I'm a fan of carry-out and tried this place when they first opened. My general thought was it was OK. The meat was tasty, the mac and cheese was yum but I hated all the sauces that I tried. I almost let that sway me because I thought the sauces tasted like flavored tomato pastes because they were so thick and really lacked decent flavor. However, I thought I would try it again thinking some kinks may need to be worked out. This time, brisket, mac and cheese and collard greens was the fare. Again, the meat was tasty and pretty darn good. I thoroughly enjoyed the sides and all in all had a very satisfying meal. However, my stance on the BBQ sauce stands. Which kind of throws me off because I have never been to a place where I couldn't find at least 1 sauce. Oh well. It won't stop me from returning. You can get a good meal and the fact that I can get it close to home is nice. I'll just add my own sauce. All in all - I would definitely return and encourage locals to do the same. I think they deserve 3-1/2 stars but that's not an option. This has not notoriously a location where businesses have longevity so I hope Little Z can break the cycle.
(3)
Debbie H.
Just picture a man and woman running toward one another in slow motion through a beautiful, flower-filled meadow ...their arms extended, anticipating a loving embrace. Then the woman runs right past the befuddled man ...into the arms of a smaller, lesser known guy. The jilted man would be Slow's BBQ and the little guy with the receding hairline who gets the girl would be Little Z's. We were driving home from Ann Arbor and agreed that it was about time for BBQ since we hadn't opted for that in quite a while. Of course the iconic Slow's came to mind but because Deb had already been there once before (average experience) and we jumped on Yelp to sift through reviews (2 hour wait at times?) we thought of giving our more local Little Z's a shot. What a great decision guys. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich which comes on a baked focaccia, with tomato jam and onions. There were 8 or 9 sauces to try but I'm telling you, this was good enough to stand on its own. Outstanding flavor and a huge portion. Plenty of fries, which were cooked, for me, perfectly. They were not the typically undercooked, bendy, gross fries that sometimes can ruin a good sandwich. The redskin potato salad was amazing as well. Deb chose the pulled pork sandwich with fries and slaw. Again, excellent flavor and portion size ... Great tasting coleslaw was a little on the watery side but the flavor was terrific. To top it off the price was reasonable and the service was extremely accommodating and friendly. With apologies to the Goliath that is Slow's ... My money is on the David that is Little Z's. We'll be back!
(5)
Ricky P.
This place was strange. There is very little seating. It's moderately priced.I had the pulled pork and I just wasn't impressed. I feel like if you need 42 flavored sauces, you don't have a good meal to start with. It was just, "Meh." There are other places I'd prefer to go for good BBQ.
(2)
Matthew R.
I wanted to try something a little different in this area, and was blown away by Little Z's. My girlfriend and I split a Triple Q (three types of meat, two sides). Burnt-Ends: These were seriously the best I've ever had. The girlfriend usually dislikes these because they're over-charred and fatty, but not at Little Z's. These were prepared perfectly, tasting like little bites of smoked steak rather than burnt cast-off pieces of beef. They went incredibly well with the Bold sauce as the little extra kick balanced the char flavor nicely. Chicken: The chicken was very good. While smoked, it was still very tender and moist, without being greasy. It went well with all of their sauces. In our sampler, we got a drummy and a half breast. Ribs: I was equally impressed by these. They were butchered perfectly, and tender enough that I could pull the bone right out of them without a knife. They were trimmed so that you didn't have the giant chunks of gristle masquerading as meat. The dry rub was good, without being overpowering or clashing with any of their sauces. Sauce: I tried all of their sauces (Bold, Honey Garlic, Asian, Cherry Apple, Sweet), and there wasn't one that I didn't like. My only complaint was that they were all pretty sweet and lacked spice, except for the Bold. Not to the point of tasting bad, but it would be nice to have a bit more variety on that end. Thankfully mixing in a bit of the Bold gave each sauce a nice kick without overpowering the unique flavors. At the girlfriend's suggestion, I mixed a bit of the Bold with the Cherry Apple. By far my favorite. It would be nice if they had a more vinegar-y Carolina style sauce, and some spicier options, but there wasn't one that I didn't like or wouldn't eat on any of the meats that we got. Portions: For two people, the TripleQ was quite good. We had enough meat (had a rib and a half to take home), and the two sides were sufficient (Mac-N-Cheese and Fries, both good). The cornbread was surprisingly good, but we should have followed our waitress's suggestion and gotten a second piece for the two of us. Still, for $20, it was enough food without being too much. Our waitress was great, polite, and fun. Now, inevitably any BBQ in southeast MI will get compared to Slow's. Honestly, Slow's Apple BBQ is still my favorite BBQ sauce, hands down. But the sides and meat preparation at Little Z's are definitely on par if not a little better, and the prices comparable. I'm totally coming back. Probably for lunch, as their lunch specials looked great and were all under $8.
(5)
Jill M.
Love this place!! I definitely think it's the best BBQ in our area. Small, chill, and the whole staff was friendly. Even got a chance to shoot the shit with the owner for a minute, as we sat at the bar. Both my boyfriend and I had the pulled pork sandwich, as it is one of our fav dishes to order. Best ever! The meat was sooo moist and pink, and wonderful! Lots of good sauces to choose from. The baked mac n cheese was tasty, and the cornbread was amazing!! Officially our go to BBQ joint!
(5)
Anna J.
Not the best- too many other better options around. Rub was very bland, meat tough, sides where meh. Hate to dis a local place, but they could do better.
(3)
Katie T.
My husband and I have gotten Little Z's three times since they opened: once dining in, once carryout, and once delivery. Overall, I like them - they're the best barbecue we've found in our immediate area. I don't recall exactly what we've gotten each time, but I did want to put up a review for the overall experience. The meat is very good. I usually get pulled pork, which is very good; yesterday we both got the St. Louis rib dinner (pork ribs; it was on special). They were good. I'm a little disappointed with the sides; the corn bread has been dry every time we've gotten it. But the mac and cheese is pretty good, and so are the fries. I do recall having gotten the pulled pork nachos the first time we went - they were good, but could have done with some layering (the toppings were all on the very top, so most of the nacho chips were dry - kind of underwhelming). I remember the first time we went my husband got some sort of sandwich and was underwhelmed with it, but he's liked what he's gotten the other times. The service, however, is VERY good. In fact, one of the things that prompted me to write this review was that when we ordered delivery yesterday, it took a VERY long time. When it finally arrived, the driver introduced himself as the owner (which I have verified through the wonders of the Internet), apologized for the delay, and explained that the delivery guy had gotten lost. You know, EVERYone gets lost delivering to our neighborhood, and I almost told the woman who took our order that I should give specific directions, but then I threw caution to the wind and trusted in GPS technology. So really, it was partly my fault, and the fact that the owner schlepped over (ok, it's less than a mile) to deliver our food and apologize...that's exceptional, IMO. In short: the food is good, but depends on what you order. The service? Definitely pushes it over the top. If the food were more consistent, this would be a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
(4)
Michael R.
Extremely yummy pulled pork sandwich! The fries and slaw were also very good. The prices were reasonable. The BBQ is dry rub & the homemade sauces were very tasty. Excellent!
(5)
James H.
Great food and very well priced. Sauces are gluten free too
(5)
B G.
It is a very small place. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I think they do a large takeout business. I would not take a client there for a business lunch, but my mom loves it. Look at the sandwiches, more than enough food. I have, and I will go back
(4)
Gordana F.
I can't even deal with how good this food is. Sometimes i dream about it. No, really, i do. Like, saying that it is good, is a lie. It is not good, it is the best bbq that has ever existed anywhere, ever. (save for the cole slaw, that is so not great). but the ribs, omg the ribs. I am having a love affair with the ribs. There is nothing more delicious than little z's ribs. Nothing. Nothing at all. And the cornbread and the chicken, and the mac and cheese, oh and the Greens!! It is like the God of BBQ's created this place himself. go get your worship on folks. Do this. Trust me.
(4)
Glen H.
Really really good. The meat is very good, tender, smoky, flavorful, and the sauces are excellent. I LOVE the Alabama White. It's like ranch dressing with a vinegar base. Wonderful. Here's the strangest thing from the meal -- I ate every bit of the two sides. A cole slaw which was tangy, lots of vinegar, almost like eating pickled slaw. I really enjoyed it. The potato salad is redskin based, with a creamy dressing that includes plenty of mustard. The celery was crisp, and the consistency was excellent. Well done. Why no five stars? The mac and cheese was kind of disappointing. The flavor profile doesn't say mac and cheese, more creamy salt. That may be what you want, but it lacked cheese flavor. The little bit of cheddar melted on top didn't make the difference. Not the worst, not the best. I would definitely recommend this place. Get carryout if you can -- not too many tables in the place. Let's keep this place open!
(4)
Keith N.
Great new BBQ place! Had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and they were tender and flavorful. My wife had the half chicken and she really enjoyed it. The Z's Bold BBQ sauce has got a nice kick to it. The sides were excellent, although the mac and cheese could have been a warmer (temperature wise). My wife and I both liked the red skin potato salad, and she is very particular about potato salad! There is limited seating, so plan on carry out or getting lucky.
(4)
Michael S.
I tried the pu pu platter of the BBQ world today. It had all the smoked meats, pork and chicken on it. WOW was it tasty and smokey and delicious. The Mac and cheese and bbq beans are not bad either. I would highly recommend Little Z's to any BBQ fanatic. Michael Stoyka Grosse Pte Farms, MI
(5)
Caitlin T.
I should come out and say, i wasn't MAD at this place. It wasn't bad! I just didn't like it enough to call myself a fan. Another disclosure: we went in 30 minutes before closing on a Sunday, so maybe that affected the food too. We got the BBQ sampler, it seemed like a good choice for our first time! Brisket and turkey were both very dry, but they were good for testing out the sauces (though the fact that this sampler comes with only one sauce is kinda bogus-- had to pay $.75 for each cup to try more than one type). --I wouldn't make the mistake of paying for multiple sauces again, either. The sweet, bold, and cherry apple all tasted way too similar for it to be worth it. I usually enjoy a white BBQ sauce but I wasn't impressed with theirs. I'd just get the Bold next time and call it a day I'm not a big ribs fan normally, and these were no exception. Tough and fatty-- I didn't even finish one. Pulled pork was good-- not at all fatty but still moist. Definitely worthwhile! Sausage was good, but cold? I don't know if it's supposed to be or if it just didn't stay warm on our drive home, but I had to nuke it after carrying out. Corn bread was corn bread. I like corn bread in general. I nuked this too because I always think corn break should be hot. The chicken was very good, nice and moist because it's smoked with the skin and it had really good flavor. The best thing (and I am SO biased here) were the burnt ends. I am a huge fan of burnt ends in general and these were no exception. If I were to come back, I'd skip everything else and just get the burnt ends dinner. Lesson learned! We picked collard greens and cole slaw as our sides, and also ordered a potato salad. The collard greens were great, the potato salad was mediocre. The mediocrity of the potato salad was especially disappointing, considering that they gave us two potato salads and forgot the cole slaw. Bummer. I probably won't be back, but I wouldn't advise anyone away. Just don't get your hopes up; I was shocked to see that this place had so many 5-star reviews based on the experience I had!
(3)
Christine U.
Loved it! There is not much seating but we were able to get a table and dine in. The food was great! We had the sampler platter and the hog fries. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Robin J.
well had hog fries!!!!! it was very interesting and good the flavor of the pulled pork was excellent, i liked all the sauces, they were very good we will be bak
(4)
William J.
This place is cooking up legit BBQ. I had the burnt ends ans st loius style spare ribs, and there was a nice bark on the meat, with a subtle smoky flavor. I loved both. The ribs here have a flavor that reminds me a bit of Memphis style bbq. The rub they use is good... Really good. If your a fan of legit BBQ, this should be a place on your short list. Along with Lazybones, this is one of the handful of places in the area that offer real food, at a reasonable price.
(5)
Theresa A.
Little Z's is one of my favorite spots to eat when I'm craving Barbecue that's close to home. I've tried most of the items on the menu and they are all tasty, but my favorite has to be the jumbo chicken wings, and that's because they make them just how I like them; smoked, then fried. It's best eaten hot and fresh when dining in, but I've ordered them through their delivery service as well. I love to dip them in all the different sauces they offer (I think they have 10 different varieties of sweet, tangy and spicy BBQ sauces and they are all great) I prefer these over B dubs, because of the simplicity of it all, and their wings are a lot bigger and not drowned in some sort of sauce or spice. Little Z's has some pretty good barbecue as well. I've not been disappointed in anything I've tried. The Carolina pulled pork dinner is nice big shreds of meat. Brisket is tasty and tender, Ribs are done well. I also enjoy their salads and sides. Hog fries comes to you in a huge mound of deliciousness (fries, chili, cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos and Z's sauce) and it's something that fills you up quick, so be warned, it's a great item to share. Whenever I dine in, the staff is always super friendly, and so are the delivery drivers. Speaking of delivery, a good tip is to check out their menu online and get your order straight before you call; they can be pretty busy for carry out. It's a quick process over the phone. I always feel like I'm on some sort of timed barbecue game show quiz and I'm afraid to fail. BE QUICK! The dude's always nice, though. littlezsbbq.com/menu
(4)
Kruthika S.
I continue to be amazed with this place. I called last Sunday and didn't realize they close at 8 on Sundays and not at 9. I called about 10 minutes until closing and asked if it was ok to place an order for delivery. Ed, the owner, got on the phone and said "for my best yelp customer, of course". I would have completely understood if they said it was too late but they didn't. They went out of their way to accommodate and make their customer happy. I very much appreciate when places are customer friendly. I promise I'll never call that close to closing. And will continue to visit this place as often as my diet will allow :)
(5)
Benjamin F.
We've had carry out and dined in here. Tonight we dined in. I had the Double Q dinner with burnt ends and pulled pork. My wife had a Cobb salad that was huge. The pulled pork was sweet and tender. This balanced by the smoke and crust on the burnt ends. Beautiful combination. We've also used Little Z's to cater a couple parties. Everyone loved it. Keep up the great work.
(5)
Nick M.
I ate at Little Z's four days ago and I'm still full from the meal. This place isn't about bells and whistles or fancy scenery; its mission is to deliver top-notch BBQ at great prices with great portion. And man, does it deliver. It's a smaller place with limited tables and limited servers. Many people came in and grabbed carry out while I was there, so maybe that might be people's best bets. I should first mention that the place is BYOB. It slipped my mind because I knew that a while ago, but then I asked what kind of beer they had and put two and two together. So, bring your favorite beer or whiskey and enjoy yourself a little more. The food, though ...arguably the best BBQ I have had in a long, long time. I went to eat with my dad and we started with the hog fries. This is on the appetizer menu but could be enough for a meal for some people. It's basically fries smothered in chili and covered in jalapenos, cheese, tomatoes and pulled pork. It was amazing. The pulled pork/chili combo was out of this world. Definitely recommend. As for the meal, I ordered the Pick 2 option with brisket and ribs. Yep, that was a good idea. Actually, a great one. The food comes with two sides and cornbread, so I chose cole slaw and mac and cheese. The mac is very good, and I know people like to compare mac n cheese at different BBQ joints -- this mac was a little different but not in a bad way at all. The slaw was above average as well. But at the end of the day it's all about the meats, right? The brisket was cooked perfect ...so tender and went together great with the numerous sauces Little Z's has at your disposal. Want sweet and tangy brisket? You can. What about bold BBQ sauce? Yep. Even garlic-type sauce is there. The ribs are also really tender and fall off the bone. I finished my entire plate, somehow, even after all those hog fries. I thought I was going to explode at one point 30 minutes later haha. So worth it. This place is great and offers so many food options for such a small joint. Haven't eaten in 10 hours? Get the Pick 2 or Pick 3 combos. Want to stop in for lunch? Grab a pulled pork sandwich. Feeling fishy? Get the catfish filet. There is something for everyone. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Jen L.
Tasty bbq I liked the cornbread the collard greens were super delicious and the chicken was flavorful juicy and not dry. The only thing I did not care for was the mac and cheese it was a bit on the bland side and mushy. This is a pretty good spot for take out in the area especially if your craving bbq and prices are decent.
(4)
Christina C.
Great BBQ. Portions are spot on, everything is fresh and delicious. Small little place so it might be better for carry out but we have never had anything but great service dining in. The garlic and the bold sauces are my favorite!
(5)
Jessica K.
I had a craving for some nachos and BBQ and Little Z's had what I was looking for!!! I called in my order to go and my food was ready to when I arrived. The place is smaller than it looks from the outside so no huge groups. But I didn't stick around long to explore. Nacho chips topped with tangy sauce, cheese, jalepeños, caramelized onions, and your choice of chicken, pulled pork, or vegetarian (why?). I of course got pulled pork. Both of my cravings were satisfied! I can't wait to try the rest of the menu!
(4)
Bob N.
Phew, since the waffle disaster I have been back about a couple dozen times and each time they have been spot on. The greens have been perfectly seasoned and the hog wings my go to meat here continue to impress. Service is always, always friendly and attentive and will continue to come in.
(5)
John C.
Good BBQ at a fair price. Found this little gem with an online search in my area and I'm glad we gave it a shot because I'm sure we'll be eating carry out from this place more often. Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)
Will E.
This is the type of barbecue that you see in the south - and no treat is better when there's a foot of snow on the ground outside. When we moved from Oklahoma City, I had been resigned to the fact that I may have just kissed good barbecue goodbye. And my suspicions were confirmed until I tried Little Z's. On my first visit I ordered the Detroit-Style Burnt Ends. The owner said some days he sells more of this than any other item. I took one bight and the was back in Oklahoma again. Perfectly smoked meat. A great array of sauces from Carolina Mustard to Z's Sweet Barbecue (my favorite). My barbecue was complemented by delicious snap peas, baked mac and cheese and cornbread. All of this for $12.75. It's a flavor-filled and filling meal at a reasonable price, and if you're used to good barbecue, Little Z's won't let you down.
(4)
Matthew S.
Had a carry out order of St. Louis Ribs, Mac & Cheese and Baked beans. Ribs were excellent. Well cooked and very tasty. Had the Honey Garlic Sauce which was an excellent compliment to the ribs. Mac & Cheese was average. Nothing special. Baked Beans - for some reason I got mash potatoes and gravy which was OK, just not the baked beans that I had actually ordered. Would I go back? For the ribs, definitely... they were pretty wonderful.
(4)
Deena A.
Their mac and cheese is even better than Slow's! And their sauces were delicious. I went there once on a whim with some friends, and we have not stopped talking about their food since then. We also loved the cozy atmosphere, definitely making our way back soon!
(5)
Sara B.
My man and I went in with another couple for lunch and really weren't impressed. The place looks nice and updated, and is quaint with a smaller amount of seating. We ordered the Triple-Q with chicken, pulled pork, and brisket as our meats, collard greens and mac n cheese for our sides, and 1 piece of corn bread was included. First off on the quantity, we were expecting enough for 2 people seeing as the plate was $20, but the portions were small and really only enough for 1 hungry person, which makes this place pretty expensive. All of the meat was dry and barely lukewarm upon arriving at the table. This leads me to believe there is some microwaving going on in the kitchen instead of actual BBQ action. On to the sides, I thought the greens were pretty bitter and lacked the juicy flavor I've come to expect from them. The mac n cheese was drastically overcooked and was a big bowl of mush with questionable flavors. Finally, the corn bread (which is one of my favorite things ever) was dry yet greasy, and lacked any good flavor. All of the sauces they serve on the side were....ok, but not stellar. I'd say to skip this one.
(2)
Lawanda P.
Fast service and friendly service. First time visit and sure to be a repeat offender lol.... Explained it was my first visit have no clue what sauce I want. With out a second thought the waiter passed me a spoon and said taste them all.
(5)
David Z.
Had ribs with catfish and chicken tenders. Was freshly prepared and tasty. Fries were good as was Mac n cheese. I would definitely eat there again! The service was excellent. Very friendly hostess/server
(4)
Chad G.
Went here to get my dose of protein. I ordered the combo rib and chicken. I am from the south born and raised so I am naturally a BBQ expert from the womb. The service was ok. You can tell its a local spot like the kind of place people all know one another. I am not a local so I didn't have that local welcome like I saw others get. Honestly have no problem with that. The food to me... it had no taste. The meat was very bland. They smoke most of the meat and I am not sure why the flavor lacked. A plus was the sides. The collards were good and the squash and zucchini were excellent. The muffin or cornbread biscuit was unique. It had a hard shell and was very tasty. I like to smell the BBQ before eating it because you can smell the flavors. The aroma was not good to me. The sauce on the table was pretty good, but the meat should stand by itself without sauce. I had to use sauce.
(2)
Diego A.
If you love meat, you love this place. The food makes disbelievers into the non-disbelievers screaming, "okay, just one more." Do it.
(5)
Frank P.
These guys need to go big time. They need a bigger place. Their BBQ isn't World Class it's Texas Class. To use a baseball analogy, they make Slows look like the minor leagues! There are no holes in the lineup, from the "fall off the bone" ribs to the brisket, and everything in between. Homerun!!
(5)
Benjamin C.
Amazing food, good service. The beef tips and grilled chicken tenders are great. There can be a wait, but usually never longer than 15 minutes.
(5)
Kelly A.
Had this at a gathering, so I can't speak on the staff or inside. I tried a little bit of the each meat in the sampler ; I found some meats better than others. The chicken was really good.The sauces were also pretty good. Some of the meats were dry, and that's when the sauce came in handy:) Hope the location works for them, as that building has been many things over the years.. I think the sign isn't something that is going to draw people in. It is a bit tacky.
(3)
Jessica P.
Being from Texas, we have a different take on BBQ than others. With that being said, the food was pretty good. The turkey sandwich with apples & Mihigsn cherries was fantastic. The kids slider hamburger & Mac n cheese was enough for the kids. The Texas brisket was a bit dry and didn't have the smoke flavor we are used to but it wasn't horrible. The beans were fantastic though as was the customer service. Next time we are in town, we will probably give it another go.
(4)
Amanda M.
Food is amazing here! Nothing bad on the menu! Would easily recommend this place if you love bbq food.
(5)
Carlos P.
Great service, excellent food, friendly staff. I definitely recommend this to all. I love the chicken and waffles and burnt ends! Also they have a nice selection of sauces for you to choose from, I would recommend the Zs bold with the burnt ends.
(5)
Ernesto V.
Decent place... Not the best meat or sauces but savory and satisfying :) the collard greens are quite good !
(2)
Blake W.
I would highly recommend BBQ lovers to try this place. They are a traditional style BBQ with great sauce options. I had a family dinner and ordered a big meal with different meats and they were all good.
(4)
Gordon J.
Pulled pork was great! Liked the variety of sauces to try at the table. Mac and cheese was homemade and we will be back for more. Good Job lil z!
(4)
ROSA Y.
Had the 1/2 chicken and 1/2 slab of rib combo for carry out dinner. Must have been a very small chicken...one with only a breast and a leg! Both the chicken and the ribs were dry and not very smokey. Did the sauce come out of a jar from Krogers? Sides of mac and cheese and potato salad. The mac and cheese was good. The potato salad was dry and lacked seasoning, especially salt...would be great for someone on a bland diet! Cornbread muffin was yummy. Once again an east side eatery fails to impress. Sorry folks, but there's much better bbq to be had. It looks like we are still doing our own bbq at our house...sigh.
(2)
Stephanie M.
Small little gem in my back yard. My hubby and I love bbq. We have travel for good smoked meats. We found friendly knowledgeable service. Our server explained that everything was made from scratch, so most of the menu is gluten free. The owner came by to talk to us, what a cool guy. He said he was well aware of how to make allergy free meals. We defiantly
(5)
Amy W.
While I've never actually been inside the establishment, I can assure you that the food is spectacular. I know it's a BBQ/pork joint, but their meatloaf dinner is TO DIE FOR. Their sandwiches are glorious, and you definitely get a ton of food for your money. Perfect for those nights when you're too lazy to cook, but want a delicious, home-style meal.
(5)
Ashley G.
DE-LICIOUS! Just ordered for the first time and can't wait to order again. Tried the ribs... Pretty sure angels made them. Since it was my first order, she sent along 3 sauces - all delicious but the ribs didn't need a thing.
(5)
Brandon G.
Food is very good. The burnt ends are by far the best in area. The fries are even great. The delivery is fast and friendly. Really like having this place nearby.
(5)
Tiffany M.
I was so impressed with the food I tried the sampler w baked beans and mac and cheese with a corn muffin on the side. I love that they deliver and they go far! I have a hard time getting places to deliver to me because most dont deliver to Detroit side. They didn't even question it! It was no problem to her at all. Thank You piggy Z's ill be back for more!
(5)
Renata C.
Hubband and I love to take friends here. Dine in, order the sampler, and split it 4 ways so you can eat delicious smoked meats while enjoying all the amazing sauces. Carry out will work too, but it's just not as much fun as using those squirty bottles like you are some kind of scientist, figuring out which sauce goes best with which meat. All the sides are amazing too (like, who knew I'd have the best fries ever here?) and even the cornbread isn't an afterthought. Eat it all, because it's all good.
(5)
Ed C.
Meat is delicious and smoky. Prices are solid and the sauces are good. I'm only giving then a preliminary review, they've been open less than a week and it's not fair to judge quite yet, but lots of potential for greatness! Rumors of delivery soon, a few seats for dine in, give it a try!
(4)
Matthew D.
I have never started a review with a side dish, but if there was a ever a reason to do it this is the time. The baked beans at Little Z's are like taking a bite of a campfire. It was quite simply the best smoky bite I have ever taken of anything ever. That aside, (pun intended), this is the best BBQ in the state of Michigan. I have lived in and traveled to some amazing BBQ areas of country, from Lockhart, TX to Memphis, TN to the Carolina's. I have always appreciated the regional flair of each area, but this was the best combination of the best of each area coupled with a Michigan flair. We started with the Hog fries which were amazing: house cut fries, chili, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, topped with Z's sauce. We had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and the Carolina Pulled Pork. I had never head of the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and while I liked them as a taste, I don't recommend them for one the main meats, it was just too heavy for my taste, but to see an unique Michigan addition to the US BBQ lexicon was worth it. The service was amazing. When we let them know we were visiting for the first time and had some questions, the gentleman that greeted said he loved questions, sat down next to us and had a great conversation with us. You could feel the passion he had for what he did, he took his time with us and set the mood for what was a great meal. The Recap: The Good: Everything we had was top notch. The Hog Fries, the BBQ, the mac 'n' cheese and the sauces cover every regional area of the country. Do not pass on the Alabama White sauce, the only other place I have ever come across it is the panhandle of Florida and although you don't want a plate full of it, it is a fantastic vinegar based change of pace to incorporate into your meal. The service was great, prompt, friendly and informative. The Bad: The decor wasn't bad and the best BBQ places seem to be glorified shacks in other parts of the country, but it does feel a little generic. A very minor, minor thing but I feel like if I don't find something you are going to think the owner wrote this. :) The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Traveling Wilbury's. A perfect combination of a wide array of talents that has created something new and wonderful.
(5)
Hazen R.
We have gotten take out from here twice and both times we were wowed! I can only imagine how good it would be if we ate in. I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but my husband suggested we try it. Despite how good I'm sure the BBQ is, we had the meatloaf and it was some of the best I've ever tasted. Their pulled pork is moist and not too fatty. Delicious sides and many different sauces for people who have varied tastes. Fantastic!!
(5)
Ken L.
Since our favorite rib joint closed we've been looking for some good ribs. We saw this place on yelp a few months ago and just tried it yesterday. Upon arrival, the place was really small but inviting. Nothing fancy but clean and the waitress was friendly. Being a Wednesday they have buy one rib dinner get one half off, perfect! This is on Tuesday and Wednesdays BTW. So first, the ribs. While other "rib joints" like to add what seems to us to be 5 times the amount of smoke needed (cough RUB BBQ), these ribs had in my opinion the exact amount needed! Not too little and not overpowering either. We're not huge fans of dry rub ribs whatsoever but these weren't too bad. I'm also not a fan of fall off the bone ribs. These were bordering on that and before a few minutes the owner came from the back asking how we liked them and apologized for them being too tender, they were just removed from the smoker. That's good to hear, I like working on the bone not eating ribs with a fork. We'll have to try them again and hopefully get some bones that aren't so tender. We tried all the sauces but the best two for us were the sweet and the apple. The hot sauce was missing something which was a bummer, I like spicy. For sides, you get two with your dinner... We had the cole slaw, the mac n cheese and the redskin potato salad. The cole slaw we'll pass on next time, it was really bitter tasting. The redskin potato salad we both enjoyed. I've read people saying it was bland, I beg to differ. It had really good flavor and not salty, yes but you can add that to taste. The mac n cheese to us was really good also, not over cheesy compared to other rib joints and we didn't think it was "mushy" as other reviews have stated. The cornbread that's served with dinner was exactly as others have said. While it tasted great it was very greasy yet very dry! It was strange combination to say the least. Bottom line, it's not our perfect rib but compared to RUB, Bad Brads and a few other BBQ establishments this place to us was superior to most. We're definitely going to be back! Hopefully we get those ribs a little less tender this time!
(4)
Joe J.
