Kensington Grill
30712 Lyon Center Dr, New Hudson, MI, 48165
Kensington Grill Menu
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Visit below restaurant in New Hudson for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
30712 Lyon Center Dr
New Hudson, MI, 48165 - Phone (248) 437-7078
- Website https://thekensingtongrill.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Wed
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Gary A.
So its nice to have another independent restaurant in the area. Its got a good location, replacing a failed Chilis, as an outer lot building in front of a Lowes and Walmart. Its not a far drive for us, and close to the highway - its a convenient place to meet someone coming from Brighten or Howell. I've eaten at lunch and dinner - definitely busier at dinner - lunch was more families and kids. It is mostly a BBQ place - they have a couple of non-BBQ items (salad or Fish n Chips, but you go here for the smoked meats. They do Beef, Pork and Chicken - with smoked and pulled options. They do a good job. Prices are about what you expect and portion size is good. They server a good product. The one area I wish they could enhance, being an independent, they lacked any selection of BBQ sauces. They had a mustard vinegar sauce on the table, but nothing else. They could really get into the BBQ sauces and have them available.
(4)N T.
So wanted to give this place a chance, because it is an individually owned place, not a chain. But, it continues to be a disaster. Both service and the food. Honestly, Applebee's is better. That is sad. It smells much better than the food tastes.
(1)Erin N.
I can't find anything negative to say about this place. It's clean, the staff is friendly and the food is just plain good. The blue cheese chips are fantastic. They don't skimp on anything here. Plenty of chips to share with friends, tons of blue cheese and packed with flavor. Pickle chips are fantastic. The batter is light, crunchy and flavorful. The pickle chips are sliced thin. Their not weighed down by the batter. I prefer them with the regular ranch. The pulled pork is really good. It's juicy, smokey and porky. With the entree you get corn bread which is very good and two sides. The brisket is tender and has great flavor, never dry. The baked beans are southern style, slow cooked. The Mac and cheese is pretty good, but one of those things you have to decide for yourself. My husband is obsessed with the KG dip and will drink the left over au jus straight from the bowl. The BBQ Ban is the best sandwich I have ever had. Pulled pork, cheese and pickles. You have to try it. You just do. On our most recent visit I had the crispy chicken wrap. Hands down the best wrap I have ever had. It's obvious they don't use frozen chicken tenders. The beer batter is crispy and the chicken was juicy and tender. Try Kensington Grill and you won't be sorry. Sit in Angela's section for a pleasant meal with great service. Don't forget to check in on Yelp and get your coupon for 50% off your appetizer. Pickle chips for the win!
(5)Amanda G.
I tried a nearby BBQ place this evening and it made me realize how good Kensington Grill truly is. Their entrees with two sides and cornbread are amazing, I recommend the pulled chicken with house BBQ (it comes on top of crispy Texas toast, so so good). For sides, the mac n cheese can't be beat, and the cornbread is crumbly with house made honey butter. They have a specialty cocktail menu, all reasonably priced, and there has never been a wait to get a table here. Kensington Grill looks very unassuming from the outside, as a rehabbed Chili's, but you will find a diamond in the rough on the inside, modernized and serving amazing BBQ. As a side note, the management truly takes recommendations into account and seems to actually care how your experience is, each time.
(5)Rich F.
I've tried this place 3 times because friends of ours swear by how great it is. I just don't see it. Atmosphere is good, staff is alright, but the food is just not good. This past trip my wife had some kind of prime rib sandwich with horseradish sauce that tasted like the beef had just come out of the freezer. I had the ribs. I could only eat a couple because the taste of smoke was so overwhelming. We won't be going back, but feel free to try it. A lot of locals swear by the Kensington Grill.
(2)Marcia H.
My husband and I came out here on a Friday to celebrate our anniversary, with mixed results. First, the groupon we brought was not accepted as it was to be used for four people, not two, which was not very clear, and from the server's response, is a pretty common error. Second, the atmosphere was not blues music, as mentioned in another review, but pop, auto-tuned, junk, and loud, so not really to our taste. Third, the food was delicious! I had the brisket and the rub they used, plus the tenderness, made it the best I have had, ever. My husband's entree was also good, from what he said. So while we didn't love the environment/atmosphere, we did enjoy the food very much.
(3)David F.
For being a BBQ place in Michigan, this place was truly a pleasant surprise. It's not on the same level as BBQ what you'd get in Texas, Tennessee, or the Carolinas, but you'd be silly to expect it to be. This is still very good food. (I thought the cornbread was kinda weird, but I suspect that's a regional thing). And the service was prompt and professional. Give this place a shot.
(4)Billy W.
Excellent BBQ joint with an outstanding rack of ribs. I only gave it 4 stars because it does not beat Slowes, but it is a very close 2nd.
(4)Claire L.
In love with this place. The blue cheese chips and the blackened chicken Alfredo are my personal favorites. Their pulled pork is also amazing. Great atmosphere and friendly and fast service. My dad is obsessed with their baked beans (they have pulled pork IN THEM) and their craft beer selection. Overall, amazing! They know their BBQ!
(5)Vicki R.
Best pulled pork and garlic mashed around. Can't give 5 stars because the kids chicken strip breading tasted like seafood / reused oil and they do not offer pulled pork or brisket for kids.
(4)Rob X.
I've been here several times and never been very impressed. Tried several BBQ items since that is what they tout and frankly its not that good. Pricing is high for what you get and food is mediocre. Atmosphere is fine and parking is plentiful but that is about all the positive I can say about this place.
(2)Leslie T.
Came across this little place on accident. Great pulled pork. The server told us they barely use the freezer, it was mainly storage for paper products. That days something good about this place. I'd go back in a minute!
(5)Leanne C.
We were really excited to see this come in. However I will not be returning after a handful of visits. Very disappointing. Long wait, not impressed by the food.
(1)Don B.
Not good at all. When the highlight of the meal is the appetizer, it's trouble. The blue cheese chips were just decent. The pulled pork was mush, the burgers were bland, and the fries were so overcooked we didn't even touch them. Don't recommend it. Won't ever go back.
(2)Jerry M.
