but still have some bite (as poetic as it sounds, "falling off the bone" equals overcooked), easily pulled apart. All the sauces are quite nice, but the ribs really need no other accoutrements. No one really goes to eat BBQ for the sides, but Sweet Cheeks might be changing that single-handedly. The farm salad with arugula, roasted brussels sprouts, grapes, farro, and hazelnuts is a triumph, and although they might seem boring, the black eyed peas are quite delicious with bits of pork running through. Of course, the famous biscuits are certainly worth ordering, and you can add on a single to start or on your tray if the bucket of four is too many. I do love that Sweet Cheeks is sourcing their meat responsibly, but more importantly, that Berkshire pig tastes like pork oughta. I'm more than willing to put up a couple more bucks for meat that tastes better. Besides, 99% of the time I take home leftovers so I get to enjoy that Sweet Cheeks magic all over again.
(4)Desmond M.
The food here is incredible. My friend and I came here, he ordered the ribs and I had the pork belly. The pork belly is exceptionally juicy and a perfect balance between meat and fat. They have excellent spicy sauces that really give the meat some bite. The ribs are smoked with a unique flavour. Never had them like that before but it is a truly distinct smoked flavour. Incredibly fall off the bone delicious. Definitely a place to go back to.
(4)Matt A.
We were seated right away but our waiter didn't visit us for another 10 minutes or so. The place looked nice and clean if unspectacular. There was a fairly large bar with several flat screen Tv's and a liquor menu consisting of a wide variety of craft, foreign and domestic beers and a small cocktail selection. The menu consists of pulled pork, pulled chicken, pork bellies, brisket, sausage, fried chicken and ribs. I like they keep it simple as they focus on what they're good at. They also offer several sides. To start we ordered fresh-baked biscuits and they were enormous! They came with a surprisingly delicious honey-butter spread. Once buttered the biscuits were a treat and something I would come back for itself! For our main course, we ordered the pulled pork sandwich and the burnt ends brisket sandwich. Both were very good. Pulled pork (no BBQ sauce-they bring 3 homemade bottles (original, Carolina and habanero) out separate for you to add yourself) was piled high with a distinct vinegar taste, on a grilled bulky roll (could have had it on a Texas toast too). The burnt ends were perfectly smoked tasted like they came straight from Texas to Boston. For our sides we ordered the baked Mac and cheese which was so good it may have been my favorite thing on the menu. Also potato salad, simply assembled yet still a classic taste and the farm salad. All in all-a good place for BBQ but definitely some training needed for the wait staff.
(3)Glynn H.
The good stuff first....................love the place and the vibe.............wonderful service!!! The food on the other hand, well...............the biscuits are awesome...........the fried okra is terrific, but BBQ is NOT barbeque. It is cooked meat with very little flavor and certainly no smoke flavors at all. Could not figure out if this was trying to be a Carolina style, a Memphis style or Texas style of barbeque, but in the end the meat was not barbeque. Just cooked, flavorless meat. The available sauces were equally lame. Now on to the next barbeque restaurant to find one that really has barbeque.
(2)Dawn S.
Being from Texas, I am hard to please in this department, but I thought since the owner is too that it might be okay. I was wrong. The food is pretty much terrible. The hush puppies are too dense, over cooked, and the sauce was terrible. The cole slaw and BBQ sauce are too vinegary. The ribs and brisket were well cooked, but poorly seasoned. The pulled chicken was just terrible. There was a great beer list.
(1)Jon M.
Food = 5 Stars. Supposedly the meat is naturally raised. The meats and sides are killer - especially the chicken, farm salad, and collard greens. For a less-healthy side...the BISCUITS w/ honey butter are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Best you'll ever have. I ate here for 1 year without getting them. Dumb move. Value = 5 Stars. I come here with a date often and grab the Fat Cheeks Tray for $26. Tons of food and almost as much as Chipotle. Staff = 4.5 Stars. Usually super-nice and friendly. Ambiance = 4 Stars. This place is LOUD. Don't come for a conversation, you won't be able to hear across the table. Just chow.
(5)Hector I.
I went there on March 9th for a birthday dinner. I've been searching for a good BBQ place for a while and this kicked ass. First the bad... The wait was a pain and the seating sucked since the door blew cold air right at us. A vestibule was attempted and it fails... it needs to be bigger with a more acute angle from one door to the other. The okay... the atmosphere was a little high brow for a BBQ place but not too much so, I was mindful to eat without letting the delicious, slightly spicy, BBQ sauce on my lips. The good...The food was honest, so authentic, it reminded me of what I like about food even the mac and cheese. Everything was cooked really well with decent portions. I ordered the pork ribs which were tender moist and easily pealed off the bone. Slightly salty... but I found my self not minding it. I just combined it with the perfect mac and cheese side. I will be going back... in the summer... on a Wednesday... with a dress shirt and dress pants.
(4)Lola C.
It was my first time having Texas BBQ and both two dishes we ordered were great! The Big Cheeks tray of brisket and pork belly couldn't have been any better. I especially liked the brisket as the pork belly was a little fatty. We had mac&cheese as hot scoop and farm salad as cold scoop. I think they complemented the meat well and the home-made BBQ sauce was magnificent! The pulled pork sandwich was yummy. The toast in the sandwich was perfect.
(4)Kelsey H.
Yes I ordered the salad at a BBQ place. And it was a good salad too! The smoked chicken on top was a bit too salty so I'm glad I ordered a side of pulled pork too. The pork was juicy and flavorful, and perfectly good without any additional sauce on it. Both the table BBQ sauce and the apple cider vinegar sauce were super super tasty. I couldn't decide which one I liked better so I kept switching in between them with each bite. The biscuits were so good that my friend ordered a bucket to go to bring home on the plane. They're served with a light whipped honey butter that melts on the fresh, steamy, flaky biscuits. The service was speedy and competent but our waitress didn't seem very happy. I don't think I saw her smile once!! DEFINITELY make a reservation. The place was packed on a Sunday night! There's also outdoor seating and I think and outdoor bar too so you can take advantage of the beautiful Boston nights!
(5)P. L.
Went there a few weeks ago with some friends on a Friday night. Figured we would get there early. Went to Beerworks for a beer at 5 and the plan was to get to this place at 5:30....Well one beer led to another and we got to Sweet Cheeks at 6 and there was already a 45 minute wait. So, be warned, Early means early or be prepared for a long wait. I have heard up to 2 hours. Totally insane. Anyway, we got lucky and just as we went to the bar to get a beer for waiting, 2 dudes were leaving and we squeezed a chair in and the 3 of us sat at the bar immediately and were able to order beer and food. Score 1 for that! The bartenders were very nice and helpful. They could tell we had not been there before. The guy behind the bar could not have been nicer or more patient with us. Really appreciated that from him. He could have easily been a dick to us but he was not. Makes a huge difference in an experience when something like that happens. Onto the food. Biscuits are as advertised and universally praised. I agree with other parties of 2 being unhappy that they need to order 4 for $10 just to get them. They are too big to eat more than one for sure. But, it is a restaurant in business to make money...and if this is a featured item, they need to make the cash with their featured item. Buy an order, share it with your neighbor or take some home. I had ribs with side of cole slaw and beans. Ribs were 10/10. The ribs come with no sauce. I tasted their 3 sauces and none of them did much for me (-1 point for that) so I did not bother putting any sauce on the ribs but they did not need any, they were that good. The beans were tasty (although they killed me later in the night for obvious reasons). The cole slaw was nothing special. Too much dressing maybe? Too chunky? Not sure but not worth getting. One friend got fried chicken based on recommendation from the bar keep. It was excellent. A lot of chicken in that order. I hope you are hungry. He also got a side of brisket to taste it. It was excellent. Needed BBQ sauce but as I said, I did not like their sauces. The other friend got sausage and pork belly (another bar keep recommend, the belly that is). Pork belly is everywhere you look now. It was good, but I will stick to ribs for my BBQ experience. Too much fat with the belly for my liking. General feeling from friends on sides were same as mine...Ok but nothing to wait 2 hours for. Beer selection was good. Place was a zoo with lots of excitement and energy. Too many people packed inside waiting for tables. I thought it was a bit expensive. $22 for 1/2 rack of ribs with 2 sides and having to pay $2.50 extra for a biscuit makes it pricey for BBQ. Better than my last trip to Redbones. I would go again but I would not wait more than 30 minutes for a table. Oh, one last thing. As helpful as the bartender was, he had a nose ring which just bums me out. I can't even look at someone to talk to them with one of those things. Second nose ring server in one week. Note to restaurant managers - do you really need to have someone with a nose ring represent your restaurant?
(4)J D.
I was excited to try Sweet Cheeks. I come to Boston fairly often on business but rarely have an opportunity to try any restaurants in/around downtown. This was finally the night to go somewhere interesting. I fought the traffic and finally found a place to park. Walked up to the restaurant only to find signs on the doors that they were closed for a private event!! There is no notice on their website, no way of knowing that I would just be wasting my time. Really, really disappointed!
(1)Shelby B.
The pulled pork and cup-o-greens alone would merit a 5-star review. The rootbeer is tasty, and their beer selection is legit too. Then why the low review? Service and lack of quality control. Lemme splain. From the moment my friend and I arrived we started getting the stink eye from the server/bartender. We were patient and courteous as always while sitting at the bar waiting to order food/drinks, but the barkeep was not having it. The tall, scraggly self-important young droog behaved as if it were SUCH a BURDEN to take our order (2 pulled pork sandwiches, greens and slaw, 2 beers). He even resorted to eye-rolling with full sigh. Keep in mind that there were only 5-8 more people in the entire restaurant. And if you're reading this, young droog, please get a bigger septum ring. Yours is so small, smaller even than my girlfriend's septum ring, that it looks like you got punched by a stapler. Commit and get a badass, heavy septum ring or take out your small one...I digress. It speaks to the manager of this place that he/she would allow such a non-chill vibe to develop in an otherwise great establishment with such potential. But another thing bothered me a bit. The music was pretty loud, early millennium, top-40 electronic dance pop. WTF? Getting the pulled pork right, and also nailing the greens is some next level jedi BBQ magic. But, if Sweet Cheeks is to be taken seriously it needs to control the quality of the service and nail down the ambience. Complete the vision and be great, Sweet Cheeks, Boston needs you.
(2)Edi D.
Great experience! We tried a sampling of dishes and enjoyed all of them. The biscuits and fried chicken were made expertly: flaky on the outside and warm and moist inside. Everything else was very good but a step down: fried green tomatoes, ribs, and sides: Mac and cheese (almost too cheesy), collard greens, farm salad and cole slaw. We really enjoyed our cocktails. Overall, fair price for everything and good quality. I left very satisfied and with lots of leftovers. Music was too loud.
(4)Stephen F.
Wonderful raisin carrot salad and the pulled pork was delicious!
(4)Bryant F.
The food was good. A little pricey but average for the location. I would definately come back.
(4)Cj H.
Despite the fact my companion enjoyed his meal I found this place to be highly overrated and by far the worst BBQ I have ever had. He enjoyed the brisket( despite the fat)and the potato salad. I on the other hand had pulled chicken that was all dark meat with no smoke,the Mac & cheese under cooked and the cole slaw was just wrong. The sauce was terrible. The mixed drink, biscuit and our waiter were my only positives
(2)Maria V.
The biscuits here are superb. It was crispy on the outside and so unbelievably soft in the inside. The honey butter was made perfect. These are are definitely the best combination I've ever tasted so far. For the maun course I ordered the Pulled pork Tray.. It was so moist and seasoned to perfection. The mac & cheese was superb -definitely worth trying. I'm kinda disappointed with the coleslaw because the veggies are hard and really unpleasant to chew. They could have changed them to shredded, smaller-cut coleslaw for our convenience. And yes, the authentic original bbq sauce was UGH -just love how they taste!
(4)Sarah W.