See the guy in the first picture, he's the one cooking the food. I like that. When I search for places to eat I want something unique, something one person put his best into. That's why I like Little Z's, its genuine BBQ, made by a chief. So you can see I have been a few times. First off, order yourself a hog wing, its a smoked fried pork shank, delicious and unique. I haven't tried everything, but the hog wings are one of the best things on the menu. The sauces are all very good, if you want something really hot, ask for the fire stein, I mix it into the other sauces to add some heat. The rib rips are good, the quality seems to change on these every time we order them, sometimes are better then others. I have ordered the large sampler plate once and found everything good, I think it had turkey or chicken, didnt really care for that. But the brisket, pork and sausage all tasted good. The other day I had the pork sliders, they are good, a tad dry and a tad mushy, not bad, just sort of middle of the road with the pork. For 4.95, with fries its 10 times better then anything you could find at a fast food joint. Overall, its a good place, the food is good and sides always seem fresh. Little Z's is a must try and if you do get a Hog Wing.
(4)
Brian V.
Grabbed a carry-out lunch today. I'm a huge fan and aficionado of BBQ and I'm sad to say I was not that impressed despite wanting to be after hearing good things about this place. The server was rather gruff and aloof and gave the appearance of being too busy the whole time while not seeming doing all that much. While I waited about 5 minutes for my meal, the smells were wonderful and things were put together to order, not sitting on a heat rack. I ordered the beef brisket, one of my favorites and one of the hardest types of meat to BBQ well. It was a quality cut of brisket and very nicely cooked with great texture, but unfortunately no flavor at all despite some sort of red powder sprinkled on top. How do you smoke meat and end up with no flavor? The mac n cheese was a pile of unremarkable mush. The entire outside of the cornbread was completely drenched in butter, yuck! The sauce provided, marked with an S on the top, tasted like someone's attempt to dress up ketchup and was completely unremarkable and gross. If you are looking for quality meat that is smoked and cooked to the proper texture, Little Z can do that, but otherwise I wasn't impressed.
(3)
Terry L.
Shared chicken and rib combo. Came with 2 sides, we got baked beans and coleslaw. Everything was great. More than we could finish.
(5)
Barbie M.
thank you little z's for being close to home and making me dream of mac and cheese! this place is legit! my fiance and i have the rib and chicken combo with 2 sides. mac and cheese and the home fries! it was the kind of first bite where your eyes pop open and the person your with gets excited because they know by the look of pure pleasure on your face that they soon will be happy too! so if you are looking to sit down and stuff your face you may not have a seat because this place lacks tables but makes up for it 10 fold in service and quality!! you will be greeted with a big smile and a welcome hello and treated like you are family! if you cant find a seat get a carry out but drive home fast because im pretty sure you will not be able to resist the temptation of eating it in the car and that could be bad!! go to little z's try everything! make sure you dont have plans after because you are going to be a happy stuffed piggy after and ready for a nap!! just go!!
(5)
David M.
Pulled pork sandwich, St. Louis ribs and wings / hog wings were excellent. Gumbo was ok. Not a fan of the fries or coleslaw. Cornbread was only so-so. The choice of sauces (5) was great. If you want hotter sauces, ask and you will be given two more. Combine Z's Sweet and Z's Bold for really great flavor. Service was very courteous. We will certainly return.
(4)
Andy H.
Had some Little Z's Q tonight. Great pulled pork, great flavor without the sauce. Not to fatty and pulled apart nicely so as to leave some big chunks as well. Thinking the carry out bag looked light, they forgot to put the slaw in the bag. Open the bag at home and find they placed two of the same sauces in the bad instead of 2 different kinds, Yea I know, its the details, but they should get these right. 3 stars due to carryout oversight. Mac and Cheese was decent. The vinerag-y slaw is the kind I don't care for, but it was definately not as wet as our buddy Glenn H described. Shouldn't all BBQ joints offer a creamy slaw????
(3)
Nick B.
Screw Slows. This is much closer to home, easier to park, and just as good if not better in my opinion. You might drive by here a lot and not think to step inside, big mistake, this place is a hidden gem. Great BBQ sauces, amazing ribs, great corn bread and greens, awesome brisket, and unbeatable prices. Go for lunch, you can't beat it! I've made my mouth water.
(5)
Carla D.
Not good. First of all, my husband called and explained this was our first time ordering from them. He told the girl who answered that there were two adults and two children and asked how much we should order based on that. Well, we did have enough meat, fatty and gross meat...but the sides were barely enough for two people. No way there was enough food for four! So disappointing. And the food is not good. The Mac and Cheese was dry and disgusting. The coke slaw was average. Meat very fatty. Will not order again.
(1)
Dan M.
Little Z's is quite the surprise. Nestled in a small set of shops on the east side of Mack in an unassuming St. Clair Shores neighborhood, Little Z's could easily be mistaken for a laundromat or coffee shop (both of which are nearby). However, buoyed by a positive review in the Metro Times we gave it a go, and have been extremely pleased , heading back several times now. First of all, let's be frank - eating in really is not an option, and if that is your plan, you should probably go elsewhere. There are a couple tables, but it is noisy and loud, with phones ringing off the hook and carry-out orders being picked up. However, if you are looking for carry-out BBQ on the east side, here's your place. My wife and I have had a variety of their dishes, and so far none have disappointed. Their brisket is tender and juicy, and the portions are a good size. Ribs, short-ribs, catfish - all have been fantastic. The pulled pork was a little dry, as is oft the case. The sides are good as well, and the sauces are excellent. Particularly we both enjoy the Cherry Apple BBQ sauce. Service has been good, and we hope to continue to get carry out from Little Z's for a long time.
(4)
Cyndi J.
Ok, the food portions here are huge! I ordered the sampler to share and it was plenty. You pretty much get a sample of every kind of meat. My favorite was the mac n cheese and the burnt ends! Its a small, very clean place. Service was very accomodating and the chef even came out to ask how our meal was. My cornbread was a little dry but everything else was great!
(5)
Michael T.
By far the best BBQ joint that I've ever been to! Love everything that I've tried (and I've tried everything!) Super tasty sauces, and very friendly staff. My personal favorite are the hog wings or burnt ends with Mac and Cheese and the sub the gumbo for a side! Also give the baked beans a try!
(5)
Katie B.
The barbeque is really good. (I love the Bold sauce mixed with the North Carolina Mustard sauce.) The service is really good. If you're going for the first time, remember to BYOB.
(4)
Maggie H.
We went to Little Z's on a Saturday after a volunteer event after a stellar recommendation from a fellow Yelper. I was so excited to try a new BBQ joint, especially when my friend pitted Little Z's against my favorite BBQ in Metro-D. It pains me to say that Little Z's did not live up to expectations, however let me start with what I liked. The pork by itself had a lot of really good flavor. If you are not a "dressings" person you will really enjoy the pork. Second, the baked beans were full of flavor and both sweet and savory. Now, onto the flip side. I happen to be one of those people who really likes to dress my pork. Give me multiple sauces to try and some coleslaw to slather my pork in and I am a happy carnivore. The coleslaw at Little Z's was too heavy on the vinegar rather than creamy. Though I appreciated eating it by itself, when eating BBQ, a creamy coleslaw is necessary to put on the pork to balance hot sauce. Second, the hot sauces did not wow me. There wasn't one that was spicy enough to satisfy. Finally, the macaroni and cheese was way overdone. It came out like a big blob of mush because the noodles were overcooked. Regrettably, we may have hit Little Z's on a bad day/time, especially considering the other reviews I have read and my friends shock at our experience. However, there is too much good BBQ in metro to overlook the major gaps we had at Little Z's.
(2)
Ujon C.
BBQ are delicious and different flavors of sauce is plus alpha! I found staff are also friendly. We had shreded pork and brisket with 2 sides for each dish, pork was really delicious. But I think brisket could've been better. Hope there is more salad type vege selection on side. I tried super spicy chicken wing(2 pieces) and it was painfully spicy but not much of taste.
(4)
Meg K.
I don't love smoked meat, but I was wowed by the dinner I had tonight at this new little BBQ joint. Whatever spices are in their rub, it's a wonderful fragrant blend that develops a crisp exterior and a moist and tender, tasty inside with a subtle smoke. We ordered the sampler, which includes 8 different kinds of meat. I wasn't a fan of the spices in the sausage, but it was cooked just right. The other meats: pulled pork, brisket, hog wings (amazing), chicken, etc. were big on flavor and low on fat. Hand cut salty fries, crispy and tender. Steaming hot baked mac&cheese, creamy buttery goodness topped with toasted bread crumbs. My son's Po' Boy sandwich was just okay; slightly overcooked and we didn't care for the sauce. Cornbread somewhat dry. The very fresh, crunchy slaw was too tangy for me - competes with instead of complements the (yummy) sauces. But who cares? This place is new and still working out the kinks. Everything else had well developed flavors, cooked perfectly, and if they keep pumping out great food we'll be regulars. We received stellar service! It's a tiny space (they take reservations and probably shouldn't b/c it ties up tables) so be prepared to wait for a table or get take out; they offer delivery. Generous portions, priced right.
(5)
Victoria M.
More of a carry out joint but you can dine in and ask the manager/owner about the BYOB policy ;) Good BBQ and YUMMY SAUCES. They have a really hot sauce they don't display, ask for it if you're into that. Had burnt ends and St Louis ribs but everything looks good. Good prices, pretty standard $$ for BBQ yet not overpriced. Oh they have a sampler of some type with 5 different meats and maybe 2-3 sides and about $25. Get that if you arent sure. It can be enought for 2 hungry peeps.
(4)
Shiela J.
I'm a fan of carry-out and tried this place when they first opened. My general thought was it was OK. The meat was tasty, the mac and cheese was yum but I hated all the sauces that I tried. I almost let that sway me because I thought the sauces tasted like flavored tomato pastes because they were so thick and really lacked decent flavor. However, I thought I would try it again thinking some kinks may need to be worked out. This time, brisket, mac and cheese and collard greens was the fare. Again, the meat was tasty and pretty darn good. I thoroughly enjoyed the sides and all in all had a very satisfying meal. However, my stance on the BBQ sauce stands. Which kind of throws me off because I have never been to a place where I couldn't find at least 1 sauce. Oh well. It won't stop me from returning. You can get a good meal and the fact that I can get it close to home is nice. I'll just add my own sauce. All in all - I would definitely return and encourage locals to do the same. I think they deserve 3-1/2 stars but that's not an option. This has not notoriously a location where businesses have longevity so I hope Little Z can break the cycle.
(3)
Victoria M.
More of a carry out joint but you can dine in and ask the manager/owner about the BYOB policy ;) Good BBQ and YUMMY SAUCES. They have a really hot sauce they don't display, ask for it if you're into that. Had burnt ends and St Louis ribs but everything looks good. Good prices, pretty standard $$ for BBQ yet not overpriced. Oh they have a sampler of some type with 5 different meats and maybe 2-3 sides and about $25. Get that if you arent sure. It can be enought for 2 hungry peeps.
(4)
Debbie H.
Just picture a man and woman running toward one another in slow motion through a beautiful, flower-filled meadow ...their arms extended, anticipating a loving embrace. Then the woman runs right past the befuddled man ...into the arms of a smaller, lesser known guy. The jilted man would be Slow's BBQ and the little guy with the receding hairline who gets the girl would be Little Z's. We were driving home from Ann Arbor and agreed that it was about time for BBQ since we hadn't opted for that in quite a while. Of course the iconic Slow's came to mind but because Deb had already been there once before (average experience) and we jumped on Yelp to sift through reviews (2 hour wait at times?) we thought of giving our more local Little Z's a shot. What a great decision guys. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich which comes on a baked focaccia, with tomato jam and onions. There were 8 or 9 sauces to try but I'm telling you, this was good enough to stand on its own. Outstanding flavor and a huge portion. Plenty of fries, which were cooked, for me, perfectly. They were not the typically undercooked, bendy, gross fries that sometimes can ruin a good sandwich. The redskin potato salad was amazing as well. Deb chose the pulled pork sandwich with fries and slaw. Again, excellent flavor and portion size ... Great tasting coleslaw was a little on the watery side but the flavor was terrific. To top it off the price was reasonable and the service was extremely accommodating and friendly. With apologies to the Goliath that is Slow's ... My money is on the David that is Little Z's. We'll be back!
(5)
Katie T.
My husband and I have gotten Little Z's three times since they opened: once dining in, once carryout, and once delivery. Overall, I like them - they're the best barbecue we've found in our immediate area. I don't recall exactly what we've gotten each time, but I did want to put up a review for the overall experience. The meat is very good. I usually get pulled pork, which is very good; yesterday we both got the St. Louis rib dinner (pork ribs; it was on special). They were good. I'm a little disappointed with the sides; the corn bread has been dry every time we've gotten it. But the mac and cheese is pretty good, and so are the fries. I do recall having gotten the pulled pork nachos the first time we went - they were good, but could have done with some layering (the toppings were all on the very top, so most of the nacho chips were dry - kind of underwhelming). I remember the first time we went my husband got some sort of sandwich and was underwhelmed with it, but he's liked what he's gotten the other times. The service, however, is VERY good. In fact, one of the things that prompted me to write this review was that when we ordered delivery yesterday, it took a VERY long time. When it finally arrived, the driver introduced himself as the owner (which I have verified through the wonders of the Internet), apologized for the delay, and explained that the delivery guy had gotten lost. You know, EVERYone gets lost delivering to our neighborhood, and I almost told the woman who took our order that I should give specific directions, but then I threw caution to the wind and trusted in GPS technology. So really, it was partly my fault, and the fact that the owner schlepped over (ok, it's less than a mile) to deliver our food and apologize...that's exceptional, IMO. In short: the food is good, but depends on what you order. The service? Definitely pushes it over the top. If the food were more consistent, this would be a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
(4)
Michael R.
Extremely yummy pulled pork sandwich! The fries and slaw were also very good. The prices were reasonable. The BBQ is dry rub & the homemade sauces were very tasty. Excellent!
(5)
James H.
Great food and very well priced. Sauces are gluten free too
(5)
B G.
It is a very small place. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I think they do a large takeout business. I would not take a client there for a business lunch, but my mom loves it. Look at the sandwiches, more than enough food. I have, and I will go back
(4)
Gordana F.
I can't even deal with how good this food is. Sometimes i dream about it. No, really, i do. Like, saying that it is good, is a lie. It is not good, it is the best bbq that has ever existed anywhere, ever. (save for the cole slaw, that is so not great). but the ribs, omg the ribs. I am having a love affair with the ribs. There is nothing more delicious than little z's ribs. Nothing. Nothing at all. And the cornbread and the chicken, and the mac and cheese, oh and the Greens!! It is like the God of BBQ's created this place himself. go get your worship on folks. Do this. Trust me.
(4)
Dan M.
Little Z's is quite the surprise. Nestled in a small set of shops on the east side of Mack in an unassuming St. Clair Shores neighborhood, Little Z's could easily be mistaken for a laundromat or coffee shop (both of which are nearby). However, buoyed by a positive review in the Metro Times we gave it a go, and have been extremely pleased , heading back several times now. First of all, let's be frank - eating in really is not an option, and if that is your plan, you should probably go elsewhere. There are a couple tables, but it is noisy and loud, with phones ringing off the hook and carry-out orders being picked up. However, if you are looking for carry-out BBQ on the east side, here's your place. My wife and I have had a variety of their dishes, and so far none have disappointed. Their brisket is tender and juicy, and the portions are a good size. Ribs, short-ribs, catfish - all have been fantastic. The pulled pork was a little dry, as is oft the case. The sides are good as well, and the sauces are excellent. Particularly we both enjoy the Cherry Apple BBQ sauce. Service has been good, and we hope to continue to get carry out from Little Z's for a long time.
(4)
Cyndi J.
Ok, the food portions here are huge! I ordered the sampler to share and it was plenty. You pretty much get a sample of every kind of meat. My favorite was the mac n cheese and the burnt ends! Its a small, very clean place. Service was very accomodating and the chef even came out to ask how our meal was. My cornbread was a little dry but everything else was great!
(5)
Carla D.
Not good. First of all, my husband called and explained this was our first time ordering from them. He told the girl who answered that there were two adults and two children and asked how much we should order based on that. Well, we did have enough meat, fatty and gross meat...but the sides were barely enough for two people. No way there was enough food for four! So disappointing. And the food is not good. The Mac and Cheese was dry and disgusting. The coke slaw was average. Meat very fatty. Will not order again.
(1)
Michael T.
By far the best BBQ joint that I've ever been to! Love everything that I've tried (and I've tried everything!) Super tasty sauces, and very friendly staff. My personal favorite are the hog wings or burnt ends with Mac and Cheese and the sub the gumbo for a side! Also give the baked beans a try!
(5)
Katie B.
The barbeque is really good. (I love the Bold sauce mixed with the North Carolina Mustard sauce.) The service is really good. If you're going for the first time, remember to BYOB.
(4)
David M.
Pulled pork sandwich, St. Louis ribs and wings / hog wings were excellent. Gumbo was ok. Not a fan of the fries or coleslaw. Cornbread was only so-so. The choice of sauces (5) was great. If you want hotter sauces, ask and you will be given two more. Combine Z's Sweet and Z's Bold for really great flavor. Service was very courteous. We will certainly return.
(4)
Andy H.
Had some Little Z's Q tonight. Great pulled pork, great flavor without the sauce. Not to fatty and pulled apart nicely so as to leave some big chunks as well. Thinking the carry out bag looked light, they forgot to put the slaw in the bag. Open the bag at home and find they placed two of the same sauces in the bad instead of 2 different kinds, Yea I know, its the details, but they should get these right. 3 stars due to carryout oversight. Mac and Cheese was decent. The vinerag-y slaw is the kind I don't care for, but it was definately not as wet as our buddy Glenn H described. Shouldn't all BBQ joints offer a creamy slaw????
(3)
Caitlin T.
I should come out and say, i wasn't MAD at this place. It wasn't bad! I just didn't like it enough to call myself a fan. Another disclosure: we went in 30 minutes before closing on a Sunday, so maybe that affected the food too. We got the BBQ sampler, it seemed like a good choice for our first time! Brisket and turkey were both very dry, but they were good for testing out the sauces (though the fact that this sampler comes with only one sauce is kinda bogus-- had to pay $.75 for each cup to try more than one type). --I wouldn't make the mistake of paying for multiple sauces again, either. The sweet, bold, and cherry apple all tasted way too similar for it to be worth it. I usually enjoy a white BBQ sauce but I wasn't impressed with theirs. I'd just get the Bold next time and call it a day I'm not a big ribs fan normally, and these were no exception. Tough and fatty-- I didn't even finish one. Pulled pork was good-- not at all fatty but still moist. Definitely worthwhile! Sausage was good, but cold? I don't know if it's supposed to be or if it just didn't stay warm on our drive home, but I had to nuke it after carrying out. Corn bread was corn bread. I like corn bread in general. I nuked this too because I always think corn break should be hot. The chicken was very good, nice and moist because it's smoked with the skin and it had really good flavor. The best thing (and I am SO biased here) were the burnt ends. I am a huge fan of burnt ends in general and these were no exception. If I were to come back, I'd skip everything else and just get the burnt ends dinner. Lesson learned! We picked collard greens and cole slaw as our sides, and also ordered a potato salad. The collard greens were great, the potato salad was mediocre. The mediocrity of the potato salad was especially disappointing, considering that they gave us two potato salads and forgot the cole slaw. Bummer. I probably won't be back, but I wouldn't advise anyone away. Just don't get your hopes up; I was shocked to see that this place had so many 5-star reviews based on the experience I had!
(3)
Christine U.
Loved it! There is not much seating but we were able to get a table and dine in. The food was great! We had the sampler platter and the hog fries. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Matthew R.
I wanted to try something a little different in this area, and was blown away by Little Z's. My girlfriend and I split a Triple Q (three types of meat, two sides). Burnt-Ends: These were seriously the best I've ever had. The girlfriend usually dislikes these because they're over-charred and fatty, but not at Little Z's. These were prepared perfectly, tasting like little bites of smoked steak rather than burnt cast-off pieces of beef. They went incredibly well with the Bold sauce as the little extra kick balanced the char flavor nicely. Chicken: The chicken was very good. While smoked, it was still very tender and moist, without being greasy. It went well with all of their sauces. In our sampler, we got a drummy and a half breast. Ribs: I was equally impressed by these. They were butchered perfectly, and tender enough that I could pull the bone right out of them without a knife. They were trimmed so that you didn't have the giant chunks of gristle masquerading as meat. The dry rub was good, without being overpowering or clashing with any of their sauces. Sauce: I tried all of their sauces (Bold, Honey Garlic, Asian, Cherry Apple, Sweet), and there wasn't one that I didn't like. My only complaint was that they were all pretty sweet and lacked spice, except for the Bold. Not to the point of tasting bad, but it would be nice to have a bit more variety on that end. Thankfully mixing in a bit of the Bold gave each sauce a nice kick without overpowering the unique flavors. At the girlfriend's suggestion, I mixed a bit of the Bold with the Cherry Apple. By far my favorite. It would be nice if they had a more vinegar-y Carolina style sauce, and some spicier options, but there wasn't one that I didn't like or wouldn't eat on any of the meats that we got. Portions: For two people, the TripleQ was quite good. We had enough meat (had a rib and a half to take home), and the two sides were sufficient (Mac-N-Cheese and Fries, both good). The cornbread was surprisingly good, but we should have followed our waitress's suggestion and gotten a second piece for the two of us. Still, for $20, it was enough food without being too much. Our waitress was great, polite, and fun. Now, inevitably any BBQ in southeast MI will get compared to Slow's. Honestly, Slow's Apple BBQ is still my favorite BBQ sauce, hands down. But the sides and meat preparation at Little Z's are definitely on par if not a little better, and the prices comparable. I'm totally coming back. Probably for lunch, as their lunch specials looked great and were all under $8.
(5)
Jill M.
Love this place!! I definitely think it's the best BBQ in our area. Small, chill, and the whole staff was friendly. Even got a chance to shoot the shit with the owner for a minute, as we sat at the bar. Both my boyfriend and I had the pulled pork sandwich, as it is one of our fav dishes to order. Best ever! The meat was sooo moist and pink, and wonderful! Lots of good sauces to choose from. The baked mac n cheese was tasty, and the cornbread was amazing!! Officially our go to BBQ joint!
(5)
Anna J.
Not the best- too many other better options around. Rub was very bland, meat tough, sides where meh. Hate to dis a local place, but they could do better.
(3)
Ricky P.
This place was strange. There is very little seating. It's moderately priced.I had the pulled pork and I just wasn't impressed. I feel like if you need 42 flavored sauces, you don't have a good meal to start with. It was just, "Meh." There are other places I'd prefer to go for good BBQ.
(2)
Ed C.
Meat is delicious and smoky. Prices are solid and the sauces are good. I'm only giving then a preliminary review, they've been open less than a week and it's not fair to judge quite yet, but lots of potential for greatness! Rumors of delivery soon, a few seats for dine in, give it a try!
(4)
Glen H.
Really really good. The meat is very good, tender, smoky, flavorful, and the sauces are excellent. I LOVE the Alabama White. It's like ranch dressing with a vinegar base. Wonderful. Here's the strangest thing from the meal -- I ate every bit of the two sides. A cole slaw which was tangy, lots of vinegar, almost like eating pickled slaw. I really enjoyed it. The potato salad is redskin based, with a creamy dressing that includes plenty of mustard. The celery was crisp, and the consistency was excellent. Well done. Why no five stars? The mac and cheese was kind of disappointing. The flavor profile doesn't say mac and cheese, more creamy salt. That may be what you want, but it lacked cheese flavor. The little bit of cheddar melted on top didn't make the difference. Not the worst, not the best. I would definitely recommend this place. Get carryout if you can -- not too many tables in the place. Let's keep this place open!
(4)
Keith N.
Great new BBQ place! Had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and they were tender and flavorful. My wife had the half chicken and she really enjoyed it. The Z's Bold BBQ sauce has got a nice kick to it. The sides were excellent, although the mac and cheese could have been a warmer (temperature wise). My wife and I both liked the red skin potato salad, and she is very particular about potato salad! There is limited seating, so plan on carry out or getting lucky.
(4)
Michael S.
I tried the pu pu platter of the BBQ world today. It had all the smoked meats, pork and chicken on it. WOW was it tasty and smokey and delicious. The Mac and cheese and bbq beans are not bad either. I would highly recommend Little Z's to any BBQ fanatic. Michael Stoyka Grosse Pte Farms, MI
(5)
Robin J.
well had hog fries!!!!! it was very interesting and good the flavor of the pulled pork was excellent, i liked all the sauces, they were very good we will be bak
(4)
Steven M.
My first time eating here on a recommendation from a friend. I must say I am impressed. I was probably the first customer today order. My order consisted of the lunch time burnt ends with Mac and cheese. I'm not going to lie I was surprised how quickly that food came out. And no it definitely wasn't some reheated mess, this was definitely cooked up fresh. I was speaking with my waitress and she indicated the owner and his wife own this small shop and for 2 years they hadn't taken a vacation since they work opposite schedules in the shop. That right there doesn't scream workaholic, but a master and dedication to ones craft. Now onward to the food. Food was delicious, the burnt ends, with their bit of char paired with my favorite sauces of bold, honey garlic, and/or sweet bbq all add to the party going on in my mouth. The Mac and cheese was fantastic, hot and topped of with crumbs and baked with 5 different cheese inside. My goodness how creamy that Mac was. The cornbread, was a bit dryer to my taste, but it was sweet and tasty non the less. I have their takeout menu and this is a place to go. The owner knows his bbq, and let's not forget the sauces, good lord, so many to choose from. The firestein sauce, wow, if you want some heat, it hits hard and stays long. Mix it with the bold(few drops) and you have a potent combo. If you are in the area, I highly recommend this place. I went for lunch and can only imagine how busy they get for dinner.
(5)
William J.
This place is cooking up legit BBQ. I had the burnt ends ans st loius style spare ribs, and there was a nice bark on the meat, with a subtle smoky flavor. I loved both. The ribs here have a flavor that reminds me a bit of Memphis style bbq. The rub they use is good... Really good. If your a fan of legit BBQ, this should be a place on your short list. Along with Lazybones, this is one of the handful of places in the area that offer real food, at a reasonable price.
(5)
Theresa A.
Little Z's is one of my favorite spots to eat when I'm craving Barbecue that's close to home. I've tried most of the items on the menu and they are all tasty, but my favorite has to be the jumbo chicken wings, and that's because they make them just how I like them; smoked, then fried. It's best eaten hot and fresh when dining in, but I've ordered them through their delivery service as well. I love to dip them in all the different sauces they offer (I think they have 10 different varieties of sweet, tangy and spicy BBQ sauces and they are all great) I prefer these over B dubs, because of the simplicity of it all, and their wings are a lot bigger and not drowned in some sort of sauce or spice. Little Z's has some pretty good barbecue as well. I've not been disappointed in anything I've tried. The Carolina pulled pork dinner is nice big shreds of meat. Brisket is tasty and tender, Ribs are done well. I also enjoy their salads and sides. Hog fries comes to you in a huge mound of deliciousness (fries, chili, cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos and Z's sauce) and it's something that fills you up quick, so be warned, it's a great item to share. Whenever I dine in, the staff is always super friendly, and so are the delivery drivers. Speaking of delivery, a good tip is to check out their menu online and get your order straight before you call; they can be pretty busy for carry out. It's a quick process over the phone. I always feel like I'm on some sort of timed barbecue game show quiz and I'm afraid to fail. BE QUICK! The dude's always nice, though. littlezsbbq.com/menu
(4)
Benjamin F.
We've had carry out and dined in here. Tonight we dined in. I had the Double Q dinner with burnt ends and pulled pork. My wife had a Cobb salad that was huge. The pulled pork was sweet and tender. This balanced by the smoke and crust on the burnt ends. Beautiful combination. We've also used Little Z's to cater a couple parties. Everyone loved it. Keep up the great work.
(5)
Jessica K.
I had a craving for some nachos and BBQ and Little Z's had what I was looking for!!! I called in my order to go and my food was ready to when I arrived. The place is smaller than it looks from the outside so no huge groups. But I didn't stick around long to explore. Nacho chips topped with tangy sauce, cheese, jalepeños, caramelized onions, and your choice of chicken, pulled pork, or vegetarian (why?). I of course got pulled pork. Both of my cravings were satisfied! I can't wait to try the rest of the menu!
(4)
Bob N.
Phew, since the waffle disaster I have been back about a couple dozen times and each time they have been spot on. The greens have been perfectly seasoned and the hog wings my go to meat here continue to impress. Service is always, always friendly and attentive and will continue to come in.
(5)
John C.
Good BBQ at a fair price. Found this little gem with an online search in my area and I'm glad we gave it a shot because I'm sure we'll be eating carry out from this place more often. Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)
Will E.
This is the type of barbecue that you see in the south - and no treat is better when there's a foot of snow on the ground outside. When we moved from Oklahoma City, I had been resigned to the fact that I may have just kissed good barbecue goodbye. And my suspicions were confirmed until I tried Little Z's. On my first visit I ordered the Detroit-Style Burnt Ends. The owner said some days he sells more of this than any other item. I took one bight and the was back in Oklahoma again. Perfectly smoked meat. A great array of sauces from Carolina Mustard to Z's Sweet Barbecue (my favorite). My barbecue was complemented by delicious snap peas, baked mac and cheese and cornbread. All of this for $12.75. It's a flavor-filled and filling meal at a reasonable price, and if you're used to good barbecue, Little Z's won't let you down.