We were out in this area and looked on yelp for a place to eat and found this restaurant and decided to give it a try. We checked into yelp and was given a coupon to use on an appitizer which we got the smokehouse nachos. Very yummy and a huge portion. We actually added this on after we ordered our food and because of that we ended up having to much food for a late lunch. The portion size is very large and reasonable for the price. I also like the atmosphere with the different sayings on the walls. The reason why I'm not giving this a higher score is that the wait staff seemed short staff and because of that was very absent. Also the food was nice but not something I would drive out to unless I was going to be in the area for something else. I way rather make the trip out to Detroit to go to Redsmoke in Greektown or slows in Corktown.
(3)Lisa M.
Stopped here a while ago for a quick lunch before an appointment nearby. Was pleasantly surprised with the food. Our service was just okay - it was lunch time and not that busy but our waitress seemed much more concerned with her table full of business men then us. We were out in this area and looked on yelp for a place to eat and found this restaurant and decided to give it a try. The portion size is very large and reasonable for the price. I also like the atmosphere with the different sayings on the walls. However Redsmoke and Slows in Detroit set the BBQ bar very high and this place just didnt quite meet the bar.
(3)James M.
Best restaurant in the area by far. Food is amazing. Service is great. Drink prices are fair and pours are heavy. Lots of craft beer available too. I try to dine here at least once a week.
(5)Connor G.
The burgers were very bland.... And I believe the meat came out if the freezer. The food took a long time to come out too maybe 20-25 min after ordering. Better than the apple bees next door
(2)Carrie K.
We tried Kensington Grill for the first time last night. The food was really good. My daughter had mac and cheese and a side of baked beans and both were delicious. Mac and cheese was SO creamy and the portion was very large. David had the brisket with garlic mashed and the mac and cheese and it also came with a side of corned bread and I had the KG dip which was like a French Dip with brisket. All were very good. The atmosphere looked pretty good except we were sat in a booth way to the right and it was a little dull over there and we couldn't even see a TV. Service wasn't bad or good. We were taken care of but not killed with kindness. And the weird part was we had to ask for the BBQ sauces! Every table around us also had to ask. Why wouldn't it just be ON the table? It's a BBQ place! Come on. But we'll go back because the food was good. We'll just insist on sitting in the main area and not pushed off to the side.
(3)Mark Z.
Place is really nice. They did a great job remodeling it. I thought it be just your typical bar and grill type food. Nope, its great bbq food. I ordered the lettuce wraps for app, and DELICIOUS. Also ordered the brisket and ribs with mac/cheese and coleslaw. Food is so good. The side were good too. The food is priced just right. One thing that stood out about this restaurant that I liked was the service. It was perfect, right on. The waitress wasnt pushy at all, very friendly and brought me a refill without me asking.
(5)Kelsy S.
AWESOME food, super nice interior and superb service. highly recommend the bleu cheese chips (appetizer)!! the burgers are massive and the mac n cheese is perfection. come here :)
(5)dawn v.
I was surprised this place was as good as it was. It just looks like something thrown outside of Walmart but the pulled pork, baked beams and sweet potato fried were BBQ house worthy. I had a wonderful salad, beautifully presented with fruit, nuts, feta, etc. Usually a place like this has throw away salads. We were very impressed.
(4)Natasha P.
We went here with some friends, for an early dinner after a trip to Kensington Park. The food was very nice. We shared a Bruschetta and a French Onion Soup. The Soup was excellent. For our main courses, my husband ordered the Brisket Sandwich with a side of Onion Rings and I ordered the Pulled Pork Sammy with a side of Sweet Potato Fries. We ended up sharing both sandwiches because we couldn't decide which one we liked better. Both had bold flavors that were very well complimented by the bread and meat and both sides were fresh and crisp. The onion rings were straight out of the fryer, they were too hot to eat. We would definitely go back to The Kensington Grill.
(4)Ryan B.
I am a BBQ snob and I approve of this joint. 9 Craft Beers on tap and some really solid BBQ. That's it. Try it.
(4)Great Lakes L.
There aren't a ton of non-coney sit-down restaurant options available if you live out my way in South Lyon, so when one opens up folks tend to take notice (especially when it occupies a building that has been vacant for a while). Such was the case when we discovered the Kensington Grill had set up shop at the Lyon Towne Center shopping complex at Milford Road and I-96 - suddenly there was an option at that intersection that WASN'T Applebee's! The place looked nice from the outside, but so do a lot of new restaurants - big whoop. Then I read an article about this restaurant on the Detroit Free Press website and it mentioned St. Louis-style BBQ. Well NOW you're talking! I had to visit Kensington Grill and I had to visit it soon. When we walked up to the doors and noticed a Michigan Brewers Guild sticker prominently displayed in the window, I immediately got the feeling we were in good hands. Once inside, our beer options included the Pale Ale from Founders, the Two Hearted Ale from Bell's Brewery, the Huma Lupa Licious from Short's, and then the local favorite Train Hopper from Witch's Hat Brewing. Things were off to a good start. As we browsed the list of appetizers, we immediately noticed the fried pickle chips. I'm not going to lie, I have a bit of a fried pickle addiction and feel compelled to order them anytime I see them on a menu. The KG does an amazing job with theirs, and the very generous portion comes with a side of chipotle ranch (which I would lobby for including on the side of every single menu item - it's that good.). For the main course, we opted for the "Pick Three" BBQ combo (you can also "Pick Four", however the pickle chips put a solid dent in our appetites). We selected the Texas beef brisket, pulled pork, and spare ribs - which were incredibly delicious but would've been even better had the brisket not been too dry. For our sides, we opted for the cheesy mac, BBQ baked beans, and cornbread muffin - which we all agreed were pretty good. The highlight of the Kensington Grill's BBQ experience has to be the sauces, which are amazing. Your options are a "house" sauce, a "bold" version, a chipotle version, and then a mustard sauce - and every one of them was fantastic. I never was able to determine which was my favorite... I guess that means I need to go back sometime and try again. Michigan craft beer, pickle chips, and BBQ - needless to say, you won't have to twist my arm.
(4)Jiggity J.