(Disclaimer: I am not from Texas. I have been to Texas and have eaten BBQ multiple times in Texas, but I am not Texan.) Overall, I really like Sweet Cheeks. The vibe is great, the service is great, and the food is great. It's really an experience -- different enough from typical Boston fare that it can serve as a great "let's try something new!" place-- but it backs up that unique experience with solidly delicious food and a great next-door-neighbor vibe that invites you to become a regular. FIVE STARS - UNBELIEVABLE -biscuits with honey butter - larger than life (seriously, they are HUGE) and oh-so-delicious -hush puppies with some sort of amazing dipping cream -playlist - seriously, they play the best music -beer garden - WHY IS THIS NOT MORE OF A THING, BOSTON? -farm salad -- it's like everything you ever wanted in a salad, on your plate FOUR STARS - SO GOOD -fried okra - not a believer in okra? try these. -pulled chicken - so tender and tasty -broccoli cheese casserole - heavy on the cheese, just the way I like it -white bread and pickles and onions - makes it all amazing -portion sizes - take my word for it, two people can share one tray, esp. if there are apps involved THREE STARS - SOLID LIKE A ROCK -BBQ sauces -- they vary, and are all tasty, but none spoke to me -prices - yes, they are more than what you would pay in Texas or some such roadside BBQ. but this is Boston. plus, the meat's all natural. I don't think that's even a commonly understood term in Texas. TWO STARS - NEEDS IMPROVEMENT -giant nutter butter -- I expected "wow," but all I got was this giant peanut butter cookie business. It needed something else. -where is the Shiner Bock, Tiffani?? HOW CAN THERE NOT BE SHINER?? -my scale said I had to not eat here all the time. #howcanthisbe BONUS POINTS: -gay-owned & woman-owned small business. word. it's nice to know that you can take a queer bachelorette party here and the server will just be super excited for you and chat with folks about her awesome vermont tattoo.
(5)Bonnie G.
While Sweet Cheeks serves good food, the best biscuits and sweet tea in Boston but the food overall was overpriced. It was good but not great and for the price it needs to be great. Service is good. They offer validated parking which is nice.
(3)Timothy H.
The pork brisket was phenomenal!!! Their rib and pull pork, however, was overcooked, dry, and hard. Both the pull pork and the ribs didn't have much taste flavor to them. Their biscuit was the best biscuit I ever had. The biscuits were huge, warm, soft, and buttery. The sweet butter spread that came with it made it even better! Overall, this place is good for certain selected items sucks as the pork brisket and the biscuits, everything worse was kind of bad. Definitely worthwhile to check it out if you're ever in the mood for some BBQ in the Fenway area.
(3)Bryan D.
A small group of us went here before a concert at Fenway. Thankfully we got there early and walked right in, halfway through our meal there was a line down the street. I am a big BBQ snob. There was really only one place I would go for good BBQ before I went here. I have tried everywhere in New England, but no place was worth going back to. This place changed that. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the brisket, it was a little tough and could use a couple more hours in the smoker. Everything else (we ordered pretty much one of everything) was incredible and even the drinks were great. I want to go back every time we're in the area now.
(4)Matthew S.
Sweet Cheeks is a very good establishment for BBQ. While it may not rival the type of BBQ you'll get in Memphis or in Texas, it's one of the best places for BBQ in greater Boston. The meats are dry-rubbed and then you can add your own BBQ sauce. The bucket of biscuits here is a must get. The broccoli & cheese side and the carrot and raisin salad are both excellent.
(4)Rebecca R.
The biscuits here should be illegal they are so good. They are twice as tall as any biscuit I have ever had. The biscuit with the honey butter completed me and made me so happy and full. I want a supply of them fresh from the oven on hand at all times, except for my waist line. So good.
(5)Jamie H.
my husband went to sweet cheeks with his friends last week, and fortunately for him he remembered to bring me home some sides. i had the cole slaw and carrot salad, and was super excited to finally go for my own meal. i ordered the pork sandwich on bulky roll (which my husband loved last time) and collard greens and my husband got the brisket sandwich with potato salad. the pork was absolutely amazing, it was so super juicy, a little bit fatty, and a very large amount for a $12 sandwich. the roll was toasted and buttery, and i actually ended up leaving a fair amount of it behind, so perhaps i should have gotten the tray. i thought the collard greens were okay, as they were cooked with pork so they were a little heavy and greasy but very flavorful although they could have used more vinegar. my husband got the brisket sandwich and thoroughly enjoyed it, but i did notice that he picked out a few pieces of fat that he could not eat. he also said that it was not as effective of a vehicle for the sauce as the pulled pork, but still amazing. i had a bite and agreed that the pork was better. the potato salad had a phenomenal dill flavor and pieces of celery. it is also super important to mention the sauces. there is one tomato-y flavored one that is the base sauce and absolutely amazing, i could have drank it. there was a more spicy habanero sauce that was tasty but a little too hot for me, and a sweet Virginia style vinegar that looks like thai chili sauce and is just as sweet. the cole slaw still remains my favorite side, with huge pieces of cabbage that made it feel lighter. the shredded carrots were topped with a gorgonzola cheese and raisins, and very delicious as well if you like heavier cheeses. we got a table outside, which is awesome that they have the outdoor tables and patio, so i would also recommend it as a great night spot. the cocktails and craft beer list are fairly extensive, and the prices very reasonable. the only problem today was that the service was fairly slow - we sat down at noon and did not have our food until past 12:30.
(5)Joseph L.
We stopped today to give the place a try. Overall the food was tasty but my ribs and my sons brisket were both way over cooked. My wife ordered a salad and they upgraded it without asking her. Overall I'd say it's worth a visit and you decide if it's worth going back. For us we won't, I make better bbq on my smoker.
(3)Steve W.
Hands down the best bbq. Meaty juicy ribs. Good size portions. Excellent beverage selection.
(4)Ellen W.
Texans/southerners, if you miss barbecue from home, this is the place to go. I've been searching for a place in Boston that does consistent, delicious barbecue since I moved here from Houston. Sweet Cheeks is the clear winner. We discovered this place about a year ago, have come on average every 2-4 weeks, and have never had anything here we didn't like. Tonight, we were trying to be healthy and shared the 1/2 chicken tray with a 1/4 lb brisket, with the farm salad and the collard greens for sides. I also got the caramel apple with sea salt for dessert (I know, I know--that's not healthy). The smoked chicken is unbelievably juicy, including the white meat. I am usually skeptical of ordering chicken from restaurants because of how much I hate dry chicken. Both Sweet Cheeks' roasted chicken and fried chicken are amazing. The brisket was delicious as usual. I'm usually too full to get dessert but I couldn't pass on the caramel apple. The sea salt was the perfect touch to balance the sweetness of the caramel. Other must-gets if you've never been to Sweet Cheeks: biscuits with the honey butter, fried okra, mac n cheese, any of the meats. They also have lemonade and sweet tea. Also, if you can, try to get Evans for your server. He's the best one we've had so far.
(5)Laura W.
The food is really tasty, but the service is *really* rushed.
(3)Michelle M.
Le sigh. I really, really wanted to like this place because I'm a fan of Top Chef and barbeque, but I really can't give it more than two stars. The atmosphere is nice..but the food just sucks. Everything was insanely salty. I would say that's the only flavor on the menu: salty. I ordered a side of beans that 1) weren't cooked and 2) tasted more like a fajita/salsa seasoning than barbeque baked beans. And, how can you mess beans up!? Saving grace of the meal: definitely the biscuits and honey butter. I would go back for drinks and biscuits, but nothing else.
(2)Mena M.
I was reading all the reviews because I was confused by why such a great place is less than 4 stars. The trouble is that a lot of the reviews are either people that compare this place to epic BBQ places in Texas and give it 3 stars or just don't know good BBQ and give it 3 stars. Then there's not many people giving it 5 stars to balance it out, which is not fair but I agree it's not a 5 star BBQ joint. It's just not fair to give too much of a "location curve" because it's in the Northeast. I will say this IS BY FAR THE BEST BBQ I'VE HAD BETWEEN NEW YORK AND BOSTON. Four stars. The best, most succint review was Colette M who said "Delicious! I love barbeque and Sweet Cheeks was a good enough for me while in Boston. Nothing will ever compare to the Texas BBQ that I am use to, but the brisket here was awesome. The biscuits with that butter was amazing too. I would recommend Sweet Cheeks to people who are craving some BBQ and haven't been to the South in a while."
(4)Rusty R.
Reasonable prices and good food in proximity to Fenway. Friendly service. The pulled pork was good, and the mac & cheese was WONDERFUL. Highly recommended. The fried green tomatoes were just average but I still enjoyed them. The mayo served with them was very good. Portions of everything are large so you will leave full!!!
(4)Lesley N.
I do not claim to be a BBQ expert, but this place is good. Trays are huge. Ribs, brisket, and pork belly are all tender and flavorful. Sides can be a hit or miss...so I usually opt for a double serving of the farm salad. The farm salad can be really salty depending on whomever is roasting the brussel sprouts that day, but when the salt level is just right...it becomes my favorite salad in the city. I swearz! The place is always crowded and to be honest the service isn't the friendliest. Biscuits are pricey at $10 for 4, but you can order 1 for $3. The biscuits are good...but $#^% they are just biscuits! Do not make the same mistake I did and ask for some honey and get charged like 2 bucks for it at the end without warning... So choose the farm salad as your side, avoid my biscuit mistakes, order for take out, and you are good to grub.
(4)Hugo C.
I should have known better than to get BBQ outside of the South. I am from CA and even we have half-way decent BBQ. After college I moved out to TX for work. Man can the South do BBQ right! It would be an embarrassment to present Sweet Cheeks in the South. Marbling is great for rich meats cooked slowly, but there is no excuse for serving grizzle with a little bit of brisket. And even worse was the burnt-ends. What is served is not burnt-ends... what is served resembles regurgitated burnt-ends. Who wants sloppy seconds? The table top sauces are only "meh" and do not make up for the lack of flavor in the meats. The only saving grace is the farm salad. It was delicious and incorporated a unique use of farro grains and charred brussel sprouts. Take it from me, until real BBQ is served here, you are better off saving a pretty penny and buying buffalo chicken tenders and mac 'n cheese from Star Market across the street.
(2)Matthew B.
Recently moved from South Florida to Boston at the end of January and the one thing I've been missing is good barbecue. Last night I decided to try Sweet Cheeks takeout after reading hundreds of positive reviews online. I'm hoping my experience was a fluke, because it was one of the worst meals I've ever had. I ordered the Fat Cheeks tray, a Brisket Burnt Ends sandwich, and a large side of mac and cheese. The sandwich was virtually inedible; it was completely doused in salt, burnt, and tasted like something out of a car. I cooked dinner for my girlfriend so she actually had something to eat. My Fat Cheeks tray was tasteless and cold and the brisket, pulled pork and pork belly were sitting in a solid 1/2 inch of a mixture of water and oil. The collard greens on the side weren't cooked through at all, and I barely touched the broccoli casserole. I put a slight dent in the mac and cheese, but every single item on the menu tasted like it came out of a box or worse. Not only all of that, but I paid $60 for all this trouble. I'd love to hear back from the restaurant. 700+ good yelp reviews doesn't usually indicate an awful place to eat and maybe I just had a bad experience, but it truly was terrible. Hopefully I'll be able to change my opinion in the future.
(1)Daniel G.
I've been meaning to try this place after reading several accolades on Thrillist (maybe). So me and the woman, who was also in the mood for BBQ, made the drive from Somerville to the Fenway. Not being fussy, we grabbed an open stool at the counter by the window. As an amateur BBQ connoisseur, I was excited to try the rubs and the sauces that Sweet Cheeks had to offer. But something struck me about Sweet Cheeks that other BBQ restaurants do not offer and that is high quality Angus beef and heritage pork. So when our brisket and fat cheeks platter arrived, I was very impressed with that the seasoning of the meat did not overwhelm the taste but compliment it. My sausage was peppery and delightful, the ribs were very rich and complimented by the tomato based sauce, the pulled pork was smoky and umami, and the brisket was tender and tasty. I wish they had a pie on their dessert menu. Also jamming to old school Prince, MJ, and Rick James was a highlight.
(4)Michelle C.
the Fried Green tomatoes were there this time! they are SOO good and surprisingly not greasy at all! Had to come back for the chicken which was just as amazing as I remembered.
(4)Lucy E.
Large portions, cold beer, and AMAZING biscuits (yes all the hype on yelp is too true). A 'platter' of food is definitely share-able, especially if you're indulging in the biscuits or any other appetizer. Although leftovers are good too, so maybe on second thought, invest in your own platter. They have a small draft beer list, however it is usually very good. It has two or three crafts beers and often a local beer or two. As for the biscuits, the menu reads that they come in a basket of four, but you can actually order them individually. However, my bf and I did not know this and ordered the basket of four last time we went and took the other two home for breakfast the next day, so it turned on not only to not be a mistake, but really a wonderful idea. So go ahead, order too much of everything and enjoy the rest the next day!