(4)
Diego A.
If you love meat, you love this place. The food makes disbelievers into the non-disbelievers screaming, "okay, just one more." Do it.
(5)
Nick M.
I ate at Little Z's four days ago and I'm still full from the meal. This place isn't about bells and whistles or fancy scenery; its mission is to deliver top-notch BBQ at great prices with great portion. And man, does it deliver. It's a smaller place with limited tables and limited servers. Many people came in and grabbed carry out while I was there, so maybe that might be people's best bets. I should first mention that the place is BYOB. It slipped my mind because I knew that a while ago, but then I asked what kind of beer they had and put two and two together. So, bring your favorite beer or whiskey and enjoy yourself a little more. The food, though ...arguably the best BBQ I have had in a long, long time. I went to eat with my dad and we started with the hog fries. This is on the appetizer menu but could be enough for a meal for some people. It's basically fries smothered in chili and covered in jalapenos, cheese, tomatoes and pulled pork. It was amazing. The pulled pork/chili combo was out of this world. Definitely recommend. As for the meal, I ordered the Pick 2 option with brisket and ribs. Yep, that was a good idea. Actually, a great one. The food comes with two sides and cornbread, so I chose cole slaw and mac and cheese. The mac is very good, and I know people like to compare mac n cheese at different BBQ joints -- this mac was a little different but not in a bad way at all. The slaw was above average as well. But at the end of the day it's all about the meats, right? The brisket was cooked perfect ...so tender and went together great with the numerous sauces Little Z's has at your disposal. Want sweet and tangy brisket? You can. What about bold BBQ sauce? Yep. Even garlic-type sauce is there. The ribs are also really tender and fall off the bone. I finished my entire plate, somehow, even after all those hog fries. I thought I was going to explode at one point 30 minutes later haha. So worth it. This place is great and offers so many food options for such a small joint. Haven't eaten in 10 hours? Get the Pick 2 or Pick 3 combos. Want to stop in for lunch? Grab a pulled pork sandwich. Feeling fishy? Get the catfish filet. There is something for everyone. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Jen L.
Tasty bbq I liked the cornbread the collard greens were super delicious and the chicken was flavorful juicy and not dry. The only thing I did not care for was the mac and cheese it was a bit on the bland side and mushy. This is a pretty good spot for take out in the area especially if your craving bbq and prices are decent.
(4)
Christina C.
Great BBQ. Portions are spot on, everything is fresh and delicious. Small little place so it might be better for carry out but we have never had anything but great service dining in. The garlic and the bold sauces are my favorite!
(5)
Kruthika S.
I continue to be amazed with this place. I called last Sunday and didn't realize they close at 8 on Sundays and not at 9. I called about 10 minutes until closing and asked if it was ok to place an order for delivery. Ed, the owner, got on the phone and said "for my best yelp customer, of course". I would have completely understood if they said it was too late but they didn't. They went out of their way to accommodate and make their customer happy. I very much appreciate when places are customer friendly. I promise I'll never call that close to closing. And will continue to visit this place as often as my diet will allow :)
(5)
Sara B.
My man and I went in with another couple for lunch and really weren't impressed. The place looks nice and updated, and is quaint with a smaller amount of seating. We ordered the Triple-Q with chicken, pulled pork, and brisket as our meats, collard greens and mac n cheese for our sides, and 1 piece of corn bread was included. First off on the quantity, we were expecting enough for 2 people seeing as the plate was $20, but the portions were small and really only enough for 1 hungry person, which makes this place pretty expensive. All of the meat was dry and barely lukewarm upon arriving at the table. This leads me to believe there is some microwaving going on in the kitchen instead of actual BBQ action. On to the sides, I thought the greens were pretty bitter and lacked the juicy flavor I've come to expect from them. The mac n cheese was drastically overcooked and was a big bowl of mush with questionable flavors. Finally, the corn bread (which is one of my favorite things ever) was dry yet greasy, and lacked any good flavor. All of the sauces they serve on the side were....ok, but not stellar. I'd say to skip this one.
(2)
Lawanda P.
Fast service and friendly service. First time visit and sure to be a repeat offender lol.... Explained it was my first visit have no clue what sauce I want. With out a second thought the waiter passed me a spoon and said taste them all.
(5)
David Z.
Had ribs with catfish and chicken tenders. Was freshly prepared and tasty. Fries were good as was Mac n cheese. I would definitely eat there again! The service was excellent. Very friendly hostess/server
(4)
Chad G.
Went here to get my dose of protein. I ordered the combo rib and chicken. I am from the south born and raised so I am naturally a BBQ expert from the womb. The service was ok. You can tell its a local spot like the kind of place people all know one another. I am not a local so I didn't have that local welcome like I saw others get. Honestly have no problem with that. The food to me... it had no taste. The meat was very bland. They smoke most of the meat and I am not sure why the flavor lacked. A plus was the sides. The collards were good and the squash and zucchini were excellent. The muffin or cornbread biscuit was unique. It had a hard shell and was very tasty. I like to smell the BBQ before eating it because you can smell the flavors. The aroma was not good to me. The sauce on the table was pretty good, but the meat should stand by itself without sauce. I had to use sauce.
(2)
Frank P.
These guys need to go big time. They need a bigger place. Their BBQ isn't World Class it's Texas Class. To use a baseball analogy, they make Slows look like the minor leagues! There are no holes in the lineup, from the "fall off the bone" ribs to the brisket, and everything in between. Homerun!!
(5)
Benjamin C.
Amazing food, good service. The beef tips and grilled chicken tenders are great. There can be a wait, but usually never longer than 15 minutes.
(5)
Matthew S.
Had a carry out order of St. Louis Ribs, Mac & Cheese and Baked beans. Ribs were excellent. Well cooked and very tasty. Had the Honey Garlic Sauce which was an excellent compliment to the ribs. Mac & Cheese was average. Nothing special. Baked Beans - for some reason I got mash potatoes and gravy which was OK, just not the baked beans that I had actually ordered. Would I go back? For the ribs, definitely... they were pretty wonderful.
(4)
Deena A.
Their mac and cheese is even better than Slow's! And their sauces were delicious. I went there once on a whim with some friends, and we have not stopped talking about their food since then. We also loved the cozy atmosphere, definitely making our way back soon!
(5)
Kelly A.
Had this at a gathering, so I can't speak on the staff or inside. I tried a little bit of the each meat in the sampler ; I found some meats better than others. The chicken was really good.The sauces were also pretty good. Some of the meats were dry, and that's when the sauce came in handy:) Hope the location works for them, as that building has been many things over the years.. I think the sign isn't something that is going to draw people in. It is a bit tacky.
(3)
Jessica P.
Being from Texas, we have a different take on BBQ than others. With that being said, the food was pretty good. The turkey sandwich with apples & Mihigsn cherries was fantastic. The kids slider hamburger & Mac n cheese was enough for the kids. The Texas brisket was a bit dry and didn't have the smoke flavor we are used to but it wasn't horrible. The beans were fantastic though as was the customer service. Next time we are in town, we will probably give it another go.
(4)
Carlos P.
Great service, excellent food, friendly staff. I definitely recommend this to all. I love the chicken and waffles and burnt ends! Also they have a nice selection of sauces for you to choose from, I would recommend the Zs bold with the burnt ends.
(5)
Amanda M.
Food is amazing here! Nothing bad on the menu! Would easily recommend this place if you love bbq food.
(5)
Ernesto V.
Decent place... Not the best meat or sauces but savory and satisfying :) the collard greens are quite good !
(2)
Blake W.
I would highly recommend BBQ lovers to try this place. They are a traditional style BBQ with great sauce options. I had a family dinner and ordered a big meal with different meats and they were all good.
(4)
Gordon J.
Pulled pork was great! Liked the variety of sauces to try at the table. Mac and cheese was homemade and we will be back for more. Good Job lil z!
(4)
ROSA Y.
Had the 1/2 chicken and 1/2 slab of rib combo for carry out dinner. Must have been a very small chicken...one with only a breast and a leg! Both the chicken and the ribs were dry and not very smokey. Did the sauce come out of a jar from Krogers? Sides of mac and cheese and potato salad. The mac and cheese was good. The potato salad was dry and lacked seasoning, especially salt...would be great for someone on a bland diet! Cornbread muffin was yummy. Once again an east side eatery fails to impress. Sorry folks, but there's much better bbq to be had. It looks like we are still doing our own bbq at our house...sigh.
(2)
Stephanie M.
Small little gem in my back yard. My hubby and I love bbq. We have travel for good smoked meats. We found friendly knowledgeable service. Our server explained that everything was made from scratch, so most of the menu is gluten free. The owner came by to talk to us, what a cool guy. He said he was well aware of how to make allergy free meals. We defiantly
(5)
Amy W.
While I've never actually been inside the establishment, I can assure you that the food is spectacular. I know it's a BBQ/pork joint, but their meatloaf dinner is TO DIE FOR. Their sandwiches are glorious, and you definitely get a ton of food for your money. Perfect for those nights when you're too lazy to cook, but want a delicious, home-style meal.
(5)
Ashley G.
DE-LICIOUS! Just ordered for the first time and can't wait to order again. Tried the ribs... Pretty sure angels made them. Since it was my first order, she sent along 3 sauces - all delicious but the ribs didn't need a thing.
(5)
Tiffany M.
I was so impressed with the food I tried the sampler w baked beans and mac and cheese with a corn muffin on the side. I love that they deliver and they go far! I have a hard time getting places to deliver to me because most dont deliver to Detroit side. They didn't even question it! It was no problem to her at all. Thank You piggy Z's ill be back for more!
(5)
Brandon G.
Food is very good. The burnt ends are by far the best in area. The fries are even great. The delivery is fast and friendly. Really like having this place nearby.
(5)
Matthew D.
I have never started a review with a side dish, but if there was a ever a reason to do it this is the time. The baked beans at Little Z's are like taking a bite of a campfire. It was quite simply the best smoky bite I have ever taken of anything ever. That aside, (pun intended), this is the best BBQ in the state of Michigan. I have lived in and traveled to some amazing BBQ areas of country, from Lockhart, TX to Memphis, TN to the Carolina's. I have always appreciated the regional flair of each area, but this was the best combination of the best of each area coupled with a Michigan flair. We started with the Hog fries which were amazing: house cut fries, chili, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, topped with Z's sauce. We had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and the Carolina Pulled Pork. I had never head of the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and while I liked them as a taste, I don't recommend them for one the main meats, it was just too heavy for my taste, but to see an unique Michigan addition to the US BBQ lexicon was worth it. The service was amazing. When we let them know we were visiting for the first time and had some questions, the gentleman that greeted said he loved questions, sat down next to us and had a great conversation with us. You could feel the passion he had for what he did, he took his time with us and set the mood for what was a great meal. The Recap: The Good: Everything we had was top notch. The Hog Fries, the BBQ, the mac 'n' cheese and the sauces cover every regional area of the country. Do not pass on the Alabama White sauce, the only other place I have ever come across it is the panhandle of Florida and although you don't want a plate full of it, it is a fantastic vinegar based change of pace to incorporate into your meal. The service was great, prompt, friendly and informative. The Bad: The decor wasn't bad and the best BBQ places seem to be glorified shacks in other parts of the country, but it does feel a little generic. A very minor, minor thing but I feel like if I don't find something you are going to think the owner wrote this. :) The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Traveling Wilbury's. A perfect combination of a wide array of talents that has created something new and wonderful.
(5)
Hazen R.
We have gotten take out from here twice and both times we were wowed! I can only imagine how good it would be if we ate in. I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but my husband suggested we try it. Despite how good I'm sure the BBQ is, we had the meatloaf and it was some of the best I've ever tasted. Their pulled pork is moist and not too fatty. Delicious sides and many different sauces for people who have varied tastes. Fantastic!!
(5)
Renata C.
Hubband and I love to take friends here. Dine in, order the sampler, and split it 4 ways so you can eat delicious smoked meats while enjoying all the amazing sauces. Carry out will work too, but it's just not as much fun as using those squirty bottles like you are some kind of scientist, figuring out which sauce goes best with which meat. All the sides are amazing too (like, who knew I'd have the best fries ever here?) and even the cornbread isn't an afterthought. Eat it all, because it's all good.
(5)
Ken L.
Since our favorite rib joint closed we've been looking for some good ribs. We saw this place on yelp a few months ago and just tried it yesterday. Upon arrival, the place was really small but inviting. Nothing fancy but clean and the waitress was friendly. Being a Wednesday they have buy one rib dinner get one half off, perfect! This is on Tuesday and Wednesdays BTW. So first, the ribs. While other "rib joints" like to add what seems to us to be 5 times the amount of smoke needed (cough RUB BBQ), these ribs had in my opinion the exact amount needed! Not too little and not overpowering either. We're not huge fans of dry rub ribs whatsoever but these weren't too bad. I'm also not a fan of fall off the bone ribs. These were bordering on that and before a few minutes the owner came from the back asking how we liked them and apologized for them being too tender, they were just removed from the smoker. That's good to hear, I like working on the bone not eating ribs with a fork. We'll have to try them again and hopefully get some bones that aren't so tender. We tried all the sauces but the best two for us were the sweet and the apple. The hot sauce was missing something which was a bummer, I like spicy. For sides, you get two with your dinner... We had the cole slaw, the mac n cheese and the redskin potato salad. The cole slaw we'll pass on next time, it was really bitter tasting. The redskin potato salad we both enjoyed. I've read people saying it was bland, I beg to differ. It had really good flavor and not salty, yes but you can add that to taste. The mac n cheese to us was really good also, not over cheesy compared to other rib joints and we didn't think it was "mushy" as other reviews have stated. The cornbread that's served with dinner was exactly as others have said. While it tasted great it was very greasy yet very dry! It was strange combination to say the least. Bottom line, it's not our perfect rib but compared to RUB, Bad Brads and a few other BBQ establishments this place to us was superior to most. We're definitely going to be back! Hopefully we get those ribs a little less tender this time!
(4)
Joe J.
See the guy in the first picture, he's the one cooking the food. I like that. When I search for places to eat I want something unique, something one person put his best into. That's why I like Little Z's, its genuine BBQ, made by a chief. So you can see I have been a few times. First off, order yourself a hog wing, its a smoked fried pork shank, delicious and unique. I haven't tried everything, but the hog wings are one of the best things on the menu. The sauces are all very good, if you want something really hot, ask for the fire stein, I mix it into the other sauces to add some heat. The rib rips are good, the quality seems to change on these every time we order them, sometimes are better then others. I have ordered the large sampler plate once and found everything good, I think it had turkey or chicken, didnt really care for that. But the brisket, pork and sausage all tasted good. The other day I had the pork sliders, they are good, a tad dry and a tad mushy, not bad, just sort of middle of the road with the pork. For 4.95, with fries its 10 times better then anything you could find at a fast food joint. Overall, its a good place, the food is good and sides always seem fresh. Little Z's is a must try and if you do get a Hog Wing.
(4)
Brian V.
Grabbed a carry-out lunch today. I'm a huge fan and aficionado of BBQ and I'm sad to say I was not that impressed despite wanting to be after hearing good things about this place. The server was rather gruff and aloof and gave the appearance of being too busy the whole time while not seeming doing all that much. While I waited about 5 minutes for my meal, the smells were wonderful and things were put together to order, not sitting on a heat rack. I ordered the beef brisket, one of my favorites and one of the hardest types of meat to BBQ well. It was a quality cut of brisket and very nicely cooked with great texture, but unfortunately no flavor at all despite some sort of red powder sprinkled on top. How do you smoke meat and end up with no flavor? The mac n cheese was a pile of unremarkable mush. The entire outside of the cornbread was completely drenched in butter, yuck! The sauce provided, marked with an S on the top, tasted like someone's attempt to dress up ketchup and was completely unremarkable and gross. If you are looking for quality meat that is smoked and cooked to the proper texture, Little Z can do that, but otherwise I wasn't impressed.
(3)
Terry L.
Shared chicken and rib combo. Came with 2 sides, we got baked beans and coleslaw. Everything was great. More than we could finish.
(5)
Barbie M.
thank you little z's for being close to home and making me dream of mac and cheese! this place is legit! my fiance and i have the rib and chicken combo with 2 sides. mac and cheese and the home fries! it was the kind of first bite where your eyes pop open and the person your with gets excited because they know by the look of pure pleasure on your face that they soon will be happy too! so if you are looking to sit down and stuff your face you may not have a seat because this place lacks tables but makes up for it 10 fold in service and quality!! you will be greeted with a big smile and a welcome hello and treated like you are family! if you cant find a seat get a carry out but drive home fast because im pretty sure you will not be able to resist the temptation of eating it in the car and that could be bad!! go to little z's try everything! make sure you dont have plans after because you are going to be a happy stuffed piggy after and ready for a nap!! just go!!
(5)
Maggie H.
We went to Little Z's on a Saturday after a volunteer event after a stellar recommendation from a fellow Yelper. I was so excited to try a new BBQ joint, especially when my friend pitted Little Z's against my favorite BBQ in Metro-D. It pains me to say that Little Z's did not live up to expectations, however let me start with what I liked. The pork by itself had a lot of really good flavor. If you are not a "dressings" person you will really enjoy the pork. Second, the baked beans were full of flavor and both sweet and savory. Now, onto the flip side. I happen to be one of those people who really likes to dress my pork. Give me multiple sauces to try and some coleslaw to slather my pork in and I am a happy carnivore. The coleslaw at Little Z's was too heavy on the vinegar rather than creamy. Though I appreciated eating it by itself, when eating BBQ, a creamy coleslaw is necessary to put on the pork to balance hot sauce. Second, the hot sauces did not wow me. There wasn't one that was spicy enough to satisfy. Finally, the macaroni and cheese was way overdone. It came out like a big blob of mush because the noodles were overcooked. Regrettably, we may have hit Little Z's on a bad day/time, especially considering the other reviews I have read and my friends shock at our experience. However, there is too much good BBQ in metro to overlook the major gaps we had at Little Z's.
(2)
Ujon C.
BBQ are delicious and different flavors of sauce is plus alpha! I found staff are also friendly. We had shreded pork and brisket with 2 sides for each dish, pork was really delicious. But I think brisket could've been better. Hope there is more salad type vege selection on side. I tried super spicy chicken wing(2 pieces) and it was painfully spicy but not much of taste.
(4)
Meg K.
I don't love smoked meat, but I was wowed by the dinner I had tonight at this new little BBQ joint. Whatever spices are in their rub, it's a wonderful fragrant blend that develops a crisp exterior and a moist and tender, tasty inside with a subtle smoke. We ordered the sampler, which includes 8 different kinds of meat. I wasn't a fan of the spices in the sausage, but it was cooked just right. The other meats: pulled pork, brisket, hog wings (amazing), chicken, etc. were big on flavor and low on fat. Hand cut salty fries, crispy and tender. Steaming hot baked mac&cheese, creamy buttery goodness topped with toasted bread crumbs. My son's Po' Boy sandwich was just okay; slightly overcooked and we didn't care for the sauce. Cornbread somewhat dry. The very fresh, crunchy slaw was too tangy for me - competes with instead of complements the (yummy) sauces. But who cares? This place is new and still working out the kinks. Everything else had well developed flavors, cooked perfectly, and if they keep pumping out great food we'll be regulars. We received stellar service! It's a tiny space (they take reservations and probably shouldn't b/c it ties up tables) so be prepared to wait for a table or get take out; they offer delivery. Generous portions, priced right.
(5)
Nick B.
Screw Slows. This is much closer to home, easier to park, and just as good if not better in my opinion. You might drive by here a lot and not think to step inside, big mistake, this place is a hidden gem. Great BBQ sauces, amazing ribs, great corn bread and greens, awesome brisket, and unbeatable prices. Go for lunch, you can't beat it! I've made my mouth water.
(5)
Brian V.
Grabbed a carry-out lunch today. I'm a huge fan and aficionado of BBQ and I'm sad to say I was not that impressed despite wanting to be after hearing good things about this place. The server was rather gruff and aloof and gave the appearance of being too busy the whole time while not seeming doing all that much. While I waited about 5 minutes for my meal, the smells were wonderful and things were put together to order, not sitting on a heat rack. I ordered the beef brisket, one of my favorites and one of the hardest types of meat to BBQ well. It was a quality cut of brisket and very nicely cooked with great texture, but unfortunately no flavor at all despite some sort of red powder sprinkled on top. How do you smoke meat and end up with no flavor? The mac n cheese was a pile of unremarkable mush. The entire outside of the cornbread was completely drenched in butter, yuck! The sauce provided, marked with an S on the top, tasted like someone's attempt to dress up ketchup and was completely unremarkable and gross. If you are looking for quality meat that is smoked and cooked to the proper texture, Little Z can do that, but otherwise I wasn't impressed.
(3)
Terry L.
Shared chicken and rib combo. Came with 2 sides, we got baked beans and coleslaw. Everything was great. More than we could finish.
(5)
Benjamin F.
We've had carry out and dined in here. Tonight we dined in. I had the Double Q dinner with burnt ends and pulled pork. My wife had a Cobb salad that was huge. The pulled pork was sweet and tender. This balanced by the smoke and crust on the burnt ends. Beautiful combination. We've also used Little Z's to cater a couple parties. Everyone loved it. Keep up the great work.
(5)
Nick M.
I ate at Little Z's four days ago and I'm still full from the meal. This place isn't about bells and whistles or fancy scenery; its mission is to deliver top-notch BBQ at great prices with great portion. And man, does it deliver. It's a smaller place with limited tables and limited servers. Many people came in and grabbed carry out while I was there, so maybe that might be people's best bets. I should first mention that the place is BYOB. It slipped my mind because I knew that a while ago, but then I asked what kind of beer they had and put two and two together. So, bring your favorite beer or whiskey and enjoy yourself a little more. The food, though ...arguably the best BBQ I have had in a long, long time. I went to eat with my dad and we started with the hog fries. This is on the appetizer menu but could be enough for a meal for some people. It's basically fries smothered in chili and covered in jalapenos, cheese, tomatoes and pulled pork. It was amazing. The pulled pork/chili combo was out of this world. Definitely recommend. As for the meal, I ordered the Pick 2 option with brisket and ribs. Yep, that was a good idea. Actually, a great one. The food comes with two sides and cornbread, so I chose cole slaw and mac and cheese. The mac is very good, and I know people like to compare mac n cheese at different BBQ joints -- this mac was a little different but not in a bad way at all. The slaw was above average as well. But at the end of the day it's all about the meats, right? The brisket was cooked perfect ...so tender and went together great with the numerous sauces Little Z's has at your disposal. Want sweet and tangy brisket? You can. What about bold BBQ sauce? Yep. Even garlic-type sauce is there. The ribs are also really tender and fall off the bone. I finished my entire plate, somehow, even after all those hog fries. I thought I was going to explode at one point 30 minutes later haha. So worth it. This place is great and offers so many food options for such a small joint. Haven't eaten in 10 hours? Get the Pick 2 or Pick 3 combos. Want to stop in for lunch? Grab a pulled pork sandwich. Feeling fishy? Get the catfish filet. There is something for everyone. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Jen L.
Tasty bbq I liked the cornbread the collard greens were super delicious and the chicken was flavorful juicy and not dry. The only thing I did not care for was the mac and cheese it was a bit on the bland side and mushy. This is a pretty good spot for take out in the area especially if your craving bbq and prices are decent.
(4)
William J.
This place is cooking up legit BBQ. I had the burnt ends ans st loius style spare ribs, and there was a nice bark on the meat, with a subtle smoky flavor. I loved both. The ribs here have a flavor that reminds me a bit of Memphis style bbq. The rub they use is good... Really good. If your a fan of legit BBQ, this should be a place on your short list. Along with Lazybones, this is one of the handful of places in the area that offer real food, at a reasonable price.
(5)
Theresa A.
Little Z's is one of my favorite spots to eat when I'm craving Barbecue that's close to home. I've tried most of the items on the menu and they are all tasty, but my favorite has to be the jumbo chicken wings, and that's because they make them just how I like them; smoked, then fried. It's best eaten hot and fresh when dining in, but I've ordered them through their delivery service as well. I love to dip them in all the different sauces they offer (I think they have 10 different varieties of sweet, tangy and spicy BBQ sauces and they are all great) I prefer these over B dubs, because of the simplicity of it all, and their wings are a lot bigger and not drowned in some sort of sauce or spice. Little Z's has some pretty good barbecue as well. I've not been disappointed in anything I've tried. The Carolina pulled pork dinner is nice big shreds of meat. Brisket is tasty and tender, Ribs are done well. I also enjoy their salads and sides. Hog fries comes to you in a huge mound of deliciousness (fries, chili, cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos and Z's sauce) and it's something that fills you up quick, so be warned, it's a great item to share. Whenever I dine in, the staff is always super friendly, and so are the delivery drivers. Speaking of delivery, a good tip is to check out their menu online and get your order straight before you call; they can be pretty busy for carry out. It's a quick process over the phone. I always feel like I'm on some sort of timed barbecue game show quiz and I'm afraid to fail. BE QUICK! The dude's always nice, though. littlezsbbq.com/menu
(4)
Kruthika S.
I continue to be amazed with this place. I called last Sunday and didn't realize they close at 8 on Sundays and not at 9. I called about 10 minutes until closing and asked if it was ok to place an order for delivery. Ed, the owner, got on the phone and said "for my best yelp customer, of course". I would have completely understood if they said it was too late but they didn't. They went out of their way to accommodate and make their customer happy. I very much appreciate when places are customer friendly. I promise I'll never call that close to closing. And will continue to visit this place as often as my diet will allow :)
(5)
Robin J.
well had hog fries!!!!! it was very interesting and good the flavor of the pulled pork was excellent, i liked all the sauces, they were very good we will be bak
(4)
Christina C.
Great BBQ. Portions are spot on, everything is fresh and delicious. Small little place so it might be better for carry out but we have never had anything but great service dining in. The garlic and the bold sauces are my favorite!
(5)
Jessica K.
I had a craving for some nachos and BBQ and Little Z's had what I was looking for!!! I called in my order to go and my food was ready to when I arrived. The place is smaller than it looks from the outside so no huge groups. But I didn't stick around long to explore. Nacho chips topped with tangy sauce, cheese, jalepeños, caramelized onions, and your choice of chicken, pulled pork, or vegetarian (why?). I of course got pulled pork. Both of my cravings were satisfied! I can't wait to try the rest of the menu!
(4)
Bob N.
Phew, since the waffle disaster I have been back about a couple dozen times and each time they have been spot on. The greens have been perfectly seasoned and the hog wings my go to meat here continue to impress. Service is always, always friendly and attentive and will continue to come in.
(5)
John C.
Good BBQ at a fair price. Found this little gem with an online search in my area and I'm glad we gave it a shot because I'm sure we'll be eating carry out from this place more often. Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)
Will E.
This is the type of barbecue that you see in the south - and no treat is better when there's a foot of snow on the ground outside. When we moved from Oklahoma City, I had been resigned to the fact that I may have just kissed good barbecue goodbye. And my suspicions were confirmed until I tried Little Z's. On my first visit I ordered the Detroit-Style Burnt Ends. The owner said some days he sells more of this than any other item. I took one bight and the was back in Oklahoma again. Perfectly smoked meat. A great array of sauces from Carolina Mustard to Z's Sweet Barbecue (my favorite). My barbecue was complemented by delicious snap peas, baked mac and cheese and cornbread. All of this for $12.75. It's a flavor-filled and filling meal at a reasonable price, and if you're used to good barbecue, Little Z's won't let you down.
(4)
Matthew S.
Had a carry out order of St. Louis Ribs, Mac & Cheese and Baked beans. Ribs were excellent. Well cooked and very tasty. Had the Honey Garlic Sauce which was an excellent compliment to the ribs. Mac & Cheese was average. Nothing special. Baked Beans - for some reason I got mash potatoes and gravy which was OK, just not the baked beans that I had actually ordered. Would I go back? For the ribs, definitely... they were pretty wonderful.
(4)
Deena A.
Their mac and cheese is even better than Slow's! And their sauces were delicious. I went there once on a whim with some friends, and we have not stopped talking about their food since then. We also loved the cozy atmosphere, definitely making our way back soon!
(5)
Sara B.
My man and I went in with another couple for lunch and really weren't impressed. The place looks nice and updated, and is quaint with a smaller amount of seating. We ordered the Triple-Q with chicken, pulled pork, and brisket as our meats, collard greens and mac n cheese for our sides, and 1 piece of corn bread was included. First off on the quantity, we were expecting enough for 2 people seeing as the plate was $20, but the portions were small and really only enough for 1 hungry person, which makes this place pretty expensive. All of the meat was dry and barely lukewarm upon arriving at the table. This leads me to believe there is some microwaving going on in the kitchen instead of actual BBQ action. On to the sides, I thought the greens were pretty bitter and lacked the juicy flavor I've come to expect from them. The mac n cheese was drastically overcooked and was a big bowl of mush with questionable flavors. Finally, the corn bread (which is one of my favorite things ever) was dry yet greasy, and lacked any good flavor. All of the sauces they serve on the side were....ok, but not stellar. I'd say to skip this one.