I would love to give this place 5 stars because when the food and service is good, it's the best in the area, but when it's bad, it's like a hollow ghost shell of what it should be. I've eaten at this place numerous times because the food is stupid good for they money, so I've seen the varying levels of quality this place has to offer. I've been warmly welcomed and served many times where other times it's obvious they simply just don't care at all but still trudge through the motions. I've had servers that were fantastic and servers who forgot to bill things and were definitely there just for the paycheck or to boost their tips by this form of 'forgetfulness.' I've eaten here when the food was fresh, juicy, and seemingly conjured by the gods (I've literally had the best au jus of my life here, but on a night it was obvious the owner or manager was there). I've also eaten here when the brisket was too dry and obviously not fresh, or the bread on my toasted sandwich is obviously burnt on the tips and should never have been served that way. The biggest problem with this place is CONSISTENCY, though I still go back because, even when it's bad, it's still better than most (I know, still no excuse). Failing to fix this problem can make or break a restaurant. This is the best food near where I live and when I get family from out of state, this is the first place that comes to mind when I want to take them somewhere. I have a brother who was in the restaurant business for a LONG time as a manager for some high-end restaurants, and my greatest fear is to take him to KG and the consistency be on a low swing. If you're the owner and reading this review, please invest in some surveillance ala Restaurant Undercover or whatever that show is to weed out your inconsistencies. It's obvious you have a minor HR problem and if you want to keep ours and others' business, you need all of your staff to be 5 stars so that it will match your cuisine.
(4)Lorraine B.
While on business at the proving grounds, I was invited to lunch at The Kensington Grill. My entree was a three meat sampler consisting of pulled pork, chopped brisket and ribs accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and baked beans. The meats were expertly cooked with the perfect ratio of smoke to rub, the potatoes tasted homemade and the beans cooked in the smoker are sweet and savory. On two subsequent visits I enjoyed the pulled pork once again and then the Carnivore Burger -- an awesome tower of pulled pork, brisket and rib meat atop a burger. If that weren't enough, there were fried pickles and blue cheese chips that beg to be devoured. The outstanding menu, efficient service and a pleasant decor make The Kensington Grill a restaurant I will revisit as often as possible.
(5)Joe B.
Have been here twice and was pleased both times. Had the pulled pork which is smoked on-site. They have 4 BBQ sauces that are all very good. A nice bar area with a few TVs, a nice dining area, and a nice selection of Michigan Beers. I had a few beers from Shorts (Bellaire, MI), there were also selections from Dark Horse, Bell's, and a few others MI Breweries. The big name corporates are represented as well but why bother? I like to Drink Local and support Michigan Breweries. I will continue to go to KG since the food is good, service is good, and the restaurant is clean and a nice atmosphere. Go today with some friends!
(5)Kevin N.
I was a bit apprehensive about going around 7:00 on a Saturday night, because the lot seemed full, and I'm just too pretentious to wait in line at a restaurant. To my surprise though, we were seated at a nice booth immediately, drink orders were taken (and served) as quickly as I've ever seen, and the ambiance was understated without being spartan. All good signs, in my book. The menu reminded me a bit of Red Hot & Blue (and I've been mourning its closure in Novi for some time now), and the server's knowledge of the menu was excellent. Our food came out in under ten minutes, which absolutely shocked me. Yeah, I know most of it is BBQ that's been cooking for most of the day, but it was still pretty quick. I went for the pulled pork and beef brisket combo, which was interestingly served on a metal tray. My wife's BBQ chicken salad and daughter's chicken fingers were served a bit more traditionally. The food was excellent across the board. I seemed to detect some spices reminiscent of the BBQ rubs from Milford Spice Company, and whatever sweet blend they use on their sweet potato fries is brilliant. Really, the only negative here is the extra BBQ sauce they drizzled on. Maybe I'm wrong, but it had an aftertaste that left me thinking "store brand / GFS generic" but it wasn't off-putting. It just seemed a stark contrast to the effort put in to everything else. You might ask for it on the side, and decide for yourself. Rounding out the experience, the server came back at appropriate times, asked if we wanted dessert (we didn't), and rather than leave us hanging, came back with a check. It wasn't the rushed "get 'em in, get 'em out" feeling I've had elsewhere (I'm looking at you, Sagano), but there was a touch of efficiency, and to be honest, I was really happy about it. Finally, prices were very, very reasonable. Without alcohol, you could probably do dinner for two with a decent tip for about $30.
(5)Cindy M.
Came in for a drink, great martini, very nice interior, wait staff was good. I only are a bowl of chili which was excellent. I will go back the menu had awesome items, lots of beef brisket, ribs, homemade sauces. I will write more after trying more on the menu
(4)Elaine M.
They call themselves a Grill and I don't know why... this is a BBQ joint and a really great one! Brisket is as good as I have ever had. It's tender and juicy and will melt in your mouth. The mac and cheese is different but in a good way a bit more tang than I am used to.I tried some of my friends food, and theirs was delicious as well. The pulled pork is great! Ribs are tender with the right amount of smokiness. The BBQ beans were smokey with chucks of meat. Kensington Grill has a cool atmosphere and friendly service. I will for SURE be back.
(5)J R.
Went for dinner. Had the pick 2 combo with brisket and pulled pork. Was amazing. Both meats literally melt in your mouth. Had a side of mac & cheese that had just the right kick to it. Great beer selection. My waitress was super friendly. All in all a wonderful experience, and will be back very soon.
(5)Kim A.
Pretty delicious bbq! I had the brisket sandwich with onion rings. There was a variety of bbq sauces that you can use. I liked the Carolina the best, which has some mustard. I didn't give it 5 stars because my sandwich was only toasted on one side. Will definitely come back if I'm in the area.
(4)Eric H.
This place is a great addition to the area! I was a little nervous at first because I knew it took over the location from a not-so-stellar national chain restaurant, but my experience couldn't have been better. 1. Great drink selection. Great beer on tap for both my father and I, and good cold milk for my much younger little brother. 2. Our waitress went well out of her way to help us out and made sure we had a good experience. She made great recommendation from the menu and helped us when we had a little spill... The manager checked in mid-meal and I felt compelled to tell him how great our waitress was. He said he's been trying to clone her for months, but it hasn't worked yet. 3. The food was high quality. The BBQ was delicious. I had a little bit of everyone's and the sides were surprisingly good too compared with what you get at a lot of other bbq places. 4. The place was relaxing and we were able to have a great conversation and not feel out of place when we accidentally laughed a little louder than normal. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich!