(4)Jenn Z.
Tasty meat dishes and amazing (& huge) biscuits with honey butter. In addition to the biscuit size, the entree trays can easily be shared by two people.
(4)Greg F.
Went today for lunch. I had the pulled pork with a little of the barbecue sauce on it. Flavorful, smoky and tender. The homemade coleslaw was top notch. I found the platter to be plenty of food, but I could not resist trying the brisket that my friend ordered. Best brisket I have ever tasted. There was a crunchy bark on the outside, but the meat was as tender as possible. We also shared some of the mac and cheese, which also had a delicious crust to go along with the wonderfully cheesy macaroni. Our waiter was friendly, not pushy, not overly attentive, but there when we needed him. I'll be back!
(5)A A.
Ok, so just went by to get some food at 10 pm. Dining room full. Doors locked. Hours till 10. I understand, but 10 pm at Fenway ????.perhaps short-sided?
(2)Danielle F.
If you are going there to eat, I'd recommend wearing loose-fitting pants (or maybe steal a move from Joey on Friends and wear maternity pants)!!! Big fan of this place. Another good pre-gaming spot if you're headed to Fenway Park. It's closest to the Fenway stop (on the D line). From the restaurant it's a short walk to the ballpark. The restaurant smells like a smokehouse when you walk in. There are some tables located outside on the sidewalk for outdoor dining and there is a small covered beer garden with some long high top tables as well. There are a fair amount of tables, you can call for a reservations. There's a pretty impressive beer list, usually about 6 or so on tap and a large array in bottles and cans. Options range from light domestic options to dark porters. In addition there are some pretty tasty-looking cocktails, but I've yet to sample them. I've always kind of thought of this place as a beer drinkin' establishment. Glasses for drinks are mason jars. The bucket of biscuits are gigantic, but really tasty with the honey butter. One is more than enough for me, so I'd suggest making sure you order them with a reasonably large sized group. Otherwise those puppies might get left behind. The portions in general are quite generous, so it's important to remember to come hungry and remember it's a marathon not a sprint. I don't eat red meat, but I still find plenty to choose from on the menu. I'm partial to the pulled chicken over the pulled pork, but both are quite good. A friend has raved about the relatively recent addition of fried chicken, and a staff member has told me that it is a popular menu item. The trays are a great idea as you choose one meat and then one hot side and one cold side. For hot sides, I am partial to the BBQ baked beans and the black-eyed peas. The mac and cheese fell short compared to those other two, in my opinion. For cold sides, the carrot and raisin salad and the potato salad are both solid choices. In a more recent visit, I noticed that they have added a cobb salad with smoked chicken. That is on the to-do list for a future visit. I don't pretend to be a BBQ expert, but I've always enjoyed my meals here and have had a pleasant experience while doing so. I really enjoy sitting out in the beer garden in summer months, sampling their beer list and eating some fabulous BBQ. Hats off to Tiffani and company for a great restaurant!
(4)Alice P.
Usually if I have one bad experience, I give the restaurant one more chance before I take my complaints to Yelp-like sites. But my first experience was bad enough that I don't think they deserve the benefit of the doubt. 1. The food isn't very good. I'm not from Texas, so I can't speak to whether the food is authentically Texan, but as a Southerner who misses the real deal, I did find it just generally disappointing. The whole meal was like a heavy, greasy dessert: there was butter and sugar on everything, from the $7 hushpuppies (which had a weird oily taste--they were more like beignets than hush puppies) to the pulled pork. It wasn't the worst Southern food I've ever had, but I would put it up there with the kind of stuff they serve at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede or at like a Ryan's steakhouse. You could tell that there was some effort to be culinary and the presentation of the food was quite nice looking, but it just wasn't good. 2. The food may have made us sick. Within half an hour after leaving, my stomach was incredibly upset. We were seeing a movie at the Regal Fenway across the way afterwards and I had to leave the movie twice to dash to the restroom because I just felt awful. My husband seemed to have escaped unscathed...until his stomach revolted the next morning. It's possible that we both got into something else, so I won't say outright "the food made us sick"; however, I think it's the most likely candidate as by far the greasiest, heaviest, most buttery food we ate all week. I also had to wonder about the cleanliness of using the same trays for food service. I couldn't tell whether the trays that serve as plates were getting washed between use, or if they were just putting a new piece of wax paper on top. If the former, disregard; if the latter, I have to wonder how sanitary that is, because the food leaks through the paper / touches the edges of the tray and that's gross. 3. Their prices are INSANE. We had no idea how much the place cost, coming in. Once we sat down and saw the menu, our eyes popped. $7 for sides?! $4.50 for a lemonade?! $18+ for an entree with two sides? WHAT IS THIS?! But by the point we saw the menu, we were already seated and we had been wanting to try Sweet Cheeks for a while, so taking a deep breath we decided just this once, we'd give it a shot. Never again. $60 for two was insane for a casual dinner place and I don't care where it's located or what kind of hype it's getting. It's extortion. (Our bill contained: 1 lemonade, 1 order of hush-puppies, a pulled pork platter and a pulled pork sandwich, each with two sides included; plus 20% gratuity for service--no alcoholic beverages or desserts). 4. If you're not there at five, be prepared to wait. The first two times we tried to go here (at 6 and at 7 on a Friday and Saturday night, respectively), we ended up leaving because they said it would be a 2-3 hour wait. We came back at 5 this time and were seated and served right away (but the place started filling up by 5:30. They get one star for service which was pretty decent (not to mention Yelp won't allow you to give a place 0 stars). I seriously recommend taking your business elsewhere if you're looking for a pre-movie meal and especially if you're missing good Southern food....
(1)Cindy W.
Southern hospitality and good o' comfort bbQ is the way to live yo life! SC totally delivers everything you want. Drinks were always full, plate filled with juicy cuts of all different meats and sides that I am still thinking about today. I got the tray with 2 meats (pork belly/ribs) with sides of the farmers salad and baked beans. Holy molly was the pork belly thick and tender packed with a great crispy skin. And the rib's meat was just falling off the bones. The baked beans was good but they tasted way better the next day. However, the farmers salad was AMAZE balls!!!! So fresh and full of life. Order whatever...it doesn't matter because I guarantee that it will be all good. But if I may give you a tip for tap is that you must...I say MUST....order the pail of biscuits with their maple whipped butter. Order it and you can buy me dinner next time. A true a staple for this place. With a party of 20 of us on a busy Saturday Red sox game night, the service and food was pronominal. BEST bbQ in BOSTON! *drooling
(4)Susan W.
Not bad. I really miss barbecue.
(4)Alex S.
Being a Texan, you tend to crave some good BBQ every now and then. This was the perfect opportunity to try this place out. When we arrived, the restaurant was packed so we had to wait a bit. We eventually took some seats by the window because we didn't want to wait any longer. Things to get: Mary Palmer (grapefruit juice, vodka, lemonade and tea), bucket o'biscuits, beef brisket, and BBQ chicken. The service here is slow but at times but they make up for it in their huge portions. Although it doesn't compare to southern BBQ, it's still a very valiant attempt and probably the best you can get in Boston. Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2013/11/17…
(4)Joanna F.
Really liked the atmosphere and I thought the food was fine. Was it the best bbq I've ever had? Not by a long shot. But I think it's probably the nicest looking and warmest environment of a bbq restaurant that I've ever been to. I really liked the lunch trays they do at lunchtime. I got the pulled pork with a "scoop" of potato salad. There was a significant amount of both as well as pickles and onions on the side. Not too shabby for $12. The pulled pork was pretty salty for my taste, but still fairly good. The service was also pleasant and speedy. I expect I'll be back since I work across the street, but I probably wouldn't go here if I didn't. Much better Q can be found elsewhere. A-OK truly sums it up.
(3)Mustafa K.
Everything is just so delicious. I work at Longwod medical area and i often visit here. Pulled chicken is perfect. Mac and cheese, cole slaw, brocolly and cheese... everything but everything is good for barbaeque lovers
(5)Jay W.
Ordered the Pulled Pork sandwich tray with house bbq sauce and a side of coleslaw and collard greens. I had prompt service eating at the bar on a moderately crowded night. Staff was friendly and generally attentive. You're not going to get dripping hunks of pulled pork here, and it may even be on the dry side, but it's satisfying with the house made sauce and crispy roll. The collards were punchy, lots of vinegar and the coleslaw was thick cut and mild. I'm looking forward to the re-start of Ramen Mondays this autumn/winter.
(4)Mike C.
Grade A BBQ. I was both surprised and impressed. I have always been a bit hesitant to try this place due to the price and the fact that I always eat at El Pelon when in the area. Sweet Cheeks does live up to the hype. Normally when dining at restaurants with celebrity chefs, I expect beautiful presentation or exquisite dishes most people would not be able to make. Good bbq is usually reserved for that southern comfort grill master or at old family restaurants not prevalent in Boston or New England. This is a true gem breaking barriers. The main focus here is pig. There are some chicken and beef options, but they don't seem to be highlighted as much. The pork ribs and pork belly were favorites. The ribs were not fall off the bone baby back ribs, but were meaty and flavorful. Many seem to complain about how fatty some of their meats are, but the pork belly is supposed to be! It was juicy with just the right amount of bark. Pulled chicken was properly seasoned dark meat. Homemade bbq and hot sauce were decent. The farm salad and mac/cheese really shined as side dishes. The combination of nuts, grapes, balsamic, and cheese is genius. Why don't more salads have grapes to make them more sweet? Perhaps I don't eat salad as much as I should, but this is a very suitable dish for any carnivore to try and pair with their meal. The trays do come with pickles and onions. Mac and cheese was the typical homemade style. A cocktail I would recommend for dessert is the Indian Summer. Listed as a normal cocktail, but definitely a bit sweet to drink with the meal. It came off as a coconut apple caramel latte on ice. The mason jar was rimmed with cinnamon sugar and coconut flakes. We never had problems with service as some other yelpers have managed. It was in fact one of the positives. I can't wait to return and try the popular biscuits and their other meats.
(5)Meg N.
positives - drinks - the drinks are very good - I had one that seemed like sweet tea with whiskey and it was perfect with the food. - bar and seating area - very comfortable (except we only received one steak knife) - sides and apps - had the carrot and raisin salad - yum, also good -mac and cheese and the fried green tomatoes with the jalapeno ranch sauce - would go back just for the sides and apps negatives - server started out good but then disappeared - were left without water for a long period of time - the actual bbq - the meat didn't have a lot of flavor, was very fatty and the sauce options seemed to either be sweet or really spicy - portions - so much food! would rather better quality and smaller portions Have heard from other people that the food has dropped off in the last year - hope it improves because the location is perfect during red sox season.
(3)Jonah K.
Boston has always had a pretty sad BBQ scene for as long as I can remember. Spending time in Texas, and living in Georgia for 3 years I've had the best BBQ (okay Memphis, and St Louis are pretty awesome too). I also am an avid smoker and have made pretty much anything BBQed out there. This brisket is superb, very well done. I would highly suggest ordering it. The rest of the sides were decent, but nothing to write home about. The main focus is on the meat, and it was really worth getting. Excellent drinks, bartender, and service overall. I will be back.
(4)David J.
Lousy service. Double booked our table for a birthday party and made us wait over an hour despite having a reservation...
(1)David J.
The food was pretty good. If I had to just rate the food I'd give the place 4 stars. The service is what brings this place down. Saturday night with 9PM reservations, not seated until 930PM, it was busy. Slow service while THREE hostesses sit around and essentially do nothing except lump up in a ball together. At least clear a table or something. I'd say fire two hostesses and hire two more waitstaff. They ran out of biscuits, which is one of their signature items. As I went to the bathroom I heard one of the hostesses turn a couple away, they said the wait for a table was so long they'd never be seated tonight. Five minutes later I saw three open tables that stayed open the rest of the night. Our waitress was pretty good and they did comp some items without us even asking, but they really need to get their act together, poor service is dragging this place down.
(2)Rebecca R.