(2)
Lawanda P.
Fast service and friendly service. First time visit and sure to be a repeat offender lol.... Explained it was my first visit have no clue what sauce I want. With out a second thought the waiter passed me a spoon and said taste them all.
(5)
David Z.
Had ribs with catfish and chicken tenders. Was freshly prepared and tasty. Fries were good as was Mac n cheese. I would definitely eat there again! The service was excellent. Very friendly hostess/server
(4)
Chad G.
Went here to get my dose of protein. I ordered the combo rib and chicken. I am from the south born and raised so I am naturally a BBQ expert from the womb. The service was ok. You can tell its a local spot like the kind of place people all know one another. I am not a local so I didn't have that local welcome like I saw others get. Honestly have no problem with that. The food to me... it had no taste. The meat was very bland. They smoke most of the meat and I am not sure why the flavor lacked. A plus was the sides. The collards were good and the squash and zucchini were excellent. The muffin or cornbread biscuit was unique. It had a hard shell and was very tasty. I like to smell the BBQ before eating it because you can smell the flavors. The aroma was not good to me. The sauce on the table was pretty good, but the meat should stand by itself without sauce. I had to use sauce.
(2)
Diego A.
If you love meat, you love this place. The food makes disbelievers into the non-disbelievers screaming, "okay, just one more." Do it.
(5)
Frank P.
These guys need to go big time. They need a bigger place. Their BBQ isn't World Class it's Texas Class. To use a baseball analogy, they make Slows look like the minor leagues! There are no holes in the lineup, from the "fall off the bone" ribs to the brisket, and everything in between. Homerun!!
(5)
Benjamin C.
Amazing food, good service. The beef tips and grilled chicken tenders are great. There can be a wait, but usually never longer than 15 minutes.
(5)
Kelly A.
Had this at a gathering, so I can't speak on the staff or inside. I tried a little bit of the each meat in the sampler ; I found some meats better than others. The chicken was really good.The sauces were also pretty good. Some of the meats were dry, and that's when the sauce came in handy:) Hope the location works for them, as that building has been many things over the years.. I think the sign isn't something that is going to draw people in. It is a bit tacky.
(3)
Jessica P.
Being from Texas, we have a different take on BBQ than others. With that being said, the food was pretty good. The turkey sandwich with apples & Mihigsn cherries was fantastic. The kids slider hamburger & Mac n cheese was enough for the kids. The Texas brisket was a bit dry and didn't have the smoke flavor we are used to but it wasn't horrible. The beans were fantastic though as was the customer service. Next time we are in town, we will probably give it another go.
(4)
Amanda M.
Food is amazing here! Nothing bad on the menu! Would easily recommend this place if you love bbq food.
(5)
Carlos P.
Great service, excellent food, friendly staff. I definitely recommend this to all. I love the chicken and waffles and burnt ends! Also they have a nice selection of sauces for you to choose from, I would recommend the Zs bold with the burnt ends.
(5)
Ernesto V.
Decent place... Not the best meat or sauces but savory and satisfying :) the collard greens are quite good !
(2)
Blake W.
I would highly recommend BBQ lovers to try this place. They are a traditional style BBQ with great sauce options. I had a family dinner and ordered a big meal with different meats and they were all good.
(4)
Gordon J.
Pulled pork was great! Liked the variety of sauces to try at the table. Mac and cheese was homemade and we will be back for more. Good Job lil z!
(4)
ROSA Y.
Had the 1/2 chicken and 1/2 slab of rib combo for carry out dinner. Must have been a very small chicken...one with only a breast and a leg! Both the chicken and the ribs were dry and not very smokey. Did the sauce come out of a jar from Krogers? Sides of mac and cheese and potato salad. The mac and cheese was good. The potato salad was dry and lacked seasoning, especially salt...would be great for someone on a bland diet! Cornbread muffin was yummy. Once again an east side eatery fails to impress. Sorry folks, but there's much better bbq to be had. It looks like we are still doing our own bbq at our house...sigh.
(2)
Stephanie M.
Small little gem in my back yard. My hubby and I love bbq. We have travel for good smoked meats. We found friendly knowledgeable service. Our server explained that everything was made from scratch, so most of the menu is gluten free. The owner came by to talk to us, what a cool guy. He said he was well aware of how to make allergy free meals. We defiantly
(5)
Amy W.
While I've never actually been inside the establishment, I can assure you that the food is spectacular. I know it's a BBQ/pork joint, but their meatloaf dinner is TO DIE FOR. Their sandwiches are glorious, and you definitely get a ton of food for your money. Perfect for those nights when you're too lazy to cook, but want a delicious, home-style meal.
(5)
Ashley G.
DE-LICIOUS! Just ordered for the first time and can't wait to order again. Tried the ribs... Pretty sure angels made them. Since it was my first order, she sent along 3 sauces - all delicious but the ribs didn't need a thing.
(5)
Brandon G.
Food is very good. The burnt ends are by far the best in area. The fries are even great. The delivery is fast and friendly. Really like having this place nearby.
(5)
Tiffany M.
I was so impressed with the food I tried the sampler w baked beans and mac and cheese with a corn muffin on the side. I love that they deliver and they go far! I have a hard time getting places to deliver to me because most dont deliver to Detroit side. They didn't even question it! It was no problem to her at all. Thank You piggy Z's ill be back for more!
(5)
Renata C.
Hubband and I love to take friends here. Dine in, order the sampler, and split it 4 ways so you can eat delicious smoked meats while enjoying all the amazing sauces. Carry out will work too, but it's just not as much fun as using those squirty bottles like you are some kind of scientist, figuring out which sauce goes best with which meat. All the sides are amazing too (like, who knew I'd have the best fries ever here?) and even the cornbread isn't an afterthought. Eat it all, because it's all good.
(5)
Ed C.
Meat is delicious and smoky. Prices are solid and the sauces are good. I'm only giving then a preliminary review, they've been open less than a week and it's not fair to judge quite yet, but lots of potential for greatness! Rumors of delivery soon, a few seats for dine in, give it a try!
(4)
Matthew D.
I have never started a review with a side dish, but if there was a ever a reason to do it this is the time. The baked beans at Little Z's are like taking a bite of a campfire. It was quite simply the best smoky bite I have ever taken of anything ever. That aside, (pun intended), this is the best BBQ in the state of Michigan. I have lived in and traveled to some amazing BBQ areas of country, from Lockhart, TX to Memphis, TN to the Carolina's. I have always appreciated the regional flair of each area, but this was the best combination of the best of each area coupled with a Michigan flair. We started with the Hog fries which were amazing: house cut fries, chili, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, topped with Z's sauce. We had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and the Carolina Pulled Pork. I had never head of the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and while I liked them as a taste, I don't recommend them for one the main meats, it was just too heavy for my taste, but to see an unique Michigan addition to the US BBQ lexicon was worth it. The service was amazing. When we let them know we were visiting for the first time and had some questions, the gentleman that greeted said he loved questions, sat down next to us and had a great conversation with us. You could feel the passion he had for what he did, he took his time with us and set the mood for what was a great meal. The Recap: The Good: Everything we had was top notch. The Hog Fries, the BBQ, the mac 'n' cheese and the sauces cover every regional area of the country. Do not pass on the Alabama White sauce, the only other place I have ever come across it is the panhandle of Florida and although you don't want a plate full of it, it is a fantastic vinegar based change of pace to incorporate into your meal. The service was great, prompt, friendly and informative. The Bad: The decor wasn't bad and the best BBQ places seem to be glorified shacks in other parts of the country, but it does feel a little generic. A very minor, minor thing but I feel like if I don't find something you are going to think the owner wrote this. :) The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Traveling Wilbury's. A perfect combination of a wide array of talents that has created something new and wonderful.
(5)
Hazen R.
We have gotten take out from here twice and both times we were wowed! I can only imagine how good it would be if we ate in. I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but my husband suggested we try it. Despite how good I'm sure the BBQ is, we had the meatloaf and it was some of the best I've ever tasted. Their pulled pork is moist and not too fatty. Delicious sides and many different sauces for people who have varied tastes. Fantastic!!
(5)
Ken L.
Since our favorite rib joint closed we've been looking for some good ribs. We saw this place on yelp a few months ago and just tried it yesterday. Upon arrival, the place was really small but inviting. Nothing fancy but clean and the waitress was friendly. Being a Wednesday they have buy one rib dinner get one half off, perfect! This is on Tuesday and Wednesdays BTW. So first, the ribs. While other "rib joints" like to add what seems to us to be 5 times the amount of smoke needed (cough RUB BBQ), these ribs had in my opinion the exact amount needed! Not too little and not overpowering either. We're not huge fans of dry rub ribs whatsoever but these weren't too bad. I'm also not a fan of fall off the bone ribs. These were bordering on that and before a few minutes the owner came from the back asking how we liked them and apologized for them being too tender, they were just removed from the smoker. That's good to hear, I like working on the bone not eating ribs with a fork. We'll have to try them again and hopefully get some bones that aren't so tender. We tried all the sauces but the best two for us were the sweet and the apple. The hot sauce was missing something which was a bummer, I like spicy. For sides, you get two with your dinner... We had the cole slaw, the mac n cheese and the redskin potato salad. The cole slaw we'll pass on next time, it was really bitter tasting. The redskin potato salad we both enjoyed. I've read people saying it was bland, I beg to differ. It had really good flavor and not salty, yes but you can add that to taste. The mac n cheese to us was really good also, not over cheesy compared to other rib joints and we didn't think it was "mushy" as other reviews have stated. The cornbread that's served with dinner was exactly as others have said. While it tasted great it was very greasy yet very dry! It was strange combination to say the least. Bottom line, it's not our perfect rib but compared to RUB, Bad Brads and a few other BBQ establishments this place to us was superior to most. We're definitely going to be back! Hopefully we get those ribs a little less tender this time!
(4)
Joe J.
See the guy in the first picture, he's the one cooking the food. I like that. When I search for places to eat I want something unique, something one person put his best into. That's why I like Little Z's, its genuine BBQ, made by a chief. So you can see I have been a few times. First off, order yourself a hog wing, its a smoked fried pork shank, delicious and unique. I haven't tried everything, but the hog wings are one of the best things on the menu. The sauces are all very good, if you want something really hot, ask for the fire stein, I mix it into the other sauces to add some heat. The rib rips are good, the quality seems to change on these every time we order them, sometimes are better then others. I have ordered the large sampler plate once and found everything good, I think it had turkey or chicken, didnt really care for that. But the brisket, pork and sausage all tasted good. The other day I had the pork sliders, they are good, a tad dry and a tad mushy, not bad, just sort of middle of the road with the pork. For 4.95, with fries its 10 times better then anything you could find at a fast food joint. Overall, its a good place, the food is good and sides always seem fresh. Little Z's is a must try and if you do get a Hog Wing.
(4)
Ujon C.
BBQ are delicious and different flavors of sauce is plus alpha! I found staff are also friendly. We had shreded pork and brisket with 2 sides for each dish, pork was really delicious. But I think brisket could've been better. Hope there is more salad type vege selection on side. I tried super spicy chicken wing(2 pieces) and it was painfully spicy but not much of taste.
(4)
Matthew R.
I wanted to try something a little different in this area, and was blown away by Little Z's. My girlfriend and I split a Triple Q (three types of meat, two sides). Burnt-Ends: These were seriously the best I've ever had. The girlfriend usually dislikes these because they're over-charred and fatty, but not at Little Z's. These were prepared perfectly, tasting like little bites of smoked steak rather than burnt cast-off pieces of beef. They went incredibly well with the Bold sauce as the little extra kick balanced the char flavor nicely. Chicken: The chicken was very good. While smoked, it was still very tender and moist, without being greasy. It went well with all of their sauces. In our sampler, we got a drummy and a half breast. Ribs: I was equally impressed by these. They were butchered perfectly, and tender enough that I could pull the bone right out of them without a knife. They were trimmed so that you didn't have the giant chunks of gristle masquerading as meat. The dry rub was good, without being overpowering or clashing with any of their sauces. Sauce: I tried all of their sauces (Bold, Honey Garlic, Asian, Cherry Apple, Sweet), and there wasn't one that I didn't like. My only complaint was that they were all pretty sweet and lacked spice, except for the Bold. Not to the point of tasting bad, but it would be nice to have a bit more variety on that end. Thankfully mixing in a bit of the Bold gave each sauce a nice kick without overpowering the unique flavors. At the girlfriend's suggestion, I mixed a bit of the Bold with the Cherry Apple. By far my favorite. It would be nice if they had a more vinegar-y Carolina style sauce, and some spicier options, but there wasn't one that I didn't like or wouldn't eat on any of the meats that we got. Portions: For two people, the TripleQ was quite good. We had enough meat (had a rib and a half to take home), and the two sides were sufficient (Mac-N-Cheese and Fries, both good). The cornbread was surprisingly good, but we should have followed our waitress's suggestion and gotten a second piece for the two of us. Still, for $20, it was enough food without being too much. Our waitress was great, polite, and fun. Now, inevitably any BBQ in southeast MI will get compared to Slow's. Honestly, Slow's Apple BBQ is still my favorite BBQ sauce, hands down. But the sides and meat preparation at Little Z's are definitely on par if not a little better, and the prices comparable. I'm totally coming back. Probably for lunch, as their lunch specials looked great and were all under $8.
(5)
Jill M.
Love this place!! I definitely think it's the best BBQ in our area. Small, chill, and the whole staff was friendly. Even got a chance to shoot the shit with the owner for a minute, as we sat at the bar. Both my boyfriend and I had the pulled pork sandwich, as it is one of our fav dishes to order. Best ever! The meat was sooo moist and pink, and wonderful! Lots of good sauces to choose from. The baked mac n cheese was tasty, and the cornbread was amazing!! Officially our go to BBQ joint!
(5)
Anna J.
Not the best- too many other better options around. Rub was very bland, meat tough, sides where meh. Hate to dis a local place, but they could do better.
(3)
Katie T.
My husband and I have gotten Little Z's three times since they opened: once dining in, once carryout, and once delivery. Overall, I like them - they're the best barbecue we've found in our immediate area. I don't recall exactly what we've gotten each time, but I did want to put up a review for the overall experience. The meat is very good. I usually get pulled pork, which is very good; yesterday we both got the St. Louis rib dinner (pork ribs; it was on special). They were good. I'm a little disappointed with the sides; the corn bread has been dry every time we've gotten it. But the mac and cheese is pretty good, and so are the fries. I do recall having gotten the pulled pork nachos the first time we went - they were good, but could have done with some layering (the toppings were all on the very top, so most of the nacho chips were dry - kind of underwhelming). I remember the first time we went my husband got some sort of sandwich and was underwhelmed with it, but he's liked what he's gotten the other times. The service, however, is VERY good. In fact, one of the things that prompted me to write this review was that when we ordered delivery yesterday, it took a VERY long time. When it finally arrived, the driver introduced himself as the owner (which I have verified through the wonders of the Internet), apologized for the delay, and explained that the delivery guy had gotten lost. You know, EVERYone gets lost delivering to our neighborhood, and I almost told the woman who took our order that I should give specific directions, but then I threw caution to the wind and trusted in GPS technology. So really, it was partly my fault, and the fact that the owner schlepped over (ok, it's less than a mile) to deliver our food and apologize...that's exceptional, IMO. In short: the food is good, but depends on what you order. The service? Definitely pushes it over the top. If the food were more consistent, this would be a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
(4)
Michael R.
Extremely yummy pulled pork sandwich! The fries and slaw were also very good. The prices were reasonable. The BBQ is dry rub & the homemade sauces were very tasty. Excellent!
(5)
James H.
Great food and very well priced. Sauces are gluten free too
(5)
B G.
It is a very small place. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I think they do a large takeout business. I would not take a client there for a business lunch, but my mom loves it. Look at the sandwiches, more than enough food. I have, and I will go back
(4)
Gordana F.
I can't even deal with how good this food is. Sometimes i dream about it. No, really, i do. Like, saying that it is good, is a lie. It is not good, it is the best bbq that has ever existed anywhere, ever. (save for the cole slaw, that is so not great). but the ribs, omg the ribs. I am having a love affair with the ribs. There is nothing more delicious than little z's ribs. Nothing. Nothing at all. And the cornbread and the chicken, and the mac and cheese, oh and the Greens!! It is like the God of BBQ's created this place himself. go get your worship on folks. Do this. Trust me.
(4)
Meg K.
I don't love smoked meat, but I was wowed by the dinner I had tonight at this new little BBQ joint. Whatever spices are in their rub, it's a wonderful fragrant blend that develops a crisp exterior and a moist and tender, tasty inside with a subtle smoke. We ordered the sampler, which includes 8 different kinds of meat. I wasn't a fan of the spices in the sausage, but it was cooked just right. The other meats: pulled pork, brisket, hog wings (amazing), chicken, etc. were big on flavor and low on fat. Hand cut salty fries, crispy and tender. Steaming hot baked mac&cheese, creamy buttery goodness topped with toasted bread crumbs. My son's Po' Boy sandwich was just okay; slightly overcooked and we didn't care for the sauce. Cornbread somewhat dry. The very fresh, crunchy slaw was too tangy for me - competes with instead of complements the (yummy) sauces. But who cares? This place is new and still working out the kinks. Everything else had well developed flavors, cooked perfectly, and if they keep pumping out great food we'll be regulars. We received stellar service! It's a tiny space (they take reservations and probably shouldn't b/c it ties up tables) so be prepared to wait for a table or get take out; they offer delivery. Generous portions, priced right.
(5)
Nick B.
Screw Slows. This is much closer to home, easier to park, and just as good if not better in my opinion. You might drive by here a lot and not think to step inside, big mistake, this place is a hidden gem. Great BBQ sauces, amazing ribs, great corn bread and greens, awesome brisket, and unbeatable prices. Go for lunch, you can't beat it! I've made my mouth water.
(5)
Dan M.
Little Z's is quite the surprise. Nestled in a small set of shops on the east side of Mack in an unassuming St. Clair Shores neighborhood, Little Z's could easily be mistaken for a laundromat or coffee shop (both of which are nearby). However, buoyed by a positive review in the Metro Times we gave it a go, and have been extremely pleased , heading back several times now. First of all, let's be frank - eating in really is not an option, and if that is your plan, you should probably go elsewhere. There are a couple tables, but it is noisy and loud, with phones ringing off the hook and carry-out orders being picked up. However, if you are looking for carry-out BBQ on the east side, here's your place. My wife and I have had a variety of their dishes, and so far none have disappointed. Their brisket is tender and juicy, and the portions are a good size. Ribs, short-ribs, catfish - all have been fantastic. The pulled pork was a little dry, as is oft the case. The sides are good as well, and the sauces are excellent. Particularly we both enjoy the Cherry Apple BBQ sauce. Service has been good, and we hope to continue to get carry out from Little Z's for a long time.
(4)
Cyndi J.
Ok, the food portions here are huge! I ordered the sampler to share and it was plenty. You pretty much get a sample of every kind of meat. My favorite was the mac n cheese and the burnt ends! Its a small, very clean place. Service was very accomodating and the chef even came out to ask how our meal was. My cornbread was a little dry but everything else was great!
(5)
Carla D.
Not good. First of all, my husband called and explained this was our first time ordering from them. He told the girl who answered that there were two adults and two children and asked how much we should order based on that. Well, we did have enough meat, fatty and gross meat...but the sides were barely enough for two people. No way there was enough food for four! So disappointing. And the food is not good. The Mac and Cheese was dry and disgusting. The coke slaw was average. Meat very fatty. Will not order again.
(1)
Michael T.
By far the best BBQ joint that I've ever been to! Love everything that I've tried (and I've tried everything!) Super tasty sauces, and very friendly staff. My personal favorite are the hog wings or burnt ends with Mac and Cheese and the sub the gumbo for a side! Also give the baked beans a try!
(5)
Katie B.
The barbeque is really good. (I love the Bold sauce mixed with the North Carolina Mustard sauce.) The service is really good. If you're going for the first time, remember to BYOB.
(4)
Ricky P.
This place was strange. There is very little seating. It's moderately priced.I had the pulled pork and I just wasn't impressed. I feel like if you need 42 flavored sauces, you don't have a good meal to start with. It was just, "Meh." There are other places I'd prefer to go for good BBQ.
(2)
Shiela J.
I'm a fan of carry-out and tried this place when they first opened. My general thought was it was OK. The meat was tasty, the mac and cheese was yum but I hated all the sauces that I tried. I almost let that sway me because I thought the sauces tasted like flavored tomato pastes because they were so thick and really lacked decent flavor. However, I thought I would try it again thinking some kinks may need to be worked out. This time, brisket, mac and cheese and collard greens was the fare. Again, the meat was tasty and pretty darn good. I thoroughly enjoyed the sides and all in all had a very satisfying meal. However, my stance on the BBQ sauce stands. Which kind of throws me off because I have never been to a place where I couldn't find at least 1 sauce. Oh well. It won't stop me from returning. You can get a good meal and the fact that I can get it close to home is nice. I'll just add my own sauce. All in all - I would definitely return and encourage locals to do the same. I think they deserve 3-1/2 stars but that's not an option. This has not notoriously a location where businesses have longevity so I hope Little Z can break the cycle.
(3)
Victoria M.
More of a carry out joint but you can dine in and ask the manager/owner about the BYOB policy ;) Good BBQ and YUMMY SAUCES. They have a really hot sauce they don't display, ask for it if you're into that. Had burnt ends and St Louis ribs but everything looks good. Good prices, pretty standard $$ for BBQ yet not overpriced. Oh they have a sampler of some type with 5 different meats and maybe 2-3 sides and about $25. Get that if you arent sure. It can be enought for 2 hungry peeps.
(4)
Debbie H.
Just picture a man and woman running toward one another in slow motion through a beautiful, flower-filled meadow ...their arms extended, anticipating a loving embrace. Then the woman runs right past the befuddled man ...into the arms of a smaller, lesser known guy. The jilted man would be Slow's BBQ and the little guy with the receding hairline who gets the girl would be Little Z's. We were driving home from Ann Arbor and agreed that it was about time for BBQ since we hadn't opted for that in quite a while. Of course the iconic Slow's came to mind but because Deb had already been there once before (average experience) and we jumped on Yelp to sift through reviews (2 hour wait at times?) we thought of giving our more local Little Z's a shot. What a great decision guys. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich which comes on a baked focaccia, with tomato jam and onions. There were 8 or 9 sauces to try but I'm telling you, this was good enough to stand on its own. Outstanding flavor and a huge portion. Plenty of fries, which were cooked, for me, perfectly. They were not the typically undercooked, bendy, gross fries that sometimes can ruin a good sandwich. The redskin potato salad was amazing as well. Deb chose the pulled pork sandwich with fries and slaw. Again, excellent flavor and portion size ... Great tasting coleslaw was a little on the watery side but the flavor was terrific. To top it off the price was reasonable and the service was extremely accommodating and friendly. With apologies to the Goliath that is Slow's ... My money is on the David that is Little Z's. We'll be back!
(5)
Caitlin T.
I should come out and say, i wasn't MAD at this place. It wasn't bad! I just didn't like it enough to call myself a fan. Another disclosure: we went in 30 minutes before closing on a Sunday, so maybe that affected the food too. We got the BBQ sampler, it seemed like a good choice for our first time! Brisket and turkey were both very dry, but they were good for testing out the sauces (though the fact that this sampler comes with only one sauce is kinda bogus-- had to pay $.75 for each cup to try more than one type). --I wouldn't make the mistake of paying for multiple sauces again, either. The sweet, bold, and cherry apple all tasted way too similar for it to be worth it. I usually enjoy a white BBQ sauce but I wasn't impressed with theirs. I'd just get the Bold next time and call it a day I'm not a big ribs fan normally, and these were no exception. Tough and fatty-- I didn't even finish one. Pulled pork was good-- not at all fatty but still moist. Definitely worthwhile! Sausage was good, but cold? I don't know if it's supposed to be or if it just didn't stay warm on our drive home, but I had to nuke it after carrying out. Corn bread was corn bread. I like corn bread in general. I nuked this too because I always think corn break should be hot. The chicken was very good, nice and moist because it's smoked with the skin and it had really good flavor. The best thing (and I am SO biased here) were the burnt ends. I am a huge fan of burnt ends in general and these were no exception. If I were to come back, I'd skip everything else and just get the burnt ends dinner. Lesson learned! We picked collard greens and cole slaw as our sides, and also ordered a potato salad. The collard greens were great, the potato salad was mediocre. The mediocrity of the potato salad was especially disappointing, considering that they gave us two potato salads and forgot the cole slaw. Bummer. I probably won't be back, but I wouldn't advise anyone away. Just don't get your hopes up; I was shocked to see that this place had so many 5-star reviews based on the experience I had!
(3)
Christine U.
Loved it! There is not much seating but we were able to get a table and dine in. The food was great! We had the sampler platter and the hog fries. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Glen H.
Really really good. The meat is very good, tender, smoky, flavorful, and the sauces are excellent. I LOVE the Alabama White. It's like ranch dressing with a vinegar base. Wonderful. Here's the strangest thing from the meal -- I ate every bit of the two sides. A cole slaw which was tangy, lots of vinegar, almost like eating pickled slaw. I really enjoyed it. The potato salad is redskin based, with a creamy dressing that includes plenty of mustard. The celery was crisp, and the consistency was excellent. Well done. Why no five stars? The mac and cheese was kind of disappointing. The flavor profile doesn't say mac and cheese, more creamy salt. That may be what you want, but it lacked cheese flavor. The little bit of cheddar melted on top didn't make the difference. Not the worst, not the best. I would definitely recommend this place. Get carryout if you can -- not too many tables in the place. Let's keep this place open!
(4)
Keith N.
Great new BBQ place! Had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and they were tender and flavorful. My wife had the half chicken and she really enjoyed it. The Z's Bold BBQ sauce has got a nice kick to it. The sides were excellent, although the mac and cheese could have been a warmer (temperature wise). My wife and I both liked the red skin potato salad, and she is very particular about potato salad! There is limited seating, so plan on carry out or getting lucky.
(4)
Michael S.
I tried the pu pu platter of the BBQ world today. It had all the smoked meats, pork and chicken on it. WOW was it tasty and smokey and delicious. The Mac and cheese and bbq beans are not bad either. I would highly recommend Little Z's to any BBQ fanatic. Michael Stoyka Grosse Pte Farms, MI
(5)
Andy H.
Had some Little Z's Q tonight. Great pulled pork, great flavor without the sauce. Not to fatty and pulled apart nicely so as to leave some big chunks as well. Thinking the carry out bag looked light, they forgot to put the slaw in the bag. Open the bag at home and find they placed two of the same sauces in the bad instead of 2 different kinds, Yea I know, its the details, but they should get these right. 3 stars due to carryout oversight. Mac and Cheese was decent. The vinerag-y slaw is the kind I don't care for, but it was definately not as wet as our buddy Glenn H described. Shouldn't all BBQ joints offer a creamy slaw????
(3)
Barbie M.
thank you little z's for being close to home and making me dream of mac and cheese! this place is legit! my fiance and i have the rib and chicken combo with 2 sides. mac and cheese and the home fries! it was the kind of first bite where your eyes pop open and the person your with gets excited because they know by the look of pure pleasure on your face that they soon will be happy too! so if you are looking to sit down and stuff your face you may not have a seat because this place lacks tables but makes up for it 10 fold in service and quality!! you will be greeted with a big smile and a welcome hello and treated like you are family! if you cant find a seat get a carry out but drive home fast because im pretty sure you will not be able to resist the temptation of eating it in the car and that could be bad!! go to little z's try everything! make sure you dont have plans after because you are going to be a happy stuffed piggy after and ready for a nap!! just go!!
(5)
David M.
Pulled pork sandwich, St. Louis ribs and wings / hog wings were excellent. Gumbo was ok. Not a fan of the fries or coleslaw. Cornbread was only so-so. The choice of sauces (5) was great. If you want hotter sauces, ask and you will be given two more. Combine Z's Sweet and Z's Bold for really great flavor. Service was very courteous. We will certainly return.
(4)
Maggie H.
We went to Little Z's on a Saturday after a volunteer event after a stellar recommendation from a fellow Yelper. I was so excited to try a new BBQ joint, especially when my friend pitted Little Z's against my favorite BBQ in Metro-D. It pains me to say that Little Z's did not live up to expectations, however let me start with what I liked. The pork by itself had a lot of really good flavor. If you are not a "dressings" person you will really enjoy the pork. Second, the baked beans were full of flavor and both sweet and savory. Now, onto the flip side. I happen to be one of those people who really likes to dress my pork. Give me multiple sauces to try and some coleslaw to slather my pork in and I am a happy carnivore. The coleslaw at Little Z's was too heavy on the vinegar rather than creamy. Though I appreciated eating it by itself, when eating BBQ, a creamy coleslaw is necessary to put on the pork to balance hot sauce. Second, the hot sauces did not wow me. There wasn't one that was spicy enough to satisfy. Finally, the macaroni and cheese was way overdone. It came out like a big blob of mush because the noodles were overcooked. Regrettably, we may have hit Little Z's on a bad day/time, especially considering the other reviews I have read and my friends shock at our experience. However, there is too much good BBQ in metro to overlook the major gaps we had at Little Z's.