(4)Chuck B.
I recommend that you try the pulled pork sandwich. It is outstanding! Kensington Grill is a BBQ restaurant. The BBQ chicken and ribs is very good. This restaurant has some TVs but is not a sports bar. It has a very nice relaxing atmosphere. I highly recommend that you try Kensington Grill.
(4)Thomas P.
I have eaten here twice with my wife. Food is "ok". Great if you like smoked meat and maybe pulled pork but I was looking for something more than this at a "grill". I guess it must be a "smokehouse" now which would explain the predominant BBQ offerings. The chili was excellent but the service was below average for a slow evening. I got a combo platter and most of the chicken was dry-brisket good and pulled pork average. I will probably go back as I live in the neighborhood but have found better ribs nearby.
(3)Don S.
I will say that the fried pickles were good, the best chip style fried pickles I've ever had... The soup of the day was tomato basil, wife had to special order a grilled cheese, really? A place that is so hip as to serve BBQ across the street from the South Lyon Walmart parking lot can't muster the American culinary sophistication to offer grilled cheese with tomato soup... The chef must be from overseas. The real treat actually came to me after we left, 24 hours now of diarrhea. Let me explain. See, our table wasn't very well wiped down and my seat was damp so I figured that when I ordered my cheese burger I'd order it medium. I like them medium rare but I'd never been here so I figured I'd play it safe. Medium, it was lunch hour, chances were that the burger would sit a little longer on the griddle, it would likely be well done... And it may well have been, however the burger I got had the wrong cheese for my burger but the right cheese for the lady sitting next to me. My wife gave me the sage advice to never send food back, it was too late, the waitress caught on. She was very nice, and quickly brought me out another burger. It was rare and now I have a really bad stomach ache and can't keep food from going right through me. The brisket and ribs are probably awesome... Those cook for like what 6hrs?? Should have ordered that, right?
(2)Ani B.
was surprised this place was so good. got the chicken tenders salad, which seemed small for the price. it was extremely fresh, and the chicken was batter fried but still quite good. hubby said his burger was one of the better ones he had had in a long while. was looking for vegetarian items and there was mac and cheese and the usual token black bean burger. would like to state that most vegetarians do not like black bean burgers all that much, there are much better varieties without black beans on the market. i avoid all black bean items. just don't like them. really wanted a non-meat salad. hubby got the lil brownie sundae. the brownie seemed like a Little Debbie. how hard is it to house bake brownies and freeze to use as needed. and yes, the ice cream was not exceptional. would not recommend it. waitress was attentive. didn't give us enough time to peruse the menu before returning a couple times. still a good waitress. might return if in the area again.
(4)Frank B.
From the outside this place looks like a dumb chain restaurant. Dont be tricked, it is not some cheap chain trash heap. It is way better than you would expect. I am a big fan. Ribs and brisket are my favorites. Good cornbread too.
(4)Paula K.
Average food. Nothing special here. I was not impressed with our first visit here and am unlikely to return even though we live less than a mile away from this location.
(3)Matthew K.
I haven't been here in awhile, even though my wife and I have wanted to stop here on several occasions. From what I remember, the costs seem to have come down some and are now on the average side instead of a little high in my view. We found out that before 6pm on weekdays they have half-off appetizers, which is a great deal! $4.75 (regulardly $9.50 of course) for a large plate of nachos with pulled pork, chicken or brisket on it?! Delicious. We tried the chicken fingers ($4 instead of $8), too. They were...different. The chicken used was good, but I wasn't a fan of the beer batter -- it works well on onion rings and fish, but didn't lend itself well to chicken. Maybe just not my taste, because otherwise it was fried well and tasted good. Finally, we tried a side of sweet potato fries ($2.50), which were really good. They were cut the same size as standard fries and were nice and crispy with a little taste of cinnamon. I'm looking forward to trying the blue cheese chips and fried pickles next time we stop in. We ordered a little sundae ($1.50) for our 3-year old daughter at the end, which was much larger than we anticipated! You can tell the ice cream is a cheap brand and the whipped cream is the cheaper canned stuff. But that's OK, it was a perfectly fair price and did the job -- I don't expect homemade custard at a smokehouse :) Lastly I should mention the two barbecue sauces at our table (I remember there being several more at our last visit?) were good -- a mustard based one and a vinegar-tomato based "house" sauce. I liked them both. The only negative I could give this place (I'd have given 4.5 stars instead of 5) is the service. I can totally see other reviewers complaining about spotty service. Ours was friendly but sporadic, which was all-the-more obvious because business was slow when we were there. Oh, and the music playing was actually not annoying!
(5)Margaret V.
Just got back from having a great lunch at the Kensington Grill. I had purchased a groupon awhile back and it was going to expire soon. Even if I didn't have the Groupon, the good food, great service and comfortable restaurant would have made it worth the trip from Canton! My husband and I ended up spliting a combo platter with pulled pork and a quarter chicken. We had coleslaw and fries as our sides and the platter came with a large piece of cornbread. Everything was delicious! My husband wanted the pulled pork, so I had just a small bite of that, but it was really good. Tender and very well smoked. The chicken was tender and delicious as well. I loved the smokiness and the crusty skin of the chicken! The fries were salty (but not overly salty) and cooked perfectly. The coleslaw had a mayo like dressing on it, and was the perfect mix of sweet and sour. The cornbread was the best I had ever had. They have a nice variety of options... burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, appetizers, baby back ribs, pulled pork, chicken, salads and desserts. They have a nice bar and plenty of options to choose from. The only thing keeping me from giving the Kensington Grill a four star review is the sauce. They had four different kinds (house, chipotle, honey and carolina mustard). I didn't care for any of them. I thought the house was too sweet. The Carolina was ok, but I wouldn't want to slather it on the meat. I thought the pork and chicken were so delicious, they were fine without sauce! My husband liked the house bbq sauce. I guess it's just a matter of preference. It's worth a stop if you are in the area. It's worth a stop if you aren't in the area! Cornbread!
(4)Brian W.