We had heard nothing but good things about this place, however it did not live up to our expectations in the least. We had a bunch of friends we were meeting and we found them near the bar area which was super crowded. When I had asked if we could snag one of the high top tables (since there were so many empty) I was told they were being seated momentarily for dine in guests. During our entire 2 hours there I did not see any of those tables sat... The wait staff were not very friendly. The one thing I enjoyed was my drink. I got the pineapple crush, i think it was called. Well it tasted like a pina colada on the rocks. Smooth flavor, chunk of grilled pineapple and served in a mason jar. Very nice. Now on to the food. Major disappointment. The husband and I ordered the fried chicken meal. At a whopping $22 you received 3 pieces of fried chicken and 2 sides. The chicken was disgusting. The batter had no flavor and there was literally no chicken on any of the pieces. An extreme let down, especially after paying $22. The amount of chicken we scrounged literally wasn't even what you normally get one 1 piece anywhere else. The mac and cheese side (husbands choice) was pretty good. It was cheesy warm and did have that home cooked taste. The potato salad side (my choice) was just okay. It had to much dressing/mayonaisse on it and was pretty sub par. Also, you did not get much of the sides. I left pretty disappointed and hungry. I would have much rather gone for a slice of pizza and saved ourselves the money and aggravation.
(2)Jurme B.
I don't understand why this place has any less than 5 stars. The food was INCREDIBLE. Best barbecue I've ever had and one of the best restaurants I've been to in Boston. The brisket was amazing, as was the pulled pork. And don't even get me started on the mountainous golden brown buttermilk softball sized pillows they call biscuits, if I could survive on these alone I would.
(5)Nat G.
Oh those ethereal biscuits, light and crusty, with honey butter---2 for there and 2 for the freezer! Oh yes, there's other food: flavorful brisket, crunchy, fresh-tasting coleslaw, though prefer other than pepperiness; yummingly comforting mac and cheese; Belgian-style Omegang Witte ale from Cooperstown that was a delicious match.
(4)Arkangel R.
One oif the better BBQ places around. Staff is friendly and offer good recommendations. I ordered the pulled chicken with mac and cheese and a biscuit. Biscuit with the side of honey-butter is awesome and huge. Mac and cheese is creamy and tasty. Pulled chicken which is all dark meat was delicious. I recommend this place.
(5)Joe R.
Cautionary Tale: About a month ago, I went to Sweet Cheeks in Fenway with 6 friends for dinner. We arrived without a reservation and the host did a fantastic job keeping us informed and seating us in a prompt fashion. While we waited, we had a few drinks from the great beer selection and then sat down to eat. I have been to Sweet Cheeks before and find their BBQ to be some of the best in Boston. This experience was not much different in terms of food. After my meal I visited the bathroom and while there, I noticed two cock roaches. The first, was stuck to some duct tape which held a Texas license plate to the wall. It was in plain sight and had been there for quite some time (since it was dead). The second was very much alive and also stuck to some duct tape. I mentioned this to the waiter as he brought our bill, but was quite repulsed and didn't want to take any of the food home with me. Since then, I have made an effort to contact Sweet Cheeks via email to express my concern, but after two weeks have heard no response. Given that, I felt it important that people should be aware of the conditions at this establishment.
(2)Alyssa W.
I like bbq so I had to try this place. I'm usually a fan of saucy sweet bbq, but this place didnt dissappoint. They do a tradiational dry rub and sauces are on the table. we ordered family style and tried a bit of everything. biscuits, rack of ribs, brisket, fried chicken and short rib. biscuits are great, big and served with honey butter. so good. ribs were tender and tasty brisket was super moist and favorful fried chicken, a bit heavy on the batter, but moist inside short rib, tasty tasty tasty sides: mac n cheese. if you like mac n cheese you def need to try theirs. broccoli cheese casserole was ok, I'd probably choose something else if I return cole slaw, chunky and perfect with the fried chicken. like bbq? go here.
(4)Jennifer J.
Worth every penny. Took $40 in cab rides there and back to bring this delicious goodness to my people. You won't be disappointed. Get everything and share.
(5)Daniel E.
Upfront, I am a KC native and have had my share of legendary KC BBQ. That being said, this place was terrible. I thought I would try a change of pace and try the pork belly. The pork belly was decent, but it didn't even taste like it was smoked. What really made it a less than stellar experience was the sides and price. I tried the coleslaw and Mac n Cheese. First, the was something that the most amateur cook could put together. Most people think "sprinkle some celery seed on it and it will be great!" Well, not so true. The Mac n Cheese didn't even taste homemade and tasted like it was made with processed cheese not real cheese. On to price. It was $20 just for my single meal with no drink. One of the fortes of BBQ is that you focus on the meat, give lots of it, keep the sides simple (fries, BBQ beans, and slaw), and have good sauce. This restaurant missed on all points. I was just attending a Red Sox game and don't live in Boston, but if I did, I would not frequent this establishment again.
(1)Phillip W.
My favorite bbq spot in Boston - but it's a bit expensive. Must haves (in order): biscuits, fried chicken, great northern rib (this item may have fallen off the menu), farm salad (inconsistent though), broccoli casserole. Bubs tap serves some of my favorite beer (bourbon ale). Have had some real variation in service ... doesn't help that it can get super busy. But always enjoy my meal.
(5)Samantha G.
Great BBQ. Very accommodating for those with allergies (I have a gluten allergy), but 4 stars because it was overpriced and the server seemed to nickel and dime us. Either way, I'll be back for the food! Yuuuum
(4)Taylor J.
My company took me out to this amazing BBQ spot. I have to say that it was perfect. A few of my coworkers got there early and hit up the bar. We ordered the most amazing Whiskey Gingers (made with ginger beer) and it went UPHILL from there! The food was amazing and we ordered EVERYTHING on the menu! So since I can honestly say that I tasted everything they had to offer, I consider myself an expert on the greatness that is their restaraunt. I loved everything and even my husband, who ate the leftovers all week long, couldn't put the ribs and chicken and mac-n-cheese and greens and brisket down. Great job Sweet Cheeks!
(5)Ellen L.
1) I got sick off their food. 2) the food has no flavor 3) service was SLOOOOW 4) all of the meat was SUPER fatty and just seemed to be bad cuts of meat 5) brisket was almost a pulled beef it was so overcooked we tried platters with pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and pork belly. for sides we had baked beans, mac and cheese, carrot and raisin salad, and potato salad. nothing worth talking about there. the biscuits on the other hand were absolutely delightful. i wish i just ordered a bunch of those rather than spending all sorts of money on the other stuff. i had high hopes and was let down.
(1)Jay J.
Excellent food before a redsox game. Or anytime. It it's based on texas bbq. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)Q S.
We were a party of 12 and were told the wait was 45 min. 1.5 frustrating hours later, we got seated. At first, we were offered a table for 8... uh, are you kidding me? But after speaking to several people, we got a bigger table, one that actually fit 12 people. The food was good. My favorites were the biscuits and fried chicken - the sides were just ok. At the end of the meal, we wanted to speak to the manager about our experience. She completely ignored us. All 12 of us decided that we would not visit again.
(2)Carrianne C.
I'm torn on this review... this would really be 3.5 stars. I'm from NC, and used to work at a bbq joint down there so a really good barbecue to me is pulled pork... and my problem is that it's not AMAZING and yet it's priced pretty high for some barbecue. I also tried the chopped brisket sandwich, which was much better. Not as good as it would be in the south butttt we're in MA. Portions are massive - I wish they would offer a smaller size portion along with the regular. I just CAN'T eat that much in one sitting. Overall its okay, nothing to go out of your way for - next time I want barbecue I'll probably try a different place instead.
(3)Wendy L.
We ordered a bunch of things for the three adults - obviously way too much, but variety is the spice of life. Our order ranked by my favorite to less (not least, just less) favorite: 1. Biscuits. Definitely get the biscuits. They look like giant, hard mounds of biscuits, but they are amazingly light and fluffy; they taste like clouds of butter. Oh, and the honey butter is a must-do on top. 2. Pulled chicken. I was a skeptic at first - I had never had pulled chicken - but it was juicy, a little spicy and incredibly flavorful. You can buy it by the pound. 3. Fried green tomatoes. Good fry on the outside, a tiny bit tart on the inside. It's great that the tomatoes really held up with the fry. Tasty Ranch-like sauce on top. 4. Fried chicken. Really good fry, light and stayed decently crispy as cold fried chicken leftovers. 5. Collared greens. These had the bitterness cooked out of them without being overcooked. The pieces are long...almost like collared green pappardelle. 6. Macaroni and cheese. Who doesn't like mac and cheese? This one was good but didn't have the cheesy richness of others. 7. Broccoli casserole. Tasty but more cheese casserole than broccoli. We got takeout which was a great option - and they do everything takeout (including biscuits). All of that food which lasted more than two meals - only $75.
(4)Blake H.
Adding sweet cheeks to my Top 10 list until proven otherwise. I am from NC and this is a great place to go for some BBQ in Boston! And sorry..you are in Boston...the prices will not be the same as down south but the portions and quality are worth it. Even my mother loved it here! First, make sure to get the bucket o'biscuits. Melt in your mouth! The honey butter is sooo good. I almost fill up on these before even getting to the main course. I have had the pulled pork, northern brisket, and the burnt ends. I will forever ever get the burnt ends brisket sandwich. So delicious! But they are all great options. For side dishes mother recommends the mac n'cheese. I had the BBQ beans which were unique; they had a ranch kick to them. Make sure to make reservations in advance as this place gets packed.
(5)Chelsea C.
I can't say enough good things about this place. My boyfriend and I have walked by it constantly when we're in the Fenway area but we'd never been until a few weekends ago. I like that the meals are served on a metal tray, it gives it an industrial sort of feel. Only issue was that I don't eat red meat or pork, so a lot of the side options were out for me. I ended up with the shredded chicken, the potato salad, and the farmers salad, all of which were delicious. They even had a decent gluten free beer, which is a plus! The chicken was so delicious I didn't need to put any bbq sauce on it, and I loved their bbq sauces, so that's saying something. I can't wait to go back here!
(4)Good E.
Had the fried chicken and it tasted like dog food.... It looked like frozen chicken that was heated up... How could someone serve that with dignity... Brisket tasted like it was boiled had no flavor.... Baked beans were hard and mysterious. The water was the best thing I ingested no joke... This place needs Restaurant Impossible!!!
(1)Stephanie H.
I have become a frequent flyer at Sweet Cheeks. I tried their take-out about two years ago and loved the flavors and interesting sides, but the food tended to get a little soggy after sitting around, waiting for me to pick it up and finally devouring it. My boyfriend and I were craving barbecue and had been disappointed a couple times by our regular spot, so we stopped into Sweet Cheeks. The location near Fenway is pretty good, and if you're lucky you can find a parking spot at one of the meters outside. Inside, it has that nice woodsy ski lodge smell, and the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. We split a huge platter of brisket, pulled pork, collard greens and the farm salad. I had a gluten free beer, which was nice to see on the menu. We basically ate in silence, with the occasional "oh my god" or, "this brisket is SO good" or "these sides are amazing" and "mmm there is so much butter." The brisket was some of the best I had ever had, and the pulled pork was super tender. They serve the sauces separately so you can add to taste. Finally, the sides on the menu are so much more interesting than at your typical barbecue place, and are a nice change from the standard mashed potatoes and cornbread. The farm salad had greens, grapes, grilled brussels sprouts and a sharp cheese. SO good. I should also mention that every time we returned (4 and counting), the service was fast and friendly. You can be in and out quickly or stretch your meal a little longer if you're in the mood.
(5)Ben C.
I was excited to find some BBQ up north that was suppose to be really good. My coworker and I sat at the bar and got the pulled pork sandwich...after being ignored by the bar tender for about 15 min. This bartender was TERRIBLE! We had to get his attention for drink order, food order, and check. All this and his he was feet away the entire time. Don't waste your time here.
(1)Dianne R.
My family came here for my birthday lunch. It was such a disappointment! My fried chicken was very underdone. When I mentioned this to the waiter, he said they always take the temperature before serving, so a blood vessel probably ruptured after cooking. What??? Blood vessel still had fresh blood after cooking...plus the meat was still red!!! My potato salad was heavily seasoned with dill and the broccoli cssserole was mushy. Out of the three adults in our party, only one liked their meal and neither of the two children liked theirs. The restaurant gets one star for their atrociously priced but delicious rolls.
(1)Frank M.
Attention people who've never been down South: this is not good BBQ, especially for the price. If you care more about vibe and eclectic beer selection and location, go to Sweet Cheeks. If you want truly good BBQ, this isn't it. The ribs are dried out, too fatty, too expensive. The sauces aren't very good, the baked beans are terrible, and the service is subpar. The menu is designed like a cable tv contract and condescendingly states that items are designed for one person (read they don't want you sharing). Sure we shouldn't expect greatness for BBQ up here, but this place acts like its God's gift and it's not even close.