(2)
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Address :22428 Greater Mack Ave
St. Clair Shores, MI, 48080
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Shiela J.
I'm a fan of carry-out and tried this place when they first opened. My general thought was it was OK. The meat was tasty, the mac and cheese was yum but I hated all the sauces that I tried. I almost let that sway me because I thought the sauces tasted like flavored tomato pastes because they were so thick and really lacked decent flavor. However, I thought I would try it again thinking some kinks may need to be worked out. This time, brisket, mac and cheese and collard greens was the fare. Again, the meat was tasty and pretty darn good. I thoroughly enjoyed the sides and all in all had a very satisfying meal. However, my stance on the BBQ sauce stands. Which kind of throws me off because I have never been to a place where I couldn't find at least 1 sauce. Oh well. It won't stop me from returning. You can get a good meal and the fact that I can get it close to home is nice. I'll just add my own sauce. All in all - I would definitely return and encourage locals to do the same. I think they deserve 3-1/2 stars but that's not an option. This has not notoriously a location where businesses have longevity so I hope Little Z can break the cycle.
(3)Debbie H.
Just picture a man and woman running toward one another in slow motion through a beautiful, flower-filled meadow ...their arms extended, anticipating a loving embrace. Then the woman runs right past the befuddled man ...into the arms of a smaller, lesser known guy. The jilted man would be Slow's BBQ and the little guy with the receding hairline who gets the girl would be Little Z's. We were driving home from Ann Arbor and agreed that it was about time for BBQ since we hadn't opted for that in quite a while. Of course the iconic Slow's came to mind but because Deb had already been there once before (average experience) and we jumped on Yelp to sift through reviews (2 hour wait at times?) we thought of giving our more local Little Z's a shot. What a great decision guys. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich which comes on a baked focaccia, with tomato jam and onions. There were 8 or 9 sauces to try but I'm telling you, this was good enough to stand on its own. Outstanding flavor and a huge portion. Plenty of fries, which were cooked, for me, perfectly. They were not the typically undercooked, bendy, gross fries that sometimes can ruin a good sandwich. The redskin potato salad was amazing as well. Deb chose the pulled pork sandwich with fries and slaw. Again, excellent flavor and portion size ... Great tasting coleslaw was a little on the watery side but the flavor was terrific. To top it off the price was reasonable and the service was extremely accommodating and friendly. With apologies to the Goliath that is Slow's ... My money is on the David that is Little Z's. We'll be back!
(5)Ricky P.
This place was strange. There is very little seating. It's moderately priced.I had the pulled pork and I just wasn't impressed. I feel like if you need 42 flavored sauces, you don't have a good meal to start with. It was just, "Meh." There are other places I'd prefer to go for good BBQ.
(2)Matthew R.
I wanted to try something a little different in this area, and was blown away by Little Z's. My girlfriend and I split a Triple Q (three types of meat, two sides). Burnt-Ends: These were seriously the best I've ever had. The girlfriend usually dislikes these because they're over-charred and fatty, but not at Little Z's. These were prepared perfectly, tasting like little bites of smoked steak rather than burnt cast-off pieces of beef. They went incredibly well with the Bold sauce as the little extra kick balanced the char flavor nicely. Chicken: The chicken was very good. While smoked, it was still very tender and moist, without being greasy. It went well with all of their sauces. In our sampler, we got a drummy and a half breast. Ribs: I was equally impressed by these. They were butchered perfectly, and tender enough that I could pull the bone right out of them without a knife. They were trimmed so that you didn't have the giant chunks of gristle masquerading as meat. The dry rub was good, without being overpowering or clashing with any of their sauces. Sauce: I tried all of their sauces (Bold, Honey Garlic, Asian, Cherry Apple, Sweet), and there wasn't one that I didn't like. My only complaint was that they were all pretty sweet and lacked spice, except for the Bold. Not to the point of tasting bad, but it would be nice to have a bit more variety on that end. Thankfully mixing in a bit of the Bold gave each sauce a nice kick without overpowering the unique flavors. At the girlfriend's suggestion, I mixed a bit of the Bold with the Cherry Apple. By far my favorite. It would be nice if they had a more vinegar-y Carolina style sauce, and some spicier options, but there wasn't one that I didn't like or wouldn't eat on any of the meats that we got. Portions: For two people, the TripleQ was quite good. We had enough meat (had a rib and a half to take home), and the two sides were sufficient (Mac-N-Cheese and Fries, both good). The cornbread was surprisingly good, but we should have followed our waitress's suggestion and gotten a second piece for the two of us. Still, for $20, it was enough food without being too much. Our waitress was great, polite, and fun. Now, inevitably any BBQ in southeast MI will get compared to Slow's. Honestly, Slow's Apple BBQ is still my favorite BBQ sauce, hands down. But the sides and meat preparation at Little Z's are definitely on par if not a little better, and the prices comparable. I'm totally coming back. Probably for lunch, as their lunch specials looked great and were all under $8.
(5)Jill M.
Love this place!! I definitely think it's the best BBQ in our area. Small, chill, and the whole staff was friendly. Even got a chance to shoot the shit with the owner for a minute, as we sat at the bar. Both my boyfriend and I had the pulled pork sandwich, as it is one of our fav dishes to order. Best ever! The meat was sooo moist and pink, and wonderful! Lots of good sauces to choose from. The baked mac n cheese was tasty, and the cornbread was amazing!! Officially our go to BBQ joint!
(5)Anna J.
Not the best- too many other better options around. Rub was very bland, meat tough, sides where meh. Hate to dis a local place, but they could do better.
(3)Katie T.
My husband and I have gotten Little Z's three times since they opened: once dining in, once carryout, and once delivery. Overall, I like them - they're the best barbecue we've found in our immediate area. I don't recall exactly what we've gotten each time, but I did want to put up a review for the overall experience. The meat is very good. I usually get pulled pork, which is very good; yesterday we both got the St. Louis rib dinner (pork ribs; it was on special). They were good. I'm a little disappointed with the sides; the corn bread has been dry every time we've gotten it. But the mac and cheese is pretty good, and so are the fries. I do recall having gotten the pulled pork nachos the first time we went - they were good, but could have done with some layering (the toppings were all on the very top, so most of the nacho chips were dry - kind of underwhelming). I remember the first time we went my husband got some sort of sandwich and was underwhelmed with it, but he's liked what he's gotten the other times. The service, however, is VERY good. In fact, one of the things that prompted me to write this review was that when we ordered delivery yesterday, it took a VERY long time. When it finally arrived, the driver introduced himself as the owner (which I have verified through the wonders of the Internet), apologized for the delay, and explained that the delivery guy had gotten lost. You know, EVERYone gets lost delivering to our neighborhood, and I almost told the woman who took our order that I should give specific directions, but then I threw caution to the wind and trusted in GPS technology. So really, it was partly my fault, and the fact that the owner schlepped over (ok, it's less than a mile) to deliver our food and apologize...that's exceptional, IMO. In short: the food is good, but depends on what you order. The service? Definitely pushes it over the top. If the food were more consistent, this would be a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
(4)Michael R.
Extremely yummy pulled pork sandwich! The fries and slaw were also very good. The prices were reasonable. The BBQ is dry rub & the homemade sauces were very tasty. Excellent!
(5)James H.
Great food and very well priced. Sauces are gluten free too
(5)B G.
It is a very small place. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I think they do a large takeout business. I would not take a client there for a business lunch, but my mom loves it. Look at the sandwiches, more than enough food. I have, and I will go back
(4)Gordana F.
I can't even deal with how good this food is. Sometimes i dream about it. No, really, i do. Like, saying that it is good, is a lie. It is not good, it is the best bbq that has ever existed anywhere, ever. (save for the cole slaw, that is so not great). but the ribs, omg the ribs. I am having a love affair with the ribs. There is nothing more delicious than little z's ribs. Nothing. Nothing at all. And the cornbread and the chicken, and the mac and cheese, oh and the Greens!! It is like the God of BBQ's created this place himself. go get your worship on folks. Do this. Trust me.
(4)Glen H.
Really really good. The meat is very good, tender, smoky, flavorful, and the sauces are excellent. I LOVE the Alabama White. It's like ranch dressing with a vinegar base. Wonderful. Here's the strangest thing from the meal -- I ate every bit of the two sides. A cole slaw which was tangy, lots of vinegar, almost like eating pickled slaw. I really enjoyed it. The potato salad is redskin based, with a creamy dressing that includes plenty of mustard. The celery was crisp, and the consistency was excellent. Well done. Why no five stars? The mac and cheese was kind of disappointing. The flavor profile doesn't say mac and cheese, more creamy salt. That may be what you want, but it lacked cheese flavor. The little bit of cheddar melted on top didn't make the difference. Not the worst, not the best. I would definitely recommend this place. Get carryout if you can -- not too many tables in the place. Let's keep this place open!
(4)Keith N.
Great new BBQ place! Had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and they were tender and flavorful. My wife had the half chicken and she really enjoyed it. The Z's Bold BBQ sauce has got a nice kick to it. The sides were excellent, although the mac and cheese could have been a warmer (temperature wise). My wife and I both liked the red skin potato salad, and she is very particular about potato salad! There is limited seating, so plan on carry out or getting lucky.
(4)Michael S.
I tried the pu pu platter of the BBQ world today. It had all the smoked meats, pork and chicken on it. WOW was it tasty and smokey and delicious. The Mac and cheese and bbq beans are not bad either. I would highly recommend Little Z's to any BBQ fanatic. Michael Stoyka Grosse Pte Farms, MI
(5)Caitlin T.
I should come out and say, i wasn't MAD at this place. It wasn't bad! I just didn't like it enough to call myself a fan. Another disclosure: we went in 30 minutes before closing on a Sunday, so maybe that affected the food too. We got the BBQ sampler, it seemed like a good choice for our first time! Brisket and turkey were both very dry, but they were good for testing out the sauces (though the fact that this sampler comes with only one sauce is kinda bogus-- had to pay $.75 for each cup to try more than one type). --I wouldn't make the mistake of paying for multiple sauces again, either. The sweet, bold, and cherry apple all tasted way too similar for it to be worth it. I usually enjoy a white BBQ sauce but I wasn't impressed with theirs. I'd just get the Bold next time and call it a day I'm not a big ribs fan normally, and these were no exception. Tough and fatty-- I didn't even finish one. Pulled pork was good-- not at all fatty but still moist. Definitely worthwhile! Sausage was good, but cold? I don't know if it's supposed to be or if it just didn't stay warm on our drive home, but I had to nuke it after carrying out. Corn bread was corn bread. I like corn bread in general. I nuked this too because I always think corn break should be hot. The chicken was very good, nice and moist because it's smoked with the skin and it had really good flavor. The best thing (and I am SO biased here) were the burnt ends. I am a huge fan of burnt ends in general and these were no exception. If I were to come back, I'd skip everything else and just get the burnt ends dinner. Lesson learned! We picked collard greens and cole slaw as our sides, and also ordered a potato salad. The collard greens were great, the potato salad was mediocre. The mediocrity of the potato salad was especially disappointing, considering that they gave us two potato salads and forgot the cole slaw. Bummer. I probably won't be back, but I wouldn't advise anyone away. Just don't get your hopes up; I was shocked to see that this place had so many 5-star reviews based on the experience I had!
(3)Christine U.
Loved it! There is not much seating but we were able to get a table and dine in. The food was great! We had the sampler platter and the hog fries. We will definitely be back!
(5)Robin J.
well had hog fries!!!!! it was very interesting and good the flavor of the pulled pork was excellent, i liked all the sauces, they were very good we will be bak
(4)William J.
This place is cooking up legit BBQ. I had the burnt ends ans st loius style spare ribs, and there was a nice bark on the meat, with a subtle smoky flavor. I loved both. The ribs here have a flavor that reminds me a bit of Memphis style bbq. The rub they use is good... Really good. If your a fan of legit BBQ, this should be a place on your short list. Along with Lazybones, this is one of the handful of places in the area that offer real food, at a reasonable price.
(5)Theresa A.
Little Z's is one of my favorite spots to eat when I'm craving Barbecue that's close to home. I've tried most of the items on the menu and they are all tasty, but my favorite has to be the jumbo chicken wings, and that's because they make them just how I like them; smoked, then fried. It's best eaten hot and fresh when dining in, but I've ordered them through their delivery service as well. I love to dip them in all the different sauces they offer (I think they have 10 different varieties of sweet, tangy and spicy BBQ sauces and they are all great) I prefer these over B dubs, because of the simplicity of it all, and their wings are a lot bigger and not drowned in some sort of sauce or spice. Little Z's has some pretty good barbecue as well. I've not been disappointed in anything I've tried. The Carolina pulled pork dinner is nice big shreds of meat. Brisket is tasty and tender, Ribs are done well. I also enjoy their salads and sides. Hog fries comes to you in a huge mound of deliciousness (fries, chili, cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos and Z's sauce) and it's something that fills you up quick, so be warned, it's a great item to share. Whenever I dine in, the staff is always super friendly, and so are the delivery drivers. Speaking of delivery, a good tip is to check out their menu online and get your order straight before you call; they can be pretty busy for carry out. It's a quick process over the phone. I always feel like I'm on some sort of timed barbecue game show quiz and I'm afraid to fail. BE QUICK! The dude's always nice, though. littlezsbbq.com/menu
(4)Kruthika S.
I continue to be amazed with this place. I called last Sunday and didn't realize they close at 8 on Sundays and not at 9. I called about 10 minutes until closing and asked if it was ok to place an order for delivery. Ed, the owner, got on the phone and said "for my best yelp customer, of course". I would have completely understood if they said it was too late but they didn't. They went out of their way to accommodate and make their customer happy. I very much appreciate when places are customer friendly. I promise I'll never call that close to closing. And will continue to visit this place as often as my diet will allow :)
(5)Benjamin F.
We've had carry out and dined in here. Tonight we dined in. I had the Double Q dinner with burnt ends and pulled pork. My wife had a Cobb salad that was huge. The pulled pork was sweet and tender. This balanced by the smoke and crust on the burnt ends. Beautiful combination. We've also used Little Z's to cater a couple parties. Everyone loved it. Keep up the great work.
(5)Nick M.
I ate at Little Z's four days ago and I'm still full from the meal. This place isn't about bells and whistles or fancy scenery; its mission is to deliver top-notch BBQ at great prices with great portion. And man, does it deliver. It's a smaller place with limited tables and limited servers. Many people came in and grabbed carry out while I was there, so maybe that might be people's best bets. I should first mention that the place is BYOB. It slipped my mind because I knew that a while ago, but then I asked what kind of beer they had and put two and two together. So, bring your favorite beer or whiskey and enjoy yourself a little more. The food, though ...arguably the best BBQ I have had in a long, long time. I went to eat with my dad and we started with the hog fries. This is on the appetizer menu but could be enough for a meal for some people. It's basically fries smothered in chili and covered in jalapenos, cheese, tomatoes and pulled pork. It was amazing. The pulled pork/chili combo was out of this world. Definitely recommend. As for the meal, I ordered the Pick 2 option with brisket and ribs. Yep, that was a good idea. Actually, a great one. The food comes with two sides and cornbread, so I chose cole slaw and mac and cheese. The mac is very good, and I know people like to compare mac n cheese at different BBQ joints -- this mac was a little different but not in a bad way at all. The slaw was above average as well. But at the end of the day it's all about the meats, right? The brisket was cooked perfect ...so tender and went together great with the numerous sauces Little Z's has at your disposal. Want sweet and tangy brisket? You can. What about bold BBQ sauce? Yep. Even garlic-type sauce is there. The ribs are also really tender and fall off the bone. I finished my entire plate, somehow, even after all those hog fries. I thought I was going to explode at one point 30 minutes later haha. So worth it. This place is great and offers so many food options for such a small joint. Haven't eaten in 10 hours? Get the Pick 2 or Pick 3 combos. Want to stop in for lunch? Grab a pulled pork sandwich. Feeling fishy? Get the catfish filet. There is something for everyone. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Jen L.
Tasty bbq I liked the cornbread the collard greens were super delicious and the chicken was flavorful juicy and not dry. The only thing I did not care for was the mac and cheese it was a bit on the bland side and mushy. This is a pretty good spot for take out in the area especially if your craving bbq and prices are decent.
(4)Christina C.
Great BBQ. Portions are spot on, everything is fresh and delicious. Small little place so it might be better for carry out but we have never had anything but great service dining in. The garlic and the bold sauces are my favorite!
(5)Jessica K.
I had a craving for some nachos and BBQ and Little Z's had what I was looking for!!! I called in my order to go and my food was ready to when I arrived. The place is smaller than it looks from the outside so no huge groups. But I didn't stick around long to explore. Nacho chips topped with tangy sauce, cheese, jalepeños, caramelized onions, and your choice of chicken, pulled pork, or vegetarian (why?). I of course got pulled pork. Both of my cravings were satisfied! I can't wait to try the rest of the menu!
(4)Bob N.
Phew, since the waffle disaster I have been back about a couple dozen times and each time they have been spot on. The greens have been perfectly seasoned and the hog wings my go to meat here continue to impress. Service is always, always friendly and attentive and will continue to come in.
(5)John C.
Good BBQ at a fair price. Found this little gem with an online search in my area and I'm glad we gave it a shot because I'm sure we'll be eating carry out from this place more often. Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)Will E.
This is the type of barbecue that you see in the south - and no treat is better when there's a foot of snow on the ground outside. When we moved from Oklahoma City, I had been resigned to the fact that I may have just kissed good barbecue goodbye. And my suspicions were confirmed until I tried Little Z's. On my first visit I ordered the Detroit-Style Burnt Ends. The owner said some days he sells more of this than any other item. I took one bight and the was back in Oklahoma again. Perfectly smoked meat. A great array of sauces from Carolina Mustard to Z's Sweet Barbecue (my favorite). My barbecue was complemented by delicious snap peas, baked mac and cheese and cornbread. All of this for $12.75. It's a flavor-filled and filling meal at a reasonable price, and if you're used to good barbecue, Little Z's won't let you down.
(4)Matthew S.
Had a carry out order of St. Louis Ribs, Mac & Cheese and Baked beans. Ribs were excellent. Well cooked and very tasty. Had the Honey Garlic Sauce which was an excellent compliment to the ribs. Mac & Cheese was average. Nothing special. Baked Beans - for some reason I got mash potatoes and gravy which was OK, just not the baked beans that I had actually ordered. Would I go back? For the ribs, definitely... they were pretty wonderful.
(4)Deena A.
Their mac and cheese is even better than Slow's! And their sauces were delicious. I went there once on a whim with some friends, and we have not stopped talking about their food since then. We also loved the cozy atmosphere, definitely making our way back soon!
(5)Sara B.
My man and I went in with another couple for lunch and really weren't impressed. The place looks nice and updated, and is quaint with a smaller amount of seating. We ordered the Triple-Q with chicken, pulled pork, and brisket as our meats, collard greens and mac n cheese for our sides, and 1 piece of corn bread was included. First off on the quantity, we were expecting enough for 2 people seeing as the plate was $20, but the portions were small and really only enough for 1 hungry person, which makes this place pretty expensive. All of the meat was dry and barely lukewarm upon arriving at the table. This leads me to believe there is some microwaving going on in the kitchen instead of actual BBQ action. On to the sides, I thought the greens were pretty bitter and lacked the juicy flavor I've come to expect from them. The mac n cheese was drastically overcooked and was a big bowl of mush with questionable flavors. Finally, the corn bread (which is one of my favorite things ever) was dry yet greasy, and lacked any good flavor. All of the sauces they serve on the side were....ok, but not stellar. I'd say to skip this one.
(2)Lawanda P.
Fast service and friendly service. First time visit and sure to be a repeat offender lol.... Explained it was my first visit have no clue what sauce I want. With out a second thought the waiter passed me a spoon and said taste them all.
(5)David Z.
Had ribs with catfish and chicken tenders. Was freshly prepared and tasty. Fries were good as was Mac n cheese. I would definitely eat there again! The service was excellent. Very friendly hostess/server
(4)Chad G.
Went here to get my dose of protein. I ordered the combo rib and chicken. I am from the south born and raised so I am naturally a BBQ expert from the womb. The service was ok. You can tell its a local spot like the kind of place people all know one another. I am not a local so I didn't have that local welcome like I saw others get. Honestly have no problem with that. The food to me... it had no taste. The meat was very bland. They smoke most of the meat and I am not sure why the flavor lacked. A plus was the sides. The collards were good and the squash and zucchini were excellent. The muffin or cornbread biscuit was unique. It had a hard shell and was very tasty. I like to smell the BBQ before eating it because you can smell the flavors. The aroma was not good to me. The sauce on the table was pretty good, but the meat should stand by itself without sauce. I had to use sauce.
(2)Diego A.
If you love meat, you love this place. The food makes disbelievers into the non-disbelievers screaming, "okay, just one more." Do it.
(5)Frank P.
These guys need to go big time. They need a bigger place. Their BBQ isn't World Class it's Texas Class. To use a baseball analogy, they make Slows look like the minor leagues! There are no holes in the lineup, from the "fall off the bone" ribs to the brisket, and everything in between. Homerun!!
(5)Benjamin C.
Amazing food, good service. The beef tips and grilled chicken tenders are great. There can be a wait, but usually never longer than 15 minutes.
(5)Kelly A.
Had this at a gathering, so I can't speak on the staff or inside. I tried a little bit of the each meat in the sampler ; I found some meats better than others. The chicken was really good.The sauces were also pretty good. Some of the meats were dry, and that's when the sauce came in handy:) Hope the location works for them, as that building has been many things over the years.. I think the sign isn't something that is going to draw people in. It is a bit tacky.
(3)Jessica P.
Being from Texas, we have a different take on BBQ than others. With that being said, the food was pretty good. The turkey sandwich with apples & Mihigsn cherries was fantastic. The kids slider hamburger & Mac n cheese was enough for the kids. The Texas brisket was a bit dry and didn't have the smoke flavor we are used to but it wasn't horrible. The beans were fantastic though as was the customer service. Next time we are in town, we will probably give it another go.
(4)Amanda M.
Food is amazing here! Nothing bad on the menu! Would easily recommend this place if you love bbq food.
(5)Carlos P.
Great service, excellent food, friendly staff. I definitely recommend this to all. I love the chicken and waffles and burnt ends! Also they have a nice selection of sauces for you to choose from, I would recommend the Zs bold with the burnt ends.
(5)Ernesto V.
Decent place... Not the best meat or sauces but savory and satisfying :) the collard greens are quite good !
(2)Blake W.
I would highly recommend BBQ lovers to try this place. They are a traditional style BBQ with great sauce options. I had a family dinner and ordered a big meal with different meats and they were all good.
(4)Gordon J.
Pulled pork was great! Liked the variety of sauces to try at the table. Mac and cheese was homemade and we will be back for more. Good Job lil z!
(4)ROSA Y.
Had the 1/2 chicken and 1/2 slab of rib combo for carry out dinner. Must have been a very small chicken...one with only a breast and a leg! Both the chicken and the ribs were dry and not very smokey. Did the sauce come out of a jar from Krogers? Sides of mac and cheese and potato salad. The mac and cheese was good. The potato salad was dry and lacked seasoning, especially salt...would be great for someone on a bland diet! Cornbread muffin was yummy. Once again an east side eatery fails to impress. Sorry folks, but there's much better bbq to be had. It looks like we are still doing our own bbq at our house...sigh.
(2)Stephanie M.
Small little gem in my back yard. My hubby and I love bbq. We have travel for good smoked meats. We found friendly knowledgeable service. Our server explained that everything was made from scratch, so most of the menu is gluten free. The owner came by to talk to us, what a cool guy. He said he was well aware of how to make allergy free meals. We defiantly
(5)Amy W.
While I've never actually been inside the establishment, I can assure you that the food is spectacular. I know it's a BBQ/pork joint, but their meatloaf dinner is TO DIE FOR. Their sandwiches are glorious, and you definitely get a ton of food for your money. Perfect for those nights when you're too lazy to cook, but want a delicious, home-style meal.
(5)Ashley G.
DE-LICIOUS! Just ordered for the first time and can't wait to order again. Tried the ribs... Pretty sure angels made them. Since it was my first order, she sent along 3 sauces - all delicious but the ribs didn't need a thing.
(5)Brandon G.
Food is very good. The burnt ends are by far the best in area. The fries are even great. The delivery is fast and friendly. Really like having this place nearby.
(5)Tiffany M.
I was so impressed with the food I tried the sampler w baked beans and mac and cheese with a corn muffin on the side. I love that they deliver and they go far! I have a hard time getting places to deliver to me because most dont deliver to Detroit side. They didn't even question it! It was no problem to her at all. Thank You piggy Z's ill be back for more!
(5)Renata C.
Hubband and I love to take friends here. Dine in, order the sampler, and split it 4 ways so you can eat delicious smoked meats while enjoying all the amazing sauces. Carry out will work too, but it's just not as much fun as using those squirty bottles like you are some kind of scientist, figuring out which sauce goes best with which meat. All the sides are amazing too (like, who knew I'd have the best fries ever here?) and even the cornbread isn't an afterthought. Eat it all, because it's all good.
(5)Ed C.
Meat is delicious and smoky. Prices are solid and the sauces are good. I'm only giving then a preliminary review, they've been open less than a week and it's not fair to judge quite yet, but lots of potential for greatness! Rumors of delivery soon, a few seats for dine in, give it a try!
(4)Matthew D.
I have never started a review with a side dish, but if there was a ever a reason to do it this is the time. The baked beans at Little Z's are like taking a bite of a campfire. It was quite simply the best smoky bite I have ever taken of anything ever. That aside, (pun intended), this is the best BBQ in the state of Michigan. I have lived in and traveled to some amazing BBQ areas of country, from Lockhart, TX to Memphis, TN to the Carolina's. I have always appreciated the regional flair of each area, but this was the best combination of the best of each area coupled with a Michigan flair. We started with the Hog fries which were amazing: house cut fries, chili, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, topped with Z's sauce. We had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and the Carolina Pulled Pork. I had never head of the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and while I liked them as a taste, I don't recommend them for one the main meats, it was just too heavy for my taste, but to see an unique Michigan addition to the US BBQ lexicon was worth it. The service was amazing. When we let them know we were visiting for the first time and had some questions, the gentleman that greeted said he loved questions, sat down next to us and had a great conversation with us. You could feel the passion he had for what he did, he took his time with us and set the mood for what was a great meal. The Recap: The Good: Everything we had was top notch. The Hog Fries, the BBQ, the mac 'n' cheese and the sauces cover every regional area of the country. Do not pass on the Alabama White sauce, the only other place I have ever come across it is the panhandle of Florida and although you don't want a plate full of it, it is a fantastic vinegar based change of pace to incorporate into your meal. The service was great, prompt, friendly and informative. The Bad: The decor wasn't bad and the best BBQ places seem to be glorified shacks in other parts of the country, but it does feel a little generic. A very minor, minor thing but I feel like if I don't find something you are going to think the owner wrote this. :) The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Traveling Wilbury's. A perfect combination of a wide array of talents that has created something new and wonderful.
(5)Hazen R.
We have gotten take out from here twice and both times we were wowed! I can only imagine how good it would be if we ate in. I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but my husband suggested we try it. Despite how good I'm sure the BBQ is, we had the meatloaf and it was some of the best I've ever tasted. Their pulled pork is moist and not too fatty. Delicious sides and many different sauces for people who have varied tastes. Fantastic!!
(5)Ken L.
Since our favorite rib joint closed we've been looking for some good ribs. We saw this place on yelp a few months ago and just tried it yesterday. Upon arrival, the place was really small but inviting. Nothing fancy but clean and the waitress was friendly. Being a Wednesday they have buy one rib dinner get one half off, perfect! This is on Tuesday and Wednesdays BTW. So first, the ribs. While other "rib joints" like to add what seems to us to be 5 times the amount of smoke needed (cough RUB BBQ), these ribs had in my opinion the exact amount needed! Not too little and not overpowering either. We're not huge fans of dry rub ribs whatsoever but these weren't too bad. I'm also not a fan of fall off the bone ribs. These were bordering on that and before a few minutes the owner came from the back asking how we liked them and apologized for them being too tender, they were just removed from the smoker. That's good to hear, I like working on the bone not eating ribs with a fork. We'll have to try them again and hopefully get some bones that aren't so tender. We tried all the sauces but the best two for us were the sweet and the apple. The hot sauce was missing something which was a bummer, I like spicy. For sides, you get two with your dinner... We had the cole slaw, the mac n cheese and the redskin potato salad. The cole slaw we'll pass on next time, it was really bitter tasting. The redskin potato salad we both enjoyed. I've read people saying it was bland, I beg to differ. It had really good flavor and not salty, yes but you can add that to taste. The mac n cheese to us was really good also, not over cheesy compared to other rib joints and we didn't think it was "mushy" as other reviews have stated. The cornbread that's served with dinner was exactly as others have said. While it tasted great it was very greasy yet very dry! It was strange combination to say the least. Bottom line, it's not our perfect rib but compared to RUB, Bad Brads and a few other BBQ establishments this place to us was superior to most. We're definitely going to be back! Hopefully we get those ribs a little less tender this time!