Oh how we hoped to have found a great new spot but to be honest after: *Average food (brisket and hamburger ordered). They were 'okay' but not crazy good. *average craft beer list- lots of the usual suspects *. Terrible service. 1) Not once were we asked if we wanted more drinks. 2). Waitress brought our bill before we had a chance to order dessert. Guess she was done with us. So, paid the bill and left. One family that won't be retuning.
(2)Stacy E.
Loved the BBQ! And the waitstaff is phenomenal. This is real 'cue. Love that everything is made on site and they do their own smoking. Plus, not everything is drowning in sauce. I order their ribs. They come dry with sauce options on the side. That's how it should be done. As a food scientist and registered dietitian, I notice too many restaurants saucing their cue then grilling it. The sugars in the sauces just burn. Leave 'em off. Add afterward, as needed. That way you can taste the smoked meats AND the sauce. This is BBQ done RIGHT!
(5)Marcie K.
BBQ and sides are great. Other menu items not so much. (Steak was horrible - no flavor and 1/2 overdone, 1/2 underdone) The real problem is the service. The staff is friendly enough, but everything is s l o w beyond belief. Slow to take orders, slow to bring food, slow to refill drinks, slow for the check. It's like they are always understaffed. We've tried a few times, but probably won't be back. Would rather drive to the Union Woodshop in Clarkston and get top notch food AND service. It's a shame because KG is ten minutes away.
(3)Kori Y.
Only been here for lunch, so I don't know how the dinner crowd is. Lunch time was not to busy and I was in and out quick. The brisket in the BBQ brisket sandwich was very good, in fact I left the bread on my plate and just ate the brisket so I could try various BBQ sauces they offered. Overall food was good, but I'd not recommend the fried deep pickles again. I'm a huge fan of these if there done right, these were not. Pickles were just thin "dill chips" from a jar, breading was very thin to falling off, and the grease was to much.
(3)Kristin H.
Ordered carry out on my way home late Saturday night. I will still stick with my initial review that the service is slow. I stood by the bar, a bar with maybe 6 people in the entire room and it took the bartender 5 minutes to say something to me. Not the friendliest of staff when they look directly at you and don't acknowledge your presence for minutes afterwards. Anyways, the food is still good, but not spectacular. I LOVE the cornbread, however, I would go back just for that!
(4)Marina N.
The brisket dinner with sweet potato fries, cornbread, and creamy coleslaw was good. The brisket was tender and smoky with no fat cut off (unlike what another reviewer had in his brisket sandwich). Maybe they put the odds and ends into the sandwich but the "dinner" is the good stuff. We also got a full rack of ribs. We weren't asked if we wanted them dry or glazed. The meat was dry. The chili was decent but on the salty side, with a nice variety of smoked meats and beans. They have a kids menu and an activity for kids. Service is friendly.
(3)Chase R.
Great service, awesome food, pork tacos are the bomb our server Mike went out of his easy to make us feel welcome and the craft beer selection is great... Comfortable atmosphere, we will definitely be back
(5)Paul C.
Very mediocre. This was our third, and last visit. Food has never had a smoke ring or much smoke flavor. This time we ordered the "full" size nachos with pulled pork. There was only a SMATTERING of pork with a few pinches of cheese only on the top layer of chips for $12 - what a disappointment. If your looking for a good value or quality bbq, this is NOT the place.
(1)Jeanne R.
Very clean nice bar the drinks are great love yo be here for happy hour and they sell lottery tickets!
(5)Bert S.
I tried this place yesterday. To preface this, I lived in Texas for 15 years and thought Sonny Bryan (Dallas) and the Saltlick (Austin/Driftwood) had off days. Brisket is serious business to me. The menu saying it was Texas style and cooked low and slow for 14 hours caught my attention. I wasn't too hungry so I got the brisket sandwich. The brisket was neither sliced or chopped, but was cut into cubes. The cubes were not tender and did not have the texture of a 14 hour "low and slow" cooking time. I suspect they took off too much of the fat/deckle when cooking it and the meat lost moisture. Since there were sauces on the table I assumed it would come without sauce. It came with a sauce that was okay but it had WAY TOO MUCH cracked pepper. Pepper was all I could taste. Didn't try anything else. The service was fast and I did not experience the issues in other reviews.
(2)Pam H.
Great food!Try the bbq nachos or the Carolina pulled pork both are very good.Nice quite place on the weekend.
(3)Will G.
This place was not what I was expecting and that's a good thing. They have great bbq sauce and the pulled pork/brisket/bacon/burger was amazing.
(5)Linda D.
The BBQ in this restaurant was amazing. Service was great. Atmosphere was nice. It was a great choice for dinner.
(5)Brianna S.
I have visited this restaurant several times since they opened and on most occasions had very nice service. I do feel like the service has gotten better with time and with more experienced servers. Nice open bar area and plenty of michigan beers on tap. The bbq fare is quite good considering I am not an aficionado and I do enjoy it. KG provides a nice assortment of sauces to try as well.
(4)Ben S.
The BBQ was outstanding and the sauces are very good. The kids loved the burgers and dessert. The bar area is really nice with a pretty good selection of draft beers.
(5)Scott S.
The atmosphere in any restaurant is always important to a pleasurable dinning experience and at the Kensington Grille the atmosphere is clean and yet rustic with a cohesive nod to the deep south mentality of a Texas roadhouse, complete with a soundtrack of authentic blues. Hearty wood tones wrap the interior with warmth and a cozy comfort while interesting quotes adorn the walls. But there are other considerations as well. The service here is attentive and focused. Our waitress was also very knowledgeable and was quite helpful in navigating the gluten free requirements that I have. She was also friendly and sincerely enjoyed performing her duties. We all know that the quality of the food is the ultimate test for any restaurant and the Kensington Grille yet again succeeds with aplomb. I ordered the carnivore burger which is a 1/2 lb bacon cheeseburger piled high with another 1/2 lb of 3 kinds of BBQ'd greatness, including a stupendous serving of brisket and rib meat. The combination of all of these flavors melded into a symphonic treat for the palate and I was temporarily lost in heaven with each successive bite. I look forward to delving deeper into the menu as I will continue to come back here again and again.
(5)Jessica S.