(2)Shirley Y.
This place is amazing. Not exactly slap-on-the-BBQ-sauce yee-haw Texan style, but a tad bit gourmet without the pretentiousness. It's famous too, something to do with Top Chef something or the other. Located down the street on Boylston Street away from the more congested area of the city, the restaurant has space to expand to an outdoor seating area and a beer garden type area. The portion sizes are substantial, and as my friend tried to warn me a few times, no one leaves hungry here. In fact, I saw lots of brown paper doggie bags sitting at most tables. I came hungry. Unplanned, but a good thing, as we ordered two starters of griddled corn, fried okra, hush puppies and a bucket of biscuits each "the size of [my friend's] face" served with honey butter. The corn came slathered in a pesto aioli garnished with a leaf of basil on each ear. Nice and well spiced, with paprika and Parmesan cheese on top. The fried okra came whole, breaded with crack. Ok, probably drug-free but I don't think it's ok to eat almost the whole plate by myself in one sitting. Which I did, of course. The hush puppies came swimming in a sea of honey and served with a white cream sauce. What's this sauce, we ask? Don't know, but it's amazing. Normally, hush puppies are too dry for my taste but these came out crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside. Sure, I will eat more. By now, I'm wondering if we should be ordering our entree. Since I wanted both the fried chicken and the ribs, I opted for the fried chicken tray with two ribs as sides, in addition to one cold side, and one hot side. You can get one rib as a side. Brilliant, for us indecisive people. And when the tray came, I was full simply by looking at the *five* giant pieces of fried chicken. Um, yes, I think I can spare a piece of chicken in exchange for that melt-in-your-mouth brisket. The fried chicken was delicious. I swear I taste a bit of truffle oil in the crunchy cornmeal batter. The ribs were moist, juicy and fall-off-the-bone, but I am glad I opted for the chicken as the main course. The potato salad is better than most. I would love to tell you how the broccoli cheese casserole was, but I hit the wall right about then. Probably something to do with the expanding half a biscuit in my stomach, and the whole plate of okra that I devoured in rapid succession. But wait, I still have room for another yummy drink in a Ball jar!
(5)Mike Z.
Yo B what 'chu think 'bout that Sweety badonkadonk Cheeks you checkin' out the other night? She a 2.5 Her overcooked brisket be too muhfugin' fatty and 'na mean...some homies into that shit, but uh-uh...not me..I like 'um shaped like a coke bottle 'na mean. Her pork ribs? That shit tender as fuck, but where the salt shaker at? Her muhfugin' pork-like belly...homeslice you see that shit? Salty as fuck and daymmmm...bitch needs a treadmill and a half. Least she made summin' right...that mac n' cheese and potato salad. Her sauce? Whack. Price? Bitch this ain't Sweet Cheeks in Fenway, why you be charging prescription prices like them for? Oh wait, it is. I be her 500th...cheaaaaaa
(3)K M.
Great bbq. Brisket. Pulled Pork. Chicken. TExas toast. Sides are hit or miss. Good sides: mac cheese, farm salad, brocolli dish, potato salad. Not good beans. Bucket of biscuits is just too much food. Maybe get a biscuit and split between two people. Pork belly deilicious too. Down home good bbq, dont trip, definitely 4 star at the least.
(4)Mallory H.
We were so looking forward to a BBQ escapade relocating from NC to MA and the food did not disappoint. Top top notch biscuits and all day smoked meat. My problem is the service left a bad taste in my mouth-- very friendly demeanor but we were abandoned for 40min and resorted to tackling a hostess for a to go box. Nailed the food-- failed the southern hospitality.
(3)Dave F.
I visited Sweet Cheeks Q for the the first meeting up with a friend in city. City parking is always tough but I knew this when we selected this spot so I won't hold that gainst them. Upon walking in, the first thing that caught me was the unbelievable aroma from the kitchen. It was a great smell without the smokey feel you get from some BBQ joints. After a short wait, as we requested a separate table rather than the community seating, we got out table and sat. Our water mason jars were filled rather quickly and we ordered drinks and a bucket of biscuits. These biscuits were to die for and filling enough to be a meal. The honey butter was amazing. Our waiter took our order (we loved the fact that they used utility belts instead of aprons) and our food came out quickly. I got the tray with two meets and two hot sides, brisket, pulled pork, Mac and cheese and BBQ ranch beans. Everything on my plate was AMAZING, including the pickles. Their light brown colored BBQ sauce in the larger bottle on the center of the table made everything even better. My companion also got the pulled pork along with the broccoli casserole which was also delicious. Our only complaint is that our waiter promptly gave us the bill when taking away our dishes when we would have preferred another drink as we stayed to chat a while longer. They seemed a bit rushed to get us out of there although it wasn't yet closing time but coming close. All on all, the food did the talking on this experience and for that alone I'd go back.
(4)Marion M.
Went here for dinner after seeing it on Yelp, no clue why it is less than 4 stars. We ordered the Bucket o biscuits with honey butter ($10)-if you've never jad a foodgasm before this would be the time, these evil huge buttery flaky carbs of goodness made me break my no carb after 6pm rule and I would do it again! The fat cheeks tray ($26) Pork belly and brisket-delicious,juicy, party in your mouth,double foodgasm,pulled pork-just ok, had to use the sauce to make it good, the farm salad-wow!they use grilled brussel sprouts, pine nuts and grapes, the mac and cheese was ok-good enough for 2 people to share.We also ordered the hillbilly hooch peach flavor($10)-strong and deadly because you can hardly taste the liquor, but it's definitely there. I love the place and I hate it at the same time coz this is gonna cost me at least 2 extra gym days, but it's worth it!!
(5)Anthony M.
Some of the best BBQ I have ever had! Went with a party of 6 and the waiter sat us right away and was very polite and answered our questions. Started with the biscuits and let me tell you they are everything as advertised. I had the pulled chicken and the GF had the pulled pork, other members of the party also went with pulled pork and one had the sliced brisket. Everybody loved the food, we all tried multiple sides (mac & Cheese, farm salad, collared Greens, coleslaw, Ranch Beans) and were all happy. I have been trying to get here since they opened and I was not disappointed and I can not wait to get back for some more BBQ
(5)K.C. K.
We had dinner here on Saturday and I am still thinking about our meal. It was SO. FREAKING. DELICIOUS. Allow me to elaborate. We went for a geriatrically early dinner at 5 pm (we had movie tickets at 6:45 and, well, we have a toddler so we didn't want to be out too late since babysitters aren't cheap!). Thankfully Sweet Cheeks was doing a brisk business so we didn't feel too ridiculous. Our server was great; friendly without wearing flair. He encouraged us to try the biscuits, which I must implore everyone in the greater Boston area to do IMMEDIATELY. They are sublime. I want the recipe and don't want the recipe because then I would make them at home and gain 50 lbs. Sweet Cheeks is Texas (read: dry rub, not sauced) BBQ, which is my personal favorite. I had the Berkshire pulled pork sandwich on Texas toast and yes, I am salivating as I type those words. Instead of choosing a hot or cold side I went with the fried green tomatoes, which are offered as an appetizer. This was my only misstep. The sandwich was outstanding; while a few different sauces are offered at the table you really don't need them. The meat was moist and full of flavor and the Texas toast offered the perfect counterpoint of buttery crunch. I want one right now. The tomatoes were disappointing; I probably shouldn't have ordered them in November but I'm a sucker for fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes themselves were clearly out of season and the breading was too heavy and uninspired. The accompanying jalapeno ranch was, however, fantastic. My husband had the brisket, which he devoured. I didn't try it as I was too busy inhaling my meal. I did try his macaroni and cheese, which was delicious. Next time I'll skip the tomatoes and get the broccoli cheese casserole side instead. I cannot wait to return.
(4)Ty U.
Alright food but really rude and discriminatory. I went here and decided to splurge a little and take my girlfriend out for a nice barque dinner. We're both college students and a meal like this is a treat, so we dressed in our finest and set to town. When we arrived at 545, we were told there would be a 20-30 minute wait, which we thought was doable. In the following HOUR AND 15 MINUTES we saw plenty of up to do older couples be seated after about a 10 minute wait, without any reservation. From our experience in Boston, this is pretty standard in nicer restaurants to some extent but this was outrageous. It took is another half an hour for one of the many servers to approach us, and was very curt with us and immediately asked what we wanted, after seeing him be very friendly and talkative to tables around us. The food was pretty good, thus constituting the 2 stars, but we were so upset by the rest of the experience we didn't really feel like eating. So tips to restaurant goers: make sure you have $20 bills hanging out of your pocket or risk being treated poorly. Tips to the restaurant: think of a time where you've treated yourself beyond what you'd normally spend before treating a customer the way you do.
(2)Lauren L.
My husband and I argued all the way home regarding 3 or 4 stars. To preface: he is a barbeque nut, having told me countless tales of his visits to Dreamland, Jack's Stacks, Pierces, etc. He was the one who convinced me to drive into the middle of no-man's land Texas to experience Salt Lick. By default I have become quite enamoured of smoked meats with tangy sauce. We actually made a special trip into Boston to do the Phantom Gourmet's BBQ festival (where he had Virginia BBQ and I had the Texas, we ate and compared notes). That being said, we agreed this is very good... for the North. My husband insists for the North this is a 4 star joint. Atmosphere wise this was right on. The decor was well thought out with reworked iron chair, metal platters, jelly jars as glasses, etc. The meat was cooked perfectly: our brisket was absolutely fork tender, the pulled pork was moist and tasty. The pork belly. . . was good. . . a different offering from the usual bbq fare. As per many many other yelpers, there was a decent amount of fat on the brisket but it still was very tasty. The biscuits were superb, order just one per person because they truly are the size of a softball! We actually shared a "fat cheeks" platter, had two biscuits, and were more than satisfied (THE PORTIONS ARE VERY GENEROUS). The collards were well cooked and seasoned. The potato salad was fresh and light. They had a nice offering of side dishes, including many fresher, lighter things (like carrot salad). The sauce is where I take off my stars. My husband says I am being harsh, he is the one who loves to slop up his sauce with the white bread (which they do provide here, along with pickles and onions). It's nothing special. The mustard based and pepper varieties on the table were good, they did spice it up, but overall we were not impressed. The bland sauce is very problematic because this is Texas style bbq where you accent your meat with the sauce. All in all this was VERY good, very well cooked, an adorable location and a well thought out concept. Our server was friendly and attentive, the beer selection was great, and I wished I was less full so I could try more of the snazzy cocktails. We'll be going back because as we said, this is a great bbq joint for the North.
(3)Nate Y.
I came here with some expectation, both good and bad, and came out with both, but mostly good. The layout is nothing fancy, reminds me a little bit like Tasty Burger's layout down the street. A good choice of beers and cocktails, didn't hear of any disappointments from my group. The BBQ trays are $20's-low $30's. The meat comes out on a tray with the sides. Having friends who share, I had a good sample of meats they offer, I only missed out on the ribs. The pork belly was meaty, not fatty, and moist. The brisket also moist and tasty. I had the buttermilk fried chicken which was moist with a nice flaky batter. It was even better as leftovers! I only found the chicken bits to be tasteless. They do have three BBQ sauces you can choose from, so you can always add what you like. My sides of collard greens with pork and mac n' cheese were both so good. In agreement with everyone else that you need to get the biscuits. They are big, flaky, and moist! And the apple butter, mmmmm!! So the meals may seems a bit high, but I had more than enough for leftovers, so overall not a bad deal.
(4)Sally E.
A friend and I were visiting Boston and staying at a hotel right behind Fenway Park. We sort of meandered down the road and stumbled upon Sweet Cheeks, which looked enticing enough - and filling enough. This was my first time having texas bbq and I actually really liked it. My friend and I shared the mac n cheese and each had our own beef brisket plates. Everything was super rich and heavy (which I'm definitely not used to, coming from LA) but I enjoyed every bite of my food-coma inducing meal. The meat definitely could have had less fat, but that's really my only complaint. It was well-cooked and juicy and the bbq sauce complemented it so well. We also sat outside on the patio and the weather was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but would definitely return if I was near Fenway.
(4)Stephanie V.