(4)Joe J.
See the guy in the first picture, he's the one cooking the food. I like that. When I search for places to eat I want something unique, something one person put his best into. That's why I like Little Z's, its genuine BBQ, made by a chief. So you can see I have been a few times. First off, order yourself a hog wing, its a smoked fried pork shank, delicious and unique. I haven't tried everything, but the hog wings are one of the best things on the menu. The sauces are all very good, if you want something really hot, ask for the fire stein, I mix it into the other sauces to add some heat. The rib rips are good, the quality seems to change on these every time we order them, sometimes are better then others. I have ordered the large sampler plate once and found everything good, I think it had turkey or chicken, didnt really care for that. But the brisket, pork and sausage all tasted good. The other day I had the pork sliders, they are good, a tad dry and a tad mushy, not bad, just sort of middle of the road with the pork. For 4.95, with fries its 10 times better then anything you could find at a fast food joint. Overall, its a good place, the food is good and sides always seem fresh. Little Z's is a must try and if you do get a Hog Wing.
(4)Brian V.
Grabbed a carry-out lunch today. I'm a huge fan and aficionado of BBQ and I'm sad to say I was not that impressed despite wanting to be after hearing good things about this place. The server was rather gruff and aloof and gave the appearance of being too busy the whole time while not seeming doing all that much. While I waited about 5 minutes for my meal, the smells were wonderful and things were put together to order, not sitting on a heat rack. I ordered the beef brisket, one of my favorites and one of the hardest types of meat to BBQ well. It was a quality cut of brisket and very nicely cooked with great texture, but unfortunately no flavor at all despite some sort of red powder sprinkled on top. How do you smoke meat and end up with no flavor? The mac n cheese was a pile of unremarkable mush. The entire outside of the cornbread was completely drenched in butter, yuck! The sauce provided, marked with an S on the top, tasted like someone's attempt to dress up ketchup and was completely unremarkable and gross. If you are looking for quality meat that is smoked and cooked to the proper texture, Little Z can do that, but otherwise I wasn't impressed.
(3)Terry L.
Shared chicken and rib combo. Came with 2 sides, we got baked beans and coleslaw. Everything was great. More than we could finish.
(5)Barbie M.
thank you little z's for being close to home and making me dream of mac and cheese! this place is legit! my fiance and i have the rib and chicken combo with 2 sides. mac and cheese and the home fries! it was the kind of first bite where your eyes pop open and the person your with gets excited because they know by the look of pure pleasure on your face that they soon will be happy too! so if you are looking to sit down and stuff your face you may not have a seat because this place lacks tables but makes up for it 10 fold in service and quality!! you will be greeted with a big smile and a welcome hello and treated like you are family! if you cant find a seat get a carry out but drive home fast because im pretty sure you will not be able to resist the temptation of eating it in the car and that could be bad!! go to little z's try everything! make sure you dont have plans after because you are going to be a happy stuffed piggy after and ready for a nap!! just go!!
(5)David M.
Pulled pork sandwich, St. Louis ribs and wings / hog wings were excellent. Gumbo was ok. Not a fan of the fries or coleslaw. Cornbread was only so-so. The choice of sauces (5) was great. If you want hotter sauces, ask and you will be given two more. Combine Z's Sweet and Z's Bold for really great flavor. Service was very courteous. We will certainly return.
(4)Andy H.
Had some Little Z's Q tonight. Great pulled pork, great flavor without the sauce. Not to fatty and pulled apart nicely so as to leave some big chunks as well. Thinking the carry out bag looked light, they forgot to put the slaw in the bag. Open the bag at home and find they placed two of the same sauces in the bad instead of 2 different kinds, Yea I know, its the details, but they should get these right. 3 stars due to carryout oversight. Mac and Cheese was decent. The vinerag-y slaw is the kind I don't care for, but it was definately not as wet as our buddy Glenn H described. Shouldn't all BBQ joints offer a creamy slaw????
(3)Nick B.
Screw Slows. This is much closer to home, easier to park, and just as good if not better in my opinion. You might drive by here a lot and not think to step inside, big mistake, this place is a hidden gem. Great BBQ sauces, amazing ribs, great corn bread and greens, awesome brisket, and unbeatable prices. Go for lunch, you can't beat it! I've made my mouth water.
(5)Carla D.
Not good. First of all, my husband called and explained this was our first time ordering from them. He told the girl who answered that there were two adults and two children and asked how much we should order based on that. Well, we did have enough meat, fatty and gross meat...but the sides were barely enough for two people. No way there was enough food for four! So disappointing. And the food is not good. The Mac and Cheese was dry and disgusting. The coke slaw was average. Meat very fatty. Will not order again.
(1)Dan M.
Little Z's is quite the surprise. Nestled in a small set of shops on the east side of Mack in an unassuming St. Clair Shores neighborhood, Little Z's could easily be mistaken for a laundromat or coffee shop (both of which are nearby). However, buoyed by a positive review in the Metro Times we gave it a go, and have been extremely pleased , heading back several times now. First of all, let's be frank - eating in really is not an option, and if that is your plan, you should probably go elsewhere. There are a couple tables, but it is noisy and loud, with phones ringing off the hook and carry-out orders being picked up. However, if you are looking for carry-out BBQ on the east side, here's your place. My wife and I have had a variety of their dishes, and so far none have disappointed. Their brisket is tender and juicy, and the portions are a good size. Ribs, short-ribs, catfish - all have been fantastic. The pulled pork was a little dry, as is oft the case. The sides are good as well, and the sauces are excellent. Particularly we both enjoy the Cherry Apple BBQ sauce. Service has been good, and we hope to continue to get carry out from Little Z's for a long time.
(4)Cyndi J.
Ok, the food portions here are huge! I ordered the sampler to share and it was plenty. You pretty much get a sample of every kind of meat. My favorite was the mac n cheese and the burnt ends! Its a small, very clean place. Service was very accomodating and the chef even came out to ask how our meal was. My cornbread was a little dry but everything else was great!
(5)Michael T.
By far the best BBQ joint that I've ever been to! Love everything that I've tried (and I've tried everything!) Super tasty sauces, and very friendly staff. My personal favorite are the hog wings or burnt ends with Mac and Cheese and the sub the gumbo for a side! Also give the baked beans a try!
(5)Katie B.
The barbeque is really good. (I love the Bold sauce mixed with the North Carolina Mustard sauce.) The service is really good. If you're going for the first time, remember to BYOB.
(4)Maggie H.
We went to Little Z's on a Saturday after a volunteer event after a stellar recommendation from a fellow Yelper. I was so excited to try a new BBQ joint, especially when my friend pitted Little Z's against my favorite BBQ in Metro-D. It pains me to say that Little Z's did not live up to expectations, however let me start with what I liked. The pork by itself had a lot of really good flavor. If you are not a "dressings" person you will really enjoy the pork. Second, the baked beans were full of flavor and both sweet and savory. Now, onto the flip side. I happen to be one of those people who really likes to dress my pork. Give me multiple sauces to try and some coleslaw to slather my pork in and I am a happy carnivore. The coleslaw at Little Z's was too heavy on the vinegar rather than creamy. Though I appreciated eating it by itself, when eating BBQ, a creamy coleslaw is necessary to put on the pork to balance hot sauce. Second, the hot sauces did not wow me. There wasn't one that was spicy enough to satisfy. Finally, the macaroni and cheese was way overdone. It came out like a big blob of mush because the noodles were overcooked. Regrettably, we may have hit Little Z's on a bad day/time, especially considering the other reviews I have read and my friends shock at our experience. However, there is too much good BBQ in metro to overlook the major gaps we had at Little Z's.
(2)Ujon C.
BBQ are delicious and different flavors of sauce is plus alpha! I found staff are also friendly. We had shreded pork and brisket with 2 sides for each dish, pork was really delicious. But I think brisket could've been better. Hope there is more salad type vege selection on side. I tried super spicy chicken wing(2 pieces) and it was painfully spicy but not much of taste.
(4)Meg K.
I don't love smoked meat, but I was wowed by the dinner I had tonight at this new little BBQ joint. Whatever spices are in their rub, it's a wonderful fragrant blend that develops a crisp exterior and a moist and tender, tasty inside with a subtle smoke. We ordered the sampler, which includes 8 different kinds of meat. I wasn't a fan of the spices in the sausage, but it was cooked just right. The other meats: pulled pork, brisket, hog wings (amazing), chicken, etc. were big on flavor and low on fat. Hand cut salty fries, crispy and tender. Steaming hot baked mac&cheese, creamy buttery goodness topped with toasted bread crumbs. My son's Po' Boy sandwich was just okay; slightly overcooked and we didn't care for the sauce. Cornbread somewhat dry. The very fresh, crunchy slaw was too tangy for me - competes with instead of complements the (yummy) sauces. But who cares? This place is new and still working out the kinks. Everything else had well developed flavors, cooked perfectly, and if they keep pumping out great food we'll be regulars. We received stellar service! It's a tiny space (they take reservations and probably shouldn't b/c it ties up tables) so be prepared to wait for a table or get take out; they offer delivery. Generous portions, priced right.
(5)Victoria M.
More of a carry out joint but you can dine in and ask the manager/owner about the BYOB policy ;) Good BBQ and YUMMY SAUCES. They have a really hot sauce they don't display, ask for it if you're into that. Had burnt ends and St Louis ribs but everything looks good. Good prices, pretty standard $$ for BBQ yet not overpriced. Oh they have a sampler of some type with 5 different meats and maybe 2-3 sides and about $25. Get that if you arent sure. It can be enought for 2 hungry peeps.
(4)Shiela J.
I'm a fan of carry-out and tried this place when they first opened. My general thought was it was OK. The meat was tasty, the mac and cheese was yum but I hated all the sauces that I tried. I almost let that sway me because I thought the sauces tasted like flavored tomato pastes because they were so thick and really lacked decent flavor. However, I thought I would try it again thinking some kinks may need to be worked out. This time, brisket, mac and cheese and collard greens was the fare. Again, the meat was tasty and pretty darn good. I thoroughly enjoyed the sides and all in all had a very satisfying meal. However, my stance on the BBQ sauce stands. Which kind of throws me off because I have never been to a place where I couldn't find at least 1 sauce. Oh well. It won't stop me from returning. You can get a good meal and the fact that I can get it close to home is nice. I'll just add my own sauce. All in all - I would definitely return and encourage locals to do the same. I think they deserve 3-1/2 stars but that's not an option. This has not notoriously a location where businesses have longevity so I hope Little Z can break the cycle.
(3)Victoria M.
More of a carry out joint but you can dine in and ask the manager/owner about the BYOB policy ;) Good BBQ and YUMMY SAUCES. They have a really hot sauce they don't display, ask for it if you're into that. Had burnt ends and St Louis ribs but everything looks good. Good prices, pretty standard $$ for BBQ yet not overpriced. Oh they have a sampler of some type with 5 different meats and maybe 2-3 sides and about $25. Get that if you arent sure. It can be enought for 2 hungry peeps.
(4)Debbie H.
Just picture a man and woman running toward one another in slow motion through a beautiful, flower-filled meadow ...their arms extended, anticipating a loving embrace. Then the woman runs right past the befuddled man ...into the arms of a smaller, lesser known guy. The jilted man would be Slow's BBQ and the little guy with the receding hairline who gets the girl would be Little Z's. We were driving home from Ann Arbor and agreed that it was about time for BBQ since we hadn't opted for that in quite a while. Of course the iconic Slow's came to mind but because Deb had already been there once before (average experience) and we jumped on Yelp to sift through reviews (2 hour wait at times?) we thought of giving our more local Little Z's a shot. What a great decision guys. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich which comes on a baked focaccia, with tomato jam and onions. There were 8 or 9 sauces to try but I'm telling you, this was good enough to stand on its own. Outstanding flavor and a huge portion. Plenty of fries, which were cooked, for me, perfectly. They were not the typically undercooked, bendy, gross fries that sometimes can ruin a good sandwich. The redskin potato salad was amazing as well. Deb chose the pulled pork sandwich with fries and slaw. Again, excellent flavor and portion size ... Great tasting coleslaw was a little on the watery side but the flavor was terrific. To top it off the price was reasonable and the service was extremely accommodating and friendly. With apologies to the Goliath that is Slow's ... My money is on the David that is Little Z's. We'll be back!
(5)Katie T.
My husband and I have gotten Little Z's three times since they opened: once dining in, once carryout, and once delivery. Overall, I like them - they're the best barbecue we've found in our immediate area. I don't recall exactly what we've gotten each time, but I did want to put up a review for the overall experience. The meat is very good. I usually get pulled pork, which is very good; yesterday we both got the St. Louis rib dinner (pork ribs; it was on special). They were good. I'm a little disappointed with the sides; the corn bread has been dry every time we've gotten it. But the mac and cheese is pretty good, and so are the fries. I do recall having gotten the pulled pork nachos the first time we went - they were good, but could have done with some layering (the toppings were all on the very top, so most of the nacho chips were dry - kind of underwhelming). I remember the first time we went my husband got some sort of sandwich and was underwhelmed with it, but he's liked what he's gotten the other times. The service, however, is VERY good. In fact, one of the things that prompted me to write this review was that when we ordered delivery yesterday, it took a VERY long time. When it finally arrived, the driver introduced himself as the owner (which I have verified through the wonders of the Internet), apologized for the delay, and explained that the delivery guy had gotten lost. You know, EVERYone gets lost delivering to our neighborhood, and I almost told the woman who took our order that I should give specific directions, but then I threw caution to the wind and trusted in GPS technology. So really, it was partly my fault, and the fact that the owner schlepped over (ok, it's less than a mile) to deliver our food and apologize...that's exceptional, IMO. In short: the food is good, but depends on what you order. The service? Definitely pushes it over the top. If the food were more consistent, this would be a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
(4)Michael R.
Extremely yummy pulled pork sandwich! The fries and slaw were also very good. The prices were reasonable. The BBQ is dry rub & the homemade sauces were very tasty. Excellent!
(5)James H.
Great food and very well priced. Sauces are gluten free too
(5)B G.
It is a very small place. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I think they do a large takeout business. I would not take a client there for a business lunch, but my mom loves it. Look at the sandwiches, more than enough food. I have, and I will go back
(4)Gordana F.
I can't even deal with how good this food is. Sometimes i dream about it. No, really, i do. Like, saying that it is good, is a lie. It is not good, it is the best bbq that has ever existed anywhere, ever. (save for the cole slaw, that is so not great). but the ribs, omg the ribs. I am having a love affair with the ribs. There is nothing more delicious than little z's ribs. Nothing. Nothing at all. And the cornbread and the chicken, and the mac and cheese, oh and the Greens!! It is like the God of BBQ's created this place himself. go get your worship on folks. Do this. Trust me.
(4)Dan M.
Little Z's is quite the surprise. Nestled in a small set of shops on the east side of Mack in an unassuming St. Clair Shores neighborhood, Little Z's could easily be mistaken for a laundromat or coffee shop (both of which are nearby). However, buoyed by a positive review in the Metro Times we gave it a go, and have been extremely pleased , heading back several times now. First of all, let's be frank - eating in really is not an option, and if that is your plan, you should probably go elsewhere. There are a couple tables, but it is noisy and loud, with phones ringing off the hook and carry-out orders being picked up. However, if you are looking for carry-out BBQ on the east side, here's your place. My wife and I have had a variety of their dishes, and so far none have disappointed. Their brisket is tender and juicy, and the portions are a good size. Ribs, short-ribs, catfish - all have been fantastic. The pulled pork was a little dry, as is oft the case. The sides are good as well, and the sauces are excellent. Particularly we both enjoy the Cherry Apple BBQ sauce. Service has been good, and we hope to continue to get carry out from Little Z's for a long time.
(4)Cyndi J.
Ok, the food portions here are huge! I ordered the sampler to share and it was plenty. You pretty much get a sample of every kind of meat. My favorite was the mac n cheese and the burnt ends! Its a small, very clean place. Service was very accomodating and the chef even came out to ask how our meal was. My cornbread was a little dry but everything else was great!
(5)Carla D.
Not good. First of all, my husband called and explained this was our first time ordering from them. He told the girl who answered that there were two adults and two children and asked how much we should order based on that. Well, we did have enough meat, fatty and gross meat...but the sides were barely enough for two people. No way there was enough food for four! So disappointing. And the food is not good. The Mac and Cheese was dry and disgusting. The coke slaw was average. Meat very fatty. Will not order again.
(1)Michael T.
By far the best BBQ joint that I've ever been to! Love everything that I've tried (and I've tried everything!) Super tasty sauces, and very friendly staff. My personal favorite are the hog wings or burnt ends with Mac and Cheese and the sub the gumbo for a side! Also give the baked beans a try!
(5)Katie B.
The barbeque is really good. (I love the Bold sauce mixed with the North Carolina Mustard sauce.) The service is really good. If you're going for the first time, remember to BYOB.
(4)David M.
Pulled pork sandwich, St. Louis ribs and wings / hog wings were excellent. Gumbo was ok. Not a fan of the fries or coleslaw. Cornbread was only so-so. The choice of sauces (5) was great. If you want hotter sauces, ask and you will be given two more. Combine Z's Sweet and Z's Bold for really great flavor. Service was very courteous. We will certainly return.
(4)Andy H.
Had some Little Z's Q tonight. Great pulled pork, great flavor without the sauce. Not to fatty and pulled apart nicely so as to leave some big chunks as well. Thinking the carry out bag looked light, they forgot to put the slaw in the bag. Open the bag at home and find they placed two of the same sauces in the bad instead of 2 different kinds, Yea I know, its the details, but they should get these right. 3 stars due to carryout oversight. Mac and Cheese was decent. The vinerag-y slaw is the kind I don't care for, but it was definately not as wet as our buddy Glenn H described. Shouldn't all BBQ joints offer a creamy slaw????
(3)Caitlin T.
I should come out and say, i wasn't MAD at this place. It wasn't bad! I just didn't like it enough to call myself a fan. Another disclosure: we went in 30 minutes before closing on a Sunday, so maybe that affected the food too. We got the BBQ sampler, it seemed like a good choice for our first time! Brisket and turkey were both very dry, but they were good for testing out the sauces (though the fact that this sampler comes with only one sauce is kinda bogus-- had to pay $.75 for each cup to try more than one type). --I wouldn't make the mistake of paying for multiple sauces again, either. The sweet, bold, and cherry apple all tasted way too similar for it to be worth it. I usually enjoy a white BBQ sauce but I wasn't impressed with theirs. I'd just get the Bold next time and call it a day I'm not a big ribs fan normally, and these were no exception. Tough and fatty-- I didn't even finish one. Pulled pork was good-- not at all fatty but still moist. Definitely worthwhile! Sausage was good, but cold? I don't know if it's supposed to be or if it just didn't stay warm on our drive home, but I had to nuke it after carrying out. Corn bread was corn bread. I like corn bread in general. I nuked this too because I always think corn break should be hot. The chicken was very good, nice and moist because it's smoked with the skin and it had really good flavor. The best thing (and I am SO biased here) were the burnt ends. I am a huge fan of burnt ends in general and these were no exception. If I were to come back, I'd skip everything else and just get the burnt ends dinner. Lesson learned! We picked collard greens and cole slaw as our sides, and also ordered a potato salad. The collard greens were great, the potato salad was mediocre. The mediocrity of the potato salad was especially disappointing, considering that they gave us two potato salads and forgot the cole slaw. Bummer. I probably won't be back, but I wouldn't advise anyone away. Just don't get your hopes up; I was shocked to see that this place had so many 5-star reviews based on the experience I had!
(3)Christine U.
Loved it! There is not much seating but we were able to get a table and dine in. The food was great! We had the sampler platter and the hog fries. We will definitely be back!
(5)Matthew R.
I wanted to try something a little different in this area, and was blown away by Little Z's. My girlfriend and I split a Triple Q (three types of meat, two sides). Burnt-Ends: These were seriously the best I've ever had. The girlfriend usually dislikes these because they're over-charred and fatty, but not at Little Z's. These were prepared perfectly, tasting like little bites of smoked steak rather than burnt cast-off pieces of beef. They went incredibly well with the Bold sauce as the little extra kick balanced the char flavor nicely. Chicken: The chicken was very good. While smoked, it was still very tender and moist, without being greasy. It went well with all of their sauces. In our sampler, we got a drummy and a half breast. Ribs: I was equally impressed by these. They were butchered perfectly, and tender enough that I could pull the bone right out of them without a knife. They were trimmed so that you didn't have the giant chunks of gristle masquerading as meat. The dry rub was good, without being overpowering or clashing with any of their sauces. Sauce: I tried all of their sauces (Bold, Honey Garlic, Asian, Cherry Apple, Sweet), and there wasn't one that I didn't like. My only complaint was that they were all pretty sweet and lacked spice, except for the Bold. Not to the point of tasting bad, but it would be nice to have a bit more variety on that end. Thankfully mixing in a bit of the Bold gave each sauce a nice kick without overpowering the unique flavors. At the girlfriend's suggestion, I mixed a bit of the Bold with the Cherry Apple. By far my favorite. It would be nice if they had a more vinegar-y Carolina style sauce, and some spicier options, but there wasn't one that I didn't like or wouldn't eat on any of the meats that we got. Portions: For two people, the TripleQ was quite good. We had enough meat (had a rib and a half to take home), and the two sides were sufficient (Mac-N-Cheese and Fries, both good). The cornbread was surprisingly good, but we should have followed our waitress's suggestion and gotten a second piece for the two of us. Still, for $20, it was enough food without being too much. Our waitress was great, polite, and fun. Now, inevitably any BBQ in southeast MI will get compared to Slow's. Honestly, Slow's Apple BBQ is still my favorite BBQ sauce, hands down. But the sides and meat preparation at Little Z's are definitely on par if not a little better, and the prices comparable. I'm totally coming back. Probably for lunch, as their lunch specials looked great and were all under $8.
(5)Jill M.
Love this place!! I definitely think it's the best BBQ in our area. Small, chill, and the whole staff was friendly. Even got a chance to shoot the shit with the owner for a minute, as we sat at the bar. Both my boyfriend and I had the pulled pork sandwich, as it is one of our fav dishes to order. Best ever! The meat was sooo moist and pink, and wonderful! Lots of good sauces to choose from. The baked mac n cheese was tasty, and the cornbread was amazing!! Officially our go to BBQ joint!
(5)Anna J.
Not the best- too many other better options around. Rub was very bland, meat tough, sides where meh. Hate to dis a local place, but they could do better.
(3)Ricky P.
This place was strange. There is very little seating. It's moderately priced.I had the pulled pork and I just wasn't impressed. I feel like if you need 42 flavored sauces, you don't have a good meal to start with. It was just, "Meh." There are other places I'd prefer to go for good BBQ.
(2)Ed C.
Meat is delicious and smoky. Prices are solid and the sauces are good. I'm only giving then a preliminary review, they've been open less than a week and it's not fair to judge quite yet, but lots of potential for greatness! Rumors of delivery soon, a few seats for dine in, give it a try!
(4)Glen H.
Really really good. The meat is very good, tender, smoky, flavorful, and the sauces are excellent. I LOVE the Alabama White. It's like ranch dressing with a vinegar base. Wonderful. Here's the strangest thing from the meal -- I ate every bit of the two sides. A cole slaw which was tangy, lots of vinegar, almost like eating pickled slaw. I really enjoyed it. The potato salad is redskin based, with a creamy dressing that includes plenty of mustard. The celery was crisp, and the consistency was excellent. Well done. Why no five stars? The mac and cheese was kind of disappointing. The flavor profile doesn't say mac and cheese, more creamy salt. That may be what you want, but it lacked cheese flavor. The little bit of cheddar melted on top didn't make the difference. Not the worst, not the best. I would definitely recommend this place. Get carryout if you can -- not too many tables in the place. Let's keep this place open!
(4)Keith N.
Great new BBQ place! Had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and they were tender and flavorful. My wife had the half chicken and she really enjoyed it. The Z's Bold BBQ sauce has got a nice kick to it. The sides were excellent, although the mac and cheese could have been a warmer (temperature wise). My wife and I both liked the red skin potato salad, and she is very particular about potato salad! There is limited seating, so plan on carry out or getting lucky.
(4)Michael S.
I tried the pu pu platter of the BBQ world today. It had all the smoked meats, pork and chicken on it. WOW was it tasty and smokey and delicious. The Mac and cheese and bbq beans are not bad either. I would highly recommend Little Z's to any BBQ fanatic. Michael Stoyka Grosse Pte Farms, MI
(5)Robin J.
well had hog fries!!!!! it was very interesting and good the flavor of the pulled pork was excellent, i liked all the sauces, they were very good we will be bak
(4)Steven M.
My first time eating here on a recommendation from a friend. I must say I am impressed. I was probably the first customer today order. My order consisted of the lunch time burnt ends with Mac and cheese. I'm not going to lie I was surprised how quickly that food came out. And no it definitely wasn't some reheated mess, this was definitely cooked up fresh. I was speaking with my waitress and she indicated the owner and his wife own this small shop and for 2 years they hadn't taken a vacation since they work opposite schedules in the shop. That right there doesn't scream workaholic, but a master and dedication to ones craft. Now onward to the food. Food was delicious, the burnt ends, with their bit of char paired with my favorite sauces of bold, honey garlic, and/or sweet bbq all add to the party going on in my mouth. The Mac and cheese was fantastic, hot and topped of with crumbs and baked with 5 different cheese inside. My goodness how creamy that Mac was. The cornbread, was a bit dryer to my taste, but it was sweet and tasty non the less. I have their takeout menu and this is a place to go. The owner knows his bbq, and let's not forget the sauces, good lord, so many to choose from. The firestein sauce, wow, if you want some heat, it hits hard and stays long. Mix it with the bold(few drops) and you have a potent combo. If you are in the area, I highly recommend this place. I went for lunch and can only imagine how busy they get for dinner.
(5)William J.
This place is cooking up legit BBQ. I had the burnt ends ans st loius style spare ribs, and there was a nice bark on the meat, with a subtle smoky flavor. I loved both. The ribs here have a flavor that reminds me a bit of Memphis style bbq. The rub they use is good... Really good. If your a fan of legit BBQ, this should be a place on your short list. Along with Lazybones, this is one of the handful of places in the area that offer real food, at a reasonable price.
(5)Theresa A.
Little Z's is one of my favorite spots to eat when I'm craving Barbecue that's close to home. I've tried most of the items on the menu and they are all tasty, but my favorite has to be the jumbo chicken wings, and that's because they make them just how I like them; smoked, then fried. It's best eaten hot and fresh when dining in, but I've ordered them through their delivery service as well. I love to dip them in all the different sauces they offer (I think they have 10 different varieties of sweet, tangy and spicy BBQ sauces and they are all great) I prefer these over B dubs, because of the simplicity of it all, and their wings are a lot bigger and not drowned in some sort of sauce or spice. Little Z's has some pretty good barbecue as well. I've not been disappointed in anything I've tried. The Carolina pulled pork dinner is nice big shreds of meat. Brisket is tasty and tender, Ribs are done well. I also enjoy their salads and sides. Hog fries comes to you in a huge mound of deliciousness (fries, chili, cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos and Z's sauce) and it's something that fills you up quick, so be warned, it's a great item to share. Whenever I dine in, the staff is always super friendly, and so are the delivery drivers. Speaking of delivery, a good tip is to check out their menu online and get your order straight before you call; they can be pretty busy for carry out. It's a quick process over the phone. I always feel like I'm on some sort of timed barbecue game show quiz and I'm afraid to fail. BE QUICK! The dude's always nice, though. littlezsbbq.com/menu
(4)Benjamin F.
We've had carry out and dined in here. Tonight we dined in. I had the Double Q dinner with burnt ends and pulled pork. My wife had a Cobb salad that was huge. The pulled pork was sweet and tender. This balanced by the smoke and crust on the burnt ends. Beautiful combination. We've also used Little Z's to cater a couple parties. Everyone loved it. Keep up the great work.
(5)Jessica K.
I had a craving for some nachos and BBQ and Little Z's had what I was looking for!!! I called in my order to go and my food was ready to when I arrived. The place is smaller than it looks from the outside so no huge groups. But I didn't stick around long to explore. Nacho chips topped with tangy sauce, cheese, jalepeños, caramelized onions, and your choice of chicken, pulled pork, or vegetarian (why?). I of course got pulled pork. Both of my cravings were satisfied! I can't wait to try the rest of the menu!
(4)Bob N.
Phew, since the waffle disaster I have been back about a couple dozen times and each time they have been spot on. The greens have been perfectly seasoned and the hog wings my go to meat here continue to impress. Service is always, always friendly and attentive and will continue to come in.
(5)John C.
Good BBQ at a fair price. Found this little gem with an online search in my area and I'm glad we gave it a shot because I'm sure we'll be eating carry out from this place more often. Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)Will E.
This is the type of barbecue that you see in the south - and no treat is better when there's a foot of snow on the ground outside. When we moved from Oklahoma City, I had been resigned to the fact that I may have just kissed good barbecue goodbye. And my suspicions were confirmed until I tried Little Z's. On my first visit I ordered the Detroit-Style Burnt Ends. The owner said some days he sells more of this than any other item. I took one bight and the was back in Oklahoma again. Perfectly smoked meat. A great array of sauces from Carolina Mustard to Z's Sweet Barbecue (my favorite). My barbecue was complemented by delicious snap peas, baked mac and cheese and cornbread. All of this for $12.75. It's a flavor-filled and filling meal at a reasonable price, and if you're used to good barbecue, Little Z's won't let you down.