Used to be a good place. Slowly, guests have stopped coming. I've continued to go here on occasion. They changed the menu a little. And now paint their windows Orange on the outside?! Definitely this place is going downhill over the last 6 months. The nachos with brisket used to be large and full of brisket with jalapeños. Now, the nachos are half the size with very few pieces of brisket and no jalapeños but rather globs of cheese. The brisket even tastes fattier and not so lean. I'm afraid to say, but this is my last visit. Now I know why all the guests have gone elsewhere. Would be nice if the show Bar Rescue came here to help this place!
(2)Ronnie W.
looks like a typical steakhouse on the inside. I ordered the sliders without the buns, i like to taste just the meat. they were good, the smoke flavor was a little strong, but the different sauces were tasty. I also got a side order of mac-n-cheese, good size bowl, crispy on the top with a good cheesy flavor. Reasonably priced too. waitress was nice and attentive, restaurant was clean.
(3)Aaron M.
Stopped in for a late lunch on a weekday. Nice facility and friendly service but I was definitely underwhelmed by the menu. Barbecue is apparently what they do, but there is little to no creativity in the menu. I opted for the brisket sandwich (front and center on the menu) with coleslaw as a side. The sandwich consisted of two pieces of Texas toast and a modest amount of chopped (cubed, really) brisket that had been tossed in their house sauce. That's it. Bread, oddly shaped meat, and a tablespoon of sauce. Because of the shape of the meat, I couldn't eat it as a sandwich so I resorted to the fork (after added significantly more sauce). The coleslaw was bland and consisted solely of cabbage and presumably canned sauce. No carrots; no red cabbage; no seasoning. The rest of the sides looked pretty boring too. I understand that the meat should be the star of the show at a barbecue joint, but the supporting cast has to be, well, supportive. For the price, this place just isn't worth it.
(2)Katie M.
Was super excited to check this place out. They seemed to have some good reviews, so we stopped in for dinner in mid December. Our server was quirky. Kind of seemed like a stoner college kid who wanted to call my husband "bro" and didn't really care about his job but just wanted to get out of there and hit up a house party. The food was not memorable at all. I've seen a lot of reviews saying how good the mac and cheese is.... not sure what that is all about because neither my husband or I enjoyed it. Very bland. In fact, I know I can make better :) BUT, the baked beans were the BOMB DIGGITY! (To quote our server). For realsies, these beans are where it's at - definatly try them if you decide to give this place a whirl.
(3)Ashley H.
I love the food and I've had nothing but great service. I miss their beer can chicken, but the smoked chicken isn't too far off.
(4)Amy B.
I came here last night and had some of the best brisket I've had in a while. I found out that they've only been open for about a year and a half, and what a little gem! My friend and I came here for dinner, and had such a blast. For starters, they have a really great menu. Burgers, salads, BBQ and so much more. They have a little something for everyone. For starters, we went with the lettuce wraps, which were pretty good as an appetizer. Plenty of grilled chicken for two ,or a nice meal for one. For dinner, I went with the brisket sandwich and mashed potatoes, and my friend went with the chili and a beer. I really wanted to try the chicken in a beer can, but I was dying for brisket! I really loved my sandwich, and my friend liked her chili. She did feel that the brisket in the chili was to smokey tasting, but I tried it and I didn't taste anything myself, but then again, I was eating brisket myself and loved it. The staff here is amazing as well! Our server was really attentive, and everyone was really nice. The place isn't overstated and they don't try to woo you in a way of trying to hard. Straight up BBQ with a great atmosphere, tons of seating and loads of great staff, your bound to find a favorite dish and have a good time. I plan on returning here when I'm on this side of town, and will continue to explore their menu. They have a nice sized bar area here, so you can go at it alone or just for a quick beer. Plenty of drink specials, and overall really cool atmosphere with awesome food!
(5)Kelsey S.
Amazing food, amazing service, amazing atmosphere. Great beer menu and wise variety of liquors. It was refreshing to find this type of restaurant in a smaller town!
(5)Lynden G.
Good atmosphere, decent brews on tap and delicious mac and cheese. Our waiter was attentive and funny. I am usually not a bbq person but the sauces were very tasty (I tried the house and Carolina). I would have given another star but my pulled pork sandwich was a few bits of shredded pork then a whole piece of fat/crust. Not edible. I really would have liked a better sandwich. I could give this place another try, though.
(3)Andrea F.
This was one of the most terrible restaurants that I have been to in quite some time. My husband and I went out for a date night last night and decided to try this place out. We understand they've only been open for a month or so, and decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. Although the place appeared nice at first glance, the service was HORRIBLE. Our waitress never even looked at us while taking our order! My husband ordered the Mojito Lime chicken with Cheesy Mac substituted for the carribbean salad. His food came out promptly and was still hot, but the presentation was lacking. Nothing on his plate was seasoned well (or even at all), the chicken was overcooked, and the macaroni was like something you'd get out of a box (even so, it too had no flavor). Based off of that, I wasn't looking forward to my meal. I ordered the pulled pork entree with broccoli and cheesy mac. The waitress put my order in as brisket entree with coleslaw and garlic mashed potatoes, so I sent it back. She came back a second time with pulled pork and garlic mashed potatoes, again they were sent back for the original sides I ordered. Once my order was settled, a DIFFERENT waitress comes back with a pulled pork sandwich, broccoli, and mac (AGAIN, not what I ordered, but she took it back anyway since I had already recieved my food). After taking a look at the sandwich vs. the entree, I discovered that the only difference between the two is that the sandwich has one extra piece of bread and costs about 3 dollars less. The flavor of my food was the complete opposite of my husband's. The pork was also dry and the flavor of it would have been ok had they not DROWNED it in about 1/2 cup of cold, canned, bbq sauce. The broccoli was cooked with garlic and the flavor was so overpowering that we couldn't even stomach one bite of it. The macaroni, as well was bland and like something you'd get out of a box. The one credit I will give to them is that the waitress did take my entree off of the bill (of course, I had only eaten one bite of each item). I had such high hopes for this place, but sadly we will not be returning again. I give this place 6 months--tops.
(1)Bruce P.