The menu can be confusing so if you haven't been here, yet, ask how to order the sandwiches. Every time you add something, there's a charge. The menu is about 95% pork, a couple dishes of chicken and a couple sides without meat. If you are a vegetarian, you are severely limited to ordering sides like fried okra, jalapeno bites, potato chunks. With all of that being said, the fried potato chunks were different and very good. While it's customary to have cole slaw on the pulled pork sandwich, (which is an extra cost to get cole slaw) until you've tried the cole slaw and know you like their homemade slaw, get it on the side and add it later, if you can. The brisket on Texas toast was good. It came with marinaded pickles and onions on the side. Probably to decorate the large pan and take away from the large space from the small sandwich, but I thoroughly enjoyed eating it. The mac and cheese (a side) is good, too. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised with the experience. Some food was ok, some was good and some surprised us at how good it was. It appears EVERYTHING is homemade. The staff was very, very nice and attentive.
(4)Jason B.
After much searching for "real" BBQ outside of Kansas City or Texas, I can finally say that there is decent BBQ to be had in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sweet Cheeks is a funky little joint in the Fenway area, across the street from the Shaw's. Don't hold your breath for street parking, but it's easily accessible from the Fenway MBTA stop. They have a good amount of outdoor seating for your summer day BBQ adventure, and a large open room inside. It's a bit warm, because any large open space with a partially exposed kitchen will be so, but as long as it's not 100 degrees outside, you'll be okay. Brisket and ribs are a fantastic value - get the "Tray" - pick a hot side and a cold side, and you'll have more than enough food to stuff yourself with. The ribs are a great value - six or seven large pork ribs, with tender meat that is easy to eat without being overcooked - PRO TIP: you don't want "falling off the bone" - if it is, it's overcooked. You want your ribs to be tender but still adhering a bit. The brisket is a huge portion of slow-cooked goodness, with just enough fat to keep it tender. Your table will come with a plethora of sauces for dipping and slathering - the vinegar-based sauce is fantastic, as is the large bottle of sweet KC style sauce. Hot sauces are good too - the green is milder, while the orange is much spicier. Sides are a real highlight here too. The black-eyed peas are smoked, salty and terrific. Collard greens are swimming in their broth, but still somewhat al dente. Potato salad is a bit of a disappointment, but the farm salad with roasted brussels sprouts is not to be missed. Get a jelly jar of Troeg's Hopback Amber and share your plates with your date. You'll want to try everything!
(4)Rosemary H.
The food here is great. I would recommend starting with a bucket of biscuits (hellooo honey butter!) and then choosing a tray for your meal. With a tray, you get to pick from a selection of meats (I'm quite partial to the pork ribs and the pork belly) and one hot side and one cold side. I usually get the carrot salad and collard greens as my sides and they've never failed to disappoint. The bad thing about Sweet Cheeks is that the service is god-awful. I was there yesterday and while my table's waiter was fine (if a bit slow), we watched as one party of two was seated by the hostess, waited 20 minutes without having a server come to greet them, and then left out of frustration. It was another full 15 minutes before anyone even noticed that they had walked out! I've had similar experiences at Sweet Cheeks as well, so I would caution anyone heading in that you should really aim for an off-hour when they aren't guaranteed to be super busy. Last time I sat in the beer garden outside, they had one server running the bar and taking care of every single table. It took us almost three hours to eat what should have been a quick and easy meal. Again, I love the food, but Sweet Cheeks needs to get its act together in terms of training its waitstaff and making sure enough servers are on duty during peak hours.
(3)Eunice E.
I wanted to like this place so much, especially since I heard that this was a "real" BBQ joint... of which there is a significant dearth in Boston. Armed with an appetite and a hankering for pulled pork, I came in, ready to take on what Sweet Cheeks would throw at me... ... which ended up being dirty mason jars (mine was stained a bizarre shade of orange and had little crusty things on it... and unfortunately was filled with water before I could even say anything about the unsanitary condition) and sadly disappointing food. Not all of it was bad, though! In fact, some of it was great--like those giant biscuits with honey butter. (One was enough to feed two adults and then some. One also costs $3, so you'd probably be better off ordering the 4 for $10, if you can eat that much.) And my diet Coke was swell, too. The rest of it, though, was "take it or leave it" quality, and, quite frankly, I think I'd leave most of it. The fried green tomatoes were decent... I could really eat only one slice (came with six)... and, fair warning, that white creamy sauce with which it came had a bit of a kick to it, which was nice for me, but could potentially scare away some others. I ordered the pulled pork (okay) and the broccoli and cheese casserole and farm salad as per Yelpers' recommendations (both were all right, though I did enjoy my casserole a bit more with the habanero sauce provided at the table). My tray also came with two slices of thick white bread... but, uh, I didn't eat either of them. They did not look at all appetizing on my tray. It is pretty pricey for BBQ (bill came out to $60 for two, before tip), but the portions are definitely HUGE. I left with a TON of leftovers... as in, almost my entire meal. I think this experience could have been much better if I had enjoyed any of the sauces at the table... one was barbecue (but tasted so strongly of... beer? that I refused to eat more than a few bites of meat with that on it), one was a vinegar mix (tastiest of the bunch, but so watery I couldn't really eat too much of it, either), and the other was the aforementioned habanero hot sauce, which was good, but definitely mean to your stomach. When the best part of a restaurant is the bread and the diet Coke, that's not so hot. It's really kitschy here, and the mason jars could appeal to some, I guess, but they're a little hokey for my tastes... especially when they're NOT CLEAN. Disappointing... will continue my search for good BBQ in Boston proper...
(2)Jow O.
the biscuits... oh the biscuits . I could come here just for these! love this place.. good southern themed drinks.. great bbq..you will not leave unsatisfied. seems like people had mixed reviews. your mileage may vary
(5)Alejandro G.
Yes!!! i think this is my first 5-star rating in Yelp. This place deserves all the shout outs in the world, i always get the pulled pork with Mac & Cheese and Cole Slaw. The flavor of the meat is fantastic and nobody can say no to those amazing Mac&Cheese. Be careful not to eat with your eyes, the portions are ridiculous and if you order a tray with 2 meat choices (not that i've done it, not the last time at least :)) you'll be eating for a week. If you are a fan of the biscuits like i am you will enjoy these guys biscuits, they are B.I.G. and Seriously HOT!!! They'll bring you that bucket right out of the oven. Besides that the food is great and we always have a great time there my nephew enjoys drinking from a jar. Good place, good food!
(5)Mindy L.
I'm not the type of girl that lacks for words. I'm actually quite verbose and have a tendency to give my opinion on everything, but for some reason, the words necessary to describe Sweet Cheeks have eluded me for the past several months. I made my second visit here on Thursday night and I'm still have trouble deciding on how I want to describe it. First, a disclaimer. I don't think I like barbecue. There. It's been said. It's out there...and there is no taking it back. I know, I know. ::Gasps:: ::snide whispers:: I don't know enough about "real" barbecue to pass judgments, so read this knowing it's coming from someone who just likes food in general. I could come here and just make a meal out of beer and biscuits. That's all I really need. I mean, I like a nice cut of meat just as much as the next girl, but I can get that just about anywhere. We were sitting at the bar passing time until our table was ready and I kept asking questions about beer and the bartender (I should have asked his name, but you can't miss him...bald head, big red beard - great guy!) kept giving me little quarter cup tastes of each until I had finally made a decision. Actually, he made it for me. I ended up with a Dreamweaver which was delightful. The Grey Lady I had next tasted like thyme or sage or something which was different, but not horrible. Anyway, back to the biscuits. Piping hot, fresh from the oven, slathered in cinnamon butter - so delicious. Again, it could be my meal. But, I tried the pork belly and the brisket because I like meat, too. The pork belly was juicy, thick cut, very tender and altogether yum. The brisket is fairly dry and though seasoned well, not my favorite. But the biscuits ... oh the biscuits ...
(4)Nisa B.
Sweet cheeks is "the cool as sh!t. Fred's playlist and John the bartender. Perfect mix! MM Sweet Cheeks has great food and a chill atmosphere. Ate outside and John the Bartender was Amazing! MHW Great playlist with great food eat outside with John. Highly recommend Sweet Cheeks!!! John is the best bartender and Fred has the most dynamic playlist. Come to here for an Amazing time! Donna Sweet cheeks is the best. And ask for John the bartender and make sure Fred is playing the music. It's GREAT !!!!!!!!
(5)marki s.
My girlfriend and I had the fortune of getting tickets to a Redsox playoff game in Boston. This place was right around the corner to Fenway park. First off you HAVE to get the biscuits and honey butter. They are fantastic. What I don't recommend is eating more than one bcs you have a lot of food ahead of you. I had the burnt ends sandwich with potato salad and ranch beans. Burnt ends awesome, Texas toast with it awesome, beans pretty good, and potato salad...?? Well it's potato salad it's there to take up room. All in all fantastic place and pretty quick service, but dont go if your going to a ball game....you can't take home the left overs!
(4)Leslie S.
Went here for dinner on a whim with some friends. We shared hush puppies, and I had the ribs, mac and cheese, and farm salad and a Mary Palmer to drink. The food was awesome and the portions were generous. I ended up taking half my food home in a box and I normally clean my plate when I go out. We were seated immediately, and Sam, our waiter, was attentive and courteous and made sure to let us know what style of BBQ we would be eating and told us about the sauces when he found out we had never been before. Our food and drinks came out quickly, and the waiter had no problem splitting the check, and even split our shared appetizer into thirds. It's a little expensive for a casual dinner for college students (because come on, it's BBQ), but I'd definitely be back for a special occasion. Extra bonus points for the fact that not one, not two, but THREE Beyonce songs played while we were eating dinner.
(4)Kristina N.
I love BBQ so I had to come try this place. We ordered the pork ribs and they were delicious! We also ordered the biscuits (good, but I still think the biscuit at Island Creek Oyster Bar is the best biscuit in Boston), mac & cheese (really good), broccoli & cheese casserole (yummm), potato salad (good), coleslaw (also good), bbq beans (meh), and collard greens (meh). We also ordered brisket which was pretty decent. I'd say the standouts were the pork ribs and the mac & cheese. I came here on a Monday night in the winter and it wasn't busy at all but I heard there are huge waits if there's a Sox game about to start/ending. They do take reservations. I went with a party of 8 and they annoyingly make you wait until every person arrives to seat you even if 7 people are waiting. We sampled different cocktails and they were okay.
(4)Jessi A.
No complaints here. I ordered a brisket burnt ends sandwich, but think next time I'll get a plate with just the meat since the bread was a little too much. My fiancé got the fried chicken plate, quite honestly the absolute best fried chicken I've ever tried, and I say this as someone who is not crazy about fried chicken since I've had so much that was bad. The basket of biscuits was crazy good (they were huge!), nice & flaky with some whipped honey butter that I probably could have eaten on its own with a spoon. Cocktails were also good, and our server was friendly and adequately attentive. Servings were generous - I would have gone home with more leftovers but I couldn't stop eating. Definitely go here!
(5)Guillermo M.
Great place for a texas style barbecue sandwich. The barbecue is delicious and it comes with pickles and onion on the side. You can pick the hot griddled texas toast that was really good. The place is not cheap so be mindful of what you order.
(4)Leah Y.
I wanted to love this place, I really did. I loved the "feel" of it and everything from the decor to the mason jars, etc. Unfortunately, the food was just meh. I got one of the "trays" with pulled chicken and pork ribs, the carrot/raisin salad and mac&cheese. I also had a 'Sizzurp' (drink) which was 3.5 stars. The food itself though just tasted so-so. Not terrible, but I wasn't wowed by any of it. It might just be the style of BBQ, but it left something to be desired. Might try them again someday and order different meats, but I'll have to bring my own sauce or spices or something...
(2)Carrie L.
I have yet to have good BBQ in the Northeast. I was initially very excited when Sweet Cheeks opened up. On my first visit, I got the turkey leg (the pork belly was sold out at 7 PM). On my second visit, I ordered the pork belly (finally!) The turkey leg was not good. I've had better at Disney World and random festivals and events (Spartan race). The pork belly was decent but I've also had better elsewhere. There was SO MUCH FAT on it. My last two pieces were nothing but fat. I couldn't bring myself to finish it. I like fat a lot for its chewy texture but I can't eat straight up FAT with no meat attached. That is just gross! The sides were okay but nothing special either. Bottom line, nothing special. It is worth a try. The ambiance isn't bad. But the food left much to be desired.
(3)Anna G.