(4)Diego A.
If you love meat, you love this place. The food makes disbelievers into the non-disbelievers screaming, "okay, just one more." Do it.
(5)Nick M.
I ate at Little Z's four days ago and I'm still full from the meal. This place isn't about bells and whistles or fancy scenery; its mission is to deliver top-notch BBQ at great prices with great portion. And man, does it deliver. It's a smaller place with limited tables and limited servers. Many people came in and grabbed carry out while I was there, so maybe that might be people's best bets. I should first mention that the place is BYOB. It slipped my mind because I knew that a while ago, but then I asked what kind of beer they had and put two and two together. So, bring your favorite beer or whiskey and enjoy yourself a little more. The food, though ...arguably the best BBQ I have had in a long, long time. I went to eat with my dad and we started with the hog fries. This is on the appetizer menu but could be enough for a meal for some people. It's basically fries smothered in chili and covered in jalapenos, cheese, tomatoes and pulled pork. It was amazing. The pulled pork/chili combo was out of this world. Definitely recommend. As for the meal, I ordered the Pick 2 option with brisket and ribs. Yep, that was a good idea. Actually, a great one. The food comes with two sides and cornbread, so I chose cole slaw and mac and cheese. The mac is very good, and I know people like to compare mac n cheese at different BBQ joints -- this mac was a little different but not in a bad way at all. The slaw was above average as well. But at the end of the day it's all about the meats, right? The brisket was cooked perfect ...so tender and went together great with the numerous sauces Little Z's has at your disposal. Want sweet and tangy brisket? You can. What about bold BBQ sauce? Yep. Even garlic-type sauce is there. The ribs are also really tender and fall off the bone. I finished my entire plate, somehow, even after all those hog fries. I thought I was going to explode at one point 30 minutes later haha. So worth it. This place is great and offers so many food options for such a small joint. Haven't eaten in 10 hours? Get the Pick 2 or Pick 3 combos. Want to stop in for lunch? Grab a pulled pork sandwich. Feeling fishy? Get the catfish filet. There is something for everyone. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Jen L.
Tasty bbq I liked the cornbread the collard greens were super delicious and the chicken was flavorful juicy and not dry. The only thing I did not care for was the mac and cheese it was a bit on the bland side and mushy. This is a pretty good spot for take out in the area especially if your craving bbq and prices are decent.
(4)Christina C.
Great BBQ. Portions are spot on, everything is fresh and delicious. Small little place so it might be better for carry out but we have never had anything but great service dining in. The garlic and the bold sauces are my favorite!
(5)Kruthika S.
I continue to be amazed with this place. I called last Sunday and didn't realize they close at 8 on Sundays and not at 9. I called about 10 minutes until closing and asked if it was ok to place an order for delivery. Ed, the owner, got on the phone and said "for my best yelp customer, of course". I would have completely understood if they said it was too late but they didn't. They went out of their way to accommodate and make their customer happy. I very much appreciate when places are customer friendly. I promise I'll never call that close to closing. And will continue to visit this place as often as my diet will allow :)
(5)Sara B.
My man and I went in with another couple for lunch and really weren't impressed. The place looks nice and updated, and is quaint with a smaller amount of seating. We ordered the Triple-Q with chicken, pulled pork, and brisket as our meats, collard greens and mac n cheese for our sides, and 1 piece of corn bread was included. First off on the quantity, we were expecting enough for 2 people seeing as the plate was $20, but the portions were small and really only enough for 1 hungry person, which makes this place pretty expensive. All of the meat was dry and barely lukewarm upon arriving at the table. This leads me to believe there is some microwaving going on in the kitchen instead of actual BBQ action. On to the sides, I thought the greens were pretty bitter and lacked the juicy flavor I've come to expect from them. The mac n cheese was drastically overcooked and was a big bowl of mush with questionable flavors. Finally, the corn bread (which is one of my favorite things ever) was dry yet greasy, and lacked any good flavor. All of the sauces they serve on the side were....ok, but not stellar. I'd say to skip this one.
(2)Lawanda P.
Fast service and friendly service. First time visit and sure to be a repeat offender lol.... Explained it was my first visit have no clue what sauce I want. With out a second thought the waiter passed me a spoon and said taste them all.
(5)David Z.
Had ribs with catfish and chicken tenders. Was freshly prepared and tasty. Fries were good as was Mac n cheese. I would definitely eat there again! The service was excellent. Very friendly hostess/server
(4)Chad G.
Went here to get my dose of protein. I ordered the combo rib and chicken. I am from the south born and raised so I am naturally a BBQ expert from the womb. The service was ok. You can tell its a local spot like the kind of place people all know one another. I am not a local so I didn't have that local welcome like I saw others get. Honestly have no problem with that. The food to me... it had no taste. The meat was very bland. They smoke most of the meat and I am not sure why the flavor lacked. A plus was the sides. The collards were good and the squash and zucchini were excellent. The muffin or cornbread biscuit was unique. It had a hard shell and was very tasty. I like to smell the BBQ before eating it because you can smell the flavors. The aroma was not good to me. The sauce on the table was pretty good, but the meat should stand by itself without sauce. I had to use sauce.
(2)Frank P.
These guys need to go big time. They need a bigger place. Their BBQ isn't World Class it's Texas Class. To use a baseball analogy, they make Slows look like the minor leagues! There are no holes in the lineup, from the "fall off the bone" ribs to the brisket, and everything in between. Homerun!!
(5)Benjamin C.
Amazing food, good service. The beef tips and grilled chicken tenders are great. There can be a wait, but usually never longer than 15 minutes.
(5)Matthew S.
Had a carry out order of St. Louis Ribs, Mac & Cheese and Baked beans. Ribs were excellent. Well cooked and very tasty. Had the Honey Garlic Sauce which was an excellent compliment to the ribs. Mac & Cheese was average. Nothing special. Baked Beans - for some reason I got mash potatoes and gravy which was OK, just not the baked beans that I had actually ordered. Would I go back? For the ribs, definitely... they were pretty wonderful.
(4)Deena A.
Their mac and cheese is even better than Slow's! And their sauces were delicious. I went there once on a whim with some friends, and we have not stopped talking about their food since then. We also loved the cozy atmosphere, definitely making our way back soon!
(5)Kelly A.
Had this at a gathering, so I can't speak on the staff or inside. I tried a little bit of the each meat in the sampler ; I found some meats better than others. The chicken was really good.The sauces were also pretty good. Some of the meats were dry, and that's when the sauce came in handy:) Hope the location works for them, as that building has been many things over the years.. I think the sign isn't something that is going to draw people in. It is a bit tacky.
(3)Jessica P.
Being from Texas, we have a different take on BBQ than others. With that being said, the food was pretty good. The turkey sandwich with apples & Mihigsn cherries was fantastic. The kids slider hamburger & Mac n cheese was enough for the kids. The Texas brisket was a bit dry and didn't have the smoke flavor we are used to but it wasn't horrible. The beans were fantastic though as was the customer service. Next time we are in town, we will probably give it another go.
(4)Carlos P.
Great service, excellent food, friendly staff. I definitely recommend this to all. I love the chicken and waffles and burnt ends! Also they have a nice selection of sauces for you to choose from, I would recommend the Zs bold with the burnt ends.
(5)Amanda M.
Food is amazing here! Nothing bad on the menu! Would easily recommend this place if you love bbq food.
(5)Ernesto V.
Decent place... Not the best meat or sauces but savory and satisfying :) the collard greens are quite good !
(2)Blake W.
I would highly recommend BBQ lovers to try this place. They are a traditional style BBQ with great sauce options. I had a family dinner and ordered a big meal with different meats and they were all good.
(4)Gordon J.
Pulled pork was great! Liked the variety of sauces to try at the table. Mac and cheese was homemade and we will be back for more. Good Job lil z!
(4)ROSA Y.
Had the 1/2 chicken and 1/2 slab of rib combo for carry out dinner. Must have been a very small chicken...one with only a breast and a leg! Both the chicken and the ribs were dry and not very smokey. Did the sauce come out of a jar from Krogers? Sides of mac and cheese and potato salad. The mac and cheese was good. The potato salad was dry and lacked seasoning, especially salt...would be great for someone on a bland diet! Cornbread muffin was yummy. Once again an east side eatery fails to impress. Sorry folks, but there's much better bbq to be had. It looks like we are still doing our own bbq at our house...sigh.
(2)Stephanie M.
Small little gem in my back yard. My hubby and I love bbq. We have travel for good smoked meats. We found friendly knowledgeable service. Our server explained that everything was made from scratch, so most of the menu is gluten free. The owner came by to talk to us, what a cool guy. He said he was well aware of how to make allergy free meals. We defiantly
(5)Amy W.
While I've never actually been inside the establishment, I can assure you that the food is spectacular. I know it's a BBQ/pork joint, but their meatloaf dinner is TO DIE FOR. Their sandwiches are glorious, and you definitely get a ton of food for your money. Perfect for those nights when you're too lazy to cook, but want a delicious, home-style meal.
(5)Ashley G.
DE-LICIOUS! Just ordered for the first time and can't wait to order again. Tried the ribs... Pretty sure angels made them. Since it was my first order, she sent along 3 sauces - all delicious but the ribs didn't need a thing.
(5)Tiffany M.
I was so impressed with the food I tried the sampler w baked beans and mac and cheese with a corn muffin on the side. I love that they deliver and they go far! I have a hard time getting places to deliver to me because most dont deliver to Detroit side. They didn't even question it! It was no problem to her at all. Thank You piggy Z's ill be back for more!
(5)Brandon G.
Food is very good. The burnt ends are by far the best in area. The fries are even great. The delivery is fast and friendly. Really like having this place nearby.
(5)Matthew D.
I have never started a review with a side dish, but if there was a ever a reason to do it this is the time. The baked beans at Little Z's are like taking a bite of a campfire. It was quite simply the best smoky bite I have ever taken of anything ever. That aside, (pun intended), this is the best BBQ in the state of Michigan. I have lived in and traveled to some amazing BBQ areas of country, from Lockhart, TX to Memphis, TN to the Carolina's. I have always appreciated the regional flair of each area, but this was the best combination of the best of each area coupled with a Michigan flair. We started with the Hog fries which were amazing: house cut fries, chili, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, topped with Z's sauce. We had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and the Carolina Pulled Pork. I had never head of the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and while I liked them as a taste, I don't recommend them for one the main meats, it was just too heavy for my taste, but to see an unique Michigan addition to the US BBQ lexicon was worth it. The service was amazing. When we let them know we were visiting for the first time and had some questions, the gentleman that greeted said he loved questions, sat down next to us and had a great conversation with us. You could feel the passion he had for what he did, he took his time with us and set the mood for what was a great meal. The Recap: The Good: Everything we had was top notch. The Hog Fries, the BBQ, the mac 'n' cheese and the sauces cover every regional area of the country. Do not pass on the Alabama White sauce, the only other place I have ever come across it is the panhandle of Florida and although you don't want a plate full of it, it is a fantastic vinegar based change of pace to incorporate into your meal. The service was great, prompt, friendly and informative. The Bad: The decor wasn't bad and the best BBQ places seem to be glorified shacks in other parts of the country, but it does feel a little generic. A very minor, minor thing but I feel like if I don't find something you are going to think the owner wrote this. :) The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Traveling Wilbury's. A perfect combination of a wide array of talents that has created something new and wonderful.
(5)Hazen R.
We have gotten take out from here twice and both times we were wowed! I can only imagine how good it would be if we ate in. I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but my husband suggested we try it. Despite how good I'm sure the BBQ is, we had the meatloaf and it was some of the best I've ever tasted. Their pulled pork is moist and not too fatty. Delicious sides and many different sauces for people who have varied tastes. Fantastic!!
(5)Renata C.
Hubband and I love to take friends here. Dine in, order the sampler, and split it 4 ways so you can eat delicious smoked meats while enjoying all the amazing sauces. Carry out will work too, but it's just not as much fun as using those squirty bottles like you are some kind of scientist, figuring out which sauce goes best with which meat. All the sides are amazing too (like, who knew I'd have the best fries ever here?) and even the cornbread isn't an afterthought. Eat it all, because it's all good.
(5)Ken L.
Since our favorite rib joint closed we've been looking for some good ribs. We saw this place on yelp a few months ago and just tried it yesterday. Upon arrival, the place was really small but inviting. Nothing fancy but clean and the waitress was friendly. Being a Wednesday they have buy one rib dinner get one half off, perfect! This is on Tuesday and Wednesdays BTW. So first, the ribs. While other "rib joints" like to add what seems to us to be 5 times the amount of smoke needed (cough RUB BBQ), these ribs had in my opinion the exact amount needed! Not too little and not overpowering either. We're not huge fans of dry rub ribs whatsoever but these weren't too bad. I'm also not a fan of fall off the bone ribs. These were bordering on that and before a few minutes the owner came from the back asking how we liked them and apologized for them being too tender, they were just removed from the smoker. That's good to hear, I like working on the bone not eating ribs with a fork. We'll have to try them again and hopefully get some bones that aren't so tender. We tried all the sauces but the best two for us were the sweet and the apple. The hot sauce was missing something which was a bummer, I like spicy. For sides, you get two with your dinner... We had the cole slaw, the mac n cheese and the redskin potato salad. The cole slaw we'll pass on next time, it was really bitter tasting. The redskin potato salad we both enjoyed. I've read people saying it was bland, I beg to differ. It had really good flavor and not salty, yes but you can add that to taste. The mac n cheese to us was really good also, not over cheesy compared to other rib joints and we didn't think it was "mushy" as other reviews have stated. The cornbread that's served with dinner was exactly as others have said. While it tasted great it was very greasy yet very dry! It was strange combination to say the least. Bottom line, it's not our perfect rib but compared to RUB, Bad Brads and a few other BBQ establishments this place to us was superior to most. We're definitely going to be back! Hopefully we get those ribs a little less tender this time!
(4)Joe J.
See the guy in the first picture, he's the one cooking the food. I like that. When I search for places to eat I want something unique, something one person put his best into. That's why I like Little Z's, its genuine BBQ, made by a chief. So you can see I have been a few times. First off, order yourself a hog wing, its a smoked fried pork shank, delicious and unique. I haven't tried everything, but the hog wings are one of the best things on the menu. The sauces are all very good, if you want something really hot, ask for the fire stein, I mix it into the other sauces to add some heat. The rib rips are good, the quality seems to change on these every time we order them, sometimes are better then others. I have ordered the large sampler plate once and found everything good, I think it had turkey or chicken, didnt really care for that. But the brisket, pork and sausage all tasted good. The other day I had the pork sliders, they are good, a tad dry and a tad mushy, not bad, just sort of middle of the road with the pork. For 4.95, with fries its 10 times better then anything you could find at a fast food joint. Overall, its a good place, the food is good and sides always seem fresh. Little Z's is a must try and if you do get a Hog Wing.
(4)Brian V.
Grabbed a carry-out lunch today. I'm a huge fan and aficionado of BBQ and I'm sad to say I was not that impressed despite wanting to be after hearing good things about this place. The server was rather gruff and aloof and gave the appearance of being too busy the whole time while not seeming doing all that much. While I waited about 5 minutes for my meal, the smells were wonderful and things were put together to order, not sitting on a heat rack. I ordered the beef brisket, one of my favorites and one of the hardest types of meat to BBQ well. It was a quality cut of brisket and very nicely cooked with great texture, but unfortunately no flavor at all despite some sort of red powder sprinkled on top. How do you smoke meat and end up with no flavor? The mac n cheese was a pile of unremarkable mush. The entire outside of the cornbread was completely drenched in butter, yuck! The sauce provided, marked with an S on the top, tasted like someone's attempt to dress up ketchup and was completely unremarkable and gross. If you are looking for quality meat that is smoked and cooked to the proper texture, Little Z can do that, but otherwise I wasn't impressed.
(3)Terry L.
Shared chicken and rib combo. Came with 2 sides, we got baked beans and coleslaw. Everything was great. More than we could finish.
(5)Barbie M.
thank you little z's for being close to home and making me dream of mac and cheese! this place is legit! my fiance and i have the rib and chicken combo with 2 sides. mac and cheese and the home fries! it was the kind of first bite where your eyes pop open and the person your with gets excited because they know by the look of pure pleasure on your face that they soon will be happy too! so if you are looking to sit down and stuff your face you may not have a seat because this place lacks tables but makes up for it 10 fold in service and quality!! you will be greeted with a big smile and a welcome hello and treated like you are family! if you cant find a seat get a carry out but drive home fast because im pretty sure you will not be able to resist the temptation of eating it in the car and that could be bad!! go to little z's try everything! make sure you dont have plans after because you are going to be a happy stuffed piggy after and ready for a nap!! just go!!
(5)Maggie H.
We went to Little Z's on a Saturday after a volunteer event after a stellar recommendation from a fellow Yelper. I was so excited to try a new BBQ joint, especially when my friend pitted Little Z's against my favorite BBQ in Metro-D. It pains me to say that Little Z's did not live up to expectations, however let me start with what I liked. The pork by itself had a lot of really good flavor. If you are not a "dressings" person you will really enjoy the pork. Second, the baked beans were full of flavor and both sweet and savory. Now, onto the flip side. I happen to be one of those people who really likes to dress my pork. Give me multiple sauces to try and some coleslaw to slather my pork in and I am a happy carnivore. The coleslaw at Little Z's was too heavy on the vinegar rather than creamy. Though I appreciated eating it by itself, when eating BBQ, a creamy coleslaw is necessary to put on the pork to balance hot sauce. Second, the hot sauces did not wow me. There wasn't one that was spicy enough to satisfy. Finally, the macaroni and cheese was way overdone. It came out like a big blob of mush because the noodles were overcooked. Regrettably, we may have hit Little Z's on a bad day/time, especially considering the other reviews I have read and my friends shock at our experience. However, there is too much good BBQ in metro to overlook the major gaps we had at Little Z's.
(2)Ujon C.
BBQ are delicious and different flavors of sauce is plus alpha! I found staff are also friendly. We had shreded pork and brisket with 2 sides for each dish, pork was really delicious. But I think brisket could've been better. Hope there is more salad type vege selection on side. I tried super spicy chicken wing(2 pieces) and it was painfully spicy but not much of taste.
(4)Meg K.
I don't love smoked meat, but I was wowed by the dinner I had tonight at this new little BBQ joint. Whatever spices are in their rub, it's a wonderful fragrant blend that develops a crisp exterior and a moist and tender, tasty inside with a subtle smoke. We ordered the sampler, which includes 8 different kinds of meat. I wasn't a fan of the spices in the sausage, but it was cooked just right. The other meats: pulled pork, brisket, hog wings (amazing), chicken, etc. were big on flavor and low on fat. Hand cut salty fries, crispy and tender. Steaming hot baked mac&cheese, creamy buttery goodness topped with toasted bread crumbs. My son's Po' Boy sandwich was just okay; slightly overcooked and we didn't care for the sauce. Cornbread somewhat dry. The very fresh, crunchy slaw was too tangy for me - competes with instead of complements the (yummy) sauces. But who cares? This place is new and still working out the kinks. Everything else had well developed flavors, cooked perfectly, and if they keep pumping out great food we'll be regulars. We received stellar service! It's a tiny space (they take reservations and probably shouldn't b/c it ties up tables) so be prepared to wait for a table or get take out; they offer delivery. Generous portions, priced right.
(5)Nick B.
Screw Slows. This is much closer to home, easier to park, and just as good if not better in my opinion. You might drive by here a lot and not think to step inside, big mistake, this place is a hidden gem. Great BBQ sauces, amazing ribs, great corn bread and greens, awesome brisket, and unbeatable prices. Go for lunch, you can't beat it! I've made my mouth water.
(5)Brian V.
Grabbed a carry-out lunch today. I'm a huge fan and aficionado of BBQ and I'm sad to say I was not that impressed despite wanting to be after hearing good things about this place. The server was rather gruff and aloof and gave the appearance of being too busy the whole time while not seeming doing all that much. While I waited about 5 minutes for my meal, the smells were wonderful and things were put together to order, not sitting on a heat rack. I ordered the beef brisket, one of my favorites and one of the hardest types of meat to BBQ well. It was a quality cut of brisket and very nicely cooked with great texture, but unfortunately no flavor at all despite some sort of red powder sprinkled on top. How do you smoke meat and end up with no flavor? The mac n cheese was a pile of unremarkable mush. The entire outside of the cornbread was completely drenched in butter, yuck! The sauce provided, marked with an S on the top, tasted like someone's attempt to dress up ketchup and was completely unremarkable and gross. If you are looking for quality meat that is smoked and cooked to the proper texture, Little Z can do that, but otherwise I wasn't impressed.
(3)Terry L.
Shared chicken and rib combo. Came with 2 sides, we got baked beans and coleslaw. Everything was great. More than we could finish.
(5)Benjamin F.
We've had carry out and dined in here. Tonight we dined in. I had the Double Q dinner with burnt ends and pulled pork. My wife had a Cobb salad that was huge. The pulled pork was sweet and tender. This balanced by the smoke and crust on the burnt ends. Beautiful combination. We've also used Little Z's to cater a couple parties. Everyone loved it. Keep up the great work.
(5)Nick M.
I ate at Little Z's four days ago and I'm still full from the meal. This place isn't about bells and whistles or fancy scenery; its mission is to deliver top-notch BBQ at great prices with great portion. And man, does it deliver. It's a smaller place with limited tables and limited servers. Many people came in and grabbed carry out while I was there, so maybe that might be people's best bets. I should first mention that the place is BYOB. It slipped my mind because I knew that a while ago, but then I asked what kind of beer they had and put two and two together. So, bring your favorite beer or whiskey and enjoy yourself a little more. The food, though ...arguably the best BBQ I have had in a long, long time. I went to eat with my dad and we started with the hog fries. This is on the appetizer menu but could be enough for a meal for some people. It's basically fries smothered in chili and covered in jalapenos, cheese, tomatoes and pulled pork. It was amazing. The pulled pork/chili combo was out of this world. Definitely recommend. As for the meal, I ordered the Pick 2 option with brisket and ribs. Yep, that was a good idea. Actually, a great one. The food comes with two sides and cornbread, so I chose cole slaw and mac and cheese. The mac is very good, and I know people like to compare mac n cheese at different BBQ joints -- this mac was a little different but not in a bad way at all. The slaw was above average as well. But at the end of the day it's all about the meats, right? The brisket was cooked perfect ...so tender and went together great with the numerous sauces Little Z's has at your disposal. Want sweet and tangy brisket? You can. What about bold BBQ sauce? Yep. Even garlic-type sauce is there. The ribs are also really tender and fall off the bone. I finished my entire plate, somehow, even after all those hog fries. I thought I was going to explode at one point 30 minutes later haha. So worth it. This place is great and offers so many food options for such a small joint. Haven't eaten in 10 hours? Get the Pick 2 or Pick 3 combos. Want to stop in for lunch? Grab a pulled pork sandwich. Feeling fishy? Get the catfish filet. There is something for everyone. Can't wait to go back!!
(5)Jen L.
Tasty bbq I liked the cornbread the collard greens were super delicious and the chicken was flavorful juicy and not dry. The only thing I did not care for was the mac and cheese it was a bit on the bland side and mushy. This is a pretty good spot for take out in the area especially if your craving bbq and prices are decent.
(4)William J.
This place is cooking up legit BBQ. I had the burnt ends ans st loius style spare ribs, and there was a nice bark on the meat, with a subtle smoky flavor. I loved both. The ribs here have a flavor that reminds me a bit of Memphis style bbq. The rub they use is good... Really good. If your a fan of legit BBQ, this should be a place on your short list. Along with Lazybones, this is one of the handful of places in the area that offer real food, at a reasonable price.
(5)Theresa A.
Little Z's is one of my favorite spots to eat when I'm craving Barbecue that's close to home. I've tried most of the items on the menu and they are all tasty, but my favorite has to be the jumbo chicken wings, and that's because they make them just how I like them; smoked, then fried. It's best eaten hot and fresh when dining in, but I've ordered them through their delivery service as well. I love to dip them in all the different sauces they offer (I think they have 10 different varieties of sweet, tangy and spicy BBQ sauces and they are all great) I prefer these over B dubs, because of the simplicity of it all, and their wings are a lot bigger and not drowned in some sort of sauce or spice. Little Z's has some pretty good barbecue as well. I've not been disappointed in anything I've tried. The Carolina pulled pork dinner is nice big shreds of meat. Brisket is tasty and tender, Ribs are done well. I also enjoy their salads and sides. Hog fries comes to you in a huge mound of deliciousness (fries, chili, cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos and Z's sauce) and it's something that fills you up quick, so be warned, it's a great item to share. Whenever I dine in, the staff is always super friendly, and so are the delivery drivers. Speaking of delivery, a good tip is to check out their menu online and get your order straight before you call; they can be pretty busy for carry out. It's a quick process over the phone. I always feel like I'm on some sort of timed barbecue game show quiz and I'm afraid to fail. BE QUICK! The dude's always nice, though. littlezsbbq.com/menu
(4)Kruthika S.
I continue to be amazed with this place. I called last Sunday and didn't realize they close at 8 on Sundays and not at 9. I called about 10 minutes until closing and asked if it was ok to place an order for delivery. Ed, the owner, got on the phone and said "for my best yelp customer, of course". I would have completely understood if they said it was too late but they didn't. They went out of their way to accommodate and make their customer happy. I very much appreciate when places are customer friendly. I promise I'll never call that close to closing. And will continue to visit this place as often as my diet will allow :)
(5)Robin J.
well had hog fries!!!!! it was very interesting and good the flavor of the pulled pork was excellent, i liked all the sauces, they were very good we will be bak
(4)Christina C.
Great BBQ. Portions are spot on, everything is fresh and delicious. Small little place so it might be better for carry out but we have never had anything but great service dining in. The garlic and the bold sauces are my favorite!
(5)Jessica K.
I had a craving for some nachos and BBQ and Little Z's had what I was looking for!!! I called in my order to go and my food was ready to when I arrived. The place is smaller than it looks from the outside so no huge groups. But I didn't stick around long to explore. Nacho chips topped with tangy sauce, cheese, jalepeños, caramelized onions, and your choice of chicken, pulled pork, or vegetarian (why?). I of course got pulled pork. Both of my cravings were satisfied! I can't wait to try the rest of the menu!
(4)Bob N.
Phew, since the waffle disaster I have been back about a couple dozen times and each time they have been spot on. The greens have been perfectly seasoned and the hog wings my go to meat here continue to impress. Service is always, always friendly and attentive and will continue to come in.
(5)John C.
Good BBQ at a fair price. Found this little gem with an online search in my area and I'm glad we gave it a shot because I'm sure we'll be eating carry out from this place more often. Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)Will E.
This is the type of barbecue that you see in the south - and no treat is better when there's a foot of snow on the ground outside. When we moved from Oklahoma City, I had been resigned to the fact that I may have just kissed good barbecue goodbye. And my suspicions were confirmed until I tried Little Z's. On my first visit I ordered the Detroit-Style Burnt Ends. The owner said some days he sells more of this than any other item. I took one bight and the was back in Oklahoma again. Perfectly smoked meat. A great array of sauces from Carolina Mustard to Z's Sweet Barbecue (my favorite). My barbecue was complemented by delicious snap peas, baked mac and cheese and cornbread. All of this for $12.75. It's a flavor-filled and filling meal at a reasonable price, and if you're used to good barbecue, Little Z's won't let you down.
(4)Matthew S.
Had a carry out order of St. Louis Ribs, Mac & Cheese and Baked beans. Ribs were excellent. Well cooked and very tasty. Had the Honey Garlic Sauce which was an excellent compliment to the ribs. Mac & Cheese was average. Nothing special. Baked Beans - for some reason I got mash potatoes and gravy which was OK, just not the baked beans that I had actually ordered. Would I go back? For the ribs, definitely... they were pretty wonderful.
(4)Deena A.
Their mac and cheese is even better than Slow's! And their sauces were delicious. I went there once on a whim with some friends, and we have not stopped talking about their food since then. We also loved the cozy atmosphere, definitely making our way back soon!
(5)Sara B.
My man and I went in with another couple for lunch and really weren't impressed. The place looks nice and updated, and is quaint with a smaller amount of seating. We ordered the Triple-Q with chicken, pulled pork, and brisket as our meats, collard greens and mac n cheese for our sides, and 1 piece of corn bread was included. First off on the quantity, we were expecting enough for 2 people seeing as the plate was $20, but the portions were small and really only enough for 1 hungry person, which makes this place pretty expensive. All of the meat was dry and barely lukewarm upon arriving at the table. This leads me to believe there is some microwaving going on in the kitchen instead of actual BBQ action. On to the sides, I thought the greens were pretty bitter and lacked the juicy flavor I've come to expect from them. The mac n cheese was drastically overcooked and was a big bowl of mush with questionable flavors. Finally, the corn bread (which is one of my favorite things ever) was dry yet greasy, and lacked any good flavor. All of the sauces they serve on the side were....ok, but not stellar. I'd say to skip this one.