Came here today for BBQ, had the pick 3 combo. Had the ribs, chicken and pulled pork. Ribs were nicely smoked, tender and has a real good flavor, pulled pork was also real good. Chicken was smoked beer but style and had good smoke, got the leg and thigh and seemed a bit fatty but had decent flavor. Wife had the bacon bleu cheese burger, had a great charbroiled flavor. Service was excellent, drink prices were very reasonable and a quality drink. Food was out quick and prices are reasonable. All in all It was a good experience and we will return.
(4)David R.
One of my favorite BBQ places of all time, and I have travelled the country trying them wherever they are. Everything is smoked long hours, and their brisket is to die for. We started going with a Groupon and it is now a regular stop. The portions are generous, the sides are great and they always have some nice craft beers on tap. We have had all of their smokehouse/BBQ items, as well as steaks, burgers and salad. Never had a bad meal here. I like the fact that it is not a chain restaurant with a homogenized theme and the owner always comes by to check on things or give a little treat to the kids.
(5)Nancy R.
It had been a while since we visited here. The hubby and I stopped by for dinner since we had nothing else planned. Before our visit, some of the consistency of our favorite dishes had been a little lacking. Sometimes it'd be stellar, sometimes it'd be just horrendous. I ordered the ribs this day. The last two times I ordered the ribs, they weren't right. Either too mushy (overcooked), or too tough (undercooked), this time, they were spot on. The mac and cheese that I had had problems with before was also spot on this time. My husband ordered the chicken sandwich (the bad bird) and a beer. His dinner was also on point this time, although we were very disappointed to learn that they weren't carrying any beers from the local brewery Witch's Hat. I won't go on about how awesome the beer is at Witch's Hat, but I'll just say he was sorely bummed to have to choose another beer. We also learned at our visit that one of the managers who always seemed to be really great had left. It seems like there might be some changes taking place under the surface of the restaurant. While we're not happy about seeing some of their specials go, the local beers go, and some of the better staff leave -- the food consistency issues may have been resolved. Food is the most important part of a restaurant and I'm hopeful that Kensington will continue to stick around.
(4)Tabitha M.
Well, I'm willing to go back and give them another shot, but boy was our service terrible tonight. We chose this location for a reunion of friends who lives all around southeast Michigan, and it is easy to find with plenty of parking. Our reservation was ready when we arrived, and the hostess and manager were wonderful. Our server, however, was not. She seemed more like an old school diner waitress--brimming with unhappiness, short and distant. She was full of sighs and eye rolls. At one point, a friend asked where her soup was, and the waitress flat out said, "You didn't order soup." C'mon. Our waters weren't refilled with any regularity. Two dinners arrived well after the rest of us were busy eating. When it was time to get our checks, she just asked "What did you have?". Are you getting the picture? It was bad. That said, the food was good and portions were perfect, so I suggest checking it out and hoping you get another server.
(3)Valarie M.
This place is great! Went there last night with my boyfriend, son and grandmother. The service was friendly and prompt. Drinks were tasty and the food was delicious. First of all, the baked beans are killer! There's no comparison to any other beans I've had in my life! They are a must try. Also the ribs are amazing. Truly "fall off the bone". We had the brisket nachos for an appetizer and the whole family enjoyed them. Lots of toppings and the portion was generous as well. If you're looking for some southern style food this is a great spot. The only reason I didn't give five stars is because I feel the BBQ sauces they have on the tables need some tweaking. They aren't bad but I've had better. All in all though I promise you'll enjoy some great food at Kensington!
(4)Tom C.
I spent 14 years in the south and when I came to Michigan could not find good bbq in the area. Usually went to famous Daves for my bbq fix but it was just okay. Kensington grille had great bbq. Had the pulled pork, brisket and ribs. All where excellent. The ribs were well done, falls off the bone. The pulled pork was just right. The brisket was tender. The bbq sauce were good well. My only wish is for a better sweet sauce. But I am heading back again.
(4)Chris C.
UPDATE 11-8-12: Food has gone from excelent on opening night to just OK. Brisket is fatty. Had to send the sweet potato fries back..1qst batch came cold and drenched in oil. My partner liked her BBQ chopped salad. Service was still very good and friendly. 5-3-12Brand new restaurant. First, the food was delicious. Very good BBQ place. We started with the Green Bean appetizer. It had a very tasty sauce that did not overpower the green beans. The green beans were nice and crunchy. I am very picky when it comes to vegetables and these were cooked perfect. Next we had the BBQ ribs. If you like your ribs juicy, falling off the bone with a tasty sauce...I highly recommend these. The restaurant was very busy. We had to wait to get a table, but the bar tender was very pleasant to speak to and took his time to give us a brief overview of the menu. The hostesses did a great job of keeping us updated on how much longer they expected our wait to be.. All-in-all, delicious food and friendly attentive service, I would highly recommend. My wife and I left talking about when we could go back with some friends.
(3)Tyler B.
I'm particular about my BBQ and my beer, and Kensington gets high marks on both ends. Lots of Michigan brews on tap, and tender tasty pulled pork. I also enjoyed the beer can chicken for the spiciness, and wished their BBQ sauce had more of its zest. Great service and all around experience I would call 'solid.' I liked the local sourced ideal behind the place and was surprised to find such a restaurant where you can see Wal-Mart across the parking lot. Don't let it dissuade you though, it's well worth seeking out.
(4)Liz M.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now especially since I live within walking distance. Finally made it in tonight and have been dreaming of my next visit ever since. Let me start by saying that, because we live so close, we frequented Chili's when it was in this same building and it was weird going in. It looks virtually the same inside....weird. The food is phenomenal. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich. I gotta be honest, I am very picky with my barbecue. I was a little afraid to go all in and spring for the ribs or brisket until I had a taste of something safer. My sandwich was so super good! Especially after I added a bit of their bold sauce. The onion rings I got with them were super yummy and crispy. I will definitely get braver next time! My husband got chicken strips and sweet potato fries. He said they were really good. I tried his sweet potato fries and they were tasty, and I'm not even a fan of sweet potatoes if that tells you anything. My daughter got Mac and cheese with fruit which I also sampled. She loved it and so did I! I think they must make the Mac and cheese from scratch and the fruit salad was much prettier and better than she has ever gotten with a kids meal anywhere else! I gotta say, I love this place! You must try it at least once! We fed our little family of three (plus my husband had 2 tall beers) for around $35. That's amazing! The service was top notch and super friendly! I really hope these guys are successful at this location, they deserve it! My only disappointment was that I didn't have room for one of their yummy looking desserts!