Yum delish so good! How does yelp only have 3.5 stars for sweet cheeks?! So, the biscuits are amazing. A must. Even if you come here alone, you just get them. Take the leftovers home. I thought the Mac was so good and I loved my farm salad. Actually, that was the best "cold" I tried. My pulled pork was pretty good but would probably try something else next time. My friends gave rave reviews to the buttermilk chicken and the ribs but I didn't try either. I'll def be coming back.... After hitting the gym a few times.
(4)Drew R.
Great service. Great food. Plentiful beverage menu. The staff was super friendly and attentive. I just wish it weren't so darn expensive. We got a tray to share with a couple sides and it was enough food. Not disappointed in any of the food. I wish they had sauce cups for the BBQ sauces instead of pouring it on and mixing flavors.
(4)H S.
My review is a little late, we actually came for lunch on Superbowl Sunday. It was fantastic! The quality was incredible, the monster wings were probably some of the best wings I've ever had (and I love wings, love them). I think the beer is priced a little high, but it's Fenway, so that's fine. I though the service was excellent. The only critique I have is that I was a little disappointed in the Broccoli Cheese casserole side. It could have been warmer and a little more flavorful, but that's it. The slaw was inventive and unique. Did I mention how good the monster wings were? We ordered some for an app, and then I had to have more for my lunch. The portions were enormous. Can't wait to to go back!
(4)Tom S.
Found this place while I was on the internet, looking for restaurants in Boston while we were visiting. BBQ! Amazing!! We stopped in for lunch. The lunch portions were huge and incredibly delicious. The waiter said the bisquits were world famous. They absolutely ARE!! I'm from the Deep South and these were THE best bisquits I have ever had. The staff was fun and the food was amazing!!
(5)Charlie S.
Had a great time here. Get the pulled pork with beans. The portion is large, the flavor excellent (smoky and tangy) and don't forget the Macaroni and Cheese.
(5)Danny L.
Very expensive for BBQ, but the quality is there and you get a LOT of food for 18-20 bucks. Go with the pulled pork platter with mac and cheese and farm salad and then a bucket o' biscuits and you will be full of happiness (and diabeetus).
(5)Robert M.
Marbled Brisket - you know what I am talking about. So many places outside of the Great Republic of Texas ruin brisket by trimming all of the fat off before smoking or they simply buy the lean flat side. Tis place apparently read the instruction manual (which you can see at the front door...Texas BBQ cook books). So this place seems to do things rights. And if you go there and you order brisket and they bring it and it has fat on it, be a little open minded and try it before you make the NE OMG WTF face. LOL So, on to the food: Brisket, cooked perfectly, but could use a little salt. Served dry as it should be. The meat was wonderful and melt in your mouth. This should be served without question with white bread, onion and pickle. For some reason you have to ask for it. But, at least it is on offer. Ribs, cooked wonderfully. Served dry as they should be. Fall off the bone. Sides - Beans. This was funny. They serve beans like I am used to and if you think about, I would only think of them as Beans or BBQ Beans. The lady made an effort to explain that they were not Boston Baked Beans and that we would need to be prepared. S o I had to ask why she would think I would go to a BBQ place and even want Boston Baked Beans. It was funny. Side - Broccoli Cheese casserole - Fantastic. Desert - You have to try their Chocolate Root beer Cake. This thing was amazing. It is my next B-Day cake. I have had Dr. Pepper Chocolate cake, but never Root Beer. This thing just makes me drool thinking about it. It is a must have. So down side. The price. But, I guess the location dictates. It was worth it though.
(4)Kim D.
I made the mistake of getting the pork belly entree to go. It came with collard greens and the carrot slaw which i was dying to order again bc of my last in restaurant visit. By the time I got home and had the slaw it was all over the container and mixed the the collard greens. It tasted like the liquor of the collard greens....not what i was dreaming about by any means. I haven't had the pork belly yet, or the collards ... but i'm sure it takes like the slaw. Not a very wise to go packaging system on their part. I won't be doing that again! So if u go here, do ureself a favor and eat it.
(2)Simon L.
Not quite my favorite bbq in the area. Ribs were nicely smoked and tender but were more the size of baby backs as opposed to spares - too lean and lacking enough meat. Pork belly was a win - crispy and buttery with plenty of smoke all in one bite. Brisket was certainly over smoked. I really enjoyed the slaw and mac and cheese. Served with slices of texas toast on a papered tray, format is easy. Nice. Love the house brew - a sweet maple thick ale, simply excellent. Several pours of charcoal aged bourbon. Similar comments from dining companions - price to substance to same at competitors, a little too much. Service was friendly although they had some trouble transfering our check from one server to the next since we arrived somewhat between lunch and dinner shifts. Plenty of flatscreens to watch the games alng with a multitude of bourbon and beer make this a fun spot. Big plate glass windows allow you to watch Boylston traffic passersby and the green line is a mere three minute walk. Hgh but comfortable stools and heavy tables.
(3)Miki M.
This is a review just for Ramen Mondays. I was interested, given that it's a BBQ joint on the ramen. Unfortunately, the menu was vegetarian so no tonkotsu broth. The service outside while waiting in line was nice. The popcorn was stale but it was free so can't explain. But I must say that wasn't worth $15, already high for a bowl of ramen. The vegetarian aspect was fine, but this ramen was too complicated and confusing for its own good. First of all, the service and organization was poor. Although I was first in line, my party was almost the last to be served. All the toppings on the ramen were quite good and flavorful, but there was just too much of it. The noodles were overlooked or sitting for too long. It got clumpy and thick. And they were too thin for the density of the broth and toppings. It just got lost in the crowd. The broth was flavorful but was way too thick in the jungle of toppings and noodles. If you're gonna do something new, do it right!
(2)Molly M.
Ammmmazing! I get the pulled pork sandwich every payday. The Mac and cheese is the best side. Love that they have Mexican coke in bottles too. Great place.
(5)Jessi R.
It's Texas-style BBQ, which is not my favorite, but they put together an okay meal. The sides weren't anything to write home about--not very interesting, and my broccoli & cheese casserole looked & tasted like it had been sitting for quite some time: cold and separated. The meat, what wasn't covered in fat, was delicious, as were the sauces available on the table. The biscuits were delicious and served with amazing honey butter, but we had to order them separately...who doesn't offer bread WITH their BBQ? The prices were a little high, but not extremely so. I'll admit that one of the three stars above is based on their beer selection. Offered in draft, bottles and cans, you can definitely find a craft beer to your liking.
(3)Laura C.
When you stagger/waddle out of lunch at a barbecue place so full you will end up skipping dinner, saying "my only two complaints were that the cocktails were only so-so and that mayonnaise slaw was good but I prefer a vinegar slaw," chances are you've just had a good meal. Gawd, yes. Between us we had the brisket, the pulled pork, ribs, slaw, bbq beans, potato salad. Everything was excellent. You know how people praise ribs by saying the meat is falling off the bone? That was literally the case here: two bites off the top, and the next time you went to pick the rib up, the bone lifted and all the remaining meat stayed behind on the tray. All three sauces on the table were also very good -- bonus points for a hot sauce that was legitimately spicy but also had flavor, not just heat. The cabbage in the slaw was in chunks, not shreds -- you couldn't get away with that without using fresh, high-quality produce. Excellent meal all around. If half stars were possible I'd have gone with 4.5, but since I feel like Sweet Cheeks is underrated on here, it tipped me over to the five.
(5)Rebecca G.
Sweet Cheeks was on our Boston to-do list if it fit into our pre-baseball time, and luckily it did - this will be a staple for any future trips. One of the best barbecue places we've ever been - and happy to see chef Tiffani Faison doing well. Most people around us seemed to be ordering the trays (combo of meat and side) but none of the sides on the list really interested us - we wanted to try the hush puppies, and the salt and pepper potatoes. So we ordered both, and each got a sandwich to split. They also serve their ribs individually as a side, if you want to try them - so we added that on too. To share: pulled pork sandwich, pulled chicken sandwich, rib, hush puppies, salt and pepper potatoes The table has several sauces on it, ranging from sweet to hot, and we enjoyed mixing and matching. The pulled pork and chicken were both great. The hush puppies are on the sweet side, but very fresh. The potatoes were the standout - roughly cut, fried, smashed, and fried again, they're perfectly cooked. This lands on our favorite dishes ever list, without a doubt.
(4)Scott M.
Excellent BBQ I truly thought this was just going to be an average BBQ meal. I was wrong. It was excellent. I had the bulled chicken and brisket. All juicy and flavoful. Neither needed bbq sauce (although the BBQ Sauce is excellent) Collard Greens and Carrot Salad were excellent choices for side dishes. This was a great place to come before the Sox game, they take reservations and have outside seating.
(5)Duke C.
Rather than eating ballpark food on Yawkey or the Fenway Franks, we decided to stop by Sweet Cheeks before a game. A Texas-style BBQ joint by Tiffany Faison of Top Chef fame, It's all about using top quality local ingredients for BBQ here. We decided to get two trays and share so we can try a bit more of the menu. Favorite was definitely the Great Northern Brisket. Thick thick slabs of fatty, moist brisket! It actually is one of the best brisket I've had anywhere. Love the color of that smoke ring too. Berkshire Pork Rib! Berkshire pork is a high quality breed of pork and you can tell from that first bite. While the ribs may not be as good as what I had in St. Louis, the ribs are juicy, meaty, and tender. The Berkshire Pulled Pork was tasty as well and really good with the sauces. For the sauces, there's 3 types: Texas-style original, Memphis-style vinegar based, and spicy habanero. I liked the original sauce a lot, with a few drops of the spicy one mixed in. When I first tried the habanero one, I didn't believe it was that spicy but damn it killed my taste buds for over 10 minutes. Sides is probably the weakest part of Sweet Cheeks. Didn't care much for the potato salad and mac n' cheese, but BBQ beans and carrot salad were good. Carrot salad is probably my favorite. No free biscuits so we had to order it. Kinda sucks for a BBQ spot, but damn these biscuits are amazing. For $10, you get a bucket of biscuit with their honey butter. The honey butter is crack. BBQ is probably forever ruined for me after Bogart's and Pappy's in St. Louis, but I gotta say, I do like Sweet Cheeks! Even though there's nothing in particular that really jumps for me, everything was tasty. They definitely focus more on the quality of ingredients and it shows.
(4)Mary A.
The food was delicious. I had the burnt end sandwich with Mac and cheese and the farmers salad. We also ordered the biscuits as an appetizer, everything was amazing. I'm giving it 3 stars because the service was absolutely terrible. We sat at our table for 15 minutes before anyone came over to serve us, once we were served the waiter never came back to check on us. But the food is good enough that I'd go back.
(3)Dana T.
The biscuits are to die for. But all the joy stops there. My fried chicken entree arrived raw. Not pink. Not underdone. RAW!! There were apologies and replacements, but the damage was done and I felt queasy enough that I didn't eat much. How does a restaurant that specializes in protein screw it up so badly? One more thing--the bussers tried to remove our biscuits when we had taken just a single bite. Poor training. Poor execution.
(1)Misato P.
Ohhhh their brisket is fabulous!! Drinks are very affordable(considering it's in the Fenway neighborhood, this is rare), friendly atmosphere and ahh their biscuits are soft inside and flaky on the outside. It is yummy feast over here but I'm scared to know how much calories I consumed over there lol
(4)Adam B.
had high expectations, but they were not met.... great location, good vibe.... good service, was seated pretty quickly on a busy night..... loved the dollywood drink.... really liked the founders oatmeal stout.... liked the layout and the content of the menu.... liked that there was not a lot of labeling on the bottles on the table.... did not like the food, none of it met my expectations.... i think sol fire in allston is significantly better..... thought the pork rib was too salty.... thought the beef brisket was too dry and fatty.... thought the pulled pork was too bland....i prefer it on the tangy vinegary side.... thought the cole slaw was too bland, though when mixed with north carolina vinegar sauce it was much better.... mac n cheese was ok....would have liked it less buttery and more cheesey.... though the pickles were too oniony.... did not like the sweet bbq at all....reminded me of jarred tomato sauce.... north carolina vinegar sauce had a nice bite, but not enough flavor....
(2)happygirl H.