(2)Lawanda P.
Fast service and friendly service. First time visit and sure to be a repeat offender lol.... Explained it was my first visit have no clue what sauce I want. With out a second thought the waiter passed me a spoon and said taste them all.
(5)David Z.
Had ribs with catfish and chicken tenders. Was freshly prepared and tasty. Fries were good as was Mac n cheese. I would definitely eat there again! The service was excellent. Very friendly hostess/server
(4)Chad G.
Went here to get my dose of protein. I ordered the combo rib and chicken. I am from the south born and raised so I am naturally a BBQ expert from the womb. The service was ok. You can tell its a local spot like the kind of place people all know one another. I am not a local so I didn't have that local welcome like I saw others get. Honestly have no problem with that. The food to me... it had no taste. The meat was very bland. They smoke most of the meat and I am not sure why the flavor lacked. A plus was the sides. The collards were good and the squash and zucchini were excellent. The muffin or cornbread biscuit was unique. It had a hard shell and was very tasty. I like to smell the BBQ before eating it because you can smell the flavors. The aroma was not good to me. The sauce on the table was pretty good, but the meat should stand by itself without sauce. I had to use sauce.
(2)Diego A.
If you love meat, you love this place. The food makes disbelievers into the non-disbelievers screaming, "okay, just one more." Do it.
(5)Frank P.
These guys need to go big time. They need a bigger place. Their BBQ isn't World Class it's Texas Class. To use a baseball analogy, they make Slows look like the minor leagues! There are no holes in the lineup, from the "fall off the bone" ribs to the brisket, and everything in between. Homerun!!
(5)Benjamin C.
Amazing food, good service. The beef tips and grilled chicken tenders are great. There can be a wait, but usually never longer than 15 minutes.
(5)Kelly A.
Had this at a gathering, so I can't speak on the staff or inside. I tried a little bit of the each meat in the sampler ; I found some meats better than others. The chicken was really good.The sauces were also pretty good. Some of the meats were dry, and that's when the sauce came in handy:) Hope the location works for them, as that building has been many things over the years.. I think the sign isn't something that is going to draw people in. It is a bit tacky.
(3)Jessica P.
Being from Texas, we have a different take on BBQ than others. With that being said, the food was pretty good. The turkey sandwich with apples & Mihigsn cherries was fantastic. The kids slider hamburger & Mac n cheese was enough for the kids. The Texas brisket was a bit dry and didn't have the smoke flavor we are used to but it wasn't horrible. The beans were fantastic though as was the customer service. Next time we are in town, we will probably give it another go.
(4)Amanda M.
Food is amazing here! Nothing bad on the menu! Would easily recommend this place if you love bbq food.
(5)Carlos P.
Great service, excellent food, friendly staff. I definitely recommend this to all. I love the chicken and waffles and burnt ends! Also they have a nice selection of sauces for you to choose from, I would recommend the Zs bold with the burnt ends.
(5)Ernesto V.
Decent place... Not the best meat or sauces but savory and satisfying :) the collard greens are quite good !
(2)Blake W.
I would highly recommend BBQ lovers to try this place. They are a traditional style BBQ with great sauce options. I had a family dinner and ordered a big meal with different meats and they were all good.
(4)Gordon J.
Pulled pork was great! Liked the variety of sauces to try at the table. Mac and cheese was homemade and we will be back for more. Good Job lil z!
(4)ROSA Y.
Had the 1/2 chicken and 1/2 slab of rib combo for carry out dinner. Must have been a very small chicken...one with only a breast and a leg! Both the chicken and the ribs were dry and not very smokey. Did the sauce come out of a jar from Krogers? Sides of mac and cheese and potato salad. The mac and cheese was good. The potato salad was dry and lacked seasoning, especially salt...would be great for someone on a bland diet! Cornbread muffin was yummy. Once again an east side eatery fails to impress. Sorry folks, but there's much better bbq to be had. It looks like we are still doing our own bbq at our house...sigh.
(2)Stephanie M.
Small little gem in my back yard. My hubby and I love bbq. We have travel for good smoked meats. We found friendly knowledgeable service. Our server explained that everything was made from scratch, so most of the menu is gluten free. The owner came by to talk to us, what a cool guy. He said he was well aware of how to make allergy free meals. We defiantly
(5)Amy W.
While I've never actually been inside the establishment, I can assure you that the food is spectacular. I know it's a BBQ/pork joint, but their meatloaf dinner is TO DIE FOR. Their sandwiches are glorious, and you definitely get a ton of food for your money. Perfect for those nights when you're too lazy to cook, but want a delicious, home-style meal.
(5)Ashley G.
DE-LICIOUS! Just ordered for the first time and can't wait to order again. Tried the ribs... Pretty sure angels made them. Since it was my first order, she sent along 3 sauces - all delicious but the ribs didn't need a thing.
(5)Brandon G.
Food is very good. The burnt ends are by far the best in area. The fries are even great. The delivery is fast and friendly. Really like having this place nearby.
(5)Tiffany M.
I was so impressed with the food I tried the sampler w baked beans and mac and cheese with a corn muffin on the side. I love that they deliver and they go far! I have a hard time getting places to deliver to me because most dont deliver to Detroit side. They didn't even question it! It was no problem to her at all. Thank You piggy Z's ill be back for more!
(5)Renata C.
Hubband and I love to take friends here. Dine in, order the sampler, and split it 4 ways so you can eat delicious smoked meats while enjoying all the amazing sauces. Carry out will work too, but it's just not as much fun as using those squirty bottles like you are some kind of scientist, figuring out which sauce goes best with which meat. All the sides are amazing too (like, who knew I'd have the best fries ever here?) and even the cornbread isn't an afterthought. Eat it all, because it's all good.
(5)Ed C.
Meat is delicious and smoky. Prices are solid and the sauces are good. I'm only giving then a preliminary review, they've been open less than a week and it's not fair to judge quite yet, but lots of potential for greatness! Rumors of delivery soon, a few seats for dine in, give it a try!
(4)Matthew D.
I have never started a review with a side dish, but if there was a ever a reason to do it this is the time. The baked beans at Little Z's are like taking a bite of a campfire. It was quite simply the best smoky bite I have ever taken of anything ever. That aside, (pun intended), this is the best BBQ in the state of Michigan. I have lived in and traveled to some amazing BBQ areas of country, from Lockhart, TX to Memphis, TN to the Carolina's. I have always appreciated the regional flair of each area, but this was the best combination of the best of each area coupled with a Michigan flair. We started with the Hog fries which were amazing: house cut fries, chili, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, topped with Z's sauce. We had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and the Carolina Pulled Pork. I had never head of the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and while I liked them as a taste, I don't recommend them for one the main meats, it was just too heavy for my taste, but to see an unique Michigan addition to the US BBQ lexicon was worth it. The service was amazing. When we let them know we were visiting for the first time and had some questions, the gentleman that greeted said he loved questions, sat down next to us and had a great conversation with us. You could feel the passion he had for what he did, he took his time with us and set the mood for what was a great meal. The Recap: The Good: Everything we had was top notch. The Hog Fries, the BBQ, the mac 'n' cheese and the sauces cover every regional area of the country. Do not pass on the Alabama White sauce, the only other place I have ever come across it is the panhandle of Florida and although you don't want a plate full of it, it is a fantastic vinegar based change of pace to incorporate into your meal. The service was great, prompt, friendly and informative. The Bad: The decor wasn't bad and the best BBQ places seem to be glorified shacks in other parts of the country, but it does feel a little generic. A very minor, minor thing but I feel like if I don't find something you are going to think the owner wrote this. :) The Band This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Traveling Wilbury's. A perfect combination of a wide array of talents that has created something new and wonderful.
(5)Hazen R.
We have gotten take out from here twice and both times we were wowed! I can only imagine how good it would be if we ate in. I'm not a huge BBQ fan, but my husband suggested we try it. Despite how good I'm sure the BBQ is, we had the meatloaf and it was some of the best I've ever tasted. Their pulled pork is moist and not too fatty. Delicious sides and many different sauces for people who have varied tastes. Fantastic!!
(5)Ken L.
Since our favorite rib joint closed we've been looking for some good ribs. We saw this place on yelp a few months ago and just tried it yesterday. Upon arrival, the place was really small but inviting. Nothing fancy but clean and the waitress was friendly. Being a Wednesday they have buy one rib dinner get one half off, perfect! This is on Tuesday and Wednesdays BTW. So first, the ribs. While other "rib joints" like to add what seems to us to be 5 times the amount of smoke needed (cough RUB BBQ), these ribs had in my opinion the exact amount needed! Not too little and not overpowering either. We're not huge fans of dry rub ribs whatsoever but these weren't too bad. I'm also not a fan of fall off the bone ribs. These were bordering on that and before a few minutes the owner came from the back asking how we liked them and apologized for them being too tender, they were just removed from the smoker. That's good to hear, I like working on the bone not eating ribs with a fork. We'll have to try them again and hopefully get some bones that aren't so tender. We tried all the sauces but the best two for us were the sweet and the apple. The hot sauce was missing something which was a bummer, I like spicy. For sides, you get two with your dinner... We had the cole slaw, the mac n cheese and the redskin potato salad. The cole slaw we'll pass on next time, it was really bitter tasting. The redskin potato salad we both enjoyed. I've read people saying it was bland, I beg to differ. It had really good flavor and not salty, yes but you can add that to taste. The mac n cheese to us was really good also, not over cheesy compared to other rib joints and we didn't think it was "mushy" as other reviews have stated. The cornbread that's served with dinner was exactly as others have said. While it tasted great it was very greasy yet very dry! It was strange combination to say the least. Bottom line, it's not our perfect rib but compared to RUB, Bad Brads and a few other BBQ establishments this place to us was superior to most. We're definitely going to be back! Hopefully we get those ribs a little less tender this time!
(4)Joe J.
See the guy in the first picture, he's the one cooking the food. I like that. When I search for places to eat I want something unique, something one person put his best into. That's why I like Little Z's, its genuine BBQ, made by a chief. So you can see I have been a few times. First off, order yourself a hog wing, its a smoked fried pork shank, delicious and unique. I haven't tried everything, but the hog wings are one of the best things on the menu. The sauces are all very good, if you want something really hot, ask for the fire stein, I mix it into the other sauces to add some heat. The rib rips are good, the quality seems to change on these every time we order them, sometimes are better then others. I have ordered the large sampler plate once and found everything good, I think it had turkey or chicken, didnt really care for that. But the brisket, pork and sausage all tasted good. The other day I had the pork sliders, they are good, a tad dry and a tad mushy, not bad, just sort of middle of the road with the pork. For 4.95, with fries its 10 times better then anything you could find at a fast food joint. Overall, its a good place, the food is good and sides always seem fresh. Little Z's is a must try and if you do get a Hog Wing.
(4)Ujon C.
BBQ are delicious and different flavors of sauce is plus alpha! I found staff are also friendly. We had shreded pork and brisket with 2 sides for each dish, pork was really delicious. But I think brisket could've been better. Hope there is more salad type vege selection on side. I tried super spicy chicken wing(2 pieces) and it was painfully spicy but not much of taste.
(4)Matthew R.
I wanted to try something a little different in this area, and was blown away by Little Z's. My girlfriend and I split a Triple Q (three types of meat, two sides). Burnt-Ends: These were seriously the best I've ever had. The girlfriend usually dislikes these because they're over-charred and fatty, but not at Little Z's. These were prepared perfectly, tasting like little bites of smoked steak rather than burnt cast-off pieces of beef. They went incredibly well with the Bold sauce as the little extra kick balanced the char flavor nicely. Chicken: The chicken was very good. While smoked, it was still very tender and moist, without being greasy. It went well with all of their sauces. In our sampler, we got a drummy and a half breast. Ribs: I was equally impressed by these. They were butchered perfectly, and tender enough that I could pull the bone right out of them without a knife. They were trimmed so that you didn't have the giant chunks of gristle masquerading as meat. The dry rub was good, without being overpowering or clashing with any of their sauces. Sauce: I tried all of their sauces (Bold, Honey Garlic, Asian, Cherry Apple, Sweet), and there wasn't one that I didn't like. My only complaint was that they were all pretty sweet and lacked spice, except for the Bold. Not to the point of tasting bad, but it would be nice to have a bit more variety on that end. Thankfully mixing in a bit of the Bold gave each sauce a nice kick without overpowering the unique flavors. At the girlfriend's suggestion, I mixed a bit of the Bold with the Cherry Apple. By far my favorite. It would be nice if they had a more vinegar-y Carolina style sauce, and some spicier options, but there wasn't one that I didn't like or wouldn't eat on any of the meats that we got. Portions: For two people, the TripleQ was quite good. We had enough meat (had a rib and a half to take home), and the two sides were sufficient (Mac-N-Cheese and Fries, both good). The cornbread was surprisingly good, but we should have followed our waitress's suggestion and gotten a second piece for the two of us. Still, for $20, it was enough food without being too much. Our waitress was great, polite, and fun. Now, inevitably any BBQ in southeast MI will get compared to Slow's. Honestly, Slow's Apple BBQ is still my favorite BBQ sauce, hands down. But the sides and meat preparation at Little Z's are definitely on par if not a little better, and the prices comparable. I'm totally coming back. Probably for lunch, as their lunch specials looked great and were all under $8.
(5)Jill M.
Love this place!! I definitely think it's the best BBQ in our area. Small, chill, and the whole staff was friendly. Even got a chance to shoot the shit with the owner for a minute, as we sat at the bar. Both my boyfriend and I had the pulled pork sandwich, as it is one of our fav dishes to order. Best ever! The meat was sooo moist and pink, and wonderful! Lots of good sauces to choose from. The baked mac n cheese was tasty, and the cornbread was amazing!! Officially our go to BBQ joint!
(5)Anna J.
Not the best- too many other better options around. Rub was very bland, meat tough, sides where meh. Hate to dis a local place, but they could do better.
(3)Katie T.
My husband and I have gotten Little Z's three times since they opened: once dining in, once carryout, and once delivery. Overall, I like them - they're the best barbecue we've found in our immediate area. I don't recall exactly what we've gotten each time, but I did want to put up a review for the overall experience. The meat is very good. I usually get pulled pork, which is very good; yesterday we both got the St. Louis rib dinner (pork ribs; it was on special). They were good. I'm a little disappointed with the sides; the corn bread has been dry every time we've gotten it. But the mac and cheese is pretty good, and so are the fries. I do recall having gotten the pulled pork nachos the first time we went - they were good, but could have done with some layering (the toppings were all on the very top, so most of the nacho chips were dry - kind of underwhelming). I remember the first time we went my husband got some sort of sandwich and was underwhelmed with it, but he's liked what he's gotten the other times. The service, however, is VERY good. In fact, one of the things that prompted me to write this review was that when we ordered delivery yesterday, it took a VERY long time. When it finally arrived, the driver introduced himself as the owner (which I have verified through the wonders of the Internet), apologized for the delay, and explained that the delivery guy had gotten lost. You know, EVERYone gets lost delivering to our neighborhood, and I almost told the woman who took our order that I should give specific directions, but then I threw caution to the wind and trusted in GPS technology. So really, it was partly my fault, and the fact that the owner schlepped over (ok, it's less than a mile) to deliver our food and apologize...that's exceptional, IMO. In short: the food is good, but depends on what you order. The service? Definitely pushes it over the top. If the food were more consistent, this would be a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
(4)Michael R.
Extremely yummy pulled pork sandwich! The fries and slaw were also very good. The prices were reasonable. The BBQ is dry rub & the homemade sauces were very tasty. Excellent!
(5)James H.
Great food and very well priced. Sauces are gluten free too
(5)B G.
It is a very small place. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I think they do a large takeout business. I would not take a client there for a business lunch, but my mom loves it. Look at the sandwiches, more than enough food. I have, and I will go back
(4)Gordana F.
I can't even deal with how good this food is. Sometimes i dream about it. No, really, i do. Like, saying that it is good, is a lie. It is not good, it is the best bbq that has ever existed anywhere, ever. (save for the cole slaw, that is so not great). but the ribs, omg the ribs. I am having a love affair with the ribs. There is nothing more delicious than little z's ribs. Nothing. Nothing at all. And the cornbread and the chicken, and the mac and cheese, oh and the Greens!! It is like the God of BBQ's created this place himself. go get your worship on folks. Do this. Trust me.
(4)Meg K.
I don't love smoked meat, but I was wowed by the dinner I had tonight at this new little BBQ joint. Whatever spices are in their rub, it's a wonderful fragrant blend that develops a crisp exterior and a moist and tender, tasty inside with a subtle smoke. We ordered the sampler, which includes 8 different kinds of meat. I wasn't a fan of the spices in the sausage, but it was cooked just right. The other meats: pulled pork, brisket, hog wings (amazing), chicken, etc. were big on flavor and low on fat. Hand cut salty fries, crispy and tender. Steaming hot baked mac&cheese, creamy buttery goodness topped with toasted bread crumbs. My son's Po' Boy sandwich was just okay; slightly overcooked and we didn't care for the sauce. Cornbread somewhat dry. The very fresh, crunchy slaw was too tangy for me - competes with instead of complements the (yummy) sauces. But who cares? This place is new and still working out the kinks. Everything else had well developed flavors, cooked perfectly, and if they keep pumping out great food we'll be regulars. We received stellar service! It's a tiny space (they take reservations and probably shouldn't b/c it ties up tables) so be prepared to wait for a table or get take out; they offer delivery. Generous portions, priced right.
(5)Nick B.
Screw Slows. This is much closer to home, easier to park, and just as good if not better in my opinion. You might drive by here a lot and not think to step inside, big mistake, this place is a hidden gem. Great BBQ sauces, amazing ribs, great corn bread and greens, awesome brisket, and unbeatable prices. Go for lunch, you can't beat it! I've made my mouth water.
(5)Dan M.
Little Z's is quite the surprise. Nestled in a small set of shops on the east side of Mack in an unassuming St. Clair Shores neighborhood, Little Z's could easily be mistaken for a laundromat or coffee shop (both of which are nearby). However, buoyed by a positive review in the Metro Times we gave it a go, and have been extremely pleased , heading back several times now. First of all, let's be frank - eating in really is not an option, and if that is your plan, you should probably go elsewhere. There are a couple tables, but it is noisy and loud, with phones ringing off the hook and carry-out orders being picked up. However, if you are looking for carry-out BBQ on the east side, here's your place. My wife and I have had a variety of their dishes, and so far none have disappointed. Their brisket is tender and juicy, and the portions are a good size. Ribs, short-ribs, catfish - all have been fantastic. The pulled pork was a little dry, as is oft the case. The sides are good as well, and the sauces are excellent. Particularly we both enjoy the Cherry Apple BBQ sauce. Service has been good, and we hope to continue to get carry out from Little Z's for a long time.
(4)Cyndi J.
Ok, the food portions here are huge! I ordered the sampler to share and it was plenty. You pretty much get a sample of every kind of meat. My favorite was the mac n cheese and the burnt ends! Its a small, very clean place. Service was very accomodating and the chef even came out to ask how our meal was. My cornbread was a little dry but everything else was great!
(5)Carla D.
Not good. First of all, my husband called and explained this was our first time ordering from them. He told the girl who answered that there were two adults and two children and asked how much we should order based on that. Well, we did have enough meat, fatty and gross meat...but the sides were barely enough for two people. No way there was enough food for four! So disappointing. And the food is not good. The Mac and Cheese was dry and disgusting. The coke slaw was average. Meat very fatty. Will not order again.
(1)Michael T.
By far the best BBQ joint that I've ever been to! Love everything that I've tried (and I've tried everything!) Super tasty sauces, and very friendly staff. My personal favorite are the hog wings or burnt ends with Mac and Cheese and the sub the gumbo for a side! Also give the baked beans a try!
(5)Katie B.
The barbeque is really good. (I love the Bold sauce mixed with the North Carolina Mustard sauce.) The service is really good. If you're going for the first time, remember to BYOB.
(4)Ricky P.
This place was strange. There is very little seating. It's moderately priced.I had the pulled pork and I just wasn't impressed. I feel like if you need 42 flavored sauces, you don't have a good meal to start with. It was just, "Meh." There are other places I'd prefer to go for good BBQ.
(2)Shiela J.
I'm a fan of carry-out and tried this place when they first opened. My general thought was it was OK. The meat was tasty, the mac and cheese was yum but I hated all the sauces that I tried. I almost let that sway me because I thought the sauces tasted like flavored tomato pastes because they were so thick and really lacked decent flavor. However, I thought I would try it again thinking some kinks may need to be worked out. This time, brisket, mac and cheese and collard greens was the fare. Again, the meat was tasty and pretty darn good. I thoroughly enjoyed the sides and all in all had a very satisfying meal. However, my stance on the BBQ sauce stands. Which kind of throws me off because I have never been to a place where I couldn't find at least 1 sauce. Oh well. It won't stop me from returning. You can get a good meal and the fact that I can get it close to home is nice. I'll just add my own sauce. All in all - I would definitely return and encourage locals to do the same. I think they deserve 3-1/2 stars but that's not an option. This has not notoriously a location where businesses have longevity so I hope Little Z can break the cycle.
(3)Victoria M.
More of a carry out joint but you can dine in and ask the manager/owner about the BYOB policy ;) Good BBQ and YUMMY SAUCES. They have a really hot sauce they don't display, ask for it if you're into that. Had burnt ends and St Louis ribs but everything looks good. Good prices, pretty standard $$ for BBQ yet not overpriced. Oh they have a sampler of some type with 5 different meats and maybe 2-3 sides and about $25. Get that if you arent sure. It can be enought for 2 hungry peeps.
(4)Debbie H.
Just picture a man and woman running toward one another in slow motion through a beautiful, flower-filled meadow ...their arms extended, anticipating a loving embrace. Then the woman runs right past the befuddled man ...into the arms of a smaller, lesser known guy. The jilted man would be Slow's BBQ and the little guy with the receding hairline who gets the girl would be Little Z's. We were driving home from Ann Arbor and agreed that it was about time for BBQ since we hadn't opted for that in quite a while. Of course the iconic Slow's came to mind but because Deb had already been there once before (average experience) and we jumped on Yelp to sift through reviews (2 hour wait at times?) we thought of giving our more local Little Z's a shot. What a great decision guys. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich which comes on a baked focaccia, with tomato jam and onions. There were 8 or 9 sauces to try but I'm telling you, this was good enough to stand on its own. Outstanding flavor and a huge portion. Plenty of fries, which were cooked, for me, perfectly. They were not the typically undercooked, bendy, gross fries that sometimes can ruin a good sandwich. The redskin potato salad was amazing as well. Deb chose the pulled pork sandwich with fries and slaw. Again, excellent flavor and portion size ... Great tasting coleslaw was a little on the watery side but the flavor was terrific. To top it off the price was reasonable and the service was extremely accommodating and friendly. With apologies to the Goliath that is Slow's ... My money is on the David that is Little Z's. We'll be back!
(5)Caitlin T.
I should come out and say, i wasn't MAD at this place. It wasn't bad! I just didn't like it enough to call myself a fan. Another disclosure: we went in 30 minutes before closing on a Sunday, so maybe that affected the food too. We got the BBQ sampler, it seemed like a good choice for our first time! Brisket and turkey were both very dry, but they were good for testing out the sauces (though the fact that this sampler comes with only one sauce is kinda bogus-- had to pay $.75 for each cup to try more than one type). --I wouldn't make the mistake of paying for multiple sauces again, either. The sweet, bold, and cherry apple all tasted way too similar for it to be worth it. I usually enjoy a white BBQ sauce but I wasn't impressed with theirs. I'd just get the Bold next time and call it a day I'm not a big ribs fan normally, and these were no exception. Tough and fatty-- I didn't even finish one. Pulled pork was good-- not at all fatty but still moist. Definitely worthwhile! Sausage was good, but cold? I don't know if it's supposed to be or if it just didn't stay warm on our drive home, but I had to nuke it after carrying out. Corn bread was corn bread. I like corn bread in general. I nuked this too because I always think corn break should be hot. The chicken was very good, nice and moist because it's smoked with the skin and it had really good flavor. The best thing (and I am SO biased here) were the burnt ends. I am a huge fan of burnt ends in general and these were no exception. If I were to come back, I'd skip everything else and just get the burnt ends dinner. Lesson learned! We picked collard greens and cole slaw as our sides, and also ordered a potato salad. The collard greens were great, the potato salad was mediocre. The mediocrity of the potato salad was especially disappointing, considering that they gave us two potato salads and forgot the cole slaw. Bummer. I probably won't be back, but I wouldn't advise anyone away. Just don't get your hopes up; I was shocked to see that this place had so many 5-star reviews based on the experience I had!
(3)Christine U.
Loved it! There is not much seating but we were able to get a table and dine in. The food was great! We had the sampler platter and the hog fries. We will definitely be back!
(5)Glen H.
Really really good. The meat is very good, tender, smoky, flavorful, and the sauces are excellent. I LOVE the Alabama White. It's like ranch dressing with a vinegar base. Wonderful. Here's the strangest thing from the meal -- I ate every bit of the two sides. A cole slaw which was tangy, lots of vinegar, almost like eating pickled slaw. I really enjoyed it. The potato salad is redskin based, with a creamy dressing that includes plenty of mustard. The celery was crisp, and the consistency was excellent. Well done. Why no five stars? The mac and cheese was kind of disappointing. The flavor profile doesn't say mac and cheese, more creamy salt. That may be what you want, but it lacked cheese flavor. The little bit of cheddar melted on top didn't make the difference. Not the worst, not the best. I would definitely recommend this place. Get carryout if you can -- not too many tables in the place. Let's keep this place open!
(4)Keith N.
Great new BBQ place! Had the Detroit Style Burnt Ends and they were tender and flavorful. My wife had the half chicken and she really enjoyed it. The Z's Bold BBQ sauce has got a nice kick to it. The sides were excellent, although the mac and cheese could have been a warmer (temperature wise). My wife and I both liked the red skin potato salad, and she is very particular about potato salad! There is limited seating, so plan on carry out or getting lucky.
(4)Michael S.
I tried the pu pu platter of the BBQ world today. It had all the smoked meats, pork and chicken on it. WOW was it tasty and smokey and delicious. The Mac and cheese and bbq beans are not bad either. I would highly recommend Little Z's to any BBQ fanatic. Michael Stoyka Grosse Pte Farms, MI
(5)Andy H.
Had some Little Z's Q tonight. Great pulled pork, great flavor without the sauce. Not to fatty and pulled apart nicely so as to leave some big chunks as well. Thinking the carry out bag looked light, they forgot to put the slaw in the bag. Open the bag at home and find they placed two of the same sauces in the bad instead of 2 different kinds, Yea I know, its the details, but they should get these right. 3 stars due to carryout oversight. Mac and Cheese was decent. The vinerag-y slaw is the kind I don't care for, but it was definately not as wet as our buddy Glenn H described. Shouldn't all BBQ joints offer a creamy slaw????
(3)Barbie M.
thank you little z's for being close to home and making me dream of mac and cheese! this place is legit! my fiance and i have the rib and chicken combo with 2 sides. mac and cheese and the home fries! it was the kind of first bite where your eyes pop open and the person your with gets excited because they know by the look of pure pleasure on your face that they soon will be happy too! so if you are looking to sit down and stuff your face you may not have a seat because this place lacks tables but makes up for it 10 fold in service and quality!! you will be greeted with a big smile and a welcome hello and treated like you are family! if you cant find a seat get a carry out but drive home fast because im pretty sure you will not be able to resist the temptation of eating it in the car and that could be bad!! go to little z's try everything! make sure you dont have plans after because you are going to be a happy stuffed piggy after and ready for a nap!! just go!!
(5)David M.
Pulled pork sandwich, St. Louis ribs and wings / hog wings were excellent. Gumbo was ok. Not a fan of the fries or coleslaw. Cornbread was only so-so. The choice of sauces (5) was great. If you want hotter sauces, ask and you will be given two more. Combine Z's Sweet and Z's Bold for really great flavor. Service was very courteous. We will certainly return.
(4)Maggie H.
We went to Little Z's on a Saturday after a volunteer event after a stellar recommendation from a fellow Yelper. I was so excited to try a new BBQ joint, especially when my friend pitted Little Z's against my favorite BBQ in Metro-D. It pains me to say that Little Z's did not live up to expectations, however let me start with what I liked. The pork by itself had a lot of really good flavor. If you are not a "dressings" person you will really enjoy the pork. Second, the baked beans were full of flavor and both sweet and savory. Now, onto the flip side. I happen to be one of those people who really likes to dress my pork. Give me multiple sauces to try and some coleslaw to slather my pork in and I am a happy carnivore. The coleslaw at Little Z's was too heavy on the vinegar rather than creamy. Though I appreciated eating it by itself, when eating BBQ, a creamy coleslaw is necessary to put on the pork to balance hot sauce. Second, the hot sauces did not wow me. There wasn't one that was spicy enough to satisfy. Finally, the macaroni and cheese was way overdone. It came out like a big blob of mush because the noodles were overcooked. Regrettably, we may have hit Little Z's on a bad day/time, especially considering the other reviews I have read and my friends shock at our experience. However, there is too much good BBQ in metro to overlook the major gaps we had at Little Z's.
(2)