(4)Allen G.
I simply cannot believe the reviews for this place. Have you people never tasted real food? I went with a party of 10 people. A couple got the same meal and for the most part everyone tried something different. None of us were impressed. Even with something as simple as french onion soup and salad, disgusting... The service was fine and the place looked decent inside. But if you cant provide a good meal what else matters? I hate eating somewhere that makes you regret it later at night, over and over again.... Never again will we be visiting this place. They should have left it Chili's. I feel bad for people that like the food. Seriously, venture out of southlyon area and get a decent meal. I would have rather ate Leos...
(1)Kristen D.
I enjoy this restaurant because its not very busy. Pretty good BBQ. Pulled pork was a bit dry but you're able to add your choice of sauce. Enjoyed the burger.
(3)Tracey H.
Pulled Pork AMAZING! Michigan cherry salad, huge and delicious, bread and butter pudding FAB!
(4)Marc F.
Great BBQ! The decor is nice. The service is very good. The selection of beer on tap is good (they even have Witch's Hat from South Lyon). And they have real BBQ. You can tell its cooked all day. The pulled pork was lean and moist. The brisket was lean as well, with great flavor. There were 4 different sauces for them (mild, carolina, bold, etc.). The side dishes were very good as well, and the portion size was great. Overall, the best BBQ place I've found in the area. Highly recommended.
(5)Christopher N.
Very good BBQ. Very friendly staff. Great local non-chain restaurant. Highly recommend.
(4)Michael J.
My BF and I ate here today for the first time ever. Both of us having spent ALOT of time in the restaurant business know the workings and dos and donts of. We sat and the waitress was alright. Near the end of our meal I heard her talking to the table next to us that she would soon head home. To our suprise this was the last time we would see her. Food still left on our table No bill and she did not even tell us she was leaving. The bartender adter leaning on the bar for almost 25 min ( while we were waiting ) finally cam and asked us if we needed anything, finally to go plates nothing for the salsa ( thank you for the bowl) and still no bill. We had to go to the bar and ask for the bill. Not to mention the lady who we guess was the chef came into the dining room still wearing her nasty aprin hair going every which way. not tied back not in a net or nothing. FIRST time ever leaving a restaurant with our leaving a tip and LAST time visiting this place
(1)J H.
Food was great. Service was great. Manager was very helpful. Would highly recommend this place as my family had a wonderful experience there.
(5)J M.
Good beer can chicken. Really like the atmosphere. Very attentive waitstaff.
(4)Jeff K.
The menu states, don't be afraid of the pink ring around the meat, it's a sign of true BBQ. Well, it was completely missing from the cold brisket they brought as part of my combo plate. The ribs were decent, had the smoke ring and were warm. Sums up my party's experience, everything was hit or miss. Fries, greasy, BBQ-ban sandwich, bun was completely soggy. The place seemed nice, and the servers where decent, so the problem lies in the kitchen. At the end of the day, there's better places for food in the area, unless you want to role the dice and see what you get.
(2)James B.
This restaurant opened this week. We went on Saturday, before all the draught beers were online but we were impressed by the food and service. French onion soup, chicken wings and pulled pork sandwich were all delicious. Service was prompt and friendly. A far better dining option than the generic chain that formerly occupied the building (the dreadful Chilis), and a very welcome addition to eating options in the South Lyon area. Update Nov.2013: I had ribs here for the first time. They were easily the very best I've ever tasted, meaty and sliding off the bone. If you like ribs, this is the place!
(4)Catherine N.
Great food, great service. Nacho's were wonderful. Will go back.
(4)Vince S.
Four visits and site remains 2-3 stars. Food is served warm. Staff is friendly which keeps it up at 3 stars.
(3)Sarah L.
My husband and I decided to try this place out after constantly driving past it since it opened. Both being fans of Barbecue, we had very high expectations. They have a wonderful selection of drinks yet when we received ours they came in the size of glasses meant more for shots than your average cocktail glass. As for food, we had mixed reviews. Bleu Cheese Chips- very different, very yummy! Mac & Cheese- again very yummy!! Chili- Very meaty, very yummy!! With that being said, we should have just ordered the above side dishes as entrees and called it done because our BBQ entrees were less than thrilling...My Pulled Pork arrived cold and lacking any flavor. My husbands Chicken and Ribs looked good, covered in seasonings however again lacked flavor and were extremely dry. The sauces were good, but you shouldn't have to drench your food with it in order to call it traditional barbecue. Nice staff though. Overpriced, underwhelmed... Applebee's anyone???
(2)John B.
Great new restaurant. Very good BBQ RIbs! Highly recommend.
(5)Lee D.
While I'm usually loathe to try a newly opened restaurant until it has time to work out the inevitable bugs, I was pleasantly surprised last night by both the quality of the food and the service ( a special thanks to Sheyenne). The Tru Cue combination was delicious and was offered with diverse selection of sides. The smoked taste was well complemented by the sauce. Nothing you would see at a typical "Corporate" restaurant. The portions were ample yet sensible so one of the great desserts was not out of the question. You'll want to try this place soon.
(5)Lynn T.
After reading all the reviews I was looking forward to trying this place. We went for an early dinner (4:15pm) so there was no wait for a table and the service was great. My husband ordered the brisket dinner (brisket on one piece of Texas Toast), which came with two sides and I ordered the brisket sandwich (brisket on two pieces of Texas toast), which came with one side. There was absolutely no difference in the two sandwiches and for the extra $4 all my husband got was an extra small side, but the meat was very, very tender and tasty. We both ordered the sweet potato fries which had a touch on cinnamon and appeared homemade. My daughter ordered a salad and said it was good but too much dressing, so you may want to order that on the side, and her boyfriend got a burger and really enjoyed it. During our dinner there was a poof of smoke and the two fire departments were called, so we watched firemen take turns climbing the ladder to determine if the wall felt hot. We exited out the side door as to not disturb the firefighters, and all in all enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)