I've been to this place twice, once for dinner and once for lunch. Cocktails are good and not as expensive as most trendy places, which this definitely is. I had a margarita in a mason jar, and as another patron observed, drinking anything out of a mason jar makes it better, so they've got that going for them. Good pour and not too sweet. I had a ginger beer today which was not my favorite. Other friends like the tea and the beer seems to be ok. Almost got a pbr, but if it's not ice cold it's undrinkable, so I didn't want to take the chance! When we went for dinner, my friend and I both had brisket. It's a big slab of meat. I like getting BBQ with the sauce on it---I never got dry BBQ before, certainly not in TX or cali places. Their sauce is mild, tomato based---good not great. The vinegar sauce is pretty good, but again, I've had better. And the hot hot is like a mexican habanero hot sauce, just a few drops'll do you. Sides: biscuits are amazing, but fill you up fast. A good meal would be a biscuit and the greens and no meat! Greens are pretty good, with a nice liquor, but salty. Mac and cheese is greasy with soggy bread crumbs. Cole slaw is like chunks of cabbage with a watery dressing that is not sweet enough. The pulled pork again felt like it should be served sauced. It's also very salty. It's good, but I've definitely had better, many times. The ribs were good. Still waiting to have the chicken. we did not do desserts. It's a homey feeling place, but quite loud and we were seated at a communal table, which was probably a drag for the two people who weren't in our silly loud party. Service was excellent, fast, informative, friendly without being up in our business. I think it's a little too trendy, spendy and maybe kind of a slightly, "oh, aren't we cool, we're into SOUTHERN STUFF" vibe. Self-conscious and not authentic. But a good place to go get a pile o'meat and a margie in a mason jar!
(3)Michael C.
Quality BBQ joints are something Boston is really missing. I really liked their completely open kitchen. I came on opening night so I will excuse the slowish service but the staff was great. I was also babysitting my 2 year old niece and they were very accommodating and provided a booster seat. Here is what we had: Biscuits w/ Honey Butter - By far the highlight of the meal. I usually think that bread should be free but in this case I will make an exception Ribs - Some of the best ribs I've ever had. In full disclosure they are tied with the Texas Roadhouse in my mind for top ribs, this is a very high honor! Mac 'n' Cheese - Quality Mac, looks like it had a panko crust. Came in a decent sized mug. Pulled Chicken - This was very good as well. I would probably get this the next time I go in a sandwich. The seasoning was excellent Brisket - good brisket, the marbled fat added some great flavor, although I'm sure Jennie Craig would not approve Potato Salad - In my opinion, your run of the mill potato salad
(4)Karen A.
Really great place. Cool ambiance, tasty melt in your mouth pulled pork sandwich. I enjoy a good BBQ and just putting Kraft on pork does not make it BBQ. Delicious marinade plus some extra sauces to add some pizzazz. Pretty cheap if you don't order drinks and very filling. Be schedule in a nap afterwards. Over great place, will be back. Ps try the fried okra. If you don't know what okra is don't worry, you'll love it anyway. It's fried!
(4)Dan W.
Unless you're from Texas, you should not be giving this place a bad rating. SC is awesome! I've been here a bunch of times with reservations and the bbq was top shelf. The brisket melts in your mouth just like it should and the chicken is smokey and moist. The 3 sauces are perfect. I get the beans as a side and pour the green sauce all over them. The bulky roll they use on the sandwiches are great too. I just read a review by Bebe who claimed that Sweet Cheeks is "racist" because they were seating white people before them. Well, I'm sure those people made reservations before they came, you can do it from your phone with a touch of a button, I know that I always do. There were about 10 black people in the restaurant tonight and they all had huge smiles on their faces. I think they need to take that review off of yelp, it's insulting.
(5)Leah K.
We chose Sweet Cheeks for my boyfriend's birthday dinner. I made reservations a few weeks in advance. Annoyingly, our dinner party kept changing their minds, so I called three times to change the number of people (including adding one an hour before dinner). UGH. Sorry guys. We showed up about 10 before 7, our reservation time. We weren't seating until 7:20. Not sure if it was our fault, or theirs. Oh well. Service was pretty fast, that was nice. Our only issue was finding our waitress when it came time to pay. Where did you go? Come back. We want to pay you! On to the food. We had the biscuits with honey butter (TO DIE FOR). Gripe: It's $10 for 4 biscuits. They are delicious, but that's pretty expensive. And then our trays came. Out of 7 of us, 2 had pulled pork or chicken sandwiches, three of us had pulled pork or chicken, one had a half a chicken, and the last had pulled pork and ribs. We were all very happy with what we got (I think!). I had the pulled pork tray. I chose mac and cheese and the carrot raisin salad. My picky boyfriend ordered mac and cheese for him, and chose his other side to be the farmers salad, so I could eat it. Thanks guy! The mac and cheese was some of the best I've ever had!! So creamy! The carrot and raisin salad was fantastic. Shredded carrots, raisins, blue cheese and walnuts in a vinaigrette. The farmers salad was equally as delicious. Arugula, grapes, hazelnuts, brussels sprouts, in a vinaigrette. Pulled pork was amazing, it is a dry rub, but I found it moist enough that I didn't have to add the bbq sauce that is placed at your table. I tried the collard greens (warm and savory), and halved chicken (so moist!), and ribs (deliciously smoked). Nice touch: my friend ordered the Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, but they were at the end of the keg. They gave her the last bit, and didn't charge her for it. How kind! For two of us (one who ordered a couple of beers), the bill after tax and tip was $76. Ouch. There was a lot of food and it was delicious, but I will say that's a hefty bill. Would I go back? Yes of course. Do I think they could lower their prices? Yes, but I'm not an accountant. It's a great place for parties and I suggest you pay a visit! --
(5)Yuan W.
If you've got a hankerin' for some Texas style barbecue, this is the closest you can get to the real thing in frosty New England. Everything at Sweet Cheeks feels authentic, quaint and Southern, from the long wooden benches and the mason jar cups to the generous helpings of brisket and delectable biscuits. To start, I'd definitely recommend ordering the biscuits. They are the biggest biscuits I have ever seen in my life, and they taste just about as good. The outside is crispy and the inside is warm and moist. It's even better when you slather the accompanying honey butter, which is light, fluffy and has just a hint of sweetness, over the biscuit. Although the menu says they come 4 to a bucket, depending on your party size you can ask for fewer. The biscuits are so gigantic that two people can probably share just one, plus you should save room for the main course. I love the brisket sandwiches here. The meat is juicy and well-seasoned. Although it's a little greasy, I'm not sure you can expect anything else of barbeque. The trays are a good value, since for around $20 you can get your choice of meat and two sides. There are lots of tasty sides to choose from too, including the mac n' cheese and collard greens. Similar to the biscuits, the entrée portions are big, so you can split with another person. The menu also features something called "Onesies", which I think is the most ingenious thing ever. If you love to sample a variety of things, you can get "just one rib" ($3) or other smaller items. Sweet Cheeks is an amazing place for some delicious comfort food, definitely try it out.
(5)Stephen S.
I've been to Sweet Cheeks about a dozen times. I've been for lunch and dinner; I've dined alone, with a date, and as part of a group; and I've tried most of Sweet Cheeks' menu. Obviously I like the place. For years Boston had two top BBQ spots, Blue Ribbon and Redbones. The food at Sweet Cheeks is every bit as good as those, and the overall dining experience (seating, comfort, decor) is much better. I think it's now the #1 spot. The whole menu is great, but I have some favorites. Start with the biscuits. They are oversized and dry and fantastic, with or without the honey butter. Try the lemonade. It's rich, sweet, and complex. The collard greens are pure umami, and they go great with every entree. For dessert, there's a dinner-plate-sized nutter butter cookie you can share with a friend, or a thick butterscotch pudding--topped with a sugary syrup to trap in moisture, and bits of delicious contrasting salt--that you can keep all to yourself. For entrees, I don't have a preference. They're all great. For dinner Sweet Cheeks serves a fried chicken plate that comes crunchy, well seasoned, and plentiful. (Yes, there's a breast. That's always my question with fried chicken.) The pulled meat sandwiches are great on Texas toast. Even the various BBQ sauces are interchangeably tasty. My only advice is to try different things, because that's what I keep doing and I haven't been disappointed yet. I have one criticism of Sweet Cheeks, and it's structural. During late afternoon, half the seats in the restaurant face a sun-glaring window, and for some reason Sweet Cheeks hasn't yet invested in a shade. I know it sounds like a silly nitpick, but if you end up sitting down at three o'clock, you'll see what I mean. I've asked to move my seat, and I have overheard other customers doing the same. If anybody from the restaurant sees this review, I'm sure they will know exactly what I'm talking about. The window just needs a simple remote-controlled shade along the top edge, and the problem would be fixed. Overall, Sweet Cheeks is a win for Boston. I get cravings for it, which is one of my tests for a "favorite" restaurant. If you like BBQ at all, you'll have a good experience here.
(5)David G.
I've been here twice and have loved just about every bite, the brisket being my absolute favorite thing on the menu. The pork belly and ribs were also excellent as was the pulled chicken. Both times we started with the bucket of biscuits and probably could've made a meal out of just those, and one biscuit is practically enough for a full meal. The sides were great, mac and cheese, cole slaw and collard greens were terrific, however the potato salad left something to be desired, way to oniony. I sat at the bar both times and enjoyed their rotating selection of beers on tap, especially the local choices of IPAs. The atmosphere was vibrant and casual, as I think a BBQ place should be.
(4)Bill W.
I like the food but the waitstaff is okay at best. The bartender (dark looking brunette with blue eyes) during lunch is extremely rude and will treat you like crap unless your an old white man who looks like he's rich. Typical of this area. I will be back but next time she will not be receiving a gratuity.
(2)Ken L.
Pluses: Best collard greens I've ever had, the food was very good. Damn good Bloody Mary.... cool atmosphere/vibe Minuses: kinda pricey, $24 for 4 ribs, 2 brisket, and a couple sides feels steep. The food was good quality, but not sure I'm going back. Service was average at best. We had to ask twice for straws and when my wife had a question about the menu the waitress' response was only "it's a personal preference". Gotta go deeper than that, babe. We've never been here.
(3)Justin L.
The BBQ was actually quite good (pork belly!), especially the sides (Broccoli casserole, mac n' cheese, salads), but I wanted to talk about the service experience. I called in the order for 7:00 PM and when I arrived, it was delayed 15 minutes. I wish I would've had an explanation then about why it was delayed, because it seemed as if they had completely forgotten the order. In a rush to get to the next destination, I didn't notice that the dessert, which I was looking forward to, was missing. I called them the next day and got things straight with a manager. They didn't charge the dessert and he explained to me that because a large party had happened to come in right when my order was supposed to be picked up, my food was delayed. Perhaps this is how it is at all BBQ places (since you want it fresh, right?), so just a heads up if you make a take-out order. I just wish communication was clear when I picked it up. Conclusion: food is worth eating again.
(3)Stacy G.
We went to Sweet Cheeks on a Friday night. We ordered the biscuits which were unbelievable. They are served with honey butter. The honey butter was not blended very well--looked like they mixed it when the butter was cold so it didn't blend well. My husband had the spare rib tray with cole slaw and baked beans and he absolutely loved everything. Ribs were tender and fell off the bone. I had the brisket with potato salad and mac n cheese. The brisket was a bit dry (my husband agreed) and the mac n cheese tasted a bit chalky (if that makes sense). It looks like they just crumbled some ritz crackers on top instead of cooking the crackers in butter and then baking on top of the mac n cheese. It's definitely a different flavor. I am a LOVER of potato salad and this was so tart and vinegary that I couldn't eat it. It looked good on the platter with the bacon bits, but not that great of a taste. Staff was great, great ambiance, etc. My suggestion would be to add in a kids menu. BBQ is a family kind of food. There were no less than 10 kids in the restaurant when we went and the option is to order them a side or a $16+ tray of food. The waitress suggested we just take some of the food from our platters and give to our 3.5 year old which was fine, but not ideal.
(3)Bradley R.
This place was better after giving it a chance again. Our seating situation and service was much better which definitely helped the experience. The food still isn't mind blowing. I'd rather get something from Blue Ribbon if it is just about really good meat but if I'm in the area I'd definitely consider it an option.
(4)gator N.
I was very excited to try this place but the food was disappointing. Ribs dry. Sorry but worst baked beans and potato salad I have ever had. The pulled pork was nice and their BBQ sauces delicious which helped me enjoy the ribs. Good ambience. Won't be returning there are better BBQ places. Enjoyed meeting Top Chef contestant Tiffany. Also, they don't have wet naps.
(2)Ben B.
food. so. good.... go!
(5)Deborah M.
Hey Yelp....how can you say they take reservations? Limited reservations for parties over 8 ...is not taking reservations. Most of us travel in twos, fours, fives and occasionally sixes...so people should know what the parameters are.
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